bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of Gd2Zr2O7 defect-fluorite oxide nanoparticles via a homogeneous precipitation-solvothermal method
Authors: Tang Zhe , Huang Zhangyi , Qi Jianqi , Guo Xiaofeng , Han Wei , Zhou Mao , Peng Shuting , Lu Tiecheng
Published: December 2017

Defect-fluorite structured Gd2Zr2O7 nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via a homogeneous precipitation-solvothermal method using urea as a precipitant.
A turn-on fluorescent probe for Cd2+ detection in aqueous environments based on an imine functionalized nanoscale metal–organic framework
Authors: Wang Jintong , Xia Tifeng , Zhang Xin , Zhang Qi , Cui Yuanjing , Yang Yu , Qian Guodong
Published: December 2017

A turn-on MOF-based fluorescent probe for Cd2+ detection has been developed with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity.
A micro-sized Si–CNT anode for practical application via a one-step, low-cost and green method
Authors: Li Chao , Ju Yuhang , Qi Li , Yoshitake Hideya , Wang Hongyu
Published: December 2017

Silicon (Si) has been used in Li-ion batteries (LIBs), and considerable progress has been achieved in design and engineering with improved capacity and cycling.
Enhanced outcoupling efficiency and removal of the microcavity effect in top-emitting OLED by using a simple vapor treated corrugated film
Authors: Xu Kai , Lu Chaochao , Huang Yang , Hu Juntao , Wang Xianghua
Published: December 2017

By using the corrugated Alq3film in top-emitting OLED, the microcavity effect was eliminated and the out-coupling efficiency was improved.
Highly uniform Fe3O4 nanoparticle–rGO composites as anode materials for high performance lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Zhu Shoupu , Fan Lei , Lu Yingying
Published: December 2017

Ultra-small and uniform Fe3O4 nanoparticle–rGO composite materials have been synthesized and used as anodes for high capacity lithium-ion batteries.
The remineralization effectiveness of PAMAM dendrimer with different terminal groups on demineralized dentin in vitro
Authors: Tao Siying , Fan Menglin , Xu Hockin H. K. , Li Jianshu , He Libang , Zhou Xuedong , Liang Kunneng , Li Jiyao
Published: December 2017

The aim of this study was to examine the dentin remineralization extent that poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) induces quantitatively, and select the most effective kind of PAMAM with a certain terminal group for dentin remineralization, both for the first time.
Enantioselective synthesis of chiral acylsilanes by copper/HZNU-Phos-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of diethyzinc to α,β-unsaturated acylsilanes
Authors: Lv Ji-Yuan , Xu Zheng , Zheng Zhan-Jiang , Li Li , Cui Yu-Ming , Cao Jian , Yang Ke-Fang , Xu Li-Wen
Published: December 2017

The catalytic asymmetric copper-catalyzed conjugate addition of diethylzinc reagent to α,β-unsaturated acylsilanes was found to proceed smoothly in moderate to good yields and enantioselectivities (up to 85% ee) in the presence of the multifunctional HZNU-Phos.
In situ g-C3N4 self-sacrificial synthesis of a g-C3N4/LaCO3OH heterostructure with strong interfacial charge transfer and separation for photocatalytic NO removal
Authors: Wang Zhenyu , Huang Yu , Chen Long , Chen Meijuan , Cao Junji , Ho Wingkei , Lee Shun Cheng
Published: December 2017

A novel g-C3N4/LaCO3OH heterojunction was controllably fabricated via an in situ self-sacrificial strategy and this strategy was extended to synthesize g-C3N4/carbonate compounds.
Molecular design with silicon core: toward commercially available hole transport materials for high-performance planar p–i–n perovskite solar cells
Authors: Xue Rongming , Zhang Moyao , Xu Guiying , Zhang Jingwen , Chen Weijie , Chen Haiyang , Yang Ming , Cui Chaohua , Li Yaowen , Li Yongfang
Published: December 2017

We synthesized a low-cost silicon containing HTL materials, achieving an excellent PCE of 19.06% for planar p–i–n perovskite solar cells.
A high dielectric constant non-fullerene acceptor for efficient bulk-heterojunction organic solar cells
Authors: Liu Xi , Xie Boming , Duan Chunhui , Wang Zhaojing , Fan Baobing , Zhang Kai , Lin Baojun , Colberts Fallon J. M. , Ma Wei , Janssen René A. J. , Huang Fei , Cao Yong
Published: December 2017

A non-fullerene acceptor with a high relative dielectric constant (εr) over 9 is developed. It offers an efficiency of 8.5%, which is the best result for organic solar cells employing high εr materials. Further research should focus on morphology optimization to make high εr practically useful in devices.
Combating pathogens with Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40 nanoparticles: a new proton-regulated antimicrobial agent
Authors: Piva Roger Honorato , Rocha Marina Campos , Piva Diógenes Honorato , Montedo Oscar Rubem Klegues , Imasato Hidetake , Malavazi Iran , Rodrigues-Filho Ubirajara Pereira
Published: December 2017

A cesium salt of phosphotungstic heteropolyacid (Cs2.5H0.5PW12O40) acts as a proton-regulated antimicrobial combating human pathogens.
Luminescence modulation via cation–π interaction in a lanthanide assembly: implications for potassium detection
Authors: Yang Daqing , Wang Yige , Liu Dexi , Li Zhiqiang , Li Huanrong
Published: December 2017

A novel self-calibrating sensor for potassium ions was constructed by Ln3+-directed supramolecular self-assembly via K+-crown cation–π interaction.
Dramatic differences in the fluorescence of AIEgen-doped micro- and macrophase separated systems
Authors: Song Zehua , Lv Xiaolin , Gao Longcheng , Jiang Lei
Published: December 2017

A phase separated block copolymer and a polymer blend containing AIEgens with different polarities exhibit dramatically different fluorescence properties.
Identification of the Al-binding proteins that account for aluminum neurotoxicity and transportin vivo
Authors: Cheng Dai , Wang Xiaomei , Xi Yu , Cao Jiankang , Jiang Weibo
Published: December 2017

Studies have shown that aluminum (Al) is the most abundant neurotoxic element on Earth, and is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
Energy efficiency of joint base station and relay sleeping in heterogeneous networks
Authors: Yousefi Erfan , Eslami Mohsen
Published: December 2017

Energy efficiency (EE) is an important criterion in devising emerging mobile networks. One of the techniques that has been proposed to reduce energy consumption of base stations (BSs) in cellular networks is BS sleep mode. In this work, the effect of sleep mode on throughput, coverage and EE of relay assisted heterogeneous cellular networks is analysed. A cooperative relay‐BS sleep mode‐based algorithm for heterogeneous networks is proposed and its performance analytically evaluated. It is shown that the proposed algorithm has a considerably higher EE compared with a homogeneous network without sleep mode or a heterogeneous network with relay‐only sleep mode.
Testing an innovative predictive management system for bus fleets: outcomes from the Ravenna case study
Authors: Corazza Maria Vittoria , Magnalardo Silvia , Musso Antonio , Petracci Enrico , Tozzi Michele , Vasari Daniela , de Verdalle Emmanuel
Published: December 2017

The European Bus System of the Future (EBSF_2) is a research project funded by the European Union with the aim of developing a new generation of buses across Europe. The goals are to increase the attractiveness and efficiency of buses by testing advanced operational and technological solutions. Among these are more comfortable internal layouts, the implementation of a standard IT architecture, intelligent garage procedures, energy‐efficient auxiliaries and green driving assistance systems, all of which are being tested in several demonstrators. This study focuses on the innovative features of the methodology and test process adopted in Ravenna, Italy, where a demonstrator is being used to improve predictive maintenance management. The demonstrator involves maintenance software used to analyse data from CANbus and sensors to assess oil quality, detect potential breakdowns and, on this basis, replace spare parts in advance. The system also detects which substances contribute to poor oil quality. The study describes performance before and during the implementation of the demonstrator in relation to various impact areas: maintenance, operations, fuel consumption, costs, staff training and the efficiency of the intelligent transport system in processing data. The achieved results are reported with the aim of providing advanced knowledge for applications beyond EBSF_2.
ICA‐based phase‐comparison monopulse technique for accurate angle estimation of multiple targets
Authors: Lee Seong‐Hyeon , Lee Seung‐Jae , Choi In‐O , Kim Kyung‐Tae
Published: December 2017

When multiple targets are located in the same antenna beam, angle measurements using monopulse technique are degraded due to mutual interference caused by overlap among the signals from multiple targets, even though the targets are measured as individual targets by the radar. If multiple targets are closely spaced within a few resolution cells, their mutual interference becomes significant, resulting in both a large loss in detection performance and poor accuracy in angle estimation. To solve this, the authors propose a novel scheme to improve the accuracy of the angle estimation of multiple targets by combining the independent component analysis (ICA) and the phase‐comparison monopulse technique.
Mismatched filter for transmit waveform with frequency notches
Authors: Liu Aifei , Lim Yee Siang , Teh Kah Chan , Gao Caicai
Published: December 2017

In order to reduce radar interference on communication systems within shared bands, the radar transmit waveform forms frequency notches in the shared bands. However, because of the notches, the auto‐correlation of the transmit waveform with frequency notches leads to high‐range sidelobes. In order to achieve low‐range sidelobes, the authors propose a mismatched filter. The mismatched filter for the transmit waveform with frequency notches has the same range sidelobes as the auto‐correlation of the transmit waveform without frequency notches at the expense of a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) loss. Simulation and analysis results demonstrate that the proposed mismatched filter always has low sidelobes at the cost of a SNR loss. In addition, simulation results show that the SNR loss is acceptable even for the deep notches (i.e. 20 dB), when the ratio of the waveform energy in the shared bands to the total waveform energy is moderate (i.e. <8%). However, the SNR loss increases rapidly with the depth of notches, when the ratio is large.
Wind farm aggregation method based on motion equation concept: a case study
Authors: Cui Zhichao , Yuan Xiaoming , Zhang Meiqing
Published: December 2017

With large number of wind farms integrating into grid, the dynamic behaviour of power system has been impacted significantly. To study the impacts of wind farm on power system, the dynamic modelling of wind farm is important. Compared with modelling all the wind turbines of wind farm in detail, aggregating the wind farm to reduce the complexity of model is a better choice. Several studies have put forward some aggregation methods, such as single‐machine representation and multi‐machine representation. However, applicability of these methods is limited and they cannot aggregate different types of wind turbines. This study proposes a wind farm aggregation method based on motion equation concept. By defining bus voltage as internal voltage of the aggregation model, the relationship between internal voltage and unbalanced power of wind farm is established. An aggregated model of wind farm in DC‐link voltage control timescale is built and time‐domain simulation results are presented to verify the feasibility of this model. The aggregation method can aggregate wind turbines regardless of their types and working status. In addition, this aggregation method can be applied to modelling other systems in other timescales based on motion equation concept.
Refractory Chest Pain or Treating Cardiologist's Bane: A Case Report
Authors: Hegde Anupama , Tibdewal Abhinay , Prakash Vadagenalli , Sahoo Sarthak
Published: December 2017

Microvascular angina is caused by dysfunction of small-resistance coronary arteries (< 500 µm) and is of heterogenous origin. The major epicardial coronaries are normal and commonly seen in women. Prognosis is variable, with disabling angina in many patients and can be a cause of mortality, especially in those who are refractory to treatment. In this background, we present a case of 56-year-old post valve replacement with normally functioning aortic valve and recurrent episodes of microvascular angina. The patient had normal epicardial coronaries. She had recurrent episodes of angina refractory to various antianginals associated with hemodynamic instability. Microvascular angina can curtail routine activity, frequent hospitalization, and repeated noninvasive and invasive investigations. Thus, it is a high social and economical disease, especially pertinent to women.
Correlation of Treadmill Stress Test with Coronary Angiography to Predict Coronary Artery Disease in Males versus Females
Authors: Maneesh Kumar B. , Bhuvaneshwari Edavaluru
Published: December 2017

Background Treadmill stress test (TMT) is the most commonly performed stress test for diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) in outpatient setting. The present study was conducted to find correlation of TMT with coronary angiography (CAG) in males versus female patients.

Methods Total 422 patients who had undergone CAG and TMT were enrolled in present study. TMT test was done using Bruce protocol, and results were classified as inconclusive, low, intermediate, and high probability for inducible ischemia.

Results Of 422 patients enrolled in the present study, 290 (69%) were males and 132 (31%) were females. Clinical presentation was angina on exertion CCS class II–III in 302 (71.6%) patients and angina equivalent in 124 (29.4%) patients. Out of these, 211 (50.2%) were diabetic and 308 (72.9%) were hypertensive. TMT was inconclusive, low, intermediate, and high probability for inducible ischemia in 35 (8.2%), 40 (9.7%), 19 (4.5%), and 328 (77.7%) patients, respectively. CAGs were normal in 149 (35.4%) patients and abnormal in 273 (64.6%) patients. Out of 328 patients with strongly positive TMT, 104 (31.7%) had normal coronaries, 56 (17%) had mild CAD, while 75 (22.8%) had SVD. LMCA disease, DVD, and TVD were found in 5 (1.5%), 48 (14.6%), and 40 (12.1%) patients, respectively. Of 132 female patients, 70 (53%) were found to have CAD and 62 (47%) had normal coronaries on CAG. Of 290 males, 241(83.1%) were found to have CAD and 49 (16.8%) had normal coronaries on CAG. Positive predictive value (PPV) in females was 53% and in males was 83%. Subgroup analysis showed that if there was high-probability TMT along with older age (p < 0.00), male sex (p < 0.01), and diabetes (p < 0.00), chances of having CAD were more.

Conclusion PPV of positive TMT in female is 53% and in male is 83%. High-probability TMT along with the older age, male sex, and presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) makes the probability of having CAD is high.
Options in Repositioning the Asymmetric Brow from Paralysis and Trauma
Authors: Wang Lexie , Han Reintine , Mourad Moustafa , Ducic Yadranko , Lee Thomas
Published: December 2017

Brow asymmetry is a relatively common occurrence, especially in the facial plastic surgeon's office. In this article, the authors review causes of brow asymmetry, pertinent anatomy, and a litany of treatment options including nonsurgical and surgical approaches. They offer an algorithm that summarizes the various techniques for management with the goal of tailoring treatment tactics to the individual patient's needs.
Secondary Repair of Posttraumatic Enophthalmos and Extraocular Movement Disorders
Authors: Ali Kausar , Schultz Kelly , Marx Douglas , Buchanan Edward , Hollier Larry
Published: December 2017

Enophthalmos, or recession of the eye posteriorly and inferiorly, is a potential sequela of orbital trauma and a source of significant cosmetic and functional concern. Late enophthalmos occurs when early reconstruction of the bony orbit fails to completely restore normal orbital shape and volume, resulting in aesthetic deformity and persistent diplopia. In this article, we provide a framework for evaluation of posttraumatic enophthalmos and outline the surgical principles of secondary repair necessary to optimize globe position. With implementation of proper craniofacial exposure, osteotomy, and orbital reconstruction, surgeons may achieve significant improvement in both the aesthetic and functional sequelae of enophthalmos.
Begutachtung von Hörschäden
Authors: Thielker Jovanna , Schneider Gerlind , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando
Published: December 2017

Die Beurteilung von Hörschäden ist eine häufige Fragestellung in HNO-Gutachten, hierzu zählt die Bewertung von Hörschäden als Unfallfolge,
z. B. durch eine Kopfverletzung oder ein akut aufgetretenes Schalltrauma. Schwerhörigkeit als Folge einer beruflich bedingten chronischen
Lärmeinwirkung gehört zu den am häufigsten bewerteten Berufskrankheiten überhaupt. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet die Schadensbewertung und
entsprechende Rechtsgrundlagen.
Entwicklung und Evaluation eines ärztlich-psychotherapeutischen Befundberichts. Option für neue Zugangswege in die Suchtrehabilitation
Authors: Brünger Martin , Krüger Tim , Missel Peter , Feige Lothar , Spyra Karla
Published: December 2017

