bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Most ornamental plants on sale in garden centres are unattractive to flower-visiting insects
Authors: Garbuzov Mihail , Alton Karin , Ratnieks Francis L.W.
Published: March 2017

Background

Gardeners and park managers seeking to support biodiversity in urban areas often plant ornamentals attractive to flower-visiting insects. There is a huge diversity of garden plant varieties, and some recommendations are available as to which are attractive to insects. However, these are largely not based on rigorous empirical data. An important factor in consumer choice is the range of varieties available for purchase. In the UK, garden centres are a key link in the supply chain between growers and private gardens. This study is the first to determine the proportions of flowering ornamentals being sold that are attractive to flower-visiting insects.

Methods

We surveyed six garden centres in Sussex, UK, each over two days in 2015, by making 12 counts of insects visiting patches of each ornamental plant on display for sale that was in bloom. To provide a consistent baseline among different locations, we brought with us and surveyed marjoram (Origanum vulgare) plants in pots, which are known to be attractive to a wide range of flower-visiting insects. The attractiveness of plant varieties to insects was then expressed in two ways: the absolute number and relative to that on marjoram (‘marjoram score’), both per unit area of plant cover. In addition, we noted whether each variety was recommended as pollinator-friendly either via a symbol on the label, or by being included in the Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Perfect for Pollinators’ list. Furthermore, we compared the attractiveness of plants that are typically grown for more than one year versus only one year.

Results

We surveyed 59–74 plant varieties in bloom across the six garden centres. In each garden centre, the distributions of variety attractiveness were highly skewed to the right, with most varieties being relatively unattractive, and few varieties highly attractive to flower-visiting insects. The median attractiveness of varieties with a recommendation was 4.2× higher than that of varieties without. But, due to the large variation there was a substantial number of both poor varieties that had a recommendation and good varieties that did not. Median attractiveness of multi-year plants was 1.6× that of single-year plants, with a similar overlap in distributions.

Discussion

Our study demonstrates the practicality of carrying out plant surveys in garden centres. Garden centres display large numbers of varieties for sale, most of which are in bloom. Furthermore, data gathered in garden centres appear to correlate well with data gathered in two previous studies in Sussex for plants established in gardens. Although it is unclear whether the varieties being sold in garden centres are a fair representation of varieties that are actually grown by gardeners, our results suggest that there might be considerable scope for making parks and gardens considerably more insect-friendly through judicious variety choices.
Remaking History
Authors: Tian Xiaofei
Published: March 2017

Of the three powers—Wei, Shu, and Wu—that divided China for the better part of the third century, Wei has received the most attention in the standard literary historical accounts. In a typical book of Chinese literary history in any language, little, if anything, is said about Wu and Shu. This article argues that the consideration of the literary production of Shu and Wu is crucial to a fuller picture of the cultural dynamics of the Three Kingdoms period. The three states competed with one another for the claim to political legitimacy and cultural supremacy, and Wu in particular was in a position to contend with Wei in its cultural undertakings, notably in the areas of history writing and ritual music. This article begins with an overview of Shu and Wu literary production, and moves on to a more detailed discussion of Wu’s cultural projects, both of which were intended to assert Wu’s legitimacy and cultural power vis-à-vis Wei and Shu’s claims to cultural and political orthodoxy. Ultimately, this article implicitly asks the question of how to write literary history when there is scant material from the period under question, and suggests that we perform textual excavations and make use of what we have to try and reconstruct, as best as we can, what once was. A good literary history of the Chinese medieval period, the age of manuscript culture and that of heavy textual losses and transfigurations, should be written with the awareness of the incomplete and imperfect nature of the data we do have, and incorporate the phenomenon of textual losses and transfigurations as well as some reflections on the underlying reasons into its narrative and critical inquiry.
On the Etymology of the Eastern Japanese Word tego
Authors: Kupchik John
Published: March 2017

In this paper I detail the weaknesses of the previously proposed etymologies of the Eastern Japanese word tego ‘third daughter; maiden’, which is exclusive to Eastern Old Japanese (EOJ) and the modern Hachijō language. I then offer a new hypothesis in which the original form of this word was a morphological hybrid consisting of Proto-Ainu *dE ‘three’ (borrowed into EOJ as te), the EOJ adnominal copula nö, and the EOJ word ko ‘girl’, which contracted to tego and had the meaning ‘girl who is third’. Furthermore, I claim that the primary meaning of tego is ‘third daughter’ and that it developed the secondary meaning of ‘maiden’ in EOJ. I argue this hypothesis is stronger than the previously proposed etymologies in phonetics, morphology, and semantics, and more importantly it allows us to account for this word in both EOJ and Hachijō.
Qurʾans of the Umayyads: A First Overview. By François Déroche
Authors: Small Keith
Published: March 2017

Qurʾans of the Umayyads: A First Overview. By François Déroche. Leiden Studies in Islam and Society, vol. 1. Leiden: Brill, 2014. Pp. xiii + 155, illus. $71, £55 (paper).
Mobile Pastoralism and the Formation of Near Eastern Civilizations: Weaving Together Society. By Anne Porter
Authors: Liverani Mario
Published: March 2017

