bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Community Forest Collective Action Promote Private Tree Planting? Evidence from Ethiopia
Authors: Mekonnen Alemu , Bluffstone Randall
Published: April 2017

In community settings in low-income developing countries better forest management depends on collective action (CA), but if CA really offers better incentives than open access, we should observe behavioral differences across CA levels. In this paper we examine one potential farm-level behavioral effect by trying to isolate and understand the effects of community forest CA on households’ incentives to invest in trees located on their own farms. Using a household level analytical model, we find that more stringent forest CA should create incentives for private tree planting as a substitute for overusing community forests. We test this hypothesis using detailed measures of highland Ethiopia forest CA attributes taken directly from the rich CA literature and a variety of empirical specifications. Though we are unable to draw firm conclusions due to the nature of our data, we do find robust evidence across specifications that more effective forest collective action causes households to plant more trees on their farms.
Effects of IFRS on Accounting Information Quality: Evidence for Brazil
Authors: Silva Junior Julio Cesar Araujo Da , Caldeira Joao F. , Silva Torrent Hudson Da
Published: April 2017

Understanding the effects of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on accounting quality is fundamental for policy makers and financial market players in general. This paper analyzes whether the adoption of IFRS in Brazil has had the impact on accounting informational quality. To this end, a differentiated empirical strategy was adopted based on two steps: first, a matching of voluntary adopters of norms and non-adopters by propensity score is performed to construct control groups. This is important to mitigate the selection bias problem. Second, the measures of value relevance, timeliness and conservatism of accounting information are estimated using panel data models. The period of analysis extends from 2006 to 2010, with annual information for the first stage and quarterly for the second. The results show a positive impact of international standards on the value relevance. However, for the measures of timeliness and conservatism, sufficient evidence was not found to indicate any impact on the group of companies evaluated.
Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-L1) Expression in the Programmed Death Receptor-1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 Blockade: A Key Player Against Various Cancers
Authors: Guan Jian , Lim Khin Sandar , Mekhail Tarek , Chang Chung-Che
Published: April 2017

Context.—

Immune checkpoint pathways, including programmed death receptor-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) signaling pathway, which are important in mediating self-tolerance and controlling self-damage, can sometimes be manipulated by cancer cells to evade immune surveillance. Recent clinical trials further demonstrate the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy in various cancers and reveal a new era of cancer immunotherapy.

Objective.—

To review the mechanism of the PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway, the regulation of this pathway, PD-1/PD-L1 as a predictive and/or prognostic marker in various cancers, and strategies of measuring PD-L1 expression.

Data Sources.—

Representative medical literature regarding PD-L1 expression in various cancers, including the preliminary results of the Blue Proposal, which compares different immunohistochemical stains for PD-L1 reported in the recent American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting (April 16–20, 2016).

Conclusion.—

Either PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy alone or in combination with other treatment modalities provides benefit for patients with advanced cancers. Because of the complexity of cancer immunity, we still do not have a reliable biomarker to predict the response of PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy. Future studies, including methods beyond immunohistochemical stains, are needed to develop reliable biomarker/biomarkers for pathology laboratories to aid in selecting patients who will benefit most from PD-1/PD-L1–targeted therapy.
Serum Bilirubin Concentrations in Patients With Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Peng You-Fan , Deng Yi-Bin
Published: April 2017

Context.—

Bilirubin has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidative stress action. Progression of inflammation involving arteries is a crucial activator in pathogenesis of Takayasu arteritis (TA).

Objective.—

To investigate the relationship between serum bilirubin and TA.

Design.—

Our study involved 115 consecutive TA patients. Patients with active-phase disease were followed and received prednisone therapy.

Results.—

Lower concentrations of serum bilirubin were detected in TA patients compared with healthy subjects (0.6 ± 0.31 versus 0.7 ± 0.22 mg/dL, P = .02). Serum bilirubin concentrations in active TA patients were lower than those in inactive patients (0.5 ± 0.20 versus 0.8 ± 0.32 mg/dL, P < .001). In all patients with TA, serum bilirubin correlated positively with total protein (r = 0.193, P = .04) and negatively with C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = −0.213, P = .03, and r = −0.532, P < .001, respectively). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that each decrease of 1 mg/dL in serum bilirubin was associated with a 1.10 times increase in the odds for TA compared with the controls (odds ratio = 0.913, 95% CI, 0.856–0.974; P = .006). Serum bilirubin was correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (β = −0.170, P < .001) in multiple linear regression analysis. The area under the curve for serum bilirubin in predicting active TA patients was 0.802. Serum bilirubin levels were found to be significantly increased after prednisone treatment (0.5 ± 0.20 versus 0.7 ± 0.15 mg/dL, P = .002).