Fragestellung Trotz Leitlinien-Empfehlungen für die Rehabilitation von Abhängigkeitserkrankungen ist die Inanspruchnahme von Entwöhnungsbehandlungen niedrig und war zwischen 2010 und 2015 sogar um 20% rückläufig. Bislang ist der Zugang zur Suchtrehabilitation im Unterschied zur somatischen und psychosomatischen Rehabilitation nicht direkt aus dem ambulanten Sektor möglich, sondern erfolgt im Regelfall über Suchtberatungsstellen. Es scheinen schnittstellenbedingte und weitere Barrieren im Zugang zu Entwöhnungsbehandlungen zu bestehen. Ziel der qualitativen Studie war die Entwicklung und Evaluation eines ärztlich-psychotherapeutischen Befundberichts, der ergänzend im direkten Zugang zur Suchtrehabilitation eingesetzt werden kann.

Material und Methoden Literatur-basiert wurde eine Entwurfsversion des Befundberichts konzipiert, welche nachfolgend im Rahmen eines mehrstufigen Delphi-Verfahrens durch 15 Experten aus allen relevanten Bereichen und Professionen evaluiert wurde.

Ergebnisse Aufbau, Inhalt und Verständlichkeit des Befundberichts wurden positiv bewertet, die Schaffung eines ergänzenden Zugangswegs in die Rehabilitation Abhängigkeitskranker begrüßt. Nach mehrfacher Überarbeitung und Rückkopplung mit den Experten konnte eine Pilotversion konsentiert werden.

Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung Eine Pilotversion des Befundberichts liegt vor, welche zukünftig insbesondere durch niedergelassene Psychiater, Psychotherapeuten und Hausärzte genutzt werden kann. Auf Grundlage einer qualifizierten ärztlich-psychotherapeutischen Befundung könnten neue Zugangswege in die Suchtrehabilitation für bislang nicht hinlänglich erreichte Patientengruppen mit Rehabilitationsbedarf erschlossen werden.
Bubble inductors: Pneumatic tuning of a stretchable inductor
Authors: Lazarus Nathan , Bedair Sarah S.
Published: December 2017

From adaptive matching networks in power systems to channel selectable RF filters and circuitry, tunable inductors are fundamental components for circuits requiring reconfigurability. Here we demonstrate a new continuously tunable inductor based on physically stretching the inductor traces themselves. Liquid-metal-based stretchable conductors are wrapped around a pneumatic bubble actuator, allowing the inductor to be collapsed or expanded by application of pressure. In vacuum the bubble collapses, bringing the loop area to nearly zero, while positive pressure brings a dramatic increase in area and loop inductance. Using this approach, the inductor demonstrated in this work was able to achieve a tuning ratio of 2.6 with 1-2 second response time. With conductors available that can stretch by hundreds of percent, this technique is promising for very large tuning ratios in continuously tunable inductors.
Magnetic and electron spin resonance studies of W doped CoFe2O4 polycrystalline materials
Authors: Singamaneni S. R. , Martinez L. M. , Swadipta R. , Ramana C. V.
Published: December 2017

We report the magnetic and electron spin resonance (ESR) properties of W doped CoFe2O4 polycrystalline materials, prepared by standard solid-state reaction method. W was doped (0-15%) in CFO lattice on Fe site. Isothermal magnetization measurements reveal that the coercive field (Hc) (1300-2200 Oe) and saturation magnetization MS (35-82 emu/g) vary strongly as a function of W doping at all the temperatures (4-300 K) measured. We believe that a strong decrease in magnetic anisotropy in CFO after doping with W could cause a decrease in Hc. Up on doping CFO with W in place of Fe, the process transforms part of Fe3+ into Fe2+ due to the creation of more oxygen vacancies. This hinders the super-exchange interaction between Fe3+ and Fe2+, which causes a decrease in MS. Zero-field cooled (ZFC) and field cooled (FC, 1000 Oe) magnetization responses measured at 4 K on 1% W doped CFO show no indication of exchange bias, inferring that there are no other microscopic secondary magnetic phases (no segregation). This observation is corroborated by ESR (9.398 GHz) measurements collected as a function of temperature (10-150 K) and W doping (0-15%). We find that ESR spectra did not change after doping with W above 0.5%. However, ESR spectra collected from 0.5% W doped CFO sample showed a strong temperature dependence. We observed several ESR signals from 0.5% W doped CFO sample that could be due to phase separation.
Design of a 40-nm CMOS integrated on-chip oscilloscope for 5-50 GHz spin wave characterization
Authors: Egel Eugen , Csaba György , Dietz Andreas , Breitkreutz-von Gamm Stephan , Russer Johannes , Russer Peter , Kreupl Franz , Becherer Markus
Published: December 2017

Spin wave (SW) devices are receiving growing attention in research as a strong candidate for low power applications in the beyond-CMOS era. All SW applications would require an efficient, low power, on-chip read-out circuitry. Thus, we provide a concept for an on-chip oscilloscope (OCO) allowing parallel detection of the SWs at different frequencies. The readout system is designed in 40-nm CMOS technology and is capable of SW device characterization. First, the SWs are picked up by near field loop antennas, placed below yttrium iron garnet (YIG) film, and amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA). Second, a mixer down-converts the radio frequency (RF) signal of 5 − 50 GHz to lower intermediate frequencies (IF) around 10 − 50 MHz. Finally, the IF signal can be digitized and analyzed regarding the frequency, amplitude and phase variation of the SWs. The power consumption and chip area of the whole OCO are estimated to 166.4 mW and 1.31 mm2, respectively.
A spray-on material can retrofit walls to save lives in earthquakes
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: December 2017

The cement-based layer can be applied to nonstructural masonry walls to make them bend rather than break.
Boosting solar energy conversion with nanofluids
Authors: Hjerrild Natasha E. , Taylor Robert A.
Published: December 2017

Suspensions of metallic nanoparticles can harvest valuable heat from sunlight that would otherwise go to waste in a photovoltaic cell.
A distributional semantic approach to the periodization of change in the productivity of constructions
Authors: Perek Florent , Hilpert Martin
Published: December 2017

This paper describes a method to automatically identify stages of language change in diachronic corpus data, combining variability-based neighbour clustering, which offers objective and reproducible criteria for periodization, and distributional semantics as a representation of lexical meaning. This method partitions the history of a grammatical construction according to qualitative stages of productivity corresponding to different semantic sets of lexical items attested in it. Two case studies are presented. The first case study on thehell-construction (“Verbthe hell out ofNP”) shows that the semantic development of a construction does not always match that of its quantitative aspects, like token or type frequency. The second case study on theway-construction compares the results of the present method with those of collostructional analysis. It is shown that the former measures semantic changes and their chronology with greater precision. In sum, this method offers a promising approach to exploring semantic variation in the lexical fillers of constructions and to modelling constructional change.
Again on the revolutionary subject: problematising class and subalternity in Gramsci on Tahrir
Authors: Roccu Roberto
Published: December 2017

Roberto Roccu’s intervention provides a detailed reading of the concepts of subalternity, common sense and passive revolution as employed in Gramsci on Tahrir. Roccu calls for a more sustained and careful reading of how ‘subaltern agency’ is invoked and performed in revolutionary upheavals.
Utilization of an intermediate of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway, (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate, as the prenyl donor substrate for various prenyltransferases
Authors: Hayashi Yoshifumi , Ito Tomokazu , Yoshimura Tohru , Hemmi Hisashi
Published: December 2017

(E)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl diphosphate (HMBPP) is an intermediate of the methylerythritol phosphate pathway. Utilization of HMBPP by lycopene elongase from Corynebacterium glutamicum, which is a UbiA-family prenyltransferase responsible for C50 carotenoid biosynthesis, was investigated using an Escherichia coli strain that contained the exogenous mevalonate pathway as well as the carotenoid biosynthetic pathway. Inhibition of the endogenous methylerythritol phosphate pathway resulted in loss of the production of C50 carotenoid flavuxanthin, while C40 lycopene formation was retained. Overexpression of E. coli ispH gene, which encodes HMBPP reductase, also decreased the production of flavuxanthin in E. coli cells. These results indicate the preference of lycopene elongase for HMBPP instead of the previously proposed substrate, dimethylallyl diphosphate. Furthermore, several (all-E)-prenyl diphosphate synthases, which are classified in a distinct family of prenyltransferase, were demonstrated to accept HMBPP, which implies that the compound is more widely used as a prenyl donor substrate than was previously expected.
A crude sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) extract is gelated by cooling
Authors: Nishizawa Kaho , Arii Yasuhiro
Published: December 2017

White sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) seeds have the potential to be utilized in the manufacturing of processed foods owing to their high protein and carbohydrate content. Our previous reports explored the use of the sword bean as a source of food materials by preparing extracts in distilled water. In the present study, we found that one such extract can be gelated by cooling. The gelling substances were extracted by boiling and simultaneously stirring a suspension containing ground beans. Few proteins were present in the gelated extract. We also examined the conditions under which gelation occurred and the gel melting temperature. The extract gelated at temperatures below 10 °C, and the resulting gel melted at those above 65 °C. This is the first report that gelling substances can be extracted from sword beans in large quantities. We expect that this gelling agent can be used for the production of processed foods.
p38 MAPK inhibits autophagy and promotes microglial inflammatory responses by phosphorylating ULK1
Authors: He Yingli , She Hua , Zhang Ting , Xu Haidong , Cheng Lihong , Yepes Manuel , Zhao Yingren , Mao Zixu
Published: December 2017

Inflammation and autophagy are two critical cellular processes. The relationship between these two processes is complex and includes the suppression of inflammation by autophagy. However, the signaling mechanisms that relieve this autophagy-mediated inhibition of inflammation to permit a beneficial inflammatory response remain unknown. We find that LPS triggers p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)–dependent phosphorylation of ULK1 in microglial cells. This phosphorylation inhibited ULK1 kinase activity, preventing it from binding to the downstream effector ATG13, and reduced autophagy in microglia. Consistently, p38α MAPK activity is required for LPS-induced morphological changes and the production of IL-1β by primary microglia in vitro and in the brain, which correlates with the p38α MAPK-dependent inhibition of autophagy. Furthermore, inhibition of ULK1 alone was sufficient to promote an inflammatory response in the absence of any overt inflammatory stimulation. Thus, our study reveals a molecular mechanism that enables the initial TLR4-triggered signaling pathway to inhibit autophagy and optimize inflammatory responses, providing new understanding into the mechanistic basis of the neuroinflammatory process.
Clinical Practice Guideline for Physical Therapy Assessment and Treatment in Patients With Nonspecific Neck Pain
Authors: Bier Jasper D , Scholten-Peeters Wendy G.M , Staal J Bart , Pool Jan , van Tulder Maurits W , Beekman Emmylou , Knoop Jesper , Meerhoff Guus , Verhagen Arianne P
Published: December 2017

The Royal Dutch Society for Physical Therapy (KNGF) issued a clinical practice guideline for physical therapists that addresses the assessment and treatment of patients with nonspecific neck pain, including cervical radiculopathy, in Dutch primary care. Recommendations were based on a review of published systematic reviews.

During the intake, the patient is screened for serious pathologies and corresponding patterns. Patients with cervical radiculopathy can be included or excluded through corresponding signs and symptoms and possibly diagnostic tests (Spurling test, traction/distraction test, and Upper Limb Tension Test). History taking is done to gather information about patients’ limitations, course of pain, and prognostic factors (eg, coping style) and answers to health-related questions.

In case of a normal recovery (treatment profile A), management should be hands-off, and patients should receive advice from the physical therapist and possibly some simple exercises to supplement “acting as usual.”

In case of a delayed/deviant recovery (treatment profile B), the physical therapist is advised to use, in addition to the recommendations for treatment profile A, forms of mobilization and/or manipulation in combination with exercise therapy. Other interventions may also be considered. The physical therapist is advised not to use dry needling, low-level laser, electrotherapy, ultrasound, traction, and/or a cervical collar.

In case of a delayed/deviant recovery with clear and/or dominant psychosocial prognostic factors (treatment profile C), these factors should first be addressed by the physical therapist, when possible, or the patient should be referred to a specialist, when necessary.

In case of neck pain grade III (treatment profile D), the therapy resembles that for profile B, but the use of a cervical collar for pain reduction may be considered. The advice is to use it sparingly: only for a short period per day and only for a few weeks.
A Type 3 Prophage of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ Carrying a Restriction-Modification System
Authors: Zheng Zheng , Bao Minli , Wu Fengnian , Van Horn Christopher , Chen Jianchi , Deng Xiaoling
Published: December 2017

Prophages, the lysogenic form of bacterial phages, are important genetic entities of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas), a nonculturable α-proteobacterium associated with citrus Huanglongbing. Two CLas prophages have been described, SC1 (NC_019549.1, Type 1) and SC2 (NC_019550.1, Type 2), which involve the lytic cycle and the lysogenic cycle, respectively. To explore the prophage repertoire, 523 CLas DNA samples extracted from leaf petioles of CLas-infected citrus were collected from southern China and surveyed for Type 1 and Type 2 prophages by specific PCR. Eighteen samples were found lacking both prophages. One sample, JXGC, sequenced using Illumina HiSeq, generated >100 million short sequence reads (150 bp per read). Read mapping to known prophage sequences showed a sequence coverage of 46% to SC1 and 50% to SC2. BLAST search using SC1 and SC2 as queries identified three contigs from the JXGC de novo assembly that form a circular P-JXGC-3 (31,449 bp), designated as a new Type 3 prophage. Chromosomal integration of P-JXGC-3 was detected to occur within a helicase gene, resulting in a duplication of this gene. P-JXGC-3 had 36 open reading frames (ORFs), 10 of which were not found in Type 1 or Type 2 prophages, including four genes that encoded a restriction-modification (R-M) system (hsdR, hsdS, hsdM1, and hsdM2). Typed by prophage-specific PCR, the CLas strains in southern China contained all combinations of the three prophage types with the exception of a Type 2−Type 3 combination, suggesting active ongoing prophage−phage interactions. Based on gene annotation, P-JXGC-3 is not capable of reproduction via the lytic cycle. The R-M system was speculated to play a role against Type 1 prophage−phage invasion.
Estimating minimally important differences for the PROMIS pain interference scales: results from 3 randomized clinical trials
Authors: Chen Chen X. , Kroenke Kurt , Stump Timothy E. , Kean Jacob , Carpenter Janet S. , Krebs Erin E. , Bair Matthew J. , Damush Teresa M. , Monahan Patrick O.
Published: December 2017

Minimally important difference (MID) refers to the smallest meaningful difference that carries implications for patient care. Minimally important differences are necessary to help interpret patient-reported pain outcomes in research and clinical practice. The PROMIS pain interference scales were validated across diverse samples; however, more information about their MIDs could improve their interpretability. The purpose of this study was to estimate MIDs for 4 fixed-length PROMIS pain interference scales, including the 6-item Pain Short Form and the 4-, 6-, and 8-item pain interference scales used in the PROMIS profile instruments. Data were analyzed from 3 randomized controlled trials (N = 759). The 3 samples, respectively, consisted of patients with chronic low back pain (n = 261), chronic back pain or hip/knee osteoarthritis pain (n = 240), and a history of stroke (n = 258). For each sample, anchor- and distribution-based approaches were used to estimate MIDs. Standard error of measurement and effect sizes were used as distribution-based MID estimates. Anchor-based MID estimates were established by mapping PROMIS pain interference scores onto established anchor measures, including the Brief Pain Inventory, and retrospective and prospective global ratings of change. The distribution- and anchor-based MID estimates showed convergence. For the pain samples, MID estimates ranged from 2 to 3 T-score points. For the nonpain sample, MID estimates ranged from 3.5 to 4.5 T-score points. The MID estimates were comparable across the 4 fixed-length scales. These MIDs can be used to evaluate treatment effects in research and clinical care and to calculate estimates for powering clinical trials.
Terson Syndrome Before Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Wang YunZu Michele , Nudleman Eric , Vinocur Daniel , Kuo Dennis John
Published: December 2017

A previously healthy 2-year-old female infant presented with pancytopenia and was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Before the initiation of treatment, she developed symptoms concerning for increased intracranial pressure. Head imaging revealed left parietal hemorrhage, in addition to a right vitreous hemorrhage, which was confirmed on ophthalmology examination later. Terson syndrome, in which intraocular hemorrhage is associated with intracranial hemorrhage, is more commonly reported in adults, although ocular manifestations of leukemia have been reported at presentation and are typically asymptomatic.
Kaiser's School of Nursing
Authors: D'Alfonso Jim , Jones Deloras , Moss Terri
Published: December 2017

A legacy project was launched in 2016 to research, capture, and record the history and voice of Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing alumni. The inspirational stories of these early nursing pioneers emerged within a disruptive and innovative health care system known as Kaiser Permanente. Led by a doctorally prepared nurse director, the new school boldly rejected the dominant social norms of the 1940s by welcoming minorities and offering an unprecedented curriculum that prioritized prevention, health promotion, and wellness over conventional institutionalized sick care models. Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing alumni became Kaiser Permanente's earliest nurse leaders, educators, and care advocates. They helped revolutionize the key concepts of integrated patient care. As early innovators, many graduates pursued advanced degrees and were instrumental in defining expanded nursing roles, including the introduction of nurse practitioners in California. How Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing transcended the traditions and cultural norms of the day offers a reflective narrative on the enduring leadership attributes of disruptive innovation and the nurse executive's role in reimagining care for future generations.
Buildings, Barriers, and Breakthroughs
Authors: Kaelin Karla , Okland Kathy
Published: December 2017

Health care architecture and design are critical resources that are often underestimated and overlooked. As we seek to extract every available resource at our disposal to serve patients and sustain the bottom line, it is vital that we consider the influence the building imposes on the patient and caregiver experiences. Buildings impact both caregiver behaviors and the economic enterprise and are, therefore, the business of health care executives. This understanding is not only an executive obligation, it is an executive opportunity. Furthermore, the built environment can be a source for innovation in an industry whose future depends on nurse leaders to champion ingenuity with simplicity and relevance. Nurse leaders are ideally positioned to bridge health care building design and best practice.
Improving the annotation of the Heterorhabditis bacteriophora genome
Authors: McLean Florence , Berger Duncan , Laetsch Dominik R. , Schwartz Hillel T. , Blaxter Mark
Published: December 2017

Genome assembly and annotation remains an exacting task. As the tools available for these tasks improve, it is useful to return to data produced with earlier instances to assess their credibility and correctness. The entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is widely used to control insect pests in horticulture. The genome sequence for this species was reported to encode an unusually high proportion of unique proteins and a paucity of secreted proteins compared to other related nematodes. We revisited the H. bacteriophora genome assembly and gene predictions to ask whether these unusual characteristics were biological or methodological in origin. We mapped an independent resequencing dataset to the genome and used the blobtools pipeline to identify potential contaminants. While present (0.2% of the genome span, 0.4% of predicted proteins), assembly contamination was not significant. Re-prediction of the gene set using BRAKER1 and published transcriptome data generated a predicted proteome that was very different from the published one. The new gene set had a much reduced complement of unique proteins, better completeness values that were in line with other related species’ genomes, and an increased number of proteins predicted to be secreted. It is thus likely that methodological issues drove the apparent uniqueness of the initial H. bacteriophora genome annotation and that similar contamination and misannotation issues affect other published genome assemblies.
Serotonin 5-HT1A receptor binding and self-transcendence in healthy control subjects - a replication study using Bayesian hypothesis testing
Authors: Griffioen Gina , Matheson Granville James , Cervenka Simon , Farde Lars , Borg Jacqueline
Published: December 2017

Objective

A putative relationship between markers for the serotonin system and the personality scale self-transcendence (ST) and its subscale spiritual acceptance (SA) has been demonstrated in a previous PET study of 5-HT1A receptor binding in healthy control subjects. The results could however not be replicated in a subsequent PET study at an independent centre. In this study, we performed a replication of our original study in a larger sample using Bayesian hypothesis testing to evaluate relative evidence both for and against this hypothesis.

Methods

Regional 5-HT1A receptor binding potential (BPND) was examined in 50 healthy male subjects using PET with the radioligand [11C]WAY100635. 5-HT1A availability was calculated using the simplified reference tissue model (SRTM) yielding regional BPND. ST and SA were measured using the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) questionnaire. Correlations between ST/SA scores and 5-HT1A BPND in frontal cortex, hippocampus and raphe nuclei were examined by calculation of default correlation Bayes factors (BFs) and replication BFs.

Results

There were no significant correlations between 5-HT1A receptor binding and ST/SA scores. Rather, five of six replication BFs provided moderate to strong evidence for no association between 5-HT1A availability and ST/SA, while the remaining BF provided only weak evidence.

Conclusion

We could not replicate our previous findings of an association between 5-HT1A availability and the personality trait ST/SA. Rather, the Bayesian analysis provided evidence for a lack of correlation. Further research should focus on whether other components of the serotonin system may be related to ST or SA. This study also illustrates how Bayesian hypothesis testing allows for greater flexibility and more informative conclusions than traditional p-values, suggesting that this approach may be advantageous for analysis of molecular imaging data.
On the Impact of Interhemispheric White Matter: Age, Executive Functioning, and Dedifferentiation in the Frontal Lobes
Authors: Waters Abigail B. , Sawyer Kayle S. , Gansler David A.
Published: December 2017

Introduction

In middle age, declines in executive functioning (EF) are associated with decrements in the quality and/or quantity of white and grey matter. Recruitment of homologous regions has been identified as a compensatory mechanism for cognitive decline in later middle age, however research into neural substrates of EF has yet to be guided by dedifferentiation models. We hypothesized that frontal-parietal grey matter volume, interhemispheric white matter and intrahemispheric white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) will be predictive of EF. Further, we hypothesized that the comparative association between interhemispheric white matter and EF will increase with age, because of compensatory recruitment.

Methods

Neurocognitive test data, DTI, and T1 MPRAGE scans (n= 444) were obtained from the NKI-Rockland Sample. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the relationship between age, EF, interhemispheric white matter (forceps minor; FM), intrahemispheric white matter (superior longitudinal fasciculus; SLF), and a frontal-parietal grey matter network. EF and grey matter were modelled as latent variables, with EF examined as the criterion. Additionally, a subsample of participants aged 55-85 (n= 168) was analyzed to examine the influence of age related compensatory mechanisms.

Results

There was a significant relationship between FM, grey matter, and EF, which was fully mediated by age. There was a significant relationship between SLF and EF, which was not mediated by age. For older adults, only the age-mediated pathway from FM to EF was significant.

Discussion

Using structural imaging data, support was found for age-related interhemispheric mechanisms of compensation, but not intrahemispheric mechanisms.

Key points

(1) Neural substrates of executive functioning are not static across the lifespan. (2) In older adults, white matter becomes more salient as a structural correlate of executive functioning, as recruitment needs increase. (3) While the importance of interhemispheric white matter is mediated by age, intrahemispheric recruitment remains consistent across the lifespan, and is not the primary mechanism of age-based compensation in community dwelling older adults.
Visual Representation of Experimental Protocols
Authors: Scott-Brown James , Papachristodoulou Antonis
Published: December 2017

Using robots to automate laboratory tasks could increase throughput and reproducibility, but requires experimental protocols to be specified in a computer-readable format. We present a new user interface (Lists of Liquids) for specifying experimental protocols by directly manipulating a diagram: rather than having to specify individual liquid handling operations, the user can simply specify that particular lists of liquids should be combined as either a Cartesian product or convolution, and the system will plan a series of liquid handling steps to achieve this. This is intended to provide a higher-level interface in order to make the creation of protocols faster and less error prone.
Catalytic potential and disturbance rejection of glycolytic kinases in the human red blood cell
Authors: Yurkovich James T. , Alcantar Miguel A. , Haiman Zachary B. , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: December 2017

The allosteric regulation of metabolic enzymes plays a key role in controlling the flux through metabolic pathways. The activity of such enzymes is traditionally described by allosteric rate laws in complex kinetic models of metabolic network function. As an alternative, we describe the fraction of the regulated enzyme that is in an active form by developing a detailed reaction network of all known ligand binding events to the enzyme. This fraction is the fundamental result of metabolic regulation as it represents the “tug of war” among the various regulators and substrates that determine the utilization of the enzyme. The active fraction corresponds to the utilization of the catalytic potential of the enzyme. Using well developed kinetic models of human red blood cell (RBC) glycolysis, we characterize the catalytic potential of its three key kinases: hexokinase (HEX), phosphofructokinase (PFK), and pyruvate kinase (PYK). We then compute their time-dependent interacting catalytic potentials. We show how detailed kinetic models of the management of the catalytic potential of the three kinases elucidates disturbance rejection capabilities of glycolysis. Further, we examine the sensitivity of the catalytic potential through an examination of existing personalized RBC models, providing a physiologically-meaningful sampling of the feasible parameter space. The graphical representation of the dynamic interactions of the individual kinase catalytic potential adjustment provides an easy way to understand how a robust homeostatic state is maintained through interacting allosteric regulatory mechanisms.
Optimal Vaccination of a General Population Network via Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Sanders Lloyd , Woolley-Meza Olivia
Published: December 2017

Herein we extend the work from Patel et al. (1) to find the approximate, optimal distribution of vaccinations of a virus spreading on a network with the use of Genetic Algorithms (GAs). We situate our investigation in an online social network, a Facebook graph of ~4000 nodes. Within this framework we investigate the performance of an optimized vaccine distribution scheme against that of a well known heuristic scheme: the vaccination of highly ranked nodes. We include also a baseline scheme of vaccinating random nodes. We show the algorithm is superior to rank scheme in low vaccine coverages, and performs comparably for most other coverage values, lending support to the optimality of this heuristic measure.