bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Morphological evolution of various fungal species in the presence and absence of aluminum oxide microparticles: Comparative and quantitative insights into microparticle‐enhanced cultivation (MPEC)
Authors: Kowalska Anna , Boruta Tomasz , Bizukojć Marcin
Published: March 2018

The application of microparticle‐enhanced cultivation (MPEC) is an attractive method to control mycelial morphology, and thus enhance the production of metabolites and enzymes in the submerged cultivations of filamentous fungi. Unfortunately, most literature data deals with the spore‐agglomerating species like aspergilli. Therefore, the detailed quantitative study of the morphological evolution of four different fungal species (Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium rubens, Chaetomium globosum, and Mucor racemosus) based on the digital analysis of microscopic images was presented in this paper. In accordance with the current knowledge, these species exhibit different mechanisms of agglomerates formation. The standard submerged shake flask cultivations (as a reference) and MPEC involving 10 μm aluminum oxide microparticles (6 g·L−1) were performed. The morphological parameters, including mean projected area, elongation, roughness, and morphology number were determined for the mycelial objects within the first 24 hr of growth. It occurred that heretofore observed and widely discussed effect of microparticles on fungi, namely the decrease in pellet size, was not observed for the species whose pellet formation mechanism is different from spore agglomeration. In the MPEC, C. globosum developed core‐shell pellets, and M. racemosus, a nonagglomerative species, formed the relatively larger, compared to standard cultures, pellets with distinct cores.
Reconstruction of diabetic lower leg and foot soft tissue defects using thoracodorsal artery perforator chimeric flaps
Authors: Sung Il Hoon , Jang Dong Woo , Kim Se Wan , Kim Youn Hwan , Kim Sang Wha
Published: March 2018

Background

Reconstruction of complicated diabetic lower leg and foot defects involving multiple tissue components remains a challenge. The purpose of this report is to introduce thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) chimeric flaps for reconstructing diabetic lower leg and foot soft tissue defects.

Patients and methods

Between April 2010 and August 2016, 17 patients with multiple diabetic lower leg and foot defects underwent reconstruction with TDAP chimeric flaps. Nine were women and the mean age of the patients was 57.7 years (range 35–73 years). One patient had 3 separate defects, 14 patients had 2 separate defects, and 2 patients had defects with dead space. The size of the defects ranged from 5 × 3 cm to 20 × 10 cm.

Results

Fifteen patients received TDAP chimeric flaps with two components (skin and muscle components), and two received three components (skin, latissimus dorsi (LD), and serratus anterior [SA] components). The skin paddle ranged from 10 × 3 cm to 25 × 14 cm. The LD components ranged from 3 × 5 cm to 20 × 10 cm and SA components ranged from 5 × 2 cm to 8 × 7 cm. All flaps survived except for partial loss of one muscle component. Four patients suffered postoperative complications including wound disruption and infection, all of which healed conservatively. The mean follow‐up was 31.3 months (range 8–60 months). Fifteen patients were able to walk, one patient walked with walker, and one patient who had amputation due to Charcot joint infection walked with prosthesis.

Conclusions

The TDAP chimeric flap may be another option for the complicated and complex wound coverage required to reconstruct diabetic lower leg and foot soft tissue defects.
Substitution effects in the 15N NMR chemical shifts of heterocyclic azines evaluated at the GIAO‐DFT level
Authors: Semenov Valentin A. , Samultsev Dmitry O. , Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: March 2018

A systematic study of the accuracy factors for the computation of 15N NMR chemical shifts in comparison with available experiment in the series of 72 diverse heterocyclic azines substituted with a classical series of substituents (CH3, F, Cl, Br, NH2, OCH3, SCH3, COCH3, CONH2, COOH, and CN) providing marked electronic σ‐ and π‐electronic effects and strongly affecting 15N NMR chemical shifts is performed. The best computational scheme for heterocyclic azines at the DFT level was found to be KT3/pcS‐3//pc‐2 (IEF‐PCM). A vast amount of unknown 15N NMR chemical shifts was predicted using the best computational protocol for substituted heterocyclic azines, especially for trizine, tetrazine, and pentazine where experimental 15N NMR chemical shifts are almost totally unknown throughout the series. It was found that substitution effects in the classical series of substituents providing typical σ‐ and π‐electronic effects followed the expected trends, as derived from the correlations of experimental and calculated 15N NMR chemical shifts with Swain–Lupton's F and R constants.
PRO‐QUEST: a rapid assessment method based on progressive saturation for quantifying exchange rates using saturation times in CEST
Authors: Demetriou Eleni , Tachrount Mohamed , Zaiss Moritz , Shmueli Karin , Golay Xavier
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To develop a new MRI technique to rapidly measure exchange rates in CEST MRI.

Methods

A novel pulse sequence for measuring chemical exchange rates through a progressive saturation recovery process, called PRO‐QUEST (progressive saturation for quantifying exchange rates using saturation times), has been developed. Using this method, the water magnetization is sampled under non‐steady‐state conditions, and off‐resonance saturation is interleaved with the acquisition of images obtained through a Look‐Locker type of acquisition. A complete theoretical framework has been set up, and simple equations to obtain the exchange rates have been derived.

