bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Boosting the Thermoelectric Performance of Pseudo‐Layered Sb2Te3(GeTe)n via Vacancy Engineering
Authors: Xu Xiao , Xie Lin , Lou Qing , Wu Di , He Jiaqing
Published: October 2018

An ultrahigh figure of merit ZT value ≈2.4 at 773 K for p‐type pseudo‐layered Sb2Te3(GeTe)17 along the parallel direction is reported by synergistically optimizing its electrical and thermal properties via vacancy engineering. The microstructural origin of thermoelectric property enhancement is studied by spherical aberration corrected transmission electron microscopy and its in situ mode. The results reveal that upon annealing, Ge vacancy gaps in quenched samples tend to migrate and recombine into long‐range gaps in order to minimize the elastic and electrostatic energies. The recombination of Ge gaps would lead to an overall reduction of carrier concentration and electrical thermal conductivity. The detailed study of Ge vacancies migration via heat treatment and its effects on thermoelectric performance in pseudo‐layered Sb2Te3(GeTe)17 materials can provide enlightening clues for future research in a number of thermoelectric materials of similar structures.
The p‐Orbital Delocalization of Main‐Group Metals to Boost CO2 Electroreduction
Authors: He Sisi , Ni Fenglou , Ji Yujin , Wang Lie , Wen Yunzhou , Bai Haipeng , Liu Gejun , Zhang Ye , Li Youyong , Zhang Bo , Peng Huisheng
Published: October 2018

Enhancing the p‐orbital delocalization of a Bi catalyst (termed as POD‐Bi) via layer coupling of the short inter‐layer Bi−Bi bond facilitates the adsorption of intermediate *OCHO of CO2 and thus boosts the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) rate to formate. X‐ray absorption fine spectroscopy shows that the POD‐Bi catalyst has a shortened inter‐layer bond after the catalysts are electrochemically reduced in situ from original BiOCl nanosheets. The catalyst on a glassy carbon electrode exhibits a record current density of 57 mA cm−2 (twice the state‐of‐the‐art catalyst) at −1.16 V vs. RHE with an excellent formate Faradic efficiency (FE) of 95 %. The catalyst has a record half‐cell formate power conversion efficiency of 79 % at a current density of 100 mA cm−2 with 93 % formate FE when applied in a flow‐cell system. The highest rate of the CO2RR production reported (391 mg h−1 cm2) was achieved at a current density of 500 mA cm−2 with formate FE of 91 % at high CO2 pressure.
Towards Utilising Photocrosslinking of Polydiacetylenes for the Preparation of “Stealth” Upconverting Nanoparticles
Authors: Nsubuga Anne , Zarschler Kristof , Sgarzi Massimo , Graham Bim , Stephan Holger , Joshi Tanmaya
Published: October 2018

We demonstrate a novel strategy for preparing hydrophilic upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) by harnessing the photocrosslinking ability of diacetylenes. Replacement of the hydrophobic oleate coating on the UCNPs with 10,12‐pentacosadiynoic acid, followed by overcoating with diacetylene phospholipid and subsequent photocrosslinking under 254 nm irradiation produces water‐dispersible polydiacetylene‐coated UCNPs. These UCNPs resist the formation of a biomolecular corona and show great colloidal stability. Furthermore, amine groups on the diacetylene phospholipid allow for functionalisation of the UCNPs with, for example, radiolabels or targeting moieties. These results demonstrate that this new surface‐coating method has great potential for use in the preparation of UCNPs with improved biocompatibility.
An Anisotropic Hydrogel Actuator Enabling Earthworm‐Like Directed Peristaltic Crawling
Authors: Sun Zhifang , Yamauchi Yoshihiro , Araoka Fumito , Kim Youn Soo , Bergueiro Julian , Ishida Yasuhiro , Ebina Yasuo , Sasaki Takayoshi , Hikima Takaaki , Aida Takuzo
Published: October 2018

Peristaltic crawling, which is the moving mechanism of earthworm‐like limbless creatures in narrow spaces, is a challenging target to mimic by using soft materials. Here we report an unprecedented hydrogel actuator that enables not only a peristaltic crawling motion but also reversing its direction. Our cylindrically processed hydrogel contains gold nanoparticles for photothermal conversion, a thermoresponsive polymer network for switching the electrical permittivity of the gel interior, and cofacially oriented 2D electrolytes (titanate nanosheets; TiNSs) to synchronously change their anisotropic electrostatic repulsion. When a hydrogel, which was designed to include cofacially oriented TiNSs along the cylindrical gel axis, is pointwisely photoirradiated with a visible‐light laser, it spatiotemporally expands immediately (<0.5 s) and largely (80 % of its original length) in an isovolumetric manner. When the irradiation spot is moved along the cylindrical gel axis, the hydrogel undergoes peristaltic crawling due to quick and sequential elongation/contraction events and moves oppositely toward the laser scanning direction. Thus, when the scanning direction is switched, the crawling direction is reversed. When gold nanorods are used in place of gold nanoparticles, the hydrogel becomes responsive to a near‐infrared light, which can deeply penetrate into bio tissues.
Adenosine A1 Receptor mRNA Expression by Neurons and Glia in the Auditory Forebrain
Authors: Hackett Troy A.
Published: October 2018

In the brain, purines such as ATP and adenosine can function as neurotransmitters and co‐transmitters, or serve as signals in neuron–glial interactions. In thalamocortical (TC) projections to sensory cortex, adenosine functions as a negative regulator of glutamate release via activation of the presynaptic adenosine A1 receptor (A1R). In the auditory forebrain, restriction of A1R‐adenosine signaling in medial geniculate (MG) neurons is sufficient to extend LTP, LTD, and tonotopic map plasticity in adult mice for months beyond the critical period. Interfering with adenosine signaling in primary auditory cortex (A1) does not contribute to these forms of plasticity, suggesting regional differences in the roles of A1R‐mediated adenosine signaling in the forebrain. To advance understanding of the circuitry, in situ hybridization was used to localize neuronal and glial cell types in the auditory forebrain that express A1R transcripts (Adora1), based on co‐expression with cell‐specific markers for neuronal and glial subtypes. In A1, Adora1 transcripts were concentrated in L3/4 and L6 of glutamatergic neurons. Subpopulations of GABAergic neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia expressed lower levels of Adora1. In MG, Adora1 was expressed by glutamatergic neurons in all divisions, and subpopulations of all glial classes. The collective findings imply that A1R‐mediated signaling broadly extends to all subdivisions of auditory cortex and MG. Selective expression by neuronal and glial subpopulations suggests that experimental manipulations of A1R‐adenosine signaling could impact several cell types, depending on their location. Strategies to target Adora1 in specific cell types can be developed from the data generated here. Anat Rec, 301:1882–1905, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
Trabecular Bone Structural Variation in the Proximal Sacrum Among Primates
Authors: Russo Gabrielle A.
Published: October 2018

The sacrum occupies a functionally important anatomical position as part of the pelvic girdle and vertebral column. Sacral orientation and external morphology in modern humans are distinct from those in other primates and compatible with the demands of habitual bipedal locomotion. Among nonhuman primates, however, how sacral anatomy relates to positional behaviors is less clear. As an alternative to evaluation of the sacrum's external morphology, this study assesses if the sacrum's internal morphology (i.e., trabecular bone) differs among extant primates. The primary hypothesis tested is that trabecular bone parameters with established functional relevance will differ in the first sacral vertebra (S1) among extant primates that vary in positional behaviors. Results for analyses of individual variables demonstrate that bone volume fraction, degree of anisotropy, trabecular number, and size‐corrected trabecular thickness differ among primates grouped by positional behaviors to some extent, but not always in ways consistent with functional expectations. When examined as a suite, these trabecular parameters distinguish obligate bipeds from other positional behavior groups; and, the latter three trabecular bone variables further distinguish knuckle‐walking terrestrial quadrupeds from manual suspensor‐brachiators, vertical clingers and leapers, and arboreal quadrupeds, as well as between arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds. As in other regions of the skeleton in modern humans, trabecular bone in S1 exhibits distinctively low bone volume fraction. Results from this study of extant primate S1 trabecular bone structural variation provide a functional context for interpretations concerning the positional behaviors of extinct primates based on internal sacral morphology. Anat Rec, 302:1354–1371, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The influence of light sources on sunitinib measurements with photoisomerization
Authors: Matsunaga Noriko , Kitahara Takashi , Yamada Makiko , Sato Kayoko , Kodama Yukinobu , Sasaki Hitoshi
Published: October 2018

Sunitinib is an orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Therapeutic drug monitoring is an important component of the follow‐up of patients because of high interpatient variability in the pharmacokinetics of sunitinib and large variabilities in its efficacy and toxicity. The aim of the present study was to examine the light stability of sunitinib and confirm the effects of light exposure on sunitinib measurements by LC–MS/MS. Sunitinib and its active metabolite, SU12662, convert Z isomers to E isomers with exposure to light. The Z–E photoisomerization ratio reached a plateau at 35% for both E isomers in methanol within 15 min of normal light exposure (700 lx). However, the Z isomer of the sunitinib and SU12662 peak area ratios in plasma decreased by 10% within 15 min. These results suggest that sunitinib samples need to be handled without light exposure in all sample preparation steps. Alternatively, it should be measured sunitinib and SU12662 after the sample has reached photoisomerical equilibrium. These results suggest that the sunitinib therapeutic range changes depending on light conditions during sample handling in sunitinib and SU12662 measurements.
Design of experiments applications in bioprocessing: Chromatography process development using split design of experiments
Authors: Shekhawat Lalita K. , Godara Avinash , Kumar Vijesh , Rathore Anurag S.
Published: October 2018

