bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Percutaneous Placement of Iliosacral Screws Under the Guidance of Axial View Projection of the S1 Pedicle: a Case Series
Authors: Yin Yingchao , Hou Zhiyong , Zhang Ruipeng , Jin Lin , Chen Wei , Zhang Yingze
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous placement of iliosacral screws under the guidance of axial view projection of the S1 pedicle clinically. This case series includes 58 consecutive unstable pelvic injury patients, which were treated with iliosacral screws between July 2011 and July 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: normal sacrum (n = 31) and dysmorphic sacrum (n = 27). A single orthopedic surgeon operated on all patients, with percutaneous placement of iliosacral screws under the guidance of axial view projection of the S1 pedicle. The time needed for screw insertion and the radiation exposure time were recorded. Chi-squared test and Student t-test were used to analyze the differences between the two groups. Sacral dysmorphism was present in 47% of patients. The median time for screw insertion and radiation exposure time in these two groups showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05). No clinical complications or malpositioned screws occurred in any case. Preoperative pelvic CT is necessary to determine the sacral osseous anatomy. In patients with either a normal or dysmorphic sacrum, iliosacral screws can be placed by this method with less radiation exposure and complications than in the conventional method.
Differential Effects of Linagliptin on the Function of Human Islets Isolated from Non-diabetic and Diabetic Donors
Authors: Zhang Yanqing , Wu Meifen , Htun Wynn , Dong Emily W. , Mauvais-Jarvis Franck , Fonseca Vivian A. , Wu Hongju
Published: August 2017

Linagliptin is a dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor that inhibits the degradation of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and has been approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in clinic. Previous studies have shown linagliptin improves β cell function using animal models and isolated islets from normal subjects. Since β cell dysfunction occurs during diabetes development, it was not clear how human islets of T2D patients would respond to linagliptin treatment. Therefore, in this study we employed human islets isolated from donors with and without T2D and evaluated how they responded to linagliptin treatment. Our data showed that linagliptin significantly improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion for both non-diabetic and diabetic human islets, but its effectiveness on T2D islets was lower than on normal islets. The differential effects were attributed to reduced GLP-1 receptor expression in diabetic islets. In addition, linagliptin treatment increased the relative GLP-1 vs glucagon production in both non-diabetic and diabetic islets, suggesting a positive role of linagliptin in modulating α cell function to restore normoglycemia. Our study indicated that, from the standpoint of islet cell function, linagliptin would be more effective in treating early-stage diabetic patients before they develop severe β cell dysfunction.
SpotOn: High Accuracy Identification of Protein-Protein Interface Hot-Spots
Authors: Moreira Irina S. , Koukos Panagiotis I. , Melo Rita , Almeida Jose G. , Preto Antonio J. , Schaarschmidt Joerg , Trellet Mikael , Gümüş Zeynep H. , Costa Joaquim , Bonvin Alexandre M. J. J.
Published: August 2017

We present SpotOn, a web server to identify and classify interfacial residues as Hot-Spots (HS) and Null-Spots (NS). SpotON implements a robust algorithm with a demonstrated accuracy of 0.95 and sensitivity of 0.98 on an independent test set. The predictor was developed using an ensemble machine learning approach with up-sampling of the minor class. It was trained on 53 complexes using various features, based on both protein 3D structure and sequence. The SpotOn web interface is freely available at: http://milou.science.uu.nl/services/SPOTON/.
MoS2@rGO Nanoflakes as High Performance Anode Materials in Sodium Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Ruxing , Gao Shu , Wang Kangli , Zhou Min , Cheng Shijie , Jiang Kai
Published: August 2017

A simple one-pot hydrothermal method is developed for fabrication of MoS2@rGO nanoflakes using the economical MoO3 as the molybdenum source. Benefiting from the unique nanoarchitecture, high MoS2 loading (90.3 wt%) and the expanded interlayer spacing, the as-prepared MoS2@rGO nanoflakes exhibit greatly enhanced sodium storage performances including a high reversible specific capacity of 441 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.2 A g−1, high rate capability, and excellent capacity retention of 93.2% after 300 cycles.
STAT3-induced long noncoding RNAs in multiple myeloma cells display different properties in cancer
Authors: Binder Stefanie , Hösler Nadine , Riedel Diana , Zipfel Ivonne , Buschmann Tilo , Kämpf Christoph , Reiche Kristin , Burger Renate , Gramatzki Martin , Hackermüller Jörg , Stadler Peter F. , Horn Friedemann
Published: August 2017

Interleukin-6 (IL-6)-activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) facilitates survival in the multiple myeloma cell line INA-6 and therefore represents an oncogenic key player. However, the biological mechanisms are still not fully understood. In previous studies we identified microRNA-21 as a STAT3 target gene with strong anti-apoptotic potential, suggesting that noncoding RNAs have an impact on the pathogenesis of human multiple myeloma. Here, we describe five long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) induced by IL-6-activated STAT3, which we named STAiRs. While STAiRs 1, 2 and 6 remain unprocessed in the nucleus and show myeloma-specific expression, STAiRs 15 and 18 are spliced and broadly expressed. Especially STAiR2 and STAiR18 are promising candidates. STAiR2 originates from the first intron of a tumor suppressor gene. Our data support a mutually exclusive expression of either STAiR2 or the functional tumor suppressor in INA-6 cells and thus a contribution of STAiR2 to tumorigenesis. Furthermore, STAiR18 was shown to be overexpressed in every tested tumor entity, indicating its global role in tumor pathogenesis. Taken together, our study reveals a number of STAT3-induced lncRNAs suggesting that the interplay between the coding and noncoding worlds represents a fundamental principle of STAT3-driven cancer development in multiple myeloma and beyond.
Gene Location, Expression, and Function of FNDC5 in Meishan Pigs
Authors: Cai Chunbo , Xiao Gaojun , Qian Lili , Jiang Shengwang , Li Biao , Xie Shanshan , Gao Ting , An Xiaorong , Cui Wentao , Li Kui
Published: August 2017

Irisin is a new muscular regulatory factor that is generated by the cleavage of its precursor protein fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5). Irisin promotes fat consumption due to its stimulatory role in the browning of the adipocytes in mice. Currently, there is no report on FNDC5 functions in pigs as model animals. In this study, we investigated the expression patterns and functions of FNDC5 in Meishan pigs. Our results showed that FNDC5 gene in Meishan pigs contains five transcripts, all of which can be translated into functional intact irisin proteins. Porcine FNDC5 is mainly expressed in skeletal muscle, with the expression level being significantly higher during the embryonic and juvenile periods than in the adulthood stage. In vitro study showed that FNDC5 stimulates the proliferation and adipogenic differentiation of primary adipocytes isolated from Meishan pigs, and FNDC5 enhances the expression of browning marker genes during adipogenic differentiation. Our study was the first report on FNDC5 expression patterns and functions in pigs. Data from this study provide valuable information related to the study on FNDC5 functions and future development of novel treatment for obesity.
In silico analysis of Glanzmann variants of Calf-1 domain of αIIbβ3 integrin revealed dynamic allosteric effect
Authors: Goguet Matthieu , Narwani Tarun Jairaj , Petermann Rachel , Jallu Vincent , de Brevern Alexandre G.
Published: August 2017

Integrin αIIbβ3 mediates platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. In a rare hereditary bleeding disorder, Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT), αIIbβ3 expression / function are impaired. The impact of deleterious missense mutations on the complex structure remains unclear. Long independent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed for 7 GT variants and reference structure of the Calf-1 domain of αIIb. Simulations were analysed using a structural alphabet to describe local protein conformations. Common and flexible regions as well as deformable zones were observed in all the structures. The most flexible region of Calf-1 (with highest B-factor) is rather a rigid region encompassed into two deformable zones. Each mutated structure barely showed any modifications at the mutation sites while distant conformational changes were observed. These unexpected results question the relationship between molecular dynamics and allostery; and the role of these long-range effects in the impaired αIIbβ3 expression. This method is aimed at studying all αIIbβ3 sub-domains and impact of missense mutations at local and global structural level.
Great cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) as potential vectors for the dispersal of Vibrio cholerae
Authors: Laviad -Shitrit Sivan , Lev-Ari Tidhar , Katzir Gadi , Sharaby Yehonatan , Izhaki Ido , Halpern Malka
Published: August 2017

Vibrio cholerae is the cause of cholera, a devastating epidemic and pandemic disease. Despite its importance, the way of its global dissemination is unknown. V. cholerae is abundant in aquatic habitats and is known to be borne by copepods, chironomids and fishes. Our aim was to determine if fish-eating birds act as vectors in the spread of V. cholerae by consuming infected fish. We determined the existence of V. cholerae in the microbiome of 5/7 wild cormorants’ intestine. In three of these V. cholerae-positive wild cormorants, the presence of a gene for cholera toxin (ctxA) was detected. We subsequently tested eight captive, hand-reared cormorants, divided into two equal groups. Prior to the experiment, the feces of the cormorants were V. cholerae-negative. One group was fed exclusively on tilapias, which are naturally infected with V. cholerae, and the other was fed exclusively on goldfish or on koi that were V. cholerae-negative. We detected V. cholerae in the feces of the tilapia-fed, but not in the goldfish/koi-fed, cormorants. Hence, we demonstrate that fish-eating birds can be infected with V. cholerae from their fish prey. The large-scale movements of many fish-eating birds provide a potential mechanism for the global distribution of V. cholerae.
Microscopic Live Electrooptic Imaging
Authors: Tsuchiya Masahiro , Fukui Shinji , Yorinaga Muneo
Published: August 2017

Live electrooptic imaging (LEI) in the microscopic range has been successfully demonstrated for the first time. The finest resolution achieved in the present study is 2.7 μm, which is finer than the previous record by more than an order of magnitude. This drastic improvement in the resolution record has been achieved through comprehensive improvement of the limiting factors of the conventional LEI system. Residual limiting factors in the improved system have been systematically analyzed and ideas for even finer resolution have also been presented.
Crack-induced Ag nanowire networks for transparent, stretchable, and highly sensitive strain sensors
Authors: Lee Chan-Jae , Park Keum Hwan , Han Chul Jong , Oh Min Suk , You Banseok , Kim Young-Seok , Kim Jong-Woong
Published: August 2017

Crack-based strain sensor systems have been known for its high sensitivity, but suffer from the small fracture strain of the thin metal films employed in the sensor which results in its negligible stretchability. Herein, we fabricated a transparent (>90% at 550 nm wavelength), stretchable (up to 100%), and sensitive (gauge factor (GF) of 30 at 100% strain) strain gauge by depositing an encapsulated crack-induced Ag nanowire (AgNW) network on a hydroxylated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) film. Stretching the encapsulated AgNWs/PDMS resulted in the formation of a percolation network of nanowire ligaments with abundant percolation paths. The encapsulating polymer was designed to adhere strongly to both the AgNW and PDMS. The improved adhesion ensured the resistance of the crack-induced network of AgNWs varied reversibly, stably, and sensitively when stretched and released, at strains of up to 100%. The developed sensor successfully detected human motions when applied to the skin.
Structural Properties of Human IAPP Dimer in Membrane Environment Studied by All-Atom Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Liu Na , Duan Mojie , Yang Minghui
Published: August 2017

The aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) can damage the membrane of the β-cells in the pancreatic islets and induce type 2 diabetes (T2D). Growing evidences indicated that the major toxic species are small oligomers of IAPP. Due to the fast aggregation nature, it is hard to characterize the structures of IAPP oligomers by experiments, especially in the complex membrane environment. On the other side, molecular dynamics simulation can provide atomic details of the structure and dynamics of the aggregation of IAPP. In this study, all-atom bias-exchange metadynamics (BE-Meta) and unbiased molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the structural properties of IAPP dimer in the membranes environments. A number of intermediates, including α-helical states, β-sheet states, and fully disordered states, are identified. The formation of N-terminal β-sheet structure is prior to the C-terminal β-sheet structure towards the final fibril-like structures. The α-helical intermediates have lower propensity in the dimeric hIAPP and are off-pathway intermediates. The simulations also demonstrate that the β-sheet intermediates induce more perturbation on the membrane than the α-helical and disordered states and thus pose higher disruption ability.
Deficiency in catechol-o-methyltransferase is linked to a disruption of glucose homeostasis in mice
Authors: Kanasaki Megumi , Srivastava Swayam Prakash , Yang Fan , Xu Ling , Kudoh Sumiyo , Kitada Munehiro , Ueki Norikazu , Kim Hyoh , Li Jinpeng , Takeda Satoru , Kanasaki Keizo , Koya Daisuke
Published: August 2017

2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME), an estrogen metabolite generated via catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT), is multifunctional methoxy-catechol. Here, we report that COMT deficiency leads to glucose intolerance and 2-ME rescues COMT-deficient-associated metabolic defects. Liver COMT protein was suppressed in high fat diet (HFD)-fed or in pregnant mice. COMT suppression, by Ro41-0960 or siRNA, in HFD fed mice or in pregnant mice exacerbated glucose intolerance; 2-ME intervention ameliorated these defects. 2-ME effects on glucose tolerance were associated with AMPK phosphorylation in the liver and in islet cells. Metformin restored liver COMT protein levels, and metformin-induced liver AMPK phosphorylation was abolished by COMT inhibition. The amelioration in glucose tolerance by 2-ME was associated with biphasic insulin secretion in an environment-dependent manner. 2-ME-induced insulin secretion was associated with the AMPK phosphorylation, PDX-1 phosphorylation, and MST-1 suppression in MIN-6 cells. Furthermore 2-ME displayed PPARγ agonist-like activity. These results suggest that COMT is an enzyme to maintain glucose homeostasis and 2-ME is a potential endogenous multi-target anti-diabetic candidate.
Nanometer size silicon particles for hyperpolarized MRI
Authors: Kwiatkowski Grzegorz , Jähnig Fabian , Steinhauser Jonas , Wespi Patrick , Ernst Matthias , Kozerke Sebastian
Published: August 2017

Hyperpolarized silicon particles have been shown to exhibit long spin-lattice relaxation times at room temperature, making them interesting as novel MRI probes. Demonstrations of hyperpolarized silicon particle imaging have focused on large micron size particles (average particle size (APS) = 2.2 μm) as they have, to date, demonstrated much larger polarizations than nanoparticles. We show that also much smaller silicon-29 particles (APS = 55 ± 12 nm) can be hyperpolarized with superior properties. A maximum polarization of 12.6% in the solid state is reported with a spin-lattice relaxation time of 42 min at room temperature thereby opening a new window for MRI applications.
Development of kinetic model for CO hydrogenation reaction over supported Fe–Co–Mn catalyst
Authors: Arsalanfar M. , Abdouss M. , Mirzaei N. , Zamani Y.
Published: August 2017

After determining CO consumption rate, the production rate of methane, paraffin, olefin and chain growth probability factor (α) was derived and described.
Folding sticky elastica: dynamics and reversibility of folds in Langmuir monolayers
Authors: Foucard L. C. , Eaton J. M. , Dennin M. , Levine Alex J.
Published: August 2017

Relatively little information exists regarding the implications of folding dynamics on the long-term stability of lipid monolayer. We address this question by investigating the dynamical effect of folding rate in a lipid monolayer containing nano-particles, using a combination of analytic theory, simulation and experiment.
Raman endoscopy for monitoring the anticancer drug treatment of colorectal tumors in live mice
Authors: Taketani Akinori , Andriana Bibin B. , Matsuyoshi Hiroko , Sato Hidetoshi
Published: August 2017

A miniaturized Raman endoscope (mRE) system was employed to study the effects of anticancer treatment on colorectal tumors in a live murine model.
DNA tetrahedron nanostructures for biological applications: biosensors and drug delivery
Authors: Xie Nuli , Liu Shiyuan , Yang Xiaohai , He Xiaoxiao , Huang Jin , Wang Kemin
Published: August 2017

Herein, we review and summarise the development and biological applications of DNA tetrahedron, including cellular biosensors and drug delivery systems.
Anthracene–arylamine hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Liu Xuepeng , Kong Fantai , Ghadari Rahim , Jin Shengli , Yu Ting , Chen Wangchao , Liu Guozhen , Tan Zhan'ao , Chen Jian , Dai Songyuan
Published: August 2017

Novel anthracene–arylamine hole transporting materials achieved a power conversion efficiency over 17% for perovskite solar cells.
Cooperative, ion-sensitive co-assembly of tripeptide hydrogels
Authors: Abul-Haija Yousef M. , Scott Gary G. , Sahoo Jugal Kishore , Tuttle Tell , Ulijn Rein V.
Published: August 2017

Computational simulations and experimental validation of cooperative co-assembly of structural and functional tripeptides shows selective hydrogel formation in response to complexation with copper.
Heuristics for precise supramolecular control of soft matter structure and properties – 2,3,4-tris(dodecyloxy)benzenesulfonates with alkaline and organic cations
Authors: Shcherbina M. A. , Bakirov A. V. , Beginn U. , Yan L. , Zhu X. , Möller M. , Chvalun S. N.
Published: August 2017

Comprehensive analysis of the structure and phase behavior for a number of 2,3,4-tris(dodecyloxy)benzenesulfonic acid derivatives revealed that the shape of the mesogenic group plays a decisive role in phase behavior of the material.
Self-organization of amino-acid-derived NDI assemblies into a nanofibrillar superstructure with humidity sensitive n-type semiconducting properties
Authors: Squillaci Marco A. , Markiewicz Grzegorz , Walczak Anna , Ciesielski Artur , Stefankiewicz Artur R. , Samorì Paolo
Published: August 2017

The hierarchical self-assembly of l-tyrosine substituted naphthalenediimide has been explored in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid-state by atomic force microscopy.
Template-assisted photodimerization of N-unprotected uracil derivatives: selective formation of the cis–syn photodimer
Authors: Weckenmann N. M. , Maichle-Mössmer C. , Nachtsheim B. J.
Published: August 2017

A UV light-induced photodimerization of 5-[(imidazol-1-yl)methyl]uracil using glutamate- and aspartate-derived cyclic dipeptides (2,5-diketopiperazines – DKPs) as templates was investigated.
Photoinduced dynamics of the hole-transport material H101 in organic solvents and on mesoporous Al2O3 and TiO2 thin films
Authors: Klein Johannes R. , Scholz Mirko , Oum Kawon , Lenzer Thomas
Published: August 2017

The hole-transport material H101 efficiently injects electrons into TiO2 after photoexcitation and populates a triplet state in organic solvents.
The opening/closure of the P-loop and hinge of BCR-ABL1 decodes the low/high bioactivities of dasatinib and axitinib
Authors: Wang Jianyi , Chen Qing , Wang Mian , Zhong Cheng
Published: August 2017

The open/closed conformations reveal the low/high bioactivities of the ligands.
Non-covalent interactions in anisole–(CO2)n (n = 1, 2) complexes
Authors: Becucci Maurizio , Mazzoni Federico , Pietraperzia Giangaetano , Řezáč Jan , Natchigallová Dana , Hobza Pavel
Published: August 2017

Non-covalent interactions are a ubiquitous binding motif and a challenge for theory and experiments.
Computational evaluation of aluminophosphate zeotypes for CO2/N2separation
Authors: Fischer Michael
Published: August 2017

The potential of 51 different AlPO frameworks for the selective adsorption of CO2over N2is assessed with Monte Carlo simulations.
Synthesis of N-doped graphene quantum dots by pulsed laser ablation with diethylenetriamine (DETA) and their photoluminescence
Authors: Santiago S. R. M. , Lin T. N. , Chang C. H. , Wong Y. A. , Lin C. A. J. , Yuan C. T. , Shen J. L.
Published: August 2017

We report a facile, fast, and one-step approach to prepare N-doped graphene quantum dots (GQDs) using pulsed laser ablation with diethylenetriamine (DETA).
The emergent intramolecular hydrogen bonding effect on the electronic structures of organic electron acceptors
Authors: Takeda Takashi , Suzuki Yasutaka , Kawamata Jun , Noro Shin-ichiro , Nakamura Takayoshi , Akutagawa Tomoyuki
Published: August 2017

A new strategy for controlling the electron-accepting ability of an anthraquinone-based π-molecular system is proposed to take advantage of intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions.
Environmental sustainability assessment of a new degreasing formulation for the tanning cycle within leather manufacturing
Authors: Rosa Roberto , Pini Martina , Neri Paolo , Corsi Massimo , Bianchini Roberto , Bonanni Marco , Ferrari Anna Maria
Published: August 2017

The environmental assessment of the lab-scale preparation of a new lactose derivative-based degreasing formulation, for the leather manufacturing cycle, was performed by using EATOS and LCA methodologies.
Elucidating the interaction of l-cysteine-capped selenium nanoparticles and human serum albumin: spectroscopic and thermodynamic analysis
Authors: Prasanth S. , Sudarsanakumar C.
Published: August 2017

The adsorption of HSA on the surface of Se nanoparticles.
Solvent-dependent gelation behaviour and liquid crystal properties of a bent-core dihydrazide derivative
Authors: Zhang Chunxue , Che Xiangyang , Zhang Tianren , Bai Binglian , Wang Haitao , Li Min
Published: August 2017

Both liquid crystalline gel and crystalline gel are obtained by changing the solvent from non-polar to polar. Liquid crystalline gels exhibit better elastic property over crystalline gel from EtOH. And their corresponding xerogels show distinct mesophase behaviour.
N-Doped carbon dots: green and efficient synthesis on a large-scale and their application in fluorescent pH sensing
Authors: Liu Xiaoxia , Liu Jinrong , Zheng Baozhan , Yan Lei , Dai Jianyuan , Zhuang Zhenjing , Du Juan , Guo Yong , Xiao Dan
Published: August 2017

A green and efficient anhydrous method was developed to synthesize nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) on a large-scale, and the N-CDs exhibited excellent reversible pH-sensitive property.
MoS2 nanosheets encapsulated in sodium alginate microcapsules as microwave embolization agents for large orthotopic transplantation tumor therapy
Authors: Fu Changhui , He Fan , Tan Longfei , Ren Xiangling , Zhang Wei , Liu Tianlong , Wang Jingzhuo , Ren Jun , Chen Xudong , Meng Xianwei
Published: August 2017

The synergistic effect of microwave ablation and TAE therapy with microwave embolization agent is proposed to improve the therapeutic efficiency of larger liver tumor.
Single enzyme direct biomineralization of ZnS, ZnxCd1−xS and ZnxCd1−xS–ZnS quantum confined nanocrystals
Authors: Sadeghnejad Abdolhamid , Lu Li , Kiely Christopher J. , Berger Bryan W. , McIntosh Steven
Published: August 2017

ZnS, ZnxCd1−xS, and ZnxCd1−xS–ZnS quantum dots were synthesized in the aqueous phase at room temperature via biomineralization enabled by a single enzyme in solution.
Calculations of the absolute binding free energies for Ralstonia solanacearum lectins bound with methyl-α-l-fucoside at molecular mechanical and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical levels
Authors: Liu Wei , Jia Xiangyu , Wang Meiting , Li Pengfei , Wang Xiaohui , Hu Wenxin , Zheng Jun , Mei Ye
Published: August 2017

In this work, both a molecular mechanical (MM) method and a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) method have been applied in the study of the binding affinities of methyl-α-l-fucoside toRalstonia solanacearumlectins.
Development of sustainable bio-adhesives for engineered wood panels – A Review
Authors: Hemmilä Venla , Adamopoulos Stergios , Karlsson Olov , Kumar Anuj
Published: August 2017

Stricter legislation on formaldehyde emissions as well as growing consumer interest in sustainable raw materials and products are the main driving factors behind research on bio-based adhesives, as alternatives to amino-based ones, for wood panels.
Sustainable biobased blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(glycerol succinate-co-maleate) (PGSMA) with balanced performance prepared by dynamic vulcanization
Authors: Valerio Oscar , Misra Manjusri , Mohanty Amar K.
Published: August 2017

A sustainable and industrially viable method for toughening poly(lactic acid) by dynamic vulcanization using glycerol and succinic acid based polyesters.
Cimifrigines A–G, cytotoxic triterpenes with an oxime group from the flowers of Cimicifuga frigida
Authors: Nian Yin , Yan Hui , Li Xiao-Nian , Zhou Lin , Qiu Ming-Hua
Published: August 2017

Seven new dahurinol-type triterpene derivatives, including three aglycones, cimifrigines A–C (1–3), and four glycosides, cimifrigines D–G (4–7), were purified from the flowers of Cimicifuga frigida.
Poly(5-alkyl-thieno[3,4-c]pyrrole-4,6-dione): a study of π-conjugated redox polymers as anode materials in lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Robitaille Amélie , Perea Alexis , Bélanger Daniel , Leclerc Mario
Published: August 2017

Organic polymers are currently investigated as active electrode materials. Here, new TPD-based polymers were prepared and studied as anode materials for lithium-ion battery.
Gaining further insight into the effects of thermal annealing and solvent vapor annealing on time morphological development and degradation in small molecule solar cells
Authors: Min Jie , Güldal Nusret S. , Guo Jie , Fang Chao , Jiao Xuechen , Hu Huawei , Heumüller Thomas , Ade Harald , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: August 2017

Morphology evolution mechanisms of thermal and solvent vapor annealing in small-molecule solar cells have been investigated systematically.
Polydopamine-filled bacterial nanocellulose as a biodegradable interfacial photothermal evaporator for highly efficient solar steam generation
Authors: Jiang Qisheng , Gholami Derami Hamed , Ghim Deoukchen , Cao Sisi , Jun Young-Shin , Singamaneni Srikanth
Published: August 2017

A flexible, scalable and completely biodegradable photothermal evaporator for highly efficient solar steam generation is fabricatedvia in situloading polydopamine particles in bacterial nanocellulose matrix during its growth.
Diameter and thermal treatment dependent structure and optical properties of poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanotubes
Authors: Xiang Weizhong , Sun Xiaoli , Ren Zhongjie , Zhang Jianming , Li Huihui , Yan Shouke
Published: August 2017

Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) nanotubes were prepared using anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates with two different diameters of ca.
Flexible and stretchable mechanoluminescent fiber and fabric
Authors: Zhang Jing , Bao Luke , Lou Huiqing , Deng Jue , Chen Ao , Hu Yajie , Zhang Zhitao , Sun Xuemei , Peng Huisheng
Published: August 2017

Flexible and stretchable mechanoluminescent fibers and fabrics have been created to emit light with tunable colors and intensities.
Highly efficient field emission from ZnO nanorods and nanographene hybrids on a macroporous electric conductive network
Authors: Zhang Chi , Wu Dajun , Tong Xin , Zhu Yiping , Xu Shaohui , Xiong Dayuan , Guo Pingsheng , Wu Yishan , Qi Ruijuan , Huang Rong , Wang Lianwei , Chen Shaoqiang , Chu Paul K.
Published: August 2017

A hybrid structure comprising ZnO nanorods and nanographene on a patterned substrate enhances the field emission properties by reducing the work function and avoiding electrostatic screening.
Design and improvement of a soft switching high step‐up boost converter with voltage multiplier
Authors: Heidari Beni Sadegh , Mirtalaei Sayyed Mohammad Mehdi , Kianpour Ardavan , Aghababaei Beni Sara
Published: August 2017

A new soft switching high step‐up boost converter is proposed in this study. Coupled inductors technique is used along with voltage multiplier in order to provide high‐voltage gain and reduce voltage stress across semiconducting elements. Using an active clamp circuit, soft switching condition is provided for both the main and auxiliary switch which reduces the switching losses and improves the circuit efficiency as well as power density. The reverse recovery problem of diodes is alleviated due to the existence of the leakage inductances of the coupled inductors in series with diodes. The circuit performance is investigated and theoretical analysis is provided. A 200 W 40 V input to 400 V output laboratory prototype of the proposed converter is implemented, and the experimental results show the proper performance of the proposed converter.
Cotyledonoid Dissecting Leiomyoma with Symplastic Features: Case Report
Authors: Sonmez Fatma Cavide , Tosuner Zeynep , Karasu Ayse Filiz Gökmen , Arıcı Dilek Sema , Dansuk Ramazan
Published: August 2017

Purpose Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma is a leiomyoma variant exhibiting unusual growth patterns. We aimed to demonstrate this, as well as to point out another feature that has not been previously reported.

Case Report A congested, multinodular myomectomy specimen was resected. Histologically, smooth muscle fascicles with marked vascularity and extensive hydropic degeneration were detected. A total of 2 mitoses per 10 high power fields were counted, and the Ki-67 index was of 2–3%. We encountered atypical bizarre cells that have not been previously reported. Coagulative necrosis was not present. The patient was alive and well 36 months after surgery, with no evidence of recurrence.

Conclusions Albeit the gross aggressive appearance, cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyomas are benign in nature. To this day, atypical cells have not been reported in this type of tumor. Despite the presence of symplastic features, cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyomas are clinically benign entities. Surgeons and pathologists should be acquainted with this variant.
Regional and Socioeconomic Differences in the Coverage of the Papanicolau Test in Brazil: Data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013
Authors: Barbosa Isabelle Ribeiro
Published: August 2017

Purpose To evaluate the coverage of the Papanicolaou test in Brazil and the associated factors.

Methods Cross-sectional study based on data from the Brazilian Health Survey 2013 comprising the proportion of 25- to 64-year-old women who had undergone a Papanicolaou test within the previous 3 years, categorized by sociodemographic variables and access to healthcare services.

Results The screening coverage in Brazil was of 79.4% (95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 78.4–80.3), showing significant differences between the different states of the country, with the highest rate in the state of Roraima (86.5; 95%CI: 83.5–89.4), and the lowest one in the state of Maranhão (67.7; 95%CI: 61.3–74.0). Undergoing the test was significantly more frequent among married women (83.6%; 95%CI: 82.4–84.8), those with higher educational levels (88.7%; 95%CI: 87.0–90.5), of white ethnicity (82.6%; 95%CI: 81.3–83.9) and who reside in urban areas (80.1%; 95%CI: 79.1–81.2). Those who had undergone the test more than three years prior to the survey and the ones who had never undergone it were associated with a lower level of education, being of black or brown ethnicity, single or divorced, and rural dwellers.

Conclusions The coverage of cervical cancer screening in Brazil is below the recommended rate and presents regional and sociodemographic disparities.
Block copolymer templated self-assembly of disk-shaped molecules
Authors: Aragones J. L. , Alexander-Katz A.
Published: August 2017

Stacking of disk-shaped organic molecules is a promising strategy to develop electronic and photovoltaic devices. Here, we investigate the capability of a soft block copolymer matrix that microphase separates into a cylindrical phase to direct the self-assembly of disk-shaped molecules by means of molecular simulations. We show that two disk molecules confined in the cylinder domain experience a depletion force, induced by the polymer chains, which results in the formation of stacks of disks. This entropic interaction and the soft confinement provided by the matrix are both responsible for the structures that can be self-assembled, which include slanted or columnar stacks. In addition, we evidence the transmission of stresses between the different minority domains of the microphase, which results in the establishment of a long-ranged interaction between disk molecules embedded in different domains; this interaction is of the order of the microphase periodicity and may be exploited to direct assembly of disks at larger scales.
A high voltage pulse generator based on silicon-controlled rectifier for field-reversed configuration experiment
Authors: Lin Munan , Liu Ming , Zhu Guanghui , Wang Yanpeng , Shi Peiyun , Sun Xuan
Published: August 2017

A high voltage pulse generator based on a silicon-controlled rectifier has been designed and implemented for a field reversed configuration experiment. A critical damping circuit is used in the generator to produce the desired pulse waveform. Depending on the load, the rise time of the output trigger signal can be less than 1 μs, and the peak amplitudes of trigger voltage and current are up to 8 kV and 85 A in a single output. The output voltage can be easily adjusted by changing the voltage on a capacitor of the generator. In addition, the generator integrates an electrically floating heater circuit so it is capable of triggering either pseudosparks (TDI-type hydrogen thyratron) or ignitrons. Details of the circuits and their implementation are described in the paper. The trigger generator has successfully controlled the discharging sequence of the pulsed power supply for a field reversed configuration experiment.
Dissipation elements method provides analysis to understand turbulent non-premixed jet flames
Authors: Lugo Ryan
Published: August 2017

Through direct numerical simulation, supercomputer aids dissipation elements analysis to bridge the gap between chemistry and turbulence.
Going nowhere fast: a review of seed dispersal in eucalypts
Authors: Booth Trevor H.
Published: August 2017

Eucalypt species have several features that make them particularly well suited for climate change studies. A key assumption is that they have very limited powers of dispersal. If this is correct, it means that climate change analyses to the end of this century can concentrate mainly on assessing whether or not eucalypt species are likely to be able to survive at their existing sites. A recent major climate change study of more than 600 eucalypt species for the period 2014–2085 has used 5 km as a usual dispersal limit for the period to 2085, with the possibility of rare long-distance events. The review presented here considers how far natural stands of eucalypt species are likely to be able to migrate in the period to 2085. It is the first review to consider eucalypt seed dispersal as its major focus. It draws on evidence from millions of years ago to the present, and from eucalypt stands in Australia and around the world. Although rare long-distance events cannot be entirely ruled out, it is concluded that the great bulk of the evidence available indicates that the most likely potential dispersal rate is equivalent to about 1–2 m per year, i.e. ~70–140 m in the period to 2085. Over decades, this is likely to occur as a series of stepwise events, associated with disturbances such as bushfires. However, limitations such as inadequate remnant eucalypt stands and extensive agricultural developments may reduce actual migration rates below even this modest potential.
A Simple and Efficient Diversity-Oriented Synthesis of New Substituted 3-(Arylamino)-6,7-dihydro-1H-indazol-4(5H)-ones by a KOH-Assisted One-Pot Reaction
Authors: Rimaz Mehdi , Khalili Behzad , Khatyal Golaleh , Mousavi Hossein , Aali Farkhondeh
Published: August 2017

A novel, simple, and straightforward combinatorial method for the synthesis of new substituted 3-(arylamino)-6,7-dihydro-1H-indazol-4(5H)-one derivatives has been developed. The synthesis was achieved via a one-pot three-component reaction of aromatic isothiocyanates, substituted 1,3-cyclohexanediones, and hydrazine hydrate in dimethyl sulfoxide as a polar aprotic solvent. This methodology has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, good to excellent yields, easily available starting materials, operational simplicity, and easy workup. This chemistry provides an efficient synthetic strategy to diversity-oriented construction of the 3-arylaminoindazole skeleton.
Relative Sampling Efficiency and Movements of Subadult Lake Sturgeon in the Lower Wolf River, Wisconsin
Authors: Snobl Zachary R. , Isermann Daniel A. , Koenigs Ryan P. , Raabe Joshua K.
Published: August 2017

Understanding sampling efficiency and movements of subadult Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens is necessary to facilitate population rehabilitation and recruitment monitoring in large systems with extensive riverine and lacustrine habitats. We used a variety of sampling methods to capture subadult Lake Sturgeon (i.e., fish between 75 and 130 cm TL that had not reached sexual maturity) and monitored their movements using radio telemetry in the lower Wolf River, a tributary to the Lake Winnebago system in Wisconsin. Our objectives were to determine whether (1) capture efficiency (expressed in terms of sampling time) of subadult Lake Sturgeon using multiple sampling methods was sufficient to justify within‐river sampling as part of a basin‐wide recruitment survey targeting subadults, (2) linear home ranges varied in relation to season or sex, and (3) subadult Lake Sturgeon remained in the lower Wolf River. From 2013 to 2014, 628 h of combined sampling effort that included gill nets, trotlines, electrofishing, and scuba capture was required to collect 18 subadult sturgeon, which were then implanted with radio transmitters and tracked by boat and plane. Linear home ranges did not differ in relation to sex but did vary among seasons, and the majority of movement occurred in spring. Seven of the 18 (39%) Lake Sturgeon left the river and were not detected in the river again during the study. Between 56% and 70% of subadult fish remaining in the river made definitive movements to, or near, known spawning locations when adult Lake Sturgeon were actively spawning. Our results suggest only a small proportion of subadult Lake Sturgeon in the Lake Winnebago population use the lower Wolf River, indicating that riverine sampling may not always be warranted when targeting subadults in large lake–river complexes. More information is needed on distribution of subadult Lake Sturgeon to develop sampling protocols for this population segment.

Received January 27, 2017; accepted May 19, 2017 Published online August 7, 2017
Deposition characteristics and behaviour of high-pressure cold-sprayed silicon powder
Authors: Song Jun , Liu Juanfang , Li Kepin , Tang Wenyong , Chen Qinghua
Published: August 2017

The high-pressure cold spraying technology was adopted to deposit silicon particles on the copper substrates for preparing the silicon-based electrode of lithium-ion batteries. The deposition of silicon powder was accomplished at two spray process parameter sets by impacting the particle stream or individual particle. The microstructure and the morphology of the silicon coatings were characterised by scanning electron microscopy. A single-silicon particle represents three different deposition behaviours. The mass gains of as-sprayed samples are negative over multiple spray passes, but the thin silicon coating with the particular covered structures is formed. Increasing the number of spray pass cannot cause the obvious increase in the coating thickness. The interfacial morphology of the silicon coatings indicates that, except for the plastic deformation of the copper substrate, both the mechanical interlock effect among the deposited silicon particles and even the chemical binding contributing to the effective bond of silicon particles to the substrate.
HiDi: an efficient reverse engineering schema for large-scale dynamic regulatory network reconstruction using adaptive differentiation
Authors: Deng Yue , Zenil Hector , Tegnér Jesper , Kiani Narsis A
Published: August 2017

Motivation

The use of differential equations (ODE) is one of the most promising approaches to network inference. The success of ODE-based approaches has, however, been limited, due to the difficulty in estimating parameters and by their lack of scalability. Here, we introduce a novel method and pipeline to reverse engineer gene regulatory networks from gene expression of time series and perturbation data based upon an improvement on the calculation scheme of the derivatives and a pre-filtration step to reduce the number of possible links. The method introduces a linear differential equation model with adaptive numerical differentiation that is scalable to extremely large regulatory networks.

Results

We demonstrate the ability of this method to outperform current state-of-the-art methods applied to experimental and synthetic data using test data from the DREAM4 and DREAM5 challenges. Our method displays greater accuracy and scalability. We benchmark the performance of the pipeline with respect to dataset size and levels of noise. We show that the computation time is linear over various network sizes.

Availability and implementation

The Matlab code of the HiDi implementation is available at: www.complexitycalculator.com/HiDiScript.zip

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Flow-Diverting Stents for the Obliteration of Symptomatic, Infectious Cavernous Carotid Artery Aneurysms
Authors: Kobets Andrew Joshua , Scoco Aleka , Nakhla Jonathan , Brook Allan Leonard , Kinon Merritt Drew , Baxi Nrupen , Altschul David
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Intracavernous aneurysms constitute up to 9% of all intracranial aneurysms and 6% are infectious (IIA). First line therapy is a protracted antibiotic course, yet with failure, surgery and endovascular parent vessel sacrifice have been utilized. Reconstructive endovascular therapies have emerged for aneurysm control and may demonstrate a safer therapeutic alternative.

OBJECTIVE

To present an IIA treated with a flow-diverting Pipeline stent (ev3 Neurovascular, Irvine, California).

METHODS

A 41-yr-old female presented with visual loss, ophthalmoplegia, and cavernous sinus thrombosis with an associated phlegmon. Transsphenoidal evacuation was performed without complication or bleeding and she continued on medical therapy. Two weeks postoperatively, she developed a worsening right third cranial nerve palsy and MRA demonstrated a 1-cm right IIA, not evident on postoperative MRI. Three days of dual antiplatelet therapy preceded successful pipeline embolization. Angiography demonstrated aneurysm obliteration at 3 mo and her right ophthalmoplegia resolved.

RESULTS

A literature review identified 6 reported cases of IIAs treated with stent embolization. Only 1 documented a flow-diverting Silk stent used in a child. All lesions were obliterated at follow-up without neurological sequelae. No complication arose with implantation in the setting of infection, and as few as 3 d of dual antiplatelet therapy was sufficient for preprocedural prophylaxis, although in Vivo antiplatelet activity may be more significant.

CONCLUSION

We report the first case of an IIA treated with a flow-diverting pipeline stent. These devices preserve native vasculature and neurological function compared to surgical and endovascular vessel sacrifice strategies. They appear to be safe management options for the treatment of IIAs.
Representative Training with Less Risk: The Effects of Non-lethal Training and Conventional Ammunition in Police Use of Force Training on Heart Rate Variability
Authors: Staller Mario S , Cole Jon C , Zaiser Benjamin , Körner Swen
Published: August 2017

With the goal of preventing unintentional fire-arm death and injury as well as widening the scope of police use of force training design, this study compared the impact of non-lethal training (NLT) ammunition and conventional ammunition (CA) on police officers’ psychophysiological arousal. We assessed heart rate and parasympathetic activity while police officers engaged in a demanding fighting and shooting exercise. Based on previous research, which shows that physiological arousal in representative scenario exercises does not differ from active duty operations, this study tested and corroborated the hypothesis that simulated psychophysiological demand will be the same in using both NLT and CA. Thus, the use of NLT ammunition provides a safe alternative to training the use of issue weapons with CA, equally as representative of the active duty environment of the real world. Furthermore, this study underlines that fighting elicits high levels of physiological load that police officers need to be prepared for.
Influence of Hip Abductor Strength on Functional Outcomes Before and After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Loyd Brian J. , Jennings Jason M. , Judd Dana L. , Kim Raymond H. , Wolfe Pamela , Dennis Douglas A. , Stevens-Lapsley Jennifer E.
Published: August 2017

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with declines in hip abductor (HA) muscle strength; however, a longitudinal analysis demonstrating the influence of TKA on trajectories of HA strength change has not been conducted.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in HA strength from pre-TKA through 3 months post-TKA and to characterize the relationship between HA strength changes and physical performance.

Design

This study is a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Data from 162 participants (89 women, mean age = 63 y) were used for analysis. Data were collected by masked assessors preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months following surgery. Outcomes included: Timed “Up and Go” test (TUG), Stair Climbing Test (SCT), Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), and walking speed. Paired t tests were used for between- and within-limb comparisons of HA strength. Multivariable regression was used to determine contributions of independent variables, HA and knee extensor strength, to the dependent variables of TUG, SCT, 6MWT, and walking speed at each time point.

Results

Hip abductor strength was significantly lower in the surgical limb pre-TKA (mean = 0.015; 95% CI = 0.010–0.020), 1 month post-TKA (0.028; 0.023–0.034), and 3 months post-TKA (0.02; 0.014–0.025) compared with the nonsurgical limb. Hip abductor strength declined from pre-TKA to 1 month post-TKA (18%), but not at the 3-month time point (0%). Hip abductor strength independently contributed to performance-based outcomes pre-TKA; however, this contribution was not observed post-TKA.

Limitations

The post hoc analysis prevents examining all outcomes likely to be influenced by HA strength.

Conclusions

Surgical limb HA strength is impaired prior to TKA, and worsens following surgery. Furthermore, HA strength contributes to performance-based outcomes, supporting the hypothesis that HA strength influences functional recovery.