bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased 5‐hydroxymethylation levels in the hippocampus of rat extinguished from cocaine self‐administration
Authors: Sadakierska‐Chudy Anna , Frankowska Małgorzata , Wydra Karolina , Jastrzębska Joanna , Miszkiel Joanna , Filip Małgorzata
Published: April 2017

Drug craving and relapse risk during abstinence from cocaine are thought to be caused by persistent changes in transcription and chromatin regulation. Although several brain regions are involved in these processes, the hippocampus seems to play an important role in context‐evoked craving and drug‐seeking behavior. Only a few studies have examined epigenetic alterations during a period of cocaine abstinence. To investigate the effects of cocaine abstinence on DNA methylation and gene expression, rats that self‐administered the drug underwent cocaine abstinence in two time points with extinction training. During the cocaine extinction, we observed elevated global 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine(5‐hmC) levels with a concurrent increase in Tet3 transcript levels. Moreover, we did not find significant alterations in the levels of Tet3 mRNA and 5‐hmC in rats subjected to cocaine abstinence without extinction training. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the expression of Tet3 target genes was activated. Besides, altered DNA methylation was detected at promoter regions of miRNAs, such as miR‐30d and miR‐let7i. Further in silico analysis provided evidence that these two molecules targeted the 3′ UTR region of the Tet3 gene and thus may contribute to its post‐transcriptional regulation. This study has presented novel findings in the hippocampus of rats that underwent extinction training following cocaine self‐administration. The alterations in the Tet3 gene expression and the level of 5‐hmC may play an important role in extinction learning and the reduction of subsequent cocaine seeking.
Intraperitoneal gardiquimod protects against hepatotoxicity through inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation in mice with sepsis
Authors: Guo Suqian , Zhang Yu , Wang Zhifen , Yu Yonghao , Wang Guolin
Published: April 2017

Many reports recapitulate the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) over‐accumulation to the organ damage; it is of significance to strictly target ROS production. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of TLR7 agonist gardiquimod (GDQ) in oxidative stress (OS) in liver injury induced by sepsis. Here, we observed that intraperitoneal pretreatment with GDQ dramatically elevated the septic survival rate and effectively attenuated the septic liver injury. Interestingly, the increased ROS and inflammatory factor IL‐6 levels were reversed after GDQ intervention. Subsequently, Western blot was employed to determine the definite mechanism. As expected, it was showed that the upregulation of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK)/c‐Jun pathway in liver of septic animals was considerably suppressed by GDQ pre‐exposure. Our current result highlight that pre‐administration of GDQ ameliorated sepsis induced hepatotoxicity and reduced the generation of IL‐6 and OS responses, which was associated with downregulation of JNK/c‐Jun pathway. Our strategies might be ultimately beneficial in mitigating liver injury symptom.
Exosomes Transfer Among Different Species Cells and Mediating miRNAs Delivery
Authors: Zhou Yueyuan , Tian Tian , Zhu Yanliang , Jaffar Ali Doulathunnisa , Hu Feihu , Qi Yuhua , Sun Bo , Xiao Zhongdang
Published: April 2017

Exosomes, the natural vehicles of intercellular communication, transfer proteins, mRNAs, and microRNAs (miRNAs) and mediate many physiological and pathological processes. It is not clear that whether exosomal miRNAs could regulate gene expression across species, though some studies suggest interactions of exosomal miRNAs between cells. In this report, we have isolated exosomes from rat PC12 cells and assessed their internalization by human cancer Hela cells. The internalized exosomes were located in Hela lysosomes. Human PTEN expression was significantly deregulated due to miR‐21 delivered by rat cell exosomes. Our results prove that exosomes could incorporate between cells of different species and could regulate the protein expressions in the recipient cells by delivering the enclosed miRNAs. Thus our study foreshadows a futuristic treatment approach of utilizing miRNA enclosed exosome vehicles sans species concerns in combating various diseases/ regulating abnormal proteins. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4267–4274, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic variants as potential predictive biomarkers in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Bahrami Afsane , Amerizadeh Forouzan , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , ShahidSales Soodabeh , Khazaei Majid , Maftouh Mina , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Ferns Gordon A. , Avan Amir
Published: April 2017

Chemotherapy regimen containing oxaliplatin is often the first‐line treatment for patient with advanced colorectal cancer. Oxaliplatin binds to DNA, leading to the formation of crosslinks and bulky adducts. Approximately 50% of patients with CRC benefit from treatment with oxaliplatin. It is possible that genetic variants in biological pathways involved in drug transportation, drug metabolism, DNA damage repair, and cell cycle modulation might affect the activity, or efficacy of oxaliplatin. Because oxaliplatin resistance may be related to these genetic variants and may therefore be an important reason for treatment failure, we have summarized the genetic variations that have been reported to be predictive markers of the response to oxaliplatin based therapy in patients with advanced CRC.
Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell differentiation towards myeloid lineage is modulated by LIGHT/LIGHT receptor signaling
Authors: Chen Weikai , Lv Xin , Liu Changlong , Chen Ruoping , Liu Jianhe , Dai Haiyan , Zou Gang‐Ming
Published: April 2017

The cytokine LT‐related inducible ligand that competes for glycoprotein D binding to herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells (LIGHT) is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. It is expressed primarily on activated T lymphocytes, and detectable on monocytes, granulocytes, and immune dendritic cells. It mainly plays a role in immune regulation including T cell activation and dendritic cell maturation. We recently reported its role as an inducer in embryonic stem cell differentiation, but its role in regulation of adult stem cell has not been defined. In the present study, we examined the expression of LIGHT receptor in Lin−c‐kit+Sca‐1+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSC/HPCs). We found that HSC express HVEM, a LIGHT receptor, on its surface. We further identified the role of LIGHT in promoting myeloid differentiation of HSCs driven by granulocyte‐monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM‐CSF). Further studies showed that LIGHT enhances both GM‐CSF and GM‐CSF receptor (GM‐CSFR) expression in HSCs. LIGHT stimulation increases PU.1 expression in HSC/HPCs. In vivo administration of LIGHT increases the colony‐forming unit‐granulocyte/monocyte (CFU‐GM) colony formation and plasma GM‐CSF level. Altogether, the data suggest LIGHT promote myeloid differentiation of HSC/HPCs.
Isorhapontigenin induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis by targeting EGFR‐related pathways in prostate cancer
Authors: Zhu Cuicui , Zhu Qingyi , Wu Zhaomeng , Yin Yingying , Kang Dan , Lu Shan , Liu Ping
Published: April 2017

Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a naturally phytopolyphenol compound existing in Chinese herb, apples, and various vegetables, has attracted extensive interest in recent years for its diverse pharmacological characteristics. Increasing evidences reveal that ISO can inhibit cancer cell growth by induced apoptosis, however, the molecular mechanisms is not fully understood. In this study, we found for the first time that ISO apparently induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis by targeting EGFR and its downstream signal pathways in prostate cancer (PCa) cells both in vitro and in vivo, whereas no obviously effect on normal prostate cells. From the results, we found that ISO competitively targeted EGFR with EGF and inhibited EGFR auto‐phosphorylation, and then decreased the levels of p‐Erk1/2, p‐PI3 K, and p‐AKT, and further induced down‐regulation of p‐FOXO1 and promoted FOXO1 nuclear translocation; and finally resulted in a significantly up‐regulation of Bim/p21/27/Bax/cleaved Caspase‐3/cleaved PARP‐1 and a markedly down‐regulation of Sp1/Bcl‐2/XIAP/Cyclin D1. Moreover, our experimental data demonstrated that treatment of ISO decreased protein level of AR via both inhibiting the expression of AR gene and promoting the ubiquitination/degradation of AR proteins in proteasome. In vivo, we also found that ISO inhibited the growth of subcutaneous xenotransplanted tumor in nude mice by inducing PCa cell growth inhibition and apoptosis. Taken together, all findings here clearly implicated that EGFR‐related signal pathways, including EGFR‐PI3K‐Akt and EGFR‐Erk1/2 pathways, were involved in ISO‐induced cell growth inhibition and apoptosis in PCa cells, providing a more solid theoretical basis for the application of ISO to treat patients with prostate cancer in clinic.
Validating a Virtual Environment for Sexual Assault Victims
Authors: Loranger Claudie , Bouchard Stéphane
Published: April 2017

Virtual reality has shown promising results in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for some traumatic experiences, but sexual assault has been understudied. One important question to address is the relevance and safety of a virtual environment (VE) allowing patients to be progressively exposed to a sexual assault scenario. The aim of this study was to validate such a VE. Thirty women (victims and nonvictims of sexual assault) were randomly assigned in a counter‐balanced order to 2 immersions in a virtual bar: a control scenario where the encounter with the aggressor does not lead to sexual assault and an experimental scenario where the participant is assaulted. Immersions were conducted in a fully immersive 6‐wall system. Questionnaires were administered and psychophysiological measures were recorded. No adverse events were reported during or after the immersions. Repeated‐measures analyses of covariance revealed a significant time effect and significantly more anxiety (Cohen's f = 0.41, large effect size) and negative affect (Cohen's f = 0.35, medium effect size) in the experimental scenario than in the control condition. Given the safety of the scenario and its potential to induce emotions, it can be further tested to document its usefulness with sexual assault victims who suffer from PTSD.
A simplified multivisceral transplantation procedure for patients with combined end‐stage liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Xiao‐Shun , Fu Shun‐Jun , Zhao Qiang , Zhu Xiao‐Feng , Wang Dong‐Ping , Han Ming , Ju Wei‐Qiang , Ma Yi , Jiao Xing‐Yuan , Yuan Xiao‐Peng , Hu An‐Bin , Guo Zhi‐Yong
Published: April 2017

In liver transplant patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), the disease worsens after transplantation because of longterm use of diabetogenic immunosuppressive drugs, making management of those patients a great challenge. The objective of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a simplified multivisceral transplantation (SMT) procedure for the treatment of patients with end‐stage liver disease and concurrent type 2 DM. Forty‐four patients who had pretransplant type 2 DM were included. A total of 23 patients received SMT, and 21 patients received orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Patient and graft survivals, complications, diabetic control, and quality of life (QOL) were retrospectively analyzed in both groups. The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year cumulative patient and graft survival rates were 91.5%, 75.4%, and 75.4% in the SMT group and were 94.4%, 64.4%, and 64.4% in the OLT group, respectively (P = 0.70). Interestingly, 95.7% (22/23) of patients achieved complete remission from DM after SMT compared with 16.7% (3/18) of patients after OLT. The occurrence of biliary complication was significantly higher in the OLT group than that in the SMT group (23.8% versus 0.0%; P = 0.01). Moreover, better QOL was observed in the SMT group than that in the OLT group. In conclusion, the SMT procedure we described here is a safe and viable option for patients with end‐stage live disease and concurrent type 2 DM. This SMT procedure offers excellent transplant outcomes and QOL. Liver Transplantation 23 1161–1170 2017 AASLD.
Novel Metal Ion Removal Method Using Protonated Hydrogel
Authors: Gotoh Takehiko , Nakata Daiki , Ogawa Asuka , Iizawa Takashi
Published: April 2017

Hydrogels based on copolymers of N‐[3‐(dimethylamino)propyl] acrylamide (DMAPAA), N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) and N,N’‐methylenebis(acrylamide) (MBAA) were prepared as selective metal ion removal media. MBAA was used as a crosslinking agent for the DMAPAA and DMAA monomers. Polymerization mixtures were polymerized to create cylindrical shapes. The hydrogels were protonated when they were swelled in water and exhibited higher pH value inside than surrounding water because of Donnan effect. The pH value of the hydrogel could be changed by the concentration of DMAPAA monomers at the preparation. Metal ion removal experiments were carried out by swelling the hydrogels in metal ion aqueous solutions. The metal ions diffused in to the hydrogels to produce metal hydroxide in the hydrogel. The hydrogel with metal hydroxide in them were easily separated from the solution. The removal ratio of the metal increased with increasing the swelling time. The removal amount of the metal in the hydrogel was increased with the concentration of the metal ions in the solution. The selective removal of a certain metal ion from the mixed metal ion solutions was attained by controlling the pH value of the hydrogel. The results obtained here suggest the possibilities of the novel metal ion removal method replacing the coagulation and/or adsorption methods.
Adsorption Properties of Stearyl Acrylate Gel for VOC Observed by QCM‐A
Authors: Seida Yoshimi , Suzuki Takahiro
Published: April 2017

Stearyl acrylate (SA) organogel was synthesized in various solvent systems in this study. The SA gel undergoes an order‐disorder phase transition that is dependent on temperature. The swelling properties of the SA gel were investigated as a function of temperature, for a series of liquid volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The swelling volume of the dry SA gels depended on the octanol‐water partition coefficient (logPow) and vapor density of the VOCs. Dried SA gel did not absorb or swell in water and lower alcohols, which included the gel synthesized in ethanol and oleyl alcohol. The temperature dependence of the phase of the SA gel was observed from a viscoelastic point of view, using a quartz crystal microbalance with admittance analysis (QCM‐A), which was coupled with the gel. The phase behavior of the gel during the temperature scans was identified based on the resonance frequency, fs, and resistance, R, in the QCM oscillation. The adsorption behavior of the SA gel for the series of VOC gases was then investigated using the gel coupled with the QCM as the function of phase of the SA gel. The adsorption properties of the SA gel were also identified using the fs and R from the viewpoint of the viscoelastic phase response of the gel. The difference in adsorption behaviors observed in fs and R, between ordered and disordered phases of the gel, was clarified.
Development of a shear char strength sensing technique to study thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites
Authors: Lewis Jake A. , Jaramillo Manuel H. , Koo Joseph H.
Published: April 2017

Ablative materials, such as thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites (TPUNs) are used as internal insulation materials for solid rocket motors. These TPUNs are thermoplastic elastomer reinforced by montmorillonite nanoclays, carbon nanofibers, and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. When these TPUN materials are exposed to an extreme heat flux, a char layer forms along the surface as it ablates. This research aims to use the newly developed shear strength sensor to evaluate the shear strength of this char layer, a characteristic that is important to evaluate ablative materials. This device consists of a method to apply a transverse loading on a test specimen, while measuring the reaction force and the induced strain. This device was used on several types of TPUN test specimens to demonstrate its effectiveness. As a means to determine which ablative exhibited the best performance, the energy of destruction or the energy of dissipation was developed. The maximum force was also accounted for as a secondary quantity for determining the char shear strength. This new shear char strength sensor is fully automated to ensure that each test is repeatable. This guaranteed reliability when collecting the data and eliminated the potential for human error. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Note: Qualitative degradation of the pesticide coumaphos in solution, controlled aerosol, and solid phases on quaternary ammonium fluoride polymer brushes
Authors: Waynant Kristopher V. , Koo Hyung‐Jun , Zhang Chunjie , Braun Paul V.
Published: April 2017

The article from this special issue was previously published in Polymers for Advanced Technologies, Volume 28, Issue 1, 2017. For completeness we are including the title page of the article below. The full text of the article can be read in Issue 28:1 on Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pat.3861/full
Modeling and optimization of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) nanofibrous proton exchange membranes with response surface methodology
Authors: Sadrjahani Mehdi , Gharehaghaji Ali Akbar , Javanbakht Mehran
Published: April 2017

The morphological control of proton conductive nanofibrous mat used in proton exchange membranes (PEMs) is a key issue to improve proton conductivity of PEMs. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to investigate the morphological characterizations of electrospun sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) nanofibrous membranes. The effects of electrospinning parameters namely solution concentration, applied voltage and tip to collector distance were studied on the average diameter, its standard deviation and the degree of alignment of SPEEK nanofibers. The adequacy of the response surface models was verified by the validation experiments. Optimized conditions were obtained to meet the desired status of collecting more uniform and finer nanofibers with improved alignment. After obtaining the significant factors and optimal test level, an additional optimization was conducted at different take‐up speeds to fabricate high‐grade aligned nanofibers. The resultant nanofibers had the diameter of 107 ± 22 nm at the optimum point which was in good agreement with the predicted response values. The highest degree of alignment was yielded at the take‐up speed of 8.8 m/s with the maximum second‐order orientation parameter of 0.869. Electrochemical spectroscopy analysis showed that the aligning of proton conductive nanofibers improved in‐plane proton conductivity about 67%. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of TiH2 Particle Size and Content on the Underwater Explosion Performance of RDX‐Based Explosives
Authors: Xue Bing , Ma Honghao , Shen Zhaowu , Ren Lijie , Lin Moujin
Published: April 2017

Experiments were conducted to study the underwater explosion performance of titanium hydride/RDX‐based (TiH2/RDX) composite explosive. Cylinder charges with different TiH2 particle sizes and contents were prepared and tested. Explosion parameters like peak overpressure, impulse, shock energy, and bubble energy were analyzed. It was notable that underwater explosion performance of TiH2/RDX composite explosive was promoted by addition of small particle size TiH2 (D50=0.96 μm), in which case increasing TiH2 content also showed a favorable effect. The maximum increments of specific initial shock energy, bubble energy, and total energy were 10.5%, 6.4%, and 7.1% respectively. However, with bigger TiH2 particle sizes (D50=20.78 μm, D50=136.74 μm), the explosion parameters and the TiH2 content showed a negative relationship, which reveals that TiH2 particle size plays an important role in determining the reactivity of TiH2. Meanwhile, the interaction between TiH2 particle size and content was significant.
Androgen receptor‐regulated miRNA‐193a‐3p targets AJUBA to promote prostate cancer cell migration
Authors: Jia Li , Gui Bin , Zheng Dali , Decker Keith F. , Tinay Ilker , Tan Mingyue , Wang Xiaowei , Kibel Adam S.
Published: April 2017

Background Dysregulation of microRNA (miRNA) expression is implicated in cancer development and progression by modulating oncogenes or tumor suppressors at the post‐transcriptional level.

Methods To investigate the role of miRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa) progression, we performed small RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis in androgen‐dependent LNCaP cells and LNCaP‐derived castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) C4‐2B cells. For functional validation, we specifically investigated miR‐193a‐3p, which is highly upregulated in C4‐2B cells and modulated by the androgen receptor (AR). We elucidated the role of miR‐193a‐3p and its downstream target gene in PCa cell migration using biochemical approaches.

Results We identified a subset of differentially expressed miRNAs in C4‐2B cells compared to LNCaP cells. Computational analysis shows that the targets of upregulated miRNAs are significantly associated with downregulated protein‐coding mRNAs in C4‐2B cells. Gene Ontology analysis further reveals that these downregulated mRNAs are significantly enriched in cell‐cell adhesion functions. Downregulation of these miRNA‐targeted genes may change PCa cell motility resulting in the acquisition of metastatic potential. We then focus on miR‐193a‐3p and demonstrate overexpression of miR‐193a‐3p increases cell migration through downregulating its target AJUBA. AJUBA is a LIM domain protein and contributes to the formation and stability of cadherin‐mediated cell‐cell adhesion. Loss of AJUBA enhances PCa migration and downregulation of AJUBA expression is observed in metastatic PCa tumors.

Conclusions Our results suggest a novel AR/miR‐193a‐3p/AJUBA pathway implicated in PCa progression. MiR‐193a‐3p is a potential therapeutic target for metastatic PCa.
Theoretical modeling of detectivity of magnetoelectric magnetic sensor and ultra‐high magnetic detectivity of Metglas/PMNT/Metglas laminates
Authors: Yang Linrong , Ma Jiashuai , Fang Cong , Yao Meng , Di Wenning , Zhao Xiangyong , Luo Haosu
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we proposed the detectivity of magnetoelectric (ME) device and charge mode sensor based on the response and noise models, and developed the detectivity figure of merits (FOMs). From the perspective of signal‐to‐noise ratio, the FOMs clarified the effect of permittivity and dielectric loss of ME material on the detectivity of sensor, and the interaction between the ME material and pre‐amplification. According to the FOMs and guideline, we fabricated the push–pull mode of Metglas/PMNT/Metglas composite with high detectivity FOMs. After being coupled with a self‐made charge amplifier, the sensor showed a high detection capability, as the noise equivalent magnetic induction (NEB) is only 5pT/Hz1/2 at 1 Hz. A comparison between the calculated FOMs and the sensors performance further verified the validaty of the model. At last, we summarized some guidelines for the improvement of materials, structures of the device, and the operating conditions in the sight of detectivity.
Methodology for obtaining wind gusts using Doppler lidar
Authors: Suomi Irene , Gryning Sven‐Erik , O'Connor Ewan J. , Vihma Timo
Published: April 2017

A new methodology is proposed for scaling Doppler lidar observations of wind gusts to make them comparable with those observed at a meteorological mast. Doppler lidars can then be used to measure wind gusts in regions and heights where traditional meteorological mast measurements are not available. This novel method also provides estimates for wind gusts at arbitrary gust durations, including those shorter than the temporal resolution of the Doppler lidar measurements. The input parameters for the scaling method are the measured wind‐gust speed as well as the mean and standard deviation of the horizontal wind speed. The method was tested using WindCube V2 Doppler lidar measurements taken next to a 100 m high meteorological mast. It is shown that the method can provide realistic Doppler lidar estimates of the gust factor, i.e. the ratio of the wind‐gust speed to the mean wind speed. The method reduced the bias in the Doppler lidar gust factors from 0.07 to 0.03 and can be improved further to reduce the bias by using a realistic estimate of turbulence. Wind gust measurements are often prone to outliers in the time series, because they represent the maximum of a (moving‐averaged) horizontal wind speed. To assure the data quality in this study, we applied a filtering technique based on spike detection to remove possible outliers in the Doppler lidar data. We found that the spike detection‐removal method clearly improved the wind‐gust measurements, both with and without the scaling method. Spike detection also outperformed the traditional Doppler lidar quality assurance method based on carrier‐to‐noise ratio, by removing additional unrealistic outliers present in the time series.
Nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis of steroids from gray whale blubber
Authors: Hayden Mary , Bhawal Ruchika , Escobedo John , Harmon Clinton , O'Hara Todd M. , Klein David , San‐Francisco Susan , Zabet‐Moghaddam Masoud , Godard‐Codding Céline A. J.
Published: April 2017

Rationale

Analysis of steroids from precious blubber biopsies obtained from marine mammals, especially endangered species, can provide valuable information on their endocrine status. Challenges with currently used ELISA methodology include lack of absolute quantitation and incompatibility with multiple steroids analysis due to limited biopsy mass. Development of a sensitive, accurate analytical method for this purpose is critical.

Methods

A nanospray liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC/MS/MS) method was validated for sensitive, specific and quantitative analysis of three steroid hormones, without derivatization, extracted from 50 mg blubber samples. Data was acquired with an LTQ XL ion trap mass spectrometer in positive ion mode, using single reaction monitoring. All three steroids were analyzed in a single run. Cholic acid was used as a surrogate internal standard for quantitation due to its steroidal structure and lack of measurable endogenous levels in blubber.

Results

The lowest limits of quantitation for progesterone, testosterone, and hydrocortisone were significantly improved compared to previous studies using conventional LC/MS/MS. The lowest limit of detection was 7 fg/μL using a 1 μL injection volume. Calibration curves for steroid quantification showed good linearity (r2 >0.99) between 14 and 3620 fg/μL, and accuracy was <20% for interday and <10% for intraday. After validation, the method was successfully applied to quantification of steroids in gray whale blubber samples.

Conclusions

The nanoLC/MS/MS method is more sensitive than traditional LC/MS/MS for steroid analysis. It is also compatible with other important biopsy analyses due to its small blubber mass requirement. This will benefit the reproductive and stress assessments for all marine mammals, particularly endangered populations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic Analysis of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) Performed with a Cobalt‐Phosphate Electrocatalyst
Authors: Sonwalkar Hanumantrao S. , Haram Santosh K.
Published: April 2017

Cobalt Phosphate is among the important class of non‐precious electro catalyst studied extensively for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER). Herein, we used force convection controlled hydrodynamic method to estimate the kinetic parameters of OER on cobalt phosphate films. For that, the films were deposited on Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE) by electrochemical methods. The measurements have been done as a function of rpm and overpotentials. From the Koutecky‐Levich and Tafel plots analysis, exchange current density (jo), standard rate constant (ko) and transfer coefficient (α) have been estimated. Pseudo first order rate constants at various overpotentials have been found to be in the range ∼10−4 cms−1. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) has been used to confirm that oxygen evolution is exclusively taking place on the cobalt phosphate film and the Pt substrate has no contribution.
Selective Luminescence‐Based Detection of Cd2+ and Zn2+ Ions in Water Using a Proton‐Transferred Coordination Polymer‐Amine Conjugate Pair
Authors: Singha Debal Kanti , Majee Prakash , Mondal Sudip Kumar , Mahata Partha
Published: April 2017

A proton‐transferred coordination polymer‐amine conjugate pair {(H2pip)[Mn(pydc‐2,5)2(H2O)]⋅2H2O}{H2pip=piperazinediium, pydc‐2,5=pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate}, 1, has been successfully synthesized using hydrothermal technique. Single crystal X‐ray data of 1confirmed one‐dimensional anionic metal‐organic coordination polymer hydrogen bonded with protonated piprazine (piperazinediium) and lattice water molecules. The phase purity of 1isconfirmed by powder x‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Compound 1 is water soluble in nature and its aqueous solution gives intense luminescence emission at 415 nm upon excitation at 310 nm. This luminescence emission shows many fold turn on behaviour in presence of trace amount (ppb level) of Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions in aqueous medium. The luminescence intensity of compound 1 either remains unaltered or quenches to some extent in the presence of other common metal ions such asNa+,K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+,Mn2+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+,Fe2+and Fe3+. The turn on luminescence based selectivity of compound 1 towards the detection of Cd2+ and Zn2+ remains unaltered even in the presence of the quenchable metal ions like Hg2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+,Fe2+and Fe3+.
Self‐Assembly of Chalcogenolato‐Bridged Ester and Amide Functionalized Dinuclear Re(I) Metallacycles: Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Preliminary Cytotoxicity Studies
Authors: Karthikeyan Muthuraman , Govindarajan Ramadoss , Duraisamy Ezhumalai , Veena Vijayakumar , Sakthivel Natarajan , Manimaran Bala.
Published: April 2017

Functionalized pyridyl ditopic ligands 1,2‐phenylene diisonicotinate (pdi) (L1) and N,N′‐4‐pyridylcarboxamide‐4‐pyridylcarboxyl‐1,2‐benzene (pcpcb) (L2) comprising ester/ester and amide backbone have been synthesized and utilized for the preparation of novel series of chalcogenolato‐bridged rhenium(I) metallacycles [(CO)3Re(μ‐ER)2Re(CO)3(μ‐pdi)] (1–4) and [(CO)3Re(μ‐ER)2Re(CO)3(μ‐pcpcb)] (5–8) (E=S, Se and Te; R=butyl and phenyl). Synthesis of metallacycles 1‐8 has been accomplished by the oxidative addition of dialkyl/diaryl dichalcogenide to rhenium carbonyl with ester/ester and amide functionalized pyridyl ditopic ligand in one‐pot reaction. The pyridyl ligands and metallacycles were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR and UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopic techniques. Molecular structure of the metallacycles 2–4 and 7 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. Preliminary cytotoxic activities of the ligands and metallacycles were studied on various cancer and normal cells. The results revealed that the metallacycles selectively inhibited certain cancer cells but not the normal cells.
Experimental investigation of the role of aggregate interlock in the shear resistance of reinforced concrete beams
Authors: Völgyi István , Windisch Andor
Published: April 2017

In this study, the coupled shear‐bending behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams was investigated. In an experimental study, 12 RC specimens were tested under close to constant shear span‐depth ratios but with variable flexural and shear reinforcement ratios. The primary focus was to analyze the effect of the inclination of the failure section and of the aggregate interlock on the shear‐bending resistance. Propagation of characteristic crack pattern, the shape, and the behavior of the failure section as well as the relative movements of the failure crack faces were studied. One conventional specimen and 11 special members, where aggregate interlock was eliminated along the web in the failure crack, were tested.
Close Social Ties, Socioeconomic Diversity and Social Capital in US Congregations
Authors: Nisanci Zubeyir
Published: April 2017

This paper explores how various types of in-church close social ties of worshipers, socio-economic homogeneity of congregations and sociodemographic characteristics of their geographical locations affect worshipers’ bonding social capital (church-related volunteer participation) and bridging social capital (civic participation outside of church), by using the 2001 USCLS data. Close-social ties index determines various combinations of attending with close friends, children, and/or spouse. Congregational homogeneity levels are measured by looking at the race, income, age and education of churchgoers. Neighborhood-level sociodemographic characteristics include percentages of urban population and the proportion of racial minorities. Findings indicate that each type and composition of close social ties affect bonding and bridging social capital in different ways. Bonding social capital is the highest when worshipers attend together with their spouses, children and close friends. Bridging social capital is the highest when they attend with both spouses and close friends, but it starts to decline after the inclusion of children as the third type of tie. Race and income homogeneity foster church-related participation. Age and education homogeneity negatively affects church-related volunteerism but fosters civic participation outside. Only bonding social capital is affected by neighborhood-level factors. Higher proportions of racial minorities in neighborhoods increase church-related participation.
Architecture and the Origins of Preclassic Maya Politics
Authors: Doyle James
Published: April 2017

Architecture and the Origins of Preclassic Maya Politics highlights the dramatic changes in the relationship of ancient Maya peoples to the landscape and to each other in the Preclassical period (ca. 2000 BC–250 AD). Offering a comprehensive history of Preclassic Maya society, James Doyle focuses on recent discoveries of early writing, mural painting, stone monuments, and evidence of divine kingship that have reshaped our understanding of cultural developments in the first millennium BC. He also addresses one of the crucial concerns of contemporary archaeology: the emergence of political authorities and their subjects in early complex polities. Doyle shows how architectural trends in the Maya Lowlands in the Preclassic period exhibit the widespread cross-cultural link between monumental architecture of imposing intent, human collaboration, and urbanism.
The Political Violence Cycle
Authors: HARISH S. P. , LITTLE ANDREW T.
Published: April 2017

Elections are often violent affairs, casting doubt on the canonical claim that democracy makes societies more peaceful by creating nonviolent means to contest for power. We develop a formal argument to demonstrate that this conclusion is incorrect. Holding elections has a direct effect of increasing levels of violence close to the voting, as this is when electoral violence can influence political outcomes. Precisely for this reason, elections also have an indirect effect of decreasing levels of violence at all other times, as parties can wait for the election when their efforts are more likely to succeed. The direct and indirect effects generate a “political violence cycle” that peaks at the election. However, when the indirect effect is larger, politics would be more violent without elections. When elections also provide an effective nonviolent means to contest for power, they unambiguously make society more peaceful while still generating a political violence cycle.
Site and Re-Site: Early Efforts to Serialize Site Dance
Authors: Kloetzel Melanie
Published: April 2017

In this article, I investigate the historical precedents of site-adaptive dance. After walking through the mobility discourse as applied to site-specific art by such scholars as Miwon Kwon, Fiona Wilkie, and Victoria Hunter, I examine the mobile site works of North American choreographers Ann Carlson, PearsonWidrig DanceTheater, Eiko & Koma, and Stephan Koplowitz as exemplary of early attempts to take site dance on tour. Finally, I argue for the value of employing the lens of adaptation to analyze such works, both for the field of site performance and for the larger cross-disciplinary dialogues that could be activated.
Annie Payson Call's Training in Release and Somatic Imagination
Authors: Saumaa Hiie
Published: April 2017

This article examines the work of Annie Payson Call (1853–1940) who was during her lifetime a highly regarded teacher of her method of bodily education and a prolific author. I place Call's work against the background of American Delsartism, the flourishing of health movements, and innovations in dance forms of the period. I suggest that Call, a now forgotten figure, can be seen as a contributor to a lineage in American approaches to movement that place bodily awareness and sensory knowledge at the heart of movement experience and training. The first half of the article introduces the reader to key concepts in Call's movement philosophy and outlines her method of training bodily awareness and releasing muscular tension. The second part looks at characteristics of Call's writing to shed light on the hereto neglected aspect of somatics and somatic education: the role of language and imagination in writings about movement.
A reassessment of the role of guild courts in disputes over apprenticeship contracts: a case study from early modern Italy
Authors: CARACAUSI ANDREA
Published: April 2017

This article analyses the mechanisms of conflict resolution in apprenticeship contracts using a large database of disputes from early modern Italy. It finds that the guild court under investigation (the Padua Woollen Guild court) did not enforce training contracts, but rather sought to improve on incomplete contracts by adding clauses, thereby helping individuals renegotiate and redefine the contractual arrangements into which they had decided to enter. However, power relations within the court operated largely in favour of employers, both merchants and master craftsmen. The article concludes that alternative contract enforcement systems, such as municipal or state courts, were probably better suited than corporative systems for resolving disputes surrounding apprenticeship.
Introduction: Commercial quarrels – and how (not) to handle them
Authors: WIJFFELS ALAIN
Published: April 2017

The settlement of structural commercial conflicts of interest cannot be exclusively subsumed under the heading of dispute resolution. Even when a particular conflict opposing specific individuals or groups of interests could be settled, the broader underlying conflicts of interest would subsist and re-emerge. Both commercial and institutional or political actors would therefore rely on various techniques of conflict management, a process imposing restraint on the opposing parties while allowing sufficient leeway for business to be continued. Both conflict resolution and conflict management were devices of public and corporate governance, and therefore, following the late medieval tradition, instruments more or less based on established patterns of legal or quasi-legal models legitimised by accepted or conventional parameters of ‘justice’.
Fathering moderates the effects of maternal depression on the family process
Authors: Vakrat Adam , Apter-Levy Yael , Feldman Ruth
Published: April 2017

Maternal depression negatively impacts children's development, yet few studies have focused on fathering and the family process in cases of maternal depression. A community cohort of married/cohabitating women was recruited on the second postbirth day (N= 1,983) and maternal depression repeatedly assessed across the first year and again at 6 years to form two cohorts: mothers chronically depressed from birth to 6 (N= 46) and nondepressed controls (N= 103). At 6 years, mother–child, father–child, and family interactions were observed. In families of depressed mothers, both mother and father exhibited lower sensitivity and higher intrusiveness, and children displayed lower social engagement during interactions with mother and father. Fathering moderated the effects of maternal depression on the family process. When fathers showed low sensitivity, high intrusiveness, and provided little opportunities for child social engagement, the family process was less cohesive, implying a decrease in the family's harmonious, warm, and collaborative style. However, in cases of high father sensitivity, low intrusiveness, and increased child engagement, the family process was unaffected by maternal depression. Findings describe both comparability and compensatory mechanisms in the effects of fathering on family life when maternal care is deficient, highlight the buffering role of fathers, and underscore the importance of father-focused interventions when mothers are depressed.
Potentially important periods of change in the development of social and role functioning in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis
Authors: Velthorst Eva , Zinberg Jamie , Addington Jean , Cadenhead Kristin S. , Cannon Tyrone D. , Carrión Ricardo E. , Auther Andrea , Cornblatt Barbara A. , McGlashan Thomas H. , Mathalon Daniel H. , Perkins Diana O. , Seidman Larry J. , Tsuang Ming T. , Walker Elaine F. , Woods Scott W. , Reichenberg Abraham , Bearden Carrie E.
Published: April 2017

The developmental course of daily functioning prior to first psychosis-onset remains poorly understood. This study explored age-related periods of change in social and role functioning. The longitudinal study included youth (aged 12–23, mean follow-up years = 1.19) at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis (converters [CHR-C], n = 83; nonconverters [CHR-NC], n = 275) and a healthy control group (n = 164). Mixed-model analyses were performed to determine age-related differences in social and role functioning. We limited our analyses to functioning before psychosis conversion; thus, data of CHR-C participants gathered after psychosis onset were excluded. In controls, social and role functioning improved over time. From at least age 12, functioning in CHR was poorer than in controls, and this lag persisted over time. Between ages 15 and 18, social functioning in CHR-C stagnated and diverged from that of CHR-NC, who continued to improve (p = .001). Subsequently, CHR-C lagged behind in improvement between ages 21 and 23, further distinguishing them from CHR-NC (p < .001). A similar period of stagnation was apparent for role functioning, but to a lesser extent (p = .007). The results remained consistent when we accounted for the time to conversion. Our findings suggest that CHR-C start lagging behind CHR-NC in social and role functioning in adolescence, followed by a period of further stagnation in adulthood.
Evidence of different compounds in smoke derived from legumes and grasses acting on seed germination and seedling emergence
Authors: Ren Lei , Bai Yuguang , Reaney Martin
Published: April 2017

Our previous study showed that smoke derived from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) caused different germination responses compared with that from prairie hay (Festuca hallii) and wheat straw (Triticum aestivum), but the mechanism remained unclear. In this study, we used Salad Bowl lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as a quick bioassay to trace the active compounds in each of these three smoke solutions. Column chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to separate and identify active fractions. Seeds of four species from Fescue Prairie were primed for 24 h at room temperature in darkness using serial dilutions of separated active fractions, as well as karrikinolide (KAR1). After priming, seeds were dried at room temperature in darkness for 7 days and subsequently incubated at 10/0°C or 25/15°C in 12 h light–12 h dark or 24 h darkness for 49 days. KAR1was in the smoke made from prairie hay, and wheat straw, but was absent in alfalfa smoke. Priming in KAR1solutions increased germination of three native species. Priming in highly concentrated KAR1reduced radicle length ofCirsium arvense, the only non-native species. Even though KAR1has the potential to enhance regeneration of native species in the Fescue Prairie, KAR1is not universally present in smoke derived from different plant materials. Unknown compound(s) in smoke derived from legumes remain to be identified.
Perturbation theory-based field analysis of arbitrary-shaped microstrip patch antenna
Authors: Sharma Karishma , Upadhyay Dharmendra K. , Parthasarathy Harish
Published: April 2017

In this paper, the concept of perturbation theory is applied to derive a general electric field (E-field) expression for any arbitrary-shaped microstrip patch antenna. The arbitrary shape is created by adding small perturbation in a regular patch shape, which is used to find perturbed and unperturbed electromagnetic wave solutions for resultant E-field of patch antenna. Ansoft HFSS simulator is used to validate the derived field expression in curvilinear coordinates for a regular circular-shaped patch. Then the proposed field analysis is applied to develop two new arbitrary-shaped patches in C-band for desired E-field patterns.
Confirmation of a Three-Way (Glyphosate, ALS, and Atrazine) Herbicide-Resistant Population of Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in Michigan
Authors: Kohrt Jonathon R. , Sprague Christy L. , Swathi Nadakuduti Satya , Douches David
Published: April 2017

The failure of PRE and POST applications of atrazine to control Palmer amaranth in recent field studies prompted further investigation to determine whether this population had evolved resistance to multiple herbicide sites of action, including glyphosate (Group 9), thifensulfuron (Group 2), and atrazine (Group 5). Greenhouse and laboratory experiments were conducted to: (1) confirm the presence of resistance to glyphosate, an ALS inhibitor (thifensulfuron), and atrazine in a single Palmer amaranth population; and (2) establish the molecular basis for resistance to these herbicide sites of action. In the greenhouse, glyphosate+thifensulfuron+atrazine at 1.26 kg ae ha−1+0.0044 kg ai ha−1+1.12 kg ai ha−1provided 55% control of the suspected multiply resistant (MR) Palmer amaranth population and 93% control of the known susceptible population (S). The decreased sensitivity of the MR population compared with the S population at labeled use rates of these herbicides indicated that this population was likely resistant to three different herbicide site of action groups. The RF values for POST applications of glyphosate, thifensulfuron, and atrazine were 12.2, 42.9, and 9.3 times, respectively, for the MR Palmer amaranth population relative to the S population. The RF value for atrazine PRE for the MR population was 112.2 times. Laboratory experiments confirmed that the mechanisms for resistance to ALS-inhibiting herbicides and glyphosate in the MR Palmer amaranth population were target-site based, via amino acid substitution and amplifiedEPSPScopy number, respectively. There was a Pro to Leu substitution at site 197 in the ALS inhibitor–resistant plants, and there was a greater than 50-fold increase inEPSPScopy number in the glyphosate-resistant plants. There were no nucleotide changes in thepsbAgene; therefore, atrazine resistance in this population was not target-site mediated. The evolution of this multiple herbicide-resistant Palmer amaranth population poses significant management challenges to Michigan farmers.
An Improved Model of How Magma Moves Through the Crust
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: April 2017

Researchers have developed a new numerical model that can, for the first time, solve for both the speed and the path of a propagating dike.