bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carbon sequestration and soil restoration potential of grazing lands under exclosure management in a semi‐arid environment of northern Ethiopia
Authors: Gebregergs Tsegay , Tessema Zewdu K. , Solomon Negasi , Birhane Emiru
Published: May 2019

Exclosures are used to regenerate native vegetation as a way to reduce soil erosion, increase rain water infiltration and provide fodder and woody biomass in degraded grazing lands. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of grazing exclosure on carbon sequestration and soil nutrients under 5 and 10 years of grazing exclosures and freely grazed areas in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Carbon stocks and soil nutrients increased with increasing grazing exclusion. However, open grazing lands and 5 years of grazing exclosure did not differ in above‐ and belowground carbon stocks. Moreover, 10 years of grazing exclosure had a higher (p < 0.01) grass, herb and litter carbon stocks compared to 5 years exclosure and open grazing lands. The total carbon stock was higher for 10 years exclosure (75.65 t C ha‐1) than the 5 years exclosure (55.06 t C ha‐1) and in open grazing areas (51.98 t C ha‐1). Grazing lands closed for 10 years had a higher SOC, organic matter, total N, available P, and exchangeable K + and Na + compared to 5 year's exclosure and open grazing lands. Therefore, establishment of grazing exclosures had a positive effect in restoring degraded grazing lands, thus improving carbon sequestration potentials and soil nutrients.
Species traits shape the relationship between local and regional species abundance distributions
Authors: Dantas de Miranda Murilo , Borda‐de‐Água Luís , Pereira Henrique Miguel , Merckx Thomas
Published: May 2019

The species abundance distribution (SAD) depicts the relative abundance of species within a community, which is a key concept in ecology. Here, we test whether SADs are more likely to either follow a lognormal‐like or follow a logseries‐like distribution and how that may change with spatial scale. Our results show that the shape of SADs changes from logseries‐like at small, plot scales to lognormal‐like at large, landscape scales. However, the rate at which the SAD's shape changes also depends on species traits linked to the spatial distribution of individuals. Specifically, we show for oligophagous and small macro‐moth species that a logseries distribution is more likely at small scales and a lognormal distribution is more likely at large scales, whereas the logseries distribution fits well at both small and large scales for polyphagous and large species. We also show that SAD moments scale as power laws as a function of spatial scale, and we assess the performance of Tchebichef moments and polynomials to reconstruct SADs at the landscape scale from information at local scales. Overall, the method performed well and reproduced the shapes of the empirical distributions.
Cascading influences of grassland degradation on nutrient limitation in a high mountain lake and its inflow streams
Authors: Ren Ze , Niu Decao , Ma Panpan , Wang Ying , Fu Hua , Elser James J.
Published: May 2019

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are key growth‐limiting nutrients for organisms and their absolute and relative supplies regulate the structure and function of ecosystems. Landcover changes lead to modifications of terrestrial biogeochemistry, consequently influencing aquatic nutrient conditions. This study sought to evaluate the potential impacts of grassland degradation on nutrient availability and nutrient limitation in the Qinghai Lake (China) and its inflow streams. We sampled nutrient concentrations and tested stream nutrient limitation by conducting nutrient diffusing substrata (NDS) bioassays in streams flowing through subbasins with different grassland status. To test nutrient limitation and the responses of lake phytoplankton to stream inflows, bioassays were conducted by adding different nutrients (N, P, and joint NP) as well as water from different streams to lake water with phytoplankton, respectively. In general, N concentrations as well as N:P ratios decreased while P concentrations increased with decreased normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, an index of vegetation status), especially in September, suggesting that grassland degradation (low NDVI) has the potential to differentially decrease N availability and increase P availability in streams. Consistent with this, relative responses (RR) of stream periphyton to P and combined NP enrichments in the NDS bioassays decreased with stream P concentrations while increased with stream water N:P ratios. Lake phytoplankton responded strongly to P and combined NP addition indicating strong P‐limitation of lake phytoplankton. RR of lake phytoplankton to stream water decreased with nitrate concentration and N:P ratios in stream water and increased with the concentrations of ammonium, total phosphorus, and soluble reactive phosphorus, indicating that stream water with higher P but lower N and N:P from degraded subcatchments is associated with increased impact on P‐limited Lake phytoplankton. Overall, this study suggests that grassland degradation has the potential to differentially influence the nutrients delivered to streams with substantial increases in P but decreases in N and N:P, alleviating P limitation of stream periphyton and, ultimately, stimulating P‐limited phytoplankton growth in the lake.
Alignment of the Performance Assessment for School Leaders to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders: A Distance‐Based Approach
Authors: Swiggett Wanda D.
Published: May 2019

We conducted a distance‐based alignment study for the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PASL). PASL is a multiple‐task portfolio assessment that requires candidates to submit contextual information, written responses, and artifacts (e.g., student work) to provide evidence of the completion of the task requirements. This alignment study supports the content validity of the PASL by providing evidence from external judges indicating that the assessment measures the knowledge and skills outlined in the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). This research report also documents the distance‐based methods that were used to complete the alignment study. An expert panel of eight educators provided judgments indicating the alignment between the PASL and the PSEL. Panelists were provided with preparatory information about the assessment and the standards before attending a webinar that provided more detailed information about the PASL. Training was provided via recorded presentations, and panelists used an online survey to complete their alignment judgments independently. Panelists then completed final evaluations using an online survey. The panel judged that the PASL measures all 10 PSEL standards and 61% of the supporting elements.
Biomechanics of the tricuspid annulus: A review of the annulus' in vivo dynamics with emphasis on ovine data
Authors: Rausch Manuel K. , Mathur Mrudang , Meador William D.
Published: May 2019

The tricuspid annulus forms the boundary between the tricuspid valve leaflets and their surrounding perivalvular tissue of the right atrioventricular junction. Its shape changes throughout the cardiac cycle in response to the forces from the contracting right heart myocardium and the blood‐valve interaction. Alterations to annular shape and dynamics in disease lead to valvular dysfunctions such as tricuspid regurgitation from which millions of patients suffer. Successful treatment of such dysfunction requires an in‐depth understanding of the normal shape and dynamics of the tricuspid annulus and of the changes following disease and subsequent repair. In this manuscript we review what we know about the shape and dynamics of the normal tricuspid annulus and about the effects of both disease and repair based on noninvasive imaging studies and invasive fiduciary marker‐based studies. We further show, by means of ovine data, that detailed engineering analyses of the tricuspid annulus provide regionally resolved insight into the kinematics of the annulus which would remain hidden if limiting analyses to simple geometric metrics.
A generalized inelastic modeling concept for soft fibrous tissues
Authors: Hillgärtner Markus , Linka Kevin , Itskov Mikhail
Published: May 2019

This contribution proposes a multiscale modeling approach, ranging from the macromolecular behavior of tropocollagen over collagen fibrils and the interfibrillar matrix up to bundles of collagen fibers. Two damage mechanisms are described: intramolecular damage inside the tropocollagen molecules based on a permanent opening of the triple helical conformation and damage in the interfibrillar matrix restricting the recovery of interfibrillar sliding. Both intramolecular and interfibrillar damage is considered as a probabilistic process based on detachment of adhesive bonds, where the probability of failure depends on the full load history of the bond. The presented modeling concept is based on generalized assumptions valid for most soft fibrous tissues, and can therefore be applied for a variety of tissues and load‐cases. The final constitutive equations are validated against recent experimental data from uniaxial tension tests of rat tail tendon. All utilized material constants have a clear physical interpretation.
Exome chip‐driven association study of lipidemia in >14,000 Koreans and evaluation of genetic effect on identified variants between different ethnic groups
Authors: Han Sohee , Hwang Mi Yeong , Yoon Kyungheon , Kim Yun Kyoung , Kim Young‐Jin , Kim Bong‐Jo , Moon Sanghoon
Published: May 2019

Lipid levels in blood are widely used to diagnose and monitor chronic diseases. It is essential to identify the genetic traits involved in lipid metabolism for understanding chronic diseases. However, the influence of genetic traits varies depending on race, sex, age, and ethnicity. Therefore, research focusing on populations of individual countries is required, and the results can be used as a basis for comparison of results of other studies at the cross‐racial and cross‐country levels. In the present study, we selected lipid‐related variants and evaluated their effects on lipid‐related diseases in more than 14,000 subjects of three cohorts using the Illumina Human Exome Beadchip. A genome‐wide association study was conducted using EPACTs after adjusting for age, sex, and recruitment area. A genome‐wide significance cutoff was defined as p < 5E−08 in all the three cohorts. Sixteen variants represented the lipid traits and were classified as vulnerable to borderline hypertriglyceridemia, hyper‐LDL‐cholesterolemia, or hypo‐HDL‐cholesterolemia. Moreover, we compared the genetic effects of the 16 variants between ethnic groups and identified the missense variants in apolipoprotein A‐V, cholesterol ester transfer protein, and apolipoprotein E as Asian‐specific. Our study provides candidate genes as markers for chronic diseases through the evaluation of genetic effects.
Hippocampal transcriptomic responses to enzyme‐mediated cellular dissociation
Authors: Harris Rayna M. , Kao Hsin‐Yi , Alarcon Juan Marcos , Hofmann Hans A. , Fenton André A.
Published: May 2019

Single‐neuron gene expression studies may be especially important for understanding nervous system structure and function because of the neuron‐specific functionality and plasticity that defines functional neural circuits. Cellular dissociation is a prerequisite technical manipulation for single‐cell and single cell‐population studies, but the extent to which the cellular dissociation process affects neural gene expression has not been determined. This information is necessary for interpreting the results of experimental manipulations that affect neural function such as learning and memory. The goal of this research was to determine the impact of cellular dissociation on brain transcriptomes. We compared gene expression of microdissected samples from the dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1 subfields of the mouse hippocampus either prepared by a standard tissue homogenization protocol or subjected to enzymatic digestion used to dissociate cells within tissues. We report that compared to homogenization, enzymatic dissociation alters about 350 genes or 2% of the hippocampal transcriptome. While only a few genes canonically implicated in long‐term potentiation and fear memory change expression levels in response to the dissociation procedure, these data indicate that sample preparation can affect gene expression profiles, which might confound interpretation of results depending on the research question. This study is important for the investigation of any complex tissues as research effort moves from subfield level analysis to single cell analysis of gene expression.
Fine‐mapping of a novel premenopausal breast cancer susceptibility locus at Chr4q31.22 in Caucasian women and validation in African and Chinese women
Authors: Kumaran Mahalakshmi , Ghosh Sunita , Joy Anil A. , Mackey John R. , Cass Carol E. , Zheng Wei , Yasui Yutaka , Damaraju Sambasivarao
Published: May 2019

