bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The fractal properties of topography as controlled by the interactions of tectonic, lithological, and geomorphological processes
Authors: Liucci Luisa , Melelli Laura
Published: July 2017

Landscape topography widely exhibits fractal structure. Because of the complexity of relief geometry this structure is not homogeneous in space, and the study of its spatial characteristics represents a powerful method for investigating the interrelationships between landforms and underlying processes. We explore these interrelationships using the digital elevation model (DEM) of an area located in central Italy, where landscape topography is strongly linked to its geological evolution, being characterized by alternating intermountain basins and mountain ranges trending NW–SE. A modified version of the method based on the standard deviation of relief elevations is used to evaluate the fractal parameters of relief after tiling the DEM in spatial units characterized by homogeneous fractal geometry, and statistical methods in conjunction with spatial analysis techniques are applied to the resulting terrain datasets. Both the lowest and (to a lesser extent) the highest values of fractal dimension are found to follow the ridge‐and‐valley trend. Low fractal dimension is observed in the mountain ranges characterized by massive strata of limestone, and along the fault scarps defining the contact between the intermountain basins and the surrounding slopes, where sediment deposition prevails. High fractal dimension is observed in regions characterized by highly erodible terrigenous lithology, and in areas where tectonic activity favors erosional processes mainly by rivers. The analysis of the (fractal) power law parameters also suggests that each major lithological complex has its own characteristic fractal signature. These results provide new insights into the link between the fractal properties of topography and the tectonic, lithological, and geomorphological features of the area, and show that the analysis approach proposed is useful to depict key aspects about the geomorphological and geological setting of an area, using only a DEM. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of OmcA Mutants from Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 to Investigate the Molecular Mechanisms Underpinning Electron Transfer Across the Microbe‐Electrode Interface
Authors: Neto S. E. , de Melo‐Diogo D. , Correia I. J. , Paquete C. M. , Louro R. O.
Published: July 2017

Electricity production in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is an emerging green alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Shewanella oneidensis MR‐1 (SOMR‐1) is a Gram‐negative bacterium, adapted to MFCs due to its ability to link its bioenergetic metabolism through the periplasm to reduce extracellular electron acceptors. OmcA is a highly abundant outer‐membrane cytochrome of SOMR‐1 cells and is involved in the extracellular electron transfer to solid acceptors and electron shuttles. To investigate electron transfer performed by OmcA towards final acceptors, site directed mutagenesis was used to disturb the axial coordination of hemes. Interactions between OmcA and redox partners such as iron and graphene oxides, and electron shuttles were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and stopped‐flow experiments. Results showed that solid electron acceptors do not come into close proximity to the hemes, in agreement with experimentally observed slow electron transfer. In contrast, mutation of the distal axial ligand of heme VII changes the driving force of OmcA towards electron shuttles and reduces the affinity of the FMN:OmcA complex. Overall, these results reveal a functional specificity of particular hemes of OmcA and provide guidance for the rational design of mutated SOMR‐1 strains optimized for operating in different microbial electrochemical devices.
The relationship between vision impairment and well‐being among centenarians: findings from the Georgia Centenarian Study
Authors: Toyoshima Aya , Martin Peter , Sato Shinichi , Poon Leonard W.
Published: July 2017

Objective

The current study evaluated the visual function among centenarians and assessed the relationship between vision, social support, and well‐being.

Methods

This study used the data set of the Georgia Centenarian Study including 106 centenarians (18 men and 88 women). We used scores of the Snellen chart for objective vision and self‐reports for subjective vision. Social support, depression, and loneliness were also assessed.

Results

Approximately 75% of the centenarians showed some level of objective visual impairment, and 56% of them reported that they had visual impairment. Objective vision impairment was significantly related to depression. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both variables of visual function were significantly associated with depression, but not loneliness. In the model including depression, a significant interaction was obtained for social support and objective vision. Centenarians reported lower level of depression when they had social support. However, centenarians who had low level of visual function tended to report higher depression even if they had social support.

Implications

These results indicated that vision function was related to centenarians' well‐being, especially depression. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the incidence and factors predictive of outcome in patients with head and neck cancer with pulmonary nodules
Authors: Green Richard , Macmillan Mark T. , Tikka Theofano , Bruce Lorna , Murchison John T. , Nixon Iain J.
Published: July 2017

Background

The management of pulmonary nodules is challenging; unfortunately, little is known about the incidence and significance of pulmonary nodules in patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods

A review was conducted of 400 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer. Imaging was reviewed to identify the incidence of nodules and patient, tumor, and radiological factors associated with the risk of malignancy.

Results

Nodules were found in 58% of patients, with a malignant rate of 6%. Age was the only predictor of having a nodule and advanced‐stage III + IV was a predictor of malignancy (P = .023; odds ratio [OR] 10.64; confidence interval 1.33‐84.98).

Conclusion

Patients presenting with head and neck cancer have a higher incidence of pulmonary nodules and a higher risk of malignancy. In contrast to the British Thoracic Society (BTS) guidelines, which use size to guide the need for serial scans, we would recommend follow‐up imaging in all patients with head and neck cancer with nodules, irrespective of size.
Modeling cost‐effectiveness and health gains of a “universal” versus “prioritized” hepatitis C virus treatment policy in a real‐life cohort
Authors: Kondili Loreta A. , Romano Federica , Rolli Francesca Romana , Ruggeri Matteo , Rosato Stefano , Brunetto Maurizia Rossana , Zignego Anna Linda , Ciancio Alessia , Di Leo Alfredo , Raimondo Giovanni , Ferrari Carlo , Taliani Gloria , Borgia Guglielmo , Santantonio Teresa Antonia , Blanc Pierluigi , Gaeta Giovanni Battista , Gasbarrini Antonio , Chessa Luchino , Erne Elke Maria , Villa Erica , Ieluzzi Donatella , Russo Francesco Paolo , Andreone Pietro , Vinci Maria , Coppola Carmine , Chemello Liliana , Madonia Salvatore , Verucchi Gabriella , Persico Marcello , Zuin Massimo , Puoti Massimo , Alberti Alfredo , Nardone Gerardo , Massari Marco , Montalto Giuseppe , Foti Giuseppe , Rumi Maria Grazia , Quaranta Maria Giovanna , Cicchetti Americo , Craxì Antonio , Vella Stefano ,   on behalf of the PITER Collaborating Group
Published: July 2017

We evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of two alternative direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) treatment policies in a real‐life cohort of hepatitis C virus–infected patients: policy 1, “universal,” treat all patients, regardless of fibrosis stage; policy 2, treat only “prioritized” patients, delay treatment of the remaining patients until reaching stage F3. A liver disease progression Markov model, which used a lifetime horizon and health care system perspective, was applied to the PITER cohort (representative of Italian hepatitis C virus–infected patients in care). Specifically, 8,125 patients naive to DAA treatment, without clinical, sociodemographic, or insurance restrictions, were used to evaluate the policies’ cost‐effectiveness. The patients’ age and fibrosis stage, assumed DAA treatment cost of €15,000/patient, and the Italian liver disease costs were used to evaluate quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY) and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICER) of policy 1 versus policy 2. To generalize the results, a European scenario analysis was performed, resampling the study population, using the mean European country‐specific health states costs and mean treatment cost of €30,000. For the Italian base‐case analysis, the cost‐effective ICER obtained using policy 1 was €8,775/QALY. ICERs remained cost‐effective in 94%‐97% of the 10,000 probabilistic simulations. For the European treatment scenario the ICER obtained using policy 1 was €19,541.75/QALY. ICER was sensitive to variations in DAA costs, in the utility value of patients in fibrosis stages F0‐F3 post–sustained virological response, and in the transition probabilities from F0 to F3. The ICERs decrease with decreasing DAA prices, becoming cost‐saving for the base price (€15,000) discounts of at least 75% applied in patients with F0‐F2 fibrosis.

Conclusion: Extending hepatitis C virus treatment to patients in any fibrosis stage improves health outcomes and is cost‐effective; cost‐effectiveness significantly increases when lowering treatment prices in early fibrosis stages. (Hepatology 2017;66:1814–1825)
A distinct plasma lipid signature associated with poor prognosis in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Lin Hui‐Ming , Mahon Kate L. , Weir Jacquelyn M. , Mundra Piyushkumar A. , Spielman Calan , Briscoe Karen , Gurney Howard , Mallesara Girish , Marx Gavin , Stockler Martin R. , PRIMe Consortium  , Parton Robert G. , Hoy Andrew J. , Daly Roger J. , Meikle Peter J. , Horvath Lisa G.
Published: July 2017

Lipids are known to influence tumour growth, inflammation and chemoresistance. However, the association of circulating lipids with the clinical outcome of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is unknown. We investigated associations between the plasma lipidome and clinical outcome in CRPC. Lipidomic profiling by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry was performed on plasma samples from a Phase 1 discovery cohort of 96 CRPC patients. Results were validated in an independent Phase 2 cohort of 63 CRPC patients. Unsupervised analysis of lipidomic profiles (323 lipid species) classified the Phase 1 cohort into two patient subgroups with significant survival differences (HR 2.31, 95% CI 1.44–3.68, p = 0.0005). The levels of 46 lipids were individually prognostic and were predominantly sphingolipids with higher levels associated with poor prognosis. A prognostic three‐lipid signature was derived (ceramide d18:1/24:1, sphingomyelin d18:2/16:0, phosphatidylcholine 16:0/16:0) and was also associated with shorter survival in the Phase 2 cohort (HR 4.8, 95% CI 2.06–11.1, p = 0.0003). The signature was an independent prognostic factor when modelled with clinicopathological factors or metabolic characteristics. The association of plasma lipids with CRPC prognosis suggests a possible role of these lipids in disease progression. Further research is required to determine if therapeutic modulation of the levels of these lipids by targeting their metabolic pathways may improve patient outcome.
Effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides on the healing process of the in vivo bone tissue
Authors: Penha Elizandra Silva da , Lacerda‐Santos Rogério , Carvalho Maria Goretti Freire de , Oliveira Patrícia Teixeira de
Published: July 2017

The focus of this double‐blind randomized study was on evaluating the effect of an aqueous extract of Mastruz (Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) on the bone repair process in vivo. In total, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly selected for this study, and divided into 3 groups (n = 12): Group HS (Hemostatic Sponge), Group SM (Hemostatic Sponge with Mastruz) and Group BC (Blood Clot). In each animal, bone defects measuring 2 mm in diameter were performed in both tibias for placement of the substances. After 3 and 10 days, the animals were sacrificed, and the tissues were analyzed under an optical microscope relative to the following events: inflammatory infiltrate; necrosis; young fibroblasts; osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity; endosteal and periosteal bone formation; and bone repair. The results were assessed by using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests (p < .05). Inflammatory infiltrate demonstrated difference between Groups SM and BC in the time interval of 3 days (p = .004); an event related to the presence of the fibrin sponge and liquid of the extract, which induced a foreign body initial reaction. The presence of young fibroblasts (p = .003), osteoclastic (p = .003), and osteoblastic (p = .020) activity was statistically significant between Groups HS and BC in the time interval of 10 days; performance was related to the presence of the sponge within bone. As regards injured bone tissue repair, Group SM demonstrated a higher level of regenerative capacity (p = 0.004), due to a larger quantities of endosteal and periosteal bone formation, demonstrated in Group SM. The aqueous extract of mastruz stimulated bone neoformation, presenting wound closure with bone tissue at the end of 10 days.
A mass spectrometry and DFT study of pyrithione complexes with transition metals in the gas phase
Authors: Butler Matias , Cabrera Gabriela M.
Published: July 2017

2‐Mercaptopyridine N‐oxide (pyrithione, PTOH) along with several transition metal ions forms coordination compounds displaying notable biological activities. Gas‐phase complexes formed between pyrithione and manganese (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), copper (II), and zinc (II) were investigated by infusion in the electrospray source of a quadrupole‐time of flight mass spectrometer. Remarkably, positive ion mode spectra displayed the singly charged metal adduct ion [C10H8MN2O2S2]2+ ([M(PTO)2]+• or [M(DPTO)]+•), where DPTO is dipyrithione, 2,2′‐dithiobis(pyridine N‐oxide), among the most abundant peaks, implying a change in the oxidation state of whether the metal ion or the ligands. In addition, doubly charged ions were recognized as metal adduct ions containing DPTO ligands, [M(DPTO)n]2+. Generation of [M(PTO)2]+• / [M(DPTO)]+• could be traced by CID of [M(DPTO)2]2+, by observation of the sequential losses of a charged (PTO+) and a radical (PTO•) deprotonated pyrithione ligand. The fragmentation pathways of [M(PTO)2]+• / [M(DPTO)]+• were compared among the different metal ions, and some common features were noticed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to study the structures of the observed adduct ions, and especially, to decide in the adduct ion [M(PTO)2]+• / [M(DPTO)]+• whether the ligands are 2 deprotonated pyrithiones or a single dipyrithione as well as the oxidation state of the metal ion in the complex. Characterization of gas‐phase pyrithione metal ion complexes becomes important, especially taking into account the presence of a redox‐active ligand in the complexes, because redox state changes that produce new species can have a marked effect on the overall toxicological/biological response elicited by the metal system.
A new model for netrin1 in commissural axon guidance
Authors: Morales Daniel
Published: July 2017

Now‐classic experiments characterized netrin1 as a major player in commissural axon guidance in the spinal cord. The data suggest a chemotactic model in which netrin1 expression in the floor plate forms a concentration gradient that attracts commissural axons. New research published independently in Neuron and in Nature tests this model by deleting netrin1 specifically in the floor plate. Surprisingly, these conditional mutant mice have no overt commissure defects. The authors report that netrin1 decorates the pial surface of the spinal cord and hindbrain, likely deposited by radial processes of progenitor cells in the ventricular zone. They find that deletion of the cue exclusively in the ventricular zone causes commissural axons to take aberrant trajectories, suggesting a short range, haptotactic guidance mechanism as opposed to chemotaxis. This minireview aims to summarize the classic and the new findings and offer some interpretations of the data.
Assessment of the potential of the multi‐enzyme producer Bacillus amyloliquefaciens US573 as alternative feed additive
Authors: Farhat‐Khemakhem Ameny , Blibech Monia , Boukhris Ines , Makni Mohamed , Chouayekh Hichem
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Recently, probiotics have increasingly been used as feed additives in poultry diets as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters fostering resistance development.

RESULTS

This study was aimed at assessing the potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens US573 as a direct‐fed microbial. The US573 strain was found to be free of harmful enzymatic activities and sensitive to antibiotics. In addition, it showed a good acid and bovine bile tolerance, high adhesion efficacy to chicken enterocytes, and an ability to form biofilms, which may favor its survival and persistence in the animal gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, besides the previously described extremely salt‐tolerant and highly thermostable phytase, the US573 strain secretes xylanase, β‐glucanase and amylase activities useful in neutralizing antinutritional factors and maximizing the absorption of nutrients. The secretion of such enzymes may be responsible for the good performance of the US573 isolate in the digestibility of wheat in vitro. Indeed, using the vegetative cells, a yield of wheat dry matter digestibility of approximately 48% was achieved, which is slightly lower than the commercial feed additive Rovabio used as a reference (56.73% digestibility).

CONCLUSION

The obtained results illustrate the potential of US573 strain as a promising direct‐fed microbial candidate for application in the poultry industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Technique of skeletal navigation for localizing solitary pulmonary nodules
Authors: Mao Rui , Shi Weirong , Chen Donglai , Kadeer Xier Maimaiti , Li Mu , Fei Ke , Chen Chang
Published: July 2017

We herein detail a novel method of skeletal navigation for localizing small solitary pulmonary nodules of 8‐30 mm size and at a distance of less than 15 mm from visceral pleura. Thirty‐four lesions found in 29 patients were successfully localized. All 34 target nodules first underwent wedge resections, and there were no cases of technical failure of the present method. This technique incurs no additional cost and complications as caused by other localization approaches. Additionally, this approach provides a backup method in cases of mark displacement.
The prognostic utility of baseline alpha‐fetoprotein for hepatocellular carcinoma patients
Authors: Silva Jack P. , Gorman Richard A. , Berger Nicholas G. , Tsai Susan , Christians Kathleen K. , Clarke Callisia N. , Mogal Harveshp , Gamblin T. Clark
Published: July 2017

Introduction

Alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) has a valuable role in postoperative surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence. The utility of pretreatment or baseline AFP remains controversial. The present study hypothesized that elevated baseline AFP levels are associated with worse overall survival in HCC patients.

Methods

Adult HCC patients were identified using the National Cancer Database (2004‐2013). Patients were stratified according to baseline AFP measurements into the following groups: Negative (<20), Borderline (20‐199), Elevated (200‐1999), and Highly Elevated (>2000). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was analyzed by log‐rank test and graphed using Kaplan‐Meier method. Multivariate regression modeling was used to determine hazard ratios (HR) for OS.

Results

Of 41 107 patients identified, 15 809 (33.6%) were Negative. Median overall survival was highest in the Negative group, followed by Borderline, Elevated, and Highly Elevated (28.7 vs 18.9 vs 8.8 vs 3.2 months; P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, overall survival hazard ratios for the Borderline, Elevated, and Highly Elevated groups were 1.18 (P = 0.267), 1.94 (P < 0.001), and 1.77 (P = 0.007), respectively (reference Negative).

Conclusion

Baseline AFP independently predicted overall survival in HCC patients regardless of treatment plan. A baseline AFP value is a simple and effective method to assist in expected survival for HCC patients.
Multicenter analysis of transanal tube placement for prevention of anastomotic leak after low anterior resection
Authors: Goto Saori , Hida Koya , Kawada Kenji , Okamura Ryosuke , Hasegawa Suguru , Kyogoku Takahisa , Ota Shuichi , Adachi Yukito , Sakai Yoshiharu
Published: July 2017

Background

Anastomotic leak (AL) is a serious complication of low anterior resection (LAR). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transanal tube placement for prevention of AL.

Methods

This multicenter retrospective cohort study enrolled 328 consecutive patients who underwent LAR for rectal cancer at participating hospitals from 2009 to 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors.

Results

A transanal tube was placed in 205 patients (TA group) and not placed in 123 patients (non‐TA group). Symptomatic AL occurred in 36 cases (11%), with significantly higher incidence of symptomatic AL in the non‐TA group than in the TA group (15% vs 8.3%, odds ratio [OR] 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01‐4.06). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariate analysis revealed that placement of a transanal tube could decrease the incidence of symptomatic AL (adjusted OR 0.37, 95%CI 0.15‐0.91). There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity, mortality, length of hospital stay, or local recurrence rate between the two groups. Local recurrence rate tended to be higher in patients with symptomatic AL (3/36) than in those without it (10/292).

Conclusions

Transanal tube placement is effective for decreasing the incidence of symptomatic AL after LAR.
Improvement and persistent disparities in completion lymph node dissection: Lessons from the National Cancer Database
Authors: Chu Brian S. , Koffi Wima , Hoehn Richard S. , Ertel Audrey , Shah Shimul A. , Ahmad Syed A. , Sussman Jeffrey J. , Neuman Heather B. , Abbott Daniel E.
Published: July 2017

Background

Completion lymph node dissection (CLND) is recommended for melanoma patients with positive sentinel lymph node biopsies (SLNB); however, 50% do not undergo CLND. We sought to determine CLND trends over time, and factors contributing to variability.

Methods

The NCDB was queried for patients undergoing wide local excision (WLE), with or without SLNB and CLND. Cohorts were created based on demographic/socioeconomic variables and era of treatment (Era 1: 2003‐07, Era 2: 2008‐12). Univariate and multivariate analyses identified factors associated with performance of or trends in CLND.

Results

122 849 underwent WLE with SLNB. Of 24 267 (19.8%) with +SLNB, 13 594 (56.0%) continued to CLND. In multivariate analyses, Medicaid (OR 0.78; P = 0.04) or Medicare (OR 0.79; P < 0.01) in Era 1 and patients without insurance in Era 2 (OR 0.78; P = 0.01) underwent less CLND. In both eras, Blacks (OR 0.45; P < 0.01, OR 0.59; P < 0.01), head/neck lesions (OR 0.72; P < 0.01, OR 0.66; P < 0.01) and lower extremity lesions (OR 0.75; P < 0.01, OR 0.72; P < 0.01) underwent less CLND. However, Blacks experienced greatest increase in CLND usage (+9.2%).

Conclusions

CLND usage continues to be low and racial/socioeconomic disparities persist. Until the results of MSLT‐2 become available, continued focus on understanding poor adherence to, and improving rates of CLND is necessary.
Nitrogen excretion by copepods and its effect on ammonia‐oxidizing communities from a coastal upwelling zone
Authors: Valdés Valentina , Fernandez Camila , Molina Veronica , Escribano Rubén
Published: July 2017

The role of zooplankton in microbial nitrogen turnover in marine environments is poorly understood. Here, we present results from two experiments designed to determine the excretion rate of ammonium and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) by dominant copepods, Acartia tonsa and Paracalanus cf indicus, fed with two natural sized‐fractioned diets (20–150 μm and < 20 μm), and its possible effects on the transcriptional activity of ammonia monooxygenase subunit A (amoA), a functional marker for ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB), as a response to the input of ammonium and DON by copepod excretion, during autumn and winter in central/southern Chile. Our results reveal that DON was the main excretion product, with rates up to 3.7 μmol L−1 h−1. DON production increased in copepods fed with the small‐sized food. Ammonium was also excreted, with rates up to 0.08 μmol L−1 h−1 in autumn and 0.4 μmol L−1 h−1 in winter, and rapidly consumed by the microbial community, decreasing down to 0.07 μmol L−1 between the initial time to 4 h. Ammonium consumption coincided with increased AOB and AOA amoA transcript copies in copepods fed with the larger‐sized food, while a different microbial community, probably heterotrophic, reacted to nitrogen input via excretion by copepods fed with the smaller‐sized food in autumn. AOA‐A was transcriptionally active in winter with nearly zero ammonium concentration, suggesting that AOA outcompete AOB when ammonium becomes limited. We conclude that nitrogen excreted by copepods can be used directly by microbial communities, including nitrifying ones. Zooplankton excretion may thus provide significant remineralized nitrogen for new and regenerated production in the upper ocean.
Autoinducer Sensing Microarrays by Reporter Bacteria Encapsulated in Hybrid Supramolecular‐Polysaccharide Hydrogels
Authors: Li Ping , Dou Xiaoqiu , Müller Mareike , Feng Chuanliang , Chang Matthew Wook , Frettlöh Martin , Schönherr Holger
Published: July 2017

A generally applicable strategy to obtain mechanically robust hydrogels for the incorporation and containment of functional reporter bacteria for the microarray and microparticle‐based detection and signaling of N‐acyl homoserine lactone autoinducers (3OC12HSL) at relevant concentrations is reported. For reinforcing hydrogels of 1,4‐bi(phenylalanine‐diglycol)‐benzene (PDB), a hybrid hydrogel is formed by the combination of PDB self‐assembly with Ca2+ mediated alginate crosslinking. The different assembly mechanisms are shown not to interfere with each other and despite the more than four‐fold increased moduli of the hydrogels, diffusion of autoinducers into the gels remains efficient and Escherichia coli pLuxR‐green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter bacteria are proliferating. Templating affords reporter bacteria‐loaded hydrogels with controllable shape and size. Upon exposure to 3OC12HSL, the embedded bacteria exhibit an up to 12 ± 3 times increase in fluorescence intensity due to autoinducer‐triggered GFP expression. This approach can serve as a potentially generally applicable strategy to sensitively detect bacteria via their secreted autoinducers.
Light‐Switchable Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Soft Colloids
Authors: Wang Ping , Yang Qiaofeng , Ye Zhipeng , Zhao Chuanzhuang , Yang Jingfa
Published: July 2017

Self‐assembly is an efficient strategy of constructing microgel‐based intelligent materials. However, it remains a challenge to realize the reversible self‐assembly of microgels. Herein, a method to guide the self‐assembly of soft colloids with light‐stimuli is proposed, utilizing the light‐responsive host–guest interaction between an azobenzene functionalized nanogel (the guest colloid) and an α‐cyclodextrin functionalized microgel (the host colloid). The two colloids can form a stable colloid cluster when the surface of the host colloid is fully packed with the guest colloids. The colloid cluster can disassemble when irradiated with UV light and reassemble when irradiated with visible light. The reversible colloidal self‐assembly can be controlled by the interplay between the supramolecular and covalent crosslinking, and can also be adjusted by the addition of competitive host molecules. Besides the light‐sensitivity, the colloid cluster inherits the deformability and temperature‐sensitivity from its parent colloids. These features are different from the supramolecular self‐assembly of hard colloids or macroscopic gels, and manifest the as‐prepared colloid cluster potential building blocks of light‐responsive materials.
Synthesis of Unimolecular Micelles with Incorporated Hyperbranched Boltorn H30 Polyester modified with Hyperbranched Helical Poly(phenyl isocyanide) Chains and their Enantioselective Crystallization Performance
Authors: Zhang Zhi‐Huang , Qiao Chen‐Yang , Zhang Jian , Zhang Wen‐Ming , Yin Jun , Wu Zong‐Quan
Published: July 2017

Here, the fabrication of unimolecular micelles functionalized with helical polymeric chains as a chiral nucleating agent in enantioselective crystallization is reported. Starting from a fractionated hyperbranched polyester (Boltorn H30), the ring‐opening polymerization of l‐lactic acid (LLA) and subsequent terminal‐group modification affords the alkyne‐Pd(II)‐anchored hyperbranched macroinitiator (H30‐PLLA‐Pd). By taking advantage of a Pd(II)‐catalyzed living polymerization of chiral pendant modified l‐ or d‐phenyl isocyanide (PI) monomers, well‐defined chiral unimolecular micelles (H30‐PLLA‐PPI) grafted with radiating helical PPI coronas of one predominant screw sense are obtained. The resultant chiral materials demonstrate excellent application in the enantioselective crystallization of racemic threonine in water, and a 92% enantiomeric excess value of the residual solution is obtained. It is believed this present proof of concept and methodology are facile and powerful for preparing novel and versatile chiral materials with different topological structures, not only applicable to PPI but also to other types of polymers.
AirNet: An Edge‐Fabric abstraction model to manage software‐defined networks
Authors: Aouadj Messaoud , Lavinal Emmanuel , Desprats Thierry , Sibilla Michelle
Published: July 2017

Software‐defined networking (SDN) is one of the most significant initiatives to make current networks easier to configure, test, debug, and evolve. Within an SDN ecosystem, the Northbound interface is used by operators to define policies and to program the control plane, it thus represents a major challenge. Ideally, this northbound interface should allow administrators to describe, as simply as possible, network services and their interactions, rather than specifying how and on what physical device they need to be deployed. In this article, we propose a new network control language, called AirNet, which is built on top of an abstraction model whose main feature is to provide a clear separation between edge and core network devices. Thus, logical boundaries between different types of policies will exist (control, data, and transport services), ensuring modularity and reusability of the control program. An implementation of the AirNet language has also been done, which includes in particular a hypervisor that achieves the composition of the control policies on the virtual network and their mapping on the physical infrastructure. Finally, several experiments showing promising results have been conducted on different use cases.
Bounds on the fault‐diameter of graphs
Authors: Dankelmann Peter
Published: July 2017

Let G be a ‐connected or ‐edge‐connected graph, where . The k‐fault‐diameter and k‐edge‐fault‐diameter of G is the largest diameter of the subgraphs obtained from G by removing up to k vertices and edges, respectively. In this paper we give upper bounds on the k‐fault‐diameter and k‐edge‐fault‐diameter of graphs in terms of order. We show that the k‐fault‐diameter of a ‐connected graph G of order n is bounded from above by , and by approximately if G is also triangle‐free. If G does not contain 4‐cycles then this bound can be improved further to approximately . We further show that the k‐edge‐fault‐diameter of a ‐edge‐connected graph of order n is bounded by n – 1 if k = 1, by if k = 2, and by approximately if , and give improved bounds for triangle‐free graphs. Some of the latter bounds strengthen, in some sense, bounds by Erdös, Pach, Pollack, and Tuza (J Combin Theory B 47 (1989) 73–79) on the diameter. All bounds presented are sharp or at least close to being optimal. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 70(2), 132–140 2017
An efficient mixed variational reduced‐order model formulation for nonlinear analyses of elastic shells
Authors: Magisano D. , Liang K. , Garcea G. , Leonetti L. , Ruess M.
Published: July 2017

The Koiter‐Newton method had recently demonstrated a superior performance for nonlinear analyses of structures, compared to traditional path‐following strategies. The method follows a predictor‐corrector scheme to trace the entire equilibrium path. During a predictor step, a reduced‐order model is constructed based on Koiter's asymptotic postbuckling theory that is followed by a Newton iteration in the corrector phase to regain the equilibrium of forces. In this manuscript, we introduce a robust mixed solid‐shell formulation to further enhance the efficiency of stability analyses in various aspects. We show that a Hellinger‐Reissner variational formulation facilitates the reduced‐order model construction omitting an expensive evaluation of the inherent fourth‐order derivatives of the strain energy. We demonstrate that extremely large step sizes with a reasonable out‐of‐balance residual can be obtained with substantial impact on the total number of steps needed to trace the complete equilibrium path. More importantly, the numerical effort of the corrector phase involving a Newton iteration of the full‐order model is drastically reduced thus revealing the true strength of the proposed formulation. We study a number of problems from engineering and compare the results to the conventional approach in order to highlight the gain in numerical efficiency for stability problems.
Molecular breakdown: a comprehensive view of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐rearranged non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Noh Ka‐Won , Lee Mi‐Sook , Lee Seung Eun , Song Ji‐Young , Shin Hyun‐Tae , Kim Yu Jin , Oh Doo Yi , Jung Kyungsoo , Sung Minjung , Kim Mingi , An Sungbin , Han Joungho , Shim Young Mog , Zo Jae Ill , Kim Jhingook , Park Woong‐Yang , Lee Se‐Hoon , Choi Yoon‐La
Published: July 2017

Most anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)‐rearranged non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) show good clinical response to ALK inhibitors. However, some ALK‐rearranged NSCLC patients show various primary responses with unknown reasons. Previous studies focused on the clinical aspects of ALK fusions in small cohorts, or were conducted in vitro and/or in vivo to investigate the function of ALK. One of the suggested theories describes how echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 4 (EML4)–ALK variants play a role towards different sensitivities in ALK inhibitors. Until now, there has been no integrated comprehensive study that dissects ALK at the molecular level in a large scale. Here, we report the largest extensive molecular analysis of 158 ALK‐rearranged NSCLCs and have investigated these findings in a cell line construct experiment. We discovered that NSCLCs with EML4–ALK short forms (variant 3/others) had more advanced stage and frequent metastases than cases with the long forms (variant 1/others) (p = 0.057, p < 0.05). In vitro experiments revealed that EML4–ALK short forms show lower sensitivity to ALK inhibitors than do long forms. Clinical analysis also showed a trend for the short forms showing worse PFS. Interestingly, we found that breakpoints of ALK are evenly distributed mainly in intron 19 and almost all of them undergo a non‐homologous end‐joining repair to generate ALK fusions. We also discovered four novel somatic ALK mutations in NSCLC (T1151R, R1192P, A1280V, and L1535Q) that confer primary resistance; all of them showed strong resistance to ALK inhibitors, as G1202R does. Through targeted deep sequencing, we discovered three novel ALK fusion partners (GCC2, LMO7, and PHACTR1), and different ALK fusion partners showed different intracellular localization. With our findings that the EML4–ALK variants, new ALK somatic mutations, and novel ALK‐fusion partners may affect sensitivity to ALK inhibitors, we stress the importance of targeted therapy to take the ALK molecular profiling into consideration. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke after Heparin Reversal with Protamine: A Case Report and Review
Authors: Fontaine Gabriel V. , Smith Shawn M.
Published: July 2017

Few patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are eligible for alteplase, especially those receiving ongoing anticoagulation. We describe the first reported case of a patient receiving full‐dose intravenous (IV) alteplase for AIS after heparin reversal with protamine. A 73‐year‐old man presented with AIS. He was treated with IV heparin, tirofiban, loading‐dose prasugrel, and aspirin before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for placement of a right coronary artery stent. One hour following PCI, he abruptly developed left hemiparesis and dysphagia. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was 12, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was longer than 150 seconds. Head computed tomography (CT) showed no acute pathology, and CT angiogram showed no large‐vessel occlusion amenable to mechanical thrombectomy. Repeat aPTT, obtained 45 minutes later, was 110 seconds, at which time protamine 40 mg IV was administered. At 144 minutes from last known well time, full‐dose IV alteplase (0.9 mg/kg) was administered. Follow‐up head imaging at 25 hours showed right pontine and cerebellar AIS with no evidence of hemorrhage. The patient was discharged to inpatient rehabilitation 2 days later. Modified Rankin Scale at 3 months was 3, improved from 5 at discharge. Given the lack of adverse events associated with IV alteplase in our patient, we advocate cautious evaluation for potential reversal of acutely administered anticoagulation to facilitate alteplase administration in severely disabled patients who are not eligible for mechanical intervention and would have been excluded from definitive AIS treatment.
High Rate and Long Cycle Life of a CNT/rGO/Si Nanoparticle Composite Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Sizhe , Liao Jiaxuan , Wu Mengqiang , Xu Ziqiang , Gong Feng , Chen Cheng , Wang Yuesheng , Yan Xingbin
Published: July 2017

Si nanoparticle (Si‐NP) composite anode with high rate and long cycle life is an attractive anode material for lithium‐ion battery (LIB) in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)/pure electric vehicle (PEV). In this work, a carbon nanotube (CNT)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Si nanoparticle composite with alternated structure as Li‐ion battery anode is prepared. In this structure, rGO completely wraps the entire Si/CNT networks by different layers and CNT networks provide fast electron transport pathways with reduced solid‐state diffusion, so that the stable solid‐electrolyte interphase layer can form on the whole surface of the matrix instead of on single Si nanoparticle, which ensure the high cycle stability to achieve the excellent cycle performance. As a result, the CNT/rGO/Si‐NP anode exhibits high performances with long cycle life (≈455 mAh g−1 at 15 A g−1 after 2000 cycles), high specific charge capacity (≈2250 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1, ≈650 mAh g−1 at 15 A g−1), and fast charge/discharge rates (up to 16 A g−1). This nanostructure anode with facile and low‐cost synthesis method, as well as excellent electrochemical performances, makes it attractive for the long life cycles at high rate of the next generation LIB applications in HEV/PEV.
A Facile Strategy to Synthesize Cobalt‐Based Self‐Supported Material for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Gu Li , Zhu Han , Yu DanNi , Zhang SongGe , Chen Jiawei , Wang Juan , Wan Meng , Zhang Ming , Du MingLiang
Published: July 2017

Designing and developing active, robust, and noble‐metal‐free catalysts with superior stability for electrocatalytic water splitting is of critical importance but remains a grand challenge. Here, a facile strategy is provided to synthesize a series of Co‐based self‐supported electrode materials by combining electrospinning and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technologies. The Co, Co3O4, Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) are formed in situ simultaneously with the formation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) during the CVD process, respectively. The Co‐based NPs are uniformly distributed through the CNFs and they can be directly used as the electrode materials for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acid and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline. The Co9S8/CNFs membrane exhibits the best HER activity with overpotential of 165 mV at j = 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 83 mV dec−1 and OER activity with overpotential of 230 mV at j = 10 mA cm−2 and Tafel slope of 72 mV dec−1. The onion‐like graphitic layers formed around the NPs not only improve the electrical conductivity of the electrode but also prevent the separation of the NPs from the carbon matrix as well as the aggregation.
Reducing the attractiveness of chemical plants to terrorist attacks: Dehorning rhinos
Authors: Khakzad Nima
Published: July 2017

The terrorist attacks to two French chemical facilities in June and July 2015 raised the flag about the attractiveness of chemical plants to terrorist groups and the imminent risk of similar attacks in western countries. Although the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the US put the security of chemical infrastructures in a spotlight, the majority of previous attempts have since been made toward threat assessment and vulnerability assessment of chemical plants yet overlooking their attractiveness as an influential parameter in security risks. The recent poaching of a rhino in a French zoo on March 6, 2017, despite all the security measures in place, can be taken as a metaphor to show the inefficacy of security countermeasures if not coupled with measures to reduce the attractiveness. The present work aims to emphasize the applicability of safety concepts such as inherently safer design and land use planning to this purpose. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 150–152, 2018
Strong UV Emission from Colloidal Eu2+‐Doped BaSO4 Nanoparticles: A Material for Enhancing the Photocatalytic Activity of Carbon Dots
Authors: Hazra Chanchal , Samanta Tuhin , Ganguli Sagar , Mahalingam Venkataramanan
Published: July 2017

In this article, we report a facile microwave‐assisted green synthetic route for the preparation of highly luminescent water dispersible polyacrylic acid‐coated europium (Eu2+)‐doped BaSO4 nanoparticles at low temperature for the first time. Polyacrylic acid coating over nanoparticles renders them water dispersible. Upon ultraviolet (UV) (250 nm) excitation, europium‐doped BaSO4 nanoparticles exhibit a strong and broad UV luminescence near at 368 nm. This emission peak is quite strong and has a relative luminescence quantum yield (QY) of 53 %. The high QY of the UV emission from the nanoparticles is explored for the enhancement of the visible photocatalytic properties of the carbon dots (Cdots). In fact, faster degradation of the Rhodamine B is noted for the mixture containing both Eu2+‐doped BaSO4 nanoparticles and cetyl trimethylamonium bromide capped carbon dots. This is attributed to the strong overlap of the UV emission of Eu2+ with the absorption spectrum of Cdots leading to high energy transfer efficiency (∼64 %). The energy transfer process is supported by the observation of lower dye degradation for the diluted colloidal mixtures where the average distance between Eu2+ in BaSO4 to Cdots nanoparticles is increased.
Diversity‐Oriented Synthesis of Spirooxindoles Using Surface‐Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles as Heterogeneous Acid Catalyst
Authors: Tailor Yogesh Kumar , Khandelwal Sarita , Verma Kanchan , Gopal Ram , Kumar Mahendra
Published: July 2017

An efficient and diversity oriented synthetic protocol has been presented to synthesize spirooxindoles using isocyanide based multicomponent reaction in the presence of surface modified TiO2 nanoparticles as recyclable and reusable heterogeneous acid catalyst. This convergent synthetic protocol incorporates structural complexity and molecular diversity in molecular structures with atom economy, synthetic efficiency and operational simplicity in a time and cost‐effective manner. The recyclability and reusability of the catalyst make the present synthetic protocol economically viable for industrial processes.
Synthesis and Characterization of Multifunctional Interpenetrating Polymer and Its Applications in Protein Adsorption and Magnetite Loading
Authors: Li Xiaoxiao , Li Xueting , Lu Xihua
Published: July 2017

In this study, we prepared interpenetrating polymers as nanocarrier systems for protein adsorption and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) loading. Interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) nanogels composed of crosslinked poly (N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) and poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) were firstly prepared, which possessed both pH and thermo‐responsive properties. On the one hand, the model protein (bull serum albumin (BSA)) was loaded into PNIPAM/PAA IPN nanogels. The effect of PAA content on the amount of BSA loading was investigated by controlling the temperatures and pH values. When the adsorption temperature was higher than the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PNIPAM and the pH value was lower than the pKa of PAA, it was more conductive to capture BSA. On the other hand, Fe3O4 NPs were encapsulated by in situ redox of iron cations in the interior of PNIPAM/PAA IPN nanogels. As the PAA content in the IPN nanogels increased and attracted more quantity of iron ions, the amount of loaded Fe3O4 NPs increased, which resulted in larger saturation magnetization of the magnetic nanogels but restricted the deswelling behaviors.
Synthesis of (+)‐Patulolide C Using R‐(+)‐γ‐Valerolactone as a Chiral Synthon.
Authors: Datrika Rajender , Kallam Srinivasa Reddy , Gajare Vikas , Khobare Sandip , Rama Veera Swamy , Kommi Muralikrishna , Hindupur Rama Mohan , Vidavulur Siddaiah , Tadikonda Pratap V.
Published: July 2017

The total synthesis of (+)‐Patulolide‐C is accomplished by using enantiopure R‐(+)‐γ‐valerolactone & R‐(+)‐epichlorohydrin as chiral synthons. The strategy adopted for the synthesis is a convergent approach wherein two advanced intermediates were synthesized independently using the chiral synthons and coupled to achieve the skeleton of Patulolide‐C. The important synthetic steps of the synthesis are two carbon homologation of the cyclic lactol, Julia olefination of enone with sulfone in DME, DIBAl‐H mediated regioselective opening of benzylidine acetal, selective oxidation of primary alcohol to aldehyde using BAIB/TEMPO and lactonization of seco‐acid adopting Yamaguchi protocol to afford the macrolide skeleton.