bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential impacts of climate change on the habitat of boreal woodland caribou
Authors: Barber Quinn E. , Parisien Marc‐André , Whitman Ellen , Stralberg Diana , Johnson Chris J. , St‐Laurent Martin‐Hugues , DeLancey Evan R. , Price David T. , Arseneault Dominique , Wang Xianli , Flannigan Mike D.
Published: October 2018

Boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are currently listed as threatened in Canada, with populations in the province of Alberta expected to decline as much as 50 percent over the next 8–15 yr. We assessed the future of caribou habitat across a region of northeast Alberta using a model of habitat‐quality and projections of future climate from three general circulation models. We used mapped climatic and topo‐edaphic properties to project future upland vegetation cover and a fire simulation model to project the frequency and extent of wildfires. Based on those projections, we quantified the future habitat of caribou according to estimates of nutritional resources and predation risk derived from vegetation cover type and stand age. Grassland vegetation covered up to half of the study area by the 2080s, expanding from <1% in the present and contributing to a significant contraction in mixedwood and coniferous forests. This change in vegetation would increase the risk of predation and disease, as habitat becomes more suitable for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and, consequently, gray wolves (Canis lupus). Borne out, these changes would severely compromise the long‐term persistence of caribou in the boreal forest of Alberta.
Haemodynamic mechanisms and long‐term prognostic impact of pulmonary hypertension in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing valve replacement
Authors: Weber Lukas , Rickli Hans , Haager Philipp K. , Joerg Lucas , Weilenmann Daniel , Brenner Roman , Taramasso Maurizio , Baier Philipp , Maisano Francesco , Maeder Micha T.
Published: October 2018

Aims

We aimed to investigate the prevalence, detailed invasive haemodynamics, and prognostic impact of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Methods and results

We studied 503 patients (mean age 74 ± 10 years) with severe AS (indexed aortic valve area 0.4 ± 0.1 cm2/m2, left ventricular ejection fraction 57 ± 12%) undergoing left and right heart catheterization prior to aortic valve replacement. Median follow‐up was 3.7 (interquartile range 2.6–5.4) years. Baseline PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mmHg) was found in 239 (48%) patients: 31 patients had pre‐capillary PH [mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (mPAWP) ≤ 15 mmHg], 144 had isolated post‐capillary PH [IpcPH; mPAWP > 15 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) ≤ 3 Wood units (WU)], and 64 had combined pre‐ and post‐capillary PH (CpcPH; mPAWP > 15 mmHg, PVR > 3 WU). Patients with CpcPH had higher mortality than those with IpcPH, pre‐capillary PH, and without PH. In the multivariate analysis, CpcPH remained an independent predictor of death (hazard ratio 4.39, 95% confidence interval 2.40–8.03; P < 0.001). Patients with CpcPH had higher mPAWP (26 ± 7 vs. 22 ± 5 mmHg) and lower pulmonary arterial capacitance (1.5 ± 0.6 vs. 2.9 ± 1.2 mL/mmHg) than IpcPH patients but similar left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP; 25 ± 7 vs. 25 ± 7 mmHg). A smaller LVEDP–mPAWP difference was related to larger left atrial size, atrial fibrillation, and more severe mitral regurgitation.

Conclusions

In patients with severe AS, PH is common but underlying mechanisms differ. Patients with CpcPH have higher mPAWP, lower pulmonary arterial capacitance, and worse survival than all other groups. Left atrial dysfunction and mitral regurgitation seem to be drivers of high mPAWP in CpcPH.
Machine learning‐based phenogrouping in heart failure to identify responders to cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Cikes Maja , Sanchez‐Martinez Sergio , Claggett Brian , Duchateau Nicolas , Piella Gemma , Butakoff Constantine , Pouleur Anne Catherine , Knappe Dorit , Biering‐Sørensen Tor , Kutyifa Valentina , Moss Arthur , Stein Kenneth , Solomon Scott D. , Bijnens Bart
Published: October 2018

Aims

We tested the hypothesis that a machine learning (ML) algorithm utilizing both complex echocardiographic data and clinical parameters could be used to phenogroup a heart failure (HF) cohort and identify patients with beneficial response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods and results

We studied 1106 HF patients from the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT‐CRT) (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 30%, QRS ≥ 130 ms, New York Heart Association class ≤ II) randomized to CRT with a defibrillator (CRT‐D, n = 677) or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD, n = 429). An unsupervised ML algorithm (Multiple Kernel Learning and K‐means clustering) was used to categorize subjects by similarities in clinical parameters, and left ventricular volume and deformation traces at baseline into mutually exclusive groups. The treatment effect of CRT‐D on the primary outcome (all‐cause death or HF event) and on volume response was compared among these groups. Our analysis identified four phenogroups, significantly different in the majority of baseline clinical characteristics, biomarker values, measures of left and right ventricular structure and function and the primary outcome occurrence. Two phenogroups included a higher proportion of known clinical characteristics predictive of CRT response, and were associated with a substantially better treatment effect of CRT‐D on the primary outcome [hazard ratio (HR) 0.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.19–0.64; P = 0.0005 and HR 0.36; 95% CI 0.19–0.68; P = 0.001] than observed in the other groups (interaction P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Our results serve as a proof‐of‐concept that, by integrating clinical parameters and full heart cycle imaging data, unsupervised ML can provide a clinically meaningful classification of a phenotypically heterogeneous HF cohort and might aid in optimizing the rate of responders to specific therapies.
β‐Enaminone Synthesis from 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Compounds and Aliphatic and Aromatic Amines Catalyzed by Iron Complexes of Fused Bicyclic Imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine Derived N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes
Authors: Prakasham A. P. , Gangwar Manoj Kumar , Ghosh Prasenjit
Published: October 2018

A series of Fe–NHC complexes (1–2)c of the fused bicyclic imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine framework of the type [CpFe(2‐R‐imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene)(CO)2]BF4 {R = mesityl (1c), nPr (2c)} successfully carried out the synthesis of β‐enamino ketones (3–10) and (17–27) and β‐enamino esters (11–16) and (28–36) by the condensation of acyclic and cyclic 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds and various aliphatic and aromatic amines in the presence of light irradiation. Quite significantly, the catalytically relevant substrate adduct species of the type [CpFe(NHC)(acac)] (2e) and the product adduct species of the type [CpFe(NHC)(β‐enaminone)] (2f) of the Fe–NHC precatalyst (2c) have been detected by mass spectrometry study. The [CpFe(2‐R‐imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐3‐ylidene)(CO)2]BF4 {R = mesityl (1c), nPr (2c)} complexes were obtained from their respective N–heterocyclic carbene precursors namely, the 2‐R‐imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridin‐2‐ium chloride {R = mesityl (1a), nPr (2a)} by the reaction with CpFe(CO)2I in the presence of KN(SiMe3)2 followed by the salt metathesis reaction with AgBF4.
Utilization of Glycerol and its Derivatives in a Nickel‐Based SOFC
Authors: Drewery Matthew , Harvey Luke , Bryant Glenn , Kennedy Eric M. , Stockenhuber Michael
Published: October 2018

To address pressures associated with the increasing demand for the use of renewable liquid fuels, production of biodiesel has increased significantly resulting in a concomitant increase in glycerol production. A potential technology which has been examined in this study for utilising this potential waste product is to consider glycerol as well as its decomposition products, as fuels for use in a solid oxide fuel cell. Common glycerol derivatives, acrolein and allyl alcohol, have been examined as feeds, where it was found that allyl alcohol partially undergoes direct oxidation through interaction of the hydroxyl functional group, while the acrolein deactivates the anode through rapid carbon deposition. Additionally, it was shown that glycerol can be used as a fuel directly, with over 90 hours operation without cell deactivation, attributed to its’ highly oxygenated nature through multiple hydroxyl groups interacting with the catalytic anode, resulting in direct oxidation of the glycerol. It was also found that the introduction of salt contaminants typically found as a result of industrial biodiesel synthesis, such as NaCl, resulted in catalyst deactivation due to the formation of undesirable species, in this instance surface NiCl2.
Nickel Foam‐Supported CoCO3@CoSe Nanowires with a Heterostructure Interface for Overall Water Splitting with Low Overpotential and High Efficiency
Authors: Que Ronghui , Ji Gang , Liu Daoshuang , Li Maolin , Wang Xiuhua , Jiang San Ping
Published: October 2018

The development of highly efficient and stable bifunctional catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is important for the practical application of water splitting technologies. Herein, heterostructured Co(CO3)0.5(OH)·0.11H2O@CoSe nanowire arrays supported on nickel foam (CCH@CoSe/NF) are successfully fabricated using a simple and facile two‐step hydrothermal method as efficient bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting in alkaline media. The optimized CCH@CoSe/NF catalytic electrode exhibits an excellent OER activity with a low overpotential of 255 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and superior stability and HER activity with a low overpotential of 128 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and superior stability after 1000 cyclic voltammetry cycles. The defect‐rich heterojunction structure of the catalyst and the NF substrate are helpful to enhance the catalytic activity of a catalyst and the electron migration ability. Significantly, the cell based on bifunctional CCH@CoSe/NF//CCH@CoSe/NF electrodes shows highly efficient overall water electrolysis with a low potential of 1.638 V at 10 mA cm−2 in an alkaline electrolyte and maintains a good stability, indicating that the as‐prepared CCH@CoSe/NF electrodes show a promising potential in the practical overall water splitting electrocatalysis.
Numerical investigation of efficiency enhancement in a direct absorption parabolic trough collector occupied by a porous medium and saturated by a nanofluid
Authors: Tayebi Rashid , Akbarzadeh Sanaz , Valipour Mohammad Sadegh
Published: October 2018

In this study, a numerical investigation of the solar parabolic trough collector with an area of 0.856 m2 by combination of Monte Carlo Ray‐Trace (MCRT) and finite volume method (FVM) has been carried out using the FLUENT software. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of metal foams and nanofluids on the thermal performance of a direct absorption parabolic trough collector (DAPTC). For this purpose, three‐dimensional fully developed laminar convection heat transfer of Al2O3 and TiO2/water nanofluids is examined by 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 vol %. Furthermore, 64 cm copper‐filled porous media in a volumetric absorbent tube are applied. The obtained results of numerical simulations are compared with the experimental data. The results demonstrate a good agreement between the numerical simulations and experimental data. The results indicate that the maximum efficiency was 34.51% for TiO2/water at 0.3 vol %. Furthermore, using porous media with high absorption coefficient and scattering coefficient that could absorb more incoming radiation and transfer to heat transfer fluid can result in increasing the efficiency of the collector. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 727–740, 2019
ACEME: Direct Aqueous Mineral Carbonation of Dunite Rock
Authors: Rashid Muhammad I. , Benhelal Emad , Farhang Faezeh , Oliver Timothy K. , Rayson Mark S. , Brent Geoff F. , Stockenhuber Michael , Kennedy Eric M.
Published: October 2018

This research explores the use of serpentinized dunite (which is comprised of 61% lizardite) as a feedstock for aqueous mineral carbonation. In initial experiments, dunite was heat‐activated (630°C, 4 h), adopting a procedure which is similar to that used for serpentinite to enhance their carbonation reactivity. Heat‐activation converts crystalline lizardite mineral into an amorphous, reactive phase, and the carbonation of this heat‐activated material resulted in a magnesite yield of 55% compared to 27% obtained with raw dunite under the same reaction conditions. The formation of silanol nests occurred during carbonation of heat‐activated dunite as deduced through FTIR and TGA‐MS analyses. Samples of dunite were also heat‐transformed at high temperatures (800°C, 3 h) to convert lizardite into forsterite, and these samples were also studied as potential feedstocks for mineral carbonation. Heat‐activated dunite was found to engender much higher magnesite yields compared to heat‐transformed dunite (forsterite rich) and raw dunite. This study suggests that during heat‐activation of dunite, as it is for lizardite, conditions should be maintained to avoid forsterite formation. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38:e13075, 2019
Rock‐glacier dams in High Asia
Authors: Blöthe Jan H. , Rosenwinkel Swenja , Höser Thorsten , Korup Oliver
Published: October 2018

Rock glaciers in semiarid mountains contain large amounts of ice and might be important water stores aside from glaciers, lakes, and rivers. Yet whether and how rock glaciers interact with river channels in mountain valleys remains largely unresolved. We examine the potential for rock glaciers to block or disrupt river channels, using a new inventory of more than 2000 intact rock glaciers that we mapped from remotely sensed imagery in the Karakoram (KR), Tien Shan (TS), and Altai (ALT) mountains. We find that between 5% and 14% of the rock glaciers partly buried, blocked, diverted or constricted at least 95 km of mountain rivers in the entire study area. We use a Bayesian robust logistic regression with multiple topographic and climatic inputs to discern those rock glaciers disrupting mountain rivers from those with no obvious impacts. We identify elevation and potential incoming solar radiation (PISR), together with the size of feeder basins, as dominant predictors, so that lower‐lying and larger rock glaciers from larger basins are more likely to disrupt river channels. Given that elevation and PISR are key inputs for modelling the regional distribution of mountain permafrost from the positions of rock‐glacier toes, we infer that river‐blocking rock glaciers may be diagnostic of non‐equilibrated permafrost. Principal component analysis adds temperature evenness and wet‐season precipitation to the controls that characterise rock glaciers impacting on rivers. Depending on the choice of predictors, the accuracy of our classification is moderate to good with median posterior area‐under‐the‐curve values of 0.71–0.89. Clarifying whether rapidly advancing rock glaciers can physically impound rivers, or fortify existing dams instead, deserves future field investigation. We suspect that rock‐glacier dams are conspicuous features that have a polygenetic history and encourage more research on the geomorphic coupling between permafrost lobes, river channels, and the sediment cascades of semiarid mountain belts. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Morphology‐induced physico‐mechanical and biological characteristics of TPU–PDMS blend scaffolds for skin tissue engineering applications
Authors: Drupitha M.P. , Bankoti Kamakshi , Pal Pallabi , Das Bodhisatwa , Parameswar Ramesh , Dhara Santanu , Nando Golok B. , Naskar Kinsuk
Published: October 2018

Composition and architecture of scaffolds are the most important factors determining the performance of skin substitutes. In this work, morphology induced unique physical and biological characteristics of compatibilized TPU–PDMS blend scaffolds at 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 blend ratios of TPU and PDMS was studied. The fiber morphology, porosity, surface wettability, and mechanical properties of electrospun scaffolds were distinctly influenced by the presence of PDMS. Interestingly, the scaffold architecture varied from electrospun fibers to porous fibers and finally occurrence of unique porous beads noticed at 30% PDMS in the microstructure which was confirmed using FESEM. Micro‐CT analysis revealed that the porosity of electrospun scaffolds was enhanced from 61% to 79% with 30 parts of PDMS addition. Moreover, MTT assay and cell proliferation were studied using human skin fibroblast cells and found to be significantly enhanced with the PDMS percentage. TPU–PDMS blends offer better overall performance at 70:30 blend ratio of TPU and PDMS (T70P30). Only 4% of hemolysis was observed for T70P30 blends, which establishes the hemocompatibility of the material. In comparison, the results reveal the potential of the cytocompatible T70P30 scaffold for the fabrication of skin substitutes for tissue engineering applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1634–1644, 2019.
In situ blood vessel regeneration using neuropeptide substance P‐conjugated small‐diameter vascular grafts
Authors: Shafiq Muhammad , Wang Lina , Zhi Dengke , Zhang Qiuying , Wang Kai , Wang Lianyong , Kim Dong‐Hwee , Kong Deling , Kim Soo Hyun
Published: October 2018

In situ blood vessel regeneration through host stem/progenitor cell mobilization may hold great promise for vascular reconstruction. Neuropeptide substance P (SP) has been shown to accelerate tissue repair by endogenous cell mobilization and recruitment. This study was aimed to evaluate the vascular regeneration potential of SP and heparin co‐tethered vascular grafts. Polycaprolactone (PCL), PCL/SP‐conjugated poly(L‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (PLCL‐SP) (SP), and PCL/PLCL‐SP/heparin‐conjugated PLCL (Hep/SP) vascular grafts were implanted as rat abdominal aorta substitutes for up to 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Ex vivo results delineate that heparin can improve the hemocompatibility and SP can recruit mesenchymal stem cells. Histological and immunohistochemical staining reveal higher cellular infiltration and homogeneous cell distribution in SP and Hep/SP grafts than that of the control grafts. At 4 weeks, SP and Hep/SP grafts show the presence of cobblestone‐like cells on the luminal side, whereas the surface of PCL grafts remains bare. Immunoflourescence staining using von Willibrand factor (vWF) antibody shows improved endothelialization in SP and Hep/SP grafts compared with the PCL grafts. SP and Hep/SP grafts also exhibit more numbers of α‐smooth muscle actin‐positive cells and laminin+ blood vessels than that of the control group. Evaluation of inflammatory response reveals that three groups did not differ in terms of the numbers of CD68+ macrophages, whereas SP and Hep/SP grafts show higher numbers of CD206+ macrophages. These results indicate that SP can induce endogenous tissue regeneration in cell‐free grafts, which may be of great interest for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1669–1683, 2019.
Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells alleviated osteoarthritis and chondrocyte apoptosis through autophagy inducing
Authors: Zhou Jun , Wang Yu , Liu Yiming , Zeng Hanjiang , Xu Hanshi , Lian Fan
Published: October 2018

Objective

We aim to explore the effect of adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on a knee osteoarthritis rat model and analyze how ADMSCs affect chondrocyte apoptosis.

Materials and Methods

A surgically induced rat knee osteoarthritis (OA) model was constructed. ADMSCs were engrafted into the right knee cavity. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson, and Safranin O were used to compare the histopathology of synovial membrane and cartilage. Immunohistochemical (IHC) was used to measure MMP‐13, Collagen 2 (Col‐2), Caspase‐3 (Cas‐3), PARP, p62, LC3b, DDR‐2, FGFR‐1, Wnt, P‐AKT/AKT, p‐CAMKII/CAMKII, and p‐Smad1/Smad1 expression in the articular cartilage. qPCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect mRNA and protein levels of markers in chondrocytes. TUNEL and Annexin‐V were used to assess apoptosis.

Results

Histological analysis showed that ADMSCs alleviated the deterioration of cartilage and osteoarthritis. ADMSCs coculture increase the expression of Col2 and Sox‐9, while down regulated MMP‐13 in IL‐1β stimulated chondrocytes. ADMSCs decreased proinflammatory cytokines IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α. ADMSCs enhanced the viability of IL‐1β stimulated chondrocytes. ADMSC attenuated chondrocyte apoptosis. The pretreatment of 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) reversed the reduction of Caspase‐3 caused by ADMSCs, showing that the antiapoptotic effect was associated with autophagy inducing. ADMSCs significantly reduced the expression of FGFR‐1, DDR‐2, and Wnt in IL‐1β stimulated chondrocytes. ADMSCs reduced the ratio of p‐Smad1/Smad1 and p‐CAMK II/CAMKII, and increased the ratio of p‐AKT/AKT.

Conclusions

ADMSCs treatment alleviate osteoarthritis in rat OA models. AMDSCs reduced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and protected against apoptosis through autophagy inducing. ADMSCs’ function could be related to multiple signaling pathway.
Efficient algorithm for expanding theoretical electron densities in canterakis–zernike functions
Authors: Urquiza‐Carvalho Gabriel A. , Rocha Gerd B. , López Rafael
Published: October 2018

An algorithm for the efficient computation of Canterakis–Zernike moments of theoretically computed molecular electron densities and rotationally invariant Fingerprint indices derived from them is reported. The algorithm is suitable for any density expressed in terms of Gaussian‐ or Slater‐type functions within the Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals framework at any level of computation. Electron density is expressed as a one‐center expansion of real regular spherical harmonics times radial factors by means of translation techniques, which facilitates the efficient computation of the moments in terms of a single one‐dimension numerical integration. The performance of the algorithm is analyzed showing that the computation of radial factors in the quadrature points is responsible for almost all computational time. The procedure is applicable to any density obtained with standard packages for molecular structure calculations. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association Between Pioglitazone Use and Prostate Cancer: A Population‐Based Case‐Control Study in the Han Population
Authors: Kao Li‐Ting , Xirasagar Sudha , Lin Herng‐Ching , Huang Chao‐Yuan
Published: October 2018

To date, few epidemiologic studies have investigated the relationship between pioglitazone use and prostate cancer. The available studies show conflicting findings. This case‐control study explored the association between prior pioglitazone usage and prostate cancer using a large, population‐based data set. Data were derived from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2005 in Taiwan, a population‐based sample of National Health Insurance enrollees with longitudinal claims data since 1995. Cases were 3513 patients with prostate cancer aged over 40 years, and the controls were 3513 patients without prostate cancer, matched with prostate cancer cases on age, and having a medical care utilization episode in the year of the index prostate cancer (1 control per case). We performed conditional logistic regression to examine the odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals for prior pioglitazone use between cases and controls. Analysis showed that 178 of the total sample patients (2.53%) had used pioglitazone prior to the index date. Prior pioglitazone use was found in 72 (2.05%) cases and 106 (3.02%) controls. The crude odds ratio of prior pioglitazone usage for cases was 0.67 (95% confidence interval, 0.50‐0.91) compared to controls. After adjusting for demographic characteristics and comorbidities, the negative association of prior pioglitazone with prostate cancer persisted (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.43‐0.80). We concluded that there was an inverse association between prior pioglitazone usage and prostate cancer in this study.
The Demand Curve Analyzer: Behavioral economic software for applied research
Authors: Gilroy Shawn P. , Kaplan Brent A. , Reed Derek D. , Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Hantula Donald A.
Published: October 2018

Free and open‐source software for applying models of operant demand called the Demand Curve Analyzer (DCA) was developed and systematically evaluated for use in research. The software was constructed to streamline the use of recommended screening measures, prepare suitable scaling parameters, fit one of several models of operant demand, and provide publication‐quality figures. The DCA allows users to easily import price and consumption data into spreadsheet‐based controls and to perform statistical modeling with the aid of a graphical user interface. The results from computer simulations and reanalyses of published study data indicated that the DCA provides results consistent with commercially available software that has been traditionally used to apply these analyses (i.e., GraphPadTM Prism). Further, the DCA provides additional functionality that other statistical packages do not include. Practical issues and future directions related to the determination of scaling parameter k, screening for nonsystematic data, and the incorporation of more advanced behavioral economic methods are also discussed.
Efficient Synthesis of Pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones From a Series of Readily Available Enaminones Under Mild Conditions
Authors: Gao Bao‐chang , Sun Yu‐feng , Wang Jun , Zu Li‐wu , Zhang Xu , Liu Wen‐bin
Published: October 2018

A facile and efficient synthesis of substituted pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones has been developed by the reaction of readily available enaminones with malononitrile in ethanol at room temperature in yields of 85–95%. This protocol, which combines construction and modification of the pyridin‐2(1H)‐ones ring under Vilsmeier conditions (dimethylformamide/POCl3), increases the structural diversity of the final products from readily available materials.
Rapid and accurate dictionary‐based T2 mapping from multi‐echo turbo spin echo data at 7 Tesla
Authors: Emmerich Julian , Flassbeck Sebastian , Schmidt Simon , Bachert Peter , Ladd Mark E. , Straub Sina
Published: October 2018

Background

Using lower refocusing flip angles in multi‐echo turbo spin echo (ME‐TSE) sequences at ultra‐high magnetic field leads to non‐monoexponential signal decay and overestimation of T2 values due to stimulated and secondary echoes.

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of a fast and accurate reconstruction of quantitative T2 values using an ME‐TSE sequence with reduced refocusing flip angles at 7 Tesla, a dictionary‐based reconstruction method was developed and is presented in this work.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Phantom measurements with relaxation phantom, four healthy volunteers.

Field Strength/Sequence

7 Tesla MRI, multi‐echo turbo spin echo (ME‐TSE), spin echo (SE), and B1 mapping.

Assessment

Based on Bloch simulations and the extended phase graph model, signal decay curves were calculated to account for nonrectangular slice profile, B1 inhomogeneity, and reduced refocusing flip angles and stored in a dictionary. Data obtained with an ME‐TSE sequence at 7 Tesla were matched to this dictionary to obtain T2 values. To compare the proposed method to reference T2 values, a spin echo sequence with different echo times was used.

Statistical Tests

Welch's t‐test was used to compare T2 values in phantom measurements.

Results

T2 values obtained with the proposed ME‐TSE method coincided with the T2 values from the spin echo experiment in phantom measurements (P = 0.89 for 120° flip angle, P = 0.75 for 180° flip angle). Only for very low B1 transmit fields, a slight overestimation of T2 values was observed. In vivo measurements showed lower T2 values in gray matter (55 ± 2 millisecond) and white matter (39 ± 5 millisecond) compared with literature values of 3 Tesla data.

Data Conclusions

The proposed dictionary‐based ME‐TSE approach provided accurate T2 values in short measurement time at 7 Tesla with low specific absorption rate burden due to the reduction of refocusing flip angles. Therefore, it can provide new opportunities in clinical high‐field MRI to further improve radiographic diagnosis by using quantitative imaging.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1253–1262.
Successful percutaneous retrieval of a micra transcatheter pacing system at 8 weeks after implantation
Authors: Nozoe Masatsugu , Yoshida Daisuke , Nagatomo Daisuke , Suematsu Nobuhiro , Kubota Toru , Okabe Masanori , Yamamoto Yusuke
Published: October 2018

An 86‐year‐old woman suffering from repeated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia underwent percutaneous lead extraction using an excimer laser. Since negative blood cultures were confirmed three times after lead extraction under intravenous infusion of anti‐MRSA drugs, a Micra transcatheter pacing system (Micra TPS) was implanted 7 days after the lead extraction. Although infusion of anti‐MRSA drugs was continued for 5 weeks, MRSA was isolated in four separate samples of blood cultures 3 weeks after the discontinuation of the anti‐MRSA therapy. The micra TPS was successfully retrieved using a steerable sheath and snare at 8 weeks after implantation.
Yield and kernel nutritional quality in normal maize and quality protein maize cultivars exposed to ozone
Authors: Singh Aditya‐Abha , Agrawal Shashi B , Shahi Jay P , Agrawal Madhoolika
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is phytotoxic and therefore impacts global food security. In the present study yield responses and kernel quality traits of two maize cultivars [DHM117: normal maize (NM)] and [HQPM1: quality protein maize (QPM)] are investigated. Cultivars were exposed to two doses of elevated O3, namely NFC + 15 and NFC + 30 ppb O3 above ambient level (NFC, non‐filtered chambers) while filtered chambers served as control.

RESULTS

Test weight (thousand kernel weight), weight of kernels per square meter and kernel starch content reduced more in NM than QPM due to elevated O3 exposure. Total soluble and reducing sugars increased in both the cultivars being more in NM. Though, endosperm protein showed comparatively more increase in QPM than NM, decline in essential amino acids tryptophan and lysine was higher in QPM. Majority of nutrient elements increased after O3 treatment, while reductions in oil content as well as saturated fatty acids were observed in both test cultivars. Of the two essential fatty acids, omega 3 fatty acid reduced while omega 6 fatty acid contents increased in QPM. Oil became more unsaturated (increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids) upon O3 exposure, thus increasing its reactivity and hence became more prone to auto‐oxidation.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated O3 caused losses in yield of maize cultivars and NM showed higher sensitivity than QPM. Kernel quality analysis revealed significant changes in nutritional parameters. Carbohydrate content reduced more in NM, while essential amino acids and saturated fatty acids showed more decline in QPM. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Long noncoding RNA LINC01133 inhibits oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis through a feedback regulation loop with GDF15
Authors: Kong Jianlu , Sun Wenjie , Zhu Wenyuan , Liu Chuanxia , Zhang Honghe , Wang Huiming
Published: October 2018

Background and Objectives

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in carcinoma metastasis. We aimed to investigate lncRNA LINC01133 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis.

Methods

The RNA levels of LINC01133 and growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in tissue samples from OSCC patients, and OSCC cell lines were tested by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). SPSS20.0 was used to perform statistical analysis of LINC01133 expression in clinical samples and correlate expression of LINC01133 and GDF15. Cell migration/invasion was assessed via transwell assays. Downstream genes of LINC01133 were screened using RNA‐seq and validated by RT‐qPCR. GDF15 protein levels were evaluated via Western blot analysis.

Results

LINC01133 was downregulated in OSCCs; higher expression of LINC01133 in OSCCs was correlated with less metastasis and better prognosis. LINC01133 inhibited OSCC cell migration and invasion. RNA‐seq data showed that LINC01133 inhibited GDF15, and GDF15 could rescue inhibition of OSCC cell migration and invasion caused by LINC01133. Interestingly, GDF15 also inhibited LINC01133. Furthermore, a significant negative correlation between expression of LINC01133 and GDF15 was validated in the clinical study.

Conclusions

Collectively, these data indicate that LINC01133 inhibited OSCC metastasis via a feedback regulation loop of reciprocal inhibition with GDF15, suggesting a new diagnostic and therapeutic target for OSCC.
Diagnostic accuracy and confidence for otoscopy: Are medical students receiving sufficient training?
Authors: Niermeyer Weston L. , Philips Ramez H. W. , Essig Garth F. , Moberly Aaron C.
Published: October 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

To assess the confidence and abilities of medical students to diagnose specific types of otologic pathology, and to determine how different training experiences in medical school impact these outcomes.

Study Design

Survey analysis.

Methods

Sixty third‐ and fourth‐year medical students completed a computerized online survey. Participants answered questions about their otoscopic training experience and confidence, and provided diagnoses for 72 digital images taken with a high‐definition video otoscope that showed common otologic pathologies of the tympanic membrane and middle ear space.

Results

Most participants (65%) had received less exposure to otoscopic training in medical school than they expected. Confidence in diagnostic ability was low. For diagnostic ability, the mean percent correct across pathologies was 54% ± 7.7%. Medical school year (P = .006), intended specialty (P = .022), and total number of otolaryngology rotations (P = .048) were predictive of diagnostic accuracy on univariable logistic regression analyses, but medical school year (P = .039) was the only significant independent predictor in multivariable analysis. Intended specialty (P = .047) and total number of otolaryngology rotations (P = .035) were predictive of prequiz diagnostic confidence on univariable logistic regression analyses.

Conclusions

Medical students were not satisfied with their exposure to otoscopic training. Intended specialty, total number of otolaryngology rotations, and year in medical school predicted diagnostic accuracy. Intended specialty and total number of otolaryngology rotations predicted diagnostic confidence. Additional studies are needed to investigate how training experiences can be improved to optimize otoscopy training during medical school.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:1891–1897, 2019
Is movie success a judgment device? When more is not better
Authors: Addis Michela , Holbrook Morris B.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relative impact, if any, of three main aspects of movie success (Simonton, 2009)—namely, reviewers’ ratings, opening box office, and Oscar nominations—as market cues that might influence consumers’ subsequent evaluative assessments. Based on public real‐world data, via path analysis on longitudinal observations for motion pictures released in two different years, Studies 1 and 2 test and compare the impacts of these key success criteria and their interactions. Measures of the relevant variables were gathered over time and statistically controlled for typical objective movie features available in the market at the beginning of any motion‐picture life cycle. Findings show that only reviewers’ ratings have an impact on consumers’ quality judgments, whereas opening box office and Oscar nominations have neither a main nor an interaction effect. Thus, they do not act as judgment devices.
Novel planar diplexer using branch‐line coupler
Authors: Sajadinia Hamed , Dahmardeh Masoud , Khalaj‐Amirhosseini Mohammad
Published: October 2018

This article introduces a simple and effective design of a planar diplexer with high isolation and flexible frequency selection. The diplexer is composed of two branch‐line couplers and two identical filters. The two couplers are used to split the input signal and also combining the signals in each channel. This leads to signal addition by the couplers and provides very low losses for the diplexer. The wideband matching property of the coupler makes it suitable for both narrow band and broadband applications. A simple, yet effective method is introduced to design each channel separately over wide range of frequencies. The simulated and measured results show satisfactory agreement and indicate low insertion loss (0.9‐1.16 dB) and high isolation (up to 62 dB). The results indicate that the proposed design method may be a promising path to realize diplexers for multi‐frequency communications over a wide frequency range.
Optimization of the order and spacing of sequences in an MRI exam to reduce the maximum temperature and thermal dose
Authors: Carluccio Giuseppe , Collins Christopher M.
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Evaluate the possibility to reduce specific energy absorption rate (SAR)‐induced maximum temperature and thermal dose by rearranging the order and spacing of sequences without increasing duration of the MRI examination.

Methods

Using numerical simulations based on an actual SAR‐intensive MRI examination, optimizations to reduce either maximum temperature or thermal dose were performed. For each permutation of groups of sequences having the same patient table position, temperature and thermal dose were computed very rapidly using recently published methods. Disposition of sequences was further adjusted by optimizing the spacing between each sequence without exceeding the original exam duration.

Results

The maximum simulated temperature in the original exam was 42.38°C, and the maximum thermal dose was 3.23 cumulative effective minutes at 43°C (CEM43). After optimization to reduce maximum temperature, it was 41.77°C, and after optimization to minimize the thermal dose, it was 1.42 CEM43.

Conclusion

It is possible to reduce maximum temperature and thermal dose in the exam by changing the arrangement and spacing of the sequences without increasing the duration of the exam (by increasing TR or adding delays) or compromising image quality (by reducing flip angles).
Effect of surface treatment on the physical and mechanical properties of injection molded poly(lactic acid)‐coir fiber biocomposites
Authors: González‐López M.E. , Pérez‐Fonseca A.A. , Manríquez‐González R. , Arellano M. , Rodrigue D. , Robledo‐Ortíz J.R.
Published: October 2018

In this study, two different surface treatments were evaluated to improve the compatibility of coir fibers with poly(lactic acid). The chemical modifications were achieved by fiber surface treatment with a maleic anhydride grafted to poly(lactic acid) (MAPLA) solution or a poly(methyl vinyl ether‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (MA‐c‐PMVE) aqueous solution. The fibers were analyzed by attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared to determine the type and level of surface modification. The biocomposites were compounded via extrusion and molded by injection. Mechanical testing showed increases in tensile modulus (around 16%) and flexural modulus (around 16%) for both treatments, but MA‐c‐PMVE (29%) was more effective than MAPLA (15%) in strength improvement. Finally, the surface treated fibers led to much lower biocomposites water absorption than untreated ones. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2132–2141, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and characterization of a novel hydrophilic PVDF/PVA/Al2O3 nanocomposite membrane for removal of As(V) from aqueous solutions
Authors: Razmgar Kourosh , Saljoughi Ehsan , Mousavi Seyed Mahmoud
Published: October 2018

In this study, the novel Poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Al2O3 nanocomposite blend membranes with hydrophilic surface were prepared for the first time and used for removal of Arsenic from aqueous environments. First, PVDF/PVA blend membranes were prepared via Non‐solvent‐Induced Phase Separation method and then the characterization was done by several methods. Presence of PVA in membrane matrix caused significant improvements in hydrophilicity and permeability. Although the water contact angle was about 86° for the pure PVDF membrane, it reduced to about 44° for the membrane with the highest PVA content (PVDF/PVA mass ratio = 92/8). Based on the results of the scanning electron microscopy analysis, contact angle measurements, permeability (pure water permeation flux), and tensile strength tests the membrane with PVDF/PVA ratio of 96/4 was selected as the base membrane; thereafter, Al2O3 nanoparticles with weight percents of 1–to 5% (with respect to total polymer weight) were added to the casting solution of the aforementioned blend membrane. The resulted nanocomposites were evaluated through further experiments such as energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis, attenuated total reflectance‐fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy, and Arsenic rejection test. The results showed that removal efficiency was directly dependent on Al2O3 concentrations in membrane's matrix so that it soared to 90% for the membrane including 5% of Al2O3. Besides increase in hydrophilicity and permeability, adding nanoparticles also caused significant improvements in mechanical properties of the prepared nanocomposite membranes. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:2452–2461, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Objective assessment of the fetal facial profile at second and third trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Lu Jing , Sahota Daljit Singh , Poon Liona C. , Ting Yuen Ha , Cheng Yvonne Kwun Yue , Wang Yue , Leung Tak Yeung
Published: October 2018

Objective

To investigate the intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of a novel sonographic parameter named facial maxillary angle (FMA) and to establish nomograms of FMA, inferior facial angle (IFA), frontal nasal‐mental angle (FNMA), maxilla‐nasion‐mandible angle (MNMA), and fetal profile line (FPL) in Chinese fetuses.

Methods

In this prospective cross‐sectional study, FMA, IFA, FNMA, MNMA, and FPL were measured in 592 normal fetuses between 16 and 36 gestational weeks. FMA was measured twice by the same and another operator with a blinded method on the first 50 cases. The reference interval was defined as ±2SD. The efficacy of five sonographic markers was tested in 10 fetuses with micrognathia retrieved from the database of our unit.

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficient (95% CI) of intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of FMA was 0.937 (0.890‐0.964) and 0.891 (0.809‐0.938), respectively. FMA, FNMA, and IFA increased slightly from 16 weeks till 28‐31 weeks and decreased minimally thereafter. FMA and FNMA made correct diagnosis in all affected fetuses; MNMA and IFA identified nine and eight cases respectively, and FPL only detected five cases.

Conclusion

A fixed cutoff of 66° for FMA and 136° for FNMA may be adopted as simple screening criteria of micrognathia.
Fetuses with single ventricle congenital heart disease manifest impairment of regional brain growth
Authors: Rajagopalan Vidya , Votava‐Smith Jodie K. , Zhuang Xiaowei , Brian Jessica , Marshall Lila , Panigrahy Ashok , Paquette Lisa
Published: October 2018

Objective

Anomalous neurological development associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) has been reported as early as third trimester of fetal development. While several studies have characterized variations in CHD neurodevelopmental outcomes in early childhood, these reports are often confounded by postnatal factors such as surgical outcome. Recent studies have focused on the comparing neurological variations between fetuses with CHD and normal controls. In this work, we present a comparison of in utero variations in brain development between fetuses with different types of CHD, by analyzing them under categories of single ventricle versus biventricular cardiac anatomy.

Methods

Using recent advances in fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we quantify the volumetric trajectories of various brain tissues (such as cortical plate, developing white matter, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], and cerebellum).

Results

Our study is the first to differentiate between intraventricular and extra‐axial CSF thereby allowing us to better identify variations in brain composition of the fetuses.

Conclusions

Overall, our findings show that while total brain volume is similar between fetuses with single and biventricular anatomy, they exhibit statistically significant disparity in brain composition.
The effect of methyl group on the mechanical properties of hydrophobic association hydrogel
Authors: Gu Song , Gao Yang , Ren Xiuyan , Yu Jianhong , Duan Lijie , Gao Guanghui
Published: October 2018

Hydrophobic association hydrogels were fabricated via micellar copolymerization of acrylamide and hydrophobic monomers lauryl (meth)acrylate (LA or LMA) in an aqueous solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The effect of methyl groups of hydrophobic monomers on the crosslinking network structure and mechanical behavior of the gels was investigated on the basis of rubber elastic theory. It was found that the LMA‐gel exhibited higher effective crosslink density and elastic modulus. The methyl groups of hydrophobic monomers limited the flexibility of the methacrylate backbone in the association domain, which resulted in the increment of chains constraints. With the increase of stretch rate, the dissipated energy of LMA‐gel increased more highly than that of LA‐gel. In addition, the methyl group hindered the movement of polymer chains, leading to the lower recovery efficiency of dissipated energy for LMA‐gel. In contract, the LA‐gel exhibited a rapid response to external force, and possessed better elasticity and self‐recovery property. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1505–1512
Increased sequence hydrophobicity reduces conformational specificity: A mutational case study of the Arc repressor protein
Authors: Stewart Katie L. , Rathore Deepali , Dodds Eric D. , Cordes Matthew H. J.
Published: October 2018

The amino‐acid sequences of soluble, globular proteins must have hydrophobic residues to form a stable core, but excess sequence hydrophobicity can lead to loss of native state conformational specificity and aggregation. Previous studies of polar‐to‐hydrophobic mutations in the β‐sheet of the Arc repressor dimer showed that a single substitution at position 11 (N11L) leads to population of an alternate dimeric fold in which the β‐sheet is replaced by helix. Two additional hydrophobic mutations at positions 9 and 13 (Q9V and R13V) lead to population of a differently folded octamer along with both dimeric folds. Here we conduct a comprehensive study of the sequence determinants of this progressive loss of fold specificity. We find that the alternate dimer‐fold specifically results from the N11L substitution and is not promoted by other hydrophobic substitutions in the β‐sheet. We also find that three highly hydrophobic substitutions at positions 9, 11, and 13 are necessary and sufficient for oligomer formation, but the oligomer size depends on the identity of the hydrophobic residue in question. The hydrophobic substitutions increase thermal stability, illustrating how increased hydrophobicity can increase folding stability even as it degrades conformational specificity. The oligomeric variants are predicted to be aggregation‐prone but may be hindered from doing so by proline residues that flank the β‐sheet region. Loss of conformational specificity due to increased hydrophobicity can manifest itself at any level of structure, depending upon the specific mutations and the context in which they occur.