bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral Amine Enantiomeric Excess Determination Using Self‐Assembled Octahedral Fe(II)‐Imine Complexes
Authors: Dragna Justin M. , Gade Alexandra M. , Tran Lee , Lynch Vince M. , Anslyn Eric V.
Published: February 2015

A receptor assembly composed of iron(II) triflate and pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbaldehyde was used to determine the enantiomeric excess (ee) of alpha‐chiral primary amines using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The alpha chiral amines condense with the dialdehyde to form a diimine, which forms a 2:1 octahedral complex with iron(II). The ee values of unknown concentrations of alpha‐chiral amines were determined by constructing calibration curves for each amine and then measuring the ellipticity at 600 nm. This improves our previously reported assay for ee determination of chiral primary amines by further increasing the wavelength at which CD is measured and reducing the absolute error of the assay. Chirality 27:294–298, 2015. 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Einsatz mikrostrukturierter Rohre in Verdampfern
Authors: Müller Björn C. F. , Luke Andrea
Published: February 2015

Die Wirtschaftlichkeit und Energieeffizienz von Prozessen in der Gasverflüssigung hängt u. a. von den im Verdampfer erzielten Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten ab. Hier werden Berechnungsmethoden für den Einfluss von Oberflächenstrukturen auf den Wärmeübergang beim Sieden diskutiert. Es wird eine theoretisch begründete Berechnungsmethode entwickelt und eine fundierte Datenbasis für die Auslegung von Verdampfern aufgestellt. Dafür werden neben Einzelrohren auch kleine Rohrbündel im Labormaßstab untersucht und die Ergebnisse im Technikum des Industriepartners verifiziert.
Screening bone marrow samples for abnormal lymphoid populations and myelodysplasia‐related features with one 10‐color 14‐antibody screening tube
Authors: Rajab Amr , Porwit Anna
Published: February 2015

Background

We have designed one‐tube 14‐antibody 10‐color flow cytometry (FCM) panel that would provide maximum information on lymphoid and myeloid cell subsets in bone marrow aspirates (BMA) from patients with cytopenia(s).

Samples and Methods

BMA from 8 normal donors, from 286 non‐malignant hospital controls, 92 myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), 47 myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), and from 14 MDS/MPN patients were investigated. One tube 14‐monoclonal antibody (MAb) 10‐fluorochrome panel included: kappa+CD4 FITC, Lambda+CD8 PE, CD3 + CD14 ECD, CD34 APC, CD20+CD56 PC7, CD10 APC‐A750, CD19 APC‐A700, CD33 PC5.5, CD5 PB, and CD45 KO. Kappa/lambda expression was evaluated separately in CD19+, CD10+ and CD5+ B‐cells. CD4+CD3+, CD8+CD3+, CD5+CD3+ T‐lymphocyte subsets were enumerated. Blasts were evaluated using CD45/SSC and CD34 gating. The FCM score for MDS (sc. Ogata score) included CD34+ myeloblast and B‐progenitor cluster size, myeloblast/lymphocyte CD45 expression, and granulocyte/lymphocyte SSC ratio.

Results

Abnormal lymphoid populations or increased plasma cells were found in 18 patients (4%). A 43/92 BMA from MDS and 7/14 from MDS/MPN patients had score >2. Score >2 had 92.5% positive predictive value for MDS/MDS‐MPN diagnosis. Negative predictive value for MDS/MDS‐MPN was 83% for scores under 3 and 88% for scores under 2. All but two of normal/hospital control samples had FCM score <3 (99%). Differences in scores between MDS & MDS/MPN and the control groups were statistically significant (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our one‐tube FCM panel can be easily applied to screening for aberrant lymphoid populations and myelodysplasia‐related features. MDS scores >2 are highly indicative of MDS or MDS‐MPN. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes with Terminal Imido Ligands
Authors: Schädle Dorothea , Meermann‐Zimmermann Melanie , Schädle Christoph , Maichle‐Mössmer Cäcilia , Anwander Reiner
Published: February 2015

Imide complexes [(TptBu,Me)Y(=NC6H3Me2‐2,6)(DMAP)] and [(TptBu,Me)Lu{=NC6H3(CF3)2‐3,5}(DMAP)] were obtained by Lewis base induced methane elimination of the corresponding methyl/anilide complexes, which were synthesized from [(TptBu,Me)LuMe2] and [(TptBu,Me)YMe(GaMe4)], respectively. Terminal Ln=N bonding is evidenced by very short Ln–N distances [min. 1.993(5) Å] and almost linear Ln–N–C(aryl) bond angles.
Efficient and Versatile Buchwald–Hartwig Amination of (Hetero)aryl Chlorides Using the Pd–PEPPSI‐IPr(NMe2)2 Precatalyst in the Presence of Carbonate Base
Authors: Zhang Yin , César Vincent , Lavigne Guy
Published: February 2015

The precatalyst Pd–PEPPSI‐IPr(NMe2)2, in which the IPr ligand was modified by attachment of two dimethylamino groups on to the 4‐ and 5‐positions of the imidazolyl heterocycle, was found to show high catalytic efficiency in the Buchwald–Hartwig amination under mild conditions using Cs2CO3 as a weak base, using a low catalyst loading of 1 mol‐%. The protocol is applicable to aryl chlorides bearing base‐sensitive substituents, as exemplified by the coupling of 4‐chloroacetophenone with aniline. It can also be used with an unprecedentedly wide range of amines, including strongly basic secondary alkylamines, primary arylamines, and primary alkylamines.
Cell disruption methods for improving lipid extraction efficiency in unicellular microalgae
Authors: Rakesh Suchitra , Dhar Dolly W. , Prasanna Radha , Saxena Anil K. , Saha Supradip , Shukla Madhulika , Sharma Khushbu
Published: February 2015

