bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vanadium Hydroxide Cluster Ions in the Gas Phase: Bond‐Forming Reactions of Doubly‐Charged Negative Ions by SO2‐Promoted V−O Activation
Authors: Troiani Anna , Rosi Marzio , Garzoli Stefania , Salvitti Chiara , de Petris Giulia
Published: June 2017

The gas‐phase reactivity of doubly‐charged vanadium hydroxides anions with SO2 has been studied by experimental and computational methods. The obtained results highlight the role of sulfur dioxide in promoting unprecedented bond‐forming reactions, which produce singly‐charged products by breaking the VxOy skeleton or a terminal V−O bond.
Water‐Mediated Structural Transformations of CuII 5‐Halonicotinates Coordination Networks with Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Li Cheng‐Peng , Zhou Hang , Ju Yue , Du Miao
Published: June 2017

Currently, no unequivocal evidence is given for elucidation of “black box” during the structural transformations of dynamic crystalline materials. Here, three types of mechanisms are revealed for such transformations through X‐ray diffraction and optical microscopy; namely, single‐crystal to single‐crystal (SC–SC), as well as “core‐to‐core” and “core‐on‐shell” processes. As confirmed by time‐lapse optical microscopy, the latter two cases can be properly ascribed as partial recrystallization processes, while the former one is a continuous process with two different crystal lattices simultaneously maintained in one single crystal. Interestingly, these three distinct pathways can be exquisitely realized by changing only the halogen substituent (from ‐F, ‐Cl, to ‐Br) of the organic ligands in the coordination supramolecular systems.
A Highly Sensitive Enzymatic Catalysis System for Trace Detection of Arsenic in Water
Authors: Liu Yuanli , Yu Chuanbai , Cao Zhixin , Shvarts Daniel , Trogler William C.
Published: June 2017

Arsenic (As) is an extremely toxic element that exists in the environment in different chemical forms. The detection of arsenic in potable water remains a challenging task. This study presents a highly sensitive enzymatic catalysis system for trace sensing of inorganic arsenic in water. This is the first enzyme‐catalyzed fluorescence assay capable of detecting arsenic at concentrations below the allowable level adopted by the World Health Organization (10 ppb in drinking water). The enzyme catalytically produces fluorescent NADH in the presence of arsenate, which enables facile detection of arsenate at concentrations in the 0–200 ppb range. Calibration curves made at a set time interval allow accurate determination of unknown arsenic samples. This method holds potential for interfacing with automated analytical sampling systems to allow arsenic determinations in environmental health applications.
Piecewise holistic autotuning of parallel programs with CERE
Authors: Popov Mihail , Akel Chadi , Chatelain Yohan , Jalby William , de Oliveira Castro Pablo
Published: June 2017

Current architecture complexity requires fine tuning of compiler and runtime parameters to achieve best performance. Autotuning substantially improves default parameters in many scenarios, but it is a costly process requiring long iterative evaluations. We propose an automatic piecewise autotuner based on CERE (Codelet Extractor and REplayer). CERE decomposes applications into small pieces called codelets: Each codelet maps to a loop or to an OpenMP parallel region and can be replayed as a standalone program. Codelet autotuning achieves better speedups at a lower tuning cost. By grouping codelet invocations with the same performance behavior, CERE reduces the number of loops or OpenMP regions to be evaluated. Moreover, unlike whole‐program tuning, CERE customizes the set of best parameters for each specific OpenMP region or loop. We demonstrate the CERE tuning of compiler optimizations, number of threads, thread affinity, and scheduling policy on both nonuniform memory access and heterogeneous architectures. Over the NAS benchmarks, we achieve an average speedup of 1.08× after tuning. Tuning a codelet is 13× cheaper than whole‐program evaluation and predicts the tuning impact with a 94.7% accuracy. Similarly, exploring thread configurations and scheduling policies for a Black‐Scholes solver on an heterogeneous big.LITTLE architecture is over 40× faster using CERE.
A new volunteer computing model for data‐intensive applications
Authors: Alonso‐Monsalve Saúl , García‐Carballeira Félix , Calderón Alejandro
Published: June 2017

Volunteer computing is a type of distributed computing in which ordinary people donate computing resources to scientific projects. BOINC is the main middleware system for this type of distributed computing. The aim of volunteer computing is that organizations be able to attain large computing power thanks to the participation of volunteer clients instead of a high investment in infrastructure. There are projects, like the ATLAS@Home project, in which the number of running jobs has reached a plateau, due to a high load on data servers caused by file transfer. This is why we have designed an alternative, using the same BOINC infrastructure, in order to improve the performance of BOINC projects that have reached their limit due to the I/O bottleneck in data servers. This alternative involves having a percentage of the volunteer clients running as data servers, called data volunteers, that improve the performance of the system by reducing the load on data servers. In addition, our solution takes advantage of data locality, leveraging the low network latencies of closer machines. This paper describes our alternative in detail and shows the performance of the solution, applied to 3 different BOINC projects, using a simulator of our own, ComBoS.
Semantic keyword searchable proxy re‐encryption for postquantum secure cloud storage
Authors: Yang Yang , Zheng Xianghan , Chang Victor , Tang Chunming
Published: June 2017

With the advent of cloud computing, more and more consumers prefer to use the cloud services with the pay‐as‐you‐consume mode. The cloud storage brings about great convenience to users, who store data in cloud and access to it using the smart devices anytime and anywhere. Consumers' information should be encrypted to guarantee the data privacy. Flexible searching on ciphertext is a critical challenge to be solved for effective data utilization. In this paper, we propose a novel semantic keyword searchable proxy re‐encryption scheme for secure cloud storage. A highlight of this work is that the scheme is quantum attack resistant, while most of the available searchable encryption schemes are not. It supports not only exact keyword search but also synonym keyword search. Moreover, the data owner is capable to delegate his search right to another user using the proxy re‐encryption mechanism. In the generation process of re‐encryption key, the delegator and delegatee do not need to be interactive with each other. The scheme is also collusion resistant. Under the learning with errors hardness problem, this scheme is proved secure in standard model.
Research on network programming language and policy conflicts for SDN
Authors: He Bohan , Dong Ligang , Xu Tijie , Fei Shuocheng , Zhang Huafei , Wang Weiming
Published: June 2017

Through network programmability, software defined network can simplify network control and management. Since the current software defined network southbound interface level is low and programming situation is complex, it requires a high‐level abstract programming language to simplify programming. First, this paper improves the NetCore programming language to generate NetCore‐M language, so that it can support deployment of multipolicies combination including packet drop action. This paper describes in detail the syntax, semanteme, and implementation of NetCore‐M language forwarding policy service. Secondly, this paper describes the network policy conflict systematically. Finally, this paper shows that the modified multipolicies combination algorithm can effectively detect policies conflicts based on the implementation of the Pyretic project.
Defect‐Based Modulation of Optoelectronic Properties for Biofunctionalized Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets
Authors: Shakourian‐Fard Mehdi , Heydari Hadiseh , Kamath Ganesh
Published: June 2017

Defect engineering potentially allows for dramatic tuning of the optoelectronic properties of two‐dimensional materials. With the help of DFT calculations, a systematic study of DNA nucleobases adsorbed on hexagonal boron‐nitride nanoflakes (h‐BNNFs) with boron (VB) and nitrogen (VN) monovacancies is presented. The presence of VNand VBdefects increases the binding strength of nucleobases by 9 and 34 kcal mol−1, respectively (h‐BNNF‐VB>h‐BNNF‐VN>h‐BNNF). A more negative electrostatic potential at the VBsite makes the h‐BNNF‐VBsurface more reactive than that of h‐BNNF‐VN, enabling H‐bonding interactions with nucleobases. This binding energy difference affects the recovery time—a significant factor for developing DNA biosensors—of the surfaces in the order h‐BNNF‐VB>h‐BNNF‐VN>h‐BNNF. The presence of VBand VNdefect sites increases the electrical conductivity of the h‐BNNF surface, VNdefects being more favorable than VBsites. The blueshift of absorption peaks of the h‐BNNF‐VB–nucleobase complexes, in contrast to the redshift observed for h‐BNNF‐VN–nucleobase complexes, is attributed to their observed differences in binding energies, the HOMO–LUMO energy gap and other optoelectronic properties. Time‐dependent DFT calculations reveal that the monovacant boron‐nitride‐sheet–nucleobase composites absorb visible light in the range 300–800 nm, thus making them suitable for light‐emitting devices and sensing nucleobases in the visible region.
Phaeohyphomycosis breast masquerading as fibroadenoma in a young teenage girl
Authors: Gupta Amita Jain , Singh Meeta , Yadav Surekha , Khurana Nita , Jain Shyam Lata , Chawla Rohit , Laka Sunil , Mishra Anurag
Published: June 2017

Phaeohyphomycosis is an unusual granulomatous fungal infection, observed in immunocompromised or diabetic patients; however, it is even rarer in immunocompetent patients. Cytological findings of the same have been infrequently reported. The histopathological diagnosis or fungal culture helps in definitive diagnosis to identify the exact fungal species. Hereby, we report a rare case of invasive fungal infection in a breast lump in a young female, presenting as fibroadenoma breast. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the breast lesion showed the presence of septate acute‐angled branching fungal hyphae with focal pigmentation, morphologically suggestive of phaeohyphomycosis which was positive with fungal stains. This was later confirmed on biopsy as histopathology slides showed the presence of prominent pigmented fungal hyphae. The pus culture from needle aspirate also showed phaeohyphomycotic fungal organism delineating the species Exophiala dermatitidis. Aspiration cytology is crucial for the diagnosis of fungal infection in such cases. An appropriate diagnosis will help in early detection and treatment of such infections as these are usually associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Runx2‐I is an Early Regulator of Epithelial–Mesenchymal Cell Transition in the Chick Embryo
Authors: Tavares Andre L.P. , Brown Jessie A. , Ulrich Emily C. , Dvorak Katerina , Runyan Raymond B.
Published: June 2017

Background: Although normally linked to bone and cartilage development, the Runt‐related transcription factor, RUNX2, was reported in the mouse heart during development of the valves. We examined RUNX2 expression and function in the developing avian heart as it related to the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the atrioventricular canal. EMT can be separated into an activation stage involving hypertrophy and cell separation and an invasion stage where cells invade the extracellular matrix. The localization and activity of RUNX2 was explored in relation to these steps in the heart. As RUNX2 was also reported in cancer tissues, we examined its expression in the progression of esophageal cancer in staged tissues. Results: A specific isoform, RUNX2‐I, is present and required for EMT by endothelia of the atrioventricular canal. Knockdown of RUNX2‐I inhibits the cell–cell separation that is characteristic of initial activation of EMT. Loss of RUNX2‐I altered expression of EMT markers to a greater extent during activation than during subsequent cell invasion. Transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGFβ2) mediates activation during cardiac endothelial EMT. Consistent with a role in activation, RUNX2‐I is regulated by TGFβ2 and its activity is independent of similarly expressed Snai2 in regulation of EMT. Examination of RUNX2 expression in esophageal cancer showed its upregulation concomitant with the development of dysplasia and continued expression in adenocarcinoma. Conclusions: These data introduce the RUNX2‐I isoform as a critical early transcription factor mediating EMT in the developing heart after induction by TGFβ2. Its expression in tumor tissue suggests a similar role for RUNX2 in the EMT of metastasis. Developmental Dynamics 247:542–554, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevention of lupus nephritis development in NZB/NZW mice by selective blockade of CD28
Authors: Laurent Laetitia , Le Fur Awena , Le Bloas Rozenn , Néel Mélanie , Mary Caroline , Moreau Anne , Poirier Nicolas , Vanhove Bernard , Fakhouri Fadi
Published: June 2017

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease. Autoantibodies (autoAbs) against double‐stranded DNA (ds DNA), the hallmark of lupus, are produced and maintained by the interaction between auto‐reactive B cells and CD4+ T cells. This interplay is controlled by the CD28/CD80‐86/CTLA‐4 axis. Here we investigated whether selective blockade of CD28‐CD80/86 co‐stimulatory interactions abrogates lupus nephritis development in a murine model of SLE. To this aim, NZB/NZW F1 mice were treated for 3 months, either with an anti‐CD28 Fab’ fragment or a control Fab’‐IgG. The effect of CD28 blockade on lupus nephritis onset, survival, production of anti‐ds DNA antibodies and costimulatory molecules was evaluated. CD28 blockade prevented the development of lupus nephritis and prolonged survival during the 3‐month treatment and 12 weeks after. Furthermore, the production of anti‐ds DNA autoAbs was decreased. Lastly, the protective effect of CD28 blockade was associated with increased intrarenal expression of the immunoregulatory molecule, Indoleamine 2, 3‐dioxygenase, of the co‐inhibitory receptor programmed cell‐Death – 1 (PD‐1) and of its ligand programmed death ligand ‐ 1 (PDL‐1).In conclusion, CD28 blockade prevented the development of lupus nephritis in NZB/NZW F1 mice. This immunomodulatory strategy is a promising candidate for SLE therapy in humans.
Competent Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Proton Reduction by a Dechelated [Co(tpy)2]2+ Scaffold
Authors: Ahmad Ejaz , Majee Karunamay , Patel Jully , Das Babulal , Padhi Sumanta Kumar
Published: June 2017

The complexes [CoII(QCl‐tpy)2]Cl2 (1) and [CoIII(QCl‐tpy)2](PF6)3 [where QCl‐tpy = 2‐chloro‐3‐(2,6‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)pyridine‐4‐yl) quinoline] have been synthesised and characterised by various spectroscopic techniques. Complex 1 acts as a hydrogen‐evolving catalyst under electrochemical and photochemical conditions. It exhibits photochemical proton reduction by irradiation with visible light in the presence of [Ru(bpy)3]Cl2 as a photosensitiser and ascorbic acid as a sacrificial electron donor. The formation of [CoII(QCl‐tpy)(2QCl‐tpyH)DMF]3+ was detected after 24 h, due to the dechelation of one of the QCl‐tpy ligands in DMF/H2O (95:5 v/v, where 2QCl‐tpy is a bidentate ligand). The introduction of 2‐chloroquinoline into the terpyridine framework reduces the overpotential by 300 mV for proton reduction, as compared with the parent [Co(tpy)2]2+ complex. Considering the spectroscopic studies, the possible involvement of the active species are depicted and mechanistic paths are proposed.
Synthesis of Chiral Aziridines from Glycals: Application in the Synthesis of a Piperidine–Azepine Fused Derivative
Authors: Thakur Rima , Rawal Girish K. , Vankar Yashwant D.
Published: June 2017

Vicinal chloroamines derived from glycals have been converted into the corresponding chiral aziridines. Although the formation of a tetrahydrofuran derivative is also possible, reaction conditions were developed to give the azirdines exclusively. One of the aziridines is closely related to a compound used in the synthesis of an advanced intermediate en route to Zanamivir, an antiviral agent. Furthermore, one of the aziridines was converted into a piperidine–azepine fused derivative.
Aeolian sediment fingerprinting using a Bayesian mixing model
Authors: Gholami Hamid , Telfer Matt W. , Blake William H. , Fathabadi Abolhassan
Published: June 2017

Identifying sand provenance in depositional aeolian environments (e.g. dunefields) can elucidate sediment pathways and fluxes, and inform potential land management strategies where windblown sand and dust is a hazard to health and infrastructure. However, the complexity of these pathways typically makes this a challenging proposition, and uncertainties on the composition of mixed‐source sediments are often not reported. This study demonstrates that a quantitative fingerprinting method within the Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) framework offers great potential for exploring the provenance and uncertainties associated with aeolian sands.

Eight samples were taken from dunes of the small (~58 km2) Ashkzar erg, central Iran, and 49 from three distinct potential sediment sources in the surrounding area. These were analyzed for 61 tracers including 53 geochemical elements (trace, major and rare earth elements (REE)) and eight REE ratios. Kruskal–Wallis H‐tests and stepwise discriminant function analysis (DFA) allowed the identification of an optimum composite fingerprint based on six tracers (Rb, Sr,87Sr, (La/Yb)n, Ga and δCe), and a Bayesian mixing model was applied to derive the source apportionment estimates within an uncertainty framework.

There is substantial variation in the uncertainties in the fingerprinting results, with some samples yielding clear discrimination of components, and some with less clear fingerprints. Quaternary terraces and fans contribute the largest component to the dunes, but they are also the most extensive surrounding unit; clay flats and marls, however, contribute out of proportion to their small outcrop extent. The successful application of these methods to aeolian sediment deposits demonstrates their potential for providing quantitative estimates of aeolian sediment provenances in other mixed‐source arid settings, and may prove especially beneficial where sediment is derived from multiple sources, or where other methods of provenance (e.g. detrital zircon U–Pb dating) are not possible due to mineralogical constraints. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medaka extended one-generation reproduction test evaluating 4-nonylphenol
Authors: Watanabe Haruna , Horie Yoshifumi , Takanobu Hitomi , Koshio Masaaki , Flynn Kevin , Iguchi Taisen , Tatarazako Norihisa
Published: June 2017

The medaka extended one-generation test (MEOGRT) was developed as a multigenerational toxicity test for chemicals, particularly endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Briefly, 3 generations of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) are exposed to a chemical over a 20-wk period: 3 wk in the parental generation (F0), 15 wk in the first generation (F1), and 2 wk in the second generation (F2). The present study reports the first MEOGRT results concerning branched isomer mixtures of 4-nonylphenol (NP). Adult F0 medaka exposed to NP at 5 actual concentrations (1.27, 2.95, 9.81, 27.8, 89.4 µg/L) were unaffected in terms of reproduction, although vitellogenin in the male liver was increased dose-dependently at concentration of 2.95 µg/L and higher. In F1, in contrast, total egg (fecundity), fertile egg, and fertility decreased as NP increased; lowest-observed-effect concentrations (LOECs) for total egg, fertile egg, and fertility were 1.27, 1.27, 27.8 µg/L, respectively. In F1, but not in F0, secondary sex characteristics (i.e., anal fin papillae in males) were suppressed at 27.8 µg/L NP. Vitellogenin induction in adult male fish was slightly weaker in F1 than it was in F0, however. Gonadal sex abnormality and sex reversal occurred at 27.8 and 89.4 µg/L NP in F1 subadults. At 89.4 µg/L NP, all genotypic F1 males in breeding pairs had female phenotype, and some even demonstrated spawning. Concentrations of NP lower than 89.4 µg/L did not affect F2 survival or hatching. The highest detected NP level in environmental freshwater in Japan was approximately a half of the LOEC (1.27 µg/L for F1 fecundity); in other countries, however, environmental concentrations above the LOEC are reported, suggesting that NP may be affecting fish populations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3254–3266. © 2017 SETAC
Sensory response in host and engrafted astrocytes of adult brain in Vivo
Authors: Zhang Kuan , Chen Xiaowei
Published: June 2017

Rapid advances in Ca2+ imaging techniques enable us to simultaneously monitor the activities of hundreds of astrocytes in the intact brain, thus providing a powerful tool for understanding the functions of both host and engrafted astrocytes in sensory processing in vivo. These techniques include both improved Ca2+ indicators and advanced optical recording methods. Astrocytes in multiple cortical and sub‐cortical areas are able to respond to the corresponding sensory modalities. These sensory stimuli produce astrocytic Ca2+ responses through different cellular mechanisms. In addition, it has been suggested that astrocytic gene deficiencies in various sensory systems cause impairments in sensory circuits and cognition. Therefore, glial transplantation would be a potentially interesting approach for the cell‐based therapy for glia‐related disorders. There are multiple cell sources for glial transplantation, including neural stem cells, glial progenitors, and pluripotent stem cells. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that engrafted astrocytes derived from these cell sources are capable of responding to sensory stimulation by elevating the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. These results indicate that engrafted astrocytes not only morphologically but also functionally integrate into the host neural network. Until now, many animal studies have proven that glial transplantation would be a good choice for treating multiple glial disorders. Together, these studies on the sensory responses of host and engrafted astrocytes have provided us a novel perspective in both neuron‐glia circuit functions and future treatment strategies for glial disorders.
The Everyday Experiences of Personal Role Engagement: What Matters Most?
Authors: Fletcher Luke
Published: June 2017

Despite increasing interest from the HRD community, little is known about how personal role engagement is experienced in everyday work situations and which factors are most important for facilitating or thwarting such experiences. A total of 124 employees from six U.K. organizations were interviewed about the factors that heighten versus reduce their everyday experiences of the emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects of personal role engagement. Template analysis revealed that task, relational, and organizational resources were the most relevant for heightened personal role engagement whereas relational and organizational hindrances were the most prominent for reduced personal role engagement. There was some variation in the salience of task and personal resources as well as challenge demands across organizational settings. Moreover, resources and demands seemed to influence personal role engagement through the psychological conditions of meaningfulness, availability, and, to some degree, safety. This study is one of the first to qualitatively explore the everyday experience of personal role engagement. In doing so, it provides deeper insight into how an HRD approach to engagement can be further advanced with an appreciation of the situational and organizational context.
Profile, effects, and toxicity of novel psychoactive substances: A systematic review of quantitative studies
Authors: Assi Sulaf , Gulyamova Nargilya , Ibrahim Kinda , Kneller Paul , Osselton David
Published: June 2017

Objective

To investigate the profile, effects, and toxicity of novel psychoactive substances (NPS).

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted between May 2015 and February 2016 and included 19 databases. Search terms included “novel psychoactive substance(s),” “effect(s),” and “toxicity” and their synonyms. Studies included were those from any country, in any language, and between January 2007 and April 2015. Studies published before 2007 and those regarding the synthesis of NPS were excluded. Data were extracted by evaluating the titles, abstract, and full text, respectively. Consequently, the extraction yielded 20 studies.

Results

Forty‐three NPS derivatives of 8 main pharmacological classes were identified. NPS were mostly used among young adults and adults within the age range of 16–64 years old. Cathinones and synthetic cannabinoids were the most prevalent among the aforementioned classes. The main desired effects of NPS use were empathy and increased ability to socialise. Reported toxicity associated with the use of NPS included cardiovascular, neurological, and psychoactive adverse reactions.

Conclusions

Despite the unique subjective effects associated with the use of NPS, harmful effects could be severe and/or lethal. Therefore, there is a need to develop research in the area of NPS and promote awareness among healthcare professionals.
FOXO transcription factors at the interface of metabolism and cancer
Authors: Link Wolfgang , Fernandez‐Marcos Pablo J.
Published: June 2017

Diabetes refers to a group of metabolic diseases characterized by impaired insulin signalling and high blood glucose. A growing body of epidemiological evidence links diabetes to several types of cancer but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. The signalling cascade connecting insulin and FOXO proteins provides a compelling example for a conserved pathway at the interface between insulin signalling and cancer. FOXOs are transcription factors that orchestrate programs of gene expression known to control a variety of processes in response to cellular stress. Genes regulated by this family of proteins are involved in the regulation of cellular energy production, oxidative stress resistance and cell viability and proliferation. Accordingly, FOXO factors have been shown to play an important role in the suppression of tumour growth and in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. There is emerging evidence that deregulation of FOXO factors might account for the association between insulin resistance‐related metabolic disorders and cancer.
A phase II trial evaluating the feasibility of adding bevacizumab to standard osteosarcoma therapy
Authors: Navid Fariba , Santana Victor M. , Neel Michael , McCarville M. Beth , Shulkin Barry L. , Wu Jianrong , Billups Catherine A. , Mao Shenghua , Daryani Vinay M. , Stewart Clinton F. , Kunkel Michelle , Smith Wendene , Ward Deborah , Pappo Alberto S. , Bahrami Armita , Loeb David M. , Reikes Willert Jennifer , Rao Bhaskar N. , Daw Najat C.
Published: June 2017

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in osteosarcoma correlates with a poor outcome. We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of combining bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, with methotrexate, doxorubicin and cisplatin (MAP) in patients with localized osteosarcoma. Eligible patients received two courses of MAP chemotherapy before definitive surgery at week 10. Bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) was administered 3 days before starting chemotherapy then on day 1 of weeks 3 and 5 of chemotherapy. After surgery, patients received MAP for a total of 29 weeks; bevacizumab was added every 2 or 3 weeks on day 1 of chemotherapy at least 5 weeks after surgery. Group sequential monitoring rules were used to monitor for unacceptable bevacizumab‐related targeted toxicity (grade 4 hypertension, proteinuria or bleeding, grade 3 or 4 thrombosis/embolism, and grade 2–4 major wound complications). Thirty‐one patients (median age 12.8 years) with localized osteosarcoma were enrolled. No unacceptable targeted toxicities were observed except for wound complications (9 minor and 6 major), which occurred in 15 patients; none required removal of prosthetic hardware or amputation. The estimated 4‐year event‐free survival (EFS) rate and overall survival rate were 57.5 ± 10.0% and 83.4 ± 7.8%, respectively. Eight (28%) of 29 evaluable patients had good histologic response (<5% viable tumor) to preoperative chemotherapy. The addition of bevacizumab to MAP for localized osteosarcoma is feasible but frequent wound complications are encountered. The observed histologic response and EFS do not support further evaluation of bevacizumab in osteosarcoma.
Diastasis of the pubic symphysis following vaginal delivery
Authors: Sujana Bhumireddy , Keepanasseril Anish , Maurya Dilip K.
Published: June 2017

Report from two patients with diastasis of the pubic symphysis, an uncommon peripartum complication following difficult vaginal delivery; early diagnosis can lead to excellent recovery.
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle‐modified Glassy Carbon Electrode as a Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor for the Detection of Caffeine
Authors: Jagadish Ramu , Yellappa Shivaraj , Mahanthappa Mallappa , Chandrasekhar Kothapalli Bannoth
Published: June 2017

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared by a simple, convenient, and cost‐effective wet chemical method using the biopolymer starch. The prepared ZnO NPs were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), and UV‐visible spectroscopic techniques. The average crystallite size calculated from XRD data using the Debye–Scherer equation was found to be 15 nm. The electrochemical behavior of caffeine (CAF) was studied using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with zinc oxide nanoparticles by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Compared to unmodified GCE, ZnO NPs‐modified GCE (ZnO NPs MGCE) exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity towards CAF oxidation, which was evident from the increase in the peak current and decrease in the peak potential. Electrochemical impedance study suggested that the charge‐transfer capacity of GCE was significantly enhanced by ZnO NPs. The linear response of the peak current on the concentrations of CAF was in the range 2–100 μM. The detection limit was found to be 0.038 μM. The proposed sensor was successfully employed for the determination of CAF in commercial beverage samples.
Mild metabolic perturbations alter succinylation of mitochondrial proteins
Authors: Chen Huanlian , Xu Hui , Potash Samuel , Starkov Anatoly , Belousov Vsevolod V. , Bilan Dmitry S. , Denton Travis T. , Gibson Gary E.
Published: June 2017

Succinylation of proteins is widespread, modifies both the charge and size of the molecules, and can alter their function. For example, liver mitochondrial proteins have 1,190 unique succinylation sites representing multiple metabolic pathways. Succinylation is sensitive to both increases and decreases of the NAD+‐dependent desuccinylase, SIRT5. Although the succinyl group for succinylation is derived from metabolism, the effects of systematic variation of metabolism on mitochondrial succinylation are not known. Changes in succinylation of mitochondrial proteins following variations in metabolism were compared against the mitochondrial redox state as estimated by the mitochondrial NAD+/NADH ratio using fluorescent probes. The ratio was decreased by reduced glycolysis and/or glutathione depletion (iodoacetic acid; 2‐deoxyglucose), depressed tricarboxylic acid cycle activity (carboxyethyl ester of succinyl phosphonate), and impairment of electron transport (antimycin) or ATP synthase (oligomycin), while uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation (carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazine or tyrphostin) increased the NAD+/NADH ratio. All of the conditions decreased succinylation. In contrast, reducing the oxygen from 20% to 2.4% increased succinylation. The results demonstrate that succinylation varies with metabolic states, is not correlated to the mitochondrial NAD+/NADH ratio, and may help coordinate the response to metabolic challenge.
Photochemistry of single particles using acoustic levitation coupled with Raman microspectrometry
Authors: Tobon Yeny A. , Seng Samantha , Picone Lorena A. , Bava Yanina B. , Juncal Luciana C. , Moreau Myriam , Romano Rosana M. , Barbillat Jacques , Sobanska Sophie
Published: June 2017

The photoreactivity of single particles with atmospheric interest was studied by using an acoustic levitation system coupled to Raman microspectrometry. Both, inorganic and organic single particle phototransformation has been investigated without any surface contact. The Raman microspectrometry has suitably provided the identification, the chemical heterogeneity as well as the formation rates of products. Complex surface limited processes are demonstrated for photolysis of both nitrate‐rich and sulfur‐rich droplets. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of weekly cycles in atmospheric data
Authors: Jolliffe I. T.
Published: June 2017

There is considerable interest in whether weekly cycles are present in certain types of atmospheric and hydrologic data. Seven days is not a natural period for cyclic behaviour, but rather a human construct. Hence the presence of weekly cycles can help to confirm the presence and nature of anthropogenic climate change. Several statistical tests have been used to investigate the presence of such cycles. In this short note, a test previously used for ‘flatness’ of rank histograms in ensemble forecasting is shown to be useful for this task for certain types of data, with some advantages compared with existing techniques. Some disadvantages and extensions are also described.
Thunderstorm hail and lightning detection parameters based on dual‐polarization Doppler weather radar data
Authors: Voormansik Tanel , Rossi Pekka J. , Moisseev Dmitri , Tanilsoo Tarmo , Post Piia
Published: June 2017

Four years (2011–2014) of the summer period (May–September) dual‐polarization Doppler C‐band weather radar data for Sürgavere, Estonia, were examined to determine the best indicator for cloud‐to‐ground lightning activity. Furthermore, the legacy radar‐derived hail indicator probability of hail and the storm maximum reflectivity were compared with the polarimetric hydrometeor classification algorithm (HCA) to establish a link between them and ensure data continuity. The study is based on convective storm cells identified from radar reflectivity data, using a 35 dBZ reflectivity threshold. Applying this threshold to the radar data resulted in 123 360 individual storm cells. It was found that 33.9% of the identified cells produced lightning and 25.9% hail. The number of individual storm cells on average is highest in the afternoon at 1600 local time and the mean storm cell area is largest in the evening at 2100 local time. Echo top 15 dBZ (ET15), ET20 and ET25 achieved the highest scores in terms of critical success index (0.39, 0.39 and 0.38 respectively), Heidke skill score (0.24, 0.26, 0.27) and equitable threat score (0.14, 0.15, 0.16). The graupel class of the dual‐polarization radar hydrometeor classification showed a similar performance to the 35 dBZ echo top. It was also shown that the reflectivity value just below 50 dBZ indicates the best skill for detection of hail, if HCA hail detection is used as the ground truth. The probability of hail value that shows the best agreement with the HCA hail class is 0.2.
Biexponential T1ρ relaxation mapping of human knee cartilage in vivo at 3 T
Authors: Sharafi Azadeh , Xia Ding , Chang Gregory , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of biexponential T1ρ relaxation mapping of human knee cartilage in vivo. A three‐dimensional, customized, turbo‐flash sequence was used to acquire T1ρ‐weighted images from healthy volunteers employing a standard 3‐T MRI clinical scanner. A series of T1ρ‐weighted images was fitted using monoexponential and biexponential models with two‐ and four‐parametric non‐linear approaches, respectively. Non‐parametric Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U‐statistical tests were used to evaluate the regional relaxation and gender differences, respectively, with a level of significance of P = 0.05. Biexponential relaxations were detected in the cartilage of all volunteers. The short and long relaxation components of T1ρ were estimated to be 6.9 and 51.0 ms, respectively. Similarly, the fractions of short and long T1ρ were 37.6% and 62.4%, respectively. The monoexponential relaxation of T1ρ was 32.6 ms. The experiments showed good repeatability with a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 20%. A biexponential relaxation model showed a better fit than a monoexponential model to the T1ρ relaxation decay in knee cartilage. Biexponential T1ρ components could potentially be used to increase the specificity to detect early osteoarthritis by the measurement of different water compartments and their fractions.
Effects of moisture ingress on the bond between carbon fiber and epoxy resin investigated with molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Xiao Yanrong , Xian Guijun
Published: June 2017

This work aims to explore the mechanism of moisture ingress on the degradation of the fiber reinforced polymer composites. A quantitative analysis of the surface free energy variation of the carbon fiber/epoxy resin interface with and without water ingress was performed using molecular dynamics (MD) methods. The results show that a reduction by 58% of the surface free energy was found with saturated water uptake, which was comparable with the reduction of the interfacial shear strength tested by the microbond experiment. Furthermore, the MD results revealed that water was condensed in the interfacial area and interact with the epoxy resin, weakening the interfacial adhesion between carbon fiber and epoxy resin. Hydrogen bonds are found between epoxy and water molecules. As revealed, the Coulomb forces between water and epoxy molecules play a critical role in the interfacial debonding process. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2074–E2083, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Sustainable composites from agricultural waste: The use of steam explosion and surface modification to potentialize the use of wheat straw fibers for wood plastic composite industry
Authors: Kellersztein Israel , Shani Uri , Zilber Inbar , Dotan Ana
Published: June 2017

Wood plastic polymer composites (WPC) have been used in the past few years in different fields such as building, furniture and automotive. Lignocellulosic fibers derived from agricultural waste can perform as low cost and more environmentally friendly replacement for wood in WPC. In this work, cellulose fibers obtained from wheat straw fibers via steam explosion were chemically modified with hexadecyltrimetoxy‐silane (HDS) and [3‐(2‐aminoethylamino) propyl] trimethoxysilane (AEAPS) for polypropylene (PP) reinforcement. The thermo‐mechanical properties of the composites were compared to wood‐powder reinforced polypropylene. The thermal stability of wheat straw fibers increased after steam explosion by 5% and after surface modification by 7% and 9%, with both HDS and AEAPS, respectively, enabling higher processing temperatures. Wheat straw fibers modified with AEAPS enhanced the stiffness of PP by 55%, while wood powder showed an increase of 41%. The toughness of the composite material was also considerably improved by 51% and 42% using HDS‐ and AEAPS‐treated wheat straw fibers. Tensile and flexural strength increased in the presence of coupling agents due to an optimized stress transfer. This work demonstrates that agricultural waste can perform as an economically sustainable reinforcement for polypropylene, promoting the replacement of wood in WPC applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E53–E61, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Simulating system‐wide effects of reducing irrigation withdrawals in a disputed river basin
Authors: Leitman S. F. , Kiker G. A. , Wright D. L.
Published: June 2017

Stakeholders in river systems often target larger upstream water consumers as an intuitive solution for increasing flows for downstream ecological needs. Within regulated river systems, simplistic panaceas may have unexpected and unintended results at a watershed level. The Apalachicola–Chattahoochee–Flint River Basin is a large watershed in the south‐eastern United States whose management has been the source of conflict for several decades. This paper tests the hypothesis of whether a reduction in consumptive losses to Flint River flows through the large‐scale implementation of water‐saving agricultural irrigation technologies and practices will have a positive effect on downstream ecosystem water requirements in the Apalachicola River. An existing integrated reservoir/reach model was used to explore multiple irrigation water use scenarios.

Because of current federal reservoir operating rules in the Chattahoochee River, irrigation decreases in the Flint River do not always directly translate to elevated flows downstream in the Apalachicola River. In drought years, a large percentage of the Flint River water savings is captured as greater storage volume at upstream Chattahoochee reservoirs because of a requirement to supplement downstream flows to a prescribed minimum level. In nondrought years, the majority of irrigation decreases translate to increased flow in the Apalachicola River. Given these simulation results, public policy decisions need to be formulated with regard to what portion of the Flint River water savings from changing irrigation practices in drought years should be allocated to the upstream Chattahoochee storage reservoirs and what portion to supporting downstream environmental and social needs in the Apalachicola watershed.
3D Mimicry of Native‐Tissue‐Fiber Architecture Guides Tendon‐Derived Cells and Adipose Stem Cells into Artificial Tendon Constructs
Authors: Laranjeira Mariana , Domingues Rui M. A. , Costa‐Almeida Raquel , Reis Rui L. , Gomes Manuela E.
Published: June 2017

Tendon and ligament (T/L) function is intrinsically related with their unique hierarchically and anisotropically organized extracellular matrix. Their natural healing capacity is, however, limited. Here, continuous and aligned electrospun nanofiber threads (CANT) based on synthetic/natural polymer blends mechanically reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals are produced to replicate the nanoscale collagen fibrils grouped into microscale collagen fibers that compose the native T/L. CANT are then incrementally assembled into 3D hierarchical scaffolds, resulting in woven constructions, which simultaneously mimic T/L nano‐to‐macro architecture, nanotopography, and nonlinear biomechanical behavior. Biological performance is assessed using human‐tendon‐derived cells (hTDCs) and human adipose stem cells (hASCs). Scaffolds nanotopography and microstructure induce a high cytoskeleton elongation and anisotropic organization typical of tendon tissues. Moreover, the expression of tendon‐related markers (Collagen types I and III, Tenascin‐C, and Scleraxis) by both cell types, and the similarities observed on their expression patterns over time suggest that the developed scaffolds not only prevent the phenotypic drift of hTDCs, but also trigger tenogenic differentiation of hASCs. Overall, these results demonstrate a feasible approach for the scalable production of 3D hierarchical scaffolds that exhibit key structural and biomechanical properties, which can be advantageously explored in acellular and cellular T/L TE strategies.
Silicon Solar Cell Architecture with Front Selective and Rear Full Area Ion‐Implanted Passivating Contacts
Authors: Ingenito Andrea , Limodio Gianluca , Procel Paul , Yang Guangtao , Dijkslag Herman , Isabella Olindo , Zeman Miro
Published: June 2017

In this work, the application of carrier‐selective passivating contacts based on tunneling silicon‐dioxide and ion‐implanted poly‐Si in front and rear contacted Si solar cells is presented. This paper addresses the need to minimize the contact recombination while still keeping high short circuit current. We aim to solve such trade‐off with a novel solar cell architecture called Passivated Rear and Front ConTacts (PeRFeCT). Such design employs a selective passivating contact combined with standard homojunction on the front side in order to minimize contact recombination, while achieving high optical transparency and a full area passivating contact on the rear side. The opto‐electrical modeling of this front/rear contacted architecture indicates a potential efficiency above 26%. As technology demonstration, we also report on the optimization of front surface field and processing of 2.8 × 2.8 cm2 wide solar cells leading to a 20.1% conversion efficiency.
Effect of Interphase Hardness and Elastic Modulus on Fracture Behavior during Hole Expansion Testing of Hot‐Rolled Steels with Low‐Temperature Transformation Microstructures
Authors: Lee Juseung S. , Lee Dongyun , Lee Myungjin , Park Chulho , Park Yeong Do , Kang Namhyun
Published: June 2017

This study investigates the fracture behavior during hole expansion testing of a 980 MPa hot‐rolled Fe–Cr–Ti–B steel, with particular focus on analyzing the microvoid initiation and crack propagation during plastic deformation. The microstructure of the steel consists of a tempered martensite matrix and granular bainite, with each constituent phase being identified by field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, micro Vickers hardness, and nanoindentation. Microvoids are observed at the intergranular boundaries, transgranular regions, and at the interface of precipitates/matrix and non‐metallic inclusions/matrix. The main crack is generated at the intergranular interface between the tempered martensite and granular bainite, an area exhibiting a large deviation in hardness and elastic modulus. The tempered martensite has a greater hardness of 385 Hv and elastic modulus of 287 GPa, as opposed to the 326 Hv and 257 GPa of the granular bainite. Due to this difference in elastic modulus, the granular bainite plastically deforms at a lower applied stress than the tempered martensite. The main crack obtained from the hole expansion test generates a fractography mixed with dimple and quasi‐cleavage fracture pattern. Therefore, the crack initiated at the interface of the tempered martensite and granular bainite is propagated along the transgranular regions.
Self‐Inflicted Abdominal Stab Wounds Have a Higher Rate of Non‐therapeutic Laparotomy/Laparoscopy and a Lower Risk of Injury
Authors: Bugaev Nikolay , McKay Kevin , Breeze Janis L. , Arabian Sandra S. , Rabinovici Reuven
Published: June 2017

Background

The profile and management of self‐inflicted abdominal stab wounds (SI‐ASW) patients is still obscure.

Methods

The National Trauma Data Bank (2012) was queried for adults with abdominal stab wounds (n = 9544). Patients with SI‐ASW (n = 1724) and non‐SI‐ASW (n = 7820) were compared. Predictors for non‐therapeutic laparotomy/laparoscopy (non‐TL) in SI‐ASW patients were identified.

Results

SI‐ASW patients were older, had more females and behavioral disorders, similar physiology, but a lower Injury Severity Score. They had more laparotomies overall (54 versus 48%, p < 0.0001) and more non‐TL (42 versus 32%, p < 0.0001), but less injuries (43 versus 53%, p < 0.0001), although peritoneal violation rate was similar. Complications and mortality were similar. In the SI‐ASW cohort, non‐TL patients were more likely to be female and younger, and to have Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≥13 and a higher systolic blood pressure. History of psychiatric, drug and alcohol disorders was associated with SI‐ASW, but did not independently predict the need for treatment in adjusted models.

Conclusion

Patients with SI‐ASW underwent more non‐TL than patients with non‐SI‐ASW. Female gender, younger age, and a higher GCS and systolic blood pressure predicted non‐TL in this group.