bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural Food Reward Processing in Successful and Unsuccessful Weight Maintenance
Authors: Simon Joe J. , Becker Alexandra , Sinno Maria Hamze , Skunde Mandy , Bendszus Martin , Preissl Hubert , Enck Paul , Herzog Wolfgang , Friederich Hans‐Christoph
Published: April 2018

Objective

Weight loss maintenance is one of the biggest challenges in behavioral weight loss programs. The present study aimed to examine metabolic influences on the mesolimbic reward system in people with successful and unsuccessful long‐term weight loss maintenance.

Methods

Thirty‐three women with obesity at least 6 months after the completion of a diet were recruited: seventeen women were able to maintain their weight loss, whereas sixteen showed weight regain. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging in combination with the assessment of appetite‐regulating hormones, neural reward processing during hunger and satiety was investigated. An incentive delay task was employed to investigate the expectation and receipt of both food‐related and monetary reward.

Results

Only participants with successful weight loss maintenance showed a satiety‐induced attenuation of brain activation during the receipt of a food‐related reward. Furthermore, in successful weight loss maintenance, the attenuation of active ghrelin levels was related to brain activation in response to food‐related reward anticipation during satiety.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that an attenuated influence of satiety signaling on the neural processing of food‐related reward contributes to unsuccessful weight loss maintenance. Thus, intact satiety signaling to the mesolimbic reward system may serve as a promising target for tackling weight cycling.
Assessing the accuracy of using diagnostic codes from administrative data to infer antidepressant treatment indications: a validation study
Authors: Wong Jenna , Abrahamowicz Michal , Buckeridge David L. , Tamblyn Robyn
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To assess the accuracy of using diagnostic codes from administrative data to infer treatment indications for antidepressants prescribed in primary care.

Methods

Validation study of administrative diagnostic codes for 13 plausible indications for antidepressants compared with physician‐documented treatment indications from an indication‐based electronic prescribing system in Quebec, Canada. The analysis included all antidepressant prescriptions written by primary care physicians between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2012 using the electronic prescribing system. Patient prescribed antidepressants were linked to physician claims and hospitalization data to obtain all diagnoses recorded in the past year.

Results

Diagnostic codes had poor sensitivity for all treatment indications, ranging from a high of only 31.2% (95% CI, 26.8%‐35.9%) for anxiety/stress disorders to as low as 1.3% (95% CI, 0.0%‐5.2%) for sexual dysfunction. Sensitivity was notably worse among older patients and patients with more chronic comorbidities. Physician claims data were a better source of diagnostic codes for antidepressant treatment indications than hospitalization data.

Conclusions

Administrative diagnostic codes are poor proxies for antidepressant treatment indications. Future work should determine whether the use of other variables in administrative data besides diagnostic codes can improve the ability to predict antidepressant treatment indications.
Polyurethane nanocomposite coatings: state of the art and perspectives
Authors: Kausar Ayesha
Published: April 2018

This paper offers a state‐of‐the‐art overview on vital aspects of polyurethane‐based nanocomposite coatings. Nano‐modified developments in polyurethane coatings have led to the current status and new opportunities for the formation of high performance coatings. Nanocarbon such as carbon nanotube, nanodiamond, graphene and its derivatives as well as inorganic nanoparticles have been employed as coating reinforcements. A brief description of various categories of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings is presented. Here, polyurethane/nanocarbon nanocomposites reveal multifunctional properties and high performance owing to the synergistic effect of polymer and nanofiller compared with neat polyurethane coatings and other nanocomposite coating materials. Incidentally, the type of nanoparticle, nanofiller content, polyurethane structure, processing technique and conditions may affect the final nanocomposite properties. The review also focuses on the worth of polyurethane nanocomposites in the coating sector. Consequently, the cutting edge application areas of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings such as corrosion protection, textiles, biomaterials and other technical fields are addressed. It is important to understand the challenges of weathering‐induced degradation in polyurethane nanocomposite coatings. The wide range of polyurethane nanocomposite coatings may be attained using versatility in the selection of monomeric materials. Moreover, modification of nanofillers and incorporation in appropriate polyurethane matrices can be adopted as a powerful tool to widen the applicability of nanocomposite coatings in advanced future applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effectiveness and safety of nasal mask versus binasal prongs for providing continuous positive airway pressure in preterm infants—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jasani Bonny , Ismail Abu , Rao Shripada , Patole Sanjay
Published: April 2018

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) delivered via binasal prongs has been the cornerstone of respiratory management in preterm infants. Though effective, the use of binasal prongs is associated with nasal trauma, and CPAP failure. To overcome these issues, nasal masks are increasingly used to deliver CPAP in preterm infants. The aim was to conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing nasal mask versus binasal prongs to deliver CPAP in preterm infants. Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index of Nursing, and Allied Health Literature, and E‐abstracts from the Pediatric Academic Society meetings were searched in May 2017. All RCTs comparing nasal mask versus binasal prongs for delivering CPAP in preterm infants were included. Primary outcome was CPAP failure (need for mechanical ventilation within 72 h of initiating CPAP). Secondary outcomes included duration of CPAP, moderate to severe nasal trauma, any nasal trauma, pneumothorax, severe IVH, bronchopulmonary dysplasia at 36 weeks postmenstrual age, and mortality. Five RCTs with low risk of bias were included. Nasal mask significantly decreased the risk of CPAP failure (4 RCTs [N = 459]; relative risk [RR]: 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45‐0.88; P=.007; I2 = 0%, NNT: 9), and the incidence of moderate to severe nasal trauma (3 RCTs [N = 275], RR: 0.41; 95%CI, 0.24‐0.72; P = 0.002; I2 = 74%, NNT: 6). Other outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Compared to binasal prongs, nasal mask may provide a safe and effective alternative by minimizing the risk of CPAP failure in preterm infants needing CPAP support.
Use of aggregation pheromone traps increases infestation of adult Riptortus pedestris (Hemiptera: Alydidae) in soybean fields
Authors: Rahman Md Mahbubur , Kim Eunmok , Kim Dongmok , Bhuyain Mohammad MH , Lim Un Taek
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

An aggregation pheromone trap has been used for both monitoring and mass‐capture of Riptortus pedestris (Fabricius) in soybean. As the trap's efficacy in reducing the pest population and crop damage is unknown, we evaluated it in small experimental soybean plots using both a before/after and with/without design, and also verified our findings in commercial soybean fields.

RESULTS

In experimental plots, total numbers of R. pedestris on plants in the soybean plots were not affected by the trap installation until mid‐August. Interestingly, the abundance of adult bugs increased (4.9–9.4 times higher) in September and October. However, compared with the counted bug population in soybean plots, the trap catch rate was low during the autumn period. In commercial fields, trap installation also did not reduce bug population from the field. Placement of traps in plots increased pod and seed damage by 2.7 and 2.2 times, respectively compared with the controls in experimental plots, although no such effect was observed in commercial fields.

CONCLUSION

Aggregation pheromone traps did not reduce R. pedestris populations in the field or soybean damage, and even led to an increase in the bug population during autumn. Therefore, traps should not be used as a control measure. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A One Step Method to Produce Boron Emitters
Authors: A. Silva José , Amaro e Silva Rodrigo , Peral Ana , del Cañizo Carlos
Published: April 2018

A one‐step method to obtain boron emitters for n‐type solar cells based on the use of boron tribromide (BBr3) as a dopant source is developed. During this study several experimental parameters are varied. It is observed that besides the diffusion temperature, the nitrogen gas flux and the BBr3 bubbler temperature have a significant impact on the obtained emitter properties. Using the adequate experimental conditions a homogenous boron emitter without boron rich layer (BRL), a sheet resistance of 77 Ω sq−1 and a dark saturation current <100 fA cm−2 is obtained.
Differential cationization of fatty acids with monovalent cations studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and a computational approach
Authors: Sudarshana Reddy B. , Pavankumar P. , Sridhar L. , Saha Soumen , Sastry G. Narahari , Prabhakar S.
Published: April 2018

Rationale

The intercellular and intracellular transport of charged species (Na+/K+) entail interaction of the ions with neutral organic molecules and formation of adduct ions. The rate of transport of the ions across the cell membrane(s) may depend on the stability of the adduct ions, which in turn rely on structural aspects of the organic molecules that interact with the ions.

Methods

Positive electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra were recorded for the solutions containing fatty acids (FAs) and monovalent cations (X = Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+). Product ion spectra of the [FA + X]+ ions were recorded at different collision energies. Theoretical studies were exploited under both the gas and solvent phase to investigate the structural effects of the FAs during cationization. The stability of [FA + X]+ adduct ions was further estimated by means of AIM topological analyses and interaction energy (IE) values.

Results

Positive ion ESI‐MS analyses of the solution of FAs and X+ ions showed preferential binding of the K+ ions to FAs. The K+ ion binding increased with the increase in the number of double bonds in the FAs, while it decreased with the increase in the number of carbon atoms in FAs. Dissociation curves of [FA + X]+ ions indicated the relative stability order of the [FA + X]+ ions and it was in line with the observed trends in ESI‐MS. The solvent phase computational studies divulged the mode of binding and the binding efficiencies of different FAs with monovalent cations.

Conclusions

Among the studied monovalent cations, the cationization of FAs follows the order K+> > Na+ > Li+ > Rb+ > Cs+. Docosahexaenoic acid showed high efficiency in binding with the K+ ion. The K+ ion binding efficiency of FAs depends on the number of double bonds in unsaturated FAs and the carbon chain length in saturated FAs. The cationization trends of FAs obtained from the ESI‐MS and ESI‐MS/MS analyses were in good agreement with solvent‐phase computational studies.
The evolution of vertical boundaries in new high technology ventures
Authors: Hashai Niron , Zander Ivo
Published: April 2018

Research Summary

We argue that interrelated processes of knowledge codification and uncertainty reduction lead to the contraction of vertical firm boundaries of new high technology ventures over time. Consistent with our arguments, we show that, over time, outsourcing of R&D is slower than outsourcing of manufacturing, while outsourcing of marketing and sales is the fastest. Further, we show heterogeneity in the pace of vertical boundary contraction, where new high technology ventures that engage in knowledge exploration and those whose founders have strong technological backgrounds exhibit slower vertical boundary contraction. Typically, the slowdown in the pace of outsourcing, once again, is the strongest for R&D and the weakest for marketing and sales.

