bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlling Incoming Macrophages to Implants: Responsiveness of Macrophages to Gelatin Micropatterns under M1/M2 Phenotype Defining Biochemical Stimulations
Authors: Dollinger Camille , Ndreu‐Halili Albana , Uka Arban , Singh Sonali , Sadam Helle , Neuman Toomas , Rabineau Morgane , Lavalle Philippe , Dokmeci Mehmet R. , Khademhosseini Ali , Ghaemmaghami Amir M. , Vrana Nihal E.
Published: May 2017

Adverse immune reactions to implanted devices can seriously hamper the efficacy of implants. Monocyte derived macrophages play a crucial role in both initiation and resolution of the inflammatory response toward foreign bodies. As the surface microtopography is shown to exert significant effects on cell phenotype, it is hypothesized that the presence of micropatterns on implant/medical device surfaces can attenuate the immune response. To this end, enzymatically crosslinked micropatterned gelatin films of varying groove widths (2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 µm) are tested for their effect on incoming monocyte behavior. In order to distinguish the effect of cytokine microenvironment on pattern presence, monocytes are seeded on micropatterned films in normal culture medium or M1/M2 inducing media and their morphology and cytokine secretions are observed for 6 d. The presence of the patterns induces microenvironment‐specific changes on the secretions of the attached cells and also on their size. IL‐1ß, IL‐4, IL‐12, TNF‐α, and CCL‐18 secretions are significantly affected particularly in M1 induction media by pattern presence. It is demonstrated for the first time that micropatterned surfaces can be used to control the initial attachment and cytokine secretion of incoming macrophages if they are linked with a polarization inducing cytokine microenvironment.
Simultaneous Fast Deformation and Solidification in Supercooled Liquid Gallium at Room Temperature
Authors: Yu Zhenwei W. , Chen Yuchen C. , Yun Frank F. , Wang Xiaolin L.
Published: May 2017

The authors demonstrate that it is possible to transform a supercooled liquid metal at room temperature into a variety of shapes in solids by combined liquid metal deformation and induced crystallization from the supercooling state. The authors discover that both reversible deformation and irreversible deformation can be achieved simultaneously for supercooled liquid gallium in alkaline or acid electrolytes by using electrodes that are non‐wetted or wetted with liquid gallium, respectively. Our findings on the simultaneous deformation and solidification offer a novel approach to controlled patterning and solidification of supercooled liquid gallium at room temperature.
Regenerative Polymeric Coatings Enabled by Pressure Responsive Surface Valves
Authors: Gergely Ryan C. R. , Sottos Nancy R. , White Scott R.
Published: May 2017

Protective coatings safeguard the underlying substrate material from environmental attack and are critical for operating in harsh conditions. Self‐healing materials have been developed for the autonomous repair of damage in coatings. This work demonstrates a regenerative coating system that is a simplified synthetic analog of skin. A protective UV curable coating reforms with properties identical to the native coating after complete removal. An integrated surface valve prevents premature curing of healing agent contained within a vascular substrate prior to damage‐triggered release, facilitating recovery from repeat damage. The protective coating reforms when exposed to simulated sunlight.
Taxane‐Grafted Metal‐Oxide Nanoparticles as a New Theranostic Tool against Cancer: The Promising Example of Docetaxel‐Functionalized Titanate Nanotubes on Prostate Tumors
Authors: Loiseau Alexis , Boudon Julien , Mirjolet Céline , Créhange Gilles , Millot Nadine
Published: May 2017

The combination of anticancer drugs and metal oxide nanoparticles is of great interest in cancer nanomedicine. Here, the development of a new nanohybrid, titanate nanotube–docetaxel (TiONts–DTX) is reported, the two parts of which are conjugated by covalent linkages. Unlike most nanoparticles currently being developed for biomedical purposes, TiONts present a needle‐shaped morphology. The surface of TiONts is linked with 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane and with a hetero‐bifunctional polymer (polyethylene glycol) to create well‐dispersed and biocompatible nanovectors. The prefunctionalized surface of this scaffold has valuable attachments to graft therapeutic agents (DTX in our case) as well as chelating agents (1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid) to monitor the nanohybrids. To evaluate drug efficacy, in vitro tests have demonstrated that the association between TiONts and DTX shows cytotoxic activity against a hormone‐refractory prostate cancer cell line (22Rv1) whereas TiONts without DTX do not. Finally, the first in vivo tests with intratumoral injections show that more than 70% of TiONts nanovectors are retained within the tumor for at least 7 d. Moreover, tumor growth in mice receiving TiONts–DTX is significantly slower than that in mice receiving free DTX. This nanohybrid can thus become a promising new tool in biomedicine to fight against prostate cancer.
Highly Conductive Semitransparent Graphene Circuits Screen‐Printed from Water‐Based Graphene Oxide Ink
Authors: Overgaard Marc H. , Kühnel Martin , Hvidsten Rasmus , Petersen Søren V. , Vosch Tom , Nørgaard Kasper , Laursen Bo W.
Published: May 2017

The use of graphene materials as conductive inks for flexible and transparent electronics is promising, but challenged by the need for stabilizers, specialized organic solvents, and/or high temperature annealing, severely limiting performance or compatibility with substrates and printing techniques. Here, the development of a scalable water‐based graphene oxide ink is reported that can be screen‐printed on flexible plastic substrates and subsequently reduced using a 1:1 mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and hydroiodic acid, thereby creating an electric circuit. The reduced prints exhibit low sheet resistance of 327 Ω sq−1 for thin semitransparent layers with 37% transmittance. This methodology with postprinting chemical reduction outperforms high temperature annealing, thereby eliminating the need for such a step, which is incompatible with flexible plastic substrates. The strategy relies on low cost, industrially compatible chemicals and can be scaled up for low cost manufacture of roll‐to‐roll printed electronics.
Amplification of Refractometric Biosensor Response through Biomineralization of Metal–Organic Framework Nanocrystals
Authors: Luan Jingyi , Hu Rong , Tadepalli Sirimuvva , Morrissey Jeremiah J. , Kharasch Evan D. , Singamaneni Srikanth
Published: May 2017

Plasmonic biosensors based on the refractive index sensitivity of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) are highly promising for on‐chip and point‐of‐care diagnostics. In particular, plasmonic biosensors that rely on artificial antibodies are highly attractive for applications in resource‐limited settings due to the excellent thermal, chemical, and environmental stability of these biorecognition elements. In this work, a universal LSPR response amplification strategy based on the biomineralization of a metal–organic framework (MOF) on the captured analyte proteins is demonstrated. The amplification relies on the differential ability of abiotic recognition elements and captured biomolecules to induce biomineralization of a MOF. The rapid amplification process (less than 10 min) demonstrated here results in nearly 100% higher sensitivity and three times lower limit of detection compared to the innate sensor. The amplification approach can be broadly applied to a wide variety of bioanalytes and can be rapidly implemented in real‐world conditions without compromising the assay time or reusability of the plasmonic biochip.
High Strain Tolerant EMI Shielding Using Carbon Nanotube Network Stabilized Rubber Composite
Authors: Jia Li‐Chuan , Yan Ding‐Xiang , Yang Yingchao , Zhou Dong , Cui Cheng‐Hua , Bianco Elisabeth , Lou Jun , Vajtai Robert , Li Bo , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Li Zhong‐Ming
Published: May 2017

High density flexible electronic platforms experience strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) influences from multiple devices and repeated deformation conditions such as stretching, bending, and twisting. Here, a network stabilized carbon nanotube/natural rubber composite is presented showing high EMI shielding persisting even at large deformations. Long‐term cycling tests in all deformation modes show >80% retention of EMI shielding even after thousands of deformation cycles. The synergistic effect of strong EMI shielding, superior flexibility, and shielding stability can be attributed to the percolated and flexible network structure of nanotubes and their strong interfaces with rubber matrix. The results show unprecedented high strain tolerance for EMI shielding, potentially suitable for high performance flexible electronics.
Effect of Deprotonation and Reduction on the Molecular Structure and Optical and Magnetic Properties of Metal‐Free Phthalocyanine (Pc): Comparison of H2Pc.− and HPc− Anions
Authors: Konarev Dmitri V. , Khasanov Salavat S. , Lyubovskaya Rimma N.
Published: May 2017

A method for the selective preparation of mono‐deprotonated phthalocyanine (HPc− anions) was developed, enabling the synthesis of crystalline [(Na+)(2.2.2‐cryptand)][HPc−]⋅1.5 C6H4Cl2 (1). Salt 1 is isostructural to the salt obtained by reduction, [(Na+)(2.2.2‐cryptand)][H2Pc.−]⋅1.5 C6H4Cl2, containing the H2Pc.− radical anions. The phthalocyanine macrocycle in 1 shows no alternation of the C−N(imine) bonds that characterizes H2Pc.−. The spectrum of 1 does not feature near‐IR bands, and blueshifts of the Soret and Q bands characteristic of H2Pc.− were also not observed. Reduction shortens the N−H bonds, whereas deprotonation essentially elongates that bond with the remaining hydrogen atom. Deprotonated HPc− anions are EPR‐silent and diamagnetic, whereas H2Pc.− radical anions are paramagnetic and have the S=
spin state. These data indicate essential differences in the molecular structures as well as optical and magnetic properties of the deprotonated (HPc−) and reduced (H2Pc.−) phthalocyanine macrocycles.
Optochemische Steuerung biologischer Vorgänge in Zellen und Tieren
Authors: Ankenbruck Nicholas , Courtney Taylor , Naro Yuta , Deiters Alexander
Published: May 2017

Die Regulation biologischer Vorgänge in der Natur unterliegt einer strengen räumlichen und zeitlichen Steuerung; eines der offensichtlichsten Beispiele ist die Embryogenese bei Metazoen. Zahlreiche chemische Werkzeuge wurden in der Zell‐ und Entwicklungsbiologie zur Untersuchung zellulärer Prozesse genutzt. Durch regelbare Steuerungsmethoden wurden die Anwendungsmöglichkeiten dieser Verfahren auch auf komplexe biologische Fragestellungen ausgeweitet. Licht eignet sich ausgezeichnet als externer Impuls, denn es kann mit sehr hoher räumlicher und zeitlicher Genauigkeit eingesetzt werden. Dazu wurden verschiedene optisch regulierte Werkzeuge entwickelt und auf lebende Systeme angewendet. In diesem Aufsatz diskutieren wir die aktuellen Entwicklungen optochemischer Werkzeuge, darunter niedermolekulare Verbindungen, Peptide, Proteine und Nukleinsäuren, die durch Lichteinstrahlung irreversibel oder reversibel kontrolliert werden können, insbesondere für Anwendungen in Zellen und in Tieren.
Der interstitiell gebundene Kohlenstoff der Nitrogenase ist deutlich stabiler als bisher angenommen
Authors: Grunenberg Jörg
Published: May 2017

Die erste quantenmechanische Berechnung aller relevanten Potentialkonstanten (Compliance‐Konstanten) im Eisen‐Molybdän‐Cofaktor und Eisen‐Vanadium‐Cofaktor der Nitrogenase deutet darauf hin, dass das Kohlenstoffatom im Zentrum des Enzyms deutlich stärker gebunden ist als bisher angenommen wurde. Frühere Untersuchungen schienen mit einer schwachen Kraftkonstante (≈0.32 N cm−1) auf eine Platzhalterfunktion des interstitiellen Kohlenstoffs hinzudeuten. Dagegen bestätigen unsere Untersuchungen ein anderes Bild: Der zentrale Kohlenstoff fixiert den Eisen‐Schwefel‐Cluster deutlich durch sechs kovalente C‐Fe‐Bindungen. Mit einer quantenchemisch berechneten Potentialkonstante von über 1.3 N cm−1 scheint dieser auch dynamisch persistent. Nach unseren Untersuchungen müssen auch die Werte für die Festigkeit innerhalb des Eisen‐Schwefel‐Clusters nach oben korrigiert werden. Durch die Implementierung eines neuen Algorithmus in unser frei verfügbares Programm COMPLIANCE fällt in Zukunft die Koordinatenabhängigkeit bei der Berechnung von Hesse‐Matrizen weg. Die neu gewonnenen Informationen über die mechanochemischen Eigenschaften des FeMo‐Cofaktors werden in Zukunft bei der Aufklärung des Katalysezyklus der Stickstoff‐Fixierung von Bedeutung sein.
Quantifying Hydrogen‐Bond Populations in Dimethyl Sulfoxide/Water Mixtures
Authors: Oh Kwang‐Im , Rajesh Kavya , Stanton John F. , Baiz Carlos R.
Published: May 2017

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) disrupts the hydrogen‐bond networks in water. The widespread use of DMSO as a cosolvent, along with its unusual attributes, have inspired numerous studies. Herein, infrared absorption spectroscopy of the S=O stretching mode combined with molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry models were used to directly quantify DMSO/water hydrogen‐bond populations in binary mixtures. Singly H‐bonded species are dominant at 10 mol %, due to strong DMSO–water interactions. We found an unexpected increase in non‐hydrogen‐bonded DMSO near the eutectic point (ca. 35 mol %) which also correlates with several abnormalities in the bulk solution properties. We find evidence for three distinct regimes: 1) strong DMSO–water interactions (<30 mol %), 2) ideal‐solution‐like (30–90 mol %), and 3) self‐interaction, or aggregation, regime (>90 mol %). We propose a “step in” mechanism, which involves hydrogen bonding between water and the DMSO aggregate species.
A Nanojunction Polymer Photoelectrode for Efficient Charge Transport and Separation
Authors: Ruan Qiushi , Luo Wenjun , Xie Jijia , Wang Yiou , Liu Xu , Bai Zhiming , Carmalt Claire J. , Tang Junwang
Published: May 2017

A metal‐free photoanode nanojunction architecture, composed of B‐doped carbon nitride nanolayer and bulk carbon nitride, was fabricated by a one‐step approach. This type of nanojunction (s‐BCN) overcomes a few intrinsic drawbacks of carbon nitride film (severe bulk charge recombination and slow charge transfer). The top layer of the nanojunction has a depth of ca. 100 nm and the bottom layer is ca. 900 nm. The nanojunction photoanode results into a 10‐fold higher photocurrent than bulk graphitic carbon nitride (G‐CN) photoanode, with a record photocurrent density of 103.2 μA cm−2 at 1.23 V vs. RHE under one sun irradiation and an extremely high incident photon‐to‐current efficiency (IPCE) of ca. 10 % at 400 nm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, Mott–Schottky plots, and intensity‐modulated photocurrent spectroscopy show that such enhancement is mainly due to the mitigated deep trap states, a more than 10 times faster charge transfer rate and nearly three times higher conductivity due to the nanojunction architecture.
Rhetoric and the cold war politics of information science
Authors: Johnson Nathan R.
Published: May 2017

Histories of information help clarify the values and intellectual commitments of the discipline. This study takes a rhetorical history approach to better understand the development of information studies as a discipline. Information studies historians have identified that the Cold War period was critical for the development of information science and consequently of its modern‐day incarnations. Due to post‐World War II prosperity, the 1960s saw a surge in interest in scientific and technical information. Many from government, education, and private sectors took interest in developing new ways to compete with Soviet science. This interest led to the National Science Foundation (NSF)‐funded Georgia Tech conferences of 1961 and 1962, which are analyzed here. I find that concerns about the “science information problem” provided language that was critical for transforming some of the information studies’ central concepts. In particular, I find that the idea of an “information scientist” was made possible by national funding for science information. I suggest that attending to the discursive traffic between public and disciplinary discourse of information studies can better attune the field to its intellectual commitments.
On‐the‐Fly and Incremental Technique for Fault Diagnosis of Discrete Event Systems Modeled by Labeled Petri Nets
Authors: Liu Baisi , Ghazel Mohamed , Toguyéni Armand
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we develop an on‐the‐fly and incremental technique for fault diagnosis of discrete event systems modeled by labeled Petri nets, in order to tackle the combinatorial explosion problem. K‐diagnosability, diagnosability, Kmin (the minimum K ensuring diagnosability) and on‐line diagnosis are solved on the basis of the on‐the‐fly and incremental building of two structures, called respectively fault marking graph and fault marking set graph, in parallel. We build on existing results, namely those establishing necessary and sufficient conditions for diagnosability, but we bring mechanisms to make the checking of such conditions potentially more efficient. We show that, in general, analyzing or even building the whole reachability graph is unnecessary to analyze diagnosability and build an on‐line diagnoser. Our technique was implemented in a prototype tool called OF‐PENDA, and a railway level crossing benchmark is used to make a comparative discussion pertaining to efficiency in terms of time and memory relative to some existing approaches.
Spectrofluorometric determination of clonazepam in dosage forms: Application to content uniformity testing and human plasma
Authors: Belal Fathalla , Ibrahim Fawzia , Sheribah Zainab , Alaa Heba
Published: May 2017

The present paper describes a developed and validated simple, highly sensitive and cost‐effective spectrofluorometric method for determination of clonazepam (CNP). The proposed method depends on forming a highly fluorescent product through the reduction of CNP with Zn/HCl. The produced fluorophore exhibits a strong fluorescence at λem 350 nm after excitation at λex 250 nm. The use of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) greatly enhanced the fluorescence intensity of the produced fluorophore to the extent of about 100%. Calibration curve showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9998) within test ranges of 20–400 ng ml−1 with a lower detection limit of 0.67 ng ml−1 and lower quantification limit of 2.22 ng ml−1 upon using CMC. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of CNP in its pharmaceutical formulations and the results were in agreement with those obtained using a reference method. Furthermore, the content uniformity testing of the tablets was also performed. The application of the proposed method was extended to determine CNP in spiked human plasma sample as a preliminary investigation and the results were satisfactory.
In Situ Quantification and Profiling of Phosphatidylcholine in Mouse Brain Tissue by Matrix‐assisted Laser Desorption Ionization with a Liquid Matrix
Authors: Park Kyung Man , Hyeon Taeghwan , Kim Myung Soo , Moon Jeong Hee
Published: May 2017

A method based on the analyte‐to‐matrix ion abundance ratio in the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) spectrum was used for the quantification of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in mouse brain tissue. The fact that the tissue was heavily contaminated and hence that the matrix suppression was unacceptably high forbade the in situ quantification of PC. We eliminated most of the polar contaminants, and some nonpolar ones as well, by washing the tissue with water. In the process, we observed the presence of two different populations of PC, one washable in water and the other unwashable. Finally, we present a quantitative profile of the unwashable PC in a mouse brain tissue evaluated from its MALDI spectral data.
Coherence of BOLD signal and electrical activity in the human brain during deep sevoflurane anesthesia
Authors: Golkowski Daniel , Ranft Andreas , Kiel Tobias , Riedl Valentin , Kohl Philipp , Rohrer Guido , Pientka Joachim , Berger Sebastian , Preibisch Christine , Zimmer Claus , Mashour George A. , Schneider Gerhard , Kochs Eberhard F. , Ilg Rüdiger , Jordan Denis
Published: May 2017

Introduction

Changes in neural activity induce changes in functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal. Commonly, increases in BOLD signal are ascribed to cellular excitation.

Objective

The relationship between electrical activity and BOLD signal in the human brain was probed on the basis of burst suppression EEG. This condition includes two distinct states of high and low electrical activity.

Methods

Resting‐state simultaneous EEG and BOLD measurements were acquired during deep sevoflurane anesthesia with burst suppression EEG in nineteen healthy volunteers. Afterwards, fMRI volumes were assigned to one of the two states (burst or suppression) as defined by the EEG.

Results

In the frontal, parietal and temporal lobes as well as in the basal ganglia, BOLD signal increased after burst onset in the EEG and decreased after onset of EEG suppression. In contrast, BOLD signal in the occipital lobe was anticorrelated to electrical activity. This finding was obtained consistently in a general linear model and in raw data.

Conclusions

In human brains exhibiting burst suppression EEG induced by sevoflurane, the positive correlation between BOLD signal and electrical brain activity could be confirmed in most gray matter. The exceptional behavior of the occipital lobe with an anticorrelation of BOLD signal and electrical activity might be due to specific neurovascular coupling mechanisms that are pronounced in the deeply anesthetized brain.
A dynamic approach for teaching algorithms: Integrating immersive environments and virtual learning environments
Authors: Nunes Felipe B. , Herpich Fabrício , Do Amaral Érico M. H. , Voss Gleizer B. , Zunguze Manuel C. , Medina Roseclea D. , Tarouco Liane M. R.
Published: May 2017

Utilization of technology in education lead to important changes in methods and techniques, where the use of virtual learning environments and virtual worlds provided a solution of a rich simulation and with a high level of interactivity and immersion. This article provides a summary of a research that searches integrate two different technologies [VLE and VW], by means of a solution called Sloodle. The main focus is demystify the use of this solution, introducing the mainly characteristics involved in the process of installation and insertion of this resources and evaluate the effectiveness of these resources as supporting tools in the teaching of algorithms in Computer Engineering course. The applications used in this research were OpenSimulator as Virtual World; Moodle as VLE; the online software IDEOne for the algorithm exposure and Sloodle. Analysis confirms that the utilization of virtual world combined with Moodle using Sloodle, it is a valid alternative to the process of teaching and learning, motivating the students and stimulating the feeling of immersion during the performance of activities. It allows identifying the difficulties to be overcome in this type of solution, like the utilization of Sloodle and technology limitations of their resources.
Catalytic Hydrolysis of Polysaccharides Derived from Fast‐Growing Green Macroalgae
Authors: Onda Ayumu , Onda Sayuri , Koike Miyuki , Yanagisawa Kazumichi , Tsubaki Shuntaro , Hiraoka Masanori
Published: May 2017

Green macroalgae, such as Ulva spp., has a higher growth rate than terrestrial lingocellulosic biomass, which often leads to serious environmental issues such as green tide. So, it is a promising feedstock for biorefineries. Hiraoka produced Ulva with reproducible compositions and sizes by our original cultivation method. The macroalgae contained approximately 35 wt % of a soluble polysaccharide called ulvan, which is a sulfated glucuronorhamnan polysaccharide. The catalytic conversion of extracted ulvan was performed under hydrothermal conditions at 130 °C by using solid acid catalysts. The Amberlyst 70 catalyst has a stable structure and gave monosaccharides in quantitative yield, predominantly in the form of rhamnose. The Amberlyst 70 catalyst showed higher activity than sulfonated activated‐carbon (AC‐SO3H) in the hydrothermal conversion of ulvan, although Amberlyst 70 showed lower catalytic activity than AC‐SO3H in the hydrolysis of starch.
A Mesoporous Cobalt Aluminate Spinel Catalyst for Nonoxidative Propane Dehydrogenation
Authors: Hu Bo , Kim Wun‐Gwi , Sulmonetti Taylor P. , Sarazen Michele L. , Tan Shuai , So Jungseob , Liu Yujun , Dixit Ravindra S. , Nair Sankar , Jones Christopher W.
Published: May 2017

A mesoporous CoAl2O4 spinel (Co‐Al) is synthesized by a one‐step evaporation‐induced self‐assembly (EISA) method. N2 physisorption and TEM are used to demonstrate the presence of mesopores within the Co‐Al material. The spinel crystal structure of Co‐Al, in which Co occupies tetrahedral (Td) sites, is confirmed by using XRD and UV/Vis spectroscopy. In nonoxidative propane dehydrogenation at 550 °C, a propane conversion of approximately 8 % is observed for Co‐Al with a >80 % propylene selectivity, which corresponds to a turnover frequency of 5.1 h−1 based on an estimation of the number of active Co sites by using NH3 temperature‐programmed desorption. A much higher propane conversion rate and a circa 80 % propylene selectivity is observed upon reaction at 600 °C. Continuous deactivation of the catalyst is observed for Co‐Al at this elevated temperature. In situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy results suggest that Co remains as a Td Co2+ species under the reaction conditions. The Td Co2+ sites within the Co‐Al material are thus proposed to act as Lewis acidic active sites; this acidity is verified using IR spectroscopy with pyridine as a probe molecule.
Diversity of Chemical Bonding and Oxidation States in MS4 Molecules of Group 8 Elements
Authors: Huang Wei , Jiang Ning , Schwarz W. H. Eugen , Yang Ping , Li Jun
Published: May 2017

The geometric and electronic ground‐state structures of 30 isomers of six MS4 molecules (M=Group 8 metals Fe, Ru, Os, Hs, Sm, and Pu) have been studied by using quantum‐chemical density functional theory and correlated wavefunction approaches. The MS4 species were compared to analogous MO4 species recently investigated (W. Huang, W.‐H. Xu, W. H. E. Schwarz, J. Li, Inorg. Chem. 2016, 55, 4616). A metal oxidation state (MOS) with a high value of eight appeared in the low‐spin singlet Td geometric species (Os,Hs)S4 and (Ru,Os,Hs)O4, whereas a low MOS of two appeared in the high‐spin septet D2d species Fe(S2)2 and (slightly excited) metastable Fe(O2)2. The ground states of all other molecules had intermediate MOS values, with S2−, S22−, S21− (and O2−, O1−, O22−, O21−) ligands bonded by ionic, covalent, and correlative contributions. The known tendencies toward lower MOS on going from oxides to sulfides, from Hs to Os to Ru, and from Pu to Sm, and the specific behavior of Fe, were found to arise from the different atomic orbital energies and radii of the (n−1)p core and (n−1)d and (n−2)f valence shells of the metal atoms in row n of the periodic table. The comparative results of the electronic and geometric structures of the MO4 and MS4 species provides insight into the periodicity of oxidation states and bonding.
Enantioselective dissipation of pyriproxyfen in soils and sand
Authors: Liu Hui , Wang Peng , Zhou Zhiqiang , Liu Donghui
Published: May 2017

Under normal conditions, the environmental behaviors of pesticides are affected by complex environmental factors and the manner of administration together with constraints. In order to meet the actual needs, we imitated the experiment and found that the degradation rate of pyriproxyfen in soils rendered complex changes. Rac‐pyriproxyfen was successfully chiral separated on an AZ‐H column and the residue analysis method was in accord with the demand of pesticide analysis. The results indicated that pyriproxyfen dissipated at a faster rate in Heilongjiang soil and Hainan soil, while at a much slower speed in another three soils and sand. Obvious enantioselective degradation was observed in Hainan soil and Qingdao sand. The results suggested that pyriproxyfen alone had low persistence in soil, but the moisture, soil type, the use of mixture formulation, and second spraying treatment could play important roles in dissipation of pyriproxyfen. Too large and too small moisture content could both make pyriproxyfen persist for a longer period in soil than in soil with 25% moisture content. Residues dissipated much slower after using Ai Qiu, while Shi Dingkang did not have a big effect on degradation, with only a small acceleration effect. Pyriproxyfen also dissipated in Hainan soil with difficulty after the second treatment.
Analytical Geometrical Model of Open Cell Foams with Detailed Description of Strut‐Node Intersection
Authors: Ambrosetti Matteo , Bracconi Mauro , Groppi Gianpiero , Tronconi Enrico
Published: May 2017

Open cell foams are regarded as potential enhanced catalyst carriers due to their high specific surface areas, low pressure drops, and good heat and mass transfer rates. However, it is difficult to evaluate their surface area. An analytical model is proposed, which is derived entirely from geometrical hypotheses and can be applied using different easily accessible input parameters. It can accurately estimate the specific surface and other features of foams for a wide range of porosities. The application of the new model to the reevaluation of published gas/solid mass transfer data is demonstrated.
Molecular profiling as a novel tool to predict response to interferon‐α2 in MPNs: The proof of concept in early myelofibrosis
Authors: Hasselbalch Hans Carl
Published: May 2017

High‐risk mutations are associated with poor response to interferon‐α2. Early treatment with interferon‐α2 is recommended in patients who have early myelofibrosis without high‐risk mutations.

See also pages 2680‐7.
Impact of the timing of hepatitis B virus identification and anti–hepatitis B virus therapy initiation on the risk of adverse liver outcomes for patients receiving cancer therapy
Authors: Hwang Jessica P. , Suarez‐Almazor Maria E. , Cantor Scott B. , Barbo Andrea , Lin Heather Y. , Ahmed Sairah , Chavez‐MacGregor Mariana , Donato‐Santana Christian , Eng Cathy , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Fisch Michael J. , McLaughlin Peter , Simon George R. , Rondon Gabriela , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Lok Anna S.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Data on the incidence of adverse liver outcomes are limited for cancer patients with chronic (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]–positive/hepatitis B core antibody [anti‐HBc]–positive) or past (HBsAg‐negative/anti‐HBc–positive) hepatitis B virus (HBV) after chemotherapy. This study was aimed at determining the impact of test timing and anti‐HBV therapy on adverse liver outcomes in these patients.

METHODS

Patients with solid or hematologic malignancies who received chemotherapy between 2004 and 2011 were retrospectively studied. HBV testing and anti‐HBV therapy were defined as early at the initiation of cancer therapy and as late after initiation. Outcomes included hepatitis flares, hepatic impairment, liver failure, and death. Time‐to‐event analysis was used to determine incidence, and multivariate hazard models were used to determine predictors of outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 18,688 study patients (80.4% with solid tumors). The prevalence of chronic HBV was 1.1% (52 of 4905), and the prevalence of past HBV was 7.1% (350 of 4905). Among patients with solid tumors, late identification of chronic HBV was associated with a higher risk of hepatitis flare (hazard ratio [HR], 4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26‐12.86), hepatic impairment (HR, 8.48; 95% CI, 1.86‐38.66), liver failure (HR, 9.38; 95% CI, 1.50‐58.86), and death (HR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.19‐12.83) in comparison with early identification. Among patients with hematologic malignancies and chronic HBV, the risk of death was 7.8 (95% CI, 1.73‐35.27) times higher for persons with late initiation of anti‐HBV therapy versus early initiation. Patients with late identification of chronic HBV had late or no anti‐HBV therapy. Chronic HBV predicted liver failure in patients with solid or hematologic malignancies, whereas male sex and late identification were predictors for patients with solid tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Early identification correlates with early anti‐HBV therapy and reduces the risk of liver failure and death in chronic HBV patients receiving chemotherapy. Cancer 2017;123:3367‐76. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Analysis of tenodesis techniques for treatment of scapholunate instability using the finite element method
Authors: Alonso Rasgado Teresa , Zhang Qinghang , Jimenez Cruz David , Bailey Colin , Pinder Elizabeth , Mandaleson Avanthi , Talwalkar Sumedh
Published: May 2017

Chronic scapholunate ligament (SL) injury is a common disorder affecting the wrist. Despite advances in surgical techniques used to treat this injury, SL gap re‐emergence may occur postoperatively. This paper presents an investigation into the performance of the Corella, schapolunate axis (SLAM), and modified Brunelli tenodesis (MBT) surgical reconstruction techniques used to treat scapholunate instability. Finite element (FE) models were used to undertake virtual surgery, and the resulting scapholunate (SL) gap and angle obtained using the 3 techniques were compared.

The Corella technique was found to achieve the SL gap and angle closest to the intact (ligament) wrist, restoring SL gap and angle to within 5.6% and 0.6%, respectively. The MBT method resulted in an SL gap least close to the intact. The results of our study indicate that the contribution of volar scapholunate interosseous ligament to scapholunate stability could be important.
Environmentally Friendly Recycling of Fuel‐Cell Membrane Electrode Assemblies by Using Ionic Liquids
Authors: Balva Maxime , Legeai Sophie , Leclerc Nathalie , Billy Emmanuel , Meux Eric
Published: May 2017

The platinum nanoparticles used as the catalyst in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) represent approximately 46 % of the total price of the cells for a large‐scale production, and this is one of the barriers to their commercialization. Therefore, the recycling of the platinum catalyst could be the best alternative to limit the production costs of PEMFCs. The usual recovery routes for spent catalysts containing platinum are pyro‐hydrometallurgical processes in which a calcination step is followed by aqua regia treatment, and these processes generate fumes and NOx emissions, respectively. The electrochemical recovery route proposed here is more environmentally friendly, performed under “soft” temperature conditions, and does not result in any gas emissions. It consists of the coupling of the electrochemical leaching of platinum in chloride‐based ionic liquids (ILs), followed by its electrodeposition. The leaching of platinum was studied in pure ILs and in ionic‐liquid melts at different temperatures and with different chloride contents. Through the modulation of the composition of the ionic‐liquid melts, it is possible to leach and electrodeposit the platinum from fuel‐cell electrodes in a single‐cell process under an inert or ambient atmosphere.
Toward Long‐Term Stable and Efficient Large‐Area Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Tsai Pei‐Ting , Lin Kuan‐Chu , Wu Cheng‐Yu , Liao Chung‐Hung , Lin Man‐Chun , Wong Ying Qian , Meng Hsin‐Fei , Chang Chih‐Yu , Wang Chien‐Lung , Huang Yi‐Fan , Horng Sheng‐Fu , Zan Hsiao‐Wen , Chao Yu‐Chiang
Published: May 2017

Here, we report that long‐term stable and efficient organic solar cells (OSCs) can be obtained through the following strategies: i) combination of rapid‐drying blade‐coating deposition with an appropriate thermal annealing treatment to obtain an optimized morphology of the active layer; ii) insertion of interfacial layers to optimize the interfacial properties. The resulting devices based on poly[4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene‐2,6‐diyl‐alt‐(4‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐3‐fluorothieno[3,4‐b]thiophene‐2‐carboxylate‐2,6‐diyl)] (PBDTTT‐EFT):[6,6]‐phenyl C71 butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) blend as the active layer exhibits a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 9.57 %, which represents the highest efficiency ever reported for blade‐coated OSCs. Importantly, the conventional structure devices based on poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT):phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) blend can retain approximately 65 % of their initial PCE for almost 2 years under operating conditions, which is the best result ever reported for long‐term stable OSCs under operational conditions. More encouragingly, long‐term stable large‐area OSCs (active area=216 cm2) based on P3HT:PCBM blend are also demonstrated. Our findings represent an important step toward the development of large‐area OSCs with high performance and long‐term stability.
MC–CDMA receiver design using recurrent neural networks for eliminating multiple access interference and nonlinear distortion
Authors: C.V. Ravi Kumar , Bagadi Kala Praveen
Published: May 2017

Multicarrier code division multiple access (MC–CDMA) is a promising wireless communication technology with high spectral efficiency and system performance. However, all multiple access techniques including MC–CDMA were most likely to have multiple access interference (MAI). So this paper mainly aims at designing a suitable receiver for MC–CDMA system to mitigate such MAI. The classical receivers like maximal ratio combining, minimum mean square error, and iterative block–decision feedback equalization fail to cancel MAI when the MC–CDMA is subjected to severe nonlinear distortions, which may occur due to saturated power amplifiers or arbitrary channel conditions. Being highly nonlinear structures, the neural network receivers such as multilayer perceptron and recurrent neural network could be better alternative for such a case. The feasibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of the proposed neural network receiver are studied thoroughly for MC–CDMA system under different nonlinear conditions.
Winter is coming: Food web structure and seasonality in a subtropical freshwater coastal lake
Authors: Peralta‐Maraver Ignacio , Robertson Anne L. , Rezende Enrico L. , Lemes da Silva Aurea Luiza , Tonetta Denise , Lopes Michelle , Schmitt Rafael , Leite Nei K. , Nuñer Alex , Petrucio Mauricio M.
Published: May 2017

Food web studies provide a useful tool to assess the organization and complexity of natural communities. Nevertheless, the seasonal dynamics of food web properties, their environmental correlates, and potential association with community diversity and stability remain poorly studied. Here, we condensed an incomplete 6‐year community dataset of a subtropical coastal lake to examine how monthly variation in diversity impacts food web structure over an idealized time series for an averaged year. Phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, and fish were mostly resolved to species level (n = 120 trophospecies). Our results showed that the seasonal organization of the food web could be aggregated into two clusters of months grouped here as ‘summer’ and ‘winter’. During ‘winter’, the food web decreases in size and complexity, with the number of trophospecies dropping from 106 to 82 (a 22.6% decrease in the number of nodes) and the trophic interactions from 1,049 to 637 between month extremes (a 39.3% drop in the number of links). The observed simplification in food web structure during ‘winter’ suggests that community stability is more vulnerable to the impact of any change during this period.
Improving oxidative stability of liquid fish oil supplements for pets
Authors: Thomsen Birgitte Raagaard , Griinari Mikko , Jacobsen Charlotte
Published: May 2017

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have produced beneficial health effects in animals and are recommended by veterinaries to pet patients suffering from osteoarthritis. However, these oils are highly susceptible to lipid oxidation. The objectives of this study were to improve oxidative stability of fish oil by adding vegetable oils, mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract, and to formulate a commercial product according to the results obtained. The formulated product was evaluated against commercial fish oil products. An initial screening for antioxidative effect was performed by using Oxipres equipment. The effect of antioxidant and vegetable oil blends was examined in oils stored at 30 and 40°C by measuring peroxide value, volatile compounds with GC‐MS and tocopherol content. Addition of vegetable oil and rosemary extract at high level (4000–6000 ppm) plus 600 ppm of mixed tocopherols increased oxidative stability to the same extent as 2000 ppm mixed tocopherols in Oxipres. Overall, oxidative stability of fish oil or fish oil + vegetable oil blends was improved the most by addition of 5000 ppm rosemary extract and 500 ppm mixed tocopherols. A commercial oil blend with composition optimized based on the results of this study performed better than other commercial marine oils tested.

Practical applications: In some commercial oil blends for pets, a high level of vegetable oils is included in order to increase oxidative stability. In this study, vegetable oils are included at 30% level. At this level of vegetable oil inclusion, the omega‐3 EPA and DHA content of the blends is at least 21% of total fatty acids for both fish and tuna oil based blends. In this study we wanted to examine, whether we could reduce the level of vegetable oil inclusion without compromising oxidative stability. This study demonstrates how the oxidative stability of omega‐3 PUFA formulations for pets can be improved by combining fish oil with vegetable oils and by adding an antioxidant blend consisting of high concentrations of rosemary extract and tocopherol. The results are also of relevance to the manufacturers of dietary supplements.
Accessing Quinoxalines by Ring‐Opening/Cyclization/Detosylation/Aromatization of Activated Aziridines with 2‐Bromoanilines: Synthesis of Tyrphostin AG 1296
Authors: Kumar Shahi Chandan , Pradhan Sajan , Bhattacharyya Aditya , Kumar Raushan , Ghorai Manas K.
Published: May 2017

Substituted 2‐arylquinoxalines have been synthesized by an unprecedented CuI‐catalyzed ring‐opening/cyclization reaction followed by detosylation/aromatization of activated aziridines with 2‐bromoanilines. The transformation efficiently accommodates a wide range of aziridines and 2‐bromoanilines to afford the desired quinoxaline frameworks in excellent yields (up to 86 %) as single regioisomers. The methodology has also been conveniently applied to the synthesis of tyrphostin AG 1296, a PDGF‐receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Time lapse structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry for continuous geomorphic monitoring
Authors: Eltner Anette , Kaiser Andreas , Abellan Antonio , Schindewolf Marcus
Published: May 2017

Recent advances are made in earth surface reconstruction with high spatial resolution due to SfM photogrammetry. High flexibility of data acquisition and high potential of process automation allows for a significant increase of the temporal resolution, as well, which is especially interesting to assess geomorphic changes. Two case studies are presented where 4D reconstruction is performed to study soil surface changes at 15 seconds intervals: (a) a thunderstorm event is captured at field scale and (b) a rainfall simulation is observed at plot scale. A workflow is introduced for automatic data acquisition and processing including the following approach: data collection, camera calibration and subsequent image correction, template matching to automatically identify ground control points in each image to account for camera movements, 3D reconstruction of each acquisition interval, and finally applying temporal filtering to the resulting surface change models to correct random noise and to increase the reliability of the measurement of signals of change with low intensity. Results reveal surface change detection with cm‐ to mm‐accuracy. Significant soil changes are measured during the events. Ripple and pool sequences become obvious in both case studies. Additionally, roughness changes and hydrostatic effects are apparent along the temporal domain at the plot scale. 4D monitoring with time‐lapse SfM photogrammetry enables new insights into geomorphic processes due to a significant increase of temporal resolution. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced gliotransmitter release from astrocytes mediates tau‐induced synaptic dysfunction in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Piacentini Roberto , Li Puma Domenica Donatella , Mainardi Marco , Lazzarino Giacomo , Tavazzi Barbara , Arancio Ottavio , Grassi Claudio
Published: May 2017

Tau is a microtubule‐associated protein exerting several physiological functions in neurons. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) misfolded tau accumulates intraneuronally and leads to axonal degeneration. However, tau has also been found in the extracellular medium. Recent studies indicated that extracellular tau uploaded from neurons causes synaptic dysfunction and contributes to tau pathology propagation. Here we report novel evidence that extracellular tau oligomers are abundantly and rapidly accumulated in astrocytes where they disrupt intracellular Ca2+ signaling and Ca2+‐dependent release of gliotransmitters, especially ATP. Consequently, synaptic vesicle release, the expression of pre‐ and postsynaptic proteins, and mEPSC frequency and amplitude were reduced in neighboring neurons. Notably, we found that tau uploading from astrocytes required the amyloid precursor protein, APP. Collectively, our findings suggests that astrocytes play a critical role in the synaptotoxic effects of tau via reduced gliotransmitter availability, and that astrocytes are major determinants of tau pathology in AD.
Clinical burden of liver disease from hemochromatosis at an academic medical center
Authors: Sánchez‐Luna Sergio A. , Brown Kyle E.
Published: May 2017

Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) can cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the frequency of these complications is controversial. To address this question, we reviewed the experience with HH at an academic medical center that is the sole liver transplantation center in a state with a population that is >90% Caucasian. The records of all subjects with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 275, “disorders of iron metabolism” seen at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2014 were reviewed, and HFE C282Y homozygotes and C282Y/H63D compound heterozygotes were identified. Clinical, pathologic, and laboratory data from these subjects were examined in detail. We identified 118 C282Y homozygotes and 44 compound heterozygotes; 22 of the former and 3 of the latter had advanced hepatic fibrosis (bridging or cirrhosis). Male patients predominated in both groups. Most of the C282Y homozygotes and all compound heterozygotes had causes of chronic liver disease in addition to iron overload. Together, these accounted for 0.42% of cases of cirrhosis seen at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics during this period. Two male patients with cirrhosis attributable solely to iron overload presented with cardiac dysfunction and atrial fibrillation; this classical presentation was rare, representing approximately one per 3,000 cases of cirrhosis. Eight homozygotes were diagnosed with HCC, representing 1.8% of patients with HCC. Conclusion: Despite the expected high prevalence of HH mutations in our state and the referral bias inherent in our study, serious hepatic manifestations of HH were uncommon. These data support claims that the penetrance of frank clinical hemochromatosis is low. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:453–459)