bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developments and Trends in Industrial Process Analytics for Life Science Applications
Authors: Gerlach Martin , Gross Reinhard , Steckenreiter Thomas , Traenkle Jens , Tulke Albert
Published: January 2017

Process analytics and process analyzer technology are the basis need to address specific requirements of industrial life‐science processes in order to become extensively employed in this area. This is due to a variety of regulatory demands, but also due to the complexity and other challenges of the individual measurement and control tasks. Examples of recent achievements are presented here. Real time information – substance‐specific where appropriate – as a basis for an improved understanding of the processes and for superior automated process control are among the most prominent requirements.
Prussian Blue Analogues: A Versatile Framework for Solid‐Contact Ion‐Selective Electrodes with Tunable Potentials
Authors: Klink Stefan , Ishige Yu , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: January 2017

The development of solid‐contact ion‐selective electrodes (SC‐ISEs) (e. g. for point‐of‐care sensors) requires simple inner reference electrodes (iREs) with predictable and reproducible potentials. Intercalation compounds fulfill these requirements, as they respond to target ions present in the ion‐selective membrane. Their applicability, however, is limited by the availability of intercalation frameworks capable to intercalate the target ion of interest. We report that Prussian Blue analogues (PBAs) can serve as versatile iREs for a range of target ions of clinical interest, such as Na+, K+, or Ca2+. Combining target‐ion intercalated PBAs with ion‐selective membranes results in a family of all‐solid SC‐ISEs, which are capable as ISEs with an inner filling, yet cheap and suitable for mass‐production. The SC‐ISEs′ standard potential is predictable and can be tuned by altering the PBAs′ redox‐active transition metal or by changing its state of charge.
Development of Highly Potent GAT1 Inhibitors: Synthesis of Nipecotic Acid Derivatives with N‐Arylalkynyl Substituents
Authors: Lutz Toni , Wein Thomas , Höfner Georg , Wanner Klaus T.
Published: January 2017

A new scaffold of highly potent and mGAT1‐selective inhibitors has been developed. Compounds in this class are characterized by an alkyne‐type spacer connecting nipecotic acid with an aromatic moiety. Preliminary evaluations made it apparent that a nipecotic acid derivative with an N‐butynyl linker and a terminal 2‐biphenyl residue exhibiting a binding affinity (pKi) of 7.61±0.03 to mGAT1 and uptake inhibition (pIC50) of 7.00±0.06 selective for mGAT1 could serve as a hit compound. Docking calculations for compounds based on this structure in an hGAT1 homology modeling study indicated binding affinities similar to or even higher than that of the well‐known mGAT1 inhibitor tiagabine. Synthesis of the designed compounds was readily carried out by two consecutive cross‐coupling reactions, giving flexible access to variously substituted biphenyl subunits. With an appropriate substitution pattern of the biphenyl moiety, the binding affinity of enantiopure (R)‐nipecotic acid derivatives to mGAT1 increased to pKi=8.33±0.01, and the uptake inhibitory potency up to pIC50=7.72±0.02.
One‐Step and Surfactant‐Free Fabrication of Gold‐Nanoparticle‐Decorated Bismuth Oxychloride Nanosheets Based on Laser Ablation in Solution and Their Enhanced Visible‐Light Plasmonic Photocatalysis
Authors: Wei Yi , Zhou Hongjian , Zhang Hongwen , Zhu Xiaoguang , Liu Guangqiang , Li Yue , Cai Weiping
Published: January 2017

A simple synthetic route is presented for fabricating gold nanoparticle (NP)‐decorated bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanosheets in one step based on laser ablation of a gold target in a hydrochloric acid solution of bismuth nitrate without surfactant. After laser ablation, BiOCl nanosheets with attached Au NPs are obtained. The nanosheets are sub‐micron in the planar dimension and around 20 nm thick, and the Au NPs are a mean size of approximately 20 nm. Further experiments reveal that such Au‐NP‐decorated nanosheets could be formed at a large Cl/Bi molar ratio range (0.01 to 3) in solution. The formation of the BiOCl nanosheets is attributed to the Au plasma plume‐induced local fast hydrothermal reaction, which drives the planar growth of BiOCl. Importantly, these Au‐NP‐decorated BiOCl nanosheets exhibit high photodegradation activity on rhodamine B, a typical organic pollutant, compared with bare nanosheets under visible light irradiation, and show highly stable and recyclable performance. This is attributed to the plasmonic properties of Au NPs, which increase optical absorption and promote separation of electron–hole pairs in the NP‐decorated BiOCl nanosheets. This work provides not only a new plasmonic photocatalyst for the oxidative degradation of organic pollutants, but also a general method for fabrication of the metal‐NP‐decorated nanosheets of other layer‐structured oxychlorides.
The Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS‐62): Acceptance, feasibility, and initial psychometric properties in a UK student population
Authors: Broglia Emma , Millings Abigail , Barkham Michael
Published: January 2017

Background

The burden and severity of student mental health continue to increase in parallel with increasing financial pressures on students and services alike. There is a need for a student‐specific measure of distress that acknowledges their unique context. This study examined the feasibility, acceptance, and initial psychometric properties of a US measure, the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS), in a UK student sample.

Methods

A sample of 294 UK help‐seeking students from two universities completed the CCAPS‐62 and Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation (CORE‐10) as a comparator. The factor solution and reliability of the CCAPS‐62 were examined. Correlations and clinical boundaries were determined between the CCAPS‐62 subscales and CORE‐10, and comparisons were made with US published norms.

Results

The CCAPS‐62 demonstrated a strong factor solution that matched the intended subscales. All subscales had good reliability and correlated significantly with the CORE‐10. The agreement on caseness between the two measures was 92.8% with 86.3% reaching clinical threshold on both the CCAPS‐62 and CORE‐10. Severity was most noticeable for academic distress, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. Compared to US data, UK students showed higher clinical severity for all psychological symptoms.

Conclusions

The CCAPS‐62 is a reliable and psychometrically valid assessment measure to use with UK students without revision. The overall distress indicated is similar to that of the CORE‐10, but the individual subscales are more informative of specific student concerns including academic distress, social anxiety, and substance abuse. Potential benefits of administering a student‐focused assessment measure in student counselling services are discussed.

Key Practitioner Message

University students attending counselling in the UK demonstrate clinical severity for academic distress, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety.

Compared to university students in the US, UK students present with higher clinical severity on all contextual measures of student psychological distress.

It is advantageous for university counselling services to administer a student‐specific clinical measure over measures intended for the general clinical population.

CCAPS‐62 is an acceptable, feasible, and psychometrically valid measure of student psychological distress that can be used in the UK without revision.

It is important for university counselling services to continue to provide support from therapists that are trained and experienced in the university context over services intended for the general clinical population.
Precision Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham: Laying the Foundational Processes Through Implementation of Genotype‐Guided Antiplatelet Therapy
Authors: Harada S , Zhou Y , Duncan S , Armstead AR , Coshatt GM , Dillon C , Brott BC , Willig J , Alsip JA , Hillegass WB , Limdi NA
Published: January 2017

Precision medicine entails tailoring treatment based on patients' unique characteristics. As drug therapy constitutes the cornerstone of treatment for most chronic diseases, pharmacogenomics (PGx), the study of genetic variation influencing individual response to drugs, is an important component of precision medicine. Over the past decade investigations have identified genes and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and quantified their effect on drug response. Parallel development of point‐of‐care (POC) genotyping platforms has enabled the interrogation of the genes/SNPs within a timeline conducive to the provision of care. Despite these advances, the pace of integration of genotype‐guided drug therapy (GGTx) into practice has faced significant challenges. These include difficulty in identifying SNPs with sufficiently robust evidence to guide clinical decision making, lack of clinician training on how to order and use genotype data, lack of clinical decision support (CDS) to guide treatment, and limited reimbursement. The University of Alabama at Birmingham's (UAB) efforts in precision medicine were initiated to address these challenges and improve the health of the racially diverse patients we treat.
Computer‐assisted quantification of CD3+ T cells in follicular lymphoma
Authors: Abas Fazly S. , Shana'ah Arwa , Christian Beth , Hasserjian Robert , Louissaint Abner , Pennell Michael , Sahiner Berkman , Chen Weijie , Niazi Muhammad Khalid Khan , Lozanski Gerard , Gurcan Metin
Published: January 2017

The advance of high resolution digital scans of pathology slides allowed development of computer based image analysis algorithms that may help pathologists in IHC stains quantification. While very promising, these methods require further refinement before they are implemented in routine clinical setting. Particularly critical is to evaluate algorithm performance in a setting similar to current clinical practice. In this article, we present a pilot study that evaluates the use of a computerized cell quantification method in the clinical estimation of CD3 positive (CD3+) T cells in follicular lymphoma (FL). Our goal is to demonstrate the degree to which computerized quantification is comparable to the practice of estimation by a panel of expert pathologists. The computerized quantification method uses entropy based histogram thresholding to separate brown (CD3+) and blue (CD3−) regions after a color space transformation. A panel of four board‐certified hematopathologists evaluated a database of 20 FL images using two different reading methods: visual estimation and manual marking of each CD3+ cell in the images. These image data and the readings provided a reference standard and the range of variability among readers. Sensitivity and specificity measures of the computer's segmentation of CD3+ and CD− T cell are recorded. For all four pathologists, mean sensitivity and specificity measures are 90.97 and 88.38%, respectively. The computerized quantification method agrees more with the manual cell marking as compared to the visual estimations. Statistical comparison between the computerized quantification method and the pathologist readings demonstrated good agreement with correlation coefficient values of 0.81 and 0.96 in terms of Lin's concordance correlation and Spearman's correlation coefficient, respectively. These values are higher than most of those calculated among the pathologists. In the future, the computerized quantification method may be used to investigate the relationship between the overall architectural pattern (i.e., interfollicular vs. follicular) and outcome measures (e.g., overall survival, and time to treatment). © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Flow Cytometric Characteristics of Extrathymic Thymocytes in Adenoid Tissue: A Case Report and Comparison to Normal Thymus and Thymoma
Authors: Yuan Ji , Gali Vasantha L. , Perry Deborah A. , Fu Kai , Qureishi Hina , Amador‐Ortiz Catalina , Greiner Timothy , Pirruccello Samuel J.
Published: January 2017

Background

Normal thymocyte precursors in secondary lymphoid organs have previously been described. It is important to recognize normal thymocyte precursors by flow cytometry to differentiate them from T‐cell lymphoblastic leukemia.

Methods

A 3‐year‐old boy status 2 years postallogenic cardiac transplant underwent adenoidectomy to exclude post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Microscopic, immunohistochemical, and flow cytometry analyses of the adenoid were performed.

Results

By flow cytometry, a population of CD45+(dim)/CD7+(bright)/CD3‐ cells were observed at 1.0% of lymphocytes. These cells expressed CD10, partial CD34 and exhibited acquisition of CD4 followed by CD8. Within the brighter CD45+ lymphocytes, a population of CD3‐/CD4+/CD8+ thymocytes and a similarly sized population of CD4+/CD8+ cells exhibiting acquisition of low‐density CD3 were identified. By immunostaining, clusters of TdT+/CD1a+/CD4+/CD8+ T‐cells were identified in the interfollicular areas. Compared to normal thymus, thymocytes in the adenoid tissue lacked the classic CD4xCD8 winged differentiation profile but showed a normal early precursor pattern.

Conclusions

Thymocytes in adenoid show a similar differentiation pattern to thymus and thymoma. However, the classic winged pattern of common thymocyte differentiation may not be readily apparent in thymocytes differentiating outside of the thymus. Recognition of the early thymocyte precursor antigen acquisition profile can be crucial to correct interpretation. © 2017 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Dynamic and adaptive detection method for flooding in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Mansouri Djamel , Mokdad Lynda , Ben‐othman Jalel , Ioualalen Malika
Published: January 2017

In recent years, wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have attracted an increasing attention in several fields. However, WSNs must be treated with significant challenges in their design due to their special characteristics such as limited energy, processing power, and data storage that make the energy consumption saving a real challenge. Also, regarding their distributed deployment in open radio frequency and lack of physical security, these networks are vulnerable and exposed to several attacks: passive eavesdropping, active attacks, and identity theft. In this paper, we propose a new method called accordion method to detect and apprehend denial of service attacks in WSNs. This approach is a dynamic and an adaptive method based on using clustering method which allows electing control nodes that analyze the traffic inside a cluster and send warnings to the cluster head whenever an abnormal behavior is suspected or detected. The proposed method relies on the analysis of the evolution of the threshold messages (alerts) sent in the cluster. The proposed method has been evaluated, and the obtained numerical results show its benefit compared with other detection methods.
Impact of Pancreatic Cyst Fluid CEA Levels on the Classification of Pancreatic Cysts Using the Papanicolaou Society of Cytology Terminology System for Pancreaticobiliary Cytology
Authors: Saieg Mauro Ajaj , Munson Valerie , Colletti Shanna , Nassar Aziza
Published: January 2017

Background

The new proposed classification for pancreaticobiliary cytology has advocated the use of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) analysis of cyst fluid as an ancillary diagnostic tool for the determination of mucinous neoplasms in pancreatic cyst aspirates. We aimed to investigate the effect of CEA cyst fluid analysis on cases primarily called negative or nondiagnostic and on the sensitivity and specificity of the method.

Methods

We retrospectively identified and collected all pancreatic cyst aspirates from 2010 to 2014 at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, along with available corresponding surgical diagnoses. Cases primarily classified as nondiagnostic or negative but that had a cyst CEA level of 192 ng mL−1 or higher were reclassified as mucinous neoplasms. Cytohistologic correlation was assessed whenever possible.

Results

We retrieved pancreatic cyst aspirates from 255 patients who had a corresponding CEA level measurement. Median patient age was 70 years (range, 25–100 years). Among all samples, 129 (50.6%) had been classified as negative and 42 (16.4%) as nondiagnostic. Applying the new criteria, the number of samples previously classified as negative and nondiagnostic decreased considerably, with a statistically significant difference among negative cases. Fifty‐four cases (21.2%) had an available corresponding surgical diagnosis, and complete agreement was achieved in 95.4% of the cases. Use of the new cutoff for CEA levels increased the sensitivity and negative predictive value, compared with the original diagnoses.

Conclusions

The incorporation of the new proposed terminology and CEA fluid analysis has significantly decreased the number of samples primarily classified as negative and nondiagnostic, along with improved test characteristics. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:101–106. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accuracy and Reproducibility of Nuclear/Cytoplasmic Ratio Assessments in Urinary Cytology Specimens
Authors: Layfield Lester J. , Esebua Magda , Frazier Shellaine R. , Hammer Richard D. , Bivin William W. , Nguyen Van , Ersoy Ilker , Schmidt Robert L.
Published: January 2017

Background

Evaluation of the nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio is commonly used for assessment of the presence of malignancy and for grading and typing of malignant neoplasms. Despite its widespread usage, little information exists regarding the accuracy and reproducibility of non‐automated assessment.

Methods

Forty‐seven cells obtained from Papanicolaou stained urine cytologies were assessed by quantitative image analysis for nuclear area and cell area. The nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio was calculated. Visual estimates of the N/C ratio were made by six pathologists. Statistical analysis was performed to determine accuracy, precision, and interrater reliability.

Results

True N/C ratios varied from 0.02 to 0.81. 27% of cases demonstrated a true N/C ratio between 0.5 and 0.7. Quantitative estimates of N/C ratios were less precise and less accurate at high N/C ratios. The coefficient of variation was 27%. The majority of raters demonstrated decreased accuracy and precision of estimates as N/C ratio increased. Overall classification accuracy was 73%. Accuracy of classification was 53% for cases with a true N/C ratio between 0.4 and 0.8. Absolute interrater agreement was 75%. Chance corrected agreement (kappa) was 0.54.

Conclusions

Visual quantitation of N/C ratio showed only a fair correlation with actual N/C ratio with correlation decreasing with increasing N/C ratio. In the critical range, 0.5–0.7 N/C ratio both interobserver correlation and correlation with true N/C ratio may be insufficiently accurate for precise category assignment as used in the Paris System. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:107–112. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Adaptation of acaricide stress facilitates Tetranychus urticae expanding against Tetranychus cinnabarinus in China
Authors: Lu Wencai , Wang Mengyao , Xu Zhifeng , Shen Guangmao , Wei Peng , Li Ming , Reid William , He Lin
Published: January 2017

The two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, and the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, are invasive and native species in China, respectively. Compared with T. cinnabarinus, T. urticae has expanded into most parts of China and has become the dominant species of spider mite since 1983, when it was first reported in China. However, the mechanism of the demographic conversion has not been illuminated. In this study, one T. urticae field population and one T. cinnabarinus field population were isolated from the same plant in the same field, and the toxicological characteristics were compared between these two species. Laboratory bioassays demonstrated that T. urticae was more tolerant to commonly used acaricides than T. cinnabarinus. The activities of detoxification enzymes were significantly greater in T. urticae, and the fold changes of enzymes activities in T. urticae were also greater following exposure to acaricides. Furthermore, more metabolism‐related genes were upregulated at a basal level, and more genes were induced in T. urticae following exposure to acaricides. The comparison of proteins and genes between both species led credence to the hypothesis that T. urticae was more resistant to acaricides, which was the reason explaining the expansion of invasive T. urticae against native T. cinnabarinus. Laboratory simulation experiments demonstrated that following the application of acaricides, the composition of a mixed T. urticae/T. cinnabarinus population would change from a T. cinnabarinus‐dominant to a T. urticae‐dominant population. This study not only reveals that T. urticae possesses stronger detoxification capacity than its sibling species T. cinnabarinus, which facilitated its persistent expansion in China, but also points to the need to accurately identify Tetranychus species and to develop species‐specific management strategies for these pests.
Composition of riparian litter input regulates organic matter decomposition: Implications for headwater stream functioning in a managed forest landscape
Authors: Lidman Johan , Jonsson Micael , Burrows Ryan M. , Bundschuh Mirco , Sponseller Ryan A.
Published: January 2017

Although the importance of stream condition for leaf litter decomposition has been extensively studied, little is known about how processing rates change in response to altered riparian vegetation community composition. We investigated patterns of plant litter input and decomposition across 20 boreal headwater streams that varied in proportions of riparian deciduous and coniferous trees. We measured a suite of in‐stream physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the amount and type of litter inputs from riparian vegetation, and related these to decomposition rates of native (alder, birch, and spruce) and introduced (lodgepole pine) litter species incubated in coarse‐ and fine‐mesh bags. Total litter inputs ranged more than fivefold among sites and increased with the proportion of deciduous vegetation in the riparian zone. In line with differences in initial litter quality, mean decomposition rate was highest for alder, followed by birch, spruce, and lodgepole pine (12, 55, and 68% lower rates, respectively). Further, these rates were greater in coarse‐mesh bags that allow colonization by macroinvertebrates. Variance in decomposition rate among sites for different species was best explained by different sets of environmental conditions, but litter‐input composition (i.e., quality) was overall highly important. On average, native litter decomposed faster in sites with higher‐quality litter input and (with the exception of spruce) higher concentrations of dissolved nutrients and open canopies. By contrast, lodgepole pine decomposed more rapidly in sites receiving lower‐quality litter inputs. Birch litter decomposition rate in coarse‐mesh bags was best predicted by the same environmental variables as in fine‐mesh bags, with additional positive influences of macroinvertebrate species richness. Hence, to facilitate energy turnover in boreal headwaters, forest management with focus on conifer production should aim at increasing the presence of native deciduous trees along streams, as they promote conditions that favor higher decomposition rates of terrestrial plant litter.
Photoredox‐Catalyzed Cyclopropanation of Michael Acceptors
Authors: del Hoyo Ana M. , García Suero Marcos
Published: January 2017

A new protocol for the catalytic cyclopropanation of α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds with diiodomethane by means of photoredox catalysis has been successfully developed. The transformation is characterized by its mild conditions, functional‐group compatibility, and excellent selectivity profile.
Electroanalytical Detection of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) Ions Using a Novel Microbial Sensor
Authors: Prabhakaran Divyasree C. , Riotte Jean , Sivry Yann , Subramanian Sankaran
Published: January 2017

A microbial sensor, namely carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with Citrobacter freundii (Cf–CPE) has been developed for the detection of hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and trivalent (Cr(III)) chromium present in aqueous samples using voltammetry, an electroanalytical technique. The biosensor developed, demonstrated about a twofold higher performance as compared to the bare CPE for the chosen ions. Using cyclic voltammetry and by employing the fabricated Cf–CPE, the lowest limit of detection (LLOD) of 1x10−4 M and 5x10−4 M for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions respectively could be achieved. By adopting the Differential Pulse Cathodic Stripping Voltammetric technique, the LLOD could be further improved to 1x10−9 M and 1x10−7 M for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions respectively using the biomodified electrodes. The reactions occurring at the electrode surface‐chromium solution interface and the mechanisms of biosorption of chromium species onto the biosensor are discussed. The stability and utility of the developed biosensor for the analysis of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) ions in chromite mine water samples has been evaluated.
Determination of Manganese by Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry on a Microfabricated Platinum Thin–film Electrode
Authors: Kang Wenjing , Rusinek Cory , Bange Adam , Haynes Erin , Heineman William R. , Papautsky Ian
Published: January 2017

In this work, we report on the determination of trace manganese (Mn) using cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV) using a microfabricated sensor with a Pt thin‐film working electrode. While an essential trace metal for human health, prolonged exposure to Mn tends to gradually impair our neurological system. The potential sources of Mn exposure make it necessary to monitor the concentration in various sample matrices. Previous work by us and others suggested CSV as an effective method for measuring trace Mn. The analytical performance metrics were characterized and optimized, leading to a calculated limit of detection (LOD) of 16.3 nM (0.9 ppb) in pH 5.5, 0.2 M acetate buffer. Further, we successfully validated Mn determination in surface water with ∼90% accuracy and >97% precision as compared with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) “gold standard” measurement. Ultimately, with stable, accurate and precise electrochemical performance, this Pt sensor permits rapid monitoring of Mn in environmental samples, and could potentially be used for point‐of‐use measurements if coupled with portable instrumentation.
The Performance of Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode for the Determination of Ramipril and its Association with Hydrochlorothiazide
Authors: Mattos Gabriel Junquetti , Scremin Jessica , Salamanca‐Neto Carlos Alberto Rossi , Sartori Elen Romão
Published: January 2017

The voltammetric behavior of ramipril (RMP), an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, was investigated for the first time in the literature on a boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE) using cyclic (CV) and square‐wave voltammetry (SWV). Its behavior was also considered in the presence of a thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), for the simultaneous determination. The performance of BDDE and glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was compared, since RMP provides a high oxidation potential. It was observed that the anodic peak potentials for HCTZ and RMP at the BDDE were 1.23 and 1.67 V (vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L‐1 KCl)) by CV in BR buffer solution (pH 2.0), respectively. The influence of supporting electrolyte, pH and scan rate in the current response of these both drugs was examined to select optimum experimental conditions. By this way, the determination of RMP and its association with HCTZ using SWV and a BDDE was successfully applied in real samples (single and combined dosage forms), with results in close agreement at 95% confidence level with those obtained using high‐performance liquid chromatography.
Cathodized Gold Nanoparticle‐Modified Graphite Pencil Electrode for Non‐Enzymatic Sensitive Voltammetric Detection of Glucose
Authors: Kawde Abdel‐Nasser , Aziz Md. Abdul , El‐Zohri Manal , Baig Nadeem , Odewunmi Nurudeen
Published: January 2017

A highly sensitive enzymeless electrochemical glucose sensor has been developed based on the simply prepared cathodized gold nanoparticle‐modified graphite pencil electrode (AuNP‐GPE). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments show that AuNP‐GPE is able to oxidize glucose partially at low potential (around −0.27) whereas the bare GPE cannot oxidize glucose in the entire tested potential windows. Besides, fructose and sucrose cannot be oxidized at potential lower than +0.1 V at AuNP‐GPE. As a result, the glucose oxidation peak at around −0.27 V is suitable enough for selective detection of glucose in the presence of fructose and sucrose. Cathodization of AuNP‐GPE under optimum condition (‐1.0 V for 30 s) in the same glucose solution before voltammetric measurement enhanced glucose oxidation peak current around −0.27 V to achieve an efficient electrochemical sensor for glucose with a detection limit of 12 μM and dynamic range between 0.05 to 5.0 mM with a good linearity (R2= 0.999). Almost no interference effect was observed for sensing of glucose in the presence of ascorbic acid, alanine, phenylalanine, fructose, sucrose, and NaCl.
Confirmation of mutation landscape of NF1‐associated malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Authors: Sohier Pierre , Luscan Armelle , Lloyd Angharad , Ashelford Kevin , Laurendeau Ingrid , Briand‐Suleau Audrey , Vidaud Dominique , Ortonne Nicolas , Pasmant Eric , Upadhyaya Meena
Published: January 2017

The commonest tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors, called neurofibromas. Malignant transformation of neurofibromas into aggressive MPNSTs may occur with a poor patient prognosis. A cooperative role of SUZ12 or EED inactivation, along with NF1, TP53, and CDKN2A loss‐of‐function, has been proposed to drive progression to MPNSTs. An exome sequencing analysis of eight MPNSTs, one plexiform neurofibroma, and seven cutaneous neurofibromas was undertaken. Biallelic inactivation of the NF1 gene was observed in the plexiform neurofibroma and the MPNSTs, underlining that somatic biallelic NF1 inactivation is likely to be the initiating event for plexiform neurofibroma genesis, although it is unlikely to be sufficient for the subsequent MPNST development. The majority (5/8) of MPNSTs in our analyses demonstrated homozygous or heterozygous deletions of CDKN2A, which may represent an early event following NF1 LOH in the malignant transformation of Schwann cells from plexiform neurofibroma to MPNST. Biallelic somatic alterations of SUZ12 was also found in 4/8 MPNSTs. EED biallelic alterations were detected in 2 of the other four MPNSTs, with one tumor having a homozygous EED deletion. A missense mutation in the chromatin regulator KDM2B was also identified in one MPNST. No TP53 point mutations were found in this study, confirming previous data that TP53 mutations may be relatively rare in NF1‐associated MPNSTs. Our study confirms the frequent biallelic inactivation of PRC2 subunits SUZ12 and EED in MPNSTs, and suggests the implication of KDM2B.
Alterations of type II classical cadherin, cadherin‐10 (CDH10), is associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas
Authors: Jinawath Natini , Shiao Meng‐Shin , Norris Alexis , Murphy Kathleen , Klein Alison P. , Yonescu Raluca , Iacobuzio‐Donahue Christine , Meeker Alan , Jinawath Artit , Yeo Charles J. , Eshleman James R. , Hruban Ralph H. , Brody Jonathan R. , Griffin Constance A. , Harada Shuko
Published: January 2017

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), either sporadic or familial, has a dismal prognosis and finding candidate genes involved in development of the cancer is crucial for the patient care. First, we identified two patients with germline alterations in or adjacent to CDH10 by chromosome studies and sequencing analyses in 41 familial pancreatic cancer (FPC) cases. One patient had a balanced translocation between chromosome 5 and 20. The breakpoint on chromosome band 5p14.2 was ∼810 Kb upstream of CDH10, while that on chromosome arm 20p was in the pericentromeric region which might result in inactivation of one copy of the gene leading to reduced expression of CDH10. This interpretation was supported by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) seen in this region as determined by short tandem repeat analyses. Another patient had a single nucleotide variant in exon 12 (p.Arg688Gln) of CDH10. This amino acid was conserved among vertebrates and the mutation was predicted to have a pathogenic effect on the protein by several prediction algorithms. Next, we analyzed LOH status in the CDH10 region in sporadic PDAC and at least 24% of tumors had evidence of LOH. Immunohistochemical stains with CDH10 antibody showed a different staining pattern between normal pancreatic ducts and PDAC. Taken together, our data supports the notion that CDH10 is involved in sporadic pancreatic carcinogenesis, and might have a role in rare cases of FPC. Further functional studies are needed to elucidate the tumor suppressive role of CDH10 in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
Dimethyl‐2‐[(acridin‐9‐yl)methylidene]‐malonate as fluorescent probe for histochemical analysis
Authors: Almeida Sinara Mônica Vitalino , Silva Lúcia Patrícia Bezerra Gomes , Lima Luiza Rayanna Amorim , Botelho Sandra Paula Sarinho , Lima Maria do Carmo , Pitta Ivan da Rocha , Beltrão Eduardo Isidoro Carneiro , Carvalho Júnior Luiz Bezerra
Published: January 2017

Fluorescent compounds have been widely used for biomolecule labeling in cytochemistry and histochemistry analysis. Here, it is described the optical properties of dimethyl 2‐[(acridin‐9‐yl)methylidene]‐malonate (LPSF/IP‐81), an acridine derivative. This compound was conjugated to Concanavalin A (Con A) lectin and applied as sugar probe in lectin histochemistry. Evaluation of luminescent properties showed that LPSF/IP‐81 is photoluminescent with excitation at 360 nm and emission at 428 nm. Con A hemagglutinating activity and LPSF/IP81 photoluminescence were unaltered after conjugation. Circular dichroism of Con A‐LPSF/IP81 conjugate showed the maintenance of the Con A structure. Lectin histochemistry with Con A‐LPSF/IP81 conjugate demonstrated different pattern recognition studying normal, fibroadenoma, and invasive ductal carcinoma of human breast. These findings indicate that LPSF/IP‐81 can be proposed as an alternative probe for histochemical analysis.
Modelling drinking with information
Authors: Giacobbe Andrea , Mulone Giuseppe , Straughan Brian , Wang Wendi
Published: January 2017

In this article, we propose a mathematical model that describes the dynamics of a population divided into susceptible drinkers, moderate drinkers, and heavy drinkers subject to an external influence. The external influence is modelled using a supplementary dynamical variable that is not a group of individuals but that enters the equations affecting the choices of the population classes.

The system we define can be investigated using two simplified systems (one of which is a real subsystem), which model the populations of susceptible and moderate drinkers or susceptible and heavy drinkers independently. The dynamics of these two subsystems can be described exhaustively. The full system is too rich in possible scenarios, but its qualitative behaviour is connected to that of the two simplified systems. We make a complete description only in one particular case by means of numerical simulations. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High linearity, low noise, L‐band cryogenic amplifier for radio astronomical receivers
Authors: Liu Hongfei , Jin Chengjin , Cao Yang , Gan Hengqian
Published: January 2017

This letter presents a novel L‐band cryogenically‐ coolable low noise amplifier applied in radio astronomical receivers. This amplifier can be operated at temperatures of 300K to 4K. Its noise temperature is less than 6K at 20K physics temperature in the frequencies of 1.2∼1.8 GHz. Over 30 dB gain, more than 10 dB input/output return loss and better than ±0.75 dB gain flatness are achieved; Especially, this LNA achieves extremely high large signal performance. Its three order intercepts and 1 dB compressed power referred to output is up to 25.5 dBm and 15 dBm, respectively. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:500–505, 2017
A 1–11 GHz ultra‐wideband LNA using M‐derived inductive peaking circuit in UMC 65 nm CMOS
Authors: Bhatt Darshak , Mukherjee Jayanta , Redouté Jean‐Michel
Published: January 2017

A high‐gain, low‐power, and low‐noise amplifier (LNA) is designed in UMC 65 nm radio frequency (RF)‐CMOS technology for operation over the 1 to 11 GHz RF band. This LNA design is based on an m‐derived inductive peaking circuit with a shunt feedback inverter. The m‐derived inductive peaking circuit is placed between two shunt feedback inverters. Further, a split inductor topology is introduced in the circuit. The procedure for the integrating of an m‐derived inductive peaking circuit in LNA is explained in detail. The proposed circuit achieves more than 14 dB of power gain over an ultra‐wideband of 1 to 11 GHz. The measurement of the proposed LNA achieves a minimum of 2.5 dB of noise figure, and more than −8 dBm of third‐order input intercept point, while consuming 11.3 mW of power. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:521–526, 2017
An empirical nonlinear RF model for CMOS fet suitable for modeling the breakdown region
Authors: Hernández‐Díaz I. , Saavedra‐Gómez H.J. , Loo‐Yau J.R. , Reynoso Hernández J.A. , Moreno P.
Published: January 2017

This paper deals with modeling of drain current IDS(VGS,VDS) and intrinsic nonlinear capacitances Cgs(VGS,VDS) and Cgd(VGS,VDS) of the CMOS FET by means of empirical analytical expressions. The proposed models are based on exponential series allowing modeling of the CMOS FET from the linear to the breakdown region. Several High Voltage CMOS (HVMOS) FETs were used to validate the proposed models under pulsed DC, small and large signals. The high correlation between simulated and measured data supports the capability of the proposed empirical model to predict the electrical behavior of the CMOS FET. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:563–567, 2017
Silica‐tube‐based whispering gallery mode DYE lasers based on different pumping schemes
Authors: Yan Donglin , Liu Bo , Zhang Hao , Li Yuetao , Song Binbin , Wu Jixuan
Published: January 2017

We have investigated the properties of silica‐tube‐based whispering gallery mode dye lasers based on two different pumping schemes. A comparison of some fundamental laser properties such as lasing threshold and slope efficiency under different pumping schemes is presented in this article. Moreover, we have also studied lasing emission spectral shift induced by self‐absorption of dye materials as well as change of quality factor under different dye concentrations. The compactness, low lasing threshold and spectral tunability of the proposed opto‐fluidic ring resonator dye laser make it a good candidate for on‐chip light source and related biochemical sensing applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:609–614, 2017
Terahertz spectroscopy and chemometrics classification of transgenic corn oil from corn edible oil
Authors: Liu Jianjun
Published: January 2017

Terahertz spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics is illustrated to be a useful tool to identify the transgenic corn oil. Terahertz and physicochemical data are gather about transgenic and non‐transgenic corn oils. The two identification models of partial least squares discriminate analyses (PLS‐DA) are established and compared by using terahertz spectroscopy data and physicochemical data respectively. The result shows that PLS‐DA model with physicochemical data can not accurately distinguish between transgenic and non‐transgenic corn oils. Quite the contrary, the PLS‐DA model with terahertz spectroscopy data is better in the validation set; this model accurately identified transgenic corn oil with accuracy of 98.7%. The proposed method has advantages of fast, simple, nondestructive, and easy to operate. The results indicated that Terahertz spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics as a powerful tool to identify transgenic oil. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:654–658, 2017
Textile resonators using a sintered metal conductor for wearable MR‐WPT with high efficiency and wearability
Authors: Kang Seok Hyon , Park Sangwook , Jung Chang Won
Published: January 2017

This article presents an analysis of the performance of the conductive patterns using a sintered metal conductor (SMC) in textile resonators for wearable applications of magnetic resonant wireless power transfer (MR‐WPT). The SMC has advantages in physical and electrical performances. This study compared resonators fabricated with two conductive materials, including a silver paste, as materials for a wearable conductor (MWC). To verify the performance of textile resonators in the MR‐WPT, we configured the proposed system consisting of symmetric transmitter and receiver. In the measurement results, the maximum transfer efficiency of the MR‐WPT with the SMC is 43.19% at 10 mm, which is much higher than the MWC, and it maintains the superb durability and flexibility for wearable applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:668–672, 2017
Design of efficient rectifier using IDC and harmonic rejection filter in GSM/CDMA band for RF energy harvesting
Authors: Chandravanshi Sandhya , Akhtar M.J.
Published: January 2017

An improved rectifier based on harmonic rejection filter with inter‐digital capacitor for RF energy harvesting application is proposed. The designed circuit is fabricated on a low cost FR‐4 substrate, and works at GSM/CDMA 900 MHz band. The measured maximum efficiency is 66.31% and maximum obtained power is 15.13 mW at 1.1 KΩ load value. The overall dimension of circuit is 80 × 45 × 1.6 mm3, which can be easily implemented in any device for energizing wireless sensor network. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:681–686, 2017
Design and implementation of a 94/188 GHz dual‐band VCO with gain‐enhanced frequency doubler IN 90 nm CMOS
Authors: Lin Yo‐Sheng , Lin Yu‐Ching , Lan Kai‐Siang
Published: January 2017

In this work, a 94/188 GHz push–push voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) using gain‐enhanced frequency doubler is demonstrated in a 90 nm CMOS process. Compared with the traditional push–push architecture, the proposed one can significantly increase the second‐harmonic output signal due to the inductive series‐peaking gain‐enhancement of the full‐wave‐rectifier‐based frequency doubler. In addition, low power dissipation is achieved because the bias current of the frequency doubler is reused by the cross‐coupled transistors of the VCO. The VCO draws 12 mA current from a 1 V power supply, i.e. it only consumes 12 mW. At the fundamental port, the VCO achieves a tuning range of 92.6∼95 GHz and a low phase‐noise of −88.2 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the center frequency. The corresponding FOM is −177 dBc/Hz. At the push–push port, the VCO achieves a tuning range of 185.2∼190 GHz and a low phase‐noise of −82.5 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from the center frequency. The corresponding FOM is −177.3 dBc/Hz. To the authors’ knowledge, the phase noise and FOM performances of the VCO are one of the best results ever reported for a W‐band or G‐band CMOS VCO. The circuit occupies a small chip area of 0.58 × 0.61 mm2, i.e. 0.35 mm2, excluding the test pads. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:675–681, 2017
CRLH unit cell loaded triple band compact monopole antenna for WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Nandi Sourav , Mohan Akhilesh
Published: January 2017

A miniaturized triple band monopole antenna, loaded with complementary right/left handed (CRLH) unit cell, is proposed in this letter. Due to the loading of CRLH unit cell, two extra resonant frequencies are obtained below the conventional rectangular loop monopole resonant frequency of the antenna and thus the electrical size of the antenna is reduced in a great extent. The antenna operates in the range of 2.39–2.6 GHz, 3.38–3.68 GHz, and 5.12–6.51 GHz. Moreover, the antenna offers omnidirectional radiation pattern and moderate gain, which makes the proposed design well suited for practical wireless LAN (WLAN‐2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz) and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX‐2.5/3.5/5.5 GHz) applications. The physical size of the antenna is 20 mm × 21 mm × 1.57 mm, which is highly compact compared with the earlier published metamaterial inspired tri‐band antennas. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:686–691, 2017
Inline waveguide to suspended stripline transition with DC/IF return path
Authors: Guo Jian , Xu Zhengbin , Qian Cheng , Hong Jun
Published: January 2017

This article presents an inline waveguide to suspended stripline (SSL) transition. The transition adopts unilateral finline to transform the input waveguide TE10 mode to SSL Quasi‐TEM mode. The module of the transition is split into two halves along the center of the waveguide E‐plane. The substrate is flip mounted on the grooves of the lower half of the module. The finline is extended to the mounting groove and bonded to the waveguide channel. The waveguide feed direction is inline with the SSL wave transmission direction, and DC/IF return path is also provided by the finline. A G‐band prototype is designed and fabricated. The measured results show that the insertion loss is 1.3 to 2 dB at frequencies from 140 to 213 GHz, with return loss more than 10 dB. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 59:729–732, 2017
Association between weight bias internalization and metabolic syndrome among treatment‐seeking individuals with obesity
Authors: Pearl Rebecca L. , Wadden Thomas A. , Hopkins Christina M. , Shaw Jena A. , Hayes Matthew R. , Bakizada Zayna M. , Alfaris Nasreen , Chao Ariana M. , Pinkasavage Emilie , Berkowitz Robert I. , Alamuddin Naji
Published: January 2017

Objective

Weight stigma is a chronic stressor that may increase cardiometabolic risk. Some individuals with obesity self‐stigmatize (i.e., weight bias internalization, WBI). No study to date has examined whether WBI is associated with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Blood pressure, waist circumference, and fasting glucose, triglycerides, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured at baseline in 178 adults with obesity enrolled in a weight‐loss trial. Medication use for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and prediabetes was included in criteria for metabolic syndrome. One hundred fifty‐nine participants (88.1% female, 67.3% black, mean BMI = 41.1 kg/m2) completed the Weight Bias Internalization Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9, to assess depressive symptoms). Odds ratios and partial correlations were calculated adjusting for demographics, BMI, and PHQ‐9 scores.

Results

Fifty‐one participants (32.1%) met criteria for metabolic syndrome. Odds of meeting criteria for metabolic syndrome were greater among participants with higher WBI, but not when controlling for all covariates (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.00–2.13, P = 0.052). Higher WBI predicted greater odds of having high triglycerides (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.14–3.09, P = 0.043). Analyzed categorically, high (vs. low) WBI predicted greater odds of metabolic syndrome and high triglycerides (Ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

Individuals with obesity who self‐stigmatize may have heightened cardiometabolic risk. Biological and behavioral pathways linking WBI and metabolic syndrome require further exploration.