bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Synthesis of Human Insulin‐Like Peptide‐6
Authors: Wu Fangzhou , Mayer John P. , Zaykov Alexander N. , Zhang Fa , Liu Fa , DiMarchi Richard D.
Published: June 2016

Human insulin‐like peptide‐6 (INSL‐6) belongs to the insulin superfamily and shares the distinctive disulfide bond configuration of human insulin. In this report we present the first chemical synthesis of INSL‐6 utilizing fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl‐based (Fmoc) solid‐phase peptide chemistry and regioselective disulfide bond construction protocols. Due to the presence of an oxidation‐sensitive tryptophan residue, two new orthogonal synthetic methodologies were developed. The first method involved the identification of an additive to suppress the oxidation of tryptophan during iodine‐mediated S‐acetamidomethyl (Acm) deprotection and the second utilized iodine‐free, sulfoxide‐directed disulfide bond formation. The methodologies presented here offer an efficient synthetic route to INSL‐6 and will further improve synthetic access to other multiple‐disulfide‐containing peptides with oxidation‐sensitive residues.
How a Thermally Unstable Metal Hydrido Complex Can Yield High Catalytic Activity Even at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Ehm Christian , Krüger Juliane , Lentz Dieter
Published: June 2016

Despite their instability in ethereal solvents, organotitanium hydride catalysts are successfully employed in catalysis at moderate to high temperatures (110 °C), even in the presence of alcohols. It is shown computationally (bond dissociation energy (BDE) analysis and energetic profile for regeneration) and experimentally (EPR studies and kinetic studies), with the specific example of hydrodefluorination (HDF), that despite the long standing belief, regeneration of Ti−H bonds from Ti−F bonds using silanes is endergonic. The resulting low concentration of Ti−H species is crucial for the catalytic stability of those systems. The resting state in the catalysis is a Ti−F species. The most promising silanes for regeneration are not the ones that have the strongest Si−F bond, but the ones that show the largest difference in Si−F and Si−H BDEs.
Einfluss des Mischprozederes auf die Verfestigung von Glasgemenge
Authors: Schumann Anna , Al Hamdan Khaled , Mütze Thomas , Hessenkemper Heiko , Peuker Urs Alexander
Published: June 2016

Im Gemengesilo eines Glaswerks kann es aufgrund von Zeitverfestigung zu Anbackungen von Material kommen. Diese meist im Wand‐ und Austragsbereich auftretenden Verfestigungen beeinträchtigen die Fließfähigkeit des Gemenges und die Produktqualität. Begünstigt wird die Bildung von Anbackungen insbesondere durch den Einsatz von Soda bei gleichzeitig hohem Feuchtegehalt. Der Einfluss des Mischprozesses auf die Zeitverfestigung eines Standardgemenges für Behälterglas wurde mit Scherversuchen untersucht.
A scalable framework for protecting user identity and access pattern in untrusted Web server using forward secrecy, public key encryption and bloom filter
Authors: Al‐Tariq Abdullah , Kamal Abu Raihan Mostofa , Hamid Md. Abdul , Abdullah‐Al‐Wadud M. , Hassan Mohammad Mehedi , Rahman SK Md. Mizanur
Published: June 2016

Securing user identity from data breach in a web server is one of the major concerns for the users of the web applications. Similarly, protecting user access pattern from unauthorized access should be taken seriously, because the potential threats such attacks may pose, are huge. However, these security measures should not be adopted at the expense of user experience and convenience. Nevertheless, any extra overhead in the form of security measures introduced in a distributed system results in significant performance declination. The target of a secured framework for a distributed system like web application should be a reasonable trade‐off between security and user experience. Thus, in this work, we present a framework that ensures security for the user identity along with keeping the online activities of the users anonymous while ensuring scalability of the system. Our framework is designed in a scalable form that can work with other distributed architectures that provide security to user data and identities. To ensure all these measures, our proposal includes the implementation of Forward Secrecy using Diffie‐Hellman Key exchange protocol where the server cannot remember a user's history after a session ends. In addition, we present our own mechanism to hide logical data sharing strategies to protect users against selective DoS attacks. Moreover, we implemented a modified version of bloom filter to safeguard user access pattern in a compromised server. Our proposed implementation of bloom filter also ensures that the scalability of distributed system is preserved even with little infrequent overhead in the server because of security measures proposed in this work. Finally, we implemented different modules of our framework using both Web Socket and Long Polling transport protocols and recorded the time required to perform various tasks. Web socket protocol took less time to perform each task than the long polling protocol, which is convincing enough to suggest that web socket performs better than long polling in the given scenarios. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cortisol during human fetal life: Characterization of a method for processing small quantities of newborn hair from 26 to 42 weeks gestation
Authors: Hoffman M. Camille , D'Anna‐Hernandez Kimberly , Benitez Patrick , Ross Randal G. , Laudenslager Mark L.
Published: June 2016

OBJECTIVE

Fetal cortisol may be reflected in hair collected shortly after birth. The objective of this study was to determine the range of human fetal hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) in live‐born neonates using an approach for processing small quantities of hair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hair was cut on the day of birth from neonates and their mothers, born between 26 and 42 weeks gestational age (GA). HCC was determined by enzyme immunoassay. Maternal sociodemographics and birth data were collected. T‐tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were used as appropriate.

RESULTS

Ninety maternal and neonatal hair samples were cut from 79 term (T) and 11 preterm (PT) delivered pregnancies. All samples weighed ≥2.5 mg. Fetal HCC correlated with GA (r = .25, p = .02) and birth weight (r = .25, p = .03) and was lower in PT (4.3 ± .3 LN pg/mg) than T (5.3 ± .1, LN pg/mg, p < .001) neonates. No significant relationships were seen between fetal HCC and maternal characteristics or maternal HCC. Fetal HCC was significantly higher than maternal HCC.

CONCLUSION

Fetal cortisol exposure was determined using this approach for processing small amounts of hair. Preterm neonates have significantly lower HCC than term neonates and fetal HCC is associated with GA at delivery and birth weight. Fetal HCC is significantly higher than maternal HCC cut on the same day. These data provide novel information on the intrauterine fetal cortisol environment.
Fate mapping of Trps1 daughter cells during cardiac development using novel Trps1‐Cre mice
Authors: Nomir Ahmed G. , Takeuchi Yuto , Fujikawa Junji , El Sharaby Ashraf A. , Wakisaka Satoshi , Abe Makoto
Published: June 2016

Tricho‐rhino‐phalangeal syndrome (TRPS) is a rare congenital disorder that is characterized by abnormal hair growth and skeletal deformities. These result in sparse hair, short stature, and early onset of joint problems. Recent reports have shown that a relatively high proportion of patients with TRPS exhibit a broad range of congenital heart defects. To determine the regulation of Trps1 transcription in vivo, we generated novel transgenic mice, which expressed Cre recombinase under the murine Trps1 proximal promoter sequence (Trps1‐Cre). We crossed these mice with Cre reporter mice to identify Trps1 daughter cells. Labeled cells were observed in the appendicular joint tissue, dermal papilla of the hair follicles, cardiac valves, aortic sinus, atrial walls, and the interventricular septum. In situ analysis showed restricted Trps1 expression, which was observed in endocardial cushions of the outflow tract, and in leaflets of all mature cardiac valves. These results suggest that the Trps1 proximal promoter sequence contains some of the tissue‐specific Trps1 regulatory region. Further, our findings partially explain why patients with TRPS show a broad range of congenital cardiac defects, although Trps1 expression is observed in a more restricted fashion. genesis 54:379–388, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Do Scheduled Macroeconomic Announcements Influence Energy Price Jumps?
Authors: Chan Kam Fong , Gray Philip
Published: June 2016

For six important energy futures markets, this study examines whether large price movements (i.e., jumps) are related to the arrival and information content of scheduled macroeconomic announcements. Since prior studies by Kilian and Vega [(2011) Review of Economics and Statistics, 93, 660–671] and Chatrath, Miao, and Ramchander [(2012) Journal of Futures Markets, 32, 536–559] find little evidence of an announcement‐price reaction in mean energy returns, we focus on jump dynamics as a possible conduit for macroeconomic announcements to influence the distribution of returns. We find little evidence of an increase in jump arrival rates coinciding with scheduled releases of economic data. Similarly, there is no compelling evidence that the magnitude and/or sign (“good” vs. “bad”) of the inherent announcement surprises influence the mean jump size. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 37:71–89, 2017
Impaired inference in a case of developmental amnesia
Authors: D'Angelo Maria C. , Rosenbaum R. Shayna , Ryan Jennifer D.
Published: June 2016

Amnesia is associated with impairments in relational memory, which is critically supported by the hippocampus. By adapting the transitivity paradigm, we previously showed that age‐related impairments in inference were mitigated when judgments could be predicated on known pairwise relations, however, such advantages were not observed in the adult‐onset amnesic case D.A. Here, we replicate and extend this finding in a developmental amnesic case (N.C.), who also shows impaired relational learning and transitive expression. Unlike D.A., N.C.'s damage affected the extended hippocampal system and diencephalic structures, and does not extend to neocortical areas that are affected in D.A. Critically, despite their differences in etiology and affected structures, N.C. and D.A. perform similarly on the task. N.C. showed intact pairwise knowledge, suggesting that he is able to use existing semantic information, but this semantic knowledge was insufficient to support transitive expression. The present results suggest a critical role for regions connected to the hippocampus and/or medial prefrontal cortex in inference beyond learning of pairwise relations. © 2016 The Authors Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pitfalls and major issues in the histologic diagnosis of peripheral T‐cell lymphomas: results of the central review of 573 cases from the T‐Cell Project, an international, cooperative study
Authors: Bellei Monica , Sabattini Elena , Pesce Emanuela Anna , Ko Young‐Hyeh , Kim Won Seog , Cabrera Maria Elena , Martinez Virginia , Dlouhy Ivan , Paes Roberto Pinto , Barrese Tomas , Vassallo Josè , Tarantino Vittoria , Vose Julie , Weisenburger Dennis , Rüdiger Thomas , Federico Massimo , Pileri Stefano
Published: June 2016

Peripheral T‐cell lymphomas (PTCLs) comprise a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that are derived from post‐thymic lymphoid cells at different stages of differentiation with different morphological patterns, phenotypes and clinical presentations. PTCLs are highly diverse, reflecting the diverse cells from which they can originate and are currently sub‐classified using World Health Organization (WHO) 2008 criteria. In 2006 the International T‐Cell Lymphoma Project launched the T‐Cell Project, building on the retrospective study previously carried on by the network, with the aim to prospectively collect accurate data to improve knowledge on this group of lymphomas. Based on previously published reports from International Study Groups it emerged that rendering a correct classification of PTCLs is quite difficult because the relatively low prevalence of these diseases results in a lack of confidence by most pathologists. This is the reason why the T‐Cell Project requested the availability of diagnostic material from the initial biopsy of each patient registered in the study in order to have the initial diagnosis centrally reviewed by expert hematopathologists. In the present report the results of the review process performed on 573 cases are presented. Overall, an incorrect diagnosis was centrally recorded in 13.1% cases, including 8.5% cases centrally reclassified with a subtype eligible for the project and 4.6% cases misclassified and found to be disorders other than T‐cell lymphomas; 2.1% cases were centrally classified as T‐Cell disorders not included in the study population. Thus, the T‐Cell Project confirmed the difficulties in providing an accurate classification when a diagnosis of PTCLs is suspected, singled out the major pitfalls that can bias a correct histologic categorization and confirmed that a centralized expert review with the application of adequate diagnostic algorithms is mandatory when dealing with these tumours. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Climate change analysis on historical watershed‐scale precipitation by means of long‐term dynamical downscaling
Authors: Ishida K. , Kavvas M. L.
Published: June 2016

A methodology based on long‐term dynamical downscaling to analyse climate change effects on watershed‐scale precipitation during a historical period is proposed in this study. The reliability and applicability of the methodology were investigated based on the long‐term dynamical downscaling results. For an application of the proposed methodology, two study watersheds in Northern California were selected: the Upper Feather River watershed and the Yuba River watershed. Then, precipitation was reconstructed at 3‐km spatial resolution and hourly intervals over the study watersheds for 141 water years from 1 October 1871 to 30 September 2012 by dynamically downscaling a long‐term atmospheric reanalysis dataset, 20th century global reanalysis version 2 by means of a regional climate model. The reconstructed precipitation was compared against observed precipitation, in order to assess the applicability of the proposed methodology for the reconstruction of watershed‐scale precipitation and to validate this methodology. The validation shows that the reconstructed precipitation is in good agreement with observation data. Moreover, the differences between the reconstructed precipitation and the corresponding observations do not significantly change through the historical period. After the validation, climate change analysis was conducted based on the reconstructed precipitation. Through this analysis, it was found that basin‐average precipitation has increased significantly over both of the study watersheds during the historical period. An upward trend in monthly basin‐average precipitation is not significant in wet months except February while it is significant in dry months of the year. Furthermore, peak values of basin‐average precipitation are also on an upward trend over the study watersheds. The upward trend in peak basin‐average precipitation is more significant during a shorter duration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double funnelling in a mature coastal British Columbia forest: spatial patterns of stemflow after infiltration
Authors: Spencer S. A. , van Meerveld H. J.
Published: June 2016

Many studies have focused on the amount of stemflow in different forests and for different rainfall events, but few studies have focused on how stemflow intensity varies during events or the infiltration of stemflow into the soil. Stemflow may lead to higher water delivery rates at the base of the tree compared with throughfall over the same area and fast and deeper infiltration of this water along roots and other preferential flow pathways. In this study, stemflow amounts and intensities were measured and blue dye experiments were conducted in a mature coniferous forest in coastal British Columbia to examine double funnelling of stemflow. Stemflow accounted for only 1% of precipitation and increased linearly with event total precipitation. Funnelling ratios ranged from less than 1 to almost 20; smaller trees had larger funnelling ratios. Stemflow intensity generally was highest for periods with high‐intensity rainfall later in the event. The maximum stemflow intensities were higher than the maximum precipitation intensities. Dye tracer experiments showed that stemflow infiltrated primarily along roots and was found more frequently at depth than near the soil surface. Lateral flow of stemflow was observed above a dense clay layer for both the throughfall and stemflow experiments. Stemflow appeared to infiltrate deeper (122 cm) than throughfall (85 cm), but this difference was in part a result of site‐specific differences in maximum soil depth. However, the observed high stemflow intensities combined with preferential flow of stemflow may lead to enhanced subsurface stormflow. This suggests that even though stemflow is only a very minor component of the water balance, it may still significantly affect soil moisture, recharge, and runoff generation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extreme response style as a cultural response to climato‐economic deprivation
Authors: He Jia , Van de Vliert Evert , Van de Vijver Fons J. R.
Published: June 2016

We investigated the effects of climato‐economic harshness on extreme response style. Climato‐economic theorising postulates that a more threatening climate in poorer countries, in contrast to countries with a more comforting climate and richer countries with a more challenging climate, triggers intolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty avoidance inherent to conservatism, in‐group favouritism and autocracy. Scores of extreme response style at country level, a proxy of this cluster of cultural characteristics, were extracted from students' responses in the Programme for International Student Assessment to test the hypothesis. In a series of hierarchical regression analysis across 64 countries, cold demands, heat demands and GDP per capita showed a highly significant interaction effect on extreme response style, predicting in total 30.7% of the variance. Extreme response style was highest in poorer countries with higher climatic demands, and lowest in richer countries with lower climate demands. Implications are discussed.
Real‐time automated clinical deterioration alerts predict thirty‐day hospital readmission
Authors: Micek Scott T. , Samant Maanasi , Bailey Thomas , Chen Yixin , Lu Chenyang , Heard Kevin , Kollef Marin H.
Published: June 2016

INTRODUCTION

Clinical deterioration alerts (CDAs) are increasingly employed to identify deteriorating patients.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study to determine whether CDAs predict 30‐day readmission. Patients admitted to 8 general medicine units were assessed for all‐cause 30‐day readmission.

RESULTS

Among 3015 patients, 567 (18.8%) were readmitted within 30 days. Patients triggering a CDA (n = 1141; 34.4%) were more likely to have a 30‐day readmission (23.6% vs 15.9%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression identified triggering of a CDA to be independently associated with 30‐day readmission (odds ratio [OR]: 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26‐1.55; P = 0.001). Other predictors were: an emergency department visit in the previous 6 months (OR: 1.23; 95% CI:, 1.20‐1.26; P < 0.001), increasing age (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.02; P = 0.003), presence of connective tissue disease (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.34‐1.98; P = 0.012), diabetes mellitus with end‐organ complications (OR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.13‐1.33; P = 0.010), chronic renal disease (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08‐1.24; P = 0.034), cirrhosis (OR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.17‐1.33; P < 0.001), and metastatic cancer (OR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.08‐1.17; P = 0.002). Addition of the CDA to the other predictors added only modest incremental value for the prediction of hospital readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Readily identifiable clinical variables can be identified that predict 30‐day readmission. It may be important to include these variables in existing prediction tools if pay for performance and across‐institution comparisons are to be “fair” to institutions that care for more seriously ill patients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:768–772. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Escherichia coli MazEF toxin‐antitoxin system does not mediate programmed cell death
Authors: Ramisetty Bhaskar Chandra Mohan , Raj Swati , Ghosh Dimpy
Published: June 2016

Toxin‐antitoxins systems (TAS) are prokaryotic operons containing two small overlapping genes which encode two components referred to as toxin and antitoxin. Involvement of TAS in bacterial programmed cell death (PCD) is highly controversial. MazEF, a typical type II TAS, is particularly implicated in mediating PCD in Escherichia coli. Hence, we compared the metabolic fitness and stress tolerance of E. coli strains (MC4100 and its mazEF‐derivative) which were extensively used by proponents of mazEF‐mediated PCD. We found that both the strains are deficient in relA gene and that the ΔmazEF strain has lower fitness and stress tolerance compared to wild type MC4100. We could not reproduce mazEF mediated PCD which emphasizes the need for skeptic approach to the PCD hypothesis.
Arthritis, comorbidities, and care utilization in veterans of operations enduring and Iraqi Freedom
Authors: Rivera Jessica C. , Amuan Megan E. , Morris Ruth M. , Johnson Anthony E. , Pugh Mary Jo
Published: June 2016

Veteran populations are known to have frequencies of arthritis higher than civilian populations. The aim of this study is to define the prevalence of arthritis among a cohort of veterans from ongoing U.S. military operations. A retrospective cohort study using Veterans Administration data sources for service connected disability, comorbidities, clinic utilization, and pharmacy utilization was conducted including veterans who deployed in service to operations in Afghanistan or Iraq, comparing veterans with a diagnosis of arthritis, arthritis plus back pain, and veterans with no pain diagnoses. The frequency of arthritis was 11.8%. Veterans with arthritis and arthritis plus back pain had greater frequencies of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and obesity compare to veterans with no pain diagnosis. Veterans with arthritis plus back pain had the highest pain clinic utilization and prescription use of opioids and anti‐inflammatories. Veterans with no pain diagnosis had higher frequencies of diagnosis and clinic utilization for mental health disorders. Arthritis is prevalent among the latest generation of combat veterans and is associated with diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular comorbidities. The need for arthritis care and associated comorbidities is expected to increase as the Veterans Administration and the civilian health care sector assumes care of these veterans. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:682–687, 2017.
Abundance of sulfur‐degrading bacteria in a benthic bacterial community of shallow sea sediment in the off‐Terengganu coast of the South China Sea
Authors: Marziah Zahar , Mahdzir Akbariah , Musa Md. Nor , Jaafar Abu Bakar , Azhim Azran , Hara Hirofumi
Published: June 2016

This study for the first time provides insight into the bacterial community in the benthic region of the Off‐Terengganu Coastline, which is considered to be anthropogenically polluted due to heavy fishing vessel commotion. Subsurface bacteria were randomly collected from two locations at different depths and were examined using the 16S rDNA V3‐V4 marker gene on the Illumina™ Miseq platform. In addition, the physiochemical parameters of the sediment were also measured. Surprisingly, the results show a high diversity of sulfur‐oxidizing bacteria in the surveyed area, where Sulfurovum sp. was identified to predominate the overall bacterial community. The physiochemical parameters reveal insufficient evidence of hydrothermal vents in the surveyed area. However, there are traces of hydrocarbon pollutants such as gasoline, diesel, and mineral oil in this area. It is assumed that sediment accumulation in the lee of breakwater plays an important role in trapping the runoff from the nearby harbor, which includes oil spills. Based on the common knowledge, Sulvurofum sp. is a native bacterium that exists in deep hydrothermal vents and volcanic territories. Although the reason for the abundance of Sulfurovum sp. in the surveyed area is still unclear, there is a possibility that metabolic adaptation plays an important role in regulating hydrocarbon pollutants for survival. The work presented in this paper therefore has profound implications for future studies on Sulfurovum sp. versatility. However, future research is needed to strengthen the findings of this study and to provide a better evidence regarding the metabolic response of this bacterium toward hydrocarbon pollutants.
Numerical evaluation of three non‐coaxial kinematic models using the distinct element method for elliptical granular materials
Authors: Jiang M. J. , Liu J. D. , Arroyo M.
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a numerical evaluation of three non‐coaxial kinematic models by performing Distinct Element Method (DEM) simple shear tests on specimens composed of elliptical particles with different aspect ratios of 1.4 and 1.7. The models evaluated are the double‐shearing model, the double‐sliding free‐rotating model and the double slip and rotation rate model (DSR2 model). Two modes of monotonic and cyclic simple shear tests were simulated to evaluate the role played by the inherent anisotropy of the specimens. The main findings are supported by all the DEM simple shear tests, irrespective of particle shape, specimen density or shear mode. The evaluation demonstrates that the assumption in the double‐shearing model is inconsistent with the DEM results and that the energy dissipation requirements in the double‐sliding free‐rotating model appear to be too restrictive to describe the kinematic flow of elliptical particle systems. In contrast, the predictions made by the DSR2 model agree reasonably well with the DEM data, which demonstrates that the DSR2 model can effectively predict the non‐coaxial kinematic behavior of elliptical particle systems. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applicability of the International Affective Picture System in Chinese older adults: A validation study
Authors: Gong Xianmin , Wang Dahua
Published: June 2016

The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) is a standardized tool widely used to induce emotions in psychological studies. The present study examined the reliability and validity of theIAPSin Chinese older adults. A sample consisting of 126 Chinese older adults (86 females; aged 67.3 ± 4.96 years; 13.2 ± 2.75 years of education) was recruited to rate valence and arousal for 942IAPSpictures. The results showed a satisfactory reliability and validity of theIAPSamong these participants. The reliability was supported by high internal consistency and low inter‐individual variance of participants' ratings; the validity was supported by high similarities (in rating scores and in the distribution of the pictures in the valence–arousal affective space) and small differences (in mean ratings) between Chinese and German older adults. In conclusion, the study adds supportive evidence to the cross‐cultural validity of theIAPSin older adults, and provides a set of normative emotional ratings that could be adopted as a criterion in the selection of emotional pictures in future studies engaging Chinese older adults. Comparison of theIAPSratings across cultures and ages is also discussed.
Nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of carbon nanotubes containing segmented polyurethane elastomer
Authors: Gupta Y.N. , Bhave T. , Chakraborty A. , Pandey A.K. , Sharma R.B. , Setua D.K.
Published: June 2016

Nanocomposites of the segmented polyurethane (SPU) elastomer with different concentrations of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have been prepared. Scanning electron microscopy has been used to visualize the surface morphology and distribution of the nanotubes inside the matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry has been utilized to investigate the effects of MWCNTs on the crystallization characteristics of the SPU by collecting data at four cooling rates namely 5, 10, 15, and 20°C/min in the temperature range between 200°C to ambient. The results reveal that MWCNTs act as effective nucleating agent for crystallization of the hard segment of SPU and advance the onset and peak temperatures of crystallization by 38 and 23°C, respectively. The associated enthalpy and extent of crystallization are also increased by 34%. Different crystallization kinetic parameters have been calculated using both modified Avrami and combined Ozawa‐Avrami models to suggest a three dimensional growth of crystallization of SPU and its nanocomposites. The activation energy has been calculated using Kissinger method, which indicates that activation energy decreases with increasing concentration of MWCNTs. The calorimetric results have further been correlated with thermomechanical analysis and glass transition temperature of the nanocomposites corresponding to soft segment is found to increase by 20°C. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1248–1258, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of elongational flow generating nozzles on material properties of polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Battisti Markus , Perko Leonhard , Arunachalam Sundaresan , Stieger Sebastian , Friesenbichler Walter
Published: June 2016

In this study, polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) based on polypropylene (PP), organoclay (used as nanoclay), and compatibilizer were prepared by a masterbatch (MB or two‐step) as well as by a one‐step process. These compounds were then injection molded into tensile test specimens and rectangular plates using conically and hyperbolically shaped nozzles. The use of these nozzles in the injection unit was to enhance intercalation and exfoliation in the PNCs by means of elongational flow. The pressure loss and temperature rise in the compound induced by this flow were characterized in temperature and pressure measurements. An additional calculation using a new analytic model showed good correlation with the measured values for the conically shaped nozzles whereas the pressure drops in the hyperbolically shaped nozzles were underpredicted. Mechanical as well as rheological characterizations were performed on the produced test specimens. The compounds from the MB process showed good intercalation and exfoliation and improved mechanical properties without any special elongational flow treatment. Similar properties were achieved with the one‐step process and elongational treatment using a short hyperbolically or conically shaped nozzle. These results indicated that it was possible to eliminate one complete compounding step and achieve the same mechanical properties in polypropylene nanocomposites when elongational elements were used. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:3–12, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Microwave heating of polymers: Influence of carbon nanotubes dispersion on the microwave susceptor effectiveness
Authors: Galindo Begoña , Benedito Adolfo , Ramos Fernando , Gimenez Enrique
Published: June 2016

Carbon nanotubes dispersion within the polymer matrix is a very important factor to take into account when developing new nanocomposites with optimized properties. In this article, dispersion studies have been carried out with polypropylene filled with 1% of multiwall carbon nanotubes. The nanocomposites were obtained by melt compounding in a corotative twin screw extruder. Processing parameters as screw speed, screw configuration and feeding technology were modified to analyse their effect onto carbon nanotubes dispersion. Developed nanocomposites were exposed to microwave heating (5.8 GHz, 700 W, 60 min) and heating temperature was monitored. The relation between dispersion level of carbon nanotubes and heating effectiveness was studied. Microwave heating efficiency of carbon nanotubes was increased as dispersion was improved. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites was measured and used as indirect variable of microwave heating susceptor of carbon nanotubes nanocomposites. Higher electrical conductivity indicates a better microwave susceptor propertiy of the nanocomposite. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1321–1329, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Lithalsa Formation and Holocene Lake‐Level Recession, Great Slave Lowland, Northwest Territories
Authors: Wolfe S. A. , Morse P. D.
Published: June 2016

Lithalsas (ice‐cored permafrost mounds) are common within silty clay sediments of the Great Slave Lowland, a low‐relief bedrock plain extending to about 50 m above Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories. Following retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet, sediment deposition in the lowland accompanied inundation by glacial Lake McConnell between about 12 700 and 9300 cal BP, and continued subsequently in ancestral Great Slave Lake. Lake‐level recession has occurred locally at about 5 mm · a−1 for the last 8000 years, due primarily to isostatic rebound. Maximum limiting ages of permafrost and lithalsas in the lowland are elevation‐dependent, being least near the modern shoreline and greater at higher elevations. Many lithalsas, which are up to 8 m high and several hundred metres wide, are less than 3000 years old. They are abundant in alluvium of the Yellowknife River deposited within the last 2000 years, with permafrost aggradation and lithalsa formation continuing in historical time. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐Distance Migration and Mortality in Sweden: Testing the Salmon Bias and Healthy Migrant Hypotheses
Authors: Andersson Gunnar , Drefahl Sven
Published: June 2016

International migrants often have lower mortality rates than the native populations in their new host countries. Several explanations have been proposed, but in the absence of data covering the entire life courses of migrants both before and after each migration event, it is difficult to assess the validity of different explanations. In the present study, we apply hazard regressions to Swedish register data to study the mortality of long‐distance migrants from Northern to Southern Sweden as well as the mortality of return migrants to the North. In this way, we can study a situation that at least partly resembles that of international migration while still having access to data covering the full demographic biographies of all migrants. This allows us to test the relative roles of salmon bias and healthy migrant status in observed mortality rates of long‐distance migrants. We find no mortality differentials between residents in northern and southern Sweden, and no evidence of a selection of healthy migrants from the North to the South. In contrast, we provide clear evidence of ‘salmon effects’ in terms of elevated mortality of the return migrants to northern Sweden, which are produced when migrants return to their place of origin in relation to subsequent death. © 2016 The Authors. Population, Space and Place. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational study of physisorption and chemisorption of polypyrrole on H‐terminated (111) and (100) nanodiamond facets
Authors: Matunová Petra , Jirásek Vít , Rezek Bohuslav
Published: June 2016

Interaction of diamond with molecules is important for various applications. For instance, experimentally observed charge transfer between bulk diamond and polypyrrole (PPy) is promising for photovoltaics. Here we explore the interactions of PPy with surfaces of nanodiamonds (NDs) by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. The most probable H‐terminated 1 × 1 (111) and 2 × 1 (100) diamond surface facets are considered. Geometrical arrangement, binding energy (Eb), interaction energy (Eint), charge transfer (Δq), and HOMO‐LUMO gap are calculated on geometrically relaxed structures of PPy on the ND facets in physisorbed or chemisorbed configuration. Energetically, the most favorable is physisorption of PPy on NDs. For chemisorption, one‐bond contact is more favorable than two‐bond contact, with the most probable binding on (100) facet. Charge transfer of electrons (up to Δq = −0.11 e−) from PPy to diamond is observed for all the configurations in the dark. In some cases, the calculations reveal spatial separation of the HOMO and LUMO, which may be useful for photovoltaic applications.

Truncated octahedral ND (left), (111) facets are in blue, (100) facets are in red. (111)–(100)–(111) corner of ND (bottom), and (111) facet with chemisorbed PPy (top). C atoms are in gray, H atoms are in white, N atoms are in blue.
Highly luminescent and stable layered perovskite as the emitter for light emitting diodes
Authors: Wei Mingyang , Sun Weihai , Liu Yang , Liu Zhiwei , Xiao Lixin , Bian Zuqiang , Chen Zhijian
Published: June 2016

Air instability and poor exciton recombination of 3D perovskites MAPbX3 (MA = CH3NH3, X = halogens) seriously hinder their applications in light emitting diodes. Herein, we report a promising alternative to solve these two critical drawbacks. Layered perovskite OA2(MA)n−1PbnBr3n+1 (OA = C8H17NH3) has higher binding energy and is passivated by long organic chain, which can be synthesized using a facile method. By increasing the OA+ ratio in layered perovskite, strong quantum confinement effect and obvious features of exciton were observed in photoluminescence and UV‐Vis absorption spectra. Notably, the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of (OA)2(MA)2Pb3Br10 (n = 3 layered perovskite) can be up to 67.3% due to the enhanced exciton recombination, significantly higher than its 3D counterpart. Moreover, layered perovskite exhibits promoted stability in air than that of the 3D perovskite. The layered perovskite (OA)2(MA)2Pb3Br10‐based perovskite light emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with a maximum current efficiency, a maximum power efficiency and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 1.43 cd A−1, 0.89 lm W−1, and 0.53% was demonstrated, which can be compared with that of the best‐reported perovskite quantum dots LEDs so far. The demonstration of layered perovskite renders its bright future in optoelectronic applications, such as displays and photodetections.
Clinical Trial of Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis: Phase I/IIa Studies
Authors: Kim Hyung-Sik , Lee Ji Hyun , Roh Kyoung-Hwan , Jun Hee Jin , Kang Kyung-Sun , Kim Tae-Yoon
Published: June 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proven to be therapeutically effective against atopic dermatitis (AD) in preclinical studies. However, the safety and efficacy of MSCs against AD have not yet been investigated in a clinical study. To establish the safety and efficacy of human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) in AD, 34 adult patients with moderate-to-severe AD were enrolled in two phase trials with a follow-up for 1 month and 3 months, respectively. Patients were randomly allocated to receive low dose (2.5 × 107) or high dose (5.0 × 107) of hUCB-MSCs subcutaneously. An Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score, Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) score, Severity Scoring for Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score, adverse effect assessments, and serum biomarker levels were evaluated as end points. A single treatment of hUCB-MSCs resulted in dose-dependent improvements in AD manifestation. Fifty-five percent of patients in high dose hUCB-MSC-treated group showed a 50% reduction in the EASI score. The IGA score and SCORAD score decreased by 33% and 50%, respectively, in high dose-treated group. Particularly, the administration of high dose hUCB-MSCs reduced the pruritus score by 58%. The serum IgE levels and number of blood eosinophils were downregulated by the treatment. No serious adverse events occurred, and none of the patients discontinued the trial due to adverse events. This is the first report to demonstrate a marked improvement of AD features with cell therapeutics. These data suggest that the infusion of hUCB-MSCs might be an effective therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe AD.
Post‐cocaine changes in regulator of G‐protein signaling (RGS) proteins in the dorsal striatum: Relevance for cocaine‐seeking and protein kinase C‐mediated phosphorylation
Authors: Bilodeau Jenna , Schwendt Marek
Published: June 2016

Persistent cocaine‐induced neuroadaptations within the cortico‐striatal circuitry might be related to elevated risk of relapse observed in human addicts even after months or years of drug‐free abstinence. Identification of these neuroadaptations may lead development of novel, neurobiologically‐based treatments of relapse. In the current study, 12 adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats self‐administered cocaine (or received yoked‐saline) for two weeks followed by three weeks of home‐cage abstinence. At this point, we analyzed expression of proteins involved in regulation of Gαi‐ and Gαq‐protein signaling in the dorsal striatum (dSTR). Animals abstinent from chronic cocaine showed decreased expression of regulator of G‐protein signaling 2 (RGS2) and RGS4, as well as upregulation of RGS9. These data, together with the increased ratio of Gαq‐to‐Gαi proteins indicated, “sensitized” Gαq signaling in the dSTR of abstinent cocaine animals. To evaluate activation of Gαq signaling during relapse, another group of abstinent cocaine animals (and yoked saline controls, 22 rats together) was reintroduced to the cocaine context and PKC‐mediated phosphorylation in the dSTR was analyzed. Re‐exposure to the cocaine context triggered cocaine seeking and increase in phosphorylation of cellular PKC substrates, including phospho‐ERK and phospho‐CREB. In conclusion, this study demonstrates persistent dysregulation of RGS proteins in the dSTR of abstinent cocaine animals that may produce an imbalance in local Gαq‐to‐Gαi signaling. This imbalance might be related to augmented PKC‐mediated phosphorylation during relapse to cocaine‐seeking. Future studies will address whether selective targeting of RGS proteins in the dSTR can be utilized to suppress PKC‐mediated phosphorylation and relapse to cocaine‐seeking.
Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Redox‐Neutral and Redox‐Green C–H Bond Functionalization
Authors: Wang Hongli , Huang Hanmin
Published: June 2016

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed C–H bond functionalization has become one of the most promising strategies to prepare complex molecules from simple precursors. However, the utilization of environmentally unfriendly oxidants in the oxidative C–H bond functionalization reactions reduces their potential applications in organic synthesis. This account describes our recent efforts in the development of a redox‐neutral C–H bond functionalization strategy for direct addition of inert C–H bonds to unsaturated double bonds and a redox‐green C–H bond functionalization strategy for realization of oxidative C–H functionalization with O2 as the sole oxidant, aiming to circumvent the problems posed by utilizing environmentally unfriendly oxidants. In principle, these redox‐neutral and redox‐green strategies pave the way for establishing new environmentally benign transition‐metal‐catalyzed C–H bond functionalization strategies.
Artificial Force Induced Reaction (AFIR) Method for Exploring Quantum Chemical Potential Energy Surfaces
Authors: Maeda Satoshi , Harabuchi Yu , Takagi Makito , Taketsugu Tetsuya , Morokuma Keiji
Published: June 2016

In this account, a technical overview of the artificial force induced reaction (AFIR) method is presented. The AFIR method is one of the automated reaction‐path search methods developed by the authors, and has been applied extensively to a variety of chemical reactions, such as organocatalysis, organometallic catalysis, and photoreactions. There are two modes in the AFIR method, i.e., a multicomponent mode and a single‐component mode. The former has been applied to bimolecular and multicomponent reactions and the latter to unimolecular isomerization and dissociation reactions. Five numerical examples are presented for an Aldol reaction, a Claisen rearrangement, a Co‐catalyzed hydroformylation, a fullerene structure search, and a nonradiative decay path search in an electronically excited naphthalene molecule. Finally, possible applications of the AFIR method are discussed.
Chaotic system identification using Wiener‐LSSVM model
Authors: Wang Huaibao , Wang Shuen , Liu Fucai , Tang Yinggan
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a new method is proposed for identifying chaotic system based on a Wiener‐least squares support vector machine (Wiener‐LSSVM) model. The model consists of a linear dynamic subsystem followed by a static nonlinear function, which is represented by LSSVM in this paper. The parameters of the linear dynamic part and those of LSSVM are estimated simultaneously by solving a set of linear equations using the least squares (LS) method. The proposed method incorporates partial structure information into the identification process and does not assume that the parameters of linear dynamic part are known. On the other hand, the LS algorithm is more efficient than gradient‐descendent‐based algorithms for estimating the parameters of Wiener‐LSSVM. Three identification examples are given to validate the effectiveness of the proposed method. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Supporting Teachers of English Language Learners at a Turnaround School
Authors: Vansant‐Webb Elizabeth , Polychronis Shamby
Published: June 2016

This article summarizes findings from surveys and interviews with five teachers at an elementary school in the Salt Lake City School District that is participating in the federally funded School Improvement Grant program to raise the achievement of all students. The qualitative data analysis focuses on two major themes: (1) the current attitudes, perceptions, and practices in place for meeting the needs of the large population of English language learners (ELLs) currently enrolled at the school and (2) the current collaborative efforts and support for teachers regarding meeting the needs of ELLs. These data are then compared to recent literature to determine the needs of this specific school. The authors offer recommendations for creating a schoolwide focus for meeting the needs of ELLs in the context of professional development and professional learning community initiatives while utilizing both the literature and suggestions from the participants. They conclude by addressing the implications of these recommendations.
Re: Fetal umbilical–portal–systemic venous shunt: in‐utero classification and clinical significance. R. Achiron and Z. Kivilevitch. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 47: 739–747
Authors: Berg C. , Strizek B.
Published: June 2016

Linked Comment: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2016; 47: 739–747