bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zeamide, a Glycosylinositol Phosphorylceramide with the Novel Core Arap(1β→6)Ins Motif from the Marine Sponge Svenzea zeai
Authors: Della Sala Gerardo , Teta Roberta , Esposito Germana , Pawlik Joseph , Mangoni Alfonso , Costantino Valeria
Published: September 2017

Glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs) show a great structural diversity, but all share a small number of core structures, with a glucosamine, a mannose, or a glucuronic acid as the first sugar linked to the inositol. The Caribbean sponge Svenzea zeai was shown to consistently contain zeamide (1), the first example of a new class of GIPCs, in which the inositol is glycosylated by a d-arabinose. The structure of zeamide was determined by spectroscopic analysis (NMR, MS, ECD) and microscale chemical degradation. The 6-O-β-d-arabinopyranosyl-myo-inositol (d-Arap(1β→6)Ins) core motif of zeamide is unprecedented not only among GIPCs, but also in any natural glycoconjugate.
Mechanochemical Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Isoniazid Derivatives with Potent Antitubercular Activity
Authors: Oliveira Paulo , Guidetti Brigitte , Chamayou Alain , André-Barrès Christiane , Madacki Jan , Korduláková Jana , Mori Giorgia , Orena Beatrice , Chiarelli Laurent , Pasca Maria , Lherbet Christian , Carayon Chantal , Massou Stéphane , Baron Michel , Baltas Michel
Published: September 2017

A series of isoniazid derivatives bearing a phenolic or heteroaromatic coupled frame were obtained by mechanochemical means. Their pH stability and their structural (conformer/isomer) analysis were checked. The activity of prepared derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis cell growth was evaluated. Some compounds such as phenolic hydrazine 1a and almost all heteroaromatic ones, especially 2, 5 and 7, are more active than isoniazid, and their activity against some M. tuberculosis MDR clinical isolates was determined. Compounds 1a and 7 present a selectivity index >1400 evaluated on MRC5 human fibroblast cells. The mechanism of action of selected hydrazones was demonstrated to block mycolic acid synthesis due to InhA inhibition inside the mycobacterial cell.
Design Rules For a Nano-Opto-Mechanical Actuator Based on Suspended Slot Waveguides
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , De Carlo Martino , Passaro Vittorio
Published: September 2017

In this paper, physical modeling including optical and Casimir forces is adopted in order to analyze a nano-opto-mechanical actuator based on silicon-on-insulator suspended slot waveguides. Numerical simulations based on the finite element method and systematic design rules are presented. Moreover, parametric investigations on slot waveguide sizes and optical properties are presented, and their influence on the actuator’s features are discussed.
Improved Adhesion Performance of Soy Protein-Based Adhesives with a Larch Tannin-Based Resin
Authors: Chen Mingsong , Luo Jing , Shi Ruiqing , Zhang Jizhi , Gao Qiang , Li Jianzhang
Published: September 2017

This study aimed to improve the bonding strength and water resistance of soy protein-based adhesives (SPAs) by modifying with larch tannin-based resins (TRs). This is especially important because of their eco-beneficial effects. The TR was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric/Derivative Thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) in order to demonstrate the formation of the self-crosslinking structure. Rheological properties, fracture morphology, solubility, and crosslinking density were characterized in detail. Three-ply poplar plywood was fabricated and the wet shear strength was measured. The experimental data showed that the addition of TR improved the moisture uptake, residual rate, and shear strength of SPA. This improvement was attributed to the crosslink reactions of TR with the relevant active functional groups of the side chains of soy protein molecules. The crosslinking structure joined with the TR self-crosslinking structure to form an interpenetrating network, which promoted a uniform and compact cured structure. The 5 wt % TR additions in the SPA was found to yield optimum results by improving the wet shear strength of the plywood by 105.4% to 1.13 MPa, which meets the interior-use plywood requirement. Therefore, the larch tannin could be applied in the modification of soy protein adhesive.
Optimal Experimental Design for Parameter Estimation of an IL-6 Signaling Model
Authors: Sinkoe Andrew , Hahn Juergen
Published: September 2017

IL-6 signaling plays an important role in inflammatory processes in the body. While a number of models for IL-6 signaling are available, the parameters associated with these models vary from case to case as they are non-trivial to determine. In this study, optimal experimental design is utilized to reduce the parameter uncertainty of an IL-6 signaling model consisting of ordinary differential equations, thereby increasing the accuracy of the estimated parameter values and, potentially, the model itself. The D-optimality criterion, operating on the Fisher information matrix and, separately, on a sensitivity matrix computed from the Morris method, was used as the objective function for the optimal experimental design problem. Optimal input functions for model parameter estimation were identified by solving the optimal experimental design problem, and the resulting input functions were shown to significantly decrease parameter uncertainty in simulated experiments. Interestingly, the determined optimal input functions took on the shape of PRBS signals even though there were no restrictions on their nature. Future work should corroborate these findings by applying the determined optimal experimental design on a real experiment.
Black Lesbians to the Rescue! A Brief Correction with Implications for Womanist Christian Theology and Womanist Buddhology
Authors: Yetunde Pamela
Published: September 2017

Foundational Black Womanist Christian Theology has suffered from the focus on Alice Walker’s 1983 four-part womanist definition at the exclusion of her 1979 short story, Coming Apart. The focus on the 1983 definition and the exclusion of Coming Apart has left an invisbilizing effect on the centrality of reliance on African-American lesbian literature and wisdom in womanist Christian methodology. The invisibilization can be corrected, in part, through interpolating Coming Apart with the 1983 definition, utilizing a Black Buddhist lesbian Womanist hermeneutic, and additional Womanist engagement in Womanist Consultations. This correction has implications for Christian theologies that may be heterosexist, homophobic, and patriarchal, Biblical interpretation, preaching, and epistemological processes.
Water Governance in Cambodia: From Centralized Water Governance to Farmer Water User Community
Authors: Sithirith Mak
Published: September 2017

Cambodia has abundant water resources in the wet season and a scarcity of water in the dry season. These phenomena undermine the development in this country and pose a threat to long-term development. Hence, the governance of water becomes critically important for the current and future development of Cambodia. Thus, this study is undertaken to understand the current water governance practice, challenges and constraints that prevent Cambodia from managing water effectively, and identify opportunities to improve it. In doing this, the study examines the water governance in Cambodia from a large-scale water management system and three community-based water resource management systems and farmer water user communities (FWUCs) in three provinces around Cambodia. It concludes that the current water governance practice in Cambodia is still too weak and fragmented to address the water security issues affecting the country, and thus, reorganization of the current structure and system of the water governance framework would be required to address long-term water security issues.
Mapping of the Invasive Species Hakea sericea Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and WorldView-2 Imagery and an Object-Oriented Approach
Authors: Alvarez-Taboada Flor , Paredes Claudio , Julián-Pelaz Julia
Published: September 2017

Invasive plants are non-native species that establish and spread in their new location, generating a negative impact on the local ecosystem and representing one of the most important causes of the extinction of local species. The first step for the control of invasion should be directed at understanding and quantification of their location, extent and evolution, namely the monitoring of the phenomenon. In this sense, the techniques and methods of remote sensing can be very useful. The aim of this paper was to identify and quantify the areas covered by the invasive plant Hakea sericea using high spatial resolution images obtained from aerial platforms (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle: UAV/drone) and orbital platforms (WorldView-2: WV2), following an object-oriented image analysis approach. The results showed that both data were suitable. WV2reached user and producer accuracies greater than 93% (Estimate of Kappa (KHAT): 0.95), while the classifications with the UAV orthophotographs obtained accuracies higher than 75% (KHAT: 0.51). The most suitable data to use as input consisted of using all of the multispectral bands that were available for each image. The addition of textural features did not increase the accuracies for the Hakea sericea class, but it did for the general classification using WV2.
Land Surface Phenology and Seasonality Using Cool Earthlight in Croplands of Eastern Africa and the Linkages to Crop Production
Authors: Alemu Woubet , Henebry Geoffrey
Published: September 2017

Across Eastern Africa, croplands cover 45 million ha. The regional economy is heavily dependent on small holder traditional rain-fed peasant agriculture (up to 90%), which is vulnerable to extreme weather events such as drought and floods that leads to food insecurity. Agricultural production in the region is moisture limited. Weather station data are scarce and access is limited, while optical satellite data are obscured by heavy clouds limiting their value to study cropland dynamics. Here, we characterized cropland dynamics in Eastern Africa for 2003–2015 using precipitation data from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) and a passive microwave dataset of land surface variables that blends data from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) on the Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) from 2002 to 2011 with data from AMSR2 from 2012 to 2015 with a Chinese microwave radiometer to fill the gap. These time series were analyzed in terms of either cumulative precipitable water vapor-days (CVDs) or cumulative actual evapotranspiration-days (CETaDs), rather than as days of the year. Time series of the land surface variables displayed unimodal seasonality at study sites in Ethiopia and South Sudan, in contrast to bimodality at sites in Tanzania. Interannual moisture variability was at its highest at the beginning of the growing season affecting planting times of crops, while it was lowest at the time of peak moisture. Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) from the simple surface energy balance (SSEB) model was sensitive to track both unimodal and bimodal rainfall patterns. ETa as a function of CETaD was better fitted by a quadratic model (r2 > 0.8) than precipitable water vapor was by CVDs (r2 > 0.6). Moisture time to peak (MTP) for the land surface variables showed strong, logical correspondence among variables (r2 > 0.73). Land surface parameters responded to El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole forcings. Area under the curve of the diel difference in vegetation optical depth showed correspondence to crop production and yield data collected by local offices, but not to the data reported at the national scale. A long-term seasonal Mann–Kendall rainfall trend showed a significant decrease for Ethiopia, while the decrement was not significant for Tanzania. While there is significant potential for passive microwave data to augment cropland status and food security monitoring efforts in the region, more research is needed before these data can be used in an operational environment.
Wearable Devices for Classification of Inadequate Posture at Work Using Neural Networks
Authors: Barkallah Eya , Freulard Johan , Otis Martin , Ngomo Suzy , Ayena Johannes , Desrosiers Christian
Published: September 2017

Inadequate postures adopted by an operator at work are among the most important risk factors in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Although several studies have focused on inadequate posture, there is limited information on its identification in a work context. The aim of this study is to automatically differentiate between adequate and inadequate postures using two wearable devices (helmet and instrumented insole) with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) and force sensors. From the force sensors located inside the insole, the center of pressure (COP) is computed since it is considered an important parameter in the analysis of posture. In a first step, a set of 60 features is computed with a direct approach, and later reduced to eight via a hybrid feature selection. A neural network is then employed to classify the current posture of a worker, yielding a recognition rate of 90%. In a second step, an innovative graphic approach is proposed to extract three additional features for the classification. This approach represents the main contribution of this study. Combining both approaches improves the recognition rate to 95%. Our results suggest that neural network could be applied successfully for the classification of adequate and inadequate posture.
Peg-in-Hole Assembly Based on Two-phase Scheme and F/T Sensor for Dual-arm Robot
Authors: Zhang Xianmin , Zheng Yanglong , Ota Jun , Huang Yanjiang
Published: September 2017

This paper focuses on peg-in-hole assembly based on a two-phase scheme and force/torque sensor (F/T sensor) for a compliant dual-arm robot, the Baxter robot. The coordinated operations of human beings in assembly applications are applied to the behaviors of the robot. A two-phase assembly scheme is proposed to overcome the inaccurate positioning of the compliant dual-arm robot. The position and orientation of assembly pieces are adjusted respectively in an active compliant manner according to the forces and torques derived by a six degrees-of-freedom (6-DOF) F/T sensor. Experiments are conducted to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed assembly scheme. The performances of the dual-arm robot are consistent with those of human beings in the peg-in-hole assembly process. The peg and hole with 0.5 mm clearance for round pieces and square pieces can be assembled successfully.
Novelty Detection Classifiers in Weed Mapping: Silybum marianum Detection on UAV Multispectral Images
Authors: Alexandridis Thomas , Tamouridou Afroditi Alexandra , Pantazi Xanthoula Eirini , Lagopodi Anastasia , Kashefi Javid , Ovakoglou Georgios , Polychronos Vassilios , Moshou Dimitrios
Published: September 2017

In the present study, the detection and mapping of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. weed using novelty detection classifiers is reported. A multispectral camera (green-red-NIR) on board a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was employed for obtaining high-resolution images. Four novelty detection classifiers were used to identify S. marianum between other vegetation in a field. The classifiers were One Class Support Vector Machine (OC-SVM), One Class Self-Organizing Maps (OC-SOM), Autoencoders and One Class Principal Component Analysis (OC-PCA). As input features to the novelty detection classifiers, the three spectral bands and texture were used. The S. marianum identification accuracy using OC-SVM reached an overall accuracy of 96%. The results show the feasibility of effective S. marianum mapping by means of novelty detection classifiers acting on multispectral UAV imagery.
Position Fingerprint-Based Beam Selection in Millimeter Wave Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Zhang Zufan , Chen Yanbo
Published: September 2017

The traditional beam selection algorithms determine the optimal beam direction by feeding back the perfect channel state information (CSI) in a millimeter wave (mmWave) massive Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system. Popular beam selection algorithms mostly focus on the methods of feedback and exhaustive search. In order to reduce the extra computational complexity coming from the redundant feedback and exhaustive search, a position fingerprint (PFP)-based mmWave multi-cell beam selection scheme is proposed in this paper. In the proposed scheme, the best beam identity (ID) and the strongest interference beam IDs from adjacent cells of each fingerprint spot are stored in a fingerprint database (FPDB), then the optimal beam and the strongest interference beams can be determined by matching the current PFP of the user equipment (UE) with the PFP in the FPDB instead of exhaustive search, and the orthogonal codes are also allocated to the optimal beam and the strongest interference beams. Simulation results show that the proposed PFP-based beam selection scheme can reduce the computational complexity and inter-cell interference and produce less feedback, and the system sum-rate for the mmWave heterogeneous networks is also improved.
Shia Marriage Practices: Karbala as lieux de mémoire in London
Authors: Shanneik Yafa
Published: September 2017

Muslim marriages have gained much attention in public debates and academic research. This article examines marriage practices among displaced Iraqi Shia migrants in the UK. Only a few studies have examined this group and fewer by investigating their marriage practices as a way to preserve their religious and cultural memory (Halbwachs 1992). The article is based on Pierre Nora’s concept of lieux de mémoire, which refers to spaces, objects or events that have a significant meaning to a particular groups’ collective memory (Nora 1989, 1996). I argue in this paper that the transnational aspects of cultural memory expressed in Shia marriage practices such as rituals, images, and objects among the Iraqi Twelver Shia women in the UK can be regarded as examples of transnational Shia lieux de mémoire. These marriage practices, although appropriated for various personal, social, and religious memories outside of any national framework, are still highly politicized. The article focuses on the practice of sofrat al-‘aqd (for short sofra) that provides women with the ability to articulate their religious and social identity through material objects placed on the sofra that act as women’s transnational Shia lieux de mémoire.
The Effects of a 4-Week, Intensified Training, and Competition Period on Salivary Hormones, Immunoglobulin A, Illness Symptoms, and Mood State in Elite Synchronised Swimmers
Authors: Tanner Amy , Day Shannon
Published: September 2017

Given the limited research into the physiological and psychological demands of elite synchronised swimming, the aim of this study was to examine 10 elite female synchronised swimmers and analyse the relationship between training load, stress, illness episodes, and salivary biomarkers during a period of training and competition. Saliva samples were collected before (BASE), during an intensified training camp (CAMP), during an international competition period (COMP), and post competition recovery (REC) for analysis of cortisol, testosterone, and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). Illness symptoms, Daily Analysis of Life Demands of Athletes (DALDA), and training load were also monitored. Training load significantly increased from BASE during CAMP and COMP (p < 0.01), and SIgA secretion was higher during COMP compared to BASE and CAMP (p < 0.01). There was no change in salivary testosterone; however, salivary cortisol was elevated during COMP compared to BASE (93%, p < 0.05). DALDA ‘a scores’ were correlated with salivary cortisol (r = 0.429, p = 0.0001). The study demonstrates that a short period of intensified training and competition did not have a detrimental effect on mucosal immunity in elite synchronised swimmers; however, swimmers displayed higher cortisol levels during the competition and increased stress symptoms.
Between-Leg Mechanical Differences as Measured by the Bulgarian Split-Squat: Exploring Asymmetries and Relationships with Sprint Acceleration
Authors: Lockie Robert , Risso Fabrice , Lazar Adrina , Giuliano Dominic , Stage Alyssa , Liu Tricia , Beiley Megan , Hurley Jillian , Torne Ibett , Stokes John , Birmingham-Babauta Samantha , Davis DeShaun , Orjalo Ashley , Moreno Matthew
Published: September 2017

Between-leg strength differences can negatively influence sprint acceleration. The challenge is to find a method to measure this within a unilateral exercise. This study analyzed a five repetition-maximum (5RM) Bulgarian split-squat (BSS) to identify between-leg differences for the dominant and non-dominant legs in peak and mean power, force, and velocity as measured by a linear position transducer. Between-leg differences in these variables were correlated with 20-m (0–5, 0–10, 0–20 m intervals) sprint velocity. Eight men were assessed in the 5RM BSS and 20-m sprint. T-tests calculated between-leg differences in power, force, and velocity. Spearman’s correlations calculated relationships between the between-leg differences in the mechanical variables with velocity over each interval. When comparing the dominant and non-dominant legs, there were significant (p = 0.002–0.056) differences in 11 of 12 variables. However, percentage differences were low (~0.3–12%). There was one large, non-significant correlation (best repetition mean force between-leg difference and 0–5 m velocity; ρ = −0.810) out of 36 relationships. The BSS can provide a profile of between-leg differences in power, force, and velocity. There were limited relationships between the BSS between-leg differences and 20-m sprint velocities. Smaller between-leg differences in BSS power, force, and velocity could ensure minimal impact on acceleration.
Applying the Mahalanobis–Taguchi System to Improve Tablet PC Production Processes
Authors: Peng Chi-Feng , Ho Li-Hsing , Tsai Sang-Bing , Hsiao Yin-Cheng , Zhai Yuming , Chen Quan , Chang Li-Chung , Shang Zhiwen
Published: September 2017

Product testing is a critical step in tablet PC manufacturing processes. Purchases of testing equipment and on-site testing personnel increase overall manufacturing costs. In addition, to improve manufacturing capabilities, manufacturers must also produce products with higher quality and at a lower cost than their competitors if they are to attract consumers and gain a competitive edge in their industry. The Mahalanobis–Taguchi System (MTS) is a novel technique proposed by Genichi Taguchi for performing diagnoses and forecasting with multivariate data. The MTS can be used to select important factors and has been applied in numerous engineering fields to improve product and process quality. In the present study, the MTS, logistic regression, and a neural network were used to improve the tablet PC product testing process. The results indicated that the MTS attained 98% predictive power after insignificant test items were eliminated. The MTS performance was superior to those of the conventional logistic regression and neural network, which attained 93.3% and 94.7% predictive power, respectively. After the testing process was improved using the MTS, the number of test items in the tablet PC product testing process was reduced from 56 to 14. This facilitated the development of more stable test site configurations and effectively reduced the testing time, number of testers required, and equipment costs.
Parallelization of Modified Merge Sort Algorithm
Authors: Marszałek Zbigniew
Published: September 2017

Modern architectures make possible development in new algorithms for large data sets and distributed computing. The newly proposed versions can benefit both from faster computing on the multi core architectures, and intelligent programming techniques that use efficient procedures available in the latest programming studios. Frequently used algorithms to sort arrays of data in NoSQL databases is merge sort, where as NoSQL we understand any database without typical SQL programming interpreter. The author describes how to use the parallelization of the sorting processes for the modified method of sorting by merging for large data sets. The subject of this research is the claim that the parallelization of the sorting method is faster and beneficial for multi-core systems. Presented results show how the number of processors influences the sorting performance. The results are presented in theoretical assumptions and confirmed in practical benchmark tests. The method is compared to other sorting methods like quick sort, heap sort, and merge sort to show potential efficiency.
Immune Evasion Strategies during Chronic Hepatitis B and C Virus Infection
Authors: Ortega-Prieto Ana , Dorner Marcus
Published: September 2017

Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are a major global healthcare problem with more than 240 million and 70 million infected, respectively. Both viruses persist within the liver and result in progressive liver disease, resulting in liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Strikingly, this pathogenesis is largely driven by immune responses, unable to clear an established infection, rather than by the viral pathogens themselves. Even though disease progression is very similar in both infections, HBV and HCV have evolved distinct mechanisms, by which they ensure persistence within the host. Whereas HCV utilizes a cloak-and-dagger approach, disguising itself as a lipid-like particle and immediately crippling essential pattern-recognition pathways, HBV has long been considered a “stealth” virus, due to the complete absence of innate immune responses during infection. Recent developments and access to improved model systems, however, revealed that even though it is among the smallest human-tropic viruses, HBV may, in addition to evading host responses, employ subtle immune evasion mechanisms directed at ensuring viral persistence in the absence of host responses. In this review, we compare the different strategies of both viruses to ensure viral persistence by actively interfering with viral recognition and innate immune responses.
Changes of Permeability of Nonwoven Geotextiles due to Clogging and Cyclic Water Flow in Laboratory Conditions
Authors: Miszkowska Anna , Lenart Stanislav , Koda Eugeniusz
Published: September 2017

The use of geotextile filters has been a common application in geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering for decades. The purpose of the present paper is to assess the influence of artificial physical clogging and cyclic water flow on the water permeability characteristics of nonwoven geotextiles used commonly in filter and drainage systems. Despite many studies examining the behavior of soil-geosynthetics, the mechanism of physical clogging is not fully understood yet and remains incompletely defined. Artificial clogging and cyclic water flow tests have been conducted according to a procedure created by the authors. Three nonwoven geotextiles and silty sand were employed in the test series. Hydraulic properties of the tested geosynthetics were determined according to the ISO standard. Filter design criteria are also discussed. The paper also presents the changes of water permeability characteristics due to clogging and cyclic water flow. The results show significant decrease of water permeability coefficients of the tested nonwoven geotextiles after artificial clogging and under cyclic water flow. Furthermore, the clogging mechanism was observed and confirmed by three-dimensional computed tomography.
Patterns of Spread and Prognostic Implications of Lung Cancer Metastasis in an Era of Driver Mutations
Authors: Hsu Fred , De Caluwe A. , Anderson D. , Nichol A. , Toriumi T. , Ho C.
Published: September 2017

Background: In the present study, we examined the pattern of metastatic spread in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the effect of EGFR mutations. Methods: Patients were identified from a provincial cancer registry, and individual medical records were reviewed. Patients were included if they had stage IV NSCLC and underwent diagnostic EGFR mutation testing. Patients were divided into EGFR mutation-positive (EGFR+) and EGFR wild type (WT) cohorts. The primary endpoint was the cumulative incidence for each metastatic site: lung, bone, brain, liver, adrenal glands, distant nodes, and other. Cumulative incidence curves were estimated using a competing-risks method. The secondary outcome was survival. Results: Of the 543 identified patients, 121 (22.3%) tested as EGFR+, and 422 (77.7%) tested as EGFR WT. The incidence of brain (39.2% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.038) and lung (61.2% vs. 51.0%, p = 0.048) metastasis was higher in the EGFR+ cohort than in the EGFR WT cohort. In the EGFR+ cohort, a higher incidence of liver metastasis was associated with the exon 21 mutation subtype than with the exon 19 deletion subtype [23% vs. 7%, p < 0.01; hazard ratio (HR): 3.47]. Median survival was significantly longer for the EGFR+ cohort than for the EGFR WT cohort (22.4 months vs. 7.9 months, p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, brain (HR: 1.73), liver (HR: 1.69), and bone (HR: 1.89) metastases were associated with worse survival. Conclusions: Rates of lung and brain metastases are higher in EGFR mutation carriers, even when adjusted for differences in survival. Brain, liver, and bone metastases are independent negative prognostic factors for survival.
Real-Life Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer with Regorafenib: A Single-Centre Review
Authors: Gotfrit J. , Vickers M. , Sud S. , Asmis T. , Cripps C. , Goel R. , Hsu T. , Jonker D. , Goodwin R.
Published: September 2017

Background: Various tyrosine kinase signalling pathways affect the development and progression of colorectal cancer (crc). In clinical trials, regorafenib has been associated with a survival benefit in metastatic crc (mcrc). We assessed the safety and efficacy of regorafenib in real-world patients. Methods: In a retrospective review of patients with mcrc treated with regorafenib at our institution from 2013 to 2015, patient demographics, treatment, and survival data were collected. Progression-free survival (pfs) and overall survival (os) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: In total, 48 patients were offered regorafenib, and 35 (73%) started treatment. Of the patients who started regorafenib, 57% were men. Median age in the cohort was 61 years, and all patients had a performance status in the range 0–2. Time from diagnosis of mcrc to regorafenib treatment was more than 18 months in 71% of patients. Starting dose was 160 mg in 54% of the patients, 120 mg in 40%, and 80 mg in 6%. Dose reductions occurred in 34% of the patients, and interruptions, in 29%. Best response was progressive disease (60%) and stable disease (17%); response in the rest of the patients was unknown. The most common adverse events on regorafenib (any grade) were fatigue (57%), hyperbilirubinemia (43%), thrombocytopenia (37%), anorexia (31%), and hypertension (31%). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events were fatigue (29%), hypophosphatemia (17%), weight loss (11%), and hyperbilirubinemia (9%). Common reasons for discontinuing regorafenib included progressive disease (51%) and toxicity (26%). In patients treated with regorafenib, pfs was 2.4 months (95% confidence interval: 1.8 to 3.3 months) and os was 5.6 months (95% confidence interval: 3.7 to 8.9 months). No factors were associated with survival in univariate or multivariate analysis. Conclusions: In a real-world setting, regorafenib is associated with survival similar to that reported in the randomized controlled trials, but at the expense of toxicity leading to discontinuation in many patients. Future studies of regorafenib should focus on identifying the patients most likely to benefit and on minimizing toxicity.
Pomalidomide Desensitization in a Patient Hypersensitive to Immunomodulating Agents
Authors: Seki J.T. , Sakurai N. , Lam W. , Reece D.E.
Published: September 2017

Despite progressive treatments with tandem stem-cell transplantation, patients with incurable myeloma eventually succumb to relapsed or refractory disease if left untreated. Promising agents such as proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulating imide drugs (IMiDS), including the newer-generation agent pomalidomide, in combination with lower-dose dexamethasone, have been shown to be effective and to significantly improve and prolong survival in pretreated patients. Although the incidence of pomalidomide hypersensitivity reaction (HSR) in this class of drugs is not as well known, we have documented cutaneous toxicity (grade 3 by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4) in 2 separate cases (not yet published). Because the IMiDS are chemically, structurally, and pharmacologically similar, it is not unreasonable to consider possible cross-reactivity in pomalidomide recipients who developed HSR when receiving previous lines of IMiDS. As a patient’s advocate, it is only prudent to provide a responsible, and yet practical, means to better address cross-sensitivity for patients. Intervention with the use of a rapid desensitization program (RDP) as a preventive measure should be introduced before initiating pomalidomide. Such a proactive measure for the patient’s safety will ensure a smooth transition into pomalidomide treatment. A HSR can be either related or non-related to immunoglobulin E. As IMiDS become an essential treatment backbone for myeloma and other plasma-cell diseases, an increasing number of patients could experience skin and other life-threatening toxicities, resulting in unnecessary discontinuation of these life-prolonging agents. An extemporaneously prepared pomalidomide suspension developed at our centre enables patients to undergo RDP safely. Patients enjoy a good quality of life and clinical response after the RDP procedure.
Treatment Patterns and Trends in Patients Dying of Prostate Cancer in Quebec: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Dragomir A. , Rocha J. , Vanhuyse M. , Cury F.L. , Kassouf W. , Hu J. , Aprikian A.G.
Published: September 2017

Introduction: Since just after the year 2000 in Quebec, the management of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) has evolved considerably, with the inclusion of docetaxel-based chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapies (zoledronic acid and denosumab), and more recently, abiraterone, enzalutamide, and cabazitaxel for docetaxel-refractory patients. In the present study, we aimed to analyze contemporary mCRPC management patterns and therapy utilization trends in Quebec. Methods: The study cohort consisted of patients dying of prostate cancer (PCA) between January 2001 and December 2013, selected from Quebec public health care insurance databases. Patient selection was based on death from a PCA-related cause or therapy used according to the Canadian Urological Association guidelines on mCRPC management. Treatments included chemotherapy (mitoxantrone before 2005 and docetaxel after 2005), abiraterone, bone-targeted therapy (zoledronic acid or denosumab, or both), and palliative radiation therapy (RT). During the study period, neither enzalutamide nor cabazitaxel was publicly reimbursed in Quebec, and as a result, no capture of their use was possible for this study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with the probability of receiving chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapies, and palliative RT before death from PCA. Results: Overall, the database search identified 3106 patients who died of PCA between January 2001 and December 2013. Median age of death was 78 years. Of those 3106 patients, just 2568 (83%) received mCRPC-specific treatments: chemotherapy, abiraterone, palliative RT, or bone-targeted therapy; the other 17% of the patients were managed solely with maximum androgen blockade (androgen deprivation therapy plus anti-androgens) despite a record of PCA-related death. Logistic regression analyses indicate that patients dying after 2005 were more likely to have received chemotherapy [odds ratio (OR): 1.51; 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.85] and bone-targeted therapy (OR: 1.97; 95% CI: 1.64 to 2.37). Age was a significant predictor for the use of chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapy, and palliative RT (ORS in the range 0.96–0.98, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patient age seems to be a strong determinant in the of selection mCRPC therapy, affecting the probability of the use of chemotherapy, bone-targeted therapy, or palliative RT. Although chemotherapy is still used only in a small percentage of patients, the introduction of new therapies—such as bone-targeted therapy, docetaxel, and abiraterone—affected treatment selection over time. The availability of enzalutamide since February 2014 will likely produce additional changes in mCRPC management.
Synthesis and functionalization of NaGdF4:Yb,Er@NaGdF4 core–shell nanoparticles for possible application as multimodal contrast agents
Authors: Baziulyte-Paulaviciene Dovile , Karabanovas Vitalijus , Stasys Marius , Jarockyte Greta , Poderys Vilius , Sakirzanovas Simas , Rotomskis Ricardas
Published: September 2017

Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising, new imaging probes capable of serving as multimodal contrast agents. In this study, monodisperse and ultrasmall core and core–shell UCNPs were synthesized via a thermal decomposition method. Furthermore, it was shown that the epitaxial growth of a NaGdF4 optical inert layer covering the NaGdF4:Yb,Er core effectively minimizes surface quenching due to the spatial isolation of the core from the surroundings. The mean diameter of the synthesized core and core–shell nanoparticles was ≈8 and ≈16 nm, respectively. Hydrophobic UCNPs were converted into hydrophilic ones using a nonionic surfactant Tween 80. The successful coating of the UCNPs by Tween 80 has been confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL) spectra and magnetic resonance (MR) T1 relaxation measurements were used to characterize the size, crystal structure, optical and magnetic properties of the core and core–shell nanoparticles. Moreover, Tween 80-coated core–shell nanoparticles presented enhanced optical and MR signal intensity, good colloidal stability, low cytotoxicity and nonspecific internalization into two different breast cancer cell lines, which indicates that these nanoparticles could be applied as an efficient, dual-modal contrast probe for in vivo bioimaging.
Mechanochemical synthesis of thioureas, ureas and guanidines
Authors: Štrukil Vjekoslav
Published: September 2017

In this review, the recent progress in the synthesis of ureas, thioureas and guanidines by solid-state mechanochemical ball milling is highlighted. While the literature is abundant on their preparation in conventional solution environment, it was not until the advent of solvent-free manual grinding using a mortar and pestle and automated ball milling that new synthetic opportunities have opened. The mechanochemical approach not only has enabled the quantitative synthesis of (thio)ureas and guanidines without using bulk solvents and the generation of byproducts, but it has also been established as a means to develop "click-type" chemistry for these classes of compounds and the concept of small molecule desymmetrization. Moreover, mechanochemistry has been demonstrated as an effective tool in reaction discovery, with emphasis on the reactivity differences in solution and in the solid state. These three classes of organic compounds share some structural features which are reflected in their physical and chemical properties, important for application as organocatalysts and sensors. On the other hand, the specific and unique nature of each of these functionalities render (thio)ureas and guanidines as the key constituents of pharmaceuticals and other biologically active compounds.
FIGS—Faint Infrared Grism Survey: Description and Data Reduction
Authors: Pirzkal Norbert , Malhotra Sangeeta , Ryan Russell E. , Rothberg Barry , Grogin Norman , Finkelstein Steven L. , Koekemoer Anton M. , Rhoads James , Larson Rebecca L. , Christensen Lise , Cimatti Andrea , Ferreras Ignacio , Gardner Jonathan P. , Gronwall Caryl , Hathi Nimish P. , Hibon Pascale , Joshi Bhavin , Kuntschner Harald , Meurer Gerhardt R. , O’Connell Robert W. , Oestlin Goeran , Pasquali Anna , Pharo John , Straughn Amber N. , Walsh Jeremy R. , Watson Darach , Windhorst Rogier A. , Zakamska Nadia L , Zirm Andrew
Published: September 2017

The Faint Infrared Grism Survey (FIGS) is a deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3/IR (Wide Field Camera 3 Infrared) slitless spectroscopic survey of four deep fields. Two fields are located in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-North (GOODS-N) area and two fields are located in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey-South (GOODS-S) area. One of the southern fields selected is the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. Each of these four fields were observed using the WFC3/G102 grism (0.8 μm–1.15 μm continuous coverage) with a total exposure time of 40 orbits (≈100 kilo-seconds) per field. This reaches a

continuum depth of

AB magnitudes and probes emission lines to

. This paper details the four FIGS fields and the overall observational strategy of the project. A detailed description of the Simulation Based Extraction (SBE) method used to extract and combine over 10,000 spectra of over 2000 distinct sources brighter than

mag is provided. High fidelity simulations of the observations is shown to significantly improve the background subtraction process, the spectral contamination estimates, and the final flux calibration. This allows for the combination of multiple spectra to produce a final high quality, deep, 1D spectra for each object in the survey.
Simultaneous X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Radio Observations of the Repeating Fast Radio Burst FRB 121102
Authors: Scholz P. , Bogdanov S. , Hessels J. W. T. , Lynch R. S. , Spitler L. G. , Bassa C. G. , Bower G. C. , Burke-Spolaor S. , Butler B. J. , Chatterjee S. , Cordes J. M. , Gourdji K. , Kaspi V. M. , Law C. J. , Marcote B. , McLaughlin M. A. , Michilli D. , Paragi Z. , Ransom S. M. , Seymour A. , Tendulkar S. P. , Wharton R. S.
Published: September 2017

We undertook coordinated campaigns with the Green Bank, Effelsberg, and Arecibo radio telescopes during Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton observations of the repeating fast radio burst FRB 121102 to search for simultaneous radio and X-ray bursts. We find 12 radio bursts from FRB 121102 during 70 ks total of X-ray observations. We detect no X-ray photons at the times of radio bursts from FRB 121102 and further detect no X-ray bursts above the measured background at any time. We place a 5σ upper limit of 3 × 10−11 erg cm−2 on the 0.5–10 keV fluence for X-ray bursts at the time of radio bursts for durations

ms, which corresponds to a burst energy of 4 × 1045 erg at the measured distance of FRB 121102. We also place limits on the 0.5–10 keV fluence of 5 × 10−10 and 1 × 10−9 erg cm−2 for bursts emitted at any time during the XMM-Newton and Chandra observations, respectively, assuming a typical X-ray burst duration of 5 ms. We analyze data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Gamma-ray Burst Monitor and place a 5σ upper limit on the 10–100 keV fluence of 4 × 10−9 erg cm−2 (5 × 1047 erg at the distance of FRB 121102) for gamma-ray bursts at the time of radio bursts. We also present a deep search for a persistent X-ray source using all of the X-ray observations taken to date and place a 5σ upper limit on the 0.5–10 keV flux of 4 × 10−15 erg s−1 cm−2 (3 × 1041 erg s−1 at the distance of FRB 121102). We discuss these non-detections in the context of the host environment of FRB 121102 and of possible sources of fast radio bursts in general.
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping Project: Composite Lags at z ≤ 1
Authors: Li Jennifer , Shen Yue , Horne Keith , Brandt W. N. , Greene Jenny E. , Grier C. J. , Ho Luis C. , Kochanek Chris , Schneider Donald P. , Trump Jonathan R. , Dawson Kyle S. , Pan Kaike , Bizyaev Dmitry , Oravetz Daniel , Simmons Audrey , Malanushenko Elena
Published: September 2017

We present composite broad-line region (BLR) reverberation mapping lag measurements for Hα, Hβ, He ii
λ4686, and Mg ii for a sample of 144, z ≲ 1 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Reverberation Mapping (SDSS-RM) project. Using only the 32-epoch spectroscopic light curves in the first six-month season of SDSS-RM observations, we compile correlation function measurements for individual objects and then coadd them to allow the measurement of the average lags for our sample at mean redshifts of 0.4 (for Hα) and ∼0.65 (for the other lines). At similar quasar luminosities and redshifts, the sample-averaged lag decreases in the order of Mg ii, Hα, Hβ, and He ii. This decrease in lags is accompanied by an increase in the mean line width of the four lines, and is roughly consistent with the virialized motion for BLR gas in photoionization equilibrium. These are among the first RM measurements of stratified BLR structure at z > 0.3. Dividing our sample by luminosity, Hα shows clear evidence of increasing lags with luminosity, consistent with the expectation from the measured BLR size–luminosity relation based on Hβ. The other three lines do not show a clear luminosity trend in their average lags due to the limited dynamic range of luminosity probed and the poor average correlation signals in the divided samples, a situation that will be improved with the incorporation of additional photometric and spectroscopic data from SDSS-RM. We discuss the utility and caveats of composite lag measurements for large statistical quasar samples with reverberation mapping data.
Probing the Physics of Narrow-line Regions in Active Galaxies. IV. Full Data Release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7)
Authors: Thomas Adam D. , Dopita Michael A. , Shastri Prajval , Davies Rebecca , Hampton Elise , Kewley Lisa , Banfield Julie , Groves Brent , James Bethan L. , Jin Chichuan , Juneau Stéphanie , Kharb Preeti , Sairam Lalitha , Scharwächter Julia , Shalima P. , Sundar M. N. , Sutherland Ralph , Zaw Ingyin
Published: September 2017

We present the second and final data release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7). Data are presented for 63 new galaxies not included in the first data release, and we provide 2D emission-line fitting products for the full S7 sample of 131 galaxies. The S7 uses the WiFeS instrument on the ANU 2.3 m telescope to obtain spectra with a spectral resolution of R = 7000 in the red (540–700 nm) and R = 3000 in the blue (350–570 nm), over an integral field of 25 × 38 arcsec2 with 1 × 1 arcsec2 spatial pixels. The S7 contains both the largest sample of active galaxies and the highest spectral resolution of any comparable integral field survey to date. The emission-line fitting products include line fluxes, velocities, and velocity dispersions across the WiFeS field of view, and an artificial neural network has been used to determine the optimal number of Gaussian kinematic components for emission-lines in each spaxel. Broad Balmer lines are subtracted from the spectra of nuclear spatial pixels in Seyfert 1 galaxies before fitting the narrow lines. We bin nuclear spectra and measure reddening-corrected nuclear fluxes of strong narrow lines for each galaxy. The nuclear spectra are classified on optical diagnostic diagrams, where the strength of the coronal line [Fe vii] λ6087 is shown to be correlated with [O iii]/Hβ. Maps revealing gas excitation and kinematics are included for the entire sample, and we provide notes on the newly observed objects.