bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self‐Organization of Ionic Liquid‐Modified Organosilica Hollow Nanospheres and Heteropolyacids: Efficient Preparation of 5‐HMF Under Mild Conditions
Authors: An Sai , Wang Zelin , Zhang Huaiying , Miras Haralampos N. , Song Yu‐Fei
Published: April 2019

As a biomass‐derived platform molecule, 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) is a highly desirable feedstock for manufacturing of high value‐added chemicals ranging from starting materials for polyesters to biofuels. In this work, we reported the fabrication of a series of multicomponent solid acid catalysts based on heteropolyacids immobilized ILs‐modified organosilica hollow nanospheres (denoted as PW12‐ILs‐Cn‐HNS), in which PW12 (PW12=H3PW12O40 ⋅ xH2O) provides Brønsted acid site, ILs show strong electrostatic interactions with PW12, Cn (Cn=alkyl chain) is attached for hydrophobicity and HNS represents organosilica hollow nanospheres. When applied for catalytic dehydration of fructose to 5‐HMF, the PW12‐ILs‐C4‐HNS catalyst with 15.2 % PW12 loading exhibited the best dehydration activity to 5‐HMF with 93.7 % yield in DMSO at 100 °C in 2 h. Compared with 2D hexagonal and 3D interconnected structures, the excellent porosity properties of hollow nanospherical structure can provide a high population of the PW12 sites and enough confined nanospace for the dehydration of fructose. Moreover, the PW12‐ILs‐Cn‐HNS catalyst showed excellent stability over six catalytic cycles without obvious loss of activity. Most importantly, careful identification of the observed intermediates revealed crucial information for the dehydration process of fructose to 5‐HMF. As such, the proposed heterogeneous catalysts show great potential in biomass conversion processes.
Base‐Pairing Properties of Double‐Headed Nucleotides
Authors: Hornum Mick , Stendevad Julie , Sharma Pawan K. , Kumar Pawan , Nielsen Rasmus B. , Petersen Michael , Nielsen Poul
Published: April 2019

Nucleotides that contain two nucleobases (double‐headed nucleotides) have the potential to condense the information of two separate nucleotides into one. This presupposes that both bases must successfully pair with a cognate strand. Here, double‐headed nucleotides that feature cytosine, guanine, thymine, adenine, hypoxanthine, and diaminopurine linked to the C2′‐position of an arabinose scaffold were developed and examined in full detail. These monomeric units were efficiently prepared by convergent synthesis and incorporated into DNA oligonucleotides by means of the automated phosphoramidite method. Their pairing efficiency was assessed by UV‐based melting‐temperature analysis in several contexts and extensive molecular dynamics studies. Altogether, the results show that these double‐headed nucleotides have a well‐defined structure and invariably behave as functional dinucleotide mimics in DNA duplexes.
Copper‐Catalyzed Electrophilic Amidation of Organotrifluoroborates with Use of N‐Methoxyamides
Authors: Banjo Shona , Nakasuji Eiko , Meguro Tatsuhiko , Sato Takaaki , Chida Noritaka
Published: April 2019

A copper‐catalyzed electrophilic amidation of aryltrifluoroborates with use of N‐methoxyamides is reported. The reaction shows high functional group compatibility derived from two distinct features: 1) the high stability of the N‐methoxyamides and 2) the nonbasic mild conditions in the presence of LiCl. The developed method can also be applied to the synthesis of enamides, which are widely distributed in natural products. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest that the initial step is the transmetalation of the aryltrifluoroborate by the assistance of LiCl, and the resulting aryl copper intermediate provides the anilide through non‐SN2 oxidative addition to the N‐methoxyamide and subsequent reductive elimination.
Convergent Synthesis of Fluorene Derivatives by a Rhodium‐Catalyzed Stitching Reaction/Alkene Isomerization Sequence
Authors: Nishida Masaki , Shintani Ryo
Published: April 2019

A convergent synthetic method for the synthesis of fluorene derivatives has been developed by devising a rhodium‐catalyzed stitching reaction/alkene isomerization sequence. The reactions proceed smoothly under mild conditions for a variety of substrate combinations, and extended π‐conjugation systems are also readily accessible by utilizing this synthetic method. Optical properties of the obtained fluorene derivatives have also been examined.
Wake Forest University long‐term follow‐up of type 2 myocardial infarction: The Wake‐Up T2MI Registry
Authors: Jogu Hanumantha R. , Arora Sameer , Vaduganathan Muthiah , Qamar Arman , Pandey Ambarish , Chevli Parag A. , Pansuriya Tusharkumar H. , Ahmad Muhammad I. , Dutta Abhishek , Sunkara Padageshwar R. , Qureshi Waqas , Vasu Sujethra , Upadhya Bharathi , Bhatt Deepak L. , Januzzi James L. , Herrington David
Published: April 2019

Background

The Wake‐Up T2MI Registry is a retrospective cohort study investigating patients with type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI), acute myocardial injury, and chronic myocardial injury. We aim to explore risk stratification strategies and investigate clinical characteristics, management, and short‐ and long‐term outcomes in this high‐risk, understudied population.

Methods

From 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2010, 2846 patients were identified with T2MI or myocardial injury defined as elevated cardiac troponin I with at least one value above the 99th percentile upper reference limit and coefficient of variation of 10% (>40 ng/L) and meeting our inclusion criteria. Data of at least two serial troponin values will be collected from the electronic health records to differentiate between acute and chronic myocardial injury. The Fourth Universal Definition will be used to classify patients as having (a) T2MI, (b) acute myocardial injury, or (c) chronic myocardial injury during the index hospitalization. Long‐term mortality data will be collected through data linkage with the National Death Index and North Carolina State Vital Statistics.

Results

We have collected data for a total of 2205 patients as of November 2018. The mean age of the population was 65.6 ± 16.9 years, 48% were men, and 64% were white. Common comorbidities included hypertension (71%), hyperlipidemia (35%), and diabetes mellitus (30%). At presentation, 40% were on aspirin, 38% on β‐blockers, and 30% on statins.

Conclusion

Improved characterization and profiling of this cohort may further efforts to identify evidence‐based strategies to improve cardiovascular outcomes among patients with T2MI and myocardial injury.
Expression of the cold thermoreceptor TRPM8 in rodent brain thermoregulatory circuits
Authors: Ordás Purificación , Hernández‐Ortego Pablo , Vara Hugo , Fernández‐Peña Carlos , Reimúndez Alfonso , Morenilla‐Palao Cruz , Guadaño‐Ferraz Ana , Gomis Ana , Hoon Mark , Viana Félix , Señarís Rosa
Published: April 2019

The cold‐ and menthol‐activated ion channel transient receptor potential channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8) is the principal detector of environmental cold in mammalian sensory nerve endings. Although it is mainly expressed in a subpopulation of peripheral sensory neurons, it has also been identified in non‐neuronal tissues. Here, we show, by in situ hybridization (ISH) and by the analysis of transgenic reporter expression in two different reporter mouse strains, that TRPM8 is also expressed in the central nervous system. Although it is present at much lower levels than in peripheral sensory neurons, we found cells expressing TRPM8 in restricted areas of the brain, especially in the hypothalamus, septum, thalamic reticular nucleus, certain cortices and other limbic structures, as well as in some specific nuclei in the brainstem. Interestingly, positive fibers were also found traveling through the major limbic tracts, suggesting a role of TRPM8‐expressing central neurons in multiple aspects of thermal regulation, including autonomic and behavioral thermoregulation. Additional ISH experiments in rat brain demonstrated a conserved pattern of expression of this ion channel between rodent species. We confirmed the functional activity of this channel in the mouse brain using electrophysiological patch‐clamp recordings of septal neurons. These results open a new window in TRPM8 physiology, guiding further efforts to understand potential roles of this molecular sensor within the brain.
Comparison of prostate‐specific membrane antigen ligands in clinical translation research for diagnosis of prostate cancer
Authors: Sengupta Sagnik , Asha Krishnan Mena , Chattopadhyay Sudeshna , Chelvam Venkatesh
Published: April 2019

Background

Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), overexpressed on prostate cancer (PCa), is a well‐characterized cell surface protein to selectively diagnose PCa. PSMA's unique characteristics and its 1000‐fold higher expression in PCa compared with other tissues renders it as a suitable biomarker for detection of PCa in its early stage. In this report, we critically analyze and recommend the requirements needed for the development of variety of PSMA‐targeted molecular imaging agents based on antibodies, small molecule ligands, peptides, and aptamers. The targeting moieties are either conjugated to radionuclear isotopes or near‐infrared agents for efficient diagnosis of PCa.

Recent findings

From the analysis, it was found that several small molecule–derived PCa imaging agents are approved for clinical trials in Europe and the United States, and few are already in the clinical use for diagnosis of PCa. Even though 111In‐labeled capromab pendetide was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other engineered antibodies are available for detection of PCa, but high production cost, low shelf life (less than 1 month at 4°C), possibility of human immuno reactions, and low blood clearance rate necessitated a need for developing new imaging agents, which are serum stable, cost‐effective, and possesses longer shelf life (6 months), have fast clearance rate from nontargeted tissues during the diagnosis process. It is found that small molecule ligand‐derived imaging agents possesses most of the desired properties expected for an ideal diagnostic agent when compared with other targeting moieties.

Conclusion

This report discusses in detail the homing moieties used in the development of targeted diagnostic tools for detection of PCa. The merits and demerits of monoclonal antibodies, small molecule ligands, peptides, and aptamers for imaging of PCa and intraoperative guided surgery are extensively analyzed. Among all, urea‐based ligands were found to be most successful in preclinical and clinical trials and show a major promise for future commercialization.
Accelerating the finite element analysis of functionally graded materials using fixed‐grid strategy on CUDA‐enabled GPUs
Authors: Pikle Nileshchandra K. , Sathe Shailesh R. , Vyavahare Arvind Y.
Published: April 2019

Fixed‐grid discretization strategy is proposed for static structural Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Functionally Graded Materials (FGM). The fixed‐grid strategy reduces numerical integration cost dramatically by generating a single local stiffness matrix for isotropic materials. For FGMs, domain is discretized into the layers in such a way that material properties in each layer are constant. Therefore, for each layer, a single local stiffness matrix will be constructed. These matrices are directly used in the solver phase of the assembly‐free FEM without constructing the global stiffness matrix. The fixed‐grid strategy reduces the global memory transactions on the GPU by storing these elemental matrices in on‐chip shared memory or cached constant memory. Furthermore, the assembly‐free method is adopted to leverage a fine grained parallelism on the GPU at the degree of freedom level. Numerical experiments showed the effectiveness of the discrete layered approach for FGM using the fixed‐grid strategy. For performance evaluation two strategies using global memory and shared memory are compared and found that the use of shared memory can achieve approximately 2.4 times better performance than global memory.
LTTng‐HSA: Bringing LTTng tracing to HSA‐based GPU runtimes
Authors: Margheritta Paul , Dagenais Michel R.
Published: April 2019

In this paper, we propose LTTng‐HSA, a set of tools that allow for the collection of a single, unified software graphics processing unit (GPU) trace in ROCr, a Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA)‐based API and runtime. HSA is a cross‐vendor standard facilitating the programming of heterogeneous systems that include CPUs, GPUs, and possibly other types of devices. Our open‐source solution is generic and easily adaptable to diverse GPU runtimes or APIs. Using Linux Trace Toolkit Next Generation (LTTng), a highly efficient Linux tracer, it collects different types of events over multiple executions of an application and aims to gather all the data into a single trace, offering an easy way to generate GPU‐related traces. Our instrumentation is achieved simply by preloading libraries, without recompiling the target application, which makes it flexible and easy to use. The resulting traces, which include API call stack information, GPU hardware metrics, command queue, and compute kernel profiling, are well adapted for postprocessing and further analysis. Our solution also includes tracing data from the Linux kernel and proposes views for Trace Compass, an interactive trace visualizer.
Parallel computing in soft X‐rays plasma diagnostic systems for thermal fusion reactors—feasibility studies for GPUs
Authors: Krawczyk Rafal , Czarski Tomasz , Linczuk Pawel , Wojenski Andrzej , Chernyshova Maryna , Pozniak Krzysztof , Mazon Didier , Kolasinski Piotr , Kasprowicz Grzegorz , Zabolotny Wojciech , Gaska Michal , Kowalsaka-Strzeciwilk Ewa , Malinowski Karol , Jardin Axel , Malard Philippe
Published: April 2019

This paper presents feasibility studies in utilizing graphics processing units (GPUs) as high‐performance computing hardware with front‐end electronics in high‐scale magnetic confinement thermal fusion experiments. The objective of the research is to provide scalable, high‐throughput, and low‐latency measurements for the runtime tokamak metallic impurities X‐ray diagnostic for the Tungsten Environment in Steady‐State Tokamak (WEST) reactor. The heterogeneous system of front‐end with field‐programmable gate arrays and the back‐end server was introduced to decompose workloads efficiently. It allows the comprehensive evaluation of CPUs and accelerators. In particular, a novel implementation of the back‐end algorithm for GPU with the performance analysis are presented.
New insights from children with early focal brain injury: Lessons to be learned from examining STEM‐related skills
Authors: Demir‐Lira Ö. Ece , Aktan‐Erciyes Aslı , Göksun Tilbe
Published: April 2019

The study of cognitive development in children with early brain injury reveals crucial information about the developing brain and its plasticity. However, information on long‐term outcomes of these children, especially in domains relevant to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) remains limited. In the current review, our goal is to address the existing research on cognitive development of children with pre‐ or perinatal focal brain lesion (PL) as it relates to children's STEM‐related skills and suggest future work that could shed further light on the developmental trajectories of children with PL. We argue that examining STEM‐related development in children with PL will have broader implications for our understanding of the nature of the plasticity children with PL exhibit as well as address theoretical questions in the field regarding the foundation skills for STEM, including visuospatial and mathematical skills.
Species‐specific differences in detection and occupancy probabilities help drive ability to detect trends in occupancy
Authors: Steenweg Robin , Hebblewhite Mark , Whittington Jesse , McKelvey Kevin
Published: April 2019

Occupancy‐based surveys are increasingly used to monitor wildlife populations because they can be more cost‐effective than abundance surveys and because they may track multiple species, simultaneously. The design of these multi‐species occupancy surveys affects statistical power to detect trends in occupancy because individual species vary in resource selection, detection probability, and rarity. We tested for differences in the ability of a large‐scale monitoring program to detect changes in single‐species occupancy of 13 medium–large mammal species captured onn = 183 cameras systematically placed across five national parks in the Canadian Rockies (~21,000 km2). We focus the interpretation of our findings on three species at risk: grizzly bear, wolverine, and caribou. We found that statistical power to monitor trends in occupancy depends not only on the established elements associated with power (sampling size, effect size, and variation in estimates), but also on species‐specific detection and occupancy probabilities. These two probabilities, however, affected power differently. For most species in our study, power is insensitive to detection probability. Increasing replicate‐specific detection probability only improved power when the cumulative detection probability was below 0.80. Therefore, efficient species monitoring must consider that power no longer improves by increasing sample size or the replicate‐specific detection probability once this threshold is reached. On the other hand, species with occupancy probabilities close to 0.5 had lower statistical power than those with higher or lower occupancy, that is, power was higher for both rare and very common species. This pattern is due to the heretofore‐underappreciated effect of the binomial variation in occupancy. The implications of these findings are species‐specific. Grizzly bears, for example, had high detection and occupancy probabilities, resulting in high power to detect a population change. Conversely, wolverines had low detection probability and the power to detect change could be improved if detection probability was increased using lure or complimentary survey techniques. Caribou, however, with both low detection and occupancy probabilities, were likely too rare on the landscape to rely on camera‐based occupancy for monitoring. Practitioners should be aware of these species‐specific trade‐offs and may need to tailor monitoring programs to prioritize particular species of conservation concern.
Employing Linear Tridentate Ligands with Pyrazole End Groups in Catalytic Tyrosinase Model Chemistry: Does Hemilability Matter?
Authors: Herzigkeit Benjamin , Jurgeleit Ramona , Flöser Benedikt M. , Meißner Nadja E. , Engesser Tobias A. , Näther Christian , Tuczek Felix
Published: April 2019

Several copper(I) and copper(II) complexes supported by hemilabile bis(pyrazolylmethyl)amine (pzma) ligands are synthesized and structurally characterized. The copper(I) complexes with hexafluoridophosphate or perchlorate anions are employed as catalysts for the tyrosinase‐like oxygenation of 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenol (DTBP‐H). Their activities are comparable to that of [Cu(MeCN)2PMP]PF6 (PMP= pyrazolylmethylpyridine) investigated earlier. In contrast to the copper(I) pzma complexes, their congeners supported by non‐hemilabile bis(pyrazolylethyl)amine (pzea) ligands are found to be catalytically inactive.
Nanoscale pore structure and fractal characteristics of the continental Yanchang Formation Chang 7 shale in the southwestern Ordos Basin, central China
Authors: Ju Wei , You Yuan , Chen Yilin , Feng Shengbin , Xu Haoran , Zhao Yue , Liu Bo
Published: April 2019

Shales from the Yanchang Formation Chang 7 Member in the Ordos Basin are among the most important shale reservoirs in China and have been investigated due to their great potential. Knowledge of pore structure is important for understanding the storage capacity and flow mechanism in shale reservoirs. In this study, eight shale samples were collected from the Yanchang Formation Chang 7 Member in the southwestern Ordos Basin, and their geochemistry, mineral compositions, pore structure, and fractal characteristics were investigated based on X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, total organic carbon (TOC) analysis, low‐pressure adsorption/desorption analysis, thermal maturity analysis, and fractal analysis. The results indicated that the TOC content ranged between 0.48% and 2.37%, and the Ro values varied from 0.826% to 1.217%. The major mineral compositions were quartz and clay minerals. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis indicated that the isotherms were similar for all collected shale samples from the Chang 7 Member and resembled the type IV isotherm. Narrow slit‐like pore was the dominant pore type, and the pore size distribution appeared to be unimodal with its peak mainly around 40 nm. Investigation of factors for pore structures showed that the TOC content was the controlling factor for the Chang 7 shales. The Frenkel‐Halsey‐Hill (FHH) method was applied to determine fractal dimensions, which were calculated as the D1 (relative pressure >0.96), D2 (0.96 >relative pressure >0.45), and D3 (0.45 >relative pressure) values, ranging in the intervals of 2.788~2.854, 2.547~2.688, and 2.410~2.567, respectively. The relatively high fractal dimensions indicated that pore structures were complicated, and the higher D1 values suggested that pores with larger sizes showed a rougher pore surface and more complex pore structure. Fractal dimensions showed positive correlations with the contents of TOC and clay minerals, and a negative relationship with the quartz contents.
Scenario planning in the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Durbach Ian
Published: April 2019

Multicriteria decision analysis and scenario planning are complementary tools for supporting large‐scale, strategic decision making, but there has been limited interaction between the fields. This paper describes how scenario planning can be integrated with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), one of the most popular approaches in decision analysis and one that is arguably more accessible for new users. Scenario planners looking for an avenue into multi‐criteria decision analysis may find the AHP a useful introduction, and AHP practitioners may find in scenario planning a tool with which to address problems with large, structural or “deep” uncertainties. A common understanding of scenarios as plausible futures, rather than states of nature, is emphasized, as is how scenarios can be viewed as a kind of “meta‐attribute” over which possible courses of action can be compared. A simulation experiment assesses the potential effects of ignoring scenario‐specific information, as well as of different ways of constructing scenarios.
Eight Decades of Hatchery Salmon Releases in the California Central Valley: Factors Influencing Straying and Resilience
Authors: Sturrock Anna M , Satterthwaite William H , Cervantes-Yoshida Kristina M , Huber Eric R , Sturrock Hugh J W , Nusslé Sébastien , Carlson Stephanie M
Published: April 2019

The California Central Valley contains the southernmost native populations of Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, which inhabit a highly variable, anthropogenically altered environment. To mitigate habitat loss and support fisheries, millions of fall-run hatchery salmon are released each year, often transported downstream to avoid in-river mortality, with consequences not fully understood. We synthesize historical trends in release location and timing (1941–2017), focusing on outcomes influencing stock resilience, adult straying, and ocean arrival timing. Over time, juveniles have been transported increasing distances from the source hatchery, particularly during droughts. Transport distance was strongly associated with straying rate (averaging 0–9% vs. 7–89% for salmon released on site vs. in the bay upstream of Golden Gate Bridge, respectively), increasing the effects of hatchery releases on natural spawners. Decreasing variation in release location and timing could reduce spatiotemporal buffering, narrowing ocean arrival timings and increasing risk of mismatch with peak prey production. Central Valley salmon epitomize the pervasive challenge of balancing short-term (e.g., abundance) against long-term (e.g., stability) goals.
Common genetic variants have associations with human cortical brain regions and risk of schizophrenia
Authors: Bi Xuan , Feng Long , Wang Shiying , Lin Zijie , Li Tengfei , Zhao Bingxin , Zhu Hongtu , Zhang Heping
Published: April 2019

Schizophrenia is a highly heritable mental disorder and is reported to be associated with measurements in cortical regions of the human brain. In this study, we considered genome‐wide association studies to uncover genetic effects on cortical regions and prodromal symptoms of schizophrenia. Specifically, area, thickness, and volume of 66 cortical regions derived from magnetic resonance imaging scans of 1,445 children and adolescents from the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort were studied. Two common variants were identified as being associated with two prefrontal cortical regions (one significant variant rs11601331 on chromosome 11p11 for right rostral middle frontal gyral area, p = 1.97 × 10
−8; one suggestive variant rs2345981 on chromosome 6q11 for left frontal pole gyral volume, p = 2.07 × 10
−7), where the significance of rs11601331 was independently replicated on the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics study of size 1,239 (p = 9.19 × 10
−3). Moreover, genetic effects on schizophrenia were investigated based on a sample of 8,719 subjects. The two identified variants rs11601331 and rs2345981 showed significant association with the longest prodromal symptoms duration (p = 0.048 and p = 0.027, respectively).
Improving qualities of e‐government services in Rwanda: A service provider perspective
Authors: Mukamurenzi Solange , Grönlund Åke , Islam Sirajul M.
Published: April 2019

E‐government implementation is growing worldwide. In the context of developed countries, as well as some developing ones, research provides tools to evaluate e‐government services and reflect on e‐government performance. However, in the least developed countries (LDCs), where the preconditions are in many ways more challenging, little is known about those services. While information technology can be imported, social, organizational, and infrastructural arrangements conducive to high‐quality service delivery must be developed locally. In contributing to understanding the challenges as well as opportunities involved, this paper explores the qualities of e‐government services in Rwanda, an East African LDC. The investigation focuses on service providers' views of the qualities, as it is only through their understanding of the situation that service quality can be improved. This is a qualitative study based on interviews with employees of government organizations and document analysis. We identify and discuss 28 e‐government service quality factors, which are grouped into nine quality dimensions—accessibility, availability, awareness, responsiveness, information quality, information security, ease of use, support, and cost. This research contributes to raising awareness about the qualities of e‐government services in Rwanda in particular but may also have relevance for other LDCs.
Mix‐flow scheduling using deep reinforcement learning for software‐defined data‐center networks
Authors: Liu Wai‐Xi , Cai Jun , Wang Yu , Chen Qing C. , Tang Dong
Published: April 2019

For a mix‐flow scenario in software‐defined data‐center networks, how to simultaneously achieve the different performance requirements of the different types of flows is a considerable challenge. This paper proposes a mix‐flow scheduling scheme based on deep reinforcement learning (DRL). This paper establishes three private link sets for three types of flows. Then, DRL is employed to adaptively and intelligently allocate bandwidth for each type of flow according to the traffic variations across time and space. A novel metric is designed as a function of DRL's reward to guide the process of simultaneously maximizing the deadline meet rate for mice flows (MF) and minimizing the flow completion time for elephant flows. Within these three private link sets, three flow‐scheduling strategies (ie, priority‐based allocation for MF, stable matching‐based allocation for elephant flows with unknown sizes, and proportion‐based allocation for elephant flows with known sizes) are employed. A simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed scheme compared with previous methods (Fincher and pFabric). DRL‐Flow's overhead also is minimal to satisfy the scalability well and is deployable in a large‐scale network.
Thinking outside of the cell: Secreted protein kinases in bacteria, parasites, and mammals
Authors: Park Brenden C. , Reese Michael , Tagliabracci Vincent S.
Published: April 2019

Previous decades have seen an explosion in our understanding of protein kinase function in human health and disease. Hundreds of unique kinase structures have been solved, allowing us to create generalized rules for catalysis, assign roles of communities within the catalytic core, and develop specific drugs for targeting various pathways. Although our understanding of intracellular kinases has developed at a fast rate, our exploration into extracellular kinases has just begun. In this review, we will cover the secreted protein kinase families found in humans, bacteria, and parasites. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(6):749–759, 2019
Evaluation of clinical pharmacy priority scoring methods in an adult medicine residency clinic
Authors: Krasniak Anne , Szymaniak Gregory , Conn Kelly M. , Phillips Elizabeth
Published: April 2019

Background

Patients with higher clinical pharmacy priority (CP2) scores are more likely to receive a medication recommendation from a pharmacist to resolve an identified medication related problem (MRP) in a family medicine clinic.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare a modified CP2 score to the original CP2 score in an adult medicine residency clinic and assess whether a modified CP2 score more appropriately captured patients in need of recommendations from a clinical pharmacist.

Methods

A convenience sample of patients scheduled for visits in an adult medicine clinic had a comprehensive medication review (CMR) performed. All patients had the original CP2 score and modified CP2 score calculated retrospectively. Both versions of the CP2 scores were compared using Pearson correlation. The relationship between a recommendation from a pharmacist and each CP2 score was evaluated using Pearson correlation and t test.

Results

In total, 148 patients who received a CMR by a clinical pharmacist were included in the retrospective chart review. Overall, there was a strong positive correlation between the CP2 score and the modified CP2 score (correlation coefficient (r) 0.968, P < 0.001); thus, as the CP2 scores increase, the modified CP2 score increases. Patients with higher CP2 and modified CP2 scores were more likely to receive a recommendation from a pharmacist (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). There was a moderate correlation between both scores and number of recommendations made (CP2: r = 0.436 [P < 0.001], modified CP2: r = 0.456 [P < 0.001]) which did not differ significantly.

Conclusions

The CP2 score and the modified CP2 score were both associated with pharmacist recommendations in an adult medicine clinic. Refinement of the CP2 score did not better capture patients in an adult medicine residency clinic with a recommendation from a clinical pharmacist.
MicroRNA‐524‐5p suppresses the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells via targeting on FOXE1 and ITGA3 in cell autophagy and cycling pathways
Authors: Liu Hui , Chen Xi , Lin Ting , Chen Xingsheng , Yan Jiqi , Jiang Shan
Published: April 2019

MicroRNAs are beneficial for cancer therapy as they can simultaneously downregulate multiple targets involved in diverse biological pathways related to tumor development. In papillary thyroid cancer, many microRNAs were identified as differentially expressed factors in tumor tissues. In another way, recent studies revealed cell proliferation, cell cycling, apoptosis, and autophagy are critical pathways controlling papillary thyroid cancer development and progression. As miR‐524‐5p was approved as a cancer suppressor targeting multiple genes in several types of cancer cells, this study aims to characterize the role of miR‐524‐5p in the thyroid cancer cell. The expression of miR‐524‐5p was decreased in the papillary thyroid cancer tissues and cell lines, while forkhead box E1 (FOXE1) and ITGA3 were increased. In the clinical case, expression of miR‐524‐5p, FOXE1, and ITGA3 were significantly correlated with papillary thyroid cancer development and progression. FOXE1 and ITGA3 were approved as direct targets of miR‐524‐5p. miR‐524‐5p could inhibit papillary thyroid cancer cell viability, migration, invasion, and apoptosis through targeting FOXE1 and ITGA3. Cell cycling and autophagy pathways were disturbed by downregulation of FOXE1 and ITGA3, respectively. Collectively, miR‐524‐5p targeting on FOXE1 and ITGA3 prevents thyroid cancer progression through different pathways including cell cycling and autophagy.
ncRNAs associated with drug resistance and the therapy of digestive system neoplasms
Authors: Feng Wei , Su Zhangyao , Yin Qingqing , Zong Wei , Shen Xianjuan , Ju Shaoqing
Published: April 2019

Digestive system cancer remains a common cancer and the main cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Drug resistance is a major challenge in the therapy of digestive system cancer, and represents a primary obstacle in the treatment of cancer by restricting the efficiency of both traditional chemotherapy and biological therapies. Existing studies indicate that noncoding RNAs play an important role in the evolution and progression of drug resistance in digestive system cancer, mainly by modulating drug transporter‐related proteins, DNA damage repair, cell‐cycle‐related proteins, cell apoptosis‐related proteins, drug target‐related proteins, and the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we address the potential mechanisms of ncRNAs underlying drug resistance in digestive system tumors and discuss the possible application of ncRNAs against drug resistance in digestive system tumors.
Early acid/base and electrolyte changes in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion: Aged male and female rats
Authors: Martha Sarah R. , Collier Lisa A. , Davis Stephanie M. , Goodwin Sarah J. , Powell David , Lukins Doug , Fraser Justin F. , Pennypacker Keith R.
Published: April 2019

Background

Early changes in acid/base and electrolyte concentrations could provide insights into the development of neuropathology at the onset of stroke. We evaluated associations between acid/base and electrolyte concentrations, and outcomes in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) model.

Methods

18‐month‐old male and female Sprague‐Dawley rats underwent pMCAO. Pre‐, post‐ (7 min after occlusion), and at 72 hr of pMCAO venous blood samples provided pH, carbon dioxide, oxygen, glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and electrolyte values of ionized calcium, potassium, and sodium. Multiple linear regression determined predictors of infarct and edema volumes from these values, Kaplan‐Meier curve analyzed morality between males and females at 72 hr, and a Cox regression model was used to determine predictors for mortality.

Results

Analysis indicated significant differences in acid/base balance and electrolyte levels in aged rats not dependent on sex between the three time points in the pMCAO model. Changes in pH (from pre‐ to post and post‐ to 72 hr) and changes in sodium and ionized calcium (from post‐ to 72 hr) were predictors of infarct volume and edema volume, respectively. Cox Regression revealed there is a 3.25 times increased risk for mortality based on changes in bicarbonate (pre‐ to post‐MCAO).

Conclusions

These early venous blood changes in acid/base balance and electrolytes can be used to predict stroke outcomes in our rat model of stroke. This study provides potential biomarkers to be examined in the human condition that could provide profound prognostic tools for stroke patients.
Summertime precipitation deficits in the southern Peruvian highlands since 1964
Authors: Imfeld Noemi , Barreto Schuler Christian , Correa Marrou Kris Milagros , Jacques‐Coper Martín , Sedlmeier Katrin , Gubler Stefanie , Huerta Adrian , Brönnimann Stefan
Published: April 2019

Precipitation deficits remain a concern to the rural population in the southern Peruvian highlands and knowledge about their occurrence is lacking because of scarce data availability. For mountainous regions with sparse station networks, reanalyses can provide valuable information; however, known limitations in reproducing precipitation are aggravated due to unresolved topographical effects. In this study, we assess in a first step the representation of precipitation during the rainy season (January–February–March) in seven reanalysis data sets in comparison to a newly generated gridded precipitation data set for Peru. In a second step, we assess summer precipitation deficits in Peru during the second half of the 20th century.

In the reanalyses data sets, we find biases strongly influenced by the topography of the models and low correlations for the rainy season. Thus, reanalyses do not solve the problem of data scarcity for this region either. Furthermore, we confirm that El Niño is not a sufficient stratification criterion for precipitation deficits during the rainy season (JFM) in the southern Peruvian highlands. Based on observational records and reanalyses, a considerable fraction of inter‐annual variability of precipitation can be explained through upper‐tropospheric zonal wind anomalies. Westerly wind anomalies, often related to the warming of the troposphere during an El Niño event, lead to dry conditions, but not all El Niño events produce these westerly wind anomalies. Atmospheric simulations indicate differences between precipitation deficits in central Pacific and eastern Pacific El Niño flavours, which cannot be addressed in observations due to reduced record length: Droughts in the southern Peruvian Andes during eastern Pacific El Niño events seem to be related to a stronger warming in the troposphere above the central Pacific ocean, whereas this is not the case for droughts during central Pacific El Niño events. These results, however, need to be further corroborated by model studies and palaeoclimatological research.
Projected changes in modified Thornthwaite climate zones over Southwest Asia using a CMIP5 multi‐model ensemble
Authors: Rahimi Jaber , Khalili Ali , Butterbach‐Bahl Klaus
Published: April 2019

Climate change is known as one of the key challenges of the 21st century for sustainable agricultural development over Southwest Asia. However, not much is known about the way that climate changes might affect precipitation, temperature, and climate zones as their consequence over Southwest Asia. Here we have analysed probable changes in modified Thornthwaite climate zones by using monthly temperature and precipitation data from 320 meteorological stations during the historical period of 1971–2015, as well as the future projections of 17 GCMs (General Circulation Models) outputs under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios in two future periods, 2041–2070 and 2071–2100. The CMIP5 climate projections were bias corrected using the correction factors derived in the historical period and applied to simulate future climatic conditions over Southwest Asia. Results derived from multi model ensemble projections of precipitation and temperature indicated that the regional mean annual temperature by the future period of 2071–2100 is expected to increase by 2.4 and 3.8°C, under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. Also, except for the southern and eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, by 2071–2100, the mean annual precipitation would significantly decrease by on average 6.2 and 7.5%, under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. Computing climate types based on averages from three climatic periods (1971–2015, 2041–2070, and 2071–2100) showed that Southwest Asia tends to become warmer and dryer. For example, by the end of the 21st century, the percentage of the area occupied by the torrid‐arid climate type (which already covers 13.8% of the total area) would be 29.3 and 36.4% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively. These changes are important because they would definitely have profound ecological, hydrologic, and social consequences and may affect the basic components of sustainable agricultural systems like crop and livestock productions.
Incorporating Humanistic Values and Techniques in a Culturally Responsive Therapeutic Intervention for African American College Students
Authors: GRIER‐REED TABITHA , AJAYI ALEX A.
Published: April 2019

Creating spaces that counter deficit notions of people of color can promote well‐being among African American college students. Yet, there is little guidance on how to develop these identity‐affirming settings. Delineating the counseling skills and group processes involved in facilitating a counterspace, the authors present the African American Student Network.
Air‐In‐Water Emulsion Solely Stabilized by Gelatin Methacryloyl and Templating for Macroporous Nanocomposite Hydrogels
Authors: Liu Sa , Jin Min , Chen Yunhua , Teng Lijing , Qi Dawei , Ren Li
Published: April 2019

