bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geomorphic, sedimentary and hydraulic reconstruction of a glacial lake outburst flood in northern Alberta, Canada
Authors: Norris Sophie L. , Margold Martin , Utting Daniel J. , Froese Duane G.
Published: May 2019

Glacial lake outburst floods occurred frequently during the last deglaciation of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. Within the Interior Plains, these floods carved large spillway systems; however, due to a lack of abundant sediment, deposits within prairie spillways are rarely preserved. Here, we present geomorphic and sedimentary evidence and hydraulic modelling of the eastern Beaver River Spillway, formed by the catastrophic drainage of the ice‐dammed glacial Lake Algar, in north central Alberta. During this flood, coarse‐grained sediment eroded from local till formed large pendant bars. Within the first ~50 km of the spillway (Reach 1), pendant bars contain downstream orientated foresets overlain by horizontally bedded coarser gravels. The remaining pendant bars (Reach 2), present downflow of a moraine barrier, differ, comprising massive, matrix‐supported, inversely graded gravels capped by a boulder layer. We use a HEC‐GeoRAS/HEC‐RAS system in conjunction with palaeostage indicators to estimate the steady‐state water surface elevation. Modelling results show that peak discharge within Reach 1 of the eastern Beaver River Spillway was approximately 14 000–21 000 m3 s−1. For Reach 2, 30 km downstream, the peak discharge was estimated at 23 000–40 000 m3 s−1 (nbulked 18 000–26 000 m3 s−1). The downstream discharge increase, consistent with the sedimentary change in pendant bar deposits, is attributed to sediment bulking of the flood flow. This provides the opportunity to observe a range of flow conditions, and associated sedimentology, from a single flood event. The reconstructed flow conditions, coupled with lake volume estimates from the ponding above the moraine barrier suggest a minimum flow duration of 3–5 days.
Assessing the utility of conserving evolutionary history
Authors: Tucker Caroline M. , Aze Tracy , Cadotte Marc W. , Cantalapiedra Juan L. , Chisholm Chelsea , Díaz Sandra , Grenyer Richard , Huang Danwei , Mazel Florent , Pearse William D. , Pennell Matthew W. , Winter Marten , Mooers Arne O.
Published: May 2019

It is often claimed that conserving evolutionary history is more efficient than species‐based approaches for capturing the attributes of biodiversity that benefit people. This claim underpins academic analyses and recommendations about the distribution and prioritization of species and areas for conservation, but evolutionary history is rarely considered in practical conservation activities. One impediment to implementation is that arguments related to the human‐centric benefits of evolutionary history are often vague and the underlying mechanisms poorly explored. Herein we identify the arguments linking the prioritization of evolutionary history with benefits to people, and for each we explicate the purported mechanism, and evaluate its theoretical and empirical support. We find that, even after 25 years of academic research, the strength of evidence linking evolutionary history to human benefits is still fragile.

Most – but not all – arguments rely on the assumption that evolutionary history is a useful surrogate for phenotypic diversity. This surrogacy relationship in turn underlies additional arguments, particularly that, by capturing more phenotypic diversity, evolutionary history will preserve greater ecosystem functioning, capture more of the natural variety that humans prefer, and allow the maintenance of future benefits to humans. A surrogate relationship between evolutionary history and phenotypic diversity appears reasonable given theoretical and empirical results, but the strength of this relationship varies greatly. To the extent that evolutionary history captures unmeasured phenotypic diversity, maximizing the representation of evolutionary history should capture variation in species characteristics that are otherwise unknown, supporting some of the existing arguments. However, there is great variation in the strength and availability of evidence for benefits associated with protecting phenotypic diversity. There are many studies finding positive biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, but little work exists on the maintenance of future benefits or the degree to which humans prefer sets of species with high phenotypic diversity or evolutionary history. Although several arguments link the protection of evolutionary history directly with the reduction of extinction rates, and with the production of relatively greater future biodiversity via increased adaptation or diversification, there are few direct tests. Several of these putative benefits have mismatches between the relevant spatial scales for conservation actions and the spatial scales at which benefits to humans are realized. It will be important for future work to fill in some of these gaps through direct tests of the arguments we define here.
Causes and effects of haploinsufficiency
Authors: Johnson Adam F. , Nguyen Ha T. , Veitia Reiner A.
Published: May 2019

Haploinsufficiency is a form of genetic dominance and is the underlying mechanism of numerous human inherited conditions in which the causal genes are sensitive to altered dosage. This review examines the poorly understood relationships between haploinsufficiency, dosage sensitivity and genetic dominance, whose common theme is the existence of nonlinear relationships between genotype and phenotype. We present an up‐to‐date account of the bases of haploinsufficiency from the perspective of theoretical and experimental models. We also discuss human conditions caused by haploinsufficiency, including developmental syndromes and cancer. Connections between the understanding of these conditions' genetic mechanisms and advances in treatments are also described.
Exosomal microRNAs derived from colon cancer cells promote tumor progression by suppressing fibroblast TP53 expression
Authors: Yoshii Shunsuke , Hayashi Yoshito , Iijima Hideki , Inoue Takanori , Kimura Keiichi , Sakatani Akihiko , Nagai Kengo , Fujinaga Tetsuji , Hiyama Satoshi , Kodama Takahiro , Shinzaki Shinichiro , Tsujii Yoshiki , Watabe Kenji , Takehara Tetsuo
Published: May 2019

The tumor microenvironment offers favorable conditions for tumor progression, and activated fibroblasts, known as cancer‐associated fibroblasts, play a pivotal role. TP53‐deficient cancer cells are known to induce strong fibroblast activation. We aimed to elucidate the oncogenic role of exosomes derived from TP53‐deficient colon cancer cells in fibroblast proliferation and tumor growth. Cancer cell‐derived exosomes (CDEs) were isolated from the conditioned media of cancer cells using a sequential ultracentrifugation method. The effects of exosomes on tumor growth were evaluated using human cell lines (TP53‐WT colon cancer, HCT116; TP53‐mutant colon cancer, HT29; and fibroblasts, CCD‐18Co and WI‐38) and an immune‐deficient nude mouse xenograft model. HCT116 (HCT116sh p53) cells deficient in TP53 accelerated cocultured fibroblast proliferation compared to TP53‐WT HCT116 (HCT116sh control) cells in vitro. Exosomes from HCT116sh p53 cells suppressed TP53 expression of fibroblasts and promoted their proliferation. Xenografts of HCT116sh p53 cells grew significantly faster than those of HCT116sh control cells in the presence of co‐injected fibroblasts, but this difference was diminished by CDE inhibition. Microarray analysis identified upregulation of several microRNAs (miR‐1249‐5p, miR‐6737‐5p, and miR‐6819‐5p) in TP53‐deficient CDEs, which were functionally proven to suppress TP53 expression in fibroblasts. Exosomes derived from TP53‐mutant HT29 cells also suppressed TP53 expression in fibroblasts and accelerated their growth. The proliferative effect of HT29 on cocultured fibroblasts was diminished by inhibition of these miRNAs in fibroblasts. Our results suggest that CDEs play a pivotal role in tumor progression by fibroblast modification. Cancer cell‐derived exosomes might, therefore, represent a novel therapeutic target in colon cancer.
Targeting PIN1 exerts potent antitumor activity in pancreatic ductal carcinoma via inhibiting tumor metastasis
Authors: Chen Linying , Xu Xiao , Wen Xinxin , Xu Shenmin , Wang Long , Lu Wenxian , Jiang Mingting , Huang Jing , Yang Dayun , Wang Jichuang , Zheng Min , Zhou Xiao Zhen , Lu Kun Ping , Liu Hekun
Published: May 2019

The human prolyl isomerase PIN1, best known for its association with carcinogenesis, has recently been indicated in the disease of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the functions of PIN1 and the feasibility of targeting PIN1 in PDAC remain elusive. For this purpose, we examined the expression of PIN1 in cancer, related paracarcinoma and metastatic cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the associations with the pathogenesis of PDAC in 173 patients. The functional roles of PIN1 in PDAC were explored in vitro and in vivo using both genetic and chemical PIN1 inhibition. We showed that PIN1 was upregulated in pancreatic cancer and metastatic tissues. High PIN1 expression is significantly association with poor clinicopathological features and shorter overall survival and disease‐free survival. Further stratified analysis showed that PIN1 phenotypes refined prognostication in PDAC. Inhibition of PIN1 expression with RNA interference or with all trans retinoic acid decreased not only the growth but also the migration and invasion of PDAC cells through regulating the key molecules of multiple cancer‐driving pathways, simultaneously resulting in cell cycle arrest and mesenchymal‐epithelial transition in vitro. Furthermore, genetic and chemical PIN1 ablation showed dramatic inhibition of the tumorigenesis and metastatic spread and then reduced the tumor burden in vivo. We provided further evidence for the use of PIN1 as a promising therapeutic target in PDAC. Genetic and chemical PIN1 ablation exerted potent antitumor effects through blocking multiple cancer‐driving pathways in PDAC. More potent and specific PIN1 targeted inhibitors could be exploited to treat this aggressive cancer.
Design and synthesis of phenylpiperazine derivatives as potent anticancer agents for prostate cancer
Authors: Demirci Serpil , Hayal Taha Bartu , Kıratlı Binnur , Şişli Hatice Burcu , Demirci Selami , Şahin Fikrettin , Doğan Ayşegül
Published: May 2019

Novel thiourea (5a, 5b) and thiazolidinone derivatives (6a, 6b) were synthesized by hybridizing molecules starting from the compound 6‐(4‐phenylpiperazin‐1‐yl)pyridin‐3‐amine (4) which is known to show anticancer activity. The synthesis of the leading compound was carried out by using 1‐(5‐nitropyridin‐2‐yl)‐4‐phenylpiperazine (3) which was obtained by a novel method of the reaction of 2‐chloro‐5‐nitropyridine (1) and N‐phenylpiperazine (2). The structures of the compounds were confirmed using FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. The organic molecules were tested for their anticancer activities against prostate cancer (PC) cell lines: DU 145, PC‐3 and LNCaP. As the compound 5a exerted the highest cytotoxic activity, IC50 concentrations of compound 5a were further investigated in terms of morphology, colony‐forming ability, RNA expression, fragmented DNA and cell cycle distributions of PC cell lines. Overall data revealed that compound 5a treatment induces apoptosis and DNA fragmentation in PC cell lines and inhibits cell cycle progression resulting in the accumulation of cells in either the G1 or the S phases.
Structural changes over time in individual‐based networks involving a harvester ant, seeds, and invertebrates
Authors: Anjos Diego V. , Luna Pedro , Borges Carla C. R. , Dáttilo Wesley , Del‐Claro Kleber
Published: May 2019

1. Harvester ants perform important ecological functions, such as seed predation and redistribution of nutrients in the soil, through a complex of ecological interactions. Most studies are static descriptions of network structure, while their temporal organisations and the factors that modulate it have been neglected.

2. This study describes the temporal organisation and the influence of climatic variables (e.g. temperature and rainfall) on network structure between a harvester ant species and its food resources (seeds and invertebrates) in the Brazilian savanna over a 1‐year period. In addition, considering the ant–seed networks, the relationship between the size of seeds collected by ants and the distance travelled was examined, as well as how this relationship behaves over time.

3. For all network types (ant–seed, ant–invertebrate, and combined) there was great structural variation throughout the year. Among climatic variables, only rainfall influenced the properties of ant–invertebrate networks, presenting a positive influence on diversity of interactions and a negative influence on network specialisation. Finally, this study shows that harvester ants tend to collect larger seeds in the vicinity of the nest (< 5 m) and smaller seeds at greater distances, and this relationship appears to be constant over time.

4. This study highlights that ecological networks are useful tools with which to understand the temporal organisation of ecological functions. In addition, climatic changes, mainly in the rainfall regime, may interfere directly in the availability of resources and ultimately in the interactions between harvester ants and their food resources.
Role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in cerebral glutathione quantification for youth mental health: A systematic review
Authors: Fisher Emily , Gillam John , Upthegrove Rachel , Aldred Sarah , Wood Stephen J.
Published: May 2019

Aim

Oxidative stress is strongly implicated in many psychiatric disorders, which has resulted in the development of new interventions to attempt to perturb this pathology. A great deal of attention has been paid to glutathione, which is the brain's dominant antioxidant and plays a fundamental role in removing free radicals and other reactive oxygen species. Measurement of glutathione concentration in the brain in vivo can provide information on redox status and potential for oxidative stress to develop. Glutathione might also represent a marker to assess treatment response.

Methods

This paper systematically reviews studies that assess glutathione concentration (measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy) in various mental health conditions.

Results

There is limited evidence showing altered brain glutathione concentration in mental disorders; the best evidence suggests glutathione is decreased in depression, but is not altered in bipolar disorder. The review then outlines the various methodological options for acquiring glutathione data using spectroscopy.

Conclusions

Analysis of the minimum effect size measurable in existing studies indicates that increased number of participants is required to measure subtle but possibly important differences and move the field forward.
Decoding Human Intervention: Pathways to Successful Environmental Management
Authors: Murphy Eileen , Guimaraes Da Costa Nuno , Wong Chee Yew
Published: May 2019

Despite progress in integrating sustainability into operations and corporate strategies many companies struggle to see substantial improvements in their environmental practices. The literature offers a preponderance of systems and analytical tools in the field of operations management literature but neglects the soft management factors also believed to be crucial for bringing about change and employee participation. Fundamentally we still lack knowledge about the best ways to engage people and organisations in sustainable practices. To address this gap, we examine both best and poor practices in seven UK ISO 14001 certified manufacturers to explore the intervention mechanisms of soft key success factors (KSF) which enhance environmental practice. This paper has two contributions. First, it clarifies the function of KSFs as antecedent and intervention variables and their role in affecting environmental practice. Second, it develops precise propositions which explain the pathways of four intervention mechanisms as mediators between antecedents and environmental practices.
Range‐wide population genomics of the Mexican fruit fly: Toward development of pathway analysis tools
Authors: Dupuis Julian R. , Ruiz‐Arce Raul , Barr Norman B. , Thomas Donald B. , Geib Scott M.
Published: May 2019

Recurrently invading pests provide unique challenges for pest management, but also present opportunities to utilize genomics to understand invasion dynamics and inform regulatory management through pathway analysis. In the southern United States, the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens is such a pest, and its incursions into Texas and California represent major threats to the agricultural systems of those regions. We developed a draft genome assembly for A. ludens, conducted range‐wide population genomics using restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing, and then developed and demonstrated a panel of highly differentiated diagnostic SNPs for source determination of intercepted flies in this system. Using 2,081 genomewide SNPs, we identified four populations across the range of A. ludens, corresponding to western Mexico, eastern Mexico/Texas, Guatemala/Belize/Honduras, and Costa Rica/Panama, with some intergradation present between clusters, particularly in Central America. From this population genomics framework, we developed a diagnostic panel of 28 highly differentiated SNPs that were able to recreate the genomewide population structure in this species. We demonstrated this panel on a set of test specimens, including specimens intercepted as part of regular trapping surveillance in Texas and California, and we were able to predict populations of origin for these specimens. This methodology presents a highly applied use of genomic techniques and can be implemented in any group of recurrently invading pests.
Pathogen exposure disrupts an organism's ability to cope with thermal stress
Authors: Hector Tobias E. , Sgrò Carla M. , Hall Matthew D.
Published: May 2019

As a result of global climate change, species are experiencing an escalation in the severity and regularity of extreme thermal events. With patterns of disease distribution and transmission predicted to undergo considerable shifts in the coming years, the interplay between temperature and pathogen exposure will likely determine the capacity of a population to persist under the dual threat of global change and infectious disease. In this study, we investigated how exposure to a pathogen affects an individual's ability to cope with extreme temperatures. Using experimental infections of Daphnia magna with its obligate bacterial pathogen Pasteuria ramosa, we measured upper thermal limits of multiple host and pathogen genotype combinations across the dynamic process of infection and under various forms (static and ramping) of thermal stress. We find that pathogens substantially limit the thermal tolerance of their host, with the reduction in upper thermal limits on par with the breadth of variation seen across similar species entire geographical ranges. The precise magnitude of any reduction, however, was specific to the host and pathogen genotype combination. In addition, as thermal ramping rate slowed, upper thermal limits of both healthy and infected individuals were reduced. Our results suggest that the capacity of a population to evolve new thermal limits, when also faced with the threat of infection, will depend not only on a host's genetic variability in warmer environments, but also on the frequency of host and pathogen genotypes. We suggest that pathogen‐induced alterations of host thermal performance should be taken into account when assessing the resilience of any population and its potential for adaptation to global change.
Strong photosynthetic acclimation and enhanced water‐use efficiency in grassland functional groups persist over 21 years of CO2 enrichment, independent of nitrogen supply
Authors: Pastore Melissa A. , Lee Tali D. , Hobbie Sarah E. , Reich Peter B.
Published: May 2019

Uncertainty about long‐term leaf‐level responses to atmospheric CO2 rise is a major knowledge gap that exists because of limited empirical data. Thus, it remains unclear how responses of leaf gas exchange to elevated CO2 (eCO2) vary among plant species and functional groups, or across different levels of nutrient supply, and whether they persist over time for long‐lived perennials. Here, we report the effects of eCO2 on rates of net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in 14 perennial grassland species from four functional groups over two decades in a Minnesota Free‐Air CO2 Enrichment experiment, BioCON. Monocultures of species belonging to C3 grasses, C4 grasses, forbs, and legumes were exposed to two levels of CO2 and nitrogen supply in factorial combinations over 21 years. eCO2 increased photosynthesis by 12.9% on average in C3 species, substantially less than model predictions of instantaneous responses based on physiological theory and results of other studies, even those spanning multiple years. Acclimation of photosynthesis to eCO2 was observed beginning in the first year and did not strengthen through time. Yet, contrary to expectations, the response of photosynthesis to eCO2 was not enhanced by increased nitrogen supply. Differences in responses among herbaceous plant functional groups were modest, with legumes responding the most and C4 grasses the least as expected, but did not further diverge over time. Leaf‐level water‐use efficiency increased by 50% under eCO2 primarily because of reduced stomatal conductance. Our results imply that enhanced nitrogen supply will not necessarily diminish photosynthetic acclimation to eCO2 in nitrogen‐limited systems, and that significant and consistent declines in stomatal conductance and increases in water‐use efficiency under eCO2 may allow plants to better withstand drought.
Intensified inundation shifts a freshwater wetland from a CO2 sink to a source
Authors: Zhao Junbin , Malone Sparkle L. , Oberbauer Steven F. , Olivas Paulo C. , Schedlbauer Jessica L. , Staudhammer Christina L. , Starr Gregory
Published: May 2019

Climate change has altered global precipitation patterns and has led to greater variation in hydrological conditions. Wetlands are important globally for their soil carbon storage. Given that wetland carbon processes are primarily driven by hydrology, a comprehensive understanding of the effect of inundation is needed. In this study, we evaluated the effect of water level (WL) and inundation duration (ID) on carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes by analysing a 10‐year (2008–2017) eddy covariance dataset from a seasonally inundated freshwater marl prairie in the Everglades National Park. Both gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) rates showed declines under inundation. While GPP rates decreased almost linearly as WL and ID increased, ER rates were less responsive to WL increase beyond 30 cm and extended inundation periods. The unequal responses between GPP and ER caused a weaker net ecosystem CO2 sink strength as inundation intensity increased. Eventually, the ecosystem tended to become a net CO2 source on a daily basis when either WL exceeded 46 cm or inundation lasted longer than 7 months. Particularly, with an extended period of high‐WLs in 2016 (i.e., WL remained >40 cm for >9 months), the ecosystem became a CO2 source, as opposed to being a sink or neutral for CO2 in other years. Furthermore, the extreme inundation in 2016 was followed by a 4‐month postinundation period with lower net ecosystem CO2 uptake compared to other years. Given that inundation plays a key role in controlling ecosystem CO2 balance, we suggest that a future with more intensive inundation caused by climate change or water management activities can weaken the CO2 sink strength of the Everglades freshwater marl prairies and similar wetlands globally, creating a positive feedback to climate change.
Heat: An Overlooked Tool in the Practicing Hydrogeologist's Toolbox
Authors: Kurylyk Barret L. , Irvine Dylan J.
Published: May 2019

Article Impact Statement: Groundwater researchers and practitioners should include temperature in the suite of standard measurements and analyses.
KeaNestor notabilismothers produce nest‐specific calls with low amplitude and high entropy
Authors: Wein Amelia , Schwing Raoul , Huber Ludwig
Published: May 2019

Vocal behaviour of nesting altricial birds is subject to selection pressure from several sources. Offspring beg to attract parents’ attention, thus increasing the chances of being fed, but also increasing the chances of being detected by predators. Research on passerines has shown that parents may reduce the risk of nest predation by alarm calling to warn nestlings to be quiet, and by producing food calls which solicit begging when parents are present to defend the nestlings. Both nestlings and parents may reduce the risk of predator detection by producing calls of low amplitude and high entropy which are acoustically difficult to locate. Although extensive research has been undertaken on nesting passerine vocalizations, little is known about parrots in this regard, and studies are needed to determine whether parrots show similar adaptations. We investigated the calling behaviour of KeaNestor notabilismothers during the nesting period to determine whether maternal vocalizations were adapted in a way that could increase the chance of brood success. A microphone was installed inside the nest to record calls produced both inside the nest and in the direct vicinity. Our prediction was that calls outside the nest would be easy to locate and could function as alarm calls to alert conspecifics or distract the predator, whereas calls inside the nest would be difficult to locate and could serve to communicate with nestlings without alerting predators. Our results accorded with these predictions. Calls produced outside the nest were loud and tonal, and corresponded to previously described Kea alarm calls. Calls produced inside the nest, however, were high‐entropy and low‐amplitude calls, and formed a distinct structural category. We thus provide the first evidence that a parrot species has a vocal category for communication inside the nest, and that calls within this category are structured in a way that could reduce the risk of nest predation.
Comparison of quality of life evaluated by SF‐36 and DLQI in multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy patients from Sao Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Guimenes Albuquerque Rachel , Grüdtner Buratto Gabriel , Hirotsu Camila , Maeda Solange M. , Floriano Marcos C. , Levy Andersen Monica , Tufik Sergio , Tomimori Jane
Published: May 2019

Background

Dermatological diseases have a negative impact on quality of life (QoL), affecting mental and physical health. Leprosy patients usually present with a worse QoL compared with those affected by other conditions. Reactions, neural damage, and pain are some of the consequences that contribute to the lower QoL. However, due to the wide spectrum of the disease, symptoms vary according to leprosy's subtype. This study aimed to compare the QoL between paucibacillary and multibacillary leprosy patients. Individuals were also compared considering the presence of reactions and a correlation between questionnaires was performed.

Methods

A total of 104 patients with leprosy aged 18 years old and over were selected. QoL was assessed by the Brazilian‐Portuguese validated versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item short‐form health survey (SF‐36) and the Dermatology Life Quality Life Index (DLQI).

Results

Multibacillary patients showed a more impaired physical function, worse bodily pain, lower score of SF‐36, and higher interference of skin on the performance of daily activities when compared to the paucibacillary group. Individuals without reactions presented lower bodily pain and less effect of the skin on clothing choices compared to those with reactions. The SF‐36 domains exhibited weak correlations with most DLQI questions, and the linear regression model showed that 32% of changes in QoL were related to the skin aspect.

Conclusions

Multibacillary leprosy patients have a worse QoL when compared to paucibacillary patients. Reactions played a small role in the QoL of our cohort of patients.
Stenocereus griseus (Haw) pitaya as source of natural colourant: technological stability of colour and individual betalains
Authors: Cejudo‐Bastante María Jesús , Hurtado Nelson , Muñoz‐Burguillos Pablo , Heredia Francisco J.
Published: May 2019

Stenocereus griseus pitaya has been evaluated as potential natural colourant on the basis of tristimulus colorimetry, differential colorimetry, and individual betalains, not previously conducted in conjunction with this raw material. Different technological treatment conditions were reproduced based on different pHs, temperatures and storage time. According to the results, cold temperatures (4 °C) maintained for longer the initial colour characteristics (L*, and hab) of the extracts, whereas hab modifications began from the commencement of treatment at room temperature. Highly acidic extracts (pH 4) were the most stable samples in the light of the lower hab and changes over time, even at room temperature. Betanin, isobetanin, betanidin and 2‐decarboxy‐neobetanin were more affected by temperature, whereas the content of the minor betalains significantly (P < 0.05) varied when pH was modified. Moreover, visually appreciable and quantitative colour changes (Δ > 3) were observed among all pH values and temperatures.
Effects of pulsed electric fields pretreatment on the quality of jujube wine
Authors: Xu Ling‐Fang , Tang Zhong‐Sheng , Wen Qing‐Hui , Zeng Xin‐An , Brennan Charles , Niu Debao
Published: May 2019

Pulsed electric fields (PEF) accounts for one of the novel non‐thermal processing and preservation technologies and is regarded as an emerging application with the advantage of minimising the loss of valued bioactive compounds in food processing. In this study, various PEF pulses were applied to jujube pulp before fermentation. The fermentation kinetics, compositions, volatile and sensory characteristics were investigated and compared. Results showed that the PEF pretreatment with ten exponential wave pulses at 1.5 kV cm−1, 1 Hz improved phenolic compounds extraction, especially for caffeic acid, morin and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid. Besides, fifty pulses pretreatment enhanced 10% of the wine dry extract. In addition, PEF pretreatment significantly enriched the floral and fruity volatile notes to jujube wine with a decrease in fusel oil. Consequently, PEF preprocessing is a promising method that can be adopted in winemaking industry to promote wine quality and sensory profile.
Impact of parental mental illness on children's HoNOSCA results in a regional child and adolescent mental health service
Authors: Arthur Naughton Michael Frederick , Maybery Darryl , Sutton Keith , Goodyear Melinda
Published: May 2019

Use of routine outcome measures are frequently used to ascertain improvement in children's symptomology, this study examined whether living with a parent with a mental illness impacted outcome measures. The study examined 134 children attending a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). The majority lived with a parent reporting mental illness. Routine HoNOSCA and CGAS outcome measures were collected over a 6‐month period. Children of parents with a mental illness scored higher on most outcome measures. All children improved on most variables over the 6 months of CAMHS intervention with children of parents with mental illness showing greater improvement compared to other children on behaviour but less improvement on all other variables. They did not, however, improve as much on education‐related factors and showed lower improvement in overall functioning. Younger children with a parent with a mental illness improved least in the area of behaviour. This study highlighted the need for greater use and integration of measures where children live with a parent who has a mental illness. Findings suggest parental mental illness impacted on overall child outcomes, and this influence remained irrespective of clinical intervention. The common occurrence of parental mental illness, where children also have a mental illness, indicates focusing on a wider set of outcome measures for more effective intervention. Analysis of a larger cohort sample is warranted.
Boosting piezoelectric response of KNN‐based ceramics with strong visible‐light absorption
Authors: Zhong Haoyin , Xiao Hongyuan , Jiao Nan , Guo Yiping
Published: May 2019

A series of (1 − x)(K0.48Na0.52)NbO3‐x(Bi0.5Na0.5)(Zr0.55Ni0.45)O3‐δ (KNN‐BNZN) ceramics are designed to achieve excellent piezoelectric response along with narrow bandgap. The ceramics with x = 0.04 exhibit unprecedented piezoelectric coefficient d33 ~ 318±10pC N−1 in comparison with all reported narrow bandgap ceramics. A rhombohedral‐orthorhombic‐tetragonal (R‐O‐T) phase boundary is observed, indicating the formation of defect dipoles (Ni2+‐) at morphotropic phase boundary region is desirable for piezo‐/ferroelectric properties. In addition, a narrow bandgap ~2.5 eV along with gap states (~0.9 eV and ~1.6 eV) is obtained from the ceramics when x > 0.02, which can be persuasively explained by the schematic plot of bandgap splitting mechanism proposed in this work, where Ni 3d energy state plays a role as a scaffold in the process of electron transition. More importantly, largely enhanced photovoltaic performance of the ceramics is achieved under AM 1.5 irradiation. The NIR photoresponse property (maximum current density of ~100 nA cm−2) indicates such KNN‐based ceramics with sub bandgap ~ 0.9 eV may even have potential to be applied in NIR light‐activated devices. Our findings might pave way for the further development of piezoelectric/photoresponsive multifunctional devices.
Core‐shell structured iron‐containing ceramic nanoparticles: Facile fabrication and excellent electromagnetic absorption properties
Authors: Gu Chong , Guo Changqing , Dong Xichao , Hu Zhiming , Wu Pengfei , Su Zhiming , Lu Yingxi , Xu Binbin , Yu Zhaoju , Liu Anhua
Published: May 2019

In this work, novel core‐shell structured Fe3Si@C/SiC/Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated via a polymer‐derived ceramic approach, starting from sol‐like polycarbosilane‐encapsulated polynuclear carbonyl iron nanoparticles and with pitch as an isolator to avoid aggregation during polymer‐to‐ceramic transformation. Elemental analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, vibrating sample magnetometer and vector network analyzer were employed to investigate the composition, nano/microstructure, morphology, and dielectric/magnetic properties. The results show that the size of obtained Fe3Si@C/SiC/Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles is in the range of 2‐200 nm. And the unique core‐shell structure with the hetero‐interface combined with simultaneous dielectric and magnetic loss endow Fe3Si@C/SiC/Fe3O4/SiO2 nanoparticles outstanding electromagnetic (EM) wave absorbing performance. With a sample thickness of 4.5 mm, the minimum reflection coefficient (RC) of the composites Fe3Si@C/SiC/Fe3O4/SiO2 mixed with paraffin wax reaches −44.7 dB, indicating that more than 99.99% EM waves can be attenuated by the composites. By adjusting the sample thicknesses, the effective bandwidth (the bandwidth of RC values lower than −10 dB) amounts 9.5 GHz (from 2.5 to 12.0 GHz), covering the whole C and X bands.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of adjunctive ethanol infusion into the vein of Marshall during catheter ablation for nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation
Authors: Liu Chih‐Min , Lo Li‐Wei , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Lin Chin‐Yu , Chang Shih‐Lin , Chung Fa‐Po , Chao Tze‐Fan , Hu Yu‐Feng , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Liao Jo‐Nan , Chen Yun‐Yu , Kuo Ling , Chang Ting‐Yung , Hoang Quang Minh , Salim Simon , Vicera Jennifer Jeanne B. , Wu Cheng‐I , Chuang Chieh‐Mao , Huang Ting‐Chung , Chen Shih‐Ann
Published: May 2019

Introduction

We aimed to clarify the effect of vein of Marshall (VOM) ethanol infusion for treating VOM triggers and/or mitral flutter after first‐attempt endocardial ablation in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and Results

Of the 254 consecutive patients (age, 56 ± 10 years; 221 male) undergoing catheter ablation for drug‐refractory nonparoxysmal AF, 32 (12.6%) received VOM ethanol infusion. The patients were stratified into group 1 (pulmonary vein isolation [PVI], substrate modification, VOM ethanol infusion), group 2 (PVI, substrate modification), and group 3 (PVI alone). Propensity‐matched analysis (N = 128) of long‐term outcomes (3.9 ± 0.5 years) revealed a higher AF recurrence risk in group 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 4.17; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.63‐10.69; P = .003) and group 3 (HR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.09‐3.04; P = .021) than in group 1, as well as a higher atrial arrhythmia recurrence risk in group 2 than in group 1 (HR, 2.42; 95% CI, 1.16‐5.03; P = .018). A higher procedural termination rate was observed in group 1 than groups 2 and 3 (41.7% vs 17.2% vs 18.8%; P = .042). On multivariate analysis, VOM ethanol injection was an independent predictor of freedom from recurrence of AF (HR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.08‐0.52; P = .001) and atrial arrhythmia (HR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17‐0.74; P = .005), whereas a left atrial diameter >45 mm and hypertension were independent risk factors for recurrence. Periprocedural complications rates were comparable among the groups.

Conclusion

Adjunctive VOM ethanol infusion is effective and safe for treating nonparoxysmal AF in patients with VOM triggers and/or refractory mitral flutter, providing good long‐term freedom from AF and atrial arrhythmia.
Ginkgo biloba extract protects human melanocytes from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2
Authors: Zhang Shaolong , Yi Xiuli , Su Xin , Jian Zhe , Cui Tingting , Guo Sen , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying , Li Shuli , Xiao Qian
Published: May 2019

Vitiligo is a common skin depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of functional melanocytes. Its pathogenesis is complicated and oxidative stress plays a critical role in the development of vitiligo. Thus, antioxidant therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to prevent or even reverse the progression of depigmentation. Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761 has been confirmed to have protective effects on neurons against oxidative stress. Notably, several clinical trials have shown that patients with stable vitiligo achieved repigmentation after taking EGb761. However, the exact mechanism underlying the protective effects of EGb761 on melanocytes against oxidative stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that EGb761 effectively protected melanocytes against oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis and alleviated the excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation by enhancing the activity of antioxidative enzymes. Furthermore, the antioxidative effect of EGb761 was achieved by activating Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidative genes. In addition, interfering Nrf2 with siRNA abolished the protective effects of EGb761 on melanocytes against oxidative damage. In conclusion, our study proves that EGb761 could protect melanocytes from H2O2‐induced oxidative stress by activating Nrf2. Therefore, EGb761 is supposed to be a potential therapeutic agent for vitiligo.
Exosomes from tendon stem cells promote injury tendon healing through balancing synthesis and degradation of the tendon extracellular matrix
Authors: Wang Yunjiao , He Gang , Guo Yupeng , Tang Hong , Shi Youxing , Bian Xuting , Zhu Min , Kang Xia , Zhou Mei , Lyu Jingtong , Yang Mingyu , Mu Miduo , Lai Fan , Lu Kang , Chen Wan , Zhou Binghua , Zhang Jiqiang , Tang Kanglai
Published: May 2019

Tendon injuries are common musculoskeletal system disorders in clinical, but the regeneration ability of tendon is limited. Tendon stem cells (TSCs) have shown promising effect on tissue engineering and been used for the treatment of tendon injury. Exosomes that serve as genetic information carriers have been implicated in many diseases and physiological processes, but effect of exosomes from TSCs on tendon injury repair is unclear. The aim of this study is to make clear that the effect of exosomes from TSCs on tendon injury healing. Exosomes were harvested from conditioned culture media of TSCs by a sequential centrifugation process. Rat Achilles tendon tendinopathy model was established by collagenase‐I injection. This was followed by intra‐Achilles‐tendon injection with TSCs or exosomes. Tendon healing and matrix degradation were evaluated by histology analysis and biomechanical test at the post‐injury 5 weeks. In vitro, TSCs treated with interleukin 1 beta were added by conditioned medium including exosomes or not, or by exosomes or not. Tendon matrix related markers and tenogenesis related markers were measured by immunostaining and western blot. We found that TSCs injection and exosomes injection significantly decreased matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐3 expression, increased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐3 (TIMP‐3) and Col‐1a1, and increased biomechanical properties of the ultimate stress and maximum loading. In vitro, conditioned medium with exosomes and exosomes also significantly decreased MMP‐3, and increased expression of tenomodulin, Col‐1a1 and TIMP‐3. Exosomes from TSCs could be an ideal therapeutic strategy in tendon injury healing for its balancing tendon extracellular matrix and promoting the tenogenesis of TSCs.
Does shared decision making respect a patient's relational autonomy?
Authors: Lewis Jonathan
Published: May 2019

According to many of its proponents, shared decision making (“SDM”) is the right way to interpret the clinician‐patient relationship because it respects patient autonomy in decision‐making contexts. In particular, medical ethicists have claimed that SDM respects a patient'srelationalautonomy understood as a capacity that depends upon, and can only be sustained by, interpersonal relationships as well as broader health care and social conditions. This paper challenges that claim. By considering two primary approaches to relational autonomy, this paper argues that standard accounts of SDM actually undermine patient autonomy. It also provides an overview of the obligations generated by the principle of respect for relational autonomy that have not been captured in standard accounts of SDM and which are necessary to ensure consistency between clinical practice and respect for patient autonomy.
Calibration of life history traits with epiphyseal closure, dental eruption and bone histology in captive and wild red deer
Authors: Calderón Teresa , DeMiguel Daniel , Arnold Walter , Stalder Gabrielle , Köhler Meike
Published: May 2019

The study of skeletochronology and bone tissue as a record of information on ontogenetic stages and events is widely used for improving the knowledge about life histories (LHs) of extinct and extant vertebrates. Compared with dinosaurs and extant reptiles, mammalian bone histology has received little attention. Here, we calibrate for the first time bone and dental age with histological bone characteristics and LH stages in ontogenetic series of red deer. We rely on known LHs of different aged individuals of captive Cervus elaphus hippelaphus from Austria to correlate epiphyseal closure, dental eruption pattern, bone growth marks and bone tissue patterns in femora and tibiae, and of wild Cervus elaphus hispanicus from Spain. Our data show that females (of both subspecies) attain skeletal maturity earlier than males. At this moment, epiphyseal closure (in femora and tibiae) and dental eruption are complete and long bones start to deposit an external fundamental system. The results also show that the attainment of reproductive maturity in red deer occurs slightly before skeletal maturity.
Stock Returns over the FOMC Cycle
Authors: CIESLAK ANNA , MORSE ADAIR , VISSING‐JORGENSEN ANNETTE
Published: May 2019

We document that since 1994, the equity premium is earned entirely in weeks 0, 2, 4, and 6 in Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cycle time, that is, even weeks starting from the last FOMC meeting. We causally tie this fact to the Fed by studying intermeeting target changes, Fed funds futures, and internal Board of Governors meetings. The Fed has affected the stock market via unexpectedly accommodating policy, leading to large reductions in the equity premium. Evidence suggests systematic informal communication of Fed officials with the media and financial sector as a channel through which news about monetary policy has reached the market.
Solidarity in a Technocratic Age
Authors: Beauchamp Andrew , Heron Jason A.
Published: May 2019

Do free markets teach us how to construct humane social relations or do they impede us from doing so? We discuss social scientific evidence on the nature of commercialization and its consequences for moral formation. From a virtue ethics perspective, people face a need to learn and practice the good. When interactions transition into the market sphere, we argue commercialization can fundamentally alter the nature of relationships, particularly for those relations formerly based on gift, sacrifice, and obligation. While modern social scientists accurately identify problems resulting from commercialization, we argue for the importance of theological social ethics, which can offer a penetrating analysis of the habits of gift and communal responsibility. Catholic social teaching in particular outlines the set of principles and institutions which foster sacrificial gift‐giving among individuals and organizations within society, providing a bulwark against the threat commercialization poses to many social relations.
Confucianism, Rule‐Consequentialism, and the Demands of Filial Obligations
Authors: Sin William
Published: May 2019

Why should I take care of my aging parents? How far will morality require me to sacrifice for this cause? I will study these questions from the perspectives of Confucianism and rule‐consequentialism. Confucians believe that the continuity of families and the interactions between members of different generations can enhance the integrity of society in the long run. However, since Confucianism may impose extreme demands on its followers, this theory may be problematic. In this paper, I argue that despite its demands, the Confucian doctrines are defensible and are worth upholding. To explain my view, I draw upon rule‐consequentialism and explain how the rule‐consequentialist analysis complements and enhances the Confucian claims. I believe that the consequentialist conception of Confucianism can provide a useful resource for responding to the moral challenge of population aging in the current state of the world.
Rethinking Economic Inequality
Authors: Hirschfeld Mary L.
Published: May 2019

Secular discourse about problem of economic inequality rests on two foundational premises that are problematic from a theological point of view. First, individuals enter into society with the aim of bettering their own condition. Second, bettering one's own condition entails accruing more wealth and power so that one can fulfill more of one's desires. In this paper I argue that insofar as these premises shape market behavior, they actively promote excessive economic inequality. Ethical responses to the problem of economic inequality that do not challenge these assumptions are unlikely to effectively promote justice. A theological response to the problem of economic inequality should work to promote cultural change by reminding us that genuine human flourishing depends on communal ties and the higher human goods that material wealth is properly meant to support.