bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accumulation of Antigen‐Driven Lymphoproliferations in Complement Receptor 2/CD21−/low B Cells From Patients With Sjögren's Syndrome
Authors: Glauzy Salomé , Boccitto Marco , Bannock Jason M. , Delmotte Fabien R. , Saadoun David , Cacoub Patrice , Ice John A. , Sivils Kathy L. , James Judith A. , Wolin Sandra L. , Meffre Eric
Published: October 2017

Objective

Patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS) are prone to develop malignant lymphomas, and a correlation has been established between the lymphoproliferations occurring in these disorders and the presence in patients’ blood of an unusual B cell population that down‐regulates complement receptor 2/CD21. This study was undertaken to identify the B cell compartment from which these lymphoproliferations emerge and determine the mechanisms that promote clonal B cell expansion in patients with SS.

Methods

The reactivity of antibodies expressed by CD19+CD10−CD27−IgM+CD21−/low cells isolated from the blood of patients with SS was tested using a polymerase chain reaction–based approach that allows us to clone and express, in vitro, recombinant antibodies produced by single B cells.

Results

Clonal expansions were identified in CD21−/low B cells isolated from the peripheral blood of 3 patients with SS. These lymphoproliferations expressed B cell receptors (BCRs) that displayed somatic hypermutation lineage trees characteristic of a strong selection by antigens; one of these antigens was identified as a ribosomal self antigen. When the mutated BCR sequences expressed by the expanded CD21−/low B cell clones from patients with SS were reverted in vitro to their germline counterparts, one clone remained autoreactive.

Conclusion

Clonal lymphoproliferations in patients with SS preferentially accumulate in the autoreactive CD21−/low B cell compartment often expanded in these subjects, and recognition of self antigens may drive the clonal B cell expansion while further refining BCR self‐reactivity.
Efficacy and Safety of Atacicept in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Merrill Joan T. , Wallace Daniel J. , Wax Stephen , Kao Amy , Fraser Patricia A. , Chang Peter , Isenberg David ,   on behalf of the ADDRESS II Investigators
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of atacicept, an antagonist of B lymphocyte stimulator/APRIL–mediated B cell activation, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

ADDRESS II is a 24‐week, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐arm, phase IIb study evaluating the safety and efficacy of atacicept in patients with SLE (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01972568). Patients with active, autoantibody‐positive SLE receiving standard therapy were randomized (1:1:1) to receive atacicept (75 mg or 150 mg) or placebo for 24 weeks. The primary end point was the SLE responder index 4 (SRI‐4) at week 24.

Results

The intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population included 306 patients. There was a trend toward an improved SRI‐4 response rate with atacicept 75 mg (57.8%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.78, P = 0.045) and 150 mg (53.8%; adjusted OR 1.56, P = 0.121) at week 24 as compared with placebo (44.0%) (primary analysis; using the screening visit as baseline). In a prespecified sensitivity analysis using study day 1 as baseline, a significantly larger proportion of patients receiving atacicept 75 mg and 150 mg achieved an SRI‐4 response at week 24 compared with placebo. In predefined subpopulations with high levels of disease activity (HDA) at baseline, serologically active disease, or both, statistically significant improvements in the SRI‐4 and SRI‐6 response rates were seen with atacicept versus placebo. A severe risk of disease flare was reduced with atacicept therapy in both the ITT and the HDA populations. The risks of serious adverse events and serious or severe infection were not increased with atacicept as compared with placebo.

Conclusion

Atacicept treatment showed evidence of efficacy in SLE, particularly in HDA and serologically active patients. Reductions in disease activity and severe flare were observed with atacicept treatment, with an acceptable safety profile.
Tuning of length‐scale and observation‐error for radar data assimilation using four dimensional variational (4D‐Var) method
Authors: Choi Yonghan , Cha Dong‐Hyun , Kim Joowan
Published: October 2017

The effects of tuning of length‐scale and observation‐error on heavy rainfall forecasts are investigated. Length scale and observation error are tuned based on observation minus background (O − B) covariances and theoretically expected cost function values, respectively. Tuned length scale and observation error are applied to radar data assimilation using the Four Dimensional Variational (4D‐Var) method. Length‐scale tuning leads to improved Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) skill for heavy precipitation, better analyses, and reduced errors of wind, temperature, humidity, and hydrometeor forecasts. The effects of observation‐error tuning are not as significant as those of length‐scale tuning, and they are limited to improvements in QPF skill. This is because tuned observation errors are close to pre‐assumed values. Proper tuning of length‐scale and observation‐error is essential for radar data assimilation using the 4D‐Var method.
Reducing disruptive behaviours and improving classroom behavioural climate with class‐wide positive behaviour support in middle schools
Authors: Närhi Vesa , Kiiski Tiina , Savolainen Hannu
Published: October 2017

Disruptive behaviour in classrooms is a significant challenge for learning in schools and a risk factor for students’ academic achievement and a significant source of teachers’ work‐related stress. Earlier research shows that clear behavioural expectations, monitoring students’ adherence to them and behaviour‐specific praise are effective practices to reduce disruptive behaviour. Although behaviour problems are common in middle schools, most of the interventions have been developed and studied in elementary schools. This randomised study evaluated the effects of a class‐wide intervention on classroom behavioural climate and disruptive behaviour, on teacher‐experienced stress and on the time needed for behaviour management in middle school. The classes were selected for intervention by their teachers on the basis of poor behavioural climate. The intervention was based on teachers’ cooperation; they collectively agreed on clear behavioural expectations, used positive feedback and, if needed, applied consequences in response to high rates of disruptive behaviour. The results indicated medium to large effects on classroom behavioural climate according to teachers’ evaluations, and somewhat more inconsistent effects on classroom behavioural climate according to student evaluations and in the time needed for behaviour management. The behavioural climate of the classes remained at a constant level during the follow‐up. The intervention was well accepted by teachers and students. The results suggest that an easily applicable intervention may produce significant improvements in classroom behavioural climate in middle schools.
Simultaneous determination of amlodipine and metoprolol in their combined dosage form using a synchronous fluorescence spectrofluorimetric method
Authors: Mabrouk Mokhtar M. , Hammad Sherin F. , El‐Malla Samah F. , Elshenawy Eman A.
Published: October 2017

Highly sensitive, rapid, accurate and precise synchronous fluorescence spectrofluorimetric method has been developed for simultaneous analysis of a mixture of amlodipine (AMD) and metoprolol (MET). The method relies on measuring the relative synchronous fluorescence intensity of both drugs at Δλof 90 nm in acetate buffer solution at pH 5. The experimental parameters influencing the developed method were investigated and optimized. The method was linear over the ranges 0.2–2 μg/ml and 0.5–10 μg/ml for AMD and MET, respectively. The limits of detection were 50 ng/ml for AMD and 130 ng/ml for MET while the limits of quantitation were 150 ng/ml for AMD and 390 ng/ml for MET. The developed method was applied successfully for the determination of the two drugs in their co‐formulated tablet. The mean percent recoveries were found to be 100.51 and 99.57 for AMD and MET, respectively.
Invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast has a better long‐term survival than invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast in spite of its aggressive clinical presentations: a comparison based on large population database and case–control analysis
Authors: Chen Hongliang , Wu Kejin , Wang Maoli , Wang Fuwen , Zhang Mingdi , Zhang Peng
Published: October 2017

There are controversies in the comparison of overall survival between invasive micropapillary carcinoma of the breast (IMPC) and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). The objective of this study was to compare the long‐term survival outcome between non‐metastatic IMPC and IDC. The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was searched to identify women with non‐metastatic IMPC and IDC diagnosed between 2001 and 2013. Comparisons of patient and tumor characteristics were performed using Pearson's chi‐square. The propensity score matching method was applied with each IMPC matched to one IDC. Breast cancer‐specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier product limit method and compared across groups using the log‐rank statistic. Multivariate analysis was performed through Cox models. IMPC was presented with aggressive clinical presentations such as larger tumor, more positive lymph nodes, and more advanced stage compared with IDC. A higher rate of estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR) positivity was also observed in IMPC. With a median follow‐up of 64 months, IMPC had a better BCSS (P = 0.031) and OS (P = 0.012) compared with IDC. In a case–control analysis IMPC was still an independent favorable prognostic factor for BCSS (HR = 0.410, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.293–0.572) and OS (HR = 0.497, P < 0.001, 95% CI: 0.387–0.637). In subgroup analysis, IMPC always showed a better survival outcome compared with IDC except in AJCC stage I and histologic grade I disease. IMPC has a better long‐term survival outcome compared with IDC in spite of its highly aggressive clinical presentation.
Low‐Cost and Scaled‐Up Production of Fluorine‐Free, Substrate‐Independent, Large‐Area Superhydrophobic Coatings Based on Hydroxyapatite Nanowire Bundles
Authors: Chen Fei‐Fei , Yang Zi‐Yue , Zhu Ying‐Jie , Xiong Zhi‐Chao , Dong Li‐Ying , Lu Bing‐Qiang , Wu Jin , Yang Ri‐Long
Published: October 2017

To date, the scaled‐up production and large‐area applications of superhydrophobic coatings are limited because of complicated procedures, environmentally harmful fluorinated compounds, restrictive substrates, expensive equipment, and raw materials usually involved in the fabrication process. Herein, the facile, low‐cost, and green production of superhydrophobic coatings based on hydroxyapatite nanowire bundles (HNBs) is reported. Hydrophobic HNBs are synthesised by using a one‐step solvothermal method with oleic acid as the structure‐directing and hydrophobic agent. During the reaction process, highly hydrophobic C−H groups of oleic acid molecules can be attached in situ to the surface of HNBs through the chelate interaction between Ca2+ ions and carboxylic groups. This facile synthetic method allows the scaled‐up production of HNBs up to about 8 L, which is the largest production scale of superhydrophobic paint based on HNBs ever reported. In addition, the design of the 100 L reaction system is also shown. The HNBs can be coated on any substrate with an arbitrary shape by the spray‐coating technique. The self‐cleaning ability in air and oil, high‐temperature stability, and excellent mechanical durability of the as‐prepared superhydrophobic coatings are demonstrated. More importantly, the HNBs are coated on large‐sized practical objects to form large‐area superhydrophobic coatings.
Chemistry of Graphene Derivatives: Synthesis, Applications, and Perspectives
Authors: Sturala Jiri , Luxa Jan , Pumera Martin , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: October 2017

The chemistry of graphene and its derivatives is one of the hottest topics of current material science research. The derivatisation of graphene is based on various approaches, and to date functionalization with halogens, hydrogen, various functional groups containing oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, phosphorus, boron, and several other elements have been reported. Most of these functionalizations are based on sp3 hybridization of carbon atoms in the graphene skeleton, which means the formation of out‐of‐plane covalent bonds. Several elements were also reported for substitutional modification of graphene, where the carbon atoms are substituted with atoms like nitrogen, boron, and several others. From tens of functional groups, for only two of them were reported full functionalization of graphene skeleton and formation of its stoichiometric counterparts, fluorographene and hydrogenated graphene. The functionalization of graphene is crucial for most of its applications including energy storage and conversion devices, electronic and optic applications, composites, and many others.
One‐Step Synthesis of B/N Co‐doped Graphene as Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction: Synergistic Effect of Impurities
Authors: Mazánek Vlastimil , Matějková Stanislava , Sedmidubský David , Pumera Martin , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: October 2017

In the last decade, numerous studies of graphene doping by various metal and nonmetal elements have been done in order to obtain tailored properties, such as non‐zero band gap, electrocatalytic activity, or controlled optical properties. From nonmetal elements, boron and nitrogen were the most studied dopants. Recently, it has been shown that in some cases the enhanced electrocatalytic activity of graphene and its derivatives can be attributed to metal impurities rather than to nonmetal elements. In this paper, we investigated the electrocatalytical properties of B/N co‐doped graphene with respect to the content of metallic impurities introduced by the synthesis procedures. For this purpose, a permanganate (Hummers) and a chlorate (Hofmann) route were used for the preparation of the starting graphene oxides (GO). The GO used for the synthesis of B/N co‐doped graphene had significantly difference compositions of oxygen functionalities as well as metallic impurities introduced by the different synthetic procedures. We performed a detailed structural and chemical analysis of the doped graphene samples to correlate their electrocatalytic activity with the concentration of incorporated boron and nitrogen as well as metallic impurities.
C−H Insertions by Iron Porphyrin Carbene: Basic Mechanism and Origin of Substrate Selectivity
Authors: Khade Rahul L. , Zhang Yong
Published: October 2017

Recent experimental reports of heme carbene C−H insertions show promising results for sustainable chemistry due to good yield and selectivity, low cost of iron, and low/no toxicity of hemes. But mechanistic details are mostly unknown. Despite structural similarity and isoelectronic nature between heme carbene and the FeIV=O intermediate, our quantum chemical studies with detailed geometric and electronic information for the first time reveal an FeII‐based, concerted, hydride‐transfer mechanism, which is different from the FeIV‐based stepwise hydrogen atom transfer mechanism for C−H functionalization by native heme enzymes. A trend of broad range experimental C−H insertion yields (0–88 %) of five different C−H bonds, including mostly non‐functionalized moieties, was well reproduced. Results suggest that the substrate selectivity originates from the hydride formation capability. The predicted kinetic isotope effects were also in excellent agreement with experiment. Useful geometry, charge, and energy parameters well correlated with barriers were reported. These results provide the first theoretical evidence that carbene formation is the overall rate‐limiting step, and suggest a key role of the formation of strong electrophilic heme carbene in developing heme‐based C−H insertion catalysts and biocatalysts.
Synthetic Approaches to Trifluoromethylselenolated Compounds
Authors: Tlili Anis , Ismalaj Ermal , Glenadel Quentin , Ghiazza Clément , Billard Thierry
Published: October 2017

The association of trifluoromethyl group to chalcogens gives new fluorinated substituents with specific properties, mainly in term of lipophilicity. The trifluoromethylselenyl group is the last of the series that has been studied and despite pioneering approaches in the late 1960s, CF3Se chemistry has been scarcely developed over the last decades. Some modern and efficient methods to obtain trifluoromethylselenolated molecules have recently emerged. This Review describes the advancements that have been reported.
Circular Economy 4.0 – Technological Changes, Challenges, and Approaches, a Recycler's Point of View
Authors: Kempkes Philipp , Fendel Ansgar , von Smuda Jörg , Wilms Herwart , Zahn Herbert
Published: October 2017

In vielen Bereichen der Kreislaufwirtschaft zeichnen sich deutliche Veränderungen ab, die zu großen Teilen durch den Einzug der Informatisierung in die moderne industrielle Produktion bedingt sind. Mit diesem Beitrag sollen die Auswirkungen dieser Veränderungen auf die Stoffströme der Kreislaufwirtschaft und insb. der Recyclingindustrie aus Sicht der letzteren näher beleuchten und, wo möglich, Wege aufgezeigt werden, sich auf die neue Situation einzustellen und weiterhin marktgerecht und wirtschaftlich zu agieren.
Sleep disturbance in men receiving androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: The role of hot flashes and nocturia
Authors: Gonzalez Brian D. , Small Brent J. , Cases Mallory G. , Williams Noelle L. , Fishman Mayer N. , Jacobsen Paul B. , Jim Heather S.L.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) are at risk of sleep disturbance; however, to the authors' knowledge, the mechanisms by which ADT may affect sleep are not well understood. The current study compared objective and subjective sleep disturbance in ADT recipients and controls and examined whether sleep disturbance in ADT recipients is attributable to the influence of ADT on hot flashes and nocturia.

METHODS

Patients with prostate cancer were assessed before or within 1 month after the initiation of ADT as well as 6 months and 12 months later (78 patients). Patients with prostate cancer were treated with prostatectomy only (99 patients) and men with no history of cancer (108 men) were assessed at similar intervals. Participants self‐reported their sleep disturbance (Insomnia Severity Index) and interference from hot flashes (Hot Flash Related Daily Interference Scale). One hundred participants also wore actigraphs for 3 days at the 6‐month assessment to measure objective sleep disturbance and reported their nocturia frequency.

RESULTS

ADT recipients reported worse sleep disturbance, higher rates of clinically significant sleep disturbance, and greater hot flash interference than controls (Ps≤.03). In cross‐sectional analyses among those with actigraphy data, ADT recipients had greater objective sleep disturbance and more episodes of nocturia (Ps<.01). Cross‐sectional mediation analyses demonstrated that the association between ADT and objectively and subjectively measured sleep disturbance was partly attributable to nocturia and hot flashes (Ps<.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study suggest that the association between ADT and sleep may be partly explained by nocturia and hot flash interference. Future studies should examine behavioral and pharmacologic interventions to address these symptoms among ADT recipients.Cancer2018;124:499‐506.©2017 American Cancer Society.
Long‐term patient‐reported outcomes from an open‐label safety and efficacy study of bosutinib in Philadelphia chromosome–positive chronic myeloid leukemia patients resistant or intolerant to prior therapy
Authors: Kantarjian Hagop M. , Mamolo Carla M. , Gambacorti‐Passerini Carlo , Cortes Jorge E. , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Su Yun , Reisman Arlene L. , Shapiro Mark , Lipton Jeff H.
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic‐phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is important because of the requirement for long‐term treatment. This study assessed HRQOL in bosutinib‐treated patients with Philadelphia chromosome–positive CML and resistance or intolerance to 1 (chronic‐phase second‐line [CP2L]) or more (chronic‐phase third‐line [CP3L]) tyrosine kinase inhibitors who had 264 weeks or more of follow‐up (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00261846).

METHODS

Patient‐reported HRQOL was assessed with the EuroQol 5‐Dimensions Questionnaire (EQ‐5D) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Leukemia (FACT‐Leu).

RESULTS

In total, 284 and 119 patients composed the CP2L and CP3L cohorts, respectively. At treatment completion, more than 50% of the patients in the CP2L and CP3L cohorts completed the EQ‐5D and FACT‐Leu assessments. The EQ‐5D and EQ‐5D visual analog scale scores were stable in both cohorts throughout treatment. The mean FACT‐Leu scores were generally stable over time but were lower in magnitude in the CP3L cohort versus the CP2L cohort. The FACT‐Leu scale scores of a subset of patients with chronic diarrhea (CP2L, n = 101; CP3L, n = 30) were similar to the scores of the larger cohorts. Minimally important differences (MIDs) from baseline for the FACT‐Leu scale scores were observed for the following: emotional well‐being (EWB), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General (FACT‐G) Total, FACT‐Leu Total, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Trial Outcome Index (FACT‐TOI) in the CP2L cohort and FACT‐Leu Total in the CP3L cohort. Among patients with chronic diarrhea, MIDs were observed for EWB, FACT‐G Total, FACT‐Leu Total, and FACT‐TOI in the CP2L cohort and for EWB, FACT‐G Total, and FACT‐Leu Total in the CP3L cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

HRQOL was maintained with long‐term bosutinib treatment for patients with CP2L and CP3L CML. Cancer 2018;124:587‐95. © 2017 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
DNER and NFIA are expressed by developing and mature AII amacrine cells in the mouse retina
Authors: Keeley Patrick W. , Reese Benjamin E.
Published: October 2017

The present study has taken advantage of publicly available cell type specific mRNA expression databases in order to identify potential genes participating in the development of retinal AII amacrine cells. We profile two such genes, Delta/Notch‐like EGF repeat containing (Dner) and nuclear factor I/A (Nfia), that are each heavily expressed in AII amacrine cells in the mature mouse retina, and which conjointly identify this retinal cell population in its entirety when using antibodies to DNER and NFIA. DNER is present on the plasma membrane, while NFIA is confined to the nucleus, consistent with known functions of each of these two proteins. DNER also identifies some other subsets of retinal ganglion and amacrine cell types, along with horizontal cells, while NFIA identifies a subset of bipolar cells as well as Muller glia and astrocytes. During early postnatal development, NFIA labels astrocytes on the day of birth, AII amacrine cells at postnatal (P) day 5, and Muller glia by P10, when horizontal cells also transiently exhibit NFIA immunofluorescence. DNER, by contrast, is present in ganglion and amacrine cells on P1, also labeling the horizontal cells by P10. Developing AII amacrine cells exhibit accumulating DNER labeling at the dendritic stalk, labeling that becomes progressively conspicuous by P10, as it is in maturity. This developmental time course is consistent with a prospective role for each gene in the differentiation of AII amacrine cells.
Image enhancement variational methods for enabling strong cost reduction in OLED‐based point‐of‐care immunofluorescent diagnostic systems
Authors: Lazzaro D. , Morigi S. , Melpignano P. , Loli Piccolomini E. , Benini L.
Published: October 2017

Immunofluorescence diagnostic systems cost is often dominated by high‐sensitivity, low‐noise CCD‐based cameras that are used to acquire the fluorescence images. In this paper, we investigate the use of low‐cost CMOS sensors in a point‐of‐care immunofluorescence diagnostic application for the detection and discrimination of 4 different serotypes of the Dengue virus in a set of human samples. A 2‐phase postprocessing software pipeline is proposed, which consists in a first image‐enhancement stage for resolution increasing and segmentation and a second diagnosis stage for the computation of the output concentrations. We present a novel variational coupled model for the joint super‐resolution and segmentation stage and an automatic innovative image analysis for the diagnosis purpose. A specially designed forward backward–based numerical algorithm is introduced, and its convergence is proved under mild conditions. We present results on a cheap prototype CMOS camera compared with the results of a more expensive CCD device, for the detection of the Dengue virus with a low‐cost OLED light source. The combination of the CMOS sensor and the developed postprocessing software allows to correctly identify the different Dengue serotype using an automatized procedure. The results demonstrate that our diagnostic imaging system enables camera cost reduction up to 99%, at an acceptable diagnostic accuracy, with respect to the reference CCD‐based camera system. The correct detection and identification of the Dengue serotypes have been confirmed by standard diagnostic methods (RT‐PCR and ELISA).
A Templateless Electropolymerization Approach to Nanorings Using Substituted 3,4‐Naphthalenedioxythiophene (NaPhDOT) Monomers
Authors: Gbilimou André , Darmanin Thierry , Godeau Guilhem , Guittard Frédéric
Published: October 2017

The formation of highly ordered surface structures is fundamental for various applications. Due to their rapidity of implementation and their cost, templateless processes are extremely interesting alternatives to the use of templates or lithographic processes. With the aim to prepare porous structures such as nanotubes, templateless electropolymerization was found to be a unique process. Based on previous works, we have synthesized 3,4‐naphthalenedioxythiophene (NaPhDOT) monomers substituted with alkyl chains (n=2 to 10), phenyl and naphthalene substituents. In particular, NaphDOT substituted with naphthalene (NaphDOT−Na) leads for the first time to relatively densely packed nanorings while their internal diameter is controllable with the number of deposition scans. Compared to previous works, which lead to nanotubes from non‐substituted NaphDOT and 3,4‐phenylenedioxythiophene substituted with naphthalene (PheDOT−Na), with NaphDOT−Na we observe a very important decrease in the polymer growth. As a consequence, only the initial peripherical nucleation around the gas bubbles is possible, leading to nanorings, because their growth into nanotubes is impeded by their low conductivity.
Multi‐Component Uptake of Dye Molecules by Films of Nanoporous Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Saghanejhadtehrani Mahnaz , Schneider Erik K. , Heinke Lars
Published: October 2017

Nanoporous materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), enable the separation of various molecular mixtures. Thus, detailed knowledge of multi‐component diffusion properties of the guest molecules in the pores is vital. Here, UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy combined with step‐by‐step‐synthesized MOF films with high transparency are used to measure the multi‐component dye uptake and diffusion in a straightforward fashion. The time‐resolved single‐component, binary‐ and ternary‐mixture uptakes of methylene blue (MB), nuclear fast red (NFR) and acid yellow 17 (AY) by MOF films of type HKUST‐1 from ethanolic solutions with low dye concentrations were investigated. It was found that the diffusion of MB is approximately one order of magnitude slower than the diffusion of NFR or AY, independent of whether it is a single‐component uptake or a mixture uptake.
Microbiota Replacement Therapies: Innovation in Gastrointestinal Care
Authors: Khanna Sahil
Published: October 2017

There has been an increasing interest in the association between human disease and altered gut microbiota, and therapeutics to modulate microbiota to treat disease. Healthy human gastrointestinal microbiota is highly diverse and rich, and harbors between 500 and 2,000 species. Diseases associated with dysbiotic microbiota include antibiotic‐associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infection, multidrug‐resistant organisms, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, neuropsychiatric diseases, and systemic autoimmune diseases. Microbiota replacement therapies have shown immense promise in treatment of recurrent C. difficile infection and are being studied for other indications. Microbiota replacement therapies for indications other than C. difficile infection should be performed only in research settings. There is an immense need for standardized microbiota replacement therapies for C. difficile infection. Studies are needed to elucidate long‐term safety and adverse events from these therapies.
Cell shape characterization and classification with discrete Fourier transforms and self‐organizing maps
Authors: Kriegel Fabian L. , Köhler Ralf , Bayat‐Sarmadi Jannike , Bayerl Simon , Hauser Anja E. , Niesner Raluca , Luch Andreas , Cseresnyes Zoltan
Published: October 2017

Cells in their natural environment often exhibit complex kinetic behavior and radical adjustments of their shapes. This enables them to accommodate to short‐ and long‐term changes in their surroundings under physiological and pathological conditions. Intravital multi‐photon microscopy is a powerful tool to record this complex behavior. Traditionally, cell behavior is characterized by tracking the cells' movements, which yields numerous parameters describing the spatiotemporal characteristics of cells. Cells can be classified according to their tracking behavior using all or a subset of these kinetic parameters. This categorization can be supported by the a priori knowledge of experts. While such an approach provides an excellent starting point for analyzing complex intravital imaging data, faster methods are required for automated and unbiased characterization. In addition to their kinetic behavior, the 3D shape of these cells also provide essential clues about the cells' status and functionality. New approaches that include the study of cell shapes as well may also allow the discovery of correlations amongst the track‐ and shape‐describing parameters. In the current study, we examine the applicability of a set of Fourier components produced by Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) as a tool for more efficient and less biased classification of complex cell shapes. By carrying out a number of 3D‐to‐2D projections of surface‐rendered cells, the applied method reduces the more complex 3D shape characterization to a series of 2D DFTs. The resulting shape factors are used to train a Self‐Organizing Map (SOM), which provides an unbiased estimate for the best clustering of the data, thereby characterizing groups of cells according to their shape. We propose and demonstrate that such shape characterization is a powerful addition to, or a replacement for kinetic analysis. This would make it especially useful in situations where live kinetic imaging is less practical or not possible at all. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Genetic differentiation and spatiotemporal history of diploidy and tetraploidy of Clintonia udensis
Authors: He Juan , Wang Shengnan , Li Jia , Fan Zelu , Liu Xin , Wang Yiling
Published: October 2017

Polyploidy is an important factor shaping the geographic range of a species. Clintonia udensis (Clintonia) is a primary perennial herb widely distributed in China with two karyotypic characteristics—diploid and tetraploid and thereby used to understand the ploidy and distribution. This study unraveled the patterns of genetic variation and spatiotemporal history among the cytotypes of C. udensis using simple sequence repeat or microsatellites. The results showed that the diploids and tetraploids showed the medium level of genetic differentiation; tetraploid was slightly lower than diploid in genetic diversity; recurrent polyploidization seems to have opened new possibilities for the local genotype; the spatiotemporal history of C. udensis allows tracing the interplay of polyploidy evolution; isolated and different ecological surroundings could act as evolutionary capacitors, preserve distinct karyological, and genetic diversity. The approaches of integrating genetic differentiation and spatiotemporal history of diploidy and tetraploidy of Clintonia udens would possibly provide a powerful way to understand the ploidy and plant distribution and undertaken in similar studies in other plant species simultaneously contained the diploid and tetraploid.
The Study of Ultrasound‐Assisted Enzymatic Extraction of Oil From Peanut Seeds Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Haji Heidari Samira , Taghian Dinani Somayeh
Published: October 2017

The present study evaluates the suitability of ultrasound pretreatment in n‐hexane solvent as well as enzymatic treatment with cellulase enzyme to extract oil from peanut seed powders. To optimize this process, the effects of ultrasonic time (0–70 min), cellulase enzyme concentration (0–2%) and pH (4–5.5) are investigated on peanut oil extraction yield (EY) as well as the quality attributes of the extracted oil containing total phenolic content (TPC), peroxide value (PV), and color parameters of L, a, and b using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum condition of ultrasound‐assisted enzymatic extraction using n‐hexane solvent (UAEE) is found as ultrasonic pretreatment time of 33.23 min, cellulase concentration of 1.47%, and pH of 4.61 before incubation process at temperature of 56 °C for 120 min. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) represented considerable interspaces, holes, and porous structure of peanut meal after optimal UAEE treatment compared to that after shaking incubation extraction using n‐hexane solvent (SIE). It is found that the peanut oil extracted by optimal UAEE treatment had considerable high levels of L color parameter and TPC and significantly more EY and b color parameters than those extracted by SIE, ultrasound‐assisted aqueous enzymatic extraction (UAAEE), and aqueous shaking incubation extraction (ASIE) treatments.

Practical Applications: This paper describes an innovative oil extraction method of ultrasound‐assisted enzymatic process using n‐hexane solvent. This new extraction technique makes it possible to increase the extraction yield, total phenolic content, and yellowness of extracted peanut oil. The results illustrated that ultrasound‐assisted enzymatic extraction using n‐hexane solvent method was a far more efficient extracting technique than the individual shaking incubation extraction using n‐hexane solvent, ultrasound‐ assisted aqueous enzymatic extraction and aqueous shaking incubation extraction treatments and would be a promising alternative for conventional oil extraction techniques.

Comparison of two treatments of optimal ultrasound‐enzymatic extraction and individual shaking incubation extraction of oil from peanut seed powders.
MS2 and Qβ bacteriophages reveal the contribution of surface hydrophobicity on the mobility of non‐enveloped icosahedral viruses in SDS‐based capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Sautrey Guillaume , Brié Adrien , Gantzer Christophe , Walcarius Alain
Published: October 2017

SDS is commonly employed as BGE additive in CZE analysis of non‐enveloped icosahedral viruses. But the way by which SDS interacts with the surface of such viruses remains to date poorly known, making complicate to understand their behavior during a run. In this article, two related bacteriophages, MS2 and Qβ, are used as model to investigate the migration mechanism of non‐enveloped icosahedral viruses in SDS‐based CZE. Both phages are characterized by similar size and surface charge but significantly different surface hydrophobicity (Qβ > MS2, where ‘>’ means ‘more hydrophobic than’). By comparing their electrophoretic mobility in the presence or not of SDS on both sides of the CMC, we show that surface hydrophobicity of phages is a key factor influencing their mobility and that SDS‐virus association is driven by hydrophobic interactions at the surface of virions. The CZE analyses of heated MS2 particles, which over‐express hydrophobic domains at their surface, confirm this finding. The correlations between the present results and others from the literature suggest that the proposed mechanism might not be exclusive to the bacteriophages examined here.
Predictive model for site specific simulation of ground motions based on earthquake scenarios
Authors: Vlachos Christos , Papakonstantinou Konstantinos G. , Deodatis George
Published: October 2017

A predictive stochastic model is developed based on regression relations that inputs a given earthquake scenario description and outputs seismic ground acceleration time histories at a site of interest. A bimodal parametric non‐stationary Kanai‐Tajimi (K‐T) ground motion model lies at the core of the proposed predictive model. The functional forms that describe the temporal evolution of the K‐T model parameters can effectively represent strong non‐stationarities of the ground motion. Fully non‐stationary ground motion time histories can be generated through the powerful Spectral Representation Method. A Californian subset of the available NGA‐West2 database is used to develop and calibrate the predictive model. Samples of the model parameters are obtained by fitting the K‐T model to the database records, and the resulting marginal distributions of the model parameters are efficiently described by standard probability models. The samples are translated to the standard normal space and linear random‐effect regression models are established relating the transformed normal parameters to the commonly used earthquake scenario defining predictors: moment magnitude Mw, closest‐to‐site distance Rrup, and average shear‐wave velocity
at a site of interest. The random‐effect terms in the developed regression models can effectively model the correlation among ground motions of the same earthquake event, in parallel to taking into account the location‐dependent effects of each site. For validation purposes, simulated acceleration time histories based on the proposed predictive model are compared with recorded ground motions. In addition, the median and median plus/minus one standard deviation elastic response spectra of synthetic ground motions, pertaining to a variety of different earthquake scenarios, are compared to the associated response spectra computed by the NGA‐West2 ground motion prediction equations and found to be in excellent agreement.
Inconsistent reproductive isolation revealed by interactions betweenCatostomusfish species
Authors: Mandeville Elizabeth G. , Parchman Thomas L. , Thompson Kevin G. , Compton Robert I. , Gelwicks Kevin R. , Song Se Jin , Buerkle C. Alex
Published: October 2017

Interactions between species are central to evolution and ecology, but we do not know enough about how outcomes of interactions between species vary across geographic locations, in heterogeneous environments, or over time. Ecological dimensions of interactions between species are known to vary, but evolutionary interactions such as the establishment and maintenance of reproductive isolation are often assumed to be consistent across instances of an interaction between species. Hybridization among Catostomus fish species occurs over a large and heterogeneous geographic area and across taxa with distinct evolutionary histories, which allows us to assess consistency in species interactions. We analyzed hybridization among six Catostomus species across the Upper Colorado River basin (US mountain west) and found extreme variation in hybridization across locations. Different hybrid crosses were present in different locations, despite similar species assemblages. Within hybrid crosses, hybridization varied from only first generation hybrids to extensive hybridization with backcrossing. Variation in hybridization outcomes might result from uneven fitness of hybrids across locations, polymorphism in genetic incompatibilities, chance, unidentified historical contingencies, or some combination thereof. Our results suggest caution in assuming that one or a few instances of hybridization represent all interactions between the focal species, as species interactions vary substantially across locations.
Temperature distribution of the straight bar, fixed into a heated plane surface
Authors: Turzó Gábor , Száva Ildikó Renata , Gálfi Botond‐Pál , Száva Ioan , Vlase Sorin , Hoța Holger
Published: October 2017

The authors present the first stage of their theoretical and experimental investigations focused on the fire protection of the steel structures using intumescent paint. In this initial stage, their results concerning the temperature distribution law (the theoretical law is validated by effective meticulously conducted measurements) are described. Their original testing bench destined to perform high‐accuracy monitoring of the temperature distribution along straight bars, having a given αg angular positioning with respect to the vertical direction is also described. By involving this testing bench in meticulously conducted experiments, the authors obtained both the effective temperature distribution along the bars and also validated the theoretical (exponential) thermal distribution law. By searching experiments, they also validate the m = const. hypothesis with respect to the massive cross‐sectional bars. Among their further goals, one can mention the searching experimental analysis on the validity of the m = const. hypothesis for the tubular cross‐sectional bars, followed by a combined experimental and numerical analysis of the 2‐D and 3‐D (unprotected and protected with intumescent paint layer) structures, as well as the paint layer's thickness optimisation, too.
On the testing of Hardy‐Weinberg proportions and equality of allele frequencies in males and females at biallelic genetic markers
Authors: Graffelman Jan , Weir Bruce S.
Published: October 2017

Standard statistical tests for equality of allele frequencies in males and females and tests for Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium are tightly linked by their assumptions. Tests for equality of allele frequencies assume Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium, whereas the usual chi‐square or exact test for Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium assume equality of allele frequencies in the sexes. In this paper, we propose ways to break this interdependence in assumptions of the two tests by proposing an omnibus exact test that can test both hypotheses jointly, as well as a likelihood ratio approach that permits these phenomena to be tested both jointly and separately. The tests are illustrated with data from the 1000 Genomes project.
Family members' strategies as allies during naturalistic polyadic family conflicts
Authors: Persram Ryan J. , Howe Nina , Leach Jamie
Published: October 2017

This study investigated the strategies used by family members as allies during naturalistic polyadic family conflicts (i.e., involving at least three family members). Thirty‐nine families with two children (aged 4 and 6 years) were observed in the home setting. Employing transcripts of their interactions, emergent coding revealed five strategies used by allies: (a) social rule understanding, (b) control, (c) informational, (d) simple (e.g., dismissive), and (e) elaborate (e.g., proposals). Overall, both parents and children used control and informational strategies most often. Parents used each of the five strategies more often than both children, but control and informational strategies were predominant. Similarly, when older siblings assumed the ally role, they preferred control strategies, whereas younger siblings used informational strategies most frequently. The results emphasize the role of family members as allies during conflicts at home and are discussed in relation to parents' and children's cognitive awareness and learning of such strategies.

Highlights

This paper examines the strategies employed by family members as allies during naturalistic polyadic conflicts (i.e., involving three or more family members).

Families were observed at home. Parents and children preferred control and informational strategies, suggesting a social learning component during conflicts.

Children's involvement as allies highlights their awareness of alliances and the diverse array of strategies associated with this role.
From Absence to Affordances: Integrating Old and New Literacies in School‐Based Instruction for English Learners
Authors: Li Guofang
Published: October 2017

Immigrant youths’ frequent and skillful use of new media technologies outside of school has generated discussion on the need to integrate their expertise in formal literacy instruction in school. This commentary argues that braiding old and new literacies for English learners in empowering ways needs to be guided by a connection to the future (new literacies for social and academic purposes) and a link to the old (traditional print literacy skills). Such a dual focus is necessary to develop an integrated pedagogical design that engages learners in using the new tools for acquiring both new and old literacy skills. Active facilitation of transmediation between social and academic purposes of new literacies and between old and new literacies relies on both explicit instruction of higher level thinking skills and literacy strategies for online and offline engagement and teacher expert scaffolding of applications of these skills in meaningful learning tasks.
Partnership Literacies: Storying Our Selves
Authors: Sjostrom Kate , McCoyne James M.
Published: October 2017

Often coauthored by university‐ and school‐based educators, preservice teachers, and youths, this department column considers how literacies are best developed through context‐crossing partnerships among university, school, and community constituents.
eSports and Streaming: Twitch Literacies
Authors: Gerber Hannah R.
Published: October 2017

This forum highlights and evaluates apps, computer programs, and websites that teachers, students, and other interested parties can use to explore, research, and engage in content learning and literacy practices.
Potential cow milk xanthine oxidase inhibitory and antioxidant activity of selected phenolic acid derivatives
Authors: Nile Shivraj Hariram , Keum Young Soo , Nile Arti Shivraj , Kwon Young Deuk , Kim Doo Hwan
Published: October 2017

Xanthine oxidase (XO) found in all mammals and excess activity leads to urolithiasis. The cow milk XO was purified to 305‐fold with a specific activity of 8.76 EU/mg and overall yield of 87% by using DEAE‐Sepharose chromatography. The phenolics showed potent XO inhibitory effect with Ki, P1 (0.412), P2 (0.632), P3 (0.585), P4 (0.886), P5 (1.633), P6 (0.503), P7 (2.882), P8 (3.761), P9 (4.487), and P10 (5.841) μM. The phenolics P9 and P10 exhibited uncompetitive inhibition; the phenolics P1, P2, P3, P4, and P6 showed competitive inhibition, and other phenolic acids showed noncompetitive inhibition. The studied phenolic compounds showed potent antioxidant activity and expressed as EC50, ranged from, DPPH (4.2–25.8 μg mL–1), ABTS (10.2–42.5 mmol TE 100 g–1), and FRAP (6.3–36.8 mol Fe (II) 100 g–1). The results obtained from this study might be utilized for design of XO inhibitors and as antigout agent.