bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of environmental noise and music on dexmedetomidine-induced sedation in dogs
Authors: Albright Julia D. , Seddighi Reza M. , Ng Zenithson , Sun Xiaocun , Rezac DJ
Published: July 2017

Background

Previous studies in human patients suggest depth of sedation may be affected by environmental noise or music; however, related data in domestic animals is limited. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of noise and music on dexmedetomidine-induced (DM- 10 µg/kg, IM) sedation in 10 dogs.

Methods

In a crossover design, post-DM injection dogs were immediately subjected to recorded human voices at either 55–60 decibel (dB) (Noise 1) or 80–85 dB (Noise 2); classical music at 45–50 dB (Music); or background noise of 40–45 dB (Control+). Control− included IM saline injection and exposure to 40–45 dB background noise. Sedation was assessed via monitoring spontaneous behavior and accelerometry (delta-g) throughout three 20-min evaluation periods: baseline, noise exposure, and post-treatment. Sedation was further assessed during two restraint tests at 30 min (R1) and 40 min (R2) post-injection. A mixed model for crossover design was used to determine the effect of noise exposure and time on either spontaneous behavior scores or delta-g. The restraint scores were analyzed using a two-way repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Spontaneous behavior scores indicated less sedation during Noise 2 compared to Control+ (P = 0.05). R2 restraint scores for all DM treatments except Noise 2 indicated significantly higher sedation than Control− [C+ (P = 0.003), M (P = 0.014) and N1 (P = 0.044)].

Discussion

Results suggest that the quality of sedation is negatively impacted by high-intensity noise conditions (80–85 dB), but exposure to music did not improve sedation in this population of research dogs.
Large paleoearthquake timing and displacement near Damak in eastern Nepal on the Himalayan Frontal Thrust
Authors: Wesnousky Steven G. , Kumahara Yasuhiro , Chamlagain Deepak , Pierce Ian K. , Reedy Tabor , Angster Stephen J. , Giri Bibek
Published: July 2017

An excavation across the Himalayan Frontal Thrust near Damak in eastern Nepal shows displacement on a fault plane dipping ~22° has produced vertical separation across a scarp equal to 5.5 m. Stratigraphic, structural, geometrical, and radiocarbon observations are interpreted to indicate that the displacement is the result of a single earthquake of 11.3 ± 3.5 m of dip‐slip displacement that occurred 1146–1256 A.D. Empirical scaling laws indicate that thrust earthquakes characterized by average displacements of this size may produce rupture lengths of 450 to >800 km and moment magnitudesMwof 8.6 to >9. Sufficient strain has accumulated along this portion of the Himalayan arc during the roughly 800 years since the 1146–1256 A.D. earthquake to produce another earthquake displacement of similar size.
On the origin of plasma sheet reconfiguration during the substorm growth phase
Authors: Gordeev Evgeny , Sergeev Victor , Merkin Viacheslav , Kuznetsova Maria
Published: July 2017

Recently, Hsieh and Otto (2014) suggested that transport of the closed magnetic flux to the dayside reconnection region may be a key process which controls the reconfiguration of magnetotail during the substorm growth phase. We investigate this problem using global self‐consistent MHD simulations and confirm that magnetotail reconfiguration is essentially a 3‐D process which cannot be fully described based on 2‐D‐like tail evolution powered by the magnetic flux loading into the lobes. We found that near‐Earth return convection strength on the nightside is directly related to the intensity of dayside reconnection, which causes the formation of antisunward azimuthal pressure gradients that force plasma to flow toward the dayside magnetopause. This near‐Earth part of global convection develops immediately after the onset of dayside reconnection and reaches a quasi‐steady level in 10–15 min. Its magnitude exceeds the total sunward flux transport in the midtail plasma sheet at X≈−20RE by an order of magnitude, causing significant amount (0.1–0.2 GWb) of closed magnetic flux to be removed from the near‐Earth plasma sheet during moderate substorm. In that region the Bz depletion and current sheet thinning are closely related to each other, and the local Jy(Bz) relationship in the simulations matches reasonably well the power law expression found in the plasma sheet. In summary, global simulations confirm quantitatively that near‐Earth return convection is primarily responsible for the severe depletion of the closed magnetic flux in the plasma sheet, major tail stretching, and current sheet thinning in the near magnetotail at r < 15RE.
High‐quality eddy‐covariance CO2 budgets under cold climate conditions
Authors: Kittler Fanny , Eugster Werner , Foken Thomas , Heimann Martin , Kolle Olaf , Göckede Mathias
Published: July 2017

This study aimed at quantifying potential negative effects of instrument heating to improve eddy‐covariance flux data quality in cold environments. Our overarching objective was to minimize heating‐related bias in annual CO2 budgets from an Arctic permafrost system. We used continuous eddy‐covariance measurements covering three full years within an Arctic permafrost ecosystem with parallel sonic anemometers operation with activated heating and without heating as well as parallel operation of open‐ and closed‐path gas analyzers, the latter serving as a reference. Our results demonstrate that the sonic anemometer heating has a direct effect on temperature measurements while the turbulent wind field is not affected. As a consequence, fluxes of sensible heat are increased by an average 5 W m−2 with activated heating, while no direct effect on other scalar fluxes was observed. However, the biased measurements in sensible heat fluxes can have an indirect effect on the CO2 fluxes in case they are used as input for a density‐flux WPL correction of an open‐path gas analyzer. Evaluating the self‐heating effect of the open‐path gas analyzer by comparing CO2 flux measurements between open‐ and closed‐path gas analyzers, we found systematically higher CO2 uptake recorded with the open‐path sensor, leading to a cumulative annual offset of 96 gC m−2, which was not only the result of the cold winter season but also due to substantial self‐heating effects during summer. With an inclined sensor mounting, only a fraction of the self‐heating correction for vertically mounted instruments is required.
Equatorial plasma bubble generation/inhibition during 2015 St. Patrick's Day storm
Authors: Rajesh P. K. , Lin Charles H. , Chen C. H. , Lin J. T. , Matsuo Tomoko , Chou M. Y. , Chen W. H. , Chang M. T. , You C. F.
Published: July 2017

All‐sky camera observations carried out over Taiwan showed intense equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) in 630.0 nm airglow images on consecutive nights of 13–16 March 2015 but were absent in the following night of 17 March when St. Patrick's Day magnetic storm occurred. Rate of total electron content (TEC) index by using Global Positioning System (GPS) network data also confirmed the absence of irregularities on the night 17 March. The results, however, revealed strong irregularities over Indian sector on the same night. Flux tube integrated Rayleigh‐Taylor instability growth rates computed using the prior (forecast) state of Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model output after assimilating the GPS‐TEC measurements also agree with the observations, showing smaller values over Taiwan and larger values over India on the night of 17 March. The ionospheric response to the storm over Taiwan that resulted in the apparent inhibition of EPB is investigated in this study by using the data assimilation output. Results indicate that on the night of the magnetic storm, prereversal enhancement of zonal electric field over Taiwan was weaker when compared to that over India. Further analysis suggests that the absence of enhancement in the zonal electric field could be due to westward penetration electric field in response to rapid northward turning of interplanetary magnetic field that occurred during the dusk period over Taiwan.
Capillary‐Bridge Mediated Assembly of Conjugated Polymer Arrays toward Organic Photodetectors
Authors: Gao Hanfei , Feng Jiangang , Zhang Bo , Xiao Chengyi , Wu Yuchen , Kan Xiaonan , Su Bin , Wang Zhaohui , Hu Wenping , Sun Yanming , Jiang Lei , Heeger Alan J.
Published: July 2017

Large‐scale patterning of high‐quality organic semiconductors is crucial for the fabrication of optoelectronic devices with high efficiency and low cost. Yet, owing to the uncontrollable dewetting dynamics of organic liquid in conventional solution patterning techniques, large defect density of organic architectures is inevitable, which is detrimental to the device performance. To address this challenge, herein a capillary‐bridge‐mediated assembly technique is developed for regulating the dewetting process, yielding large‐scale 1D microstructure ordered arrays. The 1D arrays organic photodetectors exhibit a high optoelectronic performance of light on/off ratio exceeding 100, responsivity of 3.24 A W−1, detectivity of 3.20 × 1011 Jones and fast response speed, showing a great improvement compared with spin‐coated membrane devices. In addition, the significant enhancement of the device photodetection under the electronic field modulation is investigated by applying a back‐gate voltage and explained with the photocurrent predominating in the OFF state and the neglected thermocurrent and tunneling current promoting in the ON state of the phototransistor devices. The research offers a new insight for the facile fabrication of large‐scale integrated photodetectors and other organic devices based on patterned conjugated polymers.
Plasmonic Color Filters as Dual‐State Nanopixels for High‐Density Microimage Encoding
Authors: Heydari Esmaeil , Sperling Justin R. , Neale Steven L. , Clark Alasdair W.
Published: July 2017

Plasmonic color filtering has provided a range of new techniques for “printing” images at resolutions beyond the diffraction‐limit, significantly improving upon what can be achieved using traditional, dye‐based filtering methods. Here, a new approach to high‐density data encoding is demonstrated using full color, dual‐state plasmonic nanopixels, doubling the amount of information that can be stored in a unit‐area. This technique is used to encode two data sets into a single set of pixels for the first time, generating vivid, near‐full sRGB (standard Red Green Blue color space)color images and codes with polarization‐switchable information states. Using a standard optical microscope, the smallest “unit” that can be read relates to 2 × 2 nanopixels (370 nm × 370 nm). As a result, dual‐state nanopixels may prove significant for long‐term, high‐resolution optical image encoding, and counterfeit‐prevention measures.
Tiered Electron Anions in Multiple Voids of LaScSi and Their Applications to Ammonia Synthesis
Authors: Wu Jiazhen , Gong Yutong , Inoshita Takeshi , Fredrickson Daniel C. , Wang Junjie , Lu Yangfan , Kitano Masaaki , Hosono Hideo
Published: July 2017

Electrides—compounds in which electrons localized in interstitial spaces periodically serve as anions—have attracted broad attention for their exotic properties, such as extraordinary electron‐donating ability. In our efforts to expand this small family of phases, LaScSi emerges as a promising candidate. Its electron count is 2e− f.u.−1 in excess of that expected from the Zintl concept, while its structure offers interstitial spaces that can accommodate these extra electrons. Herein, this potential is explored through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and property measurements on LaScSi. DFT calculations (validated by heat capacity and electrical transport measurements) reveal electron density peaks at two symmetry‐distinct interstitial sites. Importantly, this electride‐like character is combined with chemical stability in air and water, an advantage for catalysis. Ru‐loaded LaScSi shows outstanding catalytic activity for ammonia synthesis, with a turnover frequency (0.1 s−1 at 0.1 MPa, 400 °C) an order of magnitude higher than those of oxide‐based Ru catalysts, e.g., Ru/MgO. As with other electrides, LaScSi's ability to reversibly store hydrogen prevents the hydrogen poisoning of Ru surfaces. The better performance of LaScSi, however, hints at the importance of the high concentration (>1.6 × 1022 cm−3) and tiered nature of its anionic electrons, which offers guidance toward new catalysts.
Three‐State Ferroelastic Switching and Large Electromechanical Responses in PbTiO3 Thin Films
Authors: Damodaran Anoop R. , Pandya Shishir , Agar Josh C. , Cao Ye , Vasudevan Rama K. , Xu Ruijuan , Saremi Sahar , Li Qian , Kim Jieun , McCarter Margaret R. , Dedon Liv R. , Angsten Tom , Balke Nina , Jesse Stephen , Asta Mark , Kalinin Sergei V. , Martin Lane W.
Published: July 2017

Leveraging competition between energetically degenerate states to achieve large field‐driven responses is a hallmark of functional materials, but routes to such competition are limited. Here, a new route to such effects involving domain‐structure competition is demonstrated, which arises from strain‐induced spontaneous partitioning of PbTiO3 thin films into nearly energetically degenerate, hierarchical domain architectures of coexisting c/a and a1/a2 domain structures. Using band‐excitation piezoresponse force microscopy, this study manipulates and acoustically detects a facile interconversion of different ferroelastic variants via a two‐step, three‐state ferroelastic switching process (out‐of‐plane polarized c+ → in‐plane polarized a → out‐of‐plane polarized c− state), which is concomitant with large nonvolatile electromechanical strains (≈1.25%) and tunability of the local piezoresponse and elastic modulus (>23%). It is further demonstrated that deterministic, nonvolatile writing/erasure of large‐area patterns of this electromechanical response is possible, thus showing a new pathway to improved function and properties.
Phosphor–Aluminum Composite for Energy Recycling with High‐Power White Lighting
Authors: Park Jehong , Kim Jongsu , Kwon Hansang
Published: July 2017

A state‐of‐the‐art solid‐state lighting (SSL) device comprises a blue light‐emitting device covered with a yellow‐emitting phosphor. In a high‐power SSL device, thermal stability is an essential requirement for the phosphor because the phosphor is constantly irradiated with high‐power blue light, which causes thermal degradation. In this work, a thermally robust phosphor–aluminum composite (PAC) fused with low‐melting glass is introduced. The PAC exhibits a high thermal conductivity of 31.6 W m−1 K−1 and the PAC combined with a 4 W blue laser diode (LD) exhibits excellent thermal stability in luminous flux and chromaticity. Furthermore, energy is recycled in the PAC during lighting by coupling to a thermoelectric (TE) module. In the PAC‐TE system, the output voltage and current reveal 289 mV and 77 mA, respectively, at an output of 430 lumens under a 4 W blue LD. The results provide a starting point for further research in the composite‐material design for energy recycling with high‐power white lighting.
Efficient Near‐Infrared (NIR) Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Based on Donor–Acceptor Architecture: An Improved Emissive State from Mixing to Hybridization
Authors: Wang Chu , Li Xiang‐Long , Gao Yu , Wang Lu , Zhang Shitong , Zhao Lijuan , Lu Ping , Yang Bing , Su Shi‐Jian , Ma Yuguang
Published: July 2017

Herein, a high‐efficiency near‐infrared (NIR) material PXZ‐3‐NZP is designed and sythesized using the concept of hybridized local and charge‐transfer (CT) state (HLCT), which is composed of donor (D) and acceptor (A) moieties as well as 10‐substituted isomeride PXZ‐10‐NZP for the purpose of comparison and deep understanding on the essential difference of their excited state properties. As a result, the nondoped electroluminescent (EL) device of PXZ‐3‐NZP exhibits an excellent NIR emission (λmax = 738 nm) with a maximum external quantum efficiency (ηEQE) of 0.82% and a Commission International de L'clairage coordinate of (0.70, 0.29), which is record‐setting among NIR fluorescent organic light emitting diodes with similar EL chromaticity. Also, a high ηEQE of 2.03% is achieved in a doped device with a deep red emission at λmax = 676 nm. As a comparison, PXZ‐10‐NZP shows far inferior performance to those of PXZ‐3‐NZP in both nondoped and doped devices, due to the instinct CT character of its S1 excited state. In terms of excited state, HLCT state is exactly superior to mixed state in high‐efficiency luminescence, which is a particularly useful strategy to design narrow‐bandgap light‐emitting materials beyond energy gap law with donor–acceptor architectures.
Analysis of structural changes in injection‐molded parts due to cyclic loading
Authors: Bociaga Elzbieta , Kula Monika , Kwiatkowski Konrad
Published: July 2017

The investigations of the change in properties and structure of polypropylene injection‐molded parts, arising from cyclic loading, are presented. The strain–stress characteristics were determined in the cyclic tensile tests, at a fixed stress or deformation level. Experiments showed that cyclic loading causes some changes in structure and mechanical properties of polypropylene samples. Smaller total strain of samples and increase in Young's modulus after each consecutive ten cycles of loading were observed as the result of loading at a fixed stress level. In experiments carried out at the fixed strain level, the width of the loop decreases with the increase in number of cycles that indicates the material strengthening. Microscopic examinations showed the change in the structure of injection‐molded parts after cyclic loading. The transient zone, occurring in the area of high shear stress between the core and the skin, became significantly wider for cyclically loaded parts. Phase changes in the part structure were investigated using WAXS method. Samples exhibited the difference in the content of polypropylene polymorphic modifications between the core and skin layers. In the skin, both for nonloaded and loaded parts, the presence of β‐phase was confirmed, whereas this phase did not occur in the core. The investigation by DSC method demonstrated a small change in the degree of crystallinity in the sample core after 4,000 cycles of loading, while in the skin layer, the degree of crystallinity was reduced by about 2% when compared to the value obtained for samples after one loading cycle.
Trade associations and labor organizations as intermediaries for disseminating workplace safety and health information
Authors: Okun Andrea H. , Watkins Janice P. , Schulte Paul A.
Published: July 2017

Background

There has not been a systematic study of the nature and extent to which business and professional trade associations and labor organizations obtain and communicate workplace safety and health information to their members. These organizations can serve as important intermediaries and play a central role in transferring this information to their members.

Methods

A sample of 2294 business and professional trade associations and labor organizations in eight industrial sectors identified by the National Occupational Research Agenda was surveyed via telephone.

Results

A small percent of these organizations (40.9% of labor organizations, 15.6% of business associations, and 9.6% of professional associations) were shown to distribute workplace safety and health information to their members. Large differences were also observed between industrial sectors with construction having the highest total percent of organizations disseminating workplace safety and health information.

Conclusion

There appears to be significant potential to utilize trade and labor organizations as intermediaries for transferring workplace safety and health information to their members. Government agencies have a unique opportunity to partner with these organizations and to utilize their existing communication channels to address high risk workplace safety and health concerns.
Non‐Locality Effects in Excitation and Spatial Propagation of Surface Plasmon‐Polaritons
Authors: Vagov A. , Croitoru M. D. , Larkin I. A. , Axt V. M.
Published: July 2017

This work investigates the influence of non‐locality in the dielectric response on the spatio‐temporal evolution of surface plasmon‐polaritons (SPP). SPP excitations are coherently generated by a quantum scatterer in the vicinity of a flat metal interface. It is demonstrated that the excited non‐equilibrium SPP population eventually splits into two coherent localized wave packets. One packet propagates along the interface and the other is centered in the vicinity of the scatter. The amplitude of both waves slowly decreases due to several relaxation mechanisms, with the Landau damping being the strongest. The non‐locality of the metallic dielectric response considerably influences spatial profiles of the plasmon field intensity, in particular, leading to coherent spatio‐temporal oscillations between the two wave packets.
Formation of Binuclear Zigzag Hexapentaene Titanium Complexes via a Titanacumulene [Ti=C=C=CH2] Intermediate
Authors: Oswald Tim , Gelert Tina , Lasar Christian , Schmidtmann Marc , Klüner Thorsten , Beckhaus Rüdiger
Published: July 2017

The reaction of bis(η5:η1‐pentafulvene)titanium complexes with an allylidenephosphorylide Ph3P=C(H)‐ C(H)=CH2 leads to binuclear zigzag hexapentaene titanium complexes (Ti2a, Ti2b). The formation of the central C6H4 unit can be described as a spontaneous double C−H bond activation process, leading to an R3P=C=C=CH2 intermediate, as a synthon for a titanabutatriene fragment [(CpR)2Ti=C=C=CH2] (R: 2‐adamantyl, CH(p‐tol)2). In a subsequent dimerization Ti2a and Ti2b are formed, proofed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR measurements. The reaction sequence is confirmed by DFT calculations.
Regulating the crystallizing and rheological behaviors of poly(butylene succinate) by incorporating novel macromolecular ionomers
Authors: Wu Fang , Xie Si‐Yu , Chen Jun‐Hong , Chen Si‐Chong , Wu Gang , Wang Yu‐Zhong
Published: July 2017

We designed a novel, facile, and mass‐producible strategy for regulating the crystallizing and rheological behaviors of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) by incorporating segmented PBS urethane ionomers (PBSUI). These macromolecular ionomers contain two segments: one is an ionic enriched segment, which can spontaneously form inter‐ and intramolecular ionic aggregates in PBS to serve as physical crosslinking points to increase the crystallization rate and complex viscosity of the PBS matrix; the other one is a PBS segment, which can improve the compatibility between the PBSUI and PBS matrix. The results from differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and rotational rheometry suggest that the performance tunability of PBS was easily achieved by adding a very low content of PBSUI (1–5 wt %). PBS containing 3 wt % PBSUI, in which the mass ratio of ionic groups in PBSUI is 7.4%, showed the fastest overall crystallization rate at 12 times faster than PBS to finish crystallization, due to the remarkably increased nucleating efficiency. The dynamic mechanical analysis indicates that for those samples with relatively high ionic concentrations, a cluster of glass‐transition temperatures occurred that was related to an aggregation of PBSUI. The complex viscosity and storage modulus G′ of PBS/PBSUI were also increased, due to the ionic aggregates formed by PBSUI. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45545.
The aboutness of words
Authors: O'Neill Edward T. , Kammerer Kerre A. , Bennett Rick
Published: July 2017

Word aboutness is defined as the relationship between words and subjects associated with them. An aboutness coefficient is developed to estimate the strength of the aboutness relationship. Words that are randomly distributed across subjects are assumed to lack aboutness and the degree to which their usage deviates from a random pattern indicates the strength of the aboutness. To estimate aboutness, title words and their associated subjects are extracted from the titles of non‐fiction English language books in the OCLC WorldCat database. The usage patterns of the title words are analyzed and used to compute aboutness coefficients for each of the common title words. Words with low aboutness coefficients (An and In) are commonly found in stop word lists, whereas words with high aboutness coefficients (Carbonate, Autism) are unambiguous and have a strong subject association. The aboutness coefficient potentially can enhance indexing, advance authority control, and improve retrieval.
In Situ Assembly of Au Nanoclusters within Protein Hydrogel Networks
Authors: Wang Liqiang , Jiang Xingxing , Zhang Min , Yang Minghui , Liu You‐Nian
Published: July 2017

We report a new approach of in situ assembling gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) into hydrogel networks by exploiting the triple roles of protein as a gelator, a reducing agent as well as a template. The strategy simply involves the mixing of BSA and AuCl4− under alkaline condition. The obtained AuNCs‐protein nanocomposite hydrogels with injectable and moldable features can be made into semi‐transparent films or N‐doped C/Au composites. Our work demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating AuNCs in situ embedded in hybrid hydrogels, which can serve as multifunctional precursors for constructing diverse nanocomposite materials.
Nanostructured Three‐Dimensional (3D) Assembly of 2D MoS2 and Graphene Directly Build From Acidic Graphite Oxide
Authors: Lonkar Sunil P. , Pillai Vishnu V. , Alhassan Saeed M.
Published: July 2017

A 3D highly interconnected macroporous network of reduced GO having finely dispersed few‐layered 2D MoS2 nanosheets was constructed through direct use of acidic graphite oxide (GO) for the first time. This facile and technologically scalable process can afford efficient hydrodesulfurization electrocatalysts as potential anode materials at lower cost, and can circumvent the poor thermal stability and recyclability of the material. The strategy provided here can be the basis to design and develop practical processes to address the ultimate goal of large‐scale manufacturing of hybrids composed of 2D materials for various energy and catalysis applications.
Acute and long‐term administration of palmitoylcarnitine induces muscle‐specific insulin resistance in mice
Authors: Liepinsh Edgars , Makrecka‐Kuka Marina , Makarova Elina , Volska Kristine , Vilks Karlis , Sevostjanovs Eduards , Antone Unigunde , Kuka Janis , Vilskersts Reinis , Lola Daina , Loza Einars , Grinberga Solveiga , Dambrova Maija
Published: July 2017

Acylcarnitine accumulation has been linked to perturbations in energy metabolism pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that long‐chain (LC) acylcarnitines are active metabolites involved in the regulation of glucose metabolism in vivo. Single‐dose administration of palmitoylcarnitine (PC) in fed mice induced marked insulin insensitivity, decreased glucose uptake in muscles, and elevated blood glucose levels. Increase in the content of LC acylcarnitine induced insulin resistance by impairing Akt phosphorylation at Ser473. The long‐term administration of PC using slow‐release osmotic minipumps induced marked hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance, suggesting that the permanent accumulation of LC acylcarnitines can accelerate the progression of insulin resistance. The decrease of acylcarnitine content significantly improved glucose tolerance in a mouse model of diet‐induced glucose intolerance. In conclusion, we show that the physiological increase in content of acylcarnitines ensures the transition from a fed to fasted state in order to limit glucose metabolism in the fasted state. In the fed state, the inability of insulin to inhibit LC acylcarnitine production induces disturbances in glucose uptake and metabolism. The reduction of acylcarnitine content could be an effective strategy to improve insulin sensitivity. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):718–730, 2017
Circular dichroism spectroscopy: Enhancing a traditional undergraduate biochemistry laboratory experience
Authors: Lewis Russell L. , Seal Erin L. , Lorts Aimee R. , Stewart Amanda L.
Published: July 2017

The undergraduate biochemistry laboratory curriculum is designed to provide students with experience in protein isolation and purification protocols as well as various data analysis techniques, which enhance the biochemistry lecture course and give students a broad range of tools upon which to build in graduate level laboratories or once they begin their careers. One of the most common biochemistry protein purification experiments is the isolation and characterization of cytochrome c. Students across the country purify cytochrome c, lysozyme, or some other well‐known protein to learn these common purification techniques. What this series of experiments lacks is the use of sophisticated instrumentation that is rarely available to undergraduate students. To give students a broader background in biochemical spectroscopy techniques, a new circular dichroism (CD) laboratory experiment was introduced into the biochemistry laboratory curriculum. This CD experiment provides students with a means of conceptualizing the secondary structure of their purified protein, and assessments indicate that students' understanding of the technique increased significantly. Students conducted this experiment with ease and in a short time frame, so this laboratory is conducive to merging with other data analysis techniques within a single laboratory period. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(6):515–520, 2017.
31P NMR of the pyruvate kinase reaction: An undergraduate experiment in enzyme kinetics
Authors: Werner R. Marshall , Johnson Austin
Published: July 2017

Understanding how to perform an enzyme assay is a critical learning skill in the undergraduate biochemistry curriculum. Students in biochemistry typically have been exposed to the use of NMR spectroscopy as a tool to determine chemical structure, but rarely are they exposed to the utility of NMR to evaluate enzyme kinetics. Furthermore, coverage of NMR experiments utilizing “alternative nuclei”, such as 15N, 19F, and 31P may be neglected. Herein we report a simple 31P NMR tube experiment that allows students to examine the enzyme kinetics and equilibrium constant of the reaction catalyzed by pyruvate kinase. © 2017 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(6):509–514, 2017.
Pyrrolysine Amber Stop‐Codon Suppression: Development and Applications
Authors: Brabham Robin , Fascione Martin A.
Published: July 2017

The pyrrolysine tRNA synthetase‐tRNA pair is probably one of the most promiscuous tRNA–synthetase pairs found in nature, capable of genetically encoding a plethora of noncanonical amino acids through stop codon reassignment. Proteins containing reactive handles, post‐translational modification mimics or both can be produced in practical quantities, allowing inter alia the probing of biological pathways, generating antibody–drug conjugates and enhancing protein function. This Minireview summarises the development of pyrrolysine amber stop‐codon suppression, presents some of the considerations required to utilise this technique to its greatest potential, and showcases the creative ways in which this technique has led to a better understanding of biological systems.
What is the cause of this synchronous palpable abdominal mass in a woman recently diagnosed with lung cancer as demonstrated in Figure 1?
Authors: Feeney Gerard , O'Connell Emer , Flood Mike , Rooney Cyril , Bennani Fadel , Barry Kevin
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

Colonic metastases from lung cancer are rare [1, 2]. Presentation of an abdominal mass in the setting of a new lung cancer diagnosis should prompt complete evaluation including endoscopic and CT imaging. This case also highlights the need for immunohistochemical analysis of unusual tumor deposits facilitating appropriate treatment.
Management of a patient with Opalski's syndrome in intensive care unit
Authors: Aynaci Ozer , Gok Funda , Yosunkaya Alper
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

Opalski syndrome is a rare vascular brainstem syndrome which is accepted as a variant of Wallenberg syndrome. Opalski syndrome should be considered in acute conditions in which typical symptoms of lateral medullary infarct are accompanied by ipsilateral hemiparesis. Other brain stem syndromes are distinguished from Opalski syndrome by the presence of contralateral hemiparesis.
Photoinduced Ethylene Polymerization on Titania Nanoparticles
Authors: Barzan Caterina , Mino Lorenzo , Morra Elena , Groppo Elena , Chiesa Mario , Spoto Giuseppe
Published: July 2017

Herein, we report on the ability of H2‐photoreduced TiO2 nanoparticles to catalyze the polymerization of ethylene without the use of an alkylating agent. Even more, we demonstrate that the same reaction occurs directly on stoichiometric TiO2 in the presence of ethylene under UV‐light irradiation at room temperature and, thus, without any prereduction step. The synergic use of electron paramagnetic resonance and diffuse reflectance UV/Vis‐near‐IR spectroscopy allowed us to identify and correlate different Ti3+ EPR signals and UV/Vis‐NIR bands, whereas transmission FTIR spectroscopy (applied under in situ UV‐light irradiation) was fundamental to prove ethylene polymerization and to observe ethylene oxidation byproducts. The possibility to polymerize ethylene easily in a one‐step procedure can be a promising approach to increase the compatibility of TiO2 as an inorganic additive for polyethylene blends.
Synthesis of Adenine Nucleosides by Transglycosylation using Two Sequential Nucleoside Phosphorylase‐Based Bioreactors with On‐Line Reaction Monitoring by using HPLC
Authors: Cattaneo Giulia , Rabuffetti Marco , Speranza Giovanna , Kupfer Tom , Peters Benjamin , Massolini Gabriella , Ubiali Daniela , Calleri Enrica
Published: July 2017

Uridine phosphorylase from Clostridium perfringens (CpUP, EC 2.4.2.3) was immobilized covalently in an aminopropylsilica monolithic column (25 mm×4.6 mm) upon functionalization with glutaraldehyde. Imino bonds that result from the reaction between the enzyme and the support were reduced chemically to afford a 66 % yield (13 mg) determined spectrophotometrically. The CpUP immobilized enzyme reactor (IMER) was connected to a silica particle‐based IMER that contained a purine nucleoside phosphorylase from Aeromonas hydrophila (AhPNP, EC 2.4.2.1), which was developed previously and used successfully for the fast synthesis of some purine ribonucleosides by a “one‐enzyme” transglycosylation. CpUP‐IMER and AhPNP‐IMER were connected to a HPLC system by a six‐way switching valve. In this set‐up, the synthesis of 2′‐deoxyadenosine (dAdo, 8), adenosine (Ado, 9), and arabinosyladenine (araA, 10) by a “two‐enzyme” transglycosylation is coupled directly to on‐line reaction monitoring. Under the optimized transglycosylation conditions (2:1 ratio sugar donor/base acceptor; 10 mm phosphate buffer; pH 7.25; temperature 37 °C, flow rate 0.1 mL min−1), defined by a 2(5‐2)III experimental design, the conversion of dAdo and Ado was approximately 90 %, and araA was synthesized in 20 % yield.
Transition Metal Catalyzed, Regioselective B(4)‐Halogenation and B(4,5)‐Diiodination of Cage B−H Bonds in o‐Carboranes
Authors: Lyu Hairong , Quan Yangjian , Xie Zuowei
Published: July 2017

Transition metal catalyzed, regioselective carborane‐cage B(4)−H iodination, bromination, and chlorination as well as B(4,5)−H diiodination were achieved by using NXS (X=I, Br), FeCl3, or IOAc as the halogenating agent, respectively. A series of previously inaccessible B(4)‐halogenated o‐carboranes were synthesized in a simple one‐pot process, and proved to be valuable synthons for the functionalization of carboranes. Mono‐ and di‐selectivity can be controlled by in situ removal of the carboxy directing group. The resultant 4‐I‐o‐C2B10H11 can serve as a versatile feedstock for the construction of cage B−C(sp2), B−C(sp), B−O, and B−N bonds.
Luminescent Zinc Fingers: Zn‐Responsive Neodymium Near‐Infrared Emission in Water
Authors: Isaac Manon , Raibaut Laurent , Cepeda Céline , Roux Amandine , Boturyn Didier , Eliseeva Svetlana V. , Petoud Stéphane , Sénèque Olivier
Published: July 2017

Responsive luminescent probes emitting in the near‐infrared (NIR) are in high demand today for biological applications as they allow for the easy and unambiguous discrimination of autofluorescence. Due to their luminescence properties, lanthanide ions offer an interesting alternative to classical organic fluorescent dyes. This has stimulated the development of lanthanide‐based responsive probes. Nevertheless, responsive probes that can operate in water with NIR‐emitting lanthanide ions are scarce. In this communication, zinc fingers are shown to be versatile scaffolds to elaborate a variety of Zn2+‐responsive probes based on lanthanide emission and featuring desirable properties for the selective detection of Zn2+ in experimental conditions close to cellular. Of special interest is a NIR‐emitting probe relying on Nd3+ emission.
Water‐Mediated Structural Transformations of CuII 5‐Halonicotinates Coordination Networks with Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Li Cheng‐Peng , Zhou Hang , Ju Yue , Du Miao
Published: July 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Miao Du at Tianjin Normal University. The image depicts the structural transformation of a dynamic coordination network. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201702405.
Copper‐Catalyzed Enantioselective Domino Arylation/Semipinacol Rearrangement of Allylic Alcohols with Diaryliodonium Salts
Authors: Wu Hua , Wang Qian , Zhu Jieping
Published: July 2017

A copper‐catalyzed enantioselective arylative semipinacol rearrangement of allylic alcohols was developed. In the presence of a catalytic amount of an in situ generated chiral copper‐bisoxazoline complex, reaction of allylic alcohols with diaryliodonium salts afforded spirocycloalkanones in high yields with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. A two‐point binding model engaging the carbon–carbon double bond and the proximal hydroxyl group was proposed to be responsible for the highly efficient chirality transfer.
Probing the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in gliomas: A phase 2 study of everolimus for recurrent adult low‐grade gliomas
Authors: Wahl Michael , Chang Susan M. , Phillips Joanna J. , Molinaro Annette M. , Costello Joseph F. , Mazor Tali , Alexandrescu Sanda , Lupo Janine M. , Nelson Sarah J. , Berger Mitchel , Prados Michael , Taylor Jennie W. , Butowski Nicholas , Clarke Jennifer L. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is common in patients with low‐grade gliomas (LGGs), but agents that inhibit this pathway, including mTOR inhibitors, have not been studied in this population.

METHODS

Fifty‐eight patients with pathologic evidence of recurrence after they had initially been diagnosed with World Health Organization (WHO) grade II gliomas were enrolled into a prospective phase 2 clinical trial and received daily everolimus (RAD001) for 1 year or until progression. Tissue at the time of enrollment was analyzed for markers of PI3K/mTOR pathway activation. Thirty‐eight patients underwent serial multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, with the tumor volume and the perfusion metrics (the fractional blood volume [fBV] for capillary density and the transfer coefficient [Kps] for vascular permeability) measured during treatment. The primary endpoint was progression‐free survival at 6 months (PFS‐6) in patients with WHO II disease at enrollment.

RESULTS

For patients with WHO II gliomas at enrollment, the PFS‐6 rate was 84%, and this met the primary endpoint (P < .001 for an improvement from the historical rate of 17%). Evidence of PI3K/mTOR activation by immunohistochemistry for phosphorylated ribosomal S6Ser240/244 (p‐S6Ser240/244) was associated with worse progression‐free survival (PFS; hazard ratio [HR], 3.03; P = .004) and overall survival (HR, 12.7; P = .01). Tumor perfusion decreased after 6 months (median decrease in fBV, 15%; P = .03; median decrease in Kps, 12%; P = .09), with greater decreases associated with improved PFS (HR for each 10% fBV decrease, 0.71; P = .01; HR for each 10% Kps decrease, 0.82; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with recurrent LGGs demonstrated a high degree of disease stability during treatment with everolimus. PI3K/mTOR activation, as measured by immunohistochemistry for p‐S6, was associated with a worse prognosis. Tumor vascular changes were observed that were consistent with the antiangiogenic effects of mTOR inhibitors. These results support further study of everolimus for LGGs. Cancer 2017;123:4631‐4639. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Contribution of solid organ transplant recipients to the pediatric non‐hodgkin lymphoma burden in the United States
Authors: Yanik Elizabeth L. , Shiels Meredith S. , Smith Jodi M. , Clarke Christina A. , Lynch Charles F. , Kahn Amy R. , Koch Lori , Pawlish Karen S. , Engels Eric A.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients have a 100 to 200 times higher risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) than the general pediatric population. Consequently, transplant‐related NHL may contribute considerably to the pediatric NHL burden in the United States.

METHODS

A cohort study using a linkage between the US transplant registry and 16 cancer registries was conducted. Cancer incidence rates were calculated for people less than 20 years old in the transplant and general populations. Rates were applied to transplant registry and US census data to estimate pediatric NHL counts for transplant recipients and the general population.

RESULTS

During 1990‐2012, an estimated 22,270 NHLs were diagnosed in US children and adolescents; they included 628 cases diagnosed in transplant recipients. Thus, 2.82% of pediatric NHL diagnoses in the general population (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.45%‐3.19%) occurred in transplant recipients. Among transplant recipients, the most common subtypes were diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL; 64.5% of cases) and Burkitt lymphoma (BL; 8.6%). For DLBCL and BL, transplant recipients contributed 7.62% (95% CI, 6.35%‐8.88%) and 0.87% (95% CI, 0.51%‐1.23%) of diagnoses, respectively. The proportion of NHLs that occurred in transplant recipients was highest among children less than 5 years old (4.46%; 95% CI, 3.24%‐5.69%) and in more recent calendar years (3.73% in 2010‐2012; 95% CI, 2.07%‐5.39%). DLBCL patterns were similar, with transplant recipients contributing 19.78% of cases among children less than 5 years old (95% CI, 12.89%‐26.66%) and 11.4% of cases in 2010‐2012 (95% CI, 5.54%‐17.28%).

CONCLUSIONS

Among children and adolescents, solid organ transplant recipients contribute a substantial fraction of NHL diagnoses, particularly DLBCL diagnoses. This fraction has increased over time. Prevention efforts targeted toward this group could reduce the overall pediatric NHL burden. Cancer 2017;123:4663‐4671. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Slicing Diamond for More sp3 Group 14 Allotropes Ranging from Direct Bandgaps to Poor Metals
Authors: Jantke Laura‐Alice , Karttunen Antti J. , Fässler Thomas F.
Published: July 2017

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. Dr. Thomas F. Fässler, Chair of Inorganic Chemistry with Focus on New Materials at the Technical University of Munich, Germany, and Prof. Dr. Antti J. Karttunen, Aalto University, Finland. The image shows the basic idea of the computational study mainly deriving novel silicon structures by simply using reconstructed atoms slabs derived from slices of silicon with its standard diamond structure. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cphc.201700290.
Multimodality assessment of left ventricular dysfunction in Takayasu arteritis and familial hypercholesterolaemia
Authors: Okada Atsushi , Takahama Hiroyuki , Ogura Masatsune , Morita Yoshiaki , Konma Junichi , Yoshida Shuzo , Makino Shigeki , Takashio Seiji , Amaki Makoto , Ohara Takahiro , Hasegawa Takuya , Sugano Yasuo , Kanzaki Hideaki , Harada‐Shiba Mariko , Ishibashi‐Ueda Hatsue , Yasuda Satoshi , Hanafusa Toshiaki , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: July 2017

Although left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction in patients suffering from Takayasu arteritis (TA) has been reported, little is known regarding the development of heart failure in these patients. We report a novel finding of active TA and familial hypercholesterolaemia presenting with severe LV dysfunction through multimodality assessments of LV systolic dysfunction.
Fear of Pain Questionnaire‐9: Brief assessment of pain‐related fear and anxiety
Authors: McNeil D.W. , Kennedy S.G. , Randall C.L. , Addicks S.H. , Wright C.D. , Hursey K.G. , Vaglienti R.
Published: July 2017

Background

Fear and anxiety are important considerations in both acute and chronic pain. Effectively and efficiently measuring fear and anxiety associated with pain in healthcare settings is critical for identifying vulnerable patients. The length and administration time of current measures of pain‐related fear and anxiety inhibit their routine use, as screening tools and otherwise, suggesting the need for a shorter, more efficient instrument.

Methods

A 9‐item shortened version of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire –III(FPQ‐III), the Fear of Pain Questionnaire‐9 (FPQ‐9), was developed based upon statistical analyses of archival data from 275 outpatients with chronic pain and 275 undergraduates. Additionally, new data were collected from 100 outpatients with chronic pain and 190 undergraduates to directly compare the standard and short forms. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and other psychometric analyses, were conducted to examine and establish theFPQ‐9 as a reliable and valid instrument.

Results

The original three‐factor structure of theFPQ‐IIIwas retained in the shortened version; a confirmatory factor analysis produced good model fit (RMSEA = 0.00,CFI = 1.00,TLI = 1.00,SRMR = 0.03). Results suggested a high degree of correlation between the originalFPQ‐IIIand the newFPQ‐9 (r = 0.77,p < 0.001). Measures of internal consistency forFPQ‐9 subscales were high; correlations with other pain and anxiety instruments suggested concurrent, convergent and divergent validity.

Conclusions

TheFPQ‐9 is a psychometrically sound alternative to longer instruments assessing fear and anxiety associated with pain, for use in both clinical and research situations that only allow brief screening.

Significance

TheFPQ‐9 has considerable potential for dissemination and utility for routine, brief screening, given its length (completion time ~2 min; scoring time ~1 min), reading level and psychometric properties.