bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cost efficient environmental survey paths for detecting continuous tracer discharges
Authors: Alendal G.
Published: June 2017

Designing monitoring programs for detecting potential tracer discharges from unknown locations is challenging. The high variability of the environment may camouflage the anticipated anisotropic signal from a discharge, and there are a number of discharge scenarios. Monitoring operations may also be costly, constraining the number of measurements taken. By assuming that a discharge is active, and a prior belief on the most likely seep location, a method that uses Bayes' theorem combined with discharge footprint predictions is used to update the probability map. Measurement locations with highest reduction in the overall probability of a discharge to be active can be identified. The relative cost between reallocating and measurements can be taken into account. Three different strategies are suggested to enable cost efficient paths for autonomous vessels.
Birkeland currents during substorms: Statistical evidence for intensification of Regions 1 and 2 currents after onset and a localized signature of auroral dimming
Authors: Coxon John C. , Rae I. Jonathan , Forsyth Colin , Jackman Caitriona M. , Fear Robert C. , Anderson Brian J.
Published: June 2017

We conduct a superposed epoch analysis of Birkeland current densities from AMPERE (Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment) using isolated substorm expansion phase onsets identified by an independently derived data set. In order to evaluate whether R1 and R2 currents contribute to the substorm current wedge, we rotate global maps of Birkeland currents into a common coordinate system centered on the magnetic local time of substorm onset. When the latitude of substorm is taken into account, it is clear that both R1 and R2 current systems play a role in substorm onset, contrary to previous studies which found that R2 current did not contribute. The latitude of substorm onset is colocated with the interface between R1 and R2 currents, allowing us to infer that R1 current closes just tailward and R2 current closes just earthward of the associated current disruption in the tail. AMPERE is the first data set to give near‐instantaneous measurements of Birkeland current across the whole polar cap, and this study addresses apparent discrepancies in previous studies which have used AMPERE to examine the morphology of the substorm current wedge. Finally, we present evidence for an extremely localized reduction in current density immediately prior to substorm onset, and we interpret this as the first statistical signature of auroral dimming in Birkeland current.
Tsunami and infragravity waves impacting Antarctic ice shelves
Authors: Bromirski P. D. , Chen Z. , Stephen R. A. , Gerstoft P. , Arcas D. , Diez A. , Aster R. C. , Wiens D. A. , Nyblade A.
Published: June 2017

The responses of the Ross Ice Shelf (RIS) to the 16 September 2015 8.3 (Mw) Chilean earthquake tsunami (>75 s period) and to oceanic infragravity (IG) waves (50–300 s period) were recorded by a broadband seismic array deployed on the RIS from November 2014 to November 2016. Here we show that tsunami and IG‐generated signals within the RIS propagate at gravity wave speeds (∼70 m/s) as water‐ice coupled flexural‐gravity waves. IG band signals show measureable attenuation away from the shelf front. The response of the RIS to Chilean tsunami arrivals is compared with modeled tsunami forcing to assess ice shelf flexural‐gravity wave excitation by very long period (VLP; >300 s) gravity waves. Displacements across the RIS are affected by gravity wave incident direction, bathymetry under and north of the shelf, and water layer and ice shelf thicknesses. Horizontal displacements are typically about 10 times larger than vertical displacements, producing dynamical extensional motions that may facilitate expansion of existing fractures. VLP excitation is continuously observed throughout the year, with horizontal displacements highest during the austral winter with amplitudes exceeding 20 cm. Because VLP flexural‐gravity waves exhibit no discernable attenuation, this energy must propagate to the grounding zone. Both IG and VLP band flexural‐gravity waves excite mechanical perturbations of the RIS that likely promote tabular iceberg calving, consequently affecting ice shelf evolution. Understanding these ocean‐excited mechanical interactions is important to determine their effect on ice shelf stability to reduce uncertainty in the magnitude and rate of global sea level rise.
Coupled retrieval of aerosol properties and land surface reflection using the Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager
Authors: Xu Feng , van Harten Gerard , Diner David J. , Kalashnikova Olga V. , Seidel Felix C. , Bruegge Carol J. , Dubovik Oleg
Published: June 2017

The Airborne Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager (AirMSPI) has been flying aboard the NASA ER‐2 high‐altitude aircraft since October 2010. In step‐and‐stare operation mode, AirMSPI acquires radiance and polarization data in bands centered at 355, 380, 445, 470*, 555, 660*, 865*, and 935 nm (* denotes polarimetric bands). The imaged area covers about 10 km by 11 km and is typically observed from nine viewing angles between ±66° off nadir. For a simultaneous retrieval of aerosol properties and surface reflection using AirMSPI, an efficient and flexible retrieval algorithm has been developed. It imposes multiple types of physical constraints on spectral and spatial variations of aerosol properties as well as spectral and temporal variations of surface reflection. Retrieval uncertainty is formulated by accounting for both instrumental errors and physical constraints. A hybrid Markov‐chain/adding‐doubling radiative transfer (RT) model is developed to combine the computational strengths of these two methods in modeling polarized RT in vertically inhomogeneous and homogeneous media, respectively. Our retrieval approach is tested using 27 AirMSPI data sets with low to moderately high aerosol loadings, acquired during four NASA field campaigns plus one AirMSPI preengineering test flight. The retrieval results including aerosol optical depth, single‐scattering albedo, aerosol size and refractive index are compared with Aerosol Robotic Network reference data. We identify the best angular combinations for 2, 3, 5, and 7 angle observations from the retrieval quality assessment of various angular combinations. We also explore the benefits of polarimetric and multiangular measurements and target revisits in constraining aerosol property and surface reflection retrieval.
Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis With Anti–Tumor Necrosis Factor or Tocilizumab Therapy as First Biologic Agent in a Global Comparative Observational Study
Authors: Choy Ernest H. , Bernasconi Corrado , Aassi Maher , Molina Jose Fernando , Epis Oscar Massimiliano
Published: June 2017

Objective

To compare clinical effectiveness between tocilizumab and tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs initiating biologic therapy.

Methods

Patients prescribed tocilizumab (intravenous) or TNFi were prospectively observed in routine clinical practice for 52 weeks across 158 sites in 26 countries. The primary observation was the change from baseline in Disease Activity Score based on 28 joints using the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR) at week 24 using analysis of covariance for between‐groups comparison. Secondary end points included Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and patient‐reported outcomes at weeks 24 and 52.

Results

Of 1,216 patients, 35% initiated tocilizumab and 65% initiated TNFi. RA duration was shorter, and disease activity and corticosteroid use were higher in tocilizumab patients. Tocilizumab‐treated patients had greater improvement in DAS28‐ESR at weeks 24 and 52 (week 24 difference [95% confidence interval] in adjusted means: −0.831 [−1.086, −0.576]; P < 0.001). Change from baseline in CDAI was also greater with tocilizumab (adjusted means difference: week 24, −3.48; week 52, −4.60; both P < 0.001). Tocilizumab‐treated patients had more improvement in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index than TNFi‐treated patients (P < 0.05). The cumulative probability of drug discontinuation at week 52 was lower with tocilizumab (15%) than TNFi (27%; P < 0.001, unadjusted analysis). Unadjusted frequencies (events per 100 patient‐years) for tocilizumab and TNFi were 6.44 and 11.99 for serious adverse events, 1.98 and 5.03 for serious infections, and 0.74 and 0.77 for deaths, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients initiating tocilizumab experienced greater effectiveness and drug survival than those initiating TNFi in an observational setting.
Membrane Protein Insertion into and Compatibility with Biomimetic Membranes
Authors: Ren Tingwei , Erbakan Mustafa , Shen Yuexiao , Barbieri Eduardo , Saboe Patrick , Feroz Hasin , Yan Hengjing , McCuskey Samantha , Hall Joseph F. , Schantz A. Benjamin , Bazan Guillermo C. , Butler Peter J. , Grzelakowski Mariusz , Kumar Manish
Published: June 2017

Membrane protein and membrane protein–mimic functionalized materials are rapidly gaining interest across a wide range of applications, including drug screening, DNA sequencing, drug delivery, sensors, water desalination, and bioelectronics. In these applications, material performance is highly dependent on activity‐per‐protein and protein packing density in bilayer and bilayer‐like structures collectively known as biomimetic membranes. However, a clear understanding of, and accurate tools to study these properties of biomimetic membranes does not exist. This paper presents methods to evaluate membrane protein compatibility with biomimetic membrane materials. The methods utilized provide average single protein activity, and for the first time, provide experimentally quantifiable measures of the chemical and physical compatibility between proteins (and their mimics) and membrane materials. Water transport proteins, rhodopsins, and artificial water channels are reconstituted into the full range of current biomimetic membrane matrices to evaluate the proposed platform. Compatibility measurement results show that both biological and artificial water channels tested largely preserve their single protein water transport rates in biomimetic membranes, while their reconstitution density is variable, leading to different overall membrane permeabilities. It is also shown that membrane protein insertion efficiency inversely correlates with both chemical and physical hydrophobicity mismatch between membrane protein and the membrane matrix.
Extraordinarily Stretchable All‐Carbon Collaborative Nanoarchitectures for Epidermal Sensors
Authors: Cai Yichen , Shen Jie , Dai Ziyang , Zang Xiaoxian , Dong Qiuchun , Guan Guofeng , Li Lain‐Jong , Huang Wei , Dong Xiaochen
Published: June 2017

Multifunctional microelectronic components featuring large stretchability, high sensitivity, high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), and broad sensing range have attracted a huge surge of interest with the fast developing epidermal electronic systems. Here, the epidermal sensors based on all‐carbon collaborative percolation network are demonstrated, which consist 3D graphene foam and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) obtained by two‐step chemical vapor deposition processes. The nanoscaled CNT networks largely enhance the stretchability and SNR of the 3D microarchitectural graphene foams, endowing the strain sensor with a gauge factor as high as 35, a wide reliable sensing range up to 85%, and excellent cyclic stability (>5000 cycles). The flexible and reversible strain sensor can be easily mounted on human skin as a wearable electronic device for real‐time and high accuracy detecting of electrophysiological stimuli and even for acoustic vibration recognition. The rationally designed all‐carbon nanoarchitectures are scalable, low cost, and promising in practical applications requiring extraordinary stretchability and ultrahigh SNRs.
Single Near‐Infrared Emissive Polymer Nanoparticles as Versatile Phototheranostics
Authors: Guo Liang , Niu Guangle , Zheng Xiuli , Ge Jiechao , Liu Weimin , Jia Qingyan , Zhang Panpan , Zhang Hongyan , Wang Pengfei
Published: June 2017

Attaining consistently high performance of diagnostic and therapeutic functions in one single nanoplatform is of great significance for nanomedicine. This study demonstrates the use of donor–acceptor (D–A) structured polymer (TBT) to develop a smart “all‐five‐in‐one” theranostic that conveniently integrates fluorescence/photoacoustic/thermal imaging and photodynamic/photothermal therapy into single nanoparticle. The prepared nanoparticles (TBTPNPs) exhibit near‐infrared emission, high water solubility, excellent light resistance, good pH stability, and negligible toxicity. Additionally, the TBTPNPs exhibit an excellent singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yield (40%) and high photothermal conversion efficiency (37.1%) under single‐laser irradiation (635 nm). Apart from their two phototherapeutic modalities, fluorescence, photoacoustic signals, and thermal imaging in vivo can be simultaneously achieved because of their enhanced permeability and retention effects. This work demonstrates that the prepared TBTPNPs are “all‐five‐in‐one” phototheranostic agents that can exhibit properties to satisfy the “one‐fits‐all” requirement for future phototheranostic applications. Thus, the prepared TBTPNPs can provide fundamental insights into the development of PNP‐based nanoagents for cancer therapy.
Comparison of guidelines for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm: What is the next step beyond the current guidelines?
Authors: Nakamura Masafumi , Miyasaka Yoshihiro , Sadakari Yoshihiko , Date Kenjiro , Ohtsuka Takao
Published: June 2017

Management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm is controversial, and several guidelines have aimed to establish an adequate strategy for surgical resection and surveillance. We compared various intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm guidelines and considered new matters that are pivotal for improved treatment of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. We identified and compared 11 published guidelines, three of which were major guidelines that mainly referred to the diagnosis and treatment of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (International Association of Pancreatology 2012 guidelines, European Study Group on Cystic Tumours of the Pancreas 2013 guidelines, and American Gastroenterological Association 2015 guidelines). The main concerns of these three guidelines were indication for surgery and follow up of non‐resected lesions. Among the differences between the three guidelines, the period of surveillance recommended was the most controversial matter. Meanwhile, several nomograms have been proposed to improve the diagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm from the level of experts' experiences to that of rational systems. We discuss the adequate strategy of surveillance for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with and without pancreatectomy and nomograms aiming to predict the risk of malignancy in patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm.
Maternal‐infant interaction as an influence on infant adiposity
Authors: Holdsworth Elizabeth A. , Schell Lawrence M.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

The aim of this research is to identify whether specific aspects of the early life psychosocial environment such as quality of home and maternal‐infant interaction are associated with increased infant adiposity, in a disadvantaged population in the United States.

METHODS

Data on 121 mother‐infant pairs from the Albany Pregnancy and Infancy Lead Study were analyzed using three multiple linear regression models with subscapular skinfold thickness (SST), triceps skinfold thickness (TST), and weight z‐scores at 12 months of age as outcome variables. Maternal‐infant interaction was indexed by the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scales (NCATS) and home environment quality was indexed by the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME).

RESULTS

In models including infant birth weight, cigarette use in second trimester, infant caloric intake at 9–12 months, size at birth for gestational age, infant sex, and mother's prepregnancy BMI, specific subscales of NCATs predicted infant adiposity z‐scores. Poorer mother's response to infant distress was associated with greater SST (
 = −0.20, P = .02), TST (
= −0.19, P = .04), and weight (
= −0.14, P = .05). Better maternal sensitivity to infant cues was associated with larger SST (
= 0.25, P < .01), while mother's poorer social‐emotional growth fostering predicted greater SST (
= −0.23, P < .01) and weight (
= −0.16, P = .03). Better scores on HOME Organization of the Environment were associated with greater SST (
= 0.34, P = .02) and TST (
= 0.33, P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS

Emotionally relevant aspects of the maternal‐infant interaction predicted infant adiposity, though in different directions. This indicates that the psychosocial environment, through maternal behavior, may influence infant adiposity. However, the general home environment was not consistently related to infant adiposity.
Variable expressivity of a likely pathogenic variant in KCNQ2 in a three‐generation pedigree presenting with intellectual disability with childhood onset seizures
Authors: Hewson Stacy , Puka Klajdi , Mercimek‐Mahmutoglu Saadet
Published: June 2017

KCNQ2 has been reported as a frequent cause of autosomal dominant benign familial neonatal seizures. De novo likely pathogenic variants in KCNQ2 have been described in neonatal or early infantile onset epileptic encephalopathy patients. Here, we report a three‐generation family with six affected patients with a novel likely pathogenic variant (c.628C>T; p.Arg210Cys) in KCNQ2. Four family members, three adults and a child, presented with a childhood seizure onset with variability in the severity of seizures and response to treatment, intellectual disability (ID) as well as behavioral problems. The two youngest affected patients had a variable degree of global developmental delay with no seizures at their current age. This three‐generation family with six affected members expands the phenotypic spectrum of KCNQ2 associated encephalopathy to KCNQ2 associated ID and or childhood onset epileptic encephalopathy. We think that KCNQ2 associated epileptic encephalopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of childhood onset epilepsy and early onset global developmental delay, cognitive dysfunction, or ID. Furthermore, whole exome sequencing in families with ID and history of autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with or without seizures, may further broaden the phenotypic spectrum of KCNQ2 associated epileptic encephalopathy or encephalopathy.
Evaluation of factors associated with the difficulty in finding receiving hospitals for traffic accident patients at the scene treated by emergency medical services: a population‐based study in Osaka City, Japan
Authors: Katayama Yusuke , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Kiyohara Kosuke , Iwami Taku , Kawamura Takashi , Hayashida Sumito , Ogura Hiroshi , Shimazu Takeshi
Published: June 2017

Aim

Although the prolongation of the time between injury and hospital arrival of traffic accident patients can influence their prognosis, factors associated with the difficulty in hospital acceptance of these patients have not been sufficiently evaluated in Japan.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the population‐based ambulance records of all traffic accident patients for whom the Osaka Municipal Fire Department (Osaka City, Japan) dispatched an ambulance in 2013. We defined “cases with difficulty in hospital acceptance” as cases that required ≥4 calls by emergency medical service personnel at the scene before receiving hospital acceptance. We included patient characteristics (age, sex, coma status, and trauma severity judged by emergency medical service personnel), time factors (day/night or weekday/holiday and weekends), and accident location for multivariable logistic regression analysis to assess factors associated with the difficulty in hospital acceptance.

Results

Among 13,427 traffic accident patients, 2,033 (15.1%) were cases with difficulty in hospital acceptance. Pediatric patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.265; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.060–1.509), male sex (adjusted OR, 1.260; 95% CI, 1.135–1.398), moderate‐grade trauma (adjusted OR, 2.241; 95% CI, 1.972–2.547), severe‐grade trauma (adjusted OR, 2.057; 95% CI, 1.249–3.388), holidays and weekends (adjusted OR, 1.702; 95% CI, 1.539–1.882), and night‐time (adjusted OR, 2.720; 95% CI, 2.443–3.027) were positively associated with difficulty in hospital acceptance.

Conclusions

Using population‐based ambulance records from a large urban community in Japan, we showed that the difficulty in hospital acceptance of patients at the scene of traffic accidents was positively associated with several prehospital factors.
Coupling of Magnetic and Elastic Domains in the Organic–Inorganic Layered Perovskite‐Like (C6H5C2H4NH3)2FeIICl4 Crystal
Authors: Nakayama Yuki , Nishihara Sadafumi , Inoue Katsuya , Suzuki Takashi , Kurmoo Mohamedally
Published: June 2017

Multiferroic materials coupling ferroelasticity and ferromagnetism show strong magnetoelastic effects as magnetization is induced by mechanical stress or alternately strain induced by applying a magnetic field. These effects were reported for inorganic multiferroics such as LaCoxSr1−xO3. (C6H5C2H4NH3)2FeIICl4 is the first example of an organic–inorganic perovskite to exhibit such effects below the canted antiferromagnetism at TC=98 K and ferroelasticity at TC=433 K. This is shown by switching the magnetic hysteresis on and off by uniaxial pressure through the strong coupling of the magnetic and elastic domains. The spin‐canting direction was controlled by mechanical stress in the heating and cooling cycles. This unique observation gives additional impetus in the search for coupled hysteretic effect in organic–inorganic multiferroics.
Nanopalladium on polyethylenimine–grafted starch: An efficient and ecofriendly heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and transfer hydrogenation reactions
Authors: Fu Lixia , Deng Wenxiu , Liu Lujie , Peng Yanqing
Published: June 2017

Functionalized natural polysaccharides are attractive supports for colloidal metal nanocatalysts due to their abundance, cheapness, biocompatibility and biodegradability. In this study, isocyanate–functionalized starch was prepared by treating with diisocyanate. Polyethylenimine grafted onto starch via the formation of urea linker. The palladium nanoparticles deposited starch PEIS@Pd(0) was obtained through a chelating–in situ reduction procedure. Characterization of these materials was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X–ray diffraction, and inductive coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The catalytic activity of PEIS@Pd(0) was then tested in two series of model reactions: Suzuki–Miyaura coupling and transfer hydrogenation. The catalyst could be recovered by simple filtration and was reused for five times without significant loss of catalytic activity, which confirmed the good stability of the catalyst.
Modification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) using linoleic acid for oxygen barrier improvement: Impact of processing methods
Authors: Angelo Miranda Michael , Jabarin Saleh A. , Coleman Maria
Published: June 2017

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is commonly used in the packaging industry; however, there is considerable interest in reducing the rate of oxygen permeation through PET to extend product shelf life. One method being employed to improve oxygen barrier is the introduction of reactive compounds to bind the oxygen permeating through the polymer. This work investigates a naturally occurring oxygen scavenger, linoleic acid (LA), which was incorporated within blown PET bottles using two different processing schemes. The LA was incorporated within PET at 0.5% by weight using both by blending and reaction of carboxyl end of LA and hydroxyl end of PET. The effect of LA on the thermal, mechanical properties, and oxygen permeation were determined. There was a decrease in oxygen permeability for the PET/LA samples with little change in physical properties relative to base PET. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45023.
Preparation and characterization of nano‐SiO2 reinforced alginate‐based nanocomposite films (II)
Authors: Yang Manli , Xia Yanzhi
Published: June 2017

Crosslinked alginate‐based nanocomposites at different SiO2 contents were prepared successfully by blending the nano‐SiO2 solution into low concentration alginate solution (0.5 wt %), with the alginate concentration increased step by step to the resulted concentration, in this course glycerol was used as plasticizer and 5 wt % CaCl2 as crosslinker. The combined effect of SiO2 content (1.5–8 wt %) on the microstructural, physical, mechanical, and optical properties of the nanocomposite films were investigated. The results showed that tensile strength and elongation was improved by about 40.33% and 89%, respectively, upon increasing the SiO2 content to 4.5 wt %. In addition, water vapor permeability and swelling degree decreased by 19% and 16% with increasing SiO2 content up to 8 and 4.5 wt %, respectively with respect to pure crosslinked alginate film. Thermogravimetric analysis also revealed that nano‐SiO2 can improve the thermal stability of sodium alginate films produced by this method. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45286.
Improvement of glycerin removal from crude biodiesel through the application of a sulfonated polymeric adsorbent material
Authors: Alves Magno José , Cardoso Saulo Luiz , Guimarães Eloiza , Borges Neto Waldomiro , Cardoso Vicelma Luiz , Reis Miria Hespanhol Miranda
Published: June 2017

The proposal of suitable processes for glycerin removal from crude biodiesel is an important task for making the overall biodiesel production process environmentally friendly and economically viable. In this article, we propose a dry purification process for biodiesel treatment with different polymeric materials [chitosan, cellulose acetate, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and sulfonated PVA]. Except for pure PVA, all of the proposed materials were able to reduce the free glycerin content of crude biodiesel from 0.03 wt % to values lower than 0.02 wt %. When the PVA was sulfonated, the glycerin removal increased from 12 to 82% compared that of pure PVA. The glycerin content in the biodiesel sample treated with sulfonated PVA was 0.0055 wt %. Mid‐IR spectrometric analysis showed that the sulfonation of PVA increased the band due to HOH stretching vibrations; this enabled greater hydrogen bonding between glycerol and the SO3 groups of the sulfonated adsorbent. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45330.
Solution processed low‐k dielectric core‐shell nanoparticles for additive manufacturing of microwave devices
Authors: O'Keefe Shamus , Li Yilin , Luscombe Christine K.
Published: June 2017

This study introduces a new core‐shell structured polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/polyimide (PI) nanoparticle for additive manufacturing of microwave substrates. Materials were synthesized using a solution processed method through the electrostatic interaction between PTFE with negative potential and poly(amic acid) salt (PAAS, a PI precursor) with positive potential followed by the thermal imidization of PAAS. Microscopic studies by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy confirmed the formation of core‐shell nanoparticles, a porous material network, and a reduction of surface roughness upon imidization. In addition to excellent high temperature stability (<0.4% weight loss at 500 °C), the synthesized materials showed improved particle‐to‐particle adhesion and particle‐to‐substrate adhesion compared to PTFE alone, and good dielectric properties measured at 7.2 GHz utilizing a cavity perturbation technique. The materials consisting of 5% to 35% of PI exhibited low relative permittivity (ɛ′) of 2.14 to 2.38 and loss tangent (tan δ) of 0.001 to 0.0018, which make them well suited for use in additive manufacturing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45335.
Laboratory antimicrobial activity of cinnamaldehyde and pomegranate‐based polycaprolactone films
Authors: Uzunlu Sinan , Niranjan Keshavan
Published: June 2017

Polycaprolactone (PCL) was incorporated separately with cinnamaldehyde (CNMA), pomegranate methanolic extract (PME), freeze dried arils of pomegranate (FDAP), and seed flour of pomegranate (SF) to form antimicrobial films to be used for active food packaging. PCL–CNMA films completely inactivated growth of the artificially inoculated Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, whether at 5% or 10% concentrations (wt/wt of polymer), at all studied temperatures (4, 20, and 37 °C). PCL–PME films (10% wt/wt of polymer) delayed the growth of E. coli and S. aureus for up to 7 and 6 days, respectively, at 37 °C. Two‐day delays in the growth of both bacteria were achieved with FDAP and SF films (10% wt/wt of polymer) at 20 °C. The release of CNMA was slower than the release of PME during film processing, as measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Thus, CNMA and pomegranate‐based films perhaps should be planned further for use in controlled release food packaging. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45347.
Polyelectrolyte multilayer modified nanofiltration membranes for the recovery of ionic liquid from dilute aqueous solutions
Authors: Avram Alexandru M. , Ahmadiannamini Pejman , Vu Anh , Qian Xianghong , Sengupta Arijit , Wickramasinghe S. Ranil
Published: June 2017

The feasibility of nanofiltration membranes fabricated by static polyelectrolyte layer‐by‐layer deposition of poly(styrene sulfonate) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) on poly(ether sulfone) ultrafiltration and alumina microfiltration membranes for the recovery of ionic liquid from low molecular weight sugar was investigated. The surface properties of these modified membranes were correlated with their performances. The selectivity for 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride over cellobiose and glucose was found to be as high as 50.5/2.3 for modified alumina and 32.3/3.5 for modified poly(ether sulfone) membranes with optimized number of bilayers. The values for membrane permeance were 4.8 and 2.5 L m−1 h2 bar−1, respectively. For low depositions, the separation mechanism was predominantly governed by size‐exclusion. For higher depositions, the enhanced negative zeta potential of the modified membranes suggested preferred dominating electrostatic interactions, resulting in high selectivity of ionic liquids over low molecular weight sugars. At very high depositions, the molecular weight cut‐off of the membrane becomes constricting for size‐exclusion effect. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45349.
Preparation and characterization of water‐soluble polymers and their utilization in chromium sorption
Authors: Sánchez Julio , Mendoza Nicole , Rivas Bernabé L. , Basáez Luis , Santiago‐García J. L.
Published: June 2017

In this article, we study the sorption of chromium from aqueous solutions using water‐soluble polymers (WSPs): poly[2‐(acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, P(ClAETA); poly[2‐(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methyl sulfate, P(SAETA); and poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate), P(NaSS). These WSPs were obtained by radical polymerization and purified by fractionation through ultrafiltration membranes with different molar mass cut‐offs (30 and 100 kDa). The characterization was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FTIR, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopies and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The chromium retention properties of the polymers were determined in terms of pH, optimal polymer concentration, and the effect of interfering ions. The results show yields above 80% for all of the synthesized WSPs. Characterization by spectroscopy confirmed the chemical structure of the polymers. TGA shows thermal decomposition temperatures of 264 and 324 °C for P(ClAETA) and P(SAETA), respectively. In the case of P(NaSS), the first thermal decomposition begins at approximately 450 °C. Maximum retention of Cr(VI) (100%) by the polymers P(ClAETA) and P(SAETA) was achieved at pH 9, and the maximum retention of Cr(III) (100%) was achieved by P(NaSS) at pH 3. The optimal polymer:Cr molar ratio obtained was 20:1. The retention of chromium(VI) was decreased by the presence of interfering ions, and the hydrodynamic flux was almost constant during ultrafiltration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45355.
The effect of curing system on the properties of the thermoplastic elastomer foams of ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer and styrene‐butadiene and ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer rubbers
Authors: Rahmany Naeim Abady A. , Ostad Movahed S.
Published: June 2017

Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) foams have important application in electrical, toys, and other industries. Several foams were prepared by ethylene‐vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) lonely, and in combination with styrene‐butadiene and ethylene‐propylene‐diene monomer rubbers (SBR and EPDM). The effects of crosslinking and foaming agents and EVA type on density and mechanical properties of the cured foams with two curing systems, peroxide and sulfur‐peroxide with potential use in automotive applications, were studied. The results showed that proposed compounds formulations were foamed properly. The viscosity of the EVA was a key factor for the density values of the formed foams. The densities of the cured foams with peroxide system with various SBR contents were higher when compared with cured foams with sulfur‐peroxide system. With increasing foaming agent, the densities of the foams were reduced for studied curing systems. The densities of the EVA–EPDM foams were lower than those of the EVA–SBR foams in the same studied conditions. Increasing rubber in foam formulation had adverse effect on tensile properties of the foams. The existence of the talc powder in foam formulation had important role on the shape and type of the formed cells and resulted in foams with mostly closed cells. The results of this study help the automotive article designer to produce suitable TPE foam. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45357.
A DMA study of the interfacial changes on injection‐molded iPP/mica composites modified by a p‐phenylen‐bis‐maleamic acid grafted atactic polypropylene
Authors: García‐Martínez Jesús‐María , Taranco Jesús , Collar Emilia P.
Published: June 2017

Present work concerns to the study of the dynamic mechanical and thermal responses of selected polypropylene (iPP)/mica composites with a modified interface from the matrix side by using a p‐phenylen‐bis‐maleamic acid grafted atactic polypropylene, coming from a byproduct of industrial polymerization reactors. Thus, the study is mainly focused on the 75/25 iPP/mica ratio since it was identified in previous works as providing the maximum inter mica particle distance to assure they should participate in the overall process of dissipation of the mechanical energy supplied to the composites. Hence, the present dynamic mechanical analysis discussion tries to correlate the damping responses of the injection‐molded composites with those previously obtained but over compression molded composites as the basis of further studies all along the compositional iPP/mica map. Therefore, the latter let us, on the one hand, to follow how the main values of the different dynamic mechanical analysis parameters vary because of the interfacial modifier presence, and on the other, to develop a robust correlation between them and the corresponding macroscopic mechanical parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45366.
Muscular Basis of Whisker Torsion in Mice and Rats
Authors: Haidarliu Sebastian , Bagdasarian Knarik , Shinde Namrata , Ahissar Ehud
Published: June 2017

Whisking mammals move their whiskers in the rostrocaudal and dorsoventral directions with simultaneous rolling about their long axes (torsion). Whereas muscular control of the first two types of whisker movement was already established, the anatomic muscular substrate of the whisker torsion remains unclear. Specifically, it was not clear whether torsion is induced by asymmetrical operation of known muscles or by other largely unknown muscles. Here, we report that mystacial pads of newborn and adult rats and mice contain oblique intrinsic muscles (OMs) that connect diagonally adjacent vibrissa follicles. Each of the OMs is supplied by a cluster of motor end plates. In rows A and B, OMs connect the ventral part of the rostral follicle with the dorsal part of the caudal follicle. In rows C–E, in contrast, OMs connect the dorsal part of the rostral follicle to the ventral part of the caudal follicle. This inverse architecture is consistent with previous behavioral observations [Knutsen et al.: Neuron 59 (2008) 35–42]. In newborn mice, torsion occurred in irregular single twitches. In adult anesthetized rats, microelectrode mediated electrical stimulation of an individual OM that is coupled with two adjacent whiskers was sufficient to induce a unidirectional torsion of both whiskers. Torsional movement was associated with protracting movement, indicating that in the vibrissal system, like in the ocular system, torsional movement is mechanically coupled to horizontal and vertical movements. This study shows that torsional whisker rotation is mediated by specific OMs whose morphology and attachment sites determine rotation direction and mechanical coupling, and motor innervation determines rotation dynamics. Anat Rec, 300:1643–1653, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plasmablasts With a Mucosal Phenotype Contribute to Plasmacytosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Mei Henrik E. , Hahne Stefanie , Redlin Andreas , Hoyer Bimba F. , Wu Kaiyin , Baganz Lisa , Lisney Anna R. , Alexander Tobias , Rudolph Birgit , Dörner Thomas
Published: June 2017

Objective

To analyze the composition of known plasmacytosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to obtain further insight into the nature of underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Plasmablasts from patients with active SLE, patients with inactive/treated SLE, and healthy controls were characterized by flow cytometry, enzyme‐linked immunospot assay, and Transwell migration assays and compared to vaccination‐induced plasmablasts. Serum cytokine levels were analyzed by Luminex assay, and histologic analysis of kidney biopsy specimens was performed.

Results

Circulating plasmablasts in SLE expressed markers of mucosal immune reactions. IgA, CCR10, and β7 integrin were expressed by 48%, 40%, and 38% of plasmablasts, respectively, with varying coexpression patterns. Consistent with mucosal homing, some SLE plasmablasts migrated toward the mucosal chemokine CCL28 and secreted polymeric IgA. SLE plasmablasts shared phenotypic characteristics with antigen‐specific plasmablasts induced by oral, but not parenteral, vaccinations. Autoreactive antibody–secreting cells of the IgG and IgA isotypes were detectable, but only the emergence of phenotypically mucosal plasmablasts was positively associated with serum interleukin‐2 and platelet‐derived growth factor BB levels.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that distinct plasmablast differentiation pathways jointly contribute to peripheral plasmacytosis in SLE, i.e., a cytokine‐amplified mucosal “steady‐state” plasmablast response, and an autoreactive plasmablast response, representing conventional autoimmunity. Our results indicate an overly activated mucosal immune system in patients with SLE, with both immunologic and clinical implications.
Co‐Occurrence and Characteristics of Patients With Axial Spondyloarthritis Who Meet Criteria for Fibromyalgia
Authors: Macfarlane Gary J. , Barnish Maxwell S. , Pathan Ejaz , Martin Kathryn R. , Haywood Kirstie L. , Siebert Stefan , Packham Jonathan , Atzeni Fabiola , Jones Gareth T.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To estimate the proportion of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) in a UK national biologics registry who met criteria for fibromyalgia (FM), and to delineate the characteristics of these patients.

Methods

Two cohorts of patients are prospectively recruited from across 83 centers in the UK for the British Society for Rheumatology Biologics Register in Ankylosing Spondylitis (BSRBR‐AS). All patients are required to meet Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria for axial SpA. Patients are either newly starting biologic therapy (biologics cohort) or are naive to treatment with biologic agents (non‐biologics cohort) at the time of recruitment, and all patients are followed up prospectively. At recruitment and follow‐up, clinical information and measurements are recorded while patients complete the 2011 research criteria for FM and assessments of the level of disease activity and work impact.

Results

Of the patients registered in the BSRBR‐AS, 1,504 (68% male) were eligible for the current analysis, of whom 311 (20.7%) met the 2011 research criteria for FM. Prevalence of FM was similar between patients who fulfilled the modified New York criteria for AS (19.7%) and those who fulfilled ASAS imaging criteria but not the modified New York criteria (25.2%); however, among those who fulfilled only the ASAS clinical criteria, the prevalence of FM was lower (9.5%). Patients who met FM criteria reported significantly worse disease activity, function, global severity scores, and quality of life, and were more likely to have moderate or severe levels of mood disorder and clinically important fatigue. Patients who met FM criteria reported experiencing work impairment around half their working time. Meeting FM criteria was not related to elevated C‐reactive protein levels or most extraspinal manifestations, but was associated with a higher likelihood of having received biologic therapy.

Conclusion

Developing management approaches that would address the significant unmet clinical needs of the 1 in 5 patients with axial SpA who meet criteria for FM should be a research priority.
Multisensory neural integration of chemical and mechanical signals
Authors: Sánchez‐Alcañiz Juan Antonio , Benton Richard
Published: June 2017

Chemosensation and mechanosensation cover an enormous spectrum of processes by which animals use information from the environment to adapt their behavior. For pragmatic reasons, these sensory modalities are commonly investigated independently. Recent advances, however, have revealed numerous situations in which they function together to control animals’ actions. Highlighting examples from diverse vertebrates and invertebrates, we first discuss sensory receptors and neurons that have dual roles in the detection of chemical and mechanical stimuli. Next we present cases where peripheral chemosensory and mechanosensory pathways are discrete but intimately packaged to permit coordinated reception of external cues. Finally, we consider how chemical and mechanical signals converge in central neural circuitry to enable multisensory integration. These insights demonstrate how investigation of the interplay between different sensory modalities is key to a more holistic and realistic understanding of sensory‐guided behaviors.
The prognostic impact of programmed cell death ligand 1 and human leukocyte antigen class I in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Imai Daisuke , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Okano Shinji , Uchiyama Hideaki , Ikegami Toru , Harimoto Norifumi , Itoh Shinji , Soejima Yuji , Aishima Shinichi , Oda Yoshinao , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: June 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is associated with an immunosuppressive tumor‐microenvironment (TME) that supports the growth of tumors and mediates tumors enabling evasion of the immune system. Expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and loss of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I on tumor cells are methods by which tumors escape immunosurveillance. We examined immune cell infiltration, the expression of PD‐L1 and HLA class I by PDA cells, and the correlation between these immunological factors and clinical prognosis. PDA samples from 36 patients were analyzed for HLA class I, HLA‐DR, PD‐L1, PD‐1, CD4, CD8, CD56, CD68, and FoxP3 expression by immunohistochemistry. The correlations between the expression of HLA class I, HLA‐DR, PD‐L1 or PD‐1 and the pattern of tumor infiltrating immune cells or the patients’ prognosis were assessed. PD‐L1 expression correlated with tumor infiltration by CD68+ and FoxP3+ cells. Low HLA class I expression was an only risk factor for poor survival. PD‐L1 negative and HLA class I high‐expressing PDA was significantly associated with higher numbers of infiltrating CD8+ T cells in the TME, and a better prognosis. Evaluation of both PD‐L1 and HLA class I expression by PDA may be a good predictor of prognosis for patients. HLA class I expression by tumor cells should be evaluated when selecting PDA patients who may be eligible for treatment with PD‐1/PD‐L1 immune checkpoint blockade therapies.
Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Assisted by N Sources and their Application in the Photodegradation of Organic Contaminants
Authors: da Silva Gelson T. S. T. , Carvalho Kele T. G. , Lopes Osmando F. , Gomes Eliziana S. , Malagutti Andréa R. , Mastelaro Valmor R. , Ribeiro Caue , Mourão Henrique A. J. L.
Published: June 2017

A modified polymeric precursor method assisted by N sources (urea or melamine) was used to obtain anion‐doped ZnO nanoparticles. The influence of these molecules on the physical‐chemical and photocatalytic properties of the as‐synthesized samples was investigated. The ZnO nanoparticles exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite phase and crystallite sizes of approximately 20 nm. The addition of urea or melamine to the Zn2+ precursor solution improved the surface properties of the materials and resulted in controlled growth of the N‐doped ZnO nanoparticles, with urea showing superior performance for this purpose. These changes led to improved photocatalytic performance in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye and ethionamide antibiotic under UVC irradiation. It was observed that the indirect mechanism involving .OH radical attack played the main role in both photodegradation reactions catalyzed by the as‐synthesized ZnO samples, whereas the photosensitization mechanism had a negligible influence. The use of ESI‐MS analyses showed that the MB dye molecules were broken up by the action of the ZnO photocatalyst, indicating the occurrence of a mineralization process.
Scalable Integration of Highly Uniform MnxCo3−xO4 Nanosheet Array onto Ceramic Monolithic Substrates for Low‐Temperature Propane Oxidation
Authors: Tang Wenxiang , Ren Zheng , Lu Xingxu , Wang Sibo , Guo Yanbing , Hoang Son , Du Shoucheng , Gao Pu‐Xian
Published: June 2017

The redox reaction between KMnO4 and Co(NO3)2 was designed and readily utilized for the scalable integration of spinel MnxCo3−xO4 nanosheet arrays in three‐dimensional ceramic honeycombs by controlling the reaction temperature. The Co2+ can reduce MnO4− to form Mn–Co spinel oxide nanosheet arrays uniformly on the channel surface of cordierite honeycomb. The novel platinum group metal free oxide nanosheet array integrated ceramic honeycomb monolith shows good low‐temperature catalytic activity for propane oxidation, with the 50 % conversion temperature achieved at 310 °C, which is a much lower temperature than that over the wash‐coated commercial Pt/Al2O3. These integrated Mn–Co composite oxide nanoarrays may hold great promise for the construction of advanced monolithic catalyst for high‐performance and low‐cost emission control.