bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship of stroke risk and hearing loss in African Americans: The Jackson Heart Study
Authors: Sorrel Jonathan E. , Bishop Charles E. , Spankovich Christopher , Su Dan , Valle Karen , Seals Samantha , Schweinfurth John M.
Published: October 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the relationships among measures of stroke risk and hearing in an African American cardiovascular study cohort.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

The relationships between stroke risk profiles and hearing of 1,107 individuals from a cohort of African Americans were assessed. Several different hearing pure‐tone averages (PTAs) were constructed representing different frequency regions of hearing, namely PTA low, PTA mid, and PTA high. Stroke risk profiles were calculated using validated 10‐year cardiovascular disease risk scores. Gamma regression analyses were performed for each PTA given as a continuous variable with change in stroke risk score. Logistic regression analyses, presented as odds ratios, were performed with hearing loss defined as any PTA >25 dB hearing level. Stratification models were analyzed for age quarterlies and among sex.

Results

Single unit increases of stroke risk percentage were found to be predictive of increases in all PTA threshold levels in gamma regression analyses for the overall pooled sample. The relationship was influenced by age, where fewer significant relationships were observed at higher ages. When analyzed with respect to stroke risk categories, using low risk as the reference group, there was found to be a significant association between stroke risk and hearing loss in the medium‐ and high‐risk groups, with a stronger relationship in the high‐risk group for all PTA threshold levels.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that stroke risk has a positive predictive relationship with hearing pure‐tone threshold.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 128:1438–1444, 2018
The Índice Flesch‐Szigriszt and Spanish Lexile Analyzer to evaluate Spanish patient education materials in otolaryngology
Authors: Nassif Samih J. , Wong Kevin , Levi Jessica R.
Published: October 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Evaluate the reading difficulty of Spanish patient education materials using the validated Índice Flesch‐Szigriszt (INFLESZ) and Spanish Lexile Analyzer, and to identify relationships between English and Spanish readability formulas.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional analysis.

Methods

All otolaryngology‐related patient education articles written in Spanish from the health libraries of the top 10 US News & World Report–ranked hospitals, top 10 Doximity‐ranked otolaryngology residencies, the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery website, and the US National Library of Medicine online section on ears, nose and throat were collected. Reading difficulty was assessed using the INFLESZ and Spanish Lexile Analyzer. Additional readability assessments included the traditional English tools: Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease Score, and the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook score.

Results

A total of 497 articles were reviewed. The average INFLESZ score for all articles was 57.75, which is considered normal and requires the reading ability of a student who finished Escuela Secundaria Obligatoria or 10th grade equivalent in the United States. The average Spanish Lexile measure for all articles was 1062L, equivalent to a reading level between the 6th and 12th grade. English readability tools calculated a more difficult reading level compared to Spanish tools when performed on the same text.

Conclusions

Current Spanish patient education materials in otolaryngology may be too difficult for the average Spanish‐speaking reader to understand. Future improvements may be warranted to improve the readability of educational materials and increase health literacy.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E21–E26, 2018
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of major salivary gland malignancies in children
Authors: Radomski Shannon , Dermody Sarah , Harley Earl H.
Published: October 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Determine demographics, clinical characteristics, and survival rates for children with primary salivary gland malignancies.

Study Design

Retrospective, population‐based cohort study.

Methods

All cases of primary salivary gland malignancies diagnosed between the years of 2002 and 2013 in patients ages 0 to 19 years were extracted from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Additional variables collected included age, gender, ethnicity, tumor histological subtype, tumor size, treatment modality, vitality status, and follow‐up time. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were generated.

Results

Two hundred forty‐five primary salivary gland malignancies were identified (220 parotid, 25 submandibular). Median age at diagnosis was 15 years. Most patients were female (59%), white (74%), and non–Spanish/Hispanic/Latino (81%). Among parotid tumors, mean tumor size was 2.3 cm, and there were 109 (50%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas and 86 (39%) acinic cell carcinomas. Most patients underwent surgery (n = 212, 96%) and 64 (29%) received adjuvant radiation. At a mean follow‐up of 62.4 months, 10 patients (5%) were deceased. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves illustrated that black children exhibited higher mortality rates than white children (15.8% vs. 4.6%, log‐rank = 0.0260) as did those who underwent adjuvant radiation (15.73% vs. 3.2%, log‐rank = 0.0209). Among submandibular tumors, mean tumor size was 3.1 cm, and there were 11 (44%) mucoepidermoid carcinomas. All patients underwent surgery and most received adjuvant radiation (n = 15, 60%). At a mean follow‐up of 51.25 months, one patient was deceased.

Conclusions

Salivary gland malignancies in children and adolescents are rare. Overall survival for both parotid and submandibular tumors in children is good.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1126–1132, 2018
National trends in otolaryngology intern curricula following Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education changes
Authors: Kovatch Kevin J. , Harvey Rebecca S. , Prince Mark E. P. , Thorne Marc C.
Published: October 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

In 2016, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements for curriculum and resident experiences were modified to require entering postgraduate year (PGY)‐1 residents to spend 6 months of structured education on otolaryngology–head and neck surgery (ORL‐HNS) rotations. We aimed to determine how ORL‐HNS training programs have adapted curricula in response to 2016 ACGME curriculum requirement changes.

Study Design

Survey study.

Methods

A national survey of ACGME‐accredited ORL‐HNS programs was distributed via the Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization.

Results

Thirty‐seven program directors responded (34.9%). Most common ORL‐HNS rotations included general otolaryngology (80.6% of programs, up to 6 months) and head and neck oncology (67.7%, up to 4 months), though more months are also spent on other subspecialty rotations (laryngology, otology, rhinology, and pediatrics) than previously. All programs continue at least 1 month of anesthesiology, intensive care unit, and general surgery. Programs have preferentially eliminated rotations in emergency medicine (77% decrease) and additional months on general surgery (48% decrease). Curricula have incorporated supplemental teaching modalities including didactic lectures (96.3% of programs), simulation (66.7%), dissection courses (63.0%), and observed patient encounters (55.5%), to a greater degree following ACGME changes. More interns are involved in shared call responsibilities than in previous years (70.4% vs. 51.8%). A stable minority of interns take the Otolaryngology Training Examination (approximately 20%).

Conclusions

New ACGME requirements have challenged ORL‐HNS training programs to develop effective 6‐month rotation schedules for PGY‐1 residents. Significant variation exists between programs, and evaluation of first‐year curricula and readiness for PGY‐2 year is warranted.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 1811–1816, 2018
Parametric Amplification of Phase‐Locked Few‐Cycle Pulses and Ultraviolet Harmonics Generation in Solids at High Repetition Rate
Authors: Storz Patrick , Tauch Jonas , Wunram Marcel , Leitenstorfer Alfred , Brida Daniele
Published: October 2017

A high‐power femtosecond Yb:fiber system is seeded by a phase‐locked Er:fiber source and drives an ultra‐broadband optical parametric amplifier that operates at 10 MHz repetition rate. The resulting pulses display precise control of the carrier‐envelope phase. Their 8.3 fs temporal duration corresponds to 2.3 optical cycles of the 1100 nm carrier wavelength. Focusing 200 nJ of pulse energy into widegap materials generates optical harmonics up to fifth order. Even in a perturbative regime, strong effects of the carrier‐envelope phase on the emitted spectra are observed.
Ex vivo feasibility study of endoscopic intraductal laser ablation of the breast
Authors: de Boorder Tjeerd , Waaijer Laurien , van Diest Paul J. , Witkamp Arjen J.
Published: October 2017

Objective

To determine the feasibility and safety of breast endoscopic thulium laser ablation for treatment of intraductal neoplasia.

Study Design

Ductoscopy is a minimally invasive endoscopic approach of the milk ducts of the breast via the nipple. Besides diagnosis in women with pathologic nipple discharge (PND), it allows non‐invasive removal of intraductal lesions with a stalk like papillomas. Removal, however, is often incomplete and flat lesions cannot be targeted. We therefore developed laser ductoscopy.

Methods

Dosimetry of laser ductoscopy was assessed in thirteen mastectomy specimens, applying power settings of 1–5 W with 100–1000 ms pulsed exposure to a 375‐μm outer diameter thulium fiber laser. Subsequently histology was obtained from the breast tissue that was treated with the Thulium laser.

Results

Endoscopic view was maintained during ductoscopic laser ablation at 1–3 W. Increasing power to 4–5 W caused impaired vision due to shrinkage of the main duct around the ductoscope tip. Histology revealed localized ablation of the duct wall.

Conclusion

We show for the first time that laser ductoscopy is technically feasible. The Thulium laser enables a superficial intraductal ablation and is a useful tool for intraductal interventions. An in vivo prospective study is needed to further demonstrate its potential. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:137–142, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spatiotemporal modeling of laser tissue soldering using photothermal nanocomposites
Authors: Mushaben Madaline , Urie Russell , Flake Tanner , Jaffe Michael , Rege Kaushal , Heys Jeffrey
Published: October 2017

Objective

Laser tissue soldering using photothermal solders is a technology that facilitates rapid sealing using heat‐induced changes in the tissue and the solder material. The solder material is made of gold nanorods embedded in a protein matrix patch that can be placed over the tissue rupture site and heated with a laser. Although laser tissue soldering is an attractive approach for surgical repair, potential photothermal damage can limit the success of this approach. Development of predictive mathematical models of photothermal effects including cell death, can lead to more efficient approaches in laser‐based tissue repair.

Methods

We describe an experimental and modeling investigation into photothermal solder patches for sealing porcine and mouse cadaver intestine sections using near‐infrared laser irradiation. Spatiotemporal changes in temperature were determined at the surface as well as various depths below the patch. A mathematical model, based on the finite element method, predicts the spatiotemporal temperature distribution in the patch and surrounding tissue, as well as concomitant cell death in the tissue is described.

Results

For both the porcine and mouse intestine systems, the model predicts temperatures that are quantitatively similar to the experimental measurements with the model predictions of temperature increase often being within a just a few degrees of experimental measurements.

Conclusion

This mathematical model can be employed to identify optimal conditions for minimizing healthy cell death while still achieving a strong seal of the ruptured tissue using laser soldering. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:143–152, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Click and Click‐Inspired Chemistry for the Design of Sequence‐Controlled Polymers
Authors: Martens Steven , Holloway Joshua O. , Du Prez Filip. E.
Published: October 2017

During the previous decade, many popular chemical reactions used in the area of “click” chemistry and similarly efficient “click‐inspired” reactions have been applied for the design of sequence‐defined and, more generally, sequence‐controlled structures. This combination of topics has already made quite a significant impact on scientific research to date and has enabled the synthesis of highly functionalized and complex oligomeric and polymeric structures, which offer the prospect of many exciting further developments and applications in the near future. This minireview highlights the fruitful combination of these two topics for the preparation of sequence‐controlled oligomeric and macromolecular structures and showcases the vast number of publications in this field within a relatively short span of time. It is divided into three sections according to the click‐(inspired) reaction that has been applied: copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition, thiol‐X, and related thiolactone‐based reactions, and finally Diels–Alder‐chemistry‐based routes are outlined, respectively.
Molecular Weight Distribution Simulation in Equilibrium Ring‐Opening Polymerization: A New Macroscopic Model
Authors: Long Teng , Zhang Chen , Liu Hui , Chen Xin , Zhao Shigui , Zhou Chuanjian
Published: October 2017

Compared with other types of polymerization, the molecular weight and its distribution (MWD) of equilibrium ring‐opening polymerization (EROP) are complicated and have not been extensively studied. By using statistic method, a series of equations based on polymerization mechanism is established to describe numbers of rings, chains, and active centers. Using this new model, the predicted results of polydimethylsiloxane synthesized by EROP agree well with experimental results. This model has advantages in molecule number, calculation speed, and stability when compared with the Monte Carlo simulation. It also has the potential to replace Monte Carlo simulation in MWD prediction.
Characterization of garlic endophytes isolated from the black garlic processing
Authors: Qiu Zhichang , Lu Xiaoming , Li Ningyang , Zhang Mingjie , Qiao Xuguang
Published: October 2017

The objectives of this study were to isolate and identify garlic endophytes, and explore the characteristics of dominant strains. Garlic endophytes were studied through phenotypical characterization and comparative sequence analysis of 16S rDNA based on culture‐dependent approaches. Representative strains inferred from 16S rDNA sequencing were selected for further identification by gyrA and rpoB gene loci and phylogenetic analysis based on concateneted house‐keeping sequences. Seven kinds of Bacillus were found from garlic and black garlic, respectively. Further studies demonstrated that the total bacteria and endophytes showed a sharp decrease firstly, followed by a rapid rise, then maintained at a certain level, and finally slowed down during the black garlic processing. B. subtilis, B. methylotrophicus, and B. amyloliquefaciens were the dominant strains. The selected strains were capable of fermenting glucose, lactose, sucrose, and garlic polysaccharide to produce acid but no gas, with a strong ability of heat resistance. The results indicated that there were a certain number of garlic endophytes during the black garlic processing, and Bacillus was the dominant strains under the conventional culture‐dependent methods. This report provided useful information for the presence and type of garlic endophytes during the black garlic processing, which were of great significance to study the formation mechanism and quality improvement of black garlic in the future, as well as the security of garlic powder.
Comparison of the Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin Clinical Rating Scale and the Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale
Authors: Ondo William , Hashem Vera , LeWitt Peter A. , Pahwa Rajesh , Shih Ludy , Tarsy Daniel , Zesiewicz Theresa , Elble Rodger
Published: October 2017

Background

The Fahn‐Tolosa‐Marin Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (FTM) has been used in large trials for essential tremor (ET), but its anchors for ratings from 0 to 4 of upper limb tremor are probably too low for patients with severe tremor (tremor amplitude >4 cm; grade 4). The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS) is a validated clinical scale designed specifically for the assessment of ET severity. TETRAS has anchors that span a larger range of tremor amplitudes (>20 cm = grade 4), making it more suitable for assessing patients with severe ET. However, there is no direct comparison of these scales in any clinical trial.

Methods

Upper limb postural and kinetic tremor items from both scales were compared using blinded, video‐recorded examinations of patients with moderate‐to‐severe ET who participated in a trial of focused ultrasound thalamotomy.

Results

FTM ratings of postural and kinetic tremor correlated strongly with those of TETRAS. However, FTM exhibited a ceiling effect for severe tremor. Rest tremor, exclusive to FTM, correlated poorly with postural and kinetic tremor and had very poor test‐retest reliability. In contrast, wing‐beating postural tremor, exclusive to TETRAS, exhibited excellent test‐retest reliability and a strong correlation with kinetic and limbs‐extended‐forward postural tremor. Test‐retest reliabilities of the other TETRAS and FTM ratings were excellent, and both scales had good sensitivity to treatment effect.

Conclusions

TETRAS has 2 main advantages over FTM in the assessment of tremor severity: (1) the absence of a ceiling effect in patients with severe ET, and (2) the inclusion of wing‐beating tremor.
Ligand‐based Modeling for the Prediction of Pharmacophore Features for Multi‐targeted Inhibition of the Arachidonic Acid Cascade
Authors: Saroj Devi Nisha , Shanmugam Rajasekar , Ghorai Jayanta , Ramanan Meera , Anbarasan Pazhamalai , Doble Mukesh
Published: October 2017

The single‐target drugs against the arachidonic acid inflammatory pathway are associated with serious side effects, hence, as a first step towards multi‐target drugs, we have studied the pharmacophoric features common to the inhibitors of 5‐lipoxygenase‐activating protein (FLAP), microsomal prostaglandin E‐synthase 1 (mPGES‐1) and leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H). FLAP and mPGES‐1 shared subfamily‐specific positions (SSPs) and four mPGES‐1 inhibitors binding to them mapped onto the pharmacophore derived from FLAP inhibitors (Ph‐FLAP). The reactions of mPGES‐1 and LTA4H had high structural similarity. The pharmacophore derived from two substrate mimic inhibitors of LTA4H (Ph‐LTA4H) also mapped onto three mPGES‐1 inhibitors. Screening of in‐house database for Ph‐FLAP and Ph‐LTA4H identified one compound, C1. It inhibited the production of the mPGES‐1 product, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by 97.8±1.6 % at 50 μM in HeLa cells and can be a starting point for designing molecules inhibiting all three targets simultaneously.
Equiform spacelike normal curves according to equiform‐Bishop frame in
Authors: El‐sayied Hoda K. , Elzawy Mervat , Elsharkawy Ayman
Published: October 2017

In this article, we present the equiform parameter and define the equiform‐Bishop frame in Minkowski 3‐space
. Additionally, we investigate the equiform‐Bishop formulas of the equiform spacelike case in Minkowski 3‐space. Furthermore, some results of equiform spacelike normal curves according to the equiform‐Bishop frame in
are considered.
A truly complementary approach: A qualitative exploration of complementary and alternative medicine practitioners' views of treating ankylosing spondylitis
Authors: Family Hannah , Jordan Abbie , Blaxall Kelly , Sengupta Raj
Published: October 2017

Objective

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease in which individuals experience a long delay to diagnosis. Prior to diagnosis, individuals report frequent use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. While popularly used, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning the experiences of CAM practitioners in terms of treating individuals with AS. Addressing this knowledge gap, the present study provides a detailed exploration of how UK‐based CAM practitioners treat individuals with AS.

Methods

Semi‐structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight UK‐based CAM practitioners, (four males), aged 45–69 years. CAM practitioners were recruited across a range of CAM therapies and years of CAM practice experience (8–46 years).

Results

Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of three themes to characterize the data. Themes comprised: (i) the whole picture; (ii) alarm bells; and (iii) a common language. Themes highlighted CAM practitioner adoption of a holistic, yet individualized approach to treating individuals with AS, despite a general sense of lack of knowledge concerning AS among CAM practitioners. Notably, results indicated a desire of CAM practitioners to work more collaboratively with mainstream health providers to provide more joined‐up care for individuals with AS.

Conclusion

CAM practitioners emphasized the benefits of CAM to focus on providing effective symptom management when used in conjunction, rather than in opposition to, mainstream healthcare. Adoption of a more holistic approach to AS management by CAM practitioners may empower clients to become more aware of symptoms, thus potentially reducing delays in receiving a formal diagnosis of AS.
Psychosocial co‐morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A systematic review
Authors: McKernan Lindsey C. , Walsh Colin G. , Reynolds William S. , Crofford Leslie J. , Dmochowski Roger R. , Williams David A.
Published: October 2017

Aims

Psychosocial factors amplify symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS). While psychosocial self‐management is efficacious in other pain conditions, its impact on an IC/BPS population has rarely been studied. The objective of this review is to learn the prevalence and impact of psychosocial factors on IC/BPS, assess baseline psychosocial characteristics, and offer recommendations for assessment and treatment.

Method

Following PRISMA guidelines, primary information sources were PubMed including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and GoogleScholar. Inclusion criteria included: (i) a clearly defined cohort with IC/BPS or with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome provided the IC/BPS cohort was delineated with quantitative results from the main cohort; (ii) all genders and regions; (iii) studies written in English from 1995 to April 14, 2017; (iv) quantitative report of psychosocial factors as outcome measures or at minimum as baseline characteristics.

Results

Thirty‐four of an initial 642 articles were reviewed. Quantitative analyses demonstrate the magnitude of psychosocial difficulties in IC/BPS, which are worse than average on all measures, and fall into areas of clinical concern for 7 out of 10 measures. Meta‐analyses shows mean Mental Component Score of the Short‐Form 12 Health Survey (MCS) of 40.80 (SD 6.25, N = 2912), where <36 is consistent with severe psychological impairment. Averaged across studies, the population scored in the range seen in clinical depression (CES‐D 19.89, SD 13.12, N = 564) and generalized anxiety disorder (HADS‐A 8.15, SD 4.85, N = 465).

Conclusion

The psychological impact of IC/BPS is pervasive and severe. Existing evidence of treatment is lacking and suggests self‐management intervention may be helpful.
Optimizing usage and maintenance decisions for k‐out‐of‐n systems of moving assets
Authors: Eruguz Ayse Sena , Tan Tarkan , van Houtum Geert‐Jan
Published: October 2017

We consider an integrated usage and maintenance optimization problem for a k‐out‐of‐n system pertaining to a moving asset. The k‐out‐of‐n systems are commonly utilized in practice to increase availability, where n denotes the total number of parallel and identical units and k the number of units required to be active for a functional system. Moving assets such as aircraft, ships, and submarines are subject to different operating modes. Operating modes can dictate not only the number of system units that are needed to be active, but also where the moving asset physically is, and under which environmental conditions it operates. We use the intrinsic age concept to model the degradation process. The intrinsic age is analogous to an intrinsic clock which ticks on a different pace in different operating modes. In our problem setting, the number of active units, degradation rates of active and standby units, maintenance costs, and type of economic dependencies are functions of operating modes. In each operating mode, the decision maker should decide on the set of units to activate (usage decision) and the set of units to maintain (maintenance decision). Since the degradation rate differs for active and standby units, the units to be maintained depend on the units that have been activated, and vice versa. In order to minimize maintenance costs, usage and maintenance decisions should be jointly optimized. We formulate this problem as a Markov decision process and provide some structural properties of the optimal policy. Moreover, we assess the performance of usage policies that are commonly implemented for maritime systems. We show that the cost increase resulting from these policies is up to 27% for realistic settings. Our numerical experiments demonstrate the cases in which joint usage and maintenance optimization is more valuable. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 64: 418–434, 2017
Novel enriched pathways in superficial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours and spindle/desmoplastic melanomas
Authors: Jour George , Andeen Nicole K , al‐Rohil Rami , Aung Phyu P , Mehrotra Meenakshi , Duose Dzifa , Hoch Benjamin , Argenyi Zolt , Luthra Rajyalakshmi , Wistuba Ignacio I , Prieto Victor G
Published: October 2017

Superficial malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is a rare, soft tissue neoplasm that shares morphological features and some molecular events with spindle/desmoplastic melanoma (SDM). Herein, we sought to identify molecular targets for therapy by using targeted RNA/DNA sequencing and gene expression of key immunological players. DNA and RNA from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue were extracted and processed. Massive high‐throughput deep parallel sequencing was performed with the Oncomine comprehensive panel, enabling detection of relevant single‐nucleotide variants, copy number variations, gene fusions and indels for 143 unique genes on the Ion torrent sequencer for clinical trial research programmes. Gene expression analysis was carried out with a customized 770‐gene expression panel combining markers for 24 different immune cell types and 30 common cancer antigens, including key checkpoint blockade genes analysed with the Ncounter system. Fifty‐one patients (SDM, 16/11; MPNST, 24; male, n = 37; female, n = 16) had sufficient DNA and RNA for testing. NF1 deleterious mutations and/or deep/homozygous deletions were identified in 73% of MPNSTs and 67% of SDMs, with 50% of the mutations involving the RAS‐binding domain. Inactivating/deleterious mutations of TSC1/TSC2 were identified in 40% and 41% of MPNSTs and SDMs, respectively. Activating mutations affecting the EGFR‐like and the negative regulatory domains of NOTCH1 and KDR (VEGFR2) were identified in 45% and 40% of SDMs and in 30% and 8% of MPNSTs, respectively. Differential gene expression and gene clustering analysis showed significantly perturbed immune pathway components, including nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), JAK–STAT, and CXCL12–CXCR4, and differentially expressed CD274 and CTLA4, in both SDM and MPNST. Angiogenesis (KDR and NOTCH1) and mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) pathways offer a rationale for anti‐angiogenic and selective mTORC inhibition as treatment strategies for MPNST and SDM. Cytokines and the JAK–STAT, TNF and NF‐κB axes were perturbed in both SDM and MPNST. These pathways have been targeted in haematological malignancies and present promising targets for these tumours. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanoparticle effects of thermoplastic polyurethane on kinetics of microphase separation, with or without preshear
Authors: Sahebi Jouibari Iman , Kamkar Milad , Nazokdast Hossein
Published: October 2017

The present research was carried out in two stages. First, various nanoparticles (Closite30B and multiwalled carbon nanotubes [MWCNTs]) for reinforcement of the polymer matrix were prepared and characterized. Samples were prepared with a melt mixing technique. In the next step, the kinetics of phase separation of thermoplastic polyurethane with nanoparticle (Closite30B, MWCNTs) and preshear were investigated by linear viscoelastic experiments, including frequency sweep and time sweep tests, which were performed on TPU/Closite30B/MWCNT samples varying in nanoparticle content at rheological measurements. The kinetics of phase separation at high preshear and a lower percentage of nanoparticles increased, while they showed a decrease in higher compositions. The nucleation effect of nanoparticles and the effect of preshear with the orientation of the hard segment increases the kinetics of phase separation of the soft and hard segments. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that multiple endothermic peaks of thermoplastic polyurethane were affected in the presence of nanoparticles. Dynamic mechanical tests showed that Closite30B has greater affinity with the soft segment and MWCNTs with the hard segment, according to the DSC and rheological experiments. Finally, it was observed that the shear flow and nanoparticles can accelerate phase separation kinetics, but the effect of preshear on the kinetics of phase separation was reduced in the presence of a strong nucleating agent like MWCNTs. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4551–4559, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Void content analysis and processing issues to minimize defects in liquid composite molding
Authors: LeBel François , Ruiz Édu , Trochu François
Published: October 2017

This investigation aims to study the impact of key process parameters dealing with the resin impregnation of fibrous reinforcements used in Liquid Composite Molding (LCM). The process parameters are the flow front velocity, the inlet mold pressure and the bleeding flow rate. The experimental setup consists of a computer‐assisted injection system and a Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) mold that allows monitoring the progression of the flow front and study the effects of resin bleeding and applying post‐fill resin pressure during cure (also known as “mold packing”). Three sets of RTM injections were carried out with a vinyl ester resin and a bidirectional 0°/90° E‐glass noncrimp fabrics under (1) constant injection pressure, (2) constant injection flow rate, and (3) bleeding as well as mold packing after filling. The quality of injected parts was evaluated by standard void content analysis based on ASTM burn‐off (D2734) tests. The experimental results are consistent with published data and with predictions of the optimal impregnation velocity obtained from capillary rise tests. This study also shows that the impregnation of fibrous reinforcements in LCM can be improved through various injection strategies, namely monitoring of the flow front velocity and specific post‐filling procedures. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:109–120, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Processing, characterization, and parametric analysis of erosion behavior of epoxy‐LD sludge composites using Taguchi technique and response surface method
Authors: Purohit Abhilash , Satapathy Alok
Published: October 2017

Linz‐Donawitz sludge (LDS) are the microsized solid particles that are recovered after wet cleaning of the gas emerging from basic oxygen furnace during steel making. This article reports on the development of a new class of thermoset polymer composites filled with this industrial waste called LDS. It includes processing, characterization and solid particle erosion wear of epoxy composites filled with different proportions (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) of LDS by solution casting technique. The solid particle erosion wear tests are performed on the prepared epoxy‐LDS composite specimens as per ASTM G76 using Taguchi's Orthogonal Arrays followed by the parametric appraisal of the wear process by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A theoretical model is developed to estimate the erosion rate of these composites under different test conditions. The results obtained from the proposed theoretical model are found to be in good agreement with the experimental values under similar test conditions. Both Taguchi's analysis and RSM suggest that the filler content and the impact velocity are the most significant factors affecting the erosion rate of the composite specimens. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2283–E2297, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Experimental study and modeling of wall slip of polymethylmethacrylate considering different die surfaces
Authors: Zitzenbacher Gernot , Huang Zefeng , Holzer Clemens
Published: October 2017

Wall slip of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was studied on different flow channel surfaces using a rheological slit die and a high pressure capillary rheometer. As die surfaces polished steel, ground steel, and Si doped Diamond like carbon (DLC) were used. A new wall slip model is presented in this paper which assumes a lubricating film between the polymer melt and the die surface. The slip velocity has a power law dependency on wall shear stress. In the double logarithmic plot the wall slip curves are linear and can be parallel shifted to higher values with increasing temperature. The predicted dependencies of the wall slip velocity could be confirmed with experiments conducted with PMMA on polished steel. Furthermore, the die surface influences the flow behavior of PMMA. No wall slip was found on ground steel and on DLC. No complete film could be established by the lubricant on the ground steel die wall. The DLC‐coating exhibits a similar surface roughness and surface energy to polished steel, but the chemical composition is different. It is a metastable form of amorphous carbon containing sp2 and sp³ bonds. As a consequence slip additives have a low ability to bond to this material. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1391–1398, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Using multiobjective optimization algorithms and decision making support to solve polymer extrusion problems
Authors: Denysiuk Roman , Recio Gustavo , Covas José António , Gaspar‐Cunha António
Published: October 2017

Single screw extrusion is a major polymer processing operation. Its optimization is crucial for producing good quality products at suitable costs. This study addresses extrusion as a multiobjective optimization problem that can be solved using evolutionary algorithms incorporating decision making and robustness strategies for selecting solutions. This approach enables focusing the search for solutions in favored regions where the preference was defined either by the relative importance of the objectives or determined considering the robustness of solutions against perturbations in the design variables. The outcome of this strategy provides not only a better insight into the problem at hand, but also facilitates the choice of a single solution for practical implementation. The usefulness of the approach is illustrated by several case studies involving the definition of the most adequate operating conditions, of the best screw geometry and the two together. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:493–502, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Erosion and sediment transfer processes at the front of rapidly moving rock glaciers: Systematic observations with automatic cameras in the western Swiss Alps
Authors: Kummert Mario , Delaloye Reynald , Braillard Luc
Published: October 2017

When connected to torrential channels, the fronts of active rock glaciers constitute important sediment sources for gravitational transfer processes. In this study, a 2013–16 time series of in situ webcam images from the western Swiss Alps was analyzed to characterize the erosion processes responsible for sediment transfer at the front of three rapidly moving rock glaciers and their temporal behavior. The main erosion processes comprised rock fall, debris slide, superficial flow and concentrated flow. These processes were induced by (i) changes of the frontal slope angle produced by rock glacier advance, and (ii) increases in water content of the sediments at the rock glacier front due to melt processes and rainfall. Erosion almost ceased during winter, when the front was frozen and snow‐covered. The onset of snowmelt triggered an active period of high‐frequency erosion events. After the melt period, sediment transfer continued as occasional rock falls, while other erosion processes occurred only during or following rainfall events. Intense regressive erosion phases that triggered debris flows were rare and occurred when enhanced snowmelt and/or recurring rainfall induced substantial groundwater flow on the debris slopes directly below the rock glacier fronts.
Resistance to cycloxaprid in Laodelphax striatellus is associated with altered expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits
Authors: Zhang Yueliang , Han Yangchun , Yang Qiong , Wang Lihua , He Peng , Liu Zewen , Li Zhong , Guo Huifang , Fang Jichao
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Cycloxaprid is a new oxabridged cis‐configuration neonicotinoid insecticide, the resistance development potential and underlying resistance mechanism of which were investigated in the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), an important agricultural pest of rice.

RESULTS

A cycloxaprid‐resistant strain (YN‐CPD) only achieved 10‐fold higher resistance, in contrast to 106‐fold higher resistance to buprofezin and 332‐fold higher resistance to chlorpyrifos achieved after exposure to similar selection pressure, and the cycloxaprid selected line showed no cross‐resistance to the buprofezin and chlorpyrifos‐selected resistance strains. Moreover, we identified 10 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunits from the transcriptome of L. striatellus, and six segments had open reading frames (ORFs). While we did not find mutations in the nAChR genes of L. striatellus, subunits Lsα1 and Lsβ1 exhibited, respectively, 9.60‐fold and 3.36‐fold higher expression in the resistant strain, while Lsα8 exhibited 0.44‐fold lower expression. Suppression of Lsα1 through ingestion of dsLsα1 led to an increase in susceptibility to cycloxaprid.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicate that resistance to cycloxaprid develops slowly compared with resistance to other chemicals and without cross‐resistance to chlorpyrifos or buprofezin; over‐expressed Lsα1 is associated with low cycloxaprid resistance levels, but the importance of over‐expressed Lsβ1 and reduced expression of Lsα8 could not be excluded. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of PE‐ALD of GaP on the Silicon Wafers Quality
Authors: Baranov Artem I. , Gudovskikh Alexander S. , Kudryashov Dmitriy A. , Morozov Ivan A. , Mozharov Alexey M. , Nikitina Ekaterina V. , Zelentsov Kirill S. , Darga Arouna , Le Gall Sylvain , Kleider Jean‐Paul
Published: October 2017

An attractive method of low‐temperature plasma‐enhanced atomic layer deposition (PE‐ALD) of GaP on silicon wafer was recently proposed. In the present paper, the influence of the growth process on the quality of silicon wafers is explored by space charge capacitance techniques, C–V profiling and deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). No DLTS peak is observed for PE‐ALD GaP deposited onto n‐type wafer, meaning that the defect concentration is very low (less than 1 × 1012 cm−3) and that the growth process does not affect the properties of the n‐Si wafer. For boron‐doped p‐type silicon, C–V profiling shows that there is no deactivation of boron doping after the PE‐ALD process, as could have been expected from the presence of hydrogen in the plasma. Measurements on the reference Schottky diodes formed on the p‐type Si wafer reveal the presence of the well‐known Fe interstitial defects at the position EV + 0.38 eV with a concentration of 3 × 1013 cm−3. PE‐ALD of GaP leads to a modification of the response of this defect and to the appearance of another response in the low temperature range, possibly related to changes in the Fe interstitial defect environment or configuration. However, deep‐levels were not detected in p‐Si after PE‐ALD, meaning that the quality of p‐Si does not degrade.
2D Structures Exhibiting Negative Area Compressibility
Authors: Lim Teik‐Cheng
Published: October 2017

This paper proposes an in‐plane negative area compressibility (NAC) material not due to Lifshitz mode, but due to all around in‐plane pressure. The NAC system consists of an array of two‐dimensional material in the form of n‐sided polygon with n/2 number of connecting rods, where n is an even number. Two types of NAC microstructural geometries are introduced herein: 8‐sided polygon in square array and 6‐sided polygon in hexagonal array. The polygons are permitted to change in shape – and hence change in area – at constant side lengths with accompanying translational motion of the connecting rods, thereby changing the overall area of the cell. Results reveal that negative compressibility is observed in the square array NAC when the material shape is in between a regular octagon and a square, and in the hexagonal array NAC when the material shape is in between a regular hexagon and an equilateral triangle.
Lifshitz Transitions Induced by Temperature and Surface Doping in Type‐II Weyl Semimetal Candidate Td‐WTe2
Authors: Zhang Qihang , Liu Zhongkai , Sun Yan , Yang Haifeng , Jiang Juan , Mo Sung‐Kwan , Hussain Zahid , Qian Xiaofeng , Fu Liang , Yao Shuhua , Lu Minghui , Felser Claudia , Yan Binghai , Chen Yulin , Yang Lexian
Published: October 2017

Using high resolution angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we systematically investigate the electronic structure of Td‐WTe2, which has attracted substantial research attention due to its diverse and fascinating properties, especially the predicted type‐II topological Weyl semimetal (TWS) phase. The observed significant lattice contraction and the fact that our ARPES measurements are well reproduced by our ab initio calculations under reduced lattice constants support the theoretical prediction of a type‐II TWS phase in Td‐WTe2 at temperatures below 10 K. We also investigate the evolution of the electronic structure of Td‐WTe2 and realize two‐stage Lifshitz transitions induced by temperature regulation and surface modification, respectively. Our results not only shed light on the understanding of the electronic structure of Td‐WTe2, but also provide a promising method to manipulate the electronic structures and physical properties of the type‐II TWS Td‐XTe2.
Abiotic factors controlling the seasonal and spatial patterns of phytoplankton community in the Tigris River, Turkey
Authors: Varol M. , Şen B.
Published: October 2017

In this study, the seasonal and spatial dynamics of the phytoplankton community in the Tigris River (Turkey) and the relationships with environmental factors were analysed. Bacillariophyta were the most important taxonomic group both in terms of abundance and species number. Phytoplankton abundance increased from winter to autumn associated with a decline in discharge and an increase in nutrient concentrations and water temperature. There was a downstream increase in phytoplankton abundance and species number in the river. Similar spatial and seasonal patterns were observed in chlorophyll‐a concentration and phytoplankton abundance. Redundancy analysis and correlation analysis revealed that chemical variables, mainly nutrients were the most important abiotic factors controlling phytoplankton abundance in the Tigris River.
Helenos: A realistic benchmark for distributed transactional memory
Authors: Kobyliński Paweł , Siek Konrad , Baranowski Jan , Wojciechowski Paweł T.
Published: October 2017

Transactional memory (TM) is an approach to concurrency control that aims to make writing parallel programs both effective and simple. The approach has been initially proposed for nondistributed multiprocessor systems, but it is gaining popularity in distributed systems to synchronize tasks at large scales. Efficiency and scalability are often the key issues in TM research; thus, performance benchmarks are an important part of it. However, while standard TM benchmarks like the Stanford Transactional Applications for Multi‐Processing suite and STMBench7 are available and widely accepted, they do not translate well into distributed systems. Hence, the set of benchmarks usable with distributed TM systems is very limited, and must be padded with microbenchmarks, whose simplicity and artificial nature often makes them uninformative or misleading. Therefore, this paper introduces Helenos, a realistic, complex, and comprehensive distributed TM benchmark based on the problem of the Facebook inbox, an application of the Cassandra distributed store.
Cyclic‐di‐GMP regulation of virulence in bacterial pathogens
Authors: Hall Cherisse L. , Lee Vincent T.
Published: October 2017

Signaling pathways allow bacteria to adapt to changing environments. For pathogenic bacteria, signaling pathways allow for timely expression of virulence factors and the repression of antivirulence factors within the mammalian host. As the bacteria exit the mammalian host, signaling pathways enable the expression of factors promoting survival in the environment and/or nonmammalian hosts. One such signaling pathway uses the dinucleotide cyclic‐di‐GMP (c‐di‐GMP), and many bacterial genomes encode numerous proteins that are responsible for synthesizing and degrading c‐di‐GMP. Once made, c‐di‐GMP binds to individual protein and RNA receptors to allosterically alter the macromolecule function to drive phenotypic changes. Each bacterial genome encodes unique sets of genes for c‐di‐GMP signaling and virulence factors so the regulation by c‐di‐GMP is organism specific. Recent works have pointed to evidence that c‐di‐GMP regulates virulence in different bacterial pathogens of mammalian hosts. In this review, we discuss the criteria for determining the contribution of signaling nucleotides to pathogenesis using a well‐characterized signaling nucleotide, cyclic AMP (cAMP), in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using these criteria, we review the roles of c‐di‐GMP in mediating virulence and highlight common themes that exist among eight diverse pathogens that cause different diseases through different routes of infection and transmission. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1454. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1454

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease