bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bacteriology and Meat Quality of Moisture Enhanced Pork from Retail Markets in Canada
Authors: Wendler Karola R. , Nattress Francis M. , Roberts Jordan C. , Larsen Ivy L. , Aalhus Jennifer
Published: January 2017

Packages of moisture-enhanced and conventional pork chops were collected from six Canadian retail stores on five sampling days. The composition of injection brines differed between retailers, but all contained polyphosphates and salt as main ingredients. Meat quality characteristics and bacteriology were analyzed from collected meat samples. Moisture enhanced chops had a higher pH and a higher water holding capacity than conventional. Juiciness and overall tenderness were improved in moisture enhanced chops. The surfaces of moisture enhanced chops were discoloured; the chops were darker and displayed less colour saturation. Total numbers of aerobes, psychrotrophs and lactic acid bacteria were not affected by moisture enhancement but numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, pseudomonads and Brochothrix thermosphacta, bacteria frequently associated with microbial spoilage, were approximately 1 log CFU·g-1 higher in moisture enhanced samples. This work shows moisture enhancement with injection brines containing salt and phosphates can result in a more palatable product.
Nėščiųjų ir jaunų negimdžiusių moterų krūtų tūrio, kūno dydžio ir pasyviosios masės lyginamasis tyrimas
Authors: Drąsutis Jonas , Barkus Arūnas , Kairienė Elena , Drąsutienė Gražina , Norvilaitė Kristina , Tutkuvienė Janina
Published: January 2017

Tikslas. Palyginti nėščiųjų ir jaunų negimdžiusių moterų kūno ir krūtų dydžio rodiklius.
Medžiaga ir metodika. 2008–2009 m. (I tyrimas) ištirti 82 jaunų negimdžiusių devyniolikos metų amžiaus merginų krūtų ir kūno dydžio rodikliai, jie palyginti su 2013–2015 m. (II tyrimas) Vilniuje tirtų nėščiųjų (pirmuoju nėštumo trečdaliu) tais pačiais kūno stambumo ir krūtų parametrais – ūgiu, svoriu, įvairių kūno dalių apimtimis, odos klostėmis, pasyviąja kūno mase ir krūtų tūriu. Kūno dydžio rodikliams palyginti visos tiriamosios buvo skirstomos į grupes pagal krūtų dydį ir kūno stambumą (procentiliniu metodu). Nėščiosios suskirstytos į gimdančias pirmą kartą ir pakartotinai. Abiejuose tyrimuose naudota standartinė antropometrinė metodika. Krūties tūris apskaičiuotas pagal R.  Kramerio ir G.  Dexlerio (1981) formulę. Pasyviosios kūno masės (riebalinio audinio) kiekis procentais – pagal odos ir poodžio riebalines klostes naudojant W. E. Sirio (1961), J. H. Wilmorės ir A. R. Behnkės (1970) formules. Rezultatai, nustatyti visų parametrų aprašomosios statistikos, įvairovės ir pasiskirstymo rodikliais, apdoroti naudojant SPSS 22.0 programą. Skirtumai tarp tiriamųjų grupių vertinti pagal Stjudento t kriterijų. Pasirinktas patikimumo lygmuo p
Laparoscopic repair of the uterine scar defect – successful treatment of secondary infertility: a case report and literature review
Authors: Bakavičiūtė Greta , Špiliauskaitė Sabina , Meškauskienė Audronė , Ramašauskaitė Diana
Published: January 2017

Background. The aim of this paper is to present a clinical case of laparoscopic repair of a uterine scar defect, to assess the effectiveness of treatment reviewing the latest literature sources, and to provide recommendations of uterine scar defect management.
Materials and methods. We report the  case of a  33-year-old woman with an insufficient uterine scar and one-year history of secondary infertility. Following this, she underwent corrective laparoscopic repair, successfully got pregnant two months later and carried pregnancy to full term. We discuss the prevalence of caesarean scar defects, their clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, various treatment techniques, and their outcomes.
Results and conclusion. Caesarean scar defects, insufficient uterine scars, isthmocele or scar dehiscence following a caesarean section involve myometrial discontinuity at the site of a scar previous caesarean section. These anatomical defects associated with prolonged menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia and secondary infertility. Laparoscopic repair of the uterine scar defect is an effective method of treatment of secondary infertility. Patients with a previous history of caesarean section who present complaints of secondary infertility, need a detailed evaluation of the uterine scar before planning future pregnancies.
Chronobiological types, duration of sleeping and psycho-emotional condition of teenagers
Authors: Petronytė Lina , Praninskienė Rūta
Published: January 2017

Sleep is a biological process that operates according to day and night cycles. This self-regulatory system is universal in all organisms, including humans and mammals. For this reason, the  topic is widely analysed in the existing literature; however, no studies about chronobiological types of teenagers have been conducted in Lithuania before.
253 schoolchildren, 13 to 18 years of age, were surveyed in schools of Vilnius and Panevėžys, Lithuania. Responses were gathered during the period from September 2013 to February 2014.
The survey consists of four parts: demographical data, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, PedsQL 4.0 survey of life quality, and HADS – Hospital Anxiety and Depression Survey.
In total, 115 (45.5%) boys and 138 (54.5%) girls participated in the survey. On average, boys sleep 7.10 (±1.27) hours, compared to 6.79 (±1.20) (p = 0.05) hours for girls. 94 (37.2%) survey participants feel sleepy and/ or very sleepy at school. 133 (52.6%) respondents find it difficult/very difficult to wake up in the morning. 218 (86.2%) respondents use the computer before going to sleep: 96 (83.5%) boys and 122 (88.4%) girls. Based on a  subjective evaluation, 187 (73.9%) respondents categorize themselves as the evening type and 66 (26.1%) as the morning type. 13 (5.1%) respondents exhibit symptoms of depression.
The majority of the  respondents categorize themselves as evening/ middle chronotypes. The average duration of sleep is 6.93 (±1.24) hours. 86.2% of the respondents use the computer before going to sleep. Half of the children may have difficulties waking up in the morning. One out of three children feels sleepy at school.
Aquatic Tardigrades of North Carolina with a New North American Record of a Lotic Tardigrade, Dactylobiotus haplonyx Maucci, 1980 (Eutardigrada: Macrobiotidae)
Authors: Bartels Paul J. , Mormino Claudia J. , Nelson Diane R.
Published: January 2017

We provide a comprehensive list of all records of freshwater aquatic tardigrades from North Carolina. In addition, 24 samples of medium and coarse sand were taken from the Davidson River, Transylvania County, NC near the Bobby N. Setzer State Fish Hatchery in the Pisgah National Forest on April 26 and May 3, 2016. Approximately 1900 interstitial microinvertebrates were found with nematodes, oligochaetes, and tardigrades being the most abundant. Tardigrades were individually mounted on slides and identified to species when possible. Ten species were identified among the 344 tardigrades isolated. Of these, two were “accidentals” that normally occur in terrestrial habitats, and seven were previously known from North Carolina. Dactylobiotus haplonyx was a new North American record. This is a rare species, and we compare our specimens with previously published accounts.
High detection rate of breast ductal carcinoma in situ calcifications on mammographically directed high‐resolution sonography.
Authors: Hashimoto B E , Kramer D J , Picozzi V J
Published: January 2017

To assess the high‐frequency sonographic characteristics of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

In a retrospective review, we identified 18 patients with biopsy‐proven pure ductal carcinoma in situ who had received mammographic and high‐frequency sonographic examinations at transducer frequencies of 8‐15 MHz, 8‐5 MHz and 5 to 13 MHz [corrected].

All 18 patients had mammographically identified calcifications. Four (22%) of the 18 had either asymmetric focal mammographically identified densities or masses with the calcifications. These calcifications were identified sonographically in 17 (94%) of the 18 patients. In 9 (50%) of 18 patients, the calcifications were associated with sonographically detected malignant masses, and in 3 (17%) of 18 patients the calcifications were within focally dilated ducts. Lesions that had masses or dilated ducts visible on sonography represented 9 (82%) of 11 of the grade 3 neoplasms and only 2 (28%) of 7 of the grade 1 and 2 tumors. This difference was statistically significant (P < .039). CONDUSIONS: Our study showed that ductal carcinoma in situ may appear on sonography as calcifications, masses, or focally dilated ducts. Those lesions that were associated with masses or dilated ducts on sonography were more likely high‐grade histologic specimens.
Receive Information. Reduce Stigma. Reflect on Strategies: The Caregiver Series
Authors: Asamoah Priscilla , Gill Sabeen , Foster Elizabeth , Mummery Christine
Published: January 2017

The Caregiver Series, an initiative started in 2013 by the Quality Improvement and Education Team within Children, Youth, and Families, Addiction and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services, aims to provide caregivers and individuals with information about mental health and addiction issues within childhood and adolescence. Knowledge mobilization, collaborating and partnering with schools, taking into account adult learning principles when creating sessions, focusing on high quality content delivered by mental health professionals, decreasing barriers when possible, and incorporating feedback for ongoing quality improvement, are the characteristics that have been a large contributor to the success of the series.
Thermal properties of Central Aare granite for temperatures up to 500°C: Irreversible changes due to thermal crack formation
Authors: Kant Michael A. , Ammann Jens , Rossi Edoardo , Madonna Claudio , Höser Dragana , Rudolf von Rohr Philipp
Published: January 2017

Thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity of Central Aare granite are reported in the temperature range from 25°C to 500°C. Each rock sample underwent three consecutive heating and cooling cycles. Significant irreversible changes in the properties due to thermal crack formation could be observed. After the first thermal cycle, both thermal diffusivity and conductivity dropped to about 75% of the initial value at room temperature, whereas the heat capacity did not show an irreversible decay. For subsequent thermal cycles, no further permanent changes of the investigated properties could be observed. From the conducted measurements, accurate correlations are derived, offering a platform for precise high‐temperature experiments and other research on Central Aare granite and similar granitic rocks. The report shows that the assumption of constant thermal properties leads to significant inaccuracies at elevated temperatures, especially if thermal cycles are present.
Potential vorticity regimes over East Asia during winter
Authors: Huang Wenyu , Chen Ruyan , Wang Bin , Wright Jonathon S. , Yang Zifan , Ma Wenqian
Published: January 2017

Nine potential vorticity (PV) regimes over East Asia are identified by applying a Self‐Organizing Map and Hierarchical Ascendant Classification regime analysis to the daily PV reanalysis fields on the 300 K isentropic surface for December–March 1948–2014. According to the surface temperature anomalies over East Asia, these nine regimes are further classified into three classes, i.e., cold class (three regimes), warm class (four regimes), and neutral class (two regimes). The PV‐based East Asian winter monsoon index (EAWMI) is used to study the relationship between PV distributions and the temperature anomalies. The magnitude of cold (warm) anomalies over the land areas of East Asia increases (decreases) quasi‐linearly with the EAWMI. Regression analysis reveals that cold temperature anomalies preferentially occur when the EAWMI exceeds a threshold at ∼0.2 PVU (where 1 PVU ≡ 10−6 m2 K kg−1 s−1). PV inversion uncovers the mechanisms behind the relationships between the PV regimes and surface temperature anomalies and reveals that cold (warm) PV regimes are associated with significant warming (cooling) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. On average, cold regimes have longer durations than warm regimes. Interclass transition probabilities are much higher for paths from warm/neutral regimes to cold regimes than for paths from cold regimes to warm/neutral regimes. Besides, intraclass transitions are rare within the warm or neutral regimes. The PV regime analysis provides insight into the causes of severe cold spells over East Asia, with blocking circulation patterns identified as the primary factor in initiating and maintaining these cold spells.
Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Oxidation Behavior of AlxCr0.4CuFe0.4MnNi High Entropy Alloys
Authors: Rao Ziyuan , Wang Xun , Wang Qinjia , Liu Ting , Chen Xiaohua , Wang Lu , Hui Xidong
Published: January 2017

AlxCr0.4CuFe0.4MnNi (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4) high entropy alloys (HEAs) were prepared by copper‐mold casting. The effects of Al were investigated on the microstructure, tensile properties and oxidation behavior of these HEAs. It was shown that the addition of Al resulted in the formation of BCC and ordered BCC phases. The compositional heterogeneity between dendrites and interdendrites was alleviated when the content of Al was small. The mechanical properties of HEAs have been remarkably improved by the addition of Al. Considering the low cost and good mechanical properties, this kind of HEAs is rather competitive among HEAs for engineering application as structural materials. In this work, it was also shown that the oxidation resistance of current HEAs was significantly improved by the addition of Al.
Tailored Yolk–Shell Sn@C Nanoboxes for High‐Performance Lithium Storage
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Huang Xiaodan , Noonan Owen , Zhou Liang , Yu Chengzhong
Published: January 2017

A yolk–shell Sn@C nanobox composite with controllable structures has been synthesized using a facile approach. The void space is engineered to fit the volume expansion of Sn during cycling. It is demonstrated that the shell thickness of carbon nanobox has substantial influence on both nanostructures and the electrochemical performance. With an optimized shell thickness, a high reversible capacity of 810 mA h g−1 can be maintained after 500 cycles, corresponding to 90% retention of the second discharge capacity. For Sn@C materials with either thinner or thicker carbon shells, significant capacity decay or a decreased specific capacity are observed during cycling. The present study sheds light on the rational design of nanostructured electrode materials with enhanced electrochemical performance for next‐generation lithium ion batteries.
Fabrication of Paper‐Templated Structures of Noble Metals
Authors: Christodouleas Dionysios C. , Simeone Felice C. , Tayi Alok , Targ Sonia , Weaver James C. , Jayaram Kaushik , Fernández‐Abedul Maria Teresa , Whitesides George M.
Published: January 2017

This manuscript describes a simple and rapid method for fabricating free‐standing structures composed primarily (>94% w/w, and 55–80 at%) of noble metals (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and having physical morphologies that resemble paper, thread, or fabric. In this method, templates (i.e., pieces of paper, or cotton fabric) are loaded with aqueous solutions of salts of noble metals, and then the cellulosic component is burned off in a furnace held at high temperatures (i.e., from 550 °C to 800 °C, depending on the procedure, in air). Even though the environment in a furnace is ostensibly oxidizing (e.g., hot air), the metal ions are reduced to elemental metal and form paper‐templated or fabric‐templated structures that have morphologies similar to that of the material from which they were derived (i.e., paper or fabric). Paper‐templated structures are fibrous, permeable to gases and liquides, electrically conductive, and in some cases (e.g., paper‐templated gold and paper‐templated platinum structures), their surfaces are electroactive. The surface areas of paper‐templated structures are more than 20 times higher than their projected areas. Paper‐templated structures thus have properties that make them potentially useful in catalysis, sensing, and electroanalysis.
Self‐Assembled Bifunctional Peptide as Effective Drug Delivery Vector with Powerful Antitumor Activity
Authors: Fan Rangrang , Mei Lan , Gao Xiang , Wang Yuelong , Xiang Mingli , Zheng Yu , Tong Aiping , Zhang Xiaoning , Han Bo , Zhou Liangxue , Mi Peng , You Chao , Qian Zhiyong , Wei Yuquan , Guo Gang
Published: January 2017

E‐cadherin/catenin complex is crucial for cancer cell migration and invasion. The histidine‐alanine‐valine (HAV) sequence has been shown to inhibit a variety of cadherin‐based functions. In this study, by fusing HAV and the classical tumor‐targeting Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) motif and Asn‐Gly‐Arg (NGR) motif to the apoptosis‐inducing peptide sequence‐AVPIAQK, a bifunctional peptide has been constructed with enhanced tumor targeting and apoptosis effects. This peptide is further processed as a nanoscale vector to encapsulate the hydrophobic drug docetaxel (DOC). Bioimaging analysis shows that peptide nanoparticles can penetrate into xenograft tumor cells with a significantly long retention in tumors and high tumor targeting specificity. In vivo, DOC/peptide NPs are substantially more effective at inhibiting tumor growth and prolonging survival compared with DOC control. Together, the findings of this study suggest that DOC/peptide NPs may have promising applications in pulmonary carcinoma therapy.
Highly Efficient Perovskite Solar Cell Photocharging of Lithium Ion Battery Using DC–DC Booster
Authors: Gurung Ashim , Chen Ke , Khan Reza , Abdulkarim Salem Saad , Varnekar Geetha , Pathak Rajesh , Naderi Roya , Qiao Qiquan
Published: January 2017

Solar cells become a viable energy source to charge lithium ion batteries. Here a simple and efficient photocharging design approach is demonstrated, where a promising low cost single junction solar cell such as perovskite solar cell or dye sensitized solar cell efficiently charges a Li4Ti5O12‐LiCoO2 Li‐ion cell using a DC–DC voltage boost converter. The converter boosts the low input voltage of a single junction solar cell to charge a lithium ion cell and offers advantages including maximum power point tracking of solar photovoltaics and overvoltage protection for the lithium ion cell. This is the first demonstration of this technology. This approach leads to the highest reported overall efficiency of 9.36% and average storage efficiency of 77.2% at 0.5 C discharge for a perovskite solar cell‐converter charging. The high efficiency for the perovskite solar cell‐converter charging is attributed to maximum power harvesting along with high power conversion efficiency of the perovskite solar cell and low potential polarization between the charge and discharge voltage plateaus for the Li4Ti5O12‐LiCoO2 Li‐ion cell.
Investigation of CO2 removal by immobilized carbonic anhydrase enzyme in a hollow‐fiber membrane bioreactor
Authors: Iliuta Ion , Iliuta Maria C.
Published: January 2017

Gas–liquid membrane contactors are compelling candidate bioreactors for implementing CO2 capture because of large mass transfer rates and liquid–solid interfaces, low pressure drop, low axial dispersion and mixing, modularity, simple scale‐up or scale‐down, and operational suppleness. Binding the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme on the membrane surface adds extra advantages due to the impressive large hydration turnover number and offers an attractive way for CO2 capture. This novel approach to CO2 removal by immobilized CA in a hollow‐fiber membrane bioreactor (HFMB) was investigated via a multiscale steady‐state model, under gas‐filled and partially liquid‐filled membrane pores conditions. The impact of CA loading, buffer acid‐base constant and concentration, membrane wetting, uncatalyzed/catalyzed CO2 hydration in the wetted membrane zone, operating conditions, and cocurrent/countercurrent flow orientation on the HFMB performance was analyzed. The results showed that this low‐cost, green, and environmentally friendly technology could be an appealing alternative to CO2 capture from stationary emissions sources. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 2996–3007, 2017
Montmorillonite‐K10‐Catalyzed Microwave‐Assisted Direct Amidation of Unactivated Carboxylic Acids with Amines: Maintaining Chiral Integrity of Substrates
Authors: Kumar Manoranjan , Sharma Sushila , Thakur Krishana , Nayal Onkar S. , Bhatt Vinod , Thakur Maheshwar S. , Kumar Neeraj , Singh Bikram , Sharma Upendra
Published: January 2017

A green, microwave‐assisted methodology for the selective direct amidation of carboxylic acids with amines, using montmorillonite K10 as a heterogeneous catalyst, has been developed. This is an efficient transition‐metal‐free, montmorillonite‐K10‐catalyzed direct amidation of carboxylic acids. The method is compatible with sterically hindered α‐branched, aliphatic, benzylic, aromatic, unsaturated and conjugated carboxylic acids. Moreover, chiral integrity of substrates remained unchanged after the reaction.
Updating histological data on crown initiation and crown completion ages in southern Africans
Authors: Reid Donald J. , Guatelli‐Steinberg Debbie
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To update histological data on crown initiation and completion ages in southern Africans.

To evaluate implications of these data for studies that: (a) rely on these data to time linear enamel hypoplasias (LEHs), or, (b) use these data for comparison to fossil hominins.

Materials and Methods

Initiation ages were calculated on 67 histological sections from southern Africans, with sample sizes ranging from one to 11 per tooth type. Crown completion ages for southern Africans were calculated in two ways. First, actual derived initiation ages were added to crown formation times for each histological section to obtain direct information on the crown completion ages of individuals. Second, average initiation ages from this study were added to average crown formation times of southern Africans from the Reid and coworkers previous studies that were based on larger samples.

Results

For earlier‐initiating tooth types (all anterior teeth and first molars), there is little difference in ages of initiation and crown completion between this and previous studies. Differences increase as a function of initiation age, such that the greatest differences between this and previous studies for both initiation and crown completion ages are for the second and third molars.

Discussion

This study documents variation in initiation ages, particularly for later‐initiating tooth types. It upholds the use of previously published histological aging charts for LEHs on anterior teeth. However, this study finds that ages of crown initiation and completion in second and third molars for this southern African sample are earlier than previously estimated. These earlier ages reduce differences between modern humans and fossil hominins for these developmental events in second and third molars.
Assembly of Ring‐Shaped Phosphorus within Carbon Nanotube Nanoreactors
Authors: Zhang Jinying , Zhao Dan , Xiao Dingbin , Ma Chuansheng , Du Hongchu , Li Xin , Zhang Lihui , Huang Jialiang , Huang Hongyang , Jia Chun‐Lin , Tománek David , Niu Chunming
Published: January 2017

A phosphorus allotrope that has not been observed so far, ring‐shaped phosphorus consisting of alternate P8 and P2 structural units, has been assembled inside multi‐walled carbon nanotube nanoreactors with inner diameters of 5–8 nm by a chemical vapor transport and reaction of red phosphorus at 500 °C. The ring‐shaped nanostructures with surrounding graphene walls are stable under ambient conditions. The nanostructures were characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, Raman scattering, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Rapid Asymmetric Synthesis of Disubstituted Allenes by Coupling of Flow‐Generated Diazo Compounds and Propargylated Amines
Authors: Poh Jian‐Siang , Makai Szabolcs , von Keutz Timo , Tran Duc N. , Battilocchio Claudio , Pasau Patrick , Ley Steven V.
Published: January 2017

We report herein the asymmetric coupling of flow‐generated unstabilized diazo compounds and propargylated amine derivatives, using a new pyridinebis(imidazoline) ligand, a copper catalyst and base. The reaction proceeds rapidly, generating chiral allenes in 10–20 minutes with high enantioselectivity (89–98 % de/ee), moderate yields and a wide functional group tolerance.
Illegal ingegno fishery and conservation of deep red coral banks in the Sicily Channel (Mediterranean Sea)
Authors: Cattaneo‐Vietti Riccardo , Bavestrello Giorgio , Bo Marzia , Canese Simonepietro , Vigo Alberto , Andaloro Franco
Published: January 2017

Recent ROV surveys conducted on the Ragusa bank in the Sicily Channel (Mediterranean Sea) documented illegal and continuous use of the ‘ingegno’ gear for red coral fishing.

Three lost gears were recorded showing different levels of epibiosis thus supporting multi‐annual exploitation of the bank.

The red coral population of the Ragusa bank showed a typical ‘forest‐like’ configuration with upright, medium‐sized colonies similar to those of other commercially exploited deep Mediterranean banks.

The direct negative effect of this trawling gear was evident from numerous rocky boulders completely enveloped by lost nets and occasionally turned over. Red coral fragments as well as fragments of ‘ingegno’ nets were observed in high abundance on the sea floor. This evidence suggests that this gear is highly destructive even on rough sea floors, contrary to the traditional view, which is that it has a more random impact on rough rocky bottoms.

The estimated coral uptake of ‘ingegno’ is 45% of the total coral biomass, while the estimated coral loss, in terms of fragments, is 9%, demonstrating the high impact of this gear.

The study highlighted the infringement of the red coral fishing ban by trawling gears as well as a lack of effective policing. The strengthening of controls on landings at nearby harbours, and education programmes for the local maritime communities are among the management actions proposed to protect these surviving red coral populations from the ongoing illegal fishing activity.
Synthesis, Characterization and Immunological Evaluation of Self‐Adjuvanting Group A Streptococcal Vaccine Candidates Bearing Various Lipidic Adjuvanting Moieties
Authors: Fagan Vincent , Hussein Waleed M. , Su Mei , Giddam Ashwini K. , Batzloff Michael R. , Good Michael F. , Toth Istvan , Simerska Pavla
Published: January 2017

Four group A streptococcal glycolipopeptide vaccine candidates with different lipidic adjuvanting moieties were prepared and characterized. The immunogenicity of the compounds was evaluated by macrophage and dendritic cell uptake studies and by in vivo quantification of systemic IgG antibody by ELISA. Three of the candidates showed significant induction of the IgG response.
A Self‐Powered Ethanol Biosensor
Authors: Ruff Adrian , Pinyou Piyanut , Nolten Melinda , Conzuelo Felipe , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: January 2017

We describe the fabrication of a self‐powered ethanol biosensor comprising a β‐NAD+‐dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) bioanode and a bienzymatic alcohol oxidase (AOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) biocathode. β‐NAD+ is regenerated by means of a specifically designed phenothiazine dye (i. e. toluidine blue, TB) modified redox polymer in which TB was covalently anchored to a hexanoic acid tethered poly(4‐vinylpyridine) backbone. The redox polymer acts as an immobilization matrix for ADH. Using a carefully chosen anchoring strategy through the formation of amide bonds, the potential of the TB‐based mediator is shifted to more positive potentials, thus preventing undesired O2 reduction. To counterbalance the rather high potential of the TB‐modified polymer, and thus the bioanode, a high‐potential AOx/HRP‐based biocathode is suggested. HRP is immobilized in a direct‐electron‐transfer regime on screen‐printed graphite electrodes functionalized with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. The nanostructured cathode ensures the wiring of the iron‐oxo complex within oxidized HRP, and thus a high potential for the reduction of H2O2 of about +550 mV versus Ag/AgCl/3 M KCl. The proposed biofuel cell exhibits an open‐circuit voltage (OCV) of approximately 660 mV and was used as self‐powered device for the determination of the ethanol content in liquor.
Classification of lignocellulosic biomass by weighted‐covariance factor fuzzy C‐means clustering of mid‐infrared and near‐infrared spectra
Authors: Rammal Abbas , Perrin Eric , Vrabie Valeriu , Bertrand Isabelle , Chabbert Brigitte
Published: January 2017

The analysis of lignocellulosic materials is crucial to optimizing the conversion efficiencies in biorefineries and to studying crop residue input to soil nutrient cycles. Mid‐infrared (MIR) and near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopies are rapid, simple, and nondestructive methods for the determination of biomass compositions. However, the analysis of a small set of plant biomass is not generally possible with conventional methods of data processing, such as partial least squares. Additionally, IR spectra do not distribute spherically in the data space. To overcome these problems, we propose a weighted‐covariance factor fuzzy C‐means clustering method combined with bootstrapping. The algorithm can classify spherical and nonspherical clusters, in contrast to classic fuzzy C‐means, which is only adapted to spherical clusters. Bootstrapping enables resampling of the available spectra to generate several datasets on which the classification is performed. This unsupervised clustering methodology was tested to classify a small set of maize roots in soil according to genotype or period of their biodegradation process based on their NIR and MIR spectra. This methodology is applied to determine the optimal pretreatment of IR spectra, to study the contribution of the combination of MIR and NIR spectra and to compare the results on spectral and chemical data. The results show that the best methods of pretreatment are the first‐order Savitzky‐Golay derivative followed by standard normal variate. The MIR spectra produce a better result than NIR spectra for the initial characterization and for dynamic samples, while MIR spectra acquired on raw samples, without soluble extraction, provided better classification than wet chemistry.
A Recoverable Ruthenium Aqua Complex Supported on Silica Particles: An Efficient Epoxidation Catalyst
Authors: Ferrer Íngrid , Fontrodona Xavier , Roig Anna , Rodríguez Montserrat , Romero Isabel
Published: January 2017

The preparation and characterization of complexes with a phosphonated terpyridine (trpy) ligand (trpy‐P‐Et) and a bidentate pyridylpyrazole (pypz‐Me) ligand, with formula [RuII(trpy‐P‐Et)(pypz‐Me)X]n+ (2: X=Cl, n=1; 3: X=H2O, n=2), is described, together with the anchoring of 3 on two types of supports: mesoporous silica particles (SP) and silica‐coated magnetic particles (MSP). Aqua complex 3 is easily obtained by heating 2 in refluxing water and exhibits a two‐electron RuIV/II redox process. It was anchored on SP and MSP supports by two different synthetic strategies, yielding the heterogeneous systems SP@3 and MSP@3, which were fully characterized by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, SEM, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse voltammetry. Catalytic olefin epoxidation was tested with molecular complex 3 and its SP@3 and MSP@3 heterogeneous counterparts, including reuse of the heterogeneous systems. The MSP@3 material can be easily recovered by a magnet, which facilitates its reusability.
Rationally Designed Blue Triplet Emitting Gold(III) Complexes Based on a Phenylpyridine‐Derived Framework
Authors: Bachmann Michael , Terreni Jasmin , Blacque Olivier , Venkatesan Koushik
Published: January 2017

A series of blue‐emitting phosphorescent mono‐cyclometalated AuIII complexes have been successfully synthesized. Tailoring the substitutions on the phenylpyridine (ppy) ligand scaffold with electron‐withdrawing fluorine groups on the phenyl ring to achieve stabilization of the HOMO and an electron‐donating dimethylamino group on the pyridine ring to destabilize the LUMO resulted in a large energy gap and bestowed on the gold(III) complexes high‐energy emission and high quantum efficiencies. The results of cyclic voltammetry studies suggested a predominantly redox event localized on the cyclometalated ligand. Thermogravimetric analysis of selected complexes revealed a high stability up to 280 °C, thus the complexes are suitable for device fabrication through vacuum‐deposition. Photophysical investigations performed on all the derivatives revealed phosphorescence emission in neat solid, solution, doped in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films at room temperature as well as in rigidified glass media (2‐MeTHF) at 77 K. A high photoluminescent quantum efficiency of 28 % was obtained for a complex in PMMA, the highest quantum yield reported for a blue‐emitting gold(III) complex.
Ultrastructural analysis of parvalbumin synapses in human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
Authors: Glausier Jill R. , Roberts Rosalinda C. , Lewis David A.
Published: January 2017

Coordinated activity of neural circuitry in the primate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) supports a range of cognitive functions. Altered DLPFC activation is implicated in a number of human psychiatric and neurological illnesses. Proper DLPFC activity is, in part, maintained by two populations of neurons containing the calcium‐binding protein parvalbumin (PV): local inhibitory interneurons that form Type II synapses, and long‐range glutamatergic inputs from the thalamus that form Type I synapses. Understanding the contributions of each PV neuronal population to human DLPFC function requires a detailed examination of their anatomical properties. Consequently, we performed an electron microscopic analysis of (1) the distribution of PV immunoreactivity within the neuropil, (2) the properties of dendritic shafts of PV‐IR interneurons, (3) Type II PV‐IR synapses from PV interneurons, and (4) Type I PV‐IR synapses from long‐range projections, within the superficial and middle laminar zones of the human DLPFC. In both laminar zones, Type II PV‐IR synapses from interneurons comprised ∼60% of all PV‐IR synapses, and Type I PV‐IR synapses from putative thalamocortical terminals comprised the remaining ∼40% of PV‐IR synapses. Thus, the present study suggests that innervation from PV‐containing thalamic nuclei extends across superficial and middle layers of the human DLPFC. These findings contrast with previous ultrastructural studies in monkey DLPFC where Type I PV‐IR synapses were not identified in the superficial laminar zone. The presumptive added modulation of DLPFC circuitry by the thalamus in human may contribute to species‐specific, higher‐order functions.
Molecular “Sameness” Is the Key Guiding Principle for Extrapolation to Multiple Indications
Authors: McCamish M , Woollett GR
Published: January 2017

Much has been made of biosimilars as a new regulatory concept, yet it is clear that misunderstandings are widespread, including the scientific justification for use in all indications of the reference product or “extrapolation.” However, as this article shows, biosimilarity and extrapolation are not new concepts and most patients being treated with a branded biologic have already received a similar version of the original reference biologic based on changes in the manufacturing process.
What Makes You Feel Sick After Inflammation? Predictors of Acute and Persisting Physical Sickness Symptoms Induced by Experimental Endotoxemia
Authors: Benson S , Engler H , Wegner A , Rebernik L , Spreitzer I , Schedlowski M , Elsenbruch S
Published: January 2017

We aimed to identify statistical predictor variables of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced physical sickness symptoms during the acute and late inflammatory phases using multivariate regression analyses. Data from N = 128 healthy volunteers who received i.v. LPS injection (0.4 or 0.8 ng/kg) or placebo were pooled for analyses. Physical sickness symptoms experienced during the acute (0–6h postinjection) and late (6–24h postinjection) phases were assessed with the validated General‐Assessment‐of‐Side‐Effects (GASE) questionnaire. LPS‐treated subjects reported significantly more physical sickness symptoms. Physical symptoms during the acute phase were associated with LPS‐induced mood impairments and interleukin (IL)‐6 increases, explaining 28.5% of variance in GASE scores. During late phase, LPS‐induced increases in cortisol and IL‐6 plasma concentrations and baseline depression were significant predictor variables, explaining 38.5% of variance. In patients with recurrent or chronic inflammatory states, these factors may act as risk factors ultimately contributing to an exacerbation of sickness symptoms, and should be considered as potential targets for therapeutic strategies.
QT Interval Shortening With Isavuconazole: In Vitro and In Vivo Effects on Cardiac Repolarization
Authors: Keirns J , Desai A , Kowalski D , Lademacher C , Mujais S , Parker B , Schneidkraut MJ , Townsend R , Wojtkowski T , Yamazaki T , Yen M , Kowey PR
Published: January 2017

The effects of isavuconazole (active moiety of isavuconazonium sulfate) on cardiac ion channels in vitro and cardiac repolarization clinically were assessed in a phase I, randomized, double‐blind study in healthy individuals who received isavuconazole (after 2‐day loading dose), at therapeutic or supratherapeutic doses daily for 11 days, moxifloxacin (400 mg q.d.), or placebo. A post‐hoc analysis of the phase III SECURE trial assessed effects on cardiac safety. L‐type Ca2+ channels were most sensitive to inhibition by isavuconazole. The 50% inhibitory concentrations for ion channels were higher than maximum serum concentrations of nonprotein‐bound isavuconazole in vivo. In the phase I study (n = 161), isavuconazole shortened the QT interval in a dose‐ and plasma concentration‐related manner. There were no serious treatment‐emergent adverse events; palpitations and tachycardia were observed in placebo and supratherapeutic isavuconazole groups; no cardiac safety signals were detected in the SECURE study (n = 257). Isavuconazole was associated with a shortened cardiac QT interval.
Predicting CD4 T‐Cell Reconstitution Following Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Hoare RL , Veys P , Klein N , Callard R , Standing JF
Published: January 2017

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an increasingly common treatment for children with a range of hematological disorders. Conditioning with cytotoxic chemotherapy and total body irradiation leaves patients severely immunocompromised. T‐cell reconstitution can take several years due to delayed restoration of thymic output. Understanding T‐cell reconstitution in children is complicated by normal immune system maturation, heterogeneous diagnoses, and sparse uneven sampling due to the long time spans involved. We describe here a mechanistic mathematical model for CD4 T‐cell immune reconstitution following pediatric transplantation. Including relevant biology and using mixed‐effects modeling allowed the factors affecting reconstitution to be identified. Bayesian predictions for the long‐term reconstitution trajectories of individual children were then obtained using early post‐transplant data. The model was developed using data from 288 children; its predictive ability validated on data from a further 75 children, with long‐term reconstitution predicted accurately in 81% of the patients.
A New CuO‐Fe2O3‐Mesocarbon Microbeads Conversion Anode in a High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Battery with a Li1.35Ni0.48Fe0.1Mn1.72O4 Spinel Cathode
Authors: Di Lecce Daniele , Verrelli Roberta , Campanella Daniele , Marangon Vittorio , Hassoun Jusef
Published: January 2017

A ternary CuO‐Fe2O3‐mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) conversion anode was characterized and combined with a high‐voltage Li1.35Ni0.48Fe0.1Mn1.72O4 spinel cathode in a lithium‐ion battery of relevant performance in terms of cycling stability and rate capability. The CuO‐Fe2O3‐MCMB composite was prepared by using high‐energy milling, a low‐cost pathway that leads to a crystalline structure and homogeneous submicrometrical morphology as revealed by XRD and electron microscopy. The anode reversibly exchanges lithium ions through the conversion reactions of CuO and Fe2O3 and by insertion into the MCMB carbon. Electrochemical tests, including impedance spectroscopy, revealed a conductive electrode/electrolyte interface that enabled the anode to achieve a reversible capacity value higher than 500 mAh g−1 when cycled at a current of 120 mA g−1. The remarkable stability of the CuO‐Fe2O3‐MCMB electrode and the suitable characteristics in terms of delivered capacity and voltage‐profile retention allowed its use in an efficient full lithium‐ion cell with a high‐voltage Li1.35Ni0.48Fe0.1Mn1.72O4 cathode. The cell had a working voltage of 3.6 V and delivered a capacity of 110 mAh gcathode−1 with a Coulombic efficiency above 99 % after 100 cycles at 148 mA gcathode−1. This relevant performances, rarely achieved by lithium‐ion systems that use the conversion reaction, are the result of an excellent cell balance in terms of negative‐to‐positive ratio, favored by the anode composition and electrochemical features.
Evaluating the impacts of hydrologic and geomorphic alterations on floodplain connectivity
Authors: Stone Mark C. , Byrne Colin F. , Morrison Ryan R.
Published: January 2017

The dynamic interaction between a river and its floodplain is important for a variety of hydrologic, ecological, and geomorphic processes. However, water management activities have widely disrupted the natural flow regime and in many cases reduced floodplain connectivity. Recent environmental flow research has called for techniques that incorporate hydrogeomorphic processes, which are important for ecological and riverscape health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of hydrologic alterations on floodplain dynamics and connectivity. Changes in floodplain inundation dynamics and interface dynamics were investigated for 2 hydrologic scenarios on 2 distinct rivers—the Gila River and the Rio Grande, both in New Mexico, USA. The objective was achieved using a combination of 2‐D hydrodynamic models and analysis techniques to evaluate large spatial and temporal datasets. The results improved understanding of inundation patterns and water flux between the channel and floodplain under baseline and altered hydrologic scenarios. Due to the distinct qualities of the study sites, unique insights were gleaned. In the Gila River, discernible changes in floodplain dynamics were observed in spite of the relatively minor alterations from the baseline hydrologic conditions. In contrast, the Rio Grande results revealed the importance of not only hydrologic alterations but also channel incision on reduced floodplain connectivity. The proposed techniques can be adapted to a wide range of river systems depending on the nature of hydrologic or geomorphic alterations under consideration. As a result, the degree of alteration of floodplain connectivity can be better understood, leading to improved river management.
Different Antiferromagnetic Coupling between 5,5′‐ and 10,10′‐Linked Iron(III) Corrole Dimers
Authors: Tanaka Takayuki , Ooi Shota , Ide Yuki , Ikeue Takahisa , Suzuki Masaaki , Chen Peter P.‐Y. , Takahashi Masashi , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: January 2017

Two FeIII corroles were connected through a single meso–meso linkage at different positions, that is, 5,5′‐linkage and 10,10′‐linkage, which led to the observations of position‐dependent antiferromagnetic interactions between the two iron(III) corrole units. The iron(III) centers were found to exhibit an intermediate‐spin state, S = 3/2, under ambient conditions on the basis of 1H NMR spectra, Curie plots, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and super‐conducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements. In previous reports, the X‐ray structure of dipyridine tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato iron(III) was assigned as a six‐coordinate species, but the 10,10′‐linked and 5,5′‐linked dimers preferred five‐coordinate geometry in the solid state. In addition, a mixed five‐coordinate/six‐coordinate dimer was also obtained, implying a susceptibility of the coordination mode to the crystal packing force. By summarizing the results, it can be concluded that pyridinate–iron(III) tris(pentafluorophenyl)corroles can be better described as five‐coordinate, intermediate‐spin (S = 3/2) species under ambient conditions in toluene, whereas a dominant contribution of six‐coordinate low‐spin (S = 1/2) iron(III) complex appears when coordinated with stronger axial ligands such as imidazole at low temperature. Complementary to these interpretations, the 10,10′‐linked dimer exhibited a larger antiferromagnetic interaction between the two iron(III) corroles (J = –2.04 cm–1) than that of the 5,5′‐dimer (J = –0.64 cm–1).
The moral contents of anti‐atheist prejudice (and why atheists should care about it)
Authors: Simpson Ain , Rios Kimberly
Published: January 2017

Anti‐atheist prejudice is pervasive worldwide. Past research indicates that this is driven by perceptions of atheist immorality, yet such perceptions have not been explored in detail. Using Moral Foundations Theory and samples of U.S. Christians, we investigated whether anti‐atheist prejudice is explained by atheists' perceived adherence to certain foundational moral values more than others. Study 1 participants completed measures of moral value endorsements from the perspective of a typical atheist. Study 2 participants read that either atheists or people in general strongly endorse one of five moral foundations. Anti‐atheist prejudice was consistently explained best by perceived atheist concern for values of caring/compassion rather than fairness/justice, loyalty, deferential respect, or purity/decency. Findings suggest that efforts to reduce anti‐atheist prejudice should emphasize atheists' capacity for kindness and caring.
Sidechain Engineering in Cell‐Penetrating Poly(disulfide)s
Authors: Morelli Paola , Matile Stefan
Published: January 2017

Cell‐penetrating poly(disulfide)s (CPDs) have been introduced recently to explore new ways to enter into cells. In this report, we disclose a general method to covalently modify the sidechains of CPDs. Compatibility of copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) with the addition of either strained cyclic disulfides of varied ring tension or increasing numbers of guanidinium and phosphonium cations is demonstrated. Reloading CPDs with disulfide ring tension results in an at least 20‐fold increase in activity with preserved sensitivity toward inhibition with the Ellman's reagent. The cumulation of permanent positive charges by sidechain engineering affords Ellman‐insensitive CPDs with similarly increased activity. Co‐localization experiments indicate that the CPDs reach endosomes, cytosol and nucleus, depending on their nature and their concentration. Supported by pertinent controls, these trends confirm that CPDs operate with combination of counterion‐ and thiol‐mediated uptake, and that the balance between the two can be rationally controlled. For the most active CPDs, uptake can be observed at substrate (fluorophore) concentrations as low as 5 nm.