bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface Charge Transfer Doping of Low‐Dimensional Nanostructures toward High‐Performance Nanodevices
Authors: Zhang Xiujuan , Shao Zhibin , Zhang Xiaohong , He Yuanyuan , Jie Jiansheng
Published: September 2016

Device applications of low‐dimensional semiconductor nanostructures rely on the ability to rationally tune their electronic properties. However, the conventional doping method by introducing impurities into the nanostructures suffers from the low efficiency, poor reliability, and damage to the host lattices. Alternatively, surface charge transfer doping (SCTD) is emerging as a simple yet efficient technique to achieve reliable doping in a nondestructive manner, which can modulate the carrier concentration by injecting or extracting the carrier charges between the surface dopant and semiconductor due to the work‐function difference. SCTD is particularly useful for low‐dimensional nanostructures that possess high surface area and single‐crystalline structure. The high reproducibility, as well as the high spatial selectivity, makes SCTD a promising technique to construct high‐performance nanodevices based on low‐dimensional nanostructures. Here, recent advances of SCTD are summarized systematically and critically, focusing on its potential applications in one‐ and two‐dimensional nanostructures. Mechanisms as well as characterization techniques for the surface charge transfer are analyzed. We also highlight the progress in the construction of novel nanoelectronic and nano‐optoelectronic devices via SCTD. Finally, the challenges and future research opportunities of the SCTD method are prospected.
Synthesis by In Situ‐Free Radical Polymerization, Characterization, and Properties of Poly (n‐butyl methacrylate)/Samarium‐Doped Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Composites
Authors: Suhailath K. , Jayakrishnan P. , Naufal B. , Periyat P. , Jasna V. C. , Ramesan M. T.
Published: September 2016

Using free radical polymerization process a series of samarium‐doped titanium dioxide (Sm3+‐doped TiO2) nanoparticles containing poly (n‐butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) composites were synthesized. The fabricated samples were characterized by XPS, FTIR, UV, XRD, DSC, TGA, flame retardancy studies, and impedance analyser. The shift in FTIR peak of the nanocomposites to higher wavenumber indicates the interfacial interaction between nanoparticles and PBMA. The UV spectra indicated that the metal oxide nanoparticles could enhances the interfacial interaction in the polymer composites. SEM images showed the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles into the macromolecular chain of PBMA. XRD patterns of the composites indicated the ordered arrangement of nanoparticles within the polymer and the regularity of the chain improved by the increase in concentration of nanoparticles. Better flame resistance and thermal stability were attained by the addition of nanoparticles. The flame retardancy and thermal stability of the composites were improved with the increase in concentration of Sm3+‐doped TiO2. The glass transition temperatures of the composites were much enhanced by the increase in weight percentage of nano‐filler. The AC conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of the composites were higher than the pure PBMA and these properties enhanced with the loading of nanoparticles up to 7 wt.% and thereafter the values decreases.
Age estimation of immature human skeletal remains from the metaphyseal and epiphyseal widths of the long bones in the post‐natal period
Authors: Cardoso Hugo F. V. , Vandergugten John M. , Humphrey Louise T.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

This study provides regression and classical calibration models for the estimation of age from the dimensions of the metaphyses and epiphyses of the six long bones.

Methods

A sample of 148 known sex and age individuals (56 females and 92 males), aged between birth and 12 years of age, selected from Portuguese and English skeletal collections. Age estimation models were obtained separately for each sex and for the sexes combined, for the entire sample and for the sample divided into two subsamples at the age of 2 years.

Results

The best performing epiphysis is the proximal epiphysis of the tibia. For the metaphyses, the distal metaphysis of the tibia and the proximal metaphysis of the femur are best for individuals below and above 2 years of age, respectively. Growth of the metaphyses is similar to that of the diaphysis. Results suggest that age can be as accurately estimated from the width of the metaphyses and epiphyses as from the length of the diaphyses, or as from the length of the deciduous and permanent teeth.

Conclusions

These models may be useful for fragmentary material in both archaeological and forensic contexts. However, due to the background of the samples, the models would be most applicable to individuals exposed to adverse environmental conditions during growth and development. Metaphyseal and epiphyseal widths may be less affected by ecological conditions than diaphyseal length.
Direct Conversion from Terminal Borylene into Terminal Phosphinidene
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Jimenez‐Halla J. Oscar C. , Radacki Krzysztof , Shang Rong
Published: September 2016

The first terminal manganese phosphinidene complex was quantitatively synthesized from a terminal alkylborylene complex. Its structure and bonding, as well as the reaction mechanism, were investigated through a combination of experimental and computational studies.
New bioactive Pt(II) binary and ternary metal complexes with guaifenesin drug: Synthesis, geometrical structure, and spectroscopic and thermal characterization
Authors: Mahmoud Walaa H. , Mohamed Gehad G. , Mahmoud Nessma F.
Published: September 2016

