bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Degradation kinetics ofPVCplasticized with different plasticizers under isothermal conditions
Authors: Tüzüm Demir Ayşe Pınar , Ulutan Sevgi
Published: October 2014

The aim of the present work is to elucidate the degradation kinetics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plasticized with some phthalate and nonphthalate plasticizers. A PVC thermomat instrument was utilized to maintain the isothermal degradation conditions at 140 and 160°C, and to suppress the oxidative degradation by means of nitrogen flow. The conductivity measurements were performed to follow hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas which is released upon PVC degradation and trapped in water. Dehydrochlorination of plasticized PVC films occurred with activation energies of about 23–160 and 26–117 kJ mol−1and the isokinetic temperatures, at which the dehydrochlorination rate constants of all p‐PVC films would have the same value, were found to be 171 and 128°C for initial and linear regions of dehydrochlorination curve, respectively. Plasticizer incorporation contributes to the stability of the films particularly after the consumption of stabilizer due to the dehydrochlorination. Influence of temperature rise by 20°C on the degradation rate constant is the lowest for DINCH having p‐PVC films as 0.36 and 0.42% increment at the initial region and linear region, respectively. On the other hand, DOTP reveals greater stability than the others do since the compensation ratio of the PVC film having DOTP is greater than the other films. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2015,132, 41579.
Enhanced photochromism of heteropolyacid/polyvinylpyrolidone composite film by TiO2 doping
Authors: Lu Cong , Sun Yan , Liu Jialu , Wang Xiansheng , Liu Su‐Ling , Feng Wei
Published: October 2014

Novel composite film was synthesized by TiO2 doping into phosphomolybdic acid (PMoA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) system. The influence of TiO2 doping on its microstructure and photochromic properties was investigated via atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), ultraviolet–visible spectra, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). After TiO2 doping, the surface of TiO2/PMoA/PVP composite film changed to rough from smooth, and the particle size significantly increased. The FT‐IR results verified that the basic structure of PMoA and PVP were not destroyed in the composite films. The non‐bonded interaction between the acid and polymer was strengthened by TiO2 doping. Irradiated with UV light, composite films changed from colorless to blue. The TiO2/PMoA/PVP composite film exhibited a strong photochromic effect and faster bleaching reaction than that of PMoA/PVP film. XPS results indicated that the amount of PMoA in photo‐reductive reaction was increased after TiO2 doping, which resulted in the photochromic efficiencies enhanced. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41583.
Enhanced reduction of single‐wall carbon nanotube cytotoxicity in vitro: Applying a novel method of arginine functionalization
Authors: Charbgoo Fahimeh , Behmanesh Mehrdad , Nikkhah Maryam
Published: October 2014

Biomedical applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted a lot of attention in recent years. However, the applications of CNTs in these fields of research are challenged by some properties such as their insolubility and cytotoxicity. To improve their solubility in physiological solutions or to reduce cytotoxicity, a variety of engineered biologically active molecules through functionalization processes are being designed. Application of appropriate biomolecules has become an interesting research area these days from both fundamental and application standpoints. In the present report, arginine amino acids were used for single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) functionalization because of their bulky and polar side chain. The efficiency of SWCNTs conjugation with arginine was demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies and Sakaguchi assay. Cytotoxicity of functionalized CNTs was investigated by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay on three different cell lines. Results indicated that functionalization of SWCNTs with arginine reduced their cytotoxicity extremely and hence make them more appropriate for biomedical applications. Moreover, it was concluded that sensitivity to CNT cytotoxicity depends on the type of tissue and cell line. Here, an impressive and novel method for biological functionalization of CNTs has been introduced.
Examination of alternate codon bias solutions for expression and purification of recombinant mechano‐growth factor in Escherichia coli
Authors: Feng Jianguo , Wan Rongxue , Yi Qian , He Ling , Yang Li , Tang Liling
Published: October 2014

Mechano‐growth factor (MGF), an alternative splicing variant of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) gene, promotes cell proliferation and inhibits cell differentiation. It also plays an important role in tumor development. It is important to optimize the production process and achieve MGF protein because there is no commercial MGF protein available. In this study, the human MGF gene is cloned into pGEX‐4T‐1 and the recombinant human MGF (rhMGF) protein could be expressed in Rosetta (DE3) by isopropyl β‐d‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside induction but not in BL21 (DE3). Mutation from rare codons to Escherichia coli preferred ones is performed. We obtain MGF(Mut54–56) and MGF(Mut‐total) fragments through site‐directed mutagenesis and overlapping PCR. Both pGEX‐4T‐1/MGF(Mut54–56)‐ and pGEX‐4T‐1/MGF(Mut‐total)‐transformed BL21 (DE3) can be induced to express rhMGF protein. To optimize the production technology, expression and purification of rhMGF are analyzed and compared in Rosetta (DE3) and BL21 (DE3). Results indicate that rhMGF expression in BL21 (DE3) is significantly higher than that in Rosetta (DE3). The protein yield of pGEX‐4T‐1/MGF(Mut‐total) in BL21 (DE3) is higher than that of pGEX‐4T‐1/MGF(Mut54–56). We test the biological activity of MGF protein purified by affinity chromatography in C2C12 cell line and find that rhMGF promotes cell proliferation significantly. In conclusion, we establish a method to produce rhMGF economically with high biological activity in BL21 (DE3).
UvrD helicase: An old dog with a new trick
Authors: Epshtein Vitaliy
Published: October 2014

Transcription‐coupled repair (TCR) is a phenomenon that exists in a wide variety of organisms from bacteria to humans. This mechanism allows cells to repair the actively transcribed DNA strand much faster than the non‐transcribed one. At the sites of bulky DNA damage RNA polymerase stalls, initiating recruitment of the repair machinery. It is a commonly accepted paradigm that bacterial cells utilize a sole coupling factor, called Mfd to initiate TCR. According to that model, Mfd removes transcription complexes stalled at the lesion site and simultaneously recruits repair machinery. However, this model was recently put in doubt by various discrepancies between the proposed universal role of Mfd in the TCR and its biochemical and phenotypical properties. Here, I present a second pathway of bacterial TCR recently discovered in my laboratory, which does not involve Mfd but implicates a common repair factor, UvrD, in a central position in the process.
Interactive Hangman teaches amino acid structures and abbreviations
Authors: Pennington Britney O. , Sears Duane , Clegg Dennis O.
Published: October 2014

We developed an interactive exercise to teach students how to draw the structures of the 20 standard amino acids and to identify the one‐letter abbreviations by modifying the familiar game of “Hangman.” Amino acid structures were used to represent single letters throughout the game. To provide additional practice in identifying structures, hints to the answers were written in “amino acid sentences” for the students to translate. Students were required to draw the structure of the corresponding letter they wished to guess on a whiteboard. Each student received a reference sheet of the structures and abbreviations, but was required to draw from memory when guessing a letter. Preassessments and postassessments revealed a drastic improvement in the students' ability to recognize and draw structures from memory. This activity provides a fun, educational game to play in biochemistry discussion sections or during long incubations in biochemistry laboratories. © 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(6):495–500, 2014.
Learning about being a scientist from the vitamin B12 structure collaboration
Authors: White Susan A.
Published: October 2014

This historical note reviews the work that resulted in the publication of the structure of Vitamin B12. The collaborations and resulting friendships that developed during this time made a strong impression on the author and encouraged her to pursue a scientific career. 2014 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 42(6):507–509, 2014.
Planning approaches to constraint‐aware navigation in dynamic environments
Authors: Ninomiya Kai , Kapadia Mubbasir , Shoulson Alexander , Garcia Francisco , Badler Norman
Published: October 2014

Path planning is a fundamental problem in many areas, ranging from robotics and artificial intelligence to computer graphics and animation. Although there is extensive literature for computing optimal, collision‐free paths, there is relatively little work that explores the satisfaction of spatial constraints between objects and agents at the global navigation layer. This paper presents a planning framework that satisfies multiple spatial constraints imposed on the path. The type of constraints specified can include staying behind a building, walking along walls, or avoiding the line of sight of patrolling agents. We introduce two hybrid environment representations that balance computational efficiency and search space density to provide a minimal, yet sufficient, discretization of the search graph for constraint‐aware navigation. An extended anytime dynamic planner is used to compute constraint‐aware paths, while efficiently repairing solutions to account for varying dynamic constraints or an updating world model. We demonstrate the benefits of our method on challenging navigation problems in complex environments for dynamic agents using combinations of hard and soft, attracting and repelling constraints, defined by both static obstacles and moving obstacles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solvent‐Free Syntheses of Hierarchically Porous Aluminophosphate‐Based Zeolites with AEL and AFI Structures
Authors: Jin Yinying , Chen Xian , Sun Qi , Sheng Na , Liu Yan , Bian Chaoqun , Chen Fang , Meng Xiangju , Xiao Feng‐Shou
Published: October 2014

Development of sustainable routes for synthesizing aluminophosphate‐based zeolites are very important because of their wide applications. As a typical sustainable route, solvent‐free synthesis of zeolites not only decreases polluted wastes but also increases product yields. Systematic solvent‐free syntheses of hierarchically porous aluminophosphate‐based zeolites with AEL and AFI structures is presented. XRD patterns and SEM images show that these samples have high crystallinity. N2 sorption isotherm tests show that these samples are hierarchically porous, and their surface areas are comparable with those of corresponding zeolites from hydrothermal route. Chosen as an example, catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with O2 shows that cobalt substituted APO‐11 from the solvent‐free route (S‐CoAPO‐11) is more active than conventional CoAPO‐11 from hydrothermal route owing to the sample hierarchical porosity.
Disassembly‐Driven Fluorescence Turn‐on of Polymerized Micelles by Reductive Stimuli in Living Cells
Authors: Niko Yosuke , Arntz Youri , Mely Yves , Konishi Gen‐ichi , Klymchenko Andrey S.
Published: October 2014

Stimuli‐response nanoparticles have emerged as powerful tools for imaging and therapeutic applications. Ideally, they should be assembled from biodegradable materials featuring small size and cooperative response to biological stimuli that trigger particle disassembly and release of an active molecule that could be readily monitored in situ. A concept is developed that consists of organic nanoparticles, assembled from fluorescent amphiphiles and polymerized with a redox‐cleavable cross‐linker. We obtained 20 nm nanoparticles bearing self‐quenched Nile Red dye residues, which can disassemble in living cells into highly fluorescent molecular units owing to an external or internal reductive stimulus. The obtained results pave the way to new stimuli‐responsive nanomaterials for applications in background‐free imaging as well as in drug delivery, as the concept can be further extended to other active molecules including drugs and to cross‐linkers cleavable by other biological stimuli.
Host–Guest Interactions in ExBox4+
Authors: Das Ranjita , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: October 2014

The host–guest interaction between poly aromatic hydrocarbon/azine and the newly synthesized ExBox4+ complex is studied with the help of density functional theory. The solvent‐phase interaction energy is found to decrease with gradual substitution of methine groups (CH) from the six‐membered ring of guest molecules with N atoms in the resultant azine@ExBox4+ complex. The nature of the binding interaction is studied with the help of newly developed noncovalent interaction (NCI) plot program package along with energy decomposition analysis and charge decomposition analysis. The interactions are mostly π‐type van der Waals interactions.
Diameter Selection of Carbon Nanotubes in Polymer/SWCNT Nanowire Arrays Fabricated by Template Wetting
Authors: Domingo Concepción , García‐Gutiérrez Mari‐Cruz
Published: October 2014

Arrays of polymer/SWCNT (single‐wall carbon nanotube) nanowires supported on a residual nanocomposite film are prepared by melt wetting using porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) as a template. The aggregation parameter of SWCNTs extracted from the analysis of their Raman radial breathing modes gives the highest value for native SWCNTs, indicating that they tend to organize into bundles giving rise to a high degree of aggregation. However, the lowest value achieved at the interface between the nanocomposite film and the nanoarray is explained considering that the forces acting during infiltration are able to disrupt the SWCNT bundles inducing nanotube dispersion. In addition, scanning the nanoarrays along the nanowires length by Raman microscopy has shown a diameter selection of SWCNTs by the AAO membrane. The results reported in this work reveal that it is possible to fabricate arrays of nanowires with homogeneous SWCNT distribution along tens of microns, optimizing nanotube dispersion.
Effect of Bromine Complexing Agents on the Performance of Cation Exchange Membranes in Second‐Generation Vanadium Bromide Battery
Authors: Winardi Suminto , Poon Grace , Ulaganathan Mani , Parasuraman Aishwarya , Yan Qingyu , Wai Nyunt , Lim Tuti Mariana , Skyllas–Kazacos Maria
Published: October 2014

The effect of bromine complexing agents, N‐ethyl‐N‐methyl‐morpholinium bromide (MEM) and N‐ethyl‐N‐methyl‐pyrrolidinium bromide (MEP) on the performance of different perfluorinated cation exchange membranes, ChiNaf and VF11, is assessed in the G2 vanadium bromide battery (V/Br). It is noted that in the absence of MEM and MEP, the thicker ChiNaf (50 μm) membrane shows a higher energy efficiency at a current density of 20 mA cm−2. A preliminary test of ChiNaf at two different concentration ratios of MEM and MEP evaluated at 4 mA cm−2 shows that a mixture of 0.19 M MEM and 0.56 M MEP provides a slightly higher cell efficiency than the other tested compositions. However, better cell performance is obtained with the VF11 (25 μm) membrane at 4 mA cm−2 using 0.19 M MEM and 0.56 M MEP. Further studies using VF11 with a mixture of 0.19 M MEM and 0.56 M MEP at 20 mA cm−2 provide direct evidence that the addition of MEM+MEP lowers the cell performance through a reduction in voltage efficiency. The increased membrane resistance after the introduction of MEM and MEP marks the formation of an organic layer after bromine reacts with MEM and MEP and is deposited onto the membrane.
Static output‐feedback control for interval type‐2 discrete‐time fuzzy systems
Authors: Gao Yabin , Li Hongyi , Chadli Mohammed , Lam Hak‐Keung
Published: October 2014

This article investigates the problem of reliable mixed
control for discrete‐time interval type‐2 (IT2) fuzzy model‐based systems via static output‐feedback (SOF) control method. The number of fuzzy rules and the membership functions for the SOF controller are different from those for the plant. A sufficient criterion of reliable stability with mixed
performance is derived for the closed‐loop system with sensor failure. The SOF controller is designed for two different cases (known sensor failure case and unknown sensor failure case) to guarantee the reliable stability with mixed
performance. Moreover, novel criteria are presented to obtain the optical
performance for the closed‐loop system. Finally, an example is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed design scheme. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 74–88, 2016
A distributed interference alignment algorithm using min‐maxing strategy
Authors: El‐Absi M. , El‐Hadidy M. , Kaiser T.
Published: October 2014

Interference alignment is a joint‐transmission strategy that significantly increases the sum rate of interference channels at high signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs). The recent iterative interference alignment approaches are incapable of guaranteeing the best sum‐rate performance with the increase of the SNR amongst different K‐user interference channels, especially at high SNR regime. In this paper, a new interference alignment algorithm is developed to improve the sum‐rate performance of K‐user multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) and multi‐carrier interference channels by minimising the interference leakage and maximising the desired power concurrently, which is called by min‐maxing strategy. For a K‐user MIMO interference channel, we design transmit precoding matrices and receive decoding matrices through an efficient iterative algorithm based on min‐maxing strategy in a distributed way, in which each receiver maximises the desired signal power, whereas it preserves the minimum leakage interference as a constraint. This optimisation problem is reformulated and relaxed into a standard semidefinite programming form. The convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved as well. Furthermore, a simplified min‐maxing algorithm is proposed for rank‐deficient interference channels to achieve the targeted performance with less complexity. The numerical simulations show that the proposed algorithm proffers significant sum‐rate improvement in K‐user MIMO interference channels compared with the existing algorithms at high SNR regime. Moreover, the simplified algorithm matches the optimal performance in the systems of rank‐deficient channels. Finally, the developed min‐maxing algorithm has been extended to K‐user multi‐carrier interference channels, which outperform the previous approaches in terms of sum rate in several scenarios. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Stochastic Dynamic Program for Valuing Options on Futures
Authors: Ayadi Mohamed A. , Ben‐Ameur Hatem , Kirillov Tymur , Welch Robert
Published: October 2014

We propose a stochastic dynamic program (SDP) for valuing options on stock‐index futures. SDP accommodates European‐ as well as American‐style options, and price limits on the underlying futures contracts. Our numerical investigation shows convergence, robustness, and efficiency. SDP presents some advantages and disadvantages with respect to the binomial tree and finite differences, and stands as a viable alternative to these classic numerical methodologies for option valuation. Our empirical investigation, which focuses on American options on the S&P 500 futures contract, is almost perfect for implicit volatilities, but somewhat mitigated for historical volatilities. In volatile markets, we recommend short time windows for the volatility estimation step. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:1185–1201, 2014
Investigation of Icon Design and Touchable Area for Effective Smart Phone Controls
Authors: Im Youngjae , Kim Taeil , Jung Eui S.
Published: October 2014

As the full‐touch screen is being implemented in more smart phones, controllability of touch icons need to be considered. Previous research focused on recommendations for absolute key size. However, the size of tactual input on touch interface is not precisely equal to the icon size. This study aims to determine the suitable touchable area to improve touch accuracy. In addition, there was an investigation into the effect of layout (3 × 4, 4 × 5, 5 × 6, and 6 × 8) and icon ratio (0.5, 0.7, and 0.9). To achieve these goals, 40 participants performed a set of serial tasks on the smart phone. Results revealed that the layout and icon ratio were statistically significant on the user response: input offset, hit rate, task completion time, and preference. The 3 × 4 and 4 × 5 layouts were shown to have better performance. The icon ratio of 0.9 was shown to have greater preference. Furthermore, the hit rate (proportion of correct input) of touchable area was estimated through the bivariate normal distribution of input offset. The hit rate could vary, depending on the size of touchable area, which is a rectangle that yields a specific hit rate. A derivation procedure of the touchable area was proposed to guarantee the desirable hit rate. Meanwhile, the locations of the central region indicated a pattern of vertical touch and showed better performance. The users felt more difficulty when approaching the edge of the frame. The results of this study could be used in the design of touch interfaces for mobile devices.
Metadherin exon 11 skipping variant enhances metastatic spread of ovarian cancer
Authors: Haug Stefan , Schnerch Dominik , Halbach Sebastian , Mastroianni Justin , Dumit Verónica I. , Follo Marie , Hasenburg Annette , Köhler Martin , Dierbach Heide , Herzog Sebastian , Proske Amelie , Werner Martin , Dengjel Joern , Brummer Tilman , Laßmann Silke , Wäsch Ralph , Zeiser Robert
Published: October 2014

Metastatic ovarian cancer has a dismal prognosis and current chemotherapeutic approaches have very limited success. Metadherin (MTDH) is expressed in human ovarian cancer tissue and its expression inversely correlates with patients overall survival. Consistent with these studies, we observed MTDH expression in tissue specimens of FIGO Stage III ovarian carcinomas (72/83 cases). However, we also observed this in normal human ovarian epithelial (OE) cells, which raised the question of whether MTDH‐variants with functional differences exist. We identified a novel MTDH exon 11 skipping variant (MTDHdel) which was seen at higher levels in ovarian cancer compared to benign OE cells. We analyzed MTDH‐binding partner interactions and found that 12 members of the small ribosomal subunit and several mRNA binding proteins bound stronger to MTDHdel than to wildtype MTDH which indicates differential effects on gene translation. Knockdown of MTDH in ovarian cancer cells reduced the amount of distant metastases and improved the survival of ovarian cancer‐bearing mice. Selective overexpression of the MTDHdel enhanced murine and human ovarian cancer progression and caused a malignant phenotype in originally benign human OE cells. MTDHdel was detectable in microdissected ovarian cancer cells of some human tissue specimens of ovarian carcinomas. In summary, we have identified a novel MTDH exon 11 skipping variant that shows enhanced binding to small ribosomal subunit members and that caused reduced overall survival of ovarian cancer bearing mice. Based on the findings in the murine system and in human tissues, MTDHdel must be considered a major promalignant factor for ovarian cancer.
The Hippo pathway in chemotherapeutic drug resistance
Authors: Zhao Yulei , Yang Xiaolong
Published: October 2014

Chemotherapy is one of the major treatments for cancer patients. Although chemotherapeutic drugs can sometimes effectively suppress tumor growth in cancer patients, a significant proportion of patients are either intrinsically resistant or later develop resistance to primary chemotherapy, leading to disease relapse and patient mortality. The best way to conquer the resistance is the better understanding of the molecular network in cancer cells in response to drugs. Therefore, identification of signaling pathways and molecules involved in drug resistance is essential for successful treatment of cancers. The Hippo pathway is an emerging signaling pathway that plays important roles in tumorigenesis, stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation, organ size control as well as many other biological processes. Therefore, exploring novel roles of the Hippo pathway in various biological functions has become one of the cutting‐edge research areas in cancer and other biomedical research. Recently, we and others have provided new evidence that the Hippo pathway is involved in the resistance of different types of cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic drugs. In this review, we will discuss the specific roles of the Hippo pathway in chemotherapy, potential applications for studying this network in response to drugs as well as the future direction in identification of therapeutic targets.
Teaching, Learning, and Sharing Openly Online
Authors: Ian O'Byrne W. , Roberts Verena , LaBonte Randy , Graham Lee
Published: October 2014

Open learning is becoming a critical focus for K‐12 technology‐supported programs as the importance of digital literacy and digital freedoms for all learners grows. This article describes current open learning policy, open educational resources and potential implications for open practice and ends with suggestions for future research in open learning. The column situates this examination in the context of current opportunities and challenges that impact open learning in educational spaces.
Deletion of Connexin43 in Osteoblasts/Osteocytes Leads to Impaired Muscle Formation in Mice
Authors: Shen Hua , Grimston Susan , Civitelli Roberto , Thomopoulos Stavros
Published: October 2014

It is well-established that muscle forces are necessary for bone development as well as proper bone modeling and remodeling. Recent work has also suggested that bone acts as an endocrine organ that can influence the development of other organs. Connexin43 (Cx43), a gap junction protein that transduces mechanical signals, is an important determinant of cortical bone modeling. Using an osteoblast/osteocyte–specific ablation of the Cx43 gene (Gja1) driven by the 2.3-kb Col1α1 promoter (cKO) in the mouse, in this study we confirmed reduced cortical bone thickness and density with expanded bone marrow cavity in the cKO humerus. Surprisingly, Gja1 deletion in bone cells also affected skeletal muscle development, resulting in lower fast muscle weight, grip strength, and maximum absolute and specific tetanic forces (60% to 80%, 85%, and 50%, respectively, of WT mice). The normally fast twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle exhibited increased slow twitch fibers in cKO mice. These muscle defects were accompanied by a 40% to 60% reduction in mRNA abundance for genes encoding osteocalcin in the humerus, relative to WT mice. Accordingly, both carboxylated and undercarboxylated isoforms of osteocalcin were reduced by over 30% in the circulation of cKO mice. Moreover, the active, undercarboxylated isoform of osteocalcin (glu-OC) promoted myotube formation in C2C12 myoblast cultures, and glu-OC injections to cKO mice rescued EDL muscle cross-sectional area and grip strength in vivo. These findings demonstrate that Cx43 in osteoblasts/osteocytes indirectly modulates skeletal muscle growth and function, potentially via an endocrine effect of glu-OC. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The effect of a repeated immunoadsorption in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy after recurrence of severe heart failure symptoms
Authors: Reinthaler Markus , Empen Klaus , Herda Lars R. , Schwabe Anna , Rühl Michael , Dörr Marcus , Felix Stefan B.
Published: October 2014

Background: In patients suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), immunoadsorption with subsequent IgG substitution (IA/IgG) leads to an acute and prolonged improvement of hemodynamics and heart failure symptoms. However, some patients receiving IA/IgG experience recurrence of heart failure after an initial benefit. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a second IA/IgG treatment episode improves left ventricular systolic function and further mitigates heart failure symptoms in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 15 DCM patients who experienced a significant improvement of LVEF (≥ 5% absolute or ≥ 20% relative) and heart failure symptoms (≥ 1 NYHA functional class) but a subsequent deterioration (decline in LVEF ≥ 5% absolute or ≥ 20% relative and NYHA worsening ≥1 class) after the first IA/IgG. These patients underwent a second IA/IgG treatment 41.7 ± 27.4 months after the first cycle. Follow up data were acquired 3–6 months after both IA/IgG treatments. Results: The first IA/IgG induced an improvement of LVEF from 33 ± 6.4% to 43.2 ± 7.9% (P < 0.001) and of mean NYHA functional class from 2.9 ± 0.26 to 1.8 ± 0.56 (P < 0.001). The second treatment was associated with a significant improvement in LVEF (from 29.7 ± 4.6% to 34.9 ± 8.3%, P = 0.013) and NYHA functional class (2.87 ± 0.64 to 2.33 ± 0.72; P = 0.02). This improvement was less pronounced compared to the first treatment with respect to both, LVEF (P = 0.09) and NYHA improvement (P = 0.04). Conclusion: In DCM patients, who experience a significant improvement of LVEF and heart failure symptoms after IA/IgG but a subsequent relapse during follow up, repeated IA/IgG may be considered. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:217–223, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation of [18F]‐N‐(2‐fluoro‐ethyl)‐N‐methylamine as a building block for PET radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Hoareau Raphael , Gobbi Luca , Grall‐Ulsemer Sandra , Martarello Laurent
Published: October 2014

We have investigated the use of cyclic sulfamidates as precursors to yield secondary amines as building blocks for subsequent reaction with carboxylic acids and acyl chlorides. The preparation of the protonated form of [18F]‐N‐(2‐fluoro‐ethyl)‐N‐methylamine from the corresponding cyclic sulfamidate proceeded within a one pot two‐step procedure (81 ± 12%, n = 10). The secondary amine reacted readily with acyl chlorides and/or carboxylic acids giving amides with yields ranging from 4 to 17% at the end of synthesis (182 ± 12 min). The new methodology provides a practical approach for the labelling of molecules where intramolecular cyclisation of precursors is favoured under typical radiofluorination conditions.
Enhancement of the Effects of Exfoliated Carbon Nanofibers by Bone Morphogenetic Protein in a Rat Femoral Fracture Model
Authors: Miyazaki Masashi , Toyoda Masahiro , Yoshiiwa Toyomi , Kawano Masanori , Kaku Nobuhiro , Tsumura Hiroshi
Published: October 2014

Exfoliated carbon nanofibers (ExCNFs) are expected to serve as excellent scaffolds for promoting and guiding bone‐tissue regeneration. We aimed to enhance the effects of ExCNFs with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and examine their feasibility and safety in clinical applications using a rat femoral fracture model. Group I (n = 16) animals were implanted with control MedGEL. Group II (n = 17) animals were implanted with MedGEL containing ExCNFs. Group III (n = 15) animals were implanted with MedGEL containing 1 μg rhBMP‐2. Group IV (n = 15) animals were implanted with MedGEL containing 1 μg rhBMP‐2 and ExCNFs. The rats were euthanized after 6 weeks, and their fractured femurs were explanted and assessed by manual palpation, radiographs, and high‐resolution microcomputerized tomography (micro‐CT); the femurs were also subjected to biomechanical and histological analysis. The fusion rates in Group IV (73.3%) were considerably higher than those in Groups I (25.0%), II (52.9%), and III (46.7%). The results demonstrated the enhancement of the bone repair effects of ExCNFs by BMP in a rat femoral fracture model. Our results suggest that the enhancement of the effects of ExCNFs by BMP makes the combination a possible attractive therapy for various orthopedic surgeries. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:185–192, 2015.
Combined effect of high hydrostatic pressure and mild heat treatments on pectin methylesterase (PME) inactivation in comminuted orange
Authors: Tejada‐Ortigoza Viridiana , Escobedo‐Avellaneda Zamantha , Valdez‐Fragoso Aurora , Mújica‐Paz Hugo , Welti‐Chanes Jorge
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Comminuted orange, a product obtained by grinding the juice and peel and used to formulate beverages, has a high pectin methylesterase (PME) activity; thus the inactivation of this enzyme is necessary to avoid quality losses related to cloud loss. The use of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and mild temperature allows inactivation of enzymes with minimal quality changes. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of pressure, mild temperature and time of treatment, including come‐up and holding time, on the inactivation of PME in comminuted orange, and to apply kinetic and response surface models (RSM) to predict residual PME activity (A/A0).

RESULTS

During come‐up time in treatments at 68 °C, the higher the pressure, the lower was the A/A0 obtained. At 550 MPa/68 °C/10 min the lowest residual activity value was obtained (15.6%). A/A0 was well adjusted to the RSM, and a first‐order kinetic model was applied to describe the inactivation of PME. In general, the higher the pressure, the lower was the A/A0 reached, as the increasing values of k from 3.5 × 10−2 to 55.5 × 10−2 min−1 indicated. Activation volume (Va) values ranging from −9.2 to −17.7 cm3 mol−1, and activation energies (Ea) between 50.0 and 68.2 kJ mol−1 were calculated.

CONCLUSION

550 MPa/68 °C/10 min, 350 MPa/68 °C/10 min and 450 MPa/56 °C/10 min treatments were satisfactory (∼84% inactivation) to inactivate PME. A first‐order kinetic model was applied to describe PME inactivation, and the resulting A/A0 adjusted to the RSM. In addition, linearized Arrhenius and Eyring equations were well fitted in order to obtain Ea and Va, respectively. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
The clinical significance of findings obtained on 3D‐FLAIR MR imaging in patients with Ramsay‐Hunt syndrome
Authors: Chung Mi S. , Lee Jeong H. , Kim Dae Y. , Lim Young‐Min , Ahn Joong H. , Sung Yu S. , Choi Young J. , Yoon Ra G. , Baek Jung H.
Published: October 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the clinical significance of three‐dimensional‐fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (3D‐FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients with Ramsay‐Hunt syndrome (RHS).

Study Design

Case series.

Methods

We enrolled 28 consecutive patients of RHS with temporal bone MRI. Initial clinical findings and outcome were assessed by House‐Brackmann (HB) scales, electroneuronography (ENoG), and pure tone audiometry (PTA). Two radiologists evaluated the presence of abnormalities on pre‐/postcontrast 3D‐FLAIR for the cranial nerve (CN)‐VII, CN‐VIII, inner ear (IE), and the posterior fossa by consensus. The relative signal intensity and enhancement degree (rED) of the structures were measured using ImageJ (http://rsbweb.nih.gov/ij/). Statistical test correlated the clinical symptoms and the outcome with the analysis results of 3D‐FLAIR images.

Results

3D‐FLAIR demonstrated enhancement of CN‐VII in all patients. Precontrast hyperintensity and enhancement were seen in eight and 16 patients with IE, and in four and six with CN‐VIII, respectively. Precontrast hyperintensity of IE or CN‐VIII was significantly associated with the presence of vertigo (P value < 0.05). Precontrast hyperintensity of IE or CN‐VIII significantly correlated with clinical symptoms assessed by HB, ENoG, and PTA (P value < 0.05, respectively). rED of the vestibule moderately correlated with initial HB scale (r = 0.391, P = 0.039). There was no correlation between any of the 3D‐FLAIR findings and the follow‐up HB.

Conclusions

RHS shows frequent abnormalities of IE or CN‐VIII, as well as CN‐VII on pre‐/postcontrast 3D‐FLAIR images. Precontrast hyperintensity of IE/CN‐VIII on 3D‐FLAIR is significantly correlated with the severity of facial palsy, the presence of vertigo, and the degree of hearing impairment but not with clinical outcome.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 125:950–955, 2015
Your Nonunion Employees Have Walked Out … Now What?
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: October 2014

The campaign funded by the Service Employees International Union to force the fast food industry to pay higher wages continues to expand. On September 4, thousands demonstrated in 150 cities, including fast food workers who had walked off the job to participate. The campaign is now encouraging civil disobedience, which led to the arrest September 4 in several cities of more than 430 people, including a member of the U.S. Congress.
Novel bio‐based IPNs obtained by simultaneous thermal polymerization of flexible methacrylate network based on a vegetable oil and a rigid epoxy
Authors: Balanuca Brindusa , Lungu Adriana , Conicov Iulia , Stan Raluca , Vasile Eugeniu , Vuluga Dumitru Mircea , Iovu Horia
Published: October 2014

A series of novel vegetable oil‐based interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have been successfully prepared: on one hand, methacrylated camelina oil (MCO) and a polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (PEG, MW 750 g/mol) and on the other hand, diglycidylether of bisphenol A (DER), in various blend ratios (75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 wt). Hence the appealing innovative direction of the current work was to build oil‐based poly(methacrylate) network using PEG macromonomer which is able to modulate adequately the crosslinking degree of the oil‐based network.

These innovative combinations of cross‐linkable resins in terms of flexible methacrylate network based on camelina oil (CO) and PEG and a rigid epoxy (DER) were simultaneously polymerized using two independent non‐interfering curing reactions: free‐radical process for MCO and anionic polymerization of epoxy resin in the presence of a tertiary amine. The effect of the IPNs composition compositional characteristics on the reactivity of methacrylate or epoxy groups was studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The influence of the MCO‐PEG bio‐based polymer on the system properties was evaluated after curing by dynamic mechanical and thermogravimetric analyses. In addition mechanical and morphological studies were also carried out. The results suggested that blending of MCO and DER gave synergistic effects on the overall properties of the developed oil‐based IPNs and a dependence on the methacrylate/epoxy ratio was clearly noticed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acronitrile butadiene styrene/polycaprolactam/nano carbon black composites: Selective percolation, glass transition and temperature dependence of electrical conductivity
Authors: Mondal R.K. , Dubey K.A. , Bhardwaj Y.K. , Panicker L. , Varshney L.
Published: October 2014

Preferential percolation is a promising strategy to develop conducting composites at lower loading of conducting filler; however, little information is available on temperature dependence of conductivity of such composites. This study reports synthesis and positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior of a novel multiphase polymer composite in which conducting filler preferentially percolates in a composite containing two incompatible polymers, both having glass transition in the temperature range of study. High electrical conductivity and good mechanical behavior was demonstrated by acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)/polycaprolactam (PCL)/nano carbon black (NCB) composites, which was dependent on blend composition as well as on the extent of NCB loading. PTC intensity was considerably less for ternary composites than it was for binary ABS/NCB or PCL/NCB composites. Theoretical analysis of the dispersion state of NCB in this phase separated system revealed preferential distribution of NCB at the interfacial region. PTC effect was also found to decrease significantly with increase in NCB content. ABS/PCL/NCB (1:1:2) composites showed no significant temperature dependence (zero positive coefficients) up to 413 K while ABS/NCB 30 wt% NCB composites showed highest PTC. A sudden rise was observed in the glass transition region of polymers for all composites; however, the effect was less pronounced for ternary composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:481–487, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Pharmacist‐Driven Renal Medication Dosing Intervention in a Primary Care Patient‐Centered Medical Home
Authors: Barnes Kelli D. , Tayal Neeraj H. , Lehman Amy M. , Beatty Stuart J.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

The purposes of this population management intervention were to identify patients with stage 3, 4, or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) and to improve care in a patient‐centered medical home (PCMH). Objectives of the intervention were to (i) increase the identification of CKD, (ii) increase the use of aspirin and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐Is) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in patients with CKD, and (iii) ensure that all medications prescribed to patients with CKD were dosed appropriately based on renal function.

Setting

This intervention was completed at a National Committee for Quality Assurance tier 3 PCMH associated with a major, academic health system.

Patients

A list of 328 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of < 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 was generated using the electronic medical record; 146 patients underwent the intervention.

Measurements and Observations

A pharmacist review of the electronic medical record was completed to confirm stage 3, 4, or 5 CKD based on estimated glomerular filtration rate, to ensure that ACE‐Is/ARBs and aspirin were prescribed, and to ensure that all medications were dosed appropriately based on renal dosing adjustment recommendations. Recommendations were made to improve medication use and safety in patients with CKD. Before intervention, 73% of patients were prescribed an ACE‐I/ARB and 72% of patients were prescribed aspirin. After the intervention, use of these medications increased to 77% and 82% of patients, respectively. Pharmacist recommendations to adjust medication dosing based on Cockcroft‐Gault calculated creatinine clearance were made for 138 medications (0.95 medication per patient); 90 (65.2%) recommendations were accepted by the patients’ physicians.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate the impact of a pharmacist‐driven renal medication dosing intervention within a PCMH on medication use and safety for patients with CKD.
Insight into the primary mode of action of TiO2 nanoparticles on Escherichia coli in the dark
Authors: Sohm Bénédicte , Immel Françoise , Bauda Pascale , Pagnout Christophe
Published: October 2014

Large‐scale production and incorporation of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NP‐TiO2) in consumer products leads to their potential release into the environment and raises the question of their toxicity. The bactericidal mechanism of NP‐TiO2 under UV light is known to involve oxidative stress due to the generation of reactive oxygen species. In the dark, several studies revealed that NP‐TiO2 can exert toxicological effects. However, the mode of action of these nanoparticles is still controversial. In the present study, we used a combination of fluorescent probes to show that NP‐TiO2 causes Escherichia coli membrane depolarization and loss of integrity, leading to higher cell permeability. Using both transcriptomic and proteomic global approaches we showed that this phenomenon translates into a cellular response to osmotic stress, metabolism of cell envelope components and uptake/metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. This primary mechanism of bacterial NP‐TiO2 toxicity is supported by the observed massive cell leakage of K+/Mg2+ concomitant with the entrance of extracellular Na+, and by the depletion of intracellular ATP level.
Ab initio calculations of ideal and defective bismuth telluride nanotubes
Authors: Pokropivny Alex , Xiong Shiyun , Chumakov Yurii , Cortona Pietro , Volz Sebastian
Published: October 2014

Stability and electronic structures are analyzed for ideal bilayer and trilayer Bi–Te nanotubes and for trilayer nanotubes with exchanged‐pair, antisite, and vacancy defects with a first‐principle method. Cohesion energy calculations reveal the high stability of those nanotubes, the most stable being the trilayer nanotube with semicube patterns. Crystal of nanotubes is more stable than individual nanotubes. From the electronic structure analysis, nanotubes with single Te antisite, Bi antisite, and Te vacancy defects are found to be metallic. Instead, the Bi vacancy defected nanotube is characterized by a semiconductor behavior with promising thermoelectric properties for nanoscale devices.
Use of 3‐nitrobenzonitrile as an additive for improved sensitivity in sonic‐spray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Kanaki Katerina , Pergantis Spiros A.
Published: October 2014

RATIONALE

Sonic‐spray ionization (SSI) has been shown to produce gas‐phase ions for a wide range of compounds, without the application of voltage or a laser. However, it remains to be shown that it can also provide similar sensitivities to those obtained by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS).

METHODS

Here we report on an attempt to further improve the sensitivity of SSI‐MS, more specifically a version of SSI that is referred to as Venturi easy ambient sonic‐spray ionization (V‐EASI) MS, by adding a signal‐enhancing additive to the sample solution. The additive used is 3‐nitrobenzonitrile (3‐NBN), which has recently been used with success in a new ionization approach named matrix‐assisted ionization vacuum. In order to conduct this study we have analyzed a range of compounds, including peptides, metalloproteins, and some organometalloids. During the V‐EASI‐MS analyses molecular ion and protonated molecule signal intensities as well as their corresponding signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios, obtained in the presence and absence of the 3‐NBN, were compared.

RESULTS

The 3‐NBN‐assisted V‐EASI‐MS approach developed here provides significant improvement in sensitivity relative to conventional V‐EASI‐MS for almost all compounds tested. More specifically, for peptides a 1.6‐ to 4‐fold enhancement was realized, for proteins the enhancements were from 2‐ to 5‐fold, and for some metalloid species enhancements reached up to 10‐fold. However, optimum additive concentration and ion transfer capillary temperature were found to be compound‐dependent and thus require optimization in order for maximum enhancements to be achieved. In most cases the 3‐NBN‐assisted V‐EASI‐MS approach provides comparable sensitivities and S/N ratios to ESI‐MS on the same ion trap mass spectrometer.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of 3‐NBN with V‐EASI‐MS gives rise to a novel 3‐NBN‐assisted MS technique, which has demonstrated considerable signal enhancement for most of the compounds analyzed, thus improving its competitiveness towards the well‐established and dominating ESI‐MS technique. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What do wearable devices bring to market research?
Authors: Johnson Alex
Published: October 2014

We tested whether wearables like Google Glass could be a viable alternative to mobile handsets in collecting data, and this is what we found.
Measuring and managing user experience
Authors: Bosenick Tim , Wildner Raimund
Published: October 2014

The research contribution to optimising usability in digital devices