bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O Treinamento de Clientes e sua Relação com a Intenção de Uso do Internet Banking
Authors: Friedrich Marcos Paulo Albarello , Basso Kenny , Froemming Lurdes Marlene Seide , Baseggio Henrique Webber
Published: January 2017

O nmero de usurios do internet banking no Brasil cresceu muito rpido nos ltimos anos, alcanando mais de 37 milhes (Febraban, 2013). Esse sistema uma excelente ferramenta para reduo de filas bancrias, porm do total de usurios, somente 20% faz suas transaes financeiras pela internet, o restante utiliza apenas para consultas. Partindo desses dados e com intuito de ampliar o uso do sistema, esse estudo busca identificar qual o impacto do treinamento em internet banking sobre a inteno de uso desse sistema mediado pela percepo de risco, pela confiana e pela facilidade de uso percebida. Realizou-se uma pesquisa descritiva/quantitativa com coleta de dados atravs de questionrio online. Os resultados apresentaram valores significativos para ambas as variveis mediadoras e permitiu inferir-se que o treinamento em internet banking amplia a inteno de uso de maneira indireta, atravs da reduo da percepo de risco e do aumento da facilidade de uso percebida e da confiana.
Baseline Practices for the Application of Genomic Data Supporting Regulatory Food Safety
Authors: Lambert Dominic , Pightling Arthur , Griffiths Emma , Van Domselaar Gary , Evans Peter , Berthelet Sharon , Craig Duncan , Chandry P Scott , Stones Robert , Brinkman Fiona , Angers-Loustau Alexandre , Kreysa Joachim , Tong Weida , Blais Burton
Published: January 2017

The application of new data streams generated from next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been demonstrated for food microbiology, pathogen identification, and illness outbreak detection. The establishment of best practices for data integrity,reproducibility, and traceability will ensure reliable, auditable, and transparent processes underlying food microbiology risk management decisions. We outline general principles to guide the use of NGS data in support of microbiological food safety. Regulatory authorities across intra- and internationaljurisdictions can leverage this effort to promote the reliability, consistency, and transparency of processes used in the derivation of genomic information for regulatory food safety purposes, and to facilitate interactions and the transfer of information in the interest of public health.
Classification of Edible Oils Based on ATR-FTIR Spectral Information During a Long Heating Treatment
Authors: Mahboubifar Marjan , Hemmateenejad Bahram , Yousefinejad Saeed
Published: January 2017

Identification of oil type and its QC are important concerns in food control laboratories. Classifying edible oils that have not been used (i.e., unheated) with the aid of vibrational spectroscopy has previously been reported. However, the classification of used (i.e., heat-treated) oils needs special attention. The effect oflong heating times on the classification of four kinds of edible oils (canola, corn, frying, and sunflower) based on attenuated total reflectance (ATR)-FTIR spectra was surveyed. The sampling was done on the oils during a 36 h heating process (at 170°C). The ATR-FTIR spectra of the samples were collected in the range of 4000–550 cm−1. Interval extended canonical variates analysis (ECVA), as a variable selection and classification tool, was used to determine the best intervals during the heating procedure for classification. Principal component analysis discriminate analysis, partial least-squares discriminate analysis, and ECVA were performed on the selected intervals and on the total heating time. The effect of autoscaling and mean-centering, as data preprocessing methods, was also investigated. The ECVA method resulted in the best performances for classification, with a 94% cross-validated nonerror rate (one misclassification) for the heating process times of 24–27 and 33–36 h.
Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. (Araneae, Nesticidae), with notes on the Mediterranean cave species
Authors: Pavlek Martina , Ribera Carles
Published: January 2017

This paper describes and illustrates a new genus and a new species belonging to the family Nesticidae based on morphology and supported by molecular data. The new genus, Kryptonesticus gen. nov., groups eight species spread from Bulgaria and Turkey to Croatia, including Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Crete. As a result, seven new combinations are proposed: K. eremita (Simon, 1879) comb. nov., K. arenstorffi (Kulczyński, 1914) comb. nov., K. fagei (Kratochvíl, 1933) comb. nov., K. beroni (Deltshev, 1977) comb. nov., K. beshkovi (Deltshev, 1979) comb. nov., K. henderickxi (Bosselaers, 1998) comb. nov. and K. dimensis (López-Pancorbo, Kunt & Ribera, 2013) comb. nov., all ex Nesticus. Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of both sexes and its phylogenetic relationships with closely related species are discussed based on morphological and molecular data (the cox1, rrn and H3 genes). In addition, the species of this new genus (except for K. eremita) are clear candidates for protection: they have highly restricted ranges and some of them show a high degree of adaptation to the subterranean environment.
Tillegg: Transkribert dagbok til Sivert Grubbe
Authors: Grubbe Sivert
Published: January 2017

Det følgende er en avskrift av Holger Fr. Rørdams oversettelse fra latin av Sivert Grubbes dagbok med Rørdams egene fotnoter. Oversettelsen ble trykket (med gotisk skrift) i 1873 i “Danske Magasin”, 4. rekke, II s. 389ff. Innledningen til Rørdams egne kommentarer tas også med.
Effect of Precompression on the Power Doppler Assessment of Breast Lesion Vascularity
Authors: DeVita Robert , Barr Richard G.
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of precompression on power Doppler visualization of blood flow in breast masses.

Methods

This Institutional Review Board–approved and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study evaluated 30 patients with breast masses (16 benign and 14 malignant) undergoing ultrasound‐guided breast biopsy. A computational mathematics program was used to calculate the number of color pixels in a region of interest at various degrees of compression of the breast by the transducer. The amount of precompression was calculated as previously described. The percentage of color pixels compared to minimal compression was plotted against the percentage of precompression. The amount of precompression needed to decrease the number of color pixels by 50% and 100% was calculated. The differences between benign and malignant lesions were compared.

Results

The mean percentages of precompression ± SD needed to decrease the number of color voxels by 50% in were 15.9% ± 6.43% (range, 8%–30%) for benign lesions and 14.0% ± 4.17% (range, 8%–20%) for malignant lesions (P = .35). The percentages of precompression needed to decrease the number of color pixels by 100% in were 34.7% ± 12.33% (range, 23%–62%) for benign lesions and for malignant lesions 26.7% ± 3.89% (range, 18%–31%), which were statistically significant (P = .027).

Conclusions

The amount of precompression normally used when obtaining B‐mode images can substantially decrease the number of color voxels on power Doppler sonography. When performing quantitative work on Doppler evaluation of breast lesions, precompression needs to be controlled.
Blood‐based detection of RAS mutations to guide anti‐EGFR therapy in colorectal cancer patients: concordance of results from circulating tumor DNA and tissue‐based RAS testing
Authors: Schmiegel Wolff , Scott Rodney J. , Dooley Susan , Lewis Wendy , Meldrum Cliff J. , Pockney Peter , Draganic Brian , Smith Steve , Hewitt Chelsee , Philimore Hazel , Lucas Amanda , Shi Elva , Namdarian Kateh , Chan Timmy , Acosta Danilo , Ping‐Chang Su , Tannapfel Andrea , Reinacher‐Schick Anke , Uhl Waldemar , Teschendorf Christian , Wolters Heiner , Stern Josef , Viebahn Richard , Friess Helmut , Janssen Klaus‐Peter , Nitsche Ulrich , Slotta‐Huspenina Julia , Pohl Michael , Vangala Deepak , Baraniskin Alexander , Dockhorn‐Dworniczak Barbara , Hegewisch‐Becker Susanne , Ronga Philippe , Edelstein Daniel L. , Jones Frederick S. , Hahn Stephan , Fox Stephen B.
Published: January 2017

An accurate blood‐based RAS mutation assay to determine eligibility of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients for anti‐EGFR therapy would benefit clinical practice by better informing decisions to administer treatment independent of tissue availability. The objective of this study was to determine the level of concordance between plasma and tissue RAS mutation status in patients with mCRC to gauge whether blood‐based RAS mutation testing is a viable alternative to standard‐of‐care RAS tumor testing. RAS testing was performed on plasma samples from newly diagnosed metastatic patients, or from recurrent mCRC patients using the highly sensitive digital PCR technology, BEAMing (beads, emulsions, amplification, and magnetics), and compared with DNA sequencing data of respective FFPE (formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded) tumor samples. Discordant tissue RAS results were re‐examined by BEAMing, if possible. The prevalence of RAS mutations detected in plasma (51%) vs. tumor (53%) was similar, in accord with the known prevalence of RAS mutations observed in mCRC patient populations. The positive agreement between plasma and tumor RAS results was 90.4% (47/52), the negative agreement was 93.5% (43/46), and the overall agreement (concordance) was 91.8% (90/98). The high concordance of plasma and tissue results demonstrates that blood‐based RAS mutation testing is a viable alternative to tissue‐based RAS testing.
Rupture mechanism and seismotectonics of the Ms6.5 Ludian earthquake inferred from three‐dimensional magnetotelluric imaging
Authors: Cai Juntao , Chen Xiaobin , Xu Xiwei , Tang Ji , Wang Lifeng , Guo Chunling , Han Bing , Dong Zeyi
Published: January 2017

A three‐dimensional (3‐D) resistivity model around the 2014 Ms6.5 Ludian earthquake was obtained. The model shows that the aftershocks were mainly distributed in a shallow inverse L‐shaped conductive angular region surrounded by resistive structures. The presences of this shallow conductive zone may be the key factor leading to the severe damage and surface rupture of the Ludian earthquake. A northwest trending local resistive belt along the Baogunao‐Xiaohe fault interrupts the northeast trending conductive zone at the Zhaotong‐Lianfeng fault zone in the middle crust, which may be the seismogenic structure of the main shock. Based on the 3‐D electrical model, combining with GPS, thermal structure, and seismic survey results, a geodynamic model is proposed to interpret the seismotectonics, deep seismogenic background, and deformation characterized by a sinistral strike slip with a tensile component of the Ludian earthquake.
Salinity inversions in the thermocline under upwelling favorable winds
Authors: Burchard Hans , Basdurak N. Berkay , Gräwe Ulf , Knoll Michaela , Mohrholz Volker , Müller Selina
Published: January 2017

This paper discusses and explains the phenomenon of salinity inversions in the thermocline offshore from an upwelling region during upwelling favorable winds. Using the nontidal central Baltic Sea as an easily accessible natural laboratory, high‐resolution transect and station observations in the upper layers are analyzed. The data show local salinity minima in the strongly stratified seasonal thermocline during summer conditions under the influence of upwelling favorable wind. A simple analytical box model using parameters (including variation by means of a Monte Carlo method) estimated from a hindcast model for the Baltic Sea is constructed to explain the observations. As a result, upwelled water with high salinity and low temperature is warmed up due to downward surface heat fluxes while it is transported offshore by the Ekman transport. The warming of upwelled surface water allows maintenance of stable stratification despite the destabilizing salinity stratification, such that local salinity minima in the thermocline can be generated. Inspection of published observations from the Benguela, Peruvian, and eastern tropical North Atlantic upwelling systems shows that also there salinity inversions occur in the thermocline, but in these cases thermocline salinity shows local maxima, since upwelled water has a lower salinity than the surface water. It is hypothesized that thermocline salinity inversions should generally occur offshore from upwelling regions whenever winds are steady enough and surface warming is sufficiently strong.
Observational evidence against strongly stabilizing tropical cloud feedbacks
Authors: Williams Ian N. , Pierrehumbert Raymond T.
Published: January 2017

We present a method to attribute cloud radiative feedbacks to convective processes, using subcloud layer buoyancy as a diagnostic of stable and deep convective regimes. Applying this approach to tropical remote sensing measurements over years 2000–2016 shows that an inferred negative short‐term cloud feedback from deep convection was nearly offset by a positive cloud feedback from stable regimes. The net cloud feedback was within statistical uncertainty of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Atmosphere Model (CAM5) with historical forcings, with discrepancies in the partitioning of the cloud feedback into convective regimes. Compensation between high‐cloud responses to tropics‐wide warming in stable and unstable regimes resulted in smaller net changes in high‐cloud fraction with warming. In addition, deep convection and associated high clouds set in at warmer temperatures in response to warming, as a consequence of nearly invariant subcloud buoyancy. This invariance further constrained the magnitude of cloud radiative feedbacks and is consistent with climate model projections.
First results of HF radio science with e‐POP RRI and SuperDARN
Authors: Perry G. W. , James H. G. , Gillies R. G. , Howarth A. , Hussey G. C. , McWilliams K. A. , White A. , Yau A. W.
Published: January 2017

The first results from coordinated experiments between the Radio Receiver Instrument (RRI) on the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e‐POP) and the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) Saskatoon high frequency (HF) radar are examined for a conjunction on 8 July 2014. e‐POP, a payload on the CAScade, Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer spacecraft, was located at 380 km altitude, approximately 10° north (geographic) and 2° west of Saskatoon, Canada, moving in a southeast direction. We use a matched filter technique to extract individual received SuperDARN pulses from the RRI data stream. The pulses show characteristics of propagation through the F region ionosphere: they are heavily dispersed, they show significant pulse‐to‐pulse variability in magnitude, and there is clear evidence that they experienced multipath propagation. We calculate the polarization parameters of the pulses and use them to identify magnetoionic phenomena such as mode‐splitting and single‐mode fading. These first RRI results provide compelling insight into HF radio wave propagation and show RRI's potential to significantly advance radio science.
Carbon Nanotubes in TiO2 Nanofiber Photoelectrodes for High‐Performance Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Batmunkh Munkhbayar , Macdonald Thomas J. , Shearer Cameron J. , Bat‐Erdene Munkhjargal , Wang Yun , Biggs Mark J. , Parkin Ivan P. , Nann Thomas , Shapter Joseph G.
Published: January 2017

1D semiconducting oxides are unique structures that have been widely used for photovoltaic (PV) devices due to their capability to provide a direct pathway for charge transport. In addition, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have played multifunctional roles in a range of PV cells because of their fascinating properties. Herein, the influence of CNTs on the PV performance of 1D titanium dioxide nanofiber (TiO2 NF) photoelectrode perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is systematically explored. Among the different types of CNTs, single‐walled CNTs (SWCNTs) incorporated in the TiO2 NF photoelectrode PSCs show a significant enhancement (≈40%) in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) as compared to control cells. SWCNTs incorporated in TiO2 NFs provide a fast electron transfer within the photoelectrode, resulting in an increase in the short‐circuit current (J
sc) value. On the basis of our theoretical calculations, the improved open‐circuit voltage (V
oc) of the cells can be attributed to a shift in energy level of the photoelectrodes after the introduction of SWCNTs. Furthermore, it is found that the incorporation of SWCNTs into TiO2 NFs reduces the hysteresis effect and improves the stability of the PSC devices. In this study, the best performing PSC device constructed with SWCNT structures achieves a PCE of 14.03%.
Defect Dynamics in Proton Irradiated CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Brus Viktor V. , Lang Felix , Bundesmann Jürgen , Seidel Sophie , Denker Andrea , Rech Bernd , Landi Giovanni , Neitzert Heinz C. , Rappich Jörg , Nickel Norbert H.
Published: January 2017

Perovskite solar cells have been shown to be of extraordinary radiation hardness, considering high energetic (68 MeV) proton irradiation with doses up to 1013 p cm−2. In this study electrical and photoelectrical properties of perovskite solar cells with and without proton irradiation are analyzed in detail. The results reveal that proton irradiation improves the open circuit voltage, fill factor, and recombination lifetime of photogenerated charge carriers in perovskite solar cells. These enhancements are mainly a result of the lower nonradiative recombination losses in the proton irradiated devices. The proton treatment creates shallow traps, which may be associated with the proton induced point defects due to the displacements of atoms in the inorganic Pb–I framework, which act as unintentional doping sources and partially compensate deep traps originated from the photodegradation of methylammonium molecules.
Addition of cladribine to the standard induction treatment improves outcomes in a subset of elderly acute myeloid leukemia patients. Results of a randomized Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG) phase II trial
Authors: Pluta Agnieszka , Robak Tadeusz , Wrzesien‐Kus Agata , Katarzyna Budziszewska Bozena , Sulek Kazimierz , Wawrzyniak Ewa , Czemerska Magdalena , Zwolinska Malgorzata , Golos Aleksandra , Holowiecka‐Goral Aleksandra , Kyrcz‐Krzemien Slawomira , Piszcz Jaroslaw , Kloczko Janusz , Mordak‐Domagala Monika , Lange Andrzej , Razny Małgorzata , Madry Krzysztof , Wiktor‐Jedrzejczak Wieslaw , Grosicki Sebastian , Butrym Aleksandra , Kuliczkowski Kazimierz , Warzocha Krzysztof , Holowiecki Jerzy , Giebel Sebastian , Szydlo Richard , Wierzbowska Agnieszka
Published: January 2017

Intensive induction chemotherapy using anthracycline and cytarabine backbone is considered the most effective upfront therapy in physically fit older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, outcomes of the standard induction in elderly AML are inferior to those observed in younger patients, and they are still unsatisfactory. As addition of cladribine to the standard induction therapy is known to improve outcome in younger AML patients. The present randomized phase II study compares efficacy and toxicity of the DAC (daunorubicin plus cytarabine plus cladribine) regimen with the standard DA (daunorubicin plus cytarabine) regimen in the newly diagnosed AML patients over 60 years of age. A total of 171 patients were enrolled in the study (DA, 86; DAC, 85). A trend toward higher complete remission (CR) was observed in the DAC arm compared to the DA arm (44% vs. 34%; P = .19), which did not lead to improved median overall survival, which in the case of the DAC group was 8.6 months compared to in 9.1 months in the DA group (P = .64). However, DAC appeared to be superior in the group of patients aged 60‐65 (CR rate: DAC 51% vs. DA 29%; P = .02). What is more, a subgroup of patients, with good and intermediate karyotypes, benefited from addition of cladribine also in terms of overall survival (P = .02). No differences in hematological and nonhematological toxicity between the DA and DAC regimens were observed.
Allostatic load and biological anthropology
Authors: Edes Ashley N. , Crews Douglas E.
Published: January 2017

Multiple stressors affect developing and adult organisms, thereby partly structuring their phenotypes. Determining how stressors influence health, well‐being, and longevity in human and nonhuman primate populations are major foci within biological anthropology. Although much effort has been devoted to examining responses to multiple environmental and sociocultural stressors, no holistic metric to measure stress‐related physiological dysfunction has been widely applied within biological anthropology. Researchers from disciplines outside anthropology are using allostatic load indices (ALIs) to estimate such dysregulation and examine life‐long outcomes of stressor exposures, including morbidity and mortality. Following allostasis theory, allostatic load represents accumulated physiological and somatic damage secondary to stressors and senescent processes experienced over the lifespan. ALIs estimate this wear‐and‐tear using a composite of biomarkers representing neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune systems. Across samples, ALIs are associated significantly with multiple individual characteristics (e.g., age, sex, education, DNA variation) of interest within biological anthropology. They also predict future outcomes, including aspects of life history variation (e.g., survival, lifespan), mental and physical health, morbidity and mortality, and likely health disparities between groups, by stressor exposures, ethnicity, occupations, and degree of departure from local indigenous life ways and integration into external and commodified ones. ALIs also may be applied to similar stress‐related research areas among nonhuman primates. Given the reports from multiple research endeavors, here we propose ALIs may be useful for assessing stressors, stress responses, and stress‐related dysfunction, current and long‐term cognitive function, health and well‐being, and risk of early mortality across many research programs within biological anthropology.
Gigantopithecus blacki: a giant ape from the Pleistocene of Asia revisited
Authors: Zhang Yingqi , Harrison Terry
Published: January 2017

Gigantopithecus blackiis the largest hominoid that ever lived. The consensus view is that it is a specialized pongine and late‐surviving member of theSivapithecus‐Indopithecuslineage. It is known primarily from Early and Middle Pleistocene cave sites in southern China, dating from 2.0 Ma to almost 300 ka. The cause of its extinction in the late Middle Pleistocene is unknown, but ecological change or the arrival ofHomo erectusmay have been contributing factors.Gigantopithecusis highly specialized in its dentognathic anatomy, with a unique combination of features that distinguish it from all other hominoids. Based on the size of its dentition and mandible, a reasonable estimate of its body mass would be 200–300 kg. There was a progressive increase in dental size from the Early Pleistocene to the Middle Pleistocene, and possibly a shift towards greater complexity of the cheek teeth.Gigantopithecusexhibits a relatively high degree of sexual dimorphism, implying a high level of male‐male competition, but the relatively small canines in both sexes suggest that these teeth were not important in agonistic behaviors. The species inhabited a subtropical monsoon forest with a closed canopy and dense understory. Foraging was focused on the forest floor and its diet included a broad range of C3plants, including fruits, leaves and stems, and possibly tubers. The cheek teeth and jaws were adapted for processing a wide variety of bulky, fibrous, and abrasive food items, but the small incisors indicate that incisal preparation was not an important part of its feeding repertoire.
Isotope Probing of the UDP‐Apiose/UDP‐Xylose Synthase Reaction: Evidence of a Mechanism via a Coupled Oxidation and Aldol Cleavage
Authors: Eixelsberger Thomas , Horvat Doroteja , Gutmann Alexander , Weber Hansjörg , Nidetzky Bernd
Published: January 2017

The C‐branched sugar d‐apiose (Api) is essential for plant cell‐wall development. An enzyme‐catalyzed decarboxylation/pyranoside ring‐contraction reaction leads from UDP‐α‐d‐glucuronic acid (UDP‐GlcA) to the Api precursor UDP‐α‐d‐apiose (UDP‐Api). We examined the mechanism of UDP‐Api/UDP‐α‐d‐xylose synthase (UAXS) with site‐selectively 2H‐labeled and deoxygenated substrates. The analogue UDP‐2‐deoxy‐GlcA, which prevents C‐2/C‐3 aldol cleavage as the plausible initiating step of pyranoside‐to‐furanoside conversion, did not give the corresponding Api product. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) support an UAXS mechanism in which substrate oxidation by enzyme‐NAD+ and retro‐aldol sugar ring‐opening occur coupled in a single rate‐limiting step leading to decarboxylation. Rearrangement and ring‐contracting aldol addition in an open‐chain intermediate then give the UDP‐Api aldehyde, which is intercepted via reduction by enzyme‐NADH.
Orthogonal Surface Tags for Whole‐Cell Biocatalysis
Authors: Peschke Theo , Rabe Kersten S. , Niemeyer Christof M.
Published: January 2017

We herein describe the engineering of E. coli strains that display orthogonal tags for immobilization on their surface and overexpress a functional heterologous “protein content” in their cytosol at the same time. Using the outer membrane protein Lpp‐ompA, cell‐surface display of the streptavidin‐binding peptide, the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system, or a HaloTag variant allowed us to generate bacterial strains that can selectively bind to solid substrates, as demonstrated with magnetic microbeads. The simultaneous cytosolic expression of functional content was demonstrated for fluorescent proteins or stereoselective ketoreductase enzymes. The latter strains gave high selectivities for specific immobilization onto complementary surfaces and also in the whole‐cell stereospecific transformation of a prochiral CS‐symmetric nitrodiketone.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Ring‐Forming Aminoalkenylation of Alkenes with Aldehydes Initiated by Intramolecular Aminopalladation
Authors: Hu Yue , Xie Yinjun , Shen Zhiqiang , Huang Hanmin
Published: January 2017

A palladium‐catalyzed aminopalladation reaction followed by nucleophilic addition with aldehydes and dehydration is described. This direct and operationally simple procedure provides a rapid and reliable approach to a wide range of functionalized tetrahydroisoquinolines with high selectivity. Mechanistic studies disclosed that the nucleophilic addition, performed via a highly ordered transition‐state, is the turnover‐limiting step in which the inherent β‐hydride elimination of the key Csp3−Pd species was controlled by the confined conformation and the nucleophilicity of the Csp3−Pd bond was enhanced by the strong electron‐donating effect of the nitrogen atom.
Synthesis and properties of novel water‐dispersible polyisocyanates
Authors: Guo Li , Wang Lei , Huang Shan , Qu Jinqing
Published: January 2017

A series of novel water‐dispersible polyisocyanates (WDPs) were synthesized with hexamethylene diisocyanate isoxyanurates (HDI trimer), dimethylol butanoic acid (DMBA), polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (MPEG‐600) and 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM) as materials. Two‐component waterborne polyurethane (2K‐WPU) films based on WDPs were prepared and characterized by ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface contact angle measurement. The effects of molar ratios of DMBA/MPEG and CHDM/MPEG and their amounts on properties of WDPs including the water dispersibility, storage stability, films hardness, and water resistance were also investigated. The results showed that the introduction of CHDM could efficiently improve the storage stability, the hardness and water resistance of 2K‐WPU films due to the rigid cyclic structure and hydrophobicity property of CHDM. It was found that WDPs had excellent storage stability, and the 2K‐WPU displayed short tack‐free times, high hardness, good water resistance, excellent surface appearance and gloss with 3:7:3 of the molar ratio of DMBA/MPEG/CHDM. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44735.
Defect minimization and feature control in electrospinning through design of experiments
Authors: Borrotti Matteo , Lanzarone Ettore , Manganini Fabio , Ortelli Simona , Pievatolo Antonio , Tonetti Cinzia
Published: January 2017

Electrospinning is affected by high variability, and an accurate setting of process parameters is fundamental for producing high quality nanofibers. This work aims at determining the optimal values of the main process parameters (polymer concentration, polymer feed rate, and voltage) as a function of the environmental factors (temperature and humidity), in order to obtain nanofibrous materials within a specific range of fiber diameter and porosity, and at the same time to minimize production defects. The response surfaces of diameter, porosity, and defects are first determined with a central composite design. These surfaces are then employed as an input for the optimization problem: diameter and porosity surfaces are used to constrain an admissible region, where the minimum of the defect surface is searched. The approach is tested on a prototype electrospinning machine. The estimated response surfaces capture the variability of the process with respect to both production parameters and environmental factors, and are capable of getting the optimal values of the process parameters. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44740.
Weighted Pseudo Anti‐Periodic Solutions for Cellular Neural Networks with Mixed Delays
Authors: Zhou Qiyuan
Published: January 2017

A model of cellular neural networks with mixed delays is proposed. Applying contraction mapping fixed point theorem and differential inequality technique, several sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the existence and exponential stability of weighted pseudo anti‐periodic solutions for the proposed neural networks. Finally, a numerical simulation example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Pattern Recognition Based Dynamics Description of Production Processes in Metric Spaces
Authors: Wang Mushu , Xu Zhengguang , Guo Lingli
Published: January 2017

A new type of modeling method is put forward based on pattern recognition (PR) technology for some industrial production processes. The proposed method is a pure data‐driven modeling method since the model is independent of the controlled plant, and it is based on the measured input and output (I/O) data of the controlled plant in a closed loop. Different from the traditional modeling method, the system dynamics is described by I/O classes, which are obtained from raw I/O data through partitioning of the data space respectively and I/O orders of the model resort to the conditional entropy. The covering algorithm based pattern classification (PC) is used to establish the mapping between input and output of the proposed model in metric spaces. The experimental results illustrate the feasibility of the modeling method.
Predictability of European winter 2015/2016
Authors: Scaife Adam A. , Comer Ruth , Dunstone Nick , Fereday David , Folland Chris , Good Elizabeth , Gordon Margaret , Hermanson Leon , Ineson Sarah , Karpechko Alexey , Knight Jeff , MacLachlan Craig , Maidens Anna , Peterson K. Andrew , Smith Doug , Slingo Julia , Walker Brent
Published: January 2017

We present a case study of long range forecasts for Northern Hemisphere winter 2015/2016. This winter produced the strongest El Niño event since 1997/1998 and equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies exceeded 3 °C. Other factors relevant to the Northern Hemisphere extratropical atmosphere circulation included a strong westerly phase of the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and very strong winds in the stratospheric polar night jet in early winter. At the surface, intense cyclonic extratropical circulation anomalies occurred in early winter in both the North Pacific and North Atlantic, consistent with known teleconnections to these phases of El Niño–Southern Oscillation, the QBO and the polar night jet. The midlatitude flow was very westerly in early winter and less westerly and sometimes northerly in late winter, when sudden stratospheric warming events also occurred. We show that initialised climate predictions were able to capture the winter mean flow pattern at seasonal lead times from well before the start of winter. In this special case, not only the winter mean flow pattern, but also some aspects of the sub‐seasonal evolution were skilfully predicted. We show that the winter of 1982/1983 was closely analogous to winter 2015/2016 in both the predictable driving factors and the forecast winter circulation. This case study adds to the evidence that the north Atlantic circulation can be predictable on seasonal timescales and advance warning of the increased risk of intense rainfall and storminess which caused extreme flooding in the UK in December was possible in this case.
Real‐time pH monitoring of industrially relevant enzymatic reactions in a microfluidic side‐entry reactor (μSER) shows potential for pH control
Authors: Gruber Pia , Marques Marco P.C. , Sulzer Philipp , Wohlgemuth Roland , Mayr Torsten , Baganz Frank , Szita Nicolas
Published: January 2017

Monitoring and control of pH is essential for the control of reaction conditions and reaction progress for any biocatalytic or biotechnological process. Microfluidic enzymatic reactors are increasingly proposed for process development, however typically lack instrumentation, such as pH monitoring. We present a microfluidic side‐entry reactor (μSER) and demonstrate for the first time real‐time pH monitoring of the progression of an enzymatic reaction in a microfluidic reactor as a first step towards achieving pH control. Two different types of optical pH sensors were integrated at several positions in the reactor channel which enabled pH monitoring between pH 3.5 and pH 8.5, thus a broader range than typically reported. The sensors withstood the thermal bonding temperatures typical of microfluidic device fabrication. Additionally, fluidic inputs along the reaction channel were implemented to adjust the pH of the reaction. Time‐course profiles of pH were recorded for a transketolase and a penicillin G acylase catalyzed reaction. Without pH adjustment, the former showed a pH increase of 1 pH unit and the latter a pH decrease of about 2.5 pH units. With pH adjustment, the pH drop of the penicillin G acylase catalyzed reaction was significantly attenuated, the reaction condition kept at a pH suitable for the operation of the enzyme, and the product yield increased. This contribution represents a further step towards fully instrumented and controlled microfluidic reactors for biocatalytic process development.
A Peroxygenase from Chaetomium globosum Catalyzes the Selective Oxygenation of Testosterone
Authors: Kiebist Jan , Schmidtke Kai‐Uwe , Zimmermann Jörg , Kellner Harald , Jehmlich Nico , Ullrich René , Zänder Daniel , Hofrichter Martin , Scheibner Katrin
Published: January 2017

Unspecific peroxygenases (UPO, EC 1.11.2.1) secreted by fungi open an efficient way to selectively oxyfunctionalize diverse organic substrates, including less‐activated hydrocarbons, by transferring peroxide‐borne oxygen. We investigated a cell‐free approach to incorporate epoxy and hydroxyl functionalities directly into the bulky molecule testosterone by a novel unspecific peroxygenase (UPO) that is produced by the ascomycetous fungus Chaetomium globosum in a complex medium rich in carbon and nitrogen. Purification by fast protein liquid chromatography revealed two enzyme fractions with the same molecular mass (36 kDa) and with specific activity of 4.4 to 12 U mg−1. Although the well‐known UPOs of Agrocybe aegerita (AaeUPO) and Marasmius rotula (MroUPO) failed to convert testosterone in a comparative study, the UPO of C. globosum (CglUPO) accepted testosterone as substrate and converted it with total turnover number (TTN) of up to 7000 into two oxygenated products: the 4,5‐epoxide of testosterone in β‐configuration and 16α‐hydroxytestosterone. The reaction performed on a 100 mg scale resulted in the formation of about 90 % of the epoxide and 10 % of the hydroxylation product, both of which could be isolated with purities above 96 %. Thus, CglUPO is a promising biocatalyst for the oxyfunctionalization of bulky steroids and it will be a useful tool for the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant steroidal molecules.
Aluminum Location and Acid Strength in an Aluminum‐Rich Beta Zeolite Catalyst: A Combined Density Functional Theory and Solid‐State NMR Study
Authors: Li Shikun , Zhao Zhenchao , Zhao Rongrong , Zhou Danhong , Zhang Weiping
Published: January 2017

Density functional theory was performed to investigate the specific Al distribution and the origination of Brönsted acid strength in the Al‐rich Beta zeolite catalyst. The most preferable sites for Al atoms of Al‐rich and Si‐rich Beta zeolites represented by 1Al and 2Al atoms are compared by electrostatic potential analysis and substitution energies. IT1 and T9 sites are the most favorable locations for 1Al distribution, while 5MR1‐T92, 5MR2‐T15 and 6MR1‐T66 sites are inclined to be occupied by Al atoms for 2Al distribution. Al atoms in 5MR1‐T17 sites would be dealuminated more easily to become the extra‐framework Al species when Al‐rich Na‐Beta is ion‐exchanged to H‐Beta. As for NNNN sequences in Al‐rich Beta, 6MR1‐T66 sites are the most easily substituted by Al atoms, facing different channels and showing the properties of isolated Al site. Proton affinities, NH3 adsorption energies and 1H chemical shifts of [D5]pyridine adsorbed in Beta zeolites were used to analyze the Brönsted acidity. Si‐rich Beta has stronger Brönsted acid strength than the Al‐rich counterpart. This agrees with the experimental results from 1H MAS NMR with [D5]pyridine as probe molecule. The Brönsted acid strength of Al‐rich and Si‐rich H‐Beta zeolites was correlated to the Al location at the specific T‐site on the zeolitic framework.
Silicone‐Based Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Aerogels and Xerogels
Authors: Shimizu Taiyo , Kanamori Kazuyoshi , Nakanishi Kazuki
Published: January 2017

Aerogels are attracting increasing attention due to their high thermal insulation ability as well as unique properties such as high porosity, surface area, and transparency. However, low mechanical strengths, originating from their unique porous structure, impede handling, formability, mass production, and extended applications. This minireview focuses on the strengthening of aerogels by several organic–inorganic hybridization strategies. In particular, successful strengthening methodologies, which employ organo‐substituted alkoxysilanes as the single precursor for the sol–gel preparations, developed by the authors are highlighted. Moreover, improvements in compressive strength and elasticity lead to monolithic aerogel‐like xerogels through ambient pressure drying. Correlations between structures in different length scales (e.g., molecular, network, and pore structure levels) and resultant mechanical properties are discussed for further understandings and better design toward mechanically improved aerogels/xerogels and their applications.
Guanine Can Direct Binding Specificity of Ru–dipyridophenazine (dppz) Complexes to DNA through Steric Effects
Authors: Hall James P. , Gurung Sarah P. , Henle Jessica , Poidl Patrick , Andersson Johanna , Lincoln Per , Winter Graeme , Sorensen Thomas , Cardin David J. , Brazier John A. , Cardin Christine J.
Published: January 2017

X‐ray crystal structures of three Λ‐[Ru(L)2dppz]2+ complexes (dppz=dipyridophenazine; L=1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy)) bound to d((5BrC)GGC/GCCG) showed the compounds intercalated at a 5′‐CG‐3′ step. The compounds bind through canted intercalation, with the binding angle determined by the guanine NH2 group, in contrast to symmetrical intercalation previously observed at 5′‐TA‐3′ sites. This result suggests that canted intercalation is preferred at 5′‐CG‐3′ sites even though the site itself is symmetrical, and we hypothesise that symmetrical intercalation in a 5′‐CG‐3′ step could give rise to a longer luminescence lifetime than canted intercalation.
Cationic AuIII versus AuI: Catalyst‐Controlled Divergent Reactivity of Alkyne‐Tethered Lactams
Authors: Alcaide Benito , Almendros Pedro , Cembellín Sara , Fernández Israel , Martínez del Campo Teresa
Published: January 2017

Switchable reactivity through cationic gold‐based catalyst control built on the oxidation state, namely cationic AuIII versus AuI, has been achieved in the direct functionalization of 2‐azetidinone‐tethered alkynyl indoles.
Clinical trial of nintedanib in patients with recurrent or metastatic salivary gland cancer of the head and neck: A multicenter phase 2 study (Korean Cancer Study Group HN14‐01)
Authors: Kim Youjin , Lee Su Jin , Lee Ji Yun , Lee Se‐Hoon , Sun Jong‐Mu , Park Keunchil , An Ho Jung , Cho Jae Yong , Kang Eun Joo , Lee Ha‐Young , Kim Jinsoo , Keam Bhumsuk , Kim Hye Ryun , Lee Kyoung Eun , Choi Moon Young , Lee Ki Hyeong , Ahn Myung‐Ju
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Salivary gland cancers (SGCs) are uncommon and account for less than 5% of all head and neck cancers, but they are histologically heterogeneous. No specific therapy, including targeted agents, has consistently improved clinical outcomes in recurrent/metastatic SGC. Recent studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) and platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) play important roles in SGC. Nintedanib is a potent small‐molecule, triple‐receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and VEGFR3; fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 [FGFR1], FGFR2, and FGFR3; and PDGFRα and PDGFRß). This study sought to determine the antitumor activity of nintedanib in patients with recurrent or metastatic SGC.

METHODS

This open‐label, multicenter, phase 2, single‐arm study was conducted at 11 hospitals in South Korea. Patients with pathologically confirmed recurrent and/or metastatic SGC for whom at least 1 line of systemic chemotherapy had failed were enrolled. Nintedanib was given orally at 200 mg twice a day until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was the response rate. The secondary endpoints were progression‐free survival, overall survival, toxicity, and the disease‐control rate. The Simon 2‐stage minimax design was used.

RESULTS

The median age of the patients was 54 years, 60% were female, and 95% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. The majority of the patients had adenoid cystic carcinoma (65%), and 40% received at least 2 prior rounds of chemotherapy. After 20 patients were enrolled, the study was stopped because no responders were observed at stage I. There were no partial responses, but the disease‐control rate was 75% (15 of 20). The median duration of stable disease was 8.2 months (range, 1.76‐12.36 months). At the time of the data cutoff, with a median follow‐up of 9.5 months, the median overall survival had not been reached, and the progression‐free survival rate at 6 months was 60% (95% confidence interval, 0.34‐0.79). Grade 3 adverse events included liver enzyme elevation (25%) and nausea/vomiting (5%). Four patients who required a dose reduction because of a grade 3 liver enzyme elevation showed no further grade 3 events.

CONCLUSIONS

Single‐agent nintedanib did not yield a partial response but did achieve a 75% disease‐control rate with long‐term stabilization in SGC patients. Because of the high rate and long duration of disease control with a good safety profile, further investigation is warranted. Cancer 2017;123:1958–1964. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A mixed satellite TV channel transmission scheme to enhance frequency bandwidth utilization
Authors: Lai Junyu , Zhao Jie , Zhang Wei , He Ci , Zhang Yasheng
Published: January 2017

In the recent past, television (TV) industry has started to provide users with ultra high definition (ultra‐HD) and/or 3‐dimensional TV programs, which on the one hand, can bring users greatly enhanced viewing experience, while on the other hand, considerably increases the transmission bandwidth requirements and may lead to bandwidth shortage situations in many different types of TV systems. In particular, this bandwidth shortage poses a serious challenge in the current satellite TV broadcasting systems because of the strictly limited bandwidth available in C and Ku frequency bands. Aiming at mitigating the bandwidth shortage problem, this paper proposes an innovative mixed channel transmission scheme for the next generation satellite TV systems. The proposed scheme integrates the merits of using both broadcast and multicast methods, both Ku and Ka frequency bands, as well as both wide‐shaped and spot antenna beam types. According to the conducted comprehensive simulation experiments, this mixed scheme is able to effectively enhance the frequency bandwidth utilization with still providing users affordable quality of experience. Moreover, to cope with the impact brought by ever increasing number of provided TV channels, this paper enhances the proposed scheme by using multicast method to transmit those least popular global channels, which can efficiently reduce the quality of experience degradation up to 90% in Ku‐ and Ka‐band frequency resource restricted scenarios.
Diabetes as a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome in women compared with men: a meta‐analysis, including 10 856 279 individuals and 106 703 acute coronary syndrome events
Authors: Dong Xue , Cai Rongrong , Sun Jie , Huang Rong , Wang Pin , Sun Haixia , Tian Sai , Wang Shaohua
Published: January 2017

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a significant cause of death and disability worldwide and is a strong risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Whether diabetes confers the same excess risk of ACS in both sexes is unknown. Therefore, we undertook a meta‐analysis to estimate the relative risk (RR) for ACS associated with diabetes in men and women.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for both case‐control and cohort studies published between January 1, 1966, and January 1, 2015. Studies were included if they reported sex‐specific estimates of the RR, hazard ratio, or odds ratio for the association between diabetes and ACS. We pooled the sex‐specific RR and the ratio between women and men using a random‐effect model with inverse‐variance weighting.

Results

We included 9 case‐control and 10 cohort studies with data for 10 856 279 individuals and at least 106 703 fatal and nonfatal ACS events. The pooled maximum‐adjusted RR of ACS associated with diabetes was 2.46 (95% CI, 1.92‐3.17) in women and 1.68 (95% CI, 1.39‐2.04) in men. In patients with diabetes compared with those without diabetes, women had a significantly greater risk of ACS—the pooled women‐to‐men RR and the ratio of relative risks was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.25‐1.52; P < .001), with no evidence of publication bias.

Conclusions

The excess risk of ACS associated with diabetes is significantly higher in women than in men. This finding may be explained by more adverse cardiovascular risk profiles and suggests that further work is needed to clarify the relevant biological, behavioural, and social mechanisms.