bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Cost Aqueous Magnesium‐Ion Battery Capacitor with Commercial Mn3O4 and Activated Carbon
Authors: Cao Xi , Wang Lulu , Chen Jitao , Zheng Junrong
Published: August 2018

In this work, an aqueous rechargeable magnesium‐ion battery capacitor with low cost and great application potential is constructed for the first time by using commercial spinel Mn3O4 as the cathode, coupling with activated carbon as the anode. Spinel Mn3O4 experiences a phase transformation to layered Birnessite nanoflakes during the electrochemical process in aqueous MgSO4 electrolyte, which acts as the actual cathode material. By decreasing the particle size of commercial Mn3O4 from several micrometers to about 50–100 nm through a facile milling method, the nanoparticles can more easily experience the phase transformation, which results in significantly enhanced electrochemical properties, with a high reversible capacity of about 81 mAh⋅g‐1 at a current density of 0.5 A g−1 after 300 cycles in a three‐electrode system. For comparison, the Mn3O4 without milling exhibits only 33 mAh g−1. Coupling with activated carbon, the full cell also exhibits excellent rate and cycle performance; for example, even after 6000 cycles at the rate of 0.5 A g−1, it still delivers a high capacity of about 81 mAh g−1. Such outstanding electrochemical properties are obtained without adding high cost components such as graphene or forming complex nanostructures. Its low cost and scalable preparation procedure make this approach very promising for safe energy storage.
Why Do B–P and Al–P Polymers Differ? Structures, Stability, and Electronic Properties of Chain and Ring [H2PEH2]n Oligomers (E=B, Al; n=1–15)
Authors: Pomogaeva Anna V. , Scheer Manfred , Timoshkin Alexey Y.
Published: August 2018

Chain and ring [H2PEH2]n oligomers (E=B, Al; n=2–15) have been computationally studied at the B3LYP/def2‐TZVP level of theory. A strong tendency to cyclization was found for the chain Al–P oligomers with n>7, whereas analogous long B–P oligomers can exist as chain structures. Subsequent oligomerization enthalpies approach each other very closely for the ring and chain oligomers with an increase of n. However, these oligomers have very different electronic properties with band gaps below 0.2 eV for the chain [H2PBH2]15 and more than 5 eV for the ring isomer [H2PEH2]15. The molecular orbitals in the ring oligomers are highly delocalized, whereas for the chain isomers, the HOMO and LUMO are localized at the different ends of the oligomeric chain.
Phase 1 Single‐ and Multiple‐Ascending‐Dose Randomized Studies of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of AG‐348, a First‐in‐Class Allosteric Activator of Pyruvate Kinase R, in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Yang Hua , Merica Elizabeth , Chen Yue , Cohen Marvin , Goldwater Ronald , Kosinski Penelope A. , Kung Charles , Yuan Zheng (Jason) , Silverman Lee , Goldwasser Meredith , Silver Bruce A. , Agresta Sam , Barbier Ann J.
Published: August 2018

Pyruvate kinase deficiency is a chronic hemolytic anemia caused by mutations in PK‐R, a key glycolytic enzyme in erythrocytes. These 2 phase 1 randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind healthy‐volunteer studies assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics of AG‐348, a first‐in‐class allosteric PK‐R activator. Twelve sequential cohorts were randomized 2:6 to receive oral placebo or AG‐348, respectively, as a single dose (30‐2500 mg) in the single‐ascending‐dose (SAD) study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02108106) or 15‐700 mg every 12 hours or 120 mg every 24 hours, for 14 days in the multiple‐ascending‐dose (MAD) study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02149966). All 48 subjects completed the fasted SAD part; 44 of 48 completed the MAD (2 discontinued because of adverse events [AEs], 2 withdrew consent). The most common treatment‐related AEs in AG‐348‐treated subjects were headache (16.7% [SAD] and 13.9% [MAD]) and nausea (13.9%, both studies). AE frequency increased at AG‐348 doses ≥ 700 mg (SAD) and at 700 mg every 12 hours (MAD); 1 grade ≥ 3 AE occurred in the latter cohort. Pharmacokinetics were favorable with low variability. Dose‐dependent changes in blood glycolytic intermediates consistent with glycolytic pathway activation were observed at all MAD doses, supporting future trials investigating the potential of AG‐348 for treating PK deficiency or other anemias.
SDN‐based resource allocation in MPLS networks: A hybrid approach
Authors: Tajiki Mohammad Mahdi , Akbari Behzad , Mokari Nader , Chiaraviglio Luca
Published: August 2018

The highly dynamic nature of the current network traffics makes the network managers to exploit the flexibility of the state‐of‐the‐art paradigm called SDN. In this way, there has been an increasing interest in hybrid networks of SDN‐MPLS. In this paper, a new traffic engineering architecture for SDN‐MPLS network is proposed. To this end, OpenFlow‐enabled switches are applied over the edge of the network to improve flow‐level management flexibility while MPLS routers are considered as the core of the network to make the scheme applicable for existing MPLS networks. The proposed scheme re‐assigns flows to the Label‐Switched Paths (LSPs) to highly utilize the network resources. In the cases that the flow‐level re‐routing is insufficient, the proposed scheme re‐computes and re‐creates the undergoing LSPs. To this end, we mathematically formulate two optimization problems, ie, i) flow re‐routing and ii) LSP re‐creation, and propose a heuristic algorithm to improve the performance of the scheme. Our experimental results show the efficiency of the proposed hybrid SDN‐MPLS architecture in traffic engineering superiors traditionally deployed MPLS networks.
Cation−Anion−CO2 Interactions in Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquid Sorbents
Authors: Simon Nathalia M. , Zanatta Marcileia , Neumann Jessé , Girard Anne‐Lise , Marin Graciane , Stassen Hubert , Dupont Jairton
Published: August 2018

A series of functionalized N‐alkylimidazolium based ionic liquids (ImILs) were designed, through anion (carboxylates and halogenated) and cation (N‐alkyl side chains) structural modifications, and studied as potential sorbents for CO2. The sorption capacities of as prepared bare ImILs could be enhanced from 0.20 to 0.60 molar fraction by variation of cation‐anion‐CO2 and IL‐CO2‐water interaction. By combining NMR spectroscopy with molecular dynamics simulations, a good description of interactions between ImIL and CO2 can be obtained. Three types of CO2 sorption modes have been evidenced depending on the structure of the ImIL ion pair: Physisorption, formation of bicarbonate, and covalent interaction through the nucleophilic addition of CO2 to the cation or anion. The highest CO2 sorption capacity was observed with the ImIL containing the 1‐n‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cation associated with the carboxylate anions (succinate and malonate). This study provides helpful clues for better understanding the structure‐activity relationship of this class of materials and the ion pair influence on CO2 capture.
Acid Pretreatment to Enhance Proton Transport of a Polysulfone‐Polyvinylpyrrolidone Membrane for Application in Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Wu Chunxiao , Zhang Jin , Lu Shanfu , Xiang Yan , Jiang San Ping
Published: August 2018

An acid pretreatment strategy is developed to enhance the proton transport of polysulfone‐polyvinylpyrrolidone (PSF‐PVP) membranes for application in vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFB). The acid pretreatment leads to the formation of ionic conducting clusters with a size of around d=15.41 nm in the membrane (p‐PSF‐PVP). As a result, the proton conductivity and proton/vanadium ion selectivity of the p‐PSF‐PVP membrane increases to 6.60×10−2 S cm−1 and 10.63×107 S min cm−3, respectively, values significantly higher than 2.30×10−2 S cm−1 and 6.67×107 S min cm−3 of the pristine PSF‐PVP membrane. Moreover, a VRFB assembled with the p‐PSF‐PVP membrane exhibits a high coulombic efficiency of 98.6 % and an outstanding energy efficiency of 88.5 %. The results indicate that treatment with either sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid leads to an improvement of membrane properties, and the acid pretreatment is a promising strategy to significantly enhance the performance of the PSF‐PVP membrane for VRFB application.
Molecular Wires with Controllable π‐Delocalization Incorporating Redox‐Triggered π‐Conjugated Switching Units
Authors: Nojo Wataru , Tamaoki Hitomi , Ishigaki Yusuke , Katoono Ryo , Fujiwara Kenshu , Fukushima Takanori , Suzuki Takanori
Published: August 2018

A perfluorobiphenyl‐2,2′‐diyl dication and its corresponding dihydrophenanthrene‐type electron donor are interconvertible upon two‐electron transfer. Redox‐triggered C−C bond‐formation/cleavage caused a drastic change in the torsion angle of the biphenyl unit. Thus, π‐delocalization ON/OFF switching was observed as a change in the UV absorption upon electrolysis of the linearly extended analogue with two phenylethynyl groups. A further extended π‐system with a molecular length of ca. 3.5 nm, which has two switching units, was synthesized. Spectroelectrograms as well as voltammetric analyses showed that the two units act nearly simultaneously because of the very small inter‐unit electrostatic repulsion in the tetracationic state. Thus, the present pair is a promising candidate as a switching unit for “molecular wires” with controllable π‐delocalization, in which a higher ON/OFF ratio of delocalization could be realized by incorporating multiple switching units.
A Galactose Dendritic Silicon (IV) Phthalocyanine as a Photosensitizing Agent in Cancer Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Bispo Mafalda , Pereira Patrícia M. R. , Setaro Francesca , Rodríguez‐Morgade M. Salomé , Fernandes Rosa , Torres Tomás , Tomé João P. C.
Published: August 2018

Two protected galacto‐dendritic units have been axially coordinated to the central ion of a silicon(IV) phthalocyanine to afford SiPcPGal4 containing four units of galactose per macrocycle. These biological moieties provided better solubility in aqueous medium and a sensitizer with higher absorption peaks at 680–690 nm. The photodynamic activity of SiPcPGal4 was evaluated against UM‐UC‐3 human bladder cancer cell line and the results were compared with the activity of the reported SiPcPGal2 and SiPc(OH)2. SiPcPGal4 had a better uptake and it was a better toxicity inducer than SiPcPGal2 and SiPc(OH)2 owing to its four galactose units, protected by isopropylidene groups, which can act as targeted micelles.
Transporters in Drug Development: 2018 ITC Recommendations for Transporters of Emerging Clinical Importance
Authors: Zamek‐Gliszczynski Maciej J. , Taub Mitchell E. , Chothe Paresh P. , Chu Xiaoyan , Giacomini Kathleen M. , Kim Richard B. , Ray Adrian S. , Stocker Sophie L. , Unadkat Jashvant D. , Wittwer Matthias B. , Xia Cindy , Yee Sook‐Wah , Zhang Lei , Zhang Yan ,   International Transporter Consortium
Published: August 2018

This white paper provides updated International Transporter Consortium (ITC) recommendations on transporters that are important in drug development following the 3rd ITC workshop. New additions include prospective evaluation of organic cation transporter 1 (OCT1) and retrospective evaluation of organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP)2B1 because of their important roles in drug absorption, disposition, and effects. For the first time, the ITC underscores the importance of transporters involved in drug‐induced vitamin deficiency (THTR2) and those involved in the disposition of biomarkers of organ function (OAT2 and bile acid transporters).
An adaptive retransmission‐based multipath transmission mechanism for conversational video
Authors: Li Guangye , Liu Shaowei , Li Hao , Lei Weimin , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2018

Conversational video service is characterized by high bandwidth demand and low delay requirement. Bandwidth and transmission schemes play an important role in providing high‐quality delivery service for point‐to‐point conversational video service. Multipath transmission is regarded as an effective way to aggregate bandwidth. Transmission schemes need to ensure the strict time relation between information entities and to alleviate the negative impact of packet loss on video quality. To achieve this, existing transmission schemes may incur either a large delay or a large amount of duplicated packets that are not suitable for conversational video service. In this paper, we propose an adaptive retransmission mechanism–based multipath transmission (MT‐AR) for conversational video service delivery. MT‐AR takes advantage of historical reception experience to timely detect packet loss with a certain degree of misjudgement. Receiver requests sender to retransmit the lost packet if the lost packet benefits the decoding. Adaptive playout speed adjustment and alternative path retransmission cooperatively optimize the performance of retransmission. Receiver slightly extends playout speed to reserve time for retransmission and accelerates playout speed to alleviate negative impact of cumulative extension. Multiple paths support to conduct retransmission on an optimal path selected from alternative paths to avoid continuous congestion or error on the original path. Finally, we conduct extensive tests to evaluate the performance of MT‐AR. Experimental results show that MT‐AR can effectively improve the quality of experience of conversational video service by retransmission.
Serum cathelicidin as a marker for diabetic nephropathy in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: El‐Ashmawy Hazem M. , Ahmed Azza M.
Published: August 2018

Background

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between serum cathelicidin level and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods

The study group consisted of 76 patients with T1DM (47 men), aged 36 ± 7 years, and with duration of T1DM 14 (7–18) years. Serum cathelicidin was measured by ELISA test in healthy controls (n = 20) and in 76 T1DM patients grouped as follows: G1 = patients with normal urinary albumin excretion (n = 20), G2 = patients with microalbumin excretion (n = 19), G3 = patients with macroalbumin excretion but normal serum creatinine level (n = 19), and G4 = patients with macroalbumin excretion with increased serum creatinine (n = 18).

Results

There was no significant difference in serum cathelicidin levels between healthy controls and G1 diabetic patients, but serum levels were progressively increased from the stage of microalbuminuria to frank nephropathy (P < .001). Positive correlation between serum cathelicidin level and the presence of DN, thyroid‐stimulating hormone, total cholesterol, and negative with male sex and fasting plasma glucose, was found. In multiple regression analysis, serum cathelicidin level was associated with the presence of DN after adjustment of sex, waist‐to‐hip ratio, total cholesterol, and thyroid‐stimulating hormone.

Conclusions

Patients with T1DM and DN are characterized by increased serum cathelicidin level. There was an independent relationship between serum cathelicidin level and DN. Serum cathelicidin level can be used as an early marker for the presence and progression of DN in T1DM patients.
Oxytocin analysis from human serum, urine, and saliva by orbitrap liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
Authors: Franke Adrian A. , Li Xingnan , Menden Ariane , Lee Mary R. , Lai Jennifer F.
Published: August 2018

Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone that has gained interest recently due to its emerging role in cognition and social/emotional behaviors, including possibly depression and autism. OT is commonly measured using enzyme‐ or radio‐based immunoassays (RIA, ELISA), which lack specificity or are complicated to perform and involve hazardous radioactive material. We have developed a high resolution accurate‐mass (HRAM) liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) method that separates interferences and selectively and accurately quantitates native OT from human serum, urine, and saliva after solid phase extraction. The doubly protonated OT ion m/z 562.25503 was selected for quantitation due its high signal intensity. With our method lower limit of detection (LLOD) of 5–25 pg/mL, we measured native OT in serum from pregnant women (16–24 pg/mL) and rats (350 pg/mL), and in serum, urine, and saliva from a healthy male after intranasal (IN) OT application of 100 IU and 20 IU and from a healthy post‐menopausal female after IN OT application of 100 IU. Peak levels were detected in serum, urine, and saliva 15–30 minutes after each dose then decreased to below detection limits 1–2 hours thereafter. We were unable to detect native OT in serum from non‐pregnant/non‐lactating/non‐medicated women due to levels known to occur below 5 pg/mL. The fast elimination of OT we found is in excellent agreement with the pharmacokinetics of OT in other studies. The effects on the central nervous system occurring after IN OT administration remains to be determined.
Plant community responses to historical wildfire in a shrubland–grassland ecotone reveal hybrid disturbance response
Authors: Porensky Lauren M. , Derner Justin D. , Pellatz David W.
Published: August 2018

Most ecotones include structural and taxonomic elements from both adjacent communities, but it remains unclear how these elements function and interact within ecotones. We investigated long‐term plant community responses to wildfire in a 7000‐km2 ecotone between mixed‐grass prairie and sagebrush steppe ecosystems, which have dramatically different historical fire regimes. We asked whether plant community responses to wildfire in the ecotone were more similar to mixed‐grass prairie, sagebrush steppe, or a hybrid of these two. We sampled plant community composition at 70 pairs of transects located inside and outside of wildfires that burned from 1937 to 2012. We determined whether (1) wildfires predicted plant community composition, (2) plant community response to fire varied based on abiotic factors, and (3) effects of wildfire varied based on time since fire. Plant community responses to wildfire did not vary substantially across the study region, despite continuous plant community variation in response to abiotic factors. Overstory responses were characteristic of sagebrush steppe. Burned transects had <10% as much big sagebrush cover as unburned transects, and cover did not increase with time since fire. In contrast, understory plant community responses to fire were similar to mixed‐grass prairie. Burned sites had high forb cover in the short term and perennial grass cover in the long term. Within an ecotone, different components of the plant community can maintain functional fidelity to their home ecosystems, despite being spatially juxtaposed. The idea of hybrid disturbance response may provide new opportunities for targeted management within ecotones.
Antinociception by intrathecal delivery of the novel non‐opioid 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid
Authors: Fung Timothy , Asiri Yahya I. , Taheri Kamyar , Wall Richard , Schwarz Stephan K. W. , Puil Ernest , MacLeod Bernard A.
Published: August 2018

Background

Neuraxial opioids are widely used for intraoperative and post‐operative analgesia. The risk of severe adverse effects including respiratory depression accompanies this analgesia, prompting the need for effective non‐opioid alternatives. Systemic 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid showed promise in preliminary studies to produce antinociception without observable toxicity. However, the effects of 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid after intrathecal administration are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether intrathecal administration of 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid produces antinociceptive effects in murine models and to elucidate its site and receptor mechanism of action.

Methods

Female CD‐1 mice were randomized to receive intrathecal, intraperitoneal and intraplantar injections of 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid. Animals receiving intrathecal injections were anaesthetized and injected between L5 and L6. Animals then received an intraplantar injection of 10% hypertonic saline into the right hindpaw and were video‐recorded for 30 min. Videos were analyzed by a blinded observer who determined the duration that animals exhibited nocifensive responses.

Results

Intrathecal or intraperitoneal administration of 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid reduced the time that animals exhibited nocifensive behaviour, whereas intraplantar administration produced no effect. The effects of intrathecal 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid were restricted in dermatomal distribution, reversible and produced little or no depression of respiratory rate. An NMDA antagonist blocked antinociception, while mu‐opioid or GABAB antagonists did not prevent ACBC antinociception.

Conclusions

Intrathecal 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid in mice produces robust, brief antinociceptive effects with a dermatomal distribution corresponding to the lumbar site of administration. This amino acid merits further exploration as a non‐opioid neuraxial analgesic with little or no respiratory side effects.

Significance

The novel, non‐opioid analgesic, 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid, produced robust, reversible and localized antinociception in murine models of pain. This study provides evidence supporting further investigation and development of 1‐amino‐1‐cyclobutanecarboxylic acid as a non‐opioid spinal analgesic.
Development of a SNP panel for predicting biogeographical ancestry and phenotype using massively parallel sequencing
Authors: Bulbul Ozlem , Filoglu Gonul
Published: August 2018

Inferring ancestry and physical characteristics of an unknown individual can contribute to the direction of the investigation and to clarify the event for unknown contributors, cold cases or identification of missing persons and disaster victims. The objective of this study is to develop a custom SNP panel on massively parallel sequencing devices for predicting the biogeographic ancestry and phenotype of an individual. We focused on a two‐tier approach to enhance ancestry. Our MPS panel contains two ancestry informative SNP (AISNPs) panels (i.e., Kidd 55 and SWA panel) to differentiate Southwest Asia from Europe and other continental regions. Then we integrated the set of phenotype informative SNPs into a set of AISNPs. The final set of 156 SNPs was evaluated on the following: sensitivity, genotype concordance, mixtures, ancestry assignment, and phenotype prediction. SNP rs6599400 had consistently poor performance and was removed from further analyses. The extreme mixture (1:10) was difficult to interpret for minor contributor. Ancestry assignment and phenotype predictions (for eye, hair and skin) were accurate for samples’ population origin. The results show that the developed panel provides high coverage data that can be used for inferring ancestry and predicting eye, hair, and skin color from the intermediate population regions.
Caenorhabditis elegans as an emerging model system in environmental epigenetics
Authors: Weinhouse Caren , Truong Lisa , Meyer Joel N. , Allard Patrick
Published: August 2018

The roundworm Caenorhabitis elegans has been an established model organism for the study of genetics and developmental biology, including studies of transcriptional regulation, since the 1970s. This model organism has continued to be used as a classical model system as the field of transcriptional regulation has expanded to include scientific advances in epigenetics and chromatin biology. In the last several decades, C. elegans has emerged as a powerful model for environmental toxicology, particularly for the study of chemical genotoxicity. Here, we outline the utility and applicability of C. elegans as a powerful model organism for mechanistic studies of environmental influences on the epigenome. Our goal in this article is to inform the field of environmental epigenetics of the strengths and limitations of the well‐established C. elegans model organism as an emerging model for medium‐throughput, in vivo exploration of the role of exogenous chemical stimuli in transcriptional regulation, developmental epigenetic reprogramming, and epigenetic memory and inheritance. As the field of environmental epigenetics matures, and research begins to map mechanisms underlying observed associations, new toolkits and model systems, particularly manipulable, scalable in vivo systems that accurately model human transcriptional regulatory circuits, will provide an essential experimental bridge between in vitro biochemical experiments and mammalian model systems. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:560–575, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of Gelbond® high‐throughput alkaline and Fpg‐modified comet assay using a linear mixed model
Authors: Perdry Hervé , Gutzkow Kristine B. , Chevalier Marianne , Huc Laurence , Brunborg Gunnar , Boutet‐Robinet Elisa
Published: August 2018

Even if the comet assay has been widely used for decades, there is still a need for controlled studies and good mathematical models to assess the variability of the different versions of this assay and in particular to assess potential intra‐experimental variability of the high‐throughput comet assay. To address this point, we further validate a high‐throughput comet assay that uses hydrophilic polyester film (Gelbond®). Experiments were performed using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) either untreated or treated with different concentration of MMS (methyl methanesulfonate). A positive control for the Fpg (Formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase)‐modified comet assay (Ro 19‐8022 with light) was also included. To quantify the sources of variability of the assay, including intradeposit variability, instead of summarizing DNA damage on 50 cells from a deposit by the mean or median of their percentage DNA tail, we analyzed all logit‐transformed data with a linear mixed model. The main source of variation in our experimental data is between cells within the same deposit, suggesting genuine variability in the response of the cells rather than variation caused by technical treatment of cell samples. The second source of variation is the inter‐experimental variation (day‐to‐day experiment); the coefficient of this variation for the control was 13.6%. The variation between deposits in the same experiment is negligible. Moreover, there is no systematic bias because of the position of samples on the Gelbond® film nor the position of the films in the electrophoresis tank. This high‐throughput comet assay is thus reliable for various applications. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:595–602, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental investigation of CuO nanofluid in the thermal characteristics of a flat plate solar collector
Authors: Mirzaei Mohsen
Published: August 2018

Application of nanofluid to increase the thermal efficiency of a traditional solar collector is getting tremendous attention among the scientific community. In this work, the effect of CuO‐water nanofluid, as a working fluid on the efficiency of a flat plate solar collector (FPSC) was investigated experimentally. Volume fraction of nanoparticles was 0.1%, and the particles dimension was 40 nm. The mass flow rates of the nanofluid varied from 1 to 4 L/min. Thermal efficiencies of a FPSC using water and nanofluids as working fluids were matched and compared. The results show that, in comparison with water as the absorption medium using the nanofluids as working fluid increase the efficiency. The results revealed that nanofluids enhanced the energy efficiency up by 15.2%, 17.1%, and 55.1% for the flow rate of 1, 2, and 4 L/min, respectively. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 260–267, 2019
Privacy‐preserving collision detection of moving objects
Authors: Dehghan Motahareh , Sadeghiyan Babak
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we present secure protocols for obtaining the collision points of two or more moving objects, while preserving their movements' privacy. We assume that the paths of moving objects can be presented with polynomial functions of time. We reduce the problem of obtaining collision points of two moving objects to the problem of obtaining common roots of polynomials. Then, we propose a secure protocol for obtaining the common roots of two polynomials, which is based on a Gröbner basis. Moreover, we propose another secure protocol for obtaining collision points of more than two moving objects based on a line segment intersection algorithm. We also demonstrate the security proof of our proposed protocols based on the ideal/real simulation paradigm.
DE/PSO‐aided hybrid linear detectors for MIMO‐OFDM systems under correlated arrays
Authors: Fukuda Rafael Masashi , Guerra David William Marques , Kobayashi Ricardo Tadashi , Abrão Taufik
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we analyze the performance of evolutionary heuristic‐aided linear detectors deployed in multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, considering realistic operating scenarios. Hybrid linear‐heuristic detectors under different initial solutions provided by linear detectors are considered, namely, differential evolution and particle swarm optimization. Numerical results demonstrated the applicability of hybrid detection approach, which can improve considerably the performance of minimum mean‐square error and matched filter detectors. Furthermore, we discuss how the complexity of the presented algorithms scales with the number of antennas, besides of verifying the spatial correlation effects on MIMO‐OFDM performance assisted by linear, heuristic, and hybrid detection schemes. The influence of the initial point in the performance improvement and complexity reduction is evaluated numerically.
Joint energy and latency optimization for upstream IoT offloading services in fog radio access networks
Authors: Vu Duc‐Nghia , Dao Nhu‐Ngoc , Jang Yongwoon , Na Woongsoo , Kwon Young‐Bin , Kang Hyunchul , Jung Jason J. , Cho Sungrae
Published: August 2018

Recently, the emergence of fog computing and big internet of things (IoT) data have been considered as the main representatives identifying fifth‐generation mobile networks. In fifth generation, cloudization is extended from the core to the access tiers, referred to as fog radio access networks. Fog radio access networks provide ultralow latency offloading services to a massive number of IoT devices in their proximity. In this paper, we propose a joint energy and latency optimization (JELO) scheme for upstream IoT offloading services in fog radio access networks. The JELO scheme controls the offloaded task assignment among fog‐enabled eNodeBs (fog nodes) with strict consideration of the systematic resources and specific characteristics of individual tasks. The joint objective function aims at red optimizing the energy red consumption and offload latency for entire networks. Simulation results demonstrate that the JELO scheme outperforms existing approaches in terms of the energy consumption and load balancing while maintaining IoT service satisfaction.
Examining the association between educational attainment and life expectancy in MENA region: A panel data analysis
Authors: Hamidi Samer , Alzouebi Khadeegha , Akinci Fevzi , Zengul Ferhat D.
Published: August 2018

Background

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between educational attainment and life expectancy in 18 countries in MENA region.

Methods

We used World Bank database for a panel of 18 MENA countries during the years 1995 to 2009. We used Life Expectancy at Birth, as the key health care output measure. Additionally, we used six health care input independent variables. All variables were transformed into natural logarithms. We estimated the production function using Cobb‐Douglas function.

Results

Results indicate that 1% increase in educational attainment of males 25 to 34 years old, males 25 years and older, females 25 to 34 years old, females 25 years and older, and females aged 15 to 44 years old will increase life expectancy by 0.14%, 0.07%, 0.04%, 0.03%, and 0.04%, respectively, while everything else remains constant.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that for MENA region countries investing in education to broaden access would improve health outcomes and life expectancy. Boosting educational attainment for both male and female population may close the life expectancy gaps between the MENA region and other developed countries, and males and females within the same country. Education attainment has the potential to be a social remedy for better health outcomes in MENA countries.
The roles of, activities of, and competencies for, community nursing services in rural Vietnam: Implications for policy decisions
Authors: Huy Nguyen Van , Bang Kyung‐Sook , Xuan Hoang Thi Ai , Thang Cao Duc , Thanh Nguyen Van , Hoan Le Thi , Tak Sunghee H. , Yu Soo‐Young , Yi Jinseon , Son Dinh Thai , Minh Hoang Van , Hoat Luu Ngoc
Published: August 2018

Community health workforce plays a vital role in providing primary health care services as per the needs of residents; however, few studies have examined how nurses work within commune health centers (CHCs). Using qualitative methods including interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders, this study explores the roles, activities, and competencies required of community nursing services in rural districts within Vietnam. Two primary roles were identified: CHC nursing and family nursing. For the latter, in addition to providing people with general health care and health communication, they were expected to also deliver psychological care. CHC nursing fulfilled more roles and required four specific competencies: clinical care, communication, management, and planning/coordination activities. Despite these various roles serving people within a community, few ongoing efforts at either the local or national level are aimed at supporting these nurses. The study highlights the need for policy decisions via either developing a new job position policy or adapting the existing policy by integrating new roles into the existing positions of CHC nurses in Vietnam.
Doctors' career choices in health systems constrained by national medical exams: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: Ramos Pedro , Alves Hélio
Published: August 2018

Previous studies that addressed factors influencing junior doctors' career decisions have failed to consider that the market for medical specialty is regulated and doctors are not always able to pursue their career of choice. There is the concern that the National Medical Exam that doctors have to take in many countries conditions their career choices and is behind the low efficacy of policies for retaining doctors in rural areas. In this paper, we use data from a Discrete Choice Experiment applied to a large sample of Portuguese junior doctors (N = 503) who had already taken their Medical Exam but had not chosen their medical specialty yet. We show that the exam score is de facto a strong predictor for (different) job preferences, but only for doctors who are amongst the highest and the lowest exam scores. For all others—almost half of our sample—geographical attachment (having lived or studied in rural areas or in metropolis) is more relevant in determining specialization decisions. Having a good work‐life balance, specially amongst female physicians, is also an important determinant of specialty choice. Using latent‐class analysis may help policymakers profiling different groups of doctors and tailoring incentive packages according to their characteristics.
Outsourcing in Iranian hospitals: Findings from a qualitative study
Authors: Raeissi Pouran , Sokhanvar Mobin , Kakemam Edris
Published: August 2018

Outsourcing is used as a strategy to improve efficiency, quality, and satisfaction of beneficiaries in hospitals. This study aimed to determine the reasons for outsourcing, outsourced services, achieved objectives, and outsourcing challenges. This qualitative study was conducted through 58 face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews with chief executive officers (CEOs), chief financial officers (CFOs), and contracting experts (CEs) in 42 public hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed based on an inductive‐deductive approach via MAXQDA‐10. The Participants included 26 CEOs, 15 CFOs, and 17 CEs. The most important reasons for outsourcing were divided into four main categories including financial resources and funding, customers, management, and factors related to the hospitals. Accessing to up‐to‐date knowledge and technology, improving service quality and accountability, focusing on strategic points, reducing workload, and increasing patient satisfaction turned out to be the positive outcomes of outsourcing. Weakness in laws and regulations, monitoring and assessment of an outsourced unit, creating dependency and changing organizational culture, as well as human resource issues were introduced as the main pitfalls and challenges of outsourcing. Based on the results, it was suggested that the hospital managers must attempt to outsource services by realistic analysis of the organization's current status. They should specify the reasons and objectives of outsourcing and make decisions based on outsourcing potentials. By taking the current challenges of outsourcing in Iranian hospitals into account, the authorities can make the most efficient decisions with regard to outsourcing.
Review of toxicological effect of quantum dots on the liver
Authors: Lu Jie , Tang Meng , Zhang Ting
Published: August 2018

In recent years, quantum dots (QDs) have potential applications in technology, research and medicine. The small particle size is coupled to their unique chemical and physical properties and their excellent fluorescence characteristics. A growing number of studies have shown that QDs are distributed to secondary organs through multiple pathways, while the liver is the main reservoir of QDs. Here, we review current liver toxicity studies of QDs in vivo and in vitro. Mechanisms of hepatotoxicity are discussed and the problem of extrapolating knowledge gained from cell‐based studies into animal studies is highlighted. In this context, there still exists significant discrepancies between in vitro and in vivo results, and the specific toxicity mechanism remains unclear. The hepatotoxicities of QDs are the need for a unifying protocol for reliable and realistic toxicity reports.
Label‐free non‐linear microscopy to measure myelin outcome in a rodent model of Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth diseases
Authors: Hajjar Helene , Boukhaddaoui Hassan , Rizgui Amel , Sar Chamroeun , Berthelot Jade , Perrin‐Tricaud Claire , Rigneault Herve , Tricaud Nicolas
Published: August 2018

Myelin sheath produced by Schwann cells covers and nurtures axons to speed up nerve conduction in peripheral nerves. Demyelinating peripheral neuropathies result from the loss of this myelin sheath and so far, no treatment exists to prevent Schwann cell demyelination. One major hurdle to design a therapy for demyelination is the lack of reliable measures to evaluate the outcome of the treatment on peripheral myelin in patients but also in living animal models. Non‐linear microscopy techniques which include second harmonic generation (SHG), third harmonic generation (THG) and coherent anti‐stokes Raman scattering (CARS) were used to image myelin ex vivo and in vivo in the sciatic nerve of healthy and demyelinating mice and rats. SHG did not label myelin and THG required too much light power to be compatible with live imaging. CARS is the most reliable of these techniques for in vivo imaging and it allows for the analysis and quantification of myelin defects in a rat model of CMT1A disease. This microscopic technique therefore constitutes a promising, reliable and robust readout tool in the development of new treatments for demyelinating peripheral neuropathies.
Silane coatings of metallic biomaterials for biomedical implants: A preliminary review
Authors: Somasundaram Sahadev
Published: August 2018

In response to increased attention in literature, this work provides a qualitative review surrounding the application of silane‐based coatings of metallic biomaterials for biomedical implants. Included herein is both a brief summary of existing knowledge and concepts regarding silane‐based thin films, along with an analysis of recent peer‐reviewed publications and advances towards their practical application for biomedical coatings. Specifically, the review identifies innovative silane‐based coatings according to their molecular identity and film structure and analyses their impact on the biocorrosion resistance, protein adsorption, cell viability, and antimicrobial properties of the overall coated implant. It is shown that a range of common silanes clearly exhibit promising properties for biomedical implant coatings, but further work is needed, particularly on mechanisms of physiological interaction and characteristic effects of silane functional groups, before seeing clinical use. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2901–2918, 2018.
Surface patterning of a novel PEG‐functionalized poly‐l‐lactide polymer to improve its biocompatibility: Applications to bioresorbable vascular stents
Authors: Pacharra Sandra , Ortiz Rocio , McMahon Sean , Wang Wenxin , Viebahn Richard , Salber Jochen , Quintana Iban
Published: August 2018

Today, research in the field of bioresorbable vascular stents (BVS) not only focusses on a new material being nontoxic but also tries to enhance its biocompatibility in terms of endothelialization potential and hemocompatibility. To this end, we used picosecond laser ablation technology as a single‐step and contactless method for surface microstructuring of a bioresorbable polymer which can be utilized in stent manufacture. The method works on all materials via fast material removal, can be easily adapted for micropatterning of tubular or more complex sample shapes and scaled up by means of micropatterning of metal molds for manufacturing. Here, picosecond laser ablation was applied to a bioresorbable, biologically inactive and polyethylene glycol‐modified poly‐L‐lactide polymer (PEGylated PLLA) to generate parallel microgrooves with varying geometries. The different patterns were thoroughly evaluated by a series of cyto‐ and hemocompatibility tests revealing that all surfaces were non‐toxic and non‐hemolytic. More importantly, patterns with 20 to 25 µm wide and 6 to 7 µm deep grooves significantly enhanced endothelial cell adhesion in comparison to samples with smaller grooves. Here, human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells were found to align along the groove direction, which is thought to encourage endothelialization of intraluminal surfaces of BVS. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 624–634, 2019.
Itraconazole encapsulated PLGA‐nanoparticles covered with mannose as potential candidates against leishmaniasis
Authors: Biswaro Lubhandwa Sebastian , Garcia Mônica Pereira , da Silva Jaqueline Rodrigues , Neira Fuentes Laura Fernanda , Vera Angelica , Escobar Patricia , Azevedo Ricardo Bentes
Published: August 2018

Leishmaniasis is a neglected disease threatening over 350 million people. Antimonials are first‐line drugs due to resistance and side effects there is a demand for alternative chemotherapy. Itraconazole (ITZ) is an antimycotic. It was encapsulated into poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) and covered with mannose. The NPs were 250 nm and −1.1 mV ± 0.7. PLGA‐ITZ‐mannose NPs presented a toxicity of 20.7% for J774 cells, and no toxicity for THP 1. The J774 cells were infected with three Leishmania promastigotes strains and treated with ITZ loaded PLGA NPs with/without mannose. The parasite percentage of L.(V.) panamensis intracellular amastigotes significantly (p < 0.01) decreased from 34.4% to 13.7% and 5.7% for PLGA‐ITZ‐mannose NPs and PLGA‐ITZ NPs, respectively. For L.(L.) infantum there was a reduction (p < 0.001) from 18.1% to 4.8% and 8.3% for PLGA‐ITZ‐mannose NPs and PLGA‐ITZ NPs, respectively. Further with L.(L.) braziliensis amastigotes there was a significant reduction (p < 0.001) from 54.9% to 28% and 21.1% for PLGA‐ITZ‐mannose NPs and PLGA‐ITZ NPs, respectively. Adding mannose increased the efficacy PLGA‐ITZ NPs against L.(L.) infantum, while it had no effect against L(V.) panamensis and L.(L.) braziliensis amastigotes. We recommend further investigation of PLGA‐ITZ‐mannose NPs in animal models to evaluate their potential. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 680–687, 2019.
Comparison of polyetheretherketone versus silicon nitride intervertebral spinal spacers in a caprine model
Authors: Kersten Roel F. M. R. , Wu Gang , Pouran Behdad , van der Veen Albert J. , Weinans Harrie H. , de Gast Arthur , Öner F. Cumhur , van Gaalen Steven M.
Published: August 2018

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is commonly used as a spinal spacer for intervertebral fusion surgery. Unfortunately, PEEK is bioinert and does not effectively osseointegrate into living bone. In contrast, comparable spacers made of silicon nitride (Si3N4) possess a surface nanostructure and chemistry that encourage appositional bone healing. This observational study was designed to compare the outcomes of these two biomaterials when implanted as spacers in an adult caprine model. Lumbar interbody fusion surgeries were performed at two adjacent levels in eight adult goats using implants of PEEK and Si3N4. At six‐months after surgery, the operative and adjacent spinal segments were extracted and measured for bone fusion, bone volume, bone‐implant contact (BIC) and soft‐tissue implant contact (SIC) ratios, and biodynamic stability. The null hypothesis was that no differences in these parameters would be apparent between the two groups. Fusion was observed in seven of eight implants in each group with greater bone formation in the Si3N4group (52.6%) versus PEEK (27.9%;p = 0.2). There were no significant differences in BIC ratios between PEEK and Si3N4, and the biodynamic stability of the two groups was also comparable. The results suggest that Si3N4spacers are not inferior to PEEK and they may be more effective in promoting arthrodesis. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 688–699, 2019.