Three new binary and ternary metal complexes of Pt(II) with guaifenesin (GFS) drug have been prepared by chelation to guaifenesin ligand (as primary ligand) and glycine amino acid (HGly) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (1,10‐Phen) (as secondary ligands). Characterization was conducted based on elemental analysis, molar conductance, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X‐ray diffraction. The complexes were found to have the formulae [Pt(GFS)2]⋅3H2O (1), [Pt(GFS)2(Gly)]Cl⋅H2O (2) and [Pt(GFS)2(Phen)]Cl2 (3). Magnetic and spectroscopic data revealed complexes 1–3 to have octahedral geometry. IR spectra suggested that GFS ligand coordinated in mononegative tridentate mode (OOO) for 1 but in neutral bidentate mode (OO) for 2 and 3. In addition, HGly behaves as mononegative bidentate coordinated to Pt(II) metal via deprotonated carboxylate O and amino group. IR data also evidenced the bidentate nature of 1,10‐Phen ligand. The molecular and electronic structure of Pt(II) complex 1 was optimized theoretically and the quantum chemical parameters were calculated. Complexes 1–3 were screened for their antibacterial activity on Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and for their in vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The three Pt(II) complexes showed remarkable biological and cytotoxic activity. The chelates were also screened for their in vitro anticancer activity against the MFC7 breast cell line. Complex 3 showed the highest activity with a low IC50 value of 3.38 μg ml−1.
Cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex: A highly active and recoverable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction in aqueous medium
Authors: Guo Yafei , Li Jiuling , Shi Xiwei , Liu Yang , Xie Kai , Liu Yuqi , Jiang Yubo , Yang Bo , Yang Rui
Published: September 2016

A water‐soluble, cyclodextrin‐supported palladium complex (DACH‐Pd‐β‐CD) catalytic system was designed and synthesized, which can efficiently catalyze Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions between aryl halides and arylboronic acid in water under mild conditions. The catalyst was successfully characterized using the methods of transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared and NMR spectroscopies. Furthermore, the catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and still maintain high catalytic activity after ten cycles. No leaching of palladium into the reaction solution occurred. The advantages of green solvent (water), short reaction times (2–6 h), low catalyst loading (0.001 mol%), excellent yields (up to 99%) and reusability of the catalyst mean it will have potential applications in green chemical synthesis.
Review of the bioanalytical methods for the determination of methotrexate and its metabolites in in vitro, preclinical and clinical studies: Case studies and perspectives
Authors: Patel Harilal , Giri Poonam , Ghoghari Ashok , Delvadia Prashant , Syed Muzeeb , Srinivas Nuggehally R.
Published: September 2016

Methotrexate is an old drug that has found use in several therapeutic areas, such as cancer to treat various malignancies, rheumatoid arthtritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Owing to its structural properties of possessing two carboxylic acid groups and having low native fluorescence, it has provided technical challenges for development of bioanalytical methods. Also, in vivo metabolism leading to circulatory metabolites such as 7‐hydroxymethotrexate and 2,4‐diamino N10‐methylpteroic acid, as well as the formation of polyglutamate metabolites intracellularly have added further complexity for the assays in terms of the analytes that need to be quantified in addition to methotrexate. The present review is aimed at providing a concise tabular summary of chromatographic assays with respect to method nuances including assay/chromatographic conditions, key validation parameters and applicable remarks. Several case studies are reviewed under various subheadings to provide the challenges involved in the method development for methotrexate and metabolites. Finally, a discussion section is devoted to overall perspectives obtained from this review.
Stenting precision: “Image small, miss small”
Authors: Goldstein James A.
Published: September 2016

Key Points

Stenting by angiography alone predisposes to geographic miss

STEMI culprit lesions are most susceptible to Geographic Miss

Direct coronary imaging assures procedural precision and perfection
Good news and bad news
Authors: Hagler Donald J.
Published: September 2016

Key Points:

Current delivery systems for the Sapien XT valve for the native pulmonary valve are unacceptable stiff and poorly design for implantation in the pulmonary outflow tract.

This report details improvisation of the Melody Ensemble for easier pulmonary outflow tract delivery of the Sapien XT valve.

The unacceptable cost of the utilization of two delivery systems for valve implantation, requires industry development of an safe, effective delivery system appropriate for the pulmonary outflow tract.
To neither bleed nor clot: That is the question
Authors: Davies Rhian E. , Gilchrist Ian C.
Published: September 2016

Key Points

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) when stented with thin‐strut colbalt chrome stents may have a similar outcome to patients without AF.

Management of patients with AF potentially place patients at enhanced bleeding risk with triple antithrombotic therapy, or potential thrombotic risk if either oral anticoagulation is held or anti‐platelet therapy is truncated.

Guideline‐based oral anticoagulation for AF is expanding this patient group presenting to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, yet management decisions are still based on limited studies and rely on expert concensus.
Petlyuk Columns in Multicomponent Distillation Trains: Effect of Their Location on the Separation of Hydrocarbon Mixtures
Authors: Lucero‐Robles Evaristo , Gómez‐Castro Fernando Israel , Ramírez‐Márquez César , Segovia‐Hernández Juan Gabriel
Published: September 2016

Thermally coupled distillation columns (TCDC) are used to reduce energy requirements on the separation of liquid mixtures, which also reduces the environmental impact. The Petlyuk column is one of the TCDC with the highest reductions on heat duty. The use of distillation trains with Petlyuk columns is proposed to purify a multicomponent hydrocarbon mixture. Different sequences are studied, varying the location and number of Petlyuk columns to achieve separation of the components. Studied sequences are then optimized and compared in terms of energy requirements, environmental impact, and dynamic performance. The stream on which the component with the highest feed composition is separated has a great influence on the total heat duty and environmental impact. Nevertheless, the correlation between location and number of Petlyuk columns in the sequences and their control properties is low.
Selective Hydrogenation of Acrolein Over Pd Model Catalysts: Temperature and Particle‐Size Effects
Authors: O'Brien Casey P. , Dostert Karl‐Heinz , Schauermann Swetlana , Freund Hans‐Joachim
Published: September 2016

The selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein over Fe3O4‐supported Pd nanoparticles has been investigated as a function of nanoparticle size in the 220–270 K temperature range. While Pd(111) shows nearly 100 % selectivity towards the desired hydrogenation of the C=O bond to produce propenol, Pd nanoparticles were found to be much less selective towards this product. In situ detection of surface species by using IR‐reflection absorption spectroscopy shows that the selectivity towards propenol critically depends on the formation of an oxopropyl spectator species. While an overlayer of oxopropyl species is effectively formed on Pd(111) turning the surface highly selective for propenol formation, this process is strongly hindered on Pd nanoparticles by acrolein decomposition resulting in CO formation. We show that the extent of acrolein decomposition can be tuned by varying the particle size and the reaction temperature. As a result, significant production of propenol is observed over 12 nm Pd nanoparticles at 250 K, while smaller (4 and 7 nm) nanoparticles did not produce propenol at any of the temperatures investigated. The possible origin of particle‐size dependence of propenol formation is discussed. This work demonstrates that the selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein is controlled by the relative rates of acrolein partial hydrogenation to oxopropyl surface species and of acrolein decomposition, which has significant implications for rational catalyst design.
Multi‐Pathway Consequent Chemoselectivities of CpRuCl(PPh3)2/MeI‐Catalysed Norbornadiene Alkyne Cycloadditions
Authors: Mu Wei‐Hua , Fang De‐Cai , Xia Shu‐Ya , Cheng Rui‐Jiao , Chass Gregory A.
Published: September 2016

Chemoselectivities of five experimentally realised CpRuCl(PPh3)2/MeI‐catalysed couplings of 7‐azabenzo‐norbornadienes with selected alkynes were successfully resolved from multiple reaction pathway models. Density functional theory calculations showed the following mechanistic succession to be energetically plausible: (1) CpRuI catalyst activation; (2) formation of crucial metallacyclopentene intermediate; (3) cyclobutene product (P2) elimination (ΔGRel(RDS)≈11.9–17.6 kcal mol−1). Alternative formation of dihydrobenzoindole products (P1) by isomerisation to azametalla‐cyclohexene followed by subsequent CpRuI release was much less favourable (ΔGRel(RDS)≈26.5–29.8 kcal mol−1). Emergent stereoselectivities were in close agreement with experimental results for reactions a, b, e. Consequent investigations employing dispersion corrections similarly support the empirical findings of P1 dominating in reactions c and d through P2→P1 product transformations as being probable (ΔG≈25.3–30.1 kcal mol−1).
Correlation for the Sauter Mean Diameter of a Prefilmer Airblast Atomizer at Varying Operating Conditions
Authors: Volz Melanie , Habisreuther Peter , Zarzalis Nikolaos
Published: September 2016

One of the key factors that affect the combustion performance in gas turbines and therefore the amount of pollutant emission and the efficiency is the atomization quality of the liquid fuel. Often reliable droplet size distributions for combustion simulations are missing. In this work a correlation for the Sauter mean diameter based on energy equilibrium is derived and compared to results from three‐dimensional numerical simulation of the atomization of a liquid film and to an empirical correlation from the literature. It is shown that the derived correlation agrees better with the results of the simulations than the empirical correlation.
Die Läuterarbeit in Brauereien: Status quo und künftige Entwicklungsziele
Authors: Becher Tobias
Published: September 2016

