bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neck function in early hominins and suspensory primates: Insights from the uncinate process
Authors: Meyer Marc R. , Woodward Charles , Tims Amy , Bastir Markus
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Uncinate processes are protuberances on the cranial surface of subaxial cervical vertebrae that assist in stabilizing and guiding spinal motion. Shallow uncinate processes reduce cervical stability but confer an increased range of motion in clinical studies. Here we assess uncinate processes among extant primates and model cervical kinematics in early fossil hominins.

Materials and Methods

We compare six fossil hominin vertebrae with 48Homo sapiensand 99 nonhuman primates across 20 genera. We quantify uncinate morphology via geometric morphometric methods to understand how uncinate process shape relates to allometry, taxonomy, and mode of locomotion.

Results

Across primates, allometry explains roughly 50% of shape variation, as small, narrow vertebrae feature the relatively tallest, most pronounced uncinate processes, whereas larger, wider vertebrae typically feature reduced uncinates. Taxonomy only weakly explains the residual variation, however, the association between Uncinate Shape and mode of locomotion is robust, as bipeds and suspensory primates occupy opposite extremes of the morphological continuum and are distinguished from arboreal generalists. Like humans,Australopithecus afarensisandHomo erectusexhibit shallow uncinate processes, whereasA. sedibaresembles more arboreal taxa, but not fully suspensory primates.

Discussion

Suspensory primates exhibit the most pronounced uncinates, likely to maintain visual field stabilization. East African hominins exhibit reduced uncinate processes compared with African apes andA. sediba, likely signaling different degrees of neck motility and modes of locomotion. Although soft tissues constrain neck flexibility beyond limits suggested by osteology alone, this study may assist in modeling cervical kinematics and positional behaviors in extinct taxa.
Synthesis of spirocyclosiloxanes for transparent copolymer thermosets
Authors: Yu Jianyi , Han Ye , Liu Yuzhou
Published: March 2018

The use of multiple‐ring cyclic molecules to generate crosslinked polymeric materials takes the advantages of small molecular precursors directly, but is retarded by the need of exact reactivity matching between different components. This problem was overcome by use of spirocyclosiloxanes, which were synthesized through the Piers–Rubinsztjan reaction. The two‐level ring strain energies in these spirocyclosiloxanes help them accommodate a wide range of single‐ring cyclic molecules to form highly transparent thermosets. The rich library of spirocyclosiloxanes, single‐ring cyclic molecules, and catalysts makes this modular approach a promising method for the preparation of useful materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46370.
Aromatic Aminocatalysis
Authors: Lv Jian , Zhang Qi , Cai Mao , Han Yanfang , Luo Sanzhong
Published: March 2018

Aromatic aminocatalysis refers to transformations that employ aromatic amines, such as anilines or aminopyridines, as catalysts. Owing to the conjugation of the amine moiety with the aromatic ring, aromatic amines demonstrate distinctive features in aminocatalysis compared with their aliphatic counterparts. For example, aromatic aminocatalysis typically proceeds with slower turnover, but is more active and conformationally rigid as a result of the stabilized aromatic imine or iminium species. In fact, the advent of aromatic aminocatalysis can be traced back to before the renaissance of organocatalysis in the early 2000s. So far, aromatic aminocatalysis has been widely applied in bioconjugation reactions through transamination; in asymmetric organocatalysis through imine/enamine tautomerization; and in cooperative catalysis with transition metals through C−H/C−C activation and functionalization. This Focus Review summarizes the advent of and major advances in the use of aromatic aminocatalysis in bioconjugation reactions and organic synthesis.
Neonatal outcomes following fresh as compared to frozen/thawed embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization
Authors: Van Heertum Kristin , Weinerman Rachel
Published: March 2018

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo cryopreservation have become increasingly common in recent years. As utilization increases, it is important to understand the clinical effects these technologies have on offspring, as well as the mechanisms behind these effects. Many epidemiologic studies have observed that pregnancies following IVF are more likely to be affected by obstetric complications such as pre‐eclampsia, preterm birth, and small for gestational age neonates compared with naturally conceived pregnancies. There has been a great deal of research emerging suggesting that these differences are related to the supraphysiologic hormonal environment that results from ovarian superovulation. While pregnancies resulting from frozen embryo transfer are less likely to experience these complications, babies born after frozen transfer are more likely to be large for gestational age. Epigenetic studies point toward differential methylation of genes critical for growth that may be responsible for the increased incidence of larger neonates following transfer of vitrified embryos. Although it does appear that perinatal outcomes are improved by transferring frozen embryos instead of fresh, it would be premature at this time to recommend universal freeze‐all protocols in all patients. This article, as part of the “IVF Reviews” special issue of this journal, aims to expound on the issues outlined above.
Developing a piggyBac Transposon System and Compatible Selection Markers for Insertional Mutagenesis and Genome Engineering in Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Wagner James M. , Williams Eden V. , Alper Hal S.
Published: March 2018

Yarrowia lipolytica is a non‐conventional yeast of interest to the biotechnology industry. However, the physiology, metabolism, and genetic regulation of Y. lipolytica diverge significantly from more well‐studied and characterized yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To develop additional genetic tools for this industrially relevant host, the piggyBac transposon system to enable efficient generation of genome‐wide insertional mutagenesis libraries and introduction of scarless, footprint‐free genomic modifications in Y. lipolytica. Specifically, we demonstrate piggyBac transposition in Y. lipolytica, and then use the approach to screen transposon insertion libraries for rapid isolation of mutations that confer altered canavanine resistance, pigment formation, and neutral lipid accumulation. We also develop a variety of piggyBac compatible selection markers for footprint‐free genome engineering, including a novel dominant marker cassette (Escherichia coli guaB) for effective Y. lipolytica selection using mycophenolic acid. We utilize these marker cassettes to construct a piggyBac vector set that allows for auxotrophic selection (uracil or tryptophan biosynthesis) or dominant selection (hygromycin, nourseothricin, chlorimuron ethyl, or mycophenolic acid resistance) and subsequent marker excision. These new genetic tools and techniques will help to facilitate and accelerate the engineering of Y. lipolytica strains for efficient and sustainable production of a wide variety of small molecules and proteins.
Dynamic changes in plasma Epstein–Barr virus DNA load during treatment have prognostic value in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective study
Authors: He Sha‐Sha , Wang Yan , Bao Yong , Cai Xiu‐Yu , Yang Xing‐Li , Chen Dan‐Ming , Chen Yong , Lu Li‐Xia
Published: March 2018

Circulating plasma Epstein–Barr virus DNA (EBV DNA) is related to tumor recurrence and metastasis and has potential as a dynamic, sensitive, and specific marker in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We investigated the clinical significance of assessing plasma EBV DNA load at various time points during treatment. Patients with NPC (n = 949) for whom plasma EBV DNA load was measured by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) before treatment (pre‐EBV) and at midtreatment (mid‐EBV), end of treatment (end‐EBV), and 3 months after completing treatment (3 m‐EBV) were retrospectively assessed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to identify the optimal EBV DNA cutoff point for each time point. Overall survival (OS), distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), and progression‐free survival (PFS) were compared using Kaplan–Meier estimates. High pre‐EBV, high mid‐EBV, high end‐EBV, and high 3 m‐EBV were all associated with significantly poorer OS, DMFS, and PFS in the entire cohort. Detectable end‐EBV and 3 m‐EBV was associated with significantly poorer OS, DMFS, and PFS. Among patients with detectable end‐EBV, adjuvant therapy significantly improved OS (HR 2.419; 95% CI 1.297–4.51, P = 0.03) and DMFS (HR 2.45; 95% CI 1.243–4.828, P = 0.04), but not PFS (P = 0.17). EBV DNA represents a dynamic biomarker for monitoring treatment and predicting survival in NPC. Assessing plasma EBV DNA before, during, and after chemoradiotherapy could be clinically valuable and enable selection of patients most likely to benefit from additional therapy and improve assessment of treatment response and disease surveillance. Further multicenter prospective investigations are warranted.
Correction of wheat meal falling number to a common barometric pressure at simulated laboratory elevations of 0–1,500 m
Authors: Delwiche Stephen R. , Rausch Steven R. , Vinyard Bryan T.
Published: March 2018

Background and objectives

Falling number, a procedure that indirectly characterizes germination enzyme activity in wheat grain by measuring the viscous behavior of a heated flour–water or meal–water mixture, is affected by the immersion water bath temperature. Maintained at boiling point, the water bath temperature is determined by barometric pressure which changes with land elevation. The effect of elevation, hence barometric pressure, on falling number over a simulated elevation range of near sea level (760 mm Hg) to 1,524 m (632.4 mm Hg) was modeled.

Findings

First‐order polynomial linear regression equations were developed on log‐transformed mean falling number readings to correct non‐sea level readings to sea level conditions represented as pressure, elevation, or water bath boiling temperature. With correction, the range in standard deviation of falling number over five simulated elevations declined to 0.9–14.1 s, from a precorrection range of 13.2–50.9 s.

Conclusions

The pressure effect was greatly reduced with application of the model. The correction functions are continuous linear relationships in the log domain and applicable to the entire simulated elevation range.

Significance and novelty

Ready availability of handheld digital barometers or reliance on the built‐in feature of barometric pressure measurement in newer falling number instruments now allow for ready correction of falling number to prevailing environmental conditions, which will translate into a fairer assessment of wheat quality in commercial trade.
What the Women's Health Initiative has taught us about menopausal hormone therapy
Authors: Chester Rebecca C. , Kling Juliana M. , Manson JoAnn E.
Published: March 2018

Our understanding of the complex relationship between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been informed by detailed analyses in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), the largest randomized, placebo‐controlled trial evaluating MHT in postmenopausal women. Although the WHI demonstrated increased risk of CVD events with MHT in the overall cohort, subsequent secondary analyses demonstrated that these risks were influenced by the woman's age and time since menopause, with lower absolute risks and hazard ratios for younger than older women. As MHT is the most effective treatment for the vasomotor symptoms of menopause, it is important to understand its risks and how to conduct risk stratification for symptomatic women. In addition to reviewing the WHI findings, studies pre‐ and post‐WHI are reviewed to describe the relationship between MHT and CVD risk in menopausal women. The absolute risks of adverse cardiovascular events for MHT initiated in women close to menopause are low, and all‐cause mortality effects are neutral or even favorable for younger menopausal women. The WHI has advanced and refined our understanding of the relationship between MHT and CVD risk. Although MHT should not be used for CVD prevention, absolute risks of CVD are low when MHT is started close to menopause in healthy women and hazard ratios tend to be lower for younger than older women. For women in early menopause and without contraindications to treatment, the benefits of MHT are likely to outweigh the risks when used for menopausal symptom management.
Achievability of Municipal Solid Waste Compost for Tea Cultivation with Special Reference to Cadmium
Authors: Karak Tanmoy , Abollino Ornella , Paul Ranjit K. , Dutta Amrit K. , Giacomino Agnese , Khare Puja , Boruah Romesh K.
Published: March 2018

Municipal solid waste compost (MSWC) is quite often used for soil amendment in agricultural crops and yet little is known about its effect on tea (Camellia sinensisL.) cultivation. This study investigates the effect of MSWC application on cadmium (Cd) concentrations in soil, tea plants, and infusions. Different doses of MSWC are added to soil with two Tocklai vegetative (TV) tea clones (TV1 and TV23) for 2 years in pot experiments. Several fractions of Cd in amended soils, biomass yield, and Cd content in different parts of tea plants and in tea infusions are measured. Several indexes related to risk assessment are also calculated. The geo‐accumulation index values of Cd in soil amended with MSWC ranges from −1.74 to 3.12, indicating class 0 (practically uncontaminated) to class 4 (heavily contaminated) contamination level. Average daily intakes (ADI) of Cd through tea infusion produced from tea plant amended with MSWC are 8.9 × 10−6and 9.2 × 10−6 mg kg−1per body weight and day for men and women, respectively. These values are much lower than those given in the Joint FAO/WHO Provisional Tolerable Monthly Intake Guideline for Cd. The non‐carcinogenic risk values (also called hazard quotient) for Cd, estimated from the ADI values, are found to be 1.78 × 10−2and 1.94 × 10−2 mg kg−1per day for men and women, respectively, suggesting no health hazard. The results suggested the possibility of management of MSW through composting and the feasibility of compost application for tea cultivation.
Synthesis, Structure–Activity Relationship Studies, and ADMET Properties of 3‐Aminocyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐ones as Chemokine Receptor 2 (CXCR2) Antagonists
Authors: Dai Weiyang , Chen Wenmin , Debnath Bikash , Wu Yong , Neamati Nouri
Published: March 2018

Herein we describe the synthesis and structure–activity relationships of 3‐aminocyclohex‐2‐en‐1‐one derivatives as novel chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) antagonists. Thirteen out of 44 derivatives were found to inhibit CXCR2 downstream signaling in a Tango assay specific for CXCR2, with IC50 values less than 10 μm. In silico ADMET prediction suggests that all active compounds possess drug‐like properties. None of these compounds show significant cytotoxicity, suggesting their potential application in inflammatory mediated diseases. A structure–activity relationship (SAR) map has been generated to gain better understanding of their binding mechanism to guide further optimization of these new CXCR2 antagonists.
Explaining depression symptoms in patients with social anxiety disorder: Do maladaptive metacognitive beliefs play a role?
Authors: Nordahl Henrik , Nordahl Hans M. , Vogel Patrick A. , Wells Adrian
Published: March 2018

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a major risk factor for developing symptoms of depression. Severity of social anxiety has previously been identified as a risk factor, and cognitive models emphasize dysfunctional schemas and self‐processing as the key vulnerability factors underlying general distress in SAD. However, in the metacognitive model, depressive and other symptoms are related to metacognitive beliefs. The aim of this study was therefore to test the relative contribution of metacognitions when controlling for SAD severity and factors postulated in cognitive models. In a cross‐sectional design, 102 patients diagnosed with primary SAD were included. We found that negative metacognitive beliefs concerning uncontrollability and danger and low confidence in memory emerged as the only factors explaining depressive symptoms in the regression model, suggesting that metacognitive beliefs are associated with increased depressive symptoms in SAD patients.
Metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosed by fine needle aspiration: A clinical and cytologic study
Authors: Yan Lei , Jakate Shriram , Reddy Vijaya , Gattuso Paolo
Published: March 2018

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The clinical and cytological features of metastatic HCC have not been well established.

Methods

To determine the clinical and cytological features of metastatic HCC, we retrospectively searched for all HCC metastasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration or core biopsy.

Results

We found 12 bone metastases, 11 intra‐abdominal, 4 lung, 3 soft tissue, and 2 lymph node metastases from 32 patients. 7/12 bone metastases were vertebral body, 4 were pelvic bone, and 1 case was humerus. 10/32 cases showed concurrent metastasis at a different location. The average metastasis size was 40.9 mm. Tumor grades of HCC showed near equal distribution. The following cytological features are most frequently associated with metastatic HCC: single tumor cells (88.9%), cytoplasmic vacuolization (70.4%), trabecular pattern (70.4%), bare nuclei (66.7%), prominent nucleoli (66.7%), tumor giant cells (44.4%), and traversing capillaries (44.4%) and encased by endothelium (18.5%). Immunohistochemical stains of 12 cases showed the majority were positive for E‐Cadherin, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, and HepPar1. Negativity for CK7 and CK20 is contributory to making the diagnosis.

Conclusion

The most frequent metastatic HCC diagnosed by FNA was from bone, especially the vertebral body. The frequent cytomorphology and immunophenotype seen in primary HCC are good diagnostic criteria for diagnosing metastatic HCC.
Effects of the Tanaka Line on the genetic structure of Bombax ceiba (Malvaceae) in dry‐hot valley areas of southwest China
Authors: Ju Miao‐Miao , Fu Yi , Zhao Gui‐Fang , He Cheng‐Zhong , Li Zhong‐Hu , Tian Bin
Published: March 2018

Southwest China is an important biodiversity hotspot. The interactions among the complex topography, climate change, and ecological factors in the dry‐hot valley areas in southwest China may have profoundly affected the genetic structure of plant species in this region. In this study, we determined the effects of the Tanaka Line on genetic variation in the wild Bombax ceiba tree in southwest China. We sampled 224 individuals from 17 populations throughout the dry‐hot valley regions. Six polymorphic expressed sequence tag–simple sequence repeat primers were employed to sequence the PCR products using the first‐generation Sanger technique. The analysis based on population genetics suggested that B. ceiba exhibited a high level of gene diversity (HE: 0.2377–0.4775; I: 0.3997–0.7848). The 17 populations were divided into two groups by cluster analysis, which corresponded to geographic characters on each side of the Tanaka Line. In addition, a Mantel test indicated that the phylogeographic structure among the populations could be fitted to the isolation‐by‐distance model (r2 = .2553, p < .001). A barrier test indicated that there were obstacles among populations and between the two groups due to complex terrain isolation and geographic heterogeneity. We inferred that the Tanaka Line might have promoted the intraspecific phylogeographic subdivision and divergence of B. ceiba. These results provide new insights into the effects of the Tanaka Line on genetic isolation and population differentiation of plant species in southwest China.
Seed banks of native forbs, but not exotic grasses, increase during extreme drought
Authors: LaForgia Marina L. , Spasojevic Marko J. , Case Erica J. , Latimer Andrew M. , Harrison Susan P.
Published: March 2018

Extreme droughts such as the one that affected California in 2012–2015 have been linked to severe ecological consequences in perennial‐dominated communities such as forests. In annual communities, drought impacts are difficult to assess because many species persist through facultative multiyear seed dormancy, which leads to the development of seed banks. Impacts of extreme drought on the abundance and composition of the seed banks of whole communities are little known. In 80 heterogeneous grassland plots where cover is dominated by ~15 species of exotic annual grasses and diversity is dominated by ~70 species of native annual forbs, we grew out seeds from soil cores collected early in the California drought (2012) and later in the multiyear drought (2014), and analyzed drought‐associated changes in the seed bank. Over the course of the study we identified more than 22,000 seedlings to species. We found that seeds of exotic annual grasses declined sharply in abundance during the drought while seeds of native annual forbs increased, a pattern that resembled but was even stronger than the changes in aboveground cover of these groups. Consistent with the expectation that low specific leaf area (SLA) is an indicator of drought tolerance, we found that the community‐weighted mean SLA of annual forbs declined both in the seed bank and in the aboveground community, as low‐SLA forbs increased disproportionately. In this system, seed dormancy reinforces the indirect benefits of extreme drought to the native forb community.
Framing the debate: How interest groups influence draft rules at the United States Environmental Protection Agency
Authors: Cook Jeffrey J.
Published: March 2018

Scholars have identified that interest groups can be most influential on regulatory outcomes during the preproposal stage of the rulemaking process, yet this stage is notoriously understudied. Recently, Rinfret concluded that interest groups use three frames (expertise, fiscal feasibility and instructive) to influence agency personnel at the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Of the three, the expertise frame was considered most effective. This work confirms these findings across three more significant rulemakings at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and builds on Rinfret's framework in two ways. First, this analysis adds a relevant fourth frame to the model, the legal frame. Second, this research addresses why interest groups use all four frames, when the expertise frame is considered most impactful. Simply stated, interest groups use each frame to complement the expertise frame and build a coherent story that justifies their preferred solution. Thus, understanding how interest groups use each of the four frames can inform our understanding of why two groups that both use the expertise frame may have varying impacts on the agency.
Long‐term effect of epirubicin on incidence of heart failure in women with breast cancer: insight from a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Banke Ann , Fosbøl Emil L. , Møller Jacob E. , Gislason Gunnar H. , Andersen Mads , Bernsdorf Mogens , Jensen Maj‐Britt , Schou Morten , Ejlertsen Bent
Published: March 2018

Aims

Anthracycline‐based chemotherapy improves survival in breast cancer patients but is associated with increased risk of heart failure (HF). However, the risk of late‐onset HF is debatable and mainly based on observational studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anthracycline‐based chemotherapy on long‐term risk of clinical HF.

Methods and results

Between 1990 and 1998 the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group (DBCG) 89D trial randomized 980 Danish women with early breast cancer to adjuvant cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, and fluorouracil or cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil. Incident HF was the primary endpoint obtained from Danish administrative registries. Follow‐up ended at December 2014. The risk of HF was evaluated in a cumulative incidence analysis and a Fine–Gray proportional hazards model. Median follow‐up time was 16.9 years [interquartile range (IQR) 3.7–20.9]. In the epirubicin treatment group, 23 new cases of HF were identified vs. 9 in the non‐epirubicin group corresponding to incidence rates per 1000 patient‐years of 3.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.5–5.6] vs. 1.4 (95% CI 0.7–2.7). The cumulative incidence of HF was higher in the epirubicin treatment group compared with the non‐epirubicin group (P < 0.01), yielding a hazard ratio of 3.00 (95% CI 1.39–6.49, P < 0.01) for HF associated with epirubicin. The median dose of epirubicin was 451.9 mg/m2 (IQR 400.0–523.5).

Conclusions

Anthracycline‐based chemotherapy is associated with a three‐fold increased risk of late‐onset clinical HF relative to non‐anthracycline chemotherapy in this randomized clinical trial, but overall risk is low.
Development of a sheathless CE‐ESI‐MS interface
Authors: Hirayama Akiyoshi , Abe Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Nozomi , Tabata Sho , Tomita Masaru , Soga Tomoyoshi
Published: March 2018

A sheath‐flow interface is the most common ionization technique in CE‐ESI‐MS. However, this interface dilutes the analytes with the sheath liquid and decreases the sensitivity. In this study, we developed a sheathless CE‐MS interface to improve sensitivity. The interface was fabricated by making a small crack approximately 2 cm from the end of a capillary column fixed on a plastic plate, and then covering the crack with a dialysis membrane to prevent metabolite loss during separation. A voltage for CE separation was applied between the capillary inlet and the buffer reservoir. Under optimum conditions, 52 cationic metabolite standards were separated and selectively detected using MS. With a pressure injection of 5 kPa for 15 s (ca. 1.4 nL), the detection limits for the tested compounds were between 0.06 and 1.7 μmol/L (S/N = 3). The method was applied to analysis of cationic metabolites extracted from a small number (12 000) of cancer cells, and the number of peaks detected was about 2.5 times higher than when using conventional sheath‐flow CE‐MS. Because the interface is easy to construct, it is cost‐effective and can be adapted to any commercially available capillaries. This method is a powerful new tool for highly sensitive CE‐MS‐based metabolomic analysis.
GIS‐based modelling of soil erosion processes using the modified‐MMF (MMMF) model in a large watershed having vast agro‐climatological differences
Authors: Jain Pratiksha , Ramsankaran RAAJ
Published: March 2018

The present study demonstrates a spatially distributed application of a field‐scale annual soil loss model, the modified‐MMF (MMMF), to a large watershed using hydrological routing techniques, remote sensing data and geospatial technologies. In this study, the MMMF model is implemented after incorporating the corrections suggested in recent literature along with appropriate modifications of the model to suit the agro‐climatological conditions prevailing in most parts of India. Sensitivity analysis carried out through an Average Linear Sensitivity approach indicates that the model outputs are highly sensitive to soil moisture (MS), bulk density (BD), effective hydraulic depth (EHD), ground cover (GC) and settling velocity for clay (VSc). During calibration and validation, the performance evaluation statistics are mostly in the range of very good to satisfactory for both runoff and soil loss at the watershed outlet. Even spatial validation of the results of intermediate processes in the water phase and the sediment phase, although qualitative, seems to be reasonable and rational. Furthermore, the soil erosion severity analysis for different land‐uses existing in the watershed indicates that about 90% of the watershed area, especially that occupied by agricultural lands, is vulnerable to the long‐term effects of soil erosion. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying threats to groundwater resources in the Republic of Maldives Part I: Future rainfall patterns and sea‐level rise
Authors: Alsumaiei Abdullah A. , Bailey Ryan T.
Published: March 2018

Reserves of fresh groundwater on atoll islands are extremely fragile due to climatic and anthropogenic stresses. Of major concern is the quantity of water to be available in the coming decades under the influence of variable rainfall patterns, rising sea level, environmental conditions, and expected population growth that depends on groundwater resources. In this study, a 3‐dimensional numerical modelling approach using the SEAWAT modelling code is used to estimate freshwater lens volume fluctuation for 4 representative islands in the Republic of Maldives in response to long‐term changes in rainfall, sea‐level rise (SLR), and anthropogenic stresses such as groundwater pumping and short‐term impacts from tsunami‐induced marine overwash events. This work is divided into 2 papers. This first paper presents numerical model set‐up and calibration, and the effect of future rainfall patterns and SLR on fresh groundwater reserves. The second paper focuses on marine overwash events. The results of simulated future freshwater lens volume presented in the first study contribute to efficient groundwater resources planning and management for the Maldives in the upcoming decades. Freshwater lenses in small atoll islands (area < 0.6 km2) are shown to have a strong variability trends in the upcoming decades with expected reduction in lens volume between 11% and 36% due to SLR. In contrast, freshwater lenses in larger atoll islands (area > 1.0 km2) are shown to have less variability to changing patterns with expected reduction in lens volume between 8% and 26% due to SLR. Study results can provide water resource managers with valuable findings for consideration in water security measures.
Canopy cover effects on local soil water dynamics in a tropical agroforestry system: Evaporation drives soil water isotopic enrichment
Authors: Hasselquist Niles J. , Benegas Laura , Roupsard Olivier , Malmer Anders , Ilstedt Ulrik
Published: March 2018

Despite the widely held assumption that trees negatively affect the local water budget in densely planted tree plantations, we still lack a clear understanding of the underlying processes by which canopy cover influences local soil water dynamics in more open, humid tropical ecosystems. In this study, we propose a new conceptual model that uses a combination of stable isotope and soil moisture measurements throughout the soil profile to assess potential mechanisms by which evaporation (of surface soil water and of canopy‐intercepted rainfall) affects the relationship between surface soil water isotopic enrichment (lc‐excess) and soil water content. Our conceptual model was derived from soil water data collected under deciduous and evergreen plants in a shade grown coffee agroforestry system in Costa Rica. Reduced soil moisture under shade trees during the “drier” season, coinciding when these trees were defoliated, was largely the result of increase soil water evaporation as indicated by the positive relationship between soil water content and lc‐excess of surface soil water. In contrast, the evergreen coffee shrubs had a higher leaf area index during the “drier” season, leading to enhanced rainfall interception and a negative relationship between lc‐excess and soil water content. During the wet season, there was no clear relationship between soil water content and between lc‐excess of surface soil water. Greater surface soil water under coffee during the dry season may, in part, explain greater preferential flow under coffee compared with under trees in conditions of low rainfall intensities. However, with increasing rainfall intensities during the wet season, there was no obvious difference in preferential flow between the two canopy covers. Results from this study indicate that our new conceptual model can be used to help disentangling the relative influence of canopy cover on local soil water isotopic composition and dynamics, yet also stresses the need for additional measurements to better resolve the underlying processes by which canopy structure influences local water dynamics.
The optimization and production of stable homogeneous amine enriched surfaces with characterized nanotopographical properties for enhanced osteoinduction of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chen Rui , Hunt John A. , Fawcett Sandra , D'sa Raechelle , Akhtar Riaz , Curran Judith M.
Published: March 2018

Silane modification has been proposed as a powerful biomaterial surface modification tool. This is the first comprehensive investigation into the effect of silane chain length on the resultant properties of –NH2 silane monolayers and the associated osteoinductive properties of the surface. A range of –NH2 presenting silanes, chain length 3–11, were introduced to glass coverslips and characterized using water contact angles, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Ninhydrin assays. The ability of the variation in chain length to form a homogenous layer across the entirety of the surfaces was also assessed. The osteoinductive potential of the resultant surfaces was evaluated by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunocytochemistry, and von Kossa staining. Control of surface chemistry and topography was directly associated with changes in chain length. This resulted in the identification of a specific, chain length 11 (CL11) which significantly increased the osteoinductive properties of the modified materials. Only CL11 surfaces had a highly regular nano‐topography/roughness which resulted in the formation of an appetite‐like layer on the surface that induced a significantly enhanced osteoinductive response (increased expression of osteocalcin, CBFA1, sclerostin, and the production of a calcified matrix) across the entirety of the surface. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1862–1877, 2018.
Feasibility of Ultrafast High‐Resolution Spectroscopy in the Analysis of Molecular‐Mobility‐Restricted Samples in Deuterium‐Free Environments
Authors: Cai Honghao , Jin Yali , Cui Xiaohong
Published: March 2018

The feasibility of ultrafast high‐resolution intermolecular multiple‐quantum coherence (UF‐iMQC) spectroscopy for the direct analysis of molecular‐mobility‐restricted samples that are not suitable for magic‐angle spinning, such as a jelly, hand soap, and marrow, is presented. Most components could be directly detected in their original state within 1 min without the need for tedious sample preparation processes. When we use conventional liquid nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method to study these systems, the spectral information could not be retrieved owing to the intrinsic inhomogeneous magnetic fields caused by sample inhomogeneity. In addition, the possibility for UF‐iMQC‐based quantifications is shown. The examples presented in this paper demonstrate the potential of UF iMQC NMR for food safety inspection, for quality testing of daily‐life supplies, or in assisting medical diagnosis.
Intergenerational Mobility in Socio‐economic Status in Ethiopia
Authors: Haile Getinet Astatike
Published: March 2018

Using data from two comprehensive national Labour Force Surveys and monetary and non‐monetary outcomes, we examine the extent of intergenerational mobility in Ethiopia. Results from ordinary least squares and quantile regression suggest moderate to high levels of earnings persistence. Generalised ordered logit‐based results suggest significant mobility educationally, which may be linked to the significant widening of educational opportunities over the last two decades, but hardly any evidence of mobility occupationally. Sons are found to be more mobile than daughters in all cases. Public policy may have to foster the equality of opportunities generally and along gender lines in order to enhance mobility. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BET proteins in abnormal metabolism, inflammation, and the breast cancer microenvironment
Authors: Andrieu Guillaume P , Shafran Jordan S , Deeney Jude T , Bharadwaj Kishan R , Rangarajan Annapoorni , Denis Gerald V
Published: March 2018

Obesity and its associated pathology Type 2 diabetes are two chronic metabolic and inflammatory diseases that promote breast cancer progression, metastasis, and poor outcomes. Emerging critical opinion considers unresolved inflammation and abnormal metabolism separately from obesity; settings where they do not co-occur can inform disease mechanism. In breast cancer, the tumor microenvironment is often infiltrated with T effector and T regulatory cells programmed by metabolic signaling. The pathways by which tumor cells evade immune surveillance, immune therapies, and take advantage of antitumor immunity are poorly understood, but likely depend on metabolic inflammation in the microenvironment. Immune functions are abnormal in metabolic disease, and lessons learned from preclinical studies in lean and metabolically normal environments may not translate to patients with obesity and metabolic disease. This problem is made more urgent by the rising incidence of breast cancer among women who are not obese but who have metabolic disease and associated inflammation, a phenotype common in Asia. The somatic BET proteins, comprising BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4, are new critical regulators of metabolism, coactivate transcription of genes that encode proinflammatory cytokines in immune cell subsets infiltrating the microenvironment, and could be important targets in breast cancer immunotherapy. These transcriptional coregulators are well known to regulate tumor cell progression, but only recently identified as critical for metabolism, metastasis, and expression of immune checkpoint molecules. We consider interrelationships among metabolism, inflammation, and breast cancer aggressiveness relevant to the emerging threat of breast cancer among women with metabolic disease, but without obesity.

Type 2 diabetes is an understudied contributor to progression of breast cancer; disease-associated chronic inflammation by BET proteins is a dangerous modifier of tumor microenvironments.
Material matters: Analysis of density uncertainty in 3D printing and its consequences for radiation oncology
Authors: Craft Daniel F. , Kry Stephen F. , Balter Peter , Salehpour Mohammad , Woodward Wendy , Howell Rebecca M.
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Using 3D printing to fabricate patient‐specific devices such as tissue compensators, boluses, and phantoms is inexpensive and relatively simple. However, most 3D printing materials have not been well characterized, including their radiologic tissue equivalence. The purposes of this study were to (a) determine the variance in Hounsfield Units (HU) for printed objects, (b) determine if HU varies over time, and (c) calculate the clinical dose uncertainty caused by these material variations.

Methods

For a sample of 10 printed blocks each of PLA, NinjaFlex, ABS, and Cheetah, the average HU and physical density were tracked at initial printing and over the course of 5 weeks, a typical timeframe for a standard course of radiotherapy. After initial printing, half the blocks were stored in open boxes, the other half in sealed bags with desiccant. Variances in HU and density over time were evaluated for the four materials. Various clinical photon and electron beams were used to evaluate potential errors in clinical depth dose as a function of assumptions made during treatment planning. The clinical depth error was defined as the distance between the correctly calculated 90% isodose line and the 90% isodose line calculated using clinically reasonable, but simplified, assumptions.

Results

The average HU measurements of individual blocks of PLA, ABS, NinjaFlex, and Cheetah varied by as much as 121, 30, 178, and 30 HU, respectively. The HU variation over 5 weeks was much smaller for all materials. The magnitude of clinical depth errors depended strongly on the material, energy, and assumptions, but some were as large as 9.0 mm.

Conclusions

If proper quality assurance steps are taken, 3D printed objects can be used accurately and effectively in radiation therapy. It is critically important, however, that the properties of any material being used in patient care be well understood and accounted for.
Noninvasive eye localization in ocular proton therapy through optical eye tracking: A proof of concept
Authors: Via Riccardo , Hennings Fabian , Fattori Giovanni , Fassi Aurora , Pica Alessia , Lomax Antony , Weber Damien Charles , Baroni Guido , Hrbacek Jan
Published: March 2018

Purpose

Over the last four decades, Ocular Proton Therapy has been successfully used to treat patients affected by intraocular lesions. For this, treatment geometry verification is routinely performed using radiographic images to align a configuration of fiducial radiopaque markers implanted on the sclera outer surface. This paper describes the clinical application of an alternative approach based on optical eye tracking for three‐dimensional noninvasive and automatic eye localization. An experimental protocol was designed to validate the optical‐based eye referencing against both radiographic imaging system and the clinically used EYEPLAN treatment planning system.

Methods

The eye tracking system (ETS) was installed in the OPTIS 2 treatment room at PSI to acquire eye motions during the treatment of nine patients. The pupil position and the cornea curvature center were localized by segmenting the pupil contour and corneal light reflections on the images acquired by a pair of calibrated optical cameras. After calibration of the ETS, a direct comparison of radiopaque markers position, and consequentially eye position and orientation, provided by the ETS, radiographs and EYEPLAN was performed.

Results

Nineteen out of thirty total monitored fractions were excluded from the study due to poor visibility of corneal reflection, resulting in a success rate of acquisition of 37%. For these data, overall median agreement between ETS‐based and x‐ray‐based markers position assessment were 0.29 mm and 0.94° for translations and rotations, respectively. Small discrepancies were also measured in the eye center estimates of the ETS and EYEPLAN. Conversely, variations in measured eye orientation were higher, with interquartile range (IQR) between 4.39° and 7.58°. Nonetheless, dosimetric evaluation of the consequence of ETS uncertainties showed that the target volume would still be covered by more than 95% of the dose in all cases.

Conclusion

An ETS was successfully installed in a clinical ocular proton therapy treatment room and used to monitor eye position and orientation in a clinical scenario. First results show the potential of such a system as an eye localization device. However, the low success rate prevents straightforward clinical application and needs further improvements aimed at increasing corneal reflection visibility.
3D adiabatic T1ρ prepared ultrashort echo time cones sequence for whole knee imaging
Authors: Ma Ya‐Jun , Carl Michael , Searleman Adam , Lu Xing , Chang Eric Y. , Du Jiang
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To develop a 3D adiabatic T1ρ prepared ultrashort echo time cones (3D AdiabT1ρ UTE‐Cones) sequence for whole knee imaging on a clinical 3T scanner.

Methods

A train of adiabatic full passage pulses were used for spin locking, followed by time‐efficient multispoke UTE acquisition to detect signals from both short and long T2 tissues in the whole knee joint. A modified signal model was proposed for multispoke UTE data fitting. The feasibility of this 3D AdiabT1ρ UTE‐Cones technique was demonstrated through numerical simulation, phantom, and ex vivo knee sample studies. The 3D AdiabT1ρ UTE‐Cones technique was then applied to 6 in vivo knee joints of healthy volunteers to measure T1ρ values of quadriceps tendon, patellar tendon, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), meniscus, patellar cartilage, and muscle.

Results

Numerical simulation, phantom and ex vivo knee sample studies demonstrated the feasibility of whole knee imaging using the proposed multispoke 3D AdiabT1ρ UTE‐Cones sequence. The healthy volunteer knee study demonstrated an averaged T1ρ of 13.9 ± 0.7 ms for the quadriceps tendon, 9.7 ± 0.8 ms for the patellar tendon, 34.9 ± 2.8 ms for the ACL, 21.6 ± 1.4 ms for the PCL, 22.5 ± 1.9 ms for the meniscus, 44.5 ± 2.4 ms for the patellar cartilage, and 43.2 ± 1.1 ms for the muscle.

Conclusion

The 3D AdiabT1ρ UTE‐Cones sequence allows volumetric T1ρ assessment of both short and long T2 tissues in the knee joint on a clinical 3T scanner.
Trendbericht Organische Chemie 2017
Authors: Straub Bernd , Andexer Jennifer N. , Arenz Christoph , Beifuss Uwe , Beuerle Florian , Brasholz Malte , Breinbauer Rolf , Ditrich Klaus , Ernst Martin , Gulder Tobias A. M. , Kordes Markus , Krueger Anke , Lehmann Matthias , Lindel Thomas , Lüdeke Steffen , Luy Burkhard , Meier Michael A. R. , Mück‐Lichtenfeld Christian , Muhle‐Goll Claudia , Narine Arun , Paradies Jan , Pfau Roland , Pietruszka Jörg , Schaschke Norbert , Senge Mathias O. , Werner Thomas , Werz Daniel B. , Winter Christian , Worgull Dennis
Published: March 2018

Molekularer Knoten mit topologischer Chiralität – Strukturaufklärung des Polyol‐Makrolids Deplelid A – Totalsynthese von Crocagin A – Organokatalyse in supramolekularen Aggregaten – nachhaltige Oxidation an Oxymorphon – eisenkatalysierte enantioselektive C‐H‐Aktivierung‐ und Alkylierung – fluoreszierendes künstliches DNA‐Basenpaar
Distributed estimation for spatial rigid motion based on dual quaternions
Authors: Zu Yue , Lee Unsik , Dai Ran
Published: March 2018

This paper proposes 2 distributed optimization algorithms for the estimation of spatial rigid motion using multiple image sensors in a connected network. The objective is to increase the estimation precision of translational and rotational motion based on dual quaternion models and the cooperation between connected sensors. The dual decomposition subgradient method and distributed Newton optimization method are applied to decompose the filtering task into a series of suboptimal problems and then solve them individually to achieve the global optimality. Our approach assumes that each sensor can communicate with its neighboring sensors to update the individual estimates. Discussion on converging speed of both methods are provided. Simulation examples are demonstrated to compare the 2 distributed algorithms with the traditional extended Kalman filter in terms of estimation accuracy and converging rate.
High performance graphene oxide/epoxy nanocomposites fabricated through the solvent exchange method
Authors: Mehrabi Kooshki Mahdi , Jalali‐Arani Azam
Published: March 2018

In this study, a new simple solvent exchange method was employed to fabricate graphene oxide (GO)/epoxy nanocomposites. The structure and morphology of GO nanoplatelets and nanocomposites were extensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Examining the mechanical properties of nanocomposites indicates that the incorporation of only 0.05 phr GO into the epoxy resin increases the tensile modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break by 7.2%, 10.1%, and 34.5%, respectively, as compared with the neat epoxy. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) results indicate that the storage modulus (E') shows a similar trend to the tensile modulus and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the epoxy significantly drops from 57.2° C to 47.9° C with the incorporation of 0.05 phr GO and then slightly increased with the further addition of GO. In addition, based on fracture toughness results, a remarkable improvement in the critical stress intensity factor (K1C) and critical strain energy release rate (G1C) was observed. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the toughening mechanism of the nanocomposites was carried out using SEM tests on the fracture surfaces. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2497–E2505, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers