bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrical stimulation for evoking offset analgesia: A human volunteer methodological study
Authors: Petersen K.K. , Mørch C.D. , Ligato D. , Arendt‐Nielsen L.
Published: May 2018

Background

Offset analgesia (OA) is a disproportionally large decrease in the pain perception in response to a small decrease in the stimulation intensity. Traditionally, heat stimulation has been used to evoke OA. The aim of this study was to investigate whether OA could be evoked by electrical stimulation.

Methods

Healthy volunteers (N = 24) underwent two OA‐experimental sessions consisting of heat stimuli intensities of 48‐49‐48 °C (traditional OA‐paradigm) and electrical stimuli at 150%‐180%‐150% of the electrical pain perception (EPP) threshold. The three stimuli were delivered for 5 s (STIM1), 5 s (STIM2) and 20 s (STIM3), respectively. The sessions were randomized to the dominant or nondominant volar forearm. Two control sessions were performed with 30 s constantly heat (48 °C) and electrical stimuli (150% of the EPP) (CONTROL‐STIM). In all sessions, the pain intensities were constantly rated on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS, 0‐10).

Results

Significantly reduced STIM3 VAS ratings as compared to the CONTROL‐STIM were reported for heat (1.81 ± 0.54; p < 0.001) and electrical (2.12 ± 0.42; p < 0.001) stimuli. The degrees of OA produced by heat and electrical stimuli were similar. A significantly positive correlation was found between thermal and electrical OA‐effects (r = 0.48, p < 0.02).

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that electrical stimulation can elicit significant OA in humans indicating that the peripheral receptors can be bypassed and still evoke OA. Application of the electrical OA model may be of interest for further basic and clinical investigations as a potential new biomarker for central pain inhibition and provide the option to back‐translate the technology to animals to understand the underlying neurobiology.

Significance

Electrical stimulation can elicit offset analgesia in humans, indicating that this perceptual modification can be obtained even bypassing peripheral receptors.
Interlaboratory method validation of icIEF methodology for analysis of monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Wu Gang , Yu Chuanfei , Wang Wenbo , Wang Lan
Published: May 2018

CE is central to the analysis, process development and approval of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Recently, imaged capillary isoelectric focusing (icIEF) has emerged as a powerful technique for quantitative protein charge heterogeneity monitoring and characterization, particularly for mAbs. However, icIEF has yet to be validated for therapeutically relevant mAbs adhering to the ICH guideline (International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use). Here, for the first time, icIEF technology was validated by 10 laboratories across 8 independent companies using a therapeutic mAb. The parameters of this method validation strictly follow the guideline of the ICH. This guideline includes specificity, precision, accuracy, linearity, range, LOQ and robustness. These results represent a significant step forward in standardizing the use of icIEF methods for the clinical approval of therapeutic mAbs.
Application of cationic polymer micelles for the dispersal of bacterial biofilms
Authors: Borisova Dayana , Haladjova Emi , Kyulavska Mariya , Petrov Petar , Pispas Stergios , Stoitsova Stoyanka , Paunova‐Krasteva Tsvetelina
Published: May 2018

Contamination of surfaces in hospitals and food industry by bacterial biofilms is a serious health risk. Of concern is their resistance to routine antibacterials and disinfectants. This requires the development of novel approaches to biofilm detachment. The study evaluates the effectiveness of cationic polymer micelles (CPMs) against pre‐formed biofilms. CPMs based on different polycations were used. The hydrodynamic radius of the particles ranged from 16 to 360 nm. Biofilms of Escherichia coli 420, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, Staphylococcus aureus 29213 and Bacillus subtilis 168 were cultivated for 24 h then the pre‐formed biofilms were treated with the CPMs for 2, 4 or 6 h. Biofilm biomass was evaluated by the crystal violet assay, and live/dead fluorescence test was applied for bacterial viability. The ability of CPMs to interact with pre‐formed biofilms of the model strains was evaluated. We observed that the most effective CPMs were those based on poly(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) copolymers which reduced the biofilm biomass three‐ to four‐fold compared with the treatment of the biofilm with water. Significantly reduced vitality of the bacteria in the biofilms was registered by the live/dead stain. The results indicate the applicability of the CPMs for disinfection of biofilm‐contaminated surfaces and the treatment of wounds.
Effect of superheated steam roasting with hot smoking treatment on improving physicochemical properties of the adductor muscle of pen shell (Atrina pectinate)
Authors: Mohibbullah Md. , Won Na Eun , Jeon Jong‐Hoe , An Jeong Hyeon , Park Yeseul , Kim Hari , Bashir Khawaja Muhammad Imran , Park Sun‐Mee , Kim Young Soo , Yoon Sung‐Joon , Sohn Jae Hak , Kim Andre , Choi Jae‐Suk
Published: May 2018

The adductor muscle of the pen shell Atrina pectinata (AMPS) is a popular protein‐enriched food item in Asian Pacific countries, and has only been marketed in the frozen condition, as a result browning and decreased sensory attributes occur. To overcome these problems, superheated steam roasting (at 270°C for 4 min) combined with the hot smoke (10 min) using a selective Oak sawdust was employed to develop a new AMPS product yielding high physicochemical properties during storage periods (0–13 days) especially at 10°C. The processed AMPS showed high sensory preferences because of good odor, color, and textural properties. It also significantly inhibited bacterial growth, volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive species, and pH changes, and eventually possessed higher nutritional composition with low trimethylamine N‐oxide level. Results indicate that saturated steam allows AMPS at good physicochemical conditions, whereas hot smoke‐derived aroma compounds prolong its shelf life through antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.
Tuning Enzymatically Crosslinked Silk Fibroin Hydrogel Properties for the Development of a Colorectal Cancer Extravasation 3D Model on a Chip
Authors: Carvalho Mariana R. , Maia Fátima Raquel , Vieira Sílvia , Reis Rui L. , Oliveira Joaquim M.
Published: May 2018

Microfluidic devices are now the most promising tool to mimic in vivo like scenarios such as tumorigenesis and metastasis due to its ability to more closely mimic cell's natural microenvironment (such as 3D environment and continuous perfusion of nutrients). In this study, the ability of 2% and 3% enzymatically crosslinked silk fibroin hydrogels with different mechanical properties are tested in terms of colorectal cancer cell migration, under different microenvironments in a 3D dynamic model. Matrigel is used as control. Moreover, a comprehensive comparison between the traditional Boyden chamber assay and the 3D dynamic microfluidic model in terms of colorectal cancer cell migration is presented. The results show profound differences between the two used biomaterials and the two migration models, which are explored in terms of mechanical properties of the hydrogels as well as the intrinsic characteristics of the models. Moreover, the developed 3D dynamic model is validated by demonstrating that hVCAM‐1 plays a major role in the extravasation process, influencing extravasation rate and traveled distance. Furthermore, the developed model enables precise visualization of cancer cell migration within a 3D matrix in response to microenvironmental cues, shedding light on the importance of biophysical properties in cell behavior.
Assessing indocyanine green pharmacokinetics in mouse liver with a dynamic diffuse fluorescence tomography system
Authors: Zhang Yanqi , Zhang Limin , Yin Guoyan , Ma Wenjuan , Gao Feng
Published: May 2018

Fluorescence pharmacokinetic rates in tissues can provide additional specific and quantitative physiological and pathological information for evaluating organ function. This modality requires a highly sensitive diffuse fluorescence tomography (DFT) working in dynamic way to finally extract the pharmacokinetic rates from the measured pharmacokinetics‐associated temporally varying boundary intensity, normally with the support of a priori anatomy. This paper is devoted to study pharmacokinetics of indocyanine green (ICG) in mouse liver based on synergistic dynamic‐DFT and X‐ray computer tomography (XCT): A highly sensitive dynamic DFT system of CT‐scanning mode working with parallel 4 photomultiplier‐tube photon‐counting channels generates informative and instantaneous sampling datasets; An XCT system provides priori information of the target localization for improvement of the reconstruction quality; An analysis procedure extracts the pharmacokinetic rates from the reconstructed ICG concentration‐time curves, using the Gauss‐Newton scheme for fitting to a 2‐compartment model. The uptake and excretion rates of ICG which were obtained in livers of 10 healthy mice in the in vivo experiments can be used to quantitatively evaluate liver function. The results can validate the effectiveness of both the imaging measurements system and pharmacokinetic analysis method.
Excessive training induces molecular signs of pathologic cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: da Rocha Alisson L. , Teixeira Giovana R. , Pinto Ana P. , de Morais Gustavo P. , Oliveira Luciana da C. , de Vicente Larissa Gaioto , da Silva Lilian E. C. M. , Pauli José R. , Cintra Dennys E. , Ropelle Eduardo R. , de Moura Leandro P. , Mekary Rania A. , de Freitas Ellen C. , da Silva Adelino S. R.
Published: May 2018

Chronic exercise induces cardiac remodeling that promotes left ventricular hypertrophy and cardiac functional improvement, which are mediated by the mammalian or the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) as well as by the androgen and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs). However, pathological conditions (i.e., chronic heart failure, hypertension, and aortic stenosis, etc.) also induce cardiac hypertrophy, but with detrimental function, high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and myostatin, elevated fibrosis, reduced adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, and fetal gene reactivation. Furthermore, recent studies have evidenced that excessive training induced an inflammatory status in the serum, muscle, hypothalamus, and liver, suggesting a pathological condition that could also be detrimental to cardiac tissue. Here, we verified the effects of three running overtraining (OT) models on the molecular parameters related to physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy. C57BL/6 mice performed three different OT protocols and were evaluated for molecular parameters related to physiological and pathological cardiac hypertrophy, including immunoblotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, histology, and immunohistochemistry analyses. In summary, the three OT protocols induced left ventricle (LV) hypertrophy with signs of cardiac fibrosis and negative morphological adaptations. These maladaptations were accompanied by reductions in AMPKalpha (Thr172) phosphorylation, androgen receptor, and GR expressions, as well as by an increase in interleukin‐6 expression. Specifically, the downhill running–based OT model reduced the content of some proteins related to the mTOR signaling pathway and upregulated the β‐isoform of myosin heavy‐chain gene expression, presenting signs of LV pathological hypertrophy development.
Use of near‐infrared systems for investigations of hemodynamics in human in vivo bone tissue: A systematic review
Authors: Meertens Robert , Casanova Francesco , Knapp Karen M. , Thorn Clare , Strain William David
Published: May 2018

A range of technologies using near infrared (NIR) light have shown promise at providing real time measurements of hemodynamic markers in bone tissue in vivo, an exciting prospect given existing difficulties in measuring hemodynamics in bone tissue. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for this potential use of NIR systems, establishing their potential as a research tool in this field. Major electronic databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched using pre‐planned search strategies with broad scope for any in vivo use of NIR technologies in human bone tissue. Following identification of studies by title and abstract screening, full text inclusion was determined by double blind assessment using predefined criteria. Full text studies for inclusion were data extracted using a predesigned proforma and quality assessed. Narrative synthesis was appropriate given the wide heterogeneity of included studies. Eighty‐eight full text studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 57 addressing laser Doppler flowmetry (56 intra‐operatively), 21 near infrared spectroscopy, and 10 photoplethysmography. The heterogeneity of the methodologies included differing hemodynamic markers, measurement protocols, anatomical locations, and research applications, making meaningful direct comparisons impossible. Further, studies were often limited by small sample sizes with potential selection biases, detection biases, and wide variability in results between participants. Despite promising potential in the use of NIR light to interrogate bone circulation, the application of NIR systems in bone requires rigorous assessment of the reproducibility of potential hemodynamic markers and further validation of these markers against alternative physiologically relevant reference standards. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2595–2603, 2018.
High N fertilizer application to irrigated wheat in Northern Mexico for conventionally tilled and permanent raised beds: Effects on N balance and short term N dynamics
Authors: Grahmann Kathrin , Verhulst Nele , Dittert Klaus , Govaerts Bram , Buerkert Andreas
Published: May 2018

Nitrogen (N) surpluses from fertilizer application can cause major environmental harm including pollution of surface water, groundwater, and air. To assess such negative externalities, N balances are a complex but useful tool to predict surpluses and to measure effects of nutrient optimization strategies in agriculture. The Yaqui Valley in north‐western Mexico is representative for thousands of square kilometres of intensive, irrigated wheat production under arid conditions worldwide and has been targeted for conservation agriculture in recent years. For these cropping systems, detailed N balances are scarce and often incomplete. To help fill this knowledge gap, data from a long‐term experiment were collected in 2013/14 on a Vertisol to examine the impact of three tillage‐straw management practices (CTB: conventionally tilled beds; PB‐straw: permanent raised beds with residue retention; PB‐burn: permanent raised beds with residue burning) on N dynamics. Tillage had significant effects on soil NO3‐N, NH4‐N, and total N contents across the cropping period. Soil total N content was at all sampling depths lowest in CTB. Soil NO3‐N in the 0–90 cm profile was highest in PB‐burn over the cropping period and ranged from 77 kg ha−1in the bed before pre‐planting fertilizer application up to 269 kg ha−1in the furrow after the second fertilizer application. Annual simple N balances were +59 kg N ha−1in CTB, +39 kg N ha–1in PB‐straw, and +46 kg N ha−1in PB‐burn. Residual mineral soil N was significantly affected by tillage‐straw management and lowest for PB‐straw (+205 kg N ha−1) and highest for CTB, and for PB‐burn (+283 kg N ha−1each) in the 0–90 cm soil profile. Soil NO3‐N moved out of the effective wheat root zone, as indicated by the high residual NO3‐N content at 30–90 cm depth, which is an important pathway of N leaching. Quantifiable N losses through leaching and volatilization averaged 100 kg N ha−1. Our findings suggest that there is potential for substantial reductions in N inputs in all tillage‐straw systems to decrease N losses and to reduce mineral residual soil N, but care should be taken to avoid reducing grain protein content, which in PB straw was already below the quality standard. A knowledge transfer of the European “Nmin” concept is advisable in this region to regulate N fertilizer over‐application.
Effects of Ascophyllum nodosum seaweed extracts on lettuce growth, physiology and fresh‐cut salad storage under potassium deficiency
Authors: Chrysargyris Antonios , Xylia Panayiota , Anastasiou Myria , Pantelides Iakovos , Tzortzakis Nikos
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Potassium (K) deficiency in leafy vegetables such as lettuce is a major concern regarding quality. Seaweed (SW) extracts, as biostimulants, are biodegradable materials and have become increasingly popular as they are reported to enhance crop growth and yield.

RESULTS

In order to overcome K deficiencies (i.e. 375 vs 125 mg L−1), alternative foliar applications with extracts of Ascophyllum nodosum SW or K were examined using lettuce plants which were grown hydroponically. Potassium deficiency (at 125 mg L−1) reduced plant biomass, photosynthetic rate, leaf stomatal conductance, lettuce potassium content and tissue antioxidant capacity as compared with the higher K level (375 mg L−1). Application of SW increased the relative growth of lettuce in the low‐K treatment. The K level and/or SW application altered the plant's enzyme protective activity (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; peroxidase, POD) against oxidative stress and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Spray applications of SW mitigated the effects of K deficiency on indicators of enzyme activity and plant damage, back to levels of high K content (375 mg L−1). The high K level, but also SW application, increased the antioxidant activity of the processed lettuce before storage. Foliar application of the SW extract increased the quality of cut lettuce grown in 125 mg L−1 K conditions by reducing the rate of respiration and increasing consumer preference.

CONCLUSION

The SW application could alter the detrimental effects of K deficiency during lettuce growth and storage of processed products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Factors affecting effectiveness of knowledge management: A case of Bosnia and Herzegovina trade enterprises
Authors: Biloslavo Roberto , Kljajić‐Dervić Mirela , Dervić Šemsudin
Published: May 2018

The paper presents a conceptual model of factors affecting knowledge management effectiveness and determines whether knowledge management exerts a positive impact on business performance in trade enterprises of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Research data have been collected through a survey. The research sample was composed of 317 Bosnian companies that employ from 10 to 600 employees. Collected data were analysed by use of factor analysis and structural equation modelling. This is the first research carried out to prove influence of some organisational factors on knowledge management effectiveness in developing country such as Bosnia and Herzegovina by use of structural equation modelling. The research results suggest that organisational culture mediates the impact of human capital, information technology, organisational structure, and leadership on knowledge management effectiveness and confirm the hypothesis that the latter influences financial and nonfinancial indicators of business performance. The findings carry theoretical implications for knowledge management literature as they extend the scope of research on knowledge management from examining a set of independent organizational factors to examining a system‐wide mechanism that connects organisational elements and knowledge management effectiveness. The results of this study also provide a practical reference for the business when the latter considers investment into knowledge management system development, thus increasing their chance for success especially within developing countries.
Paley–Wiener theorem for line bundles over compact symmetric spaces and new estimates for the Heckman–Opdam hypergeometric functions
Authors: Ho Vivian M. , Ólafsson Gestur
Published: May 2018

Paley–Wiener type theorems describe the image of a given space of functions, often compactly supported functions, under an integral transform, usually a Fourier transform on a group or homogeneous space. In this article we proved a Paley–Wiener theorem for smooth sections f of homogeneous line bundles on a compact Riemannian symmetric space . It characterizes f with small support in terms of holomorphic extendability and exponential growth of their χ‐spherical Fourier transforms, where χ is a character of K. An important tool in our proof is a generalization of Opdam's estimate for the hypergeometric functions associated to multiplicity functions that are not necessarily positive. At the same time the radius of the domain where this estimate is valid is increased. This is done in an appendix.
Comparative genomic analysis of Myroides odoratimimus isolates
Authors: Hu Shaohua , Cao Lin , Wu Yiyin , Zhou Yajun , Jiang Tao , Wang Liqiang , Wang Qiujing , Ming Desong , Chen Shicheng , Wang Mingxi
Published: May 2018

Myroides odoratimimus is an important nosocomial pathogen. Management of M. odoratimimus infection is difficult owing to the multidrug resistance and the unknown pathogenesis mechanisms. Based on our previous genomic sequencing data of M. odoratimimus PR63039 (isolated from a patient with the urinary tract infection), in this study, we further performed comparative genomic analysis for 10 selected Myroides strains. Our results showed that these Myroides genome contexts were very similar and phylogenetically related. Various prophages were identified in the four clinical isolate genomes, which possibly contributed to the genome evolution among the Myroides strains. CRISPR elements were only detected in the two clinical (PR63039 and CCUG10230) isolates and two environmental (CCUG12700 and H1bi) strains. With more stringent cutoff parameters in CARD analysis, the four clinical M. odoratimimus contained roughly equal antibiotic resistance genes, indicating their similar antibiotic resistance profiles. The three clinical (CCUG10230, CCUG12901, CIP101113) and three environmental (CCUG12700, L41, H1bi) M. odoratimimus strains were speculated to carry the indistinguishable virulent factors (VFs), which may involve in the similar pathogenesis mechanism. Moreover, some VFs might confer to the high capacity of dissemination, attacking tissue cells and induction of autoimmune complications. Our results facilitate the research of antibiotic resistance and the development of therapeutic regimens for the M. odoratimimus infections.
Polypharmacological Drug−target Inference for Chemogenomics
Authors: Schneider Petra , Schneider Gisbert
Published: May 2018

Pharmacological drug actions are often caused by multi‐target effects. While most of the currently approved synthetic drugs were designed to interact with a single ‘on‐target’, these chemical agents often interact with additional ‘off‐targets’. Understanding and rationalizing these multiple interactions will be indispensable for the design of future precision medicines. We employed computational predictions of drug‐target interactions to analyze functional drug‐drug relationships. 900 approved drugs were represented in terms of their predicted activity fingerprints, considering 1158 potential target activities. A drug relationship network was constructed based on fingerprint similarity. The resulting network graph highlights clusters of compounds sharing similar predicted on‐ and off‐targets, and allows to identify mutual targets of drugs that were originally developed for different therapeutic indications. Such an analysis offers straightforward access to spotting potential off‐target liabilities and drug‐drug interactions, as well as drug repurposing opportunities.
l‐Citrulline Supplementation‐Increased Skeletal Muscle PGC‐1α Expression Is Associated with Exercise Performance and Increased Skeletal Muscle Weight
Authors: Villareal Myra O. , Matsukawa Toshiya , Isoda Hiroko
Published: May 2018

Scope

l‐citrulline has recently been reported as a more effective supplement for promoting intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production compared to l‐arginine. Here, the effect of l‐citrulline on skeletal muscle and its influence on exercise performance were investigated. The underlying mechanism of its effect, specifically on the expression of skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma coactivator‐1α (PGC‐1α), was also elucidated.

Methods and results

Six‐week‐old ICR mice were orally supplemented with l‐citrulline (250 mg kg−1) daily, and their performance in weight‐loaded swimming exercise every other day for 15 days, was evaluated. In addition, mice muscles were weighed and evaluated for the expression of PGC‐1α and PGC‐1α‐regulated genes. Mice orally supplemented with l‐citrulline had significantly higher gastrocnemius and biceps femoris muscle mass. Although not statistically significant, l‐citrulline prolonged the swimming time to exhaustion. PGC‐1α upregulation was associated with vascular endothelial growth factor α (VEGFα) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) upregulation. VEGFα and IGF‐1 are important for angiogenesis and muscle growth, respectively, and are regulated by PGC‐1α. Treatment with NG‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (l‐NAME), a nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, suppressed the l‐citrulline‐induced PGC‐1α upregulation in vitro.

Conclusion

Supplementation with l‐citrulline upregulates skeletal muscle PGC‐1α levels resulting in higher skeletal muscle weight that improves time to exhaustion during exercise.
Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide Supplementation Improves Alcoholic Liver Injury in Female Mice by Inhibiting Stearoyl‐CoA Desaturase 1
Authors: Wang Fei , Tipoe George L. , Yang Changqing , Nanji Amin A. , Hao Xiangfeng , So Kwok‐Fai , Xiao Jia
Published: May 2018

Scope

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is a water fraction of wolfberry, which has been demonstrated to possess a hepatoprotective effect in several liver disease models. However, the anti‐alcoholic liver disease (anti‐ALD) mechanism of LBP has not been investigated thoroughly. Its protective effects on both male and femal mice are investigated in the current study.

Methods and results

A chronic ethanol‐fed ALD in vivo model is applied to study the effect of LBP in both male and female mice. It is observed that ethanol causes more severe liver injury in female than male mice, and the ameliorative effects of LBP are also more significant in female mice, which are impaired after complete bilateral oophorectomy. The hepatic SCD1 expression is found to be positively correlated with the severity of the liver damage and the main mediator of LBP inducer of protection. The AMPK‐CPT pathway is also activated by LBP to rebalance the dysregulated lipid metabolism during ALD development. By using concurrent sodium palmitate and an ethanol‐induced in vitro cell damage model in AML‐12 cell line, it is characterized that LBP directly interacts with ERα instead of ERβ to activate the SCD1‐AMPK‐CPT pathway.

Conclusions

LBP is an effective and safe hepatoprotective agent against ALD primarily through the SCD1‐AMPK‐CPT pathway after ERα agonist.
Strategies to assist uptake of pelvic floor muscle training for people with urinary incontinence: A clinician viewpoint
Authors: Slade Susan C. , Hay‐Smith Jean , Mastwyk Sally , Morris Meg E. , Frawley Helena
Published: May 2018

Aims

The experiences and information needs of clinicians who use pelvic floor muscle training to manage urinary incontinence were explored.

Methods

Qualitative methods were used to conduct thematic analysis of data collected from clinician focus groups and interviews. Participants were registered physiotherapists and continence nurses in Melbourne, Australia. Recruitment was through a combination of purposive and “snowball” sampling and continued until data adequacy was reached.

Results

Twenty‐eight physiotherapists and one continence nurse participated in seven focus groups and one interview. The main finding communicated by the participants was that pelvic floor muscle training requires comprehensive descriptions of program details in order for clinicians to implement evidence‐based interventions. The following themes were identified: (1) pelvic floor muscle training tailored to the needs of each individual is essential; (2) training‐specific cues and verbal prompts assist patients to learn and engage with exercises; and (3) clinicians can benefit from research summaries and reports that provide explicit and comprehensive descriptions and decision rules about intervention content and progression. The data indicated that some clinicians can have difficulty interpreting and applying research findings because it is not always well reported.

Conclusions

Clinicians who use pelvic floor muscle training to treat urinary incontinence advised can benefit from accessing explicit details of interventions tested in research and reported as effective. They viewed tailoring therapy to individual goals and the use of verbal prompts and visualization cues as important engagement strategies for effective exercise performance. Explicit reporting could be facilitated by using an exercise guideline template, such as the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT).
Differences in the Neighborhood Retail Food Environment and Obesity Among US Children and Adolescents by SNAP Participation
Authors: Gorski Findling Mary T. , Wolfson Julia A. , Rimm Eric B. , Bleich Sara N.
Published: May 2018

Objective

The goal of this study was to understand the association between children's neighborhood food access and overweight/obesity in a national sample of US households, and whether this association differs by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation or household purchases.

Methods

Data were obtained from the National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey (2012‐2013; n = 3,748 children aged 2 to 18 years). Logistic regression was used to examine associations between neighborhood retail food access (≤1 mile from home), food purchases (including sugary beverages), and overweight/obesity, stratified by SNAP status (1,720 participants, 453 eligible nonparticipants, 1,575 SNAP ineligible). Store types included supermarkets/grocery, combination grocery/other (independent drug, dollar, and general stores), convenience, fast food, and non–fast food restaurants.

Results

Odds of childhood overweight/obesity (OR [95% CI]) were higher with greater access to combination grocery/other stores overall (1.10 [1.03‐1.17]) and for children in SNAP (1.14 [1.05‐1.24]). Eligible non‐SNAP children had higher odds of overweight/obesity with greater access to convenience stores (1.11 [1.04‐1.18]). The average child lived in a household with 6.3% of total spending at food outlets on sugary beverages (SNAP: 8.3%, eligible non‐SNAP: 7.7%, SNAP ineligible: 5.5%).

Conclusions

Greater neighborhood access to combination grocery/other stores is associated with higher obesity prevalence for children overall and those in SNAP.
A novel psbA mutation (Phe274–Val) confers resistance to PSII herbicides in wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum)
Authors: Lu Huan , Yu Qin , Han Heping , Owen Mechelle J , Powles Stephen B
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum) is a globally important weed of crops. Two atrazine‐resistant wild radish populations (R1 and R2), collected from the Western Australia grain belt, were investigated for resistance to photosystem II (PSII) herbicides.

RESULTS

Sequencing of the full‐length psbA gene revealed the well‐known Ser264–Gly substitution in population R1, whereas population R2 displayed a novel Phe274–Val substitution. Herbicide dose–response studies confirmed that the population with the Ser264–Gly mutation exhibited high‐level resistance to atrazine, but super‐sensitivity to bromoxynil. Plants possessing the novel Phe274–Val mutation exhibited a modest level of resistance to atrazine, metribuzin and diuron, and were bromoxynil susceptible. Structural modelling of the mutant D1 proteins predicts that the Ser264–Gly mutation endows atrazine resistance by abolishing H‐bonds, but confers bromoxynil super‐sensitivity by enhancing hydrogen bonding. The Phe274–Val substitution provides resistance to atrazine and diuron by indirectly affecting H‐bond formation between the Ser264 residue and the herbicides.

CONCLUSION

The results demonstrate that the Phe274–Val mutation is likely responsible for resistance to PSII‐inhibiting triazine and urea herbicides. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of the psbA Phe274–Val mutation in wild radish conferring resistance to PSII herbicides. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Control of a 2 × 2 coupled linear hyperbolic system sandwiched between 2 ODEs
Authors: Wang Ji , Krstic Miroslav , Pi Yangjun
Published: May 2018

Motivated by an engineering application in cable mining elevators, we address a new problem on stabilization of 2×2 coupled linear first‐order hyperbolic PDEs sandwiched between 2 ODEs. A novel methology combining PDE backstepping and ODE backstepping is proposed to derive a state‐feedback controller without high differential terms. The well‐posedness and invertibility properties of the PDE backstepping transformation are proved. All states, including coupled linear hyperbolic PDEs and 2 ODEs, are included in the closed‐loop exponential stability analysis. Moreover, boundedness and exponential convergence of the designed controller are proved. The performance is investigated via numerical simulation.
Modeling individualized coefficient alpha to measure quality of test score data
Authors: Liu Molei , Hu Ming , Zhou Xiao‐Hua
Published: May 2018

Individualized coefficient alpha is defined. It is item and subject specific and is used to measure the quality of test score data with heterogenicity among the subjects and items. A regression model is developed based on 3 sets of generalized estimating equations. The first set of generalized estimating equation models the expectation of the responses, the second set models the response's variance, and the third set is proposed to estimate the individualized coefficient alpha, defined and used to measure individualized internal consistency of the responses. We also use different techniques to extend our method to handle missing data. Asymptotic property of the estimators is discussed, based on which inference on the coefficient alpha is derived. Performance of our method is evaluated through simulation study and real data analysis. The real data application is from a health literacy study in Hunan province of China.
Determination of the Anti‐HIV Drug Nevirapine Using Electroactive 2D Material Pd@rGO Decorated with MoS2 Quantum Dots
Authors: Tiwari Preeti , Nirala Narsingh R. , Prakash Rajiv
Published: May 2018

Herein we report the detection of an anti‐HIV drug Nevirapine (NVP) through a sensitive electrochemical method using efficient electro‐active 2D materials; Palladium nanoparticles supported reduced graphene oxide (rGO), i.e., Pd@rGO, MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) and Pd@rGO decorated with MoS2 QDs modified electrodes. We have shown an interaction between Pd@rGO and MoS2 QDs in the composite based on FT‐IR and UV‐Vis. absorption studies. The interaction between Pd@rGO and MoS2 QDs in designed material leads to highly efficient electro‐activity that is actually responsible for the broad spectrum quantification of frequently used anti‐HIV drug Nevirapine. The electrochemical oxidation behaviour of NVP is studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV) over bare glassy carbon electrode and modified electrodes with alone Pd@rGO and MoS2 QDs and finally over designed material Pd@rGO/ MoS2 QDs. The excellent catalytic effect is observed over designed material as evident from oxidation at relatively lower potential of 0.65 V vs. Ag/AgCl and large peak current in comparison with others. Pd@rGO/ MoS2 QDs modified electrode exhibits a linear increase in oxidation peak current with an increase in NVP concentration in the range of 0.1 – 80 μM with limit of detection (LOD) of 50 nM at signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N): 3. The developed sensing platform shows excellent stability and sensitivity to make it suitable for the determination of NVP in the complex system.
Novel Synthesis of Immobilized Brønsted‐ Acidic Ionic Liquid: Application in Lignin Depolymerization
Authors: Singh Sandip K. , Dhepe Paresh L.
Published: May 2018

Designing of efficient catalyst for the valorization of lignin is a topic of long neglect due to intrinsic properties of lignin. We show designing of an efficient, stable and recyclable Immobilized‐Brønsted acidic ionic liquid (I‐BAIL), which was further used as a solid acid catalyst for the depolymerization of lignin. The synthesized I‐BAIL catalyst with sulfonic acid (–SO3H) groups was found to be stable until 250 °C and has 42.2 wt.% loading of BAIL anchored on silica framework. The detailed characterization (elemental, Thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transformation‐Infrared, Nuclear magnetic resonance) of catalyst disclosed formation of strong covalent bond between Si and carbon of BAIL, which in turn is responsible for achieving a stable catalyst. The catalyst could successfully depolymerize range of lignin substrates with high molecular weight (60000 Dalton) at 200 °C in 1 h to achieve 90% yield of tetrahydrofuran soluble products with good mass balance. The formation of products and correlation of products with lignin was achieved with the help of Nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, gas chromatography, gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography etc.
Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP)‐Responsive Properties of Phthalocyanine‐Doxorubicin Conjugates
Authors: Peng Xiao‐Hui , Chen Shao‐Fang , Xu Cai‐Hong , Zheng Bi‐Yuan , Ke Mei‐Rong , Huang Jian‐Dong
Published: May 2018

A series of novel phthalocyanine‐doxorubicin (Pc‐DOX) conjugates have been prepared with a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)‐sensitive linker of glycine‐proline (Gly‐Pro) dipeptide. Meanwhile, two Pc‐DOX conjugates (1 c and 3 c) without FAP‐sensitive linker have also been prepared for comparison. For Pc‐DOX conjugates, the photosensitizing properties of the phthalocyanines are partly quenched after being conjugated with DOX. The aggregation behavior of these conjugates is less affected by the surfactant of Cremophor EL compared with that of corresponding precursors in aqueous media. The FAP‐responsive properties have been demonstrated by HPLC analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy in phosphate buffered saline. The Pc‐Gly‐Pro‐DOX conjugate 2 b with longer linker is more sensitive to FAP than the other two Pc‐Gly‐Pro‐DOX conjugates (1 b and 3 b). The results suggest that the longer linker and smaller steric hindrance between phthalocyanine and Dox units are beneficial for the cleavage of Gly‐Pro linker induced by FAP, while the axial or peripheral substituted positions hardly allow the enzymolysis of FAP. This work can thus provide a valuable reference for the targeted chemo‐photodynamic therapy of cancer.
Micellar Route of the Synthesis of Alkyl Xylosides: An Unexpected Effect of Amphiphilic Imidazolium Ionic Liquids
Authors: Nowicki Janusz , Woch Julia , Łuczak Justyna , Zarębska Magdalena , Nowakowska‐Bogdan Ewa , Mościpan Małgorzata
Published: May 2018

This manuscript presents results from the investigation on the synthesis of alkyl xylosides by the novel, very efficient and promising protocol of the Fischer synthesis from unprotected xylose and aliphatic alcohol. The use of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ionic liquids as the catalysts with dual functionality (surfactant + acid catalyst) and micellar reaction system are the main novelty of described method. It has been found that in developed method of the synthesis of alkyl xylosides the reaction of unprotected xylose with aliphatic alcohols carried out in mild reaction conditions and leads to alkyl xylosides with high yields. In progress analyses by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC/MS) confirm the general postulated pathway of developed method.
Synthesis, Photochemical, Electrochemical and Cytotoxic Studies on Azobenzene Cored Dendrimer Decorated with Chalcone Motif
Authors: Selvarani Sivasamy , Rajakumar Perumal
Published: May 2018

p‐Nitroazobenzene cored dendrimers decorated with chalcone surface group has been synthesized upto second generation by click reaction through convergent strategy. Photoisomerisation of the synthesized azodendrimers at 365 nm reveal the isobestic point at 296 nm with photostationary state at 11 minutes. Cyclic voltammogram exhibited quasi reversible oxidation reduction potential for all the synthesized dendrimers. Further, the second generation azodendrimer show better cytotoxic effect against MCF‐7 human breast cancer cell lines than the lower generation dendrimers.
Choline Hydroxide Promoted Synthesis of N‐Aryl Anthraquinone Derivatives: Metal Free Approach to Ullmann Coupling Reactions
Authors: Pant Preeti L. , Sonune Rishikant K. , Shankarling Ganapati S.
Published: May 2018

A simple metal free alternative procedure for Ullmann type C−N coupling reactions has been achieved by allowing substituted bromo/chloro anthraquinones to react with a variety of amines in the presence of Choline hydroxide (ChOH). This reaction is also extended towards synthesis of commercially available Acid Blue 25 dye. Good to excellent yields (78‐95%) of N‐aryl anthraquinone products were obtained under mild conditions in reduced reaction time. This reaction is driven by SNAr mechanistic pathway, moreover compared to conventional methods, no metal catalyst is required, ChOH is an environmentally benign, cheaper catalyst recyclable up to five runs without remarkable loss of activity.
Research on the On‐Line Simulation of a Three‐Dimensional Temperature Field Model of Slab Continuous Casting
Authors: Kong Yiwen , Chen Dengfu , Liu Qiang , Chen Huabiao , Long Mujun
Published: May 2018

Based on the two‐dimensional heat transfer and solidification model, the differences in heat transfer boundary conditions in the casting direction and width direction of a slab are researched, and the results are verified by experiment. By using the method of “limited thickness slice unit”, the numerical discretization of each slice unit in the computational domain space is carried out in real time, and the casting information of all the slice units in the slab is tracked in real time, which achieves the effect of a three‐dimensional temperature field simulation model. Through the double process program, the three‐dimensional temperature field on‐line simulation model calculation cycle meets the on‐line control requirements. The three‐dimensional temperature field on‐line simulation model is successfully applied in a domestic steel mill to the 4th slab caster. The secondary cooling dynamic water model and dynamic soft‐reduction model based on the three‐dimensional temperature field are used to modify the original model. After modification, the qualified rate of crack detection feedback from rolling is improved by 1.4%, and the qualified rate is basically stable at approximately 99.5%. The incidence of transverse cracks, longitudinal cracks, and corner cracks on the slab surface decreases by 53.96%, 56.3%, and 29.19%, respectively.
Design optimization of truss structures with continuous and discrete variables by hybrid of biogeography‐based optimization and differential evolution methods
Authors: Jalili Shahin , Hosseinzadeh Yousef
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a hybrid BBO‐DE algorithm by hybridizing biogeography‐based optimization (BBO) and differential evolution (DE) methods for optimum design of truss structures with continuous and discrete variables. In BBO‐DE, the migration operator of BBO method serves as a local exploiter mechanism during the search process. Besides, DE has a role of the global exploration by performing multiple search directions in the search space to preserve more diversity in the population. By embedding of DE algorithm in BBO method as a mutation mechanism, the balance between the exploration and exploitation abilities is further improved. The comparative results with some of the most recently developed methods demonstrate the fast convergence properties of the proposed algorithm and confirm its effectiveness to solve optimum design problems of truss structures with continuous and discrete variables.
State of the Art and Research Challenges in the Area of Autonomous Control for a Reliable Internet of Services
Authors: van der Mei Rob , van den Berg Hans , Ganchev Ivan , Tutschku Kurt , Leitner Philipp , Lassila Pasi , Burakowski Wojciech , Liberal Fidel , Arvidsson Åke , Hoβfeld Tobias , Wac Katarzyna , Melvin Hugh , Grbac Tihana Galinac , Haddad Yoram , Key Peter
Published: May 2018

The explosive growth of the Internet has fundamentally changed the global society. The emergence of concepts like service-oriented architecture (SOA), Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Network as a Service (NaaS) and Cloud Computing in general has catalyzed the migration from the information-oriented Internet into an Internet of Services (IoS). This has opened up virtually unbounded possibilities for the creation of new and innovative services that facilitate business processes and improve the quality of life. However, this also calls for new approaches to ensuring quality and reliability of these services. The goal of this book chapter is to first analyze the state-of-the-art in the area of autonomous control for a reliable IoS and then to identify the main research challenges within it. A general background and high-level description of the current state of knowledge is presented. Then, for each of the three subareas, namely the autonomous management and real-time control, methods and tools for monitoring and service prediction, and smart pricing and competition in multi-domain systems, a brief general introduction and background are presented, and a list of key research challenges is formulated.
Security of Internet of Things for a Reliable Internet of Services
Authors: Arış Ahmet , Oktuğ Sema F. , Voigt Thiemo
Published: May 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) consists of resource-constrained devices (e.g., sensors and actuators) which form low power and lossy networks to connect to the Internet. With billions of devices deployed in various environments, IoT is one of the main building blocks of future Internet of Services (IoS). Limited power, processing, storage and radio dictate extremely efficient usage of these resources to achieve high reliability and availability in IoS. Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed DoS (DDoS) attacks aim to misuse the resources and cause interruptions, delays, losses and degrade the offered services in IoT. DoS attacks are clearly threats for availability and reliability of IoT, and thus of IoS. For highly reliable and available IoS, such attacks have to be prevented, detected or mitigated autonomously. In this study, we propose a comprehensive investigation of Internet of Things security for reliable Internet of Services. We review the characteristics of IoT environments, cryptography-based security mechanisms and D/DoS attacks targeting IoT networks. In addition to these, we extensively analyze the intrusion detection and mitigation mechanisms proposed for IoT and evaluate them from various points of view. Lastly, we consider and discuss the open issues yet to be researched for more reliable and available IoT and IoS.