bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetics of alkaline fading of methyl violet in micellar solutions of surfactants: Comparing Piszkiewicz's, Berezin's, and pseudophase ion‐exchange models
Authors: Laguta Anna N. , Eltsov Sergey V. , Mchedlov‐Petrossyan Nikolay O.
Published: November 2018

The micellar effect of surfactants of various types on the rate of the reaction between methyl violet and hydroxide ion is studied. The absorption spectra show that the cation of methyl violet is bound by micelles of all types at proper concentrations of surfactants. The observed rate constant in micellar systems containing nonionic Brij‐35, zwitterionic 3‐(dimethyldodecylammonio)‐propanesulfonate, cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and hydroxide surfactants is higher, whereas in solutions of the anionic surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate is lower than that one in the surfactant‐free system. Piszkiewicz's, Berezin's, and pseudophase ion‐exchange models of the kinetic micellar effect are used for the treatment of the dependences of the above‐mentioned constants on the surfactant concentration. The values of the corresponding kinetic parameters are compared and discussed. The influence of nonionic, zwitterionic, and anionic micelles on the reaction rate is discussed on the basis of medium and concentration kinetic effects.

The character of the cationic micelles effect is somewhat paradoxical. Although the observed pseudo–first‐order reaction rate constant substantially increases in the presence of such micelles, the second order‐rate constant in these micelles is lower than the corresponding value in surfactant‐free aqueous solution. As a possible explanation, the decrease in the reactivity of the HO– ions is proposed, owing to their electrostatic association with the cationic headgroups (“diverting effect”).
The influence of in‐store personnel on online store value: An analogical transfer perspective
Authors: Verhagen Tibert , van Dolen Willemijn , Merikivi Jani
Published: November 2018

In today’s multichannel retail environment, consumers’ experiences in one channel influence their perceptions of another channel. Specifically, consumer evaluations of a firm’s online store have been found to be influenced by consumer interactions with the firm’s in‐store personnel. This paper is among the first to address this assumption and test it empirically. Drawing upon the analogical transfer paradigm, we propose hypotheses and accordingly model in‐store personnel’s competence and friendliness as determinants of online store usefulness, online store enjoyment, and online store value. Using consumer data collected from two Dutch multichannel retailers, we test this model with partial least squares modeling. The results provide clear support for the model and confirm that consumers may use characteristics of in‐store personnel as analogies when evaluating a firm’s online store. Implications for research and retail managers are discussed.
Live cell imaging of Plasmodiophora brassicae—host plant interactions based on a two‐step axenic culture system
Authors: Tu Jiangying , Bush James , Bonham‐Smith Peta , Wei Yangdou
Published: November 2018

Plasmodiophora brassicae, a parasitic protist, induces club‐shaped tumor‐like growth of host Brassicas roots and hypocotyls after infection. Due to its soil‐borne nature and intracellular, biotrophic parasitism the infection biology and early pathogenesis remains in doubt. In this study, we have established a new protocol, based on a two‐step axenic culture of P. brassicae with its host tissues, for easy and in planta observation of cellular interactions between P. brassicae and host plants: first, coculture of P. brassicae with infected canola root tissues, on growth‐medium plates, enables the propagation of P. brassicae that serves as pure inoculum for pathogenicity assays, and second, the pure inoculum is subsequently used for pathogenicity tests on both canola and Arabidopsis seedlings grown on medium plates in Petri dishes. During the first axenic culture, we established a staining protocol by which the pathogen was fluorescently labeled with Nile red and calcofluor white, thus allowing in planta observation of pathogen development. In the pathogenicity assays, our results showed that axenic cultures of P. brassicae, in calli, remains fully virulent and completes its life cycle in both canola and Arabidopsis roots grown in Petri dishes. Combining visualization of fluorescent probe‐labeled P. brassicae structures with fluorescent protein tagging of Arabidopsis cellular components, further revealed dynamic responses of host cells at the early stages of P. brassicae infection. Thus, established protocols for in planta detection of P. brassicae structures and the live cell imaging of P. brassicae—Arabidopsis interactions provide a novel strategy for improving our detailed knowledge of P. brassicae infection in host tissues.
Clinimetric Properties of the Fragile X‐associated Tremor Ataxia Syndrome Rating Scale
Authors: Hall Deborah A. , Stebbins Glenn T. , Jacquemont Sebastien , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth , Goetz Christopher G. , Hagerman Randi , Zhang Lin , Leehey Maureen A.
Published: November 2018

Background

There are currently no proven treatments for fragile X‐associated tremor and ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Validated outcome measures are needed in order to plan and conduct clinical trials to aid in the development of therapy.

Methods

This study examined the reliability and construct validity of the FXTAS Rating Scale. The study was conducted by using ratings from movement disorder specialists, who were blinded to gene status, on the FXTAS Rating Scale.

Results

In 295 premutation carriers with and without FXTAS, 33 scale items showed a high level of overall reliability, adequate item‐to‐total correlations and construct validity. Factor analysis revealed four components.

