bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new method to analyze species abundances in space using generalized dimensions
Authors: Saravia Leonardo A
Published: January 2018

Species-area relationships (SAR) and species abundance distributions (SAD) are among the most studied patterns in ecology, due to their application in both theoretical and conservation issues. One problem with these general patterns is that different theories can generate the same predictions, and for this reason they can not be used to detect different mechanisms. A solution for this is to search for more sensitive patterns. One possibility is to extend the SAR to the whole species abundance distribution. A generalized dimension (\(D_q\)) approach has been proposed to study the scaling of SAD, but there has been no evaluation of the ability of this pattern to detect different mechanisms. An equivalent way to express SAD is the rank abundance distribution (RAD). Here I introduce a new way to study scaling of SAD using a spatial version of RAD: the species-rank surface (SRS), which can be analyzed using \(D_q\). Thus there is an old \(D_q\) based on SAR (\(D_q^{SAD}\)), and a new one based on SRS (\(D_q^{SRS}\)). I perform spatial simulations to relate both \(D_q\) with SAD, spatial patterns and number of species. Finally I compare the power of both \(D_q\), SAD, SAR exponent, and the fractal information dimension to detect different community patterns using a continuum of hierarchical and neutral spatially explicit models. The SAD, \(D_q^{SAD}\) and \(D_q^{SRS}\) all had good performance in detecting models with contrasting mechanisms. \(D_q^{SRS}\) had a better fit to data and a strong ability to compare between hierarchical communities where the other methods failed. The SAR exponent and information dimension had low power and should not be used. SRS and \(D_q^{SRS}\) could be an interesting addition to study community or macroecological patterns.
Neuronal activity causes a reciprocal cationic flux in the extracellular space in the brain: a hypothesis
Authors: Beaumont Nick J
Published: January 2018

The fluid in the extracellular space around the neurons and glial cells is enclosed within the brain, kept separate from the circulation and the rest of the body-fluid. This brain interstitial fluid forms a distinct compartment; a sponge-like “inverse cell” that surrounds all the cells. During neuronal resting and action potentials, sodium and potassium ions shuttle into, and out of, this “Reciprocal Domain” within the brain. This localised flux of ions is the counterpart to all the neuronal electrochemical activity (having the same intensity and duration, at the same sites in the brain), so a complementary version of all that potential information is integrated into this space within the brain. This flux of cations in the Reciprocal Domain may indirectly influence neuronal activity in the brain, creating immensely complex feedback. This Reciprocal Domain is unified throughout the brain, and exists continuously throughout life. This model identifies which species have such Reciprocal Domains, and how many times similar systems evolved. This account of the Reciprocal Domain of the brain may have clinical implications; it could be vulnerable to disruption by chemical insult, traumatic injury or pathology. These are key characteristics of our core selves; this encourages the idea that this Reciprocal Domain makes a crucial contribution to the brain. This hypothesis is explored and developed here.
Flowering, reproductive behaviors and their effects on grain yields of newly bred single cross hybrids of yellow maize (Zea mays L.) in winter in subtropical Nepalese Himalayan foot plain
Authors: Adhikari Nav Raj , Ghimire Surya Kant , Sah Shrawan Kumar , Koirala Keshab Babu
Published: January 2018

Introduction: All the plants of a maize population or hybrid PP (plant population) do not dehisce anthers and do not emerge silk simultaneously. Generally, male flowering or anther dehiscence (anthesis) is leading and female flowering (silk emergence or silking) is lagging under both conducive and stressful environment. Enough and timely pollen availability is indispensible when silks come out of maize ears for largest number of kernel set. So, study of flowering and reproductive behavior of newly bred maize hybrids are indispensible to confirm high grain yielding hybrid with trait of simultaneous anthesis and silking (synchrony). Materials and methods: Flowering and reproductive behaviors of fifteen newly bred single cross hybrids of yellow maize have been examined in winter growing them in an RCBD trial planting their seeds on October 3, 2012 in subtropical foot plain of Himalaya. For flowering (FB); emergence of male organ (emergence of tassel or tasseling or TSS) from apical node of the stem, anthesis, silking, browning of silk or withering of silk (silk senescence or S SEN), tassel-anthesis interval (TAI), anthesis-silking interval (ASI), silking-silk senescence interval (S INI-S SEN Interval) of the hybrids have been examined dissecting the plant population (PP) into four equal parts (percent) as the first earliest, second earliest, third earliest and terminal 25% of the PP denominated as 25, 50, 75 and 100% respectively of the each of the fifteen hybrids. So, whether third earliest 25% and terminal 25% silk emerging PP denominated as SILK 75 and SILK 100% respectively will get enough pollen from the PP of the same hybrid can be determined through ASI 75 and ASI 100 of the hybrid PP. Results and discussion: A polynomial grain yield estimating regression equation (t ha-1) Y = - 11922 + 507.3*(TSS25) - 7.183*(TSS25)2 + 0.03387*(TSS25)3 with r2 value 66% has been discovered from days taken for TSS25 (TSS of earliest 25% PP). Similarly, high r2 bearing polynomial equations were from days for anthesis and silking of the PPs of the fifteen hybrids. Equations with the lowest r2 were for the days required for the silk senescence (S SEN). Reason of low r2 is that the observation of silk browning or withering could not be precise for naked eye since the silks looked fresh longer in high humidity, low temperature and cloudy day in the winter although it lost receptivity earlier. In addition, Interval duration from S INI to S SEN cannot be the duration of silk receptivity in the winter of subtropical Nepalese Himalayan foot plain. For reproductive behavior; number of functional egg cells that became successful zygotes to pull assimilates for complete kernel development can reflect aroma about reproductive strength (RS) of the hybrid. Accordingly, hybrids 8 and 5 have been found of the highest RS.
Sharing analysis in the Pawns compiler
Authors: Naish Lee
Published: January 2018

Pawns is a programming language under development which supports algebraic data types, polymorphism, higher order functions and "pure" declarative programming. It also supports impure imperative features including destructive update of shared data structures via pointers, allowing significantly increased efficiency for some operations. A novelty of Pawns is that all impure "effects" must be made obvious in the source code and they can be safely encapsulated in pure functions in a way that is checked by the compiler. Execution of a pure function can perform destructive updates on data structures which are local to or eventually returned from the function without risking modification of the data structures passed to the function. This paper describes the sharing analysis which allows impurity to be encapsulated. Aspects of the analysis are similar to other published work, but in addition it handles explicit pointers and destructive update, higher order functions including closures and pre- and postconditions concerning sharing for functions.
Ship noise in an urban estuary extends to frequencies used for echolocation by endangered killer whales
Authors: Veirs Scott , Veirs Val , Wood Jason D
Published: January 2018

Combining calibrated hydrophone measurements with vessel location data from the Automatic Identification System, we estimate underwater sound pressure levels for 1,582 unique ships that transited the core critical habitat of the endangered Southern Resident killer whales during 28 months between March, 2011, and October, 2013. Median received spectrum levels of noise from 2,812 isolated transits are elevated relative to median background levels not only at low frequencies (20-30 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz from 100-1000 Hz), but also at high frequencies (5-13 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz from 10,000-96,000 Hz). Thus, noise received from ships at ranges less than 3 km extends to frequencies used by odontocetes like the Southern Resident orcas for communication and echolocation. Broadband received levels (20-96,000 Hz) near the shoreline in Haro Strait (WA, USA) for the entire ship population were 111 +/- 6 dB re 1 microPa on average. Mean ship speed was 14.4 +/- 4.1 knots. Most ship classes show a linear relationship between received level and speed with a slope near +1 dB/knot. Assuming near-spherical spreading based on a transmission loss experiment, we compute mean broadband source levels for the ship population of 173 +/- 7 dB re 1 microPa @ 1 m without accounting for frequency-dependent absorption, and 178 +/- 13 dB re 1 microPa @ 1 m with absorption. Spectrum, 1/12-octave, and 1/3-octave source levels for the whole population have median values that are comparable to previous measurements and models at most frequencies, but for select studies may be relatively low below 200 Hz and high above 20,000 Hz. Median source spectrum levels (without accounting for absorption) peak near 50 Hz for all 12 ship classes, have a maximum of 159 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz @ 1 m for container ships, and vary between classes by about 25 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz @ 1 m at low frequencies (50 Hz), 13 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz @ 1 m at mid-frequencies (1,000 Hz), and 5 dB re 1 microPa2/Hz @ 1 m at high frequencies (10,000 Hz). Below 200 Hz, the class-specific median spectrum levels bifurcate with large commercial ships grouping as higher power noise sources. Within all ship classes spectrum levels vary more at low frequencies than at high frequencies, and the degree of variability is almost halved for classes that have smaller speed standard deviations.
Reef growth and limestone erosion
Authors: Blakeway David
Published: January 2018

Because the shapes and forms of many coral reefs resemble karst (erosion landforms created by dissolution of limestone), it is widely believed that those reefs have grown on karst foundations, and that Holocene growth perpetuates the underlying topography. However, this concept has become difficult to reconcile with the growing amount of seismic and coring evidence demonstrating that several karst-like reef features are entirely constructional. Here I use cellular automata simulations to show that coral reefs resemble karst limestones not because they are built on karst foundations, but because reef growth and limestone erosion are fundamentally the same process, running in opposite directions. Coral reef landscapes are in fact inverse karst—the basic spectrum of reef growth forms mirrors the basic spectrum of limestone erosion forms. In both growth and erosion, the development of form is a self-organised phenomenon emerging from the cumulative action of small-scale processes. The essential morphological control in both cases is slope stability, which depends on the composition of each system: coral type in reefs and lithology (rock type) in limestones. Solid, well cemented reefs and limestones, which can maintain steep slopes without collapsing, produce nodular reefs and pinnacle karst respectively, whereas unconsolidated, friable reefs and limestones, which frequently collapse, produce cellular reefs and cone karst.The growth forms produced in the model should theoretically apply to all modular skeleton-building organisms growing in a fluid medium, and may therefore provide useful templates in the search for extraterrestrial life. While none of the model forms can be considered unequivocally diagnostic of life, because all could conceivably arise through inanimate crystallisation, the model’s seemingly accurate rendition of biogenic carbonate morphology on earth suggests that it may provide a useful foundation for evaluating and exploring the range of macroscale self-organised biogenic structures that could arise on other planets.
Identification of high-efficiency 3’GG gRNA motifs in indexed FASTA files with ngg2
Authors: Roberson Elisha D
Published: January 2018

