bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ring‐opening of Epoxides Mediated by Frustrated Lewis Pairs
Authors: Krachko Tetiana , Nicolas Emmanuel , Ehlers Andreas W. , Nieger Martin , Slootweg J. Chris
Published: June 2018

Treatment of the preorganized frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) tBu2PCH2BPh2 (1) and o‐Ph2P(C6H4)BCat (Cat=catechol) (4) with 2‐methyloxirane, 2‐phenyloxirane and 2‐(trifluoromethyl)oxirane resulted in epoxide ring‐opening to yield the six‐ and seven‐membered heterocycles 2 a–c and 5 a–c, respectively. These zwitterionic products were characterized spectroscopically, and compounds 2 a, 2 b, 5 a and 5 c were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analyses. Based on computational and kinetic studies, the mechanism of these reactions was found to proceed via activation of the epoxide by the Lewis acidic borane moiety followed by nucleophilic attack of the phosphine of a second FLP molecule. The resulting chain‐like intermediates afford the final cyclic products by ring‐closure and concurrent release of the second equivalent of FLP that behaves as catalyst in this reaction.
Achieving differential privacy against non‐intrusive load monitoring in smart grid: A fog computing approach
Authors: Cao Hui , Liu Shubo , Wu Longfei , Guan Zhitao , Du Xiaojiang
Published: June 2018

Fog computing, a non‐trivial extension of cloud computing to the edge of the network, has great advantage in providing services with a lower latency. In smart grid, the application of fog computing can greatly facilitate the collection of consumer's fine‐grained energy consumption data, which can then be used to draw the load curve and develop a plan or model for power generation. However, such data may also reveal customer's daily activities. Non‐intrusive load monitoring (NILM) can monitor an electrical circuit that powers a number of appliances switching on and off independently. If an adversary analyzes the meter readings together with the data measured by an NILM device, the customer's privacy will be disclosed. In this paper, we propose an effective privacy‐preserving scheme for electric load monitoring, which can guarantee differential privacy of data disclosure in smart grid. In the proposed scheme, an energy consumption behavior model based on Factorial Hidden Markov Model (FHMM) is established. In addition, noise is added to the behavior parameter, which is different from the traditional methods that usually add noise to the energy consumption data. The analysis shows that the proposed scheme can get a better trade‐off between utility and privacy compared with other popular methods.
A path detecting method to analyze the interactive compatibility of service processes based on WS‐BPEL
Authors: Hu Qiang , Liu Minghua , Zhao Zhen , Du Junwei
Published: June 2018

Petri nets are frequently used formal tools to analyze the compatibility of interactive service processes described by Web Services Business Process Execution Language (WS‐BPEL). However, the traditional methods based on Petri nets were with a high computable complexity for state space explosion. To resolve such problem, a logic Petri net–based path detecting method for compatibility analysis of interactive service processes is proposed. From the provided mapping rules, the service process described by WS‐BPEL is modeled as a service net based on logic Petri nets. The evaluation of interactive compatibility of two service processes is converted to analyze whether their service nets can be composed as a non‐blocked synthetic service net. The non‐blocked property is checked by detecting the reachability of the potential connected paths in a service net. To reduce the complexity of computing the connected paths in a service net, we propose a merge‐reduced method to generate the path expression of its skeleton service net. The potential connected paths of a service net can be obtained by unfolding the path expression. Compared with the traditional method based Petri nets, the proposed method is with high efficiency and it can greatly alleviate the problem of state space explosion in analyzing interactive compatibility of service processes.
Retracted: Evaluation of the predictive performance of the principal component two‐parameter estimator
Authors: Li Rong , Li Fei , Huang Jiewu
Published: June 2018

Retraction: Li R, Li F, Huang J. Evaluation of the predictive performance of the principal component two‐parameter estimator. Concurrency Computat Pract Exper. 2019;31:e4710. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpe.4710 The above article, published online on 7th June 2018 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor, Professor Geoffrey Fox, and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed due to inaccuracies in the formula derivation resulting in foundational errors throughout the article that are beyond the scope of an erratum.
Reactivity of CO and C2H4 on Bimetallic PtxAg1‐x/Pt(111) Surface Alloys Investigated by High‐Resolution X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Bauer U. , Späth F. , Düll F. , Bachmann P. , Steinhauer J. , Steinrück H.‐P. , Papp C.
Published: June 2018

The front cover artwork is provided by the group of Dr. Christian Papp at the chair of Prof. Hans‐Peter Steinrück. The image shows the two metals platinum and silver that form a bimetallic surface alloy in the first layer. On this model catalyst, depending on the relative Ag content, the adsorption strength of CO can be enhanced and C−H bond activation (e.g. for C2H4 production) is achieved much easier as deduced from the diagrams on top. Read the full text of the Article at 10.1002/cphc.201800044.
A Significant Anticancer Drug Approval Lag Between Japan and the United States Still Exists for Minor Cancers
Authors: Yamashita Kenji , Kaneko Masayuki , Narukawa Mamoru
Published: June 2018

Reports have indicated that approval lag for anticancer drugs between Japan and the United States has decreased. However, if this is also true for drugs used to treat minor cancers remains unknown. We analyzed the anticancer drugs approved in Japan from 2006 to 2016 to compare the drug approval lag based on cancer incidence (major vs. minor cancers) between Japan and the United States. The lag of anticancer drugs for minor cancers had not decreased relative to that a decade ago. Recently, development strategies resulting in longer approval lag were used by pharmaceutical companies more often for the development of drugs used to treat minor cancers than for drugs targeting major cancers, leading to significant differences in the approval lag time between drugs for major and minor cancers. Effective measures that expedite the development of drugs targeting minor cancers in Japan should, therefore, be implemented to shorten lag time.
Transition Metal‐Free CO2 Fixation into New Carbon–Carbon Bonds
Authors: Cherubini‐Celli Alessio , Mateos Javier , Bonchio Marcella , Dell'Amico Luca , Companyó Xavier
Published: June 2018

CO2 is the ultimate renewable carbon source on Earth and the essential C1 building block for carbohydrate biosynthesis in photosynthetic organisms. Modern synthetic chemistry is facing the key challenge of developing fundamental transformations, such as C−C bond formation, in a sustainable and efficient manner from renewable sources. In this Minireview, the most significant methods recently reported for CO2 fixation under transition metal‐free conditions are summarized, organized into three different chapters according to the nature of the chemical transformation that forges the new C−C bond. The focus is on the mechanistic aspects of the different CO2 activation modes, with specific attention to those systems that operate under catalytic conditions.
Genome‐wide identification, expression profiling, and target gene analysis of microRNAs in the Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), vectors of tospoviruses (Bunyaviridae)
Authors: Balan Rebijith K. , Ramasamy Asokan , Hande Ranjitha H. , Gawande Suresh J. , Krishna Kumar Nallur K.
Published: June 2018

Thrips tabaci Lindeman is an important polyphagous insect pest species estimated to cause losses of more than U.S. $1 billion worldwide annually. Chemical insecticides are of limited use in the management of T. tabaci due to the thigmokinetic behavior and development of resistance to insecticides. There is an urgent need to find alternative management strategies. Small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) especially microRNAs (miRNAs) hold great promise as key regulators of gene expression in a wide range of organisms. MiRNAs are a group of endogenously originated sncRNA known to regulate gene expression in animals, plants, and protozoans. In this study, we explored these RNAs in T. tabaci using deep sequencing to provide a basis for future studies of their biological and physiological roles in governing gene expression. Apart from snoRNAs and piRNAs, our study identified nine novel and 130 known miRNAs from T. tabaci. Functional classification of the targets for these miRNAs predicted that majority are involved in regulating transcription, translation, signal transduction and genetic information processing. The higher expression of few miRNAs (such as tta‐miR‐281, tta‐miR‐184, tta‐miR‐3533, tta‐miR‐N1, tta‐miR‐N7, and tta‐miR‐N9) in T. tabaci pupal and adult stages reflected their possible role in larval and adult development, metamorphosis, parthenogenesis, and reproduction. This is the first exploration of the miRNAome in T. tabaci, which not only provides insights into their possible role in insect metamorphosis, growth, and development but also offer an important resource for future pest management strategies.
Genetic structure of twoProsopisspecies in Chaco areas: A lack of allelic diversity diagnosis and insights into the allelic conservation of the affected species
Authors: Alves Fábio M. , Sartori Ângela L. B. , Zucchi Maria I. , Azevedo‐Tozzi Ana M. G. , Tambarussi Evandro V. , Alves‐Pereira Alessandro , de Souza Anete P.
Published: June 2018

The Gran Chaco is the largest continuous region of the South American dry forest, spanning Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil.Prosopis rubrifloraandProsopis ruscifoliaare typical tree species of chaquenian area forests, which have been subjected to continuous fragmentation caused by cattle raising. This study evaluatedP. rubrifloraandP. ruscifoliain areas with varying levels of disturbance. We investigated the contemporary genetic diversities of both species in areas with distinct anthropogenic disturbances. Even with a lower heterozygote frequency, disturbed areas can provide important storage for alleles, allowing the maintenance of diversity. The genetic diversity ofP. rubriflorawas surprisingly similar to that ofP. ruscifolia(He = 0.59 andHe = 0.60, respectively) even with very different distribution ranges of both species. However,P. ruscifoliaexhibited a higher intrapopulation fixation index thanP. rubriflora.P. rubriflorashowed evidence of bottlenecking in 64% of the sampled areas, whileP. ruscifoliashowed such evidence in 36% of the sampled areas. Additionally,P. rubriflorahad two distinct populations due to its disjunctive geographic distribution, whereasP. ruscifoliahad a single population that exhibited few signs of population structure in some areas, possibly due to the main pollinators presenting a short range of dispersion. Our results suggest that 42 Chaco areas should be conserved to retain the minimum of 500 individuals necessary to maintain genetic diversity for 100–1,000 generations. This study improves our understanding of these twoProsopisspecies and provides information for the conservation of their genetic diversities.
Consumption explains intraspecific variation in nutrient recycling stoichiometry in a desert fish
Authors: Moody Eric K. , Carson Evan W. , Corman Jessica R. , Espinosa‐Pérez Hector , Ramos Jorge , Sabo John L. , Elser James J.
Published: June 2018

Consumer‐driven nutrient recycling can have substantial effects on primary production and patterns of nutrient limitation in aquatic ecosystems by altering the rates as well as the relative supplies of the key nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). While variation in nutrient recycling stoichiometry has been well‐studied among species, the mechanisms that explain intraspecific variation in recycling N:P are not well‐understood. We examined the relative importance of potential drivers of variation in nutrient recycling by the fish Gambusia marshi among aquatic habitats in the Cuatro Ciénegas basin of Coahuila, Mexico. There, G. marshi inhabits warm thermal springs with high predation pressure as well as cooler, surface runoff‐fed systems with low predation pressure. We hypothesized that variation in food consumption among these habitats would drive intraspecific differences in excretion rates and N:P ratios. Stoichiometric models predicted that temperature alone should not cause substantial variation in excretion N:P, but that further reducing consumption rates should substantially increase excretion N:P. We performed temperature and diet ration manipulation experiments in the laboratory and found strong support for model predictions. We then tested these predictions in the field by measuring nutrient recycling rates and ratios as well as body stoichiometry of fish from nine sites that vary in temperature and predation pressure. Fish from warm, high‐predation sites excreted nutrients at a lower N:P ratio than fish from cool, low‐predation sites, consistent with the hypothesis that reduced consumption under reduced predation pressure had stronger consequences for P retention and excretion among populations than did variation in body stoichiometry. These results highlight the utility of stoichiometric models for predicting variation in consumer‐driven nutrient recycling within a phenotypically variable species.
Alkoxylation Followed by Iodination of Oxindole with Alcohols Mediated by Hypervalent Iodine Reagent in the Presence of Iodine
Authors: Kotagiri Rajendraprasad , Adepu Ramesh
Published: June 2018

Oxidative coupling of oxindole with alcohols followed by in situ iodination by using a PhI(OCOCF3)2/I2 system afforded 5‐iodo‐3‐monoalkoxy and 5‐iodo‐3,3‐di alkoxyoxindole in moderate to good yields. This method provides a new and transition metal‐free synthesis of iodoalkoxy‐substituted oxindoles in one pot from readily available oxindole under mild conditions.
Effect of patient and nurse ethnicity on emergency department analgesia for children with appendicitis in israeli government hospitals
Authors: Shavit I. , Jacob R. , Friedman N. , Capua T. , Klein A. , Chistyakov I. , Moldaver I. , Krupik D. , Munchak I. , Abozaid S. , Rimon A. , Meirson G. , Leiba R. , Cohen D.M.
Published: June 2018

Background

Ethnicity is a risk factor for disparate Emergency Department (ED) analgesia. We aimed to explore ethnic variations in the administration of ED analgesia to children with acute appendicitis in Israeli government hospitals.

Methods

Children discharged with an International Classification of Disease‐Ninth Revision diagnosis of acute appendicitis between 2010 and 2015 were included. The association between patient ethnicity (Jewish, Arab) and analgesia administration (any, opioid) was assessed. Age, gender, triage category, pain score and time of arrival were tested as possible confounders. The effect of patient–nurse ethnic discordance (PNED) was examined.

Results

Overall, 4714 children with acute appendicitis, 3520 Jewish and 1194 Arab, were cared for in the EDs; 1516 (32.2%) received any analgesia and 368 (7.8%) opioid analgesia. Stratified by pain score, no statistical differences were found in the administration of any or opioid analgesia between Jewish and Arab patients with either severe pain or moderate pain. In multivariate modelling adjusted for pain score and triage category, the rates of any analgesia for Arab and Jewish patients were 31.8% (95% CI, 30.9–32.6) and 36.5% (95% CI, 36.0–36.9), adjusted OR (aOR) = 1.16 (95% CI, 0.98–1.38), respectively. The rates of opioid analgesia for Arab and Jewish patients were 8.5% (95% CI, 8.2–8.9) and 7.9% (95% CI, 7.3–8.7), aOR = 0.77; (95% CI, 0.59–1.22), respectively. Jewish and Arab nurses treated proportionally fewer patients from the opposite ethnicity with any analgesia (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Emergency Department analgesia was markedly low, and not associated with patient ethnicity. PNED was associated with decreased rates of analgesia.

Significance

Emergency Department analgesia for children with acute appendicitis in Israeli government hospitals is markedly low. Patient–provider ethnic discordance may negatively influence the provision of analgesia. Significant efforts should be undertaken in order to increase analgesia provision rates and reduce social inequality.
Reliability and validity of the Brief Pain Inventory in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Chen Y.‐W. , HajGhanbari B. , Road J.D. , Coxson H.O. , Camp P.G. , Reid W.D.
Published: June 2018

Background

Pain is prevalent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) appears to be a feasible questionnaire to assess this symptom. However, the reliability and validity of the BPI have not been determined in individuals with COPD. This study aimed to determine the internal consistency, test–retest reliability and validity (construct, convergent, divergent and discriminant) of the BPI in individuals with COPD.

Methods

In order to examine the test–retest reliability, individuals with COPD were recruited from pulmonary rehabilitation programmes to complete the BPI twice 1 week apart. In order to investigate validity, de‐identified data was retrieved from two previous studies, including forced expiratory volume in 1‐s, age, sex and data from four questionnaires: the BPI, short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF‐MPQ), 36‐Item Short Form Survey (SF‐36) and Community Health Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) questionnaire.

Results

In total, 123 participants were included in the analyses (eligible data were retrieved from 86 participants and additional 37 participants were recruited). The BPI demonstrated excellent internal consistency and test–retest reliability. It also showed convergent validity with the SF‐MPQ and divergent validity with the SF‐36. The factor analysis yielded two factors of the BPI, which demonstrated that the two domains of the BPI measure the intended constructs. The BPI can also discriminate pain levels among COPD patients with varied levels of quality of life (SF‐36) and physical activity (CHAMPS).

Conclusion

The BPI is a reliable and valid pain questionnaire that can be used to evaluate pain in COPD.

Significance

This study formally established the reliability and validity of the BPI in individuals with COPD, which have not been determined in this patient group. The results of this study provide strong evidence that assessment results from this pain questionnaire are reliable and valid.
Fabrication and Testing of Copper/Gadolinium‐Doped Ceria‐Based Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Operating at Intermediate Temperature
Authors: Iannaci A. , Zurlo F. , De Marco V. , Luisetto I. , Di Bartolomeo E. , Sglavo V. M.
Published: June 2018

Planar solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with CuO/gadolinium‐doped ceria (GDC) supporting anode were produced and tested in H2 and in CH4/CO2 mixture at 650 °C. The electrolyte densification at 900 °C was promoted by compressive strains induced by larger anodic thickness. The reduction behaviour of CuO/GDC anodic powders was preliminarily evaluated. The electrochemical measurements showed an increasing power density with the anode thickness (from ≈500 μm to ≈1.4 mm) reaching a maximum value of 227 mW cm−2 at 650 °C in pure H2. Power density of 29 mW cm−2 was measured in wet CH4/CO2 biogas mixture at 650 °C. Catalytic activity measurements towards methane dry reforming showed limited conversion at all investigated temperatures, this suggesting that the actual anodic reaction is the methane combustion. Scanning electron microscope observations and energy dispersive X‐ray analyses of the cell tested in CH4/CO2 mixture did not show any carbon deposit, thus pointing out that the Cu/GDC cermet can be considered a stable and reliable anodic substrate for IT‐SOFC fed by CH4/CO2 mixture.
Properties and Decomposition of Heusler Alloys
Authors: Entel Peter , Gruner Markus E. , Acet Mehmet , Çakır Aslı , Arróyave Raymundo , Duong Thien , Sahoo Sanjubala , Fähler Sebastian , Sokolovskiy Vladimir V.
Published: June 2018

Martensitic transformations of rapidly quenched and less‐rapidly cooled Heusler alloys of type Ni–Mn–X with X=Ga, In, and Sn are investigated by ab initio calculations. For alloys rapidly cooled from 1173 K, we obtain the well‐known magnetocaloric properties near the magnetocaloric phase transition. For the less‐rapidly cooled alloys with secondary heat treatment these magnetocaloric properties start to change considerably, because each alloy transforms during temper‐annealing into a dual‐phase composite alloy. These two phases are identified to be cubic stoichiometric Ni2MnX and tetragonal disordered NiMn.
Early maladaptive schemas: Similarities and differences between female patients with eating versus substance use disorders
Authors: Pauwels Els , Dierckx Eva , Schoevaerts Katrien , Santens Els , Peuskens Hendrik , Claes Laurence
Published: June 2018

Personality features are considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of both eating disorder (ED) and substance use disorder (SUD). This study investigates similarities and differences between these early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) (a) between female patients with ED (N = 179) or SUD (N = 169) and (b) between ED subtypes of the restrictive (N = 52), bulimic type (N = 127), or SUD. In total, 348 female patients (Mage = 29.95; SDage = 8.40) completed the Young Schema Questionnaire. Multivariate analyses of covariance with EMS scales as dependent variables and (a) ED versus SUD and (b) ED subtypes versus SUD as independent variables and age and psychopathology as control variables revealed that ED patients scored significantly higher on Unrelenting Standards, Defectiveness, Social Undesirability, and Failure than did SUD patients. Additionally, when comparing ED subtypes and SUD, bulimic and SUD patients scored significantly higher on Insufficient Self‐Control than did restrictive patients. These results confirm the role of EMSs in ED (subtypes) and SUD.
Geochemistry of the Zhibo submarine intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks and associated iron ores, Western Tianshan, Northwest China: Implications for ore genesis
Authors: Luo Wenjuan , Zhang Zuoheng , Duan Shigang , Jiang Zongsheng , Wang Dachuan , Chen Jie , Sun Jian
Published: June 2018

The Zhibo iron deposit is hosted in Carboniferous submarine volcanic rocks in Western Tianshan, NW China. A series of magnetite‐bearing intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks are recognized in the periphery of the Zhibo ore district. Most of these volcanic rocks formed at 314 ± 2 Ma, possess tholeiitic–calc‐alkaline affinities, and display remarkable negative Nb, Ta, and Ti anomalies on primitive mantle‐normalized incompatible element diagrams. These features, together with those of their relatively complete rock assemblages and Th/Yb versus Nb/Yb diagrams, are indicative of their formation in an active continental margin arc setting. The wide compositional spectrum of SiO2 values ranging from 47.11 to 62.75 wt.% and lower Mg# values (55–63) of basalts suggest that the Zhibo intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks may have experienced magmatic differentiation. Their (Th/Ta)PM > 1, (La/Nb)PM > 1, Nb/Ta (11‐16), and Th/Ce (0.06‐0.23) values suggest that the source of these intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks was significantly contaminated by crustal materials. The magnetites in the iron ore have lower contents of Al, Mn, Ti, and V, indicating that the mineralization of magnetite in the iron ore occurred under lower temperature and higher oxygen fugacity conditions than those in the intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks. In addition, the magnetites in the Zhibo iron ores have lower contents of compatible elements (e.g., Ti, V, Mn, Co, Cr, and Zn) than those of the magnetite in the intermediate‐mafic volcanic rocks, suggesting that the Zhibo magnetites crystallized from late‐stage, residual iron‐rich magmatic melts/magmatic‐hydrothermal fluids. In addition, the textures of the volcanic rocks suggest that iron have ever enriched in the residual melt during the magmatic stage, and the iron‐rich fragments in andesitic volcaniclastic rocks indicate that the ore‐forming material was a high‐salinity fluid‐bearing iron‐rich melt. In combination of available information, including field observations and geochemical analyses, we interpret that the Zhibo iron deposit is magmatic‐hydrothermal in origin.
Positive impact of brentuximab vedotin on overall survival of patients with classical Hodgkin lymphoma who relapse or progress after autologous stem cell transplantation: A nationwide analysis
Authors: Tsirigotis Panagiotis , Vassilakopoulos Theodoros , Batsis Ioannis , Bousiou Zoi , Gkirkas Konstantinos , Sakellari Ioanna , Kaloyannidis Panayotis , Roussou Paraskevi , Pangalis Gerassimos A. , Moschogiannis Maria , Vassilopoulos George , Repousis Panagiotis , Megalakaki Aekaterini , Michalis Eurydiki , Kalpadakis Christina , Papadaki Helen A. , Kotsianidis Ioannis , Hatzimichael Eleftheria , Spyridonidis Alexandros , Anargyrou Konstantinos , Poulakidas Elias , Giannoullia Panagiota , Apostolidis Ioannis , Stamouli Maria , Konstantopoulos Konstantinos , Pappa Vassiliki , Panayiotidis Panayiotis , Harhalakis Nikolaos , Anagnostopoulos Achilles , Angelopoulou Maria
Published: June 2018

The outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (R/R cHL) after autologous stem cell transplantation (auto‐SCT) is poor. Recently, the anti‐CD30 monoclonal antibody‐drug conjugate, brentuximab vedotin (BV), has shown remarkable activity in the setting of R/R cHL. In the pivotal phase II study, BV produced an overall response rate of 75% and a median progression‐free survival of 6.7 months. Although these results have been reproduced by large registry studies, the impact of BV on the overall survival (OS) of patients with R/R cHL has not been addressed so far. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of BV on OS in the setting of post auto‐SCT R/R cHL. Analysis was performed in a group of patients with R/R cHL after a previous auto‐SCT reported in the Greek registry during the last 2 decades. By using a multivariate model and censoring patients at the time of subsequent allo‐SCT or treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, we showed that treatment with BV in the posttransplant relapse setting has a positive impact on the outcome and results in significant improvement of OS. To our knowledge, this the first published study, addressing the impact of BV on the OS in the setting of posttransplant relapse.
Triphenylphosphonium cation: A valuable functional group for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
Authors: Bresolí‐Obach Roger , Gispert Ignacio , Peña Diego G. , Boga Sonia , Gulias Óscar , Agut Montserrat , Vázquez M. Eugenio , Nonell Santi
Published: June 2018

Light‐mediated killing of pathogens by cationic photosensitisers is a promising antimicrobial approach that avoids the development of resistance inherent to the use of antimicrobials. In this study, we demonstrate that modification of different photosensitisers with the triphenylphosphonium cation yields derivatives with excellent photoantimicrobial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (ie, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis). Thus, the triphenylphosphonium functional group should be considered for the development of photoantimicrobials for the selective killing of Gram‐positive bacteria in the presence of Gram‐negative species.
Front Cover: Analysis of basidiomycete pigments in situ by Raman spectroscopy (J. Biophotonics 6/2018)
Authors: Tauber James P. , Matthäus Christian , Lenz Claudius , Hoffmeister Dirk , Popp Jürgen
Published: June 2018

Basidiomycetes, i.e., mushroom‐type fungi, are known to produce pigments with a high level of unsaturation. These compounds can neutralize highly oxidative species in the event of close contact with other microbes. The identification of these pigments is important to understand the defense mechanism of fungi, which is essential to counteract an uncontrolled spread of harmful species. Here, we introduce a possibility to non‐invasively investigate the pigmentation by Raman spectroscopy.

Further details can be found in the article by James Tauber et al. (e201700369).

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Back Cover: Laser stimulating ST36 with optical fiber induce blood component changes in mice: a Raman spectroscopy study (J. Biophotonics 6/2018)
Authors: Zhang Heng , Chen Zhenyi , Wu Jiping , Chen Na , Xu Wenjie , Li Taihao , Liu Shupeng
Published: June 2018

Optical fiber laser acupuncture with combination of traditional needling acupuncture and the laser stimulation makes stronger therapeutic effects in this study, showing a potential value in clinical application. In mice model, Raman spectroscopic technique is used to analysis the changes of blood components after stimulating on ST36 with it and shows spectral changes. This study explores the optical fiber acupuncture's effect using Raman spectroscopy technique for mechanism of acupuncture therapy.

Further details can be found in the article by Heng Zhang et al. (e201700262).

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Optimal timing of HIV home‐based counselling and testing rounds in Western Kenya
Authors: Olney Jack J , Eaton Jeffrey W , Braitstein Paula , Hogan Joseph W , Hallett Timothy B
Published: June 2018

Introduction

Weaknesses in care programmes providing anti‐retroviral therapy (ART) persist and are often instigated by late HIV diagnosis and poor linkage to care. We investigated the potential for a home‐based counselling and testing (HBCT) campaign to be improved through the optimal timing and enhancement of testing rounds to generate greater health outcomes at minimum cost.

Methods

Using a mathematical model of HIV care calibrated to longitudinal data from The Academic Model Providing Access To Healthcare (AMPATH) in Kenya, we simulated HBCT campaigns between 2016 and 2036, assessing the impact and total cost of care for each, for a further 20 years.

Results

We find that simulating five equally spaced rounds averts 1.53 million disability‐adjusted life‐years (DALYs) at a cost of $1617 million. By altering the timing of HBCT rounds, a four‐round campaign can produce greater impact for lower cost. With “front‐loaded” rounds, the cost per DALY averted is reduced by 12% as fewer rounds are required ($937 vs. $1060). Furthermore, improvements to HBCT coverage and linkage to care avert over two million DALYs at a cost per DALY averted of $621 (41% less than the reference scenario).

Conclusions

Countries implementing HBCT can reduce costs by optimally timing rounds and generate greater health outcomes through improving linkage, coverage, and retention. Tailoring HBCT campaigns to individual settings can enhance patient outcomes for minimal cost.
LPS and palmitate synergistically stimulate sphingosine kinase 1 and increase sphingosine 1 phosphate in RAW264.7 macrophages
Authors: Jin Junfei , Lu Zhongyang , Li Yanchun , Ru Ji Hyun , Lopes-Virella Maria F , Huang Yan
Published: June 2018

It has been well established that patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome (MetS) have increased prevalence and severity of periodontitis, an oral infection initiated by bacteria and characterized by tissue inflammation and destruction. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we have shown that saturated fatty acid (SFA), which is increased in patients with type 2 diabetes or MetS, and LPS, an important pathogenic factor for periodontitis, synergistically stimulate expression of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages by increasing ceramide production. However, the mechanisms by which increased ceramide enhances proinflammatory cytokine expression have not been well understood. Since sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P) is a metabolite of ceramide and a bioactive lipid, we tested our hypothesis that stimulation of ceramide production by LPS and SFA facilitates S1P production, which contributes to proinflammatory cytokine expression. Results showed that LPS and palmitate, a major SFA, synergistically increased not only ceramide, but also S1P, and stimulated sphingosine kinase (SK) expression and membrane translocation in RAW264.7 macrophages. Results also showed that SK inhibition attenuated the stimulatory effect of LPS and palmitate on IL-6 secretion. Moreover, results showed that S1P enhanced the stimulatory effect of LPS and palmitate on IL-6 secretion. Finally, results showed that targeting S1P receptors using either S1P receptor antagonists or small interfering RNA attenuated IL-6 upregulation by LPS and palmitate. Taken together, this study demonstrated that LPS and palmitate synergistically stimulated S1P production and S1P in turn contributed to the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages by LPS and palmitate.

LPS and palmitate synergistically increase S1P and, in turn, S1P contributes to upregulation of proinflammatory genes by LPS and palmitate.
Reflection in the heat of the moment: The role of in‐action team reflexivity in health care emergency teams
Authors: Schmutz Jan B. , Lei Zhike , Eppich Walter J. , Manser Tanja
Published: June 2018

Team reflexivity (TR)–defined as a team's conscious reflection on their objectives, strategies, and processes—is an important team process that fosters adaptation and information processing. However, traditional conceptualizations frame TR as a process that occurs in periods of downtime to reflect on past, terminated performance, largely ignoring reflective team processes occurring during intense performance events of action teams. To address this gap, we conceptualize TR as a team process that occurs not only during periods of downtime after the action but alsoduringperformance events as brief TR moments. We elaborate on the concept of in‐action TR and explore it by delineating its relationship to task type and timing during a performance event. Further, we test a team level contingency model of in‐action TR, namely, team size and performance. Using behavior observation, we test our hypothesis with 70 medical teams responding to simulated in‐hospital emergencies. Task type is related to in‐action TR and reflection tends to increase as action progresses. Further, in‐action TR is related to team performance and is especially important for larger teams. Our study is the first to investigate in‐action TR and provides theoretical and practical implications on how in‐action TR operates in extreme action teams.
Similar soil microbial community structure across different environments after long‐term succession: evidence from volcanoes of different ages
Authors: Xu Shangqi , Zhang Jianfeng , Luo Shasha , Zhou Xue , Shi Shaohua , Tian Chunjie
Published: June 2018

Soil microbes play critical roles in global biogeochemical cycles, but their succession patterns across long temporal scales have rarely been studied. In this study, soil samples were collected from three volcanoes in Wudalianchi, northeastern China: Laoheishan (LH, approximately 240 years old), Dongjiaodebushan (DJ, 0.45–0.6 million years old), and Nangelaqiushan (NG, 0.8–1.3 million years old). For each volcano, both southern (S) and northern (N) slope aspects were sampled. Soil microbial communities were analyzed using phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA). The results showed that soil properties and microbial biomass changed perceptibly among different volcanoes and different slope aspects. Almost all of the detected soil nutrient contents of LH were lowest, and total microbial biomass of LH was 40 and 36% lower than those of NG and DJ, respectively. LH was significantly different from NG and DJ in soil microbial community structure with a higher relative abundance of fungi and a lower relative abundance of actinomycetes and bacteria. However, for the two ancient volcanoes (NG and DJ), soil microbial community structures were highly similar among different ages and different slope aspects. No difference was detected in any of the measured microbial indices, including richness, evenness, Shannon's diversity, Simpson's diversity and the relative abundance of different microbial groups. The results indicated that while soil microbial biomass may change across different soil environments after long‐term succession, soil microbial community structure can remain relatively stable. The results further indicated that soil microbes may show different successional patterns in different stages of succession.
Linking Proactive Personality to Creative Performance: The Role of Job Crafting and High‐Involvement Work Systems
Authors: Li Hui , Jin Hui , Chen Tongyang
Published: June 2018

This study proposed that job crafting serves as a mechanism reflecting how proactive personality affects creative performance, and this study explored whether these relationships are moderated by high‐involvement work systems. Drawn from the conservation of resources theory to develop a cross‐level moderated mediation model, a three‐wave longitudinal study was conducted with 346 employees and their supervisors in 27 high technology firms in China. This study found that proactive personality was positively related to creative performance and that job crafting mediated the relationship between proactive personality and creative performance, and an indirect effect of proactive personality on creative performance through job crafting was significant when high‐involvement work systems was low but not high. Thus, the research results indicate that when human resource management involves less participatory management, incentive rewards, extensive training and information sharing, proactive employees can draw from their personality to craft their job tasks, relations and cognitions, thereby improving creative performance. The theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
Antioxidant status, meat oxidative stability and quality characteristics of lambs fed with hesperidin, naringin or α‐tocopheryl acetate supplemented diets
Authors: Simitzis Panagiotis E , Charismiadou Maria A , Goliomytis Michael , Charalambous Alexis , Ntetska Ina , Giamouri Elisabeth , Deligeorgis Stelios G
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Dietary supplementation of sheep with bioactive compounds such as citrus flavonoids appears as a great alternative for improving meat antioxidant capacity and could also have beneficial effects on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics. An experiment was therefore conducted to examine the effects of hesperidin or naringin dietary supplementation on lambs' growth performance, antioxidant status and meat quality characteristics. Forty‐four male 3‐month‐old Chios lambs were randomly assigned to four groups: C, fed with a basal diet, or H or N or VE offered the same diet further supplemented with hesperidin at 2500 mg or naringin at 2500 mg or α‐tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) at 200 mg kg−1 feed respectively. At the end of the experiment (day 35), samples of longissimus thoracis muscle were collected for meat quality evaluation.

RESULTS

Both flavonoids and vitamin E dietary supplementation reduced plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on day 35 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in performance traits and meat quality characteristics among the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Hesperidin and naringin also reduced MDA levels in meat stored at 4 °C for up to 8 days (P < 0.05), although to a lesser extent than α‐tocopheryl acetate.

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of flavonoids in sheep diets resulted in an improvement of plasma and meat antioxidant capacity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of different applications of automatic herd control systems on dairy farms – a review
Authors: Grodkowski Grzegorz , Sakowski Tomasz , Puppel Kamila , Baars Ton
Published: June 2018

Recent years have seen the rapid development of different devices which can be helpful in the daily work of livestock farmers. The growing size of livestock herds has led farmers to lose individual contact with their animals, while behavioral studies show that breeders can effectively and precisely monitor a herd of up to 100 cows. This was the main motivation for this study, which aims to identify and test various electronic devices which provide useful herd management data, including estrus detection, individual activity and body temperature measurement, monitoring rumen pH levels, milk quality and content as well as milk temperature and somatic cell count measurements. Some devices can detect the metabolic status of animals with a reasonable level of precision. Contemporary animal farms are offered a large number of systems for monitoring the behavior of the animals in the herd and helping to identify those that are intended for insemination or are too active or excessively apathetic. Monitoring devices support herd management and help to reduce costs through the early detection of animal diseases and nutritional problems. This review aims to compile and summarize the information currently available on the use of automatic herd control systems on dairy farms, as well as to discuss the interpretation of the results, providing a useful diagnostic tool in nutritional evaluations of dairy herds. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Foliar antitranspirant and soil superabsorbent hydrogel affect photosynthetic gas exchange and water use efficiency of maize grown under low rainfall conditions
Authors: Yang Wei , Guo Shiwen , Li Pinfang , Song Riquan , Yu Jian
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Two lysimeter experiments with maize plants were conducted to investigate the effect of combined superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and fulvic acid (FA) application on photosynthetic gas exchange and water use efficiency (WUE) under deficit irrigation conditions. Soil SAP (45 kg hm−2) was applied while sowing, and FA solution (2 g L−1) was sprayed onto the crop canopy three times at later plant growth periods.

RESULTS

Combining SAP and FA application significantly improved plant photosynthesis, chlorophyll contents and instantaneous WUE while maintaining optimal leaf stomatal transpiration. The effect of using the combined chemicals on photosynthesis and leaf instantaneous WUE was superior to the effects of their individual applications. Compared with plots not treated with chemicals, soil SAP significantly improved the yield by 12% and grain WUE by 10% when averaged across the two experiments, whereas foliar FA application did not affect yield and grain WUE. In contrast, the combined use of the two chemicals significantly increased the yield by 20% and grain WUE by 26%, largely attributed to the increase in grain number.

CONCLUSION

Soil SAP and foliar FA use under low rainfall conditions had little influence on crop water consumption but improved plant WUE by enhancing photosynthesis and increasing kernel number. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemometrics‐assisted liquid chromatography with full scan mass spectrometry for the interference‐free determination of glucocorticoids illegally added to face masks
Authors: Long Wan‐Jun , Wu Hai‐Long , Wang Tong , Xie Li‐Xia , Hu Yong , Fang Huan , Cheng Li , Ding Yu‐Jie , Yu Ru‐Qin
Published: June 2018

A smart chemometrics‐assisted strategy that combines the full scan mode of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry with second‐order calibration method based on alternating trilinear decomposition algorithm was developed for the rapid determination of 15 glucocorticoids including the epimers betamethasone and dexamethasone illegally added into face masks. Fifteen glucocorticoids were rapidly eluted (11 min) under a simple elution program. By means of the second‐order calibration method, 15 target analytes were successfully quantified in the presence of peak overlaps, unknown interferences and baseline drifts. Notably, the epimers, namely, betamethasone and dexamethasone, were simultaneously quantified by the proposed method under a simple elution program. The average spiked recoveries for all target analytes ranged from 87.3 ± 2.2 to 119.4 ± 5.8%. The validation parameters including sensitivity, selectivity, limit of detection, limit of quantitation, and precision were calculated to validate the accuracy of the proposed method, and the quantitative analysis results were further confirmed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. All results proved that the proposed chemometrics‐assisted liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry strategy was an accurate and fast method to determine epimers and multiple glucocorticoids in complex face mask samples.
Periocular CO2 laser resurfacing: severe ocular complications from multiple unintentional laser impacts on the protective metal eye shields
Authors: van Gemert Martin J. C. , Bloemen Paul R. , Wang Wei‐Yong , van der Geld Cees W. M. , Nuijts Rudy M. M. A. , Hortoglu Hayri , Wolkerstorfer Albert , de Bruin Daniel M. , van Leeuwen Ton G. , Neumann H. A. Martino , Jager Martine J.
Published: June 2018

Background and Objectives

A 36‐year‐old woman underwent CO2 laser resurfacing for periocular rhytides using protective stainless steel Cox II ocular shields. Immediately after the treatment, corneal lesions were seen in both eyes. The left eye subsequent developed corneal ulceration and scarring, a deformed iris, cataract, and lower eye lashes showing signs of acute burns. The right cornea had a small inferior mid‐peripheral superficial lesion and concomitant lower mid‐peripheral burned eye lashes. Our objective was to determine the most likely cause of these ocular complications.

Study

We estimated temperature–time combinations that could induce corneal injury and cataract. Heat conduction effects from a heated cornea to the lens and from a heated ring of periocular skin to the cornea were computed. The temperature response of a shield following CO2 laser irradiation was determined.

Results

We computed that cataract can develop when the corneal temperature reaches, for example, 80 °C for 14 seconds. A periocular ring of heated skin contributes little to the corneal temperature. After 7 pulses of consecutive CO2 laser bursts in 7.5 seconds, the total shield area already reached a homogeneous temperature of 63 °C.

Conclusion

Despite uncertainties in procedural details and modeling of cataract temperatures, the eye injuries were caused beyond doubt by heating of tear‐covered metal eye shields by at least 10 consecutive but unintentional laser impacts. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:980–986, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diet during Pregnancy is Implicated in the Regulation of Hypothalamic RNA Methylation and Risk of Obesity in Offspring
Authors: Kaspi Antony , Khurana Ishant , Ziemann Mark , Connor Timothy , Spolding Briana , Zimmet Paul , Walder Ken , El‐Osta Assam
Published: June 2018

Scope

Early life nutrition has long‐lasting influence in adults through key mediators that modulate epigenetic states, although the determinants involved that underlie this response remain controversial. Because of the similarities between metabolic, physiological, and endocrine changes and those occurring in human type 2 diabetes, we studied the interaction of diet during pregnancy regulating RNA adenosine methylation (N6‐methyladenosine [m6A]) and the transcriptome in Psammomys obesus.

Methods and results

Breeding pairs were randomly allocated standard diet (total digestible energy 18 MJ kg−1) or low‐fat diet (15 MJ kg−1). Offspring were weaned onto the low‐fat diet at 4 weeks of age and given ad libitum access, resulting in two experimental groups: 1) male offspring of animals fed a low‐fat diet and weaned onto the low‐fat diet and 2) male offspring of animals fed a standard diet and weaned onto the low‐fat diet. Hypothalamic RNA was used to assess m6A by immunoprecipitation. Parental low‐fat diet alters the metabolic phenotype in offspring. An association between parental diet and hypothalamic m6A was observed in regulating the expression of FTO and METTL3 in the offspring.

Conclusions

We propose the regulatory capacity is now broadened for the first time to include m6A in developmental programming and obesity phenotype.