bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alcohol attenuates anti‐HCV function of IFN‐λ1 through up‐regulation of PLASy expression in human hepatic cells
Authors: Ran Meihua , Huang Jiegang , Liang Hao , Jiang Junjun , Liang Bingyu , Ning Chuanyi , Zang Ning , Liao Weibo , Liu Huifang , Qin Fengxiang , Yang Quanlue , Ho Wenzhe , Ye Li , Chen Hui
Published: February 2018

Alcohol could compromise the anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) function of interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α). However, little information is available about the effect of alcohol on interferon‐lambda (IFN‐λ, type III IFN), a novel candidate for development of therapy for HCV infection. Huh7 cells were infected with HCV JFH‐1 virus, then treated with alcohol, and/or IFN‐λ1. RT‐PCR and Western blot were used to detect the levels of HCV and key cellular factors. Overexpression or silencing expression was performed to verify the role of key factors in alcohol‐attenuated anti‐HCV function of IFN‐λ1. Alcohol treatment compromised anti‐HCV effect of IFN‐λ1 in HCV JFH‐1‐infected Huh7 cells, evidenced by the significantly increased levels of HCV RNA, and HCV core protein in alcohol‐/IFN‐λ1‐treated cells compared to cells with IFN‐λ1 treatment alone. Investigation of the mechanisms responsible for the alcohol action revealed that alcohol enhanced the expression of protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIASy). Overexpression of PIASy compromised anti‐HCV ability of IFN‐λ1, whereas silencing expression of PIASy partly restored the alcohol‐attenuated anti‐HCV effect of IFN‐λ1. More importantly, overexpression of PIASy significantly down‐regulated the level of IFN‐λ1‐indcued phosphorylation of STAT1 (p‐STAT1), an important adaptor in IFN‐λ pathway, as well as reduced the expression of IFN‐λ1‐induced IFN‐stimulated genes 56 (ISG56), and myxovirus resistance 1 (Mx1), two antiviral effectors in in IFN‐λ pathway. These findings indicate that alcohol, through inducing the expression of negative regulator in IFN‐λ pathway, inhibits IFN‐λ‐mediated anti‐HCV action in human hepatic cells, which may lead to the poor efficacy of IFN‐λ‐based therapy against HCV infection.
The correlation of TNF alpha levels with the lipid profile of dengue patients
Authors: Osuna‐Ramos Juan F. , Rendón‐Aguilar Horacio , Reyes‐Ruiz José M. , del Ángel Rosa M. , Romero‐Utrilla Alejandra , Ríos‐Burgueño Efrén R. , Velarde‐Rodriguez Ismael , Velarde‐Félix Jesús S.
Published: February 2018

Immunological factors, such as cytokines, have been proposed as a cause of changes in the lipid profile of dengue patients. We studied whether serum lipid levels and serum TNF‐α levels are associated in a group of dengue patients from an endemic region in the Northwest of Mexico. We found statistically important differences in the serum lipid profile and the TNF‐α levels of dengue patients compared with the control group, were observed. However, TNF‐α levels did not correlate with the lipid profile of dengue patients.
Evaluation and validation of an ion mobility quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry pesticide screening approach
Authors: Bauer Anna , Kuballa Juergen , Rohn Sascha , Jantzen Eckard , Luetjohann Jens
Published: February 2018

An ion mobility quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry‐based pesticide suspect screening methodology was developed and validated covering 20 plant‐derived food matrices deriving from six commodity groups of different complexity according to the actual European Commission document SANTE/11813/2017 applying a QuEChERS sample preparation protocol. The method combines ultra‐performance liquid chromatography, traveling wave ion mobility, and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Besides the determination of the physicochemical property collision cross‐section and the establishment of a corresponding scientific suspect screening database comprising 280 pesticides for several pesticides, different protomers, sodium adducts, as well as dimers were identified in ion mobility spectrometry traces. Additionally, collision cross‐section values were included in the validation requirements regarding chromatography and mass spectrometry for the detection of pesticides. A collision cross‐section value window was analyzed within a tolerable error of ±2%. For this cross‐matrix validation, screening detection limits were determined at concentration levels of 0.100 mg/kg (84% of the original pesticide scope), 0.010 mg/kg (56%), and 0.001 mg/kg (21%). By application of ion mobility spectrometry, the compound identification was improved due to independence of commodity of concern and concentration levels of analyte molecules, as false assignments are reduced by application of a collision cross‐section range.
Telemedicine in otolaryngology outpatient setting—single Center Head and Neck Surgery experience
Authors: Rimmer Ryan A. , Christopher Vanessa , Falck Ailsa , de Azevedo Pribitkin Edmund , Curry Joseph M. , Luginbuhl Adam J. , Cognetti David M.
Published: February 2018

Objectives/Hypothesis

We present our experience with telemedicine visits in an otolaryngology outpatient setting within our institution's Center for Head and Neck Surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A review of telemedicine outpatient encounters examining patient demographics, visit type, and wait times was conducted. Internet‐based navigation applications were used to calculate travel distance and estimate commute time to our clinic. Patient survey responses were reviewed.

