bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Approach for the Non‐redundant Modeling of Complex Chemical Reactions
Authors: Borovinskaya Ekaterina S.
Published: March 2018

An approach on how to formulate redundancy‐free models for mathematical descriptions of complex chemical reactions is introduced. This is based on an automatically created redundant (generalized) model, which is formulated according to the complete reaction network. These redundancy‐free models can be obtained as a result of either a step‐by‐step, or a one‐step elimination of model parameters, with the help of sensitivity and interval analysis. An example of this procedure is demonstrated using n‐decane isomerization. Starting with a 24‐parameter in the redundant model, the redundancy‐free model includes only 8 parameters.
The role of silver minerals on the cyanidation of gold particles embedded within multi‐sulphidic mineral matrices
Authors: Khalid Muhammad , Larachi Faïçal , Adnot Alain
Published: March 2018

The effect of silver minerals on the dissolution behaviour of gold particles embedded within multi‐sulphidic minerals was investigated. A multi‐layer packed‐bed reactor approach was used to study the leaching behaviour of free gold (within silica) and gold associated with a series of synthetic multi‐mineral systems consisting of pyrite, silica, and successively, X = chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and stibnite. The reactor was filled with sieved powders of sulphidic minerals (pyrite, X), gold and silica and arranged as electrically‐isolated three‐layer //Pyrite//X//Silica// and two‐layer //Pyrite + X//Silica// systems. Gold powder was introduced successively in each layer of the three‐ and two‐layer mineral systems and the gold leaching behaviour was studied. The highest gold recovery was achieved for the gold particles within the pyrite layer while the lowest was within the silica layer. In case of the //Pyrite//Stibnite//Silica// system, the surface passivation inhibited gold leaching strongly. Gold cyanidation experiments were also performed with the addition of silver minerals, with both Au and Ag minerals dispersed in a three‐layer //Pyrite//X//Silica// and two‐layer //Pyrite + X//Silica// systems. Silver minerals addition proved beneficial for the pyrite‐sphalerite‐silica system. Gold leaching was severely retarded for the pyrite‐chalcopyrite‐silica and pyrite‐stibnite‐silica systems. Passivating films were observed at the surface of gold particles in case of gold cyanidation with pyrite‐chalcopyrite‐silica and pyrite‐stibnite‐silica systems.
Bi‐, Y‐Codoped TiO2 for Carbon Dioxide Photocatalytic Reduction to Formic Acid under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Du Pengju , Su Tongming , Luo Xuan , Zhou Xiantai , Qin Zuzeng , Ji Hongbing , Chen Jianhua
Published: March 2018

Bi‐ and Y‐codoped TiO2 photocatalysts were synthesized through a sol‐gel method, and they were applied in the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to formic acid under visible light irradiation. The results revealed that, after doping Bi and Y, the surface area of TiO2 was increased from 5.4 to 93.1 m2/g when the mole fractions of doping Bi and Y were 1.0% and 0.5%, respectively, and the lattice structures of the photocatalysts changed and the oxygen vacancies on the surface of the photocatalysts formed, which would act as the electron capture centers and slow down the recombination of photo‐induced electron and hole. The photocurrent spectra also proved that the photocatalysts had better electronic transmission capacities. The HCOOH yield in CO2 photocatalytic reduction was 747.82 μmol/gcat by using 1% Bi‐0.5% Y‐TiO2 as a photocatalyst. The HCOOH yield was 1.17 times higher than that by using 1% Bi‐TiO2, and 2.23 times higher than that by using pure TiO2. Furthermore, the 1% Bi‐0.5% Y‐TiO2 showed the highest apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 4.45%.
Achievement of multiple therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease prevention: Retrospective analysis of real practice in Italy
Authors: Figliuzzi Ilaria , Presta Vivianne , Citoni Barbara , Miceli Francesca , Simonelli Francesca , Battistoni Allegra , Coluccia Roberta , Ferrucci Andrea , Volpe Massimo , Tocci Giuliano
Published: March 2018

Background

Pharmacological therapy in patients at high cardiovascular (CV) risk should be tailored to achieve recommended therapeutic targets.

Hypothesis

To evaluate individual global CV risk profile and to estimate the control rates of multiple therapeutic targets for in adult outpatients followed in real practice in Italy.

Methods

Data extracted from a cross‐sectional, national medical database of adult outpatients in real practice in Italy were analyzed for global CV risk assessment and rates of control of major CV risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, and obesity. CV risk characterization was based on the European SCORE equation and the study population stratified into 3 groups: low risk (<2%), intermediate risk (≥2%–<5%), and high to very high risk (≥5%).

Results

We analyzed data from 7158 adult outpatients (mean age, 57.7 ±5.3 years; BMI, 28.3 ±5.0 kg/m2, BP, 136.0 ±14.3/82.2 ±8.3 mm Hg; total cholesterol, 212.7 ±40.7 mg/dL), among whom 2029 (45.2%) had low, 1730 (24.2%) intermediate, and 731 (16.3%) high to very high risk. Increased SCORE risk was an independent predictor of poor achievement of diastolic BP <90 mm Hg (OR: 0.852, 95% CI: 0.822–0.882), LDL‐C < 130 mg/dL (OR: 0.892, 95% CI: 0.861–0.924), HDL‐C > 40 (males)/>50 (females) mg/dL (OR: 0.926, 95% CI: 0.895–0.958), triglycerides <160 mg/dL (OR: 0.925, 95% CI: 0.895–0.957), and BMI <25 kg/m2 (OR: 0.888, 95% CI: 0.851–0.926), even after correction for diabetes, renal function, pharmacological therapy, and referring physicians (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Despite low prevalence and optimal medical therapy, individuals with high to very high SCORE risk did not achieve recommended therapeutic targets in a real‐world practice.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy is associated with a reduction in ICD therapies as it improves ventricular function
Authors: Galve Enrique , Oristrell Gerard , Acosta Gabriel , Ribera‐Solé Aida , Moya‐Mitjans Àngel , Ferreira‐González Ignacio , Pérez‐Rodon Jordi , García‐Dorado David
Published: March 2018

Background

Repeated implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) therapies cause myocardial damage and, thus, an increased risk of arrhythmias and mortality.

Hypothesis

Cardiac resynchronization therapy–defibrillator (CRT‐D) reduces the number of appropriate therapies in patients with left ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] <50%).

Methods

The retrospective study involved 175 consecutive patients (mean age, 64.6 ±10.4 years; 86.9% males) with reduced LVEF of 27.9% ±7.6% treated with an ICD (56.6%) or CRT‐D (43.4%), according to standard indications, between January 2009 and July 2014. Devices were placed for either primary (54.3%) or secondary prevention (45.7%). Mean follow‐up was 2.5 ±1.5 years. Predictors of first appropriate therapy were assessed using Cox regression analysis.

Results

Forty‐four (25.1%) patients received ≥1 appropriate therapy. Although patients treated with CRT‐D had lower LVEF and poorer New York Heart Association class, CRT‐D patients with LVEF improvement >35% at the end of follow‐up had a significantly lower risk of receiving a first appropriate therapy relative to those with an ICD (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.24, 95% confidence interval: 0.07–0.83, P = 0.025), independently of ischemic cardiomyopathy, baseline LVEF, and secondary prevention. There were no differences in mortality between the ICD and the CRT‐D groups.

Conclusions

Although patients receiving CRT‐D had a worse clinical profile, they received fewer device therapies in comparison with those receiving an ICD. This reduction is associated with a significant improvement in LVEF.
Distribution of vesicular glutamate transporters in the brain of the turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans)
Authors: Sarkar Sonjoy , Atoji Yasuro
Published: March 2018

The distribution of glutamatergic neurons has been extensively studied in mammalian and avian brains, but its distribution in a reptilian brain remains unknown. In the present study, the distribution of subpopulations of glutamatergic neurons in the turtle brain was examined by in situ hybridization using probes for vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT) 1–3. Strong VGLUT1 expression was observed in the telencephalic pallium; the mitral cells of the olfactory bulb, the medial, dorsomedial, dorsal, and lateral parts of the cerebral cortex, pallial thickening, and dorsal ventricular ridge; and also, in granule cells of the cerebellar cortex. Moderate to weak expression was found in the lateral and medial amygdaloid nuclei, the periventricular cellular layer of the optic tectum, and in some brainstem nuclei. VGLUT2 was weakly expressed in the telencephalon but was intensely expressed in the dorsal thalamic nuclei, magnocellular part of the isthmic nucleus, brainstem nuclei, and the rostral cervical segment of the spinal cord. The cerebellar cortex was devoid of VGLUT2 expression. The central amygdaloid nucleus did not express VGLUT1 or VGLUT2. VGLUT3 was localized in the parvocellular part of the isthmic nucleus, superior and inferior raphe nuclei, and cochlear nucleus. Our results indicate that the distribution of VGLUTs in the turtle brain is similar to that in the mammalian brain rather than that in the avian brain.
Optimizing Digital Integrated Care via Micro‐Randomized Trials
Authors: Walton Ashley , Nahum‐Shani Inbal , Crosby Lori , Klasnja Predrag , Murphy Susan
Published: March 2018

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are a promising tool in providing digitally mediated integrative care. They can extend care outside of the clinic by providing reminders to take medications, assisting in managing symptoms, and supporting healthy behaviors including physical activity, healthy eating, and stress management. mHealth interventions can adapt the delivery of care across time in order to optimize treatment effectiveness. Yet there exists limited empirical evidence useful to the development of adaptive mHealth interventions. This article describes a new randomized trial design, the Micro‐Randomized Trial (MRT), for informing the development of mHealth interventions. We provide examples of scientific questions important to the development of an mHealth intervention, and describe how these questions can be answered using an MRT.
Experimental Observation and Mitigation of Dielectric Screening in Hexagonal Boron Nitride Based Resistive Switching Devices
Authors: Wang Bingru , Xiao Na , Pan Chengbin , Shi Yuanyuan , Hui Fei , Jing Xu , Zhu Kaichen , Guo Biyu , Villena Marco A. , Miranda Enrique , Lanza Mario
Published: April 2018

Moisture and water penetration is one of the main phenomena altering the electrical characteristics and performance of resistive switching (RS) devices based on metal/insulator/metal nanojunctions. However, the effect of these phenomena in RS devices made of two dimensional (2D) materials has never been studied. In this paper it is shown that 2D materials based RS devices exposed to high relative humidity environments develop dielectric screening effects. The devices measured right after fabrication show a yield of 95% and bipolar RS characteristics, while after exposure to humid environments for two months the yield decreases to 65%. More than 30% of the devices show much lower currents than the fresh counterparts, and at high voltages they exhibit clear dielectric screening effects. This behavior is even more accentuated in RS devices that require the transfer of the 2D material, and we observe that a baking step at 120 °C for 5 min can mitigate this effect.
MARCKS phosphorylation by PKC strongly impairs cell polarity in the chick neural plate
Authors: Aparicio Gonzalo , Arruti Cristina , Zolessi Flavio R.
Published: March 2018

Neurulation involves a complex coordination of cellular movements that are in great part based on the modulation of the actin cytoskeleton. MARCKS, an F‐actin‐binding protein and the major substrate for PKC, is necessary for gastrulation and neurulation morphogenetic movements in mice, frogs, and fish. We previously showed that this protein accumulates at the apical region of the closing neural plate in chick embryos, and here further explore its role in this process and how it is regulated by PKC phosphorylation. PKC activation by PMA caused extensive neural tube closure defects in cultured chick embryos, together with MARCKS phosphorylation and redistribution to the cytoplasm. This was concomitant with an evident disruption of neural plate cell polarity and extensive apical cell extrusion. This effect was not due to actomyosin hypercontractility, but it was reproduced upon MARCKS knockdown. Interestingly, the overexpression of a nonphosphorylatable form of MARCKS was able to revert the cellular defects observed in the neural plate after PKC activation. Altogether, these results suggest that MARCKS function during neurulation would be to maintain neuroepithelial polarity through the stabilization of subapical F‐actin, a function that appears to be counteracted by PKC activation.
Transition probabilities help identify putative drivers of community change in complex systems
Authors: Morello Scott L. , Etter Ron J.
Published: March 2018

Understanding the role of larger‐scale processes in modulating the assembly, structure, and dynamics of communities is critical for forecasting the effects of climate‐change and managing ecosystems. Developing this comprehensive perspective is difficult though, because species interactions are complex, interdependent, and dynamic through space and time. Typically, experiments focus on tractable subsets of interactions that will be most critical to investigate and explain shifts in communities, but qualitatively base these choices on experience, natural history, and theory. One quantitative approach to identify the putative forces regulating communities, without reducing system complexity, is estimating transition probabilities among species occupying space (i.e., multispecies Markov chain models). Although not mechanistic, these models estimate the relative frequency and importance of ecological pathways in community assembly and dynamics, and can serve as a framework to identify how pathways change across large scales and which are most important to investigate further. Here, we demonstrate this method in the Gulf of Maine (GOM) intertidal zone, where research has largely focused on the local‐scale processes that influence communities, while the mechanisms responsible for more regional shifts in communities are less clear. Transition probabilities of faunal elements were quantified bimonthly for ~2.5 yr in local intertidal communities at three replicate sites in the southern, mid‐coast, and northern GOM. Transitions related to mortality, colonization, and replacement by mussels, barnacles, red algae, and encrusting corallines differed regionally, suggesting specific pathways related to consumer pressure and recruitment vary across the GOM with shifting intertidal community structure. Combined with species abundance data and insights from previous research, we develop and evaluate the pathways by which communities likely change in the GOM. Species interactions in local communities can be complex, and this complexity should be incorporated into hypothesis building, experiments, theory, interpretations, and forecasts in ecology. Such a comprehensive approach will be critical to understand how regional shifts in local interactions can drive large‐scale community change.
Imagined contact with famous gay men and lesbians reduces heterosexuals’ misidentification concerns and sexual prejudice
Authors: LaCosse Jennifer , Plant E. Ashby
Published: March 2018

Gay men and lesbians experience bigotry at alarmingly high rates. Traditionally, researchers have focused on reducing sexual prejudice; however, research indicates that heterosexuals’ concerns about being misidentified as gay/lesbian also contribute to the derogation of gay/lesbian individuals. Thus, reducing misidentification concerns is a critical part of decreasing negativity toward gay/lesbian individuals. In the current work, we explored a novel addition to the imagined contact paradigm—imagined contact with famous outgroup members—for reducing misidentification concerns. We found that imagined contact with famous gay men/lesbians reduced misidentification concerns within the imagined interaction and engendered an eagerness to befriend the famous gay/lesbian interaction partner. Moreover, we found that the reduction of these misidentification concerns led to fewer general contagion concerns, and increased eagerness to befriend led to decreased sexual prejudice. The current work develops a useful intervention for improving multiple responses toward gay men and lesbians.
Electrochemical Determination of Neurotransmitters at Crown Ether Modified Carbon Nanotube Composite: Application for Sub‐nano‐sensing of Serotonin in Human Serum
Authors: Atta Nada F. , Ahmed Yousef M. , Galal Ahmed
Published: March 2018

We propose an electrochemical sensor based on applying two successive thin layers from a mixture of multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐ionic liquid crystal and crown ether at glassy carbon electrode surface (GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown). The sensor was used for sensitive determination of neurotransmitters based on effective synergism between its components. The compact conducting surface of (CNTs‐ILC) with large surface area allowed the assembling of stable host‐guest inclusion complexes between crown ethers and neurotransmitters. The GC/(CNTs‐ILC)/Crown exhibited excellent electro‐catalytic activity toward the determination of serotonin (ST) in a wide linear dynamic range: 0.005 μmol L−1 to 100 μmol L−1. In the concentration range 0.005 μmol L−1 to 1 μmol L−1, the detection limit is 2.03×10−10 mol L−1 and quantification limit is 6.78×10−10 mol L−1 with correlation coefficient 0.999. The sensor was successfully applied for ST detection in human serum samples with satisfied recovery results. The sensor showed excellent analytical performance for the determination of ST in terms of low detection limit, good sensitivity and reproducibility. Furthermore excellent anti‐interference ability and simultaneous determination of ST in presence of other compounds as ascorbic acid, dopamine and antidepressant drug were achieved.
Performance of Activated‐Carbon‐Supported Ni, Co, and Ni–Co Catalysts for Hydrogen Iodide Decomposition in a Thermochemical Water‐Splitting Sulfur–Iodine Cycle
Authors: Singhania Amit , Bhaskarwar Ashok N.
Published: March 2018

Bimetallic Ni–Co/activated carbon (Ni–Co/AC) and monometallic Ni/AC and Co/AC catalysts were prepared to investigate their catalytic activity for hydrogen‐iodide decomposition in the sulfur–iodine (SI) cycle. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed an average size of approximately 3 nm particles for Ni–Co/AC. Ni–Co/AC possesses a higher ID/IG intensity ratio in Raman spectroscopy than the monometallic catalysts and support, which is an indication of high degree of defects. Hydrogen‐iodide decomposition was performed on a fixed vertical bed quartz reactor at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 12.9 h−1 and different temperatures (400–550 °C). Bimetallic catalysts exhibited better activity and stability than the monometallic catalysts. The composition of Ni/Co in the bimetallic Ni–Co catalyst played the key role in dictating the activity of catalyst. It was observed that the loading ratio of 3:1 for Ni/Co achieved the maximal hydrogen‐iodide conversion value. Bimetallic Ni(3 %)–Co(1 %)/AC showed excellent time‐on‐stream stability of 70 h for the hydrogen‐iodide decomposition reaction. The post‐reaction characterization studies (X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements) confirmed that the bimetallic Ni–Co/AC catalyst has a stable structure and shows high corrosion resistance against the corrosive hydrogen iodide environment. Also, it was observed that the apparent activation energy of the bimetallic Ni–Co/AC catalyst was smaller than the monometallic Ni and Co catalysts. The effect of iodine on hydrogen‐iodide conversion was also studied.
Catalytic Conversion of Carbohydrates into 5‐Ethoxymethylfurfural by a Magnetic Solid Acid Using γ‐Valerolactone as a Co‐Solvent
Authors: Bai Yuan‐Yuan , Su Shihao , Wang Shuizhong , Wang Bo , Sun Run‐Cang , Song Guoyong , Xiao Ling‐Ping
Published: March 2018

Selective conversion of carbohydrates to fuels and fine chemicals is of great importance for biorefinery. However, development of efficient solid acidic catalysts which perform stably for this process is still challenging. Herein, we reported a novel carbon‐based solid acidic catalyst, prepared via hydrothermal carbonization of glucose followed by magnetization of Fe3O4 and sulfonation of H2SO4, which can serve as an efficient and recyclable catalyst in the catalytic dehydration of fructose to 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and subsequent etherification of 5‐ethoxymethylfurfural (EMF) with ethanol from various carbohydrates. The effects of reaction conditions (temperature, time, solvents, catalyst amount, and γ‐valerolactone (GVL) concentration) were optimized affording to a maximum EMF yield of 67.4 % at 120 °C, 55 wt % catalyst loading based on starting fructose and 60 vol.% of GVL in ethanol after 24 h of reaction. Noticeably, GVL promotes the formation of EMF and HMF reducing the extent of side reactions. Recycling experiments showed that the catalyst could be easily separated with a magnet and reused up to 4 consecutive times without significant loss of activity. The present work opens a way to synthesize reusable and cost‐effective solid acidic catalysts from biomass wastes and may contribute to a holistic approach for biomass valorization.
Modelling of R/C members accounting for shear failure localisation: Finite element model and verification
Authors: Zimos Dimitrios K. , Mergos Panagiotis E. , Kappos Andreas J.
Published: March 2018

Reinforced concrete (R/C) frame buildings designed according to older seismic codes represent a large part of the existing building stock worldwide. Their structural elements are often vulnerable to shear or flexure‐shear failure, which can eventually lead to loss of axial load resistance of vertical elements and initiate vertical progressive collapse of a building. In this study, a computationally efficient member‐type finite element model for the hysteretic response of shear critical R/C frame elements up to the onset of axial failure is presented; it accounts for shear‐flexure interaction and considers, for the first time, the localisation of shear strains, after the onset of shear failure, in a critical length defined by the diagonal failure plane. Its predictive capabilities are verified against experimental results of column and frame specimens and are shown to be accurate not only in terms of total response, but also with regard to individual deformation components. The accuracy, versatility, and simplicity of this finite element model make it a valuable tool in seismic analysis of complex R/C buildings with shear deficient structural elements.
Speleothems in a north Cuban cave register sea‐level changes and Pleistocene uplift rates
Authors: De Waele Jo , D'Angeli Ilenia M. , Bontognali Tomaso , Tuccimei Paola , Scholz Denis , Jochum Klaus Peter , Columbu Andrea , Bernasconi Stefano M. , Fornós Joan J. , Grau González Esteban R. , Tisato Nicola
Published: March 2018

A flight of marine terraces along the Cuban coast records Quaternary sea‐level highstands and a general slowly uplifting trend during the Pleistocene. U/Th dating of these limestone terraces is difficult because fossil reef corals have been affected by open system conditions. Terrace ages are thus often based on geological and geomorphological observations. In contrast, the minimum age of the terraces can be constrained by dating speleothems from coastal mixing (flank margin) caves formed during past sea‐level highstands and carving the marine limestones. Speleothems in Santa Catalina Cave have ages >360 ka and show various cycles of subaerial–subaqueous corrosion and speleothem growth. This suggests that the cave was carved during the MIS 11 sea‐level highstand or earlier. Some stalagmites grew during MIS 11 through MIS 8 and were submerged twice, once at the end of MIS 11 and then during MIS 9. Phreatic overgrowths (POS) covering the speleothems suggest anchialine conditions in the cave during MIS 5e. Their altitude at 16 m above present sea level indicates a late Pleistocene uplift rate of <0.1 mm/ka, but modelling also shows uplift to have been insignificant over a long timespan during the middle Pleistocene since the cave was carved. Our study shows that some flank margin caves in the region of Matanzas are older than commonly believed (i.e. MIS 11 rather than MIS 5). These caves not only can be preserved but are good markers of interglacial sea‐level highstands, more reliable than marine abrasion surfaces. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transceiver design for STBC transmission over MIMO multiple‐access SC‐FDE systems
Authors: Sheikh‐Hosseini Mohsen
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates the transceiver design for a multiple‐input multiple‐output multiple‐access system,Jcochannel users each havingQantennas and an array‐processing receiver employingMreceive antennas, in which the single‐carrier frequency‐domain equalization technique is used as the physical layer solution for the transmission of different space‐time block coding (STBC) schemes. Assuming quasi‐static fading model and no channel state information at the user terminals, a transceiver design is provided for this system utilizingM=Jreceive antennas for interference cancellation, frequency‐domain equalization, and detection of the users. First, this design is considered for orthogonal and generalized coordinate interleaved orthogonal design STBCs as 2 single‐symbol decodable STBC schemes and then extended to quasi‐orthogonal STBC as a double‐symbol decodable STBC scheme. For this extension, each quasi‐orthogonal system ofJusers andQtransmit antennas is converted to 2 orthogonal subsystems ofJcochannel users each havingQantennas and then each subsystem is detected using the proposed method for orthogonal STBC transmission. Finally, the average bit error rate of the obtained designs is numerically illustrated for different STBC schemes with various numbers of users and transmitting antennas.
Microstructure Reconstruction and Characterization of the Porous GDLs for PEMFC Based on Fibers Orientation Distribution
Authors: Simaafrookhteh S. , Shakeri M. , Baniassadi M. , Sahraei A. Alizadeh
Published: April 2018

The 3D microstructure of the gas diffusion layers (GDLs) is generated, using a stochastic reconstruction approach. The method uses basic input parameters and fibers orientation distribution and is capable to model carbon fiber and binder phases of all types of carbon fiber GDLs with different structural parameters. Morphological operators of image processing are used to add the binder to the fibrous skeleton in three dimensions. Binder impregnation, pore size distribution and tortuosity factor of the reconstructed GDL are evaluated and compared with literature. Twenty and forty percentages of binder volume fraction are used to reconstruct the microstructure. To further investigate the reliability of our approach, mass transport properties of the reconstructed microstructure, namely absolute permeability, effective diffusivity of the pore space and effective thermal conductivity, are investigated through a finite volume equation solver in AVIZO. Only 4% of discrepancy between the absolute permeability calculation and the value reported by the manufacturer is observed in the through‐plane direction. Finally, in order to show the flexibility of the methodology the microstructure of a commercial Toray GDL is also reconstructed and characterized. The proposed method is proved to be a high‐speed and versatile tool for research and development in the GDL material design.
Network‐based decoupling of local gyrification in obsessive‐compulsive disorder
Authors: Reess Tim Jonas , Rus Oana Georgiana , Gürsel Deniz A. , Schmitz‐Koep Benita , Wagner Gerd , Berberich Götz , Koch Kathrin
Published: March 2018

Gyrification is associated with cortical maturation and closely linked to neurodevelopmental processes. Obsessive‐compulsive disorder has previously been associated with neurodevelopmental risk factors. Using graph theoretical modeling we examined structural covariance patterns to assess potential disruptions in processes associated with neurodevelopment in OCD. In total 97 patients and 92 healthy controls underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Structural covariance networks based on local gyrification indices were constructed using an atlas‐based parcellation scheme. Network properties were assessed using the network‐based statistic as well as global and local graph theoretical measures. Correlations between gyrification and symptom severity as well as age of disease onset were examined. Network‐based statistic analysis revealed one cluster with significantly decreased structural covariance in patients comprising mainly ventral brain regions (p = .041). Normalized characteristic path length was found to be impaired in patients (p = .051). On a nodal level, left middle frontal sulcus displayed a significantly decreased local clustering coefficient (p < .001). Finally, gyrification in several inferior frontal nodes significantly correlated with age of onset but not symptom severity. The decrease in a gyrification‐based covariance network in OCD appears to be mostly confined to ventral areas in which gyrification starts the latest during development. This pattern may indicate that alterations taking place during development are potentially time locked to specific periods. Correlations between gyrification in inferio‐frontal nodes and age of onset potentially indicate a structural trait rather than state marker for OCD. Finally, a trend in impaired global integration capabilities may point towards potentially widespread global alterations during neurodevelopment in patients.
Landscape of immune microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma and its additional impact on histological and molecular classification
Authors: Kurebayashi Yutaka , Ojima Hidenori , Tsujikawa Hanako , Kubota Naoto , Maehara Junki , Abe Yuta , Kitago Minoru , Shinoda Masahiro , Kitagawa Yuko , Sakamoto Michiie
Published: March 2018

Immune cells constitute an important element of tumor tissue. Accumulating evidence indicates their clinicopathological significance in predicting prognosis and therapeutic efficacy. Nonetheless, the combinations of immune cells forming the immune microenvironment and their association with histological findings remain largely unknown. Moreover, it is unclear which immune cells or immune microenvironments are the most prognostically significant. Here, we comprehensively analyzed the immune microenvironment and its intratumor heterogeneity in 919 regions of 158 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and the results were compared with the corresponding histological and prognostic data. Consequently, we classified the immune microenvironment of HCC into three distinct immunosubtypes: Immune‐high, Immune‐mid, and Immune‐low. The Immune‐high subtype was characterized by increased B‐/plasma‐cell and T cell infiltration, and the Immune‐high subtype and B‐cell infiltration were identified as independent positive prognostic factors. Varying degrees of intratumor heterogeneity of the immune microenvironment were observed, some of which reflected the multistep nature of HCC carcinogenesis. However, the predominant pattern of immunosubtype and immune cell infiltration of each tumor was prognostically important. Of note, the Immune‐high subtype was associated with poorly differentiated HCC, cytokeratin 19 (CK19)+, and/or Sal‐like protein 4 (SALL4)+ high‐grade HCC, and Hoshida's S1/Boyault's G2 subclasses. Furthermore, patients with high‐grade HCC of the predominant Immune‐high subtype had significantly better prognosis. These results provide a rationale for evaluating the immune microenvironment in addition to the usual histological/molecular classification of HCC. Conclusion: The immune microenvironment of HCC can be classified into three immunosubtypes (Immune‐high, Immune‐mid, and Immune‐low) with additional prognostic impact on histological and molecular classification of HCC. (Hepatology 2018)
Effect of various foot wedge conditions on the electromyographic activity of lower extremity muscles during load lifting
Authors: Ghasemi Mohammad Hosein , Anbarian Mehrdad , Esmaeili Hamed
Published: March 2018

The level of muscle activity can be decreased with optimized foot wedge condition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different foot wedge conditions on the activity of selected lower extremity muscles during load lifting. Nine able‐bodied male subjects participated in this study. Electromyography activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), medialis gastrocnemius (MG), and soleus (SOL) muscles was recorded during dynamic load lifting using the squat technique in 5 conditions: i) non‐wedge (NW), ii) 1 cm heel height increasing (PW1), iii) 3 cm heel height increasing (PW3), iv) 1 cm in front of the feet (AW1), and v) 1 cm inside the feet (MW1). The results showed that the VM activity decreases in the MW1 compared to other conditions and significantly compared to the PW1 and PW3 conditions (p < .05). Decreases in the VL activity in the AW1 as well as in descending and ascending phases of MW1 were observed (p < .05). Also in the descending phase, the SOL activity in AW1 decreased significantly compared to NW condition (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in MG activity between different conditions (p > .05). It seems that placing wedges in the anterior and medial area of the feet may decrease quadriceps muscles activity and probably can delay reaching time to fatigue during load lifting. These findings may be helpful in designing special shoes for ergonomics fields and work environments.
Impacts of human papillomavirus vaccination for different populations: A modeling study
Authors: Baussano Iacopo , Lazzarato Fulvio , Ronco Guglielmo , Franceschi Silvia
Published: March 2018

International variations in the prevalence of HPV infection derive from differences in sexual behaviors, which are also a key factor of the basic reproductive number (R0) of HPV infection in different populations. R0 affects the strength of herd protection and hence the impact of a vaccination program. Similar vaccination programs may therefore generate different levels of impact depending upon the population's pre‐vaccination HPV prevalence. We used IARC's transmission model to estimate (i) the overall effectiveness of vaccination versus no vaccination in women aged 15–34 years measured as percent prevalence reduction (%PR) of HPV16 and (ii) the corresponding herd protection in populations with gender‐equal or traditional sexual behavior and with different levels of sexual activity, corresponding to pre‐vaccination HPV16 prevalence from 1 to 8% as observed worldwide. Between populations with different levels of gender‐equal sexual activity, the highest difference in %PR under girls‐only vaccination is observed at 40% coverage (91%PR vs. 48%PR for 1% and 8% pre‐vaccination prevalence, respectively). HPV16 elimination is obtained with 55 and 97% coverage, respectively. To achieve desirable levels of HPV16 prevalence after vaccination, different levels of coverage are required in populations with different levels of pre‐vaccination HPV16 prevalence, for example, in populations with gender‐equal sexual behavior a decrease to 1/1000 HPV16 from pre‐vaccination prevalence of 1 and 8% would require coverages of 37 and 96%, respectively. In traditional populations, corresponding coverages would need to be 28 and 93%, respectively. In conclusion, pre‐vaccination HPV prevalence strongly influences herd immunity and helps predict the overall effectiveness of HPV vaccination.
Alkaloid Synthesis via Gold‐Catalyzed Carbon‐Carbon Bond Formation Using Enamine‐type Nucleophile
Authors: Wang Shaozhong
Published: March 2018

In this account, various types of cyclizations/cycloisomerizations of alkyne substrates with internal enamine‐type nucleophiles including enamide, enaminone, enaminoester and in situ generated enamine in the presence of electrophilc transition metal catalysts (Pt, Rh, Cu, Au) are firstly introduced. Then, the applications of the gold‐catalyzed reactions in the synthesis of an array of alkaloids are discussed. These natural products feature heterocyclic structural motifs such as pyridine, azaanthraquinone, pyridoacridine, pyrrole, indole, indolenine and carbazole, as well as chiral tetrahydroindolizine, azocine units and six‐membered carbocycles bearing a quaternary carbon center.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester guards against benign prostate hypertrophy in rats: Role of IGF‐1R/protein kinase‐B (Akt)/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Omar Hany A. , Tolba Mai F.
Published: March 2018

Benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) is among the most common diseases with a huge impact on the quality of life of elderly men. There is a current need for the development of well‐tolerated and effective preventive strategies to improve the clinical outcome. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an important active ingredient isolated from honey‐bee propolis with potent anti‐proliferative, anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects. These properties promote CAPE as a promising candidate to be tested as an alternative therapy for BPH, which is still uninvestigated. Herein, we tested the ability of CAPE to guard against testosterone‐induced BPH and investigated the involvement of IGF1‐R/Akt/β‐catenin signaling as a protective mechanism in testosterone‐induced BPH rat model. Treatment with CAPE reduced testosterone‐induced increase in the prostate index and histopathological alterations. In addition, co‐treatment with CAPE significantly suppressed insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R)/Akt/β‐catenin/cyclinD1 axis as well as tumor necrosis factor‐α level and nuclear factor (NF)‐kB activity. Furthermore, the treatment with CAPE replenished the antioxidant defense systems, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) with subsequent reduction in prostate tissue lipid peroxides. This study highlights the potential merit of CAPE‐enriched propolis formulations to protect elderly men against the development of BPH. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(6):519–528, 2018
Cerebral capillary flow imaging by wavelength‐division‐multiplexing swept‐source optical Doppler tomography
Authors: Chen Wei , Du Congwu , Pan Yingtian
Published: March 2018

Swept‐source‐based optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) has demonstrated the unique advantages for fast imaging rate and long imaging distance; however, limited axial resolution and complex phase noises restrict swept‐source optical Doppler tomography (SS‐ODT) for quantitative capillary blood flow imaging in the deep cortices. Here, the wavelength‐dividing‐multiplexing optical Doppler tomography (WDM‐ODT) method that divides a single interferogram into multiple phase‐correlated interferograms is proposed to effectively enhance the sensitivity for cerebral capillary flow imaging. Both flow phantom and in vivo mouse brain imaging studies show that WDM‐ODT is able to significantly suppress background phase noise and image cerebral capillary flow down to the vessel size of 5.6 μm. Comparison between the wavelength‐division‐multiplexing SS‐ODT and the spectral‐domain ultrahigh‐resolution ODT (uODT) reveals that SS‐ODT outpaces uODT by extending the capillary flow imaging depth to 1.6 mm in mouse cortex. Thus, for the first time, quantitative capillary flow imaging is demonstrated using SS‐ODT in the deep cortex.
Biocompatibility of injectable resilin‐based hydrogels
Authors: Li Linqing , Stiadle Jeanna M. , Levendoski Elizabeth E. , Lau Hang K. , Thibeault Susan L. , Kiick Kristi L.
Published: April 2018

Vocal folds are connective tissues housed in the larynx, which can be subjected to various injuries and traumatic stimuli that lead to aberrant tissue structural alterations and fibrotic‐induced biomechanical stiffening observed in patients with voice disorders. Much effort has been devoted to generate soft biomaterials that are injectable directly to sites of injury. To date, materials applied toward these applications have been largely focused on natural extracellular matrix‐derived materials such as collagen, fibrin or hyaluronic acid; these approaches have suffered from the fact that materials are not sufficiently robust mechanically nor offer sufficient flexibility to modulate material properties for targeted injection. We have recently developed multiple resilin‐inspired elastomeric hydrogels that possess similar mechanical properties as those reported for vocal fold tissues, and that also show promising in vitro cytocompatibility and in vivo biocompatibility. Here we report studies that test the delivery of resilin‐based hydrogels through injection to the subcutaneous tissue in a wild‐type mice model; histological and genetic expression outcomes were monitored. The rapid kinetics of crosslinking enabled facile injection and ensured the rapid transition of the viscous resilin precursor solution to a solid‐like hydrogel in the subcutaneous space in vivo; the materials exhibited storage shear moduli in the range of 1000–2000 Pa when characterized through oscillatory rheology. Histological staining and gene expression profiles suggested minimal inflammatory profiles three weeks after injection, thereby demonstrating the potential suitability for site‐specific in vivo injection of these elastomeric materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2229‐2242, 2018.
Health, well‐being, and psychopathology in a clinical population: Structure and discriminant validity of Mental Health Continuum Short Form (MHC‐SF)
Authors: van Erp Taalman Kip Rogier M. , Hutschemaekers Giel J. M.
Published: March 2018

Objective

The
literature suggests a distinction between illness (negative health) and the ability to cope with challenges such as illness (positive health). The two continua model of mental health distinguishes psychiatric symptoms (illness) from well‐being (positive health). Well‐being consists of hedonic, eudaimonic, and social well‐being, constituting one factor that is moderately correlated with psychopathology in the general population. In a mental health care population, we examined whether the three dimensions of well‐being are distinguishable and whether well‐being is also moderately correlated with symptoms.

Method

A representative sample of 1,069 patients (63% female, 47% male; mean age: 42 years) voluntarily completed the Mental Health Continuum‐Short Form (MHC‐SF), a 14‐item test that assesses three components of well‐being.

Results

Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a model with strong correlations between the three subscales of the MHC‐SF, indicating poor discriminant validity. Furthermore, the MHC‐SF was strongly correlated (r = −.71) with the symptomatic distress scale of the OQ‐45. Exploratory factor analysis permitted a two‐factor solution, providing support for the two continua model of mental health. However, the explained variance of the second factor (well‐being) was meager in comparison with the first factor (psychopathology). The results of a canonic correlation did not confirm the two continua model, and only a model with one common canonical factor was significant.

Conclusions

For patients with clinical levels of psychopathology, the level of well‐being and psychopathology correlate much higher than in the general population. Well‐being and psychopathology are so entwined that the supposed distinction should be seriously questioned.
The Subtle Influence of Check and X Marks: How Symbolic Markings Influence Judgment
Authors: Yoon Gunwoo , Vargas Patrick
Published: March 2018

Symbols can exert an influence on how we think, feel, and even behave. Here we examine whether symbolic markings serve as primes and influence how people make judgments. We propose that making either a check or an X mark to indicate an opinion can lead people to process the same information differently, thereby influencing the judgment people make. Across four experiments, we find that the check and X marks carry different symbolic associations; people associate check with good and X with bad. We also find downstream consequences of these mental associations. People who make positively connoted check marks (as opposed to negatively connoted X marks) to indicate their judgments are more agreeable toward familiar, controversial social policies as well as market research survey items on values and life styles. Differential symbolic markings with check and X marks seem to shape how people think and make judgments.
Casein based biogenic‐synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles simultaneously decontaminate heavy metals, dyes, and pathogenic microbes: a rational strategy for wastewater treatment
Authors: Somu Prathap , Paul Subhankar
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

Wastewater management has become a great concern recently due to industrial and domestic discharges containing metals, organic pollutants and pathogenic microbes that contaminate water bodies and also cause waterborne diseases. Although there have been multiple conventional processes for removing contaminants, nanomaterials have recently gained importance for wastewater treatments.

RESULTS

Here, ZnONPCS with an average size of 10 nm was successfully synthesized by using casein as biogenic reducing and capping agent. Removal of three metals and two dyes was investigated and it was found that nearly 90% was removed. Adsorption isotherm data were best fitted with the Langmuir model, and the maximum adsorption capacity (mg g−1) was found to be 156.74 for Cd(II), 194.93 for Pd(II), 67.93 for Co(II), 115.47 for methylene blue and 62.19 for congo red. Repeated cycles of regeneration and reuse showed a drop in removal efficiency of 10–13%. Further, nanoparticles also showed efficient photo‐degradation of dyes within 240 min. Moreover, ZnONPCS demonstrated high antibacterial potential for Escherichia coli in the presence of metals and dyes.

CONCLUSION

Biogenic synthesized ZnONPCS demonstrated simultaneous removal of metals, dyes as well as pathogenic microbes, and could be used as a cost‐effective and reusable system in various industrial effluent treatments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Generation and use of tritiated borane in situ for formamide tritiation to an N‐methyl‐3H group
Authors: Nugent Richard P. , Filer Crist N.
Published: March 2018

The synthesis of [N‐methyl‐3H](+/−)‐mecamylamine is described as an example of a convenient and mild method to reduce formamide groups using tritiated borane generated in situ. The product was characterized by thin layer chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and tritium NMR.