bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Utilizing time‐driven activity‐based costing to understand the short‐ and long‐term costs of treating localized, low‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Laviana Aaron A. , Ilg Annette M. , Veruttipong Darlene , Tan Hung‐Jui , Burke Michael A. , Niedzwiecki Douglas R. , Kupelian Patrick A. , King Chris R. , Steinberg Michael L. , Kundavaram Chandan R. , Kamrava Mitchell , Kaplan Alan L. , Moriarity Andrew K. , Hsu William , Margolis Daniel J. A. , Hu Jim C. , Saigal Christopher S.
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Given the costs of delivering care for men with prostate cancer remain poorly described, this article reports the results of time‐driven activity‐based costing (TDABC) for competing treatments of low‐risk prostate cancer.

METHODS

Process maps were developed for each phase of care from the initial urologic visit through 12 years of follow‐up for robotic‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), cryotherapy, high–dose rate (HDR) and low–dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and active surveillance (AS). The last modality incorporated both traditional transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy and multiparametric‐MRI/TRUS fusion biopsy. The costs of materials, equipment, personnel, and space were calculated per unit of time and based on the relative proportion of capacity used. TDABC for each treatment was defined as the sum of its resources.

RESULTS

Substantial cost variation was observed at 5 years, with costs ranging from $7,298 for AS to $23,565 for IMRT, and they remained consistent through 12 years of follow‐up. LDR brachytherapy ($8,978) was notably cheaper than HDR brachytherapy ($11,448), and SBRT ($11,665) was notably cheaper than IMRT, with the cost savings attributable to shorter procedure times and fewer visits required for treatment. Both equipment costs and an inpatient stay ($2,306) contributed to the high cost of RALP ($16,946). Cryotherapy ($11,215) was more costly than LDR brachytherapy, largely because of increased single‐use equipment costs ($6,292 vs $1,921). AS reached cost equivalence with LDR brachytherapy after 7 years of follow‐up.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of TDABC is feasible for analyzing cancer services and provides insights into cost‐reduction tactics in an era focused on emphasizing value. By detailing all steps from diagnosis and treatment through 12 years of follow‐up for low‐risk prostate cancer, this study has demonstrated significant cost variation between competing treatments. Cancer 2016;122:447–455. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Branched‐chain in situ hybridization for κ and λ light chains: A powerful ancillary technique for determining B‐cell clonality in cytology samples
Authors: Arora Kshitij , Chebib Ivan , Zukerberg Lawrence , Gandhi Manoj , Rivera Miguel , Ting David , Deshpande Vikram
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Current immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization (ISH) assays are generally inconclusive for clonality unless plasmacytic differentiation is present. This study examined a series of cytology specimens and explored the ability of a branched‐chain RNA (bRNA) ISH assay for immunoglobulin κ constant (IGKC) and immunoglobulin λ constant (IGLC) to detect a clonal population of B lymphocytes.

METHODS

Pathology databases were used to identify fine‐needle aspiration biopsies (n = 28) and exfoliative cytology samples (n = 20). Demographic, flow cytometry, and excision biopsy results were recorded. bRNA ISH was performed on the Leica Bond platform with the following probes: IGKC, IGLC, immunoglobulin λ‐like polypeptide 5 (IGLL5), and a housekeeping gene (HKG).

RESULTS

The bRNA ISH assay was validated with 30 surgical biopsies. On bRNA ISH, a clonal B‐cell population (light‐chain ratio > 10:1) was detected in 22 of 28 cases with a final diagnosis of lymphoma. In 2 cases, a κ predominance was present, although the ratio was <10:1. Eleven of the 17 κ‐clonal lymphomas also expressed IGLL5, the latter recognized by the presence of an intranuclear signal. Two B‐cell lymphomas lacked IGKC and IGLC, whereas 2 cases were negative for the HKG. In 12 of the 20 cases with reactive lymphoid tissue, bRNA ISH identified a polyclonal lymphoid population. No light‐chain messenger RNA was detected in 6 cases (typically those associated with very few B cells).

CONCLUSIONS

The automated bRNA ISH platform is a robust technique for detecting a clonal B‐cell population in cytology material. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:203–212. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
From Personality‐Driven to Institutionally Driven Collaboration by the US Forest Service
Authors: DuPraw Marcelle E. , Bedell‐Loucks Andrea , Enzer Maia J. , Lyon Katie M. , Silvas Daniel , Thorpe Laurie A. , Williams Peter B.
Published: November 2015

This article describes an approach being used by the US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service to assess and strengthen agency‐wide capacity to collaborate effectively with external stakeholders, as well as strategic reasons for investing resources in this endeavor in an era of fiscal austerity. The article examines the role of the third‐party neutral in helping agency stakeholders chart the path forward, in the near term and the longer term, and offers reflections on the characteristics of that role that are most important to the efficacy of the over‐all effort in this particular case.
History full circle: ‘Novel’ sympathomimetics in supplements
Authors: Rasmussen Nicolas , Keizers Peter H. J.
Published: November 2015

Since the banning of ephedrine in over‐the‐counter nutritional supplements a decade ago, a plethora of untested and/or unsafe sympathomimetic stimulants have taken its place. This paper argues that these ‘novel’ stimulants in supplements recapitulate the work of synthetic chemists at commercial pharmaceutical firms during the 1930s and 1940s, all seeking substitutes for recently successful products based on ephedrine and amphetamine. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selection and inheritance of sexually dimorphic juvenile plumage coloration
Authors: Tringali Angela , Bowman Reed , Husby Arild
Published: November 2015

Sexually dimorphic plumage coloration is widespread in birds and is generally thought to be a result of sexual selection for more ornamented males. Although many studies find an association between coloration and fitness related traits, few of these simultaneously examine selection and inheritance. Theory predicts that sex‐linked genetic variation can facilitate the evolution of dimorphism, and some empirical work supports this, but we still know very little about the extent of sex linkage of sexually dimorphic traits. We used a longitudinal study on juvenile Florida scrub‐jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) to estimate strength of selection and autosomal and Z‐linked heritability of mean brightness, UV chroma, and hue. Although plumage coloration signals dominance in juveniles, there was no indication that plumage coloration was related to whether or not an individual bred or its lifetime reproductive success. While mean brightness and UV chroma are moderately heritable, hue is not. There was no evidence for sex‐linked inheritance of any trait with most of the variation explained by maternal effects. The genetic correlation between the sexes was high and not significantly different from unity. These results indicate that evolution of sexual dimorphism in this species is constrained by low sex‐linked heritability and high intersexual genetic correlation.
Switching on the Aire conditioner
Authors: Matsumoto Mitsuru
Published: November 2015

Aire has been cloned as the gene responsible for a hereditary type of organ‐specific autoimmune disease. Aire controls the expression of a wide array of tissue‐restricted Ags by medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs), thereby leading to clonal deletion and Treg‐cell production, and ultimately to the establishment of self‐tolerance. However, relatively little is known about the mechanism responsible for the control of Aire expression itself. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Haljasorg et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 3246–3256] have reported the presence of an enhancer element for Aire that binds with NF‐κB components downstream of the TNF receptor family member, RANK (receptor activator of NF‐κB). The results suggest that RANK has a dual mode of action in Aire expression: one involving the promotion of mTEC differentiation and the other involving activation of the molecular switch for Aire within mature mTECs.
Enhancing Electron Injection in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells by Adopting W6+‐Doped TiO2 Nanowires: A Theoretical Study
Authors: Hao Li , Wang Jian , Bai Fu‐Quan , Xie Mo , Zhang Hong‐Xing
Published: November 2015

As a donor type dopant in titanium dioxide, W6+ was found to move the conduction band (CB) edge of TiO2 downward and also to influence the electron‐injection process in dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). To investigate the electron‐injection capabilities of DSSCs and to optimize their efficiency by W6+ doping, the geometry and electronic properties of both free and adsorbed TiO2 nanowires were investigated on the basis of extensive density functional theory calculations. A four‐layer (TiO2)12 nanowire with 12 possible doping sites was set up, and the effect of W6+ in different positions was analyzed. The results indicate that in the W6+‐doped (TiO2)12 systems, the Ti–OW (OW = oxygen atom that is connected to the W atom) bonds are longer than the corresponding Ti–O bonds in (TiO2)12. The CB edge is significantly influenced by the doping position. The CB energy level moves upward gradually as doped W6+ moves deep into (TiO2)12. For all adsorbed catechol/(TiO2)12 systems with the W6+ dopant, the LUMO maps are distributed over the layer in which W6+ is doped. The W6+ doping position plays a crucial role in the electron‐injection and electron‐transport process in DSSCs. Therefore, different positions of W6+ doping in TiO2 would be a feasible strategy to control and improve semiconductor materials to obtain DSSCs with more efficient electron injection.
Finite‐Element Analysis of a Varying‐Width Bistable Piezoelectric Energy Harvester
Authors: Kumar Tarun , Kumar Rajeev , Chauhan Vishal S. , Twiefel Jens
Published: November 2015

In this study, a finite‐element analysis of a varying‐width piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) has been presented. A varying‐width piezoelectric energy harvester (cantilever type) has variation in the width at definite intervals along its length. To harvest the energy over the wide frequency range of environmental vibrations, nonlinearity is introduced in the stiffness by mean of two neodymium magnets. The width of the proposed varying‐width cantilever PEH is calculated using block pulse functions (BPFs). The objective of applying BPFs is to proximate a triangular PEH (with fixed base) into a proposed varying‐width PEH with three rectangular sections along length. The use of BPFs enable the use of rectangular patches of lead zirconate titanate (PZT‐5A). This leads to a reduction in cost as machining PZT at other than straight cuts results in an extensive increase in the production costs. The varying‐width piezoelectric cantilever beam is subjected to harmonic base excitations by applying a vertical acceleration of 0.2 g (g=9.81 m s−2). Numerical study indicates that the bistable varying‐width PEH generates at least two times the average power than that generated by a bistable uniform‐width PEH for the same volume of piezoelectric material and for the same linear natural frequency. Furthermore, the bistable varying‐width PEH is optimized using a genetic algorithm technique to maximize the mean power density.
Probabilistic seismic demand model for nonstructural components
Authors: Lucchini Andrea , Franchin Paolo , Mollaioli Fabrizio
Published: November 2015

Past earthquakes have shown the importance for critical facilities to remain functional during seismic events. In the performance assessment of these facilities, it is therefore essential to accurately evaluate the seismic demand of nonstructural components. Evaluation of these components is also important when estimation of nonstructural repair costs is a concern. In this paper, the use of a multivariate demand model for nonstructural components is proposed, in which demand is expressed in terms of both interstory drifts and floor acceleration spectra. A model is built using statistics of the demand vector derived from the results of a limited number of inelastic response history analyses of a structure. The model is then used to simulate any number of additional realizations of the demand vector required for an accurate estimation of the probability of functionality loss. A new proposal for a predictive equation to generate approximate realizations of floor response spectra is presented. A reinforced concrete frame is selected as an illustrative example to show the implementation of the probabilistic seismic demand model and to evaluate the proposed predictive equation for the floor response spectra. The results of the case study are used to demonstrate the importance of accounting for the correlation among the demand parameters when realizations of the seismic demand of nonstructural components are simulated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of processing methods on nutritional, sensory, and physicochemical characteristics of biofortified bean flour
Authors: Nkundabombi Marie Grace , Nakimbugwe Dorothy , Muyonga John H.
Published: November 2015

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are rich nutritious and affordable by vulnerable groups, thus a good choice for biofortification to address malnutrition. However, increasing micronutrients content of beans, without improving micronutrients bioavailability will not improve the micronutrients status of consumers. Effect of different processing methods on the physicochemical characteristics of biofortified bean flour was determined. Processing methods used in this study were malting (48 h), roasting (170°C/45 min), and extrusion cooking using a twin screw extruder with three heating sections, the first set at 60°C, the second at 130°C, and the last one at 150°C. The screw was set at a speed of 35 Hz (123g) and bean flour moisture content was 15%. Mineral extractability, in vitro protein digestibility, pasting properties, and sensory acceptability of porridge and sauce from processed flour were determined. All processing methods significantly increased (P < 0.05) mineral extractability, iron from 38.9% to 79.5% for K131 and from 40.7% to 83.4% for ROBA1, in vitro protein digestibility from 58.2% to 82% for ROBA1 and from 56.2% to 79% for K131. Pasting viscosities of both bean varieties reduced with processing. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between sensory acceptability of porridge or sauce from extruded biofortified bean flour and malted/roasted biofortified bean flour. Acceptability was also not affected by the bean variety used. Mineral bioavailability and in vitro protein digestibility increased more for extruded flour than for malted/roasted flours. Sauce and porridge prepared from processed biofortified bean flour had lower viscosity (extruded flour had the lowest viscosity), thus higher nutrient and energy density than those prepared from unprocessed biofortified bean flour. Estimated nutritional contribution of sauce and porridge made from processed ROBA1 flour to daily requirement of children below 5 years and women of reproductive age found to be high. These results show that processing methods enhanced nutritional value of biofortified bean flour and that processed biofortified bean flour can be used to prepare nutrient and energy‐dense gruel to improve on nutritional status of children under 5 years and women of reproductive age.
Cost‐effectiveness of new antiviral regimens for treatment‐naïve U.S. veterans with hepatitis C
Authors: Chidi Alexis P. , Rogal Shari , Bryce Cindy L. , Fine Michael J. , Good Chester B. , Myaskovsky Larissa , Rustgi Vinod K. , Tsung Allan , Smith Kenneth J.
Published: November 2015

Recently approved, interferon‐free medication regimens for treating hepatitis C are highly effective, but extremely costly. We aimed to identify cost‐effective strategies for managing treatment‐naïve U.S. veterans with new hepatitis C medication regimens. We developed a Markov model with 1‐year cycle length for a cohort of 60‐year‐old veterans with untreated genotype 1 hepatitis C seeking treatment in a typical year. We compared using sofosbuvir/ledipasvir or ombitasvir/ritonavir/paritaprevir/dasabuvir to treat: (1) any patient seeking treatment; (2) only patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis; or (3) patients with advanced disease first and healthier patients 1 year later. The previous standard of care, sofosbuvir/simeprevir or sofosbuvir/pegylated interferon/ribavirin, was included for comparison. Patients could develop progressive fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma, undergo transplantation, or die. Complications were less likely after sustained virological response. We calculated the incremental cost per quality‐adjusted life year (QALY) and varied model inputs in one‐way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. We used the Veterans Health Administration perspective with a lifetime time horizon and 3% annual discounting. Treating any patient with ombitasvir‐based therapy was the preferred strategy ($35,560; 14.0 QALYs). All other strategies were dominated (greater costs/QALY gained than more effective strategies). Varying treatment efficacy, price, and/or duration changed the preferred strategy. In probabilistic sensitivity analysis, treating any patient with ombitasvir‐based therapy was cost‐effective in 70% of iterations at a $50,000/QALY threshold and 65% of iterations at a $100,000/QALY threshold. Conclusion: Managing any treatment‐naïve genotype 1 hepatitis C patient with ombitasvir‐based therapy is the most economically efficient strategy, although price and efficacy can impact cost‐effectiveness. It is economically unfavorable to restrict treatment to patients with advanced disease or use a staged treatment strategy. (Hepatology 2016;63:428–436)
Electromagnetic‐Thermal Modeling of Induction Heating of Moving Wire
Authors: Jain Ishant
Published: November 2015

The strength in a high carbon wire is attributed to the pearlitic microstructure, which is required for ease of wire drawing. During cold drawing of high carbon steel wires, residual stress develops which has to be relieved in order to obtain the desired mechanical properties. To achieve this, the wire is passed through a closed loop online an induction furnace at a particular speed in order to heat it to a uniform temperature range. This research work presents the electromagnetic‐thermal modeling of the induction heating of a moving wire based on the finite element method using the software package, COMSOL MultiphysicsTM. The furnace had a complicated geometry for the coils and this is, perhaps, for the first time an exhaustive study which is being reported. A unique grid generation technique was developed considering the skin effect. This work is aimed at enabling modeling of the process and will in turn be useful when defining individual parameters affecting the temperature distribution in a component, subjected to induction heating. The temperature distribution in the work piece depends primarily on parameters like coil position, line speed, frequency of the current, thermal and magnetic properties of the work piece, and so on. The impact of power supply frequency and line speed were studied during the heating of the moving wire (workpiece). An in‐situ customized furnace of lower capacity was developed to carry out the validation experiments. The present modeling results are validated with online plant trial data and found to be in good agreement. Finally, the desired mechanical property achieved during trials was confirmed through tensile testing.
Experimental Study on the Effect of Waste Gas Recovery on Iron Ore Sintering
Authors: Wang Gan , Wen Zhi , Lou Guofeng , Dou Ruifeng , Li Xianwei
Published: November 2015

The effects of different waste gas recovery sintering (WGRS) cases on iron ore sintering were determined through a sintering pot test and compared with conventional sintering (CS). Two key operational parameters were identified selectively, namely, the temperature and lean‐oxygen content of recycled gas. The chosen values of these parameters for the sintering pot test were close to those in industrial production conditions. The proportion of the sintering mixture was standardized by ensuring the generation of mass‐averaged particles with similar sizes. The changes in the sinter quality indices and in the process parameters under different WGRS cases were systematically analyzed to demonstrate the feasibility of replacing CS production with WGRS technology. The optimal temperature ranged from 200 °C to 250 °C, and the optimal oxygen content was 20%. Therefore, this work can guide the industrial application of WGRS in China considerably.
A semi‐analytic and cellular approach to rational system characterization through equivalent circuits
Authors: Zadehgol Ata
Published: November 2015

The partial fraction form of linear time‐invariant system transfer function is characterized through a cellular perspective, where each pole/residue fraction term is transformed into an equivalent circuit branch via an exact transformation. Minimal expressions for transformation of partial fraction form to/from equivalent circuit form are provided. The time‐domain and frequency‐domain impedance and admittance transfer function for resistor (R)–inductor (L), and resistance (R), inductance (L), capacitance (C), and conductance (G) equivalent circuit branches are presented in a form that is amenable to expedient inspection of cellular causality and stability and used to derive explicit expressions for the average power amenable to inspection of cellular passivity. The characteristics of passivity, causality, and stability at the cellular level are discussed to gain insight into the macro‐level network characteristics. Numerical examples are given to elucidate the aforementioned concepts and to provide insight into the behavior of linear time‐invariant systems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Screening bactericidal effect of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum strains against causal agent of potato soft rot
Authors: Kazemi‐Zaromi Samaneh , Baghaee‐Ravari Sareh , Khodaygan Pejman , Falahati‐Rastegar Mahrokh
Published: November 2015

This study focuses on the potential of Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Pcc) strains producing bacteriocin as a tool to control potato soft rot disease. Thirty out of 48 purified bacterial strains were characterized as Pcc using specific PCR and phenotypic tests. The pathogenicity and pectate degrading assays were recorded positive for 13 strains. Bacteriocin typing clustered producers into three groups according to their antimicrobial spectra. Majority of the producers except strains of group II showed antibacterial activity toward relative genus and the role of UV or mitomycin C was inductive. In addition, none of the distant genus was sensitive to Pcc bacteriocins except Rhizobium vitis. Molecular detection of four bacteriocins including carotovoricin, carosin S1, S2 and carosin D was performed. Overall, 54.5% of group I, 47.3 and 70% of groups II and III strains carried carotovoricin and four strains harbored gene corresponding to carosin S1. According to our data divers antimicrobial patterns obtained by Pcc strains and existence of new bateriocines could be possible. Moreover, our findings recommended that direct application of P29 or expression of corresponding genes of Pog22 or P21 in a nonpathogenic strain as a biocontrol agent may improve soft rot disease control.
Determination of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in water samples by static headspace gas chromatography with electron capture detection
Authors: Li Tiejun , Guo Yuanming , Hu Hongmei , Zhang Xiaoning , Jin Yanjian , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhang Yurong
Published: November 2015

A simple, efficient, solvent‐free, and commercial readily available approach for determination of five volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in water samples using the static headspace sampling and gas chromatography with electron capture detection has been described. The proposed static headspace sampling method was initially optimized and the optimum experimental conditions found were 10 mL water sample containing 20% w/v sodium chloride placed in a 20 mL vial and stirred at 50ºC for 20 min. The linearity of the method was in the range of 1.2–240 μg/L for dichloromethane, 0.2–40 μg/L for trichloromethane, 0.005–1 μg/L for perchloromethane, 0.025–5 μg/L for trichloroethylene, and 0.01–2 μg/L for perchloroethylene, with coefficients of determination ranging between 0.9979 and 0.9990. The limits of detection were in the low μg/L level, ranging between 0.001 and 0.3 μg/L. The relative recoveries of spiked five volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons with external calibration method at different concentration levels in pure, tap, sea water of Jiaojiang Estuary, and sea water of waters of Xiaomendao were in the range of 91–116, 96–105, 86–112, and 80–111%, respectively, and with relative standard deviations of 1.9–3.6, 2.3–3.5, 1.5–2.7, and 2.3–3.7% (n = 5), respectively. The performance of the proposed method was compared with traditional liquid–liquid extraction on the real water samples (i.e., pure, tap, and sea water, etc.) and comparable efficiencies were obtained. It is concluded that this method can be successfully applied for the determination of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in different water samples.
Need for Seed
Authors: Scholz Friedemann
Published: November 2015

In recent years, high power lasers have become a matter of course. A superior laser source can be described by its brilliance, a combination of beam quality and output power, its versatility in terms of pulse generation, its size and weight, its stability as well as reliability and by its total cost of ownership. Traditional high power lasers use gaseous gain media like carbon dioxide or crystals like yttrium aluminum garnet doped with rare earth elements. During the last ten years, fiber lasers have become widely used. These lasers have doped glass cores that act as gain media.
The Next Generation of Ultra‐short Pulsed Laser Micro Processing
Authors: Ryll Joachim , Schmitz Frank
Published: November 2015

Ultra‐short pulsed (USP) laser processes for industrial applications put high demands on the machine concept: The need for high flexibility in the machine configuration, constant machining results over long process cycles and efficient laser processes to reduce processing costs require a holistic approach in the design of a laser micro machine. For the development of a new laser machine for USP laser micromachining, the joint venture Micar combines expert competences in the fields of laser system technology, sheet metal system design and manufacturing and simulation of mechanical and fluid systems. The result is a new machine concept based on a mineral casted machine base for high flexibility in the machine structure and application.
Noninterceptive Beam Profiling of High‐Power Industrial Lasers
Authors: Guttman Jeffrey L.
Published: November 2015

High‐power 1 — 100 kW industrial lasers typically undergo thermally‐in‐duced optical effects that change the laser beam and laser beam delivery to the work piece. Knowledge of any changes such as focal shift may be important for particular welding or cutting processes. Conventional beam profile diagnostic methods are not practical and fall short at such high powers. A new profiling technique that uses Rayleigh scatter from the beam overcomes the power obstacle and allows laser characterization that was previously impossible to perform.
Laser‐based Preparation of Biological Tissue
Authors: Will Fabian , Richter Heiko
Published: November 2015

Histological analysis of biological specimens is the gold standard and mandatory if medical products like implants shall get approval according to FDA (USA), The Act on Medical Devices (Germany) or others. Unfortunately, most of these specimens with implants are extremely difficult to process due to the hardness of the materials. Femtosecond lasers are known to process a variety of materials without any significant thermal damage [1, 2]. Femtosecond laser based microtomy is much faster, saves valuable material of the specimens and can provide better histological sections than standard methods.
Patterned Polypeptoid Brushes
Authors: Schneider Maximilian , Tang Zian , Richter Marcus , Marschelke Claudia , Förster Paul , Wegener Erik , Amin Ihsan , Zimmermann Heike , Scharnweber Dieter , Braun Hans‐Georg , Luxenhofer Robert , Jordan Rainer
Published: November 2015

Patterned polypeptoid brushes on gold and oxide substrates are synthesized by surface‐initiated polymerization of N‐substituted glycine N‐carboxyanhydrides. Their biofouling resistance is shown by protein and cell adhesion experiments. The accessibility of the system to common patterning protocols is demonstrated by UV‐lithography and a μCP approach. Moreover, the terminal secondary amine group of the polypeptoid brushes is functionalized with different fluorescent dyes to demonstrate their chemical accessibility.
Analysis of Molecular Parameters Determining the Antimalarial Activity of Polymer‐Based Nanomimics
Authors: Najer Adrian , Thamboo Sagana , Duskey Jason T. , Palivan Cornelia G. , Beck Hans‐Peter , Meier Wolfgang
Published: November 2015

Malaria and other infectious diseases are major global public health problems, which need to be tackled using new technologies to cope with the lack of efficacious vaccines and emerging drug resistance. A recently developed anti‐infectious concept based on nanomimics tested with Plasmodium falciparum is analyzed for the molecular parameters determining its applicability. Nanomimics—nanoscaled polymer‐based mimics of host cell membranes—are designed with a reduced number of surface‐exposed malaria parasite receptor molecules (heparin), resulting in less potent invasion inhibition as determined in antimalarial assays. In contrast, when shorter receptor molecules are used to form nanomimics, more molecules are needed to obtain nanomimic potency similar to nanomimics with longer receptor molecules. The interaction of heparin on nanomimics with the processed Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1–42 (PfMSP142) have a high affinity, Kd = 12.1 ± 1.6 × 10−9 m, as measured by fluorescence cross‐correlation spectroscopy (FCCS). This detailed characterization of nanomimics and their molecular variants are an important step towards defining and optimizing possible nanomimic therapies for infectious diseases.

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UV‐Induced [2+2] Grafting‐To Reactions for Polymer Modification of Cellulose
Authors: Conradi Matthias , Ramakers Gijs , Junkers Tanja
Published: November 2015

Benzaldehyde‐functional cellulose paper sheets have been synthesized via tosylation of cellulose (Whatman No 5) followed by addition of p‐hydroxy benzaldehyde. Via UV‐induced Paterno–Büchi [2+2] cycloaddition reactions, these aldehyde functional surfaces are grafted with triallylcyanurate, trimethylolpropane allyl ether, and vinyl chloroacetate. In the following, allyl‐functional polymers (poly(butyl acrylate), pBA, Mn = 6990 g mol−1, Đ = 1.12 and poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide), pNIPAAm, Mn = 9500 g mol−1, Đ = 1.16) synthesized via reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization are conjugated to the celloluse surface in a UV‐induced grafting‐to approach. With pBA, hydrophobic cellulose sheets are obtained (water contact angle 116°), while grafting of pNIPAAm allows for generation of “smart” surfaces, which are hydrophilic at room temperature, but that become hydrophobic when heated above the characteristic lower critical solution temperature (93° contact angle). The Paterno–Büchi reaction has been shown to be a versatile synthetic tool that also performs well in grafting‐to approaches whereby its overall performance seems to be close to that of radical thiol‐ene reactions.

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Strong solutions of a class of fully nonlinear degenerate parabolic equations
Authors: Li Jing , Yin Jingxue , Jin Chunhua
Published: November 2015

This paper is concerned with the Cauchy problem of a class of fully nonlinear degenerate parabolic equations with reaction sources. After establishing the necessary local existence theorems of strong solutions, we investigate the blow‐up and global existence profile. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel method for quantitative analysis of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate by fluorine‐19 nuclear magnetic spectroscopy
Authors: Zhou Lulin , Li Cheng , Weng Xinchu
Published: November 2015

A new method utilization of NMR spectra was developed for structural and quantitative analysis of enol forms of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate. Acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate were determined by 19F NMR upon derivatisation with р‐fluorobenzoyl chloride. The base‐catalyzed derivatives of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate reaction with р‐fluorobenzoyl chloride were analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopies. E and Z configurations of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate were separated and purified by thin layer chromatography. In addition, the ability of 19F NMR for quantitative analysis of acetylacetone by integration of the appropriate signals of the derivatives were tested and compared. The results further testified the enol forms of acetylacetone and ethyl acetoacetate and the feasibility of 19F NMR method. This method can be potentially used to characterize E and Z isomers and quantitatively analyze E/Z ratio of β‐diketone and β‐ketoester homologues. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin and nature of pelvic ureter innervation
Authors: Zaitouna Mazen , Alsaid Bayan , Lebacle Cédric , Timoh Krystel Nyangoh , Benoît Gérard , Bessede Thomas
Published: November 2015

Aims

Innervation of the pelvic ureter traditionally comes from the pelvic plexus. This innervation is independent: adrenergic and cholinergic. The purpose of this study was to describe more precisely the origin and nature of its innervation (adrenergic, cholinergic, nitrergic, and somatic).

Methods

Six specimens of normal human fetal pelvis (four male and two female) from 20 to 30 weeks gestation were studied. The sections of these fetuses, carried out every 5 µm without interval, were treated with Hematoxylin Eosin (HE), with Masson's trichrome (TriM), immunolabeling of smooth muscle cells with smooth anti‐actin, of nerves with anti‐S100 protein, anti‐tyrosine hydroxylase, anti‐VAChT, anti‐nNOS, and with anti‐ peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP 22). The slides were scanned and two‐dimensional images reconstructed in 3D, and analyzed.

Results

The terminal pelvic ureter travels above and inside the inferior hypogastric plexus (IHP). The nerve fibers that innervate the ureterovesical junction come mainly from the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) which gives off the hypogastric nerves and pelvic branches of the sacral plexus that form the IHP. Most nerve fibers meet below the ureter, behind the bladder to form an ascending bundle, which innervates the pelvic ureter. Immunohistochemical analysis shows that the nerves of the pelvic ureter consist of adrenergic, cholinergic, and nitrergic fibers.

Conclusion

The innervation of the distal ureter depends mainly on the SHP. This innervation is adrenergic, cholinergic, and nitrergic. It innervates the pelvic ureter in an ascending manner. This anatomical information can change rectal resection and ureteral reimplantation techniques and drug treatments for pelvic ureter stones. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:271–279, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring what nonprofit branding can learn from contemporary art
Authors: Durgee Jeffrey F.
Published: November 2015

As more and more nonprofits seek to refashion themselves as brands, they tend to take inspiration from for‐profit organizations. Another domain that has had similar purposes to those of nonprofit branding for many years is contemporary art. This is an exploratory paper that looks at a recent trend in art, “message art,” and how it might inform nonprofit branding. Message art deals with many social issues that drive major nonprofits today including everything from pro‐environment causes to anti‐segregationist issues. This paper has two purposes: (1) to call attention to message art among nonprofit brand managers and (2) to explain how they can use this art. Message art is useful to the extent that it calls attention to new ideological trends and often provides selected pieces of art that can serve as exemplars of brand essence for relevant causes. Results are provided from a small, qualitative study of women's feelings about selected examples of feminist art. Two pieces of art drew the most positive responses. One piece, “Egyptian Rocket Goddess,” is felt to be a harbinger of Third Wave Feminism. Another piece, “Blessed Art Thou Among Women,” is felt to be an effective source of inspiration and direction for feminist organizations, which focus on mother–daughter relationships.

Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum Autotaxin/ENPP2 correlates with insulin resistance in older humans with obesity
Authors: Reeves Valerie L. , Trybula Joy S. , Wills Rachel C. , Goodpaster Bret H. , Dubé John J. , Kienesberger Petra C. , Kershaw Erin E.
Published: November 2015

Objective

Autotaxin (ATX) is an adipocyte‐derived lysophospholipase D that generates the lipid signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The ATX/LPA pathway in adipose tissue has recently been implicated in obesity and insulin resistance in animal models, but the role of circulating ATX in humans remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between serum ATX and insulin resistance.

Methods

Older (60‐75 years), nondiabetic human participants with overweight or obesity (BMI 25‐37 kg m−2) were characterized for metabolic phenotype including measures of energy, glucose, and lipid homeostasis. The relationship between serum ATX and metabolic parameters was then determined using correlative and predictive statistics.

Results

Serum ATX was higher in females than in males. After controlling for sex, serum ATX correlated with multiple measures of adiposity and glucose homeostasis/insulin action. Serum ATX and BMI also independently predicted glucose infusion rate during a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance after controlling for sex and medication use.

Conclusions

Serum ATX correlates with and predicts measures of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in older humans, suggesting that it may be a potential pathogenic factor and/or diagnostic/therapeutic target for insulin resistance in this population.
Relationship between sleep duration and body mass index depends on age
Authors: Grandner Michael A. , Schopfer Elizabeth A. , Sands‐Lincoln Megan , Jackson Nicholas , Malhotra Atul
Published: November 2015

Objective

Sleep duration is associated with obesity and cardiometabolic disease. It is unclear, though, how these relationship differs across age groups.

Methods

Data from 2007 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used, including respondents aged 16+ with complete data (N = 5,607). Sleep duration and age were evaluated by self‐report, and body mass index (BMI) was assessed objectively. Sleep duration was evaluated continuously and categorically [very short (≤4 h), short (5‐6 h), and long (≥9 h) versus average (7‐8 h)]. Age was also evaluated continuously and categorically [adolescent (16‐17 years), young adult (18‐29 years), early middle age (30‐49 years), late middle age (50‐64 years), and older adult (≥65 years)].

Results

There was a significant interaction with age for both continuous (Pinteraction = 0.014) and categorical (Pinteraction = 0.035) sleep duration. A pseudo‐linear relationship was seen among the youngest respondents, with the highest BMI associated with the shortest sleepers and the lowest BMI associated with the longest sleepers. This relationship became U‐shaped in middle‐age, and less of a relationship was seen among the oldest respondents.

Conclusions

These findings may provide insights for clinical recommendations and could help to guide mechanistic research regarding the sleep‐obesity relationship.
Ultra‐low modulus polyazomethines and enhanced adhesion strength with copper foils
Authors: Ishii Junichi , Kosugi Mitsuya , Hasegawa Masatoshi
Published: November 2015

Polyazomethines (PAzMs) were prepared from dialdehydes containing different lengths of alkylene groups (m = 2–12) and an ether‐containing common aromatic diamine. The main purpose of this work is to achieve an ultra‐low modulus and a considerably high adhesion strength with a smooth surface (S‐side) of electro‐deposited copper foils for applications as novel coating‐type protective layer materials of flexible printed circuit boards. The elongation at break of the PAzM films was drastically enhanced by increasing the annealing temperature (Ta). The results are probably attributed to a chain extension effect accompanied with solid‐state polymerization promoted at elevated temperatures. An increase in the alkylene chain length (m) led to a gradual decrease in the modulus of the PAzM films owing to an increase in the chain flexibility. It also drastically improved the adhesion strength (S‐side); 8.3 N cm–1 at m = 12 in spite of the absence of anchoring effect. To further decrease the modulus, the PAzM (m = 12) was modified with another diamine comonomer containing a polybutylene oxide block. This approach was very effective for achieving the present target properties; the PAzM copolymer displayed ultra‐low tensile modulus (0.20 GPa) and a very high adhesion strength (9.8 N cm–1) with the S‐side of copper foils. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ionic thermo‐responsive copolymer with multi LCST values: easy and fast LCST‐change through anion exchange
Authors: Seo Jae‐Won , Shin Ueon Sang
Published: November 2015

An ionic thermo‐responsive copolymer with multiple lower critical solution temperatures (multi‐LCSTs) has been developed, and the multi‐LCSTs were easily changeable according to the various counter anion types. The multi‐LCST values were achieved by introducing an ionic segment with an imidazolium moiety within the p‐NIPAAm polymer chain to produce poly(NIPAAm‐co‐BVIm) copolymers, [p‐NIBIm]+[Br]−, and changing the counter anion type to produce [p‐NIBIm]+[X]− (X = Cl, AcO, HCO3, BF4, CF3SO3, PF6, SbF6). The as‐prepared temperature‐responsive copolymers were physicochemically characterized via proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐NMR), Fourier‐transform infrared, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Their various LCST values, micelle sizes, and surface charges were determined using an Ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometer and a Zeta (ξ) sizer, which were fitted with temperature and stirring control. The copolymers showed a broad LCST spectrum between 39°C and 52°C. The Zeta (ξ) potential values at a pH = 7 decreased from about +9.7 for [p‐NIBIm]+[X]− (X = Cl ≈ Br) to about +2.0 mV for [p‐NIBIm]+[X]− (X = PF6 ≈ SbF6). The micelle size (or volume) of the copolymers with different anionic species gradually increased from 181.2 nm (or 2.49 × 10−17 cm−3) for [p‐NIBIm]+[Br]− to 229.2 nm (or 5.04 × 10−17 cm−3) for [p‐NIBIm]+[CF3SO3]−, showing a clear effect of the anion on the micelle size (or volume) at a constant temperature, such as body temperature. The fact that the most important physicochemical properties for the thermo‐responsive copolymers, such as the LCST value, micelle size (or volume), and surface charge, could be easily controlled only through the anion exchange suggests these are highly applicable as ionic thermo‐responsive copolymers in a drug (or gene, protein) delivery system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Einsteins Suche nach der vereinheitlichten Feldtheorie
Authors: Kiefer Claus
Published: November 2015

Mit seiner Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie von 1915 gelang Albert Einstein sein größter Wurf. Es handelt sich hier um die moderne geometrische Beschreibung der Gravitation. In den Jahren danach – und bis an sein Lebensende – versuchte er, alleine aus geometrischen Prinzipien eine einheitliche klassische Feldtheorie von Gravitation und Elektromagnetismus zu konstruieren, aber vergeblich. Dieser Weg und die Ursache des Scheiterns werden hier beschrieben. Moderne Vereinigungsversuche sind ohne die Einbeziehung der Quantentheorie undenkbar.
Proteomics as an innovative tool to investigate frontotemporal disorders
Authors: Agresta Anna Maria , De Palma Antonella , Bardoni Anna , Salvini Roberta , Iadarola Paolo , Mauri Pier Luigi
Published: November 2015

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by slow progressive loss of one or more functions of the CNS. Worldwide, the number of people affected by neurodegeneration is dramatically high and the social impact is upsetting. While being a heterogeneous group of diseases, most of these pathologies manifest similar clinical features and illness progression, thus making their diagnosis elusive. With its ability to meet the needs of neurodegenerative research, proteomics could help facilitate the diagnosis of these disorders. This strategy, recently emerged as complementary to genomics, has led in the last years to substantial achievements in deciphering molecular mechanisms and the follow‐up of neurodegenerative diseases. Specifically, aim of this review is to cover the main proteomic investigations realized in the field of familial frontotemporal dementias. This disorder is less common than Alzheimer's disease and disproportionately affects younger individuals, thus representing a major psychological and economic burden for both patients and families. Although early and accurate differential diagnosis of frontotemporal dementias is crucial because of its implications for heritability, prognosis, therapeutics, and environmental management of patients, the investigative methods currently available to clinicians are incomplete. Certainly, the development of a focused therapy cannot be separated from the investigation of biochemical pathways involved in the pathogenesis.
Diamond as a material for monolithically integrated optical and optomechanical devices
Authors: Rath Patrik , Ummethala Sandeep , Nebel Christoph , Pernice Wolfram H. P.
Published: November 2015

Diamond provides superior optical and mechanical material properties, making it a prime candidate for the realization of integrated optomechanical circuits. Because diamond substrates have matured in size, efficient nanostructuring methods can be used to realize full‐scale integrated devices. Here we review optical and mechanical resonators fabricated from polycrystalline as well as single crystalline diamond. We present relevant material properties with respect to implementing optomechanical devices and compare them with other material systems. We give an overview of diamond integrated optomechanical circuits and present the optical readout mechanism and the actuation via optical or electrostatic forces that have been implemented to date. By combining diamond nanophotonic circuits with superconducting nanowires single photons can be efficiently detected on such chips and we outline how future single photon optomechanical circuits can be realized on this platform.