bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of chemically reactive species and a volumetric heat source or sink on mixed convection over an exponentially decreasing mainstream
Authors: Patil Prabhugouda M. , Kumbarwadi Nafisabanu , Momoniat Ebrahim
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we investigate mixed convection flow over an exponentially decreasing freestream velocity in presence of nonlinear chemically reactive species and a volumetric heat source or sink. Nonsimilar transformations are used to reduce the boundary layer equations into dimensionless equations and are further solved by the implicit finite difference scheme in combination with the quasi‐linearization technique. The influence of various governing parameters such as the volumetric heat source/sink parameter (Q), the ratio of buoyancy forces (N), the Richardson number (Ri), and the chemical reaction parameter (Δ) on the flow, thermal and species concentration fields are discussed and presented in terms of graphs. The numerical investigation reveals that the increase in volumetric heat source/sink parameter Q increases the temperature profile about 69% in presence of injection and the concentration profile decreases about 56% for and increases around 53% for as n increases from 1 to 2.
Synephrine and phenylephrine act as α‐amylase, α‐glycosidase, acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and carbonic anhydrase enzymes inhibitors
Authors: Taslimi Parham , Akıncıoglu Hülya , Gülçin İlhami
Published: August 2017

In this paper, synephrine and phenylephrine compounds showed excellent inhibitory effects against human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isoforms I and II, α‐amylase, α‐glycosidase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Synephrine and phenylephrine hadKivalues of 199.02 ± 16.01 and 65.01 ± 5.00 μM against hCA I and 336.02 ± 74.01 and 92.04  ±  18.03 μM against hCA II, respectively. On the other hand, theirKivalues were found to be 169.10  ±  80.03 and 88.03  ±  5.01 nM against AChE and 177.06  ±  6.01 and 78.03  ±  3.05 nM against BChE, respectively. α‐Amylase and α‐glycosidase enzymes were easily inhibited by these compounds. α‐Glycosidase inhibitors, generally defined to as starch blockers, are anti‐diabetic drugs that help to decrease post comestible blood glucose levels.
Antioxidant protection by β‐selenoamines against thioacetamide‐induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in mice
Authors: Stefanello Sílvio Terra , Hartmann Diane Duarte , Amaral Guilherme Pires , Courtes Aline Alves , Leite Martim T. B. , da Silva Thayanara Cruz , Gonçalves Débora Farina , Souza Micaela B. , da Rosa Pâmela Carvalho , Dornelles Luciano , Soares Félix Alexandre Antunes
Published: August 2017

Thioacetamide (TAA) is a hepatotoxin that rapidly triggers the necrotic process and oxidative stress in the liver. Nevertheless, organic selenium compounds, such as β‐selenoamines, can be used as pharmacological agents to diminish the oxidative damage. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of the antioxidant β‐selenoamines on TAA‐induced oxidative stress in mice. Here, we observed that a single intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg) dramatically elevated some parameters of oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, as well as depleted cellular antioxidant defenses. In addition, TAA‐induced edema and morphological changes in the liver, which correlate with high serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase enzyme activities, and a decrease in cell viability. Conversely, a significant reduction in liver lipid peroxidation, ROS production, and edema was observed in animals that received an intraperitoneal injection of β‐selenoamines (15.6 mg/kg) 1 h after TAA administration.
TPX2‐p53‐GLIPR1 regulatory circuitry in cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth of bladder cancer
Authors: Yan Liang , Li Qi , Yang Juan , Qiao Baoping
Published: August 2017

The targeting protein for Xenopus kinesin‐like protein 2 (TPX2) is associated with the metastasis and prognosis of bladder cancer. p53 is closely related to the progression of bladder cancer. Human glioma pathogenesis‐related protein 1 (GLIPR1) is a p53 target gene with antitumor activity. This study aims to explore the interplay between TPX2, p53, and GLIPR1 and its correlation with cell proliferation, invasion, and tumor growth in bladder cancer. Here, Western blot and qRT‐PCR analysis revealed that TPX2 at both mRNA and protein levels was up‐regulated in bladder carcinoma tissues compared to their paired adjacent normal tissues. Additionally, tissues expressing high TPX2 level exhibited high p53 level and low GLIPR1 level. The expressions of TPX2 and p53 in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer cells (KK47 and RT4) were lower than those in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer cells (T24, 5637, and UM‐UC‐3), while GLIPR1 showed the converse expression pattern. Further investigation revealed that TPX2 activated the synthesis of p53; and GLIPR1 is up‐regulated by wild‐type (wt)‐p53 but not affected by mutated p53; Additionally, GLIPR1 inhibited TPX2. These data suggested a TPX2‐p53‐GLIPR1 regulatory circuitry. Meanwhile, TPX2 overexpression promoted while overexpression of GLIPR1 or p53 inhibited bladder cancer growth. Interestingly, in T24 cells with mutated p53, p53 silence suppressed bladder cancer growth. This study identified a novel TPX2‐p53‐GLIPR1 regulatory circuitry which modulated cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity of bladder cancer. Our findings provide new insight into underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis and novel therapeutic options in bladder cancer.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Glecaprevir and Pibrentasvir in Healthy White, Chinese, and Japanese Adult Subjects
Authors: Lin Chih‐Wei , Dutta Sandeep , Ding Bifeng , Wang Tianli , Zadeikis Neddie , Asatryan Armen , Kort Jens , Campbell Andrew , Podsadecki Thomas , Liu Wei
Published: August 2017

Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir are direct‐acting antiviral agents being developed as combination therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. The aim of the present studies was to assess the effect of race and ethnicity (white, Han Chinese, Japanese) on the pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple oral doses of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir given alone and in combination. Two multiple‐dose, single‐center, phase 1 studies were conducted in healthy adult male and female subjects (n = 170) of respective Asian and white race/ethnicity. Glecaprevir (100, 200, 300, or 700 mg once daily) and pibrentasvir (80, 120, or 160 mg once daily) were administered alone for 7 days followed by the combination of both direct‐acting antiviral agents for another 7 days. Intensive blood sampling was performed, and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by noncompartmental analyses. ANOVA was employed to evaluate for differences of steady‐state glecaprevir and pibrentasvir exposures between Asian (Japanese or Han Chinese) and white subjects. Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir exposures in Han Chinese and Japanese were similar to those in whites across dose levels. The nonlinear dose‐exposure relationships for glecaprevir and pibrentasvir were similar across Japanese, Han Chinese, and white subjects, and the safety profiles of the agents were comparable across these groups. The results of these studies demonstrate that race/ethnicity has no clinically meaningful impact on direct‐acting antiviral agent exposures, safety, or tolerability of the glecaprevir and pibrentasvir combination. This is supported in part by the large global registration program of the pangenotypic, coformulated fixed‐dose glecaprevir/pibrentasvir regimen and allows for inclusion of diverse ethnic populations.
Effects of bed compression on protein separation on gel filtration chromatography at bench and pilot scale
Authors: Kong Darryl YC , Gerontas Spyridon , McCluckie Ross A , Mewies Martin , Gruber David , Titchener‐Hooker Nigel J
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Poorly packed chromatography columns are known to reduce drastically the column efficiency and produce broader peaks. Controlled bed compression has been suggested to be a useful approach for solving this problem. Here the relationship between column efficiency and resolution of protein separation are examined when preparative chromatography media were compressed using mechanical and hydrodynamic methods. Sepharose CL‐6B, an agarose based size exclusion media was examined at bench and pilot scale. The asymmetry and height equivalent of a theoretical plate (HETP) was determined by using 2% v/v acetone, whereas the void volume and intraparticle porosity (ϵp) were estimated by using blue dextran. A protein mixture of ovalbumin (chicken), bovine serum albumin (BSA) and γ'‐ globulin (bovine) with molecular weights of 44, 67 and 158 kDa, respectively, were used as a ‘model’ separation challenge.

RESULTS

Mechanical compression achieved a reduction in plate height for the column with a concomitant improvement in asymmetry. Furthermore, the theoretical plate height decreased significantly with mechanical compression resulting in a 40% improvement in purity compared with uncompressed columns at the most extreme conditions of compression used.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that the mechanical bed compression of Sepharose CL‐6B can be used to improve the resolution of protein separation. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Ultrastructural characteristics of ovine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells cultured with a silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate bioceramic
Authors: Desantis Salvatore , Accogli Gianluca , Burk Janina , Zizza Sara , Mastrodonato Maria , Francioso Edda G. , Rossi Roberta , Crovace Antonio , Resta Leonardo
Published: August 2017

Bioceramics are being used in experimental bone engineering application in association with bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) as a new therapeutic tool, but their effects on the ultrastructure of BM‐MSCs are yet unknown. In this study we report the morphological features of ovine (o)BM‐MSCs cultured with Skelite, a resorbable bioceramic based on silicon stabilized tricalcium phosphate (SiTCP), able to promote the repair of induced bone defect in sheep model. oBM‐MSCs were isolated from the iliac crest, cultured until they reached near‐confluence and incubated with SiTCP. After 48 hr the monolayers were highly damaged and only few cells adhered to the plastic. Thus, SiTCP was removed, and after washing the cells were cultured until they became confluent. Then, they were trypsinizated and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and RT‐PCR analysis. RT‐PCR displayed that oBM‐MSCs express typical surface marker for MSCs. TEM revealed the presence of electron‐lucent cells and electron‐dense cells, both expressing the CD90 surface antigen. The prominent feature of electron‐lucent cells was the concentration of cytoplasmic organelles around the nucleus as well as large surface blebs containing glycogen or profiles of endoplasmic reticulum. The dark cells had a multilocular appearance by the presence of peripheral vacuoles. Some dark cells contained endocytic vesicles, lysosomes, and glycogen aggregates. oBM‐MSCs showed different types of specialized interconnections. The comparison with ultrastructural features of untreated oBM‐MSCs suggests the light and dark cells are two distinct cell types which were differently affected by SiTCP bioceramic. Skelite cultured ovine BM‐MSCs display electron‐dense and electron‐lucent cells which are differently affected by this bioceramic. This suggests that they could play a different role in bioceramic based therapy.
Scanning electron microscope investigation on the process of healing of skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala
Authors: Verma Neeraj , Kumari Usha , Mittal Swati , Mittal Ajay Kumar
Published: August 2017

Present scanning electron microscope study, reports healing of excised skin wounds in Cirrhinus mrigala. Healing process of wounds, inflicted on head skin, using biopsy punch was observed at intervals—0 hour (h), 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 h, 1 day (d) 2 and 4 d. Accumulation of mucus in wound region within 1h after infliction of wound has been considered an immediate measure to provide protection to injured skin from microbial invasion and other external environmental hazards. On infliction of wound, mobilization of epithelial cells at wound edge is associated with disturbance of coaptive relationship of epithelial cells till original coaptive stability is reached. At 6–12 h appearance of epidermal ridge in region of contact of migrating fronts is due to piling up of epithelial cells. This is associated with cessation of migration of epithelial cells and their simultaneous continual arrival in the region. Speedy epithelialization of skin wounds in C. mrigala like in other fishes, compared to that of mammals and other higher vertebrates, is possibly facilitated owing to surrounding wet external environment. Microridges in initial stages of wound healing appear fragmented without particular orientation. Further, epithelial cells in epithelium in wound region and in region adjacent to wound elongate. These changes are associated with the stretching of epithelial cells indicating their streaming and migration, toward wound. Presence of superficial neuromasts, smallest functional units of lateral line system, a hydrodynamic sensory system, has been associated with important functional significance in fish.
Attitude determination by combining arrays of MEMS accelerometers, gyros, and magnetometers via quaternion‐based complementary filter
Authors: Ghasemi‐Moghadam S. , Homaeinezhad M. R.
Published: August 2017

In this study, an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) consisting of 5 modules is designed where each module has a triaxial gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. First, a method based on the Levenberg‐Marquardt algorithm (LMA) is utilized to correct the bias error, scale factor and axes nonorthogonality. Also, the data from the 5 modules of AHRS are ensemble averaged to reduce the adverse effects of high‐frequency noises. Then, the obtained trends are used in an orientation estimation algorithm based on a complementary filter algorithm. In this algorithm, the dynamical accelerations are first decreased via a low‐pass filter. Afterwards, it is determined using an algorithm whether the system is experiencing magnetic distortion or not. If distortion is verified, magnetometers' data are discarded, as it will introduce noticeable error in estimating heading angle. In this case, the heading angle starts to diverge; however, employing 5 modules in the system decreases divergence rate noticeably, such that after 2 minutes in quasi‐static conditions, the pitch, roll, and heading angles' errors decrease, respectively, from 36.195°, 23.201°, and 12.541° when only 1 module is used to 2.511°, 3.972°, and 0.984° when all 5 modules are used. Moreover, in dynamical conditions, these errors decrease from 37.916°, 13.633°, and 13.071° to 6.514°, 5.961°, and 0.284°. Once the distortion is removed from magnetic field, the magnetometers' data are used again to correct the heading error. The obtained results show that the root mean square (RMS) errors of pitch, roll, and heading angles in quasi‐static conditions are 0.536°, 0.323°, and 0.601°, whereas in dynamical condition, they are 1.267°, 1.535°, and 0.994°, respectively.
Macronutrients and metals released from soils by solutions of naturally occurring phenols
Authors: Schmidt Michael A. , Halvorson Jonathan J. , Hagerman Ann E. , Gonzalez Javier M.
Published: August 2017

Phenolic compounds produced by plants enter the soil by leaching and litter decomposition. The goal of this work is to determine the effect of phenolic compounds on solubility of plant macronutrients and metals in agroforestry systems. Soils from forest and pasture systems were repeatedly extracted with water (control) or phenolic solutions and then compared to a Mehlich 3 reference. The phenolics were aqueous solutions of tannic acid or β–1,2,3,4,6‐penta‐O‐galloyl‐D‐glucose (PGG) (hydrolyzable tannins), procyanidin (condensed tannin), or small phenolics catechin, gallic acid, or methyl gallate. The concentration of the macronutrients Ca, Mg, K, P, and S, and the metals Fe, Al, Mn, and Zn in the supernatants was determined by inductively‐coupled plasma spectroscopy. Cumulative extraction of macronutrients was generally similar to or less than the amount obtained by the Mehlich 3 extraction with the lowest recoveries obtained with the water control, PGG, and procyanidin. Metals tended to be somewhat more extractable from forest soil, especially with gallic acid, tannic acid or PGG treatments. Three mechanisms affected extraction of analytes by phenol‐containing solutions: (1) pH‐driven dissolution (Ca and Mg), (2) chelation of the metal (Al) by the polyphenol, or (3) reduction of the metal (Fe and Mn). Relatively low extraction of nutrients by some polyphenols is attributed to the tendency of some phenols to sorb to soil. This study demonstrates that tannins and related compounds change the solubility of macronutrients and metals in soils by a complex process that is not easily predictable from simple chemical properties of the phenolics.
Physico‐chemical properties and extrusion behaviour of selected common bean varieties
Authors: Natabirwa Hedwig , Muyonga John H , Nakimbugwe Dorothy , Lungaho Mercy
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

Extrusion processing offers the possibility of processing common beans industrially into highly nutritious and functional products. However, there is limited information on properties of extrudates from different bean varieties and their association with raw material characteristics and extrusion conditions. In this study, physico‐chemical properties of raw and extruded Bishaz, K131, NABE19, Roba1 and RWR2245 common beans were determined. The relationships between bean characteristics and extrusion conditions on the extrudate properties were analysed.

RESULTS

Extrudate physico‐chemical and pasting properties varied significantly (P < 0.05) among bean varieties. Expansion ratio and water solubility decreased, while bulk density, water absorption, peak and breakdown viscosities increased as feed moisture increased. Protein exhibited significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) with water solubility index, and negative correlations (P < 0.05) with water absorption, bulk density and pasting viscosities. Iron and dietary fibre showed positive correlation while total ash exhibited negative correlation with peak viscosity, final viscosity and setback. Similar trends were observed in principal component analysis.

CONCLUSION

Extrudate physico‐chemical properties were found to be associated with beans protein, starch, iron, zinc and fibre contents. Therefore, bean chemical composition may serve as an indicator for beans extrusion behaviour and could be useful in selection of beans for extrusion. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigating inhibitory activity of novel synthetic sericin peptide on α‐D‐glucosidase: kinetics and interaction mechanism study using a docking simulation
Authors: Xie Fan , Wang Shaoyun , Zhang Li , Wu Jinhong , Wang Zhengwu
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

We synthesised a novel sericin peptide (SP‐GI) with α‐d‐glucosidase inhibitory activity, which has a sequence of SEDSSEVDIDLGN. The kinetics of its peptide‐induced inhibition on α‐d‐glucosidase activity and its interaction mechanism merging with molecular docking were both investigated.

RESULTS

SP‐GI exhibited significant inhibitory activity with an IC50 of 2.9 ± 0.1 µmol L−1 and this inhibition was reversible and non‐competitive with a Ki value of 1.0 ± 0.1 µmol L−1. An interaction study with SP‐GI revealed it bound to α‐d‐glucosidase at a single binding site, resulting in alterations in α‐d‐glucosidase secondary structure. This led to quenching of intrinsic α‐d‐glucosidase fluorescence by a static quenching mechanism. Molecular docking results showed that the SP‐GI binding site on α‐d‐glucosidase differed from acarbose, with hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces being the main binding drivers.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest the potential use for SP‐GI or other natural sericin peptides as dietary supplements for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Local enterprise partnerships: Socialisation practices enabling business collective action in regional knowledge networks
Authors: Martins Jorge Tiago , Ling Shiyun
Published: August 2017

This article identifies and theorises the interorganisational socialisation mechanisms that facilitate the knowledge dynamic capabilities of organisations brought together within the applied context of a U.K. Local Enterprise Partnership. Focusing on the Sheffield City Region's Creative and Digital Industries Sector Group, the data for this study were messages posted to the Creative and Digital Industries Sector Group's online consultation platform. Data analysis proceeded through inductive thematic analysis. It is revealed that collaborative workspaces, business networks resources, and pathways to internationalisation are perceived to play an important role in facilitating interorganisational learning. These knowledge socialisation mechanisms are essential to avoid regional competency traps. The article identifies and discusses knowledge socialisation mechanisms that are perceived to play a key role in transferring knowledge between members of the regional system of innovation. In identifying and discussing knowledge socialisation mechanisms, this paper offers knowledge management theorists and practitioners—more specifically, regional knowledge brokers and regional development managers—actionable insight into a range of strategies that reinforce social ties and increase the flow of knowledge with a view to improving innovation outcomes.
Exploring the microbial diversity in Jordanian hot springs by comparative metagenomic analysis
Authors: Hussein Emad I. , Jacob Jacob H. , Shakhatreh Muhamad Ali K. , Abd Al‐razaq Mutaz A. , Juhmani Abdul‐salam F. , Cornelison Christopher T.
Published: August 2017

A culture‐independent approach was utilized in this study to reveal the microbial diversity in Jordanian hot springs represented by Ma'in and Afra hot springs. Water samples from Ma'in and Afra hot springs were collected in June 2015. The in situ temperature of water samples range was 38–59°C and the pH range was 7.4–8.4. The metagenome was extracted and analyzed using the next generation technology (bTEFAP®). A total of 314,310 sequences were parsed and 288,452 were then clustered. The sequences were predominated by bacteria (>84%) and the relative abundance of archaea in each sample was <1%. Eukaryotic microorganisms were detected but with varying abundances (0.6%–15%). Because most of the detected sequences were found to belong to the domain of bacteria (196,936 sequences out 288,452), the bacterial sequences were utilized for further microbial analyses. With respect to alpha and beta diversity, samples were rarefied to 30,000 sequences and bootstrapped at 10,000 sequences. The Shannon–Wiener Index curve plot reaches a plateau at approximately 3,000 sequences indicating that sequencing depth was sufficient to capture the full scope of microbial diversity. By examining the relative abundance of phyla detected in each sample, it appears that the biota of both Jordanian hot springs sampled are compositionally similar, with over 50% of the microbial community of each sample being comprised of the phylum Proteobacteria. The second most abundant phylum was the phylum Bacteroidetes which represents more than 13% in each sample. The phylum Firmicutes was also detected with a significant abundance. However, lower abundance of Deinococcus, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, and Chloroflexi was detected. A principal coordinate analysis plot was generated based upon the weighted UniFrac distance matrix. By utilizing Monte Carlo simulations, we were able to determine that there were no significant differences in the microbial diversity between each sample.
Discrete leader‐following consensus
Authors: Malinowska Agnieszka B. , Schmeidel Ewa , Zdanowicz Małgorzata
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a leader‐following consensus of discrete‐time multi‐agent systems with nonlinear intrinsic dynamics is investigated. We propose and prove conditions ensuring a leader‐following consensus. Numerical examples are given to illustrate our results.
Bernstein modal basis: Application to the spectral Petrov‐Galerkin method for fractional partial differential equations
Authors: Jani M. , Babolian E. , Javadi S.
Published: August 2017

In the spectral Petrov‐Galerkin methods, the trial and test functions are required to satisfy particular boundary conditions. By a suitable linear combination of orthogonal polynomials, a basis, that is called the modal basis, is obtained. In this paper, we extend this idea to the nonorthogonal dual Bernstein polynomials. A compact general formula is derived for the modal basis functions based on dual Bernstein polynomials. Then, we present a Bernstein‐spectral Petrov‐Galerkin method for a class of time fractional partial differential equations with Caputo derivative. It is shown that the method leads to banded sparse linear systems for problems with constant coefficients. Some numerical examples are provided to show the efficiency and the spectral accuracy of the method.
CCR2+ monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (M‐MDSCs) inhibit collagen degradation and promote lung fibrosis by producing transforming growth factor‐β1
Authors: Lebrun Astrid , Lo Re Sandra , Chantry Mathilde , Izquierdo Carerra Xavier , Uwambayinema Francine , Ricci Doriana , Devosse Raynal , Ibouraadaten Saloua , Brombin Lisa , Palmai‐Pallag Mihaly , Yakoub Yousof , Pasparakis Manolis , Lison Dominique , Huaux François
Published: August 2017

Monocytes infiltrating scar tissue are predominantly viewed as progenitor cells. Here, we show that tissue CCR2+ monocytes have specific immunosuppressive and profibrotic functions. CCR2+ monocytic cells are acutely recruited to the lung before the onset of silica‐induced fibrosis in mice. These tissue monocytes are defined as monocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (M‐MDSCs) because they significantly suppress T‐lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. M‐MDSCs collected from silica‐treated mice also express transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1, which stimulates lung fibroblasts to release tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)‐1, an inhibitor of metalloproteinase collagenolytic activity. By using LysMCreCCR2loxP/loxP mice, we show that limiting CCR2+ M‐MDSC accumulation reduces the pulmonary contents of TGF‐β1, TIMP‐1 and collagen after silica treatment. M‐MDSCs do not differentiate into lung macrophages, granulocytes or fibrocytes during pulmonary fibrogenesis. Collectively, our data indicate that M‐MDSCs contribute to lung fibrosis by specifically promoting a non‐degrading collagen microenvironment. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Application of the STOPP/START criteria to a medical record database
Authors: Nauta Katinka J. , Groenhof Feikje , Schuling Jan , Hugtenburg Jacqueline G. , van Hout Hein P.J. , Haaijer‐Ruskamp Flora M. , Denig Petra
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The STOPP/START criteria are increasingly used to assess prescribing quality in elderly patients at practice level. Our aim was to test computerized algorithms for applying these criteria to a medical record database.

Methods

STOPP/START criteria‐based computerized algorithms were defined using Anatomical‐Therapeutic‐Chemical (ATC) codes for medication and International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC) codes for diagnoses. The algorithms were applied to a Dutch primary care database, including patients aged ≥65 years using ≥5 chronic drugs. We tested for associations with patient characteristics that have previously shown a relationship with the original STOPP/START criteria, using multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Included were 1187 patients with a median age of 75 years. In total, 39 of the 62 STOPP and 18 of the 26 START criteria could be converted to a computerized algorithm. The main reasons for inapplicability were lack of information on the severity of a condition and insufficient covering of ICPC‐codes. We confirmed a positive association between the occurrence of both the STOPP and the START criteria and the number of chronic drugs (adjusted OR ranging from 1.37, 95% CI 1.04‐1.82 to 3.19, 95% CI 2.33‐4.36) as well as the patient's age (adjusted OR for STOPP 1.30, 95% CI 1.01‐1.67; for START 1.73, 95% CI 1.35‐2.21), and also between female gender and the occurrence of STOPP criteria (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09‐1.82).

Conclusion

Sixty‐five percent of the STOPP/START criteria could be applied with computerized algorithms to a medical record database with ATC‐coded medication and ICPC‐coded diagnoses.
Lignin‐based polymers via graft copolymerization
Authors: Liu Hailing , Chung Hoyong
Published: August 2017

Lignin is an important source of synthetic materials because of its abundance in nature, low cost, stable supply, and no competition to the human food supply. Lignin, a cross‐linked phenolic polymer, contains a large number of aromatic groups that can be used as a substitute for petroleum‐based aromatic fine chemicals. However, modification of lignin is necessary for its application in advanced materials due to its chemically inert nature and structural complexity. Polymeric modification of lignin via graft copolymerization represents an important avenue for modification because this method forms stable covalent bond linkages between lignin and synthetic functional polymers. In this review, we discuss recent synthetic strategies toward polymeric modification of lignin using graft copolymerization and the special properties and applications of the produced lignin copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3515–3528
Serum Proteome in a Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Geographical Cluster
Authors: De Benedetti Stefano , Gianazza Elisabetta , Banfi Cristina , Marocchi Alessandro , Lunetta Christian , Penco Silvana , Bonomi Francesco , Iametti Stefania
Published: August 2017

This study is meant to characterize the serum proteome in a small geographical cluster of sporadic ALS subjects originating from a restricted geographical area and sharing the same environmental exposure, in a broader context of evaluating the relevance of environmental factors to disease onset, status, and progression. An Artificial Neural Network based software is used to compare the relative abundance of proteins identified as different (by means of bi‐dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry) in the serum proteome of patients and age‐matched healthy controls. The patient's group is characterized by altered levels of acute phase reactants and of proteins involved in lipid homeostasis, along with over‐representation of the APOE*4 allele. Characterization of the serum proteome in a small cluster of sporadic ALS patients, originating from a geographically restricted area with a high prevalence of the disease and evaluation of the results with software based on artificial neural networks, highlights the association of the relative abundance of some proteins (most notably, acute phase reactants and lipid homeostasis proteins) with the disease presence and status.
Visualizing correlated motion with HDBSCAN clustering
Authors: Melvin Ryan L. , Xiao Jiajie , Godwin Ryan C. , Berenhaut Kenneth S. , Salsbury Freddie R.
Published: August 2017

Correlated motion analysis provides a method for understanding communication between and dynamic similarities of biopolymer residues and domains. The typical equal‐time correlation matrices—frequently visualized with pseudo‐colorings or heat maps—quickly convey large regions of highly correlated motion but hide more subtle similarities of motion. Here we propose a complementary method for visualizing correlations within proteins (or general biopolymers) that quickly conveys intuition about which residues have a similar dynamic behavior. For grouping residues, we use the recently developed non‐parametric clustering algorithm HDBSCAN. Although the method we propose here can be used to group residues using correlation as a similarity matrix—the most straightforward and intuitive method—it can also be used to more generally determine groups of residues which have similar dynamic properties. We term these latter groups “Dynamic Domains”, as they are based not on spatial closeness but rather closeness in the column space of a correlation matrix. We provide examples of this method across three human proteins of varying size and function—the Nf‐Kappa‐Beta essential modulator, the clotting promoter Thrombin and the mismatch repair protein (dimer) complex MutS‐alpha. Although the examples presented here are from all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations, this visualization technique can also be used on correlations matrices built from any ensembles of conformations from experiment or computation.
Molting drives mortality in foraging populations of Formosan subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) baited with a chitin synthesis inhibitor, noviflumuron
Authors: Kakkar Garima , Su Nan‐Yao
Published: August 2017

BACKGROUND

The lethal time of a chitin synthesis inhibitor (CSI)‐baited colony of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki largely depends on the time taken for workers to molt after consuming a lethal dose. Given that termite molting biology can regulate the time to elimination of a baited termite colony, the objective of this study was to determine how the fasting period (an important element of the worker molting cycle) and acquisition of the lethal dose can impact the total elimination period for a colony.

RESULTS

Noviflumuron eliminated the foraging population over a 30 m‐long foraging arena within 9 weeks. However, mortality in treatment groups did not begin until day 11. The 10‐day lag post treatment corresponds to the fasting period during which workers to prepare for ecdysis on the 11th day, at which time mortality occurs due to the effect of CSI.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that, with the exception of successful molting events during the first 10 days after baiting, mortality among workers is inevitable in the next molt with lethal doses of noviflumuron. The 10‐day fasting period can comprise at least 22% of a molt cycle (45 days for a fourth worker instar or lower), and can provide a window during which a worker escapes the effect of CSI bait, thereby extending the total time needed for elimination of a colony. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Concurrence of nivolumab‐induced interstitial lung disease and cancer invasion
Authors: Kanai Osamu , Nakatani Koichi , Fujita Kohei , Okamura Misato , Mio Tadashi
Published: August 2017

Nivolumab improves overall survival rates of patients with advanced or recurrent non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Among immune‐related adverse events caused by nivolumab, interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a clinically serious and potentially life‐threatening toxicity, for which appropriate treatment is needed immediately. However, ILD is sometimes difficult to distinguish from invasive lung adenocarcinoma using only computed tomography (CT) findings. A 71‐year‐old man was diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The patient developed dyspnoea after eight cycles of nivolumab, when chest CT indicated ILD classified with a cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) pattern. Although immunosuppressive therapies improved the CT findings temporarily, dyspnoea was re‐exacerbated 2 months later. The CT findings helped in making the diagnosis of a combination of ILD and invasive lung cancer, confirmed by a transbronchial lung biopsy. In conclusion, nivolumab‐related ILD and cancer invasion may concur and aggressive biopsy should be considered if nivolumab‐related ILD is refractory to immunosuppressive therapy.
New delay range–dependent stability criteria for interval time‐varying delay systems via Wirtinger‐based inequalities
Authors: Mohajerpoor Reza , Shanmugam Lakshmanan , Abdi Hamid , Rakkiyappan Rajan , Nahavandi Saeid , Shi Peng
Published: August 2017

Stability conditions for time‐delay systems using the Lyapunov‐based methodologies are generically expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities. However, due to assuming restrictive conditions in deriving the linear matrix inequalities, the established stability conditions can be strictly conservative. This paper attempts to relax this problem for linear systems with interval time‐varying delays. A double‐integral inequality is derived inspired by Wirtinger‐based single‐integral inequality. Using the advanced integral inequalities, the reciprocally convex combination techniques and necessary slack variables, together with extracting a condition for the positive definiteness of the Lyapunov functional, novel stability criteria, have been established for the system. The effectiveness of the criteria is evaluated via 2 numerical examples. The results indicate that more complex stability criteria not only improve the stability region but also bring computational expenses.
Exponential ultimate boundedness of impulsive stochastic delay difference systems
Authors: Xu Liguang , Hu Hongxiao , Ge Shuzhi Sam
Published: August 2017

This paper is concerned with the exponential ultimate boundedness problems for the impulsive stochastic delay difference systems. Several sufficient conditions on the globalpth moment exponential ultimate boundedness are presented by using the Lyapunov methods and the algebraic inequality techniques, and the estimated exponential convergence rate and the ultimate bound are provided as well. As an application, the boundedness criteria are applied to a class of discrete impulsive stochastic neural networks with delays. The obtained results show that the impulses not only can stabilize an unstable stochastic difference delay system but also can make an unbounded stochastic difference delay system into a bounded system. Examples and simulations are also provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the derived theoretical results.
Time‐dependent global sensitivity analysis with active subspaces for a lithium ion battery model
Authors: Constantine Paul G. , Doostan Alireza
Published: August 2017

Renewable energy researchers use computer simulation to aid the design of lithium ion storage devices. The underlying models contain several physical input parameters that affect model predictions. Effective design and analysis must understand the sensitivity of model predictions to changes in model parameters, but global sensitivity analyses become increasingly challenging as the number of input parameters increases. Active subspaces are part of an emerging set of tools for discovering and exploiting low‐dimensional structures in the map from high‐dimensional inputs to model outputs. We extend linear and quadratic model‐based heuristics for active subspace discovery to time‐dependent processes and apply the resulting technique to a lithium ion battery model. The results reveal low‐dimensional structure and sensitivity metrics that a designer may exploit to study the relationship between parameters and predictions.
Rational Design of Membrane‐Pore‐Forming Peptides
Authors: Pillong Max , Hiss Jan A. , Schneider Petra , Lin Yen‐Chu , Posselt Gernot , Pfeiffer Bernhard , Blatter Markus , Müller Alex T. , Bachler Simon , Neuhaus Claudia S. , Dittrich Petra S. , Altmann Karl‐Heinz , Wessler Silja , Schneider Gisbert
Published: August 2017

Specific interactions of peptides with lipid membranes are essential for cellular communication and constitute a central aspect of the innate host defense against pathogens. A computational method for generating innovative membrane‐pore‐forming peptides inspired by natural templates is presented. Peptide representation in terms of sequence‐ and topology‐dependent hydrophobic moments is introduced. This design concept proves to be appropriate for the de novo generation of first‐in‐class membrane‐active peptides with the anticipated mode of action. The designed peptides outperform the natural template in terms of their antibacterial activity. They form a kinked helical structure and self‐assemble in the membrane by an entropy‐driven mechanism to form dynamically growing pores that are dependent on the lipid composition. The results of this study demonstrate the unique potential of natural template‐based peptide design for chemical biology and medicinal chemistry.
Physicochemical properties, structural properties, and in vitro digestibility of pea starch treated with high hydrostatic pressure
Authors: Liu Ming , Wu Na‐Na , Yu Guo‐Ping , Zhai Xiao‐Tong , Chen Xue , Zhang Min , Tian Xiao‐Hong , Liu Yan‐Xiang , Wang Li‐Ping , Tan Bin
Published: August 2017

The influence of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at 150, 300, 450, and 600 MPa for 25 min on the physicochemical properties, structural properties, and in vitro digestibility of pea starch was studied. Compared to native and pea starch treated at 150–450 MPa, the morphology of pea starch at 600 MPa was completely destroyed and the particle size became larger, indicating complete gelatinization. The X‐ray diffraction results showed that the native pea starch was gradually changed from the C‐type into the B‐type pattern after 150–600 MPa HHP treatment. At 30–70°C, pea starch treated at 600 MPa had a higher water absorption index (p < 0.05), swelling power, and solubility than other samples did, but opposite results were obtained at 90°C. The rapid visco analyzer (RVA) results indicated that pea starch treated with high pressure at 600 MPa showed lower values of peak viscosity, trough, breakdown, final viscosity, and setback (p < 0.05), reflecting lower retrogradation. Gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) decreased with the increase of pressure. Furthermore, the in vitro digestibility of HHP treated pea starches was lower than that of native pea starch (p < 0.05). Therefore, it is an effective method for HHP treatment to modify the properties of pea starches.
Prevention of story drift amplification in a 20‐story steel frame structure by tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracing
Authors: Tagawa Hiroshi , Inooka Katsuto
Published: August 2017

This paper proposes an application of tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracing to prevent story drift amplification in tall steel moment frames. Seismic response analyses of a 20‐story bare steel frame are performed first, revealing that story drift amplification occurs in the upper and lower stories at different times. Characteristics observed for the seismic response of the bare frame suggest the efficacy of the delay action of bracing. Subsequently, seismic response analyses of the 20‐story braced frame with tension‐rod displacement–restraint bracings reveals that the increment of the column axial force by addition of bracing is reduced dramatically by the delay action of bracing. The story rotation angles within partial stories where the story drift amplification occurs in the bare frame are also reduced efficiently by the displacement–restraint bracing. The delay action of bracing influences the floor response acceleration and the residual displacement. Finally, parametric analysis results indicate an appropriate value of the story rotation angle at which the brace action starts.
Shaking table test and numerical simulation of a superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure
Authors: Li Jianbao , Wang Yan , Lu Zheng , Xia Bing
Published: August 2017

A three‐story superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure model was designed to be tested on the shaking table in order to study its seismic performance with horizontal seams. Its failure mode and seismic performance of both the wall and seams were analyzed. The monolithic superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall was simulated by using ABAQUS, and the static pushdown calculation was carried out. The calculated results were compared with the test results to validate the finite element simulation, thus providing theoretical support for engineering practice. The results show that the new type of superimposed reinforced concrete shear wall structure can effectively transmit the seismic force and maintain the overall performance of the structure under various working conditions.
How strong is public support for unilateral climate policy and what drives it?
Authors: McGrath Liam F. , Bernauer Thomas
Published: August 2017

Conventional wisdom holds that climate change poses a global public goods problem, thus requiring a global solution that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide through some form of centralized target setting and burden‐sharing arrangement among countries. Yet, the 2015 Paris Agreement has essentially given up on this approach, on which the 1997 Kyoto Protocol was based, and now relies on policies that are adopted unilaterally and voluntarily by individual countries. Since ambitious climate policies are very unlikely to be enacted and effectively implemented without strong public support, research is beginning to explore how strong public support is for unilateral climate policy and what its determinants are. Recent research has developed useful survey instruments to gauge public support for unilateral climate policy. Results from surveys and survey‐embedded experiments show that when respondents are confronted with cost implications and free‐riding problems associated with unilateral climate policy, public support tends to drop to some extent, but still remains quite high. Current research thus shows that people are—the hitherto strong global public goods framing of climate policy notwithstanding—surprisingly nonreciprocal in their climate policy preferences. Preferences concerning climate policy tend to be driven primarily by a range of personal predispositions and cost considerations, which existing research has already explored quite extensively, rather than by considerations of what other countries do.WIREs Clim Change2017, 8:e484. doi: 10.1002/wcc.484

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Behavior Change and Responses

Policy and Governance > Multilevel and Transnational Climate Change Governance
Constructing center-stable tori
Authors: Hammerlindl Andy
Published: August 2017

We show that certain derived-from-Anosov diffeomorphisms on the 2-torus may be realized as the dynamics on a center-stable or center-unstable torus of a 3-dimensional strongly partially hyperbolic system. We also construct examples of center-stable and center-unstable tori in higher dimensions.
Tidal Inlets
Authors: van de Kreeke J. , Brouwer R. L.
Published: August 2017

This book describes the latest developments in the hydrodynamics and morphodynamics of tidal inlets, with an emphasis on natural inlets. A review of morphological features and sand transport pathways is presented, followed by an overview of empirical relationships between inlet cross-sectional area, ebb delta volume, flood delta volume and tidal prism. Results of field observations and laboratory experiments are discussed and simple mathematical models are presented that calculate the inlet current and basin tide. The method to evaluate the cross-sectional stability of inlets, proposed by Escoffier, is reviewed, and is expanded, for the first time, to include double inlet systems. This volume is an ideal reference for coastal scientists, engineers and researchers, in the fields of coastal engineering, geomorphology, marine geology and oceanography.