bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Studies on Yield and Its Components in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.)
Authors: Pranati Jwala , Kumar C.V. Sameer , Gangashetty Prakash I. , Sharma Mamta , Pandey Manish K. , Sajja Sobhan
Published: October 2024

A field trial was carried out at the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Patancheru, Hyderabad during Kharif, 2023-24, with the aim of studying genetic parameters for yield and its components among pigeonpea genotypes which provides in developing an apt selection index to be included in the breeding programs. This research was conducted on 200 genotypes of Indian pigeon pea on seven traits. Data were analysed to calculate analysis of variance (ANOVA), phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV), genetic coefficient of variation (GCV), broad sense heritability (h2bs) and estimated genetic progression as percentage mean using R software v 4.3.1. The results of the analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference for days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), hundred seed weight and seed yield per plant among the genotypes. The genotypic coefficient of variance was lower than the genotypic coefficient of variance for all the traits under selection. Higher extent of genotypic coefficient of variation is manifested by days to 50% flowering, plant height, seeds per pod, hundred seed weight and seed yield per plant. High heritability coupled with genetic advance as per cent mean was observed in seed yield per plant, number of days to 50% flowering and plant height. The results concluded that seed yield per plant, number of days to flowering up to 50%, and plant height are the traits that should be emphasized as selection indicator in Indian pigeon pea breeding programs.
A Scale to Measure the Level of Management Orientation of the Members of Farmer Producer Company with Reference to Potato Production in Assam, India
Authors: Hussain Irshad , Das Pabitra K. , Barman Utpal , Kalita Hemanga K. , Barman Sundar
Published: October 2024

In the absence of a suitable scale to measure the management orientation of potato growers in relation to potato planning, potato production and potato marketing in Assam, there was a need to construct a management orientation scale. Therefore, effort was made to construct a scale to measure the level of management orientation of the members of the Farmer Producer Company with reference to potato production in Assam. A scale was developed with Likert’s summated rating technique. A list of 90 statements resulted after edition of 110 statements as per the fourteen criteria suggested by Thurstone and Chave. Statements were sent to 80 extension specialist working in various field of Assam Agricultural University for the critical evaluation of statements on a 3 point continuum. Based on the responses received from 60 out of 80 judges, the relevancy percentage (RP), Relevancy Weightage (RW) and Mean Relevancy Scores (MRS) were estimated. 74 items with RP > 60, RW > 0.60 and overall MRS > 2.0 were considered for item analysis. These items were administrated to 40 farmers for item analysis and items with ‘t’ value equal or greater than 1.75 were selected and those with ‘t’ value below 1.75 were rejected. Out of 74 statements, 30 statements were retained on the final scale through t-test item analysis. Thus, the instrument developed to measure the level of management orientation of the members of farmer producer company with reference to potato production in Assam consists of 20 positive and 10 negative statements. The dependability coefficient was determined using Rulon's formula and it was 0.8994. As a result, the developed scale was proven to be highly reliable. The scale developed to measure the level of management orientation of the members of Farmer Producer Company with reference to potato production in Assam is found to be reliable and can be utilized by researchers in similar studies. This scale will be very advantageous and convenient for researchers to examine the management orientation of potato growers in relation to potato planning, potato production and potato marketing.
Efficacy of Bio-Pesticides against Leaf Miner, Liriomyza sp. of Field Pea
Authors: Goswami Jatin , Chaudhary A. K. , Gangwar B. , Kumar Pradeep , Gocher Deepak Kumar
Published: October 2024

On the effectiveness of biopesticides against Liriomyza spp., the pea leaf miner, field research was done. at an experimental field, Organic Research Farm Karguwan Ji, Department of Entomology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (Utter Pradesh) during Rabi Season of 2022-2023. Many biopesticides, such as castor oil, panchgavya, neem seed kernel extract (Crude extract), verticillium lecanii (2x108 cfu), neem oil, garlic bulb extract, and Bacillus thuringiensis (5% WP). Pea leaf miner Liriomyza Spp. was significantly different in the biopesticide-treated plant compared to the untreated control, according to the experimental data. Among them, the treatment of Beauveria bassiana (8.90 larvae/5 plant) was found in significantly more effective against the pest as compared to other bio-pesticides Bacillus thuringiensis, NSKE, Neem oil, and Verticillium lecanii were found moderately effective and proved significantly superior over Castor oil, Panchgavya and Garlic bulb extract proved significantly less effective among the bio-pesticides evaluated against pea leaf miner Liriomyza spp.
Influence of Plant Growth Regulators on Growth, Seed Yield and Economics of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. Jawahar Dhaniya-10
Authors: Nair Reena , Sharma Ankita , Dubey Shreyansha , Thakur Harshita , Ahirwar Shubham , Koushale Monika
Published: October 2024

An experiment was performed during the Rabi (October–March, 2021–22) at the Vegetable Research Center, Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture, JNKVV, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India to study the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on the growth, yield and economics of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) cv. Jawahar Dhaniya-10. A Randomized Block Design with three replications was used, including nine PGR treatments: Salicylic acid (50 and 100 ppm), Jasmonic acid (50 and 100 ppm), Benzyl Adenine (10 and 20 ppm), and Brassinosteroid (0.5 and 1.0 ppm), with a water spray as the control. Spraying was conducted at 30 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). The results showed that the foliar application of Jasmonic acid at 50 ppm significantly increased growth parameters, achieving the highest plant height (111.97 cm) and the number of branches plant-1 (9.33). Earliness, indicated by 50% flowering, was observed at 55 days with Jasmonic acid at 50 ppm, followed by 59 days with Jasmonic acid at 100 ppm. For yield attributes, the highest values for the number of umbellets umbel-1 (7.62), seed yield (17.99 q ha-1), and test weight (15.67 g) were recorded with 20 ppm Benzyl Adenine, followed by Brassinosteroid at 1.00 ppm (16.89 kg ha-1 yield). Additionally, the highest net return and benefit-cost ratio were also observed with 20 ppm Benzyl Adenine. Hence, it is concluded that the foliar application of Benzyl Adenine (BA) and Jasmonates can be effective in enhancing the growth and yield of coriander.
Nearshore Wave Power Increase on Reef‐Shaped Coasts Due to Sea‐Level Rise
Authors: Siegle Eduardo , Costa Mirella B.
Published: October 2017

Large parts of tropical coastlines are influenced by the presence of reefs that shape its coastline. Wave attenuation crossing reefs as they approach the coast results in accretionary coastal features developed in its shadow zones. With the aim of assessing the level of wave exposure of the coastline under different sea‐level rise scenarios, numerical modeling experiments have been designed considering a coastline segment of approximately 450 km in northeast Brazil. Results show the distribution of wave power along the area of interest, with higher values being found in areas without reefs. However, when considering sea‐level rise scenarios, it is behind the reefs where the maximum differences in wave power are observed. The increase in the free surface over the reef structures as a result of rising sea level reduces the wave attenuation effects caused by these structures. Thus, the waves hit the shore with greater force in the shadow zone protected by the reef. Here, we demonstrate that regions within the reef shadow zones are most strongly affected by sea‐level rise with up to a 90% increase in the wave power, which will lead to increase in sediment transport and erosion processes. Such processes indicate a trend toward coastline flattening and alignment in response to less effective shadow zones.
On the Yield Strength of Oceanic Lithosphere
Authors: Jain Chhavi , Korenaga Jun , Karato Shun‐ichiro
Published: October 2017

The yield strength of oceanic lithosphere determines the mode of mantle convection in a terrestrial planet, and low‐temperature plasticity in olivine aggregates is generally believed to govern the plastic rheology of the stiffest part of lithosphere. Because, so far, proposed flow laws for this mechanism exhibit nontrivial discrepancies, we revisit the recent high‐pressure deformation data of Mei et al. (2010) with a comprehensive inversion approach based on Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling. Our inversion results indicate that the uncertainty of the relevant flow law parameters is considerably greater than previously thought. Depending on the choice of flow law parameters, the strength of oceanic lithosphere would vary substantially, carrying different implications for the origin of plate tectonics on Earth. To reduce the flow law ambiguity, we suggest that it is important to establish a theoretical basis for estimating macroscopic stress in high‐pressure experiments and also to better utilize marine geophysical observations.
Bio‐ und Chemilumineszenz in der biologischen Bildgebung: von Luciferin‐basierten Sonden zu aktivierbaren Dioxetanen
Authors: Hananya Nir , Shabat Doron
Published: October 2017

Bio‐ und chemilumineszierende Sonden finden weit verbreitete Anwendung für die nichtinvasive Bildgebung. Sie sind hoch empfindlich, und es genügt eine relativ einfache instrumentelle Ausrüstung, um die Messung durchzuführen. Verfügbar sind heute synthetische Luciferin‐analoge Sonden, die in der In‐vivo‐Bildgebung bessere Eigenschaften als Luciferin zeigen. Auch photoaktivierbare Luciferin‐basierte bioluminogene Sonden wurden als sehr universell verwendbare Systeme für die In‐vivo‐Visualisierung von Enzymen und Analyten entwickelt. Jüngste Forschungen haben ferner hoch effiziente Sonden hervorgebracht, die unter physiologischen Bedingungen eine extrem helle Chemilumineszenz zeigen. Dieser Kurzaufsatz soll demonstrieren, dass chemilumineszierende Sonden weit genug entwickelt sind, um schon bald für die Bildgebung lebender Systeme eingesetzt werden zu können.
Medium‐Sized‐Ring Analogues of Dibenzodiazepines by a Conformationally Induced Smiles Ring Expansion
Authors: Costil Romain , Lefebvre Quentin , Clayden Jonathan
Published: October 2017

Analogues of dibenzodiazepines, in which the seven‐membered nitrogen heterocycle is replaced by a 9–12‐membered ring, were made by an unactivated Smiles rearrangement of five‐ to eight‐membered heterocyclic anthranilamides. The conformational preference of the tertiary amide in the starting material leads to intramolecular migration of a range of aryl rings, even those lacking electron‐withdrawing activating groups, and provides a method for n→n+4 ring expansion. The medium‐ring products adopt a chiral ground state with an intramolecular, transannular hydrogen bond. The rate of interconversion of their enantiomeric conformers depends on solvent polarity. Ring size and adjacent steric hindrance modulate this hidden hydrophilicity, thus making this scaffold a good candidate for drug development.
A Glowing Trajectory between Bio‐ and Chemiluminescence: From Luciferin‐Based Probes to Triggerable Dioxetanes
Authors: Hananya Nir , Shabat Doron
Published: October 2017

Bioluminescent and chemiluminescent probes are widely used for noninvasive imaging applications because of their high sensitivity and the simplicity of the equipment required to perform the measurement. Synthetic luciferin‐analogue probes with in vivo imaging performance better than that of luciferin are now available. In addition, caged luciferin‐based bioluminogenic probes have been emerged as a general tool for the visualization of different enzymes and analytes in vivo. Recent discoveries have led to development of highly efficient chemiluminescent probes that are extremely bright under physiological conditions. As discussed in this Minireview, chemiluminescence is ready to realize its potential as a valuable tool for imaging in living systems.
Catalytic Asymmetric [8+2] Annulation Reactions Promoted by a Recyclable Immobilized Isothiourea
Authors: Wang Shoulei , Rodríguez‐Escrich Carles , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: October 2017

Higher‐order cycloaddition reactions constitute an efficient approach towards the construction of medium to large ring systems. However, enantioselective versions of these transformations remain scarce, which hampers their deployment in medicinal chemistry, or any other discipline in which homochirality is deemed crucial. Herein, we report a novel method for the production of enantiomerically enriched cycloheptatrienes fused to a pyrrolidone ring on the basis of an isothiourea‐catalyzed periselective [8+2] cycloaddition reaction between chiral ammonium enolates (generated in situ from carboxylic acids) and azaheptafulvenes. The resulting bicyclic compounds can be hydrogenated, but, most remarkably, they can also undergo completely regioselective [4+2] cycloaddition with active dienophiles to give architecturally complex polycyclic compounds in a straightforward manner.
Synthesis of Arylamines via Aminium Radicals
Authors: Svejstrup Thomas D. , Ruffoni Alessandro , Juliá Fabio , Aubert Valentin M. , Leonori Daniele
Published: October 2017

Arylamines constitute the core structure of many therapeutic agents, agrochemicals, and organic materials. The development of methods for the efficient and selective construction of these structural motifs from simple building blocks is desirable but still challenging. We demonstrate that protonated electron‐poor O‐aryl hydroxylamines give aminium radicals in the presence of Ru(bpy)3Cl2. These highly electrophilic species undergo polarized radical addition to aromatic compounds in high yield and selectivity. We successfully applied this method to the late‐stage modification of chiral catalyst templates, therapeutic agents, and natural products.
Synthesis of C3‐Methyl‐Substituted Pyrroloindolines and Furoindolines via Cascade Dearomatization of Indole Derivatives with Methyl Iodide
Authors: Yi Ji‐Cheng , Liu Chuan , Dai Li‐Xin , You Shu‐Li
Published: October 2017

A highly efficient method for constructing C3‐methyl‐substituted pyrroloindolines and furoindolines via cascade dearomatization reaction of indole derivatives with methyl iodide was developed. This protocol offers a direct approach to a wide range of C3 methyl substituted pyrroloindolines under mild conditions. The utility of this method was further demonstrated in the concise synthesis of (±)‐esermethol.
Application of quinone‐based fluorophore and native fluorescence for the spectrofluorimetric determination of agomelatine in dosage form: Identification of acidic and alkaline‐ induced degradation products by LC–MS/TOF
Authors: Ibrahim Fawzia , El‐Deen Asmaa Kamal , Shimizu Kuniyoshi
Published: October 2017

Three spectrofluorimetric methods were developed for agomelatine (AGM) determination in commercial tablets. Method A is based on measuring the native fluorescence of AGM aqueous solution at 230/360 nm. Methods B and C are based on the formation of a charge transfer complex between AGM and 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DDQ) and 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) with measurement of the formed fluorophore at 365/475 nm and 250/304 nm, respectively. The relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of AGM–DDQ complex was greatly enhanced in the presence of methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (CD). The methods were linear over the concentration ranges of 0.015–0.5, 0.5–8.0, 0.09–6.0 and 0.05–0.2 μg/ml for AGM‐native fluorescence, AGM–DDQ, AGM–DDQ–CD and AGM–TCNQ complexes, respectively with excellent correlation coefficients (r = 0.9999). The methods were validated as per the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines and all validation requirements were satisfied. The developed methods were extended to the analysis of AGM in commercial tablets. Furthermore, the stability of AGM was studied under different stress conditions (alkaline, acidic, oxidative and photolytic). The potential alkaline and acidic degradation products were identified by LC–MS/TOF.
Differential expression of microRNAs in TM3 Leydig cells of mice treated with brain‐derived neurotrophic factor
Authors: Gao Shan , Li Chunjin , Xu Ying , Chen Shuxiong , Zhao Yun , Chen Lu , Jiang Yanwen , Liu Zhuo , Fan Rong , Sun Liting , Wang Fengge , Zhu Xiaoling , Zhang Jing , Zhou Xu
Published: October 2017

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that can promote the development and proliferation of neurons. BDNF has been found to be involved in male reproduction. Leydig cells in testicular interstitial tissues can secrete testosterone in a luteinizing hormone‐dependent manner. We showed that BDNF and its receptor TrkB were expressed in mice TM3 Leydig cells in the present study. Furthermore, BDNF can promote proliferation of mouse TM3 Leydig cells in vitro. Results of microRNA (miRNA) deep sequencing showed that BDNF can alter the expression profile of miRNAs in TM3 Leydig cells. Eighty‐three miRNAs were significantly different in the BDNF‐treated and control groups (fold change of >2.0 or <0.5, P < 0.05) wherein 40 were upregulated and 43 were downregulated. The expression levels of miR‐125a‐5p, miR‐22‐5p, miR‐342‐59, miR‐451a, miR‐148a‐5p, miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐199b‐5p, and miR‐145a‐5p were further confirmed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miRNAs regulated a large number of genes with different functions. Pathway analysis indicated that miRNAs participate in the pathways involved in signal transduction, cancer, metabolism, endocrine system, immune system, and nerve system. This study indicated that miRNAs might be involved in the BDNF‐regulated cellular functions of Leydig cells.
Synthesis and Structure Determination of Large‐Pore Zeolite SCM‐14
Authors: Luo Yi , Smeets Stef , Peng Fei , Etman Ahmed S. , Wang Zhendong , Sun Junliang , Yang Weimin
Published: October 2017

SCM‐14 (Sinopec Composite Material No. 14), a new stable germanosilicate zeolite with a 12×8×8‐ring channel system, was synthesized using commercially available 4‐pyrrolidinopyridine as organic structure‐directing agents (OSDAs) in fluoride medium. The framework structure of SCM‐14 was determined using rotation electron diffraction (RED), and refined against synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction (SXPD) data for both as‐made and calcined materials. The framework structure of SCM‐14 is closely related to that of three known zeolites: mordenite (MOR), GUS‐1 (GON), and IM‐16 (UOS). SCM‐14 has the same projection as that of mordenite and GUS‐1 when viewed along the 12‐ring channels, and possesses two more straight 8‐ring channels running perpendicular to the 12‐ring channels. The structure of SCM‐14 can be constructed by either the same layers as that of GUS‐1 or the same columns as that of IM‐16. Based on their structural relationship, three topologically reasonable hypothetical zeolites were predicted.
Unprecedented One‐Pot Reaction towards Chiral, Non‐Racemic Copper(I) Complexes of [2.2]Paracyclophane‐Based P,N‐Ligands
Authors: Braun Carolin , Nieger Martin , Bräse Stefan
Published: October 2017

Herein, we report a simple one‐pot route to enantiopure copper(I) complexes featuring a unique [2.2]paracyclophane‐based P,N‐ligand system. Phosphine and pyridine moieties can be varied allowing the modular synthesis of these rigid and stable [2.2]paracyclophane‐based P,N‐ligands. These P,N‐ligands are a new ligand class for different transition‐metal complexes, which is shown exemplarily for palladium(II).
Deciphering Structure–Activity Relationships in a Series of 2,2‐Dimethylchromans Acting as Inhibitors of Insulin Release and Smooth Muscle Relaxants
Authors: Pirotte Bernard , Florence Xavier , Goffin Eric , Lebrun Philippe
Published: October 2017

4,6‐Disubstituted 2,2‐dimethylchromans are reported as pharmacologically active compounds that mainly target the ATP‐sensitive potassium channels. The present study is an attempt to characterize the impact of the nature of substituents introduced at the 4‐ and 6‐positions of 2,2‐dimethylchromans on their capacities to inhibit insulin release from pancreatic β‐cells or to relax vascular smooth muscle cells, both biological responses that are supposed to reflect interaction with specific ion channels. From the core structure 4‐amino‐2,2‐dimethylchroman, a progressive increase in the steric hindrance of the chemical functionalities introduced at the 4‐position (amino, formamido, acetamido, arylureido/thioureido) and at the 6‐position (amino, formamido, acetamido, alkoxycarbonylamino) led to a progressive magnification of the inhibitory effect on the insulin release process and, to a lesser extent, of the vasorelaxant activity. Moreover, the dextrorotatory enantiomer of 2,2‐dimethylchroman compound 29 was more potent than its levorotatory counterpart for inhibiting the insulin secretory process. Additional pharmacological investigations suggested, however, that the myorelaxant activity of 11 and 15 resulted from a direct Ca2+ entry blockade.
Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution of NiCoP/g‐C3N4 with Improved Separation Efficiency and Charge Transfer Efficiency
Authors: Bi Lingling , Gao Xupeng , Zhang Lijing , Wang Dejun , Zou Xiaoxin , Xie Tengfeng
Published: October 2017

Although NiCoP has attracted much attention in the field of electrocatalysis, the study of its photocatalytic activity and mechanism have been somewhat limited. NiCoP/g‐C3N4, synthesized by simple one‐pot method, is a highly efficient photocatalyst for hydrogen production from water. NiCoP/g‐C3N4 exhibits a hydrogen evolution rate of 1643 μmol h−1 g−1, which is 21 times higher than that of bare g‐C3N4. The excellent performance is due to a combination of improved separation efficiency and effective charge transfer efficiency. The photogenerated charge behavior is characterized by the surface photovoltage (SPV), transient photovoltage (TPV), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The photogenerated charge transport is investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curve. Moreover, the effective charge transfer efficiency was measured according to the mimetic apparent quantum yield. SPV and TPV measurements, whereby 10 vol % of a triethanolamine–water mixture was added into the testing system, were taken to simulate the real atmosphere for photocatalytic reaction, which can give rise to the photogenerated charge transfer process. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was also proposed. This study may provide an efficient theoretical basis to design transition metal phosphide cocatalyst‐modified photocatalysts.
LC–MS/MS method for quantification of baclofen in hair: A useful tool to assess compliance in alcohol dependent patients?
Authors: Larabi I.A. , Fabresse N. , Knapp A. , Forcet M. , Baud F.J. , Lorin de la Grandmaison G. , Alvarez J.C.
Published: October 2017

To evaluate adherence to treatment, we developed and validated a novel liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for baclofen quantification in hair.Twenty mg was washed twice with dichloromethane, incubated in phosphate buffer (pH 5) for 10 minutes at 95°C, then extracted by liquid‐liquid extraction in alkaline condition. Baclofen‐d4 was used as the internal standard. This method was applied to assess compliance in4 treated alcohol‐dependent patients (3 dead and one living). Blood quantification of baclofen and ethanol were performed in the 4 cases. Hair ethylglucuronide (ethanol metabolite, EtG) measurement (2x3 cm) was associated in 1 patient. Baclofen quantification in hair was validated over the range 10–5000 pg/mg. The accuracy was within 96.0%–110.9% and the precision was less than 9.3%. Baclofen segmental (3x2cm) hair concentrations found in the living patient were 4420, 4260, and 4380 pg/mg, reflecting a regular exposure over the last 6 months and suggesting patient compliance. However, the high EtG level found in this patient in the analyzed segments (225 pg/mg and 215 pg/mg) showed excessive alcohol consumption during the same period, suggesting therapeutic failure. In the 3 deceased patients, the non‐segmental analysis of hair showed baclofen concentrations of 15, 545, and 2475 pg/mg. The low concentrations in the 2 first cases are compatible either with a poor compliance or to a beginning of a treatment. This is the first measurement of baclofen in hair of alcohol dependent patients. It could be used as a monitoring biomarker to assess patient's compliance.
The association between high‐dose loop diuretic use at discharge and cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure
Authors: Okabe Toshitaka , Yakushiji Tadayuki , Kido Takehiko , Oyama Yuji , Igawa Wataru , Ono Morio , Ebara Seitaro , Yamashita Kennosuke , Yamamoto Myong Hwa , Saito Shigeo , Amemiya Kisaki , Isomura Naoei , Ochiai Masahiko
Published: October 2017

Aims

Few studies have reported the impact of high‐dose loop diuretics at discharge on prognosis in Japanese patients with heart failure (HF). Our purpose was to assess the relationship between the dose of loop diuretics at discharge and cardiovascular mortality in patients with HF.

Methods and results

We enrolled decompensated HF patients who were admitted to our hospital between March 2010 and March 2015, and compared HF patients who received high‐dose loop diuretics at discharge (HD group) with low‐dose loop diuretics at discharge (LD group) with regard to risk of cardiovascular mortality, and all‐cause mortality. High‐dose loop diuretic was defined as ≥40 mg/day of oral furosemide at discharge. A total of 215 patients were enrolled to the study. The median follow‐up duration was 641 days. All‐cause and cardiovascular mortality were significantly lower in the LD group than in the HD group (10.4% vs. 31.6%, P < 0.001; 2.2% vs. 24.6%, P < 0.001, respectively). High‐dose loop diuretics were associated with cardiovascular mortality in multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 16.06, 95% confidence interval 3.457 to 116.8; P < 0.001). The largest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.85) for cardiovascular death was obtained with a threshold of 40 mg furosemide.

Conclusions

High‐dose loop diuretic use at discharge was one of the predictors of cardiovascular mortality in patients with HF. An oral furosemide dose of 40 mg daily may be defined as ‘high‐dose’ loop diuretics in Japanese patients with chronic HF.
Circulating proteins as predictors of incident heart failure in the elderly
Authors: Stenemo Markus , Nowak Christoph , Byberg Liisa , Sundström Johan , Giedraitis Vilmantas , Lind Lars , Ingelsson Erik , Fall Tove , Ärnlöv Johan
Published: October 2017

Aims

To identify novel risk markers for incident heart failure using proteomic profiling of 80 proteins previously associated with cardiovascular pathology.

Methods and results

Proteomic profiling (proximity extension assay) was performed in two community‐based prospective cohorts of elderly individuals without heart failure at baseline: the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors [PIVUS, n = 901, median age 70.2 (interquartile range 70.0–70.3) years, 80 events]; and the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men [ULSAM, n = 685, median age 77.8 (interquartile range 76.9–78.1) years, 90 events]. Twenty‐nine proteins were associated with incident heart failure in the discovery cohort PIVUS after adjustment for age and sex, and correction for multiple testing. Eighteen associations replicated in ULSAM. In pooled analysis of both cohorts, higher levels of nine proteins were associated with incident heart failure after adjustment for established risk factors: growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15), T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM‐1), tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand receptor 2 (TRAIL‐R2), spondin‐1 (SPON1), matrix metalloproteinase‐12 (MMP‐12), follistatin (FS), urokinase‐type plasminogen activator surface receptor (U‐PAR), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2). Of these, GDF‐15, U‐PAR, MMP‐12, TRAIL‐R2, SPON1 and FS were associated with worsened echocardiographic left ventricular systolic function at baseline, while only TIM‐1 was positively associated with worsened diastolic function (P < 0.02 for all).

Conclusion

Proteomic profiling identified several novel associations between proteins involved in apoptosis, inflammation, matrix remodelling, and fibrinolysis with incident heart failure in elderly individuals. Our results encourage additional studies investigating the underlying mechanisms and the clinical utility of our findings.
Antioxidant Capacity and Total Phenol Content in Hop and Malt Commercial Samples
Authors: Oliveira Neto Jerônimo Raimundo , Lopes de Macêdo Isaac Yves , Lopes de Oliveira Naiara Raica , de Queiroz Ferreira Rafael , de Souza Gil Eric
Published: October 2017

The antioxidant properties of commercial hops and malted barley were evaluated by electroanalytical methods and compared with spectrophotometric methods. Hop group showed better antioxidant capacity and total phenols content (TPC) values than malt group. The highest electrochemical Index (EI) was observed for HCO hop sample. Electrochemical Index (EI) showed a good Pearson correlation with ABTS (2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid)), DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl), and TPC, being of 0.85, 0.77 and 0.86 respectively for hop samples. While for the malt samples were 0.96, 0.69 and 0.49, respectively. The samples were compared to each other within each group and statistical differences can be observed, p<0.05. Therefore, the electroanalytical tools showed to be practical and easy to evaluate the antioxidant properties of hop and malt samples. The results may contribute to the selection of raw material for brewing and therefore with the quality of one of beverage one most consumed around the world.
Development of Catalyst‐Enhanced Sodium Alanate as an Advanced Hydrogen‐Storage Material for Mobile Applications
Authors: Liu Yongfeng , Ren Zhuanghe , Zhang Xin , Jian Ni , Yang Yaxiong , Gao Mingxia , Pan Hongge
Published: October 2017

As a prototypical high‐capacity complex hydride, sodium alanate (NaAlH4) has attracted significant attention because of its favorable thermodynamics and the potential low cost of its raw materials (NaH and Al). However, a high desorption temperature and slow kinetics preclude its practical use, particularly in mobile applications. The introduction of appropriate catalysts has been demonstrated to reduce the operating temperature and to improve the reversibility of hydrogen storage in NaAlH4 effectively. In this Review, we survey the development of various catalytic additives and their effects on the hydrogen‐storage behavior of NaAlH4. First, the basic physical and chemical characteristics of NaAlH4 and its catalyst‐doping methods are briefly summarized. Then, the catalytically enhanced hydrogen‐storage properties and the corresponding mechanistic understanding are highlighted. Finally, the remaining challenges and the directions of future research efforts are discussed.
Structural breaks and volatility forecasting in the copper futures market
Authors: Gong Xu , Lin Boqiang
Published: October 2017

This paper examines whether structural breaks contain incremental information for forecasting the volatility of copper futures. Considering structural breaks in volatility, we develop four heterogeneous autoregressive (HAR) models based on classical or latest HAR‐type models. Subsequently, we apply these models to forecast volatility in the copper futures market. The empirical results reveal that our models exhibit better in‐sample and out‐of‐sample performances than classical or latest HAR‐type models. This suggests that structural breaks contain incremental prediction information for the volatility of copper futures. More importantly, we argue that considering structural breaks can improve the performances of most of existing HAR‐type models.

Highlights

There are many structural break points in return volatility of the copper futures.

We propose 12 new heterogeneous autoregressive models.

Our models outperform the existing heterogeneous autoregressive models.

Structural breaks contain additional ex ante information for volatility forecasting.

The ex ante information is obvious in forecasting mid‐ and long‐term volatilities.
Raman mapping of the S3− chromophore in degraded ultramarine blue paints
Authors: Cato Eleanor , Scherrer Nadim , Ferreira Ester S.B.
Published: October 2017

A specific case of degradation was observed in synthetic ultramarine paint within 3 paintings from the early 20th century, manifesting as an intricate pattern of white lines criss‐crossing the blue paint surface. Raman spectroscopy can be performed directly on untreated sample surfaces and is sensitive to the colour components in ultramarine (S3− and S2− chromophores). This method was chosen to map the chromophore intensity distribution and to relate it to the surface degradation pattern. Raman signal intensity, however, decreases when the laser is out of focus, providing a challenge when mapping signal intensity across rough or undulating surfaces. To account for this, a series of experiments was conducted to determine the laser and objective combination least sensitive to changes in surface topography. The optimal settings were found to be the 785‐nm excitation wavelength with the 50× long working distance objective (numerical aperture 0.50). This combination gave the smallest focus‐dependent signal decrease on test samples: When shifted 5 μm out of focus above or below the sample surface, the signal from the same spot showed a decrease of 7% only. Maps of the blue (S3−) chromophore signal at 548 cm−1 taken from 3 samples showed a clear decrease in intensity on the degraded white lines. Patterns of signal intensity distribution matched well with the optical degradation pattern. From this observation, in conjunction with previous surface characterisation reported elsewhere, it was concluded that the surface phenomenon was indeed a discolouration of the ultramarine pigment, caused by a reduction in the concentration of the chromophore.
Impact of cultural distance on international destination choices: The case of Chinese outbound travelers
Authors: Bi Juan , Lehto Xinran Y.
Published: October 2017

Given the rapid growth of China outbound market, research pertaining to the specificities of this market bears significance to destination marketers and academicians. The focus of this research is on the impact of cultural distance on outbound tourist destination choices with Chinese travelers as the case in point. Based on outbound tourism statistics of China over the 1995–2014 periods, this research has developed an inverted U‐curve model to account for the relationship between cultural distance and tourists' destination choice. Results show that the optimal cultural distance for Chinese outbound tourists' destination choice is 2.8757. Through evaluating the positions, potential destinations are located relative to the optimal cultural distance. The preference tourists place on potential destinations can be measured. This research bears valuable theoretical contributions and implications for destination marketing practices.
Transformation Optics: From Classic Theory and Applications to its New Branches
Authors: Sun Fei , Zheng Bin , Chen Hongsheng , Jiang Wei , Guo Shuwei , Liu Yichao , Ma Yungui , He Sailing
Published: October 2017

In the modern world, the ability to manipulate and control electromagnetic waves has greatly changed people's lives. Novel optical and electromagnetic phenomena and devices will lead to new scientific trends and techniques in the future. The exploration of new theories of optical design and new materials for optical engineering has attracted great attention in recent years. Transformation optics (TO) provides a new way to design optical devices with extraordinary predesigned functions such as invisibility cloaks and electromagnetic wormholes. As the development of artificial electromagnetic media (e.g. metamaterials and metasurfaces) progresses, many of these novel optical devices designed by TO have been experimentally demonstrated and used in specific applications. Starting from the basic theory of transformation optics, we review its applications, extensions, new branches and recent developments in this paper.
Effect of equal channel angular pressing on thermal and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube/high density polyethylene composite
Authors: Mokarizadeh Haghighi Shirazi Majid , Zebarjad Seyed Mojtaba , Ebrahimi Ramin
Published: October 2017

High density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposite reinforced with 2 weight percent carbon nanotube (CNT) was fabricated using mechanical milling method. Microscopic evaluations revealed appropriate dispersion of CNTs in the matrix, and tensile tests demonstrated that the tensile strength was increased by 17%. Thermal and mechanical properties of the composite samples were investigated after equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) for up to 3 passes via route A at temperature of 80°C. Density and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results represented decrement in crystallinity after ECAP which was led to drop in hardness and tensile yield strength of the deformed samples. Micro Vickers and Shore D hardness results also revealed clear anisotropy in mechanical properties caused by ECAP. Dilatometry results and observation of the impact fractured surfaces of deformed samples demonstrated that oriented structures formed in amorphous and crystalline regions of the composite. This microstructure evolution also caused increase in impact strength of ECAP deformed specimens. Dynamic mechanical behavior of the processed samples was modified following ECAP. The α and γ relaxation temperatures were decreased due to the reduction of thickness of crystalline lamella obtained from DSC results, in 1 pass ECAP deformed sample. Dynamic storage and loss modulus of 3 passes ECAP deformed samples were significantly decreased due to the sharp drop in their crystallinity.
Nitrogen and water inputs to tomato plant do not trigger bottom‐up effects on a leafminer parasitoid through host and non‐host exposures
Authors: Dong Yong‐Cheng , Han Peng , Niu Chang‐Ying , Zappalà Lucia , Amiens‐Desneux Edwige , Bearez Philippe , Lavoir Anne‐Violette , Biondi Antonio , Desneux Nicolas
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Bottom‐up and top‐down forces are major components of biological control against pests in an agro‐ecosystem. Understanding the multi‐trophic interactions between plants and secondary consumers would help optimize pest control strategies. We manipulated nitrogen and/or water inputs to tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) to test whether these manipulations could trigger bottom‐up effects on the parasitoid Necremnus tutae via host (Tuta absoluta) and/or non‐host (Bemisia tabaci) exposures, and compared the control efficacy of N. tutae on T. absoluta in the presence and absence of B. tabaci.

RESULTS

The results showed no cascading effects of plant nitrogen and/or water inputs on N. tutae via either host or non‐host exposure. The bottom‐up force was mitigated by chewing or sap‐feeding insect consumers at the second energy level. By contrast, the top‐down force on T. absoluta from parasitoids was enhanced by an additionally provided non‐host, which could produce alternative food sources extending N. tutae longevity and enhancing the fitness of its offspring.

CONCLUSION

Our results provided evidence for the combination of bottom‐up and top‐down approaches in tomato integrated pest management programs. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A basic theory of inheritance: How bad practice prevails
Authors: Vermeulen Freek
Published: October 2017

Research Summary

This paper develops an inheritance theory explaining the diffusion and persistence of detrimental management practice. Received wisdom, in both management theory and practice, would suggest that a practice that lowers the life expectancy of adopting firms, over time, will vanish because it puts those firms at a competitive disadvantage. In this paper, I challenge this view. I develop a conceptual model that details how a practice that lowers the survival chances of adopting organizations may still spread and continue to exist across a population of firms. I propose that a combination of three basic conditions is sufficient to bring about this phenomenon: if the practice is somehow associated with success, if there exists causal ambiguity, and if the rate of its diffusion is high compared with the rate at which it accelerates firms’ demise, the practice may continue to thrive and become a widespread and persistent feature in an industry. A pivotal conceptual insight is that the endurance of particular management practices and strategies is not merely a corollary of the competitiveness of the organizations that use them but that they have fitness levels of their own.

Managerial Summary

All organizations have “best practices”: habits that they have picked up in the past or mimicked from others. Managers often believe that these must be the best ways of doing things, because otherwise market forces would have eliminated them. The theory in the paper explains why this belief may be wrong. Some enduring practices may be harmful without managers realizing it because it is not necessarily the most optimal practices that survive (just like harmful viruses persist in nature). As a corollary, the paper discusses how the identification and cessation of detrimental practices can form a new source of and way to understand innovation.
Government's green grip: Multifaceted state influence on corporate environmental actions in China
Authors: Wang Ruxi , Wijen Frank , Heugens Pursey P.M.A.R.
Published: October 2017

Research summary: Emerging economies such as China enjoy economic expansion, but also face dramatic environmental challenges. China's government is a central actor in both stimulating economic activities and pursuing environmental protection. Drawing on panel data and in‐depth interviews, we examined the influence of the Chinese state at multiple levels on the environmental actions of publicly listed firms. The results show that corporate environmental actions follow an inverted U‐shape as control of environmental practices moves from the central government to the most decentral administrative level. This curvilinear relationship is positively moderated by the stringency of environmental regulation and negatively moderated by environmental monitoring capacity. We conclude that state influence on corporate environmental actions in China is multifaceted and subject to “policy‐policy decoupling.”

Managerial summary: As China's environmental awareness is growing, the country's government is increasingly concerned with the question as to how it can improve the environmental performance of the firms it controls. Our evidence shows the concurrence of two contravening government influences on corporate environmental practices: a performance‐enhancing effect of the regulatory pressure by multiple authorities and a performance‐diminishing effect of the autonomy enjoyed by local governments. Both the most centrally and the most decentrally controlled firms in China show significantly weaker environmental performance than those controlled by intermediary levels of government. The stringency of sectorial environmental regulation and environmental monitoring capacity affect the strength of the Chinese government's green grip.
The growth of the firm: An attention‐based view
Authors: Joseph John , Wilson Alex J.
Published: October 2017

Research summary: Although most theories of growth presume that growth varies with the focus and limits of managerial attention, the actual role played by attention has remained largely implicit. In contrast, this article explicitly considers attention structure and the processes that place sustained focus on growth issues. We explain how attention structure—specialized attention within a particular unit and integrated attention between units—affects both bottom‐up (stimulus‐driven) and top‐down (schema‐driven) attentional processing of new issues. We also examine the relationship between attention structure and divisional interdependencies, identifying conditions under which different attentional patterns generate organizational tensions that lead to architectural elaboration: the delineation of new organizational units. This logic is illustrated with examples from Motorola, a large telecommunications equipment provider, during a period of sustained growth. In linking theories of growth with the attention‐based view (ABV), we augment both perspectives and offer an approach that provides a better understand growth's cognitive underpinnings.

Managerial summary: We examine how, within a multi‐divisional firm, the pattern of organizational attention affects firm growth. We highlight the attention focus within and between divisions and the corporate office and specific processes that shape the intensity and direction of attention in the firm's constituent units. In particular, we examine how corporate interventions, appointment of managerial resources, prototyping, and corporate charters direct managerial attention and the identification and advancement new opportunities in support of growth. Our approach also considers how attention patterns and formal organizational structure interact to cause tensions between managers, and when these tensions lead to the delineation of new subunits. To illustrate our logic, we use examples drawn from Motorola, a large telecommunications equipment provider, during a period of sustained growth. Our approach offers managers insights into attentional design of the multi‐divisional firm.
African American Financial Socialization
Authors: Hudson Crystal , Young John , Anong Sophia , Hudson Elania , Davis Edward
Published: October 2017

Financial socialization, or who and how individuals were influenced financially, while growing up, has an impact on their current financial literacy and well-being. Little is known about African Americans’ financial socialization, so this study explored their financial socialization through the best and brightest of the community-educated African Americans; and then determine if the way in which they were socialized has an impact on their financial knowledge. The African American community is a heterogeneous community and differences in education levels would probably produce differences in financial outcomes. Primary data and 2015 FINRA survey data were used in this study. This study found that participants’ top three financial influences were parents, followed by life experiences, and then formal influences. Furthermore, those who were financial socialization by self-directed influences were more likely to be more financially knowledgeable than those who were financially socialized by other informal influences.