Der Läuterprozess ist die Fest/flüssig‐Trennung einer Suspension. Die internationale Brauindustrie setzt für diese Aufgabe überwiegend Maischefilter oder Läuterbottiche ein. Verfahrenstechnisch handelt es sich dabei um eine Kombination aus Siebfiltration und Tiefenfiltration, wobei insbesondere beim Läuterbottich die Tiefenfiltration überwiegt. Beide Verfahren sind technisch hochentwickelt und brautechnologisch spezialisiert. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über den Status quo der Läutertechnik hinsichtlich Konstruktion und Leistungsfähigkeit sowie ihrer jeweiligen Einflussnahme auf die Bierbereitung. Abschließend werden zukünftige Forschungs‐ und Entwicklungsziele in der Läuterarbeit aufgezeigt und zur Diskussion gestellt.
Comparison of hepatocellular carcinoma in Eastern versus Western populations
Authors: Choo Su Pin , Tan Wan Ling , Goh Brian K. P. , Tai Wai Meng , Zhu Andrew X.
Published: September 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous disease that remains highly prevalent in many Asian countries and is the second most common cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide. Significant differences exist between Eastern and Western populations on many key aspects of HCC, contributing to the potential different treatment outcomes and challenges of clinical trial design and data interpretation. In this review, the authors compare HCC in Asia versus the West and highlight 1) differences in terms of epidemiology and trends and their correlation with etiology, 2) differences in genetics and how they relate to underlying etiology, 3) differences in treatment approaches based on existing guidelines and consensus statements, and 4) differences in clinical outcomes for Asian versus non‐Asian patients with HCC in clinical trials and the implications for future clinical trial design. Cancer 2016;122:3430–3446. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Biliary cancer: Utility of next‐generation sequencing for clinical management
Authors: Javle Milind , Bekaii‐Saab Tanios , Jain Apurva , Wang Ying , Kelley Robin Katie , Wang Kai , Kang Hyunseon C. , Catenacci Daniel , Ali Siraj , Krishnan Sunil , Ahn Daniel , Bocobo Andrea Grace , Zuo Mingxin , Kaseb Ahmed , Miller Vincent , Stephens Philip J. , Meric‐Bernstam Funda , Shroff Rachna , Ross Jeffrey
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) typically present at an advanced stage, and systemic chemotherapy is often of limited benefit.

METHODS

Hybrid capture–based comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was performed for 412 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (IHCCAs), 57 extrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (EHCCAs), and 85 gallbladder carcinomas (GBCAs). The mutational profile was correlated with the clinical outcome of standard and experimental therapies for 321 patients. Clinical variables, detected mutations, and administered therapies were correlated with overall survival (OS) in a Cox regression model.

RESULTS

The most frequent genetic aberrations (GAs) observed were tumor protein 53 (TP53; 27%), cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A/B (CDKN2A/B; 27%), KRAS (22%), AT‐rich interactive domain‐containing protein 1A (ARID1A; 18%), and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1; 16%) in IHCCA; KRAS (42%), TP53 (40%), CDKN2A/B (17%), and SMAD4 (21%) in EHCCA; and TP53 (59%), CDKN2A/B (19%), ARID1A (13%), and ERBB2 (16%) in GBCA. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR; 11%) and IDH mutations (20%) were mostly limited to IHCCA but appeared to be mutually exclusive. In the IHCCA group, TP53 and KRAS mutations were associated significantly with poor OS, whereas FGFR2 mutations were associated with improved OS (P = .001), a younger age at onset, and female sex. IDH1/2 mutations were not prognostic. In a multivariate model, the effects of TP53 and FGFR GAs remained significant (P < .05). Patients with FGFR GAs had superior OS with FGFR‐targeted therapy versus standard regimens (P = .006). Targeted therapy in IHCCA was associated with a numerical OS improvement (P = .07).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest clinically annotated data set of BTC cases with CGP and indicates the potential of CGP for improving outcomes. CGP should be strongly considered in the management of BTC patients. Cancer 2016;122:3838–3847. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Fabrication of 3‐D Reconstituted Organoid Arrays by DNA‐Programmed Assembly of Cells (DPAC)
Authors: Todhunter Michael E. , Weber Robert J. , Farlow Justin , Jee Noel Y. , Cerchiari Alec E. , Gartner Zev J.
Published: September 2016

Tissues are the organizational units of function in metazoan organisms. Tissues comprise an assortment of cellular building blocks, soluble factors, and extracellular matrix (ECM) composed into specific three‐dimensional (3‐D) structures. The capacity to reconstitute tissues in vitro with the structural complexity observed in vivo is key to understanding processes such as morphogenesis, homeostasis, and disease. In this article, we describe DNA‐programmed assembly of cells (DPAC), a method to fabricate viable, functional arrays of organoid‐like tissues within 3‐D ECM gels. In DPAC, dissociated cells are chemically functionalized with degradable oligonucleotide “Velcro,” allowing rapid, specific, and reversible cell adhesion to a two‐dimensional (2‐D) template patterned with complementary DNA. An iterative assembly process builds up organoids, layer‐by‐layer, from this initial 2‐D template and into the third dimension. Cleavage of the DNA releases the completed array of tissues that are captured and fully embedded in ECM gels for culture and observation. DPAC controls the size, shape, composition, and spatial heterogeneity of organoids and permits positioning of constituent cells with single‐cell resolution even within cultures several centimeters long. © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Characteristics analysis and optimization design of entities collaboration for cloud manufacturing
Authors: Li Wenxiang , Zhu Chunsheng , Wei Xia , Rodrigues Joel J.P.C. , Wang Kun
Published: September 2016

By applying the cloud manufacturing paradigm in the regional enterprise cluster, the enterprises or facilities may collaborate extensively for efficiently utilizing the manufacturing resources. It is valuable to explore and design the strategies of facilities selection for the autonomic control of the collaboration behaviors in production. In this paper, we model the collaboration relations in the regional enterprise cluster as a generalized social collaboration network and explore the dynamic growth process of the Facilities Collaboration Network for different strategies of facilities selection, including the random selection with and without preference, and the balanced selection with and without preference. With performance indexes such as network size, the distribution of node degree and act degree, clustering coefficient, the average shortest distance, and the number of n‐cliques, we present and analyze the characteristics of these strategies for cloud manufacturing. Next, based on these characteristics, we propose 2 mechanisms for self‐optimization in facilities collaboration, including the dynamic weighing of facilities and the concentrated processing of successive subtasks in the process. We also analyze the mechanisms' effects on the characteristics of Facilities Collaboration Network and the performance in manufacturing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two in one: cryptic species discovered in biological control agent populations using molecular data and crossbreeding experiments
Authors: Paterson Iain D. , Mangan Rosie , Downie Douglas A. , Coetzee Julie A. , Hill Martin P. , Burke Ashley M. , Downey Paul O. , Henry Thomas J. , Compton Stephe G.
Published: September 2016

There are many examples of cryptic species that have been identified through DNA‐barcoding or other genetic techniques. There are, however, very few confirmations of cryptic species being reproductively isolated. This study presents one of the few cases of cryptic species that has been confirmed to be reproductively isolated and therefore true species according to the biological species concept. The cryptic species are of special interest because they were discovered within biological control agent populations. Two geographically isolated populations of Eccritotarsus catarinensis (Carvalho) [Hemiptera: Miridae], a biological control agent for the invasive aquatic macrophyte, water hyacinth, Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms [Pontederiaceae], in South Africa, were sampled from the native range of the species in South America. Morphological characteristics indicated that both populations were the same species according to the current taxonomy, but subsequent DNA analysis and breeding experiments revealed that the two populations are reproductively isolated. Crossbreeding experiments resulted in very few hybrid offspring when individuals were forced to interbreed with individuals of the other population, and no hybrid offspring were recorded when a choice of mate from either population was offered. The data indicate that the two populations are cryptic species that are reproductively incompatible. Subtle but reliable diagnostic characteristics were then identified to distinguish between the two species which would have been considered intraspecific variation without the data from the genetics and interbreeding experiments. These findings suggest that all consignments of biological control agents from allopatric populations should be screened for cryptic species using genetic techniques and that the importation of multiple consignments of the same species for biological control should be conducted with caution.
Spatial modeling of data with excessive zeros applied to reindeer pellet‐group counts
Authors: Lee Youngjo , Alam Md. Moudud , Noh Maengseok , Rönnegård Lars , Skarin Anna
Published: September 2016

We analyze a real data set pertaining to reindeer fecal pellet‐group counts obtained from a survey conducted in a forest area in northern Sweden. In the data set, over 70% of counts are zeros, and there is high spatial correlation. We use conditionally autoregressive random effects for modeling of spatial correlation in a Poisson generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), quasi‐Poisson hierarchical generalized linear model (HGLM), zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP), and hurdle models. The quasi‐Poisson HGLM allows for both under‐ and overdispersion with excessive zeros, while the ZIP and hurdle models allow only for overdispersion. In analyzing the real data set, we see that the quasi‐Poisson HGLMs can perform better than the other commonly used models, for example, ordinary Poisson HGLMs, spatial ZIP, and spatial hurdle models, and that the underdispersed Poisson HGLMs with spatial correlation fit the reindeer data best. We develop R codes for fitting these models using a unified algorithm for the HGLMs. Spatial count response with an extremely high proportion of zeros, and underdispersion can be successfully modeled using the quasi‐Poisson HGLM with spatial random effects.
Sexual selection impacts brain anatomy in frogs and toads
Authors: Zeng Yu , Lou Shang Ling , Liao Wen Bo , Jehle Robert , Kotrschal Alexander
Published: September 2016

Natural selection is a major force in the evolution of vertebrate brain size, but the role of sexual selection in brain size evolution remains enigmatic. At least two opposing schools of thought predict a relationship between sexual selection and brain size. Sexual selection should facilitate the evolution of larger brains because better cognitive abilities may aid the competition for mates. However, it may also restrict brain size evolution due to energetic trade‐offs between brain tissue and sexually selected traits. Here, we examined the patterns of selection on brain size and brain anatomy in male anurans (frogs and toads), a group where the strength of sexual selection differs markedly among species, using a phylogenetically controlled generalized least‐squared (PGLS) regression analyses. The analysis revealed that in 43 Chinese anuran species, neither mating system, nor type of courtship, or testes mass was significantly associated with relative brain size. While none of those factors related to the relative size of olfactory nerves, optic tecta, telencephalon, and cerebellum, the olfactory bulbs were relatively larger in monogamous species and those using calls during courtship. Our findings support the mosaic model of brain evolution and suggest that while the investigated aspects of sexual selection do not seem to play a prominent role in the evolution of brain size of anurans, they do impact their brain anatomy.
A keystone ecologist: Robert Treat Paine, 1933–2016
Authors: Estes James A. , Dayton Paul K. , Kareiva Peter , Levin Simon A. , Lubchenco Jane , Menge Bruce A. , Palumbi Stephen R. , Power Mary E. , Terborgh John
Published: September 2016

Robert T. Paine, who passed away on 13 June 2016, is among the most influential people in the history of ecology. Paine was an experimentalist, a theoretician, a practitioner, and proponent of the “ecology of place,” and a deep believer in the importance of natural history to ecological understanding. His scientific legacy grew from the discovery of a link between top‐down forcing and species diversity, a breakthrough that led to the ideas of both keystone species and trophic cascades, and to our early understanding of the mosaic nature of biological communities, causes of zonation across physical gradients, and the intermediate‐disturbance hypothesis of species diversity. Paine's influence as a mentor was equally important to the growth of ecological thinking, natural resource conservation, and policy. He served ecology as an Ecological Society of America president, an editor of the Society's journals, a member of and contributor to the National Academy of Sciences and the National Research Council, and an in‐demand advisor to various state and federal agencies. Paine's broad interests, enthusiasm, charisma, and humor deeply affected our lives and the lives of so many others.
Unified Calculation Method for Motor Torque in Reluctance Network Analysis
Authors: NAKAMURA KENJI , ICHINOKURA OSAMU
Published: September 2016

A reluctance network analysis (RNA), which is an improved magnetic circuit method, has some advantages: the analytical model is simple, the calculation accuracy is relatively high, and a coupled analysis with an electric circuit, a heat circuit, a motion equation, and so on, is fundamentally easy. The RNA has been applied to the dynamic analysis of several motors such as a surface permanent magnet (SPM) motor, an interior permanent magnet (IPM) motor, and a switched reluctance (SR) motor. The dynamic characteristics of these motors including starting and a sudden load change can be calculated by an RNA. However, the torque calculation methods for these motors are different from each other. This paper presents a unified calculation method for the motor torque in an RNA, which does not depend on the types and structures of motors. The validity and availability of the proposed method are demonstrated by a finite element method (FEM) and an experiment.
Physical and sensory properties of chocolate made with lecithin of different origin
Authors: Böhme Birgit , Symmank Claudia , Rohm Harald
Published: September 2016

The development of genetically modified foods, but also the use of therefrom produced ingredients in food manufacturing raises uncertainties and concerns in both producers and consumers. Lecithin from soy beans, which is most frequently used to modify the flow behavior of chocolate masses, is a prominent example of such an ingredient. In this study, lecithin of different origin, namely from soy bean, sunflower, or canola seeds, was incorporated into lecithin‐free masses of white and milk chocolate. The resulting products were analyzed with respect to flow behavior (molten masses), and hardness and color (solidified products); only negligible effects on these parameters were observed. A series of sensory experiments, aiming at detecting whether differences in taste and acceptance caused by the lecithin source exist, revealed that consumers were not able to distinguish between chocolates made with lecithin from different sources. Analyzing the attitudes of 161 subjects toward genetically modified foods revealed a general scepticism, especially as concerns long‐term environmental and health effects.

Practical applications: The results obtained by physical analysis of chocolate and the results from acceptance testing are promising for chocolate producers who intend to replace soy lecithin by sunflower or canola lecithin. The lecithin source exhibited only a minor influence on viscosity, hardness, and color of white and milk chocolate, and consumers were not able to differentiate between chocolate with different lecithin. The results indicate that using sunflower or canola lecithin in chocolate production may be a successful approach for chocolate producers to meet consumers concerns regarding ingredients from genetically modified plants.

Soy lecithin is the most commonly used flow enhancer in chocolate manufacture. Physical and sensory analysis shows that lecithin from sunflower or canola seeds may be used in a similar concentration without affecting physical or sensory properties of the resulting chocolates.
Fast‐track development of a lactase production process with Kluyveromyces lactis by a progressive parameter‐control workflow
Authors: Wellenbeck Wenzel , Mampel Jörg , Naumer Christian , Knepper Andreas , Neubauer Peter
Published: September 2016

The time‐to‐market challenge is key to success for consumer goods affiliated industries. In recent years, the dairy industry faces a fast and constantly growing demand for enzymatically produced lactose‐free milk products, mainly driven by emerging markets in South America and Asia. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we developed a fermentation process for lactase (β‐galactosidase) from Kluyveromyces lactis within short time. Here, we describe the process of stepwise increasing the level of control over relevant process parameters during scale‐up that established a highly efficient and stable production system. Process development started with evolutionary engineering to generate catabolite‐derepressed variants of the K. lactis wild‐type strain. A high‐throughput screening mimicking fed‐batch cultivation identified a constitutive lactase overproducer with 260‐fold improved activity of 4.4 U per milligram dry cell weight when cultivated in glucose minimal medium. During scale‐up, process control was progressively increased up to the level of conventional, fully controlled fed‐batch cultivations by simulating glucose feed, applying pH‐ and dissolved oxygen tension (DOT)‐sensor technology to small scale, and by the use of a milliliter stirred tank bioreactor. Additionally, process development was assisted by design‐of‐experiments optimization of the growth medium employing the response surface methodology.
A comparison of statistical emulation methodologies for multi‐wave calibration of environmental models
Authors: Salter James M. , Williamson Daniel
Published: September 2016

Expensive computer codes, particularly those used for simulating environmental or geological processes, such as climate models, require calibration (sometimes called tuning). When calibrating expensive simulators using uncertainty quantification methods, it is usually necessary to use a statistical model called an emulator in place of the computer code when running the calibration algorithm. Though emulators based on Gaussian processes are typically many orders of magnitude faster to evaluate than the simulator they mimic, many applications have sought to speed up the computations by using regression‐only emulators within the calculations instead, arguing that the extra sophistication brought using the Gaussian process is not worth the extra computational power. This was the case for the analysis that produced the UK climate projections in 2009. In this paper, we compare the effectiveness of both emulation approaches upon a multi‐wave calibration framework that is becoming popular in the climate modeling community called “history matching.” We find that Gaussian processes offer significant benefits to the reduction of parametric uncertainty over regression‐only approaches. We find that in a multi‐wave experiment, a combination of regression‐only emulators initially, followed by Gaussian process emulators for refocussing experiments can be nearly as effective as using Gaussian processes throughout for a fraction of the computational cost. We also discover a number of design and emulator‐dependent features of the multi‐wave history matching approach that can cause apparent, yet premature, convergence of our estimates of parametric uncertainty. We compare these approaches to calibration in idealized examples and apply it to a well‐known geological reservoir model.
Rates of erosion and landscape change along the Blue Ridge escarpment, southern Appalachian Mountains, estimated from in situ cosmogenic 10Be
Authors: Linari Colleen L. , Bierman Paul R. , Portenga Eric W. , Pavich Milan J. , Finkel Robert C. , Freeman Stewart P.H.T.
Published: September 2016

The Blue Ridge escarpment, located within the southern Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina, forms a distinct, steep boundary between the lower‐elevation Piedmont and higher‐elevation Blue Ridge physiographic provinces. To understand better the rate at which this landform and the adjacent landscape are changing, we measured cosmogenic beryllium‐10 (10Be) in quartz separated from sediment samples (n = 50) collected in 32 streams and from three exposed bedrock outcrops along four transects normal to the escarpment, allowing us to calculate erosion rates integrated over 104–105 years. These basin‐averaged erosion rates (5.4–49 m Myr−1) are consistent with those measured elsewhere in the southern Appalachain Mountains and show a positive relationship between erosion rate and average basin slope. Erosion rates show no relationship with basin size or relative position of the Brevard fault zone, a fundamental structural element of the region. The cosmogenic isotopic data, when considered along with the distribution of average basin slopes in each physiographic province, suggest that the escarpment is eroding on average more rapidly than the Blue Ridge uplands, which are eroding more rapidly than the Piedmont lowlands. This difference in erosion rates by geomorphic setting suggests that the elevation difference between the uplands and lowlands adjacent to the escarpment is being reduced but at extremely slow rates. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigations on oxidation and microstructure evolution of pure Cu in simulated air–kerosene combustion atmospheres
Authors: Xie Dongbai , Shan Guo , Deng Shi , Liu Yi
Published: September 2016

Copper is among the most frequently found metallic residues in fire scene environment. Investigations on the thermal patterns produced on copper after fire scene exposure can provide important physical evidence for fire cause/origin determination. In this paper, the high temperature oxidation behaviors and the accompanying micro‐structural changes of pure copper have been studied in air and laboratory simulated kerosene‐combustion atmospheres at 600–800 °C. The oxidation kinetics, morphologies and microstructures of the oxide scales‐substrate were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray diffractions. The results reveal that the increasing temperature can significantly affect the oxide properties and modify the substrate metallurgical microstructure. Especially, the presence of kerosene in the environmental atmosphere has caused accelerated oxidation and produced oxide scales different from those formed in air alone. These feature evolutions in surface oxides and substrate are expected to offer complementary insight on determining the fire characteristics, such as the exposure temperature, time period and whether liquid accelerant is involved. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grain size and geochemical study of the surface deposits of the sand dunes in the Mu Us desert, northern China
Authors: Liu Bing , Jin Heling , Sun Liangying , Sun Zhong , Zhang Caixia
Published: September 2016

Material components and geochemical behaviour of desert deposits are closely related with the level and degree of the desertification. In this research, we systematically carried out a grain size and geochemical study of the surface sediments from fixed, semi‐fixed, semi‐mobile and mobile sand dunes and discussed their link with the desertification in the Mu Us Desert, northern China. Grain size results indicated that the main components of the different sandy sediments were predominantly 200–300‐µm coarse grain size. Along with the stronger desertification, the fine material content (clay and silt) and mean grain size (Φ) became lessened, while the coarse particle is remarkably increased due to the repeated wind sorting during that process. These sandy deposits were mainly transported by saltation and creep; the increased creep and decreased saltation and suspended components were probably a response to the lessened fixation degree of the dunes. Geochemical analysis demonstrated that the surface sandy deposits were mainly composed of SiO2, Al2O3 and Na2O, which was very similar to the geochemical constituents of the other deserts in northern China. These sandy surface sediments, with their relatively high Ca and Na content, incur little or no geochemical weathering, which is probably attributable to the arid conditions and the lack of effective weathering. Additionally, an A‐CNK‐FM diagram indicated that decreased Fe and Mg contents were possibly related to the stronger abrasion and sorting during the desertification process. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does Competition Have an Effect on Price and Quality in Physiotherapy?
Authors: Pekola Piia , Linnosmaa Ismo , Mikkola Hennamari
Published: September 2016

We estimate the effect of competition on quality and prices in physiotherapy organised and financed by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland for disabled individuals. Within the physiotherapy market, firms participate in competitive bidding, prices are determined by the market, services are free at the point of use and firms are allowed to react to patient choice only by enhancing quality. Firm‐level data (n = 854) regarding quality and price were analysed. Using 2SLS estimation techniques, we analysed the relationship between quality and competition, and price and competition. Our study found that competition has a negative (yet weak) effect on quality. Prices on the other hand are not affected by competition. The result is likely caused by imperfect information, because it seems that the Social Insurance Institution of Finland has provided too little information for patients to make adequate choices about proper service providers. We argue that by publishing quality information, it is possible to ease the decision‐making of patients and influence the quality strategies of firms active in the physiotherapy market. Moreover, we found that competition appeared as an exogenous variable in this study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating Matching‐Adjusted Indirect Comparisons in Practice: A Case Study of Patients with Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors: Shafrin Jason , Shrestha Anshu , Chandra Amitabh , Erder M. Haim , Sikirica Vanja
Published: September 2016

Differences in patient characteristics across trials may bias efficacy estimates from indirect treatment comparisons. To address this issue, matching‐adjusted indirect comparison (MAIC) measures treatment efficacy after weighting individual patient data to match patient characteristics across trials. To date, however, there is no consensus on how best to implement MAIC. To address this issue, we applied MAIC to measure how two attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatments (guanfacine extended release and atomoxetine hydrochloride) affect patients' ADHD symptoms, as measured by the ADHD Rating Scale IV score. We tested MAIC sensitivity to: matched patient characteristics, matched statistical moments, weighting matrix, and placebo‐arm matching (i.e., matching on outcomes in the placebo arm). After applying MAIC, guanfacine and atomoxetine had similar reductions in ADHD symptoms (Δ: 0.4, p < 0.737). The results were similar for three of four sensitivity analyses. When we applied MAIC with placebo‐arm matching, however, guanfacine reduced symptoms more than atomoxetine (Δ: −3.9, p < 0.004). We discuss the implication of this finding and advise MAIC practitioners to carefully consider the use of placebo‐arm matching, depending on the presence of residual confounding across trials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ESEM: Automated Systems Analysis using Executable SysML Modeling Patterns
Authors: Karban Robert , Jankevičius Nerijus , Elaasar Maged
Published: September 2016

SysML is a modeling language used for systems analysis and design. While some domain‐specific analyses (e.g., finite element analysis) can only be specified in SysML when combined with other vocabulary, many common analyses can be modeled purely in SysML using its parametric and behavioral semantics. In this paper, we focus on one kind of analysis, which is requirements verification, and propose a new Executable System Engineering Method (ESEM) that automates it using executable SysML modeling patterns that involve structural, behavioral and parametric diagrams. The resulting analysis model becomes executable using a general purpose SysML execution engine. We present our method and demonstrate it on a running example derived from an industrial case study where we have verified the power requirements of a telescope system. It involves dynamic power roll‐ups in different operational scenarios and shows the automation capabilities of this method.