bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commentaries on field‐laboratory collaborations in primatology: Introduction to a special section of the American Journal of Primatology
Authors: Norconk Marilyn A.
Published: April 2019

Finding better approaches to bridge field and laboratory primate research was identified as an important goal in a recent (2017) member survey of the American Society of Primatologists. Collaborative field‐captive research was identified by >60% of respondents as somewhat or very underrepresented in the Society. In this introductory essay for a special section of American Journal of Primatology, I review commonalities and differences in the papers that were requested from field‐captive primate collaborative teams. Each team approached important primate biology or welfare problems from different perspectives. The five commentaries in this section addressed how the collaborations began, scientific benefits that accrued, and insights or challenges that researchers faced in the collaboration. Despite the fact that the specific fields of inquiry were different (conservation genetics, chimpanzee captive welfare, environmental physiology, feeding biology, and reproductive physiology), the commentaries converged on the concept that an intentional, interdisciplinary approach, that included field observations and experiments informed by laboratory expertise, were essential to achieving innovative results.
Bimetal‐Catalyzed Cascade Reaction for Efficient Synthesis of N‐Isopropenyl 1,2,3‐Triazoles via In‐Situ Generated 2‐Azidopropenes
Authors: Liu Zhenhua , Hao Wenjing , Liu Zhixian , Gao Wen , Zhang Zhihai , Zhang Yanan , Li Xiang , Tong Lili , Tang Bo
Published: April 2019

A bimetal‐catalyzed cascade reaction for the synthesis of N‐isopropenyl 1,2,3‐triazoles in high yield is reported. This reaction involves the generation of 2‐azidopropenes in situ by C(sp3)‐OAr bond cleavage for click reaction and features a broad substrate scope, good functional group tolerance and readily available substrates.
Dissipative interval observer design for discrete‐time nonlinear systems
Authors: Avilés Jesús D. , Moreno Jaime A.
Published: April 2019

This paper studies the problem of designing interval observers for a family of discrete‐time nonlinear systems subject to parametric uncertainties and external disturbances. The design approach states that the interval observers are constituted by a couple of preserving order observers, one providing an upper estimation of the state while the other provides a lower one. The design aim is to apply the cooperative and dissipative properties to the discrete‐time estimation error dynamics in order to guarantee that the upper and lower estimations are always above and below the true state trajectory for all times, while both estimations asymptotically converge towards a neighborhood of the true state values. The approach represents an extension to the original method proposed by the authors, which focuses on the continuous‐time nonlinear systems. In some situations, the design conditions can be formulated as bilinear matrix inequalities (BMIs) and/or linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Two simulation examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the design approach.
Backstepping design for a class of coupled parabolic PDEs with spatially varying coefficient
Authors: Ghaderi Najmeh , Keyanpour Mohammad
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we concentrate on the state feedback stabilization of a class of coupled parabolic partial differential equations with space dependent diffusion coefficients. To stabilize the system, we design a state feedback controller using the backstepping technique. Namely, we convert the original system into a stable desired system called the target system to obtain a backstepping feedback controller. We prove that the feedback controller causes the main system to be exponential stable. Also, the numerical simulations show that validity and efficiency of theoretical results.
Combination chemotherapy plus dasatinib leads to comparable overall survival and relapse‐free survival rates as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Philadelphia positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Chang Jeremy , Douer Dan , Aldoss Ibrahim , Vahdani Golnaz , Jeong Ah‐Reum , Ghaznavi Zunera , Zhang Sherry , Yaghmour George , Lee Kum‐Ja , Weissman Ashley , Akhtari Mojtaba
Published: April 2019

Background

The Philadelphia chromosome is associated with a poor prognosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been regarded as a favorable treatment option in adult Philadelphia‐positive (Ph+) ALL, its benefit is less clear in the era of newer generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like dasatinib.

Methods

This was a retrospective study that analyzed the outcomes of adult patients with Ph+ ALL treated with either combination chemotherapy plus dasatinib or combination chemotherapy plus dasatinib followed by allogeneic HSCT.

Results

A total of 70 patients were included; 30 (42.9%) underwent allogeneic HSCT while 40 (57.1%) received only chemotherapy plus dasatinib. In comparing overall survival (OS) rates, results between the 2 groups were similar with a 1‐year OS of 93.3% versus 100% (P = 0.20), 2‐year OS of 89.8% versus 86.2% (P = 0.72), and 3‐year OS of 76% versus 71.3% (P = 0.56) in the transplant versus nontransplant groups, respectively. The 3‐year relapse‐free survival (RFS) rates were also similar at 70.5% in the transplant group and 80.1% in the nontransplant group (P = 0.94). Subgroup analyses were performed for patients with specific poor prognostic factors (higher white blood count, older age, positive minimal residual disease status), but results again showed no significant survival difference between transplant and nontransplant patients.

Conclusions

While HSCT has historically led to a survival advantage in Ph+ ALL, the results of our study demonstrate that it may have a less beneficial role in the era of newer generation TKIs such as dasatinib.
Survival following radiotherapy in young women with localized early‐stage breast cancer according to molecular subtypes
Authors: Liu Qi‐Qi , Sun He‐Fen , Yang Xue‐Li , Chen Meng‐Ting , Liu Yang , Zhao Yang , Zhao Yuan‐Yuan , Jin Wei
Published: April 2019

Background

To evaluate the significance and benefit of radiotherapy (RT) in young early‐stage breast cancer patients according to different molecular subtypes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database with known hormone receptor (HoR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. Female patients aged 18‐45, received RT treatment, and diagnosed with stage T1‐3, N0‐3, M0 primary breast cancer between 2010 and 2013 were identified.

Results

Of all the 23 148 included patients, 14 708 (63.54%), 3385 (14.62%), 1225 (5.29%), and 3830 (16.55%) were diagnosed with luminal‐A (HoR + HER2‐), luminal‐B (HoR + HER2+), HER2‐enriched (HoR‐HER2+), and triple‐negative (HoR‐HER2‐) breast cancer, respectively. RT was significantly correlated with improved overall survival (OS, HR: 0.295; 95% CI:0.138‐0.63, P = 0.002) and breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS, HR: 0.328; 95% CI: 0.153‐0.702, P = 0.004) in HER2‐enriched patients. In addition, a significantly prolonged OS was also observed when RT was given to luminal‐A (HR: 0.696; 95% CI: 0.538‐0.902, P = 0.006) and luminal‐B (HR: 0.385; 95% CI:0.199‐0.744, P = 0.005) breast cancer patients compared to those without RT. Multivariable‐adjusted analyses showed that HER2 was a significant favorable factor for RT benefit in breast cancer patients.

Conclusions

RT could offer significant survival benefit in luminal‐A, luminal‐B, and especially HER2‐enriched young early‐stage breast cancer female patients. The results enabled clinicians to predict the benefits of RT and improve evidence‐based treatment for breast cancer patients.
Ghrelin modulates intracellular signalling pathways that are critical for podocyte survival
Authors: El Zein Nabil , Abdallah Maya S. , Daher Costantine F. , Mroueh Mohammad , Stephan Joseph , Bahous Sola Aoun , Eid Assaad , Faour Wissam H.
Published: April 2019

Damage to podocytes is a key event in glomerulopathies. While energy dense food can contribute to kidney damage, the role of the orixegenic hormone “ghrelin” in podocyte biology is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ghrelin on podocyte survival as well as the signalling pathways mediating ghrelin effect in immortalized cultured rat podocytes. RT‐PCR analysis revealed that GHS‐R1 is expressed in rat podocytes. Western blot analysis showed that ghrelin upregulated COX‐2 protein expression in a time and dose‐dependent manner. Additionally, ghrelin activated P38 MAPK, AKT, and ERK1/2 pathways and also induced P38 MAPK phosphorylation in high glucose conditions. Ghrelin induced ROS release and dose dependently reduced podocyte survival. Ghrelin mediated podocyte cell death was partially reversed by pharmacologically inhibiting P38 MAPK or phospholipase C (PLC). Furthermore, PLC inhibitor (U73122) inhibited ghrelin induced P38 MAPK activation. While PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) was without effect on cell survival or P38 MAPK activation, it inhibited ghrelin induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Finally, ghrelin induced TAU phosphorylation was reversed by pharmacologic inhibitors of either P38 MAPK or PKA. In conclusion, ghrelin activated harmful molecular pathways in podocytes that can be damaging to the glomerular filtration barrier

Significance of the study

Endocrine derangements secondary to obesity are major players in the aetiology of renal injuries. Furthermore, energy dense diet is thought to be the major element in developing obesity. Appetite and increase in energy intake are regulated by complex hormonal pathways which mainly include the orexigenic hormone “ghrelin” in addition to leptin. To date no study have highlighted a significant role for ghrelin in kidney biology, and therefore, it is thought that its endocrine effect is mostly limited to adipose tissue metabolism and appetite regulation. In this study, we first showed that ghrelin receptor is expressed on glomerular podocytes. Also, ghrelin showed negative impact on podocyte survival through modulating signalling pathways such as P38 MAPK and AKT known to play a key role in podocyte health. Moreover, the negative effects of ghrelin on podocytes were further exacerbated in hyperglycemic conditions. Of note, podocytes contribute to the formation and the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier and thus are important for normal renal function. Therefore, ghrelin secretion in the context of obesity could be involved in the aetiology of kidney injury, a well‐known hallmark found in obese patients.
Influence of Mixing on the Precipitation of Organic Nanoparticles: A Lagrangian Perspective on Scale‐up Based on Self‐Similar Distributions
Authors: Schikarski Tobias , Trzenschiok Holger , Avila Marc , Peukert Wolfgang
Published: April 2019

Precipitation of nanoparticles is applied in various fields with a rising interest in the formulation of poorly soluble drugs. The impact of fluid mixing on the precipitation of organic nanoparticles is analyzed. Direct numerical simulations are applied to determine the spatiotemporal evolution of the liquid phase composition and to estimate the particle evolution along Langragian trajectories. The simulation results are compared with laboratory experiments of mixing and particle size evolution, which use a recently developed approach to rapidly stabilize the precipitated nanoparticles. The impact of mixing on precipitation is revealed, thereby enabling a parameter‐free estimation of the mean particle sizes and the particle size distributions. The distributions of residence time, supersaturation time, and particle size are self‐similar for Reynolds numbers in the turbulent regime and allow the derivation of scale‐up rules.
Unmet medical needs in intermittent Claudication with diabetes and coronary artery disease—A “real‐world” analysis on 21 197 PAD patients
Authors: Stalling Philipp , Engelbertz Christiane , Lüders Florian , Meyborg Matthias , Gebauer Katrin , Waltenberger Johannes , Reinecke Holger , Freisinger Eva
Published: April 2019

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is frequently co‐prevalent with coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes (DM). The study aims to define the burden of CAD and/ or DM in PAD patients at moderate stages and further to evaluate its impact on therapy and outcome.

Methods

Study is based on health insurance claims data of the BARMER reflecting an unselected “real‐world” scenario. Retrospective analyses were based on 21 197 patients hospitalized for PAD Rutherford 1‐3 between 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2011, including a 4‐year follow‐up (median 775 days).

Results

In PAD patients, CAD is prevalent in 25.3% (n = 5355), DM in 23.5% (n = 4976), and both CAD and DM in 8.2% (n = 1741). Overall, in‐hospital mortality was 0.4%, being increased if CAD was present (CAD alone: OR 1.849; 95%‐CI 1.066‐3.208; DM alone: OR 1.028; 95%‐CI 0.520‐2.033; CAD and DM: OR 3.115; 95%‐CI 1.720‐5.641). Both, CAD and DM increased long‐term mortality (CAD alone: HR 1.234; 95%‐CI 1.106‐1.376; DM alone: HR 1.260; 95%‐CI 1.125‐1.412; CAD and DM: HR 1.76; 95%‐CI 1.552‐1.995). DM further increased long‐term amputation risk (DM alone: HR 2.238; 95%‐CI 1.849‐2.710; DM and CAD: HR 2.199; 95%‐CI 1.732‐2.792), whereas CAD (alone) did not.

Conclusions

In a greater perspective, the data identify also mild to modest stage PAD patients at particular risk for adverse outcomes in presence of CAD and/or DM. CAD and DM both are related with a highly increased risk of long‐term mortality even in intermittent claudication, and DM independently increased amputation risk.
The façade decorations of the tenement houses in Olsztyn's Old Town before and after the Second World War
Authors: Doleżyńska‐Sewerniak Ewa
Published: April 2019

The article discusses the façade decorations of the tenement houses in Olsztyn's Old Town before and after the Second World War. This research comprises the original colour scheme of the tenement houses preserved from the destruction of war as well as the unique works of art in Olsztyn executed by local artists in the Polish People's Republic period. They include sgraffito, mosaics, and sculpted and colourful decorations of the tenement houses reconstructed after the Second World War. This article presents their history, authors, themes, techniques, and technologies. The documentation of this artwork sheds light on the art of that period and its artists, and shows a changing attitude toward historical monuments and the colour schemes during the postwar reconstruction in Polish towns at the time of the Polish People's Republic.
Victim detection platform in IoT paradigm
Authors: Hong Minsung , Akerkar Rajendra
Published: April 2019

The advent of Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm is having a great ripple effect in the field of disaster management as well as many other areas. Victim detection has been studied as rescuer‐ or victim‐oriented approach, which utilises the IoT advanced technologies, but they have weaknesses according to disaster types. In this paper, we propose a Victim Detection Platform (VDP) architecture combining both approaches using various advanced technologies such as IoT, drone and edge/cloud computing to offer higher quality services, which ultimately result in swifter, better responses and more lives saved. First, we have reviewed related literature regarding three crucial issues (ie, multi‐modal evaluation for reliable data, edge‐based real‐time response, and privacy‐preserved Big Data analysis) to satisfy the service. In order to achieve these important aspects, the VDP architecture is described along with roles/relations of technologies and concepts leveraged to and data sources considered in the platform. To explore the realisation possibility of the proposed approach in real disasters, a validation scenario considering the critical issues and details in a victim detection task is illustrated, and then appropriate techniques, which will be utilised in the proposed VDP, and its justifications are discussed. Finally, we debate how the techniques are harmonised in the VDP and what the challenges are.
Invasive species removal increases species and phylogenetic diversity of wetland plant communities
Authors: Lishawa Shane C. , Lawrence Beth A. , Albert Dennis A. , Larkin Daniel J. , Tuchman Nancy C.
Published: April 2019

Plant invasions result in biodiversity losses and altered ecological functions, though quantifying loss of multiple ecosystem functions presents a research challenge. Plant phylogenetic diversity correlates with a range of ecosystem functions and can be used as a proxy for ecosystem multifunctionality. Laurentian Great Lakes coastal wetlands are ideal systems for testing invasive species management effects because they support diverse biological communities, provide numerous ecosystem services, and are increasingly dominated by invasive macrophytes. Invasive cattails are among the most widespread and abundant of these taxa. We conducted a three‐year study in two Great Lakes wetlands, testing the effects of a gradient of cattail removal intensities (mowing, harvest, complete biomass removal) within two vegetation zones (emergent marsh and wet meadow) on plant taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity. To evaluate native plant recovery potential, we paired this with a seed bank emergence study that quantified diversity metrics in each zone under experimentally manipulated hydroperiods. Pretreatment, we found that wetland zones had distinct plant community composition. Wet meadow seed banks had greater taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity than emergent marsh seed banks, and high‐water treatments tended to inhibit diversity by reducing germination. Aboveground harvesting of cattails and their litter increased phylogenetic diversity and species richness in both zones, more than doubling richness compared to unmanipulated controls. In the wet meadow, harvesting shifted the community toward an early successional state, favoring seed bank germination from early seral species, whereas emergent marsh complete removal treatments shifted the community toward an aquatic condition, favoring floating‐leaved plants. Removing cattails and their litter increased taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity across water levels, a key environmental gradient, thereby potentially increasing the multifunctionality of these ecosystems. Killing invasive wetland macrophytes but leaving their biomass in situ does not address their underlying mechanism of dominance and is less effective than more intensive treatments that also remove their litter.
Transstadial immune activation in a mosquito: Adults that emerge from infected larvae have stronger antibacterial activity in their hemocoel yet increased susceptibility to malaria infection
Authors: Brown Lisa D. , Shapiro Lillian L. M. , Thompson Grayson A. , Estévez‐Lao Tania Y. , Hillyer Julián F.
Published: April 2019

Larval and adult mosquitoes mount immune responses against pathogens that invade their hemocoel. Although it has been suggested that a correlation exists between immune processes across insect life stages, the influence that an infection in the hemocoel of a larva has on the immune system of the eclosed adult remains unknown. Here, we used Anopheles gambiae to test whether a larval infection influences the adult response to a subsequent bacterial or malaria parasite infection. We found that for both female and male mosquitoes, a larval infection enhances the efficiency of bacterial clearance following a secondary infection in the hemocoel of adults. The adults that emerge from infected larvae have more hemocytes than adults that emerge from naive or injured larvae, and individual hemocytes have greater phagocytic activity. Furthermore, mRNA abundance of immune genes—such as cecropin A, Lysozyme C1, Stat‐A, and Tep1—is higher in adults that emerge from infected larvae. A larval infection, however, does not have a meaningful effect on the probability that female adults will survive a systemic bacterial infection, and increases the susceptibility of females to Plasmodium yoelii, as measured by oocyst prevalence and intensity in the midgut. Finally, immune proficiency varies by sex; females exhibit increased bacterial killing, have twice as many hemocytes, and more highly express immune genes. Together, these results show that a larval hemocoelic infection induces transstadial immune activation—possibly via transstadial immune priming—but that it confers both costs and benefits to the emerged adults.
Dual‐phase CT angiography for presurgical planning in patients with vessel‐depleted neck
Authors: Du Eugenie , Patel Sagar , Huang Benjamin , Patel Samip N.
Published: April 2019

Background

Microvascular reconstruction in vessel‐depleted necks is challenging due to limited availability of recipient vessels. We examine the utility of dual‐phase CT angiography (CTA), which delineates both arteries and veins, for preoperative planning in such difficult cases.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of a single surgeon from July 2013 to July 2017 in a tertiary referral center was performed. Patient characteristics, operative details, and surgical outcomes were examined.

Results

Thirteen patients met inclusion criteria. The operative plan was changed to a local flap for one patient as a result of imaging; free tissue transfer was performed for the remaining cases with 100% flap survival rate. Average operative time and ischemia time were 524 ± 110 minutes and 153 ± 47 minutes, respectively.

Conclusions

Dual‐phase CTA can evaluate potential venous and arterial recipient vessel and guide surgical explorations. As such, it may aid in presurgical planning for microvascular free tissue transfer in vessel‐depleted necks.
A retrospective alternative for active surveillance trials for ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast
Authors: Van Bockstal Mieke R. , Agahozo Marie C. , Koppert Linetta B. , van Deurzen Carolien H.M.
Published: April 2019

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is a nonobligate precursor of invasive breast cancer, accounting for 20 % of screen‐detected breast cancers. Little is known about the natural progression of DCIS because most patients undergo surgery upon diagnosis. Many DCIS patients are likely being overtreated, as it is believed that only around 50 % of DCIS will progress to invasive carcinoma. Robust prognostic markers for progression to invasive carcinoma are lacking. In the past, studies have investigated women who developed a recurrence after breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) and compared them with those who did not. However, where there is no recurrence, the patient has probably been adequately treated. The present narrative review advocates a new research strategy, wherein only those patients with a recurrence are studied. Approximately half of the recurrences are invasive cancers, and half are DCIS. So‐called “recurrences” are probably most often the result of residual disease. The new approach allows us to ask: why did some residual DCIS evolve to invasive cancers and others not? This novel strategy compares the group of patients that developed in situ recurrence with the group of patients that developed invasive recurrence after BCS. The differences between these groups could then be used to develop a robust risk stratification tool. This tool should estimate the risk of synchronous and metachronous invasive carcinoma when DCIS is diagnosed in a biopsy. Identification of DCIS patients at low risk for developing invasive carcinoma will individualize future therapy and prevent overtreatment.
The hydroalcoholic extract of watercress attenuates protein oxidation, oxidative stress, and liver damage after bile duct ligation in rats
Authors: Sadeghi Hossein , Azarmehr Nahid , Razmkhah Fatemeh , Sadeghi Heibatollah , Danaei Nazanin , Omidifar Navid , Vakilpour Hossein , Pourghadamyari Hossein , Doustimotlagh Amir Hossein
Published: April 2019

Cholestatic liver disease is recognized by extreme collagen formation and deposition, which is mediated by free radicals. The aim of the current study was to investigate the probable hepatoprotective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of watercress (WC) against oxidative stress and liver injury in bile duct ligation (BDL)‐ induced cholestatic rats. A total of 32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups; sham control (SC), BDL, SC + hydroalcoholic extract of WC and BDL + hydroalcoholic extract of WC. WC‐treated rats received daily WC 500 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Biochemical tests, hepatic oxidative stress markers, and antioxidant enzymes activity were estimated. Further, liver hydroxyproline content was assayed and histological analysis was made. The BDL model markedly elevated the protein carbonyl (PCO) and hydroxyproline contents and decreased the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Hydroalcoholic extract of WC significantly decreased the surge in liver PCO and hydroxyproline levels and increased the reduced GPx enzyme activity contents in the hepatic tissue. As determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining, BDL considerably induced hepatocyte necrosis. Moreover, these changes were significantly attenuated by the hydroalcoholic extract of WC treatment. Our data indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of WC extract attenuated liver damage in BDL rats by decreasing the hydroxyproline content and histopathological indexes. Also, it reduced oxidative stress by preventing the hepatic protein oxidation and enhancing the activity of the GPx enzyme via antioxidative effect and free‐radical scavenging. Our findings suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of WC could be a beneficial new curative agent for cholestatic liver damage.
A qualitative investigation of policy for youth with problematic sexual behavior
Authors: Kelley Allyson , Shawler Paul , Shields Jennifer D. , Silovsky Jane F.
Published: April 2019

Aims

Community management of youth with problematic sexual behavior (PSB) is complex. Public policies and service practices have historically utilized adult‐focused approaches with limited research outcomes. This descriptive case study aimed to address this gap by documenting current PSB policies and policy reforms for community‐based management systems.

Method

Semi‐structured interviews with 219 professionals from eight urban and rural communities throughout the United States served as the primary data source for the study. The three‐stage Framework Method was used to guide the data analysis process.

Results

This study covered three areas: context of policy development, attitudes, and perceptions of policy for youth with PSB, and existing policy and policy reform initiatives.

Conclusion

Findings support benefits of collaborative multidisciplinary teams that cross agency policies and procedures on management of cases involving youth with PSB. Implications for practitioners, policymakers, and community members are discussed.
Changes in the dependence between global precipitation and temperature from observations and model simulations
Authors: Hao Zengchao , Phillips Thomas J. , Hao Fanghua , Wu Xinying
Published: April 2019

Precipitation and temperature are physically related to each other with significant dependences that vary with seasons at regional and global scales. The dependence between precipitation and temperature (P–T dependence) plays a central role in characterizing the joint behaviour of the two variables. Along with extensive studies on the variation in the mean, variance, or extremes of precipitation and temperature under global warming, it is of particular interest to understand the climate‐change impacts on the covariability of precipitation and temperature. The aim of this study therefore is to assess climate change impacts on the P–T dependence over global land areas from observations, and the performance of the current‐generation Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) models in simulating these patterns. In general, the CMIP5 models correctly simulate the overall pattern of the P–T dependence (around 87–94% of global land areas). However, they capture both the sign and change of P–T dependence for relatively small regions (around 41–47% of global land areas). Results from this study may provide useful insights for the future development of climate models.
Recent intensification of short‐term concurrent hot and dry extremes over the Pearl River basin, China
Authors: Zhang Haoyue , Wu Chuanhao , Hu Bill X.
Published: April 2019

Ongoing climate warming is largely affecting the frequency and magnitude of short‐term climatic extremes in many regions of the world, causing significant damage to the environment and society. Here, based on the long‐term (1980–2010) meteorological observations and reanalysis products, we investigated the spatio‐temporal evolutions of short‐term concurrent hot and dry extreme (SCHDE) events over the Pearl River basin, a typical humid and subtropical basin in southern China. We also explored the physical mechanisms of SCHDE and its relationship with a series of hydrometeorological variables and large‐scale climate indices. The results indicate an intensification of SCHDE over the study basin during the study period, especially for the period 1997–2010. SCHDE occurs mostly in the northeastern and western regions and shows a statistically significant increasing trend mainly in the midwestern and southeast regions, which is mainly associated with an increased temperature (Tair), drying trend in soil moisture (SM), and a sharp increasing trend in evapotranspiration (ET). The contribution of Tair variability to the SCHDE variability is largest (57.27%), followed by SM (28.43%) and ET (14.30%). In addition to Tair, SM deficit before the onset also plays an important role in the SCHDE occurrence. Furthermore, the SCHDE variability tends to be more sensitive to the SM deficits in the high‐altitude areas than in the low‐altitude areas. Besides, wavelet transform analysis results indicate that the cold phase of ENSO tends to trigger a higher risk of SCHDE events, while El Niño Modoki events have different influences on the variations of SCHDE during different warm/cold phases over the Pearl River basin.
Linkage analysis of tourism‐related sectors in China: An assessment based on network analysis technique
Authors: Zha Jianping , Shao Yuhong , Li Zhiyong
Published: April 2019

Based on China's Input–Output Tables of 2002, 2007, and 2012, this paper employs a network analysis technique to evaluate the roles, positions, and evolution of tourism‐related sectors in industrial networks. The results revealed that China's tourism industrial network has loose density. The tourism‐related sectors have limited backward linkage effects and play limited intermediary roles in resource flows with regard to the rest of the economy, and the linkage strengths vary by sector. The sectors that occupy the same roles and positions as the tourism‐related sectors are concentrated in tertiary sectors. The service‐economy features of tourism‐related sectors are increasingly significant.
Is the trophic diversity of marine benthic consumers decoupled from taxonomic and functional trait diversity? Isotopic niches of Arctic communities
Authors: Włodarska‐Kowalczuk Maria , Aune Magnus , Michel Loïc N. , Zaborska Agata , Legeżyńska Joanna
Published: April 2019

It is predicted that a diverse array of functional traits in species‐rich assemblages can lead to strong resource partitioning among coexisting species and moderate a wider spectrum of resource use. We compared two benthic communities in an Arctic fjord: a species‐rich community (in an outer basin) and an impoverished community (in a glacially impacted bay) and explored (1) if high species richness was translated into high functional trait richness and (2) if high taxonomic and functional diversity promoted high trophic diversity in terms of resource use (indicated by isotopic niche measures). We documented higher functional trait richness in the outer basin (computed based on traits describing feeding mode, mobility, food source, body size and life habit), but the area occupied by consumers in the δ15N vs. δ13C iso‐space (a proxy for total trophic resource use) did not differ between the two sites. A wide array of functional traits used to acquire food may extend the benthic community trophic niche spatially (where and how animals forage) without impacting the isotopic niche breadth (in this system, mostly reflecting “what animals feed on”) due to the relatively homogenous distribution of isotopic characteristics of detritus pool across vertical scales in marine sediments. Moreover, this trend could indicate that a species‐poor community tends to exploit all the available food items, possibly due to the low food availability for primary consumers in a glacially impacted environment. Communities in glacial bays could therefore be particularly sensitive to future changes in glacial inputs and associated organic matter fluxes.
Emulsion Techniques for the Production of Pharmacological Nanoparticles
Authors: Jenjob Ratchapol , Phakkeeree Treethip , Seidi Farzad , Theerasilp Man , Crespy Daniel
Published: April 2019

Nanoparticles have the advantages over micron‐sized particles to typically provide higher intracellular uptake and drug bioavailability. Emulsion techniques are commonly used methods for producing nanoparticles aiming at high encapsulation efficiency, high stability, and low toxicity. Here, the recent developments of nanoparticles prepared from emulsions, the synthesis of nanoparticles, their physicochemical properties, and their biomedical applications are discussed. Selection of techniques, such as emulsion polymerization, miniemulsion polymerization, microemulsion polymerization, and emulsion‐solvent evaporation processes, strongly influences morphologies, size distributions, and particle properties. Details in the synthetic strategies governing the performance of nanoparticles in bioimaging, biosensing, and drug delivery are presented. Benefits and limitations of molecular imaging techniques are also discussed.
Differential tissue expression of extracellular vesicle‐derived proteins in prostate cancer
Authors: Duijvesz Diederick , Rodriguez‐Blanco Giovanny , Hoogland A. Marije , Verhoef Esther I. , Dekker Lennard J. , Roobol Monique J. , van Leenders Geert J. L. H. , Luider Theo M. , Jenster Guido
Published: April 2019

Background

Proteomic profiling of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from prostate cancer (PCa) and normal prostate cell lines, led to the identification of new candidate PCa markers. These proteins included the nuclear exportin proteins XPO1 (also known as CRM1), the EV‐associated PDCD6IP (also known as ALIX), and the previously published fatty acid synthase FASN. In this study, we investigated differences in expression of XPO1 and PDCD6IP on well‐characterized prostate cancer cohorts using mass spectrometry and tissue microarray (TMA) immunohistochemistry to determine their diagnostic and prognostic value.

Methods

Protein fractions from 67 tissue samples (n = 33 normal adjacent prostate [NAP] and n = 34 PCa) were analyzed by mass spectrometry (nano‐LC‐MS‐MS). Label‐free quantification of EVs was performed to identify differentially expressed proteins between PCa and NAP. Prognostic evaluation of the candidate markers was performed with a TMA, containing 481 radical prostatectomy samples. Samples were stained for the candidate markers and correlated with patient information and clinicopathological outcome.

Results

XPO1 was higher expressed in PCa compared to NAP in the MS data analysis (P > 0.0001). PDCD6IP was not significantly higher expressed (P = 0.0501). High cytoplasmic XPO1 staining in the TMA immunohistochemistry, correlated in a multivariable model with high Gleason scores (P = 0.002) and PCa‐related death (P = 0.009).

Conclusion

High expression of cytoplasmic XPO1 shows correlation with prostate cancer and has added clinical value in tissue samples. Furthermore, as an extracellular vesicles‐associated protein, it might be a novel relevant liquid biomarker.
Zonotopic fault detection observer for linear parameter‐varying descriptor systems
Authors: Li Jitao , Wang Zhenhua , Shen Yi , Rodrigues Mickael
Published: April 2019

This paper studies zonotopic fault detection observer design for a class of linear parameter‐varying descriptor systems. The disturbance and measurement noise are unknown but can be bounded by zonotopes. A zonotopic method is presented to estimate the envelope of residual. To attenuate the effect of disturbance and measurement noise, a zonotopic size optimization criterion is implemented based on P‐radius. To improve the fault detection performance, a finite‐frequency H_ index is introduced based on the generalized Kalman‐Yakubovich‐Popov lemma. Simulation examples of a mass‐spring and a direct‐current motor are utilized to demonstrate the performance of the proposed method.
Hydropeaking effects on movement patterns of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.)
Authors: Rocaspana Rafel , Aparicio Enric , Palau‐Ibars Antoni , Guillem Roger , Alcaraz Carles
Published: April 2019

Radiotelemetry was used to investigate seasonal movement and home range of brown trout Salmo trutta (size range 188–420 mm fork length, N = 30) in two reaches of the Noguera Pallaresa River (Ebro Basin, north‐east Spain) subjected to different flow regulation schemes. NP‐1 reach is a bypassed section with near natural flow conditions, whereas the downstream reach NP‐2 is subjected to daily pulsed flow discharge (i.e., hydropeaking) from an upstream hydropower station. Significant differences in home range size (95% kernel estimates) and seasonal movement pattern between study reaches were found. Mean home range size was (μ ± SE) 112.1 ± 11.5 m in the bypassed reach NP‐1 and increased significantly in the hydropeaking reach NP‐2 up to 237.9 ± 37.2 m. There was a large individual variability in fish home range size within reaches. Most of the seasonal differences in fish movement among reaches were associated with the spawning season. Pulsed discharge events in NP‐2 during daytime in summer (lasting about 3 hr and increasing water flow from 1 to 20 m3/s) did not cause significant displacements in either upstream or downstream direction during the duration of the event. Our results highlight the importance of habitat connectivity in hydropeaking streams due to the need of brown trout to move large distances among complementary habitats, necessary to complete their life cycle, compared with unregulated or more stable streams.
Create Nanoscale Patterns with DNA Origami
Authors: Fan Sisi , Wang Dongfang , Kenaan Ahmad , Cheng Jin , Cui Daxiang , Song Jie
Published: April 2019

Structural deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) nanotechnology offers a robust platform for diverse nanoscale shapes that can be used in various applications. Among a wide variety of DNA assembly strategies, DNA origami is the most robust one in constructing custom nanoshapes and exquisite patterns. In this account, the static structural and functional patterns assembled on DNA origami are reviewed, as well as the reconfigurable assembled architectures regulated through dynamic DNA nanotechnology. The fast progress of dynamic DNA origami nanotechnology facilitates the construction of reconfigurable patterns, which can further be used in many applications such as optical/plasmonic sensors, nanophotonic devices, and nanorobotics for numerous different tasks.
Strongly Coupled Pyridine‐V2O5·nH2O Nanowires with Intercalation Pseudocapacitance and Stabilized Layer for High Energy Sodium Ion Capacitors
Authors: Dong Jun , Jiang Yalong , Wei Qiulong , Tan Shuangshuang , Xu Yanan , Zhang Guobin , Liao Xiaobin , Yang Wei , Li Qidong , An Qinyou , Mai Liqiang
Published: April 2019

Developing pseudocapacitive cathodes for sodium ion capacitors (SICs) is very significant for enhancing energy density of SICs. Vanadium oxides cathodes with pseudocapacitive behavior are able to offer high capacity. However, the capacity fading caused by the irreversible collapse of layer structure remains a major issue. Herein, based on the Acid–Base Proton theory, a strongly coupled layered pyridine‐V2O5·nH2O nanowires cathode is reported for highly efficient sodium ion storage. By density functional theory calculations, in situ X‐ray diffraction, and ex situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, a strong interaction between protonated pyridine and VO group is confirmed and stable during cycling. The pyridine‐V2O5·nH2O nanowires deliver long‐term cyclability (over 3000 cycles), large pseudocapacitive behavior (78% capacitive contribution at 1 mV s−1) and outstanding rate capability. The assembled pyridine‐V2O5·nH2O//graphitic mesocarbon microbead SIC delivers high energy density of ≈96 Wh kg−1 (at 59 W kg−1) and power density of 14 kW kg−1 (at 37.5 Wh kg−1). The present work highlights the strategy of realizing strong interaction in the interlayer of V2O5·nH2O to enhance the electrochemical performance of vanadium oxides cathodes. The strategy could be extended for improving the electrochemical performance of other layered materials.
Enhanced Photodetection Properties of Tellurium@Selenium Roll‐to‐Roll Nanotube Heterojunctions
Authors: Huang Weichun , Zhang Ye , You Qi , Huang Pu , Wang Yunzheng , Huang Ziyin N. , Ge Yanqi , Wu Leiming , Dong Zhijun , Dai Xiaoyu , Xiang Yuanjiang , Li Jianqing , Zhang Xiuwen , Zhang Han
Published: April 2019

Non‐layered tellurium (Te) is a promising material for applications in transistor and optoelectronic devices for its advantages in excellent intrinsic electronic and optoelectronic properties. However, the poor photodetection performance and relatively uncertain stability of tellurene under ambient conditions greatly limit the practical applications. In order to improve the performance of tellurene‐based materials, Te@Se roll‐to‐roll nanotubes with different selenium (Se) contents synthesized by epitaxial growth of Se on Te nanotubes are, for the first time, employed to fabricate working electrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC)‐type broadband photodetection. They exhibit not only a preferably enhanced capacity for self‐powered broadband photodetection but also significantly improved photocurrent density and stability in various aqueous environments (HCl, NaCl, and KOH solutions), compared to tellurene‐based photodetectors. It is anticipated that the present work can open up new possibilities for high‐performance tellurene‐based optoelectronic devices.
Ir‐Based Alloy Nanoflowers with Optimized Hydrogen Binding Energy as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Lv Fan , Zhang Weiyu , Yang Wenxiu , Feng Jianrui , Wang Kai , Zhou Jinhui , Zhou Peng , Guo Shaojun
Published: April 2019

Hydrogen production through proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE) requires more active and stable electrocatalysts in acidic media. Herein, a class of Ir‐based alloys is reported with flower‐like structure as excellent electrocatalysts both for hydrogen and oxygen generation in acid. Specially, the IrNi alloy nanoflowers (IrNi NFs) present the best hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance, revealed by a low Tafel slope and overpotential at current density of 10 mA cm−2, exceeding the commercial Pt/C. It is discovered that alloying Ir with Ni can decrease the hydrogen binding energy (HBE) of Ir metal, resulting in almost 2.5 times increase in the HER intrinsic activity of IrNi NFs than Ir NFs. The IrNi NFs catalyst is also highly efficient in oxygen evolution reaction with mass activity of 379 A g−1 Ir at 1.51 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Furthermore, the overall water‐splitting devices using the IrNi NFs as catalysts for both cathode and anode show a low cell voltage of 1.60 V at 10 mA cm−2 and long‐term stability within 1000 cycles. This work uncovers that HBE optimization is the key of enhancing HER activity on Ir‐based alloys and these Ir‐based NFs hold great promise in future application in the PEMWE.
Nanopore Formation via Tip‐Controlled Local Breakdown Using an Atomic Force Microscope
Authors: Zhang Yuning , Miyahara Yoichi , Derriche Nassim , Yang Wayne , Yazda Khadija , Capaldi Xavier , Liu Zezhou , Grutter Peter , Reisner Walter
Published: April 2019

The dielectric breakdown approach for forming nanopores has greatly accelerated the pace of research in solid‐state nanopore sensing, enabling inexpensive formation of nanopores via a bench top setup. Here the potential of tip‐controlled local breakdown (TCLB) to fabricate pores 100× faster, with high scalability and nanometer positioning precision using an atomic force microscope (AFM) is demonstrated. A conductive AFM tip is brought into contact with a silicon nitride membrane positioned above an electrolyte reservoir. Application of a voltage pulse at the tip leads to the formation of a single nanoscale pore. Pores are formed precisely at the tip position with a complete suppression of multiple pore formation. In addition, the approach greatly accelerates the electric breakdown process, leading to an average pore fabrication time on the order of 10 ms, at least two orders of magnitude shorter than achieved by classic dielectric breakdown approaches. With this fast pore writing speed over 300 pores can be fabricated in half an hour on the same membrane.
Modular graph functions and odd cuspidal functions. Fourier and Poincaré series
Authors: D’Hoker Eric , Kaidi Justin
Published: April 2019

Abstract

Modular graph functions are SL(2, ℤ)-invariant functions associated with Feynman graphs of a two-dimensional conformal field theory on a torus of modulus τ. For one-loop graphs they reduce to real analytic Eisenstein series. We obtain the Fourier series, including the constant and non-constant Fourier modes, of all two-loop modular graph functions, as well as their Poincaré series with respect to Γ∞\PSL(2, ℤ). The Fourier and Poincaré series provide the tools to compute the Petersson inner product of two-loop modular graph functions using Rankin-Selberg-Zagier methods. Modular graph functions which are odd under τ → −

$$ \overline{\tau} $$

τ
¯

are cuspidal functions, with exponential decay near the cusp, and exist starting at two loops. Holomorphic subgraph reduction and the sieve algorithm, developed in earlier work, are used to give a lower bound on the dimension of the space

$$ \mathfrak{A} $$

A

w
of odd two-loop modular graph functions of weight w. For w ≤ 11 the bound is saturated and we exhibit a basis for

$$ \mathfrak{A} $$

A

w
.
The c = 1 string theory S-matrix revisited
Authors: Balthazar Bruno , Rodriguez Victor A. , Yin Xi
Published: April 2019

Abstract

We revisit the perturbative S-matrix of c = 1 string theory from the worldsheet perspective. We clarify the origin of the leg pole factors, the non-analyticity of the string amplitudes, and the validity as well as limitations of earlier computations based on resonance momenta. We compute the tree level 4-point amplitude and the genus one 2-point reflection amplitude by numerically integrating Virasoro conformal blocks with DOZZ structure constants on the sphere and on the torus, with sufficiently generic complex Liouville momenta, and find agreement with known answers from the c = 1 matrix model.
Scientific Practice and the Epistemology of Governing Laws
Authors: HILDEBRAND TYLER
Published: April 2019

This article is concerned with the relationship between scientific practice and the metaphysics of laws of nature and natural properties. I begin by examining an argument by Michael Townsen Hicks and Jonathan Schaffer (‘Derivative Properties in Fundamental Laws,’British Journal for the Philosophy of Science2017) that an important feature of scientific practice—namely, that scientists sometimes invoke non-fundamental properties in fundamental laws—is incompatible with metaphysical theories according to which laws govern. I respond to their argument by developing an epistemology for governing laws that is grounded in scientific practice. This epistemology is of general interest for non-Humean theories of laws, for it helps to explain our epistemic access to non-Humean theoretical entities such as governing laws or fundamental powers.