Results

A reduction of scan time from 58 to 16 minutes has been obtained using PRO‐QUEST versus the standard QUEST. Maps of both T1 of water and B1 can simply be obtained by repetition of the sequence without off‐resonance saturation pulses. Simulations and calculated exchange rates from experimental data using amino acids such as glutamate, glutamine, taurine, and alanine were compared and found to be in good agreement. The PRO‐QUEST sequence was also applied on healthy and infarcted rats after 24 hours, and revealed that imaging specificity to ischemic acidification during stroke was substantially increased relative to standard amide proton transfer–weighted imaging.

Conclusion

Because of the reduced scan time and insensitivity to nonchemical exchange factors such as direct water saturation, PRO‐QUEST can serve as an excellent alternative for researchers and clinicians interested to map pH changes in vivo.
Possible effects of electroconvulsive therapy on refractory psychosis in primary progressive multiple sclerosis: A case report
Authors: Narita Zui , Satake Naoko , Sato Wakiro , Takano Harumasa
Published: March 2018

Introduction

Patients with multiple sclerosis commonly show some degree of psychiatric symptoms. Primary progressive multiple sclerosis is a part of the spectrum of multiple sclerosis phenotypes with progressive accumulation of disability from disease onset and active course. Psychiatric symptoms are commonly shown in multiple sclerosis, and up to 10% of patients with multiple sclerosis have the primary progressive form. Thus, patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis may also elicit psychiatric symptoms. However, little information is available on psychiatric symptoms, especially on psychosis, in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Case

Here, we report on a 42‐year‐old woman with primary progressive multiple sclerosis whose psychosis did not respond to antipsychotics and was partially ameliorated by electroconvulsive therapy. She suffered from auditory hallucination, anxiety, depersonalization, and suicidal ideation. Initially, several antipsychotic agents were tried, but not effective. Given this, she underwent 12 sessions of electroconvulsive therapy.

Conclusion

Our observation suggests the possible utility of electroconvulsive therapy in the treatment of psychosis in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.
A randomized trial using telehealth technology to link caregivers with dementia care experts for in‐home caregiving support: FamTechCare protocol
Authors: Williams Kristine , Blyler Diane , Vidoni Eric D. , Shaw Clarissa , Wurth JoEllen , Seabold Denise , Perkhounkova Yelena , Van Sciver Angela
Published: March 2018

The number of persons with dementia (PWD) in the United States is expected to reach 16 million by 2050. Due to the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, caregivers face challenging in‐home care situations that lead to a range of negative health outcomes such as anxiety and depression for the caregivers and nursing home placement for PWD. Supporting Family Caregivers with Technology for Dementia Home Care (FamTechCare) is a multisite randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a telehealth intervention on caregiver well‐being and PWD behavioral symptoms. The FamTechCare intervention provides individualized dementia‐care strategies to in‐home caregivers based on video recordings that the caregiver creates of challenging care situations. A team of dementia care experts review videos submitted by caregivers and provide interventions to improve care weekly for the experimental group. Caregivers in the control group receive feedback for improving care based on a weekly phone call with the interventionist and receive feedback on their videos at the end of the 3‐month study. Using linear mixed modeling, we will compare experimental and control group outcomes (PWD behavioral symptoms and caregiver burden) after 1 and 3 months. An exploratory descriptive design will identify a typology of interventions for telehealth support for in‐home dementia caregivers. Finally, the cost for FamTechCare will be determined and examined in relation to hypothesized effects on PWD behavioral symptoms, placement rates, and caregiver burden. This research will provide the foundation for future research for telehealth interventions with this population, especially for families in rural or remote locations.
Manufacturing Nanoparticles with Orthogonally Adjustable Dispersibility in Hydrocarbons, Fluorocarbons, and Water
Authors: Zeininger Lukas , Stiegler Lisa M. S. , Portilla Luis , Halik Marcus , Hirsch Andreas
Published: March 2018

We describe a universal wet‐chemical shell‐by‐shell coating procedure resulting in colloidal titanium dioxide (TiO2) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with dynamically and reversibly tunable surface energies. A strong covalent surface functionalization is accomplished by using long‐chained alkyl‐, triethylenglycol‐, and perfluoroalkylphosphonic acids, yielding highly stabilized core–shell nanoparticles with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or superhydrophobic/fluorophilic surface characteristics. This covalent functionalization sequence is extended towards a second noncovalent attachment of tailor‐made nonionic amphiphilic molecules to the pristine coated core–shell nanoparticles via solvophobic (i.e. either hydrophobic, lipophobic, or fluorophobic) interactions. Thereby, orthogonal tuning of the surface energies of nanoparticles via noncovalent interactions is accomplished. As a result, this versatile bilayer coating process enables reversible control over the colloidal stability of the metal oxide nanoparticles in fluorocarbons, hydrocarbons, and water.
Influence of carbon nanotube surface treatment on resistivity and low‐frequency noise characteristics of epoxy‐based composites
Authors: Tretjak Marina , Pralgauskaitė Sandra , Macutkevic Jan , Matukas Jonas , Banys Juras , Kuzhir Polina , Ivanov Evgeni , Kotsilkova Rumiana
Published: March 2018

Resistivity and low‐frequency (10 Hz–20 kHz) noise characteristics of composite materials with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) of different surface treatment, that is, MWCNTs covered with bisphenol‐A based liquid epoxy resin (epoxy‐grafted) and polyethylene polyamine (amino‐grafted), have been carried out over the temperature range from 73 to 380 K. The resistivity of the investigated materials decreases with temperature increase up to 250 K; at higher temperatures polymer matrix expansion leads to the resistivity increase and above 340 K the conductivity in the matrix becomes significant. Low‐frequency noise spectra of the investigated materials are 1/fα‐type and noise spectral density is proportional to the squared voltage. The observed fluctuations in the investigated materials are resistance fluctuations. The conduction in the investigated composites is caused by tunneling inside and between MWCNTs controlled by charge carrier capture and release processes in localized states. MWCNT's surface treatment by polyethylene polyamine leads to the larger density of surface states what causes lower resistivity and more intensive low‐frequency fluctuations. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1224–E1230,
2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Design and characterization of sustainable bio‐composites from waste chicken feather keratin and thermoplastic polyurethane
Authors: Pourjavaheri Firoozeh , Jones Oliver A.H. , Czajka Michael , Martinez‐Pardo Isaac , Blanch Ewan W. , Shanks Robert A.
Published: March 2018

A polyurethane‐based polymer, and a sustainable, natural resource in the form of chicken feather (keratin) fibers were combined to form a bio‐composite via solvent–casting–evaporation at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 70%·w/w. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the composites were assessed using thermogravimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and stress–strain measurements with hysteresis loops. The uniformity of the dispersion of the feather fiber in the polyurethane matrix was investigated via macro‐photography. Scanning electron microscopy of fracture surfaces was used to verify that the adhesion between fiber and polymer was effective. A molecular modeling visualization predicted the existence of hydrogen bonding between fibers and polyurethane molecules and this result was supported by Fourier transform infrared analysis of the final composites. Addition of chicken feather fibers to the polyurethane matrix was found to decrease the glass transition temperature, recovery strain and mass loss of the composites, but increase the elastic modulus, storage modulus and char level. The results demonstrate that keratin derived from what is currently a waste product from the poultry industry (with significant economic and environmental disposal costs) can effectively and cheaply improve the thermo‐mechanical properties of composite materials, with potentially large environmental benefits. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E620–E632, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Translating Immunopeptidomics to Immunotherapy‐Decision‐Making for Patient and Personalized Target Selection
Authors: Fritsche Jens , Rakitsch Barbara , Hoffgaard Franziska , Römer Michael , Schuster Heiko , Kowalewski Daniel J. , Priemer Martin , Stos‐Zweifel Vlatka , Hörzer Helen , Satelli Arun , Sonntag Annika , Goldfinger Valentina , Song Colette , Mahr Andrea , Ott Martina , Schoor Oliver , Weinschenk Toni
Published: March 2018

Immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment and has shown success in particular for tumors with a high mutational load. These effects have been linked to neoantigens derived from patient‐specific mutations. To expand efficacious immunotherapy approaches to the vast majority of tumor types and patient populations carrying only a few mutations and maybe not a single presented neoepitope, it is necessary to expand the target space to non‐mutated cancer‐associated antigens. Mass spectrometry enables the direct and unbiased discovery and selection of tumor‐specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) peptides that can be used to define targets for immunotherapy. Combining these targets into a warehouse allows for multi‐target therapy and accelerated clinical application. For precise personalization aimed at optimally ensuring treatment efficacy and safety, it is necessary to assess the presence of the target on each individual patient's tumor. Here we show how LC‐MS paired with gene expression data was used to define mRNA biomarkers currently being used as diagnostic test IMADETECT™ for patient inclusion and personalized target selection within two clinical trials (NCT02876510, NCT03247309). Thus, we present a way how to translate HLA peptide presentation into gene expression thresholds for companion diagnostics in immunotherapy considering the peptide‐specific correlation to its encoding mRNA.
Histone Modification Patterns Using RPPA‐Based Profiling Predict Outcome in Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients
Authors: van Dijk Anneke D. , Hu Chenyue W. , de Bont Eveline S.J.M. , Qiu YiHua , Hoff Fieke W. , Yoo Suk Young , Coombes Kevin R. , Qutub Amina A. , Kornblau Steven M.
Published: March 2018

Posttranslational histone tail modifications are known to play a role in leukemogenesis and are therapeutic targets. A global analysis of the level and patterns of expression of multiple histone‐modifying proteins (HMP) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the effect of different patterns of expression on outcome and prognosis has not been investigated in AML patients. Here we analyzed 20 HMP by reverse phase protein array (RPPA) in a cohort of 205 newly diagnosed AML patients. Protein levels were correlated with patient and disease characteristics, including survival and mutational state. We identified different protein clusters characterized by higher (more on) or lower (more off) expression of HMP, relative to normal CD34+ cells. On state of HMP was associated with poorer outcome compared to normal‐like and a more off state. FLT3 mutated AML patients were significantly overrepresented in the more on state. DNA methylation related mutations showed no correlation with the different HMP states. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that HMP form recurrent patterns of expression and that these significantly correlate with survival in newly diagnosed AML patients.
3D Array of Bi2S3 Nanorods Supported on Ni Foam as a Highly Efficient Integrated Oxygen Electrode for the Lithium‐Oxygen Battery
Authors: Shu Chaozhu , Liu Yunhan , Long Jianping , Chen Xianfei , Su Yang
Published: March 2018

