bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of Photoclick Chemistry for the Synthesis of Pyrazoles via 1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition between Alkynes and Nitrilimines Generated In Situ
Authors: Remy Richard , Bochet Christian G.
Published: January 2018

The photochemical extrusion of gaseous nitrogen from 2,5‐disubstituted tetrazoles to generate reactive nitrilimines in situ represents an efficient and attractive way to form dipoles that can be used to provide useful chemicals via 1,3‐dipolar cycloadditions. The concept of “photoclick chemistry” already inspired numerous researchers, who exploited photochemical processes involving alkenes for the synthesis of adducts or the functionalization of biocompatible materials. The approach requires bioorthogonality, ease of access to the starting materials and operational simplicity. We report herein our investigations toward a photoclick reaction involving 2,5‐disubstituted tetrazoles and alkynes as the dipolarophile for the synthesis of pyrazole derivatives. In addition to the numerous reports recently published on the synthesis of pyrazoles, we wish to add to the list a photochemical procedure that represents a mild and atom‐economical alternative. Moreover, considering that such nitrilimines precursors can be accessed in one step from inexpensive and abundant starting materials and given the commercial availability of a broad spectrum of alkynes, we examined the scope of the photoclick reaction with respect to reactive partners, enabling the synthesis of a library of useful heteroaromatics.
Pain in severe dementia: A comparison of a fine‐grained assessment approach to an observational checklist designed for clinical settings
Authors: Hadjistavropoulos T. , Browne M.E. , Prkachin K.M. , Taati B. , Ashraf A. , Mihailidis A.
Published: January 2018

Background

Fine‐grained observational approaches to pain assessment (e.g. the Facial Action Coding System; FACS) are used to evaluate pain in individuals with and without dementia. These approaches are difficult to utilize in clinical settings as they require specialized training and equipment. Easy‐to‐use observational approaches (e.g. the Pain Assessment Checklist for Limited Ability to Communicate‐II; PACSLAC‐II) have been developed for clinical settings. Our goal was to compare a FACS‐based fine‐grained system to the PACSLAC‐II in differentiating painful from non‐painful states in older adults with and without dementia.

Method

We video‐recorded older long‐term care residents with dementia and older adult outpatients without dementia, during a quiet baseline condition and while they took part in a physiotherapy examination designed to identify painful areas. Videos were coded using pain‐related behaviours from the FACS and the PACSLAC‐II.

Results

Both tools differentiated between painful and non‐painful states, but the PACSLAC‐II accounted for more variance than the FACS‐based approach. Participants with dementia scored higher on the PACSLAC‐II than participants without dementia.

Conclusion

The results suggest that easy‐to‐use observational approaches for clinical settings are valid and that there may not be any clinically important advantages to using more resource‐intensive coding approaches based on FACS. We acknowledge, as a limitation of our study, that we used as baseline a quiet condition that did not involve significant patient movement. In contrast, our pain condition involved systematic patient movement. Future research should be aimed at replicating our results using a baseline condition that involves non‐painful movements.

Significance

Examining older adults with and without dementia, a brief observational clinical approach was found to be valid and accounted for more variance in differentiating pain‐related and non‐pain‐related states than did a detailed time‐consuming fine‐grained approach.
Enhancing Effect of Residual Lignins from D. Sinicus Pretreated with Fenton Chemistry on Enzymatic Digestibility of Cellulose
Authors: Wu Kai , Ying Wenjun , Shi Zhengjun , Yang Haiyan , Zheng ZhiFeng , Zhang JiaYan , Yang Jing
Published: January 2018

To screen and evaluate possible functional factors in the bamboo lignin moiety that could block non‐productive adsorption of enzyme proteins on lignin, milled wood lignin (MWL) and Fenton oxidized lignin (FOLs) were prepared and incorporated in the enzymatic hydrolysis of Avicel. The addition of MWL decreased the 72 h glucose yields of cellulose from 57.1 % to 45.3 %, while FOLs effectively improved the enzymatic digestibility up to 69.5 %, which was 22 % higher than the system without the use of FOLs. The adsorption affinity and binding strength of cellulase with FOLs were lower than that with MWL. After Fenton pretreatment, hydrophilicity of lignins increased due to formation of C−O− and O−C=O bonds. Furthermore, high surface negative charges on FOLs resulted in strong electrostatic repulsion against the negatively charged cellulases. Finally, analysis of FOLs with 13C and 2D‐HSQC NMR indicated that the cleavage of β‐O‐4 linkages and demethoxylation occurred, and that less condensed structures at the Cβ and Cγ positions were observed. These oxidation reactions of the bamboo lignin lead to the formation of functional factors to alleviate irreversible adsorption of cellulase onto FOLs, and thus were responsible for promoting enzymatic digestibility efficiency.
Neural correlates of lower limbs proprioception: An fMRI study of foot position matching
Authors: Iandolo Riccardo , Bellini Alessandro , Saiote Catarina , Marre Ilaria , Bommarito Giulia , Oesingmann Niels , Fleysher Lazar , Mancardi Giovanni Luigi , Casadio Maura , Inglese Matilde
Published: January 2018

Little is known about the neural correlates of lower limbs position sense, despite the impact that proprioceptive deficits have on everyday life activities, such as posture and gait control. We used fMRI to investigate in 30 healthy right‐handed and right‐footed subjects the regional distribution of brain activity during position matching tasks performed with the right dominant and the left nondominant foot. Along with the brain activation, we assessed the performance during both ipsilateral and contralateral matching tasks. Subjects had lower errors when matching was performed by the left nondominant foot. The fMRI analysis suggested that the significant regions responsible for position sense are in the right parietal and frontal cortex, providing a first characterization of the neural correlates of foot position matching.
Lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor in metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Vasan Kartik , Low Tsu‐Hui (Hubert) , Gupta Ruta , Ashford Bruce , Asher Rebecca , Gao Kan , Ch'ng Sydney , Palme Carsten E. , Clark Jonathan R.
Published: January 2018

Background

The prognostic impact of the size and number of nodal metastases in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is well established. The purpose of this study was to validate the prognostic significance of the lymph node ratio in metastatic head and neck cutaneous SCC.

Methods

A retrospective review of 326 patients with head and neck cutaneous SCC with parotid and/or cervical nodal metastases was performed. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). The minimal‐P approach was used to investigate the optimal lymph node ratio threshold.

Results

Our data included 77 recurrences and 101 deaths. A lymph node ratio of 6% was a significant predictor of shorter DFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11‐2.38; P = .01) and OS (HR 1.63; 95% CI 1.03‐2.58; P = 0.04) on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

The lymph node ratio is an independent prognosticator of survival outcomes in patients presenting with metastatic head and neck cutaneous SCC. A lymph node ratio >6% is a significant threshold to categorize patients into low and high risk.
Fabrication of functionalized citrus pectin/silk fibroin scaffolds for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Türkkan Sibel , Atila Deniz , Akdağ Akın , Tezcaner Ayşen
Published: January 2018

In this study, novel porous three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds from silk fibroin (SF) and functionalized (amidated and oxidized) citrus pectin (PEC) were developed for skin tissue engineering applications. Crosslinking was achieved by Schiff's reaction in borax presence as crosslinking coordinating agent and CaCl2 addition. After freeze‐drying and methanol treatment, plasma treatment (10 W, 3 min) was applied to remove surface skin layer formed on scaffolds. 3D matrices had high porosity (83%) and interconnectivity with pore size about 120 µm that providing suitable microenvironment for cells. Modifications on PEC chain and crosslinking of scaffolds were verified by fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and spectrophotometric assay. Scaffolds showed low weight loss (21.3% in 40 days) and high water uptake ability in phosphate‐buffered saline (800% in 24 h). Mechanical properties of 3D matrices satisfied the stability of scaffolds under compressive stress and supported adhesion, proliferation and penetration of fibroblast cells. Our results suggested that modified PEC‐SF scaffolds would be proposed for use in tissue engineered skin dermal substitutes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2625–2635, 2018.
Modulation of transport and metabolism of bile acids and bilirubin by chlorogenic acid against hepatotoxicity and cholestasis in bile duct ligation rats: involvement of SIRT1‐mediated deacetylation of FXR and PGC‐1α
Authors: Zhu Lili , Wang Lei , Cao Fei , Liu Peng , Bao Haidong , Yan Yumei , Dong Xin , Wang Dong , Wang Zhongyu , Gong Peng
Published: January 2018

Background

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of chlorogenic acid (CA) on liver injury induced by cholestasis in a rat model of bile duct ligation (BDL).

Methods

Rats received vehicle or CA (20, 50, or 100 mg/kg per day) orally for 3 days. On the 4th day, the rats underwent sham or BDL surgery, and were orally administrated vehicle or CA for 3 or 7 days. mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated by qRT‐PCR and western blot.

Results

After BDL, plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and total bile acids (TBA) were increased and typical pathological changes were observed in liver morphology. Hepatic uptake transporters (Ntcp, Oatp 1a4, and Oatp 1b2) were downregulated, while efflux transporters (Bsep and Mrp 2/3/4) were upregulated. BDL inhibited the expressions of Cyp7a1, Cyp8b1, and Cyp27a1 and induced Ugt1a1. CA treatment decreased ALT, AST, TBIL, and TBA (P < 0.05) and alleviated the liver pathological changes. The degree of expression changes in the transporters and enzymes was extended by CA (P < 0.05). SIRT1 protein was induced after CA treatment in BDL rats.

Conclusions

Chlorogenic acid attenuated hepatotoxicity and cholestasis by decreasing the uptake and synthesis of bilirubin and bile acids and accelerating the metabolism and efflux of bilirubin and bile acids.
Impact of column and stationary phase properties on the productivity in chiral preparative LC
Authors: Forssén Patrik , Fornstedt Torgny
Published: January 2018

By generating 1500 random chiral separation systems, assuming two‐site Langmuir interactions, we investigated numerically how the maximal productivity (PR,max) was affected by changes in stationary phase adsorption properties. The relative change inPR,max, when one adsorption property changed 10%, was determined for each system and for each studied parameter the corresponding productivity change distribution of the systems was analyzed. We could conclude that there is no reason to have columns with more than 500 theoretical plates and larger selectivity than 3. More specifically, we found that changes in selectivity have a major impact onPR,maxif it is below ∼2 and, interestingly, increasing selectivity when it is above ∼3 decreasesPR,max. Increase in relative saturation capacity will have a major impact onPR,maxif it is below ∼40%, but only modest above this percent. Increasing total monolayer saturation capacity, or decreasing the first eluting enantiomer's retention factor, will have a modest effect onPR,maxand increased efficiency will have almost no effect at all onPR,maxunless it is below ∼500 theoretical plates. Finally, we showed that chiral columns with superior analytic performance might have inferior preparative performance, or vice versa. It is, therefore, not possible to assess columns based on their analytical performance alone.
Orientation preserving mesh optimisation and preconditioning
Authors: Paul Jordi
Published: January 2018

A robust mesh optimisation method is presented that directly enforces the resulting deformation to be orientation preserving. Motivated by aspects from mathematical elasticity, the energy functional of the mesh deformation can be related to a stored‐energy functional of a hyperelastic material. Formulating the functional in the principal invariants of the deformation gradient allows fine‐grained control over the resulting deformation. Solution techniques for the arising nonconvex and highly nonlinear system are presented. As existing preconditioners are not sufficient, a partial differential equation–based preconditioner is developed.
The discrete element method with deformable particles
Authors: Rojek Jerzy , Zubelewicz Aleksander , Madan Nikhil , Nosewicz Szymon
Published: January 2018

This work presents a new original formulation of the discrete element method (DEM) with deformable cylindrical particles. Uniform stress and strain fields are assumed to be induced in the particles under the action of contact forces. Particle deformation obtained by strain integration is taken into account in the evaluation of interparticle contact forces. The deformability of a particle yields a nonlocal contact model, it leads to the formation of new contacts, it changes the distribution of contact forces in the particle assembly, and it affects the macroscopic response of the particulate material. A numerical algorithm for the deformable DEM (DDEM) has been developed and implemented in the DEM program DEMPack. The new formulation implies only small modifications of the standard DEM algorithm. The DDEM algorithm has been verified on simple examples of an unconfined uniaxial compression of a rectangular specimen discretized with regularly spaced equal bonded particles and a square specimen represented with an irregular configuration of nonuniform‐sized bonded particles. The numerical results have been verified by a comparison with equivalent finite element method results and available analytical solutions. The micro‐macro relationships for elastic parameters have been obtained. The results have proved to have enhanced the modeling capabilities of the DDEM with respect to the standard DEM.
Enhanced interaction in the polyimide/sepiolite hybrid films via acid activating and polydopamine coating of sepiolite
Authors: Kim Jun‐Seok , Choi Myeon‐Cheon , Jeong Keuk‐Min , Kim Gue‐Hyun , Ha Chang‐Sik
Published: January 2018

We aimed at enhancing interaction in the polyimide/sepiolite hybrid films with the loading of sepiolite in the polyimide matrix ranged from 0 to 8 wt% via acid activating and polydopamine doping. First, sepiolite was treated with a 3M HCl solution under reflux conditions. Then the acid‐activated sepiolite was coated by mussel‐inspired polydopamine under alkaline conditions. The coated polydopamine was found to successfully enhance dispersibility of sepiolite in the polyimide matrix. The modification of the sepiolite in the hybrid films was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscope. The results indicated that polydopamine coating could increase interaction between the polyimide matrix and sepiolite.
Novel insights into the disease dynamics of B‐cell lymphomas in the Genomics Era
Authors: Chan Fong Chun , Lim Emilia , Kridel Robert , Steidl Christian
Published: January 2018

High‐throughput sequencing has significantly contributed to revealing the molecular underpinnings of B‐cell lymphomagenesis and disease progression. It is now a widely accepted concept that the diversity of clinical responses to front‐line therapy and the development of relapsed/refractory disease are in part explained by ‘inter‐patient’ genetic heterogeneity measurable by individual sets of somatic gene alterations in tumor genomes. Moreover, extensive ‘intra‐tumor’ heterogeneity on the genotypic and phenotypic levels is the product of ongoing tumor evolution and adaptation to various selective pressures during cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic intervention. As the management of disease progression remains one of the most significant clinical challenges, it is becoming increasingly important to delineate how B‐cell lymphomas evolve over time and to develop progression‐related biomarker assays. Toward this goal, recent investigations have moved from studying lymphoma biology at initial diagnosis to doing so at multiple time points during the disease course. Profiling progressed tumors, and in particular paired biopsies at initial diagnosis and disease progression of the same patients, has led to novel insights into clonal tumor evolution and tumor microenvironment dynamics. This review discusses the latest findings on genomic alterations and microenvironment biology associated with relapsed/refractory B‐cell lymphomas, with a particular emphasis on alterations that are acquired or become more prevalent at disease progression. We also describe overarching tumor evolution patterns, and highlight emerging precision medicine methodologies that can aid in an improved understanding and management of relapsed/refractory disease. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influences of dispersion types and area densities of chopped fiber‐based interfacial reinforcements on mechanical properties of sandwich structures
Authors: Wang Zhi , Chen Qihui , Du Ruikui , Linghu Ting , Gao Yingju , Zhao Guizhe
Published: January 2018

Chopped carbon fibers with different dispersion types (colony type and uniform type) and area densities were inserted at sandwich beams, consisting of a PVC foam core covered with two glass fiber/epoxy composite face sheets. The effects of this reinforcement on the interfacial bonding between PVC foam core and glass fiber face sheets were evaluated. Their mechanical properties were measured by three‐point‐bending and Charpy impact tests. Their structures after mechanical failure were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Compared with the beam without interfacial reinforcement, the bending strength, energy absorption, and impact strength after interfacial reinforcement using 20 g/m2 uniform chopped fibers increased by up to 109%, 184%, and 47%, respectively, surpassing those of other chopped fiber mats. The weight percentage of carbon fibers/sandwich structure was less than 1%, so the chopped carbon fiber interleave had both cost effectiveness and outstanding structural performance. The improvement of interlayer toughness can mainly be attributed to the fiber bridging structure and the interlayer strength. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E449–E455, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Trends and uptake of new formulations of controlled‐release oxycodone in Canada
Authors: Gomes Tara , Jain Sonia , Paterson J. Michael , Sketris Ingrid , Caetano Patricia , Henry David ,   the Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES) Investigators
Published: January 2018

Purpose

This study investigated the impact of changing availability of tamper‐deterrent and non‐tamper‐deterrent oxycodone on prescribing patterns of controlled‐release oxycodone across Canada.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based, serial cross‐sectional study of controlled‐release oxycodone dispensing from community pharmacies across Canada between October 2007 and April 2016. We calculated rates of dispensing (tablets per 100 population) and reported the relative market share of generic non‐tamper‐deterrent controlled‐release oxycodone. All analyses were reported nationally and stratified by province.

Results

After the introduction of a tamper‐deterrent formulation, the national rate of controlled‐release oxycodone dispensing fell by 44.6% (from 26.4 to 14.6 tablets per 100 population from February 2012 to April 2016). Between December 2012 and July 2013, there was moderate uptake of generic non‐tamper‐deterrent controlled‐release oxycodone (968 452 tablets; 16.0% in July 2013), which appeared to have little impact on the overall rate of controlled‐release oxycodone dispensing in Canada. However, the uptake of generic non‐tamper‐deterrent oxycodone varied considerably by province. By April 2016, 55.0% of all controlled‐release oxycodone tablets dispensed in Quebec were for the generic formulation. Elsewhere in Canada, this prevalence was less than 30%, ranging between 1.6% (Prince Edward Island) and 26.9% (British Columbia) at the end of our study period.

Conclusions

The changing availability of tamper‐deterrent and non‐tamper‐deterrent formulations of controlled‐release oxycodone in Canada has had variable influence on the rate of use of these products across Canada. Future research should explore whether the availability of generic controlled‐release oxycodone has led to measurable changes in the safety of oxycodone use in Canada.
Dose‐dependent relationships between weight status and clinical outcomes among infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infections
Authors: Okubo Yusuke , Morisaki Naho , Michihata Nobuaki , Matsui Hiroki , Fushimi Kiyohide , Yasunaga Hideo
Published: January 2018

Background

Associations between weight status and manifestations of respiratory syncytial virus infections remain unclear, especially in infants.

Objective

This study investigated the dose‐response relationships between weight status and clinical outcomes among infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infections.

Methods

We obtained hospital discharge records for inpatients aged <12 months with diagnoses of bronchitis/pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus infections, using a Japanese national inpatient database. The patients were classified into underweight, normal‐weight, or overweight/obese groups using weight‐for‐length according to World Health Organization criteria. We compared need for intensive care, 30‐day readmission, mean total hospitalization costs, and length of hospital stay across the three groups using multivariable mixed‐effects regression models and restricted cubic spline functions.

Results

Overall, 42 698 patients were identified, comprising 3697 underweight, 35 849 normal‐weight, 3152 overweight/obese patients. The underweight group had significantly higher risk of intensive care (adjusted odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.18‐1.82) and longer length of stay (adjusted difference, 0.12 days; 95% confidence interval, 0.04‐0.20 days) than the normal‐weight group. No significant differences in 30‐day readmission or hospitalization costs were observed among the three groups. The lower and upper thresholds for a significant association between weight status and intensive care were weight‐for‐length z‐scores of −0.64 (26th percentile) and 2.08 (98th percentile), respectively.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that abnormal weight status is an independent risk factor for greater illness severity among infants hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infections.
Supertranslations and Holography near the Horizon of Schwarzschild Black Holes
Authors: Lüst Dieter
Published: January 2018

In this paper we review and discuss several aspects of supertranslations and their associated algebras at the horizon of a Schwarzschild black hole. We will compare two different approaches on horizon supertranslations, which were recently considered in separate publications. Furthermore we describe a possible holographic description of a Schwarzschild black hole in terms of a large N boundary theory, which accommodates the Goldstone bosons of the horizon supertranslations.
The Montgomery judgment and pharmacist consultations
Authors: Barnett Nina , Carr Claudia
Published: January 2018

There is little awareness among pharmacists of the existence of the Montgomery judgment or its potential implications for medicines‐related consultations. Nina Barnett and Claudia Carr therefore undertook a survey of pharmacists in England to create a baseline for current knowledge about informed consent in the context of medicines‐related consultations.
RCOG guidance: early‐onset neonatal GBS disease
Authors: Williams Martin
Published: January 2018

In September 2017, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) published their updated Green‐top Guideline on the prevention of earlyonset neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) disease. Here, Dr Williams summarises some of the main changes to the guidance and their implications for antenatal and peripartum care.
Consumers' valuation of two packaging aspects for fresh lamb meat: Vacuum and information labels
Authors: Maza María Teresa , Gracia Azucena , Saied Moez
Published: January 2018

The use of vacuum packaging for fresh meat with low rate of turnover in the supermarket shelves, as it is the case of lamb meat in Spain, is recommended. Because the amount of mandatory information on fresh‐meat labels has increased, there is a need to design new labels to enhance the support for this information. Therefore, to anticipate the consumer's acceptance of vacuum packaging and the preferences for newly designed labels is of vital importance. This is the objective of the paper; in particular, it measures the consumers' relative importance of the vacuum packaging and different labels in relation to other important lamb‐meat characteristics (type of cut, price, and regional indication). To do that, a choice experiment was used and an error‐component random‐parameter model with correlated errors was estimated. Results suggest that consumers positively value all of the attributes except for the new designed labels. In particular, consumers positively value the vacuum packaging but to lesser extent than other lamb‐meat attributes such as the type of cut, the protected geographical indication certification, and the price. However, consumers only value the vacuum packaging in the case of fresh lamb meat with a protected geographical indication certification. Moreover, this valuation is higher for older consumers who use, to a higher extent, their own direct appraisal of the meat and the information on the label when shopping and give less importance to the presence of liquid around the meat.
Chitosan‐based nanofibers as bioactive meat packaging materials
Authors: Arkoun Mounia , Daigle France , Holley Richard A. , Heuzey Marie Claude , Ajji Abdellah
Published: January 2018

Shelf life and safety of minimally processed food are crucial for both consumers and the food industry. This study investigates the in vitro and in situ efficiency of electrospun chitosan‐based nanofibers (CNFs) as inner part of a multilayer packaging in maintaining the quality of unprocessed red meat. Activated CNF‐based packaging (CNFP) were obtained by direct electrospinning of chitosan/poly(ethylene oxide) solutions on top of a conventional multilayer food packaging. The electrospinning solutions were firstly characterized at the molecular level, mainly in terms of zeta potential and viscoelastic properties, and the evolution of the conformational structure was correlated to the nanofiber formation process. The oxygen and water vapor barrier properties of CNF‐based (CNFP) meat packaging were also investigated. The in vitro antibacterial activity of CNFs was determined against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria innocua, bacteria commonly incriminated in the alteration of food products. The efficiency of the CNFP materials against meat spoilage by E. coli was also assessed. Our results indicate that the electrospinning of CS is a multifactorial process and fiber formation requires the choice of a good solvent, high electrical conductivity, moderate surface tension, optimum viscoelastic properties, and sufficient chain flexibility and entanglement. The results also indicate that all the tested bacterial strains were significantly sensitive to the action of CNFs. The in situ bioactivity against E. coli showed the potential of CNFP as bioactive nanomaterial barriers to meat contamination by extending the shelf life of fresh meat up to 1 week.
Peptide selection for the quantification of P‐III‐NP in human serum by mass spectrometry
Authors: Moncrieffe Danielle , Parkin Mark C. , Cowan David A.
Published: January 2018

Rationale

Procollagen III amino‐terminal propeptide (P‐III‐NP) is currently monitored in human doping control as a biomarker for growth hormone administration and also in clinical diagnostics using immunoassays. Drawbacks to this approach have been highlighted and research is ongoing to develop a mass spectrometric method to complement these methods. However, a lack of traceable reference material, the presence of post‐translational modifications (PTMs), and small blood concentration complicate the development of targeted analytical methods for P‐III‐NP quantification.

Methods

Tryptic digest products of P‐III‐NP were assessed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). In silico digestion was used to predict P‐III‐NP peptides for MS analysis; however, these excluded PTMs. With a priori knowledge of PTMs, we associated experimental P‐III‐NP peptides with those derived by in silico digestion. Synthesized P‐III‐NP peptides, hT1 (human) and T5 (human/bovine), were used to develop sensitive micro‐ and nano‐flow LC/MS methods to analyse P‐III‐NP originating from human serum semi‐quantitatively.

Results

P‐III‐NP peptides, T1 and T5, were identified using high‐resolution accurate MS (HRAMS). PTMs modified the mass of observed peptides. N‐terminal pyroglutamation (pE) in T1 and several hydroxylated prolines (hP) in T5 (G‐X‐hP motif) were observed. With PTM, hT1 and T5 were observed in a digest of immuno‐captured P‐III‐NP by LC/MS. Using a semi‐quantitative approach, hP‐III‐NP at basal concentrations of 2 ng/mL (50 pmol) could be estimated from a 200‐μL sample volume.

Conclusions

Consideration of PTMs is needed to identify P‐III‐NP peptides produced by digestion with trypsin. The information presented here now gives the most appropriate peptide sequences for synthesizing suitable reference materials required for quantification of human P‐III‐NP in blood and evidences methodology that is sufficiently sensitive to develop a quantitative method.
Economic MPC of nonlinear systems with nonmonotonic Lyapunov functions and its application to HVAC control
Authors: Wang Zheming , Hu Guoqiang
Published: January 2018

This paper proposes a Lyapunov‐based economic model predictive control (MPC) scheme for nonlinear systems with nonmonotonic Lyapunov functions. Relaxed Lyapunov‐based constraints are used in the MPC formulation to improve the economic performance. These constraints will enforce a Lyapunov decrease after every few steps. Recursive feasibility and asymptotical convergence to the steady state can be achieved using Lyapunov‐like stability analysis. The proposed economic MPC can be applied to minimize energy consumption in heating ventilation and air conditioning control of commercial buildings. The Lyapunov‐based constraints in the online MPC problem enable the tracking of the desired set‐point temperature. The performance is demonstrated by a virtual building composed of 2 adjacent zones.
Formation control of rigid graphs with flex edges
Authors: Pham Viet Hoang , Trinh Minh Hoang , Ahn Hyo‐Sung
Published: January 2018

This paper studies a distance‐based formation control problem of multiagent systems, in which each agent uses only relative positions of its neighbors with respect to its own coordinate system. First, we provide an analysis for the properties of the undesired equilibria‐corresponding 2 specific formations, ie, a triangle group in 2‐dimensional space and a tetrahedron group in 3‐dimensional space. Then, we consider the formation of multiagent systems whose interaction graph consists of a rigid group and an extra node. Although the extra node may have an additional control input, the desired formation where all interagent distance constraints are satisfied is asymptotically stable. If the rigid group is a triangle in 2‐dimensional space or a tetrahedron in 3‐dimensional space, any undesired equilibrium is unstable. In these cases, the desired formations are almost globally asymptotically stable. Finally, we extend these results to a more general formation, which is a series of rigid groups connecting via flex edges.
A river vegetation quality metric in the eco‐hydromorphology philosophy
Authors: O'Briain R. , Shephard S. , Coghlan B.
Published: January 2018

Vegetation is a key biological element used to assess the ecological status of rivers, for example, under the EU Water Framework Directive. Current macrophyte‐based river vegetation metrics may not accurately reflect overall ecological state, particularly when plant community components are weakly related to broader hydromorphological context. A more holistic River Vegetation Quality Metric (RVQM) is proposed. The RVQM applies an eco‐hydromorphic approach to assessment of vegetation integrity, with a focus on lowland (low–moderate energy) rivers. The concepts underlying the RVQM and the methods for applying this new metric are presented and discussed. A pilot study then explores relationships between the RVQM and recorded physical variables in 119 sites (river reaches) within 27 rivers across Ireland. Statistical models suggest that the RVQM score for these study sites was most strongly related to physical components (assessed under the River Hydromorphology Assessment Technique). Water quality (assessed using a benthic invertebrate metric, Q‐value) also had a positive effect on RVQM score, but high ecological status was only recorded in sample sites with natural morphology and hydraulics, irrespective of water quality. Results indicate that interactions between vegetation and hydromorphological descriptors within the river corridor deserve greater consideration when assigning ecological status to lowland rivers.
An investigation into drug partitioning behaviour in simulated pulmonary surfactant monolayers with associated molecular modelling
Authors: Davies Michael J. , Leach Andrew G. , Riley Fatima
Published: January 2018

Drug delivery to the body via the inhaled route is dependent upon patient status, device use, and respirable formulation characteristics. Further to inhalation, drug‐containing particles interact and dissolve within pulmonary fluid leading to the desired pharmacological response. Pulmonary surfactant stabilises the alveolar air‐liquid interface and permits optimal respiratory mechanics. This material represents the initial contacting surface for all inhaled matter. On dissolution, the fate of a drug substance can include receptor activation, membrane partitioning and cellular penetration. Here, we consider the partitioning behaviour of salbutamol when located in proximity to a simulated pulmonary surfactant monolayer at pH 7. The administration of salbutamol to the underside of the surfactant film resulted in an expanded character for the 2‐dimensional ensemble and a decrease in the compressibility term. The rate of drug partitioning was greater when the monolayer was in the expanded state (ie, inhalation end‐point), which was ascribed to more accessible areas for molecular insertion. Quantum mechanics protocols, executed via Gaussian 09, indicated that constructive interactions between salbutamol and integral components of the model surfactant film took the form of electrostatic and hydrophobic associations. The favourable interactions are thought to promote drug insertion into the monolayer structure leading to the observed expanded character. The data presented herein confirm that drug partitioning into pulmonary surfactant monolayers is a likely prospect further to the inhalation of respirable formulations. As such, this process holds potential to reduce drug‐receptor activation and/or increase the residence time of drug within the pulmonary space.
Technology generation to dissemination: lessons learned from the tef improvement project
Authors: Cannarozzi Gina , Chanyalew Solomon , Assefa Kebebew , Bekele Abate , Blösch Regula , Weichert Annett , Klauser Dominik , Plaza-Wüthrich Sonia , Esfeld Korinna , Jöst Moritz , Rindisbacher Abiel , Jifar Habte , Johnson-Chadwick Victoria , Abate Ermias , Wang Wuyan , Kamies Rizqah , Husein Negussu , Kebede Worku , Tolosa Kidist , Genet Yazachew , Gebremeskel Kidu , Ferede Brikti , Mekbib Firew , Martinelli Federico , Pedersen Hans Christian , Rafudeen Suhail , Hussein Shimelis , Tamiru Muluneh , Nakayama Naomi , Robinson Mike , Barker Ian , Zeeman Samuel , Tadele Zerihun
Published: January 2018

Indigenous crops also known as orphan crops are key contributors to food security, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable with the current trend of population growth and climate change. They have the major advantage that they fit well into the general socio-economic and ecological context of developing world agriculture. However, most indigenous crops did not benefit from the Green Revolution, which dramatically increased the yield of major crops such as wheat and rice. Here, we describe the Tef Improvement Project, which employs both conventional- and molecular-breeding techniques to improve tef—an orphan crop important to the food security in the Horn of Africa, a region of the world with recurring devastating famines. We have established an efficient pipeline to bring improved tef lines from the laboratory to the farmers of Ethiopia. Of critical importance to the long-term success of this project is the cooperation among participants in Ethiopia and Switzerland, including donors, policy makers, research institutions, and farmers. Together, European and African scientists have developed a pipeline using breeding and genomic tools to improve the orphan crop tef and bring new cultivars to the farmers in Ethiopia. We highlight a new variety, Tesfa, developed in this pipeline and possessing a novel and desirable combination of traits. Tesfa’s recent approval for release illustrates the success of the project and marks a milestone as it is the first variety (of many in the pipeline) to be released.
Long‐term data on forest regeneration after catastrophic windthrow in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, northern Japan
Authors: Itô Hiroki , Seki Takeshi , Tsuyama Ikutaro , Iida Shigeo
Published: January 2018

Typhoon No. 15 in 1954 (Marie) caused catastrophic windthrow in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The Tomakomai District of the National Forest was one of the forests severely damaged. A study site was established in a stand of the National Forest within the jurisdiction of the Iburi East District Forest Office. The stand was located on the eastern slope of Mt. Tarumae at an elevation of approximately 300–310 m a.s.l. at an angle of approximately 5°. Two belts sized 4 m × 40 m, crossing at right angles at the center, were established within the site in 1957, and censuses on regeneration were conducted in 1957, 1970, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1990, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016. All stems of coniferous tree species (height ≥ 10 cm) that regenerated in the belts were marked. For broadleaved tree species, all stems with height ≥ 1.3 m were marked in 1957–1990, but stems with height ≥ 10 cm were marked after 1996. Height was measured for all marked stems, and the diameter at breast height was measured for stems with height ≥ 1.3 m. During the censuses, 27 coniferous and broadleaved tree species were identified and three more species were identified to the genus level. There are 2152 records for the occurrence data and 10,660 records for the measurement data, including missing values. The stem occurrence data were compiled following the Darwin Core format, and the measurement data were compiled following the Darwin Core Measurement or Fact Extension format. Finally all data were compiled for the Darwin Core Archive, an international standard format for biodiversity data. These data can help in understanding the succession of forests following large‐scale disturbance and in managing this type of forest properly.
Home treatment services for acute mental disorders: an all-Ireland survey
Authors: O’Keeffe B. , Russell V.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To determine the distribution, functioning and perceived impact of home-based treatment (HBT) teams for acute mental disorders on the island of Ireland.

Methods

A 28-item questionnaire exploring the structure, staffing and operation of HBT teams was emailed to all clinical directors of mental health services in Ireland (n=26) and Northern Ireland (NI) (n=5). Quantitative data was analysed using the Survey Monkey package, while free-text responses to open questions were analysed for thematic content.

Results

In total, 11 of 16 (68%) mental health services in Ireland and four of five (80%) in NI confirmed the presence of HBT teams. For 80% of respondents the primary function of HBT was as an alternative to inpatient admission. All NI respondents reported provision of a 24/7 HBT service. A 7 day a week service was reported by 82% of Republic of Ireland respondents. In total, 70% of respondents reported a gate-keeping role for their teams. Staffing levels and multidisciplinary representation varied widely. Most respondents perceived HBT as improving patient/carer experience and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the implementation of the HBT model in Ireland has not fulfilled the aspirations set out in mental health policy in both Irish jurisdictions. Many areas have no HBT services while wide variations in staffing levels and functioning persist. However, mental health services with established HBT teams appear convinced of their positive impact. An All-Ireland forum on HBT may help to define the model in an Irish context and standardise its future resourcing, operation and evaluation.
Involvement of NLRP3 inflammasome in the impacts of sodium and potassium on insulin resistance in normotensive Asians
Authors: Wan Zhaofei , Wen Wen , Ren Keyu , Zhou Dong , Liu Junhui , Wu Yue , Zhou Juan , Mu Jianjun , Yuan Zuyi
Published: January 2018

Salt, promoting oxidative stress, contributes to insulin resistance, whereas K, inhibiting oxidative stress, improves insulin sensitivity. Oxidative stress activation of NLRP3 inflammasome is a central player in the induction of insulin resistance. Therefore, we hypothesised that NLRP3 inflammasome may mediate the effects of salt and K on insulin resistance. In all, fifty normotensive subjects were recruited from a rural community of Northern China. The protocol included a low-salt diet for 7 d, then a high-salt diet for 7 d and a high-salt diet with K supplementation for another 7 d. In addition, THP-1 cells were cultured in different levels of Na with and without K. The results showed that salt loading elevated fasting blood glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels, as well as insulin resistance, whereas K supplementation reversed them. Meanwhile, additional K reversed the active effects of high salt on NLRP3 inflammasome in both the subjects and THP-1 cells, and the change of insulin resistance index notably related with the alteration of plasma IL-1β, the index of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, during intervention in the subjects. Additional K ameliorated oxidative stress induced by high salt in both the subjects and cultured THP-1 cells, and the change of oxidative stress related with the alteration of plasma IL-1β during intervention in the subjects. In vitro, antioxidant N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly prevented the active effects of high Na or oxidant Rosup on NLRP3 inflammasome, so did K. Our study indicates that oxidative stress modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome may be involved in the impacts of Na and K on insulin resistance.
Talking about Islam's origins
Authors: Donner Fred M.
Published: January 2018

Neither of the terms commonly used to describe the seventh-century expansion of the movement that comes to be called Islam – “the Islamic conquests” or “the Arab conquests” – is satisfactory; both terms are anachronistic and in some ways misleading; yet there is, at present, no clear candidate for an alternative terminology. This article discusses the weaknesses of existing nomenclatures, with reference to relevant primary sources, and the conceptual problems the traditional nomenclatures pose in the context of an extensive review of scholarly literature from roughly 1900 to the present. It offers a few suggestions for possible new terminologies, but essentially opens the question for further discussion.
Marriage, Polygamy and the Criminal Law of Conspiracy
Authors: Grout Christopher
Published: January 2018

The fact that the criminal law in England and Wales continues to afford protection to spouses who conspire together to commit crime is considered by many to be an anachronism. That a person cannot be guilty of conspiracy if the only other person with whom he or she agrees is his or her spouse, is to be found in section 2 of the Criminal Law Act 1977. The origins of the rule are said to be based on biblical principles pertaining to marriage. The difficulty with that is that the concept of marriage has changed significantly over time, which raises the question of whether or not the existence of the exemption can today be justified. In R v Yilkyes Finok Bala and Others [2016] EWCA Crim 560, the Court of Appeal was faced with the question of whether or not the legislative exemption applied to those who were party to a polygamous marriage. While acknowledging that there are arguments in support of the proposition that the exemption is outmoded, the Court of Appeal nevertheless interpreted the statutory provision in such a way so as to encompass parties to a polygamous marriage recognised under English law as valid. By virtue of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, the exemption was extended to cover civil partners. The expansion of the exemption is curious in the light of prevailing attitudes towards the applicability of the exemption at all in modern times. Furthermore, other statutory provisions (relating to analogous matters) have either been enacted or repealed to reflect present-day understandings of how the issue of marriage interacts with the criminal law. Yet, for reasons which are not altogether clear, the spousal exemption vis-à-vis the criminal offence of conspiracy remains in force.
Berlin's construction groups and the politics of bottom-up architecture
Authors: URBAN FLORIAN
Published: January 2018

In the 2000s, Berlin saw the formation of so-called Baugruppen (construction groups) – associations of small-scale investors who pooled their modest capital to commission an architect and construct a multistorey building in which they would own and occupy a flat. They were mostly middle-class families united by a belief in community values and neighbourly contact as well as the qualities of urban living. This article will present the construction groups as an example of bottom-up architecture in an industrialized western country, in which individual initiatives and user-centred design had to be negotiated within a highly professionalized environment, as well as with contradictory political positions. It will show that construction groups brought together various threads of Berlin's recent urban history: the gradual integration of radical post-1968 lifestyles into mainstream society, the ‘return to the inner city’ connected with the increasing popularity of ‘new tenements’, and the evolution of innovative, post-functionalist architecture.
A rare case of a patient with aortic root aneurysm, bicuspid aortic valve, and Scimitar syndrome with anomalous venous return to the right superior pulmonary vein
Authors: Ahmadov Kamran , Beigelman Catherine A. , Kirsch Matthias
Published: January 2018

A rare case of Scimitar Syndrome with an abnormal drainage of the right lower pulmonary vein into the right superior pulmonary vein associated with aortic root aneurism and bicuspid aortic valve is reported.