bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New developments in forest management planning.
Authors: Griess V. C.
Published: June 2016

For the review at hand the ISI web of knowledge was searched for the keyword combination
forest
+
management
+
planning
. Close to 200 articles were found with the mentioned keywords in their topic that were published between 2013 and 2015. The 'top 5' sub-topics found amongst them are
climate change
,
productivity
,
decision support
,
carbon
and
growth modelling
in order of abundance. The overview over current research in each of these 5 sub-topics to forest management planning naturally show strong overlaps with climate change being the most abundant, followed by productivity and decision support. Few major breakthroughs can be reported for the time span under consideration, however, there is constant progress towards the development of fast and precise decision support tools that are spatially explicit and able to manage for multiple objectives. As a matter of course this progress is based on numerous detailed findings in the field stemming from a vast variety of topics, with the management of mixed species stands standing out as a topic of increasing interest. An emerging sub-topic that needs mentioning is urban forestry, for which detailed management activities are yet to be developed, possibly based on findings from non-urban forest management.
Ration balancing at farmers' doorstep: a climate-smart strategy for sustainable increase in livestock productivity in developing countries.
Authors: Garg M. R. , Sherasia P. L.
Published: June 2016

In recent years, the share of developing countries in global milk production has increased significantly. Despite the breakthroughs in milk production, average productivity of livestock is quite low in the region, mainly because of imbalanced feeding in terms of protein, energy and minerals. Farmers do not have adequate knowledge, resources and skills to formulate a least cost balanced ration. Feed shortages notwithstanding in the region, considerable potential exists for improving livestock productivity and reducing the carbon footprint of milk by ration balancing with available feed resources. The National Dairy Development Board of India has developed a user-friendly ration balancing software for preparing a least cost balanced ration, using available feed resources and area-specific mineral mixtures. To educate farmers, a large-scale ration balancing programme has been implemented in different states of India. Various studies indicate that ration balancing has resulted in an increase in farmers' net daily income by increasing milk yield or milk fat, while reducing feeding costs. Ration balancing has also helped improve feed conversion efficiency and microbial protein synthesis, while reducing enteric methane emissions. A study on the
cradle-to-farm gate
life cycle assessment of lifetime milk production indicated that enteric methane is the largest contributor to the carbon footprint of milk. A significant reduction in the carbon footprint of milk has been observed when feeding a balanced ration. The present review summarizes the application of ration balancing approach at the farmers' doorstep that could serve as a climate-smart strategy for achieving sustainable increases in livestock productivity in developing countries.
Reconsidering school politics: educational controversies in Sweden
Authors: Fredholm Axel
Published: June 2016

School politics in Sweden has recently moved in a conservative direction, emphasising the importance of conventional school subjects, stronger teacher authority and more discipline in the classroom. At the same time, consensus on the utility of such measures is lacking in the school debate. The conservative approach is often criticised as misleading and behind the times in relation to contemporary knowledge demands. This article examines and discusses the relevance of this critique. The main argument is that the conservative approach has a better matching with a previous phase in the history of Swedish school politics and that conventional schooling is difficult to combine with two of the major goals of schooling today – the diffusion of democracy and multipurpose skills. From this perspective, the political notion of schooling seems decoupled from the broader domain of public demands on education. To alleviate this problem school politics should draw less on the pedagogical ideas of essentialism and more on the historical legacy of progressivism in the Swedish education system.
Good People Declaiming Well: Quintilian and the Ethics of Ethical Flexibility
Authors: Wiese Cleve
Published: June 2016

This essay discusses the relationship between Quintilian’s vision of the ideal orator and his emphasis on declamation. I argue that, for Quintilian, declamation was much more than a useful exercise. Rather, it was a method for training orators to experience the world from a variety of perspectives, something Quintilian considered to be both an essential rhetorical skill and an important quality of the “good man speaking well.” I further argue—taking an exercise from my own first-year writing classes as an example—that contemporary adaptations of ancient rhetorical pedagogy often fail to fully engage with the ethical dimensions of exercises such as declamation. I conclude by calling for a greater consideration of the ethical dimension of ancient rhetorical exercises in our contemporary adaptations of them so that we can truly meet Quintilian on his own ground.
Reproducing Virtue: Quintilian, Imitation, and Rhetorical Education
Authors: Terrill Robert E.
Published: June 2016

Quintilian does not offer an explicit mechanism that connects eloquence and ethics. This essay suggests that this omission is a consequence of the significant role that imitation plays in Quintilian’s pedagogy. This essay further suggests that the particular habits of mind that are cultivated through imitation are those that are associated with civic virtue, and it offers some ways that civic virtue might be cultivated in contemporary classrooms through a pedagogy that relies on imitation.
Quintilian and Modern Writing
Authors: Murphy James J.
Published: June 2016

Quintilian makes writing one of the four interrelating elements (with reading, speaking, and listening) to be used in producing in his “perfect orator” what he calls “habit” (hexis), or the facility of being able to write or speak well on any subject. It requires constant study over time, requires organization, and is reinforced by constant practice. His practical observations on writing may well have value for us in modern times.
Lower limb alignment characteristics are not associated with running injuries in runners: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Hespanhol Junior Luiz Carlos , de Carvalho Aline Carla Araújo , Costa Leonardo Oliveira Pena , Lopes Alexandre Dias
Published: June 2016

There is conflicting evidence on the association between lower limb alignment characteristics and the incidence of running‐related injury (RRI). Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the association between lower limb alignment characteristics and the incidence proportion of RRI in a convenience sample of recreational runners. A total of 89 recreational runners were included in this prospective cohort study. These participants had been running for at least six months and were injury‐free at baseline. Lower limb alignment measurements were conducted in order to calculate lower limb discrepancy, Q‐angle, subtalar angle and plantar index. All participants also answered a baseline and biweekly online surveys about their running routine, history of RRI and newly developed RRI over a period of 12 weeks. The prevalence of previous RRI and the 12‐week incidence proportion of new RRI were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between lower limb length discrepancy, Q‐angle, subtalar angle and plantar ach index with the incidence proportion of RRI. The prevalence of previous RRI was 55.1% (n = 49). The 12‐week incidence proportion of new RRI was 27.0% (n = 24). Muscle injuries and tendinopathies were the main types of RRI identified. The lower leg and the knee were the main anatomical regions affected. We did not find significant associations between lower limb length discrepancy, Q‐angle, subtalar angle and plantar arch index and injury occurrence.
The Impact of Left Ventricular Mass on Diastolic Blood Pressure Targets for Patients With Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Rabkin Simon W. , Shiekh Imran Amin , Wood David A.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Defining the optimal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for patients with hypertension and coronary artery disease (CAD) is an ongoing challenge in part because of the concern that low DBP may have adverse cardiac effects (the J curve hypothesis).

METHODS

Left ventricular mass (LV mass) was measured on the echocardiogram of individuals ( N = 92) with CAD who had coronary blood flow (CBF) in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery estimated from artery diameter and DBP distal to coronary stenosis.

RESULTS

CBF approached 0 in a small but defined proportion of persons at DBP of 70mm Hg. CBF was significantly lower in persons with higher LV mass (above the median of 83g/m 2 ) when DBP was ≥75mm Hg. Higher electrocardiogram QRS voltage (sum of S V1 and R in V6), in the absence of LV hypertrophy (LVH), identified persons with significantly lower CBF at DBP ≥ 80mm Hg. In multivariate analysis, LV mass was a significant CBF determinant after adjusting for DBP and CAD severity. LV mass has a major impact on CBF when DBP is >70mm Hg, while DBP is the primary determinant of CBF when DBP is ≤70mm Hg. Multivariate analysis confirmed a significant interaction between LV mass and DBP.

CONCLUSIONS

DBP ≤ 70mm Hg is associated with a progressively greater proportion in whom CBF in the LAD approaches 0. For DBP > 70mm Hg, persons with higher LV mass, even in the absence of LVH, have lower CBF, suggesting LV mass is an important consideration when DBP is reduced in patients with CAD.
ARGON: fast, whole-genome simulation of the discrete time Wright-fisher process
Authors: Palamara Pier Francesco
Published: June 2016

Motivation: Simulation under the coalescent model is ubiquitous in the analysis of genetic data. The rapid growth of real data sets from multiple human populations led to increasing interest in simulating very large sample sizes at whole-chromosome scales. When the sample size is large, the coalescent model becomes an increasingly inaccurate approximation of the discrete time Wright-Fisher model (DTWF). Analytical and computational treatment of the DTWF, however, is generally harder.

Results: We present a simulator (ARGON) for the DTWF process that scales up to hundreds of thousands of samples and whole-chromosome lengths, with a time/memory performance comparable or superior to currently available methods for coalescent simulation. The simulator supports arbitrary demographic history, migration, Newick tree output, variable mutation/recombination rates and gene conversion, and efficiently outputs pairwise identical-by-descent sharing data.

Availability: ARGON (version 0.1) is written in Java, open source, and freely available at https://github.com/pierpal/ARGON.

Contact:  ppalama@hsph.harvard.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Fast radio bursts counterparts in the scenario of supergiant pulses
Authors: Popov S. B. , Pshirkov M. S.
Published: June 2016

We discuss identification of possible counterparts and persistent sources related to fast radio bursts (FRBs) in the framework of the model of supergiant pulses from young neutron stars with large spin-down luminosities. In particular, we demonstrate that at least some of the sources of FRBs can be observed as ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs). At the moment no ULXs are known to be coincident with localization areas of FRBs. We searched for a correlation of FRB positions with galaxies in the 2MASS Redshift survey catalogue. Our analysis produced statistically insignificant overabundance (p-value ≈ 4 per cent) of galaxies in error boxes of FRBs. In the very near future with even modestly increased statistics of FRBs and with the help of dedicated X-ray observations and all-sky X-ray surveys it will be possible to decisively prove or falsify the supergiant pulses model.
Prospective Evaluation of Serum β-Glucan Testing in Patients With Probable or Proven Fungal Diseases
Authors: Angebault Cécile , Lanternier Fanny , Dalle Frédéric , Schrimpf Cécile , Roupie Anne-Laure , Dupuis Aurélie , Agathine Aurélie , Scemla Anne , Paubelle Etienne , Caillot Denis , Neven Bénédicte , Frange Pierre , Suarez Felipe , d'Enfert Christophe , Lortholary Olivier , Bougnoux Marie-Elisabeth
Published: June 2016

Background.  Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in invasive fungal diseases (IFD). Serum (1-3)-β-d-glucan (BG) is believed to be an early IFD marker, but its diagnostic performance has been ambiguous, with insufficient data regarding sensitivity at the time of IFD diagnosis (TOD) and according to outcome. Whether its clinical utility is equivalent for all types of IFD remains unknown.

Methods.  We included 143 patients with proven or probable IFD (49 invasive candidiasis, 45 invasive aspergillosis [IA], and 49 rare IFD) and analyzed serum BG (Fungitell) at TOD and during treatment.

Results.  (1-3)-β-d-glucan was undetectable at TOD in 36% and 48% of patients with candidemia and IA, respectively; there was no correlation between negative BG results at TOD and patients' characteristics, localization of infection, or prior antifungal use. Nevertheless, patients with candidemia due to Candida albicans were more likely to test positive for BG at TOD (odds ratio = 25.4, P = .01) than patients infected with other Candida species. In 70% of the patients with a follow-up, BG negativation occurred in >1 month for candidemia and >3 months for IA. A slower BG decrease in patients with candidemia was associated with deep-seated localizations (P = .04). Thirty-nine percent of patients with rare IFD had undetectable BG at TOD; nonetheless, all patients with chronic subcutaneous IFD tested positive at TOD.

Conclusions.  Undetectable serum BG does not rule out an early IFD, when the clinical suspicion is high. After IFD diagnostic, kinetics of serum BG are difficult to relate to clinical outcome.
Update on clinical trials in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Narain Sonali , Furie Richard
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

With advancement in our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), there is tremendous enthusiasm in examining drugs, old and new, to improve outcomes. This review highlights recent trials’ successes and impasses that have come to fore.

Recent findings

Among B-cell therapies, belimumab continues its run of successes with sustained safety and tolerability documented in a long-term extension as well as the likely approval of a subcutaneous formulation in the near future. With greater antibody-dependent cytotoxicity and less immunogenicity, there is hope for obinituzumab to succeed where its anti-CD 20 predecessors have failed. Drugs targeting type I interferons – sifalimumab and anifrolumab – have been efficacious albeit with an increase in incidence of Herpes zoster infections. There is also renewed interest in evaluating the efficacy of calcineurin inhibitors, specifically tacrolimus in the induction and maintenance of lupus nephritis. Introspection into clinical trial designs have highlighted the effects of entry criteria, end points, background medications and geographical differences on study outcomes.

There are at least 50 drugs and targets being evaluated in SLE. In addition to developing new drugs to treat lupus, future trials have to focus on more effective study designs to improve chances of trial success.
Liberal Glycemic Control in Critically Ill Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Kar Palash , Plummer Mark P. , Bellomo Rinaldo , Jenkins Alicia J. , Januszewski Andrzej S. , Chapman Marianne J. , Jones Karen L. , Horowitz Michael , Deane Adam M.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

The optimal blood glucose target in critically ill patients with preexisting diabetes and chronic hyperglycemia is unknown. In such patients, we aimed to determine whether a “ liberal” approach to glycemic control would reduce hypoglycemia and glycemic variability and appear safe.

Design:

Prospective, open-label, sequential-period exploratory study.

Setting:

Medical-surgical ICU.

Patients:

During sequential 6-month periods, we studied 83 patients with preexisting type 2 diabetes and chronic hyperglycemia (glycated hemoglobin, ≥ 7.0% at ICU admission).

Intervention:

During the “standard care” period, 52 patients received insulin to treat blood glucose concentrations greater than 10 mmol/L whereas during the “liberal” period, 31 patients received insulin to treat blood glucose concentrations greater than 14 mmol/L.

Measurements and Main Results:

Time-weighted mean glucose concentrations and the number and duration of moderate (< 4.0 mmol/L) and severe (≤ 2.2 mmol/L) hypoglycemic episodes were recorded, with moderate and severe hypoglycemic episodes grouped together. Glycemic variability was assessed by calculating the coefficient of variability for each patient. Safety was evaluated using clinical outcomes and plasma concentrations of markers of inflammation, glucose-turnover, and oxidative stress. Mean glucose (TWglucoseday 0–7, standard care: 9.3 [1.8] vs liberal: 10.3 [2.1] mmol/L; p = 0.02) and nadir blood glucose (4.4 [1.5] vs 5.5 [1.6] mmol/L; p < 0.01) were increased during the liberal period. There was a signal toward reduced risk of moderate-severe hypoglycemia (relative risk: liberal compared with standard care: 0.47 [95% CI, 0.19–1.13]; p = 0.09). Ten patients (19%) during the standard period and one patient (3%) during the liberal period had recurrent episodes of moderate-severe hypoglycemia. Liberal therapy reduced glycemic variability (coefficient of variability, 33.2% [12.9%] vs 23.8% [7.7%]; p < 0.01). Biomarker data and clinical outcomes were similar.

Conclusions:

In critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic hyperglycaemia, liberal glycemic control appears to attenuate glycemic variability and may reduce the prevalence of moderate-severe hypoglycemia.
Enhanced Visualization of Optimal Cerebral Perfusion Pressure Over Time to Support Clinical Decision Making*
Authors: Aries Marcel J. H. , Wesselink Robin , Elting Jan Willem J. , Donnelly Joseph , Czosnyka Marek , Ercole Ari , Maurits Natasha M. , Smielewski Peter
Published: June 2016

Objective:

Cerebrovascular reactivity can provide a continuously updated individualized target for management of cerebral perfusion pressure, termed optimal cerebral perfusion pressure. The objective of this project was to find a way of improving the optimal cerebral perfusion pressure methodology by introducing a new visualization method.

Data Sources:

Four severe traumatic brain injury patients with intracranial pressure monitoring.

Data Extraction:

Data were collected and pre-processed using ICM+ software.

Data Synthesis:

Sequential optimal cerebral perfusion pressure curves were used to create a color-coded maps of autoregulation - cerebral perfusion pressure relationship evolution over time.

Conclusions:

The visualization method addresses some of the main drawbacks of the original methodology and might bring the potential for its clinical application closer.
4-Aminopyridine, A Blocker of Voltage-Dependent K+ Channels, Restores Blood Pressure and Improves Survival in the Wistar Rat Model of Anaphylactic Shock
Authors: Bellou Abdelouahab , Al-Hammadi Suleiman , Aburawi Elhadi H. , Dhanasekaran Subramanian , Nemmar Abderrahim , Oulhaj Abderrahim , Shafiuallah Mohamed , Zerrouki Moufida , Yasin Javed , Bellou Leila , Alper Seth L. , Bellou Sirine , Kazzam Elsadig
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Anaphylactic shock is associated with severe hypotension. Potassium channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine, induce vasoconstriction. The objective of this study was to test the ability of 4-aminopyridine to restore blood pressure and increase survival in anaphylactic shock.

Design:

Experimental study.

Setting:

Physiology laboratory.

Subjects:

Adult male Wistar rats.

Interventions:

Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (1 mg SC), and anaphylactic shock was induced by IV injection of ovalbumin (1 mg). Experimental groups included non-allergic rats (NA) (n = 6); allergic rats (Controls) (n = 6); allergic rats treated with 4-aminopyridine (4-aminopyridine) (1 mg/kg) (n = 6); and allergic rats treated with epinephrine (EPI) (10 µg/kg) (n = 6). Treatments were administered 1 minute after induction of anaphylactic shock.

Measurements and Main Results:

Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and survival were measured for 60 minutes. Plasma levels of histamine, leukotriene B4, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2, pH, and Hco
3 were measured. Mean arterial blood pressure was normal in the NA group; severe hypotension and high mortality were observed in controls; normalization of mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, and increased survival were observed in 4-aminopyridine and EPI groups. All allergic 4-aminopyridine-treated rats survived after the induction of anaphylactic shock. Histamine level was higher in controls and the 4-aminopyridine group but reduced in the EPI group. Prostaglandin E2 increased in controls and EPI group and decreased in 4-aminopyridine group; prostaglandin F2 increased in controls but decreased in 4-aminopyridine and EPI groups. Leukotriene B4 decreased in 4-aminopyridine and EPI groups. Metabolic acidosis was prevented in the 4-aminopyridine group.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that voltage-dependent K+ channel inhibition with 4-aminopyridine treatment restores blood pressure and increases survival in the Wistar rat model of anaphylactic shock. 4-aminopyridine or related voltage-dependent K+ channel blockers could be a useful additional therapeutic approach to treatment of refractory anaphylactic shock.
Combining Prognostic and Predictive Enrichment Strategies to Identify Children With Septic Shock Responsive to Corticosteroids*
Authors: Wong Hector R. , Atkinson Sarah J. , Cvijanovich Natalie Z. , Anas Nick , Allen Geoffrey L. , Thomas Neal J. , Bigham Michael T. , Weiss Scott L. , Fitzgerald Julie C. , Checchia Paul A. , Meyer Keith , Quasney Michael , Hall Mark , Gedeit Rainer , Freishtat Robert J. , Nowak Jeffrey , Raj Shekhar S. , Gertz Shira , Lindsell Christopher J.
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

Prognostic and predictive enrichment strategies are fundamental tools of precision medicine. Identifying children with septic shock who may benefit from corticosteroids remains a challenge. We combined prognostic and predictive strategies to identify a pediatric septic shock subgroup responsive to corticosteroids.

Design:

We conducted a secondary analysis of 288 previously published pediatric subjects with septic shock. For prognostic enrichment, each study subject was assigned a baseline mortality probability using the pediatric sepsis biomarker risk model. For predictive enrichment, each study subject was allocated to one of two septic shock endotypes, based on a 100-gene signature reflecting adaptive immunity and glucocorticoid receptor signaling. The primary study endpoint was complicated course, defined as the persistence of two or more organ failures at day 7 of septic shock or 28-day mortality. We used logistic regression to test for an association between corticosteroids and complicated course within endotype.

Measurements and Main Results:

Among endotype B subjects at intermediate to high pediatric sepsis biomarker risk model-based risk of mortality, corticosteroids were independently associated with more than a 10-fold reduction in the risk of a complicated course (relative risk, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01–0.54; p = 0.007).

Conclusions:

A combination of prognostic and predictive strategies based on serum protein and messenger RNA biomarkers can identify a subgroup of children with septic shock who may be more likely to benefit from corticosteroids. Prospective validation of these strategies and the existence of this subgroup are warranted.
Return to Work After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Nationwide Follow-up Study
Authors: Odgaard Lene , Johnsen Søren Paaske , Pedersen Asger Roer , Nielsen Jørgen Feldbæk
Published: June 2016

Objective:

To determine return to work (RTW) after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare long-term labor market attachment (LMA) with the general population.

Participants:

All persons aged 18 to 64 years who received highly specialized neurorehabilitation after severe TBI between 2004 and 2012 (n = 637) were matched to general population controls on age, sex, preinjury employment status, educational level, and residence (n = 2497).

Design:

Nationwide follow-up study using weekly records on public assistance benefits.

Main Measures:

Both RTW and LMA were defined as having no public assistance benefits except education grants/leave. Stable LMA was defined as weeks with LMA of 75% or more. LMA among persons with severe TBI and controls was compared using multivariable conditional logistic regression.

Results:

RTW mainly occurred within first 2 years after severe TBI, with 30% of the people attempting RTW and 16% achieving stable LMA within 2 years. The prevalence of people with LMA decreased to 11% from 2½ years to 5 years postinjury. Adjusted odds ratios were 0.01 for LMA up to 2 years postinjury and 0.05 for stable LMA for persons with severe TBI compared with the general population.

Conclusion:

Both RTW and long-term LMA after severe TBI were low in Denmark when compared with the general population and other countries.
Nutrition in burn injury: any recent changes?
Authors: Berger Mette M. , Pantet Olivier
Published: June 2016

Purpose of review

After major progress in the 1980s of burn resuscitation resulting, the last years’ research has focused on modulation of metabolic response and optimization of substrate utilization. The persisting variability of clinical practice is confirmed and results in difficult comparisons between burn centers.

Recent findings

Recent research explores intracellular mechanisms of the massive metabolic turmoil observed after burns: very early alterations at the mitochondrial level largely explain the hypermetabolic response, with a diminished coupling of oxygen consumption and ATP production. The metabolic alterations (elevated protein and glucose turnover) have been shown to be long lasting. Modulating this response by pharmacological tools (insulin, propranolol, and oxandrolone) results in significant clinical benefits. A moderate glucose control proves to be safe in adult burns; data in children remain uncertain as the risk of hypoglycemia seems to be higher. The enteral feeding route is confirmed as an optimal route: some difficulties are now clearly identified, such as the risk of not delivering sufficient energy by this route.

Major burn patients differ from other critically ill patients by the magnitude and duration of their inflammatory and metabolic responses, their energy and substrate requirements. Pieces of the metabolic puzzle finally seem to fit together.
Secretions of Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus acidophilus Protect Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function
Authors: Guo Shuangshuang , Gillingham Tyler , Guo Yuming , Meng Di , Zhu Weishu , Walker W. Allen , Ganguli Kriston
Published: June 2016

Objectives:

The secreted metabolites of probiotics are cytoprotective to intestinal epithelium and have been shown to attenuate inflammation and reduce gut permeability. The present study was designed to determine the protective effects of probiotic conditioned media (PCM) from Bifidobacterium infantis (BCM) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LCM) on interleukin (IL)‐1β–induced intestinal barrier compromise.

Methods:

The epithelial barrier was determined by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) across a Caco‐2 cell monolayer using a Transwell model. The paracellular permeability was determined by fluorescein isothiocyanate–labeled dextran flux. The expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins and nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) p65 were determined using Western blot and the distribution of NF‐κB p65 was determined by immunofluorescence staining.

Results:

BCM and LCM induced a dose‐dependent increase in Caco‐2 TER after 4 and 24 hours of incubation (P < 0.05). The maximal increase of Caco‐2 TER occurred at 4 hours of treatment with a PCM concentration of 15%. Preincubation with BCM and LCM for 4 hours significantly prevented the decrease of Caco‐2 TER induced by 24 hours of stimulation with 10 ng/mL IL‐1β. BCM and LCM decreased paracellular permeability in both stimulated and unstimulated Caco‐2 monolayers (P < 0.05). IL‐1β stimulation decreased occludin expression and increased claudin‐1 expression in Caco‐2 cells (P < 0.05), which was prevented in cells treated with BCM or LCM. The changes of claudin‐1 expression in H4 cells were similar to Caco‐2 cells in response to PCM treatment and IL‐1β stimulation; however, a similar response in occludin was not demonstrated. The IL‐1β–induced nuclear translocation of NF‐κB p65 in Caco‐2 cells was prevented by pretreatment with both PCMs.

Conclusions:

BCM and LCM protected the intestinal barrier against IL‐1β stimulation by normalizing the protein expression of occludin and claudin‐1 and preventing IL‐1β–induced NF‐κB activation in Caco‐2 cells, which may be partly responsible for the preservation of intestinal permeability.
Electroactive polymers for sensing
Authors: Wang Tiesheng , Farajollahi Meisam , Choi Yeon Sik , Lin I-Ting , Marshall Jean E. , Thompson Noel M. , Kar-Narayan Sohini , Madden John D. W. , Smoukov Stoyan K.
Published: June 2016

Electromechanical coupling in electroactive polymers (EAPs) has been widely applied for actuation and is also being increasingly investigated for sensing chemical and mechanical stimuli. EAPs are a unique class of materials, with low-moduli high-strain capabilities and the ability to conform to surfaces of different shapes. These features make them attractive for applications such as wearable sensors and interfacing with soft tissues. Here, we review the major types of EAPs and their sensing mechanisms. These are divided into two classes depending on the main type of charge carrier:ionic EAPs(such as conducting polymers and ionic polymer–metal composites) andelectronic EAPs(such as dielectric elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers and piezoelectric polymers). This review is intended to serve as an introduction to the mechanisms of these materials and as a first step in material selection for both researchers and designers of flexible/bendable devices, biocompatible sensors or even robotic tactile sensing units.
Do Regional Brain Volumes and Major Depressive Disorder Share Genetic Architecture?: a study of Generation Scotland (n=19,762), UK Biobank (n=24,048) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (n=5,766)
Authors: Wigmore Eleanor M. , Clarke Toni-Kim , Adams Mark J. , Fernandez-Pujals Ana M. , Gibson Jude , Howard David M. , Davies Gail , Hall Lynsey S. , Zeng Yanni , Thomson Pippa A. , Hayward Caroline , Smith Blair H. , Hocking Lynne J. , Padmanabhan Sandosh , Deary Ian J. , Porteous David J. , Nicodemus Kristin K. , McIntosh Andrew M.
Published: June 2016

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heritable and highly debilitating condition. It is commonly associated with subcortical volumetric abnormalities, the most replicated of these being reduced hippocampal volume. Using the most recent published data from ENIGMA consortium’s genome-wide association study (GWAS) of regional brain volume, we sought to test whether there is shared genetic architecture between 8 subcortical brain volumes and MDD. Using LD score regression utilising summary statistics from ENIGMA and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, we demonstrated that hippocampal volume was positively genetically correlated with MDD (rG=0.46, P=0.02), although this did not survive multiple comparison testing. None of other six brain regions studied were genetically correlated and amygdala volume heritability was too low for analysis. We also generated polygenic risk scores (PRS) to assess potential pleiotropy between regional brain volumes and MDD in three cohorts (Generation Scotland; Scottish Family Health Study (n=19,762), UK Biobank (n=24,048) and the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (n=5,766). We used logistic regression to examine volumetric PRS and MDD and performed a meta-analysis across the three cohorts. No regional volumetric PRS demonstrated significant association with MDD or recurrent MDD. In this study we provide some evidence that hippocampal volume and MDD may share genetic architecture, albeit this did not survive multiple testing correction and was in the opposite direction to most reported phenotypic correlations. We therefore found no evidence to support a shared genetic architecture for MDD and regional subcortical volumes.
The adrenal capsule is a signaling center controlling cell renewal and zonation through Rspo3
Authors: Vidal Valerie , Sacco Sonia , Rocha Ana Sofia , da Silva Fabio , Panzolini Clara , Dumontet Typhanie , Doan Thi Mai Phuong , Shan Jingdong , Rak-Raszewska Aleksandra , Bird Tom , Vainio Seppo , Martinez Antoine , Schedl Andreas
Published: June 2016

Adrenal glands are zonated endocrine organs that are essential in controlling body homeostasis. How zonation is induced and maintained and how renewal of the adrenal cortex is ensured remain a mystery. Here we show that capsular RSPO3 signals to the underlying steroidogenic compartment to induce β-catenin signaling and imprint glomerulosa cell fate. Deletion of RSPO3 leads to loss of SHH signaling and impaired organ growth. Importantly, Rspo3 function remains essential in adult life to ensure replenishment of lost cells and maintain the properties of the zona glomerulosa. Thus, the adrenal capsule acts as a central signaling center that ensures replacement of damaged cells and is required to maintain zonation throughout life.
Aneuploidy impairs hematopoietic stem cell fitness and is selected against in regenerating tissues in vivo
Authors: Pfau Sarah J. , Silberman Rebecca E. , Knouse Kristin A. , Amon Angelika
Published: June 2016

Aneuploidy, an imbalanced karyotype, is a widely observed feature of cancer cells that has long been hypothesized to promote tumorigenesis. Here we evaluate the fitness of cells with constitutional trisomy or chromosomal instability (CIN) in vivo using hematopoietic reconstitution experiments. We did not observe cancer but instead found that aneuploid hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) exhibit decreased fitness. This reduced fitness is due at least in part to the decreased proliferative potential of aneuploid hematopoietic cells. Analyses of mice with CIN caused by a hypomorphic mutation in the gene Bub1b further support the finding that aneuploidy impairs cell proliferation in vivo. Whereas nonregenerating adult tissues are highly aneuploid in these mice, HSCs and other regenerative adult tissues are largely euploid. These findings indicate that, in vivo, mechanisms exist to select against aneuploid cells.
Tissue-specific down-regulation of S-adenosyl-homocysteine via suppression of dAhcyL1/dAhcyL2 extends health span and life span in Drosophila
Authors: Parkhitko Andrey A. , Binari Richard , Zhang Nannan , Asara John M. , Demontis Fabio , Perrimon Norbert
Published: June 2016

Aging is a risk factor for many human pathologies and is characterized by extensive metabolic changes. Using targeted high-throughput metabolite profiling in Drosophila melanogaster at different ages, we demonstrate that methionine metabolism changes strikingly during aging. Methionine generates the methyl donor S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM), which is converted via methylation to S-adenosyl-homocysteine (SAH), which accumulates during aging. A targeted RNAi screen against methionine pathway components revealed significant life span extension in response to down-regulation of two noncanonical Drosophila homologs of the SAH hydrolase Ahcy (S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase [SAHH[), CG9977/dAhcyL1 and Ahcy89E/CG8956/dAhcyL2, which act as dominant-negative regulators of canonical AHCY. Importantly, tissue-specific down-regulation of dAhcyL1/L2 in the brain and intestine extends health and life span. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis of dAhcyL1-deficient flies revealed its effect on age-dependent metabolic reprogramming and H3K4 methylation. Altogether, reprogramming of methionine metabolism in young flies and suppression of age-dependent SAH accumulation lead to increased life span. These studies highlight the role of noncanonical Ahcy enzymes as determinants of healthy aging and longevity.
Heterogeneity of transcription factor binding specificity models within and across cell lines
Authors: Sharmin Mahfuza , Bravo Héctor Corrada , Hannenhalli Sridhar
Published: June 2016

Complex gene expression patterns are mediated by the binding of transcription factors (TFs) to specific genomic loci. The in vivo occupancy of a TF is, in large part, determined by the TF's DNA binding interaction partners, motivating genomic context-based models of TF occupancy. However, approaches thus far have assumed a uniform TF binding model to explain genome-wide cell-type–specific binding sites. Therefore, the cell type heterogeneity of TF occupancy models, as well as the extent to which binding rules underlying a TF's occupancy are shared across cell types, has not been investigated. Here, we develop an ensemble-based approach (TRISECT) to identify the heterogeneous binding rules for cell-type–specific TF occupancy and analyze the inter-cell-type sharing of such rules. Comprehensive analysis of 23 TFs, each with ChIP-seq data in four to 12 different cell types, shows that by explicitly capturing the heterogeneity of binding rules, TRISECT accurately identifies in vivo TF occupancy. Importantly, many of the binding rules derived from individual cell types are shared across cell types and reveal distinct yet functionally coherent putative target genes in different cell types. Closer inspection of the predicted cell-type–specific interaction partners provides insights into the context-specific functional landscape of a TF. Together, our novel ensemble-based approach reveals, for the first time, a widespread heterogeneity of binding rules, comprising the interaction partners within a cell type, many of which nevertheless transcend cell types. Notably, the putative targets of shared binding rules in different cell types, while distinct, exhibit significant functional coherence.
Weak interactions in the crystal structures of two indole derivatives
Authors: Kerr Jamie R. , Trembleau Laurent , Storey John M. D. , Wardell James L. , Harrison William T. A.
Published: June 2016

We describe the syntheses and crystal structures of two indole derivatives, namely a second monoclinic polymorph of ethyl 5-chloro-1H-indole-2-carboxylate C11H10ClNO2, (I), and ethyl 5-chloro-3-iodo-1H-indole-2-carboxylate, C11H9ClINO2, (II). In their crystal structures, both compounds form inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, which generateR22(10) loops. The dimers are linked into double chains in (I) and sheets in (II) by a variety of weak interactions, including π–π stacking, C—I...π, C—Cl—π interactions and I...Cl halogen bonds.
1-Benzyl-5-chloroindoline-2,3-dione
Authors: Tribak Zineb , Kandri Rodi Youssef , Haoudi Amal , Essassi El Mokhtar , Capet Frédéric , Zouihri Hafid
Published: June 2016

The title compound, C15H10ClNO2, crystallizes with two molecules (AandB) in the asymmetric unit, which have almost identical conformations (r.m.s. overlay fit = 0.057 Å). In moleculeA, the dihedral angle between the indole ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.025 Å) and the phenyl group is 71.39 (8)°. Equivalent data for moleculeBare 0.023 Å and 71.43 (9)°. In the crystal, theAandBmolecules are linked by a C—H...O hydrogen bond and aromatic π–π stacking is also observed [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.5810 (11) Å].
4-[(E)-4-Hydroxybut-2-en-1-yl]-2-methoxyphenol
Authors: Knight Kyle S. , Orick Michael C.
Published: June 2016

The title compound, C11H14O3, was synthesized by a cross-metathesis reaction. The dihedral angle between the aromatic ring and the butenol side chain is 30.2 (2)°. In the crystal, inversion dimers are formed through O—H...O hydrogen bonds and these are linked into chains by additional O—H...O contacts. These chains are linked into sheets in thebcplane by C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
catena-Poly[[sodium-di-μ-aqua-μ-(boric acid)-μ-succinato-sodium-di-μ-aqua] boric acid monosolvate]
Authors: Rajasekar Gunasekaran , Vinothkumar Panchanathan , Sudhahar Sakkarapani , Chakkaravarthi Ganesan , Bhaskaran Arumugam
Published: June 2016

The title polymeric compound, {[Na2(C4H4O4)(H3BO3)(H2O)4]·H3BO3}n, comprises [101] chains of edge-sharing [NaO6] octahedra flanked by succinate and boric acid ligands. An intricate three-dimensional network is formed by O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving all components of the crystal. The crystal investigated was a non-merohedral twin; major component = 83%.
Development of an automated aircraft subsystem architecture generation and analysis tool
Authors: Judt David Manuel , Lawson Craig
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to present a new computational framework to address future preliminary design needs for aircraft subsystems. The ability to investigate multiple candidate technologies forming subsystem architectures is enabled with the provision of automated architecture generation, analysis and optimization. Main focus lies with a demonstration of the frameworks workings, as well as the optimizers performance with a typical form of application problem.

Design/methodology/approach

– The core aspects involve a functional decomposition, coupled with a synergistic mission performance analysis on the aircraft, architecture and component levels. This may be followed by a complete enumeration of architectures, combined with a user defined technology filtering and concept ranking procedure. In addition, a hybrid heuristic optimizer, based on ant systems optimization and a genetic algorithm, is employed to produce optimal architectures in both component composition and design parameters. The optimizer is tested on a generic architecture design problem combined with modified Griewank and parabolic functions for the continuous space.

Findings

– Insights from the generalized application problem show consistent rediscovery of the optimal architectures with the optimizer, as compared to a full problem enumeration. In addition multi-objective optimization reveals a Pareto front with differences in component composition as well as continuous parameters.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper demonstrates the frameworks application on a generalized test problem only. Further publication will consider real engineering design problems.

Originality/value

– The paper addresses the need for future conceptual design methods of complex systems to consider a mixed concept space of both discrete and continuous nature via automated methods.
Combined finite-discrete element method modeling of rockslides
Authors: Zhou Wei , Yuan Wei , Ma Gang , Chang Xiao-Lin
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), based on the cohesive zone model, for simulating rockslide problems at the laboratory scale.

Design/methodology/approach

– The combined FDEM is realized using ABAQUS/Explicit. The rock mass is represented as a collection of elastic bulk elements glued by cohesive elements with zero thickness. To reproduce the tensile and shear micro-fractures in rock material, the Mohr-Coulomb model with tension cut-off is employed as the damage initiation criterion of cohesive elements. Three simulated laboratory tests are considered to verify the capability of combined FDEM in reproducing the mechanical behavior of rock masses. Three slope models with different joint inclinations are taken to illustrate the application of the combined FDEM to rockslide simulation.

Findings

– The results show that the joint inclination is an important factor for inducing the progressive failure behavior. With a low joint inclination, the slope failure process is observed to be a collapse mode. As the joint inclination becomes higher, the failure mode changes to sliding and the steady time of rock blocks is shortened. Moreover, the runout distance and post-failure slope angle decrease as the joint inclination increases.

Originality/value

– These studies indicate that the combined FDEM performed within ABAQUS can simulate slope stability problems for research purposes and is useful for studying the slope failure mechanism comprehensively.
Accurate assessment of natural frequencies for uniform and non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beams and frames by adaptive generalized finite element method
Authors: Arndt Marcos , Machado Roberto Dalledone , Scremin Adriano
Published: June 2016

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is devoted to present an accurate assessment for determine natural frequencies for uniform and non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beams and frames by an adaptive generalized finite element method (GFEM). The present paper concentrates on developing the C1 element of the adaptive GFEM for vibration analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams and frames.

Design/methodology/approach

– The variational problem of free vibration is formulated and the main aspects of the adaptive GFEM are presented and discussed. The efficiency and convergence of the proposed method in vibration analysis of uniform and non-uniform Euler-Bernoulli beams are checked. The application of this technique in a frame is also presented.

Findings

– The present paper concentrates on developing the C1 element of the adaptive GFEM for vibration analysis of Euler-Bernoulli beams and frames. The GFEM, which was conceived on the basis of the partition of unity method, allows the inclusion of enrichment functions that contain a priori knowledge about the fundamental solution of the governing differential equation. The proposed enrichment functions are dependent on the geometric and mechanical properties of the element. This approach converges very fast and is able to approximate the frequency related to any vibration mode.

Originality/value

– The main contribution of the present study consisted in proposing an adaptive GFEM for vibration analysis of Euler-Bernoulli uniform and non-uniform beams and frames. The GFEM results were compared with those obtained by the h and p-versions of FEM and the c-version of the CEM. The adaptive GFEM has shown to be efficient in the vibration analysis of beams and has indicated that it can be applied even for a coarse discretization scheme in complex practical problems.