bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiographic and clinical performance of polymer‐free biolimus‐eluting stent in patients with ST‐segment elevation acute myocardial infarction in a metropolitan public hospital: The BESAMI MUCHO study
Authors: Sgueglia Gregory A. , D'Errico Fabrizio , Gioffrè Gaetano , De Santis Antonella , Summaria Francesco , Piccioni Fabiana , Gaspardone Achille
Published: August 2017

Objectives

This study aimed at assessing the performance of a new generation polymer‐free biolimus‐eluting stent (BES) in real‐world patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background

Polymers components of early‐generation drug‐eluting stents have been implicated in the pathogenesis of delayed arterial healing, vessel remodeling, and delayed stent thrombosis. Recently, a novel polymer‐free BES has shown excellent clinical performance in clinical trial setting.

Methods

Overall, 175 consecutive patients (64 ± 14 years, 141 men) treated with the BioFreedom (Biosensors Europe, Morges, Switzerland) polymer‐free BES because of STEMI were included in this study. The primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, and ischemia‐driven target vessel revascularization at 1 year follow‐up. A subgroup of patients underwent 6‐month angiographic follow‐up. Dual antiplatelet therapy was prescribed for 12 months after STEMI.

Results

At 1 year, the cumulative rate of MACE was 4.6%. One patient (0.6%) had an arrhythmic cardiac death and five (2.9%) had ischemia‐driven target vessel revascularization, although only three (1.7%) had target lesion revascularization. Two (1.1%) patients had acute stent thrombosis yielding nonfatal myocardial infarction. In 70 patients (63 ± 14 years, 61 men), quantitative coronary angiography at 6‐month follow‐up revealed diameter stenosis of 24.1 ± 13.7% and minimal lumen diameter of 2.29 ± 0.56 mm, yielding a late lumen loss of 0.13 ± 0.14 mm.

Conclusions

In real‐world setting, implantation of a new‐generation polymer‐free BES during STEMI is associated with favorable clinical and angiographic results, pointing toward the overall efficacy and safety of the device in complex clinical scenarios.
Transulnar cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention: techniques, transradial comparisons, anatomical considerations, and comprehensive literature review
Authors: Kar Subrata
Published: August 2017

Ulnar arterial access for cardiac catheterization and intervention is an alternative approach compared with radial or femoral access. Ulnar access is infrequently performed since the radial artery is readily palpable and is commonly used worldwide to minimize vascular complications from femoral access. Nevertheless, ulnar access provides a suitable access site in patients who are poor candidates for femoral access, have pre‐existing radial occlusion, radial artery hypoplasia or hyperplasia from prior radial artery procedures, radial stenosis, radial loops, radial tortuosity, small radial arteries, and/or have future need for radial graft for dialysis or coronary artery bypass graft. Furthermore, femoral access is the standard default option if radial access fails. Consequently, learning ulnar access provides a suitable forearm alternative to avoid femoral access when deemed high risk or undesirable. This review discusses the techniques of ulnar access, advantages and disadvantages of ulnar versus radial access, the clinical trials on ulnar cardiac catheterization and its associated complications.
Techniques and outcomes of paravalvular leak repair after transcatheter aortic valve replacement
Authors: Waterbury Thomas M. , Reeder Guy S. , Pislaru Sorin V. , Cabalka Allison K. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Eleid Mackram F.
Published: August 2017

Objectives

To investigate the feasibility, procedural success, and outcomes of paravalvular leak (PVL) closure in patients with prior transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).

Background

PVL after TAVR is associated with adverse patient outcomes and increased mortality. Percutaneous PVL closure has emerged as a therapeutic strategy for addressing this issue, but data for transcatheter PVL repair after TAVR remains limited.

Methods

This is a single center retrospective review of PVL closure after TAVR. Patients with balloon‐expandable or self‐expanding prostheses were included. Baseline patient demographics, procedural characteristics, complications, and clinical outcomes were reviewed.

Results

A total of 18 patients with clinically significant PVL after TAVR referred for PVL closure were identified during the study period. Procedural success resulting in successful transcatheter occluder plug delivery was 78% (14 cases). Balloon postdilatation (2/4) and valve‐in‐valve (2/4) were used effectively in the remaining patients after an unsuccessful PVL closure attempt. PVL grading by echocardiography decreased from moderate or severe to < moderate in 13 patients (72%). Adverse events including cardiac tamponade and acute kidney injury occurred in 1 case each. One‐month all‐cause mortality was 11%.

Conclusion

In selected patients, percutaneous PVL repair following TAVR is feasible and effective for both balloon‐expandable and self‐expanding prostheses. Most patients undergoing PVL closure after TAVR require a single occluder plug placement for reduction in PVL to mild or less.
What is this very big skin lesion?
Authors: Guttadauro Angelo , Frassani Silvia , Maternini Matteo , Rubino Barbara , Guanziroli Elena , Gabrielli Francesco
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical Message

This clinical image shows the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of any suspicious skin lesion.
Bootstrapped Biocatalysis: Biofilm‐Derived Materials as Reversibly Functionalizable Multienzyme Surfaces
Authors: Nussbaumer Martin G. , Nguyen Peter Q. , Tay Pei K. R. , Naydich Alexander , Hysi Erisa , Botyanszki Zsofia , Joshi Neel S.
Published: August 2017

Cell‐free biocatalysis systems offer many benefits for chemical manufacturing, but their widespread applicability is hindered by high costs associated with enzyme purification, modification, and immobilization on solid substrates, in addition to the cost of the material substrates themselves. Herein, we report a “bootstrapped” biocatalysis substrate material that is produced directly in bacterial culture and is derived from biofilm matrix proteins, which self‐assemble into a nanofibrous mesh. We demonstrate that this material can simultaneously purify and immobilize multiple enzymes site specifically and directly from crude cell lysates by using a panel of genetically programmed, mutually orthogonal conjugation domains. We further demonstrate the utility of the technique in a bienzymatic stereoselective reduction coupled with a cofactor recycling scheme. The domains allow for several cycles of selective removal and replacement of enzymes under mild conditions to regenerate the catalyst system.
Total Synthesis of the Schisandraceae Nortriterpenoid Rubriflordilactone A
Authors: Chaubet Guilhem , Goh Shermin S. , Mohammad Mujahid , Gockel Birgit , Cordonnier Marie‐Caroline A. , Baars Hannah , Phillips Andrew W. , Anderson Edward A.
Published: August 2017

Full details of the total synthesis of the Schisandraceae nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are reported. Palladium‐ and cobalt‐catalyzed polycyclizations were employed as key strategies to construct the central pentasubstituted arene from bromoendiyne and triyne precursors. This required the independent assembly of two AB ring aldehydes for combination with a common diyne component. A number of model systems were explored to investigate these two methodologies, and also to establish routes for the installation of the challenging benzopyran and butenolide rings.
Enantiospecific Elongation of Cationic Helicenes by Electrophilic Functionalization at Terminal Ends
Authors: Duwald Romain , Pascal Simon , Bosson Johann , Grass Stéphane , Besnard Céline , Bürgi Thomas , Lacour Jérôme
Published: August 2017

A strategy for late‐stage electrophilic functionalizations of cationic helicenes is exposed. Thanks to strongly acidic conditions that permit reversible electrophilic substitutions, regioselective acylations, sulfonylations, or alkylations occur at the extremity(ies) of the helical cores. Extended [5] or [6]helicenes can then be generated from cationic [4]helicenes in successive one‐pot elongation processes. Retention of configuration and excellent enantiospecificity (up to 99 %) are observed for the helicene growth in the enantiopure series.
Die DNA‐Struktur: Überraschend einfache Modelle für das wichtigste Molekül des Lebens
Authors: Quadbeck‐Seeger Hans‐Jürgen
Published: August 2017

Wie speichert die Natur Informationen? In unseren Genen übernimmt die DNA diese wichtige Rolle. Die Komplexität dieses Moleküls lässt sich an dreidimensionalen Modellen besser veranschaulichen als mit zweidimensionalen Bildern. Der Beitrag stellt drei Möglichkeiten vor, um überraschend einfache und kostengünstige DNA‐Modelle herzustellen, die nicht nur ohne Mittelachse auskommen und dadurch eine hohe Beweglichkeit zeigen, sondern vor allem maßstabsgetreu sind.
Defektaufklärung in Lithiumionen‐Akkus durch Positronen
Authors: Henkel Christian
Published: August 2017

Selbst Akkus der neuesten Generation haben ein schwerwiegendes Problem: Ihre Energiespeicherfähigkeit (Kapazität) sinkt mit jedem Lade‐Entlade‐Zyklus zunächst drastisch, dann schleichend ab. Nach einigen Tausend Zyklen weist der Akku nur noch eine geringe Restkapazität auf und ist somit unbrauchbar.
Electrostatic balance between global repulsion and local attraction in reentrant polymerization of actin
Authors: Ohnuki Jun , Yodogawa Akira , Takano Mitsunori
Published: August 2017

Actin polymerization depends on the salt concentration, exhibiting a reentrant behavior: the polymerization is promoted by increasing KCl concentration up to 100 mM, and then depressed by further increase above 100 mM. We here investigated the physical mechanism of this reentrant behavior by calculating the polymerization energy, defined by the electrostatic energy change upon binding of an actin subunit to a filament, using an implicit solvent model based on the Poisson‐Boltzmann (PB) equation. We found that the polymerization energy as a function of the salt concentration shows a non‐monotonic reentrant‐like behavior, with the minimum at about 100 mM (1:1 salt). By separately examining the salt concentration effect on the global electrostatic repulsion between the like‐charged subunits and that on the local electrostatic attraction between the inter‐subunit ionic‐bond‐forming residues in the filament, we clarified that the reentrant behavior is caused by the change in the balance between the two opposing electrostatic interactions. Our study showed that the non‐specific nature of counterions, as described in the mean‐field theory, plays an important role in the actin polymerization. We also discussed the endothermic nature of the actin polymerization and mentioned the effect of ATP hydrolysis on the G‐F transformation, indicating that the electrostatic interaction is widely and intricately involved in the actin dynamics.
Investigation of Chemical Bonding in In Situ Cryocrystallized Organometallic Liquids
Authors: Sirohiwal Abhishek , Hathwar Venkatesha R. , Dey Dhananjay , Chopra Deepak
Published: August 2017

This Communication presents the crystal structure of the organometallic complexes (η4‐1,3‐cyclohexadiene) iron tricarbonyl (I) and (methyl cyclopentadienyl) manganese tricarbonyl (II) which are both liquid at room temperature. The crystal structures were determined using a state‐of‐the‐art in situ cryocrystallization technique. The bonding features were elucidated using topological analysis of charge density in the framework of quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and theoretical charge density analysis (multipolar refinement), to decipher the metal–carbonyl, metal–olefin and metal–carbocyclic ligand interactions in these complexes. ComplexIdisplayed a simultaneous interplay of a “synergic effect” (σ‐donation and π‐back‐bonding in the metal and an end‐on coordinated carbonyl interaction) as well as consistency with the Dewar–Chatt–Duncanson (DCD) model (metal and side‐on coordinated π‐ligand interactions).
Effectiveness of implant surface debridement using particle beams at differing air pressures
Authors: Wei Max C.T. , Tran Carol , Meredith Neil , Walsh Laurence James
Published: August 2017

Because implant surface decontamination is challenging, air powder abrasive systems have been suggested as an alternative debridement method. This in vitro study investigated the effectiveness of different powder formulations and air pressures in cleaning implant surfaces and the extent of surface damage. A validated ink model of implant biofilm was used. Sterile 4.1 × 10 mm Grade 4 titanium implants were coated in a blue indelible ink to form a uniform, visually detectable biofilm‐like layer over the implant threads and mounted into a bone replica material with bony defects to approximate peri‐implantitis. Air powder abrasive treatments were undertaken using glycine, sodium bicarbonate, or calcium carbonate powder at air pressures of 25, 35, 45, and 55 psi. Digital macro photographs of the threads were stitched to give composite images of the threads, so the amount of ink remaining could be quantified as the residual area and expressed as a percentage. Implant surfaces were also examined with scanning electron microscopy to grade the surface changes. No treatment cleaned all the surface of the threads. The powders were ranked in order of decreasing effectiveness and decreasing surface change into the same sequence of calcium carbonate followed by sodium bicarbonate followed by glycine. Higher air pressure improved cleaning and increased surface change, with a plateau effect evident. All powders caused some level of surface alteration, with rounding of surface projections most evident. With air powder abrasive systems, there is a trade‐off between cleaning efficacy and surface damage. Using this laboratory model, sodium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate powders were the most effective for surface cleaning when used at air pressures as low as 25 psi.
CsPb2Br5 Single Crystals: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Dursun Ibrahim , De Bastiani Michele , Turedi Bekir , Alamer Badriah , Shkurenko Aleksander , Yin Jun , El‐Zohry Ahmed M. , Gereige Issam , AlSaggaf Ahmed , Mohammed Omar F. , Eddaoudi Mohamed , Bakr Osman M.
Published: August 2017

CsPb2Br5 is a ternary halogen‐plumbate material with close characteristics to the well‐reported halide perovskites. Owing to its unconventional two‐dimensional structure, CsPb2Br5 is being looked at broadly for potential applications in optoelectronics. CsPb2Br5 investigations are currently limited to nanostructures and powder forms of the material, which present unclear and conflicting optical properties. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of CsPb2Br5 bulk single crystals, which enabled us to finally clarify the material's optical features. Our CsPb2Br5 crystal has a two‐dimensional structure with Pb2Br5− layers spaced by Cs+ cations, and exhibits approximately 3.1 eV indirect band gap with no emission in the visible spectrum.
Chemical Pulping Advantages of Zip‐lignin Hybrid Poplar
Authors: Zhou Shengfei , Runge Troy , Karlen Steven D. , Ralph John , Gonzales‐Vigil Eliana , Mansfield Shawn D.
Published: August 2017

Hybrid poplar genetically engineered to possess chemically labile ester linkages in its lignin backbone (zip‐lignin hybrid poplar) was examined to determine if the strategic lignin modifications would enhance chemical pulping efficiencies. Kraft pulping of zip‐lignin and wild‐type hybrid poplar was performed in lab‐scale reactors under conditions of varying severity by altering time, temperature and chemical charge. The resulting pulps were analyzed for yield, residual lignin content, and cellulose DP (degree of polymerization), as well as changes in carbohydrates and lignin structure. Statistical models of pulping were created, and the pulp bleaching and physical properties evaluated. Under identical cooking conditions, compared to wild‐type, the zip‐lignin hybrid poplar showed extended delignification, confirming the zip‐lignin effect. Additionally, yield and carbohydrate content of the ensuing pulps were slightly elevated, as was the cellulose DP for zip‐lignin poplar pulp, although differences in residual lignin between zip‐lignin and wild‐type poplar were not detected. Statistical prediction models facilitated comparisons between pulping conditions that resulted in identical delignification, with the zip‐lignin poplar needing milder cooking conditions and resulting in higher pulp yield (up to 1.41 % gain). Bleaching and physical properties were subsequently equivalent between the samples with slight chemical savings realized in the zip‐lignin samples due to the enhanced delignification.
Genetic algorithm‐based routing method for enhanced video delivery over software defined networks
Authors: Yu Yun‐Shuai , Ke Chih‐Heng
Published: August 2017

Video streaming has emerged as a killer application in today's Internet, delivering a tremendous amount of media contents to millions of users at any given time. Such a heavy traffic load demands an effective routing method. In this paper, an effective routing method, named GA‐SDN, is developed based on software defined network (SDN) technique. To facilitate the researchers in this field to evaluate the video delivery quality over SDN, an evaluation framework and its associated source codes are provided. The framework integrates the H.264 Scalable Video coding streaming Evaluation Framework (SVEF) with the Mininet emulator. Through this framework, video processing researchers can evaluate their proposed coding algorithms in an SDN‐enabled network emulator, while network operators or executives can evaluate the impact of real video streams on the developing network architectures or protocols. Experiment results demonstrate the usefulness of myEvalSVC_SDN and prove that GA‐SDN outperforms traditional Bellman‐Ford routing algorithm in terms of packet drop rate, throughput, and average peak signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Integrating sign surveys and telemetry data for estimating brown bear (Ursus arctos) density in the Romanian Carpathians
Authors: Popescu Viorel D. , Iosif Ruben , Pop Mihai I. , Chiriac Silviu , Bouroș George , Furnas Brett J.
Published: August 2017

Accurate population size estimates are important information for sustainable wildlife management. The Romanian Carpathians harbor the largest brown bear (Ursus arctos) population in Europe, yet current management relies on estimates of density that lack statistical oversight and ignore uncertainty deriving from track surveys. In this study, we investigate an alternative approach to estimate brown bear density using sign surveys along transects within a novel integration of occupancy models and home range methods. We performed repeated surveys along 2‐km segments of forest roads during three distinct seasons: spring 2011, fall‐winter 2011, and spring 2012, within three game management units and a Natura 2000 site. We estimated bears abundances along transects using the number of unique tracks observed per survey occasion via N‐mixture hierarchical models, which account for imperfect detection. To obtain brown bear densities, we combined these abundances with the effective sampling area of the transects, that is, estimated as a function of the median (± bootstrapped SE) of the core home range (5.58 ± 1.08 km2) based on telemetry data from 17 bears tracked for 1‐month periods overlapping our surveys windows. Our analyses yielded average brown bear densities (and 95% confidence intervals) for the three seasons of: 11.5 (7.8–15.3), 11.3 (7.4–15.2), and 12.4 (8.6–16.3) individuals/100 km2. Across game management units, mean densities ranged between 7.5 and 14.8 individuals/100 km2. Our method incorporates multiple sources of uncertainty (e.g., effective sampling area, imperfect detection) to estimate brown bear density, but the inference fundamentally relies on unmarked individuals only. While useful as a temporary approach to monitor brown bears, we urge implementing DNA capture–recapture methods regionally to inform brown bear management and recommend increasing resources for GPS collars to improve estimates of effective sampling area.
Testing the niche‐breadth–range‐size hypothesis: habitat specialization vs. performance in Australian alpine daisies
Authors: Hirst Megan J. , Griffin Philippa C. , Sexton Jason P. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: August 2017

Relatively common species within a clade are expected to perform well across a wider range of conditions than their rarer relatives, yet experimental tests of this “niche‐breadth–range‐size” hypothesis remain surprisingly scarce. Rarity may arise due to trade‐offs between specialization and performance across a wide range of environments. Here we use common garden and reciprocal transplant experiments to test the niche‐breadth–range‐size hypothesis, focusing on four common and three rare endemic alpine daisies (Brachyscomespp.) from the Australian Alps. We used three experimental contexts: (1) alpine reciprocal seedling experiment, a test of seedling survival and growth in three alpine habitat types differing in environmental quality and species diversity; (2) warm environment common garden, a test of whether common daisy species have higher growth rates and phenotypic plasticity, assessed in a common garden in a warmer climate and run simultaneously with experiment 1; and (3) alpine reciprocal seed experiment, a test of seed germination capacity and viability in the same three alpine habitat types as in experiment 1. In the alpine reciprocal seedling experiment, survival of all species was highest in the open heathland habitat where overall plant diversity is high, suggesting a general, positive response to a relatively productive, low‐stress environment. We found only partial support for higher survival of rare species in their habitats of origin. In the warm environment common garden, three common daisies exhibited greater growth and biomass than two rare species, but the other rare species performed as well as the common species. In the alpine reciprocal seed experiment, common daisies exhibited higher germination across most habitats, but rare species maintained a higher proportion of viable seed in all conditions, suggesting different life history strategies. These results indicate that some but not all rare, alpine endemics exhibit stress tolerance at the cost of reduced growth rates in low‐stress environments compared to common species. Finally, these findings suggest the seed stage is important in the persistence of rare species, and they provide only weak support at the seedling stage for the niche‐breadth–range‐size hypothesis.
Can snowshoe hares control treeline expansions?
Authors: Olnes Justin , Kielland Knut , Juday Glenn P. , Mann Daniel H. , Genet Hélène , Ruess Roger W.
Published: August 2017

Treelines in Alaska are advancing in elevation and latitude because of climate warming, which is expanding the habitat available for boreal wildlife species, including snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Snowshoe hares are already present in tall shrub communities beyond treeline and are the main browser of white spruce (Picea glauca), the dominant tree species at treeline in Alaska. We investigated the processes involved in a “snowshoe hare filter” to white spruce establishment near treeline in Denali National Park, Alaska, USA. We modeled the pattern of spruce establishment from 1970 to 2009 and found that fewer spruce established during periods of high hare abundance. Multiple factors interact to influence browsing of spruce, including the hare cycle, snow depth and the characteristics of surrounding vegetation. Hares are abundant at treeline and may exclude spruce from otherwise optimal establishment sites, particularly floodplain locations with closed shrub canopies. The expansion of white spruce treeline in response to warming climate will be strongly modified by the spatial and temporal dynamics of the snowshoe hare filter.
Allocation, not male resistance, increases male frequency during epidemics: a case study in facultatively sexual hosts
Authors: Hite Jessica L. , Penczykowski Rachel M. , Shocket Marta S. , Griebel Katherine A. , Strauss Alexander T. , Duffy Meghan A. , Cáceres Carla E. , Hall Spencer R.
Published: August 2017

Why do natural populations vary in the frequency of sexual reproduction? Virulent parasites may help explain why sex is favored during disease epidemics. To illustrate, we show a higher frequency of males and sexually produced offspring in natural populations of a facultative parthenogenetic host during fungal epidemics. In a multi‐year survey of 32 lakes, the frequency of males (an index of sex) was higher in populations of zooplankton hosts with larger epidemics. A lake mesocosm experiment established causality: experimental epidemics produced a higher frequency of males relative to disease‐free controls. One common explanation for such a pattern involves Red Queen (RQ) dynamics. However, this particular system lacks key genetic specificity mechanisms required for the RQ, so we evaluated two other hypotheses. First, individual females, when stressed by infection, could increase production of male offspring vs. female offspring (a tenant of the “Abandon Ship” theory). Data from a life table experiment supports this mechanism. Second, higher male frequency during epidemics could reflect a purely demographic process (illustrated with a demographic model): males could resist infection more than females (via size‐based differences in resistance and mortality). However, we found no support for this resistance mechanism. A size‐based model of resistance, parameterized with data, revealed why: higher male susceptibility negated the lower exposure (a size‐based advantage) of males. These results suggest that parasite‐mediated increases in allocation to sex by individual females, rather than male resistance, increased the frequency of sex during larger disease epidemics.
Application of a Metal‐Mediated Base Pair to the Detection of Medicinally Relevant Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
Authors: Jash Biswarup , Müller Jens
Published: August 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Jens Müller at Westfälische Wilhelms‐Universität Münster, Germany. The cover image shows figuratively how molecular beacons can be used to detect medicinally relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Bidentate Phosphine–Phosphoramidite Ligands of the BettiPhos Family for Rh‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrogenation
Authors: Schmitz Christian , Holthusen Katharina , Leitner Walter , Franciò Giancarlo
Published: August 2017

Phosphine–phosphoramidites comprising a stereogenic phosphorus atom at the phosphoramidite moiety and a Betti base as chiral backbone have been synthesized. Individual diastereomers have been benchmarked as ligands in the Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of dimethyl itaconate to study the interplay of the different elements of chirality. The privileged diastereomer was applied to Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of several functionalized olefins, leading to high enantioselectivities between 91 and 97 % ee, which confirms the effectiveness of the BettiPhos ligand family in asymmetric catalysis.
Anionic lipopeptides from Bacillus mojavensis I4 as effective antihypertensive agents: Production, characterization, and identification
Authors: Ghazala Imen , Bouassida Mouna , Krichen Fatma , Manuel Benito José , Ellouz‐Chaabouni Semia , Haddar Anissa
Published: August 2017

A new isolated Bacillus mojavensis strain I4 was found as producer of biosurfactants by different screening methods, such as parafilm M test, hemolytic activity, oil displacement test, emulsification index, surface tension, and lipase production assay. Enhanced biosurfactants production was obtained using glucose and glutamic acid as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The optimal production of the biosurfactants was obtained by using a C/N ratio of 17, pH of 7.0, and temperature of 37°C. The surface tension was reduced to 29 mN/m and the emulsification index E24 of 62% was achieved after 72 h of culture. The purified biosurfactants showed stability with regard to surface tension reduction and emulsification in a wide range of temperatures (4–120°C), pH (4–10), and salinity (2–12% of NaCl). The thin‐layer chromatography showed that the produced biosurfactants were lipopeptides. The biosurfactants were characterized as a group of anionic lipopeptides with zeta potential measurement. Chromatographic characterization using HPLC revealed that I4 lipopeptides contained numerous isoforms and surfactin was the major component. Moreover, the I4 lipopeptides showed interesting angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐inhibitory activity.
Spatial entropy generation analysis for the design improvement of a single slope solar still
Authors: Rashidi Saman , Esfahani Javad Abolfazli
Published: August 2017

In the article, entropy generation is calculated locally by the computational fluid dynamic simulation for the design improvement of a single slope solar still. A numerical approach based on SIMPLE algorithm is utilized to simulate the double diffusive natural convection in the solar still and solve the mass, momentum, energy, and concentration equations. The study investigates the effects of aspect ratio and temperatures of glass cover and water on different types of entropy generation containing frictional, diffusive, and thermal entropy generations. Obtained results indicate that an increase in different types of entropy generation is occurred with an increase in the glass and water temperatures. Moreover, the still with higher aspect ratio creates higher values of entropy generation than that of still with smaller aspect ratio. For example, there is 30% increment in diffusive entropy generation when the aspect ratio value is changed from A = 2.58 to A = 5.3 for Tg=30°C and Tw=40°C. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1112–1120, 2018
Multimodal, automated detection of nocturnal motor seizures at home: Is a reliable seizure detector feasible?
Authors: van Andel Judith , Ungureanu Constantin , Arends Johan , Tan Francis , Van Dijk Johannes , Petkov George , Kalitzin Stiliyan , Gutter Thea , de Weerd Al , Vledder Ben , Thijs Roland , van Thiel Ghislaine , Roes Kit , Leijten Frans
Published: August 2017

Objective

Automated seizure detection and alarming could improve quality of life and potentially prevent sudden, unexpected death in patients with severe epilepsy. As currently available systems focus on tonic–clonic seizures, we want to detect a broader range of seizure types, including tonic, hypermotor, and clusters of seizures.

Methods

In this multicenter, prospective cohort study, the nonelectroencephalographic (non‐EEG) signals heart rate and accelerometry were measured during the night in patients undergoing a diagnostic video‐EEG examination. Based on clinical video‐EEG data, seizures were classified and categorized as clinically urgent or not. Seizures included for analysis were tonic, tonic–clonic, hypermotor, and clusters of short myoclonic/tonic seizures. Features reflecting physiological changes in heart rate and movement were extracted. Detection algorithms were developed based on stepwise fulfillment of conditions during increases in either feature. A training set was used for development of algorithms, and an independent test set was used for assessing performance.

Results

Ninety‐five patients were included, but due to sensor failures, data from only 43 (of whom 23 patients had 86 seizures, representing 402 h of data) could be used for analysis. The algorithms yield acceptable sensitivities, especially for clinically urgent seizures (sensitivity = 71–87%), but produce high false alarm rates (2.3–5.7 per night, positive predictive value = 25–43%). There was a large variation in the number of false alarms per patient.

Significance

It seems feasible to develop a detector with high sensitivity, but false alarm rates are too high for use in clinical practice. For further optimization, personalization of algorithms may be necessary.
Validation of official erosion modelling based on high‐resolution radar rain data by aerial photo erosion classification
Authors: Fischer Franziska Katharina , Kistler Michael , Brandhuber Robert , Maier Harald , Treisch Melanie , Auerswald Karl
Published: August 2017

The universal soil loss equation (USLE) is the most frequently applied erosion prediction model and it is also implemented as an official decision‐making instrument for agricultural regulations. The USLE itself has been already validated using different approaches. Additional errors, however, arise from input data and interpolation procedures that become necessary for field‐specific predictions on a national scale for administrative purposes. In this study, predicted event soil loss using the official prediction system in Bavaria (Germany) was validated by comparison with aerial photo erosion classifications of 8100 fields. Values for the USLE factors were mainly taken from the official Bavarian high‐resolution (5 × 5 m2) erosion cadastre. As series of erosion events were examined, the cover and management factor was replaced by the soil loss ratio. The event erosivity factor was calculated from high‐resolution (1 × 1 km2, 5 min), rain gauge‐adjusted radar rain data (RADOLAN). Aerial photo erosion interpretation worked sufficiently well and average erosion predictions and visual classifications correlated closely. This was also true for data broken down to individual factors and different crops. There was no reason to assume a general invalidity of the USLE and the official parametrization procedures. Event predictions mainly suffered from errors in the assumed crop stage period and tillage practices, which do not reflect interannual and farm‐specific variation. In addition, the resolution of radar data (1 km2) did not seem to be sufficient to predict short‐term erosion on individual fields given the strong spatial gradients within individual rains. The quality of the input data clearly determined prediction quality. Differences between USLE predictions and observations are most likely caused by parametrization weaknesses but not by a failure of the model itself. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of in ovo exposure to 3,3′,4,4′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77) on heart development in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor)
Authors: Carro Tiffany , Walker Mary K. , Dean Karen M. , Ottinger Mary Ann
Published: August 2017

Tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) eggs from 2 uncontaminated sites, the Patuxent Research Refuge (Laurel, MD, USA) and the Cobleskill Reservoir (Cobleskill, NY, USA) were dosed with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 77 to evaluate effects on the developing cardiovascular system. To ensure embryonic viability, treatments were administered into the air cell at embryonic day 2.5 including: untreated (control), vehicle (filtered sterilized fatty acid mixture), 100 ng/g and 1000 ng/g egg. Eggs were dosed in the field with 0.2 μL/egg, returned to the nest, collected at embryonic day 13, hatched in the laboratory, and necropsied. The PCB 77-treated hatchlings were compared with uninjected, vehicle-injected, and environmentally exposed hatchlings collected from a PCB-contaminated Upper Hudson River (NY, USA) site. The PCB 77-treated embryos showed no effects on hatching success or hatchling mortality, heart index, or morphological measures of 4 distinct heart layers (heart width, length, septal thickness, total and ventricular cavity area) compared with controls. Hatchlings that had received PCB 77 exhibited increased incidence of a cardiomyopathy and absence of the ventricular heart wall compact layer (Chi square test; p < 0.001); environmentally exposed embryos showed no apparent effects. The compact layer is essential in development and overall heart function for ventricular cardiomyocyte proliferation and normal heart contraction. The finding that in ovo exposure to PCB 77 resulted in distinct cardiomyopathy has implications for long-term individual fitness. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:116–125. © 2017 SETAC
Selforganization of modular activity of grid cells
Authors: Urdapilleta Eugenio , Si Bailu , Treves Alessandro
Published: August 2017

A unique topographical representation of space is found in the concerted activity of grid cells in the rodent medial entorhinal cortex. Many among the principal cells in this region exhibit a hexagonal firing pattern, in which each cell expresses its own set of place fields (spatial phases) at the vertices of a triangular grid, the spacing and orientation of which are typically shared with neighboring cells. Grid spacing, in particular, has been found to increase along the dorso‐ventral axis of the entorhinal cortex but in discrete steps, that is, with a modular structure. In this study, we show that such a modular activity may result from the self‐organization of interacting units, which individually would not show discrete but rather continuously varying grid spacing. Within our “adaptation” network model, the effect of a continuously varying time constant, which determines grid spacing in the isolated cell model, is modulated by recurrent collateral connections, which tend to produce a few subnetworks, akin to magnetic domains, each with its own grid spacing. In agreement with experimental evidence, the modular structure is tightly defined by grid spacing, but also involves grid orientation and distortion, due to interactions across modules. Thus, our study sheds light onto a possible mechanism, other than simply assuming separate networks a priori, underlying the formation of modular grid representations.
Active offer of health services in French in Ontario: Analysis of reorganization and management strategies of health care organizations
Authors: Farmanova Elina , Bonneville Luc , Bouchard Louise
Published: August 2017

Background

The availability of health services in French is not only weak but also inexistent in some regions in Canada. As a result, estimated 78% of more than a million of Francophones living in a minority situation in Canada experience difficulties accessing health care in French. To promote the delivery of health services in French, publicly funded organizations are encouraged to take measures to ensure that French‐language services are clearly visible, available, easily accessible, and equivalent to the quality of services offered in English.

Objective

This study examines the reorganization and management strategies taken by health care organizations in Ontario that provide health services in French.

Methods

Review and analysis of designation plans of a sample of health care organizations.

Results

Few health care organizations providing services in French have concrete strategies to guarantee availability, visibility, and accessibility of French‐language services.

Conclusions

Implementation of the active offer of French‐language services is likely to be difficult and slow. The Ontario government must strengthen collaboration with health care organizations, Francophone communities, and other key actors participating in the designation process to help health care organizations build capacities for the effective offer of French‐language services.
Combining hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics to assess and interpret the effects of environmental stressors on zebrafish eye images at tissue level
Authors: Olmos Víctor , Marro Mònica , Loza‐Alvarez Pablo , Raldúa Demetrio , Prats Eva , Padrós Francesc , Piña Benjamin , Tauler Romà , de Juan Anna
Published: August 2017

Changes on an organism by the exposure to environmental stressors may be characterized by hyperspectral images (HSI), which preserve the morphology of biological samples, and suitable chemometric tools. The approach proposed allows assessing and interpreting the effect of contaminant exposure on heterogeneous biological samples monitored by HSI at specific tissue levels. In this work, the model example used consists of the study of the effect of the exposure of chlorpyrifos‐oxon on zebrafish tissues. To assess this effect, unmixing of the biological sample images followed by tissue‐specific classification models based on the unmixed spectral signatures is proposed. Unmixing and classification are performed by multivariate curve resolution‐alternating least squares (MCR‐ALS) and partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), respectively. Crucial aspects of the approach are: (1) the simultaneous MCR‐ALS analysis of all images from 1 population to take into account biological variability and provide reliable tissue spectral signatures, and (2) the use of resolved spectral signatures from control and exposed populations obtained from resampling of pixel subsets analyzed by MCR‐ALS multiset analysis as information for the tissue‐specific PLS‐DA classification models. Classification results diagnose the presence of a significant effect and identify the spectral regions at a tissue level responsible for the biological change.
Comparison of higher‐order multiphoton signal generation and collection at the 1700‐nm window based on transmittance measurement of objective lenses
Authors: Wen Wenhui , Wang Yuxin , Liu Hongji , Wang Kai , Qiu Ping , Wang Ke
Published: August 2017

One benefit of excitation at the 1700‐nm window is the more accessible modalities of multiphoton signal generation. It is demonstrated here that the transmittance performance of the objective lens is of vital importance for efficient higher‐order multiphoton signal generation and collection excited at the 1700‐nm window. Two commonly used objective lenses for multiphoton microscopy (MPM) are characterized and compared, one with regular coating and the other with customized coating for high transmittance at the 1700‐nm window. Our results show that, fourth harmonic generation imaging of mouse tail tendon and 5‐photon fluorescence of carbon quantum dots using the regular objective lens shows an order of magnitude signal higher than those using the customized objective lens. Besides, the regular objective lens also enables a 3‐photon fluorescence imaging depth of >1600 μm in mouse brain in vivo. Our results will provide guidelines for objective lens selection for MPM at the 1700‐nm window.
Serum Levels of a Cathepsin-K Generated Periostin Fragment Predict Incident Low-Trauma Fractures in Postmenopausal Women Independently of BMD and FRAX
Authors: Bonnet Nicolas , Biver Emmanuel , Chevalley Thierry , Rizzoli René , Garnero Patrick , Ferrari Serge L
Published: August 2017

Periostin is a matricellular protein involved in bone formation and bone matrix organization, but it is also produced by other tissues. Its circulating levels have been weakly associated with bone microstructure and prevalent fractures, possibly because periostin measured by the current commercial assays does not specifically reflect bone metabolism. In this context, we developed a new ELISA for a periostin fragment resulting from cathepsin K digestion (K-Postn). We hypothesized that circulating K-Postn levels could be associated with bone fragility. A total of 695 women (age 65.0 ± 1.5 years), enrolled in the Geneva Retirees Cohort (GERICO), were prospectively evaluated over 4.7 ± 1.9 years for the occurrence of low-trauma fractures. At baseline, we measured serum periostin, K-Postn, and bone turnover markers (BTMs), distal radius and tibia microstructure by HR-pQCT, hip and lumbar spine aBMD by DXA, and estimated fracture probability using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). Sixty-six women sustained a low-trauma clinical fracture during the follow-up. Total periostin was not associated with fractures (HR [95% CI] per SD: 1.19 [0.89 to 1.59], p = 0.24). In contrast, K-Postn was significantly higher in the fracture versus nonfracture group (57.5 ± 36.6 ng/mL versus 42.5 ± 23.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and associated with fracture risk (HR [95%CI] per SD: 2.14 [1.54 to 2.97], p < 0.001). After adjustment for aBMD, FRAX, bone microstructure, or BTMs, K-Postn remained significantly associated with fracture risk. The performance of the fracture prediction models was improved by adding K-Postn to aBMD or FRAX (Harrell C index for fracture: 0.70 for aBMD + K-Post versus 0.58 for aBMD alone, p = 0.001; 0.73 for FRAX + K-Postn versus 0.65 for FRAX alone, p = 0.005). Circulating K-Postn predicts incident fractures independently of BMD, BTMs, and FRAX in postmenopausal women. Hence measurement of a periostin fragment resulting from in vivo cathepsin K digestion may help to identify subjects at high risk of fracture. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
An open‐source framework for analyzing N‐electron dynamics. II. Hybrid density functional theory/configuration interaction methodology
Authors: Hermann Gunter , Pohl Vincent , Tremblay Jean Christophe
Published: August 2017

In this contribution, we extend our framework for analyzing and visualizing correlated many‐electron dynamics to non‐variational, highly scalable electronic structure method. Specifically, an explicitly time‐dependent electronic wave packet is written as a linear combination of N‐electron wave functions at the configuration interaction singles (CIS) level, which are obtained from a reference time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation. The procedure is implemented in the open‐source Python program detCI@ORBKIT, which extends the capabilities of our recently published post‐processing toolbox (Hermann et al., J. Comput. Chem. 2016, 37, 1511). From the output of standard quantum chemistry packages using atom‐centered Gaussian‐type basis functions, the framework exploits the multideterminental structure of the hybrid TDDFT/CIS wave packet to compute fundamental one‐electron quantities such as difference electronic densities, transient electronic flux densities, and transition dipole moments. The hybrid scheme is benchmarked against wave function data for the laser‐driven state selective excitation in LiH. It is shown that all features of the electron dynamics are in good quantitative agreement with the higher‐level method provided a judicious choice of functional is made. Broadband excitation of a medium‐sized organic chromophore further demonstrates the scalability of the method. In addition, the time‐dependent flux densities unravel the mechanistic details of the simulated charge migration process at a glance. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of preventive coping on business travelers' work and private life
Authors: Niessen Cornelia , Müller Teresa , Hommelhoff Sabine , Westman Mina
Published: August 2017

Frequent business travel can be a burden for travelers' work and private life. We tested whether preventive coping (the proactive accumulation of resources in advance of potential stressors) makes such trips beneficial despite their potential to be stressful. In a longitudinal three‐wave study, we investigated whether frequent travel relates to an increase or decrease in work–life balance, emotional exhaustion, work engagement, and relationship satisfaction depending on preventive coping. Findings from a sample of 133 frequent business travelers revealed significant indirect effects for emotional exhaustion, work engagement, and relationship satisfaction through work–life balance. Among employees who engaged less in preventive coping, a higher number of business trips was related to a decrease in work–life balance, which, in turn, was related to more emotional exhaustion, less work engagement, and lower relationship satisfaction. Among those who reported higher preventive coping, we found opposing indirect effects: Frequent travel was related to an increase in work–life balance and, in turn, to less emotional exhaustion, more work engagement, and higher relationship satisfaction. These findings advance our knowledge in the field of business travel, future‐oriented coping, and work–life balance. They highlight that travelers and their organizations should resort to preventive coping to make frequent travel more beneficial.