Bismuth sulfide nanorod array is directly grown on nickel foam (R‐Bi2S3/NF) to serve as a completely carbon and binder‐free 3D porous oxygen electrode material for lithium‐oxygen (Li‐O2) batteries. The synergistic effect of the fast kinetics of electron transport and gas and electrolyte diffusion provided by the continuous free‐standing network structure and the excellent electrocatalytic activity of the bismuth sulfide nanorod array enables outstanding performance of the oxygen electrode. Li‐O2 battery with the free‐standing R‐Bi2S3/NF oxygen electrode exhibits high energy efficiency (78.7%), good rate capability (4464 mA h g−1 at 1500 mA g−1), as well as excellent cyclability (146 cycles) while maintaining a moderate specific capacity of 1000 mA h g−1. The effect of cathodes with different reactant (O2) and intermediate (LiO2) adsorbability on the product (Li2O2) growth model is studied by first‐principle calculations. The strong O2 adsorption and weak LiO2 adsorption on Bi2S3 drives the growth of large‐size Li2O2 particles via solution growth model. Remarkably, the large‐area pouch‐type Li‐O2 battery delivers an energy density of 330 Wh kg−1. The present results open up a promising avenue toward developing novel electrode architecture for high‐performance Li‐O2 batteries through controlling morphology and functionality of porous electrodes.
Synthesis and Characterization of New PGN Based Reactive Oligomeric Plasticizers for Glycidyl Azide Polymer
Authors: Bodaghi Asghar , Shahidzadeh Mansour
Published: March 2018

New heterobifunctional oligomeric energetic plasticizer with alkyne at one end and a hydroxyl group at the other end, was synthesized via ring opening polymerization of glycidyl nitrate monomer, propargyl alcohol as initiator and BF3 as a catalyst. The terminal hydroxyl group of plasticizer capped with methoxy and acetyl groups to generate two other types of reactive plasticizer. The chemical structure of plasticizers has characterized by FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as DSC, and TGA methods. Also, plasticizers reactivity toward alkyne‐azide reaction, have evaluated through LUMO energy level calculation of reactive plasticizer that containing one and two repeating units in their structure. Moreover, the results show that grafting up to 10 % of the total amount of azide groups of GAP, reduces the viscosity and the glass transition temperature of GAP‐g‐PGN copolymer in comparison to glycidyl azide polymer.
Processed kaolin affects the probing and settling behavior of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Lividae)
Authors: Miranda Marcelo P , Zanardi Odimar Z , Tomaseto Arthur F , Volpe Haroldo XL , Garcia Rafael B , Prado Ernesto
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Alternative methods that have the potential to reduce the entry of Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae), the major citrus pest worldwide, into commercial groves could be a viable approach for huanglongbing management. Kaolin is an aluminum silicate that when sprayed on plants forms a white particle film that interferes with host recognition by the insects. Diaphorina citri orients towards the host plants by visual and olfactory cues. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of processed kaolin on D. citri settling (no‐choice) and probing behavior [electrical penetration graph (EPG) technique] under laboratory conditions, and to study its host plant finding ability and dispersal under field conditions in the absence and presence of young shoots.

RESULTS

Under laboratory conditions, kaolin caused an overall reduction of 40% in the number of psyllids settled on treated seedlings; furthermore, the proportion of individuals that were able to reach the phloem was 50% lower on kaolin‐treated plants than on untreated plants. In the field, the plant finding ability of D. citri was disrupted on kaolin‐treated trees (overall reduction of 96%), regardless of the vegetative condition, and psyllid dispersal was slower in kaolin‐treated plots than in the untreated control.

CONCLUSION

This study clearly demonstrates that processed kaolin interferes negatively with different aspects of the host plant finding ability of D. citri. These findings suggest that processed kaolin has a high potential to reduce huanglongbing primary infection. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Actual versus implied physics students: How students from traditional physics classrooms related to an innovative approach to quantum physics
Authors: Bøe Maria Vetleseter , Henriksen Ellen Karoline , Angell Carl
Published: March 2018

Calls for renewal of physics education include more varied learning activities and increased focus on qualitative understanding and history and philosophy of science (HPS) aspects. We have studied an innovative approach implementing such features in quantum physics in traditional upper secondary physics classrooms in Norway. Data consists of 11 focus groups with 58 participants from 11 physics classes, collected in 2013–2016 and analyzed thematically. Using the the implied student (Ulriksen, ) as an analytical lens, we study the experiences of actual physics students against the student “implied” by the innovative approach. The findings suggest that students struggled where the new approach holds implicit expectations that differ greatly from how students are expected to “do physics” in traditional classrooms. For example, students found it difficult to monitor their performance in the absence of calculations and factual answers. However, students easily adopted visualizations as a new tool for reaching the familiar goal of content knowledge. HPS aspects motivated students, but were not necessarily seen as learning goals in their own right. There is a need for better alignment between learning activities, learning goals and assessment in innovations, and for making implicit expectations explicit so that students know what “doing physics” successfully entails.
Synthesis of Thiazolopyrimidines via Annulation of N‐(4,6‐Diaryl‐2‐thioxo‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐4‐yl)phenyl)aryl‐sulfonamides
Authors: Bahekar Sandeep P. , Chandak Hemant S
Published: March 2018

A series of 5,7‐diaryl‐5H‐thiazolo[3, 2‐a]pyrimidin‐3(2H)‐ones (4 a‐4 r) bearing sulfonamide scaffold have been synthesized by cyclocondensation of bromoacetic acid and N‐(4,6‐diaryl‐2‐thioxo‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyrimidin‐4‐yl)phenyl)aryl‐sulfonamides (3 a‐3ab). Compounds 3 a‐3ab have been synthesized by cyclocondensation of sulfonamide chalcones (1) and thiourea. Acetic acid: acetate buffer system and temperature of the reaction system played an important role in conversion of 3 to 4. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activities against the strain of human breast cancer cell line MCF‐7. Compounds 3 e, 3 p, 4 h and 4 k with GI50 below 80 μM were found to be moderately cytotoxic against MCF‐7.
Copper‐Catalyzed Click Synthesis of Novel 1,2,3‐Triazole‐Linked Pyrimidines
Authors: Bakherad Mohammad , Rezaeimanesh Fatemeh , Nasr‐Isfahani Hossein
Published: March 2018

A series of novel 1,2,3‐triazole‐functionalized pyrimidines were prepared by the reaction of 4‐propargyl‐substituted‐5‐bromo‐2‐chloro‐6‐methylpyrimidine with aryl azides via copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition reactions in the presence of phenylenediamine, as a ligand. This method offers the advantages of mild experimental conditions, operational simplicity, and good to high reaction yields. Furthermore, the synthesized compounds were screened against the three bacterial strains Micrococcus luteus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis.
Synthesis, Antibacterial Activity and Molecular Docking of Substituted Naphthyridines as Potential DNA Gyrase Inhibitors
Authors: Omar Farghaly A. , Abelrasoul Mariam , Sheha Mahmoud M. , Hassan Hoda Y. , Ibrahiem Yasser Musa.
Published: March 2018

A series of naphthyridine‐3‐thiosemicarbazide 7,8(a–e) and the corresponding cyclized analogs, naphthyridine‐3‐(1,3,4‐oxadiazoles) 9,10(a–e) were synthesized through modification of the COOH in nalidixic acid (NA) and its 6‐bromo analogue, as new chemical entities (NCE) with enhanced antimicrobial potential. The compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram positive (G+ve) strains (S. aureus, B. cereus); Gram negative (G‐ve) (E. coli, K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa) and Mycobac. smegmatis. Compounds 7 b,c and 9 b,d displayed the highest activity against S. aureus (minimal inhibitory concentration; MIC ∼ 6–7 mM), whereas B. cereus was found to be more susceptible to the brominated oxadiazoles 10 b,d,e (MIC∼ 5.5‐5.9 mM). Moreover, 10 b,c,d exhibit similar MIC values against K. pneumonia and M. smegmatis. This demonstrates that bromination of the naphtyridone skeleton results in broader spectrum and enhanced antibacterial profile. In addition, the aryl substituted thioemicarbazides 7 c,d,e showed inhibitory effect of the growth of M. smegmatis at MIC ∼ 5.4‐7.1 mM. Molecular docking to DNA‐gyrase cleavage complex of S. aureus, Mycobac. (mTB) and Top. IV of K. pneumonia revealed similar binding poses to the co‐crystallized quinolone ligands and indicate good correlation of the binding energy (ΔG) with the observed MIC values of the active compounds. Consequently, DNA‐gyrase assay was proposed and executed. Most prominent DNA‐gyrase inhibition showed by the naphthyridinyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazides, 7 c and 8 e (IC50: 1.73 and 4.46 μg/mL respectively); and the oxadiazoles 9 b and 10 d (IC50: 3.36 and 3.89 μg/mL respectively). Assessment of drug‐likeness characteristics illustrates that the synthesized compounds showed agreement to Lipinsiki's and Veper's parameters. The study could offer an exceptional framework that may lead to the discovery of new potent antimicrobial agents.
The relational view revisited: A dynamic perspective on value creation and value capture
Authors: Dyer Jeffrey H. , Singh Harbir , Hesterly William S.
Published: March 2018

Research Summary:This paper extends the relational view to offer a dynamic perspective on the factors that drive value creation and value capture over the alliance life cycle. We argue that access to complementary resources provides an initial rationale for forming alliances, but benefits from complementarity can attenuate over time. Indeed, viewed dynamically, factors that often lead to higher value creation—informal trust, repeated ties, customized assets—may also lead to diminished alliance performance. We highlight interdependence between the complementary resources of partners asthecritical factor determining the pattern of alliance value creation, notably how quickly alliances generate value and how quickly they are likely to dissolve. We identify factors, both internal and external to the alliance, that trigger diminished value creation and increased competition for value capture among partners.

Managerial Summary:The “relational view” perspective has shown that firms create value in alliances when they identify partners with complementary resources, when they build high levels of informal trust and they share knowledge and make investments that are customized to the partner. The level of resource interdependence in alliances determines how quickly alliances can reach their potential in value creation and how quickly they are likely to dissolve. Viewed dynamically, factors that often lead to higher value creation—like informal trust, repeated ties, customized assets—may also lead to diminished alliance performance. Finally, a number of factors both internal to and external to an alliance may trigger competition between the partners within an alliance to capture the value created by the alliance and also diminish the value created within the alliance.
Fingerprint‐Inspired Flexible Tactile Sensor for Accurately Discerning Surface Texture
Authors: Cao Yudong , Li Tie , Gu Yang , Luo Hui , Wang Shuqi , Zhang Ting
Published: March 2018

Inspired by the epidermal–dermal and outer microstructures of the human fingerprint, a novel flexible sensor device is designed to improve haptic perception and surface texture recognition, which is consisted of single‐walled carbon nanotubes, polyethylene, and polydimethylsiloxane with interlocked and outer micropyramid arrays. The sensor shows high pressure sensitivity (−3.26 kPa−1 in the pressure range of 0−300 Pa), and it can detect the shear force changes induced by the dynamic interaction between the outer micropyramid structure on the sensor and the tested material surface, and the minimum dimension of the microstripe that can be discerned is as low as 15 µm × 15 µm (interval × width). To demonstrate the texture discrimination capability, the sensors are tested for accurately discerning various surface textures, such as the textures of different fabrics, Braille characters, the inverted pyramid patterns, which will have great potential in robot skins and haptic perception, etc.
ZIF‐8 with Ferrocene Encapsulated: A Promising Precursor to Single‐Atom Fe Embedded Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon as Highly Efficient Catalyst for Oxygen Electroreduction
Authors: Wang Jinpeng , Han Guokang , Wang Liguang , Du Lei , Chen Guangyu , Gao Yunzhi , Ma Yulin , Du Chunyu , Cheng Xinqun , Zuo Pengjian , Yin Geping
Published: March 2018

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) plays an important role in the fields of energy storage and conversion technologies, including metal–air batteries and fuel cells. The development of nonprecious metal electrocatalysts with both high ORR activity and durability to replace the currently used costly Pt‐based catalyst is critical and still a major challenge. Herein, a facile and scalable method is reported to prepare ZIF‐8 with single ferrocene molecules trapped within its cavities (Fc@ZIF‐8), which is utilized as precursor to porous single‐atom Fe embedded nitrogen‐doped carbon (Fe–N–C) during high temperature pyrolysis. The catalyst shows a half‐wave potential (E1/2) of 0.904 V, 67 mV higher than commercial Pt/C catalyst (0.837 V), which is among the best compared with reported results for ORR. Significant electrochemical properties are attributed to the special configuration of Fc@ZIF‐8 transforming into a highly dispersed iron–nitrogen coordination moieties embedded carbon matrix.
Engineering Single‐Atom Cobalt Catalysts toward Improved Electrocatalysis
Authors: Wan Gang , Yu Pengfei , Chen Hangrong , Wen Jianguo , Sun Cheng‐jun , Zhou Hua , Zhang Nian , Li Qianru , Zhao Wanpeng , Xie Bing , Li Tao , Shi Jianlin
Published: March 2018

The development of cost‐effective catalysts to replace noble metal is attracting increasing interests in many fields of catalysis and energy, and intensive efforts are focused on the integration of transition‐metal sites in carbon as noble‐metal‐free candidates. Recently, the discovery of single‐atom dispersed catalyst (SAC) provides a new frontier in heterogeneous catalysis. However, the electrocatalytic application of SAC is still subject to several theoretical and experimental limitations. Further advances depend on a better design of SAC through optimizing its interaction with adsorbates during catalysis. Here, distinctive from previous studies, favorable 3d electronic occupation and enhanced metal–adsorbates interactions in single‐atom centers via the construction of nonplanar coordination is achieved, which is confirmed by advanced X‐ray spectroscopic and electrochemical studies. The as‐designed atomically dispersed cobalt sites within nonplanar coordination show significantly improved catalytic activity and selectivity toward the oxygen reduction reaction, approaching the benchmark Pt‐based catalysts. More importantly, the illustration of the active sites in SAC indicates metal‐natured catalytic sites and a media‐dependent catalytic pathway. Achieving structural and electronic engineering on SAC that promotes its catalytic performances provides a paradigm to bridge the gap between single‐atom catalysts design and electrocatalytic applications.
Detection of Individual Molecules and Ions by Carbon Nanotube‐Based Differential Resistive Pulse Sensor
Authors: Peng Ran , Tang Xiaowu Shirley , Li Dongqing
Published: March 2018

This paper presents a new method of sensing single molecules and cations by a carbon nanotube (CNT)‐based differential resistive pulse sensing (RPS) technique on a nanofluidic chip. A mathematical model for multichannel RPS systems is developed to evaluate the CNT‐based RPS signals. Individual cations, rhodamine B dye molecules, and ssDNAs are detected successfully with high resolution and high signal‐to‐noise ratio. Differentiating ssDNAs with 15 and 30 nucleotides are achieved. The experimental results also show that translocation of negatively charged ssDNAs through a CNT decreases the electrical resistance of the CNT channel, while translocation of positively charged cations and rhodamine B molecules increases the electrical resistance of the CNT. The CNT‐based nanofluidic device developed in this work provides a new avenue for single‐molecule/ion detection and offers a potential strategy for DNA sequencing.
Data‐Matrix Technology for Multiparameter Monitoring of Cell Cultures
Authors: Barbalinardo Marianna , Gentili Denis , Lazzarotto Francesca , Valle Francesco , Brucale Marco , Melucci Manuela , Favaretto Laura , Zambianchi Massimo , Borrachero‐Conejo Ana I. , Saracino Emanuela , Benfenati Valentina , Natalini Davide , Greco Pierpaolo , Di Carlo Maria Giovanna , Foschi Giulia , Cavallini Massimiliano
Published: March 2018

A data‐matrix (DM)‐technology approach in cell biology is implemented as an efficient method for the multiparameter monitoring of cell cultures. The proposed method takes advantage of the know‐how developed for fault tolerance in digital information technology by measuring the amount of errors induced by intervening cells upon checking a DM code placed behind them. It gives continuous access to several quantitative parameters of the observed culture, such as cell coverage, mean size, viability, and transfection efficiency.
Joint hierarchical Gaussian process model with application to personalized prediction in medical monitoring
Authors: Duan Leo L. , Wang Xia , Clancy John P. , Szczesniak Rhonda D.
Published: March 2018

A two‐level Gaussian process (GP) joint model is proposed to improve personalized prediction of medical monitoring data. The proposed model is applied to jointly analyze multiple longitudinal biomedical outcomes, including continuous measurements and binary outcomes, to achieve better prediction in disease progression. At the population level of the hierarchy, two independent GPs are used to capture the nonlinear trends in both the continuous biomedical marker and the binary outcome, respectively; at the individual level, a third GP, which is shared by the longitudinal measurement model and the longitudinal binary model, induces the correlation between these two model components and strengthens information borrowing across individuals. The proposed model is particularly advantageous in personalized prediction. It is applied to the motivating clinical data on cystic fibrosis disease progression, for which lung function measurements and onset of acute respiratory events are monitored jointly throughout each patient's clinical course. The results from both the simulation studies and the cystic fibrosis data application suggest that the inclusion of the shared individual‐level GPs under the joint model framework leads to important improvements in personalized disease progression prediction. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating interspecific economic risk of bird strikes with aircraft
Authors: DeVault Travis L. , Blackwell Bradley F. , Seamans Thomas W. , Begier Michael J. , Kougher Jason D. , Washburn Jenny E. , Miller Phyllis R. , Dolbeer Richard A.
Published: March 2018

The International Civil Aviation Organization promotes prioritization of wildlife management on airports, among other safety issues, by emphasizing the risk of wildlife–aircraft collisions (strikes). In its basic form, strike risk comprises a frequency component (i.e., how often strikes occur) and a severity component reflecting the cost of the incident. However, there is no widely accepted formula for estimating strike risk. Our goal was to develop a probabilistic risk metric that is adaptable for airports to use. Our specific objectives were to 1) update species‐specific, relative hazard scores (i.e., the likelihood of aircraft damage or effect on flight when strikes occur) using recent U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) wildlife strike data (2010–2015); 2) develop 4 a priori risk models, reflecting species‐specific strike data and updated relative hazard scores; 3) test these models against independent data (monetary costs associated with strikes); and 4) apply our best model to strike data from 4 large, FAA‐certificated airports to illustrate its application at the local level. Our best‐fitting risk model included an independent variable that was an interaction of quadratic transformed relative hazard score and number of wildlife strikes (r2 = 0.74). Top species in terms of estimated risk nationally were red‐tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), Canada goose (Branta canadensis), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), rock pigeon (Columba livia), and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura). We found substantial overlap among the top 5 riskiest species locally across 3 of 4 airports considered, illustrating the degree of site‐specific differences that affect risk. Strike risk is dynamic; therefore, future work on risk estimation should allow for model adjustment to reflect ongoing wildlife management actions at airports that could influence future strike risk. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) and chemometric investigation of human hair after cosmetic treatment
Authors: Santos Mônica Cardoso , Sperança Marco Aurelio , Pereira Fabíola Manhas Verbi
Published: March 2018

Variations in the chemical composition of 63 different human and 6 different synthetic hair samples were investigated using wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence (WDXRF) spectra profiles. To evaluate the effect of cosmetic treatment on the strands, the human hair samples were bleached, but the synthetic ones were not. To better investigate the data, exploratory analyses were calculated using principal component analysis for the WDXRF spectra. Eight normalizations/standardizations were applied in the WDXRF to verify the clustering tendency. Bleaching was tested, because it is one way in which people mask their real hair color. After the data were standardized, an enhancement of the data discrimination was verified. Furthermore, the explained variance was higher in the first principal components. The WDXRF spectra were able to distinguish samples with distinct features, including synthetic, dyed, and straightened hair. The findings of this study hold promise for forensics due to desirable aspects such as nondestructivity and the possibility of a large hair sample database.
Size‐dependent predation and correlated life history traits alter eco‐evolutionary dynamics and selection for faster individual growth
Authors: DeLong John P. , Luhring Thomas M.
Published: March 2018

Age at maturation is a key life history trait influencing individual fitness, population age structure, and ecological interactions. We investigated the evolution of age at maturity through changes in the von Bertalanffy growth constant for organisms with a simple juvenile‐adult life history. We used Gillespie eco‐evolutionary models to uncover the role of predation in driving the evolution of the growth constant when eco‐evolutionary dynamics are present. We incorporated both size‐independent and size‐dependent predation into our models to generate differences in selection and dynamics in the system. Our results generally support the idea that faster ontogenetic growth is beneficial when populations are growing but that predation tends to have little effect on age at maturity unless there are trade‐offs with other life history traits. In particular, if faster ontogenetic growth comes at the cost of fecundity, our results suggest that predation selects for intermediate levels of growth and fecundity. Eco‐evolutionary dynamics influenced the nature of selection only when growth was linked to fecundity. We also found that predators that increasingly consume larger prey tend to have higher population sizes due to the greater energy intake from larger prey, but the growth rate‐fecundity trade‐off reversed this pattern. Overall, our results suggest an important role for interactions between size‐dependent foraging and life‐history trade‐offs in generating varying selection on age at maturity through underlying growth traits.
GRI Sustainability Reporting by INGOs: A Way Forward for Improving Accountability?
Authors: Traxler Albert Anton , Greiling Dorothea , Hebesberger Hannah
Published: March 2018

Considering that the members of the International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGO) Accountability Charter played a prominent role in initiating the first sector supplement of the Global Reporting Initiative for non-governmental organizations (NGO), the purpose of the paper is to investigate their sustainability reporting (SR) practices in order to evaluate to what extent INGO Charter members comply with this voluntary accountability standard for SR. The empirical analysis is based on a content analysis of sustainability reports. The findings indicate that most of the INGO Charter members are far away from a comprehensive reporting practice. Hence, critical voices could assert that their reporting behavior seems to be more in line with facade building than the idea of providing a comprehensive account. By adapting a multiperspective theoretical discourse about the potential and shortcomings of SR to the NGO context, the study contributes to a field-specific theory-based pluralistic critical evaluation of SR as a major cross-sectoral innovation in voluntary accountability initiatives.
Large herbivore‐induced changes in phytogenic hillocks: links to soil and windblown sediment on the desert steppe in China
Authors: Liu Wenting , Lü Shijie , Wang Tianle , Yan Ruirui , Wei Zhijun
Published: March 2018

Phytogenic hillocks are a type of wind‐deposited biological micro‐topography exhibiting a bulging shape under plant clusters in arid regions. In this study, we quantitatively measured the phenotypic characteristics of phytogenic hillocks, the soil particle size distribution in phytogenic hillocks and bare surfaces, and the sediment particle size distribution in hillocks of three heights under different grazing treatments. The results showed that the proportion of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks in the no grazing treatment was higher than in the moderate grazing treatment, and the proportion of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks under moderate grazing was higher than under no grazing. The total area of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks under no grazing was higher than under heavy grazing and under moderate grazing. For the scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks, the total area was greatest under moderate grazing, followed by heavy grazing and, finally, no grazing. For single hillocks, grazing had a significant impact on the width of dense cluster phytogenic hillocks, while the heavy grazing treatment had a significant impact on the height of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks. The results for windblown sediment showed that the only significant difference among grazing treatments occurred at a height of 2–8 cm. Grazing changed the relationships among the phenotypic characteristics of phytogenic hillocks, the soil particle size of phytogenic hillocks, and the particle size of wind‐deposited sediments. Our results suggested that grazing increased the proportion of scattered cluster phytogenic hillocks and caused the relationship between somewhat bare land and phytogenic hillocks to change from symbiosis to competition.
Point-of-care Ultrasonography in Orthopedic Management of Hemophilia: Multiple Uses of an Effective Tool
Authors: De la Corte-Rodriguez Hortensia , Rodriguez-Merchan E. Carlos , Jimenez-Yuste Víctor
Published: March 2018

Even in our current era of hemophilia prophylaxis, articular complications can arise and there is a growing need for strategies in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hemophilic arthropathy, a significant contributor to disability in patients with hemophilia. One useful tool, point-of-care ultrasonography (POC-US), offers diverse diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities. This article reviews the literature on the uses of POC-US in hemophilia, including early diagnosis of joint damage, differential diagnosis of articular pain, follow-up of joint injury, and guidance for both arthrocentesis and intra-articular injection. Studies show that for patients with hemophilia, POC-US enhances diagnostic accuracy and targeted treatments. Further research is required into the most efficient use of POC-US and the training needed to develop clinicians’ skills. The attributes of POC-US should be understood more fully to enable its widespread application.