bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermally conductive high‐density polyethylene as novel phase‐change material: Application‐relevant long‐term stability
Authors: Weingrill H. M. , Resch‐Fauster K. , Lucyshyn T. , Zauner C.
Published: July 2019

The long‐term stability of thermally conductive high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)‐based compounds as phase‐change material (PCM) is investigated. For this purpose, the HDPE's thermal conductivity (TC) is first enhanced via compounding two different filler types (expanded graphite and aluminum) into the polymeric matrix. Bulky specimens of these compounds are then stored in air for up to 7289 h in the melt state to investigate the compounds' long‐term stability as PCM. Their thermo‐oxidative/thermal stability and their ability to maintain the isotropic material character (homogeneous distribution of the incorporated particles) is investigated. The compounds' degradation behavior is monitored via Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and the maintenance of the homogeneous filler distribution is examined via a combined differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis mapping of each exposed specimen. The storage capacity decreases minimally after 7289 h of exposure. Furthermore, the incorporated filler particles enhance the thermo‐oxidative stability of HDPE as PCM. Consequently, thermally conductive HDPE is a highly interesting PCM. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Applied Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48269.
Human Cartilage Homogenates Influence the Crystallization of Monosodium Urate and Inflammatory Response to Monosodium Urate Crystals: A Potential Link Between Osteoarthritis and Gout
Authors: Chhana Ashika , Pool Bregina , Wei Yicheng , Choi Ally , Gao Ryan , Munro Jacob , Cornish Jillian , Dalbeth Nicola
Published: July 2019

Objective

Monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition and gout flares frequently affect osteoarthritic joints. This study was undertaken to examine the effects of human cartilage homogenates on MSU crystallization and MSU crystal–induced inflammation.

Methods

Human cartilage homogenates were prepared from macroscopically healthy and macroscopically diseased knee joint samples. Crystallization assays were used to test the effects of cartilage homogenates or individual cartilage factors on MSU crystallization. Changes in urate solubility, crystal nucleation, crystal growth, and total crystal mass were determined. THP‐1 cell assays were used to assess cytokine release following culture with MSU crystals grown in the presence or absence of cartilage homogenates or individual proteins.

Results

Addition of either 5% or 10% healthy cartilage homogenate increased the total mass of MSU crystals formed and resulted in formation of shorter MSU crystals compared to controls without cartilage homogenate. MSU crystal bows were observed in both the presence and absence of cartilage homogenate; however, bows formed in the presence of cartilage homogenates were significantly shorter than bows formed in their absence. There were no effect differences between macroscopically healthy and macroscopically diseased cartilage homogenates in all assessments. Addition of either type II collagen or albumin also led to the formation of shorter MSU crystals. In THP‐1 cell assays, MSU crystals grown with healthy cartilage homogenate increased the release of interleukin‐8, whereas MSU crystals grown with type II collagen or albumin had no effect on inflammatory cytokine release.

Conclusion

In the presence of elevated urate levels, human cartilage homogenates increase MSU crystal formation and promote the formation of smaller crystals, which have greater inflammatory potential. These processes may contribute to the predilection of osteoarthritic joints to develop gout.
A lightweight autonomous MAV for indoor search and rescue
Authors: Bi Yingcai , Lan Menglu , Li Jiaxin , Lai Shupeng , Chen Ben M.
Published: July 2019

Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) have great potentials to be applied for indoor search and rescue missions. In this paper, we propose a modular lightweight design of an autonomous MAV with integrated hardware and software. The MAV is equipped with the 2D laser scanner, camera, mission computer and flight controller, running all the computation onboard in real time. The onboard perception system includes a laser‐based SLAM module and a custom‐designed visual detection module. A dual Kalman filter design provides robust state estimation by multiple sensor fusion. Specifically, the fusion module provides robust altitude measurement in the circumstance of surface changing. In addition, indoor‐outdoor transition is explicitly handled by the fusion module. In order to efficiently navigate through obstacles and adapt to multiple tasks, a task tree‐based mission planning method is seamlessly integrated with path planning and control modules. The MAV is capable of searching and rescuing victims from unknown indoor environments effectively. It was validated by our award‐winning performance at the 2017 International Micro Air Vehicle Competition (IMAV 2017), held in Toulouse, France. The performance video is available on https://youtu.be/8H19ppS_VXM.
Exclusion from school in Scotland and across the UK: Contrasts and questions
Authors: McCluskey Gillean , Cole Ted , Daniels Harry , Thompson Ian , Tawell Alice
Published: July 2019

This article draws on findings from the first cross‐national study of school exclusion in the four jurisdictions of the UK. It casts new light on the crucial aspects of children's education that lead to school exclusion. It investigates the reasons for the UK disparities, as well as the policy and practice in place. The focus of this article is on a detailed analysis of the policy context in Scotland, where official permanent exclusion reduced to an all‐time low of just five cases in 2014/15. This is much lower than in Northern Ireland and Wales and in stark contrast to England, where exclusions have increased substantially since 2012. Our analysis seeks to understand Scotland's success in reducing exclusion and offers new insight into the ways in which national policies and local factors more generally shape schools and their practices and the consequent impacts for children and young people more broadly in the UK.
Teaching pronouns to individuals with autism
Authors: Morgenstern Barry D. , Causin Kaitlin G. , Weinlein Jaimie L.
Published: July 2019

It is well documented that individuals with autism often have significant difficulty with learning to use pronouns appropriately. It does not appear, however, that published studies have systematically investigated teaching procedures for these skills. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a teaching procedure to increase correct pronoun usage as a listener and speaker across four different pronoun pairs (i.e., mine/yours, I/you, me/you, and my/your) using a multiple‐probe design (across pronoun pairs). One participant with autism was taught to discriminate between mine/yours, I/you, me/you, and my/your as both a listener and a speaker. Generalization of the participant's behavior was obtained across novel instructors, places, and stimuli.
Combining Prospective Acquisition CorrEction (PACE) with retrospective correction to reduce motion artifacts in resting state fMRI data
Authors: Lanka Pradyumna , Deshpande Gopikrishna
Published: July 2019

Background

Head movement in the scanner causes spurious signal changes in the blood‐oxygen‐level‐dependent (BOLD) signal, confounding resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) estimates obtained from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We examined the effectiveness of Prospective Acquisition CorrEction (PACE) in reducing motion artifacts in BOLD data.

Methods

Using PACE‐corrected RS‐fMRI data obtained from 44 subjects and subdividing them into low‐ and high‐motion cohorts, we investigated voxel‐wise motion‐BOLD relationships, the distance‐dependent functional connectivity artifact and the correlation between head motion and connectivity metrics such as posterior cingulate seed‐based connectivity and network degree centrality.

Results

Our results indicate that, when PACE is used in combination with standard retrospective motion correction strategies, it provides two principal advantages over conventional echo‐planar imaging (EPI) RS‐fMRI data: (a) PACE was effective in eliminating significant negative motion‐BOLD relationships, shown to be associated with signal dropouts caused by head motion, and (b) Censoring with a lower threshold (framewise displacement >0.5 mm) and a smaller window around the motion corrupted time point provided qualitatively equivalent reductions in the motion artifact with PACE when compared to a more conservative threshold of 0.2 mm required with conventional EPI data.

Conclusions

PACE when used in conjunction with retrospective motion correction methods including nuisance signal and motion parameter regression, and censoring, did prove effective in almost eliminating head motion artifacts, even with a lower censoring threshold. Use of a lower censoring threshold could provide substantial savings in data that would otherwise be lost to censoring. Three‐dimensional PACE has negligible overhead in terms of scan time, sequence modifications or additional and hence presents an attractive option for head motion correction in high‐throughput resting‐state BOLD imaging.
The role of amino acids in the amplification and quality of DNA vectors for industrial applications
Authors: Dorward Alison , O'Kennedy Ronan D. , Folarin Olusegun , Ward John M. , Keshavarz‐Moore Eli
Published: July 2019

In this study, we have demonstrated that the type and feeding regimen of amino acids have a significant impact on the quality as well as the quantity of DNA vectors produced. Nutrient pool and factorial design experiments were carried out in order to identify the amino acids involved in increased biomass and induction of plasmid amplification. Leucine, glycine, and histidine were responsible for increased biomass and leucine starvation in the presence of histidine was implicated in plasmid amplification. Supercoiling of the plasmid was optimized using a dual feeding strategy. As a result of this, a fed‐batch fermentation strategy for the production of a 6.9 kb plasmid, pSVß, in Escherichia coli DH5α was developed. In batch fermentation, a maximum plasmid yield of 39.4 mg/L equivalent to 11.3 mg/g dry cell weight (DCW) was achieved with casein hydrolysate limitation. About 90% of plasmid was in the supercoiled (SC) form after 31 hr of fermentation but only remained so for a short period, leading to a very brief window for harvesting cells at scale. Subsequently, a fed‐batch fermentation using a dual feeding strategy was employed. A mean maximum plasmid yield of 44 mg/L equivalent to 9.1 mg plasmid/g DCW was achieved. After 25 hr, 90% of plasmid was in the SC form and remained at this level for the remaining 10 hr of the fermentation, allowing adequate time for the harvesting of cells without the loss of supercoiling of product. This study emphasized that optimizing fermentation strategy and identifying the essential nutrients are beneficial for bioprocessing of plasmid DNA for therapeutic applications.
FPGA implementation of error control codes in VHDL: An undergraduate research project
Authors: Gilbert Jordan M. , Robbins Catherine , Sheikh Waseem
Published: July 2019

Error control codes (ECC) play an important role in the detection and correction of data errors over unreliable or noisy communication channels. The main idea of ECC is to add redundant bits to the message on the transmitter, which can be used to detect and correct certain errors on the receiver. ECC are used in numerous applications such as telecommunications, Internet, and data storage. Different types of ECC exist such as linear block, convolutional, and turbo codes. This paper presents results from an innovative undergraduate research project involving implementation of linear block, cyclic and convolutional codes in very high speed integrated circuit hardware description language (VHDL) using a field‐programmable gate array (FPGA). FPGA is a suitable platform for implementing ECC due to the advantages of performance, time to market, cost, reliability, and long‐term maintenance. As part of this project, (7,4) Hamming code used for linear block and cyclic codes and convolutional codes with constraint length k of 3 and code rate (k/n) of 1/2 were implemented in VHDL on a Xilinx Spartan‐6 FPGA using ISE 14.7. Two undergraduate students at Purdue University Northwest worked on this project. This was the students’ first exposure to ECC, VHDL, and FPGA, as undergraduate students are usually not introduced to these topics in traditional electrical and computer engineering curriculum. The goal of this project was to provide students with hands‐on experience using industry‐standard VHDL software and FPGA hardware platforms to implement ECC. This paper presents the results of this innovative project including register‐transfer level schematics, simulations, and VHDL code for encoders and decoders for the various ECC implemented, and students’ reflections on the project.
Genetic Encoding of a Bioconjugation Handle for [2+2+2] Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Travis Christopher R. , King Elizabeth A. , Gaunt Gillian H. , Young Douglas D.
Published: July 2019

Protein bioconjugates have many critical applications, especially in the development of therapeutics. Consequently, the design of novel methodologies to prepare protein bioconjugates is of great importance. Herein we present the development and optimization of a novel strategy to prepare bioconjugates through a genetically encoded [2+2+2] cycloaddition reaction. To do this, a novel unnatural amino acid (UAA) containing a dipropargyl amine functionality was synthesized and incorporated site specifically. This UAA‐containing protein was reacted with an alkyne‐containing fluorophore to afford a covalently linked, well‐defined protein bioconjugate. This reaction is convenient with an optimized reaction time of just two hours at room temperature and yields a stable, polysubstituted benzene ring. Overall, this work contributes a new bioconjugation strategy to the growing toolbox of reactions to develop protein bioconjugates, which have a myriad of applications.
Poly(ionic liquid)‐Based Hybrid Hierarchical Free‐Standing Electrolytes with Enhanced Ion Transport and Fire Retardancy Towards Long‐Cycle‐Life and Safe Lithium Batteries
Authors: Huang Teng , Long Man‐Cheng , Wu Gang , Wang Yu‐Zhong , Wang Xiu‐Li
Published: July 2019

Ionic liquid electrolytes (ILEs), owing to their wide electrochemical window, high ionic conductivity, and low volatility, have been extensively applied in the field of energy storage devices. However, it is extremely significant and greatly challenging to seek the counterbalance of good mechanical properties and excellent electrochemical performances, including a high transference number of ILEs for safe flexible lithium batteries. In this work, a novel hybrid poly(ionic liquid)‐based quasi‐solid electrolyte containing silica nanoparticles (SiO2‐PIL‐QSE) is fabricated through the one‐step in situ polymerization of the ionic liquid covalently tethered to silica nanoparticles (SiO2‐IL‐TFSI), which fills a poly(vinylidene fluoride‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF‐HFP) porous membrane prepared through phase inversion. The hybrid hierarchical porous architecture endows the SiO2‐PIL‐QSE with excellent thermal stability, good fire safety (i. e. nonflammable and low shrinkage), improved mechanical strength, and excellent electrochemical performance, including a high room‐temperature ionic conductivity of 1.69 mS cm−1, a superior electrochemical window up to 5.5 V, as well as a high lithium‐ion transference of 0.46. Accordingly, the LiFePO4|SiO2‐PIL‐QSE|Li cell can maintain a discharge specific capacity of 133.7 mAh g−1at 0.1 C at 25 °C with a capacity retention ratio of 91.9 % after 400 cycles. The excellent performances and good applicability in the pouch‐type battery of SiO2‐PIL‐QSE indicate a good prospect in the field of flexible solid‐state polymer batteries (SSPB).
Efforts towards an On‐Target Version of the Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé (GBB) Reaction for Discovery of Druglike Urokinase (uPA) Inhibitors
Authors: Gladysz Rafaela , Vrijdag Johannes , Van Rompaey Dries , Lambeir Anne‐Marie , Augustyns Koen , De Winter Hans , Van der Veken Pieter
Published: July 2019

Target‐guided synthesis (TGS) has emerged as a promising strategy in drug discovery. Although reported examples of TGS generally involve two‐component reactions, there is a strong case for developing target‐guided versions of three‐component reactions (3CRs) because of their potential to deliver highly diversified druglike molecules. To this end, the Groebke–Blackburn–Bienaymé reaction was selected as a model 3CR. We recently reported a series of druglike urokinase inhibitors, and these serve as reference compounds in the present study. Due to the limited number of literature reports on target‐guided 3CRs, multiple experimental parameters were optimized here. Most challenging was the formation of imine intermediates under near‐physiological conditions. This aspect was addressed by exploring chemical imine stabilization strategies. Notably, imines are also crucial intermediates of other 3CRs. Such systematic studies are strongly required for further development of the TGS domain but are largely absent in the literature. Hence, this work is intended as a reference for future multicomponent‐based TGS studies.
A Hexanuclear Niobium Cluster Compound Crystallizing as Macroscopic Tubes
Authors: König Jonas , Köckerling Martin
Published: July 2019

Compounds with ordered structures in one or two dimensions are exciting materials and investigated intensively in many different areas of science. Many activities have been put into the preparation of low‐dimensional nano‐scaled structures and many compounds in this size regime are known. Contrary, the number of known compounds that have low‐dimensional macroscopic sized structures that form directly in a chemical reaction is very limited. Here, we present the synthesis of the niobium cluster compound [(Et2O)2H]2[Nb6Cl18], crystals of which grow in form of large hexagonal empty tubes of several centimeter length and diameters in the range of 2 mm. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure of this compound has been refined. Under warming, the compound readily eliminates diethyl ether molecules and decomposes. From a closer look at the crystallization process a step‐by‐step scheme of the procedure of the tube growth is proposed. The overall conclusion from this proposal is that a crucial balance between the cluster solution concentration, the crystal growth speed and the ether diffusion speed results in the formation of macroscopic crystal tubes.
Exploiting the κ2‐Fashioned Coordination of [Se2]‐Donor Ligand L3Se for Facile Hg−C Bond Cleavage of Mercury Alkyls and Cytoprotection against Methylmercury‐Induced Toxicity
Authors: Karri Ramesh , Chalana Ashish , Kumar Binayak , Jayadev Sri Krishna , Roy Gouriprasanna
Published: July 2019

The Hg−C bond of MeHgCl, a ubiquitous environmental toxicant, is notoriously inert and exceedingly difficult to cleave. The cleavage of the Hg−C bond of MeHgCl at low temperature, therefore, is of significant importance for human health. Among various bis(imidazole)‐2‐selones LnSe (n=1–4, or 6), the three‐spacer L3Se shows extraordinarily high reactivity in the degradation of various mercury alkyls including MeHgCl because of its unique ability to coordinate through κ2‐fashion, in which both the Se atoms simultaneously attack the Hg center of mercury alkyls for facile Hg−C bond cleavage. It has the highest softness (σ) parameter and the lowest HOMO(LnSe)‐LUMO(MeHgX) energy gap and, thus, L3Se is the most reactive among LnSe towards MeHgX (X=Cl or I). L3Se is highly efficient, more than L1Se, in restoring the activity of antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GR) that is completely inhibited by MeHgCl; 80 % GR activity is recovered by L3Se relative to 50 % by L1Se. It shows an excellent cytoprotective effect in liver cells against MeHgCl‐induced oxidative stress by protecting vital antioxidant enzymes from inhibition caused by MeHgCl and, thus, does not allow to increase the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Furthermore, it protects the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) from perturbation by MeHgCl. Major Hg‐responsive genes analyses demonstrate that L3Se plays a significant role in MeHg+ detoxification in liver cells.
Access to Enantioenriched Spiro‐ϵ‐Lactam Oxindoles by an N‐Heterocyclic Carbene‐Catalyzed [4+3] Annulation of Flexible Oxotryptamines with Enals
Authors: Liu Dehai , Hu Zhouli , Zhang Yuxia , Gong Minghua , Fu Zhenqian , Huang Wei
Published: July 2019

Oxotryptamines were firstly used as flexible four‐atom synthons in an NHC‐catalyzed formal [4+3] annulation, providing a novel enantioselective method to access structurally diverse spiro‐ϵ‐lactam oxindoles with excellent enantioselectivities. This metal‐free reaction features a broad substrate scope, excellent functional‐group tolerance and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. Importantly, enantiopure privileged hexahydropyrroloindoles could be easily constructed by a one‐pot process from the resulting spiro‐ϵ‐lactam oxindoles.
Management and outcomes among patients with sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma: A population‐based analysis
Authors: Wu Lu , Tsilimigras Diamantis I. , Farooq Ayesha , Hyer J. Madison , Merath Katiuscha , Paredes Anghela Z. , Mehta Rittal , Sahara Kota , Shen Feng , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: July 2019

Background

Few data are available regarding the management and outcomes among patients with sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) due to its rarity.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with sarcomatoid HCC from 2004 through 2015 were identified in the National Cancer Data Base. Overall survival (OS) was calculated among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC using a 1:3 propensity score matching based on sex, age, and American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage of disease.

Results

The final analytic cohort included 104 patients with sarcomatoid HCC and 312 patients with conventional HCC. Patients with sarcomatoid HCC more often had a larger median tumor size (8.5 cm vs 5.4 cm; P < .001) and poorly or undifferentiated tumors (52.9% vs 13.8%; P < .001) compared with patients who had conventional HCC. 5‐year OS was worse among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC (5.7% vs 30.1%; P < .001). Subgroup analysis demonstrated worse 5‐year OS among patients with sarcomatoid versus conventional HCC among patients treated with either curative‐intent or palliative therapies. Stage‐specific subgroup analysis indicated a worse OS among patients with AJCC stage I, stage II, or stage III sarcomatoid HCC. On multivariable analysis, uninsured status, advanced AJCC stage (stage III/stage IV), and histological sarcomatoid subtype were independently associated with worse outcomes (all P < .05).

Conclusions

Sarcomatoid HCC is a very rare variant of HCC, which was associated with larger tumor size and worse tumor grade on presentation. On propensity score matched analyses that controlled for known confounding factors, patients with sarcomatoid HCC had a worse stage‐for‐stage long‐term survival compared with patients who had conventional HCC.
Easy Formation of Functional Liposomes in Water Using a pH‐Responsive Microbial Glycolipid: Encapsulation of Magnetic and Upconverting Nanoparticles
Authors: Van Renterghem Lisa , Guzzetta Fabrizio , Le Griel Patrick , Selmane Mohamed , Messaoud Ghazi Ben , Tan Su Teng Tabitha , Lim Sierin , Soetaert Wim , Roelants Sophie , Julián‐López Beatriz , Baccile Niki
Published: July 2019

The compartmentalization of colloids into topologically closed, vesicular, microphases offers an attractive mean to concentrate a functional cargo in aqueous solutions for a range of biomedical, cosmetic, and biotechnological applications. In this paper, we develop a simple, phospholipid‐free, phase change method employing a pH‐responsive glycolipid. The method is applied to the encapsulation of a sonicated, metastable, aqueous dispersion of functional colloids in the lumen of lipid vesicles: uncoated magnetic maghemite γ‐Fe2O3 and oleic‐acid coated upconverting NaYF4 : Yb/Ln (Ln=Er or Tm) nanoparticles (NPs). We find a stable liposomal dispersion containing a sub‐population of crowded liposomes with high concentrations of NPs. The encapsulated NPs, formed at nearly neutral pH and room temperature, are stable over time and towards extrusion. The vesicular microphase is entirely composed of pH‐responsive glycolipids, which undergo a pH‐mediated mesoscopic structural transition from an open lamellar (2<pH<4) to topologically closed vesicular state (pH>4). We also show that encapsulation successfully works with a stable colloidal aqueous dispersion of iron clusters stabilized in ferritin cages. This compartmentalization approach combining self‐assembly with an orthogonal nonequilibrium dispersion of nanoparticles shows untapped potential for synthesizing unusual classes of mixed matter.
Column concept determination based on multiple evidences
Authors: An Xianxi , You Sihan , Guo Ziyang , Lu Zeguang , Zheng Bo , Shi Shengfei , Song Yan
Published: July 2019

Tables on the web provide rich information. To make sufficient usage of web tables, the semantics of columns should be identified correctly. The absence, misspelling, and abbreviation in column names bring the challenges in column semantics identification. Facing this challenge, we extract multiple features including keywords, concepts, and structure from the content in the column. Thus, we could identify the column semantics by matching these multiple features. For the extraction and matching with these features, we propose efficient algorithms. Experimental results on real data sets show that our solution achieves high performance.
Self‐Assembly and Fluorescence of Tetracationic Liquid Crystalline Tetraphenylethene
Authors: Knelles Jakob , Beardsworth Stuart , Bader Korinna , Bruckner Johanna R. , Bühlmeyer Andrea , Forschner Robert , Schweizer Kevin , Frey Wolfgang , Giesselmann Frank , Molard Yann , Laschat Sabine
Published: July 2019

A series of tetraguanidinium tetraphenylethene (TPE) arylsulfonates with different chain lengths was prepared via ionic self‐assembly of tetraguanidinium TPE chloride and the respective methyl arylsulfonates. Liquid crystalline properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonates with chain lengths of C8–C12 displayed hexagonal columnar mesophases over a broad temperature range, while derivatives with longer chains showed oblique columnar phases. In solution all compounds displayed aggregation‐induced emission behaviour. Temperature‐dependent luminescence spectra of the bulk phase of the tetraguanidinium TPE arylsulfonate with C14 side chains revealed a strong luminescence both in the solid state and the oblique columnar mesophase. The emission behaviour was rationalized by a unique combination of restriction of intramolecular rotation of the TPE core, Coulomb interaction between the guanidinium cations and π–π interactions of the anionic arylsulfonate moieties.
Childhood obesity: Aetiology, comorbidities, and treatment
Authors: Morales Camacho William Javier , Molina Díaz Jorge Mario , Plata Ortiz Sandra , Plata Ortiz Jessica Estefanía , Morales Camacho María Alejandra , Calderón Bertha Patricia
Published: July 2019

Obesity is currently considered a global epidemic, and its implications in mortality and morbidity in a paediatric patient and in adulthood are increasingly important. The objective of this article is to review in detail the definition of obesity according to age group, and, in turn, the epidemiology of this entity worldwide and in South America. Available evidence about pathophysiology and, additionally, associated comorbidities are reported in some of the most important and clinically relevant body systems. The recommendations on pharmacological and nonpharmacological management through changes in lifestyle and relevant aspects of bariatric surgery in the paediatric population are also described.
A multiagent‐based microgrid operation method considering charging and discharging strategies of electric vehicles
Authors: Nagata Takeshi
Published: July 2019

In this paper, we propose a multiagent‐based microgrid (MG) operation method considering charging and discharging electric vehicles (EVs). The proposed system consists of five types of agents: single microgrid controller agent, several load agents, several gas turbines/engine agents, several photovoltaic generation agents, and several electric vehicle agents. In the proposed method, the load balancing can be realized by suppressing sudden fluctuations in supply and demand balance due to the synchronization of charging and discharging of EVs. From the simulation results, it can be seen that the proposed multiagent system could realize the load equalization in MG.
Self‐microemulsifying oral fast dissolving films of vitamin D3 for infants: Preparation and characterization
Authors: Zhang Min , Zhang Tingrui , Zou Ying , Han Ping , Liu Kehai
Published: July 2019

Combining the advantages of self‐microemulsifying technology and oral fast dissolving technology, a self‐microemulsifying oral fast dissolving films (SMEOFDF) of vitamin D3 was developed in this study. The pseudoternary phase diagram of microemulsion was constructed using water titration method, and the formulation of films was optimized by orthogonal experimental design. The prepared SMEOFDF of vitamin D3 was a thin film, in which the liquid drops of self‐microemulsion were embedded. It had good mechanical properties (thickness 166.7 ± 3.30 µm, tensile strength 38.45 ± 3.72 MPa, elongation 23.38 ± 4.23%, and folding endurance >200 times), and its disintegration time was about 18 ± 1.23 s. After being redissolved in water, microemulsion could form spontaneously, with particle size of 181.2 nm and zeta potential of 16.1 mV. The release profile of vitamin D from SMEOFDF could be well described by first‐order equation.
Spatiotemporal Analysis of Land-use and Land-cover Dynamics of Adama District, Ethiopia and Its Implication to Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Authors: Hundera Hurgesa , Mpandeli Sylvester , Bantider Amare
Published: July 2019

Uncontrolled change in land use and land cover (LULC) enhances the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This study, therefore, is aimed at the spatiotemporal analysis of LULC dynamics and their implications for the greenhouse gas emissions of the Adama district of Ethiopia. The dry season Landsat image Thematic Mapper (TM) of 1986, Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) of 2000, and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) of 2014 were downloaded from the United States Geological Survey Global Visualization Viewer Website and employed. The hybrid classification approach was performed after the preprocessing of the image. Moreover, observations, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions were used. The analysis was carried out using the image data and survey data. The result indicates that agricultural land and shrub and bush lands covered 80.98%, 76.75%, and 74.42% of the study area during 1986, 2000, and 2014, respectively. Although there were differences in the magnitudes and rates of change during the considered years, the LULC classification results of this study indicated that most natural environments are converted to human-dominated environments, which can be attributed to human-induced activities. Due to this conversion, environmental degradation is aggravated, which again paves the way for the increased concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The study concludes that, largely as a result of interventions from the communities living in the area, the study area is being transformed from the natural ecosystem to a managed environment. Hence, the practices of smallholder farmers with respect to protected areas, afforestation, and reforestation must be strengthened and supported by an integrated policy framework. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1–13. © 2019 SETAC
In vitro biosafety of pro‐ecological chitosan‐based hydrogels modified with natural substances
Authors: Tyliszczak Bożena , Drabczyk Anna , Kudłacik‐Kramarczyk Sonia , Rudnicka Karolina , Gatkowska Justyna , Sobczak‐Kupiec Agnieszka , Jampilek Josef
Published: July 2019

Hydrogels belong to the group of materials with growing interest on the market of polymers. In this article, hydrogels based on Beetosan were obtained using ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Main component of hydrogel matrix—Beetosan—is chitosan obtained from naturally died honeybees. Such hydrogels were modified with active substances, that is, caffeine, bee pollen, Salvia officinalis (sage), and Aloe vera juice. Next, the analysis of cytotoxicity of hydrogels in relation to murine fibroblasts by 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and neutral red uptake assays were conducted. Furthermore, surface morphology, tensile strength, geometry, and roughness of hydrogels were characterized. Hydrogels did not show cytotoxicity to recommended L929 murine fibroblasts. These polymers did not affect adversely the growth and viability of these cells. Moreover, Beetosan hydrogels were characterized by flexibility as well as by diversified surface morphology that could indicate their high absorbency. Therefore these materials may be considered as useful for biomedical purposes with special emphasis on application as modern wound dressings that not only absorb wound exudate but also contain natural substances with therapeutic properties that is beneficial from the point of view of wound healing process.
Inhibition of miR‐181b‐5p protects cardiomyocytes against ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeting AKT3 and PI3KR3
Authors: Yuan Limei , Fan Lihua , Li Qinghai , Cui Wei , Wang Xuechen , Zhang Zhiguo
Published: July 2019

Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is the most occurring cardiovascular‐associated disease, which is a primary leading cause of cardiac disability and death worldwide. Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI) has been linked to IHD‐induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis and tissue damage. The clinical studies have indicated that pathophysiologic mechanisms of MI/RI are associated with reactive oxygen species generation, calcium overload, energy metabolism disorder, neutrophil infiltration, and others. However, the genetic mechanism of MI/RI remains unclear. In this study, we successfully established the reproducing abnormal heart observed in rat, of IHD‐induced MI/RI post operation. By using these rats, we illustrated that expression of miR‐181b‐5p was increased not only in both hypoxia/reoxygenation‐cultured H9C2 but also heart of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) rat. Suppression of the miR‐181b‐5p cardiomyocytes apoptosis and rescued myocardial infarction. Additionally, our data indicated that miR‐181b‐5p negatively regulates the expression of AKT3 and PIK3R3 through directly binding with its 3′‐untranslated region. More importantly, suppression of miR‐181b‐5p protects the cardiomyocytes apoptosis and tissue damage from MI/R via regulation of PIK3R3 and AKT3. Hence, our study indicates that miR‐181b‐5p is essential for MI/RI via regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and could be a potential therapeutic target in IHD.
An investigation on the expression of miRNAs including miR‐144 and miR‐34a in plasma samples of RET‐positive and RET‐negative medullar thyroid carcinoma patients
Authors: Shabani Noushin , Sheikholeslami Sara , Paryan Mahdi , Zarif Yeganeh Marjan , Tavangar Seyed Mohammad , Azizi Fereidoun , Mohammadi‐Yeganeh Samira , Hedayati Mehdi
Published: July 2019

Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a scarce cancerous disease, originating from parafollicular C cells of the thyroid gland. MTC can be manifested as an aggressive carcinoma with metastasis, especially in sporadic forms. Mutations of the rearranged during transfection (RET) proto‐oncogene occurs in all hereditary and a few somatic MTCs, so detection of RET mutations is needed for prompt and appropriate treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding regulatory RNAs. Extensive studies have done in progress or suppression of several types of cancers such as MTCs with the remarkable application as prognostic markers. Of the effective miRNAs in cancers, miR‐144 and miR‐34 were evaluated in our study. Blood samples of 25 RET‐positive and 25 RET‐negative blood samples of patients with MTC were evaluated for these miRNAs, using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Analysis of the results was performed by the 2
−ΔΔCt method, showing that miR‐144 and miR‐34a expression had a relative increase in patients with MTC compared with normal control samples and also in RET positives versus RET negatives. We recruited 50 out of 350 MTC plasma samples (27 female and 23 male) which were selected based on RET mutation in exon 11 (25 RET‐positive and 25 RET‐negative), with a mean ± SD age of 37.04 ± 1.74 years. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was done to investigate the prognostic value of these miRNAs; although, they showed no significant prognostic value as MTC biomarkers in plasma samples. In conclusion, miRNAs can be used as biomarkers of cancers such as MTC; however, more studies are needed to find the best candidate miRNAs for the diagnosis of cancers.
Long noncoding RNA PVT1: A highly dysregulated gene in malignancy
Authors: Ghafouri‐Fard Soudeh , Omrani Mir Davood , Taheri Mohammad
Published: July 2019

Recent studies have verified the contribution of several long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the carcinogenesis. Among the highly acknowledged lncRNAs is the human homolog of the plasmacytoma variant translocation gene, which is called PVT1. PVT1 resides near Myc oncogene and regulates the oncogenic process through modulation of several signaling pathways, such as TGF‐β, Wnt/ β‐catenin, PI3K/AKT, and mTOR pathways. This lncRNA has a circular form as well. Expression analyses and functional studies have appraised the oncogenic roles of PVT1 and circPVT1. Experiments in several cancer cell lines have shown that PVT1 silencing suppresses cancer cell proliferation, whereas its overexpression has the opposite effect. Its silencing has led to the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase and diminished the number of cells in the S phase. Moreover, genome‐wide association studies have signified the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms of this lncRNA in conferring risk of lymphoma in different populations. In the current study, we have summarized recent data about the role of PVT1 and circPVT1 in the carcinogenesis process.
A complete bipartite graph without properly colored cycles of length four
Authors: Čada Roman , Ozeki Kenta , Yoshimoto Kiyoshi
Published: July 2019

A subgraph of an edge‐colored graph is said to be properly colored, or shortly PC, if any two adjacent edges have different colors. Fujita, Li, and Zhang gave a decomposition theorem for edge‐colorings of complete bipartite graphs without PC . However, their decomposition just focuses on a local structure. In this paper, we give a new and global decomposition theorem for edge‐colorings of complete bipartite graphs without PC . Our decomposition gives a corollary on the existence of a monochromatic star with almost sharp bound.
The diurnal cycle of precipitation over South America represented by five gridded datasets
Authors: Giles Julián A. , Ruscica Romina C. , Menéndez Claudio G.
Published: July 2019

A characterization of the diurnal cycle of precipitation (DCP) over the whole South America is still lacking in the literature and the scarcity of sub‐daily rain ground measurements limits the data available for analysis and forbids a correct validation of alternative datasets. In this paper we analyse the climatological mean DCP during the monsoon active season using five gridded datasets: two satellite precipitation estimates, two regional climate models and one reanalysis. Amazonia, the Brazilian Highlands, the northeastern South American coast, the Andes and the western Colombian coast are identified as the areas with most prominent DCPs. The afternoon convection triggered by solar heating over land and the coastal and topographic effects are the main modes of sub‐daily variability, based on an EOF decomposition of the 3 hourly mean precipitation fields. We explore the contribution of mean frequency and intensity to amount of precipitation and nighttime–daytime differences. In general, both models precipitate earlier and more frequently than the satellite products and do not reproduce correctly areas of observed predominant nighttime precipitation where mesoscale convective systems are active, like La Plata Basin or Amazonia. Over the analysed areas, the high frequency of precipitation is the driving mechanism of total amount in the models, whereas in the satellite products there is also considerable contribution from intensity. Overall, the reanalysis shows features in between the models and the satellite estimates, sharing characteristics with both types of data. The results presented here point at the diversity of sub‐daily precipitation characteristics in South America, the issues with conventional climate models and the uncertainty in satellite products and reanalyses. The growing interest in the DCP by the scientific community and the development of new techniques like convection permitting modelling will hopefully continue to improve our knowledge of the precipitation dynamics and its influence on climate.
Recent progress on combining geomorphological and geochronological data with ice sheet modelling, demonstrated using the last British–Irish Ice Sheet
Authors: Ely Jeremy C. , Clark Chris D. , Hindmarsh Richard C. A. , Hughes Anna L. C. , Greenwood Sarah L. , Bradley Sarah L. , Gasson Edward , Gregoire Lauren , Gandy Niall , Stokes Chris R. , Small David
Published: July 2019

Palaeo‐ice sheets are important analogues for understanding contemporary ice sheets, offering a record of ice sheet behaviour that spans millennia. There are two main approaches to reconstructing palaeo‐ice sheets. Empirical reconstructions use the available glacial geological and chronological evidence to estimate ice sheet extent and dynamics but lack direct consideration of ice physics. In contrast, numerically modelled simulations implement ice physics, but often lack direct quantitative comparison with empirical evidence. Despite being long identified as a fruitful scientific endeavour, few ice sheet reconstructions attempt to reconcile the empirical and model‐based approaches. To achieve this goal, model‐data comparison procedures are required. Here, we compare three numerically modelled simulations of the former British–Irish Ice Sheet with the following lines of evidence: (a) position and shape of former margin positions, recorded by moraines; (b) former ice‐flow direction and flow‐switching, recorded by flowsets of subglacial bedforms; and (c) the timing of ice‐free conditions, recorded by geochronological data. These model–data comparisons provide a useful framework for quantifying the degree of fit between numerical model simulations and empirical constraints. Such tools are vital for reconciling numerical modelling and empirical evidence, the combination of which will lead to more robust palaeo‐ice sheet reconstructions with greater explicative and ultimately predictive power.
Late Pleistocene climate of the northern Iberian Peninsula: New insights from palaeoglaciers at Fuentes Carrionas (Cantabrian Mountains)
Authors: Pellitero Ramón , Fernández‐Fernández José M. , Campos Néstor , Serrano Enrique , Pisabarro Alfonso
Published: July 2019

New 10Be dates for glacial landforms in the Fuentes Carrionas area (Cantabrian Mountains, nothern Spain) are presented. Mapped and dated landforms in Fuentes Carrionas made possible a palaeoglacier reconstruction for four glacial stages. Results were compared to other nearby palaeoenvironmental proxies, so a final approximation on the mean annual temperature and annual precipitation that caused the four glacial advance stages is proposed. Glaciers reached their maximum extension at 36 ka, in a cold and dry environment. A second advance stage took place between 18.5 and 19.5 ka, during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), when glaciers advanced in a wet environment, with positive rainfall anomalies. A third glacial advance was dated during the Oldest Dryas, in which climate shifted to extremely cold and dry conditions. Finally, a last stage has been identified and proposed to the Younger Dryas, in which precipitation anomalies are negligible. Our results confirm some of the previously made palaeoglacial and palaeoenvironmental inferences for the Iberian Peninsula, as well as provide valuable and accurate anomalies, which are useful for climate modelling.
Frequent rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor recurrences in the imatinib era: Retrospective analysis of an International Patient Registry
Authors: Stuart Emelia , Banerjee Sudeep , de la Torre Jorge , Wang Yu , Scherzer Norman , Burgoyne Adam M. , Parry Lisa , Fanta Paul T. , Ramamoorthy Sonia , Sicklick Jason K.
Published: July 2019

Introduction

Rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is rare and comprises about 3% of GIST.

Methods

Registry data was collected by the Life Raft Group June 1976 to November 2017. All patients had a histologic GIST diagnosis. Demographic, clinicopathologic, and clinical outcome data were patient reported. Recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regression analysis.

Results

Of 1798 patients in the database, 48 had localized rectal GIST (2.7%). Patients were frequently male (58.3%) and non‐Hispanic whites (58.3%). Median age at diagnosis was 52 years. Most patients (77%) were diagnosed in the imatinib era (2001 to current). Over half (54.2%) of the cohort had mutation testing and all profiled tumors possessed KIT mutations (exon 9: 7.7%, exon 11: 88.5%, and exon 13: 3.8%). Most evaluable patients (26/28; 92.9%) had high‐risk disease (modified NIH criteria) and nearly all patients (95.8%) received imatinib. Median follow‐up was 8.8 years (range, 0.3‐30.7) and overall RFS was 8.0 years (95% CI, 2.9‐13.1). Thirty‐two percent (12/37) of patients in the post‐imatinib era developed recurrent disease. Diagnosis in the imatinib era was associated with improved RFS (HR = 0.22, 95% CI, 0.08‐0.62; P = .004) in the multivariable model.

Conclusion

We find that disease recurrence remains prevalent in one‐third of patients treated during the imatinib‐era.