bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ZnO/ZnS Heterostructured Nanorod Arrays and Their Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Bao Di , Gao Peng , Zhu Xinyang , Sun Shuchao , Wang Ying , Li Xiaobo , Chen Yujin , Zhou Han , Wang Yanbo , Yang Piaoping
Published: July 2015

Semiconducting heterostructures have been widely applied in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution due to their variable band gaps and high energy conversion efficiency. As typical semiconducting heterostructures, ZnO/ZnS heterostructured nanorod arrays (HNRAs) have been obtained through a simple anion‐exchange process in this work. Structural characterization indicates that the heterostructured nanorods (HNRs) are all composed of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO core and cubic zinc‐blende ZnS shell. As expected, the as‐obtained one‐dimensional heterostructures not only lower the energy barrier but also enhance the separation ability of photogenerated carriers in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Through comparisons, it is found that 1D ZnO/ZnS HNRAs exhibit much better performance in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution than 1D ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) and 1D ZnS NRAs. The maximum H2 production is 19.2 mmol h−1 for 0.05 g catalyst under solar‐simulated light irradiation at 25 °C and the corresponding quantum efficiency is 13.9 %, which goes beyond the economical threshold of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution technology.
Diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast using fine‐needle aspiration cytology: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ilkay Tosun M. , Gozde Kir , Ozgur Sarica , Dilaver Demirel
Published: July 2015

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the breast is a rare variant of breast malignancy and is associated with an excellent prognosis. ACC accounts for 0.1% of all breast carcinomas. It has favorable biological characteristics and an excellent prognosis. A 77‐year‐old woman presented with a lump in the right breast. Ultrasonography and mammography showed a 12‐mm, well‐defined, lobulated mass in the retroareolar region of the right breast. The lump was diagnosed as ACC on the basis of immunohistochemical staining results for c‐kit (CD117), muscle‐specific actin, p63, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor using a fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) specimen. This diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by excision biopsy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ACC of the breast to date to be diagnosed on the basis of immunohistochemical staining of an FNAC cell block material. From our experience, we recommend the usage of cell block material for immunohistochemical studies to accurately diagnose ACC of the breast. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:722–726. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pd@UiO‐66‐Type MOFs Prepared by Chemical Vapor Infiltration as Shape‐Selective Hydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Luz Ignacio , Rösler Christoph , Epp Konstantin , Llabrés i Xamena Francesc X. , Fischer Roland A.
Published: July 2015

Host‐guest inclusion properties of UiO‐66 and UiO‐67 metal‐organic frameworks have been studied using ferrocene (FeCp2) as probe molecule. According to variable‐temperature solid‐state 1H and 13C CP‐MAS‐NMR, two different environments exist for adsorbed FeCp2 inside UiO‐66 and UiO‐67, which have been assigned to octahedral and tetrahedral cavities. At room temperature, a rapid exchange between these two adsorption sites occurs in UiO‐67, while at –80 °C the intracrystalline traffic of FeCp2 through the triangular windows is largely hindered. In UiO‐66, FeCp2 diffusion is already impeded at room temperature, in agreement with the smaller pore windows. Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) encapsulated inside UiO‐66 and UiO‐67 have been prepared by chemical vapor infiltration of (allyl)Pd(Cp) followed by UV light irradiation. Infiltration must be carried out at low temperature (–10 °C) to avoid uncontrolled decomposition of the organometallic precursor and formation of Pd NPs at the external surface of the MOF. The resulting Pd‐MOFs are shape selective catalysts, as shown for the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds with different steric hindrance.
Birthday Issues!
Authors: Hindson Karen
Published: July 2015

Editor Karen Hindson congratulates Luis Oro on his 70th birthday and talks about his key role in ChemPubSoc Europe and the journals they own.
Mouse Pig‐a and micronucleus assays respond to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea, benzo[a]pyrene, and ethyl carbamate, but not pyrene or methyl carbamate
Authors: Labash Carson , Avlasevich Svetlana L. , Carlson Kristine , Berg Ariel , Torous Dorothea K. , Bryce Steven M. , Bemis Jeffrey C. , MacGregor James T. , Dertinger Stephen D.
Published: July 2015

This laboratory previously described a method for scoring the incidence of peripheral blood Pig‐a mutant phenotype rat erythrocytes using immunomagnetic separation in conjunction with flow cytometric analysis (In Vivo MutaFlow®). The current work extends the method to mouse blood, using the frequency of CD24‐negative reticulocytes (RETCD24−) and erythrocytes (RBCCD24−) as phenotypic reporters of Pig‐a gene mutation. Following assay optimization, reconstruction experiments demonstrated the ability of the methodology to return expected values. Subsequently, the responsiveness of the assay to the genotoxic carcinogens N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea, benzo[a]pyrene, and ethyl carbamate was studied in male CD‐1 mice exposed for 3 days to several dose levels via oral gavage. Blood samples were collected on Day 4 for micronucleated reticulocyte analyses, and on Days 15 and 30 for determination of RETCD24− and RBCCD24− frequencies. The same design was used to study pyrene, with benzo[a]pyrene as a concurrent positive control, and methyl carbamate, with ethyl carbamate as a concurrent positive control. The three genotoxicants produced marked dose‐related increases in the frequencies of Pig‐a mutant phenotype cells and micronucleated reticulocytes. Ethyl carbamate exposure resulted in moderately higher micronucleated reticulocyte frequencies relative to N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea or benzo[a]pyrene (mean ± SEM = 3.0 ± 0.36, 2.3 ± 0.17, and 2.3 ± 0.49%, respectively, vs. an aggregate vehicle control frequency of 0.18 ± 0.01%). However, it was considerably less effective at inducing Pig‐a mutant cells (e.g., Day 15 mean no. RETCD24− per 1 million reticulocytes = 7.6 ± 3, 150 ± 9, and 152 ± 43 × 10−6, respectively, vs. an aggregate vehicle control frequency of 0.6 ± 0.13 × 10−6). Pyrene and methyl carbamate, tested to maximum tolerated dose or limit dose levels, had no effect on mutant cell or micronucleated reticulocyte frequencies. Collectively, these results demonstrate the utility of the cross‐species Pig‐a and micronucleated reticulocyte assays, and add further support to the value of studying both endpoints in order to cover two distinct genotoxic modes of action. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:28–40, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aqueous and tissue residue-based interspecies correlation estimation models provide conservative hazard estimates for aromatic compounds
Authors: Bejarano Adriana C. , Barron Mace G.
Published: July 2015

Interspecies correlation estimation (ICE) models were developed for 30 nonpolar aromatic compounds to allow comparison of prediction accuracy between 2 data compilation approaches. Type 1 models used data combined across studies, and type 2 models used data combined only within studies. Target lipid (TLM) ICE models were also developed using target lipid concentrations of the type 2 model dataset (type 2-TLM). Analyses were performed to assess model prediction uncertainty introduced by each approach. Most statistically significant models (90%; 266 models total) had mean square errors < 0.27 and adjusted coefficients of determination (adj R2) > 0.59, with the lowest amount of variation in mean square errors noted for type 2-TLM followed by type 2 models. Cross-validation success (>0.62) across most models (86% of all models) confirmed the agreement between ICE predicted and observed values. Despite differences in model predictive ability, most predicted values across all 3 ICE model types were within a 2-fold difference of the observed values. As a result, no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between most ICE-based and empirical species sensitivity distributions (SSDs). In most cases hazard concentrations were within or below the 95% confidence intervals of the direct-empirical SSD-based values, regardless of model choice. Interspecies correlation estimation-based 5th percentile (HC5) values showed a 200- to 900-fold increase as the log KOW increased from 2 to 5.3. Results indicate that ICE models for aromatic compounds provide a statistically based approach for deriving conservative hazard estimates for protecting aquatic life. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:56–64. © 2015 SETAC
Volatile constituents in sensory defective virgin olive oils
Authors: Zhu Hanjiang , Wang Selina C. , Shoemaker Charles F.
Published: July 2015

Negative aromas such as rancid, fusty, winey‐vinegary and frozen are sensory attributes of defective virgin olive oil recognized by the International Olive Council. Solid phase microextraction‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometery (SPME‐GC/MS) was employed to establish a flavour profile for each defective oil. The potential contribution of the identified compounds to the overall aromas of oil samples was assessed by calculating the ratio relative area/odour threshold in air – Relative Area over Threshold (RAOT). The relevant compounds of each defective sensory attributes were suggested: a series of C7‐C12 unsaturated aldehydes, such as 2, 4‐heptadienal,E‐2‐nonenal andE‐2‐octenal, were found to be responsible for rancidity,Z‐3‐hexenyl acetate and nonanoic acid were related to fusty defects, acetic acid and butyric acid were responsible for winey‐vinegary defects, and limonene was found as a relevant compound in frozen oil. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Red Cell Distribution Width as an Independent Predictor of Long-Term Mortality in Hip Fracture Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Lv Houchen , Zhang Licheng , Long Anhua , Mao Zhi , Shen Jing , Yin Pengbin , Li Ming , Zeng Chao , Zhang Lihai , Tang Peifu
Published: July 2015

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been found to be a significant prognostic factor of mortality in many cardiovascular diseases. However, a link between RDW at admission with long-term mortality in the hip fracture population has not been well established. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the long-term prognostic value of RDW in a well-defined hip fracture cohort, and to compare the effect of RDW in patients with and without anemia. A prospective cohort study was performed on 1479 hip fracture patients admitted at the General Hospital of Chinese PLA between January 2000 and October 2011 with a follow-up study over a 2-year period. A total of 1479 patients were used for the evaluation of 2-year all-cause mortality, while 804 patients with more than 4 years of follow-up were extracted for further evaluation of 4-year all-cause mortality. Cox proportional regression was used to evaluate the association between admission RDW and long-term mortality, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Higher RDW values were strongly associated with increased all-cause mortality. After adjusting for age, mean corpuscular volume, admission hemoglobin, comorbidities, and complications, RDW had a significant independent association with both 2-year mortality with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.183 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017 to 1.376) and 4-year mortality with an HR of 1.244 (95% CI, 1.052 to 1.471). In stratified analysis, the effect of RDW was even more pronounced, with 2-year mortality HR of 1.341 (95% CI, 1.095 to 1.643) and 4-year mortality HR of 1.345 (95% CI, 1.071 to 1.688) in non-anemic patients. In non-anemic patients, elevated RDW values are significantly associated with increased odds of all-cause mortality, implying that RDW may be a possible laboratory biomarker for risk stratification in non-anemic hip fracture patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the current finding in different and larger hip fracture cohorts. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Molybdatricarbaboranes as examples of isocloso metallaborane deltahedra with three carbon vertices
Authors: Lupan Alexandru , King R. Bruce
Published: July 2015

