bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of low‐concentration rhamnolipid biosurfactant on Pseudomonas aeruginosa transport in natural porous media
Authors: Liu Guansheng , Zhong Hua , Jiang Yongbing , Brusseau Mark L , Huang Jiesheng , Shi Liangsheng , Liu Zhifeng , Liu Yang , Zeng Guangming
Published: December 2016

Enhanced transport of microbes in subsurface is a focus in bioaugmentation applications for remediation of groundwater. In this study, the effect of low‐concentration monorhamnolipid biosurfactant on transport of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027 in natural porous media (silica sand and a sandy soil) with or without hexadecane as the nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) was studied with miscible‐displacement experiments using artificial groundwater as the background solution. Transport of two types of cells was investigated, glucose‐grown and hexadecane‐grown cells with lower and higher cell surface hydrophobicity (CSH), respectively. A clean‐bed colloid deposition model was used to calculate deposition rate coefficients (k) for quantitative assessment on the effect of the rhamnolipid on the transport. In the absence of NAPLs, significant cell retention was observed in the sand (81% and 82% for glucose‐grown and hexadecane‐grown cells, respectively). Addition of low‐concentration rhamnolipid enhanced cell transport, with 40 mg/L of rhamnolipid reducing retention to 50% and 60% for glucose‐grown and hexadecane‐grown cells, respectively. The k values for both glucose‐grown and hexadecane‐grown cells correlated linearly with rhamnolipid‐dependent CSH quantitatively measured using a bacterial‐adhesion‐to‐hydrocarbon method. Retention of cells by the soil was nearly complete (>99%). Forty milligrams per liter of rhamnolipid reduced the retention to 95%. The presence of NAPLs in the sand enhanced the retention of hexadecane‐grown cells with higher CSH. Transport of cells in the presence of NAPLs was enhanced by rhamnolipid at all concentrations tested, and the relative enhancement was greater than in the absence of NAPLs. This study shows the importance of hydrophobic interaction on bacterial transport in natural porous media and the potential of using low‐concentration rhamnolipid for facilitating cell transport in subsurface for bioaugmentation efforts.
In Vivo Ischemia Detection by Luminescent Nanothermometers
Authors: Ximendes Erving Clayton , Rocha Uéslen , del Rosal Blanca , Vaquero Alberto , Sanz‐Rodríguez Francisco , Monge Luis , Ren Fuqiang , Vetrone Fiorenzo , Ma Dongling , García‐Solé José , Jacinto Carlos , Jaque Daniel , Fernández Nuria
Published: December 2016

There is an urgent need to develop new diagnosis tools for real in vivo detection of first stages of ischemia for the early treatment of cardiovascular diseases and accidents. However, traditional approaches show low sensitivity and a limited penetration into tissues, so they are only applicable for the detection of surface lesions. Here, it is shown how the superior thermal sensing capabilities of near infrared‐emitting quantum dots (NIR‐QDs) can be efficiently used for in vivo detection of subcutaneous ischemic tissues. In particular, NIR‐QDs make possible ischemia detection by high penetration transient thermometry studies in a murine ischemic hindlimb model. NIR‐QDs nanothermometers are able to identify ischemic tissues by means of their faster thermal dynamics. In addition, they have shown to be capable of monitoring both the revascularization and damage recovery processes of ischemic tissues. This work demonstrates the applicability of fluorescence nanothermometry for ischemia detection and treatment, as well as a tool for early diagnosis of cardiovascular disease.
Effects of Molecular Structure and Packing Order on the Stretchability of Semicrystalline Conjugated Poly(Tetrathienoacene‐diketopyrrolopyrrole) Polymers
Authors: Lu Chien , Lee Wen‐Ya , Gu Xiaodan , Xu Jie , Chou Ho‐Hsiu , Yan Hongping , Chiu Yu‐Cheng , He Mingqian , Matthews James R , Niu Weijun , Tok Jeffery B.‐H. , Toney Michael F. , Chen Wen‐Chang , Bao Zhenan
Published: December 2016

The design of polymer semiconductors possessing high charge transport performance, coupled with good ductility, remains a challenge. Understanding the distribution and behavior of both crystalline domains and amorphous regions in conjugated polymer films, upon an applied stress, shall provide general guiding principles to design stretchable organic semiconductors. Structure–property relationships (especially in both side chain and backbone engineering) are investigated for a series of poly(tetrathienoacene‐diketopyrrolopyrrole) polymers. It is observed that the fused thiophene diketopyrrolopyrrole‐based polymer, when incorporated with branched side chains and an additional thiophene spacer in the backbone, exhibits improved mechanical endurance and, in addition, does not show crack propagation until 40% strain. Furthermore, this polymer exhibits a hole mobility of 0.1 cm2 V−1 s−1 even at 100% strain or after recovered from strain, which reveals prominent continuity and viscoelasticity of the polymer thin film. It is also observed that the molecular packing orientations (either edge‐on or face‐on) significantly affect the mechanical compliance of the polymer films. The improved stretchability of the polymers is attributed to both the presence of soft amorphous regions and the intrinsic packing arrangement of its crystalline domains.
Surviving with trisomy 13: Provider and parent perspectives and the role of the pediatric palliative care program
Authors: Chung Duc , Haynes Kristina , Haynes Russell
Published: December 2016

Trisomy 13 typically denotes an overall poor prognosis in the setting of multisystem anomalies. Through a provider and parent perspective, this case illustrates the benefit of hope, communication, and teamwork through the integration of a palliative care team in the care of a medically complex child with trisomy 13, resulting in enhance survival and perceived quality of life for patient and family. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proteomics of rimmed vacuoles define new risk allele in inclusion body myositis
Authors: Güttsches Anne‐Katrin , Brady Stefen , Krause Kathryn , Maerkens Alexandra , Uszkoreit Julian , Eisenacher Martin , Schreiner Anja , Galozzi Sara , Mertens‐Rill Janine , Tegenthoff Martin , Holton Janice L. , Harms Matthew B. , Lloyd Thomas E. , Vorgerd Matthias , Weihl Conrad C. , Marcus Katrin , Kley Rudolf A.
Published: December 2016

Objective

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) pathogenesis is unknown; however, rimmed vacuoles (RVs) are a constant feature. We propose to identify proteins that accumulate within RVs.

Methods

RVs and intact myofibers were laser microdissected from skeletal muscle of 18 sIBM patients and analyzed by a sensitive mass spectrometry approach using label‐free spectral count‐based relative protein quantification. Whole exome sequencing was performed on 62 sIBM patients. Immunofluorescence was performed on patient and mouse skeletal muscle.

Results

A total of 213 proteins were enriched by >1.5 ‐fold in RVs compared to controls and included proteins previously reported to accumulate in sIBM tissue or when mutated cause myopathies with RVs. Proteins associated with protein folding and autophagy were the largest group represented. One autophagic adaptor protein not previously identified in sIBM was FYCO1. Rare missense coding FYCO1 variants were present in 11.3% of sIBM patients compared with 2.6% of controls (p = 0.003). FYCO1 colocalized at RVs with autophagic proteins such as MAP1LC3 and SQSTM1 in sIBM and other RV myopathies. One FYCO1 variant protein had reduced colocalization with MAP1LC3 when expressed in mouse muscle.

Interpretation

This study used an unbiased proteomic approach to identify RV proteins in sIBM that included a novel protein involved in sIBM pathogenesis. FYCO1 accumulates at RVs, and rare missense variants in FYCO1 are overrepresented in sIBM patients. These FYCO1 variants may impair autophagic function, leading to RV formation in sIBM patient muscle. FYCO1 functionally connects autophagic and endocytic pathways, supporting the hypothesis that impaired endolysosomal degradation underlies the pathogenesis of sIBM. Ann Neurol 2017;81:227–239
Infratentorial superficial siderosis: Classification, diagnostic criteria, and rational investigation pathway
Authors: Wilson Duncan , Chatterjee Fiona , Farmer Simon F. , Rudge Peter , McCarron Mark O. , Cowley Peter , Werring David J.
Published: December 2016

Central nervous system infratentorial superficial siderosis (iSS) is increasingly detected by blood‐sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. Despite this, there are no standardized diagnostic criteria, and the clinical–radiological spectrum, causes, and optimum investigation strategy are not established. We reviewed clinical and radiological details of patients with iSS assessed at a specialist neurological center during 2004–2016 using predefined standardized radiological criteria. All imaging findings were rated blinded to clinical details. We identified 65 patients with iSS, whom we classified into 2 groups: type 1 (classical) and type 2 (secondary) iSS. Type 1 (classical) iSS included 48 patients without any potentially causal radiologically confirmed single spontaneous or traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, of whom 39 (83%) had hearing loss, ataxia, or myelopathy; type 2 (secondary) iSS included 17 patients with a potentially causal radiologically confirmed spontaneous or traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, of whom none had hearing loss, ataxia, or myelopathy. Of the patients with type 1 (classical) iSS, 40 (83%) had a potentially causal cranial or spinal dural abnormality, 5 (11%) had an alternative cause, and 3 (6%) had no cause identified. Intra‐arterial digital subtraction angiography did not identify any underlying causal lesions for type 1 iSS. Type 1 (classical) iSS, defined using simple radiological criteria, is associated with a characteristic neurological syndrome. Rational investigation, including spinal MRI, nearly always reveals a potential cause, most often a dural abnormality. Catheter angiography appears to be unhelpful, suggesting that classical iSS is not associated with macrovascular arterial pathology. Recognition of type 1 (classical) iSS should allow timely diagnosis and early consideration of treatment. Ann Neurol 2017;81:333–343
Synthesis and properties of hybrid materials obtained by in situ copolymerization of ethylene and propylene in the presence of Al2O3 nanofibers (NafenTM) on catalytic system rac‐Et(2‐MeInd)2ZrMe2/isobutylalumoxane
Authors: Bravaya Natalia M. , Galiullin Al'bert N. , Saratovskikh Stanislav L. , Panin Andrei N. , Faingol'd Еvgenyi E. , Vasil'ev Sergei G. , Bubnova Maria L. , Volkov Vitalii I.
Published: December 2016

Nanofibers of Al2O3 (commercial product NafenTM) with characteristic length of ∼100 nm and diameter of ∼10 nm were used to create new hybrid materials based on copolymer of ethylene and propylene. Nanocomposites were obtained by in situ catalytic copolymerization on the system rac‐Et(2‐MeInd)2ZrMe2/isobutylalumoxane. Formation of the nanocomposites with uniform distribution of Nafen nanoparticles in polymer matrix was confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. According to dynamic mechanical analysis data, introduction of the nanofiller in an amount of up to 3 wt % leads to an increase in glass transition temperature by 10 °C (E″) and by 21 °C (tan δ). The nanocomposites exhibit improved physico‐mechanical properties (tensile strength and elongation at break). It is shown that the nanofiller significantly improves resistance of the nanocomposite to the thermo‐oxidative and thermal degradation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44678.
Blend modification of feather keratin‐based films using sodium alginate
Authors: He Ming , Zhang Buning , Dou Yao , Yin Guoqiang , Cui Yingde
Published: December 2016

Feather keratin (FK), which can be extracted from waste feathers, is a kind of biodegradable and renewable protein resource and it has a great potential in the field of materials such as keratin sponges, films, and microcapsules. The aim of the current study was to investigate the blend modification of FK‐based films using sodium alginate (SA). A series of FK‐based films blended with different ratios of SA were prepared by the casting process. The cross‐section of blend films had a compact and homogeneous structure and no distinct phase separation was observed, indicating the favorable compatibility between FK and SA. The result of DSC analysis, in which there was a change in crystal structure, confirmed the interaction between FK and SA in the blend films. The FTIR spectra pointed out that the main interaction between the two components would be through the formation of hydrogen bonds. The incorporation of SA to FK significantly enhanced the strength and maintained the extensibility of the resultant films. The water vapor permeability reached its lowest level when the ratio of FK to SA was 7:3. Moreover, the blend films exhibited a relatively high level of transparency with SA content below 30%. These improvements by incorporation of SA provided the potential to expand the application of FK‐based films in packing and bio‐medical industries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44680.
Fabrication of polysulfone nanocomposite membranes with silver‐doped carbon nanotubes and their antifouling performance
Authors: Khalid Arsalan , Ibrahim Ahmed , Al‐Hamouz Othman Charles S. , Laoui Tahar , Benamor Abdelbaki , Atieh Mautaz Ali
Published: December 2016

In this study, polysulfone (PSf)/silver‐doped carbon nanotube (Ag‐CNT) nanocomposite membranes were prepared by a phase‐inversion technique; they were characterized and evaluated for fouling‐resistant applications with bovine serum albumin (BSA) solutions. Carbon nanotubes were doped with silver nanoparticles via a wet‐impregnation technique. The prepared Ag‐CNT nanotubes were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The fabricated flat‐sheet PSf/Ag‐CNT nanocomposite membranes with different Ag‐CNT loadings were examined for their surface morphology, roughness, hydrophilicity, and mechanical strength with SEM, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurement, and tensile testing, respectively. The prepared composite membranes displayed a greater rejection of BSA solution (≥90%) and water flux stability during membrane compaction with a 10% reduction in water flux values (up to 0.4% Ag‐CNTs) than the pristine PSf membrane. The PSf nanocomposite membrane with a 0.2% Ag‐CNT loading possessed the highest flux recovery of about 80% and the lowest total membrane resistance of 56% with a reduced irreversible fouling resistance of 21%. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44688.
Effect of ingredient ratios of rigid polyurethane foam on foam core panels properties
Authors: Choupani Chaydarreh Kamran , Shalbafan Ali , Welling Johannes
Published: December 2016

One‐step manufacturing process (in‐situ foaming) provide great potential for the production of foam core panels. Polyurethane (PU) foam showed good applicability for use for in‐situ foaming. Here, the effect of ingredient ratios of rigid PU foam on foam performance and panel properties is investigated. It was observed that the isocyanate (ISO) content and polyols (PO) type and content significantly change the foam and panel properties. Foam cell density, as the most important factor influencing the foam characteristics, was higher in foams with higher ISO and polyether content. Bending strength, internal bond and screw withdrawal resistance of the foam core panels were significantly enhanced when the ISO and polyether content was increased in the foam formulation. Varying the ISO content had no influence on panel properties with higher content of polyester (60%) in the PO blend. Varying the foam ingredient ratios did not change the thickness swelling, while the water absorption was dependent on the foam components ratios. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44722.
Alkaline serine proteases from Helicoverpa armigera: potential candidates for industrial applications
Authors: Akbar Shaik Mohammad , Sharma Hari Chand
Published: December 2016

We characterized trypsin‐ and chymotrypsin‐like serine alkaline proteases from cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, for their probable potential application as additives in various bio‐formulations. Purification was achieved by using hydroxylapatite, DEAE sephadex and CM sephadex columns, which resulted in increased enzyme activity by 13.76‐ and 14.05‐fold for trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively. Michaelis–Menten constants (Km) for substrates of trypsin and chymotrypsin, BApNA and SAAPFpNA, were found to be 1.25 and 0.085 mM, correspondingly. Fluorescent zymogram analysis indicated the presence of five trypsin bands with molecular masses of ∼21, 25, 38, 40, and 66 kDa and two chymotrypsin bands with molecular masses of ∼29 and 34 kDa in SDS‐PAGE. The optimum pH was 10.0 and optimum temperature was 50°C for proteolytic activity for the purified proteases. The proteases were inhibited by synthetic inhibitors such as PMSF, aprotonin, leupeptin, pefabloc, and antipain. TLCK and TPCK inhibited about 94 and 90% of trypsin and chymotrypsin activity, respectively, while EDTA, EGTA, E64, pepstatin, idoacetamide, and bestatin did not affect the enzymes. The purified enzymes exhibited high stability and compatibility with metal ions; oxidizing, reducing, and bleaching agents; organic solvents; and commercial detergents. Short life cycles, voracious feeding behavior, and production of multiple forms of proteases in the midgut with rapid catalytic activity and chemostability can serve H. armigera as an excellent alternative source of industrially important proteases for use as additives in stain removers, detergents, and other bio‐formulations. Identification of enzymes with essential industrial properties from insect species could be a bioresource.
Solution Growth of Modified Ultrathin W18O49 Nanobelts with Enhanced Chemical Activity against Alkylamine Radicals
Authors: Zhu Wenjuan , Huang Feng , Chen Erxia , Wu Qingping , Xu Ju , Lu Canzhong , Wang Yuansheng
Published: December 2016

Group IVB ions (Ti4+ and Zr4+) are employed to modify solution growth of W18O49 nanocrystals. In the presence of group IVB ions, the morphology of the produced monoclinic W18O49 nanocrystals can be modulated from inhomogeneous shapes to uniform an ultrathin nanobelt with the (
01) lattice plane being the main exposure surface. Interestingly, the ultrathin W18O49 nanobelts exhibit a unique chemical activity against alkylamine radicals, probably originated from the highly increased exposure of the (
01) plane with extra tungsten and oxygen atoms inserted in the regular lattice, which makes this nanomaterial an active photocatalyst for the N‐de‐ethylation reaction of the rhodamine B molecules, as well as a promising gas sensor matrix with selective responses to alkylamine molecules, including diethylamine, dimethylamine, triethylamine and trimethylamine. These results could provide useful inspiration for developing other functional nanomaterials with technical significance via modification of their morphologies and chemical properties.
Cell culture media supplementation of infrequently used sugars for the targeted shifting of protein glycosylation profiles
Authors: Hossler Patrick , Racicot Christopher , Chumsae Christopher , McDermott Sean , Cochran Keith
Published: December 2016

Mammalian cells in culture rely on sources of carbohydrates to supply the energy requirements for proliferation. In addition, carbohydrates provide a large source of the carbon supply for supporting various other metabolic activities, including the intermediates involved in the protein glycosylation pathway. Glucose and galactose, in particular, are commonly used sugars in culture media for these purposes. However, there exists a very large repertoire of other sugars in nature, and many that have been chemically synthesized. These sugars are particularly interesting because they can be utilized by cells in culture in distinct ways. In the present work it has been found that many infrequently used sugars, and the corresponding cellular response towards them as substrates, led to differences in the protein N‐glycosylation profile of a recombinant glycoprotein. The selective media supplementation of raffinose, trehalose, turanose, palatinose, melezitose, psicose, lactose, lactulose, and mannose were found to be capable of redirecting N‐glycan oligosaccharide profiles. Despite this shifting of protein glycosylation, there were no other adverse changes in culture performance, including both cell growth and cellular productivity over a wide range of supplemented sugar concentrations. The approach presented highlights a potential means towards both the targeted shifting of protein glycosylation profiles and ensuring recombinant protein comparability, which up to this point in time has remained under‐appreciated for these under‐utilized compounds. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:511–522, 2017
Current state and perspectives in modeling and control of human pluripotent stem cell expansion processes in stirred‐tank bioreactors
Authors: Galvanauskas Vytautas , Grincas Vykantas , Simutis Rimvydas , Kagawa Yuki , Kino‐oka Masahiro
Published: December 2016

Implementation of model‐based practices for process development, control, automation, standardization, and validation are important factors for therapeutic and industrial applications of human pluripotent stem cells. As robust cultivation strategies for pluripotent stem cell expansion and differentiation have yet to be determined, process development could be enhanced by application of mathematical models and advanced control systems to optimize growth conditions. Therefore, it is important to understand both the potential of possible applications and the apparent limitations of existing mathematical models to improve pluripotent stem cell cultivation technologies. In the present review, the authors focus on these issues as they apply to stem cell expansion processes. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:355–364, 2017
Deep Eutectic Solvents Enable More Robust Chemoenzymatic Epoxidation Reactions
Authors: Zhou Pengfei , Wang Xuping , Zeng Chaoxi , Wang Weifei , Yang Bo , Hollmann Frank , Wang Yonghua
Published: December 2016

A chemoenzymatic method for the production of epoxidized vegetable oils was developed. The unique combination of the commercial lipase G from Penicillieum camembertii with certain deep eutectic solvents enabled the efficient production of epoxidized vegetable oils.
Determination of enantiomeric excess of nipecotic acid as 1‐(7‐nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol‐4‐yl) derivatives
Authors: Schmidt Simone K. , Höfner Georg , Wanner Klaus T.
Published: December 2016

For the enantiopure synthesis of novel chiral GABA uptake inhibitors, nipecotic acid (1) is an important key precursor. To characterize accurately the pharmacological activity of these interesting target compounds, the determination of the correct enantiomeric purity of nipecotic acid as the starting material is indispensable. In this report, a sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based method for the separation and quantitation of both enantiomers of nipecotic acid as 1‐(7‐nitrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol‐4‐yl) derivatives (5) on a Chiralpak ID‐3 column (Daicel, Illkirch, France) was established. UV/Vis‐detection at 490 nm was chosen to ensure a selective determination of even highly enantioenriched samples. Reliability was demonstrated by validation of specificity, linearity, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy, and precision. By spiking highly enantiopure samples with small amounts of racemic rac‐5, it was proven that the established HPLC method is able to detect even slight changes in enantiomeric excess (ee) values. Thus, accurate determination of ee values up to 99.87% ee for (R)‐5 and 99.86% ee for (S)‐5 over a linear concentration range of 1–1500 μM for (R)‐5 and of 1–1455 μM for (S)‐5 could be demonstrated.
Isolation of the major chiral compounds from Bubonium graveolens essential oil by HPLC and absolute configuration determination by VCD
Authors: Said Mohammed El‐Amin , Bombarda Isabelle , Naubron Jean‐Valère , Vanloot Pierre , Jean Marion , Cheriti Abdelkrim , Dupuy Nathalie , Roussel Christian
Published: December 2016

The chirality issues in the essential oils (EOs) of leaves and flowers from Bubonium graveolens were addressed by chiral high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with polarimetric detection and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD). The chemical compositions of the crude oils of three samples were established by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The well‐known cis‐chrysanthenyl acetate (1), oxocyclonerolidol (2), and the recently disclosed cis‐acetyloxychrysanthenyl acetate (3), the three major chiral compounds, were isolated by preparative HPLC. The naturally occurring oxocycloneroledol (2), mostly found in the leaf oil (49.4–55.6%), presents a (+) sign in the mobile phase during HPLC on a chiral stationary phase (CSP) with a Jasco polarimetric detection. The naturally occurring cis‐chrysanthenyl acetate (1) and cis‐acetyloxychrysanthenyl acetate (3), mostly found in the flower EO (35.9–74.9% and 10.0–34.3%, respectively), both present a (−) sign. HPLC on a CSP with polarimetric detection is an unprecedented approach to readily differentiate the flower and leaf EOs according to their chiral signature. The comparison of the experimental and calculated VCD spectra of pure isolated 1, 2, and 3 provided their absolute configuration as being (1S,5R,6S)‐(−)‐2,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept‐2‐en‐6‐yl acetate 1, (2R,6R)‐(+)‐6‐ethenyl‐2,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(4‐methylpent‐3‐en‐1‐yl)dihydro‐2H‐pyran‐3(4H)‐one) 2 and (1S,5R,6R,7S)‐(−)‐7‐(acetyloxy)‐2,6‐dimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept‐2‐en‐6‐yl]methyl acetate 3. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were already known in B. graveolens but this is the first report of the absolute configuration of (+)‐2 and (−)‐3. The VCD chiral signatures of the crude oils were also recorded.
Tuning the Electron‐Transport and Electron‐Accepting Abilities of Dyes through Introduction of Different π‐Conjugated Bridges and Acceptors for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Li Yuanzuo , Sun Chaofan , Song Peng , Ma Fengcai , Yang Yanhui
Published: December 2016

A series of dyes, containing thiophene and thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene as π‐conjugated bridging units and six kinds of groups as electron acceptors, were designed for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The ground‐ and excited‐state properties of the designed dyes were investigated by using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent DFT, respectively. Moreover, the parameters affecting the short‐circuit current density and open‐circuit voltage were calculated to predict the photoelectrical performance of each dye. In addition, the charge difference density was presented through a three‐dimensional (3D) real‐space analysis method to investigate the electron‐injection mechanism in the complexes. Our results show that the longer conjugated bridge would inhibit the intramolecular charge transfer, thereby affecting the photoelectrical properties of DSSCs. Similarly, owing to the lowest chemical hardness, largest electron‐accepting ability, dipole moment (
) and the change in the energy of the TiO2 conduction band (
), the dye with a (E)‐3‐(4‐(benzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazol‐4‐yl)phenyl)‐2‐cyanoacrylic acid (TCA) acceptor group would exhibit the most significant photoelectrical properties among the designed dyes.
Towards Storage of Solar Energy in Photochromic Molecules: Benzannulation of the Dihydroazulene/Vinylheptafulvene Couple
Authors: Skov Anders B. , Petersen Johannes F. , Elm Jonas , Frandsen Benjamin N. , Santella Marco , Kilde Martin Drøhse , Kjaergaard Henrik G. , Mikkelsen Kurt V. , Nielsen Mogens Brøndsted
Published: December 2016

One challenge in the development of molecular photoswitches for solar energy storage is to increase the energy of the isomer formed upon irradiation. This work focuses on how to affect the relative stabilities of the isomers of the dihydroazulene/ vinylheptafulvene (DHA/VHF) couple by combining the light‐induced DHA to VHF conversion with the loss of aromaticity. We present a synthetic procedure for benzannulation of DHA at the C7−C8 bond, with the key steps being a stereoselective Diels–Alder cycloaddition followed by an oxidation. The optical properties and switching abilities of this compound are described in a combined theoretical and experimental study. Calculations support that benzannulation serves to increase the overall energy capacity of the photoswitch by stabilizing the DHA and destabilizing the VHF.
Mulberry cells in the thyroid: warthin–finkeldey‐like cells in hashimoto thyroiditis‐associated lymphoma
Authors: Lapadat Razvan , Nam Moon Woo , Mehrotra Swati , Velankar Milind , Pambuccian Stefan E.
Published: December 2016

Warthin‐Finkeldey type giant cells were first described in autopsies performed on young children who died during the highly lethal measles epidemic in Palermo during the winter of 1908. The cells had 8‐15 nuclei without identifiable cytoplasm within the germinal centers of lymphoid organs resembling megakaryocytes. We describe a case of Hashimoto thyroiditis with an enlarging substernal throid mass. The resection specimen contained many Warthin‐Finkeldey‐Like Cells (WFLC) in an extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MALT type) with focal transformation to diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. The WFLC showed nuclear features similar to those of neighboring follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), favoring the hypothesis that these cells might be the product of fusion of FDCs. This is supported by immunostaining results and the occurrence of similar cells in follicular dendritic cell sarcomas and in “dysplastic” FDCs in hyaline vascular type Castleman disease, a possible precursor of follicular dendritic cell tumors. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:212–216. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma arising in the anterior mediastinum: A case report with cytological features of imprint and liquid‐based cytology specimens
Authors: Nishijima Yoshimi , Hirato Junko , Fukuda Toshio
Published: December 2016

We herein report the cytological features of a very rare case of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma arising in the anterior mediastinum on imprint and liquid‐based cytology (LBC) specimens. A 58‐year‐old man had an approximately 10‐cm tumor in the anterior mediastinum as shown on computed tomography. Thymectomy with complete resection of the left lung was performed. The fresh cut surface of the tumor was used to prepare imprint and LBC specimens. The imprint specimens showed four types of tumor cells dispersed on a background of hemorrhage, necrosis, and mucus. On the other hand, only two types of tumor cells (spindle‐shaped and spiderweb cells) were scattered or present in clusters in the LBC specimens. Immunocytologically, both of these cell types were positive for desmin and myoglobin, negative for pan‐keratin and epithelial membrane antigen. Cytological and immunocytological features are useful for the correct diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma, and LBC specimens show clearer results than do imprint specimens. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2017;45:333–338. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Infant hair cortisol: associations with salivary cortisol and environmental context
Authors: Flom Megan , St. John Ashley M. , Meyer Jerrold S. , Tarullo Amanda R.
Published: December 2016

Early chronic stress has enduring implications for physical and mental health outcomes. Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has emerged as a marker of cumulative cortisol exposure, yet HCC in infants is not well understood. We examined how infant HCC relates to widely used basal salivary cortisol measures, maternal HCC, and environmental context in 111 infants assessed at 6 and 12 months of age. Maternal HCC at 6 and 12 months was correlated with infant HCC at 12 months. At 12 months, infant HCC was positively associated with waking salivary cortisol concentration (SCC), evening SCC, and area under the curve (AUC), but was independent of diurnal slope. Breastfeeding was associated with lower HCC, whereas increased sleep disruption was related to flatter slope. Reduced nighttime sleep duration was related both to higher HCC and to flatter slope. A person‐focused analysis indicated that the combination of high HCC and flattened slope was associated with more environmental risks, highlighting the importance of investigating the interplay between HCC and diurnal cortisol slope. Results support the validity of HCC as a marker of cumulative cortisol exposure in infancy, while emphasizing the value of including multiple cortisol measures assessing distinct aspects of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) function.
A sensitive assay for urinary cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine shows more positive results and longer half‐lives than those using traditional cut‐offs
Authors: Nickley Joyce , Pesce Amadeo J. , Krock Kevin
Published: December 2016

Cocaine is a common drug of abuse. To detect its use, a screening detection concentration for the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine is commonly set at 150 ng/mL and its confirmatory cut‐off is set at 100 ng/mL. Studies have suggested that these cut‐offs may be set too high, allowing some patients with this substance abuse problem to be missed or improperly monitored. With the advent of liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) technology it is possible to reliably detect and quantify lower concentrations of its metabolite benzoylecgonine as part of a larger drug panel. One purpose of the study was to establish if there was a significant increase in detection of cocaine use with a ten‐fold more sensitive cut‐off. A very sensitive dilute and shoot assay for benzoylecgonine was developed with a lower limit of quantitation of 5 ng/mL. Validation of the 5 ng/mL cut‐off was achieved by plotting all the positive cocaine observations as a frequency distribution on a logarithmic scale. The number of positive results with measurable concentrations below the typical industry 100 ng/mL cut‐off level but above the high sensitivity 5 ng/mL cut‐off level was observed to be 51.9% of the observed positives. The lower cut‐off also allowed a re‐evaluation of the window of detection after cessation of use. It was observed to be between 17 and 22 days. © 2016 Precision Diagnostics, LLC. Drug Testing and Analysis published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cryptic female Strawberry poison frogs experience elevated predation risk when associating with an aposematic partner
Authors: Segami Marzal Julia Carolina , Rudh Andreas , Rogell Björn , Ödeen Anders , Løvlie Hanne , Rosher Charlotte , Qvarnström Anna
Published: December 2016

Population divergence in sexual signals may lead to speciation through prezygotic isolation. Sexual signals can change solely due to variation in the level of natural selection acting against conspicuousness. However, directional mate choice (i.e., favoring conspicuousness) across different environments may lead to gene flow between populations, thereby delaying or even preventing the evolution of reproductive barriers and speciation. In this study, we test whether natural selection through predation upon mate‐choosing females can favor corresponding changes in mate preferences. Our study system, Oophaga pumilio, is an extremely color polymorphic neotropical frog with two distinctive antipredator strategies: aposematism and crypsis. The conspicuous coloration and calling behavior of aposematic males may attract both cryptic and aposematic females, but predation may select against cryptic females choosing aposematic males. We used an experimental approach where domestic fowl were encouraged to find digitized images of cryptic frogs at different distances from aposematic partners. We found that the estimated survival time of a cryptic frog was reduced when associating with an aposematic partner. Hence, predation may act as a direct selective force on female choice, favoring evolution of color assortative mating that, in turn, may strengthen the divergence in coloration that natural selection has generated.
Structural analysis of phosphatidylcholine using a thin layer chromatography‐based method
Authors: Tan Guiwei , Tian Yinggang , Addy Min , Cheng Yanling , Xie Qinglong , Zhang Bo , Liu Yuhuan , Chen Paul , Ruan Roger
Published: December 2016

In this study, a novel technique for positional analysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) was developed and investigated. This technique is based on a well‐defined connection between two‐dimensional chromatography and in situ enzymatic hydrolysis. Characterizations of PC composition mainly occurred on a thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate. This method could reveal the relative percentage of each fatty acyl residue on the sn‐1 and sn‐2 ester linkages of PC, respectively. PC was isolated from total lipids by TLC, and then its purity was confirmed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Without further extraction from the TLC plate, PC was directly hydrolyzed by phospholipases on the plate. A PLA1 enzyme loading of 0.12 mL appeared to be optimum for the in situ enzymatic hydrolysis of PC, with an 87.7% PC conversion; while for a PLA2 enzyme loading of 0.30 mL, the PC conversion was 84.8%. From HPLC, no acyl migration was observed above the HPLC detection limit in both in situ enzymatic hydrolysis reactions. Free fatty acids (FFAs) released from different positions of the PC were isolated from the product mixture by two‐dimensional chromatography. The FFAs bands were chemically trans‐esterified into fatty acids methyl ester (FAMEs) and analyzed by GC‐MS to uncover the PC positional structure.

Practical applications: This study developed a new method to directly perform enzymatic hydrolysis reaction on a TLC plate. With a connection between two‐dimensional chromatography and in situ enzymatic hydrolysis, a TLC plate can play multiple roles, including a separation tool, an enzymatic reaction carrier, and an identification tool. Thus, TLC technique has high potential and this study helped extend its applications.

Step 1: Total lipids were applied to a thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate, and then phosphatidylcholine (PC) is separated from other lipids. Step 2: Enzyme solution and wetting agent are applied to the PC band. Step 3: After in situ enzymatic reaction, PC is partly hydrolyzed into lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and free fatty acids (FFAs), and the hydrolysis rate are 87.7% (with 0.12 mL PLA1 enzyme) and 84.8% (with 0.30 mL PLA2 enzyme), respectively. Step 4: The TLC plate is rotated by 90°. Step 5: The FFAs released from PC are isolated from products mixtures by a second‐dimensional chromatography.
Assessing and managing multiple risks in a changing world—The Roskilde recommendations
Authors: Selck Henriette , Adamsen Peter B. , Backhaus Thomas , Banta Gary T. , Bruce Peter K.H. , Burton G. Allen , Butts Michael B. , Boegh Eva , Clague John J. , Dinh Khuong V. , Doorn Neelke , Gunnarsson Jonas S. , Hauggaard-Nielsen Henrik , Hazlerigg Charles , Hunka Agnieszka D. , Jensen John , Lin Yan , Loureiro Susana , Miraglia Simona , Munns Wayne R. , Nadim Farrokh , Palmqvist Annemette , Rämö Robert A. , Seaby Lauren P. , Syberg Kristian , Tangaa Stine R. , Thit Amalie , Windfeld Ronja , Zalewski Maciej , Chapman Peter M.
Published: December 2016

Roskilde University (Denmark) hosted a November 2015 workshop, Environmental Risk—Assessing and Managing Multiple Risks in a Changing World. This Focus article presents the consensus recommendations of 30 attendees from 9 countries regarding implementation of a common currency (ecosystem services) for holistic environmental risk assessment and management; improvements to risk assessment and management in a complex, human-modified, and changing world; appropriate development of protection goals in a 2-stage process; dealing with societal issues; risk-management information needs; conducting risk assessment of risk management; and development of adaptive and flexible regulatory systems. The authors encourage both cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to address their 10 recommendations: 1) adopt ecosystem services as a common currency for risk assessment and management; 2) consider cumulative stressors (chemical and nonchemical) and determine which dominate to best manage and restore ecosystem services; 3) fully integrate risk managers and communities of interest into the risk-assessment process; 4) fully integrate risk assessors and communities of interest into the risk-management process; 5) consider socioeconomics and increased transparency in both risk assessment and risk management; 6) recognize the ethical rights of humans and ecosystems to an adequate level of protection; 7) determine relevant reference conditions and the proper ecological context for assessments in human-modified systems; 8) assess risks and benefits to humans and the ecosystem and consider unintended consequences of management actions; 9) avoid excessive conservatism or possible underprotection resulting from sole reliance on binary, numerical benchmarks; and 10) develop adaptive risk-management and regulatory goals based on ranges of uncertainty. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:7–16. © 2016 SETAC
Test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of in vivo myelin content indices: Myelin water fraction and calibrated T1w/T2w image ratio
Authors: Arshad Muzamil , Stanley Jeffrey A. , Raz Naftali
Published: December 2016

In an age‐heterogeneous sample of healthy adults, we examined test–retest reliability (with and without participant repositioning) of two popular MRI methods of estimating myelin content: modeling the short spin–spin (T2) relaxation component of multi‐echo imaging data and computing the ratio of T1‐weighted and T2‐weighted images (T1w/T2w). Taking the myelin water fraction (MWF) index of myelin content derived from the multi‐component T2relaxation data as a standard, we evaluate the concurrent and differential validity of T1w/T2w ratio images. The results revealed high reliability of MWF and T1w/T2w ratio. However, we found significant correlations of low to moderate magnitude between MWF and the T1w/T2w ratio in only two of six examined regions of the cerebral white matter. Notably, significant correlations of the same or greater magnitude were observed for T1w/T2w ratio and the intermediate T2relaxation time constant, which is believed to reflect differences in the mobility of water between the intracellular and extracellular compartments. We conclude that although both methods are highly reliable and thus well‐suited for longitudinal studies, T1w/T2w ratio has low criterion validity and may be not an optimal index of subcortical myelin content.Hum Brain Mapp 38:1780–1790, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Building Robots and Story‐Based Learning to Teach Cyber‐Physical Systems Effectively to Any Class of Audiences ranging from Elementary School Students to University Graduates
Authors: Seya Keisuke , Shirasaka Seiko
Published: December 2016

The Cyber‐Physical Systems (CPS) has attracted large attention from a wide variety of audiences such as academia, industry, and news media. That's because it is considered a key enabler of our future technologies. The governments of various countries have realized its importance and hammered out long‐term visions to invest their resources (i.e. time and money) to urge the growth of the CPS industry. In order to increase the number of people who can work in this industry, the demand searching for a new way of teaching CPS to different classes of people has emerged naturally. In order to help both learners and educators, we've developed a story‐based educational system for CPS that is extremely adaptable to any class of learners; it guides the learners to understand the CPS by building their own robot. In this paper, we describe the theory behind its design and discuss the effectiveness of this approach.
Streaming analytics for real‐time and data‐driven decision making in Automation Industry
Authors: Maganti Ramesh , Swamy Manjunatha
Published: December 2016

With disruptive technologies such as IoT, pervasive computing and drones, automation is spreading to every process from house hold to large industry, with that tremendous amount of data being generated from multiple systems and sub systems. Tons of valuable critical data is available, there is need for live analysis and actionable insights for process improvements and controls. Traditional analytics method such as data‐mining, ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) with batch processing and delayed insights, are becoming more and more irrelevant. There is a stressing need for real‐time and data‐driven decision making.

Streaming analytics is getting in to fast lane, to analyse multiple streams of data, events generated by components across the physical spectrum to generate real‐time insights. With machine learning and artificial intelligence trends, there is huge scope to generate learning models from historical data and provide predictive analysis out of real‐time data streams to automate the decision making process.
Proof of Concept on Application of Formal Methods at different phases of development cycle of Avionics Software A Landscaping
Authors: Mitra Raka , Jayakumar SS , Kishore Koyalkar Raman
Published: December 2016

Formal Methods comprises of mathematical representation of an embedded system and its system requirements or its corresponding software High Level Requirements (HLRs) and /or software Low Level Requirements (LLRs). When a system and its requirements which dictate its behavior or performance characteristics are expressed as mathematical entities by different mathematical formalisms, it makes a case for carrying out Formal Analysis and Formal Verification of the system to confirm that it behaves as it is expected under all possible scenarios of its execution, for all times. In other words, such formal techniques guarantee absence of errors in the system behavior every time it is made to execute, unlike testing which only exposes presence of defects and not its absence. In this paper we have presented the set of Proof OF Concept Exercises we have carried out on Formal Verification of Avionics Systems, for compliance with DO 178C/DO 333 objectives. Also, this paper talks about the few challenges encountered for the application of Formal Methods in real projects