bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the learning of parallel programming using software refactoring
Authors: Zhang Yang
Published: January 2017

Parallel programming has become increasingly popular in the computer educational field over the past few years. Although parallel programs obtain the short execution time and the high throughput, learning how to write a well‐structured and high‐performance parallel program is still one of the challenges for most of students. How to let students learn parallel programming well is one of the important tasks that educators should resolve. This paper presents the learning of parallel programming using software refactoring methodologies and tools. Manual and automated refactoring are introduced to show how the learning is improved respectively. With manual refactoring, students learn how to perform the data or task decomposition and how to write a well‐structured parallel software via customized programs and some benchmarks in JGF benchmark suite; with automated refactoring, students can transform the parallel parts quickly, and then evaluate the performance of a parallel software. Two automated refactoring tools are developed for educational purposes. Some of the experiences are also shared during conducting the course. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:112–119, 2017; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21784
Optimization of self‐learning in Computer Engineering courses: An intelligent software system supported by Artificial Neural Network and Vortex Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Kose Utku , Arslan Ahmet
Published: January 2017

Self‐learning process is an important factor that enables learners to improve their own educational experiences when they are away of face‐to‐face interactions with the teacher. A well‐designed self‐learning activity process supports both learners and teachers to achieve educational objectives rapidly. Because of this, there has always been a remarkable trend on developing alternative self‐learning approaches. In this context, this study is based on two essential objectives. Firstly, it aims to introduce an intelligent software system, which optimizes and improves computer engineering students’ self‐learning processes. Secondly, it aims to improve computer engineering students’ self‐learning during the courses. As general, the software system introduced here evaluates students’ intelligence levels according to the Theory of Multiple Intelligences and supports their learning via accurately chosen materials provided over the software interface. The evaluation mechanism of the system is based on a hybrid Artificial Intelligence approach formed by an Artificial Neural Network, and an optimization algorithm called as Vortex Optimization Algorithm (VOA). The system is usable for especially technical courses taught at computer engineering departments of universities and makes it easier to teach abstract subjects. For having idea about success of the system, it has been tested with students and positive results on optimizing and improving self‐learning have been obtained. Additionally, also a technical evaluation has been done previously, in order to see if the VOA is a good choice to be used in the system. It can be said that the whole obtained results encourage the authors to continue to future works. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 25:142–156, 2017; View this article online atwileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI10.1002/cae.21787
Motuporamine Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents and Antibiotic Enhancers against Resistant Gram‐Negative Bacteria
Authors: Borselli Diane , Blanchet Marine , Bolla Jean‐Michel , Muth Aaron , Skruber Kristen , Phanstiel Otto , Brunel Jean Michel
Published: January 2017

Dihydromotuporamine C and its derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activities and antibiotic enhancement properties against Gram‐negative bacteria and clinical isolates. The mechanism of action of one of these derivatives, MOTU‐N44, was investigated against Enterobacter aerogenes by using fluorescent dyes to evaluate outer‐membrane depolarization and permeabilization. Its efficiency correlated with inhibition of dye transport, thus suggesting that these molecules inhibit drug transporters by de‐energization of the efflux pump rather than by direct interaction of the molecule with the pump. This suggests that depowering the efflux pump provides another strategy to address antibiotic resistance.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Anti‐inflammatory N‐Substituted 3,5‐Bis(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)piperidin‐4‐ones
Authors: Xie Zixin , Zhang Zaikui , Yu Shufang , Cheng Donghua , Zhang Huan , Han Chao , Lv Handeng , Ye Faqing
Published: January 2017

A total of 24 N‐substituted 3,5‐bis(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)piperidin‐4‐one derivatives were synthesized via aldol condensation, and their anti‐inflammatory activities were evaluated. These compounds were found to have no significant cytotoxicity against mouse bone marrow cells in vitro. However, some compounds, such as c6 (N‐(3‐methylbenzoyl)‐3,5‐bis‐(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)piperidin‐4‐one) and c10 (N‐(2‐chlorobenzoyl)‐3,5‐bis‐(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)piperidin‐4‐one), displayed potent anti‐inflammatory activity by inhibiting lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐1β, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with c6 or c10 at 2.5 or 10 mg kg−1 significantly decreased the paw edema induced by carrageenan in rats, and the anti‐inflammatory effects of these compounds were found to be better than those of celecoxib or indomethacin as well as their parent compound C66 (2,6‐bis‐(2‐(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene)cyclohexanone). Pharmacokinetic analysis indicated that c6 has better bioavailability than curcumin. Therefore, these compounds may be valuable leads for the development of new anti‐inflammatory drugs.
A Dual Topoisomerase Inhibitor of Intense Pro‐Apoptotic and Antileukemic Nature for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Meier Christopher , Steinhauer Tamara N. , Koczian Fabian , Plitzko Birte , Jarolim Katharina , Girreser Ulrich , Braig Simone , Marko Doris , Vollmar Angelika M. , Clement Bernd
Published: January 2017

Classic cytotoxic drugs remain indispensable instruments in antitumor therapy due to their effectiveness and a more prevalent insensitivity toward tumor resistance mechanisms. Herein we describe the favorable properties of 6‐(N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐aminoethoxy)‐11‐(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl)pyrido[3,4‐c][1,9]phenanthroline (P8‐D6), a powerful inducer of apoptosis caused by an equipotent inhibition of human topoisomerase I and II activities. A broad‐spectrum effect against human tumor cell lines at nanomolar concentrations, as well as strong antileukemic effects, were shown to be superior to those of marketed topoisomerase‐targeting drugs and dual topoisomerase inhibitors in clinical trials. The facile four‐step synthesis, advantageous drugability properties, and initial in vivo data encourage the application of P8‐D6 in appropriate animal tumor models and further drug development.
Discerning the survival advantage among patients with prostate cancer who undergo radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy: The limitations of cancer registry data
Authors: Williams Stephen B. , Huo Jinhai , Chamie Karim , Smaldone Marc C. , Kosarek Christopher D. , Fang Justin E. , Ynalvez Leslie A. , Kim Simon P. , Hoffman Karen E. , Giordano Sharon H. , Chapin Brian F.
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to compare the overall survival of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy versus noncancer controls to discern whether there is a survival advantage according to prostate cancer treatment and the impact of selection bias on these results.

METHODS

A matched cohort study was performed using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare–linked database. In total, 34,473 patients ages 66 to 75 years were identified who were without significant comorbidity, were diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, and received treatment treated with surgery or radiotherapy between 2004 and 2011. These patients were matched to a noncancer control cohort. The rates of all‐cause mortality that occurred within the study period were compared. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify determinants associated with overall survival.

RESULTS

Of 34,473 patients who were included in the analysis, 21,740 (63%) received radiation therapy, and 12,733 (37%) underwent surgery. There was improved survival in patients who underwent surgery (hazard ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.32‐0.38) and in those who received radiotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.68‐0.75) compared with noncancer controls. Overall survival improved significantly in both treatment groups, with the greatest benefit observed among patients who underwent surgery (log rank P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Population‐based data indicated that patients with prostate cancer who received treatment with either surgery or radiotherapy had improved overall survival compared with a cohort of matched noncancer controls. Surgery produce longer survival compared with radiation therapy. These results suggest an inherent selection‐bias because of unmeasured confounding variables. Cancer 2017;123:1617–1624. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Melanopsin‐expressing ganglion cells in human retina: Morphology, distribution, and synaptic connections
Authors: Nasir‐Ahmad Subha , Lee Sammy C.S. , Martin Paul R. , Grünert Ulrike
Published: January 2017

Melanopsin‐expressing retinal ganglion cells are intrinsically photosensitive cells that are involved in non‐image forming visual processes such as the pupillary light reflex and circadian entrainment but also contribute to visual perception. Here we used immunohistochemistry to study the morphology, density, distribution, and synaptic connectivity of melanopsin‐expressing ganglion cells in four post mortem human donor retinas. Two types of melanopsin‐expressing ganglion cells were distinguished based on their dendritic stratification near either the outer or the inner border of the inner plexiform layer. Outer stratifying cells make up on average 60% of the melanopsin‐expressing cells. About half of the melanopsin‐expressing cells (or 80% of the outer stratifying cells) have their soma displaced to the inner nuclear layer. Inner stratifying cells have their soma exclusively in the ganglion cell layer and include a small proportion of bistratified cells. The dendritic field diameter of melanopsin‐expressing cells ranges from 250 (near the fovea) to 1,000 µm in peripheral retina. The dendritic trees of outer stratifying cells cover the retina independent of soma location. The dendritic fields of both outer and inner stratifying cells show a high degree of overlap with a coverage factor of approximately two. Melanopsin‐expressing cells occur at an average peak density of between ∼20 and ∼40 cells/mm2 at about 2 mm eccentricity, the density drops to below ∼10 cells/mm2 at about 8 mm eccentricity. Both the outer and inner stratifying dendrites express postsynaptic density (PSD95) immunoreactive puncta suggesting that they receive synaptic input from bipolar cells.
Laser‐Irradiation‐Induced Melting and Reduction Reaction for the Formation of Pt‐Based Bimetallic Alloy Particles in Liquids
Authors: Han Yechuang , Wu Shouliang , Dai Enmei , Ye Yixing , Liu Jun , Tian Zhenfei , Cai Yunyu , Zhu Xiaoguang , Liang Changhao
Published: January 2017

Laser melting in liquids (LML) is one of the most effective methods to prepare bimetallic alloys; however, despite being an ongoing focus of research, the process involved in the formation of such species remains ambiguous. In this paper, we prepared two types of Pt‐based bimetallic alloys by LML, including Pt‐Au alloys and Pt‐iron group metal (iM=Fe/Co/Ni) alloys, and investigated the corresponding mechanisms of alloying process. Detailed component and structural characterizations indicate that laser irradiation induced a quite rapid formation process (not exceeding 10 s) of Pt‐Au alloy nanospheres, and the crystalline structures of Pt‐Au alloys is determined by the monometallic constituents with higher content. For Pt‐iM alloys, we provide direct evidence to support the conclusion that FeOx/CoOx/NiOx colloids can be reduced to elementary Fe/Co/Ni particles by ethanol molecules during laser irradiation, which then react with Pt colloids to form Pt‐iM sub‐microspheres. These results demonstrate that LML provides an optional route to prepare Pt‐based bimetallic alloy particles with tunable size, components, and crystalline phase, which should have promising applications in biological and catalysis studies.
Bond Strength and Reactivity Scales for Lewis Superacid Adducts: A Comparative Study with In(OTf)3 and Al(OTf)3
Authors: Compain Guillaume , Sikk Lauri , Massi Lionel , Gal Jean‐François , Duñach Elisabet
Published: January 2017

Metal triflates, often called Lewis superacids, are potent catalysts for organic synthesis. However, the reactivity of a given Lewis superacid toward a given base is difficult to anticipate. A systematic screening of catalysts is often necessary when developing synthetic methodologies. Presented herein is the development of quantitative reactivity and bond strength scales by using mass spectrometry (MS). By applying a collision‐induced dissociation (CID) technique to the adducts formed between Lewis superacids Al(OTf)3 or In(OTf)3 with a series of amides bases, including monodentate and bidentate ligands, different dissociation pathways were observed. Quantitative relative energy scales were established by performing energy‐resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) analysis on the adducts. ERMS of the adducts affords a bond strength scale when the fragmentation leads to the loss of a ligand, and reactivity scales when the dissociation leads to the C−F bond activation of one triflate anion or the deprotonation of the ligand. Al(OTf)3 was found to bind stronger to amides than In(OTf)3 and to provide the most reactive adducts.
A Solution‐Processable Liquid‐Crystalline Semiconductor for Low‐Temperature‐Annealed Air‐Stable N‐Channel Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Ozdemir Resul , Choi Donghee , Ozdemir Mehmet , Kim Hyekyoung , Kostakoğlu Sinem Tuncel , Erkartal Mustafa , Kim Hyungsug , Kim Choongik , Usta Hakan
Published: January 2017

A new solution‐processable and air‐stable liquid‐crystalline n‐channel organic semiconductor (2,2′‐(2,8‐bis(5‐(2‐octyldodecyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐6,12‐diylidene)dimalononitrile, α,ω‐2OD‐TIFDMT) with donor–acceptor–donor (D‐A‐D) π conjugation has been designed, synthesized, and fully characterized. The new semiconductor exhibits a low LUMO energy (−4.19 eV) and a narrow optical bandgap (1.35 eV). The typical pseudo‐focal‐conic fan‐shaped texture of a hexagonal columnar liquid‐crystalline (LC) phase was observed over a wide temperature range. The spin‐coated semiconductor thin films show the formation of large (≈0.5–1 μm) and highly crystalline platelike grains with edge‐on molecular orientations. Low‐temperature‐annealed (50 °C) top‐contact/bottom‐gate OFETs have provided good electron mobility values as high as 0.11 cm2 (V s)−1 and high Ion/Ioff ratios of 107 to 108 with excellent ambient stability. This indicates an enhancement of two orders of magnitude (100×) when compared with the β‐substituted parent semiconductor, β‐DD‐TIFDMT (2,2′‐(2,8‐bis(3‐dodecylthiophen‐2‐yl)indeno[1,2‐b]fluorene‐6,12‐diylidene)dimalononitrile). The current rational alkyl‐chain engineering route offers great advantages for D‐A‐D π‐core coplanarity in addition to maintaining good solubility in organic solvents, and leads to favorable optoelectronic/physicochemical characteristics. These remarkable findings demonstrate that α,ω‐2OD‐TIFDMT is a promising semiconductor material for the development of n‐channel OFETs on flexible plastic substrates and LC‐state annealing of the columnar liquid crystals can lower the electron mobility for transistor‐type charge transport.
Are Firms that Contribute to Sustainable Development Valued by Investors?
Authors: Miralles‐Quiros Maria del Mar , Miralles‐Quiros Jose Luis , Arraiano Irene Guia
Published: January 2017

Sustainability reporting contributes to making sustainable development a higher priority for companies, increases the social responsibility of their managers, and reinforces the credibility and trust of their stakeholders. However, prior research about the value relevance of sustainability disclosure for financial stakeholders provides inconclusive results. In this context, the aim of our research is to analyse whether sustainability disclosure provides relevant information and incremental value for investors in the European setting where this practice has been steadily increasing in the period 2001–2013. Our overall results support the belief that conducting business in accordance with ethical norms is value relevant for European investors. However, our results also reveal that there is no homogeneity among markets, even for the periods before and after the global financial crisis. These findings could have several implications for internal and external stakeholders such as managers, shareholders, and policymakers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Synthesis and Characterisation of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Bismuth Composite for Electrodes in Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices
Authors: Wang Jiabin , Zhang Han , Hunt Michael R. C. , Charles Alasdair , Tang Jie , Bretcanu Oana , Walker David , Hassan Khalil T. , Sun Yige , Šiller Lidija
Published: January 2017

A reduced graphene oxide/bismuth (rGO/Bi) composite was synthesized for the first time using a polyol process at a low reaction temperature and with a short reaction time (60 °C and 3 hours, respectively). The as‐prepared sample is structured with 20–50 nm diameter bismuth particles distributed on the rGO sheets. The rGO/Bi composite displays a combination of capacitive and battery‐like charge storage, achieving a specific capacity value of 773 C g−1 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1 when charged to 1 V. The material not only has good power density but also shows moderate stability in cycling tests with current densities as high as 5 A g−1. The relatively high abundance and low price of bismuth make this rGO/Bi material a promising candidate for use in electrode materials in future energy storage devices.
Identifying critical challenges in the adoption of cloud‐based services
Authors: Rahi Shiromani Balmukund , Bisui Sandip , Misra Subhas Chandra
Published: January 2017

Cloud computing provides a way to integrate and share information on a real‐time basis across an organization. The current organizations are adopting the cloud services to gain competitive advantage in real‐time data sharing. To meet the current demand in semiconductor industries, they must develop better techniques to produce electronic products at low cost and in a large scale. Adoption of cloud‐based services may resolve the fastest growing demand of technical advancement of semiconductor industries. The research presented in this paper is based on an analysis of the data obtained from the semiconductor sector. This study identifies the critical challenges associated with the cloud service adoption in semiconductor industries. Twelve critical challenges have been identified that need to be overcome for adopting the cloud services for any semiconductor industry. These are network/Internet availability, data security, integration of various services, monitoring of data and services, maintenance of computing performance, liability, power outage, service interruption, organizational change, business complexity, legal issues, and lack of awareness.
Xenopus as a model organism to study heterotrimeric G‐protein pathway during collective cell migration of neural crest
Authors: Toro‐Tapia G. , Villaseca S. , Leal J. I. , Beyer A. , Fuentealba J. , Torrejón M.
Published: January 2017

Collective cell migration is essential in many fundamental aspects of normal development, like morphogenesis, organ formation, wound healing, and immune responses, as well as in the etiology of severe pathologies, like cancer metastasis. In spite of the huge amount of data accumulated on cell migration, such a complex process involves many molecular actors, some of which still remain to be functionally characterized. One of these signals is the heterotrimeric G‐protein pathway that has been studied mainly in gastrulation movements. Recently we have reported that Ric‐8A, a GEF for Gα proteins, plays an important role in neural crest migration in Xenopus development. Xenopus neural crest cells, a highly migratory embryonic cell population induced at the border of the neural plate that migrates extensively in order to differentiate in other tissues during development, have become a good model to understand the dynamics that regulate cell migration. In this review, we aim to provide sufficient evidence supporting how useful Xenopus model with its different tools, such as explants and transplants, paired with improved in vivo imaging techniques, will allow us to tackle the multiple signaling mechanisms involved in neural crest cell migration.
Exosomal trafficking in Xenopus development
Authors: Danilchik Michael , Tumarkin Tess
Published: January 2017

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by many cell types in both normal and pathogenic circumstances. Because EVs, particularly exosomes, are known to transfer biologically active proteins, RNAs and lipids between cells, they have recently become the focus of intense interest as potential mediators of cell‐cell communication, particularly in long‐range and juxtacrine signaling events associated with adaptive immune function and progression of cancer. Among the EVs, exosomes appear particularly adapted for long‐range delivery of cargoes between cells. Because of their association with disease states, the exciting potential for exosomes to serve as diagnostic biomarkers and as target‐specific biomolecule delivery vehicles has stimulated a broad range of biomedical investigations to learn how exosomes are generated, what their cargoes are, and how they might be tailored for uptake by remote targets. Addressing these questions requires experimental models in which biochemically useful amounts of material can be harvested, gene expression easily manipulated, and interpretable biological assays developed. The early Xenopus embryo fulfills these model‐system ideals in an in vivo context: during morphogenesis the embryo develops several large, fluid‐filled extracellular compartments across which numerous tissue‐specifying signals must cross, and which are abundantly endowed with exosomes and other EVs. Importantly, certain surface‐facing tissues avidly ingest EVs during gastrulation. Recent work has demonstrated that EVs can be isolated from these interstitial spaces in amounts suitable for proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. With its large numbers, great cell size, well‐understood fate map, and tolerance of a variety of experimental approaches, the Xenopus embryo provides a unique opportunity to both understand and manipulate the basic cell biology of exosomal trafficking in the context of an intact organism.
Drivers of soil and tree carbon dynamics in urban residential lawns: a modeling approach
Authors: Trammell T. L. E. , Pouyat R. V. , Carreiro M. M. , Yesilonis I.
Published: January 2017

Soils constitute the largest sink of terrestrial carbon (C), and urban soils have the potential to provide significant soil C storage. Soils in urbanized landscapes experience a multitude of human alterations, such as compaction and management subsidies, that impact soil C dynamics. While field studies may provide data on urban soil C storage, modeling soil C dynamics under various human impact scenarios will provide a basis for identifying drivers of urban soil C dynamics and for predicting the potential for these highly altered soils to store C over time intervals not typically amenable to empirical validation. The goal of this study was to model soil C dynamics in residential lawns using CENTURY, a dynamic mechanistic model, to determine whether drivers of soil C dynamics in natural systems (e.g., soil texture) were equally useful for estimating soil C content of highly modified soils in urban residential areas. Without incorporating human impacts, we found no relationship between initial CENTURY model simulations and observed soil C (P > 0.05). Factors that best explained soil C accumulation for the observed soil C (bulk density, r2 = 0.30; home age, r2 = 0.37; P < 0.01) differed from those found important for the CENTURY model simulations (percent sand, r2 = 0.72, P < 0.001). Therefore, we conducted a modeling exercise to test whether simulating potential construction disturbance and lawn management practices would improve modeled soil and tree C. We found that incorporating these factors did improve CENTURY's ability to model soil and tree C (P < 0.001). The results from this analysis suggest that incorporating various human disturbances and management practices that occur in urban landscapes into CENTURY model runs will improve its ability to predict urban soil C dynamics, at least within a 100‐yr time frame. Thus, enhancing our ability to provide recommendations for management and development practices that result in increasing urban soil C storage.
Restoration and management for plant diversity enhances the rate of belowground ecosystem recovery
Authors: Klopf Ryan P. , Baer Sara G. , Bach Elizabeth M. , Six Johan
Published: January 2017

The positive relationship between plant diversity and ecosystem functioning has been criticized for its applicability at large scales and in less controlled environments that are relevant to land management. To inform this gap between ecological theory and application, we compared recovery rates of belowground properties using two chronosequences consisting of continuously cultivated and independently restored fields with contrasting diversity management strategies: grasslands restored with high plant richness and managed for diversity with frequent burning (n = 20) and grasslands restored with fewer species that were infrequently burned (n = 15). Restoration and management for plant diversity resulted in 250% higher plant richness. Greater recovery of roots and more predictable recovery of the active microbial biomass across the high diversity management strategy chronosequence corresponded with faster recovery of soil structure. The high diversity grasslands also had greater nutrient conservation indicated by lower available inorganic nitrogen. Thus, mesic grasslands restored with more species and managed for high plant diversity with frequent burning enhances the rate of belowground ecosystem recovery from long‐term disturbance at a scale relevant to conservation practices on the landscape.
Phosphinofulvene Enolate Ligands in Ruthenium Complexes by Ferrocene Photolysis under Solar Radiation
Authors: Carrión M. Carmen , Torres Javier , Jalón Félix A. , Rodríguez Ana M. , Zirakzadeh Afrooz , Manzano Blanca R.
Published: January 2017

Ruthenium complexes containing a new type of phosphine ligand were obtained through photochemical transformations. The process involves the irradiation of (phosphinoferrocenylcarbonyl)ruthenium derivatives with visible light (tungsten halogen lamp) to yield complexes with κ2‐P,O phosphinofulvene enolate ligands after the formal loss of the “CpFe+” (Cp = cyclopentadienyl) entity. A tandem reaction that involves the irradiation of a mixture of a (hydroxymethyl)ferrocenylphosphine ligand and (arene)ruthenium precursors is also possible. The reaction proceeds through the coordination of the hydroxy phosphine ligands, evolution to hydrido ketone (or hydrido aldehyde) complexes and subsequent evolution to the fulvene derivatives. The process also occurs under solar radiation. The photolysis reaction was studied at different wavelengths of the visible spectrum by irradiation with light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). Positive results were obtained when irradiation was performed in the wavelength region corresponding to the metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) band that is characteristic of the acylferrocenyl moiety. The use of green light (λ = 530 nm) gave the best results, and the reaction did not proceed under higher‐wavelength light or in the dark. A non‐coordinated phosphinoferrocenylcarbaldehyde ligand also evolved under solar radiation, but a complex mixture was obtained; thus, the selectivity increases significantly if the ruthenium centre is present.
The effect of macadamia oil intake on muscular inflammation and oxidative profile kinetics after exhaustive exercise
Authors: Malvestiti Rosane , Borges Leandro da Silva , Weimann Eleine , Junior Edenilson Pinto da Silva , Levada‐Pires Adriana Cristina , Dermargos Alexandre , Lambertucci Rafael Herling , Hatanaka Elaine
Published: January 2017

In this study, we evaluated the onset and resolution of inflammation in control and macadamia oil‐supplemented rats after a single session of exhaustive exercise. We also analysed the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Rats were supplemented for ten days with macadamia oil (25 mg/kg), which is rich in oleic and palmitoleic acids. On the 10th day, control and macadamia oil‐treated rats exercised to physical exhaustion. Plasma and muscular levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF‐α], interleukin‐1 beta [IL‐1β], IL‐6, cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant‐3 [CINC‐3], macrophage inflammatory protein‐3‐alpha [MIP‐3α]) and soluble L‐selectin were measured prior to, immediately after, and 2, 24, and 48 h after exercise. Our data revealed increases in the muscle concentrations of IL‐1β, L‐selectin, CINC‐3, and MIP‐3α in the group supplemented with macadamia oil compared with the concentrations in the control group. CAT also increased in the treated group, which is important because pro‐inflammatory cytokines precede growth factor production and might alter the muscle repair process. We concluded that inflammation resulting from exhaustive exercise was greater in animals that received macadamia oil than in control animals.

Practical applications: There are potential benefits of using fatty acids in the treatment of injured muscles, and these substances have been used in several types of injured tissues. Macadamia oil intake alters muscle healing signaling by influencing the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory mediators. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that the intake of immunomodulatory supplements would be beneficial to the muscular recovery of an athlete following a strenuous exercise session.

The muscle healing process has three phases: inflammation, new tissue formation and tissue remodeling, and these phases might be modulated by fatty acids. After an exhaustive exercise session, muscle inflammatory markers from macadamia oil‐supplemented rats are augmented in comparison to non‐supplemented animals. Our data revealed increases in the muscle concentrations of IL‐1β, L‐selectin, CINC‐3, and MIP‐3α in the group supplemented with macadamia oil compared with the concentrations in the control group.
Exploring “Through‐Bond” Proximity between the Ion Tag and Reaction Site of an Imidazolium‐Proline Catalyst for the Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction
Authors: Bhati Meeta , Upadhyay Shruti , Easwar Srinivasan
Published: January 2017

The incorporation of an imidazolium moiety at the C‐4 position of proline, cis to its COOH group, enabled an interesting study of the effect of through‐bond proximity of the ion tag to the reaction site in an enamine‐mediated direct asymmetric aldol reaction. The new catalyst, having a reduced bond spacer between the imidazolium tag and the amino acid moiety in comparison with conceptually similar predecessors, showed excellent performance in aldol reactions carried out in the presence of water under solvent‐free conditions. High yields and enantioselectivities, along with exceptional diastereoselectivities of the aldol adducts were obtained with just 2 mol‐% loading of the catalyst. The study offers a deeper insight into the role of the ion tag in organocatalysed aldol reactions, which in turn could be a vital pointer for future catalyst design.
Acid/Base Multi‐Ion Exchange Membrane‐Based Electrolysis System for Water Splitting
Authors: Nazemi Mohammadreza , Padgett James , Hatzell Marta C.
Published: January 2017

Water electrolysis potentially represents an environmentally friendly method for scalable hydrogen production and for intermittent renewable energy storage. Yet cost and high reaction overpotentials limit widespread implementation. Here, an electrolysis cell architecture that uses dissimilar electrolytes is shown to minimize the kinetic and thermodynamic considerations ascribed to electrolysis. The use of multiple monopolar ion exchange membranes (anion and cation selective) and multiple chambers (anolyte, catholyte, middle) allows stable electrolysis operation while a pH gradient is maintained across the electrolysis cell. This reduced the hydrogen and oxygen evolution onset potential by 0.65
0.03 and 0.62
0.01 V, resulting in a whole cell onset potential for water splitting of 0.79
0.02 V. The reduced onset potential was demonstrated for >15 h of operation under fixed current density, resulting in a decrease in energy consumption by 56 % when compared to similar pH electrolysis cells.
Robust bivariate error detection in skewed data with application to historical radiosonde winds
Authors: Sun Ying , Hering Amanda S. , Browning Joshua M.
Published: January 2017

The global historical radiosonde archives date back to the 1920s and contain the only directly observed measurements of temperature, wind, and moisture in the upper atmosphere, but they contain many random errors. Most of the focus on cleaning these large datasets has been on temperatures, but winds are important inputs to climate models and in studies of wind climatology. The bivariate distribution of the wind vector does not have elliptical contours but is skewed and heavy‐tailed, so we develop two methods for outlier detection based on the bivariate skew‐t (BST) distribution, using either distance‐based or contour‐based approaches to flag observations as potential outliers. We develop a framework to robustly estimate the parameters of the BST and then show how the tuning parameter to get these estimates is chosen. In simulation, we compare our methods with one based on a bivariate normal distribution and a nonparametric approach based on the bagplot. We then apply all four methods to the winds observed for over 35,000 radiosonde launches at a single station and demonstrate differences in the number of observations flagged across eight pressure levels and through time. In this pilot study, the method based on the BST contours performs very well.
Site dependence and record selection schemes for building fragility and regional loss assessment
Authors: Kohrangi Mohsen , Vamvatsikos Dimitrios , Bazzurro Paolo
Published: January 2017

When performing loss assessment of a geographically dispersed building portfolio, the response or loss (fragility or vulnerability) function of any given archetype building is typically considered to be a consistent property of the building itself. On the other hand, recent advances in record selection have shown that the seismic response of a structure is, in general, dependent on the nature of the hazard at the site of interest. This apparent contradiction begs the question: Are building fragility and vulnerability functions independent of site, and if not, what can be done to avoid having to reassess them for each site of interest? In the following, we show that there is a non‐negligible influence of the site, the degree of which depends on the intensity measure adopted for assessment. Employing a single‐period (e.g., first‐mode), spectral acceleration would require careful record selection at each site and result to significant site‐to‐site variability of the fragility or vulnerability function. On the other hand, an intensity measure comprising the geometric mean of multiple spectral accelerations considerably reduces such variability. In tandem with a conditional spectrum record selection that accounts for multiple sites, it can offer a viable approach for incorporating the effect of site dependence into fragility and vulnerability estimates. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Terrain attributes of earthquake‐ and rainstorm‐induced landslides in orogenic mountain Belt, Taiwan
Authors: Huang Jr‐Chuan , Milliman John D. , Lee Tsung‐Yu , Chen Yi‐Chin , Lee Jiin‐Fa , Liu Cheng‐Chien , Lin Jiun‐Chuan , Kao Shuh‐Ji
Published: January 2017

Landsliding induced by earthquakes and rainstorms in montane regions is not only a sculptor for shaping the landscape, but also a driver for delivering sediments and above‐ground biomass downstream. However, the terrain attributes of earthquake‐ and rainstorm‐induced landslides are less discussed comprehensively in Taiwan. As part of an island‐wide inventory, we here compare and contrast the landslide terrain attributes resulting from two catastrophic events: the Chi‐Chi earthquake (Mw = 7.6, September 1999) and typhoon Morakot (rainfall >2500 mm, August 2009). Results show that the earthquake‐induced landslides are relatively small, round‐shaped and prone to occur primarily in middle and toe of slopes. In contrast, the rainstorm‐induced landslides are larger, horseshoe‐shaped and preferentially occurring in slope toes. Also, earthquake‐induced landslides, particularly large landslides, are usually found at steeper gradients, whereas rainstorm‐induced landslides aggregate at gradients between 25° and 40°. Lithologic control plays a secondary role in landsliding. From an island‐wide perspective, high landslide density locates in the region of earthquake intensity ≥ VI or one‐day rainfall ≥600 mm day−1. Through the landslide patterns and their terrain attributes, our retrospective approach sheds light on accessing the historical and remote events for close geophysical investigations. Finally, we should bear in mind that the landslide location, size, and terrain attributes varying with triggers may affect the landscape evaluation or biogeochemical processes in landslide‐dominated regions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced predictive signalling in schizophrenia
Authors: Schmack Katharina , Rothkirch Marcus , Priller Josef , Sterzer Philipp
Published: January 2017

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions and hallucinations are thought to arise from an alteration in predictive mechanisms of the brain. Here, we empirically tested the hypothesis that schizophrenia is associated with an enhanced signalling of higher‐level predictions that shape perception into conformity with acquired beliefs. Twenty‐one patients with schizophrenia and twenty‐eight healthy controls matched for age and gender took part in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment that assessed the effect of an experimental manipulation of cognitive beliefs on the perception of an ambiguous visual motion stimulus. At the behavioural level, there was a generally weaker effect of experimentally induced beliefs on perception in schizophrenia patients compared with controls, but a positive correlation between the effect of beliefs on perception and the severity of positive symptoms. At the neural level, belief‐related connectivity between a region encoding beliefs in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and a region encoding visual motion in the visual cortex (V5) was higher in patients compared with controls, indicating a stronger impact of cognitive beliefs on visual processing in schizophrenia. We suggest that schizophrenia might be associated with a generally weaker acquisition of externally generated beliefs and a compensatory increase in the effect of beliefs on sensory processing. Our current results are in line with the notion that enhanced signalling of higher‐level predictions that shape perception into conformity with acquired beliefs might underlie positive symptoms in schizophrenia. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1767–1779, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A randomized trial to assess whether portal pressure guided therapy to prevent variceal rebleeding improves survival in cirrhosis
Authors: Villanueva Càndid , Graupera Isabel , Aracil Carles , Alvarado Edilmar , Miñana Josep , Puente Ángela , Hernandez‐Gea Virginia , Ardevol Alba , Pavel Oana , Colomo Alan , Concepción Mar , Poca María , Torras Xavier , Reñe Josep M. , Guarner Carlos
Published: January 2017

Monitoring the hemodynamic response of portal pressure (PP) to drug therapy accurately stratifies the risk of variceal rebleeding (VRB). We assessed whether guiding therapy with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) monitoring may improve survival by preventing VRB. Patients with cirrhosis with controlled variceal bleeding were randomized to an HVPG‐guided therapy group (N = 84) or to a control group (N = 86). In both groups, HVPG and acute β‐blocker response were evaluated at baseline and HVPG measurements were repeated at 2‐4 weeks to determine chronic response. In the HVPG‐guided group, acute responders were treated with nadolol and acute nonresponders with nadolol+nitrates. Chronic nonresponders received nadolol+prazosin and had a third HVPG study. Ligation sessions were repeated until response was achieved. The control group was treated with nadolol+nitrates+ligation. Between‐group baseline characteristics were similar. During long‐term follow‐up (median of 24 months), mortality was lower in the HVPG‐guided therapy group than in the control group (29% vs. 43%; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.59; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35‐0.99). Rebleeding occurred in 19% versus 31% of patients, respectively (HR = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.29‐0.98), and further decompensation of cirrhosis occurred in 52% versus 72% (HR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.46‐0.99). The survival probability was higher with HVPG‐guided therapy than in controls, both in acute (HR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.32‐1.08) and chronic nonresponders (HR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.23‐0.99). HVPG‐guided patients had a greater reduction of HVPG and a lower final value than controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: HVPG monitoring, by stratifying risk and targeting therapy, improves the survival achieved with currently recommended treatment to prevent VRB using β‐blockers and ligation. HVPG‐guided therapy achieved a greater reduction in PP, which may have contributed to reduce the risk of rebleeding and of further decompensation of cirrhosis, thus contributing to a better survival. (Hepatology 2017;65:1693‐1707).
The fingerprint of antimitochondrial antibodies and the etiology of primary biliary cholangitis
Authors: Shuai Zongwen , Wang Jinjun , Badamagunta Madhu , Choi Jinjung , Yang Guoxiang , Zhang Weici , Kenny Thomas P. , Guggenheim Kathryn , Kurth Mark J. , Ansari Aftab A. , Voss John , Coppel Ross L. , Invernizzi Pietro , Leung Patrick S.C. , Gershwin M. Eric
Published: January 2017

The identification of environmental factors that lead to loss of tolerance has been coined the holy grail of autoimmunity. Our work has focused on the reactivity of antimitochondrial autoantibodies (AMA) to chemical xenobiotics and has hypothesized that a modified peptide within PDC‐E2, the major mitochondrial autoantigen, will have been immunologically recognized at the time of loss of tolerance. Herein, we successfully applied intein technology to construct a PDC‐E2 protein fragment containing amino acid residues 177‐314 of PDC‐E2 by joining a recombinant peptide spanning residues 177‐252 (PDC‐228) with a 62‐residue synthetic peptide from 253 to 314 (PP), which encompasses PDC‐E2 inner lipoyl domain (ILD). We named this intein‐constructed fragment PPL. Importantly, PPL, as well as lipoic acid conjugated PPL (LA‐PPL) and xenobiotic 2‐octynoic acid conjugated PPL (2OA‐PPL), are recognized by AMA. Of great importance, AMA has specificity for the 2OA‐modified PDC‐E2 ILD peptide backbone distinct from antibodies that react with native lipoylated PDC‐E2 peptide. Interestingly, this unique AMA subfraction is of the immunoglobulin M isotype and more dominant in early‐stage primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), suggesting that exposure to 2OA‐PPL‐like compounds occurs early in the generation of AMA. To understand the structural basis of this differential recognition, we analyzed PPL, LA‐PPL, and 2OA‐PPL using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, with confirmations by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and affinity antibody analysis. We demonstrate that the conformation of PDC‐E2 ILD is altered when conjugated with 2OA, compared to conjugation with lipoic acid. Conclusion: A molecular understanding of the conformation of xenobiotic‐modified PDC‐E2 is critical for understanding xenobiotic modification and loss of tolerance in PBC with widespread implications for a role of environmental chemicals in the induction of autoimmunity. (Hepatology 2017;65:1670‐1682).
Sequential learning during contextual fear conditioning guides the rate of systems consolidation: Implications for consolidation of multiple memory traces
Authors: Pedraza Lizeth K. , Sierra Rodrigo O. , Crestani Ana P. , Quillfeldt Jorge A. , de Oliveira Alvares Lucas
Published: January 2017

Systems consolidation has been described as a time‐dependent reorganization process involving the neocortical and hippocampal networks underlying memory storage and retrieval. Previous studies of our lab were able to demonstrate that systems consolidation is a dynamic process, rather than a merely passive, time‐dependent phenomenon. Here, we studied the influence of sequential learning in contextual fear conditioning (CFC) with different training intensities in the time‐course of hippocampal dependency and contextual specificity. We found that sequential learning with high‐intensity shocks during CFC induces generalization of the first learning (context A) and maintains contextual specificity of the second learning (context B) 15 days after acquisition. Moreover, subsequent experiences reorganize brain structures involved in retrieval, accelerating the involvement of cortical structures and diminishing the hippocampal participation. Exposure to original context before novelty seems to only induce context specificity in hippocampal‐dependent memories. We propose that systems consolidation could be considered a potential biological mechanism for reducing possible interferences between similar memory traces. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.