bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and synthesis of porous channel-rich carbon nanofibers for self-standing oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction bifunctional catalysts in alkaline medium
Authors: Ji Dongxiao , Peng Shengjie , Lu Jia , Li Linlin , Yang Shengyuan , Yang Guorui , Qin Xiaohong , Srinivasan Madhavi , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: March 2017

Free-standing Fe3C embedded Fe/N doped carbon nanofiber films are prepared based on electrospinning and demonstrate efficient ORR/HER catalytic activity and superior stability.
Highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production from pure water via a photoactive metal–organic framework and its PDMS@MOF
Authors: Wu Pengyan , Jiang Min , Li Yang , Liu Yanhong , Wang Jian
Published: March 2017

Photoactive MOF modified with a thin PDMS layer exhibits high stability and ultrahigh photocatalytic efficiency for H2 production in water.
Immobilization of sulfur by constructing three-dimensional nitrogen rich carbons for long life lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Tan Yingbin , Zheng Zhihui , Huang Shiting , Wang Yongzhe , Cui Zhonghui , Liu Jianjun , Guo Xiangxin
Published: March 2017

A 3D nanostructured NCNTs–CS–ZIF-8(C) hybrid with high pyridinic-N content exhibits stable long-term cycling performance.
Nano-structured hybrid molybdenum carbides/nitrides generated in situ for HER applications
Authors: Kumar Rajinder , Rai Ritu , Gautam Seema , De Sarkar Abir , Tiwari Nidhi , Jha Shambhu Nath , Bhattacharyya Dibyendu , Ganguli Ashok K. , Bagchi Vivek
Published: March 2017

A highly efficient, low-cost (precious-metal-free), highly stable nanohybrid electrocatalyst containing carbon-supported molybdenum carbide and nitride nanoparticles of size ranging from 8 to 12 nm exhibit excellent HER catalytic activity.
Using Stackelberg game to enhance cognitive radio sensor networks security
Authors: Abdalzaher Mohamed S. , Seddik Karim , Muta Osamu
Published: March 2017

The authors propose a game‐theoretic approach using the Stackelberg game for securing cognitive radio sensor network (CRSN) against the spectrum sensing data falsification attack; this attack aims at corrupting the spectrum decisions communicated from the ambient sensor nodes (ASNs) to the fusion centre by imposing interference power. The proposed game approach is developed for two different attack–defence scenarios. In the first scenario, the attacker selects to attack a group of delivered reports of the ASNs that have a protection degree below a specific threshold. In the second scenario, the attacker applies its maximum attack interference power to the delivered reports of the ASNs that have been reported to be least protected in the previous round. Simulation results indicate the improved performance of the proposed protection model as compared with two baseline defence mechanisms, namely, the random and equal‐protection defence mechanisms with static signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and variable SNRs. Consequently, Stackelberg game features prove to be beneficial for securing communication over CRSN.
Compact dual‐band dual circularly polarised annular‐ring patch antenna for BeiDou navigation satellite system application
Authors: Chen Kan , Yuan Jiade , Luo Xinyao
Published: March 2017

A compact rectangular‐ring patch antenna with dual bands and dual circular polarisation is proposed for BeiDou navigation satellite system (BDS) application in this study. The compactness of the proposed antenna can be realised through using a rectangular‐ring radiation patch for the higher band and a meandered‐line‐shaped ring radiation patch for the lower band. The radiation patches are stacked and printed, respectively, on the two layers of substrate separated by an air gap. Two pairs of inverted‐L shaped strips and perturbation structures are inserted in two radiation patches, respectively, to achieve circularly polarised radiation in dual bands. Specifically, arc‐shaped coupled feeding lines are employed to obtain preferable impedance matching. Simulated and measured results show a good performance such as a compact size of 0.201λg × 0.201λg × 0.076λg, satisfactory 10‐dB return loss bandwidths (1595–1632 MHz, 2395–2574MHz) and desirable directional radiation patterns with the antenna gain of nearly 4.3 dBic at 1615.68MHz and 6.4 dBic at 2491.75MHz.
High‐gain soft‐switching interleaved switched‐capacitor DC–DC converter with phase‐shedding technique
Authors: Choi Hyuntae , Jang Minsoo , Pou Josep
Published: March 2017

This study experimentally verifies the performance of a high‐gain soft‐switching interleaved switched‐capacitor (ISC) DC–DC converter based on phase‐shedding technique. Efficiency improvement especially under light load condition is achieved by introducing the phase‐shedding technique, which adjusts the number of active interleaved converters based on the input power level. The interleaved configuration and modular characteristic of the converter increase the voltage gain as well as the current rating of the converter. Moreover, pulsating input current issue of conventional switched‐capacitor converter is solved by the stray inductances distributed in the converter. The converter achieves high‐voltage gain, improved efficiency, magnetic components free design and low output capacitance requirement. Simulation and experimental results taken from 1.5 kW prototype operating at 120 kHz are documented in this study to validate the operation and characteristics of the proposed ISC DC–DC converter.
Combination of saliency histogram equalisation and seam carving for image resizing
Authors: Hsin Hsi‐Chin
Published: March 2017

This study presents a novel approach to content‐aware image sizing by combining the continuous approach using saliency histogram equalisation (SHE) and the discrete approach using seam carving (SC). It constructs a non‐uniform quad mesh to represent an image by equalising its saliency histogram (SH), and changes the mesh size to represent the resized image by carving seams of insignificant quads in the SH domain. As SHE is simple to implement, and SC can be obtained via dynamic programming, the proposed SHE combined with SC (SHE‐SC) algorithm is computationally efficient. Experimental results show that SHE‐SC is preferable to other existing algorithms.
Swim-like motion of bodies immersed in an ideal fluid
Authors: Zoppello Marta , Cardin Franco
Published: March 2017

The connection between swimming and control theory is attracting increasing attention in the recent literature. Starting from an idea of Alberto Bressan [A. Bressan, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. 20 (2008) 1–35]. we study the system of a planar body whose position and shape are described by a finite number of parameters, and is immersed in a 2-dimensional ideal and incompressible fluid in terms of gauge field on the space of shapes. We focus on a class of deformations measure preserving which are diffeomeorphisms whose existence is ensured by the Riemann Mapping Theorem. After making the first order expansion for small deformations, we face a crucial problem: the presence of possible non vanishing initial impulse. If the body starts with zero initial impulse we recover the results present in literature (Marsden, Munnier and oths). If instead the body starts with an initial impulse different from zero, the swimmer can self-propel in almost any direction if it can undergo shape changes without any bound on their velocity. This interesting observation, together with the analysis of the controllability of this system, seems innovative.
Preventive actions to avoid questionable research practices. Use of EERM (Ethical and Efficient Research Management) during Arrival and Departure of a co-worker★
Authors: Bareille Reine , Baudouin-Massot Béatrice , Carreno Marie Paule , Fournier Sandra , Lebret Nelly , Remy-Jouet Isabelle , Giesen Eva
Published: March 2017

Preventive actions for scientific misconduct and questionable research practice must be taken at an institutional level but also by scientists themselves as part of their role of science managers. We have proposed the concept of “Ethical and Efficient Research Management” and a panoply of easy to use tools which are designed to favour ethical behaviour, sound data and robust methods. Through the example of the processes “Arrival” and “Departure of a co-worker”, we show here that flow charts can help visualize critical steps in an activity and how to manage these steps in an ethical and efficient way.
Performance evaluation of general network production processes with undesirable outputs: A DEA approach
Authors: Kalhor Amir , Matin Reza Kazemi
Published: March 2017

Performance evaluation of production systems with network structure has been widely studied in recent data envelopment analysis (DEA) literature. Production systems in which outputs of some stages are consumed as the inputs of some other stages in producing final outputs. In real world applications, production processes are often complex and may produce not only desirable but also undesirable intermediate or final outputs. In this paper modelling a general network DEA is considered in the presence of undesirable outputs. A weak disposable production set consistent with undesirable outputs is introduced and some network DEA models are also proposed for performance evaluation of the production units. The proposed method is illustrated by some numerical example, including an empirical application.
Synthesis of 3,3-Dialkylated Oxindoles by Oxidative Radical 1,2-Alkylarylation of α,β-Unsaturated Amides
Authors: Guin Joyram , Biswas Promita , Paul Subhasis
Published: March 2017

3,3-Dialkylated oxindoles (1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-ones), particularly those containing C3 quaternary stereogenic centers, occupy an important place in organic synthesis and drug discovery. The radical 1,2-alkylarylation of activated olefins with alkyl radicals has emerged as the most atom- and step-economical approach to 3,3-dialkylated oxindoles. This article covers important developments in the area of oxidative radical alkylation/cyclization cascade reactions of α,β-unsaturated amides toward the synthesis of alkyl-substituted oxindoles by employing a range of alkyl-radical precursors and various reaction conditions.
Lacosamide Lowers Valproate and Levetiracetam Levels
Authors: Weschke Bernhard , Kaindl Angela , Tountopoulou Maria
Published: March 2017

Lacosamide (LCM) due to no known drug interaction and the absence of metabolic enzyme induction is a good candidate for an add-on medication, especially in combination with lamotrigine, levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine, topiramate, and valproic acid (VPA). Here we report for the first time, to our knowledge, that LCM can lower VPA and LEV serum levels. At present, there are no known explicable mechanisms of action of LCM, which lowers VPA and LEV. Here observed drug interaction of LCM is of clinical significance, which might be useful for other colleagues in the field.
The global governance of human cloning: the case of UNESCO
Authors: Langlois Adèle
Published: March 2017

Since Dolly the Sheep was cloned in 1996, the question of whether human reproductive cloning should be banned or pursued has been the subject of international debate. Feelings run strong on both sides. In 2005, the United Nations adopted its Declaration on Human Cloning to try to deal with the issue. The declaration is ambiguously worded, prohibiting “all forms of human cloning inasmuch as they are incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life”. It received only ambivalent support from UN member states. Given this unsatisfactory outcome, in 2008 UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) set up a Working Group to investigate the possibility of a legally binding convention to ban human reproductive cloning. The Working Group was made up of members of the International Bioethics Committee, established in 1993 as part of UNESCO’s Bioethics Programme. It found that the lack of clarity in international law is unhelpful for those states yet to formulate national regulations or policies on human cloning. Despite this, member states of UNESCO resisted the idea of a convention for several years. This changed in 2015, but there has been no practical progress on the issue. Drawing on official records and first-hand observations at bioethics meetings, this article examines the human cloning debate at UNESCO from 2008 onwards, thus building on and advancing current scholarship by applying recent ideas on global governance to an empirical case. It concludes that, although human reproductive cloning is a challenging subject, establishing a robust global governance framework in this area may be possible via an alternative deliberative format, based on knowledge sharing and feasibility testing rather than the interest-based bargaining that is common to intergovernmental organizations and involving a wide range of stakeholders. This article is published as part of a collection on global governance.
Spectral tailoring of nanoscale EUV and soft x-ray multilayer optics
Authors: Huang Qiushi , Medvedev Viacheslav , van de Kruijs Robbert , Yakshin Andrey , Louis Eric , Bijkerk Fred
Published: March 2017

Extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray (XUV) multilayer optics have experienced significant development over the past few years, particularly on controlling the spectral characteristics of light for advanced applications like EUV photolithography, space observation, and accelerator- or lab-based XUV experiments. Both planar and three dimensional multilayer structures have been developed to tailor the spectral response in a wide wavelength range. For the planar multilayer optics, different layered schemes are explored. Stacks of periodic multilayers and capping layers are demonstrated to achieve multi-channel reflection or suppression of the reflective properties. Aperiodic multilayer structures enable broadband reflection both in angles and wavelengths, with the possibility of polarization control. The broad wavelength band multilayer is also used to shape attosecond pulses for the study of ultrafast phenomena. Narrowband multilayer monochromators are delivered to bridge the resolution gap between crystals and regular multilayers. High spectral purity multilayers with innovated anti-reflection structures are shown to select spectrally clean XUV radiation from broadband X-ray sources, especially the plasma sources for EUV lithography. Significant progress is also made in the three dimensional multilayer optics, i.e., combining micro- and nanostructures with multilayers, in order to provide new freedom to tune the spectral response. Several kinds of multilayer gratings, including multilayer coated gratings, sliced multilayer gratings, and lamellar multilayer gratings are being pursued for high resolution and high efficiency XUV spectrometers/monochromators, with their advantages and disadvantages, respectively. Multilayer diffraction optics are also developed for spectral purity enhancement. New structures like gratings, zone plates, and pyramids that obtain full suppression of the unwanted radiation and high XUV reflectance are reviewed. Based on the present achievement of the spectral tailoring multilayer optics, the remaining challenges and opportunities for future researches are discussed.
Revealing on metallurgical behavior of iron-rich Sm(Co0.65Fe0.26Cu0.07Zr0.02)7.8 sintered magnets
Authors: Song Kuikui , Sun Wei , Chen Hongsheng , Yu Nengjun , Fang Yikun , Zhu Minggang , Li Wei
Published: March 2017

The sintered magnets with the nominal composition of Sm(Co0.65Fe0.26Cu0.07Zr0.02)7.8 were prepared by standard metallurgical method. The evolution of phase transformation of the specimens during heat treatments was investigated in detail. After isothermal aging at 1103 K for 20 hrs and step cooling to 673 K and keeping for 10hrs, the remanence Br of the specimens almost keeps constant (∼11.5 kGs), while the intrinsic coercivity Hcj increases from 7.9 to 31.5 kOe. The maximum energy product of the final magnet is close to 32 MGOe. The phase is single phase with 1:7H structure in the specimen A only annealed at 1453 K for 4hrs. It is found that a cellular microstructure with a platelet Z-phase have appeared in the sample after the isothermal aging in 1103 K for 20h, which contain 2:17R, 2:7R and 5:19H phases. Furthermore, the 1:5H phase has appeared after the step cooling to 873 K, together with some 2:17R, 2:7R and 5:19H phases. Interestingly, it is found that the phase transformation has completed after the step cooling to 773 K. And the phase constitution in specimens is stable during the step cooling to 673 K.
Pressure induced self-doping and dependence of critical temperature in stoichiometry YBa2Cu3O6.95 predicted by first-principle and BVS calculations
Authors: Gao Peifeng , Zhang Rui , Wang Xingzhe
Published: March 2017

This paper deals with the pressure effect on self-doping and critical temperature in optimum oxygen stoichiometry YBa2Cu3O6.95 of high temperature superconductor (HTS) based on a numerical study combined the first-principle with bond valence sum (BVS) calculations. The microscopic electronic properties and equilibrium ionic position configurations in the superconductor under external pressure are firstly calculated using the first-principle method. The results show that the apex oxygen in the cuprate superconductor shifts towards CuO2 plane due to pressure effect, and the minimum buckling angle of CuO2 plane is correlated with the maximum critical temperature. A BVS formalism is then utilized for evaluating the valences of all ions in the superconductor on the basis of the electronic and ionic properties and the hole concentration in both CuO2 plane and Cu-O chain are deduced. It demonstrates that the pressure-induced charge redistribution leads to a self-doping process of the hole-transfer into CuO2 plane from both Cu-O chain and Y site in the cuprate superconductor, which is the dominant mechanism of pressure effect on the superconductive properties. In order to quantitatively predict critical temperature profile of YBa2Cu3O6.95 under pressure, a modified formula describing pressure-induced charge transfer taking into account pressure dependence of the optimum hole concentration is developed. The predicted results exhibit good agreements with the experimental data in the literature, and the model parameters on the critical characteristics of the superconductor are discussed in details.
High performance 3D printed electronics using electroless plated copper
Authors: Jian Jin Rong , Kim Taeil , Park Jae Sung , Wang Jiacheng , Kim Woo Soo
Published: March 2017

This paper presents design and performance validation of 3D printed electronic components, 3D toroidal air-core inductors, fabricated by multi-material based Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) 3D printing technology and electroless copper plating. Designs of toroidal inductor is investigated with different core shapes and winding numbers; circular and half-circular cores with 10 and 13 turns of windings. Electroless plated copper thin film ensures 3D printed toroidal plastic structures to possess inductive behaviors. The inductance is demonstrated reliably with an applied source frequency from 100 kHz to 2 MHz as designs vary. An RL circuit is utilized to test the fabricated inductors’ phase-leading characteristics with corresponding phase angle changes.
Genome-wide association studies, meta-analyses and derived gene network for meat quality and carcass traits in pigs
Authors: Duarte Darlene Ana S. , Fortes Marina Rufino S. , Duarte Marcio de Souza , Guimarães Simone E. F. , Verardo Lucas L. , Veroneze Renata , Ribeiro André Mauric F. , Lopes Paulo Sávio , de Resende Marcos Deon V. , Fonseca e Silva Fabyano
Published: March 2017

A large number of quantitative trait loci (QTL) for meat quality and carcass traits has been reported in pigs over the past 20 years. However, few QTL have been validated and the biological meaning of the genes associated to these QTL has been underexploited. In this context, a meta-analysis was performed to compare the significant markers with meta-QTL previously reported in literature. Genome association studies were performed for 12 traits, from which 144 SNPs were found out to be significant (P < 0.05). They were validated in the meta-analysis and used to build the Association Weight Matrix, a matrix framework employed to investigate co-association of pairwise SNP across phenotypes enabling to derive a gene network. A total of 45 genes were selected from the Association Weight Matrix analysis, from which 25 significant transcription factors were identified and used to construct the networks associated to meat quality and carcass traits. These networks allowed the identification of key transcription factors, such as SOX5 and NKX2–5, gene–gene interactions (e.g. ATP5A1, JPH1, DPT and NEDD4) and pathways related to the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and skeletal muscle development. Validated SNPs and knowledge of key genes driving these important industry traits might assist future strategies in pig breeding.
Effects of olive-cake supplementation on fatty acid composition, antioxidant status and lipid and meat-colour stability of Barbarine lambs reared on improved rangeland plus concentrates or indoors with oat hay plus concentrates
Authors: Hamdi H. , Majdoub-Mathlouthi L. , Durand D. , Thomas A. , Kraiem K.
Published: March 2017

The effects of feeding system (indoor vs rangeland) and olive-cake (OC) supplementation (control vs supplemented) on fatty acid (FA) composition, lipid oxidation status and meat-colour stability were studied. Lambs were fed indoor with hay (OH) or reared on improved rangeland (RL). All lambs received concentrate at a rate of 400 g/head.day. Twenty-four 6-month-old Barbarine lambs with an average weight of 24.3 ± 1.1 kg were assigned into the following four groups: OH without OC, OH with OC, RL without OC and RL with OC. Supplemented groups received 280 g/day of OC. Lambs were reared for ~3 months and then slaughtered at 33 kg. Feeding lambs on rangeland increased proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, P < 0.05), n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) and long-chain n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) and decreased those of C16:0 and monounsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.052). Higher PUFA : saturated FA (SFA) (P < 0.001) and lower n-6 : n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) ratios were found for RL lambs. The peroxidisability index was higher (P = 0.024) for RL lambs. Whereas, a lower malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.001) was found for meat of RL group after 5-day storage, because of a higher vitamin E concentration (P < 0.001) and catalase activity (P = 0.002). Moreover, colour was more stable for meat of RL lamb. OC supplementation reduced only superoxide dismutase activity (P = 0.033) and did not have any effect on lipid peroxidation and colour stability. No interactions were noted between the feeding system and olive-cake supplementation. Meat lambs produced on rangeland had a healthier fatty acid composition. Lipids were more stable to oxidation than was meat produced indoor with hay and concentrate.
Mammalian cell cultures
Authors: Lovrecz George
Published: March 2017

There is increasing demand worldwide for high-quality complex proteins for treating diseases and for clinical and pre-clinical studies involving recombinant proteins, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies, many of which are the products of mammalian cell cultures. Biologics or protein-based drugs had a global market over US$200 billion in 2016, with eight of the top 10 selling drugs with a combined global sales over US$55 billion produced using mammalian cell cultures1,2. Recombinant proteins are also significant global economic drivers of both vaccine and biomarker development. In addition, it is estimated that more than half of the Australian biotechnology companies are utilising mammalian cell culture or their products3.
Meta-assessment of bias in science
Authors: Fanelli Daniele , Costas Rodrigo , Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: March 2017

Significance

Science is said to be suffering a reproducibility crisis caused by many biases. How common are these problems, across the wide diversity of research fields? We probed for multiple bias-related patterns in a large random sample of meta-analyses taken from all disciplines. The magnitude of these biases varied widely across fields and was on average relatively small. However, we consistently observed that small, early, highly cited studies published in peer-reviewed journals were likely to overestimate effects. We found little evidence that these biases were related to scientific productivity, and we found no difference between biases in male and female researchers. However, a scientist’s early-career status, isolation, and lack of scientific integrity might be significant risk factors for producing unreliable results.
Tropical dead zones and mass mortalities on coral reefs
Authors: Altieri Andrew H. , Harrison Seamus B. , Seemann Janina , Collin Rachel , Diaz Robert J. , Knowlton Nancy
Published: March 2017

Significance

Oxygen-starved coastal waters are rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide. However, little is known about the impacts of these “dead zones” in tropical ecosystems or their potential threat to coral reefs. We document the deleterious effects of such an anoxic event on coral habitat and biodiversity, and show that the risk of dead-zone events to reefs worldwide likely has been seriously underestimated. Awareness of, and research on, reef hypoxia is needed to address the threat posed by dead zones to coral reefs.
Anticipative strategies of blame avoidance in government
Authors: Hansson Sten
Published: March 2017

Public communication practices of executive governments are often criticised by journalists, politicians, scholars, and other commentators. Therefore, government communication professionals routinely adopt various blame avoidance strategies, some of which are meant to ‘stop blame before it starts’ or to reduce their exposure to potential blame attacks. The linguistic aspects of such anticipative strategies are yet to be studied by discourse analysts.

I contribute towards filling this gap by showing how written professional guidelines for government communicators could be interpreted as complex discursive devices of anticipative blame avoidance.

I outline historically and institutionally situated issues of blame that inform the occupational habitus of government communicators in the UK. I bring examples from their propriety guidelines to illustrate how the use of certain discursive strategies limits the possible perceived blameworthiness of individual officeholders. I conclude by explicating the discursive underpinnings of two common operational blame avoidance strategies in government: ‘protocolisation’ and ‘herding’.
Transient liquid phase bonding of 304 stainless steel using a Co-based interlayer
Authors: Sadeghian Mohammad , Ekrami Aliakbar , Jamshidi Rasoul
Published: March 2017

Transient liquid phase bonding of AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel was carried out using a Co-based interlayer with 40 μm thickness. The effect of bonding time and solid-state homogenisation time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of samples was investigated. The results showed that isothermal solidification was completed within 30 min at a constant temperature of 1180°C. With increasing homogenisation time, at 1000°C, a more uniform distribution of alloying elements and hardness profile across the joint region was achieved. The average shear strength of homogenised samples was about 72% that of the base metal at the same heat treatment cycle.
The Asymmetry of Counterfactual Dependence
Authors: Loew Christian
Published: March 2017

A certain type of counterfactual is thought to be intimately related to causation, control, and explanation. The time asymmetry of these phenomena therefore plausibly arises from a time asymmetry of counterfactual dependence. But why is counterfactual dependence time asymmetric? The most influential account of the time asymmetry of counterfactual dependence is David Albert’s account, which posits a new, time-asymmetric fundamental physical law, the so-called past hypothesis. Albert argues that the time asymmetry of counterfactual dependence arises from holding fixed the past hypothesis when evaluating counterfactuals. In this article, I argue that Albert’s account misconstrues the time asymmetry of counterfactual dependence.
Smart Representations: Rationality and Evolution in a Richer Environment
Authors: Galeazzi Paolo , Franke Michael
Published: March 2017

Standard applications of evolutionary game theory look at a single game and focus on the evolution of behavior for that game alone. Instead, this article uses tools from evolutionary game theory to study the competition between choice mechanisms in a rich and variable multigame environment. A choice mechanism is a way of subjectively representing a decision situation, paired with a method for choosing an act based on this subjective representation. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach by a case study that shows how subjective representations in terms of regret that differ from the actual fitness can be evolutionarily advantageous.
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Chronic Kidney Disease: The Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort
Authors: Ahmad Faraz S. , Cai Xuan , Kunkel Katherine , Ricardo Ana C. , Lash James P. , Raj Dominic S. , He Jiang , Anderson Amanda H. , Budoff Matthew J. , Wright Nunes Julie A. , Roy Jason , Wright Jackson T. , Go Alan S. , St. John Sutton Martin G. , Kusek John W. , Isakova Tamara , Wolf Myles , Keane Martin G. ,   the CRIC Study Investigators
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and it is especially common among Blacks. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important subclinical marker of CVD, but there are limited data on racial variation in left ventricular structure and function among persons with CKD.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional analysis of the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Study, we compared the prevalence of different types of left ventricular remodeling (concentric hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric remodeling) by race/ethnicity. We used multinomial logistic regression to test whether race/ethnicity associated with different types of left ventricular remodeling independently of potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

We identified 1,164 non-Hispanic Black and 1,155 non-Hispanic White participants who completed Year 1 visits with echocardiograms that had sufficient data to categorize left ventricular geometry type. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks had higher mean left ventricular mass index (54.7 ± 14.6 vs. 47.4 ± 12.2 g/m2.7; P < 0.0001) and prevalence of concentric LVH (45.8% vs. 24.9%). In addition to higher systolic blood pressure and treatment with >3 antihypertensive medications, Black race/ethnicity was independently associated with higher odds of concentric LVH compared to White race/ethnicity (odds ratio: 2.73; 95% confidence interval: 2.02, 3.69).

CONCLUSION

In a large, diverse cohort with CKD, we found significant differences in left ventricular mass and hypertrophic morphology between non-Hispanic Blacks and Whites. Future studies will evaluate whether higher prevalence of LVH contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in cardiovascular outcomes among CKD patients.
Uncovering the host galaxy of the γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy FBQS J1644+2619
Authors: D'Ammando F. , Acosta-Pulido J. A. , Capetti A. , Raiteri C. M. , Baldi R. D. , Orienti M. , Ramos Almeida C.
Published: March 2017

The discovery of γ-ray emission from radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies has questioned the need for large black hole masses ( ≳ 108 M⊙) to launch relativistic jets. We present near-infrared data of the γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 FBQS J1644+2619 that were collected using the camera CIRCE (Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment) at the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio Canarias to investigate the structural properties of its host galaxy and to infer the black hole mass. The 2D surface brightness profile is modelled by the combination of a nuclear and a bulge component with a Sérsic profile with index n = 3.7, indicative of an elliptical galaxy. The structural parameters of the host are consistent with the correlations of effective radius and surface brightness against absolute magnitude measured for elliptical galaxies. From the bulge luminosity, we estimated a black hole mass of (2.1 ± 0.2) × 108 M⊙, consistent with the values characterizing radio-loud active galactic nuclei.
Evaluating Atlantoaxial Dislocation Based on Cartesian Coordinates: Proposing a New Definition and Its Impact on Assessment of Congenital Torticollis
Authors: Sardhara Jayesh , Behari Sanjay , Sindgikar Pavaman , Srivastava Arun Kumar , Mehrotra Anant , Das Kuntal Kanti , Bhaisora Kamlesh Singh , Sahu Rabi N , Jaiswal Awadhesh K
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Conventional 2-dimensional (2-D) definition of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) is inadequate for coexisting 3-D displacements.

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively classify AAD and its related abnormalities along 3 Cartesian coordinates and assess their association with torticollis.

METHODS

One hundred and fifty-four patients with congenital AAD were prospectively classified according to their C1-2 displacement along 3 Cartesian coordinates utilizing 3-D multiplanar CT. The impact of this 3-D dislocation on occurrence of clinically manifest torticollis was also evaluated and surgical treatment was planned.

RESULTS

Three dimensional CT assessment detected the following types of C1-2 dislocations: I:translational dislocation (along Z coordinate, n = 37 [24%]); II: central dislocation (along Y coordinate, n = 10 [6.5%]); III: translational+central dislocation (along Z+Y coordinates, n = 42 [27.3%]); IV: translational dislocation+ rotational dislocation+coronal tilt (along Z+X coordinates, (n = 6 [3.9%]); V: central dislocation (basilar invagination)+rotational dislocation+coronal tilt (along Y+X coordinates, n = 11 [7.1%]); VI: translational dislocation+ central dislocation+ rotational dislocation+ coronal tilt (along all 3 axes, n = 48 [31%]). Assessing degree of relative C1-2 rotation revealed that 27 (37%) of 85 patients with <50 rotation and 54 (78%) of 69 patients with >5° rotation had associated torticollis. Translational dislocation had negative association (odds ratio [OR] 0.1, 95% confidence interval [CI; 0.47-0.32], P = .00), while type VI (OR 5.0, 95% CI [2.2-11.19], P = .00), type V (OR 4.44, 95% CI [0.93-21.26], P = .04), and type IV (OR 1.84, 95% CI [0.32-10.38], P = .48) dislocations had strong positive association with torticollis. Sixty-two (40%) patients improved, 68 (44%) remained unchanged, and 24 (16%) patients worsened postoperatively. Twenty-eight patients required second-stage transoral decompression following posterior distraction–fusion due to neurological nonimprovement.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional assessment of AAD including evaluation of culpable C1-2 facet joints addresses anomalous displacements in 3 Cartesian planes. This provides targets for adequate cervicomedullary decompression-stabilization, and helps in the management of accompanying torticollis.
Surgical Technique for High-Flow Internal Maxillary Artery to Middle Cerebral Artery Bypass Using a Superficial Temporal Artery Interposition Graft
Authors: Feng Xuequan , Meybodi Ali Tayebi , Rincon-Torroella Jordina , El-Sayed Ivan H. , Lawton Michael T. , Benet Arnau
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND: Extracranial-to-intracranial high-flow bypass often requires cranial, cervical, and graft site incisions. The internal maxillary artery (IMA) has been proposed as a donor to decrease invasiveness, but its length is insufficient for direct intracranial bypass. We report interposition of a superficial temporal artery (STA) graft for high-flow IMA to middle cerebral artery (MCA) bypass using a middle fossa approach.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of an IMA–STA graft-MCA bypass using a new middle fossa approach.

METHODS: Twelve specimens were studied. A 7.5-cm STA graft was obtained starting 1.5 cm below the zygomatic arch. The calibers of STA were measured. After a pterional craniotomy, the IMA was isolated inside the infratemporal fossa through a craniectomy within the lateral triangle (lateral to the posterolateral triangle) in the middle fossa and transposed for proximal end-to-end anastomosis to the STA. The Sylvian fissure was split exposing the insular segment of the MCA, and an STA-M2 end-to-side anastomosis was completed. Finally, the length of graft vessel was measured.

RESULTS: Average diameters of the proximal and distal STA ends were 2.3 ± 0.2 and 2.0 ± 0.1 mm, respectively. At the anastomosis site, the diameter of the IMA was 2.4 ± 0.6 mm, and the MCA diameter was 2.3 ± 0.3 mm. The length of STA graft required was 56.0 ± 5.9 mm.

CONCLUSION: The STA can be used as an interposition graft for high-flow IMA–MCA bypass if the STA is obtained 1.5 cm below the zygomatic arch and the IMA is harvested through the proposed approach. This procedure may provide an efficient and less invasive alternative for high-flow EC–IC bypass.
Weak metallic emission lines in early B-type stars
Authors: Sadakane Kozo , Nishimura Masayoshi
Published: March 2017

Previously unrecognized weak emission lines originating from high excitation states of Si ii (12.84 eV) and Al ii (13.08 eV) are detected in the red-region spectra of slowly rotating early B-type stars. We surveyed high-resolution spectra of 35 B-type stars covering spectral sub-types between B1 and B7 near the main sequence and found the emission line of Si ii at 6239.6 Å in all of the 13 stars that have spectral sub-types B2 and B2.5. There are 17 stars belonging to sub-type B3 among which seven stars are found to show the emission line of Si ii. The emission line of Al ii at 6243.4 Å is detected in a narrower temperature range (Teff between 19000 K and 23000 K) in nine of the stars. Both emission lines are not detected in cooler (Teff < 16000 K) stars in our sample. The emission line of Si ii at 6239.6 Å shows a single-peaked and symmetrical profile, and the line center has no shift in wavelength with respect to line centers of low excitation absorption lines of Si ii. The measured half-width of the emission line is the same as those of rotationally broadened, low-excitation absorption lines of Si ii. These observations imply that the emitting gas is not of circumstellar origin, but it is located at the outermost layer of the atmosphere covering the whole stellar surface, and corotates with the star.
Altered Expression of a Chloroplast Protein Affects the Outcome of Virus and Nematode Infection
Authors: Ganusova Elena E. , Rice J. Hollis , Carlew Timothy S. , Patel Akshita , Perrodin-Njoku Emmanuel , Hewezi Tarek , Burch-Smith Tessa M.
Published: March 2017

The chloroplast-resident RNA helicase ISE2 (INCREASED SIZE EXCLUSION LIMIT2) can modulate the formation and distribution of plasmodesmata and intercellular trafficking. We have determined that ISE2 expression is induced by viral infection. Therefore, the responses of Nicotiana benthamiana plants with varying levels of ISE2 expression to infection by Tobacco mosaic virus and Turnip mosaic virus were examined. Surprisingly, increased or decreased ISE2 expression led to faster viral systemic spread and, in some cases, enhanced systemic necrosis. The contributions of RNA silencing and hormone-mediated immune responses to the increased viral susceptibility of these plants were assessed. In addition, Arabidopsis thaliana plants with increased ISE2 expression were found to be more susceptible to infection by the beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii. Our analyses provide intriguing insights into unexpected functional roles of a chloroplast protein in mediating plant-pathogen interactions. The possible roles of plasmodesmata in determining the outcomes of these interactions are also discussed.
Plant Immunity Inducer Development and Application
Authors: Dewen Qiu , Yijie Dong , Yi Zhang , Shupeng Li , Fachao Shi
Published: March 2017

Plant immunity inducers represent a new and rapidly developing field in plant-protection research. In this paper, we discuss recent research on plant immunity inducers and their development and applications in China. Plant immunity inducers include plant immunity–inducing proteins, chitosan oligosaccharides, and microbial inducers. These compounds and microorganisms can trigger defense responses and confer disease resistance in plants. We also describe the mechanisms of plant immunity inducers and how they promote plant health. Furthermore, we summarize the current situation in plant immunity inducer development in China and the global marketplace. Finally, we also deeply analyze the development trends and application prospects of plant immunity inducers in environmental protection and food safety.
Detecting and Differentiating Phytoplasmas Belonging to Subgroups 16SrIV-A and 16SrIV-D Associated With Lethal Declines of Palms in Florida Using qPCR and High-Resolution Melt Analysis (HRMA)
Authors: Bahder Brian W. , Helmick Ericka E. , Harrison Nigel A.
Published: March 2017

Lethal yellowing (LY) and Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD) are two important phytoplasma diseases of palms in Florida. Both have been responsible for major economic losses historically and remain a constant threat to the sustainability of palm production in the landscaping and nursery industries in Florida. These two diseases cause rapid, lethal decline in afflicted palms, so rapid detection and identification is crucial to implement appropriate management strategies to reduce further spread and losses. In this study, a qPCR assay was developed to detect and identify the causal agents of LY and TPPD. Based on sequence data of the 16S gene for the 16SrIV-A phytoplasma (LY) and the 16SrIV-D phytoplasma (TPPD), two regions were identified in the gene that possessed sufficient variation to yield amplicons with measurable differences in melting temperature based on high resolution melt analysis (HRMA). One region was in the 5′ region and the other was located in the 3′ region of the gene. Products from both regions yielded amplicons with significantly different melting temperatures between the two phytoplasma strains. This research allows for the detection and identification of phytoplasmas in palms rapidly by eliminating many lengthy and post-PCR steps commonly used in phytoplasma identification.
Roles of Genotype-Determined Mycotoxins in Maize Seedling Blight Caused by Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Meng Yan , Hao Jianjun , Mayfield Derrick , Luo Laixin , Munkvold Gary P. , Li Jianqiang
Published: March 2017

Fusarium graminearum is an important causal agent of maize seedling blight. The species includes several chemotypes that produce various forms of deoxynivalenol (DON) and nivalenol (NIV). To understand the effects and roles of F. graminearum mycotoxins on maize seedling blight occurring at Zhang Ye of Gansu, China, 23 isolates of F. graminearum were collected and characterized. A PCR assay showed all 23 isolates belonged to the 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON) genotype. This was also confirmed by production of both DON and 15-ADON in either rice culture medium or maize seedling roots, detected by high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In maize seedling roots, 15-ADON dominated at 6 days post inoculation (dpi) and DON was the main mycotoxin at 12 dpi. The biomass of F. graminearum doubled from 6 to 12 dpi, and was positively correlated with virulence of the isolates. Both mycotoxins affected maize root vitality, but 15-ADON had a greater effect than DON. ALDH9 and MDH, two dehydrogenase synthesis genes in maize, showed a lower relative expression in 15-ADON treatments than in DON treatments. It indicated that both mycotoxins affected seed germination and root development, with 15-ADON being more destructive. Under scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, root hair formation and development were delayed by DON, but completely inhibited by 15-ADON. 15-ADON caused cell shrinkage, loose cellular structure, and widened intercellular spaces; it also destroyed organelles and caused plasmolysis, and eventually ruptured cell membranes causing cell death. DON did not affect cell morphology and arrangement, but altered the morphology of organelles, forming concentric membranous bodies and a large amount of irregular lipid droplets. Thus, both mycotoxins contributed to symptom expression of maize seedling blight, but 15-ADON was more destructive than DON.
Developmental Dynamics of Globodera ellingtonae in Field-Grown Potato
Authors: Phillips Wendy S. , Kitner Megan , Zasada Inga A.
Published: March 2017

Globodera ellingtonae is a recently described nematode parasite of potato, which is closely related to the economically significant potato cyst nematodes G. rostochiensis and G. pallida. Because of the close relationship of G. ellingtonae to the potato cyst nematodes, a greater understanding of its biology is critical. Two experiments were conducted in Oregon to explore the developmental biology of G. ellingtonae in field-grown potato. The first experiment was conducted in 2013 and 2014 to determine the developmental timing of G. ellingtonae life stages and reproduction by inoculating potato with soil containing cysts followed by weekly collection of soil and root samples. Life stages; second-stage juveniles (J2) in soil and roots, third-stage juveniles (J3) and fourth-stage (J4) females and males in roots, males and females or cysts in soil, and egg number and developmental state were quantified. Normalizing across years using accumulated developmental degree days above 6°C (DD6), J2 of G. ellingtonae were found in soil from 41 to 588 DD6; two peaks of J2 invasion of roots were observed. The first adult females were observed at 387 and 449 DD6 in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The next generation of eggs was first observed from 675 to 854 DD6 and 50% egg development (containing a vermiform juvenile) occurred at approximately 920 DD6. A second J2 hatch was observed in both years at 927 to 1,073 DD6. The developmental dynamics of G. ellingtonae observed here are similar to those reported for G. rostochiensis and G. pallida from several geographical locations. In the second experiment, the effect of potato and bare soil on G. ellingtonae egg hatch was evaluated; in 2014 and 2015, packages containing cysts in soil were buried under potato or in bare soil at the time of planting and eggs per cyst determined weekly. Across years, a significant reduction in eggs per cysts under potato (>50%) was observed 35 days after planting (DAP) and, at 63 DAP, eggs per cyst were reduced by 76 to 96% compared with initial egg per cyst densities. In bare soil, the maximum reduction in densities of eggs per cyst was 55 to 73%. This annual reduction in egg numbers of G. ellingtonae in bare soil is similar to that reported for G. pallida and G. rostochiensis.