bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Angiographic and clinical outcome after crush of everolimus‐eluting stent for distal unprotected left main disease
Authors: Migliorini Angela , Valenti Renato , Vergara Ruben , Grazia De Gregorio Maria , Gabrielli Eleonora , De Vito Elena , Raffaella Aicale Maria , Carrabba Nazario , Antoniucci David
Published: February 2017

Obiectives: Angiographic and clinical outcomes after crushing of everolimus‐eluting stent (EES) for distal unprotected left main disease (ULMD). Background: Few data exist about crushing of EES for distal ULMD. Methods: From the Florence ULMD Percutaneous Coronary Interevention Registry consecutive patients with distal ULMD treated with EES were included in the analysis. Patients treated with provisional stenting were compared with patients treated with crush stenting. Endpoints: angiographic in‐segment restenosis rate, and 1‐year clinical outcome. Results: From 2008 to 2015, 405 patients with distal ULMD were treated with EES: 278 (69%) were treated with provisional stenting while 127 (31%) with crush stenting. Provisional stenting group compared to crush stenting group had higher incidence of acute coronary syndrome on admission (63% vs. 52%; P = 0.033) and of left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% (36% vs. 23%; p= 0.008), while patients treated with crush stenting had more frequently diabetes mellitus (35% vs. 21%; P = 0.003) and 3‐vessel coronary artery disease (46% vs. 29%; P < 0.001). Angiographic follow rate was 95%. Restenosis rates were similar: 7.1% in the crush stenting group and 5.8% in the provisional stenting group. There were no differences in 1‐year clinical outcome between crush stenting group and provisional stenting group: major adverse cardiac events 11.1% and 11.2%, stent thrombosis 0.8% and 1.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Crush stenting using EES in patients with complex distal ULMD is associated with low rates of restenosis and adverse clinical events and could be considered as a valid double stenting technique in all patients with complex ULMD bifurcation lesions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subclavian artery stenting for coronary‐subclavian steal syndrome
Authors: Che Wuqiang , Dong Hui , Jiang Xiongjing , Peng Meng , Zou Yubao , Song Lei , Zhang Huimin , Yang Yuejin , Gao Runlin
Published: February 2017

Objectives: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of subclavian artery stenting for coronary‐subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS).

Background: CSSS is a rare cause of myocardial ischemia due to ipsilateral subclavian artery stenosis in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft. However, current knowledge of the optimal therapy for CSSS is limited.

Methods: The clinical data of 37 patients (33 male; mean age 65 ± 6 years) with CSSS who had undergone subclavian artery stenting between April 2007 and December 2015 were analyzed.

Results: The time elapsed between bypass surgery and the diagnosis of CSSS was 6.3 ± 4.3 years (median 5.2 years, range 1.3 months to 17.8 years). The technical success rate was 97.3% (100% for stenosis, 85.7% for occluded lesions). One patient experienced a transient ischemic attack; a second patient developed flow‐limiting dissection involving the ostium of the internal mammary artery; and a third patient had a puncture site hematoma. The mean stenosis of target lesions decreased from 87.6 ± 10.6% to 5.9 ± 5.0% immediately after the procedure. A total of 35 (94.6%) patients were discharged with a complete remission of myocardial ischemia. During a follow‐up of 44 ± 32 (range 6–112) months, no patient suffered from stroke or myocardial infarction. Stent‐restenosis related unstable angina developing in one patient at 36 months and in another patient at 11 months, both of whom were relieved after balloon angioplasty and remained asymptomatic until the last follow‐up.

Conclusion: Subclavian artery stenting is feasible and safe in patients with CSSS, with a low incidence of perioperative complications and stent restenosis rate. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AgRuO3, a Strongly Exchange‐Coupled Honeycomb Compound Lacking Long‐Range Magnetic Order
Authors: Prasad Beluvalli E. , Kanungo Sudipta , Jansen Martin , Komarek Alexander C. , Yan Binghai , Manuel Pascal , Felser Claudia
Published: February 2017

Quasi two‐dimensional (2D) oxide‐based honeycomb lattices have attracted great attention for displaying specific electronic instabilities, which give rise to unconventional bonding patterns and unexpected magnetic exchange couplings. The synthesis of AgRuO3, another representative exhibiting unique structural properties, is reported here. The stacking sequence of the honeycomb layers (Ru2O6) differs from analogous precedents; in particular, the intercalating silver atoms are shifted from the middle of the interspaces and cap the void octahedral sites of the (□Ru2O6) slabs from both sides. This way, charge neutral, giant 2D “molecules” of Ag/Ru2O6/Ag result; a feature that significantly enhances the overall 2D character of AgRuO3. Measurements of magnetization have revealed extremely strong magnetic exchange coupling to be present, surviving to a temperature as high as 673 K, which is the temperature of thermal decomposition. No indication for long‐range magnetic order has, however, been observed. Theoretical analyses confirm the pronounced 2D character of the electronic system, and in particular reveal the inter‐honeycomb layer coupling Jc to be distinctly weak.
Efficient allocation of LTE downlink spectral resource to improve fairness and throughput
Authors: Wang You‐Chiun , Jhong Dai‐Rong
Published: February 2017

For the current generation of cellular communication systems, long‐term evolution (LTE) has been the major protocol to support high‐speed data transmission. It is critical to allocate downlink spectral resource in LTE, namely, resource blocks (RBs), but the issue is not well addressed in the standard. Therefore, the paper develops an efficient RB allocation algorithm with 4 mechanisms to improve both fairness and throughput in LTE. For fairness concern, our RB allocation algorithm uses a resource‐reservation mechanism to prevent cell‐edge user equipments from starvation, and a credit‐driven mechanism to keep track of the amount of resource given to each user equipment. For throughput concern, it adopts both weight‐assignment and RB‐matching mechanisms to allocate each RB to a packet according to its flow type and length. Through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed RB allocation algorithm can significantly increase both throughput and fairness while reducing packet dropping and delays of real‐time flows, as compared with previous methods.
Image analysis and multi‐layer perceptron artificial neural networks for the discrimination between benign and malignant endometrial lesions
Authors: Makris Georgios‐Marios , Pouliakis Abraham , Siristatidis Charalampos , Margari Niki , Terzakis Emmanouil , Koureas Nikolaos , Pergialiotis Vasilios , Papantoniou Nikolaos , Karakitsos Petros
Published: February 2017

Background

This study aims to investigate the efficacy of an Artificial Neural Network based on Multi‐Layer Perceptron (ANN–MPL) to discriminate between benign and malignant endometrial nuclei and lesions in cytological specimens.

Methods

We collected 416 histologically confirmed liquid‐based cytological smears from 168 healthy patients, 152 patients with malignancy, 52 with hyperplasia without atypia, 20 with hyperplasia with atypia, and 24 patients with endometrial polyps. The morphometric characteristics of 90 nuclei per case were analyzed using a custom image analysis system; half of them were used to train the MPL–ANN model, which classified each nucleus as benign or malignant. Data from the remaining 50% of cases were used to evaluate the performance and stability of the ANN. The MLP–ANN for the nuclei classification (numeric and percentage classifiers) and the algorithms for the determination of the optimum threshold values were estimated with in‐house developed software for the MATLAB v2011b programming environment; the diagnostic accuracy measures were also calculated.

Results

The accuracy of the MPL–ANN model for the classification of endometrial nuclei was 81.33%, while specificity was 88.84% and sensitivity 69.38%. For the case classification based on numeric classifier the overall accuracy was 90.87%, the specificity 93.03% and the sensitivity 87.79%; the indices for the percentage classifier were 95.91%, 93.44%, and 99.42%, respectively.

Conclusion

Computerized systems based on ANNs can aid the cytological classification of endometrial nuclei and lesions with sufficient sensitivity and specificity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:202–211. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single‐Molecule‐Magnet Behavior in a Calix[8]arene‐Capped {Tb6IIICrIII} Cluster
Authors: Han Haitao , Li Xiaolei , Zhu Xiaofei , Zhang Guoshuai , Wang Shentang , Hang Xinxin , Tang Jinkui , Liao Wuping
Published: February 2017

Four isostructural heptanuclear {(Ln6Cr)(C8A)2} compounds (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, and Tm; H8C8A = p‐tert‐butylcalix[8]arene) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. These four compounds feature a sandwich‐like unit in which the heterometallic {LnIII6CrIII} cluster is capped by two perpendicular calix[8]arene molecules in a double‐cone conformation. Magnetic investigations revealed that the {TbIII6CrIII} compound exhibits single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior.
Manganese‐Catalyzed Aerobic Heterocoupling of Aryl Grignard Reagents
Authors: Ghaleshahi Hajar Golshahi , Antonacci Giuseppe , Madsen Robert
Published: February 2017

An improved protocol has been developed for the MnCl2‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction of two arylmagnesium bromides under dioxygen. The reaction was achieved by using the Grignard reagents in a 2:1 ratio and 20 % of MnCl2. Very good yields of the heterocoupling product were obtained when the limiting Grignard reagent underwent little homocoupling under the reaction conditions. Arylmagnesium bromides that contain p‐methoxy, p‐(dimethylamino), p‐fluoro, and p‐chloro substituents were shown to afford high product yields in the cross‐coupling reactions with a variety of substituted aryl Grignard reagents. Heterocyclic Grignard reagents, on the other hand, were less effective substrates for this transformation because of the rapid homocoupling of these reagents under the reaction conditions.
Severe pneumonia associated with ibrutinib monotherapy for CLL and lymphoma
Authors: Kreiniz Natalia , Bejar Jacob , Polliack Aaron , Tadmor Tamar
Published: February 2017

In recent years, there have been major advances in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) particularly since the development of novel therapeutic agents, mostly “biological drugs.” One of the obvious advantages of these agents is the decreased rate of infectious complications occurring during the course of therapy, compared to the use of standard immuno‐chemotherapy regimens. Here, we describe 3 patients with CLL and 1 with mantle cell lymphoma who developed severe life‐threatening pneumonias, during monotherapy with ibrutinib. The first case was a 70‐year‐old woman with relapsed CLL who developed bilateral pneumonia with hypoxia 1 week after starting ibrutinib. She did not respond to broad‐spectrum antibiotics and was treated empirically with trimethoprim‐sulphamethoxazole and improved. In the second case, we describe a 76‐year‐old woman with relapsed CLL who developed recurrent pneumonia after 3 years of treatment with ibrutinib. Presuming that ibrutinib was the cause of pneumonitis with secondary infection, it was stopped with subsequent improvement. The third patient a 67 year‐old man died because of severe bilateral necrotizing pneumonia due to invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis with pulmonary hemorrhage. The fourth patient with relapsed mantle cell lymphoma died because of severe bilateral pneumonia, caused by pseudomonas and candida, despite receiving appropriate antibiotics. From this experience, we hypothesize that the etiology of severe pneumonia associated with ibrutinib treatment is probably multifactorial, involving factors like preexisting immune‐suppression, drug induced pneumonitis and infections. We suggest that patients with CLL or other lymphoproliferative disorders with suspected pneumonia during monotherapy with ibrutinib should be very carefully evaluated and need to undergo complete diagnostic workup to establish an exact diagnosis. Understanding which patients with CLL or lymphoma treated with kinase inhibitors are at a higher risk for developing pulmonary complications could be one of the important future challenges, when selecting the best available therapy for these patients.
A qualitative study on human resources for primary health care in Iran
Authors: Nekoei Moghadam Mahmood , Amiresmaili Mohammadreza , Sadeghi Vahideh , Zeinalzadeh Ali‐Hossein , Tupchi Mahmud , Parva Sahar
Published: February 2017

Background

According to World Bank Group report, while Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Iran were appropriate to the needs of the population in the late 1970s and 1980s, the changing burden of diseases and shifting demand patterns have rendered the existing PHC system no longer suitable to meet current and emergent needs. Based on previous studies, one of the main PHC challenges in Iran relates to human resources issues.

Methods

This study was conducted in 2012 at 3 scales of local (Tabriz city), provincial (East Azerbaijan), and national levels. Two qualitative methods were used in the study: free–focus group discussions and in‐depth interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyze collected data. Categories of analysis were developed using framework analysis approach, and main themes were emerged.

Results

Four themes were developed and finalized out of focus group discussions and interviews: availability of health workers in PHC, competency, PHC health workers' motivation, and PHC managerial issues.

Conclusion

Based on findings and issues discovered in this study, several suggestions can be made, including development, implementation, and evaluation of needs assessment strategies for various vocational posts, promotion of educational courses and PHC‐based training, strengthening of relationships and coordination between practical and scientific bodies, application of incentive programs in PHC, and strengthening of system management capacity through use of qualified managers.
Influence of cover cropping on water uptake dynamics in an irrigated Mediterranean vineyard
Authors: Tomaz A. , Pacheco C.A. , Coleto Martinez J.M.
Published: February 2017

As a result of its physiological characteristics, vine's yield and quality responses are greatly affected by water availability in the soil. Knowledge about water uptake of grapevines in pedoclimatic conditions of high water availability is essential when considering the increasing use of irrigation in a previously rainfed crop. We studied the water uptake of irrigated grapevines under different soil covers. The study was carried out over 2 years in southern Portugal, a Mediterranean climate region, in ‘Aragonez’ grapevines planted in Vertisols. A cover crop was sown in half the area while maintaining the permanent resident vegetation in the remaining area. Five levels of annual irrigation supply were applied: 200, 150, 100 and 50 mm, and no irrigation. Soil moisture was monitored every 2 or 3 weeks, and weekly after the start of irrigation. Results show that water uptake in the interrows did not cease after the beginning of irrigation. Water uptake by the vines occurred to depths of approximately 3 m, hence 7.5 times greater than the cover crop root system depth. Results suggest that over time, the presence of the cover crop forces the vine root system, mainly its thinner roots, to seek water in increasingly deeper soil compartments. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metformin attenuates albumin‐induced alterations in renal tubular cells in vitro
Authors: Allouch Soumaya , Munusamy Shankar
Published: February 2017

Proteinuria (albuminuria) plays a crucial role in the etiology of chronic kidney disease (CKD) via alteration of multiple signaling pathways and cellular process in renal cells. The objectives of this study are to investigate the effects of activation of the energy‐sensing molecule AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) in renal cells using metformin on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, AKT, mTOR, epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), autophagy, and apoptosis that are thought to mediate renal cell injury during proteinuria, and to dissect the AMPK‐ and non‐AMPK mediated effects of metformin using an in vitro model of albumin‐induced renal cell injury. Rat renal proximal tubular (NRK‐52E) cells were exposed to 10 and 15 mg/ml of albumin for 72 h in the presence of 1 mM Metformin and/or 0.5 µM compound C, and assessed for alterations in the aforementioned pathways. Metformin treatment restored AMPK phosphorylation and augmented autophagy in renal cells exposed to albumin. In addition, metformin treatment attenuated the albumin‐induced phosphorylation of AKT and the downstream targets of mTOR, and prevented albumin‐mediated inductions of EMT marker (α‐SMA), pro‐apoptotic ER stress marker CHOP, and apoptotic caspases ‐12 and ‐3 in renal cells. Blockade of metformin‐induced AMPK activation with compound C blunted the ER defense response and autophagy but had no effect on the markers of EMT and apoptosis in our model. Our studies suggest that metformin protects renal cells against proteinuric cytotoxicity via suppression of AKT and mTOR activation, inhibition of EMT and apoptosis, and augmentation of autophagy and ER defense response through AMPK‐independent and AMPK‐dependent mechanisms, respectively.
The Benefit of Adjuvant Radiation in Surgically‐Treated T1‐2 N1 Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Monroe Marcus M. , Buchmann Luke O. , Hunt Jason P. , Hitchcock Ying J. , Lloyd Shane , Hashibe Mia
Published: February 2017

Importance

The benefit of adjuvant radiation in surgically treated T1‐2N1 oropharyngeal cancer without adverse pathologic features remains unclear

Objectives

To compare population‐level survival outcomes in surgically‐treated T1‐2N1 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) with and without the use of adjuvant radiation.

Study Design

Retrospective population‐based study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data from 1998–2011.

Setting

Population‐level study.

Participants

Patients with T1‐2N1 OPSCC treated with surgical resection and neck dissection with or without adjuvant radiation.

Intervention(s) for Clinical Trials or Exposure(s) for observational studies

The use of postoperative adjuvant radiation.

Main Outcome(s) and Measures

Overall and disease‐specific survival.

Results

Radiation was utilized in 74% of patients and was positively associated with extracapsular extension and well‐differentiated histology. The use of radiation was associated with improved mean overall survival (124 v. 108 months, p=0.023) and a non‐significant increase in mean disease‐specific survival (138 v. 131 months, p=0.053).

Conclusions and Relevance

The use of adjuvant radiation is associated with improved survival in surgically‐treated T1‐2N1 squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx with unknown HPV status.

Level of Evidence

IV
Comparative charge transfer studies in nonmetallated and metallated porphyrin fullerene dyads
Authors: Gupta Neha , Naqvi Samya , Jewariya Mukesh , Chand Suresh , Kumar Rachana
Published: February 2017

Single material organic solar cells become an interesting area of research to overcome the challenges with efficient charge separation efficiencies in conventional organic solar cells. In this article, we have synthesized nonmetallated and metallated porphyrin‐fullerene dyad materials (H2P‐C60 and ZnP‐C60, respectively) with simple structure, comprehensively studied their charge transfer mechanism, and established a proof of concept that nonmetallated porphyrin‐fullerene dyads are better candidates to be used in organic solar cells compared with metallated dyads. Absorption and electrochemical analysis revealed the ground state electronic interactions between donor‐acceptor moieties in both types of dyads. Driving force (−ΔGoET) for intramolecular electron transfer process was calculated by first oxidation and reduction potentials of dyads. The excited state electronic interactions were characterized by time‐resolved fluorescence and pump‐probe transient absorption experiments. Strong fluorescence quenching of porphyrin along with reduced lifetimes in dyads due to deactivation of singlet excited states by photoinduced charge transfer process between porphyrin/Zn‐porphyrin core and fullerene in different polarity solvents was observed. Transient absorption spectroscopy was also applied to identify the transient spectral features, ie, cationic (H2P+/ZnP+) and anionic (C60−) radicals formed because of the charge separation in both types of dyads. Finally, organic solar cell device was also fabricated using the dyads. We obtained higher Voc, Jsc, and fill factor in single material organic solar cell using H2P‐C60 compared to previous reports.
Optimal Design of Step‐stress Accelerated Degradation Test with Multiple Stresses and Multiple Degradation Measures
Authors: Wang Yashun , Chen Xun , Tan Yuanyuan
Published: February 2017

Products with high reliability and long lifetimes undergo different types of stresses in use conditions. Often there are multiple performance indicators for products that gradually degrade over time. An accelerated degradation test (ADT) with multiple stresses and multiple degradation measures (MSMDM) may provide a more accurate prediction of the lifetime of these products. However, the ADT requires a moderate sample size, which is not practical for newly developed or costly products with only a few available test specimens on hand. Therefore, in this study, a step‐stress ADT (SSADT) with MSMDM is developed. However, it is a difficult endeavor to design SSADT with MSMDM to predict accurate reliability estimation under several constraints. Previous methods are used only for cases with a single stress or degradation measure, and are not suitable for SSADT with MSMDM. In this paper, an approach of optimal design is proposed for SSADT with MSMDM and its steps for a rubber sealed O‐ring are demonstrated to illustrate its validity. Results of the sensitivity analysis for the optimal test plan indicate robustness when the deviation of model parameters is within 10% of the estimated values. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Binary State Reliability Computation for a Complex System Based on Extended Bernoulli Trials: Multiple Autonomous Robots
Authors: Fazlollahtabar Hamed , Niaki Seyed Taghi Akhavan
Published: February 2017

Availability of a system is a crucial factor for planning and optimization. The concept is more challenging for modern systems such as robots and autonomous systems consisting of a complex configuration of components. In this paper, a reliability evaluation framework is developed for a system of binary state autonomous robots in an automated manufacturing environment. In this framework, the concepts in functional block diagram, table of truth, and sum of state are employed simultaneously to develop a binary state reliability model. Due to inefficacy of the method for larger number of components involved in complex systems, an extension of the Bernoulli trials is proposed. In an implementation study, the effectiveness and computational efficiency of the proposed method are illustrated. In addition, an analysis on the failure rate using the maximum likelihood estimation and confidence interval is reported. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dietary protein content and tissue type control 13C discrimination in mammals: an analytical approach
Authors: Hobbie Erik A.
Published: February 2017

Rationale

Carbon isotope measurements on collagen and other tissues are used in modern and paleodiet studies, and relating these patterns to the dietary protein fraction (fdp) and to δ13C values of dietary protein and energy (lipids and carbohydrates) remains important for determining diets.

Methods

Carbon fluxes from dietary protein to tissues in feeding studies of mice, rats, and pigs were estimated to test how tissue δ13C values related to the δ13C values of dietary protein, dietary energy, fdp, or loge fdp. Values of fdp, protein δ13C, and energy δ13C were used in stepwise regressions that estimated the metabolic routing of dietary protein and the 13C enrichment of tissues relative to dietary protein.

Results

The 13C enrichment of rat collagen and mouse muscle relative to dietary protein depended on loge fdp and the 13C enrichment of dietary protein on energy:

urn:x-wiley:09514198:media:rcm7830:rcm7830-math-0001

The collagen (fcp) or muscle (fmp) fractions derived from dietary protein were estimated as:

urn:x-wiley:09514198:media:rcm7830:rcm7830-math-0002

The coefficients of loge fdp reflected the higher proportion of non‐essential amino acids in collagen (79%) than in muscle (61%). In rats, dietary protein contributed from 66% (liver) to 85% (hair) whereas, in mice, dietary protein contributed from 76% (liver) to 85% (body protein). In pigs, collagen derived primarily (83 ± 5%) from dietary protein.

Conclusions

These equations provided analytical frameworks to interpret dietary patterns from isotopic measurements. Metabolic routing and 13C enrichment varied with fdp and with the tissue amino acid composition. Thus, fdp and tissue amino acid compositions were key parameters to assess dietary sources from isotopic values. Incorporating these insights will improve our ability to interpret the isotopic paleorecord and modern diet studies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Current and Future Perspectives on Alginate Encapsulated Pancreatic Islet
Authors: Strand Berit L. , Coron Abba E. , Skjak-Braek Gudmund
Published: February 2017

Transplantation of pancreatic islets in immune protective capsules holds the promise as a functional cure for type 1 diabetes, also about 40 years after the first proof of principal study. The concept is simple in using semipermeable capsules that allow the ingress of oxygen and nutrients, but limit the access of the immune system. Encapsulated human islets have been evaluated in four small clinical trials where the procedure has been evaluated as safe, but lacking long-term efficacy. Host reactions toward the biomaterials used in the capsules may be one parameter limiting the long-term function of the graft in humans. The present article briefly discusses important capsule properties such as stability, permeability and biocompatibility, as well as possible strategies to overcome current challenges. Also, recent progress in capsule development as well as the production of insulin-producing cells from human stem cells that gives promising perspectives for the transplantation of encapsulated insulin-producing tissue is briefly discussed.
Gamma-Secretase Inhibitor IX (GSI) Impairs Concomitant Activation of Notch and Wnt-Beta-Catenin Pathways in CD44+ Gastric Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Barat Samarpita , Chen Xi , Cuong Bui Khac , Bozko Przemyslaw , Götze Julian , Christgen Matthias , Krech Till , Malek Nisar P. , Plentz Ruben R.
Published: February 2017

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are associated with tumor resistance and are characterized in gastric cancer (GC). Studies have indicated that Notch and wnt-beta-catenin pathways are crucial for CSC development. Using CD44+ CSCs, we investigated the role of these pathways in GC carcinogenesis. We performed cell proliferation, wound healing, invasion, tumorsphere, and apoptosis assays. Immunoblot analysis of downstream signaling targets of Notch and wnt-beta-catenin were tested after gamma-secretase inhibitor IX (GSI) treatment. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) were used to determine CD44 and Hairy enhancer of split-1 (Hes1) expression in human GC tissues. CD44+ CSCs were subcutaneously injected into NMR-nu/nu mice and treated with vehicle or GSI. GC patients with expression of CD44 and Hes1 showed overall reduced survival. CD44+ CSCs showed high expression of Hes1. GSI treatment showed effective inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor sphere formation of CD44+ CSCs, and induced apoptosis. Importanly, Notch1 was found to be important in mediating a crosstalk between Notch and wnt-beta-catenin in CD44+ CSCs. Our study highlights a crosstalk between Notch and wnt-beta-catenin in gastric CD44+ CSCs. Expression of CD44 and Hes1 is associated with patient overall survival. GSI could be an alternative drug to treat GC.
Shaking table test on seismic resonant behavior of core‐outrigger structure
Authors: Sun Feifei , Hu Zhibin , Chen Guangyuan , Xie Liming , Sheng Li
Published: February 2017

In order to investigate disastrous seismic resonant effect of resonant ground motions on tall building structures, a 1/40 scaled planar test model of a 56‐story core‐outrigger structure was tested on shaking table considering two types of ground motions, that is, non‐resonant and resonant ground motions. The non‐resonant ground motions were chosen from far‐field natural earthquake records, whereas the resonant ground motions were generated through scaling Fourier spectra of the non‐resonant ones in a target period region covering one of the first two natural periods of the test model. The test results showed that (a) with the same small peak ground acceleration of 0.07 g, the test model exhibited significant hysteretic behavior, residual displacement, and even overturning collapse under the resonant ground motions but behaved elastically under the non‐resonant ones; (b) the first‐period resonant ground motion caused extremely large displacements on the upper floors and large moments on the lower stories, whereas the second‐period resonant ground motion resulted in extremely large accelerations on the upper and middle floors; (c) the first‐period resonant ground motion was more probable to trigger overturning collapse of the core‐outrigger system after some exterior columns had reached their axial compression strength, even for those columns on the middle stories.
Reliability based design of fluid power pitch systems for wind turbines
Authors: Liniger Jesper , Soltani Mohsen , Pedersen Henrik C. , Carroll James , Sepehri Nariman
Published: February 2017

This paper presents a qualitative design tool for evaluation of the risk for fluid power pitch systems. The design tool is developed with special attention to industry standard failure analysis methods and is aimed at the early phase of system design. Firstly, the concept of Fault Tree Analysis is used for systematic description of fault propagation linking failure modes to system effects. The methodology is conducted solely on a circuit diagram and functional behavior. The Failure Mode and Effects Criticality Analysis is subsequently employed to determine the failure mode risk via the Risk Priority Number. The Failure Mode and Effect Criticality Analysis is based on past research concerning failure analysis of wind turbine drive trains. Guidelines are given to select the severity, occurrence and detection score that make up the risk priority number. The usability of the method is shown in a case study of a fluid power pitch system applied to wind turbines. The results show a good agreement to recent field failure data for offshore turbines where the dominating failure modes are related to valves, accumulators and leakage. The results are further used for making design improvements to lower the overall risk of the pitch system. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational models of Bitemporal, Bifrontal and Right Unilateral ECT predict differential stimulation of brain regions associated with efficacy and cognitive side effects
Authors: Bai S. , Gálvez V. , Dokos S. , Martin D. , Bikson M. , Loo C.
Published: February 2017

Background

Extensive clinical research has shown that the efficacy and cognitive outcomes of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are determined, in part, by the type of electrode placement used. Bitemporal ECT (BT, stimulating electrodes placed bilaterally in the frontotemporal region) is the form of ECT with relatively potent clinical and cognitive side effects. However, the reasons for this are poorly understood.

Objective

This study used computational modelling to examine regional differences in brain excitation between BT, Bifrontal (BF) and Right Unilateral (RUL) ECT, currently the most clinically-used ECT placements. Specifically, by comparing similarities and differences in current distribution patterns between BT ECT and the other two placements, the study aimed to create an explanatory model of critical brain sites that mediate antidepressant efficacy and sites associated with cognitive, particularly memory, adverse effects.

Methods

High resolution finite element human head models were generated from MRI scans of three subjects. The models were used to compare differences in activation between the three ECT placements, using subtraction maps.

Results and conclusion

In this exploratory study on three realistic head models, Bitemporal ECT resulted in greater direct stimulation of deep midline structures and also left temporal and inferior frontal regions. Interpreted in light of existing knowledge on depressive pathophysiology and cognitive neuroanatomy, it is suggested that the former sites are related to efficacy and the latter to cognitive deficits. We hereby propose an approach using binarised subtraction models that can be used to optimise, and even individualise, ECT therapies.
GSA: Genome Sequence Archive
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Song Fuhai , Zhu Junwei , Zhang Sisi , Yang Yadong , Chen Tingting , Tang Bixia , Dong Lili , Ding Nan , Zhang Qian , Bai Zhouxian , Dong Xunong , Chen Huanxin , Sun Mingyuan , Zhai Shuang , Sun Yubin , Yu Lei , Lan Li , Xiao Jingfa , Fang Xiangdong , Lei Hongxing , Zhang Zhang , Zhao Wenming
Published: February 2017

With the rapid development of sequencing technologies towards higher throughput and lower cost, sequence data are generated at an unprecedentedly explosive rate. To provide an efficient and easy-to-use platform for managing huge sequence data, here we present Genome Sequence Archive (GSA; http://bigd.big.ac.cn/gsa or http://gsa.big.ac.cn), a data repository for archiving raw sequence data. In compliance with data standards and structures of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC), GSA adopts four data objects (BioProject, BioSample, Experiment, and Run) for data organization, accepts raw sequence reads produced by a variety of sequencing platforms, stores both sequence reads and metadata submitted from all over the world, and makes all these data publicly available to worldwide scientific communities. In the era of big data, GSA is not only an important complement to existing INSDC members by alleviating the increasing burdens of handling sequence data deluge, but also takes the significant responsibility for global big data archive and provides free unrestricted access to all publicly available data in support of research activities throughout the world.
Colliding drops as coalescing and fragmenting liquid springs
Authors: Planchette C. , Hinterbichler H. , Liu M. , Bothe D. , Brenn G.
Published: February 2017

A universal modelling approach of drop fragmentation after head-on drop collisions is presented. In this approach, the colliding drops are seen as liquid springs that coalesce, compress and relax, leading the merged drop to break up if it reaches a critical aspect ratio. Combining energetic balance of the compression and relaxation phases with a Rayleigh-like criterion, we deduce the fragmentation threshold velocity for the collision of two and three drops of the same liquid and of two drops of immiscible liquids. Predictions and experimental results obtained for these three kinds of collisions using various liquids and drop sizes are found to be in good agreement over a wide domain whose boundaries are discussed.
Parental drug and alcohol use as a contributing factor in applications to the Children's Court for protection orders
Authors: Leek Lindsay , Seneque Diane , Ward Kaija
Published: February 2017

Drug use has a significant negative impact on the ability of parents to provide safe care for children and an outcome of this is the entry of some of these children into out-of-home care. This poses particular challenges for service providers, not only because of the complex nature of addiction, but also the many other issues facing these families. This paper reports on studies conducted by the Western Australian Department for Community Development in 2004 and 2007 which explored parental drug and alcohol use as a contributing factor in applications to the Children's Court for protection orders. The results of the 2004 study showed that parental drug and alcohol use was the second most common contributing factor in protection applications after neglect. It was also confirmed that drug and alcohol use rarely occurs in isolation, with strong links identified to neglect and domestic violence, as well as other factors, including physical abuse and homelessness/transient lifestyle. The 2007 follow-up study further highlighted the co-existence of parental drug and alcohol use and domestic violence.
The Definition of Nudge and Libertarian Paternalism: Does the Hand Fit the Glove?
Authors: Hansen Pelle Guldborg
Published: February 2017

In recent years the concepts of ‘nudge’ and ‘libertarian paternalism’ have become popular theoretical as well as practical concepts inside as well as outside academia. But in spite of the widespread interest, confusion reigns as to what exactly is to be regarded as a nudge and how the underlying approach to behaviour change relates to libertarian paternalism. This article sets out to improve the clarity and value of the definition of nudge by reconciling it with its theoretical foundations in behavioural economics. In doing so it not only explicates the relationship between nudges and libertarian paternalism, but also clarifies how nudges relate to incentives and information, and may even be consistent with the removal of certain types of choices. In the end we are left with a revised definition of the concept of nudge that allows for consistently categorising behaviour change interventions as such and that places them relative to libertarian paternalism.
Food Fraud in the EU
Authors: Montanari Francesco , Varallo Cesare , Pisanello Daniele
Published: February 2017

By making the headlines in the major European newspapers in 2013, the horsemeat scandal impaired consumer confidence in the transparency of the European food chain to a significant extent. In spite of its negative economic impact on the European Union (EU) market, the scandal in question has stimulated an unprecedented reflection in the area of food fraud by the EU institutions, national authorities, other stakeholders as well as by members of academia and the legal profession in general.

On an EU level, the European Commission swiftly responded to the scandal with the adoption of a wide-ranging action plan consisting of targeted policy, legislative and enforcement measures.
Fibromuscular dysplasia – results of a multicentre study in Flanders
Authors: De Groote Marie , Van der Niepen Patricia , Hemelsoet Dimitri , Callewaert Bert , Vermassen Frank , Billiouw Jean-Marie , De Vriese An , Donck Jan , De Backer Tine
Published: February 2017

Abstract. Background: Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is an idiopathic, non-inflammatory, non-atherosclerotic vascular disease, resulting in focal narrowing of small and medium-sized arteries. Systematic recording of clinical data in central databases as in the US and France provided new insights into FMD. The main objectives of this multicentre study were to explore the epidemiology, pattern of vascular involvement, clinical manifestations, and management of FMD patients in Flanders. Patients and methods: Multicentre, retrospective registry of patients diagnosed with FMD based on medical imaging. Results: Hundred-twenty-three FMD patients (83.7 % female) were included. Mean age at FMD diagnosis was 57.3 years (SD 15.8). More than half of patients (59.5 %) were hypertensive at the time of diagnosis. Neurological complaints such as headache (26.4 %) and dizziness (23.1 %) were also frequently reported. FMD was discovered incidentally in 10 patients (8.3 %). Nearly one quarter (22.8 %) of patients experienced a cerebrovascular event. Aneurysms were found in one-fifth (20.3 %) of patients and 11.4 % had an arterial dissection. FMD affected most frequently the renal (85.3 %), carotid (74.7 %), and vertebral (39.8 %) arteries. Renovascular FMD was more prevalent in men, whereas cerebrovascular FMD was more frequent in women. Multiple affected sites were documented in 25 of 61 (41.0 %) patients, having two or more vascular beds imaged. Digital subtraction angiography was most frequently used for detecting FMD. One third (32.9 %) of patients received an interventional treatment, mainly patients with renovascular FMD (32.8 % underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) and patients with an intracranial carotid aneurysm (36.4 % were treated by means of coiling). Conclusions: Although differences existed, results of the Flemish registry were broadly in line with the US and French registries. Patient databases help to learn more about the natural history, progression, and management of FMD, based on real life clinical evidence.
Disorder enabled band structure engineering of a topological insulator surface
Authors: Xu Yishuai , Chiu Janet , Miao Lin , He Haowei , Alpichshev Zhanybek , Kapitulnik A. , Biswas Rudro R. , Wray L. Andrew
Published: February 2017

Three-dimensional topological insulators are bulk insulators with Z2 topological electronic order that gives rise to conducting light-like surface states. These surface electrons are exceptionally resistant to localization by non-magnetic disorder, and have been adopted as the basis for a wide range of proposals to achieve new quasiparticle species and device functionality. Recent studies have yielded a surprise by showing that in spite of resisting localization, topological insulator surface electrons can be reshaped by defects into distinctive resonance states. Here we use numerical simulations and scanning tunnelling microscopy data to show that these resonance states have significance well beyond the localized regime usually associated with impurity bands. At native densities in the model Bi2X3 (X=Bi, Te) compounds, defect resonance states are predicted to generate a new quantum basis for an emergent electron gas that supports diffusive electrical transport.
Bloch surface waves confined in one dimension with a single polymeric nanofibre
Authors: Wang Ruxue , Xia Hongyan , Zhang Douguo , Chen Junxue , Zhu Liangfu , Wang Yong , Yang Erchan , Zang Tianyang , Wen Xiaolei , Zou Gang , Wang Pei , Ming Hai , Badugu Ramachandram , Lakowicz Joseph R.
Published: February 2017

Polymeric fibres with small radii (such as 125 nm) are delicate to handle and should be laid down on a solid substrate to obtain practical devices. However, placing these nanofibres on commonly used glass substrates prevents them from guiding light. In this study, we numerically and experimentally demonstrate that when the nanofibre is placed on a suitable dielectric multilayer, it supports a guided mode, a Bloch surface wave (BSW) confined in one dimension. The physical origin of this new mode is discussed in comparison with the typical two-dimensional BSW mode. Polymeric nanofibres are easily fabricated to contain fluorophores, which make the dielectric nanofibre and multilayer configuration suitable for developing a large range of new nanometric scale devices, such as processor–memory interconnections, devices with sensitivity to target analytes, incident polarization and multi-colour BSW modes.
A high performance lithium ion capacitor achieved by the integration of a Sn-C anode and a biomass-derived microporous activated carbon cathode
Authors: Sun Fei , Gao Jihui , Zhu Yuwen , Pi Xinxin , Wang Lijie , Liu Xin , Qin Yukun
Published: February 2017

Hybridizing battery and capacitor materials to construct lithium ion capacitors (LICs) has been regarded as a promising avenue to bridge the gap between high-energy lithium ion batteries and high-power supercapacitors. One of the key difficulties in developing advanced LICs is the imbalance in the power capability and charge storage capacity between anode and cathode. Herein, we design a new LIC system by integrating a rationally designed Sn-C anode with a biomass-derived activated carbon cathode. The Sn-C nanocomposite obtained by a facile confined growth strategy possesses multiple structural merits including well-confined Sn nanoparticles, homogeneous distribution and interconnected carbon framework with ultra-high N doping level, synergically enabling the fabricated anode with high Li storage capacity and excellent rate capability. A new type of biomass-derived activated carbon featuring both high surface area and high carbon purity is also prepared to achieve high capacity for cathode. The assembled LIC (Sn-C//PAC) device delivers high energy densities of 195.7 Wh kg−1 and 84.6 Wh kg−1 at power densities of 731.25 W kg−1 and 24375 W kg−1, respectively. This work offers a new strategy for designing high-performance hybrid system by tailoring the nanostructures of Li insertion anode and ion adsorption cathode.
Faithful SGCE imprinting in iPSC-derived cortical neurons: an endogenous cellular model of myoclonus-dystonia
Authors: Grütz Karen , Seibler Philip , Weissbach Anne , Lohmann Katja , Carlisle Francesca A. , Blake Derek J. , Westenberger Ana , Klein Christine , Grünewald Anne
Published: February 2017

In neuropathology research, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons are considered a tool closely resembling the patient brain. Albeit in respect to epigenetics, this concept has been challenged. We generated iPSC-derived cortical neurons from myoclonus-dystonia patients with mutations (W100G and R102X) in the maternally imprinted ε-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene and analysed properties such as imprinting, mRNA and protein expression. Comparison of the promoter during reprogramming and differentiation showed tissue-independent differential methylation. DNA sequencing with methylation-specific primers and cDNA analysis in patient neurons indicated selective expression of the mutated paternal SGCE allele. While fibroblasts only expressed the ubiquitous mRNA isoform, brain-specific SGCE mRNA and ε-sarcoglycan protein were detected in iPSC-derived control neurons. However, neuronal protein levels were reduced in both mutants. Our phenotypic characterization highlights the suitability of iPSC-derived cortical neurons with SGCE mutations for myoclonus-dystonia research and, in more general terms, prompts the use of iPSC-derived cellular models to study epigenetic mechanisms impacting on health and disease.