bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GABA immunostaining in the central complex of dicondylian insects
Authors: Homberg Uwe , Humberg Tim‐Henning , Seyfarth Jutta , Bode Katharina , Pérez Manuel Quintero
Published: July 2018

The central complex is a group of midline‐crossing neuropils in the insect brain involved in head direction coding, sky compass navigation, and spatial visual memory. To compare the neuroarchitecture and neurochemistry of the central complex in insects that differ in locomotion, ways of orientation, time of activity (diurnal, nocturnal), and evolutionary history, we studied the distribution of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) immunostaining in the central complex of 29 species, ranging from Zygentoma to Diptera. In all species, the lower division of the central body was densely innervated by GABA‐immunoreactive tangential neurons. These neurons had additional arborizations in the bulb, a distinct region of synaptic complexes in the lateral complex, and somata in a cell cluster mediodorsally to the antennal lobe. Differences in the appearance of GABA immunostaining in the lower division of the central body corresponded to differences in neuropil architecture, such as transformation of the lower division into a toroid in certain Diptera and Heteroptera. In nearly all species two additional systems of tangential neuron of the upper division of the central body were GABA‐immunoreactive. One of these systems diffusely invaded a superior layer, while the second system showed fan‐like projections in an inferior layer. Sparse immunostaining in the protocerebral bridge was detected in cockroaches, a cricket, and two hemipteran species. The data show that three systems of GABA‐immunoreactive tangential neurons of the central body are highly conserved and suggest that the layered organization of the upper division of the central body is, likewise, largely maintained from basal to advanced species.
Networking of multi‐domain unified communications systems: Structure design and performance evaluation
Authors: Shen Qingguo , Chen Qinghua , Gong Jing , Zhou Feng
Published: July 2018

UC (Unified Communications) can integrate different terminals and media and has played an important role in some enterprises. However, for large UC system with multiple domains, there still exist unsolved issues such as large call delay, overlay management overhead, and bandwidth costliness. In this paper, the hierarchal structure, call routing, and bandwidth usage of the multi‐domain UC system are studied. After describing the architecture of the multi‐domain UC system, a no‐worse‐than‐two‐hop query algorithm based on P2P is proposed for inter domain call, and it is showed that 80% users can finish call query in one hop based on the derived performance formulas. Then, the typical transmission networking structure is designed with an overlay between provincial domains, and the bandwidth requirements of signaling and media traffics are estimated. By comparing the performances of overlays with mesh, star, and hybrid topologies, the hybrid overlay topology is showed to be the best choice in terms of cost and manageability for the typical traffic distribution. In the overlay with hybrid topology, the media traffic routes can be controlled dynamically with SDN (Software Defined Network), and the overlay bandwidth reserved can be used efficiently with utilization up to 84%, thus demonstrating the technical and economic feasibilities of the proposed transmission overlay.
The Influence of Carbosilane Nanosegregation on the Dynamics in ‘de Vries‐type’ Liquid Crystals
Authors: Müller Carsten , Schubert Christopher P. J. , Lemieux Robert P. , Giesselmann Frank
Published: July 2018

The mesogens QL32‐6, QL33‐6 and QL‐34‐6 contain 5‐phenylpyrimidine cores and terminal nanosegregating carbosilane end groups of different lengths and are known to exhibit ‘de Vries‐type’ properties of varying strength. We report a systematic study of the influence of the nanosegregating sublayer on the dynamics and rotational viscosities of the collective modes in the smectic A* (SmA*) and smectic C* (SmC*) phase using dielectric spectroscopy. It was found that the dynamics of the Goldstone mode corresponding to phase angle fluctuations are almost not affected while the relaxation time and rotational viscosity of the soft mode are influenced by the degree of nanosegregation. In other words, the nanosegregating sublayer does not influence the dynamics of ferroelectric switching in the SmC* phase, but is critical in inducing ‘de Vries‐type’ properties.
Enhanced Furfural Yields from Xylose Dehydration in the γ‐Valerolactone/Water Solvent System at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Sener Canan , Motagamwala Ali Hussain , Alonso David Martin , Dumesic James A.
Published: July 2018

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. James Dumesic at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The image shows a process for the conversion of xylose, obtained from the hemicellulose fraction of lignocellulosic biomass, to furfural at high yields (>90%) using a biomass derived solvent, γ‐valerolactone, at high temperature (e.g., 498 K). The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201800730.
A low‐power digital IC emulating intracellular calcium dynamics
Authors: Soleimani Hamid , Drakakis Emmanuel M.
Published: July 2018

Low power/area cytomorphic chips may be interfaced and ultimately implanted in the human body for cell‐sensing and cell‐control applications of the future. In such electronic platforms, it is crucial to accurately mimic the biological timescales and operate in real time. This paper proposes a methodology where slow nonlinear dynamical systems describing the behaviour of naturally encountered biological systems can be efficiently realised in hardware. To this end, as a case study, a low power and efficient digital Application‐Specific Integrated Circuit capable of emulating slow intracellular calcium dynamics with timescales reaching to seconds has been fabricated in the commercially available AMS 0.35 μm technology and compared with its analog counterpart. The fabricated chip occupies an area of 1.5 mm2 (excluding the area of the pads) and consumes 18.93 nW for each calcium unit from a power supply of 3.3 V. The presented cytomimetic topology follows closely the behaviour of its biological counterpart, exhibiting similar time‐domain calcium ions dynamics. Results show that the implemented design has the potential to speed up large–scale simulations of slow intracellular dynamics by sharing cellular units in real time.
Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass surgery alters serum metabolites and fatty acids in patients with morbid obesity
Authors: Wijayatunga Nadeeja N. , Sams Valerie G. , Dawson John A. , Mancini Matthew L. , Mancini Gregory J. , Moustaid‐Moussa Naima
Published: July 2018

Aim

Bariatric surgery induces significant weight loss, increases insulin sensitivity, and reduces mortality, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. It was hypothesized that Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery improves metabolic profile along with weight loss. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate changes in serum metabolites and fatty acids (FA) at 2 weeks and 6 months after RYGB.

Materials and Methods

Serum samples were collected pre‐surgery, at 2 weeks and 6 months post‐surgery from 20 patients undergoing RYGB surgery. Serum non‐esterified free FA (NEFA) were measured. Serum metabolites and FA were measured using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and improved direct fatty acid methyl ester synthesis and the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method, respectively, in subjects who completed follow‐up at 6 months (n = 8).

Results

Mean (standard deviation) percent total weight loss was 6.70% (1.7) and 24.91% (6.63) at 2 weeks (n = 15) and 6 months (n = 8) post‐surgery, respectively. NEFA were significantly reduced at 6 months post‐surgery (P = 0.001, n = 8). Serum branched chain amino acids, 2‐aminobutyrate, butyrate, 2‐hydroxybutyrate, 3‐hydroxybutyrate, acetone, 2‐methylglutarate, and 2‐oxoisocaproate were significantly reduced, while serum alanine, glycine, pyruvate, and taurine were significantly elevated at 6 months post‐surgery compared with pre‐surgery (n = 8, P < 0.05). Also, serum FA C10:0, C13:0, C14:0, C15:0, and C18:0 increased significantly (n = 8, P < 0.05) by 6 months post‐surgery.

Conclusions

Changes in serum metabolites and FA at 6 months post‐RYGB surgery in this pilot study with limited number of participants are suggestive of metabolic improvement; larger studies are warranted for confirmation.
Mutational analysis of a Drosophila neuroblast enhancer governing nubbin expression during CNS development
Authors: Ross Jermaine , Kuzin Alexander , Brody Thomas , Odenwald Ward F.
Published: July 2018

While developmental studies of Drosophila neural stem cell lineages have identified transcription factors (TFs) important to cell identity decisions, currently only an incomplete understanding exists of the cis‐regulatory elements that control the dynamic expression of these TFs. Our previous studies have identified multiple enhancers that regulate the POU‐domain TF paralogs nubbin and pdm‐2 genes. Evolutionary comparative analysis of these enhancers reveals that they each contain multiple conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) that span TF DNA‐binding sites for known regulators of neuroblast (NB) gene expression in addition to novel sequences. This study functionally analyzes the conserved DNA sequence elements within a NB enhancer located within the nubbin gene and highlights a high level of complexity underlying enhancer structure. Mutational analysis has revealed CSBs that are important for enhancer activation and silencing in the developing CNS. We have also observed that adjusting the number and relative positions of the TF binding sites within these CSBs alters enhancer function.
Population‐level manipulations of field vole densities induce subsequent changes in plant quality but no impacts on vole demography
Authors: Ruffino Lise , Hartley Susan E. , DeGabriel Jane L. , Lambin Xavier
Published: July 2018

Grazing‐induced changes in plant quality have been suggested to drive the negative delayed density dependence exhibited by many herbivore species, but little field evidence exists to support this hypothesis. We tested a key premise of the hypothesis that reciprocal feedback between vole grazing pressure and the induction of anti‐herbivore silicon defenses in grasses drives observed population cycles in a large‐scale field experiment in northern England. We repeatedly reduced population densities of field voles (Microtus agrestis) on replicated 1‐ha grassland plots at Kielder Forest, northern England, over a period of 1 year. Subsequently, we tested for the impact of past density on vole life history traits in spring, and whether these effects were driven by induced silicon defenses in the voles’ major over‐winter food, the grass Deschampsia caespitosa. After several months of density manipulation, leaf silicon concentrations diverged and averaged 22% lower on sites where vole density had been reduced, but this difference did not persist beyond the period of the density manipulations. There were no significant effects of our density manipulations on vole body mass, spring population growth rate, or mean date for the onset of spring reproduction the following year. These findings show that grazing by field voles does induce increased silicon defenses in grasses at a landscape scale. However, at the vole densities encountered, levels of plant damage appear to be below those needed to induce changes in silicon levels large and persistent enough to affect vole performance, confirming the threshold effects we have previously observed in laboratory‐based studies. Our findings do not support the plant quality hypothesis for observed vole population cycles in northern England, at least over the range of vole densities that now prevail here.
Disentangling effects of air and soil temperature on C allocation in cold environments: A 14C pulse‐labelling study with two plant species
Authors: Ferrari Adele , Hagedorn Frank , Niklaus Pascal Alex
Published: July 2018

Carbon cycling responses of ecosystems to global warming will likely be stronger in cold ecosystems where many processes are temperature‐limited. Predicting these effects is difficult because air and soil temperatures will not change in concert, and will affect above and belowground processes differently. We disentangled above and belowground temperature effects on plant C allocation and deposition of plant C in soils by independently manipulating air and soil temperatures in microcosms planted with either Leucanthemopsis alpina or Pinus mugo seedlings. Daily average temperatures of 4 or 9°C were applied to shoots and independently to roots, and plants pulse‐labelled with 14CO2. We traced soil CO2 and 14CO2 evolution for 4 days, after which microcosms were destructively harvested and 14C quantified in plant and soil fractions. In microcosms with L. alpina, net 14C uptake was higher at 9°C than at 4°C soil temperature, and this difference was independent of air temperature. In warmer soils, more C was allocated to roots at greater soil depth, with no effect of air temperature. In P. mugo microcosms, assimilate partitioning to roots increased with air temperature, but only when soils were at 9°C. Higher soil temperatures also increased the mean soil depth at which 14C was allocated. Our findings highlight the dependence of C uptake, use, and partitioning on both air and soil temperature, with the latter being relatively more important. The strong temperature‐sensitivity of C assimilate use in the roots and rhizosphere supports the hypothesis that cold limitation on C uptake is primarily mediated by reduced sink strength in the roots. We conclude that variations in soil rather than air temperature are going to drive plant responses to warming in cold environments, with potentially large changes in C cycling due to enhanced transfer of plant‐derived C to soils.
Development of on‐shore behavior among polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the southern Beaufort Sea: inherited or learned?
Authors: Lillie Kate M. , Gese Eric M. , Atwood Todd C. , Sonsthagen Sarah A.
Published: July 2018

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are experiencing rapid and substantial changes to their environment due to global climate change. Polar bears of the southern Beaufort Sea (SB) have historically spent most of the year on the sea ice. However, recent reports from Alaska indicate that the proportion of the SB subpopulation observed on‐shore during late summer and early fall has increased. Our objective was to investigate whether this on‐shore behavior has developed through genetic inheritance, asocial learning, or through social learning. From 2010 to 2013, genetic data were collected from SB polar bears in the fall via hair snags and remote biopsy darting on‐shore and in the spring from captures and remote biopsy darting on the sea ice. Bears were categorized as either on‐shore or off‐shore individuals based on their presence on‐shore during the fall. Levels of genetic relatedness, first‐order relatives, mother–offspring pairs, and father–offspring pairs were determined and compared within and between the two categories: on‐shore versus off‐shore. Results suggested transmission of on‐shore behavior through either genetic inheritance or social learning as there was a higher than expected number of first‐order relatives exhibiting on‐shore behavior. Genetic relatedness and parentage data analyses were in concurrence with this finding, but further revealed mother–offspring social learning as the primary mechanism responsible for the development of on‐shore behavior. Recognizing that on‐shore behavior among polar bears was predominantly transmitted via social learning from mothers to their offspring has implications for future management and conservation as sea ice continues to decline.
Long‐distance pollen and seed dispersal and inbreeding depression in Hymenaea stigonocarpa (Fabaceae: Caesalpinioideae) in the Brazilian savannah
Authors: Moraes Marcela A. , Kubota Thaisa Y. K. , Rossini Bruno C. , Marino Celso L. , Freitas Miguel L. M. , Moraes Mario L. T. , da Silva Alexandre M. , Cambuim Jose , Sebbenn Alexandre M.
Published: July 2018

Hymenaea stigonocarpa is a neotropical tree that is economically important due to its high‐quality wood; however, because it has been exploited extensively, it is currently considered threatened. Microsatellite loci were used to investigate the pollen and seed dispersal, mating patterns, spatial genetic structure (SGS), genetic diversity, and inbreeding depression in H. stigonocarpa adults, juveniles, and open‐pollinated seeds, which were sampled from isolated trees in a pasture and trees within a forest fragment in the Brazilian savannah. We found that the species presented a mixed mating system, with population and individual variations in the outcrossing rate (0.53–1.0). The studied populations were not genetically isolated due to pollen and seed flow between the studied populations and between the populations and individuals located outside of the study area. Pollen and seed dispersal occurred over long distances (>8 km); however, the dispersal patterns were isolated by distance, with a high frequency of mating occurring between near‐neighbor trees and seeds dispersed near the parent trees. The correlated mating for individual seed trees was higher within than among fruits, indicating that fruits present a high proportion of full‐sibs. Genetic diversity and SGS were similar among the populations, but offspring showed evidence of inbreeding, mainly originating from mating among related trees, which suggests inbreeding depression between the seed and adult stages. Selfing resulted in a higher inbreeding depression than mating among relatives, as assessed through survival and height. As the populations are not genetically isolated, both are important targets for in situ conservation to maintain their genetic diversity; for ex situ conservation, seeds can be collected from at least 78 trees in both populations separated by at least 250 m.
Plastome phylogeny and lineage diversification of Salicaceae with focus on poplars and willows
Authors: Zhang Lei , Xi Zhenxiang , Wang Mingcheng , Guo Xinyi , Ma Tao
Published: July 2018

Phylogenetic relationships and lineage diversification of the family Salicaceae sensu lato (s.l.) remain poorly understood. In this study, we examined phylogenetic relationships between 42 species from six genera based on the complete plastomes. Phylogenetic analyses of 77 protein coding genes of the plastomes produced good resolution of the interrelationships among most sampled species and the recovered clades. Of the sampled genera from the family, Flacourtia was identified as the most basal and the successive clades comprised both Itoa and Poliothyrsis, Idesia, two genera of the Salicaceae sensu stricto (s.s.) (Populus and Salix). Five major subclades were recovered within the Populus clade. These subclades and their interrelationships are largely inconsistent with morphological classifications and molecular phylogeny based on nuclear internal transcribed spacer sequence variations. Two major subclades were identified for the Salix clade. Molecular dating suggested that species diversification of the major subclades in the Populus and Salix clades occurred mainly within the recent Pliocene. In addition, we found that the rpl32 gene was lost and the rps7 gene evolved into a pseudogene multiple times in the sampled genera of the Salicaceae s.l. Compared with previous studies, our results provide a well‐resolved phylogeny from the perspective of the plastomes.
Host specificity of parasitoids (Encyrtidae) toward armored scale insects (Diaspididae): Untangling the effect of cryptic species on quantitative food webs
Authors: Qin Yao‐Guang , Zhou Qing‐Song , Yu Fang , Wang Xu‐Bo , Wei Jiu‐Feng , Zhu Chao‐Dong , Zhang Yan‐Zhou , Vogler Alfried P.
Published: July 2018

Host specificity of parasitoids may be measured by various specialization indices to assess the variation of interaction strength among species and the structure of the wider interaction network. However, the conclusions from analyses at the species and network levels may differ, which remains poorly explored. In addition, the recovery of cryptic species of hosts and parasitoids with molecular data may affect the structure of inferred interaction links. We quantified host specificity of hymenopteran parasitoids (family Encyrtidae) on armored scale insects (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) from a wide geographic sampling range across the Chinese Mainland based on both morphological and molecular species delimitation. MitochondrialCOIand nuclear 28S markers detected high cryptic species diversity in the encyrtids and to a lesser degree in the diaspidids, which divided generalist morphospecies into complexes of specialists and generalists. One‐to‐one reciprocal host–parasite links were increased in the molecular data set, but different quantitative species‐level indices produced contrasting estimates of specificity from various one‐to‐multiple and multiple‐to‐multiple host–parasite links. Network indices calculated fromDNA‐based species, compared to morphology‐based species definitions, showed lower connectance and generality, but greater specialization and compartmentalization of the interaction network. We conclude that a high degree of cryptic species in host–parasitoid systems refines the true network structure and may cause us overestimating the stability of these interaction webs.
IFN‐γ stimulates CpG‐induced IL‐10 production in B cells via p38 and JNK signalling pathways
Authors: Imbrechts Maya , De Samblancx Karen , Fierens Karlien , Brisse Ellen , Vandenhaute Jessica , Mitera Tania , Libert Claude , Smets Ide , Goris An , Wouters Carine , Matthys Patrick
Published: July 2018

The production of IL‐10, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine, must be strictly regulated to ensure a balanced immune response. IFN‐γ, a key cytokine in multiple immune processes and pathologies, is known as an inhibitor of IL‐10 production by monocytes and macrophages, but also has some regulatory functions. In the present study, we explored the role of IFN‐γ on Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐induced IL‐10 production in murine peritoneal and spleen cells and in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. IFN‐γ inhibited IL‐10 production induced by TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR7/8 agonists, but stimulated IL‐10 production when cells were triggered with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides, a specific TLR9 agonist. The stimulatory effect of IFN‐γ on TLR9‐induced IL‐10 was restricted to B cells. In line with the increased IL‐10, B cells stimulated with CpG and IFN‐γ profoundly inhibited CD4 T cell proliferation. Further research into the mechanisms involved, revealed that the mitogen‐activated protein kinases p38 and JNK are essential players in this stimulatory effect, and that the phosphatase MKP1 – an inhibitor of p38 and JNK activity – is downregulated after combined stimulation with IFN‐γ and CpG. Our data may represent a novel immunoregulatory role of IFN‐γ in B cells after triggering of TLR9, by stimulating IL‐10 production.
Polymorphism and Kinetic Behavior of Binary Mixtures of Trisaturated Triacylglycerols Containing Palmitic and Stearic Acid Under Non‐Isothermal Conditions
Authors: Bhaggan Krishnadath , Smith Kevin W. , Blecker Christophe , Danthine Sabine
Published: July 2018

The kinetic phase behavior and phase transformation paths of pure tripalmitoylglycerol (PPP), 1‐palmitoyl‐2,3‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycerol (PSS), and 1,3‐dipalmitoyl‐2‐stearoyl‐sn‐glycerol (PSP) and binary mixtures thereof, are investigated at 10.0 °C min−1 (fast cooling) and 1.0 °C min−1 (slow cooling) cooling rates, and further re‐heating at 5.0 and 1.0 °C min−1. Mixtures are studied in terms of polymorphism, crystallization, and melting behavior. Kinetic phase diagrams are determined from DSC heating thermograms and XRD data. Independent of the cooling rate, most samples crystallized in the α‐polymorph and transformed into the more stable β′‐form via melt‐mediated crystallization or direct recrystallization from the α‐phase. Samples containing a high amount of PSP crystallized in the β′‐form at slow cooling rate and samples containing high PPP concentration ultimately transform to the most stable β‐form. The kinetic phase diagram of PPP‐PSS mixtures present an apparently typical eutectic behavior with a eutectic point at XPSS = 0.3, when the samples are melted at the higher heating rate, which shifts to higher concentration, XPSS = 0.5, when the lower heating rate is applied. The eutectic temperature (58.4 ± 0.3 °C) is independent of the cooling and heating rates used. The kinetic phase diagram of PSS‐PSP mixtures display two types of behaviors, a probable monotectic behavior in the most stable phase and a eutectic behavior in the meta‐stable phase when the samples are melted at higher heating rate. This study shows that PSS has a strong effect on the physical properties of PPP‐PSS blends and affects a large part of the phase behavior of this binary system. At lower PSS concentrations, the mixtures transform to the most stable β form, but at increasing PSS concentration, the samples stabilize in the β′‐phase. In the PSS‐PSP binary systems, all the mixtures stabilize in the β′‐phase, which is preferred in many food applications since it is associated with a smooth texture.

Practical Applications: This research extends a previous study on the phase behavior of the most common trisaturated triacylglycerols and the results are useful for the food industry as they can help in understanding the functionality of hard fat based structuring agents in end applications, and in developing new triacylglycerol based crystallization and structuring agent for specific food applications.

The kinetic phase behavior of trisaturated triacylglycerol containing stearic and palmitic acid were studied under three sets of conditions. The binary systems showed different behaviors at the conditions studied. An apparent eutectic phase behavior was obtained for mixtures containing mono‐acid and symmetric triacylglycerols. However, the samples containing asymmetric triacylglycerols showed a probable monotectic phase behavior in the most stable β′1‐phase.
Hexane‐Free Green Solvent Extraction of Canola Oil From Microwave‐Pretreated Seeds and of Antioxidant‐Rich Byproducts
Authors: Sánchez Ramiro J. , Fernández María B. , Nolasco Susana M.
Published: July 2018

The ethanol extraction from microwave‐pretreated and untreated canola seeds is studied. Two process are used to obtain the oil: in a control process (P1), the solvent‐free total extract (E) is washed with hexane, obtaining an oil fraction (OF). The second process (P2) consists of the partial evaporation of the solvent of the total extract (E), cooling, centrifugation, and separation by decantation of the generated phases: oil‐rich phase (OF + Ethanol), solvent‐rich phase (EthF + Ethanol), and solid phase (SF); and then evaporating the solvent to obtain OF and an extract of soluble in the phase rich in ethanol (EthF). No significant differences due to microwaves are detected in the yields. P2 gave mean yields of 32.8%db of OF, lower than obtained with P1 (42.1%db), 4.2%db of precipitated solids, and 7.7%db of EthF, which present a mean content of hexane‐solubles of 5.1%db. However, the quality analysis shows a smaller oxidative damage and an increase in canolol content due to the microwaves. P2 also generates an antioxidant‐rich byproduct, allowing to recover the canolol prior to a refining stage of the oil.

Practical Applications: The use of organic solvents for the extraction of vegetable oils have some disadvantages, such as health and safety problems. At the same time, ethanol has begun to be studied as an alternative solvent due to its lower production costs than other alternative solvents, and to the fact that it is recognized as a “bio‐renewable” solvent. Numerous studies have shown the extraction of oil and impurities obtained with ethanol. However, no method have been developed for obtaining an insoluble‐free canola oil from the extract obtained with ethanol without using hexane. In addition, a favorable effect of the canolol content pretreated with microwaves in the canola oil is reported, nevertheless, the canolol is eliminated during the refining stage of the crude oil. The hexane‐free development process allows to obtain canola oil and an antioxidant‐rich byproduct, allowing to recover the canolol prior to a refining stage of the oil.

Green solvent (ethanol) extraction from microwave‐pretreated canola seeds and a hexane‐free separation process is developed. The results show a high yield of canola oil and the production of an antioxidant‐rich byproduct.
Fat Crystallite Thickness Distribution Based on SAXD Peak Shape Analysis
Authors: den Adel Ruud , van Malssen Kees , van Duynhoven John , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Voda Adrian
Published: July 2018

Understanding of the multiscale structuring capability of triacylglycerols (TAGs) can be enhanced through knowledge of the crystallite thickness distribution (CTD), which can be obtained through X‐ray diffraction peak shape analysis. The Fourier‐transformation‐based Bertaut–Warren–Averbach (BWA) method provides an approach to resolve CTDs in TAGs, where molecules are packed in repeating layers. The feasibility of using the BWA method is demonstrated for small angle X‐ray diffraction (SAXD) measurements on both laboratory equipment and a synchrotron beamline for model TAG systems and real food products such as margarines.

Practical Applications: The CTDs enable discrimination of margarines produced by different processing routes and may be used as a signature of network structures that underlie product texture.

Understanding of the multiscale structuring capability of triacylglycerols (TAGs) can be enhanced through knowledge of the crystallite thickness distribution (CTD), which can be obtained through X‐ray diffraction peak shape analysis. The Fourier‐transformation‐basedBertaut‐Warren‐Averbach (BWA) method provides an approach to resolve CTDs in TAGs, where molecules are packed in repeating layers. The feasibility of using the BWA method is demonstrated for small angle X‐ray diffraction (SAXD) measurements on both laboratory equipment and a synchrotron beamline for model TAG systems and real food products such as margarines.
Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of five chlorophenols in water samples followed by determination using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Gao Fangfang , Lu Wenhui , Liu Huitao , Li Jinhua , Chen Lingxin
Published: July 2018

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with CE was developed for simultaneous determination of five types of chlorophenols (CPs), namely 2‐chlorophenol (2‐CP), 4‐chlorophenol (4‐CP), 2,4‐dichlorophenol (2,4‐DCP), 2,6‐dichlorophenol (2,6‐DCP), and 2,4,6‐trichlorophenol (2,4,6‐TCP) in water samples. Several parameters affecting DLLME and CE conditions were systematically investigated. Under the optimized DLLME‐CE conditions, the five CPs were separated completely within 7.5 min and good enrichment factors were obtained of 40, 193, 102, 15, and 107 for 4‐CP, 2,4,6‐TCP, 2,4‐DCP, 2‐CP, and 2,6‐DCP, respectively. Good linearity was attained in the range of 1–200 μg/L for 2,4,6‐TCP, 2,4‐DCP, 2−300 μg/L for 4‐CP and 2‐CP, and 1−300 μg/L for 2,6‐DCP, with correlation coefficients (r) over 0.99. The LOD (S/N = 3) and the LOQ (S/N = 10) were 0.31−0.75 μg/L and 1.01−2.43 μg/L, respectively. Recoveries ranging from 60.85 to 112.36% were obtained with tap, lake, and river water spiked at three concentration levels and the RSDs (for n = 3) were 1.31–11.38%. With the characteristics of simplicity, cost‐saving, and environmental friendliness, the developed DLLME‐CE method proved to be potentially applicable for the rapid, sensitive, and simultaneous determination of trace CPs in complicated water samples.
The poly‐log Weibull model applied to space‐time interpolation of temperature
Authors: Mota A. L. , De Lima M. S. , Demarqui F. N. , Duczmal L. H.
Published: July 2018

In this paper, a multivariate log‐Weibull model for spatially dependent data is defined by marginalizing a conditional Pareto distribution with respect to a shared spatial random effect of alpha‐stable distributions. Some properties of this new model are derived, and procedures for the estimation and inference are discussed. An application is developed to study observed temperature data sets collected from weather stations in the Brazilian Amazon.
Food addiction among men and women in India
Authors: Wiedemann Ashley A. , Lawson Jessica L. , Cunningham Paige M. , Khalvati Kathryn M. , Lydecker Janet A. , Ivezaj Valentina , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: July 2018

Objective

This study aimed to address a cultural gap in the food addiction (FA) literature by examining FA and associated clinical features in a nonclinical group of men and women residing in India.

Method

Participants (N = 415) were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk to complete an online survey about weight and eating. Participants completed self‐report measures assessing FA (Yale Food Addiction Scale [YFAS]), eating‐disorder psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire [EDE‐Q]), health‐related quality of life (Short Form Health Survey—12‐item version [SF‐12]), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire‐2).

Results

The FA symptom mean was 3.53 (SD = 1.90); 32.5% (n = 129) met FA clinical threshold on the YFAS. Groups categorized with and without FA on the YFAS did not differ significantly in sex or body mass index. YFAS scores were significantly correlated with greater frequency of binge eating, higher severity scores on all EDE‐Q subscales, higher depression, and poorer functioning scores on the SF‐12 (all ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

FA, as conceptualized and measured by the YFAS, appears to be common among individuals residing in India.
Smartphone‐based cognitive bias modification training improves healthy food choice in obesity: A pilot study
Authors: Kakoschke Naomi , Hawker Chloe , Castine Ben , de Courten Barbora , Verdejo‐Garcia Antonio
Published: July 2018

Obesity is partly driven by unhealthy food choices underpinned by cognitive biases, including approach bias (a tendency to move towards food cues) and delay discounting (a preference for immediate rewards). Cognitive training strategies aimed at modifying these biases, namely, approach–avoidance training (AAT) and episodic future thinking (EFT), may improve food choice. This pilot randomised trial examined the effect of these two trainings, delivered daily for 1 week via smartphone apps, on approach bias for healthy/unhealthy foods, delay discounting for money/food, and hypothetical food choice. Sixty overweight/obese participants (18–45 years) were randomly allocated to AAT, EFT, or control. Outcomes were measured at pretraining, posttraining, and 6‐week follow‐up. AAT reduced approach bias for unhealthy food and increased healthy food choice. However, EFT did not affect delay discounting or food choice. We conclude that AAT is useful for improving food choice in obesity and that smartphones are a feasible, engaging way to deliver training.
Influence of soil porewater properties on the fate and toxicity of silver nanoparticles to Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Schultz Carolin L. , Lahive Elma , Lawlor Alan , Crossley Alison , Puntes Victor , Unrine Jason M. , Svendsen Claus , Spurgeon David J.
Published: July 2018

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) entering the environment are subject to various transformations that in turn influence how particles are presented to, and taken up by, organisms. To understand the effect of soil properties on the toxicity of nanosilver to Caenorhabditis elegans, toxicity assays were performed in porewater extracts from natural soils with varying organic matter content and pH using 3–8 nm unfunctionalized silver (Ag 3–8Unf), 52-nm polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated Ag NPs (Ag 52PVP), and AgNO3 as ionic Ag. Effects on NP agglomeration and stability were investigated using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy and asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4); Ag+ showed greater overall toxicity than nanosilver, with little difference between the NP types. Increasing soil organic matter content significantly decreased the toxicity of Ag 3–8Unf, whereas it increased that of AgNO3. The toxicity of all Ag treatments significantly decreased with increasing porewater pH. Dissolution of both NPs in the porewater extracts was too low to have contributed to their observed toxic effects. The UV-vis spectroscopy revealed low levels of agglomeration/aggregation independent of soil properties for Ag 3–8Unf, whereas higher organic matter as well as low pH appeared to stabilize Ag 52PVP. Overall, both soil organic matter content and pH affected NP fate as well as toxicity to C. elegans; however, there appears to be no clear connection between the measured particle characteristics and their effect. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2609–2618. © 2018 SETAC

Abstract

Soil properties have different effects on the toxicity of different silver forms.
Rain attenuation of millimetre wave above 10 GHz for terrestrial links in tropical regions
Authors: Shayea Ibraheem , Abd. Rahman Tharek , Hadri Azmi Marwan , Arsad Arsany
Published: July 2018

Millimeter waves (mm‐waves) within frequency bands of 10 to 86 GHz will be used for both microwave and access link fifth‐generation (5G) systems. Thus, it is very important to investigate these bands to ensure reliability when 5G is applied in tropical regions like Malaysia in the coming few years. One of the major obstacles facing the propagation of mm‐waves in tropical regions is the rain attenuation. Rainfall results in the absorption, scattering, and diffraction of radio waves. This contributes to increased transmission losses and a reduction in the received signal levels. The effect is more severe in tropical regions that are characterized by intense heavy rainfall and large raindrop sizes. This paper provides a general overview on rain attenuation of mm‐wave bands. It highlights the nature of rain in tropical regions and its effects on the propagation of mm‐waves. It also reports the latest measurement studies focused on rain attenuation in mm‐wave frequency bands and the prediction methods used to estimate rain attenuation in mm‐waves. It contributes to the understanding of channel behavior and the characterization of mm‐wave bands during rainfall in tropical regions, especially in Malaysia. This study further strives to determine research gaps in this field as well as the future work and various propagation measurement systems that can be used to conduct real measurements and to develop prediction models for rain attenuation in mm‐waves for 5G systems. Furthermore, this paper analyzes the rain rate and rain attenuation on the basis of real measurement data conducted in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia at Skudai Campus, Malaysia. The analyzed results indicated that the rain attenuation at 38 GHz is critical and it can result in 18.4 dB/km as specific rain attenuation at 0.01% percentage of the time.
Framework for life cycle assessment of livestock production systems to account for the nutritional quality of final products
Authors: McAuliffe Graham A. , Takahashi Taro , Lee Michael R. F.
Published: July 2018

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is widely regarded as a useful tool for comparing the environmental impacts of multiple livestock production systems. While LCA results are typically communicated in the form of environmental burdens per mass unit of the end product, it is increasingly becoming recognized that the product quality also needs to be accounted for to truly understand the value of a farming system to society. To date, a number of studies have examined environmental consequences of different food consumption patterns at the diet level; however, few have addressed nutritional variations of a single commodity attributable to production systems, leaving limited insight into how on‐farm practices can be improved to better balance environment and human nutrition. Using data from seven livestock production systems encompassing cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, this paper proposes a novel framework to incorporate nutritional value of meat products into livestock LCA. The results of quantitative case studies demonstrate that relative emissions intensities associated with different systems can be dramatically altered when the nutrient content of meat replaces the mass of meat as the functional unit, with cattle systems outperforming pig and poultry systems in some cases. This finding suggests that the performance of livestock systems should be evaluated under a whole supply chain approach, whereby end products originating from different farm management strategies are treated as competing but separate commodities.
Multimodal cortical and hippocampal prediction of episodic‐memory plasticity in young and older adults
Authors: Bråthen Anne Cecilie Sjøli , de Lange Ann‐Marie Glasø , Rohani Darius A. , Sneve Markus H. , Fjell Anders M. , Walhovd Kristine B.
Published: July 2018

Episodic memory can be trained in both early and late adulthood, but there is considerable variation in cognitive improvement across individuals. Which brain characteristics make some individuals benefit more than others? We used a multimodal approach to investigate whether volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting‐state functional MRI characteristics of the cortex and hippocampus, brain regions involved in episodic‐memory function, were predictive of cognitive improvement after memory training. We hypothesized that these brain characteristics would differentially predict memory improvement in young and older adults, given the vulnerability of cortical regions as well as the hippocampus to healthy aging. Following structural and resting‐state activity magnetic resonance scans, 50 young and 76 older participants completed 10 weeks of strategic episodic‐memory training. Both age groups improved their memory performance, but the young adults more so than the older. Vertex‐wise analyses of cortical volume showed no significant relation to memory benefit. When analyzing the two age groups separately, hippocampal volume was predictive of memory improvement in the group of older participants only. In this age group, the lower resting‐state activity of the hippocampus was also predictive of memory improvement. Both volumetric and resting‐state characteristics of the hippocampus explained unique variance of the improvement in the older participants suggesting that a multimodal imaging approach is valuable for the understanding of mechanisms underlying memory plasticity in aging.
Realized networks
Authors: Brownlees Christian , Nualart Eulàlia , Sun Yucheng
Published: July 2018

We introduce LASSO‐type regularization for large‐dimensional realized covariance estimators of log‐prices. The procedure consists of shrinking the off‐diagonal entries of the inverse realized covariance matrix towards zero. This technique produces covariance estimators that are positive definite and with a sparse inverse. We name the estimator realized network, since estimating a sparse inverse realized covariance matrix is equivalent to detecting the partial correlation network structure of the daily log‐prices. The large sample consistency and selection properties of the estimator are established. An application to a panel of US blue chip stocks shows the advantages of the estimator for out‐of‐sample GMV asset allocation.
Miniature probe for all‐optical double gradient‐index lenses photoacoustic microscopy
Authors: Guo Zhendong , Li Guangyao , Chen Sung‐Liang
Published: July 2018

A novel all‐optical double gradient‐index (GRIN) lens optical‐resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR‐PAM), termed as DGL‐PAM, is demonstrated. The miniature probe consists of a single‐mode fiber and double GRIN lenses for optical focusing and a miniature fiber Fabry‐Perot sensor for ultrasound detection. The new design is simple and realizes high resolution with long working distance (WD) by virtue of the double GRIN lenses. The overall size of the probe is 2.7 mm in diameter. High lateral resolution of 3.7 μm (at 532 nm laser wavelength) and long WD of 5.5 mm are achieved. In vivo OR‐PAM of mouse ear demonstrates the imaging ability of DGL‐PAM. Since precise alignment of optical and acoustic foci is not needed, the proposed DGL‐PAM is relatively easy to implement. It has potential to be developed as a low‐cost, disposable OR‐PAM probe and for endoscopic applications. The proposed double GRIN lenses for making miniature endoscopic probes can also be applied to other modalities, such as optical coherence tomography and confocal fluorescence microscopy, to enable high resolution and long WD.
Thiophene Scaffold as Prospective Antimicrobial Agent: A Review
Authors: Mishra Raghav , Sachan Neetu , Kumar Nitin , Mishra Isha , Chand Phool
Published: July 2018

Thiophene has emerged as a potent scaffold that has pulled the keen interest of the researchers because of its considerable diversity in biological activities. The versatility of the thiophene nucleus is demonstrated by the successful introduction of its derivatives, which have anti‐inflammatory (Thenaldine), anticancer (Ralitrexed), antioxidant (Erdosteine), and antimicrobial (Cefoxitin and Temocillin) activities. This decent variety in the biological response profile has pulled in the consideration of numerous researchers to research this skeleton to its distinctive potential against several activities. This review is integral to prior reviews and plans to review the work regarding antibacterial and antifungal activities of thiophene, substituted thiophene and thiophene‐like compounds, and also Schiff bases of thiophene and substituted thiophenes from year 1995 to the beginning of 2018.
Spatio‐temporal variability of extreme precipitation in Nepal
Authors: Talchabhadel Rocky , Karki Ramchandra , Thapa Bhesh Raj , Maharjan Manisha , Parajuli Binod
Published: July 2018

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts. Extreme weather events associated with heavy precipitations are the principal causes of landslides, debris flows and all types of floods disasters in the country, which by causing tremendous losses of life and property affects the socio‐economic development. Given the limited availability of knowledge in spatio‐temporal distribution of precipitation in Nepal, this study analyses the spatial distribution of monthly and annual precipitation and 1‐day extreme precipitation and their trends utilizing a large number of stations (291 stations for the first time) distributed across the country for the period of 1966–2015. This study focuses on the exploration of elevational dependencies of precipitation to demonstrate the effect of topographic heterogeneity caused by the numbers of broad and narrow river valleys and mountain slopes and ridges. Also, this study investigates the relation of 1‐day extreme precipitation with mean annual precipitation. Our results show the peak annual precipitation elevation between 2,000 and 3,500 m above sea level, while in contrast 1‐day extreme precipitation peaks are found at lower elevation in the southern foothills with its highest intensity in a central region of the country. The occurrence of 10% of mean annual precipitation in a single day has been observed in 75% of the analysed stations which in turn indicates the high likelihoods of initiation of landslides, soil erosions and floods in different parts of the country. There is no definitive countrywide decadal trend in extreme precipitation intensity and occurrence. A station‐wise trend clearly shows the increase in extreme precipitation events in western mountainous regions in the recent decades. In other locations, the mixed patterns of station‐wise increasing and decreasing trends are found.