bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technologies for Near-Field Focused Microwave Antennas
Authors: Nepa Paolo , Buffi Alice , Michel Andrea , Manara Giuliano
Published: March 2017

This paper provides a review spanning different technologies used to implement near-field focused antennas at the microwave frequency band up to a few tens of GHz: arrays of microstrip patches and printed dipoles, arrays of dielectric resonator antennas, reflectarrays, transmitarrays, Fresnel zone plate lenses, leaky-wave antennas, and waveguide arrays.
Epigenetic Regulations in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Lu Zeyuan , Liu Na , Wang Feng
Published: March 2017

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic complication of diabetes and the most common cause of end-stage kidney disease. It has been reported that multiple factors are involved in the pathogenesis of DN, while the molecular mechanisms that lead to DN are still not fully understood. Numerous risk factors for the development of diabetic nephropathy have been proposed, including ethnicity and inherited genetic differences. Recently, with the development of high-throughput technologies, there is emerging evidence that suggests the important role of epigenetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of DN. Epigenetic regulations, including DNA methylation, noncoding RNAs, and histone modifications, play a pivotal role in DN pathogenesis by a second layer of gene regulation. All these findings can contribute to developing novel therapies for DN.
Wound Healing Effects of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura Bark in Scalded Rats
Authors: Lee Jin-Ho , Lee Kyungjin , Lee Mi-Hwa , Kim Bumjung , Chinannai Khanita Suman , Hur Heseung , Ham Inhye , Choi Ho-Young
Published: March 2017

Pruni Cortex has been used to treat asthma, measles, cough, urticaria, pruritus, and dermatitis in traditional Korean medicine. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Prunus yedoensis Matsumura bark methanol extract (PYE) on scald‐induced dorsal skin wounds in rats. Scalds were produced in Sprague‐Dawley rats with 100°C water and treated with 5% and 20% PYE (using Vaseline as a base), silver sulfadiazine (SSD), and Vaseline once a day for 21 days, beginning 24 hours after scald by treatment group allocation. The PYE‐treated groups showed accelerated healing from 12 days after scald, demonstrated by rapid eschar exfoliation compared to the control and SSD groups. PYE‐treated groups showed higher wound contraction rates and better tissue regeneration in comparison with the control group. Serum analysis showed that transforming growth factor beta 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor levels remained high or gradually increased up to day 14 in both PYE groups and then showed a sharp decline by day 21, implying successful completion of the inflammatory phase and initiation of tissue regeneration. These findings suggested that PYE is effective in promoting scald wound healing in the inflammation and tissue proliferation stages.
Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death in a Female Patient Presenting with Takotsubo-Like Cardiomyopathy due to Epicardial Coronary Vasospasm
Authors: Giusca Sorin , Eisele Tom , Nunninger Peter , Münz Benedikt , Korosoglou Grigorios
Published: March 2017

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by apical ballooning of the left ventricle (LV) in the absence of relevant coronary artery stenosis, which typically occurs in elderly women after emotional stress. Catecholamine cardiotoxicity, metabolic disturbance, and coronary microvascular impairment have previously been proposed as underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, whereas myocardial stunning resulting from epicardial coronary artery vasospasm is not generally accepted as a cause of takotsubo cardiomyopathy. The prognosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy is generally more favourable compared to myocardial infarction; however, severe complications such as rupture of the LV and life-threatening arrhythmias may occur. Herein, we describe a case of an 84-year-old female, who presented with aborted sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation. Echocardiography suggested LV apical ballooning with severely impaired LV-function, so that takotsubo cardiomyopathy was suspected. However, coronary angiography revealed epicardial spasm of the left anterior ascending, which resolved after intracoronary injection of 0.2 mg nitroglycerine. Cardiac magnetic resonance exhibited subendocardial late enhancement and echocardiography showed normalization of LV dysfunction during follow-up. The patient was put on conservative treatment with nitrates and calcium inhibitors and ICD implantation were deferred.
Output‐Feedback Controller Based Projective Lag‐Synchronization of Uncertain Chaotic Systems in the Presence of Input Nonlinearities
Authors: Boulkroune Abdesselem , Hamel Sarah , Zouari Farouk , Boukabou Abdelkrim , Ibeas Asier
Published: March 2017

This paper solves the problem of projective lag‐synchronization based on output‐feedback control for chaotic drive‐response systems with input dead‐zone and sector nonlinearities. This class of the drive‐response systems is assumed in Brunovsky form but with unavailable states and unknown dynamics. To effectively deal with both dead‐zone and sector nonlinearities, the proposed controller is designed in a variable‐structure framework. To online learn the uncertain dynamics, adaptive fuzzy systems are used. And to estimate the unavailable states, a simple synchronization error is constructed. To prove the stability of the overall closed‐loop system (controller, observer, and drive‐response system) and to design the adaptation laws, a Lyapunov theory and strictly positive real (SPR) approach are exploited. Finally, three academic examples are given to show the effectiveness of this proposed lag‐synchronization scheme.
A Case of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis Associated with Renoduodenal Fistula
Authors: Holton-Burke R. Conor , Varughese Mini
Published: March 2017

