bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated short‐term scheduling and production planning in an ethylene plant based on Lagrangian decomposition
Authors: Wang Zihao , Li Zukui , Feng Yiping , Rong Gang
Published: May 2016

A cracking furnace, which is the major unit involved in ethylene production, produces various petrochemical products ranging from ethylene to pitch and determines the production yield of an ethylene plant. It is essential to consider the operational performances of the cracking furnaces and to incorporate them into the whole plant's planning problem. Facing this challenge, this paper developed an optimization model, which integrates the scheduling problem of upstream cracking furnaces and the operational planning of the downstream units under a synchronized global time scale. Moreover, a modified Lagrangian decomposition algorithm is proposed for solving the large‐scale mixed integer nonlinear optimization problem. An industrial case study demonstrates the feasibility of the integrated model and the effectiveness of the solution algorithm.
Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Modified With Polyethyleneimine for the Removal of Pb(II)
Authors: Jiang Hongmei , Sun Menglan , Xu Jiangyan , Lu Aimin , Shi Ying
Published: May 2016

Preparation of polyethyleneimine functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 by using a one‐step solvothermal method is reported in this paper. The effect of the amount of polyethyleneimine on the properties of the prepared materials including the shape, size, and adsorption performance was investigated in detail. The magnetic adsorbent with the best adsorption capacity was prepared and used for the removal of Pb(II) in an aqueous medium. Adsorption experiments were performed to evaluate the effect of different sorption parameters, such as pH, initial concentration of Pb2+, and contact time. Langmuir and pseudo‐second‐order models were used for isotherm and kinetic studies, through which a maximum adsorption capacity of 143 mg g−1 could be calculated. Pb(II) could be desorbed from magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles modified with polyethyleneimine by 0.5 mol L−1 HCl and used for five cycles without any adsorption performance loss, indicating that the polymeric magnetic adsorbent used in this work had good reusability and great potential for practical application.
Cholinergic interneurons in the Q140 knockin mouse model of Huntington's disease: Reductions in dendritic branching and thalamostriatal input
Authors: Deng Yun‐Ping , Reiner Anton
Published: May 2016

We have previously found that thalamostriatal axodendritic terminals are reduced as early as 1 month of age in heterozygous Q140 HD mice (Deng et al. [] Neurobiol Dis 60:89–107). Because cholinergic interneurons are a major target of thalamic axodendritic terminals, we examined the VGLUT2‐immunolabeled thalamic input to striatal cholinergic interneurons in heterozygous Q140 males at 1 and 4 months of age, using choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunolabeling to identify cholinergic interneurons. Although blinded neuron counts showed that ChAT+ perikarya were in normal abundance in Q140 mice, size measurements indicated that they were significantly smaller. Sholl analysis further revealed the dendrites of Q140 ChAT+ interneurons were significantly fewer and shorter. Consistent with the light microscopic data, ultrastructural analysis showed that the number of ChAT+ dendritic profiles per unit area of striatum was significantly decreased in Q140 striata, as was the abundance of VGLUT2+ axodendritic terminals making synaptic contact with ChAT+ dendrites per unit area of striatum. The density of thalamic terminals along individual cholinergic dendrites was, however, largely unaltered, indicating that the reduction in the areal striatal density of axodendritic thalamic terminals on cholinergic neurons was due to their dendritic territory loss. These results show that the abundance of thalamic input to individual striatal cholinergic interneurons is reduced early in the life span of Q140 mice, raising the possibility that this may occur in human HD as well. Because cholinergic interneurons differentially affect striatal direct vs. indirect pathway spiny projection neurons, their reduced thalamic excitatory drive may contribute to early abnormalities in movement in HD. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3518–3529, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aminocyclodextrin Oligomers as Protective Agents of Protein Aggregation
Authors: Giglio Valentina , Bellia Francesco , Oliveri Valentina , Vecchio Graziella
Published: May 2016

Over 30 different amyloid proteins and a number of corresponding protein‐misfolding diseases have been identified. Among these is Alzheimer's disease, the most common neurodegenerative disorder. The treatment of these diseases is still a goal to reach and many molecules have been studied in this context. Among these, the cyclodextrins have shown interesting potential as agents against protein aggregation (antiaggregants). On the basis of this interest, we investigated the effect on protein aggregation of some oligomers of β‐cyclodextrins. In particular, it was found that amino oligomers show good inhibition of β‐amyloid aggregation in the micromolar concentration range. The presence of both a multicavity system and amino groups seems to be essential for preventing protein aggregation.
Bupropion and naltrexone for smoking cessation: A double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mooney ME , Schmitz JM , Allen S , Grabowski J , Pentel P , Oliver A , Hatsukami DK
Published: May 2016

Combination of non‐nicotine pharmacotherapies has been underexamined for cigarette smoking cessation. A randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group double‐dummy study evaluated two medications, bupropion (BUP) and naltrexone (NTX), in treatment‐seeking cigarette smokers (N = 121) over a 7‐week treatment intervention with 6‐month follow‐up. Smokers were randomized to either BUP (300 mg/day) + placebo (PBO) or BUP (300 mg/day) + NTX (50 mg/day). The primary outcome was biochemically verified (saliva cotinine, carbon monoxide) 7‐day, point‐prevalence abstinence. BUP + NTX was associated with significantly higher point‐prevalence abstinence rates after 7‐weeks of treatment (BUP + NTX, 54.1%; BUP + PBO, 33.3%), P = 0.0210, but not at 6‐month follow‐up (BUP + NTX, 27.9%; BUP + PBO, 15.0%), P = 0.09. Continuous abstinence rates did not differ, P = 0.0740 (BUP + NTX, 26.2%; BUP + PBO, 13.3%). Those receiving BUP + NTX reported reduced nicotine withdrawal, P = 0.0364. The BUP + NTX combination was associated with elevated rates of some side effects, but with no significant difference in retention between the groups.
Reductive Etherification of Fatty Acids or Esters with Alcohols using Molecular Hydrogen
Authors: Erb Benjamin , Risto Eugen , Wendling Timo , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: May 2016

In the presence of a catalyst system consisting of a ruthenium/triphos complex and the Brønsted acid trifluoromethanesulfonimide, mixtures of fatty acids and aliphatic alcohols are converted into the corresponding ethers at 70 bar H2. The protocol allows the sustainable one‐step synthesis of valuable long‐chain ether fragrances, lubricants, and surfactants from renewable sources. The reaction protocol is extended to various fatty acids and esters both in pure form and as mixtures, for example, tall oil acids or rapeseed methyl ester (RME). Even the mixed triglyceride rapeseed oil was converted in one step.
Easy Access to NO2‐Containing Donor–Acceptor–Acceptor Electron Donors for High Efficiency Small‐Molecule Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Ting Hao‐Chun , Yang Ya‐Ting , Chen Chia‐Hsun , Lee Jiun‐Haw , Chang Jung‐Hung , Wu Chih‐I , Chiu Tien‐Lung , Lin Chi‐Feng , Chung Chin‐Lung , Wong Ken‐Tsung
Published: May 2016

Two donor–acceptor–acceptor (D–A–A)‐type molecules incorporating nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBO) as the A–A block and ditolylamine as the D block bridged through a phenylene (PNBO) and a thiophene (TNBO) spacer were synthesized in a one‐step coupling reaction. Their electronic, photophysical, and thermal properties; crystallographic analysis; and theoretical calculations were studied to establish a clear structure–property relationship. The results indicate that the quinoidal character of the thiophene bridge strongly governs the structural features and crystal packings (herringbone vs. brickwork) and thus the physical properties of the compounds. PNBO and TNBO were utilized as electron donors combined with C70 as the electron acceptor in the active layer of vacuum‐processed bulk heterojunction small‐molecule organic solar cells (SMOSCs). The power conversion efficiency of both PNBO‐ and TNBO‐based OSCs exceeded 5 %. The ease of accessibility of PNBO and TNBO demonstrates the potential for simple and economical synthesis of electron donors in vacuum‐processed SMOSCs.
Label‐free biomarkers of human embryonic stem cell differentiation to hepatocytes
Authors: Tsikritsis Dimitrios , Shi Hu , Wang Yuan , Velugotla Srinivas , Sršeň Vlastimil , Elfick Alistair , Downes Andrew
Published: May 2016

Four different label‐free, minimally invasive, live single cell analysis techniques were applied in a quantitative comparison, to characterize embryonic stem cells and the hepatocytes into which they were differentiated. Atomic force microscopy measures the cell's mechanical properties, Raman spectroscopy measures its chemical properties, and dielectrophoresis measures the membrane's capacitance. They were able to assign cell type of individual cells with accuracies of 91% (atomic force microscopy), 95.5% (Raman spectroscopy), and 72% (dielectrophoresis). In addition, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy was able to easily identify hepatocytes in images by the presence of lipid droplets. These techniques, used either independently or in combination, offer label‐free methods to study individual living cells. Although these minimally invasive biomarkers can be applied to sense phenotypical or environmental changes to cells, these techniques have most potential in human stem cell therapies where the use of traditional biomarkers is best avoided. Destructive assays consume valuable stem cells and do not characterize the cells which go on to be used in therapies; whereas immunolabeling risks altering cell behavior. It was suggested how these four minimally invasive methods could be applied to cell culture, and how they could in future be combined into one microfluidic chip for cell sorting. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Primary breast mucormycosis: FNAC diagnosis of a rare entity
Authors: Kataria Sant Prakash , Sharma Jyoti , Singh Gajender , Kumar Sanjay , Malik Shivani , Kumar Vinod
Published: May 2016

Mucormycosis is the common name given to several different diseases caused by fungi in the order of mucorales. The clinical hallmark of these opportunistic pathogens in invasive mucormycosis is tissue necrosis resulting from angioinvasion and subsequent thrombosis. Rarely the disease may affect immunocompetent individuals. In addition, the breast involvement in this disease is very rare. Herein, we describe a case of primary breast mucormycosis diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), in an immunocompetent young female, which is extremely rare. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:761–763. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity associated with disordered eating behaviors
Authors: Sonneville Kendrin R. , Thurston Idia B. , Milliren Carly E. , Gooding Holly C. , Richmond Tracy K.
Published: May 2016

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the cross‐sectional association between weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity and disordered eating behaviors.

Method

In a subsample of young adults with overweight or obesity participating in Wave III (2001–2002) of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 5,184), we examined the cross‐sectional association between weight under‐perception (i.e., perceiving oneself to be at a healthy body weight or underweight) and disordered eating (fasting/meal skipping for weight control, purging/pills for weight control, overeating/loss of control eating, and use of performance‐enhancing products/substances).

Results

About 20% of young adult females under‐perceived their weight compared to 48% of males. Individuals who misperceived their weight as healthy were significantly less likely to report fasting/meal skipping (Females: OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.14–0.43; Males: OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20–0.48) and vomiting or taking diet pills/laxatives/diuretics (Females: OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04–0.25; Males: OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.04–0.25) for weight control. Among females, those who misperceived their weight status as healthy were also less likely to report overeating or loss of control eating (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.24–0.71). Greater use of performance‐enhancing products/substances was seen among males who under‐perceived their weight as healthy (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.57–2.72) and among both females (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.40–20.0) and males (OR: 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.55) who perceived themselves to be underweight.

Discussion

Weight under‐perception among young adults with overweight/obesity may convey some benefit related to disordered eating behaviors, but could be a risk factor for the use of performance‐enhancing products/substances. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord ; 49:937–946)
Ultra‐Fast Dendritic Growth Based on the Grafting of Fullerene Hexa‐Adduct Macromonomers onto a Fullerene Core
Authors: Sigwalt David , Caballero Rubén , Holler Michel , Strub Jean‐Marc , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Nierengarten Jean‐François
Published: May 2016

A fullerene hexa‐adduct building block bearing an azide functionality was prepared in six steps, and grafted onto a central fullerene core under copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition conditions. The resulting tridecafullerene derivative is a first generation dendrimer with 132 peripheral ethyl ester groups. This compound was characterized by different spectroscopic techniques (1H and 13C NMR, IR, UV/Vis), and by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. Despite a high degree of fragmentation, the molecular‐ion peak was detected, and all the observed fragments originate from a fully clicked derivative. This shows that the construction of dendrimers in a single dendritic growth step from fullerene hexa‐adduct macromonomers is an efficient strategy to produce monodisperse compounds.
The microglial ATP‐gated ion channel P2X7 as a CNS drug target
Authors: Bhattacharya Anindya , Biber Knut
Published: May 2016

Based on promising preclinical evidence, microglial P2X7 has increasingly being recognized as a target for therapeutic intervention in neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, despite this knowledge no P2X7‐related drug has yet entered clinical trials with respect to CNS diseases. We here discuss the current literature on P2X7 being a drug target and identify unsolved issues and still open questions that have hampered the development of P2X7 dependent therapeutic approaches for CNS diseases. It is concluded here that the lack of brain penetrating P2X7 antagonists is a major obstacle in the field and that central P2X7 is a yet untested clinical drug target. In the CNS, microglial P2X7 activation causes neuroinflammation, which in turn plays a role in various CNS disorders. This has resulted in a surge of brain penetrant P2X7 antagonists. P2X7 is a viable, clinically untested CNS drug target. GLIA 2016;64:1772–1787
Do Sentiments Matter in Fraud Detection? Estimating Semantic Orientation of Annual Reports
Authors: Goel Sunita , Uzuner Ozlem
Published: May 2016

We present a novel approach for analysing the qualitative content of annual reports. Using natural language processing techniques we determine if sentiment expressed in the text matters in fraud detection. We focus on the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) section of annual reports because of the nonfactual content present in this section, unlike other components of the annual reports. We measure the sentiment expressed in the text on the dimensions of polarity, subjectivity, and intensity and investigate in depth whether truthful and fraudulent MD&As differ in terms of sentiment polarity, sentiment subjectivity and sentiment intensity. Our results show that fraudulent MD&As on average contain three times more positive sentiment and four times more negative sentiment compared with truthful MD&As. This suggests that use of both positive and negative sentiment is more pronounced in fraudulent MD&As. We further find that, compared with truthful MD&As, fraudulent MD&As contain a greater proportion of subjective content than objective content. This suggests that the use of subjectivity clues such as presence of too many adjectives and adverbs could be an indicator of fraud. Clear cases of fraud show a higher intensity of sentiment exhibited by more use of adverbs in the “adverb modifying adjective” pattern. Based on the results of this study, frequent use of intensifiers, particularly in this pattern, could be another indicator of fraud. Moreover, the dimensions of subjectivity and intensity help in accurately classifying borderline examples of MD&As (that are equal in sentiment polarity) into fraudulent and truthful categories. When taken together, these findings suggest that fraudulent MD&As in contrast to truthful MD&As contain higher sentiment content. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-Term Low Intake of Dietary Calcium and Fracture Risk in Older Adults With Plant-Based Diet: A Longitudinal Study From the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Fang Aiping , Li Keji , Guo Meihan , He Jingjing , Li He , Shen Xin , Song Jie
Published: May 2016

The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate long-term associations between low dietary calcium intake and fracture risk in older adults with plant-based diet. Data of self-reported first fracture events of any type from 6210 Chinese men and women, aged 50 years or older and free from fracture at baseline, in a subcohort based on the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), were analyzed. Diet was repeatedly assessed by a combination of three consecutive 24-hour individual dietary recalls and a weighing and measuring of household food inventory in each round. The older men and women habitually ingested mean (SD) of 415 (147) mg/d and 373 (140) mg/d of calcium from plant-based diet, respectively. During a median follow-up of 7.0 years, 127 men (4.34%) and 232 women (7.06%) experienced first fracture events. The crude rates were 4.88, 2.55, and 6.83 per 1000 person-years at risk for men, and 6.72, 7.10, and 11.0 per 1000 person-years at risk for women in the lowest, third, and highest quintile of dietary calcium intake. In nonlinear regressions, an increased risk of fracture was associated with dietary calcium intake more than 778 mg/d (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00–4.41) or lower than 275 mg/d (1.74, 95% CI 1.00–3.01) for men and more than 651 mg/d for women (1.54, 95% CI 1.00–2.38). A nonsignificant trend of increase in fracture risk was found below 248 mg/d (1.00, 95% CI 0.67–1.50) in women using restricted cubic spline Cox regression. A relatively low fracture risk is observed in men with dietary calcium intakes of 275 to 780 mg/d and in women with intakes of 250 to 650 mg/d, and higher intakes may have no further benefit for fracture prevention. The patterns of dietary calcium with fracture risk are U-shaped in men and possibly in women. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Long‐term clinical experience with darunavir (2007–2015) in a large cohort of HIV‐infected patients in Spain
Authors: Pernas Berta , Grandal Marta , Tabernilla Andrés , Cid Purificación , Pértega Sonia , Castro‐Iglesias Ángeles , Mena Álvaro , Margusino Luis , Pedreira José D. , Poveda Eva
Published: May 2016

The clinical experience with the protease inhibitor darunavir/ritonavir (DRV/r) was retrospectively evaluated in a cohort of 173 HIV+ patients who initiated antiretroviral treatment including DRV/r (period 2007–2015). The 43.2% had a CD4 nadir ≤100 cells/mm3, 64.1% were treatment‐experienced, and 36.5% had failed to >3 lines of antiretroviral therapy. Nonetheless, the rate of virological suppression (HIV‐RNA <50 copies/ml) in naïve patients was 63%, 66.7%, and 63.6% at 48, 96, and 144 weeks, respectively. The rate of virological suppression in treatment‐experienced patients was 62.7%, 78.7%, and 79.1% at 48, 96, and 144 weeks, respectively. No differences were observed according to the immunovirological status neither dosage of DRV/r. Most of them (82.6%) maintained DRV/r treatment. Causes for DRV/r discontinuation were mainly gastrointestinal and cutaneous adverse events (10.5%), switch to simplification treatment strategies (3.5%) and virological failure (1.7%). These findings demonstrate the prolonged efficacy and tolerability of DRV/r even in multi‐treated HIV+ patients with an unfavorable immunovirological status. J. Med. Virol. 88:2125–2131, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Deletion of the genes waaC, waaF, or waaG in Escherichia coli W3110 disables the flagella biosynthesis
Authors: Wang Zhou , Wang Jianli , Ren Ge , Li Ye , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2016

Flagella assembly was investigated in the Escherichia coli W3110 wild‐type strain and ΔwaaF, ΔwaaC, and ΔwaaG mutant strains that only synthesize lipopolysaccharide with different lengths, using transmission electron microscopy and whole genome transcriptome profiling. Under the electron microscope, the flagella were observed on the cell surface of the W3110 strain but not the ΔwaaC, ΔwaaF, or ΔwaaG strains. Transcriptional profiling showed that 1382 genes in ΔwaaC, 526 genes in ΔwaaF, and 965genes in ΔwaaG were significantly regulated compared to the control W3110 strain. These genes were further analyzed by gene ontology and KEGG pathway. Although there were significant transcriptional differences among the ΔwaaC, ΔwaaF, and ΔwaaG strains, genes related to flagella assembly and bacterial chemotaxis (the linkage between the flagella and the environment) were significantly down‐regulated in all three strains. The data demonstrated that flagella assembly in E. coli depends on the length of lipopolysaccharide.
Vineyard Compost Supplemented with Trichoderma Harzianum T78 Improve Saline Soil Quality
Authors: Mbarki Sonia , Cerdà Artemi , Brestic Marian , Mahendra Rai , Abdelly Chedly , Pascual Jose Antonio
Published: May 2016

Understanding soil degradation is especially important in the Mediterranean Region where desertification is a serious problem, and soil salinization is one of the causes. Salinity reduces soil quality, limits crop productivity and brings on long term soil degradation. Therefore the restoration of degraded soils is necessary to reduce land degradation, improve soil fertility and achieve a sustainable food production. The addition of compost supplemented with the beneficial microorganism Trichoderma harzianum isolate T78 to saline soils (NaCl) was studied to determine the impact on soil microbiology, which is the key to restore and rehabilitate degraded soils. The selected Trichoderma harzianum isolate T78 showed high salt tolerance despite the low osmotolerance of the genus Trichoderma. Increasing salt concentration reduced Trichoderma sp colony‐forming units (CFU) from natural soil and adversely affected soil microbial biomass C as well as dehydrogenase, β‐glucosidase, phosphatase and urease activities. Simultaneous amendment of the saline soil with compost and inoculation with T. harzianum T78 improved the soil microbiological quality; the number of T. harzianum T78 CFU did not decrease as NaCl increased. As T. harzianum strain T78 is salt tolerant, increasing the relative abundance of this specific strain would contribute to the rehabilitation of saline soils. Vineyard composts supplemented with T. harzianum T78 represent a promising approach for the treatment and improvement of saline soil properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integral operators of Marcinkiewicz type on Triebel–Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Liu Feng
Published: May 2016

A systematic treatment is given of several classes of parametric Marcinkiewicz integrals. The boundedness on Triebel–Lizorkin spaces will be presented for these operators with rough kernels in , which relates to the Grafakos–Stefanov class. Moreover, the boundedness on Besov spaces for above operators is also considered.
Downregulation of STAT3/NF‐κB potentiates gemcitabine activity in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Gong Jingjing , Muñoz Amanda R. , Pingali Subramanya , Payton‐Stewart Florastina , Chan Daniel E. , Freeman James W. , Ghosh Rita , Kumar Addanki P.
Published: May 2016

There is an unmet need to develop new agents or strategies against therapy resistant pancreatic cancer (PanCA). Recent studies from our laboratory showed that STAT3 negatively regulates NF‐κB and that inhibition of this crosstalk using Nexrutine® (Nx) reduces transcriptional activity of COX‐2. Inhibition of these molecular interactions impedes pancreatic cancer cell growth as well as reduces fibrosis in a preclinical animal model. Nx is an extract derived from the bark of Phellodendron amurense and has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine as antidiarrheal, astringent, and anti‐inflammatory agent for centuries. We hypothesized that “Nx‐mediated inhibition of survival molecules like STAT3 and NF‐κB in pancreatic cancer cells will improve the efficacy of the conventional chemotherapeutic agent, gemcitabine (GEM).” Therefore, we explored the utility of Nx, one of its active constituents berberine and its derivatives, to enhance the effects of GEM. Using multiple human pancreatic cancer cells we found that combination treatment with Nx and GEM resulted in significant alterations of proteins in the STAT3/NF‐κB signaling axis culminating in growth inhibition in a synergistic manner. Furthermore, GEM resistant cells were more sensitive to Nx treatment than their parental GEM‐sensitive cells. Interestingly, although berberine, the Nx active component used, and its derivatives were biologically active in GEM sensitive cells they did not potentiate GEM activity when used in combination. Taken together, these results suggest that the natural extract, Nx, but not its active component, berberine, has the potential to improve GEM sensitivity, perhaps by down regulating STAT3/NF‐κB signaling. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vinegar as a functional ingredient to improve postprandial glycemic control—human intervention findings and molecular mechanisms
Authors: Lim Joseph , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar , Haldar Sumanto
Published: May 2016

Type 2 diabetes prevalence worldwide is increasing and the burden is particularly high in Asian countries. Identification of functional food ingredients to curb the rise of diabetes among various Asian population groups is warranted. Vinegar is widely consumed throughout Asia, where the principle bioactive component is acetic acid. This review has collated data from human intervention trials to show that vinegar consumption seems more effective in modulating glycemic control in normal glucose‐tolerant individuals than in either type 2 diabetics or in those with impaired glucose tolerance. The molecular mechanisms by which vinegar can improve glycemic control have been presented using human, animal and cell culture data. These mechanisms include (i) activation of the free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) receptors localized in the enteroendocrine L‐cells of the intestinal lumen, leading to increased glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) secretion, (ii) increased 5′adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, leading to increased fatty acid oxidation and decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis, (iii) lowering of free fatty acid in circulation, potentially leading to improved insulin sensitivity, (iv) increased blood flow to the peripheral tissues and (v) increased satiety, leading to lower food intake. The review also discusses why these mechanisms appear more effective in nondiabetics than in diabetics.
The association between benzodiazepines and influenza‐like illness‐related pneumonia and mortality: a survival analysis using UK Primary Care data
Authors: Nakafero Georgina , Sanders Robert D. , Nguyen‐Van‐Tam Jonathan S. , Myles Puja R.
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Bacterial superinfections, including pneumonia, are frequent complications of influenza‐like illness (ILI). Clinical and laboratory evidence suggests that benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs may influence susceptibility to infections and mortality. We investigated whether benzodiazepines and zopiclone modify the occurrence of ILI‐related pneumonia and mortality.

Methods

We obtained data on 804 051 ILI patients from a comprehensive primary care database, the Clinical Practice Research Datalink. The follow‐up period started from the diagnosis of ILI for 30 days. Pneumonia and deaths occurring within the 30‐day follow‐up period were considered as potentially ‘ILI related’. Exposure to benzodiazepines and zopiclone was determined in the period preceding a diagnosis of ILI with current use defined as a prescription for benzodiazepines in the month prior to ILI diagnosis. Cox regression was used for the analyses. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are presented.

Results

Influenza‐like illness‐related pneumonia and mortality were noted in 1117 and 707 ILI patients, respectively. Current exposure to benzodiazepines was associated with increased occurrence of both ILI‐related pneumonia and mortality (ILI‐related pneumonia adjusted HR 4.24, 95%CI [2.27, 7.95]; ILI‐related mortality adjusted HR 20.69, 95%CI [15.54, 27.54]). A similar increase in ILI‐related mortality but not pneumonia was observed with current zopiclone use (ILI‐related mortality adjusted HR 10.86, 95%CI [6.93, 17.02]; ILI‐related pneumonia adjusted HR 1.97, 95%CI [0.63, 6.12]).

Conclusion

Benzodiazepines may increase the likelihood of pneumonia and mortality related to ILI. A cautionary approach to prescribing benzodiazepine is suggested in people known to be at increased risk of pneumonia or mortality. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of SRM, MRM3, and DIA for the targeted analysis of phosphorylation dynamics in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Schmidlin Thierry , Garrigues Luc , Lane Catherine S. , Mulder T. Celine , van Doorn Sander , Post Harm , de Graaf Erik L. , Lemeer Simone , Heck Albert J. R. , Altelaar A. F. Maarten
Published: May 2016

Hypothesis‐driven MS‐based targeted proteomics has gained great popularity in a relatively short timespan. Next to the widely established selected reaction monitoring (SRM) workflow, data‐independent acquisition (DIA), also referred to as sequential window acquisition of all theoretical spectra (SWATH) was introduced as a high‐throughput targeted proteomics method. DIA facilitates increased proteome coverage, however, does not yet reach the sensitivity obtained with SRM. Therefore, a well‐informed method selection is crucial for designing a successful targeted proteomics experiment. This is especially the case when targeting less conventional peptides such as those that contain PTMs, as these peptides do not always adhere to the optimal fragmentation considerations for targeted assays. Here, we provide insight into the performance of DIA, SRM, and MRM cubed (MRM3) in the analysis of phosphorylation dynamics throughout the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K‐mTOR) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling network. We observe indeed that DIA is less sensitive when compared to SRM, however demonstrates increased flexibility, by postanalysis selection of alternative phosphopeptide precursors. Additionally, we demonstrate the added benefit of MRM3, allowing the quantification of two poorly accessible phosphosites. In total, targeted proteomics enabled the quantification of 42 PI3K‐mTOR and MAPK phosphosites, gaining a so far unachieved in‐depth view mTOR signaling events linked to tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance in non‐small cell lung cancer.
High‐precision iRT prediction in the targeted analysis of data‐independent acquisition and its impact on identification and quantitation
Authors: Bruderer Roland , Bernhardt Oliver M. , Gandhi Tejas , Reiter Lukas
Published: May 2016

Targeted analysis of data‐independent acquisition (DIA) data is a powerful mass spectrometric approach for comprehensive, reproducible and precise proteome quantitation. It requires a spectral library, which contains for all considered peptide precursor ions empirically determined fragment ion intensities and their predicted retention time (RT). RTs, however, are not comparable on an absolute scale, especially if heterogeneous measurements are combined. Here, we present a method for high‐precision prediction of RT, which significantly improves the quality of targeted DIA analysis compared to in silico RT prediction and the state of the art indexed retention time (iRT) normalization approach. We describe a high‐precision normalized RT algorithm, which is implemented in the Spectronaut software. We, furthermore, investigate the influence of nine different experimental factors, such as chromatographic mobile and stationary phase, on iRT precision. In summary, we show that using targeted analysis of DIA data with high‐precision iRT significantly increases sensitivity and data quality. The iRT values are generally transferable across a wide range of experimental conditions. Best results, however, are achieved if library generation and analytical measurements are performed on the same system.
Conjugated polymers with carbazole, fluorene, and ethylene dioxythiophene in the main chain and a pendant cyano group: Synthesis, photophysical, and electrochemical studies
Authors: Anand Vivek , Ramachandran Elumalai , Dhamodharan Raghavachari
Published: May 2016

Six new conjugated polymers comprising of carbazole, fluorene, and ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) moieties along the backbone with a pendant cyano group attached to the ethylene moiety have been designed and synthesized via Sonogashira coupling polymerization reaction. Optical and electrochemical characterizations have shown that the energy band gaps lie within the range of 2.35–2.44 eV. Additionally, the presence of carbazole and EDOT makes these polymers better hole transporting materials, which is reflected from their low oxidation potential peaks (0.55–1.11 V) in cyclic voltammograms. Furthermore, the aggregation enhanced emission (AEE) phenomenon resulted in a 2.6‐fold increase in fluorescence intensity in a 90:10 THF/water mixture in comparison to pristine THF. The AEE properties were further verified by DLS (dynamic light scattering) experiment and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) studies. Polymers in solution as well as in polystyrene matrix emit in the green region (quantum yield in solution state Φf =41–43%) with CIE values (0.25–0.36, 0.52–0.57). Excellent thermal stability is observed for the new polymers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2774–2784
Solvent‐assisted prototyping of microfluidic and optofluidic microsystems in polymers
Authors: Liyu Denis , Nemati Shahla H. , Vasdekis Andreas E.
Published: May 2016

Due to their low‐cost and processing simplicity, polymers have made a substantial impact on everyday life and scientific discoveries. Such discoveries include the use of microanalysis and optical microsystems, which—albeit simpler to prototype than their inorganic counterparts—still require dedicated procedures at high temperatures and pressures. Here, recent developments in microsystem prototyping are highlighted, based on solvent‐assisted polymer stimulation. These developments—largely inspired by the earlier demonstration of solvent‐assisted micromolding (SAMIM) for nanoimprinting—enable micronscale imprinting, but also bonding to substrates and three‐dimensional chemical functionalization via strict benchtop procedures. These solvent‐assisted strategies are categorized into two groups: those based on solvent immersion and those based on complete polymer dissolution. Recent embodiments within each group are discussed and compared in performance. Solvent‐assisted prototyping further narrows the gap of processing complexity and costs between the PDMS elastomer and thermoplastic polymer microfluidics, and also enables novel architectures and thus new opportunities in microscale Life Sciences and Chemistry investigations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1681–1686
Anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and antioxidant activity of fluoxetine
Authors: Caiaffo Vitor , Oliveira Belisa D. R. , de Sá Fabrício B. , Evêncio Neto Joaquim
Published: May 2016

Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor that has been widely used to determine the neurotransmission of serotonin in the central nervous system. This substance has emerged as the drug of choice for the treatment of depression due to is safer profile, fewer side effects, and greater tolerability. Studies have found the following important functions of fluoxetine related to the central nervous system: neuroprotection; anti‐inflammatory properties similar to standard drugs for the treatment of inflammatory conditions; antioxidant properties, contributing to its therapeutic action and an important intracellular mechanism underlying the protective pharmacological effects seen in clinical practice in the treatment of different stress‐related adverse health conditions; and antiapoptotic properties, with greater neuron survival and a reduction in apoptosis mediators as well as oxidative substances, such as superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide. The aim of this study was to perform a review of the literature on the important role of fluoxetine in anti‐inflammatory, cell survival, and neuron trophicity mechanisms (antiapoptotic properties) as well as its role regarding enzymes of the antioxidant defense system.
Doped microcrystalline silicon oxide alloys for silicon‐based photovoltaics: Optoelectronic properties, chemical composition, and structure studied by advanced characterization techniques
Authors: Smirnov V. , Lambertz A. , Moll S. , Bär M. , Starr D. E. , Wilks R. G. , Gorgoi M. , Heidt A. , Luysberg M. , Holländer B. , Finger F.
Published: May 2016

Doped microcrystalline silicon oxide (μc‐SiOx:H) alloys attract significant attention as a functional material in photovoltaic devices. By using various advanced characterization methods, we have studied the relationship between optoelectronic properties, chemical composition, and structure of p‐type µc‐SiOx:H deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). For a wide range of compositions with varying oxygen content, we show that the dominant components are Si and a‐SiO2, while the fraction of suboxides is minor. The μc‐SiOx:H material with sufficient oxygen content (x = 0.35) exhibits an enlarged optical gap E04 > 2.2 eV and sufficiently high dark conductivity >10−6 S cm−1; the crystalline silicon fraction has a filament‐like shape (with a typical width of around 10 nm) forming a branch‐like structure elongated in the growth direction over several hundreds of nanometers.
Stability of 2D discrete mass‐spring systems with negative stiffness springs
Authors: Esin M. , Pasternak E. , Dyskin A. V.
Published: May 2016

Negative stiffness elements (elements with direction of the force opposite to the direction of the deformation) are unstable as the energy is no longer positive definite. Nevertheless, materials and structures with negative stiffness elements can exist when the element negative energy is compensated by the energy of the rest of the system or an encompassing system that provide stabilisation. In this paper, we study stability of two‐dimensional square packing discrete mass‐spring systems with some spring stiffnesses being negative. Each mass (particle) in the system has three degrees of freedom. The particles are connected by normal, shear and rotational springs to simulate all possible elastic interactions between the masses. The stability is investigated by considering three simple problems: (i) a system consisting of only one particle, (ii) a “channel” of two particles, (iii) two‐by‐two and three‐by‐three systems of particles. The particles are connected to rigid external boundary. We found that two‐dimensional square packing systems with fixed boundary particles consisting of positive and negative stiffness springs can be stable when the total number of negative stiffness springs does not exceed the total number of degrees of freedom of the system. This necessary condition is also generalised to three‐dimensional cubic packing systems. The presence of negative stiffness springs leads to a decrease in the eigenfrequencies: the smallest eigenfrequency becomes zero when the absolute value of the negative stiffness spring reaches its critical value.
Auxeticity from nonlinear vibrational modes
Authors: Dmitriev S. V. , Korznikova E. A. , Bokij D. I. , Zhou K.
Published: May 2016

Abstractauthoren It is demonstrated that the large‐amplitude, short‐wavelength vibrational modes excited in the lattice can change its elastic properties due to physical and/or geometric nonlinearity of the lattice bonds. Depending on the symmetry of the vibrational mode the symmetry of the elastic properties of the lattice can also change. Using as an example the two‐dimensional honeycomb structure with‐FPU pairwise interparticle interactions, we demonstrate that the excitation of a large‐amplitude vibrational mode in combination with equiaxial tensile strain can change the sign of the Poisson's ratio from positive to negative, thus leading to the auxetic property of the lattice. It is shown that the considered lattice supports discrete breathers, i.e., spatially localized nonlinear vibrational modes. The excitation of the discrete breathers as a result of the modulational instability of the extended short‐wavelength modes is analyzed. Our results contribute to the understanding of the relation between the elastic properties and nonlinear dynamics of the lattices of interacting particles.

Extended vibrational modes in the 2D honeycomb lattice presented by the stroboscopic pictures of the particle motion. Excitation of such modes with sufficiently large amplitude in combination with equiaxial tension changes the sign of the Poisson's ratio of the lattice from positive to negative.
Influence of polarity inversion on the electrical properties of Ga‐doped ZnO thin films
Authors: Nulhakim Lukman , Makino Hisao
Published: May 2016

This study investigates how polarity inversion influences the relationship between the electrical properties of heavily Ga‐doped ZnO (GZO) films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering and their thickness. The electrical properties observed in very thin films are correlated with a change of polarity from O‐polar to Zn‐polar face upon increasing the film thickness based on results of valence band spectra measured by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that the electrical properties of very thin GZO films deposited on Zn‐polar ZnO templates are significantly improved compared to those deposited on O‐polar face. A low resistivity of 2.62 × 10–4 Ω cm, high Hall mobility of 26.9 cm2/V s, and high carrier concentration of 8.87 × 1020 cm–3 being achieved with 30 nm‐thick GZO films using Zn‐polar ZnO templates on a glass substrate. In contrast, the resistivity of 30 nm‐thick GZO films on bare glass that shows more likely O‐polar is very poor about 1.44 × 10–3 Ω cm with mobility and carrier concentration are only 11.9 cm2/V s and 3.64 × 1020 cm–3, respectively. It is therefore proposed that polarity inversion plays an important role in determining the electrical properties of extremely thin GZO films. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Robust control: Fooled by assumptions
Authors: Safonov Michael G.
Published: May 2016

The possibility of mismatch between prior uncertainty modeling assumptions and reality is a problem both for robust control and for model‐based adaptive control algorithms that aim to use real‐time data to adaptively identify and correct such problems. Mismatches between prior model assumptions may fool adaptive algorithms intended to improve robustness into persistently preferring destabilizing controllers over stabilizing ones even when the instability is patently obvious to the eyes of the most casual observer. To eliminate all possibility of being thusly fooled, the assumption‐free unfalsified control concept was introduced in the early 1990s and has since been developed to the point where it now provides a unifying overarching theoretical framework for understanding the relationships, benefits, and weakness of various adaptive control methods. We review how the theory allows one to parsimoniously sift the individual elements of accumulating evidence and experimental data to determine precisely which of the elements falsify a given performance level and very briefly discuss recent research on cost‐detectable fading‐memory cost functions for time‐varying plants. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastric Outlet Obstruction After Esophagectomy: Retrospective Analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Postoperative Endoscopic Pyloric Dilatation
Authors: Maus Martin K. H. , Leers Jessica , Herbold Till , Bludau Marc , Chon Seung‐Hun , Kleinert Robert , Hescheler Daniel A. , Bollschweiler Elfriede , Hölscher Arnulf H. , Schäfer Hartmut , Alakus Hakan
Published: May 2016

Background and aims

Delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy with gastric replacement can pose a significant postoperative problem, often leading to aspiration and pneumonia. The present study analyzes retrospectively the effectiveness of endoscopic pyloric dilatation for post‐surgical gastric outlet obstruction.

Methods

Between March 2006 and March 2010, 403 patients underwent a transthoracic en‐bloc esophagectomy and reconstruction with a gastric tube and intrathoracic esophagogastrostomy. In patients with postoperative symptoms of an outlet dysfunction and the confirmation by endoscopy, pyloric dilatations were performed without preference with either 20‐ or 30‐mm balloons.

Results

A total of 89 balloon dilatations of the pylorus after esophagectomy were performed in 60 (15.6 %) patients. In 21 (35 %) patients, a second dilatation of the pylorus was performed. 55 (61.8 %) dilatations were performed with a 30‐mm balloon and 34 (38.2 %) with a 20‐mm balloon. The total redilatation rate for the 30‐mm balloon was 20 % (n = 11) and 52.9 % (n = 18) for the 20‐mm balloon (p < 0.001). All dilatations were performed without any complications.

Conclusions

Pylorus spasm contributes to delayed gastric emptying leading to postoperative complications after esophagectomy. Endoscopic pyloric dilatation after esophagectomy is a safe procedure for treatment of gastric outlet obstruction. The use of a 30‐mm balloon has the same safety profile but a 2.5 lower redilatation rate compared to the 20‐mm balloon. Thus, the use of 20‐mm balloons has been abandoned in our clinic.
Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy
Authors: Haskell David Millard , Flatt Kevin N. , Burgoyne Stephanie
Published: May 2016

Using surveys, this study gathered and examined demographic and religious characteristics of attendees and clergy of a group of growing mainline Protestant churches in Canada and compared them to those from declining mainline Protestant churches from the same geographical region and group of denominations. In total, 2255 attendees from 22 churches (13 declining and 9 growing) participated along with their church's clergy (N = 29). Several notable differences between the characteristics of growing and declining churches were identified. When other factors were controlled for in multivariate analysis, the theological conservatism of both attendees and clergy emerged as important factors in predicting church growth.