bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dewetting and photochemical crosslinking of adhesive pads onto lithographically patterned surfaces
Authors: Samyn Pieter , Biesalski Markus , Prucker Oswald , Rühe Jürgen
Published: December 2018

The design of structured adhesive interfaces can be realized by dewetting of a liquid adhesive onto substrates with hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains followed by photochemical crosslinking. The latter allows the creation of well‐defined arrays of confined adhesive pads with a controlled geometry. In a first step, the surfaces are covered by a hydrophobic film and lithographically patterned through a mask with an array of spots with diameter of 2 mm. The adhesive can consequently be locally deposited by a dosing syringe and remains confined within the hydrophilic spots. By defining the volume of the adhesive droplets, the contact angle and height of the adhesive pads are controlled through pinning at the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interface, which prevents further spreading. Alternatively, the dip coating and spontaneous dewetting of liquid adhesive over the patterned surface provide a continuous fabrication method for adhesive pad arrays. In a second step, the geometry of the deposited adhesive pads is stabilized by partial crosslinking during different times under UV light. Finally, an adhesive joint is created by applying the counterface followed by full cross‐linking. The adhesive strength and mechanical performance are further optimized by considering different crosslinking times and pattern designs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47321.
Reinforcement of wood flour/HDPE composite with a copolyester of p‐hydroxy benzoic acid and 2‐hydroxy‐6‐naphthoic acid
Authors: Hao Xiaolong , Zhou Haiyang , Wang Qingwen , Wang Haigang , Song Yongming , Xie Yanjun
Published: December 2018

Various contents of copolyester of p‐hydroxy benzoic acid and 2‐hydroxy‐6‐naphthoic acid (HBA/HNA) were compounded with high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). The reinforcing effect on the properties of the resulting wood/HDPE composites was determined. The results showed that incorporating HBA/HNA copolyester led to an increase by 340 and 30% in the impact strength of blends and composites, respectively. Improved toughness was also evidenced by the rough impact fractured surface observed by scanning electron microscope. HBA/HNA copolyester had a positive effect on both tensile and flexural properties in blends and composites. The presence of HBA/HNA copolyester enhanced the crystallization and melting temperature, though it did not change the crystal structure of the blends or composites. The dynamic mechanical property conformed with static property. These findings demonstrated that the incorporation of low amounts of HBA/HNA copolyester can substantially reinforce the wood flour/HDPE composites. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47338.
Synthesis, structure, and physical properties of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐block‐poly(caprolactone) copolymers
Authors: Paszkiewicz Sandra , Szymczyk Anna , Irska Izabela , Pawlikowska Daria , Piesowicz Elżbieta
Published: December 2018

The series of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐block‐PCLT (PTT‐block‐PCLT) copolymers with different contents of PTT as rigid, and poly(caprolactone) (PCL) as flexible segments have been synthesized from dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), 1,3‐bio‐propanediol, and PCL diol) in a two‐step process involving transesterification and polycondensation in the melt. The weight amount of flexible PCLT segments varied from 0 (homopolymer PTT), 25, 35 to 45%. The molecular structure of the synthesized copolymers was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. According to Hoy's method, one confirmed that PTT and PCL are likely miscible, as the difference of the solubility parameters of PTT and PCL block pairs, equals to 3.15 MPa1/2. Moreover, the phase structure and mutual miscibility for the series of PTT‐block‐PCLT copolymers was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements. In copolymers with 35 and 45 wt % of flexible segments, the crystalline phase is formed during annealing above glass‐transition temperature of copolymer. These copolymers during cooling at the standard rate do not crystallize. It was also found that incorporation of PCLT flexible segments, due to the macrophase separated structure, cause the decrease of the melting point and glass‐transition temperature, along with the tensile modulus and tensile strength of PTT‐block‐PCLT copolymers, and at the same time cause an increase in the value of the elongation at break. As a result of copolymerization of PTT with PCLT, one obtained multiblock copolymers with a heterophase structure. By changing the PTT/PCLT ratio, one obtained copolymers that differ in hardness and tensile strength. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47341.
Preparation of a modified crosslinked chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol blended affinity membrane for purification of His‐tagged protein
Authors: Zeng Rong , Jin Bu‐Kun , Yang Zhong‐Hua , Guan Rong , Quan Can
Published: December 2018

Based on a crosslinked chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix membrane, an immobilized metal ion affinity membrane (IMAM) using Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions as affinity ligands was prepared for purification of the His‐tagged recombinant protein. The affinity membrane possessed a favorable membrane structure including 1.39 μm average pore size and 0.33 mL·cm−2·s−1 water flux under 0.08 MPa pressure at 25 °C. The Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions capacities immobilized on the IMAM were 155.6 and 137.3 μmol·disk−1, respectively. The IMAM had an excellent specific affinity to His‐tagged protein. About 10‐fold purification factor for the model protein was obtained in a batch adsorption, and serine hydroxymethyl transferase could be purified to a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis from its crude extract solution with an affinity membrane cartridge by a dynamic purification process. This work provides a promising IMAM for the purification of His‐tagged recombinant proteins. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47347.
Anisotropic films photopolymerized from aligned cross‐linkable gemini ammonium liquid crystals for ion conduction
Authors: Wang Caihong , Cao Siyu , Li Peiqi , Tan Shuai , Wu Yong
Published: December 2018

Cross‐linkable gemini ionic liquid crystals are prepared by jacketing the diammonium moiety between two biphenyl benzoate mesogens. Anisotropic films are obtained by photopolymerization of the macroscopically aligned gemini ionic liquid crystals for ion conduction. Small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements indicate that the monolayer nanostructure is formed in the films and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations reveal that the smectic layers are perpendicular to the film surface. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) characterization shows that the films exhibit strong anisotropy in ion conduction. The ion conduction across the film is enhanced while that within the plane of the film is impeded. The ionic conductivity in vertical direction of the film reaches up to 10−3 cm S−1 at 180 °C and the measured anisotropy (ratio of the measured conductivities in vertical direction of the film versus in parallel to the film) is 100–350. The photopolymerization of the cross‐linkable gemini ammonium liquid crystals offers excellent potential for the development of solid electrolytes for electrochemical devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47349.
Bayesian Fault Probability Estimation: Application in Wind Turbine Drivetrain Sensor Fault Detection
Authors: Habibi Hamed , Howard Ian , Habibi Reza
Published: December 2018

In this paper, the extension of the Bayesian framework for sensor fault detection of nonlinear systems proposed in [25] is studied utilizing particle filtering and the expectation maximization (EM) algorithm, in which the fault probability is calculated. The proposed algorithm is implemented on a wind turbine benchmark model to detect drivetrain sensor faults, which are one of the most addressed and likely faults in offshore wind turbines. The fault probability estimation effectively eliminates the need for installing identical redundant sensors. Indeed, because of the use of the unknown wind speed estimator, the residual signal, constructed based on the drivetrain estimated states, is not able to clearly signify the fault periods, a situation in which the fault probability accurately does this task. Also, using the proposed algorithm, the fault size for each sensor is estimated via a one‐step calculation, which decreases the complexity of this algorithm. The fault identification is performed using the recursive least square method and two other modifications, including exponentially weighted and windowed estimates. Additionally, in the fault accommodation step, the concept of a virtual sensor is used to remove the need for reconfiguring the current controller, which reduces complexity and expense. In the simulation section, using a real measured wind speed for two different fault scenarios, the proposed algorithm is evaluated and finally, conclusions are stated.
Guaranteed cost control of distributed parameter networked control systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Zhu Qixin , Lu Kaihong , Zhu Yonghong
Published: December 2018

Distributed parameter networked control systems mean distributed parameter systems are controlled through a network, where the control loops are closed. In this paper, the problem of guaranteed cost and state feedback controller design is investigated for a class of distributed parameter networked control systems. With the network factors, such as transmission delays, data packet dropouts considered, the distributed parameter networked control system is modeled as a linear closed‐loop system with time‐varying delay and uncertain parameters. By selecting an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii function and using linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach, the controller is designed to render the system stable and it can keep the cost function less than a certain upper value. In addition, numerical simulation is included to demonstrate the theoretical results.
Validation of the Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire for assessment of surgical-site infection in closed primary wounds after hospital discharge
Authors:   Bluebelle Study Group, Macefield Rhiannon , Blazeby Jane , Reeves Barnaby , Brookes Sara , Avery Kerry , Rogers Chris , Woodward Mark , Welton Nicky , Rooshenas Leila , Mathers Jonathan , Torrance Andrew , Pullyblank Anne , Longman Robert , Lovegrove Richard , Draycott Tim , Pinkney Thomas , Gooberman-Hill Rachael , Donovan Jenny , Coast Joanna , Calvert Melanie , Blencowe Natalie , Andronis Lazaros , Siassakos Dimitrios , Pope Caroline , Clout Madeleine , Ashton Kate , Ellis Lucy , McMullan Christel , Harris Rosie , Elliott Daisy , Dumville Jo , Waterhouse Benjamin , Strong Sean , Seligman William , Rickard Lloyd , Pathak Samir , Owais Anwar , O'Callaghan Jamie , O'Brien Stephen , Nepogodiev Dmitri , Nadi Khaldoun , Murkin Charlotte , Munder Tonia , Milne Tom , Messenger David , Mason Matthew , Marshall Morwena , Lloyd Jessica , Lim Jeffrey , Lee Kathryn , Korwar Vijay , Hughes Daniel , Hill George , Hamdan Mohammed , Brown Hannah Gould , Glasbey James , Fryer Caroline , Davey Simon , Cotton David , Byrne Benjamin , Brown Oliver , Bera Katarzyna , Bennett Joanne , Bamfor Richard , Bakhbakhi Danya , Atif Muhammad , Armstrong Elizabeth , Ananthavarathan Piriyankan
Published: December 2018

Background

Accurate assessment of surgical-site infection (SSI) is crucial for surveillance and research. Self-reporting patient measures are needed because current SSI tools are limited for assessing patients after leaving hospital. The Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) was developed for patient or observer completion; this study tested its acceptability, scale structure, reliability and validity in patients with closed primary wounds after abdominal surgery.

Methods

Patients completed the WHQ (self-assessment) within 30 days after leaving hospital and returned it by post. Healthcare professionals completed the WHQ (observer assessment) by telephone or face-to-face. Questionnaire response rates and patient acceptability were assessed. Factor analysis and Cronbach's α examined scale structure and internal consistency. Test–retest and self- versus observer reliability assessments were performed. Sensitivity and specificity for SSI discrimination against a face-to-face reference diagnosis (using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria) were examined.

Results

Some 561 of 792 self-assessments (70·8 per cent) and 597 of 791 observer assessments (75·5 per cent) were completed, with few missing data or problems reported. Data supported a single-scale structure with strong internal consistency (α greater than 0·8). Reliability between test–retest and self- versus observer assessments was good (κ 0·6 or above for the majority of items). Sensitivity and specificity for SSI discrimination was high (area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve 0·91).

Conclusion

The Bluebelle WHQ is acceptable, reliable and valid with a single-scale structure for postdischarge patient or observer assessment of SSI in closed primary wounds.
Validation of Monosaccharide Composition Assay Using HPLC‐UV Platform for Monoclonal Antibody Products in Compliance with ICH Guideline
Authors: Kwon Ohseok , Oh Il Ung , Oh Myung Jin , Hong Seung Hwa , Kim Chan Wha , An Hyun Joo
Published: December 2018

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are the largest class of glycosylated biopharmaceuticals. Glycans are a key functional component of mAbs, and thus their characterization is highly required during mAb developmental and regulatory phases. In particular, monosaccharides are crucial for antibody efficacy, safety, cytotoxicity, and potency, so reliable monosaccharide composition assay (MCA) is required for quality control (QC) testing. Traditional methods for MCA such as HPAE‐PAD and HPLC‐FLD have been suffering from low sensitivity and poor reproducibility. In this study, we developed an alternative QC method for MCA of mAb with 1‐Phenyl‐3‐methyl‐5‐pyrazolone (PMP) tag products using HPLC‐UV platform equipped in most QC laboratories. Four characteristics including specificity, linearity, precision, and accuracy were systemically evaluated according to ICH Q2(R1) guideline. Inter‐laboratory studies were also performed to validate method reproducibility and reliability. It will be a powerful platform for QC test of not only mAb products but also Fc fusion glycoprotein products.
Enantioselective Organocatalytic Mannich Reaction and Fluorination Sequence of Pyrazolones to Isatin‐derived Ketimines
Authors: Jung Hye Im , Park Jin Hwa , Kim Dae Young
Published: December 2018

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of oxindole‐pyrazolone adducts via organocatalytic Mannich reaction of 1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐ones with ketimine derivatives derived from isatins, followed by sequential electrophilic fluorination, has been developed. This approach offers a facile way to prepare chiral 3‐amino‐3‐(4‐fluoropyrazol‐4‐yl)‐substituted oxindole derivatives with a wide range of functional group tolerance.
HPTLC Autography Based Screening and Isolation of Mushroom Tyrosinase Inhibitors of European Plant Species
Authors: Revoltella Silvia , Rainer Bettina , Waltenberger Birgit , Pagitz Konrad , Schwaiger Stefan , Stuppner Hermann
Published: December 2018

In the course of this project, 133 plants were evaluated on their ability to inhibit tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanogenesis. The screening was performed by means of a HPTLC autographic assay, resulting in the selection of three plants, Asplenium trichomanes, Pinus uncinata, and Scutellaria altissima, with promising tyrosinase inhibiting activities. With the aid of the HPTLC assay, it was not only possible to select the most interesting plant extracts, but also to monitor the activity‐guided fractionation which, in a relatively short time period, led to the isolation of active principles. Benzoic acid, roseoside, and dihydrovomifoliol‐O‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside could be identified as tyrosinase inhibitors present in P. uncinata. Globularin turned out to be the active principle of S. altissima, and 4‐ethenylphenyl 6‐O‐(6‐deoxy‐α‐l‐mannopyranosyl)‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside was detected as tyrosinase inhibitor of A. trichomanes. The pure compounds were tested also in a 96 well‐plate assay in order to determine their IC50 values. The lowest IC50 value (42 μm) could be obtained for globularin, whereas the other compounds, e. g., benzoic acid exhibited a rather high IC50 value (IC50=552 μm). This stood in clear contrast to the autographic assay, but is has to be taken into account that the outcome of the autography assay is not only depending on the IC50 value of a compound, but also on the content of the respective constituent in the extract.
Study on the Materials Formed by Self‐Assembling Hydrophobic, Aromatic Peptides Dedicated to Be Used for Regenerative Medicine
Authors: Chaberska Agata , Fraczyk Justyna , Wasko Joanna , Rosiak Piotr , Kaminski Zbigniew J. , Solecka Agnieszka , Stodolak‐Zych Ewa , Strzempek Weronika , Menaszek Elzbieta , Dudek Mariusz , Niemiec Wiktor , Kolesinska Beata
Published: December 2018

The aims of this study were to identify the short aromatic peptides which are able to form highly ordered amyloid‐like structures in self‐assembling processes, to test the influence of length of hydrophobic peptides on tendency to aggregation, and to check if aggregated peptides fulfill requirements expected for materials useful for scaffolding. All tested hydrophobic peptides were prepared on solid phase by using DMT/NMM/TsO− as a coupling reagent. The progress of aggregation was studied by set of independent tests. All aggregated peptides were found stable under in vitro conditions. All fibrous material formed by self‐assembling of peptides does not show any cytotoxic effects on L929 fibroblast cells. Peptides containing tyrosine and tryptophan residues even effectively accelerated the proliferation and stimulated the activity of L929 fibroblasts.
Ecological Roles of Tryptanthrin, Indirubin and N‐Formylanthranilic Acid in Isatis indigotica: Phytoalexins or Phytoanticipins?
Authors: Pedras M. Soledade C. , Abdoli Abbas , To Q. Huy , Thapa Chintamani
Published: December 2018

Leaves of the plant species Isatis indigotica Fortune ex Lindl. (Chinese woad) produce the metabolites tryptanthrin, indirubin and N‐formylanthranilic acid upon spraying with an aqueous solution of copper chloride but not after spraying with water. The antifungal activities of these metabolites against the phytopathogens Alternaria brassicicola, Leptosphaeria maculans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum established that tryptanthrin is a much stronger growth inhibitor of L. maculans than the phytoalexin camalexin. The biosynthetic precursors of tryptanthrin and N‐formylanthranilic acid are proposed based on the deuterium incorporations of isotopically labeled compounds. The overall results suggest that tryptanthrin is a phytoalexin and indirubin and N‐formylanthranilic acid are phytoanticipins in the plant species I. indigotica and that chemical diversity and biodiversity are intimately connected.
GPU R‐Trie: Dictionary with ultra fast lookup
Authors: Kaczmarski Krzysztof , Wolant Albert
Published: December 2018

R‐Trie dictionary is a multi‐way retrieval tree for arbitrary length binary keys. It is designed taking into account utilization of thousands of parallel vector threads, a fundamental technique of programming GPU processors. Dictionary bulk creation algorithm automatically scales to use as many threads as elements in the input batch, without any synchronization or page locking, exceeding 20·106 key insertions per second on a consumer class device. Bulk search procedure achieves 600·106 lookups per second in case of a Longest Prefix Match algorithm and 3·109 lookups per second in case of exact key matching. In this paper, we describe details of implementation, present results of run‐time experiments, and enumerate several open problems for future.
Quality assessment of Ki67 staining using cell line proliferation index and stain intensity features
Authors: Lanng Mathias Buus , Møller Cecilie Brochdorff , Andersen Anne‐Sofie Hendrup , Pálsdóttir Ásgerður Arna , Røge Rasmus , Østergaard Lasse Riis , Jørgensen Alex Skovsbo
Published: December 2018

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. Ki67 can be used as an immunohistochemical pseudo marker for cell proliferation to determine how aggressive the cancer is and thereby the treatment of the patient. No standard Ki67 staining protocol exists, resulting in inter‐laboratory stain variability. Therefore, it is important to determine the quality control of a staining protocol to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment of patients. Currently, quality control is performed by the organization NordiQC that use an expert panel‐based qualitative assessment system. However, no objective method exists to determine the quality of a staining protocol. In this study, we propose an algorithm, to objectively assess staining quality from segmented cell nuclei structures extracted from cell lines. The cell nuclei were classified into either Ki67 positive or negative to determine the Ki67 proliferation index within the cell lines. A Ki67 stain quality model based on ordinal logistic regression was developed to determine the quality of a staining protocol from features extracted from the segmented cell nuclei in the cell lines. The algorithm was able to segment and classify Ki67 positive cell nuclei with a sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.90 and 0.94 and Ki67 negative cell nuclei with a sensitivity and PPV of 0.78 and 0.78. The mean difference between a manual and automatic Ki67 proliferation index was −0.003 with a standard deviation of 0.056. The ordinal logistic regression model found that the stain intensity for both the Ki67 positive and Ki67 negative cell nuclei were statistically significant as parameters determining the stain quality from the cell line cores. The framework shows great promise for using cell nuclei information from cell lines to predict the staining quality of staining protocols. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Infrastructure‐based vehicular congestion detection scheme for V2I
Authors: Ahmad Mushtaq , Chen Qingchun , Khan Zahid , Ahmad Muqeet , Khurshid Faisal
Published: December 2018

With the increasing number of vehicles, traffic jam becomes one of the major problems of the fast‐growing world. Intelligent transportation system (ITS) communicates perilous warnings and information on forthcoming traffic jams to all vehicles within its coverage region. Real‐time traffic information is the prerequisite for ITS applications development. In this paper, on the basis of the vehicle‐to‐infrastructure (V2I) communication, a novel infrastructure‐based vehicular congestion detection (IVCD) scheme is proposed to support vehicular congestion detection and speed estimation. The proposed IVCD derives the safety time (time headway) between vehicles by using iterative content‐oriented communication (COC) contents. Meanwhile, the roadside sensor (RSS) provides an infrastructure framework to integrate macroscopic traffic properties into the estimation of both the traffic congestion and vehicle safety speed. The main responsibilities of RSS in IVCD are to preserve privacy, aggregate data, store information, broadcast routing table, estimate safety speed, detect traffic jam, and generate session ID (S‐ID) for vehicles. Monte Carlo simulations in four typical Chinese highway settings are presented to show the advantage of the proposed IVCD scheme over the existing Greenshield's and Greenberg's macroscopic congestion detection schemes in terms of the realized congestion detection performance. Real road traces generated by Simulation of Urban Mobility (SUMO) over NS‐3.29 are utilized to demonstrate that the proposed IVCD scheme is capable of effectively controlling congestion in both single and multilane roads in terms of density and speed health with previous schemes in this field.
Polydopamine and Barbituric Acid Co‐Modified Carbon Nitride Nanospheres for Highly Active and Selective Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Li Mei , Zhang Shengbo , Liu Xiao , Han Jinyu , Zhu Xinli , Ge Qingfeng , Wang Hua
Published: December 2018

Carbon nitride nanospheres modified with polydopamine and barbituric acid (BA‐CNS‐PDA) were successfully prepared by following a template‐copolymerization and post‐modification strategy. The photocatalytic CO2 reduction was carried out using BA‐CNS‐PDA as photocatalyst, Co(bpy)32+ as the cocatalyst and TEOA as the sacrificial electron donor. The productivity and selectivity for photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO on BA20‐CNS‐PDA15 under visible‐light for 4 h were measured to be 158 µmol and 86.0 %, respectively, and are nearly 5 and 1.5 times, respectively, that of unmodified CNS. Optical characterization indicates that the outstanding photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance is a result of improved charge separation and transfer due to copolymerization with barbituric acid and enhanced visible light absorption due to polydopamine. The adsorption isotherm of CO2 demonstrates that polydopamine increase CO2 adsorption capacity and promote CO2 activation due to the presence of the amino groups.
Palladium‐Catalyzed C–C Ring Closure in α‐Chloromethylimines: Synthesis of 1H‐Indoles
Authors: Bellezza Delia , Noverges Bárbara , Fasano Francesco , Sarmiento Jeymy T. , Medio‐Simón Mercedes , Asensio Gregorio
Published: December 2018

The C‐C ring closure of α‐chloromethyl alkyl or aryl N‐aryl imines catalyzed with 1 to 10 % Pd(OAc)2/P(p‐tolyl)3 afford efficiently 2‐aryl‐ and 2‐alkyl‐1H‐indoles. The heterocyclization reaction involves the initial formation of [2‐(arylimino)ethyl]palladium(II) chloride complexes with subsequent C‐H activation of the aromatic amine ring. Readily or commercially available α‐chloromethyl‐aryl or ‐alkyl ketones are used as the precursors. Functionalized indoles at the benzene ring are obtained when the imines are derived from substituted anilines.
Multiobjective optimization of a photovoltaic system generation with hydraulic storage in remote areas
Authors: Belouda Malek , Sliti Hamdi , Hajjaji Mohamed , Mami Abdelkader
Published: December 2018

The deficit of electricity and high conventional electricity costs still among the major drawbacks for supply remote areas. Electrifying these zones with photovoltaic (PV) systems associated to a hydraulic storage is a promising alternative. The main objective of this study is to optimally size this system generation interacting with irradiations and load cycles, especially for a standalone application. The first part of this article outlines the PV‐hydraulic generation system architecture and modeling. The optimal sizing of the system components satisfying two criteria by means of evolutionary algorithms is described in the second part of this article. The results are finally discussed from the point of view of the relevance of the system sizing and in terms of criteria satisfaction by analyzing two particular optimal configurations. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13095, 2019
Designing nanoporosity in a swollen polymer for the controlled release of a highly volatile fragrance
Authors: Chen Xinwei , Bhardwaj Ankit , Sharifah Nursyahirah Syed Isha , Zhang Liling , Man Shu Mei , Andriani Yosephine , Tan Wui Siew
Published: December 2018

Controlling the fragrance release profile, especially the highly volatile top note, can prolong the desired scent of the fragrance. Here, the porosity of a swollen cross‐linked polyurethane acrylate (PUA) polymer, which is tuned by the length of a modulator, can influence the evaporation rate of the top note. In particular, the evaporation rate of benzyl acetate (BA), a common top note, is reduced by a factor of 6.5 (from 134 to 17 mg m–2 min–1) when BA is released from the best‐performing PUA against a reservoir of BA. The average diameter of an opening in the fragrance‐loaded PUA is ~6 nm, as determined by the thermoporosimetry approach. Such a pore size can effectively control the evaporation rate of BA, as predicted by the theoretical model, which reveals that a pore diameter of <16 nm is required. Computational modelling reveals the optimal chain length for a modulator used for the sustained released of fragrance, confirming the experimental data. Finally, BA continues to be released from the PUA matrix for a prolonged period, even after 3 months, whereas the same quantity of BA would completely evaporate after 1 week in the absence of PUA matrix. Approximately 50wt% of BA remains after 60 days, making it one of the best techniques in sustaining the release of a top note.
Finding fault: Criticism as a care management strategy and its impact on outcomes for dementia caregivers
Authors: Leggett Amanda N. , Kales Helen C. , Gitlin Laura N.
Published: December 2018

Background

Despite a large literature on the stress process, little attention has focused on how caregivers for persons living with dementia (PLWDs) provide care and how this may impact care outcomes. Criticism is a management strategy caregivers may use to respond to behavioral symptoms. We consider whether criticism is associated with caregivers' mental health and service utilization.

Methods

Data are drawn from the Advancing Caregiver Training intervention study including 256 informal caregivers living with a PLWD. In multiple linear regressions controlling for caregivers' demographics and PLWDs' clinical factors, we consider criticism (criticism subscale of the Dementia Management Strategies Scale) as a predictor of caregiver burden, depressive symptoms, desire to institutionalize the PLWD, level of frustration with care, and the number of home‐based, social, and health services utilized.

Results

On average, 15% of the sample sometimes reported using criticism as a management strategy to manage the challenges of care. Greater use of criticism was associated with significantly more caregiver burden (β = 0.26, P < 0.001) and frustration with caregiving (β = 0.66, P < 0.001), but not depressive symptoms or a desire to institutionalize the PLWD. Criticism was also associated with significantly greater utilization of home‐based (β = 0.14, P < 0.05) and social services (β = 0.15, P < 0.05), but not health care services.

Conclusion

Criticism appears to be used by more burdened and frustrated caregivers. The association of criticism with social and home‐based services potentially reflects a need for greater support among this group of caregivers. Behavioral interventions that can help caregivers manage behavioral symptoms with positive, empirically validated strategies may be helpful.
Nutrient biomarkers shape individual differences in functional brain connectivity: Evidence from omega‐3 PUFAs
Authors: Talukdar Tanveer , Zamroziewicz Marta K. , Zwilling Christopher E. , Barbey Aron K.
Published: December 2018

A wealth of neuroscience evidence demonstrates that diet and nutrition play an important role in structural brain plasticity, promoting the development of gray matter volume and maintenance of white matter integrity across the lifespan. However, the role of nutrition in shaping individual differences in the functional brain connectome remains to be well established. We therefore investigated whether nutrient biomarkers known to have beneficial effects on brain structure (i.e., the omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; ω‐3 PUFAs), explain individual differences in functional brain connectivity within healthy older adults (N = 96). Our findings demonstrate that ω‐3 PUFAs are associated with individual differences in functional connectivity within regions that support executive function (prefrontal cortex), memory (hippocampus), and emotion (amygdala), and provide key evidence that the influence of these regions on global network connectivity reliably predict general, fluid, and crystallized intelligence. The observed findings not only elucidate the role of ω‐3 PUFAs in functional brain plasticity and intelligence, but also motivate future studies to examine their impact on psychological health, aging, and disease.
A green and mild procedure to selective synthesis of diarylamine via domino reaction of aryl halides and arginine catalyzed by magnetic‐MOF
Authors: Soleiman‐Beigi Mohammad , Mohammadi Fariba
Published: December 2018

Efficient and selective direct synthesis of diarylamines from aryl halides and arginine as a nitrogen‐donor reagent is reported. Arginine, which is an oral supplement, acts as a useful nitrogen source donor in the copper‐catalyzed reaction. Fe3O4/Cu3(BTC)2, which was easily separated and recycled with a magnet, improved the rate and facilitation of the synthesis of diarylamines selectively. The introduction of a new and available N‐source, simple magnetic separation process, normal atmospheric conditions, and excellent yields under mild reaction conditions are other important features of this work.
“Five‐point eight‐line” anatomic flap design for precise hemitongue reconstruction
Authors: Fan Song , Li Qun‐Xing , Zhang Han‐Qing , Liang Mao‐Jin , Tian Tian , Wang You‐Yuan , Lin Zhao‐Yu , Chen Wei‐Xiong , Pan Guo‐Kai , Ahn Michael Ho‐Young , He Lile , Sun Sheng , Wu Bing‐Hao , Yu Peirong , Li Jin‐Song
Published: December 2018

Background

Reconstruction of hemiglossectomy defects requires careful flap design to avoid adverse functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Methods

Hemitongue specimens were obtained from minipigs to study the three‐dimensional anatomy and to define anatomic landmarks for precise measurements of flap requirement. The concept developed in animal models was then applied to hemiglossectomy reconstruction in clinical practice. Sixty‐one patients were randomly enrolled into the following two groups: a “five‐point eight‐line segment” (FIPELS) flap design group (28 patients) and a conventional group (33 patients). Functional and aesthetic outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

All flaps designed with the FIPELS technique matched the hemiglossectomy defects without the need for flap trimming, thus reducing the operating time (P = .03). Swallowing functions, speech intelligibility, and aesthetic outcomes were superior in the FIPELS group than that in the conventional group (P < .05).

Conclusions

The FIPELS flap design for hemiglossectomy reconstruction yields improved functional and aesthetic outcomes compared to a conventional flap design.
Polysaccharide Based Nanoparticles
Authors: Khan Wahid , Abtew Ester , Modani Sheela , Domb Abraham J.
Published: December 2018

Nanoparticles made of biodegradable polymers have outstanding merits as a drug delivery system. Polysaccharide‐based nanoparticles have been well explored because of their safety, stability, biocompatibility, biodegradability and hydrophilicity. The present review emphasizes the efforts articulated to improve polysaccharide‐based nanoparticles as drug delivery tool for effective therapy and site‐specific targeting of mainly anticancer agents. This review updates reports of recent research on polysaccharides‐based systems particularly chitosan, alginate, cyclodextrins, hyaluronic acid, pullulan, dextran and their combinations with potential applications.
ACVR1‐knockout promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating the Wnt signaling pathway in mice
Authors: Wang Yuan , Sun Jing‐Chuan , Wang Hai‐Bo , Xu Xi‐Ming , Kong Qing‐Jie , Wang Ying‐Jie , Zheng Bing , Shi Guo‐Dong , Shi Jian‐Gang
Published: December 2018

Osteogenic differentiation refers to the process of bone formation and remodeling, which is controlled by complex molecular mechanisms. Activin A receptor type I (ACVR1) is reported to be associated with osteogenic differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. Therefore, this study evaluates the function of ACVR1 in osteogenic differentiation through the Wnt signaling pathway. The expression of osteocalcin (Oc) and osterix together with osteogenic differentiation and mineralization was examined in ACVR1‐knockout (KO) mouse. Furthermore, the Wnt signaling pathway was inhibited in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) of mice to explore the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in osteogenic differentiation by means of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity detection and evaluation of mineralized nodules and calcium content. Subsequently, the effect of ACVR1 on the Wnt signaling pathway was assessed by determining the expression of ACVR1, β‐catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3β), dickkopf‐related protein 1 (DKK1), and frizzled class receptor 1 (FZD1). Both their effects on osteogenic differentiation were further evaluated by determination of Oc, osterix, and Runx2 expression. AVCR1 KO mice exhibited increased Oc and osterix expression and promoted bone resorption and formation. ACVR1‐knockout was observed to activate the Wnt signaling pathway with an increase of β‐catenin and reductions in GSK3β, DKK1, and FZD1. With the inhibited Wnt signaling pathway expression of Oc, osterix, and Runx2 was decreased, and ALP activity, mineralized nodule, and calcium content in cellular matrix were decreased as well, indicating that inactivation of the Wnt signaling pathway reduced the differentiation of BMSCs into osteoclasts. These findings indicate that ACVR1‐knockout promotes osteogenic differentiation by activating the Wnt signaling pathway in mice.
Retracted: Downregulation of microRNA‐367 promotes osteoblasts growth and proliferation of mice during fracture by activating the PANX3‐mediated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Jia Hong‐Lei , Zhou Dong‐Sheng
Published: December 2018

A majority of people suffering from bone fractures fail to heal and develop a nonunion, which is a challenging orthopedic complication requiring complex and expensive treatment. Previous data showed the inhibition of some microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) can enhance fracture healing. The objective of the present study is to explore effects of miR‐367 on the osteoblasts growth and proliferation of mouse during fracture via the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway by targeting PANX3. Primarily, the femur fracture model was successfully established in 66 (C57BL/6) 6‐week–old male mice. To verify whether miR‐367 target PANX3, we used the target prediction program and performed luciferase activity determination. Subsequently, to figure out the underlying regulatory roles of miR‐367 in fracture, osteoblasts were elucidated by treatment with miR‐367 mimic, miR‐367 inhibitor, or siRNA against PANX3 to determine the expression of miR‐367, siPANX3, β‐catenin, and Wnt5b as well as cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results demonstrated that PANX3 was verified as a target gene of miR‐367. MiR‐367 was found to highly expressed but PANX3, β‐catenin, and Wnt5b were observed poorly expressed in fracture mice. downregulated miR‐367 increased the mRNA and protein expression of PANX3, β‐catenin, and Wnt5b, increased cell growth, proliferation, and migration, while decreased cell apoptosis in osteoblasts. Altogether, our study demonstrates that the downregulation of miR‐367 may promote osteoblasts growth and proliferation in fracture through the activation of the PANX3‐dependent Wnt/β‐catenin pathway.
The effects of microRNAs in activating neovascularization pathways in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Satari Mahbobeh , Aghadavod Esmat , Mirhosseini Naghmeh , Asemi Zatollah
Published: December 2018

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus that causes diabetic macular edema and visual loss. DR is categorized, based on the presence of vascular lesions and neovascularization, into non‐proliferative and proliferative DR. Vascular changes in DR correlate with the cellular damage and pathological changes in the capillaries of blood‐retinal barrier. Several cytokines have been involved in inducing neovascularization. These cytokines activate different signaling pathways which are mainly responsible for the complications of DR. Recently; microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as the key factors in the regulation of the cytokine expression which plays a critical role in neovascularization of retinal cells. Some studies have demonstrated that changing levels of miRNAs have essential role in the pathophysiology of vascular changes in patients with DR. The aim of this study is to identify the effects of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of DR via activating neovascularization pathways.
Improvement in infected wound healing in type 1 diabetic rat by the synergistic effect of photobiomodulation therapy and conditioned medium
Authors: Fridoni Mohammadjavad , Kouhkheil Reza , Abdollhifar Mohammad‐Amin , Amini Abdollah , Ghatrehsamani Mahdi , Ghoreishi Seyed Kamran , Chien Sufan , Bayat Sahar , Bayat Mohammad
Published: December 2018

We investigated the effects of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and conditioned medium (CM) of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM‐MSC) individually and/or in combination on the stereological parameters and the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF‐1α), and stromal cell–derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α) in a wound model infected with methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in diabetic rats. CM was provided by culturing hBM‐MSCs. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) was induced in 72 rats, divided into four groups, harboring 18 rats each: group 1 served as a control group, group 2 received PBMT, group 3 received CM, and group 4 received CM + PBMT. On days 4, 7, and 15, six animals from each group were euthanized and the skin samples were separated for stereology examination and gene expression analysis by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. In the CM + PBMT, CM, and PBMT groups, significant decreases were induced in the number of neutrophils (1460 ± 93, 1854 ± 138, 1719 ± 248) and macrophages (539 ± 69, 804 ± 63, 912 ± 41), and significant increases in the number of fibroblasts (1073 ± 116, 836 ± 75, 912 ± 41) and angiogenesis (15 230 ± 516, 13 318 ± 1116, 14 041 ± 867), compared with those of the control group (2690 ± 371, 1139 ± 145, 566 ± 90, 12 585 ± 1219). Interestingly, the findings of the stereological examination in the CM + PBMT group were statistically more significant than those in the other groups. In the PBMT group, in most cases, the expression of bFGF, HIF‐1α, and SDF‐1α, on day 4 (27.7 ± 0.14, 28.8 ± 0.52, 27.5 ± 0.54) and day 7 (26.8 ± 1.4, 29.6 ± 1.4, 28.3 ± 1.2) were more significant than those in the control (day 4, 19.3 ± 0.42, 25.5 ± 0.08, 22.6 ± 0.04; day 7, 22.3 ± 0.22, 28.3 ± 0.59, 24.3 ± 0.19) and other treatment groups. The application of PBMT + CM induced anti‐inflammatory and angiogenic activities, and hastened wound healing process in a T1 DM model of MRSA infected wound.
miR‐219‐5p inhibits tau phosphorylation by targeting TTBK1 and GSK‐3β in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li Jing , Chen Weian , Yi Yanhong , Tong Qiuling
Published: December 2018

As the most common neurodegenerative disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by memory, perception, and behavioral damage, which may ultimately lead to emotional fluctuation and even lethal delirium. Increasing studies indicate that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with pathological features of AD. However, the role of miR‐219‐5p in AD progression is still unclear. In this study, the functions of miR‐219‐5p were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. miR‐219‐5p was notably overexpressed in brain tissues of patients with AD. The overexpression of miR‐219‐5p activated the phosphorylation of Tau‐Ser198, Tau‐Ser199, Tau‐Ser201, and Tau‐Ser422. We further showed that miR‐219‐5p could mediate a decrease in the protein levels of tau‐tubulin kinase 1 (TTBK1) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK‐3β) by directly binding to their 3′‐untranslated region, thereby promoting the phosphorylation of tau in SH‐SY5Y Cells. Rescue experiments further revealed that the phosphorylation of tau‐mediated by miR‐219‐5p was dependent on the inhibition of TTBK1 and GSK‐3β. Moreover, suppressing the expression of both TTBK1 and GSK‐3β using miR‐219‐5p remarkably rescued AD‐like symptoms in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 mice. Our findings indicate that the upregulation of TTBK1 and GSK‐3β mediated by the loss of miR‐219‐5p is a possible mechanism that contributes to tau phosphorylation and AD progression.
Investigation of deleterious effects of nsSNPs in the POT1 gene: a structural genomics‐based approach to understand the mechanism of cancer development
Authors: Amir Mohd. , Kumar Vijay , Mohammad Taj , Dohare Ravins , Hussain Afzal , Rehman Md. Tabish , Alam Perwez , Alajmi Mohamed F. , Islam Asimul , Ahmad Faizan , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: December 2018

Protection of telomere 1 (POT1) is one of the key components of shelterin complex, implicated in maintaining the telomere homeostasis, and thus stability of the eukaryotic genome. A large number of non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) in the POT1 gene have been reported to cause varieties of human diseases, including cancer. In recent years, a number of mutations in POT1 has been markedly increased, and interpreting the effect of these large numbers of mutations to understand the mechanism of associated diseases seems impossible using experimental approaches. Herein, we employ varieties of computational methods such as PROVEAN, PolyPhen‐2, SIFT, PoPMuSiC, SDM2, STRUM, and MAESTRO to identify the effects of 387 nsSNPs on the structure and function of POT1 protein. We have identified about 183 nsSNPs as deleterious and termed them as “high‐confidence nsSNPs.” Distribution of these high‐confidence nsSNPs demonstrates that the mutation in oligonucleotide binding domain 1 is highly deleterious (one in every three nsSNPs), and high‐confidence nsSNPs show a strong correlation with residue conservation. The structure analysis provides a detailed insights into the structural changes occurred in consequence of conserved mutations which lead to the cancer progression. This study, for the first time, offers a newer prospective on the role of POT1 mutations on the structure, function, and their relation to associated diseases.
Comparison between the use of thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and a polydimethyl siloxane‐based material in filling internal resorptive cavities using spiral computed tomography
Authors: Jain Himanshu , Ballal Nidambur Vasudev
Published: December 2018

To evaluate the fill of internal resorption cavities obturated with thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and GuttaFlow2 using CT scan. Twenty human maxillary anterior teeth were selected and root canals were prepared using ProTaper system to size F3. Irrigation was performed with 5 ml of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 5 ml of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Each root was then sectioned horizontally into two halves and semicircular cavities were prepared around the periphery of the root canal opening of each root half, using a round bur. Both the root halves were then fixed using cyanoacrylate glue. All the specimens were subjected to preoperative CT scan analysis to determine the volume of internal cavities. The samples were then randomly divided into two groups. In Group 1, the specimens were obturated with thermoplasticized gutta‐percha (E&Q system) and specimens in Group 2 were obturated using GuttaFlow2. All specimens were then subjected to postoperative CT scan analysis. The volume of voids in internal resorptive cavities were calculated, which was then used to estimate the amount of gutta‐percha filled. There was no significant difference in volume of internal resorptive cavities between thermoplasticized gutta‐percha and GuttaFlow2 groups before obturation (p = 0.466). However, after obturation there was a significant difference between both the groups, in which GuttaFlow2 demonstrated better fill (p = .014). Thermoplasticized gutta‐percha filled 81% of internal resorptive cavity while GuttaFlow2 filled 91%, respectively. GuttaFlow2 showed better fill than thermoplasticized gutta‐percha in the filling of internal resorptive cavities.