We previously identified a novel breast cancer susceptibility variant on chromosome 4q31.22 locus (rs1429142) conferring risk among women of European ancestry. Here, we report replication of findings, validation of the variant in diverse populations and fine‐mapping of the associated locus in Caucasian population. The SNP rs1429142 (C/T, minor allele frequency 18%) showed association for the overall breast cancer risk in Stages 1–4 (n = 4,331 cases/4271 controls; p = 4.35 × 10−8; odds ratio, ORC‐allele,1.25), and an elevated risk among premenopausal women (n = 1,503 cases/4271 controls; p = 5.81 × 10−10; ORC‐allele 1.40) in European populations. SNP rs1429142 was associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk in women of African (T/C; p‐value 1.45 × 10−02; ORC‐allele 1.2) but not from Chinese ancestry. Fine‐mapping of the locus revealed several potential causal variants which are present within a single association signal, revealed from the conditional regression analysis. Functional annotation of the potential causal variants revealed three putative SNPs rs1366691, rs1429139 and rs7667633 with active enhancer functions inferred based on histone marks, DNase hypersensitive sites in breast cell line data. These putative variants were bound by transcription factors (C‐FOS, STAT1/3 and POL2/3) with known roles in inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, Hi‐C data revealed several short‐range interactions in the fine‐mapped locus harboring the putative variants. The fine mapped locus was predicted to be within a single topologically associated domain, potentially facilitating enhancer–promoter interactions possibly leading to the regulation of nearby genes.
All‐trans retinoic acid eluting poly(diol citrate) wafers for treatment of glioblastoma
Authors: Jones Tarielle , Zhang Bisheng , Major Stephano , Webb Antonio
Published: May 2019

Current treatments for glioblastoma have failed to significantly increase patient survival, are extremely cytotoxic, can cause severe side effects, and are ineffective. Given these limitations, drugs other than cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents are being explored. Recent studies show that all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) could be effective on cancer cells as they have been shown to suppress carcinogenesis in a variety of tumor types and can reverse premalignant lesions and inhibit the development of secondary tumors in the head and neck of cancer patients. However, the therapeutic effects of retinoids such as ATRA are undermined by its rapidin vivometabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes, difficulty in crossing the blood–brain barrier, and sensitivity to isomerization/degradation. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a porous poly(1,8‐octanediol‐co‐citrate; POC) wafer that stabilizes all‐trans retinoic acid, while slowly releasing ATRA over 3 months. Release of ATRA from POC wafers inhibited proliferation of U87MG (glioblastoma) cells and caused upregulation in genes associated with differentiation into normal phenotype and apoptosis. Therefore, ATRA eluting poly(diol citrate) wafers are a promising treatment option compared to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents.
Incremental solver for orbital‐free density functional theory
Authors: Rousse François , Redon Stéphane
Published: May 2019

First‐principle calculations are still a challenge since they require a great amount of computational time. In this article, we introduce a new algorithm to perform orbital‐free density functional theory (OF‐DFT) calculations. Our new algorithm focuses computational efforts on important parts of the particle system, which, in the context of adaptively restrained particle simulations (ARPS) allows us to accelerate particle simulations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Naphthyridine‐based iridium complexes: Structures and catalytic activity on alkylation of aryl ketones
Authors: Chen Po‐Hao , Liu Yi‐Hung , Liu Shiuh‐Tzung
Published: May 2019

Iridium(III) complexes containing a designed ligand, 2‐amino‐7‐(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,8‐naphthyridine derivative, were prepared and all complexes were characterized using spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. These new Ir(III) complexes are able to act as catalysts for the C‐alkylation of aryl alkyl ketones with the use of alcohols as the alkylating agent. Typically, acetophenone undergoes alkylation with methanol and ethanol to yield isobutyrophenone and butyrophenone, respectively.
Real‐World Data Approaches for Early Detection of Potential Safety and Effectiveness Signals for Generic Substitution: A Metoprolol Extended‐Release Case Study
Authors: Brown Joshua D. , Henriksen Carl , Vozmediano Valvanera , Schmidt Stephan
Published: May 2019

Real‐world spontaneous adverse event reports and administrative health care data were utilized as one part of a multipronged approach to verify surveillance signals related to generic drug formulations. This study used metoprolol succinate extended release as a historic case example from which to develop an analytic framework. The US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System was utilized for disproportionality analyses and to identify outcomes of interest. Claims data were analyzed for generic uptake, proportion of prescriptions with “dispense as written” orders, time to discontinuation or switching, and relative rates of clinical events. Adverse Event Reporting System data showed that the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities terms for product quality were higher for generic metoprolol cases and that a number of clinical events were increased that could be side effects of high or low variability in drug levels. Compared to amlodipine‐benazepril, which also had a first‐approved generic at the same time, market share data showed that metoprolol succinate had lower utilization and more prescriptions written as dispense as written. Switching and discontinuation were generally higher for metoprolol users compared to amlodipine‐benazepril users. Finally, clinical event rates were generally higher for generic versus brand metoprolol but lower for the same comparison for amlodipine‐benazepril users. In the claims‐based analyses, the 90‐day period immediately after generic entry provided stronger signal capture than using the entire study period. This analytic framework can be implemented to actively monitor new generic formulations for potential bioequivalence failures. Signals from these analyses require confirmation (eg, via pharmacometric analyses) to be informative for regulatory action.
Fixed‐bed biological barrier coupled with electrokinetics for the in situ electrobioremediation of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid polluted soil
Authors: Barba Silvia , Carvela Mireya , Villaseñor José , Rodrigo Manuel A , Cañizares Pablo
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

This work studies the in situ electrobioremediation (EBR) of clay soil polluted with 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) in a two‐stage method. First, a fixed‐bed biofilm reactor able to biodegrade 2,4‐D in wastewater was developed; second, a portion of the biofilm‐covered bed was included in the polluted soil and used as a biological permeable reactive barrier (BioPRB), whereas electrokinetics were used to promote the contact between pollutant and microorganisms into the soil.

RESULTS

The fixed‐bed biofilm reactor successfully treated wastewater polluted with 2,4‐D concentrations up to 1200 mg L−1 and under non‐oxygenated conditions because of the culture ability to use nitrate as electron acceptor. A portion of the stationary biofilm was later used as a BioPRB in the polluted soil to perform in situ EBR study. The study was performed in a bench scale set‐up using potentiostatic conditions (1.0 V cm−1), room temperature and periodic polarity reversal (2 d−1) in a 10 day batch experiment. The feasibility of the proposed technology was checked by the comparison with a conventional in situ bioremediation test without electrokinetics. The EBR treatment, coupling electrokinetics with the previously developed BioPRB, offered 85% removal efficiency of 2,4‐D after 10 days. According to the low removal efficiency observed in the reference test, it was proved that the electrokinetic transport phenomena improved contact between pollutant and microorganisms and clearly increased 2,4‐D removal rate.

CONCLUSIONS

According to these results it is considered that the combination of electrokinetics and biobarriers could be a promising technology to achieve remediation of low permeable soils polluted with pesticides. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Intrabiliary metastases in colorectal cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Latorre Fragua Raquel A. , Manuel Vazquez Alba , Rodrigues Figueira Yuri , Ramiro Pérez Carmen , López Marcano Aylhin J. , de la Plaza Llamas Roberto , Ramia Ángel Jose Manuel
Published: May 2019

Background

Liver metastases emerge during the course of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 25–50% of patients. A small proportion of patients present intrabiliary growth. The absence of large series means that little is known about intrabiliary metastasis (IBM), its radiological diagnosis, the most suitable surgical techniques, and its prognostic implications.

Methods

A systematic search without limits was performed. The studies selected included patients with a diagnosis of CRC and associated IBM, either synchronous or metachronous.

Results

Of 40 studies selected, 30 were case reports and 10 case series. The median time between diagnosis and IBM was 46.7 months (range 0–180). Most CRC metastases are CK7−/CK20+. Surgical treatment performed ranged from endoscopic resection to major hepatic resections combined with pancreatectomies. It seems that patients with IBM have a better survival than patients without this metastasis.

Conclusion

In a patient with a history of CRC presenting dilatation of the bile duct, IBM should be considered. More studies are needed to determine the most appropriate type of liver resection. It is also necessary to standardize the definition and terminology of this pathology, since the existing definitions may cause confusion and make it difficult to carry out case studies and case series.
Turning the tide: The shift to climate change mitigation
Authors: Shilt‐Moody Ninette , Tsai Edward
Published: May 2019

In the United States, a growing number of companies are taking progressive steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Already, more than half of all Fortune 100 companies have announced clean energy targets, signaling climate change risk reduction is becoming a top priority. Climate change is not without controversy, yet it is a real business concern among corporate executives and health care leaders alike. From fears stoked by devastating wildfires in California to a rising tide of financial hardships due to hurricane flooding in the Southeast, it seems no region is immune to Mother Nature's growing cost to business. This report addresses how health care leaders are approaching climate change initiatives across the country by examining research articles, key opinion leaders, and health care organizations on the bleeding edge of climate change reduction. In an already complex industry, health care leaders have a special responsibility to do no harm to the patients they serve and a financial responsibility to drive monetary returns for invested stakeholders. Significant cost savings, long‐term risk reduction, and improved population health are a few of the benefits health care organizations around the country can gain from building a sound climate change mitigation strategy.
A decapolar 25‐mm‐diameter circular mapping catheter with improved detection of pulmonary vein potential disappearance in cryoballoon ablation
Authors: Matsuda Yasuhiro , Masuda Masaharu , Asai Mitsutoshi , Iida Osamu , Okamoto Shin , Ishihara Takayuki , Nanto Kiyonori , Kanda Takashi , Tsujimura Takuya , Okuno Shota , Tsuji Aki , Mano Toshiaki
Published: May 2019

Background

Disappearance of pulmonary vein (PV) potentials is an important indicator of successful PV isolation during cryoballoon ablation. Conventional octapolar 20‐mm‐diameter circular PV mapping catheters occasionally fail to identify persistent PV potentials. A new decapolar 25‐mm‐diameter circular PV mapping catheter has been introduced to improve the detection of PV potentials and their elimination. We compared the detection rates of PV potential disappearance between the decapolar and the octapolar PV mapping catheters.

Methods and Results

A total of 44 consecutive patients (175 PVs) undergoing initial cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation were included. The decapolar catheter was used for 79 (45%) PVs in 20 (45%) patients. There was no difference in left atrial diameter or PV diameter in patients mapped with the two catheters. The decapolar mapping catheter demonstrated a significantly higher detection rate of PV potential disappearance than the octapolar catheter. The need for touch‐up ablation was similar between the two groups (5% vs 8%, P = 0.39). When PV potentials were identified, the decapolar catheter detected significantly higher‐amplitude PV potentials than the octapolar catheter. In multivariate analysis, use of the decapolar catheter was an independent predictor of the detection of PV potential disappearance.

Conclusions

The decapolar PV mapping catheter demonstrated improved detection of PV potential disappearance in cryoballoon PV isolation.
Krafft Point Prediction of Anionic Surfactants Using Group Contribution Method: First‐Order and Higher‐Order Groups
Authors: Chanachichalermwong Woramet , Charoensaeng Ampira , Suriyapraphadilok Uthaiporn
Published: May 2019

Krafft point is one of the key properties of anionic surfactants to indicate their solubility in an aqueous phase. Below the Krafft point, the surfactant is a useless solid. We have developed a prediction model for the Krafft point based on the Marrero and Gani Group Contribution (GC) concept. Literature data were analyzed and a new third‐order level was proposed to improve the model accuracy. The Krafft points of 53 anionic surfactants were collected including alkyl sulfonate, alkyl sulfate, alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl ethoxy sulfate, alkyl ester sulfonate, alkyl ester sulfate, alkyl disulfate, alkyldiphenylether disulfonates, alkyl diester sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and fluorocarbon surfactants. The coefficients of the fractional groups in a surfactant molecule reveal the dependence of the Krafft point on the internal structure. Compared to the more complicated models such as those based on advanced statistical concept, the GC model for the Krafft point developed in this work gives a higher accuracy with a simpler calculation.
Exploration and optimization of conditions for quantitative analysis of lignans in Schisandra chinensis by an online supercritical fluid extraction with supercritical fluid chromatography system
Authors: Dai Zhuoshun , Xin Huaxia , Fu Qing , Hao Hongyuan , Li Qiang , Liu Qiaoxia , Jin Yu
Published: May 2019

An online supercritical fluid extraction with supercritical fluid chromatography system could provide sequential extraction and quantitative analysis of lignans in Schisandra chinensis. Supercritical fluid extraction conditions were optimized at 15 MPa, 50°C, and 4 min with supercritical CO2 adding 1% methanol; the elution volume and flow rate were set at 6 mL and 2 mL/min to blow extract out of the tank completely. The split‐flow rate was confirmed at 2.5%, which determines injection volume and accuracy of quantitative detection. The factors having negative influences on supercritical fluid chromatography retention in the online system, including sample loading forms and backpressure settings, are discussed in the paper. At last, an extraction‐quantitative method for lignans in Schisandra chinensis was developed, which could be finished within 19.5 min. The total content percentage of four lignans (Schisandrin, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B and Schisandrol B) in four batches was respectively measured to be 1.42, 1.54, 1.62, and 1.90%.
ZW290 Increases Cold Tolerance by Inducing Thermogenesis via the Upregulation of Uncoupling Protein 1 in Brown Adipose Tissue In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wang Nan , Lu Hong‐yuan , Li Xiang , Du Ya‐jie , Meng Wei‐hong , Ding Huai‐wei , Zhao Qing‐Chun
Published: May 2019

To provide molecular evidence on the thermogenic mechanism of primary brown adipocytes, western blot analysis was used to detect brown adipose tissue (BAT)‐specific gene expressions. BAT protects the mammals from hypothermia injury with a large amount of mitochondria and high expression of uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1), which is the vital protein to determine the heat production in BAT. In our previous study, the compound ZW290 (the structure shown in Fig. 1) was obtained by molecular docking with a UCP1 inducer. In the present study, ZW290 not only significantly upregulated the expression of UCP1 protein (p < 0.01) and its related signaling pathway in the primary brown adipocytes, but also remarkably decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and the concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (p < 0.01). Kunming (KM) mice were kept under acute cold exposure (−20°C) to evaluate the preventive and protective effects of ZW290 on cold injury, and revealed its regulating mechanism in vitro. The rectal and body temperatures of ZW290‐treated mice were significantly higher than those of the control (or model) group both at room temperature and at −20°C (p < 0.001). Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry indicated that ZW290 notably decreased the size of lipid droplets in BAT and increased the content of mitochondria and the expression of UCP1 in BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT). Furthermore, the survival rate showed that ZW290 could prolong the overall survival of mice. Therefore, we obtained the conclusion that ZW290 might transform energy into heat by inhibiting ATP synthesis and increasing the expression of UCP1. Additionally, ZW290 may enhance cold tolerance by increasing heat production through increasing the content of mitochondria and the expression of UCP1 in BAT and WAT.
Cyclic Hydrazide‐Functionalized Poly(ethylene oxide) Frameworks for the Synthesis of pH‐Cleavable Drug‐Carriers and Their Applications for the Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Geon Chang , Seo Donghwa , Kim Junggyu , Siddique Abu B. , Park Hyeonjong , Kim Hyun Jun , Kang Ho‐Jung , Lee Jae Yeol , Lim Jeewoo , Kim Jungahn , Kim Sehoon
Published: May 2019

In this paper, two different types of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) frameworks with different functional groups such as the thiol group and cyclic hydrazide in the α,ω‐positions bearing “smartness” are introduced. These heterobifunctional PEOs are synthesized via different functionalization approaches using t‐butoxy PEO. Heterobifunctional PEOs, both α‐luminol‐ω‐thiol PEO and α‐thiol‐ω‐cyclic hydrazide PEO, are prepared by chain‐end functionalization of the reactive t‐butoxy PEOs. The chain‐end luminol as a cyclic hydrazide is found to be effective to yield pH‐responsive prodrugs from the reaction with doxorubicin (Dox) yielding corresponding Dox‐tethered PEO. The active t‐butoxy PEO‐initiated block copolymerization of N‐phenylmaleimide (N‐PMI) in acetone yields a block copolymer controlled in the 3‐ to 5‐units range of the N‐PMI group. The deprotection of the t‐butoxy group, followed by tosylation, thioacetylaton, and the Gabriel process, provides corresponding α‐thiol‐ω‐cyclic hydrazide PEO. The functionality yields are almost quantitative (over 98 mol%). Polymeric prodrugs such as Dox‐tethered PEO and folate‐conjugated PEO are successfully employed for the stabilization of gold (Au) nanoparticles. The resulting products are characterized by a combination of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopic, ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopic, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), transmission electron microscopic (TEM), and size‐exclusion chromatographic (SEC) analysis.
Crossed product of C*‐algebras by hypergroups
Authors: Amini Massoud , Nikpey Hamed , Tabatabaie Seyyed Mohammad
Published: May 2019

The crossed product of ‐algebras by groups, groupoids and semigroups are well studied. In this paper we introduce and study the crossed product of ‐algebras by (locally compact) hypergroups. We calculate the crossed products by finite hypergroups of orders 2 and 3.
On the radius of spatial analyticity for the modified Kawahara equation on the line
Authors: Petronilho Gerson , Leal da Silva Priscila
Published: May 2019

First, by using linear and trilinear estimates in Bourgain type analytic and Gevrey spaces, the local well‐posedness of the Cauchy problem for the modified Kawahara equation on the line is established for analytic initial data that can be extended as holomorphic functions in a strip around the x‐axis. Next we use this local result and a Gevrey approximate conservation law to prove that global solutions exist. Furthermore, we obtain explicit lower bounds for the radius of spatial analyticity given by , where can be taken arbitrarily small and c is a positive constant.
Morphologies Transformation of BODIPY‐Based Main Chain Supramolecular Polymers Amphiphiles: From Helical Nanowires to Nanosheets
Authors: Zhou Liang‐Liang , Chen Jia‐Yi , Li Xing‐Yu , Li Hang , Wang Huan , Wang De‐Gao , Kuang Gui‐Chao
Published: May 2019

The aggregate morphologies of 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) main chain supramolecular polymer amphiphiles (SPA) are tunable by a fine balance of different non‐covalent interactions. When the BODIPY segments and sodium cholate are mixed in aqueous solution, they form SPA by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen‐bonds. This SPA displays helical nanowires' morphology. After the third component dimeric β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD‐C) is added, the hydrogen bonds between the cholate are substituted by the host–guest interaction between cholate and β‐CD‐C. Therefore, these SPA transform their aggregate morphologies into nanosheets' architecture. Therefore, a simple and effective way to regulate self‐assembly by non‐covalent forces is developed. This supramolecular method may provide an effective way to prepare various nanostructures in aqueous solution and show promising application in the future.
A Sample Management NLRB Campaign—Days 8 to 14
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: May 2019

This is the second installment of a two‐part article offering day‐by‐day suggestions to employers for the first 14 days of a National Labor Relations Board campaign. The employer should give voters a variety of reasons and arguments for voting against the union, by emphasizing the costs, risks, and obligations employees would face with union representation.
Brain Trauma Disrupts Hepatic Lipid Metabolism: Blame It on Fructose?
Authors: Rege Shraddha D. , Royes Luiz , Tsai Brandon , Zhang Guanglin , Yang Xia , Gomez‐Pinilla Fernando
Published: May 2019

Scope

The action of brain disorders on peripheral metabolism is poorly understood. The impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on peripheral organ function and how TBI effects can be influenced by the metabolic perturbation elicited by fructose ingestion are studied.

Methods and Results

It is found that TBI affects glucose metabolism and signaling proteins for insulin and growth hormone in the liver; these effects are exacerbated by fructose ingestion. Fructose, principally metabolized in the liver, potentiates the action of TBI on hepatic lipid droplet accumulation. Studies in isolated cultured hepatocytes identify GH and fructose as factors for the synthesis of lipids. The liver has a major role in the synthesis of lipids used for brain function and repair. TBI results in differentially expressed genes in the hypothalamus, primarily associated with lipid metabolism, providing cues to understand central control of peripheral alterations. Fructose‐fed TBI animals have elevated levels of markers of inflammation, lipid peroxidation, and cell energy metabolism, suggesting the pro‐inflammatory impact of TBI and fructose in the liver.

Conclusion

Results reveal the impact of TBI on systemic metabolism and the aggravating action of fructose. The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐growth axis seems to play a major role in the regulation of the peripheral TBI pathology.
Magnetic resonance elastography of the lungs: A repeatability and reproducibility study
Authors: Fakhouri Faisal , Dong Huiming , Kolipaka Arunark
Published: May 2019

Lung diseases are one of the leading causes of death worldwide, from which four million people die annually. Lung diseases are associated with changes in the mechanical properties of the lungs. Several studies have shown the feasibility of using magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to quantify the lungs' shear stiffness. The aim of this study is to investigate the reproducibility and repeatability of lung MRE, and its shear stiffness measurements, obtained using a modified spin echo‐echo planar imaging (SE‐EPI) MRE sequence.

In this study, 21 healthy volunteers were scanned twice by repositioning the volunteers to image right lung both at residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC) to assess the reproducibility of lung shear stiffness measurements. Additionally, 19 out of the 21 volunteers were scanned immediately without moving the volunteers to test the repeatability of the modified SE‐EPI MRE sequence. A paired t‐test was performed to determine the significant difference between stiffness measurements obtained at RV and TLC. Concordance correlation and Bland–Altman's analysis were performed to determine the reproducibility and repeatability of the SE‐EPI MRE‐derived shear stiffness measurements.

The SE‐EPI MRE sequence is highly repeatable with a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) of 0.95 at RV and 0.96 at TLC. Similarly, the stiffness measurements obtained across all volunteers were highly reproducible with a CCC of 0.95 at RV and 0.92 at TLC. The mean shear stiffness of the lung at RV was 0.93 ± 0.22 kPa and at TLC was 1.41 ± 0.41 kPa. TLC showed a significantly higher mean shear stiffness (P = 0.0004) compared with RV.

Lung MRE stiffness measurements obtained using the SE‐EPI sequence were reproducible and repeatable, both at RV and TLC. Lung shear stiffness changes across respiratory cycle with significantly higher stiffness at TLC than RV.
Professional development: Marketing and higher ed podcasts you should listen to
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: May 2019

If podcasts aren't already part of your professional development toolbox, they should be. discoverpods.com, a website reporting on podcast trends, says there are more than 600,000 active podcasts. They include shows that can boost your skills and knowledge, no matter what your career. Marketers are in luck: there are hundreds of podcasts made for you!
University finds success in blending traditional, new approaches
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2019

As a relatively early entrant into offering online learning, Weber State University already has a 20‐year history of understanding the ways technology alternatives can benefit adult learners. Online and hybrid classes have helped the Utah university grow graduate programs that are tailored to older students, and these options are helping faculty become more at ease with communicating in an online format.
Numerical solution of the Rosenau–KdV–RLW equation by operator splitting techniques based on B‐spline collocation method
Authors: Özer Sibel
Published: May 2019

In the present study, the operator splitting techniques based on the quintic B‐spline collocation finite element method are presented for calculating the numerical solutions of the Rosenau–KdV–RLW equation. Two test problems having exact solutions have been considered. To demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the present methods, the error norms L2 and L∞ with the discrete mass Q and energy E conservative properties have been calculated. The results obtained by the method have been compared with the exact solution of each problem and other numerical results in the literature, and also found to be in good agreement with each other. A Fourier stability analysis of each presented method is also investigated.
Crosslinking of addition copolymers from tricyclononenes bearing (CH3)3Si‐ and (C2H5O)3Si‐groups as a modification of membrane gas separation materials
Authors: Alentiev Dmitry A. , Egorova Elena S. , Bermeshev Maxim V. , Starannikova Ludmila E. , Yampolskii Yuri P. , Finkelshtein Eugene Sh.
Published: May 2019

Here, we report the synthesis and the study of gas‐transport properties of crosslinked highly permeable copolymers from Si‐containing norbornene derivatives. The initial high‐molecular‐weight copolymers were prepared via addition copolymerization of 3‐trimethylsilyltricyclo[4.2.1.02,5]non‐7‐ene (TCNSi1) with 3‐triethoxysilyltricyclo[4.2.1.02,5]non‐7‐ene (TCNSiOEt) in good or high yields using a Pd‐catalyst. The obtained copolymers included up to 10 mol% of TCNSiOEt units bearing reactive Si–O–C‐containing substituents. The crosslinking was readily realized by using simple sol–gel chemistry in the presence of Sn‐catalyst. The formed crosslinked copolymers were insoluble in common organic solvents. Permeability coefficients of various gases (He, H2, O2, N2, CO2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, n‐C4H10) in these copolymers before and after crosslinking were determined and the influence of the incorporated TCNSiOEt units as well as the crosslinking on gas transport properties were established. As a result, it was found that only a small reduction of gas‐permeability was observed when TNCSiOEt units were incorporated into the main chains, and the copolymers were crosslinked. At the same time, the selectivity for C4H10/CH4 pair was increased. The suggested approach has allowed obtaining crosslinked polymers from Si‐containing monomers without a loss of the main membrane characteristics. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:2502–2507, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of Energetic Complexes [Co(en)(H2BTI)2]2 ⋅ en, [Cu2(en)2(HBTI)2]2 and Catalytic Study on Thermal Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate
Authors: Liu Jianchao , Qiu Hao , Han Jimin , Yang Li
Published: May 2019

A nitrogen‐rich compound 4,5‐bis(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1H‐imidazole (H3BTI) with high energy density has been reported as ligand to make metal‐organic energetic catalysts to improve the energy of catalysts for the first time. The high energetic catalysts [Co(en)(H2BTI)2]2 ⋅ en and [Cu2(en)2(HBTI)2]2 were successfully synthesized and the structures of the complexes were confirmed by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. The catalytic effects of complexes on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) have been investigated separately by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC results show that the AP can be completely decomposed at the temperature of 333.7 °C and 336.1 °C, respectively, which indicates that the pristine “two‐step” thermal decomposition of AP was transformed to a “one step” route upon addition of the copper catalysts. Besides the excellent catalytic performance of AP decomposition, the high energetic ligand HnBTI can also release a large number of heats in the decomposition process, which can significantly enhance the total released heat of the mixture of AP.
Physiological and molecular analysis of glyphosate resistance in non‐rapid response Ambrosia trifida from Wisconsin
Authors: Wilson Courtney E , Takano Hudson K , Van Horn Christopher R , Yerka Melinda K , Westra Philip , Stoltenberg David E
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

We previously identified a glyphosate‐resistant A. trifida phenotype from Wisconsin USA that showed a non‐rapid response to glyphosate. The mechanism of glyphosate resistance in this phenotype has yet to be elucidated. We conducted experiments to investigate non‐target‐site resistance and target‐site resistance mechanisms. The roles of glyphosate absorption, translocation, and metabolism in resistance of this phenotype have not been reported previously, nor have EPSPS protein abundance or mutations to the full‐length sequence of EPSPS.

RESULTS

Whole‐plant dose–response results confirmed a 6.5‐level of glyphosate resistance for the resistant (R) phenotype compared to a susceptible (S) phenotype. Absorption and translocation of 14C‐glyphosate were similar between R and S phenotypes over 72 h. Glyphosate and AMPA concentrations in leaf tissue did not differ between R and S phenotypes over 96 h. In vivo shikimate leaf disc assays confirmed that glyphosate EC50 values were 4.6‐ to 5.4‐fold greater for the R than S phenotype. Shikimate accumulation was similar between phenotypes at high glyphosate concentrations (>1000 μM), suggesting that glyphosate entered chloroplasts and inhibited EPSPS. This finding was supported by results showing that EPSPS copy number and EPSPS protein abundance did not differ between R and S phenotypes, nor did EPSPS sequence at Gly101, Thr102, and Pro106 positions. Comparison of full‐length EPSPS sequences found five nonsynonymous polymorphisms that differed between R and S phenotypes. However, their locations were distant from the glyphosate target site and, therefore, not likely to affect enzyme‐glyphosate interaction.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a novel mechanism confers glyphosate resistance in this A. trifida phenotype. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Detecting the process changes for multivariate nonlinear profile data
Authors: Pan Jeh‐Nan , Li Chung‐I , Lu Meng Zhe
Published: May 2019

In profile monitoring for a multivariate manufacturing process, the functional relationship of the multivariate profiles rarely occurs in linear form, and the real data usually do not follow a multivariate normal distribution. Thus, in this paper, the functional relationship of multivariate nonlinear profile data is described via a nonparametric regression model. We first fit the multivariate nonlinear profile data and obtain the reference profiles through support vector regression (SVR) model. The differences between the observed multivariate nonlinear profiles and the reference profiles are used to calculate the vector of metrics. Then, a nonparametric revised spatial rank exponential weighted moving average (RSREWMA) control chart is proposed in the phase II monitoring.

Moreover, a simulation study is conducted to evaluate the detecting performance of our proposed nonparametric RSREWMA control chart under various process shifts using out‐of‐control average run length (ARL1). The simulation results indicate that the SREWMA control chart coupled with the metric of mean absolute deviation (MAD) can be used to monitor the multivariate nonlinear profile data when a common fixed design (CFD) is not applicable in the phase II study. Finally, a realistic multivariate nonlinear profile example is used to demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed RSREWMA control chart and its monitoring schemes.