bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of ceramides NS and NP with perdeuterated and specifically ω deuterated N‐acyl residues
Authors: Sonnenberger Stefan , Lange Stefan , Langner Andreas , Neubert Reinhard H.H. , Dobner Bodo
Published: September 2016

The synthesis of 12 deuterated ceramides with either a deuteration at the last carbon atom of the amide bound fatty acid or a perdeuterated fatty acid chain is described. The ceramides were prepared starting from sphingosine or phytosphingosine and ω deuterated or perdeuterated fatty acids with PyBOP® as activating agent in high yields. For the synthesis of the specifically deuterated fatty acids, dicarboxylic acids were transformed into ω deuterated alkyl bromide, which was chain elongated with blocked ω bromo alcohols by copper catalyzed Grignard coupling. Oxidation of regenerated alcohol function yields the ω deuterated fatty acids.
Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage K5 genome and identification of its receptor related genes
Authors: Li Lingyan , Pan Xuewei , Cui Xiaoli , Sun Qinghui , Yang Xiaojing , Yang Hongjiang
Published: September 2016

Phage genomic information and the nature of host‐phage interactions are important for phage applications. In this study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage K5 is characterized as a linear double‐stranded genomic DNA molecule of 93,754 bp with identical 1182‐bp direct terminal repeats. Comparative genomic analysis reveals that phage K5 is highly homologous to the “PaP1‐like” phages. Thirteen mutants resistant to phage K5 are screened in a transposon mutant library. The disrupted genetic loci are identified as gene Y880_RS05480 encoding a putative O‐antigen polymerase Wzy and gene wapH encoding a glycosyltransferase. The mutants are confirmed by the complementation experiment. The production of biofilm and the profile of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are further analyzed in the Y880_RS05480 mutant. Our data indicate that LPS is the receptor of phage K5.
Glucansucrases produced by fructophilic lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus kunkeei H3 and H25 isolated from honeybees
Authors: Vasileva Tonka , Bivolarski Veselin , Michailova Galya , Salim Ayshe , Rabadjiev Yavor , Ivanova Iskra , Iliev Ilia
Published: September 2016

Twenty fructophilic isolates from the stomachs of honeybee Apis mellifera ligustica from the region of Plovdiv, Bulgaria were obtained. Fructophilic isolates H3 and H25 showed formation of mucous colonies during cultivation on medium with sucrose, suggesting exopolysaccharide synthesis. The sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA identified isolates H3 and H25 as fructophilic lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus kunkeei. The in situ analysis and periodic acid‐Schiff's staining, showed that Lb. kunkeei H3 and H25 produce extracellular glucansucrases with molecular weight of about 300 kDa. In the cell‐associated fractions, additional glucansucrase is detected with molecular weight of about 180 kDa. The content of α‐(1 → 6) linkages in the glucans synthesized with extracellular glucansucrases from H3 and H25 after dextranase hydrolysis was significantly lower than this one of the classical dextran – about 35 and 62%, respectively. These results suggest a more branched structure of the studied polymers.
Localized application of sewage sludge improved plant nitrogen and phosphorus uptake by rhizobox‐grown spring wheat
Authors: Wang Yaosheng , Jensen Lars Stoumann , Magid Jakob
Published: September 2016

Sewage sludge (SS) can be used as an alternative fertilizer in agriculture. It is normally broadcasted and plowed into soil, but it is not clear if it has a potential as a placement fertilizer. A rhizobox experiment was conducted to investigate the placement effect of SS and mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer on shoot and root growth as well as nutrient uptake of spring wheat (Triticum aestivumL.). The treatments included localized SS, mixed SS, localized SS and ammonium, localized ammonium, and a control without addition of SS and ammonium to examine the effect of SS placement and, further, if ammonium co‐localization would enhance the placement effect. The results show that SS fertilization improved soil N and P availability, which significantly increased plant N and P uptake and enhanced shoot growth, while root length was significantly reduced compared to the control. Localized SS increased root proliferation in the placement region, resulting in enhanced uptake of P from the SS patch compared to homogenous application. However, co‐localized application of ammonium with SS significantly depressed plant shoot and root growth. Localized ammonium markedly restricted root proliferation in the placement region and reduced soil pH in both bulk soil and placement region, contributing to decreased nutrient uptake and plant growth.
Middle to Late Devensian glaciation of north‐east Scotland: implications for the north‐eastern quadrant of the last British–Irish ice sheet
Authors: Merritt Jon W. , Connell E. Rodger , Hall Adrian M.
Published: September 2016

We present a review of over 175 years of research into the Middle to Late Devensian (Weichselian) glaciation of NE Scotland based crucially on both its lithostratigraphic and geomorphic records. The location of the region, and surrounding seabed, makes this unusually detailed record significant for deciphering the former interactions and dynamics of Scottish and Scandinavian ice within the North Sea Basin (NSB), which continue to be controversial. A 12‐stage event stratigraphy is proposed based on a parsimonious interpretation of stratigraphic relationships, till lithology and regional clast fabrics, striae, subglacial bedforms, ice‐marginal features and published geochronometry at critical sites. The record of regional glaciation supports converging evidence that the north‐eastern quadrant of the last British and Irish Ice Sheet reached its maximum spatial extent in the late Middle to early Late Devensian and later re‐expanded following widespread internal glacial reorganizations, marine transgression and partial retreat from the central NSB. Retreat was interrupted by several glacial readvances of limited extent. Field‐captured data help to identify important events that are not clearly resolved from remote sensing alone, particularly regarding growth phases of the last glaciation.
Understanding the Proclivity of Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) Travel across Family Life Cycle Stages in Australia
Authors: Backer Elisa , Lynch David
Published: September 2016

The Family Life Cycle (FLC) model is frequently used for understanding travel patterns and consumer behaviour. The aim of this research was to consider the relationship between FLC stages and travel engagement in Australia. Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFRs) and non‐VFRs (n = 102 029) were found to be significantly different in their FLC composition. In addition, the prevalence of FLC stages changed between the groups, with families comprising 27.5% of domestic VFRs yet comprising 37.9% of domestic non‐VFRs. This study has provided a valuable assessment of the relationship between FLC stages and domestic travel in Australia and is the first paper to integrate two common approaches used in tourism for market segmentation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pronghorn resource selection and habitat fragmentation in North Dakota
Authors: Christie Katherine S. , Jensen William F. , Boyce Mark S.
Published: September 2016

Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in North Dakota have experienced habitat fragmentation due to agricultural practices, roads, and oil development. We analyzed patterns of female pronghorn habitat selection in 2006 and 2014, years with contrasting pronghorn density and oil production in western North Dakota. We quantified resource selection and fawn:female ratios relative to proximity to active wells, road density, land cover, development, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and agricultural practices. We also assessed patterns of well placement relative to the same environmental variables. Pronghorn selected sagebrush and areas with low NDVI but avoided developed areas, roads, forests, and wetlands. Pronghorn selected areas close to oil and gas wells because wells were located in high‐value habitats (e.g., native sagebrush‐steppe ecosystems selected by pronghorn). For the majority of variables tested, selection was stronger when pronghorn density was low, consistent with current resource selection theory. Although females selected relatively open habitats, fawn:female ratios within areas selected by females were positively correlated with NDVI. Our results demonstrate that pronghorn avoid human development and roads but not oil and gas wells. Although wells are not actively avoided by pronghorn, their placement in high‐value habitat for this species leads to significant habitat fragmentation. In light of these results, we recommend efforts to conserve pronghorn habitat such as constructing wells away from sagebrush, using existing roads to service newly constructed wells, and re‐vegetating well pads with sagebrush plantings once they are no longer in use. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Three different turbinoplasty techniques combined with septoplasty: Prospective randomized trial
Authors: Veit Johannes A. , Nordmann Melanie , Dietz Britta , Sommer Fabian , Lindemann Jörg , Rotter Nicole , Greve Jens , von Bomhard Achim , Hoffmann Thomas K. , Riepl Ricarda , Scheithauer Marc O.
Published: September 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Septal deviation and hypertrophic inferior turbinates are a frequent cause of nasal breathing disorders. The goal of this study was to prove the effectiveness and safety of three current turbinoplasty techniques.

Study Design

This is a prospective, three‐arm, single‐blinded, single‐center, randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Sixty patients were randomly assigned to either anterior turbinoplasty (ATP) (n = 20), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (n = 19; Celon Pro Breath), or novel submucous radial diode laser ablation (DLA) (n = 21; ELVeS Radial PainLess, wavelength = 1,470 nm), each in combination with standard septoplasty. Acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, subjective nose questionnaire, and saccharin test served as outcome parameters for preoperative and 3‐month, 1‐year, and 2‐year postoperative examinations.

Results

After 3 months 47/60 patients were evaluated, 28/60 patients were evaluated after 1 year, and 26/60 patients were evaluated in the 2‐year follow‐up visit. An improvement of nasal breathing was observed in all three groups in all follow‐up visits. The increase of endonasal volume 2 (volume between the nasal valve and body of the inferior turbinate) was statistically significant in the ATP and RFA group after 3 months and 2 years, and in the RFA group also after 1 year. The DLA group failed to reach significance level in all follow‐up visits. Subjective evaluation of nasal breathing improved in all three groups.

Conclusions

In this trial, three different current techniques of turbinate surgery in combination with standard septoplasty were effective for the improvement of nasal breathing. The ATP and RFA techniques were more effective in the long term than DLA.

Level of Evidence

1b. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:303–308, 2017
Oncologic outcomes of selective neck dissection in HPV‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zenga Joseph , Jackson Ryan S. , Graboyes Evan M. , Sinha Parul , Lindberg Miranda , Martin Eliot J. , Ma Daniel , Thorstad Wade L. , Rich Jason T. , Moore Eric J. , Haughey Bruce H.
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To examine outcomes of selective neck dissection (SND) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) who present with clinical neck disease.

Study Design

Multi‐institutional retrospective review.

Methods

Two institutional databases of patients with HPV‐related OPSCC were reviewed to identify patients with clinical (c) N1‐N3 neck disease who underwent SND ± adjuvant therapy.

Results

Three hundred and twenty‐four patients were identified with a median follow‐up of 49 months (range 3–199 months). All patients underwent transoral resection of the primary tumor and SND, including levels II–IV and ± levels I or V, with resection of additional nonlymphatic tissue (extended SND) as indicated by extent of disease, including the spinal accessory nerve (7%), the internal jugular vein (13%), and the sternocleidomastoid muscle (8%). Two hundred and seventy (83%) patients underwent adjuvant radiation. There were 13 (4%) regional recurrences and 19 (6%) distant recurrences. Regional control following salvage was 98%. On univariable analysis, absence of radiation was associated with regional recurrence (odds ratio [OR] 9.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9–29.4). On multivariable analysis, adjuvant radiation was associated with improved disease‐free survival (DFS) (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.14–0.53) but lost significance for overall (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) (P > 0.05). Five‐year Kaplan‐Meier estimates for OS, DSS, and DFS were 88% (95% CI 84%–92%), 93% (95% CI 89%–96%), and 83% (95% CI 78%–87%), respectively.

Conclusion

In HPV‐related OPSCC presenting with clinical neck disease, a SND ± additional tissue resection and adjuvant therapy, when indicated, provides excellent long‐term regional control. Omission of radiotherapy increases the risk of regional recurrence, although it may not significantly impact OS or DSS. It appears unnecessary to routinely perform a comprehensive neck dissection.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:623–630, 2017
Dual wavelength stimulation of polymeric nanoparticles for photothermal therapy
Authors: Kelkar Sneha S. , McCabe‐Lankford Eleanor , Albright Richard , Harrington Phil , Levi‐Polyachenko Nicole H.
Published: September 2016

Background and Objective

Photothermal therapy (PTT) has several applications in the areas of wound healing, pain management, bacterial infection control, and cancer treatment dependent on the temperature that is generated. PTT is often used exclusively with near infrared (NIR) light and most nanoparticles (NP) used for PTT are designed to absorb within one narrow range of wavelengths. We have developed a dual‐wavelength photothermal therapy by capitalizing on the dual absorption of nanoparticles in the blue and NIR range.

Materials and Methods

Our lab has previously developed NP based on the semiconducting, conjugated polymer poly[4,4‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole‐4,7‐diyl] (PCPDTBSe). The NP have strong absorption in the blue and NIR regions. In this report, we have explored the heat generated by PCPDTBSe NP using simultaneous delivery of 450 and 800 nm light, either independently or together for photothermal ablation of mouse colorectal cancer cells.

Results

The heat generation studies indicated that the use of either 450 or 800 nm wavelengths at the same fluences produced approximately the same temperature change of deionized water. Fluences of 114.6 and 229.2 J/cm2, utilizing 450 or 800 nm light applied individually resulted in temperatures of 8–47°C above ambient temperature, leading to a 90% reduction in cell viability. Simultaneous stimulation of the PCPDTBSe NP with 450 and 800 nm light effectively doubles the effective power delivered, resulting in temperatures 18–63°C above ambient and 100% photothermal ablation of the colorectal cancer cells.

Conclusion

The results of this study demonstrate that PCPDTBSe polymer NP can be utilized as effective PTT agents by capitalizing on their dual absorption of both blue and NIR light. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:893–902, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Large‐area spectrally encoded confocal endomicroscopy of the human esophagus in vivo
Authors: Kang Dongkyun , Schlachter Simon C. , Carruth Robert W. , Kim Minkyu , Wu Tao , Tabatabaei Nima , Soomro Amna R. , Grant Catriona N. , Rosenberg Mireille , Nishioka Norman S. , Tearney Guillermo J.
Published: September 2016

Background and Objective

Diagnosis of esophageal diseases is often hampered by sampling errors that are inherent in endoscopic biopsy, the standard of care. Spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM) is a high‐speed reflectance confocal endomicroscopy technology that has the potential to visualize cellular features from large regions of the esophagus, greatly decreasing the likelihood of sampling error. In this paper, we report results from a pilot clinical study imaging the human esophagus in vivo with a prototype SECM endoscopic probe.

Materials and Methods

In this pilot clinical study, six patients undergoing esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for surveillance of Barrett's esophagus (BE) were imaged with the SECM endoscopic probe. The device had a diameter of 7 mm, a length of 2 m, and a rapid‐exchange guide wire provision for esophageal placement. During EGD, the distal portion of the esophagus of each patient was sprayed with 2.5% acetic acid to enhance nuclear contrast. The SECM endoscopic probe was then introduced over the guide wire to the distal esophagus and large‐area confocal images were obtained by helically scanning the optics within the SECM probe.

Results

Large area confocal images of the distal esophagus (image length = 4.3–10 cm; image width = 2.2 cm) were rapidly acquired at a rate of ∼9 mm2/second, resulting in short procedural times (1.8–4 minutes). SECM enabled the visualization of clinically relevant architectural and cellular features of the proximal stomach and normal and diseased esophagus, including squamous cell nuclei, BE glands, and goblet cells.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that comprehensive spectrally encoded confocal endomicroscopy is feasible and can be used to visualize architectural and cellular microscopic features from large segments of the distal esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction. By providing microscopic images that are less subject to sampling error, this technology may find utility in guiding biopsy and planning and assessing endoscopic therapy. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:233–239, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absence of aryl hydrocarbon receptor alters CDC42 expression and prevents actin polymerization during capacitation
Authors: Angeles‐Floriano Tania , Roa‐Espitia Ana L. , Baltiérrez‐Hoyos Rafael , Cordero‐Martínez Joaquin , Elizondo Guillermo , Hernández‐González Enrique O.
Published: September 2016

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand‐activated transcription factor that regulates the toxicity of a variety of environmental chemicals. The absence of this receptor causes serious reproductive complications. Ahr‐knockout (Ahr‐KO) male mice, for example, are considerably less fertile: Half of the few spermatozoa they produce exhibit morphological alterations, and those with typical morphology may have pathologic modifications. We therefore investigated the consequences of AHR loss on capacitation and the acrosome reaction, and asked if these effects are a consequence of changes to actin polymerization and the expression of Cdc42, which encodes Cell division control protein 42 (CDC42), a RHO protein that controls assembly of the actin cytoskeleton in somatic cells as well as during spermatogenesis. Nearly 50% of spermatozoa produced by Ahr‐KO mice had alterations in the flagellum. Ahr‐KO spermatozoa were frequently capacitated, but showed reduced spontaneous and progesterone‐induced acrosome reaction—which is related to low CDC42 abundance and very limited actin polymerization during capacitation. Thus, the expression of CDC42 might be regulated by AHR, and both proteins are fundamental to the development of normal spermatozoa and the acrosome reaction. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 1015–1026, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of natural language processing on narrative medication schedules to compute average weekly dose
Authors: Lu Chao‐Chin , Leng Jianwei , Cannon Grant W , Zhou Xi , Egger Marlene , South Brett , Burningham Zach , Zeng Qing , Sauer Brian C.
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Medications with non‐standard dosing and unstandardized units of measurement make the estimation of prescribed dose difficult from pharmacy dispensing data. A natural language processing tool named the SIG extractor was developed to identify and extract elements from narrative medication instructions to compute average weekly doses (AWDs) for disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the performance of the SIG extractor.

Method

This agreement study utilized Veterans Health Affairs pharmacy data from 2008 to 2012. The SIG extractor was designed to extract key elements from narrative medication schedules (SIGs) for 17 select medications to calculate AWD, and these medications were categorized by generic name and route of administration. The SIG extractor was evaluated against an annotator‐derived reference standard for accuracy, which is the fraction of AWDs accurately computed.

Results

The overall accuracy was 89% [95% confidence interval (CI) 88%, 90%]. The accuracy was ≥85% for all medications and route combinations, except for cyclophosphamide (oral) and cyclosporine (oral), which were 79% (95%CI 72%, 85%) and 66% (95%CI 58%, 73%), respectively.

Conclusions

The SIG extractor performed well on the majority of medications, indicating that AWD calculated by the SIG extractor can be used to improve estimation of AWD when dispensed quantity or days' supply is questionable or improbable. The working model for annotating SIGs and the SIG extractor are generalized and can easily be applied to other medications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Collective Narcissism Predicts Hypersensitivity to In–group Insult and Direct and Indirect Retaliatory Intergroup Hostility
Authors: Golec de Zavala Agnieszka , Peker Müjde , Guerra Rita , Baran Tomasz
Published: September 2016

Results of five studies (N = 1596) linked collective narcissism—a belief in in–group exaggerated greatness contingent on external validation—to direct and indirect, retaliatory hostility in response to situations that collective narcissists perceived as insulting to the in–group but which fell well beyond the definition of an insult. In Turkey, collective narcissists responded with schadenfreude to the European economic crisis after feeling humiliated by the Turkish wait to be admitted to the European Union (Study 1). In Portugal, they supported hostile actions towards Germans and rejoiced in the German economic crisis after perceiving Germany's position in the European Union as more important than the position of Portugal (Study 2). In Poland, they supported hostile actions towards the makers of a movie they found offensive to Poland (Studies 3 and 5) and responded with direct and indirect hostility towards a celebrity whose jokes about the Polish government they found offensive (Study 4). Comparisons with self–positivity and in–group positivity indices and predictors of intergroup hostility indicated that collective narcissism is the only systematic predictor of hypersensitivity to in–group insult followed by direct and indirect, retaliatory intergroup hostility. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
UHMWPE with short‐chain branches synthesized by alkenyl substituted phenoxy–imine catalysts in ethylene polymerization
Authors: Wang Yi , Fan Hong , Li Bo‐Geng
Published: September 2016

The alkenyl substituted phenoxy–imine complexes [2‐C3H5‐6‐(2, 3, 5, 6‐C6F4H‐NCH)C6H3O]2TiCl2 (C3H5=CH2 CHCH2 or CHCHCH3) are synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and elemental analysis. When activated by MAO, they show high activity for the polymerization of ethylene to UHMWPE under different conditions (temperatures and polymerization time). Most of the resulting polymers have high molecular weights (>1.0 × 106 g·mol−1) and high melting points as well as crystallinity. To clarify the effect of the alkenyl group on the catalytic performance and the resultant polymer microstructure, the corresponding saturated complexes of type [2‐C3H7−6‐(2, 3, 5, 6‐C6F4H‐NCH)C6H3O]2TiCl2 where C3H7 = –CH2CH2CH3 or CH(CH3)2 were synthesized and tested as catalysts in ethylene polymerization under the same reaction conditions. The microstructure and morphologies of these two species of PE samples were fully compared by the analysis of 13C NMR, GPC, DSC, and SEM. As a result, the allyl substituted complex show the highest activity to prepare the highest molecular weight polyethylene of all the catalysts. An interesting feature of the UHMWPE produced by these four catalysts is that they contain only a few short‐chain branches (mainly methyl, isobutyl and 2‐methylhexyl branches) in a low amount (<2.7 branches/1000 C). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 3808–3818
Soluble guanylate cyclase redox state under oxidative stress conditions in isolated monkey coronary arteries
Authors: Tawa Masashi , Okamura Tomio
Published: September 2016

Coronary artery disease is associated with oxidative stress due to the excessive generation of free radicals in the vascular wall. This study investigated the impact of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (t‐BuOOH), a peroxyl radical generator, on the redox state of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in isolated monkey coronary arteries. Helically cut strips of endothelium‐intact monkey coronary arteries treated with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine (10 μmol/L) were exposed for approximately 60 min to either no drug or t‐BuOOH (100 μmol/L) in the presence and absence of α‐tocopherol (300 μmol/L). Relaxation and cGMP levels in response to the sGC stimulator BAY 41‐2272 and the sGC activator BAY 60‐2770 were assessed by organ chamber technique and enzyme immunoassay, respectively. The relaxant response to BAY 41‐2272 was significantly impaired by the exposure to t‐BuOOH, whereas the response to BAY 60‐2770 was significantly augmented. In addition, vascular cGMP accumulation caused by BAY 41‐2272 was decreased by the exposure to t‐BuOOH, whereas for BAY 60‐2770, it was increased. These effects of t‐BuOOH were abolished by coincubation with α‐tocopherol. Furthermore, correlations were observed between BAY compound‐induced relaxant magnitudes and cGMP levels. Therefore, it is concluded that increased oxidative stress leads to disruption of the sGC redox state in monkey coronary arteries. This finding is of great importance for understanding coronary physiology in primates.
A comprehensive study of the optical properties of emitting polymers for efficient flexible OLED devices
Authors: Gioti M. , Kokkinos D. , Chaidou C. I. , Laskarakis A. , Andreopoulou A. K. , Kallitsis J. K. , Logothetidis S.
Published: September 2016

In this work, the fabrication and characterization of flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices by printing processes is presented. New synthesized anthracene‐based polymer as well as commercially available polymers such as polyfluorenes and polyphenylene vinylenes were applied as emitting materials. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of the polymer films were evaluated revealing the characteristic emission of each material. The optical properties of the polymers were investigated by NIR‐Vis‐far UV spectroscopic ellipsometry. The accurate determination of the thickness and the optical properties were derived. Furthermore, electro‐optical characteristics brightness, chromaticity, and current density–voltage characteristics of the devices were obtained. Correlations between the optical properties, PL characteristics, and device performances were established. This provides substantial insights into the final design of the optimum final multi‐layer structure of the OLEDs whereas the potentiality for the development of flexible OLEDs with bigger active area devices by printing processes is demonstrated.
Calculation of complexity of NTRU and optimized NTRU using GA, ACO, and PSO algorithm
Authors: Agrawal Himani , Sharma Monisha
Published: September 2016

A great security of information for the e‐business applications is required. In such applications, use of cryptographic methods is very necessary. The two popularly used cryptographic methods are secret key cryptosystem and public key cryptosystem. Data encryption standard is the most popular secret key cryptosystem. Rivest–Shamir–Adleman algorithm is the most widely used public key cryptosystem. Secret key ciphers are faster than the public key ciphers. But security of public key ciphers is more than that of secret key ciphers. Simulation speed of Nth degree‐truncated polynomial ring units (NTRU) is greater than that of Rivest–Shamir–Adleman algorithm. Also, NTRU requires smaller memory space. Therefore, in order to construct a very secure and high speed cryptosystem, it is required to optimize the NTRU cryptosystem with respect to simulation time. In this paper, NTRU is optimized using advanced optimization techniques, that is, genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, and ant colony optimization algorithm. Also, the complexity of NTRU and optimized NTRU using genetic algorithm, ant colony optimization, and PSO algorithms are calculated and compared. It is found that the complexity of NTRU using PSO is the highest as compared with other optimization techniques. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bayesian dose‐finding design incorporating toxicity data from multiple treatment cycles
Authors: Yin Jun , Qin Rui , Ezzalfani Monia , Sargent Daniel J. , Mandrekar Sumithra J.
Published: September 2016

Phase I oncology trials are designed to identify a safe dose with an acceptable toxicity profile. The dose is typically determined based on the probability of severe toxicity observed during the first treatment cycle, although patients continue to receive treatment for multiple cycles. In addition, the toxicity data from multiple types and grades are typically summarized into a single binary outcome of dose‐limiting toxicity. A novel endpoint, the total toxicity profile, was previously developed to account for the multiple toxicity types and grades. In this work, we propose to account for longitudinal repeated measures of total toxicity profile over multiple treatment cycles, accounting for cumulative toxicity during dosing‐finding. A linear mixed model was utilized in the Bayesian framework, with addition of Bayesian risk functions for decision‐making in dose assignment. The performance of this design is evaluated using simulation studies and compared with the previously proposed quasi‐likelihood continual reassessment method (QLCRM) design. Twelve clinical scenarios incorporating four different locations of maximum tolerated dose and three different time trends (decreasing, increasing, and no effect) were investigated. The proposed repeated measures design was comparable with the QLCRM when only cycle 1 data were utilized in dose‐finding; however, it demonstrated an improvement over the QLCRM when data from multiple cycles were used across all scenarios. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Advanced Cellulosic Materials for Treatment and Detection of Industrial Contaminants in Wastewater
Authors: Wayland Hunter A. , Boury Susan N. , Chhetri Bijay P. , Brandt Andrew , Proskurnin Mikhail A. , Filichkina Vera A. , Zharov Vladimir P. , Biris Alexandru S. , Ghosh Anindya
Published: September 2016

The scarcity of fresh, clean water is one of the most tremendous global crises currently facing the human race. Various technologies exist for the treatment of contaminated water on different waste volume scales, for specific pollutants, and at a range of cost points. The use of agricultural and industrial by‐products directly or with simple modifications for treating wastewater has been investigated thoroughly, and the new frontier in this field is the development of advanced cellulose materials which are low cost, highly efficient, and widely applicable. Concurrently, developing highly sensitive and selective methods for analyzing the remediation efficiency of these materials is important as low concentrations of industrial contaminants can cause severe health problems in humans. The focus of this review is current progress in advanced cellulose materials for treatment of industrially‐contaminated wastewater, particularly that which contains dyes, heavy metals, and petrochemicals, and the development of ultrasensitive technologies such as photothermal spectroscopy (PTS) and photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) for pollutant detection.
Gelatin as a Potential Inhibitor of Insulin Amyloid Fibril Formation
Authors: Jayamani Jayaraman , Shanmugam Ganesh
Published: September 2016

Direct inhibition of amyloid fibrillation, the primary cause of many neurodegenerative diseases, using natural and synthetic molecules is one of the therapeutic strategies to prohibit the progression of amyloid diseases. Herein, we have demonstrated that, for the first time, gelatin, a commonly used gelling agent in food, was a potent inhibitor of amyloid fibril formation using insulin, a model protein for amyloid fibrillation. Thioflavin T and turbidity data indicated concentration‐dependent inhibition of insulin amyloid fibrillation by gelatin. Atomic force microscopy envisaged the inhibition of insulin fibrillation by gelatin. The spectroscopic analysis suggested that gelatin inhibits the insulin amyloid fibrillation by stabilising the native structure of insulin. 8‐anilinonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonic acid fluorescence data indicated that gelatin prevented the accessible exposed hydrophobic regions of insulin, which is required for insulin aggregation. Studies also suggested that the anti‐amyloidogenic efficiency of a mixture containing gelatin and a known amyloid inhibitor (Ferulic acid) was higher than their individual efficiency. Since gelatin is commonly used in drug formulation, its inherent anti‐amyloidogenic character may be beneficial in the formulation of anti‐amyloidogenic compounds. Hence, the current findings may have significant implications for the development of therapeutic agents for the prevention of disease‐related amyloid proteins.
A Coumarin–based Colorimetric and Fluorescent Chemosensor for the “Naked–eye” Detection of Fluoride ion in 100 % Natural Water Medium Using Coated Chromatography Plates
Authors: Ren Xianxuan , Wang Yue , Meng Qingtao , Jia Hongmin , Wang Yongfei , Kong Xiangfeng , Duan Chunying , Zhang Zhiqiang
Published: September 2016

Based on coumarin dye, a novel colorimetric and fluorescent dual‐modal chemosensor (CL) was designed and synthesized for fluoride ion (F–) sensing. The spectroscopic response of CL towards F– could be attributed to the F–‐triggered multi‐hydrogen bond interaction. Job's plot analysis indicates that CL forms a 1:1 stoichiometry complex with F–. The association constant (Ka) was evaluated using the Benesi–Hildebrand method and was found to be 1.986 × 103 M−1. The fluorescence detection limit for F– was estimated to be 1.5 ppb based on a 3σ/slope. CL could be easily prepared as CL‐coated chromatography plates to “naked‐eye” detect of F– in different natural water samples at a low detection limit of 1 ppm.
1,3‐Dipolar Cycloaddition of Benzofuranone Derivatives and Azomethine Ylides Promoted by Simple Functional Ionic Liquids: Direct Access to Highly Substituted Pyrrolidine and Spirocyclic Benzofuranone
Authors: Zhang Chuan‐Bao , Dou Pei‐Hao , Zhang Jun , Wei Qiang‐Qiang , Wang Yan‐Bo , Zhu Jun‐Yan , Fu Ji‐Ya , Ding Tao
Published: September 2016

We have successfully established an efficient catalytic system, which was effective for construction of both spiro[pyrrolidine‐benzofuran‐3‐one] and spiro[pyrrolidine‐benzofuran‐2‐one] compounds. The first 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of 2‐alkylidene‐benzofuran‐3‐one with azomethine ylides with simple functional ionic liquids as catalysts was developed, affording a variety of spiro[pyrrolidine‐benzofuran‐3‐one] compounds containing highly substituted pyrrolidine motifs with a spiro quaternary stereogenic center in excellent yields (73‐99 %). The highly efficient catalytic system exhibited broad substrate scopes under mild conditions. Meanwhile, this catalytic system was also extended to the cycloaddition of 3‐alkylidene‐benzofuran‐2‐one with azomethine ylides and gave spiro[pyrrolidine‐benzofuran‐2‐one] compounds in high yields (82‐99 %) and 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of 2‐alkylidene‐benzofuran‐3‐one with pyrazolidinone‐based dipoles giving the desired products in 25–85 % yields.
Synthesis of Magnetic Nanoparticles and Polymer Supported Imidazolidinone Catalysts for Enantioselective Friedel‐Crafts Alkylation of Indoles
Authors: Pagoti Sreenivasarao , Ghosh Tridev , Dash Jyotirmayee
Published: September 2016

The copper catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition has been used for the immobilization of enantiopure tbutyl‐imidazolidin‐4‐one on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP‐A, MNP‐B) at two different anchoring sites and a Merrifield resin support (PS). The obtained catalysts have been characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, XRD and TEM. These catalysts have been used in alkylation of indoles with α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes affording the desired products in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities. MNP‐A with the magnetic nano‐functionalization at the amide nitrogen (N3) position shows relatively lower catalytic efficiency compared to MNP‐B with nanoparticles anchored at the O‐aryl residue. The PS, owing to its high loading of the catalyst, shows higher catalytic activity than MNP‐A and MNP‐B but the magnetic nanocatalysts show higher recycling efficiency than the PS as they can be easily separated from the reaction medium through simple magnetic decantation.
Virus Matryoshka: A Bacteriophage Particle—Guided Molecular Assembly Approach to a Monodisperse Model of the Immature Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Authors: Saxena Pooja , He Li , Malyutin Andrey , Datta Siddhartha A. K. , Rein Alan , Bond Kevin M. , Jarrold Martin F. , Spilotros Alessandro , Svergun Dmitri , Douglas Trevor , Dragnea Bogdan
Published: September 2016

Immature human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) is approximately spherical, but is constructed from a hexagonal lattice of the Gag protein. As a hexagonal lattice is necessarily flat, the local symmetry cannot be maintained throughout the structure. This geometrical frustration presumably results in bending stress. In natural particles, the stress is relieved by incorporation of packing defects, but the magnitude of this stress and its significance for the particles is not known. In order to control this stress, we have now assembled the Gag protein on a quasi‐spherical template derived from bacteriophage P22. This template is monodisperse in size and electron‐transparent, enabling the use of cryo‐electron microscopy in structural studies. These templated assemblies are far less polydisperse than any previously described virus‐like particles (and, while constructed according to the same lattice as natural particles, contain almost no packing defects). This system gives us the ability to study the relationship between packing defects, curvature and elastic energy, and thermodynamic stability. As Gag is bound to the P22 template by single‐stranded DNA, treatment of the particles with DNase enabled us to determine the intrinsic radius of curvature of a Gag lattice, unconstrained by DNA or a template. We found that this intrinsic radius is far larger than that of a virion or P22‐templated particle. We conclude that Gag is under elastic strain in a particle; this has important implications for the kinetics of shell growth, the stability of the shell, and the type of defects it will assume as it grows.
Consultation is not consent: hydraulic fracturing and water governance on Indigenous lands in Canada
Authors: Moore Michele‐Lee , von der Porten Suzanne , Castleden Heather
Published: September 2016

The rapid increase in private sector proposals and permit applications to use water for the purpose of hydraulic fracturing has led to significant concerns in nearly every jurisdiction in the world where shale gas development has been explored. In addition to concerns about risks to water quantity and quality, in Canada, shale gas development has highlighted how the Crown (federal and provincial governments) continues to struggle in its approach to honor, respect, and uphold Nation‐to‐Nation relationships with Indigenous peoples. But moving beyond the criticism, we argue that these circumstances have provided a renewed opportunity to explore alternative governance approaches. Existing water governance challenges are exacerbated by historical injustices generated by resource management approaches that have exposed Indigenous nations to disproportionate environmental risks. Furthermore, the inadequacy of current water governance approaches to recognizing Indigenous rights, self‐determination, ways of knowing, and values has been well established in literature relating to environmental governance and Indigenous peoples. Given these circumstances, if water is allocated to hydraulic fracturing in Canada with continued disregard for Indigenous rights and risks, we contend that this only further intensifies unjust environmental and cultural harm to Indigenous peoples. In the quest for solutions, we discuss the challenges to alternative models (co‐management, collaborative governance, and impact benefit agreements) that are frequently cited in environment‐Indigenous literature. We conclude with recommendations to address the unresolved challenges inherent in these governance models, in the interest of improving water decision‐making. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1180. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1180

This article is categorized under:

Human Water > Rights to Water

Engineering Water > Sustainable Engineering of Water

Human Water > Water Governance
Densities and perceptions of jaguars in coastal Nayarit, Mexico
Authors: Figel Joe J. , Ruíz‐Gutiérrez Fernando , Brown David E.
Published: September 2016

Conservation of large carnivores will require greater analyses of population parameters, habitat use, and distribution in multiuse landscapes as human populations increase and agriculture expands. We used Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models and completed 82 interviews in 24 localities over 4 field seasons from April 2009 to March 2013 to estimate densities and assess residents’ perceptions of jaguars (Panthera onca) in the San Blas Municipality within the southern Marismas Nacionales ecosystem in Nayarit, Mexico. Camera traps accumulated 90 detections of 9 jaguars (2 M, 5 F, and 2 individuals of unknown sex) in a 194‐km2 area during 1,575 trap‐nights from April to June 2010. We detected jaguars at 16 of the 27 camera‐trap sites and calculated a density estimate of 2.04 (SE = 0.45) individuals/100 km2 using the SECR method. This is one of the first studies to use SECR models for jaguar density estimation and 1 of only 2 studies throughout jaguar distribution to estimate population parameters of the species where human population densities reach >50 people/km2. Future studies in this unique landscape should focus on jaguar status in the northern stretches of the Marismas Nacionales and research the mechanisms that may allow this large carnivore to persist in altered landscapes among human population densities greater than previously believed to be tolerable by the species. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Effect of Ionic Liquids on Surface and Aggregation Properties of Non‐ionic Surfactant Triton™ X‐100 in Aqueous Media
Authors: Pal Amalendu , Pillania Ankita
Published: September 2016

The effect of the hydrophilic ionic liquids (ILs) 1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide [bdmim][Br] and 1‐hexyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium bromide [hdmim][Br] on the aggregation and surface active behaviour of the non‐ionic surfactant Triton™ X‐100 (TX‐100) was studied in aqueous media. Several aggregation properties of TX‐100 + IL/water systems, such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface active parameters, aggregation number (Nagg) and aggregate size, were determined by surface tension, fluorescence and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. It was found that the average micellar size and aggregation number decrease, whereas the CMC increases with increasing concentration of ILs. Interestingly, the CMC value of TX‐100 is reduced slightly below 0.5 wt% of both the ILs in the medium. At higher wt% of IL in the system the CMC increases. It was demonstrated that ILs [bdmim][Br] and [hdmim][Br] can be judiciously used at different wt% for modifying the physico‐chemical properties of TX‐100.
The Dynamics of Son Preference, Technology Diffusion, and Fertility Decline Underlying Distorted Sex Ratios at Birth: A Simulation Approach
Authors: Kashyap Ridhi , Villavicencio Francisco
Published: September 2016

We present a micro-founded simulation model that formalizes the “ready, willing, and able” framework, originally used to explain historical fertility decline, to the practice of prenatal sex selection. The model generates sex ratio at birth (SRB) distortions from the bottom up and attempts to quantify plausible levels, trends, and interactions of son preference, technology diffusion, and fertility decline that underpin SRB trajectories at the macro level. Calibrating our model for South Korea, we show how even as the proportion with a preference for sons was declining, SRB distortions emerged due to rapid diffusion of prenatal sex determination technology combined with small but growing propensities to abort at low birth parities. Simulations reveal that relatively low levels of son preference (about 20 % to 30 % wanting one son) can result in skewed SRB levels if technology diffuses early and steadily, and if fertility falls rapidly to encourage sex-selective abortion at low parities. Model sensitivity analysis highlights how the shape of sex ratio trajectories is particularly sensitive to the timing and speed of prenatal sex-determination technology diffusion. The maximum SRB levels reached in a population are influenced by how the readiness to abort rises as a function of the fertility decline.
Intercultural doctor-patient communication in daily outpatient care: relevant communication skills
Authors: Paternotte Emma , Scheele Fedde , Seeleman Conny M. , Bank Lindsay , Scherpbier Albert J. J. A. , Van Dulmen Sandra
Published: September 2016

Introduction Intercultural communication (ICC) between doctors and patients is often associated with misunderstandings and dissatisfaction. To develop ICC-specific medical education, it is important to find out which ICC skills medical specialists currently apply in daily clinical consultations.

Methods Doctor-patient consultations of Dutch doctors with non-Dutch patients were videotaped in a multi-ethnic hospital in the Netherlands. The consultations were analyzed using the validated MAAS-Global assessment list in combination with factors influencing ICC, as described in the literature.

Results In total, 39 videotaped consultations were analyzed. The doctors proved to be capable of practising many communication skills, such as listening and empathic communication behaviour. Other skills were not practised, such as being culturally aware and checking the patient’s language ability.

Conclusion We showed that doctors did practice some but not all the relevant ICC skills and that the ICC style of the doctors was mainly biomedically centred. Furthermore, we discussed the possible overlap between intercultural and patient-centred communication. Implications for practice could be to implement the relevant ICC skills in the existing communication training or develop a communication training with a patient-centred approach including ICC skills.