Mobile Pastoralism and the Formation of Near Eastern Civilizations: Weaving Together Society. By Anne Porter. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012. Pp. x + 389, illus. $99.
Levites and Priests in Biblical Tradition and History. Edited by Mark Leuchter and Jeremy M. Hutton
Authors: Samuel Harald
Published: March 2017

Levites and Priests in Biblical Tradition and History. Edited by Mark Leuchter and Jeremy M. Hutton. Ancient Israel and Its Literature, vol. 9. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2011. Pp. x + 257. $31.95 (paper).
Aramaic in Postbiblical Judaism and Early Christianity. Edited by Eric M. Meyers and PauL V. M. Flesher
Authors: Cassis Marcia
Published: March 2017

Aramaic in Postbiblical Judaism and Early Christianity. Edited by Eric M. Meyers and Paul V. Flesher. Duke Judaic Studies Series, vol. 3. Winona Lake, Ind.: Eisenbrauns, 2010. Pp. xx + 300. $49.50.
Front Matter
Authors: Editors
Published: March 2017

Front matter
C‐terminal truncation of GSK‐3β enhances its dephosphorylation by PP2A
Authors: Jin Nana , Wu Yue , Xu Wen , Gong Cheng‐Xin , Iqbal Khalid , Liu Fei
Published: March 2017

Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) is the major tau kinase. Its phosphorylation at Ser9 suppresses the activity. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, GSK‐3β is truncated at the C terminus by overactivated calpain I, leading to an increase in its activity. However, the effect of truncation on its phosphorylation is unknown. We found here that in AD brain and in cultured cells, C‐terminally truncated GSK‐3β is less phosphorylated at Ser9 than the full‐length enzyme. The truncation promotes GSK‐3β nuclear translocation and enhances its interaction with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), leading to dephosphorylation. Thus, the truncation of GSK‐3β may enhance its activity through Ser9 dephosphorylation by PP2A. Our findings shed new light on the role of calpain–GSK‐3β–PP2A in tau pathogenesis of AD.
Natural variations of tropical width and recent trends
Authors: Mantsis Damianos F. , Sherwood Steven , Allen Robert , Shi Lei
Published: March 2017

The temporal evolution of the tropical width since 1979 is investigated in observations and models by using metrics based on outgoing radiation, 6.7 µm brightness temperature, and atmospheric reanalysis. The maximum 20 year widening as seen in radiation by satellites occurred during 1993–2012 and was associated with a global sea surface temperature (SST) change that resembles the El Niño–Southern Oscillation/Pacific Decadal Oscillation in the Pacific region. Idealized experiments with Community Atmospheric Model version 5 reveal that Tropical Pacific SST pattern largely accounts for the widening. A number of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 coupled models can simulate, without any type of forcing, this satellite‐inferred tropical widening and its associated Pacific SST pattern. While model‐simulated widenings are consistent for all metrics, the two reanalysis‐based widenings are inconsistent internally and with the satellite‐based and model widenings. Our results reinforce suggestions that observed widenings can be explained by internal variability as captured by climate models, though this depends on whether reanalysis trends are regarded as reliable.
Intense biological phosphate uptake onto particles in subeuphotic continental margin waters
Authors: Sokoll S. , Ferdelman T. G. , Holtappels M. , Goldhammer T. , Littmann S. , Iversen M. H. , Kuypers M. M. M.
Published: March 2017

Elucidating the processes that affect particulate phosphorus (P) export from the euphotic zone and burial in sediments is important for models of global phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon cycling. We investigated dissolved inorganic Pi incorporation into particles (>0.2 µm) in the subeuphotic zone and benthic boundary layer of high‐productivity Mauritanian and Namibian shelf waters, using 33PO43− tracer experiments combined with a sequential chemical extraction analysis. Pi uptake (5.4 to 19.9 nmol P L−1 d−1) by particulate matter was biologically mediated (~50% into the organic fraction) and similar to estimated rates of heterotrophic growth. Thus, a substantial fraction of Pi must be recycled through a particle‐associated microbial pool. Rapid adsorption of 33P in the anoxic waters of Namibia indicated the additional existence of a large pool of surface exchangeable P. Particle‐associated Pi recycling and adsorption may influence the export flux and ultimate fate of particle bound P in continental shelf waters.
Age in Learning and Teaching Grammar
Authors: DeKeyser Robert M.
Published: March 2017

Simply changing the age at which a second/foreign language is introduced in school will not make much of a difference, especially for grammar. Children learn in a very different way from adults, in particular where language is concerned. The main implication is that second language instruction should be adapted to age in a variety of ways, fostering implicit learning in young children, and bringing in more and more explicit support for older children, adolescents, and adults.
Teaching Speaking in Integrated‐Skills Classes
Authors: Hinkel Eli
Published: March 2017

Teaching second language (L2) speaking skills that are integrated with other skills can enhance learning in a variety of ways, for example by helping language learners expand their background knowledge in content areas, by increasing their vocabulary knowledge and grammar repertoire, and by improving their pronunciation. Given the large number of options for teaching L2 speaking integrated with other skills, only two are examined here: integrated instruction in (a) speaking and listening, and in (b) speaking and learning L2 pragmatics.
Discourse Analysis for the Second Language Writing Classroom
Authors: Paltridge Brian
Published: March 2017

For students to succeed in their writing, they need to understand the requirements and expectations of the task in which they are engaged. They also need an understanding of the expectations of the particular genre and the audience at which their text is aimed. Students need an awareness of how their texts can be framed according to the purpose of the communication and discourse community expectations for their text. This includes a focus on the use of appropriate language for the text, the discourse patterns students might choose from to create their text, as well as broader disciplinary community expectations for the texts that they are writing.
Online Professional Development
Authors: Curtis Andy
Published: March 2017

There are a number of similarities but also important differences between training and development, including time required, timing, and outcomes. Some of the key features of professional development are: choice; trust; mutuality and reciprocity; and more effective and efficient learning, as a result of teacher professional development (TPD). Although online TPD has changed the “where,” “when,” and “how” of TPD, it has not altered the fundamental characteristics of the “who,” “what,” and “why” of TPD. Online TPD has enabled collaborative and international TPD in ways that were not possible previously. However, in spite of the convenience and flexibility of online TPD, the time needed remains the same. Therefore, teachers need to choose their online TPD programs carefully, to match their needs and the time available with what the online TPD program offers and the time required.
Bioinspired Helical Microfibers from Microfluidics
Authors: Yu Yunru , Fu Fanfan , Shang Luoran , Cheng Yao , Gu Zhongze , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: March 2017

Helical objects are among the most important and landmark structures in nature, and represent an emerging group of materials with unique spiral geometry; because of their enriched physical and chemical properties, they can have multiple functionalities. However, the fabrication of such complex helical materials at the micro‐ or nanoscale level remains a challenge. Here, a coaxial capillary microfluidic system, with the functions of consecutive spinning and spiraling, is presented for scalable generation of helical microfibers. The generation processes can be precisely tuned by adjusting the flow rates, and thus the length, diameter, and pitch of the helical microfibers are highly controllable. Varying the injection capillary design of the microfluidics enables the generation of helical microfibers with structures such as the novel Janus, triplex, core–shell, and even double‐helix structures. The potential use of these helical microfibers is also explored for magnetically and thermodynamically triggered microsprings, as well as for a force indicator for contraction of cardiomyocytes. These indicate that such helical microfibers are highly versatile for different applications.
Hybrid Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Perovskite Nanocrystals with Organic–Inorganic Mixed Cations
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Liu He , Wang Weigao , Zhang Jinbao , Xu Bing , Karen Ke Lin , Zheng Yuanjin , Liu Sheng , Chen Shuming , Wang Kai , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: March 2017

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite materials with mixed cations have demonstrated tremendous advances in photovoltaics recently, by showing a significant enhancement of power conversion efficiency and improved perovskite stability. Inspired by this development, this study presents the facile synthesis of mixed‐cation perovskite nanocrystals based on FA(1−x)CsxPbBr3 (FA = CH(NH2)2). By detailed characterization of their morphological, optical, and physicochemical properties, it is found that the emission property of the perovskite, FA(1−x)CsxPbBr3, is significantly dependent on the substitution content of the Cs cations in the perovskite composition. These mixed‐cation perovskites are employed as light emitters in light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). With an optimized composition of FA0.8Cs0.2PbBr3, the LEDs exhibit encouraging performance with a highest reported luminance of 55 005 cd m−2 and a current efficiency of 10.09 cd A−1. This work provides important instructions on the future compositional optimization of mixed‐cation perovskite for obtaining high‐performance LEDs. The authors believe this work is a new milestone in the development of bright and efficient perovskite LEDs.
Hydroxynitrile Lyase Isozymes from Prunus communis: Identification, Characterization and Synthetic Applications
Authors: Zheng Yu‐Cong , Xu Jian‐He , Wang Hui , Lin Guo‐Qiang , Hong Ran , Yu Hui‐Lei
Published: March 2017

Biocatalysts originating from Badamu (Prunus communis) have been applied to catalyze the asymmetric synthesis of (R)‐4‐methylsulfanylmandelonitrile, a key building block of thiamphenicol and florfenicol. Here, four hydroxynitrile lyase (HNL) isozymes from Badamu were cloned and heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris. The biochemical properties and catalytic performances of these isozymes were comprehensively explored to evaluate their efficiency and selectivity in asymmetric synthesis. Among then, PcHNL5 was identified with outstanding activity and enantioselectivity in asymmetric hydrocyanation. Under the optimized mild biphasic reaction conditions, seventeen prochiral aromatic aldehydes were converted to valuable chiral cyanohydrins with good yields (up to 94%) and excellent optical purities (up to >99.9% ee), which provide a facile access to numerous chiral amino alcohols, hypoglycemic agents, angiotension converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and β‐blockers. This work therefore underlines the importance of discovering the most potent biocatalyst among a group of isozymes for converting unnatural substrates into value‐added products.

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Tunable Cinchona‐Based Thioureas‐Catalysed Asymmetric Epoxidation to Synthetically Important Glycidic Ester Derivatives
Authors: Meninno Sara , Zullo Luca , Overgaard Jacob , Lattanzi Alessandra
Published: March 2017

A novel class of synthetically important glycidic esters has been obtained via an asymmetric epoxidation of trans‐α‐cyano‐α,β‐unsaturated esters catalysed by a multifunctional Cinchona alkaloid‐derived thiourea/tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) system. The glycidic esters, isolated in excellent yield with complete trans‐diastereocontrol and high enantioselectivity, proved to be versatile building blocks to access challenging small targets bearing a quaternary stereocenter.

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Refining patterns of joint hypermobility, habitus, and orthopedic traits in joint hypermobility syndrome and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type
Authors: Morlino Silvia , Dordoni Chiara , Sperduti Isabella , Venturini Marina , Celletti Claudia , Camerota Filippo , Colombi Marina , Castori Marco
Published: March 2017

Joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS) and Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, hypermobility type (EDS–HT) are two overlapping heritable disorders (JHS/EDS–HT) recognized by separated sets of diagnostic criteria and still lack a confirmatory test. This descriptive research was aimed at better characterizing the clinical phenotype of JHS/EDS–HT with focus on available diagnostic criteria, and in order to propose novel features and assessment strategies. One hundred and eighty‐nine (163 females, 26 males; age: 2–73 years) patients from two Italian reference centers were investigated for Beighton score, range of motion in 21 additional joints, rate and sites of dislocations and sprains, recurrent soft‐tissue injuries, tendon and muscle ruptures, body mass index, arm span/height ratio, wrist and thumb signs, and 12 additional orthopedic features. Rough rates were compared by age, sex, and handedness with a series of parametric and non‐parametric tools. Multiple correspondence analysis was carried out for possible co‐segregations of features. Beighton score and hypermobility at other joints were influenced by age at diagnosis. Rate and sites of joint instability complications did not vary according to age at diagnosis except for soft‐tissue injuries. No major difference was registered by sex and dominant versus non‐dominant body side. At multiple correspondence analysis, selected features tend to co‐segregate in a dichotomous distribution. Dolichostenomelia and arachnodactyly segregated independently. This study pointed out a more protean musculoskeletal phenotype than previously considered according to available diagnostic criteria for JHS/EDS–HT. Our findings corroborated the need for a re‐thinking of JHS/EDS–HT on clinical grounds in order to find better therapeutic and research strategies. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The outcomes of 31 cases of trisomy 13 diagnosed in utero with various management options
Authors: Takahashi Ken , Sasaki Aiko , Wada Seiji , Wada Yuka , Tsukamoto Keiko , Kosaki Rika , Ito Yushi , Sago Haruhiko
Published: March 2017

There are few reports on the prognosis of prenatally diagnosed trisomy 13 in relation to postnatal management. The aim of this study was to report on the prenatal and postnatal outcomes and postnatal management of trisomy 13 fetuses that were prenatally diagnosed at our center between 2003 and 2015. The data were retrospectively reviewed from medical records. Of the 31 cases of trisomy 13, 12 patients were diagnosed before 22 weeks of gestation, and 19 were diagnosed at or after 22 weeks of gestation. Nine families opted for termination of the pregnancy, 14 fetuses died, and 8 were born alive. Aggressive treatment was requested in two of the live births, with one patient achieving long‐term survival (7 years). The other died during infancy (Day 61). One out of four who received palliative treatment is alive at two years of age with only nutrition supplementation. These three patients who achieved neonatal survival had few structural anomalies. Fetal death and early neonatal death are common in trisomy 13; however, fetuses that receive medical treatment for cases without major ultrasound abnormalities may achieve neonatal survival. Therefore, it is useful to provide comprehensive information, including precise ultrasound findings and treatment options, to parents with trisomy 13 fetuses during genetic counseling.
Effect of PBMA on PVC‐based polymer blend electrolytes
Authors: Arunkumar R. , Babu Ravi Shanker , Usha Rani M. , Kalainathan S.
Published: March 2017

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)—poly(butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) blended polymer electrolytes with lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) as the complexing salts are prepared by solution casting technique. The addition of PBMA into PVC matrix is found to induce considerable changes in physical and electrical properties of the polymer electrolytes. Addition of PBMA into PVC matrix is found to increase the conductivity by two orders of magnitude (1.108 × 10−5 S cm−1) when compared with that of the pristine PVC polymer electrolyte (10−7 S cm−1). Structural, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and polymer–salt interactions are ascertained from X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), mechanical analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) respectively. A thermal stability upto 250 °C is asserted from the TG/DTA analysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44939.
Effect of an intensive mechanical removal effort on a population of non‐native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in a South African headwater stream
Authors: Shelton Jeremy , Weyl Olaf , Van Der Walt Johannes , Marr Sean , Impson Dean , Maciejewski Kristine , Tye Donovan , Dallas Helen , Esler Karen
Published: March 2017

Invasions by non‐native species can compromise the conservation value of otherwise pristine headwater streams. While both developed and developing countries recognize this threat, few of the latter have suitable budgets to implement control programmes.

This study assessed the effectiveness of a mechanical project to remove non‐native rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss from a 6 km section of the upper Krom River, a small headwater stream in the Cederberg Mountains in South Africa's Cape Floristic Region (CFR).

From October 2013 to February 2014, 354 O. mykiss were removed by angling (58%), fyke netting (28%) and gill netting (14%). This resulted in a marked reduction, but not eradication, of the O. mykiss population (fish relative abundance decreased from 0.53 ± 0.09 fish per net per night in October 2013 to 0.21 ± 0.09 fish per net per night in February 2014). Following the cessation of manual removals, the relative abundance of O. mykiss had increased to 0.56 ± 0.18 fish per net per night by March 2016, suggesting that without sustained removal effort, the population will rapidly return to its pre‐removal abundance level.

Further work is needed to refine the methodology and test the effectiveness of mechanical removal of non‐native freshwater fish in a variety of ecological settings in the CFR. This approach holds potential for meeting the dual goals of reducing the ecological impacts of non‐native fishes and generating employment opportunities in line with the policy objectives of developing nations.
Train movement simulation by element increment method
Authors: Xu Gaowei , Li Feng , Long Jiancheng , Han Ding
Published: March 2017

The article presents an element increment method that is developed by current time increment method of train traction calculation. A railway route was divided, breaking it down into elements of different lengths. A whole train movement simulation curve (v–t curve and v–S curve) was formed by splitting the joints of each of the elements' individual simulation curves. During this process, the train velocity variance was calculated by time increment method with assistance of polynomial fitting technology. Additionally, a step‐by‐step method with iteration was used to combine each element and makes the whole simulation curve continuous. Meanwhile, the energy‐saving issue was also taken into account to optimize the simulation curve. This article gives more details about the modeling by providing an example of a railway route based on moving block control. The element increment method is a more effective way to calculate train traction of high‐speed railway, and it is an alternative method to train movement simulation for aiding macroscopic railway transportation planning. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in single heavy vehicle crashes at intersections and midblocks
Authors: Balakrishnan Sivanandan , Moridpour Sara , Tay Richard
Published: March 2017

The objective of this research is to identify the factors differentiating between single heavy vehicle collisions at intersections and midblocks by using a binary logit model. Our results show that single vehicle crashes involving heavy vehicle at intersections are more likely to occur on main roads and highways, whereas crashes at midblocks are more likely to occur on divided two‐way roads, roads with special facilities or features (e.g. bridge) and roads with a higher percentage of heavy vehicle traffic. Intersection crashes are also more likely to involve vehicles that are turning left or right, resulting in angle crashes and vehicle overturn, whereas midblock crashes are more likely to involve vehicles on higher posted speed roads. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing cell‐free protein expression in CHO: Assessing small molecule mass transfer effects in various reactor configurations
Authors: Peñalber‐Johnstone Chariz , Ge Xudong , Tran Kevin , Selock Nicholas , Sardesai Neha , Gurramkonda Chandrasekhar , Pilli Manohar , Tolosa Michael , Tolosa Leah , Kostov Yordan , Frey Douglas D. , Rao Govind
Published: March 2017

Cell‐free protein synthesis (CFPS) is an ideal platform for rapid and convenient protein production. However, bioreactor design remains a critical consideration in optimizing protein expression. Using turbo green fluorescent protein (tGFP) as a model, we tracked small molecule components in a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) CFPS system to optimize protein production. Here, three bioreactors in continuous‐exchange cell‐free (CECF) format were characterized. A GFP optical sensor was built to monitor the product in real‐time. Mass transfer of important substrate and by‐product components such as nucleoside triphosphates (NTPs), creatine, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) across a 10‐kDa MWCO cellulose membrane was calculated. The highest efficiency measured by tGFP yields were found in a microdialysis device configuration; while a negative effect on yield was observed due to limited mass transfer of NTPs in a dialysis cup configuration. In 24‐well plate high‐throughput CECF format, addition of up to 40 mM creatine phosphate in the system increased yields by up to ∼60% relative to controls. Direct ATP addition, as opposed to creatine phosphate addition, negatively affected the expression. Pi addition of up to 30 mM to the expression significantly reduced yields by over ∼40% relative to controls. Overall, data presented in this report serves as a valuable reference to optimize the CHO CFPS system for next‐generation bioprocessing. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1478–1486. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and validation of an HPLC‐UV method for the simultaneous determination of the antipsychotics clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine, several beta‐blockers and their metabolites
Authors: Silva Gracia Margarete , Köppl Alexandra , Unholzer Sandra , Haen Ekkehard
Published: March 2017

Abstact

A simple, accurate and selective column‐switching high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of six beta‐blockers (metoprolol, timolol, bisoprolol, propranolol, carvedilol and nebivolol), three of their metabolites (α‐hydroxy metoprolol, N‐desisopropyl propranolol and 4′‐hydroxy carvedilol 4‐HCAR), three antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine and quetiapine) and three of their metabolites (N‐desmethyl olanzapine, N‐desmethyl clozapine and N‐desalkyl quetiapine) in human serum. After pretreatment on a Merck LiChrospher RP‐4 ADS column (25 μm), drugs were separated on a Phenomenex Gemini Phenyl Hexyl 110 A column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) using a gradient mixture of acetonitrile and potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer pH 3.1 (containing 10% methanol) as a mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The total analysis time was 40 min. For detection of the analytes, four different UV wavelengths were used: 215, 226, 242 and 299 nm. The method was validated according to the guidelines of the Society of Toxicology and Forensic Chemistry in terms of selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision and stability and successfully applied for the analysis of the 15 described analytes in human serum.
Teaching kinematics with interactive schematics and 3D models
Authors: Arnay Rafael , Hernández‐Aceituno Javier , González Evelio , Acosta Leopoldo
Published: March 2017

In this paper, some computer applications for teaching forward and inverse kinematics in Robotics are presented. These applications, developed in Unity3D and Python, allow both teachers and students to create and manipulate 3D interactive representations of the studied robotic models. The use of these tools has been proved to help students improve their understanding of the geometric transformations and mathematical operations required to solve both forward and inverse kinematics exercises. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:420–429, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21809
Retrospective review of serotonergic medication tolerability in patients with neuroendocrine tumors with biochemically proven carcinoid syndrome
Authors: Shi Diana D. , Yuppa David P. , Dutton Trevor , Brais Lauren K. , Minden Sarah L. , Braun Ilana M. , Kulke Matthew H. , Chan Jennifer A. , Meyer Fremonta L.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Patients with carcinoid tumors frequently could benefit from the pharmacologic treatment of depression and anxiety. However, many prescribers avoid serotonergic medications due to the theoretical risk of exacerbating carcinoid syndrome.

METHODS

The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with carcinoid tumors and elevated serotonin levels (as measured by 24‐hour urine 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid [5‐HIAA]) at Dana‐Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center who initiated treatment with serotonergic antidepressants after a carcinoid diagnosis from 2003 to 2016. Each medication regimen was categorized based on the presence of adverse interactions as defined by clinical worsening of symptoms of carcinoid syndrome in the absence of progressive disease that temporally correlated with a serotonergic medication trial.

RESULTS

A total of 73 serotonergic regimens received by 52 patients were included in the primary analysis. Among these medication trials, 8.2% of the regimens (6 regimens) were categorized as being associated with a likely adverse interaction, 61.6% of the regimens (45 regimens) were categorized as having no adverse reaction, 9.6% of the regimens (7 regimens) were categorized as an unlikely adverse reaction, and 20.6% of the regimens (15 regimens) were categorized as unknown. It is interesting to note that none of the 73 trials resulted in a carcinoid crisis requiring emergency care or hospitalization. Only 3 patients discontinued serotonergic medications due to worsening carcinoid syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Serotonergic medications appear to be a safe option for the treatment of depressive and anxiety symptoms in the majority of patients with neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome. In the current study, <10% of patients developed a combination of flushing, diarrhea, and bloating after the initiation of serotonergic medications. Clinicians can begin with low doses, monitor these symptoms, and reduce the dose or discontinue the medication if necessary. Cancer 2017;123:2735‐42. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
In‐the‐loop or on‐the‐loop? Interactional arrangements to support team coordination with a planning agent
Authors: Fischer Joel E. , Greenhalgh Chris , Jiang Wenchao , Ramchurn Sarvapali D. , Wu Feng , Rodden Tom
Published: March 2017

In this paper, we present the study of interactional arrangements that support the collaboration of headquarters (HQ), field responders, and a computational planning agent in a time‐critical task setting created by a mixed‐reality game. Interactional arrangements define the extent to which control is distributed between the collaborative parties. We provide 2 field trials, one to study an “on‐the‐loop” arrangement in which HQ monitors and intervenes in agent instructions to field players on demand and the other, to study a version that places HQ more tightly “in‐the‐loop.” The studies provide an understanding of the sociotechnical collaboration between players and the agent in these interactional arrangements by conducting interaction analysis of video recordings and game log data. The first field trial focuses on the collaboration of field responders with the planning agent. Findings highlight how players negotiate the agent guidance within the social interaction of the collocated teams. The second field trial focuses on the collaboration between the automated planning agent and the HQ. We find that the human coordinator and the agent can successfully work together in most cases, with human coordinators inspecting and “correcting” the agent‐proposed plans. Through this field trial‐driven development process, we generalise interaction design implications of automated planning agents around the themes of supporting common ground and mixed‐initiative planning.
A Voltage‐Responsive Free‐Blockage Controlled‐Release System Based on Hydrophobicity Switching
Authors: Jiao Xiangyu , Sun Ruijuan , Cheng Yaya , Li Fengyu , Du Xin , Wen Yongqiang , Song Yanlin , Zhang Xueji
Published: March 2017

Controlled‐release systems based on mesoporous silica nanomaterials (MSNs) have drawn great attention owing to their potential biomedical applications. Various switches have been designed to control the release of cargoes through the construction of physical blocking units on the surface of MSNs. However, such physical blockages are limited by poor sealing ability and low biocompatibility, and most of them lack closure ability. Herein, a voltage‐responsive controlled‐release system was constructed by functionalizing the nanopore of MSNs with ferrocene. The system realized free‐blockage controlled release and achieved pulsatile release. The nanopores of the ferrocene‐functionalized MSNs were hydrophobic enough to prevent invasion of the solution. Once a suitable voltage was applied, the nanopores became hydrophilic, which was followed by invasion of the solution and the release of the cargos. Moreover, pulsatile release was realized, which avoided unexpected release after the stimulus disappeared. Thus, we believe that our studies provide new insight into highly effective blockage for MSNs. Furthermore, the voltage‐responsive release system is expected to find use in electrical stimulation combination therapy and bioelectricity‐responsive release.
European guidelines for workplace drug testing in urine
Authors: Taskinen Sanna , Beck Olof , Bosch Tessa , Brcak Michaela , Carmichael Duncan , Fucci Nadia , George Claire , Piper Mark , Salomone Alberto , Schielen Wim , Steinmeyer Stefan , Weinmann Wolfgang
Published: March 2017

These European Guidelines for Workplace Drug Testing in Urine have been prepared and updated by the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS). The first version of these urine guidelines was published in 2002. Since then, the guidelines have been followed by many laboratories in different European countries and their role has been essential particularly in countries lacking legislation for workplace drug testing. In 2014, the EWDTS started a guidelines updating project and published a new version of the urine guidelines in 2015. Here we represent this updated version of the urine guidelines. The European Guidelines are designed to establish best practice procedures whilst allowing individual countries to operate within the requirements of national customs and legislation. The EWDTS recommends that all European laboratories that undertake legally defensible workplace drug testing should use these guidelines as a template for accreditation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intelligence‐based anti‐doping from an equine biological passport
Authors: Cawley Adam T. , Keledjian John
Published: March 2017

The move towards personalized medicine derived from individually focused clinical chemistry measurements has been translated by the human anti‐doping movement over the past decade into developing the athlete biological passport. There is considerable potential for animal sports to adapt this model to facilitate an intelligence‐based anti‐doping system. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable competitive effects of fungicide resistance in field experiments with a plant pathogenic fungus
Authors: Hagerty Christina H. , Graebner Ryan C. , Sackett Kathryn E. , Mundt Christopher C.
Published: March 2017

Classic evolutionary theory suggests that mutations associated with antimicrobial and pesticide resistance result in a fitness cost in the absence of the selective antimicrobial agent or pesticide. There is experimental evidence to support fitness costs associated with resistance to anti‐microbial compounds and pesticides across many biological disciplines, including human pathology, entomology, plant sciences, and plant pathology. However, researchers have also found examples of neutral and increased fitness associated with resistance, where the effect of a given resistance mutation depends on environmental and biological factors. We used Zymoseptoria tritici, a model evolutionary plant pathogenic fungus, to compare the competitive ability of fungicide‐resistant isolates to fungicide‐sensitive isolates. We conducted four large‐scale inoculated winter wheat experiments at Oregon State University agriculture experiment stations. We found a significant change in the frequency of fungicide resistance over time in all four experiments. The direction and magnitude of these changes, however, differed by experimental location, year of experiment, and inoculum resistance treatment (fungicide‐resistant, resistant/sensitive mixture, and fungicide‐sensitive). These results suggest that the competitive ability of resistant isolates relative to sensitive isolates varied depending upon environmental conditions, including the initial frequency of resistant individuals in the population.
Changes in the natural dynamics of Nothofagus dombeyi forests: population modeling with increasing drought frequencies
Authors: Molowny‐Horas Roberto , Suarez Maria Laura , Lloret Francisco
Published: March 2017

Drought‐induced episodes of tree mortality can determine forest dynamics and structure, particularly in forests dominated by single species. Short‐ and mid‐term climate projections indicate that strong changes in annual precipitation may strike more often in northern Patagonia. Data for recruitment, growth, and survival of Nothofagus dombeyi tree individuals were collected at several sites across the Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina. We combined mathematically all these different demographic stages into an Integral Projection Model to simulate 100‐yr projections of simulated stand structure under different frequencies of extreme drought episodes. We projected total basal area and the number of individuals for three different initial stand types (i.e., young, medium, and old) and for varying drought frequencies (i.e., from 1 to 5 drought events every 100 years). Recruitment into the dbh ≥ 10 cm size class under normal conditions (i.e., without drought) was higher than under episodic drought conditions. In addition, survival under normal conditions was higher than under drought conditions, especially for small trees. Differences in growth were also important, with trees growing more vigorously under normal than under drought conditions. Our simulations predicted that N. dombeyi populations would experience a reduction in tree density in the mid‐term if, as predicted by the IPCC projections, the frequency of future drought events increased. The simulations also showed that in those cases, young stands should suffer the most. Drought‐mediated changes may induce a decline in the development of N. dombeyi forests in the mid‐ and long term by a drastic reduction in tree density.
PMSM Sensorless Control Based on Position Estimation Correction Using All‐Pass Filters
Authors: TANAKA KEN‐ICHIRO , HASEGAWA MASARU , MATSUMOTO ATSUSHI
Published: March 2017

This paper proposes a novel flux estimation method for the position sensorless control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). In general, the stator flux linkage for position estimation in PMSMs is obtained using the pure integration of voltages. The infinite dc gain of the pure‐integrator, however, causes numerical drifts in the obtained stator flux linkage due to the dc offset in the input of this integrator. To address this problem, a quasi‐integrator is often substituted instead of the pure integrator to restrict the dc gain, leading to another problem in which the phase characteristics vary according to the operating frequency. As a result, the ideal phase characteristics (−90° constant) cannot be held, and the position estimation performance deteriorates. Therefore, this paper proposes a phase characteristic correction method for quasi‐integrators using all‐pass filters, which achieves extremely precise estimation under transient conditions as well as in steady state.
Downregulation of HIF1‐α, Smad‐2, AKT, and Bax gene expression in sodium nitrite‐induced lung injury via some antioxidants
Authors: Kadry Mai O , Ali Hanaa Mahmoud
Published: March 2017

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy of pretreatment with either l‐arginine (L‐arg) or Carnosine (Car) and their combination in ameliorating some of the biochemical indices induced in the lung of sodium nitrite (NaNO2)‐intoxicated rats. The results revealed that NaNO2 significantly increased serum tumor necrosis factor‐α, C‐reactive protein, heat shock proteins‐70, vascular endothelial growth factor, and Interleukin 6. Moreover, transforming growth factor‐β, hypoxia‐inducible factor, Smad‐2, Protein Kinase B (AKT), and Bax were overexpressed, whereas Bcl2 protein was downregulated compared with the normoxic group. The administration of the fore mentioned antioxidants, either alone or in combination, markedly downregulated the previously mentioned inflammatory, apoptotic, as well as the fibrotic markers in lung tissue compared with the NaNO2‐intoxicated rats. The histopathological examination reinforced the previous results. In conclusion, the current data revealed the efficacy of l‐arg and Car in ameliorating the pulmonary damage via suppression of the inflammatory markers in response to NaNO2‐intoxication. Interestingly the combination regimen showed the most significant effect.
Fluoride or/and aluminum induced toxicity in guinea pig teeth with the low expression of dentine phosphoprotein
Authors: Han Tianlong , Wang Min , Cao Chunfang , Chen Huacheng , Zhang Guanghe , Wang Liping , Wang Jundong
Published: March 2017

This study investigated the damage and expression of dentine phosphoprotein (DPP) in guinea pig teeth by the administration of fluoride (F) or/and aluminum (Al). Fifty‐two guinea pigs were divided randomly into four groups (control, F, Al, and F+Al). F (150 mg NaF/L) or/and Al (300 mg AlCl3/L) were added in their drinking water for 90 days. The levels of F ion, dentine sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) gene, and DPP protein in incisor and molar were determined, respectively. The results showed that the concentrations of F ion in F and F+Al groups were increased significantly. F induced the mottled enamel and irregular abrasion of teeth, which might occur as a consequence of depressed DSPP mRNA and DPP protein expression. Both the gene and protein expressions showed obvious decrease induced by Al, especially by F. There were no synergistic effects between F and Al, instead, Al inhibited the toxicity of F.
A regional frequency analysis of precipitation extremes in Mainland China with fuzzy c‐means and L‐moments approaches
Authors: Wang Zhaoli , Zeng Zhaoyang , Lai Chengguang , Lin Wenxin , Wu Xushu , Chen Xiaohong
Published: March 2017

Owing to their essential influence on human society and natural environment exerted by inducing disasters, such as floods and droughts, further studies on precipitation extremes in China are needed. This study presents the regional frequency and spatial‐temporal patterns of precipitation extremes in China based on a high‐resolution (0.5° × 0.5°) daily precipitation dataset from 1961 to 2013. With fuzzy c‐means, L‐moments methods and other scientific statistical tests, a regional frequency analysis (RFA) is conducted, aiming to further understand the regional and spatial distribution of precipitation extremes across China. The results show that: (1) the whole Mainland China can be divided into 50 homogeneous regions on the basis of the characteristics of mean annual precipitation and location indices. (2) For most of the regions, Generalized Extreme Value (GEV), Generalized Normal (GNO) and Pearson type III (PE3) distributions of precipitation extremes fit well, according to the results of goodness‐of‐fit (GOF) test. (3) For RX1DAY, GEV has the best‐fit distribution in the east, northeast and southwest of China, whereas GNO distribution mostly fits the northern and parts of southwest and southeast; in addition, regions which fit PE3 and Generalized Logistic (GLO) distribute dispersedly across the country. (4) For RX5DAY, GEV mainly fits in the middle, southwestern and southern; GNO and PE3 apply best to the northeastern and northern, respectively. (5) Return periods of 20, 50 and 100 years for their best‐fit distributions decrease gradually from southeastern China to northwestern China. Compared with the results of GEV distribution fitted to each grid, RFA may provide more accurate estimates of rainfall quantiles. Definitely, the study results will not only benefit further understanding of the unique and complex features of extreme precipitation in the whole Mainland China but also contribute to the nation‐scale flood prevention, control and management in the backdrop of the changing climate.