bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erneuerung des Gleistragwerks am Göltzschtalviadukt
Authors: Bösche Thomas , Buchmann Lutz , Sieber Matthias , Döring Karl‐Heinz
Published: February 2014

Am bereits 1851 dem Verkehr übergebenen Göltzschtalviadukt ergab sich im Rahmen der von der Deutschen Bahn geplanten Elektrifizierung des Streckenabschnitts Reichenbach‐Hof die Aufgabe, den Brückenkopf in kürzester Zeit für die neuen Nutzungsanforderungen auszubauen. Über vergrößerte Auskragungen eines neuen Gleistragwerks sollte ein moderner Fahrweg hergestellt werden, welcher den vorgesehenen Geschwindigkeiten von bis zu 160 km/h gerecht wird. Gleichzeitig mussten die Voraussetzungen für die Anordnung von Oberleitungsmasten geschaffen werden.

Neben einer Vielzahl von bautechnischen und baubetrieblichen Randbedingungen standen bei der Planung und Bauausführung die Aspekte der Denkmalpflege im Mittelpunkt. Hier ergaben sich im Spannungsfeld zwischen den Nutzungsanforderungen an einen modernen Fahrweg und dem Bestreben, bestehende Besonderheiten zu erhalten, interessante Kompromisslösungen.

The renewal of the track supporting structure at the Göltzschtalviadukt – A 160 year old arch bridge with a new track for the electric railway

Due to the planned electrification of the railway‐track from Reichenbach to Hof by the Deutsche Bahn an enlargement of the bridge‐head of the Göltzschtalviadukt had to be realised in a very short time. By using of a cantelivered structure the conditions for a modern track for speeds up to 160 km/h should been created. At the same time the space for the fastenings of the catenary masts had to be erected. In addition to a variety of construction and management constraints were the aspects of historic preservation at the center of planning and construction. From the conflict between the requirements of a modern infrastructure and the desire to preserve existing peculiarities resulted interesting compromise solutions
Systems metabolic engineering design: Fatty acid production as an emerging case study
Authors: Tee Ting Wei , Chowdhury Anupam , Maranas Costas D. , Shanks Jacqueline V.
Published: January 2014

Increasing demand for petroleum has stimulated industry to develop sustainable production of chemicals and biofuels using microbial cell factories. Fatty acids of chain lengths from C6 to C16 are propitious intermediates for the catalytic synthesis of industrial chemicals and diesel‐like biofuels. The abundance of genetic information available for Escherichia coli and specifically, fatty acid metabolism in E. coli, supports this bacterium as a promising host for engineering a biocatalyst for the microbial production of fatty acids. Recent successes rooted in different features of systems metabolic engineering in the strain design of high‐yielding medium chain fatty acid producing E. coli strains provide an emerging case study of design methods for effective strain design. Classical metabolic engineering and synthetic biology approaches enabled different and distinct design paths towards a high‐yielding strain. Here we highlight a rational strain design process in systems biology, an integrated computational and experimental approach for carboxylic acid production, as an alternative method. Additional challenges inherent in achieving an optimal strain for commercialization of medium chain‐length fatty acids will likely require a collection of strategies from systems metabolic engineering. Not only will the continued advancement in systems metabolic engineering result in these highly productive strains more quickly, this knowledge will extend more rapidly the carboxylic acid platform to the microbial production of carboxylic acids with alternate chain‐lengths and functionalities. Biotechnol. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2014;111: 849–857. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biosynthesis of the Insecticidal Xenocyloins in Xenorhabdus bovienii
Authors: Proschak Anna , Zhou Qiuqin , Schöner Tim , Thanwisai Aunchalee , Kresovic Darko , Dowling Andrea , ffrench‐Constant Richard , Proschak Ewgenij , Bode Helge B.
Published: February 2014

The biosynthesis gene cluster for the production of xenocyloins was identified in the entomopathogenic bacterium Xenorhabdus bovienii SS‐2004, and their biosynthesis was elucidated by heterologous expression and in vitro characterization of the enzymes. XclA is an S‐selective ThDP‐dependent acyloin‐like condensation enzyme, and XclB and XclC are examples of the still‐rare acylating ketosynthases that catalyze the acylation of the XclA‐derived initial xenocyloins with acetyl‐, propionyl‐, or malonyl‐CoA, thereby resulting in the formation of further xenocyloin derivatives. All xenocyloins were produced mainly by the more virulent primary variant of X. bovienii and showed activity against insect hemocytes thus contributing to the overall virulence of X. bovienii against insects.
Simultaneous stenting of tightly stenosed patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary artery bifurcation using two stents (Y stenting): An innovative technique
Authors: Garg Gaurav , Srivastava Anurakti , Radha Anil Sivadasan
Published: January 2014

Stenting of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a palliative technique that is evolving as an alternative to shunt surgery. Patients with duct‐dependant pulmonary circulation and branch pulmonary artery stenosis are often palliated by shunt surgery with repair of branch pulmonary arteries under cardiopulmonary bypass. We present here an 8‐month‐old male child with duct‐dependant pulmonary circulation with bifurcation stenosis who was palliated successfully by transcatheter means. He had stenosed PDA with tight pulmonary artery bifurcation stenosis and underwent successful “Y” stenting of PDA with simultaneous deployment of two stents. He successfully underwent bidirectional Glenn surgery 8 months after the procedure. Simultaneous stenting of bifurcation stenosis of branch pulmonary arteries with two stents has not been described in the literature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transapical JenaValve in a patient with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis
Authors: O' Sullivan Katie E. , Casserly Ivan , Hurley John
Published: January 2014

