bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Patients With Inflammatory Arthritis Receiving Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Lin Tzu‐Chieh , Yoshida Kazuki , Tedeschi Sara K. , de Abreu Mirhelen Mendes , Hashemi Nikroo , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: August 2017

Objective

To assess hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation rates in patients with resolved or chronic HBV infection, receiving disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and with or without antiviral prophylaxis.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Medline, and Embase using Ovid through December 31, 2015. A search strategy was developed for each database using the following inclusion criteria: for participants, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and resolved or chronic HBV infection; for intervention, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors or non‐TNF biologic or nonbiologic DMARDs; and for outcome, HBV reactivation. Four reviewers independently extracted study data and assessed study quality using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale. To determine the pooled HBV reactivation rate, the variances of the raw proportions were stabilized using a Freeman‐Tukey‐type arcsine square root transformation, using a random‐effects model.

Results

Twenty‐five studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled rate of HBV reactivation was 1.6% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.8–2.6) in patients with resolved HBV. Similar rates were observed in resolved patients taking TNF inhibitors (1.4% [95% CI 0.5–2.6]), non‐TNF biologics (6.1% [95% CI 0.0–16.6]), and nonbiologic DMARDs (1.7% [95% CI 0.2–4.2]). We also found that the reactivation rate was lower in patients with chronic HBV infection who received antiviral prophylaxis (9.0% [95% CI 4.1–15.5]) than in those who did not (14.6% [95% CI 4.3–29.0]).

Conclusion

We found that the HBV reactivation rate in inflammatory arthritis patients receiving DMARDs was low in resolved patients and moderate in patients with chronic HBV infection. Further, lower rates were observed in patients with chronic HBV infection who were using antiviral prophylaxis.
Self‐Powered, Paper‐Based Electrochemical Devices for Sensitive Point‐of‐Care Testing
Authors: Pal Aniket , Cuellar Hugo E. , Kuang Randy , Caurin Heloisa F. N. , Goswami Debkalpa , Martinez Ramses V.
Published: August 2017

This work describes the fabrication of self‐powered, paper‐based electrochemical devices (SPEDs) designed for sensitive diagnostics in low‐resource settings and at the point of care. SPEDs are inexpensive, lightweight, mechanically flexible, easy to use, and disposable by burning. The top layer of the SPED is fabricated using cellulose paper with patterned hydrophobic domains that delineate hydrophilic, wicking‐based microfluidic channels for accurate colorimetric assays, and self‐pipetting test zones for electrochemical detection. The bottom layer of the SPED is a triboelectric generator (TEG) fabricated on hydrophobic paper and capable of harvesting electric energy from the user's interaction with the SPED. An inexpensive and rechargeable handheld potentiostat is fabricated to interface with the SPED, enabling the accurate quantitative electrochemical detection of glucose, uric acid, and l‐lactate. The battery powering the potentiostat can be recharged by the user, using the sequential discharge of a capacitor previously charged with the TEG built into the SPED. A machine‐vision diagnostic application is created to automatically identify and quantify each of the colorimetric tests from a digital image of the SPED, taken under a wide range of ambient light conditions, in order to provide fast diagnostic results to the user as well as to facilitate remote expert consultation.
Organocatalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of 3,3‐Disubstituted 3,4‐Dihydro‐2‐quinolones
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Soumendranath , Nath Utpal , Pan Subhas Chandra
Published: August 2017

The first organocatalytic asymmetric reaction employing 3,4‐dihydro‐2‐quinolone has been developed leading to the synthesis of biologically important 3,3‐disubstituted‐dihydro‐2‐quinolones. Cinchona alkaloid derived bifunctional amino‐thiourea catalysts were found to be the best catalysts. The products were obtained in high enantio‐ and good diastereoselectivities and also few synthetic transformations have been demonstrated.

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Current Progress on Rechargeable Magnesium–Air Battery
Authors: Li Chun‐Sheng , Sun Yan , Gebert Florian , Chou Shu‐Lei
Published: August 2017

Rechargeable Mg–air batteries are a promising alternative to Li–air cells owing to the safety, low price originating from the abundant resource on the earth, and high theoretical volumetric density (3832 A h L−1 for Mg anode vs 2062 A h L−1 for Li). Only a few works are related to the highly reversible Mg–air batteries. The fundamental scientific difficulties hindering the rapid development of secondary Mg–air cells are attributed to the poor thermodynamics and kinetics properties mainly owing to the MgO or MgO2 insulating film as the initial discharge product on air–breathing cathode, contributing to the increase of a large overpotential and a high polarization. Very recently, remarkable progress on rechargeable Mg–air batteries is trying to overcome the major limitations in organic electrolytes via the combination of the first–principle calculation and experimental study. Therefore, this progress report highlights a comprehensive and concise survey of the major progress in the history of secondary Mg–air batteries, and the detailed illustrations of corresponding reaction mechanisms. The overview is devoted to open up a new area for manipulating the nanostructures to control the ideal reaction pathway in novel cell configuration and to fully understand the future Mg–air battery with improved energy density and cycling ability.
Recent Advances in Nanostructured Vanadium Oxides and Composites for Energy Conversion
Authors: Liu Minsu , Su Bin , Tang Yue , Jiang Xuchuan , Yu Aibing
Published: August 2017

Vanadium oxides are known for their multioxidation states and diverse crystalline structures. Owing to their excellent interactions with molecules or ions, outstanding catalytic activities, and/or strong electron–electron correlations, nanostructured vanadium oxides have been extensively studied for energy conversion in the recent years. Here is a review of the recent advances in the development of nanostructured vanadium oxides and their applications. The synthesis strategies and structural properties of various vanadium oxide nanostructures, including vanadium dioxide (VO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), and others, are summarized. The applications of vanadium oxides in energy conversion are discussed, focusing on three important types of energy sources: chemical energy (LIBs, pseudocapacitors and fuel cells), solar energy (photovoltaics and photocatalytic hydrogen evolutions), and heat (thermoelectric generation). Finally, conclusion with our remarks on the prospects of nanostructured vanadium oxides in energy conversion are provided.
Synthesis, crystal structures and DNA/human serum albumin binding of ternary Cu(II) complexes containing amino acids and 6‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamino
Authors: Zhang Chun‐Lian , Zhang Xue‐Mei , Liu Wei , Chen Shi , Mao Zong‐Wan , Le Xue‐Yi
Published: August 2017

Two water‐soluble 6‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamino (pzta)‐based Cu(II) complexes, namely [Cu(l‐Val)(pzta)(H2O)]ClO4 (1) and [Cu(l‐Thr)(pzta)(H2O)]ClO4 (2) (l‐Val: l‐valinate; l‐Thr: l‐threoninate), were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, spectroscopic methods and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The results indicated that the molecular structures of the complexes are five‐coordinated and show a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry, in which the central copper ions are coordinated to N,N atoms of pzta and N,O atoms of amino acids. The interactions of the complexes with DNA were investigated using electronic absorption, competitive fluorescence titration, circular dichroism and viscosity measurements. These studies confirmed that the complexes bind to DNA through a groove binding mode with certain affinities (Kb = 4.71 × 103 and 1.98 × 103 M−1 for 1 and 2, respectively). The human serum albumin (HSA) binding properties of the complexes were also evaluated using fluorescence and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopies, indicating that the complexes could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of HSA in a static quenching process. The relevant thermodynamic parameters revealed the involvement of van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds in the formation of complex–HSA systems. Finally, molecular docking technology was also used to further verify the interactions of the complexes with DNA/HSA.
Toward gene expression programming for accurate prognostication of the critical oil flow rate through the choke: correlation development
Authors: Rostami Alireza , Ebadi Hojatollah
Published: August 2017

In this study, gene expression programming (GEP) was employed to develop a new equation for calculating choke flow rate as a function of fluid properties and wellhead choke characteristics. For this reason, a comprehensive databank was adopted from the petroleum industry, and then, the databank was split into three groups of training set for model construction (70% of database), test set for model evaluation (15% of database), and validation set for avoiding over‐fitting problem (15% of database). For assessing of GEP model, numerous statistical and graphical tools were applied, and then, it was compared with widely applied literature correlations. Consequently, the proposed tool in this study gives the best fit with the actual flow rate data with the average absolute relative deviation of 11.0872% and determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9695. Additionally, cumulative frequency plot demonstrates that the GEP model has the highest frequency over the database. The outcomes of the GEP model were also compared with the outputs of the artificial neural network (ANN) revealing the higher precision of the ANN than the proposed GEP model in this study. At the end, it is worthwhile that the suggested model can be used as reliable tool for choke performance modeling. © 2017 Curtin University and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of nanocomposite SAPO‐34/ceramic membrane for post‐combustion CO2 capture
Authors: Kgaphola Kedibone , Sigalas Iakovos , Daramola Michael O.
Published: August 2017

Thin‐film SAPO‐34 membranes can separate CO2 efficiently. However, crack formation due to thermal expansion mismatch between the SAPO‐34 crystals and the support occurs at high operating temperatures, thereby resulting in a dramatic loss. Nanocomposite architecture SAPO‐34 membranes prepared via pore‐plugging hydrothermal synthesis could overcome this problem. In this study, nanocomposite SAPO‐34 membranes were synthesized via pore‐plugging hydrothermal and evaluated for N2/CO2 separation. Physico‐chemical property of the as‐synthesized membranes was checked with X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, thermal gravimetric analyser, and Fourier transform infrared. The X‐ray diffraction pattern reveals characteristic peaks associated with the rhombohedral crystal type of SAPO‐34; thermal gravimetric analyser shows a high thermal stability, Fourier transform infrared spectra indicate the presence of the D6R and T–O vibrations which form an essential part of the SAPO‐34 structure, and scanning electron microscope images of the membranes reveal cubic morphology of the SAPO‐34 crystals embedded in the ceramic support. Single gas permeation experiments using pure component of CO2 and N2 conducted to evaluate the separation performance of the membranes during post‐combustion CO2 capture reveal that ideal selectivity increased significantly for multistage pore‐plugging hydrothermal synthesis. The Maxwell–Stefan model describes adequately the CO2 permeation behaviour through the membrane as well. However, the membrane flux reduced owing to increase in membrane thickness. © 2017 Curtin University and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Processing of co‐reference in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Howard Philippa L. , Liversedge Simon P. , Benson Valerie
Published: August 2017

Accuracy for reading comprehension and inferencing tasks has previously been reported as reduced for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), relative to typically developing (TD) controls. In this study, we used an eye movements and reading paradigm to examine whether this difference in performance accuracy is underpinned by differences in the inferential work required to compute a co‐referential link. Participants read two sentences that contained a category noun (e.g., bird) that was preceded by and co‐referred to an exemplar that was either typical (e.g., pigeon) or atypical (e.g., penguin). Both TD and ASD participants showed an effect of typicality for gaze durations upon the category noun, with longer times being observed when the exemplar was atypical, in comparison to typical. No group differences or interactions were detected for target processing, and verbal language proficiency was found to predict general reading and inferential skill. The only difference between groups was that individuals with ASD engaged in more re‐reading than TD participants. These data suggest that readers with ASD do not differ in the efficiency with which they compute anaphoric links on‐line during reading. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1968–1980. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have previously been reported to have difficulties with reading comprehension. This study examined whether a difference in the speed with which individuals with ASD form connections between words (co‐reference processing) may contribute to comprehension difficulties. No evidence was found to suggest that ASD readers differ to typically developing readers in the speed of co‐reference processing. Therefore, this data would suggest that differences in co‐reference processing are unlikely to account for reading comprehension difficulties in ASD.
Risk of death from breast cancer after treatment for ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Wadsten C , Garmo H , Fredriksson I , Sund M , Wärnberg F
Published: August 2017

Background

Studies to date have failed to demonstrate any survival benefit from preventing local recurrence after treatment for ductal breast carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Patient- and tumour-related risk factors for death from breast cancer in women with a primary DCIS were analysed here in a large case–control study.

Methods

A nested case–control study was conducted in a population-based cohort of women with primary DCIS between 1992 and 2012. Women who later died from breast cancer were identified. Four controls per case were selected randomly by incidence density sampling. Medical records and pathology reports were retrieved. Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95 per cent confidence intervals for risk of death from breast cancer.

Results

From a cohort of 6964 women, 96 who died from breast cancer were identified and these were compared with a group of 318 controls. Tumour size over 25 mm or multifocal DCIS (OR 2·55, 95 per cent c.i. 1·53 to 4·25), a positive or uncertain margin status (OR 3·91, 1·59 to 9·61) and detection outside the screening programme (OR 2·12, 1·16 to 3·86) increased the risk of death from breast cancer. The risks were not affected by age or type of treatment. In the multivariable analysis, tumour size (OR 1·95, 1·06 to 3·67) and margin status (OR 2·69, 1·15 to 7·11) remained significant.

Conclusion

In the present study, large tumour size and positive or uncertain margin status were associated with a higher risk of death from breast cancer after treatment for primary DCIS. More extensive treatment was not associated with lower risk, which may be due to confounding by indication, or indicate that some DCIS has an inherent potential for metastatic spread.
An MS Excel tool for water distribution network design in environmental engineering education
Authors: Demir Selami , Manav Demir Neslihan , Karadeniz Aykut
Published: August 2017

An MS Excel tool for teaching hydraulic analysis of water distribution networks (WDNs) was developed. The tool is able to perform both steady‐state and extended period simulations of a WDN. The tool does not require installation and offers a portable solution to WDN design problem in undergraduate environmental engineering studies.
Effects of propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, and pollen on renal injury in hypertensive rat: An experimental and theoretical approach
Authors: Salmas Ramin Ekhteiari , Gulhan Mehmet Fuat , Durdagi Serdar , Sahna Engin , Abdullah Huda I. , Selamoglu Zeliha
Published: August 2017

The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of propolis, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE; active compound in propolis), and pollen on biochemical oxidative stress biomarkers in rat kidney tissue inhibited by Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME). The biomarkers evaluated were paraoxonase (PON1), oxidative stress index (OSI), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB). TAS levels and PON1 activity were significantly decreased in kidney tissue samples in the L‐NAME‐treated group (P < 0.05). The levels of TAS and PONI were higher in the L‐NAME plus propolis, CAPE, and pollen groups compared with the L‐NAME‐treated group. TOS, ADMA, and NF‐κB levels were significantly increased in the kidney tissue samples of the L‐NAME‐treated group (P < 0.05). However, these parameters were significantly lower in the L‐NAME plus propolis, CAPE, and pollen groups (P < 0.05) compared with rats administered L‐NAME alone (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the binding energy of CAPE within catalytic domain of glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme as well as its inhibitory mechanism was determined using molecular modeling approaches. In conclusion, experimental and theoretical data suggested that oxidative alterations occurring in the kidney tissue of chronic hypertensive rats may be prevented via active compound of propolis, CAPE administration.
Tacrolimus regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress–mediated osteoclastogenesis and inflammation: In vitro and collagen‐induced arthritis mouse model
Authors: Lee Won‐Seok , Jeong Ji‐Hyeon , Lee Eun‐Gyeong , Choi Yunjung , Kim Jin‐Hee , Kim Hang‐Rae , Yoo Wan‐Hee
Published: August 2017

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines involved in rheumatoid arthritis development by blocking T cell activation. “Endoplasmic reticulum stress,” an imbalance between protein folding load and capacity leading to the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, has been implicated in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory and metabolic diseases. We aimed to investigate the effect of tacrolimus on endoplasmic reticulum stress–mediated osteoclastogenesis and inflammation and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. In vitro studies were performed using mouse bone marrow cells that were cultured with or without interleukin‐1β, thapsigargin, or tacrolimus to induce osteoclast differentiation. A mouse model of arthritis was established by immunizing mice with bovine type II collagen. Tacrolimus was orally administered to mice from day 20 to 45 following the initial immunization, and histopathological changes and expression of specific biomarkers of endoplasmic reticulum stress–mediated inflammatory signaling pathways were examined. In vitro, tacrolimus inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand‐mediated osteoclast formation augmented by interleukin‐1β, thapsigargin, or both. Furthermore, tacrolimus inhibited glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78), protein kinase R‐like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 (IRE 1), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) augmented by interleukin‐1β, thapsigargin, or both. Tacrolimus significantly ameliorated osteolysis and endoplasmic reticulum stress intensity in mice. Simultaneously, it reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, osteoclastogenesis, and inflammatory responses by inhibiting GRP78, IRE 1, and ATF6. These findings suggest that tacrolimus exhibits an anti‐inflammation effect in rheumatoid arthritis and might inhibit joint damage progression by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Manganese‐Mediated Linkage of Perchlorate to Aminotetrazoles Produces Twice the Energy Density of the Unmetalated Salt
Authors: O'Sullivan Owen T. , Zdilla Michael J.
Published: August 2017

New regimes of energy density in energetic materials may be achieved by replacement of oxidizing nitro groups with stronger oxidants such as oxychlorine species. We report the energetic material 1,3‐di‐tert‐butyltetrazolium‐5‐imidoperchloratomanganese(II) 2, which crystallizes as an oligomeric cubane cluster. Bomb calorimetry on the amorphous, solvent‐free phase gives an energy density of at least 40±3 MJ L−, higher than hydrocarbon combustion in air, more than twice that of traditional energetic nitramines, and ≈70 % higher than that of the unmetalated tetrazolium perchlorate salt without metal linkage. The effects of solid‐state structure, charge, and lattice energy on the energy of 2 are discussed.
Silylene‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (Si−NHC)
Authors: Rottschäfer Dennis , Blomeyer Sebastian , Neumann Beate , Stammler Hans‐Georg , Ghadwal Rajendra S.
Published: August 2017

The synthesis, structure, and reactivity of the first silylene‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic carbene (Si‐NHC), {(L1)Si}(L2), (3) (L1=PhC(NtBu)2, L2=CCH(CNAr)2C:, Ar=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) are reported. The ditopic carbanionic‐NHC (dc‐NHC), [Li(L2)]∞ (1) reacts with the monochlorosilylene (L1)SiCl (2) to afford 3. The HOMO of 3 is the silylene lone‐pair orbital, whereas the HOMO−1 is located at the carbene carbon atom. Both SiII and CII functionalities of 3 undergo reactions with chalcogens to give heavier ketone derivatives {(L1)Si(E)}L2(E) (E=S, 4; Se, 5; and Te, 6). Compounds 4–6 feature a highly polarized Siδ+−Eδ− bond with a formal charge of −0.72 (4), −0.64 (5), and −0.50 e (6) on the E atom. The Wiberg bond indices of 1.64 (4), 1.66 (5), and 1.63 (6) for the Si−E bond however indicate a moderate pπ–pπ interaction between Si and E atoms. Compound 3 functions as a reducing agent and induces disproportionation of Si2Cl6 to yield the silyl‐functionalized NHC, {(L1)SiCl2}(L2) (7). Treatment of 3 with HSiCl3 leads to the formation of the silyl‐functionalized imidazolium salt [{(L1)SiCl2}(L2H)]Cl (8). The silylene moiety of 3 readily forms the iridium–silylene complex [{(L2)(L1)Si}Ir(cod)Cl] (9) featuring a free NHC ligand on treatment with [Ir(cod)(μ‐Cl)]2.
Treatment of Dairy Industry Cleaning‐in‐Place Wastewater by Electrocoagulation Supported with Immersed Membrane Process
Authors: Ates Hasan , Ozay Yasin , Dizge Nadir
Published: August 2017

This study aims to develop an easy and economic technique for dairy cleaning‐in‐place wastewater treatment to obtain high‐quality treated wastewater effluent. A batch electrocoagulation (EC) study is conducted using iron and aluminum electrodes. The effects of various operational parameters are investigated on the treatment performance. Maximum soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 81% for an Fe–Fe electrode and 53% for an Al–Al electrode are obtained at an applied voltage of 10 V, an electrode spacing of 2 cm, pH of 7.2, for a reaction time of 60 min. Moreover, protein removal efficiencies of 72.6 and 79.4% are obtained for Fe–Fe and Al–Al electrodes, respectively. An immersed membrane is integrated into the EC reactor and the reactor is operated in continuous mode. COD removal efficiency is determined as 86.4 and 84.5% for Fe–Fe and Al–Al electrodes, respectively, in continuous mode. The protein removal efficiency is also calculated as 80.9 and 83.8% for Fe–Fe and Al–Al electrodes, respectively. The Fe–Fe electrode shows the maximum COD removal efficiency, whereas Al–Al provides the maximum protein removal efficiency. Additionally, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FT‐IR) are applied to describe fouling phenomena.
Pollution Assessment of Toxic Metals in Representative Limnetic Ecosystem Sediments in the Southeastern Black Sea, Turkey
Authors: Ozseker Koray , Eruz Coskun
Published: August 2017

In this study, the natural and anthropogenic toxic metal pollution, and the general characteristics of lake sediments are investigated spatially and temporally. Three lakes are chosen in 2014 according to their origin from the Southeastern Black Sea‐Sera Lake, Uzungol Lake, and Borçka Dam Lake. Four sampling campaigns are conducted during the four seasons: spring, autumn, winter, and summer. The elements lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and arsenic (As) are selected for investigation. The highest average toxic concentrations of Cu (498.46 μg g−1), Pb (185.60 μg g−1), and As (18.74 μg g−1) were found in Borçka Dam Lake; however, those of Zn (435.00 μg g−1) and Ni (143.42 μg g−1) are found in Sera Lake. The highest metal concentrations are observed in autumn. Metal concentrations are determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The potential ecological risk index (RI) and geoaccumulation index (IGEO) values are calculated for assessing sediment pollution. The assessment of sediments according to their potential ecological risk to the aquatic environment reveal that Cu contamination is a moderate risk in Borçka Dam Lake. According to IGEO classifications, the highest IGEO values are found in Borçka Dam Lake in autumn. Accordingly, the study area is determined to be highly contaminated with Cu and Pb. Cu and Pb can be considered as major contributors to ecological risk in these Southeastern Black Sea lakes.
A New Energy‐Saving Catalytic System: Carbon Dioxide Activation by a Metal/Carbon Catalyst
Authors: Yun Danim , Park Dae Sung , Lee Kyung Rok , Yun Yang Sik , Kim Tae Yong , Park Hongseok , Lee Hyunjoo , Yi Jongheop
Published: August 2017

The conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals is an attractive method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to produce sustainable chemicals. However, the thermodynamic stability of CO2 means that a lot of energy is required for its conversion into chemicals. Here, we suggest a new catalytic system with an alternative heating system that allows minimal energy consumption during CO2 conversion. In this system, electrical energy is transferred as heat energy to the carbon‐supported metal catalyst. Fast ramping rates allow high operating temperatures (Tapp=250 °C) to be reached within 5 min, which leads to an 80‐fold decrease of energy consumption in methane reforming using CO2 (DRM). In addition, the consumed energy normalized by time during the DRM reaction in this current‐assisted catalysis is sixfold lower (11.0 kJ min−1) than that in conventional heating systems (68.4 kJ min−1).
Electrolyte Engineering: Optimizing High‐Rate Double‐Layer Capacitances of Micropore‐ and Mesopore‐Rich Activated Carbon
Authors: Chen Ting‐Hao , Yang Cheng‐Hsien , Su Ching‐Yuan , Lee Tai‐Chou , Dong Quan‐Feng , Chang Jeng‐Kuei
Published: August 2017

Various types of electrolyte cations as well as binary cations are used to optimize the capacitive performance of activated carbon (AC) with different pore structures. The high‐rate capability of micropore‐rich AC, governed by the mobility of desolvated cations, can outperform that of mesopore‐rich AC, which essentially depends on the electrolyte conductivity.
Automated analysis of individual sperm cells using stain‐free interferometric phase microscopy and machine learning
Authors: Mirsky Simcha K. , Barnea Itay , Levi Mattan , Greenspan Hayit , Shaked Natan T.
Published: August 2017

Currently, the delicate process of selecting sperm cells to be used for in vitro fertilization (IVF) is still based on the subjective, qualitative analysis of experienced clinicians using non‐quantitative optical microscopy techniques. In this work, a method was developed for the automated analysis of sperm cells based on the quantitative phase maps acquired through use of interferometric phase microscopy (IPM). Over 1,400 human sperm cells from 8 donors were imaged using IPM, and an algorithm was designed to digitally isolate sperm cell heads from the quantitative phase maps while taking into consideration both the cell 3D morphology and contents, as well as acquire features describing sperm head morphology. A subset of these features was used to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to automatically classify sperm of good and bad morphology. The SVM achieves an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 88.59% and an area under the precision‐recall curve of 88.67%, as well as precisions of 90% or higher. We believe that our automatic analysis can become the basis for objective and automatic sperm cell selection in IVF. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Conserved and variable: Understanding mammary stem cells across species
Authors: Rauner Gat , Ledet Melissa M. , Van de Walle Gerlinde R.
Published: August 2017

Postnatal mammary gland development requires the presence of mammary stem and progenitor cells (MaSC), which give rise to functional milk‐secreting cells and regenerate the mammary epithelium with each cycle of lactation. These long‐lived, tissue‐resident MaSC are also targets for malignant transformation and may be cancer cells‐of‐origin. Consequently, MaSC are extensively researched in relation to their role and function in development, tissue regeneration, lactation, and breast cancer. The basic structure and function of the mammary gland are conserved among all mammalian species, from the most primitive to the most evolved. However, species vary greatly in their lactation strategies and mammary cancer incidence, making MaSC an interesting focus for comparative research. MaSC have been characterized in mice, to a lesser degree in humans, and to an even lesser degree in few additional mammals. They remain uncharacterized in most mammalian species, including “ancient” monotremes, marsupials, wild, and rare species, as well as in common and domestic species such as cats. Identification and comparison of MaSC across a large variety of species, particularly those with extreme lactational adaptations or low mammary cancer incidence, is expected to deepen our understanding of development and malignancy in the mammary gland. Here, we review the current status of MaSC characterization across species, and underline species variations in lactation and mammary cancer through which we may learn about the role of MaSC in these processes. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
A20 deletion in T cells modulates acute graft‐versus‐host disease in mice
Authors: Fischer Julius C. , Otten Vera , Steiger Katja , Schmickl Martina , Slotta‐Huspenina Julia , Beyaert Rudi , van Loo Geert , Peschel Christian , Poeck Hendrik , Haas Tobias , Spoerl Silvia
Published: August 2017

The NF‐κB regulator A20 limits inflammation by providing negative feedback in myeloid cells and B cells. Functional lack of A20 has been linked to several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. To define how A20 affects the functionality of T effector cells in a highly inflammatory environment, we performed conventional allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) with A20‐deficient CD4+ and CD8+ donor T cells in mice. Severity and mortality of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allo‐HSCT was drastically reduced in recipients transplanted with conventional doses of A20‐deficient T cells. Consistently, we found that the A20‐deficient donor T‐cell compartment was strongly diminished at various timepoints after allo‐HSCT. However, proportionally more A20‐deficient donor T cells produced IFN‐γ and systemic inflammation was elevated early after allo‐HSCT. Consequently, increasing the dose of transplanted A20‐deficient T cells reversed the original phenotype and resulted in enhanced GVHD mortality compared to recipients that received A20+/+ T cells. Still, A20‐deficient T cells, activated either through T cell receptor‐dependent or ‐independent mechanisms, were less viable than control A20+/+ T cells, highlighting that A20 balances both, T‐cell activation and survival. Thus, our findings suggest that targeting A20 in T cells may allow to modulate T‐cell‐mediated inflammatory diseases like GVHD.
Renewable Photopolymer Films Derived From Low‐Grade Lampante and Pomace Olive Oils
Authors: Bouaziz Khaled , Ayadi Mohamed , Allouche Noureddine , Chemtob Abraham
Published: August 2017

Thiol‐ene photoinduced copolymerization between a polythiol cross‐linker and low‐grade unsaturated olive oil provides an eco‐efficient route to dry, flexible, and rubbery films in the matter of minutes. The synthetic methodology uses low cost olive oils resulting from non‐edible grades (lampante olive oil) and waste production (pomace olive oil) without prior chemical modification. The resultant photopolymer thioether cross‐linked films contain up to 80–85% of renewable resources, and UV‐driven drying proceeds despite the limited unsaturations’ concentration. Photopolymerization is triggered with a conventional medium‐pressure mercury arc in presence of three different thiol cross‐linkers: 2,2′‐(ethylenedioxy)diethanethiol, hexanedithiol or trimethylolpropanetris(3‐mercaptopropionate) and a radical photoinitiator (2‐hydroxy 2‐methylpropiophenone). Using real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (RT‐FTIR), we show that cross‐linking proceeds essentially via a step‐growth thiol‐ene polymerization, and to a minor extent, by a conventional photo‐oxidation mechanism. Practical Applications: Olive oil is the second largest produced vegetable oil, and in 2016 world production amounted to 3.5 million tons. An excess of low‐grade pomace and lampante olive oils is generated annually from the conventional extraction process; however, declared unfit for human consumption, they have a limited number of uses, and it is difficult to find new outlets. Despite this excess, the development of synthetic and processing methods to convert these non‐edible olive oils in useful materials has not been investigated widely. Here we report a method based on thiol‐ene photopolymerization to prepare a new range of UV‐curable films. Using time‐resolved infrared spectroscopy, this study sheds light into reaction kinetics and polymerization mechanism.

We report a method based on thiol‐ene photopolymerization to prepare a new range of UV‐curable films derived from the excess of low‐grade pomace and lampante olive oils generated from the conventional extraction process of olive oil.
Beyond weakness: Characterization of pain, sensory profile and conditioned pain modulation in patients with motor neuron disease: A controlled study
Authors: Lopes L.C.G. , Galhardoni R. , Silva V. , Jorge F.M.H. , Yeng L.T. , Callegaro D. , Chadi G. , Teixeira M.J. , Ciampi de Andrade D.
Published: August 2017

Background

Motor neuron diseases (MND) represent a group of disorders that evolve with inexorable muscle weakness and medical management is based on symptom control. However, deeper characterization of non‐motor symptoms in these patients have been rarely reported.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study aimed to describe non‐motor symptoms in MND and their impact on quality of life and functional status, with a focus on pain and sensory changes. Eighty patients (31 females, 55.7 ± 12.9 years old) with MND underwent a neurological examination, pain, mood, catastrophizing and psychophysics assessments [quantitative sensory testing (QST) and conditioned pain modulation (CPM)], and were compared to sex‐ and age‐matched healthy controls (HC).

Results

Chronic pain was present in 46% of patients (VAS =5.18 ± 2.0). Pain of musculoskeletal origin occurred in 40.5% and was mainly located in the head/neck (51%) and lower back (35%). Neuropathic pain was not present in this sample. Compared to HC, MND patients had a lower cold detection threshold (p < 0.002), and significantly lower CPM scores (4.9 ± 0.2% vs. 22.1 ± 0.2%, p = 0.012). QST/CPM results did not differ between MND patients with and without pain. Pain intensity was statistically correlated with anxiety, depression and catastrophism, and spasticity scores were inversely correlated with CPM (ρ = −0.30, p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Pain is frequently reported by patients with MNDs. Somatosensory and CPM changes exist in MNDs and may be related to the neurodegenerative nature of the disease. Further studies should investigate the most appropriate treatment strategies for these patients.

Significance

We report a comprehensive evaluation of pain and sensory abnormalities in motor neuron disease (MND) patients. We assessed the different pain syndromes present in MND with validated tools, and described the QST and conditioned pain modulation profiles in a controlled design.
Pencil graphite leads as simple amperometric sensors for microchip electrophoresis
Authors: Natiele Tiago da Silva Eiva , Marques Petroni Jacqueline , Gabriel Lucca Bruno , Souza Ferreira Valdir
Published: August 2017

In this work we demonstrate, for the first time, the use of inexpensive commercial pencil graphite leads as simple amperometric sensors for microchip electrophoresis. A PDMS support containing one channel was fabricated through soft lithography and sanded pencil graphite leads were inserted into this channel to be used as working electrodes. The electrochemical and morphological characterization of the sensor was carried out. The graphite electrode was coupled to PDMS microchips in end‐channel configuration and electrophoretic experiments were performed using nitrite and ascorbate as probe analytes. The analytes were successfully separated and detected in well‐defined peaks with satisfactory resolution using the microfluidic platform proposed. The repeatability of the pencil graphite electrode was satisfactory (RSD values of 1.6% for nitrite and 12.3% for ascorbate, regarding the peak currents) and its lifetime was estimated to be ca. 700 electrophoretic runs over a cost of ca. $ 0.05 per electrode. The limits of detection achieved with this system were 2.8 μM for nitrite and 5.7 μM for ascorbate. For proof of principle, the pencil graphite electrode was employed for the real analysis of well water samples and nitrite was successfully quantified at levels below its maximum contaminant level established in Brazil and US.
A megaporous material harbouring a peptide ligand for affinity IgG purification
Authors: Tehrani Najafian Foad , Bibi Noor Shad , Islam Tuhidul , Fernández‐Lahore Marcelo
Published: August 2017

Common limitations of Protein A affinity chromatography include high adsorbent costs, ligand instability and possible ligand leakage. In this study, a short peptide with affinity for IgG was synthesized chemically and subsequently immobilized on a megaporous support. The support was prepared utilising the cryogel technique while the peptide‐ligand was covalently immobilised via thiol‐epoxy click chemistry. The cryogel support was chemically grafted to increase the number of reaction sites. This adsorbent was designated as “MP‐Pep”. Adsorption isotherms were employed to evaluate protein binding capacity. A maximum static binding capacity within the range of 30–60 mg/mL was observed for ThIgG. This parameter compares well with other commercial and non‐commercial adsorbents, as reported in the literature. As a control material, a Protein A grafted megaporous cryogel was synthesized. Dynamic binding capacity values were obtained by breakthrough analysis. The peptide cryogel showed a dynamic capacity value 9.0 mg/mL in comparison to 9.7 mg/mL in the case of the Protein A based adsorbent. The ratio of dynamic binding capacity to static binding capacity was 20%, indicating suboptimal product capture. However, the advantage of MP‐Pep lies in its cost‐effective preparations while maintaining a reasonable binding capacity for the targeted product. The presence of cooperative effects during protein binding could also represent an advantage during the processing of a feedstock containing a product in high concentration.
Effect of combined inorganic with organic acids pretreatment of rice straw on its structure properties and enzymatic hydrolysis
Authors: Li Yun , Qi Benkun , Feng Jie , Zhang Yi , Wan Yinhua
Published: August 2017

Rice straw was pretreated with sulfuric acid combined with five organic acids (oxalic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, and fumaric acid) at 121°C for 90 min with five different blending ratios. The concentrations of glucose, xylose, arabinose and inhibitors such as acetic acid, furfural and HMF (5‐hydroxymethylfurfural) in the prehydrolysate were analyzed. It demonstrated that the concentrations of both sugars and inhibitors in prehydrolysate decreased with increasing organic acids blending ratio. The different solid residues from pretreatments were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis process. The results showed that pretreating rice straw using combined sulfuric acid with oxalic acid or fumaric acid resulted in the maximum glucose yield (∼66%) after 72 h enzymatic hydrolysis in sharp contrast to ∼58% glucose yield obtained from pretreatment only with sulfuric acid under the same conditions. Furthermore, the structure of the raw material and the pretreated rice straw were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transformer infrared (FTIR) spectrum to clarify the effects of the combined sulfuric acid with oxalic or fumaric acid pretreatment on disrupting the fibers, removing hemicellulose and making the cellulose structure loose. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 808–814, 2018
Oxidative stress induced by glyphosate-based herbicide on freshwater turtles
Authors: Héritier Laurent , Duval David , Galinier Richard , Meistertzheim Anne-Leila , Verneau Olivier
Published: August 2017

Freshwater ecosystems face very strong anthropogenic pressures, among which overexploitation, habitat degradation, flow modification, species invasion, and water pollution lead to growing threats on biodiversity. Urbanization through wastewater treatment, industry through the release of inorganic and organic chemicals, and agriculture through the use of pesticides and herbicides are the main factors involved in water pollution. In France, more precisely in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, the poor quality of the watercourses is attributable overall to the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in agricultural activities. Because these chemicals can impact individuals, populations, and biodiversity, we investigated, under experimental conditions, the physiological response of animals facing abiotic contaminants. We selected as a model, juveniles of the freshwater turtle Trachemys scripta elegans. We measured the gene expression and activity of the catalase and superoxide dismutase enzymes as well as the levels of lipid peroxidation, which are all oxidative stress biomarkers, in turtles challenged with high concentrations of glyphosate-based herbicides, on the one hand, and with degraded waters collected from a local watercourse, on the other. We also measured the acetylcholinesterase activity across the same animals. We showed through variations in gene expression and enzyme activity that a glyphosate commercial formulation induced a stress in turtles. A similar outcome was obtained when turtles faced degraded waters. The results indicated that the poor quality of regional waters could be a real threat for animal health. Because turtles are globally less sensitive to contaminants than amphibians, which are lacking in the degraded waters of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, they could constitute an excellent model to follow the evolution of water quality through the study of oxidative stress biomarkers. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3343–3350. © 2017 SETAC
Evaluating the effects of pH, hardness, and dissolved organic carbon on the toxicity of aluminum to freshwater aquatic organisms under circumneutral conditions
Authors: Gensemer Robert W. , Gondek John C. , Rodriquez Patricio H. , Arbildua Jose J. , Stubblefield William A. , Cardwell Allison S. , Santore Robert C. , Ryan Adam C. , Adams William J. , Nordheim Eirik
Published: August 2017

Although it is well known that increasing water hardness and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations mitigate the toxicity of aluminum (Al) to freshwater organisms in acidic water (i.e., pH < 6), these effects are less well characterized in natural waters at circumneutral pHs for which most aquatic life regulatory protection criteria apply (i.e., pH 6–8). The evaluation of Al toxicity under varying pH conditions may also be confounded by the presence of Al hydroxides and freshly precipitated Al in newly prepared test solutions. Aging and filtration of test solutions were found to greatly reduce toxicity, suggesting that toxicity from transient forms of Al could be minimized and that precipitated Al hydroxides contribute significantly to Al toxicity under circumneutral conditions, rather than dissolved or monomeric forms. Increasing pH, hardness, and DOC were found to have a protective effect against Al toxicity for fish (Pimephales promelas) and invertebrates (Ceriodaphnia dubia, Daphnia magna). For algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata), the protective effects of increased hardness were only apparent at pH 6, less so at pH 7, and at pH 8, increased hardness appeared to increase the sensitivity of algae to Al. The results support the need for water quality–based aquatic life protection criteria for Al, rather than fixed value criteria, as being a more accurate predictor of Al toxicity in natural waters. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:49–60. © 2017 SETAC
Alcohol use and the wage returns to education and work experience
Authors: Bray Jeremy W. , Hinde Jesse M. , Aldridge Arnie P.
Published: August 2017

Despite a widely held belief that alcohol use should negatively impact wages, much of the literature on the topic suggests a positive relationship between nonproblematic alcohol use and wages. Studies on the effect of alcohol use on educational attainment have also failed to find a consistent, negative effect of alcohol use on years of education. Thus, the connections between alcohol use, human capital, and wages remain a topic of debate in the literature. In this study, we use the 1997 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth to estimate a theoretical model of wage determination that links alcohol use to wages via human capital. We find that nonbinge drinking is associated with lower wage returns to education whereas binge drinking is associated with increased wage returns to both education and work experience. We interpret these counterintuitive results as evidence that alcohol use affects wages through both the allocative and productive efficiency of human capital formation and that these effects operate in offsetting directions. We suggest that alcohol control policies should be more nuanced to target alcohol consumption in the contexts within which it causes harm.
Subjective well‐being and minimum wages: Evidence from U.S. states
Authors: Kuroki Masanori
Published: August 2017

This paper investigates whether increases in minimum wages are associated with higher life satisfaction by using monthly‐level state minimum wages and individual‐level data from the 2005–2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The magnitude I find suggests that a 10% increase in the minimum wage is associated with a 0.03‐point increase in life satisfaction for workers without a high school diploma, on a 4‐point scale. Contrary to popular belief that higher minimum wages hurt business owners, I find little evidence that higher minimum wages lead to the loss of well‐being among self‐employed people.