bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An efficient speech recognition system for arm‐disabled students based on isolated words
Authors: Darabkh Khalid A. , Haddad Laila , Sweidan Saadeh Z. , Hawa Mohammed , Saifan Ramzi , Alnabelsi Sharhabeel H.
Published: November 2017

Over the previous decades, a need has emerged to empower human‐machine communication systems, which are essential to not only perform actions, but also obtain information especially in education applications. Moreover, any communication system has to introduce an efficient and easy way for interaction with a minimum possible error rate. The keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch‐screen, and joystick are all examples of tools which were built to provide mechanical human‐to‐machine interaction. However, a system with the ability to use oral speech, which is the natural form of communication between humans instead of mechanical communication systems, can be more practical for normal students and even a necessity for arm‐disabled students who cannot use their arms to handle traditional education tools like pens and notebooks. In this paper, we present a speech recognition system that allows arm‐disabled students to control computers by voice as a helping tool in the educational process. When a student speaks through a microphone, the speech is divided into isolated words which are compared with a predefined database of huge number of spoken words to find a match. After that, each recognized word is translated into its related tasks which will be performed by the computer like opening a teaching application or renaming a file. The speech recognition process discussed in this paper involves two separate approaches; the first approach is based on double thresholds voice activity detection and improved Mel‐frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCC), while the second approach is based on discrete wavelet transform along with modified MFCC algorithm. Utilizing the best values for all parameters in just mentioned techniques, our proposed system achieved a recognition rate of 98.7% using the first approach, and 98.86% using the second approach of which is better in ratio than the first one but slower in processing which is a critical point for a real time system. Both proposed approaches were compared with other relevant approaches and their recognition rates were noticeably higher.
Neuroprotective Effects of Butanol Fraction of Cordyceps cicadae on Glutamate‐Induced Damage in PC12 Cells Involving Oxidative Toxicity
Authors: Wang Dan , Wang Jibiao , Wang Dujun , Yu Xiaofeng , Olatunji Opeyemi Joshua , Ouyang Zhen , Wei Yuan
Published: November 2017

The current study was aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effects of the butanol fraction from Cordyceps cicadae (CBU), which was responsible for the anti‐aging effect of this medicine. Glutamate‐induced PC12 cells were used as a model to determine the neuroprotective effect against oxidative cell death. Cell viability, cytotoxicity, flow cytometry, mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MMP), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were analyzed to assess neuronal cell survival or death. The results obtained from the above evaluations showed that CBU was the most effective fraction and even better than pure compounds present in C. cicadae in terms of suppressing glutamate‐induced damage in PC12 cells, increasing cell viability, decreasing lactase dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and reduction of apoptosis induced by exposure to glutamate. Furthermore, CBU protected cells against mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress as indicated by the suppression of ROS accumulation and up regulation of the levels of GSH‐Px and SOD. In summary, the above results showed that CBU exerted neuroprotective effect against oxidative damage, and this activity could be partly due to the action of nucleosides present in the CBU.
Kinetic Analysis of PRMT1 Reveals Multifactorial Processivity and a Sequential Ordered Mechanism
Authors: Brown Jennifer I. , Koopmans Timo , van Strien Jolinde , Martin Nathaniel I. , Frankel Adam
Published: November 2017

Arginine methylation is a prevalent post‐translational modification in eukaryotic cells. Two significant debates exist within the field: do these enzymes dimethylate their substrates in a processive or distributive manner, and do these enzymes operate using a random or sequential method of bisubstrate binding? We revealed that human protein arginine N‐methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) enzyme kinetics are dependent on substrate sequence. Further, peptides containing an Nη‐hydroxyarginine generally demonstrated substrate inhibition and had improved KM values, which evoked a possible role in inhibitor design. We also revealed that the perceived degree of enzyme processivity is a function of both cofactor and enzyme concentration, suggesting that previous conclusions about PRMT sequential methyl transfer mechanisms require reassessment. Finally, we demonstrated a sequential ordered Bi–Bi kinetic mechanism for PRMT1, based on steady‐state kinetic analysis. Together, our data indicate a PRMT1 mechanism of action and processivity that might also extend to other functionally and structurally conserved PRMTs.
Spaghetti, a homolog of human RPAP3 (RNA polymerase II‐associated protein 3), determines the fate of germline stem cells in Drosophila ovary
Authors: Chen Dongsheng , Tao Xiaoqian , Zhou Lijuan , Sun Fuling , Sun Mingzhong , Fang Xin
Published: November 2017

The Drosophila ovary provides an attractive model for studying the extrinsic or intrinsic factors that regulate the fate of germline stem cells (GSCs). Using this model, we identified a new role for Drosophila spaghetti (spag), encoding a homolog of human RNA polymerase II‐associated protein 3 (RPAP3), in regulating the fate of ovarian GSCs. Results from spag knockdown and genetic mosaic studies suggest that spag functions as an intrinsic factor for GSCs maintenance. Loss of Spag by, either spag RNAi or null mutation failed to trigger apoptosis in ovarian GSCs. Overexpression of spag led to negligible increases in the number of GSC/Cystoblast (CB) cells, suggesting that an excess of Spag is not sufficient to accelerate the proliferation of GSCs or delay CBs’ differentiation. Our study provides evidence supporting that spag is involved in adult stem cells maintenance. In addition, the RNAi screen results showed that knockdown of Hsp90, one of known Spag interacting partners, led to loss of ovarian GSCs in Drosophila. Heterozygous mutations in hsp90 (hsp90/+) dramatically accelerated the GSC loss in spag RNAi ovaries, suggesting that the Spag‐contained complex possibly plays an essential role in controlling the GSCs fate.
Low‐Valent Ate Complexes Formed in Cobalt‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions with 1,3‐Dienes as Additives
Authors: Kreyenschmidt Friedrich , Koszinowski Konrad
Published: November 2017

The combination of CoCl2 and 1,3‐dienes is known to catalyze challenging alkyl–alkyl cross‐coupling reactions between Grignard reagents and alkyl halides, but the mechanism of these valuable transformations remains speculative. Herein, electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry is used to identify and characterize the elusive intermediates of these and related reactions. The vast majority of detected species contain low‐valent cobalt(I) centers and diene molecules. Charge tagging, deuterium labeling, and gas‐phase fragmentation experiments elucidate the likely origin of these species and show that the diene not only binds to Co as a π ligand, but also undergoes migratory insertion reactions into Co−H and Co−R bonds. The resulting species have a strong tendency to form anionic cobalt(I) ate complexes, the superior nucleophilicity of which should render them highly reactive toward electrophilic substrates and, thus, presumably is the key to the high catalytic efficiency of the system under investigation. Upon the reaction of the in situ formed cobalt(I) ate complexes with organyl halides, only the final cross‐coupling product could be detected, but no cobalt(III) species. This finding implies that this reaction step proceeds in a direct manner without any intermediate or, alternatively, that it involves an intermediate with a very short lifetime.
Production of (R)‐1‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl)ethanol in high enantiomeric purity by Lactobacillus paracaseiBD101
Authors: Şahin Engin
Published: November 2017

Piperonyl ring is found in a number of naturally occurring compounds and possesses enormous biological activities. There are many studies in the literature with compounds containing a piperonyl ring, but there are very few studies on the synthesis of chiral piperonyl carbinol. The objective of this study was to determine the microbial reduction ability of bacterial strains and to reveal the effects of different physicochemical parameters on this reduction ability. A total of 15 bacterial isolates were screened for their ability to reduce 1‐(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol‐5‐yl) ethanone 1 to its corresponding alcohol. Among these isolates Lactobacillus paracasei BD101 was found to be the most successful biocatalyst to reduce the ketone containing piperonyl ring to the corresponding alcohol. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized for the reducing agent L paracasei BD101, which showed high enantioselectivity and conversion for the bioreduction. The preparative scale study was performed, and a total of 3.72 g of (R)‐1‐(1,3‐benzodioxol‐5‐yl) ethanol in high enantiomeric form (>99% enantiomeric excess) was produced in a mild, cheap, and environment‐friendly process. This study demonstrates that L paracasei BD101 can be used as a biocatalyst to obtain chiral carbinol with excellent yield and selectivity.
Morphology‐controlled Electrodeposition of Copper Nanospheres onto FTO for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: He Jieyun , Feng Heshan , Wang Ting , Wang Tingting , Zeng Heping
Published: November 2017

Using CuSO4 as the copper source, nanostructured copper with four different morphologies was obtained by electrodeposition method on FTO substrates. The as‐synthesized Cu/FTO samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), Raman, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of electrodeposition potential and electrodeposition time on the Cu/FTO samples and the photocatalytic performance were investigated systematically. The results showed that the Cu/FTO samples were well‐crystallized and the morphologies could be changed from nanoslices to nanodendrites structure with the negative shift of the depositing potential. The electrodeposition potential and time have a significant effect on the amount of H2 evolution. The obtained Cu nanospheres which were prepared at the potential of −0.65 V for 600 s showed the best photocatalytic behavior. The mechanisms for the photocatalytic activities were also discussed.
Organic Nanoprobes for Fluorescence and 19F Magnetic Resonance Dual‐Modality Imaging
Authors: Xu Minmin , Guo Chang , Hu Gaofei , Xu Suying , Wang Leyu
Published: November 2017

Multimodal imaging techniques have been demonstrated to be greatly advantageous in achieving accurate diagnosis and gained increasing attention in recent decades. Herein, we present a new strategy to integrate the complementary modalities of 19F magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) and fluorescence imaging (FI) into a polymer nanoprobe composed of hydrophobic fluorescent organic core and hydrophilic fluorinated polymer shell. The alkyne‐terminated fluorinated copolymer (Pn) of 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl acrylate (TFEA) and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGA) was first prepared via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The PEGA plays an important role in both improving 19F signal and modulating the hydrophilicity of Pn. The alkynyl tail in Pn is readily conjugated with azide modified tetra‐phenylethylene (TPE) through click chemistry to form azo polymer (TPE‐azo‐Pn). The core‐shell nanoprobes (TPE‐P3N) with an average particle size of 57.2 ± 8.8 nm are obtained via self‐assembly with ultrasonication in aqueous solution. These nanoprobes demonstrate high water stability, good biocompatibility, strong fluorescence and good 19F MRI performance, which present great potentials for simultaneous fluorescence imaging and 19F–MR imaging.
Live Cell Labeling with Terpyridine Derivative Proligands to Measure Cytotoxicity Mediated by Immune Cells
Authors: Sakai Yuki , Mizuta Satoshi , Kumagai Asuka , Tagod Mohammed S. O. , Senju Hiroaki , Nakamura Tatsufumi , Morita Craig T. , Tanaka Yoshimasa
Published: November 2017

Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR‐T cells has revolutionized treatment for patients with malignant tumors. However, measuring tumor cell cytotoxicity mediated by immune effector cells in clinical laboratories has been difficult due to the requirement for radioactive substances. In this study, a series of novel terpyridine derivative proligands were synthesized, and a non‐radioactive cellular cytotoxicity assay using the newly synthesized compounds was developed for use in preclinical and clinical studies for cancer immunotherapy. Once internalized into target cells, the compounds are hydrolyzed by esterases, resulting in the intracellular accumulation of the negatively charged terpyridine derivatives. When the labeled target cells are recognized and killed by immune effector cells, the integrity of the cell membrane is disrupted, and the terpyridine derivatives are released. Upon combining the culture supernatant with europium (Eu3+), the cytotoxicity of immune effector cells for the target cells can be quantitatively determined by measuring the intensity of the Eu3+/ligand‐derived time‐resolved fluorescence. Thus, the assay developed in this study would facilitate the development of novel cancer immunotherapies.
Preparing and Presenting a Talk
Authors: More Michael , Sjolander Christine , Chang Stephen
Published: November 2017

How information is presented can have as much impact as the information itself. In order to ensure that you're getting your message across to the audience, you need to prepare your talk with as much care as you designed your research. This unit outlines information on how to prepare a great talk and deliver it for maximum effectiveness. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Dictyostelium discoideum: A Model System for Cell and Developmental Biology
Authors: Mathavarajah Sabateeshan , Flores Ana , Huber Robert J.
Published: November 2017

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum has long served as a model system for studying fundamental processes in cell and developmental biology. This eukaryotic microbe is also recognized as a model organism for biomedical and human disease research since the genome encodes homologs of genes linked to human disease, such as those linked to cancer and neurodegeneration. Dictyostelium has a unique life cycle composed of a unicellular growth phase and a multicellular developmental phase that is induced by starvation. During its life cycle, Dictyostelium undergoes conserved cellular processes including, but not limited to, cell proliferation, phagocytosis, intercellular signaling, cell adhesion and motility, chemotaxis, and cell differentiation. The history of the organism, the resources available to researchers in the community, and the diverse ways that Dictyostelium is used in the contemporary research lab are discussed. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Culture of Escherichia coli and Related Bacteria
Authors: Riley Sean P. , Woodman Michael E. , Holt Jonathan , Stevenson Brian
Published: November 2017

This appendix provides general techniques, equipment, and media used for the growth of many commonly encountered bacteria. For specific growth conditions, readers should refer to units regarding the laboratory maintenance of the organism of interest. © 2017 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
WtF‐Nano: One‐Pot Dewatering and Water‐Free Topochemical Modification of Nanocellulose in Ionic Liquids or γ‐Valerolactone
Authors: Laaksonen Tiina , Helminen Jussi K. J. , Lemetti Laura , Långbacka Jesper , Rico del Cerro Daniel , Hummel Michael , Filpponen Ilari , Rantamäki Antti H. , Kakko Tia , Kemell Marianna L. , Wiedmer Susanne K. , Heikkinen Sami , Kilpeläinen Ilkka , King Alistair W. T.
Published: November 2017

Ionic liquids are used to dewater a suspension of birch Kraft pulp cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and as a medium for water‐free topochemical modification of the nanocellulose (a process denoted as “WtF‐Nano”). Acetylation was applied as a model reaction to investigate the degree of modification and scope of effective ionic liquid structures. Little difference in reactivity was observed when water was removed, after introduction of an ionic liquid or molecular co‐solvent. However, the viscoelastic properties of the CNF suspended in two ionic liquids show that the more basic, but non‐dissolving ionic liquid, allows for better solvation of the CNF. Vibrio fischeri bacterial tests show that all ionic liquids in this study were harmless. Scanning electron microscopy and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering on regenerated samples show that the acetylated CNF is still in a fibrillar form. 1 D and 2 D NMR analyses, after direct dissolution in a novel ionic liquid electrolyte solution, indicate that both cellulose and residual xylan on the surface of the nanofibrils reacts to give acetate esters.
Cumulative and partially recoverable impacts of nitrogen addition on a temperate steppe
Authors: Hao Tianxiang , Song Ling , Goulding Keith , Zhang Fusuo , Liu Xuejun
Published: November 2017

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been shown to decrease biodiversity and change nutrient cycles in terrestrial ecosystems. However, our understanding of ecological responses to chronic N addition and ecological recovery of grassland from N enrichment is limited. Here we present evidence from an 11‐year grassland experiment with a range of N addition rates (0, 30, 60, 120, 240, and 480 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) in Inner Mongolia, China. Chronic N addition led to a reduction in species richness, Shannon diversity index, and soil pH and an increase in aboveground biomass, foliar N, and soil mineral N. High N addition rates (240 and 480 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) showed significant effects in the first and second years, which stabilized over time. Nitrogen addition at low rates (30 and 60 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) took longer (e.g., three years or more) to achieve significant effects. The negative impacts of high N addition (480 kg N·ha−1·yr−1) were reduced and species richness, Shannon diversity index, and soil pH showed a limited but rapid recovery with the cessation of N addition. Our findings suggest serious and cumulative impacts of N addition on plant and soil communities but the potential for partial system recovery over time if N inputs decline or cease.
Local and regional stressors interact to drive a salinization‐induced outbreak of predators on oyster reefs
Authors: Kimbro David L. , White J. Wilson , Tillotson Hanna , Cox Nikkie , Christopher Megan , Stokes‐Cawley Owen , Yuan Samantha , Pusack Timothy J. , Stallings Christopher D.
Published: November 2017

Predator outbreaks are predicted to increasingly decimate economically and ecologically important prey populations because global climate change and food‐web modifications frequently facilitate predators and stress prey. Natural systems are organized hierarchically, with processes operating at multiple scales giving rise to patterns of biodiversity, so predicting and managing outbreaks requires a framework that accounts for the effects of both local and regional stressors. Here, we used the comparative experimental approach to investigate whether the collapse of a nationally important oyster fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Apalachicola Bay, Florida) could have been (1) caused proximally by a predator outbreak and (2) whether this outbreak was mediated by local‐ and/or regional‐scale forces. During the fishery collapse, we paired experiments with monitoring in Apalachicola Bay and found elevated water salinity, high abundance of predatory snails, and intense oyster mortality due to predation. By repeating these experiments over 4 yr, we found that periods of reduced water salinity inhibited predation on oysters. To partition the influence of local‐versus‐regional factors on this predator outbreak, we simultaneously replicated the paired experiments and monitoring in a nearby bay (Ochlockonee Bay) that shares the same regional‐scale rainfall conditions. Increasing freshwater withdrawals from the watershed that drains into Apalachicola Bay have increased salinities in that bay, but there have not been similar withdrawals in the Ochlockonee Bay watershed. Therefore, Apalachicola Bay experienced a localized anthropogenic stress, while both bays experienced regional stress from drought. In Ochlockonee Bay, our experiments demonstrated that the river maintained sufficiently low salinity to provide ~50% of oyster reefs with a refuge from predation. In contrast, salinity‐dependent predation in Apalachicola Bay extended up to the river mouth. Given the stark differences in upstream water withdrawals between these watersheds, it is reasonable to surmise that these withdrawals exacerbated the stress of regional drought, created the difference in predation between the two bays, and thus may have precipitated the oyster fishery collapse. Our study provides empirical support for recent theory about the hierarchical organization of ecosystems, which predicts that stressors will interact across scales to cause localized predator outbreaks.
Habitat selection differs across hierarchical behaviors: selection of patches and intensity of patch use
Authors: McMahon Laura A. , Rachlow Janet L. , Shipley Lisa A. , Forbey Jennifer S. , Johnson Timothy R.
Published: November 2017

When animals select habitats, they integrate a suite of behaviors that are influenced by multiple competing resource requirements. Resources that influence decisions about habitat use are likely to differ across spatial scales and hierarchical behaviors. At coarser scales, animals are expected to select resources that are critical to fitness, and at finer scales, to intensively use resources that enhance fitness. Our goal was to contrast habitat selection at two hierarchical behavioral levels (patch selection and intensity of patch use) to test hypotheses about how resources shape habitat use. We applied a two‐stage hurdle model to quantify both initial selection and intensity of use of resource patches by a burrowing herbivore, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis). We expected security from predation to influence initial selection of patches, and forage availability to influence intensity of use of selected patches. We monitored locations of adults fitted with radio‐collars during winter and summer. We measured vegetation, burrow characteristics, and concealment cover within patches that were used and unused by rabbits, and we quantified burrow densities surrounding patches in a GIS. Selection of used patches from available patches was largely influenced by security resources (presence and proximity of burrows, shrub height, and woody ground cover) during both seasons. Intensity of patch use was also influenced by forage availability and, consequently, differed between seasons. During winter, sagebrush is the primary forage, and greater sagebrush canopy within a patch was associated with increased intensity of use. During summer, rabbits more intensively used patches with greater availability of herbaceous forage. Elucidating how animals make choices about habitats across a diversity of spatial and temporal scales will continue to increase our understanding of the factors that govern distribution of populations and movements of individuals. By extending these concepts to hierarchical behaviors, we can enhance insights into the processes that shape the patterns of habitat use we observe.
Highly Selective and Active Pd‐In/three‐dimensional Graphene with Special Structure for Electroreduction CO2 to Formate
Authors: He Guangya , Tang Hanyu , Wang Hui , Bian Zhaoyong
Published: November 2017

Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formate on carbon based electrodes is known to suffer from low electrochemical reaction activity and product selectivity. Pd/three‐dimensional graphene (Pd/3D‐RGO), In/3D‐RGO and Pd‐In/3D‐RGO for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 were prepared by a mild method that combines chemical and hydrothermal. The metal/3D‐graphenes (metal/3D‐RGO) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Cyclic voltammetry and the ion chromatography were performed to investigate the electrochemical performance of the metal/3D‐RGO. The morphology and dispersion of metal/3D‐RGO are 3D structure with amount of interconnected pores with metal NPs loading on the fold. And the Pd0.5‐In0.5/3D‐RGO show excellent surface performance with well dispersion and smallest particle size (12.8 nm). XPS reveal that binding energy of Pd (In) NPs is shifted to negative energy, for the metal lose electrons in metal and combine with C, which is demonstrated in the HNO3 experiment. The peak potential of Pd0.5‐In0.5/3D‐RGO is −0.70 V (vs. Ag/AgCl), which is more positive than In1.0/3D‐RGO (−0.73 V) and Pd1.0/3D‐RGO (−1.2 V). The highest faradaic efficiency (85.3 %) happens in Pd0.5‐In0.5/3D‐RGO at −1.6 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In these experiments, the special structure that metal NPs combine with C and the bimetal NPs give a direction to convert CO2 to formate.
Solar Landfills: Economic, Environmental, and Social Benefits
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Albanese Lorenzo , Pecoraino Mario , Meneguzzo Francesco , Pagliaro Mario
Published: November 2017

Ideally suited for hosting large solar photovoltaic arrays feeding electricity into the grid, closed landfills will play a significant role in the undergoing energy transition from fossil‐fuel and nuclear energy to renewable energy. Aimed at sustainability scholars and policy makers, this study identifies the economic, environmental, and social benefits of solar landfills, suggesting avenues for the massive transformation of hazardous landfills into renewable‐energy‐generation plants. Thus, the landfills no longer pose threats to human health and to the ecosystem.
Lithological controls on hillslope sediment supply: insights from landslide activity and grain size distributions
Authors: Roda‐Boluda Duna C. , D'Arcy Mitch , McDonald Jordan , Whittaker Alexander C.
Published: November 2017

The volumes, rates and grain size distributions of sediment supplied from hillslopes represent the initial input of sediment delivered from upland areas and propagated through sediment routing systems. Moreover, hillslope sediment supply has a significant impact on landscape response time to tectonic and climatic perturbations. However, there are very few detailed field studies characterizing hillslope sediment supply as a function of lithology and delivery process. Here, we present new empirical data from tectonically‐active areas in southern Italy that quantifies how lithology and rock strength control the landslide fluxes and grain size distributions supplied from hillslopes. Landslides are the major source of hillslope sediment supply in this area, and our inventory of ~2800 landslides reveals that landslide sediment flux is dominated by small, shallow landslides. We find that lithology and rock strength modulate the abundance of steep slopes and landslides, and the distribution of landslide sizes. Outcrop‐scale rock strength also controls the grain sizes supplied by bedrock weathering, and influences the degree of coarsening of landslide supply with respect to weathering supply. Finally, we show that hillslope sediment supply largely determines the grain sizes of fluvial export, from catchments and that catchments with greater long‐term landslide rates deliver coarser material. Therefore, our results demonstrate a dual control of lithology on hillslope sediment supply, by modulating both the sediment fluxes from landslides and the grain sizes supplied by hillslopes to the fluvial system. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dating lava flows of tropical volcanoes by means of spatial modeling of vegetation recovery
Authors: Li Long , Bakelants Lien , Solana Carmen , Canters Frank , Kervyn Matthieu
Published: November 2017

The age of past lava flows is crucial information for evaluating the hazards and risks posed by effusive volcanoes, but traditional dating methods are expensive and time‐consuming. This study proposes an alternative statistical dating method based on remote sensing observations of tropical volcanoes by exploiting the relationship between lava flow age and vegetation cover. First, the factors controlling vegetation density on lava flows, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), were investigated. These factors were then integrated into pixel‐based multi‐variable regression models of lava flow age to derive lava flow age maps. The method was tested at a pixel scale on three tropical African volcanoes with considerable recent effusive activity: Nyamuragira (Democratic Republic of Congo), Mt Cameroon (Cameroon) and Karthala (the Comoros). Due to different climatic and topographic conditions, the parameters of the spatial modeling are volcano‐specific. Validation suggests that the obtained statistical models are robust and can thus be applied for estimating the age of unmodified undated lava flow surfaces for these volcanoes. When the models are applied to fully vegetated lava flows, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the saturation of NDVI. In order to improve the accuracy of the models, when available, spatial data on temperature and precipitation should be included to directly represent climatic variation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of well‐field configuration on contaminant mass removal and plume persistence for homogeneous versus layered systems
Authors: Guo Zhilin , Brusseau Mark L.
Published: November 2017

A three‐dimensional numerical model was used to simulate the impact of different well‐field configurations on pump‐and‐treat mass removal efficiency for large groundwater contaminant plumes residing in homogeneous and layered domains. Four well‐field configurations were tested, Longitudinal, Distributed, Downgradient, and natural gradient (with no extraction wells). The reductions in contaminant mass discharge (CMDR) as a function of mass removal (MR) were characterized to assess remediation efficiency. Systems whose CDMR‐MR profiles are below the 1:1 relationship curve are associated with more efficient well‐field configurations. For simulations conducted with the homogeneous domain, the CMDR‐MR curves shift leftward, from convex‐downward profiles for natural gradient and Longitudinal to first‐order behaviour for Distributed, and further leftward to a sigmoidal profile for the Downgradient well‐field configuration. These results reveal the maximum potential impacts of well‐field configuration on mass‐removal behaviour, which is attributed to mass‐transfer constraints associated with regions of low flow. In contrast, for the simulations conducted with the layered domain, the CMDR‐MR relationships for the different well‐field configurations exhibit convex‐upward profiles. The nonideal mass‐removal behaviour in this case is influenced by both well‐field configuration and back diffusion associated with low‐permeability units.
Low‐power laser irradiation decreases lipid droplet accumulation in the parotid glands of diabetic rats
Authors: de Castro Juliana R. , de Souza Eugen M. N. , Park Yun‐Jong , de Campos Luana , Cha Seunghee , Arana‐Chavez Victor E. , Nicolau José , Simões Alyne
Published: November 2017

Lipid droplet accumulation has been related to salivary gland hypofunction in diabetes. In this study, the effect of laser irradiation on the parotid glands (PGs) of diabetic rats was analyzed with regard to its effect on lipid droplet accumulation, intracellular calcium concentration and calmodulin expression. The animals were distributed into 6 groups: D0, D5, D20 and C0, C5, C20, for diabetic (D) and control animals (C), respectively. Twenty‐nine days following diabetes induction, PGs of groups D5 and C5; D20 and C20 were irradiated with 5 and 20 J/cm2 of a red diode laser at 100 mW, respectively. After 24 hours, PGs were removed for histological, biochemical, and western blotting analysis. The diabetic animals showed lipid droplet accumulation, which was decreased after irradiation. Ultrastructurally, the droplets were nonmembrane bound and appeared irregularly located in the cytoplasm. Moreover, diabetic animals showed an increased intracellular calcium concentration. In contrast, after laser irradiation a progressive decrease in the concentration of this ion was observed, which would be in agreement with the results found in the increased expression of calmodulin in D20. These data are promising for using laser to decrease lipid droplet accumulation in PGs, however, more studies are necessary to better understand its mechanisms. Micrographs showing decreased lipid accumulation after laser irradiation in light micrographs (LM), and morphology of lipid droplet in transmission electron microscopic (TEM). LM: (A) PGs from nondiabetic rats that did not receive Laser irradiation (LI), (B) PGs from nondiabetic rats that received a dose of 20 J/cm2, (C) lipid accumulation (arrows) in the secretory cells from diabetic rats that did not receive irradiation, (D) reduction of lipid accumulation in the secretory cells from diabetic rats that received a dose of 20 J/cm2 and TEM: (E) scale bar = 5 μm, (F) scale bar = 1 μm, and (G) scale bar = 0.5 μm.
Nutrients intake, and serum calcium and phosphorus levels: An evidence‐based study
Authors: Jafari Giv Zahra , Avan Amir , Hamidi Farshid , Tayefi Maryam , Khayyatzadeh Sayyed Saeid , Javandoost Ali , Nematy Mohsen , Ferns Gordon A. , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Dietary calcium and phosphorus appear to be important determinants of dyslipidemia and hypertension. We have investigated (1) the prevalence of hypocalcemia and hypophosphatemia in an Iranian population, and (2) the association between nutrient's intake and serum levels of calcium and phosphorus.

Methods

A total of 908 individuals were enrolled using a stratified‐cluster sampling method from the Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerosis disorder (MASHHAD) study. Dietplan6 software was used for 24‐hour recalls and food frequency questionnaire to investigate macro‐ and micronutrient intakes of our population, followed by univariate analysis for evaluation of the association of dairy consumption with serum calcium and phosphorus.

Results

We observed that the mean dietary Ca intake was 862.4 mg/d (672.7‐1052) for men and 864.2 mg/d (604.5‐1123) for women in our population, which is lower than the dietary reference intake for Ca. Moreover, a significant relationship was detected between serum calcium level and dietary intakes of saturated fatty acids, copper, iodine, sucrose, potato, and juices. Of note, we observed a negative association between copper intake, and serum Ca (P˂.01). Also, a significant association was found between serum phosphorus levels and dietary intakes of chicken meat and fresh fruits. Interestingly, we observed an inverse relationship between tea and Ca/P ratio (eg, ‐r=.098; P=.02).

Conclusion

We found that the dietary intake of Ca was not sufficient in our population and was associated with the dietary intake of some macro‐ and micronutrient, supporting further investigation on clinical impact of this condition on calcium/phosphorus deficiency related diseases.
CntA oxygenase substrate profile comparison and oxygen dependency of TMA production in Providencia rettgeri
Authors: Kalnins Gints , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Hartmane Dace , Grinberga Solveiga , Tars Kaspars
Published: November 2017

CntA oxygenase is a Rieske 2S‐2Fe cluster‐containing protein that has been previously described as able to produce trimethylamine (TMA) from carnitine, gamma‐butyrobetaine, glycine betaine, and in one case, choline. TMA found in humans is exclusively of bacterial origin, and its metabolite, trimethylamine oxide (TMAO), has been associated with atherosclerosis and heart and renal failure. We isolated four different Rieske oxygenases and determined that there are no significant differences in their substrate panels. All three had high activity toward carnitine/gamma‐butyrobetaine, medium activity toward glycine betaine, and very low activity toward choline. We tested the influence of low oxygen concentrations on TMA production in CntA‐containing Providencia rettgeri cell cultures and discovered that this process, although dependent on the amount of oxygen, is still feasible in environments with 1 and 0.2% oxygen, which is comparable to oxygen levels in some parts of the digestive system.
Facile and versatile strategy to prepare magnetic molecularly imprinted particles based on the coassembly of magnetic nanoparticles and amphiphilic random copolymers
Authors: Zhu Lili , Cao Yuhua , Ni Xinjiong , You Aimei , Cao Guangqun
Published: November 2017

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles for bisphenol A were prepared by coassembling magnetic nanoparticles and amphiphilic random copolymers. Under optimized conditions, bisphenol A as template molecules, magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer particles with regular morphology, small size, good monodispersity, and high content of OA‐Fe3O4 were prepared by the coassembly method using P(MMA‐co‐MAA) with monomer ratio of 9:1. These magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer particles could be rapidly collected by an external magnet within 1 min. The saturated adsorption capacity of the magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for bisphenol A was 201.5 mg/g, and the imprinting factor was 2.5. The separation factors for bisphenol A to β‐estradiol, estriol, and diethylstilbestrol was 3.1, 2.9, and 3.7, respectively. Unlike assembling amphiphilic copolymer in the selective solvent, the coassembly process was simple and rapid. Therefore, the present work provided a facile and versatile approach to construct magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles under mild conditions.
Acoustic Process Control for Laser Material Processing
Authors: Fischer Balthasar , Rohringer Wolfgang , Panzer Nils , Hecker Sebastian
Published: November 2017

Listening to an industrial process can reveal relevant information. As a complementary approach to optical process surveillance, monitoring the acoustic emissions is a promising alternative. Yet, acoustic detectors have not been extensively established in process control, one reason being their limited frequency bandwidth. Overcoming the disadvantages of existing microphones, a novel laser‐based acoustic sensor opens new possibilities in industrial acoustic process monitoring.
Longitudinal analyses of adoptive parents’ expectations and depressive symptoms
Authors: Foli Karen J. , Lim Eunjung , South Susan C.
Published: November 2017

Grounded in a theoretical model specific to adoptive parents, we examined the relationship between parental expectations and depressive symptoms across time. Assessments of 129 adoptive parents of 64 children were performed at three time points before and after placement of an adopted child with the family: 4–6 weeks pre‐placement and 4–6 weeks and 5–6 months post‐placement. Expectations were assessed in four dimensions: expectations of self as parents, of the child, of family and friends, and of society. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression scale. Associations between parental expectations and depressive symptoms were analyzed, and longitudinal multilevel modeling was conducted to explore influences on expectations over time. Parental expectations changed from pre‐ to post‐placement. With the exception of expectations of self as parent, adoptive parents’ pre‐adoption expectations were affirmed in the post‐adoption time periods. In each expectation dimension, higher affirmation of expectations was correlated with decreased depressive symptoms before and after placement of a child. While parental expectations are not unique to adoptive parents, the essence and characteristics of certain expectations are unique to these parents. When working with adoptive parents, nurses who care for families should assess expectations both pre‐ and post‐placement with awareness of their relationship to depressive symptoms.
Prenatal diagnosis and prognosis of isolated subependymal cysts: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yang Mengmeng , Jiang Ying , Chen Qinqing , Lv Min , Luo Qiong
Published: November 2017

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the significance of prenatal diagnosis of subependymal cysts (SEC). Diagnoses were made by brain ultrasonography (bUS) and confirmed by fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

We reviewed all the cases of isolated SEC diagnosed antenatally in our center from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2015, and confirmed by fetal MRI. We followed up their evolution throughout pregnancy and the neonatal neurodevelopment at 3, 6, and 12 months using the Gesell Developmental Schedule.

Results

Among the 91 cases in the cohort, 74 were bilateral and 17 unilateral. The SEC were significantly smaller in unilateral than bilateral cases (P < .001). Among the 35 cases with repeated bUS, SEC remained stable or decreased in size with advancing gestational age in 86% of cases. After excluding terminations of pregnancy (n = 13), neurodevelopment was normal in 75/78 (96%) cases with developmental quotient ≧85.

Conclusion

Isolated SEC are usually a benign finding. Accurate diagnosis is important to differentiate SEC from other pathologic brain conditions with a combination of brain ultrasonography and MRI.
Has noninvasive prenatal testing impacted termination of pregnancy and live birth rates of infants with Down syndrome?
Authors: Hill Melissa , Barrett Angela , Choolani Mahesh , Lewis Celine , Fisher Jane , Chitty Lyn S.
Published: November 2017

Background

Implementation of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a highly accurate aneuploidy screening test has raised questions around whether the high uptake may result in more terminations of pregnancies and fewer births of children with Down syndrome (DS).

Aim

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of NIPT on termination and live birth rates for DS.

Methods

Literature reporting pregnancy outcomes following NIPT was reviewed. Termination rates were calculated for women with a high‐risk NIPT result for DS. Two audits of pregnancy outcomes where NIPT indicated DS were conducted in the United Kingdom and Singapore.

Results

Fourteen studies from the United States, Asia, Europe, and the United Kingdom were included in the review. Live births of children with DS were reported in 8 studies. Termination rates following NIPT were unchanged or decreased when compared to termination rates prior to the introduction of NIPT. Audits found 15 of 43 women in the United Kingdom and 2 of 6 in Singapore continued pregnancies following a high‐risk NIPT result.

Conclusions

Termination rates following the detection of DS by NIPT are unchanged or decreased compared to historical termination rates. Impact on live birth rates may be minimal in settings where termination rates fall. Population‐based studies are required to determine the true impact.
A Method for the 12‐Hour Evaluation of Analgesic Efficacy in Outpatients with Postoperative Oral Surgery Pain
Authors: Beaver William T. , Forbes James A. , Shackleford Robert W.
Published: November 2017

We have developed a method for measuring the efficacy of a single dose of an analgesic for 12 hours after administration to outpatients with postoperative oral surgery pain. Using a self‐rating record, patients evaluate their pain and its relief for 12 hours after medication. We have used this method successfully in a series of three studies to compare diflunisal, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory analgesic, with placebo and aspirin 650 mg, acetaminophen 600 mg, propoxyphene napsylate 100 mg, or a combination of acetaminophen with either codeine 60 mg or propoxyphene 100 mg. Diflunisal evinced an unusually long duration of analgesic effect. In each study, all doses of diflunisal were significantly superior to placebo through the end of the 12‐hour observation period, while the standards were superior for periods ranging from 2 to 7 hours. In terms of peak analgesia, diflunisal 1,000 mg was comparable to the acetaminophen‐codeine combination and was significantly superior to all the other analgesic standards.
A 12‐Hour Evaluation of the Analgesic Efficacy of Diflunisal, Zomepirac Sodium, Aspirin, and Placebo in Postoperative Oral Surgery Pain
Authors: Forbes James A. , Butterworth Geraldine A. , Burchfield William H. , Beaver William T. , Shackleford Robert W.
Published: November 2017

One hundred ninety‐nine outpatients with pain following oral surgery were randomly assigned, on a double‐blind basis, a single oral dose of diflunisal (500 or 1,000 mg), zomepirac sodium 100 mg, aspirin 650 mg, or placebo. Using a self‐rating record, subjects rated their pain and its relief hourly for 12 hours after medication. Measures of total and peak analgesia were derived from these patients' subjective reports. Diflunisal (500 and 1,000 mg) and zomepirac were significantly superior to aspirin and placebo for every measure of total and peak analgesia. Based upon the first 4 hours of observation, aspirin was superior to placebo for every measure of analgesia. Diflunisal 500 and 1,000 mg were comparable to zomepirac in peak analgesia and significantly superior to zomepirac for all measures of total analgesia. The onset of analgesia was comparable for 1,000 mg diflunisal, zomepirac, and aspirin, but more rapid for these treatments than for 500 mg diflunisal. The duration of analgesia was 12 hours for diflunisal, 9 hours for zomepirac, and 3 hours for aspirin.
Diflunisal in the Treatment of the Pain of Osteoarthritis Summary of Clinical Studies
Authors: Umbenhauer Elmer R.
Published: November 2017

In comprehensive clinical studies, diflunisal — a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug with a long duration of action — was shown to be highly effective and generally well tolerated in the short‐ and long‐term treatment of the pain of osteoarthritis. In double‐blind comparison studies, diflunisal was comparable in efficacy to aspirin and better tolerated. In a separate study with ibuprofen, 800 to 1,200 mg daily (manufacturer's present recommended dose, 900 to 2,400 mg daily), diflunisal, 500 to 750 mg daily, was more effective and comparable in tolerability. Diflunisal had a longer duration of action, requiring only twice‐a‐day dosage.
Comparison of Fecal Blood Loss after Use of Aspirin and Diflunisal
Authors: Rider J. Alfred
Published: November 2017

Diflunisal 1,000 mg/day, aspirin 4.0 g/day, or placebo were given to 36 healthy volunteers for 14 days to determine fecal blood loss. There was a significant increase in fecal blood loss from baseline in the aspirin group compared to both the diflunisal and placebo groups. A slight but significant increase in fecal blood loss in the diflunisal group at Week 1 was reported; however, there was no significant increase at Week 2. Use of diflunisal was not associated with any consistent blood loss or serious adverse reactions.