bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive analysis of presurgical factors predicting psychiatric disorders in patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis underwent cortico‐amygdalohippocampectomy
Authors: Yang Wei , Chen Chongyi , Wu Bo , Yang Qiaoyu , Tong Dongdong
Published: December 2018

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of presurgical factors for psychiatric disorders (PD) in refractory temporal lobe epilepsy and mesial temporal sclerosis (TLE‐MTS) patients underwent cortico‐amygdalohippocampectomy (CAH).

Methods

A total of 98 refractory TLE‐MTS patients underwent CAH were consecutively enrolled in this cohort study. Several presurgical factors were recorded, such as married status, employment status, highest education, disease duration, family history of epilepsy, and disorganized VEEG background activity.

Results

There were 17 (17.3%) refractory TLE‐MTS patients occurring PD after CAH, including 8 (8.2%) mood disorders, 7 (7.1%) anxiety disorders, 8 (8.2%) psychoses, and 1 (1.0%) interictal dysphoric disorder. Employed status correlated with low PD occurrence, while disease duration and asymmetric VEEG background activity positively correlated with PD occurrence. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed employed status (P = 0.009) could independently predict lower PD occurrence, while highest education (P = 0.027), disease duration (P = 0.028), seizure frequencies (P = 0.015), and asymmetric VEEG background activity (P = 0.034) could independently predict higher PD occurrence. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed combination of these five factors (area under curve (AUC) = 0.871, 95%CI: 0.783‐0.960) disclosed a great predictive value of PD occurrence. The sensitivity and specificity were 70.6% and 92.6% at the best cutoff point. In addition, the percentage of PD was increased with higher Engel classification (P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Employed status, highest education, disease duration, seizure frequencies, and asymmetric VEEG background activity correlate with PD occurrence independently in epileptic patients.
Nanoparticle‐biomolecular corona: A new approach for the early detection of non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Di Domenico Marina , Pozzi Daniela , Palchetti Sara , Digiacomo Luca , Iorio Rosamaria , Astarita Carlo , Fiorelli Alfonso , Pierdiluca Matteo , Santini Mario , Barbarino Marcella , Giordano Antonio , Di Carlo Angelina , Frati Luigi , Mahmoudi Morteza , Caracciolo Giulio
Published: December 2018

Lung cancer (LC) is the most common type of cancer and the second cause of death worldwide in men and women after cardiovascular diseases. Non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent type of LC occurring in 85% of cases. Developing new methods for early detection of NSCLC could substantially increase the chances of survival and, therefore, is an urgent task for current research. Nowadays, explosion in nanotechnology offers unprecedented opportunities for therapeutics and diagnosis applications. In this context, exploiting the bio‐nano‐interactions between nanoparticles (NPs) and biological fluids is an emerging field of research. Upon contact with biofluids, NPs are covered by a biomolecular coating referred to as “biomolecular corona” (BC). In this study, we exploited BC for discriminating between NSCLC patients and healthy volunteers. Blood samples from 10 NSCLC patients and 5 subjects without malignancy were allowed to interact with negatively charged lipid NPs, leading to the formation of a BC at the NP surface. After isolation, BCs were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). We found that the BCs of NSCLC patients was significantly different from that of healthy individuals. Statistical analysis of SDS‐PAGE results allowed discriminating between NSCLC cancer patients and healthy subjects with 80% specificity, 80% sensitivity and a total discriminate correctness rate of 80%. While the results of the present investigation cannot be conclusive due to the small size of the data set, we have shown that exploitation of the BC is a promising approach for the early diagnosis of NSCLC.
Working Memory Load and Automaticity in Relation to Problem Solving in College Engineering Students
Authors: Wang Qian , Ding Yi , Yu Qiong
Published: December 2018

Background

The overarching goal of this study was to explore the underlying mechanism of solving statics or structural analysis problems by utilizing cognitive load theory to examine task characteristics (i.e., the characteristics of instructional materials) with a focus on working memory load (WML) and automaticity.

Purpose/Hypothesis

According to cognitive load theory, humans have limited working memory but relatively unlimited long‐term memory. Thus, we hypothesized that testing conditions with a high level of automaticity would yield better execution outcomes than those with a low level of automaticity (Hypothesis 1). We hypothesized that testing conditions with low demand on WML would be superior to those with a high demand on WML on the measures of execution outcomes (i.e., accuracy and response time; Hypothesis 2). We expected to observe the interaction between automaticity and WML by alternating the difficulty levels of the task characteristics and involving working memory through the primary task (Hypothesis 3).

Design/Method

We utilized a 2 (two levels of WML: four steps versus five steps) × 2 (two levels of automaticity: automatized schemas enforced or not enforced) design. The participants were 31 college engineering students enrolled in a fundamental structural analysis course at a university in the northeastern United States.

Results

Findings indicate that automaticity can explain a large percentage of the variance in participants’ scores and response times; that is, despite the levels of WML, participants scored higher and performed faster under high automaticity conditions than under low automaticity conditions. WML explained a large between‐subject variance in response time, but it accounted for a nonsignificant percentage of the score variance. The interaction effect between automaticity and WML on response time was statistically significant, but the interaction effect on score was not significant.

Conclusion

Our findings are aligned with cognitive load theory and the idea that humans have limited WML. In addition, our results underscore the importance of automaticity in problem solving, especially when the task demands high WML. It appears that automaticity helps engineering learners bypass the limits of human working memory. The implications of our findings for engineering educators are also discussed.
Assessment of rainfall bias correction techniques for improved hydrological simulation
Authors: Ghimire Uttam , Srinivasan Govindarajalu , Agarwal Anshul
Published: December 2018

Eight rainfall bias correction techniques were compared over the Chindwin River basin in Myanmar to improve hydrological simulation at multiple timescales using two approaches, viz. monthly and annual. The techniques included linear scaling, parametric quantile mapping using linear, scale, power and exponential assymptotic transfer functions and nonparametric quantile mapping using empirical, robust regression and smoothing splines interpolation methods. Three global climate models (GCMs), wet, near‐normal and dry in nature to estimate mean rainfall at the country and the basin scales were selected from a set of 13 GCMs. The rainfall bias correction factors for each GCM were generated from the control period 1981–1999 and verified over 2000–2005.

Application of bias correction techniques resulted in reduction of biases and improved the flow simulations. These techniques showed better performance statistics in simulating daily, monthly and seasonal flows under the monthly approach, where correction factors were generated and applied separately for different months. The inconsistencies in magnitude and seasonality of flows were addressed under the monthly approach while only the biases related to magnitude were corrected under the annual approach. Linear scaling followed by parametric (linear and power transformation) and nonparametric empirical quantile mapping methods yielded a very good hydrological performance at all temporal scales when applied under the monthly approach. Parametric quantile mapping with scaling function yielded least efficiency under the annual approach for all temporal scales. These results are expected to be valid for other river basins in the region showing similar strong rainfall seasonality.
Quantitative analysis of stibnite content in raw ore by Raman spectroscopy and chemometric tools
Authors: Cai Yaoyi , Yang Chunhua , Xu Degang , Gui Weihua
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a non‐destructive and fast methodology to quantify the stibnite content in raw ore samples using Raman spectroscopy. A total of 120 raw ore reference samples were obtained from a froth flotation process, and multipoint collection and averaging were used to obtain Raman spectra from the raw ore samples. Our aim was to create the best multivariate calibration model for the quantitative analysis of stibnite contents in the raw ore samples. Several strategies were evaluated to generate a robust model; these strategies included preprocessing methods (de‐nosing, baseline correction, and vector normalization), selecting the key wavenumbers for the quantitative analysis of stibnite, and building a multivariate calibration model. Synergy interval partial least squares (PLS), backward interval PLS, stability competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, and PLS with a genetic algorithm (GA) were investigated to build the linear multivariable models, whereas artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector regression (SVR) preceded by GAs (GA‐ANN and GA‐SVR) were implemented to build the non‐linear multivariable models. Experimental results showed that the best multivariable calibration model for stibnite was obtained by a combination of an ANN and GA (GA‐ANN). In contrast to the PLS model based on the full spectrum, the root mean square error of calibration and root mean square error of prediction of the GA‐ANN method for the calibration and validation sets were reduced to 0.2038 from 0.3552 and to 0.2196 from 0.3927, respectively, and the squares of the correlation coefficients of the calibration and validation sets were increased to 0.9369 from 0.8053 and 0.9219 from 0.7561, respectively. The above results indicate that the multivariable calibration model for stibnite is stable. Furthermore, this method could be used in the froth flotation process to precisely determine the stibnite content in raw ore samples.
Lack of Sphenoid Pneumatization Does Not Affect Endoscopic Endonasal Pediatric Skull Base Surgery Outcomes
Authors: Kuan Edward C. , Kaufman Adam C. , Lerner David , Kohanski Michael A. , Tong Charles C. L. , Tajudeen Bobby A. , Parasher Arjun K. , Lee John Y. K. , Storm Phillip B. , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D.
Published: December 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

Currently, due to the rarity of pathology, there are limited data surrounding outcomes of pediatric skull base surgery. Traditionally, surgeons have proceeded with caution when electing endonasal endoscopic transsellar/transplanum approaches to the skull base in pediatric patients due to poor sphenoid pneumatization. In this study, we review outcomes of endoscopic pediatric skull base surgery based on sphenoid pneumatization patterns.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A review of all cases of pediatric (age < 18 years) craniopharyngioma managed via an endoscopic endonasal approach at a tertiary academic medical center.

Results

A total of 27 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 8 years. Nineteen (70%) patients were male. Presellar, sellar/postsellar, and conchal sphenoid pneumatizations were found in 6, 11, and 10 patients, respectively. There was no significant association between sphenoid pneumatization pattern and extent of resection (gross vs. subtotal, P = .414), postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak (P = .450), intraoperative estimated blood loss (P = .098), total operative time (P = .540), and length of stay (P = .336). On multivariate analysis, after accounting for age, sex, preoperative cranial nerve involvement, and cavernous sinus invasion, there remained no significant association between sphenoid pneumatization pattern and extent of resection (P = .999) and postoperative CSF leak (P = .959).

Conclusions

Sphenoid pneumatization pattern does not appear to affect outcomes in endoscopic skull base surgery in the pediatric population. Importantly, lack of sphenoid pneumatization does not impede gross total resection or increase complications. Thorough knowledge of the anatomy during the endoscopic approach is critical to optimize outcomes.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 129:832–836, 2019
Error propagation during inverse modeling leads to spurious correlations and misinterpretation of lake metabolism
Authors: Honti Mark , Istvánovics Vera
Published: December 2018

Inverse modeling is a common practice to decompose observed processes into constituents that are unobservable or difficult to measure. To achieve this goal, a mechanistic model is calibrated to fit the observations and thereby the model produces a coherent set of constituent estimates. A disadvantage of this procedure is that any disagreement between the model assumptions and reality potentially introduces bias and other statistical artifacts into the constituents and their relations. Lake metabolism is recently most often followed by high‐frequency measurements of dissolved oxygen, and inverse modeling with simple conceptual models is used to couple oxygen dynamics to ecosystem‐wide aggregated metabolic rates, such as net ecosystem production (NEP). These models rely on estimates of gas exchange and community respiration. Using a model of a simple ecosystem and field data, we demonstrate that typical relations between modeled metabolic rates frequently do not follow patterns expected from synthetic ecosystems and that estimation errors strongly influence calculations by producing strong, spurious correlations. Correlation artifacts can be expected during inverse modeling, whenever observed time series are decomposed into poorly known or unmeasured processes that can compensate for the effect of each other.
Indefinite LQ optimal control with cross term for discrete‐time uncertain systems
Authors: Chen Yuefen , Zhu Yuanguo , Li Bo
Published: December 2018

Recently, there has been an increasing interest in the study on uncertain optimal control problems. In this paper, a linear quadratic (LQ) optimal control with cross term for discrete‐time uncertain systems is considered, whereas the weighting matrices in the cost function are allowed to be indefinite. Firstly, a recurrence equation for the problem is presented based on Bellman's principle of optimality in dynamic programming. Then, a necessary condition for the existence of an optimal linear state feedback control of the indefinite LQ problem is given by the recurrence equation. Moreover, a sufficient condition of well‐posedness for the indefinite LQ problem is presented by introducing a linear matrix inequality (LMI) condition. Furthermore, it is shown that the well‐posedness of the indefinite LQ problem, the solvability of the indefinite LQ problem, the LMI condition, and the solvability of the constrained difference equation are equivalent to each other. Finally, an example is presented to illustrate the results obtained.
One‐step 3D‐printing process for microwave patch antenna via conductive and dielectric filaments
Authors: Hasni Umar , Green Ryan , Filippas Afroditi V. , Topsakal Erdem
Published: December 2018

3D printing is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience, ease of use, and low cost. Companies such as Ford, General Electric Aviation, and many others are using 3D printing for rapid prototyping before investing time and money in volume manufacturing. However, development in 3D‐printed microwave antennas has remained limited. In this study, a parametric analysis of solely (one step process) 3D‐printed 5.8 GHz patch antennas using commercially available conductive and dielectric materials is presented. Effects of tool path and layer resolution on the substrate material's complex permittivity and radiative material's conductivity are explored. These antennas will utilize commercially available conductive PLA filament (Black Magic) based on graphene as the material for the radiating elements and ground plane. Dielectric PLA will be used in place of the substrate.
Parasitic circular patch antenna with continuously tunable linear polarization using liquid metal alloy
Authors: Xu Chang , Wang Yi , Wu Jianhua , Wang Zhengpeng
Published: December 2018

This article presents a center‐feed parasitic circular patch antenna with continuously tuning linear polarization performance. Eutectic gallium‐indium liquid metal alloy is employed to tune the angle of linear polarization continuously. The antenna is feed at the center of a circular patch with a ring slot. The rotational symmetry of the antenna helps maintain the impedance and radiation pattern at different polarization angles. The liquid metal is contained in a 1 × 1 mm channel etched in a polymethyl methacrylate cylinder. The polarization angle is tuned by controlling the location of a short bar of EGaln. The center resonant frequency of the demonstrated antenna is 5.19 GHz with a −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 0.24 GHz.
Improvements in lipid suppression for 1H NMR‐based metabolomics: Applications to solution‐state and HR‐MAS NMR in natural and in vivo samples
Authors: Hassan Qusai , Dutta Majumdar Rudraksha , Wu Bing , Lane Daniel , Tabatabaei‐Anraki Maryam , Soong Ronald , Simpson Myrna J. , Simpson Andre J.
Published: December 2018

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of intact biological samples often show strong contributions from lipids, which overlap with signals of interest from small metabolites. Pioneering work by Diserens et al. demonstrated that the relative differences in diffusivity and relaxation of lipids versus small metabolites could be exploited to suppress lipid signals, in high‐resolution magic angle spinning (HR‐MAS) NMR spectroscopy. In solution‐state NMR, suspended samples can exhibit very broad water signals, which are challenging to suppress. Here, improved water suppression is incorporated into the sequence, and the Carr‐Purcell‐Meiboom‐Gill sequence (CPMG) train is replaced with a low‐power adiabatic spinlock that reduces heating and spectral artefacts seen with longer CPMG filters. The result is a robust sequence that works well in both HR‐MAS as well as static solution‐state samples. Applications are also extended to include in vivo organisms. For solution‐state NMR, samples containing significant amount of fats such as milk and hemp hearts seeds are used to demonstrate the technique. For HR‐MAS, living earthworms (Eisenia fetida) and freshwater shrimp (Hyalella azteca) are used for in vivo applications. Lipid suppression techniques are essential for non‐invasive NMR‐based analysis of biological samples with a high‐lipid content and adds to the suite of experiments advantageous for in vivo environmental metabolomics.
Patch‐wise local projection stabilized finite element methods for convection–diffusion–reaction problems
Authors: Dond Asha K. , Gudi Thirupathi
Published: December 2018

In this article, we develop patch‐wise local projection‐stabilized conforming and nonconforming finite element methods for the convection–diffusion–reaction problems. It is a composition of the standard Galerkin finite element method, the patch‐wise local projection stabilization, and weakly imposed Dirichlet boundary conditions on the discrete solution. In this paper, a priori error analysis is established with respect to a patch‐wise local projection norm for the conforming and the nonconforming finite element methods. The numerical experiments confirm the efficiency of the proposed stabilization technique and validate the theoretical convergence rates.
Pegbelfermin (BMS‐986036), PEGylated FGF21, in Patients with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Results from a Randomized Phase 2 Study
Authors: Charles Edgar D. , Neuschwander‐Tetri Brent A. , Pablo Frias Juan , Kundu Sudeep , Luo Yi , Tirucherai Giridhar S. , Christian Rose
Published: December 2018

Objective

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. This study assessed pegbelfermin (BMS‐986036), recombinant PEGylated human fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), in patients with obesity and T2DM predisposed to fatty liver.

Methods

In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, patients with T2DM and BMI of 30 to 50 kg/m2 received subcutaneous pegbelfermin (1, 5, or 20 mg daily or 20 mg weekly; n = 96) or placebo (n = 24) for 12 weeks. Primary end points were safety, tolerability, and change in HbA1c. Additional end points included insulin sensitivity, lipids, adiponectin, and disease progression biomarkers.

Results

There were no significant effects of pegbelfermin versus placebo on HbA1c. Pegbelfermin 20 mg/d significantly improved high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.015) and triglycerides (P = 0.037). All pegbelfermin regimens significantly increased adiponectin levels; 20‐mg daily and weekly regimens decreased serum PRO‐C3. Most adverse events were mild; the most frequent adverse events were injection‐site bruising and diarrhea.

Conclusions

Twelve‐week pegbelfermin treatment did not impact HbA1c concentrations, but QW and higher daily doses were associated with improved metabolic parameters and fibrosis biomarkers in patients with obesity and T2DM predisposed to fatty liver. These results support evaluation of pegbelfermin in patients with obesity‐related metabolic diseases (e.g., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis).
A design of shape memory networks of poly(ε‐caprolactone)s via POSS‐POSS interactions
Authors: Chang Pengfei , Xu Sen , Zhao Bingjie , Zheng Sixun
Published: December 2018

In this contribution, we reported a design of shape memory networks of poly(ε‐caprolactone)s (PCLs) via POSS‐POSS interactions. First, a series of novel organic‐inorganic PCL stars with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) termini were synthesized via the combination of ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and the copper (I)‐catalyzed cycloaddition of alkynyl with azido groups. It was found that the organic‐inorganic PCL stars significantly displayed shape memory properties with about 100% of recovery. The morphological observation showed that in the organic‐inorganic PCL stars, the POSS cages at the ends of PCL chains were self‐organized into the spherical POSS microdomains with the size of 10 to 20 nm in diameter. The POSS microdomains behaved as the netpoints, resulting in the formation of physically crosslinked networks. The novel physically crosslinked networks endowed the organic‐inorganic nanocomposites with shape memory properties.
Outcomes following neonatal portal vein thrombosis: A descriptive, single‐center study and review of anticoagulant therapy
Authors: Bhatt Mihir D. , Patel Vishal , Butt Michelle L. , Chan Anthony K.C. , Paes Bosco ,   the Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Newborns (THiN) Group
Published: December 2018

Background

Neonatal portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is uncommon with potentially serious complications that may manifest in infancy and childhood.

Objective

The primary aim of our study was to describe the short‐term and long‐term outcomes of neonatal PVT.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted from 2008 to 2016 of neonates diagnosed with PVT. A systematic review was also performed from 2000 to 2018 to evaluate anticoagulant therapy (ACT) in neonatal PVT.

Results

Forty‐four premature and 30 term infants (mean gestational age 30.7 vs 39.1 weeks, respectively) had PVT. Sixty‐eight involved the left portal vein, one involved only the main portal vein, and 5 involved ≥1 vein. PVT was catheter associated in 46 (62%); none of the 7 neonates tested had thrombophilia. Of 74 neonates, 19 (26%) received ACT and 55 (74%) were untreated. The mean follow‐up duration was 16.6 months (SD = 17.62; range, 0–89.6); 59.5% were followed for ≥6 months. On last ultrasound examination, thrombus resolution was documented in treated (ACT; n = 19) and nontreated (n = 55) neonates: 12 (63%) versus 32 (58%) with complete resolution, 1 (5%) versus 6 (11%) partial, 0 versus 1 (2%) extension, and 6 (32%) versus 16 (29%) had nonprogressive lesions, respectively. Seventy‐one (96%) had no complications. Seventy‐one articles met inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 19 were retained for analysis after assessment.

Conclusions

PVT resolution rate was similar to previous reports. Although a low complication rate was detected, longer follow‐up is necessary to determine the need for early treatment and the precise incidence of outcomes such as portal hypertension.
Co‐design of an evidence‐based health education diabetes foot app to prevent serious foot complications: a feasibility study
Authors: Ogrin Rajna , Viswanathan Rekha , Aylen Tracy , Wallace Fiona , Scott Janine , Kumar Dinesh
Published: December 2018

Diabetes is the most common cause of non‐traumatic amputations worldwide, and education is key to prevention. Mobile phones and applications (apps) are increasingly being used. This study co‐designed and assessed whether a foot health education app would be feasible and acceptable to support people with diabetes (PWD) to prevent serious foot complications.

A diabetes foot app was co‐designed with PWD, experts, researchers and biomedical engineers following co‐design principles. The app was piloted in a convenience sample of adults with diabetes from one community health service in metropolitan Melbourne for 12 weeks. Baseline quantitative data were collected on foot health, knowledge, self‐care behaviours and attitudes. Qualitative data were collected post intervention to capture experiences of using the app, using interviews and focus groups.

The co‐designed app included information on amputation risk and self‐care practices to prevent serious foot complications. The content used images and simple wording, focusing on early help‐seeking behaviour. Forty participants with a mean age of 66.9±17.1 years were included in the pilot. Seven participants withdrew due to personal and health‐related issues.

Uptake of the app was low, with 18 participants using the app for any period of time. Qualitative interviews or focus groups were undertaken with 31 participants. Overall, the information was perceived as highly useful for newly‐diagnosed PWD and worth pursuing. Future work is needed to identify which PWD would most benefit, and incorporate aspects relating to increased opportunity and motivation for behaviour change and a centralised data management system to provide updates. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.
Hazardous acid detection based on chitosan‐grafted‐polyaniline copolymer
Authors: Lee Sangyong , Choi Dongchul , Son Yongkeun
Published: December 2018

Polyaniline (PANI) has been utilized very well as an active material for hazardous acid detection device. Because its electrical conductivity is developing when it is doped with the protonic acid. However, a critical disadvantage of this material is its insolubility in general solvents so its processability is very poor. In this work, we prepared a Chitosan‐g‐PANI (Cs‐g‐PANI) copolymer to improve its solubility and prossability using common solvents and use film form of the final product to develop a sensitive device, which responds to the presence of hazardous acids. The synthetic Cs‐g‐PANI showing good solubility and excellent film forming properties was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, as well as X‐ray diffraction analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The physical properties of Cs‐g‐PANI films were optimized by controlling the Cs composition. Constant potential was applied to this material for detecting the existence of hazardous acids such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), nitric acid, formic acid, and acetic acid. Our findings suggest that this device responds to the presence of HCl faster than any other acids. The detection mechanism is discussed in detail. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E105–E110, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of thermoplastic elastomer on the morphology and mechanical properties of glass fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate/acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene
Authors: Lin Jun , Li Jiao , Wang Jingjing , Guan Yanjin , Wang Guilong , Chen Liang
Published: December 2018

This article investigated the influence of thermoplastic elastomer like acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) high rubber powder (HRP), and ethylene methylacrylate (EMA) on the mechanical performances, flow ability, and morphology of glass fiber‐reinforced polycarbonate (PC)/ABS blends. Blending was carried out through a twin‐screw extruder, and all testing specimens were shaped by an injection molding machine. Experimental results showed that the toughening effect of EMA was more obvious than HRP due to fracture mechanism like crazing, shear yielding occurred in corporation with EMA. About 15 wt% glass‐fiber (GF) reinforcement and 6 wt% EMA toughening can get a balanced behavior among strength, stiffness, and toughness for superior performance of the polymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E144–E151, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improvement of performance of polyamide reverse osmosis membranes using dielectric barrier discharge plasma treatment as a novel surface modification method
Authors: Jahangiri Foad , Asadollahi Mahdieh , Mousavi Seyyed Abbas , Farhadi Fatollah
Published: December 2018

In this research, surface modification of aromatic polyamide thin film composite (TFC) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes was carried out using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment to improve the performance and fouling resistance of prepared RO membranes. First, polyamide TFC RO membranes were synthesized via interfacial polymerization of m‐phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride monomers over microporous polysulfone support membrane. Next, the DBD plasma treatment with 15 s, 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s duration was used for surface modification. The surface properties of RO membranes were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR), SEM, AFM, and contact angle measurements. The ATR‐FTIR results indicated that DBD plasma treatment caused hydrogen bonding on the surface of RO membranes. Also, the contact angle measurement showed that the hydrophilicity of the membranes was increased due to DBD plasma treatment. The changes in the membranes surface morphology indicated that the surface roughness of the membranes was increased after surface modification. In addition, it was found that the DBD plasma treatment increased the water permeation flux significantly and enhanced sodium chloride (NaCl) salt rejection slightly. Moreover, the filtration of bovine serum albumin revealed that the antifouling properties of the modified membranes had been improved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E468–E475, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Utility of Zinc (Lignin/Silica/Fatty Acids) Complex Driven From Rice Straw as Antioxidant and Activator in Rubber Composites
Authors: Abdel Zaher Khlood S. , El‐Sabbagh Salwa H. , Abdelrazek Fathy M. , Nawwar Galal A.M.
Published: December 2018

This article presents a method to precipitate zinc (lignin/silica/fatty acids) complex (Zn LSF complex) from the black liquor of pulped rice straw and studying the efficiency of it as green activator and antioxidant in natural rubber composites. The results obtained revealed that the investigated zinc complex has dual function as activator and antioxidant in natural rubber composites. This evaluation was supported by physico‐mechanical properties of the vulcanizates which showed a considerable improvement of rheometric characteristics, tensile strength, strain at break, hardness, Young's modulus, thermal oxidative aging, and thermal stability of NR composites. The composite loaded with 7 phr of Zn LSF complex as activator exhibited the best mechanical properties in comparison with the same concentrations of control activator zinc stearate. Also, results revealed that Zn LSF complex is efficient as antioxidant in NR vulcanizates compared conventional antioxidants, namely polymerized 2,2,4‐trimethyl‐1,2‐dihydroquinoline. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E196–E205, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Targeted Feature Extraction in MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging to Discriminate Proteomic Profiles of Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Cordero Hernandez Yovany , Boskamp Tobias , Casadonte Rita , Hauberg‐Lotte Lena , Oetjen Janina , Lachmund Delf , Peter Annette , Trede Dennis , Kriegsmann Katharina , Kriegsmann Mark , Kriegsmann Jörg , Maass Peter
Published: December 2018

Purpose

To develop a mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) based workflow for extracting m/z values related to putative protein biomarkers and using these for reliable tumor classification.

Experimental design

Given a list of putative breast and ovarian cancer biomarker proteins, a set of related m/z values are extracted from heterogeneous MSI datasets derived from formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue material. Based on these features, a linear discriminant analysis classification model is trained to discriminate the two tumor types.

Results

It is shown that the discriminative power of classification models based on the extracted features is increased compared to the automatic training approach, especially when classifiers are applied to spectral data acquired under different conditions (instrument, preparation, laboratory).

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Robust classification models not confounded by technical variation between MSI measurements are obtained. This supports the assumption that the classification of the respective tumor types is based on biological rather than technical differences, and that the selected features are related to the proteomic profiles of the tumor types under consideration.
Implementation of Clinical Proteomics: A Step Closer to Personalized Medicine?
Authors: Vlahou Antonia
Published: December 2018

The success of clinical proteomics, per definition, is ultimately defined by the clinical implementation of proteomics findings. Extensive research activity in the field, targeting especially biomarker discovery, has been conducted in the past decades, with several studies suggesting a benefit from proteome‐based application in patient management. This viewpoint article discusses the current status in clinical proteomics with respect to implementation (as evidenced by the use of protein findings in drug labeling and patient stratification), and proposes specific action points for accelerating the biomarker validation process, placing special emphasis on the importance of data and resource sharing.
Proteomic Landscape of Cholangiocarcinomas Reveals Three Different Subgroups According to Their Localization and the Aspect of Non‐Tumor Liver
Authors: Le Faouder Julie , Gigante Elia , Léger Thibaut , Albuquerque Miguel , Beaufrère Aurélie , Soubrane Olivier , Dokmak Safi , Camadro Jean‐Michel , Cros Jérôme , Paradis Valérie
Published: December 2018

Purpose

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCs) define a heterogeneous entity based upon their anatomic localization (intra versus extrahepatic) and, for the intrahepatic CCs, the aspect of background liver (normal versus cirrhosis). The aim of the study was to characterize the molecular heterogeneity of CCs by a global proteomic approach.

Experimental design

Thirty‐three tumor samples from 17 intrahepatic CCs (iCC) (9 developed on normal (iCCN) and 8 developed in cirrhotic liver (iCCC)); 5 hilar CCs (CCH); 5 pancreatic CCs (CCP) and 6 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), were submitted to label‐free quantitative proteomic analysis. Differential proteins were analyzed by immunohistochemistry in a validation set of 30 CCs.

Results

Unsupervised analysis revealed two main clusters: cluster 1 contained most of the iCCC while cluster 2 was divided in 2 subgroups, one containing most of the iCCN and the other regrouping CCH and CCP. Compared to iCCN, iCCC displayed upregulation of molecules involved in cell adhesion, motility and angiogenesis. Epithelial markers associated with secretory pathway and fibroblast markers were overexpressed in CCH compared to iCCN

Conclusion and clinical relevance

This study demonstrated that iCCC is a specific entity, suggesting a major impact of the background liver on tumor biology, and confirmed that extrahepatic CCs define a homogeneous subgroup.
High‐resolution crystal structure of peptidyl‐tRNA hydrolase from Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Matsumoto Ami , Uehara Yuji , Shimizu Yoshihiro , Ueda Takuya , Uchiumi Toshio , Ito Kosuke
Published: December 2018

Peptidyl‐tRNA hydrolase (Pth) cleaves the ester bond between the peptide and the tRNA of peptidyl‐tRNA molecules, which are the products of defective translation, to recycle the tRNA for further rounds of protein synthesis. Pth is ubiquitous in nature, and its activity is essential for bacterial viability. Here, we have determined the crystal structure of Pth from Thermus thermophilus (TtPth) at 1.00 Å resolution. This is the first structure of a Pth from a thermophilic bacterium and the highest resolution Pth structure reported so far. The present atomic resolution data enabled the calculation of anisotropic displacement parameters for all atoms, which revealed the directionality of the fluctuations of key regions for the substrate recognition. Comparisons between TtPth and mesophilic bacterial Pths revealed that their structures are similar overall. However, the structures of the N‐ and C‐terminal, loop‐helix α4, and helix α6 regions are different. In addition, the helix α1 to strand β4 region of TtPth is remarkably different from those of the mesophilic bacterial Pths, because this region is 9 or 10 amino acid residues shorter than those of the mesophilic bacterial Pths. This shortening seems to contribute to the thermostability of TtPth. To further understand the determinants for the thermostability of TtPth, we compared various structural factors of TtPth with those of mesophilic bacterial Pths. The data suggest that the decreases in accessible surface area and thermolabile amino acid residues, and the increases in ion pairs, hydrogen bonds, and proline residues cooperatively contribute to the thermostability of TtPth.
Rapid and accurate structure‐based therapeutic peptide design using GPU accelerated thermodynamic integration
Authors: Garton Michael , Corbi‐Verge Carles , Hu Yuan , Nim Satra , Tarasova Nadya , Sherborne Brad , Kim Philip M.
Published: December 2018

Peptide‐based therapeutics are an alternative to small molecule drugs as they offer superior specificity, lower toxicity, and easy synthesis. Here we present an approach that leverages the dramatic performance increase afforded by the recent arrival of GPU accelerated thermodynamic integration (TI). GPU TI facilitates very fast, highly accurate binding affinity optimization of peptides against therapeutic targets. We benchmarked TI predictions using published peptide binding optimization studies. Prediction of mutations involving charged side‐chains was found to be less accurate than for non‐charged, and use of a more complex 3‐step TI protocol was found to boost accuracy in these cases. Using the 3‐step protocol for non‐charged side‐chains either had no effect or was detrimental. We use the benchmarked pipeline to optimize a peptide binding to our recently discovered cancer target: EME1. TI calculations predict beneficial mutations using both canonical and non‐canonical amino acids. We validate these predictions using fluorescence polarization and confirm that binding affinity is increased. We further demonstrate that this increase translates to a significant reduction in pancreatic cancer cell viability.
Synthesis, insecticidal activity, and phytotoxicity of novel chiral amides
Authors: Aguiar Alex R , Alvarenga Elson S , Silva Eliete MP , Farias Elizeu S , Picanço Marcelo C
Published: December 2018

BACKGROUND

The lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae), is an important pest of stored grains worldwide. Chemical control is the main method used to manage this pest, but the continuous use of insecticides can lead to the selection of resistant R. dominica strains. Thus, there is a constant demand for the development of new insecticide molecules. This study describes the synthesis of 14 chiral amides and evaluation of their insecticidal activity against R. dominica. Their phytotoxicity to wheat (Triticum sativum) seeds is also evaluated.

RESULTS

In the screening assay, compounds 8i and 8j caused 100% and 87% mortality of R. dominica. These values did not differ from the mortality caused by Bifenthrin® (75%). Amide 8i presented similar toxicity (LD50 = 27.98 µmol g−1, CI95 = 25.14–30.71) and speed of action (LT50 = 22 h, CI95 = 19.34–24.66) to amide 8j (LD50 = 29.37 µmol g−1, CI95 = 27.43–31.09, and LT50 = 19 h, CI95 = 17.05–20.95) against the pest. Both amides inhibited less than 44% of wheat growth.

CONCLUSION

Among the tested amides, only 8i and 8j were effective in R. dominica control and presented no considerable phytotoxicity towards wheat seeds. Therefore, these amides are promising as insecticides for the management of R. dominica. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Enhanced Zintl anions by carbon doping in Al‐Na clusters and new magic structure Al6Na4C
Authors: Tang Jianling , Zhang Cairong , Du Ning , Zhao Yanyan , Chen Hongshan
Published: December 2018

This article investigated the low‐energy structures of Al6Na
mC (m = 2, 4, 6, 8) clusters and their electronic structures by using genetic algorithm combined with density functional theory and configuration interaction methods. The computations show that the C atoms prefer sitting at the center, whereas the Na atoms tend to locate at the outside of the clusters. The valence molecular orbitals (MOs) agree well with the prediction of the jellium model. The stronger attraction of the central carbon to the valence electrons will depress the potential energies locally, which makes the 2S level go obviously lower and the 2P and 1D orbitals form a sub‐band. The 26 valence electrons in Al6Na4C form closed 1S21P62S21D102P6 shells and correspond to a new magic structure. The MOs and electron localization function show that the sodium cores are exposed at the outside of the valence electrons and form naked cations. The contraction of the valence electrons because of the carbon doping enhances the charges on the Al6C moieties, and the Na+ cores on the peripheries are ionically bonded to the Zintl anions (Al6C)q−. The Al6Na4C has a tetrahedral structure with symmetry Td, and it may be used as building blocks to synthesize Zintl solid.
Streamlining non‐governmental organizations' programs towards achieving the sustainable development goals: A conceptual framework
Authors: Hassan Mohamad Muhyiddin , Lee Khai Ern , Mokhtar Mazlin
Published: December 2018

After the launching of sustainable development goals (SDGs), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are identified as prominent players in localizing the SDGs. This has drawn attention of the research communities to shift from single‐sector approach to cross‐sectors approach in achieving the SDGs. However, the different capacity of NGOs is defined by the gaps of institutional factors and different approaches contributing to uncertain impacts that cannot be measured persistently. This limitation has caused many NGOs to choose in maintaining single‐sector approach that has been practiced in the millennium development goals previously. Subsequently, this may result to the lack of SDGs output exchange from the NGOs. Therefore, this paper proposes a conceptual framework to streamline NGOs' programs towards achieving the SDGs in two mechanisms, namely, cross‐sectors partnerships and broadening social value. Cross‐sectors partnerships are developed crossing around the institutional sectors of society as one central partnering process to organize and respond to common issues and concerns in SDGs. Broadening social value is one form of NGO's mechanisms to raise a social interest crossing into many sectors in the role of shifting single‐sector approach to cross‐sectors approach. This conceptual framework provides a basis for NGOs to plan their programs based on their capability and capacity in achieving the SDGs' target.
Spatio‐temporal analysis of economic, social, and environmental issues in the framework of sustainable development in worldwide countries
Authors: Rodríguez‐Rosa Miguel , Gallego‐Álvarez Isabel , Galindo‐Villardón Mª. Purificación
Published: December 2018

Sustainability indicators make it possible to clearly and effectively show the general public the position of different countries with respect to sustainability, to assist governments in decision‐making concerning social, environmental, and economic strategies, and to approve plans and tactics. Sustainability is now an important global issue. So many institutions are facing the challenge of building new mathematical models and developing algorithms that can confirm that we are making progress towards a more sustainable society. Given the current dearth of such methods, we thought it would be valuable to develop a new system for use in the study of sustainability, a system that will help to explain the effects of each country, describing sustainability through the use of several indicators. The Sustainable Society Index is used in the present research for the period 2006–2012. The co‐Tucker3 method is used to describe interactions between the rows, columns, and repetitions of two sequences of matrices, by reducing their dimensionality, that is, the number of elements in them. Plots are used to visualise differences or similarities in the data, for example, groups of countries that score differently on some indicators during some years, relationships between indicators, and temporal trends. Thus, our methodology makes it possible to deduce relationships among countries and temporal trends based on sustainability indicator data.
Synthesis, Single‐Crystal X‐Ray, Hirshfeld and Antimicrobial Evaluation of some New Imidazopyridine Nucleus Incorporated with Oxadiazole Scaffold
Authors: Kuthyala Sharanya , Shankar Madan K , Nagaraja Gundibasappa K
Published: December 2018

To avert the menace of pathogens in medical parlance, emerging attractive strategy is combining two different active fragments in a single molecule for scientific solutions. Trisubstituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine‐carboxylate was engrossed as a hybrid with oxadiazole. The three dimensional and crystal structures of compounds 3‐[5‐(2‐chlorophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,8‐dimethylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine (4 c) and 3‐(5‐benzyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,8‐dimethylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine (4 e) were determined using single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and their crystal packing was analyzed using Hirshfeld surface computational analysis. The molecular conformation of 4 c (planar) and 4 e (twisted) and crystal packing is different and this may be due to substitution effect. In addition, both compounds have common intermolecular interactions of the type C–H…π and intercontacts H…H contributes more to the Hishfeld surfaces. Screening for microbial activity acknowledged, 2,8‐dimethyl‐3‐[5‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine (4 f) and 6‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐3‐[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine (4 g) as most effective against Staphyllococus aureus, over all other derivatives. Meanwhile, 4 f also showed pronounced antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Further 4 f was endorsed by time kill assay as bactericidal in its action.