bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monolithic structure of integrated coaxial microhollow dielectric barrier discharges: Characterization for environmental and biomedical applications
Authors: Tachibana Kunihide , Nakamura Toshihiro , Motomura Hideki
Published: June 2016

The characteristics of microhollow dielectric barrier discharge devices in a thin monolithic planar structure with many holes were analyzed regarding the production of OH radicals, using optical emission and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy techniques. Spatial distributions of OH radical density depended on the diameter of electrode holes from 0.6 to 1.5 mm and the discharge operating gas species. Apparent emission intensity from OH radicals and the LIF signals were very high in He and Ar gases but quite low in N2. However, taking into account the LIF quenching rate in each gas, the existing densities of OH radicals in all tested gases were not greatly different from each other. The absolute density of OH radicals estimated by a comparison of the LIF intensity with our measured result on a conventional He plasma jet referring to reported densities in similar situations was on the order of 1014 cm−3.
A 150‐year variation of the Kuroshio transport inferred from coral nitrogen isotope signature
Authors: Yamazaki Atsuko , Watanabe Tsuyoshi , Tsunogai Urumu , Iwase Fumihito , Yamano Hiroya
Published: June 2016

The Kuroshio Current is a major global ocean current that drives the physical ocean‐atmosphere system with heat transport from tropical to temperate zones in the North Pacific Ocean. We reconstructed the variability of the Kuroshio transport over the past 150 years using coral skeletal nitrogen isotopic composition (δ15Ncoral). A 150 year δ15Ncoral record (1859–2008 A.D.) is 4 times the length of the observational record (1971 to present) and could provide a direct comparison with global climate change, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index and El‐Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), through recent global warming. Coral cores from Porites were collected from Tatsukushi Bay in 2008 on the Pacific coast of Japan, which is located on the northern front of the Kuroshio Current. δ15Ncoral was used as a proxy to record the δ15N of nitrate (δ15Nnitrate) controlled by the upwelling of subtropical subsurface water (δ15Nnitrate; ~ +2 − +3‰), and δ15Ncoral was negatively correlated with observations of the Kuroshio transport (R = −0.69, P < 0.001) and the 2 year lagged PDO index (R = −0.63, P < 0.005) from 1972 to 2007. The 150 year record of δ15Ncoral suggested that the Kuroshio transport varied with ~25 year cycle, and the amplitude became more stable, and the volume was intensified through the twentieth century. The Kuroshio transport was intensified by the La Niña state in the early 1900s and by the El Niño‐PDO state after the 1920s. Our results suggested that the Kuroshio transport was influenced by the combined climate modes of ENSO and PDO during the last century.
NeQuick and IRI‐Plas model performance on topside electron content representation: Spaceborne GPS measurements
Authors: Cherniak Iurii , Zakharenkova Irina
Published: June 2016

The correct representation of the topside ionosphere is still an open question for the empirical ionospheric models. We presents new results of the concurrent analysis of the topside electron content values derived from the GPS measurements on board the GOCE and TerraSAR‐X satellites with two empirical ionospheric models: NeQuick 2 and IRI‐Plas. Two periods of low (2009/2010) and moderate (2012) solar activities were analyzed. It is found that the IRI‐Plas model overestimates the electron content in the 250–500 km altitude interval for low solar activity and the topside total electron content (TEC) for the 500–20,000 km altitude range during daytime local time at low and moderate solar activities. The NeQuick 2 model demonstrates very similar to the IRI‐Plas results for the 250–500 km region and the opposite behavior for the region above 500 km with underestimated values for all considered seasons and local time. The most important region for the model/model differences was found to be within the altitude range of 500–2000 km. The observed understatement in the NeQuick 2 topside TEC results can be related to the simplified extension of the electron density profile toward the GPS orbit altitude without adjustment of the specific plasmasphere model. However, the plasmasphere model included into the IRI‐Plas leads to the noticeable overestimation of the TEC values derived from the spaceborne GPS measurements.
Evaluating the long‐term hydrology of an evapotranspiration‐capillary barrier with a 1000 year design life
Authors: Zhang Z. Fred
Published: June 2016

A surface barrier is a commonly used technology for isolation of subsurface contaminants. Surface barriers for isolating radioactive waste are expected to perform for centuries to millennia, yet there are very few data for field‐scale surface barriers for periods approaching a decade or longer. The Prototype Hanford Barrier (PHB) with a design life of 1000 years was constructed over an existing radioactive waste site in 1994 to demonstrate its long‐term performance. The primary element of the PHB is an evapotranspiration‐capillary (ETC) barrier in which precipitation water is stored in a fine‐textured soil layer and later released to the atmosphere via evapotranspiration. To address the barrier performance under extreme conditions, this study included an enhanced precipitation stress test from 1995 to 1997 to determine barrier response to extreme precipitation events. During this period a 1000 year 24 h return rainstorm was simulated in March every year. The loss of vegetation on barrier hydrology was tested with a controlled fire test in 2008. The 19 year monitoring record shows that the store‐and‐release mechanism worked as well as or better than the design criterion. Average drainage from the ETC barrier amounted to an average of 0.005 mm yr−1, which is well below the design criterion of 0.5 mm yr−1. After a simulated wildfire, the naturally reestablished vegetation and increased evaporation combined to release the stored water and summer precipitation to the atmosphere such that drainage did not occur in the 5 years subsequent to the fire.
Melt onset over Arctic sea ice controlled by atmospheric moisture transport
Authors: Mortin Jonas , Svensson Gunilla , Graversen Rune G. , Kapsch Marie‐Luise , Stroeve Julienne C. , Boisvert Linette N.
Published: June 2016

The timing of melt onset affects the surface energy uptake throughout the melt season. Yet the processes triggering melt and causing its large interannual variability are not well understood. Here we show that melt onset over Arctic sea ice is initiated by positive anomalies of water vapor, clouds, and air temperatures that increase the downwelling longwave radiation (LWD) to the surface. The earlier melt onset occurs; the stronger are these anomalies. Downwelling shortwave radiation (SWD) is smaller than usual at melt onset, indicating that melt is not triggered by SWD. When melt occurs early, an anomalously opaque atmosphere with positive LWD anomalies preconditions the surface for weeks preceding melt. In contrast, when melt begins late, clearer than usual conditions are evident prior to melt. Hence, atmospheric processes are imperative for melt onset. It is also found that spring LWD increased during recent decades, consistent with trends toward an earlier melt onset.
A refined method for calculating paleotemperatures from linear correlations in bamboo coral carbon and oxygen isotopes
Authors: Saenger Casey , Watkins James M.
Published: June 2016

Bamboo corals represent an emerging paleoclimate archive with the potential to record variability at intermediate depths throughout much of the global ocean. Realizing this potential has been complicated by biologically mediated vital effects, which are evident in linear correlations of skeletal carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope composition. Previous efforts to develop a bamboo coral δ18O paleothermometer by accounting for such vital effects have not been completely successful as they still rely on empirical calibrations that are offset from the temperature dependence of abiogenic experiments. Here we describe an approach that better corrects for bamboo coral vital effects and allows paleotemperatures to be calculated directly from the abiogenic temperature dependence. The success of the method lies in calculating apparent equilibrium carbon and oxygen isotope fractionation at the temperature, pH, and growth rate of each coral, as well as in the use of model II regressions. Rigorous propagation of uncertainty suggests typical errors of ±2–3°C, but in select cases errors as low as ±0.98°C can be achieved for densely sampled and strongly correlated data sets. This lower limit approaches the value attributed to uncertainty in pH and growth rate estimates alone, as predicted by a series of pseudoproxy experiments. The incorporation of isotopically light metabolic CO2 appears to be negligible in most Pacific corals, but may be significant in Atlantic specimens, potentially requiring an additional correction. The success of the method therefore hinges on how well complex environmental systems and biomineralization strategies are constrained, with the most reliable temperatures occurring when calcifying fluid pH, growth rate, and incorporation of metabolic carbon into skeletal calcite are constrained using multiple geochemical proxies.
Sodium‐Oxygen Batteries: A Comparative Review from Chemical and Electrochemical Fundamentals to Future Perspective
Authors: Yadegari Hossein , Sun Qian , Sun Xueliang
Published: June 2016

Alkali metal‐oxygen (Li‐O2, Na‐O2) batteries have attracted a great deal of attention recently due to their high theoretical energy densities, comparable to gasoline, making them attractive candidates for application in electrical vehicles. However, the limited cycling life and low energy efficiency (high charging overpotential) of these cells hinder their commercialization. The Li‐O2 battery system has been extensively studied in this regard during the past decade. Compared to the numerous reports of Li‐O2 batteries, the research on Na‐O2 batteries is still in its infancy. Although, Na‐O2 batteries show a number of attractive properties such as low charging overpotential and high round‐trip energy efficiency, their cycling life is currently limited to a few tens of cycles. Therefore, understanding the chemistry behind Na‐O2 cells is critical towards enhancing their performance and advancing their development. Chemical and electrochemical reactions of Na‐O2 batteries are reviewed and compared with those of Li‐O2 batteries in the present review, as well as recent works on the chemical composition and morphology of the discharge products in these batteries. Furthermore, the determining kinetics factors for controlling the chemical composition of the discharge products in Na‐O2 cells are discussed and the potential research directions toward improving Na‐O2 cells are proposed.
Droplet formation of H2SO4/alkane system in a T‐junction microchannel: Gravity effect
Authors: Li Liantang , Zhang Jisong , Wang Kai , Xu Jianhong , Luo Guangsheng
Published: June 2016

A special system of concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and n‐hexane was used to study the droplet formation in a glass T‐junction microchannel with H2SO4 as the continuous phase. The effects of capillary number, flow ratio, and viscosity ratio on the droplet formation were investigated. The effect of gravity was explored by changing the flow direction in the microchannel. Results showed that the formation of transition flow pattern from squeezing to dripping is much easier for this special system compared with common aqueous/organic systems. This phenomenon is due to the considerably higher viscosity of H2SO4 than that of common aqueous phase and the higher density difference of the system compared with those of common systems. In addition to capillary number and flow ratio, gravity evidently affects the formation of droplets and flow patterns. The droplet size is smaller than that during the horizontal flow when the flow direction is consistent with gravity. By contrast, flow direction contrary to that of gravity results in larger droplet size than that at horizontal flow. This phenomenon provides guidance on the operation of these special systems in microchannels. Finally, mathematical models of droplet size at different flow patterns have been established, and these models can predict droplet size very well. This study could be helpful to extend the application of microreactors to new working systems. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 4564–4573, 2016
Achondroplasia: Really rhizomelic?
Authors: Shelmerdine Susan Cheng , Brittain Helen , Arthurs Owen J. , Calder Alistair D.
Published: June 2016

Achondroplasia is the most common form of short limb dwarfism in humans. The shortening of the limb lengths in achondroplasia is widely described as “rhizomelic.” While this appearance may be convincing clinically, the description is not necessarily true or helpful radiologically. The aims of this study, were therefore, to determine whether rhizomelic shortening is a true feature of achondroplasia at diagnosis in infancy. Humeral, radial, femoral, and tibial diaphyseal lengths were recorded by two independent observers from 22 skeletal surveys of infants with achondroplasia and compared with 150 normal age‐matched control subjects. Upper and lower limb bone length ratios (radial/humeral and tibial/femoral lengths, respectively) in both groups were compared using an unpaired t‐test. Mean upper limb length ratios were statistically higher within the achondroplasia group at 0.87 ± 0.04 (n = 22, mean age 70 ± 94 days) compared to normal controls at 0.79 ± 0.02 (n = 150, mean age 113 days ± 88 days; P < 0.0001). Lower limb length ratios were not significantly different between groups (0.84 ± 0.04 vs. 0.83 ± 0.02, P = 0.46). There was good inter‐observer agreement of limb length measurements, with an average measurement difference of 0.1 ± 1.4 mm. In conclusion, infants with achondroplasia demonstrate statistically significant rhizomelic shortening within the upper limbs, but not lower limbs at diagnosis, compared to normal controls. The term “rhizomelic shortening” in relation to achondroplasia should be reserved when describing upper limb proportions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Minimization of Surface Energies and Ripening Outcompete Template Effects in the Surface Growth of Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yu Xiu‐Jun , Zhuang Jin‐Liang , Scherr Julian , Abu‐Husein Tarek , Terfort Andreas
Published: June 2016

As well‐oriented, surface‐bound metal–organic frameworks become the centerpiece of many new applications, a profound understanding of their growth mode becomes necessary. This work shows that the currently favored model of surface templating is in fact a special case valid only for systems with a more or less cubic crystal shape, while in less symmetric systems crystal ripening and minimization of surface energies dominate the growth process.
Microfluidic Cell Deformability Assay for Rapid and Efficient Kinase Screening with the CRISPR‐Cas9 System
Authors: Han Xin , Liu Zongbin , Zhao Li , Wang Feng , Yu Yang , Yang Jianhua , Chen Rui , Qin Lidong
Published: June 2016

Herein we report a CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated loss‐of‐function kinase screen for cancer cell deformability and invasive potential in a high‐throughput microfluidic chip. In this microfluidic cell separation platform, flexible cells with high deformability and metastatic propensity flowed out, while stiff cells remained trapped. Through deep sequencing, we found that loss of certain kinases resulted in cells becoming more deformable and invasive. High‐ranking candidates identified included well‐reported tumor suppressor kinases, such as chk2, IKK‐α, p38 MAPKs, and DAPK2. A high‐ranking candidate STK4 was chosen for functional validation and identified to play an important role in the regulation of cell deformability and tumor suppression. Collectively, we have demonstrated that CRISPR‐based on‐chip mechanical screening is a potentially powerful strategy to facilitate systematic genetic analyses.
Recent development on perovskite‐type cathode materials based on SrCoO3 − δ parent oxide for intermediate‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells
Authors: Li Mengran , Zhou Wei , Zhu Zhonghua
Published: June 2016

The slow oxygen reduction reaction kinetics as well as structural and chemical instability of cathode are the main barriers hindering the development of the solid oxide fuel cell operated at intermediate temperature. Therefore, immense efforts have been devoted to address these two demanding issues. Perovskite cathodes based on SrCoO3 − δ show promising electroactivity on oxygen reduction at intermediate temperature but are susceptible to contaminates in air. In this short review, we mainly cover the recent advances in SrCoO3 − δ‐based perovskite cathode development, with emphasis on doping strategies in electroactivity enhancement and cathode tolerance to CO2. Some future research directions are also recommended at the end of this review. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation between natural exposure and artificial ageing test for typical marine coating systems
Authors: Zhang Hanlu , Dun Yuchao , Tang Yuming , Zuo Yu , Zhao Xuhui
Published: June 2016

Natural exposure test at Sanya and artificial ageing test were carried out for four kinds of typical marine coating system, respectively. The gloss, surface morphology, coating impedance, and infrared spectra of the coatings were measured with methods of SEM, EIS, and FT‐IR. The correlation between results from artificial ageing test and natural exposure test was discussed. The fluorocarbon paint showed longer ability to remain high gloss than polyurethane paint. The xenon lamp ageing test and natural exposure test led to similar changes in surface morphology of the coatings. For polyurethane paint under both tests, with extended testing time micropores and cracks occurred gradually on the surface, meantime the coating gloss decreased. The increase of the defect area corresponded well to the decrease of the coating gloss, suggesting that the degradation extent of the coating surface could be reflected by the gloss measurement. The rank correlation study showed that the results by 60 d, 150 d, 300 d, 360 d, and 450 d natural exposure, respectively, were very close to those by 228 h, 443 h, 841 h, 1958 h, and 4013 h artificial ageing test. Hence, the artificial xenon lamp ageing test may be used to simulate natural exposure test at Sanya. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43893.
Water‐Regulated Self‐Assembly Structure Transformation and Gelation Behavior Prediction Based on a Hydrazide Derivative
Authors: Li Yajie , Ran Xia , Li Qiuyue , Gao Qiongqiong , Guo Lijun
Published: June 2016

Herein, we report the water‐regulated supramolecular self‐assembly structure transformation and the predictability of the gelation ability based on an azobenzene derivative bearing a hydrazide group, namely, N‐(3,4,5‐tributoxyphenyl)‐N′‐4‐[(4‐hydroxyphenyl)azophenyl] benzohydrazide (BNB‐t4). The regulation effects are demonstrated in the morphological transformation from spherical to lamellar particles then back to spherical in different solvent ratios of n‐propanol/water. The self‐assembly behavior of BNB‐t4 was characterized by minimum gelation concentration, microstructure, thermal, and mechanical stabilities. From the spectroscopy studies, it is suggested that gel formation of BNB‐t4 is mainly driven by intermolecular hydrogen bonding, accompanied with the contribution from π–π stacking as well as hydrophobic interactions. The successfully established correlation between the self‐assembly behavior and solubility parameters yields a facile way to predict the gelation performance of other molecules in other single or mixed solvents.
Genesis of westerly wind bursts over the equatorial western Pacific during the onset of the strong 2015–2016 El Niño
Authors: Chen Shangfeng , Wu Renguang , Chen Wen , Yu Bin , Cao Xi
Published: June 2016

The strong 2015–2016 El Niño was initiated by several strong westerly wind bursts over the equatorial western Pacific in March and May 2015. These westerly wind bursts trigger eastward propagating warm Kelvin waves and lead to large sea surface temperature (SST) warming in the equatorial eastern Pacific. The first burst of westerly winds in early March was mainly induced by the Arctic Oscillation (AO) event. These westerly wind anomalies were enhanced subsequently due to the Madden‐Julian Oscillation activity and northerly cold surges from East Asia‐western Pacific in mid‐March. Another westerly wind burst in May, induced by anomalous southerly winds from the Australian continent, further increased the SST anomaly in the equatorial eastern Pacific. This study provides an evidence of the AO influence on this strong El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event and demonstrates the complexity in the genesis of westerly wind bursts during the El Niño outbreak, which may help improve the prediction of ENSO.
When Sharing Is Not Caring: Does (un)Certainty About Bill Payment Method Lead Diners to Consume More and Spend More Money?
Authors: Shani Yaniv
Published: June 2016

Previous work has demonstrated that unacquainted participants in an experimental, restaurant‐like setting consume more when they know in advance that the bill will be split evenly rather than paid according to individual consumption. Real life, however, often differs from these experimental settings in two important ways. First, unlike random groups of participants, diners who eat together are frequently friends or colleagues. Second, payment method (even vs. individual payment) is usually unknown (i.e. uncertain) at the time people place their orders, and is determined when the check arrives. The current research tests the ecological validity of the association between consumption amount and payment method. Study 1 was conducted in a natural setting with organic groups of diners. Some were asked to state their desired payment method before ordering (Certain condition); others did so only after asking for the check (Uncertain condition). In both conditions, even payment (as opposed to individual payment) was associated with greater consumption amount. However, overall, consumption amount was lower among diners in the Uncertain condition than among those in the Certain condition. Study 2 presents a controlled follow‐up experiment showing that eliminating diners' prior expectations regarding the payment method—by informing them that the payment method will be randomly determined after the consumption decision—eliminates the relationship between payment method and consumption amount. This study further indicates that when diners are uncertain what the payment method will be, even bill‐splitting has negative implications for their subsequent social interactions, expressed in retribution tendencies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temporal trend in the reported birth prevalence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Brazil, 2000 to 2013
Authors: Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães , Lee Kyu Ha , Luquetti Daniela Varela , Starr Jacqueline Rose
Published: June 2016

Background

The birth prevalence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in Brazil increased between the years from 1975 to 1994 but has not been evaluated for temporal trend since then.

Methods

We used data from the Brazilian National Health Information System for the years 2000 through 2013. We calculated the reported CL/P birth prevalence each year per 10,000 live births and estimated the average increase in reported prevalence per year (and 95% confidence interval [CI]) by fitting a negative binomial regression model. We also estimated the temporal trend in each of the five Brazilian regions for this time period.

Results

The overall reported birth prevalence was 4.85 (95% CI, 4.78–4.91) per 10,000 live births. The reported birth prevalence of CL/P increased over this time period, from 3.94 (95% CI, 3.73–4.17) per 10,000 in 2000 to 5.46 (95% CI, 5.20–5.74) per 10,000 in 2013. The temporal trend differed for different Brazilian geographic regions, being confined primarily to the Northeast (4.7% per year; 95% CI, 4.0%–5.5%), North (3.3% per year; 95% CI, 1.8%–4.7%), and Central (2.9% per year; 95% CI, 0.9%–4.9%) regions.

Conclusion

In recent years, there appears to be an upward trend in the reported prevalence of CL/P in Brazil, confined to the less developed regions of the country. The increase likely reflects improved surveillance; whether it also reflects etiologic differences is unknown. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:789–792, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On‐resin N‐terminal peptoid degradation: Toward mild sequencing conditions
Authors: Proulx Caroline , Noë Falko , Yoo Stan , Connolly Michael D. , Zuckermann Ronald N.
Published: June 2016

A novel approach to sequentially degrade peptoid N‐terminal N‐(substituted)glycine residues on the solid‐phase using very mild conditions is reported. This method relies on the treatment of resin‐bound, bromoacetylated peptoids with silver perchlorate in THF, leading to an intramolecular cyclization reaction to liberate the terminal residue as a N‐substituted morpholine‐2,5‐dione, resulting in a truncated peptoid upon hydrolysis and a silver bromide byproduct. Side‐chain functional group tolerance is explored and reaction kinetics are determined. In a series of pentapeptoids possessing variable, non‐nucleophilic side‐chains at the second position (R2), we demonstrate that sequential N‐terminal degradation of the first two residues proceeds in 87% and 74% conversions on average, respectively. We further demonstrate that the degradation reaction is selective for peptoids, and represents substantial progress toward a mild, iterative sequencing method for peptoid oligomers. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 726–736, 2016.
Molecular design and genetic optimization of antimicrobial peptides containing unnatural amino acids against antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections
Authors: He Yongkang , He Xiaofeng
Published: June 2016

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been the focus of intense research towards the finding of a viable alternative to current small‐molecule antibiotics, owing to their commonly observed and naturally occurring resistance against pathogens. However, natural peptides have many problems such as low bioavailability and high allergenicity that largely limit the clinical applications of AMPs. In the present study, an integrative protocol that combined chemoinformatics modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and in vitro susceptibility test was described to design AMPs containing unnatural amino acids (AMP‐UAAs). To fulfill this, a large panel of synthetic AMPs with determined activity was collected and used to perform quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) modeling. The obtained QSAR predictors were then employed to direct genetic algorithm (GA)‐based optimization of AMP‐UAA population, to which a number of commercially available, structurally diverse unnatural amino acids were introduced during the optimization process. Subsequently, several designed AMP‐UAAs were confirmed to have high antibacterial potency against two antibiotic‐resistant strains, i.e. multidrug‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDRPA) and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) < 10 μg/ml. Structural dynamics characterizations revealed that the most potent AMP‐UAA peptide is an amphipathic helix that can spontaneously embed into an artificial lipid bilayer and exhibits a strong destructuring tendency associated with the embedding process. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 106: 746–756, 2016.
Liver regeneration following repeated reversible portal vein embolization in an experimental model
Authors: Tranchart H , Koffi G M , Gaillard M , Lainas P , Poüs C , Gonin P , Nguyen T H , Dubart-Kupperschmitt A , Dagher I
Published: June 2016

Background

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is used routinely to prevent postoperative liver failure as a result of anticipated insufficient future liver remnant volume following resection. The authors have recently developed a technique for temporary PVE. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of repeated reversible PVE on hepatocyte proliferation and subsequent liver hypertrophy in rodents.

Methods

Four treatments were compared (n = 21 rats per group): single reversible PVE, two PVEs separated by 14 days, partial portal vein ligation or sham procedure. The feasibility and tolerance of the procedure were assessed. Volumetric imaging by CT was used to estimate the evolution of liver volumes. After death, the weight of liver lobes was measured and hepatocyte proliferation evaluated by immunostaining.

Results

Embolization of portal branches corresponding to 70 per cent of total portal flow was performed successfully in all animals. Repeated PVE induced additional hepatocyte proliferation. Repeated embolization resulted in superior hepatocyte proliferation in the non-occluded segments compared with portal vein ligation (31·1 versus 22·2 per cent; P = 0·003). The non-occluded to total liver volume ratio was higher in the repeated PVE group than in the single PVE and sham groups (P = 0·050 and P = 0·001 respectively).

Conclusion

Repeated reversible PVE successfully induced additional hepatocyte proliferation and subsequent liver hypertrophy. Surgical relevancePortal vein embolization (PVE) is used routinely to prevent postoperative liver failure as a result of anticipated insufficient future liver remnant volume following resection.In the present study, a technique of repeated temporary PVE was developed in a rat model; this induced additional hepatocyte proliferation and an increase in liver volume compared with single embolization.This novel approach might help induce major hypertrophy of the future remnant liver, which could increase the rate of patients amenable to major liver resections.
Infiltrating immune cells and gene mutations in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Wang W-Q , Liu L , Xu H-X , Wu C-T , Xiang J-F , Xu J , Liu C , Long J , Ni Q-X , Yu X-J
Published: June 2016

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the immune profile within the microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and to investigate the prognostic value of intratumoral infiltrating immune/inflammatory cells (IICs) in patients after surgery.

Methods

Eighteen phenotypic markers representing 11 types of IIC and the protein products of genes TP53, CDKN2A/p16 and SMAD4/DPC4 were assessed by immunohistochemistry of specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer. The expression of IICs and the mutational status of the genes were correlated with tumour recurrence and survival, and results were validated in an independent cohort.

Results

CD15+ neutrophils, CD20+ B cells and CD206+ tumour-associated macrophages were seen frequently in tumours, and their presence was associated with reduced survival in a cohort of 79 patients. Expression of CD4+ T helper cells, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and CD117+ mast cells was associated with a favourable prognosis. A weighted Cox regression recurrence-predictive model was constructed that showed good correlation of IICs and gene mutations. A combination of CD15, CD206, CD117 and Smad4 expression was independently associated with overall (hazard ratio (HR) 3·63, 95 per cent c.i. 2·18 to 6·04; P < 0·001) and recurrence-free (HR 2·93, 1·81 to 4·75; P < 0·001) survival. These findings were validated in an independent cohort (151 patients) and in 54 tissue samples obtained by preoperative endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration.

Conclusion

PDAC has a unique immunosuppressive phenotype that is associated with characteristic gene mutations, disease recurrence and survival after pancreatectomy. Surgical relevanceThe immune microenvironment plays a critical role in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is associated with mutations in major driver genes, including KRAS, TP53, CDKN2A/p16 and SMAD4/DPC4.This study shows that the microenvironment of PDAC has a unique immunosuppressive phenotype, which may be driven by oncogene mutations. Patients with PDAC with a highly immunosuppressive profile tended to have poor postoperative survival. A model including three intratumoral infiltrating immune markers (CD15+, CD206+ and CD117+) and a SMAD4 mutation can be used to predict recurrence and survival in patients after surgery for PDAC.
Closing Italian Forensic Psychiatry Hospitals in Favor of Treating Insanity Acquittees in the Community
Authors: Carabellese Felice , Felthous Alan R.
Published: June 2016

Originally a hedge against the death penalty, the insanity defense came to offer hospitalization as an alternative to imprisonment. In the late 19th century Italy opened inpatient services first for mentally ill prisoners and then for offenders found not guilty by reason of insanity. Within the past decade, a series of decrees has resulted in transferring the responsibility for treating NGRI acquittees and “dangerous” mentally ill prisoners from the Department of Justice to the Department of Health, and their treatment from Italy's high security forensic psychiatric hospitals (OPGs) to community regional facilities (REMSs, Residences for the Execution of Security Measures), community mental health facilities, one of which is located in each region of Italy. Today community REMSs provide the treatment and management of socially dangerous offenders. The dynamic evolution of Italy's progressive mental health system for insanity acquittees, to our knowledge the most libertarian, community oriented approach of any country, is retraced. Discussion includes cautionary concerns as well as potential opportunities for improvements in mental health services. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
13,14‐seco‐Withanolides from Physalis minima with Potential Anti‐inflammatory Activity
Authors: Lin Ru , Guan Yu‐Zhou , Li Rui‐Jun , Xu Xiao‐Ming , Luo Jian‐Guang , Kong Ling‐Yi
Published: June 2016

Four new 13,14‐seco‐withanolides, minisecolides A – D (1 – 4), together with three known analogues 5 – 7, were isolated from the whole plants of Physalis minima. The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1H‐, 13C‐NMR, 2D‐NMR (HMBC, HSQC, ROESY), and HR‐ESI‐MS. Evaluation of all isolates for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) production was conducted on lipopolysaccaride‐activated RAW264.7 macrophages. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 showed inhibitory activities, especially for compound 5 with IC50 value of 3.87 μm.
Incidence and Clinical Impact of Stroke Complicating Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation: Results From the German TAVIRegistry
Authors: Werner Nicolas , Zeymer Uwe , Schneider Steffen , Bauer Timm , Gerckens Ulrich , Linke Axel , Hamm Christian , Sievert Horst , Eggebrecht Holger , Zahn Ralf ,   on behalf of the German Transcatheter Aortic Valve Interventions‐Registry Investigators
Published: June 2016

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis at high surgical risk over the last years. However, besides its minimal invasive character, TAVI still is an invasive procedure usually performed in a population, carrying a substantial risk for vascular complications, like stroke. Stroke is known to be a rare but serious complication of transvascular interventions in clinical practice, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite broad clinical research in many fields of TAVI over the last years, only sparse data still exist on the incidence and clinical risk factors of stroke complicating TAVI in clinical practice today.

Methods

We analyzed data of 1.413 TAVIs, which were enrolled at 30 sites into the prospective and multicenter German TAVI Registry from January 2009 until June 2010.

Results

The overall incidence of cerebrovascular events complicating TAVI was 3.2% (n = 45/1.413) in a real‐world population today. 40% of all cerebrovascular events were classified as transient ischemic attacks (TIA) with symptoms lasting < 24 hr (18/45) and 60% were classified as stroke with symptoms persisting > 24 hr (27/45). All strokes complicating TAVI of 50% were classified as major strokes leading to notable disability in patients, who survive this complication (Modified Ranking Scale 3–6). In‐hospital mortality rate in patients with stroke/TIA was 28.9%, compared to 6.9% in patients without stroke/TIA and 1‐year mortality rate 46.7% versus 18.6%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, prior stroke and renal impairment were found as the only independent predictors for stroke complicating TAVI.

Conclusions

Stroke complicating TAVI is a serious complication with a clinically relevant incidence even in daily practice leading to a fivefold increase in 30‐day‐mortality rate, as well as a significant increase in morbidity and disability in patients, who survive this devastating complication. Further research is needed to identify risk factors and ways to reduce stroke after TAVI. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Infantile spasms with periventricular nodular heterotopia, unbalanced chromosomal translocation 3p26.2 ‐10p15.1 and 6q22.31 duplication
Authors: Jones Kevin , Weiss Shelly K. , Minassian Berge
Published: June 2016

Key Clinical Message

Patients presenting with infantile spasms, dysmorphic features, and periventricular nodular heterotopia may benefit from genetic copy number variation microarray, or whole‐exome sequencing to identify candidate genes. This will allow personalized diagnosis and prognostication and the eventual understanding of single and combined gene functions in brain health and disease.
Each worm to his taste: some prefer to eat nettles – a giant gastric phytobezoar
Authors: Gachabayov Mahir , Abdullaev Abakar , Mityushin Petr , Gilyazov Timur
Published: June 2016

Key Clinical Message

Nettle consumption, as well as persimmon, orange, coconut etc. can lead to phytobezoar formation. Coke and cellulase‐resistant phytobezoars should be removed either endoscopically or surgically, depending on their dimensions. The treatment of choice for giant phytobezoars (more than 10 cm) is gastrotomy.
Should the clinician do the tests for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo even in the presence of spontaneous nystagmus at primary gaze?
Authors: Yetiser Sertac
Published: June 2016

Key Clinical Message

Different balance problems may occur in the same patient simultaneously, and the other problem may be overlooked if the clinician does not pay much attention. Spontaneous nystagmus of Meniere's disease and positional nystagmus of posterior canal BPPV in the same patient is presented. Positional tests must always be considered even in the presence of spontaneous nystagmus.
Dehydration of Xylose to Furfural in Alcohol Media in the Presence of Solid Acid Catalysts
Authors: Iglesias Jose , Melero Juan A. , Morales Gabriel , Paniagua Marta , Hernández Blanca
Published: June 2016

Different solid acid catalysts, which include several zeolites, zirconium oxide based catalysts, and materials that contain sulfonic acids, have been evaluated in the dehydration of xylose to furfural in alcohol media. Alcohol media were selected to reduce side reactions, many of which occur in aqueous media. Among the tested alcohols, 2‐propanol provided better results and yielded a higher furfural production than ethanol and methanol. Catalyst screening evidenced that small‐pore‐size zeolites (H‐ZSM5) or catalysts that show weak acidity (tungstated zirconia) were unable to promote the desired transformation. Kinetic studies performed for the different types of materials revealed that the nature of the acid sites influenced the catalytic performance of the different solid acids to the extent of conditioning the main reaction pathway for the transformation of xylose into furfural. Thus, whereas Lewis acids seem to promote furfural production by the direct dehydration of xylose, Brønsted‐type catalysts lead to alkyl xylosides as intermediates in the overall transformation. Although both types of catalysts provide high furfural yields in short reaction times, especially at high temperatures, commercially available β‐zeolite with an adequate combination of Brønsted and Lewis acids sites seems to contain the right physicochemical properties to maximize furfural production.
IPr3Si3Cl5+: A Highly Reactive Cation with Silanide Character
Authors: Uhlemann Fabian , Schnepf Andreas
Published: June 2016

The reaction of a metastable SiCl2 solution with the sterically less‐demanding carbene N,N‐diisopropylimidazo‐2‐ylidene (IPr) yields the salt [(IPr3Si3Cl5)+]Cl− (1‐Cl), containing a silyl cation with a Si3 backbone. Salt 1 is highly reactive, but it can be used as a reagent in deuterated dichloromethane, whereby dehalogenation with Me3SiOTf (OTf=O3SCF3) gives the dicationic silyl halide [(IPr3Si3Cl4)]2+ 2. Quantum chemical calculations show that the HOMO is localized at the negatively charged central silicon atom of 1 and 2, and thus although both compounds are cations they are better described as silanides, which was also corroborated by NMR investigations.
Simple and Efficient Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Primary Alcohols with Molecular Oxygen
Authors: Ray Ritwika , Chandra Shubhadeep , Maiti Debabrata , Lahiri Goutam Kumar
Published: June 2016

Oxidative transformations utilizing molecular oxygen (O2) as the stoichiometric oxidant are of paramount importance in organic synthesis from ecological and economical perspectives. Alcohol oxidation reactions that employ O2 are scarce in homogeneous catalysis and the efficacy of such systems has been constrained by limited substrate scope (most involve secondary alcohol oxidation) or practical factors, such as the need for an excess of base or an additive. Catalytic systems employing O2 as the “primary” oxidant, in the absence of any additive, are rare. A solution to this longstanding issue is offered by the development of an efficient ruthenium‐catalyzed oxidation protocol, which enables smooth oxidation of a wide variety of primary, as well as secondary benzylic, allylic, heterocyclic, and aliphatic, alcohols with molecular oxygen as the primary oxidant and without any base or hydrogen‐ or electron‐transfer agents. Most importantly, a high degree of selectivity during alcohol oxidation has been predicted for complex settings. Preliminary mechanistic studies including 18O labeling established the in situ formation of an oxo–ruthenium intermediate as the active catalytic species in the cycle and involvement of a two‐electron hydride transfer in the rate‐limiting step.
Azomethine Ylides from Nitrones: Using Catalytic nBuLi for the Totally Stereoselective Synthesis of trans‐2‐Alkyl‐3‐oxazolines
Authors: Juste‐Navarro Veronica , Delso Ignacio , Tejero Tomás , Merino Pedro
Published: June 2016

The cycloaddition of azomethine ylide N‐oxides (nitrone ylides) with aldehydes provides 3‐oxazolines in a completely stereoselective manner in the presence of a catalytic amount of n‐butyllithium. The process involves an initial nucleophilic attack on the aldehyde, followed by intramolecular oxygen addition to the nitrone moiety and lithium‐assisted elimination of water, regenerating the catalytic species. Various Li‐based catalytic systems are possible and the in situ generated water is required for continuing the catalytic cycle. The best results are observed with 20 mol % of n‐butyllithium, whereas the use of stoichiometric amounts inhibit the rate of catalysis. Experimental, spectroscopic, and computational mechanistic studies have provided evidence of lithium‐ion catalysis and rationalized several competing catalytic pathways
How do you write and present research well? 14—Favour images over text in graphical abstracts
Authors: Patience Paul A. , Boffito Daria C. , Patience Gregory S.
Published: June 2016

Line weights in presentations are heavier than in journal articles. They also depend on frame dimensions—lines should be thicker for wider graphs. What line weight should frame a 70 mm graph for a paper (or poster)? For a presentation or graphical abstract?[1,2] (Multiple choices possible)

Papers & Posters
Presentations & GAs

a
hairline

b
3 pt
6 pt

c
0.75 pt
1.5 pt

d
0.25 mm
0.25 mm

e
0.01″
0.02″
PI controller design for a TITO system based on delay compensated structure and direct synthesis
Authors: Jin Qibing , Zhu Lingjia , Wang Qi , Jiang Beiyan
Published: June 2016

The present study suggests a new scheme to design a decentralized PI controller for two‐input two‐output (TITO) processes. The decentralized controller is obtained from the direct synthesis method. The decoupler is derived from a modified decoupler and minimizes the interaction between the loops. Then a new reduced method based on equivalent transfer function (ETF) with relative gain array concept and relative normalized relative gain array concept reduces the decoupled process transfer functions to first‐order plus time delay (FOPTD) forms. Further, two PI controllers are obtained in the proposed delay‐compensated configuration in terms of the only parameter in every individual loop for the FOPTD transfer functions. Three illustrative examples demonstrate that the performance is verified on the original interactive system and show the effectiveness of the proposed design method. The results confirm the superior performance of the proposed compensation configuration in nominal and robust cases. The proposed method also offers several important advantages compared to other previous methods.
A personalized recommender system for SaaS services
Authors: Afify Yasmine M. , Moawad Ibrahim F. , Badr Nagwa L. , Tolba Mohamed F.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we propose the Software‐as‐a‐Service (SaaS) Recommender (SaaSRec), a personalized reputation‐based QoS‐aware recommender system (RS) for SaaS services. SaaSRec semantically processes user requests in order to find business‐oriented matching services, which are then filtered to satisfy the user QoS requirements and service characteristics. Subsequently, hybrid filtering is utilized to validate the services set on the basis of services metadata, reputation and user interests. Finally, the recommended set of services is ranked using a unique combination of factors: Relevance to user profile, service reputations and service cost. Moreover, we propose a new method for calculating the service reputation from the objective time‐weighted user feedbacks. SaaSRec addresses many challenges faced by the generic RSs: User cold‐start problem, limited content analysis and low performance. In respect of service RSs, SaaSRec tackles the disregarding of relevant factors to services recommendation: Cloud service characteristics, user physical location, service reputation and user interests. Moreover, SaaSRec provides a hybrid justification for the recommended services to increase the user's acceptance. Experimental evaluation against a real‐world services dataset has been carried out, and the results show that the proposed recommendation approach surpasses other collaborative filtering‐based recommendation approaches in respect of both precision and recall. This performance improvement was verified using different matrix density levels and number of recommendations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.