Conclusions

The result demonstrates that many items in the scale meet standard clinimetric criteria, but modification of the scale improved the overall utility.
IMPULSE: A scalable algorithm for design of minimum specific absorption rate parallel transmit RF pulses
Authors: Pendse Mihir , Stara Riccardo , Mehdi Khalighi Mohammad , Rutt Brian
Published: November 2018

Purpose

Managing local specific absorption rate (SAR) in parallel transmission requires ensuring that the peak SAR over a large number of voxels (>) is below the regulatory limit. The safety risk to the patient depends on cumulative (not instantaneous) SAR thus making a joint design of all RF pulses in a sequence desirable. We propose the Iterative Minimization Procedure with Uncompressed Local SAR Estimate (IMPULSE), an efficient optimization formulation and algorithm that can handle uncompressed SAR matrices and optimize pulses for all slices jointly within a practical time frame.

Theory and Methods

IMPULSE optimizes parallel transmit pulses for small‐tip‐angle slice selective excitation to minimize a single cost function incorporating multiple quantities (local SAR, global SAR, and per‐channel power) averaged over the entire multislice scan subject to a strict constraint on excitation accuracy. Pulses for an 8‐channel 7T head coil were designed with IMPULSE and compared with pulses designed using generic optimization algorithms and VOPs to assess the computation time and SAR performance benefits.

Results

IMPULSE achieves lower SAR and shorter computation time compared with a VOP approach. Compared with the generic sequential quadratic programming algorithm, computation time is reduced by a factor of 5‐6 by using IMPULSE. Using as many as 6 million local SAR terms, up to 120 slices can be designed jointly with IMPULSE within 45 s.

Conclusions

IMPULSE can handle significantly larger number of SAR matrices and slices than conventional optimization algorithms, enabling the use of uncompressed or partially compressed SAR matrices to design pulses for a multislice scan in a practical time frame.
Melanocortin‐3 Receptors Expressed on Agouti‐Related Peptide Neurons Inhibit Feeding Behavior in Female Mice
Authors: Girardet Clemence , Marks Daniel L. , Butler Andrew A.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Activation of hypothalamic agouti‐related peptide expressing (AgRP)+ve neurons during energy deficit is a negative valence signal, rapidly activating food‐seeking behaviors. This study examined the roles of melanocortin‐3 receptors (MC3Rs) coexpressed in a subpopulation of AgRP+ve neurons.

Methods

AgRP‐MC3R mice expressing MC3Rs selectively in AgRP+ve neurons were generated by crossing AgRP‐IRES‐Cre mice with LoxTBMc3r mice containing a “loxP‐STOP‐loxP” sequence in the 5′ untranslated region. Body weight, body composition, and feeding behavior were assessed during ad libitum and time‐restricted feeding conditions.

Results

In females, food intake of AgRP‐IRES‐Cre+ve (n = 7) or AgRP‐IRES‐Cre‐ve (n = 9) mice was not significantly different; these mice were therefore pooled to form the “control” group. Female AgRP‐MC3R mice exhibited lower food intake (25.4 ± 2.4 kJ/12 h; n = 6) compared with controls (35.3 ± 1.8 kJ/12 h; n = 16) and LoxTBMc3r mice (32.1 ± 2.1 kJ/12 h; n = 9) in the active phase during the dark period. Food intake during the rest phase (lights on) when mice consume less food (9‐10 kJ) was normal between genotypes. Body weight and composition of AgRP‐MC3R and LoxTBMc3r mice were similar, suggesting compensatory mechanisms for reduced calorie intake. Remarkably, AgRP‐MC3R mice continued to consume less food during refeeding after fasting and time‐restricted feeding.

Conclusions

MC3Rs expressed on AgRP+ve neurons appear to exert a strong inhibitory signal on hypothalamic networks governing feeding behavior.
Coverage for Obesity Prevention and Treatment Services: Analysis of Medicaid and State Employee Health Insurance Programs
Authors: Jannah Nichole , Hild Jeff , Gallagher Christine , Dietz William
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study examined changes in coverage for adult obesity treatment services in Medicaid and state employee health insurance programs between 2009 and 2017.

Methods

Administrative materials from Medicaid and state employee health insurance programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia were reviewed for indications of coverage and payment policies specific to evidence‐based treatment modalities for adults (≥ 21 years of age) with obesity, including nutritional counseling, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery.

Results

From 2009 to 2017, the proportion of state employee programs indicating coverage increased by 75% for nutritional counseling (from 24 to 42 states), 64% for pharmacotherapy (from 14 to 23 states), and 23% for bariatric surgery (from 35 to 43 states). The proportion of Medicaid programs indicating coverage increased by 133% for nutritional counseling (from 9 to 21 states) and 9% for bariatric surgery (from 45 to 49 states), with no net increase for pharmacotherapy (16 states in both plan years).

Conclusions

Coverage for adult obesity care improved substantially in Medicaid and state employee insurance programs since 2009. However, recommended treatment modalities are still not covered in many states. Where coverage has expanded, educating providers and beneficiaries on the availability and proper use of evidence‐based obesity treatments may improve health outcomes.
Effects of Indoor Thermal Environment on Human Food Intake, Productivity, and Comfort: Pilot, Randomized, Crossover Trial
Authors: Richardson Molly B. , Li Peng , Gohlke Julia M. , Allison David B.
Published: November 2018

Objective

It was hypothesized that exposure to mild temperatures above the human thermoneutral zone would decrease caloric intake in a sedentary office environment.

Methods

Women (n = 25) were randomized in a crossover design to perform seated office work for 7 hours in a thermoneutral condition (control, 19°C‐20°C) and a condition above the thermoneutral zone (warm, 26°C‐27°C). Food intake was estimated by weight and bomb calorimetry, peripheral temperature by thermal imaging, and thermal comfort and productivity by questionnaires. Mixed effects models were used to examine the effects of thermal condition on caloric intake.

Results

Participants ate, on average, 357 kcal less in the warm condition, adjusting for BMI and peripheral temperature (P = 0.0219). According to the survey results at midday (after 3.5 hours of exposure), 96% of the participants in the warm condition reported being comfortable (n = 24) compared with 32% in the control condition (n = 8). More participants reported being as productive or more productive than usual in the warm condition (n = 22, 88%) than in the control condition (n = 12, 48%).

Conclusions

This line of research is worthy of further exploration. Untightening climate control toward warmer conditions during summer to increase comfort and productivity while decreasing caloric intake may prove both effective and comfortable.
Structural Determination of Antioxidant and Anticancer Flavonoid Rutin in Solution through DFT Calculations of 1H NMR Chemical Shifts
Authors: De Souza Leonardo A. , Da Silva Haroldo C. , De Almeida Wagner B.
Published: November 2018

As the knowledge of the predominant molecular structure of antioxidant and anticancer flavonoid rutin in solution is very important for understanding the mechanism of action, a quantum chemical investigation of plausible rutin structures including solvent effects is of relevance. In this work, DFT calculations were performed to find possible minimum energy structures for the rutin molecule. 1H NMR chemical shift DFT calculations were carried out in DMSO solution using the polarizable continuum model (PCM) to simulate the solvent effect. Analysis of the experimental and theoretical 1H NMR chemical shift profiles offers a powerful fingerprint criterion to determine the predominant molecular structure in solution. Therefore, our aim is to find the best match between experimental (in DMSO‐d) and theoretical (PCM–DMSO) 1H NMR spectrum profiles. Among 34 optimized structures located on the potential energy surface, we found that structure 32, with a B‐ring deviated 30° from a planar configuration (geometry usually assumed for polyphenols), showed an almost perfect agreement with experimental the 1H NMR pattern when compared to the corresponding fully optimized planar geometry. This structure is also predicted as the global minimum based on room‐temperature Gibbs free energy calculations in solution and, therefore, should be experimentally observed. This is new and valuable structural information regarding structure–activity relationship studies, and such information is hard to obtain by experimentalists without the aid of the X‐ray diffraction technique.
A systematic review: the appraisal of the effects of metformin on lipoprotein modification and function
Authors: Kheniser K. G. , Kashyap S. R. , Kasumov T.
Published: November 2018

Aims

Metformin is a commonly prescribed anti‐hyperglycaemic pharmacological agent, and it remains a staple in the management of type II diabetes. In addition to metformin's glucose lowering effects, research has indicated that metformin inhibits glycation‐mediated and oxidative modification of lipoprotein residues. The purpose was to discuss the effects of metformin as it relates to high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) modification.

Materials and methods

The purpose was to conduct a narrative and pragmatic review on the effects of metformin as it pertains to HDL and LDL modification.

Results

High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration is a quantitative measure and therefore does not provide insight into its function, which is a qualitative property. Dysfunctional HDLs are unable to carry out functions normally associated with HDL because they can be modified by glycating agents. Metformin may counteract HDL dysfunction by abating HDL modification. Reductions in HDL modification may improve reverse cholesterol transport ability and thus possibly diminish cardiovascular risk. Similarly, metformin‐mediated attenuations in LDL modification may reduce their atherogenic potency.

Conclusion

Metformin may partially ameliorate HDL dysfunction and reduce LDL modification by inhibiting alpha‐dicarbonyl‐mediated modification of apolipoprotein residues; consequently, the results are salient because cardiovascular disease incidence may be reduced given that reverse cholesterol transport activity predicts risk, and modified LDL are proatherogenic.
Doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity involves IFNγ‐mediated metabolic reprogramming in cardiomyocytes
Authors: Ni Chen , Ma Pan , Wang Ruirui , Lou Xiaohan , Liu Xiaomeng , Qin Yue , Xue Rui , Blasig Ingolf , Erben Ulrike , Qin Zhihai
Published: November 2018

Immune responses contribute to a large extent to heart diseases. However, it is still not clear how the key inflammatory mediator interferon‐γ (IFNγ) plays a role in doxorubicin (DOX)‐induced cardiomyopathy. We report here that DOX‐induced heart dysfunction involves IFNγ signaling in mice. The IFNγ receptor was found to be highly expressed on cardiomyocytes, and its downstream signaling was activated in heart tissues upon DOX treatment. In vitro, IFNγ strongly aggravated the injury of cardiomyocytes exposed to DOX. Although not affecting DOX‐induced cell death, IFNγ disrupted mitochondrial respiration and fatty acid oxidation in DOX‐exposed cardiomyocytes. IFNγ extended the suppression of the AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) axis by DOX to a p38‐dependent branch. Activation of AMPK or inhibition of p38 inhibited the enhancing effect of IFNγ on the DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity and prolonged the survival time in DOX‐treated mice. Taken together, our results indicate that reprogramming of cardiac metabolism by IFNγ represents a previously unidentified key step for DOX‐induced cardiomyopathy. This unavoidable impact of IFNγ on cardiomyocyte metabolism during chemotherapy redirects our attention to the balance between beneficial immunosurveillance of cancer cells and unwanted toxic side‐effects. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and validation of DOCK4 as a potential biomarker for risk of bone metastasis development in patients with early breast cancer
Authors: Westbrook Jules A , Wood Steven L , Cairns David A , McMahon Kathryn , Gahlaut Renu , Thygesen Helene , Shires Mike , Roberts Stephanie , Marshall Helen , Oliva Maria R , Dunning Mark J , Hanby Andrew M , Selby Peter J , Speirs Valerie , Mavria Georgia , Coleman Robert E , Brown Janet E
Published: November 2018

Skeletal metastasis occurs in around 75% of advanced breast cancers, with the disease incurable once cancer cells disseminate to bone, but there remains an unmet need for biomarkers to identify patients at high risk of bone recurrence. This study aimed to identify such a biomarker and to assess its utility in predicting response to adjuvant zoledronic acid (zoledronate). We used quantitative proteomics (stable isotope labelling by amino acids in cell culture‐mass spectrometry; SILAC‐MS) to compare protein expression in a bone‐homing variant (BM1) of the human breast cancer cell line MDA‐MB‐231 with parental non‐bone‐homing cells to identify novel biomarkers for risk of subsequent bone metastasis in early breast cancer. SILAC‐MS showed that dedicator of cytokinesis protein 4 (DOCK4) was upregulated in bone‐homing BM1 cells, confirmed by western blotting. BM1 cells also had enhanced invasive ability compared with parental cells, which could be reduced by DOCK4‐shRNA. In a training tissue microarray (TMA) comprising 345 patients with early breast cancer, immunohistochemistry followed by Cox regression revealed that high DOCK4 expression correlated with histological grade (p = 0.004) but not oestrogen receptor status (p = 0.19) or lymph node involvement (p = 0.15). A clinical validation TMA used tissue samples and the clinical database from the large AZURE adjuvant study (n = 689). Adjusted Cox regression analyses showed that high DOCK4 expression in the control arm (no zoledronate) was significantly prognostic for first recurrence in bone (HR 2.13, 95%CI 1.06–4.30, p = 0.034). No corresponding association was found in patients who received zoledronate (HR 0.812, 95%CI 0.176–3.76, p = 0.790), suggesting that treatment with zoledronate may counteract the higher risk for bone relapse from high DOCK4‐expressing tumours. High DOCK4 expression was not associated with metastasis to non‐skeletal sites when these were assessed collectively. In conclusion, high DOCK4 in early breast cancer is significantly associated with aggressive disease and with future bone metastasis and is a potentially useful biomarker for subsequent bone metastasis risk. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
UCP2‐dependent improvement of mitochondrial dynamics protects against acute kidney injury
Authors: Qin Nan , Cai Ting , Ke Qingqing , Yuan Qi , Luo Jing , Mao Xiaoming , Jiang Lei , Cao Hongdi , Wen Ping , Zen Ke , Zhou Yang , Yang Junwei
Published: November 2018

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a public health concern, with high morbidity and mortality rates in hospitalized patients and because survivors have an increased risk of progression to chronic kidney disease. Mitochondrial damage is the critical driver of AKI‐associated dysfunction and loss of tubular epithelial cells; however, the pathways that mediate these events are poorly defined. Here, in murine ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)‐induced AKI, we determined that mitochondrial damage is associated with the level of renal uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2). In hypoxia‐damaged proximal tubular cells, a disruption of mitochondrial dynamics demonstrated by mitochondrial fragmentation and disturbance between fusion and fission was clearly indicated. Ucp2‐deficient mice (knockout mice) with I/R injury experienced more severe AKI and mitochondrial fragmentation than wild‐type mice. Moreover, genetic or pharmacological treatment increased UCP2 expression, improved renal function, reduced tubular injury and limited mitochondrial fission. In cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells, hypoxia‐induced mitochondrial fission was exacerbated in cells with UCP2 deletion, whereas an increase in UCP2 ameliorated the hypoxia‐induced disturbance of the balance between mitochondrial fusion and fission. Furthermore, results following modulation of UCP2 suggested it has a role in preserving mitochondrial integrity by preventing loss of membrane potential and reducing subsequent mitophagy. Taken together, our results indicate that UCP2 is protective against AKI and suggest that enhancing UCP2 to improve mitochondrial dynamics has potential as a strategy for improving outcomes of renal injury. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intraductal patient‐derived xenografts of estrogen receptor α‐positive breast cancer recapitulate the histopathological spectrum and metastatic potential of human lesions
Authors: Fiche Maryse , Scabia Valentina , Aouad Patrick , Battista Laura , Treboux Assia , Stravodimou Athina , Zaman Khalil ,   RLS, Dormoy Valerian , Ayyanan Ayyakkannu , Sflomos George , Brisken Cathrin
Published: November 2018

Estrogen receptor α‐positive (ER‐positive) or ‘luminal’ breast cancers were notoriously difficult to establish as patient‐derived xenografts (PDXs). We and others recently demonstrated that the microenvironment is critical for ER‐positive tumor cells; when grafted as single cells into milk ducts of NOD Scid gamma females, >90% of ER‐positive tumors can be established as xenografts and recapitulate many features of the human disease in vivo. This intraductal approach holds promise for personalized medicine, yet human and murine stroma are organized differently and this and other species specificities may limit the value of this model. Here, we analyzed 21 ER‐positive intraductal PDXs histopathologically. We found that intraductal PDXs vary in extent and define four histopathological patterns: flat, lobular, in situ and invasive, which occur in pure and combined forms. The intraductal PDXs replicate earlier stages of tumor development than their clinical counterparts. Micrometastases are already detected when lesions appear in situ. Tumor extent, histopathological patterns and micrometastatic load correlate with biological properties of their tumors of origin. Our findings add evidence to the validity of the intraductal model for in vivo studies of ER‐positive breast cancer and raise the intriguing possibility that tumor cell dissemination may occur earlier than currently thought. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Social adjustment of adolescent cancer patients transitioning off active treatment: A short‐term prospective mixed methods study
Authors: Chan Sherilynn F. , Hoag Jennifer A. , Karst Jeffrey S. , Bingen Kristin M.
Published: November 2018

Background

Psychosocial follow‐up in survivorship is a standard of care in pediatric oncology; however, little is known about patients’ psychosocial functioning during the transition off active treatment, a unique time in the cancer journey. This study examined the social adjustment of adolescent cancer patients during this transition period, which has been understudied to date.

Procedure

Participants were 21 patients (ages 12–18 years; age M = 14.71 years; 62% female, 81% White) with various cancer diagnoses. Patients and their parents completed the Social Competence subscale of the Youth Self‐Report (YSR) and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively, PedsQL Social Functioning subscale, and a semistructured interview 1–2 months prior to ending treatment (time 1) and 3–7 months after ending treatment (time 2).

Results

YSR and CBCL social competence scores were within the normal range at both time points. PedsQL social functioning scores were more consistent with norms for pediatric cancer samples at time 1 and norms for healthy children at time 2, with self‐reported scores significantly improving from time 1 to time 2. A subset of patients had elevated social concerns at time 1, a number that decreased by time 2. Interviews revealed both positive and negative themes related to peer relationships and support, quantity of friends, and socialization.

Conclusions

Most adolescent cancer patients are socially well adjusted as they transition off treatment, although a subset have elevated concerns. Interviews provide insight into complex social experiences not captured on questionnaires. Patients may benefit from screening and support during this unique time.
Metabolomic study of bioactive compounds in strawberries preserved under controlled atmosphere based on GC‐MS and DI‐ESI‐QqQ‐TOF‐MS
Authors: Ramírez‐Acosta Sara , Arias‐Borrego Ana , Gómez‐Ariza José Luis , García‐Barrera Tamara
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The storage of the vegetables products in a controlled atmosphere (CA) with low O2 and high CO2 concentrations, reduces respiration rates and delays the ripening process, and in some cases, improves their quality and organoleptic properties.

Objective

To obtain deep insight into strawberry fruit metabolic changes caused by these CA treatments.

Methodology

Freshly harvested strawberries were preserved under different atmospheres enriched with 10%, 20% and 30% of CO2, for 2 days at 0°C, containing in all the cases 5% of O2 and were subjected to a metabolomic analysis based on gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and direct‐infusion with electrospray ionisation source equipped with triple quadrupole coupled to time of flight mass spectrometry (DI‐ESI‐QqQ‐TOF‐MS). Partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) was employed to compare the control and treated samples for the identification of altered metabolites.

Results

Several metabolites related to CA treatment could be identified by databases and literature, which are mainly sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds (bioactive compounds).

Conclusions

Good correlation coefficients were obtained between discriminant metabolites and fruit quality parameters. These results suggest that treated strawberries under CA could be considered as bioactive healthy compounds, suggesting that treated strawberries under CA could be used as raw material for the preparation and formulation of food supplements and nutraceutical products.
Composition analysis of carotenoids and phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from hibiscus calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) by HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS
Authors: Piovesana Alessandra , Rodrigues Eliseu , Noreña Caciano Pelayo Zapata
Published: November 2018

Introduction

The hibiscus flower has received increasing interest because it contains high levels of bioactive compounds with remarkable functional properties. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time a detailed description of the carotenoid composition of hibiscus calyces is reported.

Objectives

Identification and quantification of carotenoids, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from hibiscus calyces.

Material and methods

The composition of the carotenoids and phenolic compounds from hibiscus calyces was determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐DAD‐MS/MS). Antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2'‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging and hydroxyl radicals scavenging assays.

Results

Twenty‐one carotenoids were found and from these compounds 15 were identified or tentatively identified. The major carotenoids were all‐trans‐lutein (316.43 ± 19.92 μg/100 g) and all‐trans‐β‐carotene (147.76 ± 5.59 μg/100 g). Twenty phenolic compounds were found, from which 14 compounds were identified or tentatively identified. The major phenolic compounds were delphinidin 3‐sambubioside (218.17 ± 12.69 mg/100 g) and 3‐caffeoylquinic acid (79.22 ± 7.01 mg/100 g), representing almost 60% (w/w) of the total phenolic compounds from hibiscus calyces. The hibiscus presented low vitamin A activity, measure as retinol activity equivalent (13.52 μg/100 g). The scavenging activity of ABTS and hydroxyl radicals were 7.8 μmol Trolox equivalent/g and 81%, respectively.

Conclusion

In this study we have shown that the hibiscus calyces can be considered as a food rich in lutein, chlorogenic acids and anthocyanins (delphinidin 3‐sambubioside).
Influencing the environmental stress cracking resistance of amorphous thermoplastic parts by the example of polycarbonate and water
Authors: Hopmann Christian , Borchmann Nikolai , Koch Simon , Alperstein David
Published: November 2018

Plastic components in use are often exposed to a large number of influences which strongly affect the functionality of the component and are often the main cause of their failure. Here, the environmental stress cracking (ESC) is considered as the main cause for the failure of plastics. Until now, there are only a few possibilities on how to predict the ESC resistance of a plastics component in use and the engineer is often confronted with this failure after the product development process is already completed. This investigations deal with that problem and it is shown how the stress cracking resistance of plastics can be influenced according to the already completed product development by the example of polycarbonate under the influence of water. The focus is on the targeted influencing of the internal part properties, the influence of additional fiber reinforcement and as a last option the selection of a new material under the elimination of elaborate experiments using molecular dynamics simulations. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E361–E366, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Application of Colloidal Precipitation Method Using Sodium Polymethacrylate as Dispersant for TiO2/PVDF Membrane Preparation and Its Antifouling Properties
Authors: Tavakolmoghadam Maryam , Mohammadi Toraj
Published: November 2018

Immobilized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on flat sheet polymeric membranes have been found effective for fouling reduction in recent researches. The main challenge in this field is to obtain ultrafine and stable nanodispersions. In this study, composite polyvinylidene fluoride/TiO2 (PVDF/TiO2) ultrafiltration membranes were prepared via phase inversion and colloidal precipitation method. Stable TiO2 suspensions were prepared using sodium polymethacrylate as dispersant and sonication without altering of the coagulation bath pH. The effect of different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles in the coagulation bath was also investigated. The membrane morphology (distribution of nanoparticles on the membrane surface) was observed by scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. Properties of the neat and the composite membranes were also characterized using energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and contact angle and membrane porosity measurements. The neat and the composite membranes were further investigated in terms of bovine serum albumin rejection and flux decline in cross flow filtration experiments. The results showed that the PVDF/TiO2 composite membrane using dimethylacetamide/triethyl phosphate as solvent and 0.05 g/L of TiO2 in the coagulation bath exhibits improved antifouling properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E422–E434, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
The Fine Art of Destruction: A Guide to In‐Depth Glycoproteomic Analyses—Exploiting the Diagnostic Potential of Fragment Ions
Authors: Hoffmann Marcus , Pioch Markus , Pralow Alexander , Hennig René , Kottler Robert , Reichl Udo , Rapp Erdmann
Published: November 2018

The unambiguous mass spectrometric identification and characterization of glycopeptides is crucial to elucidate the micro‐ and macroheterogeneity of glycoproteins. Here, combining lower and stepped collisional energy fragmentation for the in‐depth and site‐specific analysis of N‐ and O‐glycopeptides is proposed. Using a set of four representative and biopharmaceutically relevant glycoproteins (IgG, fibrinogen, lactotransferrin, and ribonuclease B), the benefits and limitations of the developed workflow are highlighted and a state‐of‐the‐art blueprint for conducting high‐quality in‐depth N‐ and O‐glycoproteomic analyses is provided. Further, a modified and improved version of cotton hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography‐based solid phase extraction for glycopeptide enrichment is described. For the unambiguous identification of N‐glycopeptides, the use of a conserved yet, rarely employed‐fragmentation signature [Mpeptide+H+0,2X GlcNAc]+ is proposed. It is shown for the first time that this fragmentation signature can consistently be found across all N‐glycopeptides, but not on O‐glycopeptides. Moreover, the use of the relative abundance of oxonium ions to retrieve glycan structure information, for example, differentiation of hybrid‐ and high‐mannose‐type N‐glycans or differentiation between antenna GlcNAc and bisecting GlcNAc, is systematically and comprehensively evaluated. The findings may increase confidence and comprehensiveness in manual and software‐assisted glycoproteomics.
Maternal vitamin D and E intakes in pregnancy and asthma to age 15 years: A cohort study
Authors: Devereux Graham , Craig Leone , Seaton Anthony , Turner Steve
Published: November 2018

This study investigated whether the previously reported associations in this birth cohort between maternal vitamin D and E intakes during pregnancy and childhood wheeze/asthma outcomes at age 5 and 10 years are still evident at age 15 years. In a prospective study of 1924 children recruited in utero, maternal vitamin D and E intakes during pregnancy were assessed by food frequency questionnaire and the children completed raespiratory questionnaire at age 15 years. Treatment for asthma at age 15 was also ascertained using healthcare data. Maternal vitamin D and E intakes were also related to combined childhood asthma data collected at 1, 2, 5, 10, and 15 years of age. Symptom data were available for 747 (39%) 15‐year olds and healthcare data for 1689 (88%). There were no associations between maternal vitamin D and E intakes and childhood wheeze and asthma at age 15. Analysis of combined data collected between 1 and 15 years of age demonstrated that higher maternal vitamin D and E intakes during pregnancy were associated with a reduced likelihood of being diagnosed with asthma in the first 15 years: hazard ratio (95%CI) per quartile increase in vitamin intake of 0.87 (0.78,0.98) and 0.88 (0.78,0.98), respectively. Lower maternal vitamin D and E intakes during pregnancy are associated with increased risk of children wheezing and being diagnosed with asthma in the first 10 years but not after puberty, suggesting that post‐natal exposures predominate in the etiology of incident asthma as children transition through puberty into adulthood.
Reliability analysis by mapping probabilistic importance factors into bayesian belief networks for making decision in water deluge system
Authors: Guetarni Islam H.M. , Aissani Nassima , Châtelet Eric , Lounis Zoubida
Published: November 2018

Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) is one area where catastrophic release scenarios have occurred. For this reason, preventive, and protective barriers have to be installed in order to reduce the occurrence and the severity of these scenarios. This article addresses an analysis of deluge system barrier and proposes a making decision process to ensure a high level of reliability, availability, maintainability, and safety (RAMS) using a robust Reliability Analysis with conditional probabilities. To achieve this RAMS target, a methodology for converting fault tree analysis (FTA) in continuous time using Monte Carlo (MC) simulation to Bayesian belief network (BBN) is developed. The probabilistic importance factors (PIFs) for critical components ranking and decision making are also mapped using BBN inferences in Water Deluge Systems (WDS) with an optimization aim using redundancy or maintenance tasks. This analysis illustrates the helpfulness of mapping PIFs into BBN for making a decision in any critical technological infrastructures. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12011, 2019
The roundabout way to disaster: Recognizing and responding to normalization of deviance
Authors: Mize Jennifer F.
Published: November 2018

Humans develop processes to structure their activities to set and reach goals. Wherever a process exists, there will be always deviations from that process. Skipped steps, workarounds, shortcuts, improvements, and innovations can be incorporated over time, gradually resulting in new practices that are accepted as the norm. Small changes that seem insignificant can easily be overlooked and therefore not managed. To the extent that individuals, teams, and organizations tolerate nonconformance, normalization of deviation can be established. The cumulative effect of these deviations may be unmitigated hazards that can lead to a catastrophic process safety event.

A CCPS project subcommittee (Project 269) was established to develop a text to address the initial and long‐term effects of normalization of deviations. The finished book, Recognizing and Responding to Normalization of Deviance, will be published in early 2018. This article will provide examples of the depth and breadth of normalization of deviation throughout processes, procedures, and organizations, and will illustrate techniques to address its potential impact. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12014, 2019
Substrate Effects on Charge Carrier Transport Properties of Single‐Crystal CVD Diamonds and an 8 mm Square Radiation Energy Spectrometer
Authors: Hirano Shintaro , Kaneko Junichi H. , Hanada Takanori , Ito Shogo , Shimaoka Takehiro , Shimmyo Hiroaki , Tsubota Masakatsu , Chayahara Akiyoshi , Mokuno Yoshiaki , Umezawa Hitoshi
Published: November 2018

In an effort to enlarge a sensitive area of a diamond radiation energy spectrometer, a self‐standing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) single crystal is grown on an 8‐mm‐square “general grade” CVD single‐crystal diamond substrate fabricated by Element Six Ltd. The growth conditions that achieved a μτ product of 3 × 10−4 cm2 V−1 for holes in a CVD single‐crystal diamond grown on a high‐pressure and high‐temperature (HP/HT) type IIa single‐crystal diamond substrate elsewhere are adopted. The charge collection efficiency (CCE) of 99.9% for both charge carriers, and 0.39% and 0.5% of energy resolution for holes and electrons are achieved using 5.486 MeV alpha particles. Uniformity of the energy resolution is sufficient for the use of a radiation energy spectrometer. However, μτ products of (5.0 ± 0.4) × 10−5 and (1.8 ± 0.2) × 10−5 cm2 V−1 for holes and electrons are obtained, respectively. These values are approximately one order of magnitude smaller than the μτ products of the CVD single crystal grown on a HP/HT type IIa diamond substrate using the same growth conditions.
Antidepressants and extrapyramidal symptoms
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: November 2018

The newer non‐tricyclic antidepressants have occasionally been associated with development of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPSs). However, no large‐scale epidemiological or observational studies have examined this reported association. Recognizing the need to evaluate further the association between antidepressant use and extrapyramidal reactions in clinical practice settings, investigators conducted a pharmacoepidemiological study in a large cohort.
The omega probability distribution and its applications in reliability theory
Authors: Dombi József , Jónás Tamás , Tóth Zsuzsanna E. , Árva Gábor
Published: November 2018

A new three‐parameter probability distribution called the omega probability distribution is introduced, and its connection with the Weibull distribution is discussed. We show that the asymptotic omega distribution is just the Weibull distribution and point out that the mathematical properties of the novel distribution allow us to model bathtub‐shaped hazard functions in two ways. On the one hand, we demonstrate that the curve of the omega hazard function with special parameter settings is bathtub shaped and so it can be utilized to describe a complete bathtub‐shaped hazard curve. On the other hand, the omega probability distribution can be applied in the same way as the Weibull probability distribution to model each phase of a bathtub‐shaped hazard function. Here, we also propose two approaches for practical statistical estimation of distribution parameters. From a practical perspective, there are two notable properties of the novel distribution, namely, its simplicity and flexibility. Also, both the cumulative distribution function and the hazard function are composed of power functions, which on the basis of the results from analyses of real failure data, can be applied quite effectively in modeling bathtub‐shaped hazard curves.
Neuroadaptive quantized PID sliding‐mode control for heterogeneous vehicular platoon with unknown actuator deadzone
Authors: Guo Xianggui , Wang Jianliang , Liao Fang , Teo Rodney Swee Huat
Published: November 2018

This paper focuses on the problem of neuroadaptive quantized control for heterogeneous vehicular platoon when the follower vehicles suffer from external disturbances, mismatch input quantization, and unknown actuator deadzone. The PID‐based sliding‐mode (PIDSM) control technique is used due to its superior capability to reduce spacing errors and to eliminate the steady‐state spacing errors. Then, a neuroadaptive quantized PIDSM control scheme with minimal learning parameters is designed not only to guarantee the string stability of the whole vehicular platoon and ultimate uniform boundedness of all adaptive law signals but also to attenuate the negative effects caused by external disturbance, mismatch input quantization, and unknown actuator deadzone. Furthermore, optimizing the interspacing between consecutive vehicles is very important to reduce traffic congestion on highways, and a new modified constant time headway policy is proposed to not only increase traffic density but also address the negative effect of nonzero initial spacing, velocity, and acceleration errors. Compared with most existing methods, the proposed method does not linearize the system model and neither requires precise knowledge of the system model. Finally, the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed method are demonstrated by comparative simulation studies.
Global state control for a class of inherently higher‐order parameterized nonlinear time‐delay systems based on homogeneous domination approach
Authors: Chai Lin , Wang Pan , Fei Shumin
Published: November 2018

This paper addresses the problem of global state feedback stabilization for a class of inherently higher‐order parameterized nonlinear systems subject to time delay. By using the homogeneous domination approach, we construct a homogeneous state feedback controller with an adaptive strategy. A constructive design method is developed based an effective coupling of the inductive method and a sign function, leading to adaptive regulators with minimal parameterization. With the aid of a homogeneous Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional, the closed‐loop systems can be asymptotically stabilized globally.
Output control design and separation principle for a class of port‐Hamiltonian systems
Authors: Yaghmaei Abolfazl , Yazdanpanah Mohammad Javad
Published: November 2018

Using a structure preserving observer, a dynamic output controller is proposed for a class of port‐Hamiltonian systems. The core of this method is based on the notion of contractive port‐Hamiltonian systems. The proposed method utilizes an extended form of IDA‐PBC (interconnection and damping assignment passivity‐based control), a well‐known controller design method for port‐Hamiltonian systems and paves the way for using IDA‐PBC in output control design of challenging control objectives, such as output tracking for underactuated mechanical systems. In the line of output control design, a useful separation principle for a class of port‐Hamiltonian systems is achieved, which is valuable in the field of nonlinear systems. Some simulations on magnetic levitation and ball on wheel testbeds show the potency and applicability of the proposed method.
On mean‐square H∞ control for discrete‐time nonlinear stochastic systems with (x, u, v)‐dependent noises
Authors: Sheng Li , Wang Zidong , Shen Bo , Gao Ming
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the H∞ control problem is investigated for a general class of discrete‐time nonlinear stochastic systems with state‐, control‐, and disturbance‐dependent noises (also called (x, u, v)‐dependent noises). In the system under study, the system state, the control input, and the disturbance input are all coupled with white noises, and this gives rise to considerable difficulties in the stability and H∞ performance analysis. By using the inequality techniques, a sufficient condition is established for the existence of the desired controller such that the closed‐loop system is mean‐square asymptotically stable and also satisfies H∞ performance constraint for all nonzero exogenous disturbances under the zero‐initial condition. The completing square technique is used to design the H∞ controller with hope to reduce the resulting conservatism, and a special algebraic identity is employed to deal with the cross‐terms induced by (x, u, v)‐dependent noises. Several corollaries with simplified conditions are presented to facilitate the controller design. The effectiveness of the developed methods is demonstrated by two numerical examples with one concerning the multiplier‐accelerator macroeconomic system.