bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical mechanism of tin membrane electro‐deposition in chloride solutions
Authors: Lei Jie , Yang Jian‐guang
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

A new membrane electro‐deposition based process for tin recovery from stannous solid waste was introduced. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CHR) was applied to investigate the electrodeposition of tin(II) from a stannous chloride acid electrolyte containing an amine non‐ionic surfactant by using a membrane cell.

RESULTS

Electrochemical mechanism analysis results showed that 0.3% vol. amine non‐ionic surfactant facilitated ions diffusion by increasing the diffusion coefficient from 8.32E‐12 m2 s−1 to 2.85E‐11 m2 s−1, and inhibited tin(II) ions reduction as well as tin nucleation and hydrogen evolution. The applied ionic membrane did not hinder tin electrodeposition, while tin(II) ions reduction and hydrogen evolution was weakened with increasing HCl concentration from 1.5 to 4.5 mol L−1 and Sn2+ concentration increased from 20 to 80 g L−1.

CONCLUSIONS

The tin(II) reduction process is proved to be irreversible and diffusion‐controlled, while the nucleation and growth of tin was involved in the process of diffusion for the proton reduction occuring in parallel with tin electrodeposition, and the process follows the mechanism of three‐dimensional instantaneous nucleation and subsequent grain growth limited by diffusion. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
In vivo magnetic resonance elastography to estimate left ventricular stiffness in a myocardial infarction induced porcine model
Authors: Mazumder Ria , Schroeder Samuel , Mo Xiaokui , Litsky Alan S. , Clymer Bradley D. , White Richard D , Kolipaka Arunark
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To estimate change in left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic and end‐diastolic myocardial stiffness (MS) in pigs induced with myocardial infarction (MI) with disease progression using cardiac magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and to compare it against ex vivo mechanical testing, LV circumferential strain, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relaxometry parameters (T1, T2, and extracellular volume fraction [ECV]).

Materials and Methods

MRI (1.5T) was performed on seven pigs, before surgery (Bx), and 10 (D10), and 21 (D21) days after creating MI. Cardiac MRE‐derived MS was measured in infarcted region (MIR) and remote region (RR), and validated against mechanical testing‐derived MS obtained postsacrifice on D21. Circumferential strain and MRI relaxometry parameters (T2, T1, and ECV) were also obtained. Multiparametric analysis was performed to determine correlation between cardiac MRE‐derived MS and 1) strain, 2) relaxometry parameters, and 3) mechanical testing.

Results

Mean diastolic (D10: 5.09 ± 0.6 kPa; D21: 5.45 ± 0.7 kPa) and systolic (D10: 5.72 ± 0.8 kPa; D21: 6.34 ± 1.0 kPa) MS in MIR were significantly higher (P < 0.01) compared to mean diastolic (D10: 3.97 ± 0.4 kPa; D21: 4.12 ± 0.2 kPa) and systolic (D10: 5.08 ± 0.6 kPa; and D21: 5.16 ± 0.6 kPa) MS in RR. The increase in cardiac MRE‐derived MS at D21 (MIR) was consistent and correlated strongly with mechanical testing‐derived MS (r(diastolic) = 0.86; r(systolic) = 0.89). Diastolic MS in MIR demonstrated a negative correlation with strain (r = 0.58). Additionally, cardiac MRE‐derived MS demonstrated good correlations with post‐contrast T1 (r(diastolic) = –0.549; r(systolic) = –0.741) and ECV (r(diastolic) = 0.548; r(systolic) = 0.703), and no correlation with T2.

Conclusion

As MI progressed, cardiac MRE‐derived MS increased in MIR compared to RR, which significantly correlated with mechanical testing‐derived MS, T1 and ECV.

Level of Evidence: 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1024–1033
Prognostic value of biventricular mechanical parameters assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance feature‐tracking analysis to predict future cardiac events
Authors: Yang Li Tan , Yamashita Eiji , Nagata Yasufumi , Kado Yuichiro , Oshima Shigeru , Otsuji Yutaka , Takeuchi Masaaki
Published: August 2016

Purpose

To study and compare the prognostic value of cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (MR‐FT) of biventricular strain parameters with a conventional method.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 364 patients undergoing clinically indicated cardiac MR examinations (1.5 or 3T scanner). Standard steady‐state free precession (SSFP) images were used for analysis. Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) ejection fraction (EF) were measured using conventional disk‐area summation methods. Biventricular strain parameters were measured using MR‐FT. All patients were followed to record major adverse cardiac events (MACEs).

Results

The correlations between LV volumes and LVEF using both methods were excellent (r = 0.87–0.98). RV strain parameters were modestly correlated with RVEF (r = 0.44–0.63). During a median follow‐up of 15 months, 36 patients developed MACEs. All MR‐FT‐derived parameters except for RV global longitudinal strain were significantly associated with future MACEs (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis. In stepwise Cox proportional hazard models, RV global radial strain (RVGRS) provided incremental prognostic value in models adjusted for age, gender, conventional LVEF (hazard ratio 0.93; P = 0.029) or RVEF (hazard ratio 0.93; P = 0.038). LV global transverse strain (LVGTS) also offered additional value over age, gender, conventional LVEF (hazard ratio 0.94; P = 0.041), or RVEF (hazard ratio 0.94; P = 0.004). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significant survival differences in subgroups stratified by the median value of LVGTS, RVGRS, and LVEF using MR‐FT (all log‐rank P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Deformation analysis of both ventricles using MR‐FT provided significant prognostic power similar to parameters obtained using conventional methods. MR‐FT is a promising alternative both for ventricular chamber quantification and for providing information of future cardiac events.

Level of Evidence: 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:1034–1045
Sustained virologic response by direct antiviral agents reduces the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV infection
Authors: Kobayashi Masahiro , Suzuki Fumitaka , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Akuta Norio , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: August 2016

The aim of this study was to assess the rate of development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) by direct antiviral agents (DAA). We retrospectively evaluated patients who achieved SVR by oral DAA interferon‐free regimens (n = 77) (daclatasvir/asunaprevir [n = 67], ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir [n = 9], and telaprevir [n = 1]) and by pegylated‐interferon plus ribavirin (Peg‐IFN/RBV, n = 528). In all patients, the background was chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis caused by HCV genotype 1b. During a median follow‐up period of 4.0 years, two (2.6%) of DAA‐treated patients developed HCC. The 3‐ and 5‐year cumulative HCC development rates were 1.30% and 3.03%, respectively, in the DAA group, and 1.02% and 2.19 % in the Peg‐IFN/RBV group (P not significant). In patients with Fib‐4 score of >3.25, the 3‐year HCC development rates were 4.35% and 3.95%, whereas those of the 5 year were 9.66% and 8.37%, in the DAA and Peg‐IFN/RBV group, respectively. In patients with Fib‐4 score of ≤3.25, none of the DAA group developed HCC, whereas 0.48% at 3‐year and 1.05% at 5‐year of patients of the Peg‐IFN/RBV group did. Propensity score analysis using the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW) also showed no significant difference in HCC development rate between the two groups. Serum AFP gradually and similarly decreased after initiation of antiviral therapy in both groups. Our data indicate that the HCC risk rate after SVR is similar regardless of whether the latter was achieved by DAA or IFN‐based regimens. J. Med. Virol. 89:476–483, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rapid Phase Separation in Aqueous Solution of Temperature‐Sensitive Poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide)
Authors: Matsumoto Mitsuhiro , Wakabayashi Ryo , Tada Takanori , Asoh Taka‐Aki , Shoji Tatsuya , Kitamura Noboru , Tsuboi Yasuyuki
Published: August 2016

The dynamic phase separation behavior in aqueous solutions of poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide) (PDEA), which is a representative thermoresponsive polymer, is studied using a laser temperature‐jump technique combined with transient photometry, with which the time constant for phase separation can be determined. Two components of the time constant (τfast and τslow) are clearly observed irrespective of the polymer concentration or molecular weight of the PDEA. Such a fast phase separation component (τfast) has never been observed in poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) systems. Furthermore, the slow phase separation process of PDEA is faster than that in a PNIPAM system. It is shown that the fast phase separation process for PDEA originates from polymer aggregates formed even below the cloud point. The phase separation mechanism of PDEA is similar to that of poly (alkyl vinyl ether), rather than PNIPAM.

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Alcohol promotes migration and invasion of triple‐negative breast cancer cells through activation of p38 MAPK and JNK
Authors: Zhao Ming , Howard Erin W. , Parris Amanda B. , Guo Zhiying , Zhao Qingxia , Yang Xiaohe
Published: August 2016

Although alcohol is an established breast cancer risk factor, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Previous studies examined the general association between alcohol consumption and breast cancer risk; however, the risk for different breast cancer subtypes has been rarely reported. Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer lacking hormone receptors and HER2 expression, and having poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of TNBC etiology remains a significant challenge. In this study, we investigated cellular responses to alcohol in two TNBC cell lines, MDA‐MB‐231 and MDA‐MB‐468. Our results showed that alcohol at low concentrations (0.025–0.1% v/v) induced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in 1% FBS‐containing medium. Molecular analysis indicated that these phenotypic changes were associated with alcohol‐induced reactive oxygen species production and increased p38 and JNK phosphorylation. Likewise, p38 or JNK inhibition attenuated alcohol‐induced cell migration and invasion. We revealed that alcohol treatment activated/phosphorylated NF‐κB regulators and increased transcription of NF‐κB‐targeted genes. While examining the role of acetaldehyde, the major alcohol metabolite, in alcohol‐associated responses in TNBC cells, we saw that acetaldehyde induced cell migration, invasion, and increased phospho‐p38, phospho‐JNK, and phospho‐IκBα in a pattern similar to alcohol treatment. Taken together, we established that alcohol promotes TNBC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. The underlying mechanisms involve the induction of oxidative stress and the activation of NF‐κB signaling. In particular, the activation of p38 and JNK plays a pivotal role in alcohol‐induced cellular responses. These results will advance our understanding of alcohol‐mediated development and promotion of TNBC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emerging links among Chromosome Instability (CIN), cancer, and aging
Authors: Rao Chinthalapally V. , Asch Adam S. , Yamada Hiroshi Y.
Published: August 2016

Aneuploidy was predicted to cause cancer. To test the prediction, various Chromosome Instability (CIN) mice models that carry transgenic mutations in mitotic regulators have been created. The availability of these mice has aided researchers in discovering connections between CIN, cancer, and aging. This review will focus on recent interdisciplinary findings regarding how CIN and aneuploidy affect carcinogenesis, immune dysfunction, and aging. High CIN can be generated in vivo by various intrinsic alterations (e.g., gene mutation, epigenetic modification) and extrinsic/environmental challenges (e.g., biological, chemical, biophysical), while immune surveillance, cell death, and natural turnover can remove cells with CIN. CIN itself is mutagenic and may cause further cellular mutations, which can be carcinogenic. Mitotically damaged cells can activate senescence‐related tumor suppressors (e.g., p21WAF1, p27KIP1, p16INK4A), which may lead to tissue‐level senescence/aging through inflammatory paracrine mechanisms called Senescence‐Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) and Senescence Inflammatory Response (SIR). Organs with high CIN show altered gene expressions in both organ‐specific and non‐specific manners. Organ‐specific gene expression signatures include activation of oncogenic pathways. Non‐organ‐specific gene expression signatures include metabolic changes and downregulations in immune functions. Immune surveillance normally targets senescent cells and tetraploid cells, a form of aneuploidy, for elimination. However, with partial immune dysfunction, immune surveillance is weakened with systemic CIN. In this case, more senescent cells and aneuploid cells survive, which further leads to an inflammatory, pro‐tumorigenic, and senescent/aging microenvironment. We also discuss how we may intervene in this sequence of events to prevent CIN‐ or age‐related carcinogenesis and/or some aspects of tissue aging. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TWIST1 upregulates the MAGEA4 oncogene
Authors: Forghanifard Mohammad Mahdi , Rad Abolfazl , Farshchian Moein , Khaleghizadeh Maryam , Gholamin Mehran , Moghbeli Meysam , Abbaszadegan Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2016

Overexpression of MAGEA4 oncogene has been demonstrated in different malignancies; however, little is known about its exact mechanism for overexpression. TWIST1, as a bHLH transcription factor, activates a cell migration‐invasion program involved in both embryonic and tumor development. Since MAGEA4 overexpression was statistically correlated to TWIST1, we aimed to elucidate the probable regulatory role of TWIST1 on MAGEA4 expression in KYSE30 cells. Methods: Expression pattern of MAGEA4 and TWIST1 was analyzed in 55 ESCC patients using relative comparative real‐time PCR. In silico analysis of the MAGEA4 gene was performed. Methylation status of MAGEA4 promoter was determined by quantitative methylation specific PCR (qMSP). Using a retroviral system, KYSE30 cells were transduced to ectopically express TWIST1, followed by qRT‐PCR, Western blot analysis, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and luciferase assays to elucidate the regulatory role of TWIST1 on MAGEA4 gene expression. Results: Concomitant overexpression of MAGEA4 and TWIST1 was detected in ESCC in significant correlation with each other in different clinicopathological indices of poor prognosis (P < 0.05). The TWIST1‐expressing cells showed significantly higher MAGEA4 expression compared to control cells. ChIP and luciferase assays results confirmed indirect binding of TWIST1 to the E‐boxes of MAGEA4 promoter sequence and revealed a novel regulatory role of TWIST1 in MAGEA4 upregulation. Conclusion: Since MAGEA4 is a highly expressed oncogene in a variety of malignancies in significant correlation with tumor cell invasiveness and aggressiveness, our finding may help understand one regulatory mechanism of increased expression in tumor cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MicroRNA‐21 regulates the ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathway to affect the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells by targeting SPRY1, PDCD4, and PTEN
Authors: Mao Xu‐Hua , Chen Min , Wang Yan , Cui Pan‐Gen , Liu Si‐Bian , Xu Zei‐Yong
Published: August 2016

This study aims to explore the effects of microRNA‐21 (miR‐21) and ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathway on human melanoma A375 cells. The melanoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 45 melanoma patients. qRT‐PCR was conducted to quantify the expression of miR‐21 and the gene mRNA expressions. Human melanoma A375 cells were divided into the Mock, negative control (NC), miR‐21 inhibitors, miR‐21 inhibitors + siRNA‐SPRY1, miR‐21 inhibitors + siRNA‐PDCD4, and miR‐21 inhibitors + siRNA‐PTEN groups. Western blotting was used to determine protein expressions. CCK8 assay and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A375 cells. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining was adopted to detect cell apoptosis. MiR‐21 expression was higher in melanoma tissues than in adjacent tissues, while the mRNA and protein expressions of SPRY1, PDCD4, and PTEN were lower in melanoma tissues than in adjacent tissues. Compared with the Mock and NC groups, the miR‐21 inhibitors group exhibited increased expressions of SPRY1, PDCD4, and PTEN and decreased expressions of ERK, p‐ERK, NF‐κB p65, and p‐NF‐κB p65. After transfection of miR‐21 inhibitors, the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A375 cells were inhibited, while the apoptosis of A375 cells was promoted. However, the effects of miR‐21 inhibitors on the growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A375 cells were reversed after transfection of siRNA‐SPRY1, siRNA‐PDCD4, or siRNA‐PTEN. MiR‐21 can promote the proliferation, migration, and inhibit the apoptosis of human melanoma A375 cells by inhibiting SPRY1, PDCD4, and PTEN via ERK/NF‐κB signaling pathway. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ethylene Polymerization over Metallocene Catalysts Supported on Highly Fibrous Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Sangyool , Choi Kyu Yong
Published: August 2016

The polymerization of ethylene over a metallocene catalyst supported on amorphous fibrous silica nanoparticles of 250–300 nm in diameter has been investigated. The fibrous silica nanoparticles with large surface area and open pore entrances offer minimal diffusion resistances for the catalyst immobilization onto the silica surface. These fibrous silica particles are synthesized using reverse micelles as a template to grow silica emanating outward as protrusions or platelets from a small silica core. The fibrous silica platelets are free of internal pores and the metallocene catalyst components are anchored onto the external surface of each silica platelet. With the progress of polymerization, partial fragmentation of silica platelets occurs but the main body of the fibrous silica nanoparticles remains intact and they grow into polymer particles of 3–5 μm. Since all the active sites are present on the external surface of the silica platelets, the catalyst activity has been found to be much higher than the conventional microporous silica particles‐supported catalyst with comparable surface area.

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On sequential approximate simultaneous analysis and design in classical topology optimization
Authors: Munro Dirk , Groenwold Albert A.
Published: August 2016

We study the simultaneous analysis and design (SAND) formulation of the ‘classical’ topology optimization problem subject to linear constraints on material density variables. Based on a dual method in theory, and a primal‐dual method in practice, we propose a separable and strictly convex quadratic Lagrange–Newton subproblem for use in sequential approximate optimization of the SAND‐formulated classical topology design problem.

The SAND problem is characterized by a large number of nonlinear equality constraints (the equations of equilibrium) that are linearized in the approximate convex subproblems. The availability of cheap second‐order information is exploited in a Lagrange–Newton sequential quadratic programming‐like framework. In the spirit of efficient structural optimization methods, the quadratic terms are restricted to the diagonal of the Hessian matrix; the subproblems have minimal storage requirements, are easy to solve, and positive definiteness of the diagonal Hessian matrix is trivially enforced.

Theoretical considerations reveal that the dual statement of the proposed subproblem for SAND minimum compliance design agrees with the ever‐popular optimality criterion method – which is a nested analysis and design formulation. This relates, in turn, to the known equivalence between rudimentary dual sequential approximate optimization algorithms based on reciprocal (and exponential) intervening variables and the optimality criterion method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What e‐commerce taught me about higher education
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: August 2016

My experience in the e‐commerce industry allowed me to bring an interesting and helpful perspective to my then‐new web marketing position at Elizabethtown College in 2010. I had previously served as an admissions representative at a career school before returning to school myself as an adult learner. So when I returned to a campus job, I was quickly able to connect the dots between online retailing and recruiting students. In this month's column, I'll share a few of those observations.
Assessing the impact of prescribing directives on opioid prescribing practices among Veterans Health Administration providers
Authors: Barber Catherine , Gagnon David , Fonda Jennifer , Cho Kelly , Hermos John , Miller Matthew
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The study aimed to test whether directives on opioid prescribing released by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had an impact on prescribing among VHA providers.

Methods

We used the VHA's linked pharmacy and patient medical records database to identify new prescriptions written for propoxyphene, fentanyl, and controlled release (CR) oxycodone between 1/1/2000 and 12/31/2009. We plotted the monthly proportion of these prescriptions that complied with components of four specific safety alerts or directives for these substances issued by the VHA or FDA between 1/1/2001 and 12/31/2008. We modeled compliance using interrupted time series analysis and a generalized additive model with the addition of an indicator variable to flag prescriptions that followed the directive's release date.

Results

A total of 32.2 million new prescriptions for fentanyl, oxycodone CR, and propoxyphene were written for VHA patients meeting inclusion criteria. Compliance with guidelines in the directives increased steadily throughout the entire study period, with no clinically meaningful inflection point near the date of each directive's release. Generalized additive modeling and interrupted time series analysis found that the indicator flag slightly improved the fit of the data, but visual inspection of the plots revealed no change at a level of practical significance.

Conclusions

While prescribing compliance increased throughout the period, release of FDA and VHA alerts and guidelines did not appear to contribute to this change. Given the fivefold increase in the rate of drug‐related overdose deaths since 1990, identifying effective methods to communicate safety messages and change prescriber behavior remains a priority for future work. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of a multicomponent physical activity behavior change intervention on fatigue, anxiety, and depressive symptomatology in breast cancer survivors: randomized trial
Authors: Rogers Laura Q. , Courneya Kerry S. , Anton Philip M. , Verhulst Steven , Vicari Sandra K. , Robbs Randall S. , McAuley Edward
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To determine the effects of the 3‐month multicomponent Better Exercise Adherence after Treatment for Cancer (BEAT Cancer) physical activity behavior change intervention on fatigue, depressive symptomatology, and anxiety.

Methods

Postprimary treatment breast cancer survivors (n = 222) were randomized to BEAT Cancer or usual care. Fatigue Symptom Inventory and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were assessed at baseline, postintervention (month 3; M3), and follow‐up (month 6; M6).

Results

Adjusted linear mixed‐model analyses demonstrated significant effects of BEAT Cancer vs usual care on fatigue intensity (M3 mean between group difference [M] = −0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −1.0 to −0.2; effect size [d] = −0.32; P = .004), fatigue interference (M3 M = −0.8; CI = −1.3 to −0.4; d = −0.40; P < .001), depressive symptomatology (M3 M = −1.3; CI = −2.0 to −0.6; d = −0.38; P < .001), and anxiety (M3 M = −1.3; CI = −2.0 to −0.5; d = −0.33; P < .001). BEAT Cancer effects remained significant at M6 for all outcomes (all P values <.05; d = −0.21 to −.35). Clinically meaningful effects were noted for fatigue intensity, fatigue interference, and depressive symptomatology.

Conclusions

BEAT Cancer reduces fatigue, depressive symptomatology, and anxiety up to 3 months postintervention in postprimary treatment breast cancer survivors. Further study is needed to determine sustainable methods for disseminating and implementing the beneficial intervention components.
A Single Session of Mirror‐based Tactile and Motor Training Improves Tactile Dysfunction in Children with Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: A Replicated Randomized Controlled Case Series
Authors: Auld Megan L. , Johnston Leanne M. , Russo Remo N. , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: August 2016

Introduction

This replicated randomized controlled crossover case series investigated the effect of mirror‐based tactile and motor training on tactile registration and perception in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP).

Methods

Six children with UCP (6–18 years; median 10 years, five male, three‐left hemiplegia, four‐manual ability classification system (MACS) I, one MACS II and one MACS III) participated. They attended two 90‐minute sessions — one of mirror‐based training and one of standard practice, bimanual therapy — in alternated order. Tactile registration (Semmes Weinstein Monofilaments) and perception (double simultaneous or single‐point localization) were assessed before and after each session. Change was estimated using reliable change index (RCI).

Results

Tactile perception improved in four participants (RCI > 1.75), with mirror‐based training, but was unchanged with bimanual therapy (RCI < 1.0 for all participants). Neither intervention affected tactile registration.

Discussion

Mirror‐based training demonstrates potential to improve tactile perception in children with UCP. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From membrane tension to channel gating: A principal energy transfer mechanism for mechanosensitive channels
Authors: Zhang Xuejun C. , Liu Zhenfeng , Li Jie
Published: August 2016

Mechanosensitive (MS) channels are evolutionarily conserved membrane proteins that play essential roles in multiple cellular processes, including sensing mechanical forces and regulating osmotic pressure. Bacterial MscL and MscS are two prototypes of MS channels. Numerous structural studies, in combination with biochemical and cellular data, provide valuable insights into the mechanism of energy transfer from membrane tension to gating of the channel. We discuss these data in a unified two‐state model of thermodynamics. In addition, we propose a lipid diffusion‐mediated mechanism to explain the adaptation phenomenon of MscS.
Near infrared to ultraviolet anisotropic optical properties of single crystal SrLaAlO4 from spectroscopic ellipsometry
Authors: Adhikari Dipendra , Junda Maxwell M. , Uprety Prakash , Ghimire Kiran , Subedi Indra , Podraza Nikolas J.
Published: August 2016

The anisotropic optical properties of single crystal SrLaAlO4 are investigated using spectroscopic ellipsometry over the range from 0.74 to 5.90 eV. Divided spectral range analysis of ellipsometric and Mueller matrix spectra are used to obtain the sample structural parameters (surface roughness thickness and void fraction). The ordinary and extra‐ordinary optical properties in the form of complex dielectric function, ϵ = ϵ1 + iϵ2 (or complex index of refraction, N = n + ik), spectra are extracted from the same analysis. The observed birefringence is ∼ 0.025 in the transparent range. An upper limit for the indirect gap at 3.01 ± 0.01 eV and a critical point at 5.54 ± 0.01 eV are identified within the measured spectral range.
Intensive electrocaloric effect in triglycine sulfate under nonequilibrium thermal conditions and periodic electric field
Authors: Bondarev V. S. , Mikhaleva E. A. , Gorev M. V. , Flerov I. N.
Published: August 2016

We present the results of both direct measurements and modeling of the intensive electrocaloric effect ΔTAD in ferroelectric triglycine sulfate under nonequilibrium thermal conditions and periodically varying electric field. In the narrow region around the phase transition temperature TC, a visible difference was observed between the electrocaloric responses at applying ΔTON and removal ΔTOFF of the constant electric field: |ΔTON| < |ΔTOFF| and |ΔTON| > |ΔTOFF| at T < TC and T > TC, respectively. The variation of the frequency and profile of the periodic electric field at T < TC allowed one to obtain the gradual decrease in the average temperature of the top of the sample compared to the bottom kept at the constant temperature. At low frequency electric field, qualitative agreement was found between the time dependences of the measured experimentally and calculated ΔT values.

Experimental and modeling studies of electrocaloric effect ΔTAD in triglycine sulfate showed that the applying/removal of a periodic electric field to/from the bulk sample decreases the average value of the waiving temperature of the top Ttop compared to T = const of the bottom. Both frequency and duty cycle of the electric field impulses strongly affect Ttop.
Reassessment of the recombination properties of aluminium–oxygen complexes in n‐ and p‐type Czochralski‐grown silicon
Authors: Sun Chang , Rougieux Fiacre E. , Degoulange Julien , Einhaus Roland , Macdonald Daniel
Published: August 2016

The recombination parameters of aluminium–oxygen complexes in silicon have been reassessed by applying lifetime spectroscopy on several n‐ and p‐type intentionally Al‐contaminated and control samples, using a single‐level defect model. The presence of the control samples has allowed greater accuracy for the extraction of the recombination lifetime. The uncertainty ranges of the parameters have been tightened significantly by simultaneously fitting the lifetime on several samples. The electron/hole capture cross section ratio k was reassessed to be 380, in the uncertainty range of 330–460. A direct comparison of the n‐ and p‐type samples has shown that those complexes are much more recombination‐active in p‐type silicon than in n‐type silicon at low and intermediate injection levels.
Progress in the Development and Applicability of Potential Medicinal Plant Extract‐Conjugated Polymeric Constructs for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Das Urmimala , Behera Sudhanshu Shekhar , Singh Sandeep , Rizvi Syed Ibrahim , Singh Abhishek Kumar
Published: August 2016

Wound, burn and tissue related diseases are the most common and devastating forms of trauma worldwide and thousands are still dying each year when they are left untreated. The traditional treatments for wound infection using medicinal plant extracts in hydrogels and ointment formulations have several disadvantages, delicate shape and dry up quickly upon exposure to air. Indeed, there is need for the development of an alternative form of dressing material for wound healing applications. Because the medicinal plant products are economical, researchers have adopted a novel approach of complexing the active components of plants with various groups of polymers to develop biodegradable fabrications. Moreover, fabricated constructs are very extremely useful as scaffold in tissue regeneration with known successes in wound healing/ dressing applications that the fabricated substitutes mimic the extracellular matrix of tissue. In this review, we give an extensive overview on scientifically evaluated bioactive molecules of medicinal plants as well as plant extract blended polymeric constructs for the possible treatment of various skin injuries. In addition, the technological challenges and future trends for recent developments of the treatments of wound infections are extensively summarized. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plumbagin Enhances Tamoxifen Sensitivity and Inhibits Tumor Invasion in Endocrine Resistant Breast Cancer through EMT Regulation
Authors: Sakunrangsit Nithidol , Kalpongnukul Nuttiya , Pisitkun Trairak , Ketchart Wannarasmi
Published: August 2016

Tamoxifen is widely used as the first line drug for estrogen receptor‐positive subtype which is expressed in 70% of overall breast cancer patients. However, approximately 50% of these patients develop acquired resistance after 5 years of treatment, which is characterized by tumor recurrence and metastasis. The epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important process in breast cancer invasion. Fundamentally, targeting the EMT represents a crucial therapeutic strategy for preventing or treating breast cancer metastasis. Plumbagin (PLB) is a natural naphthoquinone with significant anticancer effects against several types of tumor cells including breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the effect of PLB on human endocrine‐resistant breast cancer cell growth, invasion and the possible mechanisms underlying such actions. PLB exhibited potent cytotoxic activity at a micromolar concentration against endocrine‐resistant breast cancer cells. Interestingly, a fixed low concentration of PLB and tamoxifen combination resulted in an increase in growth inhibition in endocrine‐resistant cells. In addition, PLB also significantly suppressed mesenchymal biomarker expressions that govern the EMT process, resulting in attenuated metastatic capabilities. In conclusion, PLB should be developed as a pharmacological agent for the use as a single treatment or in combination for endocrine‐resistant breast cancer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The electron delocalization range in stretched bonds
Authors: Mehmood Arshad , Janesko Benjamin G.
Published: August 2016

The electron delocalization range function EDR(
(Janesko et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2014, 141, 144104) quantifies the width of the one‐particle density matrix about point
, measuring aspects of delocalization. Here, we explore the EDR in stretched and compressed chemical bonds. The EDR illustrates how compressing chemical bonds localizes the one‐particle density matrix about the reference point, and captures aspects of fractional occupancy, and left‐right correlation in stretched covalent bonds.
Efficient identity authentication and encryption technique for high throughput RFID system
Authors: Hsu Ching‐Hsien , Wang Shangguang , Zhang Daqiang , Chu Hai‐Cheng , Lu Ning
Published: August 2016

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology provides a seamless link between physical world and the information system in cyber space. However, the emerging Internet of Things and cloud systems are full of security holes, which introduce new challenging security problems in both tag identification and data privacy. In this paper, we present efficient methods for identity authentication and data encryption to enhance RFID privacy. The proposed techniques aim to ensure no adversary interacting with the tags and the reader, to infer any information on a tag's identity from the communication. The main idea, a symmetric cryptography technique, termed as Advanced Encryption Standard, was applied to implement both mutual authentication and data encryption between the front and back ends of RFID systems. The Advanced Encryption Standard cryptographic algorithm was adopted because of its low hardware complexity and high security strength. In addition, the proposed key management protocol is proved resistant to several known RFID attacks such as Man‐in‐the‐Middle, Denial‐of‐Service, replay, clone attack, and backward/forward traceability. The computational time complexity of the proposed scheme through the entire identity authentication and data encryption phases is 3Tencrypt + 1Tnonce + 4Txor, which is superior to most existing approaches. The proposed scheme was also proved to be able to provide higher data encryption performance than other symmetric cryptographic algorithms with regard to the same level of security strength. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating relative risk of a log‐transformed exposure measured in pools
Authors: Mitchell Emily M. , Plowden Torie C. , Schisterman Enrique F.
Published: August 2016

Pooling biospecimens prior to performing laboratory assays is a useful tool to reduce costs, achieve minimum volume requirements and mitigate assay measurement error. When estimating the risk of a continuous, pooled exposure on a binary outcome, specialized statistical techniques are required. Current methods include a regression calibration approach, where the expectation of the individual‐level exposure is calculated by adjusting the observed pooled measurement with additional covariate data. While this method employs a linear regression calibration model, we propose an alternative model that can accommodate log‐linear relationships between the exposure and predictive covariates. The proposed model permits direct estimation of the relative risk associated with a log‐transformation of an exposure measured in pools. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Extracellular RNA in aging
Authors: Dluzen Douglas F. , Noren Hooten Nicole , Evans Michele K.
Published: August 2016

Since the discovery of extracellular RNA (exRNA) in circulation and other bodily fluids, there has been considerable effort to catalog and assess whether exRNAs can be used as markers for health and disease. A variety of exRNA species have been identified including messenger RNA and noncoding RNA such as microRNA (miRNA), small nucleolar RNA, transfer RNA, and long noncoding RNA. Age‐related changes in exRNA abundance have been observed, and it is likely that some of these transcripts play a role in aging. In this review, we summarize the current state of exRNA profiling in various body fluids and discuss age‐related changes in exRNA abundance that have been identified in humans and other model organisms. miRNAs, in particular, are a major focus of current research and we will highlight and discuss the potential role that specific miRNAs might play in age‐related phenotypes and disease. We will also review challenges facing this emerging field and various strategies that can be used for the validation and future use of exRNAs as markers of aging and age‐related disease. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1385. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1385

This article is categorized under:

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development
1D Structure Sodium Coordination Anion based on [5‐(Dinitromethylene)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐tetrazole]: Syntheses, Structures, and Thermal Behavior
Authors: Wu Le , Zhang Jian‐Guo , Wu Jin‐Ting , Yin Xin , He Piao
Published: August 2016

The ten‐coordinate complex, (HATr)[Na(DNMz)]·H2O (1) was synthesized by reaction of 5‐(dinitromethylene)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐tetrazole (DNMz), sodium hydroxide, and 3‐hydrazinium‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐1H‐triazolium dichloride (HATr) in aqueous solution and characterized by various physico‐chemical techniques. Complex 1 is an energetic material with a nitrogen content of 51.2 % and a decomposition temperature of 128.9 °C. The molecular structure of complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with P2(1)/c group and shows an infinite 1D chain structure. The heat of formation was determined as –122.27 kJ·mol–1 by using bomb calorimetry. In addition, the kinetic parameters were studied by Kissinger's and Ozawa‐Doyle's methods.
Cyclopentanolates of Aluminum Hydride/Aluminum Chloride forming Aluminum‐Oxygen‐Hetero‐Cages and Mixed Coordination Oligomers
Authors: Ali Awadelkareem A. , Huch Volker , Aktas Cenk , Veith Michael
Published: August 2016

Lithium aluminum hydride combined with different amounts of aluminum chloride react with cyclopentanol under the formation of compounds with aluminum‐oxygen scaffolds and hydrogen or chlorine as terminating substituents at aluminum and cyclopentyl at the oxygen atoms. H6Al4(OC5H9)6 and Cl6Al4(OC5H9)6, both displaying a central aluminum atom almost octahedrally coordinated by oxygen atoms of the cyclopentanolates with three AlH2 or AlCl2 entities bridging three oxygen edges were isolated and fully characterized. The compound dihydrido aluminum cyclopentanolate was isolated together with chloro‐hydrido aluminum cyclo‐pentanolate as a 6:2 aggregate, [H2Al(OC5H9)]6[H(Cl)Al(OC5H9)]2, displaying alcoholate and hydride bridges in the crystal. Structural isomers of this compound were found in the solid. Mono‐hydrides could be isolated in the form of H5Al5(O)(OC5H9)8*OC4H10 and in the form of a hydride/chloride H4.5Cl0.5Al5(O)(OC5H9)8*OC4H10, which is a 1:1 mixture of H5Al5(O)(OC5H9)8 with H4ClAl5(O)(OC5H9)8 in the crystal. In both compounds an oxygen atom is in the center of an Al5 square pyramid. While in the first case the aluminum atom situated at the top of the pyramid has a hydride ligand, in the second case the ligand is a chloride.
Lipase genes in Mucor circinelloides: identification, sub-cellular location, phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling during growth and lipid accumulation
Authors: Zan Xinyi , Tang Xin , Chu Linfang , Zhao Lina , Chen Haiqin , Chen Yong Q , Chen Wei , Song Yuanda
Published: August 2016

Lipases or triacylglycerol hydrolases are widely spread in nature and are particularly common in the microbial world. The filamentous fungus Mucor circinelloides is a potential lipase producer, as it grows well in triacylglycerol-contained culture media. So far only one lipase from M. circinelloides has been characterized, while the majority of lipases remain unknown in this fungus. In the present study, 47 potential lipase genes in M. circinelloides WJ11 and 30 potential lipase genes in M. circinelloides CBS 277.49 were identified by extensive bioinformatics analysis. An overview of these lipases is presented, including several characteristics, sub-cellular location, phylogenetic analysis and expression profiling of the lipase genes during growth and lipid accumulation. All of these proteins contained the consensus sequence for a classical lipase (GXSXG motif) and were divided into four types including α/β-hydrolase_1, α/β-hydrolase_3, class_3 and GDSL lipase (GDSL) based on gene annotations. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that class_3 family and α/β-hydrolase_3 family were the conserved lipase family in M. circinelloides. Additionally, some lipases also contained a typical acyltransferase motif of H-(X) 4-D, and these lipases may play a dual role in lipid metabolism, catalyzing both lipid hydrolysis and transacylation reactions. The differential expression of all lipase genes were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR, and the expression profiling were analyzed to predict the possible biological roles of these lipase genes in lipid metabolism in M. circinelloides. We preliminarily hypothesized that lipases may be involved in triacylglycerol degradation, phospholipid synthesis and beta-oxidation. Moreover, the results of sub-cellular localization, the presence of signal peptide and transcriptional analyses of lipase genes indicated that four lipase in WJ11 most likely belong to extracellular lipases with a signal peptide. These findings provide a platform for the selection of candidate lipase genes for further detailed functional study.
Study of the behavior of Tunis soft clay
Authors: Klai Mnaouar , Bouassida Mounir
Published: August 2016

The paper reviews research investigations conducted on Tunis soft clay that is classified as problematic soil. Results obtained from an experimental study carried out on undisturbed Tunis soft clay specimens are presented and interpreted. On the basis of experimental results, the paper discusses which constitutive law can describe at best the observed behavior of Tunis soft clay. The elastoplastic behavior modeled by the hardening soil model is then justified upon the validation of numerical results of oedometer and triaxial tests carried out on undisturbed soft clay specimens. Stage construction of embankment built of Tunis soft clay was analyzed by the FE code Plaxis 2D. This case study well illustrated the need for practicing ground improvement techniques to neutralize the inherent long-term settlement induced in soft clay.
Antimicrobial treatment decision for non-purulent skin and soft tissue infections in the emergency department
Authors: Yadav Krishan , Gatien Mathieu , Corrales-Medina Vicente , Stiell Ian
Published: August 2016

Objectives

We surveyed Canadian emergency physicians to determine how skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are managed and which risk factors were felt to be important in predicting failure with oral antibiotics.

Methods

We performed an electronic survey of physician members of the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) using the modified Dillman method.

Results

The survey response rate was 36.9% (n=391) amongst CAEP members. There was a lack of consensus regarding management of SSTIs. CAEP respondents identified 14 risk factors for predicting treatment failure with oral antibiotics, including hypotension, tachypnea, and patient reported severity of pain >8 of 10.

Conclusions

The survey demonstrates significant variability regarding physician management of SSTIs, and we have identified several perceived risk factors for treatment failure with oral antibiotics that should be assessed in future studies.
Exiled Children: Care in English Convents in the 17th and 18th Centuries
Authors: Walker Claire
Published: August 2016

England's Catholic religious minority devised various strategies for its survival in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, including the establishment of seminaries and convents in continental Europe, predominantly in France and the Spanish Netherlands. These institutions educated the next generation of English Catholic clergy, nuns and lay householders. Although convent schools were usually small, the nuns educated young girls within their religious cloisters. The pupils followed a modified monastic routine, while they were taught the skills appropriate for young gentlewomen, such as music and needlework. While many students were placed in convents with the intention that they would become nuns, not all girls followed this trajectory. Some left the cloister of their childhood to join other religious houses or to return to England to marry and raise a new generation of Catholics. Although we have few first-hand accounts of these girls’ experiences, it is possible to piece together a sense of their lives behind cloistered walls from chronicles, obituaries and letters. While the exiled monastic life for children was difficult, surviving evidence points to the vital role of convent care in Catholic families’ strategies, and the acknowledgement of their importance by the girls placed there, whether temporarily or permanently.
Chaotic mixing in three-dimensional porous media
Authors: Lester Daniel R. , Dentz Marco , Le Borgne Tanguy
Published: August 2016

Under steady flow conditions, the topological complexity inherent to all random three-dimensional (3D) porous media imparts complicated flow and transport dynamics. It has been established that this complexity generates persistent chaotic advection via a 3D fluid mechanical analogue of the baker’s map which rapidly accelerates scalar mixing in the presence of molecular diffusion. Hence, pore-scale fluid mixing is governed by the interplay between chaotic advection, molecular diffusion and the broad (power-law) distribution of fluid particle travel times which arise from the non-slip condition at pore walls. To understand and quantify mixing in 3D porous media, we consider these processes in a model 3D open porous network and develop a novel stretching continuous time random walk (CTRW), which provides analytic estimates of pore-scale mixing which compare well with direct numerical simulations. We find that the chaotic advection inherent to 3D porous media imparts scalar mixing which scales exponentially with the longitudinal advection, whereas the topological constraints associated with two-dimensional porous media limit the mixing to scale algebraically. These results decipher the role of wide transit time distributions and complex topologies on porous media mixing dynamics, and provide the building blocks for macroscopic models of dilution and mixing which resolve these mechanisms.