bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Roles of UVA radiation and DNA damage responses in melanoma pathogenesis
Authors: Khan Aiman Q. , Travers Jeffrey B. , Kemp Michael G.
Published: February 2018

The growing incidence of melanoma is a serious public health issue that merits a thorough understanding of potential causative risk factors, which includes exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Though UVR has been classified as a complete carcinogen and has long been recognized for its ability to damage genomic DNA through both direct and indirect means, the precise mechanisms by which the UVA and UVB components of UVR contribute to the pathogenesis of melanoma have not been clearly defined. In this review, we therefore highlight recent studies that have addressed roles for UVA radiation in the generation of DNA damage and in modulating the subsequent cellular responses to DNA damage in melanocytes, which are the cell type that gives rise to melanoma. Recent research suggests that UVA not only contributes to the direct formation of DNA lesions but also impairs the removal of UV photoproducts from genomic DNA through oxidation and damage to DNA repair proteins. Moreover, the melanocyte microenvironment within the epidermis of the skin is also expected to impact melanomagenesis, and we therefore discuss several paracrine signaling pathways that have been shown to impact the DNA damage response in UV‐irradiated melanocytes. Lastly, we examine how alterations to the immune microenvironment by UVA‐associated DNA damage responses may contribute to melanoma development. Thus, there appear to be multiple avenues by which UVA may elevate the risk of melanoma. Protective strategies against excess exposure to UVA wavelengths of light therefore have the potential to decrease the incidence of melanoma. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:438–460, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intermittent energy restriction for weight loss: Spontaneous reduction of energy intake on unrestricted days
Authors: Harvey Jennifer , Howell Anthony , Morris Julie , Harvie Michelle
Published: February 2018

There is increasing interest for the use of intermittent energy restriction (IER) in weight management. However, there are concerns that IER could result in ‘rebound’ overconsumption of energy on unrestricted days. We studied self‐reported food records from participants in two trials of IER versus continuous energy restriction (Study 1; 44 women on IER for 6 months and Study 2; 72 women on two types of IER for 4 months). Energy intake was assessed on restricted and unrestricted days immediately before and after restricted days and on other unrestricted days. We assessed consistency of days of the week chosen as restricted days, and whether this was associated with greater weight loss. Reported energy intake was reduced on unrestricted days in Study 1 and 2 and was 19% lower compared with the allocated isoenergetic diet, and respectively 21% and 29% lower than their baseline reported daily intakes. Energy intake appeared to be similarly reduced the day immediately before and after restricted days and on other unrestricted days. Seventy percent of women in Study 1 and 79% in Study 2 undertook consistent days of restriction each week (>50% of restricted days on the same 2 days each week). When studies were combined percentage weight loss at 3 months was −5.8 (−6.7 to −4.7) % in the consistent group and −7.4 (−8.7 to −6.2) % in the non‐consistent group (p = .09). Food records from patients undertaking IER suggest a spontaneous reduction in energy intake below their baseline reported intakes and the prescribed isoenergetic diet during all unrestricted days including the days immediately before and after restricted days which contributes to the weight loss success with these diets. Consistency of restricted days was not associated with weight loss success. These findings need to be confirmed in larger groups of patients ideally using objective measures of energy balance.
Origin and influence of a Late Mesozoic multistage I‐ and A‐type granitic complex in northern Fujian Province, South China
Authors: Wang Kai‐Xing , Huang Hui , Liu Xiao‐Dong , Pan Jia‐Yong
Published: February 2018

The Late Mesozoic Pucheng granitic complex in northern Fujian Province is composed of the Chengbu and Shipi peralkaline A‐type granitoids, the Pucheng A‐type granitoid, and the Yongxing I‐type granitoid. The Chengbu and Shipi peralkaline granitoids were dated at 160 and 130 Ma, respectively, and are explained by the melting of meta‐igneous rocks with TDM2 of 1.70 Ga and 2.01 to 2.05 Ga. The Pucheng A‐type granitoid was emplaced at 110 and 102 Ma and is divided into two groups. Group 1 comprises the extremely felsic A‐type granite (SiO2 > 73 wt.%), high FeOT/MgO (>16), and low Ga/Al ratios and Zr + Nb + Ce + Y content. Group 2 contains a less‐evolved A‐type granite with high Zr + Nb + Ce + Y content. Both groups can be explained by dehydration melting of meta‐igneous rocks at low pressure. The diversity between the two groups was caused by different physicochemical environments. The Yongxing I‐type granite, which is abundant in mafic microgranular enclaves, was emplaced at 106 ± 1 Ma. It can be explained by the mingling of mantle‐derived and crustal‐derived magmas. Our data along with previously published data demonstrate that the northern Fujian Province was under an extensional environment from 160 to 100 Ma. This was caused by the NW‐trending subduction of the palaeo‐Pacific Plate. The Jurassic peralkaline granitoids were probably generated in a rift environment as a result of the reactivation of pre‐existing faults caused by the initial subduction of the palaeo‐Pacific Plate. The Early Cretaceous peralkaline granitoids may represent a rift environment as a tectonic response from low‐angle subduction to an increasing subduction dip angle. The 100 Ma granitoids derive from an intraplate extensional environment caused by the roll‐back of the palaeo‐Pacific Plate.
Enigmatic nodule‐bearing rocks in the mafic to ultramafic Diana Mills pluton, Piedmont Province, Virginia
Authors: Owens Brent E. , Telep Elizabeth S. , Garry W. Brent
Published: February 2018

The Silurian Diana Mills pluton is a metamorphosed mafic–ultramafic body in the Piedmont Province of Virginia. Major rock types in the pluton include metadiorite and chlorite‐amphibole rock, with lesser amounts of hornblendite. However, the most visually striking rocks, found at 4 locations, consist of tan‐weathering nodules in a dark green matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the origin of these nodular rocks. All rocks show evidence of greenschist‐facies metamorphism, but relict igneous textures are preserved locally. Apart from the nodules, Ca‐amphibole is ubiquitous in all rock types. Nodules are dominated by serpentine or talc (+magnetite ± chromite), and many show a thin (≤5 mm) radially oriented shell of serpentine against adjacent matrix. The nodules are ultramafic (Mg# ~80–90, up to7,563 ppm Cr, up to 2,038 ppm Ni), and their normative mineralogy is dominated by olivine and orthopyroxene. Thus, they represent metamorphosed harzburgites and pyroxenites. Matrix minerals are dominantly amphibole + chlorite, along with variable amounts of talc + magnetite. Some matrix samples are chlorite‐rich, probably reflecting metasomatic reaction with nodules (i.e., they are small‐scale “blackwalls”). Matrix samples are also ultramafic (high Mg#, Cr, and Ni). The matrix of the nodule‐bearing outcrops is essentially the same as other chlorite‐amphibole rocks elsewhere in the pluton. We consider these rocks to represent emplacement of an original hornblende peridotite crystal mush (a mixture of crystals and hydrous melt), which locally carried harzburgitic nodules. The nodules most likely represent the earliest‐formed cumulates from the Diana Mills parent magma.
Astrocytes sustain long‐term productive HIV‐1 infection without establishment of reactivable viral latency
Authors: Barat Corinne , Proust Alizé , Deshiere Alexandre , Leboeuf Mathieu , Drouin Jean , Tremblay Michel J.
Published: February 2018

The “shock and kill” HIV‐1 cure strategy proposes eradication of stable cellular reservoirs by clinical treatment with latency‐reversing agents (LRAs). Although resting CD4+ T cells latently infected with HIV‐1 constitute the main reservoir that is targeted by these approaches, their consequences on other reservoirs such as the central nervous system are still unknown and should be taken into consideration. We performed experiments aimed at defining the possible role of astrocytes in HIV‐1 persistence in the brain and the effect of LRA treatments on this viral sanctuary. We first demonstrate that the diminished HIV‐1 production in a proliferating astrocyte culture is due to a reduced proliferative capacity of virus‐infected cells compared with uninfected astrocytes. In contrast, infection of non‐proliferating astrocytes led to a robust HIV‐1 infection that was sustained for over 60 days. To identify astrocytes latently infected with HIV‐1, we designed a new dual‐color reporter virus called NL4.3 eGFP‐IRES‐Crimson that is fully infectious and encodes for all viral proteins. Although we detected a small fraction of astrocytes carrying silent HIV‐1 proviruses, we did not observe any reactivation using various LRAs and even strong inducers such as tumor necrosis factor, thus suggesting that these proviruses were either not transcriptionally competent or in a state of deep latency. Our findings imply that astrocytes might not constitute a latent reservoir per se but that relentless virus production by this brain cell population could contribute to the neurological disorders seen in HIV‐1‐infected persons subjected to combination antiretroviral therapy.
The impact of child welfare legislation on domestic violence‐related homicide rates
Authors: Dasgupta Kabir , Pacheco Gail
Published: February 2018

State‐specific statutes providing legal consequences for perpetrating domestic violence in the presence of a child have been enacted across the United States between 1996 and 2012. This paper examines the impact of this child welfare legislation, using a difference‐in‐differences approach. We find a significant drop in domestic violence‐related homicide rates, when considering a wide range of victim–offender relationships. However, this result does not hold for marital homicides, suggesting that for this subpopulation, the risk of reprisal and consequent reduction in reporting may be counterbalancing the hypothesized deterrent impacts of the legislation.
DEP domain–containing mTOR–interacting protein suppresses lipogenesis and ameliorates hepatic steatosis and acute‐on‐chronic liver injury in alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Chen Hanqing , Shen Feng , Sherban Alex , Nocon Allison , Li Yu , Wang Hua , Xu Ming‐Jiang , Rui Xianliang , Han Jinyan , Jiang Bingbing , Lee Donghwan , Li Na , Keyhani‐Nejad Farnaz , Fan Jian‐gao , Liu Feng , Kamat Amrita , Musi Nicolas , Guarente Leonard , Pacher Pal , Gao Bin , Zang Mengwei
Published: February 2018

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by lipid accumulation and liver injury. However, how chronic alcohol consumption causes hepatic lipid accumulation remains elusive. The present study demonstrates that activation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) plays a causal role in alcoholic steatosis, inflammation, and liver injury. Chronic‐plus‐binge ethanol feeding led to hyperactivation of mTORC1, as evidenced by increased phosphorylation of mTOR and its downstream kinase S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) in hepatocytes. Aberrant activation of mTORC1 was likely attributed to the defects of the DEP domain‐containing mTOR‐interacting protein (DEPTOR) and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide–dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in the liver of chronic‐plus‐binge ethanol‐fed mice and in the liver of patients with ALD. Conversely, adenoviral overexpression of hepatic DEPTOR suppressed mTORC1 signaling and ameliorated alcoholic hepatosteatosis, inflammation, and acute‐on‐chronic liver injury. Mechanistically, the lipid‐lowering effect of hepatic DEPTOR was attributable to decreased proteolytic processing, nuclear translocation, and transcriptional activity of the lipogenic transcription factor sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1 (SREBP‐1). DEPTOR‐dependent inhibition of mTORC1 also attenuated alcohol‐induced cytoplasmic accumulation of the lipogenic regulator lipin 1 and prevented alcohol‐mediated inhibition of fatty acid oxidation. Pharmacological intervention with rapamycin alleviated the ability of alcohol to up‐regulate lipogenesis, to down‐regulate fatty acid oxidation, and to induce steatogenic phenotypes. Chronic‐plus‐binge ethanol feeding led to activation of SREBP‐1 and lipin 1 through S6K1‐dependent and independent mechanisms. Furthermore, hepatocyte‐specific deletion of SIRT1 disrupted DEPTOR function, enhanced mTORC1 activity, and exacerbated alcoholic fatty liver, inflammation, and liver injury in mice. Conclusion: The dysregulation of SIRT1–DEPTOR–mTORC1 signaling is a critical determinant of ALD pathology; targeting SIRT1 and DEPTOR and selectively inhibiting mTORC1–S6K1 signaling may have therapeutic potential for treating ALD in humans. (Hepatology 2018).
The “ripple effect”: Health and community perceptions of the Indigenous Marathon Program on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Australia
Authors: Macniven Rona , Plater Suzanne , Canuto Karla , Dickson Michelle , Gwynn Josephine , Bauman Adrian , Richards Justin
Published: February 2018

Issue addressed

Physical inactivity is a key health risk among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians. We examined perceptions of the Indigenous Marathon Program (IMP) in a remote Torres Strait island community.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews with community and program stakeholders (n = 18; 14 Indigenous) examined barriers and enablers to running and the influence of the IMP on the community. A questionnaire asked 104 running event participants (n = 42 Indigenous) about their physical activity behaviours, running motivation and perceptions of program impact. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis, and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results

Interviews revealed six main themes: community readiness, changing social norms to adopt healthy lifestyles, importance of social support, program appeal to hard‐to‐reach population groups, program sustainability and initiation of broader healthy lifestyle ripple effects beyond running. Barriers to running in the community were personal (cultural attitudes; shyness) and environmental (infrastructure; weather; dogs). Enablers reflected potential strategies to overcome described barriers. Indigenous questionnaire respondents were more likely to report being inspired to run by IMP runners than non‐Indigenous respondents.

Conclusions

Positive “ripple” effects of the IMP on running and broader health were described to have occurred through local role modelling of healthy lifestyles by IMP runners that reduced levels of “shame” and embarrassment, a common barrier to physical activity among Indigenous Australians. A high initial level of community readiness for behaviour change was also reported.

So what?

Strategies to overcome this “shame” factor and community readiness measurement should be incorporated into the design of future Indigenous physical activity programs.
Predictive Models in Ecotoxicology: Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Progress and Regulatory Applicability
Authors: Focks Andreas , Grisoni Francesca , Barsi Alpar , Vighi Marco
Published: February 2018

This special series is the outcome of the session “Predictive models in ecotoxicology: Bridging the gap between scientific progress and regulatory applicability,” held at the 27th SETAC Europe annual meeting (Brussels, May 2017). In this foreword the rationale behind the special series, the reasons for proposing it, and its objectives are described briefly. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:601–603. © 2018 SETAC
Spatiotemporal Patterns on a Ring Network of Oscillatory Electrochemical Reaction with Negative Global Feedback
Authors: Sebek Michael , Kiss István Z.
Published: February 2018

The formation of spatiotemporal patterns in chemical systems can often be attributed to local and global interactions with the nonlinear kinetics, e. g., due to diffusion or an external constraint, respectively. We investigate the dynamics of an oscillatory chemical reaction on a ring of discrete elements, where the positive local coupling and negative global feedback can be varied independently to observe the emerging spatiotemporal patterns. With local coupling, the oscillations exhibit nearly in‐phase synchronization. When increasing the global negative feedback, a transition is seen from nearly sinusoidal phase profile oscillations through rotating and standing waves to amplitude death behavior. The experimental studies are interpreted with a kinetic model of nickel electrodissolution. The results demonstrate the presence of rich spatiotemporal patterns that can be obtained in a network with positive local and negative global interactions.
Enhanced brain image retrieval using carrier frequency offset compensated orthogonal frequency division multiplexing for telemedicine applications
Authors: Chitra S. , Kumaratharan N. , Ramesh S.
Published: February 2018

Wireless technology plays a vital role in the Electronic health (e‐health) applications such as telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. One of the major challenges of telemedicine applications is ensuring adequate quality of service and realizing precise diagnosis. Telemedicine employs image fusion to enhance the quality of medical image for better diagnosis. However, the transmission of medical image needs high data rate and bandwidth. Due to the robustness to multipath fading, high data rate transmission capability, high flexibility, high bandwidth efficiency, and easy implementation using fast Fourier transform, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is the suitable technique for medical image transmission in telemedicine applications This paper is focused on improving the quality of the fused brain image transmission over OFDM based telemedicine service using comb type pilot based carrier frequency offset compensation. The simulation results show that the proposed method offers better performance in terms of mean squared error, Euclidean distance, peak signal to noise ratio, bit error rate, carrier to interference ratio, and computational complexity.
An improved strategy for skin lesion detection and classification using uniform segmentation and feature selection based approach
Authors: Nasir Muhammad , Attique Khan Muhammad , Sharif Muhammad , Lali Ikram Ullah , Saba Tanzila , Iqbal Tassawar
Published: February 2018

Melanoma is the deadliest type of skin cancer with highest mortality rate. However, the annihilation in early stage implies a high survival rate therefore, it demands early diagnosis. The accustomed diagnosis methods are costly and cumbersome due to the involvement of experienced experts as well as the requirements for highly equipped environment. The recent advancements in computerized solutions for these diagnoses are highly promising with improved accuracy and efficiency. In this article, we proposed a method for the classification of melanoma and benign skin lesions. Our approach integrates preprocessing, lesion segmentation, features extraction, features selection, and classification. Preprocessing is executed in the context of hair removal by DullRazor, whereas lesion texture and color information are utilized to enhance the lesion contrast. In lesion segmentation, a hybrid technique has been implemented and results are fused using additive law of probability. Serial based method is applied subsequently that extracts and fuses the traits such as color, texture, and HOG (shape). The fused features are selected afterwards by implementing a novel Boltzman Entropy method. Finally, the selected features are classified by Support Vector Machine. The proposed method is evaluated on publically available data set PH2. Our approach has provided promising results of sensitivity 97.7%, specificity 96.7%, accuracy 97.5%, and F‐score 97.5%, which are significantly better than the results of existing methods available on the same data set. The proposed method detects and classifies melanoma significantly good as compared to existing methods.
Geographical offender profiling: Dragnet's applicability on a Brazilian sample
Authors: Lino Denis , Calado Bruna , Belchior Danielly , Cruz Mayara , Lobato Aline
Published: February 2018

Even though geographical offender profiling is already widely used and researched in countries such as England, Canada, and United States, it is still severely overlooked in Brazil, as there are no researches on the subject using a Brazilian sample. Therefore, the present paper aims to start filling this gap by analysing the applicability of the geographical offender profiling and Dragnet on a sample of Brazilian serial killers. In order to achieve this objective, the authors collected data through police records on 15 serial killers that were active between June 2009 and June 2015, in the city of Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brazil. As a result, the circle hypothesis was confirmed, considering that 66.7% of the sample fell into the marauder category. Interestingly, the Dragnet's result accurately informed the area that contained the offender's base in the same cases in which the offender acted according to the marauder model. Also, other important correlations were found such as the influence of age, intelligence, resourcefulness, and method of approach on the distance travelled to commit a murder. Those results show that the geographical offender profiling can be effectively applied in Brazil and thus is a valid investigative tool to aid police officers in serial crimes investigations.
Electromagnetic pulse response of planar screens
Authors: Araneo Rodolfo , Lovat Giampiero , Burghignoli Paolo , Celozzi Salvatore
Published: February 2018

A general numerical method for calculating the time‐domain characteristics of the electromagnetic field generated by a pulsed dipole in the presence of a planar multilayered screen is presented. The method involves the efficient evaluation of classical Sommerfeld integrals and an inverse Fourier transform to recover the time‐domain field from the frequency‐domain field. For sufficiently thin screens with highly conductive properties, an analytical method, based on a modified Cagniard–de Hoop approach, is also presented to validate the results.
Serum, salivary, and tissue levels of plasminogen in familial Mediterranean fever, amyloidosis, and chronic periodontitis
Authors: Fentoğlu Özlem , Dinç Gözde , Doğru Atalay , Karahan Nermin , İlhan İlter , Kırzıoğlu F. Yeşim , Şentürk Mehmet Fatih , Orhan Hikmet
Published: February 2018

Background

There are no published studies regarding the role of the plasminogen (PLG) system in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), FMF‐associated secondary amyloidosis, or chronic periodontitis (CP), although recent limited data have focused on the association between FMF and chronic periodontitis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the serum, salivary, and gingival tissue levels of PLG in patients with CP, FMF, and amyloidosis.

Methods

The study population included 122 patients with FMF (only FMF, and FMF and amyloidosis and 128 individuals who were systemically healthy controls. Blood and salivary samples were obtained from the cases and controls, and clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. Serum and salivary PLG levels were assessed. The gingival tissue samples of the case and control groups were analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically for amyloid deposition and PLG.

Results

The amyloidosis group had significantly more severe clinical periodontal parameters than those of the FMF and systemically healthy groups (P < 0.05). Salivary levels of PLG were significantly higher in the FMF and amyloidosis groups compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). The FMF with periodontitis and amyloidosis with periodontitis groups had higher salivary PLG levels compared with those in the CP group. Serum and salivary PLG levels were significantly associated with the clinical periodontal parameters in the FMF group. The amyloidosis cases had hyperplasia, severe inflammation, and activation of the gingiva.

Conclusion

The PLG system could play an important role in inflammatory diseases, such as chronic periodontitis, FMF, and FMF‐associated secondary amyloidosis.
Alkylaromatics in Detergents Manufacture: Modeling and Optimizing Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonation
Authors: Dolganova Irena , Dolganov Igor , Ivanchina Emiliya , Ivashkina Elena
Published: February 2018

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (ASA) is the main ingredient of many commercial formulations for industrial and domestic synthetic detergents. The current industrial ASA production method includes sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) with sulfur trioxide in tubular falling‐film reactors. The present study investigates the influence of light alkylaromatics on the efficiency of ASA production. After dealkylation and polymerization, these aromatic compounds form viscous components in the sulfonation reactor. This increases the organic liquid viscosity and disrupts the uniformity of sulfonation. We present the results of IR analysis of the LAB and ASA samples, which indicate that the viscous components are sulfones that are part of the unsulfonated matter. With due consideration of the sulfonation process reaction network, we developed a mathematical model for a sulfonation reactor considering the alkylaromatics content in the feed flow and its effect on the reaction rates. The results allowed the improvement of sulfonation process in terms of increasing the number of days between the reactor washings. The sulfur flow rate increased from 371.7 to 380.9 kg h−1 at the end of this period for the aromatics content in LAB of 4 wt.% and from 372.1 to 380.1 kg h−1 for aromatics content in LAB of 6 wt.%. The proposed modifications of the process modes can increase the SO3 conversion up to 98%.
Effect of the flow profile on separation efficiency in pressure‐assisted reversed‐polarity capillary zone electrophoresis of anions: Simulation and experimental evaluation
Authors: Jarvas Gabor , Szigeti Marton , Guttman Andras
Published: February 2018

Capillary electrophoresis connected to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is a promising combination to analyze complex biological samples. The use of sheathless electrospray ionization interfaces, such as a porous nanoelectrospray capillary emitter, requires the application of forward flow (either by pressure or electroosmosis) to maintain the electrospray process. The analysis of solute molecules with strong negative charges (e.g., aminopyrenetrisulfonate labeled glycans) necessitates a reversed‐polarity capillary electrophoresis separation mode, in which case the electroosmotic flow is counter current, thus pressure assistance is necessary. In this study, we compared the effect of forced convection with and without counter electroosmotic flow on the resulting separation efficiency in capillary electrophoresis based on flow profile simulations by computational fluid dynamics technique and by actual experiments. The efficiencies of the detected peaks were calculated from the resulting electropherograms and found approximately 950 000 plates/m for electrophoresis with counter electroosmotic flow, 20 000 plates/m with pressure only (such as would be in open tubular liquid chromatography), and 480 000 plates/m for electrophoresis with simultaneous counter electroosmotic flow and forward pressure assistance, which validates the simulation data.
Efficient synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers with bio‐recognition sites for the selective separation of bovine hemoglobin
Authors: Zhang Zulei , Li Lei
Published: February 2018

We developed a facile approach to the construction of bio‐recognition sites in silica nanoparticles for efficient separation of bovine hemoglobin based on amino‐functionalized silica nanoparticles grafting by 3‐aminopropyltriethoxylsilane providing hydrogen bonds with bovine hemoglobin through surface molecularly imprinting technology. The resulting amino‐functionalized silica surface molecularly imprinted polymers were characterized using scanning electron microscope, transmission electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that the as‐synthesized imprinted polymers exhibited spherical morphology and favorable thermal stability. The binding adsorption experiments showed that the imprinted polymers can reach equilibrium within 1 h. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model fitted the adsorption data well. Meanwhile, the imprinted polymers possessed a maximum binding capacity up to 90.3 mg/g and highly selectivity for the recognition of bovine hemoglobin. Moreover, such high binding capacity and selectivity retained after eight cycles, indicating the good stability and reusability of the imprinted polymers. Finally, successful application in the selective recognition of bovine hemoglobin from a real bovine blood sample indicated that the imprinted polymers displayed great potentials in efficient purification and separation of target proteins.
Quantification of Muscle Tissue Properties by Modeling the Statistics of Ultrasound Image Intensities Using a Mixture of Gamma Distributions in Children With and Without Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Sikdar Siddhartha , Diao Guoqing , Turo Diego , Stanley Christopher J. , Sharma Abhinav , Chambliss Amy , Laughrey Loretta , Aralar April , Damiano Diane L.
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To investigate whether quantitative ultrasound (US) imaging, based on the envelope statistics of the backscattered US signal, can describe muscle properties in typically developing children and those with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods

Radiofrequency US data were acquired from the rectus femoris muscle of children with CP (n = 22) and an age‐matched cohort without CP (n = 14) at rest and during maximal voluntary isometric contraction. A mixture of gamma distributions was used to model the histogram of the echo intensities within a region of interest in the muscle.

Results

Muscle in CP had a heterogeneous echo texture that was significantly different from that in healthy controls (P < .001), with larger deviations from Rayleigh scattering. A mixture of 2 gamma distributions showed an excellent fit to the US intensity, and the shape and rate parameters were significantly different between CP and control groups (P < .05). The rate parameters for both the single gamma distribution and mixture of gamma distributions were significantly higher for contracted muscles compared to resting muscles, but there was no significant interaction between these factors (CP and muscle contraction) for a mixed‐model analysis of variance.

Conclusions

Ultrasound tissue characterization indicates a more disorganized architecture and increased echogenicity in muscles in CP, consistent with previously documented increases in fibrous infiltration and connective tissue changes in this population. Our results indicate that quantitative US can be used to objectively differentiate muscle architecture and tissue properties.
Total nasal reconstruction with 3D custom made porous titanium prosthesis and free thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: A case report
Authors: Qassemyar Quentin , Assouly Nathaniel , Madar Yoni , Temam Stéphane , Kolb Frédéric
Published: February 2018

Total nasal reconstruction is a challenging surgical procedure which usually involves a free flap, forehead flap, and cartilage grafts. In certain failure situations where patients do not accept the idea of anaplastology, possibilities become very limited. We report the case of a patient who underwent several reconstruction steps with multiple failures including free and local flaps and cartilage harvests which showed recurrent episodes of necrosis and infection leading to melting and collapse of reconstructed structures. Furthermore, the patient did not want any anaplastological rehabilitation. We proposed to the patient an innovative method that consists to print a three‐dimensional custom‐made porous titanium prosthesis, based on the original shape of his nose, to replace the cartilage support. This implant was first inserted in a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap for primary integration before the free transfer of the complete structure, two months later. The free transfer was successful without any complication. A stable reconstruction and satisfying result was obtained. The patient did not want additional surgical improvement 24 months post‐operatively, and resumed his professional activities. The possibility of using three‐dimensional custom titanium prostheses to replace the bone and cartilage support seems to be an interesting alternative for patients in the failure situation of nasal reconstruction.
Radiomics analysis of pulmonary nodules in low‐dose CT for early detection of lung cancer
Authors: Choi Wookjin , Oh Jung Hun , Riyahi Sadegh , Liu Chia‐Ju , Jiang Feng , Chen Wengen , White Charles , Rimner Andreas , Mechalakos James G. , Deasy Joseph O. , Lu Wei
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop a radiomics prediction model to improve pulmonary nodule (PN) classification in low‐dose CT. To compare the model with the American College of Radiology (ACR) Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System (Lung‐RADS) for early detection of lung cancer.

Methods

We examined a set of 72 PNs (31 benign and 41 malignant) from the Lung Image Database Consortium image collection (LIDC‐IDRI). One hundred three CT radiomic features were extracted from each PN. Before the model building process, distinctive features were identified using a hierarchical clustering method. We then constructed a prediction model by using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier coupled with a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO). A tenfold cross‐validation (CV) was repeated ten times (10 × 10‐fold CV) to evaluate the accuracy of the SVM‐LASSO model. Finally, the best model from the 10 × 10‐fold CV was further evaluated using 20 × 5‐ and 50 × 2‐fold CVs.

Results

The best SVM‐LASSO model consisted of only two features: the bounding box anterior–posterior dimension (BB_AP) and the standard deviation of inverse difference moment (SD_IDM). The BB_AP measured the extension of a PN in the anterior–posterior direction and was highly correlated (r = 0.94) with the PN size. The SD_IDM was a texture feature that measured the directional variation of the local homogeneity feature IDM. Univariate analysis showed that both features were statistically significant and discriminative (P = 0.00013 and 0.000038, respectively). PNs with larger BB_AP or smaller SD_IDM were more likely malignant. The 10 × 10‐fold CV of the best SVM model using the two features achieved an accuracy of 84.6% and 0.89 AUC. By comparison, Lung‐RADS achieved an accuracy of 72.2% and 0.77 AUC using four features (size, type, calcification, and spiculation). The prediction improvement of SVM‐LASSO comparing to Lung‐RADS was statistically significant (McNemar's test P = 0.026). Lung‐RADS misclassified 19 cases because it was mainly based on PN size, whereas the SVM‐LASSO model correctly classified 10 of these cases by combining a size (BB_AP) feature and a texture (SD_IDM) feature. The performance of the SVM‐LASSO model was stable when leaving more patients out with five‐ and twofold CVs (accuracy 84.1% and 81.6%, respectively).

Conclusion

We developed an SVM‐LASSO model to predict malignancy of PNs with two CT radiomic features. We demonstrated that the model achieved an accuracy of 84.6%, which was 12.4% higher than Lung‐RADS.
Numerical solution of systems of partial integral differential equations with application to pricing options
Authors: Yousuf Muhammad
Published: February 2018

We introduce and analyze a strongly stable numerical method designed to yield good performance under challenging conditions of irregular or mismatched initial data for solving systems of coupled partial integral differential equations (PIDEs). Spatial derivatives are approximated using second order central difference approximations by treating the mixed derivative terms in a special way. The integral operators are approximated using one and two–dimensional trapezoidal rule on an equidistant grid. Computational complexity of the method for solving large systems of PIDEs is discussed. A detailed treatment for the consistency, stability, and convergence of the proposed method is provided. Two asset American option under regime–switching with jump–diffusion model when solved using a penalty term, leads to a system of two dimensional PIDEs with mixed derivatives. This model involves double probability density function which brings more challenges to the numerical solution in already a complicated partial integral differential equation. The complexity of the dense jump probability generator, the nonlinear penalty term and the regime–switching terms are treated efficiently, while maintaining the stability and convergence of the method. The impact of the jump intensity and other parameters is shown in the graphs. Numerical experiments are performed to demonstrated efficiency, accuracy, and reliability of the proposed approach.
Error estimates of a semidiscrete finite element method for fractional stochastic diffusion‐wave equations
Authors: Zou Guang‐an , Atangana Abdon , Zhou Yong
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we consider the Galerkin finite element method for solving the fractional stochastic diffusion‐wave equations driven by multiplicative noise, which can be used to describe the propagation of mechanical waves in viscoelastic media with random effects. The optimal strong convergence error estimates with respect to the semidiscrete finite element approximation in space are established. Finally, a numerical example is presented to verify the reliability of the theoretical study.
Chromosomal aberrations and CNVs in twin fetuses with cardiovascular anomalies: Comparison between monochorionic diamniotic and dichorionic diamniotic twins
Authors: Zhang Yi , Huang Linhuan , Huang Xuan , He Zhiming , Lin Shaobin , Wang Ye , Li Lin , Luo Yanmin , Fang Qun
Published: February 2018

Objective

To investigate the types of cardiovascular anomalies and the results of invasive prenatal diagnosis in twin fetuses.

Methods

A total of 298 fetuses in 149 twin pairs were enrolled, in which 1 or 2 fetuses of a twin pair had cardiovascular anomalies. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on 290 fetuses of 149 twin pairs, including 150 monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) fetuses (79 pairs) and 140 dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) fetuses (70 pairs). G‐Banding karyotyping and/or chromosomal microarray analysis were performed. The types of cardiovascular anomalies and the results of prenatal diagnosis were analyzed.

Results

Fifty percent (79/158) fetuses in MCDA group and 52.1% (73/140) fetuses in DCDA group were diagnosed with cardiovascular anomalies by ultrasound. Primary cardiac structural defects such as septal defects and tetralogy of Fallot were more common in DCDA group than in MCDA group, while acardiac anomaly was the most common in MCDA group. Chromosomal aberrations were identified in 7.7% fetuses (11/142) of MCDA group and in 18.3% fetuses (22/120) of DCDA group by G‐banding karyotyping. Except benign copy number variations (CNVs), 37 CNVs (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and variant of uncertain significance) and chromosomal aberrations were detected in 21.3% (32/150) fetuses of MCDA group and 47 CNVs (pathogenic, likely pathogenic, and variant of uncertain significance) and chromosomal aberrations were detected in 32.1% (45/140) fetuses of DCDA group by chromosomal microarray analysis.

Conclusions

Most of cardiovascular anomalies were identified in one fetus of a twin pair no matter in MCDA or DCDA twin. Primary cardiac structural defects were more common in DCDA group. Monozygotic twins may have discordant phenotypes, karyotypes, and CNVs between 2 fetuses of each pair.
An investigation of the long‐term water uptake behavior and mechanisms of carbon fiber/977‐2 epoxy composites
Authors: Korkees Feras , Arnold Cris , Alston Sue
Published: February 2018

The long‐term water absorption behavior of UD and ±45 carbon fiber/977‐2 epoxy composite and unreinforced 977‐2 epoxy resin has been studied at different environments with various temperatures and relative humidities. Fickian behavior was noticed initially followed by a slight and continuing increase in saturation with time, a behavior that continues for at least 4 years. Fickian saturation and diffusion coefficients of all materials were derived using graphical method. Initial Fickian equilibrium moisture contents were found not to be dependent on temperature but the long‐term increase in solubility increased with temperature. Absorption rates showed strong dependency on temperature and relative humidity. The activation energy values for all materials in the initial stage found to be much higher (40 kJ/mole) than the long‐term stage (10 kJ/mole). Ea values of the neat resin were observed to be slightly lower than the composites. The slow continued weight gain in the long‐term absorption experiments has been seen to be coupled with an incomplete drying and a higher diffusion rate on drying and subsequent re‐conditioning. The possible reasons and mechanisms for the long‐term gradual increase in moisture absorption was further investigated. It was found that molecular relaxation is the most likely dominant mechanism. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2175–2184, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Financial difficulty, worry about affording care, and benefit finding in long‐term survivors of cancer
Authors: Jones Salene M.W. , Walker Rod , Fujii Monica , Nekhlyudov Larissa , Rabin Borsika A. , Chubak Jessica
Published: February 2018

Objective

To examine the associations of worry about affording care and reporting financial difficulties with benefit finding in long‐term cancer survivors.

Methods

Long‐term survivors of cancer (n = 547) in 3 integrated health care delivery systems completed the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Cancer Survivorship Supplement. The relationship between benefit finding (becoming a stronger person, coping better, and making positive changes) and the potentially interacting factors of worry about affording care and financial difficulties was examined using multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Of the total sample, 20% reported worry and 15% reported financial difficulty. Among those who reported no worry, financial difficulty was positively associated with becoming a stronger person (odds ratio [OR] = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.07, 7.80). Coping better was not associated with worry, financial difficulties, or the interaction of the two. Among those with no financial difficulty, worry was positively associated with making positive changes (OR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.41, 4.96), and among those reporting no worry, financial difficulty had a non‐significant positive association with making positive changes (OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 0.91, 4.31). Among those reporting worry, having financial difficulties was associated with lower odds of making positive changes (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13, 0.78).

Conclusions

Our results suggest a complex relationship between financial difficulty, worry, and benefit finding. The combination of worry about affording care and financial difficulty needs to be addressed and further studied among cancer survivors, as the presence of both, but not alone, was negatively associated with making positive changes, an aspect of benefit finding.
Synergistic effect of VUV photons and F atoms on damage and etching of porous organosilicate films
Authors: Lopaev Dmitry V. , Zyryanov Sergey M. , Zotovich Alexey I. , Rakhimova Tatyana V. , Mankelevich Yury A. , Rakhimov Alexander T. , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: February 2018

Synergistic effect between VUV photons and F atoms in both damage and etching of porous organosilicate (OSG) low‐k films was studied. It was shown that both the OSG damage and etching rates by F atoms notably drop with decreasing temperature due to the existence of activation energy while the rate of the VUV‐induced damage practically does not change. The joint exposure can significantly exceed the sum of the separate effects of VUV photons and F atoms. The reason is that absorbed photons energy allows F atoms to overcome the activation barrier especially under lowered temperature. A possible mechanism of F atom surface reactions assisted by VUV photons is analyzed and discussed.
Quantifying the mass discharge rate of flashing two phase releases through simple holes to the atmosphere
Authors: Spicer Tom , Miller Derek
Published: February 2018

Many toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) such as chlorine and ammonia are stored as liquids at ambient temperature which flash when released to atmospheric pressure. Sponsored by the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S. Department of Defense, and Transport Canada, the Jack Rabbit II tests were designed to release liquid chlorine at ambient temperature in quantities of 4,500–18,000 kg (5 to 20 T) to quantify the hazards of catastrophic release at scales represented by rail and truck transport vessels. All trials were conducted releasing chlorine through a 15.2 cm (6 in) circular breach in the 9,100 kg (10 T) capacity test vessel (disseminator) at different orientations (vertically downward, 45° below horizontal, and vertically up). A final 18,000 kg (20 T) release was made vertically downward using a truck vessel. This article analyzes disseminator load cell data to determine the mass release rate. Along with this data, previously published data are also considered to quantify the impact on release rate of flash fraction and superheat limit temperature for various materials. This work develops a general approach to quantifying the mass release rate of flashing two phase releases of TICs and other flashing liquids such as cryogenics. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 37:382–396, 2018
Analysis of RPA190 revealed multiple positively selected mutations associated with metalaxyl resistance in Phytophthora infestans
Authors: Chen Fengping , Zhou Qian , Xi Jing , Li Dong‐liang , Schnabel Guido , Zhan Jiasui
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Metalaxyl is a phenylamide fungicide, introduced for oomycete management in the 1970s. RPA190 gene has been reported to be associated with metalaxyl resistance, although other genes may also be involved in the process. This study assessed the evolutionary association of amino acid (AA) mutations in RPA190 with metalaxyl resistance in Phytophthora infestans.

RESULTS

All isolates from Yunnan were resistant to metalaxyl with multiple AA mutations in RPA190. Two main evolutionary pathways were found in metalaxyl resistance: in one pathway, RPA190 from sensitive isolates (SAA) underwent a single type AA mutation at position 1476, changing from valine to glycine (V1476G); the second pathway involved multiple steps of point mutations. In a phylogenetic tree, nucleotide sequences of the gene clustered into six clades largely corresponding to AA isoform groups. Among the clusters, sequences carrying mutations V1476G and P980S formed two independent clades; other clades shared a common mutation of F382Y. All three mutations together with another two were shown to be under positive selection and the number of AA mutations in an isolate was positively correlated with EC50 values.

CONCLUSION

Multiple mutations such as V1476G, P980S, and F382Y in RPA190 contribute to metalaxyl resistance, and resistance to metalaxyl can emerge in at least two independent pathways in P. infestans. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry