bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Elusive Nonaromatic Goal behind the Centropolyindanes: Aufbau of Veratrolo‐Annelated Centropolyquinanes and Ozonolytic Abbau
Authors: Harig Marco , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Kuck Dietmar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study presents a potential experimental approach to the still elusive topologically nonplanar (K5) parent hydrocarbon, centrohexaquinane (1), by a construction‐dismantling (aufbau–abbau) strategy via electron‐rich aromatic centropolyindanes. A series of veratrole‐based centropolyindanes are synthesized and subjected to ozonolytic degradation. These include the 2,2′‐spirobiindanes 30–32, fuso‐diindane 33, triptindanes 34–36, tribenzotriquinacene 37, and tetramethoxycentrohexaindane 9. Spirane 30 and propellane 36 are characterized by X‐ray structure analysis. Ozonolysis of 32 and 33 gives a keto ester (59) and a dimethyl muconate (60), respectively. Dimethoxytriptindane 34 gives a [3.3.3]propellane‐cis,cis‐muconate (61) in good yield, the stereochemistry of which is determined by X‐ray structure analysis. Tetramethoxytriptindane 35 gives the [3.3.3]propellane‐bis‐muconate 62 along with a [3.3.3]propellane‐dialdehyde‐muconate (63). Hexamethoxytriptindane 36 furnishes three products of mainly intra‐dimethoxy cleavage, with the [3.3.3]propellane‐tris‐muconate 64 as the major component. X‐ray structure analysis of 64 reveals molecular C3 symmetry and all‐cis,cis stereochemistry of the three muconate groups. Hexamethoxytribenzotriquinacene 37 gives the triquinacene‐tris‐muconate 68, albeit in very low yield. Ozonolysis of tetramethoxycentrohexaindane 9 affords the bis‐muconate 10 in moderate yield, along with two further centrohexacyclic products of single‐wing degradation.
A genomic assessment of species boundaries and hybridization in a group of highly polymorphic anoles (distichusspecies complex)
Authors: MacGuigan Daniel J. , Geneva Anthony J. , Glor Richard E. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDelimiting young species is one of the great challenges of systematic biology, particularly when the species in question exhibit little morphological divergence.Anolis distichus, a trunk anole with more than a dozen subspecies that are defined primarily by dewlap color, may actually represent several independent evolutionary lineages. To test this, we utilized amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) genome scans and genetic clustering analyses in conjunction with a coalescent‐based species delimitation method. We examined a geographically widespread set of samples and two heavily sampled hybrid zones. We find that genetic divergence is associated with a major biogeographic barrier, the Hispaniolan paleo‐island boundary, but not with dewlap color. Additionally, we find support for hypotheses regarding colonization of two Hispaniolan satellite islands and the Bahamas from mainland Hispaniola. Our results show thatA. distichusis composed of seven distinct evolutionary lineages still experiencing a limited degree of gene flow. We suggest thatA. distichusmerits taxonomic revision, but that dewlap color cannot be relied upon as the primary diagnostic character.
Elevational gradient and human effects on butterfly species richness in the French Alps
Authors: Gallou Arnaud , Baillet Yann , Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Després Laurence 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe examined how butterfly species richness is affected by human impact and elevation, and how species ranges are distributed along the elevational gradient (200–2700 m) in the Isère Department (French Alps). A total of 35,724 butterfly observations gathered in summer (May–September) between 1995 and 2015 were analyzed. The number of estimated species per 100‐m elevational band was fitted to the elevational gradient using a generalized additive model. Estimations were also performed on a 500 m × 500 m grid at low altitude (200–500 m) to test for the human impact on species richness using generalized least squares regression models. Each species elevational range was plotted against the elevational gradient. Butterfly richness along the elevational gradient first increased (200–500 m) to reach a maximum of 150 species at 700 m and then remained nearly constant till a sharp decrease after 1900 m, suggesting that after some temperature threshold, only few specialized species can survive. At low elevation, urbanization and arable lands had a strongly negative impact on butterfly diversity, which was buffered by a positive effect of permanent crops. Butterfly diversity is exceptionally high (185 species) in this alpine department that represents less than 5% of the French territory and yet holds more than 70% of all the Rhopalocera species recorded in France. Both climate and habitat shape the distribution of species, with a negative effect of anthropization at low altitude and strong climatic constraints at high altitude.
Natural expansion versus translocation in a previously human‐persecuted bird of prey
Authors: Morandini Virginia , de Benito Elena , Newton Ian , Ferrer Miguel 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany threatened species in Europe have been expanding their distributions during recent decades owing to protection measures that overcome historical human activity that has limited their distributions. Range expansion has come about via two processes, natural expansion from existing range and reintroductions to new ranges. Reintroductions may prove to be a better way to establish populations because individuals are less subject to competitive relationships lowering breeding success than individuals expanding from existing populations. Whether this is true, however, remains uncertain. We compared success of breeding pairs of an expanding and a reintroduced population of spanish imperial eagles monitored for over 15 years in the south of Spain. We found significant differences in productivity between breeding pairs of each population. Newly established territories in reintroduction areas were almost three times more productive than new territories established as individuals expanded out from an existing population. We conclude that among these eagle populations reintroduced to new areas may fare as well or better than individuals expanding out form existing populations.
Implementing a Contributory Scoring Approach for the GRE® Analytical Writing Section: A Comprehensive Empirical Investigation
Authors: Breyer F. Jay , Rupp André A. , Bridgeman Brent 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn this research report, we present an empirical argument for the use of a contributory scoring approach for the 2‐essay writing assessment of the analytical writing section of the GRE® test in which human and machine scores are combined for score creation at the task and section levels. The approach was designed to replace a currently operational all‐human check scoring approach in which machine scores are used solely as quality‐control checks to determine when additional human ratings are needed due to unacceptably large score discrepancies. We use data from 6 samples of essays collected from test takers during operational administrations and special validity studies to empirically evaluate 6 different score computation methods. During the presentation of our work, we critically discuss key methodological design decisions and underlying rationales for these decisions. We close the report by discussing how the research methodology is generalizable to other testing programs and use contexts.
Bindemittelbasierte Bodenstabilisierung in der Geotechnik
Authors: Dietrich Jörg , Hotz Christian 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBodenstabilisierungen mit Bindemitteln ermöglichen es, Böden mit geringen Festigkeits‐ bzw. Tragfähigkeitseigenschaften so zu konditionieren, dass bei einer Weiterverwendung die projektseitigen Anforderungen erfüllt werden können. Ziel von Bodenstabilisierungen in der Geotechnik ist in erster Linie die Erhöhung der Festigkeit anstehender bzw. zur Verfügung stehender Böden. Daher werden in diesen Anwendungsfällen überwiegend Zemente oder zementreiche Bindemittel eingesetzt. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Laboruntersuchungen erläutert, die durchgeführt werden können, um sowohl die optimale Bindemittelsorte als auch die zur Erfüllung der Projektanforderungen notwendige Bindemitteldosierung zu bestimmen. Neben den Standardversuchen wird ein Schnelltest vorgestellt, der eine qualitative Abschätzung des Erhärtungspotenzials eines untersuchten Boden‐Bindemittel‐Gemischs ermöglicht. Auf Basis der Testergebnisse kann zudem mithilfe eines neu entwickelten datenbankgestützten Prognosetools die Festigkeitsentwicklung dieses Gemischs auch quantitativ prognostiziert werden. Abschließend wird ein exemplarischer Ansatz zur Ermittlung von erdstatischen Bemessungskennwerten aus Laboruntersuchungen an unterschiedlichen Boden‐Bindemittel‐Gemischen vorgestellt. Hierfür wurden die Ergebnisse von ca. 190 Druckfestigkeitsuntersuchungen verwendet.
Continuous simulation for computing design hydrographs for water structures
Authors: Blazkova Sarka D. , Blazek Vladimir D. , Jansky Bohumir 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe contribution discusses the problems with modelling design floods for water structures. The statistical extrapolations of observed flood series of, for example, 80 years “only” to the annual exceedance probability AEP = 0.01 is difficult due to the large variability in extreme values. For large dams, however, the AEP = 0.001 or 0.0001 is required. Most of the uncertainties in hydrological modelling are epistemic (uncertainties in model structure, model parameters, inputs, calibration data, and in measurements) and moreover some measurements can be disinformative. With powerful computers, it is now possible to produce very long series (100 to100,000 years in hourly time step) using precipitation and temperatures computed with a weather model. Within the framework of the Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) many (thousands) of such continuous simulations are produced and compared to the observed historical data. According to Keith Beven's Manifesto for the equifinality thesis the differences between modelled and observed values should not be larger than some limits of acceptability based on what is known about errors in the input and output observations used for model evaluation (e.g., for flow the current metering data are used). The unacceptable realisations are rejected. We have been working with the frequency version of TOPMODEL in various versions according to the unique characteristics of each catchment. Design hydrographs for water structures are then extracted from the acceptable realisations. The continuous simulation with uncertainty estimation seems nowadays the most promising method of computing design hydrographs for important water structures, even if issues associated with epistemic uncertainty of model assumptions remain.
Endocrine Imbalance Associated With Proteome Changes in Diabetes
Authors: Khairallah Ahmed , Farag Abo‐Alela , Johar Dina , Bernstein Larry 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTThe dynamics of cellular metabolism involves rapid interactions between proteins and nucleic acids, proteins and proteins, and signaling. These involve the interactions with respect to the sulfur bond, noncovalent electrostatic interactions, protein structure stabilization and protein‐ligand binding, weak electrostatic interactions in proteins, oxygen radicals that initiate a change in conformation and a chain of events. We review a development in molecular medicine that is a very promising work in progress. We also review the current and future research methods involving mitochondria. Long‐term effects of diabetes include glycation of proteins, for example, glycohemoglobin (HbA1c), increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, retinopathy, nephropathy, and neurological dysfunctions. Tissues are exposed to significant quantities of highly reactive chemical species including nitric oxide •NO and reactive oxygen species ROS over months to years, to an extent generated by mitochondrial activities. The reactions of •NO can be broadly discussed with reference to three main processes which control their fate in biological systems: (1) diffusion and intra‐cellular consumption; (2) autooxidation to form nitrous anhydride N2O3; and (3) reaction with superoxide O2•‐ to form peroxynitrite ONOO–. Reactive nitrogen species produced by macrophages and neutrophils in the interstitial space, with emphasis on •NO, N2O3, ONOO–, and nitrogen dioxide radicals •NO2 generate protein and DNA damage. Serum thiol (‐SH) groups act as an important extracellular scavenger of peroxides and are therefore helpful in protecting the surrounding tissues. The events described here are a homeostatic endocrine imbalance that is associated with proteostasis. The advances we have seen in untangling this web of interactions are sure to continue at a breathtaking pace. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3569–3576, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deletion of a Distal RANKL Gene Enhancer Delays Progression of Atherosclerotic Plaque Calcification in Hypercholesterolemic Mice
Authors: Shamsuzzaman Sohel , Onal Melda , St John Hillary C. , Pike J. Wesley 
Published: April 2017

ABSTRACTReceptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) is a TNF‐like cytokine which mediates diverse physiological functions including bone remodeling and immune regulation. RANKL has been identified in atherosclerotic lesions; however, its role in atherosclerotic plaque development remains elusive. An enhancer located 75 kb upstream of the murine Rankl gene's transcription start site designated D5 is important for its calciotropic hormone‐ and cytokine‐mediated expression. Here, we determined the impact of RANKL levels in atherosclerotic plaque development in the D5 enhancer‐null (D5−/−) mice in an atherogenic Apoe−/− background fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). Rankl mRNA transcripts were increased in aortic arches and thoracic aortae of Apoe−/− mice; however, this increase was blunted in Apoe−/−;D5−/− mice. Similarly, higher Rankl transcripts were identified in splenic T lymphocytes in Apoe−/− mice, and their levels were reduced in Apoe−/−;D5−/− mice. When analyzed by micro‐computed tomography (µCT), atherosclerotic plaque calcification was identified in six out of eight Apoe−/− mice, whereas only one out of eight Apoe−/−;D5−/− mice developed plaque calcification after 12 weeks of HFD. However, following 18 weeks of HFD challenge, all of Apoe−/− and Apoe−/−;D5−/− animals developed atherosclerotic plaque calcification. Likewise, atherosclerotic lesion sizes were site‐specifically reduced in the aortic arch of Apoe−/−;D5−/− mice at initial stage of atherosclerosis and this effect was diminished as atherosclerosis proceeded to a more advanced stage. Our data suggest that deletion of the RANKL D5 enhancer delays the progression of atherosclerotic plaque development and plaque calcification in hypercholesterolemic mice. This work provides important insight into RANKL's regulatory role in atherosclerosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4240–4253, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling and Simulation of Pivotal Clinical Trials Using Linked Models for Multiple Endpoints in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease With Roflumilast
Authors: Facius Axel , Krause Andreas , Claret Laurent , Bruno Rene , Lahu Gezim 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRoflumilast is a selective phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor (PDE4i) for the treatment of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In 2 large phase 3 trials in a broader population of COPD patients (BY217/M2‐111, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00076089 and BY217/M2‐112, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00430729), treatment with roflumilast reduced the rate of exacerbations; however, the reduction did not reach statistical significance. Two linked dose‐response models for the primary (annualized COPD exacerbation counts) and secondary (change from baseline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1]) end points were therefore developed to characterize and quantify effect sizes and the patient characteristics influencing them. The models showed that disease severity and bronchitis, particularly the severity of bronchitis expressed in cough‐and‐sputum scores, were good predictors of exacerbation rates and differential benefit of roflumilast in exacerbation reduction. The models were used to support the rational design of 2 phase 3 randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trials (BY217/M2‐124, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00297102 and BY217/M2‐125, ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00297115) by identifying the most appropriate patient population using clinical trial simulations. Model predictions for both end points were found to be highly accurate — as confirmed by the results from these trials, which led to the approval of roflumilast as the first oral PDE4i for the treatment of COPD in patients associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.
Cardiac troponin T and fast skeletal muscle denervation in ageing
Authors: Xu Zherong , Feng Xin , Dong Juan , Wang Zhong‐Min , Lee Jingyun , Furdui Cristina , Files Daniel Clark , Beavers Kristen M. , Kritchevsky Stephen , Milligan Carolanne , Jin Jian‐Ping , Delbono Osvaldo , Zhang Tan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundAgeing skeletal muscle undergoes chronic denervation, and the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the key structure that connects motor neuron nerves with muscle cells, shows increased defects with ageing. Previous studies in various species have shown that with ageing, type II fast‐twitch skeletal muscle fibres show more atrophy and NMJ deterioration than type I slow‐twitch fibres. However, how this process is regulated is largely unknown. A better understanding of the mechanisms regulating skeletal muscle fibre‐type specific denervation at the NMJ could be critical to identifying novel treatments for sarcopenia. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), the heart muscle‐specific isoform of TnT, is a key component of the mechanisms of muscle contraction. It is expressed in skeletal muscle during early development, after acute sciatic nerve denervation, in various neuromuscular diseases and possibly in ageing muscle. Yet the subcellular localization and function of cTnT in skeletal muscle is largely unknown.MethodsStudies were carried out on isolated skeletal muscles from mice, vervet monkeys, and humans. Immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry were used to analyse protein expression, real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure gene expression, immunofluorescence staining was performed for subcellular distribution assay of proteins, and electromyographic recording was used to analyse neurotransmission at the NMJ.ResultsLevels of cTnT expression in skeletal muscle increased with ageing in mice. In addition, cTnT was highly enriched at the NMJ region—but mainly in the fast‐twitch, not the slow‐twitch, muscle of old mice. We further found that the protein kinase A (PKA) RIα subunit was largely removed from, while PKA RIIα and RIIβ are enriched at, the NMJ—again, preferentially in fast‐twitch but not slow‐twitch muscle in old mice. Knocking down cTnT in fast skeletal muscle of old mice: (i) increased PKA RIα and reduced PKA RIIα at the NMJ; (ii) decreased the levels of gene expression of muscle denervation markers; and (iii) enhanced neurotransmission efficiency at NMJ.ConclusionsCardiac troponin T at the NMJ region contributes to NMJ functional decline with ageing mainly in the fast‐twitch skeletal muscle through interfering with PKA signalling. This knowledge could inform useful targets for prevention and therapy of age‐related decline in muscle function.
Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for the differentiation of benign, intermediate, and malignant solid soft‐tissue tumors
Authors: Wu Haijun , Zhang Shuixing , Liang Changhong , Liu Hui , Liu Yanhui , Mei Yingjie , Liu Hongjun , Liu Zaiyi , Xu Fangping 
Published: April 2017

PurposeTo determine the diagnostic potential of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM)‐derived parameters for the differentiation of benign, intermediate, and malignant solid soft‐tissue tumors.Materials and MethodsThe Institutional Review Board approved this prospective study, and informed consent was obtained. IVIM imaging was performed in 64 patients including 44 benign, 6 intermediate, and 14 malignant solid soft‐tissue tumors at 1.5T. The IVIM parameters of the soft‐tissue tumors were assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The diagnostic performance of the parameters was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.ResultsThe ADC and true diffusion coefficient (D) values of malignancies (1.28 ± 0.31, 1.06 ± 0.23 [×10−3 mm2/sec]) were significantly lower than those of intermediate (1.49 ± 0.54, 1.30 ± 0.50 [×10−3 mm2/sec]), or benign soft‐tissue tumors (1.62 ± 0.37, 1.36 ± 0.33 [×10−3 mm2/sec]) (P = 0.007 and P = 0.009, respectively). In the differential diagnosis of malignancies from benign tumors, ADC demonstrated the highest area under the curve (Az) value (Az = 0.793). The perfusion fraction (f) values of intermediate soft‐tissue tumors (8.41 ± 2.73) were significantly different from those of benign and malignant tumors (14.70 ± 5.37 [P = 0.002]; 14.44 ± 5.31 [P = 0.021]). f showed the highest Az value in differentiating intermediate from benign, and malignant soft‐tissue tumors (Az = 0.90, and Az = 0.833, respectively). The pseudodiffusion coefficient (D*) values of malignant soft‐tissue tumors (144.40 ± 24.88 [×10−3 mm2/sec]) were significantly higher than those of benign tumors (124.96 ± 26.24 [×10−3 mm2/sec]) (P = 0.019).ConclusionIVIM imaging may be helpful for differentiating benign, intermediate, and malignant solid soft‐tissue tumors.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1611–1618.
European cowpea landraces for a more sustainable agriculture system and novel foods
Authors: Carvalho Márcia , Bebeli Penelope J , Pereira Graça , Castro Isaura , Egea‐Gilabert Catalina , Matos Manuela , Lazaridi Efstathia , Duarte Isabel , Lino‐Neto Teresa , Ntatsi Georgia , Rodrigues Miguel , Savvas Dimitrios , Rosa Eduardo , Carnide Valdemar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDGenetic diversity is fundamental to breeding programs and consequently has an important role in obtaining new varieties. To properly use the genetic diversity present in germplasm collections, a good knowledge of the agro‐morphological traits of each accession is needed. The aim of this study was to explore the production capacity of 24 cowpea landraces from southern Europe, through phenotypic characterization and evaluation in three different locations in Greece and Portugal.RESULTSMost qualitative parameters tested showed a high stability among the three locations. A wide difference was observed among the three locations with respect to number of days to flowering, ranging from 55 to 99 days. Quantitative traits showed a higher genotype × environment than genetic variance component. In general, an inverse relationship between σ2ge/σ2g ratio (where σ2ge is genotype × genotype interaction and σ2g is genotype impact) and heritability value was observed. Principal component analysis was able to group accessions based on their origin. The first two principal components explained 97.52% of variation, being the number of seeds per plant, plant height and seed protein content, the traits which contributed most to variability.CONCLUSIONThe results show that sufficient variation exists in different traits within landraces in the studied cowpea germplasm to pursue a breeding program. However, the quantitative traits showed a higher genotype × environment component. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry