bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Uveitis on Quality of Life in Adult Patients With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Haasnoot Anne‐Mieke J. W. , Sint Jago Naïlah F. M. , Tekstra Janneke , de Boer Joke H.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To establish the impact of uveitis on the quality of life (QoL) in adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Methods

Adult patients with a history of JIA, both with (n = 31) or without (n = 51) chronic anterior uveitis, were included. Their scores on 3 validated QoL questionnaires (National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire [NEI VFQ‐25], Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form health survey [SF‐36], and EuroQol 5‐domain questionnaire [EQ‐5D]) were analyzed to find factors that could influence QoL.

Results

The median overall composite score (OCS) of the NEI VFQ‐25 was significantly worse in the uveitis group compared to the non‐uveitis group (respectively, 83.4 [range 15.2–94.7] and 94.9 [range 46.3–100]; P < 0.001). Nearly all subscale scores were lower in patients with uveitis than in patients without uveitis (P < 0.001 for all). After adjusting for duration of arthritis, JIA subtype, arthritis onset before or after 1990, and the use of systemic immunomodulatory medication, the QoL was still worse in patients with uveitis (NEI VFQ‐25 OCS regression coefficient = −11.7; P = 0.002). No significant differences were found between the groups for the SF‐36 and the EQ‐5D. In the total JIA group, the use of systemic medication appeared to negatively influence some general QoL scores.

Conclusion

Having a history of uveitis has a substantial negative effect on the vision‐related QoL in JIA in adulthood, despite good visual acuity. General QoL scores did not differ between uveitis and non‐uveitis patients, but the use of systemic immunomodulatory treatment, independent of uveitis, did negatively influence general QoL scores in adult JIA patients.
Effect of Comprehensive Behavioral and Exercise Intervention on Physical Function and Activity Participation After Total Knee Replacement: A Pilot Randomized Study
Authors: Piva Sara R. , Almeida Gustavo J. , Gil Alexandra B. , DiGioia Anthony M. , Helsel Diane L. , Sowa Gwendolyn A.
Published: February 2017

Objective

To test the feasibility of a comprehensive behavioral intervention (CBI) program that combines intense exercises with an education program, to be implemented at a later stage (3 months) following total knee replacement (TKR), and to get a first impression of the effects of the CBI as compared to a standard of care exercise (SCE) program on the outcomes of physical function and physical activity.

Methods

A total of 44 subjects participated in a 3‐month program of either CBI or SCE, followed by 3 months of a home exercise program. Outcomes of physical function and physical activity were measured at baseline and at 6‐month followup. Analysis of variance was used to compare statistical differences between groups, whereas responder analyses were used for clinically important differences.

Results

The CBI was found to be safe and well tolerated. As compared to the SCE group, the CBI group had less pain (P = 0.035) and better physical function based on the Short Form 36 health survey (P = 0.017) and the single‐leg stance test (P = 0.037). The other outcome measures did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Results from the responder analysis demonstrated that the CBI group had a 36% higher rate of responders in physical function as compared to the SCE group. Also, the CBI group had 23% more responders in the combined domains of physical function and physical activity.

Conclusion

The CBI program is feasible and improves physical function and physical activity in patients several months after TKR. Larger pragmatic randomized trials are needed to confirm the results of this study.
The Effect of Pressure Stress on the Evolution of B2(ω) Phase in High Nb Containing TiAl Alloy
Authors: Cao Bei , Yang Jieren , Wang Xuyang , Hu Rui
Published: February 2017

The thermal stability of the B2(ω) phase in high Nb containing TiAl alloy has attracted intense attention in recent years. This study focuses on the phase transformation between B2 and ω phases under the influence of thermal pressure stress in the Ti–45Al–8.5Nb–(W, B, Y) alloy. A large number of ω phases with the volume fraction of 42.3% exist within the B2 region in as‐cast alloys. The as‐cast samples were subjected to thermo‐compressive loading at 850 and 900 °C under the stresses of 300 and 500 MPa. Results show that the transformation of B2 → ω occurs at 850 °C, which can be promoted under a pressure stress. Further, the ω particles dissolved into the B2 matrix at 900 °C, and this transformation is suppressed by the role of thermal pressure. The mechanisms of the phase transformations mentioned above were discussed.
Wearable and Miniaturized Sensor Technologies for Personalized and Preventive Medicine
Authors: Tricoli Antonio , Nasiri Noushin , De Sayan
Published: February 2017

The unprecedented medical achievements of the last century have dramatically improved our quality of life. Today, the high cost of many healthcare approaches challenges their long‐term financial sustainability and translation to a global scale. The convergence of wearable electronics, miniaturized sensor technologies, and big data analysis provides novel opportunities to improve the quality of healthcare while decreasing costs by the very early stage detection and prevention of fatal and chronic diseases. Here, some exciting achievements, emerging technologies, and standing challenges for the development of non‐invasive personalized and preventive medicine devices are discussed. The engineering of wire‐ and power‐less ultra‐thin sensors on wearable biocompatible materials that can be placed on the skin, pupil, and teeth is reviewed, focusing on common solutions and current limitations. The integration and development of sophisticated sensing nanomaterials are presented with respect to their performance, showing exemplary implementations for the detection of ultra‐low concentrations of biomarkers in complex mixtures such as the human sweat and breath. This review is concluded by summarizing achievements and standing challenges with the aim to provide directions for future research in miniaturized medical sensor technologies.
Rapid Pseudocapacitive Sodium‐Ion Response Induced by 2D Ultrathin Tin Monoxide Nanoarrays
Authors: Chen Minghua , Chao Dongliang , Liu Jilei , Yan Jiaxu , Zhang Bowei , Huang Yizhong , Lin Jianyi , Shen Ze Xiang
Published: February 2017

Nanostructured tin‐based anodes are promising for both lithium and sodium ion batteries (LIBs and SIBs), but their performances are limited by the rate capability and long‐term cycling stability. Here, ultrathin SnO nanoflakes arrays are in situ grown on highly conductive graphene foam/carbon nanotubes substrate, forming a unique, flexible, and binder‐free 3D hybrid structure electrode. This electrode exhibits an excellent Na+ storage capacity of 580 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, and to the best of our knowledge, has the longest‐reported high‐rate cycling (1000 cycles at 1 A g−1) among tin‐based SIB anodes. Compared with its LIB performance, the enhanced pseudocapacitive contribution in SIB is proved to be the origin of fast kinetics and long durability of the electrode. Moreover, Raman peaks from the full sodiation product Na15Sn4 at 75 and 105 cm−1 are successfully detected and also proved by density functional theory calculations, which could be a promising clue for structure evolution analysis of other tin‐based electrodes.
Long‐Term Tissue Culture of Adult Brain and Spleen Slices on Nanostructured Scaffolds
Authors: Kallendrusch Sonja , Merz Felicitas , Bechmann Ingo , Mayr Stefan G. , Zink Mareike
Published: February 2017

Long‐term tissue culture of adult mammalian organs is a highly promising approach to bridge the gap between single cell cultures and animal experiments, and bears the potential to reduce in vivo studies. Novel biomimetic materials open up new possibilities to maintain the complex tissue structure in vitro; however, survival times of adult tissues ex vivo are still limited to a few days with established state‐of‐the‐art techniques. Here, it is demonstrated that TiO2 nanotube scaffolds with specific tissue‐tailored characteristics can serve as superior substrates for long‐term adult brain and spleen tissue culture. High viability of the explants for at least two weeks is achieved and compared to tissues cultured on standard polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes. Histological and immunohistochemical staining and live imaging are used to investigate tissue condition after 5 and 14 d in vitro, while environmental scanning electron microscopy qualifies the interaction with the underlying scaffold. In contrast to tissues cultured on PTFE membranes, enhanced tissue morphology is detected in spleen slices, as well as minor cell death in neuronal tissue, both cultured on nanotube scaffolds. This novel biomimetic tissue model will prove to be useful to address fundamental biological and medical questions from tissue regeneration up to tumor progression and therapeutic approaches.
Recent Progress in Fabricating Superaerophobic and Superaerophilic Surfaces
Authors: George Jijo Easo , Chidangil Santhosh , George Sajan Daniel
Published: February 2017

In spite of large amount of research in fabricating surfaces of varying wettability by biomimicking the naturally occurring surfaces, the work on fundamentally and industrially important air bubble adhesion on solid surfaces and its applications are still in the burgeoning stage. The present progress report provides a discussion and a critical evaluation of the recent literature available on the fabrication of superaerophilic/superaerophobic surfaces via synergic modification of surface topography and surface chemistry. An abridge on the physics behind bubble wetting on a solid in a liquid medium is deciphered here, considering the interfacial surface tension balance at the three‐phase contact line, Laplace pressure, hydrostatic pressure, and surface forces, respectively. Emphasis is made on the advancement in micro/nanofabrication technologies to fabricate surfaces that break the conventional wisdom of complementary behavior of water and air bubble contact angles. The progress report presented here also shines light on the mechanism of air bubble dynamics on solid surfaces and the latest developments in achieving surfaces of varied air bubble adhesion and its applications. Finally, the prospects of the superaerophobic and superaerophilic surfaces in the near future together with the challenges faced in accomplishing them are also insinuated.
Carbon Nanotubes Grown on Flax Fabric as Hierarchical All‐Carbon Flexible Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Yani , Mao Tianyan , Wu Heng , Cheng Laifei , Zheng Lianxi
Published: February 2017

Hierarchical all‐carbon flexible electrodes based on natural fiber textiles have promising applications in flexible energy storage devices, due to their mechanical flexibility, large accessible surface area, and stable high‐rate performance. Herein, a supercapacitor electrode based on carbonized natural flax fabric and in situ grown carbon nanotubes is developed. The carbonized flax fabric serves as 3D flexible scaffolds, carbon nanotubes uniformly grown on fabric surfaces provide a large accessible surface area with a tunable volume ratio between micropores and mesopores, and the in situ growth offers closely contacted interfaces. As a result, the optimal electrode exhibits a high surface area of 580 m2g−1, an excellent specific capacitance of 191 F g−1at 0.1 A g−1, a high cycling retention of 96% after 5000 cycles at 20 A g−1, and a high power density of 3.3 kW kg−1. Such a hierarchical all‐carbon architecture provides new design opportunities for wearable electronics and stable energy storage applications.
Solution Processing Small‐Molecule Organic Emitter in Field‐Induced, Carrier Gated Lighting Devices
Authors: Xu Junwei , Carroll David L. , Li Peiyun , Nolan Lili V. , Shao Linqi , Dun Chaochao
Published: February 2017

With the significant advantages of low‐cost manufacturing and large device area, field‐induced alternating current organic electroluminescent (AC‐OEL) devices based on solution processed polymeric emitters have been intensively stuided over the past few years. However, the choice of polymeric emitter for full color devices is restricted when compared to organic small molecules emitters. The thermal evaporation of organic small molecules has critical drawbacks as a fabrication technique such as high vacuum manufacturing cost and being time consuming. In this work, state‐of‐the‐art solution processed small‐molecule films are fabricated and compared to their vacuum‐deposited counterpart. The proper solvent for tris(8‐hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3) is studied, which has an adequate solubility but also avoids the interfacial mixing between top emission layer and bottom hole generation layer (HGL). Comprehensive nongated and ZnO‐gated AC‐OEL devices based on Alq3 emitter are fabricated and the underlying mechanism of hole carrier manipulation at ZnO/HGL interfaces is investigated in time‐resolved current and voltage characteristics.
A Highly Stretchable and Fatigue‐Free Transparent Electrode Based on an In‐Plane Buckled Au Nanotrough Network
Authors: Huang Siya , Liu Yuan , Guo Chuan Fei , Ren Zhifeng
Published: February 2017

Flexible transparent electrodes are an indispensable component of next‐generation soft optoelectronics such as wearable electronics and electronic artificial skins (E‐skins). Among the existing candidate materials, metal nanotrough networks exhibit optimal overall optoelectronic performance with impressive bendability. However, their further practical applications are hindered by their limited mechanical stretchability, which is highly desired in biointegrated systems. Here it is demonstrated that superior mechanical stretchability with tensile strains up to 300% can be achieved in Au nanotrough networks by introducing an in‐plane sinusoidal wavy structure. For the first time it is shown that with a precisely tuned nanotrough geometry along with an optimized network configuration, the buckled Au nanotrough network can be repeatedly stretched to strains up to 120% for 100 000 cycles, exhibiting excellent fatigue performance. Such highly stretchable and fatigue‐free (at a high tensile strain up to 100%) Au nanotrough networks present a competent sheet resistance (Rsh ≈ 10 Ω sq−1) with high optical transparency (T = 91%), which are demonstrated to be highly compatible with human skins as conformal flexible transparent electrodes.
Observing Ion Motion in Conjugated Polyelectrolytes with Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy
Authors: Collins Samuel D. , Mikhnenko Oleksandr V. , Nguyen Thanh Luan , Rengert Zachary D. , Bazan Guillermo C. , Woo Han Young , Nguyen Thuc‐Quyen
Published: February 2017

Conjugated polyelectrolytes (CPEs) are polymer semiconductors whose properties are affected by the presence of covalently fixed and mobile ions. These structural components lead to interfacial dipoles, electrochemical doping, and mixed ionic and electronic conductivity. While the behavior of ionic carriers is important to a number of CPE applications, it remains difficult to quantify ion transport in films due to interference from electronic carriers; relationships between molecular structure and ion conductivity are thus not well understood. This work demonstrates direct observation of ions in six different CPE films using Kelvin probe force microscopy. Surface potential measurements of thin, planar CPE device structures are used to map the distribution of ions through the simple electrostatic relationship between potential and charge density. The transport of mobile ions within the CPE bulk can be studied through the time‐dependent relaxation of bias‐stressed CPE films, through which the decay of ion populations near each electrode is measured and carefully modeled, leading to estimated values of ionic mobility and effective ionic carrier density. The results show that ion transport is most strongly impacted by the number of ion‐bearing side chains per monomer, which facilitate room temperature ion transport via vibrational motion.
Aqueous‐phase ketonization of acetic acid over Zr/Mn mixed oxides
Authors: Wu Kejing , Yang Mingde , Chen Yu , Pu Weihua , Hu Husheng , Wu Yulong
Published: February 2017

Aqueous‐phase ketonization possesses significant advantages over gas‐ or organic‐phase ketonization for improved conversion efficiency of aqueous fraction accompanied by algal bio‐oil production. In this study, synthetized ZrO2 and Zr/Mn oxides are used for aqueous‐phase ketonization of acetic acid. ZrMn0.5Ox shows the highest ketonization activity at 340°C for 12 h, achieving maximum acetone yield of 88.27%; and all catalysts exhibited selectivity higher than 96.75%. Apparent activation energy and acid reaction order are 161.2 kJ mol−1 and 0.70, respectively. Results suggest high ketonization activity of poorly crystallized tetragonal ZrO2. Addition of Mn results in ZrO2/MnOx solid solution and improves active sites. Acid property and Mn4+ content are important factors, and oxygen vacancy demonstrates relationship with ketonization activity for ZrO2. Examination of recovered catalysts indicates that ZrMnyOx exhibits improved stability, and Mn leaching and crystal phase transformation are main causes of deactivation in aqueous‐phase ketonization. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 2958–2967, 2017
Ceria‐coated diesel particulate filters for continuous regeneration
Authors: Di Sarli Valeria , Landi Gianluca , Lisi Luciana , Di Benedetto Almerinda
Published: February 2017

The potential of diesel particulate filters wash‐coated with highly dispersed nano‐metric ceria particles for continuous regeneration has been investigated. To this end, catalytic filters were prepared, soot‐loaded (avoiding the formation of the cake layer), and regenerated—under isothermal conditions—at temperature ranging from 200–600°C. Results have shown that catalytic oxidation of soot starts from 300°C and, at all temperatures, the selectivity to CO2 is higher than 99%. 475°C is the minimum temperature at which the filter is regenerated via catalytic path. At this temperature, the catalytic filter maintains substantially the same performance over repeated cycles of soot loading and regeneration, indicating that the thermal stability of ceria is preserved. This has been further confirmed by comparison between the outcomes obtained from characterization (X‐ray powder diffraction, N2 adsorption at 77 K, Hg intrusion porosimetry, and scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive X‐ray analysis) of fresh filter and filter subjected to repeated regeneration tests. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3442–3449, 2017
Data mining and control loop performance assessment: The multivariate case
Authors: Das Laya , Rengaswamy Raghunathan , Srinivasan Babji
Published: February 2017

Control loop performance assessment (CLPA) techniques assume that the data being analyzed is generated during steady state operation with fixed plant dynamics and controller parameters. However, in industrial settings one often encounters environmental and feedstock variations which can induce significant changes in the plant dynamics. Availability of data sets corresponding to fixed configurations is therefore questionable in industrial scenarios, in which case it becomes imperative to extract the same from routine plant operating data. This article proposes a technique for segmenting multivariate control loop data into portions corresponding to fixed steady state operation of the system. The proposed technique exploits the fact that changes in the operating region of the system lead to changes in variance‐covariance matrix of multivariate control loop data. The univariate interval halving technique is fused with Mahalanobis distance to develop a multivariate tool that accounts for interactions between variables. The resulting data segments can be used for reliable CLPA and/or for user defined benchmarking of control loops. A multivariate control loop performance index is also proposed that requires significantly less data as compared to one of the previously proposed techniques. The proposed technique requires only routine operating data from the plant, and is tested on benchmark systems in the literature with simulations. Experimental validation on a model predictive control system aimed at maintaining the temperature profile of a metal plate demonstrates applicability of the technique to industrial systems. The proposed technique acts as a tool for preprocessing data relevant to CLPA and can be applied to large scale interacting multivariate systems. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 3311–3328, 2017
How long bones grow children: Mechanistic paths to variation in human height growth
Authors: Lampl Michelle , Schoen Meriah
Published: February 2017

Objectives

Eveleth and Tanner's descriptive documentation of worldwide variability in human growth provided evidence of the interaction between genetics and environment during development that has been foundational to the science of human growth. There remains a need, however, to describe the mechanistic foundations of variability in human height growth patterns.

Methods

A review of research documenting cellular activities at the endochondral growth plate aims to show how the unique microenvironment and cell functions during the sequential phases of the chondrocyte lifecycle affect long bone elongation, a fundamental source of height growth.

Results

There are critical junctures within the chondrocytic differentiation cascade at which environmental influences are integrated and have the ability to influence progression to the hypertrophic chondrocyte phase, the primary driver of long bone elongation. Phenotypic differences in height growth patterns reflect variability in amplitude and frequency of discretely timed hypertrophic cellular expansion events, the cellular basis of saltation and stasis growth biology.

Conclusions

Final height is a summary of the dynamic processes carried out by the growth plate cellular machinery. As these cell‐level mechanisms unfold in an individual, time‐specific manner, there are many critical points at which a genetic growth program can be enhanced or perturbed. Recognizing both the complexity and fluidity of this adaptive system questions the likelihood of a single, optimal growth pattern and instead identifies a larger bandwidth of saltatory frequencies for “normal” growth. Further inquiry into mechanistic sources of variability acting at critical organizational points of chondrogenesis can provide new opportunities for growth interventions.
Understanding of Strain Effects in the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2: Using Pd Nanostructures as an Ideal Platform
Authors: Huang Hongwen , Jia Huanhuan , Liu Zhao , Gao Pengfei , Zhao Jiangtao , Luo Zhenlin , Yang Jinlong , Zeng Jie
Published: February 2017

Tuning the surface strain of heterogeneous catalysts represents a powerful strategy to engineer their catalytic properties by altering the electronic structures. However, a clear and systematic understanding of strain effect in electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is still lacking, which restricts the use of surface strain as a tool to optimize the performance of electrocatalysts. Herein, we demonstrate the strain effect in electrochemical reduction of CO2 by using Pd octahedra and icosahedra with similar sizes as a well‐defined platform. The Pd icosahedra/C catalyst shows a maximum Faradaic efficiency for CO production of 91.1 % at −0.8 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (vs. RHE), 1.7‐fold higher than the maximum Faradaic efficiency of Pd octahedra/C catalyst at −0.7 V (vs. RHE). The combination of molecular dynamic simulations and density functional theory calculations reveals that the tensile strain on the surface of icosahedra boosts the catalytic activity by shifting up the d‐band center and thus strengthening the adsorption of key intermediate COOH*. This strain effect was further verified directly by the surface valence‐band photoemission spectra and electrochemical analysis.
Segmental Distribution of Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms Within Single Muscle Fibers
Authors: Zhang Ming , Gould Maree
Published: February 2017

Despite many studies looking at the distribution of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms across a transverse section of muscle, knowledge of MHC distribution along the longitudinal axis of a single skeletal muscle fiber has been relatively overlooked. Immunocytochemistry was performed on serial sections of rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle to identify MHC types I, IIA, IIX, IIY, and IIB. Sixteen fascicles which contained a total of 362 fibers were randomly and systematically sampled from the three EDL muscles. All MHC type I and type II isoforms were expressed. Segmental expression occurred within a very limited segment. MHC isoform expression followed the accepted traditional order from I⇔IIA⇔IIX⇔IIB, however, in some samples expression of an isoform was circumvented from IIB to I or from I to IIB directly. Segmental distribution of MHC isoforms along a single muscle fiber may be because of the myonuclear domain. Anat Rec, 300:1636–1642, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Suggestion for the search for TiH2 molecule in an interstellar molecular cloud
Authors: Sharma M. K. , Musrif P. G. , Sharma M. , Chandra S.
Published: February 2017

Two molecules TiH and TiO, bearing titanium, were discovered in the year 1979 in the atmosphere of cool M‐type stars. Now, TiO2 has been discovered in the environment of the red supergiant VY CMa. A natural question therefore arises for the search of TiH2 in an interstellar molecular cloud. Detection of TiH2is quite probable as the cosmic abundance of hydrogen is about 1,900 times that of oxygen. Using GAUSSIAN 2009, we have calculated the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants, and electric dipole moment of TiH2, where B3LYP method and cc‐pVtz basis are used. Using these physical parameters, we have calculated the energies of rotational levels, and the intensities and Einstein A‐coefficients for the transitions between the levels. We have found a large number of lines which may help in the identification of titanium dihydride (TiH2) in an interstellar molecular cloud.
A comparison of computer‐assisted and therapist‐led instruction for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: LeBlanc Brittany A. , Kodak Tiffany , Cariveau Tom , Campbell Vincent
Published: February 2017

The current investigation applied a model of assessment‐based instruction to an evaluation of the efficacy and efficiency of computer‐assisted and therapist‐led instruction on skill acquisition for 3 participants with autism spectrum disorder. We also evaluated the participant's attending during instruction and the social validity of each format of instruction. The results showed that computer‐assisted instruction was most efficient for 2 of the 3 participants, although attending varied across instructional formats. In addition, the social validity of instructional formats varied across participants.
Production of taxadiene by engineering of mevalonate pathway in Escherichia coli and endophytic fungus Alternaria alternata TPF6
Authors: Bian Guangkai , Yuan Yujie , Tao Hui , Shi Xiaofei , Zhong Xiaofang , Han Yichao , Fu Shuai , Fang Chengxiang , Deng Zixin , Liu Tiangang
Published: February 2017

Taxol (paclitaxel) is a diterpenoid compound with significant and extensive applications in the treatment of cancer. The production of Taxol and relevant intermediates by engineered microbes is an attractive alternative to the semichemical synthesis of Taxol. In this study, based on a previously developed platform, the authors first established taxadiene production in mutant E. coli T2 and T4 by engineering of the mevalonate (MVA) pathway. The authors then developed an Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation (ATMT) method and verified the strength of heterologous promoters in Alternaria alternata TPF6. The authors next transformed the taxadiene‐producing platform into A. alternata TPF6, and the MVA pathway was engineered, with introduction of the plant taxadiene‐forming gene. Notably, by co‐overexpression of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (Idi), a truncated version of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (tHMG1), and taxadiene synthase (TS), the authors could detect 61.9 ± 6.3 μg/L taxadiene in the engineered strain GB127. This is the first demonstration of taxadiene production in filamentous fungi, and the approach presented in this study provides a new method for microbial production of Taxol. The well‐established ATMT method and the known promoter strengths facilitated further engineering of taxaenes in this fungus.
Timing of completion lymphadenectomy after positive sentinel node biopsy in patients with melanoma
Authors: Oude Ophuis C M C , van Akkooi A C J , Rutkowski P , Powell W E M , Robert C , Testori A , van Leeuwen B L , Siegel P , Eggermont A M M , Verhoef C , Grünhagen D J
Published: February 2017

Background

Nodal staging with sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and completion lymph node dissection (CLND) provides prognostic information to patients with melanoma and their physicians. It is not known whether the timing of CLND is associated with survival outcome and/or CLND tumour load. This study investigated whether CLND timing is associated with CLND tumour load, disease-free survival (DFS) and/or melanoma-specific survival (MSS).

Methods

A retrospective cohort of patients with SNB-positive melanoma from nine European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Melanoma Group centres undergoing surgery between 1993 and 2009 were examined. Patients were selected based on availability of CLND and follow-up data. The CLND interval was defined as the number of days between diagnosis and CLND. Patient and tumour characteristics were collected. Five-year DFS and MSS rates were calculated. Cox and logistic regression analysis were performed, adjusting for known prognostic/predictive indicators.

Results

A total of 784 patients were included in the study. Their median age was 51 (i.q.r. 40–62) years, and 418 patients (53·3 per cent) were men. Median Breslow thickness was 3·0 (i.q.r. 2·0–5·0) mm, and 148 patients (18·9 per cent) had a residual tumour load. Median CLND interval was 84 (i.q.r. 65–105) days. Five-year DFS and MSS rates were not significantly different for patients operated on with a median CLND interval of less than 84 days and those with an interval of at least 84 days (DFS: 54·2 versus 53·3 per cent respectively; MSS: 66·9 versus 65·1 per cent). In a multivariable Cox model, CLND interval was not a significant prognostic indicator. CLND interval was negatively correlated with identification of positive non-sentinel nodes, but following adjustment for known risk factors this effect was no longer found.

Conclusion

The time interval between diagnosis of melanoma and CLND did not influence CLND tumour load, DFS or MSS.
Randomized clinical trial of mesh fixation with glue or sutures for Lichtenstein hernia repair
Authors: Hoyuela C , Juvany M , Carvajal F , Veres A , Troyano D , Trias M , Martrat A , Ardid J , Obiols J , López-Cano M
Published: February 2017

Background

Pain is the most likely reason for delay in resuming normal activities after groin hernia repair. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the use of glue to fix the mesh instead of sutures reduced acute postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair. Secondary objectives were to compare postoperative complications, chronic pain and early recurrence rates during 1-year follow-up.

Methods

Some 370 patients who underwent Lichtenstein hernia repair were randomized to receive either glue (Histoacryl®) or non-absorbable polypropylene sutures for fixation of lightweight polypropylene mesh. Postoperative complications, pain and recurrence were evaluated by an independent blinded observer.

Results

Postoperative pain at 8 h, 24 h, 7 days and 30 days was less when glue was used instead of sutures for all measures (P < 0·001). The operation was significantly quicker using glue (mean(s.d.) 35·3(8·7) min versus 39·9(11·1) min for sutures; P < 0·001). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of postoperative complications, chronic pain and early recurrence at 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Atraumatic mesh fixation with glue was quicker and resulted in less acute postoperative pain than sutures for Lichtenstein hernia repair. Registration number: NCT02632097 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Acute kidney injury and mortality 1 year after major non-cardiac surgery
Authors: O'Connor M E , Hewson R W , Kirwan C J , Ackland G L , Pearse R M , Prowle J R
Published: February 2017

Background

Even mild and transient acute kidney injury (AKI), defined by increases in serum creatinine level, has been associated with adverse outcomes after major surgery. However, characteristic decreases in creatinine concentration during major illness could confound accurate assessment of postoperative AKI.

Methods

In a single-hospital, retrospective cohort study of non-cardiac surgery, the association between postoperative AKI, defined using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria, and 1-year survival was modelled using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. Factors associated with development of AKI were examined by means of multivariable logistic regression. Temporal changes in serum creatinine during and after the surgical admission in patients with and without AKI were compared.

Results

Some 1869 patients were included in the study, of whom 128 (6·8 per cent) sustained AKI (101 stage 1, 27 stage 2–3). Seventeen of the 128 patients with AKI (13·3 per cent) died in hospital compared with 16 of 1741 (0·9 per cent) without AKI (P < 0·001). By 1 year, 34 patients with AKI (26·6 per cent) had died compared with 106 (6·1 per cent) without AKI (P < 0·001). Over the 8–365 days after surgery, AKI was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio for death of 2·96 (95 per cent c.i. 1·86 to 4·71; P < 0·001). Among hospital survivors without AKI, the creatinine level fell consistently (median difference at discharge versus baseline –7 (i.q.r. –15 to 0) µmol/l), but not in those with AKI (0 (–16 to 26) µmol/l) (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Although the majority of postoperative AKI was mild, there was a strong association with risk of death in the year after surgery. Underlying decreases in serum creatinine concentration after major surgery could lead to underestimation of AKI severity and overestimation of recovery.
Kinetics of Transesterification of 1,4‐Butanediol With Methyl Acetate by the Ion‐exchange Resin
Authors: Shi Fei , Li Guo Bing , Sun Hong Liang , Cai Wang Feng
Published: February 2017

The dihydric alcohol transesterification of 1,4‐butanediol with methyl acetate catalyzed by the ion‐exchange resin is researched. The chemical system involves two transesterification reactions in series, with 1,4‐butanediol monoacetate as an intermediate product. The effects of the catalyst type, catalyst size, catalyst loading, stirrer speed, the initial reactant ratio, and the reactive temperature have been meticulously studied. The results show that this consecutive transesterification is exothermic and the experimental values of reaction enthalpy are −8.50 and −6.85 kJ/mol, which are in good agreement with the values computed from the standard formation enthalpy. Three kinetic models (PH, LH, and ER) are applied to correlate the experimental data, of which ER model gives the best result with the lowest mean relative error. The activation energies are calculated to be 38.53 and 51.06 kJ/mol by ER model, demonstrating that the overall reaction rates are controlled by the reaction on the catalyst surface.
Long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids as possible important metabolites for primary angle‐closure glaucoma based on targeted metabolomic analysis
Authors: Rong Shengzhong , Li Yang , Guan Yue , Zhu Lili , Zhou Qiang , Gao Mucong , Pan Hongzhi , Zou Lina , Chang Dong
Published: February 2017

Primary angle‐closure glaucoma (PACG) is a severe chronic neurodegenerative disease in Asia. Identification of important metabolites associated with PACG is crucial for early intervention and advancing knowledge of the disease mechanism. We applied gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) for targeted metabolomic analysis on serum samples from 38 newly diagnosed PACG patients and 48 controls. Palmitoleic acid (PA), linoleic acid (LA), γ‐linolenic acid (GLA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) were identified as important metabolites associated with PACG. PA and GLA were significantly elevated (p < 0.05), while LA and ARA showed a significantly decreased trend (p < 0.05) in PACG group compared with the control group. Also, significant negative correlations were observed between LA and ARA levels and intraocular pressure of the left eye (rs = −0.750, p < 0.001; rs = −0.729, p < 0.001) and the right eye (rs = −0.786, p < 0.001; rs = −0.764, p < 0.001). Serum GLA level was positively correlated with intraocular pressure of the left eye (rs = 0.233, p = 0.031) and the right eye (rs = 0.226, p = 0.036). Our findings revealed a significant difference of the serum free fatty acid metabolic profiles between PACG patients and control subjects. Furthermore, PA, LA, ARA and GLA appear to have clinical applications for the screening of PACG.
Fine‐tuning sortase‐mediated immobilization of protein layers on surfaces using sequential deprotection and coupling
Authors: Raeeszadeh‐Sarmazdeh Maryam , Parthasarathy Ranganath , Boder Eric T.
Published: February 2017

Increasing interest in protein immobilization on surfaces has heightened the need for techniques enabling layer‐by‐layer protein attachment. Here, we report a technique for controlling enzyme‐mediated immobilization of layers of protein on the surface using a genetically encoded protecting group. An enterokinase‐cleavable peptide sequence was inserted at the N‐terminus of bifunctional fluorescent proteins containing Sortase A substrate recognition tags at both ends to control Sortase A‐mediated protein immobilization on the surface layer‐by‐layer. Efficient, sequential immobilization of a second layer of protein using Sortase A required removal of the N‐terminal protecting group, suggesting the method enables multilayer synthesis using cyclic deprotection and coupling steps. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:824–831, 2017
Magnetic Cube‐Shaped NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles: An Effective Model Catalyst for Nitro Compound Reduction
Authors: Dey Chaitali , Chaudhuri Arka , Ghosh Ajay , Goswami Madhuri Mandal
Published: February 2017

Noble‐metal nanocatalysts are quite popular, but the use of magnetic catalysts composed of ferrite materials is rare. Here, we have synthesized transition‐metal‐based cube‐shaped nanoparticles of approximately 11 nm in size, the so‐called magnetic nickel ferrite nanocatalyst (NFNC), by a new method and shown its use in the reduction of nitroaromatic compounds. The NFNC was characterized by using XRD, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, TEM, and field‐emission SEM to confirm the structural features and morphology of the particles. The catalytic activity of NFNC was investigated in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol by monitoring the reaction by using UV/Vis spectroscopy. The catalytic activity, recyclability and reusability, rate constant of the reaction, and surface area were investigated in detail to understand the catalytic phenomenon. We measured up to 30 cycles of the catalytic reaction using our NFNC, which shows the high stability of the catalyst. BET analysis of the NFNC shows a surface area of 54.60 m2 g−1. Our NFNC has many advantages because it is prepared easily, cost effective, highly stable, and environmentally compatible. The magnetic properties of the NFNC help us to separate the particles easily after its use in the reduction without disturbing the final product.
Concerning the Role of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide in SN1 Reactions
Authors: Qiao Yun X. , Theyssen Nils , Eifert Tobias , Liauw Marcel A. , Franciò Giancarlo , Schenk Karolin , Leitner Walter , Reetz Manfred T.
Published: February 2017

A series of SN1‐type reactions has been studied under various conditions to clarify the role of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as reaction medium for this kind of transformations. The application of scCO2 did not result in higher yields in any of the experiments in comparison to those under neat conditions or in the presence of other inert compressed gases. High‐pressure UV/Vis spectroscopic measurements were carried out to quantify the degree of carbocation formation of a highly SN1‐active alkyl halide as a function of the applied solvent. No measureable concentration of carbocations could be detected in scCO2, just like in other low polarity solvents. Taken together, these results do not support the previously claimed activating effect via enhanced SN1 ionization due to the quadrupolar moment of the supercritical fluid.
The effect of error orientation, motivation to learn, and social support on training transfer intentions: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Lauzier Martin , Mercier Geneviève
Published: February 2017

This study aims to assess whether trainees’ errors orientation can influence their motivation to learn and their intention to transfer training. Data were collected from 275 trainees participating in a corporate training program offered by a Canadian government agency. Results show that the concept of learning by error positively influences trainees’ levels of motivation and their intention to transfer learning. Results also confirm the mediating role of motivation between the concept of learning by error and the intention of transferring learning. Finally, results confirm the moderating role of social support on the relationship between motivation to learn and the intention to transfer learning. Practical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2017 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence that Acetonitrile is Sensitive to Different Interaction Sites of Ionic Liquids as Revealed by Excess Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhou Yu , Zheng Yan‐Zhen , Zhang Tian , Deng Geng , Yu Zhi‐Wu
Published: February 2017

By studying the interactions between an ionic liquid, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, and a co‐solvent acetonitrile, the C≡N stretching vibration is found to be sensitive to different interaction sites as shown by excess infrared spectroscopy. Four existing forms of acetonitrile molecules are identified and a detailed transformation process of the ionic liquid upon dilution is obtained. Such characteristics of the nitrile group are discussed from the viewpoint of its ability to form hydrogen bonds with proton donors. It is believed that this is due to the intermediate charge donating ability of the C≡N group as compared with other groups such as S=O, CH3, and aromatic C−H.
Benchmark Performance of Global Switching versus Local Switching for Trajectory Surface Hopping Molecular Dynamics Simulation: Cis↔Trans Azobenzene Photoisomerization
Authors: Yue Ling , Yu Le , Xu Chao , Lei Yibo , Liu Yajun , Zhu Chaoyuan
Published: February 2017

A newly developed global switching algorithm that does not require calculation of nonadiabatic coupling vectors reduces computational costs significantly. However, the accuracy of this simplest nonadiabatic molecular dynamic method has not been extensively compared with the conventional Tully's fewest switches. It is necessary to demonstrate the accuracy of this global switching algorithm. An extensive comparison between local and global switching on‐the‐fly trajectory surface hopping molecular dynamics is performed for cis‐to‐trans (800 sampling trajectories) and trans‐to‐cis (600 sampling trajectories) azobenzene photoisomerization at the OM2/MRCI level. The global switching algorithm is coded into the Newton‐X program package. Excellent agreement between the two switching algorithms is obtained not only for highly averaged quantities of quantum yields and lifetimes, but also for detailed contour patterns of product distributions, hopping spot distributions and hopping directions in terms of conical intersections between ground and the first excited states. Therefore, the global switching trajectory surface hopping method can be applied to larger complex systems in which nonadiabatic coupling is not available for excited‐state molecular dynamic simulations.
An Accelerator Mass Spectrometry‐Enabled Microtracer Study to Evaluate the First‐Pass Effect on the Absorption of YH4808
Authors: Kim A , Yu B‐Y , Dueker SR , Shin K‐H , Kim HS , Ahn H , Cho J‐Y , Yu K‐S , Jang I‐J , Lee H
Published: February 2017

14C‐labeled YH4808, a novel potassium‐competitive acid blocker, was intravenously administered as a microtracer at 80 μg (11.8 kBq or 320 nCi) concomitantly with the nonradiolabeled oral drug at 200 mg to determine the absolute bioavailability and to assess the effect of pharmacogenomics on the oral absorption of YH4808. The absolute bioavailability was low and highly variable (mean, 10.1%; range, 2.3–19.3%), and M3 and M8, active metabolites of YH4808, were formed 22.6‐ and 38.5‐fold higher after oral administration than intravenous administration, respectively. The product of the fraction of an oral YH4808 dose entering the gut wall and the fraction of YH4808 passing on to the portal circulation was larger in subjects carrying the variants of the CHST3, SLC15A1, and SULT1B1 genes. A combined LC+AMS is a useful tool to construct a rich and highly informative pharmacokinetic knowledge core in early clinical drug development at a reasonable cost.
Key to leadership success is defining personal values and strengths
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2017

Soraya Coley, Ph.D., became the first female and black president of California Polytechnic University at Pomona in 2014. Coley, who grew up in a legally segregated North Carolina and attended segregated schools, had a vested interest in higher education from a young age.
Psychophysical measurement of marmoset acuity and myopia
Authors: Nummela Samuel U. , Coop Shanna H. , Cloherty Shaun L. , Boisvert Chantal J. , Leblanc Mathias , Mitchell Jude F.
Published: February 2017

The common marmoset has attracted increasing interest as a model for visual neuroscience. A measurement of fundamental importance to ensure the validity of visual studies is spatial acuity. The marmoset has excellent acuity that has been reported at the fovea to be nearly half that of the human (Ordy and Samorajski []: Vision Res 8:1205–1225), a value that is consistent with them having similar photoreceptor densities combined with their smaller eye size (Troilo et al. []: Vision Res 33:1301–1310). Of interest, the marmoset exhibits a higher proportion of cones than rods in peripheral vision than human or macaque, which in principle could endow them with better peripheral acuity depending on how those signals are pooled in subsequent processing. Here, we introduce a simple behavioral paradigm to measure acuity and then test how acuity in the marmoset scales with eccentricity. We trained subjects to fixate a central point and detect a peripheral Gabor by making a saccade to its location. First, we found that accurate assessment of acuity required correction for myopia in all adult subjects. This is an important point because marmosets raised in laboratory conditions often have mild to severe myopia (Graham and Judge []: Vision Res 39:177–187), a finding that we confirm, and that would limit their utility for studies of vision if uncorrected. With corrected vision, we found that their acuity scales with eccentricity similar to that of humans and macaques, having roughly half the value of the human and with no clear departure for higher acuity in the periphery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 300–313, 2017