bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Midazolam Single Time Point Concentrations to Estimate Exposure and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A Constitutive Activity Utilizing Limited Sampling Strategy With a Population Pharmacokinetic Approach
Authors: Yang Jincheng , Patel Maulik , Nikanjam Mina , Capparelli Edmund V. , Tsunoda Shirley M. , Greenberg Howard E. , Penzak Scott R. , Aubrey Stoch S. , Bertino Joseph S. , Nafziger Anne N. , Ma Joseph D.
Published: April 2018

Midazolam is the preferred probe to phenotype cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A activity. This study evaluated a single‐concentration, midazolam limited sampling strategy utilizing a population pharmacokinetic (PK) approach to estimate area under the curve, and thus CYP3A activity. Midazolam concentrations from adults during CYP3A constitutive conditions were obtained from previous studies after single, oral or intravenous administration. Population PK modeling was conducted by nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Potential covariates of clearance, volume of distribution, and bioavailability were evaluated. A limited sampling model at 1, 2, 4, or 6 hours was selected and fitted with post hoc estimation with the final population PK model. Preset criterion for the limited sampling model selection was a coefficient of determination ≥0.9. Bias and precision were also evaluated. The studies provided 2122 observations from 152 healthy adults. Midazolam concentrations were adequately described by a two‐compartment model with first order absorption. Age and sex were significant covariates of central volume (V2) and were retained in the final model. An estimate (interindividual variability) of midazolam clearance was 32.5 L/hr (52.9%), covariate of central volume was 67 L (39.1%), and oral bioavailability was 0.33 (45.5%). The final population parameter estimates were within the 95% confidence intervals and were similar to the median bootstrap estimates. Upon comparison to the population PK model, the 4‐hour limited sampling model estimated area under the curve had an acceptable coefficient of determination and acceptable bias and precision limits. A 4‐hour, but not the 1‐, 2‐, and 6‐hour, single concentration accurately estimated midazolam area under the curve during constitutive CYP3A conditions in healthy adults.
The Effects of Linguistic Devices on Consumer Information Processing and Persuasion: A Language Complexity × Processing Mode Framework
Authors: Pogacar Ruth , Shrum L. J. , Lowrey Tina M.
Published: April 2018

People—be they politicians, marketers, job candidates, product reviewers, or romantic interests—often use linguistic devices to persuade others, and there is a sizeable literature that has documented the effects of numerous linguistic devices. However, understanding the implications of these effects is difficult without an organizing framework. To this end, we introduce a Language Complexity × Processing Mode Framework for classifying linguistic devices based on two continuous dimensions: language complexity, ranging from simple to complex, and processing mode, ranging from automatic to controlled. We then use the framework as a basis for reviewing and synthesizing extant research on the effects of the linguistic devices on persuasion, determining the conditions under which the effectiveness of the linguistic devices can be maximized, and reconciling inconsistencies in prior research.
Temporal framing and the hidden‐zero effect: rate‐dependent outcomes on delay discounting
Authors: Naudé Gideon P. , Kaplan Brent A. , Reed Derek D. , Henley Amy J. , DiGennaro Reed Florence D.
Published: April 2018

Recent research suggests that presenting time intervals as units (e.g., days) or as specific dates, can modulate the degree to which humans discount delayed outcomes. Another framing effect involves explicitly stating that choosing a smaller–sooner reward is mutually exclusive to receiving a larger–later reward, thus presenting choices as an extended sequence. In Experiment 1, participants (N = 201) recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk completed the Monetary Choice Questionnaire in a 2 (delay framing) by 2 (zero framing) design. Regression suggested a main effect of delay, but not zero, framing after accounting for other demographic variables and manipulations. We observed a rate‐dependent effect for the date‐framing group, such that those with initially steep discounting exhibited greater sensitivity to the manipulation than those with initially shallow discounting. Subsequent analyses suggest these effects cannot be explained by regression to the mean. Experiment 2 addressed the possibility that the null effect of zero framing was due to within‐subject exposure to the hidden‐ and explicit‐zero conditions. A new Amazon Mechanical Turk sample completed the Monetary Choice Questionnaire in either hidden‐ or explicit‐zero formats. Analyses revealed a main effect of reward magnitude, but not zero framing, suggesting potential limitations to the generality of the hidden‐zero effect.
Physiological and biochemical responses of Dosinia corrugata to different thermal and salinity stressors
Authors: Nie Hongtao , Zuo Shuqi , Li Long , Tian Cun , Cao Chen , Yan Xiwu
Published: April 2018

Temperature and salinity are major factors affecting geographic distribution, reproduction, and physiological processes of marine and estuarine organisms. In this study, the effects of different temperatures and salinity on the respiratory metabolism and physiological response were evaluated in D. corrugata by measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR), ammonia excretion rate (AER), and glycolytic enzyme activity. An increase in the OCR of D. corrugata with increasing temperature was observed. No peak of oxygen consumption was observed in D. corrugata over the temperature range evaluated. There was an increase in AERs with increasing temperature and salinity, respectively. With increasing salinity, the enzyme activity increased until it reached a peak at a salinity of 30 ppt, while the highest HK and LDH activity was observed at a salinity of 25 ppt. Our results may be used to optimize the temperature and salinity conditions for optimal growth and survival of D. corrugata and to provide basic information for conservation management and fishing moratorium of this economically important bivalve species. The enzyme activity decreased slightly from 15 to 20°C, but when the temperature exceeded 20°C, enzyme activity increased, reaching a maximum at 30°C (tested range of 10–30°C). With increasing salinity, the enzyme activity increased until it reached a peak at a salinity of 30 ppt, but once the salinity was greater than 30 ppt, the enzyme activity began to decrease up to salinity of 35 ppt.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of the Anticancer Properties of Novel Quinone Bearing Carbamyl β‐Lactam Hybrids
Authors: Payili Nagaraju , Yennam Satyanarayana , Rekula Santhosh Reddy , Naidu Challa Gangu , Bobde Yamini , Ghosh Balaram
Published: April 2018

This paper describes a simple and practical protocol for the direct synthesis of a series of new hybrid molecules of carbamyl β‐lactam derivatives bearing quinone moiety via [2 + 2] cycloaddition of Staudinger reaction. The β‐lactam ring is tolerating carbamylation and further leads to a variety of quinone hybrid derivatives. The structures of the compounds were characterized by IR, MS, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high‐resolution mass spectra analysis. All the new synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activity using an MTT assay analysis. Out of 14 derivatives synthesized in the current study, compounds 9h, 9k, 9i, and 9b exhibited the very good anticancer activities in B16F10 cell line.
Transitioning cytomegalovirus viral load testing from a laboratory developed test to the cobas® CMV quantitative nucleic acid assay
Authors: Payne Michael , Merrick Linda , Lawson Tanya , Ritchie Gordon , Lowe Christopher
Published: April 2018

Commutability between human cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load assays (VLA) is poor, despite the development of a WHO CMV International Standard (CMV IS). We evaluated a new CMV VLA, cobas® CMV, as compared to our current laboratory developed CMV VLA (LDT), for clinical use. Both the LDT and cobas® CMV were run in parallel for 109 patient samples. In addition, 104 replicates, over 8 dilutions, of the CMV IS were tested. Conversion factors and correlation between the two assays were calculated. The correlation coefficient between the LDT and cobas® CMV was 0.91 for patient samples. The Bland‐Altman graph displayed a systematic bias of +0.31 log10 for the cobas® CMV as compared to the LDT. The bias was greater for lower CMV viral loads. This increase in CMV viral loads was not seen with testing of the CMV IS dilutions by both the LDT and cobas® CMV. CMV VLA inter‐assay commutability continues to be an issue when switching CMV testing platforms and requires communication between the laboratory and clinicians during the transition period to prevent misinterpretation of results.
Seroprevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis E virus infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in health facilities of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Niguse Selam , Hailekiros Haftamu , Buruh Gerezgiher , Dejene Tadese , Berhe Nega , Asmelash Tsehaye
Published: April 2018

Existing literatures from developing countries show an increased mortality and morbidity related to hepatitis E virus during pregnancy as compared to the general population. Studies focusing on pregnant women are required for policy makers to improve maternal and child health. Therefore this study is aimed at determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of hepatitis E virus infection among pregnant women attending the health facilities of Tigray region, Northern Ethiopia. In this cross sectional study 846 pregnant women were included consecutively from April 2014 to February 2016. Clinical and sociodemographic were collected using structured questionnaire and blood was collected for laboratory analysis of Hepatitis E virus using IgG and IgM HEV ELISA. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.0. Association with variables with the risk factors was determined using bivariate and multivariate analysis. The overall sero‐prevalence of hepatitis E virus using anti‐HEV IgG and anti‐HEV IgM antibody among pregnant women were 367 (43.4%). From this 359 (42.4%) and 8 (0.9%) were tested positive for anti‐HEV IgG and anti‐HEV IgM antibody, respectively. Then finally age, rural residence, not washing after toilet use and lack of prevention aspects to minimize contamination were associated with HEV infection. This study shows the significant public health impact of HEV during pregnancy in low income countries.
Hepatitis A vaccine immune response 22 years after vaccination
Authors: Mosites Emily , Gounder Prabhu , Snowball Mary , Morris Julie , Spradling Philip , Nelson Noele , Bulkow Lisa , Bruce Michael , McMahon Brian
Published: April 2018

In the United States, the incidence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection has been reduced through universal childhood vaccination. However, the duration of immunogenicity for the hepatitis A vaccine is not known. We report on the 22 year follow‐up time point of a cohort of Alaska children who were randomized to three different vaccine schedules: A) 0, 1, and 2 months; B) 0, 1, and 6 months; and C) 0, 1, and 12 months. Among 46 participant available for follow‐up, 40 (87%) maintained protective levels of anti‐hepatitis A antibody. These results indicate that a supplemental booster dose is not yet necessary at or before the 22‐year time point.
Evolution of HBV S‐gene in the backdrop of HDV co‐infection
Authors: Baig Samina , Abidi Syed H. , Azam Zahid , Majid Shahid , Khan Saeed , Khanani Muhammad R. , Ali Syed
Published: April 2018

HBV‐HDV co‐infected people have a higher chance of developing cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to those infected only with HBV. The present study was conducted to investigate HBV genotypes and phylogeny among HBV mono‐infected and HBV‐HDV co‐infected patients, as well as analyze mutations in the surface gene of HBV in mono‐infected and co‐infected patients. A total of 100 blood samples (50 co‐infected with HBV and HDV, and 50 mono‐infected with HBV only) were collected for this study. HBV DNA was extracted from patient sera and partial surface antigen gene was amplified from HBV genome using polymerase chain reaction. HBV S gene was sequenced from 49 mono‐infected and 36 co‐infected patients and analyzed to identify HBV genotypes and phylogenetic patterns. Subsequently, HBV S amino acid sequences were analyzed for mutational differences between sequences from mono‐ and co‐infected patients. HBV genotype D was predominantly found in both mono‐infected as well as co‐infected patients. Phylogenetic analysis showed the divergence of HBV sequences, between mono‐ and co‐infected patients, into two distinct clusters. HBV S gene mutation analysis revealed certain mutations in HBV‐HDV co‐infected subjects to be distinct from those found in mono‐infected patients. This might indicate the evolution of HBV S gene under selection pressures generated from HDV coinfection.
The effect of economic consequences on social judgment and choice: Reward interdependence and the preference for sociability versus competence
Authors: Belmi Peter , Pfeffer Jeffrey
Published: April 2018

Competence and sociability (warmth) are fundamental dimensions of social judgment in organizations. However, these qualities are frequently seen as negatively related, with mixed evidence on which is more important. In three studies (N = 993), we investigated the effects of reward interdependence on the preference for sociability versus competence. We predicted that reward interdependence would elicit a more instrumental, calculative mindset, which in turn, would lead individuals to value competence more. Study 1 surveyed working adults who were in actual work groups and found that those who worked in more (vs. less) reward interdependent environments were more likely to think instrumentally and calculatively when considering potential colleagues. This mindset, in turn, was associated with a greater tendency to value competence over sociability. Studies 2 and 3 used an experimental design and found that when people imagined or anticipated working in a situation in which their economic outcomes depended in part on others, they were more likely to adopt an instrumental focus and choose a “competent jerk” over a “lovable fool.” These results call into question a vast social judgment literature that has made claims about the importance of sociability and related constructs without considering the context, and particularly the reward interdependence, often inherent in organizational contexts.
Transition of the programmed death 1 pathway from the primary colorectal cancer to its corresponding pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Miyamoto Ei , Chen‐Yoshikawa Toyofumi F. , Ueshima Chiyuki , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Hamaji Masatsugu , Yamamoto Takamasa , Kawada Kenji , Haga Hironori , Sakai Yoshiharu , Date Hiroshi
Published: April 2018

Background and Objectives

The inhibition of the programmed death 1 (PD‐1)/its ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway may be associated with clinical responses in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to characterize the transition of PD‐1/PD‐L1 expression through pulmonary metastasis (PM) and its clinical relevance.

Methods

This study retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who had curative resection of primary CRC and its PM. We evaluated the presence of PD‐1+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD‐L1+ tumor cells in both the primary tumor and its PM by immunohistochemistry.

Results

PD‐L1 was expressed 34.0% of primary lesions and in 38.0% of their PM. A discrepancy in PD‐L1 expression between the primary site and its PM was found in 34.0% of our patients. The presence of PD‐1+ TILs in the PM was significantly associated with that in its corresponding primary lesion (P = 0.003). The longer interval between the primary site and its PM was statistically significant in predicting higher expression of PD‐L1 in the PM (P = 0.010).

Conclusions

The discordance of PD‐L1 expression between the primary tumor and its PM was found in one‐third of our patients with CRC. Temporally distant PM from CRC could be associated with the positive expression of PD‐L1 in the PM.
Improving the Performance Time and Accuracy of Ultrasound‐Guided Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Double‐Blind Trial of the Line‐of‐Sight Approach and the “APPLES” Mnemonic
Authors: Norbury John W. , Karr Natalie C. , Sindhi Vivek , Rathbun Kimberly M. , Charles Stephen C. , McIver Michael B. , Morrison Eric J
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To determine whether the line‐of‐sight approach improved the performance time and accuracy of ultrasound (US)‐guided needle placement targeting the subdeltoid bursa in a cadaver among novice operators compared to the side approach. A secondary objective was to determine whether participants thought the APPLES (angle, position, perpendicular, line up, entry, sweep) mnemonic was a helpful guide for performing the procedure.

Methods

Medical students and residents were randomized into either a line‐of‐sight or side approach group and then crossed over to the other group. The procedure time was determined by 2 blinded reviewers. A survey was administered to determine which method participants preferred and whether they thought the APPLES mnemonic was helpful. A paired t test was used to compare the performance time, and the McNemar test was used to compare the accuracy of the methods.

Results

Among the 110 participants, the performance time with the line‐of‐sight approach (mean, 14.4 seconds; SD, 9.95 seconds) was significantly decreased compared to the side approach (mean, 18.6 seconds; SD, 10.1 seconds; P = .00029). Additionally, participants who only hit the target using one method were more likely to hit the target in 30 seconds using the line‐of‐sight approach (P = .035). In total, 72.7% of participants preferred the line‐of‐sight approach over the side approach, and 88.2% of participants thought that APPLES mnemonic was useful.

Conclusions

This study highlights the finding that positioning of the operator is important in performing US‐guided interventions, and the line‐of‐sight approach may improve the performance time and accuracy among novice operators. Furthermore, the APPLES mnemonic serves as a useful educational tool for teaching US‐guided interventional procedures.
The craving for phosphorus in heterotrophic dinoflagellates and its potential implications for biogeochemical cycles
Authors: Meunier Cédric L. , Alvarez‐Fernandez Santiago , Cunha‐Dupont Alessandra Ö. , Geisen Carla , Malzahn Arne M. , Boersma Maarten , Wiltshire Karen H.
Published: April 2018

By altering the nutritional quality of primary producers, nutrient availability indirectly influences herbivores' population dynamics. In turn, the resulting relationship between diet, growth, and wastes has consequences for nutrient cycling at the ecosystem level. We studied the link between dinoflagellates nutritional requirements and feeding behavior, and its influence on nutrient cycling. We show that long‐term shifts in dissolved PO4 concentration in the North Sea are closely linked to biomass trends of heterotrophic dinoflagellates and support this observation with experimental data indicating particularly high phosphorus requirements in dinoflagellates. At the seasonal scale, we observe a negative correlation between natural dinoflagellate abundances and the concentration of dissolved P, and we estimate that, in spring, up to 30% of dissolved P can end up in microzooplankton biomass. Our study highlights that accounting for organismal metabolic requirement provides significant insight in interpreting and predicting nutrient cycles at the ecosystem level.
Light Interaction with Photonic and Plasmonic Resonances
Authors: Lalanne Philippe , Yan Wei , Vynck Kevin , Sauvan Christophe , Hugonin Jean‐Paul
Published: April 2018

In this Review, the theory and applications of optical micro‐ and nano‐resonators are presented from the underlying concept of their natural resonances, the so‐called quasi‐normal modes (QNMs). QNMs are the basic constituents governing the response of resonators. Characterized by complex frequencies, QNMs are initially loaded by a driving field and then decay exponentially in time due to power leakage or absorption. Here, the use of QNM‐expansion formalisms to model these basic effects is explored. Such modal expansions that operate at complex frequencies distinguish from the current user habits in electromagnetic modeling, which rely on classical Maxwell's equation solvers operating at real frequencies or in the time domain; they also bring much deeper physical insight into the analysis. An extensive overview of the historical background on QNMs in electromagnetism and a detailed discussion of recent relevant theoretical and numerical advances are therefore presented. Additionally, a concise description of the role of QNMs on a number of examples involving electromagnetic resonant fields and matter, including the interaction between quantum emitters and resonators (Purcell effect, weak and strong coupling, superradiance, …), Fano interferences, the perturbation of resonance modes, and light transport and localization in disordered media is provided.
Micro‐Resonator Soliton Generated Directly with a Diode Laser
Authors: Volet Nicolas , Yi Xu , Yang Qi‐Fan , Stanton Eric J. , Morton Paul A. , Yang Ki Youl , Vahala Kerry J. , Bowers John E.
Published: April 2018

An external‐cavity diode laser for 1550‐nm wavelength is reported with ultra‐low noise, high power coupled to a fiber, and fast tunability. These characteristics enable the generation of an optical frequency comb in a silica micro‐resonator with a single‐soliton state. Neither an optical amplifier nor a modulator is used in the experiment. This demonstration greatly simplifies the soliton generation setup and represents a significant step forward to a fully integrated soliton comb system.
Glucose‐Responsive Trehalose Hydrogel for Insulin Stabilization and Delivery
Authors: Lee Juneyoung , Ko Jeong Hoon , Mansfield Kathryn M. , Nauka Peter C. , Bat Erhan , Maynard Heather D.
Published: April 2018

Effective delivery of therapeutic proteins is important for many biomedical applications. Yet, the stabilization of proteins during delivery and long‐term storage remains a significant challenge. Herein, a trehalose‐based hydrogel is reported that stabilizes insulin to elevated temperatures prior to glucose‐triggered release. The hydrogel is synthesized using a polymer with trehalose side chains and a phenylboronic acid end‐functionalized 8‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The hydroxyls of the trehalose side chains form boronate ester linkages with the PEG boronic acid cross‐linker to yield hydrogels without any further modification of the original trehalose polymer. Dissolution of the hydrogel is triggered upon addition of glucose as a stronger binder to boronic acid (Kb = 2.57 vs 0.48 m−1 for trehalose), allowing the insulin that is entrapped during gelation to be released in a glucose‐responsive manner. Moreover, the trehalose hydrogel stabilizes the insulin as determined by immunobinding after heating up to 90 °C. After 30 min heating, 74% of insulin is detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in the presence of the trehalose hydrogel, whereas only 2% is detected without any additives.
A New Thermo‐, pH‐ and CO2‐Responsive Fluorescent Four‐Arm Star Polymer with Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Long‐Term Cellular Tracing
Authors: Guan Xiaolin , Meng Li , Jin Qijun , Lu Baocui , Chen Yanbin , Li Zhifei , Wang Lin , Lai Shoujun , Lei Ziqiang
Published: April 2018

Development of fluorescent bioprobes for long‐term cell tracking is of great importance to monitor the processes of genesis, development, invasion, and metastasis of cancerous cells. Herein, a new multistimuli‐responsive star polymer of tetraphenylethene‐graft‐tetra‐poly[N‐[2‐(diethylamino)‐ethyl]acrylamide] (TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM) with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect for tracing live cells over a long period of time is synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using TPE derivative as initiator. TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM gives both lower critical solution temperature and fluorescence responses to the stimulus of the temperature, pH, and CO2 by combining the thermoresponsive and pH/CO2‐responsive moieties of the diethylamino and acrylamide groups. The AIE‐active TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM has the advantages of very low cytotoxicity, efficient cellular uptake, and strong fluorescence of polymer‐treated cells, which ensure its good performance in long‐term cell tracing. This facile tracking of HeLa cells for as long as nine passages exhibits superior performance in long‐term cell tracing as compared with some commercial cell tracing probes.
Board Considers Whether Misclassification of Workers Is a ULP
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: April 2018

The National Labor Relations Board has asked concerned parties for briefs arguing that an employer does or does not automatically commit an unfair labor practice (ULP) when it misclassifies its employees as independent contractors.
Binary Intermolecular Potential and Scattering Curves of PAMAM‐EDA Dendrimers
Authors: Freire Juan J. , Rubio Ana M.
Published: April 2018

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to study polyamidoamine dendrimers with an ethylenediamine core in water under different pH conditions (neutral or protonated molecules) using a coarse‐grained bead model with an implicit solvent. The intermolecular binary interaction energy between sampled pairs is calculated by considering hard‐spheres or Lennard‐Jones interactions between the coarse‐grained beads, together with a screened Coulomb potential to describe electrostatic interactions in the protonated case. This permits the calculation of an averaged global intermolecular potential, together with structure and scattering functions which are compared with experimental neutron scattering data. The bead model parameters are optimized to reproduce the experimental scattering curves. It is concluded that the energy interaction curves have a very shallow potential well, even in the case of neutral chains. Interaction between protonated molecules is mainly determined by their mutual repulsion that can be described through the Debye–Hückel screened length.
Modeling oil palm pollinator dynamics using deterministic and agent‐based approaches. Applications on fruit set estimates. Some preliminary results
Authors: Dumont Y. , Soulie J.‐C. , Michel F.
Published: April 2018

Oil palm production is of economical importance in several southern countries. The increasing demand of oil palm put a lot of pressure in several places where the rain forest and thus the tropical diversity are in danger due to deforestation. With the land already cultivated, we need to improve the yields, which means to increase the production of fruits in plots. One way is to increase the pollination or the fruit set through pollination. Palm tree has a specific entomophilous pollinator, a weevil,Elaeidobiusspp, that absolutely needs male inflorescence to complete its life cycle. In young plots (3‐7 years old), mainly female inflorescences are produced, and thus, the pollinator population cannot maintain, resulting in a bad fruit set, and, thus, a bad production. That is why several questions arise: What is the mean number of male inflorescences (per hectare) needed to maintain the pollinators population above a certain threshold? And, in terms of yield, what is the optimal size of the population to reach an optimal fruit set? We propose, compare and discuss 2 different modeling approaches to develop preliminary models to study the dynamics of the pollinator population, and obtain some rough estimates of the fruit set. We derive some simulations and discuss these preliminary results.
An efficient nonpolynomial spline method for distributed order fractional subdiffusion equations
Authors: Li Xuhao , Wong Patricia J. Y.
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we propose an efficient numerical method for a distributed order fractional subdiffusion problem using nonpolynomial spline approach. The solvability, stability, and convergence of the scheme are established rigorously, and it is shown that the spatial convergence order improves some previous work done. Simulation is then conducted to verify the accuracy of the proposed scheme as well as to compare with earlier work.
Boundedness in a four‐dimensional attraction‐repulsion chemotaxis system with logistic source
Authors: Li Yan , Wang Wei
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we study the attraction‐repulsion chemotaxis system with logistic source: ut = Δu−χ∇·(u∇v)+ξ∇·(u∇w)+f(u), 0 = Δv−βv+αu, 0 = Δw−δw+γu, subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions in a bounded and smooth domain
, where χ,α,ξ,γ,β, and δ are positive constants, and
is a smooth function satisfying f(s) ≤ a−bs3/2 for all s ≥ 0 with a ≥ 0 and b > 0. It is proved that when the repulsion cancels the attraction (ie, ξγ=χα), for any nonnegative initial data
, the solution is globally bounded. This result corresponds to the one in the classical 2‐dimensional Keller‐Segel model with logistic source bearing quadric growth restrictions.
The Role of Cruciferous Vegetables and Isothiocyanates for Lung Cancer Prevention: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Research Directions
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Bergan Raymond , Shannon Jackilen , Slatore Christopher G. , Bobe Gerd , Takata Yumie
Published: April 2018

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States. Although smoking and air pollution exposure are primary risk factors of lung cancer, diet has also been reported to contribute to lung cancer risk. Cruciferous vegetables contain many bioactive compounds that alter the detoxification process of air‐borne carcinogenic compounds and, thereby, may decrease lung cancer risk. In the meta‐analysis of 31 observational studies, cruciferous vegetable intake is inversely associated with lung cancer risk (summary odds ratio/relative risk = 0.81 and 95% confidence interval = 0.74–0.89 for comparing the highest with lowest intake categories). More observational studies need to measure urinary isothiocyanate (ITC) concentrations and investigate their association with lung cancer risk in populations with relatively high intake of cruciferous vegetables. Current evidence is limited to two phase 2 clinical trials with incomplete reporting. Hence, more short‐term clinical phase 2 trials need to examine effects of various amounts and types of cruciferous vegetables on biomarkers of risk and efficacy before a large phase 3 trial can be conducted to assess effects upon lung cancer risk. This would help further elucidate whether the inverse association observed with self‐reported cruciferous vegetable intake is indeed due to ITC content or other bioactive compounds.
Breast cancer MRI radiomics: An overview of algorithmic features and impact of inter‐reader variability in annotating tumors
Authors: Saha Ashirbani , Harowicz Michael R. , Mazurowski Maciej A.
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To review features used in MRI radiomics of breast cancer and study the inter‐reader stability of the features.

Methods

We implemented 529 algorithmic features that can be extracted from tumor and fibroglandular tissue (FGT) in breast MRIs. The features were identified based on a review of the existing literature with consideration of their usage, prognostic ability, and uniqueness. The set was then extended so that it comprehensively describes breast cancer imaging characteristics. The features were classified into 10 groups based on the type of data used to extract them and the type of calculation being performed. For the assessment of inter‐reader variability, four fellowship‐trained readers annotated tumors on preoperative dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRIs for 50 breast cancer patients. Based on the annotations, an algorithm automatically segmented the image and extracted all features resulting in one set of features for each reader. For a given feature, the inter‐reader stability was defined as the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) computed using the feature values obtained through all readers for all cases.

Results

The average inter‐reader stability for all features was 0.8474 (95% CI: 0.8068–0.8858). The mean inter‐reader stability was lower for tumor‐based features (0.6348, 95% CI: 0.5391–0.7257) than FGT‐based features (0.9984, 95% CI: 0.9970–0.9992). The feature group with the highest inter‐reader stability quantifies breast and FGT volume. The feature group with the lowest inter‐reader stability quantifies variations in tumor enhancement.

Conclusions

Breast MRI radiomics features widely vary in terms of their stability in the presence of inter‐reader variability. Appropriate measures need to be taken for reducing this variability in tumor‐based radiomics.
The Effect of Reactor Conditions on High‐Impact Polypropylene Properties and Gas Phase Polymerization Kinetics
Authors: Cancelas Aarón J. , Yang Lanti , Girod Robin , de Heer Jos , Kleppinger Ralf , Delsman Erik , Wang Jingbo , Gahleitner Markus , Monteil Vincent , McKenna Timothy F. L.
Published: April 2018

High impact polypropylene (hiPP) powders are made in a 2.5 L semi‐batch gas‐phase reactor using a Ziegler–Natta catalyst and two sequential polymerization steps. The amount of copolymer, reactor temperature and pressure, the relative amounts of ethylene and propylene, and the presence of hydrogen are varied systematically to understand their impact on the copolymerization kinetics, hiPP properties, and on rubber distribution. Examples of discoveries are that the presence of hydrogen can reduce copolymerization activity, depending on the catalyst system, and that the fraction of crystalline copolymer decreases with 1) copolymer content in hiPP; and 2) copolymerization activity. The last implies a resistance to mass transfer of ethylene during copolymerization. To understand this phenomenon, atomic force microscopy analyses of hiPP samples with distinct morphology of the polypropylene matrix (isotactic polypropylene, iPP) and copolymer ethylene/propylene ratios are performed after microtoming. It is found that mesoparticles are the determining structure for the copolymer distribution, and that powders with more ethylene in the copolymer or an iPP matrix better suited for mass transfer had more rubber in the center of the mesoparticles. This indicates that the length scales of the mesoparticles that control transfer limitations for ethylene also impact the properties of the final impact copolymer.
Mapping the Structure–Property Space of Bimodal Polyethylenes Using Response Surface Methods. Part 1: Digital Data Investigation
Authors: DesLauriers Paul J. , Fodor Jeff S. , Soares João B. P. , Mehdiabadi Saeid
Published: April 2018

A new method is proposed to study the multidimensional structure–property space of bimodal ethylene/1‐olefin copolymers using fundamental polymerization models and response surface methods. The fundamental polymerization models describe how the polymer microstructure depends on polymerization conditions, in particular how the short chain branching frequency varies across the molecular weight distribution. Statistical design of experiment techniques combined with response surface methods generates the minimum number of digital experiments needed to estimate the parameters for a forward model. The polymer microstructural data are combined with empirical equations to calculate polymer density and the primary structural parameter to quantify the presence of tie molecules in the polymer. This procedure links polymerization conditions to polymer microstructure and properties using the forward model. More importantly, the forward model can be reversed to determine which polymerization conditions are needed to make polymers with a given set of properties.
Evidence‐based medicine for every day, everyone, and every therapeutic study
Authors: Govindarajan Raghav , Narayanaswami Pushpa
Published: April 2018

The rapid growth in published medical literature makes it difficult for clinicians to keep up with advances in their fields. This may result in a cursory scan of the abstract and conclusion of a study without critically evaluating study quality. The application of evidence‐based medicine (EBM) is the process of converting the abstract task of reading the literature into a practical method of using the literature to inform care in a specific clinical context while simultaneously expanding one's knowledge. EBM involves 4 steps: (1) stating the clinical problem in a defined question; (2) searching the literature for the evidence; (3) critically appraising the evidence for its validity; and (4) applying the evidence in the context of the patient's situation, preferences, and values. In this review, we use the recently published trial of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis as an example and systematically go through the steps of assessing internal validity, precision, and external validity. Muscle Nerve 58: 486–496, 2018
Evidence for an urethro‐vesical crosstalk mediated by serotonin
Authors: Coelho Ana , Oliveira Raquel , Cavaleiro Helena , Cruz Celia Duarte , Cruz Francisco
Published: April 2018

Aim

To study the contribution of urethral serotonin for the urethro‐vesical crosstalk

Methods

Urethane‐anesthetized female rats and TPH1−/− mice underwent isovolumetric or urethral‐opened cystometries during intravesical or intraurethral infusion of saline or serotonin solutions. Human and rat bladders and urethrae were immunoreacted against serotonin and neuronal markers. Serotonin concentration and TPH1 mRNA were determined in rat tissue by HPLC and qPCR.

Results

In rats, under isovolumetric conditions, intraurethral serotonin infusion, but not saline, evoked bladder contractions. This was abolished by urethral anesthesia and by treatment with serotonin receptor antagonists. Serotonin infusion into the bladder had no effect. Under urethral‐opened conditions, serotonin infusion reduced the frequency and increased the amplitude of reflex voiding contractions, compared to saline infusion. TPH1−/− mice, under urethral‐opened conditions, exhibited increased frequency and reduced amplitude of voiding contractions compared to WT. Serotonin concentration and TPH1 mRNA expression were higher in the urethra than in the bladder. Cells 5‐HT+ were found in the human and rat urethral epithelium, close to a sub‐epithelial network of cholinergic and sensory fibers, but not in the bladder.

Conclusions

Serotonin, produced and released by urethral cells activates an urethro‐vesical pathway that enhances bladder reflex contractions.
Wi‐fi and waffles! Bacon and #hashtags! ‘Peas’ be with you! Yam it up!
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: April 2018

As this column was coming due, I was on a road trip from Pennsylvania to Florida, and Interstate 95 was speckled with attention‐grabbing billboards, including the clever messages I led with: two for hotels ­advertising a free hot breakfast and the two others promoting a brand of canned black‐eyed peas and yams. Perhaps my favorites — and the most enticing — were for South of the Border, Georgia Peach World, and Florida Citrus Center, all of which led my husband and me to exit the highway for kitschy gifts and local flavor.
Anticipating public expectations of humanitarian action—An ethnographic study of recruiting donors through face‐to‐face fundraising
Authors: Humalisto Niko Heikki , Moilanen Noora Elina
Published: April 2018

In this article, we show how anticipating public opinion reinforces the tendencies of fundraising to work against the long‐term aims of humanitarian non‐governmental organisations through investigating the practices of face‐to‐face fundraising. The data of this qualitative analysis are based on the field notes of 45 encounters where we subjected ourselves to the fundraising performances of face‐to‐face campaigners. Furthermore, we conducted 12 semistructured interviews with fundraising and communication experts and made participant observations in the training sessions of new fundraisers and fundraising workshops. Through abductive content analysis, we show that face‐to‐face fundraising campaigns are designed to be simple and appealing rather than informative. The designers expect that audiences will not be able to digest complex information during brief encounters on the street. With advice from trainers, street fundraisers transform predesigned campaign materials into catchy, emotion‐loaded narratives. Street campaigners are also advised to echo the opinions of passers‐by. On the streets, campaigners need to establish a sense of proximity between the public and beneficiaries, (over)emphasise the agency capacities of donors, and particularise the humanitarian agenda according to the preferences of their audiences. Subsequently, our results show how anticipating public expectations sets manifold conditions for the discursive content of face‐to‐face fundraising.
Do cigarette pictorial warnings really work for Korean smokers?
Authors: Lee Seohyeon
Published: April 2018

According to previous research, cigarette pictorial warnings are effective in not only preventing smoking but also in inducing smoking cessation. In Korea, however, the smoking rate has not changed much despite implementing pictorial warnings on cigarette packaging. Thus, in this study, I focused on how smokers perceive cigarette pictorial warnings. To do this, I conducted in‐depth interviews with cigarette buyers at a convenience store where real cigarettes were purchased, and I observed their behaviors at the same time. Thirty buyers responded to the interview. During the interviews, respondents said that when they first saw a tobacco warning picture, they were affected by it at the moment, but it did not help at all to quit smoking. Rather, they justified smoking by considering the warning picture as a picture or a cigarette company logo. They also had a positive illusion of, “It will never happen to me” about the smoking‐related illnesses presented in the warning pictures. Above all, cigarette warning pictures were not effective in reducing rates of smoking. This means that the tobacco warning picture policy did not properly influence smokers' perceptions. Further research on the usefulness of cigarette pictorial warning is needed.
The impact of employee perception on the successful institutionalisation and implementation of performance management systems in developing countries: The perspective from Ghana's public service
Authors: Ohemeng Frank L.K. , Amoako‐Asiedu Emelia , Obuobisa‐Darko Theresa
Published: April 2018

Performance management (PM) has become a key instrument in the quest to ensure optimal operations by organisations in the public sector. Some scholars, though, believe that PM has failed because of employees' negative perception and management's exclusion of employees from its development. Studies on the relationship between employee perception of PM and its effectiveness in the public sector are limited. We argue that management must value employee perception more highly than they do at present because it is unlikely employees would be willing to take an active part in implementing a change with which they disagree or that they see as having no value. This study examines the effect of employees' perception on the institutionalisation and implementation of PM in developing countries, with specific reference to Ghana.
Design and synthesis study of the thermo‐sensitive copolymer carrier of penicillin G acylase
Authors: Li Ke , Chen Zhen Bin , Liu Dong Lei , Zhang Lin , Tang Zhenghua , Wang Zhe , Zhao Yu , Liu Zhen
Published: April 2018

Reversible‐addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization method was adopted here in this study to prepare a series of thermo‐sensitive tri‐block copolymer carrier, poly(N,N‐diethylacrylamide‐b‐β‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐b‐glycidyl methacrylate), PDEA‐b‐PHEMA‐b‐PGMA (named as DHG). Their structures and temperature sensitivity performances were further characterized by the nuclear magnetic resonance, the gel permeation chromatography, and the fluorescence spectroscopy, respectively. It has been identified that the synthesis reaction of tri‐block copolymer was living polymerization. The thermo‐sensitivity study suggested that 2 monomers, β‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, played key roles on the lower critical solution temperature performance. Finally, above block copolymer was conscripted to immobilize penicillin G acylase; relationships among the number‐average molar weight
of the 2 monomer, β‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate, loading (L), and activity recover rate (Ar) of immobilized PGA were investigated. And the results showed that L and Ar arrived at 19 502 U and 92%, respectively.
Synthesis of poly(isobutyl acrylate/n‐butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate)/CNC nanocomposites for adhesive applications via in situ semi‐batch emulsion polymerization
Authors: Ouzas Alexandra , Niinivaara Elina , Cranston Emily D. , Dubé Marc A.
Published: April 2018

Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) films were prepared from in situ semi‐batch emulsion polymerizations using isobutyl acrylate, n‐butyl acrylate, and methyl methacrylate in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The CNCs at loadings of up to 1 wt% with respect to monomer resulted in significant and simultaneous improvement in tack, peel strength and shear strength for the PSA films. While most latex properties were unchanged, the CNCs also led to increased latex viscosity. A range of compositions were used to test the limits of the application. Microscopy was used to demonstrate that the CNCs were dispersed throughout the latex but outside of the polymer particles. Comparison to latex/CNC blends showed that the in situ technique provided higher shear strength PSA films. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1365–1377, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
FEM study on mechanical properties of nanocomposites reinforced by defective graphene sheets
Authors: Ghasemi Parizi Mohammad J. , Shahverdi Hossein , Mondali Mehdi
Published: April 2018

The main objective of the present study is improvement of the mechanical property estimation of epoxy nanocomposites (NCs) reinforced by defective graphene sheets (GS). For this purpose, the mechanical properties of a defect‐free GS are initially determined using FEM. Then, some well‐known defects are incorporated into the computational model to establish a realistic computational model. In addition, the finite element analyses of a NC reinforced by such defective GSs are conducted using Full Continuum and semi‐continuum FE models. In this regard, the multi‐scale method is used to model the perfect bonds between carbon atoms and the surrounding matrix. Also, the influences of the interphase layer and defective GSs on NC properties are investigated. Finally, the effects of some basic parameters such as the weight fractions and the length of GSs on the mechanical properties are examined. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1084–E1093, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers