bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acquiring High‐Performance and Stable Mixed‐Dimensional Perovskite Solar Cells by Using a Transition‐Metal‐Substituted Pb Precursor
Authors: Zheng Haiying , Liu Guozhen , Xu Xiaoxiao , Alsaedi Ahmed , Hayat Tasawar , Pan Xu , Dai Songyuan
Published: August 2018

In recent years, as the most promising photovoltaic technology, lead halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have become a research hotspot owing to their super‐high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and simple preparation method. However, the toxicity of lead and instability under high humidity and temperature greatly affects their further development. In this study, we investigated three kinds of non‐toxic transition metal cations (Zn2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+) at 3 % to partially substitute lead cations and form mixed‐dimensional (MD) perovskites. Among these transition metals, Zn2+ is the most suitable to replace Pb2+ and Zn‐MD perovskite device exhibits the best PCE of 18.35 %. In addition, we further studied the humidity and heat stability of methylammonium lead iodide (MA), Zn‐MD, Mn‐MD, and Ni‐MD perovskite devices. Upon exposure to about 50 % relativity humidity (RH) for 800 h, the MA and three MD devices, respectively, maintain 30 %, 81 %, 80 %, and 74 % of their original PCE. After aging at 60 °C for 100 h, the PCEs of the four PSCs retain 40 %, 84 %, 85 %, and 76 % of their starting values, respectively. The results show that the three MD perovskite devices have high humidity and heat stability and using transition‐metal‐substituted Pb can gain long‐term stability and reduced toxicity of PSCs.
Research on oblivious keyword search protocols with CKA security
Authors: Jiang ZhengTao , Liu Ling , Pang LiaoJun
Published: August 2018

An oblivious keyword search (OKS) protocol allows a user to search and retrieve the data associated with a chosen keyword in an oblivious way. It has stronger security attributes than traditional searchable encryption schemes which suffer from keyword guessing attack. Whereas most of the existing OKS protocols are not satisfactory because they mainly have the following flaws: (1) Large ciphertext‐size, relatively low communication, and computation efficiency; (2) Do not protect both user and database's privacy simultaneity. To deal with the above two problems and to obtain strong privacy, we investigate new approaches to design efficient OKS protocols. Our OKS protocol mainly realizes three contributions: (1) Improving privacy for both users and database servers; (2) Realizing compact cipher‐size; and (3) Overcoming particular security flaws occurred in previous OKS protocols.

To prove what precise security can be expected in our OKS protocol, a formal chosen keyword attack model is defined to incorporate real attackers' abilities. Chosen keyword attack model is also utilized to analyze and point out security flaws in current OKS protocols. Efficiency and security comparison with existing OKS protocols is described to indicate their appropriate applications.
Visceral adiposity index as a useful tool for the assessment of cardiometabolic disease risk in women aged 65 to 74
Authors: Dereziński Tadeusz , Zozulińska‐Ziółkiewicz Dorota , Uruska Aleksandra , Dąbrowski Mariusz
Published: August 2018

Background

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is considered to be a reliable indicator of adipose tissue dysfunction and cardiometabolic disease risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate its usefulness in assessing cardiometabolic risk in a sample of elderly women living in a rural‐urban community in central Poland.

Methods

A total of 365 women aged 65 to 74 years were included in this cross‐sectional study. All patients were interviewed to obtain their history of diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, stroke, and revascularization. For all participants, anthropometric measurements were performed, then body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio were calculated. Blood pressure was measured on the arm and on both ankles, and the ankle/brachial index was calculated. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of glycemia, lipid profile, and creatinine level. In patients with elevated fasting glucose, the test was repeated, or an oral glucose tolerance test was performed where appropriate. Finally, carotid intima‐media thickness was measured in all women.

Results

The VAI of participants was significantly correlated with a history of myocardial infarction, higher carotid intima‐media thickness, diabetes, prediabetes, and impaired kidney function. Furthermore, VAI demonstrated a better correlation with these endpoints than BMI or waist circumference.

Conclusions

The VAI can be considered a useful tool for the assessment of cardiometabolic disease risk in elderly women, with a score of ≥2.71 representing the cut‐off point for identifying females at high risk. In such patients, screening for cardiovascular disease, abnormal glucose metabolism, and impaired kidney function should be routine practice.
Minimally important difference and predictors of change in quality of life in type 2 diabetes: A community‐based survey in China
Authors: Jin Xuejing , Liu Gordon G. , Gerstein Hertzel C. , Levine Mitchell A.H. , Guan Haijing , Li Hongchao , Xie Feng
Published: August 2018

Background

To identify the minimally important difference (MID) of the EQ‐5D‐3L and determinants of change in quality of life (QoL) as measured by the EQ‐5D‐3L over 1 year for Chinese type 2 diabetic patients (T2DPs).

Methods

Clinically diagnosed T2DPs were recruited from 66 community health centres in five Chinese cities using a multistage quota sampling method between December 2010 and October 2011. Demographics, diabetes‐related information, and health‐related behaviours were collected at baseline. The EQ‐5D‐3L was administered at baseline and at 12 months. Anchor‐based and distribution‐based approaches were employed to estimate MIDs. Using the MIDs as cut‐points, we identified the change in EQ‐5D‐3L‐measured QoL into “worsening,” “no change,” and “bettering.” Logistic and ordered logistic regressions were conducted for those who reported best possible EQ‐5D health state (“best possible HS”) and impaired EQ‐5D health states (“impaired HS”) at baseline, respectively. Explanatory variables included demographics, diabetes‐related information, and health‐related behaviours.

Results

A total of 1958 patients (54.9% female, mean age 61.2 years, mean diabetes duration 7.9 years) were included in our analysis. MIDs of the EQ‐5D‐3L for deterioration and improvement were estimated as −0.066 to −0.003, and 0.049 to 0.077, respectively. For the impaired HS group, older age, lower education, and less exercise were significant predictors for worsening in QoL; whereas, those predictors were older age, female gender, and lower income for the best possible HS group.

Conclusions

Minimally important differences for deterioration and improvement were estimated for the EQ‐5D‐3L. Age, gender, education, income, and exercise were significant determinants of QoL change for Chinese T2DPs.
What's stopping you? Variability of interstate highways as barriers for four species of terrestrial rodents
Authors: Hennessy Cecilia , Tsai Chia‐Chun , Anderson Sara J. , Zollner Patrick A. , Rhodes Olin E.
Published: August 2018

Landscape features that form a barrier for one species may not be a barrier for others, depending on how each species perceives the feature. Barriers may not be equivalent, due to unique characteristics at different locations, which may ameliorate barrier effects. In this study, we employed population genetics techniques to investigate how four Rodentia species with differing life history characteristics (fox squirrels [Sciurus niger], eastern gray squirrels [Sciurus carolinensis], eastern chipmunks [Tamias striatus], and white‐footed mice [Peromyscus leucopus]) responded to interstate highways as barriers to movement at seven locations with differing site‐specific landscape features. For comparative purposes, we included control sites that lacked heavily trafficked roads. We detected genetic differentiation relative to interstate highways among the gray squirrels, chipmunks, and white‐footed mice, but signals for differentiation among those three species varied by site, suggesting that site‐specific features are important considerations for species responses to high‐traffic roads. Chipmunk and gray squirrel populations, two forest specialist species that avoid open areas, exhibited more genetic structure corresponding with highways than either white‐footed mice (a nocturnal generalist) or fox squirrels (a larger‐bodied specialist that traverses open areas more readily than the other species in this study). Fox squirrels did not exhibit genetic differentiation at any site, whereas gray squirrel study populations evinced no population differentiation at sites with bridges spanning the interstate highway. Chipmunks also exhibited population differentiation at two of the control sites, indicating that less obvious barriers in the landscape may be as important as roads for sensitive species. We interpreted variation in genetic differentiation of species across sites in the context of how interstate highway features (i.e., the presence and condition of drainage culverts and bridges near study sites), combined with species‐specific life history characteristics, influence the barrier potential of highways. Culvert presence generally corresponded with a low or nonexistent barrier effect; however, an open, large culvert (>8 m in height) may create a semi‐permeable barrier for species that avoid open areas. Bridge presence appeared to facilitate gray squirrel and chipmunk dispersal across highways.
Costs of breeding are rapidly buffered and do not affect migratory behavior in a long‐lived bird species
Authors: Ramos Raül , Llabrés Victoria , Monclús Laura , López‐Béjar Manel , González‐Solís Jacob
Published: August 2018

Life history theory states that individual fitness in one stage of life is conditioned by what occurred in previous stages. In migratory species, reproductive effort during breeding has often been found to influence body condition, molt schedule, self‐provisioning and migration of individuals in subsequent seasons (i.e., carryover effects of breeding). However, there is a current uncertainty in understanding how long‐distance migrants trade off among such energy‐demanding activities (i.e., breeding, molting and migrating). To provide evidence to the field, we experimentally reduced the parental effort of a long‐lived Procellariform, the Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis), by inducing failure at the incubation stage. Treatment and control birds were tracked during their subsequent migration by means of light‐level and immersion loggers and sampled for six specific feathers (molted at different periods along the migratory cycle) upon the recovery of the loggers 1 yr later. Feathers were used to perform stable isotope analysis (SIA) and determine corticosterone levels (CORT). By these means, we evaluated the effect of breeding effort on migratory strategy, at‐sea activity patterns, molt patterns, and levels of stress experienced by birds along the non‐breeding period. We did not detect any difference between birds in the induced failure group and successful breeders in terms of spatio‐temporal distribution: all birds shared common foraging areas throughout the study period and the timing of major phenological events did not differ. Failed birds significantly advanced their molt, as revealed by SIA and flying activity patterns. The stress levels of failed birds, inferred through CORT concentrations in feathers, were found to be consistently lower than in successful breeders, through the end of the breeding to the non‐breeding period. Thus, we provide robust evidence that the costs of reproduction can be physiologically mediated from the breeding to the non‐breeding period through molting schedules and CORT levels. However, we failed to detect clear effects on migratory behavior or subsequent breeding success, suggesting that costs of breeding in long‐lived species may be rapidly buffered during the post‐breeding period, as would be expected from life history theory.
Reactions of Bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene Acetals with Several Activated Organic Substrates
Authors: Álvarez Toledano Cecilio , Penieres Carrillo José Guillermo
Published: August 2018

Bis(trimethylsilyl)ketene acetals have been used in organic synthesis as useful agents for several purposes in conjunction with activated chemical compounds to afford linear, homocyclic, and heterocyclic structures.
Ni(ClO4)2‐Catalyzed Friedel–Crafts Reaction of Coumarin‐Fused Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Indoles: Stereoselective Synthesis of trans‐3,4‐Disubstituted‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarins
Authors: Lee Jusung , Ko Kwang Min , Kim Sung‐Gon
Published: August 2018

A stereoselective synthesis of trans‐4‐(3‐indolylmethyl)‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarins has been developed. The method proceeds through a catalytic Friedel–Crafts reaction of coumarin‐fused donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with indoles. The use of Ni(ClO4)2 as a Lewis acid catalyst leads to the formation of a variety of 4‐(3‐indolylmethyl)‐3,4‐dihydrocoumarins in good yields with high diastereoselectivities.
One‐Pot Preparation of Aromatic Amides, 4‐Arylthiazoles, and 4‐Arylimidazoles from Arenes
Authors: Yamamoto Takahiro , Togo Hideo
Published: August 2018

Simple treatment of arenes with α‐bromoacetyl chloride and AlCl3, followed by the reaction with molecular iodine and aq. NH3, thioamides, or amidines gave the corresponding primary aromatic amides, 4‐arylthiazoles, or 4‐arylimidazoles in good yields, respectively. Aryl α‐bromomethyl ketones are the key intermediates in those reactions. Primary aromatic amides were formed from arenes through the reaction of aryl α‐bromomethyl ketones with molecular iodine and aq. NH3, and 4‐arylthiazoles and 4‐arylimidazoles were formed from arenes through the reactions of aryl α‐bromomethyl ketones with thioamides and amidines, respectively, in one pot under transition‐metal‐free conditions.
Unravelling the brain networks driving spike‐wave discharges in genetic generalized epilepsy—common patterns and individual differences
Authors: Klamer Silke , Ethofer Thomas , Torner Franziska , Sahib Ashish Kaul , Elshahabi Adham , Marquetand Justus , Martin Pascal , Lerche Holger , Erb Michael , Focke Niels K.
Published: August 2018

Objective

Genetic generalized epilepsies (GGEs) are characterized by generalized spike‐wave discharges (GSWDs) in electroencephalography (EEG) recordings without underlying structural brain lesions. The origin of the epileptic activity remains unclear, although several studies have reported involvement of thalamus and default mode network (DMN). The aim of the current study was to investigate the networks involved in the generation and temporal evolution of GSWDs to elucidate the origin and propagation of the underlying generalized epileptic activity.

Methods

We examined 12 patients with GGE and GSWDs using EEG–functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and identified involved brain areas on the basis of a classical general linear model (GLM) analysis. The activation time courses of these areas were further investigated to reveal their temporal sequence of activations and deactivations. Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) was used to determine the generator of GSWDs in GGE.

Results

We observed activity changes in the thalamus, DMN, dorsal attention network (DAN), salience network (SN), basal ganglia, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and motor cortex with supplementary motor area, however, with a certain heterogeneity between patients. Investigation of the temporal sequence of activity changes showed deactivations in the DMN and DAN and activations in the SN and thalamus preceding the onset of GSWDs on EEG by several seconds. DCM analysis indicated that the DMN gates GSWDs in GGE.

Significance

The observed interplay between DMN, DAN, SN, and thalamus may indicate a downregulation of consciousness. The DMN seems to play a leading role as a driving force behind these changes. Overall, however, there were also clear differences in activation patterns between patients, reflecting a certain heterogeneity in this cohort of GGE patients.
Seismic response of rocking frames with top support eccentricity
Authors: Dar Amitabh , Konstantinidis Dimitrios , El‐Dakhakhni Wael
Published: August 2018

The seismic response of rocking frames that consist of a rigid beam freely supported on rigid freestanding rectangular piers has received recent attention in the literature. Past studies have investigated the special case where, upon planar rocking motion, the beam maintains contact with the piers at their extreme edges. However, in many real scenarios, the beam‐to‐pier contact lies closer to the center of the pier, affecting the overall stability of the system. This paper investigates the seismic response of rocking frames under the more general case which allows the contact edge to reside anywhere in‐between the center of the pier and its extreme edge. The study introduces a rocking block model that is dynamically equivalent to a rocking frame with vertically symmetric piers of any geometry. The impact of top eccentricity (ie, the distance of the contact edge from the pier's vertical axis of symmetry) on the seismic response of rocking frames is investigated under pulse excitations and earthquake records. It is concluded that the stability of a top‐heavy rocking frame is highly influenced by the top eccentricity. For instance, a rocking frame with contacts at the extreme edges of the piers can be more seismically stable than a solitary block that is identical to one of the frame's piers, while a rocking frame with contacts closer to the centers of the piers can be less stable. The concept of critical eccentricity is introduced, beyond which the coefficient of restitution contributes to a greater reduction in the response of a frame than of a solitary pier.
Extracts from benthic anatoxin-producing Phormidium are toxic to 3 macroinvertebrate taxa at environmentally relevant concentrations
Authors: Anderson Brian , Voorhees Jennifer , Phillips Bryn , Fadness Rich , Stancheva Rosalina , Nichols Jeanette , Orr Daniel , Wood Susanna A.
Published: August 2018

Toxin-producing cyanobacteria are increasing in rivers and streams globally, leading to growing concerns over their potential impacts on aquatic ecosystems. The present study was designed to culture field-collected Phormidium in the laboratory, identify individual species, conduct chemical analyses to identify cyanotoxins, and conduct toxicity tests to investigate the potential for this genera to impact stream health. Freshwater toxicity tests were conducted with standard US Environmental Protection Agency invertebrate test protocols with culture water used to grow 3 Phormidium strains isolated from the Russian River (CA, USA). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure total anatoxin concentrations. Culture waters from the 3 Phormidium strains were highly toxic to Ceriodaphnia dubia, Hyalella azteca, and Chironomus dilutus. The C. dubia 7-d survival median lethal concentrations were 0.71, 0.49, and 0.56 μg/L anatoxin for Phormidum strains 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The 7-d reproduction inhibitory concentrations, 25% were 0.55, 0.32, and 0.30 μg/L anatoxin for strains 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Chironomus dilutus survival was reduced at concentrations <2 μg/L anatoxin by all 3 strains, and the H. azteca 96-h lethal concentrations, 25% were 2.82, 1.26, and 5.30 μg/L for strains 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Additional liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated that the likely anatoxin variant in these cultures was dihydro-anatoxin-a. The results suggest that anatoxins produced by Phormidium have the potential to impact stream macroinvertebrates. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2851–2859. © 2018 SETAC
Effect of elevated temperatures on concrete incorporating ferronickel slag as fine aggregate
Authors: Saha Ashish Kumer , Sarker Prabir Kumar , Majhi Subhra
Published: August 2018

This study evaluates the effect of elevated temperature exposure on concrete incorporating ferronickel slag (FNS) as a replacement of natural sand. Concrete cylinders were exposed up to 800°C, and the changes in compressive strength, mass, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and microstructure were investigated. The concretes containing up to 100% FNS aggregate showed no spalling and similar cracking to that of the concrete using 100% natural sand. For exposures up to 600°C, the residual strengths of concretes containing 50% FNS were 7% to 10% smaller than the concrete with 100% sand. Use of 30% fly ash as cement replacement improved residual strength by pozzolanic reaction for exposures up to 600°C. An equation has been found from the correlation between residual strength and UPV. Therefore, UPV can be used as a nondestructive test to estimate the extent of postfire damage and residual strength of concrete incorporating FNS aggregate and fly ash.
The influence of emergency signage on building evacuation behavior: An experimental study
Authors: Fu Libi , Cao Shuchao , Song Weiguo , Fang Jie
Published: August 2018

Emergency signage is important for safe escape when unexpected events (such as fires) occur. However, there are limited data on the difference in the effect of emergency signage on way finding processes between individual and group conditions. This paper aims to reveal how participants alone or in groups detect and accept the information conveyed by a signage system through an experiment in buildings. One hundred nineteen volunteers participated in the experiment, which included individual and group evacuation conditions. There were six decision points along the movement path where participants could select egress routes according to signage. Posttrial questionnaires and video recordings were used to derive the number of participants whose route choice was according to signage and to derive the decision time. Results demonstrate that both signage detection and acceptance probabilities under individual conditions are larger than those under group situations, because of social influence in groups. High‐placed signs have a positive effect on route choice, especially under individual conditions. Decision time for participants whose decisions are principally according to signs is not always smaller than that for participants whose decisions are not according to signs, eg, in group situations. These findings have implications for group evacuation modeling and signage design in buildings.
A critical survey of infraspecific taxa in the genus Aspidistra (Asparagaceae)
Authors: Tillich Hans‐Jürgen , Averyanov Leonid. V.
Published: August 2018

Aspidistra Ker‐Gawl (Asparagaceae) is currently one of the fastest growing genera in Angiosperms. The literature is widespread in a great number of journals. In a number of cases species limits are more or less blurred, and especially the number and ranking of infraspecific entities are confusing. The paper provides a critical overview of all currently accepted infraspecific taxa in 11 species. Three species are subdivided in two subspecies each, eight species encompass 17 varieties. Three infraspecific taxa are described as status novus, A. punctatoides is reduced to synonymy in A. arnautovii.
Challenges and opportunities in implementing BIM methodology in tunnelling
Authors: Žibert Marko , Lah Martin , Saje Samo
Published: August 2018

Tunnelling differs fundamentally from mining, high rise buildings and civil surface construction in many ways, but when it comes to challenges, it combines the toughest from the three worlds. Tunnelling projects inherit uncertainties of ground conditions and constant preparedness for on‐site changes from mining; complexity, dynamics and the need for detailing from buildings; and one of the challenges that tunnels inherit from civil surface construction is definitely the complex and curved geometry. To overcome the challenges and exploit the benefits of BIM methodology on tunnelling project it is essential to harmonize particles of existing standards, guidelines, processes and tools from the three worlds.

There are hundreds of specific questions arising from the BIM tunnelling pioneers: Which tool should be used? How can the efficiency of modelling and implementation of changes be increased? Which elements of the primary support structures need to be modelled? Which properties need to be assigned to elements? How to classify the elements? What to do when the performance of the software is over its limits? How should the spatial elements be used? How accurate should specific elements be modelled? And many more. Unfortunately, each of the question generates hundreds of different solutions. Thais article will tackle some of them and provide possible solutions as a result of experience from past projects with the goal of raising the discussion in a wider tunnel engineering society and consequently promoting the development and implementation of BIM methodology in tunnelling.
Numerical studies on heat transfer characteristics of graphite–water microfluid in a coiled agitated vessel
Authors: Sivashanmugam P.
Published: August 2018

Agitation is one of the widely used chemical engineering operations involving both simultaneous heat transfers and reaction. In this study, an effort has been made to simulate experimentally studied heat transfer behavior of microfluid in an agitated vessel. Simulated Nusselt numbers were compared with experimental values and found to be in good agreement with experimental values within ±10% deviation. Simulated temperature contours clearly depicted the temperature of cooling water increases gradually along the length of helical coil from the inlet to outlet. Radial mixing was found to be more in disk turbine agitator than the propeller agitator which lead to higher heat transfer rate in disk turbine agitator confirming the experimental observation.
Predicting new snow density in the Italian Alps: A variability analysis based on 10 years of measurements
Authors: Valt Mauro , Guyennon Nicolas , Salerno Franco , Petrangeli Anna B. , Salvatori Rosamaria , Cianfarra Paola , Romano Emanuele
Published: August 2018

Despite its strong impact on the time evolution of the snowpack, current estimation of new snow density (ρhn) is usually accomplished either by using local empirical techniques or by assuming a constant snow density. Faced with the lack of an estimation model of ρhn valid for a wide spatial scale and supported by a suitable number of observations, this study aims to develop simple monthly linear regression models at scale of the entire Italian Alpine chain based on 12,112 snowfall observations at 122 stations, using only air temperature as predictor. Moreover, the remaining variance is investigated in both time and space, also considering some qualitative features of the snowfall events. The daily ρhn measurements present a mean value of 115 kg m−3 (105 and 159 kg m−3 for dry and wet conditions, respectively). The mean air temperature of the 24 hr preceding the snowfall event has been found to be the best predictor of the ρhn, within 31% of uncertainty. The analysis of associated residues allows supporting the idea that the adoption of a more local approach than the one analysed here is not able to substantially increase the predictive capabilities of the model. In fact, the main factor explaining the remaining variance over the air temperature is the wind, but in a complex orography, as mountain regions are, supplying realistic local wind fields is particularly challenging. Therefore, we conclude that using only the daily mean temperature as predictor is a good choice for estimating daily new snow density at scale of Italian Alpine chain, as well as at more regional scale.
Stratification response of soil water content during rainfall events under different rainfall patterns
Authors: A Yinglan , Wang Guoqiang , Sun Wenchao , Xue Baolin , Kiem Anthony
Published: August 2018

Many researchers have studied the influence of rainfall patterns on soil water movement processes using rainfall simulation experiments. However, less attention has been paid to the influence under natural condition. In this paper, rainfall, soil water content (SWC), and soil temperature at 10‐, 20‐, 30‐, 40‐, and 50‐cm depths were simultaneously monitored at 1‐min intervals to measure the variation in SWC (SWCv) in response to rainfall under different rainfall patterns. First, we classified rainfall events into four patterns. During the study period, the main pattern was the advanced rainfall pattern (38% of all rainfall events), whereas the delayed, central, and uniform rainfall patterns had similar frequencies of about 20%. During natural rainfall, rainwater rapidly passed through the top soil layers (10–40 cm) and was accumulated in the bottom layer (50 cm). When a high rainfall pulse occurred, the water storage balance was disturbed, resulting in the drainage of initial soil water from the top layers into the deeper layers. Therefore, the critical function of the top layers and the bottom layers was infiltration and storage, respectively. The source of water stored in the bottom layer was not only rainfall but also the initial soil water in the upper soil layers. Changes in soil temperature at each soil depth were comonitored with SWCv to determine the movement characteristics of soil water under different rainfall patterns. Under the delayed rainfall pattern, preferential flows preferred to occur. Under the other rainfall patterns, matrix flow was the main form of soil water movement. Rainfall amount was a better indicator than rainfall intensity for SWCv in the bottom layer under the delayed rainfall pattern. These results provide insights into the responses of SWCv under different rainfall patterns in northern China.
Contagion and interdependence in Eurozone bank and sovereign credit markets
Authors: Bratis Theodoros , Laopodis Nikiforos T. , Kouretas Georgios P.
Published: August 2018

This paper focuses on the nature of co‐movement of credit risk measured by credit default swap spreads in both banking and sovereign sectors within EMU. We test for contagion and/or interdependence across countries and across banks under the prism of the Eurozone's Financial Stability Pact. Our main results on financial stability show mostly interdependence within EMU, as expected. In contrast, contagion has only been found in some cases, the determinants of which are attributed to political risk and market risk factors.
External sources of political connections: Financial advisors and Chinese acquisitions
Authors: Bi XiaoGang , Wang Danni
Published: August 2018

This study considers the effects of an external form of political connection, namely, politically connected financial advisors, on the value creation of Chinese acquiring firms over the period 2004–2014. Using data consisting of 1,623 Chinese mergers and acquisitions (M&As) deals, we show that politically connected financial advisors create significantly higher market value for acquiring firms, after controlling for firms' own political connections and reputation. Further analysis indicates that the appointment of political advisers can improve an acquiring firm's long‐term industry‐adjusted operating performance and help acquirers reduce bid premiums. We show that private firms and stock‐pay acquisitions are more likely to appoint politically connected financial advisors in M&A transactions, whereas our findings remain unchanged after controlling for endogeneities.
Strategy Theme—Schemes
Authors: Ding Kunlun , Makin Ian William , Bondarik Irene
Published: August 2018

The technical activities of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) are organized under four Strategy Themes, namely Knowledge, Schemes, Basin and On‐farm. This paper was prepared in order to analyse the mandates of the working groups under the Strategy Theme—Schemes and their appraisal, vision and future directions on the theme, with recommendations for further improvements to enhance the visibility of the technical working groups and further ICID. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exercise activates the hypothalamic S1PR1–STAT3 axis through the central action of interleukin 6 in mice
Authors: Silva Vagner R. R. , Micheletti Thayana O. , Katashima Carlos K. , Lenhare Luciene , Morari Joseane , Moura‐Assis Alexandre , de Lima‐Júnior José C. , Camargo Juliana A. , Passos Gabriela R. , Gaspar Rodrigo S. , Velloso Licio A. , Saad Mario J. , da Silva Adelino S. R. , Moura Leandro P. , Cintra Dennys E. , Pauli José R. , Ropelle Eduardo R.
Published: August 2018

Hypothalamic sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1), the G protein–coupled receptor 1 of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate, has been described as a modulator in the control of energy homeostasis in rodents. However, this mechanism is still unclear. Here, we evaluate the role of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) associated with acute physical exercise in the control of the hypothalamic S1PR1–signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) axis. Acute exercise session and an intracerebroventricular IL‐6 injection increased S1PR1 protein content and STAT3 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus of lean and obese mice accompanied by a reduction in food consumption. Transcriptome analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between Il‐6 and S1pr1 messenger RNA in several tissues of genetically diverse BXD mice strains and humans, including in the hypothalamus. Interestingly, exercise failed to stimulate the S1PR1–STAT3 axis in IL‐6 knockout mice and the disruption of hypothalamic‐specific IL‐6 action blocked the anorexigenic effects of exercise. Taken together, our results indicate that physical exercise modulates the S1PR1 protein content in the hypothalamus, through the central action of IL‐6.
Exposure‐Response (Efficacy) Analysis of Daclatasvir and Asunaprevir in Japanese Patients With Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Ueno Takayo , Osawa Mayu , Imai Yasuhiko , Ishikawa Hiroki , Garimella Tushar
Published: August 2018

The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been revolutionized by the development of all‐oral combination regimens of direct‐acting antiviral agents. The current analysis characterized the relationship between exposures of daclatasvir (DCV; tablets) and asunaprevir (ASV; capsules) and sustained virologic response (SVR) in Japanese patients who are HCV genotype (GT) 1b nonresponders to pegylated interferon (IFN) α/ribavirin or IFNβ/ribavirin, and IFN‐based therapy–ineligible naive/intolerant patients receiving DCV and ASV, and provided insight into patient covariates that were most closely associated with efficacy. The relationship between the probability of achieving SVR at 12 weeks after treatment (SVR12) and average steady‐state plasma concentrations estimated from population pharmacokinetic models for DCV and ASV is described using a logistic regression model with data from a phase 2 and a phase 3 study in Japanese patients infected with HCV GT 1b (N=265). The functional form characterization, which describes a relationship between DCV and ASV average steady‐state plasma concentrations and SVR12, as well as covariate identification (demographic, laboratory, and prognostic and treatment covariates) were investigated during model development. The presence of the signature nonstructural protein 5A Y93H mutation at baseline was the only significant parameter of SVR12 in the final exposure‐response model. Model evaluation plots demonstrate that the final model was able to predict the observed SVR rates. Exposure‐response analysis supports the clinical utility of the combination regimen of 60‐mg once‐daily DCV and 100‐mg twice‐daily ASV in Japanese patients infected with HCV GT 1b.
HIV knowledge trends during an era of rapid antiretroviral therapy scale‐up: an analysis of 33 sub‐Saharan African countries
Authors: Chan Brian T , Tsai Alexander C
Published: August 2018

Introduction

Population‐level improvements in knowledge about HIV may reduce the stigma attached to HIV and ensure maximal uptake of HIV prevention initiatives. The extent to which levels of HIV knowledge in the general population of sub‐Saharan Africa have changed in the current era of antiretroviral therapy (ART) scale‐up remains unknown.

Methods

Data on HIV knowledge in the general population were drawn from the 2003 to 2015 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and AIDS Indicator Surveys (AIS) of 33 countries in sub‐Saharan Africa. The DHS/AIS contain five questions on HIV prevention and transmission that have been used by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) as a core indicator of HIV knowledge. We created a composite HIV knowledge variable equal to the number of correct responses to these five questions; a participant was considered to have comprehensive knowledge of HIV (yes/no) if he/she answered all five questions correctly. We fitted negative binomial regression models with cluster‐correlated robust standard errors and country fixed effects, adjusted for socio‐demographic variables, specifying HIV knowledge as the dependent variable and year as the explanatory variable. As an alternative parameterization, we also fitted a multivariable linear probability model with cluster‐correlated robust standard errors and country fixed effects specifying comprehensive knowledge of HIV as the dependent variable.

Results

A total of 791,186 women and 395,891 men participating in 75 DHS/AIS were included in the analyses. The mean HIV knowledge score was 3.7 among women and 3.9 among men (p < 0.001). Only 35% of women and 41% of men (p < 0.001) had a comprehensive knowledge of HIV. We estimated a modest but statistically significant positive association between year of DHS/AIS and HIV knowledge (adjusted b = 0.005; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.001 to 0.009). Similarly, we estimated a statistically significant positive association between year of DHS/AIS and comprehensive knowledge of HIV (adjusted b = 0.011; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.017), suggesting an approximately 1% relative increase per year in the percentage of the general population who possess a comprehensive knowledge of HIV.

Conclusions

There have been minimal improvements over time in HIV knowledge across sub‐Saharan Africa.
Frontline Science: PECAM-1 (CD31) expression in naïve and memory, but not acutely activated, CD8+ T cells
Authors: Newman Debra K , Fu Guoping , McOlash Laura , Schauder David , Newman Peter J , Cui Weiguo , Rao Sridhar , Johnson Bryon D , Gershan Jill A , Riese Matthew J
Published: August 2018

Inhibitory cell surface proteins on T cells are often dynamically regulated, which contributes to their physiologic function. PECAM-1 (CD31) is an inhibitory receptor that facilitates TGF-β-mediated suppression of T cell activity. It is well established in CD4+ T cells that PECAM-1 is expressed in naïve recent thymic emigrants, but is down-regulated after acute T cell activation and absent from memory cells. The extent to which PECAM-1 expression is similarly regulated in CD8+ T cells is much less well characterized. We evaluated T cells recovered from mice after infection with a model intracellular pathogen and determined that, in CD8+ T cells, PECAM-1 expression was strongly down-regulated during acute infection but re-expressed to intermediate levels in memory cells. Down-regulation of PECAM-1 expression in CD8+ T cells was transcriptionally regulated and affected by the strength and nature of TCR signaling. PECAM-1 was also detected on the surface of human activated/memory CD8+, but not CD4+ T cells. These data demonstrate that PECAM-1 expression is dynamically regulated, albeit differently, in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, unlike memory CD4+ T cells, memory CD8+ T cells retain PECAM-1 expression and have the potential to be modulated by this inhibitory receptor.

CD31 is expressed on both naïve and memory subsets in CD8+ T cells.
Risk factors and seroprevalence of hepatitis E evaluated in frozen‐serum samples (2002‐2003) of pregnant women compared with female blood donors in a Southern region of Brazil
Authors: Hardtke S. , Rocco R. , Ogata J. , Braga S. , Barbosa M. , Wranke A. , Doi E. , da Cunha D. , Maluf E. , Wedemeyer H. , Muzzillo D.
Published: August 2018

Hepatitis E has always been related to morbidity in pregnant women. Its epidemiology is not well understood in Brazil. Therefore, we tested sera from 209 pregnant women and 199 female blood donors, collected at a single center in Curitiba, Brazil. The Wantai assay was used for testing the anti‐hepatitis E virus (anti‐HEV), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and an in‐house polymerase chain reaction process for testing HEV RNA. Anti‐HEV was detected in 22.5% of the total group, 19% in the pregnant women group, and 26% in the blood donor group (P = 0.11), a much higher prevalence when compared with other studies in Brazil. Demographical analysis showed that 92.4% were born in the South Region of Brazil, 4.9% in the Southeast, and 2.7% were distributed over other regions of the country. With respect to their origin, 99% were from the South, 0.7% from the Southeast, and 0.2% from the Central‐West regions. Income, education, race, number of pregnancies, and abortion did differ significantly when comparing both the groups (P < 0.001). Age >30 (P = 0.012) and the number (>3) of pregnancies (P = 0.008) were related to anti‐HEV positivity. All anti‐HEV IgG–positive females were HEV RNA negative. In conclusion, HEV positivity was found in one out of five young women, which showed an urgent need for further epidemiological studies in Brazil.
The importance of group‐focused transformational leadership and felt obligation for helping and group performance
Authors: Lorinkova Natalia M. , Perry Sara Jansen
Published: August 2018

Leaders face a challenge to simultaneously motivate workgroups and the individuals within them. Recent criticisms highlight the need to deconstruct broad leadership constructs to offer better theoretical insight into the effects of specific leadership behaviors on groups versus individuals. We address this call by exploring the effects of group‐focused and individual‐focused aspects of transformational leadership. Applying social identity theory, we theorize that group‐focused transformational leadership is key to fostering felt obligation, motivating helping behavior, and enhancing group performance, whereas individual‐focused leadership may only foster helping when individuals also feel a sense of obligation toward their workgroup. In a field study of 260 employees reporting to 36 supervisors in a skilled trade company, we find support for these predictions using multilevel structural equation modeling and multilevel mixed effects modeling. Thus, group‐focused (vs. individual‐focused) transformational leadership and subsequent felt obligation are important antecedents for encouraging helping and, in turn, workgroup performance.
Hydrogen peroxide induced tendinopathic changes in a rat model of patellar tendon injury
Authors: Fu Sai‐Chuen , Yeung Man‐Yi , Rolf Christer G. , Yung Patrick Shu‐Hang , Chan Kai‐Ming , Hung Leung‐Kim
Published: August 2018

Tendinopathy includes cases with chronic tendon pain and spontaneous tendon ruptures, which is putatively resulted from failed tendon healing. Overuse is a major risk factor of tendinopathy, which can impose mechanical and oxidative stress to tendons. Previous studies investigated the influences of mechanical stress, but the direct impact of oxidative stress on tendon healing remains unclear. We hypothesized that imposed oxidative stress can impair tendon healing and lead to tendinopathic changes. Thirty‐nine rats were operated for patellar tendon window injury. From weeks 3–5 post‐operation, the rats received three weekly subcutaneous injections of saline, 50 or 500 μM H2O2 (n = 13) over patellar tendon. Gait analysis for pain assessment and 3D ultrasound imaging for detection of tendinopathic changes were performed at pre‐injury and 6‐week post‐operation. At week 6, knee specimens were harvested for histology or tensile mechanical test. Elastic modulus of the healing patellar tendons was significantly lower in 50 μM but not 500 μM H2O2 group, while ultimate mechanical stress was not significantly different across groups. Similarly, only the 50 μM H2O2 group exhibited pain‐associated gait asymmetry. Significant tendon swelling with increased tendon volume was observed in the 50 μM H2O2 group. There were hypoechogenic changes in the tendon wound, but there was no significant difference in percentage vascularity. H2O2 impaired tendon healing and elicited tendinopathic changes, with respect to pain and structural abnormalities. Oxidative stress plays a role in the failed tendon healing of tendinopathies, and H2O2‐induced failed tendon healing may serve as a good animal model to study tendinopathy. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:3268–3274, 2018.
Use of different chemometric approaches for an estimation of soil properties at field scale with near infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Ludwig Bernard , Murugan Rajasekaran , Parama V. R. Ramakrishna , Vohland Michael
Published: August 2018

Visible and near infrared spectroscopy (vis‐NIRS) may be useful for an estimation of soil properties in arable fields, but the quality of results are often variable depending on the applied chemometric approach. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) may be replaced by approaches which employ supervised learning methods or variable selection procedures in order to increase the proportion of informative wavelengths used in the estimation procedure, to reduce the noise of the spectra and to find the best fitting solution. Objectives were (1) to compare the usefulness of PLSR with either PLSR combined with a genetic algorithm (GA‐PLSR) or support vector machine regression (SVMR) for an estimation of soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (N), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil texture for surface soils (0–5 cm, n = 144) of an arable field in Bangalore (India) and (2) to test and optimize different calibration strategies for GA‐PLSR for an improved estimation of soil properties. PLSR was useful for an estimation of SOC, N, sand and clay. In the cross‐validation (n = 96), accuracies of estimated soil properties generally decreased in the order GA‐PLSR > SVMR > PLSR. However, the order of estimation accuracies for the random validation sample (n = 48) changed to SVMR > GA‐PLSR > PLSR for SOC, N, pH, and CEC, whereas for clay the order changed to SVMR > PLSR > GA‐PLSR. A sequential procedure, which used the most frequently selected wavelengths of the GA‐PLSR runs, proved to be useful for an improved estimation of SOC and N. Overall, SVMR especially improved estimations of SOC and clay, whereas GA‐PLSR was particularly useful for SOC and N and it was the only approach which successfully estimated CEC in cross‐validation and validation.
Effects of nonionic surfactants on pigment excretion and cell morphology in extractive fermentation of Monascus sp. NJ1
Authors: Yang Xuelian , Dong Ye , Liu Guorong , Zhang Chan , Cao YanPing , Wang Chengtao
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Different nonionic surfactants in submerged fermentation of Monascus sp. demonstrate significant differences regarding increasing pigment yield. In this study, 15 surfactants from five series were analyzed to investigate the influence of nonionic surfactants on Monascus pigments, with the aim of simultaneously obtaining a novel nonionic surfactant.

RESULTS

Addition of the novel surfactant Brij 35 greatly enhanced pigment excretion and demonstrated good biocompatibility. Extracellular red, orange and yellow pigments increased by 1.47‐, 1.71‐ and 2.07‐fold respectively. Production of extracellular pigments was not only related to the hydrophile–lipophile balance value (HLB) but also affected by the cloud point temperature (CP) of the fermentation medium. It was found that nonionic surfactants can improve cell membrane permeability and cell storage capacity by modifying the cell walls of Monascus mycelium and by increasing lipid droplet levels, enhancing pigment excretion. Different nonionic surfactants modify Monascus mycelium to different degrees.

CONCLUSION

The novel surfactant Brij 35, which has good capacity for pigment extraction and biocompatibility, was identified in the analysis. The effects of nonionic surfactants on the secretion of pigments are related to not only the modification of the cell wall and internal structure but also the CP and HLB. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry