bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the scattering effects on NIR data for the prediction of ash content using EMSC correction factors
Authors: Mancini Manuela , Toscano Giuseppe , Rinnan Åsmund
Published: January 2019

Scattering effect is a really common physical phenomenon during near‐infrared analysis. It is an undesired variation in the spectral data due to a deviation of light from a straight trajectory into different paths. The nonlinearities introduced can be handled by using spectral preprocessing techniques. The situation is completely different when the parameter of interest is physical by nature, such as ash content, in this case removing the physical artifacts of scattering would be negative for the final model. In this study, we have decided to investigate the ash content parameter trying to figure out if the information useful for its prediction is related to the scattering effects, the chemical features, or a mixture of them. To this aim, two near‐infrared spectral datasets were taken into consideration: woodchip for energy sector and pellet samples for feed sector. A new regression model (CORR‐PLS) was developed by including principal components analysis scores and extended multiplicative scatter correction (EMSC) factors as physical parameters into the partial least squares (PLS) regression model. The prediction performance of the regular PLS models (PLS on the raw data and MSC pre‐treated data) were compared with that of the CORR‐PLS model both with regard to prediction uncertainty and model complexity in order to evaluate which is the relevant information for prediction of the ash content.
Classification of six herbal bioactive compositions employing LAPV and PLS‐DA
Authors: Górski Łukasz , Kowalcze Mateusz , Jakubowska Małgorzata
Published: January 2019

Numerous medical herbal products available on the market require development of fast and cheap strategies of authenticity control. Such method may be large amplitude pulse voltammetry (LAPV) with boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE), combined with chemometric supervised method—partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA). The voltammetric method was used to gather the chemical profiles, required to prepare PLS‐DA multivariate classification model. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to classify six ethanol herbal compositions (with content analogous to the commercial products) and provided reliable classification model (without misclassifications).
Pattern of nitrergic cells and fibers organization in the central nervous system of the Australian lungfish,Neoceratodus forsteri(Sarcopterygii: Dipnoi)
Authors: López Jesús M. , Morona Ruth , González Agustín
Published: January 2019

The Australian lungfishNeoceratodus forsteriis the only extant species of the order Ceratodontiformes, which retained most of the primitive features of ancient lobe finned‐fishes. Lungfishes are the closest living relatives of land vertebrates and their study is important for deducing the neural traits that were conserved, modified, or lost with the transition from fishes to land vertebrates. We have investigated the nitrergic system with neural nitric oxide synthase (NOS) immunohistochemistry and NADPH‐diaphorase (NADPH‐d) histochemistry, which yielded almost identical results except for the primary olfactory projections and the terminal and preoptic nerve fibers labeled only for NADPH‐d. Combined immunohistochemistry was used for simultaneous detection of NOS with catecholaminergic, cholinergic, and serotonergic structures, aiming to establish accurately the localization of the nitrergic elements and to assess possible interactions between these neurotransmitter systems. The results demonstrated abundant nitrergic cells in the basal ganglia, amygdaloid complex, preoptic area, basal hypothalamus, mesencephalic tectum and tegmentum, laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, reticular formation, spinal cord, and retina. In addition, low numbers of nitrergic cells were observed in the olfactory bulb, all pallial divisions, lateral septum, suprachiasmatic nucleus, prethalamic and thalamic areas, posterior tubercle, pretectum, torus semicircularis, cerebellar nucleus, interpeduncular nucleus, the medial octavolateral nucleus, nucleus of the solitary tract, and the dorsal column nucleus. Colocalization of NOS and tyrosine hydroxylase was observed in numerous cells of the ventral tegmental area/substantia nigra complex. Comparison with other vertebrates, using a neuromeric analysis, reveals that the nitrergic system ofNeoceratodusshares many neuroanatomical features with tetrapods and particularly with amphibians.
Enzymatic Synthesis of Backbone‐Modified Oligonucleotides Using T4 DNA Ligase
Authors: Kestemont Donaat , Herdewijn Piet , Renders Marleen
Published: January 2019

T4 DNA ligase in high concentrations of certain crowding agents and cosolutes catalyzes the synthesis of a series of backbone‐modified oligonucleotides that are difficult to obtain chemically. Backbone‐modified nucleic acids are often enzymatically and chemically more stable, making them interesting as potential diagnostic or therapeutic agents, as a biosafety tool, or in nanotechnology. In this article, we describe a small‐scale experiment to probe the efficiency of the ligation reaction of modified oligonucleotides in the presence of 3 M betaine and 10% PEG 8000, followed by large‐scale ligation with subsequent isolation of the ligated oligonucleotide. The correct product formation can be verified using denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Aqueous Synthesis of 14‐15‐Membered Crown Ethers with Mixed O, N and S Heteroatoms: Experimental and Theoretical Binding Studies with Platinum‐Group Metals
Authors: Torrejos Rey Eliseo C. , Nisola Grace M. , Min Sang Hoon , Han Jeong Woo , Koo Sangho , Parohinog Khino J. , Lee Seongpoong , Kim Hern , Chung Wook‐Jin
Published: January 2019

A series of 14‐15‐membered O, N, and S‐containing crown ethers (CEs) was synthesized by cyclization of bis‐epoxides with aryl‐N or S dinucleophiles using triethylamine as a catalyst and LiCl as a metal template in water. The catalyst dosage, and metal template type and dosage were critical in achieving yields of 56–93 %. Liquid‐liquid extraction (LLE) was performed to evaluate the CE complexation with Pd2+ and Pt2+. Among the CEs, a dioxa‐dithia dibenzo CE exhibited the highest Pd2+ selectivity even in the presence of other platinum‐group metals (PGMs). Complementary DFT studies reveal that this CE has the most compatible cavity dimension (ØCE=1.58 Å) with Pd2+ (ØPd2+=1.56 Å) forming a square‐planar S4 geometry. Binding‐energy calculations showed the Pd2+ complex has the least energy requirement for structural reorientation during complexation. Overall results highlight the importance of CE cavity dimension and presence of S heteroatoms for the structural design of CEs selective towards PGMs such as Pd2+.
Crosswise Phthalocyanines with Collinear Functionalization: New Paradigmatic Derivatives for Efficient Singlet Oxygen Photosensitization
Authors: Revuelta‐Maza Miguel A. , Hally Cormac , Nonell Santi , de la Torre Gema , Torres Tomás
Published: January 2019

We describe here the preparation of a series of trans‐ABAB Zn(II) phthalocyanines (ZnPcs, which combine several interesting features. First, these compounds present high solubility and hindered aggregation, due to the functionalization of two facing isoindole constituents (B) of the ZnPc with bis(trifluoromethylphenyl) units. Second, the other two isoindoles (A) bear extra‐annulated phthalimide units containing different substituents in the nitrogen positions, this feature results in a collinear arrangement of a variety of functional groups. Some of these collinearly functionalized ZnPcs are interesting building blocks for constructing either homo‐ or heteroarrays containing ZnPc units. Furthermore, the amphiphilic nature of some members of the series renders them interesting candidates for photosensitization of singlet oxygen. Photophysical studies on a model compound of the series have shown that these molecules are efficient singlet oxygen photosensitizers in both polar and apolar media, with 1O2 quantum yields (φΔ) as high as 0.74.
High‐Resolution Chromatin Profiling Using CUT&RUN
Authors: Hainer Sarah J. , Fazzio Thomas G.
Published: January 2019

Determining the genomic location of DNA‐binding proteins is essential to understanding their function. Cleavage Under Targets and Release Using Nuclease (CUT&RUN) is a powerful method for mapping protein‐DNA interactions at high resolution. In CUT&RUN, a recombinant protein A–microccocal nuclease (pA‐MN) fusion is recruited by an antibody targeting the chromatin protein of interest; this can be done with either uncrosslinked or formaldehyde‐crosslinked cells. DNA fragments near sites of antibody binding are released from the insoluble bulk chromatin through endonucleolytic cleavage and used to build barcoded DNA‐sequencing libraries that can be sequenced in pools of at least 30. Therefore, CUT&RUN provides an alternative to ChIP‐seq approaches for mapping chromatin proteins, which typically have relatively high signal‐to‐noise ratios, while using fewer cells and at a lower cost. Here, we describe the methods for performing CUT&RUN, generating DNA‐sequencing libraries, and analyzing the resulting datasets. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Efficient Generation of Trunk Neural Crest and Sympathetic Neurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Via a Neuromesodermal Axial Progenitor Intermediate
Authors: Frith Thomas J. R. , Tsakiridis Anestis
Published: January 2019

The neural crest (NC) is a multipotent embryonic cell population that generates various cell types in an axial position‐dependent manner. Cranial NC cells give rise to mesoectodermal derivatives, melanocytes, neurons, and glia whereas the vagal NC generates the enteric nervous system and trunk NC cells produce sympathetic neurons and neuroendocrine cells. An attractive approach for studying human NC biology and modeling NC‐associated developmental disorders (neurocristopathies) involves the in vitro production of NC cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). However, most conventional differentiation protocols generate predominantly cranial NC cells but fail to induce trunk NC cells. Here we describe a detailed protocol for the efficient in vitro generation of trunk NC cells and their derivatives from hPSCs. This relies on the induction of an intermediate cell population that exhibits neural and mesodermal potential, resembling the embryonic neuromesodermal progenitors, which generate the postcranial body axis in vivo. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Hypersensitivity and Cardiovascular Risks Related to Allopurinol and Febuxostat Therapy in Asians: A Population‐Based Cohort Study and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Chen Chi‐Hua , Chen Chun‐Bing , Chang Chee Jen , Lin Yu Jr , Wang Chuang‐Wei , Chi Ching‐Chi , Lu Chun‐Wei , Chen Wei‐Ti , Pan Ren‐You , Su Shih‐Chi , Hsu Lung‐An , Chang Ya‐Ching , Yu Kuang‐Hui , Wu Yeong‐Jian Jan , Lin Ko‐Ming , Hung Shuen‐Iu , Chen Shih‐Ming , Chung Wen‐Hung
Published: January 2019

The safety of newer xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat compared to allopurinol remains unclear. To compare the risks of allopurinol hypersensitivity and febuxostat hypersensitivity and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Asians, we conducted a population‐based cohort study enrolling patients receiving allopurinol or febuxostat from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Health System across Taiwan during 2012–2016 and further performed a meta‐analysis incorporating two recent studies. Among the 61,539 users, a corresponding 12,007 and 5,680 patients were identified as new users. The overall incidence of febuxostat hypersensitivity was significantly lower than allopurinol hypersensitivity (0.2 vs. 2.7 per 1,000 new users; P < 0.001). There were 33 allopurinol‐hypersensitivity reactions (including 18 severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions), and only one patient developed febuxostat‐maculopapular exanthema. Moreover, febuxostat did not statistically increase the risk of CVD (hazard ratio (HR), 1.16; P = 0.152) and related death (HR, 1.49; P = 0.496) compared to allopurinol. The result of the meta‐analysis also showed a consistent result. In conclusion, the incidence and severity of febuxostat‐hypersensitivity are lower than with allopurinol. Febuxostat did not show an increased risk of CVD and related death.
High‐gain, high‐CMRR class AB operational transconductance amplifier based on the flipped voltage follower
Authors: Centurelli Francesco , Monsurrò Pietro , Trifiletti Alessandro
Published: January 2019

A novel class AB operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) topology is proposed, based on a class AB flipped voltage follower. The OTA has class AB behavior, with current boosting both for the load and the compensation capacitors. It has a high gain of (gmr0)4, obtained using a two‐stage structure with cascoded stages, and is a two‐stage Miller‐compensated amplifier employing multipath to remove the positive zero. It has close to rail‐to‐rail output swing (limited by cascoding) and very low common‐mode gain thanks to a replica technique (allowing the use of low‐power common‐mode feedback [CMFB] loops). Ninety‐two decibels of gain and 176 dB of common‐mode rejection ratio (CMRR) without CMFB are achieved using a 40‐nm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. The OTA is used to design a low‐power sample‐and‐hold amplifier (SHA) operating at 5 MSps, a typical application for CMOS OTAs, which has been chosen to verify the proposed circuit's performance and to show that the OTA is robust in Monte Carlo simulations under process variations and mismatches in an actual application.
Embryonic and postembryonic development of the ornamental twin‐tail goldfish
Authors: Li Ing‐Jia , Lee Shu‐Hua , Abe Gembu , Ota Kinya G.
Published: January 2019

Background

Twin‐tail ornamental goldfish have “bifurcated median fins,” a peculiar morphology known to be caused by a mutation in the chdA gene. However, several ambiguities regarding the development of the phenotype remain due to a paucity of detailed observations covering the entire developmental timeframe.

Results

Here, we report a detailed comparative description of embryonic and postembryonic development for two representative twin‐tail ornamental goldfish strains and single‐tail common goldfish. Our observations reveal a polymorphic developmental process for bifurcated median fins; disrupted axial skeletal development at early larval stages; and modified bilateral location of the pelvic fin.

Conclusions

Variations in development of bifurcated median fins and disrupted axial skeletal patterns reflect how artificial selection for adult morphological features influenced molecular developmental mechanisms during the domestication of twin‐tail ornamental goldfish. The polymorphic appearance of bifurcated median fins also implies that, unlike previously proposed hypotheses, the development of these structures is controlled by molecular mechanisms independent of those acting on the pelvic fin. Our present findings will facilitate further study of how modifications of preexisting developmental systems may contribute to novel morphological features. Developmental Dynamics 248:251–283, 2019. © 2019 The Authors. Developmental Dynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
Trait–performance relationships of grassland plant species differ between common garden and field conditions
Authors: Breitschwerdt Eva , Jandt Ute , Bruelheide Helge
Published: January 2019

The way functional traits affect growth of plant species may be highly context‐specific. We asked which combinations of trait values are advantageous under field conditions in managed grasslands as compared to conditions without competition and land‐use. In a two‐year field experiment, we recorded the performance of 93 species transplanted into German grassland communities differing in land‐use intensity and into a common garden, where species grew unaffected by land‐use under favorable conditions regarding soil, water, and space. The plants’ performance was characterized by two independent dimensions (relative growth rates (RGR) of height and leaf length vs. aboveground biomass and survival) that were differently related to the eight focal key traits in our study (leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), height, leaf anatomy, leaf persistence, leaf distribution, vegetative reproduction, and physical defense). We applied multivariate procrustes analyses to test for the correspondence of the optimal trait–performance relationships between field and common garden conditions. RGRs were species‐specific and species ranks of RGRs in the field, and the common garden were significantly correlated. Different traits explained the performance in the field and the common garden; for example, leaf anatomy traits explained species performance only in the field, whereas plant height was found to be only important in the common garden. The ability to reproduce vegetatively, having leaves that are summer‐persistent and with high leaf dry matter content (LDMC) were traits of major importance under both settings, albeit the magnitude of their influence differed slightly between the field and the common garden experiment. All optimal models included interactions between traits, pointing out the necessity to analyze traits in combination. The differences between field and common garden clearly demonstrate context dependency of trait‐based growth models, which results in limited transferability of favorable trait combinations between different environmental settings.
Age‐mediation of tree‐growth responses to experimental warming in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Du Jun , Li Kai , He Zhibin , Chen Longfei , Zhu Xi , Lin Pengfei
Published: January 2019

The trajectory of tree‐growth response to climate warming may be related to attributes like tree age. However, age‐mediation of temperature sensitivity of tree growth has received little attention. This study aimed to determine how age affects tree growth in a future warmer world. In a 2‐year ecosystem warming experiment in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau of China, we explored the response of Qinghai spruce saplings at two life stages to two warming levels. Our results indicated a significant interaction between warming and age for sapling growth of Qinghai spruce. In high‐level warming scenario, the experiment increased growing season air temperatures by approximately 1.0°C and annual growing degree‐days by 38%. In response, warmed saplings lengthened the growing season by 10 days on average and increased the final shoot length to a maximum of 104% compared to control groups. Comparison of age classes revealed that old saplings exhibited significantly higher temperature sensitivity than young saplings. This performance may be caused by the differences in adaptive strategy to the asymmetric warming occurring during the whole day. Increased daytime temperature was expected to significantly enhance leaf photosynthesis, whereas lack of obvious nighttime warming would effectively restrict autotrophic respiration, thus resulting in the higher growth rate of old saplings compared with young saplings. Moreover, lack of nighttime warming rendered young saplings to be still in high stresses of freezing injury at low temperatures. These findings highlight the need for additional research on the effects of further climate anomalies on tree species during their ontogenetic processes.
A Learning Progression for Geometric Transformations
Authors: Fife James H. , James Kofi , Bauer Malcolm
Published: January 2019

In this paper, a learning progression for geometric transformations is developed based on research that demonstrates the importance of viewing transformations as functions of the plane. The 5 levels of the progression reflect a student's evolving understanding of transformations as functions and their evolving understanding of the domain of these transformation as functions. The learning progression developed here is designed to be in alignment with the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM), in that a student who is placed at a particular level in the learning progression would have mastered the Common Core standards at the corresponding grade level. The description of the learning progression also includes sample tasks at each level that are intended to target that level of the progression.
Exponential spatial correlation with large‐scale fading variations in massive MIMO channel estimation
Authors: Croisfelt Rodrigues Victor , Marinello José Carlos , Abrão Taufik
Published: January 2019

To provide the vast exploitation of the large number of antennas on massive multiple‐input–multiple‐output (M‐MIMO), it is crucial to know as accurately as possible the channel state information in the base station. This knowledge is canonically acquired through channel estimation procedures conducted after a pilot signaling phase, which adopts the widely accepted time‐division duplex scheme. However, the quality of channel estimation is very impacted either by pilot contamination or by spatial correlation of the channels. There are several models that strive to match the spatial correlation in M‐MIMO channels, the exponential correlation model being one of these. To observe how the channel estimation and pilot contamination are affected by this correlated fading model, this work proposes to investigate an M‐MIMO scenario applying the standard minimum mean square error channel estimation approach over uniform linear arrays and uniform planar arrays (ULAs and UPAs, respectively) of antennas. Moreover, the elements of the array are considered to contribute unequally on the communication, owing to large‐scale fading variations over the array. Thus, it was perceived that the spatially correlated channels generated by this combined model offer a reduction of pilot contamination, consequently the estimation quality is improved. The UPA acquired better results regarding pilot contamination since it has been demonstrated that this type of array generates stronger levels of spatial correlation than the ULA. In contrast to the favorable results in channel estimation, the channel hardening effect was impaired by the spatially correlated channels, where the UPA imposes the worst performance of this effect for the discussed model.
Production of blueberry wine and volatile characterization of young and bottle‐aging beverages
Authors: Mendes‐Ferreira Ana , Coelho Eduardo , Barbosa Catarina , Oliveira José M. , Mendes‐Faia Arlete
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study was the production of blueberry wine and the characterization of the volatile compounds of fermented and aging in bottle products. Multivariate data analysis indicated similarity of volatile compounds released when fermentations were conducted at laboratory‐scale and midscale, with the exception of one replicate creating a distinctive group characterized by low concentrations of acetaldehyde, methanol, 1‐hexanol, and ethyl hexanoate, and the production of polyalcohols such as 2,3‐butanediols. This experiment was the only one where no adjustments of YAN were performed. Some of the major volatile compounds (acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate, 2‐methyl‐1‐butanol, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol, and 2‐phenylethanol) were found above their perception thresholds. Esters and terpenic compounds were the groups of volatiles expressed the most in blueberry wines, followed by volatile fatty acids, alcohols, and norisoprenoids (3‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dihydro‐β‐ionone, 3‐oxo‐α‐ionol, and 3‐hydroxy‐7,8‐dihydro‐β‐ionol). The wines that experienced bottle‐aging are characterized by high concentrations of ethyl esters, diethyl succinate, ethyl lactate, and diethyl malonate. The results contribute for deeper knowledge of the technological procedure, analytical characteristics, and volatile compounds of blueberry wines, reinforcing the interest in this beverage and opening perspectives for further studies on the production of new blueberry‐based products with differential characteristics that value its nutraceutical and functional properties.
The comparison of krill oil extracted through ethanol–hexane method and subcritical method
Authors: Sun Weiwei , Shi Bowen , Xue Changhu , Jiang Xiaoming
Published: January 2019

This study aimed to develop a safe method EH (ethanol–hexane) to extract two kinds of krill oil (KO) simultaneously and analyze their composition. Meanwhile, subcritical butane and subcritical butane‐dimethyl ether extraction were used to extract KO for analysis comparison. Folch method was used to extract total lipids. When the volume ratio of ethanol to hexane is 4:6, the separation effect of ethanol layer and hexane layer is best. At this condition, the EH method yielded similar amount of lipids (up to 97. 72% of total lipids) with subcritical butane extraction method (97.60%). The recovery rate of ethanol and hexane was 83.6% and 86.86%, respectively. KO in hexane layer and extracted by the subcritical butane method are abundant in astaxanthin (910 and 940 mg/kg respectively), while KO in the ethanol layer had the highest phospholipid (PL) content (47.34%), n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content (45.51%), and the lowest fluorine content (11.17 μg/g), making it a potential candidate in the nutraceutical and antioxidant industry.
Suprapubic cystostomy during renal transplantation in a patient with a urethral stricture after hypospadias surgery: A case report
Authors: Kawaguchi Shohei , Kadono Yoshifumi , Nohara Takahiro , Kato Yuki , Naito Renato , Urata Satoko , Nakashima Kazufumi , Shigehara Kazuyoshi , Mizokami Atsushi
Published: January 2019

Introduction

Renal transplantation often causes polyuria, and a Foley catheter is typically placed after transplantation. A urethral stricture often makes it difficult to insert a normal diameter urethral catheter.

Case presentation

We report on the case of a 16‐year‐old adolescent male with a history of hypospadias surgery who underwent a cystostomy during renal transplantation. A cystostomy was placed during transplantation because of stricture of the pendulous urethra. Urine leakage into the retroperitoneum occurred after cystostomy catheter removal. An 8‐Fr urethral catheter was placed, and urine was aspirated to prevent drainage failure. Voiding cystourethrography performed after 2 weeks showed that there was no leakage. After that, the patient had no trouble with urination.

Conclusion

A cystostomy may be one strategy for renal transplantation patients with a urethral stricture. Urine leak can occur because of the delay in wound healing caused by immunosuppressive therapy. Therefore, cystostomy management strategies should be considered carefully.
Short‐term evaluation of thromboresistance of a poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) mechanical heart valve with poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)‐grafted surface in a porcine aortic valve replacement model
Authors: Kambe Yusuke , Mahara Atsushi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Kakinoki Sachiro , Fukazawa Kyoko , Liu Yihua , Kyomoto Masayuki , Minatoya Kenji , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Yamaoka Tetsuji
Published: January 2019

Improved thromboresistance of mechanical valves is desired to decrease the risk of thromboembolism and thrombosis and reduce the dosage of anticoagulation with a vitamin K antagonist (e.g., warfarin). For several mechanical valves, design‐related features are responsible for their improved thromboresistance. However, it remains unclear whether material‐related features provide a practical level of thromboresistance to mechanical valves. Here, we studied the effect of a bileaflet valve made of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) with a poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC)‐grafted surface (PEEK‐g‐PMPC). PMPC is a well‐known thromboresistant polymeric material. A short‐term (<26 h) porcine aortic valve replacement model using neither an anticoagulant nor an antiplatelet agent showed that the PEEK‐g‐PMPC valve opened and closed normally with an allowable transvalvular gradient. Unlike an untreated PEEK valve, no thrombus formed on the PEEK‐g‐PMPC valves on gross anatomy examination in addition to the absence of traveled thrombi in the kidney and lung tissues. Material (PEEK‐g‐PMPC)–related thromboresistance appeared to decrease the risk of thromboembolism and thrombosis for patients with mechanical valves. However, thromboresistance of the PEEK‐g‐PMPC valve requires improvement because fibrous fouling was still observed on the leaflet. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1052–1063, 2019.
CoCr porous scaffolds manufactured via selective laser melting in orthopedics: Topographical, mechanical, and biological characterization
Authors: Caravaggi Paolo , Liverani Erica , Leardini Alberto , Fortunato Alessandro , Belvedere Claudio , Baruffaldi Fabio , Fini Milena , Parrilli Annapaola , Mattioli‐Belmonte Monica , Tomesani Luca , Pagani Stefania
Published: January 2019

Over the last decade, advances in additive manufacturing have allowed to obtain complex 3D porous lattice in materials suitable for orthopedic applications. Whereas 3D‐melted titanium alloys have been extensively investigated, little is the current knowledge on the feasibility of bone‐replicating CoCr porous scaffolds manufactured via selective laser melting (SLM). Moreover, the effect of topography on bone cells viability and proliferation has not been fully explored yet. Small cylindrical porous lattices were modeled from micro‐CT images of human trabecular bone, and from the repetition of spherical‐hollow and body‐centered cubic unit cells, and manufactured via SLM from CoCr powder. Macro‐ and microcharacterization of the porous samples were assessed using optical microscope, micro‐CT, and SEM. The scaffolds mechanical properties, measured via ISO testing, compared well with those of the human bone. Osteoblast‐like cells proliferation and viability were assessed in vitro, and compared to those cultured on a standard nonporous implant‐to‐bone interface, showing steady increase on all geometries over time. SEM analysis confirmed the quality of cells morphology, spread, and organization on all lattices. The SLM process appeared not to alter the biocompatibility of CoCr; however, 15–100 μm irregularities and macroalterations were observed in the porous scaffolds with respect to the 3D nominal models. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2343–2353, 2019.
Fabrication and modification of wavy multicomponent vascular grafts with biomimetic mechanical properties, antithrombogenicity, and enhanced endothelial cell affinity
Authors: Mi Hao‐Yang , Jing Xin , Li Zhu‐Tong , Lin Yu‐Jyun , Thomson James A. , Turng Lih‐Sheng
Published: January 2019

A mismatch of mechanical properties and a high rate of thromboses are two critical challenges of creating viable artificial small‐diameter vascular grafts (SDVGs). Herein, we propose a method to fabricate wavy multicomponent vascular grafts (WMVGs) via electrospinning using an assembled rotating collector. The WMVGs consisted of a wavy silk/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) inner layer and a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) outer layer, which mimic the structures and properties of collagen and elastin in native blood vessels, respectively. Attributed to the wavy structure and the combination of rigid silk/PLA and elastic TPU biomaterials, WMVGs are capable of mimicking the nonlinear tensile stress–strain relationship and “toe region” of native blood vessels. In addition, they have sufficient mechanical strength to meet implantation requirements in terms of tensile strength, suture retention, and burst pressure. Further modification of silk/PLA fibers with dopamine and heparin gave the grafts antithrombogenic properties and greatly enhanced endothelial cell affinities. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on modified silk/PLA showed high viability, high proliferation rate, and favorable cell–substrate interactions. Moreover, HUVECs were able to fully cover and freely migrate upward on the lumen of the modified WMVGs without needing a special circulation bioreactor. Therefore, the modified WMVGs possessed biomimetic properties, antithrombogenicity, and enhanced endothelialization, making them a promising candidate for SDVGs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2397–2408, 2019.
Hexamethyldisiloxane‐modified ZnO‐SiO2‐coated superhydrophobic textiles for antibacterial application
Authors: Rilda Yetria , Safitri Reza , Putri Yulia Eka , Refinel Refinel , Agustien Anthoni , Leaw Wai Loon , Nur Hadi
Published: January 2019

A superhydrophobic cotton textile with high antibacterial properties has been fabricated. The cotton textile was coated through the in situ growth of ZnO‐SiO2 nanoparticles in presence of chitosan as the template agent via a hydrothermal process at 95 °C. This process was followed by the coating of additional layers of hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). The obtained cotton textile showed antibacterial property against Staphylococcus epidermis and Escherichia coli with inhibition zones up to 18.26 and 8.48 mm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the coating had a rough surface, which was attributed to the distribution of ZnO‐SiO2 nanorods of hexagonal shape. This rough surface creates a superhydrophobic layer that repels the bacteria, as proven by the large water contact angle of approximately 150°. Nevertheless, the HDTMS layers prolong the durability of hydrophobicity for up to 3 h.
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling Approach to Predict Drug‐Drug Interactions With Ethionamide Involving Impact of Genetic Polymorphism on FMO3
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Parvez Md Masud , Kim Min Jung , Yoo Sung Eun , Ahn Sangzin , Ghim Jong‐Lyul , Shin Jae‐Gook
Published: January 2019

The widely used second‐line antituberculosis drug ethionamide shows wide interindividual variability in its disposition; however, the relevant factors affecting this phenomenon have not been characterized. We previously reported the major contribution of flavin‐containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in the reductive elimination pathway of ethionamide. In this study, ethionamide metabolism was potentially inhibited by methimazole in vitro. The drug‐drug interaction leading to methimazole affecting the disposition of ethionamide mediated by FMO3 was then quantitated using a bottom‐up approach with a physiologically based pharmacokinetic framework. The maximum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve (AUC) of ethionamide were estimated to increase by 13% and 16%, respectively, when coadministered with methimazole. Subsequently, we explored the effect of FMO3 genetic polymorphism on metabolic capacity, by constructing 2 common functional variants, Lys158‐FMO3 and Gly308‐FMO3. Compared to the wild type, recombinant Lys158‐FMO3 and Gly308‐FMO3 variants significantly decreased the intrinsic clearance of ethionamide by 2% and 24%, respectively. Two prevalent functional variants of FMO3 were predicted to affect ethionamide disposition, with mean ratios of Cmax and AUC of up to 1.5 and 1.7, respectively, in comparison with the wild type. In comparing single ethionamide administration with the wild type, simulations of the combined effects of comedications and FMO3 genetic polymorphism estimated that the Cmax and AUC ratios of ethionamide increased up to 1.7 and 2.0, respectively. These findings suggested that FMO3‐mediated drug‐drug interaction and genetic polymorphism could be important determinants of interindividual heterogeneity in ethionamide disposition that need to be considered comprehensively to optimize the personalized dosing of ethionamide.
Low angle boundary migration of shot‐peened pure nickel investigated by electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction
Authors: Oh Jin‐Su , Cha Hyun‐Woo , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Shin Keesam , Yang Cheol‐Woong
Published: January 2019

Study on recrystallization of deformed metal is important for practical industrial applications. Most of studies about recrystallization behavior focused on the migration of the high‐angle grain boundaries, resulting in lack of information of the kinetics of the low angle grain boundary migration. In this study, we focused on the migration of the low angle grain boundaries during recrystallization process. Pure nickel deformed by shot peening which induced plastic deformation at the surface was investigated. The surface of the specimen was prepared by mechanical polishing using diamond slurry and colloidal silica down to 0.02 μm. Sequential heat treatment under a moderate annealing temperature facilitates to observe the migration of low angle grain boundaries. The threshold energy for low angle boundary migration during recrystallization as a function of misorientation angle was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy techniques. A combination of electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction was used to measure the average dislocation density and a quantitative estimation of the stored energy near the boundary. It was observed that the migration of the low angle grain boundaries during recrystallization was strongly affected by both the stored energy of the deformed matrix and the misorientation angle of the boundary. Through the combination of electron channeling contrast imaging and electron backscatter diffraction, the threshold stored energy for the migration of the low angle grain boundaries was estimated as a function of the boundary misorientation.
Assessing genetic counselors’ experiences with physician aid‐in‐dying and practice implications
Authors: D’Angelo Abby , Ormond Kelly E. , Magnus David , Tabor Holly K.
Published: January 2019

Physician aid‐in‐dying (PAD) is now legalized in more than half a dozen states across the United States yet remains controversial among health care providers and the general public. Previous studies have described physicians’ and nurses’ experiences with and attitudes about PAD; however, there is no data about PAD in the context of genetic counseling. This study explores genetic counselors’ experiences, understanding, training, and perspectives about PAD. Fifteen participants were recruited to complete semistructured telephone interviews. Five participants had received patient inquiries about PAD. Most participants (n = 10) did not feel prepared to discuss PAD with patients and felt that they did not have adequate knowledge to answer patient questions about the practice. Participants described how the unique training, skills, and experiences of genetic counselors could be beneficial for discussing PAD with patients, in comparison to other providers. All participants supported training for genetic counselors about PAD, with many suggesting integration with education about palliative care and end‐of‐life planning. This is the first study to investigate PAD in the context of genetic counseling. Genetic counselors have had patients ask questions about PAD, want education and access to resources about PAD, and believe they can provide important support and guidance to patients considering PAD in some genetic counseling contexts.
The neurological and psychological phenotype of adult patients with early‐treated phenylketonuria: A systematic review
Authors: Burlina Alessandro P. , Lachmann Robin H. , Manara Renzo , Cazzorla Chiara , Celato Andrea , van Spronsen Francjan J. , Burlina Alberto
Published: January 2019

Newborn screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and early introduction of dietary therapy has been remarkably successful in preventing the severe neurological features of PKU, including mental retardation and epilepsy. However, concerns remain that long‐term outcome is still suboptimal, particularly in adult patients who are no longer on strict phenylalanine‐restricted diets. With our systematic literature review we aimed to describe the neurological phenotype of adults with early‐treated phenylketonuria (ETPKU). The literature search covered the period from 1 January 1990 up to 16 April 2018, using the NLM MEDLINE controlled vocabulary. Of the 643 records initially identified, 83 were included in the analysis. The most commonly reported neurological signs were tremor and hyperreflexia. The overall quality of life (QoL) of ETPKU adults was good or comparable to control populations, and there was no evidence for a significant incidence of psychiatric disease or social difficulties. Neuroimaging revealed that brain abnormalities are present in ETPKU adults, but their clinical significance remains unclear. Generally, intelligence quotient (IQ) appears normal but specific deficits in neuropsychological and social functioning were reported in early‐treated adults compared with healthy individuals. However, accurately defining the prevalence of these deficits is complicated by the lack of standardized neuropsychological tests. Future research should employ standardized neurological, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging protocols, and consider other techniques such as advanced imaging analyses and the recently validated PKU‐specific QoL questionnaire, to precisely define the nature of the impairments within the adult ETPKU population and how these relate to metabolic control throughout life.
Inhibitory effects of azithromycin on the adherence ability of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Kan Powen , Sasaki Haruka , Inaba Keitaro , Watanabe Kiyoko , Hamada Nobushiro , Minabe Masato
Published: January 2019

Background

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen and has a high detection rate in periodontal disease. Fimbriae and hemagglutinin are expressed by P. gingivalis, and these play an important role in the adherence of the bacteria to periodontal tissue and biofilm formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sub‐minimal inhibitory concentrations (sub‐MICs) of azithromycin on the adherence of P. gingivalis, focusing on the inhibition of fimbriae expression and hemagglutinin activity.

Methods

P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 were incubated anaerobically with sub‐MICs of azithromycin at 37°C by gentle shaking for 18 hours. The bacterial cells were harvested, washed twice with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), and the proteins analyzed by 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE) and western blotting. Adherence assay and hemagglutinin activity tests were done with the same culture.

Results

The results of SDS‐PAGE indicated that the sub‐MICs of azithromycin inhibited 41‐kDa fimbrial protein expression and hemagglutinin activities. The disappearance of 41‐kDa fimbrial protein expression and long fimbriae in 0.4 µg/mL, 0.2 µg/mL, and 0.1 µg/mL of azithromycin was confirmed by western blotting and transmission electron microscopy. The adherence of P. gingivalis to human gingival epithelial cells was reduced by sub‐MICs of azithromycin compared with the adherence levels without antibiotic.

Conclusions

These results suggest that sub‐MICs of azithromycin may reduce the adherence of P. gingivalis to host cells, by inhibiting production of fimbriae and hemagglutinin activities. Therefore, azithromycin can be used as a biofilm treatment of periodontal disease caused by P. gingivalis.
On the Relationships between the Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance and the Nanoarchitecture of Nonionic Surfactant Systems
Authors: Rodríguez‐Abreu Carlos
Published: January 2019

Building links between established parameters for the characterization of surfactant systems is useful not only for the understanding of the underlying phenomena but also for the judicious formulation of products. Herein, we review comprehensively the literature data to find correlations between the hydrophilic–lipophilic balance (HLB) and the molecular packing parameter (CPP) for a variety of nonionic surfactants in water. The interfacial area per surfactant molecule, a fundamental variable to calculate CPP, follows a power law as a function of the number of ethylene oxide (EO) groups in the surfactant. The exponent ranges from 0.3 to 0.7, which may reflect changes in the conformation of the EO chain depending on the nature of the hydrophobic group; there is also apparently a transition toward a collapsed conformation of the EO chains at high surfactant concentrations. CPP is found to change linearly with HLB in the range of data studied, although the parameters of the linear fitting depend on the nature of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties of the surfactant; this would also imply a linear relationship between CPP and the HLB temperature (i.e., Phase Inversion Temperature) according to the Kunieda–Shinoda equation. Analysis of the liquid crystal regions of the surfactant phase diagram at constant temperature indicates that the HLB values required for the morphological phase transitions defined by CPP increase with surfactant concentration. The present report may serve as a contribution to the programmed design of nanoarchitectures in surfactant systems.
On biconservative hypersurfaces in ‐dimensional Riemannian space forms
Authors: Turgay Nurettin Cenk , Upadhyay Abhitosh
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we study biconservative hypersurfaces in and . Further, we obtain complete explicit classifications of biconservative hypersurfaces in 4‐dimensional Riemannian space forms with exactly three distinct principal curvatures.
Subjective performance of patent examiners, implicit contracts, and self‐funded patent offices
Authors: Langinier Corinne , Marcoul Philippe
Published: January 2019

Self‐funded patent offices should be concerned with patent quality (patents should be granted to only deserving innovations) and quantity (as revenues come from fees paid by applicants). In this context, we investigate what is the impact of the self‐funded constraint on different bonus contracts and how these contracts affect the examiners' incentive to prosecute patent applications. We consider contracts in which a patent office offers bonuses on quantity quotas (explicit contract) and on quality outcome (either an implicit contract or an explicit contract based on a quality proxy). We find that a self‐funded constrained agency should make different organization choices of incentives. For a low quality proxy precision, an agency facing a tight budget operates well with implicit contracts. However, by only relaxing moderately the budget constraint, the agency might be worse off simply because this will preclude implicit contracts. Only very large patenting fees might allow the agency to compensate for the loss of implicit contracts.
Income variability and selection of the pension system
Authors: Öztürk Göktuna Bilge
Published: January 2019

This paper provides a simple two‐period, game theoretic set‐up with heterogeneous agents to analyse individual selection of a pension scheme by different categories of agents. Agents have been differentiated according to their income variability. We describe Bayesian equilibria and provide examples to illustrate. The design of a pension scheme requires the consent of all the population, and we have shown that differences of volatility of income contribute to the divergence regarding the decision of a pension investment alternative. We also provide support for the subsistence of unfunded scheme in economies with demographic aging and with promising returns in funded alternatives.