bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of a heat‐resistant DOPO derivative and its application as flame‐retardant in engineering plastics
Authors: Xie Mingchen , Zhang Shimin , Ding Yanfen , Wang Feng , Liu Peng , Tang Hanying , Wang Yintao , Yang Mingshu
Published: February 2017

A star‐shaped DOPO derivative (GL‐3DOPO, P content 10.8 wt %) was synthesized through a two‐step reaction involving glycerol, acryloyl chloride, and DOPO. The derivative demonstrated a great improvement of thermal decomposition temperature increased to 360 °C from 194 °C (under N2 atmosphere), promoting its application in thermoplastics of high processing temperature. When blended with engineering plastics including PET, PBT, PC, PA6, and PA66 at a GL‐3DOPO loading of 25 wt %, all the compounds reached the UL94 V‐0 level and increased limit oxygen index (LOI). In PET system, LOI raised from 22.8% to 35.4% with P 2.5 wt % and passed the V‐0 test with only 0.8 P wt %. Compact char layers were found in the PET system after LOI test, suggesting that GL‐3DOPO acted both in gas and condensed‐phase mode. All results indicated that GL‐3DOPO could be a potential flame‐retardant for engineering plastics. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44892.
Facile control of high temperature shape memory polymers
Authors: Qiu Xueying , Xiao Xinli , Kong Deyan , Zhang Wenbo , Ma Zhuo
Published: February 2017

Glass transition temperature (Tg) is crucial in determining application areas of high temperature shape memory polymers (SMPs), but some Tgs are difficult or uneconomic to be obtained. Here we introduce a facile way to prepare high temperature SMPs with controllable Tgs from 183 to 230 °C by copolymerization of polyimides, and relationships between Tgs and diamine components of the shape memory copolyimides agree with Fox Equation. These copolyimides can fix temporary shape and return to original shape nicely, and the possible mechanisms of their high shape fixity and shape recovery are analyzed on the basis of thermomechanical properties and molecular structures. The copolymerization of shape memory polyimides has offered an effective way to obtain high temperature SMPs with desired properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44902.
A poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwoven sandwiched electrospun polysulfonamide fibrous separator for rechargeable lithium ion batteries
Authors: Peng Kun , Wang Biao , Ji Chengchang
Published: February 2017

A poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwoven sandwiched electrospun polysulfonamide (PSA) fibrous separator was developed for application in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The poly(ethylene terephthalate) nonwoven served as a mechanical support and the PSA layers provided the separators with nanoporous structures. This novel composite separator possessed better thermal stability and electrolyte wettability than commercial polypropylene separator and the sandwiched nonwoven endowed the separator with an improved mechanical strength (17.7 MPa) compared to the pure electrospun PSA separator. The cells assembled with this composite separator displayed excellent discharge capacity (122.0 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles) and discharge C‐rate capacity. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44907.
Uniaxial tensile and structural properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) films: The influence of heating and film thickness
Authors: Aksakal Baki , Yargı Önder , Şahinturk Utkan
Published: February 2017

Poly(vinyl alcohol) as pure or composite materials is widely used in the food and textile industries, andbiomedical applications due to some important properties such as uniaxial tensile, biocompatibility, and noncarcinogenicity. Investigation of the influence of the film thickness and heating on the uniaxial tensile, spectroscopic, and surface properties of PVA films investigated in this study is quite important for improving the properties of such materials and their applicability in different conditions. In this study, with the influence of heating, a necking behavior was observed at around 2% for thin films and 4–9% strain for thicker PVA films for which a kind of transition point at around 1–2% strain was observed. The mechanical strength of PVA films, strain at break, and Young's modulus were enhanced greatly as the temperature increased from 80 to around 110 °C, and then most of them decreased. The degree of crystallinity increased linearly with the heat temperature from around 36–40%. Although PVA thin films obtained a very smooth surface structure after being heated at 80 °C, with increasing heat temperature, the surface roughness of both thin and thick PVA films increased and the PVA thin films obtained more degraded film surface. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44915.
ENGAGE compatibilized HDPE/EPDM blends: Modification of some industrially pertinent properties and morphology upon incorporation of Mg(OH)2 filler and electron beam crosslinked network
Authors: Kumar Sharma Bhuwanesh , Ray Chowdhury Subhendu , Jha Atanu , Samanta Amit Kumar , Mahanwar Prakash , Sarma Kuppa Sivasankara
Published: February 2017

To observe the effect of ENGAGE (a poly‐olefin elastomer) on compatibilization of industrially important incompatible blend, high‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/ethylene‐propylene diene elastomer (EPDM), 15 wt % ENGAGE is incorporated into the system and the latter is found satisfactorily efficient as compatibilizer for the above system. To improve some industrially pertinent properties another strategies are also followed in addition, incorporation of magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] and electron beam (EB) crosslinking into the system. The gel content was found to increase with radiation dose, EPDM content and Mg(OH)2 dispersion. ENGAGE interestingly increases the gel content that is, promotes crosslinking. It is unique that filler dispersion and crosslinked network formation maintain the compatibility of the ternary system, which is confirmed by X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscope. The compatibilization, Mg(OH)2 dispersion, and EB crosslinking improve the mechanical, thermo mechanical, flame retardant properties, and phase morphology considerably. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44922.
Acetylcholinesterase‐capped Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Controlled by the Presence of Inhibitors
Authors: Pascual Lluís , El Sayed Sameh , Marcos María D. , Martínez‐Máñez Ramón , Sancenón Félix
Published: February 2017

Two different acetylcholinesterase (AChE)‐capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), S1‐AChE and S2‐AChE, were prepared and characterized. MSNs were loaded with rhodamine B and the external surface was functionalized with either pyridostigmine derivative P1 (to yield solid S1) or neostigmine derivative P2 (to obtain S2). The final capped materials were obtained by coordinating grafted P1 or P2 with AChE′s active sites (to give S1‐AChE and S2‐AChE, respectively). Both materials were able to release rhodamine B in the presence of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) or neostigmine in a concentration‐dependent manner via the competitive displacement of AChE through DFP and neostigmine coordination with the AChE‘s active sites. The responses of S1‐AChE and S2‐AChE were also tested with other enzyme inhibitors and substrates. These studies suggest that S1‐AChE nanoparticles can be used for the selective detection of nerve agent simulant DFP and paraoxon.
Essential Oil and Bioactive Compounds Variation in Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) as Affected by Seasonal Variation and Salt Stress
Authors: Vafadar Shoshtari Zeinab , Rahimmalek Mehdi , Sabzalian Mohammad Reza , Hosseini Hossein
Published: February 2017

The effect of different NaCl concentrations (control, 2, 4 and 6 dS/m) and three harvesting times in different seasons including spring (9 April), summer (5 July), and fall (23 September) was evaluated on essential oil (EO) yield, composition, phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of myrtle. Essential oil yield ranged from 0.2% in control and fall to 1.6% in moderate salinity (4 dS/m) and spring season. The main constituents obtained from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis were α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole, limonene, linalool, α‐terpineol, and linalyl acetate in which α‐pinene ranged from 11.70% in moderate and fall to 30.99% in low salinity (2 dS/m) and spring, while 1,8‐cineole varied from 7.42% in high salinity (6 dS/m) and summer to 15.45% in low salinity and spring, respectively. Salt stress also resulted in an increase in total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity. The highest antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power (FTC) and β‐carotene/linoleic acid model systems was found in plants harvested in spring and summer in high stress condition. The lowest IC50 values obtained in 6 dS/m in spring (375.23 μg/ml) followed by summer (249.41 μg/ml) and fall (618.38 μg/ml). Eight major phenolic and flavonoid compounds were determined in three harvesting times using high performance liquid chromatography analysis. In overall, late harvesting time of myrtle in fall can lead to reduce the most of major EO components, while it can improve the amount of phenolic acids.
Inhibitory Activity and Chemical Characterization of Daucus carota subsp. maximus Essential Oils
Authors: Gaglio Raimondo , Barbera Marcella , Aleo Aurora , Lommatzsch Ines , La Mantia Tommaso , Settanni Luca
Published: February 2017

The essential oils (EOs) of green seeds from Daucus carota subsp. maximus growing wild in Pantelleria Island (Sicily, Italy) were characterized. EOs were extracted by steam distillation, examined for their inhibitory properties against food‐borne Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and analyzed for the chemical composition by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Undiluted EOs showed a large inhibition spectrum against Gram‐positive strains and also vs. Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was in the range 1.25 – 2.50 μl/ml for the most sensitive strains. The chemical analysis indicated that D. carota subsp. maximus EOs included 34 compounds (five monoterpene hydrocarbons, six oxygenated monoterpenes, 14 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, four oxygenated sesquiterpenes, camphorene and four other compounds), accounting for 95.48% of the total oil, and that the major chemicals were carotol, β‐bisabolene, and isoelemicin.
Design and Application of Foams for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Zhu Wenxin , Zhang Rong , Qu Fengli , Asiri Abdullah M. , Sun Xuping
Published: February 2017

Developing low cost and efficient anode and cathode materials toward electrocatalysis are regarded as one of the most desirable yet challenging research directions, which are intimately related to the pressing energy, environmental and human health issues. Currently, 3 D foam (such as Ni foam, Cu foam, and graphene foam) based heterogeneous catalysts have been intensively explored for actively catalyzing the electrode reactions. Their inherent characteristics of stereo‐network structure, high specific area and large pore volume not only provide better mass transport of reactants to electrode surfaces, but also pave 3 D electron transport pathways. Herein, recent significant progress and rational design of foam‐based electrocatalysts are reviewed. In addition, some insights into current challenges and future directions of foams for efficient electrocatalysis are proposed and discussed.
The American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS‐3): Recruitment, study design, and baseline characteristics
Authors: Patel Alpa V. , Jacobs Eric J. , Dudas Daniela M. , Briggs Peter J. , Lichtman Cari J. , Bain Elizabeth B. , Stevens Victoria L. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Teras Lauren R. , Campbell Peter T. , Gaudet Mia M. , Kirkland Elizabeth G. , Rittase Melissa H. , Joiner Nance , Diver W. Ryan , Hildebrand Janet S. , Yaw Nancy C. , Gapstur Susan M.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Prospective cohort studies contribute importantly to understanding the role of lifestyle, genetic, and other factors in chronic disease etiology.

METHODS

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recruited a new prospective cohort study, Cancer Prevention Study 3 (CPS‐3), between 2006 and 2013 from 35 states and Puerto Rico. Enrollment took place primarily at ACS community events and at community enrollment “drives.” At enrollment sites, participants completed a brief survey that included an informed consent, identifying information necessary for follow‐up, and key exposure information. They also provided a waist measure and a nonfasting blood sample. Most participants also completed a more comprehensive baseline survey at home that included extensive medical, lifestyle, and other information. Participants will be followed for incident cancers through linkage with state cancer registries and for cause‐specific mortality through linkage with the National Death Index.

RESULTS

In total, 303,682 participants were enrolled. Of these, 254,650 completed the baseline survey and are considered “fully” enrolled; they will be sent repeat surveys periodically for at least the next 20 years to update exposure information. The remaining participants (n = 49,032) will not be asked to update exposure information but will be followed for outcomes. Twenty‐three percent of participants were men, 17.3% reported a race or ethnicity other than “white,” and the median age at enrollment was 47 years.

CONCLUSIONS

CPS‐3 will be a valuable resource for studies of cancer and other outcomes because of its size; its diversity with respect to age, ethnicity, and geography; and the availability of blood samples and detailed questionnaire information collected over time. Cancer 2017;123:2014–2024. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Clinical outcomes and survival surrogacy studies of prostate‐specific antigen declines following enzalutamide in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer previously treated with docetaxel
Authors: Armstrong Andrew J. , Saad Fred , Phung De , Dmuchowski Carl , Shore Neal D. , Fizazi Karim , Hirmand Mohammad , Forer David , Scher Howard I. , Bono Johann De
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

In the AFFIRM trial, enzalutamide significantly increased overall survival (OS) for men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) after chemotherapy versus placebo and significantly decreased prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels. The goal of this post hoc analysis was to associate levels of PSA decline from baseline after enzalutamide with clinical outcomes in the postchemotherapy mCRPC setting.

METHODS

Men in the AFFIRM trial (n = 1199) were grouped by maximal PSA decline in the first 90 days of treatment. Kaplan‐Meier estimates evaluated the association of defined PSA changes from baseline with OS, progression‐free survival (PFS), radiographic PFS (rPFS), and pain response. Each PSA decline category was assessed for OS surrogacy using Prentice criteria, proportion of treatment effect explained (PTE), and proportion of variation explained.

RESULTS

Men treated with enzalutamide had improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.63; P < .001) and higher rates of PSA decline (odds ratio, >19.0; P < .001) versus placebo. PSA declines of any, ≥30%, ≥50%, and ≥90% with enzalutamide were strongly associated with greater OS, PSA PFS, rPFS (P < .001), and pain response (P < .026) versus PSA increase/no decline. Any, ≥30%, and ≥50% declines in PSA resulted in the PTE range of 1.07‐1.29, where treatment was no longer significant after adjustment for decline measures (P > .20).

CONCLUSIONS

PSA declines of any, ≥30%, and ≥50% following enzalutamide were associated with greater clinical and pain response and improvements in PFS and OS. Surrogacy of PSA decline for OS was not fully established, possibly due to lack of PSA declines with placebo, and discordant results between PSA and imaging responses over time, and because some declines were not durable due to rapid resistance development. However, a lack of PSA decline by 90 days following enzalutamide treatment was a poor prognosis indicator in this setting. Conclusions from sensitivity analyses of maximal PSA decline from baseline over the entire treatment period are consistent with PSA declines restricted to the first 90 days. Cancer 2017;123:2303–2311. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Hexagonal Mesoporous Silica‐Supported Copper Oxide (CuO/HMS) Catalyst: Synthesis of Primary Amides from Aldehydes in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Kadam Ravishankar G. , Rathi Anuj K. , Cepe Klara , Zboril Radek , Varma Rajender S. , Gawande Manoj B. , Jayaram Radha V.
Published: February 2017

Hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS)‐supported copper oxides (CuO/HMS) have been prepared by a sol–gel method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 sorption, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), H2 temperature‐programed reduction (TPR), NH3 temperature‐programed desorption (TPD), and high‐resolution (HR)‐TEM techniques. An analysis of these results revealed a mesoporous material system with a high surface area (974 m2 g−1) and uniform pore‐size distribution. The catalytic efficacy of CuO on the HMS support with varying Cu loadings (1, 3, 5, 10, and 15 wt %) was investigated for the transformation of aldehydes to primary amides; 3 wt % CuO/HMS exhibited good catalytic performance with good to excellent yields of amides (60–92 %) in benign aqueous medium. The intrinsically heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered after the reaction and reused without any noticeable loss in activity.
Traceable measurements and calibration: a primer on uncertainty analysis
Authors: Csavina Janae , Roberti Joshua A. , Taylor Jeffrey R. , Loescher Henry W.
Published: February 2017

Describing the quality of measurements is necessary to understand the level of confidence in any observation. Accuracy, precision, trueness, repeatability, reproducibility, and uncertainty are all used to describe quality of measurement, but the terms are inconsistently defined and measured and thus easily misunderstood. One purpose of quality parameters is for the comparison of observations, but when dissimilar methods for estimating quality terms are utilized, a comparison is misrepresented. A standardized approach to estimating uncertainty provides a basis for meeting measurement requirements and providing a level of confidence for observations. Here, we show the approach used by the National Ecological Observatory Network to estimate uncertainty of the calibration processes and measurements illustrated with an example of uncertainty assessment on a temperature sensor. Detailing the approach for uncertainty assessment provides the transparency necessary for network science and allows for the approach to be adopted in the scientific community. Reporting uncertainty with all measurements needs to become consistent and commonplace across disciplines.
An Organoselective Zirconium‐Based Metal–Organic‐Framework UiO‐66 Membrane for Pervaporation
Authors: Miyamoto Manabu , Hori Keisuke , Goshima Tatsumasa , Takaya Naoki , Oumi Yasunori , Uemiya Shigeyuki
Published: February 2017

A UiO‐66 membrane was synthesized on an Al2O3 support by an in situ solvothermal method with a coordination modulation technique. We first confirmed the organic selectivity of the UiO‐66 membrane for methanol, ethanol, and acetone in mixtures with water. The membrane displayed highly stable pervaporation performance during the test and exhibited a separation factor of approximately 4.3 and a flux of 1.28 kg m–2 h–1 in ethanol/water. From the water and ethanol vapor adsorption measurement, the water uptake was lower in a binary system than that in a single system, although the ethanol uptake was similar for the binary and single systems. Therefore, the ethanol selectivity of the UiO‐66 membrane can be attributed to the preferential adsorption of the organic compound rather than water, as confirmed by a binary‐vapor adsorption measurement.
Efficient Bimetallic Catalysis of Nitrile Hydration to Amides with a Simple Pd(OAc)2/Lewis Acid Catalyst at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Zhang Sicheng , Xu Haosheng , Lou Chenlin , Senan Ahmed M. , Chen Zhuqi , Yin Guochuan
Published: February 2017

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed nitrile hydration is an atom‐economic method for the synthesis of various amides. This work demonstrates for the first time that the addition of non‐redox metal ions like Sc3+ dramatically accelerate the hydration of various nitriles to amides at ambient temperature with the simple Pd(OAc)2 salt as catalyst, whereas the reactions with Pd(OAc)2 alone were very sluggish. The formation of a heterobimetallic PdII/ScIII species has been proposed as the key species for the hydration that demonstrates a bimetallic synergistic effect in this process.
Psychological and endocrine factors and pain after mastectomy
Authors: Nishimura D. , Kosugi S. , Onishi Y. , Ihara N. , Wakaizumi K. , Nagata H. , Yamada T. , Suzuki T. , Hashiguchi S. , Morisaki H.
Published: February 2017

Background

This prospective study was designed to examine the associations of demographic, clinical, psychological and neuroendocrine factors with acute and chronic post‐operative pain following partial mastectomy.

Methods

Sixty‐four female patients scheduled for partial mastectomy were enrolled. Pre‐operative anxiety/depression was assessed, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Pre‐operative 24‐h urinary cortisol levels were measured 2 days before surgery. Post‐operative pain was examined using a visual analog scale (VAS) for acute pain on 0–2 post‐operative day (POD), and a short‐form McGill Pain Questionnaire for chronic pain at 6 months after surgery. In the last 29 subjects, post‐operative 24‐h urinary cortisol levels were also measured on 0 POD and were subjected to correlation analysis.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that lower pre‐operative cortisol secretion and greater pre‐operative anxiety were significantly associated with an increased risk of moderate to severe acute post‐operative pain [Odds Ratio (95% Confidence Interval); 0.96 (0.92–0.98), and 1.24 (1.04–1.54)], and that patients with greater pre‐operative anxiety and moderate to severe acute pain were more likely to develop chronic post‐operative pain [OR (95% CI); 1.63 (1.23–2.40), and 5.07 (1.30–24.6)]. Correlational analysis demonstrated that the post‐operative cortisol level was inversely correlated with pre‐operative anxiety and the intensity of acute post‐operative pain (r = −0.40, p < 0.05, and r = −0.50, p < 0.01), but not with the intensity of chronic pain.

Conclusions

This study confirms that pre‐operative anxiety is associated with both acute and chronic post‐operative pain after partial mastectomy. It also suggests that lower perioperative cortisol secretion might be associated with greater acute post‐operative pain.

Significance

Although the associations between psychological stress/stress hormone levels and chronic post‐operative pain remain to be determined, pre‐operative psychological stress and perioperative cortisol levels are correlated with acute post‐operative pain.
Lipophilic properties of anti‐Alzheimer's agents determined by micellar electrokinetic chromatography and reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography
Authors: Godyń Justyna , Hebda Michalina , Więckowska Anna , Więckowski Krzysztof , Malawska Barbara , Bajda Marek
Published: February 2017

Lipophilicity as one of the most important physicochemical properties of the biologically active compounds is closely related to their pharmacokinetic parameters and therefore, it is taken into account at the design stage of new drugs. Among the novel, fast, and reliable methods for determination of the lipophilicity of compounds micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) is considered to be an appropriate one for bioactive molecules, as it closely mimics the physiological conditions. In this paper MEKC was used for the estimation of log P values for 49 derivatives of phthalimide, tetrahydroisochinoline and indole, designed and synthesized as potential anti‐Alzheimer's agents with cholinesterase inhibitory activity. RP‐TLC method was applied for determination of another lipophilicity descriptor ‐ RM0. The results of both experimental methods were compared with each other giving satisfactory correlation (R = 0.784), and with computational methods (Marvin, ChemOffice Software) resulting in weaker correlation (R = 0.466–0.687). The lipophilicity–activity relationship was finally established, showing significant influence of lipophilicity on cholinesterase inhibition in some subgroups of phthalimide derivatives.
Modeling individual movement decisions of brown hare (Lepus europaeus) as a key concept for realistic spatial behavior and exposure: A population model for landscape-level risk assessment
Authors: Kleinmann Joachim U. , Wang Magnus
Published: February 2017

Spatial behavior is of crucial importance for the risk assessment of pesticides and for the assessment of effects of agricultural practice or multiple stressors, because it determines field use, exposition, and recovery. Recently, population models have increasingly been used to understand the mechanisms driving risk and recovery or to conduct landscape-level risk assessments. To include spatial behavior appropriately in population models for use in risk assessments, a new method, “probabilistic walk,” was developed, which simulates the detailed daily movement of individuals by taking into account food resources, vegetation cover, and the presence of conspecifics. At each movement step, animals decide where to move next based on probabilities being determined from this information. The model was parameterized to simulate populations of brown hares (Lepus europaeus). A detailed validation of the model demonstrated that it can realistically reproduce various natural patterns of brown hare ecology and behavior. Simulated proportions of time animals spent in fields (PT values) were also comparable to field observations. It is shown that these important parameters for the risk assessment may, however, vary in different landscapes. The results demonstrate the value of using population models to reduce uncertainties in risk assessment and to better understand which factors determine risk in a landscape context. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2299–2307. © 2017 SETAC
The logistics of myelin biogenesis in the central nervous system
Authors: Snaidero Nicolas , Simons Mikael
Published: February 2017

Rapid nerve conduction depends on myelin, but not all axons in the central nervous system (CNS) are myelinated to the same extent. Here, we review our current understanding of the biology of myelin biogenesis in the CNS. We focus on how the different steps of myelination are interconnected and how distinct patterns of myelin are generated. Possibly, a “basal” mode of myelination is laying the groundwork in areas devoted to basic homeostasis early in development, whereas a “targeted” mode generates myelin in regions controlling more complex tasks throughout adulthood. Such mechanisms may explain why myelination progresses in some areas according to a typical chronological and topographic sequence, while in other regions it is regulated by environmental stimuli contributing to interindividual variability of myelin structure. GLIA 2017;65:1021–1031
Two modes of enteric gliotransmission differentially affect gut physiology
Authors: Grubišić Vladimir , Parpura Vladimir
Published: February 2017

Enteric glia (EG) in the enteric nervous system can modulate neuronally regulated gut functions. Using molecular genetics, we assessed the effects that molecular entities expressed in EG and otherwise mediating two distinct mechanisms of gliotransmitter release, connexin 43 (Cx43) hemichannel vs. Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis, have on gut function. The expression of mutated Cx43G138R (which favors hemichannel, as opposed to gap‐junctional activity) in EG increased gut motility in vivo, while a knock‐down of Cx43 in EG resulted in the reduction of gut motility. However, inhibition of Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis in EG did not affect gut motility in vivo; rather, it increased the fecal pellet fluid content. Hampering either Cx43 expression or Ca2+‐dependent exocytosis in EG had an effect on colonic migrating motor complexes, mainly decreasing frequency and velocity of contractions ex vivo. Thus, EG can differentially modulate gut reflexes using the above two distinct mechanisms of gliotransmission.
Social participation of people with cognitive problems and their caregivers: a feasibility evaluation of the Social Fitness Programme
Authors: Donkers H. W. , van der Veen D. J. , Vernooij‐Dassen M. J. , Nijhuis‐van der Sanden M. W. G. , Graff M. J. L.
Published: February 2017

Objective

We developed a tailor‐made intervention aimed at improving social participation of people with cognitive problems and their caregivers. This programme consists of an integration of healthcare and welfare interventions: occupational therapy, physiotherapy and guidance by a welfare professional. This article describes the feasibility evaluation of this Social Fitness Programme.

Methods

Feasibility in terms of acceptability, demand, implementation, practicability and limited efficacy was evaluated based on experiences from professionals (programme deliverers), people with cognitive problems and their caregivers (programme recipients). We used qualitative research methods (focus group discussions, interviews, collection of treatment records) and applied thematic analyses.

Results

The intervention was feasible according to stakeholders, and limited efficacy showed promising results. However, we found feasibility barriers. First, an acceptability barrier: discussing declined social participation was difficult, hindering recruitment. Second, a demand barrier: some people with cognitive problems lacked motivation to improve declined social participation, sometimes in contrast to their caregivers' wishes. Third, implementation and practicability barriers: shared decision‐making, focusing the intervention and interdisciplinary collaboration between healthcare and welfare professionals were suboptimal during implementation.

Discussion

Although this intervention builds upon scientific evidence, expert opinions and stakeholder needs, implementation was challenging. Healthcare and welfare professionals need to overcome obstacles in their collaboration and focus on integrated intervention delivery. Also, they need to find ways to (empower caregivers to) motivate people with cognitive problems to participate socially. After modifying the intervention and additional training of professionals, a consecutive pilot study to assess feasibility of the research design and outcome measures is justified. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermodynamic Analysis and Comparison of Performances of Air Standard Atkinson, Otto, and Diesel Cycles with Heat Transfer Considerations
Authors: Noroozian Afsaneh , Sadaghiani Mirhadi S. , Ahmadi Mohammad H. , Bidi Mokhtar
Published: February 2017

This paper focuses on the overall performances of Otto, Atkinson, and Diesel air standard cycles. This study compares performance of these cycles with regard to parameters such as variable specific heat ratio, heat transfer loss, frictional loss, and internal irreversibility based on finite‐time thermodynamics. The relationship between thermal efficiency and compression ratio, and between power output and compression ratio of these cycles are obtained by numerical examples. In this study, it is assumed that during the combustion process, the heat transfer occurs only through the cylinder wall. The heat transfer is affected by the average temperature of both the cylinder wall and the working fluid. The results show that for each cycle, with the increase of the compression ratio in the specific mean piston speed, power output and thermal efficiency first increase and after reaching their maximum value, start to decrease. The results also indicate that maximum power output and maximum thermal efficiency of an Atkinson cycle could be higher than the values of these parameters in Diesel cycle and Otto cycle in the same operating conditions. The maximum power output and the maximum thermal efficiency of the Otto cycle have the lowest value among studied cycles. By increasing the mean piston speed, power output and thermal efficiency of Atkinson, Diesel, and Otto cycles start to decrease. The results of this study provide guidance for the performance analysis and show the improvement areas of practical Otto, Atkinson, and Diesel engines.
The cycle of violence in the Second Intifada: Causality in nonlinear vector autoregressive models
Authors: Asali Muhammad , Abu‐Qarn Aamer S. , Beenstock Michael
Published: February 2017

We contest Jaeger and Paserman's claim (Jaeger and Paserman , 2008. The cycle of violence? An empirical analysis of fatalities in the Palestinian–Israeli conflict. American Economic Review 98(4): 1591–1604) that Palestinians did not react to Israeli aggression during Intifada 2. We address the differences between the two sides in terms of the timing and intensity of violence, estimate nonlinear vector autoregression models that are suitable when the linear vector autoregression innovations are not normally distributed, identify causal effects rather than Granger causality using the principle of weak exogeneity, and introduce the “kill‐ratio” as a concept for testing hypotheses about the cycle of violence. The Israelis killed 1.28 Palestinians for every killed Israeli, whereas the Palestinians killed only 0.09 Israelis for every killed Palestinian.
Evaluating the Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Diallyl Disulfide on Interlukin‐1β‐Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Apoptotic Signaling Pathways in Cultured Chondrocytes
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Azam , Jafari Davood , Kamarul Tunku , Bagheri Abolfazll , Sharifi Ali M.
Published: February 2017

The protective effects and mechanisms of DADS on IL‐1β‐mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial apoptosis were investigated in C28I2 human chondrocytes. The effect of various concentrations of DADS (1, 5 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM) on C28I2 cell viability was evaluated in different times (2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h) to obtain the non‐cytotoxic concentrations of drug by MTT‐assay. The protective effect of non‐toxic concentrations of DADS on experimentally induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by IL‐1β in C28I2 was evaluated. The effects of DADS on IL‐1β‐induced intracellular ROS production and lipid peroxidation were detected and the proteins expression of Nrf2, Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, total and phosphorylated JNK, and P38 MAPKs were analyzed by Western blotting. The mRNA expression of detoxifying phase II/antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase‐1, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase, glutathione S‐transferase‐P1, catalase, superoxide dismutase‐1, glutathione peroxidase‐1, ‐3, ‐4 were evaluated by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. DADS in 1, 5, 10, and 25 μM concentrations had no cytotoxic effect after 24 h. Pretreatment with DADS remarkably increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation as well as the genes expression of detoxifying phase II/antioxidant enzymes and reduced IL‐1β‐induced elevation of ROS, lipid peroxidation, Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, caspase‐3 activation, and JNK and P38 phosphorylation. DADS could considerably reduce IL‐1β‐induced oxidative stress and consequent mitochondrial apoptosis, as the major mechanisms of chondrocyte cell death in an experimental model of osteoarthritis. It may be considered as natural product in protecting OA‐induced cartilage damage in clinical setting. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1879–1888, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alterations of the hematologic cells in synthetic cannabinoid users
Authors: Guzel Derya , Yazici Ahmet Bulent , Yazici Esra , Erol Atila
Published: February 2017

Background

Functions, morphology, distributions, and index of the circulating cells are the most useful parameters that indicate various inflammatory and toxic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of these parameters in patients diagnosed with (synthetic) cannabis use disorder.

Methods

This study included a total of 40 patients in the study group (SG) with synthetic cannabis use; and 40 healthy individuals as the control group (CG). Participants, who had hematological disorders and other chronic diseases, were excluded from the study. All hematological parameters of SG were compared with CG. Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) values were calculated and compared between groups.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of WBC, MCH, RDW, MCV, MPV, and NEU, LYM%, MONO% parameters (P<.05). MPW and LYM% were significantly lower in SG compared to CG. WBC, MCH, RDW, MCV, MPV, MONO, and NEU parameters were significantly higher in SG compared to CG (P<.05). UIBC and TIBC levels were significantly higher in SG compared to CG (P<.001). Although there was statistically significant difference between groups in terms of NLR, there was no significant difference for PLR values.

Conclusion

Our data suggested that chronic use of cannabinoids can lead to deterioration of hematopoietic cells. Chronic use of cannabinoids was consistent with subthreshold/subclinical megaloblastic anemia with iron deficiency. Inflammatory cells, especially neutrophil and monocyte counts were higher in SG compared to CG. Thus, recovery of subclinical hematological parameters should be considered in cannabis use disorder patients.
Mechanical properties and structure‐function relationships of human chondrocyte‐seeded cartilage constructs after in vitro culture
Authors: Middendorf Jill M. , Griffin Darvin J. , Shortkroff Sonya , Dugopolski Caroline , Kennedy Stephen , Siemiatkoski Joseph , Cohen Itai , Bonassar Lawrence J.
Published: February 2017

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation (ACI) is a widely recognized method for the repair of focal cartilage defects. Despite the accepted use, problems with this technique still exist, including graft hypertrophy, damage to surrounding tissue by sutures, uneven cell distribution, and delamination. Modified ACI techniques overcome these challenges by seeding autologous chondrocytes onto a 3D scaffold and securing the graft into the defect. Many studies on these tissue engineered grafts have identified the compressive properties, but few have examined frictional and shear properties as suggested by FDA guidance. This study is the first to perform three mechanical tests (compressive, frictional, and shear) on human tissue engineered cartilage. The objective was to understand the complex mechanical behavior, function, and changes that occur with time in these constructs grown in vitro using compression, friction, and shear tests. Safranin‐O histology and a DMMB assay both revealed increased sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) content in the scaffolds with increased maturity. Similarly, immunohistochemistry revealed increased lubricin localization on the construct surface. Confined compression and friction tests both revealed improved properties with increased construct maturity. Compressive properties correlated with the sGAG content, while improved friction coefficients were attributed to increased lubricin localization on the construct surfaces. In contrast, shear properties did not improve with increased culture time. This study suggests the various mechanical and biological properties of tissue engineered cartilage improve at different rates, indicating thorough mechanical evaluation of tissue engineered cartilage is critical to understanding the performance of repaired cartilage. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2298–2306, 2017.
Cervical cancer prevention and treatment in Latin America
Authors: Lopez Melissa S. , Baker Ellen S. , Maza Mauricio , Fontes‐Cintra Georgia , Lopez Aldo , Carvajal Juan M. , Nozar Fernanda , Fiol Veronica , Schmeler Kathleen M.
Published: February 2017

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease with a known etiology (human papillomavirus), effective preventive vaccines, excellent screening methods, and a treatable pre‐invasive phase. Surgery is the primary treatment for pre‐invasive and early‐stage disease and can safely be performed in many low‐resource settings. However, cervical cancer rates remain high in many areas of Latin America. This article presents a number of evidence‐based strategies being implemented to improve cervical cancer outcomes in Latin America.
On Measuring and Reducing Selection Bias With a Quasi‐Doubly Randomized Preference Trial
Authors: Joyce Ted , Remler Dahlia K. , Jaeger David A. , Altindag Onur , O'Connell Stephen D. , Crockett Sean
Published: February 2017

Randomized experiments provide unbiased estimates of treatment effects, but are costly and time consuming. We demonstrate how a randomized experiment can be leveraged to measure selection bias by conducting a subsequent observational study that is identical in every way except that subjects choose their treatment—a quasi‐doubly randomized preference trial (quasi‐DRPT). Researchers first strive to think of and measure all possible confounders and then determine how well these confounders as controls can reduce or eliminate selection bias. We use a quasi‐DRPT to study the effect of class time on student performance in an undergraduate introductory microeconomics course at a large public university, illustrating its required design elements: experimental and choice arms conducted in the same setting with identical interventions and measurements, and all confounders measured prospectively to treatment assignment or choice. Quasi‐DRPTs augment randomized experiments in real‐world settings where participants choose their treatments.
Identification of Fibulin‐1 as a Human Bone Marrow Stromal (HS‐5) Cell‐Derived Factor That Induces Human Prostate Cancer Cell Death
Authors: Lertsuwan Kornkamon , Choe Leila H. , Marwa Irene R. , Lee Kelvin , Sikes Robert A.
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

Previous studies showed that human bone marrow stromal HS‐5 cells secreted unidentified factor(s) inducing PCa cell death. Herein, the HS‐5‐derived factor (HS‐5 DF) was characterized and identified.

METHODS

Conditioned media from confluent HS‐5 cells were collected and modified for biochemical characteristic testing of HS‐5 DF. Cell survival was measured by apoptosis assay and live/dead assay. Fibulin‐1 was identified from gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. The validation of Fibulin‐1 as a HS‐5 DF was done by immunoprecipitation (IP) and genetic knockdown by CRISPR/Cas9 system.

RESULTS

HS‐5 DF was trypsin and heat sensitive, but pH stable. The tentative size of the factor fell between 30 kDa and 100 kDa. TGF‐β1 treatment led to a suppression of HS‐5 DF activity, a property consistent with bone metastasis in prostate cancer. Examination of TGF‐β1 down regulated proteins led to identification of fibulin‐1 as a candidate for the DF. IP of Fibulin‐1 from HS‐5 CM and CRISPR knockdown of Fibulin‐1 showed a significant reduction of HS‐5 CM‐derived PCa cell death. These results strongly support a role for fibulin‐1 in HS‐5 bone marrow stromal cell induction of PCa cell death.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that Fibulin‐1 functions as a HS‐5 bone marrow stromal cell‐derived factor inducing prostate cancer cell death. Prostate 77:729–742, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unusual (+/–)‐electrospray ionization induced fragmentation: Structural elucidation of an in‐process synthetic intermediate of doravirine (MK‐1439) using liquid chromatography/high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance
Authors: Sheng Huaming , Lexa Katrina W. , Zhang Li‐Kang , Yang Rong‐Sheng , Wright Timothy J. , Sherry Benjamin D. , Helmy Roy , Martin Gary E.
Published: February 2017

Rationale

During the development of a novel synthetic route to doravirine (1), a human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV‐1) nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), an unanticipated reaction intermediate, methyl (Z)‐2‐(3‐chloro‐5‐cyanophenoxy)‐5‐(3‐(3‐chloro‐5‐cyanophenoxy)‐2‐oxo‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridin‐1(2H)‐yl)‐5‐ethoxy‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)pent‐2‐enoate (2), was isolated. Moreover, an unusual electrospray ionization (ESI)‐induced fragmentation was observed for 2. Hence, efforts were made towards the understanding of the structure of 2, which was crucial for the understanding of the reaction mechanism.

Methods

The isolated impurity was fully characterized by liquid chromatography coupled with high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/HRMS/MS), hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange, and an ensemble of two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance (2D‐NMR) techniques. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were also conducted.

Results

An unusual ESI‐induced fragmentation was observed for intermediate 2, giving an ion for half of the molecule in the positive ion mode, with the other half of the molecule affording an ion in the negative ion mode.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this unique ESI‐induced fragmentation has not been previously reported in the literature. The underlying mechanism was explored and is supported by DFT calculations, which could greatly help the structural characterization of unknown impurities with similar structural features using ESI‐MS in the future. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Static investigation of adsorption and hetero‐diffusion of copper, silver, and gold adatoms on the (111) surface
Authors: Kotri A. , El koraychy E. , Mazroui M. , Boughaleb Y.
Published: February 2017

In this work, we have used the static molecular simulations combined with an interatomic potential derived from the embedded‐atom method to study the adsorption and hetero‐diffusion on the (111) surface of Cu, Ag, and Au adatoms by using LAMMPS code. The investigation is performed for six heterogeneous systems such as Ag/Au(111), Ag/Cu(111), Au/Ag(111), Au/Cu(111), Cu/Ag(111), and Cu/Au(111). First, we have investigated the relaxation trends and the bond lengths of the atoms in the systems. The calculation results show that, the top layer spacing between the first and second layers of the Au(111), Ag(111), and Cu(111) substrates is contracted. This contraction is found to be more important in the Au(111) substrate. On the other hand, the strong reduction of the binding length is found in Au/Cu(111) for the different adsorption sites. In addition, the binding, adsorption, and static activation energies for all studied systems were examined. The results indicated that the binding and adsorption energies reached their maximum values in the Au/Cu(111) and Au/Ag(111) systems, respectively. Moreover, the static activation barriers for hopping diffusion on the (111) surfaces are found to be low compared with those found in the (100) and (110) surfaces. Therefore, our calculations showed that the difference in energy between the hcp and fcc sites on the (111) surfaces is very small. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.