bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio increase during rituximab maintenance in Granulomatosis with polyangiitis patients
Authors: Besada Emilio , Nossent Johannes C.
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Rituximab (RTX) is a B cell-depleting agent approved for the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). RTX reduces antibody producing precursor plasma cells and inhibits B and T cells interaction. Infections related to T cell immunodeficiency are not infrequent during RTX treatment. Our study investigated CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio in GPA patients during the first two years of long-term RTX treatment.

Methods

A single centre cohort study of 35 patients who received median total cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide (CYC) of 15 g and were treated with RTX 2 g followed by retreatment with either 2 g once annually or 1 g biannually. Serum levels of total immunoglobulin (Ig) and lymphocytes subsets were recorded at RTX initiation and at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. Low CD4 count and inverted CD4/CD8 ratio were defined as CD4 < 0.3 × 109/l and ratio < 1.

Results

The CD4 cell count and CD4/CD8 ratio decreased slightly following the initial RTX treatment and then increased gradually during maintenance treatment. While the proportion of patients with low CD4 cell count decreased from 43% at baseline to 18% at 24 months, the ratio remained inverted in 40%. Oral daily prednisolone dose at baseline, CYC exposure and the maintenance regimen did not influence the CD4 cell count and ratio. Being older (p = 0.012) and having a higher CRP (p = 0.044) and ESR (p = 0.024) at baseline significantly increased the risk of inverted CD4/CD8 ratio at 24 months. Inverted ratio at baseline associated with lower total Ig levels during the study.

Conclusions

Overall, the CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio increased during maintenance RTX therapy in GPA with no discernible impact of other immunosuppressive therapy. However the increase in CD4 was not followed by an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio, especially in older patients. Inverted CD4/CD8 ratio associated with lower Ig levels, suggesting a more profound B cell depleting effect of RTX with a relative increase in CD8+ lymphocytes.
A method for high precision sequencing of near full-length 16S rRNA genes on an Illumina MiSeq
Authors: Burke Catherine M. , Darling Aaron E.
Published: September 2016

Background

The bacterial 16S rRNA gene has historically been used in defining bacterial taxonomy and phylogeny. However, there are currently no high-throughput methods to sequence full-length 16S rRNA genes present in a sample with precision.

Results

We describe a method for sequencing near full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicons using the high throughput Illumina MiSeq platform and test it using DNA from human skin swab samples. Proof of principle of the approach is demonstrated, with the generation of 1,604 sequences greater than 1,300 nt from a single Nano MiSeq run, with accuracy estimated to be 100-fold higher than standard Illumina reads. The reads were chimera filtered using information from a single molecule dual tagging scheme that boosts the signal available for chimera detection.

Conclusions

This method could be scaled up to generate many thousands of sequences per MiSeq run and could be applied to other sequencing platforms. This has great potential for populating databases with high quality, near full-length 16S rRNA gene sequences from under-represented taxa and environments and facilitates analyses of microbial communities at higher resolution.
The timing of pupping and molting of the Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardii, at Punta Banda Estuary, Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Fernández-Martín Eva María , Heckel Gisela , Schramm Yolanda , García-Aguilar María Concepción
Published: September 2016

Pupping and molting of Phoca vitulina are processes that occur each year with high precision, although their timing varies according to location. Knowledge about the timing of these events allows us to determine when the highest numbers of individuals are hauled out, which is important to achieve a good abundance estimation. In this study we determined the timing of pupping and molting of P. v. richardii at Punta Banda Estuary, Baja California (Mexico), previously unknown at this site or along its entire distribution in Mexico. Observations were carried out during the 2011 and 2012 pupping seasons, as well as the 2012 molting season. We determined that the pupping season starts in mid- February and ends in mid-April, and that the maximum number of pups occurs in mid-March. The late premolt stage was observed from the end of March to the beginning of July, with the peak proportion of individuals in this stage at the beginning of May. The molting period extends from the end of April to mid-July, with the peak proportion of individuals molting at the beginning of June. The reverse molt pattern (starting on the torso and ending on the head and flippers) was the most common. The highest number of adult and subadult individuals on land was observed during the molting season; therefore, the best time to carry out counts to estimate seal abundance in this area is from the beginning of May to the beginning of June.
Wineries and the liability of outsidership: cases from Brazil and Chile
Authors: Nogueira Carlos Eduardo Corrêa , Lorenzi Cancellier Éverton Luís Pellizzaro de , Alperstedt Graziela Dias
Published: September 2016

This qualitative research was developed in light of behavioral theories regarding company internationalization. Its objective was to study the internationalization process of two wine exporters, one Chilean and one Brazilian, while focusing on the liability of outsidership.  Data were collected from primary and secondary sources, mostly from semi-structured interviews with parties responsible for exportation.  The data was treated with content analysis as grounded in current literature.  The Undurraga winery (Chile) overcame the liability of outsidership by employing a market penetration strategy consisting of stages, with progression to each consecutive stage depending upon success in the current one.  When the company enters into a new market, it identifies the liability and develops a strategy to deal with it.  Even though the Brazilian winery, Salton, is over a century old, it has only attempted to internationalize recently.  It showed characteristics of liabilities of foreignness and outsidership in practically every period analyzed, and has yet to resolve these problems.
Shaker Zahra Author Bibliometric Study - Analysis of Scientific Publications from 1985 until 2014
Authors: Hoeltgebaum, Dra. - Editor Marianne
Published: September 2016

The study is presented aims to demonstrate through a bibliometric study, analysis of academic, scientific and technical publications developed by Shaker Zahra between the years 1985-2014, representing 29 years of study. To enhance this objective, we sought in the first instance to a bibliographic description of bibliometrics, entrepreneurship and the relationship between them. After this, was demonstrated academic and professional history Zahra, describing their field. In sequence, it was presented the methodology of the study, which had focused its characterization longitudinal and quantitative research, which allowed the development of bibliometric analysis. The final part included the description of limitations and proposals for future studies, closing the research, with conclusions and references. The study was developed through the analysis of 160 scientific papers published by Shaker Zahra in partnership with other researchers in high-impact journals and academic and scientific importance were obtained at Portal Capes and Google Scholar Portal.
Decadal variations and trends of the global ocean carbon sink
Authors: Landschützer Peter , Gruber Nicolas , Bakker Dorothee C. E.
Published: September 2016

We investigate the variations of the ocean CO2 sink during the past three decades using global surface ocean maps of the partial pressure of CO2 reconstructed from observations contained in the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas Version 2. To create these maps, we used the neural network‐based data interpolation method of Landschützer et al. (2014) but extended the work in time from 1998 to 2011 to the period from 1982 through 2011. Our results suggest strong decadal variations in the global ocean carbon sink around a long‐term increase that corresponds roughly to that expected from the rise in atmospheric CO2. The sink is estimated to have weakened during the 1990s toward a minimum uptake of only −0.8 ± 0.5 Pg C yr−1 in 2000 and thereafter to have strengthened considerably to rates of more than −2.0 ± 0.5 Pg C yr−1. These decadal variations originate mostly from the extratropical oceans, while the tropical regions contribute primarily to interannual variations. Changes in sea surface temperature affecting the solubility of CO2 explain part of these variations, particularly at subtropical latitudes. But most of the higher‐latitude changes are attributed to modifications in the surface concentration of dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity, induced by decadal variations in atmospheric forcing, with patterns that are reminiscent of those of the Northern and Southern Annular Modes. These decadal variations lead to a substantially smaller cumulative anthropogenic CO2 uptake of the ocean over the 1982 through 2011 period (reduction of 7.5 ± 5.5 Pg C) relative to that derived by the Global Carbon Budget.
Geological structures control on earthquake ruptures: The Mw7.7, 2013, Balochistan earthquake, Pakistan
Authors: Vallage A. , Klinger Y. , Lacassin R. , Delorme A. , Pierrot‐Deseilligny M.
Published: September 2016

The 2013 Mw7.7 Balochistan earthquake, Pakistan, ruptured the Hoshab fault. Left‐lateral motion dominated the deformation pattern, although significant vertical motion is found along the southern part of the rupture. Correlation of high‐resolution (2.5 m) optical satellite images provided horizontal displacement along the entire rupture. In parallel, we mapped the ground rupture geometry at 1:500 scale. We show that the azimuth of the ground rupture distributes mainly between two directions, N216° and N259°. The direction N216° matches the direction of preexisting geologic structures resulting from penetrative deformation caused by the nearby Makran subduction. Hence, during a significant part of its rupture, the 2013 Balochistan rupture kept switching between a long‐term fault front and secondary branches, in which existence and direction are related to the compressional context. It shows unambiguous direct interactions between different preexisting geologic structures, regional stress, and dynamic‐rupture stress, which controlled earthquake propagation path.
Sea level rise and inundation of island interiors: Assessing impacts of lake formation and evaporation on water resources in arid climates
Authors: Gulley J. D. , Mayer A. S. , Martin J. B. , Bedekar V.
Published: September 2016

Coasts of many low‐lying islands will be inundated should sea level rise by 1 m by 2100 as projected, thereby decreasing water resources through aquifer salinization. A lesser known impact occurs if rising sea level elevates water tables above interior topographic lows to form lakes. Impacts of lake formation on water resources, however, remain unquantified. Here we use hydrological models, based on islands in the Bahamian archipelago, to demonstrate that on islands with negative water budgets, evaporation following lake inundation can cause more than twice the loss of fresh groundwater resources relative to an equivalent amount of coastal inundation. This result implies that in dry climates, low‐lying islands with inland depressions could face substantially greater threats to their water resources from sea level rise than previously considered.
Recent Advances in the Field of Phenoxyl Radical–Metal Complexes
Authors: Shimazaki Yuichi
Published: September 2016

In the early 1990s, it was discovered that the phenoxyl radical can bind with a metal ion as an open‐shell ligand performing the role of an organic radical cofactor in a metalloenzyme, galactose oxidase (GO), which is a single copper oxidase catalyzing the two‐electron oxidation of a primary alcohol to the aldehyde. After this discovery, the phenolate moiety in metal complexes has become one of the most famous and important redox‐active ligands, and the oxidation of metal–phenolato complexes sometimes gives the metal–phenoxyl radical complexes. The number of phenoxyl radical–metal complexes has been increased, and the properties and reactivity of such complexes have been widely developed in recent years.

This chapter focuses on recent developments in the synthesis, structure, properties, and reactivity of metal–phenoxyl radical complexes, especially their detailed electronic structures and reactivities.
Conspiracy Formation Is in the Detail: On the Interaction of Conspiratorial Predispositions and Semantic Cues
Authors: Gebauer Fabian , Raab Marius H. , Carbon Claus‐Christian
Published: September 2016

Significant events are frequently followed by discussions about the event's ‘true nature’. Yet, there is only little evidence whether the conspiratorial reasoning of conspiracy believers and sceptics is a priori determined, or if certain characteristics of information are responsible for provoking a polarization. We investigated how depicted causation (direct vs. indirect; Study 1) and intention (strong vs. weak purposeful; Study 2) might invoke a bias in believers and sceptics regarding conspiratorial reasoning about an ongoing event, namely, whether US investigations against FIFA were more or less likely to be seen as a conspiracy against Russia to sabotage the football World Cup in 2018. We revealed that judgments of conspiracy believers and sceptics about the event's ‘true nature’ are not a priori divided—in fact, conspiracy formation is only affected when direct causation or strong purposeful intentions were obvious. Results point to the relevance of conspiratorial predispositions and semantic cues in conspiracy formation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrochemically Driven Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles Coating of Medical Implants
Authors: Geuli Ori , Metoki Noah , Eliaz Noam , Mandler Daniel
Published: September 2016

Calcium phosphates are of great interest for biomedical applications such as bone tissue engineering, bone fillers, drug and gene delivery, and orthopedic and dental implant coating. Here, the first electrochemically driven coating of medical implants using hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanoparticles (NPs) as building blocks is reported. This uncommon combination offers a simple, straightforward, and economic process with well controllable, pure, single‐phase HAp. Crystalline, pure HAp NPs are formed by precipitation reaction. The HAp NPs are dispersed by either citrate or poly(acrylic acid) to form pH sensitive dispersion. Controllable and homogeneous coating of medical implants is accomplished by altering the pH on the surface upon applying either a constant potential or current. The process involves protonation of the carboxylic acid moieties, which causes the irreversible aggregation of the HAp NPs due to diminishing the repulsive forces between the particles. Deposition is further demonstrated on a commercial dental implant. Moreover, the adhesion of the coating satisfies FDA and international standard requirements. A porous interconnected network of bone‐like HAp layer is formed during soaking in a simulated body fluid for 30 d and is similar to bone generation, and it therefore holds promise for further in vivo testing.
Toward High Energy Organic Cathodes for Li‐Ion Batteries: A Case Study of Vat Dye/Graphene Composites
Authors: Ai Wei , Zhou Weiwei , Du Zhuzhu , Sun Chencheng , Yang Jun , Chen Yu , Sun Zhipeng , Feng Shun , Zhao Jianfeng , Dong Xiaochen , Huang Wei , Yu Ting
Published: September 2016

Despite the fascinating Li storage properties of organic carbonyl compounds, e.g., high therotical capacity and fast kinetics, it is still lack of a facile and effective way that capable of large‐scale producion of advanced carbonyl cathodes for Li‐ion batteries (LIBs). Here, a generic strategy is proposed by combining sonication and hydrothermal techniques for scalable synthesis of high performance organic carbonyl cathodes for LIBs. A series of commercialized vat dyes with abundant electroactive conjugated carbonyl groups are confined in between the graphene layers, forming a compatible 3D hybrid architecture. The unique structure affords good Li+ ions accessibility to the electrode and short Li+ ions diffusion length. Meanwhile, each sandwiched graphene layer functions as a miniature current collector, ensuring fast electron transport throughout the entire electrode. Consequently, the cathodic performances of LIBs using the composites as electrodes, for example, Vat Green 8/graphene, Vat Brown BR/graphene, and Vat Olive T/graphene, possess high specific capacity, exceptional cycling stability, and excellent rate capability. The effect of vat dye content on the morphology, structure, and the final electrochemical performance of the composites is investigated as well. This work provides a versatile and low‐cost platform for large‐scale development of advanced organic‐based electrodes toward sustainable energy fields.
Ternary Metal Phosphide with Triple‐Layered Structure as a Low‐Cost and Efficient Electrocatalyst for Bifunctional Water Splitting
Authors: Yu Jing , Li Qianqian , Li Yuan , Xu Cheng‐Yan , Zhen Liang , Dravid Vinayak P. , Wu Jinsong
Published: September 2016

Development of low‐cost, high‐performance, and bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting is essential for renewable and clean energy technologies. Although binary phosphides are inexpensive, their performance is not as good as noble metals. Adding a third metal element to binary phosphides (Ni‐P, Co‐P) provides the opportunity to tune their crystalline and electronic structures and thus their electrocatalytic properties. Here, ternary phosphide (NiCoP) films with different nickel to cobalt ratios via an electrodeposition technique are synthesized. The films have a triple‐layered and hierarchical morphology, consisting of nanosheets in the bottom layer, ≈90–120 nm nanospheres in the middle layer, and larger spherical particles on the top layer. The ternary phosphides exhibit versatile activities that are strongly dependent on the Ni/Co ratios and Ni0.51Co0.49P film is found to have the best electrocatalytic activities for both hydrogen evolution reactions and oxygen evolution reactions. The high performance of the ternary phosphide film is attributed to enhanced electric conductivity so that reaction kinetics is accelerated, enlarged surface area due to the hierarchical and three‐layered morphology, and increased local electric dipole so that the energy barrier for the water splitting reaction is lowered.
On the Study of Exciton Binding Energy with Direct Charge Generation in Photovoltaic Polymers
Authors: Li Ho‐Wa , Guan Zhiqiang , Cheng Yuanhang , Lui Taili , Yang Qingdan , Lee Chun‐Sing , Chen Song , Tsang Sai‐Wing
Published: September 2016

Overcoming the strong excitonic effect in organic photovoltaics (OPVs) is one of the key strategies for the design of materials and device structures. Approaches to measure the binding energy in organics are, however, not readily available. Here, the electrical and optical quantum efficiencies of a series of conjugated photovoltaic polymers are systematically studied. It is found that there is generally a secondary onset in external quantum efficiency (EQE) spectrum at high excitation energy, independent of optical absorbance of the materials. Combining photoluminescence quantum yield measurement and adding a small amount (1 wt%) of fullerene acceptor in polymer blends, it further confirms that the pristine polymer EQE spectrum has a transition from exciton to free‐charge generation with increased excitation energy. Strikingly, by comparing the reported photoemission spectroscopy results, the secondary onsets in the EQE spectra have excellent agreement with the transport gap (Eg) in corresponding materials. Consequently, the exciton binding energies of the polymers can be obtained with the smallest 0.6 eV in PCE10 to the largest 1.2 eV in MEHPPV. The results of this study demonstrate a facile access to the transport gap and exciton binding energies in organic semiconductors. This provides valuable information for further understanding the strong excitonic effect in photovoltaic cells.
High Energy Density Aqueous Li‐Ion Flow Capacitor
Authors: Liu Hao , Liao Libing , Lu Yi‐Chun , Li Quan
Published: September 2016

High energy density Li‐ion hybrid flow capacitors are demonstrated by employing LiMn2O4 and activated carbon slurry electrodes. Compared to the existing aqueous flow electrochemical capacitors, the hybrid one exhibits much higher energy densities due to the introduction of high capacity Li‐insertion materials (e.g., LiMn2O4 in the present work) as the flowable electrode with asymmetrical cell configuration. A record energy density, i.e., 23.4 W h kg−1 at a power of 50.0 W kg−1 has been achieved for aqueous flow capacitors tested at static condition reported to date. A full operational Li‐ion flow capacitor tested in an intermittent‐flow mode has also been demonstrated. The Li‐ion hybrid flow capacitor shows great promise for high‐rate grid applications.
Familial deletion of theHOXAgene cluster associated with Hand–Foot–Genital syndrome and phenotypic variability
Authors: Tas Emir , Sebastian Jessica , Madan‐Khetarpal Suneeta , Sweet Philip , Yatsenko Alexander N. , Pollock Nijole , Rajkovic Aleksandar , Schneck Francis X. , Yatsenko Svetlana A. , Witchel Selma Feldman
Published: September 2016

Hand–Foot–Genital syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by distal limb anomalies and urogenital malformations. This disorder is associated with loss‐of‐function mutations in theHOXA13gene.HOXA13plays an important role in the development of distal limbs and lower genitourinary tract of the fetus. We report a novel familial 589 kb deletion in the 7p15.2 region identified in a male toddler and his mother. The proband had severe penoscrotal hypospadias, mild skeletal anomalies of the hands and feet, cardiac, renal, and gastrointestinal anomalies. His mother had a bicornuate uterus, cervical incompetence, and minor anomalies of her hands and feet. This family was found to have the smallest reported deletion of 7p15.2 to date, and presented with features typical of Hand–Foot–Genital syndrome in the mother, but much more severe phenotype in her son. This deletion included the entireHOXAcluster in addition to theSKAP2andEVX1genes. An RT‐PCR analysis was performed to determine the expression of theHOXAgenes in the proband and to explore a parent‐of‐origin effect. Our expression studies did not support the hypothesis of an imprinted status of theHOXA2,HOXA3,HOXA5, andHOXA11genes in peripheral blood. To our knowledge, this is the first familial 7p15.2 deletion. This family raises possibility for sexual dimorphism as a mechanism for phenotypic variability in patients with theHOXAgene cluster deletions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Importance of a specialty clinic for individuals with fragile X syndrome
Authors: Visootsak Jeannie , Kidd Sharon A. , Anderson Tovi , Bassell Julia L. , Sherman Stephanie L. , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth M.
Published: September 2016

Advances in human genetics have identified a significant number of genetic disorders associated with intellectual disability. As a result, appropriate clinical management of these affected individuals and their family members have become critical in addressing medical needs to improve quality of life. We examine the importance of a Fragile X Clinic for individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and their family members by conducting a retrospective chart review of 123 new patients with FXS evaluated at the Fragile X Clinic at Emory University. After the initial diagnosis of a proband with FXS with cascade testing, there were 345 family members identified with a mutation (70% with premutations; 30% with full mutations). In terms of the impact of the clinic visit, males had a substantial number of new diagnoses in all behavioral disorders (P < 0.001), with anxiety (62%) being the most common. For female probands, the most frequent diagnosis was also anxiety (87%). Prior to the clinic visit, very few patients were prescribed psychotropic medications. After the clinic visit, the most frequently prescribed psychotropic medications for males were stimulants (41%; P < 0.001) and SSRIs (40%; P < 0.001). For females, only stimulants (33%; P = 0.03) and SSRIs (44%; P = 0.008) were statistically significantly prescribed. Our results revealed that there is a gap in care to address the co‐morbid behavioral issues, psychopharmacologic medication management, and genetic counseling needs regarding FXS. A multidisciplinary setting and approach, such as that offered by a Fragile X Clinic, is one method of treating the complex needs of patients with FXS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metal‐Free Oxidative C−H Amination of 8‐Acylaminoquinolines and Anilides with N‐Fluorobenzenesulfonimide
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Ying , Guo Zhenyu , Zhang Qian , Li Dong
Published: September 2016

An oxidative C−H amination of 8‐acylaminoquinolines and anilides with N‐fluorobenzenesulfonimide (NFSI) has been developed. This process was mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent PhI(OPiv)2 under mild reaction conditions without any metallic catalyst or oxidant. The protocol showed good air and moisture tolerance, functional groups compatibility, and gave the highly site‐selective amination products in moderate to good yields, providing a novel and facile method for synthesis of arylamine compounds.
Thermische Methanaktivierung durch [Si2O5].+ und [Si2O5H2].+: Reaktivitätssteigerung durch Hydrierung
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Zhou Shaodong , Schlangen Maria , Schwarz Helmut
Published: September 2016

Die thermischen Reaktionen von Methan mit den sauerstoffreichen Cluster‐Kationen [Si2O5].+ und [Si2O5H2].+ wurden mit Fourier‐Transformations‐Ionencyclotronresonanz(FT‐ICR)‐Massenspektrometrie und modernen quantenchemischen Rechnungen untersucht. Während [Si2O5].+ gegenüber Methan inert ist, vermittelt das hydrierte Kation [Si2O5H2].+ die H‐Abstraktion von Methan mit einer Effizienz von 28 % bezogen auf die Stoßrate. Der Mechanismus dieses Prozesses wurde eingehend untersucht, und die Ursachen der enorm unterschiedlichen Reaktivitäten beider Cluster konnten aufgeklärt werden.
Poly(iminoborane)s: An Elusive Class of Main‐Group Polymers?
Authors: Ayhan Ozan , Eckert Thomas , Plamper Felix A. , Helten Holger
Published: September 2016

The significance of inorganic main‐group polymers is demonstrated most clearly by the commercial relevance of polysiloxanes (silicones). Organoboron‐based materials such as π‐conjugated organoborane polymers and BN‐doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are currently attracting considerable attention. Surprisingly, poly(iminoborane)s (PIBs; [BRNR′]n), that is, the parent unsaturated BN polymers, which are formally isoelectronic to polyacetylene, have not been convincingly characterized thus far. Herein, we present the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a linear oligo(iminoborane), which comprises a chain of 12–14 BN units on average. With our synthetic approach, unwanted side reactions that result in borazine formation are effectively suppressed. Supporting DFT and TD‐DFT calculations provide deeper insight into the microstructure and the electronic structure of the oligomer.
Thermal Methane Activation by [Si2O5].+ and [Si2O5H2].+: Reactivity Enhancement by Hydrogenation
Authors: Sun Xiaoyan , Zhou Shaodong , Schlangen Maria , Schwarz Helmut
Published: September 2016

The thermal reactions of methane with the oxygen‐rich cluster cations [Si2O5]⋅+ and [Si2O5H2]⋅+ have been examined using Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometry in conjunction with state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical calculations. In contrast to the inertness of [Si2O5].+ towards methane, the hydrogenated cluster [Si2O5H2].+ brings about hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) from methane with an efficiency of 28 % relative to the collision rate. The mechanisms of this process have been investigated in detail and the reasons for the striking reactivity difference of the two cluster ions have been revealed.
CFD simulation of single‐phase suction head and power consumption in a delta impeller pump–mixer
Authors: Huang Yi , Wu Bin , Chen Kui , Zhu Jiawen , Ji Lijun , Wu Yanyang , Shen Zujun
Published: September 2016

Agitation is one of the greatest challenges in the computer simulation, which is a common operation in mixer–settlers. In the present work, hydrodynamic characteristics of delta impeller pump–mixers have been studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Sliding mesh approach has been used for the modeling of interaction between static tank and rotating impeller. Standard k–ε turbulence model was adopted. The effect of different geometrical parameters including off‐bottom clearance, impeller diameter, number of blades and height of suction orifice on suction head and power consumption characteristics has been investigated. Low off‐bottom clearance and high suction orifice location were found beneficial to suction increase without extra power input. Scale‐up study has also been carried out at two different vessel sizes. CFD simulation results have been validated and agree with literature and experimental data. Optimum geometry of pump–mixer has been proposed, and new delta impeller designs have been proved better than the original one in pumping capacity. Scale‐up study shows a close agreement of power number and head number of different geometric scales and confirms the validity of CFD simulation in scale‐up of the delta impeller for industrial‐scale application. Copyright © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of angioplasty and bypass surgery for critical limb ischaemia in patients with infrapopliteal peripheral artery disease
Authors: Patel S D , Biasi L , Paraskevopoulos I , Silickas J , Lea T , Diamantopoulos A , Katsanos K , Zayed H
Published: September 2016

Background

Both infrapopliteal (IP) bypass surgery and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty have been shown to be effective in patients with critical limb ischaemia (CLI). The most appropriate method of revascularization has yet to be established, as no randomized trials have been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with similar characteristics treated using either revascularization method.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing IP bypass and IP angioplasty for CLI (Rutherford 4–6) at a single institution were compared following propensity score matching. The study endpoints were primary, assisted primary and secondary patency, and amputation-free survival at 12 months, calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis.

Results

Some 279 limbs in 243 patients were included in the study. The two groups differed significantly with respect to the incidence of diabetes (P = 0·024), estimated glomerular filtration rate (P = 0·006), total lesion length (P < 0·001) and Rutherford classification (P = 0·008). These factors were used to construct the propensity score model, which yielded a matched cohort of 125 legs in each group. Primary patency (54·4 versus 51·4 per cent; P = 0·014), assisted primary patency (77·5 versus 62·7 per cent; P = 0·003), secondary patency (84·4 versus 65·8 per cent; P < 0·001) and amputation-free survival (78·7 versus 74·1 per cent; P = 0·043) were significantly better after bypass than angioplasty. However, limb salvage was similar (90·4 versus 94·2 per cent; P = 0·161), and overall complications (36·0 versus 21·6 per cent; P = 0·041) as well as length of hospital stay (18(4–134) versus 5(0–110); P = 0·001) were worse in the surgical bypass group.

Conclusion

There was no difference in limb salvage rates, but patency and amputation-free survival rates were better 1 year after bypass surgery.
fMRIfunctional connectivity of the periaqueductal gray inPTSDand its dissociative subtype
Authors: Harricharan Sherain , Rabellino Daniela , Frewen Paul A. , Densmore Maria , Théberge Jean , McKinnon Margaret C. , Schore Allan N. , Lanius Ruth A.
Published: September 2016

Background

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with hyperarousal and active fight or flight defensive responses. By contrast, the dissociative subtype ofPTSD, characterized by depersonalization and derealization symptoms, is frequently accompanied by additional passive or submissive defensive responses associated with autonomic blunting. Here, the periaqueductal gray (PAG) plays a central role in defensive responses, where the dorsolateral (DL‐PAG) and ventrolateralPAG(VL‐PAG) are thought to mediate active and passive defensive responses, respectively.

Methods

We examinedPAGsubregion (dorsolateral and ventrolateral) resting‐state functional connectivity in three groups:PTSDpatients without the dissociative subtype (n = 60);PTSDpatients with the dissociative subtype (n = 37); and healthy controls (n = 40) using a seed‐based approach via PickAtlas andSPM12.

Results

AllPTSDpatients showed extensiveDL‐ andVL‐PAGfunctional connectivity at rest with areas associated with emotional reactivity and defensive action as compared to controls (n = 40). Although allPTSDpatients demonstratedDL‐PAGfunctional connectivity with areas associated with initiation of active coping strategies and hyperarousal (e.g., dorsal anterior cingulate; anterior insula), only dissociativePTSDpatients exhibited greaterVL‐PAGfunctional connectivity with brain regions linked to passive coping strategies and increased levels of depersonalization (e.g., temporoparietal junction; rolandic operculum).

Conclusions

These findings suggest greater defensive posturing inPTSDpatients even at rest and demonstrate that those with the dissociative subtype show unique patterns ofPAGfunctional connectivity when compared to those without the subtype. Taken together, these findings represent an important first step toward identifying neural and behavioral targets for therapeutic interventions that address defensive strategies in trauma‐related disorders.
ZNF703 Overexpression may act as an oncogene in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Baykara Onur , Dalay Nejat , Kaynak Kamil , Buyru Nur
Published: September 2016

Despite therapeutic advances, lung cancer remains one of the most common causes of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. The ZNF703 gene has been identified as the driver of the 8p11‐12 region and its amplification or overexpression has been associated with several types of cancers. It has also been shown that ZNF703 overexpression can activate the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of the ZNF703 gene in association with Akt/mTOR activation in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Expression levels in tumors and matched noncancerous tissue samples from 47 patients were analyzed by qRT‐PCR and the Akt phosphorylation levels were investigated by Western blotting. Our results show that ZNF703 is up‐regulated in 63.4% of NSCLC tumor samples. Althogh the correlation did not reach a statistically significant level Akt phosphorylation was increased in tumor tissues expressing high levels of ZNF703. The role of the ZNF703 gene has not been investigated in NSCLC. Our data show that ZNF703 may contribute to tumor development in NSCLC by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway.
Interpretative phenomenological analysis and embodied interpretation: Integrating methods to find the ‘words that work’
Authors: Amos India
Published: September 2016

Background

This article identifies one enduring and coherent strand within the phenomenological tradition, which recognises the intertwined relationship between the lifeworld and the lived body. The understanding that our body shapes our fundamental view of the world is also considered important within IPA. Embodied interpretation has been developed in response to a growing trend towards an aesthetic phenomenology, which aims to ‘carry forward’ the meaning of a phenomenon in all its complexity and texture.

Aim and Method

With the aim of facilitating the development of emotionally receptive forms of understanding, it is proposed that an embodied interpretation can be successfully integrated into IPA via the application of Gendlin's method of focusing. An application of the method is demonstrated, and its contribution is evaluated.

Conclusion

Attendance to the researcher's bodily response to the research data is understood as enabling the production of ‘words that work’ for the participant, author, and reader alike.
Perception of collisions between virtual characters
Authors: Stüvel Sybren A. , van der Stappen A. Frank , Egges Arjan
Published: September 2016

With the growth in available computing power, we see increasingly crowded virtual environments. In densely crowded situations, collisions are likely to occur, and the choice in collision detection technique can impact the perceived realism of a real‐time crowd. This paper presents an investigation into the accuracy of human observers with regard to the recognition of collisions between virtual characters. We show the result of two user studies, where participants classify scenarios as “colliding” or “not colliding”; a pilot study investigates the perception of static images, whereas the main study expands on this by employing animated videos. In the pilot experiment, we investigated the effect of two variables on the ability to recognize collisions: distance between the character meshes and visibility of the inter‐character gap. In the main experiment, we investigate the angle between the character paths and the severity of the (near) collision. On average, respondents correctly classified 72% (static) and 68% (animated) of the scenarios. A notable result is that the maximum uncertainty in determining existence of collisions occurs when the characters are overlapping and that there is a significant bias towards answering “not colliding.” We also discuss differences in bias in the recognition of upper‐ and lower‐body collisions.
Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion using different technologies in the United Kingdom: A multicenter registry
Authors: Betts Timothy R. , Leo Milena , Panikker Sandeep , Kanagaratnam Prapa , Koa‐Wing Michael , Davies David Wyn , Hildick‐Smith David , Wynne Dylan G. , Ormerod Oliver , Segal Oliver R. , Chow Anthony W. , Todd Derick , Cabrera Gomez Sandra , Kirkwood Graeme J. , Fox David , Pepper Chris , Foran John , Wong Tom
Published: September 2016

Objectives

This study aimed at assessing the feasibility and long‐term efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) in a “real world” setting.

Background

Although LAAO has recently emerged as an alternative to oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation for the prevention of thromboembolic stroke, “real world” data about the procedure with different devices are lacking.

Methods

Eight centers in the United Kingdom contributed to a retrospective registry for LAAO procedures undertaken between July 2009 and November 2014.

Results

A total of 371 patients (72.9 ± 8.3 years old, 88.9% males) were enrolled. The overall procedure success was 92.5%, with major events in 3.5% of cases. The device choice was Watchman in 63% of cases, Amplatzer Cardiac Plug in 34.7%, Lariat in 1.7%, and Coherex WaveCrest in 0.6%. A significant improvement in procedure success (from 89.2% to 95.7%; P = 0.018) and reduction of acute major complications (from 6.5% to 0.5%; P = 0.001) were observed between procedures in the first and the second half of the recruitment time. An annual 90.1% relative risk reduction (RRR) for ischemic stroke, an 87.2% thromboembolic events RRR, and a 92.9% major bleeding RRR were observed, if compared with the predicted annual risks based on CHADS2, CHA2DS2‐Vasc, and HAS‐BLED scores, respectively, over a follow‐up period of 24.7 ± 16.07 months.

Conclusions

LAAO can be performed safely in a real world setting with good implant success rates and procedural outcomes. The long‐term benefits of the procedure are reassuring in terms of both ischemic events and avoidance of severe bleeding associated with anticoagulation in this patient group. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Platform Chemicals via Zeolite‐Catalyzed Fast Pyrolysis of Glucose
Authors: Puértolas Begoña , Imtiaz Qasim , Müller Christoph R. , Pérez‐Ramírez Javier
Published: September 2016

Furan derivatives, such as 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural, obtained from renewable feedstocks are sustainable alternatives to petroleum‐based building blocks for the manufacture of chemical products. This study shows for the first time the applicability of the catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of glucose over tailored zeolites for the production of HMF and furfural. In particular, we demonstrate that Lewis‐acid‐containing faujasite zeolites attained by alkali metal–cation exchange exhibit combined yields to these platform molecules of 17 %. Despite the fact that further research is required on the process assessment at a larger scale and under more realistic conditions, CFP has potential for the production of biomass‐derived commodity chemicals.
Divanadium‐Substituted Phosphotungstate Supported on Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as Effective and Recyclable Catalysts for the Selective Oxidation of Alcohols
Authors: Dong Xinbo , Zhang Xi , Wu Panfeng , Zhang Yanjie , Liu Bin , Hu Huaiming , Xue Ganglin
Published: September 2016

A new magnetically recyclable catalyst (Fe3O4@mSiO2/NH‐PV2W) was fabricated by immobilizing divanadium‐substituted Keggin phosphotungstic acid H5PV2W10O40 on mesoporous‐silica‐coated Fe3O4 core–shell nanoparticles by a facile procedure. The magnetic core–shell nanoparticles were prepared by coating a thin mesoporous silica shell directly on pristine magnetic Fe3O4 and functionalized with amino radicals simultaneously. Then the active H5PV2W10O40 was immobilized on the mesoporous silica shell of the Fe3O4 core–shell nanoparticles. The obtained catalyst was characterized by using SEM, TEM, IR spectroscopy, XRD, N2 sorption–desorption, and magnetometry. The catalytic properties were evaluated for a series of alcohols that were oxidized selectively to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. The results show that H5PV2W10O40‐loaded mesoporous silica‐coated Fe3O4 catalyst presents high catalytic activities with 98 % conversion of benzyl alcohol and 99 % selectivity to benzaldehyde. After the reaction, the catalyst could be separated easily with an external magnetic field, and the recovered catalyst could be reused at least five times without any loss of catalytic activity.
3 D Imaging and Structural Analysis of a Mesoporous‐Silica‐Body‐Supported Eggshell Cobalt Catalyst for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis
Authors: Han Ting , Li Xiaopeng , Lin Chao , Zhang Haojie , Gao Peng , Zhao Yonghui , Du Fuping , Chen Yuyun , Sun Yuhan
Published: September 2016

The front cover artwork for Issue 18/2016 is provided by Yuhan Sun's group at the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences (SARI‐CAS) (P.R. China). The image shows a 3D full‐field view of the spatial distribution of active metal phases in a millimeter‐sized porous support. See the Full Paper itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201600657.
National patterns of care and predictors of neoadjuvant and concurrent chemotherapy use with definitive radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Sher David J. , Rusthoven Chad G. , Khan Saad A. , Fidler Mary Jo , Zhu Hong , Koshy Matthew
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, the patterns of care for the radiotherapy‐based treatment of patients with stage III to IVB oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) are poorly defined. The objective of the current study was to characterize the use and predictors of chemotherapy with radiotherapy for this population using the National Cancer Database.

METHODS

Patients in the National Cancer Database with AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage III to IV OPSCC who were treated with radiotherapy between 2003 and 2012 were eligible for analysis. Treatment was defined as radiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or induction chemotherapy (IC). Multivariable regression with multilevel modeling was used to determine predictors of any chemotherapy use and, among patients receiving chemotherapy, the predictors of IC.

RESULTS

The majority (90%) of the 30,875 eligible patients received chemotherapy, the majority of whom (71% of the total) were treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy; a sizeable percentage of patients received IC (19% of total). On multivariable regression, younger age, favorable comorbidity status, and more advanced tumor and lymph node disease were found to be independent predictors of any chemotherapy and IC use. Nonwhite patients (odds ratio [OR], 0.71; P<.0001), women (OR, 0.74; P<.0001), and individuals without private insurance were found to be significantly less likely to receive chemotherapy. Patients treated at higher‐volume institutions were significantly less likely to receive IC (OR, 0.69; P = .0006). Human papillomavirus status did not appear to independently influence treatment choice.

CONCLUSIONS

The vast majority of patients with stage III to IVB OPSCC who were treated with definitive radiotherapy received chemotherapy, which is consistent with high‐level data and national recommendations. However, disparities with regard to race, sex, and insurance status emerged thereby requiring additional investigation. The frequent use of IC despite limited supportive evidence warrants research on physician and patient decision making and presents an opportunity to improve evidence‐based treatment delivery. Cancer 2017;123:273–282. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Water mold infection but not paternity induces selective filial cannibalism in a goby
Authors: Vallon Martin , Anthes Nils , Heubel Katja U.
Published: September 2016

Many animals heavily invest in parental care but still reject at least some of their offspring. Although seemingly paradoxical, selection can favor parents to neglect offspring of particularly low reproductive value, for example, because of small survival chances. We here assess whether filial cannibalism (FC), where parents routinely eat some of their own young, is selective in response to individual offspring reproductive value. We performed two independent laboratory experiments in the common goby (Pomatoschistus microps) to test whether caring fathers preferentially cannibalize eggs of a given infection history and paternity. While males did not discriminate kin from nonkin eggs, they consumed significantly more eggs previously exposed to water mold compared to uninfected eggs. Our findings clearly show that parents differentiate between eggs based on differences in egg condition, and thus complement the prevailing view thatFCarises for energetic reasons. By preventing the spread of microbial infections, the removal of molded eggs can constitute an important component of parental care and may represent a key driver of selectiveFCin a wide array of parental fish.