Identification of cost‐effective cell disruption methods to facilitate lipid extraction from microalgae represents a crucial step in identifying promising biofuel‐producing species. Various cell disruption methods including autoclaving, microwave, osmotic shock, and pasteurization were tested in the microalgae Chlorococcum sp. MCC30, Botryococcus sp. MCC31, Botryococcus sp. MCC32, and Chlorella sorokiniana MIC‐G5. Lipid content (on dry weight basis) from the four cultures on day 7 ranged from 11.15 to 48.33%, and on day 14 from 11.42 to 44.26%. Among the methods tested, enhanced lipid extraction was achieved through osmotic shock (15% NaCl) for Botryococcus sp. MCC32, microwave (6 min) for Botryococcus sp. MCC31, osmotic shock (5% NaCl) for Chlorella sorokiniana MIC‐G5 and microwave (2 min) for Chlorococcum sp. MCC30. The highest palmitate (16:0) contents (25.64% and 34.20%) were recorded with osmotic shock (15% NaCl) treatment for Botryococcus sp. MCC32 and microwave (6 min) for Botryococcus sp. MCC31, respectively. Two strains, along with their respective cell disruption methods, were identified as promising oil blends or nutraceuticals due to their high unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content: Botryococcus sp. MCC31 (37.6% oleic acid content; 39.37% UFA) after autoclaving and Botryococcus sp. MCC32 after osmotic shock of 15% NaCl treatment (19.95% oleic acid content; 38.17% UFA).
Effect of trait anxiety on prefrontal control mechanisms during emotional conflict
Authors: Comte Magali , Cancel Aïda , Coull Jennifer T. , Schön Daniele , Reynaud Emmanuelle , Boukezzi Sarah , Rousseau Pierre‐François , Robert Gabriel , Khalfa Stéphanie , Guedj Eric , Blin Olivier , Weinberger Daniel R. , Fakra Eric
Published: February 2015

Converging evidence points to a link between anxiety proneness and altered emotional functioning, including threat‐related biases in selective attention and higher susceptibility to emotionally ambiguous stimuli. However, during these complex emotional situations, it remains unclear how trait anxiety affects the engagement of the prefrontal emotional control system and particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a core region at the intersection of the limbic and prefrontal systems. Using an emotional conflict task and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated in healthy subjects the relations between trait anxiety and both regional activity and functional connectivity (psychophysiological interaction) of the ACC. Higher levels of anxiety were associated with stronger task‐related activation in ACC but with reduced functional connectivity between ACC and lateral prefrontal cortex (LPFC). These results support the hypothesis that when one is faced with emotionally incompatible information, anxiety leads to inefficient high‐order control, characterized by insufficient ACC‐LPFC functional coupling and increases, possibly compensatory, in activation of ACC. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of the neural circuitry underlying anxiety and may offer potential treatment markers for anxiety disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 36:2207–2214, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative evaluation of B1 insensitivity in nonadiabatic frequency‐selective fat‐suppression RF pulse techniques
Authors: Abe Takayuki
Published: February 2015

Nonadiabatic frequency‐selective fat‐suppression radiofrequency (RF) pulses are simpler than adiabatic RF pulses because nonadiabatic RF pulses are only amplitude modulated. The specific absorption rate (SAR) is lower. However, nonadiabatic RF pulses tend to be sensitive to B1 inhomogeneity. The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether conventional adiabatic RF pulses can replace nonadiabatic RF pulse techniques. The B1 insensitivities of nonadiabatic frequency‐selective fat‐suppression RF pulse techniques were calculated by using the Bloch equation, and their effectiveness was evaluated by simulation using the measured B1 field map. The B1 insensitivities were compared quantitatively. The B1 insensitivities of the nonadiabatic RF pulse techniques were ±5% (CHESS), a maximum of ±20% (inversion recovery RF pulse with the best inversion time), ±25% (RF pulse train with two subpulses), and ±44% (RF pulse train with three subpulses). The RF pulse train was the most effective. The B1 insensitivity of different nonadiabatic RF pulse techniques was specified quantitatively. These results can be used to judge which nonadiabatic RF pulses can replace adiabatic RF pulses. Nonadiabatic RF pulses can reduce the SAR without compromising the image quality and would be useful in higher field‐strength MRI. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 25, 86–91, 2015
A modular approach to multifunctional polypeptide/ceramic fluorapatite‐based self‐assembled system in affinity chromatography for the purification of human Immunoglobulin G
Authors: Islam Tuhidul , Fernández‐Lahore Marcelo
Published: February 2015

The multifunctional bone sialoprotein/apatite (AP) self‐assembled systems in the mineralized tissues show a pathway for the noncovalent immobilization of ligands on the AP chromatographic matrix. A model approach is presented here regarding the physical immobilization of ligands on the ceramic fluorapatite (CFT) matrix for the purification of human Immunoglobulin G (hIgG). The peptide pIC, HWRGWV–KPRSVSG, composed of a hIgG‐specific peptide, HWRGWV (pLI), and a CFT‐specific peptide, KPRSVSG (pTC), was synthesized and subjected to physicochemical characterization. A circular dichroism study showed that pIC possesses a flexible structural feature, which is significant in terms of its multifunctional activities. With the current approach, hIgG will be retained selectively by the self‐assembled pIC/CFT column, while other biomolecules will pass through the column without being interacted. Therefore, the chromatographic conditions that are the key factors for the successful implementation of this technique were optimized as a function of the composition and pH of the mobile phase. Here, 115 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) in 20 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, was used as the binding buffer, and the elution was performed with 225 mM NaCl in 20 mM sodium phosphate containing 0.3% w/v sodium acetate at pH 6. The binding capacity of the pIC/CFT column was 21.5 mg hIgG/ml matrix with a ligand density of 18.8 µmol/ml, and the binding capacity of the column increased with the increment of ligand density. Afterward, the applicability of a spacer arm between pLI and pTC was also verified. The hIgG‐binding capacity of the column decreased with the increment in size of the spacer. In conclusion, the peptide‐mediated self‐assembled biomimetic system can be used as an alternative to the chemical immobilization of ligands in order to prevent unwanted consequences that result from some of the conventional ligand coupling chemistry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dipeptide interactions with Zn(II)–cyclen artificial model for molecular recognition
Authors: Rostášová I. , Vilková M. , Vargová Z. , Walko M. , Almáši M. , Imrich J. , Hermann P. , Lukeš I.
Published: February 2015

The Zn(II)–cyclen–dipeptide ternary systems (where cyclen is abbreviated as L and dipeptide is glycylglycine (HL1) or glycyl‐(S)‐alanine (HL2)) were investigated by potentiometry applying both “out‐of‐cell” and direct titrations and by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Especially, the 1H NMR study was found to be very efficient to estimate speciation in the systems. The results obtained under full equilibria indicated two main species, [Zn(L)(HL1,2)]2+ and [Zn(L)(L1,2)]+, in both the systems. In the [Zn(L)(HL1,2)]2+ complex, presence of carbonyl‐carboxylate chelate was confirmed, and in the [Zn(L)(L1,2)]+ species, the peptide coordination is re‐organized to carbonyl‐amine chelate or only terminal amino group is coordinated. Equilibrium constants describing [Zn(L)]2+–dipeptide interaction are relatively low, log K = 3.4 for Gly‐Gly and 4.1 for Gly‐(S)‐Ala, respectively. Nevertheless, the values are slightly higher than stability constants for interaction of Zn(II) with the dipeptides (i.e. [Zn(L1,2)]+ species) where a chelate formation is expected. It indicates that interaction between Zn(II) ion in [Zn(L)]2+ and the dipeptides should be supported by some additional interactions. Potentiometry carried out under non‐equilibrum condition showed different species where these additional stabilizing forces play more important role. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epitope characterization of an anti‐PD‐L1 antibody using orthogonal approaches
Authors: Hao Gang , Wesolowski John S. , Jiang Xuliang , Lauder Scott , Sood Vanita D.
Published: February 2015

The binding of programmed death ligand 1 protein (PD‐L1) to its receptor programmed death protein 1 (PD‐1) mediates immunoevasion in cancer and chronic viral infections, presenting an important target for therapeutic intervention. Several monoclonal antibodies targeting the PD‐L1/PD‐1 signaling axis are undergoing clinical trials; however, the epitopes of these antibodies have not been described. We have combined orthogonal approaches to localize and characterize the epitope of a monoclonal antibody directed against PD‐L1 at good resolution and with high confidence. Limited proteolysis and mass spectrometry were applied to reveal that the epitope resides in the first immunoglobulin domain of PD‐L1. Hydrogen–deuterium exchange mass spectrometry (HDX‐MS) was used to identify a conformational epitope comprised of discontinuous strands that fold to form a beta sheet in the native structure. This beta sheet presents an epitope surface that significantly overlaps with the PD‐1 binding interface, consistent with a desired PD‐1 competitive mechanism of action for the antibody. Surface plasmon resonance screening of mutant PD‐L1 variants confirmed that the region identified by HDX‐MS is critical for the antibody interaction and further defined specific residues contributing to the binding energy. Taken together, the results are consistent with the observed inhibitory activity of the antibody on PD‐L1‐mediated immune evasion. This is the first report of an epitope for any antibody targeting PD‐L1 and demonstrates the power of combining orthogonal epitope mapping techniques. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Competitive proton and hydride transfer reactions via ion‐neutral complexes: fragmentation of deprotonated benzyl N‐phenylcarbamates in mass spectrometry
Authors: Yao Liqing , Chai Yunfeng , Sun Cuirong , Pan Yuanjiang
Published: February 2015

The gas‐phase chemistry of deprotonated benzyl N‐phenylcarbamates was investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Characteristic losses of a substituted phenylcarbinol and a benzaldehyde from the precursor ion were proposed to be derived from an ion‐neutral complex (INC)‐mediated competitive proton and hydride transfer reactions. The intermediacy of the INC consisting of a substituted benzyloxy anion and a phenyl isocyanate was supported by both ortho‐site‐blocking experiments and density functional theory calculations. Within the INC, the benzyloxy anion played the role of either a proton abstractor or a hydride donor toward its neutral counterpart. Relative abundances of the product ions were influenced by the nature of the substituents. Electron‐withdrawing groups at the N‐phenyl ring favored the hydrogen transfer process (including proton and hydride transfer), whereas electron‐donating groups favored direct decomposition to generate the benzyloxy anion (or substituted benzyloxy anion). By contrast, electron‐withdrawing and electron‐donating substitutions at the O‐benzyl ring exhibited opposite effects. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ambient ionization and direct identification of volatile organic compounds with microwave‐induced plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Dandan , Tian Yong‐Hui , Zhao Zhongjun , Li Wenwen , Duan Yixiang
Published: February 2015

An innovative method of volatile organic compounds analysis by using microwave‐induced plasma ionization (MIPI) source in combination with an ambient ion trap mass spectrometer is presented here. Using MIPI for direct sample vapor, analysis was achieved without any sample preparation or subsequent heating. The relative abundance of the target compounds can be obtained almost instantly within a few seconds. The ionization processes of different volatile compounds was optimized, and the limits of detection were identified in the range of 0.15–4.5 pptv or 0.73–8.80 pg ml−1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is in the range of 4–14%, while correlation coefficients of the working curves (R2) are better than 0.98. The new method possesses advantages of ease operation, time‐saving, high sensitivity and inexpensive setup. In addition, the ionization processes of short n‐alkane chains were investigated with the MIPI technique, and a unique [M + 13]+ was detected, which has not been reported in detail by any other related ionization techniques. An ionization mechanism was proposed on the basis of the experimental results obtained in this work and available information in literatures, in which the n‐alkanes in the plasma environment possibly generate protonated cyclopentadiene [M – 5]+ or alkyl‐substituted analogues as well as hydrous ions [M + 13]+ and [M + 13 + 18]+, as shown in Scheme 1 in the main text. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hospitalizations and emergency room visits for adolescents and young adults with muscular dystrophy living in South Carolina
Authors: Mann Joshua R. , Royer Julie A. , Mcdermott Suzanne , Hardin James W. , Ozturk Orgul , Street Natalie
Published: February 2015

Introduction: Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood can be problematic for individuals with rare disabilities such as muscular dystrophy (MD). Methods: We identified a cohort of 220 individuals with MD and 440 matched comparison individuals and measured emergency room (ER) and inpatient (IP) encounters for the years 2000 through 2010, using all‐payer hospital discharge uniform billing data. We compared ER and IP use rates for people with and without MD, and for 15–19‐year‐olds with MD to 20–24‐year‐olds with MD. Results: ER and IP use rates were significantly higher among individuals with MD than the comparison group. In addition, ER and IP use rates were significantly higher in the 20–24‐year age group than in the 15–19‐year group. Conclusions: Additional research is needed to determine whether increased ER and IP use in young adults is attributable to difficulties in healthcare transition versus increased disease severity. Muscle Nerve 52: 714–721, 2015
CUL4B: a novel epigenetic driver in Wnt/β‐catenin‐dependent hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Mok Myth T.S. , Cheng Alfred S.L.
Published: February 2015

Emerging evidence indicates that Cullin 4B (CUL4B), a major component of ubiquitin ligase complexes, is over‐expressed in diverse cancer types with pro‐tumourigenic effects. In this issue of the Journal of Pathology, Yuan and colleagues [6] elucidated the oncogenic activity of CUL4B in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and delineated its role in driving Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. In addition to the stabilization of β‐catenin protein against proteasomal degradation, CUL4B also acts in concert with enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) to concordantly silence multiple Wnt inhibitors. These findings provide significant mechanistic insights into the epigenetic activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway in HCC and shed light on the functional importance of ubiquitination in this intricate regulatory system. Copyright © 2015 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of hypothalamic injury in heatstroke rats
Authors: Chao Chien‐Ming , Cheng Bor‐Chih , Chen Chia‐Ying , Lin Mao‐Tsun , Chang Ching‐Ping , Yang Shun‐Tai
Published: February 2015

Ischemic and oxidative damage to the hypothalamus may be associated with decreased heat tolerance as well as heatstroke formation. The present study explores the hypothalamic proteome mechanisms associated with heatstroke‐mediated hypothalamic ischemia, and oxidative damage. Heatstroke rats had hypotension, hypothalamic ischemia, and lethality. In addition, they had hyperthermia and hypothalamic blood–brain–barrier disruption, oxidative stress, activated inflammation, and neuronal apoptosis and degeneration. 2DE combined LC‐MS/MS revealed that heatstroke‐induced ischemic injury and apoptosis were associated with upregulation of L‐lactate dehydrogenase but downregulation of both dihydropyriminase‐related protein and 14‐3‐3 Zeta isoform protein. Heat‐induced blood–brain–barrier disruption might be related to upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein. Oxidative stress caused by heatstroke might be related to upregulation of cytosolic dehydrogenase‐1. Also, heat‐induced overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines might be associated with downregulation of stathmin 1. Heat‐induced hypothalamic ischemia, apoptosis, injury (or upregulation of L‐lactate dehydrogenase), blood–brain–barrier disruption (or upregulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein), oxidative stress (or upregulation of cytosolic dehydrogenase‐1), and activated inflammation (or downregulation of stathmin 1) were all significantly reversed by whole body cooling. Our data indicate that cooling therapy improves outcomes of heatstroke by modulating hypothalamic proteome mechanisms.
Three‐chain insulin analogs demonstrate the importance of insulin secondary structure to bioactivity
Authors: Wu Fangzhou , Chabenne Joseph R. , Gelfanov Vasily M. , Mayer John P. , DiMarchi Richard D.
Published: February 2015

This report describes the chemical synthesis and biological characterization of novel three‐chain insulin analogs with a destabilized secondary structure. The analogs, obtained by chemical synthesis via a single‐chain precursor and selective enzymatic digestion, were used to investigate the role of the highly conserved ‘insulin fold’. Biological characterization through in vitro biochemical signaling showed extremely low activity at each insulin receptor when compared with native insulin. We conclude that the ‘insulin fold’ is a structural foundation that supports insulin biological action. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of contact resistance on AlGaN/GaN HEMT structures introducing uneven AlGaN layers
Authors: Takei Yusuke , Kamiya Masayuki , Tsutsui Kazuo , Saito Wataru , Kakushima Kuniyuki , Wakabayashi Hitoshi , Kataoka Yoshinori , Iwai Hiroshi
Published: February 2015

A new technique to reduce contact resistance on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs was proposed. This method introduced uneven AlGaN layer structures. 2D device simulations revealed a clear increase in two‐dimensional electron gas (2DEG) concentration near the edge regions where the AlGaN layer thickness fluctuated. This fringing effect is useful because metal and high‐density 2DEG can approach each other, overcoming an inherent tradeoff involving the AlGaN layer thickness. Experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique, in which contact resistances obtained on some structures with uneven AlGaN layers were lower than the lowest limit for conventional flat AlGaN structures.
In situ UHVEM irradiation study of intrinsic point defect behavior in Si nanowire structures
Authors: Vanhellemont J. , Anada S. , Nagase T. , Yasuda H. , Bender H. , Rooyackers R. , Vandooren A.
Published: February 2015

Si nanowire‐based Tunnel‐Field Effect Transistor (TFET) characteristics are intensively studied as function of nanowire diameter and doping. A significant reduction of B diffusion with decreasing nanowire diameter is e.g. observed and attributed to reduced transient enhanced diffusion close to the nanowire surface caused by the recombination and out‐diffusion of excess self‐interstitials. In an Ultra High Voltage Electron Microscope (UHVEM), the formation of self‐interstitial clusters can be studied in situ while varying e‐beam flux, irradiation temperature, impurity concentration and capping layers surrounding the nanowires.

Results are presented on {113}‐defect formation in Si nanowires with diameters between 40 and 500 nm. The Si nanowires are embedded in SiO2 and are etched into an epitaxial Si stack on a heavily As doped Si substrate. The top layer of the epitaxial stack is in situ B doped or B implanted. In situ UHVEM studies are performed on focused ion beam prepared cross‐section samples, irradiating with different fluxes of 2 MeV electrons between room temperature and 375 °C. A strong dependence of {113}‐defect formation on nanowire radius and doping is observed. The observations are compared with simulations based on quasi‐chemical reaction rate theory. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Boron doped cubic silicon probed by high resolution X‐ray diffraction
Authors: Ulyanenkova Tatjana , Myronov Maksym , Ulyanenkov Alex
Published: February 2015

Highly boron doped epitaxial silicon, with boron concentrations well above 1x1020 cm‐3, is of great interest for applications in large variety of electronic and photonic devices where it is used as a low resistivity contact. The Bragg peak position of a homogeneous solid solution epitaxial film is directly related to the solid solution concentration, film strain and, consequently residual stress. The peak shape contains information about defects present in an epilayer.

Here we report structural experiments performed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure on a set of boron doped Si thin epilayers grown on a Si(001) substrate. We analyzed the BSi epilayers using high resolution X‐ray rocking curve, reflectivity measurements and high resolution reciprocal space mapping (HR‐RSM). The measurements were carried out by Rigaku SmartLab diffractometer. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modifications of sequential designs in bioequivalence trials
Authors: Zheng Cheng , Zhao Lihui , Wang Jixian
Published: February 2015

Bioequivalence (BE) studies are designed to show that two formulations of one drug are equivalent and they play an important role in drug development. When in a design stage, it is possible that there is a high degree of uncertainty on variability of the formulations and the actual performance of the test versus reference formulation. Therefore, an interim look may be desirable to stop the study if there is no chance of claiming BE at the end (futility), or claim BE if evidence is sufficient (efficacy), or adjust the sample size. Sequential design approaches specially for BE studies have been proposed previously in publications. We applied modification to the existing methods focusing on simplified multiplicity adjustment and futility stopping. We name our method modified sequential design for BE studies (MSDBE). Simulation results demonstrate comparable performance between MSDBE and the original published methods while MSDBE offers more transparency and better applicability. The R package MSDBE is available at https://sites.google.com/site/modsdbe/. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical Analysis of Coupled Turbulent Flow and Macroscopic Solidification in a Round Bloom Continuous Casting Mold with Electromagnetic Stirring
Authors: Ren Bingzhi , Chen Dengfu , Wang Hongdan , Long Mujun
Published: February 2015

In this article, a coupled three‐dimensional mathematic model is established to describe electromagnetic field, fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification in a round bloom continuous casting mold with electromagnetic stirring (M‐EMS). The interaction between the induced flow and the impinging jet from a straight‐through submerged entry nozzle (SEN) of the caster is numerically analyzed. The results show that the electromagnetic force appears to be circinate at the cross section of the round bloom. Moreover, the flow of the melt is characterized by a dominant swirling movement along the azimuthal direction in the horizontal plane with M‐EMS. However, the swirl flow velocity decreases remarkably when solidification is taken into account. With the increase of stirring intensity, the steady flow becomes unstable accompanying with the bias flow, and the temperature distribution is unsymmetrical in the mold. The significant swirl flow with M‐EMS prevents the superheated jet moving downward and weakens the invasion depth of the jet, and thus the location of the hot zone in the mold moves up evidently.
Impact of distributed generation on transient‐based fault location techniques in distribution networks
Authors: Feizifar Behnam , Usta Omer , Haghifam Mahmoud Reza
Published: February 2015

This paper demonstrates the effect of conventional distributed generation (DG) on fault location techniques based on transient signal analysis. DG penetration in distribution networks deviates the route‐specific frequencies generated by fault traveling waves propagating along the feeders and laterals. The amount of these deviations is proportional to the rated power of a certain DG unit. A validated fault location procedure is used to clarify this effect. Fault‐generated voltage transient signals are analyzed using continuous wavelet transform (CWT). These signals are captured by a recording device generally placed at the main feeder supplying the distribution systems. The route‐specific frequencies are acquired by the wavelet amplitude spectrum of transient signals. Using this technique, the relevance between the CWT‐recognized specific frequencies and those attained by mathematical definition determines the fault position. A six‐bus radial test distribution feeder is simulated within the EMTP‐RV program, and analysis of relevant transient signals is carried out using MATLAB programming language. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Fast texture‐preserving bilateral filtering
Authors: Kesjindatanawaj Wachirapong , Ongkittikul Surachai , Srisuk Sanun
Published: February 2015

A new method for fast bilateral filtering with texture‐preserving properties is presented. In general, the texture area is composed of several tiny regions that have almost similar intensity, and therefore bilateral filtering combines similar gray scales of the texture area to form a smooth region. Adaptive boundary filtering solves this problem by using image segmentation to define a new weighting boundary at each pixel filtering. With the new type of boundary, the output image is smoothed while preserving both edges and textures details. The drawback of this algorithm is that it is time consuming. In this paper, a histogram‐based filtering is proposed to improve the speed of this algorithm. However, as texture details are blurred when a small number of bins are used, it is unable to increase speed by using a small number of bins. Deciles‐based algorithm is therefore applied to overcome this limitation, as it can increase the speed while preserving the texture details. The new algorithm, named fast adaptive boundary filtering, increases the speed by more than 40% when compared with adaptive boundary filtering at a boundary threshold T = 40. The output image of new algorithm shows that it is similar to the output of adaptive boundary filtering. Moreover, the speed of new algorithm is compared with the normal 256‐bin histogram‐based bilateral filtering. From the experimental results, it is seen that the new algorithm has higher speed when it is processed with a small to moderate radius window. In addition, a better output image can be obtained from the new algorithm as it preserves both edges and textures. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Self‐adaptive 3D pairwise view registration by surface‐fitting and hill‐climbing method
Authors: Ren Tongqun , Wang Dazhi
Published: February 2015

A self‐adaptive 3D pairwise view registration method is presented. Coarse registration of neighboring views is achieved according to their common continuous nonflat areas. These areas are calculated by local least‐square (LS) surface fitting. Then, the principle of point‐to‐surface projection is used to search for the corresponding points, where the local moving least‐square (MLS) surface is employed. Finally, multidimensional optimization based on the technique of hill‐climbing is performed to refine the coarse registration. Experimental results show that this method gives good noise immunity and requires simple computation process and very few manual interventions. Thus it is suitable for large‐scale free‐form surfaces lacking obvious geometric characteristics. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Moderne Vakuumelektronik
Authors: Knapp Wolfram
Published: February 2015

Die Vakuumelektronik ist etwa 140 Jahre alt. Die Wirkungsweise von vakuumelektronischen Komponenten und Geräten beruht auf der Bewegung von Elektronen und Ionen im Vakuum und in verdünnten Gasen unter dem Einfluss von elektrischen, magnetischen und elektromagnetischen Feldern. Die klassische Radioröhre hat nur in extravaganten Röhrenverstärkern für Musikliebhaber überlebt. Heute konzentrieren sich die Forschungsaktivitäten auf unentbehrliche Spezialröhren, insbesondere Wanderfeldröhren, Gyrotrons, Klystrons, Röntgenröhren, Vakuumdruckmessröhren. Neuartige Feldemitter‐Kathoden ermöglichen zudem die Miniaturisierung und neue Anwendungen in der modernen Vakuumelektronik. Der ITG‐Fachausschuss 8.6 ist ein kompetenter Ansprechpartner für vakuumelektronische Probleme und organisiert alle zwei Jahre einen Workshop in Bad Honnef.
Vakuumkomponenten für UHV und XHV aus Aluminium
Authors: Bergner Ute , Wolfgramm Stephan , Gottschall Sophie , Flämmich Michael
Published: February 2015

Die mechanische Festigkeit von 6000er Al‐Legierungen ist ausreichend, um stabile CF‐Schneidkanten herzustellen. Wichtig ist dabei, dass im Verarbeitungsprozess und in der Anwendung die Materialhöchsttemperaturen zum Erhalt der notwendigen mechanischen Festigkeit nicht überschritten werden. Die Eignung dieser Aluminiumlegierungen für den Einsatz im UHV und XHV ist in Messreihen zur Schneidkantengeometrie nachgewiesen worden.
Feeding Duodenostomy Decreases the Incidence of Mechanical Obstruction After Radical Esophageal Cancer Surgery
Authors: Oya Hisaharu , Koike Masahiko , Iwata Naoki , Kobayashi Daisuke , Torii Koji , Niwa Yukiko , Kanda Mitsuro , Tanaka Chie , Yamada Suguru , Fujii Tsutomu , Nakayama Goro , Sugimoto Hiroyuki , Nomoto Shuji , Fujiwara Michitaka , Kodera Yasuhiro
Published: February 2015

Background

Nutritional support influences the outcome of gastroenterological surgery, and enteral nutrition effectively mitigates postoperative complications in highly invasive surgery such as resection of esophageal cancer. However, feeding via jejunostomy can cause complications including mechanical obstruction, which could be life threatening. From 2009, we began enteral feeding via duodenostomy to reduce the likelihood of complications. In this study, we compared duodenostomy with the conventional jejunostomy feeding, mainly looking at the catheter‐related complications.

Methods

The database records of 378 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent radical esophagectomy with retrosternal or posterior mediastinal gastric tube reconstruction in our department from January 1998 to December 2012 were examined. Of the 378 patients, 111 underwent feeding via duodenostomy (FD) and 267 underwent feeding via jejunostomy (FJ), and their records were reviewed for the following catheter‐related complications: site infection, dislodgement, peritonitis, and mechanical obstruction.

Results

Mechanical obstruction occurred in 12 patients in the FJ group but none in the FD group (4.5 % vs. 0 %, P = 0.023). Of the 12 cases, 7 (58.3 %) required surgery of which 2 had bowel resection due to strangulated mechanical obstruction. Catheter site infection was seen in 14 cases in the FJ group, of which 2 (14.2 %) had peritonitis following catheter dislocation, while only one case of site infection was seen in the FD group (5.2 % vs. 0.9 %, P = 0.078).

Conclusions

Feeding via duodenectomy could be the procedure of choice since neither mechanical obstruction nor relaparotomy was seen during enteral feeding through this technique.
The Relative Net Health Benefit of Liver Resection, Ablation, and Transplantation for Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Spolverato Gaya , Vitale Alessandro , Ejaz Aslam , Kim Yuhree , Maithel Shishir K. , Cosgrove David P. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: February 2015

Background

There
are no conclusive cost‐effectiveness studies measuring the efficacy of salvage LT after liver resection (LR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and compensated cirrhosis. The aim of the present study is to compare liver transplantation (LT) versus locoregional therapy plus salvage LT (to treat tumor recurrence) in patients with early HCC and compensated cirrhosis.

Methods

Reference case: 55‐year old male with HCC within Milan criteria and Child‐Pugh A cirrhosis. The analysis was performed in two geographical cost settings: USA and Italy. Survival benefit measured in quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), costs (C) in US$, incremental cost‐effectiveness, willingness to pay, and net health benefit (NHB).

Results

In the base‐case analysis, NHB of LT vs. LR and RFA was −1.7 and −1.3 years for single tumor ≤3 cm, −1.2 and −0.7 for single nodules measuring 3.1–5 cm and −0.7 and −0.7 for multi‐nodular tumor ≤3 cm in Italy. In USA, NHB of LT versus LR and RFA were −1.2 and −0.8 years for single tumor ≤3 cm, −0.9 and −0.5 for single nodules measuring 3.1–5 cm, and −0.5 and −0.4 for multi‐nodular tumor ≤ 3 cm. On the Monte Carlo simulation, only young patients with multi‐nodular HCC and short waiting list time had a positive NHB. Salvage LT proved to be an ineffective cost strategy after RFA or LR.

Conclusion

In patients with HCC within Milan criteria and Child‐Pugh A cirrhosis, LR and RFA were more cost‐effective than LT. Salvage LT was not cost‐effective.
Acute Appendicitis in the Public and Private Sectors in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Yang Estin , Cook Colin , Kahn Delawir
Published: February 2015

Background

South Africa has a low incidence of acute appendicitis, but poor outcomes. However, South African studies on appendicitis focus solely on public hospitals, neglecting those who utilize private facilities. This study aims to compare appendicitis characteristics and outcomes in public and private hospitals in South Africa.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted among two public and three private hospitals in the Cape Town metropole, from September 2013 to March 2014. Hospital records, operative notes, and histology results were reviewed for patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Patients were interviewed during their hospitalization and followed up at monthly intervals until normal function was attained.

Results

A total of 134 patients were enrolled, with 73 in the public and 61 in the private sector. Education and employment were higher among private sector patients. Public sector patients had a higher rupture rate (30.6 vs 13.2 %, p = 0.023). Times to presentation were not statistically different between the two cohorts. Public sector patients had longer hospital stays (5.3 vs 2.9 days, p = 0.036) and longer return to work times (23.0 vs 12.1 days, p < 0.0001). Although complication rates were similar, complications in public hospitals were more severe.

Conclusions

Public sector patients in South Africa with appendicitis have higher rupture rates, worse complications, longer hospital stays, and longer recoveries than private sector patients. Patients with perforation had longer delays in presentation than patients without perforation.
Definition and Classification of Intraoperative Complications (CLASSIC): Delphi Study and Pilot Evaluation
Authors: Rosenthal Rachel , Hoffmann Henry , Clavien Pierre‐Alain , Bucher Heiner C. , Dell‐Kuster Salome
Published: February 2015

Background

Standardized reporting of intraoperative adverse events is important to enhance transparency. To the best of our knowledge, there is no validated definition and classification of intraoperative complications.

Methods

We conducted a two‐round Delphi study to develop a definition and classification of intraoperative complications. Experts were contacted by email and sent a link to the online questionnaire. In a pilot study, two independent raters applied the definition and classification in a sample of 60 surgical interventions of low, intermediate, and high complexity and evaluated practicability. Interrater agreement of the classification was determined (raw categorical agreement, weighted kappa, and intraclass correlation).

Results

In the Delphi study, 40 of 52 experts (77 % return rate) from 14 countries took part in each round. The Delphi study resulted in a comprehensive definition of intraoperative complications as any deviation from the ideal intraoperative course occurring between skin incision and skin closure. The classification foresees four grades depending on the need for treatment (no need, grade I; need for treatment, grade II) and the severity of the complication (life‐threatening/permanent disability, grade III; death, grade IV). The pilot study showed good practicability (6 on a 7‐point scale) and a high raw agreement of 87 %, a weighted kappa of 0.83 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.73–0.94] and an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83 (95 % CI 0.73–0.90).

Conclusions

While the Delphi process enabled to develop definitions and classification of intraoperative complications by severity, further research including a multicentre international full‐scale validation needs to be conducted with the ultimate goal to contribute to standardized reporting in surgical practice and research.
Evaluation of the Safety and Feasibility of Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy in Clinical Stage I Gastric Cancer Patients
Authors: Ichikawa Daisuke , Komatsu Shuhei , Kubota Takeshi , Okamoto Kazuma , Konishi Hirotaka , Shiozaki Atsushi , Fujiwara Hitoshi , Otsuji Eigo
Published: February 2015

Background

This retrospective study was designed to assess the feasibility of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) in clinical stage I gastric cancer patients, and validate the appropriateness of the widespread adoption of LTG for experienced open surgeons.

Methods

Eighty‐eight patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer underwent LTG in our hospitals (n = 55) and affiliated hospitals (n = 33). Esophagojejunostomy was performed intracoporeally using a circular stapler with an incision in the left upper abdomen. We investigated the patients’ clinicopathologic factor, and evaluated the effect of hospital volume on short‐term outcomes.

Results

Fixed insertion of the anvil head was successfully achieved in all patients (lift‐up method in 58 patients and transoral method in 28 patients), although 2 patients were converted to open surgery. The approach using a circular stapler through a small incision from the upper left quadrant of the abdomen facilitated a good laparoscopic visual field for the plane of the esophagojejunostomy. Fourteen patients developed Clavien–Dindo classification grade II or more postoperative complications, and the overall operative morbidity rate was 15.9 %. No anastomotic leakage was encountered in this series. No significant difference was observed in clinical outcomes between patients in the high‐ and low‐volume hospital groups.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy can be performed safely on clinical stage I gastric cancer patients by surgeons with sufficient experience in open gastrectomy and therefore represents a feasible procedure that is not clinically impacted by hospital volume.
Production of drug metabolites by immobilised Cunninghamella elegans: from screening to scale up
Authors: Quinn Laura , Dempsey Rita , Casey Eoin , Kane Ayla , Murphy Cormac D
Published: February 2015

Cunninghamella elegans is a fungus that has been used extensively as a microbial model of mammalian drug metabolism, whilst its potential as a biocatalyst for the preparative production of human drug metabolites has been often proposed, little effort has been made to enable this. Here, we describe a workflow for the application of C. elegans for the production of drug metabolites, starting from well-plate screening assays leading to the preparative production of drug metabolites using fungus immobilised either in alginate or as a biofilm. Using 12- and 96-well plates, the simultaneous screening of several drug biotransformations was achieved. To scale up the biotransformation, both modes of immobilisation enabled semi-continuous production of hydroxylated drug metabolites through repeated addition of drug and rejuvenation of the fungus. It was possible to improve the productivity in the biofilm culture for the production of 4′-hydroxydiclofenac from 1 mg/l h to over 4 mg/l h by reducing the incubation time for biotransformation and the number of rejuvenation steps.
Respecting Autonomous Decision Making Among Filipinos: A Re‐emphasis in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Cura Jonathan Diego
Published: February 2015

Family cohesiveness provides a unique cultural influence in the observance and expression of autonomy in terms of Filipino patients’ decision making. With genetic counseling yet in its dawning practice in the Philippines, healthcare professionals (i.e., geneticists, practitioners) practicing genetic counseling and students in the pioneering genetic counseling program face the challenge of how to provide culturally appropriate measures in respecting Filipinos’ autonomy. There is much deliberation with respect to identifying autonomous decision making among Filipino patients as counselees in genetic counseling. Cultural values influence how autonomy and bioethical principles are upheld. In a culturally‐appropriate manner of identifying who makes health care and genetic counseling decisions, the sole focus on an individualistic perspective may be too western‐based and may render genetic counseling less effective. The uniquely important cultural feature of family cohesiveness necessitates its incorporation into the practice of genetic counseling in the Philippines.