bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of polyploidization on tree hydraulic functioning
Authors: De Baerdemaeker Niels J. F. , Hias Niek , Van den Bulcke Jan , Keulemans Wannes , Steppe Kathy
Published: March 2018

Premise of the Study

Recent research has highlighted the importance of living tissue in wood. Polyploidization can impact amounts and arrangements of living cells in wood, potentially leading to increased drought tolerance. Tetraploid variants were created from the apple cultivar Malus ×domestica ‘Gala’ (Gala‐4x), and their vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation and their hydraulic capacitance were compared to those of their diploid predecessors (Gala‐2x). Assuming a positive correlation between polyploidy and drought tolerance, we hypothesized lower vulnerability and higher capacitance for the tetraploid.

Methods

Vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation and the hydraulic capacitance were quantified through acoustic emission and continuous weighing of shoots during a bench‐top dehydration experiment. To underpin the hydraulic trait results, anatomical variables such as vessel area, conduit diameter, cell wall reinforcement, and ray and vessel‐associated parenchyma were measured.

Key Results

Vulnerability to drought‐induced cavitation was intrinsically equal for both ploidy variants, but Gala‐4x proved to be more vulnerable than Gala‐2x during the early phase of desiccation as was indicated by its significantly lower air entry value. Higher change in water content of the leafy shoot, higher amount of parenchyma, and larger vessel area and size resulted in a significantly higher hydraulic capacitance and efficiency for Gala‐4x compared to Gala‐2x.

Conclusions

Both ploidy variants were typified as highly sensitive to drought‐induced cavitation, with no significant difference in their overall drought vulnerability. But, when water deficit is short and moderate, Gala‐4x may delay a drought‐induced decrease in performance by trading hydraulic safety for increased release of capacitively stored water from living tissue.
Effects of the Addition of Spray‐Dried Whey on the Stability of Fat‐Reduced Mayonnaise‐Type Emulsions During Storage
Authors: Biller Elżbieta , Waszkiewicz‐Robak Bożena , Longo Edoardo , Boselli Emanuele , Obiedziński Mieczysław , Siwek Adam , Stachelska Milena A.
Published: March 2018

The applicability of the spray‐dried whey for the production of reduced‐calorie mayonnaise‐type emulsions was studied. Whey was used as a stabilizing/emulsifying agent and as a fat‐replacement component. Whey powder was spray‐dried at 130, 140, and 180 °C. As control sample, 80% w/w standard fat emulsion was prepared. Mayonnaise‐like fat‐reduced emulsions contained 65% w/w of fat and 15% w/w of three distinct types of whey. The destabilization of the emulsions was investigated within 7 days of storage by scanning the samples with laser light. Backscattering, Turbiscan stability index, elasticity index, and macroscopic viscosity index were determined. The most stable emulsion contained whey powder spray‐dried at 180 °C. The emulsion made with whey powder spray‐dried at 130 °C was less stable than that with 180 °C spray‐dried whey, but it was more stable than the control and the one with whey spray‐dried at 140 °C.
Fabricating durable, fluoride‐free, water repellency cotton fabrics with CPDMS
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhu Danjie , Si Yang , Sun Gang
Published: March 2018

The demand for fluoride‐free and durable hydrophobic cotton fabric is dramatically increasing due to environmental and human safety concerns. The current approach to produce water repellent cotton fabrics is applying fluorocarbon compounds in topical treatments. However, the fluorocarbons employed in the water repellent treatments on cotton fabrics have environmental concerns and environmentally friendly technologies are desperately sought. Herein, we report a new approach of fabricating water repellent cotton fabrics with proper washing durability by using poly{dimethylsiloxane‐co‐[2‐(3,4‐epoxycyclohexyl)ethyl]methylsiloxane} (CPDMS) as a hydrophobic agent. Benefiting from formation of robust ether bonds between CPDMS and celluloses, the cotton fabrics could gain promising durability for daily laundry. The resultant cotton fabrics demonstrated simultaneously desired waterproofness (hydrostatic pressure up to 22 mbar), durability (hydrostatic pressure stabled at 12 mbar after five laundry cycles), and breathability. Moreover, the CPDMS modified cotton fabrics also exhibited robust physical property with tensile strength retention up to 73%. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46396.
Pyridine‐substituted thiazolylphenol derivatives: Synthesis, modeling studies, aromatase inhibition, and antiproliferative activity evaluation
Authors: Ertas Merve , Sahin Zafer , Berk Barkin , Yurttas Leyla , Biltekin Sevde N. , Demirayak Seref
Published: March 2018

Drugs used in breast cancer treatments target the suppression of estrogen biosynthesis. During this suppression, the main goal is to inhibit the aromatase enzyme that is responsible for the cyclization and structuring of estrogens either with steroid or non‐steroidal‐type inhibitors. Non‐steroidal derivatives generally have a planar aromatic structure attached to the triazole ring system in their structures, which inhibits hydroxylation reactions during aromatization by coordinating the heme group. Bioisosteric replacement of the triazole ring system and development of aromatic/cyclic structures of the side chain can increase the selectivity for aromatase enzyme inhibition. In this study, pyridine‐substituted thiazolylphenol derivatives, which are non‐steroidal triazole bioisosteres, were synthesized using the Hantzsch method, and physical analysis and structural determination studies were performed. The IC50 values of the compounds were determined by a fluorescence‐based aromatase inhibition assay. Then, their antiproliferative activities on the MCF7 and HEK 293 cell lines were evaluated with the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Furthermore, the crystal structure of human placental aromatase was subjected to a series of docking experiments to identify the possible interactions between the most active structure and the active site. Lastly, an in silico technique was performed to analyze and predict the drug‐likeness, molecular and ADME properties of the synthesized molecules.
Nano Trek Beyond: Driving Nanocars/Molecular Machines at Interfaces
Authors: Ariga Katsuhiko , Mori Taizo , Nakanishi Waka
Published: March 2018

In 2016, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for pioneering work on molecular machines. Half a year later, in Toulouse, the first molecular car race, a “nanocar race”, was held by using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope as an electrical remote control. In this Focus Review, we discuss the current state‐of‐the‐art in research on molecular machines at interfaces. In the first section, we briefly explain the science behind the nanocar race, followed by a selection of recent examples of controlling molecules on surfaces. Finally, motion synchronization and the functions of molecular machines at liquid interfaces are discussed. This new concept of molecular tuning at interfaces is also introduced as a method for the continuous modification and optimization of molecular structure for target functions.
Likelihood adaptively modified penalties
Authors: Feng Yang , Li Tengfei , Ying Zhiliang
Published: March 2018

A new family of penalty functions, ie, adaptive to likelihood, is introduced for model selection in general regression models. It arises naturally through assuming certain types of prior distribution on the regression parameters. To study the stability properties of the penalized maximum‐likelihood estimator, 2 types of asymptotic stability are defined. Theoretical properties, including the parameter estimation consistency, model selection consistency, and asymptotic stability, are established under suitable regularity conditions. An efficient coordinate‐descent algorithm is proposed. Simulation results and real data analysis show that the proposed approach has competitive performance in comparison with the existing methods.
Cover Image, Volume 12, Issue 2
Authors: de Assis Camilla Abbati , Iglesias Maria Celeste , Bilodeau Michael , Johnson Donna , Phillips Richard , Peresin Maria Soledad , Bilek E.M. (Ted) , Rojas Orlando J. , Venditti Richard , Gonzalez Ronalds
Published: March 2018

The cover image, by Camilla Abbati de Assis et al., is based on the Modeling and Analysis Cellulose micro‐ and nanofibrils (CMNF) manufacturing ‐ financial and risk assessment, DOI: 10.1002/bbb.1835.

image
Virtual reality applications for diagnosis, risk assessment and therapy of child abusers
Authors: Fromberger Peter , Jordan Kirsten , Müller Jürgen L.
Published: March 2018

Despite the successful application of virtual reality (VR) in a wide variety of mental disorders and the obvious potentials that VR provides, the use of VR in the context of criminology and forensic psychology is sparse. For forensic mental health professionals, VR provides some advantages that outrun general advantages of VR, e.g., ecological validity and controllability of social situations. Most important seems to be the unique possibility to expose offenders and to train coping skills in virtual situations, which are able to elicit disorder‐relevant behavior—without endangering others. VR has already been used for the assessment of deviant sexual interests, for testing the ability to transfer learned coping skills communicated during treatment to behavior, and for risk assessment of child abusers. This article reviews and discusses these innovative research projects with regard to their impact on current clinical practice regarding risk assessment and treatment as well as other implementations of VR applications in forensic mental health. Finally, ethical guidelines for VR research in forensic mental health are provided.
Differentially expressed and survival‐related proteins of lung adenocarcinoma with bone metastasis
Authors: Yang Mengdi , Sun Yi , Sun Jing , Wang Zhiyu , Zhou Yiyi , Yao Guangyu , Gu Yifeng , Zhang Huizhen , Zhao Hui
Published: March 2018

Despite recent advances in targeted and immune‐based therapies, the poor prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) with bone metastasis (BM) remains a challenge. First, two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) was used to identify proteins that were differentially expressed in LUAD with BM, and then matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) was used to identify these proteins. Second, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was used to identify mutations in these differentially expressed proteins and Kaplan–Meier plotter (KM Plotter) was used to generate survival curves for the analyzed cases. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to check the expression of proteins in 28 patients with BM and nine patients with LUAD. Lastly, the results were analyzed with respect to clinical features and patient's follow‐up. We identified a number of matched proteins from 2‐DE. High expression of enolase 1 (ENO1) (HR = 1.67, logrank P = 1.9E‐05), ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P2 (RPLP2) (HR = 1.77, logrank P = 2.9e‐06), and NME/NM23 nucleoside diphosphate kinase 2 (NME1‐NME2) (HR = 2.65, logrank P = 3.9E‐15) was all significantly associated with poor survival (P < 0.05). Further, ENO1 was upregulated (P = 0.0004) and calcyphosine (CAPS1) was downregulated (P = 5.34E‐07) in TCGA LUAD RNA‐seq expression data. IHC revealed that prominent ENO1 staining (OR = 7.5, P = 0.034) and low levels of CAPS1 (OR = 0.01, P < 0.0001) staining were associated with BM incidence. Finally, we found that LUAD patients with high expression of ENO1 and RPLP2 had worse overall survival. This is the first instance where the genes ENO1, RPLP2, NME1‐NME2 and CAPS1 were associated with disease severity and progression in LUAD patients with BM. Thus, with this study, we have identified potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this disease.
Assessment of Electrolytes and Metals Profile of the Faro Lake (Capo Peloro Lagoon, Sicily, Italy) and Its Impact on Mytilus galloprovincialis
Authors: Capillo Gioele , Silvestro Serena , Sanfilippo Marilena , Fiorino Emma , Giangrosso Giuseppe , Ferrantelli Vincenzo , Vazzana Irene , Faggio Caterina
Published: March 2018

Faro Lake is a coastal meromictic lagoon with singular characteristics in the Mediterranean (Messina, Sicily – Italy). It is part of the Natural Oriented Reserve of Capo Peloro (38° 15′ 57″ N; 15° 37′ 50″ E). In this area, traditional mollusc farming activity persists, producing ‘autochthonous’ mussels. This study reports of the Mytilus galloprovincialis haemolymph chemical profile and water variables determination of 1 year‐lasted survey (April 2016 – March 2017). The determinations of electrolytes (Na+, Cl–, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, P inorganic) and heavy metals in both Faro lake water and haemolymph have been carried out. Heavy metals are elements with high density and are quite toxic in low concentrations, such as Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cobalt (Co), Chrome (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn). Heavy metals toxicity depends, principally, on bioaccumulation processes. M. galloprovincialis is a good bio‐indicator, ideal for assess levels of environmental pollution thanks to its biological, ecological and physiological characteristics. The results of this study showed a typical fluctuation range in haemolymph and water parameters, related to the water ones; chemical‐physical parameters affected the ions (electrolytes and metals) levels in some period of the year. The study reports the interactions between biotic (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and abiotic (water parameters) components of Faro Lake, and creates reference data for further future study on the same area or on similar ones.
Emergence of nasal chondrosarcoma in a dog with nasal polyposis
Authors: Sumner Judd A. , Witham Adrian I. , Stent Andrew W. , Wightman Paul F. , Mansfield Caroline S.
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical Message

Whilst the malignant transformation of nasal polyps or secondary development of nasal neoplasia after chronic inflammation is likely to be relatively rare, this potential complication should be considered, and the clinician should be vigilant for evidence of malignant transformation.
Characterization of two familial cases presenting with a syndromic specific learning disorder and carrying (17q;21q) unbalanced translocations
Authors: Coton Julie , Labalme Audrey , Till Marianne , Bussy Gerald , Krifi Papoz Sonia , Lesca Gaetan , Heron Delphine , Sanlaville Damien , Edery Patrick , des Portes Vincent , Rossi Massimiliano
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical Message

Chromosomal microarray (CMA) can detect pathogenic copy number variations in 15–20% of individuals with intellectual disability and in 10% of patients with autism spectrum disorders. The diagnostic rate in specific learning disorders (SLD) is unknown. Our study emphasizes the usefulness of CMA in the diagnostic workout assessment of familial SLD.
Photocatalytic Regulation of an Autocatalytic Wave of Spatially Propagating Enzymatic Reactions
Authors: Lanchuk Yulia , Nikitina Anna , Brezhneva Nadzeya , Ulasevich Sviatlana A. , Semenov Sergey N. , Skorb Ekaterina V.
Published: March 2018

Bioinspiration is an attractive way to develop new robust chemistry. In biological cell, chemical reactions form complex networks (e.g. signaling and metabolic) that communicate with each other and control cell division, growth, and interaction with environment. Thus, combining multiple chemical subsystems into a single network is an attractive way to design a chemical system with new functions. In this paper, we combined two chemical networks: i) a photocatalytic oxidation/ reduction on TiO2particles, and ii) an autocatalytic formation of enzyme trypsin (Tr) from its precursor trypsinogen (Tg). Moreover, we put the combined network in hydrogel media, where all reactions are coupled to diffusion, to achieve a photocatalytic regulation of an autocatalytic wave. We showed that TiO2particles affected the fluorescence quenching ofTr, but, without irradiation, had no effect on the autocatalytic formation ofTr. With irradiation, however, a cascade of photocatalytic reactions causes media acidification that suppress the autocatalytic formation ofTrand propagation of the autocatalytic wave.
In Situ Incorporation Strategy for Bimetallic FeCo‐Doped Carbon as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts
Authors: Shui Hengxin , Jin Tian , Hu Jun , Liu Honglai
Published: March 2018

Highly efficient bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction/oxygen evolution reaction (ORR/OER) electrocatalysts are of great significance for developing rechargeable metal–air batteries. A facile in situ incorporation strategy was proposed to introduce an iron‐based complex into a cobalt‐based ZIF‐67 framework. The resultant FeCo−N/C exhibited an excellent ORR activity with a high half‐wave potential of 0.84 V and simultaneous outstanding OER activity with a low overpotential of 370 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in 0.1 M KOH. The overall oxygen electrode activity was calculated to be as low as 0.77 V. This work provides new opportunities for the development of highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts.
Oriented MoS2 Nanoflakes on N‐Doped Carbon Nanosheets Derived from Dodecylamine‐Intercalated MoO3 for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery Anodes
Authors: Liao Zhenhua , Li Qingwei , Zhang Jiabao , Xu Juan , Gao Biao , Chu Paul K. , Huo Kaifu
Published: March 2018

MoS2 is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) because of its layered structure, analogous to that of graphite, and high lithium storage capacity of 670 mAh g−1. However, its practical implementation in LIBs is hindered by poor conductivity, large volume change, and possible polysulfide shuttling during cycling. In this work, oriented MoS2 nanoflakes grown on N‐doped carbon nanosheets (MoS2/NC) are investigated as high‐performance anodes in LIBs. The materials are prepared by annealing dodecylamine‐intercalated MoO3 nanosheets under Ar at 400 °C, followed by a hydrothermal treatment in the thiourea (CH4N2S) solution at 220 °C for 30 h. In the MoS2/NC structure, the NC nanosheets constitute a long‐range conductive network for fast electron transfer, whereas the oriented MoS2 nanoflakes provide sufficient active sites for Li+ storage and fast Li+ diffusion along the a–b plane. Consequently, the MoS2/NC electrode shows a remarkable capacity of 803 mAh g−1 at a current density of 100 mA g−1, a high rate capability of 554 mAh g−1 at 2000 mA g−1, and excellent cycle stability. Our results reveal a facile and general method to produce high‐performance heterostructured MoS2/NC anodes and the process can be extended to other metal dichalcogenides for future high‐performance LIBs.
Subnaphthalocyanines as Electron Acceptors in Polymer Solar Cells: Improving Device Performance by Modifying Peripheral and Axial Substituents
Authors: Duan Chunhui , Guzmán David , Colberts Fallon J. M. , Janssen René A. J. , Torres Tomás
Published: March 2018

A new class of subnaphthalocyanines bearing various peripheral and axial substituents have been synthesized for use as electron acceptors in solution‐processed bulk‐heterojunction polymer solar cells. The resulting solar cells exhibit modest photovoltaic performance with contributions from both the polymer donor and subnaphthalocyanine acceptor to the photocurrent.
The Physico‐Chemical Basis of DNA Radiosensitization: Implications for Cancer Radiation Therapy
Authors: Schürmann Robin , Vogel Stefanie , Ebel Kenny , Bald Ilko
Published: March 2018

High‐energy radiation is used in combination with radiosensitizing therapeutics to treat cancer. The most common radiosensitizers are halogenated nucleosides and cisplatin derivatives, and recently also metal nanoparticles have been suggested as potential radiosensitizing agents. The radiosensitizing action of these compounds can at least partly be ascribed to an enhanced reactivity towards secondary low‐energy electrons generated along the radiation track of the high‐energy primary radiation, or to an additional emission of secondary reactive electrons close to the tumor tissue. This is referred to as physico‐chemical radiosensitization. In this Concept article we present current experimental methods used to study fundamental processes of physico‐chemical radiosensitization and discuss the most relevant classes of radiosensitizers. Open questions in the current discussions are identified and future directions outlined, which can lead to optimized treatment protocols or even novel therapeutic concepts.
Fluorinated GluN2B Receptor Antagonists with a 3‐Benzazepine Scaffold Designed for PET Studies
Authors: Szermerski Marina , Börgel Frederik , Schepmann Dirk , Haider Achi , Betzel Thomas , Ametamey Simon M. , Wünsch Bernhard
Published: March 2018

To analyze the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor distribution in the central nervous system, fluorinated ligands that selectively address the ifenprodil binding site of GluN2B‐subunit‐containing NMDA receptors were developed. Various strategies to introduce a fluorine atom into the potent GluN2B ligand 2 (3‐(4‐phenylbutyl)‐2,3,4,5‐tetrahydro‐1H‐3‐benzazepin‐1,7‐diol) were pursued, including replacement of the benzylic OH moiety with a fluorine atom (13) and introduction of fluoroethoxy moieties at various positions (14 (7‐position), 17 (9‐position), 18a–c (1‐position)). With respect to GluN2B affinity and selectivity over related receptors, the fluoroethoxy derivatives 14 and 18a are the most promising ligands. Radiosynthesis of fluoroethoxy derivative [18F]14 was performed by nucleophilic substitution of the phenol 2 with 2‐[18F]fluoroethyl tosylate. On rat brain slices the fluorinated PET tracer [18F]14 accumulated in regions with high density of NMDA receptors containing GluN2B subunits. The bound radioactivity could not be replaced by (S)‐glutamate. However, the GluN2B ligands eliprodil, Ro 25‐6981, and the non‐labeled 3‐benzazepine 14 were able to abolish the specific binding of [18F]14.
Structural Determinants of the Stability of Enzyme‐Responsive Polyion Complex Nanoparticles Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s Elastase
Authors: Insua Ignacio , Petit Marion , Blackman Lewis D. , Keogh Robert , Pitto‐Barry Anaïs , O'Reilly Rachel K. , Peacock Anna F. A. , Krachler Anne Marie , Fernandez‐Trillo Francisco
Published: March 2018

Here, we report how the stability of polyion complex (PIC) particles containing Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s elastase (LasB) degradable peptides and antimicrobial poly(ethylene imine) is significantly improved by careful design of the peptide component. Three LasB‐degradable peptides are reported herein, all of them carrying the LasB‐degradable sequence −GLA− and for which the number of anionic amino acids and cysteine units per peptide were systematically varied. Our results suggest that while net charge and potential to cross‐link via disulfide bond formation do not have a predictable effect on the ability of LasB to degrade these peptides, a significant effect of these two parameters on particle preparation and stability is observed. A range of techniques has been used to characterize these new materials and demonstrates that increasing the charge and cross‐linking potential of the peptides results in PIC particles with better stability in physiological conditions and upon storage. These results highlight the importance of molecular design for the preparation of PIC particles and should underpin the future development of these materials for responsive drug delivery.
Upgrading service availability of optical networks: A labor force perspective
Authors: Chang Hung‐Yi , Wang Pi‐Chung
Published: March 2018

Service availability is an important issue in optical networks. Much research attention has been drawn to the provisioning of reliable connections achieved by approaches such as routing and wavelength assignment and by protection and restoration mechanisms. In contrast, the research on upgrading networks to meet new or dynamic demands of service availability based on network upgrading process has been comparatively lacking. In this paper, we address this issue by upgrading service availability from the perspective of labor forces for network maintenance. Our approach is premised on the assumption that the time period for fixing an optical link can be reduced by using more network resources of labor forces. To model this concept, we conduct Amdahl's law, a well‐known theorem in parallel computing, to describe human teamwork. To show the effectiveness of this concept, we propose mixed integer linear programming aiming at either maximizing service availability under limited labor forces or minimizing labor forces for predetermined service availability. In addition, a heuristic algorithm for upgrading service availability is presented. Our experimental results show that our network upgrading process can improve service availability optimally with a fixed number of forces and the proposed heuristic algorithm can effectively save computation time.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure: a position statement from the Heart Failure Association of the European Society of Cardiology
Authors: Seferović Petar M. , Petrie Mark C. , Filippatos Gerasimos S. , Anker Stefan D. , Rosano Giuseppe , Bauersachs Johann , Paulus Walter J. , Komajda Michel , Cosentino Francesco , de Boer Rudolf A. , Farmakis Dimitrios , Doehner Wolfram , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Lopatin Yuri , Piepoli Massimo F. , Theodorakis Michael J. , Wiggers Henrik , Lekakis John , Mebazaa Alexandre , Mamas Mamas A. , Tschöpe Carsten , Hoes Arno W. , Seferović Jelena P. , Logue Jennifer , McDonagh Theresa , Riley Jillian P. , Milinković Ivan , Polovina Marija , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Lainscak Mitja , Maggioni Aldo P. , Ruschitzka Frank , McMurray John J.V.
Published: March 2018

The coexistence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and heart failure (HF), either with reduced (HFrEF) or preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), is frequent (30–40% of patients) and associated with a higher risk of HF hospitalization, all‐cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. The most important causes of HF in T2DM are coronary artery disease, arterial hypertension and a direct detrimental effect of T2DM on the myocardium. T2DM is often unrecognized in HF patients, and vice versa, which emphasizes the importance of an active search for both disorders in the clinical practice. There are no specific limitations to HF treatment in T2DM. Subanalyses of trials addressing HF treatment in the general population have shown that all HF therapies are similarly effective regardless of T2DM. Concerning T2DM treatment in HF patients, most guidelines currently recommend metformin as the first‐line choice. Sulphonylureas and insulin have been the traditional second‐ and third‐line therapies although their safety in HF is equivocal. Neither glucagon‐like preptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists, nor dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP4) inhibitors reduce the risk for HF hospitalization. Indeed, a DPP4 inhibitor, saxagliptin, has been associated with a higher risk of HF hospitalization. Thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) are contraindicated in patients with (or at risk of) HF. In recent trials, sodium–glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, empagliflozin and canagliflozin, have both shown a significant reduction in HF hospitalization in patients with established CV disease or at risk of CV disease. Several ongoing trials should provide an insight into the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF in the absence of T2DM.
Approach and avoidance relationship goals and couples’ nonverbal communication during conflict
Authors: Bernecker Katharina , Ghassemi Mirjam , Brandstätter Veronika
Published: March 2018

Approach relationship goals are pursued in order to achieve desirable outcomes, whereas avoidance relationship goals are pursued to prevent undesirable outcomes in relationships. We investigated how partners’ approach and avoidance relationship goals are related to their nonverbal communication during conflict. A sequential analysis of observational data from 365 couples (28,470 observations) revealed that individuals with more (vs. fewer) approach goals displayed more positive involvement (e.g., head nods, smiles) and less avoidant withdrawal (e.g., shaking head, folded arms). The reverse pattern emerged for avoidance goals. Furthermore, women (but not men) matched their partner's positive involvement to a greater extent the more approach goals and the fewer avoidance goals they pursued. In contrast, approach/avoidance relationship goals were not associated with how much individuals matched their partner's avoidant withdrawal. Results suggest that relationship goals are related to partners’ nonverbal communication and the extent to which women match their partner's positive involvement during conflict.
Resource allocation for licensed and unlicensed spectrum in 5G heterogeneous networks
Authors: Ali Mudassar , Qaisar Saad , Naeem Muhammad , Rodrigues Joel J. P. C. , Qamar Farhan
Published: March 2018

The foresighted enormous increase in mobile traffic over the coming years will result in severe congestion on available radio spectrum. The use of additional spectrum in future fifth‐generation mobile networks will be inevitable. Long‐Term Evolution Unlicensed (LTE‐U) is an evolving technology, which effectively utilizes available unlicensed spectrum to increase the capacity of unified fifth‐generation network. However, LTE‐U causes severe interference to existing WiFi networks, which needs to be addressed to take full advantage of LTE‐U. In this paper, we thrive to provide a suboptimal resource allocation for coexisting LTE‐U and WiFi networks to maximize throughput and, hence, minimize the interference. We formulated an optimization problem for joint user association and power allocation for licensed and unlicensed spectrum with objective to maximize sum rate of LTE‐U/WiFi heterogeneous network in a multioperator scenario, subject to minimum rate guarantee and cochannel interference threshold. We propose mesh adaptive direct search algorithm as solution to optimization problem to obtain ϵ‐optimal results. The performance of proposed algorithm is shown in terms of network key performance indicators such as throughput and number of users accommodated. We also benchmark the results from mesh adaptive direct search against outer approximation algorithm.
Effect of addition of processed bambara nut on the functional and sensory acceptability of millet‐based infant formula
Authors: James Samaila , Akosu Ngozi Iwanger , Maina Yakubu Caleb , Baba Amina Ibrahim , Nwokocha Lilian , Amuga Suleiman James , Audu Yohanna , Omeiza Maxwell Yemmy Mitchel
Published: March 2018

Fermentation and sprouting have been shown to increase nutrient bioavailability and modify the functional properties of foods. Application of these methods in the preparation of infant foods and complementing cereals with legumes will address nutrient density and viscosity problems associated with infant foods. Infant foods were formulated from blends of treated bambara nut and pearl millet. Functional properties, pasting properties, and sensory acceptability of the blends were studied. Millet and bambara nut were soaked separately in water and allowed to ferment for 48 hr at room temperature. While for sprouting, millet and bambara nut were soaked for 12 and 24 hr, respectively, at room temperature, and soaked seeds were separately sprouted for 48 hr. After fermentation and sprouting, the seeds were oven‐dried and then milled into a flour of 0.6 mm size. The flours were formulated to six (A, B, C, D, E, and F) complementary diets. The results show that sample E had the suitable water absorption capacity, while, for oil absorption capacity, various blends showed suitability except samples A and B. In terms of swelling capacity, sample F (6.52 ± 0.01%) was the suitable at 60°C. Treatment and blending significantly influenced trough, final viscosity, and pasting time. In sensory acceptability, sample B was adjudged the best. This study revealed that sample C was the best in respect to functional and pasting properties for infant food; however, sample B received the best general acceptability.
Draper‐mediated JNK signaling is required for glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during Drosophila metamorphosis
Authors: Hilu‐Dadia Reut , Hakim‐Mishnaevski Ketty , Levy‐Adam Flonia , Kurant Estee
Published: March 2018

Development of the central nervous system involves elimination of superfluous neurons through apoptosis and subsequent phagocytosis. In Drosophila, this occurs mainly during three developmental stages: embryogenesis, metamorphosis and emerging adult. Two transmembrane glial phagocytic receptors, SIMU (homolog of the mammalian Stabilin‐2) and Draper (homolog of the mammalian MEGF10 and Jedi), mediate glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during embryogenesis. However, less is known about the removal of apoptotic neurons during later stages of development. Here we show that during metamorphosis, Draper plays a critical role in apoptotic cell clearance by glia, whereas SIMU, which is mostly expressed in pupal macrophages outside the brain, is not involved in glial phagocytosis. We found that Draper activates Drosophila c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (dJNK) signaling predominantly in the ensheathing glia and astrocytes, where it is required for efficient removal of apoptotic neurons. Our data suggest that besides the dJNK pathway, Draper also triggers an additional signaling pathway capable of removing apoptotic neurons in the pupal brain. This study thus reveals that SIMU unexpectedly is not involved in glial phagocytosis of apoptotic neurons during metamorphosis and highlights the novel role of dJNK signaling in developmental apoptotic cell clearance downstream of Draper.
Reframing Rigor: A Modern Look at Challenge and Support in Higher Education
Authors: Campbell Corbin M. , Dortch Deniece , Burt Brian A.
Published: March 2018

This chapter describes the limitations of the traditional notions of academic rigor in higher education, and brings forth a new form of rigor that has the potential to support student success and equity.
Rigor Revisited: Scaffolding College Student Learning by Incorporating Their Lived Experiences
Authors: Castillo‐Montoya Milagros
Published: March 2018

This chapter explores how students’ lived experiences contribute to the rigor of their thinking. Insights from research indicate faculty can enhance rigor by accounting for the many ways it may surface in the classroom. However, to see this type of rigor, we must revisit the way we conceptualize it for higher education.
Reframing Rigor: Implications for Institutional Practice and Policy
Authors: Keller Christine M.
Published: March 2018

This chapter redefines rigor as academic challenge that supports student learning and growth can be a powerful lever to accelerate institutional efforts to increase educational attainment and close achievement gaps.
Trends in body mass index and obesity prevalence in Western Australian adults, 2002 to 2015
Authors: Merema Matt , O'Connell Emily , Joyce Sarah , Woods Joanne , Sullivan Denise
Published: March 2018

Issue addressed

Continued increases in overweight and obesity across most parts of the world in recent decades have seen maintaining or reaching a healthy weight become a major public health priority. This study reports on body mass index (BMI) and obesity prevalence trends in Western Australian adults between 2002 and 2015.

Methods

Self‐reported height and weight were collected from Western Australian adults (16+ years) via 81 867 computer‐assisted telephone interviews conducted between 2002 and 2015 as part of the WA Health and Wellbeing Surveillance System. Linear and quadratic trends in annual mean BMI and obesity prevalence estimates were generated from self‐report data. These trends were subject to sequential sum of squares analysis to examine whether annual increases in mean BMI and obesity prevalence estimates diminished or were maintained over the 2002 to 2015 period.

Results

The analyses showed a preference for a quadratic model (with plots suggesting diminishing increases between 2002 and 2015) in mean BMI for males, 25‐ to 64‐year‐olds and across all adults, and in obesity prevalence estimates across all adults.

Conclusions

The results suggest the rate at which mean BMI and obesity prevalence are increasing may be slowing overall and within specific groups in WA.

So what?

The findings are potentially a positive news story for health in Western Australia. Even so, 2‐thirds of the population are overweight or obese and there remains a strong need for sustained obesity prevention action.
Teaching help‐seeking when lost to individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Carlile Kelly A. , DeBar Ruth M. , Reeve Sharon A. , Reeve Kenneth F. , Meyer Linda S.
Published: March 2018

Deficits in safety skills and communication deficits place individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at an increased risk of danger. We used a multiple‐probe across‐participants design to evaluate the effects of video modeling and programming common stimuli to teach low‐ and high‐tech help‐seeking responses to children with ASD when lost. Participants acquired answering or making a FaceTime® call and exchanging an identification card in contrived and natural settings. Responses generalized to novel community settings and maintained during a one‐ and two‐week follow‐up. Social validity measures showed that the procedures and outcomes of the study were acceptable to indirect and direct consumers, and immediate and extended community members. Implications are that children with ASD can effectively be taught both low‐ and high‐tech help‐seeking responses when lost.
Electrochemical deposition of conductive polymers onto magnesium microwires for neural electrode applications
Authors: Zhang Chaoxing , Driver Nathan , Tian Qiaomu , Jiang Wensen , Liu Huinan
Published: March 2018

Metals are widely used in electrode design for recording neural activities because of their excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength. However, there are still serious problems related to these currently used metallic electrodes, including tissue damage due to the mechanical mismatch between metals and neural tissues, fibrosis, and electrode fouling and encapsulation that lead to the loss of signal and eventual failure. In this study, a biocompatible, biodegradable, and conductive electrode was created. Specifically, pure magnesium (Mg) microwire with a diameter of 127 µm was used as the electrode substrate and the conductive polymer, that is, poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), was electrochemically deposited onto Mg microwires to decrease corrosion rate and improve biocompatibility of the electrodes for potential neural electrode applications. Both chronopotentiometry and cyclic voltammetry (CV) methods and the associated parameters for electrochemical deposition of PEDOT onto Mg microwires were investigated, such as deposition current, deposition temperature, voltage, sweep rate, cycle number, and duration. The CV method from −2.0 to 1.25 V for 1 cycle at a cycle duration of 600 s with a sweep rate of 5 mV/s at 65°C led to a consistent, uniform, and complete PEDOT coating on Mg microwires. The surface conditions of Mg microwires also affected the quality of PEDOT coating. The corrosion rate of PEDOT‐coated Mg microwire was 0.75 mm/year, much slower than the noncoated Mg microwire that showed a corrosion rate of 1.78 mm/year. The optimal Mg microwires with PEDOT coating could potentially serve as biodegradable electrodes for neural recording and stimulation applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1887–1895, 2018.
Effects of the hierarchical macro/mesoporous structure on the osteoblast‐like cell response
Authors: Zhang Ranran , Elkhooly Tarek A. , Huang Qianli , Liu Xujie , Yang Xing , Yan Hao , Xiong Zhiyuan , Ma Jing , Feng Qingling , Shen Zhijian
Published: March 2018

To improve the success of medical devices, implants with strong surface bioactivity are urgently required. Coatings with a macroporous structure produced by micro‐arc oxidation possess advantages, such as strong adhesion to substrate and excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. Mesoporous structures contain pores with sizes of 2–50 nm, which can endow the biomaterials with the ability to enhance osteogenesis and to be loaded with diverse drugs. Thus, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of both macroporous and mesoporous structures using a hierarchical macro/mesoporous structure to modify the titanium implant surface. The behaviors of SaOS‐2 human osteosarcoma cells on the macro/mesoporous structure, including initial adhesion, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and collagen secretion, were investigated. Cells that attached on the macro/mesoporous surface showed the highest cell numbers and greatest spreading area after incubation for 1, 2, and 4 h compared with the polished smooth substrate and macroporous surface in the presence of fetal bovine serum (FBS). However, in the absence of FBS, cell adhesion on the polished substrate, macroporous structure, and macro/mesoporous structure did not differ significantly. Cell proliferation on the macroporous and macro/mesoporous surfaces increased compared with that on the smooth substrate surface. Furthermore, ALP activity and collagen secretion were enhanced on the macro/mesoporous structure. Our findings provided important insights into the cellular responses to macro/mesoporous structures in the field of implant surface modification. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1896–1902, 2018.
A new method for calibrating the current gain of 1013 Ω amplifiers in thermal ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Guiqin , Zeng Yuling , Xu Jifeng , Liu Wengui
Published: March 2018

We report a new method for calibrating the current gain of 1013 Ω amplifiers in both positive and negative mode used in thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS). This method uses any isotopic standard or sample to calibrate the gain factor as long as it can produce a stable current signal. It is simpler and more flexible than that recommended by Thermo‐Fisher (the manufacture of the TIMS). In these analyses, the gains of five 1013 Ω amplifiers were assessed. The precision of gain factors was better than 100 ppm (2 RSD) in a day, and the long‐term reproducibility was better than 300 ppm (2 RSD) within 2 to 8 months. After a gain was calibrated, the ratio accuracy and precision in the positive mode for 87Sr/88Sr of NIST 987 Sr and 143Nd/144Nd of La Jolla Nd were 0.710242 ± 60 (2 SD, n = 14) and 0.511842 ± 10 (2 SD, n = 22), respectively, at intensities of 88Sr 0.3 V and 142Nd 0.4 V, while in the negative mode for 187Os/188Os of Merck Os was 0.120229 ± 34 (2 SD, n = 23) at an intensity of 187OsO3 0.01 mV. In addition, a difference in the gain factors between the negative mode TIMS (NTIMS) and positive mode TIMS (PTIMS) has been recognized. The values of the gain factor for NTIMS and PTIMS show a deviation of 0.54% on the Triton and 0.31% on the Triton Plus TIMS in this study; therefore, gain calibration should be carried out on both NTIMS and PTIMS. Moreover, a bias of ~ 1.5 × 10−5 between H and L Faraday cups for the same 1013 Ω amplifier has been detected, hinting that the efficiency of different Faraday cups may affect the gain factors, which can be eliminated through the new method of “cross‐calibration” discribed in this study.
Aspirated and non‐aspirated automatic weather station Stevenson screen intercomparison
Authors: Hoover J. , Yao L.
Published: March 2018

In this study six wooden Stevenson screen configurations (five aspirated, one non‐aspirated) were evaluated at the Centre for Atmospheric Research Experiments in Egbert, Ontario, Canada. The field experiment was performed over a 1‐year period to evaluate aspirated and non‐aspirated Stevenson screen configurations used at the Meteorological Service of Canada’s Automated Weather Stations. The results show the non‐aspirated screen is warmer than the aspirated screen duct location by 0.11 °C on average with a significant increase in the maximum daily temperature of 0.22 °C due to radiant heating effects. Temperature differences up to 2.1 °C were observed between the aspirated and non‐aspirated screens with a mean increase of 0.46 °C following 30‐min periods of mean global radiation greater than 200 W/m2 and mean wind speed less than 2 m/s. Temperature differences between the two screens are more variable with standard deviations up to 0.3 °C for wind speeds below 2 m/s. The maximum daily temperature for the historic minimum and maximum thermometer locations and upper regions of the aspirated screen is also found to be significantly warmer during radiant heating conditions. The three locations within the aspiration duct provided very similar results with mean differences of −0.02 and −0.01 °C below the probe uncertainty. The aspirated Stevenson screen with motor off produced low overall bias with lower maximum daily temperatures and higher minimum daily temperatures compared to the aspirated screen. Comparison between the historic wooden frame and new aluminium mounting is not significant with the wooden frame cooler by 0.02 °C overall. Differences between the new aluminium and new plastic ducts showed similar results of 0.02 and 0.01 °C overall. The aspirated Stevenson screen configuration is recommended at new Automatic Weather Station installations where AC power is available.
Biosolubilization of phosphorus from rock phosphate and other P fertilizers in response to phosphate solubilizing bacteria and poultry manure in a silt loam calcareous soil
Authors: Kaleem Abbasi M. , Manzoor M.
Published: March 2018

‘Phosphate solubilizing bacteria' (PSBs) are able to release unavailable P from native and applied P sources into plant‐available soil pool through their solubilizing and acidifying effects. The effects of three indigenous and one exotic PSBs on P solubilization from different P sources, plant biomass production, and P‐uptake efficiency of maize (Zea maysL.) were examined in an incubation and greenhouse study. For incubation study, surface (0–15 cm) soil was collected from an arable field (Inceptisols) and amended with rock phosphate (RP), single superphosphate (SSP), poultry manure (PM), and RP+PM with and without PSBs. The amended soil was incubated in the control environment at 25 ± 2°C for a total of a 100‐d period to establish relative potential rate of P solubilization of added P sources. A complementary greenhouse experiment was conducted in pots by growing maize as a test crop. Growth characteristics, P‐uptake, and P‐utilization efficiency (PUE) were determined. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria generated a solubilization effect on different P sources by releasing more P into plant‐available soil pool,i.e., 14.0–18.3 µg g−1in RP, 5.0–9.9 µg g−1in SSP, 1.4–4.4 µg g−1in PM, and 4.5–7.8 µg g−1in RP+PM compared to their sole application without PSBs. The available P from inorganic SSP declined continuously from the mineral pool (after day 30) and at the end 40% of applied P was unaccounted for. However, P losses were reduced to 28 and 27% when PSBs (PSB1and PSB3) were applied with superphosphate treatments. In the absence of PSBs, the recoveries of applied P (in soil) from RP, SSP, PM and RP+PM were 4, 25, 9, and 12%, respectively, those had been increased to 14, 30, 12 and 15% in the presence of PSBs. Similarly, the plant biomass in RP+PSBs treatments compared to the RP without PSBs increased between 12–30% in first sampling (30 DAG) and 13–30% in the second sampling (60 DAG). The P utilization efficiency (PUE) in plants supplemented with PSBs was 20–73% higher compared to those without PSBs. The detection of oxalic and gluconic acids in culture medium treated with PSBs (7.8–25.0 and 25–90 mg L−1, respectively) confirmed the production of organic acids by the indigenous bacterial isolates. This study indicate that low P recovery both in plant and soil can likely be improved by using indigenous PSBs and organic amendment poultry manure, which allowed a more efficient capture of P released due to P solubilization.