bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanocomposites‐based nitrated polyethersulfone and doped ZnYNiO for selective As3+ sensor application
Authors: Rahman Mohammed M. , Alenazi Noof A. , Hussein Mahmoud A. , Alam Md Mahmud , Alamry Khalid A. , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: November 2018

The contamination of arsenic (As3+) cation in drinking water is one of the most well‐known sources for human arsenic poison. Due to its high toxicity to human, there is a need to develop an efficient and low‐cost method to detect it in aquatic environment. A sensor of nitrated polyethersulfone (PES‐NO2) doped with ZnYNiO nanocomposites was successfully fabricated. PES‐NO2 was synthesized in this study using H2SO4: HNO3 while ZnYNiO nanoparticles were fabricated using wet‐chemical technique under low temperature and basic condition. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis did confirm the interactions between the doped nanoparticles and nitro functions grafted on PES backbone. The developed polymeric nanocomposite (PES‐NO2‐ZnYNiO) was then used as a superb coating sensor for As3+. The working electrode of desire heavy metal ion sensor was fabricated by glassy carbon electrode (GCE) coated with PES‐NO2‐ZnYNiO nanocomposites as layer of thin film. To estimate the cationic sensor performances, a calibration curve obtained from current versus electrolyte (selective As3+ ion) concentration relation was plotted. The linearity of calibration curve is found over the linear dynamic range (LDR) of 0.1 nM~0.1 mM. The slope of calibration curve is used to measure the sensitivity and detection limit (DL) of As3+ cation sensor, and these are 9.8101 μA μM−1 cm−2 and 96.77 ± 4.84 pM, respectively. Therefore, the As3+ ion sensor is found as selective with good sensitivity, reproducible with high accuracy, validated in real environmental samples, long‐term stability in aqueous medium, and highly active with short response time.
DEM Study on the effect of particle‐size distribution on jamming in a 3D conical hopper
Authors: Zhao Ya , Cocco Ray A. , Yang Shiliang , Chew Jia Wei
Published: November 2018

Despite the advancement on the understanding on the unwelcome phenomenon of hopper jamming, the influence of the particle‐size distribution (PSD) width of the ubiquitous continuous PSDs remains unknown. Accordingly, this study investigated using discrete element method a range of PSD widths (10%≤σ/μ≤50%) of lognormal PSDs with a constant mean particle diameter of 10 mm in a three‐dimensional hopper. Results indicate that, although the monodisperse particles of 10 mm diameters do not jam, the wider PSDs (σ/μ≥30%) jam. The flatter arches and higher mass‐averaged force that are linked to the denser packing of wider PSDs underlie the propensity to jam. To reduce the jamming probability, the friction coefficient and initial fill height can be reduced, but not changes in particle density. The results here highlight that the mean particle diameter alone is an insufficient parameter to predict jamming and the impact of PSD width is non‐negligible. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 65: 512–519, 2019
Sequence variants in muscle tissue‐related genes may determine the severity of muscle contractures in cerebral palsy
Authors: Pingel Jessica , Andersen Jeppe Dyrberg , Christiansen Sofie Lindgren , Børsting Claus , Morling Niels , Lorentzen Jakob , Kirk Henrik , Doessing Simon , Wong Christian , Nielsen Jens Bo
Published: November 2018

Muscle contractures are a common complication to cerebral palsy (CP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether individuals with CP carry specific gene variants of important structural genes that might explain the severity of muscle contractures. Next‐generation‐sequencing (NGS) of 96 candidate genes associated with muscle structure and metabolism were analyzed in 43 individuals with CP (Gross Motor Function classification system [GMFCS] I, n=10; GMFCS II, n=14; GMFCS III, n=19) and four control participants. In silico analysis of the identified variants was performed. The variants were classified into four categories ranging from likely benign (VUS0) to highly likely functional effect (VUS3). All individuals with CP were classified and grouped according to their GMFCS level: Statistical comparisons were made between GMFCS groups. Kruskal‐Wallis tests showed significantly more VUS2 variants in the genes COL4 (GMFCS I–III; 1, 1, 5, respectively [p < .04]), COL5 (GMFCS I–III; 1, 1, 5 [p < .04]), COL6 (GMFCS I–III; 0, 4, 7 [p < .003]), and COL9 (GMFCS I–III; 1, 1, 5 [p < .04]), in individuals with CP within GMFCS Level III when compared to the other GMFCS levels. Furthermore, significantly more VUS3 variants in COL6 (GMFCS I–III; 0, 5, 2 [p < .01]) and COL7 (GMFCS I–III; 0, 3, 0 [p < .04]) were identified in the GMFCS II level when compared to the other GMFCS levels. The present results highlight several candidate gene variants in different collagen types with likely functional effects in individuals with CP.
Katalysatorfreie enantiospezifische Olefinierung mithilfe von in situ generierten Organocer‐Spezies
Authors: Music Arif , Hoarau Clément , Hilgert Nicolas , Zischka Florian , Didier Dorian
Published: November 2018

