bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethmoidectomy combined with superior meatus enlargement increases olfactory airflow
Authors: Nishijima Hironobu , Kondo Kenji , Nomura Tsutomu , Yamasoba Tatsuya
Published: February 2017

Objectives

The relationship between a particular surgical technique in endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and airflow changes in the post‐operative olfactory region has not been assessed. The present study aimed to compare olfactory airflow after ESS between conventional ethmoidectomy and ethmoidectomy with superior meatus enlargement, using virtual ESS and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis.

Study Design

Prospective computational study.

Materials and Methods

Nasal computed tomography images of four adult subjects were used to generate models of the nasal airway. The original preoperative model was digitally edited as virtual ESS by performing uncinectomy, ethmoidectomy, antrostomy, and frontal sinusotomy. The following two post‐operative models were prepared: conventional ethmoidectomy with normal superior meatus (ESS model) and ethmoidectomy with superior meatus enlargement (ESS‐SM model). The calculated three‐dimensional nasal geometries were confirmed using virtual endoscopy to ensure that they corresponded to the post‐operative anatomy observed in the clinical setting. Steady‐state, laminar, inspiratory airflow was simulated, and the velocity, streamline, and mass flow rate in the olfactory region were compared among the preoperative and two postoperative models.

Results

The mean velocity in the olfactory region, number of streamlines bound to the olfactory region, and mass flow rate were higher in the ESS‐SM model than in the other models.

Conclusion

We successfully used an innovative approach involving virtual ESS, virtual endoscopy, and CFD to assess postoperative outcomes after ESS. It is hypothesized that the increased airflow to the olfactory fossa achieved with ESS‐SM may lead to improved olfactory function; however, further studies are required.

Level of Evidence

NA.
Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation: Is there a place for resection?
Authors: Fernandez‐Sevilla Elena , Allard Marc‐Antoine , Selten Jasmijn , Golse Nicolas , Vibert Eric , Sa Cunha Antonio , Cherqui Daniel , Castaing Denis , Adam René
Published: February 2017

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver transplantation (LT) is widely considered as a terminal condition. Therefore, the role of surgery is uncertain in this case. The purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of survival after post‐LT HCC recurrence and to evaluate the impact of surgery in this setting. All patients transplanted for HCC between 1991 and 2013 in a single institution and who further developed a post‐LT recurrence were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors affecting postrecurrence survival. Of the 493 patients transplanted for HCC, a total of 70 (14.2%) consecutive patients developed a recurrence after a median disease‐free interval of 17 months. Median survival (MS) from the time of recurrence was 19 months, with a 3‐year postrecurrence survival of 26%. Most recurrences were extrahepatic (lung, lymph node, and bone; n = 51; 72.9%), whereas only intrahepatic recurrences were observed in 2 (2.8%) patients. Both intrahepatic and extrahepatic locations were found in 17 (24.3%) patients. A total of 22 (31.4%) patients underwent macroscopically complete resection of the recurrence (intrahepatic [n = 2] and extrahepatic [n = 20]). The MS for resected patients after transplantation was 35 months compared with 15 months for nonresected patients (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, the independent unfavorable factors of postrecurrence survival were alpha‐fetoprotein level > 100 ng/mL at relapse (hazard ratio [HR], 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1‐4.1; P = 0.03), intrahepatic location (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0‐3.2; P = 0.05), and multifocal recurrence (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1‐3.1; P = 0.04). The management including surgery (HR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2‐0.7; P = 0.004) was identified as an independent favorable factor. In conclusion, recurrence of HCC after LT is associated with a poor prognosis. However, resection is associated with improved survival and should therefore be considered when feasible. Liver Transplantation 23 440–447 2017 AASLD.
Disruption in cerebellar and basal ganglia networks during a visuospatial task in cervical dystonia
Authors: Filip Pavel , Gallea Cécile , Lehéricy Stéphane , Bertasi Eric , Popa Traian , Mareček Radek , Lungu Ovidiu V. , Kašpárek Tomáš , Vaníček Jiří , Bareš Martin
Published: February 2017

Background: Although dystonia is traditionally conceptualized as a basal ganglia disorder, increasing interest has been directed at a different neural network node, the cerebellum, which may play a significant role in the pathophysiology of dystonia. Abnormal sensorimotor processing and disturbed motor schemes, possibly attributable to cerebellar changes, remain unclear.

Methods: We sought to characterize the extent of cerebellar dysfunction within the motor network using functional MRI activation analysis, connectivity analysis, and voxel‐based morphometry in cervical dystonia patients (n = 25, 15 women, mean age 45.8 years) and healthy volunteers (n = 25, 15 women, mean age 44.7 years) in a visuospatial task requiring predictive motor timing.

Results: Cervical dystonia patients showed decreased activation in the posterior cerebellar lobules as well as in the premotor areas, the associative parietal cortex, and visual regions. Patients also had decreased cerebellar connectivity with bilateral basal ganglia structures and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

Conclusions: This promotes the view that dystonia results from miscommunication between the basal ganglia and cerebellar loops, thus providing new insights into the brain regions essential for the development of cervical dystonia. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Blepharospasm 40 years later
Authors: Defazio Giovanni , Hallett Mark , Jinnah Hyder A. , Conte Antonella , Berardelli Alfredo
Published: February 2017

Forty years ago, C.D. Marsden proposed that blepharospasm should be considered a form of adult‐onset focal dystonia. In the present paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of the findings regarding blepharospasm reported in the past 40 years. Although prolonged spasms of the orbicularis oculi muscles remain the clinical hallmark of blepharospasm, patients with blepharospasm may be characterized by various types of involuntary activation of periocular muscles. In addition to motor features, blepharospasm patients may also have nonmotor manifestations, including psychiatric, mild cognitive, and sensory disturbances. The various motor and nonmotor symptoms are not present in all patients, suggesting that blepharospasm is phenomenologically a heterogeneous condition. This emphasizes the need for tools for severity assessment that take into account both motor and nonmotor manifestations. The cause of blepharospasm remains elusive, but several lines of evidence indicate that blepharospasm is a multifactorial condition in which one, or several, as yet unknown genes together with epigenetic and environmental factors combine to reach the threshold of the disease. Although blepharospasm was originally believed to be solely a basal ganglia disorder, neurophysiological and neuroimaging evidence point to anatomical and functional involvement of several brain regions. The contribution of multiple areas has led to the hypothesis that blepharospasm should be considered as a network disorder, and this might reflect the varying occurrence of motor and nonmotor manifestations in blepharospasm patients. Despite advances in the aetiology and pathophysiology, treatment remains symptomatic. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Technical Note: Fully‐automated analysis of Jaszczak phantom measurements as part of routine SPECT quality control
Authors: Hirtl Albert , Bergmann Helmar , Knäusl Barbara , Beyer Thomas , Figl Michael , Hummel Johann
Published: February 2017

Purpose

Inspection and quantitative validation of tomographic imaging properties of SPECT systems, i.e., spatial resolution, contrast, and inhomogeneity must be performed in regular intervals. Typically, the modular Jaszczak phantom is used for that purpose, as it offers the possibility to investigate all three system properties with a single measurement. The interpretation of the measurement is performed visually, thus, being insensitive to subtle changes in system performance. To overcome this limitation, a fully‐automated software for the objective analysis of Jaszczak phantom measurements is proposed here.

Methods

The software was developed as an ImageJ plugin and offers a number of sequential evaluation steps: automatic determination of the type of Jaszczak phantom, calculation of sector and sphere contrast, detection of ring artifacts using either the Hough transform, followed by a threshold‐based decision criterion, or Student's t‐test. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate the detectability limits for ring artifacts.

Results

The software successfully calculated sector and sphere contrasts and reliably determined ring artifacts present in the homogeneity part of the Jaszczak phantom, based on automatic identification of the phantom type.

Conclusion

Given the quantitative nature of the produced output, results from one imaging system can easily be compared to another in an objective way. The advantage of the software is clearly that the information provided is objective and does not rely on the experience level of the user.
Gene expression and epigenetic aberrations in F1‐placentas fathered by obese males
Authors: Mitchell Megan , Strick Reiner , Strissel Pamela L. , Dittrich Ralf , McPherson Nicole O. , Lane Michelle , Pliushch Galyna , Potabattula Ramya , Haaf Thomas , El Hajj Nady
Published: February 2017

Gene expression and/or epigenetic deregulation may have consequences for sperm and blastocysts, as well as for the placenta, together potentially contributing to problems observed in offspring. We previously demonstrated specific perturbations of fertilization, blastocyst formation, implantation, as well as aberrant glucose metabolism and adiposity in offspring using a mouse model of paternal obesity. The current investigation analyzed gene expression and methylation of specific CpG residues in F1 placentas of pregnancies fathered by obese and normal‐weight male mice, using real‐time PCR and bisulfite pyrosequencing. Our aim was to determine if paternal obesity deregulated placental gene expression and DNA methylation when compared to normal‐weight males. Gene methylation of sperm DNA was analyzed and compared to placentas to address epigenetic transmission. Of the 10 paternally expressed genes (Pegs), 11 genes important for development and transport of nutrients, and the long‐terminal repeat Intracisternal A particle (IAP) elements, derived from a member of the class II endogenous retroviral gene family, we observed a significant effect of paternal diet‐induced obesity on deregulated expression of Peg3, Peg9, Peg10, and the nutrient transporter gene Slc38a2, and aberrant DNA methylation of the Peg9 promoter in F1 placental tissue. Epigenetic changes in Peg9 were also found in sperm from obese fathers. We therefore propose that paternal obesity renders changes in gene expression and/or methylation throughout the placental genome, which could contribute to the reproductive problems related to fertility and to the metabolic, long‐term health impact on offspring.
Feasibility of through‐time spiral generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition for low latency accelerated real‐time MRI of speech
Authors: Lingala Sajan Goud , Zhu Yinghua , Lim Yongwan , Toutios Asterios , Ji Yunhua , Lo Wei‐Ching , Seiberlich Nicole , Narayanan Shrikanth , Nayak Krishna S.
Published: February 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of through‐time spiral generalized autocalibrating partial parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) for low‐latency accelerated real‐time MRI of speech.

Methods

Through‐time spiral GRAPPA (spiral GRAPPA), a fast linear reconstruction method, is applied to spiral (k‐t) data acquired from an eight‐channel custom upper‐airway coil. Fully sampled data were retrospectively down‐sampled to evaluate spiral GRAPPA at undersampling factors R = 2 to 6. Pseudo‐golden‐angle spiral acquisitions were used for prospective studies. Three subjects were imaged while performing a range of speech tasks that involved rapid articulator movements, including fluent speech and beat‐boxing. Spiral GRAPPA was compared with view sharing, and a parallel imaging and compressed sensing (PI‐CS) method.

Results

Spiral GRAPPA captured spatiotemporal dynamics of vocal tract articulators at undersampling factors ≤4. Spiral GRAPPA at 18 ms/frame and 2.4 mm2/pixel outperformed view sharing in depicting rapidly moving articulators. Spiral GRAPPA and PI‐CS provided equivalent temporal fidelity. Reconstruction latency per frame was 14 ms for view sharing and 116 ms for spiral GRAPPA, using a single processor. Spiral GRAPPA kept up with the MRI data rate of 18ms/frame with eight processors. PI‐CS required 17 minutes to reconstruct 5 seconds of dynamic data.

Conclusion

Spiral GRAPPA enabled 4‐fold accelerated real‐time MRI of speech with a low reconstruction latency. This approach is applicable to wide range of speech RT‐MRI experiments that benefit from real‐time feedback while visualizing rapid articulator movement. Magn Reson Med 78:2275–2282, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
A 2‐in‐1 single‐element coil design for transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Lu Hai , Wang Shumin
Published: February 2017

Purpose

To demonstrate the feasibility of turning transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) coil for MRI signal reception.

Methods

A critically coupled network was formed by using a resonated turn of TMS coil as the secondary and a regular radiofrequency (RF) coil as the primary. A third coil was positioned between the two coils for detuning during RF transmission. Bench measurement, numerical simulation, and MRI experiment were performed for validation.

Results

The signal‐to‐noise ratio of the proposed 2‐in‐1 coil is 35% higher in its field of view, compared with a MRI‐only reference coil of the same size, made by the same material, and backed up by an untuned TMS coil, but lower than a RF surface coil of the same size without any TMS coil nearby. Spin‐echo images of the human brain further validated its performance.

Conclusions

The proposed method can transform TMS coil for MRI signal acquisition with virtually no modifications on the TMS side. It not only enables flexible and close positioning of TMS coil inside MRI scanner, but also improves the signal‐to‐noise ratio compared with conventional implementations. It can be applied as a building block for developing advanced concurrent TMS/MRI hardware. Magn Reson Med 79:582–587, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Parallel transmission RF pulse design with strict temperature constraints
Authors: Deniz Cem M. , Carluccio Giuseppe , Collins Christopher
Published: February 2017

RF safety in parallel transmission (pTx) is generally ensured by imposing specific absorption rate (SAR) limits during pTx RF pulse design. There is increasing interest in using temperature to ensure safety in MRI. In this work, we present a local temperature correlation matrix formalism and apply it to impose strict constraints on maximum absolute temperature in pTx RF pulse design for head and hip regions. Electromagnetic field simulations were performed on the head and hip of virtual body models. Temperature correlation matrices were calculated for four different exposure durations ranging between 6 and 24 min using simulated fields and body‐specific constants. Parallel transmission RF pulses were designed using either SAR or temperature constraints, and compared with each other and unconstrained RF pulse design in terms of excitation fidelity and safety. The use of temperature correlation matrices resulted in better excitation fidelity compared with the use of SAR in parallel transmission RF pulse design (for the 6 min exposure period, 8.8% versus 21.0% for the head and 28.0% versus 32.2% for the hip region). As RF exposure duration increases (from 6 min to 24 min), the benefit of using temperature correlation matrices on RF pulse design diminishes. However, the safety of the subject is always guaranteed (the maximum temperature was equal to 39°C). This trend was observed in both head and hip regions, where the perfusion rates are very different.
Imaging porcine cardiac substrate selection modulations by glucose, insulin and potassium intervention: A hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate study
Authors: Hansen Esben Søvsø Szocska , Tougaard Rasmus Stilling , Nørlinger Thomas Stokholm , Mikkelsen Emmeli , Nielsen Per Mose , Bertelsen Lotte Bonde , Bøtker Hans Erik , Jørgensen Hans Stødkilde , Laustsen Christoffer
Published: February 2017

Cardiac metabolism has received considerable attention in terms of both diagnostics and prognostics, as well as a novel target for treatment. As human trials involving hyperpolarized magnetic resonance in the heart are imminent, we sought to evaluate the general feasibility of detection of an imposed shift in metabolic substrate utilization during metabolic modulation with glucose–insulin–potassium (GIK) infusion, and thus the limitations associated with this strategy, in a large animal model resembling human physiology. Four [1‐13C]pyruvate injections did not alter the blood pressure or ejection fraction over 180 min. Hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate conversion showed a generally high reproducibility, with intraclass correlation coefficients between the baseline measurements at 0 and 30 min as follows: lactate to pyruvate, 0.85; alanine to pyruvate, 1.00; bicarbonate to pyruvate, 0.83. This study demonstrates that hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate imaging is a feasible technique for cardiac studies and shows a generally high reproducibility in fasted large animals. GIK infusion increases the metabolic conversion of pyruvate to its metabolic derivatives lactate, alanine and bicarbonate, but with increased variability.
Partitioning a street network into compact, balanced, and visually appealing routes
Authors: Lum Oliver , Cerrone Carmine , Golden Bruce , Wasil Edward
Published: February 2017

In practice, it is often desirable for the routes of vehicles to be compact and separate. A set of routes is compact if the streets serviced by each route are geographically clustered, and separated if the routes overlap minimally. We consider the Min–Max K Windy Rural Postman Problem (MMKWRPP), in which the objective is to route a homogeneous fleet of K vehicles such that the cost of the longest route is minimized. We develop a heuristic that is algorithmically simple, produces solutions that are comparable in quality to those produced by an existing approach, and performs well with respect to metrics that quantify compactness and separation. Our heuristic uses a partitioning scheme in which the weight of a vertex includes contributions from both incident streets requiring service and the distance needed to travel to a vertex. We present computational results for a set of instances that we generate from real‐world street networks and for a set of artificial instances. Our code is part of the Open‐source Arc Routing Library (OAR Lib) at https://github.com/Olibear/ArcRoutingLibrary. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 69(3), 290–303 2017
Air Quality Monitoring with Photoacoustic Spectroscopy
Authors: Karlsson Håkan , Sinisalo Sauli
Published: February 2017

The ultimate instrumentation for trace gas analysis and detection in air quality monitoring as well as industrial process control would be one that can simultaneously a sensitive, provideselective, and fast, multi‐gas measurement with wide dynamic range all in a compact and robust system. One of the few such promising technologies that can deliver these requirements is laser based photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS). In this article, the PAS technique is presented using the Cobolt Odin tunable mid‐IR laser.
Brought into Focus at Lightning Speed
Authors: Stiefenhöfer Peter
Published: February 2017

Particularly during the mass manufacture of products, the working distance between an object and a camera system generally changes little or not at all. In these cases, the optical design of a vision system is relatively simple: The prevailing working distance the anddesired resolution are used to calculate the optical characteristics of the system which, after the selection of suitable components and integration into the installation, then performs its function without any further adaptation. While conversion of the installation to products with a different geometry requires a one‐time adaptation of the vision system, after that the installation runs optimally again without further intervention until the next change.
Teraboard Project Closing in on Future of Telecommunications
Authors: Belén González Ana , Pozo Jose
Published: February 2017

The European project Teraboard is an initiative of the Photonics Public Private Partnership, with a total budget of 4.25 million euros. The project started on December 1st, 2015 with the ambitious goal of transforming the telecommunication area by the introduction of new integrated photonics technologies.
Bright Prospects
Authors: Gubela Hans‐Erich
Published: February 2017

Clouds, veils of rain, diffuse light, and a colourless monotonous landscape. It's no fun driving on a motorway in the middle of the night, with weariness as an additional passenger. This is a scenario that should be familiar to every car driver. According to a study made by the General German Automobile Association ADAC, our biological low is in the small hours between 2 and 5 a.m. It is a time at which the frequency of accidents noticeably rises. A reason for the increase is also night‐blindness, medically: hemeralopia, the reduced visual faculty at dawn and at dusk. Especially at times of increasing building activity — up to 582 German road sections were temporarily concerned in September 2016 — reduced perception of the roadway grows into an immense risk of accidents. With a number of road construction sites corresponding to nearly 150 % of the value of the preceding year, the accident figures might have reached peak values again in 2016.
Bright Minds, Bright Lights — with Industrial 3D Printing
Authors: Krauß Fabian
Published: February 2017

We often say that someone is in their element when they act with confidence in a familiar environment. In water, most people are certainly not in their element, which is why, beneath the surface, it is so important to have flawless equipment. In the ocean's depths, three things are in short supply: air, heat, and light. It is the provision of the last of these that has been the focus of attention for the team at Canto Ing. GmbH. It has designed and developed the Thor Rev 2.0, a particularly high quality, high performance dive light. EOS and its additive manufacturing technology made a significant contribution to the project.
Effects of silicon carbide nanoparticles and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes on water uptake and resultant mechanical properties degradation of polymer nanocomposites immersed in hot water
Authors: Khoramishad Hadi , Alizadeh Omid
Published: February 2017

Polymeric materials are prone to moisture attack when they are immersed in water or exposed to moisture. This paper aims to study the effects of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and silicon carbide (SiC) nanofillers on reinforcing the epoxy polymer against water uptake and resultant degradations of mechanical properties. Therefore, the neat epoxy and nanocomposite samples containing various weight percentages of nanofillers were fabricated and immersed in deionized hot water. The gravimetric measurements over various time intervals showed that adding MWCNTs and SiCs to epoxy caused the polymer water uptake to decrease by 50% and 46%, respectively, at initial stage of water absorption and by 26% and 18% at saturation. The epoxy water diffusion rate was reduced by 58.4% and 56.9% when MWCNTs or SiCs were introduced into the polymer, respectively. Moreover, the epoxy strength degradation due to water uptake was declined by 32% and 16% when MWCNTs and SiCs were added into the polymer, respectively, at saturation. Whereas, the epoxy stiffness degradation of the epoxy/MWCNTs and epoxy/SiCs nanocomposites were 27% and 19% lower than the neat epoxy, respectively. Furthermore, water uptake in the neat epoxy and nanocomposites was modeled using a finite element model. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E883–E890, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Role of In situ thermal‐reduced graphene oxide on the morphology and properties of biodegradable poly(Lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) blends
Authors: Wang Dazhong , Lu Xiang , Qu Jinping
Published: February 2017

In this article, poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate)/reduced graphene oxide (PLA/PBS/RGO) nanocomposites were first prepared by the in situ thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) during the processing, and the influence of RGO on the morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of biodegradable PLA/PBS blends were investigated. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the GO was successfully in situ thermal reduced to RGO. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and dynamic mechanical properties (DMA) revealed that the adding of RGO enhanced the compatibility of PLA and PBS. DMA also indicated that higher storage modulus values were observed for PLA/PBS/RGO composites. The tensile strength and impact strength of the PLA/PBS/RGO composites increased with RGO content. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3057–3065, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
New guidelines for a more accurate extraction of solar cells and modules key data from their current–voltage curves
Authors: Paviet‐Salomon Bertrand , Levrat Jacques , Fakhfouri Vahid , Pelet Yanik , Rebeaud Nicolas , Despeisse Matthieu , Ballif Christophe
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the optimisation of the fit procedures to determine with the highest accuracy the key data of photovoltaic cells and modules from their current–voltage characteristics. Our analysis is based on numeric current–voltage curves obtained by solving the two‐diode equation in steady state. The established state‐of‐the‐art fit procedures, such as the ASTM E948‐09 standard, are shown to be outperformed by smart adjustments of the fit range and the regression type. As a result of this optimisation, the accuracy in determining the short‐circuit current density is improved by up to 15 times, the open‐circuit voltage by 3 to 10 times and the maximum power by 4 to 5 times, in comparison to state‐of‐the‐art approaches. It is demonstrated that the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the experimental data strongly influences the fit accuracy, and therefore, the fit criteria must be adjusted according to the noise level of the measuring unit. Finally, our fit procedures were applied to experimentally measured current–voltage curves of 3000 silicon heterojunction solar cells. Notably, the established fit standards are shown to overestimate the maximum power by up to 0.2%, whereas our proposed fit yields more consistent values. In conclusion, novel fit guidelines are provided, aiming at enhancing the key data determination of high‐efficiency photovoltaic cells and modules. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactive ligand influence on initiation in phenylene catalyst‐transfer polymerization
Authors: Hall Ariana O. , Lee Se Ryeon , Bootsma Andrea N. , Bloom Jacob W. G. , Wheeler Steven E. , McNeil Anne J.
Published: February 2017

Synthesizing conjugated polymers via catalyst‐transfer polymerization (CTP) has led to unprecedented control over polymer sequence and molecular weight. Yet many challenges remain, including broadening the monomer scope and narrowing the molecular weight dispersities. Broad polymer dispersities can arise from nonliving pathways as well as slow initiation. Previously, slow initiation was observed in Ni‐mediated CTP of phenylene monomers. Although precatalysts with faster initiation rates have been reported, the rates still do not exceed propagation. Herein a second‐ and third‐generation of reactive ligands are described, along with a simple method for measuring initiation rates. A precatalyst with an initiation rate that exceeds propagation is now reported, however, the resulting polymer samples still exhibit broad dispersities, suggesting that slow initiation is not the most significant contributing factor in Ni‐mediated phenylene polymerizations. In addition, initiation rates measured under authentic polymerization conditions revealed that both exogenous triphenylphosphine and an ortho‐trifluoroethoxy substituent on the reactive ligand have a strong influence. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1530–1535
Direct access to functional (Meth)acrylate copolymers through transesterification with lithium alkoxides
Authors: Fleischmann Carolin , Anastasaki Athina , Gutekunst Will R. , McGrath Alaina J. , Hustad Phillip D. , Clark Paul G. , Laitar David S. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: February 2017

A straightforward and efficient synthetic method that transforms poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) into value‐added materials is presented. Specifically, PMMA is modified by transesterification to produce a variety of functional copolymers from a single starting material. Key to the reaction is the use of lithium alkoxides, prepared by treatment of primary alcohols with LDA, to displace the methyl esters. Under optimized conditions, up to 65% functionalization was achieved and copolymers containing alkyl, alkene, alkyne, benzyl, and (poly)ether side groups could be prepared. The versatility of this protocol was further demonstrated through the functionalization of both PMMA homo and block copolymers obtained through either radical polymerization (traditional and controlled) or anionic procedures. The scope of this strategy was illustrated by extension to a range of architectures and polymer backbones. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 1566–1574
Selective cysteine modification of metal‐free human metallothionein 1a and its isolated domain fragments: Solution structural properties revealed via ESI‐MS
Authors: Irvine Gordon W. , Santolini Melissa , Stillman Martin J.
Published: February 2017

Human metallothionein 1a, a protein with two cysteine‐rich metal‐binding domains (α with 11 Cys and β with 9), was analyzed in its metal‐free form by selective, covalent Cys modification coupled with ESI‐MS. The modification profiles of the isolated β‐ and α‐fragments reacted with p‐benzoquinone (Bq), N‐ethylmalemide (NEM) and iodoacetamide (IAM) were compared with the full length protein using ESI‐mass spectral data to follow the reaction pathway. Under denaturing conditions at low pH, the reaction profile with each modifier followed pathways that resulted in stochastic, Normal distributions of species whose maxima was equal to the mol. eq. of modifier added. Our interpretation of modification at this pH is that reaction with the cysteines is unimpeded when the full protein or those of its isolated domains are denatured. At neutral pH, where the protein is expected to be folded in a more compact structure, there is a difference in the larger Bq and NEM modification, whose reaction profiles indicate a cooperative pattern. The reaction profile with IAM under native conditions follows a similar stochastic distribution as at low pH, suggesting that this modifier is small enough to access the cysteines unimpeded by the compact structure. The data emphasize the utility of residue modification coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the study of protein structure.
Development of a strategy for the total chemical synthesis of an allergenic protein: the peach LTP Pru p 3
Authors: Buhler Sofie , Akkerdaas Jaap H. , A. Pertinhez Thelma , Van Ree Ronald , Dossena Arnaldo , Sforza Stefano , Tedeschi Tullia
Published: February 2017

The possibility to obtain allergenic proteins by means of total chemical synthesis would be a big step forward in the development of cures to food allergy and in the study of the mechanism of allergic reactions, because this would allow to achieve control at the molecular level over the structure of the product and to study its relationship with the allergenic activity in fine details. This is instead not possible by using allergens produced by extraction from natural sources or by recombinant DNA techniques. In this work, we aimed to test for the first time the feasibility of the total chemical synthesis of an allergenic protein. Pru p 3, the most studied member of the family of lipid transfer proteins, relevant plant food pan‐allergens, was used as model target. Strategies for the convergent assembly of the target protein, starting from five peptide fragments to be bound by means of either native chemical ligation or peptide hydrazide ligation, followed by desulfurization, to achieve ligations at alanine, were developed and tested. All the reaction conditions were set up and optimized. Two large peptides covering the two halves of the protein sequence were synthesized and structurally characterized by means of circular dichroism, and their immunogenicity was proved by means of immunoblot, using antibodies against Pru p 3, and immunoCAP inhibition tests. Finally, the five peptides were bound together to produce the whole protein stretch. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of total chemical synthesis as a new way to obtain pure allergens. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Manipulation of antiferromagnetic domain distribution in Mn2Au by ultrahigh magnetic fields and by strain
Authors: Sapozhnik A. A. , Abrudan R. , Skourski Yu. , Jourdan M. , Zabel H. , Kläui M. , Elmers H.‐J.
Published: February 2017

Evidence for a spin reorientation in antiferromagnetic (AFM) Mn2Au thin films induced by high magnetic fields as well as by the application of in‐plane mechanical stress is provided. The AFM domain population in the samples was investigated by resonant X‐ray Magnetic Linear Dichroism (XMLD) measurements at the L3 edge of Mn using a variable linear polarization of the incident photon beam. As grown samples show no XMLD signal due to averaging over a random AFM domain distribution. After the exposure to a 70 T in‐plane magnetic field a clear XMLD signal indicating the generation of a preferential AFM domain orientation is obtained. The same type of XMLD signal is observed when the thin films are strained, demonstrating the feasibility of AFM domain manipulation by magnetic fields and stress in Mn2Au.
Cover Picture: Microstructural identification of Cu in solar cells sensitive to light‐induced degradation (Phys. Status Solidi RRL 2/2017)
Authors: Luka Tabea , Turek Marko , Großer Stephan , Hagendorf Christian
Published: February 2017

No abstract is available for this article.
Back Cover: Growth of carbon and nitrogen containing precipitates in crystalline solar silicon and their influence on solar cells (Phys. Status Solidi RRL 2/2017)
Authors: Richter Susanne , Bauer Jan , Breitenstein Otwin
Published: February 2017

No abstract is available for this article.
Development of spin‐dependent relativistic open‐shell Hartree–Fock theory with time‐reversal symmetry (I): The unrestricted approach
Authors: Nakano Masahiko , Seino Junji , Nakai Hiromi
Published: February 2017

An open‐shell Hartree–Fock (HF) theory for spin‐dependent, two‐component relativistic calculations, termed the Kramers‐unrestricted HF (KUHF) method, is developed. The present KUHF method, which is formulated as a relativistic counterpart of nonrelativistic UHF, is based on quaternion algebra and partly uses time‐reversal symmetry. The fundamental characteristics of KUHF are discussed in this study. From numerical assessments, it was revealed that KUHF gives a corresponding solution to nonrelativistic UHF; furthermore, KUHF properly describes spin‐orbit interactions. In addition, KUHF can improve the self‐consistent field convergence behavior in spin‐dependent calculations, for example, for f‐block elements.
Predicted Native Fish Response, Potential Rewards and Risks from Flow Alteration in a New Mexico Arid Mountain Stream
Authors: Pine W. E. , Caldwell J. , Allen M. , Stropki C.
Published: February 2017

Water and natural resource managers are concerned with evaluating how fish habitat and populations may respond to water diversions and small‐scale flow augmentations. We used two‐dimensional hydraulic models, habitat suitability curves and an individual‐based population viability model to assess whether flow augmentations of about 0.28–0.57 m3/s would create suitable habitat for federally listed native fish loach minnow Rhinichthys cobitis and spikedace Meda fulgida in a reach of the Gila River, New Mexico, and then examined how fish population viability may change under a variety of colonization and extinction scenarios. These simulations help to inform water management decisions in a reach of the Gila River where river diversions currently exist and new diversions and augmentations are being proposed. Our results suggest that the flow augmentations evaluated will result in small changes (on average across life stages, −0.22% to 4.06%) in suitable habitat for loach minnow and spikedace depending on augmentation scenario and fish life stage. While these percent changes are small, they would result in a reduction in the dewatering of the river channel in a river reach where native fish abundance is thought to be low. Actual native fish responses to these habitat changes are unknown; however, these flow augmentations could potentially allow these native species to re‐colonize this river segment from upstream or downstream sources increasing species distribution and likely population viability. Maintaining viable populations of native fish in this river reach is dependent on complex factors including persistence of suitable habitat for multiple life stages, connectivity with other populations and minimizing risk of invasion from non‐native species. We recommend that these predictions from the habitat and population models be tested and verified in an adaptive management framework linking modelling, experimental management, monitoring and reassessment to inform water management decisions in the Gila River. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon Nanotube‐Quantum Dot Nanohybrids: Coupling with Single‐Particle Control in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Attanzio Antonio , Sapelkin Andrei , Gesuele Felice , van der Zande Arend , Gillin William P. , Zheng Ming , Palma Matteo
Published: February 2017

A strategy is reported for the controlled assembly of organic‐inorganic heterostructures consisting of individual single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) selectively coupled to single semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). The assembly in aqueous solution was controlled towards the formation of monofunctionalized SWCNT‐QD structures. Photoluminescence studies in solution, and on surfaces at the single nanohybrid level, showed evidence of electronic coupling between the two nanostructures. The ability to covalently couple heterostructures with single particle control is crucial for the design of novel QD‐based optoelectronic and light‐energy conversion devices.
Ternary Chalcogenide Nanosheets with Ultrahigh Photothermal Conversion Efficiency for Photoacoustic Theranostics
Authors: Zhu Houjuan , Lai Zhuangchai , Fang Yuan , Zhen Xu , Tan Chaoliang , Qi Xiaoying , Ding Dan , Chen Peng , Zhang Hua , Pu Kanyi
Published: February 2017

2D materials (TDMs) have been explored for photonic theranostics. To achieve deep‐tissue penetration, near‐infrared (NIR) light is essential for photoacoustic (PA) theranostics. However, because the absorption profiles of existing TDMs are generally featureless with no obvious NIR absorption peaks, their PA signals and therapeutic efficacies are limited. This paper herein reports the synthesis and application of ternary chalcogenide nanosheets (Ta2NiS5‐P) for PA theranostics. In contrast to the current TDMs for such application, Ta2NiS5‐P has a ternary instead of binary composition. This difference brings in the strong and featured NIR for Ta2NiS5‐P. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first example using ternary chalcogenide nanosheets for such application; moreover, the photothermal conversion efficiency of Ta2NiS5‐P is the highest (35%) among all the reported TDMs based on the same calculation method. These advantages allow Ta2NiS5‐P to passively target, effectively delineate, and completely eradicate the tumor of living mice after systemic administration.
The Effect of Boron and Titanium Microalloying on the Scale Formation of AISI 304 Austenitic Stainless Steel in Simulated Walking Beam Furnace Conditions
Authors: Laukka Aleksi , Heikkinen Eetu‐Pekka , Puukko Esa , Fabritius Timo
Published: February 2017

The effect of microalloying boron and titanium on AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel scale formation is studied. Thermogravimetric tests simulating walking beam furnace conditions are performed at temperatures of 800, 1100, and 1300 °C for 3 h on samples of AISI 304 steels with different alloying amounts of B and Ti. Scaling at 800 °C is negligible on all the samples, while scaling is clear at 1100 and 1300 °C. The thermogravimetric results show that even in small amounts, boron and titanium have an effect on scale growth rate. FESEM microscopy and accompanying EDS analyses are used to study oxidation area element composition. The FESEM images are also used to compare the oxidation zones’ area fractions of metal, pores, and oxide between different alloying amounts for the samples of 1300 °C tests. Calculations for scale formation activation energy are done based on the thermogravimetric data. The steel sample with the lowest alloying of boron and titanium shows a noticeably different growth rate, which is nearly linear in both the 1100 and 1300 °C tests. Differences between alloying amounts in accumulated scale during the 180 min period in kg m−2 are greater at 1100 °C than they are at 1300 °C.
Effects of solid‐state fermentation (Aspergillus oryzae var. oryzae) on the physicochemical properties of corn starch
Authors: Reyes Isabel , Cruz‐Sosa Francisco , Hernandez‐Jaimes Carmen , Vernon‐Carter E. Jaime , Alvarez‐Ramirez Jose
Published: February 2017

The physicochemical transformations suffered by corn starch granules under the solid‐state fermentative action of Aspergillus oryzae var. oryzae were studied. Light microscopy images showed that the starch granules became increasingly fractured and broke‐down as fermentation time was longer. SEM micrographs showed that the mean particle diameter decreased linearly with the fermentation time, indicating a zeroth‐order hydrolysis kinetics. The crystallinity content of fermented corn starch achieved a maximum value (39.72 ± 1.02) after 100 h followed by a reduction at longer fermentation times. The short‐range ordering monitored by the absorbance ratio 1047/1022 from FTIR increased during the first 100 h, suggesting the formation of double‐helix structures as long chains was hydrolyzed. DSC analysis showed the deterioration of the internal ordering of starch granules for long fermentation times, reflecting an extensive disruption of the granule integrity. Overall, the results showed that starch granules underwent strong, although slow, physicochemical changes as the solid‐state fermentation evolved. Specifically, crystallinity increased about 25% and viscosity of 5% w/w gelatinized starch dispersion decreased about 85% in the first 100 h of fermentation. In addition, the gelatinization enthalpy decreased about 60.0% and the ζ‐potential doubled during the fermentation process.
The role of adiponectin receptors in the regulation of synaptic transmission in the hippocampus
Authors: Weisz Filippo , Piccinin Sonia , Mango Dalila , Ngomba Richard Teke , Mercuri Nicola B. , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Nisticò Robert
Published: February 2017

In the last two decades adiponectin, member of the adipokines family, gained attention because of its unique antidiabetic effects. However, the presence in the brain of adiponectin receptors and adiponectin itself raised interest because of the possible association with neuropsychiatric diseases. Indeed, clinical studies found altered concentration of adiponectin both in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in several pathologies including depression, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and stroke. Moreover, recent preclinical studies also suggest its involvement in different physiological functions. Despite this evidence very few studies attempted to elucidate the functional role of adiponectin at the synapse. To address this question, here we investigated the effect of Adiporon, an agonist of both adiponectin receptors on synaptic transmission and LTP at Schaffer‐collateral CA1 pathway. Surprisingly, increasing concentration of Adiporon correlated with lower CA1–LTP levels and paired‐pulse ratio, whereas basal transmission was always preserved. Collectively, our data show that the adiponectin system, beyond its involvement in metabolic diseases, plays also a critical role in synaptic activity thereby representing a putative target for the treatment of synaptic pathologies.
Exclusive photoproduction of a γ ρ pair with a large invariant mass
Authors: Boussarie R. , Pire B. , Szymanowski L. , Wallon S.
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Exclusive photoproduction of a γ ρ pair in the kinematics where the pair has a large invariant mass and the final nucleon has a small transverse momentum is described in the collinear factorization framework. The scattering amplitude is calculated at leading order in α

s
and the differential cross sections for the process where the ρ−meson is either longitudinally or transversely polarized are estimated in the kinematics of the JLab 12-GeV experiments.