bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Substituent Variation on the Presence of Thermal Spin Crossover in a Series of Mononuclear Iron(III) Schiff Base Complexes with Terminal Pseudohalido Co‐ligands
Authors: Pogány Lukáš , Brachňaková Barbora , Moncol Ján , Pavlik Ján , Nemec Ivan , Trávníček Zdeněk , Mazúr Milan , Bučinský Lukáš , Suchánek Lubomír , Šalitroš Ivan
Published: November 2017

A series of novel iron(III) complexes of the general formula [Fe(L)X] (where L is a dianion of pentadentate Schiff base ligand N,N′‐bis({2‐hydroxy‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl}phenyl)methylidene‐1,6‐diamino‐3‐azapentane=H2L1 for 1 and 2; N,N′‐bis({2‐hydroxy‐3‐ethoxyphenyl}methylidene)‐1,6‐diamino‐3‐azapentane=H2L2 for 3 and 3⋅C3H6O) and X is terminal pseudohalido ligand (X=N3 for 1, X=NCS for 2, and X=NCSe for 3 and 3⋅C3H6O) were synthesized and thoroughly characterized. Magnetic measurements revealed the above room temperature spin crossover for isomorphic complexes 1 and 2 (T1/2=441 K and T1/2=435 K, respectively), whereas the solvent‐free complex 3 showed a half complete spin crossover (T1/2=250 K), which was detected by variable temperature crystallography as well. On the other hand, solvated complex 3⋅C3H6O exhibited permanent high spin state behaviour and either recrystallization or in situ thermal desolvation converts 3⋅C3H6O to solvent‐free and spin‐crossover‐active form 3. Magnetic properties of all the reported complexes were also supported by EPR spectroscopy experiments and in addition, DFT and ab initio calculations were employed for the evaluation of the g‐factor and zero field splitting parameters.
Reducing Diastereomorphous Bis(phosphane oxide) Atropisomers to One Atropisomerically Pure Diphosphane: A New Ligand and a Novel Ligand‐Preparation Design
Authors: Sartorius Frank , Trebing Marc , Brückner Charlotte , Brückner Reinhard
Published: November 2017

1,1′‐Biphenyl‐2,2′‐diphosphanes with an achiral bridge spanning C‐5 and C‐5′ form atropisomers that are enantiomers. Accessing them in an atropisomerically pure form requires resolving a racemic mixture thereof or of a bis(phosphane oxide) precursor. 1,1′‐Biphenyl‐2,2′‐diphosphanes with a homochiral bridge spanning C‐5 and C‐5′ form atropisomers that are diastereomers. We synthesized the first compound of this kind 1) atropselectively and 2) under thermodynamic control—seemingly a first‐time exploit in diphosphane synthesis. The selectivity‐inducing step was a high‐temperature reduction of two non‐interconverting bis(phosphane oxide) atropisomers (60:40 mixture). It furnished the desired diphosphane atropisomerically pure (and atropconvergently because the yield was 67 %). This diphosphane proved worthwhile in Tsuji–Trost allylations, the Hayashi addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclohexenone, and the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl acetoacetate (up to 95 % yield and 95 % ee).
Exploring the Reactivity of Trifluoromethyl Tolueneselenosulfonate with Alkynes under Copper Catalysis
Authors: Ghiazza Clément , Debrauwer Vincent , Billard Thierry , Tlili Anis
Published: November 2017

The direct fluoroalkylselenolation of terminal alkynes is reported herein involving shelf stable electrophilic reagents TsSeRF. The use of these reagents allows for the first time performing the reaction under catalytic conditions (copper/ligand). Moreover, the presence of oxygen directing groups allows the selective addition of the reagents to alkynes, therefore yielding a new family of vinyl sulfones.
Rhenish Lignite – Energy Carrier and Versatile Raw Material Through the Ages
Authors: Overhoff Urs , Moser Peter , Elsen Reinhold , Vinzelberg Gero , Eyll‐Vetter Michael , Neuroth Markus
Published: November 2017

Als bedeutsamster, heimischer fossiler Energieträger spielt die Braunkohle in Deutschland eine wichtige Rolle in der Strom‐ und Wärmeversorgung. Auch wenn ihr Anteil an der Stromerzeugung durch die zunehmende Einspeisung erneuerbarer Energien rückläufig ist, werden die fossilen Energieträger auch zukünftig die zuverlässige Grundlast‐ und Back‐Up‐Versorgung in Zeiten stellen, in denen die erneuerbaren Energien kaum Strom liefern. Braunkohle und Nebenprodukte können auch stofflich zur Herstellung von Kohlenwasserstoffen oder zur Gewinnung von strategisch wichtigen Rohstoffen genutzt werden.
Upgrading CO2 by Incorporation into Urethanes through Silver‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Stepwise Amidation Reaction
Authors: Song Qing‐Wen , Liu Ping , Han Li‐Hua , Zhang Kan , He Liang‐Nian
Published: November 2017

One‐pot two‐step stepwise reaction of terminal propargylic alcohols, carbon dioxide, and primary/secondary amines for the effective synthesis of various urethanes through robust silver‐catalysed C‐O/C‐N bond formation is reported. Catalytic activities were investigated by controlling catalyst loading, reaction pressure and time, and very high turnover number (turnover frequency) was obtained: 3350 (35 h−1) with 0.01 mol% silver catalyst under 0.1 MPa, and up to 13360 (139 h−1) with 0.005 mol% silver catalyst under 2.0 MPa at room temperature. The strategy was ingeniously regulated, and synchronously afforded a wide range of β‐oxopropylcarbamate and 1,3‐oxazolidin‐2‐one motifs in excellent yields and selectivity together with unprecedented high turnover number (TON) and turnover frequency (TOF) value.
Mapping of the Available Chemical Space versus the Chemical Universe of Lead‐Like Compounds
Authors: Lin Arkadii , Horvath Dragos , Afonina Valentina , Marcou Gilles , Reymond Jean‐Louis , Varnek Alexandre
Published: November 2017

This is, to our knowledge, the most comprehensive analysis to date based on generative topographic mapping (GTM) of fragment‐like chemical space (40 million molecules with no more than 17 heavy atoms, both from the theoretically enumerated GDB‐17 and real‐world PubChem/ChEMBL databases). The challenge was to prove that a robust map of fragment‐like chemical space can actually be built, in spite of a limited (≪105) maximal number of compounds (“frame set”) usable for fitting the GTM manifold. An evolutionary map building strategy has been updated with a “coverage check” step, which discards manifolds failing to accommodate compounds outside the frame set. The evolved map has a good propensity to separate actives from inactives for more than 20 external structure–activity sets. It was proven to properly accommodate the entire collection of 40 m compounds. Next, it served as a library comparison tool to highlight biases of real‐world molecules (PubChem and ChEMBL) versus the universe of all possible species represented by FDB‐17, a fragment‐like subset of GDB‐17 containing 10 million molecules. Specific patterns, proper to some libraries and absent from others (diversity holes), were highlighted.
If it is absurd, then why do you do it? The richer the obsessional experience, the more compelling the compulsion
Authors: Moritz Steffen , Purdon Christine , Jelinek Lena , Chiang Brenda , Hauschildt Marit
Published: November 2017

Mounting evidence suggests that obsessive intrusions are often accompanied and amplified by perceptual experiences of different modalities (e.g., feeling dirt on one's skin while experiencing intrusive thoughts about contamination). Pilot studies conducted online with individuals endorsing mild obsessive–compulsive symptoms have linked the co‐occurrence of perceptual experiences and obsessions to the severity of subsequent compulsive behaviour as well as low insight. However, it is presently unclear whether sensory experiences accompany all types of obsessional thoughts or are restricted to certain preoccupations (e.g., contamination and aggression). The present study examined a clinical inpatient and outpatient sample with a formally diagnosed obsessive–compulsive disorder (N = 34). Perceptual properties of intrusive thoughts were assessed with the Sensory Properties of Obsessions Questionnaire. The prevalence of perception‐laden obsessive thoughts was comparable with prior studies (73.5%), but the intensity was significantly greater. No association was observed between perceptual experiences and expert‐rated insight. However, the severity of perception‐laden obsessions predicted the frequency of and impairment associated with compulsive behaviour. This was particularly strong for obsessions about contamination. The present study confirms the high prevalence and clinical relevance of perceptual experiences that accompany obsessions and further challenges the traditional trichotomy splitting mental phenomena into thoughts, intrusions, and hallucinations.
Pyran‐Bridged Indacenodithiophene as a Building Block for Constructing Efficient A–D–A‐Type Nonfullerene Acceptors for Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Wen Shuguang , Wu Yao , Wang Yingying , Li Yi , Liu Ling , Jiang Huanxiang , Liu Zhitian , Yang Renqiang
Published: November 2017

In recent years, nonfullerene acceptors have attracted much attention, owing to their great potential for use in high‐performance polymer solar cells.The ladder‐type building block, pyran‐bridged indacenodithiophene (PDT), was used for constructing A–D–A nonfullerene acceptors through introduction of oxygen atoms into an indacenodithiophene (IDT) unit. The synthesis of PDT is accomplished by a BBr3‐mediated tandem cyclization–deprotection reaction to construct the pyran ring. Hence, molecular acceptor PTIC was synthesized and used in a polymer solar cell device. Compared to the IDT‐based acceptor, PTIC exhibits higher HOMO levels and wider optical band gap at 550–800 nm. Devices fabricated with poly[(2,6‐(4,8‐bis(5‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene)‐co‐(1,3‐di(5‐thiophene‐2‐yl)‐5,7‐bis(2‐ethylhexyl)‐benzo[1,2‐c:4,5‐c′]dithiophene‐4,8‐dione)] (PBDB‐T):PTIC as the active layer give a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.66 %.
Protein deficiency decreases stereotypic behavior frequency and prevalence and activity in the striped mouse Rhabdomys dilectus chakae
Authors: Pillay Neville , Rimbach Rebecca
Published: November 2017

Diverse motivational triggers, including diet, elicit stereotypic behavior. We investigated whether diets comprised of different protein levels but similar levels of energy were associated with the occurrence of locomotor stereotypies in the striped mouse Rhabdomys dilectus chakae. In a first experiment, 20 stereotypic and 20 non‐stereotypic (10 subjects per sex and per group) juvenile (40 days old) subjects were placed on baseline (BP), high (HP) or low protein (LP) diet treatments (120 subjects in total). All subjects initially identified as stereotypic displayed stereotypic behavior in the BP and HP treatments on Days 60–63 and Days 80–83 compared to 35% and 12.5% of LP subjects, respectively. Moreover, LP subjects displayed lower levels of activity and stereotypic behavior than BP and HP subjects. Those identified as non‐stereotypic never displayed stereotypy. In a second experiment, 48 individuals, bred and reared on LP and whose parents were stereotypic, were assigned to either HP (13 males, 12 females) or LP (12 males, 11 females) treatments at 50 days of age for 30 days. Stereotypy was three times less likely to occur in the LP than the HP treatment, and activity was greater in LP‐HP individuals than LP‐LP individuals. In both experiments, LP individuals had the lowest body mass. Striped mice adjusted their behaviors in response to dietary protein levels. Protein deficiency reduced activity and stereotypic behavior and prevalence, possibly related to an energy or neurological deficit.
Large‐scale bleaching of corals on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Hughes T. P. , Kerry J. T. , Simpson T.
Published: November 2017

In 2015–2016, record temperatures triggered a pan‐tropical episode of coral bleaching. In the southern hemisphere summer of March–April 2016, we used aerial surveys to measure the level of bleaching on 1,156 individual reefs throughout the 2,300 km length of the Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system. The accuracy of the aerial scores was ground‐truthed with detailed underwater surveys of bleaching at 260 sites (104 reefs), allowing us to compare aerial and underwater bleaching data with satellite‐derived temperatures and with associated model predictions of bleaching. The severity of bleaching on individual reefs in 2016 was tightly correlated with the level of local heat exposure: the southernmost region of the Great Barrier Reef escaped with only minor bleaching because summer temperatures there were close to average. Gradients in nutrients and turbidity from inshore to offshore across the Great Barrier Reef had minimal effect on the severity of bleaching. Similarly, bleaching was equally severe on reefs that are open or closed to fishing, once the level of satellite‐derived heat exposure was accounted for. The level of post‐bleaching mortality, measured underwater after 7–8 months, was tightly correlated with the aerial scores measured at the peak of bleaching. Similarly, reefs with a high aerial bleaching score also experienced major shifts in species composition due to extensive mortality of heat‐sensitive species. Reefs with low bleaching scores did not change in composition, and some showed minor increases in coral cover. Two earlier mass bleaching events occurred on the Great Barrier Reef in 1998 and 2002, that were less severe than 2016. In 2016, <9% of scored reefs had no bleaching, compared to 42% in 2002 and 44% in 1998. Conversely, the proportion of reefs that were severely bleached (>60% of corals affected) was four times higher in 2016. The geographic footprint of each of the three events is distinctive, and matches satellite‐derived sea surface temperature patterns. Our aerial surveys indicate that past exposure to bleaching in 1998 and 2002 did not lessen the severity of bleaching in 2016. This data set of aerial bleaching scores provides a historical baseline for comparison with future bleaching events. No copyright restrictions apply to the use of this data set other than citing this publication.
Feasibility Study Combining Art Therapy or Cognitive Remediation Therapy with Family‐based Treatment for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Lock James , Fitzpatrick Kathleen Kara , Agras William S. , Weinbach Noam , Jo Booil
Published: November 2017

Adolescents with anorexia nervosa who have obsessive–compulsive (OC) features respond poorly to family‐based treatment (FBT). This study evaluated the feasibility of combining FBT with either cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) or art therapy (AT) to improve treatment response in this at‐risk group. Thirty adolescents with anorexia nervosa and OC features were randomized to 15 sessions of FBT + CRT or AT. Recruitment rate was 1 per month, and treatment attrition was 16.6% with no differences between groups. Suitability, expectancy and therapeutic relationships were acceptable for both combinations. Correlations between changes in OC traits and changes in cognitive inefficiencies were found for both combinations. Moderate changes in cognitive inefficiencies were found in both groups but were larger in the FBT + AT combination. This study suggests that an RCT for poor responders to FBT because of OC traits combining FBT with either CRT or AT is feasible to conduct. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Assessment of heavy metals and microbial contamination of gari from Liberia
Authors: Awoyale Wasiu , Asiedu Robert , Kawalawu William K. C. , Maziya‐Dixon Busie , Abass Adebayo , Edet Michael , Adetunji Medinat O.
Published: November 2017

Cassava is a staple mostly eaten in the form of gari, after rice in Liberia. The local method of gari processing often leads to product contamination, thus, a study was done to assess the heavy metals and microbial contamination of gari in eight counties of the country. A total of sixty‐one gari samples were collected and packaged in an airtight polyethylene bag for analyses, using standard methods. Results depict that the mean of the heavy metals in the gari samples is iron (Fe) 43.87 ppm, copper (Cu) 0.94 ppm, zinc (Zn) 5.49 ppm and aluminum (Al) 257.45 ppm. Yellow gari had the highest Fe (64.90 ppm), Cu (1.25 ppm) and Zn (7.85 ppm) content, but with the least Al content (87.15 ppm). The Fe content was lower in groundnut‐fortified gari (42.93 ppm), and the Cu (0.70 ppm) and Zn (3.50 ppm) content were lower in groundnut‐moringa‐fortified gari. The samples and counties have no significant statistical effect (p > .05) on the heavy metals composition of the products. No microbial growth was observed in groundnut‐fortified and groundnut‐moringa‐fortified gari but with coconut‐fortified gari having the highest total fungi count of 800 CFU/g. The major fungi identified in the gari samples are Penicillium and Aspergillus spps., but with their counts within the regulated level. Therefore, the gari consumed in Liberia are safe except for the high Fe and Al content, which needs to be addressed with the use of unpainted stainless steel materials as food contact surfaces.
Antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activity of Musa paradisiaca‐based diet in alloxan‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Ajiboye Basiru O. , Oloyede Hussein O. B. , Salawu Musa O.
Published: November 2017

This study was aimed at investigating the antihyperglycemic and antidyslipidemic activity of Musa paradisiaca‐based diets in alloxan‐induced diabetic mellitus rats. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg b.w) in 48 randomly selected rats. The rats were randomly grouped into four as follows: normal rats fed Dioscorea rotundata‐based diet, diabetic control rats fed D. rotundata‐based diet, diabetic rats fed D. rotundata‐based diet and administered metformin (14.2 mg/kg body weight) orally per day, and diabetic rats fed M. paradisiaca‐based diet. Body weight and fasting blood glucose level were monitored, on 28th days the rats were sacrificed, liver was excised. Thereafter, the hyperglycemic and dyslipidemic statii of the induced diabetic animals were determined. The M. paradisiaca‐based diet significantly (p < .05) reversed the levels of fasting blood glucose, with significant (p < .05) increase in insulin and glycogen concentrations. The diet also increased the activity of hexokinase with significant reduction (p < .05) in glucose‐6‐phosphatase and fructose‐1‐6‐diphosphatase activities. M. paradisiaca‐based diet demonstrated significant reduction (p < .05) in cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL), and significant increase (p < .05) in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) compared with those of diabetic control group. Also, M. paradisiaca‐based diet significantly (p < .05) reversed the activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase when compared with diabetic control animals. The consumption of this diet may be useful in ameliorating hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus patients.
Institutional high frequency trading and price discovery: Evidence from an emerging commodity futures market
Authors: Zhao Yue , Wan Difang
Published: November 2017

We compare the effects of institutional and individual trading on intraday price processes in the emerging commodity futures market of China with a unique trade‐by‐trade dataset. Institutional investors collectively facilitate price discovery with positive permanent price impacts, but their beneficial role is time agglomerated, that is, only institutional highly‐concentrated trades executed at the same millisecond are accompanied by information effects. Transitory price disturbances are mitigated by informed institutional highly‐concentrated trading in the agricultural sector, whereas these disturbances are alleviated by liquidity‐enhancing individual trading in the industrial sector. Overall, the entire market is abnormally dominated by transitory volatility instead of informational volatility.
Should I stay or should I go? Hospital emergency department waiting times and demand
Authors: Sivey Peter
Published: November 2017

In the absence of the price mechanism, hospital emergency departments rely on waiting times, alongside prioritisation mechanisms, to restrain demand and clear the market. This paper estimates by how much the number of treatments demanded is reduced by a higher waiting time. I use variation in waiting times for low‐urgency patients caused by rare and resource‐intensive high‐urgency patients to estimate the relationship. I find that when waiting times are higher, more low‐urgency patients are deterred from treatment and leave the hospital during the waiting period without being treated. The waiting time elasticity of demand for low‐urgency patients is approximately −0.25 and is highest for the lowest‐urgency patients.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Cao Caineng , Hu Qiaoying , Chen Xiaozhong
Published: November 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patterns of failure after intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for elderly patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

Fifty‐two patients treated with IMRT were eligible for study inclusion. Comorbidity was rated using the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation‐27 (ACE‐27) system.

Results

Twenty‐six patients (50.0%) had an ACE‐27 score of 1; and 6 (11.5%) had an ACE‐27 score of 2. Eleven patients had died and 5 (45.5%) of them died of NPC. Two patients had developed local recurrence only, 1 had developed regional recurrence only, and 7 had developed distant metastasis only. The locoregional failure‐free survival, distant failure‐free survival, cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS) rates at 5 years were 92.6%, 83.7%, 84.9%, and 69.4%, respectively.

Conclusion

The results of treating elderly patients with NPC by IMRT were excellent. Distant metastasis remains the most difficult treatment challenge for elderly patients with NPC.
The effect of short cardio on inhibitory control ability of obese people
Authors: Tang Donghui , Tao Shuang , Ma Jinlian , Hu Peijun , Long Dan , Wang Jun , Kong Dexing
Published: November 2017

To study the effect of short cardio on obese male college students’ inhibitory control ability, we investigate difference on brain activation patterns before and after short cardio by analyzing the resting state fMRI data. The experiment results of this study show that short cardio can improve the inhibitory control ability of obese people.
Segmentation of glioma tumors using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Anitha R. , Raja D. Siva Sundhara
Published: November 2017

The abnormal development of cells in brain leads to the formation of tumors in brain. In this article, image fusion based brain tumor detection and segmentation methodology is proposed using convolutional neural networks (CNN). This proposed methodology consists of image fusion, feature extraction, classification, and segmentation. Discrete wavelet transform (DWT) is used for image fusion and enhanced brain image is obtained by fusing the coefficients of the DWT transform. Further, Grey Level Co‐occurrence Matrix features are extracted and fed to the CNN classifier for glioma image classifications. Then, morphological operations with closing and opening functions are used to segment the tumor region in classified glioma brain image.
Epileptic seizure detection by combining robust‐principal component analysis and least square‐support vector machine
Authors: Chen Shanen , Zhang Xi , Yang Zhixian
Published: November 2017

The feature extraction from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals is widely used for computer‐aided epileptic seizure detection. However, multiple channels of EEG signals and their correlations have not been completely harnessed. In this article, a novel automatic seizure detection approach is proposed by analyzing the spatiotemporal correlation of multi‐channel EEG signals. This approach combines the maximum cross‐correlation, robust‐principal component analysis, and least square‐support vector machine to detect the events. Our proposed method delivers higher detection sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy than the state‐of‐the‐art approaches based on the 19 channels’ EEG signals of 37 absence epilepsy patients experiencing 57 seizure events.
Alterations of regional cerebral blood flow after NMDA receptor antagonist administration in patients with alcohol‐related dementia
Authors: Chon Younghoon , Jeong Hyeonseok S. , Im Jooyeon J. , Oh Jin Kyoung , Kim Young‐Do , Chung Yong‐An , Kim Dai‐Jin
Published: November 2017

Although N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists may have beneficial influences on cognition in patients with alcohol‐related dementia (ARD), their effects on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) remain unknown. This study evaluated changes in rCBF in ARD patients after administration of NMDA receptor antagonist for 12 weeks using technetium‐99m ethyl cysteinate dimer (Tc‐99m ECD) single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Twenty‐eight ARD patients were administered memantine for 12 weeks and underwent clinical evaluations and brain SPECT scans at baseline and follow‐up. Whole‐brain changes in perfusion were examined on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. At follow‐up, the patients showed reduced rCBF in the left medial frontal gyrus, left cingulate gyrus, left claustrum, right brainstem, left superior temporal gyrus, bilateral fusiform gyrus, and left cerebellum. On the other hand, increased rCBF was found in the bilateral uncus, left parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral superior frontal gyrus, right inferior parietal lobule, left cuneus, and left superior temporal gyrus. Perfusion increases in various brain areas including the superior frontal, parahippocampal, and inferior parietal areas, which may play important roles in the pathophysiology of ARD, suggest potential benefits of NMDA receptor antagonists on brain functions in patients with ARD.
Pseudo generalized Youden designs
Authors: Das Ashish , Horsley Daniel , Singh Rakhi
Published: November 2017

Youden square designs, or Youden rectangles, are classical objects in design theory. Extensions of these were introduced in 1958 by Kiefer and in 1981 by Cheng, in the form of generalized Youden designs (GYDs) and pseudo Youden designs (PYDs), respectively. In this paper, we introduce a common generalization of both these objects, which we call a pseudo generalized Youden design (PGYD). PGYDs share the statistically desirable optimality properties of GYDs and PYDs, and we show that they exist in situations where neither GYDs nor PYDs do. We determine some numerical necessary conditions for the existence of PGYDs, classify their existence for small parameter sets, and provide constructions for families of PGYDs using patchwork methods based on affine planes.
Serum and urine metabolomics study reveals a distinct diagnostic model for cancer cachexia
Authors: Yang Quan‐Jun , Zhao Jiang‐Rong , Hao Juan , Li Bin , Huo Yan , Han Yong‐Long , Wan Li‐Li , Li Jie , Huang Jinlu , Lu Jin , Yang Gen‐Jin , Guo Cheng
Published: November 2017

Background

Cachexia is a multifactorial metabolic syndrome with high morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced cancer. The diagnosis of cancer cachexia depends on objective measures of clinical symptoms and a history of weight loss, which lag behind disease progression and have limited utility for the early diagnosis of cancer cachexia. In this study, we performed a nuclear magnetic resonance‐based metabolomics analysis to reveal the metabolic profile of cancer cachexia and establish a diagnostic model.

Methods

Eighty‐four cancer cachexia patients, 33 pre‐cachectic patients, 105 weight‐stable cancer patients, and 74 healthy controls were included in the training and validation sets. Comparative analysis was used to elucidate the distinct metabolites of cancer cachexia, while metabolic pathway analysis was employed to elucidate reprogramming pathways. Random forest, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to select and validate the biomarker metabolites and establish a diagnostic model.

Results

Forty‐six cancer cachexia patients, 22 pre‐cachectic patients, 68 weight‐stable cancer patients, and 48 healthy controls were included in the training set, and 38 cancer cachexia patients, 11 pre‐cachectic patients, 37 weight‐stable cancer patients, and 26 healthy controls were included in the validation set. All four groups were age‐matched and sex‐matched in the training set. Metabolomics analysis showed a clear separation of the four groups. Overall, 45 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways were associated with cancer cachexia. Using random forest analysis, 15 of these metabolites were identified as highly discriminating between disease states. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to create a distinct diagnostic model with an area under the curve of 0.991 based on three metabolites. The diagnostic equation was Logit(P) = −400.53 – 481.88 × log(Carnosine) −239.02 × log(Leucine) + 383.92 × log(Phenyl acetate), and the result showed 94.64% accuracy in the validation set.

Conclusions

This metabolomics study revealed a distinct metabolic profile of cancer cachexia and established and validated a diagnostic model. This research provided a feasible diagnostic tool for identifying at‐risk populations through the detection of serum metabolites.
Creativity as Identity Skill? Late Adolescents' Management of Identity, Complexity and Risk‐Taking
Authors: Sica Luigia S. , Ragozini Giancarlo , Di Palma Tiziana , Aleni Sestito Laura
Published: November 2017

The link between identity and creativity has received surprisingly little attention from developmental psychology researchers, although flexibility and the ability to generate multiple solutions to problems are key competences for contemporary society based on continuous innovation and de‐standardization of development trajectories. These competences are critical for identity formation processes, mainly during late adolescence when young people have to explore and commit to defining themselves. This study was concerned with exploring the relationships between creative and identity processes to identify typologies of ‘creativity‐identity interplay’ in late adolescence. The participants comprised 315 late adolescents attending the last 2 years of Italian high schools. Two self‐report measures were used: Utrecht‐Management of Identity Commitments Scale and Test of Divergent Feeling. Participation was voluntary and anonymity was guaranteed. Our findings confirm the relationship between identity and creativity, identify six identity statuses (moratorium, critical exploration, achievement, early closure, diffusion, and searching moratorium), and they describe differences in terms of creativity processes involved in identity formation. Suggestions for future research and limitations are discussed.
Rapid analysis of traditional Chinese medicine Pinellia ternata by microchip electrophoresis with electrochemical detection
Authors: Shih Tsung‐Ting , Lee Hui‐Ling , Chen Show‐Chuen , Kang Chih‐Yuan , Shen Ren‐Shang , Su Yi‐An
Published: November 2017

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine has long enjoyed the reputation of the world's most advanced system of natural medicine. Pinellia ternata is one of the most commonly used herbs in the traditional Chinese medical science. In this study, five representative ingredients of Pinellia ternata guanosine, methionine, glycine, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, and homogentisic acid, were assayed using simple derivatization procedures. Under optimized experimental condition, five analytes in Pinellia ternata were rapidly separated and detected using microchip electrophoresis, affording the benefits of speed, minimal sample requirements, and sensitive on‐the‐chip electrochemical detection, in 5 min with linearity over a concentration of 20–500 μM (R2 = 0.994) with nearly complete recovery (95.6–98.5%).
Knowledge of Safety, Training, and Practice of Neonatal Cranial Ultrasound: A Survey of Operators
Authors: Lalzad Assema , Wong Flora , Singh Nabita , Coombs Peter , Brockley Cain , Brennan Sonja , Ditchfield Michael , Rao Padma , Watkins Andrew , Saxton Virginia , Schneider Michal
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Ultrasound can lead to thermal and mechanical effects in interrogated tissues. This possibility suggests a potential risk during neonatal cranial ultrasound examinations. The aim of this study was to explore safety knowledge and training of neonatal cranial ultrasound among Australian operators who routinely perform these scans.

Methods

An online survey was administered on biosafety and training in neonatal cranial ultrasound, targeting all relevant professionals who can perform neonatal cranial ultrasound examinations in Australia: namely, radiologists, neonatologists, sonographers, and pediatricians. The survey was conducted between November 2013 and May 2014.

Results

A total of 282 responses were received. Twenty of 208 (10%) answered all ultrasound biosafety questions correctly, and 49 of 169 (29%) correctly defined the thermal index. Two‐thirds (134 of 214 [63%]) of respondents failed to recognize that reducing the overall scanning time is the most effective method of reducing the total power exposure. Only 13% (31 of 237) indicated that a predetermined fixed period of training or that a specified minimum number of supervised scans was used during training. The reported number of supervised scans during training was highly variable. Almost half of the participants (82 of 181 [45%]) stated that they had received supervision for 10 to 50 scans (median, 20 scans).

Conclusions

There is a need to educate operators on biosafety issues and approaches to minimize power outputs and reduce the overall duration of cranial ultrasound scans. Development of standardized training requirements may be warranted.
On the minimizers of the fusion frame potential
Authors: Heineken Sigrid B. , Llarena Juan P. , Morillas Patricia M.
Published: November 2017

We study the minimizers of the fusion frame potential in the case that both the weights and the dimensions of the subspaces are fixed and not necessarily equal. Using a concept of irregularity we provide a description of the local (that are also global) minimizers which projections are eigenoperators of the fusion frame operator. This result will be related to the existence of tight fusion frames. In this way we generalize results known for the classical vector frame potential.
Recent Advances in Nonfullerene Acceptors for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Fuchuan , Hou Tianyu , Xu Xiangfei , Sun Liya , Zhou Jiawang , Zhao Xingang , Zhang Shiming
Published: November 2017

Recently, research on nonfullerene acceptors in organic solar cells has gradually become a hot topic due to such superior characteristics of light absorption and energy‐level‐convenient manipulation, multiformity of the photoactive material structures, as well as the extensive area in production compared to the fullerene derivatives. However, the nonfullerene acceptors evolved slowly before 2012 and, as a matter of fact, the power conversion efficiency values could only bear 2.0%. Strikingly, nonfullerene acceptors have developed at a fast pace since 2013, with the best device performance of 13.1% now. In this review, recent research progress on nonfullerene acceptors, including small molecules and polymers, are sorted and summarized on the basis of the different characteristics.
Self‐Assembled 3D Helical Hollow Superstructures with Enhanced Microwave Absorption Properties
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Jianqi , Zou Wenjun , Wu Sai , Wu Fan , Xie Aming , Wei Zhixiang
Published: November 2017

Helical structures at different scales endow functional materials with special optical, electrical, and magnetic properties. However, methods for constructing and regulating single‐handed helicity, particularly complex 3D hierarchical structures, remain limited. In this study, co‐self‐assembly process combined with emulsion droplets is used to produce the various well‐defined 3D hollow superstructures of conducting polyaniline (PANI) with single‐handed helicity. The chirality of PANI is induced using enantiomeric r‐ or s‐camphorsulfonic acid as a dopant; the chirality of the dopant is then transferred to the supramolecular chirality of PANI assemblies and consequently to the helicity of 3D superstructures by incorporating emulsion droplets to serve collectively as soft templates. The twisting and anisotropism of these superstructures vary with the enhancement of the supramolecular chirality and result in the transformation of their morphologies from seashell‐like to spindle‐like and their cavity becoming more slender than their original shape. Due to the supramolecular chirality and hierarchical characteristics of these superstructures, enhanced microwave absorption performance is observed under a filler content of as low as 20 wt%, suggesting their promising application as microwave absorbers.
Comparison of sub‐ versus suprafascially raised anterolateral thigh free flaps with regard to donor‐site morbidity, function and aesthetics
Authors: Fischer Sebastian , Diehm Yannick , Hirche Christoph , Kremer Thomas , Daigeler Adrien , Kneser Ulrich , Hernekamp J. Frederick
Published: November 2017

Background

Although the anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) is one of the most frequently applied free flaps in plastic surgery, it remains controversial if the flap should be raised in a sub‐ or suprafascial plane. The purpose of this study was to compare both harvest techniques regarding donor‐site morbidity and outcomes.

Methods

We included 40 pair‐matched patients, of whom 20 received a fasciocutaneous and 20 an adipocutaneous ALT free flap for extremity reconstruction. Patients were matched for age (±5 years), sex and affected extremity. Chart review focused on co‐morbidities, flap dimensions, course of perforator(s), postoperative complications, and surgery time. Follow‐up included sensation, range of motion, and muscle strength at the donor‐site. In addition, patients rated the aesthetic and functional outcome on a scale from 1 to 6 and completed a Quality of Life 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) as well as the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) questionnaire.

Results

Chart review did not reveal any significant differences among study groups. Follow‐up indicated better sensory outcomes after subfascial flap elevation, but without statistical significance. Range of motion and muscle strength were not impaired in any patient. Neither patients' ratings regarding aesthetic and functional outcomes nor scores of the SF‐36 or LEFS differed significantly among study groups.

Conclusion

Sub‐ or suprafascial harvest of the ALT free flap for extremity reconstruction does not impact donor‐site morbidity or complications.
Technical Note: Penumbral width trimming in solid lung dose profiles for 0.9 and 1.5 T MRI‐Linac prototypes
Authors: Alnaghy Sarah J. , Begg Jarrad , Causer Trent , Alharthi Thahabah , Glaubes Laura , Dong Bin , George Armia , Holloway Lois , Metcalfe Peter
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Longitudinal magnetic fields narrow beam penumbra and tighten lateral spread of secondary electrons in air cavities, including lung tissue. Gafchromic® EBT3 film was used to investigate differences between penumbra in solid water and solid lung, without a magnetic field (0 T) and with two field strengths (0.9 and 1.5 T).

Methods

The first prototype of the Australian MRI‐linac consisted of a 1.5 T Siemens Sonata MRI and Varian industrial linatron (nominal 4 MV). The second prototype replaced the Sonata with a 1.0 T Agilent split‐bore magnet. Measurements were completed at 0.9 T to maintain the same source‐to‐surface distance between set‐ups. Gammex‐rmi® solid water with 50 mm of CIRS solid lung inserted as a lung cavity was positioned inside each magnet. This was compared to the same set‐up with solid water only, where film measurements were completed at solid water equivalent depths corresponding to entrance interface/mid/exit interface positions of solid lung from the first set‐up. Multileaf collimator (MLC)‐defined field sizes were set to 3 × 3 cm2 and 10 × 10 cm2. The 80%–20% penumbral width was determined.

Results

Under 1.5 T conditions, penumbra narrowing occurred up to 4.4 ± 0.1 mm compared to 0 T. As expected, the effect was less for 0.9 T, which resulted in a maximum narrowing of 2.5 ± 0.1 mm. Exit profile penumbra were more affected than entrance penumbra by up to 2.6 ± 0.2 mm. The 1.5 T field brought the solid water and lung penumbral widths more into alignment by a maximum difference of 0.4 ± 0.1 mm.

Conclusions

The trimming of penumbral widths due to magnetic fields in solid water and lung was demonstrated and compared to 0 T. The 0.9 and 1.5 T field trimmed the penumbra by up to 2.5 ± 0.1 mm and 4.4 ± 0.1 mm respectively.
Establishing upper limits on neuronal activity–evoked pH changes with APT‐CEST MRI at 7 T
Authors: Khlebnikov Vitaliy , Siero Jeroen C.W. , Bhogal Alex A. , Luijten Peter R. , Klomp Dennis W.J. , Hoogduin Hans
Published: November 2017

Purpose

To detect neuronal activity–evoked pH changes by amide proton transfer–chemical exchange saturation transfer (APT‐CEST) MRI at 7 T.

Methods

Three healthy subjects participated in the study. A low‐power 3‐dimensional APT‐CEST sequence was optimized through the Bloch‐McConnell equations. pH sensitivity of the sequence was estimated both in phantoms and in vivo. The feasibility of pH–functional MRI was tested in Bloch‐McConnell‐simulated data using the optimized sequence. In healthy subjects, the visual stimuli were used to evoke transient pH changes in the visual cortex, and a 3‐dimensional APT‐CEST volume was acquired at the pH‐sensitive frequency offset of 3.5 ppm every 12.6 s.

Results

In theory, a three‐component general linear model was capable of separating the effects of blood oxygenation level–dependent contrast and pH. The Bloch‐McConnell equations indicated that a change in pH of 0.03 should be measurable at the experimentally determined temporal signal‐to‐noise ratio of 108. However, only a blood oxygenation level–dependent effect in the visual cortex could be discerned during the visual stimuli experiments performed in the healthy subjects.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that if indeed there are any transient brain pH changes in response to visual stimuli, those are under 0.03 units pH change, which is extremely difficult to detect using the existent techniques. Magn Reson Med 80:126–136, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
On maximum degree‐based ‐quasi‐clique problem: Complexity and exact approaches
Authors: Pastukhov Grigory , Veremyev Alexander , Boginski Vladimir , Prokopyev Oleg A.
Published: November 2017

We consider the problem of finding a degree‐based ‐quasi‐clique of maximum cardinality in a given graph for some fixed . A degree‐based ‐quasi‐clique (often referred to as simply a quasi‐clique) is a subgraph, where the degree of each vertex is at least times the maximum possible degree of a vertex in the subgraph. A degree‐based ‐quasi‐clique is a relative clique relaxation model, where the case of corresponds to the well‐known concept of a clique. In this article, we first prove that the problem is ‐hard for any fixed , which addresses one of the open questions in the literature. More importantly, we also develop new exact solution methods for solving the problem and demonstrate their advantages and limitations in extensive computational experiments with both random and real‐world networks. Finally, we outline promising directions of future research including possible functional generalizations of the considered clique relaxation model. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 71(2), 136–152 2018
Build a multiyear recruitment strategy that pays dividends over time
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: November 2017

BOSTON — There is no single silver bullet to building a recruitment pipeline while also increasing retention rates at your campus. “It's tempting to switch [recruitment strategies] if you don't see results in a year,” said Ronda Russell, director of admissions at Montana State University. Russell and Patricia Peek, dean of undergraduate admission at Fordham University, shared how they found success at their respective institutions by focusing on a multiyear recruitment strategy, building a focused drive to institutional success over time, at a session at the national conference for the National Association for College Admission Counseling.
New federal data reports completion for part‐time, non‐first‐time students
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: November 2017

For years, professionals who work with adult learners have found graduation rate data collected and published by the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to be lacking. Because the data included only first‐time, full‐time students, it told only a small part of the story about adults enrolled in higher education, many of whom attend part time, transfer during their education, or enter with some credits they earned during a previous college enrollment.
The Relationship of Socioeconomic Status with Body Mass Index Depends on the Socioeconomic Measure Used
Authors: Basto‐Abreu Ana , Barrientos‐Gutiérrez Tonatiuh , Zepeda‐Tello Rodrigo , Camacho Vanessa , Gimeno Ruiz de Porras David , Hernández‐Ávila Mauricio
Published: November 2017

Objective

The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and body mass index (BMI) in middle‐income countries is mixed. Heterogeneity in SES indicators used could explain some differences. This study aimed to identify SES indicators consistently associated with BMI in Mexican adults in 2006, 2012, and 2016.

Methods

Data were obtained from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Surveys of 2006, 2012, and 2016, including adults 20 to 59 years old. Given expected differences by sex, sex‐stratified linear regression models were fitted for each survey. Age‐adjusted and multivariate models were fit by using seven noncollinear SES indicators.

Results

In age‐adjusted models, most SES indicators were associated with a higher BMI in men; mixed associations were found for women. In multivariate models, living in urban areas was associated with a higher BMI for both men and women in 2006 and 2012. Across all surveys, education was associated with a lower BMI in women, while household assets were associated with a higher BMI in men.

Conclusions

The association between SES indicators and BMI is complex. Differences by sex need to be explicitly recognized when modeling this association. Approaches that rely on a single indicator could be confounded by other SES indicators. Adjusted models show the specific SES attributes that may influence BMI.
Effect of fiber orientations of composite panels under far‐field pyroshock
Authors: Najeeb E. Mohamed , Velmurugan R.
Published: November 2017

The effect of different fiber orientations of composite panels of E‐Glass/Epoxy under far‐field pyroshock is presented in this article. To get the far‐field pyroshock response, the experiments are conducted using Bi‐plate technology under low range of input chamber pressures to projectiles of three different lengths. PCB accelerometers and NI‐DAQ system with LabView software are used to capture the structural responses in the form of acceleration‐time histories and analyze them at selected locations. Abaqus/Explicit code is used in the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the pyroshock response of composite panels with different fiber orientations. From the results, it is found that the selected locations on the [0/90/±45]s WRM (Woven Roving Mat) laminate experience higher accelerations, above 30% extra, than other fiber orientations. Since [0/90/±45]s laminate has lengthier fiber rovings along the diagonal direction, higher Young's modulus along the fiber direction and the most vibration modes are diagonally biased, the response amplitude would be high enough to experience maximum acceleration. The acceleration responses are obtained both from FEA and experiments and show good agreement. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:255–262, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers