bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2 adsorption testing on fly ash derived cancrinite‐type zeolite and its amine‐functionalized derivatives
Authors: Dindi Abdallah , Viet Quang Dang , Abu‐Zahra Mohammad R.M.
Published: August 2018

Fly ash was converted to a Cancrinite‐type zeolite and then functionalized with various amines to investigate its ability to adsorb CO2. Fly ash was first subjected to thermal‐alkaline treatment followed by hydrothermal treatment to remove unburned carbon and transform it into a cancrinite‐type zeolite before being functionalized with either 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), diethanolamine (DEA), or monoethanolamine (MEA). The resulting Cancrinite and its functionalized products were characterized by various techniques to confirm the success of fly ash to Cancrinite transformation and functionalization method. Cancrinite has significant improvement in surface area (77.7 m2 g−1) in comparison with original fly ash (11.2 m2 g−1), but its CO2 adsorption is very poor, about 6.6 mg g−1. Amine functionalization caused a reduction in the surface area and porosity of the fly ash Cancrinite, however, it enhanced the CO2 adsorption significantly. While the sorbents impregnated with DEA and MEA had higher CO2 adsorption capacities (49 and 84 mg CO2/g adsorbent respectively) than the sorbent grafted with APTES (24 mg CO2/g adsorbent), the grafted sorbent was more stable over multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. This study demonstrated that fly ash‐derived Cancrinite‐type zeolite has low CO2 adsorption in spite of its high surface area, however, its CO2 adsorption can be improved by amine‐functionalization. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 77–88, 2019
Borohydride‐functionalized polydopamine‐coated open cell polyurethane foam as a reusable soft structured material for reduction reactions: Application to the removal of a dye
Authors: Lefebvre Louis , Kelber Julien , Mao Xiyu , Ponzio Florian , Agusti Géraldine , Vigier‐Carrière Cécile , Ball Vincent , Jierry Loïc , Ritleng Vincent , Edouard David
Published: August 2018

Open cell polyurethane foams coated with mussel‐inspired polydopamine can be used as support for borohydride anions through their complexation by the catechol groups of the polydopamine layer. This strong interaction prevents borohydride hydrolysis and oxidation, and based on the redox mediator properties of polydopamine, the so‐functionalized polydopamine‐coated open cell polyurethane foams can act as efficient and reusable soft structured materials for the reduction of methylene blue in aqueous solution without additional sodium borohydride (NaBH4). Very low amounts of released boron sub‐products and very small potential of hydrogen (pH) increase are observed in comparison to previous processes using dissolved NaBH4. This considerably reduces the environmental impact of the reducing structured material on the treated wastewater compared to the latter. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 329–335, 2019
Distribution of health facilities in Nigeria: Implications and options for Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Makinde Olusesan Ayodeji , Sule Abayomi , Ayankogbe Olayinka , Boone David
Published: August 2018

Background

Nigeria is considering adopting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) as an official policy target to ensure access to quality health care services for her population without financial hardship. To facilitate discussion on the topic, the President of Nigeria convened a UHC summit in March 2014 to discuss Nigeria's options and strategies to achieve UHC. A strategy for achieving UHC requires analysis of the available infrastructure to deliver the services. We review the geographic and sectoral distribution of health facilities in Nigeria and discuss implications on the UHC strategy selected.

Methods

Secondary analysis of data from the Federal Ministry of Health's facility register was performed to assess the geographic and sectoral distribution of health facilities in Nigeria. Additionally, an extensive literature review was conducted to understand UHC strategies used by various countries and the associated health facility requirements.

Results

Primary health facilities make up 88% of health facilities in Nigeria while secondary and tertiary health facilities make up 12% and 0.25%, respectively. There are more government‐owned health facilities than privately owned health facilities (67% vs 33%). Secondary health facilities are predominantly privately owned. The ratio of public to private health facilities is much higher in the northern part of the country than in the southern part.

Conclusions

The distribution of health facilities across Nigeria is nonuniform. As such, a UHC strategy must be responsive to the variation in health facility distribution across the country. Additional investments are needed in some parts of the country to improve access to tertiary health facilities and leverage private sector capacity.
DOES FATHERS' PRENATAL MENTAL HEALTH BEAR A RELATIONSHIP TO PARENTING STRESS AT 6 MONTHS?
Authors: Skjothaug Thomas , Smith Lars , Wentzel‐Larsen Tore , Moe Vibeke
Published: August 2018

This study aimed to explore fathers’ mental health and retrospectively reported adverse childhood experiences during pregnancy, as well as various pathways predicting self‐reported stress at 6 months’ postpartum as assessed by the Parenting Stress Index (PSI; R.R. Abidin, ). A total of 835 fathers contributed data to the study. Data collection comprised five time points during pregnancy and one at 6 months’ postpartum. The main analyses were performed using linear regression and path analyses. First, linear regression analyses showed that paternal anxiety symptoms during pregnancy predicted stress scores in the PSI child domain at 6 months (coefficient = 0.36). Second, path analyses showed that depressive symptoms during pregnancy predicted parenting stress in the child domain, mediated by spousal disharmony at 6 months’ postpartum (coefficient = 0.77). Third, adverse childhood experiences scores predicted parenting stress in the child domain by two different pathways: one mediated by anxiety symptoms in pregnancy (coefficient = 0.29) and the other by depressive symptoms in pregnancy and experienced spousal disharmony at 6 months’ postpartum (coefficient = 0.77). The findings suggest that fathers’ symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy as well as adverse childhood experiences predict paternal stress and a negative perception of their children's behavior at 6 months’ postpartum.
Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic analysis reveals the interacting partners of lipin1
Authors: Wang Jian , Wang Song , Yan Chongjia , Deng Yunxia , Huang Zhiwei , Shi Ping
Published: August 2018

As a lipin family founding member, lipin1 exerts dual functions as a phosphatidate phosphatase enzyme and/or a co‐transcriptional regulator in lipid metabolism. In fact, it is also involved in many other cell processes. In this study, we utilized pull down assay coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) to unravel protein–protein interaction networks of lipin1 in 293T human embryonic kidney cells. Pull‐down assay on the Ni2+‐chelating column was used to isolate lipin1 complexes from 293T cells transfected with 6‐His tagged lipin1. The lipin1 complexes were analyzed on Q Exactive mass spectrometer. A total of 30 proteins were identified from label free quantitation of the MS data by Proteome Discoverer platform. The physical interaction between lipin1 and eEF1A1 was further affirmed in 293T cells transfected with 6‐His tagged lipin1 and hepatocyte SMMC7721 cells by protein immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence microscopy. Lipin1 also interacted with HIST1H2BK, which was confirmed in SMMC7721 cells by protein immunoprecipitation. Our proteomic analysis implicated lipin1 in novel roles in various cellular processes. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(8):753–762, 2018
Metabolomic study for essential hypertension patients based on dried blood spot mass spectrometry approach
Authors: Bai Qianru , Peng Baohua , Wu Xue , Cao Yunfeng , Sun Xiaoyu , Hong Mo , Na Rongmei , Liu Baiting , Li Qianxiao , Li Zhu , Fang Weiyi , Zhu Ning , Zong Chengguo , Yu Qin
Published: August 2018

Hypertension is an increasingly serious public‐health challenge worldwide. The traditional blood pressure measurement method could easily and reliably detect blood pressure. However, the delayed symptom onset may influence the screening of essential hypertension (EH). In addition, EH is significantly associated to cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease. Hence, it is urgent to define associated biomarkers with early diagnosis potential for EH. A dried blood spot method integrated with direct infusion mass spectrometry (MS) metabolomic analysis was applied for the detection of metabolites toward 87 EH patients and 91 healthy controls (HC). Multiple algorithms were run on training set (62 EH and 64 HC) for selecting differential metabolites as potential biomarkers. A test set (25 EH and 27 HC) was used to verify and evaluate selected potential biomarkers. A novel blood biomarker model based on Gly, Orn, C10, Orn/Cit, Phe/Tyr, and C5‐OH/C8 exhibited potential to differentiate EH patients from HC individuals, with a sensitivity of 0.8400 and a specificity of 0.8889 in test set. The metabolomic analysis of EH is beneficial to the definition of disease‐associated biomarkers and the development of new diagnostic approaches. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(8):777–785, 2018
College Student Writers' Use and Modification of Planning and Evaluation Strategies After a Semester of Instruction
Authors: Traga Philippakos Zoi A. , MacArthur Charles A. , Munsell Sarah
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate how students in a developmental writing course at a community college used and adapted cognitive writing strategies learned in the course. The students participated in a funded research project for the development and evaluation of a writing curriculum based on self‐regulated strategy instruction. The authors investigated students’ application of the planning and revising strategies using think‐aloud protocols. The results showed that students remembered the strategies but did not use them consistently. Also, students tended to use an outline but not always effectively. Finally, reading comprehension seemed to impact their use of revision strategies. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Noninvasive assessments of skin glycated proteins by fluorescence and Raman techniques in diabetics and nondiabetics
Authors: Paolillo Fernanda R. , Mattos Vicente S. , de Oliveira André O. , Guimarães Francisco E. G. , Bagnato Vanderlei S. , de Castro Neto Jarbas C.
Published: August 2018

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease and has chronic complications. It has been considered a serious public health problem. The aim of the current study was to evaluate skin glycated proteins through fluorescence and Raman techniques. One hundred subjects were invited to participate in the study. Six volunteers did not attend due to exclusion criteria or a change of mind about participating. Therefore, 94 volunteers were grouped according to age range (20‐80 years), health condition (nondiabetic, with insulin resistance [IR] and/or diabetic) and Fitzpatrick skin type (I‐VI). The fluorescence spectrometer and the portable Raman spectroscopy system were used to measure glycated proteins from the skin. There was elevated skin autofluorescence in healthy middle‐aged and elderly subjects, as well as in patients with IR and/or diabetes. Regarding Raman spectroscopy, changes in the skin hydration state, degradation of type I collagen and greater glycation were related for diabetes and chronological aging. Weak and positive correlation between the skin autofluorescence and the Raman peaks ratio (855/876) related to the glycated proteins was also found. Raman spectroscopy shows several bands for spectral analyses, complementing the fluorescence data. Therefore, this study contributes to understanding of the optical of human skin for noninvasive diabetes screening.
Quantitative detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in urine of patients with chronic hepatitis C using a novel real‐time PCR assay
Authors: Lu Tian , Han Yanxi , Zhang Rui , Zhang Kuo , Lin Guigao , Li Jinming
Published: August 2018

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA can be detected in body fluids such as urine. However, because of deficiencies in established isolation and detection methods, the actual prevalence and form of HCV RNA in the urine of patients with hepatitis C remain unclear. To more sensitively and accurately measure urine HCV RNA levels, a novel real‐time PCR assay with a modified isolation method and short amplicon designed for short HCV RNA fragments was developed in this study. The limit of detection, precision, linearity, and specificity of the assay was evaluated and demonstrated high‐quality performance. The prevalence of HCV RNA in the urine of viremic patients infected with HCV was 60% (36/60), as determined by a 62‐bp assay. The HCV RNA detection rate and concentration were much lower with a 157‐bp assay, and were undetectable with 222‐ and 304‐bp assays. With the 62‐bp assay, patients with detectable urine HCV RNA had significantly higher plasma HCV RNA levels (
P < 0.001), and plasma and urine concentrations were significantly positively correlated (
R
2 = 0.708,
P < 0.001). The method not only increased the detection rate of urine HCV RNA but also revealed the presence of short HCV RNA fragments in urine, indicating that urine from CHC patients with normal kidney function should not be infectious. In addition, it raised the possibility of urinary HCV RNA as a potential noninvasive marker for therapeutic monitoring of patients with hepatitis C.
Military and Premilitary Trauma, Attachment Orientations, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Severity Among Male and Female Veterans
Authors: Bannister Jenny A. , Lopez Frederick G. , Menefee Deleene S. , Norton Peter J. , Wanner Jill
Published: August 2018

Samples in prior studies examining attachment theory in the military have been predominantly composed of male combat veterans. Given the rates of sexual trauma among female veterans and differences in the association between attachment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) severity for sexual trauma survivors, it was necessary to consider the attachment characteristics of veterans within a mixed‐sex sample. Participants were a mixed‐sex veteran sample seeking inpatient trauma‐related treatment (N = 469). Using independent samples t tests, we examined sex differences in attachment. Consistent with our hypothesis, women reported a higher level of attachment anxiety than did men, t(351) = −2.12, p = .034. Women also reported a higher level of attachment avoidance, t(351) = −2.44, p = .015. Using hierarchical regression, we examined the contribution of attachment anxiety and avoidance to PTSD severity, partialing out variance accounted for by demographic variables and traumatic experiences. Consistent with our hypotheses, attachment avoidance predicted PTSD severity on the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale for DSM‐IV (CAPS), β = .20, p < .001, and the PTSD Checklist–Civilian Version (PCL‐C), β = .18, p < .001. Attachment anxiety did not predict CAPS severity but did predict PCL‐C severity, β = .11, p = .020. These results suggest the association between attachment avoidance and PTSD is not exclusive to combat trauma and may apply more generally to the larger veteran population. Higher levels of attachment anxiety and avoidance among female veterans potentially implicate the presence of greater attachment fearfulness among this particular subpopulation of veterans.
Detection of Second Primary Malignancies of the Esophagus and Hypophraynx in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Matsui Toshihiro , Okada Takuya , Kawada Kenro , Okuda Masahumi , Ogo Taichi , Nakajima Yutaka , Kume Yuichiro , Ryotokuji Tairo , Hoshino Akihiro , Tokairin Yutaka , Michi Yasuyuki , Harada Hiroyuki , Nakajima Yasuaki , Kawano Tatsuyuki
Published: August 2018

Objective

To assess the usefulness of modified esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for the detection of second primary malignancies of the esophagus or hypopharynx in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and determine the association between the oral lesion subsite and esophageal or hypopharyngeal lesion occurrence.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Methods

In total, 166 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma without any established symptoms of esophageal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma underwent modified EGD based on the Valsalva maneuver and U‐turn method, image‐enhanced endoscopy, and chromoendoscopy using Lugol's iodine for diagnosis. All suspected lesions were biopsied to determine the clinical stages and duplication rates. Odds ratios for the occurrence of duplicate lesions according to the oral lesion subsite were determined.

Results

In total, 37 esophageal and 16 hypopharyngeal lesions were detected. According to the Union for International Cancer Control/American Joint Committee on Cancer classification (2009), 75.7% and 5.4% esophageal lesions were classified as stage IA and IB, respectively, and 50% and 18.8% hypopharyngeal lesions as stage II and stage I, respectively. Approximately 59.1% and 50% esophageal and hypopharyngeal lesions, respectively, were successfully treated by endoscopic resection. Oral lesions involving the floor of the mouth were more frequently accompanied by second primary malignancies of the esophagus or hypopharynx.

Conclusions

Modified EGD is an effective noninvasive technique for early diagnosis and treatment of second primary malignancies of the esophagus and hypopharynx in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma. In particular, patients with floor of the mouth lesions need close monitoring for hypopharyngeal and esophageal lesions.

Level of Evidence

3b.
Stimuli‐Responsive Ruthenium‐Containing Polymers
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Chen Mingsen , Liu Yuanli , Wu Si
Published: August 2018

Ruthenium‐containing polymers (RCPs) are a type of functional metallopolymer. Stimuli‐responsive RCPs in which the responsive behaviors derive from the structure variation of Ru complexes are reviewed in this Feature Article, with particular focus on redox responsive RCPs and photoresponsive RCPs. On the basis of the recent progress, the response principle, syntheses, structures, properties, applications, and remaining challenges of such stimuli‐responsive RCPs are discussed.
High‐Performance Polymer Solar Cells Achieved by Introducing Side‐Chain Heteroatom on Small‐Molecule Electron Acceptor
Authors: Zhang Jianyun , Liu Feng , Chen Shanshan , Yang Changduk , Zhu Xiaozhang , Zhu Daoben
Published: August 2018

Side chains of photovoltaic materials play an important role in determining charge transport property, film morphology, and the corresponding device performance. In this work, two new acceptor materials, ATT‐6 and ATT‐7 with different side chains, m‐hexylphenyl and m‐hexyloxyphenyl on the indacenodithiophene, are designed and synthesized for applications in non‐fullerene polymer solar cells. ATT‐7 shows a higher absorption coefficient, increased crystallinity, and improved electron mobility in comparison with ATT‐6. Using wide‐bandgap polymer poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene))‐alt‐(5,5‐(1′,3′‐di‐2‐thienyl‐5′,7′‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)benzo[1′,2′‐c:4′,5′‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (PBDB‐T) as donor, optimized devices based on PBDB‐T:ATT‐7 and PBDB‐T:ATT‐6 delivers power conversion efficiencies of 10.30% and 8.39%, respectively. The higher performance of ATT‐7‐based device can be attributed to efficient exciton dissociation, reduced bimolecular recombination, and enhanced and balanced charge carrier mobilities. These results indicate that side‐chain modification is an easy but efficient way in the design of high‐performance non‐fullerene acceptors.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Block Copolymers by a Combination of Living Cationic and Controlled Radical Polymerization
Authors: Trützschler Anne‐Kristin , Leiske Meike N. , Strumpf Maria , Brendel Johannes C. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: August 2018

The reversible addition–fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) process represents a sophisticated polymerization technique for the preparation of tailored and well‐defined polymers from acrylates, acrylamides, and (meth)acrylates. The direct switching from other methods, such as cationic polymerizations, without the need for tedious functionalization and purification steps remains challenging. Within this study, it is demonstrated that poly(2‐oxazoline) (P(Ox)) macro chain‐transfer agents (macro‐CTAs) can be prepared through the quenching of the cationic ring‐opening polymerization with a carbonotrithioate salt. The end‐functionalization of the P(Ox)s is observed to be almost quantitative and the macro‐CTAs could be directly used for RAFT polymerization without further purification. This one‐pot procedure could be extended to a variety of (multi)block copolymers consisting of different 2‐oxazolines and acrylates with good‐to‐excellent control. Kinetic studies revealed the controlled polymerization of block copolymers, which are further accessible for α‐ and ω‐end‐functionalization. The simplicity and versatility of the approach promise a straightforward access to block copolymers from cationic and controlled radical polymerizations.
Block Copolymers by Mechanistic Transformation from PROAD to Iniferter Process
Authors: Ciftci Mustafa , Yagci Yusuf
Published: August 2018

A facile strategy for synthesizing block copolymers by the combination of two different living polymerization techniques, namely, photoinduced radical oxidation/addition/deactivation (PROAD) and iniferter processes is described. In the first step, PROAD polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether using bromotriphenylmethane, dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn2(CO)10), and diphenyliodonium bromide (Ph2I+Br−) is carried out to yield polymers with triphenylmethyl (trityl) end groups. These prepolymers are used as macroiniferters in thermally induced free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers such as methyl methacrylate, tert‐butyl acrylate, and styrene, resulting in the formation of corresponding block copolymers free from homopolymers. The precursor polymer and final block copolymers are characterized by 1H NMR, FT‐IR, GPC, and DSC analyses.
Hyperbranched Polymers Formed Through Self‐Condensing Vinyl Polymerization in a Continuous Stirred‐Tank Reactor (CSTR): 1. Molecular Weight Distribution
Authors: Tobita Hidetaka
Published: August 2018

A new Monte Carlo simulation algorithm, based on the random sampling technique, is proposed for the self‐condensing vinyl polymerization conducted in a continuous stirred‐tank reactor. In order to highlight the most fundamental aspects of the reaction system, the kinetic rate constants are assumed to be constant, and the size and structure dependence is neglected. With this ideal model, the high molecular weight (MW) tail of the weight fraction distribution W(P) is shown to follow the power law, W(P) ∝ P
−α. The power exponent is represented by α = 1/(ηξ) for ξ  < 1/(2η), where ξ and η are defined in the text. For ξ ≥ 1/(2η), the weight‐average MW cannot reach the steady state because of the power exponent with α ≤ 2.
DDoS protection with stateful software‐defined networking
Authors: Rebecchi Filippo , Boite Julien , Nardin Pierre‐Alexis , Bouet Mathieu , Conan Vania
Published: August 2018

Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks represent one of the most critical security challenges facing network operators. Software‐defined networking (SDN) permits fast reactions to such threats by dynamically enforcing simple forwarding/blocking rules as countermeasures. However, the centralization of the control plane requires that the SDN controller, besides network management operations, should also collect information to identify and mitigate the security menaces. A major drawback of this approach is that it may overload the controller and the control channel. On the other hand, stateful SDN represents a new concept, developed to improve reactivity and offload the controller by delegating local treatments to the switches. In this article, we embrace this paradigm to protect end‐hosts from DDoS attacks. We propose StateSec, a novel approach based on in‐switch processing capabilities to detect and mitigate flooding threats. StateSec monitors packets matching configurable traffic features without resorting to the controller. By feeding an entropy‐based detection algorithm with such monitoring features, it detects and mitigates several threats such as (D)DoS with high accuracy. We implemented StateSec in an SDN platform comparing it with state‐of‐the‐art approaches. We show that StateSec is far more efficient: It achieves very accurate detection levels, reducing at the same time the control plane overhead. We have also evaluated the memory footprint of StateSec for a possible use in production. Finally, we deployed StateSec over a real network to tune its parameters and assess its suitability to real‐world deployments.
A modulus iteration method for retinex problem
Authors: Yang Xue , Huang Yu‐Mei , Sun Li
Published: August 2018

Retinex theory was proposed by Land and McCann, which manifests that the perception of object colors by human eyes is only dependent on the reflectance of the object and unrelated to the illumination amount on the object. Image intensity recorded by digital cameras is the product of reflectance and illumination. The main purpose of the retinex problem is to recover the reflectance from the recorded image just like the human vision system. In this paper, we propose a variational minimization model with physical constraints imposed on reflectance values. We show that the proposed model is equivalent to a linear complementarity problem, and a modulus iteration method is applied to solve it. A large sparse linear system of equations arises in the modulus iteration method. By utilizing the special structure of the coefficient matrix, the solution of the linear system is obtained by solving a smaller linear system of only half of the unknowns. The convergence of the modulus iteration method for solving the linear complementarity problem for the proposed model is also demonstrated. The experiments show that the convergence of the proposed method is much faster than the existing efficient methods for the retinex problem, and the proposed method is also competitive to the existing methods for the retinex problem when considering recovered reflectance quality.
Identifying phenotypes and factors impacting outcomes in older adults with asthma: A research protocol and recruitment results
Authors: Polivka Barbara J. , Folz Rodney , Myers John , Barnett Russell , Antimisiaris Demetra , Jorayeva Anna , Beatty Bryan
Published: August 2018

Success in testing research outcomes requires identification of effective recruitment strategies in the targeted population. In this paper, we present the protocol for our NIH‐funded study as well as success rates for the various recruitment strategies employed. This longitudinal observational study is: developing a phenotyping algorithm for asthma in older adults, exploring the effects of the asthma phenotype and of volatile organic compounds on asthma control, and developing a predictive model of asthma quality of life. A sub‐aim is to characterize barriers to successful medication management in older adults with asthma. Individuals are eligible if they are ≥60 years, have a positive response to at least 1 of 6 asthma screening questions, are non‐smokers, and demonstrate bronchodilator reversibility or a positive bronchial challenge test with methacholine. Exclusion criteria are smokers who quit <5 years ago or with a >20 pack year smoking history, and those having other chronic pulmonary diseases. Participants (N = 190) complete baseline pulmonary function testing, questionnaires, sputum induction, skin prick testing, and have blood drawn for Vitamin D and Immunoglobulin E. Home environmental assessments are completed including 24‐hr particulate and volatile organic compound measurements. At 9‐months post‐baseline, home spirometry, medication assessment, and assessment of asthma quality of life and asthma control are assessed. At 18‐months post‐baseline, home spirometry, completion of baseline questionnaires, and a home environmental assessment are completed. We have employed multiple recruitment efforts including referrals from clinical offices, no‐cost media events, flyers, and ads. The most successful efforts have been referrals from clinical offices and media events.
Homeowner Behavior, Health Status, and Medicaid Payment Eligibility: Evidence from the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
Authors: Ricks Judith S.
Published: August 2018

This paper analyzes the effect of a change in the status of housing equity as a protected asset for Medicaid long‐term care payment eligibility. A difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences strategy is employed to estimate the effect of the policy on the housing equity holdings of potentially treated individuals. Using a panel of unmarried homeowners, the policy induced treated individuals who were likely to require long‐term care to hold less housing equity by values of $82,000 to $193,000 relative to control individuals. This equates to relative reductions of 12 to 29 percent for treated individuals after the policy change. Similar effects are not observed when considering health measures less predictive of long‐term care services and for a sample of married households who were unlikely affected by the policy. These estimates confirm the importance of the housing asset as a shelter for Medicaid eligibility.
Cells in the adult human spinal cord ependymal region do not proliferate after injury
Authors: Paniagua‐Torija Beatriz , Norenberg Michael , Arevalo‐Martin Angel , Carballosa‐Gautam Melissa M , Campos‐Martin Yolanda , Molina‐Holgado Eduardo , Garcia‐Ovejero Daniel
Published: August 2018

In vertebrates that regenerate the injured spinal cord, cells at the ependymal region proliferate and coordinate the formation of bridges between the lesion stumps. In mammals, these cells also proliferate profusely around the central canal after spinal cord injury, although their actual contribution to repair is controversial. In humans, however, the central canal disappears from early childhood in the majority of individuals, being replaced by astrocyte gliosis, ependymocyte clusters, and perivascular pseudo‐rosettes. In this human ependymal remnant, cells do not proliferate under normal conditions, but it is not known if they do after a lesion. Here, we studied the human ependymal remnant after traumatic spinal cord injury using samples from 21 individuals with survival times ranging from days to months post‐injury. With three different monoclonal antibodies raised against two different proliferation markers (Ki67 and MCM2), we found that the ependymal remnant in adult humans does not proliferate after injury at any time or distance from the lesion. Our results seriously challenge the view of the spinal cord ependymal region as a neurogenic niche in adult humans and suggest that it would not be involved in cell replacement after a lesion. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of GNP addition on optical properties and band gap energies of PMMA films
Authors: Mergen Ömer Bahadır , Arda Ertan , Kara Selim , Pekcan Önder
Published: August 2018

In this study, the effects of graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) doping on the optical parameters (absorption coefficient, α and extinction coefficient, k) and the optical transition energies (optical band gap and Urbach energies) of poly(methyl methacrylate)/graphene nanoplatelet (PMMA/GNP) composite films were studied. PMMA/GNP composite films with various GNP mass fractions were prepared by spin coating technique. The absorbance (A) changes of the prepared composites were measured by using UV–Vis technique. The α and k values of the composites were obtained from UV–Vis data. The observed rapid increase in A values in UV‐region were associated with the optical transitions of GNP electrons from valence to conduction band. The direct (Ed) and indirect (Ei) optical band gap energies of the composites were determined by using Tauc method. Both of the band gap energies were decreased when the GNP content in the PMMA matrix is increased. The decrease in the band gap energies was interpreted as evidence of increased conductivity of the composites. Additionally, energies of the band tails (Urbach energy) were calculated. It was seen that the Urbach energy levels were increased with GNP content. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1862–1869, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Maleic anhydride copolymers as adhesion‐promoting reagent in wood veneer/biopolyethlyene composite materials
Authors: John Rico , Schreiter Katja , Trommler Katja , Siegel Carolin , Wagenführ André , Spange Stefan
Published: August 2018

Biocomposite materials consisting of biopolyethlylene (bio‐PE) and wood veneer are produced using four structurally different maleic anhydride (MA) copolymers as reactive interfacial components. The respective MA copolymer was dip coated onto the veneer surface and serves as adhesion‐promoting and compatibilizing reagents for the highly polar wood veneer and the weakly polar bio‐PE. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy confirms esterification reactions on to the wood veneers. The MA copolymer modified woods show hydrophobic surfaces due to contact angles with water droplets up to 125 °. The adapted surface properties of the materials provide compatible biocomposite material verified by scanning electron microscopy/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy images of wood fibers impregnated with the bio‐PE matrix. Furthermore, the tensile properties of the biocomposite materials are greatly improved for all MA copolymer coatings. Compared to the unmodified wood veneer/bio‐PE composites, the polypropylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride modification was found to have the highest improvement of 139% in Young's modulus and 115% in tensile strength. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1979–1988, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Important issues in plant tissues analyses by HR‐MAS NMR
Authors: Flores Igor S. , Martinelli Bruno C.B. , Pinto Vinicius S. , Queiroz Luiz H.K. , Lião Luciano M.
Published: August 2018

Introduction

High‐resolution magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (HR‐MAS NMR) spectroscopy enables the analysis of the metabolic profile of plant and animal tissues under close to natural conditions, as well as of other heterogeneous natural or synthetic materials. Neither sample pretreatment is required after fragmentation nor powdering of the sample before insertion into the rotor. However, the efficiency of the method depends strongly on the sample preparation, rotor insertion procedure, and analysis conditions.

Objective

To identify some of the variables that affect the spectral data and to propose solutions that minimise their impact on the quality of the analyses and results.

Methods

Dried plant tissues were powdered, weighed, and homogenised in a 50 μL rotor with an optimised volume of deuterated solvent and sample in order to prevent material from escaping during spacer insertion, avoiding variations in magnetic susceptibility. Factors affecting the quality of HR‐MAS NMR analysis such as particle size, sample and solvent amounts, solvent polarity, swelling time, rotor manipulation and pulse sequence setting were evaluated.

Results

A strong correlation was observed between the signal area and the particle size of the powdered sample. The spectral profile varied depending on the deuterated solvent used. An incubation period was necessary to achieve adequate swelling of the sample and to ensure good data reproducibility. Proper sealing of the rotor, number of cycles and τ time on cpmgpr1d pulse sequence were found to affect the signal areas.

Conclusion

The study highlights the need for standardised sample preparation and instrumental setup protocols in order to achieve high reproducibility and obtain reliable data from HR‐MAS NMR analyses.
About formation of cycles in Sn(II) octanoate‐catalyzed polymerizations of lactides
Authors: Kricheldorf Hans R. , Weidner Steffen M. , Scheliga Felix
Published: August 2018

At first, formation of cycles in commercial poly(l‐lactide)s is discussed and compared with benzyl alcohol‐initiated polymerizations performed in this work. This comparison was extended to polymerizations initiated with 4‐cyanophenol and pentafluorothiophenol which yielded cyclic polylactides via end‐biting. The initiator/catalyst ratio and the acidity of the initiator were found to be decisive for the extent of cyclization. Further polymerizations of l‐lactide were performed with various diphenols as initiators/co‐catalysts. With most diphenols, cyclic polylactides were the main reaction products. Yet, only catechols yielded even‐numbered cycles as main reaction products, a result which proves that their combination with SnOct2 catalyzed a ring‐expansion polymerization (REP). The influence of temperature, time, co‐catalyst, and catalyst concentrations was studied. Four different transesterification reactions yielding cycles were identified. For the cyclic poly(l‐lactide)s weight average molecular weights (Mw's) up to 120,000 were obtained, but 1H NMR end group analyses indicated that the extent of cyclization was slightly below 100%. The influence of various parameters like structure of initiator and catalyst and temperature on the formation of cyclic poly(l‐lactide)s has been investigated. Depending on the chosen conditions, the course of the polymerization can be varied from a process yielding exclusively linear polylactides to mainly cyclic polylactides. Three different reaction pathways for cyclization reactions have been identified. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1915–1925
Poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(hydroxypropyl methacrylate) copolymers: Synthesis and pH/thermo‐responsive behavior in aqueous solutions
Authors: Sentoukas Theodore , Pispas Stergios
Published: August 2018

The synthesis and self‐assembly properties in aqueous solutions of novel amphiphilic block copolymers composed of one hydrophilic, pH and temperature responsive poly(dimethyl amino ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) block and one weakly hydrophobic, water insoluble, potentially thermoresponsive poly(hydroxy propyl methacrylate) (PHPMA) block, are reported. The block copolymers were prepared by RAFT polymerization and were molecularly characterized by size exclusion chromatography, NMR, and FTIR spectroscopies. The PDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA amphiphilic block copolymers self‐assemble in different nanostructured aggregates when inserted in aqueous media. The effects of different solubilization protocols, as well as the effects of solution temperature and pH on the structure of the aggregates, are studied by light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy measurements. Experimental results indicate that there is a number of solution preparation and physicochemical parameters that allow the control and manipulation of the structure and thermoresponsive properties of PDMAEMA‐b‐PHPMA aggregates in aqueous media. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1962–1977
Covalent functionalization of solid cellulose by divergent synthesis of chemically active dendrons
Authors: Anavi Daniel , Popowski Yanay , Slor Gadi , Segal Merav , Frid Liat , Amir Roey J. , Amirav Aviv , Amir Elizabeth
Published: August 2018

Covalent surface modification of solid cellulose with well‐defined and chemically reactive dendrons is introduced as a platform for cellulose grafting with functional materials. Surface functionalization with a first generation dendron is achieved by esterification employing bifunctional molecules based on 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid (bis‐MPA) under mild conditions and short reaction times. The activated cellulose surface displays hydrophobic properties and contains two reactive alkene end‐groups per graft, which are used for covalent binding to active agents, as demonstrated by selective functionalization of the modified cellulose with fluorescent dye via photopatterning. The number of active end‐groups on the surface of cellulose is multiplied by divergent solid‐state synthesis of second and third generation dendrons having four and eight reactive sites per dendron, respectively. The dendrons are assembled in only few hours by a sequence of thiol‐ene/esterification reactions. The ability to accurately control the number of binding sites on the surface of cellulose allows fine tuning of the surface properties, as shown by the attachment of hydrophobic small molecules to the dendronized cellulose. The first, second and third generation dendrons allow preparing surfaces with increasing hydrophobicities; second and third generation dendrons functionalized with small perfluoroalkyl molecule display superhydrophobic properties. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2103–2114
Determination of Lee‐Tarver Model Parameters of JO‐11C Explosive
Authors: Li Yanhua , Yang Xiaoyu , Wen Yuquan , Xiong Shihui , Li Xiaogang
Published: August 2018

In order to determine the Lee‐Tarver model parameters of JO‐11C when the density is 1.707 g/cm3, the detonation propagation of cylindrical charge with different diameters is modelling by AUTODYN software. The output performance parameters such as critical dimension, detonation velocity, detonation pressure and reaction time of different charge diameters through simulation are consistent with the experimental results by fixing and adjusting material model parameters of the JO‐11C explosive .The results show that the critical dimension is between 0.4 mm and 0.5 mm, the detonation velocity and pressure increase with the charge diameter increasing and the rule of reaction time is opposite. According to the determined parameters of the Lee‐Tarver model, the detonation pressure attenuation of JO‐11C charge with different diameter bearing on different steel gap were simulated and compared with the test. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results when charge diameter is greater than 2 mm, which the error is less than 10 %. In smaller charge diameter, the error is also not more than 20 %.
Corrosion of sedimentary liquids on internal bottom plate of tanks among coal liquefaction process
Authors: Lu Yawei , Wang Zhirong , Jiang Juncheng , Dou Zhan , Xue Anxue , Wang Jian
Published: August 2018

The leakage accidents due to the corrosion on the internal bottom plates occurred frequently in the tanks which are involved in the first commercial direct coal liquefaction production line. For comprehending the corrosion, the compositions of the sedimentary liquids from diesel, hydro‐upgrading feed oil, heavy solvent oil, thick condensed oil and hydro‐stabilizing feed oil are surveyed in the first place, the results show that all the sedimentary liquids are almost neutral; the cations and anions in all sedimentary liquids are the same; the majority of ions are Ca2+, Cl−, and
in these five sedimentary liquids. Then the immersion and electrochemical tests are implemented, it is represented that corrosion of same sedimentary liquid on Q235 steel coupon is severer than that on 16MnR steel coupon; the sedimentary liquid from hydro‐stabilizing feed oil has the most violent causticity; all the corrosives may hold the Fe2CO3 and Fe2O3; the polarization behavior of Q235 steel in the sedimentary liquid from hydro‐stabilizing feed oil is similar to that of 16MnR steel. Finally, the influences of different ions on the corrosivity of sedimentary liquids are also investigated, it can be concluded that the 672‐h general corrosion rates of Q235 and 16MnR steel coupons in all sedimentary liquids increase with improve of Cl‐ content but decrease with rising of
content; in the sedimentary liquids containing large numbers of Cl‐ and Ca2+, the Ca2+ is the definitely vital ion which deeply influences the corrosivity of sedimentary liquids. The achievement of this research work also can be applied in the prevention for corrosion formed on the internal bottom plates of tanks referred to the direct coal liquefaction process. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 506–517, 2018
Three‐Component Mixture Model‐Based Adverse Drug Event Signal Detection for the Adverse Event Reporting System
Authors: Zhang Pengyue , Li Meng , Chiang Chien‐Wei , Wang Lei , Xiang Yang , Cheng Lijun , Feng Weixing , Schleyer Titus K. , Quinney Sara K. , Wu Heng‐Yi , Zeng Donglin , Li Lang
Published: August 2018

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) is an important source for detecting adverse drug event (ADE) signals. In this article, we propose a three‐component mixture model (3CMM) for FAERS signal detection. In 3CMM, a drug‐ADE pair is assumed to have either a zero relative risk (RR), or a background RR (mean RR = 1), or an increased RR (mean RR >1). By clearly defining the second component (mean RR = 1) as the null distribution, 3CMM estimates local false discovery rates (FDRs) for ADE signals under the empirical Bayes framework. Compared with existing approaches, the local FDR's top signals have noninferior or better sensitivities to detect true signals in both FAERS analysis and simulation studies. Additionally, we identify that the top signals of different approaches have different patterns, and they are complementary to each other.
PBPK Models for CYP3A4 and P‐gp DDI Prediction: A Modeling Network of Rifampicin, Itraconazole, Clarithromycin, Midazolam, Alfentanil, and Digoxin
Authors: Hanke Nina , Frechen Sebastian , Moj Daniel , Britz Hannah , Eissing Thomas , Wendl Thomas , Lehr Thorsten
Published: August 2018

According to current US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidance documents, physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling is a powerful tool to explore and quantitatively predict drug‐drug interactions (DDIs) and may offer an alternative to dedicated clinical trials. This study provides whole‐body PBPK models of rifampicin, itraconazole, clarithromycin, midazolam, alfentanil, and digoxin within the Open Systems Pharmacology (OSP) Suite. All models were built independently, coupled using reported interaction parameters, and mutually evaluated to verify their predictive performance by simulating published clinical DDI studies. In total, 112 studies were used for model development and 57 studies for DDI prediction. 93% of the predicted area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC) ratios and 94% of the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) ratios are within twofold of the observed values. This study lays a cornerstone for the qualification of the OSP platform with regard to reliable PBPK predictions of enzyme‐mediated and transporter‐mediated DDIs during model‐informed drug development. All presented models are provided open‐source and transparently documented.
The Effects of Intense Terahertz Laser and Magnetic Fields on Optical Properties of a Shallow Impurity in Semiconductors in the Faraday Configuration
Authors: Wei Xiangfei , Wang Weiyang , Xu Lei , Zhang Sha , Tan Ren‐Bing
Published: August 2018

The influence of intense terahertz laser and magnetic fields on the total optical absorption coefficient for the transitions between shallow‐impurity states 1s and in semiconductors within the Faraday configuration is studied by using the compact density‐matrix approach, where the energy levels and wave functions of shallow‐impurity states are obtained by using a combination of time‐dependent nonperturbative approach and variational method. We find that the transition energy of shallow‐impurity states and the dipole matrix element can be not only increased but also decreased by varying the external fields via laser‐dressed Coulomb potential. In this way, the saturable absorption and the resonant peak position and magnitude of the total optical absorption coefficient can be effectively tuned with an appropriate choice of the external fields. Moreover, an appreciable effect of cyclotron motion on the total optical absorption coefficient is observed. This gives new degree of freedom in various device applications based on the intradonor transition of electrons.