bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Networks of myelin covariance
Authors: Melie‐Garcia Lester , Slater David , Ruef Anne , Sanabria‐Diaz Gretel , Preisig Martin , Kherif Ferath , Draganski Bogdan , Lutti Antoine
Published: December 2017

Networks of anatomical covariance have been widely used to study connectivity patterns in both normal and pathological brains based on the concurrent changes of morphometric measures (i.e., cortical thickness) between brain structures across subjects (Evans, ). However, the existence of networks of microstructural changes within brain tissue has been largely unexplored so far. In this article, we studied in vivo the concurrent myelination processes among brain anatomical structures that gathered together emerge to form nonrandom networks. We name these “networks of myelin covariance” (Myelin‐Nets). The Myelin‐Nets were built from quantitative Magnetization Transfer data—an in‐vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) marker of myelin content. The synchronicity of the variations in myelin content between anatomical regions was measured by computing the Pearson's correlation coefficient. We were especially interested in elucidating the effect of age on the topological organization of the Myelin‐Nets. We therefore selected two age groups: Young‐Age (20–31 years old) and Old‐Age (60–71 years old) and a pool of participants from 48 to 87 years old for a Myelin‐Nets aging trajectory study. We found that the topological organization of the Myelin‐Nets is strongly shaped by aging processes. The global myelin correlation strength, between homologous regions and locally in different brain lobes, showed a significant dependence on age. Interestingly, we also showed that the aging process modulates the resilience of the Myelin‐Nets to damage of principal network structures. In summary, this work sheds light on the organizational principles driving myelination and myelin degeneration in brain gray matter and how such patterns are modulated by aging.
Labeling and Protecting N‐Terminal Protein Positions by β‐Peptidyl Aminopeptidase‐Catalyzed Attachment of β‐Amino‐Acid Residues – Insulin as a First Example
Authors: Kolesinska Beata , Wasko Joanna , Kaminski Zbigniew , Geueke Birgit , Kohler Hans‐Peter E. , Seebach Dieter
Published: December 2017

We have shown for the first time that a natural protein (human insulin) can be acylated at the N‐terminus with a β‐amino acid (H‐β3hAla‐), in a process catalyzed by the β‐peptidyl aminopeptidase 3‐2W4‐BapA. This selective modification, which could also be applied for protein labeling and tagging, should be generally useful, also to protect peptides and proteins from attack by common aminopeptidases.
Early Signs of Bone and Cartilage Changes Induced by Treadmill Exercise in Rats
Authors: Moshtagh Parisa R , Korthagen Nicoline M , Plomp Saskia G , Pouran Behdad , Castelein Rene M , Zadpoor Amir A , Weinans Harrie
Published: December 2017

This study aims to investigate the earliest alterations of bone and cartilage tissues as a result of different exercise protocols in the knee joint of Wistar rats. We hypothesize that pretraining to a continuous intense running protocol would protect the animals from cartilage degeneration. Three groups of animals were used: (i) an adaptive (pretraining) running group that ran for 8 weeks with gradually increasing velocity and time of running followed by a constant running program (6 weeks of 1.12 km/hour running per day); (ii) a non‐adaptive running (constant running) group that initially rested for 8 weeks followed by 6 weeks of constant running; and (iii) a non‐running (control) group. At weeks 8, 14, and 20 bone and cartilage were analyzed. Both running groups developed mild symptoms of cartilage irregularities, such as chondrocyte hypertrophy and cell clustering in different cartilage zones, in particular after the adaptive running protocol. As a result of physical training in the adaptive running exercise a dynamic response of bone was detected at week 8, where bone growth was enhanced. Conversely, the thickness of epiphyseal trabecular and subchondral bone (at week 14) was reduced due to the constant running in the period between 8 and 14 weeks. Finally, the intermediate differences between the two running groups disappeared after both groups had a resting period (from 14 to 20 weeks). The adaptive running group showed an increase in aggrecan gene expression and reduction of MMP2 expression after the initial 8 weeks running. Thus, the running exercise models in this study showed mild bone and cartilage/chondrocyte alterations that can be considered as early‐stage osteoarthritis. The pretraining adaptive protocol before constant intense running did not protect from mild cartilage degeneration. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Using the fast fourier transform in binding free energy calculations
Authors: Nguyen Trung Hai , Zhou Huan‐Xiang , Minh David D. L.
Published: December 2017

According to implicit ligand theory, the standard binding free energy is an exponential average of the binding potential of mean force (BPMF), an exponential average of the interaction energy between the unbound ligand ensemble and a rigid receptor. Here, we use the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to efficiently evaluate BPMFs by calculating interaction energies when rigid ligand configurations from the unbound ensemble are discretely translated across rigid receptor conformations. Results for standard binding free energies between T4 lysozyme and 141 small organic molecules are in good agreement with previous alchemical calculations based on (1) a flexible complex (
for 24 systems) and (2) flexible ligand with multiple rigid receptor configurations (
for 141 systems). While the FFT is routinely used for molecular docking, to our knowledge this is the first time that the algorithm has been used for rigorous binding free energy calculations. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social antecedents in physical activity: Tracking the self‐determination theory sequence in adolescents
Authors: Chicote‐López Javier , Abarca‐Sos Alberto , Gallardo Laura O. , García‐González Luis
Published: December 2017

The aim of the study was to test the self determination theory (SDT) sequence to predict physical activity (PA) and intention to be active during adolescence: social factors (father, mother, friends, and physical education teacher) → basic psychological needs (BPN) → types of motivation were assessed→ PA and intention to be active. Participants were 1,150 adolescents, Mage = 15.01 (1.55), who completed questionnaires. Structural equation modeling supports the SDT sequence model. Results revealed that intrinsic and extrinsic motivation positively predicted both PA and intention to be active while amotivation did so negatively. Moreover, social factors behaved differently with BPN, finding positive relationships between father, friends, and physical education teachers with competence, autonomy, and relatedness, whereas mother's support does not influence the sequence. The study shed light on the SDT theory to provide a better understanding of physical activity behaviors and intentions during adolescence.
Activation of the sympathetic nervous system modulates neutrophil function
Authors: Nicholls Alyce J , Wen Shu Wen , Hall Pam , Hickey Michael J , Wong Connie H Y
Published: December 2017

Emerging evidence has revealed that noradrenaline (NA), the main neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), regulates a variety of immune functions via binding to adrenergic receptors present on immune cells. In this study, we examined the role of NA in the regulation of neutrophil functions. Neutrophils were isolated from the bone marrow of naïve mice and treated with NA at various concentrations to assess the effect on various neutrophil functions. Additionally, we performed cremaster intravital microscopy to examine neutrophil-endothelial cell interactions following NA superfusion in vivo. In a separate group of animals, mice were subjected to an experimental model of stroke and at 4 and 24 h neutrophils were isolated for assessment on their ability to migrate toward various chemokines. Treatment of neutrophils with NA for 4 h significantly impaired neutrophil chemotaxis and induced an N2 neutrophil phenotype with reduced expression of the genes critical for cytoskeleton remodeling and inflammation. Prolonged NA administration promoted neutrophils to release myeloperoxidase and IL-6, but suppressed the production of interferon-γ and IL-10, reduced neutrophil activation and phagocytosis. Superfusion of NA over the cremaster muscle almost completely inhibited fMLP-induced neutrophil adhesion/arrest and transmigration. Furthermore, using a mouse model of stroke, a pathological condition in which SNS activation is evident, neutrophils isolated from poststroke mice showed markedly reduced chemotaxis toward all of the chemokines tested. The findings from our study indicate that neutrophil chemotaxis, activation, and phagocytosis can all be negatively regulated in an NA-dependent manner. A better understanding of the relationship between sympathetic activation and neutrophil function will be important for the development of effective antibacterial interventions.
Frontline Science: Anti-PD-L1 protects against infection with common bacterial pathogens after burn injury
Authors: Patil Naeem K , Luan Liming , Bohannon Julia K , Hernandez Antonio , Guo Yin , Sherwood Edward R
Published: December 2017

Burn patients are susceptible to infections due, in part, to immune dysfunction. Upregulation of programmed death-1 (PD-1) receptor on T cells and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) on myeloid cells contribute to immune dysfunction in nonburn-related sepsis. We hypothesized that PD-1/PDL1 interactions contribute to immune dysfunction after burn injury. To determine the impact of burn injury and infection on PD-L1, PD-1 and costimulatory receptor expression by leukocytes and its relationship to T cell functions. The efficacy of anti-PD-L1 antibody was evaluated in a clinically relevant mouse model of burn injury and bacterial infection. Mice underwent 35% scald burn followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus infection on day 4 postburn. Anti-PD-L1 was administered on day 3 postburn. Numbers and phenotype of leukocytes, plasma cytokine concentrations, bacterial clearance, organ injury, and survival were assessed. Burn injury and infection with P. aeruginosa caused a significant upregulation of PD-L1 on myeloid cells, along with a decrease in T cell numbers and function, significant multiorgan injury, and decreased survival. Treatment with anti-PD-L1 antibody improved bacterial clearance, reduced organ injury, and enhanced survival during Pseudomonas burn wound infection. Furthermore, anti-PD-L1 effectively protected against multiorgan injury, and improved bacterial clearance and survival following systemic S. aureus infection after burn injury. Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 interactions might represent a viable treatment to improve outcomes among critically ill burn-injured subjects and increased leukocyte PD-L1 expression could serve as a valuable biomarker to select appropriate patients for such treatment.
Design of 2D Ferromagnets With High Exchange Bias in Fe‐MoS2 Heterostructure For Spintronic Applications
Authors: Bhattacharya Shatabda , Saha Shyamal K.
Published: December 2017

Fe‐MoS2 heterostructures are synthesized in simple hydrothermal method. Different concentrations of Fe precursor are used to grow different thickness of Fe thin sheets placing MoS2 as a template surface. Different characterization techniques are done to confirm the desired phases present in the samples. After that their magnetic characterization is carried out to measure its magnetic property. The hysteresis loop obtained is different from the conventional transition metal nanoparticles. Due to charge transfer from transition metal 3d orbital to 3p orbital of sulfur, the magnetic property of the as grown nanostructure is changed. Magnetic hysteresis loops reveal high amount of exchange bias which changes with temperature. At very low temperature ferromagnetic hysteresis loop is observed. With increasing temperature magnetic saturation dies away due to presence of antiferromagnetic interaction. This antiferromagnetic interaction comes due to charge transfer from Fe to MoS2. The transferred charges at MoS2 surface creates an induced spin moment which is in antiferromagnetic coupling with the Fe spins.
Temperature Induced Spin Polarization in Magnetically Stripped Ferromagnetic Film: The Coexisting Phases and the Two Regime Behavior
Authors: Singh Satya Pal
Published: December 2017

The paper deals with the study of coexisting majority and minority components in thin ferromagnetic film which is magnetically stripped by applying external magnetic field in selected regions. There occurs continuous transition from ferromagnetic barriers to a coexisting phase separated region through the formation of a depletion layer. Formation of magnetic barriers, channels and step like structure have been explored. Temperature induced two regime behavior is observed – first one dominated by the ferroic nature of the film and the second one by the paramagnetic nature of film. Two sizes of lattice in 3 dimensions of 100 × 100 × 100 and 200 × 100 × 100 are used for Monte Carlo simulation using Ising model with Metropolis algorithm. The spin polarization, average magnetization and spin correlation functions are plotted to reveal the underlying physics. The micrographs of the magnetic barrier and phase separated regions are also shown.
MWNT/Cellulose Based Nanocomposite Electrodes for Ultrafast Flexible Li‐Ion Battery
Authors: Tripathi Balram , Srivastava Nisha , Sharma K. B. , Zagorskiy Dmitri , Katiyar Ram S.
Published: December 2017

In the present study multiwall carbon nanotube (MWNT)/Ethyl cellulose (EC) based nanocomposite electrodes have been fabricated and tested for Li‐ion batteries. The insertion of MWNTs of high surface area (140 cm2) in ethyl cellulose (EC) polymer has been implicated to obtain flexible and sufficient capacity electrodes. X‐ray diffraction spectra showing enhanced crystallinity, Raman spectra showing well orientation of MWNTs in composites, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showing MWNTs dominance on surface of the composites, Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy confirms interfacial interactions and charging‐discharging profiles showing enhanced and stable charge storage capacity of composite electrodes. The electrodes of MWNT/EC nanocomposite exhibit charge capacities in between 70–240 mAh/g at charging rate (C/10). These nanocomposite electrodes can be charged up to current of 50 mA/cm2 with only 5% loss in capacity over 50 subsequent charge and discharge cycles. These composite electrodes are flexible, ultra fast and lightweight.
CNT/SPEEK Nano‐Composite Membranes: Toward Improved Properties
Authors: Gahlot Swati , Sharma Prem P. , Jha Prafulla K. , Kulshrestha Vaibhav
Published: December 2017

This study describes the preparation, characterization and performance of carboxylated carbon nanotubes (c‐CNT) incorporated sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) membrane for nanofiltration application. Carboxylation was done to purify and to graft functional groups onto CNT walls. Composite membranes were synthesized by dispersing different weight fraction (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5%) of carboxylated Carbon nanotubes as filler in SPEEK matrix using N‐N' Dimethylacetamide as a solvent. Surface morphology, thermal and mechanical strength of the resulting membranes has been characterized through respective techniques. SEM and AFM images demonstrate the dispersed c‐CNT in polymer matrix. Prepared nanohybrid membranes were examined for water flux measurements and salt rejection experiments. Addition of c‐CNT in SPEEK not only enhanced the flux and salt rejection performance but also improved the thermo‐mechanical properties of the hybrid membranes as compared to SPEEK membrane.
Yet more evidence that myelin protons can be directly imaged with UTE sequences on a clinical 3T scanner: Bicomponent analysis of native and deuterated ovine brain specimens
Authors: Fan Shu‐Juan , Ma Yajun , Zhu Yanchun , Searleman Adam , Szeverenyi Nikolaus M. , Bydder Graeme M. , Du Jiang
Published: December 2017

Purpose

UTE sequences with a minimal nominal TE of 8 µs have shown promise for direct imaging of myelin protons (T2, < 1 ms). However, there is still debate about the efficiency of 2D slice‐selective UTE sequences in exciting myelin protons because the half excitation pulses used in these sequences have a relatively long duration (e.g., 0.3–0.6 ms). Here, we compared UTE and inversion‐recovery (IR) UTE sequences used with either hard or half excitation pulses (durations 32 µs or 472 µs, respectively) for imaging myelin in native and deuterated ovine brain at 3T.

Methods

Freshly frozen ovine brains were dissected into ∼2 mm‐thick pure white matter and ∼3 to 8 mm‐thick cerebral hemisphere specimens, which were imaged before and/or after different immersion time in deuterium oxide.

Results

Bicomponent
analysis of UTE signals obtained with hard excitation pulses detected an ultrashort T2 component (STC) fraction (fS) of 0% to 10% in native specimens, and up to ∼86% in heavily deuterated specimens. fS values were significantly affected by the TIs used in IR‐UTE sequences with either hard or half excitation pulses in native specimens but not in heavily deuterated specimens. The STC
was in the range of 150 to 400 µs in all UTE and IR‐UTE measurements obtained with either hard or half excitation pulses.

Conclusion

Our results further support myelin protons as the major source of the ultrashort
signals seen on IR‐UTE images and demonstrate the potential of IR‐UTE sequences with half excitation pulses for directly imaging myelin using clinical scanners. Magn Reson Med 80:538–547, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Weight Loss Strategies in the Elderly: A Clinical Conundrum
Authors: Coker Robert H. , Wolfe Robert R.
Published: December 2017

The age‐related concomitant loss of skeletal muscle and accumulation of excess adipose tissue have been commonly referred to as sarcopenic obesity. While weight loss may help mitigate the metabolic abnormalities linked to obesity, low fitness levels and muscle atrophy complicate the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions. Because of low levels of compliance, suboptimal economic efficiency, and low functional capacity, there has been no consensus on optimal therapy. This includes the use of high‐protein diets that do not ensure muscle preservation during weight loss in this segment of the population. The primary objectives of this review are to discuss the relevance of sarcopenic obesity, examine the feasibility of weight loss in the elderly, and highlight new approaches to the problem.
Complementary Hypotheses on Contributors to the Obesity Epidemic
Authors: Davis Rachel A.H. , Plaisance Eric P. , Allison David B.
Published: December 2017

Increased rates of obesity have occurred within virtually every race, age, sex, ethnicity, and economic group. Despite substantial punditry on the issue, the exact reasons are incompletely known. The two most common factors cited as contributing to the obesity epidemic, and those whose causal influence on increasing obesity levels in the population are often presumed unequivocally, are food marketing practices and institutionally driven reductions in physical activity. These have been called “the big two.” This Perspective builds on previous writings in this area to introduce additional factors that may contribute to the obesity epidemic. It is emphasized that there may be other factors working in combination with the big two, influencing body fatness through effects on energy intake, energy expenditure, and/or nutrient partitioning.
Did the Food Environment Cause the Obesity Epidemic?
Authors: Hall Kevin D.
Published: December 2017

Several putative explanations of the obesity epidemic relate to the changing food environment. Individual dietary macronutrients have each been theorized to be the prime culprit for population obesity, but these explanations are unlikely. Rather, obesity probably resulted from changes in the caloric quantity and quality of the food supply in concert with an industrialized food system that produced and marketed convenient, highly processed foods from cheap agricultural inputs. Such foods often contain high amounts of salt, sugar, fat, and flavor additives and are engineered to have supernormal appetitive properties driving increased consumption. Ubiquitous access to convenient and inexpensive food also changed normative eating behavior, with more people snacking, eating in restaurants, and spending less time preparing meals at home. While such changes in the food environment provide a likely explanation of the obesity epidemic, definitive scientific demonstration is hindered by the difficulty in experimentally isolating and manipulating important variables at the population level.
A prediction model‐based algorithm for computer‐assisted database screening of adverse drug reactions in the Netherlands
Authors: Scholl Joep H.G. , van Hunsel Florence P.A.M. , Hak Eelko , van Puijenbroek Eugène P.
Published: December 2017

Purpose

The statistical screening of pharmacovigilance databases containing spontaneously reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) is mainly based on disproportionality analysis. The aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of full database screening using a prediction model‐based approach.

Methods

A logistic regression‐based prediction model containing 5 candidate predictors was developed and internally validated using the Summary of Product Characteristics as the gold standard for the outcome. All drug‐ADR associations, with the exception of those related to vaccines, with a minimum of 3 reports formed the training data for the model. Performance was based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results were compared with the current method of database screening based on the number of previously analyzed associations.

Results

A total of 25 026 unique drug‐ADR associations formed the training data for the model. The final model contained all 5 candidate predictors (number of reports, disproportionality, reports from healthcare professionals, reports from marketing authorization holders, Naranjo score). The AUC for the full model was 0.740 (95% CI; 0.734–0.747). The internal validity was good based on the calibration curve and bootstrapping analysis (AUC after bootstrapping = 0.739). Compared with the old method, the AUC increased from 0.649 to 0.740, and the proportion of potential signals increased by approximately 50% (from 12.3% to 19.4%).

Conclusions

A prediction model‐based approach can be a useful tool to create priority‐based listings for signal detection in databases consisting of spontaneous ADRs.
Effect of nanosectioning on surface features and stiffness of an amorphous glassy polymer
Authors: Sun Fengzhen , Li Hu , Leifer Klaus , Gamstedt E. Kristofer
Published: December 2017

Sectioning of a glassy polymer, poly(methyl methacrylate), at nanoscale was carried out by means of an ultramicrotome. The effects of sectioning thickness and speed on the morphology and stiffness over the sectioned surface were then investigated by atomic force microscopy. A critical sectioning thickness and speed were identified, below which flat and smooth surfaces were created with homogeneous elasticity. Above the critical thickness or speed, periodic localized structures formed on the sectioned surfaces, leading to a nonhomogeneous distribution of the mapped elasticity. Finite element simulation reproduced the periodic structures observed in the experiments. The influence of sectioning speed on the surface stiffness was predicted by a phenomenological damage model and was found to correlate with the experimental results. The study lends confidence that critical sectioning conditions (e.g., the sectioning thickness and speed) can be identified to avoid undesirable local deformation and damage in the manufacture of small scale optical and photonic components and devices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1849–1857, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effect of fibre sizing and compatibilizer of polypropylene/poly(butylene terephthalate) blends on the mechanical and interphase properties of basalt fibre reinforced composites
Authors: Ignaczak Wojciech , Sui XiaoMeng , Kellersztein Israel , Wagner Hanoch Daniel , El Fray Miroslawa
Published: December 2017

The effect of basalt fibre sizing on the mechanical and interphase properties of fibre‐reinforced composites was studied. Two different chemical preparations of the fibre surface (PBT‐compliant and PP‐compliant) were used. The polymer matrix was prepared from polypropylene/poly(butylene terephthalate) (PP/PBT) immiscible polymer blend and the effect of different compatibilizers on the composite properties was evaluated. SEM hints at improved fibre adhesion to the polymer matrix when a PP‐compliant sizing is applied. SEM also reveals improved compatibilization effects when block copolymer instead of multiblock copolymer is used for the PP/PBT blend preparation. The pull‐out test was applied to quantitatively evaluate the interface adhesion between the fibres and matrices. It showed a high value of the interfacial shear strength between basalt fibres modified with PP‐compliant sizing and polymer blend compatibilized by block copolymer, thus confirming good adhesion. One possible explanation of such good mechanical properties can be related to the chemical interactions between functional groups, mainly maleic anhydride on basalt fibres and the polyolefin component (PP) of the polymer matrix. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Gel forming waterborne dispersion polymerization of sodium p‐styrene sulfonate with glycidyl methacrylate
Authors: Dsouza Roshan F. , Parthiban Anbanandam
Published: December 2017

Water soluble monomer like sodium p‐styrene sulfonate (SSS) is copolymerized with hydrophobic and reactive monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The polymerization proceeds as dispersion and forms gels. The gel forming nature prevails even with other hydrophobic and hydrophilic monomers to form ternary polymeric systems. The swelling is dependent on polymer composition as well as the treatment history of polymers. SSS also induces ring opening of GMA to form 1,2‐diols as confirmed independently by various model reactions. The ability of hydrogels to absorb various dyes indicates that owing to the anionic nature, hydrogels absorb cationic dyes nearly quantitatively. Because of their strong affinity to cationic species these hydrogel forming polymers are potentially useful in water purification applications as well as purification of proteins. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 626–634
NIR‐Triggered Release of Nitric Oxide with Upconversion Nanoparticles Inhibits Platelet Aggregation in Blood Samples
Authors: Li Chenxi , Shen Jianwei , Yang Jianfeng , Yan Jun , Yu Haijun , Liu Jian
Published: December 2017

There is a great challenge to overcome the limitation of tissue penetration depth, while maximizing the benefit of light‐triggered biochemical cascades in a well‐defined mode simultaneously. Here, a new method of near‐infrared (NIR) light‐triggered release of nitric oxide (NO) by developing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs)‐based conjugate chemistry is reported. As the key nanotransducer in the design, core–shell‐structured UCNPs are encapsulated with a layer of SiO2 and then covalently linked with a potent NO‐releasing donor (S‐nitroso‐N‐acetyl‐dl‐penicillamine, SNAP). It is featured with highly localized breakage of chemical bonds of SNAP molecules by NIR–UV upconversion, enabling simultaneous NO release in a light dosage‐dependent manner. The biological effects of NO releasing are demonstrated by cellular imaging and inhibition of platelet aggregation from blood samples. This work provides a flexible and robust platform to generate cell‐signaling gas molecules trigged by NIR laser with deep tissue penetration.
Pilomatrix carcinoma on the left temporal region: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lai Jun‐Ming , Luo Hui , Hu Shuang , Lin Hong
Published: December 2017

Pilomatrix carcinoma is a very rare malignant tumor. The present article raises awareness of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of this malignancy. The clinical data of a case of pilomatrix carcinoma of the left temporal region treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nan Chang University, Nan Chang, China, in April 2017 were analyzed retrospectively, and the related literature was reviewed. The patient underwent a wide excision of the mass, and microscopic examination revealed that the tumor showed the typical features of pilomatrix carcinoma. Pilomatrix carcinoma is a very rare tumor with approximately 130 cases reported in the English literature. An optimal treatment regimen has not been established; however, wide surgical excision is recommended to avoid recurrence when the staging shows no metastasis, and adjuvant radiotherapy might be beneficial for local tumor control. Pilomatrix carcinoma is considered to be a low‐grade malignant tumor and shows an aggressive growth pattern. A wide surgical excision and radiotherapy are the main modalities of treatment.
Biexciton Emission From Single Quantum‐Confined Structures in N‐Polar (000‐1) InGaN/GaN Multiple Quantum Wells
Authors: Takamiya Kengo , Yagi Shuhei , Yaguchi Hiroyuki , Akiyama Hidefumi , Shojiki Kanako , Tanikawa Tomoyuki , Katayama Ryuji
Published: December 2017

We report on the observation of biexciton luminescence from single quantum‐confined structures in N‐polar InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) grown on c‐plane sapphire by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. Sharp emission lines are observed at different positions of the sample by micro‐photoluminescence (μ‐PL) mapping. The density of sharp emission lines is ≈0.3 μm−2, which is comparable with the inversion domain (ID) density found from transmission electron microscope observation, suggesting that the sharp emission lines originate from single quantum‐confined structures formed by the combination of quantum well and IDs in N‐polar InGaN/GaN MQWs. It is found from the excitation power dependence of the PL intensity of two adjacent sharp lines that the intensity of biexciton luminescence at the lower energy side shows a quadratic dependence on the excitation power while that of exciton luminescence at the higher energy side increased linearly with increasing excitation power. The biexciton binding energy is found to be 0.8 meV.
Environmental control of tropical, subtropical, and extratropical cyclone development over the North Atlantic Ocean: Idealized numerical experiments
Authors: Yanase Wataru , Niino Hiroshi
Published: December 2017

The North Atlantic Ocean in autumn is characterized by a variety of cyclone activity: tropical, subtropical, and extratropical cyclones are meridionally distributed from low to high latitudes, and cyclones are more active in the western part than in the eastern part. To examine to what degree the environmental fields explain the geographical distribution of the various cyclones, idealized numerical experiments are conducted using climatological environmental fields at different longitudes and latitudes. The experiments qualitatively reproduce the geographical distribution of development and types of cyclones, which enables an intercomparison of different types of cyclones on the basis of their structure, energy budget analysis, and sensitivity experiments. It is notable that subtropical cyclones can develop spontaneously in the climatological environment which does not have an upper‐tropospheric disturbance in the initial fields. While the simulated subtropical cyclones are sensitive to initial conditions, some of them have structures that are in good agreement with those of observed subtropical cyclones: a shallow warm‐core structure, concentrated convection near the cyclone centre embedded in synoptic‐scale cloud on the north and east sides, and a narrow mid‐tropospheric potential vorticity anomaly near the cyclone centre under a wide upper‐tropospheric anomaly on the west side. The subtropical cyclones exhibit characteristics intermediate between those of tropical cyclones and extratropical cyclones, notably multi‐scale structures with tropical characteristics on a small scale embedded in extratropical characteristics on a large scale.
8 Key Truths About Generation Z
Authors: Black Anita , Asadorian Dana , Dunnett Hannah
Published: December 2017

Guardians of the future and valuable consumers too
Redefining masculinity
Authors: Bennet Hari Blanch
Published: December 2017

And what this means for brands
Transforming LGBT opponents into allies
Authors: Vinh Dany , Sao Layhour
Published: December 2017

How research guided programme strategy and the behavior and attitudinal shift that resulted from it
Learning About Street Children
Authors: Somogyi Flora , Day Georgina
Published: December 2017

Using video research to inform and influence negative perceptions
The German Elections in the Polls
Authors: Wilmer Richard
Published: December 2017

Excellent Exit Polls – very revealing pre‐election polls
New Antimicrobial Leads in Phenothiazine Scaffold: Synthesis, Biological Assay and Virtual Screening
Authors: Onoabedje Efeturi A. , Ibezim Akachukwu , Onoabedje Ufuoma S. , Egu Samuel A. , Okoro Uchechukwu C.
Published: December 2017

A variety of 2‐substituted 10H‐phenothiazine were synthesized via palladium catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions and showed good activity against bacillus cereus, staphylococcus aureus, escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Particularly, thiophenyl and furanyl derivatives exhibited broad spectrum of activities over phenyl, styryl, alkynyl and arynyl derivatized compounds. In addition, virtual screening revealed that all the phenothiazines stopped the activity of NMT at concentrations ranging from 147.00 nM to 9.11 μM. Two derivatives, 2‐phenyl‐10H‐phenothiazine and 2‐styryl‐10H‐phenothiazine, were identified as novel inhibitors of two validated antimicrobial drug targets (peptide deformylase and N‐myristoyl transferase) according to theoretical binding free energy calculations.
C/Sn/RGO Nanocomposites as Higher Initial Coulombic Efficiency Anode for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Dong Wei , Yang Shaobin , Liang Bing , Shen Ding , Sun Wen , Liu Yue , Zhao Yisong , Wang Xuelei , Wu Xiulin
Published: December 2017

Theoretically, metal Sn owns higher initial coulombic efficiency than SnO2 in the sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Metal Sn is commonly obtained by the thermal reduction of SnO2 at present. However, the uncontrollable growth of metal Sn particles during the reduction progress is a key challenge. In this work, a composite material of refined metal Sn particles (particle size about 20∼200 nm) and carbon buffer medium has been prepared by a novel method, which is simple thermal reduction adopted after the treatment of SnO2/RGO in the pitch kerosene solution. The results show that this method overcomes the uncontrollable growth of metal Sn particles. Electrochemical tests show that C/Sn/RGO possesses a higher initial reversible capacity of 476.2 mAh g−1, and a higher initial coulombic efficiency of 70.3%. This method would have wider applications for the attractive properties of Na‐ion batteries in the future.
Hierarchical Polyaniline‐MnO2‐Reduced Graphene Oxide Ternary Nanostructures with Whiskers‐Like Polyaniline for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Khawas Koomkoom , Kumari Pallavi , Daripa Soumili , Oraon Ramesh , Kuila Biplab Kumar
Published: December 2017

Here, we have demonstrated a straight forward and easy synthetic route for preparation of three dimensional hierarchical and porous polyaniline (PANI)/manganese dioxide (MnO2)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) ternary hybrid nanomaterials with surface decorated by ordered PANI whiskers. The nanostructured material shows different well defined morphology like tubular fiber, sphere which resembles natural tubular wiregrass sedge and spherical cactus. The simple removal of graphene surface modifier through selective dissolution from nanohybrids results further porous structure. The ternary hybrid materials show varying capacitance values depending on composition and nanostructured morphology with the best capacitance value of 762 F/g at current density 1.4 A/g with good electrochemical stability.
Synthesis of a Square [5]Catenane by Simple Amine‐Aldehyde Condensation
Authors: Shen Yenan , Zhou Qianwen , Zou Lei , Wang Qiaochun
Published: December 2017

Using the Schiff base formation reaction, a linear centrally cucurbit[7]uril(CB[7])‐encircled [2]peseudorotaxane with aldehyde groups on both ends was condensed with a 90°carbazole 3,6‐diamine to generate a square [5]catenane, featured by four equal [2]rotaxanes at each side, demonstrating an effective way to integrate interlocked molecules in order.
Agro‐Industrial Waste Based Phycocyanin Production from Oscillatoria sp. 50 A: daf‐16 Modulating Effect in Caenorhabditis elegans and p53 Dependent Apoptosis in HeLa cells
Authors: Jawaharraj Kalimuthu , Shivani Krishna , Shakambari Ganeshan , Sameer Kumar Rai , Ashokkumar Balasubramaniem , Varalakshmi Perumal
Published: December 2017

Cyanobacterial phycocyanin (C‐PC) has always been used in therapeutics and nutraceuticals. Herein we report, enhanced C‐PC production by Oscillatoria sp. 50 A through media optimization using response surface methodology (RSM) with two folds higher C‐PC yield (0.072 ± 0.001 mg/mL) in 30 days with optimized media containing 2.5 mL/L each of sugar industrial effluent (SE) and tannery effluent (TE) than normal BG‐11 medium. Moreover, C‐PC was successfully purified to homogeneity and characterized by FT‐IR, spectrofluorimetry and MALDI‐TOF peptide fingerprinting. The therapeutic efficacy of C‐PC was studied in vivo in hypercholesterol induced daf–16::GFP C. elegans, which evidenced prominent down‐regulation of daf‐16 (0.5 ± 0.2 fold) in C‐PC treated obese vs untreated obese worms. In another independent model study, the purified C‐PC exerted cytotoxicity in HeLa cells at IC50 value of 77.76 ± 2.41 μg/mL, which induced pro‐apoptotic p53 expression, indicating its potential implications as cancer therapeutic agent. Moreover, C‐PC does not induce any cytotoxicity or immune response on normal RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Thus, the cost‐efficient way of hyper‐production of C‐PC from cyanobacteria Oscillatoria sp. 50 A can be achieved using agro‐industrial wastes such as SE and TE for versatile therapeutic applications in treatment of obesity and/or cancer.
Syntheses of Nitronium Salts: A New Strategy towards Solid Nitronium Monosulfates
Authors: Zelenov Victor P. , Bukalov Sergey S. , Leites Larissa A. , Bushmarinov Ivan S. , Struchkova Marina I. , Dmitrienko Artem O. , Tartakovsky Vladimir A.
Published: December 2017

A new approach towards nitronium salts via the reaction of CF3COONO2 (TFAN) with acids was developed. This method was applied to the syntheses of the following solid nitronium salts: NO2HSO4 (1), NO2HS2O7 (2), (NO2)2S2O7 (3), (NO2)(CF3CO)SO4 (4), NO2ClO4 (5), (NO2)CF3SO3 (6), (NO2)FSO3 (7), NO2IO4 (8), (NO2)(CF3CO)S2O7 (9), and NO2BF4 (10) (71–95%). Nitronium monosulfates 1 and 4 as well as compounds 8, 9 and NO2HS3O10 (11) were obtained for the first time. The structures of compounds 3 and 4 were confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction.
Reconsidering Asian American Student Development
Authors: Kodama Corinne M. , Maramba Dina C.
Published: December 2017

This chapter addresses the applicability of student development theories in light of empirical research on Asian American college students through a twofold approach: (a) revisiting the relevance of Kodama, McEwen, Liang, and Lee's (2001, 2002) theoretical work on Asian American student development; and (b) using Jones’ and Stewart's (2016) framework to complicate thinking on new paradigms for understanding and advancing student development theory and research.
Contextualizing Asian American College Student Psychological Health
Authors: Liang Christopher T. H. , Liu Jessica , Nguyen David , Song Ge
Published: December 2017

With attention to race, culture, and gender, this chapter contextualizes the help‐seeking behaviors and psychological aspects of health facing Asian American college students. Recommendations are provided to student affairs professionals and counselors.
Prevalence of internet addiction and its risk and protective factors in a representative sample of senior high school students in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Min‐Pei , Wu Jo Yung‐Wei , You Jianing , Hu Wei‐Hsuan , Yen Cheng‐Fang
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction (IA) in a large representative sample of secondary school students and identified the risk and protective factors. Using a crosssectional design, 2170 participants were recruited from senior high schools throughout Taiwan using both stratified and cluster sampling. The prevalence of IA was 17.4% (95% confidence interval, 15.8%–19.0%). High impulsivity, low refusal self‐efficacy of Internet use, high positive outcome expectancy of Internet use, high disapproving attitude of Internet use by others, depressive symptoms, low subjective well‐being, high frequency of others' invitation to Internet use, and high virtual social support was all independently predictive in the logistic regression analysis. The prevalence of IA among secondary school students in Taiwan was high. Results from this study can be used to help educational agencies and mental health organizations create policies and design programs that will help in the prevention of IA in adolescents.
Why Mountainous Upland Forests Emit So Much Methane
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: December 2017

New research suggests that moist tree heartwood produces methane and emits the greenhouse gas to the atmosphere.
Vitamin E and lycopene reduce coal burning fluorosis-induced spermatogenic cell apoptosis via oxidative stress-mediated JNK and ERK signaling pathways
Authors: Tian Yuan , Xiao Yuehai , Wang Bolin , Sun Chao , Tang Kaifa , Sun Fa
Published: December 2017

Although fluoride has been widely used in toothpaste, mouthwash, and drinking water to prevent dental caries, the excessive intake of fluoride can cause fluorosis which is associated with dental, skeletal, and soft tissue fluorosis. Recent evidences have drawn the attention to its adverse effects on male reproductive system that include spermatogenesis defect, sperm count loss, and sperm maturation impairment. Fluoride induces oxidative stress through the activation of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade which can lead to cell apoptosis. Vitamin E (VE) and lycopene are two common antioxidants, being protective to reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced toxic effects. However, whether and how these two antioxidants prevent fluoride-induced spermatogenic cell apoptosis are largely unknown. In the present study, a male rat model for coal burning fluorosis was established and the histological lesions and spermatogenic cell apoptosis in rat testes were observed. The decreased expression of clusterin, a heterodimeric glycoprotein reported to regulate spermatogenic cell apoptosis, was detected in fluoride-treated rat testes. Interestingly, the co-administration with VE or lycopene reduced fluorosis-mediated testicular toxicity and rescued clusterin expression. Further, fluoride caused the enhanced Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, c-Jun) and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) phosphorylation, which was reduced by VE or lycopene. Thus, VE and lycopene prevent coal burning fluorosis-induced spermatogenic cell apoptosis through the suppression of oxidative stress-mediated JNK and ERK signaling pathway, which could be an alternative therapeutic strategy for the treatment of fluorosis.
At the ends of their tethers! How coiled-coil proteins capture vesicles at the Golgi
Authors: Gillingham Alison K.
Published: December 2017

Cells face a complex problem: how to transfer lipids and proteins between membrane compartments in an organized, timely fashion. Indeed, many thousands of membrane and secretory proteins must traffic out of the ER to different organelles to function, while others are retrieved from the plasma membrane having fulfilled their roles [Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol. (2013) 14, 382–392]. This process is highly dynamic and failure to target cargo accurately leads to catastrophic consequences for the cell, as is clear from the numerous human diseases associated with defects in membrane trafficking [Int. J. Mol. Sci. (2013) 14, 18670–18681; Traffic (2000) 1, 836–851]. How then does the cell organize this enormous transfer of material in its crowded internal environment? And how specifically do vesicles carrying proteins and lipids recognize and fuse with the correct compartment?
Approaches to single-molecule studies of metalloprotein electron transfer using scanning probe-based techniques
Authors: Elliott Martin , Jones D. Dafydd
Published: December 2017

The single-molecule properties of metalloproteins have provided an intensely active research area in recent years. This brief review covers some of the techniques used to prepare, measure and analyse the electron transfer properties of metalloproteins, concentrating on scanning tunnelling microscopy-based techniques and advances in attachment of proteins to electrodes.
Variable step‐size oscillator‐based adaptive notch filer algorithm using maximum correntropy criterion
Authors: Baek H.J. , Cho J. , Shin J.W.
Published: December 2017

A novel oscillator‐based adaptive notch filter (OSC‐ANF) algorithm is presented. The proposed algorithm has robustness against the impulsive noise because it is derived by using the maximum correntropy criterion (MCC). In addition, the variable step‐size MCC‐OSC‐ANF algorithm is proposed to improve the frequency estimation performance. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms perform better than the previous algorithm under impulsive noises.
Multi‐view pose estimation with mixtures of parts and adaptive viewpoint selection
Authors: Dogan Emre , Eren Gonen , Wolf Christian , Lombardi Eric , Baskurt Atilla
Published: December 2017

We propose a new method for human pose estimation which leverages information from multiple views to impose a strong prior on articulated pose. The novelty of the method concerns the types of coherence modelled. Consistency is maximised over the different views through different terms modelling classical geometric information (coherence of the resulting poses) as well as appearance information which is modelled as latent variables in the global energy function. Moreover, adequacy of each view is assessed and their contributions are adjusted accordingly. Experiments on the HumanEva and Utrecht multi‐person motion datasets show that the proposed method significantly decreases the estimation error compared to single‐view results.
Two novel static and dynamic voltage stability based indexes for power system contingency ranking
Authors: Doroudi Aref , Motie Nasrabadi Ali , Razani Reza
Published: December 2017

The goal of contingency ranking is to accurately choose a list of critical contingencies and rank them due to their severity. In this study, two novel and effective approaches are presented for contingency ranking. The first method proposes a static voltage stability based index which is calculated from the modal analysis and the branch participation matrix. Based on average participation factor for each line, the average branch influence factor is calculated and then root sum square index is applied to rank the contingencies. The second approach is based on dynamic voltage stability. The method employs the largest Lyapunov exponent, a stability tool adapted from the theory of chaos and non‐linear dynamical system, for time series. Time‐series data of the weakest bus voltage are employed for the largest Lyapunov exponent computing and based on this quantity, contingency ranking will be carried out. Test results on the IEEE 14 bus system are presented and compared with three previous indices to show the effectiveness of both methods.