bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User Acceptance of Mobile Payment: The Effects of User‐Centric Security, System Characteristics and Gender
Authors: Lwoga Edda Tandi , Lwoga Noel Biseko
Published: December 2017

This paper investigates the effects of user‐centric, security, and system characteristics and the moderating effects of gender on behavioural intention to use mobile payments (m‐payment) services in Tanzania. The study extended the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to better explain and predict the users’ intentions to use m‐payment services. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 292 m‐payment users in Morogoro and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study used structural equation modeling and multi‐group analysis for data analysis. The study found that compatibility, social influence, and m‐payment knowledge determined perceived usefulness, while m‐payment knowledge, trust and compatibility predicted perceived ease of use of m‐payment services. Moreover, perceived ease of use determined perceived usefulness, and perceived usefulness and personal innovativeness in turn, had positive effects on the behavioural intention to use m‐payment. There were gender differences on the behavioural intention to use m‐payment. The effect of compatibility and personal innovativeness on perceived ease of use, and the influence of ease of use on behavioural intention were moderated by gender such that it is more significant for men more than women. The effects of social influence on perceived usefulness were stronger for female more than their male counterparts. The paper provides empirical findings for mobile service providers to improve their marketing plans, and development of new applications in the Tanzanian culture or other countries with similar conditions.
Exploring Issues in Agile Requirements Engineering in the South African Software Industry
Authors: Sebega Yanda , Mnkandla Ernest
Published: December 2017

Issues of the agile requirements engineering (ARE) process are abundant and pervasive throughout software projects. The aim of this study was to determine common issues experienced in agile requirements engineering in the South African software industry and identify tools and frameworks to mitigate risks emanating from such problems. This includes finding out how much value software practitioners put in the agile principles of the Agile Manifesto. This study was essentially quantitative. Self‐administered questionnaires were used to collect required data which was then subjected to exploratory data analysis, a tool for statistical analysis. The results suggest that software practitioners have a strong penchant for principles of the Agile Manifesto. A detailed baseline of issues in agile requirements engineering was created along with a set of recommended tools and techniques used in the software industry. And developers are divergent on the idea of non‐functional requirements integration which is vital for software quality.
Identifying Essential Components of a Digital Health Innovation Ecosystem for the Namibian Context: Findings from a Delphi Study
Authors: Iyawa Gloria Ejehiohen , Herselman Marlien , Botha Adele
Published: December 2017

The concept of digital health innovation ecosystems is an emerging body of literature which suggests that components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems are important in the administration and delivery of healthcare services. The current literature indicates which components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems constitute a digital health innovation ecosystem, but it is less clear as to which components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems are relevant to the development of such an ecosystem for the Namibian context. The purpose of this paper was to identify the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems relevant to the development of a digital health innovation ecosystem for the Namibian context. Therefore, the Delphi method was adopted in which 22 knowledgeable professionals from within the Namibian context were purposively selected to take part. The findings revealed essential components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems which are considered relevant to the development of a digital health innovation ecosystem for the Namibian context. Additionally, there are differences noted between the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems essential for the Namibian context and the components of digital health, innovation and digital ecosystems identified in literature. The essential components identified will inform decision makers in the Namibian healthcare sector on the implementation of a digital health innovation ecosystem for Namibia.
Systematic Mapping Study of Information Technology for Development in Agriculture (The Case of Developing Countries)
Authors: Zewge Amanuel , Dittrich Yvonne
Published: December 2017

With its rapid proliferation in the developing world, information and communication technology (ICT) has been accepted as an opportunity to assist disadvantaged people. Many projects have piloted ICT supporting rural communities in developing countries. Such rural communities are socially complex and infrastructurally weak environments that demand clear understanding of the social, economical, cultural and political preconditions when implementing ICT innovations. To provide a comprehensive overview of what kinds of ICT intervention and research contributions have been achieved, a systematic mapping study (SMS) was carried out. This work presents the state‐of‐the‐art based on related journal and conference papers published between 2006–2014. The review indicates that ICT supporting farmers has gained attention over the past few years with a growing number of contributions. However, the field is still in a consolidating phase. Theoretical concepts are sparse, so it is difficult to generalize and transfer the findings. Specifically, there is limited research in IT design and development process; user‐interface design for illiterate people; and user and community involvement in the design process.
Institutional Barriers to Digitalization of Government Budgeting in Developing Countries: A Case Study of Ghana
Authors: Effah John , Nuhu Hubeidatu
Published: December 2017

This paper aims to understand how and why institutional barriers constrain digitalization of government budgeting in a developing country context. E‐Government studies that specifically focus on public sector budgeting as a cross‐agency activity remain limited. While the dominant research focus has been on government interactions with citizens and businesses, budgeting as a significant cross‐agency process is yet to receive the necessary research attention. To address this gap, this study employed institutional theory as the analytical lens and qualitative, interpretive case study as the methodology to investigate a government budgeting digitalization project and related challenges in the developing country context of Ghana. The findings show that outdated laws and the culture of paper document flows were institutional barriers to the budgeting digitalization. Other barriers included non‐use of an integrated system implementation approach as well as inadequate and unreliable online access for all the participating units. The originality of the paper lies in its focus on government budgeting as a significant e‐government research phenomenon.
Comment on “Retinal pulse wave velocity measurement using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography”
Authors: Spahr Hendrik , Hillmann Dierck , Pfäffle Clara , Hüttmann Gereon
Published: December 2017

This paper comments on the article “Retinal pulse wave velocity measurement using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography” by Qian Li et al. The authors propose a method to determine the pulse wave velocity in retinal arteries and veins. This method should enable a noninvasive determination of biomechanical properties of the vessel network, particularly the elasticity of the vessel walls. Although the observations the authors made might seem reasonable at first glance, they are in fact highly surprising and contradictory to theoretical predictions and previously published results.
Poly(lactic acid) composites based on graphene oxide particles with antibacterial behavior enhanced by electrical stimulus and biocompatibility
Authors: Arriagada Paulo , Palza Humberto , Palma Patricia , Flores Marcos , Caviedes Pablo
Published: December 2017

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester widely used in biomedical applications. Unfortunately, this biomaterial suffers from some shortcomings related with the absence of both bioactivity and antibacterial capacity. In this work, composites of PLA with either graphene oxide (GO) or thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) were prepared by melt mixing to overcome these limitations. PLA composites with both GO and TrGO inhibited the attachment and proliferation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria depending on the kind and amount of filler. Noteworthy, it is shown that by applying an electrical stimulus to the percolated PLA/TrGO, the antibacterial behavior can be dramatically increased. MTT analysis showed that while all the PLA/GO composites were more cytocompatible to osteoblast‐like cells (SaOS‐2) than pure PLA, only low content of TrGO was able to increase this property. These tendencies were related with changes in the surface properties of the resulting polymer composites, such as polarity and roughness. In this way, the addition of GO and TrGO into a PLA matrix allows the development of multifunctional composites for potential applications in biomedicine. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1051–1060, 2018.
Variable transcriptional responsiveness of the P2X3 receptor gene during CFA‐induced inflammatory hyperalgesia
Authors: Nuñez‐Badinez Paulina , Sepúlveda Hugo , Diaz Emilio , Greffrath Wolfgang , Treede Rolf‐Detlef , Stehberg Jimmy , Montecino Martin , van Zundert Brigitte
Published: December 2017

The purinergic receptor P2X3 (P2X3‐R) plays important roles in molecular pathways of pain, and reduction of its activity or expression effectively reduces chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain sensation. Inflammation, nerve injury, and cancer‐induced pain can increase P2X3‐R mRNA and/or protein levels in dorsal root ganglia (DRG). However, P2X3‐R expression is unaltered or even reduced in other pain studies. The reasons for these discrepancies are unknown and might depend on the applied traumatic intervention or on intrinsic factors such as age, gender, genetic background, and/or epigenetics. In this study, we sought to get insights into the molecular mechanisms responsible for inflammatory hyperalgesia by determining P2X3‐R expression in DRG neurons of juvenile male rats that received a Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) bilateral paw injection. We demonstrate that all CFA‐treated rats showed inflammatory hyperalgesia, however, only a fraction (14‐20%) displayed increased P2X3‐R mRNA levels, reproducible across both sides. Immunostaining assays did not reveal significant increases in the percentage of P2X3‐positive neurons, indicating that increased P2X3‐R at DRG somas is not critical for inducing inflammatory hyperalgesia in CFA‐treated rats. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed a correlated (R2 = 0.671) enrichment of the transcription factor Runx1 and the epigenetic active mark histone H3 acetylation (H3Ac) at the P2X3‐R gene promoter in a fraction of the CFA‐treated rats. These results suggest that animal‐specific increases in P2X3‐R mRNA levels are likely associated with the genetic/epigenetic context of the P2X3‐R locus that controls P2X3‐R gene transcription by recruiting Runx1 and epigenetic co‐regulators that mediate histone acetylation.
On quasi‐orthogonal cocycles
Authors: Armario J. A. , Flannery D. L.
Published: December 2017

We introduce the notion of quasi‐orthogonal cocycle. This is motivated in part by the maximal determinant problem for square ‐matrices of size congruent to 2 modulo 4. Quasi‐orthogonal cocycles are analogous to the orthogonal cocycles of algebraic design theory. Equivalences with new and known combinatorial objects afforded by this analogy, such as quasi‐Hadamard groups, relative quasi‐difference sets, and certain partially balanced incomplete block designs, are proved.
Multidrug resistant lncRNA profile in chemotherapeutic sensitive and resistant ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Xu Juan , Wu Jiacong , Fu Chenyang , Teng Fang , Liu Siyu , Dai Chencheng , Shen Rong , Jia Xuemei
Published: December 2017

Most ovarian cancer patients are chemosensitive initially, but finally relapse with acquired chemoresistance. Multidrug‐resistance is the extremely terrible situation. The mechanism for the acquired chemoresistance of ovarian cancer patients is still not clear. LncRNAs have been recognized as the important regulator of a variety of biological processes, including the multidrug‐resistant process. Here, we carried out the lncRNA sequencing of the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 and the paxitaxel resistant cell line A2780/PTX which is also cross resistant to the cisplatin and epirubicin. Through integrating the published data with the cisplatin resistant lncRNAs in ovarian cancer cell line or ovarian cancer patients, 5 up‐regulated and 21 down‐regulated lncRNAs are considered as the multidrug‐resistant lncRNAs. By real‐time PCR analysis, we confirmed the 5 up‐regulated and 4 down‐regulated multidrug resistant lncRNAs were similarly changed in both the multidrug resistant ovarian cancer cell lines and the multidrug resistant colon cancer cell lines. Furthermore, we conducted the lncRNA‐mRNA co‐expression network to predict the potential multidrug resistant lncRNAs’ targets. Interestingly, the multidrug resistant genes ABCB1, ABCB4, ABCC3, and ABCG2 are all co‐expressed with lncRNA CTD‐2589M5.4. Our results provide the valuable information for the understanding of the lncRNA function in the multidrug resistant process.
The emerging role of Hippo signaling pathway in regulating osteoclast formation
Authors: Yang Wanlei , Han Weiqi , Qin An , Wang Ziyi , Xu Jiake , Qian Yu
Published: December 2017

A delicate balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption is crucial for bone homeostasis. This process is regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway including key regulatory molecules RASSF2, NF2, MST1/2, SAV1, LATS1/2, MOB1, YAP, and TAZ. It is well established that the Hippo signaling pathway plays an important part in regulating osteoblast differentiation, but its role in osteoclast formation and activation remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss the emerging role of Hippo‐signaling pathway in osteoclast formation and bone homeostasis. It is revealed that specific molecules of the Hippo‐signaling pathway take part in a stage specific regulation in pre‐osteoclast proliferation, osteoclast differentiation and osteoclast apoptosis and survival. Upon activation, MST and LAST, transcriptional co‐activators YAP and TAZ bind to the members of the TEA domain (TEAD) family transcription factors, and influence osteoclast differentiation via regulating the expression of downstream target genes such as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) and cysteine‐rich protein 61 (CYR61/CCN1). In addition, through interacting or cross talking with RANKL‐mediated signaling cascades including NF‐κB, MAPKs, AP1, and NFATc1, Hippo‐signaling molecules such as YAP/TAZ/TEAD complex, RASSF2, MST2, and Ajuba could also potentially modulate osteoclast differentiation and function. Elucidating the roles of the Hippo‐signaling pathway in osteoclast development and specific molecules involved is important for understanding the mechanism of bone homeostasis and diseases.
TET2 expression is a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Zhang Ting‐Juan , Zhou Jing‐Dong , Yang Dong‐Qin , Wang Yu‐Xin , Wen Xiang‐Mei , Guo Hong , Yang Lei , Lian Xin‐Yue , Lin Jiang , Qian Jun
Published: December 2017

TET2 (Ten‐Eleven Translocation 2) gene is a member of TET family that can modify DNA through catalyzing the conversion of 5‐methylcytosine (5‐mC) into 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5‐hmC). Although TET2 mutation has been disclosed in a variety of hematopoietic malignancies, the prognostic implication of TET2 expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains largely elusive. In this study, real‐time quantitative PCR was carried out to detect the level of TET2 transcript in 134 de novo AML patients and 35 healthy donors. TET2 mRNA level was significantly down‐regulated in AML patients compared with controls (p = 0.010). Among the French–American–British (FAB) subtypes, the incidence of TET2 under‐expression in M0/M1 subtypes was significantly higher than in the other subtypes M2/M3/M4/M5/M6 (p = 0.017), and also markedly higher than in the other granulocyte subtypes M2/M3 (p = 0.005). TET2 low‐expressed patients showed a significantly higher frequency of NPM1 mutations than TET2 high‐expressed patients. Although there was no significant difference in complete remission rate between two groups (low and high TET2 expression), patients with low TET2 expression had markedly shorter overall survival (OS) in both non‐M3 and cytogenetically normal AML (CN‐AML) (p = 0.016 and 0.044, respectively). Furthermore, multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic value of TET2 expression on OS among CN‐AML patients (p = 0.049). Importantly, TET2 expression in complete remission (CR) time was significantly higher than newly diagnosis time (p = 0.001), and was returned to lower level when in relapse time (p < 0.001). These findings indicated that down‐regulation of TET2 expression was a common event and acted as a prognostic and predictive biomarker in CN‐AML patients.
Mechanical unloading reduces microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 expression to inhibit β‐catenin signaling and osteoblast proliferation
Authors: Yin Chong , Zhang Yan , Hu Lifang , Tian Ye , Chen Zhihao , Li Dijie , Zhao Fan , Su Peihong , Ma Xiaoli , Zhang Ge , Miao Zhiping , Wang Liping , Qian Airong , Xian Cory J.
Published: December 2017

Mechanical unloading was considered a major threat to bone homeostasis, and has been shown to decrease osteoblast proliferation although the underlying mechanism is unclear. Microtubule actin crosslinking factor 1 (MACF1) is a cytoskeletal protein that regulates cellular processes and Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, an essential signaling pathway for osteoblasts. However, the relationship between MACF1 expression and mechanical unloading, and the function and the associated mechanisms of MACF1 in regulating osteoblast proliferation are unclear. This study investigated effects of mechanical unloading on MACF1 expression levels in cultured MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells and in femurs of mice with hind limb unloading; and it also examined the role and potential action mechanisms of MACF1 in osteoblast proliferation in MACF1‐knockdown, overexpressed or control MC3T3‐E1 cells treated with or without the mechanical unloading condition. Results showed that the mechanical unloading condition inhibited osteoblast proliferation and MACF1 expression in MC3T3‐E1 osteoblastic cells and mouse femurs. MACF1 knockdown decreased osteoblast proliferation, while MACF1 overexpression increased it. The inhibitory effect of mechanical unloading on osteoblast proliferation also changed with MACF1 expression levels. Furthermore, MACF1 was found to enhance β‐catenin expression and activity, and mechanical unloading decreased β‐catenin expression through MACF1. Moreover, β‐catenin was found an important regulator of osteoblast proliferation, as its preservation by treatment with its agonist lithium attenuated the inhibitory effects of MACF1‐knockdown or mechanical unloading on osteoblast proliferation. Taken together, mechanical unloading decreases MACF1 expression, and MACF1 up‐regulates osteoblast proliferation through enhancing β‐catenin signaling. This study has thus provided a mechanism for mechanical unloading‐induced inhibited osteoblast proliferation.
Laminar shear stress promotes mitochondrial homeostasis in endothelial cells
Authors: Wu Li‐Hong , Chang Hao‐Chun , Ting Pei‐Ching , Wang Danny L.
Published: December 2017

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are constantly subjected to flow‐induced shear stress that is crucial for endothelial functions. Laminar shear stress (LSS) exerts atheroprotection to ECs. Mitochondrial homeostasis is essential for cellular survival. However, the effects of LSS on mitochondrial homeostasis in ECs remain unclear. Mitochondrial homeostasis in ECs exposed to LSS was examined. Cultured human umbilical vein ECs were subjected to LSS (12 dynes/cm2) generated by a parallel‐plate flow chamber system. ECs subjected to LSS demonstrated an increment of mitochondria in tubular form coupled with the increase of fusion proteins (Mfn2, OPA1) and the decrease of fission protein (Fis1). An increase of both long‐ and short‐ OPA1 along with a higher protease YME1L level were observed. LSS triggered a rapid phosphorylation on S637 but a decrease on S616 of fission‐controlled protein Drp1. Consistently, Drp1 translocation to mitochondria was decreased in sheared ECs, suggesting that LSS promotes mitochondrial fusion. Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in sheared ECs was shown by the increase of mitochondrial mass and its regulatory proeins (PGC1α, TFAM, Nrf1). LSS enhances the expression of mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes and improves mitochondrial functions indicated by the increase of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and ATP generation. TNFα treatment decreased mitochondrial tubular network and its functions in ECs. LSS mitigated TNFα‐induced mitochondrial impairments in ECs. Our results clearly indicate that LSS promotes mitochondrial homeostasis and attenuates inflammation‐induced mitochondrial impairments in ECs. Our results provide novel insights into the manner of mitochondrial dynamics and functions modulated by LSS that contribute to endothelial integrity.
Dissecting the 17β‐estradiol pathways necessary for neuroglobin anti‐apoptotic activity in breast cancer
Authors: Fiocchetti Marco , Cipolletti Manuela , Ascenzi Paolo , Marino Maria
Published: December 2017

Neuroglobin (NGB) is a relatively recent discovered monomeric heme‐protein, which behave in neurons as a sensor of injuring stimuli including oxidative stress, hypoxia, and neurotoxicity. In addition, the anti‐apoptotic activity of overexpressed NGB has been reported both in neurons and in cancer cell lines. We recently demonstrated that, NGB functions as a compensatory protein of the steroid hormone 17β‐estradiol (E2) protecting cancer cells against the apoptotic death induced by oxidative stress. However, the E2‐induced signaling pathways at the root of NGB over‐expression and mitochondrial re‐localization in breast cancer cells is still elusive. By using a kinase screening library, here, we report that: i) There is a strong positive correlation between NGB and ERα expression and activity in breast cancer cells; ii) The E2‐activated phosphatidyl‐inositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways are necessary to modulate the NGB protein levels; iii) The E2‐induced persistent activation of AKT drive NGB to mitochondria; iv) Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐inducing compounds activating rapidly and transiently AKT does not affect the NGB mitochondrial level; and v) High level of NGB into mitochondria are necessary for the pro‐survival and anti‐apoptotic effect of this globin in cancer cells. As a whole, these results underline the E2 triggered pathways in E2‐responsive breast cancer cells that involve NGB as a compensatory protein devoted to cancer cell survival.
Integrated molecular, biochemical, and physiological assessment unravels key extraction method mediated influences on rat neonatal cardiomyocytes
Authors: Jensen Leonardo , Neri Elida , Bassaneze Vinicius , De Almeida Oliveira Nathalia C. , Dariolli Rafael , Turaça Lauro T. , Levy Débora , Veronez Douglas , Ferraz Mariana S. A. , Alencar Adriano M. , Bydlowski Sérgio P. , Cestari Idágene A. , Krieger José Eduardo
Published: December 2017

Neonatal cardiomyocytes are instrumental for disease modeling, but the effects of different cell extraction methods on basic cell biological processes remain poorly understood. We assessed the influence of two popular methods to extract rat neonatal cardiomyocytes, Pre‐plating (PP), and Percoll (PC) on cell structure, metabolism, and function. Cardiomyocytes obtained from PP showed higher gene expression for troponins, titin, and potassium and sodium channels compared to PC. Also, PP cells displayed higher levels of troponin I protein. Cells obtained from PC displayed higher lactate dehydrogenase activity and lactate production than PP cells, indicating higher anaerobic metabolism after 8 days of culture. In contrast, reactive oxygen species levels were higher in PP cells as indicated by ethidium and hydroxyethidium production. Consistent with these data, protein nitration was higher in PP cells, as well as nitrite accumulation in cell medium. Moreover, PP cells showed higher global intracellular calcium under basal and 1 mM isoprenaline conditions. In a calcium‐transient assessment under electrical stimulation (0.5 Hz), PP cells displayed higher calcium amplitude than cardiomyocytes obtained from PC and using a traction force microscope technique we observed that PP cardiomyocytes showed the highest relaxation. Collectively, we demonstrated that extraction methods influence parameters related to cell structure, metabolism, and function. Overall, PP derived cells are more active and mature than PC cells, displaying higher contractile function and generating more reactive oxygen species. On the other hand, PC derived cells display higher anaerobic metabolism, despite comparable high yields from both protocols.
Cover Image, Volume 93, Issue 1
Authors: Zhai Lin‐Feng , Mao Hai‐Zhou , Sun Min
Published: December 2017

The cover image, by Lin‐Feng Zhai et al., is based on the Research Article Fabrication of Ni‐Fe LDH/GF anode for enhanced Fe(III) regeneration in fuel cell‐assisted chelated‐iron dehydrosulfurization process, DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5323.

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Improved bounds for minimal feedback vertex sets in tournaments
Authors: Mnich M. , Teutrine E.
Published: December 2017

We study feedback vertex sets (FVS) in tournaments, which are orientations of complete graphs. As our main result, we show that any tournament on n nodes has at most 1.5949n minimal FVS. This significantly improves the previously best upper bound of 1.6667n by Fomin et al. [STOC 2016] and 1.6740n by Gaspers and Mnich [J. Graph Theory 72(1):72–89, 2013]. Our new upper bound almost matches the best‐known lower bound of , due to Gaspers and Mnich. Our proof is algorithmic, and shows that all minimal FVS of tournaments can be enumerated in time .
DCE‐MRI texture analysis with tumor subregion partitioning for predicting Ki‐67 status of estrogen receptor‐positive breast cancers
Authors: Fan Ming , Cheng Hu , Zhang Peng , Gao Xin , Zhang Juan , Shao Guoliang , Li Lihua
Published: December 2017

Background

Breast tumor heterogeneity is related to risk factors that lead to worse prognosis, yet such heterogeneity has not been well studied.

Purpose

To predict the Ki‐67 status of estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive breast cancer patients via analysis of tumor heterogeneity with subgroup identification based on patterns of dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE‐MRI).

Study Type

Retrospective study.

Population

Seventy‐seven breast cancer patients with ER‐positive breast cancer were investigated, of whom 51 had low Ki‐67 expression.

Field Strength/Sequence

T1‐weighted 3.0T DCE‐MR images.

Assessment

Each tumor was partitioned into multiple subregions using three methods based on patterns of dynamic enhancement: 1) time to peak (TTP), 2) peak enhancement rate (PER), and 3) kinetic pattern clustering (KPC). In each tumor subregion, 18 texture features were computed.

Statistical Testing

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using a leave‐one‐out‐based cross‐validation (LOOCV) method. The partitioning results were compared with the same feature extraction methods across the whole tumor.

Results

In the univariate analysis, the best‐performing feature was the texture statistic of sum variance in the tumor subregion with early TTP for differentiating between patients with high and low Ki‐67 expression (area under the receiver operating characteristic curves, AUC = 0.748). Multivariate analysis showed that features from the tumor subregion associated with early TTP yielded the highest performance (AUC = 0.807) among the subregions for predicting the Ki‐67 status. Among all regions, the tumor area with high PER at a precontrast MR image achieved the highest performance (AUC = 0.722), while the subregion that exhibited the highest overall enhancement rate based on KPC had an AUC of 0.731. These three models based on intratumoral texture analysis significantly (P< 0.01) outperformed the model using features from the whole tumor (AUC = 0.59).

Data Conclusion

Texture analysis of intratumoral heterogeneity has the potential to serve as a valuable clinical marker to enhance the prediction of breast cancer prognosis.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017.
Responses and mechanisms of East Asian winter and summer monsoons to weakened Atlantic meridional overturning circulation using the FGOALS‐g2 model
Authors: Yu Tianlei , Cheng Jun , Lin Pengfei , Yu Yongqiang , Guo Pinwen
Published: December 2017

This study investigates the responses and mechanisms of East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) and East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) to weakened Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) through three perturbation experiments with different intensities of freshwater hosing in the North Atlantic, using the Flexible Global Ocean – Atmosphere – Land System Model, Grid‐point Version 2. These experiments show that a subtle weakening of AMOC does not significantly influence either the EAWM or the EASM. When AMOC weakens more substantially, northerly wind anomalies emerge in East Asia throughout the year, strengthening the EAWM and weakening the EASM. The northerly wind anomalies result from an anomalous westward sea level pressure (SLP) gradient, namely positive SLP anomalies across Eurasia and negative anomalies in the western North Pacific (WNP). In winter, negative WNP SLP anomalies are found in mid‐high latitudes. They are caused by anomalous stationary wave activity, which is associated with the Aleutian Iceland seesaw teleconnection. In summer, negative WNP SLP anomalies are present in the subtropics, and are linked with an anomalous cyclonic circulation over the north of the Philippian Sea. This cyclonic circulation anomaly is induced by the anomalous warm water in the subsurface of the South China Sea and Philippian Sea through the Gill mechanism.
Cover Image, Volume 98, Issue 2
Authors: Meng Ting , Florkowski Wojciech J , Klepacka Anna M , Sarpong Daniel B , Resurreccion Anna V A , Chinnan Manjeet S , Ekielski Adam
Published: December 2017

The cover image, by Ting Meng et al., is based on the Research Article Preferences for groundnut products among urban residents in Ghana, DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8532. Photo Credit: Wojciech J Florkowski.

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Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes applied through seed‐priming influence early germination, root hair, growth and yield of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Joshi Anjali , Kaur Simranjeet , Dharamvir Keya , Nayyar Harsh , Verma Gaurav
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Reports of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporated into plants have indicated better yield and productivity, yet the phenomena need in‐depth understanding especially when agricultural crops are tested. We primed wheat seeds with MWCNTs to understand the effects on germination, growth, anatomy, physiology and yield.

RESULT

This study, carried out in field conditions, is a step forward over the previous reports. Early germination, excessive root hair, denser stomata and larger root length result in faster growth and higher yield of wheat plants. Denser root hair facilitated the uptake of both water and essential minerals such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which boosted the crop yield by significantly improving grain yield per plant from 1.53 to 2.5 g, a 63% increase. Increase in cell elongation by 80% was recorded, while xylem and phloem sizes dilated to almost 83% and 85% of control, thus enhancing their capacity to conduct water and nutrients.

CONCLUSION

Augmented growth of MWCNT‐primed wheat, enhancement in grain number, biomass, stomatal density, xylem–phloem size, epidermal cells, and water uptake is observed while finding no DNA damage. This opens up an entirely new aspect to using cost‐effective nanomaterials (the MWCNTs were produced in‐house) for enhancing the performance of crop plants. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparing Physical Examination With Sonographic Versions of the Same Examination Techniques for Splenomegaly
Authors: Cessford Tara , Meneilly Graydon S. , Arishenkoff Shane , Eddy Christopher , Chen Luke Y. C. , Kim Daniel J. , Ma Irene W. Y.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To determine whether sonographic versions of physical examination techniques can accurately identify splenomegaly, Castell's method (Ann Intern Med 1967; 67:1265–1267), the sonographic Castell's method, spleen tip palpation, and the sonographic spleen tip technique were compared with reference measurements.

Methods

Two clinicians trained in bedside sonography patients recruited from an urban hematology clinic. Each patient was examined for splenomegaly using conventional percussion and palpation techniques (Castell's method and spleen tip palpation, respectively), as well as the sonographic versions of these maneuvers (sonographic Castell's method and sonographic spleen tip technique). Results were compared with a reference standard based on professional sonographer measurements.

Results

The sonographic Castell's method had greater sensitivity (91.7% [95% confidence interval, 61.5% to 99.8%]) than the traditional Castell's method (83.3% [95% confidence interval, 51.6% to 97.9%]) but took longer to perform [mean ± SD, 28.8 ± 18.6 versus 18.8 ± 8.1 seconds; P = .01). Palpable and positive sonographic spleen tip results were both 100% specific, but the sonographic spleen tip method was more sensitive (58.3% [95% confidence interval, 27.7% to 84.8%] versus 33.3% [95% confidence interval, 9.9% to 65.1%]).

Conclusions

Sonographic versions of traditional physical examination maneuvers have greater diagnostic accuracy than the physical examination maneuvers from which they are derived but may take longer to perform. We recommend a combination of traditional physical examination and sonographic techniques when evaluating for splenomegaly at the bedside.
Minimal clinically important difference of voice handicap index‐10 in vocal fold paralysis
Authors: Young VyVy N. , Jeong Kwonho , Rothenberger Scott D. , Gillespie Amanda I. , Smith Libby J. , Gartner‐Schmidt Jackie L. , Rosen Clark A.
Published: December 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

The Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) is commonly used to measure patients' perception of vocal handicap. Clinical consensus has previously defined clinically meaningful improvement as a decrease ≥5. This study determines the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for VHI‐10 in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) using anchor‐based methodology.

Study Design

Prospective cohort questionnaire analysis.

Methods

Two hundred eighty‐one UVFP patients completed the VHI‐10 on two consecutive visits (within 3 months). At the follow‐up visit, patients answered an 11‐point Global Rating of Change Questionnaire (GRCQ) scored from −5 to +5. Relationship between the GRCQ and change in VHI‐10 was quantified using analysis of variance, and MCID for the VHI‐10 was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Overall mean VHI‐10 change was −3.71 (standard deviation [SD] = 8.89) and mean GRCQ was 1.37 (SD = 2.51). Average interval between measurements was 1.73 months (SD = 0.83). Mean changes in VHI‐10 scores were −7.45, −0.53, and +4.40 for patients whose GRCQ scores indicated improvement, no change, and worsening, respectively. Differences between mean scores were statistically significant (P < .001). Area under the ROC curve was 0.80, demonstrating the classification accuracy of VHI‐10 change scores. A VHI‐10 change of −4 was determined to be the optimal threshold that discriminated between improvement and no improvement (sensitivity and specificity 0.62 and 0.88, respectively).

Conclusions

The MCID for improvement in VHI‐10 in UVFP patients is a decrease of 4. This information improves understanding of patients' response to treatment and allows comparison between different treatments. Future research should determine MCID for VHI‐10 across all voice disorders.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1419–1424, 2018
Estimating soil redistribution patterns with 137Cs measurements in a Mediterranean mountain catchment affected by land abandonment
Authors: Lizaga Ivan , Quijano Laura , Gaspar Leticia , Navas Ana
Published: December 2017

In Mediterranean mountainous environments, the removal of natural vegetation for developing agriculture increased the surface areas prone to erosion in the past centuries. In Southern Pre‐Pyrenees, the process was inverted during the middle of the 20th century. This work aims to assess how land use changes after widespread land abandonment affect soil redistribution. For this purpose, 137Cs was used in a 23 km2 catchment that was mostly cultivated at the beginning of the past century. After land abandonment, 16.5% of croplands persisted but afforestation and natural revegetation occupy 83.5% of the catchment area. 137Cs massic activity and related soil properties—stoniness, grain size, and organic matter contents—were analysed in 98 bulk core samples. Physiographic characteristics—slope, altitude, and solar radiation—at the sampling points were determined by using Geographic Information Systems. Soil erosion and deposition rates were derived from 137Cs measurements after applying conversion models and were spatially interpolated to estimate the amount of net soil loss. In cropland soils, mean erosion (62.6 Mg ha−1 yr−1) and deposition rates (55.2 Mg ha−1 yr−1) were significantly higher than in the other land uses. The lowest mean erosion rates (2.4 Mg ha−1 yr−1) were found in natural forests and the lowest mean deposition (2.6 Mg ha−1 yr−1) in pine afforestation evidencing the soil stabilization achieved in the last decades due to revegetation. A sediment budget with the interpolated rates, result in a specific sediment yield of 4.15 Mg ha−1 yr−1. These results outline the impact of land use changes on soil redistribution in fragile mountain agroecosystems.
Intended and Unintended Targeting of Polymeric Nanocarriers: The Case of Modified Poly(glycerol adipate) Nanoparticles
Authors: Weiss Verena M. , Lucas Henrike , Mueller Thomas , Chytil Petr , Etrych Tomáš , Naolou Toufik , Kressler Jörg , Mäder Karsten
Published: December 2017

Biodegradable nanoparticles based on stearic acid‐modified poly(glycerol adipate) (PGAS) are promising carriers for drug delivery. In order to investigate the impact of the particle interface characteristics on the biological fate, PGAS nanoparticles are covalently and noncovalently coated with N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers. HPMA copolymer‐modified PGAS nanoparticles have similar particle sizes, but less negative zeta‐potentials. Nanoparticles are double labeled with the fluorescent dyes DiR (noncovalently) and DYOMICS‐676 (covalently bound to HPMA copolymer), and their biodistribution is investigated noninvasively by multispectral optical imaging. Both covalent and noncovalent coatings cause changes in the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in healthy and tumor‐bearing mice. In addition to the intended tumor accumulation, high signals of both fluorescent dyes are also observed in other organs, including liver, ovaries, adrenal glands, and bone. The unintended accumulation of nanocarriers needs further detailed and systematic investigations, especially with respect to the observed ovarian and adrenal gland accumulation.
End‐Functionalized Chains via Anionic Polymerization: Can the Problems with Using Diphenylethylene Derivatives be Solved by using Bisphenol F?
Authors: Pagliarulo Antonella , Hutchings Lian R.
Published: December 2017

The controlled functionalization of polymers via anionic polymerization draws great attention not only because of the importance of introducing functionality into otherwise unfunctionalized polymers, but also because of the possibility to use the resulting macromonomers to make a variety of complex architectures. The versatile family of 1,1‐diphenylethylene (DPE) derivatives is widely used to produce many different functionalized (co)polymers. DPE can be added either as an end‐capping agent or be activated by butyllithium to initiate the polymerization. However, each approach faces potential problems in gaining precise control over the number of DPE moieties per chain. In this work, for the first time, the effectiveness of each approach is compared by the characterization of 1,1‐bis(4‐tert‐butyldimethylsiloxyphenyl)ethylene functionalized polystyrene, synthesized via both the procedures. A combination of NMR, size exclusion chromatography, matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization‐time of flight (MALDI‐ToF) mass spectrometry, and interaction chromatography is used. To overcome the limitations of DPE derivatives, the use of a novel (protected) bisphenol F potassium initiator is proposed.
Gerichtet erstarrte Mo‐Zr‐B‐Legierungen
Authors: Bolbut V. , Bogomol I. , Bauer C. , Krüger M.
Published: December 2017

Auf der Grundlage der Literatur wurden in dieser Arbeit zwei potenzielle eutektische Legierungen, Mo‐13Zr‐25,9B und Mo‐17,4Zr‐34,8B (in At. %), über das Zonenschmelzverfahren (ZM) hergestellt und analysiert [1, 2]. Rasterelektronenmikroskop‐Untersuchungen des Gefüges zeigten, dass keine dieser Legierungen vollständige eutektische Strukturen ausbildet. Die Legierung Mo‐13Zr‐25,9B weist eine gerichtete Anordnung der Gefügebestandteile entlang der Kristallisationsrichtung auf. Mittels Röntgenbeugungsanalyse wurden in den beiden Legierungen neben der Molybdän‐Mischkristallphase und Zirkoniummonoborid (ZrB) auch weitere Phasen detektiert, wobei die Legierung Mo‐13Zr‐25,9B zusätzlich die Phasen Mo2Zr und Dimolybdänborid (Mo2B) und die Legierung Mo‐17,4Zr‐34,8B die Phase Zirkoniumdiborid (ZrB2) enthielt. Des Weiteren wurden die Mikrohärten der einzelnen Phasen bestimmt. Die Bruchzähigkeiten von beiden Werkstoffen wurden mit dem SEVNB‐Verfahren nach DIN EN ISO 23146 gemessen. Außerdem wurden die Kriechbeständigkeit der Legierungen bei 1100 °C unter Druckbelastung untersucht und mit anderen Molybdänbasiswerkstoffen sowie einer einkristallinen Nickelbasissuperlegierung verglichen.
Effect of abrasive jet process parameters on machining glass fibre reinforced polymer composite
Authors: Madhu S. , Balasubramanian M.
Published: December 2017

An experimental and theoretical research work on abrasive jet machining of glass fiber reinforced polymer composite materials was conducted using abrasive jet machining setup fabricated in our workshop. The objective of this research work is to machine holes on the glass fiber reinforced polymer composite using an abrasive jet machine under various levels of process parameter. The material removal rate and hole geometry (kerf analysis) were observed as a part of the investigation. Four factors five levels central composite rotatable design matrix was used for optimizing the required number of experiments. The objective of the present investigation is to develop mathematical models using the response surface methodology. The adequacy of the models has been checked using the ANOVA technique. Use of the developed mathematical models, material removal rate and hole geometry of the machined glass fibre reinforced polymer composite helps prediction at 95% confidence level.
Selection application of material to be used in hip prosthesis production with analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Çelik İ. , Eroğlu H.
Published: December 2017

Metallic biomaterials used in making hip prosthesis are required to meet expectations in terms of fatigue strength, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, cost and biocompatibility. It is also desirable that the modulus of elasticity they possess is close to the level of the possible bone. Metallic biomaterials face the problem of ion release even though they meet the criteria mentioned above. As a result, the choice of metallic material to be preferred in the manufacture of hip prosthesis can be made by evaluating all these criteria among themselves and by the performances of biomaterials to be compared according to these criteria. In this study, firstly the criteria expected from the metals to be used as biomaterials have been determined. Expert opinions about the subject and criteria determined in accordance with the studies in the literature by using analytical hierarchy process have been graded according to each other. Afterwards, selection of the most appropriate material was ensured by making the order of importance according to the criteria of the candidate materials.
Impact of diabetes on free flap surgery of the head and neck: A NSQIP analysis
Authors: Brady Jacob S. , Govindan Aparna , Crippen Meghan M. , Filimonov Andrey , Eloy Jean Anderson , Baredes Soly , Park Richard Chan Woo
Published: December 2017

Objective

Diabetes is associated with microvascular pathology and may predispose patients undergoing microvascular surgery to complications. This study assesses diabetes as a risk factor for complications following free flap surgery of the head and neck.

Patients and methods

In this retrospective cohort study, data on free flap surgeries of the head and neck between 2005 and 2014 was collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. A propensity‐matching algorithm (PSM) was used to equilibrate distribution of numerous covariates between the diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts. A sub‐analysis was performed to examine the impact of insulin‐dependency.

Results

The initial dataset contained 2187 free flaps of the head and neck. After implementing PSM, a new population was created containing 506 total cases with 253 DM patients. The majority of cases were male and white. The matched cohort did not contain any demographics or comorbidities associated with DM. Complications significantly elevated in the DM group were severe bleeding (P = .046), postoperative ventilation greater than 48 hours (P < .001), and pneumonia (P < .048). In patients with insulin‐dependent diabetes, reintubation (P = .005), cardiac arrest (P = .010), severe bleeding (P = .006), overall surgical complications (P = .015), and overall complications (P = .005) were significantly increased.

Conclusion

This study examines the impact of diabetes on postoperative complications following free flap reconstruction of the head and neck. Propensity score matching was utilized. Analysis of the PSM cohort suggests that diabetic patients have elevated rates of postoperative pulmonary complications. Additionally, patients with insulin‐dependent diabetes have significantly elevated rates of medical and surgical complications.