bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mitochondrial impairment following neonatal overfeeding: A comparison between normal and ischemic‐reperfused hearts
Authors: de Moura Freitas Cristiane , Nascimento Luciana Caroline Paulino do , Braz Glauber Rudá Feitoza , Andrade‐Silva Severina Cassia , Lima‐Junior Nelson C. , de Araujo Silva Tercya , Fernandes Mariana Pinheiro , Ferreira Diorginis José Soares , Lagranha Claudia Jacques
Published: October 2018

Overweight and obesity are established factors underpin several metabolic impairments, including the cardiovascular. Although the diversity of factors involved in overweight/obesity‐induced cardiovascular diseases, mitochondria has been highlighted due to its role in cardiac metabolism. As obesity can be originated in early postnatal life, the current study evaluates the effects of neonatal overfeeding on the cardiac mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative balance in rats that underwent an ischemia‐reperfusion insult. Seventy‐two hours after delivery, Wistar rat litters were randomly assigned into the control (C; nine pups per mother) and the Overfed (OF; three pups per mother) groups throughout the lactation period. At weaning, male offspring were fed with laboratory chow ad libitum until sacrifice at 30 and 60 days of life. Mitochondrial heart bioenergetics and oxidative balance showed to be deeply affected by neonatal overfeeding at both ages. Interestingly, after ischemia‐reperfusion insult I/R (Langendorff or mineral oil incubation), most parameters evaluated in OF animals were not influenced by additional ischemic‐reperfusion injury. Our findings demonstrated that suckling overfeeding deregulates cardiac mitochondrial alike to ischemia‐reperfusion insult by disengaging electrical mitochondrial coupling and potentiate oxidative stress, wherein the neonatal overfeeding shows to be so detrimental as I/R. Our findings support the concept that nutritional insults in the critical development periods increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and mitochondria impairments throughout life while oxidative damage change between molecular targets.
Antihepatotoxic benefits of Poria cocos polysaccharides on acetaminophen‐lesioned livers in vivo and in vitro
Authors: Wu Ka , Guo Chao , Yang Bin , Wu Xinmou , Wang Weimin
Published: October 2018

In our previous study, preliminary data indicates that Poria cocos polysaccharides (PCP) shows beneficial hepatoprotection against acetaminophen (APAP)‐induced liver injury in mice. However, biological molecular mechanism warrants to be further discussed. In current study, a number of biochemical tests and immunoassays were subjected to respective PCP‐dosed mice in vivo and liver cells in vitro. As a result, PCP‐treated mice showed reduced contents of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]‐β and TNFsR‐I), enzymological molecules (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase [LDL]), and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) after APAP exposure. Additionally, immunostaining assays exhibited that lowered‐positive cells of cleaved‐caspase‐3, cleaved‐poly ADP ribose polymerase, and Hsp90‐labeled cells in PCP‐treated livers were observed, and increased cluster of differentiation 29 (CD29), CD73‐positive cells in the spleen were detected. Further, PCP‐treated mouse liver cells resulted in increased cell growth, reduced LDL level. Increased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK)‐labeled cells and decreased Hsp90‐positive cells in APAP‐exposed liver cells were observed dose‐dependently after PCP cotreatments. Collectively, our present experimental findings elucidate that PCP beneficially play hepatoprotective effects against APAP‐lesioned liver cells in vivo and in vitro, potentially through the molecular mechanisms of suppressing cell death, reducing hepatocellular inflammatory stress and Hsp90 bioactivity.
A systematic benchmarking of computational vibrational spectroscopy with DFTB3: Normal mode analysis and fast Fourier transform dipole autocorrelation function
Authors: Inakollu V. S. Sandeep , Yu Haibo
Published: October 2018

Computational vibrational spectroscopy serves as an important tool in the interpretation of experimental infrared (IR) spectra. In this article, we present a systematic benchmarking study of DFTB3 with two different computational vibrational spectroscopic methods, based on either normal mode analysis (NMA) or fast Fourier transform dipole autocorrelation function (FT‐DAC). The results were compared with experimental data and theoretical calculations with B3LYP/cc‐pVTZ. The empirical scaling factors for DFTB3/NMA, DFTB3‐freq/NMA, and DFTB3/FT‐DAC methods are 0.9993, 1.0059, and 0.9982, respectively. We also demonstrate the significance of anharmonicity and conformational sampling in vibrational spectroscopic calculations on flexible molecules. As expected, DFTB3/FT‐DAC predicted the anharmonic vibrational peaks more accurately than DFTB3/NMA and NMA spectra are highly dependent on the initial structures. The potential limitations of DFTB3 for vibrational spectroscopic calculations and the challenges in assigning the FT‐DAC spectral peaks were noted. DFTB3/FT‐DAC is expected to serve as a promising technique in computational spectroscopy in complex biomolecular systems. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electronic processes in NO dimerization on Ag and Cu clusters: DFT and MRMP2 studies
Authors: Takagi Nozomi , Nakagaki Masayuki , Ishimura Kazuya , Fukuda Ryoichi , Ehara Masahiro , Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: October 2018

Experimentally observed NO dimerization on Cu and Ag surfaces is surprising because binding energy of NO dimer is very small in gas phase. MRMP2, MP2 to MP4, CCSD(T), and DFT studies of NO dimerization on Ag2 and Cu2 clusters disclosed that the CCSD(T) method could be applied to this reaction on Ag2 and Cu2 unlike NO dimerization in gas phase which exhibits significantly large nondynamical electron correlation effect. Charge‐transfer (CT) from Ag2 and Cu2 to NO moieties plays important role in NN bond formation between two NO molecules. This CT considerably decreases nondynamical correlation effect. Also, the DFT method could be applied to this NO dimerization, if appropriate DFT functional is used; all pure functionals examined here and most of the hybrid functionals underestimated the activation barrier (Ea), while only ωB97X provided Ea similar to CCSD(T)‐calculated value. NO dimerization on similar Cu2 and Cu5 needs moderately larger Ea than those on Ag2 and Ag5, because frontier orbital participating in the CT exists at lower energy in Cu2 and Cu5 than in Ag2 and Ag5. The Ea decreases in the order Ag2 >> Ag38 > Ag7 ∼ Ag5 and the reaction energy (ΔE) is positive (endothermic) in Ag2 but significantly negative in Ag38, Ag7, and Ag5, indicating that various Ag clusters could be effective for NO dimerization except for Ag2. The decreasing order of Ea and increasing order of exothermicity are attributed to increasing order of the frontier orbital energy of Ag2 < Ag38 < Ag7 ∼ Ag5. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exercise dependence: Associations with capability for suicide and past suicidal behavior
Authors: Rogers Megan L. , Duffy Mary E. , Buchman‐Schmitt Jennifer M. , Datoc Alison E. , Joiner Thomas E.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Exercise dependence has been linked to capability for suicide and suicidal behavior; however, less understood are which facets of exercise dependence confer risk for suicidal behavior and the potential mechanisms of this association. This study examined relationships between exercise dependence, capability for suicide, and past suicidal behavior.

Methods

A sample of 540 individuals recruited via MTurk completed online measures of their exercise dependence, capability for suicide, and history of suicidal behavior.

Results

Suicide attempters reported higher levels of continuance in exercise despite physical or psychological consequences, lack of control over exercise, and reductions in other activities due to exercise than nonattempters. Capability for suicide accounted for the relationship between continuance in exercise despite adverse consequences and lifetime number of suicide attempts.

Conclusions

When exercise becomes pathological in the form of exercise dependence, steps should be taken to reduce such engagement due to its observed association with suicidal behavior.
Unique and shared features of narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders: Implications for assessing and modeling externalizing traits
Authors: Stanton Kasey , Zimmerman Mark
Published: October 2018

Objectives

We aimed to determine which, if any, features distinguish antisocial and narcissistic personality disorders (ASPD and NPD), two overlapping externalizing disorders.

Methods

A large sample of outpatients (N = 2,149) completed interview measures assessing personality pathology, other psychopathology, and impairment. The structure of antisocial and narcissistic traits was examined using both exploratory bifactor and traditional exploratory factor analytic approaches, and we examined relations for our emergent factors.

Results

Factor analytic results indicated that most narcissistic and antisocial traits were strongly overlapping, although some features emerged as relatively distinct (e.g., arrogance defining NPD). Factors modeling our specific bifactor dimensions showed very weak psychopathology and impairment relations.

Conclusions

The structure of ASPD and NPD traits does not align neatly with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) Section II conceptualizations, Regardless of the factor analytic approach used. Our findings also indicate that specific dimensions defining these PDs show modest predictive power after accounting for a general externalizing dimension.
Visual Body Scale for Men (VBSM): Validation of a new figural rating scale to measure perceived‐desired body discrepancy in men
Authors: Talbot Daniel , Cass John , Smith Evelyn
Published: October 2018

Objectives

This study examined the psychometric properties of the Visual Body Scale for Men (VBSM), a new figural rating scale designed as a measure of male perceived‐ideal body discrepancy.

Methods

In Study 1, participants were 133 males who selected their perceived and desired bodies from the VBSM. Body composition, body dissatisfaction, eating disorder and depressive symptomatology were obtained. In Study 2, participants were 33 males who completed the VBSM and the Bodybuilder Image Grid (BIG). Study 2 aimed to compare the validity evidence of the VBSM to the BIG.

Results

Both VBSM‐Body Fat (VBSM‐BF) and VBSM‐Muscularity (VBSM‐M) demonstrated sound test–retest reliability, convergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity evidence. Additionally, the VBSM demonstrated better sensitivity for detecting body fat‐related body image and dissatisfaction when compared to the BIG.

Conclusion

The VBSM improves upon existing male figural rating scales in terms of image quality, includes both dimensions of a male body image, and demonstrates good psychometric properties.
The stigmatization of nonsuicidal self‐injury
Authors: Burke Taylor A. , Piccirillo Marilyn L. , Moore‐Berg Samantha L. , Alloy Lauren B. , Heimberg Richard G.
Published: October 2018

Objective

Despite the high prevalence of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI), no research has systematically studied the occurrence and effects of stigmatization by others towards NSSI scarring.

Methods

The current study measured implicit and explicit attitudes among undergraduates towards NSSI scarring using the implicit association test and questionnaires to compare implicit and explicit biases towards NSSI with biases towards tattoos, a culturally sanctioned form of self‐determined marking, as well as nonintentional disfigurement.

Results

Our study demonstrated strong negative implicit and explicit biases towards NSSI when comparing NSSI to tattoos and nonintentional disfigurement.

Conclusions

Results extend previous research describing stigma towards mental illness and suggest a large negative bias towards NSSI. The importance of studying how stigma affects those who bear scarring from NSSI is discussed.
“We almost had the whole block's phone number on the wall”: A mixed methods investigation of informal helping in a predominantly rural sample
Authors: Hagler Matthew , Hamby Sherry , Banyard Victoria , Grych John
Published: October 2018

Community psychologists have noted the limitations of professional models of mental health treatment, demonstrating that people are more likely to use informal familial or community support during adversity. However, relatively little is known about the forms and functions of informal help seeking and provision. Semistructured interviews (N = 170), in which a sample of predominantly rural‐dwelling adolescents and adults described significant life experiences, were coded for instances of receiving help. Codes thematically categorized the type of adversity, role of the helper, and nature of the help received. Most participants (67.64%) reported the presence of at least one informal helper; only 8.82% of participants discussed receiving professional help. Chi‐square analyses suggested that the nature of the help received varied by the types of helper and adversity being experienced and that different helpers were more likely to aid with particular adversities. The presence of a nonfamilial, nonprofessional helper was associated with higher posttraumatic growth, generativity, and perceived social support.
Formulation and evaluation of anticancer and antiangiogenesis efficiency of PLA–PEG nanoparticles loaded with galbanic acid in C26 colon carcinoma, in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Afsharzadeh Maryam , Abnous Khalil , Yazdian–Robati Rezvan , Ataranzadeh Armin , Ramezani Mohammad , Hashemi Maryam
Published: October 2018

Galbanic acid (GBA) is an active sesquiterpene coumarin derivative, with various medicinal benefits, including anticancer properties. However, the low solubility of GBA is the main limitation of its clinical applications. In this study, we used a nanosystem based on poly (D, l‐lactide)–polyethylene glycol (PLA–PEG), for the delivery of GBA to C26 colon carcinoma cells. The physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by the emulsification–evaporation method were evaluated. MTT assay was used to compare the anticell proliferation of GBA and PLA–PEG–GBA against C26 cell lines. PLA–PEG‐NPs with an average size of about 140 nm had an enhanced release of GBA at a pH of 5.5 compared with a pH of 7.4. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the IC
50 of the PLA–PEG–GBA NPs (8 µM) was significantly lower than free GBA (15 µM). In the in vivo study, PLA–PEG–GBA NPs exhibited remarkable efficacy and reduced in vivo toxicity in C26 colon carcinoma tumor‐bearing female BALB/c mice. To study the antiangiogenesis effect of the NPs, tumor sections were stained with an anti CD34 antibody. The results show the CD34 (+) vessels were decreased in the GBA and PLA–PEG–GBA treated mice by more than 75% and 90%, respectively. These results suggest that the encapsulation of GBA into the PLA–PEG could potentially be used for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
LINC00641 regulates autophagy and intervertebral disc degeneration by acting as a competitive endogenous RNA of miR‐153‐3p under nutrition deprivation stress
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Bo , Wang Hua , Long Hou‐Qing , Li Dong‐Ya , Zheng Xin
Published: October 2018

Emerging evidence supports the involvement of autophagy in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play fundamental roles in various cellular processes, including autophagy. However, it remains largely unknown as to how autophagy is regulated by miRNAs and lncRNAs in IDD. Biological functions of miR‐153‐3p and long intergenic nonprotein coding RNA 641 (LINC00641) were investigated. Luciferase reporter assays was done to validate miR‐153‐3p targets. To induce nutritional stress, nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were cultured in the normal nutritional condition and the low nutritional condition. Quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) was used to analyze miR‐153‐3p and LINC00641 in response to nutrient deprivation. Autophagic activity was assessed by transmission electron microscopy, western blot analysis and green fluorescent protein‐light chain 3 puncta. Pull‐down assay and RNA fluorescent in situ hybridization were performed to validate LINC00641 target and the location. MiR‐153‐3p is downregulated in NP tissues from IDD patients. Further, LINC00641 can affect collagen II and matrix metalloproteinase‐3 expressions. Upregulation of LINC00641 and downregulation of miR‐153‐3p are detected in NP cells under nutritional stress. LINC00641 can regulate autophagic cell death by targeting miR‐153‐3p and autophagy‐related gene 5 (ATG5). MiR‐153‐3p inhibits autophagy and IDD by targeting ATG5. More important, LINC00641 targets miR‐153‐3p, and thus affects ATG5 expression, autophagic cell death and IDD. These findings uncover a novel regulatory pathway that is composed of LINC00641, miR‐153‐3p, and ATG5 in IDD. This mechanism may stimulate to a more understanding of IDD pathogenesis and provide new sights for the treatment of this disorder.
Accuracy and efficacy of ultrasound‐guided pes anserinus bursa injection
Authors: Lee Jong H. , Lee Jae U. , Yoo Seung W.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

To compare the accuracy and efficacy of ultrasound (US)‐guided versus blind pes anserinus bursa (PAB) injection in patients with pes anserinus tendinobursitis (PATB).

Methods

Forty‐seven patients with clinically diagnosed PATB were randomly assigned to a US‐guided group or a blind group of steroid injection. In the US‐guided group, the injectate was delivered under sonographic visualization. In the blind group, the conventional technique was used without any visual guidance. After the PAB injection, the injectate location was identified using US in both groups. Treatment effects were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) of knee tenderness. Outcomes were measured before, 1 week and 4 weeks after the injection.

Results

Both groups showed pain relieving at 1 week and 4 weeks after the injection. The injectate in the US guided group were found to be accurately at the PAB in all subjects, whereas blind group were found to be just in 4 of 22 subjects. The US‐guided group showed significant improvement of both of VAS scores compared to the blind group at 1 week and 4 weeks after the injection (P < .05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that US‐guided PAB injection is more accurate and effective than blind injection in patients with PATB.
The complex trophic anatomy of silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, highlighting a novel type of epibranchial organ
Authors: Cohen Karly Elizabeth , Hernandez L. Patricia
Published: October 2018

Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, silver carp, is an invasive Asian carp that has become increasingly widespread and ecologically destructive within the upper Mississippi River Basin. Its complex trophic anatomy may help explain the apparent efficiency with which they consume phytoplankton, outcompeting native filter feeders. This cypriniform species is characterized by trophic synapomorphies that include a palatal organ, loss of upper pharyngeal jaws, and a hypertrophied lower pharyngeal jaw. However, in silver carp these structures have become greatly modified and diverge from the more basal condition that characterizes species such as goldfish. The trophic apparatus of silver carp is composed of discrete structures that are functionally coupled: filtering plates, paired epibranchial organs (EBO), a modified palatal organ composed of large muscular folds that interdigitate with the filtering plates, and hypertrophied lower pharyngeal jaws and teeth. The filtering plates fill a significant portion of the buccal cavity, especially since the distal parts of these filtering plates make up a key component of the EBOs. EBOs, food aggregating structures found in many teleosts, are thought to have independently evolved at least six times. Ranging in complexity from small slits on the dorsal wall of the pharyngeal cavity to exceedingly intricate spiraling structures, EBOs are morphologically diverse among filter‐feeding fishes. Despite this morphological diversity and broad taxonomic distribution, little is known regarding the functional anatomy of the EBO. Moreover, the EBO in silver carp is distinct from the organs previously described in other species, being created by four independent pharyngeal involutions (instead of the more typical one or two) that form spiral‐shaped pharyngeal tubes surrounded by circumferential muscle. On each side of the head greatly hypertrophied hyomandibulae and opercles are connected to the anterior cartilaginous caps of the bilateral EBOs via enlarged muscles. Given that these fish are pump filter feeders we hypothesize that the opercula may compress and expand the EBOs during pumping causing food to be moved posteriorly toward the pharyngeal jaws.
Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of seven golden mole species (Mammalia: Chrysochloridae) from South Africa
Authors: Pinheiro Cassandra , Venter Michaela L. , Sahd Lauren , Bronner Gary N. , Kotzé Sanet H.
Published: October 2018

Golden moles are small, fossorial, and primarily insectivorous mammals mostly endemic to South Africa. They belong to an ancient African clade of placental mammals (Afrotheria) that likely radiated from an herbivorous ancestor. Nearly half of the 21 golden mole species are listed as threatened; but remarkably little is known about their basic biology and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) morphology. This study provides a morphometric and histochemical analysis of the GIT of seven chrysochloridae species, including three threatened taxa. Macroscopically, all species examined had simple GITs with simple, wholly glandular stomachs and no cecum. Histologically, the pylorus was dominated by parietal cells. Neutral mucin cells were found on the luminal surface and in the gastric pits, while mixed acid and neutral mucin cells were found in the proximal parts of the gastric glands. The proximal intestine had typical small intestinal histological features such as villi. Typical colonic mucosal features were absent as villi were present throughout the intestinal tract. Goblet cells were abundant and increased toward the distal intestine. These intestinal goblet cells contained mostly mixed mucins. Stomach and intestinal content analysis confirmed the presence of arthropod exoskeleton material and possible small vertebrate remnants, commensurate with a low‐fibre, protein‐rich diet. This may account for their simple GIT morphology, as seen convergently in other unrelated insectivorous mammals. This study provides better representation of variation in GIT morphology among chrysochloridae and within the enigmatic Afrotheria clade. Additionally, it provides a better understanding of the mucin distribution in relation to diet and phylogeny of golden moles.
Device and circuit level performance assessment of n‐ and p‐type dopingless MOSFETs
Authors: Bashir Faisal , Murshid Asim M. , Banday Mohammad Tariq
Published: October 2018

In this paper, two structures of n‐ and p‐type dopingless MOSFETs have been presented and compared with conventional n‐ and p‐type doped MOSFETs. The different regions of dopingless devices (n‐ and p‐type dopingless MOSFETs) have been realized by using metal work function engineering: a charge plasma concept. The simulation studies of the doped (n‐ and p‐type doped MOSFETs) and dopingless (n‐ and p‐type dopingless MOSFETs) devices have been performed using Atlas 2D simulator. It has been observed that the dopingless devices outperform the conventional doped devices by sizeable margin. The various performance measuring parameters in which dopingless devices shows improvement in comparison with conventional doped devices are ON current (Ion), cutoff frequency (fT), subthreshold swing (SS). A comparative analysis for DL‐nMOSFET shows 19% improvement in Ion, 24% in fT, 1.5% in SS, approximately seven times in DIBL, and 38% in Ion/Ioff. Almost similar improvement has been seen in DL‐pMOSFET when compared conventional doped pMOSFET (D‐pMOSFET). Besides this, Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) inverter has been designed using doped‐ and dopingless‐based MOSFETs. A significant improvement of 34.2% in switching delay has been achieved in the dopingless CMOS‐based inverter. Further, it has been observed that the process variation effect at device and circuit level are almost negligible in dopingless‐based devices and circuit configuration in comparison with conventional doped counterpart.
The Antarctic circumpolar wave and its seasonality: Intrinsic travelling modes and El Niño–Southern Oscillation teleconnections
Authors: Wang Xinyang , Giannakis Dimitrios , Slawinska Joanna
Published: October 2018

Interannual variability in the Southern Ocean is investigated via nonlinear Laplacian spectral analysis (NLSA), an objective eigendecomposition technique for nonlinear dynamical systems that can simultaneously recover multiple timescales from data with high skill. Applied to modelled and observed sea surface temperature and sea ice concentration data, NLSA recovers the wavenumber‐2 eastwards propagating signal corresponding to the Antarctic circumpolar wave (ACW). During certain phases of its lifecycle, the spatial patterns of this mode display a structure that can explain the statistical origin of the Antarctic dipole pattern. Another group of modes have combination frequencies consistent with the modulation of the annual cycle by the ACW. Further examination of these newly identified modes reveals that they can have either eastwards or westwards propagation, combined with meridional pulsation reminiscent of sea ice reemergence patterns. Moreover, they exhibit smaller‐scale spatial structures and explain more Indian Ocean variance than the primary ACW modes. We attribute these modes to teleconnections between ACW and the tropical Indo‐Pacific Ocean; in particular, fundamental El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) modes and their associated combination modes with the annual cycle recovered by NLSA. Another mode extracted from the Antarctic variables displays an eastwards propagating wavenumber‐3 structure over the Southern Ocean, but exhibits no significant correlation to interannual Indo‐Pacific variability.
Effects of 1‐Alkyl‐(and 1‐Benzyl)‐2,3‐Dimethylimidazolium Ionic Liquids as Additives on the Micellar Behavior of Surfactant SB‐12
Authors: Pal Amalendu , Pillania Ankita
Published: October 2018

The micellization and surface‐active behavior of zwitterionic surfactant N‐dodecyl‐N,N‐dimethyl‐3‐ammonio‐1‐propanesulfonate (SB‐12) in aqueous media were investigated in the absence and presence of different alkyl‐appended and benzyl‐appended ionic liquids (IL) 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium chloride [bdmim][Cl], 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide [bdmim][Br], 1‐hexyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide [hdmim][Br], and 1‐benzyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium chloride [bzdmim][Cl]. The characteristics of self‐organization processes in SB‐12 + IL/water systems include critical micelle concentration (cmc), aggregation number (Nagg), micellar size (D), surface, and adsorption parameters. These parameters were determined by the fluorescence and surface tension measurements. In SB‐12 solutions, cmc were found to be decreasing to different extents in the presence of all the studied IL than in pure water. The addition of IL [hdmim][Br] decreases the cmc of aqueous SB‐12 to rather a low extent. The other three IL show a prominent lowering in cmc of surfactant SB‐12 to different magnitude. The maximum lowering in cmc was observed due to addition of benzyl‐appended IL [bzdmim][Cl]. The aggregation number of aqueous SB‐12 solution obtained in general is higher at high wt.% of added IL. The average micellar size was also found to increase upon addition of IL. Both IL anions and cations interacted with the charged centers present on the zwitterionic surfactant SB‐12, which caused a substantial increase in the surface activity.
Efficacy of yeast starters to drive and improve Picual, Manzanilla and Kalamàta table olive fermentation
Authors: Tufariello Maria , Anglana Chiara , Crupi Pasquale , Virtuosi Ivan , Fiume Paolo , Di Terlizzi Biagio , Moselhy Naiim , Attay Hussein AG , Pati Sandra , Logrieco Antonio F , Mita Giovanni , Bleve Gianluca
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Table olive fermentation is an unpredictable process and frequently performed using traditional practices often inadequate to obtain products with acceptable quality and safety standards. In the present study, the efficacy of selected yeast strains as starters to drive fermentations of green and black table olives by the Greek method was investigated. Pilot‐scale production by spontaneous fermentation as a control, olives started with previously selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains and fermentation driven by commercial S. cerevisiae baker's yeast strain were carried out for each of Manzanilla, Picual and Kalamàta table olive cultivars.

RESULTS

Time of fermentation was significantly shortened to 40 days to complete the transformation process for all three tested cultivars. Inoculated table olives were enhanced in their organoleptic and nutritional properties in comparison with corresponding samples obtained by spontaneous fermentation. The use of starters was also able to improve safety traits of table olives in terms of biogenic amine reduction as well as absence of undesired microorganisms at the end of the process.

CONCLUSIONS

Autochthonous, but also non‐autochthonous, yeasts can be used to start and control table olive fermentations and can significantly improve quality and safety aspects of table olives produced by many smallholder farmers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Asymmetric effects of real exchange rate on inbound tourist arrivals in Malaysia: An analysis of price rigidity
Authors: Karimi Mohammad Sharif , Khan Ashfaq Ahmad , Karamelikli Huseyin
Published: October 2018

Present research is sought to analyse asymmetrical effects of exchange rates and income of tourists on tourist arrivals in Malaysia. A non‐linear model has been formulated to examine symmetrical and asymmetrical effects of exchange rate quarterly data from year 2000 to 2017. Results have revealed that both depreciation and appreciation of domestic currency value lead to a decrease in number of inbound tourist arrivals at long run. Moreover, it is found that price rigidity in Malaysian tourism sector may influence decision of tourists to select alternative destination. Besides, reduction in the real‐effective exchange rate does not have adverse effect in the long run.
Influence of military training on breeding ecology of Bachman's sparrow
Authors: Fish Alexander C. , Moorman Christopher E. , Schillaci Jessica M. , DePerno Christopher S.
Published: October 2018

Anthropogenic disturbance may cause birds to flush and relocate, abandon breeding sites, experience increased nest failure, or fledge fewer young. Ground‐based military activities are of particular concern for ground‐nesting birds because of the increased risk of nest destruction and trampling of vegetation. We investigated how different intensities of disturbance from ground‐based military training affected reproductive ecology of Bachman's sparrow (Peucaea aestivalis) from 2014–2016, on Fort Bragg Military Installation, North Carolina, USA. We designated 2 training intensity regimes and monitored sparrows at 6 observation areas, 3 in high‐intensity training areas (i.e., foot traffic every 1–3 days) and 3 in low‐intensity training (i.e., foot traffic <1 per month) areas. We compared seasonal productivity metrics and daily nest survival between training intensities. Additionally, we compared male sparrow relative abundance and micro‐habitat use between high‐ and low‐intensity training areas. We monitored 106 male territories and located 110 nests opportunistically and by tracking telemetered female sparrows. We used fixed‐radius point counts to estimate relative abundance in each observation area and measured vegetation composition and structure at a subset of 10 locations in each male territory. Seasonal productivity metrics, daily nest survival, relative abundance, and vegetation composition and structure at male locations did not differ between areas with high and low military training intensity. In 2015, 1 sparrow nest was trampled by military personnel, but ≥1 nestling force‐fledged and the nest was considered successful. Bachman's sparrow nesting ecology was not affected by intensity of ground‐based military training activity, likely because activity was sufficiently dispersed across the landscape, even in high‐intensity training areas. We recommend ground‐based training attempts to minimize ground vegetation destruction by dispersing large groups and traversing variable routes when in forested uplands. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
The Trichodesmium microbiome can modulate host N2 fixation
Authors: Frischkorn Kyle R. , Rouco Mónica , Van Mooy Benjamin A. S. , Dyhrman Sonya T.
Published: October 2018

Trichodesmium is a marine, diazotrophic cyanobacterium that plays a central role in the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nitrogen. Colonies ubiquitously co‐occur with a diverse microbiome of heterotrophic bacteria. We show that manipulation of the microbiome with quorum sensing acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) significantly modulated rates of N2 fixation by Trichodesmium collected from the western North Atlantic, with positive and negative effects of varied magnitude. Changes in Trichodesmium N2 fixation did not correlate with changes in microbiome composition or geochemistry. With AHL addition, a subset of the significantly differentially expressed genes was related to known quorum sensing responses in model bacteria. However, there was little overlap in specific microbiome transcriptional responses to AHL addition between stations. Overall, these host‐microbiome interactions reflect a complex interplay of biotic and environmental factors that together form an overlooked mechanism modulating Trichodesmium N2 fixation.
Using in situ UV‐Visible spectrophotometer sensors to quantify riverine phosphorus partitioning and concentration at a high frequency
Authors: Vaughan Matthew C. H. , Bowden William B. , Shanley James B. , Vermilyea Andrew , Wemple Beverley , Schroth Andrew W.
Published: October 2018

Accurate riverine phosphorus concentration measurements are often critical to meet watershed management goals. Phosphorus monitoring programs often rely on proxy variables such as turbidity and discharge and have limited ability to accurately estimate concentrations of dissolved phosphorus fractions that are most bioavailable. Optical water quality sensors can make subhourly measurements and have been shown to reduce uncertainty in load estimates and reveal high‐frequency storm dynamics for nitrate and dissolved organic carbon. We evaluated the utility of in situ UV‐Visible spectrophotometers to predict total, dissolved, and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations in streams draining agricultural, urban, and forested land use/land covers. We present the first statistically validated application of optical water quality sensors to demonstrate how sensors may perform in predicting phosphorus fraction concentrations through training set models. Total phosphorus predictions from UV‐Visible spectra were optimal when models were site‐specific, and the proportion of variance explained was generally as high as or higher than the results of other studies that rely only on discharge and turbidity. However, root mean square errors for total phosphorus models were relatively high compared to the median concentrations at each site. Models to predict dissolved and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations explained a greater proportion of the variance than any other known proxy variable technique, and results varied by land use/land cover. Though accuracy limitations remain, this approach has potential to predict concurrent total, dissolved, and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations at a high frequency for many applications in water quality research and management communities.
Electrically Injected Parity Time–Symmetric Single Transverse–Mode Lasers
Authors: Yao Ruizhe , Lee Chi‐Sen , Podolskiy Viktor , Guo Wei
Published: October 2018

Single transverse–mode operation of broad area–coupled waveguide lasers enabled by parity‐time (PT) symmetry is demonstrated. The PT‐symmetric laser operates on coupled waveguide cavities with electrically tuned gain and loss. Such a counterintuitive waveguide design enables PT‐symmetric breaking, causing unique mode selection and ultimately enables single‐mode operation. By electrically tuning the loss in the loss region of the coupled waveguide cavity, several different PT‐symmetric phases are analyzed theoretically, and the corresponding PT‐symmetric phase transition is demonstrated experimentally in the coupled waveguide laser.
Outcome of Acetaminophen‐Induced Acute Liver Failure Managed Without Intracranial Pressure Monitoring or Transplantation
Authors: Porteous Jennifer , Cioccari Luca , Ancona Paolo , Osawa Eduardo , Jones Kelly , Gow Paul , Angus Peter , Warrillow Stephen , Bellomo Rinaldo
Published: October 2018

Acetaminophen‐induced acute liver failure (ALF) may require emergency liver transplantation (LT) in the presence of specific criteria, and its management may also include intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in selected patients at high risk of cerebral edema. We aimed to test the hypothesis that management of such patients without ICP monitoring or LT would yield outcomes similar to those reported with conventional management. We interrogated a database of all patients treated in an intensive care unit for acetaminophen‐induced ALF between November 2010 and October 2016 and obtained relevant information from electronic medical records. We studied 64 patients (58 females) with a median age of 38 years. Such patients had a high prevalence of depression, substance abuse, or other psychiatric disorders and had ingested a median acetaminophen dose of 25 g. No patient received ICP monitoring or LT. Overall, 51 (79.7%) patients survived. Of the 42 patients who met King’s College Hospital (KCH) criteria, 29 (69.0%) survived without transplantation. There were 45 patients who developed severe hepatic encephalopathy, and 32 (71.1%) of these survived. Finally, compared with the KCH criteria, the current UK Registration Criteria for Super‐Urgent Liver Transplantation (UKRC) for super‐urgent LT had better sensitivity (92.3%) and specificity (80.4%) for hospital mortality. In conclusion, in a center applying a no ICP monitoring and no LT approach to the management of acetaminophen‐induced ALF, during a 6‐year period, overall survival was 79.7%, and for patients fulfilling KCH criteria, it was 69.0%, which were both higher than for equivalent patients treated with conventional management as reported in the literature. Finally, the current UKRC may be a better predictor of hospital mortality in this patient population.
Tropoelastin is a Flexible Molecule that Retains its Canonical Shape
Authors: Tarakanova Anna , Yeo Giselle C. , Baldock Clair , Weiss Anthony S. , Buehler Markus J.
Published: October 2018

Tropoelastin is the dominant building block of elastic fibers, which form a major component of the extracellular matrix, providing structural support to tissues and imbuing them with elasticity and resilience. Recently, the atomistic structure of human tropoelastin is described, obtained through accelerated sampling via replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. Here, principal component analysis is used to consider the ensemble of structures accessible to tropoelastin at body temperature (37 °C) at which tropoelastin naturally self‐assembles into aggregated coacervates. These coacervates are relevant because they are an essential intermediate assembly stage, where tropoelastin molecules are then cross‐linked at lysine residues and integrated into growing elastic fibers. It is found that the ensemble preserves the canonical tropoelastin structure with an extended molecular body flanked by two protruding legs, and identifies variations in specific domain positioning within this global shape. Furthermore, it is found that lysine residues show a large variation in their location on the tropoelastin molecule compared with other residues. It is hypothesized that this perturbation of the lysines increases their accessibility and enhances cross‐linking. Finally, the principal component modes are extracted to describe the range of tropoelastin's conformational fluctuation to validate tropoelastin's scissor‐twist motion that was predicted earlier.
Non‐Newtonian Polymer–Nanoparticle Hydrogels Enhance Cell Viability during Injection
Authors: Lopez Hernandez Hector , Grosskopf Abigail K. , Stapleton Lyndsay M. , Agmon Gillie , Appel Eric A.
Published: October 2018

Drug delivery and cell transplantation require minimally invasive deployment strategies such as injection through clinically relevant high‐gauge needles. Supramolecular hydrogels comprising dodecyl‐modified hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and poly(ethylene glycol)‐block‐poly(lactic acid) have been previously demonstrated for the delivery of drugs and proteins. Here, it is demonstrated that the rheological properties of these hydrogels allow for facile injectability, an increase of cell viability after injection when compared to cell viabilities of cells injected in phosphate‐buffered saline, and homogeneous cell suspensions that do not settle. These hydrogels are injected at 1 mL min−1 with pressures less than 400 kPa, despite the solid‐like properties of the gel when at rest. The cell viabilities immediately after injection are greater than 86% for adult human dermal fibroblasts, human umbilical vein cells, smooth muscle cells, and human mesenchymal stem cells. Cells are shown to remain suspended and proliferate in the hydrogel at the same rate as observed in cell media. The work expands on the versatility of these hydrogels and lays a foundation for the codelivery of drugs, proteins, and cells.
Molybdenum Carbonyl Complexes with a Polymerizable Phosphorus/Nitrogen/Phosphorus Ligand and Corresponding Conducting Metallopolymers
Authors: Keskin Seyma Goren , Mejia Michelle L. , Cowley Alan H. , Holliday Bradley J.
Published: October 2018

The design, synthesis, and characterization of the novel polymerizable ligand 3,5‐bis(3,4‐ethylenedioxythien‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐bis(2‐diphenylphosphinoethyl)‐phenylamine is achieved. The corresponding molybdenum complexes (EDOT)2PNP‐Mo(CO)
n
where n = 3,4 with carbonyls as ancillary ligands are also synthesized, and characterized by 1H NMR, 31P{1H} NMR, HRMS, FTIR (both the solution state spectrum between KBr discs and the solid‐state spectrum with attenuated total reflectance [ATR] apparatus). Single crystal X‐ray analysis of (EDOT)2PNP‐Mo(CO)3 complex is performed. The monomer complexes and the free ligand are electropolymerized to obtain the corresponding polymers that are studied electrochemically. The Mo/P and Mo/S ratios as well as the metal oxidations in the conducting metallopolymers are analyzed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
From Wall Slip to Bulk Shear Banding in Entangled Polymer Solutions
Authors: Wang Shi‐Qing
Published: October 2018

This article reviews the past activities and emergent understanding of nonlinear rheology of entangled polymeric liquids, with the purpose of pointing out the remaining challenges. A key component of this subject concerns wall slip and shear strain localization, for example, shear banding. It is emphasized that wall slip and shear banding are not isolated phenomena and share the same conceptual origin. The concept of the extrapolation length identified for quantification of the magnitude of wall slip is equally useful in determining whether shear banding would occur. An adequate estimate of the extrapolation length is essential for the description of shear banding. This paper concludes by listing some remaining challenges in the field of nonlinear polymer rheology.
Exceptionally High CO2 Adsorption at 273 K by Microporous Carbons from Phenolic Aerogels: The Role of Heteroatoms in Comparison with Carbons from Polybenzoxazine and Other Organic Aerogels
Authors: Majedi Far Hojat , Rewatkar Parwani M. , Donthula Suraj , Taghvaee Tahereh , Saeed Adnan Malik , Sotiriou‐Leventis Chariklia , Leventis Nicholas
Published: October 2018

Phenolic aerogels containing oxygen and other polymeric aerogels containing both oxygen and nitrogen (polybenzoxazine and a polyamide‐polyimide‐polyurea co‐polymer) are converted to carbon aerogels (800 °C/Ar), and are etched with CO2 (1000 °C). Etching opens closed pores and increases micropore volumes and size. Heteroatoms are retained in the etched samples. All carbon aerogels are evaluated as CO2 absorbers in terms of their capacity and selectivity toward CH4, H2, and N2. CO2 adsorption capacity is linked to microporosity. In most cases, monolayer coverage of micropore walls is enough to explain CO2 uptake quantitatively. The interaction of CO2 with micropore walls is evaluated via isosteric heats of adsorption, and is stronger with carbons containing only oxygen heteroatoms. The adsorption capacity of those carbons (5–6 mmol g−1) is on par with the best carbon and polymeric CO2 adsorbers known in the literature, with one exception however: etched carbon aerogels from low‐density resorcinol‐formaldehyde aerogels show a very high CO2 uptake (14.8 ± 3.9 mmol g−1 at 273 K, 1 bar) attributed to a pore‐filling process that proceeds beyond monolayer coverage, whereas surface phenoxides engage in a thermally neutral carbonate forming reaction (surface‐O– + CO2 → surface‐O–(CO)–O–) that continues until micropores are filled.
Ultrasound‐Assisted Synthesis of Cross‐Linked Poly(ethylene glycol) Nanostructures with Hydrophobic Core and Hydrophilic Shell
Authors: Zhu Haiyan , Cavalieri Francesca , Ashokkumar Muthupandian
Published: October 2018

One‐pot synthesis of polymeric nanostructures, by using ultrasound without adding initiators and surfactants, is a straightforward approach that has attracted significant attention in polymer science. In this study, the ultrasonic polymerization technique is employed to synthesize poly(ethylene glycol) based nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell. Interfacial polymerization is performed using an oil‐in‐water emulsion containing oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate as a water‐soluble monomer, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate acting as an oily‐cross‐linker phase. Both the radicals and physical effects generated by acoustic cavitation are crucial to conduct this surfactant and initiator‐free process and obtain uniform nanoparticles endowed with a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell. It is shown that the nanoparticle's core can be loaded with hydrophobic compounds. This technique can be applied to different monomers containing various functional moieties such as amines and carboxyl groups to obtain multifunctional nanoparticles.
Connectedness of the continuum in intuitionistic mathematics
Authors: Bickford Mark
Published: October 2018

Working in (Intuitionistic analysis) we prove a strong, constructive connectedness property of the continuum: for any non‐empty sets, A and B, if then is non‐empty. It is well known that the intuitionistic continuum is indecomposable: if and then or , but this property is essentially negative—equivalent to if A, B are non‐empty and then . Our connectedness property is positive; so, given , , and a witness to , to prove our theorem we must construct a real number . We can construct the needed real number using only Bishop's constructive mathematics () and a weak form of Brouwer's continuity principle (and the choice principles that come from the Brouwer‐Heyting‐Kolmogorov interpretation of quantifiers in constructive type theory). We also replace indecomposability by connectedness in some results of van Dalen that use additional intuitionistic axioms.