bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Investigation on Resorcinarenes towards either Inhibiting or Promoting Insulin Fibrillation
Authors: Han Xu , Tian Chuan , Gandra Ingrid , Eslava Valeria , Galindres Diana , Vargas Edgar , Leblanc Roger
Published: November 2017

Different tail‐engineered resorcinarenes have been examined for insulin fibrillation by experimental and computational studies. The resorcinarene showed a promising effect on the inhibition of insulin fibrillation, studied using a ThT assay, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Both the ThT assay and computational results indicate the tail from the resorcinarene has an impact on insulin fibrillation by either inhibition or promotion because of the resident position on insulin. These observations have significant biological implications in the design of drug molecules as well as the development of potential therapeutic strategies.
Teaching Old Compounds New Tricks: DDQ‐Photocatalyzed C−H Amination of Arenes with Carbamates, Urea, and N‐Heterocycles
Authors: Das Somnath , Natarajan Palani , König Burkhard
Published: November 2017

The C−H amination of benzene derivatives was achieved using DDQ as photocatalyst and BocNH2 as the amine source under aerobic conditions and visible light irradiation. Electron‐deficient and electron‐rich benzenes react as substrates with moderate to good product yields. The amine scope of the reaction comprises Boc‐amine, carbamates, pyrazoles, sulfonimides and urea. Preliminary mechanistic investigations indicate arene oxidation by the triplet of DDQ to radical cations with different electrophilicity and a charge transfer complex between the amine and DDQ as intermediate of the reaction.
Kinetic studies on Al3+ removal from phosphoric acid by cation exchange resin
Authors: Tang Cong , Qiu Yi , Wang Ye , Wang Xinlong , Zhang Zhiye , Yang Lin
Published: November 2017

An investigation on the removal of aluminum ions from phosphoric acid by ion exchange resin (001 × 7)732 was carried out for optimizing the wet process of phosphoric acid (WPA). Various parameters such as contact time, temperature, ratio between resin and solution, and agitation speed were studied to evaluate their effects on the ion exchange equilibrium and optimizing the process conditions. The experimental conditions of temperature 40 °C, contact time 20 min, ratio between resin and solution 50 g/200 g, and agitation speed 500 rpm could get the best sorption capacity at 6.62 × 10−3 g/g and removal efficiency at 49.8 %. Empirical kinetic equations such as pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic equations, and broadly applicable diffusion models such as film diffusion, pore diffusion, and moving boundary process were employed to process the dates. Results showed the ion exchange process followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. In addition, the rate limiting steps in the ion exchange reaction were both of film and particle diffusion. The activation energy (10.77 KJ/mol) also indicated a diffusion controlled process. Furthermore scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with X‐ray energy dispersed spectrometer and FTIR analyses for the resin before and after aluminum adsorption, demonstrated that aluminum containing nodules existed in the interior of the resin, the functional group is −SO3−.
Time‐Periodic Forcing and Asymptotic Stability for the Navier‐Stokes‐Maxwell Equations
Authors: Ibrahim S. , Lemarié Rieusset P. G. , Masmoudi N.
Published: November 2017

For the three‐dimensional Navier‐Stokes‐Maxwell problem on the whole space and in the presence of external time‐periodic forces, first we study the existence of time‐periodic small solutions, and then we prove their asymptotic stability. We use a new type of spaces to account for averaged decay in time.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A damped precipitation‐driven, bottom‐up model for deer mouse population abundance in the northwestern United States
Authors: Gorosito Irene L. , Douglass Richard J.
Published: November 2017

Small‐mammal population densities can be regulated by bottom‐up (food availability) and top‐down (predation) forces. In 1993, an El Niño Southern Oscillation event was followed by a cluster of human hantavirus with pulmonary syndrome in the southwestern United States. An upward trophic cascade hypothesis was proposed as an explanation for the outbreak: Increased plant productivity as a consequence of El Niño precipitations led to an unusual increase in distribution and abundance of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus; reservoir host of Sin Nombre virus). Could such drastic events occur in mesic habitats, where plant productivity in response to climate conditions is likely to be much less dramatic? In this work, we investigate to what extent deer mouse populations follow a precipitation‐driven, bottom‐up model in central and western Montana and discuss important conditions for such a model to be possible. We found positive correlations between deer mouse abundance and on‐the‐ground measured plant productivity with a several‐month lag in three of six study sites. This effect was weaker when deer mouse populations were more abundant, indicating density‐dependent effects. Dispersal resulting from territoriality may be important in attenuating local density increments in spite of high food availability. In addition, there is evidence that population abundance in the study area could respond to other abiotic factors. In particular, precipitation in the form of snow may reduce deer mice survival, thus compensating the benefits of improved plant productivity. Deer mouse populations in Montana study sites follow complex dynamics determined by multiple limiting factors, leading to a damped precipitation‐driven bottom‐up regulation. This prevents dramatic changes in rodent abundances after sudden increments of food availability, such as those observed in other regions.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Base‐Promoted Arylation of Unactivated C(sp3)–H Bonds by Aryl Iodides: A Practical Approach To Synthesize β‐Aryl Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Authors: Gou Quan , Liu Gang , Zhou Lanxiu , Chen Suiyun , Qin Jun
Published: November 2017

A highly efficient protocol for the β‐arylation of carboxylic amides by aryl iodides under PdCl2(CH3CN)2/CsOAc catalysis was developed. This method was found to tolerate a broad scope of substrates and was successfully employed in the preparation of a variety of β‐aryl α‐amino and γ‐amino acid derivatives. The utility of this method was further illustrated in the synthesis of the psychotropic drug (±)‐phenibut and β‐aryl bile acid analogues.
The Hybrid of Gold Nanoparticles and 3D Flower‐like MnO2 Nanostructure with Enhanced Activity for Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Sheng Qinglin , Qiao Xiujuan , Zheng Jianbin
Published: November 2017

3D Flower‐like manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanostructure with the ability of catalysis for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and super large area that can support gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with enhanced activity of electron transfer have been developed. The nanostructure of hybrids was prepared by directly mixing citric‐capped AuNPs and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3‐APTES)‐capped nano‐MnO2 using an electrostatic adsorption strategy. The Au‐MnO2 composite was extensively characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) method and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). Electrochemical properties were evaluated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and amperometric method. The prepared sensor showed excellent electrochemical properties towards H2O2 with a wide linear range from 2.5×10−3∼1.39 mM and 3.89∼13.89 mM. The detection limit is 0.34 μM (S/N=3) with the sensitivities of 169.43 μA mM−1 cm−2 and 55.72 μA mM−1 cm−2. The detection of real samples was also studied. The result exhibited that the prepared sensor can be used for H2O2 detection in real samples.
Internal Partial Oxidation Reforming of Butane and Steam Reforming of Ethanol for Anode‐supported Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Sumi H. , Yamaguchi T. , Shimada H. , Fujishiro Y. , Awano M.
Published: November 2017

Internal partial oxidation reforming of butane and steam reforming of ethanol were investigated using microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) supported on nickel‐gadolinia doped ceria (Ni‐GDC) anodes for portable power sources in emergency situations and for mobilities, such as vehicles, robots and drones. At an oxygen/carbon (O/C) ratio of 1.0, which is a coking condition in the equilibrium, the Ni‐GDC anode deteriorated for 28 h by internal partial oxidation of butane at 650 °C. However, power generation was also impossible after 8 h and 79 h at steam/carbon (S/C) = 1.0 and 1.5, respectively, by internal steam reforming of ethanol despite of no carbon deposition condition in the equilibrium at 650 °C. Power can be generated for more than 100 h at O/C = 1.5 in butane and at S/C = 2.0 in ethanol. For internal partial oxidation reforming of methane and steam reforming of ethanol in SOFCs, the O/C and S/C ratios are significantly important to prevent carbon deposition on the Ni‐GDC anode.
Time‐varying suspended sediment‐discharge rating curves to estimate climate impacts on fluvial sediment transport
Authors: Ahn Kuk‐Hyun , Steinschneider Scott
Published: November 2017

This study presents time‐varying suspended sediment‐discharge rating curves to model suspended‐sediment concentrations (SSCs) under alternative climate scenarios. The proposed models account for hysteresis at multiple time scales, with particular attention given to systematic shifts in sediment transport following large floods (long‐term hysteresis). A series of nested formulations are tested to evaluate the elements embedded in the proposed models in a case study watershed that supplies drinking water to New York City. To maximize available data for model development, a dynamic regression model is used to estimate SSC based on denser records of turbidity, where the parameters of this regression are allowed to vary over time to account for potential changes in the turbidity‐SSC relationship. After validating the proposed rating curves, we compare simulations of SSC among a subset of models in a climate change impact assessment using an ensemble of flow simulations generated using a stochastic weather generator and hydrologic model. We also examine SSC estimates under synthetic floods generated using a peaks‐over‐threshold model. Our results indicate that estimates of extreme SSC under new climate and hydrologic scenarios can vary widely depending on the selected model and may be significantly underestimated if long‐term hysteresis is ignored when simulating impacts under sequences of large storm event. Based on the climate change scenarios explored here, average annual maximum SSC could increase by as much as 2.45 times over historical values.
Matsubara–Takahashi cervix‐holding technique for massive postpartum hemorrhage in patients with placenta previa with or without placenta accreta spectrum disorders
Authors: Takahashi Hironori , Ohkuchi Akihide , Usui Rie , Suzuki Hirotada , Baba Yosuke , Matsubara Shigeki
Published: November 2017

Objective

To determine the efficacy and safety of the Matsubara–Takahashi cervix‐holding technique (MT‐holding) for achieving hemostasis for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Methods

The present retrospective observational study included data from deliveries that occurred between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2014, at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan. Deliveries were included where patients experienced blood loss greater than 2500 mL and MT‐holding was used. The success rates of the technique in patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders and PPH were determined; subsequent pregnancy outcomes were also examined.

Results

There were 53 deliveries included in the study; 29 patients had placenta previa and 8 of these patients also had PAS disorders. MT‐holding achieved hemostasis in 15 (71%) and 4 (50%) patients with placenta previa without and with PAS disorders, respectively; the placenta was removed in the latter. Overall, MT‐holding achieved hemostasis in 40 (75%) deliveries. Of nine patients who became pregnant after this procedure, six went on to have full‐term deliveries.

Conclusion

MT‐holding achieved hemostasis in 50% of patients with PAS disorders and had an overall success rate of 75% for PPH, comparable to other uterus‐sparing procedures. MT‐holding is suggested as a simple, effective, safe technique available to less‐experienced obstetrician; these findings require confirmation in larger studies.
Drug interaction at hERG channel: In vitro assessment of the electrophysiological consequences of drug combinations and comparison against theoretical models
Authors: Wiśniowska Barbara , Lisowski Bartosz , Kulig Magdalena , Polak Sebastian
Published: November 2017

Drugs carry a proarrhythmic risk, which gets even greater when they are used in combination. In vitro assessment of the proarrhythmic potential of drugs is limited to one compound and thus neglects the potential of drug–drug interactions, including those involving active metabolites. Here we present the results of an in vitro study of potential drug–drug interactions at the level of the hERG channel for the combination of up to three compounds: loratadine, desloratadine and ketoconazole. Experiments were performed at room temperature on an automated patch‐clamp device CytoPatch 2, with the use of heterogeneously, stably transfected HEK cells. Single drugs, pairs and triplets were used. The results provided as the inhibition of the IKr current for pairs were compared against the calculated theoretical interaction. Models applied to calculate the combined effect of inhibitory actions of simultaneously given drugs include: (1) simple additive model with a maximal inhibition limit of 1 (all channels blocked in 100%); (2) Bliss independence; and (3) Loewe additivity. The observed IC50 values for loratadine, desloratadine and ketoconazole were 5.15, 1.95 and 0.74 μm respectively. For the combination of drugs tested in pairs, the effect was concentration dependent. In lower concentrations, the synergistic effect was observed, while for the highest tested concentrations it was subadditive. To triple the effect, it was subadditive regardless of concentrations. The square root of sum of squares of differences between the observed and predicted total inhibition was calculated to assess the theoretical interaction models. For most of the drugs, the allotopic model offered the best fit.
Apoptotic and antiproliferative properties of 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐steroidal congeners from a partially purified column fraction of Dendronephthya gigantea against HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cancer cells
Authors: Fernando I. P. Shanura , Sanjeewa K. K. Asanka , Kim Hyun‐Soo , Wang Lei , Lee Won Woo , Jeon You‐Jin
Published: November 2017

Organisms belonging to the genus Dendronephthya are among a group of marine invertebrates that produce a variety of terpenoids with biofunctional properties. Many of these terpenoids have been proven effective as anticancer drugs. Here, we report the antiproliferative effect of 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐steroidal congeners against the proliferation of HL‐60 human leukemia cells and MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells. The sterol‐rich fraction (DGEHF2‐1) inhibited the growth of HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cells with IC50 values of 13.59 ± 1.40 and 29.41 ± 0.87 μg ml–1 respectively. Treatment with DGEHF2‐1 caused a dose‐dependent increase in apoptotic body formation, DNA damage and the sub‐G1 apoptotic cell population. Moreover, DGEHF2‐1 downregulated the expression of Bcl‐xL while upregulating Bax, caspase‐9, and PARP cleavage in both HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cells. The steroid fraction was found to act via the mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis pathway. Identification of the sterols was performed via gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Studying the mechanism of the anticancer effect caused by these sterol derivatives could lead to the identification of other natural products with anticancer properties.
Development of biomimetic thermoplastic polyurethane/fibroin small‐diameter vascular grafts via a novel electrospinning approach
Authors: Yu Emily , Mi Hao‐Yang , Zhang Jue , Thomson James A. , Turng Lih‐Sheng
Published: November 2017

A new electrospinning approach for fabricating vascular grafts with a layered, circumferentially aligned, and micro‐wavy fibrous structure similar to natural elastic tissues has been developed. The customized electrospinning collector was able to generate wavy fibers using the dynamic “jump rope” collecting process, which also solved the sample removal problem for mandrel‐type collectors. In this study, natural silk fibroin and synthetic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were combined at different weight ratios to produce hybrid small‐diameter vascular grafts. The purpose of combining these two materials was to leverage the bioactivity and tunable mechanical properties of these natural and synthetic materials. Results showed that the electrospun fiber morphology was highly influenced by the material compositions and solvents employed. All of the TPU/fibroin hybrid grafts had mechanical properties comparable to natural blood vessels. The circumferentially aligned and wavy biomimetic configuration provided the grafts with a sufficient toe region and the capacity for long‐term usage under repeated dilatation and contraction. Cell culture tests with human endothelial cells (EC) also revealed high cell viability and good biocompatibility for these grafts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 985–996, 2018.
The molecular basis of cytotoxicity of α‐spinasterol from Ganoderma resinaceum: Induction of apoptosis and overexpression of p53 in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines
Authors: Sedky Nada K. , El Gammal Zaynab H. , Wahba Amir E. , Mosad Eman , Waly Zahraa Y. , El‐Fallal Amira Ali , Arafa Reem K. , El‐Badri Nagwa
Published: November 2017

Despite advances in therapy of breast and ovarian cancers, they still remain among the most imperative causes of cancer death in women. The first can be considered one of the most widespread diseases among females, while the latter is more lethal and needs prompt treatment. Thus, the research field can still benefit from discovery of new compounds that can be of potential use in management of these grave illnesses. We hereby aimed to assess the antitumor activity of the phytosterol α‐spinasterol isolated from Ganoderma resinaceum mushroom on human breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231), as well as, on human ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV‐3). The anti‐tumor activity of α‐spinasterol, isolated from the mycelial extract of the Egyptian G. resinaceum, on human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT cell viability assay and AnnexinV/propidium iodide apoptosis assay. The molecular mechanism underlying this effect was assessed by the relative expression of the following markers; tumor suppressor (p53, BRCA1, BRCA2), apoptotic marker (Bax) and cell cycle progression markers (cyclin dependent kinases cdk4/6) using real‐time PCR. Cell cycle analysis was performed for the three investigated cancer cell lines to explore the effect on cell cycle progression. Our findings showed that α‐spinasterol exhibited a higher antitumor activity on MCF‐7 cells relative to SKOV‐3 cells, while its lowest antitumor activity was against MDA‐MB‐231 cells. A significant increase in the expression of p53 and Bax was observed in cells treated with α‐spinasterol, while cdk4/6 were significantly down‐regulated upon exposure to α‐spinasterol. Cell cycle analysis of α‐spinasterol treated cells showed a G0‐G1 arrest. In conclusion, α‐spinasterol isolated from G. resinaceum mushroom exerts a potent inhibitory activity on breast and ovarian cancer cell lines in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This can be reasonified in lights of the compound's ability to increase p53 and Bax expressions, and to lower the expression of cdk4/6.
Model‐Based Evaluation of Proximal Sodium Reabsorption Through SGLT2 in Health and Diabetes and the Effect of Inhibition With Canagliflozin
Authors: Brady Jessica A. , Hallow K. Melissa
Published: November 2017

Sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce glucose levels in diabetes by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule (PT), resulting in urinary glucose excretion. A recent large cardiovascular outcomes trial suggested that the SGLT2i empagliflozin may also decrease risk of renal dysfunction. Because sodium (Na) and glucose reabsorption are coupled through SGLT2, it is hypothesized that the renal benefits may be derived from lowering Na reabsorption in the PT, which would lead to favorable renal hemodynamic changes. However, the quantitative contribution of SGLT2 to PT Na reabsorption, as well as the differences between healthy and diabetic subjects, and the impact of SGLT2i on PT Na reabsorption are unknown. In this study we extended an existing mathematical model of glucose dynamics to account for renal glucose filtration and excretion. We utilized this model to quantify glucose and Na reabsorption through SGLT2 in healthy, controlled, and uncontrolled diabetes and following treatment with canagliflozin. In healthy, controlled diabetic, and uncontrolled diabetic states, Na reabsorption through SGLT2 was found to be 5.7%, 11.5%, and 13.7% of total renal Na reabsorption, and 7.1% to 9.5%, 14.4% to 19.2%, and 17.1% to 22.8% of sodium reabsorption in the PT alone. The model predicted that treatment of controlled diabetes with canagliflozin returns PT Na reabsorption through SGLT2 to normal levels. The degree of increased PT Na reabsorption due to SGLT2 is likely sufficient to drive pathologic changes in renal hemodynamics, and restoration of normal Na reabsorption through SGLT2 may contribute to beneficial renal effects of SGLT2 inhibition.
A novel classification scheme to decline the mortality rate among women due to breast tumor
Authors: Mughal Bushra , Sharif Muhammad , Muhammad Nazeer , Saba Tanzila
Published: November 2017

Early screening of skeptical masses or breast carcinomas in mammograms is supposed to decline the mortality rate among women. This amount can be decreased more on development of the computer‐aided diagnosis with reduction of false suppositions in medical informatics. Our aim is to provide a robust tumor detection system for accurate classification of breast masses using normal, abnormal, benign, or malignant classes. The breast carcinomas are classified on the basis of observed classes. This is highly dependent on feature extraction process. In propose work, a novel algorithm for classification based on the combination of top Hat transformation and gray level co‐occurrence matrix with back propagation neural network. The aim of this study is to present a robust classification model for automated diagnosis of the breast tumor with reduction of false assumptions in medical informatics. The proposed method is verified on two datasets MIAS and DDSM. It is observed that rate of false positives decreased by the proposed method to improve the performance of classification, efficiently.
Presence of infection and analysis of HPV subtypes in girls younger than 9 years old attended at a referral service in Espírito Santo, Brazil
Authors: Sartori Mariana P.D.N. , Agostini Lidiane P. , Tovar Thaís T. , Reis Raquel S. , Dettogni Raquel S. , dos Santos Eldamária de V. W. , Filho Antônio C. , Louro Iúri D.
Published: November 2017

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is found in adults and adolescents and is associated with genital warts and cervical cancer. However, it has been detected in girls younger than 10 years old. Currently, there are no prevention methods for this age group, since it is not considered a risk group. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of infection and HPV subtype in girls under 9 years old attended at a referral service in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Forty‐three girls younger than 9 years old had gynecological brush samples collected from vulval and perineal/anal regions. Viral detection and subtyping were done using polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Statistics was performed using Action Stat 3.1. The mean age of girls was 6.1 years. Sexual activity and abuse were not reported by 95.3%. Family stories showed viral infection in 9.3% of mothers, 4.7% of fathers and 9.3% of caretakers. None of these were related with the children infection. In the only case of mother's gestational HPV infection, the daughter tested negative. Genital warts and infection were observed in 7% and 13.9% of the patients, respectively. Viral subtypes detected were 6, 11, 38, and 42. These results demonstrate the presence of HPV infection in girls under 9 years of age. Prevalence studies are needed in order to evaluate a possible alteration in age of vaccination policy.
Workforce engagement: What it is, what drives it, and why it matters for organizational performance
Authors: Schneider Benjamin , Yost Allison B. , Kropp Andrea , Kind Cory , Lam Holly
Published: November 2017

Based on a review of the history of the employee engagement construct and its measurement, we define workforce engagement as the aggregate of the work engagement experiences of individual employees in an organization. In contrast to most research on employee engagement, we study companies rather than individuals and the companies represent a diverse set of industries. We hypothesize and demonstrate on a sample of (up to) 102 publicly traded companies that workforce engagement significantly predicts organizational financial (adjusting for industry: Return on Assets, Net Margin but not Tobin's q) and customer metrics (the American Customer Satisfaction Index and the Harris Reputation Quotient) 1 and 2 years after the workforce engagement data were collected. In addition, using a split‐sample approach to avoid method bias, we hypothesize and show that (a) company organizational practices (the strongest correlate), supervisory support, and work attributes are significant correlates of workforce engagement and (b) that workforce engagement mediates the relationship between these correlates of engagement and the organizational performance metrics. Implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.
Thermotolerant mycobiota of Israeli soils
Authors: Grishkan Isabella
Published: November 2017

Composition of thermotolerant mycobiota in the soil of Israeli deserts and northern territories was examined in spatiotemporal dynamics. A total of 165 species from 82 genera were isolated at 37 °C using the soil dilution plate method. Aspergilli (Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger) and teleomorphic ascomycetes (Canariomyces notabilis, Chaetomium nigricolor, and Ch. strumarium) comprised the basic part of the thermotolerant communities. The desert communities remarkably differed from the northern communities by a much higher abundance of A. fumigatus and teleomorphic species, as well as by a lower abundance of A. niger and Rhizopus arrhyzus. Seasonal dynamics revealed for the southern Negev was expressed mainly in the variations of species richness (substantially lower in the winter), and abundances of A. fumigatus (dominant in the summer) and A. niger (dominant in the winter). The composition of thermotolerant mycobiota was almost entirely different from the composition of mesophilic mycobiota at 25 °C. Melanin‐containing fungi with many‐celled conidia that dominated mesophilic communities in the deserts did not grow at 37 °C, while prevailing aspergilli accompanied by teleomorphic species with perithecial fruit bodies were apparently able not only to survive but also to germinate at this temperature and be active during a long hot period in the desert.
Synoptic climatology of winter daily temperature extremes in Sapporo, northern Japan
Authors: Farukh M. A. , Yamada Tomohito J.
Published: November 2017

Extreme winter daily temperature is an important parameter for determining winter precipitation. This study used a principal component analysis and k‐means clustering to characterize the circulation patterns of extreme daily temperatures for 19 winter seasons in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Climatological anomaly maps were constructed for sea level pressure (SLP) and the 500‐hPa geopotential height for the identified minimum (Tmin10; 239 days) and maximum (Tmax90; 236 days) daily temperature extremes. The Tmax90 SLP anomaly pattern was the opposite (west–east orientation) of the Tmin10 pattern. The circulation patterns that predominantly contributed to winter rainfall were derived from cyclones over the Sea of Japan via instability created by abundant heat and moisture over the ocean and a strong positive 500‐hPa height anomaly over Hokkaido.
Three‐dimensional MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs hybrids as SERS sensor for quantitative and ultrasensitive detection of melamine in milk
Authors: Liang Xiu , Zhang Xiao‐Juan , You Ting‐Ting , Yang Nan , Wang Guang‐Sheng , Yin Peng‐Gang
Published: November 2017

MoS2, a novel inorganic graphene analogues with typical two‐dimensional structure, has attracted increasing interest in various fields. MoS2‐based hybrid plasmonic structures have been extensively investigated as higher quality surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. Herein, we have designed a three‐dimensional (3D) MoS2 nanospheres (NSs) based hybrid nanostructure as SERS sensor by decorating Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of 3D MoS2‐NSs (3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs). 3D MoS2‐NSs acts as (a) a stable scaffold for Au NPs decoration via microwave‐irradiation hydrothermal process, (b) a chemical mechanism source for Raman enhancement, and (c) a 3D spatial structure for generation of more effective hot spots due to Au coupling effect and supply larger surface area for adsorbing probe molecules. The 3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs hybrid structure exhibits 56‐fold improvement on enhancement factor compared to two‐dimensional MoS2‐NST@Au‐NPs hybrid structures. SERS performance was easily and effectively optimized with the tuning of the density and sizes of Au NPs. The optimized 3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs was applied as SERS sensor for melamine detection in milk. Quantitative detection was realized in the range of 1 ppb–10 ppm with a linear coefficient of .997. Excellent sensitivity of 1 ppb and uniformity of 10.12% relative standard deviation was achieved, which could meet the demand for melamine detection as prescribed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Utility of Shear Wave Elastography for Assessing Allograft Fibrosis in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Early Heather M. , Cheang Ellen C. , Aguilera Jorge M. , Hirschbein Jonah S. W. , Fananapazir Ghaneh , Wilson Machelle D. , McGahan John P.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of ultrasound‐based shear wave elastography (SWE) as a noninvasive method to accurately detect and potentially stage the severity of renal allograft fibrosis and assess its user reproducibility.

Methods

In this Institutional Review Board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant prospective study, 70 renal transplant recipients underwent an SWE evaluation of their allograft followed directly by biopsy. Two radiologists performed separate SWE measurement acquisitions and the mean, median, and standard deviation of 10 SWE measurements, obtained separately within the cortex and the medulla, were automatically computed. Each patient's SWE results were subsequently compared to their histologic fibrosis scores. The Fisher exact test and univariate logistic regression models were fit to test for associations between the presence of fibrosis (yes/no) as well as categorical SWE results based on the fibrosis severity, ranging from F0 (no fibrosis) to F3 (severe fibrosis), correlating with histologic scores according to the 2007 Banff classification system. Interobserver and intraobserver correlations were also examined.

Results

Our median medulla SWE values reached statistical significance (P = .04) in association with fibrosis. Furthermore, for every unit increase in the median medulla SWE measurement, the odds of fibrosis increased by approximately 20%. No statistical significance was found for mean cortical, median cortical, or mean medullary SWE values (P = .32, .37, and .06, respectively) in association with fibrosis.

Conclusions

The use of SWE for assessing renal allograft fibrosis is challenging but promising. Further investigation with a larger sample size remains to validate our initial results and establish clinical relevance.
Colonizing tropical seagrasses increase root exudation under fluctuating and continuous low light
Authors: Martin Belinda C. , Statton John , Siebers Andre R. , Grierson Pauline F. , Ryan Megan H. , Kendrick Gary A.
Published: November 2017

While light availability plays a critical role in seagrass growth and distribution, there is limited understanding of how changes in light exposure impact belowground processes. We investigated the effect of prolonged and fluctuating reductions in light on root growth and exudation by three colonizing seagrasses: Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila ovalis, and Halodule uninervis. Seagrasses were grown in mesocosms under continuous full light (control), under continuous light reduction (medium or low), or under fluctuating light (10 d of low and 4 d of high light, repeated three times). Plants were harvested (1) 6 weeks after light treatments (impact), and (2) after an additional 4 weeks of continuous full light (recovery). Root exudates were collected from trap solutions and measured for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved organic matter (DOM) excitation/emission fluorescence spectroscopy. Root biomass decreased in all shading treatments. The most notable impact of light treatment was an increase in root exudation of DOC, protein‐like DOM and humic‐like DOM under fluctuating light for all species. After 4 weeks of recovery, exudation of DOC, and protein‐like DOM observed under fluctuating light returned to the control light levels. However exudation of DOC and protein‐like DOM by H. ovalis grown in continuous low light remained greater than the control, likely due to root death. This study suggests the belowground environment of seagrasses is sensitive to light reduction. Monitoring changes in root exudation of seagrasses can provide an effective and rapid method to assess light stress and short‐term recovery of seagrasses.
Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Micelles as Ocular Platform to Modulate the Loading, Release, and Corneal Permeation of Corticosteroids
Authors: Bongiovì Flavia , Di Prima Giulia , Palumbo Fabio S. , Licciardi Mariano , Pitarresi Giovanna , Giammona Gaetano
Published: November 2017

The aim of this work is to prepare hyaluronic acid‐based micelles as a platform to load corticosteroid drugs and to improve their corneal permeation after administration on the ocular surface. Three amphiphilic derivatives of hyaluronic acid (HA) are synthesized using different amounts of hexadecylamine (C16‐NH2). HAC16a, HAC16b, and HAC16c derivatives are able to form micelles by the cosolvent evaporation method and to entrap corticosteroids (dexamethasone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide). HAC16a and HAC16b micelles show the best results in terms of drug loading and particle size. They are also able to improve drug release compared to free drug solution or suspension. In addition, HAC16b micelles show an optimal mucoadhesion and compatibility with human corneal epithelial cells. In vitro and ex vivo permeation studies of drug‐loaded HAC16b micelles are performed to understand the ability of these micelles to act as penetration and/or permeation enhancers.
3D Printed Anchoring Sutures for Permanent Shaping of Tissues
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Yuxiao , Yang Huazhe , Nassab Reza , Shahriyari Fatemeh , Akpek Ali , Guan Xiaofei , Liu Yanhui , Taranejoo Shahrouz , Tamayol Ali , Zhang Yu Shrike , Khademhosseini Ali , Jang Hae Lin
Published: November 2017

Sutures are one of the most widely used devices for adhering separated tissues after injury or surgery. However, most sutures require knotting, which can create a risk of inflammation, and can act as mechanically weak points that often result in breakage and slipping. Here, an anchoring suture is presented with a design that facilitates its propagation parallel to the suturing direction, while maximizing its resistive force against the opposite direction of external force to lock its position in tissues. Different microstructures of suture anchors are systematically designed using orthogonal arrays, and selected based on shape factors associated with mechanical strength. 3D printing is used to fabricate different types of hollow microstructured suture anchors, and optimize their structure for the effective shaping of tissues. To define the structural design for fixing tissues, the maximum force required to pull 3D printed anchors in different directions is examined with tissues. The tissue reshaping function of suture anchors is further simulated ex vivo by using swine ear, nose, and skin, and bovine muscle tendon. This study provides advantages for building functional sutures that can be used for permanently reshaping tissues with enhanced mechanical strength, eliminating the need for knotting to improve surgical efficiency.
Fabrication of Polymer Structure among Fibrous Structure of Poly(lactic acid) Gel and Improvement of Physical Properties
Authors: Matsuda Yasuhiro , Ashizawa Hiroki , Fukui Takahiro , Akao Ryo , Tasaka Shigeru
Published: November 2017

Polymer structure of a block copolymer of poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and polystyrene (PS) is formed among a fibrous structure of PLLA inducing the gelation of PLLA in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The results of static and dynamic light scattering show the formation and growth of aggregates of the block copolymer (PLLA‐b‐PS) to form aggregates in DMF. The gels formed by the fibrous structure of PLLA in DMF are immersed in DMF solutions of PLLA‐b‐PS to allow the PLLA‐b‐PS chains to penetrate among the fibrous structure. The morphology of PLLA‐b‐PS in the gel is observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Viscoelastic measurements of the gel before and after the immersion indicate that the structure of the PLLA‐b‐PS elevates the flow temperature.
Weak Morrey spaces with applications
Authors: Sawano Yoshihiro , El‐Shabrawy Saad R.
Published: November 2017

The main object of this investigation is to study weak Morrey spaces. Block spaces, which are preduals of weak Morrey spaces, are characterized. Besides, the Fatou property of block spaces is proved. Finally, as an application, we study the boundedness of singular integral operators in weak Morrey spaces.
On the extremal Betti numbers of the binomial edge ideal of closed graphs
Authors: de Alba Hernán , Hoang Do Trong
Published: November 2017

We study the equality of the extremal Betti numbers of the binomial edge idealand those of its initial idealfor a closed graphG. We prove that in some cases there is a unique extremal Betti number forand as a consequence there is a unique extremal Betti number forand these extremal Betti numbers are equal.
Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Semilicoisoflavone B Reduce Aβ Secretion by Increasing PPARγ Expression and Inhibiting STAT3 Phosphorylation to Inhibit BACE1 Expression
Authors: Gu Ming‐Yao , Chun Yoon Sun , Zhao Dong , Ryu Shi Yong , Yang Hyun Ok
Published: November 2017

Scope

Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract (GUE) has been reported to improve amyloid beta (Aβ)‐induced cognitive deficits in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect and the components involved have not been previously explored. Extracellular Aβ plaques are one of the major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, decreasing Aβ levels is one strategy for preventing the etiology of AD. This study aims to test the effect of GUE and semilicoisoflavone B (SB) on Aβ secretion and investigates the mechanism underlying this effect.

Methods and results

GUE and its bio‐activated compound SB reduce Aβ secretion. We find that this effect contribute to the downregulation of the β‐secretase‐1 (BACE1) protein and mRNA. In a subsequent mechanism study, we find that GUE and SB regulate BACE1 transcription factors by inducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. In addition, the effect of GUE and SB on BACE1 expression and Aβ secretion are attenuated by treatment with PPARγ‐siRNA or its antagonist, GW9662.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that GUE and SB may function as PPARγ agonists, thereby inhibiting BACE1 expression and ultimately reducing the secretion of Aβ.
Safe sets, network majority on weighted trees
Authors: Bapat Ravindra B. , Fujita Shinya , Legay Sylvain , Manoussakis Yannis , Matsui Yasuko , Sakuma Tadashi , Tuza Zsolt
Published: November 2017

Let be a graph and let be a positive weight function on the vertices of G. For every subset X of V, let . A non‐empty subset is a weighted safe set if, for every component C of the subgraph induced by S and every component D of , we have whenever there is an edge between C and D. If the subgraph induced by a weighted safe set S is connected, then the set S is called a weighted connected safe set. In this article, we show that the problem of computing the minimum weight of a safe set is ‐hard for trees, even if the underlying tree is restricted to be a star, but it is polynomially solvable for paths. We also give an time 2‐approximation algorithm for finding a weighted connected safe set with minimum weight in a weighted tree. Then, as a generalization of the concept of a minimum safe set, we define the concept of a parameterized infinite family of proper central subgraphs on weighted trees, whose polar ends are the vertex set of the tree and the centroid points. We show that each of these central subgraphs includes a centroid point.
Advantage, meaning, and pleasure: Reframing the interaction between major‐gift fundraisers and philanthropists
Authors: Mc Loughlin John
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this paper is to bridge the widening gap between the rapidly growing academic literature on fundraising and the need that practising, reflective fundraisers have for a useable explanatory framework for understanding what are the main forces and motivations shaping the interaction between major‐gift fundraisers and philanthropists (major donors and potential donors), particularly in the so‐called cultivation and solicitation (or Ask) meetings. The author's perspective is that of a fundraising practitioner. The paper sets out the essential characteristics needed in such a framework, contends that we do not yet have such a framework, and concludes by setting out a preliminary, simplifying framework for making sense of the interaction between fundraisers and donors. The purpose is to stimulate practitioners and researchers to rethink and reframe this interaction. It is proposed that the interaction is grounded on the reality that funders (and to some extent, fund‐seekers), like individuals in almost every social interaction, are seeking to maximise advantage, meaning, and pleasure (AMP). This paper argues that the more these three overlap, the stronger their effect.
Direct and indirect methods in optimal control with state constraints and the climbing trajectory of an aircraft
Authors: Cots Olivier , Gergaud Joseph , Goubinat Damien
Published: November 2017

In this article, the minimum time and fuel consumption of an aircraft in its climbing phase are studied. The controls are the thrust and the lift coefficient and state constraints are taken into account: air slope and speed limitations. The application of the maximum principle leads to parameterize the optimal control and the multipliers associated with the state constraints with the state and the costate and leads to describe a multipoint boundary value problem, which is solved by multiple shooting. This indirect method is the numerical implementation of the maximum principle with state constraints and it is initialized by the direct method, both to determine the optimal structure and to obtain a satisfying initial guess. The solutions of the boundary value problems we define give extremals, which satisfy necessary conditions of optimality with at most 2 boundary arcs. Note that the aircraft dynamics has a singular perturbation but no reduction is performed.
The microstructure determination of ethylene‐styrene‐propylene terpolymers at triad level by high‐temperature two‐dimensional NMR spectra
Authors: Long Ying‐Yun , Wang Yong‐Xia , Li Bai‐Xiang , Li Yan‐Guo , Li Yue‐Sheng
Published: November 2017

To further extend temperature range of application and low temperature performance of the ethylene‐styrene copolymers, a series of poly(ethylene‐styrene‐propylene) samples with varying monomer compositions and relatively low glass‐transition temperatures (Tg = −28 – 22 °C) were synthesized by Me2Si(Me4Cp)(N‐t‐Bu)TiCl2/MMAO system. Since the 13C NMR spectra of the terpolymers were complex and some new resonances were present, 2D‐1H/13C heteronuclear single quantum coherence and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation experiments were conducted. A complete 13C NMR characterization of these terpolymers was performed qualitatively and quantitatively, including chemical shifts, triad sequence distributions, and monomer average sequence lengths. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 340–350
Decisional regret and choice of breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer: A systematic review
Authors: Flitcroft Kathy , Brennan Meagan , Spillane Andrew
Published: November 2017

Objective

Women facing mastectomy for breast cancer should have the option of considering whether they would like breast reconstruction (BR), and if so, what type and when. Previous research has demonstrated that some women will come to regret their decision about BR. We aim to summarise the evidence about the prevalence of decisional regret (DR) associated with BR choices and identify factors influencing vulnerability to DR.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature reporting BR‐related DR published between January 1994 and February 2017 identified 254 initial search results. Thirteen publications from 12 studies (5672 participants) met the selection criteria and were included in the final review. Each article was allocated a quality score out of 24.

Results

Overall, DR levels were reported as low and stable, although direct comparison across studies was limited by inconsistencies in measurement and reporting methods. Estimates of DR scores ranged from 9.3/100 to 5.4/20. All studies identified a relationship between higher levels of DR and an insufficient amount, inadequate quality, or unclear nature of information provided to women prior to undergoing mastectomy. A major determinant of DR was new or recurrent cancer, while psychosocial characteristics including depression, distress, and negative body image increased the likelihood of DR.

Conclusion

The available research is yet to provide a clear understanding of the many interrelated issues involved in DR. Given the consensus that presurgical information was inadequate, making standardised educational material more widely available and increasing use of breast care nurses in preoperative patient education roles may be useful.