CRISPR/Cas9 is emerging as one of the most used methods of genome modification in organisms ranging from bacteria to human cells. However, the efficiency of editing varies tremendously site-to-site. A recent report identified a novel motif, called the 3’GG motif, which substantially increases the efficiency of editing at all sites tested. Furthermore, they highlighted that previously published gRNAs with high editing efficiency also had this motif. I designed a python command-line tool, ngg2, to identify 3’GG gRNA sites from indexed FASTA files. As a proof-of-concept, I screened for these motifs in six genomes: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, Danio rerio, Mus musculus, and Homo sapiens. I identified more than 24 million single match 3’GG motifs in these reference genomes. Greater than 87% of all protein coding genes in the six reference genomes had at least one overlapping unique 3’GG gRNA site. In particular, more than 96% of mouse and 99% of human protein coding genes have at least one unique, overlapping 3’GG gRNA. These identified sites can be used as a starting point in gRNA design, and the ngg2 tool provides an important ability to identify high-efficiency editing sites in non-model species.
Spectrum of tablet computer use by medical students and residents at an academic medical center
Authors: Robinson Robert
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND The value of tablet computer use in medical education is an area of considerable interest, with some medical schools integrating tablet computers into their preclinical curriculum. This study was conducted to investigate how medical students and residents use tablet computers at SIU‐SOM. METHODS An anonymous online questionnaire was shared with the medical students and residents at SIU‐SOM in July and August of 2012. RESULTS There were 76 medical student and 66 resident/fellow responses to this survey. Slightly over 50% of respondents used a tablet computer, and 40% used a tablet computer one or more times daily. Residents/fellows were more likely to use tablet computers several times daily than medical students (32% vs 20%, p = 0.035). Residents were more likely than students to use a tablet computer to access an electronic medical record (41% vs 21%, p = 0.010), review radiology images (27% vs 12%, p = 0.019), and enter patient care orders (26% vs 3%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that medical students and residents use tablet computers frequently, and for a variety of educational and clinical tasks. Residents are more likely to use tablet computers for direct patient care tasks.
Spectrum of tablet computer use by medical students and residents at an academic medical center
Authors: Robinson Robert
Published: January 2018

Introduction: The value of tablet computer use in medical education is an area of considerable interest, with preliminary investigations showing that the majority of medical trainees feel that tablet computers added value to the curriculum. This study investigated potential differences in tablet computer use between medical students and resident physicians. Materials & Methods: Data collection for this survey was accomplished with an anonymous online questionnaire shared with the medical students and residents at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU-SOM) in July and August of 2012. Results: There were 76 medical student responses (26% response rate) and 66 resident/fellow responses to this survey (21% response rate). Residents/fellows were more likely to use tablet computers several times daily than medical students (32% vs 20%, p = 0.035). The most common reported uses were for accessing medical reference applications (46%), e-Books (45%), and board study (32%). Residents were more likely than students to use a tablet computer to access an electronic medical record (41% vs 21%, p = 0.010), review radiology images (27% vs 12%, p = 0.019), and enter patient care orders (26% vs 3%, p < 0.001). Discussion: This study shows a high prevalence and frequency of tablet computer use among physicians in training at this academic medical center. Most residents and students use tablet computers to access medical references, e-books, and to study for board exams. Residents were more likely to use tablet computers to complete clinical tasks. Conclusions: Tablet computer use among medical students and resident physicians was common in this survey. All learners used tablet computers for point of care references and board study. Resident physicians were more likely to use tablet computers to access the EMR, enter patient care orders, and review radiology studies. This difference is likely due to the differing educational and professional demands placed on resident physicians. Further study is needed better understand how tablet computers and other mobile devices may assist in medical education and patient care.
Molecular basis of the flavin‐based electron‐bifurcating caffeyl‐CoA reductase reaction
Authors: Demmer Julius K. , Bertsch Johannes , Öppinger Christian , Wohlers Hannah , Kayastha Kanwal , Demmer Ulrike , Ermler Ulrich , Müller Volker
Published: January 2018

Flavin‐based electron bifurcation (FBEB) is a recently discovered mode of energy coupling in anaerobic microorganisms. The electron‐bifurcating caffeyl‐CoA reductase (CarCDE) catalyzes the reduction of caffeyl‐CoA and ferredoxin by oxidizing NADH. The 3.5 Å structure of the heterododecameric Car(CDE)4 complex of Acetobacterium woodii, presented here, reveals compared to other electron‐transferring flavoprotein/acyl dehydrogenase family members an additional ferredoxin‐like domain with two [4Fe–4S] clusters N‐terminally fused to CarE. It might serve, in vivo, as specific adaptor for the physiological electron acceptor. Kinetic analysis of a CarCDE(∆Fd) complex indicates the bypassing of the ferredoxin‐like domain by artificial electron acceptors. Site‐directed mutagenesis studies substantiated the crucial role of the C‐terminal arm of CarD and of ArgE203, hydrogen‐bonded to the bifurcating FAD, for FBEB.
Global Responses to Local Conditions Sustainability and Resilience are Nowhere the Same
Authors: Washburn Alexandros
Published: January 2018

To manage the impact of climate change, a mixture of global mitigation (reducing the probability of catastrophes) and local adaptation (lessening their consequences) is needed. Alexandros Washburn – an urban resilience expert and former New York City Chief Architect who witnessed 2012's Hurricane Sandy first hand – presents three contrasting examples of how cities around the world have approached the latter, with varying degrees of success. From ensuring a potable water supply in Sáo Paulo and Singapore to flood prevention in New York, it is a mixed story that embraces everything from an exemplary large‐scale public construction project, to an ingenious community‐led proposal, to sheer luck.
In Situ Self‐Assembly of Coacervate Microdroplets into Viable Artificial Cell Wall with Heritability
Authors: Su Dongyue , Liu Xiaoman , Liu Lina , Wang Lei , Xie Hui , Zhang Hao , Meng Xianghe , Huang Xin
Published: January 2018

Creating an intelligent artificial cell wall to endow fabricated cells with more advanced functionalities is highly desirable. Here, an efficient and cytocompatible approach to generate a type of viable artificial cell wall based on direct self‐assembly of coacervate microdroplets on individual cellular surface is developed, which can protect the fabricated cell against various external stresses and can then prolong the storage of the fabricated cells over two months. Moreover, as a type of viable artificial cell wall, it can not only help the fabricated cell sequester nutrients or functionalized substances such as catalase, or iron oxide nanoparticles actively from the solution which then makes the fabricated cell more versatile but also allows the fabricated cell proliferate. Significantly, the artificial cell wall also shows heritable behavior that can reserve its protection to as far as the third‐generation daughter cell. Undoubtedly, such an illustrated artificial cell wall provides a conceptually new and promising technique toward the cell‐based research as well as application of next generation.
Ultrafast All‐Optical Switching of Germanium‐Based Flexible Metaphotonic Devices
Authors: Lim Wen Xiang , Manjappa Manukumara , Srivastava Yogesh Kumar , Cong Longqing , Kumar Abhishek , MacDonald Kevin F. , Singh Ranjan
Published: January 2018

Incorporating semiconductors as active media into metamaterials offers opportunities for a wide range of dynamically switchable/tunable, technologically relevant optical functionalities enabled by strong, resonant light–matter interactions within the semiconductor. Here, a germanium‐thin‐film‐based flexible metaphotonic device for ultrafast optical switching of terahertz radiation is experimentally demonstrated. A resonant transmission modulation depth of 90% is achieved, with an ultrafast full recovery time of 17 ps. An observed sub‐picosecond decay constant of 670 fs is attributed to the presence of trap‐assisted recombination sites in the thermally evaporated germanium film.
Organometallic‐Mediated Radical Polymerization of Vinylidene Fluoride
Authors: Banerjee Sanjib , Ladmiral Vincent , Debuigne Antoine , Detrembleur Christophe , Poli Rinaldo , Améduri Bruno
Published: January 2018

An unprecedented level of control for the radical polymerization of vinylidene fluoride (VDF), yielding well‐defined PVDF (at least up to 14 500 g mol−1) with low dispersity (≤1.32), was achieved using organometallic‐mediated radical polymerization (OMRP) with an organocobalt compound as initiator. The high chain‐end fidelity was demonstrated by the synthesis of PVDF‐ and PVAc‐containing di‐and triblock copolymers. DFT calculations rationalize the efficient reactivation of both head and tail chain end dormant species.
Tetrablock Metallopolymer Electrochromes
Authors: Gu Haibin , Ciganda Roberto , Castel Patricia , Moya Sergio , Hernandez Ricardo , Ruiz Jaime , Astruc Didier
Published: January 2018

Multi‐block polymers are highly desirable for their addressable functions that are both unique and complementary among the blocks. With metal‐containing polymers, the goal is even more challenging insofar as the metal properties may considerably extend the materials functions to sensing, catalysis, interaction with metal nanoparticles, and electro‐ or photochrome switching. Ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) has become available for the formation of living polymers using highly efficient initiators such as the 3rd generation Grubbs catalyst [RuCl2(NHC)(=CHPh)(3‐Br‐C5H4N)2], 1. Among the 24 possibilities to introduce 4 blocks of metallopolymers into a tetrablock metallocopolymer by ROMP using the catalyst 1, two viable pathways are disclosed. The synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry, electron‐transfer chemistry, and remarkable electrochromic properties of these new nanomaterials are presented.
Benzonorcorrole NiII Complexes: Enhancement of Paratropic Ring Current and Singlet Diradical Character by Benzo‐Fusion
Authors: Yoshida Takuya , Takahashi Kohtaro , Ide Yuki , Kishi Ryohei , Fujiyoshi Jun‐ya , Lee Sangsu , Hiraoka Yuya , Kim Dongho , Nakano Masayoshi , Ikeue Takahisa , Yamada Hiroko , Shinokubo Hiroshi
Published: January 2018

Fused benzene rings to antiaromatic compounds generally improve their stability but attenuate their antiaromaticity. The opposite case is now reported. NiII benzonorcorroles were synthesized and the effect of benzo‐fusion on the antiaromaticity was elucidated. The benzo‐fusion resulted in significant decrease of the HOMO–LUMO gaps and enhancement of the paratropic ring current effect. Furthermore, the introduction of the benzo groups induced singlet diradical character in the antiaromatic porphyrinoid.
A UPLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of five flavonoids from Stellera chamaejasme L. in rat plasma and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Li Yun‐Qing , Li Cheng‐Jian , Lv Lei , Cao Qing‐qing , Qian Xian , Li Si wei , Wang Hui , Zhao Liang
Published: January 2018

Stellera chamaejasme L. has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of scabies, tinea, stubborn skin ulcers, chronic tracheitis, cancer and tuberculosis. A sensitive and selective ultra‐high liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of five flavonoids (stelleranol, chamaechromone, neochamaejasmin A, chamaejasmine and isochamaejasmin) of S. chamaejasme L. in rat plasma. Chromatographic separation was accomplished on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC‐C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.7 μm) with gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min and the total analysis time was 7 min. The analytes were detected using multiple reaction monitoring in positive ionization mode. The samples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. The UPLC‐MS/MS method was validated for specificity, linearity, sensitivity, accuracy and precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability. The validated method exhibited good linearity (r ≥ 0.9956), and the lower limits of quantification ranged from 0.51 to 0.64 ng/mL for five flavonoids. The intra‐ and inter‐day precision were both <10.2%, and the accuracy ranged from −11.79 to 9.21%. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of five flavonoids in rats after oral administration of ethyl acetate extract of S. chamaejasme L.
Right–left propensity of cardiogenic cerebral embolism in standard versus bovine aortic arch variant
Authors: Gold Menachem , Khamesi Mojdeh , Sivakumar Mangaiyarkkarasi , Natarajan Vijaya , Motahari Hooman , Caputo Nicholas
Published: January 2018

Left‐hemispheric ischemic strokes are more frequent overall and often have a worse outcome than their right‐hemispheric counterparts. We hypothesized that the right‐left propensity of CE cerebral infarcts differs between patients with standard and bovine arch variants. We retrospectively identified all patients with acute stroke of the anterior circulation admitted to our primary stroke center between January 2011 and June 2017 who had moderate‐ to high‐risk cardio‐embolic sources according to the SSS‐TOAST classification. From amongst these patients, only those with available cross‐sectional imaging of the aortic arch were included. Lesion side and patterns on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging were determined blinded to the aortic arch imaging. One hundred and nineteen patients met the TOAST criteria for moderate‐ or high‐risk cardio‐embolic source. Of these, 58 (49%) were men and the median age was 71.9 years; 33% of the patients had a bovine arch. The most common etiologies of CE were atrial fibrillation (n = 80 [67%]) and congestive heart failure with ejection fraction <30% (n = 18 [15%]). In patients with bovine arch there was an approximately 50% chance of having a right‐ or left‐sided infarct. Although there was a trend towards right‐sided lesions in patients with standard arches, this did not reach statistical significance. No statistically significant difference in embolic stroke laterality was demonstrated in our relatively small sample. Bovine arch could be an independent risk factor for cardio‐embolic embolism. Clin. Anat. 31:310–313, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Confidence ellipsoids for ASCA models based on multivariate regression theory
Authors: Liland Kristian Hovde , Smilde Age , Marini Federico , Næs Tormod
Published: January 2018

In analysis of variance simultaneous component analysis, permutation testing is the standard way of assessing uncertainty of effect level estimates. This article introduces an analytical solution to the assessment of uncertainty through classical multivariate regression theory. We visualize the uncertainty as ellipsoids, contrasting these to data ellipsoids. This is further extended to multiple testing of effect level differences. Confirmatory and intuitive results are observed when applying the theory to previously published data and simulations.
Electrophile‐Directed Diastereoselective Oxonitrile Alkylations
Authors: Chepyshev Sergiy V. , Pitta Bhaskar Reddy , Vangala Saidi Reddy , Lujan‐Montelongo J. Armando , Steward Omar W. , Fleming Fraser F.
Published: January 2018

Diastereoselective alkylation of prochiral oxonitrile dianions with secondary alkyl halides efficiently installs two contiguous stereogenic centers. The confluence of nucleophilic trajectory and the electrophile chirality causes distinct steric differences that allow efficient discrimination for one of the six possible conformers. Numerous oxonitrile‐derived dianions efficiently displace secondary alkyl halides propagating the electrophile chirality to efficiently install two contiguous tertiary centers. The prevalence of chiral, secondary electrophiles makes the interdigitated alkylation of chiral electrophiles a particularly attractive route because the resulting oxonitriles are readily transformed into bioactive heterocycles.
Images of Union Renewal: A Content Analysis of Union Print Advertising
Authors: Phillips Barbara J. , Pohler Dionne
Published: January 2018

Message factors in union marketing communications are important for improving public attitudes toward unions and facilitating union renewal. However, little is known about the prevalence of different message factors in union advertising. We conduct a content analysis of the message factors in 177 union print advertisements from three Canadian unions to determine which message factors are most commonly being employed. We then compare our findings to the techniques marketing research has found to be more or less effective when engaging in organizational marketing. We conduct the largest systematic examination of union advertising to date, and suggest that there are areas of both strength and weakness in current union print advertising. Implications of our findings for union renewal are discussed. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards the Detection of Explosive Taggants: Microwave and Millimetre‐Wave Gas‐Phase Spectroscopies of 3‐Nitrotoluene
Authors: Roucou Anthony , Kleiner Isabelle , Goubet Manuel , Bteich Sabath , Mouret Gael , Bocquet Robin , Hindle Francis , Meerts W. Leo , Cuisset Arnaud
Published: January 2018

The monitoring of gas‐phase mononitrotoluenes is crucial for defence, civil security and environmental interests because they are used as taggant for TNT detection and in the manufacturing of industrial compounds such as dyestuffs. In this study, we have succeeded to measure and analyse at high‐resolution a room temperature rotationally resolved millimetre‐wave spectrum of meta‐nitrotoluene (3‐NT). Experimental and theoretical difficulties have been overcome, in particular, those related to the low vapour pressure of 3‐NT and to the presence of a CH3 internal rotation in an almost free rotation regime (V3=6.7659(24) cm−1). Rotational spectra have been recorded in the microwave and millimetre‐wave ranges using a supersonic jet Fourier Transform microwave spectrometer (Trot<10 K) and a millimetre‐wave frequency multiplication chain (T=293 K), respectively. Spectral analysis of pure rotation lines in the vibrational ground state and in the first torsional excited state supported by quantum chemistry calculations permits the rotational energy of the molecule, the hyperfine structure due to the 14N nucleus, and the internal rotation of the methyl group to be characterised. A line list is provided for future in situ detection.
Nonsurgical management of human immunodeficiency virus‐associated parotid cysts: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Naik Akash N. , Clinkscales William B. , Kato Masanari G. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Gillespie M. Boyd
Published: January 2018

Background

The purpose of this clinical review was to analyze the effectiveness of nonsurgical management options for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated parotid cysts.

Methods

We conducted systematic and meta‐analysis reviews. Primary outcomes were complete or partial responses.

Results

Systematic review identified 12 relevant studies. The average rates of complete response for antiretroviral therapy (ART), sclerotherapy, and fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) were 52.8%, 55.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. Three radiotherapy studies, totaling 104 patients, were included in a meta‐analysis. Patients receiving high‐dose therapy achieved complete and partial response rates of 65.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 54.3%‐76.2%) and 25.2% (95% CI 16.1%‐36.3%), respectively. Patients receiving low‐dose therapy achieved complete and partial response rates of 23.2% (95% CI 1.2%‐60.9%) and 22.3% (95% CI 5.2%‐87.8%), respectively. The rate of complete response was significantly greater for high‐dose radiotherapy compared to low‐dose (P < .001).

Conclusion

Among nonsurgical treatment modalities for HIV‐associated parotid cysts, radiotherapy has the highest number of reported outcomes in the literature and our analysis suggests that higher dose radiotherapy has higher rates of achieving complete response.
Transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal carcinoma: Surgical margins and oncologic outcomes
Authors: Moore Eric J. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Price Daniel L. , Lohse Christine M. , Olsen Kerry D. , Jackson Ryan S. , Martin Eliot J.
Published: January 2018

Background

This study presents oncologic outcomes after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) ± adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

Three hundred fourteen patients undergoing TORS ± adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal SCC from May 1, 2007, to May 31, 2015, are analyzed.

Results

Median follow‐up was 3.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.8‐5.3 years; range 1 day to 9.3 years). Estimated locoregional recurrence‐free survival, distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates (95% confidence interval [CI] number still at risk) at 5 years after surgery were 92% (88‐95; 92), 90% (86‐94; 92), 86% (82‐92; 98), and 94% (91‐97; 98), respectively. Negative margins were achieved in 98% of cases. The adult comorbidity evaluation (ACE)‐27 comorbidity index, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, pathologic N classification, and number of attempts to clear margins were associated with death due to cancer (P = .003, P = .002, P = .030, and P = .002, respectively).

Conclusion

The need to take ≥2 margins to achieve resection portends an increased risk of locoregional recurrence and death due to disease in oropharyngeal SCC.
Why do people become health workers?Analysis from life histories in 4 post‐conflict and post‐crisis countries
Authors: Witter Sophie , Wurie Haja , Namakula Justine , Mashange Wilson , Chirwa Yotamu , Alonso‐Garbayo Alvaro
Published: January 2018

While there is a growing body of literature on how to attract and retain health workers once they are trained, there is much less published on what motivates people to train as health professions in the first place in low‐ and middle‐income countries and what difference this makes to later retention. In this article, we examine patterns in expressed motivation to join the profession across different cadres, based on 103 life history interviews conducted in northern Uganda, Sierra Leone, Cambodia, and Zimbabwe. A rich mix of reported motivations for joining the profession was revealed, including strong influence of “personal calling,” exhortations of family and friends, early experiences, and chance factors. Desire for social status and high respect for health professionals were also significant. Economic factors are also important—not just perceptions of future salaries and job security but also more immediate ones, such as low cost or free training. These allowed low‐income participants to access the health professions, to which they had shown considerably loyalty. The lessons learned from these cohorts, which had remained in service through periods of conflict and crisis, can influence recruitment and training policies in similar contexts to ensure a resilient health workforce.
Surface modification using the biomimetic method in alumina‐zirconia porous ceramics obtained by the replica method
Authors: Silva André D. R. , Rigoli Willian R. , Osiro Denise , Mello Daphne C. R. , Vasconcellos Luana M. R. , Lobo Anderson O. , Pallone Eliria M. J. A.
Published: January 2018

The modification of biomaterials approved by the Food and Drug Administration could be an alternative to reduce the period of use in humans. Porous bioceramics are widely used as support structures for bone formation and repair. This composite has essential characteristics for an implant, including good mechanical properties, high chemical stability, biocompatibility and adequate aesthetic appearance. Here, three‐dimensional porous scaffolds of Al2O3 containing 5% by volume of ZrO2 were produced by the replica method. These scaffolds had their surfaces chemically treated with phosphoric acid and were coated with calcium phosphate using the biomimetic method simulated body fluid (SBF, 5×) for 14 days. The scaffolds, before and after biomimetic coating, were characterized mechanically, morphologically and structurally by axial compression tests, scanning electron microscopy, microtomography, apparent porosity, X‐ray diffractometry, near‐infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and reactivity. The in vitro cell viability and formation of mineralization nodules were used to identify the potential for bone regeneration. The produced scaffols after immersion in SBF were able to induce the nodules formation. These characteristics are advantaged by the formation of different phases of calcium phosphates on the material surface in a reduced incubation period. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2615–2624, 2018.
The Use of Relational‐Cultural Theory in Counseling Clients Who Have Traumatic Stress Disorders
Authors: Kress Victoria E. , Haiyasoso Maria , Zoldan Chelsey A. , Headley Jessica A. , Trepal Heather
Published: January 2018

Counseling scholarship has increasingly demonstrated the utility of relational‐cultural theory (RCT) in promoting the relationship‐building and growth‐fostering connections many clients require to manage problems in living. The authors applied RCT to counseling clients with traumatic stress disorders rooted in traumas of an interpersonal nature (e.g., child abuse, interpersonal partner violence, sexual assault). An overview of traumatic stress disorders and RCT, as well as the ways in which RCT can inform trauma conceptualization and treatment approaches with victims, is provided.
Characterization of Macrophage Dysfunction in Rodent Malaria
Authors: Loose Leland D
Published: January 2018

Immunosuppression in malaria has been attributed, in part, to alterations in macrophage function. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to characterize the dysfunction and to determine if it is regional or if it occurs in different populations of macrophages. The resting O2 consumption of either hepatic, splenic, or peritoneal macrophages or polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) was unaltered by the malaria infection. However, the respiratory burst was significantly enhanced in the three macrophage populations but not in the PMNs. A significant increase in their phagocytic capacity and microbicidal activity was noted for hepatic and peritoneal but not splenic macrophages or PMNs. The malaria-infected mice had a marked decrease in serum antibody and splenic plaque response to bovine serum albumin (BSA) but not to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Following an in vitro incubation with BSA, splenic macrophages from infected mice were not able to induce an antibody response when injected into normal mice. However, following incubation with KLH splenic macrophages could induce an adequate response in normal mice. This ability of macrophages from malaria-infected mice to transfer (or induce) a response in normal mice appeared to correlate with the amount of antigen digested, or perhaps retained, by the cells, i.e., BSA digestion was significantly less than KLH. These results indicate that the macrophage dysfunction in malaria is distinct depending on the tissue population that the macrophage is obtained from and that the impaired antibody response may be restricted to antigens requiring macrophage processing.
Characterization of Subsets of Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages by Flow Cytometry Analysis
Authors: Walker Edwin B , Akporiaye Emmanuel T , Warner Noel L , Stewart Carleton C
Published: January 2018

Normal C3H bone marrow cells were grown 7 days in medium containing L cell-derived colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1). During the first 4 days of culture, erythroid and granulocytic cells decreased while macrophages increased exponentially with a doubling time of about 31 hr. Only 0.3% of all cells in the initial bone marrow suspension formed discrete colonies of mononuclear phagocytes, but by day 6 60% of the nonadherent cells were capable of forming macrophage colonies, representing a 200-fold enrichment of the original progenitor population. Using flow cytometry, mononuclear phagocytes obtained after 4 days of culture were separated into two distinct phenotypes based on their autofluorescence. Nonadherent cells were a discrete population of small cells exhibiting low autofluorescence, and the adherent cells were a broad heterogenous population of large cells exhibiting high autofluorescence. A panel of currently available rat monoclonal antibodies (MABs) against murine hematopoietic cells were used to determine whether unique subsets of macrophages could be resolved. The MABs RA 31B6 and H-11 stained virtually all the nonadherent cells but not adherent cells. The MABs E-2 and 11–4.1 (anti-H-2Kk) stained almost all the adherent cells and demonstrated no significant staining of nonadherent cells. Nearly all the nonadherent and adherent cells were stained by the MABs DNL 4.4 and MAC-1. Additionally, the data suggest that the epitopes for MAC-2 and MAC-3 and γ2a Fc receptors develop late in nonadherent progenitor cells as they mature into adherent macrophages.
The Influence of Parturition on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Phagocyte Subpopulations in Pregnant Women
Authors: Buchan G S , Gibbins B L , Griffin J F T
Published: January 2018

Mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) from human peripheral blood were separated on discontinuous Percoll gradients into two subpopulations. A high density population was isolated which contained less mature MPs, while the MPs in the low density population were more mature cells. The proportion of high density MPs was found to increase sharply in conjunction with the peripheral blood monocytosis associated with parturition in women. The data show that there is a measurable response in the circulating MP pool to this acute inflammatory stimulus and that this response is manifested as an increase in absolute numbers of both total and high density MPs. No significant change was found in the number of low density MPs.
Monocytes and Neutrophils Oxidize Low Density Lipoprotein Making It Cytotoxic
Authors: Cathcart Martha K , Morel Diane W , Chisolm Guy M
Published: January 2018

Free radicals are believed to be involved in leukocyte induced tissue injury. The present studies were performed to determine whether low density lipoprotein (LDL) might serve as a mediator of tissue injury after leukocyte induced free radical oxidation of LDL. Our results show that incubation of LDL with monocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) leads to oxidation of the lipoprotein rendering it toxic to proliferating fibroblasts. Monocyte activation enhances these effects. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), vitamin E (vit E) and glutathione (GSH) virtually prevent the oxidation of LDL and the formation of cytotoxic LDL, indicating that these alterations are mediated by leukocyte-derived free radicals. This is the first demonstration that short-lived free radicals emanating from phagocytic cells could mediate cell injury through the action of a stable cytotoxin formed by the oxidation of LDL. The fact that lipoproteins can transfer a cytotoxic effect from leukocytes to proliferating cells reveals a pathway for cell destruction which may have implications in atherosclerotic plaque progression, macrophage mediated toxicity to tumor cells and tissue injury by inflammatory processes.
An Inhibitory Factor Against Monocyte Spreading in the Sera of Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Baba Toru , Ochiya Takahiro , Baba Akiko , Yamaguchi Koji , Yaoita Hideo , Uyeno Kenichi
Published: January 2018

The effect of the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SUE) on monocyte function was studied using cell spreading as an indicator. Monocyte spreading induced by exogenous stimuli was shown to be inhibited by SLE sera. Gel filtration of SLE sera on Sephadex G-200 revealed that the factor responsible for this inhibition had a molecular weight of about 50,000. Pretreatment of monocytes with the inhibitory factor led to suppression of cell spreading induced by subsequent stimulation, but this hyporeactivity was reversible. Spreading of monocytes was rapidly aborted by the addition of this inhibitory factor. Thus, the inhibitory factor appeared to affect monocyte itself, but its effect seemed to be transient.
Sequential Histochemical Staining for Resident and Recruited Macrophages
Authors: Bugelski Peter J
Published: January 2018

A new histochemical technique is described that permits differentiation of resident from recruited macrophages by staining of paraffin sections of tissues from rats and mice. Resident macrophages are identified by their ability to phagocytose and retain intravenously injected colloidal Prussian blue. New macrophages that emigrate into tissue are identified by phagocytosis of a second colloid, iron dextran. Paraffin sections of formalin-fixed tissues are sequentially stained for the presence of the two colloids with different chromogens, the endogenous pseudo-peroxidase activity of colloidal Prussian blue used to catalyze the polymerization of diaminobenzidine and after conversion of iron dextran to Prussian blue, the second colloid used to catalyze the polymerization of tetramethylbenzidine. The staining results in resident macrophages staining brown while newly recruited macrophages stain blue. The studies have shown that colloidal Prussian blue is stable in vivo and neither loses its catalytic activity nor undergoes extensive redistribution. They also show that the technique can be used to measure Kupffer cell recruitment stimulated by complete Freund's adjuvant in rats and tumor-associated macrophage recruitment in subcutaneous and spontaneous liver metastases in mice.