bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etiology of subjective taste loss
Authors: Hunt Joseph D. , Reiter Evan R. , Costanzo Richard M.
Published: December 2018

Background

Taste complaints are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Although changes in taste function may arise from varied etiologies, numerous other factors may impact patients’ taste perceptions, the most common of which is olfactory dysfunction. Thus, patients with taste complaints may or may not have measurable deficits in taste function. This poses a challenge to providers faced with evaluation of patients with taste disorders, and may delay diagnosis and management.

Methods

We retrospectively examined records of 1108 patients evaluated at the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Smell and Taste Clinic and compared patients’ subjective taste complaints with results of objective testing of the senses of taste and smell.

Results

A total of 358 patients had a subjective taste complaint and results from both gustatory and olfactory function tests. Patients were grouped by subjective complaint as “taste only” (n = 63) or “taste and smell” (n = 295). Of patients reporting a “taste‐only” complaint, 25.4% had abnormal gustatory function, whereas 44.4% had abnormal olfactory function. For those reporting taste‐and‐smell complaints, only 9.5% had abnormal gustatory function, whereas 86.8% had abnormal olfactory function.

Conclusion

This study supports the hypothesis that patients who present with a taste complaint are more likely to have an underlying olfactory than gustatory impairment. However, those with a taste‐only complaint are more likely to have objective gustatory deficits than those with a taste‐and‐smell complaint. These findings may prove useful to healthcare providers who evaluate patients presenting with complaints of taste loss.
Lyme Neuroborreliosis: Clinical Outcomes, Controversy, Pathogenesis, and Polymicrobial Infections
Authors: Garcia‐Monco Juan Carlos , Benach Jorge L.
Published: December 2018

Lyme borreliosis is the object of numerous misconceptions. In this review, we revisit the fundamental manifestations of neuroborreliosis (meningitis, cranial neuritis, and radiculoneuritis), as these have withstood the test of time. We also discuss other manifestations that are less frequent. Stroke, as a manifestation of Lyme neuroborreliosis, is considered in the context of other infections. The summary of the literature regarding clinical outcomes of neuroborreliosis leads to its controversies. We also include new information on pathogenesis and on the polymicrobial nature of tick‐borne diseases. In this way, we update the review that we wrote in this journal in 1995. ANN NEUROL 2019;85:21–31.
Transient Dynamics of Super Bloch Oscillations of a 1D Holstein Polaron under the Influence of an External AC Electric Field
Authors: Huang Zhongkai , Hoshina Masayuki , Ishihara Hajime , Zhao Yang
Published: December 2018

Theoretical formalism for DC‐field polaron dynamics is extended to the dynamics of a 1D Holstein polaron in an external AC electric field using multiple Davydov trial states. Effects of carrier–phonon coupling on detuned and resonant scenarios are investigated for both phase and nonzero phase. For slightly off‐resonant or detuned cases, a beat between the usual Bloch oscillations and an AC driving force results in super Bloch oscillations, that is, rescaled Bloch oscillations in both the spatial and the temporal dimension. Super Bloch oscillations are damped by carrier–phonon coupling. For resonant cases, if the carrier is created on two nearest‐neighboring sites, the carrier wave packet spreads with small‐amplitude oscillations. Adding carrier–phonon coupling localizes the carrier wave packet. If an initial broad Gaussian wave packet is adopted, the centroid of the carrier wave packet moves with a certain velocity and with its shape unchanged. Adding carrier–phonon coupling broadens the carrier wave packet and slows down the carrier movement. Our findings may help provide guiding principles on how to manipulate the dynamics of the super Bloch oscillations of carriers in semiconductor superlattice and optical lattices by modifying DC and AC field strengths, AC phases, and detuning parameters.
Hydrogel wound dressings based on chitosan and xyloglucan: Development and characterization
Authors: Martínez‐Ibarra Diana M. , Sánchez‐Machado Dalia I. , López‐Cervantes Jaime , Campas‐Baypoli Olga N. , Sanches‐Silva Ana , Madera‐Santana Tomas J.
Published: December 2018

Xyloglucan is a polysaccharide isolated from chia seed gum (Salvia hispanica L.) and can act as a soluble fiber. In this investigation, several porous hydrogels were prepared from mixtures of chitosan and xyloglucan. To characterize these biomaterials, their mechanical, hydrophilic, structural, and morphological properties were measured, as well as their biodegradability and antimicrobial activity. The pore sizes of the porous hydrogels were 32.8–101.6 μm, and their water retention capacity is proportional to the added amount of xyloglucan. Dynamic degradation of the porous hydrogels with lysozymes showed progressive weight loss during the 14 days of testing. The mechanical properties improved slightly after the addition of xyloglucan. All of these results indicate that the incorporation of vegetable‐derived polymers such as xyloglucan improves the properties of chitosan without affecting its antimicrobial capacity. Thus, biomaterials based on chitosan and xyloglucan are a promising option for the design of hydrogel wound dressings for medical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47342.
Hierarchical Nanotubes Constructed by Co9S8/MoS2 Ultrathin Nanosheets Wrapped with Reduced Graphene Oxide for Advanced Lithium Storage
Authors: Liu Yayuan , Geng Hongbo , Ang Edison Huixiang , Cao Xueqin , Zheng Junwei , Gu Hongwei
Published: December 2018

Nanostructured hybrid metal sulfides have attracted intensive attention due to their fascinating properties that are unattainable by the single‐phased counterpart. Herein, we report an efficient approach to construct cobalt sulfide/molybdenum disulfide (Co9S8/MoS2) wrapped with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The unique structures constructed by ultrathin nanosheets and synergetic effects benefitting from bimetallic sulfides provide improved lithium ions reaction kinetics, and they retain good structural integrity. Interestingly, the conductive rGO can facilitate electron transfer, increase the electronic conductivity and accommodate the strain during cycling. When evaluated as anode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs), the resultant reduced graphene oxide‐coated cobalt sulfide/molybdenum disulfide (Co9S8/MoS2@rGO) nanotubes deliver high specific capacities of 1140, 948, 897, 852, 820, 798 and 784 mAh g−1 at the various discharging current densities of 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 A g−1, respectively. In addition, they can maintain an excellent cycle stability with a discharge capacity of 807 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 after 70 cycles, 787 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 after 180 cycles and 541 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 200 cycles. The proposed method may offer fundamental understanding for the rational design of other hybrid functional composites with high Li‐storage properties.
Exploring Potential Energy Surfaces for Aggregation‐Induced Emission—From Solution to Crystal
Authors: Crespo‐Otero Rachel , Li Quansong , Blancafort Lluís
Published: December 2018

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is a phenomenon where non‐luminescent compounds in solution become strongly luminescent in aggregate and solid phase. It provides a fertile ground for luminescent applications that has rapidly developed in the last 15 years. In this review, we focus on the contributions of theory and computations to understanding the molecular mechanism behind it. Starting from initial models, such as restriction of intramolecular rotations (RIR), and the calculation of non‐radiative rates with Fermi's golden rule (FGR), we center on studies of the global excited‐state potential energy surfaces that have provided the basis for the restricted access to a conical intersection (RACI) model. In this model, which has been shown to apply for a diverse group of AIEgens, the lack of fluorescence in solution comes from radiationless decay at a CI in solution that is hindered in the aggregate state. We also highlight how intermolecular interactions modulate the photophysics in the aggregate phase, in terms of fluorescence quantum yield and emission color.
Synthesis and Properties of Benzo‐Fused Indeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes
Authors: Jousselin‐Oba Tanguy , Deal Parker E. , Fix Aaron G. , Frederickson Conerd K. , Vonnegut Chris L. , Yassar Abderrahim , Zakharov Lev N. , Frigoli Michel , Haley Michael M.
Published: December 2018

A set of fully‐conjugated indenofluorenes has been synthesized and confirmed by solid‐state structure analysis. The indeno[2,1‐c]fluorenes and their benzo‐fused analogues all contain the antiaromatic as‐indacene core. The molecules possess high electron affinities and show a broad absorption that reaches into the near‐IR region of the electromagnetic spectrum. All of the featured compounds reversibly accept up to two electrons as revealed by cyclic voltammetry. Analysis of molecule tropicity using NICS‐XY scan calculations shows that, while the as‐indacene core is less paratropic than s‐indacene, benz[a]‐annulation further reduces the antiaromaticity of the core. Antiaromatic strength of the as‐indacene core can also be tuned by the position of fusion of additional arenes on the outer rings.
A PDE breach to the SDRE
Authors: Rafee Nekoo Saeed
Published: December 2018

The state‐dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) is a nonlinear optimal controller derived from applying optimality conditions on a Hamiltonian equation. A co‐state vector is involved in the derivation process. This has been commonly considered a function of time only, despite the existence of states in the co‐state vector. This has resulted in a series of nonlinear coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with a final boundary condition, known as the SDRE. In this work, for the first time, the co‐state vector is regarded as a function of time and states that results in a partial differential equation (PDE) instead of an ODE. The new governing equation is named partial differential state‐dependent Riccati equation (PDSDRE), and the PDE provides a tensor for gain over domains of time and states. Since the generated PDE is highly nonlinear, the solution to the PDSDRE is proposed based on the method of lines (MOL), which is an extension to the finite difference method (FDM). The proposed approach is implemented on both scalar and second order systems and is compared with an SDRE technique to validate the results and show the advantages of proposed structure.
Fuzzy adaptive nonlinear sensor‐fault tolerant control for a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Hu Chaofang , Cao Lei , Zhou Xianpeng , Sun Binghan , Wang Na
Published: December 2018

In this paper, a novel fuzzy adaptive nonlinear fault tolerant control design scheme is proposed for attitude dynamics of quadrotor UAV subjected to four sensor faults (bias, drift, loss of accuracy, loss of effectiveness). The sensor faults in Euler angle loop are transformed equivalently into a mismatched uncertainty vector, and other unknown items involving faults, uncertain parameters and external disturbances in angular velocity loop are lumped into an unknown nonlinear function vector. Fuzzy logic systems with adaptive parameters are used to approximate the mismatched uncertainty and lumped nonlinear function vectors. Dynamic surface control is applied to design the fault tolerant controller, and sliding mode control is introduced to improve the control accuracy. All signals of the closed‐loop control system are proved to be semi‐global uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach for sensor faults.
Emerging Technologies for Low‐Cost, Rapid Vaccine Manufacture
Authors: Kis Zoltán , Shattock Robin , Shah Nilay , Kontoravdi Cleo
Published: December 2018

To stop the spread of future epidemics and meet infant vaccination demands in low‐ and middle‐income countries, flexible, rapid and low‐cost vaccine development and manufacturing technologies are required. Vaccine development platform technologies that can produce a wide range of vaccines are emerging, including: a) humanized, high‐yield yeast recombinant protein vaccines; b) insect cell‐baculovirus ADDomer vaccines; c) Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) vaccines; d) RNA vaccines. Herein, existing and future platforms are assessed in terms of addressing challenges of scale, cost, and responsiveness. To assess the risk and feasibility of the four emerging platforms, the following six metrics are applied: 1) technology readiness; 2) technological complexity; 3) ease of scale‐up; 4) flexibility for the manufacturing of a wide range of vaccines; 5) thermostability of the vaccine product at tropical ambient temperatures; and 6) speed of response from threat identification to vaccine deployment. The assessment indicated that technologies in the order of increasing feasibility and decreasing risk are the yeast platform, ADDomer platform, followed by RNA and GMMA platforms. The comparative strengths and weaknesses of each technology are discussed in detail, illustrating the associated development and manufacturing needs and priorities.
n‐Butyllithium (1 mol %)‐catalyzed Hydroboration of Aldehydes and Ketones with Pinacolborane
Authors: Yang Su Jin , Jaladi Ashok Kumar , Kim Jea Ho , Gundeti Shankaraiah , An Duk Keun
Published: December 2018

A practical and efficient protocol for the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones using a pinacolborane and alkyl lithium system is demonstrated. A systematic evaluation showed that 1 mol % n‐butyllithium afforded catalyzed hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones in a short reaction time under ambient conditions. Excellent yield, functional group tolerance, short reaction time, low catalyst loading, and gram‐scale synthesis are the salient features of the proposed protocol.
Preparation and in vitro/in vivo evaluation of anastrozole reservoir‐type intravaginal ring
Authors: Xia Liangyu , Qiu Shunchen , Liu Zhenqi , Ning Meiying
Published: December 2018

This report details the preparation of anastrozole (ATZ) reservoir‐type intravaginal ring (IVR) and the detection of the concentration of ATZ in beagle dog plasma by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). An ATZ reservoir‐type IVR which included ATZ silicone elastomer core and a nonactive silicone layer was manufactured by reaction injection moulding at 80°C for 20 min. An in vitro release experiment was performed under sink conditions and the samples were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. A bioanalytical method was developed and validated for determination of ATZ in beagle dog plasma for IVR development. The analytical method consisted of the extraction of plasma samples and determination of ATZ by LC–MS/MS using buspirone as the internal standard. Separation was achieved on a Kinetex‐C18 110A column (3 × 30 mm, 2.6 μm, Phenomenex) using step‐gradient mobile phase and an isocratic flow rate consisting of formic acid. Protonated ions formed by a turboion spray in the positive mode was used to detect the analyte (ATZ) and internal standard. The MS–MS detection was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source. The mass spectrometer was operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The mass transition ion‐pair was followed as m/z from 294.10 to 225.08 for anastrozole and m/z from 386.23 to 122.11 for buspirone. The results proved that the correlation between in vitro and in vivo analyses was relatively good.
A Review of Methodologies for Safety and Hazard Management in Chemical Industries
Authors: Chikhalikar Atharva Shashank , Jog Sachin Hemant
Published: December 2018

The growth in chemical industry has also led to the use of more hazardous chemicals, most often at extreme pressures and temperatures. This escalates the risk factors of a particular operation. Due to this, safety, risk assessment, and hazard management have gained utmost importance. Though a complete, full‐proof mechanism is not achievable, efforts are made to minimize the hazard level with a comprehensive and exhaustive survey of the available methods and develop a superior safety mechanism. Various measures like risk assessment, hazard analysis, thermal safety analysis, and safety indices are in place and to be incorporated at the design stage to have inherently safer processes. The present paper reviews these safety indices, surveys several modern methods and techniques used in the modern chemical industries for ensuring safety, preventing hazards, and for risk assessment. Various methodologies and techniques are compared, categorized into qualitative, quantitative, and hybrid techniques. The current and future trends of developments in this field have also been reviewed. As a rigorous breakdown analysis of a disaster can help in designing new reliable safety measures, an exemplary case study is presented.
Electrochemistry at Deep‐Sea Hydrothermal Vents: Utilization of the Thermodynamic Driving Force towards the Autotrophic Origin of Life
Authors: Ooka Hideshi , McGlynn Shawn E. , Nakamura Ryuhei
Published: December 2018

Temperature gradients are an under‐utilized source of energy with which to drive chemical reactions. Here, we review our past efforts to understand how deep‐sea hydrothermal vents may harness thermal energy to promote difficult chemical reactions such as CO2 reduction. Strategies to amplify the driving force using temperature will be covered first, followed by a discussion on how spatially separated thermodynamic gradients can be used to regulate reaction selectivity. Although desirable material properties of hydrothermal vent walls have been inferred previously from the bioenergetic membranes of modern cells, strategies based on fundamental laws of physical chemistry allow naturally occurring chimney minerals to circumvent the lack of structural and catalytic optimization. The principles that underlie both the establishment and the utilization of the thermodynamic driving force at hydrothermal vents can be employed in abiotic systems such as the modern chemical industry, yielding insight into carbon fixation reactions important today and possibly at the autotrophic origin of life.
A High‐Performance Dual‐Ion Battery Enabled by Conversion‐Type Manganese Silicate Anodes with Enhanced Ion Accessibility
Authors: Hao Shu‐Meng , Qu Jin , Chang Wei , Zhang Yu‐Jiao , Tang Yongbing , Yu Zhong‐Zhen
Published: December 2018

Limited by the sluggish kinetics of conversion‐type anodes from huge diffusion‐controlled phase transformation and unsatisfactory capacities of intercalation/alloy‐type anodes, the performances of lithium‐based dual ion batteries (LDIBs) remain to be promoted. Herein, for the first time, ultra‐small manganese silicate (MS) nanosheets anchored on reduced graphene oxides (MSR) with enhanced diffusion kinetics are constructed, realizing the construction of high performance LDIBs on the basis of conversion‐type anodes. The ion diffusion rate of MSR is promoted by in situ coating Li4SiO4 ionic conductor on the electrode surface during lithiation process. Simultaneously, the ion diffusion pathways are shortened by partially converting the diffusion‐controlled bulk reaction to surface reaction with massive pseudocapacitive contribution. Consequently, the MSR‐based LDIB exhibits superior electrochemical performances with discharge capacities of 191 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C and 128 mA h g−1 at 2 C after 150 cycles, exceeding to those of reported LDIBs and benefiting the future electrode design of LDIBs.
Untersuchung der batchweisen Azeotroprektifikation zur Trennung des Gemischs Essigsäure/Wasser
Authors: Millenautzki Thomas , Cieplik Ronny , Barbe Stéphan
Published: December 2018

Hauptaugenmerk dieser Arbeit wurde auf die Tauglichkeit der UNIFAC‐Methode in Bezug auf die batchweise Azeotroprektifikation eines Essigsäure/Wasser/Ethylacetat‐Gemischs gelegt. Experimentelle Daten einer batchweisen Azeotroprektifikation mit vorgeschalteter Gegenstrom‐Flüssig/Flüssig‐Extraktion im Pilotmaßstab wurden generiert. Eine schnellfunktionierende Analytik wurde entwickelt und vorgestellt und die gewonnenen Daten wurden für die Validierung der numerischen Simulation verwendet. Der allgemeine Verlauf der Rektifikation, insb. die Kopftemperatur und Destillatzusammensetzung, wurde von dem Modell bestätigt.
Impact of the human papillomavirus status on the development of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy at the baseline: A 9‐year Swedish nested case‐control follow‐up study
Authors: Fröberg Maria , Östensson Ellinor , Belkić Karen , Oštrbenk Anja , Poljak Mario , Mints Miriam , Arbyn Marc , Andersson Sonia
Published: December 2018

Background

The causal relation between high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer and its precursor lesions has led to the use of sensitive HPV molecular tests for screening. This study examined the impact of the baseline HPV status on the future risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+) among women with cytology negative for intraepithelial lesions or malignancy (NILM).

Methods

This was a nested case‐control study including women with NILM baseline cytology participating in the Swedish cervical screening program in 2005‐2007. Ninety‐six cases of CIN2+ and 5 age‐matched controls per case were identified through the National Cervical Screening Registry by follow‐up through 2014. Baseline liquid‐based cytology samples were tested for HPV. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The risk of future high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was strongly associated with the baseline HPV status. For women younger than 30 years, HPV‐16/18 showed a significant association with future risk for CIN2+ (OR, 9.44; 95% CI, 3.37‐26.4). Other HPV types were not significantly associated with future CIN2+ in these younger women. For women 30 years old or older, both HPV‐16/18 and other HPV subtypes conferred a significant risk.

Conclusions

The presence of HPV‐16/18 among women with NILM cytology is associated with an elevated future risk of high‐grade CIN. HPV types other than HPV‐16/18 seem to have a greater impact on women 30 years old or older than younger women. Women with NILM cytology and HPV‐16/18 need specific follow‐up management within screening.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability Evaluation of Single and Multiple Doses of GSK3342830 in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Tenero David , Farinola Nicholas , Berkowitz Elchonon M. , Tiffany Courtney A. , Qian Yanwen , Xue Zhengyu , Raychaudhuri Aparna , Gardiner David F.
Published: December 2018

This was a first‐time‐in‐human randomized, double‐blind, single‐center, placebo‐controlled dose‐escalation study to determine the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of GSK3342830 after single and repeat intravenous doses in healthy adult subjects (NCT0271424). Sixty‐two subjects were enrolled: 48 subjects in part 1 (single dose) and 14 subjects in part 2 (multiple doses). Following single intravenous infusions, total systemic exposure of GSK3342830 was dose proportional over the 250‐ to 6000‐mg dose range evaluated, whereas peak exposure was approximately dose proportional over the dose range. Following repeat intravenous infusions 3 times a day, GSK3342830 showed time invariance with no drug accumulation. Steady state was reached before day 3, and approximately 90% of GSK3342830 was excreted unchanged in urine. All 48 subjects in part 1 (100.0%) completed the study. In part 2, 9 subjects (64.3%) completed the study, and 5 subjects, all receiving GSK3342830, discontinued early (35.7%), 4 after experiencing fever, headache, and malaise, whereas 1 subject met predefined criteria for drug discontinuation because of transaminitis. GSK3342830 demonstrated PK consistent with other cephalosporin‐class antibiotics but poor tolerability following multiple doses in healthy volunteers.
Meditation for treating adults with bipolar disorder II: A multi‐city study
Authors: Pandya Samta P.
Published: December 2018

There is a need to generate evidence on whether meditation's core aspect of building and nurturing calm and peace serves as a mood stabilizer for current and recurrent episodes of depression through the acute and maintenance phases of treating bipolar disorder II affected patients. A 2‐year longitudinal multi‐city randomized controlled trial experiment was conducted comprising 311 bipolar disorder II affected patients in the intervention and control group respectively across eight African and Asian cities. The Bipolar Depression Rating Scale (BDRS) was administered with the intervention and control groups that were equal at baseline. Meditation had a positive impact on the intervention group. Post intervention BDRS scores were significantly lower for patients from Asian cities, men, Hindus and Buddhists, middle class, and married patients as well as those who attended all the meditation rounds and regularly self‐practiced. Within the BDRS outcome measure, depressive symptoms were impacted the most as compared with mixed symptoms. Meditation helped alleviate guilt, depressed mood, and helplessness–hopelessness. The meditation programme can be used as a combination therapy along with pharmacological treatment to treat mood instability and depression among patients with bipolar disorder II.
GAGA protein is required for multiple aspects of Drosophila oogenesis and female fertility
Authors: Fedorova Elena V. , Dorogova Natalya V. , Bolobolova Elena U. , Fedorova Svetlana A. , Karagodin Dmitry A. , Ogienko Anna A. , Khruscheva Asja S. , Baricheva Elina M.
Published: December 2018

Investigation of Drosophila oogenesis provides the opportunity to understand conservative genetic mechanisms underlying fertile female gamete development. In this study, we showed that the Drosophila DNA‐binding protein GAGA factor (GAF) had a multifunctional role in oogenesis and it is involved in the regulation of this process genetic program. We studied the influence on Drosophila oogenesis of a number of mutations in the 5′ region of the Trl gene that encodes GAF. We found that our originally generated Trl mutations lead to a decrease in transcriptional gene activity and levels of GAF expression in both germline and follicular cells. Cytological (fluorescence and electron microscopy) analysis showed that GAF loss resulted in multiple oogenesis defects. Mutations affected the actin cytoskeleton, leading to decrease of cytoplasmic filaments in nurse cells and basal actin in follicular cells. GAF depletion also leads to abnormal follicular cells migration, both border and centripetal. In addition, mutant ovaries demonstrated abnormalities in germ cells, including mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, karyosome organization, yolk granule formation and selective transport. Loss of GAF also promoted excessive cell death and egg chamber degradation. In sum, these defects caused very high or full female sterility. Since one of the main GAF activities is regulation of transcription, the complex phenotypes of the Trl mutants might be the consequence of its multiple target genes misexpression.
Does metabolism constrain bird and mammal ranges and predict shifts in response to climate change?
Authors: Buckley Lauren B. , Khaliq Imran , Swanson David L. , Hof Christian
Published: December 2018

Mechanistic approaches for predicting the ranges of endotherms are needed to forecast their responses to environmental change. We test whether physiological constraints on maximum metabolic rate and the factor by which endotherms can elevate their metabolism (metabolic expansibility) influence cold range limits for mammal and bird species. We examine metabolic expansibility at the cold range boundary (MECRB) and whether species’ traits can predict variability in MECRB and then use MECRB as an initial approach to project range shifts for 210 mammal and 61 bird species. We find evidence for metabolic constraints: the distributions of metabolic expansibility at the cold range boundary peak at similar values for birds (2.7) and mammals (3.2). The right skewed distributions suggest some species have adapted to elevate or evade metabolic constraints. Mammals exhibit greater skew than birds, consistent with their diverse thermoregulatory adaptations and behaviors. Mammal and bird species that are small and occupy low trophic levels exhibit high levels of MECRB. Mammals with high MECRB tend to hibernate or use torpor. Predicted metabolic rates at the cold range boundaries represent large energetic expenditures (>50% of maximum metabolic rates). We project species to shift their cold range boundaries poleward by an average of 3.9° latitude by 2070 if metabolic constraints remain constant. Our analysis suggests that metabolic constraints provide a viable mechanism for initial projections of the cold range boundaries for endotherms. However, errors and approximations in estimating metabolic constraints (e.g., acclimation responses) and evasion of these constraints (e.g., torpor/hibernation, microclimate selection) highlight the need for more detailed, taxa‐specific mechanistic models. Even coarse considerations of metabolism will likely lead to improved predictions over exclusively considering thermal tolerance for endotherms.
Nitrogen deposition and climate change effects on tree species composition and ecosystem services for a forest cohort
Authors: Van Houtven George , Phelan Jennifer , Clark Christopher , Sabo Robert D. , Buckley John , Thomas R. Quinn , Horn Kevin , LeDuc Stephen D.
Published: December 2018

The composition of forests in the northeastern United States and the ecosystem services they provide to future generations will depend on several factors. In this paper, we isolate the effects of two environmental drivers, nitrogen (N) deposition and climate (temperature and precipitation) change, through an analysis of a single cohort of 24 dominant tree species. We assembled a tree database using data from U.S. Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis monitoring plots. Applying observed species‐specific growth and survival responses, we simulated how forest stands in a 19‐state study area would change from 2005 to 2100 under 12 different future N deposition–climate scenarios. We then estimated implications for three selected forest ecosystem services: merchantable timber, aboveground carbon sequestration, and tree diversity. Total tree biomass (for 24 species combined) was positively associated with both increased N deposition and temperatures; however, due to differences in the direction and magnitude of species‐specific responses, forest composition varied across scenarios. For example, red maple (Acer rubrum) trees gained biomass under scenarios with more N deposition and more climate change, whereas biomass of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and red pine (Pinus resinosa) was negatively affected. Projections for ecosystem services also varied across scenarios. Carbon sequestration, which is positively associated with biomass accumulation, increased with N deposition and increasing climate change. Total timber values also increased with overall biomass; however, scenarios with increasing climate change tended to favor species with lower merchantable value, whereas more N deposition favored species with higher merchantable value. Tree species diversity was projected to decrease with greater changes in climate (warmer temperatures), especially in the northwestern, central, and southeastern portions of the study area. In contrast, the effects of N deposition on diversity varied greatly in magnitude and direction across the study area. This study highlights species‐specific and regional effects of N deposition and climate change in northeastern U.S. forests, which can inform management decision for air quality and forests in the region, as well as climate policy. It also provides a foundation for future studies that may incorporate other important factors such as multiple cohorts, sulfur deposition, insects, and diseases.
Mixed effects of urbanization on density, nest survival, and nestling corticosterone of a generalist passerine
Authors: Buxton Valerie L. , Santymire Rachel M. , Benson Thomas J.
Published: December 2018

Generalist species occupy a wide range of habitats and typically respond well to environmental disturbance. Highly disturbed urban areas may contain habitat that generalists can use and exploit; however, habitat use and quality of areas within urban landscapes are poorly understood. Here, we investigated habitat use of a generalist passerine, the red‐winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), in urban and rural grassland patches in greater metropolitan Chicago, USA. From 2012 to 2013, we conducted point counts on 30 grassland patches and searched for nests at a subset of these sites. We measured and weighed nestlings and collected fecal samples for corticosterone metabolite analysis. We found that population densities were greater in grassland patches in more rural areas, despite higher rates of nest predation and brood parasitism. We found that clutch size and number of young fledged did not differ between urban and rural areas. Average body mass and tarsus length of nestlings did not vary with urbanization, but nestlings in rural environments had significantly greater fecal corticosterone metabolites than urban nestlings. These results suggest that, even for widely successful generalist species, novel habitat can create a disconnection between habitat use and quality. The reason for this disconnection is unclear but may be related to perceived predation risk or other biotic or abiotic cues. Addressing the mechanisms behind undervaluation of habitat within urban landscapes will aid in wildlife conservation and management in novel environments.
Root endophytes and invasiveness: no difference between native and non‐native Phragmites in the Great Lakes Region
Authors: Bickford Wesley A. , Goldberg Deborah E. , Kowalski Kurt P. , Zak Donald R.
Published: December 2018

Microbial interactions could play an important role in plant invasions. If invasive plants associate with relatively more mutualists or fewer pathogens than their native counterparts, then microbial communities could foster plant invasiveness. Studies examining the effects of microbes on invasive plants commonly focus on a single microbial group (e.g., bacteria) or measure only plant response to microbes, not documenting the specific taxa associating with invaders. We surveyed root microbial communities associated with co‐occurring native and non‐native lineages of Phragmites australis, across Michigan, USA. Our aim was to determine whether (1) plant lineage was a stronger predictor of root microbial community composition than environmental variables and (2) the non‐native lineage associated with more mutualistic and/or fewer pathogenic microbes than the native lineage. We used microscopy and culture‐independent molecular methods to examine fungal colonization rate and community composition in three major microbial groups (bacteria, fungi, and oomycetes) within roots. We also used microbial functional databases to assess putative functions of the observed microbial taxa. While fungal colonization of roots was significantly higher in non‐native Phragmites than the native lineage, we found no differences in root microbial community composition or potential function between the two Phragmites lineages. Community composition did differ significantly by site, with soil saturation playing a significant role in structuring communities in all three microbial groups. The relative abundance of some specific bacterial taxa did differ between Phragmites lineages at the phylum and genus level (e.g., Proteobacteria, Firmicutes). Purported function of root fungi and respiratory mode of root bacteria also did not differ between native and non‐native Phragmites. We found no evidence that native and non‐native Phragmites harbored distinct root microbial communities; nor did those communities differ functionally. Therefore, if the trends revealed at our sites are widespread, it is unlikely that total root microbial communities are driving invasion by non‐native Phragmites plants.
Magneto‐Structural and Computational Study of a Tetranuclear Copper Complex Displaying Carbonyl–π Interactions
Authors: Kochem Amélie , Faure Bruno , Bertaina Sylvain , Rivière Eric , Giorgi Michel , Réglier Marius , Orio Maylis , Simaan A. Jalila
Published: December 2018

Invited for the cover of this issue is Dr. Maylis Orio from the University of Aix Marseille, France. The cover image shows a tetranuclear complex with four copper(II) ions bridged by alkoxo linkers.
l‐Valine Derivatised 1,3,5‐Benzene‐Tricarboxamides as Building Blocks for a New Supramolecular Organogel‐Like Alignment Medium
Authors: Knoll Kevin , Leyendecker Martin , Thiele Christina M.
Published: December 2018

We were previously able to demonstrate that mesogens self‐assembled from small molecules, more specifically 1,3,5‐benzene‐tricarboxamides (BTAs), are capable of forming lyotropic liquid crystalline phases in chloroform and CCl4, which are suitable for use as alignment media for small organic molecules. In this context, however, it became quickly apparent that one major limitation of such systems arises from the disruption of the self‐assembly process by certain analytes. Here, we present a modified version of our original BTA‐monomers, containing an additional l‐valine moiety. Through this modification, the number of available hydrogen‐bond acceptors/donators per monomer is doubled, resulting in vastly increased stability. The new system thus obtained exhibits anisotropic properties at much lower concentrations of BTA and allows for the determination of residual dipolar couplings for previously incompatible analytes like isopinocampheol (IPC). Interestingly, the BTA system exhibits the properties of an organogel rather than of a liquid crystal. This is thus the first report of the use of an organogel‐like alignment medium.
Understanding the importance of low‐molecular weight (ethylene oxide‐ and propylene oxide‐induced) DNA adducts and mutations in risk assessment: Insights from 15 years of research and collaborative discussions
Authors: Pottenger L. H. , Boysen G. , Brown K. , Cadet J. , Fuchs R. P. , Johnson G. E. , Swenberg J. A.
Published: December 2018

The interpretation and significance of DNA adduct data, their causal relationship to mutations, and their role in risk assessment have been debated for many years. An extended effort to identify key questions and collect relevant data to address them was focused on the ubiquitous low MW N7‐alkyl/hydroxyalkylguanine adducts. Several academic, governmental, and industrial laboratories collaborated to gather new data aimed at better understanding the role and potential impact of these adducts in quantifiable genotoxic events (gene mutations/micronucleus). This review summarizes and evaluates the status of dose–response data for DNA adducts and mutations from recent experimental work with standard mutagenic agents and ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and the importance for risk assessment. This body of evidence demonstrates that small N7‐alkyl/hydroxyalkylguanine adducts are not pro‐mutagenic and, therefore, adduct formation alone is not adequate evidence to support a mutagenic mode of action. Quantitative methods for dose–response analysis and derivation of thresholds, benchmark dose (BMD), or other points‐of‐departure (POD) for genotoxic events are now available. Integration of such analyses of genetox data is necessary to properly assess any role for DNA adducts in risk assessment. Regulatory acceptance and application of these insights remain key challenges that only the regulatory community can address by applying the many learnings from recent research. The necessary tools, such as BMDs and PODs, and the example datasets, are now available and sufficiently mature for use by the regulatory community. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60: 100–121, 2019. © 2018 The Authors. Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Environmental Mutagen Society.
Synthesis of MCM‐41 material from acid mud generated in the aluminum extraction of kaolinite mineral
Authors: Coutino‐Gonzalez Eduardo , Manriquez Juan , Robles Irma , Espejel‐Ayala Fabricio
Published: December 2018

The use of acid mud produced during the aluminum extraction of kaolinite to synthesize mobil composition of matter no. 41 (MCM‐41) type material is proposed in this work. The acid mud was placed in contact with NaOH at 550°C to release the silicon and aluminum, then the fused material obtained was mixed with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) followed by a hydrothermal treatment considering a factorial design 2k with four experimental factors (CTAB dose, synthesis time, temperature, and solid/liquid ratio). The formation of MCM‐41 was evaluated via X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with electrons dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS) analysis complemented with surface area analysis from which a maximum value of 550 m2/g was obtained for the best material. XRD results showed the typical pattern of MCM‐41 measured at low angle, furthermore, the characteristic type IV isotherm of adsorption–desorption was observed in certain materials. The elemental analysis showed the presence of iron and titanium oxide, which could be of great interest for the use of the material as a photocatalyst. Preliminary tests, using the MCM‐41 samples synthesized and methyl orange revealed a moderate photocatalytic activity of the material as compared to a commercial product (P25); opening up opportunities for the further development of such materials as potential and cost‐effective photocatalysts for pollutants degradation in wastewater. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13069, 2019
Ecohydrologic feedbacks controlling sizes of cypress wetlands in a patterned karst landscape
Authors: Dong Xiaoli , Murray A. Brad , Heffernan James B.
Published: December 2018

Many landforms on Earth are profoundly influenced by biota. In particular, biota play a significant role in creating karst biogeomorphology, through biogenic CO2 accelerating calcite weathering. In this study, we explore the ecohydrologic feedback mechanisms that have created isolated depressional wetlands on exposed limestone bedrock in South Florida – Big Cypress National Preserve –as a case study for karst biogeomorphic processes giving rise to regularly patterned landscapes. Specifically, we are interested in: (1) whether cypress depressions on the landscape have reached (or will reach) equilibrium size; (2) if so, what feedback mechanisms stabilize the size of depressions; and (3) what distal interactions among depressions give rise to the even distribution of depressions in the landscape. We hypothesize three feedback mechanisms controlling the evolution of depressions and build a numerical model to evaluate the relative importance of each mechanism. We show that a soil cover feedback (i.e. a smaller fraction of CO2 reaches the bedrock surface for weathering as soil cover thickens) is the major feedback stabilizing depressions, followed by a biomass feedback (i.e. inhibited biomass growth with deepening standing water and extended inundation period as depressions expand in volume). Strong local positive feedback between the volume of depressions and rate of volume expansion and distal negative feedback between depressions competing for water likely lead to the regular patterning at the landscape scale. The individual depressions, however, are not yet in steady state but would be in ~0.2–0.4 million years. This represents the first study to demonstrate the decoupling of landscape‐scale self‐organization and the self‐organization of its constituent agents. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual selection and inbreeding: Two efficient ways to limit the accumulation of deleterious mutations
Authors: Noël Elsa , Fruitet Elise , Lelaurin Dennyss , Bonel Nicolas , Ségard Adeline , Sarda Violette , Jarne Philippe , David Patrice
Published: December 2018

Theory and empirical data showed that two processes can boost selection against deleterious mutations, thus facilitating the purging of the mutation load: inbreeding, by exposing recessive deleterious alleles to selection in homozygous form, and sexual selection, by enhancing the relative reproductive success of males with small mutation loads. These processes tend to be mutually exclusive because sexual selection is reduced under mating systems that promote inbreeding, such as self-fertilization in hermaphrodites. We estimated the relative efficiency of inbreeding and sexual selection at purging the genetic load, using 50 generations of experimental evolution, in a hermaphroditic snail (Physa acuta). To this end, we generated lines that were exposed to various intensities of inbreeding, sexual selection (on the male function), and nonsexual selection (on the female function). We measured how these regimes affected the mutation load, quantified through the survival of outcrossed and selfed juveniles. We found that juvenile survival strongly decreased in outbred lines with reduced male selection, but not when female selection was relaxed, showing that male-specific sexual selection does purge deleterious mutations. However, in lines exposed to inbreeding, where sexual selection was also relaxed, survival did not decrease, and even increased for self-fertilized juveniles, showing that purging through inbreeding can compensate for the absence of sexual selection. Our results point to the further question of whether a mixed strategy combining the advantages of both mechanisms of genetic purging could be evolutionary stable.
Chromatin dynamics governed by a set of nuclear structural proteins
Authors: Vivante Anat , Brozgol Eugene , Bronshtein Irena , Levi Vered , Garini Yuval
Published: December 2018

During the past three decades, the study of nuclear and chromatin organization has become of great interest. The organization and dynamics of chromatin are directly responsible for many functions including gene regulation, genome replication, and maintenance. In order to better understand the details of these mechanisms, we need to understand the role of specific proteins that take part in these processes. The genome in the nucleus is organized in different length scales, ranging from the bead‐like nucleosomes through topological associated domains up to chromosome territories. The mechanisms that maintain these structures, however, remain to be fully elucidated. Previous works highlighted the significance of lamin A, an important nucleoplasmic protein; however, there are other nuclear structural proteins that are also important for chromatin organization. Studying the organizational aspects of the nucleus is a complex task, and different methods have been developed and adopted for this purpose, including molecular and imaging methods. Here we describe the use of the live‐cell imaging method and demonstrate that the dynamics of the nucleus is strongly related to its organizational mechanisms. We labeled different genomic sites in the nucleus and measured the effect of nuclear structural proteins on their dynamics. We studied lamin A, BAF, Emerin, lamin B, CTCF, and Cohesin and discuss how each of them affect chromatin dynamics. Our findings indicate that lamin A and BAF have a significant effect on chromosomes dynamics, while other proteins mildly affect the type of the diffusion while the volume of motion is not affected.