bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mild prominence of the Sylvian fissure in a Bainbridge‐Ropers syndrome patient with a novel frameshift variant in ASXL3
Authors: Chinen Yasutsugu , Nakamura Sadao , Ganaha Akira , Hayashi Shin , Inazawa Johji , Yanagi Kumiko , Nakanishi Koichi , Kaname Tadashi , Naritomi Kenji
Published: December 2017

Key Clinical Message

A Japanese boy aged 7 years with Bainbridge‐Ropers syndrome (BRPS) had a prominent domed forehead without metric ridge, mild prominence of the Sylvian fissure with bitemporal hollowing, and a heterozygous de novo novel variant “p.P1010Lfs*14” in ASXL3 gene in addition to typical findings of BRPS.
Nanostructured Ni2P‐C as an Efficient Catalyst for Urea Electrooxidation
Authors: Yang Dawen , Gu Ying , Yu Xu , Lin Zixia , Xue Huaiguo , Feng Ligang
Published: December 2017

Nickel‐based materials are a type of cost‐effective catalyst for urea oxidation. Herein, we first reported nanostructured Ni2P−C as an efficient catalyst for urea electrooxidation. The Ni2P−C catalyst was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method and the structure and morphology were further characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The hexagonal crystal structure for Ni2P was indicated by the characteristic peaks in the XRD patterns, and lattice fringes of Ni2P were clearly observed in the high‐resolution TEM images. The catalytic ability for urea electrooxidation was studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry techniques. It was found that the current density at 0.5 V was ca. 70.4 mA cm−2, about 2.7 times higher than that of the referenced commercial nickel oxide catalyst. A good catalytic stability for urea oxidation was also obtained. A diffusion‐controlled process was observed for urea oxidation on Ni2P catalyst while the active sites arising from Ni(II) ion oxidation was following a surface‐redox‐reaction‐controlled process. Kinetics studies by impedance spectroscopy and Tafel slope analysis displayed improved charge‐transfer kinetics towards urea electrooxidation. The results demonstrated that Ni2P would have potential applications for catalytic urea oxidation.
Electrocatalytic Activity of Ionic‐Liquid‐Derived Porous Carbon Materials for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zdolšek Nikola , Dimitrijević Aleksandra , Bendová Magdalena , Krstić Jugoslav , Rocha Raquel P. , Figueiredo José L. , Bajuk‐Bogdanović Danica , Trtić‐Petrović Tatjana , Šljukić Biljana
Published: December 2017

Carbon materials, prepared by using different methods with ionic liquids, are compared as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Materials were synthesized through the hydrothermal carbonization of glucose and by using the same method in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium methanesulfonate [bmim][MeSO3] as an additive. Another two carbon‐based materials were prepared by using ionic‐liquid‐based methods: ionothermal carbonization of glucose using [bmim][MeSO3] as a recyclable medium for the carbonization reaction and by direct carbonization of the ionic liquid in a one‐step method using [bmim][MeSO3] as the precursor for N‐ and S‐doped porous carbon (Carb‐IL). Characterization results showed the possibility of morphology and porosity control by using [bmim][MeSO3]. All materials were subsequently tested for the ORR in alkaline media. Carb‐IL showed enhanced and stable electrocatalytic ORR activity, even in the presence of methanol, ethanol, and borohydride, opening the possibility for its application in fuel cells.
Chemometric methods applied in the image plane to correct striping noise in hyperspectral chemical images of biomaterials
Authors: Xu Jun‐Li , Sun Da‐Wen , Gowen Aoife A.
Published: December 2017

Array detectors improve data collection speed in hyperspectral chemical imaging, yet are prone to striping noise patterns in the image plane, which is difficult to remove. This type of noise affects spectral features and disturbs visual impression of the scene. We found that this type of noise depends on the material composition and setting parameters, ie, pixel size, and it also varies in accordance with the signal intensity of the observed wavelength. To address this, we proposed a new correction method on the basis of the application of chemometric techniques in the image plane of each wavelength. To verify the effectiveness of this method, infrared transmission images of the 2″ × 2″ positive, 1951 USAF Hi‐Resolution Target and biomaterial samples were obtained with a 16‐element (8 × 2) pixel array detector. Point detector images of some samples were also acquired and used as reference images. The proposed correction method produced substantial improvements in the visual impression of intensity images. Principal components analysis was performed to inspect spectral changes after preprocessing, and the results suggested that the major spectral features were not altered while the stripes on intensity images were removed. Spectral profiles and principal components analysis loadings inspection confirmed the smoothing ability of this correction method. As traditional preprocessing techniques, standard normal variate and derivative transformation were not able to remove line artifacts, especially on the biomaterial images. Overall, the proposed method was effective for removing striping noise patterns from infrared images with a minimal alteration of the valuable hyperspectral image information.
Columnar Self‐Assembly of Electron‐Deficient Dendronized Bay‐Annulated Perylene Bisimides
Authors: Gupta Ravindra Kumar , Shankar Rao Doddamane S. , Prasad S. Krishna , Achalkumar Ammathnadu S.
Published: December 2017

Three new heteroatom bay‐annulated perylene bisimides (PBIs) have been synthesized by microwave‐assisted synthesis in excellent yield. N‐annulated and S‐annulated perylene bisimides exhibited columnar hexagonal phase, whereas Se‐annulated perylene bisimide exhibited low temperature columnar oblique phase in addition to the high temperature columnar hexagonal phase. The cup shaped bay‐annulated PBIs pack into columns with enhanced intermolecular interactions. In comparison to PBI, these molecules exhibited lower melting and clearing temperature, with good solubility. A small red shift in the absorption was seen in the case of N‐annulated PBI, whereas S‐ and Se‐annulated PBIs exhibited blue‐shifted absorption spectra. Bay‐annulation increased the HOMO and LUMO levels of the N‐annulated perylene bisimide, whereas a slight increase in the LUMO level and a decrease in the HOMO levels were observed in the case of S‐ and Se‐annulated perylene bisimides, in comparison to the simple perylene bisimide. The band gaps of PBI and PBI‐N were almost same, whereas an increase in the band gaps were observed in the case of S‐ and Se‐annulated PBIs. The tendency to freeze in the ordered glassy columnar phase for PBI‐N and PBI‐S will help to overcome the charge traps due to crystallization, which are detrimental to one‐dimensional charge carrier mobility. These solution processable electron deficient columnar semiconductors possessing good thermal stability may form an easily accessible promising class of n‐type materials.
Silver@Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Nanorods as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Liu Baichen , Dai Wanlin , Lu Zhiwei , Ye Jianshan , Ouyang Liuzhang
Published: December 2017

In recent years, various platinum‐free catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) have attracted great attention due to the limited natural abundance and high cost of platinum. Herein, Ag@N‐C (N‐C: nitrogen‐doped carbon) nanorods for the ORR were synthesized through chemical polymerization and pyrolysis methods by using pyrrole and silver nitrate as raw materials. Pyrolysis could significantly increase the specific surface area of as‐synthesized catalysts and convert pyrrolic‐N into graphitic‐N and pyridinic‐N. The results of electrochemical tests show that the Ag@N‐C‐900 catalyst (pyrolyzed at 900 °C) exhibits highly efficient ORR catalytic activity, improved stability, and better methanol resistance in comparison to that of Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media.
Bioenergy from Microalgae – Vision or Reality?
Authors: Hoyer Jan , Cotta Fritz , Diete Anja , Großmann Jochen
Published: December 2017

Mikroalgen werden oft als Hoffnungsträger für die Lösung zukünftiger Fragen der Energie‐ und Nahrungsversorgung der Weltbevölkerung gesehen. Dies beruht auf ihrer gegenüber Landpflanzen überlegenen Flächenproduktivität und der Möglichkeit, sie unabhängig von fruchtbaren Anbauflächen und Trinkwasser zu kultivieren. Aus der Algenbiomasse kann anschließend neben Nahrungs‐ und Futtermitteln ein großes Spektrum an Wertstoffen und Biokraftstoffen gewonnen werden. Dieser Artikel beleuchtet neben allgemeinen Betrachtungen zur Mikroalgentechnologie ihr Potenzial zur Gewinnung von Biokraftstoffen.
Rh‐catalyzed Transient Directing Group Promoted C—H Amidation of Benzaldehydes Utilizing Dioxazolones
Authors: Wang Xiaoyang , Song Song , Jiao Ning
Published: December 2017

Transition‐metal catalyzed C—H functionalization of benzaldehydes is of great interest in organic synthesis. Herein, we developed a transient directing group assisted amidation of benzaldehydes catalyzed by rhodium catalyst. With the employment of 10 mol% of 4‐trifluoromethyl aniline, the in situ generated imine groups as the directing group efficiently enable this transformation. By using this protocol, a wide range of benzaldehydes were efficiently converted into the corresponding N‐(2‐formylphenyl)benzamides utilizing dioxazolones as the nitrogen source.
Multifunctional Shape‐Memory Polymer Foams with Bio‐inspired Antimicrobials
Authors: Monroe Mary Beth Browning , Easley Alexandra D. , Grant Katie , Fletcher Grace K. , Boyer Calla , Maitland Duncan J.
Published: December 2017

Despite a number of clinically available hemostats, uncontrolled bleeding is the primary cause of trauma‐related death. Shape‐memory polymer (SMP) foams have a number of desirable properties for use as hemostats, including shape recovery to enable delivery into bleed sites, biocompatibility, and rapid blood clotting. To expand upon this material system, the current work aims to incorporate phenolic acids, which are honey‐based antimicrobial agents, into SMP foams. We showed that cinnamic acid (CA) can be utilized as a monomer in SMP synthesis to provide foams with comparable pore structure and retained cytocompatibility. The addition of CA enabled tuning of thermal and shape‐memory properties within clinically relevant ranges. Furthermore, the modified foams demonstrated initial and sustained antimicrobial effects against gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. These multifunctional scaffolds demonstrate potential for use as hemostats to improve upon current hemorrhage treatments and provide a new tool in tuning the biological and material properties of SMP foams.
Cognitive factors and post‐partum depression: What is the influence of general personality traits, rumination, maternal self‐esteem, and alexithymia?
Authors: Denis Anne , Luminet Olivier
Published: December 2017

Objectives

The objective was to assess the impact of cognitive factors on post‐partum depression (PPD) symptoms. Because most of the literature data concern the immediate post‐partum period or the first year post‐partum, we notably sought to assess the longer term impact of cognitive factors on the symptoms of PPD.

Methods

Two studies were performed. In a pilot study, 1‐month post‐partum, 63 women filled out a sociodemographic information sheet and completed the abbreviated, revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Ruminative Responses Scale, the Maternal Self‐Report Inventory, and the Edinburgh Post‐Natal Depression Scale. In the main study, 124 women additionally completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The main study population was divided into 2 subgroups: women in the first year post‐partum (n = 74) and those in the second year post‐partum (n = 50).

Results

In the pilot study performed 1‐month post‐partum, brooding rumination and low self‐esteem were significant predictors of the PPD symptom intensity. Neuroticism, brooding rumination, and low maternal self‐esteem were also significant predictors of the PPD symptoms reported in the first year post‐partum. Lastly, ruminative thoughts and alexithymia were significant predictors of the PPD symptoms reported in the second year post‐partum.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that alexithymia may be an important predictor of the incidence of this condition. The observation of differences in the PPD models as a function of the post‐partum period may open up opportunities for developing novel PPD prevention/treatment programs.
An evaluation of a specialist firesetting treatment programme for male and female mentally disordered offenders (the FIP‐MO)
Authors: Tyler Nichola , Gannon Theresa A. , Lockerbie Lona , Ó Ciardha Caoilte
Published: December 2017

Individuals who set deliberate fires are frequently encountered by clinicians working in forensic mental health services. However, little attention has been paid to developing standardised treatment for this behaviour, and few evaluations of treatment have been conducted in forensic mental health services. This study evaluates a new standardised group cognitive behavioural treatment programme for individuals residing in forensic psychiatric hospitals who have engaged in deliberate firesetting (The Firesetting Intervention Programme for Mentally Disordered Offenders; FIP‐MO). Sixty‐three male and female patients with a history of deliberate firesetting commenced FIP‐MO treatment. Patients who met the referral criteria for treatment but who resided at hospitals where FIP‐MO treatment was not available were recruited as a treatment as usual comparison group. The treatment group completed a battery of psychometric assessments pre‐ and post‐treatment, with the comparison group completing these at similar time points. Results showed that patients who completed the FIP‐MO made significant improvements post‐treatment, relative to the comparison group on fire‐related measures (e.g., problematic interest and associations with fire) and anger expression. Further, effect size calculations showed that the treatment group made larger pre‐post treatment shifts on the majority of outcome measures compared to the comparison group. These findings suggest that FIP‐MO treatment is effective for reducing some of the key factors associated with deliberate firesetting.
2‐(N‐Methylbenzyl)pyridine: A Potential Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier with Fast H2 Release and Stable Activity in Consecutive Cycles
Authors: Oh Jinho , Jeong Kwanyong , Kim Tae Wan , Kwon Hyunguk , Han Jeong Woo , Park Ji Hoon , Suh Young‐Woong
Published: December 2017

The liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) 2‐(N‐methylbenzyl)pyridine (MBP) shows good potential for H2 storage based on reversible hydrogenation and dehydrogenation, with an H2 storage density of 6.15 wt %. This material and the corresponding perhydro product (H12‐MBP) are liquids at room temperature. Remarkably, H2 release is much faster from H12‐MBP over Pd/C than from the benchmark perhydro benzyltoluene over Pt/C at lower temperatures than 270 °C, owing to the addition of N atom into the benzene ring. Since this positive effect is unfavorable to the hydrogenation reaction, more Ru/Al2O3 catalyst or prolonged reaction time must be applied for complete H2 storage. Experiments with repeated hydrogenation–dehydrogenation cycles reveal that reversible H2 storage and release are possible without degradation of the MBP/H12‐MBP pair. The prepared MBP satisfies the requirements for chemical stability, handling properties, and cytotoxicity testing.
A Strategy to Boost H2 Generation Ability of Metal–Organic Frameworks: Inside‐Outside Decoration for the Separation of Electrons and Holes
Authors: Wang Yang , Ling Lianjie , Zhang Wei , Ding Kejian , Yu Yu , Duan Wubiao , Liu Bo
Published: December 2017

Inhibiting the recombination of electron and holes plays an essential role in photocatalytic process, particularly for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which had long been anticipated as high‐efficient photocatalysts. Herein, we introduce a new strategy to make efficient separation of electrons and holes for the MOF‐based photocatalyst, UiO‐66‐NH2. At first, encapsulation of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) into UiO‐66‐NH2 (Pt@U6N) to shorten the electrons transport distance inside of MOF crystals, then using graphene oxide to wrap the external surface of Pt@U6N to facilitate the electrons transfer on the surface. The designed structure was found to possess superior H2‐generation ability compared to only inside or outside decorated samples, highlighting that the enhanced property strongly correlates with the inhibited recombination of electrons and holes by the inside/outside modification strategy. These findings suggest a synergistic effect of Pt NPs and graphene oxide on UiO‐66‐NH2 and reveal a new modification strategy to enhance the catalytic activity of the photocatalysts.
Ruthenium Ion‐Complexed Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets Supported on Reduced Graphene Oxide as High‐Performance Catalysts for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Peng Yi , Pan Wanzhang , Wang Nan , Lu Jia‐En , Chen Shaowei
Published: December 2017

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. Dr. Shaowei Chen at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Based on the Chinese legend of Niulang (
) and Zhinü (
), the image shows a hybrid consisting of reduced graphene oxide and ruthenium ions‐complexed graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets that can serve as effective catalysts toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201701880.
Impact of hexamethyldisiloxane admixtures on the discharge characteristics of a dielectric barrier discharge in argon for thin film deposition
Authors: Loffhagen Detlef , Becker Markus M. , Czerny Andreas K. , Philipp Jens , Klages Claus‐Peter
Published: December 2017

Atmospheric‐pressure dielectric barrier discharges (DBDs) in argon with admixtures of small amounts of hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) have been analysed by means of numerical modelling. A time‐dependent, spatially one‐dimensional fluid‐Poisson model has been used, which takes into account the spatial variation of the discharge plasma between the plane‐parallel dielectrics covering the electrodes. Main features of the model, including the reaction kinetics for HMDSO, are given. Good agreement with related experimental studies of the ignition voltage for HMDSO amounts of up to 200 ppm and the temporal course of the discharge current for conditions typical of deposition experiments is obtained by the model calculations when assuming that 30% of the reactions of HMDSO with excited argon atoms, with a rate coefficient of 5.0 × 10−10 cm3/s, lead to the production of electrons due to Penning ionization. The modelling results for constant frequency f = 86.2 kHz and applied voltage Ua = 4 kV show that the electrical energy dissipated in the DBD decreases with an increasing amount of HMDSO and enable the determination of the energy absorbed per HMDSO molecule on the basis of their energy balance. The analysis of the plasma–chemical processes also makes clear that collision processes of HMDSO with excited argon atoms and molecules leading to neutral reaction products are essential for the formation of thin polymer films.
Quantitative assessment of cancer cell morphology and motility using telecentric digital holographic microscopy and machine learning
Authors: Lam Van K. , Nguyen Thanh C. , Chung Byung M. , Nehmetallah George , Raub Christopher B.
Published: December 2017

The noninvasive, fast acquisition of quantitative phase maps using digital holographic microscopy (DHM) allows tracking of rapid cellular motility on transparent substrates. On two‐dimensional surfaces in vitro, MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cells assume several morphologies related to the mode of migration and substrate stiffness, relevant to mechanisms of cancer invasiveness in vivo. The quantitative phase information from DHM may accurately classify adhesive cancer cell subpopulations with clinical relevance. To test this, cells from the invasive breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cell line were cultured on glass, tissue‐culture treated polystyrene, and collagen hydrogels, and imaged with DHM followed by epifluorescence microscopy after staining F‐actin and nuclei. Trends in cell phase parameters were tracked on the different substrates, during cell division, and during matrix adhesion, relating them to F‐actin features. Support vector machine learning algorithms were trained and tested using parameters from holographic phase reconstructions and cell geometric features from conventional phase images, and used to distinguish between elongated and rounded cell morphologies. DHM was able to distinguish between elongated and rounded morphologies of MDA‐MB‐231 cells with 94% accuracy, compared to 83% accuracy using cell geometric features from conventional brightfield microscopy. This finding indicates the potential of DHM to detect and monitor cancer cell morphologies relevant to cell cycle phase status, substrate adhesion, and motility. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Directional core selection approach and dynamic tree reorganization for delay and delay variation multicast routing
Authors: Harutyunyan Hovhannes A. , Terzian Meghrig
Published: December 2017

Multicast communication constrained by end‐to‐end and interdestination delay variation is known as delay and delay variation–bounded multicast. These constraints are salient for real‐time multicast communications. In this paper, we propose a directional core selection algorithm for core selection and delay variation–bounded multicast tree generation. Another algorithm, based on k‐shortest paths, is proposed to further decrease the interdestination delay variation of the trees generated by directional core selection. We also propose the dynamic version of both algorithms that respond to dynamic join and leave requests to the ongoing multicast session by reorganizing the tree and avoiding session disruption. Simulations show that the proposed algorithms surpass existing algorithms in end‐to‐end delay, interdestination delay variation, execution time, and failure probability.
Distributed Energy Efficient Tracking in Hybrid wireless sensor network (DEETH)
Authors: Nighot Mininath , Ghatol Ashok , Thakare Vilas
Published: December 2017

In wireless sensor network (WSN), it is a complex task to track the target when it is moving randomly in an unknown environment. It also becomes difficult to cover a complete searching area because of the limited searching range and energy of sensor nodes as they are few in number. The author proposes a distributed energy efficient tracking in a hybrid WSN (DEETH) to track a randomly moving target in an unknown searching. Hybrid WSN that is proposed has both static sensor nodes (SSNs) and mobile sensor nodes (MSNs), which are deployed in the searching area. The MSNs move collectively using particle swarm techniques to search a target. The SSNs are deployed for tracking the presence of a target and giving this information to the base station. As per the information given by SSN, MSNs travel to the target and track it. Simulation results prove that proposed technique successfully tracks the target using less number of nodes and also less amount of energy.
Generation and characterization of mice with mesenchyme‐specific deletion of the entire ESET histone methyltransferase protein
Authors: Yang Liu , Gee Albert O. , Zielinska‐Kwiatkowska Anna , Chansky Howard A.
Published: December 2017

ESET protein (also known as SETDB1) catalyzes methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3‐K9). In addition to the full‐length transcript, mouse ESET gene also gives rise to alternative spicing variants encoding truncated proteins capable of retaining interaction with other epigenetic enzymes. To completely eliminate full‐length ESET and its splicing variants, we have generated a conditional ESET allele with exon 4 flanked by two loxP sites for Cre‐mediated DNA deletion and downstream frame‐shift mutation of the entire coding region. Mating with Prx1‐Cre mice and analysis of the resultant embryos revealed that mesenchyme‐specific knockout of exon 4 completely eliminates full‐length ESET and its truncated protein products, leading to profound defects in both the flat bones and long bones, ectopic hypertrophy of growth plate chondrocytes and downregulation of Indian hedgehog protein. In addition, exon 4 deletion results in reduced thickness of articular cartilage in E17.5 embryos, whereas deletion of exons 15–16 fails to do so. These findings offer us a useful tool to further study epigenetic regulation in a truly ESET‐null background, and demonstrate that ESET plays a critical role in the control of chondrocyte hypertrophy and skeletal development.
Positive and negative interactions control a facilitation cascade
Authors: Gribben Paul E. , Kimbro David L. , Vergés Adriana , Gouhier Tarik C. , Burrell Samuel , Garthwin Ruby G. , Cagigas María Lastra , Tordoff Yasmin , Poore Alistair G. B.
Published: December 2017

Facilitation cascades, which enhance the diversity of ecological communities in many ecosystems, have been viewed as the net outcome of positive species’ interactions. The strength and direction of these interactions, and thus the realized biodiversity, however, are likely to vary with the density and traits of the habitat‐formers and via negative interactions among interacting species. To test this, we manipulated the density and status (alive vs. dead) of a secondary habitat‐former, the razor clam Pinna sp., and measured responses by the primary habitat‐former, the seagrass Zostera muelleri, associated epifauna and infauna, and fish foraging behavior. At the plot level, for both live and dead clams, the total abundance of epifauna increased with clam density. However, for individual clams, the density of epifauna/cm2 decreased with increasing clam density. Video image analysis showed higher fish predation of epifauna on dead compared to live clams at high but not low densities and path analysis indicated that these strong negative trophic interactions increased with dead clam density via both direct and indirect pathways. By contrast, an increasing density of live but not dead clams was negatively correlated with seagrass faunal densities. However, seagrass growth and standing biomass were unaffected by clam density or status. Our study illustrates that the realized facilitation cascade is a function of nested negative and positive interactions which change as a function of the density of clams and whether they were dead or alive, and therefore do not represent a collection of hierarchical positive interactions.
The signature of sea surface temperature anomalies on the dynamics of semiarid grassland productivity
Authors: Chen Maosi , Parton William J. , Del Grosso Stephen J. , Hartman Melannie D. , Day Ken A. , Tucker Compton J. , Derner Justin D. , Knapp Alan K. , Smith William K. , Ojima Dennis S. , Gao Wei
Published: December 2017

We used long‐term observations of grassland aboveground net plant production (ANPP, 1939–2016), growing seasonal advanced very‐high‐resolution radiometer remote sensing normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data (1982–2016), and simulations of actual evapotranspiration (1912–2016) to evaluate the impact of Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on a semiarid grassland in northeastern Colorado. Because ANPP was well correlated (R2 = 0.58) to cumulative April to July actual evapotranspiration (iAET) and cumulative growing season NDVI (iNDVI) was well correlated to iAET and ANPP (R2 = 0.62 [quadratic model] and 0.59, respectively), we were able to quantify interactions between the long‐duration (15–30 yr) PDO temperature cycles and annual‐duration ENSO SST phases on ANPP. We found that during cold‐phase PDOs, mean ANPP and iNDVI were lower, and the frequency of low ANPP years (drought years) was much higher, compared to warm‐phase PDO years. In addition, ANPP, iNDVI, and iAET were highly variable during the cold‐phase PDOs. When NINO‐3 (ENSO index) values were negative, there was a higher frequency of droughts and lower frequency of wet years regardless of the PDO phase. PDO and NINO‐3 anomalies reinforced each other resulting in a high frequency of above‐normal iAET (52%) and low frequency of drought (20%) when both PDO and NINO‐3 values were positive and the opposite pattern when both PDO and NINO‐3 values were negative (24% frequency of above normal and 48% frequency of drought). Precipitation variability and subsequent ANPP dynamics in this grassland were dampened when PDO and NINO‐3 SSTs had opposing signs. Thus, primary signatures of these SSTs in this semiarid grassland are (1) increased interannual variability in ANPP during cold‐phase PDOs, (2) drought with low ANPP occurring in almost half of those years with negative values of PDO and NINO‐3, and (3) high precipitation and ANPP common in years with positive PDO and NINO‐3 values.
Autonomic regulation therapy to enhance myocardial function in heart failure patients: the ANTHEM‐HFpEF study
Authors: DiCarlo Lorenzo A. , Libbus Imad , Kumar H. Uday , Mittal Sanjay , Premchand Rajendra K. , Amurthur Badri , KenKnight Bruce H. , Ardell Jeffrey L. , Anand Inder S.
Published: December 2017

Background

Approximately half of the patients presenting with new‐onset heart failure (HF) have HF with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with mid‐range left ventricular ejection fraction (HFmrEF). These patients have neurohormonal activation like that of HF with reduced ejection fraction; however, beta‐blockers and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors have not been shown to improve their outcomes, and current treatment for these patients is symptom based and empiric. Sympathoinhibition using parasympathetic stimulation has been shown to improve central and peripheral aspects of the cardiac nervous system, reflex control, induce myocyte cardioprotection, and can lead to regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. Beneficial effects of autonomic regulation therapy (ART) using vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) have also been observed in several animal models of HFpEF, suggesting a potential role for ART in patients with this disease.

Methods

The Autonomic Neural Regulation Therapy to Enhance Myocardial Function in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction (ANTHEM‐HFpEF) study is designed to evaluate the feasibility, tolerability, and safety of ART using right cervical VNS in patients with chronic, stable HFpEF and HFmrEF. Patients with symptomatic HF and HFpEF or HFmrEF fulfilling the enrolment criteria will receive chronic ART with a subcutaneous VNS system attached to the right cervical vagus nerve. Safety parameters will be continuously monitored, and cardiac function and HF symptoms will be assessed every 3 months during a post‐titration follow‐up period of at least 12 months.

Conclusions

The ANTHEM‐HFpEF study is likely to provide valuable information intended to expand our understanding of the potential role of ART in patients with chronic symptomatic HFpEF and HFmrEF.
Synthesis of Stable Salts Containing the Hydridophosphate Anion [P(C2F5)3F2H]–
Authors: Bader Julia , Ignat'ev Nikolai , Hoge Berthold
Published: December 2017

The reaction of the industrial product (C2F5)3PF2 with LiAlH4 in THF solution selectively furnished the hydridophosphate anion [P(C2F5)3F2H]–. The compound [PPh4][P(C2F5)3F2H] is obtained as a colorless solid on a multigram scale by salt metathesis in aqueous THF. Combining [P(C2F5)3F2H]– with various imidazolium and pyridinium cations affords ionic liquids with melting points well below room temperature. (C2F5)3PF2 also abstracts hydrides from amines, affording the hydridophosphate anion [P(C2F5)3F2H]– and the corresponding imminium cations which add a second amine moiety by intra‐ or intermolecular adduct formation.
Meta‐analysis of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for relief of spinal pain
Authors: Resende L. , Merriwether E. , Rampazo É.P. , Dailey D. , Embree J. , Deberg J. , Liebano R.E. , Sluka K.A.
Published: December 2017

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis analysing the existing data on transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) or interferential current (IFC) for chronic low back pain (CLBP) and/or neck pain (CNP) taking into account intensity and timing of stimulation, examining pain, function and disability. Seven electronic databases were searched for TENS or IFC treatment in non‐specific CLBP or CNP. Four reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TENS or IFC intervention in adult individuals with non‐specific CLBP or CNP. Primary outcomes were for self‐reported pain intensity and back‐specific disability. Two reviewers performed quality assessment, and two reviewers extracted data using a standardized form. Nine RCTs were selected (eight CLBP; one CNP), and seven studies with complete data sets were included for meta‐analysis (655 participants). For CLBP, meta‐analysis shows TENS/IFC intervention, independent of time of assessment, was significantly different from placebo/control (p < 0.02). TENS/IFC intervention was better than placebo/control, during therapy (p = 0.02), but not immediately after therapy (p = 0.08), or 1–3 months after therapy (p = 0.99). Analysis for adequate stimulation parameters was not significantly different, and there was no effect on disability. This systematic review provides inconclusive evidence of TENS benefits in low back pain patients because the quality of the studies was low, and adequate parameters and timing of assessment were not uniformly used or reported. Without additional high‐quality clinical trials using sufficient sample sizes and adequate parameters and outcome assessments, the outcomes of this review are likely to remain unchanged.

Significance

These data highlight the need for additional high‐quality RCTs to examine the effects of TENS in CLBP. Trials should consider intensity of stimulation, timing of outcome assessment and assessment of pain, disability and function.
Blocking of cytokines signalling attenuates evoked and spontaneous neuropathic pain behaviours in the paclitaxel rat model of chemotherapy‐induced neuropathy
Authors: Al‐Mazidi S. , Alotaibi M. , Nedjadi T. , Chaudhary A. , Alzoghaibi M. , Djouhri L.
Published: December 2017

Background

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathic pain (CIPNP) is a serious dose‐limiting neurotoxic effect of cancer drug treatment. The underlying mechanism(s) of this debilitating condition, which lacks effective drug treatment, is incompletely understood. However, neural–immune interactions, involving increased expression and release of cytokines, are believed to be involved. Here, we examined, in the paclitaxel rat model of CIPNP, whether plasma levels of 24 cytokines/chemokines change after paclitaxel treatment, and whether blocking of signalling of some of those cytokines would reverse/attenuate behavioural signs of CIPNP.

Methods

To achieve these objectives luminex, pharmacological and behavioural experiments were performed on male Wistar rats (250–300 g) 31 days after the last injection of paclitaxel (1 mg/kg, i.p. on four alternate days) as well as on control (vehicle‐treated) rats.

Results

Compared with control rats, plasma levels of IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, INF‐γ and MCP‐1 were significantly upregulated in paclitaxel‐treated rats. Blocking of TNF‐α signalling with etanercept (2 mg/kg, i.p.) or IL‐1β with IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra; 3 mg/kg, i.p.), significantly attenuated established mechanical and cold hypersensitivity as well as spontaneous pain behaviour (spontaneous foot lifting) 24 and 48 h postdrug treatment. Pharmacological blockade of MCP‐1/CCL2 signalling with a highly selective CCR2 receptor antagonist (S504393, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) also significantly reduced evoked, but not spontaneous, pain behaviours of CIPNP in paclitaxel‐treated rats at the same time points.

Conclusions

The findings support the notion that cytokines/chemokines, particularly TNF‐α, IL‐1 and MCP‐1, are involved in the pathophysiology of CIPNP and suggest that strategies that target their inhibition may be effective in treating CIPNP.

Significance

This study demonstrates that paclitaxel‐treated rats exhibit, in addition to indices of mechanical and cold hypersensitivity, a behavioural sign of spontaneous pain, the principal compliant of patients with neuropathic pain. This was accompanied by upregulation in plasma levels of key cytokines/chemokines (IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, INF‐γ and MCP‐1) 31 days post‐treatment. However, it is noteworthy that cytokine release, rather than nerve injury per se, may be causative of NP in this model of CIPNP. Nevertheless, our findings that pharmacological blockade of TNF‐α, IL‐1β and MCP‐1 attenuated both evoked and spontaneous pain suggest that strategies that target inhibition of these cytokines may be effective in treating CIPNP.
An enhanced base isolation system equipped with optimal tuned mass damper inerter (TMDI)
Authors: De Domenico Dario , Ricciardi Giuseppe
Published: December 2017

In seismic base isolation, most of the earthquake‐induced displacement demand is concentrated at the isolation level, thereby the base‐isolation system undergoes large displacements. In an attempt to reduce such displacement demand, this paper proposes an enhanced base‐isolation system incorporating the inerter, a 2‐terminal flywheel device whose generated force is proportional to the relative acceleration between its terminals. The inerter acts as an additional, apparent mass that can be even 200 times higher than its physical mass. When the inerter is installed in series with spring and damper elements, a lower‐mass and more effective alternative to the traditional tuned mass damper (TMD) is obtained, ie, the TMD inerter (TMDI), wherein the device inertance plays the role of the TMD mass. By attaching a TMDI to the isolation floor, it is demonstrated that the displacement demand of base‐isolated structures can be significantly reduced. Due to the stochastic nature of earthquake ground motions, optimal parameters of the TMDI are found based on a probabilistic framework. Different optimization procedures are scrutinized. The effectiveness of the optimal TMDI parameters is assessed via time history analyses of base‐isolated multistory buildings under several earthquake excitations; a sensitivity analysis is also performed. The enhanced base‐isolation system equipped with optimal TMDI attains an excellent level of vibration reduction as compared to the conventional base‐isolation scheme, in terms not only of displacement demand of the base‐isolation system but also of response of the isolated superstructure (eg, base shear and interstory drifts); moreover, the proposed vibration control strategy does not imply excessive stroke of the TMDI.
Three‐dimensional geologic structure of a Mesozoic granite pluton and related metallogeny in Northeast China: An integrated geophysical model
Authors: Zhu Ming , Xue Lin‐Fu , Santosh M. , Ma Yan‐Ni , Chai Yuan , Cheng Wei
Published: December 2017

The Hanjialing pluton occurs within a Paleoproterozoic rift belt in the Liaodong Peninsula in Northeast China, a region endowed with rich polymetallic mineral deposits including gold, lead, and zinc. The genesis and distribution of these ores are closely related to the formation of the pluton. Here, we reconstruct the three‐dimensional geological characteristics of the Hanjialing pluton in an attempt to constrain the relationship between intrusion and mineralization. Our high‐precision gravity and magnetic measurements and magnetotelluric profiles trace the three‐dimensional geometry of the pluton as an inflated balloon. We also demarcate its lateral and vertical extension and characterize the distribution of the associated ore mineralization. Our data suggest that more than 8 km of the upper part of the intrusion has been removed by erosion since the Cretaceous.
Effects of pain treatment on sleep in nursing home patients with dementia and depression: A multicenter placebo‐controlled randomized clinical trial
Authors: Blytt Kjersti Marie , Bjorvatn Bjørn , Husebo Bettina , Flo Elisabeth
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate the effects of pain treatment on sleep in nursing home (NH) patients with dementia and depression.

Methods

A multicenter, 2‐armed, double‐blinded, placebo‐controlled, randomized clinical trial conducted between August 2014 and September 2016. One hundred six long‐term patients from 47 NHs in Norway with dementia and depression according to the Mini‐Mental State Examination and the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia were included. Patients received stepwise pain treatment in which those who did not use analgesics were randomized to receive either paracetamol (3 g/day) or placebo tablets; those who already used pain treatment were allocated to buprenorphine transdermal system (max. 10 μg/h/7 days) or placebo transdermal patches. Sleep was assessed continuously for 14 days by actigraphy, 1 week of baseline measurement, and 1 week of ongoing treatment. The following sleep parameters were evaluated: total sleep time, sleep efficiency (SE), sleep onset latency (SOL), wake after sleep onset, early morning awakening (EMA), and number of wake bouts.

Results

In the intervention group (paracetamol/buprenorphine), SE (70%‐72%), SOL (32‐24 min), and EMA (50‐40 min) improved compared with the control group (SE, 70%‐67%; SOL, 47‐60 min; EMA, 31‐35 min). Treatment effects were significant (P < .01, P < .05, and P < .05, respectively).

Conclusion

Compared with placebo, pain treatment improved sleep as measured with actigraphy. This implies that sleep, pain, and depression in NH patients should be critically evaluated and that pain treatment should be considered to be a potentially beneficial treatment.
Effects of subnational regional corruption on growth strategies in emerging economies: Evidence from Russian domestic and international M&A activity
Authors: Bertrand Olivier , Betschinger Marie‐Ann , Laamanen Tomi
Published: December 2017

Research Summary

This article contributes to an improved understanding of the effects of subnational regional corruption on the external growth strategies of emerging economy firms. We examine the acquisition activity of firms in their home regions, in other parts of the country, and internationally. We consider four mechanisms through which a corrupt regional home context can affect firms’ acquisition behaviors: (a) corrosive deal deterrence, (b) deal facilitation, (c) corruption escape into less corrupt contexts, and (d) enhanced corruption ability to acquire in similarly corrupt environments. Based on an analysis of the acquisition activity of 2,981 Russian firms established in 40 regions in Russia from 2001 to 2008, we find evidence for the existence of both deal facilitating and escaping effects of home region corruption.

Managerial Summary

Corruption indicators regularly reveal that emerging countries are more corrupt than developed countries. While prior academic research has associated corruption with predominantly negative effects on business activity, an increasing number of globally successful companies have emerged from such corrupt environments. We advocate a more nuanced view of the effects of corruption on the growth strategies of emerging economy firms. We show that home region corruption can have multiple effects on a firm's geographic expansion. Specifically, we find that corruption in the home region helps regional firms expand their business through acquisitions when it is pervasive and nonarbitrary. At the same time, however, when expanding geographically, firms, on average, seem to prefer to diversify their assets in other regions or countries that are less corrupt.
TOWARDS MODEL‐BASED SYSTEMS ENGINEERING (MBSE) PATTERNS TO EFFICIENTLY REUSE KNOW‐HOW
Authors: Wu Quentin , Gouyon David , Hubert Pascal , Levrat Éric
Published: December 2017

Know‐how reuse is an approach that has been always used by engineers to take advantage of their accumulated knowledge and practices. But, the difficulty to formalize and reuse expert know‐how is increasing alongside the complexity of systems. To deal with this challenge, this paper aims to open the way to new approaches of know‐how reuse, in order to improve engineering activities. For that purpose, it explores the capabilities of three reuse approaches (commercial off‐the‐shelf (COTS), set‐based design, and patterns), and their ability to be linked with a model‐based systems engineering (MBSE) framework.
Oblique scanning 2‐photon light‐sheet fluorescence microscopy for rapid volumetric imaging
Authors: Shin Younghoon , Kim Dongmok , Kwon Hyuk‐Sang
Published: December 2017

Light‐sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) is a powerful tool for biological studies because it allows for optical sectioning of dynamic samples with superior temporal resolution. However, LSFM using 2 orthogonally co‐aligned objectives requires a special sample geometry, and volumetric imaging speed is limited due to physical sample translation. This paper describes an oblique scanning 2‐photon LSFM (OS‐2P‐LSFM) that eliminates these limitations by using a single objective near the sample and a refractive scanning‐descanning system. This system also provides improved light‐sheet confinement against scattering by using a 2‐photon Bessel beam. The OS‐2P‐LSFM hold promise for studying structural, functional and dynamic aspects of living tissues and organisms because it allows for high‐speed, translation‐free and scattering‐robust 3D imaging of large biological specimens.
Evaluation of the interaction between proliferation, oxidant–antioxidant status, Wnt pathway, and apoptosis in zebrafish embryos exposed to silver nanoparticles used in textile industry
Authors: Eryılmaz Oğuz , Ateş Perihan Seda , Ünal İsmail , Üstündağ Ünsal Veli , Bay Sadık , Alturfan Ahmet Ata , Yiğitbaşı Türkan , Emekli‐Alturfan Ebru , Akalın Mehmet
Published: December 2017

Antimicrobial textile products are developing rapidly as an important part of functional textiles. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are nanotechnology products with antimicrobial properties. However, exposure to nanoparticles in daily life is an important issue for public health, still being updated. Aim was to evaluate the effects of AgNPs on the development of zebrafish embryos focusing on Wnt pathway, proliferation, oxidant–antioxidant status, and apoptosis. The expressions of ccnd1 and gsk3β were determined by RT‐PCR, whereas β‐catenin and proliferative cell antigen (PCNA) expressions were determined immunohistochemically. Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione‐S‐transferase activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Apoptosis was determined using acridine orange staining. Oxidant status, apoptosis, immunohistochemical PCNA, and β catenin staining increased, whereas ccnd1 and antioxidant enzyme activities decreased in AgNPs‐exposed embryos in a dose‐dependent manner. Our results indicate the interaction of possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the toxic effects of AgNPs in zebrafish embryos.