bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rhodium(III) Speciation in Concentrated Nitric Acid Solutions
Authors: Vasilchenko Danila , Vorob'eva Sofia , Tkachev Sergey , Baidina Iraida , Belyaev Anatoliy , Korenev Sergey , Solovyov Leonid , Vasiliev Alexander
Published: July 2016

The interaction of rhodium(III) aqua ions with nitrate ions in 3–16mnitric acid solutions has been studied by103Rh and15N NMR and Raman spectroscopy. The mononuclear complexes [Rh(H2O)6–n(NO3)n]3–n(n= 1–4) were found to be the only form of rhodium(III) existing in the solutions with the metal concentration in the range 0.2–1.3m. The dynamics of the H2O → NO3–substitution process was studied at 80 °C. An increase in the average number of nitrate groups bonded to rhodium with increasing concentration of nitric acid was also determined. The fine crystalline salt Rb4trans‐[Rh(H2O)2(NO3)4][Rh(NO3)6] was obtained by solvothermal concentration of the rhodium nitric acid solution on addition of rubidium nitrate. The structure of the salt was solved by the powder X‐ray diffraction method, with monodentate coordination of nitrato ligands found for both the [Rh(NO3)6]3–andtrans‐[Rh(H2O)2(NO3)4]–anions.
Synthesis of (+)‐Antroquinonol and Analogues by Using Enantioselective Michael Reactions of Benzoquinone Monoketals
Authors: Hsu Che‐Sheng , Fang Jim‐Min
Published: July 2016

(+)‐Antroquinonol is an anticancer agent that was first isolated from the rare mushroom Antrodia cinnamomea, which is indigenous to Taiwan. In this study, (+)‐antroquinonol is synthesized from benzoquinone monoketals by using an enantioselective Michael reaction as the strategic step followed by an alkylation, reduction, hydrolysis of a ketal, and inversion of configuration sequence of reactions. Because the enantioselective Michael reaction to the electron‐rich 2,3,4,4‐tetramethoxycyclohexa‐2,5‐dien‐1‐one was problematic, the reaction was facilitated by introducing an electron‐withdrawing chloro group to replace the methoxy substituent at the C‐2 position. Upon treatment with K2CO3 in MeOH in the final step, the chloro substituent was then replaced by the methoxy group concurrently with the inversion of configuration at C‐6 to afford (+)‐antroquinonol in a one‐pot operation. This modular type of synthetic method can also be applied to efficient total syntheses of other antroquinonol analogues that contain the 4‐hydroxycyclohex‐2‐enone core by starting from their corresponding benzoquinone monoketals.
Biomass‐Based and Oxidant‐Free Preparation of Hydroquinone from Quinic Acid
Authors: Assoah Benedicta , Veiros Luis F. , Afonso Carlos A. M. , Candeias Nuno R.
Published: July 2016

A biomass‐based route to the preparation of hydroquinone starting from the renewable starting material quinic acid is described. Amberlyst‐15 in the dry form promoted the one‐step formation of hydroquinone from quinic acid in toluene without any oxidants or metal catalysts in 72 % yield. Several acidic polymer‐based resins and organic acids as promoters as well as a variety of reaction conditions were screened including temperature, concentration and low‐ and high‐boiling‐point solvents. A 1:4 (w/w) ratio of quinic acid/Amberlyst‐15 was determined to be optimal to promote hydroquinone formation with only traces of a dimeric side‐product. A mechanism has been proposed based on the decarbonylation of protonated quino‐1,5‐lactone that is supported by experimental and computational calculation data.
N,2,3,4‐Tetrasubstituted Pyrrolidines through Tandem Lithium Amide Conjugate Addition/Radical Cyclization/Oxygenation Reactions
Authors: Kafka František , Pohl Radek , Císařová Ivana , Mackman Richard , Bahador Gina , Jahn Ullrich
Published: July 2016

Enantioselective syntheses of densely functionalized pyrrolidines deriving their chirality from (R)‐1‐(phenyl)ethylamine are reported. Allylic amines and β‐substituted‐α,β‐unsaturated esters are used as the building blocks in this one‐pot reaction. Single electron transfer (SET) oxidation served to merge the reactivities of anionic enolate and radical intermediates. Ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate, which is easy to prepare, store and handle, was applied as SET oxidant and persistent free radical TEMPO served as the oxygenating agent introducing a protected hydroxy function, which proved to be beneficial for further derivatization. Exclusive 2,3‐trans and up to 6:1 3,4‐cis/trans diastereoselectivities were achieved in the targeted tetrasubstituted pyrrolidines.
Origin of the endo Selectivity in the Diels–Alder Reaction between Cyclopentadiene and Maleic Anhydride
Authors: Sakata Ken , Fujimoto Hiroshi
Published: July 2016

The Diels–Alder reactions of cyclopentadiene with maleic anhydride and with some other dienophile models in which the C=O bonds were replaced by less polarizable C=NH bonds and by C=CH2 bonds were studied theoretically. Comparison of interactions in these systems disclosed a key to understanding the high reactivity of maleic anhydride and the endo selectivity in the reaction. It is not orbital interactions that favor the endo addition, but the electrostatic attractions introduced by the presence of highly polarized C=O bonds. The bonds also play important roles in depressing the unfavorable growth of overlap repulsion by storing a large amount of π‐type electron populations outside the region of interactions and in strengthening electron delocalization by providing a positive charge field to the reaction sites of the dienophile.
Iodobenzene Dichloride in the Esterification and Amidation of Carboxylic Acids: In‐Situ Synthesis of Ph3PCl2
Authors: Carle Myriam S. , Shimokura Grace K. , Murphy Graham K.
Published: July 2016

A novel, in‐situ synthesis of dichlorotriphenylphosphorane (Ph3PCl2) is accomplished upon combining PPh3 and the easily prepared hypervalent iodine reagent iodobenzene dichloride (PhICl2). The phosphorane is selectively generated in the presence of carboxylic acid or alcohol residues to rapidly produce acyl chlorides and alkyl chlorides in high yields. Addition of EtOH, PhOH, BnOH, Et2NH or CH2N2 results in the direct synthesis of esters, amides and diazo ketones from carboxylic acids.
Electrochemical and Surface Characterization of Dense Monolayers Grafted on ITO and Si/SiO2 Surfaces via Tetra(tert‐Butoxy)Tin Linker
Authors: Petrizza Luca , Genovese Damiano , Valenti Giovanni , Iurlo Matteo , Fiorani Andrea , Paolucci Francesco , Rapino Stefania , Marcaccio Massimo
Published: July 2016

Indium tin oxide (ITO) and silicon with a thermally grown SiO2 layer (Si/SiO2) substrates have been functionalized by ferrocene bound through Sn(O)x (x=2 or 3) linkers preliminarly grafted on the surface by reaction of the terminal hydroxyl groups with tetra(tert‐butoxy)tin. The two steps modification of the surface was carried out by chemical vapour deposition metathesis reaction producing a self‐assembled monolayer of ferrocene. The ITO and Si/SiO2 thus functionalized have been characterized by voltammetric, amperometric, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning probe microscopy techniques which assessed the formation of a stable and rather compact covalently bound ferrocenyl monolayer with improved electron transfer properties.
Quantification of oxygen production and respiration rates in mixotrophic cultivation of microalgae in nonstirred photobioreactors
Authors: Schwerna Philipp , Hübner Holger , Buchholz Rainer
Published: July 2016

Online monitoring and controlling of different cellular parameters are key issues in aerobic bioprocesses. Since mixotrophic cultivation, in which we observe a mixture of cellular respiration and oxygen production has gained more popularity, there is a need for an on‐process quantification of these parameters. The presented and adapted double gassing‐out method applied to a mixotrophic cultivation of Galdieria sulphuraria, will be a tool for monitoring and further optimization of algal fermentation in nonstirred photobioreactors (PBR). We measured the highest net specific oxygen production rate (oprnet) as 5.73 · 10−3 molO2 g−1 h−1 at the lowest oxygen uptake rate (OUR) of 1.00 · 10−4 molO2 L−1 h−1. Due to higher cell densities, we also demonstrated the increasing shading effect by a decrease of oprnet, reaching the lowest value of 1.25 10−5 molO2 g−1 h−1. Nevertheless, with this on process measurement, we can predict the relation between the zone in which oxygen is net produced to the area where cell respiration dominates in a PBR, which has a major impact to optimize cell growth along with the formation of different products of interest such as pigments.
Neural correlates of maintaining generated images in visual working memory
Authors: Ewerdwalbesloh Julia A. , Palva Satu , Rösler Frank , Khader Patrick H.
Published: July 2016

How are images that have been assembled from their constituting elements maintained as a coherent representation in visual working memory (vWM)? Here, we compared two conditions of vWM maintenance that only differed in how vWM contents had been created. Participants maintained images that they either had to assemble from single features or that they had perceived as complete objects. Object complexity varied between two and four features. We analyzed electroencephalogram phase coupling as a measure of cortical connectivity in a time interval immediately before a probe stimulus appeared. We assumed that during this time both groups maintained essentially the same images, but that images constructed from their elements would require more neural coupling than images based on a complete percept. Increased coupling between frontal and parietal‐to‐occipital cortical sources was found for the maintenance of constructed in comparison to nonconstructed objects in the theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. A similar pattern was found for an increase in vWM load (2 vs. 4 features) for nonconstructed objects. Under increased construction load (2 vs. 4 features for constructed images), the pattern was restricted to fronto‐parietal couplings, suggesting that the fronto‐parietal attention network is coping with the higher attentional demands involved in maintaining constructed images, but without increasing the communication with the occipital visual buffer in which the visual representations are assumed to be stored. We conclude from these findings that the maintenance of constructed images in vWM requires additional attentional processes to keep object elements together as a coherent representation. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4349–4362, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a multispectral light‐scatter sensor for bacterial colonies
Authors: Kim Huisung , Rajwa Bartek , Bhunia Arun K. , Robinson J. Paul , Bae Euiwon
Published: July 2016

We report a multispectral elastic‐light‐scatter instrument that can simultaneously detect three‐wavelength scatter patterns and associated optical densities from individual bacterial colonies, overcoming the limits of the single‐wavelength predecessor. Absorption measurements on liquid bacterial samples revealed that the spectroscopic information can indeed contribute to sample differentiability. New optical components, including a pellicle beam splitter and an optical cage system, were utilized for robust acquisition of multispectral images. Four different genera and seven shiga toxin producing E. coli serovars were analyzed; the acquired images showed differences in scattering characteristics among the tested organisms. In addition, colony‐based spectral optical‐density information was also collected. The optical model, which was developed using diffraction theory, correctly predicted wavelength‐related differences in scatter patterns, and was matched with the experimental results. Scatter‐pattern classification was performed using pseudo‐Zernike (GPZ) polynomials/moments by combining the features collected at all three wavelengths and selecting the best features via a random‐forest method. The data demonstrate that the selected features provide better classification rates than the same number of features from any single wavelength.

Three wavelength‐merged scatter pattern from E. coli.

magnified image

Three wavelength‐merged scatter pattern from E. coli.
Can Cholesterol Metabolism Modulation Affect Brain Function and Behavior?
Authors: Cartocci Veronica , Servadio Michela , Trezza Viviana , Pallottini Valentina
Published: July 2016

Cholesterol is an important component for cell physiology. It regulates the fluidity of cell membranes and determines the physical and biochemical properties of proteins. In the central nervous system, cholesterol controls synapse formation and function and supports the saltatory conduction of action potential. In recent years, the role of cholesterol in the brain has caught the attention of several research groups since a breakdown of cholesterol metabolism has been associated with different neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases, and interestingly also with psychiatric conditions. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge about the connection between cholesterol dysregulation and various neurologic and psychiatric disorders based on clinical and preclinical studies. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 281–286, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Safety analysis of proposed data‐driven physiologic alarm parameters for hospitalized children
Authors: Goel Veena V. , Poole Sarah F. , Longhurst Christopher A. , Platchek Terry S. , Pageler Natalie M. , Sharek Paul J. , Palma Jonathan P.
Published: July 2016

INTRODUCTION

Modification of alarm limits is one approach to mitigating alarm fatigue. We aimed to create and validate heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) percentiles for hospitalized children, and analyze the safety of replacing current vital sign reference ranges with proposed data‐driven, age‐stratified 5th and 95th percentile values.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross‐sectional study, nurse‐charted HR and RR data from a training set of 7202 hospitalized children were used to develop percentile tables. We compared 5th and 95th percentile values with currently accepted reference ranges in a validation set of 2287 patients. We analyzed 148 rapid response team (RRT) and cardiorespiratory arrest (CRA) events over a 12‐month period, using HR and RR values in the 12 hours prior to the event, to determine the proportion of patients with out‐of‐range vitals based upon reference versus data‐driven limits.

RESULTS

There were 24,045 (55.6%) fewer out‐of‐range measurements using data‐driven vital sign limits. Overall, 144/148 RRT and CRA patients had out‐of‐range HR or RR values preceding the event using current limits, and 138/148 were abnormal using data‐driven limits. Chart review of RRT and CRA patients with abnormal HR and RR per current limits considered normal by data‐driven limits revealed that clinical status change was identified by other vital sign abnormalities or clinical context.

CONCLUSIONS

A large proportion of vital signs in hospitalized children are outside presently used norms. Safety evaluation of data‐driven limits suggests they are as safe as those currently used. Implementation of these parameters in physiologic monitors may mitigate alarm fatigue. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:817–823. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and passive sampling: powerful tools for the determination of emerging pollutants in water for human consumption
Authors: Mirasole Cristiana , Di Carro Marina , Tanwar Shivani , Magi Emanuele
Published: July 2016

Among the wide range of emerging pollutants, perfluorinated compounds and various pharmaceuticals, such as nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, are showing growing concern. These contaminants can be found in freshwater ecosystems because of their incomplete removal during wastewater treatments so, their water solubility and poor degradability result in their continuous discharge and pseudo‐persistent contamination.

Usually, expected levels of these analytes are particularly low; therefore, sensitive and selective analytical techniques are required for their determination. Moreover, sampling and preconcentration are fundamental steps to reach the low detection limits required. The polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS) represents a modern sampling approach that allows the in‐situ preconcentration of ultra‐trace pollutants.

In this work, a fast liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of diclofenac, ketoprofen, mefenamic acid, naproxen, ibuprofen, perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonate and caffeine in water for human consumption. The chromatographic separation of analytes was achieved in less than 6 min. Quantitative analysis was performed in multiple reaction monitoring mode using ketoprofen‐d3 as internal standard. Two different sites of Northern Italy were studied deploying POCIS for four weeks in both inlet and outlet of two drinking water treatment plants. The evaluation of time‐weighted average concentration of contaminants was accomplished after the calibration of POCIS; to this aim, the sampling rate values for each compound were obtained by means of a simple calibration system developed in our laboratory. Ketoprofen, perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoate and caffeine were measured in both sites at the ng l−1 level. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A flexible memristive model with simplex basis function
Authors: Yu Juntang , Xi Xiangming , Wang Shuning
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we propose a flexible memristive model with simplex basis function. In the memristive model, a piecewise window function is applied to limit the physical range of the state variable, and a piecewise linear model (called simplex basis function model) is applied to describe the integral function of the current and charge. The expression of the state variable and the memristance can be almost analytically obtained. Thus, some serious errors occurring in the simulations of some existing memristive models can be avoided. The proposed memristive model shows great flexibility due to the good approximation capability of the simplex basis function model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ENSO teleconnections to the Indian summer monsoon in observations and models
Authors: Roy Indrani , Tedeschi Renata G. , Collins Matthew
Published: July 2016

The teleconnections of different types of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) to the Indian summer monsoon are investigated in observations and models. We find that, not all regions in India are strongly affected by ENSO, so we focus on two regional teleconnections: (1) a negative rainfall signal around central north east (CNE) India and ‘hilly’ region during El Niño (and vice versa for La Niña) and (2) similar signal for parts of southern peninsular region. Using correlations, it is found that >50% of the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Project models capture these two regional teleconnections, with first captured by >80% of models. Furthermore, using a compositing technique that may better capture asymmetries in response to warm and cold events, the authors find that most models again agree on the sign of regional teleconnection around the CNE and hilly region, suggesting the robustness of ENSO signal in that region. The peninsular teleconnection is less well simulated in models. We find a clear connection between the Walker circulation and Indian summer monsoon rainfall around central India in models.
Factors responsible for driving the glaciation in the Sarchu Plain, eastern Zanskar Himalaya, during the late Quaternary
Authors: Sharma Shubhra , Chand Pritam , Bisht Pinky , Shukla Anil D. , Bartarya S. K. , Sundriyal Y. P. , Juyal Navin
Published: July 2016

Detailed geomorphological investigation supported by field stratigraphy and optical dating enabled us to identify three major events of glaciation in the eastern Zanskar Himalaya (Sarchu Plain). The oldest and most extensive glaciation is the Sarchu Glaciation Stage‐1 (SGS‐1) that pre‐dates the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and is assigned to the cold and wet Marine Isotope Stage‐4 (MIS‐4). The second glacial advance (SGS‐2) is optically dated to ∼20 ka and the youngest SGS‐3 is assigned to the 8.2 ka cooling event. Evidence of deglaciation is preserved as outwash terrace gravels and is assigned to the pluvial MIS‐3 and the early Holocene (∼9 ka). Increased strength of westerlies (winter precipitation) and associated temperature decline were responsible for driving the glaciation in the study area, a conclusion that accords well with modern meteorological data showing a reasonable correlation between the modern equilibrium line altitude, enhanced mid‐latitude westerlies (winter precipitation) and winter temperatures. The phases of deglaciation occurred during periods of warmer climatic excursions. Overall a broad correspondence between the Sarchu Plain glaciation phases and northern latitude ice sheet dynamics is suggested, implying that the glaciers in the trajectory of the mid‐latitude westerlies are likely to respond in phase with northern latitude glaciation.
Charge transfer mechanism and the adsorptive stance of methylene blue on gold nanocolloids: a vis‐à‐vis aftermath
Authors: Roy Sannak Dutta , Sett Pinaky , Ghosh Manash , Chowdhury Joydeep
Published: July 2016

The selective enhancements of Raman bands belonging to “A” and “B” symmetry species of methylene blue (MB) molecule adsorbed on gold nanocolloids (AuNC) have been investigated in terms of Albrecht's “A” term and Herzberg–Teller (HT) contributions. Attempts have been made to correlate the orientations of the molecule on the AuNC surface with the CT mechanism of SE(R)RS. The variations in bond polarizability derivatives towards selective enhancements of Raman bands are also explored. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive–Behavioral Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress in Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Ford Jessica , Rosman Lindsey , Wuensch Karl , Irvine Jane , Sears Samuel F.
Published: July 2016

Approximately 20% of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to a history of cardiac arrest, device implantation, and ICD shock. There has been very little examination of treatment of PTSD symptoms in these patients. This study evaluated the effect of a specific cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for ICD patients with high levels of PTSD symptoms: a manualized program consisting of 8 telephone sessions with a trained counselor, a patient education book, and a stress management procedure on compact disc. Participants were 193 ICD patients, who were randomized to CBT or usual cardiac care (UCC) who completed self‐report surveys at the time of recruitment and 6 and 12 months after initial measurement. Previous publication on the primary research evaluation questions reported that the CBT condition resulted in greater improvement on PTSD and depression symptoms than the UCC for the general population of ICD patients, but did not evaluate the effect on those with elevated symptoms of PTSD. The authors conducted secondary analyses of the effect of treatment on high and low PTSD symptom groups based on a cutoff for the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (Weiss & Marmar, 1997). Participants in the CBT group who had high symptoms experienced significantly greater symptom reduction from baseline to 12 months (d = 2.44, p = .021) than the UCC group (d = 1.12). Participants with low symptoms had small reductions regardless of group assignment (d = 0.16, p = .031). ICD‐focused CBT was sufficient to produce a large, statistically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms in ICD patients with indications for treatment.
Butterfly myringoplasty for total, subtotal, and annular perforations
Authors: Alain Hazan , Esmat Najjar H. , Ohad Hilly , Yona Vaisbuch , Nageris Ben I.
Published: July 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

The inlay “butterfly” cartilage tympanoplasty was first described as a treatment for small, central ear drum perforations. This technique can also be applied in large, marginal perforations, whereas the cartilage graft is anchored on the bony annulus. The aim of this study was to present the technique, to evaluate the results of butterfly tympanoplasty in marginal perforations, and to compare with the results of butterfly tympanoplasty in patients with nonmarginal perforations.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

The files of patients who underwent inlay butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty for subtotal and total perforations from May 2011 to May 2013 were reviewed. Patients were followed with otoscopy and audiometry, and their results were compared with those of patients who underwent butterfly tympanoplasty for nonmarginal perforations.

Results

Forty‐eight patients underwent butterfly tympanoplasty for subtotal and total perforations during the study period. Exclusion criteria included: active inflammation during the 3 months prior to surgery, cholesteatoma, lack of follow‐up, incomplete data, ossicular chain anomaly/discontinuity, and significant sensorineural hearing loss (average bone‐conduction threshold at 500,1000 and 2,000 Hz poorer than 20 dB). Thirty‐three patients were included. The mean age at surgery was 34 years (range, 19–76 years); 17 patients (51%) were male. Four patients were treated previously by tympanoplasty (revision surgery), whereas the other 29 had primary surgery. None of the patients had intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications such as sensorineural hearing loss on the operated ear or facial nerve palsy. One month after surgery, two patients had a residual perforation (94% success rate), and the mean speech recognition threshold (SRT) improved from 38 dB to 24 dB. The pure tone audiogram improved from 37.7 dB to 10.6 dB, and the word recognition score improved from 97.7 to 99.75. These results are comparable with our results in nonmarginal perforations, whereas a 92% success rate and a postoperative SRT of 26 dB were achieved in a cohort of 42 patients.

Conclusions

Inlay butterfly cartilage tympanoplasty is safe and effective in patients with total or subtotal perforations, and the results are comparable to those seen in nonmarginal perforations.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 126:2565–2568, 2016
Low surgical complication rates in cochlear implantation for young children less than 1 year of age
Authors: Kalejaiye Adedoyin , Ansari Ghedak , Ortega Gezzer , Davidson Mauricia , Kim Hung Jeffrey
Published: July 2016

Objective

To identify risk factors for perioperative morbidity among a large national cohort of pediatric patients undergoing cochlear implantation.

Study Design

Retrospective study utilizing the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database (2012–2013).

Methods

Pediatric cochlear implantation cases were identified using current procedural terminology 69930. Patients were categorized by age, and operative characteristics along with 30‐day perioperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

We identified 1,351 cases of pediatric cochlear implantation. The median age was 3.6 years, and 73 patients were less than 1 year of age. Of 21 complication occurrences (1.55%), superficial incisional surgical site infection (SSI) was the most common (n = 13, 61.9%). Thirty‐nine patients (2.9%) required readmission. The median operative time was 142 minutes, and the mean postoperative length of stay was 0.58 days. When comparing patients younger than 1 year old to those 1 year or older, no significant differences were noted in complication rate, postoperative length of stay, or reoperation rate. Patients less than 1 year of age were more likely to be readmitted (6.9% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.04) and had longer mean operative times (191 minutes vs. 160 minutes, P = 0.0015). Steroid use was a risk factor for unplanned reoperation, SSI, and readmission.

Conclusion

Despite a slight increase in readmission rates and operative times among patients less than 1 year of age, cochlear implantation appears to be safe in this population, with complication rates, reoperation rates, and postoperative lengths of stay similar to children undergoing the procedure at the current U.S. Food and Drug Administration‐approved age of 1 year and older.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:720–724, 2017
Prevention of vocal fold scarring by local application of basic fibroblast growth factor in a rat vocal fold injury model
Authors: Suzuki Ryo , Kawai Yoshitaka , Tsuji Takuya , Hiwatashi Nao , Kishimoto Yo , Tateya Ichiro , Nakamura Tatsuo , Hirano Shigeru
Published: July 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold scarring, which causes severe hoarseness, is intractable. The optimal treatment for vocal fold scarring has not been established; therefore, prevention of scarring is important. The aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) for prevention of postsurgical vocal fold scarring.

Study Design

Prospective animal experiments with controls.

Method

The vocal folds of Sprague‐Dawley rats were injured unilaterally or bilaterally after local application of a 10 μL solution of bFGF. Larynges ware harvested for histological and immunohistochemical examination 2 months postoperation and for quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) analysis 1 week postoperation.

Results

Histological examination showed significantly increased hyaluronic acid and decreased deposition of dense collagen in the bFGF‐treated group at 100 ng/10 μL compared with the sham‐treated group. Immunohistochemical examination showed significantly decreased collagen type III deposition in the bFGF‐treated group at 100 ng/10 μL compared with the sham‐treated group. qRT‐PCR revealed that hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2), Has3, and hepatocyte growth factor were upregulated in bFGF‐treated groups compared with sham‐treated group.

Conclusion

The current results suggest that local application of bFGF at the time of injury has the potential to prevent vocal fold scarring. Preventive injection of bFGF could be applied at the time of phonomicrosurgery to avoid postoperative scar formation.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:E67–E74, 2017
Experimental demonstration of PT‐symmetric stripe lasers
Authors: Gu Zhiyuan , Zhang Nan , Lyu Quan , Li Meng , Xiao Shumin , Song Qinghai
Published: July 2016

Recently, the coexistence of a parity‐time (PT) symmetric laser and absorber has gained tremendous research attention. While PT‐symmetric lasers have been observed in microring resonators, the experimental demonstration of a PT‐symmetric stripe laser is still absent. Here, we experimentally study a PT‐symmetric laser absorber in a stripe waveguide. Using the concept of PT‐symmetry to exploit the light amplification and absorption, PT‐symmetric laser absorbers have been successfully obtained. In contrast to the single‐mode PT‐symmetric lasers, the PT‐symmetric stripe lasers have been experimentally confirmed by comparing the relative wavelength positions and mode spacing under different pumping conditions. When the waveguide is half‐pumped, the mode spacing is doubled and the lasing wavelengths shift to the center of every two initial lasing modes. All these observations are consistent with the theoretical predictions and well confirm the PT‐symmetry breaking.

image
Multiple solutions for generalized quasilinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Li Quanqing , Wu Xian
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we study the following generalized quasilinear Schrödinger equations:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma4050:mma4050-math-0002
where N≥3,
is a C1 even function, g(0) = 1, and g′(s)≥0 for all s≥0. Under some suitable conditions, we prove that the equation has a positive solution, a negative solution, and a sequence of high‐energy solutions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does prenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome make a difference? – A systematic review
Authors: Thakur Varsha , Munk Nadia , Mertens Luc , Nield Lynne E.
Published: July 2016

Objective

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is frequently diagnosed prenatally with variable benefit. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the impact of fetal diagnosis; the primary objective was to evaluate impact on mortality.

Methods

Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines were followed. Seven databases were searched. Meta‐analysis was performed using a random effects model to evaluate the effect of fetal diagnosis on mortality.

Results

Literature search revealed 2124 titles and abstracts for screening; 21 full texts were reviewed. Six studies and one abstract were included. Preoperative mortality in 609 neonates (228 prenatal and 381 postnatal) was evaluated. There were 11 deaths in prenatally diagnosed neonates versus 16 deaths in postnatally diagnosed neonates (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.22–2.01, p = 0.48). Neonates with fetal diagnosis had less preoperative acidosis (mean difference 0.07, 95% CI 0.05, 0.1, p < 0.01) and required less inotropic support (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.04, 0.7, p = 0.01). Post Stage I, there were 47 deaths in 227 prenatally diagnosed neonates versus 78 deaths in 299 postnatally diagnosed neonates (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.43, 1.62, p = 0.59).

Conclusions

There is no significant impact of prenatal diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome on preoperative or post Stage I mortality. Neonates with prenatal diagnosis were hemodynamically more stable. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomics of hydrophobic samples: Fast, robust and low‐cost workflows for clinical approaches
Authors: Pasing Yvonne , Colnoe Sayda , Hansen Terkel
Published: July 2016

In a comparative study, we investigated the influence of nine sample preparation workflows and seven different lysis buffers for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the human adipose tissue proteome. Adipose tissue is not just a fat depot but also an endocrine organ, which cross‐talks with other tissue types and organs throughout the body, like liver, muscle, pancreas, and brain. Its secreted molecules have an influence on the nervous, immune, and vascular system, thus adipose tissue plays an important role in the regulation of whole‐body homeostasis. Proteomic analysis of adipose tissue is challenging due to the extremely high lipid content and a variety of different cell types included. We investigated the influence of different detergents to the lysis buffer and compared commonly used methods like protein precipitation and filter‐aided sample preparation (FASP) with workflows involving acid labile or precipitable surfactants. The results indicate that a sodium deoxycholate (SDC) based workflow had the highest efficiency and reproducibility for quantitative proteomic analysis. In total 2564 proteins from the adipose tissue of a single person were identified.
Conformational flexibility of BECN1: Essential to its key role in autophagy and beyond
Authors: Mei Yang , Glover Karen , Su Minfei , Sinha Sangita C.
Published: July 2016

BECN1 (Beclin 1), a highly conserved eukaryotic protein, is a key regulator of autophagy, a cellular homeostasis pathway, and also participates in vacuolar protein sorting, endocytic trafficking, and apoptosis. BECN1 is important for embryonic development, the innate immune response, tumor suppression, and protection against neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, and heart disease. BECN1 mediates autophagy as a core component of the class III phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase complexes. However, the exact mechanism by which it regulates the activity of these complexes, or mediates its other diverse functions is unclear. BECN1 interacts with several diverse protein partners, perhaps serving as a scaffold or interaction hub for autophagy. Based on extensive structural, biophysical and bioinformatics analyses, BECN1 consists of an intrinsically disordered region (IDR), which includes a BH3 homology domain (BH3D); a flexible helical domain (FHD); a coiled‐coil domain (CCD); and a β‐α‐repeated autophagy‐specific domain (BARAD). Each of these BECN1 domains mediates multiple diverse interactions that involve concomitant conformational changes. Thus, BECN1 conformational flexibility likely plays a key role in facilitating diverse protein interactions. Further, BECN1 conformation and interactions are also modulated by numerous post‐translational modifications. A better structure‐based understanding of the interplay between different BECN1 conformational and binding states, and the impact of post‐translational modifications will be essential to elucidating the mechanism of its multiple biological roles.
Conformational flexibility of the complete catalytic domain of Cdc25B phosphatases
Authors: Sayegh Raphael S. R. , Tamaki Fabio K. , Marana Sandro R. , Salinas Roberto K. , Arantes Guilherme M.
Published: July 2016

Cdc25B phosphatases are involved in cell cycle checkpoints and have become a possible target for developing new anticancer drugs. A more rational design of Cdc25B ligands would benefit from detailed knowledge of its tertiary structure. The conformational flexibility of the C‐terminal region of the Cdc25B catalytic domain has been debated recently and suggested to play an important structural role. Here, a combination of experimental NMR measurements and molecular dynamics simulations for the complete catalytic domain of the Cdc25B phosphatase is presented. The stability of the C‐terminal α‐helix is confirmed, but the last 20 residues in the complete catalytic domain are very flexible, partially occlude the active site and may establish transient contacts with the protein core. This flexibility in the C‐terminal tail may modulate the molecular recognition of natural substrates and competitive inhibitors by Cdc25B. Proteins 2016; 84:1567–1575. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Processivity of nucleic acid unwinding and translocation by helicases
Authors: Xie Ping
Published: July 2016

Helicases are a class of enzymes that use the chemical energy of NTP hydrolysis to drive mechanical processes such as translocation and nucleic acid (NA) strand separation. Besides the NA unwinding speed, another important factor for the helicase activity is the NA unwinding processivity. Here, we study the NA unwinding processivity with an analytical model that captures the phenomenology of the NA unwinding process. First, we study the processivity of the non‐hexameric helicase that can unwind NA efficiently in the form of a monomer and the processivity of the hexameric helicase that can unwind DNA effectively, providing quantitative explanations of the available single‐molecule experimental data. Then, we study the processivity of the non‐hexameric helicases, in particular UvrD, in the form of a dimer and compare with that in the form of a monomer. The available single‐molecule and some biochemical data showing that while UvrD monomer is a highly processive single‐stranded DNA translocase it is inactive in DNA unwinding, whereas other biochemical data showing that UvrD is active in both single‐stranded DNA translocation and DNA unwinding in the form of a monomer can be explained quantitatively and consistently. In addition, the recent single‐molecule data are also explained quantitatively showing that constraining the 2B subdomain in closed conformation by intramolecular cross‐linking can convert Rep monomer with a very poor DNA unwinding activity into a superhelicase that can unwind more than thousands of DNA base pairs processively, even against a large opposing force. Proteins 2016; 84:1590–1605. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Robust H∞ controller design using frequency‐domain data via convex optimization
Authors: Karimi Alireza , Nicoletti Achille , Zhu Yuanming
Published: July 2016

A new robust controller design method that satisfies the H∞ criterion is developed for linear time‐invariant single‐input single‐output (SISO) systems. A data‐driven approach is implemented in order to avoid the unmodeled dynamics associated with parametric models. This data‐driven method uses fixed‐order controllers to satisfy the H∞ criterion in the frequency domain. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of such controllers are presented by a set of convex constraints. These conditions are also extended to systems with frequency‐domain uncertainties in polytopic form. It is shown that the upper bound on the weighted infinity norm of the sensitivity function converges monotonically to the optimal value, when the controller order increases. Additionally, the practical issues involved in computing fixed‐order rational H∞ controllers in discrete‐time or continuous‐time by convex optimization techniques are addressed. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Typology of a Great River Using Fish Assemblages: Implications for the Bioassessment of the Danube River
Authors: Erős T. , Bammer V. , György Á. I. , Pehlivanov L. , Schabuss M. , Zornig H. , Weiperth A. , Szalóky Z.
Published: July 2016

Matching habitat typology and ecological assemblages can be useful in environmental management. We examined whether a priori defined riverine sections correspond with distinct fish assemblage types along the >2000 km long course of the Danube River, Europe. We also tested whether different sampling methods (i.e. day and night inshore electric fishing and offshore benthic trawling) provide consistent typological results. Analysis of assemblage similarities, indicator species analysis, non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and k‐means analyses indicated that fish assemblages of the a priori defined Upper‐, Middle and Lower‐Danubian sections differed slightly, but within class variability was high. Although indicator species analysis showed that the Upper‐Danube belongs to the barbel (Barbus barbus) zone and the Middle‐ and Lower Danube belong to the bream (Abramis spp) zone, indicator values of the character species were generally low. The NMDS analyses suggested a weak gradient in assemblage structure along the course of the river with relatively high variability between neighbouring sites. K‐means analyses revealed that many sampling sites were in a different class than the a priori defined sections, and classifications at other group numbers did not lead to better classification outcome. Overall, the results do not suggest clearly distinguishable assemblage types with distinct boundaries in the potamal section of a great river. Nevertheless, the division of the potamon to smaller sections may explain some variability in fish assemblage structure, and could be used for bioassessment purposes. The study also shows the importance of multihabitat and multigear surveys in the typological assessment of great rivers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Drawing the line between adaptation and development: a systematic literature review of planned adaptation in developing countries
Authors: Sherman Mya , Berrang‐Ford Lea , Lwasa Shuaib , Ford James , Namanya Didacus B. , Llanos‐Cuentas Alejandro , Maillet Michelle , Harper Sherilee , IHACC Research Team
Published: July 2016

Climate change adaptation is increasingly considered an urgent priority for policy action. Billions of dollars have been pledged for adaptation finance, with many donor agencies requiring that adaptation is distinct from baseline development. However, practitioners and academics continue to question what adaptation looks like on the ground, especially in a developing country. This study examines the current framing of planned adaptation amidst low socioeconomic development and considers the practical implications of this framing for adaptation planning. Three overarching approaches to planned adaptation in a developing country context emerged in a systematic review of 30 peer‐reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2015, including: (1) technocratic risk management, which treats adaptation as additional to development, (2) pro‐poor vulnerability reduction, which acknowledges the ability of conventional development to foster and act as adaptation, and (3) sustainable adaptation, which suggests that adaptation should only be integrated into a type of development that is socially and environmentally sustainable. Over half of ‘sustainable adaptation’ articles in this review took a critical adaptation approach, drawing primarily from political ecology and postdevelopment studies, and emphasizing the malleability of adaptation. The reviewed articles highlight how the different framings of the relationship between adaptation and development result in diverse and sometimes contradictory messages regarding adaptation design, implementation, funding, monitoring, and evaluation. This review illustrates the need to continually interrogate the multiple framings of adaptation and development and to foster a pragmatic and pluralistic dialogue regarding planned adaptation and transformative change in developing countries. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:707–726. doi: 10.1002/wcc.416

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Learning from Cases and Analogies

Climate and Development > Knowledge and Action in Development
An overview of the Earth system science of solar geoengineering
Authors: Irvine Peter J. , Kravitz Ben , Lawrence Mark G. , Muri Helene
Published: July 2016

Solar geoengineering has been proposed as a means to cool the Earth by increasing the reflection of sunlight back to space, for example, by injecting reflective aerosol particles (or their precursors) into the lower stratosphere. Such proposed techniques would not be able to substitute for mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as a response to the risks of climate change, as they would only mask some of the effects of global warming. They might, however, eventually be applied as a complementary approach to reduce climate risks. Thus, the Earth system consequences of solar geoengineering are central to understanding its potentials and risks. Here we review the state‐of‐the‐art knowledge about stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection and an idealized proxy for this, ‘sunshade geoengineering,’ in which the intensity of incoming sunlight is directly reduced in models. Studies are consistent in suggesting that sunshade geoengineering and stratospheric aerosol injection would generally offset the climate effects of elevated GHG concentrations. However, it is clear that a solar geoengineered climate would be novel in some respects, one example being a notably reduced hydrological cycle intensity. Moreover, we provide an overview of nonclimatic aspects of the response to stratospheric aerosol injection, for example, its effect on ozone, and the uncertainties around its consequences. We also consider the issues raised by the partial control over the climate that solar geoengineering would allow. Finally, this overview highlights some key research gaps in need of being resolved to provide sound basis for guidance of future decisions around solar geoengineering. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:815–833. doi: 10.1002/wcc.423

This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Knowledge Generation with Models
The Surgical Teams’ Perception of the Effects of a Routine Intraoperative Pause
Authors: Erestam Sofia , Angenete Eva , Derwinger Kristoffer
Published: July 2016

Background

A pause routine may reduce stress and errors during surgery. The aim of this study was to explore how the team, divided into the different professional groups, perceived the implementation of a pause routine and its possible impact on safety.

Methods

A pause routine was introduced at a University hospital operating theatre in Sweden in 2013. Questionnaires were distributed about 1 year later to all members of the operating theatre team. The questions included different perspectives of possible effects of the pause routine.

Results

A majority were positive to scheduled pauses. The surgeons often felt refreshed and at times changed their view on both anatomy and their surgical strategy. They were also perceived by other team members as improved regarding communication. All groups felt that patient safety was promoted. There were differences by profession in perception of team communication.

Conclusions

The pause routine was well perceived by the surgical team. A majority believed that scheduled and regular pauses contribute to improved patient safety and better team communication. There were also findings of differences in communication and experience of team coherence between personnel categories that could benefit from further acknowledgement and exploration.