bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High folate intake contributes to the risk of large for gestational age birth and obesity in male offspring
Authors: Xie Kaipeng , Fu Ziyi , Li Hui , Gu Xiaohong , Cai Zhiyong , Xu Pengfei , Cui Xianwei , You Lianghui , Wang Xing , Zhu Lijun , Ji Chenbo , Guo Xirong
Published: June 2018

Folate supplementation is recommended before and during early pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects, but the effect of red blood cell (RBC) folate on large for gestational age (LGA) is still unknown. We performed a nested case‐control study including 542 LGA cases and 1,084 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) controls to examine the association of RBC folate concentrations with risk of LGA. Then, male offspring of dams fed basic folic acid (2 mg/kg, control) or 10‐fold folic acid (20 mg/kg, HFol) diet before and during pregnancy were used to explore the effect of high folate intake on birth weight and long‐term effects. We observed higher RBC folate concentrations in the cases compared to controls (p = 0.039). After adjustment for maternal age, BMI at enrollment, gestational weeks at enrollment, gestational weeks at delivery and infant gender, higher RBC folate levels were significantly associated with increased risk of LGA (Ptrend = 0.003). Interestingly, male offspring of HFol dams showed the higher birth weight, elevated levels of post loading blood glucose at 9 and 13 weeks post‐weaning and increased triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels at 17 weeks post‐weaning. Furthermore, we observed that high folate intake increased the proliferation and differentiation of adipose cells. Our results suggest that maternal high folate intake confers the risk of LGA birth and accelerates the development of obesity in male offspring.
EGFL7: Master regulator of cancer pathogenesis, angiogenesis and an emerging mediator of bone homeostasis
Authors: Hong Guoju , Kuek Vincent , Shi Jiaxi , Zhou Lin , Han Xiaorui , He Wei , Tickner Jennifer , Qiu Heng , Wei Qiushi , Xu Jiake
Published: June 2018

Epidermal growth factor‐like domain‐containing protein 7 (EGFL7), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)‐like protein family, is a potent angiogenic factor expressed in many different cell types. EGFL7 plays a vital role in controlling vascular angiogenesis during embryogenesis, organogenesis, and maintaining skeletal homeostasis. It regulates cellular functions by mediating the main signaling pathways (Notch, integrin) and EGF receptor cascades. Accumulating evidence suggests that Egfl7 plays a crucial role in cancer biology by modulating tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion. Dysregulation of Egfl7 has been frequently found in several types of cancers, such as malignant glioma, colorectal carcinoma, oral and oesophageal cancers, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, osteosarcoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. In addition, altered expression of miR‐126, a microRNA associated with Egfl7, was found to play an important role in oncogenesis. More recently, our study has shown that EGFL7 is expressed in both the osteoclast and osteoblast lineages and promotes endothelial cell activities via extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and integrin signaling cascades, indicative of its angiogenic regulation in the bone microenvironment. Thus, understanding the role of EGFL7 may provide novel insights into the development of improved diagnostics and therapeutic treatment for cancers and skeletal pathological disorders, such as ischemic osteonecrosis and bone fracture healing.
Promotion of the prehierarchical follicle growth by postovulatory follicles involving PGE2–EP2 signaling in chickens
Authors: Lin Xin , Liu Xingting , Guo Changquan , Liu Mengqi , Mi Yuling , Zhang Caiqiao
Published: June 2018

The postovulatory follicle (POF) in birds is an enigmatic structure, the function of which remains largely unknown. Previous studies on chickens have shown that removal of POFs leads to the postponement of oviposition and the disturbance of broody behavior. One suggestion is that POFs may secrete some crucial hormones or cytokines to act on reproductive organs. However, such secretions and their specific target organs remain to be identified. Here, we investigate the putative functions of POFs in promoting the development of prehierarchical follicles in chickens and explore the possible signaling mechanisms controlling these processes. Results show that POFs express steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR), cholesterol side‐chain cleavage enzyme (CYP11A1), cyclooxygenase 1 (COX1), and COX2 in granulosa cells (GCs), and, most notably, that POF1 produces more prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or prostaglandin F2α than do the F1 follicle or the other POFs. Using coculture systems, we also found that POF1 or GCs from POF1 (POF1‐GCs) significantly promote the proliferation of theca externa cells of small white follicles (SWFs, one phase of the prehierarchical follicle). Treatment with PGE2 significantly facilitates theca externa cell proliferation in SWFs. This POF‐stimulating effect on SWF growth was prevented by treatment with indomethacin (COX inhibitor) or TG6‐10‐1 (PGE2 type 2 receptor [EP2] antagonist). Therefore, POF1 may secrete PGE2 to stimulate the progression of SWF by PGE2–EP2 signaling. These results indicate that POF1 may serve as a transient supplementary endocrine gland in the chicken ovary that stimulates the development of the prehierarchical follicles through PGE2–EP2 signaling.
On the local density problem for graphs of given odd‐girth
Authors: Bedenknecht Wiebke , Mota Guilherme Oliveira , Reiher Christian , Schacht Mathias
Published: June 2018

Erdős conjectured that every n‐vertex triangle‐free graph contains a subset of vertices that spans at most edges. Extending a recent result of Norin and Yepremyan, we confirm this conjecture for graphs homomorphic to so‐called Andrásfai graphs. As a consequence, Erdős' conjecture holds for every triangle‐free graph G with minimum degree and if the degree condition can be relaxed to . In fact, we obtain a more general result for graphs of higher odd‐girth.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Some Novel Pyrido[2,3‐d] Pyrimidine Derivatives and Their Ribofuranosides
Authors: Bhargava Sangeeta , Rajwanshi Lokesh Kumar
Published: June 2018

2‐Amino‐3‐cyano‐4,6‐disubstituted pyridines 2a–c on treatment with arylisocyanate and arylisothiocyanate afforded 4‐imino‐3,5,7‐trisubstituted pyrido[2,3‐d] pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones 3a–c and 4‐imino‐3,5,7‐trisubstituted pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐thiones 4a–c, respectively. The ribofuranosides, namely, 4‐imino‐3,5,7‐trisubstituted‐1‐(2′,3′,5′‐tri‐O‐benzoyl‐β‐d‐ribofuranosyl) pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐ones 7a–c and 4‐imino‐3,5,7‐trisubstituted‐1‐(2′,3′,5′‐tri‐O‐benzoyl‐β‐D‐ribofuranosyl) pyrido[2,3‐d]pyri‐midin‐2(1H)‐thiones 8a–c, were synthesized by the condensation of trimethylsilyl derivatives of 3a–c and 4a–c with β‐d‐ribofuranosyl‐1‐acetate‐2,3,5‐tribenzoate. The structure of newly synthesized ribofuranosides and their precursors were established by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus.
Synthesis, bioconjugation and stability studies of [18F]ethenesulfonyl fluoride
Authors: Zhang Bo , Pascali Giancarlo , Wyatt Naomi , Matesic Lidia , Klenner Mitchell A. , Sia Tiffany R. , Guastella Adam J. , Massi Massimiliano , Robinson Andrea J. , Fraser Benjamin H.
Published: June 2018

Fluorine‐18 labelled prosthetic groups (PGs) are often necessary for radiolabelling sensitive biological molecules such as peptides and proteins. Several shortcomings, however, often diminish the final yield of radiotracer. In an attempt to provide higher yielding and operationally efficient tools for radiolabelling biological molecules, we describe herein the first radiochemical synthesis of [18F]ethenesulfonyl fluoride ([18F]ESF) and its Michael conjugation with amino acids and proteins. The synthesis of [18F]ESF was optimised using a microfluidic reactor under both carrier‐added (c.a.) and no‐carrier‐added (n.c.a.) conditions, affording, in a straightforward procedure, 30‐50% radiochemical yield (RCY) for c.a. [18F]ESF and 60‐70% RCY for n.c.a. [18F]ESF. The conjugation reactions were performed at room temperature using 10 mg/mL precursor in aqueous/organic solvent mixtures for 15 min. The radiochemical stability of the final conjugates was evaluated in injectable formulation and rat serum, and resulted strongly substrate dependent and generally poor in rat serum. Therefore, in this work we have optimised a straightforward synthesis of [18F]ESF and its Michael conjugation with model compounds, without requiring chromatographic purification. However, given the general low stability of the final products, further studies will be required for improving conjugate stability, before assessing the use of this PG for PET imaging.
Spouses at work: Opportunity ahead
Authors: Sarpong Sam
Published: June 2018

Employers increasingly are implementing family‐friendly policies to help attract and hold onto competent and dedicated personnel. Such initiatives have made it more acceptable than ever to employ married couples in the same firm. A study of 43 such work‐linked couples and 64 of their coworkers in ten organizations in Ghana investigates the extent to which these relationships affect productivity and efficiency and can lead to conflicts of interest in the organizations. It also reveals several positive outcomes in terms of employee retention, commitment, and morale. The degree to which such work arrangements are accepted and successful is likely to vary, depending on an organization's business requirements and culture.
Successful Identification of Anatomical Markers and Placement of Feeding Tubes in Critically Ill Patients via Camera‐Assisted Technology with Real‐Time Video Guidance
Authors: Wischmeyer Paul E. , McMoon Michelle M. , Waldron Nathan H. , Dye Elizabeth J.
Published: June 2018

Background: Enteral feeding via feeding tube (FT) provides essential nutrition support to critically ill patients or those who cannot intake adequate nutrition via the oral route. Unfortunately, 1%–2% of FTs placed blindly at bedside enter the airway undetected (as confirmed by x‐ray), where they could result in adverse events. Misplaced FTs can cause complications including pneumothorax, vocal cord injury, bronchopleural fistula, pneumonia, and death. X‐ray is typically performed to confirm FT placement before feeding, but may delay nutrition intake, may not universally identify misplacement, and adds cost and radiation exposure. Methods: A prospective case series was conducted to evaluate a novel FT with a camera to provide real‐time visualization, guiding placement. The primary end point was the clinician's ability to identify anatomical markers in the gastrointestinal tract and/or airway using the camera. Results: The Kangaroo Feeding Tube with IRIS Technology tube was placed in 45 subjects with 1 misplaced tube; 3 placements were postpyloric, with the remainder gastric. Clinicians correctly identified the stomach in 44 of 45 placements at a median depth of 60.0 cm (range 45.0–85.0 cm). A stomach image was obtained in 42 subjects (93.3%). Agreement between camera image and radiographic confirmation of placement was 93% (P = .014) with small deviations in recognizing stomach vs small bowel. No device‐related adverse events occurred. Conclusions: Direct visualization of the stomach using a camera‐equipped FT can assist with FT placement, help avoid misplacements, and with further studies to evaluate the safety of eliminating confirmatory x‐ray before feeding, could potentially preclude the need for radiographic confirmation.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering study of PP/Ag nanocomposite developed to prevent postsurgery infection
Authors: Dhafer Cyrine El Baher , Dhahri Manel , Mezni Amine , Smiri Leila Samia
Published: June 2018

Wide varieties of antibacterial medical materials coated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are developed. However, studies about coating surgical are scare. Stable coated polypropylene (PP) surgical suture with spherical AgNPs (PP/Ag nanocomposite) was prepared using an optimized aqueous dipping method. Homogenous and linear distribution of AgNPs on the PP surface was verified by scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscopy combined to the bright field image. Quantitative analyses of the silver content were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy and showed a grafting rate of 8 × 10−4%. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering investigations confirmed the grafting of AgNPs on the surface of surgical suture and highlighted the regioselective adsorption of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the AgNPs via the AgO interactions. Finally, PP/Ag nanocomposite has shown a good stability in biological medium (saline solution NaCl 0.9%) and prominent biocompatibility against human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Antibacterial performances of PP/Ag nanocomposite against gram‐positive and gram‐negative colonies of bacteria were also investigated.
The impact of individual patient data in a network meta‐analysis: An investigation into parameter estimation and model selection
Authors: Leahy Joy , O'Leary Aisling , Afdhal Nezam , Gray Emma , Milligan Scott , Wehmeyer Malte H. , Walsh Cathal
Published: June 2018

The use of individual patient data (IPD) in network meta‐analysis (NMA) is becoming increasingly popular. However, as most studies do not report IPD, most NMAs are performed using aggregate data for at least some, if not all, of the studies. We investigate the benefits of including varying proportions of IPD studies in an NMA.

Several models have previously been developed for including both aggregate data and IPD in the same NMA. We performed a simulation study based on these models to examine the impact of additional IPD studies on the accuracy and precision of the estimates of both the treatment effect and the covariate effect. We also compared the deviance information criterion (DIC) between models to assess model fit. An increased proportion of IPD resulted in more accurate and precise estimates for most models and datasets. However, the coverage probability sometimes decreased when the model was misspecified. The use of IPD leads to greater differences in DIC, which allows us choose the correct model more often.

We analysed a Hepatitis C network consisting of 3 IPD observational studies. The ranking of treatments remained the same for all models and datasets. We observed similar results to the simulation study: The use of IPD leads to differences in DIC and more precise estimates for the covariate effect. However, IPD sometimes increased the posterior SD of the treatment effect estimate, which may indicate between study heterogeneity. We recommend that IPD should be used where possible, especially for assessing model fit.
An optimal design method for minimization of common voltage distortion in large‐sized and high‐resolution liquid crystal displays
Authors: Kim Lee‐Young , Kwon Oh‐Kyong
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes an optimal design method that minimizes the common voltage (VCOM) distortion for large‐sized and high‐resolution liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Three design methods are examined using different architectures of the panel and circuit to compensate for the VCOM distortion. The proposed design method adopts a panel architecture that compensates for the VCOM distortion simultaneously at the top and bottom of the panel using a dual compensation circuit. It is implemented using a 27‐in. quad high‐definition LCD, and its VCOM distortion is further minimized by optimizing the compensation ratio of the dual compensation circuit. In addition, the minimized VCOM distortion is evaluated by measuring the horizontal crosstalk of the implemented panel according to the decrease in the charging time of the subpixel. As the charging time decreases from 11.6 to 7.8 μs, the measured crosstalk level varies from 0.10% to 1.06%, respectively, meeting the goal of less than 2%. Therefore, the proposed design method is suitable for large‐sized and high‐resolution LCDs requiring low VCOM distortion.
The influence of the hole transport layers on the performance of blue and color tunable quantum dot light‐emitting diodes
Authors: Huang Xiaoyu , Su Sikai , Su Qiang , Zhang Heng , Wen Feng , Chen Shuming
Published: June 2018

The performance of the blue quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) is largely affected by the hole transport layers (HTLs). As a consequence of the deep valance band level of blue quantum dots (QDs), hole injection is relatively difficult in blue QLEDs. To favor the hole injection, HTLs with high hole mobility and deep‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital level are desired. In this work, various HTLs and their influence on the performance of blue QLEDs are demonstrated. Devices with poly(N‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) HTL exhibit the highest external quantum efficiency while devices with poly[9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐co‐N‐(4‐(3‐methylpropyl))‐diphenylamine] (TFB) exhibit the lowest driving voltage. By combining the advantages of PVK and TFB, the blue QLEDs with TFB/PVK bilayered HTL simultaneously exhibit a low driving voltage of 2.6 V and a high external quantum efficiency of 5.9%. Moreover, the exciplex emission at the interface of HTL/QDs is also observed, and the emission intensity can be tuned by modulating the hole injection. By utilizing PVK doped with 25% poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as HTL, exciplex emission is significantly enhanced at low driving voltage while QD emission is dominant at high driving voltage. By combining the exciplex emission and the QD emission, the emission color can be effectively tuned from red to blue as the driving voltage changing from 2 to 10 V.
Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of benzoylurea insecticides by Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated with a hyper‐cross‐linked porous organic polymer
Authors: Wang Qianqian , Wu Juanjuan , Hao Lin , Wu Qiuhua , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: June 2018

A magnetic polytriphenylamine porous organic polymer was prepared through simple self‐polycondensation of triphenylamine followed by coprecipitation with Fe2+ and Fe3+. It was applied as a magnetic adsorbent for the extraction of six benzoylurea insecticides from tomato, cucumber, and watermelon samples before their high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectral detection. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the established method gave a low limit of detection ranging from 0.05 to 0.1 ng/g and a good linear response ranging from 0.2 to 40 ng/g with coefficients of determination >0.99. The method recoveries for spiked analytes at the concentrations of 3 and 15 ng/g in real samples were in the range of 87.7–106.7% with the relative standard deviations <6.4%. The results indicated that it had a good adsorption capability toward the target analytes due to the π‐stacking and hydrogen bonding interactions. The polymer material showed great potential in the efficient extraction of organic compounds from real samples with complex matrixes.
Childhood Trauma and the Inability to Access Hospital Care Among People who Inject Drugs
Authors: Randhawa Gurdeeshpal , Azarbar Ataa , Dong Huiru , Milloy MJ , Kerr Thomas , Hayashi Kanna
Published: June 2018

Childhood traumatic experiences can disrupt attachment, influence personality development, and precipitate chronic disease. Although the repercussions of these experiences may also pose a barrier to healthcare, few studies have examined the association between childhood trauma and access to healthcare. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether a history of childhood trauma is associated with self‐reported inability to access hospital care among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Data were derived from two prospective cohorts of PWID in Vancouver, Canada. We used multivariable generalized estimating equations to examine associations between five types of childhood trauma and self‐reported inability to access hospital care, both overall and specifically due to perceived mistreatment by hospital staff. In total, 300 participants (18.3%) reported having tried but being unable to access hospital care in the previous 6 months at some point during the study period; the primary reason was perceived mistreatment by hospital staff (32.1%). In multivariable analyses, childhood emotional abuse was independently associated with self‐reported inability to access hospital care, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.51, 95% CI [1.03, 2.20]. Childhood physical neglect was also independently associated with inability to access care due to perceived mistreatment by hospital staff, AOR = 1.80, 95% CI [1.11, 2.93]. This suggests potentially damaging consequences of early trauma in adult PWID populations. Further, this study emphasizes the need for trauma‐informed models of care as well as the need to improve therapeutic alliances with survivors of childhood trauma in the PWID population.
In‐Band Noise Filtering via Spatio‐Spectral Coupling
Authors: Wang Jing , Ma Jingui , Yuan Peng , Tang Daolong , Xie Guoqiang , Qian Liejia , Wise Frank W.
Published: June 2018

Noise is a fundamental and ubiquitous problem in optics, and only those out of the signal bandwidth can be filtrated away by traditional spectral filters. This paper presents an in‐band noise filtering scheme where the ultrafast signal is controlled by spatio‐spectral coupling such that the signal and its in‐band noise can be separated in the spatio‐spectral domain. As an example of its impact on ultra‐intense lasers, this filter is applied to show that the noise produced in chirped‐pulse amplification can be efficiently filtrated within the signal bandwidth. Near‐noiseless amplification of pulses with contrast as high as 1011 is demonstrated in a high‐gain optical parametric chirped‐pulse amplifier, resulting in approximately 40 times enhancement in output contrast. The simplicity, efficiency, and direct compatibility with existing techniques for short‐pulse generation will make in‐band filtering attractive to a wide range of applications in ultrafast optics and time‐resolved spectroscopy.
Pro: Steroids Can Be Withdrawn After Transplant in Recipients With Autoimmune Hepatitis
Authors: Kalra Avash , Burton James R. , Forman Lisa M.
Published: June 2018

Corticosteroids have been a mainstay of immunosuppression following liver transplantation. However, evolution in the field of transplant immunology has produced steroid‐free options, resulting in most transplant centers weaning steroids after transplant within days to months—an evidence‐based management decision. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), however, receive corticosteroids prior to transplant. This raises the question of whether these patients should also be weaned from corticosteroids. In this review, we discuss the benefits of avoiding steroid use in this population of patients—an approach that not only avoids the adverse effects of corticosteroids but does so without risking graft failure from recurrent AIH or from acute cellular rejection.
A PSS‐Free PEDOT Conductive Film Supported by a Hierarchical Nanoporous Layer Glass
Authors: Fujima Takuya , Uchiyama Kentaro , Yasumoro Keita , Ito Takumi , Tabata Erika
Published: June 2018

The importance of transparent conductive film is increasing due to its use in applications such as touch‐panel devices. Although indium tin oxide is widely used because of its high conductivity and transparency, conductive polymers are being studied as alternative materials that avoid the use of rare metals and the brittleness associated with existing systems. Polyethylene dioxythiophene (PEDOT)/polyethylene sulfonic acid (PSS) is drawing a lot of attention due to its well‐balanced conductivity, transparency, film formability, and chemical stability. The nonconductive PSS reportedly covers the conductive PEDOT. The PSS shell provides carrier and film‐formability to PEDOT but is also a barrier that hinders electrical conductivity. Therefore, the PEDOT film formability is explored supported by a substrate without the addition of PSS. The “hierarchical nanoporous layer glass” holds the PSS‐free PEDOT with its nanopores to form a homogeneous, transparent film. The PSS‐free PEDOT film thus achieves transparency of over 85% and resistivity of below 500 Ω sq−1.
Engineering optimization based on dynamic technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution fitness: Application to unmanned aerial vehicle wing airfoil geometry definition
Authors: Ceruti Alessandro , Fiorini Tommaso , Boggi Stefano , Mischi Lorenzo
Published: June 2018

Modern engineering requires finding an optimal trade‐off point among conflicting requirements that must be satisfied to reach the end user's satisfaction. One of the most challenging problems in multidisciplinary optimization is to find a fitness function that can best translate what the designer really aims to obtain. In this paper, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is coupled to a fitness function based on the definition of a technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) in order to obtain a new algorithm called PSOTOP. The fitness of a candidate solution is found by comparing its attributes to those of an “ideal best” and “ideal worst” solution, which is dynamically updated at each iteration of the algorithm. The advantage of this solution is that the fitness allows combining attributes of different magnitude and measurement units in an effective way; this approach can be applied to whatsoever optimization problem in engineering, economics, medicine, and statistics. This paper presents a case study dealing with the optimal design of an airfoil to be adopted on the wing of an unmanned air vehicle to support civil protection operations in order to show how this strategy can impact the design of a complex product. The main limitation of this approach relates to the fact that the user must possess a good knowledge of the specific problem to be solved in order to set proper ranges for design parameters and attributes' weight in the fitness evaluation.
A Catechol‐Type Resveratrol Analog Manifests Antiangiogenic Action by Constructing an Efficient Catalytic Redox Cycle with Intracellular Copper Ions and NQO1
Authors: Wang Yi‐Hua , Dai Fang , Zhou Bo
Published: June 2018

Scope

As part of our research project to understand why dietary polyphenols with the catechol skeleton tend to exhibit cancer chemopreventive activity, a catechol‐type resveratrol analog (3,4‐dihydroxy‐trans‐stilbene [3,4‐DHS]) was selected to probe its antiangiogenic effects and mechanisms.

Methods and results

The antiangiogenic effects of 3,4‐DHS on angiogenesis‐related endothelial cell functions were examined, including migration, invasion, and tube formation, and in vivo angiogenesis on a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. The potential molecular mechanisms for the suppression of cell migration by 3,4‐DHS were analyzed using various specific inhibitors. 3,4‐DHS was identified as a potent angiogenesis inhibitor by constructing an efficient catalytic redox cycle with intracellular copper ions and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase I to generate reactive oxygen species and thereby downregulate matrix metalloproteinase‐9.

Conclusion

This work provides further evidence that dietary catechols manifest antiangiogenic activity by virtue of their copper‐dependent prooxidative instead of antioxidative role, and useful information for designing polyphenol‐inspired angiogenesis inhibitors.
A unified CFD‐DEM approach for modeling of debris flow impacts on flexible barriers
Authors: Li Xingyue , Zhao Jidong
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a unified modeling framework to investigate the impacts of debris flow on flexible barriers, based on coupled computational fluid dynamics and discrete element method (CFD‐DEM). We consider a debris flow as a mixture of fluid and particles where the fluid and particle phases are modeled by the CFD and the DEM, respectively. The fluid‐particle coupling is considered by the exchange of interaction forces between CFD and DEM calculations. The flexible barrier is simulated by the DEM as a network of bonded particles with remote interactions. The proposed coupled CFD‐DEM approach enables us to conveniently handle the complicated three‐way interactions among the fluid, the particles, and the flexible barrier structure for debris flow impact simulations. The proposed approach is first used to investigate the influences of channel inclination and the volumetric solid fraction in a debris mixture on the impact force, the resultant deformation, and the retained mass in a flexible barrier. The predictions agree well with existing experimental and numerical studies. We further examine the possible failure modes of a flexible barrier under debris flow impact and their underlying mechanisms. The performance of different components in a flexible barrier system, including single wires, double twists and cables, and their load sharing mechanisms, are carefully evaluated. The proposed unified framework offers a novel, promising pathway towards physically based, quantitative analysis and design of flexible barriers for debris flow mitigation.
Inventory policies for two products under Poisson demand: Interaction between demand substitution, limited storage capacity and replenishment time uncertainty
Authors: Burnetas Apostolos , Kanavetas Odysseas
Published: June 2018

We consider a two‐product inventory system with independent Poisson demands, limited joint storage capacity and partial demand substitution. Replenishment is performed simultaneously for both products and the replenishment time may be fixed or exponentially distributed. For both cases we develop a Continuous Time Markov Chain model for the inventory levels and derive expressions for the expected profit per unit time. We establish analytic expressions for the profit function and show that it satisfies decreasing differences properties in the order quantities, which allows for a more efficient algorithm to determine the optimal ordering policy. Using computational experiments, we assess the effect of substitution and replenishment time uncertainty on the order quantities and the profit as a function of the storage capacity.
Methods of Enteral Nutrition Administration in Critically Ill Patients: Continuous, Cyclic, Intermittent, and Bolus Feeding
Authors: Ichimaru Satomi
Published: June 2018

There are several methods of enteral nutrition (EN) administration, including continuous, cyclic, intermittent, and bolus techniques, which can be used either alone or in combination. Continuous feeding involves hourly administration of EN over 24 hours assisted by a feeding pump; cyclic feeding involves administration of EN over a time period of <24 hours generally assisted by a feeding pump; intermittent feeding involves administration of EN over 20–60 minutes every 4–6 hours via pump assist or gravity assist; and bolus feeding involves administration of EN over a 4‐ to 10‐minute period using a syringe or gravity drip. In practice, pump‐assisted continuous feeding is generally acceptable for critically ill patients to prevent EN‐related complications. However, a limited number of studies have been conducted to support this practice. In addition, regarding muscle protein synthesis and gastrointestinal hormone secretion, intermittent or bolus feeding may be more beneficial than continuous EN feeding for critically ill patients. For medically stable patients with feeding tubes terminating in the stomach, bolus feeding is favored with respect to practical factors, such as cost, convenience, and patient mobility. However, few studies have shown whether intermittent or bolus feeding is beneficial in a critical care setting at present. Additional randomized controlled studies comparing intermittent with bolus feeding are required.
Generalized information reuse for optimization under uncertainty with non‐sample average estimators
Authors: Cook Laurence W. , Jarrett Jerome P. , Willcox Karen E.
Published: June 2018

In optimization under uncertainty for engineering design, the behavior of the system outputs due to uncertain inputs needs to be quantified at each optimization iteration, but this can be computationally expensive. Multifidelity techniques can significantly reduce the computational cost of Monte Carlo sampling methods for quantifying the effect of uncertain inputs, but existing multifidelity techniques in this context apply only to Monte Carlo estimators that can be expressed as a sample average, such as estimators of statistical moments. Information reuse is a particular multifidelity method that treats previous optimization iterations as lower fidelity models. This work generalizes information reuse to be applicable to quantities whose estimators are not sample averages. The extension makes use of bootstrapping to estimate the error of estimators and the covariance between estimators at different fidelities. Specifically, the horsetail matching metric and quantile function are considered as quantities whose estimators are not sample averages. In an optimization under uncertainty for an acoustic horn design problem, generalized information reuse demonstrated computational savings of over 60% compared with regular Monte Carlo sampling.
Higher‐order modal transformation for reduced‐order modeling of linear systems undergoing global parametric variations
Authors: Kim T.
Published: June 2018

Previously, a novel parametric reduced‐order model technique for linear systems was developed based on a frequency‐domain formulation and the so‐called modally equivalent perturbed system. The main advantage of the scheme is that it isolates all the perturbed matrices into a forcing term, allowing for a simple and powerful analysis based on the ordinary differential equation with the forcing input. It was shown that when the parameter variation is limited to a finite dimension, it yields exceptionally accurate reduced‐order models for a wide range of parameter values. In this paper, the original method is improved to cover a larger‐dimensional domain and the global domain of the variation by adding higher‐order terms in the formulation. It is shown that when expressed in powers of incremental matrices, the new formula resembles a well‐known series expansion. The improved parametric reduced‐order model is demonstrated for a computational fluid dynamics model of unsteady air flow around a two‐dimensional airfoil in subsonic flows with Mach variation.
Job control's strain‐buffering effects in not‐for‐profit human service agencies: A test of the nonlinear demand‐linear control model
Authors: Preston Mark S.
Published: June 2018

In comparison to their public and for‐profit counterparts, not‐for‐profit employees report experiencing higher work demands. Despite the harmful effects attributed to this important sector difference, few, if any, empirical studies in the not‐for‐profit literature have investigated how job‐related resources, such as control over one's job, help buffer work demands' strain‐inducing impact. The present study fills this important gap in the extant not‐for‐profit literature by testing a recently introduced nonlinear stressor‐strain model on a sample of 363 employees from two different types of not‐for‐profit human service agencies located in the city of New York. As hypothesized, the nonlinear demand by linear control interaction term was statistically and significantly associated with job strain in the predicted direction. Study data not only challenge the linear nature of Karasek's seminal demand‐control model, but are also the first to uncover this unique finding in a sample of not‐for‐profit human service employees. Implications for practice and theory are also discussed.
Immunotherapy for osteosarcoma: Where do we go from here?
Authors: Wedekind Mary F. , Wagner Lars M. , Cripe Timothy P.
Published: June 2018

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor in children and young adults, with few advances in survival and treatment, especially for metastatic disease, in the last 30 years. Recently, immunotherapy has begun to show promise in various adult cancers, but the utility of this approach for osteosarcoma remains relatively unexplored. In this review, we outline the mechanisms and status of immunotherapies currently in clinical trials as well as future therapies on the horizon, and discuss their potential application for osteosarcoma.
Olive ingestion causing a false suspicion of relapsed neuroblastoma: A case of “oliveblastoma?”
Authors: Flynn Nick , LeFebvre Amanda , Messahel Boo , Hogg Sarah L.
Published: June 2018

Measurement of the urine catecholamine metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) are the standard method for detecting disease recurrence in neuroblastoma. We present a case of abnormal concentrations of catecholamine metabolites that prompted investigations for relapsed neuroblastoma. However, further study revealed that the abnormal biochemistry was likely due to ingestion of olives. Olive ingestion should be considered when interpreting urine HVA and VMA results, and excluded if concentrations are unexpectedly abnormal.
Use of proton pump inhibitors and risk of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hicks Blánaid , Friis Søren , Pottegård Anton
Published: June 2018

Purpose

Preclinical studies have suggested that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may increase pancreatic cancer risk; however, epidemiological studies are few, with conflicting results. This spurred us to evaluate whether PPI use is associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer in a large population‐based study.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide case‐control study using data from Danish demographic and health care registries. All patients with a first cancer diagnosis of pancreatic cancer between 2000 and 2015 were identified from the Danish Cancer Registry and age‐matched, sex‐matched, and calendar‐matched 1:20 to population controls using risk set sampling. Conditional logistic regression was applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pancreatic cancer associated with PPI use, adjusting for potential confounders. Secondary analyses examined dose‐response patterns and associations with individual PPIs as well as with histamine‐2‐receptor antagonists.

Results

Ever use of PPIs occurred among 27.8% of 6921 pancreatic cancer cases and 25.4% of 34 695 matched controls, yielding a neutral adjusted OR of 1.04 (95% CI 0.97‐1.11). Odds ratios were also close to unity in analyses of high use of PPIs (≥1000 DDDs; OR, 0.92 95% CI 0.80‐1.07). There was no evidence of a dose‐response relationship, with ORs close to unity across categories, including for those with the highest cumulative use (>2000 DDDs; OR, 1.03 95% CI 0.84‐1.26). Analyses of subgroups as well as individual types of PPI and of histamine‐2‐receptor antagonists use also returned neutral associations.

Conclusions

In this large nationwide case‐control study, PPI use was not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.
Efficiency increased to 15.2% for ultra‐thin Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Mansfield Lorelle M. , Kanevce Ana , Harvey Steven P. , Bowers Karen , Beall Carolyn , Glynn Stephen , Repins Ingrid L.
Published: June 2018

We improved the efficiency of ultra‐thin (0.49‐μm‐thick) Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells to 15.2% (officially measured). To achieve these results, we modified growth conditions from the 3‐stage process but did not add post‐deposition treatments or additional material layers. The increase in device efficiency is attributed to a steeper Ga gradient in the CIGS with higher Ga content near the Mo back contact, which can hinder electron‐hole recombination at the interface. We discuss device measurements and film characterization for ultra‐thin CIGS. Modeling is presented that shows the route to even higher efficiencies for devices with CIGS thicknesses of 0.5 μm.
Solar cell efficiency tables (version 52)
Authors: Green Martin A. , Hishikawa Yoshihiro , Dunlop Ewan D. , Levi Dean H. , Hohl‐Ebinger Jochen , Ho‐Baillie Anita W.Y.
Published: June 2018

Consolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined and new entries since January 2018 are reviewed.
Impact of air‐light exposure on the electrical properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Hölscher Torsten , Schneider Thomas , Maiberg Matthias , Scheer Roland
Published: June 2018

The impact of air‐light exposure of bare Cu(In,Ga)Se2 layers is investigated by measuring the performance of completed solar cells. Solar cells formed from air‐light–exposed absorbers reveal inferior cell parameters by about 10% regarding open circuit voltage, fill factor, and efficiency compared with cells from nonilluminated absorbers. Time‐dependent and temperature‐dependent open circuit voltage measurements give reasons that the solar cell impairment by air‐light exposure of the bare absorbers is due to interface recombination. Interface states are detected by admittance spectroscopy. Heat‐light soaking of complete solar cells—having formerly degraded interfaces—recovers the solar cell parameters up to the nondegraded levels. Paradoxically, both the air‐light–induced degradation of bare absorbers and the revision of cell parameters after light annealing go along with a light‐induced segregation of sodium at the Cu(In,Ga)Se2 surface and Cu(In,Ga)Se2/CdS interface, respectively.
Detection and follow‐up reactions of distonic β,β‐dimesityl enol radical cations containing nitrogen heterocyclic bases
Authors: Cinar M. Emin , Lal Mukul , Deiseroth Hans‐Jörg , Schlirf Jens , Schmittel Michael
Published: June 2018

β,β‐Dimesityl enols E2‐E4 containing various nitrogen heterocyclic bases in the α‐position were investigated by laser flash photolytic oxidation and density functional theory in order to identify distonic enol radical cations in solution and characterize their immediate follow‐up reactions. Enol E1 with a tert‐butyl group in the α‐position served as a reference. Experimental and computational efforts reveal that one‐electron oxidation of enol E1 furnishes the enol radical cation, whereas oxidation of E2‐E4 provides distonic radical cations in solution. While the distonic radical cations of E2‐E3 undergo intermolecular acid‐base reactions, the distonic radical cation of E4 experiences an intramolecular hydrogen abstraction followed by subsequent ring closure and ring‐opening steps. As a final product on the laser flash photolysis time scale, the rearranged radical cation E4d‐R is generated that is characterized by a dimesitylmethyl radical subunit.
Theoretical insights into the ESIPT process for π‐conjugated benzimidazole compounds
Authors: Wang Yusheng , Yang Guang , Yang Dapeng
Published: June 2018

Two active benzimidazole derivatives (1 and 2 compounds) [J. Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 12173.] have been selected to explore their excited state dynamical properties. Spectroscopic studies about excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) of 1 and 2 compounds have been investigated in details. Combing the density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we theoretically analyze the hydrogen bond properties for 1 and 2 compounds. Using atoms in molecules methodology, we confirm the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bond in the S0 state. Further, the primary bond lengths, bond angles, and the infrared vibrational spectra involved in hydrogen bond moieties have been analyzed revealing that the intramolecular hydrogen bonds are strengthened in the S1 state. Analyses about frontier molecular orbitals theory prove that the ESIPT process could be facilitated by charge transfer upon the photoexcitation. Based on constructing potential energy curves of both S0 and S1 states, we provide the excited state dynamical overall perspective about ESIPT mechanism for both 1 and 2 compounds. This work not only clarifies the ESIPT mechanism for 2 novel active benzimidazole derivatives 1 and 2 compounds but also makes contributions for the applications of such kinds of systems.
Evaluation of morphine‐like effects of the mixed mu/delta agonist morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate in rats: Drug discrimination and physical dependence
Authors: Yadlapalli Jai Shankar K. , Bommagani Shoban Babu , Mahelona Ryan D. , Wan Anqi , Gannon Brenda M. , Penthala Narsimha R. , Dobretsov Maxim , Crooks Peter A. , Fantegrossi William E.
Published: June 2018

Morphine‐6‐O‐sulfate (M6S) is as a mixed‐action mu/delta (μ/δ) opioid receptor agonist with high potency and analgesic efficacy. These studies used assays of drug discrimination and schedule‐controlled responding to assess abuse‐liability, tolerance, and physical dependence as compared to morphine in rats. Attempts to train 0.3 mg/kg (IP) M6S from saline failed, but all rats rapidly acquired the discrimination when the training dose was changed to 3.0 mg/kg morphine, and substitution tests showed that morphine and fentanyl both fully substituted for the training dose, M6S and M3A6S (3‐O‐acetyl ester of M6S) only partially substituted, and salvinorin A did not elicit morphine‐like effects. Tolerance to response rate‐decreasing effects was studied in rats administered either 1.0 or 3.0 mg/kg morphine or M6S before food‐reinforced operant sessions. At both unit doses, tolerance to M6S‐elicited rate suppression developed more slowly than tolerance to morphine‐induced reductions in response rates. To assess dependence, rats were maintained on 1.0 mg/kg morphine or 1.0 mg/kg M6S until food‐reinforced response rates were stable for at least 5 days. Rats were then administered saline or increasing doses of the opioid antagonist naltrexone (NTX) (0.3, 1.0, 3.0, or 10.0 mg/kg) in order to determine antagonist‐precipitated withdrawal. NTX precipitated withdrawal was similar in both morphine‐maintained and M6S‐maintained rats. In conclusion, the mixed μ/δ agonist activity of M6S failed to completely protect against the development of physical dependence, but delayed tolerance development to behavioral effects and resulted in decreased morphine‐like subjective effects, perhaps implying a decreased abuse liability over μ agonists.
Optimization and characterization of lambda‐cyhalothrin solid nanodispersion by self‐dispersing method
Authors: Wang Chunxin , Cui Bo , Zhao Xiang , Wang Yan , Zeng Zhanghua , Sun Changjiao , Yang Dongsheng , Liu Guoqiang , Cui Haixin
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Pesticide is an important agricultural necessity to control plant diseases and pests, ensuring safe production of food. However, the low efficacy, large dosage and high‐frequency use of conventional pesticide formulation seriously induced food safety and ecological environment issues. In this research, lambda‐cyhalothrin solid nanodispersion (LCSND) was developed by a self‐dispersing method.

RESULTS

The mean particle size of the lambda‐cyhalothrin solid nanodispersion was 32.7 ± 1.1 nm. It exhibited excellent dispersibility, wettability and stability, especially the improved bioavailability compared to the commercial formulations. Notably, the solid nanodisperison had a small particle size and large specific surface area. The solid nanodispersion without organic solvents can minimize the environment pollution and overcome the instability characteristic of the liquid formulations.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, lambda‐cyhalothrin solid nanodispersion has broad application prospects in agricultural production and environmental protection. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry