bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperglycaemia is inversely correlated with live M. bovis BCG‐specific CD4+ T cell responses in Tanzanian adults with latent or active tuberculosis
Authors: Boillat‐Blanco Noémie , Tumbo Anneth‐Mwasi N. , Perreau Matthieu , Amelio Patrizia , Ramaiya Kaushik L. , Mganga Maliwaza , Schindler Christian , Gagneux Sebastien , Reither Klaus , Probst‐Hensch Nicole , Pantaleo Giuseppe , Daubenberger Claudia , Portevin Damien
Published: April 2018

Introduction

The rising prevalence of Diabetes mellitus (DM) in high TB‐endemic countries may adversely affect sustainability of TB control since DM constitutes a risk factor for development of active tuberculosis (TB). The impact of DM on TB specific adaptive immune responses remains poorly addressed, particularly in people living in Sub‐Saharan countries. We performed a functional characterization of TB specific cellular immune response in Tanzanian subjects with active or latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection stratified by their diabetic status.

Methods

HIV negative active TB patients (≥18 years) with Xpert MTB/RIF positive pulmonary TB were included before starting TB treatment in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between April and December 2013. HIV negative healthy controls latently infected with TB but without past TB history were also included. Active and latent TB patients were stratified in two groups according to their diabetic status. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cells were stimulated with either live M. bovis BCG or Mtb‐specific peptide pools and analyzed by intracellular cytokine staining and polychromatic flow cytometry.

Results

Our results show a lower frequency of IFN‐γ CD4+ T cells in patients with active TB and DM compared to patients with active TB only after live M. bovis BCG (p = 0.04) but not after Mtb peptide pools re‐stimulation. Irrespective of TB status, level of glycaemia is selectively inversely correlated with IFN‐γ and TNF‐α CD4+ T cell production (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03) after live M. bovis BCG stimulation.

Conclusions

These results support the hypothesis that hyperglycaemia negatively impacts antigen processing and/or presentation of whole mycobacteria delaying secretion of key cytokines involved in TB immunity.
TOWARDS A QUANTITATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR EVALUATING THE EXPRESSIVE POWER OF CONCEPTUAL SYSTEM MODELS
Authors: Mordecai Yaniv , Dori Dov
Published: April 2018

Conceptual models describe, explain, and specify the function, concept, structure, and behavior of complex systems. Quantifying the contribution of conceptual models to stakeholder understanding of the systems‐of‐interest has been a great challenge. This difficulty hinders justifying the use of formal modeling and simulation of complex systems and the adoption of a holistic model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) approach. The informativity of a model is the value of the information it conveys. Conceptual system model informativity is a key performance indicator for MBSE. We introduce MIA – Model Informativity Analysis – a quantitative, utility‐based, prescriptive approach for boosting conceptual models’ expressive power and measuring the value of the information they provide. We define an integrated informativity index, “I3”, which aggregates model scores of diverse informativity‐enhancing factors. We demonstrate various aspects of MIA with Object Process Methodology, OPM – a model‐based systems engineering paradigm and ISO‐19450 standard. OPM caters to quantitative informativity analysis due its formality, comprehensive function‐structure‐behavior modeling, and bimodal equivalent graphical‐textual representation.
In vitro degradation and in vivo toxicity of NanoMatrix3D® polycaprolactone and poly(lactic acid) nanofibrous scaffolds
Authors: Pogorielov Maksym , Hapchenko Andrii , Deineka Volodymyr , Rogulska Larysa , Oleshko Olexandr , Vodseďálková Kateřina , Berezkinová Liliana , Vysloužilová Lucie , Klápšťová Andrea , Erben Jakub
Published: April 2018

Nanofibrous materials present unique properties favorable in many biomedicine and industrial applications. In this research we evaluated biodegradation, tissue response and general toxicity of nanofibrous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds produced by conventional method of electrospinning and using NanoMatrix3D® (NM3D®) technology.

Mass density, scanning electron microscopy and in vitro degradation (static and dynamic) were used for material characterization, and subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal implantation – for in vivo tests. Biochemical blood analysis and histology were used to assess toxicity and tissue response. Pore size and fiber diameter did not differ in conventional and NM3D® PLA and PCL materials, but mass density was significantly lower in NM3D® ones. Scaffolds made by conventional method showed toxic effect during the in‐vivo tests due to residual concentration of chloroform that released with material degradation. NM3D® method allowed cleaning scaffolds from residual solutions that made them nontoxic and biocompatible. Subcutaneous, intramuscular and intraperitoneal implantation of PCL and PLA NM3D® electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds showed their appropriate cell conductive properties, tissue and vessels formation in all sites. Thus, NM3D® PCL and PLA nanofibrous electrospun scaffolds can be used in the field of tissue engineering, surgery, wound healing, drug delivery, and so forth, due to their unique properties, nontoxicity and biocompatibility. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2200‐2212, 2018.
A collagen based cryogel bioscaffold coated with nanostructured polydopamine as a platform for mesenchymal stem cell therapy
Authors: Razavi Mehdi , Hu Sophia , Thakor Avnesh S.
Published: April 2018

Cryo‐hydrogels (cryogels) are polymer hydrogels formed at sub‐zero temperatures. Bioscaffolds created from cryogels have interconnected macropores which allow for cell migration, tissue‐ingrowth, unhindered diffusion of solutes and mass transport of therapeutics. In this study, we developed collagen based cryogel bioscaffolds and coated them with polydopamine using a simple two‐step technique. Cryogel bioscaffolds were synthesized by collagen crosslinking at −20°C and exhibited a macroporous interconnected architecture with 75% ± 3% porosity. Two groups of pore sizes were observed: 300 ± 50 µm and 30 ± 10 µm in diameter. The addition of a polydopamine coating to cryogel bioscaffolds was confirmed using composition analysis. This resulted in a 41% ± 5% decrease in water uptake, 81% ± 10% decrease in swelling rate and 12% ± 3% decrease in their degree of dissolution (p < 0.05), with a 48% ± 2% increase in stiffness and 57% ± 5% increase in compressive strength (p < 0.05). Seeding adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs) into polydopamine coated‐cryogel bioscaffolds resulted in cells demonstrating a 52% ± 4% increase in viability and 33% ± 3% increase in proliferation when compared to AD‐MSCs seeded into uncoated‐cryogel bioscaffolds (p < 0.05). In summary, our novel polydopamine coated‐cryogel bioscaffold represents an efficient and low‐cost bioscaffold platform to support MSC therapies. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2213‐2228, 2018.
Hypomagnesemia During Teriparatide Treatment in Osteoporosis: Incidence and Determinants
Authors: Bégin Marie-Josée , Ste-Marie Louis-Georges , Coupal Louis , Ethier Jean , Räkel Agnès
Published: April 2018

In our clinical experience, we have encountered patients who developed hypomagnesemia after the introduction of teriparatide. Some trials have reported hypomagnesemia as an adverse event during teriparatide treatment, but this issue had never been studied specifically. Our objective was twofold: 1) determine the incidence of hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium <0.7 mmol/L) associated with teriparatide in a retrospective cohort and 2) identify the predisposing factors to hypomagnesemia in this cohort. We reviewed the files of 53 patients treated for severe osteoporosis with teriparatide for 6 to 24 months between May 2008 and January 2016. Serum magnesium levels were measured at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. In the full cohort, we observed an average decrease of serum magnesium of 0.075 mmol/L, 0.069 mmol/L, 0.085 mmol/L, 0.086 mmol/L (p < 0.001) at 3, 6, 12 months, and at the end of the treatment, respectively. The cumulative incidence of hypomagnesemia during treatment with teriparatide was 35.9% (19 patients). Patients’ older age (71.1 versus 65.1 years; p = 0.05) and lower baseline level of magnesium before teriparatide treatment (0.81 mmol/L versus 0.85 mmol/L; p = 0.03) were significant risk factors for teriparatide-induced hypomagnesemia. The average decrease of serum magnesium was greater in the patients who developed hypomagnesemia compared with normomagnesemic patients at 3 months (0.110 mmol/L versus 0.054 mmol/L; p = 0.02), 6 months (0.139 mmol/L versus 0.036 mmol/L; p < 0.001), and 12 months (0.156 mmol/L versus 0.048 mmol/L; p < 0.001). Serum calcium, creatinine, and parathyroid hormone remained normal throughout the treatment period. We observed a statistically significant decrease in the serum magnesium levels in patients treated with teriparatide for severe osteoporosis. Older age and lower baseline magnesium were significant determinants of hypomagnesemia. Closer monitoring of serum magnesium level should be considered in these patients. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Evolocumab and lipoprotein apheresis combination therapy may have synergic effects to reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: A case report
Authors: Zenti M. G. , Stefanutti C. , Sanga V. , Altomari A. , Fabris A. , Dauriz M. , Bonora E.
Published: April 2018

A 49 years old woman (weight 68 kg, BMI 27.3 kg/m2) with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) and multiple statin intolerance with muscle aches and creatine kinase elevation, presented at the Outpatient Lipid Clinic of Verona University Hospital in May 2015. Hypercholesterolemia was firstly diagnosed during adolescence, followed in adulthood by a diagnosis of Cogan's syndrome, a rheumatologic disorder characterized by corneal and inner ear inflammation. No xanthomas, corneal arcus, or vascular bruits were detectable at physical examination. Screening for macrovascular complications did not reveal relevant damages. Ongoing medical therapy included salicylic acid, methylprednisolone, methotrexate, and protonic‐pump inhibitor. In the absence of specific lipid‐lowering therapy, plasma lipid levels at first visit were: total‐cholesterol = 522 mg/dL, LDL‐cholesterol = 434 mg/dL, HDL‐cholesterol = 84 mg/dL, triglycerides = 120 mg/dL, Lp(a) = 13 mg/dL. On December 2015, evolocumab 140 mg sc every 2 weeks was initiated. After a 24‐week treatment, the LDL‐cholesterol levels decreased by an average of 21.2% to 342 ± 22 mg/dL (mean ± SD). On May 2016, LDL‐apheresis (H.E.L.P.system) was started as add‐on therapy. Compared to the average levels obtained during the evolocumab monotherapy period, the LDL‐cholesterol was reduced by 49.4%, thus reaching an inter‐apheresis level (mean ± SD) of 173 ± 37 mg/dL. This report suggests that a combination therapy with evolocumab and lipoprotein‐apheresis may have synergic effects on circulating lipid levels. Its relevance as a highly effective treatment option for hyperlipidemia in HeFH patients warrants further investigation in larger datasets.
The caveolar membrane system in endothelium: From cell signaling to vascular pathology
Authors: Filippini Antonio , Sica Gigliola , D'Alessio Alessio
Published: April 2018

Caveolae are 50‐ to 100‐nm cholesterol and glycosphingolipid‐rich flask‐shaped invaginations commonly observed in many terminally differentiated cells. These organelles have been described in many cell types and are particularly abundant in endothelial cells, where they have been involved in the regulation of certain signaling pathways. Specific scaffolding proteins termed caveolins, along with the more recently discovered members of the cavin family, represent the major protein components during caveolae biogenesis. In addition, multiple studies aimed to investigate the expression and the regulation of these proteins significantly contributed to elucidate the role of caveolae and caveolins in endothelial cell physiology and disease. The aim of this review is to survey recent evidence of the involvement of the caveolar network in endothelial cell biology and endothelial cell dysfunction.
4D flow MRI quantification of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation: Reproducibility and consistency relative to conventional MRI
Authors: Feneis Jennifer F. , Kyubwa Espoir , Atianzar Kimberly , Cheng Joseph Y. , Alley Marcus T. , Vasanawala Shreyas S. , Demaria Anthony N. , Hsiao Albert
Published: April 2018

Background

In patients with mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation, evaluation of regurgitant severity is essential for determining the need for surgery. While transthoracic echocardiography is widely accessible, it has limited reproducibility for grading inlet valve regurgitation. Multiplanar cardiac MRI is the quantitative standard but requires specialized local expertise, and is thus not widely available. Volumetric 4D flow MRI has potential for quantitatively grading the severity of inlet valve regurgitation in adult patients.

Purpose

To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of volumetric 4D flow MRI for quantification of inlet valvular regurgitation compared to conventional multiplanar MRI, which may simplify and improve accessibility of cardiac MRI.

Study Type

This retrospective, HIPAA‐compliant imaging‐based comparison study was conducted at a single institution.

Subjects

Twenty‐one patients who underwent concurrent multiplanar and 4D flow cardiac MRI between April 2015 and January 2017.

Field Strength/Sequences

3T; steady‐state free‐precession (SSFP), 2D phase contrast (2D‐PC), and postcontrast 4D flow.

Assessment

We evaluated the intertechnique (4D flow vs. 2D‐PC), intermethod (direct vs. indirect measurement), interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of measurements of regurgitant flow volume (RFV), fraction (RF), and volume (RVol).

Statistical Tests

Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, Bland–Altman statistics, and intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

There was high concordance between 4D flow and multiplanar MRI, whether using direct or indirect methods of quantifying regurgitation (r = 0.813–0.985). Direct interrogation of the regurgitant jet with 4D flow showed high intraobserver consistency (r = 0.976–0.999) and interobserver consistency (r = 0.861–0.992), and correlated well with traditional indirect measurements obtained as the difference between stroke volume and forward outlet valve flow.

Data Conclusion

4D flow MRI provides highly reproducible measurements of mitral and tricuspid regurgitant volume, and may be used in place of conventional multiplanar MRI.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1147–1158.
How the influx of Chinese tourists affects national tourism behaviors: Evidence from Taiwan
Authors: Yang Chih‐Hai , Lo Pei‐Ling
Published: April 2018

Taiwan implemented its tourism open policy for Chinese tourists in 2008, thereby inducing a skyrocketing‐growth of tourist arrivals from China in subsequent years. This paper examines the influence of Chinese tourist arrivals on national tourism in Taiwan. Based on individual‐level data in 2006–2013, empirical estimations find no crowding‐out effect on national tourism, whereas Taiwan's residents exhibit an increasing frequency of domestic trips. Crucially, residents lower their willingness to visit most of famous tourism sites that Chinese tourists prefer to visit, suggesting the increasing domestic tourists are crowded out from famous tourist attractions and, instead, visiting some local scenic sites.
Excessive pruning and limited regeneration: Are Faidherbia albida parklands heading for extinction in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia?
Authors: Sida Tesfaye Shiferaw , Baudron Frédéric , Deme Dejene Adugna , Tolera Motuma , Giller Ken E.
Published: April 2018

Scattered Faidherbia albida trees provide multiple ecological and production benefits across the Sahel. The intensive management and use of this important tree may impede its regeneration. Regeneration bottlenecks were explored and population dynamics modelled. On experimental plots in which seed of F. albida was sown, exposure to the first 2 months of dry season resulted in a quarter of seedling mortality. Exposure to season‐long free grazing and browsing caused significantly greater seedling mortality. Results from monitoring 100 permanent plots scattered over the landscape showed that adult population density was 4.2 ± 0.3 (mean ± SE) trees ha−1 and dominated by old age classes. Sixty percent of the total population were older than 30 years. The mean density for juveniles was 1.4 ± 0.2 (mean ± SE) individuals ha−1. The annual rates of decline were 1.2%, 51.3%, and 63.2% for adults, seedlings, and saplings, respectively. Our model predicted that the F. albida population will start to decline within 1–2 decades to eventually fall below 1 tree ha−1 within 60 years under current management. The model highlighted that the limited seed source, caused by excessive pruning, was the main constraint for recruitment. Appropriate land management policy to ensure adequate seed production would avert current trends in decline of F. albida population.
PKCα in colon cancer cells promotes M1 macrophage polarization via MKK3/6‐P38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Cheng Yang , Zhu Yun , Xu Wanfu , Xu Jiajia , Yang Min , Chen Peiyu , Zhao Junhong , Geng Lanlan , Gong Sitang
Published: April 2018

Tumor associated macrophages are potential targets of the immune therapy for patients with colon cancer. PKCα acts as a tumor suppressor in the intestine. However, the correlation between PKCα expressed in colon cancer cells and tumor associated macrophages polarization has never been detected. In the present study, the correlation between PKCα expression and level of M1 macrophages was evaluated in human colon cancer tissues. A xenograft mouse model of colon cancer cells with different PKCα expression level was constructed to evaluate the effect of PKCα on M1 macrophages polarization in vivo. Co‐culture of colon cancer cells and differentiated macrophages was used to detect the potential interplay in vitro. PKCα regulated production of cytokines which correlated with macrophage polarization and the underlying mechanism was further explored. Our study showed that high PKCα expression in human colon cancer tissues correlated with better prognosis and high M1 macrophage content. PKCα expressed in colon cancer cells inhibited the growth of colon cancer in mice model. PKCα induced macrophages polarized to the M1‐like phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, PKCα targeted P38 via MKK3/6 to promote IL12 and GM‐CSF expression which further enhanced M1‐like macrophages polarization. In conclusion, this study provided evidence for the first time that PKCα in colon cancer cells play an anticancer action by inducing the polarization of tumor associated macrophages to M1‐like phenotype in the tumor microenvironment. PKCα promoted IL12/GM‐CSF‐mediated M1 polarization through MKK3/6‐P38 signaling pathway. Our investigation suggested that modulation of the PKCα signaling pathway might serve as a novel strategy for colon cancer therapy.
Multiple Microelectrode Recordings in STN‐DBS Surgery for Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized Study
Authors: Bjerknes Silje , Toft Mathias , Konglund Ane E. , Pham Uyen , Waage Trine Rygvold , Pedersen Lena , Skjelland Mona , Haraldsen Ira , Andersson Stein , Dietrichs Espen , Skogseid Inger Marie
Published: April 2018

Background

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation improves motor symptoms and fluctuations in advanced Parkinson's disease, but the degree of clinical improvement depends on accurate anatomical electrode placement. Methods used to localize the sensory‐motor part of the nucleus vary substantially. Using microelectrode recordings, at least three inserted microelectrodes are needed to obtain a three‐dimensional map. Therefore, multiple simultaneously inserted microelectrodes should provide better guidance than single sequential microelectrodes. We aimed to compare the use of multiple simultaneous versus single sequential microelectrode recordings on efficacy and safety of subthalamic nucleus stimulation.

Methods

Sixty patients were included in this double‐blind, randomized study, 30 in each group. Primary outcome measures were the difference from baseline to 12 months in the MDS‐UPDRS motor score (part III) in the off‐medication state and quality of life using the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire‐39 (PDQ‐39) scores.

Results

The mean reduction of the MDS‐UPDRS III off score was 35 (SD 12) in the group investigated with multiple simultaneous microelectrodes compared to 26 (SD 10) in the single sequential microelectrode group (p = 0.004). The PDQ‐39 Summary Index did not differ between the groups, but the domain scores activities of daily living and bodily discomfort improved significantly more in the multiple microelectrodes group. The frequency of serious adverse events did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

After 12 months of subthalamic nucleus stimulation, the multiple microelectrodes group had a significantly greater improvement both in MDS‐UPDRS III off score and in two PDQ‐39 domains. Our results may support the use of multiple simultaneous microelectrode recordings.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00855621 (first received March 3, 2009).
Single breath‐hold 3D cardiac T1 mapping using through‐time spiral GRAPPA
Authors: Chen Yong , Lo Wei‐Ching , Hamilton Jesse I. , Barkauskas Kestutis , Saybasili Haris , Wright Katherine L. , Batesole Joshua , Griswold Mark A. , Gulani Vikas , Seiberlich Nicole
Published: April 2018

The quantification of cardiac T1 relaxation time holds great potential for the detection of various cardiac diseases. However, as a result of both cardiac and respiratory motion, only one two‐dimensional T1 map can be acquired in one breath‐hold with most current techniques, which limits its application for whole heart evaluation in routine clinical practice. In this study, an electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered three‐dimensional Look–Locker method was developed for cardiac T1 measurement. Fast three‐dimensional data acquisition was achieved with a spoiled gradient‐echo sequence in combination with a stack‐of‐spirals trajectory and through‐time non‐Cartesian generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) acceleration. The effects of different magnetic resonance parameters on T1 quantification with the proposed technique were first examined by simulating data acquisition and T1 map reconstruction using Bloch equation simulations. Accuracy was evaluated in studies with both phantoms and healthy subjects. These results showed that there was close agreement between the proposed technique and the reference method for a large range of T1 values in phantom experiments. In vivo studies further demonstrated that rapid cardiac T1 mapping for 12 three‐dimensional partitions (spatial resolution, 2 × 2 × 8 mm3) could be achieved in a single breath‐hold of ~12 s. The mean T1 values of myocardial tissue and blood obtained from normal volunteers at 3 T were 1311 ± 66 and 1890 ± 159 ms, respectively. In conclusion, a three‐dimensional T1 mapping technique was developed using a non‐Cartesian parallel imaging method, which enables fast and accurate T1 mapping of cardiac tissues in a single short breath‐hold.
Polycaprolactone/babassu compounds: Rheological, thermal, and morphological characteristics
Authors: Reul Lizzia T. A. , Pereira Camila A. B. , Sousa Fernanda M. , Santos Raquel M. , Carvalho Laura H. , Canedo Eduardo L.
Published: April 2018

This work deals with polycaprolactone/babassu compounds having two types of filler, derived from the fruit of the babassu palm. PCL compounds with 10%, 20%, and 30% of epicarp and mesocarp of babassu were prepared in an internal laboratory mixer and their morphology, rheological characteristics, and thermal properties, were determined as a function of the type and content of the load. Melt viscosity increases with filler incorporation and loading levels, and at the same loading level the viscosity of epicarp compounds is higher. Rheological analysis indicates that PCL melts behave as Newtonian liquids while subjected to shear rates in the range 10–100 s−1. DSC data shows babassu promotes PCL melt crystallization, shifting crystallization peak to higher temperatures and increasing crystallization rate. Crystallinity increases steadily with filler content and shows a weak dependence on filler type. Optical microscopy shows higher particle size and particle agglomeration at higher filler contents. SEM analysis shows poor adhesion polymer/filler interface. Small round particles, perceived as background in the images were attributed to the presence of starch granules. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E540–E549, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cannabis for Chronic Pain: Challenges and Considerations
Authors: Romero‐Sandoval E. Alfonso , Fincham Jack E. , Kolano Ashley L. , Sharpe Brandi N. , Alvarado‐Vázquez P. Abigail
Published: April 2018

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found substantial evidence that cannabis (plant) is effective for the treatment of chronic pain in adults, and moderate evidence that oromucosal cannabinoids (extracts, especially nabiximols) improve short‐term sleep disturbances in chronic pain. The paradoxical superiority of the cannabis plant over cannabinoid molecules represents a challenge for the medical community and the established processes that define modern pharmacy. The expanding and variable legalization of cannabis in multiple states nationwide represents an additional challenge for patients and the medical community because recreational and medicinal cannabis are irresponsibly overlapped. Cannabis designed for recreational use (containing high levels of active ingredients) is increasingly available to patients with chronic pain who do not find relief with current pharmacologic entities, which exposes patients to potential harm. This article analyzes the available scientific evidence to address controversial questions that the current state of cannabis poses for health care professionals and chronic pain patients and sets the basis for a more open discussion about the role of cannabis in modern medicine for pain management. A critical discussion on these points, the legal status of cannabis, and considerations for health care providers is presented.
A Fast and Facile Fabrication of PTFE Based Superhydrophobic and Ultra Wideband Angle Insensitive Anti‐Reflection Coatings
Authors: De Rajnarayan , Misal Jitendra S. , Shinde Deepak D. , Polaki Shyam R. , Singh Ranveer , Som Tapobrata , Sahoo Naba K. , Rao K. Divakar
Published: April 2018

Superhydrophobic (water contact angle ≈168° and sliding angle ≈1°) and ultra‐wideband (entire visible to near infrared, i.e., 400–1100 nm), omnidirectional (0–60°) anti‐reflecting (Tmax ≈98% and Tavg ≈97%) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings are fabricated in a rapid single step deposition process by electron beam evaporation technique. The methodology followed in this work avoids conventional complicated multistep chemical processes and reduces the deposition time to ≈3 s. This novel coating strategy may be of potential use in fabricating highly transparent multifunctional optical coatings on glass cover panels with excellent self‐cleaning property for various outdoor applications.
Properties of conditionally filtered equations: Conservation, normal modes, and variational formulation
Authors: Thuburn John , Vallis Geoffrey K.
Published: April 2018

Conditionally filtered equations have recently been proposed as a basis for modeling the atmospheric boundary layer and convection. Conditional filtering decomposes the fluid into a number of categories or components, such as convective updraughts and the background environment, and derives governing equations for the dynamics of each component. Because of the novelty and unfamiliarity of these equations, it is important to establish some of their physical and mathematical properties and to examine whether their solutions might behave in counterintuitive or even unphysical ways. It is also important to understand the properties of the equations in order to develop suitable numerical solution methods. The conditionally filtered equations are shown to have conservation laws for mass, entropy, momentum or axial angular momentum, energy, and potential vorticity. The normal modes of the conditionally filtered equations include the usual acoustic, inertio‐gravity, and Rossby modes of the standard compressible Euler equations. In addition, the equations support modes with different perturbations in the different fluid components that resemble gravity modes and inertial modes but with zero pressure perturbation. These modes make no contribution to the total filter‐scale fluid motion, and their amplitude diminishes as the filter scale diminishes. Finally, it is shown that the conditionally filtered equations have a natural variational formulation, which can be used as a basis for systematically deriving consistent approximations.
Quantile regression with nominated samples: An application to a bone mineral density study
Authors: Jafari Jozani Mohammad , Ayilara Olawale F. , Leslie William D.
Published: April 2018

This paper studies quantile regression analysis with maxima or minima nomination sampling designs. These designs are often used to obtain more representative samples from the tails of the underlying distribution using the easy to access rank information during the sampling process. We propose new loss functions to incorporate the rank information of nominated samples in the estimation process. Also, we provide an alternative approach that translates estimation problems with nominated samples to corresponding problems under simple random sampling (SRS). Strategies are given to choose proper nomination sampling designs for a given population quantile. Numerical studies show that quantile regression models with maxima (or minima) nominated samples have higher relative efficiencies compared with their counterparts under SRS for analyzing the upper (or lower) tail quantiles of the distribution of the response variable. Results are then implemented on a large cohort study in the Canadian province of Manitoba to analyze quantiles of bone mineral density using available covariates. We show that in some cases, methods based on nomination sampling designs require about one‐tenth of the sample used in SRS to estimate the lower or upper tail conditional quantiles with comparable mean squared errors. This is a dramatic reduction in time and cost compared with the usual SRS approach.
Interfacial Passivation of the p‐Doped Hole‐Transporting Layer Using General Insulating Polymers for High‐Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Fan , Song Jun , Hu Rui , Xiang Yuren , He Junjie , Hao Yuying , Lian Jiarong , Zhang Bin , Zeng Pengju , Qu Junle
Published: April 2018

Organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite solar cells (PVSCs), as a competing technology with traditional inorganic solar cells, have now realized a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.1%. In PVSCs, interfacial carrier recombination is one of the dominant energy‐loss mechanisms, which also results in the simultaneous loss of potential efficiency. In this work, for planar inverted PVSCs, the carrier recombination is dominated by the dopant concentration in the p‐doped hole transport layers (HTLs), since the F4‐TCNQ dopant induces more charge traps and electronic transmission channels, thus leading to a decrease in open‐circuit voltages (VOC). This issue is efficiently overcome by inserting a thin insulating polymer layer (poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene) as a passivation layer with an appropriate thickness, which allows for increases in the VOC without significantly sacrificing the fill factor. It is believed that the passivation layer attributes to the passivation of interfacial recombination and the suppression of current leakage at the perovskite/HTL interface. By manipulating this interfacial passivation technique, a high PCE of 20.3% is achieved without hysteresis. Consequently, this versatile interfacial passivation methodology is highly useful for further improving the performance of planar inverted PVSCs.
Robust Production of Ultrahigh Surface Area Carbon Sheets for Energy Storage
Authors: Zhang Yao , Ma Qingtao , Li Huan , Yang Ying‐Wei , Luo Jiayan
Published: April 2018

Nanostructured carbon materials play essential roles in electrochemical energy storage devices. However, scalable production of high surface area carbon with a cost‐effective process while controlling the morphology is challenging. Herein, a one‐step procedure to produce carbon sheets with very high specific surface area up to 3411 m2 g−1 by direct pyrolysis of dipotassium ethylene diamine tetraacetate is reported. Unlike that of biomass‐pyrolyzed carbons, the surface area of prepared carbon sheets is not sensitive to pyrolysis conditions (e.g., heating temperature and time), which makes the production robust and scalable. Moreover, the pore structure is stable against posttreatments, including solvent washing, which are detrimental to that of graphene‐based soft sheet assemblies. When used as supercapacitor electrodes, the ultrahigh surface area carbon sheets (HSACS) show a high specific capacitance of 268 F g−1 at 5 mV s−1, and retain 70% of the capacitance at 100 times higher scan rate in 6 m KOH aqueous electrolyte. Furthermore, the HSACS also exhibit a high specific capacitance of 266 F g−1 within a 1.6 V symmetric supercapacitor potential window in 2 m Li2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. The symmetric supercapacitor delivers a maximum specific energy of 23.6 W h kg−1 and high power density of 6.4 kW kg−1.
Evaluating responses by pronghorn to fence modifications across the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Jones Paul F. , Jakes Andrew F. , Eacker Daniel R. , Seward Blair C. , Hebblewhite Mark , Martin Brian H.
Published: April 2018

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is an endemic North American ungulate susceptible to negative effects of fences, especially given the vast amount of barbed‐wire fencing currently on the landscape. Despite multiple nongovernmental organizations, and state and provincial wildlife agencies publishing guidelines for creating wildlife‐friendly fencing, there are no published studies that evaluate and compare evidence of the effectiveness of endorsed practices. We analyzed pronghorn crossing success in Alberta, Canada, and Montana, USA, between 2012 and 2016 in response to fence‐modification treatments to understand 1) differences between bottom wire height at selected versus available fence sites, 2) the change in crossing rates before and after fence modification treatments, 3) the effect of a suite of fence, environmental, and demographic characteristics on group crossing success, and 4) the time lag until pronghorn became habituated to different fence modifications after initiation of treatments. Use of either smooth wire or clips with a bottom wire height of approximately 46 cm were most effective at allowing passage by pronghorn, while the commonly proposed goat‐bar was ineffective and created a negative behavioral response by pronghorn. Though smooth wire and clips were effective at allowing passage, we observed a time lag as pronghorn switched use from their strong fidelity at known‐crossing sites to using modified sites. Pronghorn‐group crossing success was greatest during summer, for all‐male groups, and increased with larger group sizes. We advocate not using goat‐bars as modifications to fences, and instead, recommend using smooth wire and clips at a minimum bottom‐wire height of 46 cm to allow movement by pronghorn. Our study provides guidance for wildlife‐friendly fencing techniques to wildlife managers and private landholders as a means to improve permeability for pronghorn and additionally, can be used as a model to evaluate fence modifications for pronghorn and other target species that may be sensitive to fence interactions. © 2018 The Authors. Wildlife Society Bulletin Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On Number Language: A Commentary on Chapter 3
Authors: Pimm David
Published: April 2018

This chapter primarily offers a commentary on Chap. 3, before moving off at the end into some wider issues. I have organized my comments under four broad headings – links among what is said, written and gestured vis-à-vis number; place value; the (dissolving) distinction and its pertinence between count nouns and mass nouns (and the place of English-language number words in relation to this distinction); and some similarities and differences among the systems of cardinal, ordinal and fractional number words – before concluding with a (very) few summary remarks.
Do Short Sellers Trade on Private Information or False Information?
Authors: Purnanandam Amiyatosh , Seyhun H. Nejat
Published: April 2018

We investigate whether short sellers contribute toward the informational efficiency of market prices by trading on their private information or destabilize market prices by trading on rumors and false information. We find that short-selling activities are considerably informative about future stock returns when there is a higher likelihood of private information in stocks, as measured by insider-trading activities. Short sellers also bring considerable additional information to the market that is not fully captured by contemporaneous insider trading. Overall, these results suggest that on average, short sellers bring informational efficiency to market prices rather than destabilize them.
SET-VALUED CASH SUB-ADDITIVE RISK MEASURES
Authors: Sun Fei , Hu Yijun
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we introduce a new class of set-valued risk measures which satisfies cash sub-additivity. Dual representation for them is provided. Moreover, we also investigate dynamic set-valued cash sub-additive risk measures and discuss the corresponding multi-portfolio time consistency. The equivalent characterization of the multi-portfolio time consistency is given. Finally, an example is also given to illustrate the introduction of set-valued cash sub-additive risk measures. The present paper can be considered as a set-valued extension of scalar cash sub-additive risk measures introduced by El Karouii and Ravanelli [8].
HIV and viral hepatitis coinfection analysis using surveillance data from 15 US states and two cities
Authors: Bosh K. A. , Coyle J. R. , Hansen V. , Kim E. M. , Speers S. , Comer M. , Maddox L. M. , Khuwaja S. , Zhou W. , Jatta A. , Mayer R. , Brantley A. D. , Muriithi N. W. , Bhattacharjee R. , Flynn C. , Bouton L. , John B. , Keusch J. , Barber C. A. , Sweet K. , Ramaswamy C. , Westheimer E. F. , VanderBusch L. , Nishimura A. , Vu A. , Hoffman-Arriaga L. , Rowlinson E. , Carter A. O. , Yerkes L. E. , Li W. , Reuer J. R. , Stockman L. J. , Tang T. , Brooks J. T. , Teshale E. H. , Hall H. I.
Published: April 2018

Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the absence of clinical management, making identification of these cases crucial. We examined characteristics of HIV and viral hepatitis coinfections by using surveillance data from 15 US states and two cities. Each jurisdiction used an automated deterministic matching method to link surveillance data for persons with reported acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, to persons reported with HIV infection. Of the 504 398 persons living with diagnosed HIV infection at the end of 2014, 2.0% were coinfected with HBV and 6.7% were coinfected with HCV. Of the 269 884 persons ever reported with HBV, 5.2% were reported with HIV. Of the 1 093 050 persons ever reported with HCV, 4.3% were reported with HIV. A greater proportion of persons coinfected with HIV and HBV were males and blacks/African Americans, compared with those with HIV monoinfection. Persons who inject drugs represented a greater proportion of those coinfected with HIV and HCV, compared with those with HIV monoinfection. Matching HIV and viral hepatitis surveillance data highlights epidemiological characteristics of persons coinfected and can be used to routinely monitor health status and guide state and national public health interventions.
The ecology and diversity of microbial eukaryotes in geothermal springs
Authors: Oliverio Angela M , Power Jean F , Washburne Alex , Cary S Craig , Stott Matthew B , Fierer Noah
Published: April 2018

Decades of research into the Bacteria and Archaea living in geothermal spring ecosystems have yielded great insight into the diversity of life and organismal adaptations to extreme environmental conditions. Surprisingly, while microbial eukaryotes (protists) are also ubiquitous in many environments, their diversity across geothermal springs has mostly been ignored. We used high-throughput sequencing to illuminate the diversity and structure of microbial eukaryotic communities found in 160 geothermal springs with broad ranges in temperature and pH across the Taupō Volcanic Zone in New Zealand. Protistan communities were moderately predictable in composition and varied most strongly across gradients in pH and temperature. Moreover, this variation mirrored patterns observed for bacterial and archaeal communities across the same spring samples, highlighting that there are similar ecological constraints across the tree of life. While extreme pH values were associated with declining protist diversity, high temperature springs harbored substantial amounts of protist diversity. Although protists are often overlooked in geothermal springs and other extreme environments, our results indicate that such environments can host distinct and diverse protistan communities.
Eigenmode orthogonality breaking and anomalous dynamics in multimode nano-optomechanical systems under non-reciprocal coupling
Authors: Mercier de Lépinay Laure , Pigeau Benjamin , Besga Benjamin , Arcizet Olivier
Published: April 2018

Thermal motion of nanomechanical probes directly impacts their sensitivities to external forces. Its proper understanding is therefore critical for ultimate force sensing. Here, we investigate a vectorial force field sensor: a singly-clamped nanowire oscillating along two quasi-frequency-degenerate transverse directions. Its insertion in a rotational optical force field couples its eigenmodes non-symmetrically, causing dramatic modifications of its mechanical properties. In particular, the eigenmodes lose their intrinsic orthogonality. We show that this circumstance is at the origin of an anomalous excess of noise and of a violation of the fluctuation dissipation relation. Our model, which quantitatively accounts for all observations, provides a novel modified version of the fluctuation dissipation theorem that remains valid in non-conservative rotational force fields, and that reveals the prominent role of non-axial mechanical susceptibilities. These findings help understand the intriguing properties of thermal fluctuations in non-reciprocally-coupled multimode systems.
Matriptase-2 deficiency protects from obesity by modulating iron homeostasis
Authors: Folgueras Alicia R. , Freitas-Rodríguez Sandra , Ramsay Andrew J. , Garabaya Cecilia , Rodríguez Francisco , Velasco Gloria , López-Otín Carlos
Published: April 2018

Alterations in iron status have frequently been associated with obesity and other metabolic disorders. The hormone hepcidin stands out as a key regulator in the maintenance of iron homeostasis by controlling the main iron exporter, ferroportin. Here we demonstrate that the deficiency in the hepcidin repressor matriptase-2 (Tmprss6) protects from high-fat diet-induced obesity. Tmprss6
−/−
mice show a significant decrease in body fat, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and are protected against hepatic steatosis. Moreover, these mice exhibit a significant increase in fat lipolysis, consistent with their dramatic reduction in adiposity. Rescue experiments that block hepcidin up-regulation and restore iron levels in Tmprss6−/− mice via anti-hemojuvelin (HJV) therapy, revert the obesity-resistant phenotype of Tmprss6−/− mice. Overall, this study describes a role for matritpase-2 and hepcidin in obesity and highlights the relevance of iron regulation in the control of adipose tissue function.
Simultaneous complementary photoswitching of hemithioindigo tweezers for dynamic guest relocalization
Authors: Wiedbrauk Sandra , Bartelmann Thomas , Thumser Stefan , Mayer Peter , Dube Henry
Published: April 2018

Remote control of complex molecular behavior and function is one key problem in modern chemistry. Using light signaling for this purpose has many advantages, however the integration of different photo processes into a wholesome yet complex system is highly challenging. Here we report an alternative approach to increase complexity of light control-simultaneous complementary photoswitching-in which spectral overlap is used as an advantage to drastically reduce the signaling needed for controlling multipart supramolecular assemblies. Two photoswitchable molecular tweezers respond to the same light signals with opposite changes in their binding affinities. In this way the configuration of two host tweezers and ultimately the dynamic relocation of a guest molecule can be trigged by only one signal reversibly in the same solution. This approach should provide a powerful tool for the construction of sophisticated, integrated, and multi-responsive smart molecular systems in any application driven field of chemistry.
Methanol-essential growth of Escherichia coli
Authors: Meyer Fabian , Keller Philipp , Hartl Johannes , Gröninger Olivier G. , Kiefer Patrick , Vorholt Julia A.
Published: April 2018

Methanol represents an attractive substrate for biotechnological applications. Utilization of reduced one-carbon compounds for growth is currently limited to methylotrophic organisms, and engineering synthetic methylotrophy remains a major challenge. Here we apply an in silico-guided multiple knockout approach to engineer a methanol-essential Escherichia coli strain, which contains the ribulose monophosphate cycle for methanol assimilation. Methanol conversion to biomass was stoichiometrically coupled to the metabolization of gluconate and the designed strain was subjected to laboratory evolution experiments. Evolved strains incorporate up to 24% methanol into core metabolites under a co-consumption regime and utilize methanol at rates comparable to natural methylotrophs. Genome sequencing reveals mutations in genes coding for glutathione-dependent formaldehyde oxidation (frmA), NAD(H) homeostasis/biosynthesis (nadR), phosphopentomutase (deoB), and gluconate metabolism (gntR). This study demonstrates a successful metabolic re-routing linked to a heterologous pathway to achieve methanol-dependent growth and represents a crucial step in generating a fully synthetic methylotrophic organism.