bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of proteins, drying oils, waxes and resins in the works of art micro‐samples by chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques
Authors: Witkowski Bartłomiej , Duchnowicz Anna , Ganeczko Monika , Laudy Agnieszka , Gierczak Tomasz , Biesaga Magdalena
Published: November 2017

Simplified method for simultaneous identification of proteins, drying oils, waxes, and resins in the works‐of‐art samples was developed. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry were used to identify natural materials most frequently encountered in historical paintings. Protein binders were extracted with ammonia and purified using miniaturized solid‐phase microextraction (Omix tips) to efficiently suppress matrix interferences. Zwitterionic stationary phase was used for separation of 16 underivatized amino acids analysis with hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography that was subsequently quantified with liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was used to analyze drying oils, waxes, and resins after one‐step saponification/transmethylation with (m‐trifluoromethylphenyl)trimethylammonium hydroxide (Meth‐Prep II). While the drawback of this reagent is low reactivity towards hydroxyl groups, sample pretreatment was much simpler as compared to the other methods. Fatty acids derivatization with the Meth‐Prep II reagent was compared with their silylation using N,O‐bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide/trimethylchlorosilane mixture. It was concluded that fatty acids analysis as their methyl esters instead of trimethylsilyl esters had a minor impact on the method sensitivity. The developed method was used to analyze samples from 16th and 17th century historical paintings.
One‐pot synthesis of a multi‐template molecularly imprinted polymer for the extraction of six sulfonamide residues from milk before high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection
Authors: Kechagia Maria , Samanidou Victoria , Kabir Abuzar , Furton Kenneth G.
Published: November 2017

A highly selective molecularly imprinted polymer sorbent was synthesized and employed for the simultaneous determination of six sulfonamide antibiotic residues (sulfanilamide, sulfacetamide, sulfadiazine, sulfathiazole, sulfamerazine, and sulfamethizole) in milk samples. Multi‐analyte imprinted particles were used as a sorbent in solid‐phase extraction. Sulfonamides were separated on a high‐performance liquid chromatography column (Merck–Lichrospher RP18e, 5 μm 250 × 4 mm) and further identified and quantified by diode array detection. Several parameters including required loading of the molecularly imprinted polymer sorbent, mass of milk, volume, and type of elution solvent, as well as time for absorption and elution were investigated to obtain optimal experimental conditions. For comparison purpose, a non‐imprinted polymer was applied under the optimum conditions. The validation study according to the European Union Decision 2002/657/EC was based on the investigation of linearity, selectivity, stability, limits of detection and quantitation, decision limit, detection capability, trueness, precision, and ruggedness according to Youden's approach. The decision limit and detection capability values in the milk were achieved from 101.9 to 113.5 μg/kg and from 114.4 to 135.4 μg/kg, respectively, depending on the target sulfonamide drug. Finally, the optimized protocol was successfully applied to commercial milk samples and human breast milk.
Memory T cells are significantly increased in rejected liver allografts of rhesus monkeys
Authors: Kim Hwajung , Kim Hyeyoung , Lee Sun‐Kyung , Jin Xue‐Li , Kim Tae Jin , Park Chanho , Lee Jae‐Il , Kim Hyo‐Sin , Hong Suk Kyun , Yoon Kyung Chul , Ahn Sung Woo , Lee Kyoung‐Bun , Yi Nam‐Joon , Yang Jaeseok , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Hawthorne Wayne J. , Suh Kyung‐Suk
Published: November 2017

The rhesus monkey (RM) is an excellent preclinical model in kidney, heart, and islet transplantation that has provided the basis for new immunosuppressive protocols for clinical studies. However, there remain relatively few liver transplantation (LT) models in nonhuman primates. In this study, we analyzed the immune cell populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and secondary lymphoid organs along with livers of normal RMs and compared them with those of rejected LT recipients following withdrawal of immunosuppression. We undertook 5 allogeneic ABO compatible orthotopic LTs in monkeys using 5 normal donor monkey livers. We collected tissues including lymph nodes, spleens, blood, and recipient livers, and we performed flow cytometric analysis using isolated immune cells. We found that CD4 or CD8 naïve T cells were normally seen at low levels, and memory T cells were seen at high levels in the liver rather than lymphoid organs or PBMC. However, regulatory cells such as CD4+ forkhead box P3+ T cells and CD8+ CD28– cells remained in high numbers in the liver, but not in the lymph nodes or PBMC. The comparison of CD4/8 T subpopulations in normal and rejected livers and the various tissues showed that naïve cells were dramatically decreased in the spleen, lymph node, and PBMCs of rejected LT monkeys, but rather, the memory CD4/8 T cells were increased in all tissues and PBMC. The normal liver has large numbers of CD4 regulatory T cells, CD8+ CD28–, and myeloid‐derived suppressor cells, which are known immunosuppressive cells occurring at much higher levels than those seen in lymph node or peripheral blood. Memory T cells are dramatically increased in rejected liver allografts of RMs compared with those seen in normal RM tissues. Liver Transplantation 24 256–268 2018 AASLD.
Predicting the onset of freezing of gait: A longitudinal study
Authors: Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. , Lukasik Emily L. , Georgiades Matthew J. , Gilat Moran , Hall Julie M. , Walton Courtney C. , Lewis Simon J.G.
Published: November 2017

Background: Freezing of gait is a disabling symptom of Parkinson's disease that ultimately affects approximately 80% of patients, yet very little research has focused on predicting the onset of freezing of gait and tracking the longitudinal progression of symptoms prior to its onset. The objective of the current study was to examine longitudinal data spanning the transition period when patients with PD developed freezing of gait to identify symptoms that may precede freezing and create a prediction model that identifies those “at risk” for developing freezing of gait in the year to follow.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty‐one patients with PD were divided into 3 groups (88 nonfreezers, 41 transitional freezers, and 92 continuing freezers) based on their responses to the validated Freezing of Gait‐Questionnaire item 3 at baseline and follow‐up. Critical measures across motor, cognitive, mood, and sleep domains were assessed at 2 times approximately 1 year apart.

Results: A logistic regression model that included age, disease duration, gait symptoms, motor phenotype, attentional set‐shifting, and mood measures could predict with 70% and 90% accuracy those patients who would and would not develop, respectively, freezing of gait over the next year. Notably, the Freezing of Gait‐Questionnaire total and the anxiety section of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were the strongest predictors and alone could significantly predict if one might develop freezing of gait in the next 15 months with 82% accuracy.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is possible to identify the majority of patients who will develop freezing of gait in the following year, potentially allowing targeted interventions to delay or possibly even prevent the onset of freezing. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Enhanced mu opioid receptor–dependent opioidergic modulation of striatal cholinergic transmission in DYT1 dystonia
Authors: Ponterio Giulia , Tassone Annalisa , Sciamanna Giuseppe , Vanni Valentina , Meringolo Maria , Santoro Massimo , Mercuri Nicola Biagio , Bonsi Paola , Pisani Antonio
Published: November 2017

Background: Mu opioid receptor activation modulates acetylcholine release in the dorsal striatum, an area deeply involved in motor function, habit formation, and reinforcement learning as well as in the pathophysiology of different movement disorders, such as dystonia. Although the role of opioids in drug reward and addiction is well established, their involvement in motor dysfunction remains largely unexplored.

Methods: We used a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the responses to mu activation in 2 mouse models of DYT1 dystonia (Tor1a+/Δgag mice, Tor1a+/‐ torsinA null mice, and their respective wild‐types). We performed electrophysiological recordings to characterize the pharmacological effects of receptor activation in cholinergic interneurons as well as the underlying ionic currents. In addition, an analysis of the receptor expression was performed both at the protein and mRNA level.

Results: In mutant mice, selective mu receptor activation caused a stronger G‐protein‐dependent, dose‐dependent inhibition of firing activity in cholinergic interneurons when compared with controls. In Tor1a+/‐ mice, our electrophysiological analysis showed an abnormal involvement of calcium‐activated potassium channels. Moreover, in both models we found increased levels of mu receptor protein. In addition, both total mRNA and the mu opioid receptor splice variant 1S (MOR‐1S) splice variant of the mu receptor gene transcript, specifically enriched in striatum, were selectively upregulated.

Conclusion: Mice with the DYT1 dystonia mutation exhibit an enhanced response to mu receptor activation, dependent on selective receptor gene upregulation. Our data suggest a novel role for striatal opioid signaling in motor control, and more important, identify mu opioid receptors as potential targets for pharmacological intervention in dystonia. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Directional local field potentials: A tool to optimize deep brain stimulation
Authors: Tinkhauser Gerd , Pogosyan Alek , Debove Ines , Nowacki Andreas , Shah Syed Ahmar , Seidel Kathleen , Tan Huiling , Brittain John‐Stuart , Petermann Katrin , di Biase Lazzaro , Oertel Markus , Pollo Claudio , Brown Peter , Schuepbach Michael
Published: November 2017

Background: Although recently introduced directional DBS leads provide control of the stimulation field, programing is time‐consuming.

Objectives: Here, we validate local field potentials recorded from directional contacts as a predictor of the most efficient contacts for stimulation in patients with PD.

Methods: Intraoperative local field potentials were recorded from directional contacts in the STN of 12 patients and beta activity compared with the results of the clinical contact review performed after 4 to 7 months.

Results: Normalized beta activity was positively correlated with the contact's clinical efficacy. The two contacts with the highest beta activity included the most efficient stimulation contact in up to 92% and that with the widest therapeutic window in 74% of cases.

Conclusion: Local field potentials predict the most efficient stimulation contacts and may provide a useful tool to expedite the selection of the optimal contact for directional DBS. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Quality of life outcome after subthalamic stimulation in Parkinson's disease depends on age
Authors: Dafsari Haidar S. , Reker Paul , Stalinski Lisa , Silverdale Monty , Rizos Alexandra , Ashkan Keyoumars , Barbe Michael T. , Fink Gereon R. , Evans Julian , Steffen Julia , Samuel Michael , Dembek Till A. , Visser‐Vandewalle Veerle , Antonini Angelo , Ray‐Chaudhuri K. , Martinez‐Martin Pablo , Timmermann Lars ,   on behalf of EUROPAR and the IPMDS (International Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Society) Non‐Motor Parkinson's Disease Study Group
Published: November 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate how quality of life outcome after bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) depends on age.

Methods

In this prospective, open‐label, multicenter study including 120 PD patients undergoing bilateral STN‐DBS, we investigated the PDQuestionnaire‐8 (PDQ‐8), Unified PD Rating Scale‐III, Scales for Outcomes in PD–motor examination, complications, activities of daily living, and levodopa equivalent daily dose preoperatively and at 5 months follow‐up. Significant changes at follow‐up were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. To explore the influence of age post hoc, the patients were classified into 3 age groups (≤59, 60‐69, ≥70 years). Intragroup changes were analyzed with Wilcoxon signed‐rank and intergroup differences with Kruskal‐Wallis tests. The strength of clinical responses was evaluated using effect size.

Results

The PDQuestionnaire‐8, Scales for Outcomes in PD–motor complications, activities of daily living, and levodopa equivalent daily dose significantly improved in the overall cohort and all age groups with no significant intergroup differences. However, PDQuestionnaire‐8 effect sizes for age groups ≤59, 60 to 69, and ≥70 years, respectively, were strong, moderate, and small. Furthermore, PDQuestionnaire‐8 domain analyses revealed that all domains except cognition and emotional well‐being significantly improved in patients aged ≤59 years, whereas only communication, activities of daily living, and stigma improved in patients aged 60‐69 years, and activities of daily living and stigma in patients aged ≥70 years.

Conclusions

Although quality of life, motor complications, and activities of daily living significantly improved in all age groups after bilateral STN‐DBS, the beneficial effect on overall quality of life was more pronounced and affected a wider range of quality of life domains in younger patients. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Survival in patients with Parkinson's disease after deep brain stimulation or medical management
Authors: Weaver Frances M. , Stroupe Kevin T. , Smith Bridget , Gonzalez Beverly , Huo Zhiping , Cao Lishan , Ippolito Dolores , Follett Kenneth A.
Published: November 2017

Objective: Deep brain stimulation has been shown to have a significant long‐term beneficial effect on motor function. However, whether it affects survival is not clear. In this study, we compared survival rates for Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) with those who were medically managed.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of Veterans Affairs and Medicare administrative data of veterans with PD who received DBS and were propensity score matched to a cohort of veterans with PD who did not receive DBS between 2007‐2013.

Results: Veterans with PD who received DBS had a longer survival measured in days than a matched group of veterans who did not undergo DBS (mean = 2291.1 [standard error = 46.4] days [6.3 years] vs 2063.8 [standard error = 47.7] days [5.7 years]; P = .006; hazard ratio = 0.69 [95% confidence interval 0.56‐0.85]). Mean age at death was similar for both groups (76.5 [standard deviation = 7.2] vs 75.9 [standard deviation = 8.4] years, P = .67), respectively, and the most common cause of death was PD.

Conclusions: DBS is associated with a modest survival advantage when compared with a matched group of patients who did not undergo DBS. Whether the survival advantage reflects a moderating influence of DBS on PD or on comorbidities that might shorten life or whether differences may be a result of unmeasured differences between groups is not known. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Genetic analysis of osteogenesis imperfecta in the Palestinian population: molecular screening of 49 affected families
Authors: Essawi Osama , Symoens Sofie , Fannana Maha , Darwish Mohammad , Farraj Mohammad , Willaert Andy , Essawi Tamer , Callewaert Bert , De Paepe Anne , Malfait Fransiska , Coucke Paul J.
Published: November 2017

Background

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a heterogeneous hereditary connective tissue disorder clinically hallmarked by increased susceptibility to bone fractures.

Methods

We analyzed a cohort of 77 diagnosed OI patients from 49 unrelated Palestinian families. Next‐generation sequencing technology was used to screen a panel of known OI genes.

Results

In 41 probands, we identified 28 different disease‐causing variants of 9 different known OI genes. Eleven of the variants are novel. Ten of the 28 variants are located in COL1A1, five in COL1A2, three in BMP1, three in FKBP10, two in TMEM38B, two in P3H1, and one each in CRTAP, SERPINF1, and SERPINH1. The absence of disease‐causing variants in the remaining eight probands suggests further genetic heterogeneity in OI. In general, most OI patients (90%) harbor mainly variants in type I collagen resulting in an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. However, in our cohort almost 61% (25/41) were affected with autosomal recessive OI. Moreover, we document a 21‐kb genomic deletion in the TMEM38B gene identified in 29% (12/41) of the tested probands, making it the most frequent OI‐causing variant in the Palestinian population.

Conclusion

This is the first genetic screening of an OI cohort from the Palestinian population. Our data are important for genetic counseling of OI patients and families in highly consanguineous populations.
CK‐2127107 amplifies skeletal muscle response to nerve activation in humans
Authors: Andrews Jinsy A. , Miller Timothy M. , Vijayakumar Vipin , Stoltz Randall , James Joyce K. , Meng Lisa , Wolff Andrew A. , Malik Fady I.
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Three studies evaluated safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of CK‐2127107 (CK‐107), a next‐generation fast skeletal muscle troponin activator (FSTA), in healthy participants. We tested the hypothesis that CK‐107 would amplify the force‐frequency response of muscle in humans. Methods: To assess the force‐frequency response, participants received single doses of CK‐107 and placebo in a randomized, double‐blind, 4‐period, crossover study. The force‐frequency response of foot dorsiflexion following stimulation of the deep fibular nerve to activate the tibialis anterior muscle was assessed. Results: CK‐107 significantly increased tibialis anterior muscle response with increasing dose and plasma concentration in a frequency‐dependent manner; the largest increase in peak force was ∼60% at 10 Hz. Discussion: CK‐107 appears more potent and produced larger increases in force than tirasemtiv—a first‐generation FSTA—in a similar pharmacodynamic study, thereby supporting its development for improvement of muscle function of patients. Muscle Nerve 57: 729–734, 2018
Kernel density maximum entropy method with generalized moments for evaluating probability distributions, including tails, from a small sample of data
Authors: Alibrandi Umberto , Mosalam Khalid M.
Published: November 2017

In this paper, a novel method to determine the distribution of a random variable from a sample of data is presented. The approach is called generalized kernel density maximum entropy method, because it adopts a kernel density representation of the target distribution, while its free parameters are determined through the principle of maximum entropy (ME). Here, the ME solution is determined by assuming that the available information is represented from generalized moments, which include as their subsets the power and the fractional ones. The proposed method has several important features: (1) applicable to distributions with any kind of support, (2) computational efficiency because the ME solution is simply obtained as a set of systems of linear equations, (3) good trade‐off between bias and variance, and (4) good estimates of the tails of the distribution, in the presence of samples of small size. Moreover, the joint application of generalized kernel density maximum entropy with a bootstrap resampling allows to define credible bounds of the target distribution. The method is first benchmarked through an example of stochastic dynamic analysis. Subsequently, it is used to evaluate the seismic fragility functions of a reinforced concrete frame, from the knowledge of a small set of available ground motions.
Influence of processing parameters on fibers diameter and web evenness of polypropylene spunbonding nonwoven fabrics in wide slot positive pressure drafting assembly of spunbonding process
Authors: Zhao Bo
Published: November 2017

The air drawing model of polymer polypropylene (PP) spunbonding nonwovens has been established. The influences of the density and the specific heat capacity of polymer melt at constant pressure changing with polymer temperature on the fiber diameter have been studied. The air drawing model of polymer in spunbonding is confirmed by the experimental results obtained with our university's equipment. The effects of the processing parameters on fibers web evenness of PP spunbonding nonwoven fabrics in wide slot positive pressure drafting assembly of spunbonding process have also been investigated. The predictions of the filament fiber diameters, crystallinities, and birefringences are coincided well with the experimental data. It is found that a medium polymer melt temperature, monomer suction wind speed, drawing pressure, cross air blow speed, and air control distance have a significant influence on the web evenness and quality, which are beneficial to produce more uniformity fibers web. The experimental results show that the agreement between the results and experimental data is very better, which verifies the reliability of these models. At the same time, the results also reveal the great potential of this research for the computer‐assisted design (CAD) of spunbonding technology. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1268–1277, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis and characterization of green membranes polyimide/titania bionanocomposites containing amino acid and benzimidazole moieties for gas transport properties
Authors: Ahmadizadegan Hashem , Ranjbar Mahdi , Esmaielzadeh Sheida
Published: November 2017

In the presented study, the synthesis and full characterization of four different new diamine and polyimides derived from amino acids, including isoleucine (Ile), valine (Val), methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe) and benzimidazole fractions in the structure of pendant group is presented. The polymerization reactions of these monomers provided a series of new optically active polyimides (PIs) with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.68–0.98 dL g−1. The obtained polymers were characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, specific rotation measurements, and the representative of them by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography and elemental analysis techniques. The new diamine monomer containing L‐isoleucine is employed as a key monomer for the sol–gel fabrication of a series of PI/titania nanohybrid films with various titania percentages. The special design of diamine monomer containing bulky pendant group increased the flexibility of resulted PIs. On the other hand, the ability to construct strong organic/inorganic H‐bond lattice has led to the effective surrounding of titania by PI grounds and thus the well‐dispersed quite spherical NPs were created via a sol–gel procedure. The dispersion of titania in PI films was confirmed by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showing the well‐dispersed nanosized titania NPs. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed an improvement of thermal stability of novel bionanocomposite films as compared to the pure PI. Gas permeation measurement showed that PI embedded with different amount of titania exhibited different separation performances. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1666–1677, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Systematic Proteomic Analysis of Protein Methylation in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes Revealed Distinct Substrate Specificity
Authors: Zhang Min , Xu Jun‐Yu , Hu Hao , Ye Bang‐Ce , Tan Minjia
Published: November 2017

The studies of protein methylation mainly focus on lysine and arginine residues due to their diverse roles in essential cellular processes from gene expression to signal transduction. Nevertheless, atypical protein methylation occurring on amino acid residues, such as glutamine and glutamic acid, is largely neglected until recently. In addition, the systematic analysis for the distribution of methylation on different amino acids in various species is still lacking, which hinders our understanding of its functional roles. In this study, we deeply explored the methylated sites in three species Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and HeLa cells by employing MS‐based proteomic approach coupled with heavy methyl SILAC method. We identify a total of 234 methylated sites on 187 proteins with high localization confidence, including 94 unreported methylated sites on nine different amino acid residues. KEGG and gene ontology analysis show the pathways enriched with methylated proteins are mainly involved in central metabolism for E. coli and S. cerevisiae, but related to spliceosome for HeLa cells. The analysis of methylation preference on different amino acids is conducted in three species. Protein N‐terminal methylation is dominant in E. coli while methylated lysines and arginines are widely identified in S. cerevisiae and HeLa cells, respectively. To study whether some atypical protein methylation has biological relevance in the pathological process in mammalian cells, we focus on histone methylation in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mouse. Two glutamate methylation sites showed statistical significance in DIO mice compared with chow‐fed mice, suggesting their potential roles in diabetes and obesity. Together, these findings expanded the methylome database from microbes to mammals, which will benefit our further appreciation for the protein methylation as well as its possible functions on disease.
Synchrony of the first division as an index of the blastocyst formation rate during embryonic development
Authors: Mizobe Yamato , Tokunaga Makoto , Oya Naoto , Iwakiri Reiko , Yoshida Naomi , Sato Yumi , Onoue Nanase , Ezono Yuji
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To devise an uninvasive selection system for human embryos with high developmental potential after a single oocyte retrieval cycle by comparing the in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of first division synchrony against subsequent embryonic developmental stages.

Methods

The effects of using assisted reproductive technology on 948 embryos that were produced in 137 cycles were examined by dividing the embryos into “early cleavage” (first division within 25.90 hours) and “late cleavage” (first division at or after 25.90 hours) groups and comparing the blastocysts and good‐quality blastocyst formation rates between the two groups. These two groups were each divided further into “high synchrony” (first division synchrony within 3.96 hours) and “low synchrony” (first division synchrony at or after 3.96 hours) groups. The blastocysts, good‐quality blastocyst formation rates, and pregnancy rates were compared among these four groups.

Results

Both the blastocysts and good‐quality blastocyst formation rates were significantly higher in the early‐cleavage groups than in the late‐cleavage groups. The blastocyst formation rate of the latter was also significantly increased in the high‐synchrony, compared with the low‐synchrony, group.

Conclusion

First division synchrony in a single oocyte retrieval cycle could be a useful assessment of the blastocyst formation rate that enables the selection of viable embryos at an early stage of culture.
Competition among Colleges for Students across the Nation
Authors: Smith Jonathan , Pender Matea , Howell Jessica
Published: November 2017

Colleges compete with one another for students. This article overcomes historical data limitations associated with forming a national picture of competition among colleges using the universe of SAT‐takers. We identify and measure competition by the overlap within the set of colleges to which students send their SAT scores (Score Sends). We document the competitive landscape for 1152 colleges between 1996 and 2013 including the number of competitors, the intensity of the competition, and characteristics of a college's primary competitors. For example, on average, a college has Score Send overlap with 736 other institutions and their primary competitors are located 104 miles away and have 34.2% Score Send overlap. All of the documented measures of competition vary greatly by institution type but do not change dramatically over the time period examined.
Physicochemical Studies of Taro Starch Chemically Modified by Acetylation, Phosphorylation, and Succinylation
Authors: Rincón‐Aguirre Alexandra , Bello Pérez Luis Arturo , Mendoza Sandra , del Real Alicia , Rodríguez García Mario Enrique
Published: November 2017

Modified starches are some of the mostly used ingredients in the food industry as flavor encapsulants or carrier materials. Therefore, the aim of this research is to determine the physicochemical characteristics of taro modified starches. Taro starch is used to obtain modified starches such as: succinylated, phosphorylated, and acetylated. Measurement of the native starch composition: 15.3% amylose, 92.3% total starch, 3.0% protein, and 5.0% moisture. The morphology of taro starch granules and the changes undergone by the different chemical modifications is determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The degree of substitution (DS) of the modified starches is found, and such results are complemented with those obtained Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to demonstrate that the three different modifications take place, replacing hydroxyl groups with ester groups. It is also possible to determine whether the starches undergo a high or low degree of substitution. Pasting profiles are made using RVA and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is used to study the thermal changes due to the modification process. It is possible to determine that the chemical modifications made to taro starch produce important changes in the physicochemical properties mainly in the starch structure.
Effect of Drying Processes on the Fine Structure of A‐, B‐, and C‐Type Starches
Authors: Xie Zhengjun , Guan Jingjing , Chen Long , Jin Zhengyu , Tian Yaoqi
Published: November 2017

Starches isolated from wheat (A‐type), potato (B‐type), and pea (C‐type) are used to investigate the effects of oven drying and freeze drying on fine structure of starches. Freeze drying resulted in more pores and scratches on the surfaces of starch granules. Freeze drying produces lower gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy than oven drying, indicating that freeze dried starch contained less crystallites. Freeze drying lowered relative crystallinity and degraded both short‐ and long‐range molecular order. The order structure of B‐type starch is significantly disrupted by freeze drying; B‐type starch is transformed into A‐type and the crystallinity declined markedly. The characteristic peak at 5.6° (2θ) of C‐type starch also disappeared by freeze drying. Moisture shift changes occurred during both drying processes. Freeze drying removed more bound water, which may have caused disruption to the fine structure of the starches. By contrast, oven drying did not significantly affect the morphology and fine structure of the starches.
Quantum radiation by an Unruh-DeWitt detector in oscillatory motion
Authors: Lin Shih-Yuin
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Quantum radiated power emitted by an Unruh-DeWitt (UD) detector in linear oscillatory motion in (3+1)D Minkowski space, with the internal harmonic oscillator minimally coupled to a massless scalar field, is obtained non-perturbatively by numerical method. The signal of the Unruh-like effect experienced by the detector is found to be pronounced in quantum radiation in the highly non-equilibrium regime with high averaged acceleration and short oscillatory cycle, and the signal would be greatly suppressed by quantum interference when the averaged proper acceleration is sufficiently low. An observer at a fixed angle would see periods of negative radiated power in each cycle of motion, while the averaged radiated power over a cycle is always positive as guaranteed by the quantum inequalities. Coherent high harmonic generation and down conversion are identified in the detector’s quantum radiation. Due to the overwhelming largeness of the vacuum correlators of the free field, the asymptotic reduced state of the harmonics of the radiation field is approximately a direct product of the squeezed thermal states.
Anomalous low-temperature thermodynamics of QCD in strong magnetic fields
Authors: Brauner Tomáš , Kadam Saurabh V.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

The thermodynamics of quantum chromodynamics at low temperatures and in sufficiently strong magnetic fields is governed by neutral pions. We analyze the interacting system of neutral pions and photons at zero baryon chemical potential using effective field theory. As a consequence of the axial anomaly and the external magnetic field, the pions and photons mix with one another. The resulting spectrum contains one usual, relativistic photon state, and two nonrelativistic modes, one of which is gapless and the other gapped. Furthermore, we calculate the leading, one-loop contribution to the pressure of the system. In the chiral limit, a closed analytic expression for the pressure exists, which features an unusual scaling with temperature and magnetic field, T
3
B/f

π
, at low temperatures, T ≪ B/f

π
. Finally, we determine the pion decay rate as a function of the magnetic field at the tree level. The result is affected by a competition of the anisotropic kinematics and the enlarged phase space due to the anomalous mass of the neutral pion. In the chiral limit, the decay rate scales as B
3/f

π

5
.
Mass-deformed M2 branes in Stenzel space
Authors: Dias Óscar J. C. , Hartnett Gavin S. , Niehoff Benjamin E. , Santos Jorge E.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We obtain finite-temperature M2 black branes in 11-dimensional supergravity, in a G
4-flux background whose self-dual part approaches a solution of Cvetič, Gibbons, Lü, and Pope, based upon Stenzel’s family of Ricci-flat Kähler deformed cones. Our solutions are asymptotically AdS
4 times a 7-dimensional Stiefel manifold V
5,2, and the branes are "smeared" to retain SO(5) symmetry in the internal space. The solutions represent a mass deformation of the corresponding dual CFT
3, whose full description is at this time only partially-understood. We investigate the possibility of a confinement/de-confinement phase transition analogous to the AdS
5 × S
5 case, and a possible Gregory-Laflamme type instability which could lead to polarised brane solutions which break SO(5). We discuss possible consequences for AdS/CFT and the KKLT cosmological uplift mechanism.
One-loop considerations for coexisting vacua in the CP conserving 2HDM
Authors: Cherchiglia A. L. , Nishi C. C.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

The Two-Higgs-Doublet model (2HDM) is a simple and viable extension of the Standard Model with a scalar potential complex enough that two minima may coexist. In this work we investigate if the procedure to identify our vacuum as the global minimum by tree-level formulas carries over to the one-loop corrected potential. In the CP conserving case, we identify two distinct types of coexisting minima — the regular ones (moderate tan β) and the non-regular ones (small or large tan β) — and conclude that the tree level expectation fails only for the non-regular type of coexisting minima. For the regular type, the sign of m
12
2
already precisely indicates which minima is the global one, even at one-loop.
O(N) and O(N) and O(N)
Authors: Gubser Steven S. , Jepsen Christian , Parikh Sarthak , Trundy Brian
Published: November 2017

Abstract

Three related analyses of ϕ
4 theory with O(N) symmetry are presented. In the first, we review the O(N) model over the p-adic numbers and the discrete renormalization group transformations which can be understood as spin blocking in an ultrametric context. We demonstrate the existence of a Wilson-Fisher fixed point using an ϵ expansion, and we show how to obtain leading order results for the anomalous dimensions of low dimension operators near the fixed point. Along the way, we note an important aspect of ultrametric field theories, which is a non-renormalization theorem for kinetic terms. In the second analysis, we employ large N methods to establish formulas for anomalous dimensions which are valid equally for field theories over the p-adic numbers and field theories on ℝ
n
. Results for anomalous dimensions agree between the first and second analyses when they can be meaningfully compared. In the third analysis, we consider higher derivative versions of the O(N) model on ℝ
n
, the simplest of which has been studied in connection with spatially modulated phases. Our general formula for anomalous dimensions can still be applied. Analogies with two-derivative theories hint at the existence of some interesting unconventional field theories in four real Euclidean dimensions.
Zero-range effective field theory for resonant wino dark matter. Part I. Framework
Authors: Braaten Eric , Johnson Evan , Zhang Hong
Published: November 2017

Abstract

The most dramatic “Sommerfeld enhancements” of neutral-wino-pair annihilation occur when the wino mass is near a critical value where there is a zero-energy S-wave resonance at the neutral-wino-pair threshold. Near such a critical mass, low-energy winos can be described by a zero-range effective field theory in which the winos interact nonperturbatively through a contact interaction. The effective field theory is controlled by a renormalization-group fixed point at which the neutral and charged winos are degenerate in mass and their scattering length is infinite. The parameters of the zero-range effective field theory can be determined by matching wino-wino scattering amplitudes calculated by solving the Schrödinger equation for winos interacting through a potential due to the exchange of weak gauge bosons. If the wino mass is larger than the critical value, the resonance is a wino-pair bound state. The power of the zero-range effective field theory is illustrated by calculating the rate for formation of the bound state in the collision of two neutral winos through the emission of two soft photons.
Testing minimal flavor violation in leptoquark models of the $$ {R_K}_{{}^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$ anomaly
Authors: Aloni Daniel , Dery Avital , Frugiuele Claudia , Nir Yosef
Published: November 2017

Abstract

The

$$ {R_K}_{{}^{\left(\ast \right)}} $$

R
K

∗

anomaly can be explained by tree level exchange of leptoquarks. We study the consequences of subjecting these models to the principle of minimal flavor violation (MFV). We consider MFV in the linear regime, and take the charged lepton Yukawa matrix to be the only spurion that violates lepton flavor universality. We find that a combination of constraints from a variety of processes — b → sμμ, b → sττ , b → sνν,

$$ b\overline{b}\to \tau \tau $$

b

b
¯

→
τ
τ

and b → cτν — excludes MFV in these models.
Double trace interfaces
Authors: Melby-Thompson Charles M. , Schmidt-Colinet Cornelius
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We introduce and study renormalization group interfaces between two holographic conformal theories which are related by deformation by a scalar double trace operator. At leading order in the 1/Nexpansion, we derive expressions for the two point correlation functions of the scalar, as well as the spectrum of operators living on the interface. We also compute the interface contribution to the sphere partition function, which in two dimensions gives the boundarygfactor. Checks of our proposal include reproducing thegfactor and some defect overlap coefficients of Gaiotto’s RG interfaces at largeN, and the two-point correlation function whenever conformal perturbation theory is valid.
Elytra reduction may affect the evolution of beetle hind wings
Authors: Goczał Jakub , Rossa Robert , Tofilski Adam
Published: November 2017

Beetles are one of the largest and most diverse groups of animals in the world. Conversion of forewings into hardened shields is perceived as a key adaptation that has greatly supported the evolutionary success of this taxa. Beetle elytra play an essential role: they minimize the influence of unfavorable external factors and protect insects against predators. Therefore, it is particularly interesting why some beetles have reduced their shields. This rare phenomenon is called brachelytry and its evolution and implications remain largely unexplored. In this paper, we focused on rare group of brachelytrous beetles with exposed hind wings. We have investigated whether the elytra loss in different beetle taxa is accompanied with the hind wing shape modification, and whether these changes are similar among unrelated beetle taxa. We found that hind wings shape differ markedly between related brachelytrous and macroelytrous beetles. Moreover, we revealed that modifications of hind wings have followed similar patterns and resulted in homoplasy in this trait among some unrelated groups of wing-exposed brachelytrous beetles. Our results suggest that elytra reduction may affect the evolution of beetle hind wings.
Direct CFD prediction of dynamic derivatives for a complete transport aircraft in the dry and heavy rain environment
Authors: Wu Z. , Cao Y. , Yang Y.
Published: November 2017

Among various aviation meteorological conditions, heavy rain is an important one that may seriously affect aircraft flight safety. Over the past decades, appreciable efforts have been made to study the impacts of heavy rain on aircraft flight performance. Although there has been a consistent conclusion that heavy rain can cause great static aerodynamic performance degradation, such as lift decrease and drag increase, little has been known on the effects of heavy rain on aircraft dynamic flight performance. This article explores the static and dynamic aerodynamic performance of an approximated model of the DLR-F12 transport aircraft in simulated heavy rain environment. A novel synthesised approach is proposed to study the stability dynamic derivatives in a heavy rain condition. The results suggest that heavy rain not only causes more fuel consumption to compensate the lost lift performance but also induces great dynamic flight performance degradations, especially the short-period mode performance, thus seriously threatens aircraft flight safety.
Feasibility of a septal mucosal flap for preventing re-stenosis following the Draf III procedure
Authors: Erdur O , Ozturk K , Erkan K
Published: November 2017

Background:

Re-stenosis and a consequent need for revision surgery are the most common problems in the follow-up period following endoscopic modification of the Lothrop procedure.

Method:

This paper reports a new technique for reconstructing and resurfacing of the posterior frontal recess bone for prevention of re-stenosis.

Results:

A 46-year-old man presented with a frontal sinus osteoma, and treatment featured an endoscopic modification of the Lothrop procedure. A vascularised, posteriorly based, septal mucosal flap was used in reconstruction. There have been no reported issues over 24 months of follow up.

Conclusion:

The use of a nasoseptal flap seems feasible to reduce scarring and recurrence of (common) frontal recess stenosis after a Draf III operation.
Looking Inside an Active Italian Volcano
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: November 2017

Scientists use 3-D imaging to reveal Solfatara crater’s inner plumbing.
Genome-wide identification and differential analysis of translational initiation
Authors: Zhang Peng , He Dandan , Xu Yi , Hou Jiakai , Pan Bih-Fang , Wang Yunfei , Liu Tao , Davis Christel M. , Ehli Erik A. , Tan Lin , Zhou Feng , Hu Jian , Yu Yonghao , Chen Xi , Nguyen Tuan M. , Rosen Jeffrey M. , Hawke David H. , Ji Zhe , Chen Yiwen
Published: November 2017

Translation is principally regulated at the initiation stage. The development of the translation initiation (TI) sequencing (TI-seq) technique has enabled the global mapping of TIs and revealed unanticipated complex translational landscapes in metazoans. Despite the wide adoption of TI-seq, there is no computational tool currently available for analyzing TI-seq data. To fill this gap, we develop a comprehensive toolkit named Ribo-TISH, which allows for detecting and quantitatively comparing TIs across conditions from TI-seq data. Ribo-TISH can also predict novel open reading frames (ORFs) from regular ribosome profiling (rRibo-seq) data and outperform several established methods in both computational efficiency and prediction accuracy. Applied to published TI-seq/rRibo-seq data sets, Ribo-TISH uncovers a novel signature of elevated mitochondrial translation during amino-acid deprivation and predicts novel ORFs in 5′UTRs, long noncoding RNAs, and introns. These successful applications demonstrate the power of Ribo-TISH in extracting biological insights from TI-seq/rRibo-seq data.
Formation of defects and their effects on hydride ion transport properties in a series of K2NiF4-type oxyhydrides
Authors: Liu Xin , Bjørheim Tor Svendsen , Haugsrud Reidar
Published: November 2017

We explore formation and stability of defects, and the hydride ion migration mechanisms in K2NiF4-type oxyhydrides by first principles calculations.
Tuning hydrogels through metal-based gelation triggers
Authors: McEwen Holly , Du Eric Y. , Mata Jitendra P. , Thordarson Pall , Martin Adam D.
Published: November 2017

N-terminal capped tripeptides self-assemble into hydrogels with tuneable properties depending on gelation trigger, giving differences in structure, stiffness and biocompatibility.
Tanshinones inhibit hIAPP aggregation, disaggregate preformed hIAPP fibrils, and protect cultured cells
Authors: Ren Baiping , Liu Yonglan , Zhang Yanxian , Zhang Mingzhen , Sun Yan , Liang Guizhao , Xu Jianxiong , Zheng Jie
Published: November 2017

Tanshinones act as common inhibitors to inhibit the aggregation of both hIAPP and Aβ, disaggregate preformed hIAPP and Aβ amyloid fibrils, and protect cells from hIAPP- and Aβ-induced toxicity.
Highly luminescent YAG:Ce ultra-small nanocrystals, from stable dispersions to thin films
Authors: Odziomek M. , Chaput F. , Lerouge F. , Sitarz M. , Parola S.
Published: November 2017

The synthesis of well-defined oxide nanocrystals (NCs) with high crystallinity and ultra-small size (typically below 5 nm) is extremely challenging in view of their numerous important related applications.
Achieving white light emission and increased magnetic anisotropy by transition metal substitution in functional materials based on dinuclear DyIII(4-pyridone)[MIII(CN)6]3− (M = Co, Rh) molecules
Authors: Wang Junhao , Chorazy Szymon , Nakabayashi Koji , Sieklucka Barbara , Ohkoshi Shin-ichi
Published: November 2017

Cobalt(iii) replaced with heavier rhodium(iii) in the Dy–Co/Rh molecular materials modulates their photoluminescent and magnetic properties.
Enhancement of efficiency and long-term stability in graphene/Si-quantum-dot heterojunction photodetectors by employing bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide as a dopant for graphene
Authors: Shin Dong Hee , Jang Chan Wook , Kim Ju Hwan , Kim Jong Min , Lee Ha Seung , Seo Sang Woo , Kim Sung , Choi Suk-Ho
Published: November 2017

Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)-amide (TFSA) is for the first time employed as a dopant for graphene for graphene/Si-quantum-dots-based photodetectors.