bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
No cosmic‐ray precompaction exposure of chondrules in CR2.7 MIL 090657
Authors: Roth Antoine S. G. , Leya Ingo
Published: August 2018

Cosmogenic nuclides are useful for reconstructing the cosmic‐ray precompaction exposure history of the chondritic components in the early solar system. Here, we present He and Ne isotope data for 22 chondrules and 4 matrix samples from Miller Range (MIL) 090657, which is the third most pristine Renazzo‐type (CR) carbonaceous chondrite (CR2.7). The studied samples contain variable mixtures of galactic cosmic ray (GCR)‐produced cosmogenic noble gases and trapped noble gases of presolar origin. Remarkably, all chondrules and matrix samples have within analytical uncertainty almost identical nominal 21Ne cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) ages in the range 3.45–6.20 Ma. The nominal 3He CRE ages are mostly discordant, possibly due to partial 3H and 3He losses and/or an inaccurate correction for trapped 3He. The absence of precompaction exposure effects longer than a few Ma in MIL 090657 is at variance with data for other CR chondrites. We conclude that most CR chondrules experienced the same precompaction exposure history—although the nature of the precompaction exposure differs between the chondrites—in regions of the disk that were either exposed to or shielded from GCRs but in which exposure effects due to solar wind and/or solar cosmic rays (SCRs) were negligible. The new data do not support the X‐wind model of Shu and coworkers.
Quantitative and qualitative assessment of pollen DNA metabarcoding using constructed species mixtures
Authors: Bell Karen L. , Burgess Kevin S. , Botsch Jamieson C. , Dobbs Emily K. , Read Timothy D. , Brosi Berry J.
Published: August 2018

Pollen DNA metabarcoding—marker‐based genetic identification of potentially mixed‐species pollen samples—has applications across a variety of fields. While basic species‐level pollen identification using standard DNA barcode markers is established, the extent to which metabarcoding (a) correctly assigns species identities to mixes (qualitative matching) and (b) generates sequence reads proportionally to their relative abundance in a sample (quantitative matching) is unclear, as these have not been assessed relative to known standards. We tested the quantitative and qualitative robustness of metabarcoding in constructed pollen mixtures varying in species richness (1–9 species), taxonomic relatedness (within genera to across class) and rarity (5%–100% of grains), using Illumina MiSeq with the markers rbcL and ITS2. Qualitatively, species composition determinations were largely correct, but false positives and negatives occurred. False negatives were typically driven by lack of a barcode gap or rarity in a sample. Species richness and taxonomic relatedness, however, did not strongly impact correct determinations. False positives were likely driven by contamination, chimeric sequences and/or misidentification by the bioinformatics pipeline. Quantitatively, the proportion of reads for each species was only weakly correlated with its relative abundance, in contrast to suggestions from some other studies. Quantitative mismatches are not correctable by consistent scaling factors, but instead are context‐dependent on the other species present in a sample. Together, our results show that metabarcoding is largely robust for determining pollen presence/absence but that sequence reads should not be used to infer relative abundance of pollen grains.
Cognitive phenomenology and metacognitive feelings
Authors: Arango‐Muñoz Santiago
Published: August 2018

The cognitive phenomenology thesis claims that “there is something it is like” to have cognitive states such as believing, desiring, hoping, attending, and so on. In support of this idea, Goldman claimed that the tip‐of‐the‐tongue phenomenon can be considered as a clear‐cut instance of nonsensory cognitive phenomenology. This paper reviews Goldman's proposal and assesses whether the tip‐of‐the‐tongue and other metacognitive feelings actually constitute an instance of cognitive phenomenology. The paper will show that psychological data cast doubt on the idea that the tip‐of‐the‐tongue and other metacognitive feelings are clear‐cut instances of cognitive phenomenology.
A “Modern” Medieval Theory of Doctrinal Development: Development of Doctrine in St. Bonaventure's Collationes in Hexaemeron
Authors: Haddad Jordan A.
Published: August 2018

Already in St. Bonaventure's Collationes in Hexaemeron there is a rudimentary theory of doctrinal development that confronts the historical problematic encountered most forcefully in modernity. This is the result of Bonaventure's urgent need to respond to the difficulties of Joachimism wherein Francis of Assisi is believed to have ushered in the new age of the Holy Spirit disassociated from the Bible, sacraments, and the institutional Church. In response Bonaventure elucidates an understanding of divine revelation in which new historical epochs allow the Church through the wise and holy mystic-contemplative to read more deeply of the word of God so as to gain a deeper insight into what has already been given in Jesus Christ. In this way the newness of Francis is preserved by grounding his radical way of life in continuity with the once-for-all revelation of God and the Church. In so doing Bonaventure anticipates the particularly modern historical problematic and paves a way forward that preserves the integrity of revelation centuries before the likes of John Henry Newman, Yves M-J Congar, and others.
Distinct branches of the N‐end rule pathway modulate the plant immune response
Authors: Vicente Jorge , Mendiondo Guillermina M. , Pauwels Jarne , Pastor Victoria , Izquierdo Yovanny , Naumann Christin , Movahedi Mahsa , Rooney Daniel , Gibbs Daniel J. , Smart Katherine , Bachmair Andreas , Gray Julie E. , Dissmeyer Nico , Castresana Carmen , Ray Rumiana V. , Gevaert Kris , Holdsworth Michael J.
Published: August 2018

The N‐end rule pathway is a highly conserved constituent of the ubiquitin proteasome system, yet little is known about its biological roles.

Here we explored the role of the N‐end rule pathway in the plant immune response. We investigated the genetic influences of components of the pathway and known protein substrates on physiological, biochemical and metabolic responses to pathogen infection.

We show that the glutamine (Gln) deamidation and cysteine (Cys) oxidation branches are both components of the plant immune system, through the E3 ligase PROTEOLYSIS (PRT)6. In Arabidopsis thaliana Gln‐specific amino‐terminal (Nt)‐amidase (NTAQ1) controls the expression of specific defence‐response genes, activates the synthesis pathway for the phytoalexin camalexin and influences basal resistance to the hemibiotroph pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tomato (Pst). The Nt‐Cys ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR VII transcription factor substrates enhance pathogen‐induced stomatal closure. Transgenic barley with reduced HvPRT6 expression showed enhanced resistance to Ps. japonica and Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei, indicating a conserved role of the pathway.

We propose that that separate branches of the N‐end rule pathway act as distinct components of the plant immune response in flowering plants.
Anesthesia and the developing brain: A way forward for laboratory and clinical research
Authors: Disma Nicola , O'Leary James D. , Loepke Andreas W. , Brambrink Ansgar M. , Becke Karin , Clausen Nicola G. , De Graaff Jurgen C. , Liu Fang , Hansen Tom G. , McCann Mary E. , Salorio Cynthia F. , Soriano Sulpicio , Sun Lena S. , Szmuk Peter , Warner David O. , Vutskits Laszlo , Davidson Andrew J.
Published: August 2018

All commonly used general anesthetics have been shown to cause neurotoxicity in animal models, including nonhuman primates. Opinion, however, remains divided over how cumulative evidence from preclinical and human studies in this field should be interpreted and its translation to current practices in pediatric anesthesia and surgery. A group of international experts in laboratory and clinical sciences recently convened in Genoa, Italy, to evaluate the current state of both laboratory and clinical research and discuss future directions for basic, translational, and clinical studies in this field. This paper describes those discussions and conclusions. A central goal identified was the importance of continuing to pursue laboratory research efforts to better understand the biological pathways underlying anesthesia neurotoxicity. The distinction between basic and translational experimental designs in this field was highlighted, and it was acknowledged that it will be important for future animal research to try to causally link structural changes with long‐term cognitive abnormalities. While inherent limitations will continue to affect the ability of even large observational cohorts to determine if anesthesia impacts neurodevelopment or behavioral outcomes, the importance of conducting further large well‐designed cohort studies was also emphasized. Adequately powered cohorts could clarify which populations are at increased risk, provide information on environmental and healthcare‐related risk modifiers, and guide future interventional trials. If anesthetics cause structural or functional adverse neurological effects in young children, alternative or mitigating strategies need to be considered. While protective or mitigating strategies have been repeatedly studied in animals, there are currently no human data to support alternative anesthetic strategies in clinical practice. Lastly, it was noted that there is still considerable debate over the clinical relevance of anesthesia neurotoxicity, and the need to evaluate the impact of other aspects of perioperative care on neurodevelopment must also be considered.
In vitro behavior and UV response of melanocytes derived from carriers of CDKN2A mutations and MC1R variants
Authors: Hernando Barbara , Swope Viki B. , Guard Steven , Starner Renny J. , Choi Kevin , Anwar Ayesha , Cassidy Pamela , Leachman Sancy , Kadekaro Ana Luisa , Bennett Dorothy C. , Abdel‐Malek Zalfa A.
Published: August 2018

Coinheritance of germline mutation in cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and loss‐of‐function (LOF) melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) variants is clinically associated with exaggerated risk for melanoma. To understand the combined impact of these mutations, we established and tested primary human melanocyte cultures from different CDKN2A mutation carriers, expressing either wild‐type MC1R or MC1RLOF variant(s). These cultures expressed the CDKN2A product p16 (INK4A) and functional MC1R. Except for 32ins24 mutant melanocytes, the remaining cultures showed no detectable aberrations in proliferation or capacity for replicative senescence. Additionally, the latter cultures responded normally to ultraviolet radiation (UV) by cell cycle arrest, JNK, p38, and p53 activation, hydrogen peroxide generation, and repair of DNA photoproducts. We propose that malignant transformation of melanocytes expressing CDKN2A mutation and MC1RLOF allele(s) requires acquisition of somatic mutations facilitated by MC1R genotype or aberrant microenvironment due to CDKN2A mutation in keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
Dissecting the Conditions of Political Protest. An Exploration of Interaction Effects in the Explanation of Political Protest
Authors: Kittel Bernhard , Opp Karl‐Dieter
Published: August 2018

This study addresses the conditions for the participation in protest activities. Starting from social psychological value expectancy theory and the theory of collective action, we study the effects of political discontent, perceived political influence (efficacy), norms to participate, identity, and membership in protest encouraging networks (“social incentives”) on protest. This study challenges the common assumption that these factors have additive effects only and provides a detailed analysis of interaction effects. Another contribution is the theoretical derivation of interaction effects. Our empirical analyses refer to the protests in Leipzig (East Germany) in 1989 under communist rule. Two‐way interactions are found between the following pairs of variables: discontent, influence, and norms. “Identity” (i.e., identification with West Germany) only interacts with discontent. Furthermore, identification is a surrogate for discontent: If identification is strong, discontent no longer influences protest. If identification is weak, increasing discontent raises protest.
The HLA‐C*03:272 allele identified in a volunteer donor for hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Baek In‐Cheol , Choi Eun‐Jeong , Shin Dong‐Hwan , Kim Hyoung‐Jae , Kim Tai‐Gyu
Published: August 2018

HLA‐C*03:272 differs from HLA‐C*03:03:01:01 in exon 3, codon 163.
Factors associated with effective coverage of child health services in Burkina Faso
Authors: Koulidiati Jean‐Louis , De Allegri Manuela , Souares Aurelia , Ouedraogo Samiratou , Hien Hervé , Robyn Paul Jacob , Brenner Stephan
Published: August 2018

Objective

To identify factors associated with both crude and effective health service coverage of under‐fives in rural Burkina Faso.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, 494 first‐line health facilities, 7347 households and 12 497 under‐fives were surveyed. Two sequential logistic random effects models were conducted to assess factors associated with crude and effective coverage.

Results

Of 614 children under‐five with a reported illness episode, 427 (69.5%) received care at a health facility. Of those, 274 (64.1%) received care at a health facility providing at least the minimum threshold of service quality. We found that younger age, having a severe illness, shorter distance between household and health facility, and being from wealthier households were positively associated with crude coverage. In addition, low patient caseload and longer consultation had a positive association, while frequent facility supervisions had a negative association with effective coverage. Moreover, the nurse to clinical staff ratio at the health facility was positively associated with both crude and effective coverage.

Conclusion

Our study found that crude coverage is associated with pre‐disposing and enabling factors of health care access, while the availability of nurses is a strong predictor for both crude and effective coverage. This suggests that in the context of scarcity of resources, investing in human resources in health sector could be one of the priorities for decision‐makers to ensure children in need not only access to healthcare but also good quality of care.
Synthetic colloid fluids (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and 4% succinylated gelatin) interfere with total plasma protein measurements in vitro
Authors: Yam Elodie , Hosgood Giselle , Rossi Gabriele , Smart Lisa
Published: August 2018

Background

High molecular weight (MW) synthetic colloids interfere with refractometry. The effect of low MW synthetic colloids on refractometry is unknown.

Objectives

To investigate the effect of 6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) and 4% succinylated gelatin (GELO) on the refractometric measurement of total plasma protein (TPP) and colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in canine plasma.

Methods

Heparinized plasma from 10 dogs was diluted with 0.9% saline (NaCl), HES, and GELO in ratios of plasma:fluid, 9:1, 8:2, 7:3, 6:4, and 5:5. The biuret TPP (TPPb), refractometric TPP (TPPr), and COP assays were performed for all dilutions. Agreement (bias, 95% limits of agreement (LOA)) was tested between the TPPb (NaCl) and the TPPr of the NaCl, HES, and GELO plasma dilutions, and between the TPPb (NaCl) and the TPPb of the HES and GELO plasma dilutions.

Results

A small bias (0.06 g/dL, 95% LOA −0.51 to 0.39 g/dL) existed between TPPb (NaCl) and TPPr (NaCl). A large bias was found between TPPb (NaCl) and TPPr (HES) (1.38 g/dL, 95% LOA 0.30 to 3.10 g/dL), and TPPr (GELO) (1.18 g/dL, 95% LOA 0.53 to 2.88 g/dL). A small bias was found between TPPb (NaCl) and TPPb (HES) (0.08 g/dL, 95% LOA −2.04 to 2.20 g/dL), and a large bias was found between TPPb (NaCl) and TPPb (GELO) (1.00 g/dL, 95% LOA −0.59 to 2.60 g/dL). Increasing overestimation of TPPb (NaCl) by TPPr (HES and GELO) and TPPb (GELO) occurred with increasing colloid volumes.

Conclusions

HES and GELO interfered with TPPr, and GELO also interfered with TPPb, in vitro. These variables should be interpreted with caution for dogs that have received these synthetic colloids.
Evaluation of end‐tidal carbon dioxide as a predictor of return of spontaneous circulation in dogs and cats undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Authors: Hogen Talli , Cole Steven G. , Drobatz Kenneth J.
Published: August 2018

Objective

To determine whether the partial pressure of end‐tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) could predict return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in patients with cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) undergoing CPR.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

Two private specialty referral hospitals.

Animals

Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs and cats in CPA in which CPR was performed and pertinent data recorded on a purpose‐made form.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

PetCO2was recorded at 1‐minute intervals during CPR. Hospital, animal, arrest, and outcome variables were also reported in the Utstein style where possible. Twelve animals (7 dogs and 5 cats) achieved ROSC; 4 of these (2 dogs and 2 cats) had sustained ROSC, of which 1 dog was discharged alive. Patients that achieved ROSC had significantly higher initial PetCO2(P= 0.0083), peak PetCO2(P< 0.0001), average PetCO2(P< 0.0001), and ΔPetCO2(difference between last and first recorded PetCO2;P= 0.0004) than patients not resuscitated. The PetCO2accurately discriminated between ROSC and failure to achieve ROSC at minutes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of CPR with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.926, 0.967, 0.938, 0.933, 0.956, and 1.00, respectively. The optimal cutoff PetCO2was 18 mm Hg (2.4 kPa), with a sensitivity of ≥80% and a specificity of ≥95% at minutes 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8, correctly classifying 91–100% of cases.

Conclusions

The results of this small study support previous recommendations to monitor PetCO2during CPR and suggest that PetCO2during CPR may be useful for determining the probability of ROSC. Absolute values and trends of PetCO2may assist clinicians and owners in making decisions for pets with CPA.
Antibiotic therapy of diabetic foot infections: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tchero Huidi , Kangambega Pauline , Noubou Lazarre , Becsangele Beatrice , Fluieraru Sergiu , Teot Luc
Published: August 2018

Diabetic foot infection is a common diabetic complication that may end in lower limb amputation if not treated properly. We performed this systematic review to assess the clinical efficacy of different antibiotic regimens, whether systemic or topical, in the treatment of moderate to severe diabetic foot infections. We searched Medline, Web of Science, SCOPUS, Cochrane CENTRAL, and ScienceDirect for randomized controlled trials that evaluated the efficacy of antibiotic regimens in moderate to severe diabetic foot infections. The primary outcome of interest was the clinical efficacy (cure/improvement rates) of the regimens. We included 16 trials (4,158 patients) in this review, from which we extracted 10 comparisons: some trials compared systemic antibiotics to each other, others compared systemic to topical agents, while one study compared the combined topical and systemic agents to systemic antibiotics alone. Qualitative analysis of the findings of these studies showed that: (1) pipracillin/tazobactam was superior to ertapenem in severe infections (clinical resolution rate: 91.5% compared with PIP/TAZ 97.2%, p ≤ 0.04), but had similar efficacy in moderate infections, (2) ertapenem was more effective than tigecycline in moderate to severe infections (absolute difference −5.5, [95% CI −11.0, 0.1]), (3) the adjuvant use of topical agents with systemic antibiotics improved the outcomes, compared with systemic antibiotics alone (p = 0.024), (4) the rates of recurrence and re‐ulceration were significantly lower in patients using the amino‐penicillin regimen, compared with those using oral/intravenous ofloxacin, and (5) lower rates of complications accompanied the imipenem/cilastatin regimen, compared with the pipracillin/tazobactam regimen (p = 0.13). In conclusion, data from the included studies showed better results for ertapenem when compared with tigecycline; however, it was inferior to pipracillin/tazobactam in severe infections. The adjuvant use of topical agents improves the efficacy of systemic antibiotics in diabetic foot infection.
Tunable resistivity in ink-jet printed electrical structures on paper by plasma conversion of particle-free, stabilizer-free silver inks
Authors: Sui Yongkun , Ghosh Souvik , Miller Christopher , Pappas Daphne , Mohan Sankaran R. , Zorman Christian A.
Published: August 2018

Printable metal inks are typically composed of premade nanoparticles that require postdeposition thermal sintering to produce crystalline, electrically conductive features. In this paper, it is shown that particle-free Ag inks made from simple, water-soluble metal salts such as silver nitrate can be ink-jet printed and converted into electrical features with tunable resistivity at low temperature (<100 °C) by exposure to a pure argon plasma. X-ray diffraction confirms that the converted inks are crystalline, and four-point probe electrical measurements show that the sheet resistances are a function of the pressure and power in the plasma. From cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy analysis, it is found that the morphology of the converted silver layer becomes increasingly dense with increasing plasma treatment time, which explains the measured changes in sheet resistance, and that the thickness of the layer is ∼1.5 μm, which yields a minimum resistivity of ∼6 × 10−8 Ω m, approximately 3.8 times higher than bulk resistivity of silver. Interestingly, the resistivity can be varied over a span of 6 orders of magnitude which allows resistor–capacitor filter devices to be fabricated exhibiting varying cut-off frequencies from a single material and geometry.
Short-Term Peripheral Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections: Evidence for Increasing Prevalence of Gram-Negative Microorganisms from a 25-Year Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Ripa Marco , Morata Laura , Rodríguez-Núñez Olga , Cardozo Celia , Puerta-Alcalde Pedro , Hernández-Meneses Marta , Ambrosioni Juan , Linares Laura , Bodro Marta , Valcárcel Andrea , Casals Climent , Guerrero-León Maria de los Angeles , Almela Manel , Garcia-Vidal Carolina , del Río Ana , Marco Francesc , Mensa Josep , Martínez José Antonio , Soriano Alex
Published: August 2018

The aim of this study was to describe the etiology and outcome of short-term peripheral venous catheter (PVC)-related bloodstream infections (PVCRBSI) in a 25-year period (1992 to 2016) and to identify predictive factors of Gram-negative PVCRBSI. This was a prospective observational study including all episodes of PVCRBSI.
Synthesis and photophysical evaluation of new fluorescent 7-arylethynyl-7-deazaadenosine analogs
Authors: Matarazzo Augusto , Brow Justin , Hudson Robert H.E.
Published: August 2018

Three new fluorescent 7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine analogs were synthesized via the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 7-iodo-7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine with 1-ethynylpyrene, 2-ethynyl-6-methoxynaphthalene, and 9-ethynylphenanthrene. The spectral properties of these analogs were evaluated in dioxane, EtOH, and H2O to determine their potential for use as environmentally sensitive fluorescent probes. All three analogs displayed large solvatofluorochromicity in H2O, relative to their emission wavelengths in dioxane or EtOH. Moreover, all three analogs exhibited microenvironmental sensitivity of their fluorescence emission intensity, being moderate to high quantum yields in dioxane and EtOH and significantly lower in H2O. Various attempts to perform domino cross-coupling and annuation reactions on 7-deaza-7-alkynyladenine derivatives to form a new fused tricyclic adenine analog were unsuccessful.
Salt tectonism and distribution of brackish-water trace fossils in the Cretaceous McMurray Formation, Athabasca Oil Sands, Alberta Foreland Basin
Authors: Broughton Paul L.
Published: August 2018

A proposed salt tectonism-saline seep model provides a novel alternative to the two widely accepted but irreconcilable depositional models for middle McMurray Formation strata of the Lower Cretaceous Athabasca Oil Sands deposit. Established interpretations of a fluvial axial channel belt along the eastern Alberta Foreland Basin contrast with a hundreds-of-kilometres long estuarine marine–fluvial transition zone setting that was characterized by brackish-water trace fossil laden beds. The architecture of a highly sinuous fluvial meander channel belt with bank-full depths of 30–40 m furthermore is not compatible with an estuary having a tens-of-metres thick salt wedge extending hundreds-of-kilometres upstream. This new model proposes that the removal of the underlying 100 m thick Middle Devonian salt section occurred across thousands of square kilometres and resulted in voluminous saline seeps up-section into river channel fills of the middle McMurray Formation. Southward transgression by a Boreal Sea tongue terminated fluvial lower McMurray Formation deposition, and transported brackish-water larvae inland along the tide-impacted backwater length. This zoology was sustained along the fluvial channel belt by the saline seeps that elevated salinity levels in channel muds as the fluvial system dominance reasserted. Brackish-water macroinvertebrates rapidly adapted to new terrestrial food sources in these fluvial channels, precluding the necessity for a salt wedge to have extended inland for hundreds of kilometres. This research presents the first quantitative analysis of the McMurray Formation trace fossil distribution patterns. Quaternary saline surface seep trends are proposed to represent intermittent seepage up-section since the Early Cretaceous.
Variations in northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis) regeneration following operational selection cutting in mixedwood stands of western Quebec
Authors: Saucier Laurence , Ruel Jean-Claude , Larouche Catherine
Published: August 2018

Poorly adapted silvicultural practices and increases in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmerman, 1780)) populations have most likely contributed to the decline of northern white-cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.) in many regions of eastern North America. Selection cutting has been suggested to regenerate northern white-cedar in mixedwood stands, but the approach has not yet been validated in an operational framework. The objective of this study was to determine how local variations in stand condition and treatment application influence northern white-cedar regeneration at an operational scale in mixedwood stands. Seventy treated and control permanent plots, having at least 10% of basal area in cedar, were selected in an operational harvesting site. A regeneration survey was conducted in 2014, 15 to 20 years after harvesting, and data on harvested trees and tree cover, as well as regeneration state and abundance, were collected. Results indicate that selection cutting allows for the establishment of northern white-cedar when deer densities are low, which was the case in the study sites. However, abundance of seed trees nearby, harvesting intensity, competition, and availability of establishment microsites influenced abundance, growth, and recruitment of northern white-cedar seedlings and saplings in the residual stand. Deer browsing had no effect on regeneration.
Volume of the space of qubit-qubit channels and state transformations under random quantum channels
Authors: Lovas Attila , Andai Attila
Published: August 2018

The simplest building blocks for quantum computations are the qubit-qubit quantum channels. In this paper, we analyze the structure of these channels via their Choi representation. The restriction of a quantum channel to the space of classical states (i.e. probability distributions) is called the underlying classical channel. The structure of quantum channels over a fixed classical channel is studied, the volume of the general and unital qubit channels with respect to the Lebesgue measure is computed and explicit formulas are presented for the distribution of the volume of quantum channels over given classical channels. We study the state transformation under uniformly random quantum channels. If one applies a uniformly random quantum channel (general or unital) to a given qubit state, the distribution of the resulted quantum states is presented.
Analysis of Modal Transition and Coincidence Degree Variation Instabilities of Wind Turbine Planetary Gear System
Authors: Wang ChunGuang
Published: August 2018

To accurately analyze the dynamic characteristics of the wind turbine planetary gear system, a dynamic model is established. The sensitivity of natural frequency to meshing stiffness is calculated by modal analysis method, the coupling factor is used to judge the occurrence of transition, the parameter instability caused by the meshing stiffness change is analyzed by the multi-scale method. The results the change rule on eigenvalue sensitivity, mode transition criterion and coincidence degree variation instabilities are obtained, the obtained rules can be used for dynamic analysis and design optimization.
Dynamical features of a quintom dark energy model with Galileon corrections
Authors: Marciu Mihai , Ioan Dana Maria , Iancu Florin Vlad
Published: August 2018

In this work, we propose a new dark energy cosmological model, by considering a new quintom scenario which is based on the superposition between a quintessence scalar field and a noncanonical scalar field, both nonminimally coupled with cubic self-interaction terms. Considering that the two scalar fields of the quintom construction are nonminimally coupled in an independent manner with cubic self-interactions terms in the corresponding action, we have analyzed the dynamical features of the present model in the phase-space. By performing a dynamical system analysis in the case of exponential potentials, we have analyzed the structure of the phase-space, obtaining different possible constraints for the parameters of the model which correspond to distinct evolution scenarios.
EFFECTS OF ANNEALING ON THE COMPOSITION, STRUCTURE AND PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES OF C-DOPED TITANIA FILMS DEPOSITED BY REACTIVE MAGNETRON SPUTTERING USING CO2 AS CARBON SOURCE
Authors: WEI B. , XUE J. L. , CAO H. T. , LI H. G. , WEN F. , PEI Y. T.
Published: August 2018

Carbon-doped titania (C:TiO2) films were prepared by reactive magnetron sputtering using CO2 as a carbon source. The as-prepared films were annealed at different temperatures in vacuum condition. A TiO2 film using O2 gas was also prepared for comparisons with C:TiO2. The structure and composition of the as-prepared, the TiO2 films and the annealed C:TiO2 films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, whereas the surface morphology of the C:TiO2 films was measured by atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, photocatalytic properties of the films were evaluated by the degradation of methyl orange (MO). The results indicate that the photocatalytic property was improved when carbon was doped into TiO2 films, and the C:TiO2 films consist of anatase and TiO phases. The experimental results of the MO’s degradation confirm that the annealing process at various temperatures can modify the surface morphology of the films and the content of oxygen vacancies in the films. Consequently, the variations in surface topography and oxygen vacancy potentially enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 films.
NANOSCALE DIMPLES AND PERIODIC CORRUGATIONS ON FRACTURE SURFACE OF Zr-BASED BULK METALLIC GLASS COMPOSITE
Authors: SHI BO , LUAN SHIYU , JIN PEIPENG
Published: August 2018

Nanoscale dimples and periodic corrugations are observed on the fracture surface of Zr-based bulk metallic glass composite (BMGC). The nanoscale periodic corrugations display a curved shape, which is different from that observed in previous works. In addition, the crystallization behavior of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text] BMG was investigated. The second crystallization event of Zr-Cu-Ni-Al BMG can be controlled by annealing or tuning cooling rate. The in situ Zr-based BMGC was prepared via lowering cooling rate. The Zr-based BMGC displays completely brittleness.
Private Enterprise Development in a One-Party Autocratic State: The Case of Alibaba Group in China’s E-Commerce
Authors: YU FU LAI TONY
Published: August 2018

This study attempts to explain China’s industrial development with special reference to e-commerce. It argues that in a one-party autocratic regime such as China, the collaboration between government officials and private entrepreneurs in strategic industries can promote industrial growth. Since Internet can jeopardize communist party’s goal of maintaining cohesiveness and absolute political power, the Chinese government has imposed surveillance on private operation in all IT operations. Specifically, in e-commerce industry, through collaborations with private enterprises, the communist party can “kill two birds in one arrow.” On the one hand, party members are able to preserve national security and maintain social and financial stability by closely monitoring the private enterprise operation. Moreover, party members can seize tangible and non-tangible benefits from the growth in e-commerce firms. On the other hand, private e-commerce enterprises, by building close connection with public officials and senior party members, can obtain strong support from the government, and thus boosting its business growth. This argument is applied to explain the miraculous growth of Alibaba Group, a private e-commerce enterprise in China. In particular, the paper attempts to show the relationship between the Chinese government and the private entrepreneur in the e-business development and how their collaboration enhances growth in the Internet market.
Neonatal gut and immune maturation is determined more by postnatal age than by postconceptional age in moderately preterm pigs
Authors: Ren Shuqiang , Hui Yan , Obelitz-Ryom Karina , Brandt Anne B. , Kot Witold , Nielsen Dennis S. , Thymann Thomas , Sangild Per T. , Nguyen Duc Ninh
Published: August 2018

Preterm infants have immature organ functions that predispose them to gut and immune disorders. Developmental delays at preterm birth may affect various organs differently at term-corrected age. We hypothesized that gut and immune maturation in moderately preterm neonates depends more on birth and postnatal factors than on advancing postconceptional age (PCA). Using preterm pigs as models, we investigated how gut and immune parameters develop until term-corrected age and how these differ from those in term counterparts. Preterm ( n = 43, 106 days of gestation) and term pigs ( n = 41, 116 days of gestation) were delivered by caesarean section and euthanized at birth ( day 1) or postnatal day 11 (term-corrected age for preterm pigs) using identical rearing conditions. Relative to term pigs, preterm pigs had lower blood oxygenation, glucose, and cortisol levels, lower gut lactase activity, villus height, and goblet cell density, and lower blood neutrophil, helper T, and cytotoxic T cell numbers at birth. Despite slower growth in preterm pigs, most intestinal and immune parameters increased markedly after birth in both groups. However, some parameters remained negatively affected by preterm birth until postnatal day 11 (goblet cells, gut permeability, and cytotoxic T cells). The colon microbiota showed limited differences between preterm and term pigs at this time. At the same PCA, preterm 11-day-old pigs had higher blood leukocyte numbers and gut enzyme activities but lower villus height and blood cytotoxic T cell numbers relative to newborn term pigs. Birth and postnatal factors, not advancing PCA, are key determinants of gut and immune maturation in moderately preterm neonates.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Postnatally, preterm infants are often considered to reach a physiological maturation similar to that in term infants when they reach term-corrected postconceptional age (PCA). Using preterm pigs as models, we show that PCA may be a poor measure of gut and immune maturation because environmental triggers (regardless of PCA at birth) are critical. Possibly, PCA is only relevant to evaluate physiological maturation of organs that develop relatively independent of the external environment (e.g., the brain).
Absence of leptin signaling allows fat accretion in cystic fibrosis mice
Authors: Bederman Ilya R. , Pora Gavriella , O’Reilly Maureen , Poleman James , Spoonhower Kimberly , Puchowicz Michelle , Perez Aura , Erokwu Bernadette O. , Rodriguez-Palacios Alex , Flask Chris A. , Drumm Mitchell L.
Published: August 2018

Negative energy balance is a prevalent feature of cystic fibrosis (CF). Pancreatic insufficiency, elevated energy expenditure, lung disease, and malnutrition, all characteristic of CF, contribute to the negative energy balance causing low body-growth phenotype. As low body weight and body mass index strongly correlate with poor lung health and survival of patients with CF, improving energy balance is an important clinical goal (e.g., high-fat diet). CF mouse models also exhibit negative energy balance (growth retardation and high energy expenditure), independent from exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, lung disease, and malnutrition. To improve energy balance through increased caloric intake and reduced energy expenditure, we disrupted leptin signaling by crossing the db/db leptin receptor allele with mice carrying the R117H Cftr mutation. Compared with db/db mice, absence of leptin signaling in CF mice (CF db/db) resulted in delayed and moderate hyperphagia with lower de novo lipogenesis and lipid deposition, producing only moderately obese CF mice. Greater body length was found in db/db mice but not in CF db/db, suggesting CF-dependent effect on bone growth. The db/db genotype resulted in lower energy expenditure regardless of Cftr genotype leading to obesity. Despite the db/db genotype, the CF genotype exhibited high respiratory quotient indicating elevated carbohydrate oxidation, thus limiting carbohydrates for lipogenesis. In summary, db/db-linked hyperphagia, elevated lipogenesis, and morbid obesity were partially suppressed by reduced CFTR activity. CF mice still accrued large amounts of adipose tissue in contrast to mice fed a high-fat diet, thus highlighting the importance of dietary carbohydrates and not simply fat for energy balance in CF.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that cystic fibrosis (CF) mice are able to accrue fat under conditions of carbohydrate overfeeding, increased lipogenesis, and decreased energy expenditure, although length was unaffected. High-fat diet feeding failed to improve growth in CF mice. Morbid db/db-like obesity was reduced in CF double-mutant mice by reduced CFTR activity.
The Effects of Cholesterol-Derived Oncometabolites on Nuclear Receptor Function in Cancer
Authors: Silvente-Poirot Sandrine , Dalenc Florence , Poirot Marc
Published: August 2018

Epidemiologic studies are controversial concerning the roles played by cholesterol in cancer risk and development, possibly as it is not cholesterol per se that is pathologic in cancers. Indeed, recent data reveal that the cholesterol metabolism in cancer cells can generate endogenous oncopromoter metabolites at higher levels compared with normal tissues and/or can be deregulated in the production of endogenous oncosuppressor metabolites in an opposite way. These metabolites are oxysterols, which are cholesterol oxygenation products generated by enzymatic and/or autoxidation processes. All these oxysterols are new classes of estrogen, glucocorticoid, or liver X nuclear receptor ligands, and their protumor action on their cognate receptors could explain some drug resistance, while treatment with antitumor metabolites could complement their deficiency in cancers and restore their action on their nuclear receptor. Given that hypercholesterolemia and high intakes of cholesterol-rich foods or processed foods can generate these oxysterols, their importance in cancer risk or development in overweight and obese people is to be considered. The discovery of these cholesterol-derived metabolites and the identification of the nuclear receptors mediating their pro- or antitumor activities are important findings, which should have major implications in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of different cancers and open new areas of research. Cancer Res; 78(17); 4803–8. ©2018 AACR.
Abstract A020: 5-Azacytidine primes AML cells for venetoclax-induced apoptosis by upregulating NOXA and PUMA protein expression
Authors: Jin Sha , Purkal Julie , Popovic Relja , Xiao Yu , Solomon Larry , Boghaert Erwin , Leverson Joel , Phillips Darren C.
Published: August 2018

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal hematologic malignancy characterized by complex heterogeneity and epigenetic features with an incidence of 20,830 new cases in 2015. Older patients, age ≥65 years, define a hard-to-treat population with a median overall survival (OS) of 2-8 months whose treatment options include induction chemotherapy, low-dose-Ara-C, best supportive care, and hypothemylating agents (HMAs). The HMA 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza) is an epigenetic targeting therapy that provides a median OS of 10.4 months in elderly AML patients (≥65 years of age; Dombret et al., 2015; Tamamyan et al., 2017). This antitumorigenic activity can be at least in part attributed to the induction of apoptosis since 5-Aza’s preclinical activity can be limited by members of the antiapoptotic BCL-2 protein family (Bogenberger et al., 2014). Venetoclax (ABT-199) is a highly selective, orally bioavailable BCL-2 inhibitor that is efficacious in numerous preclinical models of hematologic malignancies. A phase II clinical trial in heavily pretreated relapsed and refractory (R/R) AML patients has demonstrated venetoclax is active as a monotherapy (overall response rate (ORR) of 19%; Konopleva et al., 2016), providing the foundation for combinational studies with other antitumorigenic agents in AML. Early phase Ib clinical data in elderly AML patients (≥ 65 year of age) indicate that combining venetoclax with 5-Aza results in an ORR of 60-68% (Pratz et al., 2017). However, the underlying mechanism for the combinational activity observed between venetoclax and 5-Aza is unknown. Herein we report that 5-Aza upregulates the expression of the BH3-only proteins NOXA and PUMA in human AML cell lines. This is associated with an increase in the amount of NOXA and PUMA in complex with antiapoptotic BCL-2 proteins, serving to “prime” AML cells for induction of apoptosis by venetoclax treatment, and rationalizing the significant synergistic cell death observed when a panel of AML cell lines was treated with venetoclax and 5-Aza in vitro. Further, the venetoclax/5-Aza combination provided added benefit over either agent alone in two xenograft models of AML. Collectively these data provide a preclinical basis for an ongoing randomized phase III clinical trial evaluating venetoclax activity in combination with 5-Aza in treatment-naïve AML patients ineligible for standard induction therapy (M15-656, NCT02993523).

Citation Format: Sha Jin, Julie Purkal, Relja Popovic, Yu Xiao, Larry Solomon, Erwin Boghaert, Joel Leverson, Darren C. Phillips. 5-Azacytidine primes AML cells for venetoclax-induced apoptosis by upregulating NOXA and PUMA protein expression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A020.
Abstract A133: Development of murine models to evaluate the impact of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibition on chemotherapy response
Authors: Jahchan Nadine , Zhou Haiying , Stice James , Kong Wayne , McWeeney Dan , Sun Daqing , Rew Yosup , Du Xiaohui , Zhu Liusheng , Ye Qiuping , Jackson Erica L. , Fantin Valeria
Published: August 2018

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors. GR is activated by its endogenous steroid hormone ligand, cortisol, and by synthetic glucocorticoid drugs such as dexamethasone. Several preclinical studies have established a role for GR in mediating resistance to both targeted therapies and conventional chemotherapies in epithelial cancers. Glucocorticoids have been reported to confer resistance to antimetabolites, taxanes, and platinum compounds in lung, prostate, bladder, renal, ovarian, and triple-negative breast cancers (Gassler et al., 2005; Li et al., 2017; Zhang et al., 2007). GR has also been reported to confer resistance to antiandrogen therapies in prostate cancer (Arora et al., 2013). Therefore, a molecule that inhibits GR activation could attenuate the development of resistance to cancer therapeutics. We are developing novel GR inhibitors that effectively block GR transcriptional activity in cells by competing for ligand binding and blocking GR-Coactivator interactions. In vitro, GR inhibition enhances the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents under conditions supporting GR activation. In humans, the predominant glucocorticoid is cortisol, while in mice the predominant glucocorticoid is corticosterone (Siswanto et al., 2008). Corticosterone is a potent agonist of murine GR, but a weak agonist of human GR. When human tumor cells are grown in mice, GR is not active in the tumor cells due to the lack of circulating cortisol. Therefore it is necessary to provide exogenous cortisol to fully activate GR. Using xenograft models of ovarian and triple-negative breast cancer, we find that tumors grown in mice with physiologically relevant circulating cortisol levels are significantly less sensitive to standard-of-care chemotherapy than those grown in the absence of cortisol. Inhibition of GR is effective at restoring the response to chemotherapy in these models. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of GR inhibitors in combination with clinically utilized chemotherapeutics. Furthermore, the in vivo models developed provide a milieu for testing and developing GR inhibitors.

Citation Format: Nadine Jahchan, Haiying Zhou, James Stice, Wayne Kong, Dan McWeeney, Daqing Sun, Yosup Rew, Xiaohui Du, Liusheng Zhu, Qiuping Ye, Erica L. Jackson, Valeria Fantin. Development of murine models to evaluate the impact of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) inhibition on chemotherapy response [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A133.