bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
REBALANCING STATIC BIKE-SHARING SYSTEMS: A TWO-PERIOD TWO-COMMODITY MULTI-DEPOT MATHEMATICAL MODEL
Authors: Arabzad S. Mohammad , Shirouyehzad Hadi , Bashiri Mahdi , Tavakkoli-Moghaddam Reza , Najafi Esmaeil
Published: August 2018

In this paper, an Integer Linear Programming (ILP) has been developed for rebalancing the stations of a Periodic Bike Relocation Problem (PBRP) in multiple periods. The objective function of the mathematical model is reducing costs of implementing trucks, transportation between stations and holding bikes on trucks during rebalancing. The variables we are following them in this model are conducting the optimal route in several periods, using the most appropriate trucks for these routes, and determining the best program for loading/unloading bikes for stations. The distinguishing features of the proposed model are considering several bike types, several exclusive trucks and several time periods. Finally, a numerical example confirms the applicability of the proposed model.
Community-based prevalence versus hospital-based incidence of genital Human Papillomavirus infection in Central Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Vu Quoc Huy , Ngo Viet Quynh Tram , Le Minh Tam , Nguyen Hoang Bach , Phan Van Bao Thang , Truong Quang Vinh , Cao Ngoc Thanh , Cappuccinelli Piero
Published: August 2018

Introduction: This study aims to determine the genital HPV prevalence in reproductive-age women in Thua Thien Hue Province and comparison with HPV incidence in Hue University Hospital, Vietnam.

Methodology: Cross-sectional study on 1,034 women of reproductive age from 11 communes/wards of three districts representing three different geographic areas of Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam. The hospital-based group included 102 women with cervicitis and/or abnormal Pap smear result coming to Hue University Hospital. Extracting DNA from cervical samples, performing the real-time PCR for detecting HPV and the reverse dot-blot assay for HPV typing in HPV positive cases.

Results: In community, HPV prevalence was 0.9%. Mean-age of HPV positive group was 37.9 ± 6.2 years. The detected low-risk types were 6 and 11; high-risk types include 16, 18, 33, 45, 52, and 58. Single-type infection was found in 66.7% of cases. In hospital-based group, 41.2% of women have been infected with HPV, 6 different HPV types were detected. HPV18 was the most frequent high-risk type (33.3%), followed by HPV16 (15.1%); HPV6 was the most frequent among low-risk HPV types (31.2%). Single-type infection rate was 33,3%; 2 and 3 types co-infections were 28,6% and 38.1%, respectively.

Conclusions: Routine screening of high-risk HPV infection in women with symptomatic gynecologic infection and/or abnormal Pap smear appears to be benefit in early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, due to the high incidence of HPV infection.
Detection of Campylobacter species in stool specimens from patients with symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis in South Africa
Authors: Thobela Mandile Samantha , Smith Anthony Marius , Moonsamy Shelina , Du Plessis Heleen , Govender Nevashan , Keddy Karen Helena
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by acute or subacute symmetrical ascending motor weakness, areflexia, and mild-to-moderate sensory abnormalities. Campylobacter jejuni is reported to be the most common bacterium associated with GBS cases. Despite the eradication of polio, the number of reported GBS cases remains considerably high in South Africa with the causative agents not being well described. Methodology: The aim of the study was to investigate the proportion of Campylobacter spp. detected in stool specimens from patients with symptoms of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP). Stool specimens from patients presenting with AFP, that were negative for polio and non-polio enteroviruses (NPENT), were processed and screened for the presence of Campylobacter spp. using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: Of the 512 stool specimens screened between October 2014 to December 2015, 12% (62/512) were positive for Campylobacter spp. Of these 62 Campylobacter infections: 77.4% (48/62) was C. jejuni; 19.4% (12/62) was Campylobacter coli; 3.2% (2/62) was mixed infections of C. jejuni and C. coli. Conclusions: True association of the disease with Campylobacter spp. will enable the proportion of Campylobacter-induced GBS to be better described in South Africa; this can only be done through systematic studies that include bacterial culture and serology together with molecular methodologies.
Assessment of different storage conditions for Staphylococcus hyicus survival
Authors: Ludwig Takeuti Karine , Bernardi Mari Lourdes , Micke Moreno Andrea , Emilio Santos Neves de Barcellos David
Published: August 2018

Introduction: Collecting swabs from skin lesions for bacteriological examination is frequently performed to the diagnosis of exudative epidermitis. This method is fast and non-invasive, but it depends directly on the viability of bacteria in clinical samples, which can be influenced by storage and shipment temperatures and the time of transportation. The aim of this study was to assess the capacity of four commercial transport media and swabs with no transport medium to preserve Staphylococcus hyicus (S. hyicus) for up to 10 days at room temperature and under refrigeration.

Methodology: Samples were stored in swabs with no transport medium and four transport media (Amies, Amies with charcoal, Cary Blair and Stuart) for 10 days at room temperature and under refrigeration. Swabs were plated in Tween 80 Agar and colonies counted.

Results: Samples kept in transport media showed better performance (P < 0.05) under refrigeration. Storage under refrigeration in Amies medium showed better results than all other transport media and swabs (P < 0.05). Amies medium and swabs with no transport medium showed comparable results in room temperature (P > 0.05). In additional, refrigerated Amies medium and swabs with no transport medium at room temperature showed high performance for up to nine and three storage days, respectively.

Conclusions: The recovery of S. hyicus in samples stored in Amies medium under refrigeration was higher when compared to other transport media. In addition, swabs with no transport medium could also be indicated when samples are stored at room temperature within three days.
Magnetic and Microwave Absorption Properties of Magnetite-Durian Shell Nanocomposite Sheet in Gigahertz Range
Authors: Arif Afraha Baiti , Munawar Rose Farahiyan , Ahsan Qumrul , Abu Maisarah
Published: August 2018

In this paper, a novel microwave absorber of thin, light weight, flexible, green and low cost magnetic nanocomposite sheet that can work in high frequency range is fabricated. The vast and increasing numbers in electronic and telecommunication devices has create electromagnetic interference (EMI) in which may lead to application disturbance. Therefore, electromagnetic (EM) wave absorber with the ability of high absorption rate is strongly demanded. Here, durian shell (Durio zibethinus Murray) embedded magnetite (Fe3O4) nanocomposite sheets were prepared via pulping and lumen loading technique. The nanocomposite sheets were fabricated by varying the weight percentage of the filler content (2-10 wt% of Fe3O4) at constant thickness and varying the thickness of the sheets (0.1-1.0 mm) at constant filler content. FESEM micrograph shows that the Fe3O4 nanoparticles are in cubical and spherical shape with the 20–50 nm of size range. The microwave absorption properties of the sheets were tested by a vector network analyze (VNA) in the frequency range of 4-18 GHz. The samples were also tested using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) in order to study the magnetic properties. The absorption or maximum reflection loss (RL) of the samples increases continually and the increase of both filler content and sample thickness has led to the shift of dip to lower frequency region.
Assessment on the Synthesis and Performance of Low-Cost Chitosan-Coated Natural Zeolite Adsorbent for Post-Combustion Carbon Dioxide Capture
Authors: Tan Dominique Jan Bacalso , Pajarito Bryan B.
Published: August 2018

An adsorbent for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture was prepared using low-cost and sustainable natural zeolite coated with chitosan. An optimum adsorbent was identified from 3 levels of particle size of natural zeolite and 10 levels of chitosan loading. The optimum adsorbent was characterized using infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The chemical and thermal properties of the adsorbent indicated successful coating of chitosan on natural zeolite. The adsorbent registered competitive dynamic adsorption capacity of 0.81 mmol g-1 with good retention, at least, up to 5 adsorption-desorption cycles.
Synthesis and Characterization of Transparent Conducting Film from Abaca Hybrid 7 Cellulose Acetate Blend and Polyaniline
Authors: Lumbres Lara Mae R. , Maguyon-Detras Monet Concepcion , Migo Maria Victoria P. , Herrera Marvin U. , Manalo Ronniel D.
Published: August 2018

This study dealt with the synthesis and characterization of thin transparent conducting films (TCF) from cellulose acetate (CA) blend and polyaniline (PANI). CA was produced from the pulp of abaca hybrid 7. CA-PANI films with different PANI loadings (0, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0 and 2.0%) were produced using solvent casting method. Chemical transformations were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The conductivity was measured using the Four-Point Probe Test. Morphological characterization was done using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The transparency of the films was determined using UV-Vis Spectroscopy. FTIR spectra proved the embedment of PANI in the CA matrix. It was found that increasing the PANI loading increases the conductivity of the films but up to a certain limit. The highest average conductivity at 2.0264 x 10-5 S/m was observed in CA-PANI films with 0.50% PANI loading. SEM images revealed that conductivity is a function of PANI loading by forming networks. Further addition of PANI (1.0 and 2.0%) resulted to decreased conductivity due to agglomeration. Transparency, on the other hand, is negatively affected by PANI loading.
Posture adjustment of workpiece based on stepwise matching by self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm
Authors: Jiang Lei , Li Yong , Zou Yisheng , Tang Kun , Fu Yulong , Ma Shuwen
Published: August 2018

Abstract. The workpiece contour errors from previous process affect current and
subsequent process. In order to improve the uniformity of workpiece allowance
distribution, a stepwise workpiece matching adjustment method with contact
inspection is developed. This method includes two stepwise registration
processes. At first, some pairs of measured points on the theoretical and
actual surfaces are selected to build the corresponding local coordinate
systems, and then the rough matching matrixes are obtained by the coordinate
systems alignment. During the fine matching process, the objective function
based on the least square method is established by the measured point sets
adjusted through the rough matching. The fine matching matrixes can be
obtained by self-adaptive differential evolution algorithm. The posture
adjustment can be realized by transforming coordinate systems of 5 axis
machine tool, of which adjusted values can be calculated by the matching
matrixes and the machine tool topology. At last, some experiments were
presented to demonstrate the performance of the method.
Aspects d’oralité dans l’écriture romanesque d’Alain Mabanckou
Authors: Ouadiabantou Patrick Armand
Published: August 2018

L’objectif principal de cet article est de montrer, à partir d’illustrations tirées des romans African Psycho, Verre Cassé, Mémoires de porc-épicet Black Bazard’Alain Mabanckou, que l’oralité influe profondément sur l’orthographe. Cet auteur transcrit les sons dans le tissu textuel de ses romans. À l’ère de nouvelles technologies de l’information et de la communication, mieux de l’internet, rendu performant par la structuration de la fibre optique, l’envoi des messages (sms) téléphoniques consacre un culte à la perversion orthographique dans les structures phrastiques. Cette tendance à travestir l’orthographe, de plus en plus répandue chez les auteurs francophones, présage une variété de langue française affranchie des normes rigoureuses qui, jusqu’ici, l’ont régie, comme le signale Charles Bally (1932; p. 25 ) : « Il y a une pathologie linguistique qui est une exagération du fonctionnement normal » du français. Le français moderne est-il vu comme une langue peu rigoureuse, moins surveillée donc licencieuse?
Self-embedding and complexity in oral registers
Authors: Verhoeven Elisabeth , Lehmann Nico
Published: August 2018

This article reports the results of a study on the self-embedding depth of nominal, verbal and clausal projections in spoken corpora of German. We compared two spoken registers featuring public and non-public (i.e. private) conversation by measuring the depth of self-embedding in C, V, and N projections. The findings confirm the hypothesis that the familiarity of the speech situation (public vs. non-public speech) has a significant impact on complexity in terms of self-embedding: speakers use more self-embedding in public speech production in different syntactic projections. In addition, we examined previous assumptions about the differences between right, left, and center embedding in C projections. The results confirm a preference against center embedding in non-public texts, which reflects the complexity of center embedding. Finally, we find evidence that the depth of self-embedding in V and C projections is correlated. This finding suggests that self-embedding depth is part of a general strategy, i.e., speakers select more or less complex structures (of different types) depending on factors of the speech situation.
Natural Gas Combined Cycle Utilization: An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Environmental Policies and Prices
Authors: Stevens Kelly A.
Published: August 2018

Recent climate regulations include increased utilization of natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) generators as a means for offsetting coal generation to reduce carbon emissions. There have been substantial increases in utilization for some generators, but most remain below baseload levels. This paper examines the factors that have driven NGCC utilization from 2003-2014. I run difference-in-dif-ference models to evaluate the relationships between environmental policies and natural gas prices on NGCC utilization. Both low natural gas prices and the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) drive increases in utilization. However, the size of the impact by CAIR depends on the age of the plant. I use the estimates from this model for a counterfactual analysis which reveals CAIR had nearly twice the impact of low natural gas prices on increased utilization in nationwide averages.
Des fous rires autour du Führer chez Timur Vermes et François Saintonge
Authors: Bergeron Patrick
Published: August 2018

La représentation comique d’Adolf Hitler n’est pas un phénomène nouveau puisque des exemples de ridiculisation du Führer s’observent dès le début des années 1940, notamment dans des films de propagande antinazie comme The Great Dictator de Charlie Chaplin. Ce qu’il y a de plus troublant, trois quarts de siècle après la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, c’est le traitement frivole et décontextualisé que suscite le tyran nazi. Pour en rendre compte, nous avons choisi d’analyser deux romans récents – Il est de retour de Timur Vermes et Dolfi et Marylin de François Saintonge – parce qu’ils permettent de réfléchir aux principaux enjeux qui émanent de cette forme particulière d’humour noir. Rire d’Hitler, ou autour de lui, ne fait pas que nous amener aux limites de l’acceptabilité sociale en matière comique; cela vient également tester notre lucidité devant les dangers que l’Histoire se répète.
Kanata/Canada: Re-storying Canada 150 at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
Authors: Duhamel Karine R.
Published: August 2018

“Kanata/Canada: Re-storying ‘Canada 150’ at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights” seeks to contextualize the changing role of museums and of heritage institutions within contemporary discussions about the urgent need for public education on Indigenous histories and contemporary realities. The author of this article argues that museums can become truly decolonizing spaces if they are willing to re-examine their own purpose and mandate. Through an examination of the CMHR’s own exhibition development for 2017, she maintains that undertaking grounded, reparative reconciliation that is meaningful to communities in a museum context means going beyond acknowledgement and recognition to re-storying the very foundations of Canadian nation-building, and of projects like Confederation that remain, necessarily, unfinished.
Polymeric Graphene Bulk Materials with a 3D Cross‐Linked Monolithic Graphene Network
Authors: Chen Wangqiao , Xiao Peishuang , Chen Honghui , Zhang Hongtao , Zhang Qichun , Chen Yongsheng
Published: August 2018

Although many great potential applications are proposed for graphene, till now none are yet realized as a stellar application. The most challenging issue for such practical applications is to figure out how to prepare graphene bulk materials while maintaining the unique two‐dimensional (2D) structure and the many excellent properties of graphene sheets. Herein, such polymeric graphene bulk materials containing three‐dimensional (3D) cross‐linked networks with graphene sheets as the building unit are reviewed. The theoretical research on various proposed structures of graphene bulk materials is summarized first. Then, the synthesis or fabrication of these graphene materials is described, which comprises mainly two approaches: chemical vapor deposition and cross‐linking using graphene oxide directly. Finally, some exotic and exciting potential applications of these graphene bulk materials are presented.
Toothed Substrate Design to Improve Stretchability of Serpentine Interconnect for Stretchable Electronics
Authors: Zhao Qian , Liang Ziwei , Lu Bingwei , Chen Ying , Ma Yinji , Feng Xue
Published: August 2018