We report the first case of transcatheter aortic valve replacement implantation using JenaValve™ in a patient with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis. We believe that the design features of this valve may be particularly suited for use in this setting. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meta‐analysis of bioabsorbable versus durable polymer drug‐eluting stents in 20,005 patients with coronary artery disease: An update
Authors: Lupi Alessandro , Gabrio Secco Gioel , Rognoni Andrea , Lazzero Maurizio , Fattori Rossella , Sheiban Imad , Sante Bongo Angelo , Bolognese Leonardo , Agostoni Pierfrancesco , Porto Italo
Published: January 2014

Objectives

To perform an updated meta‐analysis comparing biodegradable polymer drug eluting stents (BP‐DES) and durable polymer drug eluting stents (DP‐DES).

Background

BP‐DES have been suggested to reduce late stent thrombosis (LST) rates as compared to first generation DP‐DES. Recently, second generation DP‐DES have replaced older DES, but comparison of these stents with BP‐DES has not yielded consistent results.

Methods

Medline/Web databases were searched for studies comparing BP‐DES and DP‐DES, and reporting rates of overall/cardiac mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), LST, target lesion revascularization (TLR) and target vessel revascularization (TVR) and late lumen loss (LLL), with a follow‐up ≥6 months.

Results

Twenty studies (20,005 patients) were included in the meta‐analysis. Median follow‐up time was 1 year. Compared with DP‐DES, BP‐DES showed lower LLL (in stent: weighted mean difference WMD −0.45 mm, 95% CI −0.66 to −0.24 mm, P = 0.00001; in segment: WMD −0.15 mm, 95% CI = −0.24 to −0.06 mm, P = 0.001) and lower rates of LST (OR 0.51, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.86, P = 0.01), although they did not improve mortality, MI, TLR, and TVR rates. BP‐DES coated with sirolimus or novolimus, in comparison with biolimus or paclitaxel, were associated with reduced LLL (P < 0.0001 for subgroups).

Conclusions

In comparison with DP‐DES, BP‐DES significantly reduce LLL and LST rates, without clear benefits on harder endpoints. The efficacy of BP‐DES in preserving lumen patency seems larger for sirolimus and novolimus DES. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CO2 Absorption Using Nanofluids in a Wetted‐Wall Column with External Magnetic Field
Authors: Samadi Zahra , Haghshenasfard Masoud , Moheb Ahmad
Published: January 2014

A new method for enhancing the mass transfer coefficient in the gas absorption process is reported. CO2 absorption experiments were carried out in a wetted‐wall column using different aqueous nanofluids as the solvent. The mass transfer characteristics were found to increase by applying Al2O3/water nanofluid. The mass transfer coefficient decreased with TiO2/water nanofluid. In the case of Fe3O4/water nanofluid, the mass transfer rate was enhanced by increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction, but the mass transfer coefficient was lower than that obtained with water for all experimental conditions studied. Finally, applying a downward magnetic field resulted in higher mass flux and mass transfer coefficient in comparison with experiments without a magnetic field.
Esterification of Acetic Acid and Ethanol in a Flow‐Through Membrane Reactor Coupled with Pervaporation
Authors: Guo Shiwei , He Benqiao , Li Jianxin , Zhao Quan , Cheng Yu
Published: January 2014

The esterification of acetic acid is an important industrial process for the synthesis of ethyl acetate. A membrane reactor with a sulfonated polyethersulfone/polyethersulfone/non‐woven fabrics composite catalytic coupled with a poly(vinyl alcohol) pervaporation membrane was applied in continuous esterification of ethanol with acetic acid in a flow‐through mode. High equilibrium conversion was obtained for esterification in a closed‐loop mode. For the pervaporation‐assisted esterification in this mode, the experimental conversion was very close to the theoretical value.
Effect of Viscosity on the Hydrodynamics of Liquid Processes in Microchannels
Authors: Su Yuanhai , Chen Guangwen , Yuan Quan
Published: January 2014

The hydrodynamics of single‐phase liquid flow with relatively high fluid viscosities in a microchannel was investigated experimentally. The results showed that the conventional theory could predict the single‐phase flow with high fluid viscosities in microchannels. Furthermore, the effect of viscosity on the slug flow of two immiscible liquid phases in a microchannel was studied with high‐speed imaging techniques. It was found that a higher dispersed‐phase viscosity quickened the flow pattern transition from slug flow to parallel flow and resulted in smaller slugs. A modified capillary number representing the mutual effects of the viscosities of the continuous phase and the dispersed phase was proposed for predicting the slug sizes in microchannels.
Improving the Energy Storage Performance of Graphene through Insertion of Pristine CNTs and Ordered Mesoporous Carbon Coating
Authors: You Bo , Wang Lili , Li Na , Zheng Chaolun
Published: January 2014

Graphene‐based energy storage devices, such as supercapacitors and lithium ion batteries have triggered substantial research interests due to the remarkable physical and chemical properties. However, the restacking due to intensive π–π interactions dramatically decreases the specific surface area, leading to the poor energy storage performance. In addition, the electrical conductivity of commonly reduced graphene oxide (G) is several orders of magnitude lower than pristine graphene due to the incomplete reduction and the presence of numerous defects. Here, we report a doubl enhanced strategy to improve the energy storage performance of G through pristine CNTs directly dispersed by GO and subsequent multicomponent surface self‐assembly coating of ordered mesoporous carbon. The resulted graphene–CNT ordered mesoporous carbon ternary hybrids (GCMCs) possess an ordered, interconnected mesostructure, a high specific surface area of 1411 m2 g−1, large mesopores of 4.3 nm, and good conductivity. With their tailored architecture, the GCMCs‐based supercapacitor shows high specific capacitance (2.4–16.5 times higher than G) and excellent cycle along with 100 % capacitance after 1000 cycles. Additionally, lithium ion battery anodes made of these GCMCs have exhibited a high reversible capacity of 903 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles, which is 3.9 times higher than that of G.
Capping Methodology in Cyclodextrin Chemistry: Use of a Symmetrical Diketone Reagent for Regiospecific Installation of Unsymmetrical Imine–Enamine and Imidazole Caps
Authors: Jouffroy Matthieu , Armspach Dominique , Louati Alain , Matt Dominique , Toupet Loïc
Published: February 2014

Methylated α‐ and β‐cyclodextrin skeletons were both equipped with an unsymmetrical N‐(2‐N‐alkylaminoacenaphthenyl)alkylimine rigid handle. The capping reaction, which consists of condensing a diaminocyclodextrin with highly symmetrical acenaphthenequinone, was found to be regiospecific when starting from cyclodextrin‐diamines without any symmetry element. All modified cyclooligosaccharides have intra‐annular nitrogen donor atoms. They undergo further cyclization on oxidation, whether chemically with 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone or electrochemically, to give highly strained cyclodextrins capped with an unsymmetrical 1,2‐disubstituted 1H‐imidazole unit.
Iridium‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation of 3,3‐Disubstituted Allylic Alcohols in Ethereal Solvents
Authors: Bernasconi Maurizio , Ramella Vincenzo , Tosatti Paolo , Pfaltz Andreas
Published: January 2014

Ir‐phosphinomethyl‐oxazoline complexes have been identified as efficient, highly enantioselective catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 3,3‐disubstituted allylic alcohols and related homoallylic alcohols. In contrast to other N,P ligand complexes, which require weakly coordinating solvents, such as dichloromethane, these catalysts perform well in more ecofriendly THF or 2‐MeTHF. Their synthetic potential was demonstrated with the formal total synthesis of four bisabolane sesquiterpenes.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Dysidavarone A, a Novel Sesquiterpenoid Quinone from the Marine Sponge Dysidea avara
Authors: Fukui Yurie , Narita Koichi , Katoh Tadashi
Published: January 2014

Dysidavarone A, a structurally unprecedented sesquiterpenoid quinone, was synthesized in 30 % overall yield in a longest liner sequence of 13 steps from commercially available o‐vanillin. A highly strained and bridged eight‐membered carbocyclic core was established by the C7C21 carbon bond formation through a copper enolate mediated Michael addition to the internal quinone ring.
Rationale and Design of LAPLACE‐2: A Phase 3, Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐ and Ezetimibe‐Controlled Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Evolocumab in Subjects With Hypercholesterolemia on Background Statin Therapy
Authors: Robinson Jennifer G. , Rogers William J. , Nedergaard Bettina S. , Fialkow Jonathan , Neutel Joel M. , Ramstad David , Somaratne Ransi , Legg Jason C. , Nelson Patric , Scott Rob , Wasserman Scott M. , Weiss Robert
Published: January 2014

Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels are significantly associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk, and studies using interventions that lower LDL‐C levels have been shown to reduce the risk of ASCVD events and mortality. Statin treatment is the current first‐line therapy for lowering LDL‐C and reducing ASCVD risk. However, many patients are still unable to reach recommended LDL‐C goals on maximally tolerated statin therapy. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, including evolocumab (previously AMG 145), dramatically lowered LDL‐C in phase 2 clinical trials when administered alone or in combination with a statin. The aim of this phase 3 study is to evaluate the efficacy of 12 weeks of subcutaneous evolocumab (vs placebo) administered every 2 weeks or every month in combination with a statin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia. This study will also provide comparative efficacy, safety, and tolerability data between evolocumab and ezetimibe when added to background atorvastatin therapy.
One‐Year Outcome of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting: An Analysis of the AFCAS Registry
Authors: Rubboli Andrea , Schlitt Axel , Kiviniemi Tuomas , Biancari Fausto , Karjalainen Pasi P. , Valencia Josè , Laine Mika , Kirchhof Paulus , Niemelä Matti , Vikman Saila , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Airaksinen K. E. Juhani ,   for the AFCAS Study Group
Published: January 2014

Background

Most evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of the antithrombotic regimens for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention with stent (PCI‐S) derives from small, single‐center, retrospective datasets. To obtain further data on this issue, we carried out the prospective, multicenter, observational Management of patients with Atrial Fibrillation undergoing Coronary Artery Stenting (AFCAS) registry (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT00596570).

Hypothesis

We hypothesize that the antithrombotic treatment of AF patients undergoing PCI‐S is variable and the clinical outcome may vary according to the different regimens.

Methods

Consecutive AF patients undergoing PCI‐S at 17 European institutions were included and followed for 1 year. Outcome measures included: (1) major adverse cardiac/cerebrovascular events (MACCE), including all‐cause death, myocardial infarction, repeat revascularization, stent thrombosis, or stroke/transient ischemic attack, and (2) bleeding, and were compared according to the antithrombotic regimen adopted. A propensity‐score analysis was carried out to adjust for baseline and procedural differences.

Results

Out of the 975 patients enrolled, 914 were included in the final analysis. The mean CHADS2 score was 2.2 ± 1.2, and 71% of patients had a CHADS2 score ≥2. Triple therapy (TT) of vitamin K antagonist (VKA), aspirin, and clopidogrel was prescribed to 74% of patients, dual antiplatelet therapy to 18%, and VKA plus clopidogrel to 8%. At 1‐year follow‐up, no significant differences were found in the occurrence of MACCE and bleeding among the 3 antithrombotic regimens, even when adjusted for propensity score.

Conclusions

In this large, real‐world population of AF patients undergoing PCI‐S, TT was the antithrombotic regimen most frequently prescribed. Although several limitations need to be acknowledged, in our study the 1‐year efficacy and safety of TT, dual antiplatelet therapy, and VKA plus clopidogrel was comparable.
Impact of Urbanization on Local Air Quality: Differences in Urban and Rural Areas of Balikesir, Turkey
Authors: Tecer Lokman Hakan , Tagil Sermin
Published: January 2014

Ozone (O3) is a secondary pollutant which is produced photo‐chemically by reactions involving NOx and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and m‐, p‐xylenes (BTEX) in the presence of sunlight. The present study determined outdoor air quality in both the urban area of Balikesir City and rural area (around Ikizcetepeler Dam) in the same region in the western part of Turkey. The main objectives of this study were to analyze the temporal evolution and qualify the spatial distribution by using geostatistical techniques; to determine the spatial variability of air pollutants using the spatial auto‐correlation statistic; and to identify the local spatial patterns of the pollutants in order to highlight the areas of potential risk of O3, NO2, and BTEX pollution and its possible causes. For this purpose firstly, the data were compiled by using passive sampling in winter and in summer. Concentrations of O3 ranged from 14.03 to 42.43 μ g/m3 in winter and from 81.79 to 70.39 μ g/m3 in summer in urban area. The mean NO2 and BTEX concentrations varied between sites, while mean winter concentrations were higher than the mean in summer. During winter seasons, the motorway, residential areas, urban traffic, and industrial sites showed high BTEX levels compared to the suburban and rural sites. This paper investigates the spatial mapping of temporal trends in air quality for both urban and rural areas for annual, summer and winter means. The global Moran's I result demonstrated that O3, NO2, and BTEX had significant positive global spatial correlations. In addition, the results of local spatial auto‐correlation analysis showed the locations of significant high–high spatial clusters and low–low spatial outliers.
The Role of Long Noncoding RNAs in the Epigenetic Control of Gene Expression
Authors: Morlando Mariangela , Ballarino Monica , Fatica Alessandro , Bozzoni Irene
Published: February 2014

Recent advances in the methodologies employed to deeply analyse the complexity of transcriptomes have unveiled the existence of a new class of transcripts, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). A significant amount of effort has been dedicated to the study of lncRNAs, and a large body of evidence now exists indicating their relevant role in different regulatory steps of gene expression. Given the role of epigenetics in disease development and progression, this Minireview focuses on lncRNAs involved in epigenetic control and provides an overview of the mechanisms used to guide epigenetic‐modifying complexes to adjacent (cis‐acting) or independent (trans‐acting) genomic loci. Furthermore, it describes the activities of these transcripts in controlling the formation and spreading of heterochromatin domains. Just as other RNA molecules have found therapeutic application, though much remains to be elucidated about the structure and function of these lncRNAs, they too could hold potential as biomarkers, targets, and therapeutic agents.
Joint Electrical, Photophysical, and Photovoltaic Studies on Truxene Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Impact of Arylamine Electron Donors
Authors: Wang Zhihui , Liang Mao , Wang He , Wang Peng , Cheng Fangyi , Sun Zhe , Song Xue
Published: February 2014

The judicious design of electron donors is one of the viable tactics to improve the efficiency of organic dyes for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing outer‐sphere redox couples. Herein, a hexahexyltruxene‐substituted 4‐(hexyloxy)‐N‐phenylaniline (HT‐HPA) segment is constructed and employed as the electron donor in two organic push–pull dyes (M28 and M29) with high molar absorption coefficient values. Relative to its congener (C241) possessing the dihexyloxy‐substituted triphenylamine electron donor, M29 exhibits red‐shifted absorption as well as enhanced maximum molar absorption coefficient values. A thorough comparison with M29 and C241 demonstrates that the HT‐HPA segment adequately insulates the TiO2 surface from the electrolyte, which prevents back‐recombination and prolongs electron lifetime in the semiconductor. The diminishment of charge recombination not only enables attainment of strikingly high photovoltages (approaching 1 V), but also overcompensates the disadvantageous impact of lower dye‐load amounts. As a result, the dye transformation from C241 to M29 brings forth an efficiency improvement from 7.3 % to 8.5 % at the 100 mW cm−2 simulated AM1.5 conditions. Our work should shed light on the future design of more powerful push–pull organic photosensitizers for iodine‐free DSCs.
Variability of blood alcohol content (BAC) determinations: The role of measurement uncertainty, significant figures, and decision rules for compliance assessment in the frame of a multiple BAC threshold law
Authors: Zamengo Luca , Frison Giampietro , Tedeschi Gianpaola , Frasson Samuela , Zancanaro Flavio , Sciarrone Rocco
Published: January 2014

The measurement of blood‐alcohol content (BAC) is a crucial analytical determination required to assess if an offence (e.g. driving under the influence of alcohol) has been committed. For various reasons, results of forensic alcohol analysis are often challenged by the defence. As a consequence, measurement uncertainty becomes a critical topic when assessing compliance with specification limits for forensic purposes. The aims of this study were: (1) to investigate major sources of variability for BAC determinations; (2) to estimate measurement uncertainty for routine BAC determinations; (3) to discuss the role of measurement uncertainty in compliance assessment; (4) to set decision rules for a multiple BAC threshold law, as provided in the Italian Highway Code; (5) to address the topic of the zero‐alcohol limit from the forensic toxicology point of view; and (6) to discuss the role of significant figures and rounding errors on measurement uncertainty and compliance assessment. Measurement variability was investigated by the analysis of data collected from real cases and internal quality control. The contribution of both pre‐analytical and analytical processes to measurement variability was considered. The resulting expanded measurement uncertainty was 8.0%. Decision rules for the multiple BAC threshold Italian law were set by adopting a guard‐banding approach. 0.1 g/L was chosen as cut‐off level to assess compliance with the zero‐alcohol limit. The role of significant figures and rounding errors in compliance assessment was discussed by providing examples which stressed the importance of these topics for forensic purposes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiovascular mortality and chronotropic incompetence in systolic heart failure: the importance of a reappraisal of current cut‐off criteria
Authors: Magrì Damiano , Corrà Ugo , Di Lenarda Andrea , Cattadori Gaia , Maruotti Antonello , Iorio Annamaria , Mezzani Alessandro , Giannuzzi Pantaleo , Mantegazza Valentina , Gondoni Erica , Sinagra Gianfranco , Piepoli Massimo F. , Fiorentini Cesare , Agostoni Piergiuseppe
Published: February 2014

Aims

An independent role for the exercise‐induced heart rate (HR) response—and specifically the chronotropic incompetence (CI)—in the prognosis of heart failure (HF) is still debated. The multicentre study reported here sought to investigate the prognostic values of HR and CI variables on cardiovascular mortality in a large cohort of systolic HF patients.

Methods and results

A total of 1045 HF patients were recruited and prospectively followed in three Italian HF centres. The study endpoint was cardiovascular mortality. Besides a full clinical examination, each patient underwent a maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test at study enrolment. The age‐predicted peak HR (%pHR) and the peak HR reserve (%pHRR) according to different cut‐off values (60–80% of the maximum predicted) were adopted to identify the presence of CI. The median follow‐up was 876 days (interquartile range 386–1590 days). Cardiovascular death occurred in 145 cases (13.8%). Besides LVEF, peak oxygen uptake, ventilation vs. carbon dioxide production slope, and beta‐blocker therapy, the multivariate analysis showed that both %pHR and %pHRR were able to predict prognosis when considered as continuous variables. Conversely, the presence of CI was associated with the study endpoint only when the 70% (%pHR <70%, hazard ratio 1.80, confidence interval 1.24–2.61, P = 0.002; %pHRR <70%, hazard ratio 1.77, confidence interval 1.09–2.86, P = 0.020) or the 65% cut‐off values (%pHR <65%, hazard ratio 2.04, confidence interval 1.34–3.10, P = 0.001; %pHRR <65%, hazard ratio 1.54, confidence interval 1.03–2.32, P = 0.038) were adopted.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated an additive role of CI in stratifying cardiovascular mortality. Both the 65% and the 70% cut‐off values, regardless of the method (%pHR and %pHRR), allow identification of HF patients with the worst prognosis, thus supporting such definitions of CI in HF.
Discrepancy between echocardiographic and patient‐reported health status response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: results of the PSYHEART‐CRT study
Authors: Versteeg Henneke , van 't Sant Jetske , Cramer Maarten J. , Doevendans Pieter A. , Pedersen Susanne S. , Meine Mathias
Published: February 2014

Aims

The current study examined the degree of agreement between echocardiographic and patient‐reported health status response to CRT 6 months after implantation, and evaluated the differences in pre‐implantation characteristics of patients with concordant and discordant echocardiographic and health status responses.

Methods and results

Consecutively implanted CRT‐defibrillator patients (n = 109, mean age = 65.4 ± 10.1 years, 74 men) were recruited from the University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands. Prior to implantation and 6 months post‐implantation, all patients underwent echocardiography and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ). Echocardiographic response was defined as a relative reduction of ≥15% in LV end‐systolic volume; an improvement of ≥10 points in KCCQ score indicated a health status response. In the 54 patients with discordant responses, 25 (22.9%) had an echocardiographic response but no health status response and 29 (26.6%) had a health status response but no echocardiographic response. Patients with concordant and discordant responses differed on various pre‐implantation characteristics, including sex, employment status, LV volumes, and pre‐implantation KCCQ score. In multivariable analysis, pre‐implantation KCCQ score [odds ratio (OR) = 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.88–0.95, P < 0.001] and QRS duration (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06, P = 0.009) were the only characteristics associated with health status response to CRT.

Conclusions

Our results show a large discrepancy between echocardiographic and patient‐reported health status response to CRT. The most important predictor of health status response was the pre‐implantation health status score. These results emphasize that disease‐specific health status measures may have additional value over ‘objective’ measures of CRT response and should be incorporated in clinical practice.
Water Oxidation
Authors: Hetterscheid Dennis G. H. , Sun Licheng
Published: February 2014

An overview of the papers in this cluster issue is presented.

“...in recent years, quite some progress has been made in our understanding of the catalytic water oxidation processes. In order to further boost the momentum of the field and to provide tools for new researchers entering the field of catalytic water oxidation, we have guest‐edited this Cluster Issue of EurJIC on water oxidation.”

Read more by the Guest Editors on p. 571.
Enzymatic synthesis of amino sugar fatty acid esters
Authors: Pöhnlein Martin , Slomka Christin , Kukharenko Olga , Gärtner Tobias , Wiemann Lars O. , Sieber Volker , Syldatk Christoph , Hausmann Rudolf
Published: January 2014

N‐Acetyl‐glucosamine fatty acid esters were synthesized by a lipase‐catalyzed transesterification with methyl hexanoate and N‐acetyl‐glucosamine (GlcNAc), which resulted in the formation of 2‐(acetylamino)‐2‐deoxy‐6‐O‐hexanoate‐D‐glucose, a novel glycolipid. Additionally N‐butyryl‐glucosamine (GlcNBu) was used for a similar synthesis, leading to the formation of 2‐(butyrylamino)‐2‐deoxy‐6‐O‐hexanoate‐D‐glucose. The higher hydrophobicity of GlcNBu led to an increase in the overall yield and the initial reaction rate when compared to the reaction with GlcNAc. By pre‐dissolving GlcNAc and GlcNBu in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), it was possible to completely dissolve both sugars in the organic solvent, thus further enhancing the initial reaction rate and yield respectively.

Practical applications: Glycolipids are used in a wide range of applications, ranging from food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical formulations, where they can be used as emulsifiers or foaming agents to classic cleaning products, utilizing their good detergent properties. Further applications may include fields like membrane protein extraction, bioremediation, or tertiary oil recovery. Novel glycolipids with tailor‐made properties might be useful to improve any of the named applications and widen the diversity of available environmentally friendly surfactants, often termed “green surfactants.” Glycolipids are the most prominent example therefrom.
Ultraflexible Screen‐Printed Graphitic Electroanalytical Sensing Platforms
Authors: Foster Christopher W. , Metters Jonathan P. , Kampouris Dimitrios K. , Banks Craig E.
Published: January 2014

The pursuit of ultraflexible sensors has arisen from the recent implementation of electrochemical sensors into wearable clothing where extensive mechanical stress upon the sensing platform is likely to occur. Such scenarios have witnessed screen‐printed electrodes being incorporated into the waistband of undergarments for the determination of key analytes while others have reported incorporation into a neoprene wetsuit. In these conformations, the substrates which the sensors are printed upon need to be ultraflexible and capable of withstanding extensive individual mechanical stress. Therefore the composition, thickness and its combination of screen‐printed ink require extensive consideration. A common short‐coming within the field of screen‐printed derived sensors is the lack of consideration towards the substrate material employed, and is rather in favour of the development of new electrode geometries and screen‐printing inks. In this paper we explore the screen‐printing of graphite based electroanalytical sensing platforms onto graphic paper commonly used in house‐hold printers, and for the first time both tracing paper and ultraflexible polyester‐based substrates are used. These sensors are electrochemically benchmarked with the redox probes hexaammine‐ruthenium(III) chloride and potassium ferrocyanide(II). The effect of mechanical contortion upon two types of electrode substrates is also performed where it was found that these ultraflexible based polyester‐based electrodes are superior to the previously reported ultraflexible paper electrodes since they can withstand extensive mechanical contortion, yet they still give rise to useful electrochemical performances. Most importantly the ultraflexible polyester electrodes do not suffer from capillary action as observed in the case of paper‐based sensors causing the solution to wick‐up the electrode towards the electrical connections resulting in electrical shorting, therefore compromising the electrochemical measurement; as such this new substrate can be used as a replacement for paper‐based substrates and yet still be resilient to extreme mechanical contortion. A new configuration is also explored using these electrode substrate supports where the working carbon electrode contains the electrocatalyst, cobalt(II) phthalocyanine (CoPC), and is benchmarked towards the electroanalytical sensing of the model analytes citric acid and hydrazine which demonstrate excellent sensing capabilities in comparison to previously reported screen‐printed electrodes.
The Development of Highly Sensitive and Selective Immunosensor Based on Antibody Immobilized ZnO Nanorods for the Detection of D‐Dimer
Authors: Ibupoto Zafar H. , Mitrou Nikolaos , Nikoleli Georgia‐Paraskevi , Nikolelis Dimitrios P. , Willander Magnus , Psaroudakis Nikolas
Published: January 2014

ZnO nanorods were grown on gold coated glass substrate by low temperature aqueous chemical growth method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques were used for the characterization of ZnO nanorods. ZnO nanorods are highly dense, uniform, well aligned and perpendicular‐oriented to the substrate. ZnO nanorods exhibited good crystal quality. The well aligned ZnO nanorods were potentially used for the development of selective and sensitive immunosensor for the detection of D‐dimer by immobilizing antibody on stabilized lipid films. The ZnO nanorods based immunosensor responded to a wide range of D‐dimer concentrations with fast response time of ca. 20 s.
A nano‐LC/UV method for the analysis of principal phenolic compounds in commercial citrus juices and evaluation of antioxidant potential
Authors: Rocco Anna , Fanali Chiara , Dugo Laura , Mondello Luigi
Published: January 2014

In this study, a simple and rapid methodology to analyze and quantify principal flavanones in citrus fruit juices through the use of a nano‐LC/UV‐Vis apparatus, employing a 75 μm id capillary column packed with sub‐2 μm particles C18 stationary phase for 10 cm, was developed. All compounds were baseline resolved working with a step gradient elution mode in 10 min. The developed analytical method was validated and the resulting RSD% for intra‐ and interday repeatability, related to retention time and peak area, were <4.7 and 5.5%, respectively. LOD and LOQ values corresponded to 0.40 and 1.56 μg/mL for didymin, hesperitin, and narinegenin, while for the other flavanones were 0.78 and 3 μg/mL, respectively. Good linearity with acceptable determination coefficients R2 was obtained in the range between LOQ concentration and 200 μg/mL (500 μg/mL naringin and hesperidin). Good recovery values were also obtained. Then, the method was applied to the analysis of selected hand‐squeezed and commercial citrus juices. Further, the nano‐LC system was coupled to a mass spectrometer to confirm analyte identification. Antioxidant capacity of selected samples was also evaluated measured by Folin–Ciocalteu assay and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay. Results were compared to determine total flavanones concentrations.
Impacts assessment of air emissions from point sources in Saskatchewan, Canada — A spatial analysis approach
Authors: Wang Xiuquan , Huang Guohe
Published: February 2014

Air pollutants emanating from industrial point sources account for a large proportion of air pollution issues. Besides, emissions from these sources are technically controllable while other sources, for example, soil erosion, forest fires, and road travel, are subject to some unpredictable natural or economic factors. Therefore, most research efforts regarding air pollution control have concentrated on industrial point sources. In this study, an effective approach with the aid of spatial analysis is presented to evaluate the potential impacts of air pollutant emissions from point sources in Saskatchewan, Canada. Trend analyses are first carried out to demonstrate the temporal changes in the total number of and the spatial distribution of point sources from 1994 to 2008. Then, the IDW method is used to generate interpolation surfaces for main air pollutants emitted by industrial sources with the purpose of disclosing their emission patterns. Following that, 10 representative industrial facilities are screened out to estimate the impacts of PM2.5 on the surrounding residents, aiming to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 34: 304–313, 2015
Dynamic response analysis of solitary flexible rocking bodies: modeling and behavior under pulse‐like ground excitation
Authors: Vassiliou Michalis F. , Mackie Kevin R. , Stojadinović Božidar
Published: January 2014

Results obtained for rigid structures suggest that rocking can be used as seismic response modification strategy. However, actual structures are not rigid: structural elements where rocking is expected to occur are often slender and flexible. Modeling of the rocking motion and impact of flexible bodies is a challenging task. A non‐linear elastic viscously damped zero‐length spring rocking model, directly usable in conventional finite element software, is presented in this paper. The flexible rocking body is modeled using a conventional beam‐column element with distributed masses. This model is verified by comparing its pulse excitation response to the corresponding analytical solution and validated by overturning analysis of rocking blocks subjected to a recorded ground motion excitation. The rigid rocking block model provides a good approximation of the seismic response of solitary flexible columns designed to uplift when excited by pulse‐like ground motions. Guidance for development of rocking column models in ordinary finite element software is provided. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Empirical MIMO beamforming and channel measurements at 57–64 GHz frequencies
Authors: Ahmadi‐Shokouh J. , Rafi R. , Taeb A. , Safavi‐Naeini S.
Published: January 2014

In this paper, we employ a 4‐port Agilent PNA‐X network analyzer with the expansion modules to measure a 2 × 2 multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) propagation channel at 57–64 GHz frequency band. Moreover, we investigate on the beamforming capabilities of the millimetre‐wave (MMW) MIMO system. For both aforementioned architectures, that is, regular MMW MIMO and MMW MIMO with beamforming, the Shanon capacity criterion is used to evaluate the performance in terms of data transmission rate. The results reveal that we have a remarkable data rate gain due to MIMO transmission and even more when this MIMO is equipped with beamforming capabilities. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oligodendrogenesis and myelinogenesis during postnatal development effect of glatiramer acetate
Authors: From Renana , Eilam Raya , Bar‐Lev Dekel D. , Levin‐Zaidman Smadar , Tsoory Michael , LoPresti Patrizia , Sela Michael , Arnon Ruth , Aharoni Rina
Published: January 2014

Myelinogenesis in the mammal nervous system occurs predominantly postnatally. Glatiramer acetate (GA), a drug for the treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), has been shown to induce immunomodulation and neuroprotection in the inflamed CNS in MS and in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Here we investigated whether GA can affect myelinogenesis and oligodendrogenesis in the developing nervous system under nonpathological conditions. Towards this end we studied myelination in mice injected daily by GA, at postnatal Days 7–21. Immunohistological and ultrastructural analyses revealed significant elevation in the number of myelinated axons as well as in the thickness of the myelin encircling them and their resulting g‐ratios, in spinal cords of GA‐injected mice compared with their PBS‐injected littermates, at postnatal Day 14. Elevation in myelinated axons was detected also in the peripheral ventral roots of the motor nerves. GA induced also an increase in axonal diameter, implying an effect on the overall development of the nervous system. A prominent elevation in the amount of progenitor oligodendrocytes and their BrdU incorporation, as well as in mature oligodendrocytes indicated that the effect of GA is linked to increased proliferation and differentiation along the oligodendroglial maturation cascade. In addition, elevation in insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐1) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was found in the white matter of the GA‐injected mice. Furthermore, a functional advantage in rotating rod test was exhibited by GA‐injected mice over their littermates at postnatal Day 21. These cumulative findings corroborate the beneficial effect of GA on oligodendrogenesis and myelination. GLIA 2014;62:649–665
Syntheses of Chiral Phosphazenes with Stereogenic Centers: NMR Behavior in the Presence of a Chiral Solvating Agent
Authors: Asmafiliz Nuran
Published: January 2014

The condensation reactions of tetrachloro mono (1 and 2) and bisferrocenyl spirocyclotriphosphazenes (3–5) with morpholine in tetrahydrofuran gave the partly morpholino‐substituted ferrocenylphosphazenes. When the reactions were carried out with equal amounts of 1–5 and morpholine, the mono‐substituted ferrocenylphosphazenes (1a, 3a–5a) formed as the major product. While the reactions were made with 1 equiv of 1–5 and 2 equiv of morpholine, the corresponding geminal–phosphazenes (1b–5b) were isolated. In addition, the condensation reactions of 1 equiv of 1–5 and 3 equiv of morpholine resulted in the formation of di‐(1b–5b), tri‐(2c–5c), and tetra‐substituted phosphazenes. The tri‐substituted compounds were isolated as major products. Some new phosphazenes have stereogenic P center(s). The stereogenic properties of 1a and 2c were investigated using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the presence of the chiral solvating agent; (S)‐(+)‐2,2,2‐trifluoro‐1‐(9′‐anthryl)ethanol. The structures of all the phosphazenes were characterized by one‐dimensional 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR, and two‐dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectral data. The salient spectral properties of the phosphazenes were presented.
Heterocyclic Aminoboron Compounds as Antituberculosis Agents
Authors: Campbell‐Verduyn Lachlan S. , Bowes Eric G. , Li Haoxin , Vallée Alain M. , Vogels Christopher M. , Decken Andreas , Gray Christopher A. , Westcott Stephen A.
Published: January 2014

We have examined six boron compounds for their potential antituberculosis activities. Addition of 2‐formylphenyl pinacol boronate ester to tetraamine derivatives gave three new aminoboron compounds, which were elementally pure when obtained, and one example was characterized by a single crystal X‐ray diffraction study. Heterocyclic aminoboron compounds 1–4 showed moderate degrees of antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Pharmacological inhibition of the chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1) accelerates liver fibrosis regression by suppressing Ly-6C+ macrophage infiltration in mice
Authors: Baeck Christer , Wei Xiao , Bartneck Matthias , Fech Viktor , Heymann Felix , Gassler Nikolaus , Hittatiya Kanishka , Eulberg Dirk , Luedde Tom , Trautwein Christian , Tacke Frank
Published: January 2014

Macrophages constitute a major proinflammatory component during chronic liver diseases and are considered a key factor in promoting hepatic fibrosis. However, there is increasing evidence that distinct monocyte and macrophage subsets exert critical functions in regression from organ fibrosis as well. Experimental mouse models of fibrosis regression have identified “restorative” macrophages as Ly-6C (Ly6C, Gr1) low-expressing, monocyte-derived cells. We investigated molecular pathways balancing proinflammatory and restorative macrophages during fibrosis regression as well as pharmacologically augmenting beneficial macrophage functionality in fibrosis resolution. Therefore, we employed a Spiegelmer-based inhibitor of the chemokine, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2; monocyte chemoattractant protein 1), termed mNOX-E36, in the regression phase of two murine models of toxic (CCl4) and metabolic (methionine-choline–deficient diet) liver fibrosis. Although inflammation rapidly declined after cessation of injury, we observed a transient influx of Ly-6C+ infiltrating monocytes (iMΦ), which are characterized by typical macrophage morphology, up-regulated expression of CCR2, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), in injured liver. By inhibiting the early influx of Ly-6C+ iMΦ by the CCL2 inhibitor, mNOX-E36, the intrahepatic macrophage equilibration shifted toward the “restorative” Ly-6C- subset of iMΦ. Consequently, fibrosis resolution was significantly accelerated upon mNOX-E36 administration in both models. Blocking transient recruitment of infiltrating Ly-6C+ monocytes, but not direct effects of the inhibitor on the remaining macrophages, resulted in reduced intrahepatic levels of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusion: Transient CCL2-dependent recruitment of infiltrating Ly-6C+ monocytes during fibrosis regression counteracts scar resolution by perpetuating inflammatory reactions through release of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF. Pharmacological inhibition of Ly-6C+ monocyte recruitment using the CCL2-inhibitor, mNOX-E36, accelerates regression from toxic and metabolic liver fibrosis in two independent experimental models. (HEPATOLOGY 2014;59:1060–1072)