Results

Two hundred fifty telemedicine encounters were reviewed between December 2015 and June 2017. The average age of patients was 50 years (range, 4–87 years). Patients waited an average of 10 minutes for their telemedicine appointments and avoided an average estimated commute time of 78 minutes (64 miles). The majority of visits were postoperative encounters (70%). Clinical follow‐up of recent results or nonpostoperative complaints accounted for the remaining 30% of visits. All patients were offered a post‐telemedicine survey, and 78 (31%) completed the survey. Of the respondents, 95% of patients reported that they were satisfied with their visit. Among patients who were dissatisfied, wait time and technical issues were cited as reasons.

Conclusions

With appropriate patient selection, telemedicine is an effective way to safely conduct outpatient clinic visits while maintaining high patient satisfaction. It can be particularly useful for institutions with large catchment areas to minimize travel times and increase ease of communication.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:2072–2075, 2018
Clinical criteria for CT scan evaluation of upper digestive tract fishbone
Authors: Jahshan Forsan , Sela Eyal , Layous Eli , Levy Einat , Assadi Niddal , Shilo Etgar , Ibrahim Nour , Maayan Dor , Ronen Ohad
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To establish clinical criteria for performing computed tomography scan for suspected upper digestive tract fishbone.

Methods

This is a prospective study of all adult patients referred to the otolaryngology emergency department at our medical center for suspected fishbone in the upper digestive tract after no fishbone was seen on physical examination. The patients were divided into two groups: 1) The first was a high clinical suspicion group, which included patients with at least one of the following criteria: drooling, accumulation of saliva in the sinus piriformis, fever, referral 24 hours after the ingestion with worsening/continuing symptoms, and readmission. These patients underwent nonenhanced CT scan (NECT) of the neck. 2) The second was a low clinical suspicion group, which included patients discharged with no NECT performed. These patients were followed at 1 week and 3 months.

Results

One hundred and fourteen patients were included in the study; the median age was 41 years. Half of the patients arrived at the emergency department within 7 hours. There were no false negatives. The negative predictive value and sensitivity were 100%. Positive predictive value and specificity were 28.5% and 65%, respectively. Referral to the emergency department 24 hours after the ingestion with continuing symptoms had the highest false positive rate.

Conclusions

Our clinical criteria score for excluding foreign body fishbone in the upper aerodigestive tract was established. According to this score, a NECT can be spared in about 75% of all cases, thus reducing unnecessary ionizing radiation, stay at the emergency department, and costs with a very high NPV of almost 99%.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 2467–2472, 2018
Heparin mimetics with anticoagulant activity
Authors: Nahain Abdullah Al , Ignjatovic Vera , Monagle Paul , Tsanaktsidis John , Ferro Vito
Published: February 2018

Heparin, a sulfated polysaccharide belonging to the glycosaminoglycan family, has been widely used as an anticoagulant drug for decades and remains the most commonly used parenteral anticoagulant in adults and children. However, heparin has important clinical limitations and is derived from animal sources which pose significant safety and supply problems. The ever growing shortage of the raw material for heparin manufacturing may become a very significant issue in the future. These global limitations have prompted much research, especially following the recent well‐publicized contamination scandal, into the development of alternative anticoagulants derived from non‐animal and/or totally synthetic sources that mimic the structural features and properties of heparin. Such compounds, termed heparin mimetics, are also needed as anticoagulant materials for use in biomedical applications (e.g., stents, grafts, implants etc.). This review encompasses the development of heparin mimetics of various structural classes, including synthetic polymers and non‐carbohydrate small molecules as well as sulfated oligo‐ and polysaccharides, and fondaparinux derivatives and conjugates, with a focus on developments in the past 10 years.
On the photoelastic constants and the Brewster law for stressed tetragonal crystals
Authors: Rinaldi Daniele , Daví Fabrizio , Montalto Luigi
Published: February 2018

An exact knowledge of the mechanical and optical properties of crystals allows not only for theoretical advances, but it is also a useful tool to asses crystal quality in the technological processes of growth and production of advanced crystals like, eg, scintillators. In this paper, we study the elasto‐optic behavior of tetragonal crystals to evaluate the photoelastic constants, associated to various states of stress, in terms of the components of the piezo‐optic tensor. Moreover, we arrive at a generalization, for tetragonal crystals, of the Brewster law for optically isotropic materials.
Longterm persistence and nonrecurrence of depression treatment in Germany: a four‐year retrospective follow‐up using linked claims data
Authors: Wagner Christoph J. , Dintsios Charalabos Markos , Metzger Florian G. , L'Hoest Helmut , Marschall Ursula , Stollenwerk Bjoern , Stock Stephanie
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To measure persistence and nonrecurrence of depression treatment and investigate potential risk factors.

Methods

We retrospectively observed a closed cohort of insurees with new‐onset depression treatment in 2007 and without most psychiatric comorbidity for 16 quarters (plus one to ascertain discontinuation). We linked inpatient/outpatient/drug‐data per person and quarter. Person‐quarters containing specified depression services were classified as depression‐treatment‐person‐quarters (DTPQ). We defined longterm‐DTPQ‐persistence as 16 + 1 continuous DTPQ and longterm‐DTPQ‐nonrecurrence as 12 continuous quarters without DTPQ and used multivariate logistic regression to explore associations with these outcomes.