Density functional theory shows that the lowest energy CpMoC3Bn−4Hn−1 (n = 8, 9, 10, 11) structures are based on isocloso or similar deltahedra with the molybdenum atom at a degree 6 vertex. Such deltahedra include the capped pentagonal bipyramid for the 8‐vertex system. Among such geometries the lowest energy structures have the carbon atoms at the lowest degree vertices (typically degree 4 vertices), no pairs of adjacent carbon atoms (i.e., no C‐C edges), and the maximum number of Mo‐C edges. Optimizing these factors favoring low‐energy CpMoC3Bn−4Hn−1 (n = 8, 9, 10, 11) structures leads to a unique lowest energy structure lying more than 10 kcal/mol below the next lowest energy structure for the 8‐, 10‐, and 11‐vertex systems. However, the 9‐vertex CpMoC3B5H8 system has three structures within 8 kcal/mol including a structure based on the closo tricapped trigonal prism rather than the isocloso 9‐vertex deltahedron. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐guided Langevin dynamics via generalized Langevin equation
Authors: Wu Xiongwu , Brooks Bernard R. , Vanden‐Eijnden Eric
Published: July 2015

Self‐guided Langevin dynamics (SGLD) is a molecular simulation method that enhances conformational search and sampling via acceleration of the low frequency motions of the system. This acceleration is produced via introduction of a guiding force which breaks down the detailed‐balance property of the dynamics, implying that some reweighting is necessary to perform equilibrium sampling. Here, we eliminate the need of reweighing and show that the NVT and NPT ensembles are sampled exactly by a new version of self‐guided motion involving a generalized Langevin equation (GLE) in which the random force is modified so as to restore detailed‐balance. Through the examples of alanine dipeptide and argon liquid, we show that this SGLD‐GLE method has enhanced conformational sampling capabilities compared with regular Langevin dynamics (LD) while being of comparable computational complexity. In particular, SGLD‐GLE is fully size extensive and can be used in arbitrarily large systems, making it an appealing alternative to LD. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
GII.4 Sydney_2012 norovirus infection in immunocompromised patients in Beijing and its rapid evolution in vivo
Authors: Mai Huan , Gao Yan , Cong Xu , Wang Hui , Liu Ning , Huang Xiaojun , Xu Lanping , Chen Yuhong , Wei Lai
Published: July 2015

To study the epidemiology and evolution of norovirus (NoV) in immunocompromised patients in a tertiary hospital in China. Stool specimens were collected from 131 hospitalized patients presenting with diarrhea from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, and were tested for NoV using RT‐PCR. RT‐PCR was performed to amplify the complete capsid genome for a series of samples from chronic diarrhea patients, and nucleotide and amino acid changes were analyzed. There were nine NoV‐positive patients among 124 immunocompromised patients (7.3%); all nine were infected with GII.4 Sydney_2012 strain. In three chronic diarrhea patients, the GII.4 Sydney_2012 strains accumulated 19, 18, and eight nucleotide mutations within 110, 113, and 22 days, respectively, most were non‐synonymous. The greatest number of stable amino acid mutations was 10 in patient 2; eight stable mutations (including three in antigenic sites) occurred while the patient was asymptomatic and shedding the virus. GII.4 Sydney_2012 strain tends to undergo stable mutations during the asymptomatic shedding phase and may generate new variants in chronic diarrhea patients. J. Med. Virol. 88:224–233, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temporal scaling of high flow effects on benthic fauna: Insights from equatorial glacier‐fed streams
Authors: Cauvy‐Fraunié Sophie , Andino Patricio , Espinosa Rodrigo , Jacobsen Dean , Dangles Olivier
Published: July 2015

We used equatorial glacier‐fed streams as a model system to investigate the relationships between flow fluctuation and benthic fauna at different temporal scales. Water level was measured at 30 min intervals over 29 months (942 d) and benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled 14 times over the study period. We performed wavelet analyses on water‐level time series to identify temporal scales at which significant flow variation occurs, and calculated three indices: intensity, frequency and temporal clustering of the diurnal flow variation for periods from 2 d to 50 d. We determined the effect of temporal scaling (length of the periods considered) on relationships between benthic community dissimilarity (using Sørensen index) and differences in flow indices among the 14 sampling dates. Temporal scaling affected flow‐variation frequency and temporal clustering and their subsequent relationships with benthic community dissimilarity. A time scale of 15 d before benthic sampling was relevant to the assessment of flow‐biota relationships. Community dissimilarity significantly increased with increasing difference in flow‐fluctuation intensity. This dissimilarity was associated with a decrease in the density of dominant taxa and a taxa turnover along the temporal gradient in flow‐fluctuation intensity. Although flow fluctuations are frequent and highly predictable in equatorial glacier‐fed streams, macroinvertebrate communities exhibited a temporal variability in taxon assemblage, which was linked to the intensity of flow fluctuation. We explain these patterns by downstream displacement during high flow events and upstream displacement during low flow periods, thereby highlighting the need of considering temporal scaling effects on benthic fauna to understand the ecological dynamics of lotic systems.
Neurogenesis Is Induced by Electrical Stimulation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Co‐Cultured With Mature Neuronal Cells
Authors: Park Sang Jun , Park Ji Sun , Yang Han Na , Yi Se Won , Kim Chun‐Ho , Park Keun‐Hong
Published: July 2015

For electrical stimulation of hMSCs, gold nanoparticles were coated onto polyethyleneimine coated glass cover slips. The effects of pulsed or constant electrical stimulation upon cytotoxicity and differentiation of hMSCs were examined. The effects of co culturing hMSCs with neuronal cells were also tested. The neuronal differentiation of the stem cells was evaluated by determining the expression of neuron‐speciﬁc genes and proteins using RT‐PCR and Western blotting. Morphological changes were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. The hMSCs co‐cultured with mature neuronal cells and stimulated with electrical shock showed the greatest level of neurite outgrowth (>150 mm) and smaller cell body sizes.
Synthesis and Characterization of pH‐Responsive Copolypeptides Vesicles for siRNA and Chemotherapeutic Drug Co‐Delivery
Authors: Li Zhanrong , Li Jingguo , Huang Jinsheng , Zhang Junjie , Cheng Du , Shuai Xintao
Published: July 2015

Novel diblock copolypeptides are synthesized and evaluated as a pH‐sensitive drug delivery vector for anticancer drugs and siRNA co‐delivery. The synthetic process involve the ring opening polymerization of α‐amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides as well as aminolysis and deprotection reactions, and the structures are characterized. The copolypeptides can self‐assemble into stable vesicles at neutral pH, and disassemble in acidic endosomal/lysosomal, which shown the pH‐responsive behavior. The cell uptake results indicated that the vesicles can co‐deliver DOX and siRNA inside the same cell and exhibit a pH‐sensitive release behavior. Therefore, the novel polymeric vesicles are a promising carrier for co‐delivery anticancer drug and siRNA to overcome the drug resistance and enhance cancer treatment.
Innovative biological approaches for metal conservation
Authors: Albini M. , Comensoli L. , Brambilla L. , Domon Beuret E. , Kooli W. , Mathys L. , Letardi P. , Joseph E.
Published: July 2015

While often considered as harmful for cultural heritage, microorganisms can also be used for its safeguarding. Two research projects (BIOPATINAS and MAIA) using the capabilities of microorganisms for the conservation‐restoration of metal artistic and archaeological objects are presented in this study. The objective of the BIOPATINAS project is to propose an alternative biological treatment for copper alloys artefacts. Taking advantage of unique properties of carefully selected fungal strains, the project relies on the conversion of existing corrosion patinas into more stable copper oxalates. The results demonstrated a different weathering behavior of the biopatina compared to standard treatments such as waxes or inhibitors. In the MAIA project, the unique capacities of some fungi and bacteria are studied for the stabilization of archeological iron. Based on the results achieved, a synergetic microbial consortium will be designed for the formation of stable iron compounds and the simultaneous removal of chloride ions that are the instigators of further corrosion after excavation. A careful assessment of the methodology is currently carried out over iron‐ and chloride‐rich phases.
The differential effects of heat‐shocking on the viability of spores from Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus subtilis, and Clostridium sporogenes after treatment with peracetic acid‐ and glutaraldehyde‐based disinfectants
Authors: March Jordon K. , Pratt Michael D. , Lowe Chinn‐Woan , Cohen Marissa N. , Satterfield Benjamin A. , Schaalje Bruce , O'Neill Kim L. , Robison Richard A.
Published: July 2015

This study investigated (1) the susceptibility of Bacillus anthracis (Ames strain), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 19659), and Clostridium sporogenes (ATCC 3584) spores to commercially available peracetic acid (PAA)‐ and glutaraldehyde (GA)‐based disinfectants, (2) the effects that heat‐shocking spores after treatment with these disinfectants has on spore recovery, and (3) the timing of heat‐shocking after disinfectant treatment that promotes the optimal recovery of spores deposited on carriers. Suspension tests were used to obtain inactivation kinetics for the disinfectants against three spore types. The effects of heat‐shocking spores after disinfectant treatment were also determined. Generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate 6‐log reduction times for each spore type, disinfectant, and heat treatment combination. Reduction times were compared statistically using the delta method. Carrier tests were performed according to AOAC Official Method 966.04 and a modified version that employed immediate heat‐shocking after disinfectant treatment. Carrier test results were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. PAA‐based disinfectants had significantly shorter 6‐log reduction times than the GA‐based disinfectant. Heat‐shocking B. anthracis spores after PAA treatment resulted in significantly shorter 6‐log reduction times. Conversely, heat‐shocking B. subtilis spores after PAA treatment resulted in significantly longer 6‐log reduction times. Significant interactions were also observed between spore type, disinfectant, and heat treatment combinations. Immediately heat‐shocking spore carriers after disinfectant treatment produced greater spore recovery. Sporicidal activities of disinfectants were not consistent across spore species. The effects of heat‐shocking spores after disinfectant treatment were dependent on both disinfectant and spore species. Caution must be used when extrapolating sporicidal data of disinfectants from one spore species to another. Heat‐shocking provides a more accurate picture of spore survival for only some disinfectant/spore combinations. Collaborative studies should be conducted to further examine a revision of AOAC Official Method 966.04 relative to heat‐shocking.
Unawareness of Hyposmia in Elderly People With and Without Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Shill Holly A. , Hentz Joseph G. , Caviness John N. , Driver‐Dunckley Erika , Jacobson Sandra , Belden Christine , Sabbagh Marwan N. , Beach Thomas G. , Adler Charles H.
Published: July 2015

Background

Hyposmia is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is also observed with normal aging. It can be ascertained through objective testing, but it is unclear whether patients are aware of deficits and whether this has implications for cognitive status.

Methods

Subjects in the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders were studied with annual motor and cognitive testing with objective smell testing (University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test; UPSIT) done every third year beginning in 2002. Those with a baseline UPSIT <25th percentile (hyposmia) were studied for presence of unawareness of hyposmia and cognitive status.

Results

There were 75 subjects with PD and 143 nonparkinsonian controls with hyposmia. Lack of awareness of hyposmia was present in 16% of PD subjects and 47% of those without PD. In PD, there was no increase in unawareness in PD with dementia. In non‐PD controls, unawareness was correlated with presence of dementia. Unawareness of hyposmia correlated most strongly with the neuropsychiatric tests of learning and memory. In controls without dementia or PD, 48% were unaware.

Conclusions

Querying patients about anosmia might be useful in parkinsonian disorders without objective testing. However, in elderly controls, it should be followed by objective testing and lack of awareness has implications for worsened cognitive status.
Development and evaluation of an Individualized Outcome Measure (IOM) for randomized controlled trials in mental health
Authors: Pesola Francesca , Williams Julie , Bird Victoria , Freidl Marion , Le Boutillier Clair , Leamy Mary , Macpherson Rob , Slade Mike
Published: July 2015

Pre‐defined, researcher‐selected outcomes are routinely used as the clinical end‐point in randomized controlled trials (RCTs); however, individualized approaches may be an effective way to assess outcome in mental health research. The present study describes the development and evaluation of the Individualized Outcome Measure (IOM), which is a patient‐specific outcome measure to be used for RCTs of complex interventions. IOM was developed using a narrative review, expert consultation and piloting with mental health service users (n = 20). The final version of IOM comprises two components: Goal Attainment (GA) and Personalized Primary Outcome (PPO). For GA, patients identify one relevant goal at baseline and rate its attainment at follow‐up. For PPO, patients choose an outcome domain related to their goal from a pre‐defined list at baseline, and complete a standardized questionnaire assessing the chosen outcome domain at baseline and follow‐up. A feasibility study indicated that IOM had adequate completion (89%) and acceptability (96%) rates in a clinical sample (n = 84). IOM was then evaluated in a RCT (ISRCTN02507940). GA and PPO components were associated with each other and with the trial primary outcome. The use of the PPO component of IOM as the primary outcome could be considered in future RCTs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ART of selecting the best embryo: A review of early embryonic mortality and bovine embryo viability assessment methods
Authors: Perkel Kayla J. , Tscherner Allison , Merrill Casandra , Lamarre Jonathan , Madan Pavneesh
Published: July 2015

Animal reproductive biotechnology is continually evolving. Significant advances have been made in our understanding of early embryonic mortality and embryo development in domestic animals, which has improved the selection and success of in vitro technologies. Yet our knowledge is still relatively limited such that identifying a single embryo with the highest chance of survival and development for transfer remains challenging. While invasive methods such as embryo biopsy can provide useful information regarding the genetic status of the embryos, morphological assessment remains the most common evaluation. A recent shift, however, favors alternative, adjunct approaches for non‐invasive assessment of an embryo's viability and developmental potential. Various analytical techniques have facilitated the evaluation of cellular health through the metabolome, the assessment of end products of cellular metabolism, or by analyzing spent media for small RNAs. This review discusses the application of noninvasive approaches for ascertaining the health and viability of in vitro‐produced bovine embryos. A comparative analysis of noninvasive techniques for embryo assessment currently being investigated in cattle and humans is also discussed.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 822–838, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Partial fourier and parallel MR image reconstruction with integrated gradient nonlinearity correction
Authors: Tao Shengzhen , Trzasko Joshua D. , Shu Yunhong , Weavers Paul T. , Huston John , Gray Erin M. , Bernstein Matt A.
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To describe how integrated gradient nonlinearity (GNL) correction can be used within noniterative partial Fourier (homodyne) and parallel (SENSE and GRAPPA) MR image reconstruction strategies, and demonstrate that performing GNL correction during, rather than after, these routines mitigates the image blurring and resolution loss caused by postreconstruction image domain based GNL correction.

Methods

Starting from partial Fourier and parallel magnetic resonance imaging signal models that explicitly account for GNL, noniterative image reconstruction strategies for each accelerated acquisition technique are derived under the same core mathematical assumptions as their standard counterparts. A series of phantom and in vivo experiments on retrospectively undersampled data were performed to investigate the spatial resolution benefit of integrated GNL correction over conventional postreconstruction correction.

Results

Phantom and in vivo results demonstrate that the integrated GNL correction reduces the image blurring introduced by the conventional GNL correction, while still correcting GNL‐induced coarse‐scale geometrical distortion. Images generated from undersampled data using the proposed integrated GNL strategies offer superior depiction of fine image detail, for example, phantom resolution inserts and anatomical tissue boundaries.

Conclusion

Noniterative partial Fourier and parallel imaging reconstruction methods with integrated GNL correction reduce the resolution loss that occurs during conventional postreconstruction GNL correction while preserving the computational efficiency of standard reconstruction techniques. Magn Reson Med 75:2534–2544, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multistage self‐gated lung imaging in small rodents
Authors: Tibiletti Marta , Kjørstad Åsmund , Bianchi Andrea , Schad Lothar R. , Stiller Detlef , Rasche Volker
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To investigate the exploitation of the self‐gating signal in ultrashort echo time (UTE) two‐dimensional (2D) acquisitions of freely breathing rats to reconstruct multiple respiratory stages.

Methods

Twelve rats were investigated with a 2D golden angle UTE protocol (12 coronal slices, echo time 0.343 ms, repetition time 120 ms, thickness 1 mm, flip angle 30°, matrix 256 × 256, 20‐fold oversampling). The self‐gating signal was extracted from the k‐space center and sorted into five respiration bins (expiration, inspiration, three intermediate stages). Lung volume, sharpness, signal to noise ratio (SNR) and normalized signal intensity (NSI) were investigated. Time resolved images were reconstructed to visualize global animal motion.

Results

The method delineated that the lung volume decreased gradually from inspiration to expiration. Sharpness index resulted higher in expiration than in the ungated images. SNR was higher in ungated images and in expiration, decreasing gradually toward inspiration. NSI values presented a similar trend, with ungated images showing lower values than the expiration images. In one animal clear global motion and in seven animals minor movements were identified.

Conclusion

The presented respiratory gating method allows the reconstruction of different respiratory positions. Improved sharpness in expiration images was observed compared with ungated images. SNR and NSI changes in parenchyma reflect the expected variation of lung tissue density during respiration. Magn Reson Med 75:2448–2454, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Sylvester–Arnoldi type method for the generalized eigenvalue problem with two‐by‐two operator determinants
Authors: Meerbergen Karl , Plestenjak Bor
Published: July 2015

In various applications, for instance, in the detection of a Hopf bifurcation or in solving separable boundary value problems using the two‐parameter eigenvalue problem, one has to solve a generalized eigenvalue problem with 2 × 2 operator determinants of the form

urn:x-wiley:nla:media:nla2005:nla2005-math-0001

We present efficient methods that can be used to compute a small subset of the eigenvalues. For full matrices of moderate size, we propose either the standard implicitly restarted Arnoldi or Krylov–Schur iteration with shift‐and‐invert transformation, performed efficiently by solving a Sylvester equation. For large problems, it is more efficient to use subspace iteration based on low‐rank approximations of the solution of the Sylvester equation combined with a Krylov–Schur method for the projected problems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of organically modified nanoclay particles on the mechanical properties of aliphatic polyurethane/clay nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Ashhari Shabnam , Sarabi Ali Asghar
Published: July 2015

Nano clay particles were modified organically by indole‐3‐carbaldehyde and indole‐3‐acetic acid with the purpose of preparing aliphatic polyurethane nanocomposite coatings. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the ion exchange through the silicate layer of nano clay particles. XRD result showed about 5 A° increment in the distance of silicate layers. Transmission electron microscopic images showed good dispersion of modified nanoparticles in polymeric matrix. Mechanical properties of nanocomposites were evaluated using dynamic thermal analysis and tensile techniques. Results illustrated that nanocomposite coatings have higher toughness property and lower brittleness due to the proper nanoparticles dispersion. Morphology of the fractured surface of free films was examined by preparing scanning electron microscopic images; less ruptures and more roughness in the fractured surface of nano composites in comparison to the polyurethane‐free films have been proven. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1167–1174, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Toward a Better Understanding of the Influence of the Hydrocarbon Precursor on the Mechanical Properties of a‐C:H Coatings Synthesized by a Hybrid PECVD/PVD Method
Authors: Thiry Damien , De Vreese Aurore , Renaux Fabian , Colaux Julien L. , Lucas Stéphane , Guinet Yannick , Paccou Laurent , Bousser Etienne , Snyders Rony
Published: July 2015

In this work, we provide new insight on the influence of the precursor (CH4 vs. C2H2) on the mechanical properties of a‐C:H coatings synthesized in a hybrid PECVD/PVD process. For a given set of plasma parameters, the films synthesized in CH4/Ar gas mixture are found harder than the ones prepared in C2H2/Ar atmosphere despite their lower sp3 density and similar hydrogen content. This unusual behavior is attributed to different molecular organization of the polymeric network constituting the films. The latter is explained considering the influence of the chemical nature of the film‐forming species on the cross‐linking and branching degree of the films. The whole set of our results unambiguously demonstrates that additional factors than the sp3 and hydrogen content have to be considered for explaining the mechanical properties of a‐C:H layers.
Impact of the assimilation of INSAT‐3D radiances on short‐range weather forecasts
Authors: Singh Randhir , Ojha Satya P. , Kishtawal C. M. , Pal P. K. , Kiran Kumar A. S.
Published: July 2015

The present study concentrates on the assimilation of clear‐sky radiances from the recently launched INSAT‐3D satellite. The imager and sounder are two primary meteorological instruments aboard the INSAT‐3D satellite. Pre‐assimilation monitoring of the radiances has been carried out from April to July 2014. A double‐difference technique using the High Resolution Infrared Sounder (HIRS) on MetOp‐A is employed to remove the effect of deficiencies in the model‐analysed profiles which can contribute to the biases. Observed radiances of both instruments appear to be colder (∼1.5–2 K) with respect to radiative transfer model (RTM) simulated radiances, except water vapour channel radiances, which are warmer (0.5–1 K). The standard deviations of observed minus RTM‐simulated radiances are between 0.5 and 1.5 K. Prior to data assimilation, these biases are corrected using a variational bias correction scheme. The largest impacts on the analyses, when assimilating imager radiances, are found in the mid‐ and upper‐tropospheric moisture, while assimilation of sounder radiances impacted both moisture and temperature throughout the troposphere. The more accurate analyses with the INSAT‐3D radiance assimilation lead to improved moisture, wind, temperature and precipitation forecasts compared to the control case in which only conventional observations were assimilated. The results demonstrate the ability of temperature‐ and water vapour‐sensitive radiances to improve not only the temperature and moisture fields, but also the wind fields, enhancing their importance, particularly over tropical regions where wind observations are more important.
Visual–Inertial Combined Odometry System for Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Zhang Ji , Singh Sanjiv
Published: July 2015

The requirement to operate aircraft in GPS‐denied environments can be met by using visual odometry. Aiming at a full‐scale aircraft equipped with a high‐accuracy inertial navigation system (INS), the proposed method combines vision and the INS for odometry estimation. With such an INS, the aircraft orientation is accurate with low drift, but it contains high‐frequency noise that can affect the vehicle motion estimation, causing position estimation to drift. Our method takes the INS orientation as input and estimates translation. During motion estimation, the method virtually rotates the camera by reparametrizing features with their depth direction perpendicular to the ground. This partially eliminates error accumulation in motion estimation caused by the INS high‐frequency noise, resulting in a slow drift. We experiment on two hardware configurations in the acquisition of depth for the visual features: 1) the height of the aircraft above the ground is measured by an altimeter assuming that the imaged ground is a local planar patch, and 2) the depth map of the ground is registered with a two‐dimensional laser in a push‐broom configuration. The method is tested with data collected from a full‐scale helicopter. The accumulative flying distance for the overall tests is approximately 78 km. We observe slightly better accuracy with the push‐broom laser than the altimeter.
Effect of Carbide Distribution on the Grain Refinement in the Steel for Large‐Size Bearing Ring
Authors: Dong Zhengqiang , Jiang Bo , Mei Zhen , Zhang Chaolei , Zhou Leyu , Liu Yazheng
Published: July 2015

The effect of carbide distribution on the grain refinement in the steel for large‐size bearing ring is investigated. It is observed that Ni‐containing steel has an obvious grain refinement below 1050 °C, whereas its grain growth trend is steeper than that of Ni‐free steel above 1050 °C. No evident segregation of Ni is observed, whereas the pinning effect of carbides distributed along grain boundaries is advantageous for the grain refinement. It is found that Ni addition could affect the type of carbides and contribute to decreasing the size of carbides via accelerating the diffusion of carbon. A stronger pinning effect with smaller carbides distributed along grain boundaries could be obtained, which is beneficial to grain refinement with Ni addition in small amounts.
Brief Report: Single-Cell Analysis Reveals Cell Division-Independent Emergence of Megakaryocytes From Phenotypic Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Roch Aline , Trachsel Vincent , Lutolf Matthias P.
Published: July 2015

Despite increasingly stringent methods to isolate hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), considerable heterogeneity remains in terms of their long-term self-renewal and differentiation potential. Recently, the existence of long-lived, self-renewing, myeloid-restricted progenitors in the phenotypically defined HSC compartment has been revealed, but these cells remain poorly characterized. Here, we used an in vitro single-cell analysis approach to track the fate of 330 long-term HSCs (LT-HSC; Lin− cKit+ Sca-1+ CD150+ CD48− CD34−) cultured for 5 days under serum-free basal conditions. Our analysis revealed a highly heterogeneous behavior with approximately 15% of all phenotypic LT-HSCs giving rise to megakaryocytes (Mk). Surprisingly, in 65% of these cases, Mk development occurred in the absence of cell division. This observation suggests that myeloid-restricted progenitors may not derive directly from LT-HSCs but instead could share an identical cell surface marker repertoire. Stem Cells  2015;33:3152–3157
Single Cell Analysis Reveals Concomitant Transcription of Pluripotent and Lineage Markers During the Early Steps of Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Lanctôt Christian
Published: July 2015

The differentiation of embryonic stem cells is associated with extensive changes in gene expression. It is not yet clear whether these changes are the result of binary switch-like mechanisms or that of continuous and progressive variation. Here, I have used immunostaining and single molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess changes in the expression of the well-known pluripotency-associated gene Pou5f1 (also known as Oct4) and early differentiation markers Sox1 and T-brachyury in single cells during the early steps of differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells. I found extensive overlap between the expression of Pou5f1/Sox1 or Pou5f1/T-brachyury shortly after the initiation of differentiation towards either the neuronal or the mesendodermal lineage, but no evidence of correlation between their respective expression levels. Quantitative analysis of transcriptional output at the sites of nascent transcription revealed that Pou5f1 and Sox1 were transcribed in pulses and that embryonic stem cell differentiation was accompanied by changes in pulsing frequencies. The progressive induction of Sox1 was further associated with an increase in the average size of individual transcriptional bursts. Surprisingly, single cells that actively and simultaneously transcribe both the pluripotency- and the lineage-associated genes could easily be found in the differentiating population. The results presented here show for the first time that lineage priming can occur in cells that are actively transcribing a pluripotent marker. Furthermore, they suggest that this process is associated with changes in transcriptional dynamics. Stem Cells  2015;33:2949–2960
Secure machine‐type communications in LTE networks
Authors: Lai Chengzhe , Lu Rongxing , Li Hui , Zheng Dong , Shen Xuemin (Sherman)
Published: July 2015

With a great variety of potential applications, machine‐type communications (MTC) is gaining a tremendous interest from mobile network operators and research groups. MTC is standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), which has been regarded as the promising solution facilitating machine‐to‐machine communications. In the latest standard, 3GPP proposes a novel architecture for MTC, in which the MTC server is located outside the operator domain. However, the connection between the 3GPP core network and MTC server in this scenario is insecure; consequently, there are distrustful relationships among MTC device, core network, and MTC server. If the security issue is not well addressed, all applications involved in MTC cannot be put into the market. To address this problem, we propose an end‐to‐end security scheme for MTC based on the proxy‐signature technique, called E2SEC. Specifically, both the MTC device and MTC server can establish strong trustful relationships with each other by using the proxy signatures issued by the 3GPP core network. Moreover, we present some implementation considerations of E2SEC and analyze the performance during authentication by comparing the operational cost of three cases that apply three different signature algorithms, that is, ElGamal, Schnorr, and DSA. Through security analysis by using Automatic Cryptographic Protocol Verifier (ProVerif), we conclude that the proposed E2SEC scheme can achieve the security goals and prevent various security threats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation into resting behavior in Asian elephants in UK zoos
Authors: Williams Ellen , Bremner‐Harrison Samantha , Harvey Naomi , Evison Emma , Yon Lisa
Published: July 2015

Maintaining adequate welfare in captive elephants is challenging. Few studies have investigated overnight rest behavior in zoo elephants, yet time spent resting has been identified as a welfare indicator in some species. We investigated resting behavior in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in UK zoos, with the aim of identifying patterns or preferences in lying rest. Details of standing (SR) and lying (LR) rest behavior were identified by observing video footage of inside enclosures collected for 14 elephants (2 male, 12 female) housed at three UK zoos (Zoo A: 18 nights; Zoo B: 27 nights; Zoo C: 46 nights) from 16:00 to 08:30 (approximately). Elephants engaged in a mean of 58–337 min rest per night. Time of night affected mean duration of LR bouts (P < 0.001); longest bouts were observed between 22:01 and 06:00. Elephants showed a substrate preference when lying to rest; LR was not observed on concrete or tiled flooring. Where sand was available (to 11/14 elephants), all elephants engaged in LR on sand flooring. Only two elephants engaged in LR on rubber flooring (available to 7/14 elephants). Mean duration of rest bouts was greater when a conspecific was within two body lengths than when conspecifics were not (P < 0.01). Our study indicated that elephants show substrate preferences when choosing an area for rest and engage in more rest when conspecifics are in close proximity. The results of this study could be used as a basis for future studies investigating the link between rest and welfare in captive elephants. Zoo Biol. 34:406–417, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Chromosome dynamics and folding in eukaryotes: Insights from live cell microscopy
Authors: Bystricky Kerstin
Published: July 2015

How chromosomes are folded and how this folding relates to function remain fundamental questions. Answering them is rendered difficult by the stochasticity of chromatin fiber motion which inevitably results in heterogeneity of the populations analyzed. Even if single cell analyses are beginning to yield precious insights, how can we determine whether a snapshot of position is related to function of the probed locus or cell‐type? Fluorescence labeling of DNA at single or multiple loci allows determination of their position relative to nuclear landmarks and to each other, enabling us to derive physical parameters of the underlying chromatin fiber. Here I review the contribution of quantitative spatial and temporal analysis of labeled DNA to our understanding of chromosome conformation in different cell types, highlighting live cell imaging techniques and large scale geometrical analysis of multiple loci in 3D.