Conclusions.—

Lower serum bilirubin levels are associated with TA, and serum bilirubin may be influenced by prednisone therapy in active TA patients. Serum bilirubin levels in TA patients correlate negatively with erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Health Monitoring Considering Air Quality Index Prediction Using Neuro Fuzzy Inference Model: A Case Study of Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Saima Munawar  , Muhammad Hamid  , Muhammad Saleem Khan  , Ashfaq Ahmed  , Noreen Hameed
Published: April 2017

For many years, improving air quality has been great attention of the whole world. It has been recognized that air pollution as a hypothetically hazardous type of environmental pollution and polluted air directly affects the human health. In Asian countries, it has converged less attention of ever growing most alarming and hazardous issue of air pollution. This paper presents a case study of Lahore city of Pakistan for the prediction of Air Quality Index (AQI) using hybrid approach of Neuro Fuzzy (NF) inference system. The ambient air data of Lahore was taken from the Environmental Protection | department (EPD) working under government of the Punjab. For results evaluation, data was recorded at different station in the period from April 2007 to May 2015. The fuzzy rules have been generated according to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PAK-EPA) standard of AQI. The NF Inference Model took the air pollutants such as Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Ozone (O3), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) as inputs and predicted the air quality index as good, moderate, or unhealthy air. The results showed that NF based AQI prediction model classifies the AQI proficiently, robustly, and accurately as compared to conventional method.
Cows, Sheep & Scots
Authors: Ritchie Elizabeth
Published: April 2017

In the ongoing discussion of how Canada’s economy developed and how the land was colonised, little attention has been paid to the role of farm animals. The strategies of Scottish immigrants to rural Upper Canada show the centrality of livestock in subsistence, in the informal economy of barter, exchange and credit, and in off-farm sales. Raising stock—particularly cattle, sheep and pigs—was not an addition to settlers’ sources of income and subsistence, but underpinned most of them. Letters back to Scotland, supplemented by surveys and census data, show that animals’ contribution to clearing forest, raising crops, maintaining soil, providing food and clothing, raising cash or credit, maintaining reciprocal relationships and passing on property was integral to the success of backwoods farmers as they strove first for survival, and then for comfort.
Environmental Coalitions and the Limits of Science
Authors: Warecki George
Published: April 2017

This article examines the origins, evolution, ideology, and political impact of an environmental coalition in the 1970s. Two wilderness activists in northwestern Ontario challenged established preservationist groups to shift their advocacy from public battles over management policy for individual parks, to design and promote a system of provincially-owned wilderness parks. To build public support and maximize their political clout, the two advocates persuaded five groups to form the Coalition For Wilderness (CFW) in 1973. Unfortunately CFW was mostly a two-man show. Constituent groups gave insufficient material support because of their diverse interests, economic woes, and the “free rider” problem. Nevertheless, CFW’s tactic of privately lobbying park planners within the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources had some political impact. It generated policy information and educated the public about the need for a wilderness park system, thereby supporting the parallel efforts of the bureaucrats. Ironically, the coalition’s scientific rationale for protecting wilderness limited its influence among planners and the wider advocacy community, both of whom regarded recreational and other reasons for wilderness protection as more politically defensible than science. This difficult episode taught the CFW leadership valuable lessons, enabling Ontario preservationists to build more successful coalitions in the 1980s and 1990s.
Dynamic range adaptation in primary motor cortical populations
Authors: Rasmussen Robert G , Schwartz Andrew , Chase Steven M
Published: April 2017

Neural populations from various sensory regions demonstrate dynamic range adaptation in response to changes in the statistical distribution of their input stimuli. These adaptations help optimize the transmission of information about sensory inputs. Here, we show a similar effect in the firing rates of primary motor cortical cells. We trained monkeys to operate a brain-computer interface in both two- and three-dimensional virtual environments. We found that neurons in primary motor cortex exhibited a change in the amplitude of their directional tuning curves between the two tasks. We then leveraged the simultaneous nature of the recordings to test several hypotheses about the population-based mechanisms driving these changes and found that the results are most consistent with dynamic range adaptation. Our results demonstrate that dynamic range adaptation is neither limited to sensory regions nor to rescaling of monotonic stimulus intensity tuning curves, but may rather represent a canonical feature of neural encoding.
Microanatomy and paleohistology of the intercentra of North American metoposaurids from the Upper Triassic of Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona, USA) with implications for the taxonomy and ontogeny of the group
Authors: Gee Bryan M. , Parker William G. , Marsh Adam D.
Published: April 2017

Metoposaurids are temnospondyl amphibians that are commonly recovered from the Chinle Formation deposits of North America. Two species,Koskinonodon perfectusandApachesaurus gregorii, are known from Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO), AZ. Small, elongate intercentra are the single diagnostic postcranial characteristic of the smallerA. gregorii. However, a poor understanding of the earliest life stages ofKoskinonodon perfectusand other large metoposaurids makes it unclear whether the proportions of the intercentra are a diagnostic feature for species discrimination or whether they are influenced by ontogeny. Previous work on metoposaurid intercentra has shown that ontogenetic information can be extrapolated from histological analyses. Here, we perform an analysis of the microanatomy and the histology of metoposaurid intercentra from PEFO to determine their ontogenetic maturity and in turn whether elongate intercentra are a reliable taxonomic feature for distinguishing North American metoposaurids. Our findings suggest that the elongate intercentra are the result of ontogenetic variation within a single large-bodied metoposaurid taxon rather than interspecific variation between two metoposaurids of vastly different adult sizes. These findings have significant implications for the taxonomy of North American metoposaurids and subsequently for interpretations of the Chinle Basin paleoenvironment. Furthermore, this study provides the first histological characterization of North American metoposaurid intercentra, thereby improving the understanding of vertebral ontogeny within Metoposauridae and offering new insights into the ecology of large metoposaurids.
Mitochondrial diversity inGonionemus(Trachylina:Hydrozoa) and its implications for understanding the origins of clinging jellyfish in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Govindarajan Annette F. , Carman Mary R. , Khaidarov Marat R. , Semenchenko Alexander , Wares John P.
Published: April 2017

Determining whether a population is introduced or native to a region can be challenging due to inadequate taxonomy, the presence of cryptic lineages, and poor historical documentation. For taxa with resting stages that bloom episodically, determining origin can be especially challenging as an environmentally-triggered abrupt appearance of the taxa may be confused with an anthropogenic introduction. Here, we assess diversity in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I sequences obtained from multiple Atlantic and Pacific locations, and discuss the implications of our findings for understanding the origin of clinging jellyfishGonionemusin the Northwest Atlantic. Clinging jellyfish are known for clinging to seagrasses and seaweeds, and have complex life cycles that include resting stages. They are especially notorious as some, although not all, populations are associated with severe sting reactions. The worldwide distribution ofGonionemushas been aptly called a “zoogeographic puzzle” and our results refine rather than resolve the puzzle. We find a relatively deep divergence that may indicate cryptic speciation betweenGonionemusfrom the Northeast Pacific and Northwest Pacific/Northwest Atlantic. Within the Northwest Pacific/Northwest Atlantic clade, we find haplotypes unique to each region. We also find one haplotype that is shared between highly toxic Vladivostok-area populations and some Northwest Atlantic populations. Our results are consistent with multiple scenarios that involve both native and anthropogenic processes. We evaluate each scenario and discuss critical directions for future research, including improving the resolution of population genetic structure, identifying possible lineage admixture, and better characterizing and quantifying the toxicity phenotype.
Estudo sistêmico da paisagem no empreendimento turístico “Ilha de Porto Belo” em Santa Catarina, Brasil, na perspectiva de sua sustentabilidade
Authors: Vieira Rafaela , Mussi Carolina Schmanech , Pires Paulo dos Santos
Published: April 2017

O estudo teve como objetivo analisar os aspectos naturais da Ilha de Porto Belo em Santa Catarina, bem como sua relação com os atrativos do complexo turístico nela implantado. A justificativa aponta para a expectativa de uma contribuição metodológica e empírica, com a revelação das relações entre os recursos ecossistêmicos e os processos relacionados aos atrativos deste destino, sob o paradigma da sustentabilidade do turismo. No tocante à metodologia, a pesquisa foi do tipo descritiva, de caráter quali-quantitativo e amparada no método sistêmico de abordagem. Os procedimentos técnicos foram distribuídos em três etapas: levantamento de dados bibliográficos, documentais e de campo; mapeamento e cruzamento; síntese e resultado. O Sistema de Informação Geográficas (SIG) foi a ferramenta utilizada na identificação, dimensionamento e analise sistêmica das unidades da paisagem na ilha. A originalidade dos resultados consiste na hierarquização do sistema natural e social do ambiente a partir do mapeamento da estabilidade das unidades da paisagem, bem como na indicação dos espaços e infraestruturas que podem ser requalificadas para aprimorar os serviços na ilha. Este resultado agregado à discussão sobre o seu efeito prático para a gestão sustentável dos espaços de lazer e das atividades de recreação na Ilha, mostra-se original e contributivo, diante do estado da arte da produção científica do turismo no país.
Point‐of‐Care Lung Sonography: An Audit of 1150 Examinations
Authors: Sferrazza Papa Giuseppe Francesco , Mondoni Michele , Volpicelli Giovanni , Carlucci Paolo , Di Marco Fabiano , Parazzini Elena Maria , Reali Francesca , Pellegrino Giulia Michela , Fracasso Paola , Sferrazza Papa Simone , Colombo Livio , Centanni Stefano
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Point‐of‐care lung sonography has theoretical usefulness in numerous diseases; however clinical indications and the impact of this technique have not been fully investigated. We aimed to describe the current use of point‐of‐care lung sonography.

Methods

A 2‐year prospective observational study was performed by pulmonologists in an Italian university hospital. Techniques, indications, consequences of lung sonography, and barriers to the examination were analyzed.

Results

A total of 1150 lung sonographic examinations were performed on 951 patients. The most common indications were diagnosis and follow‐up of pleural effusion in 361 cases (31%), evaluation of lung consolidation (322 [28%]), acute heart failure (195 [17%]), guide to pleural procedures (117 [10%]), pneumothorax (54 [5%]) and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (30 [3%]). The mean duration of the examination ± SD was 6 ± 4 minutes. The transducers most frequently used were convex (746 [65%]) and linear (161 [14%]), whereas in 205 examinations (18%), both transducers were used. According to the judgment of the caring clinician, 51% of the examinations were clinically relevant.

Conclusions

Point‐of‐care lung sonography performed by pulmonologists is quick and feasible and could be widely used for different clinical indications with a potentially high clinical impact. The widespread use of this technique may have a relevant clinical impact in several indications.
Percepção de adolescentes acerca da atividade de vida “exprimir sexualidade” Perception of adolescents about the life activity “express sexuality”
Authors: Beserra Eveline Pinheiro , Sousa Leilane Barbosa , Cardoso Vanessa Peres , Alves Maria Dalva Santos
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: Analisar a percepção de adolescentes acerca da atividade de vida exprimir sexualidade. Método: Trata-se de pesquisa-ação desenvolvida em uma escola localizada na periferia de Fortaleza, Ceará. Foram selecionados 25 adolescentes para participaram de uma oficina educativa sobre sexualidade.  Resultados: Observou-se vulnerabilidade dos adolescentes para gravidez precoce e DST. Verificou-se que, apesar de possuírem conhecimento prévio sobre práticas sexuais seguras, expõem-se a situações de risco. Conclusões: Conclui-se que há necessidade de inserção de atividades na escola que promovam não apenas aquisição de conhecimento, mas, sobretudo atividades de reflexão em busca da conscientização sobre proteção do corpo e prevenção de gravidez indesejada e DST.
Desafios e avanços do processo de gestão de um centro de atenção psicossocial de um município do interior do nordeste brasileiro Challenges and advances in the management process of a psychosocial care center of a countryside municipality of northeast brazil
Authors: Lima Israel Coutinho Sampaio , Lima Sérgio Beltrão de Andrade , Marques Antonio Dean Barbosa
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: analisar o processo de trabalho adotado por profissionais envolvidos na gestão e assistência de um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial e a adequabilidade da estrutura física da unidade às práticas de saúde mental. Métodos: estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório. Realizado no Centro de Atenção Psicossocial, em um município do interior do Ceará, com nove profissionais, entre os meses de setembro e outubro de 2014. Foi utilizado um roteiro semiestruturado para coleta de dados, os quais foram categorizados e analisados conforme Minayo. Obteve-se autorização do CEP-UECE sob protocolo CAAE: 36971014.0.0000.5534. Resultados: há ausência de coparticipação entre gestão e profissionais, escassez de recursos financeiros e inadequação da estrutura física, que corrobora para a fragmentação do processo de trabalho. Conclusão: é fundamental a implantação de medidas que consolidem a Reforma Psiquiátrica, e que os profissionais se inter-relacionem de forma coparticipativa, almejando a qualidade da assistência. Descritores: Gestão em saúde, Saúde mental, Gestão da qualidade.
AVALIAÇÃO DA INFLUÊNCIA DO ABANDONO DA ASSISTÊNCIA PRÉ-NATAL NA MORTALIDADE FETAL E NEONATAL
Authors: Silva Gomes Raimundo Nonato , Soares Sousa Carvalho Filha Francidalma , Cardoso Portela Nytale Lindsay
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do abandono da assistência pré-natal na mortalidade fetal e neonatal. Métodos: Estudo avaliativo, descritivo–exploratório, de cunho documental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado de outubro a novembro de 2014. Utilizou-se como fonte de dados, 400 declarações de óbitos e 400 fichas de investigação de óbitos fetais e neonatais, ocorridos e notificados nos anos de 2010 a 2013. Foram analisados por meio do Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, para obtenção das frequências absolutas e relativas, variáveis nominais e numéricas e Qui-quadrado de Person. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Estadual do Maranhão (CAAE 26463814.2.0000.5554). Resultados: Quando avaliado a correlação entre o abandono do pré-natal e a mortalidade fetal e neonatal, observou-se que a mortalidade de fetos/neonatos de genitoras que abandonaram o pré-natal foi um evento crescente. Conclusão: Pôde-se confirmar a influência direta do abandono do pré-natal na mortalidade fetal e neonatal.
Promovendo autocuidado em clientes em hemodiálise: aplicação do diagrama de nola pender Promoting self-care in clients on hemodialysis: application of the nola pender’s diagram
Authors: Saldanha xavier Brunno lessa , Santos Iraci dos , Silva Frances Valéria Costa e
Published: April 2017

Objetivo: evidenciar a convivência do cliente com doença renal crônica em hemodiálise, a partir da aplicação da teoria Modelo de Promoção da Saúde (MPS) de Nola Pender. Método: descritivo com delineamento intragrupos, em oficina de autocuidado com 48 clientes, em Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, de 2013 a 2014. Evidenciou-se o comportamento de autocuidado no diagrama: características e experiências individuais; cognições e afetos específicos do comportamento de maior importância motivacional, representando categorias modificáveis mediante ações de enfermagem. Resultados: as orientações de enfermagem conduziram os indivíduos para adquirir comportamentos de MPS, visando o atendimento de suas necessidades de bem-estar, pois estes valorizam o viver. A oficina estimulou o desenvolvimento da consciência reflexiva, proporcionando condições para reflexões sobre sua realidade e harmonização com o viver. Conclusão: as orientações ensejam condições para que o indivíduo adquira um comportamento de promoção da saúde, reverberado no atendimento de suas necessidades de autocuidado e bem-estar.
Formation of a solid inner core during the accretion of Earth
Authors: Arkani‐Hamed Jafar
Published: April 2017

The formation of an inner core during the accretion of Earth is investigated by using self‐gravitating and compressible Earth models formed by accreting a total of 25 or 50 Moon to Mars‐sized planetary embryos. The impact of an embryo heats the proto‐Earth's interior differentially, more below the impact site than elsewhere. The rotating core dynamically overturns and stratifies shortly after each impact, creating a spherically symmetric and radially increasing temperature distribution relative to an adiabatic profile. Merging of an embryo to the proto‐Earth increases the lithostatic pressure that results in compressional temperature increase while further enhances the melting temperature of the core causing solidification. A total of 36 thermal evolution models of the growing proto‐Earth's core are calculated to investigate effects of major physical parameters. No solidification is considered in the first 21 models where modified two‐body escape velocities are used as the impact velocities of the embryos. At the end of accretion, temperatures in the upper part of the core are significantly different among these models, whereas temperatures in the deeper parts are similar. The core solidification considered in the remaining 15 models, where impact velocities higher than the modified two‐body escape velocities are adopted, drastically changes the temperature distribution in the deeper parts of the core. All of the models produce partially solidified stiff inner cores, 1000–2100 km in radius, at the end of accretion, where the solid fraction is larger than 50%. The innermost of the stiff inner cores is completely solidified to radii 250–1500 km.
Compositional variations in sands of the Bagnold Dunes, Gale crater, Mars, from visible‐shortwave infrared spectroscopy and comparison with ground truth from the Curiosity rover
Authors: Lapotre M. G. A. , Ehlmann B. L. , Minson S. E. , Arvidson R. E. , Ayoub F. , Fraeman A. A. , Ewing R. C. , Bridges N. T.
Published: April 2017

During its ascent up Mount Sharp, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover traversed the Bagnold Dune Field. We model sand modal mineralogy and grain size at four locations near the rover traverse, using orbital shortwave infrared single‐scattering albedo spectra and a Markov chain Monte Carlo implementation of Hapke's radiative transfer theory to fully constrain uncertainties and permitted solutions. These predictions, evaluated against in situ measurements at one site from the Curiosity rover, show that X‐ray diffraction‐measured mineralogy of the basaltic sands is within the 95% confidence interval of model predictions. However, predictions are relatively insensitive to grain size and are nonunique, especially when modeling the composition of minerals with solid solutions. We find an overall basaltic mineralogy and show subtle spatial variations in composition in and around the Bagnold Dunes, consistent with a mafic enrichment of sands with cumulative aeolian‐transport distance by sorting of olivine, pyroxene, and plagioclase grains. Furthermore, the large variations in Fe and Mg abundances (~20 wt %) at the Bagnold Dunes suggest that compositional variability may be enhanced by local mixing of well‐sorted sand with proximal sand sources. Our estimates demonstrate a method for orbital quantification of composition with rigorous uncertainty determination and provide key constraints for interpreting in situ measurements of compositional variability within Martian aeolian sandstones.
Effect of impact velocity and acoustic fluidization on the simple‐to‐complex transition of lunar craters
Authors: Silber Elizabeth A. , Osinski Gordon R. , Johnson Brandon C. , Grieve Richard A. F.
Published: April 2017

We use numerical modeling to investigate the combined effects of impact velocity and acoustic fluidization on lunar craters in the simple‐to‐complex transition regime. To investigate the full scope of the problem, we employed the two widely adopted Block‐Model of acoustic fluidization scaling assumptions (scaling block size by impactor size and scaling by coupling parameter) and compared their outcomes. Impactor size and velocity were varied, such that large/slow and small/fast impactors would produce craters of the same diameter within a suite of simulations, ranging in diameter from 10 to 26 km, which straddles the simple‐to‐complex crater transition on the Moon. Our study suggests that the transition from simple to complex structures is highly sensitive to the choice of the time decay and viscosity constants in the Block‐Model of acoustic fluidization. Moreover, the combination of impactor size and velocity plays a greater role than previously thought in the morphology of craters in the simple‐to‐complex size range. We propose that scaling of block size by impactor size is an appropriate choice for modeling simple‐to‐complex craters on planetary surfaces, including both varying and constant impact velocities, as the modeling results are more consistent with the observed morphology of lunar craters. This scaling suggests that the simple‐to‐complex transition occurs at a larger crater size, if higher impact velocities are considered, and is consistent with the observation that the simple‐to‐complex transition occurs at larger sizes on Mercury than Mars.
Sensitivity of transpiration to subsurface properties: Exploration with a 1‐D model
Authors: Vrettas Michail D. , Fung Inez Y.
Published: April 2017

The amount of moisture transpired by vegetation is critically tied to the moisture supply accessible to the root zone. In a Mediterranean climate, integrated evapotranspiration (ET) is typically greater in the dry summer when there is an uninterrupted period of high insolation. We present a 1‐D model to explore the subsurface factors that may sustain ET through the dry season. The model includes a stochastic parameterization of hydraulic conductivity, root water uptake efficiency, and hydraulic redistribution by plant roots. Model experiments vary the precipitation, the magnitude and seasonality of ET demand, as well as rooting profiles and rooting depths of the vegetation. The results show that the amount of subsurface moisture remaining at the end of the wet winter is determined by the competition among abundant precipitation input, fast infiltration, and winter ET demand. The weathered bedrock retains
of the winter rain and provides a substantial moisture reservoir that may sustain ET of deep‐rooted (>8 m) trees through the dry season. A small negative feedback exists in the root zone, where the depletion of moisture by ET decreases hydraulic conductivity and enhances the retention of moisture. Hence, hydraulic redistribution by plant roots is impactful in a dry season, or with a less conductive subsurface. Suggestions for implementing the model in the CESM are discussed.
Secular change in adult stature associated with modernization in Vanuatu
Authors: Olszowy Kathryn M. , Sun Cheng , Silverman Harold , Pomer Alysa , Dancause Kelsey N. , Chan Chim W. , Lee Gwang , Tarivonda Len , Kaneko Akira , Weitz Charles , Koji Lum J. , Garruto Ralph M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

To determine whether: (1) there is a secular increase in adult stature in Vanuatu, and (2) whether adult stature is positively associated with modernization in Vanuatu.

METHODS

This study reports on stature measurements collected on 650 adult (age > 17 years) men and women from four islands of varying economic development in Vanuatu. Measurements were collected as part of the Vanuatu Health Transitions Research Project in 2007 and 2011.

RESULTS

Stature increased significantly in adults born between the 1940s and 1960s in Vanuatu, before leveling off in those born between the 1970s and 1990s. Adults are significantly taller on Efate, the most modernized island in the study sample, than on the less economically developed islands.

CONCLUSIONS

Modernization is likely associated with improvements in child growth in Vanuatu, as assessed by gains in adult stature.
Structural Characterization of Chirality‐Organized Ferrocene–Dipeptide Conjugates that Contain Pyridine N‐Oxide Moieties
Authors: Moriuchi Toshiyuki , Wu Hao , Tayano Yoshiki , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: April 2017

Two ferrocene–dipeptide conjugates, Fc(l‐Ala−l‐Pro−PyO)2 (2) and Fc(l‐Ala−l‐Pro−PyO)1 (3), were synthesized by the introduction of an l‐Ala−l‐Pro dipeptide that contained a C‐terminal pyridine N‐oxide moiety into the ferrocene organometallic scaffold. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination of ferrocene–dipeptide conjugate 2, which was composed of two dipeptide chains, confirmed the formation of intramolecular antiparallel β‐sheet‐like hydrogen bonds between the CO (Ala) and NH (Ala of another chain) groups to induce a chirality‐organized structure in which the ferrocenoyl moiety adopted a P‐helical chirality. In the crystal packing of compound 2, the peptide chains adopted a right‐handed molecular arrangement through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. On the contrary, ferrocene–dipeptide conjugate 3, which was composed of only one dipeptide chain, self‐assembled into a tetramer structure through the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions between pyridine N‐oxide moieties.
Four‐State Molecular Shuttling of [2]Rotaxanes in Response to Acid/Base and Alkali‐Metal Cation Stimuli
Authors: Kimura Masaki , Mizuno Takuma , Ueda Masahiro , Miyagawa Shinobu , Kawasaki Tsuneomi , Tokunaga Yuji
Published: April 2017

In this study, we synthesized [2]rotaxanes possessing three recognition sites—a dialkylammonium, an alkylarylamine, and a tetra(ethylene glycol) stations—in their dumbbell‐like axle component and dibenzo[24]crown‐8 (DB24C8) as their macrocyclic component. These [2]rotaxanes behaved as four‐state molecular shuttles: i) under acidic conditions, the DB24C8 unit encircled both the dialkylammonium and alkylarylammonium stations; ii) under neutral conditions, the dialkylammonium unit was the predominant station for the DB24C8 component; iii) under basic conditions, when both ammonium centers were deprotonated, the alkylarylamine unit became a suitable station for the DB24C8 component; and iv) under basic conditions in the presence of an alkali‐metal cation, the tetra(ethylene glycol) unit recognized the DB24C8 component through cooperative binding of the alkali‐metal ion. In addition, we observed that the [2]rotaxanes exhibited selective recognition for metal cations. These shuttling motions of the macrocyclic component proceeded reversibly.
Nasopharyngeal amyloidoma with osteolytic lesions leading to diagnosis of systemic light‐chain amyloidosis
Authors: Susanibar‐Adaniya Sandra , Mathur Pankaj , Henrich Lobo Rodolfo , Alapat Daisy , Kumar Manoj , Heuck Christoph , Thanendrarajan Sharmilan
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

Amyloidomas of the head and neck region are uncommon and generally considered a benign localized form of amyloidosis. Here, we describe “the unusual case of a young man” with a nasopharyngeal mass and osteolytic lesions caused by systemic light‐chain amyloidosis treated successfully with a combined surgical and chemotherapy approach.
Influence of the Electrolyte on the Internal Resistance of Lithium−Sulfur Batteries Studied with an Intermittent Current Interruption Method
Authors: Lacey Matthew J.
Published: April 2017

Galvanostatic cycling combined with a modified intermittent current interruption resistance determination method is presented as a fast, accurate, and comparatively simple analytical tool for following internal resistance changes in batteries over long‐term cycling. The technique is demonstrated here to study the influence of electrolyte composition and volume on the internal resistance of lithium−sulfur (Li−S) batteries. This approach is found to be particularly useful for the study of the Li−S system, where resistance changes considerably during charge and discharge as a result of compositional changes to the positive electrode and the electrolyte, but may also be valuable in the study of other battery systems.
PtSn Electrocatalyst Supported on MWCNT‐COOH: Investigating the Ethanol Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Parreira Luanna Silveira , Silva Júlio César Martins , Simões Fábio Ruiz , Cordeiro Marco Aurélio Liutheviciene , Sato Roseli Hiromi , Leite Edson Roberto , dos Santos Mauro Coelho
Published: April 2017

Pt3Sn2 (a : a) electrocatalysts with 20 % metal loading on multiwalled carbon nanotube supports functionalized with carboxylic acid groups (MWCNT‐COOH) were prepared for studies on the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR). Preparing and anchoring of the metallic nanoparticles increased the hydrophilicity of MWCNT‐COOH and decreased its surface roughness to a value close to that of the commercial electrocatalyst Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK. Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH consisted of 32 % Pt3Sn alloy with a lattice parameter of 0.3979 nm. The mean particle size of 3.85±1.17 nm was measured by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The onset oxidation potential obtained for the EOR (in the cyclic voltammetry experiments) using Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH was the lowest (0.21 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), with a normalized current peak of 250 mA mgPt−1. The highest normalized current in the chronoamperometric measurements for the EOR after 1800 seconds at 0.5 V (RHE) was 16 mA mgPt−1, whereas for Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK it was 10 mA mgPt−1. FTIR‐ATR in situ analysis showed that the Pt3Sn2/MWCNT‐COOH electrocatalyst favoured acetaldehyde production at lower potentials and CO2 production at potentials greater than 0.5 V. In addition, the presence of oxygenated functional groups on the nanotube surfaces together with the anchoring of Pt and SnO2 formation contributed to the oxidation of ethanol to CO2 (bifunctional mechanism), enhancing the electrocatalytic activity of the material compared to commercial Pt3Sn1/C E‐TEK.
Immune responses and long‐term disease recurrence status after telomerase‐based dendritic cell immunotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Khoury Hanna J. , Collins Robert H. , Blum William , Stiff Patrick S. , Elias Laurence , Lebkowski Jane S. , Reddy Anita , Nishimoto Kevin P. , Sen Debasish , Wirth Edward D. , Case Casey C. , DiPersio John F.
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Telomerase activity in leukemic blasts frequently is increased among patients with high‐risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In the current study, the authors evaluated the feasibility, safety, immunogenicity, and therapeutic potential of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)‐expressing autologous dendritic cells (hTERT‐DCs) in adult patients with AML.

METHODS

hTERT‐DCs were produced from patient‐specific leukapheresis, electroporated with an mRNA‐encoding hTERT and a lysosomal‐targeting sequence, and cryopreserved. A total of 22 patients with a median age of 58 years (range, 30‐75 years) with intermediate‐risk or high‐risk AML in first or second complete remission (CR) were enrolled. hTERT‐DCs were generated for 24 patients (73%). A median of 17 intradermal vaccinations (range, 6‐32 intradermal vaccinations) containing 1×107 cells were administered as 6 weekly injections followed by 6 biweekly injections. A total of 21 patients (16 in first CR, 3 in second CR, and 2 with early disease recurrence) received hTERT‐DCs.

RESULTS

hTERT‐DCs were well tolerated with no severe toxicities reported, with the exception of 1 patient who developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Of the 19 patients receiving hTERT‐DCs in CR, 11 patients (58%) developed hTERT‐specific T‐cell responses that primarily were targeted toward hTERT peptides with predicted low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐binding affinities. With a median follow‐up of 52 months, 58% of patients in CR (11 of 19 patients) were free of disease recurrence at the time of their last follow‐up visit; 57% of the patients who were aged ≥60 years (4 of 7 patients) also were found to be free of disease recurrence at a median follow‐up of 54 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The generation of hTERT‐DCs is feasible and vaccination with hTERT‐DCs appears to be safe and may be associated with favorable recurrence‐free survival. Cancer 2017;123:3061–72. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Spotlight on Anti‐CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies in Migraine: The Clinical Evidence to Date
Authors: Pellesi Lanfranco , Guerzoni Simona , Pini Luigi Alberto
Published: April 2017

Migraine, a common neurovascular brain disorder, represents a severe and widespread health problem; along with medication‐induced (medication‐overuse) headache, it is the third‐leading cause of disability worldwide. Currently, its therapeutic management remains unsatisfactory for several reasons; up to 40% of migraineurs are eligible for prophylactic treatment, but there are issues of efficacy, safety, and adherence. In recent years the evidence on the role of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) in migraine pathophysiology has been consolidated, so new and promising treatments for migraine pain and its possible prevention have been developed. The following review reports the results of the clinical trials conducted so far with each of the new monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP or its receptor, with particular reference to safety, tolerance, and efficacy in migraine prevention. Moreover, the pharmacological characterization and further developments of each monoclonal antibody are reported, based on current knowledge.
Enhancing Lifetime and Efficiency of Organic Solar Cell by Applying an In Situ Synthesized Low‐Crystalline ZnO Layer
Authors: Arabpour Roghabadi Farzaneh , Ahmadi Vahid , Abdollahi Nejand Bahram , Oniy Aghmiuni Karim
Published: April 2017

By introducing an in situ synthesized low‐crystalline ZnO (LC‐ZnO) (amorphous) layer between the cathode and the active layer of PCPDTBT:CdSe solar cell {PCPDTBT: poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta [2,1‐b:3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)]}, the device keeps more than 80 and 40 % of its initial lifetime after 180 and 360 days without any encapsulation, respectively. In this regard, 180 days is the highest lifetime achieved for polymer‐based solar cells with direct configuration. In addition, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) is improved up to 70 % in the presence of the LC‐ZnO interfacial layer. The LC‐ZnO layer is synthesized during polymer annealing after solution‐deposition of the precursor at a low temperature (140 °C) and a short time. Highly crystalline ZnO (HC‐ZnO) nanoparticles are also synthesized and applied as an interfacial layer. The results show that the LC‐ZnO is superior to the HC‐ZnO in acting as cathode interfacial layer and moisture scavenger because of the high coverage and surface area provided by the in situ synthesis method.
Investigations into the improvement of the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry, part 1
Authors: Braun Jörg
Published: April 2017

In June 2006, the Chair of Structural Design at the Technical University of Dresden was commissioned by the Iranian cultural authority ICHHTO and the UNESCO to perform structural design services for the earthquake‐resistant repair and rebuilding of the Sistani House in the historic citadel Arg‐e‐Bam in the south of Iran. The citadel was until its almost complete destruction by an earthquake on 26 Dezember 2003 the largest building of unburnt brick masonry in the world and is listed as a World heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural and historical significance. Surveying and documentation work, archaeological rubble clearance and the rebuilding of the Sistani House after its destruction by the earthquake have taken the team from the department to Bam at regular intervals since 2006. In the course of the work, it became apparent that research was needed in the field of the repair of earthquake‐damaged unburnt brick masonry and into the improvement of the shear strength/earthquake resistance and the weather protection of unburnt brick masonry.

The article is subdivided in Part 1, Introduction, test performance and assessment of results for additives to loam render as well as Part 2, Assessment of the results for surface treatment to unburnt bricks and the climatic chamber tests.
Geographical and climatic gradients of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in subtropical China: Implications for the definition of the mixed forest
Authors: Ge Jielin , Xie Zongqiang
Published: April 2017

Understanding climatic influences on the proportion of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in forests is of crucial importance when predicting the impact of climate change on broad‐leaved forests. Here, we quantified the geographical distribution of evergreen versus deciduous broad‐leaved tree species in subtropical China. The Relative Importance Value index (RIV) was used to examine regional patterns in tree species dominance and was related to three key climatic variables: mean annual temperature (MAT), minimum temperature of the coldest month (MinT), and mean annual precipitation (MAP). We found the RIV of evergreen species to decrease with latitude at a lapse rate of 10% per degree between 23.5 and 25°N, 1% per degree at 25–29.1°N, and 15% per degree at 29.1–34°N. The RIV of evergreen species increased with: MinT at a lapse rate of 10% per °C between −4.5 and 2.5°C and 2% per °C at 2.5–10.5°C; MAP at a lapse rate of 10% per 100 mm between 900 and 1,600 mm and 4% per 100 mm between 1,600 and 2,250 mm. All selected climatic variables cumulatively explained 71% of the geographical variation in dominance of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved tree species and the climatic variables, ranked in order of decreasing effects were as follows: MinT > MAP > MAT. We further proposed that the latitudinal limit of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved mixed forests was 29.1–32°N, corresponding with MAT of 11–18.1°C, MinT of −2.5 to 2.51°C, and MAP of 1,000–1,630 mm. This study is the first quantitative assessment of climatic correlates with the evergreenness and deciduousness of broad‐leaved forests in subtropical China and underscores that extreme cold temperature is the most important climatic determinant of evergreen and deciduous broad‐leaved tree species’ distributions, a finding that confirms earlier qualitative studies. Our findings also offer new insight into the definition and distribution of the mixed forest and an accurate assessment of vulnerability of mixed forests to future climate change.
Process Analysis for the Production of Hydrogen and Liquid Fuels from Oil Shale
Authors: Raja Mohammad Afzal , Chen Hao , Wang Hongyan , Zhao Yongsheng , Shi Chunyan , Zhang Suojiang , Zhang Xiangping
Published: April 2017

Shale to liquid (STL) and syngas to liquid (GTL) fuel techniques are applied to vast discovered resources of oil shale to fulfil current and future liquid fuel demands. To utilize the different constituents of oil shale efficiently, cases 1 and 2 were designed to produce liquid fuels and hydrogen as end products. In case 1, which produces shale oil and retorting gas from oil shale that are further processed by shale oil hydrogenation and retorting gas steam reforming to produce liquid fuels and hydrogen, respectively. For comparison, case 2, including oil‐shale retorting, retorting gas steam reforming, shale oil hydrogenation, and Fischer–Tropsch synthesis technology, was also established. Cases 1 and 2 are compared (with respect to end products and energy efficiencies) with each other by modeling and simulating three scenarios for case 1 and four scenarios for case 2. The simulation results show that the third scenario of case 1 and the fourth scenario of case 2 provide the most important required end products, namely, hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels. The overall production of hydrocarbon fuels in the fourth scenario of case 2 increases 0.95 wt % more than that of the third scenario of case 1, whereas the production of hydrogen reduces by 14.7 wt % and the external energy consumption is 20 % higher in the fourth scenario of case 2, relative to that of the third scenario of case 1. For the third scenario of case 1 and fourth scenario of case 2, the total energy efficiency of the system is 43.45 % (high heating value (HHV)) and 43.16 % (HHV), respectively. The whole system is modeled and simulated in the Aspen Plus V8.4 program and the results are compatible with those of industrial and experimental data. Sensitivity analyses are performed to show the effects of various key operating parameters on the production yield of shale oil, retorting gas, and hydrogen.