Integration of deformable serpentine interconnects and inorganic functional materials with soft elastomeric substrate enables the electronics to deform into arbitrary desired shapes. Conventionally, the serpentine interconnects are bonded to a planar substrate, which limits the out‐of‐plane buckling of the serpentine interconnects, and thus restricts their stretchability. An integrated system combining serpentine interconnects with toothed substrate is proposed here to release part of the serpentine interconnects from the substrate. The advantage of this integrated system is its superior stretchability compared with the serpentine interconnects on a conventional planar substrate. Moreover, the position deviation of the serpentine interconnects to the toothed substrate influences the stretchability only in one direction, and the influence is predictable and ranges in an acceptable region. Combined analytical models and numerical simulations establish the stretchability of the integrated system, and the considerations that dictate roof collapse between the freestanding part of the serpentine interconnects and substrates. Examples of serpentine interconnects bonded on toothed and planar substrates are prepared, and low‐cycle fatigue tests are used to confirm the superior stretchability of toothed substrate by examining fatigue cracks associated with plastic deformation.
P53 protein overexpression in de novo acute myeloid leukemia patients with normal diploid karyotype correlates with FLT3 internal tandem duplication and worse relapse‐free survival
Authors: Assi Rita , Gur Hatice D. , Loghavi Sanam , Konoplev Sergej N. , Konopleva Marina , Daver Naval , Tashakori Mehrnoosh , Kadia Tapan , Routbort Mark , Salem Alireza , Kanagal‐Shamanna Rashmi , Quesada Andres , Jabbour Elias J. , Kornblau Steven M. , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Kantarjian Hagop , Khoury Joseph D.
Published: August 2018

Although ~50% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have a normal diploid karyotype by conventional cytogenetics at diagnosis, this patient subset has a variable disease course and outcome. Aberrant overexpression of the p53 protein is usually associated with TP53 alterations and a complex karyotype, but the prevalence and impact of p53 overexpression in AML with diploid cytogenetics is unknown. We examined 100 newly diagnosed AML patients to evaluate the impact of p53 expression status quantified in bone marrow core biopsy samples using immunohistochemistry and computer‐assisted image analysis. A total of 24 patients had p53 overexpression defined as 3+ staining intensity in ≥5% of cells; this finding correlated with lower platelet counts (P = .002), absence of CD34 expression in blasts (P = .009), higher bone marrow blast counts (P = .04), and a higher frequency of FLT3 internal tandem duplication (P = .007). Overexpression of p53 independently predicted for shorter leukemia‐free survival in patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation by univariate (P = .021) and multivariate analyses (P = .004). There was no correlation between MDM2 and p53 protein expression in this cohort. We conclude that p53 expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry in bone marrow biopsy specimens at the time of AML diagnosis may indicate distinct clinical characteristics in patients with normal diploid cytogenetics and is a potentially valuable tool that can enhance risk‐stratification.
Stickiness of the Hydrogen Bond
Authors: Fernández Ariel
Published: August 2018

The dielectric response of bulk water follows laws of continuum electrostatics, a scheme often extrapolated without justification to treat confined interfacial water, where the Debye polarization ansatz breaks down and discrete effects matter. Reconciling the discrete behavior with the continuum equations requires a conceptual leap, all the more so when assessing the electrostatic impact of exclusion of individual water molecules. This work takes up the challenge and identifies the nanoscale stickiness of a preformed water‐embedded hydrogen bond as phenomena not encompassed by continuum laws but quantitatively predictable when adopting a nanoscale theory of dielectric response holding down to molecular dimensions. Nanoscale stickiness is known to drive basic cellular events and has been measured using a molecular force probe but its physical underpinnings and computation have been lacking so far. The findings reported may impact molecular design in bio‐nanotechnology and shed light on standing challenges in biophysics, especially on the protein folding problem, where organized compaction of the protein chain following nucleating intramolecular hydrogen bonding demands explanation.
Synthesis, characterization and biological applications of some substituted pyrazoline based palladium (II) compounds
Authors: Thakor Khyati P. , Lunagariya Miral V. , Bhatt Bhupesh S. , Patel Mohan N.
Published: August 2018

Palladium (II) complexes of the type [PdLCl2] (where L = substituted pyrazoline ligands) have been synthesized. The metal complexes (5a‐5f) have been characterized by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques like 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, LC–MS, IR, Energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX), electronic spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis and conductance measurement. Complexes to herring sperm DNA (HS‐DNA) binding has been explored by absorption titration and binding constant (Kb) as well as Gibb's free energy have been evaluated. Complex 5b shows the highest binding constant value. So, thermodynamic parameters of 5b‐HS DNA complex at different temperature have been evaluated. Also, Viscosity measurement and molecular modeling studies have been performed to know the binding mode of complexes. Based on the observations, an intercalative binding mode of DNA has been proposed. Further confirmation of intercalative mode of DNA binding has been taken by fluorescence spectroscopy and results are in a good agreement with absorption titration, viscosity measurement and molecular modeling data. Antibacterial activity of the complexes has been screened against pathogenic bacteria such as S. aureus, E. coli, B. subtilis, S. marcescens and P. aeruginosa. Cytotoxicity is performed on brine shrimp and S. pombe. Gel electrophoresis assay demonstrates that all the complexes can cleave the pUC19 plasmid DNA. Anti‐tuberculosis activity has been carried out using mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv bacteria by L.J. Medium conventional method.
Clinical Case‐Based Image Portfolios in Medical Histopathology
Authors: King Thomas S. , Sharma Ramaswamy , Jackson Jeff , Fiebelkorn Kristin R.
Published: August 2018

This descriptive article describes the use of clinical case‐based portfolios in histopathology teaching laboratories in conjunction with virtual microscopy not only to integrate histology and pathology disciplines for first and second year medical students but also to stimulate student engagement, promote self‐directed and group‐based learning and enhance student‐to‐student interaction in a structured manner. Portfolios consisted of PowerPoint files encompassing four to five clinical case studies relevant to the topics covered that week. Portfolios integrated study materials provided in the module‐specific lectures, clinical skill lectures, and online interactive content. Two sets of portfolios, Individual and Group, were used. Individual Portfolios were completed by each student and uploaded prior to the laboratory session. Group Portfolios were completed by students working together in small groups during the laboratory session with minimal faculty assistance. The functional utility and acceptance of Individual and Group Portfolios among first‐ and second‐year medical students was evaluated using electronic surveys and examination performances. Both first‐ and second‐year students agreed that the use of portfolios in conjunction with virtual microscopy promoted understanding and encouraged discussion of the topics covered during the week and that group members worked well together and contributed to the completion of the portfolios. Performances on the Histology and Cell Biology and Pathology sections on the United States Medical Licensing Examination® (USMLE®) remained consistent and in line with national averages. Overall, use of portfolios promoted peer teaching and contributed towards successful transition to the new system‐based integrated curriculum with continued strong performance on the USMLE.
Prosection or Dissection: Which is Best for Teaching the Anatomy of the Hand and Foot?
Authors: Williams Sutton R. , Thompson Kenneth L. , Notebaert Andrew J. , Sinning Allan R.
Published: August 2018

Due to the current trend of decreasing contact hours and less emphasis being given to the basic science courses in the pre‐clinical years of medical education, it is essential that new approaches to teaching gross anatomy are investigated to ensure medical students are being adequately exposed to anatomical content. This study retrospectively analyzed practical examination data from four medical gross anatomy classes (N = 569) to ascertain which pedagogical approach, student participation in the dissection process, or interaction with prosected specimens is best for teaching the anatomy of the hand and foot. Data analysis involved the use of propensity score matching, a nonparametric preprocessing statistical approach which ensures accurate representation of the true treatment effect by balancing cohorts prior to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis indicated that those students who were exposed to the anatomy of the hand through interactions with prosected specimens performed 5.6% better (P = 0.012) while for the foot, students who interacted with prosections performed 13.0% better (P < 0.001). Although limited, data from this study suggest that utilizing prosections of the hand and foot seems to be a more advantageous pedagogical approach for teaching these regions than requiring students to dissect them.
Go with the Flow—Microfluidics Approaches for Amyloid Research
Authors: Zilberzwige‐Tal Shai , Gazit Ehud
Published: August 2018

The rapid development of cost‐efficient microfluidic devices has received tremendous attention from scientists of diverse fields. The growing potential of utilizing microfluidic platforms has further advanced the ability to integrate existing technology into microfluidic devices. Thus, allowing scientists to approach questions in fundamental fields, such as amyloid research, using new and otherwise unachievable conditions. Amyloids are associated with neurodegeneration and are in the forefront of many research efforts worldwide. The newly emerged microfluidic technology can serve as a novel research tool providing a platform for developing new methods in this field. In this review, we summarize the recent progress in amyloid research using microfluidic approaches. These approaches are driven from various fields, including physical chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, and cell biology. Moreover, the new insights into novel microfluidic approaches for amyloid research reviewed here can be easily modified for other research interests.
Optimal consumption analysis for a stochastic growth model with technological shocks
Authors: Yuan Weipeng , Lai Shaoyong , Hu Hanlei
Published: August 2018

An optimal consumption problem of maximizing the expected discounted value of utility is discussed for an economic growth model with the random technological shocks. Applying the technique of dynamic programming principle, we derive the Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equation corresponding to the optimization problem and prove that the value function is a unique viscosity solution to the equation. Moreover, the optimal consumption policy is given in a feedback form under weak assumptions.
Zur Validierung von prognostizierten Verschattungszeiten im Umfeld städtischer Bebauung
Authors: Lung Thomas
Published: August 2018

Es wird ein Prognosemodell zur Berechnung von Verschattungszeiten für komplexe Bebauungsstrukturen vorgestellt, das ausschließlich auf mathematisch‐physikalischen Gesetzmäßigkeiten beruht und keine Konventionswerte, Normvorgaben oder Hypothesen verwendet. Eine Überprüfung der prognostizierten Verschattungszeiten durch Beobachtungen der Schattenperioden im Umfeld von vier Berliner Hochbauten ergab gute Übereinstimmungen innerhalb der zu erwartenden Fehlermargen, die in der Hauptsache durch Koordinatenrundung der Gebäudekubatur und des Beobachterortes auf ganze Meter bedingt sind. Dabei dient das hier vorgestellte Berechnungsmodell nicht der Visualisierung von Gebäudeschatten für Verschattungsstudien, sondern der präzisen und validierten Errechnung von Verschattungszeiten an vorgegebenen Aufpunkten auf der Grundlage eines möglichst einfach und schnell zu erstellenden digitalen dreidimensionalen Gebäudemodells. Es ist sowohl für Bestandssituationen als auch für bauvorhabenbezogene Neu‐ oder Umbauten nutzbar. Das Prognosemodell ProShad wird auch dazu eingesetzt, Verschattungszeiten im Umfeld von Gebäudekomplexen als dreidimensionale Matrix zu berechnen, so dass Horizontal‐ und Vertikalschnitte durch den Schatten(stunden)raum z. B. als Bodenschattenkarten oder Fassadenverschattungen in Isoflächendarstellung von Intervallen der Verschattungsstunden eine flächendeckende Übersicht geben.
Electrochemical Performance and Ageing Mechanisms of Sol‐Gel Synthesized Na2/3[Mn3/5Fe2/5]O2 for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Nayak Prasant K. , Yang Liangtao , Pollok Kilian , Langenhorst Falko , Wondraczek Lothar , Adelhelm Philipp
Published: August 2018

Mn and Fe based layered oxide materials are potential cost‐effective cathodes for application in Na‐ion batteries. In the present study, Na2/3[Mn3/5Fe2/5]O2 is synthesized by a sol‐gel method using citric acid as chelating agent, followed by annealing at 900 °C for 12 h. The prepared oxide material is characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. The electrochemical performance of this cathode material is tested through galvanostatic charge‐discharge cycling in the two potential ranges of 2.0–4.2 V and 1.5–4.2 V in Na‐ion half‐cells using Na foil as the counter and reference electrodes. The material exhibits an initial capacity of about 130 mAh g−1 when cycled at 15 mA g−1 in the potential range of 2.0–4.2 V. The capacity decreases to about 105 mAh g−1 upon cycling retaining about 80 % capacity after 100 cycles. When cycled in the potential range of 1.5–4.2 V, a higher initial capacity of about 150 mAh g−1 is found, which decreases to 90 mAh g−1, thus retaining about 60 % capacity after 100 cycles. These results indicate that Na2/3[Mn3/5Fe2/5]O2 can be a potential cathode material for Na‐ion batteries, when cycled in the potential range of 2.0–4.2 V. TEM analysis of cycled materials shows the formation of secondary Mn−Fe oxide phases along with a change in the oxidation states of the transition metals. The amount of these secondary phases is larger for the sample cycled between 1.5–4.2 V, indicating their crucial role in the ageing mechanism.
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a posaconazole‐sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex
Authors: Wang Miao , Jiang Juan , Cai Yi , Zhao Min , Wu Qijuan , Cui Yannan , Zhao Chunjie
Published: August 2018

Posaconazole (PCZ) is a triazole antifungal agent with an extended spectrum of antifungal activity. It is approved for the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections in patients with neutropenia or in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients undergoing high‐dose immunosuppressive therapy for graft‐vs‐host disease, and for the treatment of fungal infections. However, its pharmacological effects are severely limited owing to its poor solubility and low bioavailability. In order to solve these problems, a sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin compound was used to prepare an intramuscular injection to improve the bioavailability of posaconazole. The extracorporeal dissolution rate of posaconazole was markedly improved by this inclusion complex with >90% being released within 5 min, and the in vivo pharmacokinetics were studied using a HPLC/MS/MS method for quantifying posaconazole and the posaconazole–sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex in rat blood. Posaconazole and an internal standard, itraconazole, were extracted by protein precipitation using acetonitrile. The concentration range of posaconazole was 0.05–4.0 μg/mL with good linearity (r = 0.9980), the peak concentrations of pure posaconazole and the inclusion complex were 0.565 ± 0.102 μg/mL and 1.12 ± 0.091 μg/mL, the values for AUC0–t were 12.2 ± 2.5 and 19.9 ± 2.5 μg h/mL, and the values for AUC0–∞ were 16.4 ± 3.2 and 25.0 ± 3.5 μg h/mL, respectively. The main pharmacokinetics parameters showed significant differences (P < 0.01). Compared with pure posaconazole, the posaconazole–sulfobutyl ether‐β‐cyclodextrin inclusion complex markedly improved the bioavailability of posaconazole.
Histological investigation of human glaucomatous eyes: Extracellular fibrotic changes and galectin 3 expression in the trabecular meshwork and optic nerve head
Authors: BELMARES RICARDO , RAYCHAUDHURI URMIMALA , MAANSSON SANDRA , CLARK ABBOT F.
Published: August 2018

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss and is associated with fibrotic changes in two ocular tissues‐the optic nerve head (ONH) and trabecular meshwork (TM). We investigated the differences in extracellular matrix components (ECM) including collagen, elastin, transforming growth factor beta‐2, type‐II receptor (TGFβRII) and Galectin3 (Gal3) in the glaucomatous human eyes to quantify fibrotic changes in ONH and TM.

Glaucomatous and control human donor eyes were prepared for chemical and immunological staining to quantify ECM protein expression in the TM and ONH. Chemical staining included: Trichrome (collagen), Vernhoeff‐Van Giesen (elastin) and Sirius Red (collagen). Immunohistochemistry was used to determine levels of Gal3 and TGFβ2RII. Quantitative analyses were performed using Image J software. Student's t‐test was used to compare groups and Pearson's test was used to determine correlations P‐values of 0.05 (or less) were considered statistically significant.

Deposition of ECM proteins was elevated in glaucomatous tissues. There was increased collagen (P = 0.0469), Gal3 (P < 0.0001) and TGFβ2RII (P = 0.0005) in the TM of glaucomatous eyes. Likewise, collagen (P = 0.0517) and Galectin3 (P = 0.041) were increased in the ONH glaucomatous eyes. There was a correlation of TGFβRII with Gal3 in the TM (P < 0.0001) and optic nerve (P = 0.0003).

The TM and ONH of glaucomatous eyes showed increased expression of ECM proteins supporting a fibrotic pathology. Galectin3 and TGFβ‐2R II showed a positive correlation in TM and optic nerve supporting co‐localization and suggesting their potential role in the glaucoma fibrotic process. Clin. Anat. 31:1031–1049, 2018. © 2018 The Authors. Clinical Anatomy published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Clinical Anatomists.
Fluorographene and Graphane as an Excellent Platform for Enzyme Biocatalysis
Authors: Hermanová Soňa , Bouša Daniel , Mazánek Vlastimil , Sedmidubský David , Plutnar Jan , Pumera Martin , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: August 2018

The application of enzymes is a crucial issue for current biotechnological application in pharmaceutical, as well as food and cosmetic industry. Effective platforms for enzyme immobilization are necessary for their industrial use in various biosynthesis procedures. Such platforms must provide high yield of immobilization and retain high activity at various conditions for their large‐scale applications. Graphene derivatives such as hydrogenated graphene (graphane) and fluorographene can be applied for enzyme immobilization with close to 100 % yield that can result to activities of the composites significantly exceeding activity of free enzymes. The hydrophobic properties of graphene stoichiometric derivatives allowed for excellent non‐covalent bonding of enzymes and their use in various organic solvents. The immobilized enzymes retain their high activities even at elevated temperatures. These findings show excellent application potential of enzyme biocatalysts immobilized on graphene stoichiometric derivatives.
Smart hydrogels: Network design and emerging applications
Authors: Liu Zhuang , Wei Jie , Faraj Yousef , Ju Xiao‐Jie , Xie Rui , Wang Wei , Chu Liang‐Yin
Published: August 2018

Hydrogels are capable of adsorbing large quantities of water due to their hydrophilic three‐dimensional polymeric networks; thus, their physical properties are similar to soft tissues such as cartilage and muscle. Stimuli‐responsive smart hydrogels are particularly interesting because of their ability to respond to various exogenous and/or endogenous stimuli such as pH, thermal, light, magnetism, etc. Because of their versatile and unique properties, smart hydrogels show great potential in controlled drug release, tissue engineering scaffolds, solid/water stabilization, etc., wherein a rapid responsive property and outstanding mechanical properties are highly desired. The degree of responsiveness and mechanical properties of hydrogels are highly dependent on their polymeric network structures. Thus, the network structure design strategies are of great interest and particular importance for various applications. In this paper, we review various network design strategies to build smart hydrogel networks with rapid responsiveness and/or high mechanical properties, as well as the emerging applications of smart hydrogels such as controlled release systems, detection sensors, soft valves, and responsive actuators. The perspectives as well as current challenges facing the applications of such innovative stimuli‐responsive polymeric materials are also addressed.
Safety Surveillance of Dietary Supplements: Importance, Challenges, and New Horizons
Authors: Jordan Scott A. , Jack Stephanie A. , Pless Robert P.
Published: August 2018

Pharmacovigilance is defined as the science and activities relating to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other possible drug‐related problems.1 While current models of pharmacovigilance, with their tools and methodologies, were developed for prescription drugs, safety surveillance is just as important for over‐the‐counter health products such as dietary supplements. The practice of pharmacovigilance is challenging in itself; however, there are unique challenges associated with dietary supplements.2
Adaptive mechanism for distributed query processing and data loading using the RDF data in the cloud
Authors: Ranichandra Dharmaraj Chandrasekaran , Tripathy BalaKrushna
Published: August 2018

With the development of semantic web, the Resource Description Framework (RDF) data management has gained more importance in the recent years. The RDF data management involves processing the large datasets. The existing mechanism had performance issues with respect to data loading and query response time. In this paper, we developed an efficient mechanism for handling the RDF data using the data partitioning approach. The proposed approach follows the low‐level indexing and runtime indexing for the statements in the query to reduce the data loading time as well as to reduce the communication overhead over the nodes. The performance of the proposed method is evaluated using the Amazon web services. The proposed achieved faster loading time and better query response time compared to the RDF‐3X and SHARD models.
Suitability evaluation of new endogenous biomarkers for the identification of nitrite‐based urine adulteration in mass spectrometry methods
Authors: Steuer Andrea E. , Arnold Kim , Kamber Dominique , Kraemer Thomas
Published: August 2018

Urine adulteration to circumvent positive drug testing is a fundamental challenge for toxicological laboratories all over the world. Untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) methods used in metabolomics had previously revealed uric acid (UA), histidine, methylhistidine, and their oxidation products, for example 5‐hydroxyisourate (HIU) as potential biomarkers for urine adulteration using potassium nitrite (KNO2). These markers should be further evaluated for their reliability, stability, and routine applicability. Influence of KNO2 concentration, urinary pH, reaction time, and stability at room temperature, 4°C, and − 20°C was determined in urine under varying conditions. Analysis was performed after protein precipitation with acetonitrile by liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis was applied for cut‐off evaluation after biomarker quantification (n = 100 per group). Blinded measurements (n = 50) were performed to check the general applicability to identify adulterated samples under routine conditions. The higher the adulterant concentration, the lower the concentrations of histidine, methylhistidine, and UA. In return, amounts of their oxidation products increased. Highest changes were observed under weak acid conditions (pH 4–5). Storage at −20°C ensured sufficient stability for all oxidative markers over one month. ROC evaluated biomarker performance and application to unknown samples revealed satisfying results, with HIU as the most suitable biomarker (positive predictive value (PPV) 100%), followed by UA (PPV 93%). HIU and UA proved suitable markers to identify urine adulteration using KNO2 and are ready for implementation into routine MS procedures.
Macroinvertebrate drift response to hydropeaking: An experimental approach to assess the effect of varying ramping velocities
Authors: Schülting Lisa , Feld Christian K. , Zeiringer Bernhard , Huđek Helena , Graf Wolfram
Published: August 2018

Intermittent storage hydropower production is the only renewable source offering both a sufficient storage potential and a high temporal flexibility in production to ensure grid stability. However, hydropeaking (generation of peak discharges by hydroelectric operation) causes fluctuations in the wetted width, water depth, flow velocity, and bottom shear stress downstream of a hydroelectric facility. River biota are known to be affected by these changes, which leads for example to increased drift. Correspondingly, abundance and biomass of macroinvertebrates are frequently found to be reduced in impacted river stretches. Although there is sufficient evidence for increasing drift proportions due to hydropeaking, only few studies have highlighted the role of the rapidity of flow increase before and flow decrease after a peak event (ramping velocity). Here, we present the outcome of experimental hydropeaking in artificial flumes, mimicking two ramping velocity treatments (T1: 0.5 cm/min, T2: 1 cm/min water table change) in early and late spring (June '14, March '15). Macroinvertebrate drift was significantly higher in treatments as compared with control flumes. Drift proportions peaked during the up‐ramping phase and were slightly lower during the peak discharge phase. Drift proportions of T2 treatments were significantly higher than those of T1 in June but not in March. Our findings suggest that hydropeaking requires thoughtful ramping management, to allow macroinvertebrates to seek for refugia on the stream bottom during the peak event. However, the evidence of daytime‐dependent and seasonal drift patterns also plea for adaptive management, to account for the temporal variability of macroinvertebrate drift.
The Influence of the Quinoline Moiety on Direct Pd‐Catalyzed Arylation of Five‐Membered Heterocycles
Authors: Štefane Bogdan , Grošelj Uroš , Svete Jurij , Požgan Franc , Kočar Drago , Brodnik Žugelj Helena
Published: August 2018

Herein we report a study on the reactivity of C2‐quinoline‐substituted furan, thiophene and pyrrole derivatives in palladium‐catalyzed direct C–H arylation. The regioselectivity of the reaction was strongly influenced by site position of the attached five‐membered heterocycle thus giving rise to C3‐ and/or C5‐arylated products. Furthermore, the Hammett correlation performed on 5‐substituted‐8‐(furan‐2‐yl)quinolines indicates that a marginally positive charge is building up in the rate determining transition state and thus pointing towards the electrophilic metalation‐deprotonation reaction mechanism.
Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions in the Ley–Griffith Oxidation: Practical Considerations for the Synthetic Chemist
Authors: Moore Peter W. , Zerk Timothy J. , Burns Jed M. , Bernhardt Paul V. , Williams Craig M.
Published: August 2018

The Ley–Griffith oxidation, which is catalyzed by tetra‐n‐propylammonium perruthenate (TPAP, nPr4N[RuO4]), is a popular method for not only controlled oxidation of primary alcohols to aldehydes, but also a host of other synthetically useful transformations. While the fundamental reaction mechanism has recently been elucidated, several key hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the reagents were implicated but not investigated. Herein the prevalence of H‐bonding between the co‐oxidant N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide (NMO), the alcohol substrate, water and the perruthenate catalyst is established. These observations help to rationalize the importance of drying the reagents and lead to several practical suggestions.