bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Valvuloplasty balloon entrapment in a self‐expanding aortic valve stent frame after inadvertent wire passage through the outflow struts
Authors: Piayda Kerstin , Hellhammer Katharina , Veulemans Verena , Zeus Tobias
Published: September 2018

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a leading‐edge therapy option for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high surgical risk. However, this minimally invasive procedure is associated with specific complications that may be life‐threatening. Valvuloplasty balloon entrapment during postdilatation in transcatheter self‐expanding aortic valve stent frames has not yet been a focus of interest in this context. Although it is a rare event, it may critically influence outcome, and different management strategies can be considered. Hereafter, we present the case of a 67‐year‐old male who underwent transfemoral TAVR and subsequent postdilatation. The valvuloplasty balloon was entrapped in the self‐expanding aortic valve stent frame after inadvertent wire passage through the outflow struts. Since surgical risk was high, we preferred a percutaneous approach and extracted the entrapped balloon with high traction force under rapid pacing after valve stabilization with another balloon, which was placed in the annular position.
A pilot clinical study of adjunctive therapy with selective intracoronary hypothermia in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Yong‐Sheng , Zhang Jian , Li Ya‐Fei , Chen Bing‐Rui , Khurwolah Mohammad Reeaze , Tian Yun‐Fan , Shi Hao‐Jie , Yang Zhi‐Jian , Wang Lian‐Sheng
Published: September 2018

Objectives

We aimed to assess the effect of selective intracoronary hypothermia on outcomes in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Background

Intracoronary hypothermia, the feasibility and safety of which has been validated in humans, induced by selective trans‐coronary infusion of saline at different temperatures can reduce infarct size (IS) prior to reperfusion in animal models of STEMI.

Methods

Sixty STEMI patients presenting with thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade 0/1 were randomized after coronary artery angiography. Intracoronary hypothermia was induced by selective trans‐coronary infusion of saline at 4°C to the endangered myocardium in the 30 patients. The primary endpoint, absolute IS expressed as IS/myocardium at risk (MaR), was assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at day 7 post‐PPCI in 50 patients. Clinical follow‐up was undertaken at day 30 after procedure.

Results

Intracoronary hypothermia was successfully performed in hypothermia group, without increase in arrhythmia or hemodynamic instability. The mean temperature reduction of 5.8 ± 1.1°C in distal coronary artery was achieved before reperfusion. Mean IS/MaR was predominantly reduced in the hypothermia group (44.85 ± 5.89% vs. 50.69 ± 10.75%, P = 0.022), especially in the anterior STEMI subgroup (46.12 ± 7.54% vs. 55.27 ± 11.175%, P = 0.023). The clinical events appeared no statistical difference between the two groups at the 30‐day follow‐up.

Conclusion

The statistical difference in IS/MaR by intracoronary hypothermia as adjunctive therapy to PPCI is an important observation and warrants a larger pivotal trial fully powered for efficacy.
Comparison of 3‐year clinical outcomes after endovascular therapy for aortoiliac artery occlusive disease between patients with and without hemodialysis: Subanalysis of the REAL‐AI registry
Authors: Tokuda Takahiro , Hirano Keisuke , Soga Yoshimitsu , Iida Osamu , Kawasaki Daizo , Yamauchi Yasutaka , Suzuki Kenji , Kamoi Daisuke , Tazaki Junichi
Published: September 2018

Purpose

The impact of hemodialysis (HD) on aortoiliac (AI) occlusive lesions remains unknown. Here, we report the 3‐year clinical outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for AI occlusive lesions in propensity‐matched populations of patients who did and did not undergo HD.

Methods

The cohort of this large‐scale, multicenter, retrospective registry study included 574 consecutive patients with AI occlusive disease. Propensity score‐matched analysis was performed to compare AI occlusive lesions between patients who did and did not undergo HD. The endpoints were primary patency, assisted primary patency, and secondary patency as well as overall survival and major adverse limb events (MALEs).

Results

A total of 57 matched pairs of patients who did and did not undergo HD were analyzed after propensity score‐matched analysis. No significant difference was observed in primary patency, assisted primary patency, secondary patency, and MALEs at 3 years. The survival rate was significantly lower in the HD group than in the without‐HD group (68% vs. 93%, P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Although the survival rate of HD patients was poor, the results of EVT for AI occlusive lesions were reasonable in these patients.
Early restenosis of resorbable magnesium scaffolds: Optical coherence tomography findings
Authors: García‐Guimaraes Marcos , Antuña Paula , Cuesta Javier , Alfonso Fernando
Published: September 2018

Resorbable Magnesium Scaffolds (RMS) represent an interesting alternative to current drug‐eluting stents. Current data from clinical trials seems to confirm good performance of these new devices with low rates of late device failure. Little is known about mechanisms leading to RMS failure. Herein, we present the first description of an early RMS in‐scaffold restenosis. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis at implantation detected acute non‐severe malapposition and underexpansion as main promoters of RMS failure. OCT during in‐scaffold restenosis intervention confirmed early severe neointimal proliferation and RMS late recoil and dismantling as the main mechanisms of device failure. We hypothesize that the fast resorption process of RMS may lead to an early loss of radial strength, that could favor late recoil, acquired underexpansion, device dismantling and might interact with distribution of sirolimus. This case also illustrates that OCT is pivotal to unravel both acute and acquired mechanisms related to RMS failure.
Percutaneous melody valve implantation in a native tricuspid valve following failed surgical repair
Authors: Sumski Christopher A. , Bartz Peter , Gudausky Todd
Published: September 2018

Transcatheter valve‐in‐valve and valve‐in‐ring implantation has become a common approach to treating patients with failed bioprosthetic tricuspid valves as well as failed surgical repairs of the tricuspid valve where an annuloplasty ring has been utilized. We describe a case where a Melody valve was percutaneously implanted in a native tricuspid valve with severe stenosis following surgical repair without a supporting annuloplasty ring.
Buddy‐wire technique during rotational Atherectomy: Simple and effective solution to achieve strong back‐up support
Authors: Mitomo Satoru , Demir Ozan M. , Latib Azeem , Colombo Antonio
Published: September 2018

A 52‐year‐old male underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using rotational atherectomy (RA: 1.5‐mm burr) for a severely calcified lesion in the proximal to mid obtuse marginal (OM) branch. Even with 7 Fr extra back‐up guiding catheter via femoral access, the burr could not cross the lesion due to insufficient back‐up support. In order to achieve stronger back‐up support, we kept the burr at the position in the OM branch and placed a supportive wire in left anterior descending artery through the side of drive‐shaft sheath of the Rotablator, which sufficiently stabilized the guiding catheter during the ablation and the burr crossed the lesion. This case demonstrates that a simple technique of placing additional supportive wire in the other vessel during RA could be an effective and safe solution to facilitate improved back‐up support without necessity to change the PCI system used already.
Simultaneous transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement and trans‐septal mitral valve‐in‐ring implantation after partial laceration of an Alfieri stitch
Authors: Garcia Santiago , Mbai Mackenzie , Kelly Rosemary , Bertog Stefan
Published: September 2018

In patients with an Alfieri Stitch transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) may be difficult due to the double orifice configuration of the mitral valve. We report a case of simultaneous and completely percutaneous TAVR and TMVR using LAMPOON‐related techniques prior to TMVR to allow for optimal valve deployment.
Impact of diabetes on clinical outcomes after revascularization with sirolimus‐eluting and biolimus‐eluting stents with biodegradable polymer from the SORT OUT VII trial
Authors: Ellert Julia , Christiansen Evald Høj , Maeng Michael , Raungaard Bent , Jensen Svend Eggert , Kristensen Steen Dalby , Veien Karsten Tange , Junker Anders Bo , Jakobsen Lars , Aarøe Jens , Terkelsen Christian Juhl , Kahlert Johnny , Villadsen Anton Boel , Bøtker Hans Erik , Jensen Lisette Okkels
Published: September 2018

Objectives

In this substudy of the SORT OUT VII trial, the clinical outcomes among patient with diabetes mellitus treated with Orsiro sirolimus‐eluting stent (O‐SES; Biotronik, Bülach, Switzerland) or Nobori biolimus‐eluting stent (N‐BES; Terumo, Tokyo, Japan) were compared.

Background

Diabetes is associated with increased risk of target lesion failure (TLF) after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

In total, 2525 patients were randomized to stent implantation with O‐SES (n = 1261, diabetes: n = 236) or N‐BES (n = 1264, diabetes: n = 235). The primary endpoint, TLF, was a composite of cardiac death, target‐lesion myocardial infarction (MI), or target lesion revascularization (TLR) within 2 years.

Results

At 2 year, TLF did not differ between O‐SES vs N‐BES in diabetic (9.3% vs 9.4%; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.54–1.78) patients. The individual components of the primary endpoint did not differ among stent type. In diabetics, cardiac death occurred in 3% of O‐SES‐treated and in 3.8% of N‐BES‐treated patients (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.29–2.08), MI occurred in 3.0% of O‐SES‐treated and in 3.8% of N‐BES‐treated patients (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.28–2.06) and TLR occurred in 5,5% of O‐SES‐treated and in 6.0% of N‐BES‐treated patients (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.43–1.95).

Conclusion

TLF did not differ between O‐SES‐ and N‐BES‐treated diabetic patients.
Outcome of staged percutaneous coronary intervention within two weeks from admission in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction with multivessel disease
Authors: Fukutomi Motoki , Toriumi Shinichi , Ogoyama Yukako , Oba Yusuke , Takahashi Masao , Funayama Hiroshi , Kario Kazuomi
Published: September 2018

Background

The optimum timing of revascularization strategy for stenoses in nonculprit vessels in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel disease (MVD) remains unclear. At present, there is no evidence investigating the outcome of staged percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within two weeks from admission among STEMI patients with MVD.

Methods

A total of 210 STEMI patients with MVD who underwent primary PCI were analyzed. We compared the all‐cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, unstable angina, and stroke) with median follow‐up of 1200 days among the patients who underwent staged PCI within two weeks from admission (staged PCI ≤2 W) (n = 75), staged PCI after two weeks from admission (staged PCI >2 W) (n = 37) and culprit‐only PCI (n = 98) in patients with STEMI and MVD.

Results

The staged PCI ≤2 W showed lower all‐cause mortality than culprit‐only PCI (4.0 vs 29.6%, log‐rank P = 0.001), and lower incidence of MACE than the staged PCI >2 W group (1.3 vs 18.9%, log‐rank P = 0.001) and culprit‐only PCI group (1.3 vs 22.5%, log‐rank P = 0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the staged PCI ≤2 W was a predictor of lower all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.176; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.049‐0.630; P = 0.008) and lower incidence of MACE (HR, 0.068; 95% CI, 0.009‐0.533; P = 0.011), but staged PCI >2 W was not.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staged PCI within two weeks after admission showed more favorable outcomes compared with staged PCI after two weeks from admission or culprit‐only PCI in STEMI patients with MVD.
Radial vs femoral access for the prevention of acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary angiography or intervention: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Andò Giuseppe , Gragnano Felice , Calabrò Paolo , Valgimigli Marco
Published: September 2018

Objectives

We sought to investigate the impact of radial vs femoral access on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) after coronary angiography or intervention.

Background

There is a growing recognition of the importance of access site selection as an adjudicative measure to mitigate the risk of renal impairment for patients with coronary artery disease undergoing angiography with or without percutaneous coronary intervention.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta‐analyzed available evidence comparing the rates of AKI with radial vs femoral access in patients undergoing coronary angiography or intervention. Studies reporting the incidence of AKI as a primary or secondary outcome were pooled in fixed‐ and random‐effects meta‐analyses and meta‐regression techniques were used to account for across‐study heterogeneity.

Results

Across data pooled from nine studies (n = 32 181), radial access was significantly associated with a reduction in the incidence of AKI (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.66, P < 0.0001 with fixed‐effects model, OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.67, P < 0.0001 with random‐effects model) as compared to femoral. In the meta‐regression model, the effect size of radial access effect was related to the number of centers in which studies were conducted.

Conclusions

Compared with the femoral approach, radial access was associated with a lower incidence of AKI after coronary angiography or intervention, although this benefit was less pronounced in multicenter than in single‐center studies.
A hybrid technique for treatment of commissural primary mitral regurgitation
Authors: Raphael Claire E , Malouf Joseph F , Maor Elad , Panaich Sidakpal S , Pollak Peter M , Reeder Guy S , Rihal Charanjit S , Eleid Mackram F
Published: September 2018

Background

MitraClip is an effective transcatheter therapy for mitral regurgitation (MR). However, MitraClip is challenging in commissural MR and the optimal therapeutic approach is unclear.

Methods

We describe a case series of six consecutive patients with severe commissural primary mitral regurgitation who underwent MitraClip insertion followed by an Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP) II occluder between the commissure and the MitraClip.

Results

The procedure was successful in all patients. MR was reduced from severe to mild/trivial in 50% and moderate in 50% of cases. On 30‐day follow‐up, NYHA class had improved from III (6 patients) to I (2 patients), II (2 patients), and III (2 patients). The mean transmitral gradient was 2.5 ± 1.8 mmHg at baseline and 4.8 ± 2.6 mmHg following the procedure. One patient developed hemolysis immediately post procedure. The other five patients remained well during a median follow‐up of 20 months (range 5–50 months) with no reported device dislodgement.

Conclusions

Elective treatment of severe commissural MR with a laterally or medially placed MitraClip coupled with an AVP II occluder between the clip and the commissure is feasible and safe. This approach may provide a useful management alternative in selected patients.
Thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation. A comparison between balloon‐expandable and self‐expanding valves
Authors: Hernández‐Enríquez Marco , Regueiro Ander , Romaguera Rafael , Andrea Rut , Gómez‐Hospital Joan Antoni , Pujol‐López Margarida , Ferreiro‐Gutiérrez José Luis , Brugaletta Salvatore , Roura Gerard , Freixa Xavier , Gómez‐Lara Josep , Martín‐Yuste Victoria , Gracida Montserrat , Cequier Ángel , Sabaté Manel
Published: September 2018

Background

Thrombocytopenia after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is common and has been related to higher mortality and major complications. No comparison between balloon‐expandable (BEV) and self‐expanding valves (SEV) regarding drop platelet count (DPC) has been reported to date. The objectives of this study were to analyze the differences in DPC between BEVs or SEVs and their prognostic implications in clinical outcomes.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patients undergoing TAVI. Platelet counts after TAVI were collected. Two groups were created: DPC ≤ 30% and DPC > 30%. VARC‐2 criteria were used to define outcomes.

Results

Study population was composed of 195 patients (age 77.5 ± 6.7, 57.4% males). All of them but one experienced DPC (mean DPC 31.9 ± 15.3%). DPC was significantly higher among the patients treated with BEV compared to those treated with SEV (36.3 ± 15.1% vs 27.7 ± 14.4, P < 0.001). After multivariate analysis, the use of BEV was independently associated with a higher rate of DPC > 30% (67.4% vs 36.0%; OR 3.4; 95% CI, 1.42‐8.16). At 30 days, the DPC > 30% was associated with a higher rate of life‐threatening/major bleeding, major vascular complications, in‐hospital sepsis and mortality. At one year, there were no statistically significant differences in the mortality rate between groups (6.35% vs 10.0%, HR 1.54; 95% CI, 0.56–4.25).

Conclusions

In this study, the use of BEV was associated with a higher risk of DPC after TAVI. A DPC rate > 30% was associated with an increased risk of major complications at 30 days.
Bioelectronics and Interfaces Using Monolayer Graphene
Authors: Macedo Lucyano J. A. , Iost Rodrigo M. , Hassan Ayaz , Balasubramanian Kannan , Crespilho Frank N.
Published: September 2018

Graphene is expected to revolutionize several application areas ranging from portable energy conversion and storage to miniaturized biosensors for medical applications. In this endeavor, the control of surface characteristics is an essential aspect for understanding fundamental phenomena occurring at the graphene‐liquid interface. In this comprehensive review, we address recent progress in the investigation of the interfacial characteristics of monolayer graphene and methods for modulating the physical and chemical properties of this interface. We focus on the electrochemistry and field‐effect measurements in liquid, which provide an improved understanding of the unique graphene‐liquid interface, with due consideration of the influence of the underlying substrate and structural defects in graphene. Finally, we present reported examples of using single graphene monolayers in miniaturized devices for realizing sensors, neural interfaces and batteries.
Mesopore Engineering for Well‐Defined Mesoporosity in Al‐Rich Aluminosilicate Zeolites
Authors: Zhang Dazhi , Jin Changzi , Zou Mingming , Huang Shengjun
Published: September 2018

Desilication has been proven an effective approach for the construction of well‐defined hierarchical porosities inside zeolites with an optimal framework Al content (Si/Al=25–50). However, for the Al‐rich aluminosilicate zeolites, desilication is constrained by the excess and extensive shielding effects from high Al‐contents. The developments in the desilication of siliceous zeolites convey a simplified principle of controlled dissolution of the microporous matrix for the construction of hierarchical porosities, which benefits the innovation of synthetic approaches for Al‐rich zeolites. The perturbations to the environments of framework Al species may alleviate the excess shielding effects. This review highlights two corresponding protocols of sequential “fluorination–desilication” and “steaming–desilication” for the construction of hierarchical porosities inside Al‐rich ZSM‐5 zeolites. The success of these two protocols revitalizes the prevailing understanding of the interplay between dealumination and desilication, and implies the necessity of investigating the overlooked roles of extra‐framework Al species. Despite the long history and significant achievements in the last decade, fundamental understandings at the molecule level are still limited for the desilication‐based top‐down approaches. In particular, the investigations on Al‐rich zeolites just find their growing. The bridging of dealumination and desilication is essential for other industrially relevant Al‐rich zeolites (e.g., faujasite zeolites). The complexities in the inherent characters (topology, spatial distribution, proximity, etc.) and apparent parameters (morphology, crystal/particle size, etc.) demand constructive synthetic toolboxes and further fundamental understanding.
Photoreduction of Thioether Gold(III) Complexes: Mechanistic Insight and Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Cao Zhen , Bassani Dario M. , Bibal Brigitte
Published: September 2018

Complexes formed between AuCl3 and thioether ligands underwent a photoinduced reductive elimination under homogeneous conditions in dichloromethane and toluene solutions to afford the corresponding AuI complexes. All the gold(III) complexes were rapidly reduced to the gold(I) chloride complexes under 365 nm irradiation or ambient light while being thermally stable below 55 °C. The mechanism of photoreduction through Cl2 elimination is discussed based on a kinetic study and the chemical trapping of chlorine species: Cl2, radical Cl., and possibly Cl+. The catalytic activities of the gold(III) chloride complexes and the corresponding gold(I) complexes obtained by in situ reduction were evaluated in the cyclization of N‐propargylic amides to oxazoles. The merits of such photoreducible complexes in homogeneous gold catalysis are illustrated by a cascade reaction catalyzed by thioether gold complexes that affords a 4H‐quinolizin‐4‐one in high yields.
Characteristic and discrimination of unconventional oil samples by two‐dimensional extraction combined with concentration‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Chunyan , Huang Xiaodong , Fan Xinmin , He Weidong , Zhang Lujun
Published: September 2018

Fluorescence detection of petroleum related samples has excellent application value for unconventional oil exploration and petrochemical detection. In this paper, based on the concentration‐resolved fluorescence spectra, the synchronous fluorescence spectra were used in the range of 3.0 × 10−3 g/L to 5.0 g/L for different kinds of petroleum samples and petrochemical products with n‐hexane and isopropanol as extractants. A red shift of the fluorescence spectra with an increase in the concentration was found under both extractants. The solubility of n‐hexane on crude oil was stronger while that of isopropanol was better for aromatic compounds. The results show that the effect of different extracting agents on the spectra can be used to acquire more information about aromatics components in petroleum related samples, which should be carefully considered in the process of quantitative and qualitative analysis of crude oil samples by fluorescence spectra. It is also shown that the combined extraction of different extractants could enhance the analytical ability of the fluorescence spectrometry, and the rapid, non‐contact measurement is promising for in‐field use.
The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC): An international effort toward improved patient care—when the roots might be inspired by Leonardo da Vinci
Authors: Rossi Esther Diana , Faquin William C.
Published: September 2018

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) represents a standardized, evidence‐based reporting system for salivary gland fine‐needle aspiration (FNA). The role of FNA is well established for the preoperative evaluation of patients with salivary gland lesions; however, the lack of a uniform system for salivary gland FNA has limited its effectiveness. To address this, an international panel of experienced cytopathologists proposed a uniform reporting system in 2015 under the sponsorship of the American Society of Cytopathology and the International Academy of Cytology. The MSRSGC consists of 6 diagnostic tiers: 1) nondiagnostic, 2) non‐neoplastic, 3) atypia of undetermined significance, 4) neoplasm (subdivided into benign and salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential), 5) suspicious for malignancy, and 6) malignant. On the basis of evidence from the literature, each category has a suggested risk of malignancy that ranges from 5% for the neoplasm‐benign category to >90% for the malignant category. The overall goal of the MSRSGC is to improve the effectiveness of salivary FNA by providing a uniform system with the ultimate result of better communication and improved patient care.
Geometric skew image classification algorithm based on fusion adaptive reasoning
Authors: Liu Zhengyu , Chang Zhiqiang
Published: September 2018

The geometric skew model is widely used in image classification and image retrieval. In the traditional skew model, the geometric topology statistical method ignores the spatial information between geometric words and the classification object shape information, which leads to the distinguishing ability of image features. In this paper, we propose a geometric skew method with adaptive reasoning. Combined with significant region extraction and geometric topology, we not only can generate more representative geometric topologies but also can avoid complex background information and position change bands to a certain extent. First, the adaptive reasoning geometric skewness model is constructed on the obtained significant area by carrying out the significant region extraction of the training image. Second, in order to describe the characteristics of the image more accurately, it can resist the changing position and background information. The method uses the geometric topology strategy and the polygon segmentation method to integrate global information and local information. Through the simulation experiment and compared with the traditional skewness model and other models, the results show that the method proposed in this paper obtains higher intelligence image classification accuracy.
A survey of MPI usage in the US exascale computing project
Authors: Bernholdt David E. , Boehm Swen , Bosilca George , Gorentla Venkata Manjunath , Grant Ryan E. , Naughton Thomas , Pritchard Howard P. , Schulz Martin , Vallee Geoffroy R.
Published: September 2018

The Exascale Computing Project (ECP) is currently the primary effort in the United States focused on developing “exascale” levels of computing capabilities, including hardware, software, and applications. In order to obtain a more thorough understanding of how the software projects under the ECP are using, and planning to use the Message Passing Interface (MPI), and help guide the work of our own project within the ECP, we created a survey. Of the 97 ECP projects active at the time the survey was distributed, we received 77 responses, 56 of which reported that their projects were using MPI. This paper reports the results of that survey for the benefit of the broader community of MPI developers.
Density Functional Theory Investigation of Carbon Dots as Hole‐transport Material in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kasi Matta Sri , Zhang Chunmei , O'Mullane Anthony P. , Du Aijun
Published: September 2018

Charge transfer in solar cells is crucial, and so is the hole transporting layer (HTL) component in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Finding a suitable material for this purpose that is inexpensive – either organic or inorganic – is currently one of the prime research objectives to improve the performance, through charge transfer dynamics, of PSCs. One such recent finding is carbon quantum dots (C‐dots), which is a simple and low‐cost organic material that could be an alternative option to the currently employed high‐cost and complex‐structured hole transporting materials (HTMs) utilized in perovskite solar cells. A series of C‐dots functionalized with hydrogen, hydroxyl (−OH), and carboxyl (−COOH) groups are considered in this study for their hole‐transporting properties. The results reveal that simple hexagonal structured C‐dots including −OH and −COOH group substituted C‐dots have suitable valance band maximum (VBM) positions, which are suitable for hole transport. It is discovered that the position of the functional moieties on the C‐dots would impact the band‐edge positions of the C‐dots. This implies that tuning the band position is possible so that these two‐dimensional C‐dots could, in principle, be used for other solar‐cell applications that may require different band positions for optimal performance. As a representative example, we studied the perovskite/C‐Dot interface of two different possible surfaces (i. e. MAI and PbI2 terminated perovskites) combined with a hexagonal C‐Dot layer and found that there is a good probability of charge transfer between the perovskite layer and the C‐dots, which promotes hole transfer between the perovskite and the C‐dots.
A symmetric pair of hyperchaotic attractors
Authors: Li Chunbiao , Akgul Akif , Sprott Julien Clinton , Iu Herbert H.C. , Thio Wesley Joo‐Chen
Published: September 2018

A symmetric pair of hyperchaotic attractors based on the 4‐D Rössler system is constructed by adjusting the polarity information of some of its variables. By introducing a plane of equilibria into this system, an attractor and a repellor can be bridged. As a result, the proposed system is revised to be time‐reversible, and one of the coexisting attractors can be extracted. Therefore, two coexisting hyperchaotic attractors can be captured separately in an electric circuit without an external circuit to set initial conditions, which has not been previously reported.
Methodology for evaluating and comparing flow cytometers: A multisite study of 23 instruments
Authors: Parks David R. , Moore Wayne A. , Brinkman Ryan R. , Chen Yong , Condello Danilo , El Khettabi Faysal , Nolan John P. , Perfetto Stephen P. , Redelman Doug , Spidlen Josef , Van Dyke Jonathan , Wang Lili , Wood James C. S.
Published: September 2018

We demonstrate improved methods for making valid and accurate comparisons of fluorescence measurement capabilities among instruments tested at different sites and times. We designed a suite of measurements and automated data processing methods to obtain consistent objective results and applied them to a selection of 23 instruments at nine sites to provide a range of instruments as well as multiple instances of similar instruments. As far as we know, this study represents the most accurate methods and results so far demonstrated for this purpose. The first component of the study reporting improved methods for photoelectron scale (Spe) evaluations, which was published previously (Parks, El Khettabi, Chase, Hoffman, Perfetto, Spidlen, Wood, Moore, and Brinkman: Cytometry A 91 (2017) 232–249). Those results which were within themselves are not sufficient for instrument comparisons, so here, we use the Spe scale results for the 23 cytometers and combine them with additional information from the analysis suite to obtain the metrics actually needed for instrument evaluations and comparisons. We adopted what we call the 2+2SD limit of resolution as a maximally informative metric, for evaluating and comparing dye measurement sensitivity among different instruments and measurement channels. Our results demonstrate substantial differences among different classes of instruments in both dye response and detection sensitivity and some surprisingly large differences among similar instruments, even among instruments with nominally identical configurations. On some instruments, we detected defective measurement channels needing service. The system can be applied in shared resource laboratories and other facilities as an aspect of quality assurance, and accurate instrument comparisons can be valuable for selecting instruments for particular purposes and for making informed instrument acquisition decisions. An institutionally supported program could serve the cytometry community by facilitating access to materials, and analysis and maintaining an archive of results. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Design, graph theoretical analysis, density functionality theories, Insilico modeling, synthesis, characterization and biological activities of novel thiazole fused quinazolinone derivatives
Authors: Saravanan Govindaraj , Panneerselvam Theivendren , Alagarsamy Veerachamy , Kunjiappan Selvaraj , Parasuraman Pavadai , Murugan Indhumathy , Dinesh Kumar Pandurangan
Published: September 2018

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery

A series of 2‐(2‐substituted benzylidenehydrazinyl‐2‐oxopropyl)‐3‐(4‐[4‐oxo‐2‐phenylthiazolo din‐3‐yl]phenyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one 7a‐7l were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In this present study, the density functionality theory was performed to identify drug stability. Further we introduced graph theoretical analysis by utilised Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and Cytoscape software to identify drug target. Based on the observed drug target insilico modeling was executed to know effective drug. The antiepileptic effects of title compounds were evaluated by using MES and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) test. Acute neurological toxicity of title compounds was studied by using standardized rotorod test. After 0.5 hr of period many of the compounds showed anticonvulsant activity at MES or scPTZ test. Comparison of the biological activity of test compounds with its chemical structures indicates that, compounds possessing electron donating group exhibited superior activity than the analogs having electron withdrawing moieties. Among the electron donating group tested, amino derivative exhibited good activity than rest of derivatives. From the study it was concluded that, the compound 7j was established as very potent compared with rest of the compounds and standard drugs subjected to biological studies. Thus the compound 2‐(2‐[4‐aminobenzylidene]hydrazinyl‐2‐oxopropyl)‐3‐(4‐[4‐oxo‐2‐phenylthiazolidin‐3‐yl]phenyl) quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (7j) came out as pilot derivative without any neurotoxicity with a wide spectrum of antiepileptic activity.

Highlights

The performed work is having great significance in terms of

Graph theoretical analysis used to identify drug target

In silico modeling used to identify designed drug interaction with identify target

Density functionality studies used to identify synthesized compound energy band gap which is correlate with enhancement of its biological activity

Antiepileptic effects of entire synthesized quinazolinone scaffolds were evaluated by MES and scPTZ test

2‐(2‐[4‐aminobenzylidene]hydrazinyl‐2‐oxopropyl)‐3‐(4‐[4‐oxo‐2‐phenylthiazolidin‐3‐yl]phenyl) quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one (7j) was established as very potent compared to the rest of the compounds and standard drugs which were subjected to biological studies
Antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory, and central nervous system (CNS) effects of the natural coumarin soulattrolide
Authors: Alonso‐Castro Angel Josabad , Guzmán‐Gutiérrez Silvia Laura , Betancourt Clara Alba , Gasca‐Martínez Deisy , Álvarez‐Martínez Karla Lorena , Pérez‐Nicolás Miriam , Espitia‐Pinzón Clara Inés , Reyes‐Chilpa Ricardo
Published: September 2018

Soulattrolide is a natural coumarin synthesized by the leaves of species of Calophyllum (Calophyllaceae) rain forest trees, including the American C. brasiliense, and the Asian C. teysmanii. Soulattrolide is a potent inhibitor of the reverse transcriptase from HIV‐1 (RT‐HIV‐1), and active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. However, the effects of this coumarins on other systems, remains to be evaluated. C. brasiliense is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Therefore, we decided to explore the antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory activity of soulattrolide in mice, as well as, some of its possible effects on the CNS. Soulattrolide showed antinociceptive effects in the writhing test (ED50 = 33.8 mg/kg), as well as, in the formalin test with an ED50 = 7.9, and 22.1 mg/kg for Phases 1 and 2, respectively. The highest dose of soulattrolide (50 mg/kg) induced 40% of antinociception in the hot plate test. Regarding to anti‐inflammatory activity, in the 12‐O‐Tetradecanoylphorbol‐13‐acetate (TPA) test, soulattrolide showed an IC50 = 1.81 μmol/ear, whereas in the myeloperoxidase assay, it showed an inhibition of 87% (1 μmol/ear). Soulattrolide showed sedative effects on the pentobarbital‐induced sleeping time test, and the rotarod test, but lacked antidepressant activity on the tail suspension test. In conclusion, we report for the first time, the antinociceptive effects of soulattrolide in mice, like those of naproxen; soulattrolide also showed mild anti‐inflammatory activity, as well as mild sedative and anxiolytic properties, therefore, it has also activity on the CNS.
Reaction Pathway to the Only Open‐Shell Transition‐Metal Keggin Ion without Organic Ligation
Authors: Wang Wei , Amiri Mehran , Kozma Karoly , Lu Jian , Zakharov Lev N. , Nyman May
Published: September 2018

Aqueous metal‐oxo clusters without organic ligands (including polyoxometalates and group 13 polycations) are useful for energy, environmental and biomolecular applications. While ligands stabilize clusters of different elements, such as open‐shell transition metals, they inhibit reactivity and solubility. Therefore a grand challenge is to conceive and execute synthetic strategies to isolate metal‐oxo clusters of any composition, without ligation. Here we crystallize and structurally characterize a Cr3+ dodecamer Keggin ion without organic ligation. Detailed characterization of its formation leads to understanding its reaction pathway, which may translate to isolation of other open‐shell transition metal‐oxo clusters. We employed electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy and X‐ray scattering (small‐angle and total) to identify important reaction intermediates and processes. The aqueous synthesis presented here is simple to implement and scalable, producing pure phase materials in gram quantities.
Decolorization of Reactive Black 5 by Mesoporous Al2O3@TiO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Deng Hui , Zhang Mingwei , Cao Yuekun , Lin Yuxiang
Published: September 2018

In this study, mesoporous Al2O3@TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized via two successive precipitation methods. Due to the coated TiO2 layer, the Al2O3@TiO2 exhibited a significantly enhanced efficiency for the removal of reactive black 5 dye (RB5). The morphology and compositional characteristics of Al2O3@TiO2 were investigated by TEM, HRTEM, XRD, EDS, FTIR, BET, and zeta‐potential analysis. TEM photos illustrated that TiO2 film covered Al2O3, XRD suggested compositional phases of γ‐Al2O3 and anatase TiO2, and BET measurement confirmed its characteristic of the mesoporous material. Al2O3@TiO2 was applied as an adsorbent to remove RB5 from aqueous solution, and the adsorption isotherms fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model. The photocatalysis experiments confirmed that Al2O3@TiO2 had the good photocatalytic performance for degrading RB5 and the hydroxyl radical was the major active group. The UV–Vis adsorbance spectra demonstrated that this Al2O3@TiO2 could incompletely degrade RB5 dye under natural indoor light simultaneously when adsorption occurred. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: S230–S242, 2019
Insights of long‐term geomorphological evolution of coastal landscapes in hot‐spot oceanic islands
Authors: Ferrer‐Valero Nicolas , Hernández‐Calvento Luis , Hernández‐Cordero Antonio I.
Published: September 2018

The Canary Islands form a volcanic archipelago in which a west–east (W–E) chain of progressively older and less active islands can be observed. In the Canary Islands, unlike most hot‐spot archipelagos, certain geodynamic peculiarities have promoted longer periods of island survival, exceeding 20 Myr. This factor makes these islands a suitable context for this work, which aims to analyze extensively the coastal geomorphic structure on islands with different development states. For this, three islands in different volcanic phases were selected: La Palma (1.8 Myr), Gran Canaria (14.5 Myr) and Fuerteventura (22.6 Myr). An ad hoc landform‐based hierarchical taxonomy was designed to analyze the coastal geomorphic structure of the three islands. Based on a multi‐sourced analysis in geographic information system (GIS) and field recognition, a comprehensive cartographic database was collected using the coastline data‐storing (CDS) method as a feature abundance proxy. Three different aspects of the geomorphological structure were compared and related between the islands: (i) composition, (ii) abundance and (iii) diversity. Through their comparison, we attempt to explore geomorphological aspects of coastal evolution over geological spatiotemporal scales. Composition was explored analyzing the distribution of the feature's longshore frequencies (p). Abundance, by metrics of local abundance (N∩) and whole density (NU). Diversity, through four indices: normalized richness (S) and Margalef index (M) to estimate richness; Simpson index (D) and Shannon index (H’) to estimate evenness. We identified a systematic transformation in the dominant landform composition and a systematic trend in increasing geomorphological abundance and diversity from younger to older islands. The results show a long‐term structural pattern defined by the increase in coastal geomorphic complexity (abundance and diversity) over geological time, as the coasts evolve from predominantly rocky‐erosive to increasingly clastic‐depositional environments. This long‐term geomorphological pattern may be a general aspect of hot‐spot island archipelagos, which can bring a new perspective to the knowledge of their coastal evolution. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Site‐specific modulators control how geophysical and socio‐technical drivers shape land use and land cover
Authors: Odgaard Mette V. , Dalgaard Tommy , Bøcher Peder K. , Svenning Jens‐Christian
Published: September 2018

Human utilisation of natural resources is the most important direct driver of land cover patterns in the Anthropocene. Here, we present a conceptual framework for how the effects of geophysical drivers (e.g., topography, soil, climate, and hydrology) and socio‐technical drivers (e.g., technology, legal regulation, economy, and culture) on land use and land cover are shaped by site‐specific modulators such as local topography and social and cultural backgrounds of individuals. The framework is demonstrated by examples from the literature, with emphasis on the north‐western European lowland agricultural region. For example, a geophysical driver such as slope of the terrain constrains land use and is thereby an important driver of land covers, for example, forests. This effect of slope can vary depending on site‐specific modulators such as local soil fertility, local topographic heterogeneity, and shifting human population densities. Acknowledging the importance of site‐specific modulators on how geophysical and socio‐technical drivers shape land use and land covers will strengthen research on human–environmental interactions – especially important with the future increase in human populations in a constant changing world.
Parsing brain structural heterogeneity in males with autism spectrum disorder reveals distinct clinical subtypes
Authors: Chen Heng , Uddin Lucina Q. , Guo Xiaonan , Wang Jia , Wang Runshi , Wang Xiaomin , Duan Xujun , Chen Huafu
Published: September 2018

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with considerable neuroanatomical heterogeneity. Thus, how and to what extent the brains of individuals with ASD differ from each other is still unclear. In this study, brain structural MRI data from 356 right‐handed, male subjects with ASD and 403 right‐handed male healthy controls were selected from the Autism Brain Image Data Exchange database (age range 5–35 years old). Voxel‐based morphometry preprocessing steps were conducted to compute the gray matter volume maps for each subject. Individual neuroanatomical difference patterns for each ASD individual were calculated. A data‐driven clustering method was next utilized to stratify individuals with ASD into several subtypes. Whole‐brain functional connectivity and clinical severity were compared among individuals within the ASD subtypes identified. A searchlight analysis was applied to determine whether subtyping ASD could improve the classification accuracy between ASD and healthy controls. Three ASD subtypes with distinct neuroanatomical difference patterns were revealed. Different degrees of clinical severity and atypical brain functional connectivity patterns were observed among these three subtypes. By dividing ASD into three subtypes, the classification accuracy between subjects of two out of the three subtypes and healthy controls was improved. The current study confirms that ASD is not a disorder with a uniform neuroanatomical signature. Understanding neuroanatomical heterogeneity in ASD could help to explain divergent patterns of clinical severity and outcomes.
The Polyploid State Restricts Hepatocyte Proliferation and Liver Regeneration in Mice
Authors: Wilkinson Patrick D. , Delgado Evan R. , Alencastro Frances , Leek Madeleine P. , Roy Nairita , Weirich Matthew P. , Stahl Elizabeth C. , Otero P. Anthony , Chen Maelee I. , Brown Whitney K. , Duncan Andrew W.
Published: September 2018

The liver contains a mixture of hepatocytes with diploid or polyploid (tetraploid, octaploid, etc.) nuclear content. Polyploid hepatocytes are commonly found in adult mammals, representing ~90% of the entire hepatic pool in rodents. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate polyploidization have been well characterized; however, it is unclear whether diploid and polyploid hepatocytes function similarly in multiple contexts. Answering this question has been challenging because proliferating hepatocytes can increase or decrease ploidy, and animal models with healthy diploid‐only livers have not been available. Mice lacking E2f7 and E2f8 in the liver (liver‐specific E2f7/E2f8 knockout; LKO) were recently reported to have a polyploidization defect, but were otherwise healthy. Herein, livers from LKO mice were rigorously characterized, demonstrating a 20‐fold increase in diploid hepatocytes and maintenance of the diploid state even after extensive proliferation. Livers from LKO mice maintained normal function, but became highly tumorigenic when challenged with tumor‐promoting stimuli, suggesting that tumors in LKO mice were driven, at least in part, by diploid hepatocytes capable of rapid proliferation. Indeed, hepatocytes from LKO mice proliferate faster and out‐compete control hepatocytes, especially in competitive repopulation studies. In addition, diploid or polyploid hepatocytes from wild‐type (WT) mice were examined to eliminate potentially confounding effects associated with E2f7/E2f8 deficiency. WT diploid cells also showed a proliferative advantage, entering and progressing through the cell cycle faster than polyploid cells, both in vitro and during liver regeneration (LR). Diploid and polyploid hepatocytes responded similarly to hepatic mitogens, indicating that proliferation kinetics are unrelated to differential response to growth stimuli. Conclusion: Diploid hepatocytes proliferate faster than polyploids, suggesting that the polyploid state functions as a growth suppressor to restrict proliferation by the majority of hepatocytes.