Managerial Summary

Cash‐constrained managers in new high technology ventures often wish to outsource their R&D, manufacturing, and marketing and sales activities, but initially may be limited in doing so. This likely happens because these new ventures rely heavily on founders' tacit knowledge about new products and how to commercialize them and because uncertainty makes it difficult to reach contractual agreements with external partners. We show that with time, such outsourcing becomes increasingly possible, especially for marketing and sales activities but less so for R&D. Yet, when new high technology ventures experiment with new products and in new high technology ventures whose founders have technological backgrounds, the pace of outsourcing is slower.
Pd/Halloysite as a Novel, Efficient and Reusable Heterogeneous Nanocatalyst for the Synthesis of p‐Phenylenevinylene Oligomers
Authors: Molano William A. , Cárdenas Juan C. , Sierra Cesar A. , Carriazo Jose G. , Ochoa‐Puentes Cristian
Published: April 2018

The potential applications of poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) derivatives and its oligomers in organic electronics have attracted great interest in recent years. In this study, a novel palladium supported on halloysite heterogeneous catalyst (Pd/HNTs) was prepared, characterized and its catalytic activity for obtaining p‐phenylenevinylene oligomers was investigated in the Heck coupling of styrene and 2,5‐diiodo‐1,4‐dimethoxybenzene using conventional and environmentally benign solvents. Thus, in the presence of 0.75 mol% catalyst, the product was obtained in 76% yield using ethanol as solvent. To evaluate the versatility of the Pd/HNTs catalyst, the synthesis of a series of p‐phenylenevinylene oligomers and divinylbenzene derivatives was performed obtaining yields between 58 and 93%. In addition, the catalyst could be recovered and reused for four reaction cycles without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Finally, the photophysical characterization of the synthesized molecules was performed.
Second‐Ring Diels‐Alder Adducts of Substituted Pentacenes
Authors: Jia Zhiying , Nakajima Kiyohiko , Kanno Ken‐ichiro , Song Zhiyi , Takahashi Tamotsu
Published: April 2018

Substituted pentacene derivatives, 1,4,6,13‐tetrabutyl‐2,3‐bis(methoxycarbonyl)pentacene 1 and 1,2,3,4,6,8,9,10,11,13‐decapropylpentacene 2, occurred Diels‐Alder reaction with most dienophiles at the central‐ring. The second ring adduct was obtained only in the case of TCNE or chloranil probably due to the steric hindrance of such dienophiles. On the other hand, reaction of substituted dihydropentacene derivatives with dienophiles was followed by aromatization gave second‐ring adducts in perfect selectivity.
Facile Post‐Synthesis of a Ce3+‐Doped CaxSr1‐xSc2O4 Phosphor by Means of Cation Exchange
Authors: Wang Shuxian , Ma Shuwei , Liu Shuxin , Ye Zhengmao
Published: April 2018

Ion exchange is a useful method to synthesize the materials by the ion replacement from the template crystal structure. Here, by means of the cation exchange technique, we demonstrate a facile post‐synthesis CaxSr1‐xSc2O4:Ce3+ from SrSc2O4:Ce3+. In this exchange process, the framework of ScO6 octahedra is remaining, and Sr2+ ions are substituted by the Ca2+ ions from the CaCl2 melt. After optimizing the relevant parameters (the reaction mole ratio, temperature, and time), the largest exchange ratio could reach ∼97%. In addition, Ce3+ ions are almost not escaped through the exchange process, and the luminescent performance of final exchanged phosphors is comparable to the products from traditional bottom‐up approaches. Hence, the demonstration in this work manifests the excellent simplification and controllability of ion exchange in adjusting the luminescent property of phosphors and gives some significant inspirations for the design and preparation of lanthanide‐activated materials.
Thermo‐Responsive Structure and Surface Activity of Kinetically Stabilized Micelle Composed of Fluorinated Alternating Peptides in Organic Solvent
Authors: Ihsan Abu Bin , Koyama Yasuhito , Taira Toshiaki , Imura Tomohiro
Published: April 2018

Three‐component polycondensation with an aldehyde, perfluoroalkylammonium triflate, and potassium isocyanoacetate produced amphiphilic fluorinated alternating peptides. The polymers work as a surfactant, which form associates in organic solvent. The thermo‐dependent structures and surface activity of the associates in organic solvents were evaluated by the results of UV‐vis and diffusion‐ordered NMR spectral measurements at various concentrations and temperatures. It also turned out that the regularly aligned bulky substituents in the main chain stabilize the micelles kinetically formed in organic solvent.
N‐doped Mesoporous Carbon/Graphene Aerogels as Sulfur Hosts for High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Li Zhengzheng , Tan Yingbin
Published: April 2018

The lithium‐sulfur battery is considered as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation secondary lithium battery due to its achievable high energy density. Despite its great potentiality, overcoming the significant capacity decay over cycling is the main challenge for its practical applications. Here, we report a facile and cost‐effective strategy to construct the Li−S battery with high energy density and long cycle life using the N‐doped mesoporous carbon/graphene aerogel (NMC/GA) as the sulfur host (S@NMC/GA). The NMC/GA composite with interconnected mesoporous and microporous structures not only facilitates transportation of electron and ion but also prevents polysulfide shuttling. Therefore, the S@NMC/GA electrode delivers a high reversible discharge capacity of 674 mAh⋅g−1 at 0.5 C over 300 cycles.
CuI/AgI‐Promoted Decarboxylative Alkynylation of ortho‐Nitro Benzoic Acids
Authors: Hossian Asik , Manna Kartic , Das Pritha , Jana Ranjan
Published: April 2018

We report herein, a novel copper‐silver‐promoted alkynylation of ortho‐nitrobenzoic acids with arylacetylenic acids through a double decarboxylation. The present cross‐coupling is extremely challanging due to sluggish decarboxylation of arene carboxylates and deleterious oxidative Glaser‐Hay type homocoupling of terminal alkynes. Mechanistically, this sp2‐sp cross‐coupling may proceed through a silver‐assisted decarboxylation of 2‐nitrobenzoic acids followed by transmetalation with copper‐acetylide and reductive elimination. The ortho‐nitroacetylenic product is an important precursor for the synthesis of functionalized indoles.
Transformational adaptation of agricultural systems to climate change
Authors: Panda Architesh
Published: April 2018

This study explores the increasing use of the concept of “transformational adaptation” (TA) in the context of agriculture, analyzing its conceptualization and applications. While TA is appealing as a concept that involves the implementation of adaptation actions in different ways through small adjustments from current technological and economic approaches, it also raises questions about the complexity of transforming agricultural systems. Although current scientific evidence finds some patterns of climate change impacts on agriculture in the future that can inform the analysis of where and when transformation is required, this evidence is not enough to fully inform practical decision‐making at different scales. Part of the problem may be that there has been not enough empirical research focusing on transformational agriculture. For example, from 93 articles in the literature, 39% focus on understanding the concept of TA, 32% focus on analytical and applied aspects of TA, including studies applying global climate models to analyze TA at regional and global scales and to identify broad patterns of TA in agriculture, and only 16% have tried to understand TA from an empirical perspective. While the number of empirical studies of TA is still increasing, there are other issues of TA that have received limited attention, including uncertainty of climate change impacts, policy implications, the transition process, the role of technological innovations, and barriers to TA.

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation
The Transformation of Higher Education in Turkmenistan: Continuity and Change
Authors: Clement Victoria , Kataeva Zumrad
Published: April 2018

Over the past century Turkmenistan developed a modern system of higher education that grew from a single university under Moscow’s direction to 24 institutions today. Under Presidents Niyazow and Berdimuhamedow, educational infrastructure developed dramatically. Despite this growth, the system of higher education suffers from a lack of faculty—universities meet the needs of less than ten percent of high school graduates. Additionally, curricula continue to reflect a strong and pervasive state ideology. Overall, the state—the only purveyor of higher education in Turkmenistan—is not meeting societal needs. This article explores the history of education policy in post-Soviet Turkmenistan, focusing on the reforms initiated by that country’s first two presidents.
Common Legacy: Evolution of the Institutional Landscape of Soviet Higher Education
Authors: Froumin Isak , Kouzminov Yaroslav
Published: April 2018

The chapter describes the peculiarities of higher education policy and higher education landscape in the USSR republics during last decades of Soviet era. The authors provide an overview on the rationale for Soviet educational policy concerning higher education. Then the chapter proceeds with a structural description of the Soviet higher education system and its institutional diversity. The authors present a sustained account of factors that played a crucial role in the formation of Soviet higher educational institutions and the higher education landscape. The authors finally attempt to present the variations of the institutional landscape across Soviet republics.
Armenia: Transformational Peculiarities of the Soviet and Post-Soviet Higher Education System
Authors: Karakhanyan Susanna
Published: April 2018

The chapter explores the nature of higher education in post-Soviet Armenia given the factors prevailing in the system—historical, political, socio-economic and international. Of particular interest is the exploration of the higher education system structure reflected by social needs, economic demands and political goals. Supported by a holistic theoretical framework underpinning three angles of analysis—horizontal and vertical diversity, external diversity as well as the organisational interrelationships—the analysis endeavours to reveal the driving forces that shaped post-Soviet Armenian higher education, the inter-influence that occurred as a result of changes taking place at the macro and micro levels of the higher education system as well as the impact of those changes on the performance of the Armenian HE in general. The results of the analysis are two-fold. First, throughout the decades the Armenian higher education has made major strides and evolved from a uniform into a diverse system responding and accommodating the diverse needs of the society. Second, albeit the strong desire and much investment in the system through a diversity of channels to make the system internationally visible, still more investments are to be made to achieve the desirable goal of international visibility while facing the challenges related to the Soviet legacy, current policymaking and implementation methodology, in particular.
Belarus: Higher Education Dynamics and Institutional Landscape
Authors: Gille-Belova Olga , Titarenko Larissa
Published: April 2018

The higher education (HE) system in Belarus has undergone important changes since the beginning of the 1990s under the pressure of the different internal and external factors (demographic, political, socio-economic changes, international cooperation, etc.). The horizontal system differentiation increased with the creation of the new private and public higher education institutions (HEIs) and changes in the functioning of the former Soviet HEIs. Belarusian HE experienced an important and fast massification and many of HEIs used it as opportunity to step out from the narrow specialisation imposed during the Soviet period. Nevertheless, HEIs diversified their curricula principally in response to social demand that was not closely connected to existing transforming economy’s needs. The vertical system differentiation inherited from the Soviet period was slightly changed and strengthened especially at the beginning of 2010 as a result of government policies and of the introduction of national, regional and international rankings. As a result, the leading state HEIs at the beginning of 1990 reinforced their position and the new private or recently created public HEIs play a marginal role in the national HE system. The organisational interrelationship between HEIs has also changed from the logic of complementarity under the Soviet period to the logic of the competition for the students and for the resources. As the Belarusian HE system has attended the limits of its expansion at the end of 2000, in the nearest future the tendency of its reduction will reinforce and the decreasing number of national students will inevitably impact the number of the HEIs and increase the competition between remaining HEIs. This chapter analyses the system of HE inherited from the Soviet period and explores the main factors influencing the transformations in the Belarusian HE landscape during more than 20 years. It also presents the typology of existing Belarusian HEIs and draws some prospects for further evolution of the national higher education system.
Inverted U-shape of Estonian Higher Education: Post-Socialist Liberalism and Postpostsocialist Consolidation
Authors: Saar Ellu , Roosalu Triin
Published: April 2018

This chapter provides a description of the basic features of the higher education system in Estonia in the historical perspective, paying special attention to the period during the Soviet time right before the USSR collapse and exploring the developments during the following period up to 2015. It is understood that both the social and political system during the period of socialism, as well as changes in the society during the postsocialist period right after the country became independent, have an impact on the current period. On the other hand, changes in the Estonian higher education system are greatly impacted by external factors, especially processes of Europeanisation and internationalisation of higher education. Tendencies towards standardisation of higher education provision, on the one hand, as well as maintaining differentiation between higher education institutions will be highlighted.

The analysis distinguishes four periods of the postsocialist higher education system in Estonia, characterised by different traits. 1988–1992 can be considered a period of chaotic, individually and institutionally driven changes; 1993–1998 saw the major expansion of the higher education system in combination with the development of legal frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms; 1999–2005 indicated the wave of reforms, including following the principles of the Bologna process; from 2006 onwards, new measures are put in place to strengthen the (international) competitiveness and sustainability of the shrinking higher education sector. The main strand of differentiation between the higher education institutions largely follows their formal statuses that stem from the soviet period: the applied higher education institutions on the one hand and the academic universities providing bachelor, master’s and doctoral level education on the other. The further differentiation can be made based on the research intensity of the universities as well as based on their legal status, with some being declared national universities by their dedicated laws.
The Effect of Splitting Timing on Mixing in a Jet with Double Injections
Authors: Hadadpour Ahmad , Jangi Mehdi , Bai Xue Song
Published: April 2018

We present large-eddy simulation (LES) of a high-pressure gas jet that is injecting into a quiescent inert environment. The injection is through a nozzle with a diameter of 1.35 mm. Four injection strategies are considered in which the results of a single continuous injection case are compared with those of double injection cases with different injection splitting timing. In all double injection cases, the injection pulsing interval is kept the same, and the total injected mass is equal to that of the single injection case. On the other hand, the splitting timing is varied to investigate the effects of various injection splitting strategies on the mixture formation and the penetration length of the jet. Results show that the jet penetration length is not so sensitive to the splitting timing whereas the mixing quality can significantly change as a result of shifting the onset of injection splitting toward the end of injection. Especially, it is found that by adopting a post-injection strategy where a single injection splits into the main injection and late small injection near the end of injection period the mixing between the injected gas and ambient air is significantly improved. This trend is not as obvious when the injection splitting timing shifts toward the beginning or even in the middle of injection period. The increase of entrainment in the tail of each injection is one of the underlying physics in the mixing improvement in double injection cases. In addition to that, splitting a single injection into two smaller injections increases the surrounding area of the jet and also stretches it along the axial direction. It can potentially increase the mixing of injected gas with the ambient air.
Occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in floor and elevated surface house dust from Shanghai, China
Authors: Niu Dong , Qiu Yanling , Li Li , Zhou Yihui , Du Xinyu , Zhu Zhiliang , Chen Ling , Lin Zhifen
Published: April 2018

House dust is the main source of human exposure to flame retardants by ingestion. This study investigated the occurrence of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in indoor dust from 22 houses in Shanghai, China. House dust was separately collected from the floor and elevated furnishings surface (mostly between 0.5 and 2 m height) for comparison. The concentrations of ∑22 PBDEs ranged from 19.4 to 3280 ng/g (with a geometric mean of 203 ng/g) and from 55.1 to 792 ng/g (with a geometric mean of 166 ng/g) in floor dust (FD) and elevated surface dust (ESD), respectively. BDE-209 was the predominant congener, accounting for about 73.1% of total PBDE burdens. In terms of congener profiles, the comparison of FD and ESD revealed no significant differences except for the ratio of BDE-47/BDE-99. ESD samples displayed a ratio of BDE-47/BDE-99 very similar to commercial penta-BDE products DE-71 while the ratio in FD was exceptionally higher. Significant correlation was found between concentrations of commercial penta-BDE compositions in FD and ESD (p < 0.05). Except for some occasional values, PBDE levels in house dust exhibited temporal stability. Human exposure to PBDEs via dust ingestion was estimated. The highest daily intake of PBDEs was for toddlers by using 95th percentile concentrations of PBDEs via high dust ingestion in FD (23.07 ng/kg bw/day). About 20-fold difference in exposure estimates between toddlers and adults supports that toddlers are facing greater risk from indoor floor dust. Expectedly, this study highlighted the point that residents in Shanghai were exposed to low doses of PBDEs in house dust.
Prognostic impact of final kissing balloon technique after crossover stenting for the left main coronary artery: from the AOI-LMCA registry
Authors: Nishida Koji , Toyofuku Mamoru , Morimoto Takeshi , Ohya Masanobu , Fuku Yasushi , Higami Hirooki , Yamaji Kyohei , Muranishi Hiromi , Yamaji Yuhei , Furukawa Daisuke , Tada Tomohisa , Ko Euihong , Kadota Kazushige , Ando Kenji , Sakamoto Hiroki , Tamura Takashi , Kawai Kazuya , Kimura Takeshi ,   The AOI LMCA Stenting Registry Investigators
Published: April 2018

It is still uncertain whether the final kissing balloon technique (FKBT) is mandatory after crossover stenting for the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Assessing Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for LMCA (AOI-LMCA) registry, a 6-center retrospective registry, enrolled 1809 consecutive patients for LMCA stenting in Japan. In the present analysis, 5-year clinical outcomes were compared between non-FKBT (n = 160) and FKBT (n = 578) groups in patients treated with crossover stenting with drug-eluting stents from the LMCA to the left anterior descending artery. Propensity score-matched analysis was also performed in 160 patient pairs. In the entire study population as well as in the propensity-matched population, the cumulative 5-year incidence of the primary outcome measure (target lesion revascularization: TLR) was not significantly different between the FKBT and non-FKBT groups (10.7 versus 14.3%, P = 0.49, and 11.8 versus 14.3%, P = 0.53, respectively). In the sensitivity analysis by the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, the effect of FKBT relative to non-FKBT for TLR remained insignificant (adjusted HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.47–1.69, P = 0.72). Regarding the TLR location, there were no significant differences in the cumulative incidences of TLR for LMCA-only, for the main branch, and for the side branch between the 2 groups (2.2 versus 1.3%, P = 0.93, 11.8 versus 9.1%, P = 0.71, and 8.2 versus 7.6%, P = 0.82, respectively). FKBT after a 1-stent strategy for LMCA crossover stenting did not affect TLR and other clinical outcomes during 5-year follow-up.

Clinical Trial Registration: Assessing Optimal Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Left Main Coronary Artery Stenting Registry (AOI LMCA Stenting Registry). http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index/htm/. Unique Identifier: UMIN000014706.
Let’s not talk about sex: Unexpected tensions in teaching women’s health
Authors: Reid Helen J , Johnston Jennifer L
Published: April 2018

None
John Henry Newman and the uses of antiquity
Authors: Wheeler Graham John
Published: April 2018

John Henry Newman’s engagement with classical antiquity is one of the less fully researched areas of his work. An examination of Newman’s shifting relationship with the classics sheds valuable light both on his own religious concerns and on broader tensions and trends in Victorian Christian culture. This article initiates three lines of inquiry. First, it examines, one by one, several distinct and competing conceptions of classical pagan antiquity which Newman employed in his writings. Second, it considers Newman’s views on the continuing practical application of classical literature and learning. Third, it looks specifically at the novelCallista, the only book that Newman wrote which is set wholly against the backdrop of the pagan Graeco-Roman world. It may be seen that Newman’s relationship with the classics forms a microcosm of how Victorian Christian society struggled by turns to align itself with and to distance itself from differing visions of classicism and paganism. His works exemplify the diverse ways in which his culture could praise and criticise the classical world.
Extracting Hydrocarbon From Shale: An Investigation of the Factors That Influence the Decline and the Tail of the Production Curve
Authors: Lovell A. E. , Srinivasan S. , Karra S. , O'Malley D. , Makedonska N. , Viswanathan H. S. , Srinivasan G. , Carey J. W. , Frash L. P.
Published: April 2018

Understanding physical processes that control the long‐term production of hydrocarbon from shale formations is important for both predicting the yield and increasing it. In this work, we explore the processes that could control the tail of the production curve by using a discrete fracture network method to calculate the total travel time from the rock matrix to small‐scale fractures to the primary hydraulic fracture network. The factors investigated include matrix diffusion, extent of the small‐scale fracture zone (or tributary fracture zone/TFZ) consisting of natural, reactivated and induced fractures, and the percentage of free hydrocarbon in the primary fracture network. Individual and combined parameter spaces are explored for each of these to understand the limits of these parameters as well as any systematic correlations between pairs of parameters. Although recent studies have shown that the matrix diffusion in virgin shale influences the production tail only after nearly 20 years, we demonstrate that matrix diffusion in the region of the TFZ significantly impacts production within the first year itself. Additionally, we found that the depth of TFZ fracturing region had no effect on the shape of the production curves although the total mass of the hydrocarbon produced increases with the depth. We also show that one can fit the production data using a site‐specific set of parameters representing the diffusion in the TFZ, depth of the TFZ, and the free hydrocarbon in the large‐scale fractures.
Life in the Hyporheic Zone
Authors: Witman Sarah
Published: April 2018

Defining the chemical relationships between water, sediment, and organisms that thrive beneath riverbeds.
Opening of Hess Deep Rift at the Galapagos Triple Junction
Authors: Smith Deborah K. , Schouten Hans
Published: April 2018

At the Galapagos triple junction, the westward propagating Cocos‐Nazca (C‐N) Rift breaks into ~0.5 Ma crust accreted at the East Pacific Rise. Rifting transitions to full magmatic seafloor spreading in the wake of the propagating tip. The 25‐km‐long Hess Deep rift is the transitional segment from rifting to spreading. Intrarift ridge (IRR), located within Hess Deep rift, is interpreted as a detachment fault, which exhumes deep‐seated rocks to the seafloor. Although transitional segments must have occurred throughout the westward propagation of C‐N Rift, IRR is the only obvious detachment fault along the base of the Rift scarps in the last ~5 Ma of its propagation. IRR formation may be in response to a decrease in spreading rate (~40 to <20 mm/yr) and presumed lower melt supply, resulting from the formation of the Galapagos microplate ~1.4 Ma, which now controls the opening at the C‐N Rift tip.
China's “Exported Carbon” Peak: Patterns, Drivers, and Implications
Authors: Mi Zhifu , Meng Jing , Green Fergus , Coffman D' Maris , Guan Dabo
Published: April 2018

Over the past decade, China has entered a “new normal” phase in economic development, with its role in global trade flows changing significantly. This study estimates the driving forces of Chinese export‐embodied carbon emissions in the new normal phase, based on environmentally extended multiregional input‐output modeling and structural decomposition analysis. We find that Chinese export‐embodied CO2 emissions peaked in 2008 at a level of 1,657 million tones. The subsequent decline in CO2 emissions was mainly due to the changing structure of Chinese production. The peak in Chinese export‐embodied emissions is encouraging from the perspective of global climate change mitigation, as it implies downward pressure on global CO2 emissions. However, more attention should focus on ensuring that countries that may partly replace China as major production bases increase their exports using low‐carbon inputs.
The deubiquitinase USP21 stabilizes MEK2 to promote tumor growth
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Cui Kaisa , Prochownik Edward V , Li Youjun
Published: April 2018

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) play essential roles in normal cell proliferation and tumor growth. However, the molecular mechanisms of DUBs on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains largely unknown. In this study, based on analysis of several HCC datasets, we found that theUSP21gene, which encodes a member of the ubiquitin-specific protease family, is highly amplified and overexpressed in HCCs, with the extent of this up-regulation significantly correlating with poor clinical outcomes. Inhibition of USP21 in HCC cell lines decreased cell proliferation, anchorage-independent growth, cell cycle progression, and in vivo tumor growth. Conversely, ectopic expression of USP21 transformed the normal human hepatocyte line HL-7702 and increased the tumorigenicity of the HCC cell line MHCC97L. Mechanistically, USP21 stabilized MEK2 by decreasing its polyubiquitination at Lys48, thereby activating the ERK signaling pathway. Importantly, MEK2 partially mediated the optimal expression of USP21-mediated oncogenic phenotypes. These findings indicate that USP21-mediated deubiquitination and stabilization of MEK2 play a critical role in HCC development.
Piezo1 is a mechanically activated ion channel and mediates pressure induced pancreatitis
Authors: Romac Joelle M.-J. , Shahid Rafiq A. , Swain Sandip M. , Vigna Steven R. , Liddle Rodger A.
Published: April 2018

Merely touching the pancreas can lead to premature zymogen activation and pancreatitis but the mechanism is not completely understood. Here we demonstrate that pancreatic acinar cells express the mechanoreceptor Piezo1 and application of pressure within the gland produces pancreatitis. To determine if this effect is through Piezo1 activation, we induce pancreatitis by intrapancreatic duct instillation of the Piezo1 agonist Yoda1. Pancreatitis induced by pressure within the gland is prevented by a Piezo1 antagonist. In pancreatic acinar cells, Yoda1 stimulates calcium influx and induces calcium-dependent pancreatic injury. Finally, selective acinar cell-specific genetic deletion of Piezo1 protects mice against pressure-induced pancreatitis. Thus, activation of Piezo1 in pancreatic acinar cells is a mechanism for pancreatitis and may explain why pancreatitis develops following pressure on the gland as in abdominal trauma, pancreatic duct obstruction, pancreatography, or pancreatic surgery. Piezo1 blockade may prevent pancreatitis when manipulation of the gland is anticipated.
Author Correction: Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes in tomato
Authors: Sharma Bhaskar , Bhatt Tarun Kumar
Published: April 2018

A correction has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Obese Subjects With Specific Gustatory Papillae Microbiota and Salivary Cues Display an Impairment to Sense Lipids
Authors: Besnard Philippe , Christensen Jeffrey E. , Brignot Hélène , Bernard Arnaud , Passilly-Degrace Patricia , Nicklaus Sophie , Pais de Barros Jean-Paul , Collet Xavier , Lelouvier Benjamin , Servant Florence , Blasco-Baque Vincent , Verges Bruno , Lagrost Laurent , Feron Gilles , Burcelin Rémy
Published: April 2018

Some obese subjects overeat lipid-rich foods. The origin of this eating behavior is unknown. We have here tested the hypothesis that these subjects could be characterized by an impaired fatty taste sensitivity linked to a change in the gustatory papillae microbial and salivary environment. The composition of microbiota and saliva surrounding the circumvallate papillae was analyzed in combination with the orosensory lipid detection threshold in normal weight (NW) and obese (O) adults. Microbial architecture was similar to what was known in feces, but with an increased frequency of Proteobacteria. No difference in the orosensory sensitivity to lipids and composition of oral microbiota and saliva was observed between NW and O subjects. By contrast, specific bacterial and salivary signatures were found in lipid non-tasters, irrespectively of BMI. A multivariate approach highlighted that the salivary flow, lysozyme activity, total antioxidant capacity and TM7 bacterial family discriminated between tasters and non-tasters. Subgroup analysis of obese tasters (OT) versus obese non-tasters (ONT) identified specific bacterial metabolic pathways (i.e. phosphotransferase and simple sugar transport systems) as being higher in ONT. Altogether with the identification of a set of significant salivary variables, our study suggests that an “obese tongue” phenotype is associated with decreased orosensory sensitivity to lipids in some obese subjects.
Essential Role of the a3 Isoform of V-ATPase in Secretory Lysosome Trafficking via Rab7 Recruitment
Authors: Matsumoto Naomi , Sekiya Mizuki , Tohyama Koujiro , Ishiyama-Matsuura Eri , Sun-Wada Ge-Hong , Wada Yoh , Futai Masamitsu , Nakanishi-Matsui Mayumi
Published: April 2018

Secretory lysosomes are required for the specialised functions of various types of differentiated cells. In osteoclasts, the lysosomal proton pump V-ATPase (vacuolar-type ATPase) is targeted to the plasma membrane via secretory lysosomes and subsequently acidifies the extracellular compartment, providing optimal conditions for bone resorption. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying this trafficking of secretory lysosomes. Here, we demonstrate that the lysosome-specific a3 isoform of the V-ATPase a subunit plays an indispensable role in secretory lysosome trafficking, together with Rab7, a small GTPase involved in organelle trafficking. In osteoclasts lacking a3, lysosomes were not transported to the cell periphery, and Rab7 was not localised to lysosomes but diffused throughout the cytoplasm. Expression of dominant-negative (GDP-bound form) Rab7 inhibited lysosome trafficking in wild-type cells. Furthermore, a3 directly interacted with the GDP-bound forms of Rab7 and Rab27A. These findings reveal a novel role for the proton pump V-ATPase in secretory lysosome trafficking and an unexpected mechanistic link with Rab GTPases.
Sauchinone controls hepatic cholesterol homeostasis by the negative regulation of PCSK9 transcriptional network
Authors: Chae Hee-Sung , You Byoung Hoon , Kim Dong-Yeop , Lee Hankyu , Ko Hyuk Wan , Ko Hyun-Jeong , Choi Young Hee , Choi Sun Shim , Chin Young-Won
Published: April 2018

Whole-transcriptome analysis and western blotting of sauchinone-treated HepG2 cells demonstrated that sauchinone regulated genes relevant to cholesterol metabolism and synthesis. In particular, it was found that the expression of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) was downregulated, and the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) was upregulated in sauchinone-treated HepG2 cells. Consequently, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake was increased. As a transcriptional regulator of PCSK9 expression, sterol regulatory elements binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) was proposed by transcriptome analysis and western blotting. Oral administration of sauchinone increased hepatic LDLR through PCSK9 inhibition in obese mice and showed the reduced serum LDL-C levels and downstream targets of SREBP-2. Thus, it is evident that sauchinone reduces hepatic steatosis by downregulating the expression of hepatic PCSK9 via SREBP-2.
Author Correction: Establishment of the most comprehensive ITS2 barcode database to date of the traditional medicinal plant Rhodiola (Crassulaceae)
Authors: Zhu Ruo-Wei , Li Yuan-Cong , Zhong Da-Lv , Zhang Jian-Qiang
Published: April 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.