Wir beschreiben die In‐situ‐Synthese von Triorganocer‐Reagentien und deren Anwendung in katalysatorfreien Zweifel‐Olefinierungen. Diese einzigartigen Cer‐Spezies wurden durch neuartige Austauschreaktionen von Organohalogeniden mit n‐Bu3Ce‐Reagentien erzeugt. Durch die geeignete Elektronegativität von Cer konnten sowohl die Empfindlichkeit von Organolithium‐Verbindungen für funktionelle Gruppen als auch die geringere Reaktivität von Organomagnesium‐Verbindungen ausgeglichen werden. Austauschreaktionen wurden an Aryl‐ und Alkenylbromiden durchgeführt, die mit chiralen Borpinakolestern enantiospezifische Transformationen eingingen. Abschließend wurden diese neuen Organocer‐Spezies eingesetzt, um selektive 1,2‐Additionen an enolisierbaren und sterisch gehinderten Ketonen durchzuführen.
Catalyst‐Free Enantiospecific Olefination with In Situ Generated Organocerium Species
Authors: Music Arif , Hoarau Clément , Hilgert Nicolas , Zischka Florian , Didier Dorian
Published: November 2018

Described is the in situ formation of triorganocerium reagents and their application in catalyst‐free Zweifel olefinations. These unique cerium species were generated through novel exchange reactions of organohalides with n‐Bu3Ce reagents. The adequate electronegativity of cerium allowed for compensating the disadvantages of both usually functional‐group‐sensitive organolithium species and less reactive organomagnesium reagents. Exchange reactions were performed on aryl and alkenyl bromides, enabling enantiospecific transformations of chiral boron pinacol esters. Finally, these new organocerium species were engaged in selective 1,2‐additions onto enolisable and sterically hindered ketones.
Versatile bio‐based epoxy resin: From banana waste to applied materials
Authors: Li Ruisong , Li Wei , Zheng Fengyi , Zhang Yucang , Hu Jiadan
Published: November 2018

Bio‐based epoxy resin is a promising candidate for petroleum‐based resins due to its abundant reserves and low‐cost products, which mainly use polyphenolic composites as precursors. Liquefied banana pseudo stem (LBPS), a highly active compound obtained by liquefaction with 7.5% of sulfuric acid as catalyst at 160°C, was used to synthesize bio‐based epoxy resin. FTIR and SEM demonstrated the synthetic process of LBPS‐based epoxy resin (LBPSER) from waste banana pseudo stem (BPS). Mechanical test, reagent resistance, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis were utilized to evaluate the mechanical and chemical properties of LBPSER. With polyamide (PA) as hardener, LBPSER‐PA adhesive exhibited an optimum shear strength that is comparable with that of commercial diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), corresponding to 11.86 vs 11.89 MPa. Interestingly, the shear strength of this adhesive curing at 40°C could get 9.52 MPa for wood materials. The adhesive also performed excellent resistance to organic agents, adverse acidic, and alkaline environments. Notably, as the content of LBPSER in adhesive increased, an increase of glass transition temperature could be verified from 42 to 100°C. The LBPSER‐PA adhesive presented good thermal and physicochemical performances, thereby suggesting the potential of utilizing liquefied product from BPS as alternative to toxic bisphenol A in synthesizing bio‐based epoxy resin. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47135.
Curing properties of high‐Ortho phenol‐formaldehyde resins with co‐catalysis
Authors: Li Jiongjiong , Zhu Wenjie , Zhang Jizhi , Zhang Shifeng , Gao Qiang , Li Jianzhang , Zhang Wei
Published: November 2018

In this study, sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) was used as a catalyst to prepare high‐ortho phenol‐formaldehyde (HOPF) resin, and ester and carbonate curing accelerators were used to increase its curing rate. The physicochemical properties of the prepared resins and the mechanism of curing acceleration were investigated. The results showed that, with the addition of Na2CO3, the ortho/para ratio of methylol groups increased from 7.257 to 27.800. The gel time of the cure‐accelerated HOPF resins decreased from 620 to 240 s as compared with PF resin. The bonding strength of plywood bonded with the cure‐accelerated HOPF resins were all above 0.70 MPa. The curing acceleration was caused by the carbonate ions rather than the metal ions, and a temporary incorporation mechanism apparently occurred for the ester accelerators. The prepared phenolic resin had fast curing rate, low curing temperature, high thermal stability, and favorable mechanical performance, which has potential for industry applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47229.
Poly(lactic acid)/modified chitosan‐based microcellular foams: Thermal and crystallization behavior with wettability and porosimetric investigations
Authors: Borkotoky Shasanka Sekhar , Pal Akhilesh Kumar , Katiyar Vimal
Published: November 2018

This article addresses a less expensive and elegant method for the fabrication of hydrophobic poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/modified chitosan (MC)‐based bionanocomposite foams with high porosity (>~80%) and open cellular interconnected morphology. An increment of ~2.3‐fold of cell density and reduction of ~1.3‐fold of cell size are observed at highest loading of MC (i.e. 3 wt %). The MC also influences the hydrophobicity (up to ~10 increment in contact angle) of the foams. Structure–property relationship of the fabricated foams has been investigated along with wettability behavior. Thermal degradation kinetics and degradation mechanism of the fabricated foams have been investigated by using different approaches like modified Coats Redfern (modified CR), Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger, and Criado. Crystallization behavior of the fabricated foams are also investigated. Increase in surface area with MC‐loading and nucleating behavior of MC in the PLA matrix is confirmed by the porosimetric investigation of the fabricated foams. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47236.
Regression of Peripheral Subclinical Enthesopathy in Therapy‐Naive Patients Treated With Ustekinumab for Moderate‐to‐Severe Chronic Plaque Psoriasis: A Fifty‐Two–Week, Prospective, Open‐Label Feasibility Study
Authors: Savage Laura , Goodfield Mark , Horton Laura , Watad Abdulla , Hensor Elizabeth , Emery Paul , Wakefield Richard , Wittmann Miriam , McGonagle Dennis
Published: November 2018

Objective

To investigate whether sonographically determined subclinical enthesopathy in patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis regresses with the use of ustekinumab therapy for skin disease.

Methods

Seventy‐three patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, who were not treated with systemic therapy and did not have symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and 23 healthy volunteers were screened by ultrasound for subclinical enthesitis. Subsequently, 23 patients with psoriasis whose ultrasound results showed inflammatory changes were treated with ustekinumab for 52 weeks. The evolution of sonographic abnormalities of the upper and lower limb entheses was assessed using an extensive gray‐scale and power Doppler (PD) ultrasound protocol at weeks 0, 12, 24, and 52. For each parameter, a gray‐scale or PD ultrasound score of >0 was determined to be abnormal, and a summative score based on the Glasgow Ultrasound Enthesitis Scoring System was calculated.

Results

Of all the patients with psoriasis screened using ultrasound, 49.3% had at least 1 inflammatory entheseal abnormality. Mean ± SD inflammation scores were higher in the patients with psoriasis compared with the healthy volunteers (9.9 ± 6.6 versus 1.0 ± 1.4). With treatment, the mean inflammation scores decreased significantly by 42.2% from week 0 to week 24 (–4.2 [95% confidence interval –6.3, –2.1]; P < 0.001) and by 47.5% by week 42 (–4.7 [95% confidence interval –7.1, –2.3]; P = 0.001). Entheseal structural abnormalities did not change significantly during treatment.

Conclusion

Within 12 weeks of treatment, interleukin‐12 (IL‐12)/IL‐23 inhibition for psoriasis appears to suppress subclinical enthesopathy, and the suppression is maintained through week 52. Further longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether therapy initiated for skin disease may prevent the development of PsA.
Uterine natural killer cells: To protect and to nurture
Authors: Sojka Dorothy K. , Yang Liping , Yokoyama Wayne M.
Published: November 2018

During the course of pregnancy, the maternal‐fetal interface is tightly regulated and undergoes dynamic changes that promote the successful development of the semi‐allogeneic fetus. In response to embryo implantation, the uterus remodels with maternal immune cells occupying the maternal‐fetal interface and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells becoming the most prominent leukocyte. Recently, uNK cells have been discovered to be heterogeneous, including conventional NK and tissue‐resident NK cells. Here, we will review the recent advances in uNK cell biology and discuss their functional mechanisms which protect and nurture the growing fetus.
Qualitative and quantitative determination of Atractylodes rhizome using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with linear ion trap–Orbitrap mass spectrometry with data‐dependent processing
Authors: Zhang Yihan , Bo Cui , Fan Yanhao , An Rui , Chen Long , Zhang Yifan , Jia Yiqun , Wang Xinhong
Published: November 2018

A quick and effective workflow based on ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electron spray ionization and LTQ‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC‐LTQ‐Orbitrap MS) was established for compositional analysis and screening of the characteristic compounds of three species of Atractylodes rhizome for quality evaluation. This technique was employed to determine the seven main components in Atractylodes rhizome samples. Ultimately, 78 constituents were identified; of these, seven characteristic compounds were selected for species discrimination, comprising atractylodin (63), atractylenolide I (43), atractylenolide II (49), atractylenolide III (53), atractylon (69), methyl‐atractylenolide II (54) and (4E,6E,12E)‐tetradecadecatriene‐8,10‐diyne‐1,3‐diacetate (59). The seven main compounds, including six characteristic compounds, were simultaneously determined in 29 batches of Atractylodes rhizome samples. Thus, the method validation showed acceptable results. Quantitative analysis showed significantly different contents of the seven main components among the three species of Atractylodes rhizome, which indicates possible distinctions in the pharmacological effects. This established method can simultaneously provide qualitative and quantitative results for compositional characterization of Atractylodes rhizomes and for quality control.
Microextraction sample preparation techniques in forensic analytical toxicology
Authors: He Yi , Concheiro‐Guisan Marta
Published: November 2018

Sample preparation is a critical step in forensic analytical toxicology. Different extraction techniques are employed with the goals of removing interferences from the biological samples, such as blood, tissues and hair, reducing matrix effects and concentrating the target analytes, among others. With the objective of developing faster and more ecological procedures, microextraction techniques have been expanding their applications in the recent years. This article reviews various microextraction methods, which include solid‐based microextraction, such as solid‐phase microextraction, microextraction by packed sorbent and stir‐bar sorptive extraction, and liquid‐based microextraction, such as single drop/hollow fiber‐based liquid‐phase microextraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, as well as their applications to forensic toxicology analysis. The development trend in future microextraction sample preparation is discussed.
Evaluation of NSE and S100B in patients with tick‐borne encephalitis
Authors: Czupryna Piotr , Grygorczuk Sambor , Pancewicz Sławomir , Świerzbińska Renata , Zajkowska Joanna , Krawczuk Katarzyna , Dunaj Justyna , Filipiuk Justyna , Kruszewska Ewelina , Borawski Karol , Moniuszko‐Malinowska Anna
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The aim of this study was the assessment of neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) and S‐100 concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with different clinical forms of tick‐borne encephalitis (TBE).

Material and Methods

The serum and CFS concentrations of S100B and NSE of 43 patients with TBE were measured with ELISA method using commercial kits: NSE and S100B Elisa Kit (DRG, Germany). Subjects were divided into: Group I—patients with meningoencephalitis (n = 17) and Group II—patients with meningitis (n = 26). None of the patients reported any neurodegenerative disorder that could affect the results of the study. The control group (CG) consisted of 13 patients. These patients were admitted to the hospital because of headache, and the CSF examination excluded inflammatory process. Samples were collected on admission (sample 1) and after treatment (sample 2).

Results

Neuron‐specific enolase concentration in CSF was higher in group I than in group II (p = 0.0002) and controls (p = 0.04). NSE concentration was higher in the second serum and CSF sample in both groups. S100B concentration did not differ between TBE patients and controls. NSE concentration in serum after 14 days was higher in the sequelae group (34.3 ± 9.7 vs. 16.7 ± 15, p = 0.04). Also, NSE serum sample 2/serum sample 1 ratio was significantly higher in the sequelae group (3.57 ± 0.92 vs. 1.53 ± 1.99, p = 0.04). Receiver Operating Characteristic curve analysis indicated that NSE concentration in serum II differentiates sequelae group from other meningoencephalitis patients (p = 0.0001). S100B serum sample 2/CSF sample 2 ratio was lower in the sequelae group (0.05 ± 0.1 vs. 0.37 ± 0.28, p = 0.02).

Conclusions

(a) Neurodegeneration process is present in TBE encephalitis. (b) NSE concentration correlates with inflammatory parameters in CSF in TBE. (c) Neurodegeneration is present even after clinical recovery of TBE. (d) NSE could be used in the prediction of TBE course. (e) S‐100 did not differ between TBE patients and controls.
Iridoid Derivatives with Cytotoxic Activity from Pedicularis uliginosaBunge
Authors: Liu Li‐Fang , Yao Ming‐Jun , Li Man‐Yu , Wu Xiao‐Zhen , Yuan Cheng‐Shan
Published: November 2018

Three new iridoids, rel‐(4aR,7S,7aS)‐7‐hydroxy‐7‐methyl‐1,4a,5,6,7,7a‐hexahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carbaldehyde (1), 1‐methoxy‐7‐methyl‐1,3,5,6‐tetrahydrocyclopenta[c]pyran‐4‐carbaldehyde (2), and rel‐(1R,4S,4aS,7R,7aR)‐7‐methylhexahydro‐1,4‐(epoxymethano)cyclopenta[c]pyran‐3(1H)‐one (3), together with seven known analogues, were isolated from the 95 % EtOH extract of the whole plants of Pedicularis uliginosa Bunge. Their structures were elucidated via extensive NMR spectroscopy and mass spectral data. In terms of inhibitory effects on human tumor cells, compounds 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8 exhibited better inhibitory activities against ACHN cells than the positive control (vinblastine).
Increased osmolality enhances the tight junction‐mediated barrier function in a cultured renal epithelial cell line
Authors: Canuto Leandro P. , Collares‐Buzato Carla B.
Published: November 2018

Osmotic alterations are associated with several human diseases, including diabetic nephropathy. We have previously shown that high glucose, which is a well‐known osmotic agent, induces significant disruption of the tight junction (TJ)‐mediated tubular barrier of the Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line. In this study, we investigated the effect of acute (24 h) and chronic (72 h) exposure to increased osmolality (with a 14.5 mM mannitol solution) on TJ‐mediated barrier function in MDCK cells. The treatment with mannitol significantly increased the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and accelerated the TEER recovery after Ca2+ switch assay in comparison with control monolayers. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses showed that mannitol treatment induced a significant increase in the tight junctional and cellular content of claudin‐1 (a barrier‐forming claudin) as well as a significant decrease in claudin‐2 (a pore‐forming claudin) junctional and cellular contents. These data suggest that an increased osmolality induces enhancement of the TJ‐mediated barrier of MDCK cells, and that, therefore, the negative effect of high glucose on the epithelial paracellular barrier cannot be attributed to its osmotic actions. In addition, a subtle increase in osmolality may have an impact on kidney function and renal‐related diseases.
Relationship of mildly increased albuminuria and coronary artery revascularization outcomes in patients with diabetes
Authors: Siddique Ayesha , Murphy Timothy P. , Naeem Syed S. , Siddiqui Efaza U. , Pencina Karol M. , McEnteggart Gregory E. , Sellke Frank W. , Dworkin Lance D.
Published: November 2018

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of albuminuria to cardiovascular disease outcomes in diabetic patients undergoing treatment for stable coronary artery disease.

Methods and results

We analyzed data from 2176 participants of the Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in type‐2 diabetes (BARI‐2D) trial, a randomized clinical trial comparing Percutaneous coronary intervention/Coronary artery bypass grafting (PCI/CABG) to medical therapy for people with diabetes. The population was stratified by baseline spot urine albumin–creatinine ratio (uACR) into normal (uACR <10 mg/g), mildly (uACR ≥10 mg/g < 30 mg/g), moderately (uACR ≥30 mg/g < 300 mg/g) and severely increased (uACR ≥300 mg/g) groups, and outcomes compared between groups. Death, myocardial infarction (MI) and/or stroke were experienced by 489 patients at a mean follow‐up of 4.3 ± 1.5 years. Compared with normal uACR, mildly increased uACR was associated with a 1.4 times (P = 0.042) increase in all‐cause mortality. Additionally, nonwhites with type‐II diabetes and stable coronary artery disease who had mildly increased albuminuria had a Hazard ratio (HR) of 3.3 times (P = 0.028) for cardiovascular death, 3.1 times for (P = 0.002) all‐cause mortality, and two times for (P = 0.015) MI during follow‐up.

Conclusions

Mildly increased albuminuria is a significant predictor of all‐cause mortality in those with type‐II diabetes mellitus and stable coronary artery disease, as well as for cardiovascular events those who are nonwhites.
Delayed aortic dissection and valve thrombosis after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Jacobzon Ehud , Wolak Arik , Fink Danny , Silberman Shuli
Published: November 2018

We report a case of a 78‐year‐old female who presented with type A aortic dissection 22 months following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). In addition, preoperative echocardiogram showed high gradients across the aortic prosthesis which was found to be thrombosed. At surgery, the intimal tear appeared to be non‐acute and anatomically related to the rim of the valve cage. The thrombosed valve was not replaced and the patient received anticoagulation therapy following surgery with significant improvement in valve gradients.
Breakthrough Curves Analysis and Statistical Design of Phenol Adsorption on Activated Carbon
Authors: Benmahdi Fatiha , Semra Safia , Haddad Djemal , Mandin Philippe , Kolli Mounira , Bouhelassa Mohammed
Published: November 2018

Activated carbon was used as an adsorbent for the removal of phenol from aqueous solution under various operating conditions. Statistical design using MATLAB® tools was employed to study the effects of three variables on six different response factors. MATLAB® software was employed to solve proposed quadratic model equations and for fitting a quadratic response surface. All the models with a very high adjusted R‐square predicted the experimental data well. The Thomas, the Yoon‐Nelson, the Wolborska, the bed depth service time, and the linear driving force models were used to predict breakthrough curves for experimental data. The results showed that the linear driving force model was suitable for the prediction of the breakthrough curve data.
Graphene Oxide Induced Growth of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanotubes as a 1D/2D Composite for High‐Performance Lithium‐Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Yang He , Zhang Xu , Zhu Weili , Wang Fang , Li Yongpeng , Fan Qiuyu , Xiao Hongyan , Zhang Fengxiang
Published: November 2018

A nitrogen‐doped carbon nanotubes/graphene (NCNTs‐G) composite as the sulfur host for a lithium‐sulfur battery has been fabricated by in situ growth of NCNTs on graphene in a one‐step nickel‐catalyzed thermolysis. The graphene sheet can function as a robust support to anchor NCNTs so that the specific surface area of the composite can be increased and the charge‐transfer resistance is reduced. These features, together with the high N‐doping level, impart the NCNTs‐G/S cathode a high utilization of sulfur, and the polysulfide shuttle effect can be effectively inhibited by both physical confinement and chemical adsorption. Therefore, the NCNTs‐G/S cathode shows high reversible capacities of 1484 mA h g−1 and 985 mA h g−1 at the current rate of 0.1 C and 0.5 C, respectively. It also exhibits a good cycling stability; 82 % of its initial capacity is retained after 150 cycles at 0.5 C, and a very small capacity decay rate of 0.06 % per cycle resulted in 400 cycles at 1 C. Based on the above structural characteristics and battery performance results, the NCNTs‐G/S is a promising cathode for a high‐performance Li−S battery.
Synthesis of Pure Silica MWW Zeolite in Fluoride Medium by Using an Imidazolium‐Based Long Dication
Authors: Lu Peng , Gómez‐Hortigüela Luis , Camblor Miguel A.
Published: November 2018

As the spacer length in 1,2‐dimethylimidazolium‐based dications increases beyond a specific point (six methylene units), they fail in structure‐directing towards STW zeolites in any synthetic conditions. These dications can instead produce, under fluoride concentrated conditions, either *BEA [in the case of the eight‐methylene‐unit structure‐directing agent (SDA)] or MWW (ten methylene units) zeolites. For any length of the dication, the default zeolite (MTW) is a relatively dense zeolite containing a unidimensional channel, whereas the zeolite demanding most specificity (STW, *BEA or MWW) is more porous, affording a larger concentration of the dication to be occluded. This work provides the first reported fluoride synthesis of pure silica MWW zeolites. Charge balance of the organic dications in this zeolite was achieved by combining “structural” silanolates, regular “connectivity defects” and occluded fluoride. Molecular mechanics calculations showed a perfect fit of the decamethylenebis(dimethylimidazolium) dication in the sinusoidal intralayer pore system of MWW. The calculations showed also that the dication is able to stabilize the interlayer space without disturbing the hydrogen‐bonding system that holds the layers together in the as‐made material. The 19F magic‐angle spinning (MAS) NMR presented two distinct resonances at −71 and −83 ppm, which, on the basis of DFT calculations, we tentatively assigned to fluoride occluded in [4662] and [415262] cages of the MWW structure, respectively. The same DFT study determines a different chemical shift of one methyl 13C nuclear magnetic resonance according to the imidazolium ring residing in the sinusoidal channels or in the large cup cavities, thus explaining an experimentally observed splitting of that resonance.
A secured MANET using position‐based opportunistic routing and SEMI MARKOV process
Authors: Maragatharajan M. , Balasubramanian C. , Balakannan S. P.
Published: November 2018

Inthe mobile ad hoc network (MANET), the nodes are moving very frequently and they do not have any fixed infrastructure. For reliable data delivery in MANET, we have analyzed the efficiency of data delivery using Position‐based Opportunistic routing method and greedy forwarding technique, which is based on geographic routing method. Initially, the MANET is divided into a number of provinces to identify the location of the receiver, and then Geographic routing is applied on the network for transmission of data. Based on the performance and throughput, the best forwarder node will be identified. Semi Markov process is used to develop the node behavior model for network survivability. In this work, reliable data delivery is obtained for the MANET by estimating the present performance of the network through isolating the forwarder node in Semi Markov process.
Immune Cell and Cell Cluster Phenotyping, Quantitation, and Visualization Using In Silico Multiplexed Images and Tissue Cytometry
Authors: Blenman Kim R.M. , Bosenberg Marcus W.
Published: November 2018

Phenotyping immune cells and cell clusters in situ, including their activation state and function, can aid in interpretation of spatial relationships within the tissue microenvironment. Immune cell phenotypes require multiple biomarkers. However, conventional microscopy setups can only image up to four biomarkers at one time. In this report, we describe and give an example of a workflow to phenotype, quantitate, and visualize greater than four biomarkers in silico utilizing multiplexed fluorescence histology and the TissueFAXS quantitative imaging system with a conventional microscopy setup. Biomarkers were conjugated to Cy3 or Cy5. Multiplexed staining was performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue sections. We imaged the slides, inactivated the dyes, and repeated the process until all biomarkers were stained. Phenotype profiles were built based on in silico combinations of the biomarkers. We used algorithms that aligned all images to create a composite image, isolated each cell in the image, and identified biomarker positive cells in the image. The in silico phenotypes were quantitated and displayed through flow cytometry‐like histograms and dot scatterplots in addition to backgating into the tissue images. The advantage of our workflow is that it provides visual verification of cell isolation and identification as well as highlight characteristics of cells and cell clusters. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Lobular breast carcinoma metastasis to skeletal muscle, two case reports diagnosed by ultrasound guided FNA with evaluation of the roles of interventional cytopathology
Authors: Asha Sigei , Yasmin Elshenawy , Stastny Janet F.
Published: November 2018

Skeletal muscle metastasis from breast carcinoma is a relatively rare clinical entity. We report two cases of breast cancer metastatic to the skeletal muscle, diagnosed by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (US‐FNA) biopsy done by interventional cytopathologists at an outpatient cytopathology center. Our two patients presented with lower anterior neck firmness and chest wall mass, respectively. Ultrasound evaluation of our first case demonstrated hypo‐echoic thickened anterior strap muscles while in the second case there was significant distortion of the anatomy from previous surgeries. It was necessary to proceed with FNA biopsy even when their ultrasound findings were equivocal, to establish a definite rapid diagnosis. The immediate onsite evaluation findings were suggestive of malignancy in both cases with subsequent core biopsy confirming the diagnosis of metastatic breast carcinoma. In cytopathology, point‐of‐care (POC) ultrasound is used as an adjunct tool that offers visual guidance during FNA of nonpalpable masses and enables sampling of lesional “hot” spots to ensure specimen adequacy. Studies have demonstrated a reduction in FNA nondiagnostic rates with the use of ultrasound‐guidance consequently reducing health care costs associated with nondiagnostic FNAs. US‐FNA also provides adequate samples for cell block preparations. Metastatic lobular carcinoma of the breast has a wide range of clinical presentations and a high level of suspicion is advised. Cytopathologists‐performed US‐FNA is a proven, less‐invasive, cost‐effective tool that provides timely cytologic diagnosis.
Differences between national and international guidelines for the management of diabetic foot disease
Authors: Parker Christina N. , Van Netten Jaap J. , Parker Tony J. , Jia Limin , Corcoran Heidi , Garrett Michele , Kwok Ching F. , Nather Aziz , Que Ma. Teresa , Srisawasdi Gulapar , Wraight Paul , Lazzarini Peter A.
Published: November 2018

Aim

No studies have investigated if national guidelines to manage diabetic foot disease differ from international guidelines. This study aimed to compare guidelines of Western Pacific nations with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) guidance documents.

Methods

The 77 recommendations in five chapters of the 2015 IWGDF guidance documents were used as the international gold standard reference. The IWGDF national representative(s) from 12 Western Pacific nations were invited to submit their nation's diabetic foot guideline(s). Four investigators rated information in the national guidelines as “similar,” “partially similar,” “not similar,” or “different” when compared with IWGDF recommendations. National representative(s) reviewed findings. Disagreements in ratings were discussed until consensus agreement achieved.

Results

Eight of 12 nations (67%) responded: Australia, China, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Thailand provided national guidelines; Singapore provided the Association of Southeast Asian Nations guidelines; and Hong Kong and the Philippines advised no formal national diabetic foot guidelines existed. The six national guidelines included were 39% similar/partially similar, 58% not similar, and 2% different compared with the IWGDF recommendations. Within individual IWGDF chapters, the six national guidelines were similar/partially similar with 53% of recommendations for the IWGDF prevention chapter, 42% for wound healing, 40% for infection, 40% for peripheral artery disease, and 20% for offloading.

Conclusions

National diabetic foot disease guidelines from a large and diverse region of the world showed limited similarity to recommendations made by international guidelines. Differences between recommendations may contribute to differences in national diabetic foot disease outcomes and burdens.
Evolution of Safety and Other Quality Parameters of the Greek PDO Table Olives “Prasines Elies Chalkidikis” During Industrial Scale Processing and Storage
Authors: Mastralexi Aspasia , Mantzouridou Fani Th. , Tsimidou Maria Z.
Published: November 2018

The evolution of safety and other quality parameters of the Greek green table olives PDO “Prasines Elies Chalkidikis” that are prepared according to the Spanish style processing is examined systematically at the industrial scale and 12 month storage for two consecutive periods for the first time. Evolution of safety parameters (bacteria/yeasts, pH, acidity) during fermentation in brine and on olives upon storage, changes in olive color and texture during storage, and the fate of characteristic hydrophilic and hydrophobic antioxidants (oleuropein, ligstroside, and related compounds, α‐tocopherol, squalene), and sodium content are monitored using appropriate methods. Sensory scores are also provided in certain cases. Findings support that the final product is microbiologically safe and of acceptable characteristics. However, except for compliance with trade quality criteria, attention should be paid to the reduction in phenolic compounds (hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol) content and the important increase in sodium content due to fermentation and storage in brine. This prototype model study indicates loopholes in the efforts to establish table olives as a functional food.

Practical Applications: Industry has to compromise legal safety and nutritional aspects with traditional processing and storage conditions that are applied in PDO table olive production, considering also intrinsic cultivar characteristics of the drupes. Policy makers, regulatory bodies, IOC, and the industry may profit from the substantiation provided by the results of this 2 years study.

A systematic study of the industrial production line of the Greek green table olives PDO “Prasines Elies Chalkidikis” for two consecutive processing periods.
Scalable Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of Vigabatrin, an Antiepileptic Drug
Authors: Jachak Gorakhnath R. , Reddy D. Srinivasa
Published: November 2018

Vigabatrin is a potent inhibitor of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) catabolism used for the treatment of epilepsy. Here we have synthesized both enantiomers of the drug vigabatrin in five steps from known intermediates using Wittig olefination and pyrolytic elimination as key steps. The target compounds are synthesized in gram scale amounts with >98 % enantiopurity.
Rh‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Conjugate Addition of Arylboronic Acids to 3‐Arylpropenoates: Enantioselective Synthesis of (R)‐Tolterodine
Authors: Zullo Valerio , Iuliano Anna
Published: November 2018

A highly enantioselective conjugate addition of arylboronic acids to 3‐arylpropenoates is presented. The rhodium complexes obtained from deoxycholic acid derived binaphthyl phosphites showed good activity as well as very high enantioselectivity (ee up to 99 %) in the conjugate addition to different ethyl‐3‐arylpropenoates, allowing to obtain useful chiral building blocks for the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients. The method was applied to the enantioselective synthesis of the antimuscarinic drug (R)‐tolterodine.
Outage and error analysis of three hop hybrid VLC/FSO/VLC–based relayed optical wireless communication system
Authors: Vats Anshul , Aggarwal Mona , Ahuja Swaran
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we consider a three hop hybrid visible light communication/free space optical/visible light communication (VLC/FSO/VLC) system in which the information is transmitted from a room inside the building on a VLC link toward the decode and forward (DF) relay attached to that building. The relay maps the incoming signal on the FSO link and forwards it to the other DF relay attached to the second building, which further passes it down to the user inside the room onto the VLC downlink. The VLC and FSO links follow the Lambertian emission model and Gamma‐Gamma fading statistics, respectively, under the impact of atmospheric turbulence, pointing errors, semiangle, and field of view of the detector. The performance of the three hop hybrid system is derived in terms of the closed‐form expression for the outage probability. The error performance is analyzed in terms of average symbol error probability of the considered hybrid system. Furthermore, an expression for asymptotic outage probability of the system is derived to investigate the behavior of the system at high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) regimes. The impact of variation in the parameters on the hybrid VLC/FSO//VLC communication system performance is illustrated by the numerical plots.
Supervised machine learning quality control for magnetic resonance artifacts in neonatal data sets
Authors: Ding Yang , Suffren Sabrina , Bellec Pierre , Lodygensky Gregory A.
Published: November 2018

Quality control (QC) of brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) is an important process requiring a significant amount of manual inspection. Major artifacts, such as severe subject motion, are easy to identify to naïve observers but lack automated identification tools. Clinical trials involving motion‐prone neonates typically pool data to obtain sufficient power, and automated quality control protocols are especially important to safeguard data quality. Current study tested an open source method to detect major artifacts among 2D neonatal MRI via supervised machine learning. A total of 1,020 two‐dimensional transverse T2‐weighted MRI images of preterm newborns were examined and classified as either QC Pass or QC Fail. Then 70 features across focus, texture, noise, and natural scene statistics categories were extracted from each image. Several different classifiers were trained and their performance was compared with subjective rating as the gold standard. We repeated the rating process again to examine the stability of the rating and classification. When tested via 10‐fold cross validation, the random undersampling and adaboost ensemble (RUSBoost) method achieved the best overall performance for QC Fail images with 85% positive predictive value along with 75% sensitivity. Similar classification performance was observed in the analyses of the repeated subjective rating. Current results served as a proof of concept for predicting images that fail quality control using no‐reference objective image features. We also highlighted the importance of evaluating results beyond mere accuracy as a performance measure for machine learning in imbalanced group settings due to larger proportion of QC Pass quality images.
Universal neural basis of structure building evidenced by network modulations emerging from Broca's area: The case of Chinese
Authors: Wu Chiao‐Yi , Zaccarella Emiliano , Friederici Angela D.
Published: November 2018

The basic steps in building up language involve binding words of different categories into a hierarchical structure. To what extent these steps are universal or differ across languages is an open issue. Here we examine the neural dynamics of phrase structure building in Chinese—a language that in contrast to other languages heavily depends on contextual semantic information. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and dynamic causal modeling to identify the relevant brain regions and their dynamic relations. Language stimuli consisted of syntax‐driving determiners, semantics‐embedded classifiers, and nonverbal symbols making up for two‐component sequences manipulated by the factors structure (phrase/list) and number of words (2‐word/1‐word). Processing phrases compared with word lists elicited greater activation in the anterior part of Broca's area, Brodmann area (BA) 45, and the left posterior superior/middle temporal gyri (pSTG/pMTG), while processing two words against one word led to stronger involvement of the left BA 45, BA 44, and insula. Differential network modulations emerging from subparts of Broca's area revealed that phrasal construction in particular highly modulated the direct connection from BA 44 to left pMTG, suggesting BA 44’s primary role in phrase structure building. Conversely, the involvement of BA 45 rather appears sensitive to the reliance on lexico‐semantic information in Chinese. Against the background of previous findings from other languages, the present results indicate that phrase structure building has a universal neural basis within the left fronto‐temporal network. Most importantly, they provide the first evidence demonstrating that the structure‐building network may be modulated by language‐specific characteristics.
Sexual Dysfunction and Sex Hormone Abnormalities in Patients With Cirrhosis: Review of Pathogenesis and Management
Authors: Neong Shuet Fong , Billington Emma O. , Congly Stephen E.
Published: November 2018

Healthy sexual function is important to maintain a good quality of life but is frequently impaired in patients with cirrhosis. The degree of sexual dysfunction appears to be linked with the degree of hepatic dysfunction. In men, sexual dysfunction can be related to the hyperestrogenism of portal hypertension and/or to decreased testosterone resulting from testicular dysfunction. In women, suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis appears to be a principal contributor, with no significant effect of portal hypertension. There is also a huge psychological barrier to break through as there is a component of depression in many patients with cirrhosis. Sexual dysfunction is often underdiagnosed in the cohort with cirrhosis. Management of sexual disorders in patients with cirrhosis can be challenging as they are often multifactorial. A multidisciplinary approach is key in managing these patients. We review the current literature on the pathogenesis of sexual dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and propose a stepwise algorithm to better manage these patients.
Hydroclimatic controls on runoff activation in an artificially drained, near‐level vertisolic clay landscape in a Prairie climate
Authors: Kokulan Vivekananthan , Macrae Merrin L. , Ali Genevieve A. , Lobb David A.
Published: November 2018

Water quality problems are frequently influenced by hydrological processes, particularly in landscapes in which land drainage has been modified. The expansion of agricultural tile drainage in the Northern Great Plains of North America is occurring, yet is controversial due to persistent water quality problems such as eutrophication. Runoff‐generating mechanisms in North American tile‐drained landscapes in vertisolic soils have not been investigated but are important for understanding the impacts of tile drainage on water quantity and quality. This study evaluated the role of climate drivers on the activation of overland (OF) and tile (TF) flow and groundwater flow responses (GWT) on tile‐drained and nontile‐drained farm fields in Southern Manitoba, Canada. The response times of different flow paths (OF, TF, and GWT) were compared for 23 hydrological events (April–September 2015, 2016) to infer dominant runoff generation processes. Runoff responses (all pathways) were more rapid following higher intensity rainfall. Subsurface responses were hastened by wetter antecedent conditions in spring and delayed by the seasonal soil–ice layer. The activation of OF did not differ between the tiled and nontiled fields, suggesting that tile drains do little to reduce the occurrence of OF in this landscape. Rapid vertical preferential flow into tiles via preferential flow pathways was uncommon at our site, and the soil profile instead wet up from the top down. These conclusions have implications for the expansion of tile drainage and the impact of such an expansion on hydrological and biogeochemical processes in agricultural landscapes.