Results

Within first 16 quarters, 28,348 patients' first period (total time) persisted for a mean/median 5.4/3 (8.7/8) quarters. Fourteen percent had longterm‐DTPQ‐persistence, associated (p < .05) with baseline hospital (odds ratio, OR = 1.80), psychotherapy/specialist‐interview and antidepressants (OR = 1.81), age (years, OR = 1.03), unemployment (OR = 1.21), retirement (OR = 1.31), and insured as a dependent (OR = 1.32). Thirty‐four percent had longterm‐DTPQ‐nonrecurrence, associated with psychotherapy/specialist‐interview (OR = 1.40), antidepressants (OR = 0.54), female sex (OR = 0.84), age (years, OR = 0.99), retirement (OR = 1.18), and insured as a dependent (OR = 0.88). Women differed for episodic and not chronic treatment.

Conclusion

Treatment measures compared to survey's symptoms measures. We suggest further research on “treatment‐free‐time.” Antidepressants(−) and psychotherapy/specialist‐interview(+) were significantly associated with longterm‐DTPQ‐nonrecurrence. This was presumably moderated by possible short‐time/low‐dosage antidepressants use(−) and selective therapy assignment(+). Sample selectivity limited data misclassification.
Whole‐body MRI for metastatic cancer detection using T2‐weighted imaging with fat and fluid suppression
Authors: Wang Xinzeng , Pirasteh Ali , Brugarolas James , Rofsky Neil M. , Lenkinski Robert E. , Pedrosa Ivan , Madhuranthakam Ananth J.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop a whole‐body MRI technique at 3T with improved lesion conspicuity for metastatic cancer detection using fast, high‐resolution and high SNR T2‐weighted (T2W) imaging with simultaneous fat and fluid suppression.

Theory and Methods

The proposed dual‐echo T2‐weighted acquisition for enhanced conspicuity of tumors (DETECT) acquires 4 images, in‐phase (IP) and out‐of‐phase (OP) at a short and a long TE using single‐shot turbo spin echo. The IP/OP images at the short and long TEs are reconstructed using the standard Dixon and shared‐field‐map Dixon reconstruction respectively, for robust fat–water separation. An adaptive complex subtraction between the 2 TE water‐only images achieves fluid attenuation. DETECT imaging was optimized and evaluated in whole‐body imaging of 5 healthy volunteers, and compared against diffusion‐weighted imaging with background suppression (DWIBS) in 5 patients with known metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Results

Robust fat–water separation and fluid attenuation were achieved using the shared‐field‐map Dixon reconstruction and adaptive complex subtraction, respectively. DETECT imaging technique generated co‐registered T2W images with and without fat suppression, heavily T2W, and fat and fluid suppressed T2W whole‐body images in <7 min. Compared to DWIBS acquired in 17 min, the DETECT imaging achieved better detection and localization of lesions in patients with metastatic cancer.

Conclusion

DETECT imaging technique generates T2W images with high resolution, high SNR, minimal geometric distortions, and provides good lesion conspicuity with robust fat and fluid suppression in <7 min for whole‐body imaging, demonstrating efficient and reliable metastatic cancer detection at 3T.
Water suppression in the human brain with hypergeometric RF pulses for single‐voxel and multi‐voxel MR spectroscopy
Authors: Chan Kimberly L. , Ouwerkerk Ronald , Barker Peter B.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop and investigate a novel water suppression sequence with hypergeometric pulses at 3 T.

Methods

Simulations were used to optimize the delays and amplitudes of 5 hypergeometric prepulses, to minimize the residual water over a range of T1 and B1 values. Single‐voxel data with hypergeometric water suppression (HGWS) prepulses were acquired in the centrum semiovale, 2 parietal regions, and insula of 7 subjects, and compared with VAPOR water suppression. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data using both VAPOR and HGWS prepulses were also collected and compared. Water suppression performance was calculated as the residual water peak height relative to the unsuppressed water peak. MRSI voxel‐by‐voxel comparison was performed by calculating the ratio between HGWS and VAPOR residual water peaks.

Results

In simulations, HGWS and VAPOR are insensitive to B1 and water T1 variations, but with no B1 variation, HGWS has a lower average residual water fraction (0.0033) than that of VAPOR (0.0091). In single‐voxel acquisitions, HGWS performs better than VAPOR in all regions with a 2.3‐fold to 5.7‐fold lower residual water. In MRSI acquisitions, HGWS performs on average 2.3‐fold better than VAPOR in 98.9% of the voxels.

Conclusion

HGWS provides better water suppression than VAPOR in both single‐voxel and multivoxel acquisitions with a shorter sequence duration.
Feasibility of high spatiotemporal resolution for an abbreviated 3D radial breast MRI protocol
Authors: Jimenez Jorge E. , Strigel Roberta M. , Johnson Kevin M. , Henze Bancroft Leah C. , Reeder Scott B. , Block Walter F.
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop a volumetric imaging technique with 0.8‐mm isotropic resolution and 10‐s/volume rate to detect and analyze breast lesions in a bilateral, dynamic, contrast‐enhanced MRI exam.

Methods

A local low‐rank temporal reconstruction approach that also uses parallel imaging and spatial compressed sensing was designed to create rapid volumetric frame rates during a contrast‐enhanced breast exam (vastly undersampled isotropic projection [VIPR] spatial compressed sensing with temporal local low‐rank [STELLR]). The dynamic‐enhanced data are subtracted in k‐space from static mask data to increase sparsity for the local low‐rank approach to maximize temporal resolution. A T1‐weighted 3D radial trajectory (VIPR iterative decomposition with echo asymmetry and least squares estimation [IDEAL]) was modified to meet the data acquisition requirements of the STELLR approach. Additionally, the unsubtracted enhanced data are reconstructed using compressed sensing and IDEAL to provide high‐resolution fat/water separation. The feasibility of the approach and the dual reconstruction methodology is demonstrated using a 16‐channel breast coil and a 3T MR scanner in 6 patients.

Results

The STELLR temporal performance of subtracted data matched the expected temporal perfusion enhancement pattern in small and large vascular structures. Differential enhancement within heterogeneous lesions is demonstrated with corroboration from a basic reconstruction using a strict 10‐second temporal footprint. Rapid acquisition, reliable fat suppression, and high spatiotemporal resolution are presented, despite significant data undersampling.

Conclusion

The STELLR reconstruction approach of 3D radial sampling with mask subtraction provides a high‐performance imaging technique for characterizing enhancing structures within the breast. It is capable of maintaining temporal fidelity, while visualizing breast lesions with high detail over a large FOV to include both breasts.
Distinction of the GABA 2.29 ppm resonance using triple refocusing at 3 T in vivo
Authors: Tiwari Vivek , An Zhongxu , Wang Yiming , Choi Changho
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop 1H MR spectroscopy that provides distinction of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) signal at 3 T in vivo.

Methods

Triple‐refocusing was tailored at 3 T, with numerical simulations and phantom validation, for distinction of the GABA 2.29‐ppm resonance from the neighboring glutamate resonance. The optimization was performed on the inter‐RF pulse time delays and the duration and carrier frequency of a non‐slice‐selective RF pulse. The optimized triple refocusing was tested in multiple regions in 6 healthy subjects, including hippocampus. The in vivo spectra were analyzed with the LCModel using in‐house basis spectra. After normalization of the metabolite signal estimates to water, the metabolite concentrations were quantified with reference to medial‐occipital creatine at 8 mM.

Results

A triple‐refocusing scheme with optimized inter‐RF pulse time delays (TE = 74 ms) was obtained for GABA detection. With optimized duration (14 ms) and carrier frequency (4.5 ppm) of the non‐slice‐selective RF pulse, the triple refocusing gave rise to distinction between the GABA 2.29‐ppm and glutamate 2.35‐ppm signals. The GABA 2.29‐ppm signal was clearly discernible in spectra in vivo (voxel size 4 to 12 mL; scan times 4.3 to 17 minutes). With a total of 24 spectra from 6 gray or white matter–dominant regions, the GABA concentration was measured to be 0.62 to 1.15 mM (Cramer‐Rao lower bound of 8 to 14%), and the glutamate level 5.8 to 11.2 mM (Cramer‐Rao lower bound of 3 to 6%).

Conclusion

The optimized triple refocusing provided distinction between GABA and glutamate signals and permitted direct codetection of these metabolites in the human brain at 3 T in vivo.
A weak Galerkin mixed finite element method for the Helmholtz equation with large wave numbers
Authors: Wang Ruishu , Wang Xiaoshen , Zhai Qilong , Zhang Kai
Published: February 2018

In this article, a new weak Galerkin mixed finite element method is introduced and analyzed for the Helmholtz equation with large wave numbers. The stability and well‐posedness of the method are established for any wave number k without mesh size constraint. Allowing the use of discontinuous approximating functions makes weak Galerkin mixed method highly flexible in term of little restrictions on approximations and meshes. In the weak Galerkin mixed finite element formulation, approximation functions can be piecewise polynomials with different degrees on different elements and meshes can consist elements with different shapes. Suboptimal order error estimates in both discrete H1 and L2 norms are established for the weak Galerkin mixed finite element solutions. Numerical examples are tested to support the theory.
Design and preparation of rapid full bio‐degradable plastic composites based on poly(butylene succinate)
Authors: Xie Yi , Zhang Jihai , Hu Jingying , Zhang Aiming , Zhou Tao
Published: February 2018

Rapid full bio‐degradable plastic composites based on poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were successfully designed and prepared. The bio‐degradation behavior of the composites was focused on. Results demonstrated that the polymer composites incorporated with starch exhibited a rapid biodegradability. Only after 5 months of biodegradation, the polymer composites with 40 and 50 wt% starch were fully pulverized in the soil. However, mechanical properties of composites were also seriously deteriorated. Theory calculations and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the reason is the poor interface adhesion between PBS and starch. To address this issue, maleic anhydride grafted PBS (PBS‐g‐MAH) was prepared to use as the polymer matrix. As expected, the good mechanical properties were obtained due to an excellent adhesion in the interface. For instance, the tensile strength was increased from 15.0 to 23.0 MPa, and the impact strength is enhanced from 6.5 kJ/m2 to 11.9 kJ/m2 when the amount of MAH and dicumyl peroxide were 2 and 0.2 wt%, respectively. In addition, the use of PBS‐g‐MAH further increased the biodegradation rate of the composites. The PBS‐g‐MAH/starch (60/40) composites were fully pulverized in soil only after 3 months of biodegradation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) also revealed the compatibilizing mechanism between PBS‐g‐MAH and starch was that MAH reacted with hydroxyl groups in the starch to produce the ester. As an attractive full biodegradable polymer, the low‐cost composites proposed here will have wide prospects of application in the near future. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E609–E619, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Evolution of the mechanical properties and estimation of the useful lifespan of poly(lactic acid) based compounds
Authors: Anakabe Jon , Santamaria‐Echart Arantzazu , Eceiza Arantxa , Arbelaiz Aitor , Zaldua Huici Ane Miren
Published: February 2018

The useful lifespans of a poly(lactic acid)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) 80/20 (wt%) blend and a poly(lactic acid)/dioctyl adipate/talc (PLA/DOA/talc) compound have been estimated by applying an Arrhenius relationship to the evolution of the mechanical properties whilst ageing. The studied PLA based systems showed lower activation energies (ca 8 − 20 kJ mol−1) than those reported in the literature for other synthetic thermoplastics, indicating lower thermo‐oxidative stability. However, both systems were interesting choices for semi‐durable applications in terms of useful lifespan estimations. The PLA/PMMA blend showed a drastic loss in stiffness at Tg due to its almost amorphous structure whereas, in contrast, PLA/DOA/talc showed acceptable mechanical properties above its glass transition temperature due to its semicrystalline structure. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Supramolecular elastomers: Switchable mechanical properties and tuning photohealing with changes in supramolecular interactions
Authors: Razgoniaev Anton O. , Mikhailov Kirill I. , Obrezkov Filipp A. , Butaeva Evgeniia V. , Ostrowski Alexis D.
Published: February 2018

To study light‐triggered self‐healing in supramolecular materials, we synthesized supramolecular thermoplastic elastomers with mechanical properties that were reversibly modulated with temperature. By changing the supramolecular architecture, we created polymers with different temperature responses. Detailed characterization of the hydrogen‐bonding material revealed dramatically different temperature and mechanical stress response due to two different stable states with changes in the hydrogen bonding interactions. A semi‐crystalline state showed no response to oscillatory shear deformations while the melt state behaved as a typical energy dissipative material with a clear crossover between storage and loss moduli. Comparison studies on heat generation after light excitation revealed no differences in photo‐thermal conversion when an Fe(II)‐phenanthroline chromophore was either physically blended into the H‐bonding polymer or covalently attached to the supramolecular network. These materials showed healing of scratches with light‐irradiation, as long as the overlap of material absorbance and laser excitation was sufficient. Differences in the efficiency and rate of photohealing were observed, depending on the type of supramolecular interaction, and these were attributed to the differences in the thermal response of the materials' moduli. Such results provide insight into how materials can be designed with chromophores and supramolecular bonding interactions to tune the light‐healing efficiency of the materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1003–1011
An insight into molecular motions and phase composition of gliadin/glutenin glycerol blends studied by13C solid‐state and1H time‐domain NMR
Authors: Diuk Andrade Fabiana , Newson William R. , Bernardinelli Oigres Daniel , Rasheed Faiza , Cobo Márcio Fernando , Plivelic Tomás S. , Ribeiro deAzevedo Eduardo , Kuktaite Ramune
Published: February 2018

Monitoring of the molecular motions and secondary structures of gliadin (Gli) and glutenin (Glu) in blends with 10, 20, 30, and 40% glycerol was performed by solid‐state (SS) and time domain (TD) NMR spectroscopy. Increasing the glycerol content increased the relative amount of β‐sheets and disordered structures, while decreasing α‐helices in Gli/Glu–glycerol blends studied by13C CPMAS NMR. For ≥20% glycerol samples, the protein side‐chain mobility increased similarly for Gli and Glu. A higher proportion of α‐helices versus β‐sheets was found in Gli‐glycerol blends compared with Glu–glycerol blends. Glycerol acted as “immobilized” in 10–20% glycerol Gli samples and was found mainly “free” in 30 and 40% glycerol Gli/Glu samples. During temperature experiments, 30 and 40% glycerol amounts impacted the dynamic molecular behavior of the Gli and Glu proteins differently than lipids, as observed by TD‐NMR. The combination of TD‐NMR together with SS‐NMR showed details of the dynamic molecular variations in Gli/Glu protein structure and are promising techniques to monitor the molecular dynamics of plasticized proteins. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2018,56, 739–750
Study of corrosion of oil tank parts and gas‐phase space in different tanks
Authors: Lu Yawei , Wang Zhirong , Dou Zhan , Zhen Yaya , Jiang Fengwei
Published: February 2018

In the coal direct liquefaction process line distribution of finished oil tanks and semifinished oil tanks, corrosion of tank reservoir parts and the gas phase are important. To prove the corrosion‐influencing factors and corrosion processes of various parts of the storage tank, further research was carried out based on the previous research. As the process of corrosion of the tank wall is affected by the sulfur element in oil, the sulfur content in refined oil and semi‐refined oil was analyzed first. The results show that: the sulfur content is high for hydro‐upgrading feed oil and hydro‐stabilizing feed oil, but the sulfur content is low for thick condensed oil and diesel. The tank is mainly made of 16MnR and Q235‐b steel in the process plant. In this article, 16MnR and Q235‐b steel coupons are used for static coupon experiments and electrochemical experiments to determine the influencing factors and processes that affect the corrosion of the reservoir and the gas phase. The static coupon tests show that the corrosion rates are similar for 16MnR and Q235‐b steel coupons in the reservoir location and for the gas‐phase parts. And, the corrosion rates decrease with time. The corrosion rates of 16MnR and Q235‐b steel in hydro‐stabilizing feed oil are relatively high, and the corrosion rates of 16MnR and Q235‐b steel are relatively low, though the difference is not significant. The 16MnR corrosion rate is relatively high in the reservoir location compared to that of the gas phase. The corrosion rate of Q235‐b steel in the gas‐phase space is relatively higher than that of the reservoir location. Electrochemical tests show that the corrosion rates of 16MnR and Q235‐b steel in hydro‐stabilizing feed oil are higher than those in the other three oils. Finally, the effect of temperature on the corrosion rate was studied by the static coupon experiment. The results show that the corrosion rates of 16MnR steel and Q235‐b steel in the four kinds of oil products increase first and then decrease when the temperature changes from 70 to 110°C. The corrosion rate reaches the maximum when the temperature is 90°C. The research of this article can provide some technical support and help for the corrosion protection and safety design of oil tanks in the direct liquefaction process. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 37:419–426, 2018
Effect of management of organic wastes on inactivation of Brassica nigra and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae using soil biosolarization
Authors: Fernández‐Bayo Jesus Dionisio , Randall Tara E , Harrold Duff R , Achmon Yigal , Hestmark Kelley V , Su Joey , Dahlquist‐Willard Ruth M , Gordon Thomas R , Stapleton James J , VanderGheynst Jean S , Simmons Christopher W
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Soil biosolarization is a promising alternative to conventional fumigation. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced in the soil through fermentation of amended organic matter can affect pest inactivation during biosolarization. The objective was to determine how soil amended with organic wastes that were partially stabilized through either composting or anaerobic digestion affected the inactivation of Brassica nigra (BN; a weed) and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae (FOL; a phytopathogenic fungus).

RESULTS

The mortality of BN seeds in the biosolarized soil was 12% higher than in the solarized soil, although this difference was not significant. However, a significant correlation between BN mortality and VFA accumulation was observed. The number of FOL colony‐forming units (CFU) in solarized samples at 5 cm was 34 CFU g–1 of soil, whereas in the biosolarized samples levels were below the limit of quantification. At 15 cm, these levels were 100 CFU g–1 for solarized samples and < 50 CFU g–1 of soil for the biosolarized samples. Amendment addition positively affected the organic matter and potassium content after the solarization process.

CONCLUSION

The organic waste stabilization method can impact downstream biosolarization performance and final pest inactivation levels. This study suggests that organic waste management practices can be leveraged to improve pest control and soil quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
4‐Fluorophenyl 3‐nitro‐2‐pyridinesulfenate as a practical protecting agent for amino acids
Authors: Cui Yan , Rentier Cédric , Taguchi Akihiro , Takayama Kentaro , Taniguchi Atsuhiko , Hayashi Yoshio
Published: February 2018

We report a new protecting agent (1, Npys‐OPh(pF)) for 3‐nitro‐2‐pyridine (Npy) sulfenylation of amino, hydroxy, and thiol functional groups. Several Npys phenoxides were synthesized from Npys chloride (Npys‐Cl) and phenols in the presence of base in 1‐step reaction, and their ability for Npy‐sulfenylation was evaluated. As a result, 1 was selected as a new Npy‐sulfenylation agent with advantages including improved physicochemical stability, more controllable reactivity, and easier handling than the conventional protecting agent Npys‐Cl.
Picomolar‐scale compound‐specific isotope analyses
Authors: Baczynski Allison A. , Polissar Pratigya J. , Juchelka Dieter , Schwieters Johannes , Hilkert Andreas , Summons Roger E. , Freeman Katherine H.
Published: February 2018

Rationale

We report modifications to compound‐specific isotope analyses (CSIA) to enable high‐precision isotopic analyses of picomoles of carbon for intact organic molecules. This sample size is two orders of magnitude below the amounts required for commercial systems. The greatly enhanced sensitivity of this system expands molecular isotope studies and applications previously prohibited by low concentrations and small samples.

Methods

We utilize the resolving power and low volumetric flow rates of narrow‐bore capillary gas chromatography to improve sample transfer efficiency while maintaining narrow peak widths. Post‐column peak broadening is minimized using a micro‐fluidic valve for solvent diversion, capillary combustion reactor, narrow‐bore capillary transfer lines, and cryogenic water trap. The mass spectrometer was fitted with collector amplifiers configured to 25 ms response times and a data logger board with firmware capable of rapid data acquisition. Carbon dioxide gas was introduced directly into the ion source to evaluate the dynamic range of the system and accuracy and precision of carbon isotope ratio (δ13C value) measurements. The accuracy and precision for combusted compounds were evaluated using a suite of n‐alkanes.

Results

For ≥30 pmol carbon introduced directly into the ion source, the mean difference between the measured and expected δ13C values is 0.03‰ (1σ, n = 57) and the standard deviation of replicate measurements is 0.11‰ (1σ). The CO2 peak widths generated by the exponential dilution flask were 250 ms and the peak widths produced by combusting n‐alkanes were ca 500 ms, less than 25% the width of conventional gas chromatography peaks. For a mixture of 15 n‐alkanes (n‐C16 to n‐C30), the accuracy is 0.3‰ (1σ) and precision is 0.9‰ (1σ) for replicate δ13C measurements with 100 pmol carbon per compound on column.

Conclusions

The pico‐CSIA method described here offers improved chromatographic resolution and reduces sample size requirements by two orders of magnitude. These advances significantly broaden the available analytical window for CSIA in research areas frequently hindered by sample size limitations, such as forensics, paleoclimate, astrobiology, and biochemistry.
A Facile One‐Pot Transformation of Aromatic Aldehydes/Ketones to Amides: Fe2O3@SiO2 as an Environmentally Benign Core‐Shell Catalyst
Authors: Jain Prateek U. , Samant Shriniwas D.
Published: February 2018

A one‐pot conversion of aldehydes and ketones to amides via atom‐efficient Beckmann rearrangement over modified Fe2O3 (hematite) has been investigated. A series of core‐shell catalysts were prepared having Fe2O3 core and SiO2 shell by encapsulation of Fe2O3 with varying amounts of silica and characterized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of catalysts showed that silica shell thickness increased from 10 nm to 39 nm, while inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES) determined that percent composition of Fe2O3 correspondingly decreased from ∼83% to 59%. Due to silica encapsulation, leaching of the catalytic species was minimized from ∼20% for Fe‐0 (100% Fe2O3) down to ∼10% for Fe‐4 (59% Fe2O3, 41% SiO2). Among the catalysts, Fe‐2 (71.3% Fe2O3, 28.7% SiO2) showed the best catalytic response for amide formation under optimized reaction conditions. The Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) surface area of Fe‐2 increased to 50 m2/g as compared to 34 m2/g of Fe‐0. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (DSC‐TGA) found catalyst Fe‐2 to be stable till 600°C. The catalyst Fe‐2 could be reused five times with good yield of the amide and no loss in catalytic activity. Using optimized conditions, the one‐pot transformation of aldehydes to primary amides and ketones to secondary amides was efficiently carried out by the catalyst Fe‐2. Thus an inexpensive, reusable and environmentally benign solid acid core‐shell catalyst Fe2O3@SiO2 is proposed.
Help me if you can: Psychological distance and help‐seeking intentions in employee–supervisor relations
Authors: Berkovich Izhak , Eyal Ori
Published: February 2018

Social support at work is considered useful in treating job‐related stress, and supervisors' emotional support has been found to be the most effective source of support at work. But an understanding of what elements make employees use supervisors as a source of emotional support is lacking. The present qualitative study included in‐depth interviews with 24 teachers and 12 principals and a focus group with 12 school counsellors. The findings pointed at 2 groups of determinants of subordinates' intentions of asking socioemotional help from supervisors. The structural–organizational factors included low formalization structure, supportive and open work climate, shared goals, and manager's professional expertise; the dyadic factors included quality of relationship and demographic similarity. The determinants reflected different dimensions of psychological distance forming a close construal level that played a central part in employees' viewing the supervisor as an accessible socioemotional resource. The role of construal fit is discussed.
Ultrasonic Computed Tomography − Pushing the Boundaries of the Ultrasonic Inspection of Forgings
Authors: Vrana Johannes , Schörner Karsten , Mooshofer Hubert , Kolk Karsten , Zimmer Alexander , Fendt Karl
Published: February 2018

Forgings, being usually one of the most critical components especially in power generation machinery, require intensive volumetric inspection to guarantee a sufficient lifetime. This is usually accomplished by manual or automated ultrasonic testing. The authors are reporting about a game changer in ultrasonic testing: Ultrasonic Computed Tomography uses analytics (i.e., a mathematical algorithm) to reconstruct the volume (In fact it uses a linearized diffraction tomographic approach for the solution of the inverse problem). This does not only allow to display indications spatially and visually correct in the 3D volume, but also improves the signal to noise ratio significantly, allowing an increase of sensitivity by up to an order of magnitude. The method is based on the Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique (SAFT). The applied software is a brand‐new implementation of SAFT with a strong focus for a large scale industrial application: the complete 2D as well as 3D reconstruction of ultrasonic inspections of heavy rotor forgings. This paper shows the working principle of the method along with the first results and computation times. Ultrasonic Computed Tomography is also awarded by the Werner von Siemens Award as one of the Top 15 ingenuity programs.
Validation of a hybrid modeling approach to floating wind turbine basin testing
Authors: Hall Matthew , Goupee Andrew J.
Published: February 2018

Hybrid modeling combining physical tests and numerical simulations in real time opens new opportunities in floating wind turbine research. Wave basin testing is an important validation step for floating support structure design, but current methods are limited by scaling problems in the aerodynamic loadings. Applying wind turbine loads with an actuation system controlled by a simulation that responds to the basin test offers a way to avoid scaling problems and reduce cost barriers for floating wind turbine design validation in realistic coupled conditions. In this work, a cable‐based hybrid coupling approach is developed and implemented for 1:50‐scale wave basin tests with the DeepCwind semisubmersible floating wind turbine. Tests are run with thrust loads provided by a numerical wind turbine model. Matching tests are run with physical wind loads using an above‐basin wind maker. When the numerical submodel is set to match the aerodynamic performance of the physical scaled wind turbine, the results show good agreement with purely physical wind‐wave tests, validating the hybrid model approach. Further hybrid model tests with simulated true‐to‐scale dynamic thrust loads and wind turbulence show noticeable differences and demonstrate the value of a hybrid model approach for improving the true‐to‐scale realism of floating wind turbine basin tests.
Using DNA from hairs left at depredated greater sage‐grouse nests to detect mammalian nest predators
Authors: Kirol Christopher P. , Pilgrim Kristine L. , Sutphin Andrew L. , Maechtle Thomas L.
Published: February 2018

Despite a multitude of studies on sage‐grouse (Centrocercus spp.), there is still sparse information on the predator communities that influence sage‐grouse productivity and how these predator communities may change when sagebrush habitats are altered by human activities. As a proof‐of‐concept, we used mammalian hairs collected at depredated greater sage‐grouse (C. urophasianus) nests and mitochondrial DNA sequencing to identify mammalian species that deposited the hairs at the depredated nests. We monitored nests of radiomarked female greater sage‐grouse in an oil and gas development area in the Powder River Basin, Wyoming, USA, from 2009 to 2011. We collected mammalian hair samples from 56 depredated nests. We detected 5 species: American badger (Taxidea taxus), bobcat (Lynx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), and striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis). Red fox and striped skunk are considered exotic predators—species outside of their historical range—in our study area and represented 20% of our detections. This method could be improved by gathering and analyzing various types of DNA sources including predator saliva from egg shell fragments, predator scat, and even feathers left by avian predators. Our results suggest that this method has merit as a noninvasive tool to better understand the community of mammalian nest predators present within large study areas, and role of exotic predators in sagebrush habitats. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Consolidation/Tumor Ratio on Chest Computed Tomography as Predictor of Postoperative Nodal Upstaging in Clinical T1N0 Lung Cancer
Authors: Moon Youngkyu , Park Jae Kil , Lee Kyo Young , Namkoong Min , Ahn Seha
Published: February 2018

Background

In clinical T1N0 peripheral lung cancers, lymph node upstaging is occasionally encountered postoperatively. However, nodal upstaging is rare in lung cancers presenting as ground‐glass opacities. The aim of this study was to determine if lymph node upstaging could be reliably extrapolated from parameters such the consolidation/tumor ratio of chest computed tomography.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 486 patients treated for peripheral clinical T1N0 non‐small cell lung cancer, each undergoing lobectomy with mediastinal lymph node dissection. We compared preoperative variables in the pathologic N0 and nodal upstaging groups, analyzing such variables to determine factors predictive of lymph node upstaging.

Results

Of the 486 patients studied, lymph node upstaging occurred in 42 (8.6%). In the upstaging group, the mean nodule diameter exceeded that of the pathologic N0 group (2.3 vs 1.9 cm, respectively; p < 0.001), and the mean consolidation/tumor ratio was larger in the upstaging group than the pN0 group (0.95 vs 0.68, respectively; p < 0.001). Nodule diameter and consolidation/tumor ratio emerged as significant predictive factors for lymph node upstaging after surgery in a multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.259, p = 0.039; HR 173.645, p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Consolidation/tumor ratio and nodule diameter are significant predictive factors of postoperative lymph node upstaging. The higher the consolidation/tumor ratio and smaller the nodule diameter, the less likely the occurrence of postoperative lymph upstaging would be in clinical T1N0 peripheral non‐small cell lung cancer.
The rise and rise of ID as a Service
Authors: Mears John
Published: February 2018

The concept of Identification as a Service (IDaaS) is radically changing the way biometric matching and identity services are provided. So why is this transformation important? Mainly because it is a market disruption that will propel new growth in the industry. It's also likely to change the way we interact with applications requiring strong authentication or identification services, moving from captive, closely held applications into efficient and indispensable, widely available utilities.
Relationships Between Quality of Care, Empowerment, and Outcomes in Psychiatric Inpatients
Authors: Seow Lillian L.Y. , Page Andrew C. , Hooke Geoffrey R. , Leong Jason Y.S.
Published: February 2018

Background: Consumer perceptions of care are a key measure of service quality. The Consumer Perceptions of Care (CPoC) survey is often used to assess patients’ evaluations of the quality of services received. Aims: The study explored the factor structure of the CPoC, the relationships between perceived quality of care, empowerment, perceived treatment outcomes, and symptom change, as well as the effect of allowing patients to self-identify during the CPoC survey on their ratings of perceptions of care. Methods: In the first phase of the current study, 2,125 psychiatric inpatients were surveyed about their perceptions of care, and their symptoms were also measured at both admission and discharge. The second phase examined 720 inpatients who had given consent so that perceptions of care could be compared with outcome data. Results: Increased levels of empowerment were associated with favourable ratings of perceived treatment outcomes. Although perceived treatment outcomes and empowerment were correlated with actual symptom change, these correlations were small. Furthermore, the influence of self-identification on ratings of perceptions of care was found to be small. Conclusions: Examining patients’ perceived and actual treatment outcomes may provide mental health service providers with a more nuanced perspective of the hospital experiences of their patients.
INCOMPLETENESS IN THE FINITE DOMAIN
Authors: PUDLÁK PAVEL
Published: February 2018

Motivated by the problem of finding finite versions of classical incompleteness theorems, we present some conjectures that go beyondNP≠coNP. These conjectures formally connect computational complexity with the difficulty of proving some sentences, which means that high computational complexity of a problem associated with a sentence implies that the sentence is not provable in a weak theory, or requires a long proof. Another reason for putting forward these conjectures is that some results in proof complexity seem to be special cases of such general statements and we want to formalize and fully understand these statements. Roughly speaking, we are trying to connect syntactic complexity, by which we mean the complexity of sentences and strengths of the theories in which they are provable, with the semantic concept of complexity of the computational problems represented by these sentences.

We have introduced the most fundamental conjectures in our earlier works [27, 33–35]. Our aim in this article is to present them in a more systematic way, along with several new conjectures, and prove new connections between them and some other statements studied before.