Development of a chromatographic step in a time and resource efficient manner remains a serious bottleneck in protein purification. Chromatographic performance typically depends on raw material attributes, feed material attributes, process factors, and their interactions. Design of experiments (DOE) based process development is often chosen for this purpose. A challenge is, however, in performing a DOE with such a large number of process factors. A split DOE approach based on process knowledge in order to reduce the number of experiments is proposed. The first DOE targets optimizing factors that are likely to significantly impact the process and their effect on process performance is unknown. The second DOE aims to fine‐tune another set of interacting process factors, impact of whom on process performance is known from process understanding. Furthermore, modeling of a large set of output response variables has been achieved by fitting the output responses to an empirical equation and then using the parametric constants of the equation as output response variables for regression modeling. Two case studies involving hydrophobic interaction chromatography for removal of aggregates and cation exchange chromatography for separation of charge variants and aggregates have been utilized to illustrate the proposed approach. Proposed methodology reduced total number of experiments by 25% and 72% compared to a single DOE based on central composite design and full factorial design, respectively. The proposed approach is likely to result in a significant reduction in resources required as well as time taken during process development. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2730, 2019
Fabrication of thin‐layer matrigel‐based constructs for three‐dimensional cell culture
Authors: Ko Kristin Robin , Tsai Meng‐Chiao , Frampton John P.
Published: October 2018

Extracellular matrix‐based hydrogels such as Matrigel are easy‐to‐use, commercially available, and offer environments for three‐dimensional (3‐D) cell culture that mimic native tissue. However, manipulating small volumes of these materials to produce thin‐layer 3‐D culture systems suitable for analysis is difficult because of air–liquid‐substrate interfacial tension effects and evaporation. Here, we demonstrate two simple techniques that use standard liquid‐handling tools and nontreated 96‐well plates to produce uniform, thin‐layer constructs for 3‐D culture of cells in Matrigel. The first technique, the floating 3‐D cell culture method, uses phase‐separating polymers to form a barrier between the dispensed Matrigel, air, and cultureware surface to generate consistently thin hydrogels from volumes as low as 5 μL. These unanchored gels provide a useful assay for investigating airway smooth muscle cell contraction and may have future applications in studying asthma pathophysiology. The second technique, the fixed 3‐D cell culture method, provides an anchored gel system for culturing noncontractile cells (e.g., neurons) where 20 μL of Matrigel is dispensed into the bottom of a well filled with culture medium to form a thin gel containing embedded cells. This technique has potential widespread applications as an accessible 3‐D culture platform for high‐throughput production of disease models for evaluation of novel drug therapies. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2733, 2019
Lipases obtained from orange wastes: Commercialization potential and biochemical properties of different varieties and fractions
Authors: Okino‐Delgado Clarissa Hamaio , Pereira Milene Stefani , da Silva João Vitor Inácio , Kharfan Daniela , do Prado Débora Zanoni , Fleuri Luciana Francisco
Published: October 2018

Brazil is the world's leading orange supplier for juice production purposes. However, the production process generates high amount of wastes, which leads to disposal problems. Orange wastes can be used for lipases production, incorporating the biorefinery concept into juice industries. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the wastes of orange production chain as source of lipases based on different varieties (Pera, Hamlin, Valencia, and Natal), as well as on different fractions of wastes. The mass balance of the juice/wastes (2007–2016 crops) was evaluated, and lipases from different varieties and fraction were biochemically characterized. Overall, the wastes corresponded to approximately 43% of the fruit mass. All the fractions of all varieties showed lipase activity in emulsified olive oil and in p‐nitrophenyl substrates. The highest lipase activities were obtained by Natal pulp in emulsified olive oil, Natal frit, and Hamlin peel in p‐NPB and Hamlin frit in p‐NPL and p‐NPP. The bagasse, peel, and frit lipases from the different orange varieties showed optimum pH from 6.0 to 8.0 and optimal temperature from 30 °C to 60 °C. Thus, it is possible concluding that the orange processing for juice production purposes generates a large amount of wastes, which can be destined to profitable purposes as lipases production. Lipases produced by different fractions and varieties are biochemically diverse, enabling the application a wide range of processes. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 35: e2734, 2019
Design of Noble Metal Electrocatalysts on an Atomic Level
Authors: Chao Tingting , Hu Yanmin , Hong Xun , Li Yadong
Published: October 2018

Nanostructured noble metal‐based materials have been considered in recent years as promising catalysts for energy storage and conversion. One of their prominent applications is a series of electrochemical processes in fuel cells, as they show excellent electrocatalytic performance towards the reactions occurring at both anode and cathode. Nowadays, considerable efforts have been devoted to boosting the catalytic activity and minimizing the used amount of precious metals. In this review, we introduce the recent advances regarding controllable synthesis of noble metal electrocatalysts at an atomic level. Important electrochemical reactions, such as oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) and so on, catalyzed by precisely controllable noble metal electrocatalysts will be highlighted. This review primarily focuses on the exploration for the relationship between atomic‐level structure of electrocatalysts and their enhanced catalytic property combining theoretical calculations and experiments. Finally, perspectives for further advances of noble metal nanomaterials are proposed to realize rational design of electrocatalysts at an atomic level.
Construction of Cyclobutanes by Multicomponent Cascade Reactions in Homogeneous Solution through Visible‐Light Catalysis
Authors: Lei Tao , Zhou Chao , Wei Xiang‐Zhu , Yang Bing , Chen Bin , Tung Chen‐Ho , Wu Li‐Zhu
Published: October 2018

[2+2] Photocycloaddition of two olefins is a general method to assemble the core scaffold, cyclobutane, found in numerous bioactive molecules. A new approach to synthesize cyclobutanes through multicomponent cascade reactions by merging aldol reaction and Witting reaction with visible‐light‐induced [2+2] cycloaddition is reported. An array of cyclobutanes with high selectivity has been achieved from commercially available aldehydes, ketones (or phosphorus ylide), and olefins with visible‐light irradiation of a catalytic amount of (fac‐tris(2‐phenylpyridinato‐C2,N)iridium) ([Ir(ppy)3]) at room temperature. Control experiments and spectroscopic studies revealed that the triplet–triplet energy transfer from the excited [Ir(ppy)3]* to enones, generated in situ from aldehyde and ketone or aldehyde and phosphorus ylide, is responsible for these simple and efficient muticomponent transformations.
Stress ECHO beyond coronary artery disease. Is it the holy grail of cardiovascular imaging?
Authors: Aggeli Constantina , Polytarchou Kali , Varvarousis Dimitrios , Kastellanos Stellios , Tousoulis Dimitrios
Published: October 2018

Stress echocardiography (SE) is a very useful method in clinical practice, because it offers important information of both the patient's functional status and hemodynamic changes during stress. Therefore, SE provides strong diagnostic and prognostic data in a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. This review summarizes the clinical applications of SE in conditions beyond coronary artery disease (CAD) and highlights practical recommendations and key issues for each condition that need further investigation. SE is an established method for the evaluation of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with valvular heart disease (VHD) and cardiomyopathies, and provides important information regarding prognosis and management of patients with congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension or diastolic dysfunction. Moreover, when one or multiple VHD and cardiomyopathy or CAD coexist in one patient, SE is a very useful clinical tool for the evaluation of etiology and symptomatology.
Synthesis and Application of Interstrand Cross‐Linked Duplexes by Covalently Linking a Pair of Abasic Sites
Authors: Hirano Yu , Kojima Naoshi , Komatsu Yasuo
Published: October 2018

Interstrand cross‐linking of DNA or RNA inhibits the double strands from dissociating into single strands. This article contains detailed procedures for the synthesis of a novel interstrand cross‐linker that comprises a bis‐aminooxy naphthalene derivative and a description of its use in the preparation of sequence‐specific interstrand cross‐linked oligonucleotide duplexes. The interstrand cross‐linker covalently connects a pair of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites in DNA/RNA duplexes with bis(aminooxy) groups. The resulting oxime linkages are stable under physiological conditions and greatly improve the thermal stability of the duplex. In addition, we construct a novel anti‐miRNA oligonucleotide (AMO) flanked by interstrand cross‐linked 2′‐O‐methylated RNA duplexes (CLs). AMO flanked by CLs at the 5′‐ and 3′‐termini exhibited high inhibition activity toward miRNA function in cells. The novel interstrand cross‐linker indicates potent activity and is applicable in biophysical studies, oligonucleotide therapeutics, and materials science. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Miniscope GRIN Lens System for Calcium Imaging of Neuronal Activity from Deep Brain Structures in Behaving Animals
Authors: Zhang Lifeng , Liang Bo , Barbera Giovanni , Hawes Sarah , Zhang Yan , Stump Kyle , Baum Ira , Yang Yupeng , Li Yun , Lin Da‐Ting
Published: October 2018

Visualizing neural activity from deep brain regions in freely behaving animals through miniature fluorescent microscope (miniscope) systems is becoming more important for understanding neural encoding mechanisms underlying cognitive functions. Here we present our custom‐designed miniscope GRadient INdex (GRIN) lens system that enables simultaneously recording from hundreds of neurons for months. This article includes miniscope design, the surgical procedure for GRIN lens implantation, miniscope mounting on the head of a mouse, and data acquisition and analysis. First, a target brain region is labeled with virus expressing GCaMP6; second, a GRIN lens is implanted above the target brain region; third, following mouse surgical recovery, a miniscope is mounted on the head of the mouse above the GRIN lens; and finally, neural activity is recorded from the freely behaving mouse. This system can be applied to recording the same population of neurons longitudinally, enabling the elucidation of neural mechanisms underlying behavioral control. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The role of the motor system in action understanding and communication: Evidence from human infants and non‐human primates
Authors: Salo Virginia C. , Ferrari Pier F. , Fox Nathan A.
Published: October 2018

There is growing evidence that activation of the motor system during observation of actions, a phenomenon first observed in non‐human primates, underlies action understanding and even communication. This review (a) examines the evidence on motor system activity as an underlying neural correlate of action understanding; (b) reviews the theoretical and empirical work linking action understanding and the development of communication, with a specific focus on the role that gestures play as an intermediary; and (c) discusses the research on and existing opportunities for understanding the link between the motor system and communication in both humans and non‐human primates, through the lens of action perception. Bringing together findings and perspectives from developmental social cognition in both humans and non‐human primates and applying recent neuroscientific perspectives will help to elucidate the processes underlying the ability to understand and communicate with others.
Complex gene expansion of theCYP2Dgene subfamily
Authors: Feng Ping , Liu Zhijun
Published: October 2018

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) superfamily genes encode enzymes that play a role in metabolizing endogenous compounds and in detoxifying exogenous chemicals. The CYP2D subfamily is a member of the CYP2 family, and its gene expansion in herbivores is presumably linked with the need to detoxify abundant plant toxins in the diet, which indicates thatCYP2Dgene expansion is associated with dietary preferences. To test this hypothesis, the dietary information andCYP2Dgene number for 73 vertebrates from different taxonomic groups including 22 mammals, 49 birds, 1 reptile, and 1 amphibian were collected, and correlation analysis and ANOVA were conducted. The results showed that most species (45/73) had only oneCYP2Dgene, despite their different diets, and dietary preferences were not correlated withCYP2Dgene numbers. Specifically, the majority of birds and 7 mammals had only 1CYP2Dgene, and theCYP2Dgene number of mammals ranged from 1 to 11, irrespective of their feeding habits. Species with aCYP2Dgene number ≥5 included carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Furthermore, statistical analyses revealed that no significant correlation existed between dietary preferences andCYP2Dgene number, and there was no significantCYP2Dgene number variation among species with different dietary preferences, regardless of whether all vertebrates or specific lineages were considered. Furthermore, gene dynamics which indicated by gene duplication events and loss events showed thatCYP2Dgene number variation had no relationship with diet, suggesting that diet was not a driving force ofCYP2Dgene expansion and thatCYP2Dgene expansion was more complex than previously recognized.
Incidence and impact of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome on all‐cause mortality in acute heart failure patients stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction in the Middle East
Authors: Al‐Jarallah Mohammed , Rajan Rajesh , Al‐Zakwani Ibrahim , Dashti Raja , Bulbanat Bassam , Sulaiman Kadhim , Alsheikh‐Ali Alawi A. , Panduranga Prashanth , AlHabib Khalid F. , Al Suwaidi Jassim , Al‐Mahmeed Wael , AlFaleh Hussam , Elasfar Abdelfatah , Al‐Motarreb Ahmed , Ridha Mustafa , Bazargani Nooshin , Asaad Nidal , Amin Haitham
Published: October 2018

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the incidence and impact of cardiorenal anaemia syndrome (CRAS) on all‐cause mortality in acute heart failure (AHF) patients stratified by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) status in the Middle East.

Methods and results

Data were analysed from 4934 consecutive patients admitted to 47 hospitals in seven Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain) with AHF from February to November 2012. CRAS was defined as AHF with estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 mL/min and low haemoglobin (<13 g/dL for men or <12 g/dL for women). Analyses were performed using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. The overall mean age of the cohort was 59 ± 15 years, 62% (n = 3081) were men, and 27% (n = 1319) had CRAS. Co‐morbid conditions were common including hypertension (n = 3014; 61%), coronary artery disease (n = 2971; 60%), and diabetes mellitus (n = 2449; 50%). A total of 79% (n = 3576) of the patients had AHF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (LVEF < 50%). CRAS patients were associated with major bleeding (1.29% vs. 0.6%; P = 0.017), blood transfusion (10.1% vs. 3.0%; P < 0.001), higher re‐admission rate for AHF at 3 months' follow‐up (27.6% vs. 18.8%; P < 0.001) and at 12 months' follow‐up (34.3% vs. 26.2%; P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that patients with CRAS were associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality during hospital admission [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34–3.31; P = 0.001], at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.07–2.06; P = 0.018), and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.45; 95% CI: 1.12–1.87; P = 0.004). Stratified analyses showed that CRAS patients with HFrEF were associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality during hospital admission (aOR, 2.03; 95% CI: 1.20–3.45; P = 0.009) and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06–1.89; P = 0.019) but not at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.43; 95% CI: 0.98–2.09; P = 0.063). However, in AHF patients with preserved ejection fraction (LVEF ≥ 50%), CRAS was not associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality not only during hospital admission (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI: 0.84–5.55; P = 0.113) but also at 3 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.87; 95% CI: 0.93–3.76; P = 0.078) and at 12 months' follow‐up (aOR, 1.59; 95% CI: 0.91–2.76; P = 0.101).

Conclusions

The incidence of CRAS was 27%. CRAS was associated with higher odds of all‐cause mortality in AHF patients in the Middle East, especially in those with HFrEF.
Investigating plant root effects on soil electrical conductivity: An integrated field monitoring and statistical modelling approach
Authors: Ni Jun‐Jun , Cheng Yi‐Feng , Bordoloi Sanandam , Bora Himashree , Wang Qin‐Hua , Ng Charles‐Wang‐Wai , Garg Ankit
Published: October 2018

Plants have been shown to affect soil water content and temperature. Previous studies were conducted mainly in forestry and agricultural soils, where conditions of soil and vegetation are different from those in an urban landscape. In an urban landscape, the influence of plant roots on electrical conductivity, soil water content and temperature is still not clear. This study aims to investigate the effects of soil water content and temperature on electrical conductivity in vegetated soils through an integrated field monitoring and computational modelling approach. A new relationship between soil electrical conductivity and water content as well as temperature is proposed. Field monitoring was conducted in both vegetated (tree species) and bare soils. The monitoring included measurements of soil water content, soil temperature and soil electrical conductivity. This was followed by response surface regression modelling. Measured results show that soil temperature at shallow depths was lower in vegetated soil than that in the bare soil. This observation was also consistent with the higher soil water content and hence, higher electrical conductivity under tree canopy. The model developed could predict nonlinear relationships between electrical conductivity and soil temperature and water content. Uncertainty analysis indicated normal distribution for electrical conductivity under variation of soil temperature and water content. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Altered neurovascular coupling in neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Guo Xi , Zhu Jiajia , Zhang Ningnannan , Zhang Linjie , Qi Yuan , Cai Huanhuan , Zhang Xue , Sun Jie , Wang Qiuhui , Yang Li , Shi Fu‐Dong , Yu Chunshui
Published: October 2018

Neurovascular coupling reflects the close relationship between neuronal activity and cerebral blood flow (CBF), providing a new mechanistic insight into health and disease. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and shows cognitive decline‐related brain gray matter abnormalities besides the damage of optic nerve and spinal cord. We aimed to investigate neurovascular coupling alteration and its clinical significance in NMO by using regional homogeneity (ReHo) to measure neuronal activity and CBF to measure vascular response. ReHo was calculated from functional MRI and CBF was computed from arterial spin labeling (ASL) in 56 patients with NMO and 63 healthy controls. Global neurovascular coupling was assessed by across‐voxel CBF‐ReHo correlations and regional neurovascular coupling was evaluated by CBF/ReHo ratio. Correlations between CBF/ReHo ratio and clinical variables were explored in patients with NMO. Global CBF‐ReHo coupling was decreased in patients with NMO relative to healthy controls (p = .009). Patients with NMO showed decreased CBF/ReHo ratio (10.9%–17.3% reduction) in the parietal and occipital regions and increased CBF/ReHo ratio (8.0%–13.3% increase) in the insular, sensorimotor, temporal and prefrontal regions. Some of these abnormalities cannot be identified by a single CBF or ReHo analysis. Both abnormally decreased and increased CBF/ReHo ratios were correlated with more severe clinical impairments and cognitive decline in patients with NMO. These findings suggested that patients with NMO show abnormal neurovascular coupling, which is associated with disease severity and cognitive impairments.
Synthesis of 2,2‐diarylvinyl phenyl selenides by dehydration of 2‐hydroxyalkyl phenyl selenides
Authors: Stuhr‐Hansen Nicolai
Published: October 2018

A novel route to 2,2‐diarylvinyl phenyl selenides is reported by dehydration of the corresponding 2,2‐diaryl‐2‐hydroxyethyl phenyl selenides, prepared by oxyphenylselenenylations of the corresponding 1,1‐diarylethylenes, upon treatment with p‐toluenesulfonic acid.
Rainfall and fog interception at the lower and upper altitudinal limits of cloud forest in Veracruz, Mexico
Authors: González‐Martínez Teresa Margarita , Holwerda Friso
Published: October 2018

Comparisons of rainfall and fog interception among different types of tropical montane cloud forest usually reveal large differences, but the variation in these processes within a given forest type has rarely been studied. In the present study, the altitudinal variation of rainfall (Ip) and fog (If) interception was investigated for a lower montane cloud forest in central Veracruz, Mexico. For this, rainfall (P), net rainfall, fog presence (visibility), and meteorological variables were measured in the “Santuario” natural reserve (1,300 m asl) during two sampling periods that were representative of the dry and wet seasons, respectively. In addition, the canopy water storage capacity (Cm) was determined. The results were then compared with data published for the “Cortadura” reserve (2,170 m). There was no evidence of If in Santuario, whereas it was estimated at 8% of the dry‐season P in Cortadura. In Santuario, relative Ip was 22% and 9% of P during the dry and wet seasons, respectively (compared with 20% and 18% of P, respectively, in Cortadura). Average rainfall event size and Cm were the main factors determining the relative Ip at both sites. Cm was much lower in Santuario (1.0 mm) than in Cortadura (3.9 and 2.8 mm in the wet and dry seasons, respectively). However, because during the dry season the average rainfall event size was much lower in Santuario, relative Ip was similar between sites. In contrast, during the wet season, the average event size was similar between sites, so that the difference in Cm caused an important altitudinal variation in relative Ip.
Multimodal neurological image fusion based on adaptive biological inspired neural model in nonsubsampled Shearlet domain
Authors: Singh Sneha , Anand R. S.
Published: October 2018

Multimodal medical image fusion (MMIF) has a significant role for a better visualization of the diagnostic statistics, those help the medical professionals in the precise diagnosis of several critical diseases. This paper presents an improved fusion framework that uses the entire features extracted by the nonsubsampled shearlet transform (NSST) and adaptive biologically inspired neural model. The proposed scheme retains the required information without losing the resolution of the disease morphology. In the proposed method, the adaptive neural model based on local visibility and log Gabor energy based rules are applied to low and high‐frequency components, respectively. The better fusion results obtained by the proposed approach are confirmed by a large extent of simulations on the different MR‐SPECT and CT‐MR neurological images. Based on all these simulated results, it states that the proposed approach is superior than the other approaches as it produces better visually fused images with improved computational measures.
Edge detection using Chebyshev's orthogonal polynomial and brain extraction from magnetic resonance images of human head
Authors: Somasundaram K. , Kalaividya P. A. , Kalaiselvi T. , Krishnamoorthy R. , Praveenkumar S.
Published: October 2018

In this article, we propose a new edge detecting method based on the transform coefficients obtained by a point spread function constructed out of Chebyshev's orthogonal polynomials. This edge detector finds edges similar to that of Prewitt and Roberts but is robust against additive and multiplicative noises. We also propose a new scheme to extract brain portion from the magnetic resonance images (MRI) of human head scan by making use of the of the new edge detector. The proposed scheme involves edge detection, morphological operations, and largest connected component analysis. Experiments conducted by applying the proposed scheme on 19 volumes of MRI collected from Internet Brain Segmentation Repository (IBSR) show that the proposed brain extraction scheme performed better than the popular Brain Extraction Tool (BET). The performance of the proposed scheme is measured by computing the Dice coefficient (D) and Jaccard similarity index (J). The proposed method produced a value of 0.9068 for D and 0.8321 for J.
Fluorescence intensity modulation of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots assesses reactive oxygen species during chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer cells
Authors: Lee Bong H. , Suresh Sindhuja , Ekpenyong Andrew
Published: October 2018

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles ranging in size from 2 to 10 nm. QDs are increasingly being developed for biomedical imaging, targeted drug delivery and green energy technology. These have led to much research on QD interactions with various physical, chemical and biological systems. For biological systems, research has focused on the biocompatibility/cytotoxicity of QDs in the context of imaging/therapy. However, there is a paucity of work on how biological systems and bioactive molecules might be used to alter the optoelectronic properties of QDs. Here, it is shown that these properties can be altered by reactive oxygen species (ROS) from chemotherapeutic media and biological cells following controlled changes in cellular activities. Using CdSe/ZnS core‐shell QDs, spectroscopic analysis of optically excited QDs with HL60, K562 and T98G cancer cell lines is performed. Our results show statistically significant (P < 0.0001) modulation of the fluorescence emission spectra of the QDs due to the ROS produced by common chemotherapeutic drugs, daunorubicin and doxorubicin and by cells following chemotherapy/radiotherapy. This optical modulation, in addition to assessing ROS generation, will possibly enhance applications of QDs in simultaneous diagnostic imaging and nanoparticle‐mediated drug delivery as well as simultaneous ROS assessment and radiosensitization for improved outcomes in cancer treatments. Reactive molecular species produced by biological cells and chemotherapeutic drugs can create electric fields that alter the photophysical properties of QDs, and this can be used for concurrent monitoring of cellular activities, while inducing changes in those cellular activities.
Fragments and dust after Holmium laser lithotripsy with or without “Moses technology”: How are they different?
Authors: Keller Etienne X. , de Coninck Vincent , Audouin Marie , Doizi Steeve , Bazin Dominique , Daudon Michel , Traxer Olivier
Published: October 2018

Urinary stones can be readily disintegrated by Holmium:YAG laser (Holmium laser lithotripsy), resulting in a mixture of small stone dust particles, which will spontaneously evacuate with urine and larger residual fragments (RF) requiring mechanical retrieval. Differences between fragments and dust have not been well characterized. Also, it remains unknown how the recently introduced “Moses technology” may alter stone disintegration products. Three complementary analytical techniques have been used in this study to offer an in‐depth characterization of disintegration products after in vitro Holmium laser lithotripsy: stereoscopic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Dust was separated from fragments based on its floating ability in saline irrigation. Depending on initial crystalline constituents, stone dust either conserved attributes found in larger RFs or showed changes in crystalline organization. These included conversion of calcium oxalate dihydrate towards calcium oxalate monohydrate, changes in carbapatite spectra towards an amorphous phase, changes of magnesium ammonium phosphate towards a differing amorphous and crystalline phase and the appearance of hydroxyapatite on brushite fragments. Comparatively, “Moses technology” produced more pronounced changes. These findings provide new insights suggesting a photothermal effect occurring in Holmium laser lithotripsy. Figure: Appearance of hydroxyapatite hexagons on stone dust collected after Holmium laser lithotripsy of a brushite stone using “Moses technology.”
Large‐depth‐of‐field full‐field optical angiography
Authors: Wang Mingyi , Wu Nanshou , Huang Hongheng , Luo Jiaxiong , Lan Gongpu , Zeng Yaguang , Wang Xuehua , Xiong Honglian , Han Dingan , Tan Haishu
Published: October 2018

A large‐depth‐of‐field full‐field optical angiography (LD‐FFOA) method is developed to expand the depth‐of‐field (DOF) using a contrast pyramid fusion algorithm (CPFA). The absorption intensity fluctuation modulation effect is utilized to obtain full‐field optical angiography (FFOA) images at different focus positions. The CPFA is used to process these FFOA images with different focuses. By selecting high‐contrast areas, the CPFA can highlight the characteristics and details of blood vessels to obtain LD‐FFOA images. In the optimal case of the proposed method, the DOF for FFOA is more than tripled using 10 differently focused FFOA images. Both the phantom and animal experimental results show that the LD‐FFOA resolves FFOA defocusing issues induced by surface and thickness inhomogeneities in biological samples. The proposed method can be potentially applied to practical biological experiments.
A model hamiltonian tuned toward high level ab initio calculations to describe the character of excitonic states in perylenebisimide aggregates
Authors: Liu Wenlan , Canola Sofia , Köhn Andreas , Engels Bernd , Negri Fabrizia , Fink Reinhold F.
Published: October 2018

On the example of an aggregate of two perylenebisimide (PBI) molecules the character of the lowest excited electronic states in terms of charge transfer (CT) and Frenkel exciton (FE) configurations is investigated as a function of the intermolecular arrangement. A minimal model Hamiltonian based on two FE and two CT configurations at the frontier‐orbitals CIS (FOCIS) level is shown to represent a simple and comprehensible approach providing insight into the physical significance of the model Hamiltonian matrix elements. The recently introduced analysis and diabatization procedure (Liu et al., J. Chem. Phys. 2015, 143, 084106 ) method is used to extract the energies of the configurations and their interactions (the model Hamiltonian parameters) also from the accurate CC2 approach. An analysis in terms of diabatic energy profiles and their interactions shows that the FOCIS parameters give a qualitatively correct description of the adiabatic excited state energy profiles. Comparison with CC2 reveals, however, the presence of avoided crossings at FOCIS level, associated with a large character change (CT/FE) of the excited states as a function of the aggregate structure, which represents the major drawback of FOCIS results. We show that proper amendment of the FOCIS‐derived parameters allows to accurately represent the potential energy surfaces and crossings of the excited dimer states as a function of the aggregate structure. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A case of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which was diagnosed with progressive dysphagia and muscle atrophy
Authors: Komata Tadashi
Published: October 2018

A 79‐year‐old man presented to our outpatient clinic with symptoms of dysphagia, dysarthria, and muscle atrophy of the trunk and upper extremities. These symptoms were gradually progressive, and he had lost substantial weight―20 kg in 2 years. One month later, he was admitted due to dehydration and received tube feeding. The presence of “split hand” suggested amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Finally, the patient was diagnosed with ALS by two neurologists. When elderly patients present with progressive dysphagia and muscle atrophy, especially with “split hands,” ALS should be included as a differential diagnosis.
Blood–brain barrier disruption and angiogenesis in a rat model for neurocysticercosis
Authors: Carmen‐Orozco Rogger P. , Dávila‐Villacorta Danitza G. , Cauna Yudith , Bernal‐Teran Edson G. , Bitterfeld Leandra , Sutherland Graham L. , Chile Nancy , Céliz Rensson H. , Ferrufino‐Schmidt María C. , Gavídia Cesar M. , Sterling Charles R. , García Héctor H. , Gilman Robert H. , Verástegui Manuela Renee
Published: October 2018

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a helminth infection affecting the central nervous system caused by the larval stage (cysticercus) of Taenia solium. Since vascular alteration and blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption contribute to NCC pathology, it is postulated that angiogenesis could contribute to the pathology of this disease. This study used a rat model for NCC and evaluated the expression of two angiogenic factors called vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF‐A) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF2). Also, two markers for BBB disruption, the endothelial barrier antigen and immunoglobulin G, were evaluated using immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence techniques. Brain vasculature changes, BBB disruption, and overexpression of angiogenesis markers surrounding viable cysts were observed. Both VEGF‐A and FGF2 were overexpressed in the tissue surrounding the cysticerci, and VEGF‐A was overexpressed in astrocytes. Vessels showed decreased immunoreactivity to endothelial barrier antigen marker and an extensive staining for IgG was found in the tissues surrounding the cysts. Additionally, an endothelial cell tube formation assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells showed that excretory and secretory antigens of T. solium cysticerci induce the formation of these tubes. This in vitro model supports the hypothesis that angiogenesis in NCC might be caused by the parasite itself, as opposed to the host inflammatory responses alone. In conclusion, brain vasculature changes, BBB disruption, and overexpression of angiogenesis markers surrounding viable cysts were observed. This study also demonstrates that cysticerci excretory‐secretory processes alone can stimulate angiogenesis.
Acidulant effect on greening, reducing capacity, and tryptophan fluorescence of sunflower butter cookie dough during refrigerated storage
Authors: Atonfack Joele T , Ataman Zeynep A , Were Lilian M
Published: October 2018

BACKGROUND

Sunflower seed derived butter can be a source of protein and phenolic antioxidants in refrigerated dough. Chlorogenic quinone‐amino acid induced greening can however occur at alkaline pH, which could result in less bioavailable conjugated phenol‐amino acids. Acidulants were tested as potential anti‐greening ingredients in refrigerated chemically leavened cookie dough. Effect of refrigerated storage time, leavening agents and acidulants on tryptophan fluorescence (λex = 280 nm, λem = 300–500 nm), color (hunter L*, a*, b* color scale), reducing capacity [1,1′‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) and Folin–Ciocalteu reducing capacity (FCRC)], and hydroxycinnamic acids were measured.

RESULTS

The pH range of acidified doughs was 4.83–6.98 compared to 7.65–9.18 in non‐acidified leavened doughs after 24 days. Greening was higher in baking soda dough control (a* = −0.54) than baking powder dough control (a* = 2.98) after 24 days, attributed to higher pH (9.18) of the former compared to pH 7.14 in the later. Tryptophan fluorescence intensity in baking soda dough decreased in the order: control > glucono‐delta lactone ≈ citric acid after 24 days. The DPPH and FCRC of acidified doughs were greater than corresponding control doughs.

CONCLUSION

The use of acidulants would prevent greening in sunflower dough without lowering its phenolic concentration, making use of sunflower butter in refrigerated dough for baked goods feasible. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry