bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
3D Printed Photoresponsive Devices Based on Shape Memory Composites
Authors: Yang Hui , Leow Wan Ru , Wang Ting , Wang Juan , Yu Jiancan , He Ke , Qi Dianpeng , Wan Changjin , Chen Xiaodong
Published: June 2017

Compared with traditional stimuli‐responsive devices with simple planar or tubular geometries, 3D printed stimuli‐responsive devices not only intimately meet the requirement of complicated shapes at macrolevel but also satisfy various conformation changes triggered by external stimuli at the microscopic scale. However, their development is limited by the lack of 3D printing functional materials. This paper demonstrates the 3D printing of photoresponsive shape memory devices through combining fused deposition modeling printing technology and photoresponsive shape memory composites based on shape memory polymers and carbon black with high photothermal conversion efficiency. External illumination triggers the shape recovery of 3D printed devices from the temporary shape to the original shape. The effect of materials thickness and light density on the shape memory behavior of 3D printed devices is quantified and calculated. Remarkably, sunlight also triggers the shape memory behavior of these 3D printed devices. This facile printing strategy would provide tremendous opportunities for the design and fabrication of biomimetic smart devices and soft robotics.
Gold‐Photoredox‐Cocatalyzed Tandem Oxycyclization/Coupling Sequence of Allenols and Diazonium Salts with Visible Light Mediation
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Aparicio Borja , Lázaro‐Milla Carlos , Luna Amparo , Faza Olalla Nieto
Published: June 2017

The room temperature radical cycloetherification/arylation cascade of allenols and diazonium salts has been accomplished via a combination of gold and photoredox catalysis to provide 2,3,4‐trisubstituted‐2,5‐dihydrofurans. The functionalized oxacycle formation sequence is chemo‐ and regioselective for the cycloetherification and for the position that bears the aryl moiety after the cross‐coupling. Mechanistic investigations revealed that this transformation proceeds through an initial oxidation of gold(I) to a phenyl gold(III) complex, which, upon coordination to the allene, catalyzes its cyclization and leads to the coupling product after a reductive elimination regenerating Au(I).

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How penultimate monomer unit effects and initiator influence ICAR ATRP of n‐butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate
Authors: Fierens Stijn K. , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Reyniers Marie‐Françoise , Marin Guy B. , D'hooge Dagmar R.
Published: June 2017

The relevance of penultimate monomer unit (PMU) effects and the selection of the correct initiator species under typical reversible deactivation radical copolymerization conditions is illustrated, using matrix‐based kinetic Monte Carlo simulations allowing the visualization of all monomer sequences along individual chains. Initiators for continuous activator regeneration atom transfer radical polymerization (ICAR ATRP) is selected as illustrative polymerization technique with n‐butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate as comonomers, aiming at the synthesis of well‐defined gradient copolymers. Using literature based model parameters, in particular temperature dependent monomer and radical reactivity ratios, it is demonstrated that PMU effects on propagation and ATRP (de)activation cannot be ignored to identify the most suited ICAR ATRP reactants (e.g., tertiary ATRP initiator) and reaction conditions (e.g., feeding rates under fed‐batch conditions). The formulated insights highlight the need for further research on PMU effects on all reaction steps in radical polymerization. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2017
A mixed‐ligand quinazoline‐based Ni(II) Schiff base complex: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, antimicrobial investigation and catalytic activity for the synthesis of 2H–indazolo[2,1‐b]phthalazine‐triones
Authors: Khajoee Nejad Fateme , Khosravan Mehrji , Ebrahimipour S. Yousef , Bisceglie Franco
Published: June 2017

A tridentate Schiff base ligand, (E)‐3‐((2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)amino)‐2‐methylquinazolin‐4(3H)‐one [HL], and its mixed‐ligand Ni(II) complex [Ni(L)(imi)], were synthesized and fully characterized using elemental analysis, FT‐IR, UV–Vis and 1HNMR spectroscopy techniques. The structure of the synthesized ligand and complex was determined with single crystal X‐ray diffraction method. In the complex, a square planner geometry was observed around the Ni(II) central atom coordinated with the donor atoms of the Schiff base ligand and one nitrogen of imidazole group. In addition, the catalytic activity of the complex on the three‐component condensation of hydrazine hydrate with phthalic anhydride and dimedone to obtain 2H–indazolo[2,1‐b]phthalazine‐triones was investigated. Furthermore, in‐vitro antimicrobial studies were performed that indicated the great antibacterial activities of the Ni(II) complex against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus cereus bacteria.
Synthesis and performance of different polyurethane foams as oil sorbents
Authors: Santos O. S. H. , da Silva M. Coelho , Yoshida M. I.
Published: June 2017

Oil sorption (g g−1) through different polyurethane foams has been investigated in this study. Polyurethane foams were synthesized with different additives: glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 400, and 1‐dodecanol. All foams were applied as sorbents of diesel, motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, and crude oil. The foams were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, compressive resistance at 10% deformation and the elastic modulus, scanning electron microscopy, and apparent density. The best performance of oil sorption was achieved with PUF‐3, which has the greatest amount of the chain extender polyethylene glycol 400 and lowest density of all the evaluated foams. The sorption capacities (g g−1) of PUF‐3 were 16.8 (diesel), 15.7 (gasoline), 20.7 (oil motor), 25.4 (kerosene), and 29.8 (crude oil) and 100% removal of diesel from water was achieved, approximately. The foams with chain extenders and lower density values performed better as oil sorbents. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45409.
Gender and the psychopathology of everyday life in the photographic projections of Wyn Geleynse
Authors: Belton Robert J.
Published: June 2017

The last 35 years have seen an international proliferation of artists specializing in temporary installations with projected photographic elements, among them Krzysztof Wodiczko, originally from Poland, B. K. H. Guttman in Germany, Karin Ogren in Sweden, and Bill Viola and Gary Hill in the United States. One of the earlier artists to implement projection as a significant metaphor – rather than as a mere novelty – is Wyn Geleynse, born in Rotterdam but a long‐time resident of London, Ontario, where he has pursued a fairly quiet lifestyle belying his growing international reputation in Amsterdam, New York, Paris, São Paulo and numerous other major centers. Geleyense's work is deeply informed by psychoanalytical thought, especially as regards the construction of male identity.
Surface Engineering of ITO Substrates to Improve the Memory Performance of an Asymmetric Conjugated Molecule with a Side Chain
Authors: Hou Xiang , Cheng Xue‐Feng , Xiao Xin , He Jing‐Hui , Xu Qing‐Feng , Li Hua , Li Na‐Jun , Chen Dong‐Yun , Lu Jian‐Mei
Published: June 2017

Organic multilevel random resistive access memory (RRAM) devices with an electrode/organic layer/electrode sandwich‐like structure suffer from poor reproducibility, such as low effective ternary device yields and a wide threshold voltage distribution, and improvements through organic material renovation are rather limited. In contrast, engineering of the electrode surfaces rather than molecule design has been demonstrated to boost the performance of organic electronics effectively. Herein, we introduce surface engineering into organic multilevel RRAMs to enhance their ternary memory performance. A new asymmetric conjugated molecule composed of phenothiazine and malononitrile with a side chain (PTZ‐PTZO‐CN) was fabricated in an indium tin oxide (ITO)/PTZ‐PTZO‐CN/Al sandwich‐like memory device. Modification of the ITO substrate with a phosphonic acid (PA) prior to device fabrication increased the ternary device yield (the ratio of effective ternary device) and narrowed the threshold voltage distribution. The crystallinity analysis revealed that PTZ‐PTZO‐CN grown on untreated ITO crystallized into two phases. After the surface engineering of ITO, this crystalline ambiguity was eliminated and a sole crystal phase was obtained that was the same as in the powder state. The unified crystal structure and improved grain mosaicity resulted in a lower threshold voltage and, therefore, a higher ternary device yield. Our result demonstrated that PA modification also improved the memory performance of an asymmetric conjugated molecule with a side chain.
Construal‐level Mindsets Enhance Behavioral Persistence in Response to Incentive Valence
Authors: Kulkarni Atul A. , Yuan Hong
Published: June 2017

In this research, we find that incentive valence and construal‐level mindsets can interact to influence behavioral persistence on challenging tasks. An abstract mindset improves persistence in response to positively framed incentives whereas a concrete mindset improves persistence in response to negatively framed incentives. This interaction effect can be observed even when the cues inducing construal‐level mindsets are not related to the incentives or the incentivized tasks. Participants in our studies were either positively or negatively incentivized to solve a set of difficult anagrams, and were primed with an abstract or a concrete mindset using spatial (Study 1) and social (Study 2) cues. The participants persisted longer in response to the positively framed incentive when primed with spatially or socially remote cues. In contrast, for the negatively framed incentive, participants persisted longer when primed with spatially or socially proximal cues. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studying the relationship between a woman's reproductive lifespan and age at menarche using a Bayesian multivariate structured additive distributional regression model
Authors: Duarte Elisa , de Sousa Bruno , Cadarso‐Suárez Carmen , Klein Nadja , Kneib Thomas , Rodrigues Vítor
Published: June 2017

Studies addressing breast cancer risk factors have been looking at trends relative to age at menarche and menopause. These studies point to a downward trend of age at menarche and an upward trend for age at menopause, meaning an increase of a woman's reproductive lifespan cycle. In addition to studying the effect of the year of birth on the expectation of age at menarche and a woman's reproductive lifespan, it is important to understand how a woman's cohort affects the correlation between these two variables. Since the behavior of age at menarche and menopause may vary with the geographic location of a woman's residence, the spatial effect of the municipality where a woman resides needs to be considered. Thus, a Bayesian multivariate structured additive distributional regression model is proposed in order to analyze how a woman's municipality and year of birth affects a woman's age of menarche, her lifespan cycle, and the correlation of the two. The data consists of 212,517 postmenopausal women, born between 1920 and 1965, who attended the breast cancer screening program in the central region of Portugal.
Fluorescence sensing of dichlorvos pesticide by the luminescent Tb(III)‐3‐ally‐salicylohydrazide probe
Authors: Ibrahim Ibrahim Ahmed , Abbas Abbas Mamdoh , Darwish Hatem Medhat
Published: June 2017

A fluorescent probe was developed and characterized, it consisted of terbium(III) with 3‐ally‐salicylohydrazide in ethanol, in which the 1:2 [Tb3+:S1] molar ratio was the best stoichiometric ratio for the probe. The ligand 3‐ally‐salicylohydrazide (S1) was synthesized, then was confirmed by IR, CHN, LC–MS and 1H NMR. The sensitivity of the probe's fluorescence spectra towards the presence of eight organophosphorus pesticides in ethanolic solution was studied, in which the probe showed marked sensitivity towards dichlorvos pesticide. A tangible enhancement of the probe's fluorescence intensity was observed as a consequence of the gradual addition of dichlorvos pesticide. The calculated limit of detection (LOD) was 1.183 μM and limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 3.94 μM. Further characterization of the nature of forces acting in the interaction of the probe with dichlorvos was performed by calculation of binding constants at different temperatures according to the Benesi − Hildebrand equation, and the thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG. In order to assess the analytical applicability of the method, the influence of various potentially interfering anion and cations that naturally occur in water and soil were calculated.
Duplex ultrasonography for the detection of vertebral artery stenosis
Authors: Rozeman Anouk D. , Hund Hajo , Westein Michel , Wermer Marieke J. H. , Lycklama à Nijeholt Geert J. , Boiten Jelis , Schimsheimer Robert‐Jan , Algra Ale
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Vertebrobasilar stenosis is frequent in patients with posterior circulation stroke and it increases risk of recurrence. We investigated feasibility of duplex ultrasonography (DUS) for screening for extracranial vertebral artery stenosis and compared it with CT angiography (CTA).

Materials and Methods

We gathered data on 337 consecutive patients who had DUS because of posterior circulation stroke or TIA. Matching CTA studies were retrieved and used as reference. Stenosis on CTA was considered “significant” if >50%, at DUS if Peak Systolic Velocity (PSV) > 140 cm/s for the V1 segment and PSV > 125 cm/s for the V2 segment. We determined the area under the ROC curve (AUROC). In addition, we calculated which PSV cut‐off value resulted in highest sensitivity with acceptable specificity.

Results

DUS was able to make an adequate measurement in 378 of 674 V1 segments and 673 of 674 V2 segments. DUS detected a significant stenosis in 52 of 378 V1 segments; 12 were confirmed by CTA (AUROC 0.73, 95% Confidence Interval 0.63–0.83). The optimal DUS PSV cut‐off value for this segment was 90 cm/s. For the V2 segment there were too few stenoses to allow reliable assessment of diagnostic characteristics of DUS.

Conclusions

Although DUS has a fair AUROC for detecting significant stenosis, adequate assessment of the V1 segment is often not possible due to anatomic difficulties. Assessment of the V2 segment is feasible but yielded few stenoses. Hence, we consider usefulness of DUS for screening of extracranial vertebral artery stenosis limited.
Peptide delivery with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate microneedles through swelling effect
Authors: Liu Shiying , Yeo David C. , Wiraja Christian , Tey Hong Liang , Mrksich Milan , Xu Chenjie
Published: June 2017

Transdermal delivery of therapeutic biomolecules (including peptides) can avoid enzymatic digestion that occurs in the oral route. (Polyethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)‐based microneedles, with good biocompatibility, are easily fabricated through photo‐polymerization with a precisely controlled structure. It has successfully been used for the transdermal delivery of small molecule drugs such as 5‐fluorouracil. However, the delivery of peptide‐based therapeutics using this platform is seldom reported. This is because of the potential damage to the peptide during the photo‐polymerization process of PEGDA. Herein, we introduce a method to load PEGDA microneedles with peptides without compromising peptide potency. Using gap junction inhibitor (Gap 26) as an example, the peptide was loaded into PEGDA microneedles through the swelling effect of PEGDA in the aqueous solution. The peptide‐loaded microneedles were applied to a keloid scar model and exhibited inhibition expression of collagen I, a predominant marker of keloid scar, demonstrating its potential therapeutic effects.
Rational Design of Domain‐Swapping‐Based c‐Type Cytochrome Heterodimers by Using Chimeric Proteins
Authors: Zhang Mohan , Nakanishi Tsukasa , Yamanaka Masaru , Nagao Satoshi , Yanagisawa Sachiko , Shomura Yasuhito , Shibata Naoki , Ogura Takashi , Higuchi Yoshiki , Hirota Shun
Published: June 2017

The design of protein oligomers with multiple active sites has been gaining interest, owing to their potential use for biomaterials, which has encouraged researchers to develop a new design method. Three‐dimensional domain swapping is the unique phenomenon in which protein molecules exchange the same structural region between each other. Herein, to construct oligomeric heme proteins with different active sites by utilizing domain swapping, two c‐type cytochrome‐based chimeric proteins have been constructed and the domains swapped. According to X‐ray crystallographic analysis, the two chimeric proteins formed a domain‐swapped dimer with two His/Met coordinated hemes. By mutating the heme coordination structure of one of the two chimeric proteins, a domainswapped heterodimer with His/Met and His/H2O coordinated hemes was formed. Binding of an oxygen molecule to the His/H2O site of the heterodimer was confirmed by resonance Raman spectroscopy, in which the Fe−O2 stretching band was observed at 580 cm−1 for the reduced/oxygenated heterodimer (at 554 cm−1 under an 18O2 atmosphere). These results show that domain swapping is a useful method to design multiheme proteins.
Enhancement of the Mechanical Properties of Nanoparticulate Thin Coatings via Surface Modification and Cross‐Linking Additive
Authors: Hesselbach Jutta , Kockmann Alexander , Lüke Sabine , Overbeck Achim , Garnweitner Georg , Schilde Carsten , Kwade Arno
Published: June 2017

The application of modified Al2O3 nanoparticles for thin coatings is investigated to improve especially the mechanical characteristics by cross‐linking the particles using an additive, together with the formulation parameters as well as the cross‐linking kinetics. In general, the experiments demonstrate that the mechanical properties, like hardness and scratch resistance, can be enhanced via particle surface modification in combination with a cross‐linking additive. Specifically, the optimal additive concentration was determined in order to obtain coatings with improved mechanical and constant optical properties. These results were related to the structure formation and cross‐linking behavior. Mechanisms were identified for this series of experiments to explain how the particles bond with each other and how the coating structure is formed by using different additive ratios.
Fluoro‐Carba‐Sugars are Glycomimetic Activators of the glmS Ribozyme
Authors: Matzner Daniel , Schüller Anna , Seitz Torben , Wittmann Valentin , Mayer Günter
Published: June 2017

The glmS ribozyme is a bacterial gene‐regulating riboswitch that controls cell wall synthesis, depending on glucosamine‐6‐phosphate as a cofactor. Due to the presence of this ribozyme in several human pathogen bacteria (e.g., MRSA, VRSA), the glmS ribozyme represents an attractive target for the development of artificial cofactors. The substitution of the ring oxygen in carbohydrates by functionalized methylene groups leads to a new generation of glycomimetics that exploits distinct interaction possibilities with their target structure in biological systems. Herein, we describe the synthesis of mono‐fluoro‐modified carba variants of α‐d‐glucosamine and β‐l‐idosamine. (5aR)‐Fluoro‐carba‐α‐d‐glucosamine‐6‐phosphate is a synthetic mimic of the natural ligand of the glmS ribozyme and is capable of effectively addressing its unique self‐cleavage mechanism. However, in contrast to what was expected, the activity is significantly decreased compared to its non‐fluorinated analog. By combining self‐cleavage assays with the Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus glmS ribozyme and molecular docking studies, we provide a structure–activity relationship for fluorinated carba‐sugars.
Trimethylphosphate and Dimethylphosphate Hydrolysis by Binuclear CdII, MnII, and ZnII–FeII Promiscuous Organophosphate‐Degrading Enzyme: Reaction Mechanisms
Authors: Pinto Gaspar , Mazzone Gloria , Russo Nino , Toscano Marirosa
Published: June 2017

Organophosphate‐degrading enzyme from Agrobacterium radiobacter P230 exhibits promiscuity, not only in the reactions it catalyzes, but also in the metals it uses to catalyze those reactions. Here, three different binuclear metal centers were studied: di‐CdII, di‐MnII and ZnII–FeII. This enzyme uses these metal centers for hydrolyzing trimethyl‐ and dimethyl‐phosphates. Both mechanisms were studied at DFT level of theory using a cluster model approach. The ground spin state was determined for each enzyme. The outcomes confirmed that the hydrolysis of phosphotriester is faster than that of phosphodiester and in some case the phosphodiesterase reaction does not occur. The computed activation energies are in agreement with previous experimental results for phosphotriesterase enzymes.
Mixed‐Stack Charge Transfer Crystals of Pillar[5]quinone and Tetrathiafulvalene Exhibiting Ferroelectric Features
Authors: Shivakumar Kilingaru I. , Swathi Kadaba , Goudappagouda  , Das Tamal C. , Kumar Ashwani , Makde Ravindra D. , Vanka Kumar , Narayan Kavassery S. , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh , Sanjayan Gangadhar J.
Published: June 2017

Ferroelectric materials find extensive applications in the fabrication of compact memory devices and ultra‐sensitive multifunctional detectors. Face‐to‐face alternate stacking of electron donors and acceptors effectuate long‐range unidirectional ordering of charge‐transfer (CT) dipoles, promising tunable ferroelectricity. Herein we report a new TTF‐quinone system‐an emerald green CT complex consisting pillar[5]quinone (P5Q) and tetrathiafulvalene (TTF). The CT crystals, as determined by single crystal synchrotron X‐ray diffraction, adopt a 1:1 mixed‐stack arrangement of donor and acceptor with alternating dimers of TTF and 1,4‐dioxane encapsulated P5Q. The TTF‐P5Q.dioxane crystal possesses a macroscopic polarization axis giving rise to ferroelectricity at room temperature. The CT complex manifests ferroelectric features such as optical polarization rotation, temperature‐dependent phase transition and piezoelectric response in single crystals. Ferroelectric behavior observed in P5Q‐based CT complex widens the scope for further work on this structurally intriguing and readily accessible cyclic pentaquinone.
Validation of the 2015 prostate cancer grade groups for predicting long‐term oncologic outcomes in a shared equal‐access health system
Authors: Schulman Ariel A. , Howard Lauren E. , Tay Kae Jack , Tsivian Efrat , Sze Christina , Amling Christopher L. , Aronson William J. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Kane Christopher J. , Terris Martha K. , Freedland Stephen J. , Polascik Thomas J.
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

A 5‐tier prognostic grade group (GG) system was enacted to simplify the risk stratification of patients with prostate cancer in which Gleason scores of ≤6, 3 + 4, 4 + 3, 8, and 9 or 10 are considered GG 1 through 5, respectively. The authors investigated the utility of biopsy GG for predicting long‐term oncologic outcomes after radical prostatectomy in an equal‐access health system.

METHODS

Men who underwent prostatectomy at 1 of 6 Veterans Affairs hospitals in the Shared Equal Access Regional Cancer Hospital database between 2005 and 2015 were reviewed. The prognostic ability of biopsy GG was examined using Cox models. Interactions between GG and race also were tested.

RESULTS

In total, 2509 men were identified who had data available on biopsy Gleason scores, covariates, and follow‐up. The cohort included men with GG 1 (909 patients; 36.2%), GG 2 (813 patients; 32.4%), GG 3 (398 patients; 15.9%), GG 4 (279 patients; 11.1%), and GG 5 (110 patients; 4.4%) prostate cancer. The cohort included 1002 African American men (41%). The median follow‐up was 60 months (interquartile range, 33‐90 months). Higher GG was associated with higher clinical stage, older age, more recent surgery, and surgical center (P < .001) as well as increased biochemical recurrence, secondary therapy, castration‐resistant prostate cancer, metastases, and prostate cancer‐specific mortality (all P < .001). There were no significant interactions with race in predicting measured outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The 5‐tier GG system predicted multiple long‐term endpoints after radical prostatectomy in an equal‐access health system. The predictive value was consistent across races. Cancer 2017;123:4122–4129. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Pembrolizumab as first‐line therapy in programmed death ligand 1–positive advanced lung cancer: Is it as effective as we think it is?
Authors: Goldstein Daniel A. , Bilal Usama , Prasad Vinay
Published: June 2017

The KEYNOTE 024 trial compared the safety and efficacy of pembrolizumab versus chemotherapy in the first line setting of PD‐L1 positive metastatic NSCLC and suggested an impressive survival benefit with pembrolizumab. The high level of censoring in the trial casts considerable uncertainty on the actual magnitude of the benefit provided with this treatment.
Contaminant source identification of water distribution networks using cultural algorithm
Authors: Yan Xuesong , Gong Wenyin , Wu Qinghua
Published: June 2017

In recent years, the drinking water pollution incident occurred frequently, a serious threat to social stability and security. By using the sensor networks real‐time monitoring the urban water supply networks, the water pollution event probability can be greatly reduced. But knowing how to use the water quality monitor sensor networks to collect information to identify pollution sources is still a challenging problem. In this paper, we formulate the contaminant source identification problem into an optimization problem, and then design the cultural algorithm to solve it by considering different sizes of water supply networks as the experimental data. Finally, the experimental results verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.
Rehospitalization after intermittent levosimendan treatment in advanced heart failure patients: a meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Authors: Silvetti Simona , Belletti Alessandro , Fontana Antonella , Pollesello Piero
Published: June 2017

Aims

Intermittent levosimendan administration has been suggested to improve survival in patients with advanced heart failure (AdHF). Quality of life is a key issue for AdHF patients and is negatively affected by frequent hospitalizations.

Methods and results

CENTRAL, Google Scholar, MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of clinical trials (updated 15/1/2017) were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of intermittent levosimendan administration in patients with AdHF. The primary outcome was the number of patients requiring rehospitalization 3 months after the end of treatment. A total of 319 patients from six trials were included. Overall pooled analysis showed that the use of levosimendan was associated with a significant reduction in the number of rehospitalizations at 3 months: 33/207 (16%) vs. 39/113 (35%), risk ratio 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.27–0.59, P < 0.001, I2 = 0%. This result was confirmed by sensitivity analyses.

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this meta‐analysis including also studies in which endpoints were not independently adjudicated and not clearly specified, repetitive or intermittent administration of levosimendan for patients with AdHF was associated with a reduction in the rehospitalization rate at 3 months. Large, high‐quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this finding.
Effects of DNA Probe Length on the Performance of a Dynamics‐based Electrochemical Hg(II) Sensor
Authors: Wu Yao , Baker Savannah L. , Lai Rebecca Y.
Published: June 2017

We investigated the effects of DNA probe length on the performance of a dynamics‐based electrochemical metal ion (E‐ION) Hg(II) sensor. A systematic comparison of three versions of the Hg(II) sensor fabricated using oligothymine (oligo‐T) probes of different lengths (6, 12, and 18 bases) is presented here. Independent of the probe length, the sensing mechanism of the sensor remains the same. It is based on the specific interactions between Hg(II) and thymine (T), formation of the T‐Hg(II)‐T complexes rigidifies the methylene blue (MB)‐modified oligo‐T probes, resulting in a concentration‐dependent reduction in the MB signal. Although there are noted differences in sensor characteristics such as the limit of detection and dynamic range, all three sensors have demonstrated to be specific and selective. Thus, depending on the specific sensor properties that are required for the analysis, a shorter or longer oligo‐T probe should be employed. With further optimization, this sensor could find applications in real time detection of Hg(II) in environmental samples.
Accumulation of non‐numerical evidence during nonsymbolic number processing in the brain: An fMRI study
Authors: Leibovich Tali , Ansari Daniel
Published: June 2017

Behavioral evidence has shown that when performing a nonsymbolic number comparison task (e.g., deciding which of two dot arrays contains more dots), participants' responses are sensitive to affected by both numerical (e.g., number of items) and non‐numerical magnitudes (i.e., area, density, etc.). Thus far it is unclear what brain circuits support this process of accumulating non‐numerical variables during nonsymbolic number processing. To investigate this, 21 adult participants were asked to engage in a dot comparison task. To measure the neural correlates of accumulating numerical and non‐numerical variables, we manipulated the number of the non‐numerical magnitudes that were congruent (correlated with number) or incongruent (anticorrelated with number). In a control task, participants were asked to choose the darker of two gray rectangles (brightness task). The tasks were matched in terms of their difficulty. The results of a whole brain analysis for regions sensitive to the congruity of numerical and non‐numerical magnitudes revealed a region in the right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG). Activation in this region was found to be correlated with the relative congruency of numerical and non‐numerical magnitudes. In contrast, this region was not modulated by difficulty of the brightness control task. Accordingly in view of these findings, we suggest that the rIFG supports the accumulation of non‐numerical magnitudes that are positively correlated with number. Therefore taken together, this study reveals a brain region whose pattern of activity is influenced by the congruency between numerical and non‐numerical variables during nonsymbolic number judgments. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4908–4921, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How do hospital‐specialty characteristics influence health system responsiveness? An empirical evaluation of in‐patient care in the Italian region of Emilia‐Romagna
Authors: Fiorentini Gianluca , Robone Silvana , Verzulli Rossella
Published: June 2017

Studies of health system responsiveness mostly focus on the demand side by investigating the association between sociodemographic characteristics of patients and their reported level of responsiveness. However, little is known about the influence of supply‐side factors. This paper addresses that research gap by analysing the role of hospital‐specialty characteristics in explaining variations in patients' evaluation of responsiveness from a sample of about 38,700 in‐patients treated in public hospitals within the Italian Region of Emilia‐Romagna. The analysis is carried out by adopting a 2‐step procedure. First, we use patients' self‐reported data to derive 5 measures of responsiveness at the hospital‐specialty level. By estimating a generalised ordered probit model, we are able to correct for variations in individual reporting behaviour due to the health status of patients and their experience of being in pain. Second, we run cross‐sectional regressions to investigate the association between patients' responsiveness and potential supply‐side drivers, including waiting times, staff workload, the level of spending on non‐clinical facilities, the level of spending on staff education and training, and the proportion of staff expenditure between nursing and administrative staff. Results suggest that responsiveness is to some extent influenced by the supply‐side drivers considered.
Evaluation of a new methodology to simulate damage and wear of polyethylene hip replacements subjected to edge loading in hip simulator testing
Authors: Partridge Susan , Tipper Joanne L. , Al‐Hajjar Mazen , Isaac Graham H. , Fisher John , Williams Sophie
Published: June 2017

Wear and fatigue of polyethylene acetabular cups have been reported to play a role in the failure of total hip replacements. Hip simulator testing under a wide range of clinically relevant loading conditions is important. Edge loading of hip replacements can occur following impingement under extreme activities and can also occur during normal gait, where there is an offset deficiency and/or joint laxity. This study evaluated a hip simulator method that assessed wear and damage in polyethylene acetabular liners that were subjected to edge loading. The liners tested to evaluate the method were a currently manufactured crosslinked polyethylene acetabular liner and an aged conventional polyethylene acetabular liner. The acetabular liners were tested for 5 million standard walking cycles and following this 5 million walking cycles with edge loading. Edge loading conditions represented a separation of the centers of rotation of the femoral head and the acetabular liner during the swing phase, leading to loading of the liner rim on heel strike. Rim damage and cracking was observed in the aged conventional polyethylene liner. Steady‐state wear rates assessed gravimetrically were lower under edge loading compared to standard loading. This study supports previous clinical findings that edge loading may cause rim cracking in liners, where component positioning is suboptimal or where material degradation is present. The simulation method developed has the potential to be used in the future to test the effect of aging and different levels of severity of edge loading on a range of cross‐linked polyethylene materials. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1456–1462, 2018.
Retracted: microRNA‐145‐3p inhibits non‐small cell lung cancer cell migration and invasion by targeting PDK1 via the mTOR signaling pathway
Authors: Chen Gui‐Min , Zheng A‐Juan , Cai Jing , Han Ping , Ji Hong‐Bo , Wang Le‐Le
Published: June 2017

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is dysregulated in more than 50% of all human malignancies and is a major target in cancer treatment. In this study, we explored the underlying mechanism involving microRNA‐145‐3p (miR‐145‐3p) in the development and progression of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by targeting PDK1 via the mTOR signaling pathway. NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were obtained from 83 NSCLC patients. miR‐145‐3p, PDK1, and mTOR levels were determined by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Human NSCLC cell lines A549 and H1299 were transfected with miR‐145‐3p and siPDK1 to confirm the effect of miR‐145‐3p and PDK1 on NSCLC cells in vitro. Cell growth was evaluated by a CCK8 assay. Cell motility and chemotaxis analysis were determined by the scratch test and chemotaxis assay, respectively. The protein levels of PDK1 and mTOR were measured using the western blotting. Results showed lower level of miR‐145‐3p and higher levels of PDK1 and mTOR in NSCLC tissues compared to the adjacent normal tissues. In vitro results showed that cell growth, cell motility, and chemotaxis were all inhibited in cells transfected with miR‐145‐3p and those transfected with siPDK. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter gene assay helped confirmed that PDK1 is a target of miR‐145. Finally, levels of PDK1, mTOR, and phosphorylated‐mTOR were lower in cells transfected with miR‐145‐3p as well as those with siPDK1. These findings indicate that miR‐145‐3p may inhibit cell growth, motility, and chemotaxis in NSCLC by targeting PDK1 through suppressing the mTOR pathway.
The Case of Abel: Religion as Boon and Bane for a Catholic Gay Man
Authors: Cerbone Armand R. , Danzer Graham
Published: June 2017

Conservative religions that condemn homosexual sexual orientation and acts as unnatural and sinful pose significant challenges for gay persons whose faith is a core part of their identity. The condemnation presents a serious barrier to the acceptance and integration of their sexuality, a primary task of psychosexual development. As a result, they can manifest depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and even suicide attempts. The ecclesiastical censure also imposes an untenable dilemma for homosexuals in that they feel pressed to reject their sexual identity or renounce their spiritual identity and heritage. Psychotherapists who treat gay persons caught in this quandary can find themselves facing a similar problem: how to help their homosexual client reconcile their proscribed sexuality with their spiritual commitments. The case presented here recounts the treatment over many years of a gay man suffering from such a conflict and his eventual accommodation of both his homosexuality and his faith. Recommendations are offered for constructive treatment with those torn between two conflicting core identities.
A fast autofocus sharpness function of microvision system based on the Robert function and Gauss fitting
Authors: Sha Xiaopeng , Wang Pu , Shan Peng , Li Huiguang , Li Zhiquan
Published: June 2017

For the microvision system, a new autofocus evaluation function based on the Robert function is proposed by increasing the threshold value. Compared with the traditional evaluation function, the new focus function reduces the local extreme value and increases the steepness of the focusing curve. According to the characteristics of the focusing evaluation function, the focus curve can be divided into two stages: the gentle area and the steep area. In the gentle area, there will be set a large step‐length to realize the fast search. In the steep area, the data will be fitted by Gauss method, and on the basis of the fitting results, the motor of microvision system was directly driven to achieve the focal plane and this method has been improved in real‐time and accuracy.
Biased Duplications and Loss of Members in Tdrd Family in Teleost Fish
Authors: Chen Feng , Luo Majing , Lai Fengling , Yu Chunlai , Cheng Hanhua , Zhou Rongjia
Published: June 2017

Gene expansion and contraction are important evolution events. Some tdrd genes, especially multi‐Tudor members, participate in Piwi‐interacting RNA pathway and spermatogenesis. However, tdrd evolution and their functions in teleost fish are poorly understood. Here, we identified 14 tdrds in the teleost fish, swamp eel, which were clustered into 12 tdrd branches. Comparative synteny showed biased duplications and loss of members in the tdrd family. Both tdrd6 and tdrd7 were duplicated in the teleost fish, whereas tdrd8 was lost from the original locus. Expression analysis at both RNA and protein levels showed that tdrd6l, a duplicated multi‐Tudor member, was gonad enriched. Expression pattern of tdrd6l in follicular epithelium and seminiferous epithelium during sex reversal supports its potential role in genome defense in germline.
Modeling, design, and simulation of a radio frequency microelectromechanical system capacitive shunt switch
Authors: Jmai Bassem , Anacleto Pedro , Mendes Paulo , Gharsallah Ali
Published: June 2017

This tutorial paper presents an empirical model of a capacitive radio frequency microelectromechanical system switch in the microwave domain. The simulation results of the mechanical and electrical aspects of the proposed model were computed with Matlab. The mechanical modeling is validated by COMSOL software through the finite element method to determine the spring constant and the necessary applied voltage. The electromagnetic simulation results are validated by 3 different software: the High‐Frequency Structure Simulator based on the finite element method, the Computer Simulation Technology based on finite integration technique method, and the Advanced Design System based on the method of moments. The obtained results are performed in both down (OFF) and up (ON) states in the frequency range of 1 to 40 GHz, and the considered performance benchmarks are the insertion loss, return loss, isolation, and phase.
High‐Frequency Ultrasound in Blistering Skin Diseases: A Useful Method for Differentiating Blister Locations
Authors: Cheng Xiujun , Li Jianke , Zhou Guizhi , Liu Yongxia , Lu Xianmei , Wang Na , Liu Hong , Zhang Furen
Published: June 2017

Bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris, which belong to the group of subepidermal and intraepidermal bullae, respectively, are two potentially devastating blistering skin diseases. We used high‐frequency ultrasound (US) in 3 cases of these diseases as prototypes to study the value of high‐frequency US in discriminating blister locations. Our findings showed that high‐frequency US has a strong correlation with histomorphometric findings because of its high resolution, and we hope that it will be helpful for differentiating blister locations.
Use of Contrast‐Enhanced Ultrasound for Confirmation of Central Venous Catheter Placement: Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Bou Chebl Ralph , Kiblawi Shafeek , El Khuri Christopher , El Hajj Nadine , Bachir Rana , Aoun Roni , Abou Dagher Gilbert
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (US) for confirming the tip location and placement of central venous catheters in adult patients.

Methods

A systematic review was performed using electronic databases, including MEDLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were studies conducted on adult patients receiving an internal jugular or a subclavian central venous catheter in the emergency department or intensive care unit. Furthermore, the catheter tip location had to be checked with the use of the agitated saline contrast‐enhanced US technique.

Results

A total of 2245 articles were screened by title and abstract. Seventeen articles were retrieved and assessed for the predefined inclusion criteria. Four articles and 1 abstract were used in the final analysis. Contrast‐enhanced US showed pooled sensitivity of 72% (95% confidence interval, 44%–91%), pooled specificity of 100% (95% confidence interval, 99%–100%), a positive predictive value of 92.1%, and a negative predictive value of 98.5% compared with chest radiography for confirming the placement of central venous catheters.

Conclusions

In the setting of central venous catheter placement, postprocedural contrast‐enhanced US imaging is a safe, efficient, and highly specific confirmatory test for the catheter tip location compared with chest radiography.
Relative variations of gut microbiota in disordered cholesterol metabolism caused by high‐cholesterol diet and host genetics
Authors: Bo Tao , Shao Shanshan , Wu Dongming , Niu Shaona , Zhao Jiajun , Gao Ling
Published: June 2017

Recent studies performed provide mechanistic insight into effects of the microbiota on cholesterol metabolism, but less focus was given to how cholesterol impacts the gut microbiota. In this study, ApoE−/− Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and their wild‐type counterparts (n = 12) were, respectively, allocated for two dietary condition groups (normal chow and high‐cholesterol diet). Total 16S rDNA of fecal samples were extracted and sequenced by high‐throughput sequencing to determine differences in microbiome composition. Data were collected and performed diversity analysis and phylogenetic analysis. The influence of cholesterol on gut microbiota was discussed by using cholesterol dietary treatment as exogenous cholesterol disorder factor and genetic modification as endogenous metabolic disorder factor. Relative microbial variations were compared to illustrate the causality and correlation of cholesterol and gut microbiota. It turned out comparing to genetically modified rats, exogenous cholesterol intake may play more effective role in changing gut microbiota profile, although the serum cholesterol level of genetically modified rats was even higher. Relative abundance of some representative species showed that the discrepancies due to dietary variation were more obvious, whereas some low abundance species changed because of genetic disorders. Our results partially demonstrated that gut microbiota are relatively more sensitive to dietary variation. Nevertheless, considering the important effect of bacteria in cholesterol metabolism, the influence to gut flora by “genetically caused cholesterol disorder” cannot be overlooked. Manipulation of gut microbiota might be an effective target for preventing cholesterol‐related metabolic disorders.
Development of a flattening filter free multiple source model for use as an independent, Monte Carlo, dose calculation, quality assurance tool for clinical trials
Authors: Faught Austin M. , Davidson Scott. E. , Popple Richard , Kry Stephen F. , Etzel Carol , Ibbott Geoffrey S. , Followill David S.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core‐Houston (IROC‐H) Quality Assurance Center (formerly the Radiological Physics Center) has reported varying levels of compliance from their anthropomorphic phantom auditing program. IROC‐H studies have suggested that one source of disagreement between institution submitted calculated doses and measurement is the accuracy of the institution's treatment planning system dose calculations and heterogeneity corrections used. In order to audit this step of the radiation therapy treatment process, an independent dose calculation tool is needed.

Methods

Monte Carlo multiple source models for Varian flattening filter free (FFF) 6 MV and FFF 10 MV therapeutic x‐ray beams were commissioned based on central axis depth dose data from a 10 × 10 cm2 field size and dose profiles for a 40 × 40 cm2 field size. The models were validated against open‐field measurements in a water tank for field sizes ranging from 3 × 3 cm2 to 40 × 40 cm2. The models were then benchmarked against IROC‐H's anthropomorphic head and neck phantom and lung phantom measurements.

Results

Validation results, assessed with a ±2%/2 mm gamma criterion, showed average agreement of 99.9% and 99.0% for central axis depth dose data for FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV models, respectively. Dose profile agreement using the same evaluation technique averaged 97.8% and 97.9% for the respective models. Phantom benchmarking comparisons were evaluated with a ±3%/2 mm gamma criterion, and agreement averaged 90.1% and 90.8% for the respective models.

Conclusions

Multiple source models for Varian FFF 6 MV and FFF 10 MV beams have been developed, validated, and benchmarked for inclusion in an independent dose calculation quality assurance tool for use in clinical trial audits.