Concentrated emulsions are extremely interesting templates to produce macroporous hydrogels for 3D cell culturing and tissue regeneration. However, organic solvents have been intensively used as dispersing phases to prepare these emulsions, which could involve considerable efforts to purify the scaffolds to minimize their toxicity to cells. In this contribution, air‐in‐water emulsions without involving any organic solvents, stabilized solely by gelatin methacryloyl are reported. The emulsions can serve as promising templates to produce highly macroporous hydrogels, and the incorporation of Laponite clay is able to regulate the pore surface morphology and lead to significant increase of compressive modulus of the nanocomposite hydrogels. Furthermore, remarkable cell proliferation and increase of alkaline phosphatase activity are demonstrated in the macroporous nanocomposite hydrogels, indicating their great capability of promoting osteogenesis in the absence of osteoinductive factors.
Polyimide‐PEG Segmented Block Copolymer Membranes with High Proton Conductivity by Improving Bicontinuous Nanostructure of Ionic Liquid‐Doped Films
Authors: Woo Euntaek , Coletta Elyse , Holm Alexander , Mun Jaewan , Toney Michael F. , Yoon Do Y. , Frank Curtis W.
Published: April 2019

The structure and properties of segmented block copolymer films of aromatic polyimide (PI) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) doped with an ionic liquid are studied for potential polymer electrolyte membrane applications for fuel cells. Poly(amic acid) precursors of PI‐PEG copolymers of 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride, 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenedioxy) dianiline, and bis(3‐aminopropyl) terminated PEG (Mn≈ 1500) are synthesized and then thermally imidized in membrane films, followed by swelling in ethylammonium nitrate (EAN) ionic liquid. The small‐angle X‐ray scattering results from the EAN‐doped PI‐PEG copolymer films show disordered bicontinuous phase‐separated nanostructures described by Teubner–Strey theory, with the interface fractal dimension determined from the Porod equation. Thermal annealing of the EAN‐doped membranes at 100–140 °C results in increased correlation lengths and smoother interfaces of the bicontinuous nanostructures. Such improved nanostructures lead to the increased ionic conductivity by two to five times with the maximum conductivity of 210 mS cm−1at 60 °C and 70% RH, much greater (nearly fivefold) than that of Nafion films, while maintaining the mechanical stability possibly up to 140 °C. Moreover, the investigation of the disordered bicontinuous phase‐separated nanostructure of EAN‐doped PI‐PEG copolymer membranes is highly relevant to understanding the nanostructures of hydrated Nafion membranes and segmented block copolymers in general.
Responsive and Degradable Highly Branched Polymers with Hypervalent Iodine(III) Groups at the Branching Points
Authors: Han Hongzhang , Kumar Rajesh , Tsarevsky Nicolay V.
Published: April 2019

A hypervalent (HV) iodine(III)‐containing crosslinker, (diacryloyloxyiodo)benzene, is synthesized and its crystal structure is reported. Highly branched polymers with hypervalent iodine(III) groups as the building blocks present at the branching points are synthesized by copolymerization of tert‐butyl acrylate and the diacrylate crosslinker (up to 12 mol% vs the monovinyl monomer), under reversible deactivation radical polymerization (iodine transfer polymerization) conditions, which are employed to ensure that the incorporation of the crosslinker into the polymer chains is slow and gradual, that is, to limit the average number of pendant double bonds per chain and delay gelation. The branched polymers with (diacyloxyiodo)benzene‐type linkers are responsive and react with monocarboxylic acids, for example, acetic acid, which participate in ligand‐exchange reactions with the HV iodine(III) centers, and with reducing agents, for example, tributylphosphine, which reduce iodine(III) to iodine(I); both reactions lead to polymer degradation with the formation of random linear copolymers of tert‐butyl acrylate and acrylic acid.
Effect of carnauba wax as a part of feedstock on the mechanical behavior of a part made of 4605 low alloy steel powder using metal injection molding
Authors: Momeni V. , Hossein Alaei M. , Askari A. , Hossein Rahimi A. , Nekouee K.
Published: April 2019

Metal injection molding is a growing technology for producing complex metallic components. Preparation of feedstock for metal injection molding is a very crucial step during this process. This is because the deficiencies in quality of the feedstock once made, cannot be corrected by subsequent processing steps. One of the challenges in producing the feedstock is its formulation. In this study, the effect of the percentage of carnauba wax along with other binder constituents of paraffin wax, polypropylene and stearic acid is investigated on the density, strength, hardness and rheological behavior of a part, made of 4605 low alloy steel powder using metal injection molding process. For this reason, six binder systems including paraffin wax, polypropylene and stearic acid having different percentages of carnauba wax have been produced. After preparation of the samples, tensile testing, Vickers hardness test, density and rheological behavior of the samples have been measured and compared. The results show that carnauba wax as a part of feedstock, has a positive effect on the strength and density while negative effect on the hardness of the final sintered part. Also with the increase in the percentage of the carnauba wax inside the polymer binder, the viscosity of the feedstock was reduced significantly.
Estimation of priority weights based on a resampling technique and a ranking method in analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Basak Indrani
Published: April 2019

Individual judgments are sought in order to elicit values of the entries of pairwise comparison matrices in analytic hierarchy process. Some of these matrices are more consistent than others. But throwing out inconsistent matrices reduces the number of matrices. In this article, we propose a resampling technique to generate sets of pairwise comparison matrices, which pass the consistency check. The advantage of the resampling technique is that one can generate as many sets of pairwise comparison matrices as needed to select the ones that satisfy the consistency requirement. Based on these selected matrices, the priority weights of the alternatives are then estimated. We propose rank‐based statistical procedures to check the significance in the difference between estimated priorities of the alternatives to establish their most significant rank order.