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is a rare form of pyelonephritis associated with repeated infection, chronic inflammation, and obstruction. Various fistulas, including those to the intestine, are a known association with XGP. Here, a 55-year-old woman with a history of multiple previous renal calculi presented with dysuria and back pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a soft tissue density in her renal pelvis and perirenal space consistent with XGP along with a tract connecting the upper pole of her right kidney to the second portion of the duodenum. This finding was subsequently confirmed during percutaneous nephrostomy placement, stent placement, a small bowel follow-through study, and upper endoscopy. She was diagnosed with XGP with associated renoduodenal fistula, eventually treated by open nephrectomy with fistula takedown. Histopathologic analysis was consistent with the diagnosis of XGP with no malignant or infectious cause of the fistula. XGP should be considered in the diagnosis of patients with dysuria and back pain, especially when a history of obstruction or chronic inflammation. Associated fistulas should also be considered prior to surgical management to prevent complications.
Statistical Analysis of Video Frame Size Distribution Originating from Scalable Video Codec (SVC)
Authors: Ahmadpour Sima , Wan Tat-Chee , Toghrayee Zohreh , HematiGazafi Fariba
Published: March 2017

Designing an effective and high performance network requires an accurate characterization and modeling of network traffic. The modeling of video frame sizes is normally applied in simulation studies and mathematical analysis and generating streams for testing and compliance purposes. Besides, video traffic assumed as a major source of multimedia traffic in future heterogeneous network. Therefore, the statistical distribution of video data can be used as the inputs for performance modeling of networks. The finding of this paper comprises the theoretical definition of distribution which seems to be relevant to the video trace in terms of its statistical properties and finds the best distribution using both the graphical method and the hypothesis test. The data set used in this article consists of layered video traces generating from Scalable Video Codec (SVC) video compression technique of three different movies.
Preparation and Characterization of Activated Carbon Obtained from Plantain (Musa paradisiaca) Fruit Stem
Authors: Ekpete O. A. , Marcus A. C. , Osi V.
Published: March 2017

Carbonization of carbon obtained from plantain (Musa paradisiaca) stem was achieved at a temperature of 400°C for one hour. The carbonized carbon was divided into two parts to be activated separately. The activated carbon CPPAC (carbonized plantain phosphoric acid activated carbon) and CPZAC (carbonized plantain zinc chloride activated carbon) were produced via the chemical activation process using H3PO4 and ZnCl2. Characterization of pH, bulk density, moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, iodine number, and oxygen functional group was conducted. When comparing the surface properties of both CPPAC and CPZAC with the untreated plantain carbon (UPC), it was observed that there existed significant differences in all properties with the exemption of carboxylic group for CPPAC and phenolic group for both CPPAC and CPZAC, thus signifying that a chemical transformation did occur. When comparing the results obtained from CPPAC to that of CPZAC, CPPAC was more preferable for adsorption due to its low bulk density, low ash content, and high iodine value, signifying thus that the activating agents both reacted differently with the plantain stem.
Wideband Printed Antenna Design Using a Shape Blending Algorithm
Authors: Wu Aiting , Zhang Zhonghai , Guan Boran
Published: March 2017

The shape of the tuning stub of the wide slot printed antenna is an important factor which affects the antenna’s performances. In this paper, a new design and optimization method of wideband printed slot antenna using a shape blending algorithm is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a wide rectangular slot and a tuning stub, whose profile is formed by the shape blending outcome from a pie and a diamond shape. The method is used to design an ultra-wideband antenna. The impact on the impedance bandwidth through the antenna geometry change with the different shape blending results has been investigated and analyzed. To verify the proposed design, the antenna prototype was designed, fabricated, and measured. The measured results are compared with the simulation and show good agreement.
Hypodontia: An Update on Its Etiology, Classification, and Clinical Management
Authors: Al-Ani Azza Husam , Antoun Joseph Safwat , Thomson William Murray , Merriman Tony Raymond , Farella Mauro
Published: March 2017

Hypodontia, or tooth agenesis, is the most prevalent craniofacial malformation in humans. It may occur as part of a recognised genetic syndrome or as a nonsyndromic isolated trait. Excluding third molars, the reported prevalence of hypodontia ranges from 1.6 to 6.9%, depending on the population studied. Most affected individuals lack only one or two teeth, with permanent second premolars and upper lateral incisors the most likely to be missing. Both environmental and genetic factors are involved in the aetiology of hypodontia, with the latter playing a more significant role. Hypodontia individuals often present a significant clinical challenge for orthodontists because, in a number of cases, the treatment time is prolonged and the treatment outcome may be compromised. Hence, the identification of genetic and environmental factors may be particularly useful in the early prediction of this condition and the development of prevention strategies and novel treatments in the future.
Small Scale Rollout of PV Systems in Chikwawa District, Malawi: Remote Monitoring System Effectiveness
Authors: Mafuta Million , Dauenhauer Peter , Chadza Timothy
Published: March 2017

Off-grid solar photovoltaic systems in Malawi are deployed increasingly as the primary option for rural public infrastructure such as primary schools and health centres. Overall, grid-connected electricity access has remained stagnant at around 9% with only 1% of rural population connected. To improve the technical sustainability of such systems, a novel remote monitoring technology utilising Wireless Sensor Networks was installed and the systems were monitored over roughly one year. This paper has described the technical design, performance, and benefits received from deployment of the technology. Furthermore, it has evaluated the cost implications for a larger scale rollout and potential benefits.
Perioperative Anaphylaxis to Chlorhexidine during Surgery and Septoplasty
Authors: Teixeira de Abreu Ana Paula , Ribeiro de Oliveira Leonardo Ramos , Teixeira de Abreu Ana Flavia , Ribeiro de Oliveira Evandro , Santos de Melo Ireno Michele , Aarestrup Fernando Monteiro , Aarestrup Matheus Fonseca , Aarestrup Paula Fonseca
Published: March 2017

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant used in surgical and clinical practice since 1954 and is available in aqueous or alcoholic solutions 0.5%–4.0% and has a broad-spectrum activity. Despite their widespread use, allergic reactions with chlorhexidine are rarely reported. We describe a case of anaphylaxis with chlorhexidine during a septoplasty, turbinectomy, and maxillary sinusectomy. The patient presented with periorbital edema, hives, hypotension, and wheezing. Immediately after the diagnosis of anaphylaxis promethazine, hydrocortisone, and epinephrine were administered with immediate clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of assessing whether there is a previous clinical history of hypersensitivity to chlorhexidine in patients who will undergo surgical procedures.
New Hybrid Features Selection Method: A Case Study on Websites Phishing
Authors: Rajab Khairan D.
Published: March 2017

Phishing is one of the serious web threats that involves mimicking authenticated websites to deceive users in order to obtain their financial information. Phishing has caused financial damage to the different online stakeholders. It is massive in the magnitude of hundreds of millions; hence it is essential to minimize this risk. Classifying websites into “phishy” and legitimate types is a primary task in data mining that security experts and decision makers are hoping to improve particularly with respect to the detection rate and reliability of the results. One way to ensure the reliability of the results and to enhance performance is to identify a set of related features early on so the data dimensionality reduces and irrelevant features are discarded. To increase reliability of preprocessing, this article proposes a new feature selection method that combines the scores of multiple known methods to minimize discrepancies in feature selection results. The proposed method has been applied to the problem of website phishing classification to show its pros and cons in identifying relevant features. Results against a security dataset reveal that the proposed preprocessing method was able to derive new features datasets which when mined generate high competitive classifiers with reference to detection rate when compared to results obtained from other features selection methods.
Surgery for Cancer: A Trigger for Metastases
Authors: Tohme Samer , Simmons Richard L , Tsung Allan
Published: March 2017

Surgery is a crucial intervention and provides a chance of cure for patients with cancer. The perioperative period is characterized by an increased risk for accelerated growth of micrometastatic disease and increased formation of new metastatic foci. The true impact for cancer patients remains unclear. This review summarizes the often fragmentary clinical and experimental evidence supporting the role of surgery and inflammation as potential triggers for disease recurrence. Surgery induces increased shedding of cancer cells into the circulation, suppresses antitumor immunity allowing circulating cells to survive, upregulates adhesion molecules in target organs, recruits immune cells capable of entrapping tumor cells, and induces changes in the target tissue and in the cancer cells themselves to enhance migration and invasion to establish at the target site. Surgical trauma induces local and systemic inflammatory responses that can also contribute to the accelerated growth of residual and micrometastatic disease. Furthermore, we address the role of perioperative factors, including anesthesia, transfusions, hypothermia, and postoperative complications, as probable deleterious factors contributing to early recurrence. Through the admittedly limited understanding of these processes, we will attempt to provide suggestions for potential new therapeutic approaches to target the protumorigenic perioperative window and ultimately improve long-term oncological outcomes. Cancer Res; 77(7); 1548–52. ©2017 AACR.
Personalized In Vitro and In Vivo Cancer Models to Guide Precision Medicine
Authors: Pauli Chantal , Hopkins Benjamin D. , Prandi Davide , Shaw Reid , Fedrizzi Tarcisio , Sboner Andrea , Sailer Verena , Augello Michael , Puca Loredana , Rosati Rachele , McNary Terra J. , Churakova Yelena , Cheung Cynthia , Triscott Joanna , Pisapia David , Rao Rema , Mosquera Juan Miguel , Robinson Brian , Faltas Bishoy M. , Emerling Brooke E. , Gadi Vijayakrishna K. , Bernard Brady , Elemento Olivier , Beltran Himisha , Demichelis Francesca , Kemp Christopher J. , Grandori Carla , Cantley Lewis C. , Rubin Mark A.
Published: March 2017

Precision medicine is an approach that takes into account the influence of individuals' genes, environment, and lifestyle exposures to tailor interventions. Here, we describe the development of a robust precision cancer care platform that integrates whole-exome sequencing with a living biobank that enables high-throughput drug screens on patient-derived tumor organoids. To date, 56 tumor-derived organoid cultures and 19 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have been established from the 769 patients enrolled in an Institutional Review Board–approved clinical trial. Because genomics alone was insufficient to identify therapeutic options for the majority of patients with advanced disease, we used high-throughput drug screening to discover effective treatment strategies. Analysis of tumor-derived cells from four cases, two uterine malignancies and two colon cancers, identified effective drugs and drug combinations that were subsequently validated using 3-D cultures and PDX models. This platform thereby promotes the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches that can be assessed in clinical trials and provides personalized therapeutic options for individual patients where standard clinical options have been exhausted.

Significance: Integration of genomic data with drug screening from personalized in vitro and in vivo cancer models guides precision cancer care and fuels next-generation research. Cancer Discov; 7(5); 462–77. ©2017 AACR.

See related commentary by Picco and Garnett, p. 456.

This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 443
Expression of Activating Protein 4 and Its Relationships with Prognosis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Sun Xiuwei , Feng Zhanjun , Qu Yao , Shao Jiayue , Wei Ning
Published: March 2017

Objective: The aim of this work was to investigate the expression of transcription activating protein 4 (AP-4) in gastric cancer (GC) and its impacts on prognosis. Methods: The cancer tissues and normal tissues of 54 GC patients were sampled for the expression detection of AP-4, and the patients were followed up. Results: The positive expression rate of AP-4 in the cancer tissues (68.5%) was higher than the normal tissues (22.2%; p < 0.01). The lower the tumor differentiation degree and the deeper the invasion depth, the higher the expression rate of AP-4. The median survival time of the patients with positive AP-4 expression was significantly shorter than of those without AP-4 expression (26.3/41.3 months), and the accumulative survival rate of the former was also lower than the latter (χ2 = 4.736, p = 0.03). AP-4 was expressed in GC tissues and normal gastric tissues, with the expression in the former being higher. Conclusions: The expression of AP-4 was positively related with the tumor differentiation degree, invasion depth, lymph node metastasis, and pTNM stage, while it was not related with patient gender, age, tumor size, location, or distant metastasis. AP-4 might be used as an indicator for the prognosis prediction of GC.
Single-Agent Pixantrone as a Bridge to Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in a Patient with Refractory Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Appio Lorena , Landoni Carlo , La Targia Maria , Bertolli Vanda , Chiarucci Martina , Crovetti Giovanni , Vassenna Elisabetta , Serio Giovanni , Bregni Marco
Published: March 2017

Aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma is associated with poor long-term survival after relapse or resistance to chemotherapy. We report a case of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma refractory to first-line R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) and second-line R-DHAP (rituximab, dexamethasone, cytarabine, and cisplatin) chemotherapy treatments. The patient achieved remission with single-agent pixantrone, and received a consolidation with high-dose BEAM (BCNU, etoposide, cytarabine, and melphalan) chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. He received consolidation radiotherapy on the site of bulky disease. At 20 months from transplant, the disease is in continuous complete remission. The successful use of pixantrone as a bridge to transplant is highlighted, together with the absence of serious side effects.
Is There a Rationale for Structural Quality Assurance in Esophageal Surgery
Authors: Glatz Torben , Höppner Jens
Published: March 2017

Background: Advances regarding perioperative mortality rates and oncological outcomes after esophagectomy have been reported extensively by specialized high-volume centers in Europe and the USA over the last decade. However, recent database analyses reveal that the perioperative mortality of esophagectomy remains high in these countries, indicating a discrepancy between surgical quality in baseline hospitals and specialized centers. Methods: This article provides an overview over the existing literature on the correlation between structural quality, procedural volume, and surgical outcome in e- sophageal surgery. Results: Structural, procedural and outcome measures can be used to assess the quality of surgical treatment and perioperative management. Surgical procedures on the esophagus for both benign and malignant diseases are rare and typically associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. Usually, direct outcome measures do not provide enough statistical power to actually identify differences in surgical quality between hospitals, making structural quality measures the only feasible parameter to compare the quality of e- sophageal surgery among different centers. Several analyses from different countries have shown a strong correlation between hospital volume and postoperative mortality. Data from countries in which esophageal surgery has been centralized indicate beneficial effects of a centralized health care system on postoperative mortality after esophagectomy. Additionally, only high-volume centers generally provide optimal preoperative and postoperative management and comprehensive access to modern multimodal treatment. In Germany, esophageal surgery is still decentralized, but hospitals performing complex esophageal procedures have to fulfill minimum caseload requirements of 10 cases per year. In practice, these requirements are not met by the majority of hospitals and a detrimental effect on the achieved surgical outcomes can be noted. Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that structural quality assurance is crucial to further reduce postoperative morbidity after esophageal surgery and to improve long-term results.
Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant versus Intravitreal Ranibizumab for the Treatment of Macular Edema Secondary to Retinal Vein Occlusion in a Chinese Population
Authors: Gu Xiaoya , Yu Xiaobing , Song Shuang , Dai Hong
Published: March 2017

Background: The aim of this work was to compare the efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex) and intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis) in the treatment of macular edema (ME) caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods: Thirty-two ME cases treated with Ozurdex and 32 ME cases treated with ranibizumab were enrolled, with 26 central (C)RVO and 6 branch (B)RVO subjects in each group. We compared the results of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness, number of injections, and intraocular pressure (IOP) at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after injection. Results: BCVA in both groups at each follow-up were significantly increased compared to baseline with no statistical difference between the groups. Ozurdex and ranibizumab successfully reduced CMT at each follow-up. Both CRVO and BRVO patients had significant between-group differences in the mean number of injections. Among the CRVO patients, IOP in the Ozurdex group was significantly increased compared to baseline and the ranibizumab group at 1, 2, and 3 months postinjection. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of Ozurdex and ranibizumab can effectively control ME secondary to RVO and increase a patient's BCVA. The advantages of Ozurdex are fewer injections and longer efficacy, while the advantages of ranibizumab include fewer side effects.
Even a Moderate Fluid Removal Rate during Individualised Haemodialysis Session Times Is Associated with Decreased Patient Survival
Authors: Chazot Charles , Vo-Van Cyril , Lorriaux Christie , Deleaval Patrik , Mayor Brice , Hurot Jean-Marc , Jean Guillaume
Published: March 2017

Background: Several studies report that fluid removal rate (FRR) above 10-13 mL/h/kg is associated with increased mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Aim: The aims of this study are to assess the influence of moderate FRR on survival in a cohort of prevalent dialysis patients with various dialysis session times and to challenge the FRR thresholds associated with increased mortality risk reported previously. Methods: Interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and FRR (calculated from ultrafiltration [UF], target weight, and session time prescriptions) were studied in 190 prevalent dialysis patients (female: 42%, mean age: 69.5 years, median vintage: 40.2 months, diabetes: 34.7%, loop diuretic prescription: 5.8%) and averaged during the final quarter of 2010. Patient survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox-multivariate analyses. Results: The median IDWG, median session time, and median FRR were 2.33 kg (-0.54-4.57), 5.0 h (3.9-8.0 h), 6.8 mL/h/kg (1.3-16.7), respectively, and FRR was ≥10 mL/h/kg in 11.6% of the patients. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed decreased patient survival when the FRR was above the median (6.8 mL/h/kg; p = 0.012). The FRR was found to be independently associated with increased mortality (hazard ratio 1.15 [95% CI 1.02-1.29]; p = 0.027) using stepwise Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, including age, vintage, gender, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin level, β2-microglobulin level, cardiovascular and diabetes history, and session time. Online haemodiafiltration did not change this result. The role of residual renal function was unlikely because 74% of the patients had a vintage of >18 months, a minority (5.8%) were prescribed loop diuretics (a surrogate of significant urine output) and β2-microglobulin level was not different in patients who were below or above the FRR median. Conclusion: We concluded that the FRR threshold above which there is an increased mortality is lower than what has been reported (7.8 mL/h/kg). It raises the question of the hazard of fluid removal and intermittence of standard HD.
Micronutrients, Essential Fatty Acids and Bone Health in Phenylketonuria
Authors: Demirdas Serwet , van Spronsen Francjan J. , Hollak Carla E.M. , van der Lee J. Hanneke , Bisschop Peter H. , Vaz Fred M. , ter Horst Nienke M. , Rubio-Gozalbo M. Estela , Bosch Annet M.
Published: March 2017

Introduction: In phenylketonuria (PKU), a natural protein-restricted dietary treatment prevents severe cognitive impairment. Nutrient deficiencies may occur due to strict diet. This study is aimed at evaluating the dietary intake and blood concentrations of micronutrients and essential fatty acids (FA), bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture history in patients on long-term dietary treatment. Methods: Sixty early diagnosed Dutch patients (aged 1-39 years) were included in a multi-center cross-sectional study. Their dietary intake, blood concentrations of micronutrients, FA, fracture history and BMD were assessed. Results: Selenium dietary intake and serum concentrations were low in 14 and 46% of patients, respectively. The serum 25-OH vitamin D2 + D3 concentration was low in 14% of patients while 20% of patients had a low vitamin D intake. Zinc serum concentrations were below normal in 14% of patients, despite adequate intake. Folic acid serum concentrations and intake were elevated. Despite safe total protein and fat intake, arginine plasma concentrations and erythrocyte eicosapentaenoic acid were below reference values in 19 and 6% of patients, respectively. Low BMD (Z-score <-2) was slightly more prevalent in patients, but the lifetime fracture prevalence was comparable to the general population. Conclusions: Dutch patients with PKU on long-term dietary treatment have a near normal nutrient status. Supplementation of micronutrients of which deficiency may be deleterious (e.g., vitamin D and selenium) should be considered. BMD warrants further investigation.
Post-embryonic changes in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides Lep. IV. Development of the digestive tract (1)
Authors: Landim Carminda Da Cruz , Mello Maria Luiza Silveira
Published: March 2017

No presente trabalho estuda-se o desenvolvimento post-embrionário do tubo digestivo de Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides. Cada uma das três partes do canal alimentar (estomódeo, mesentério e proctódeo) são tratadas isoladamente. O aspecto larval de cada porção é descrito antes de expor as transformações que ocorrem posteriormente. a maioria das tranformações post-embrionárias do tubo digestivo ocorrem durante a pupação, mas algumas ocorrem já na larva ou durante a fase de pré-pupa. A Tabela I é uma sinopse das mudanças pos-embrionárias que ocorrem nessas três fases. como pode ser visto as mudanças se iniciam 2 dias após a eclosão da larva e estão completas quando a pigmentação do corpo se inicia na pupa, ou seja, 6 dias antes da emergência.
Prioritizing Functional Capacity as a Principal End Point for Therapies Oriented to Older Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association
Authors: Forman Daniel E. , Arena Ross , Boxer Rebecca , Dolansky Mary A. , Eng Janice J. , Fleg Jerome L. , Haykowsky Mark , Jahangir Arshad , Kaminsky Leonard A. , Kitzman Dalane W. , Lewis Eldrin F. , Myers Jonathan , Reeves Gordon R. , Shen Win-Kuang
Published: March 2017

Adults are living longer, and cardiovascular disease is endemic in the growing population of older adults who are surviving into old age. Functional capacity is a key metric in this population, both for the perspective it provides on aggregate health and as a vital goal of care. Whereas cardiorespiratory function has long been applied by cardiologists as a measure of function that depended primarily on cardiac physiology, multiple other factors also contribute, usually with increasing bearing as age advances. Comorbidity, inflammation, mitochondrial metabolism, cognition, balance, and sleep are among the constellation of factors that bear on cardiorespiratory function and that become intricately entwined with cardiovascular health in old age. This statement reviews the essential physiology underlying functional capacity on systemic, organ, and cellular levels, as well as critical clinical skills to measure multiple realms of function (eg, aerobic, strength, balance, and even cognition) that are particularly relevant for older patients. Clinical therapeutic perspectives and patient perspectives are enumerated to clarify challenges and opportunities across the caregiving spectrum, including patients who are hospitalized, those managed in routine office settings, and those in skilled nursing facilities. Overall, this scientific statement provides practical recommendations and vital conceptual insights.
Early Invasive Strategy and In‐Hospital Survival Among Diabetics With Non‐ST‐Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Contemporary National Insight
Authors: Mahmoud Ahmed N. , Elgendy Islam Y. , Mansoor Hend , Wen Xuerong , Mojadidi Mohammad K. , Bavry Anthony A. , Anderson R. David
Published: March 2017

Background

There are limited data on the merits of an early invasive strategy in diabetics with non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome, with unclear influence of this strategy on survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in‐hospital survival of diabetics with non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome treated with an early invasive strategy compared with an initial conservative strategy.

Methods and Results

The National Inpatient Sample database, years 2012–2013, was queried for diabetics with a primary diagnosis of non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome defined as either non‐
ST
‐elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina (unstable angina). An early invasive strategy was defined as coronary angiography±revascularization within 48 hours of admission. Propensity scores were used to assemble a cohort managed with either an early invasive or initial conservative strategy balanced on >50 baseline characteristics and hospital presentations. Incidence of in‐hospital mortality was compared in both groups. In a cohort of 363 500 diabetics with non‐ST‐elevation acute coronary syndrome, 164 740 (45.3%) were treated with an early invasive strategy. Propensity scoring matched 21 681 diabetics in both arms. Incidence of in‐hospital mortality was lower with an early invasive strategy in both the unadjusted (2.0% vs 4.8%; odds ratio [
OR
], 0.41; 95%
CI
, 0.39–0.42;
P
<0.0001) and propensity‐matched models (2.2% vs 3.8%; OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.50–0.63;
P
<0.0001). The benefit was observed across various subgroups, except for patients with unstable angina (
P
interaction
=0.02).

Conclusions

An early invasive strategy may be associated with a lower incidence of in‐hospital mortality in patients with diabetes. The benefit of this strategy appears to be superior in patients presenting with non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction compared with unstable angina.
Evidence Accumulation and Change Rate Inference in Dynamic Environments
Authors: Radillo Adrian E. , Veliz-Cuba Alan , Josić Krešimir , Kilpatrick Zachary P.
Published: March 2017

In a constantly changing world, animals must account for environmental volatility when making decisions. To appropriately discount older, irrelevant information, they need to learn the rate at which the environment changes. We develop an ideal observer model capable of inferring the present state of the environment along with its rate of change. Key to this computation is an update of the posterior probability of all possible change point counts. This computation can be challenging, as the number of possibilities grows rapidly with time. However, we show how the computations can be simplified in the continuum limit by a moment closure approximation. The resulting low-dimensional system can be used to infer the environmental state and change rate with accuracy comparable to the ideal observer. The approximate computations can be performed by a neural network model via a rate-correlation-based plasticity rule. We thus show how optimal observers accumulate evidence in changing environments and map this computation to reduced models that perform inference using plausible neural mechanisms.
DC Algorithm for Extended Robust Support Vector Machine
Authors: Fujiwara Shuhei , Takeda Akiko , Kanamori Takafumi
Published: March 2017

Nonconvex variants of support vector machines (SVMs) have been developed for various purposes. For example, robust SVMs attain robustness to outliers by using a nonconvex loss function, while extended [Formula: see text]-SVM (E[Formula: see text]-SVM) extends the range of the hyperparameter by introducing a nonconvex constraint. Here, we consider an extended robust support vector machine (ER-SVM), a robust variant of E[Formula: see text]-SVM. ER-SVM combines two types of nonconvexity from robust SVMs and E[Formula: see text]-SVM. Because of the two nonconvexities, the existing algorithm we proposed needs to be divided into two parts depending on whether the hyperparameter value is in the extended range or not. The algorithm also heuristically solves the nonconvex problem in the extended range.

In this letter, we propose a new, efficient algorithm for ER-SVM. The algorithm deals with two types of nonconvexity while never entailing more computations than either E[Formula: see text]-SVM or robust SVM, and it finds a critical point of ER-SVM. Furthermore, we show that ER-SVM includes the existing robust SVMs as special cases. Numerical experiments confirm the effectiveness of integrating the two nonconvexities.
High Efficiency of Electroplating Ni–Co Nanowires Upon the Capture of Immobilization of Histidine-Tagged Protein
Authors: Ho Ching-Yuan , Fan Yi-Hua , Chang Yaw-Jen
Published: March 2017

A Ni–Co compound (9:1) alloy of nanowires (NWs) synthesized by TiO2 nanotube templates was treated by N2/H2 annealing to enhance the immobilization of penta-histidine-tagged (5 × His-tagged) biotin. Based on the theory of immobilized metal
affinity chromatography (IMAC), the chelator of transition, including Ni+2 and Co+2 metallic ions, was used to capture the 5 × His-tagged biotin by nanowire structure in this study. Physical properties and electrical resistivity in one dimension of annealed Ni–Co
alloy NWs were characterized and then, the protein capture efficiencies were observed by measuring fluorescence intensities. By appropriate treatment on metallic Ni–Co NWs ligand surfaces, it was found that lower electrical resistivity combined with a higher saturation magnetic flux
density (Bs) may be useful for immobilizing 5 × His-tag biotins. Furthermore, there is not only a higher contact probability but the surface-to-volume ratio of one dimensional Ni–Co alloy NW ligands proposes higher detected fluorescence sensitivity than that of Ni–Co film.
The Effect of ZnO(002) on the Magnetic, Electrical, and Adhesive Characteristics of FePdB/ZnO/FePdB Thin Films
Authors: Chen Yuan-Tsung , Su Jing-Ci
Published: March 2017

A multilayered FePdB(X Å)/ZnO(500 Å)/FePdB(X Å) film (X is 25, 50, 75, and 100 Å) was sputtered onto a glass substrate at room temperature (RT). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements revealed main peaks of highly crystalline ZnO(002) and FePd(200).
Minor crystalline peaks, namely, those for ZnO(004), FePd(111), and FePd(002), were also detected. As the FePdB thickness increased, the crystallinity of ZnO(002) and FePd(200) increased. Strong peak for FePd(200) induced magnetocrystalline anisotropy due to the crystallinity of ZnO(002).
This increased the low-frequency alternating-current magnetic susceptibility (Χac) and decreased the electrical resistivity (ρ) of the film. Thus, the Χac value increased with the FePdB thickness because of magnetocrystalline anisotropy. The
highest value of Χac was 1.9, which was obtained at a FePdB thickness of 100 Å and at the highest spin sensitivity at an optimal resonance frequency of 30 Hz. ρ decreased as the FePdB thickness increased probably because of electron scattering at the grain
boundaries or impurities within the material. ρ ranged from 1650 to 720 μΩ cm. The FePdB(100 Å)/ZnO(500 Å)/FePdB(100 Å) sample had the maximum Χac of 1.9 and a low ρ (720 μΩ cm) and is therefore suitable for magnetic and
electrical applications. In addition, the surface energy is related to the adhesion of the film; a high surface energy corresponds to strong adhesion. The surface energy decreased with increasing degree of FePdB crystallization and increasing FePdB thickness, resulting in weaker adhesion.
Optical Limiting in Cu/CuO Nanostructures Formed by Magnetic Field-Assisted Anodization
Authors: Mohammadpour Arash , Eltahlawy Mohammed , Martino Albert , Askar Abdelrahman M , Kisslinger Ryan , Fedosejevs Robert , Shankar Karthik
Published: March 2017

The recently developed magnetic field-assisted electroless anodization technique enables more morphological tunability by expanding the parameter space available during nanostructure synthesis and limiting the effects of copper electromigration. We synthesized CuO nanodendrites, nanowalls
and nanospheres on both transparent and non-transparent substrates using the magnetic field-assisted anodization of copper foils and vacuum deposited Cu thin films on glass substrates respectively. Non-linear optical characterization of the resulting partially transparent Cu/CuO nanostructures
on glass substrates revealed clear optical limiting behavior. When the fluence of the incident 800 nm radiation from a Ti:sapphire laser was increased from 20 mJ cm−2 to 2 J cm−2, the optical transmittance of the Cu/CuO nanostructures decreased by nearly an
order of magnitude.
Electrical and Tensile Properties of Carbon Nanotubes-Reinforced Aluminum Alloy 6101 Wire
Authors: Rodrigues Fabrício Augusto dos Santos , Paraguassu Waldeci , Simões Sónia , Vieira Manuel F. G , Souza José Antônio da Silva , Braga Eduardo de Magalhães , Reis Marcos Allan Leite dos
Published: March 2017

The wires from aluminum alloy 6101 (AA-6101) used in power cables were covered by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphite powders, and then they were subjected to solubilization heat treatment at a temperature of 550 °C and aged at 180 °C. The effects of the processing temperature
on the mechanical and electrical properties of the wires based on CNTs@AA-6101 and graphite@AA-6101 composites were investigated by electron microscopes, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile tests, conductor tests and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that CNTs were successfully incorporated
on the surface of aluminum wires; the tensile strength of CNTs@AA-6101 increased by 30% and 34% as compared to graphite@AA-6101 and standard AA-6101 wire without CNTs, respectively. Moreover, the resistivity had a decrease 13.7% less than conventional wires. The solubilization process added
with the incorporation of CNTs represents a new way for manufacturing nanostructured power cables to achieve high-performance energy transmission lines.
Simple TiO2 Coatings by Sol–Gel Techniques Combined with Commercial TiO2 Particles for Use in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis
Authors: Vera María Laura , Leyva Gabriela , Litter Marta I
Published: March 2017

TiO2 coatings were obtained by a combination of a sol–gel process with the addition of commercial TiO2 particles (Degussa-Evonik P25). Simple and composite (with P25) sols were deposited by dip-coating on glass plates giving simple and composite coatings.
The order of addition of reagents in the preparation of sols, the incorporation of P25 to the sols, and the thermal treatments were analyzed as variables to improve the photocatalytic activity. The samples were completely characterized with respect to the amount of deposited TiO2,
the crystal structure (XRD) and the morphology (SEM). The activity of the supported photocatalysts (simple, composite and P25 coatings) was evaluated using 4-chlorophenol degradation and Cr(VI) reduction in the presence of EDTA as model photocatalytic systems. The stability of sols and the
photocatalytic activity of the resulted coatings depended strongly on the order of addition of the reagents to obtain the simple sol. Sols prepared by adding the alcohol-water-HCl mixture to the precursor were the simple sols presenting a very good stability that permitted the incorporation
of powdered P25 without the addition of additives. The composite coatings prepared from these simple sols were the most active in both photocatalytic systems and also presented the highest resistance to scratch.
Polycaprolactone (PCL) Biodegradation Activity and Reusability of Pseudozyma jejuensis Coated with NH2-Functionalized Silica-Encapsulated Fe3O4 Nanoparticles
Authors: Sekhon Simranjeet Singh , Ahn Ji-Young , Ko Jung Ho , Lee Lyon , Dawes Maisie , Tyler John , Han Janet , Kim Sang Yong , Kim Pil , Min Jiho , Kim Yang-Hoon
Published: March 2017

In this study, a novel method to immobilize Pseudozyma jejuensis for polycaprolactone (PCL) biodegradation has been developed using Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were encapsulated with silica and functionalized with NH2
groups to enhance their capacity to adsorb on the cell surface. The results show that the NH2-functionalized silica-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles strongly adsorbed on the cell surface of P. Jejuensis without any interruptions of their normal cell
growth. There was a significant increase in the total organic carbon (TOC) concentration of P. Jejuensis cells coated with NH2-functionalized silica-encapsulated Fe3O4 nanoparticles after 10 days biodegradation of PCL at 30 °C. Concerning reusability,
the coated cells could completely degrade PCL during the first 2 cycles, and retain ~80% activity for the third and 75% activity of PCL biodegradation for the fourth, fifth, and sixth cycles.
Facile Fabrication of Gold Nanoparticles with Ethambutol
Authors: Ahn Eun-Young , Park Youmie
Published: March 2017

Ethambutol, an antituberculosis drug, was used as a reducing agent in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles via a one-step, one-pot process. The resulting pink-colored colloidal solution exhibited the characteristic surface plasmon resonance band at 529 nm, which clearly indicated the
presence of gold nanoparticles. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images revealed spherical nanoparticles with an average diameter of 45.95 ± 7.21 nm. High-resolution X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the face-centered cubic structure of gold nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric
analysis revealed that the prepared product consisted of 30.5% organic components and 69.5% gold nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that hydroxyl and amine functional groups contributed to the fabrication process. The colloidal stability assessment indicated that
the prepared gold nanoparticles retained the λmax of the surface plasmon resonance band and their hydrodynamic size up to 28 days in cell culture medium. This synthetic strategy affords the possibility of using gold nanoparticles as an ethambutol delivery vehicle through
a facile, one-step process.
High Responsivity Indium-Zinc-Oxide Ultraviolet Thin-Film Phototransistor
Authors: Chang Sheng-Po , Hua Wen-Chen , Li Jun-Yi
Published: March 2017

In this study, we investigate the electrical and optoelectronic property of the amorphous indium zinc oxide (a-IZO) thin-film phototransistor. We realize an ultraviolet (UV) photodetector by using a wide-bandgap a-IZO thin film as the channel layer material of the TFT. The fabricated
device has a threshold voltage of −1.5 V, on-off current ratio of 104, subthreshold swing of 0.4 V/decade, and mobility of 12 cm2/Vs under dark environment. As a UV photodetector, the responsivity of the device is 5.87 A/W and the rejection ratio is 5.68 ×
105 at a gate bias of −5 V under 300 nm illumination.