bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Salt‐leaching technique for the synthesis of porous poly(2,5‐benzimidazole) (ABPBI) membranes for fuel cell application
Authors: Das Annesha , Ghosh Priyanka , Ganguly Saibal , Banerjee Dipali , Kargupta Kajari
Published: September 2017

The first instance of synthesizing porous poly(2,5‐benzimidazole) (ABPBI) membranes for high‐temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (HT‐PEMFCs), using solvent evaporation/salt‐leaching technique, is reported herein. Various ratios of sodium chloride/ABPBI were dissolved in methanesulfonic acid and cast into membranes by solvent evaporation, followed by porogen (salt) leaching by water washing. The membranes were characterized using SEM, FTIR, TGA, and DSC. The proton conductivity, water and acid uptake of the membranes were measured and the chemical stability was determined by Fenton's test. SEM images revealed strong dependence of sizes and shapes of pores on the salt/polymer ratios. Surface porosities of membranes were estimated with Nis Elements‐D software; bulk porosities were measured by the fluid resaturation method. Thermogravimetric analysis showed enhanced dopant uptake with introduction of porosity, without the thermal stability of the membrane compromised. Incorporating pores enhanced solvent uptake and retention because of capillarity effects, enhancing proton conductivities of PEMs. Upon acid doping, a maximum conductivity of 0.0181 S/cm was achieved at 130 °C for a porous membrane compared with 0.0022 S/cm for the dense ABPBI membrane at the same temperature. Results indicated that with judicious optimization of porogen/polymer ratios, porous ABPBI membranes formed by salt‐leaching could be suitably used in HT‐PEMFCs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45773.
Hybrid composites based on technical cellulose from rice husk
Authors: Shapovalova Irina , Vurasko Alesya , Petrov Lev , Kraus Eduard , Leicht Heinrich , Heilig Michael , Stoyanov Oleg
Published: September 2017

We introduced the preparation of hybrid composites using technical cellulose as a matrix material from rice husks with a natural SiO2 content from 0% to 19.4%. In this work, the physicochemical characteristics of the resulting hybrid composites have been investigated. The presence of SiOC chemical bonds in the resulting hybrid composites was determined by infrared spectroscopy. Microscopic analysis showed the complete removal of the mineral component and lignin from the cell wall of the rice husk fibers. This allows obtaining of an expanded surface of the fibers (101.7 m2/g) with uniform distribution of the TiO2 aggregates. It could be shown that with content increasing of natural silicon dioxide in the hybrid composite the decomposition rate of H2O2 also increases. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45796.
How Boards Can Measure What Matters
Authors: Oliver Caroline
Published: September 2017

The common expression “what you measure is what you get” sums up why we should be very worried about whether we are measuring the right things at management and board levels. Here, Caroline Oliver, substantially informed by her knowledge of John Carver's Policy Governance® approach, addresses this vital issue.
Using Technology to Enrich Governance: What's Possible Now and What's Coming—Part 2
Authors: Tooley Ray
Published: September 2017

In this, the second part of his two‐part article on technology in the boardroom (see Board Leadership Issue 152 for the first part), Ray Tooley, CEO of OurBoardroom Technologies continues his review of the growing number of applications designed to help boards streamline their work and looks ahead to the radical advances coming our way.
The application of crowdsourcing approaches to cancer research: a systematic review
Authors: Lee Young Ji , Arida Janet A. , Donovan Heidi S.
Published: September 2017

Crowdsourcing is “the practice of obtaining participants, services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, especially via the Internet.” (Ranard et al. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 29:187, 2014) Although crowdsourcing has been adopted in healthcare research and its potential for analyzing large datasets and obtaining rapid feedback has recently been recognized, no systematic reviews of crowdsourcing in cancer research have been conducted. Therefore, we sought to identify applications of and explore potential uses for crowdsourcing in cancer research. We conducted a systematic review of articles published between January 2005 and June 2016 on crowdsourcing in cancer research, using PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsychINFO, and Embase. Data from the 12 identified articles were summarized but not combined statistically. The studies addressed a range of cancers (e.g., breast, skin, gynecologic, colorectal, prostate). Eleven studies collected data on the Internet using web‐based platforms; one recruited participants in a shopping mall using paper‐and‐pen data collection. Four studies used Amazon Mechanical Turk for recruiting and/or data collection. Study objectives comprised categorizing biopsy images (n = 6), assessing cancer knowledge (n = 3), refining a decision support system (n = 1), standardizing survivorship care‐planning (n = 1), and designing a clinical trial (n = 1). Although one study demonstrated that “the wisdom of the crowd” (NCI Budget Fact Book, 2017) could not replace trained experts, five studies suggest that distributed human intelligence could approximate or support the work of trained experts. Despite limitations, crowdsourcing has the potential to improve the quality and speed of research while reducing costs. Longitudinal studies should confirm and refine these findings.
Small bowel stenosis following blunt abdominal trauma: a case report
Authors: Prince Sheela , Busharar Hajer Abdullah Saleh , AlZoabi Osama Mohemmed
Published: September 2017

Key Clinical Message

Blunt abdominal trauma is a rare case of intestinal obstruction, and only few cases have been reported in the world literature. Stenotic intestinal obstruction following blunt abdominal trauma is a very rare complication. This case highlights the need for clinical suspicion serial clinical assessment and radiological evaluation and the need for early surgery in patients presenting with abdominal symptoms following blunt abdominal trauma.
Gastric trichobezoar
Authors: Szor Daniel José , Dias André Roncon
Published: September 2017

Key Clinical Message

Trichobezoar is a rare gastrointestinal pathology, but should be considered in patients with abdominal mass and previous history of trichophagia. In physical examination, it is important to verify signs of alopecia. Minimally invasive surgery is a secure method to remove the specimen from the stomach.
Self‐Assembly of Novel Thiophene‐Based BODIPY RuII Rectangles: Potential Antiproliferative Agents Selective Against Cancer Cells
Authors: Gupta Gajendra , Das Abhishek , Panja Sourav , Ryu Ji Yeon , Lee Junseong , Mandal Nripendranath , Lee Chang Yeon
Published: September 2017

Novel Ru (2+2) rectangles were designed and synthesized by self‐assembly of a new thiophene‐functionalized dipyridyl BODIPY ligand, BDPS, and ruthenium(II) precursors. The complexes exhibited dose‐dependent antiproliferative activities against cancer cells, in which some compounds selectively kill cancer cells. The net fluorescence due to BODIPY allowed us to visualize their location inside cancer cells. Moreover, the metalla‐rectangles displayed substantial propensity to bind with biomolecules.
Inside Cover: General Reductive Amination of Aldehydes and Ketones with Amines and Nitroaromatics under H2 by Recyclable Iridium Catalysts (Chin. J. Chem. 9/2017)
Authors: Sui Dejun , Mao Fei , Fan Haipeng , Qi Zhengliang , Huang Jun
Published: September 2017

The inside cover picture shows secondary and tertiary amines, which are important intermediates in organic synthesis for the preparation of natural products, pharmaceutical and agronomical compounds. The direct reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones represents a powerful tool for the preparation of secondary and tertiary amines. Here, direct and general reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with amines and nitroaromatics was presented under H2 using recyclable iridium catalysts, and lots of secondary and tertiary amines were produced in high yields. Moreover, the heterogeneous iridium catalysts Ir@NC(600‐2h) can be reused several times without evident deactivation. More details are discussed in the article by Huang et al. on page 1371–1377.

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Improved outsourced private set intersection protocol based on polynomial interpolation
Authors: Yang Xiaoyuan , Luo Xiaoshuang , Wang Xu An , Zhang Shuaiwei
Published: September 2017

Private set intersection (PSI) protocols enable 2 parties to compute the intersection of their inputs without compromising anything about the datasets beyond the intersection. With the advent of cloud computing, outsourcing computation has been attracted wide range of attention from research community and applied widely in the industry. The cloud computing allows resources restrained devices to outsource their expensive computation to the cloud. Based on Abadi's O‐PSI, we present a variant of delegated private set intersection protocol secure in the semi‐honest model under RSA assumption, and we also give an efficient and secure outsourcing computation algorithm for RSA cryptosystem. Depending on this algorithm, we transform a variant of delegated private set intersection protocol into an improved outsourced one. It enables the clients only to perform simple modular multiplication for computing what they want during the execution of protocol. Besides, the variant of delegated protocol can be easily extended to multiple clients. Compared with the state of the art, our proposed protocol has great advantage in efficiency. We finally evaluate these protocols and prove their security in the semi‐honest model.
“Atypical” salivary gland fine needle aspiration: Risk of malignancy and interinstitutional variability
Authors: Wang He , Malik Aatika , Maleki Zahra , Rossi Esther Diana , Ping Bo , Chandra Ashish , Ali Syed Z. , Fadda Guido , Wang Jindong , Arab Seyedeh Elham , Zhao Huaqing , Jhala Nirag
Published: September 2017

Background

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is widely used in the diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. Salivary gland FNAs are often difficult to diagnose because of morphologic heterogeneity, a small but significant number of the FNAs yield “atypical” diagnosis. However, systematic evaluation of the risk of malignancy (ROM) of the atypical diagnoses across institutions and the variability of ROM among institutions are still lacking.

Methods

Salivary gland FNAs from five tertiary medical centers of United States, Europe and China were reviewed. Cases with “atypical” diagnosis and histological follow‐up were included in this study. The diagnostic category of “atypical” was adopted from Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC, personal communication).

Results

Among the 12,606 salivary gland FNAs, 504 (4.0%) cases were reported as “atypical”, with 154 cases (30.6%) having histological follow‐ups. Histological follow‐ups revealed 94 malignant tumors (61.0%, 57 lymphomas, 33 carcinomas, 2 sarcomas, 1 metastatic melanoma, 1 metastatic neuroblastoma), 33 benign tumors (21.4%), and 25 benign lesions (16.2%). ROM in the subset of “atypical” cases with histological follow‐up from different institutions vary from 73.08% to 0.00%, the Pearson chi2 = 24.38 and P < .001.

Conclusions

More than half of the subset of “atypical” salivary gland FNAs with histological resection turned out to be malignant tumors; another one‐fourth were benign neoplasms. Further, the highly variable ROMs of the “atypical” category amongst different institutions likely reflect the variable practices at each individual institution.
Cohesize zone‐based modeling of nano‐coating layers for the purpose of establishing process signatures
Authors: Rezaei S. , Kochmann J. , Wulfinghoff S. , Reese S.
Published: September 2017

The purpose of this work is to establish the notion of process signatures in the context of manufacture processing. In this context we provide an overview of selected computational approaches which are capable of resolving the basic features of non‐linear heterogeneous microstructures and process related boundary and loading conditions. As an example, the cohesize zone element method is employed to predict the state of damage and fracture in coated systems. The latter are composed of CrN‐ or AlN‐based protective coating layers and steel‐based substrates. The state of damage and fracture is simulated for nano‐indentation tests and discussed at different deformation stages. Furthermore, the influence of residual stresses within the polygrain microstructure on the evolution of damage and fracture is analyzed. Lastly, future developments and computational challenges are discussed.
Insect models of central nervous system energy metabolism and its links to behavior
Authors: Rittschof Clare C. , Schirmeier Stefanie
Published: September 2017

Neuronal activity requires a vast amount of energy. Energy use in the brain is spatially and temporally dynamic, which reflects the changing activity of the neuronal circuits and might be important for modulating neuronal output. Much recent work has focused on understanding how brain glial cells take up nutrients from circulation and subsequently provide metabolic precursors to neurons. However, within the neurons, modulation of cellular metabolic pathway flux also regulates excitability and signaling. A coherent understanding of the links between energy availability and metabolism, neural signaling, and higher‐level phenotypes like behavior requires a synthesis of the understanding of glial and neuronal metabolic dynamics. In the current review, we address this synthesis in the context of insect brain metabolism. Insects not only show evidence of a metabolic division of labor and plasticity in neural metabolism that closely resembles that observed in vertebrate species, there also seem to be direct links between brain metabolic dynamics and behavioral phenotypes. We summarize the current knowledge about the metabolic fuels available to the insect nervous system and how they are transported and distributed to the different neural cell types. We discuss the possibility of an ANLS‐like metabolic division of labor between glial cells and neurons, and how it is regulated. We then discuss plasticity in flux through energy metabolic pathways in neurons, how flux is regulated, and how it influences neural signaling. We end by discussing how metabolic dynamics in the glia and neurons may interact to impact signaling.
LncRNA SOX2‐OT is a novel prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma patients and regulates osteosarcoma cells proliferation and motility through modulating SOX2
Authors: Wang Zhi , Tan Meiyun , Chen Ge , Li Zhong , Lu Xiaobo
Published: September 2017

Long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) SOX2 overlapping transcript (SOX2‐OT) has been shown to serve an oncogenic role in human lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and gastric cancer. However, the clinical significance and biological function of lncRNA SOX2‐OT in osteosarcoma are still unclear. LncRNA SOX2‐OT expression was measured in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines. Loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function studies were performed to observe the effects of lncRNA SOX2‐OT on osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and expressions of cancer stem cell biomarker. The relationship between lncRNA SOX2‐OT and SOX2 was analyzed in osteosarcoma tissues and cells. Rescued‐function studies were conducted to confirm the role of SOX2 in the regulation of lncRNA SOX2‐OT in osteosarcoma cells migration, invasion, and expression of cancer stem cell biomarkers. In our results, lncRNA SOX2‐OT expression was increased in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, and associated with malignant status and overall survival in osteosarcoma patients. LncRNA SOX2‐OT regulated osteosarcoma cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and expression of cancer stem cell biomarkers. LncRNA SOX2‐OT positively regulated SOX2 expression in osteosarcoma cells and positively associated with SOX2 expression in osteosarcoma tissues. The rescued‐function studies suggested that SOX2 is necessary for lncRNA SOX2‐OT induced osteosarcoma cells migration, invasion, and expression of cancer stem cell biomarkers. In conclusion, lncRNA SOX2‐OT is a prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma patients and serves an oncogenic role to regulate osteosarcoma cells migration, invasion, and expression of cancer stem cell biomarkers. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(11):867–876, 2017
Rheological properties of synthetic mucus for airway clearance
Authors: Lafforgue Olivier , Seyssiecq Isabelle , Poncet Sébastien , Favier Julien
Published: September 2017

In this work, a complete rheological characterization of bronchial mucus simulants based on the composition proposed by Zahm et al. (Eur Respir J 1991; 4:311–315) is presented. Dynamic small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) experiments, steady state (SS) flow measurements and three intervals thixotropy tests (3ITT), are carried out to investigate the global rheological complexities of simulants (viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, shear‐thinning, and thixotropy) as a function of scleroglucan concentrations (0.5–2 wt %) and under temperatures of 20 and 37°C. SAOS measurements show that the limit of the linear viscoelastic range as well as the elasticity both increase with increasing sclerogucan concentrations. Depending on the sollicitation frequency, the 0.5 wt % gel response is either liquid‐like or solid‐like, whereas more concentrated gels show a solid‐like response over the whole frequency range. The temperature dependence of gels response is negligible in the 20–37°C range. The Herschel–Bulkley (HB) model is chosen to fit the SS flow curve of simulants. The evolution of HB parameters versus polymer concentration show that both shear‐thinning and viscoplasticity increase with increasing concentrations. 3ITTs allow calculation of recovery thixotropic times after shearings at 100 or 1.6 s−1. Empiric correlations are proposed to quantify the effect of polymer concentration on rheological parameters of mucus simulants. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 386–396, 2018.
HPLC‐MS/MS: A potential method to track the in vivo degradation of zein‐based biomaterial
Authors: Wang Hua‐Jie , Zhang Yue , Kato Shunji , Nakagawa Kiyotaka , Kimura Fumiko , Miyazawa Teruo , Wang Jin‐Ye
Published: September 2017

Given the inadequacies of existing clinic tracking strategies, such as isotopic tracer techniques, one of the major thrusts in protein‐based tissue engineering substitutes prior to use in clinic is to develop a safe technique that can effectively track their degradation in vivo. Keeping in view the possible application of a natural polymer, zein as a novel bone substitute, with the advantages of good bio‐compatibility, bio‐degradability and outstanding mechanical properties, we attempted here to construct a HPLC‐MS/MS method to track the in vivo degradation of zein porous scaffold. Histological observation and immunohistochemistry analysis using the intramuscular implantation model of rats clearly indicated that zein porous scaffold has certain osteoinductive ability. More importantly, HPLC‐MS/MS detected the changes of amino acids levels in plasma and different organs after the implantation of scaffolds. With these findings, it could be concluded that HPLC‐MS/MS might be a potential method to track the in vivo degradation of protein‐based tissue engineering substitutes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 606–613, 2018.
Application of 2‐ and 3‐Dimensional Sonography Using the Virtual Organ Computer‐Aided Analysis Technique to Measure the Hippocampal Formation and Its Correlation With Corrected Gestational Age in Neonates
Authors: Chen Xiaokang , Hu Shiyin , Lv Guorong
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to use transcranial 2‐ and 3‐dimensional sonography with the Virtual Organ computer‐aided analysis (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI) technique to observe the morphologic characteristics of the hippocampal formation and to analyze its correlation with the corrected gestational age.

Methods

Transcranial sonography was performed from the sagittal plane of the anterior fontanel to the sagittal plane of the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle. The morphologic characteristics of the hippocampal formation in 183 singleton neonates with a corrected gestational age of 32 to 43 weeks were observed. The long diameter, short diameter, area, and perimeter of the hippocampal formation were all quantitatively measured. The volume of the hippocampal formation was measured by 3‐dimensional sonography using the Virtual Organ computer‐aided analysis technique. The correlation between the corrected gestational age and each parameter was analyzed.

Results

The display rate of the hippocampal formation was 100% in the neonates with a typical hippocampus shape. In healthy neonates with a corrected gestational age of 32 to 43 weeks, the long and short diameters, area, perimeter, and volume of the hippocampal formation were all positively correlated with the gestational age.

Conclusions

Transcranial sonography could be used as a conventional approach for evaluation of the development of the hippocampal formation in neonates.
Use of Multiple Ultrasonographic Parameters in Confirmation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Ažman Dražen , Hrabač Pero , Demarin Vida
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Ultrasonography (US) of the median nerve has been increasingly studied and used for confirmation of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, a consensus on the choice of parameters to be evaluated is still not established. The aim of this diagnostic accuracy study was to assess the diagnostic value of multiple parameters individually, as well as in different combinations of variable complexity, and to find an optimal approach for US‐based confirmation of a CTS diagnosis.

Methods

All participants completed clinical and electrophysiologic evaluations, and their hands were scanned with a 5–13‐MHz linear US transducer. Eighty‐six patients with CTS (135 symptomatic hands) and 50 control participants (93 asymptomatic hands) were analyzed. The median nerve was recorded transversely at the forearm, at the carpal tunnel inlet, in the mid tunnel, and at the carpal tunnel outlet. For determining the parameters' diagnostic value, sensitivities, specificities, and area under the curve (AUC) values were calculated.

Results

The inlet cross‐sectional area, inlet circumference, and outlet cross‐sectional area of the median nerve had the highest AUCs (0.962, 0.920, and 0.913, respectively), sensitivities (87.4%, 80.0%, and 74.1%), and specificities (94.6%, 91.4%, and 92.5%) among single‐measurement parameters. An analysis of 2‐level parameters (wrist‐to‐forearm‐ratio, inlet‐to‐outlet‐ratio, outlet‐to‐forearm‐ratio, and inlet‐outlet mean) yielded the highest AUC (0.974) for the mean cross‐sectional area of the median nerve [(inlet + outlet cross‐sectional area)/2], with high sensitivity (93.5%) and specificity (91.1%). A compound regression‐based index yielded a marginally higher AUC (0.989) than the previously mentioned parameters.

Conclusions

Results of the study show that the mean cross‐sectional area and inlet cross‐sectional area may be valid and easy‐to‐acquire parameters for routine clinical use in confirming CTS.
Distinction Between Precapillary and Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension by the Atrial Volume Ratio on Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Saito Naka , Kato Shingo , Saito Noritaka , Nakachi Tatsuya , Fukui Kazuki , Kosuge Masami , Kimura Kazuo
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The differential diagnosis between precapillary and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) is important for deciding on the appropriate therapeutic strategy. The aim of this study was to assess whether the atrial volume ratio can differentiate precapillary and post‐capillary PH.

Methods

Seventy‐seven patients with PH who underwent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and right heart catheterization were retrospectively studied. Pulmonary hypertension was defined as a mean pulmonary arterial pressure of 25 mm Hg or higher by right heart catheterization. Patients with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure higher than 15 mm Hg were classified as having postcapillary PH, and patients with a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure of 15 mm Hg or lower were classified as having precapillary PH. The atrial volume ratio derived from TTE was defined as right atrial volume divided by left atrial volume.

Results

Forty‐four (57%) of 77 patients had precapillary PH by the right heart catheterization classification. The atrial volume ratio was significantly higher in precapillary PH than in postcapillary PH (1.03 ± 0.69 versus 0.50 ± 0.19; P < .001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the atrial volume ratio for detecting postcapillary PH was 0.84 (95% confidence interval: 0.75–0.93). Adding the atrial volume ratio to the left ventricular ejection fraction yielded a high area under the curve of 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–0.96) for distinguishing precapillary and postcapillary PH.

Conclusions

The atrial volume ratio assessed by TTE might be useful for differential diagnosis between precapillary and postcapillary PH.
Detection of Pathologically Proven Silicone Lymphadenopathy: Ultrasonography Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Klang Eyal , Yosepovich Ady , Krosser Alec , Soffer Shelly , Halshtok Neiman Osnat , Shalmon Anat , Gotlieb Michael , Sklair‐Levy Miri
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To compare the abilities of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing silicone lymphadenopathy.

Methods

Consecutive patients with silicone breast implants who underwent axillary and intramammary lymph node core needle biopsies were retrospectively collected (December 2011–May 2017). Ultrasonographic examinations were analyzed for the presence of the US snowstorm sign, and MRI examinations were evaluated for the presence of the silicone signal. A pathologist reviewed all biopsied specimens. Ultrasonographic and MRI evaluations were compared to pathologic results. The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing silicone lymphadenopathy were calculated for the snowstorm sign on US and the MRI silicone signal.

Results

Forty‐one lymph node biopsies were included: 8 (19.5%) silicone‐containing lymph nodes, 29 (70.7%) reactive nodes, and 4 (9.8%) malignant nodes. All nodes were evaluated by US, and 18 of 41 (43.9%) were evaluated by MRI. Seven of 8 (87.5%) silicone‐containing nodes showed the snowstorm sign compared to none (0.0%) of the reactive or malignant nodes (P = .0001). One of 5 (20.0%) silicone‐containing nodes evaluated by MRI showed the silicone signal compared to none (0.0%) of the reactive or malignant nodes (P = .278). The sensitivity and specificity of the snowstorm sign for diagnosing silicone lymphadenopathy were 87.5% and 100%, respectively, whereas those of the MRI silicone signal were 20.0% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusions

The US snowstorm sign is much more sensitive for silicone lymphadenopathy than the MRI silicone signal. In cases of suspected silicone lymphadenopathy, the use of US in addition to MRI should be contemplated.
Real‐time Ultrasound Assessment of Astronaut Spinal Anatomy and Disorders on the International Space Station
Authors: Garcia Kathleen M. , Harrison Michael F. , Sargsyan Ashot E. , Ebert Douglas , Dulchavsky Scott A.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

Back pain is one of the most common conditions of astronauts during spaceflight and is hypothesized to be attributed to pathologic anatomic changes. Ultrasound (US) represents the only available imaging modality on the International Space Station, but a formal US protocol for imaging the structures of the spinal column does not exist. This investigation developed a method of acquiring diagnostic‐quality images of the anterior lumbar and cervical regions of the spine during long‐duration spaceflight.

Methods

Comprehensive spinal US examinations were conducted on 7 long‐duration spaceflight astronauts before flight, in flight, and after flight and compared to preflight and postflight magnetic resonance imaging data. In‐flight scans were conducted after just‐in‐time training assisted by remote expert tele‐US guidance.

Results

Novice users were able to obtain diagnostic‐quality spinal images with a 92.5% success rate. Thirty‐three anomalous or pathologic findings were identified during the preflight US analysis, and at least 14 new findings or progressions were identified during the postflight US analysis. Common findings included disk desiccation, osteophytes, and qualitative changes in the intervertebral disk height and angle.

Conclusions

Ultrasound has proven efficacy as a portable and versatile diagnostic imaging modality under austere conditions. We demonstrated a potential role for US to evaluate spinal integrity and alterations in the extreme environment of space on the International Space Station. Further investigations should be performed to corroborate this imaging technique and to create a larger database related to in‐flight spinal conditions during long‐duration spaceflight.
Seroconversion of raccoons following two oral rabies vaccination baiting strategies
Authors: Berentsen Are R. , Patrick Erin M. , Blass Chad , Wehner Keith , Dunlap Brett , Hicks Bradley , Hale Robert , Chipman Richard B. , Vercauteren Kurt C.
Published: September 2017

Seroprevalence of rabies virus neutralizing antibodies (rVNA) in raccoons (Procyon lotor) following oral rabies vaccination (ORV) with RABORAL V‐RG®in the United States has annually averaged 30% since 1997, a level that is unlikely to successfully interrupt rabies transmission in raccoon populations. A longitudinal ORV zone is maintained in the eastern United States with raccoon variant rabies established east of the zone but absent to the west. However, questions remain regarding the effect of the bait application strategy towards achieving optimal population immunity. We estimated the number of ORV baits/km2of raccoon home range and calculated rVNA seroprevalence following 2 ORV baiting strategies: cluster baiting (≤10 baits dropped at a time) via helicopter and hand distribution of individual baits at regular intervals along roads and trails in suburban Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, during fall 2013 and 2014. We applied baits at 75 baits/km2under both strategies. We established 6 1‐km2cells in each treatment area, and fitted ≤2 raccoons with global positioning system collars in each cell. We trapped and sampled ≤25 raccoons in each study cell pre‐ and post‐ORV application for rVNA analysis. Overall raccoon home range and core area estimates were 80.7 ha and 17.5 ha, respectively (n = 36). Average bait application for home ranges (n = 32 home ranges that received bait) was 80.9 baits/km2for helicopter baiting and 63.6 baits/km2for hand baiting sites. Average bait application for core areas was 104.7 baits/km2for helicopter baiting and 69.2 baits/km2for hand baiting sites. All home ranges were baited in both treatment areas, whereas 10/18 and 13/14 core areas were baited in the helicopter and hand distribution sites, respectively. Overall, helicopter cluster ORV delivered more baits/km2of raccoon home range than hand distribution but was less effective in reaching core areas. Seroprevalence did not change as a function of baiting strategy (helicopter vs. hand baiting). The average overall increase in seroprevalence following ORV application was 8.9%. Evaluation of additional strategies are needed because both methods failed to achieve herd immunity necessary to disrupt rabies transmission in raccoons. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Rotational Dynamics of a Probe in Rubbery Polymers Characterized by Time‐Resolved Fluorescence Anisotropy Measurement
Authors: Nguyen Hung K. , Konomi Asuka , Sugimoto Shin , Inutsuka Manabu , Kawaguchi Daisuke , Tanaka Keiji
Published: September 2017

The rotational relaxation time (τrot) of a fluorescent molecule, coumarin 153 (C153), dispersed in different rubbery polymers is characterized by time‐resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurement, and an attempt is made to quantitatively combine it with the segmental relaxation time (τseg) of the corresponding matrix polymer obtained by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. This study here demonstrates that τseg extrapolated to higher temperatures using the Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann law can be superimposed on τrot, resulting in a single curve. This behavior is common for polymers with different glass transition temperatures such as polyisoprene and acrylonitrile/butadiene copolymer, implying that the rotational dynamics of C153 is a useful tool for the characterization of polymer dynamics.
The Primary Results of the Treating Adult Smokers at Risk for Weight Gain with Interactive Technology (TARGIT) Study
Authors: Johnson Karen C. , Thomas Fridtjof , Richey Phyllis , Tran Quynh T. , Tylavsky Fran , Miro Danielle , Coday Mace
Published: September 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether a behavioral weight management program combined with a smoking cessation program delivered via interactive technology could prevent postcessation weight gain.

Methods

Three hundred and thirty young adult smokers, age 18 to 35 years, were randomized to a smoking cessation program alone (comparison group), which included behavioral counseling and nicotine replacement, or to a behavioral weight management program adapted from the Look AHEAD trial plus the same smoking cessation program (intervention group).

Results

The Treating Adult Smokers at Risk for Weight Gain with Interactive Technology study randomized 164 participants to the comparison group and 166 participants to the intervention group. On average, the participants gained 0.91 kg after 24 months in the trial (comparison group + 1.45 kg and intervention group + 0.32; P = 0.157). The only variable systematically affecting weight change over time was smoking abstinence, in which those who were abstinent, on average, gained 0.14 kg more per month compared with those who continued to smoke (P < 0.001). In exploratory analyses, the intervention participants who were abstinent at 6 months had numerically smaller weight gains compared with abstinent participants in the comparison group, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Providing an intensive weight gain prevention program combined with a smoking cessation program via interactive technology was not associated with greater long‐term weight gain prevention.
Phosphoproteomics Profiling of Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Cells Treated with a Novel Phosphatase Activator
Authors: Wiredja Danica D. , Ayati Marzieh , Mazhar Sahar , Sangodkar Jaya , Maxwell Sean , Schlatzer Daniela , Narla Goutham , Koyutürk Mehmet , Chance Mark R.
Published: September 2017

Activation of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy, as this tumor suppressor has the ability to coordinately downregulate multiple pathways involved in the regulation of cellular growth and proliferation. In order to understand the systems‐level perturbations mediated by PP2A activation, we carried out mass spectrometry‐based phosphoproteomic analysis of two KRAS mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (A549 and H358) treated with a novel small molecule activator of PP2A (SMAP). Overall, this permitted quantification of differential signaling across over 1600 phosphoproteins and 3000 phosphosites. Kinase activity assessment and pathway enrichment implicate collective downregulation of RAS and cell cycle kinases in the case of both cell lines upon PP2A activation. However, the effects on RAS‐related signaling are attenuated for A549 compared to H358, while the effects on cell cycle‐related kinases are noticeably more prominent in A549. Network‐based analyses and validation experiments confirm these detailed differences in signaling. These studies reveal the power of phosphoproteomics studies, coupled to computational systems biology, to elucidate global patterns of phosphatase activation and understand the variations in response to PP2A activation across genetically similar NSCLC cell lines.
Reactive species responsible for the inactivation of feline calicivirus by a two‐dimensional array of integrated coaxial microhollow dielectric barrier discharges in air
Authors: Nayak Gaurav , Aboubakr Hamada A. , Goyal Sagar M. , Bruggeman Peter J.
Published: September 2017

The use of low‐temperature plasmas for bio‐decontamination and sterilization has been gaining increased attention. In this study, a two‐dimensional array of integrated coaxial microhollow micro‐discharges generated in dry air at atmospheric pressure is used to treat metal surfaces (gas‐phase) and solution (liquid‐phase) contaminated with a known concentration of feline calicivirus (FCV). FCV acts as a surrogate for human norovirus, which is responsible for causing outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in humans. The decontamination efficacy as well as the primary chemical pathways leading to virus inactivation in both the treatments are studied and compared. It is found that the humidity of the bio‐sample for gas‐phase treatment in dry air is required to achieve >5 log10 reduction in FCV titer within 3 min. The gas‐phase FCV inactivation is found to be due to a combination of ozone (O3) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), most likely NOx. The liquid‐phase FCV inactivation mechanism is pH‐dependent and is primarily due to RNS, most likely acidified nitrites. O3 has a negligible effect on FCV suspended in solution. Previous studies performed in a batch reactor have shown that the inactivation pathways through O3 and RNS are mutually exclusive due to ozone poisoning at high NxOy concentrations. The present study employs a flow‐through system which avoids accumulation of reactive species and allows for the coexistence of NOx and O3 for the gas residence times used in this study, giving rise to these specific inactivation pathways.
On the relationship between cumulative correlation coefficients and the quality of crystallographic data sets
Authors: Wang Jimin , Brudvig Gary W. , Batista Victor S. , Moore Peter B.
Published: September 2017

In 2012, Karplus and Diederichs demonstrated that the Pearson correlation coefficient CC1/2 is a far better indicator of the quality and resolution of crystallographic data sets than more traditional measures like merging R‐factor or signal‐to‐noise ratio. More specifically, they proposed that CC1/2 be computed for data sets in thin shells of increasing resolution so that the resolution dependence of that quantity can be examined. Recently, however, the CC1/2 values of entire data sets, i.e., cumulative correlation coefficients, have been used as a measure of data quality. Here, we show that the difference in cumulative CC1/2 value between a data set that has been accurately measured and a data set that has not is likely to be small. Furthermore, structures obtained by molecular replacement from poorly measured data sets are likely to suffer from extreme model bias.
Effects of bladder status on cervical cancer treatment with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy plans
Authors: Ye Lan , Wu Xing‐rao , Li Kang‐ming , Bai Han , Zheng Jie , Ai Yi‐qin
Published: September 2017

Objective

The present study aimed to compare the effects of different bladder statuses on cervical cancer treatment with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans.

Methods

A total of 21 cervical cancer patients who were willing to be treated with IMRT in the prone position at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from December 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015 were selected for this study. IMRT treatment plans were carried out using computed tomography images of the full and empty bladder. Data were collected to compare the differences between clinical target volume, planning target volume, and the percentage of irradiated volume of the bladder, small bowel, rectum, and caput femoris in patients with full and empty bladders.

Results

Clinical target volume, planning target volume, and the volume of organs at risk did not show obvious differences (P > 0.05 in all respects) in patients with different bladder statuses. The average radiation dose of the small bowel of a patient with a full bladder (2056.7 ± 364.7 cGy) was significantly lower than that of a patient with an empty bladder (2319.5 ± 451.58 cGy), P < 0.001. The average radiation dose of the rectum of a patient with a full bladder (4663.7 ± 68.94 cGy) was higher than that of a patient with an empty bladder (4621.6 ± 54.86 cGy), P = 0.039. The percentages of irradiated volume covered by the 5–45 Gy isodose curve (V5–V45) of the small bowel were lower in the full bladder patients than in the empty bladder patients (P < 0.001 in all respects), whereas the percentages of irradiated volume covered by the 45 Gy isodose curve (V45) of the rectum were higher in the full bladder patients (P < 0.05). If a patient had lymphatic metastasis, the V45 irradiated volume ratio (IVR) of the small bowel of a patient with a full bladder was lower than that of a patient with an empty bladder, P < 0.001, whereas the V45 IVR of the rectum increased (P = 0.04). For patients without lymphatic metastasis, the V45 IVR of the small bowel and bladder both decreased with a full bladder compared with an empty bladder (P = 0.002 and 0.01, respectively), and there was no difference in the V45 IVR of the rectum (P = 0.275).

Conclusions

IMRT plans delivered to patients with a full bladder in the prone position can reduce the percentage of irradiated volume in the small bowel. For patients with lymphatic metastasis, although keeping a full bladder reduces the percentage of irradiated volume in the intestine, it also increases the percentage of irradiated volume in the rectum
Ir/Al multilayer Gates for High Temperature Operated AlGaN/GaN HEMTs
Authors: Lalinský Tibor , Vanko Gabriel , Dobročka Edmund , Osvald Jozef , Babchenko Oleg , Dzuba Jaroslav , Veselý Marián , Vančo L'ubomír , Vogrinčič Peter , Vincze Andrej
Published: September 2017

The fabrication and characterization of the sequentially evaporated Ir/Al multilayer gates of AlGaN/GaN circular high electron mobility transistors formed by high temperature oxidation is reported. Annealing at temperature of 800 °C, for 60 s in O2 ambient makes possible to form a sharp gate interface with a high Schottky barrier height at RT (φb = 1.2 eV). It is also shown that high temperature oxidation can be an effective approach in reducing of both the gate and drain leakage currents of high electron mobility transistors (more than six orders). A comprehensive microstructural, electrical, and electro‐thermal characterization of the Ir/Al gates is carried out to study the thermal stability of the gate interface and high temperature performance of the devices. Stable operation of the devices with multilayer Ir/Al gates in the temperature range up to 500 °C is demonstrated. Here, it is proposed that the thermal stability of the interface is controlled by the formed aluminum oxide interfacial layer. Finally, perfectly clear pinch‐off characteristics and thermally induced threshold voltage (Vth) instability as low as −0.58 mV °C−1 are achieved.
Antibiotics to outpatients in Norway—Assessing effect of latitude and municipality population size using quantile regression in a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Haugen Pål , Simonsen Gunnar S. , Primicerio Raul , Furberg Anne‐Sofie , Småbrekke Lars
Published: September 2017

High antibiotic consumption rates are associated to high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Geographical differences in dispensing rates of antibiotics are frequently analysed using statistical methods addressing the central tendency of the data. Yet, examining extreme quantiles may be of equal or greater interest if the problem relates to the extremes of consumption rates, as is the case for antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to investigate how geographic location (latitude) and municipality population size affect antibiotic consumption in Norway. We analysed all outpatient antibiotic prescriptions (n > 14 000 000) in Norway between 2004 and 2010 using quantile regression. Data were stratified by year, and we aggregated individual data to municipality, county, or latitudinal range. We specified the quantile regression models using directed acyclic graphs and selected the model based on Akaike information criteria. Yearly outpatient antibiotic consumption in Norway varied up to 10‐fold at municipality level. We found geographical variation to depend on the number of inhabitants in a municipality and on latitude. These variables interacted, so that consumption declined with increasing latitude when municipality population sizes were small, but the effect of latitude diminished as the number of inhabitants increased. Aggregation to different levels of spatial resolution did not significantly affect our results. In Norway, outpatient antibiotic dispensing rates decreases with latitude at a rate contingent on municipality population size. Quantile regression analysis provides a flexible and powerful tool to address problems related to high, or low, dispensing rates.
Einstein A Coefficients, Oscillator Strengths, and Absolute Band Strengths for the First Negative System, and Franck‐Condon Factors for the Second Negative System of
Authors: JAIN D. C. , SAHNI R. C.
Published: September 2017

The Franck‐Condon factors and r centroids for the first negative and the second negative band systems of the molecule, based on the Rydberg‐Klein‐Rees potential energy curves, have been computed. The variation of the electronic transition moment with the internuclear separation has been studied for the first negative bands and the Einstein A coefficients, the oscillator strengths, and the absolute band strengths for this system have been calculated by adopting the recent experimental data on the lifetimes of the various levels of the excited B state.

On a calculé pour la molécule les facteurs de Franck‐Condon et les r centroïds pour les deux premiers systèmes de bandes négatives avec des courbes de potential de Rydberg‐Klein‐Rees. On a étudié la variation du moment de transition éléctronique avec la séparation internucléaire pour les premières bandes négatives. Les constantes A d'Einstein, les forces d'oscillateur et les intensités absolues des bandes ont été calculé des données expérimentales récentes sur les durées de vie des niveaux différents de l'état excité B .

Die Franck‐Condon‐Faktoren und die r‐Zentroide der zwei ersten negativen Banden‐systeme des ‐Moleküls, wurden mit den Rydberg‐Klein‐kees Potentialkurven berechnet. Die Variation des elektronischen Übergangsmoment mit dem Kernabstand würde für die ersten negativen Bänder studiert. Die Einsteinschen A‐Koeffizienten, die Oszillatorstärken and die absoluten Bandenstärken wurden mit die neuen experimentellen Tatsachen über die Lebensdauern der verschiedenen Niveaus des angeregten B Zustands berechnet.