bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Extraction of Desired Speaker's Utterance in Overlapped Speech
Authors: LU HAOZE , AKAIWA YUMA , HORIUCHI YASUO , KUROIWA SHINGO
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we propose a speaker indexing method using speaker verification technique to extract one desired speaker's utterances from conversational speech. To solve the overlapped speech problem, we construct overlapped speech models with the observed conversational speech itself. The overlapped speech models include overlapped speech of target and cohort speaker, and speech model of two cohort speakers. In order to evaluate the proposed method, we made a simulated conversational speech that has up to 50% overlapping segments. The equal error rate was reduced by up to 43.7% compared with the conventional methods that use a target speaker model only, and use a target model and overlapped speech model trained with a speaker independent of large speech database.
Screening of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by Using Self‐Organizing Map
Authors: AOKI HIROOKI , MASHIMO SHUKO , NAKAMURA HIDETOSHI
Published: October 2016

We have examined the noncontact respiration measurement by applying the active stereo for realizing easy screening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study, we apply the self‐organizing map (SOM) for classification of unforced respiratory waveform. The automatic classification of the respiratory waveform is based on the difference in the undulating pattern of respiratory waveform between the COPD patients and the healthy subjects. As the result of the experiment, it became clear that the classification by SOM is almost equivalent to the classification by respiratory specialists.
Reconstruction of Bursting Activity in Cultured Neuronal Network from State‐Space Model and Leader Spatial Activity Pattern
Authors: YADA YUICHIRO , KANZAKI RYOHEI , TAKAHASHI HIROKAZU
Published: October 2016

A small subset of neurons, called “leader neurons”, has been assumed as the sources of network bursts in dissociated neuronal cultures. In this paper, we proposed a network burst generation model that a network burst is considered as a sequential transition of spatial activity patterns lead by a “leader pattern”. We recorded spontaneous activities of cultured cortical networks with high‐density CMOS‐based microelectrode arrays. Spatial patterns were extracted from the high‐dimensional recorded data using nonnegative matrix factorization. Then, we hypothesized the state‐space model where the leader pattern served as input and the others served as states, respectively. After estimating the model parameters from the learning data, we attempted to restore the activities of test data with the estimated model. As a result, the spatio‐temporal patterns in network bursts were successfully reconstructed from the model, suggesting that the leader pattern is a crucial predictor of the network burst.
Mapping urinary chemokines in human lupus nephritis: Potentially redundant pathways recruit CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and macrophages
Authors: Klocke Jan , Kopetschke Katharina , Grießbach Anna‐Sophie , Langhans Valerie , Humrich Jens Y. , Biesen Robert , Dragun Duska , Radbruch Andreas , Burmester Gerd‐Rüdiger , Riemekasten Gabriela , Enghard Philipp
Published: October 2016

Renal infiltration of inflammatory cells contributes to the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN). Current knowledge on the recruitment mechanisms relies mainly on findings in rodent models. Here, we assess various chemokine pathways in human LN by comparing urinary chemokine concentrations (in 25 patients with acute LN and in 78 lupus patients without active LN) with the expression of corresponding chemokine receptors on urinary leukocytes (in ten acute LN patients). Nine urinary chemokines were significantly elevated in LN patients and correlated with renal disease activity and urinary cell counts; however, their concentrations displayed considerable interindividual heterogeneity. Analysis of the corresponding receptors revealed abundance of urinary CD8+ T cells for CCR5 and CXCR3, while CD4+ T cells were additionally enriched for CCR1, CCR6 and CXCR6. Urinary Treg showed similar CCR expression, and urinary CD14+ macrophages were enriched for CCR5 expressing cells. In conclusion, cell specific recruitment patterns seem to involve CCR5 and CXCR3 in all cells studied, while CD4+ T‐cell subset recruitment is probably much more varied. However, urinary chemokine abundance in active LN is individually variable in our cohort and does not offer a singular chemokine usable as universal biomarker or potential future treatment target.
Structure and physical properties of oleogels containing peanut oil and saturated fatty alcohols
Authors: Valoppi Fabio , Calligaris Sonia , Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: October 2016

This study examined the capability of fatty alcohols with chain lengths from C14OH to C22OH to gel peanut oil. The gelation was achieved by crystallizing the samples at 5°C/min or 40°C/min. Results showed that minimum gelling concentration decreased as fatty alcohol chain length increased and it was higher for fast cooled samples than for the corresponding slow cooled ones. More than 7% of C14OH was necessary to obtain a self‐standing material highlighting its low capacity as oleogelator. Other oleogels were compared at 5% fatty alcohol concentration in peanut oil and oleogels containing C16OH yielded the weakest system, with the lowest ability to retain oil. This was attributed to its higher solubility in oil as compared to other fatty alcohols as well as to the formation of larger crystal aggregates. As the fatty alcohol chain length increased, systems became stronger, displaying smaller crystal aggregates. For all cases, an increase in cooling rate lead to the formation of weaker gels with reduced capacity to entrap oil.

Practical applications: A novel strategy to reduce saturated/trans fats in food products involves the use of oleogels. Here we report on the use of even saturated fatty alcohols to gel peanut oil, thus preventing oil separation during storage and handling of products such as nut butters. The structure and physical properties of fatty alcohol oleogels greatly depend on fatty alcohols chain length as well as cooling rate applied during crystallization. Fatty alcohols proved to be a very efficient peanut oil stabilizer.

Fatty alcohol chain length and cooling rate greatly affected organogel structure and physical properties.
A Cascade C–H‐Functionalization/Cyclization Reaction of Indoles with α‐Halo or α‐Sulfonyloxy Ketones for the Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidoindolone Derivatives
Authors: Wu Zi‐Jun , Li Ya‐Qiong , Huang Zhi‐Zhen
Published: October 2016

A new cascade C–H‐functionalization/cyclization reaction of N‐carbamoylindoles 1 with α‐halo, α‐mesyloxy, or α‐tosyloxy ketones 2 has been developed under rhodium(III) catalysis, leading to dihydropyrimido[1,6‐a]indolone derivatives 3 in moderate to excellent yields.
Ivory species identification using electrophoresis‐based techniques
Authors: Kitpipit Thitika , Thanakiatkrai Phuvadol , Penchart Kitichaya , Ouithavon Kanita , Satasook Chutamas , Linacre Adrian
Published: October 2016

Despite continuous conservation efforts by national and international organizations, the populations of the three extant elephant species are still dramatically declining due to the illegal trade in ivory leading to the killing of elephants. A requirement to aid investigations and prosecutions is the accurate identification of the elephant species from which the ivory was removed. We report on the development of the first fully validated multiplex PCR‐electrophoresis assay for ivory DNA analysis that can be used as a screening or confirmatory test. SNPs from the NADH dehydrogenase 5 and cytochrome b gene loci were identified and used in the development of the assay. The three extant elephant species could be identified based on three peaks/bands. Elephas maximus exhibited two distinct PCR fragments at approximate 129 and 381 bp; Loxodonta cyclotis showed two PCR fragments at 89 and 129 bp; and Loxodonta africana showed a single fragment of 129 bp. The assay correctly identified the elephant species using all 113 ivory and blood samples used in this report. We also report on the high sensitivity and specificity of the assay. All single‐blinded samples were correctly classified, which demonstrated the assay's ability to be used for real casework. In addition, the assay could be used in conjunction with the technique of direct amplification. We propose that the test will benefit wildlife forensic laboratories and aid in the transition to the criminal justice system.
Activation and Decomposition of Methane over Cobalt‐, Copper‐, and Iron‐Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for COx‐Free Hydrogen and Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Production
Authors: Dasireddy Venkata D. B. C. , Likozar Blaž
Published: October 2016

Monometallic 50 wt % Cu/Al2O3 catalyst and bimetallic catalysts containing 25 wt % Co/25 wt % Cu, 25 wt % Co/25 wt % Fe, and 25 wt % Cu/25 wt % Fe, supported on Al2O3, were prepared by impregnation and coimpregnation methods. For bimetallic catalysts, metal oxides were in the form of spinel oxides, which exhibited a strong metal–support interaction. The decomposition of methane over these catalysts led to the formation of pure hydrogen and carbon nanotubes on their surfaces. The activation energy, total carbon yield, and amount of hydrogen formed, by using the prepared catalysts, were in agreement with the metal dispersion and acid–base site ratio on the surface of the catalysts. Cu−Fe/Al2O3 catalyst exhibited a stable hydrogen formation rate of 58 mmol min−1 g−1 at a temperature of 650 °C. All catalysts exhibited deactivation after 500 min, which occurred due to the formation of carbon on the surface of the catalysts. The carbon material deposited predominantly assumed the form of multiwalled carbon nanotubes, as evidenced by high‐resolution TEM and Raman spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analysis finally confirmed that Cu−Fe/Al2O3 exhibited a higher yield of multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
Optical and thermal modeling of a photovoltaic module and experimental evaluation of the modeling performance
Authors: Abdolzadeh Morteza , Zarei Tahere
Published: October 2016

In the present study, coupled optical and thermal models were used to predict the temperature distribution of photovoltaic (PV) module's layers. To verify the modeling performance, an experimental measurement was also conducted in this study and temperatures of two PV modules fixed at 10° and 30° tilt angles were measured and compared with the predicted module temperatures. Two extra experimental data sets measured in two other locations of the globe were also used to further verify the modeling performance. The modeling prediction was also compared with the results of other mathematical models developed in the past studies. This study paid a special attention to the prediction of air convection heat transfer coefficient over the PV module as well as the optical and thermal modeling. The results of this study showed that the present modeling predicts the PV module temperature with a reasonable accuracy compared to the experimental data measured in this study and the other data sets measured in the other parts of the globe. The results also showed that the present modeling predicts the PV module temperature with a higher accuracy compared with the other mathematical models developed in the past studies. Furthermore, this study showed that the accurate prediction of convection heat transfer coefficient over the PV module based on ambient temperature and wind speed, yields to an accurate prediction of PV module temperature © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 277–293, 2017
How to make stone soup: Is the “Paleo diet” a missed opportunity for anthropologists?
Authors: Chang Melanie L. , Nowell April
Published: October 2016

For the past few years, people everywhere have been “going Paleo.” Websites and social media touting the benefits of eating a “Paleo diet” and following a “Paleolithic life style” serve as calls to arms for health‐conscious individuals seeking information about the latest health and fitness trends. Many of these people participate in programs such as Crossfit, which involve major social and life‐style modification components and therefore facilitate the dissemination of dietary fads.1 The PALEOf(x)TM conference, which bills itself as “the world's premier holistic wellness event,” has attracted sellout crowds of thousands of attendees for the last four years.2 Consumers can wear Paleo clothing, download Paleo shopping and exercise apps to their smartphones, order prepackaged Paleo food, prepare it using Paleo cooking implements, or expediently buy Paleo convenience foods from Paleodiet™ vending machines3 and “Cultured Caveman” food trucks.4 The Paleo diet is touted by movie stars, reality TV personalities, and professional athletes, including LeBron James and the entire Miami Dolphins NFL team.5,6 Books with titles such as The Primal Blueprint,7 Cavewomen Don't Get Fat,8 and Paleo Perfected9 (the latter by the stodgy America's Test Kitchen) are legion, and many are bestsellers.
Photoacoustic microscopy of electronic acupuncture (EA) effect in small animals
Authors: Yang Jinge , Wu Dan , Tang Yong , Jiang Huabei
Published: October 2016

Acupuncture has been an effective treatment for various pain in China for several thousand years. However, the mechanisms underlying this mysterious ancient healing are still largely unknown. Here we applied photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) to investigate brain hemodynamic changes in response to electronic acupuncture (EA) at ST36 (Zusanli). Due to the high optical absorption of blood at 532 nm, PAM could sensitively probe changes in hemoglobin concentration (HbT, i.e., cerebral blood volume [CBV]) of cortical regions in high resolution. Six healthy mice were stimulated at the acupoint and three healthy mice were stimulated at sham points. Remarkable CBV changes in sensorimotor and retrosplenial agranular cortex were observed. Results showed the potential of PAM as a visualization tool to study the acupuncture effect on brain hemodynamics in animal models.

(a) Schematic showing the stimulation points. (b) B‐scan images overlaid with mouse atlas. (c) & (d) Statistical results of CBV changes from cortical regions.

magnified image

(a) Schematic showing the stimulation points. (b) B‐scan images overlaid with mouse atlas. (c) & (d) Statistical results of CBV changes from cortical regions.
Silk fibroin based carrier system for delivery of fibrinogen and thrombin as coagulant supplements
Authors: Teuschl Andreas H. , Zipperle Johannes , Huber‐Gries Carina , Kaplan David L.
Published: October 2016

The control of bleeding is one of the most important interventions after a traumatic injury. Hemostatic devices delivering blood clotting accelerating agents such as fibrinogen are increasingly used due to their efficacy and their ease of application. In the present study, we describe a method to incorporate the coagulant supplements fibrinogen and thrombin in silk protein sponges by mixing the coagulants with an aqueous silk solution, followed by molding, freeze‐drying, and water annealing. In this combination system, we demonstrate the delivery of fibrinogen while maintaining its hemostatic potential. Concentration ratios of silk to fibrinogen of 1.0%/2.8%, 2.3%/1.5%, and 3.0%/0.8% were used. The thrombin‐induced fibrin polymeric network filled the space in and next to the silk spongy structure but also remained interconnected to the silk, providing an intact network. The mechanical characterization of the fibrinogen‐releasing silk sponges before and after the induction of the fibrinogen polymerization demonstrated that the fibrin network resulted in reduced permanent deformation from 21.1% to 6.5%, 19.6% to 5.7%, and 12.7% to 9.4% for the 2.8%, 1.5%, and 0.8% fibrinogen‐containing silk sponges, respectively. Moreover, the fibrin formation lead to a more linear elastic behavior over longer strain ranges. In combination, the Calcein‐AM/PI staining and MTT assay results indicate uniform cell adhesion on the surface and cytocompatibility of the silk/fibrin sponges, respectively. Moreover, the co‐delivery of thrombin with fibrinogen via silk as carrier material is described, offering a more mechanically robust and durable system while preserving hemostatic features of the coagulant substances for the generation of hemostatic devices. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 687–696, 2017.
The Limited Clinical Utility of Testosterone, Estradiol, and Sex Hormone Binding Globulin Measurements in the Prediction of Fracture Risk and Bone Loss in Older Men
Authors: Orwoll Eric S , Lapidus Jodi , Wang Patty Y , Vandenput Liesbeth , Hoffman Andrew , Fink Howard A , Laughlin Gail A , Nethander Maria , Ljunggren Östen , Kindmark Andreas , Lorentzon Mattias , Karlsson Magnus K , Mellström Dan , Kwok Anthony , Khosla Sundeep , Kwok Timothy , Ohlsson Claes ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: October 2016

Measurement of serum testosterone (T) levels is recommended in the evaluation of osteoporosis in older men and estradiol (E2) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels are associated with the rate of bone loss and fractures, but the clinical utility of sex steroid and SHBG measurements for the evaluation of osteoporosis in men has not been examined. To evaluate whether measurements of T, E2, and/or SHBG are useful for the prediction of fracture risk or the rate of bone loss in older men, we analyzed longitudinal data from 5487 community-based men participating in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) study in the United States, Sweden, and Hong Kong. Serum T, E2, and SHBG levels were assessed at baseline; incident fractures were self-reported at 4-month intervals with radiographic verification (US), or ascertained via national health records (Sweden, Hong Kong). Rate of bone loss was assessed by serial measures of hip bone mineral density (BMD). We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, net reclassification improvement (NRI), and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) to assess improvement in prediction. Mean age at baseline was 72 to 75 years and the prevalence of low T levels (<300 ng/dL) was 7.6% to 21.3% in the three cohorts. There were 619 incident major osteoporotic and 266 hip fractures during follow-up of approximately 10 years. Based on ROC curves, there were no improvements in fracture risk discrimination for any biochemical measure when added to models, including the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) with BMD. Although minor improvements in NRI were observed for the dichotomous parameters low bioavailable E2 (BioE2) (<11.4 pg/mL) and high SHBG (>59.1 nM), neither sex steroids nor SHBG provided clinically useful improvement in fracture risk discrimination. Similarly, they did not contribute to the prediction of BMD change. In conclusion, there is limited clinical utility of serum E2, T, and SHBG measures for the evaluation of osteoporosis risk in elderly men. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Neuroprotection and Blood–Brain Barrier Restoration by Salubrinal After a Cortical Stab Injury
Authors: Barreda‐Manso M. Asunción , Yanguas‐Casás Natalia , Nieto‐Sampedro Manuel , Romero‐Ramírez Lorenzo
Published: October 2016

Following a central nervous system (CNS) injury, restoration of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) integrity is essential for recovering homeostasis. When this process is delayed or impeded, blood substances and cells enter the CNS parenchyma, initiating an additional inflammatory process that extends the initial injury and causes so‐called secondary neuronal loss. Astrocytes and profibrotic mesenchymal cells react to the injury and migrate to the lesion site, creating a new glia limitans that restores the BBB. This process is beneficial for the resolution of the inflammation, neuronal survival, and the initiation of the healing process. Salubrinal is a small molecule with neuroprotective properties in different animal models of stroke and trauma to the CNS. Here, we show that salubrinal increased neuronal survival in the neighbourhood of a cerebral cortex stab injury. Moreover, salubrinal reduced cortical blood leakage into the parenchyma of injured animals compared with injured controls. Adjacent to the site of injury, salubrinal induced immunoreactivity for platelet‐derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF‐B), a specific mitogenic factor for mesenchymal cells. This effect might be responsible for the increased immunoreactivity for fibronectin and the decreased activation of microglia and macrophages in injured mice treated with salubrinal, compared with injured controls. The immunoreactivity for PDGF‐B colocalized with neuronal nuclei (NeuN), suggesting that cortical neurons in the proximity of the injury were the main source of PDGF‐B. Our results suggest that after an injury, neurons play an important role in both, the healing process and the restoration of the BBB integrity. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1501–1510, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonohysterosalpingography: Comparison of foam and saline solution
Authors: Piccioni Maria Grazia , Riganelli Lucia , Filippi Valentina , Fuggetta Eliana , Colagiovanni Vanessa , Imperiale Ludovica , Caccetta Jlenia , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti , Porpora Maria Grazia
Published: October 2016

Purpose

To compare sonohysterosalpingography (sono‐HSG) with foam instillation (HyFoSy) versus saline solution (HyCoSy) in the evaluation of tubal patency.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 37 infertile women, scheduled for laparoscopy. The women were randomized into two groups: HyFoSy (group I) and HyCoSy (group II). The patients of both groups underwent laparoscopy with dye test. We assessed the diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy) of HyFoSy and HyCoSy, compared with laparoscopy and dye test, in the assessment of tubal patency.

Results

Sono‐HSG findings in tubal patency assessment obtained in the HyFoSy group were concordant with laparoscopic results in 94.4% of cases, with a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 100%, whereas in the HyCoSy group, concordance occurred in only 57.8% of examinations, with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 66.6%.

Conclusions

HyFoSy allows a more accurate diagnosis of tubal patency compared with HyCoSy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:67–71, 2017;
Noninvasive evaluation of right hemodynamics in carcinoid heart disease: A case report
Authors: Nardozza Marianna , Mele Donato , Ferrari Roberto
Published: October 2016

We report the case of a 67‐year‐old woman with a carcinoid tumor of midgut origin who developed carcinoid heart disease and died because of bowel perforation. Echocardiography allowed the diagnosis, recognizing the typical abnormalities of tricuspid and pulmonary valve leaflets. The sonographic examination also evidenced peculiar alterations of the right heart hemodynamics: end‐diastolic reversal of flow at the level of the pulmonary valve, reduced respiratory excursion without enlargement of the inferior vena cava, and biphasic hepatic venous flow without respiratory variation. Echocardiography allowed both the diagnosis and the accurate assessment of the hemodynamic consequences of the disease. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:355–361, 2017;
Dilemma in clinical diagnosis of right ventricular masses
Authors: Sušić Livija , Baraban Vedrana , Vincelj Josip , Maričić Lana , Ćatić Jasmina , Blažeković Robert , Manojlović Spomenka
Published: October 2016

Detection of an intracardiac mass always represents a clinical challenge. We present a 61‐year‐old female patient with symptoms of New York Heart Association class III. Two‐dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed a hypoechogenic mass in the cavity of the dilated right ventricle (RV). Cardiac MRI described a pathologic structure of the RV free wall with pedunculated tumor in its cavity. Three months later, on a repeated echocardiography, there were three individual masses. The patient underwent surgery and the pathohistologic report demonstrated thrombotic masses. During the postoperative period, after reviewing all medical records, the conclusion was arrhythmogenic RV cardiomyopathy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:362–369, 2017;
Gender and Climate Change in Latin America: An Analysis of Vulnerability, Adaptation and Resilience Based on Household Surveys
Authors: Andersen Lykke E. , Verner Dorte , Wiebelt Manfred
Published: October 2016

This paper analyses gender differences in vulnerability and resilience to shocks, including climate change and climate variability, for Peru, Brazil and Mexico, which together account for more than half the population in Latin America. Vulnerability and resilience indicators are measured by a combination of the level of household incomes per capita and the degree of diversification of these incomes. Thus, households which simultaneously have incomes which are below the national poverty line and which are poorly diversified (Diversification Index below 0.5) are classified as highly vulnerable, whereas households which have highly diversified incomes above the poverty line are classified as highly resilient. The analysis shows that female headed households in all three countries tend to be less vulnerable and more resilient than male headed households, despite the fact that the former usually have lower education levels. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life science–based neuroscience education at large Western Public Universities
Authors: Coskun Volkan , Carpenter Ellen M.
Published: October 2016

The last 40 years have seen a remarkable increase in the teaching of neuroscience at the undergraduate level. From its origins as a component of anatomy or physiology departments to its current status as an independent interdisciplinary field, neuroscience has become the chosen field of study for many undergraduate students, particularly for those interested in medical school or graduate school in neuroscience or related fields. We examined how life science–based neuroscience education is offered at large public universities in the Western United States. By examining publicly available materials posted online, we found that neuroscience education may be offered as an independent program, or as a component of biological or physiological sciences at many institutions. Neuroscience programs offer a course of study involving a core series of courses and a collection of topical electives. Many programs provide the opportunity for independent research, or for laboratory‐based training in neuroscience. Features of neuroscience programs at Western universities closely matched those seen at the top 25 public universities, as identified by U.S. News & World Report. While neuroscience programs were identified in many Western states, there were several states in which public universities appeared not to provide opportunities to major in neuroscience. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discovering Diamonds Amid Coal: A Strategic Approach to Creating Value Through Acquisitions
Authors: Pangarkar Nitin
Published: October 2016

Acquisitions are important strategic initiatives that can create and destroy value in equal measure. Despite the popularity of such endeavors, many companies struggle to realize the benefits they expect. Some companies have succeeded in creating value by “discovering diamonds amid coal”—that is, by buying underappreciated companies and implementing policies that exploit their potential. The experiences of Nestlé‐Alcon, Philip Morris‐Miller Beer, and Mittal Steel highlight the subtleties of this strategy, as well the facilitating conditions needed for it to work.
Corporate Inversions and Mergers: The Case of Pfizer
Authors: Anwar Syed Tariq
Published: October 2016

Although carefully planned and negotiated to reduce the company's corporate tax rate and further its expansion into global markets, Pfizer's high‐profile plan for a $100 billion merger with UK‐based AstraZeneca in 2014 never took place. The proposed arrangement was based on a corporate inversion, whereby the headquarters of the American pharmaceutical giant would be moved from New York to London. A subsequent attempt at merger with Allergan of Ireland also never materialized. Both proposals were strongly criticized by the US Government, local communities, and various stakeholders, leading Pfizer to withdraw its plans and remain in the United States. The company's experience highlights some of the problems that can arise in even the best‐considered consolidations in the ever‐changing pharmaceutical industry.
Observations on a set of Greco‐Roman eye, ear, nose, and throat surgical instruments
Authors: Dedo Herbert H.
Published: October 2016

The tools described in this article are verified to be Greco‐Roman medical and surgical instruments for the eye, ear, nose, and throat. They include three myrtle leaf–shaped scalpels, three ear spoons, a “Q‐tip,” a forceps, a needle, and two arrow‐pointed scalpels. One of the arrow‐pointed scalpels is nearly identical to a Juerger keratome, suggesting that in Roman times, cataracts were extracted, not just “couched” into the posterior chamber. The description presented here goes beyond traditional archeological claims, because as a head and neck surgeon, I evaluated these instruments from a surgeon's point of view. For example, nonsurgeon medical historians have claimed the myrtle leaf–shaped items were used as handles or for blunt dissection, which I feel is mistaken. Review of the literature reveals the Greco‐Roman surgeons were doing tonsillectomies, tracheotomies, and cataract extractions, and recognized that swimming in dirty water could cause ear infection. However, it is clear that with poor or no anesthesia, the pain from blunt dissection would have been intolerable, and unnecessary tissue planes would have been opened increasing wound infection risks. Therefore, there would have been no need for the myrtle leaf–shaped blade if it were just a handle. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:354–358, 2017
Effect of welding flash on the corrosion of friction stir spot welded AZ31B
Authors: Savguira Y. , Liu W. H. , North T. H. , Thorpe S. J.
Published: October 2016

The influence of welding flash on the corrosion resistance of friction stir spot welded (FSSW) AZ31B was examined by mass loss testing complimented with the scanning reference electrode and microcapillary polarization techniques. The microstructure of the flash was characterized by optical microscopy and the use of tungsten carbide tracer and correlated with the corrosion morphology of the joints. It was observed that the flash increased the corrosion rate of the welds, and its removal can reduce the corrosion rate by 20%. The increase in susceptibility for corrosion was explained by examining the electrochemical characteristics of the flash, and in particular to show the presence of a second stir zone (SZ) region in the flash. The electrochemical properties of the flash were correlated to second phase particle dissolution using a detailed microscopy analysis. The coupling of the two regions resulted in the formation of a local galvanic cell in the flash, leading to accelerated corrosion. Increases in dwell time and/or rotational speed of the tool during FSSW resulted in the formation of a larger SZ region in the flash, and produced a greater cathode to anode ratio.
A model for moisture and heat flow in fractured unsaturated porous media
Authors: Varnosfaderani A.M. , Gatmiri B. , Haghighi E.M.
Published: October 2016

The present study investigates propagation of a cohesive crack in non‐isothermal unsaturated porous medium under mode I conditions. Basic points of skeleton deformation, moisture, and heat transfer for unsaturated porous medium are presented. Boundary conditions on the crack surface that consist of mechanical interaction of the crack and the porous medium, water, and heat flows through the crack are taken into consideration. For spatial discretization, the extended finite element method is used. This method uses enriched shape functions in addition to ordinary shape functions for approximation of displacement, pressure, and temperature fields. The Heaviside step function and the distance function are exploited as enrichment functions for representing the crack surfaces displacement and the discontinuous vertical gradients of the pressure and temperature fields along the crack, respectively. For temporal discretization, backward finite difference scheme is applied. Problems solved from the literature show the validity of the model as well as the dependency of structural response on the material properties and loading. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐contractile BOLD contrast in skeletal muscle at 7 T reveals inter‐individual heterogeneity in the physiological responses to muscle contraction
Authors: Towse Theodore F. , Elder Christopher P. , Bush Emily C. , Klockenkemper Samuel W. , Bullock Jared T. , Dortch Richard D. , Damon Bruce M.
Published: October 2016

Muscle blood oxygenation‐level dependent (BOLD) contrast is greater in magnitude and potentially more influenced by extravascular BOLD mechanisms at 7 T than it is at lower field strengths. Muscle BOLD imaging of muscle contractions at 7 T could, therefore, provide greater or different contrast than at 3 T. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using BOLD imaging at 7 T to assess the physiological responses to in vivo muscle contractions. Thirteen subjects (four females) performed a series of isometric contractions of the calf muscles while being scanned in a Philips Achieva 7 T human imager. Following 2 s maximal isometric plantarflexion contractions, BOLD signal transients ranging from 0.3 to 7.0% of the pre‐contraction signal intensity were observed in the soleus muscle. We observed considerable inter‐subject variability in both the magnitude and time course of the muscle BOLD signal. A subset of subjects (n = 7) repeated the contraction protocol at two different repetition times (TR: 1000 and 2500 ms) to determine the potential of T1‐related inflow effects on the magnitude of the post‐contractile BOLD response. Consistent with previous reports, there was no difference in the magnitude of the responses for the two TR values (3.8 ± 0.9 versus 4.0 ± 0.6% for TR = 1000 and 2500 ms, respectively; mean ± standard error). These results demonstrate that studies of the muscle BOLD responses to contractions are feasible at 7 T. Compared with studies at lower field strengths, post‐contractile 7 T muscle BOLD contrast may afford greater insight into microvascular function and dysfunction.
Obesity modifies bone marrow microenvironment and directs bone marrow mesenchymal cells to adipogenesis
Authors: da Silva Simone Vargas , Renovato‐Martins Mariana , Ribeiro‐Pereira Cristiane , Citelli Marta , Barja‐Fidalgo Christina
Published: October 2016

Objective

To investigate the role of obesity on the bone marrow microenvironment and evaluate its possible impact on the adipogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC).

Methods

C57BL/6 male mice were fed with a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks. Femurs and tibiae were collected, and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSC) were isolated and analyzed for proliferative potential, immunophenotype, and expression of adipogenesis markers. Their capacity to produce extracellular matrix proteins and proinflammatory cytokines in vitro was also evaluated.

Results

HFD mice presented a significant increase in bone marrow cellularity and higher tumor necrosis factor‐α production in vitro. BM‐MSC from HFD mice had higher proliferative capacity, produced more extracellular matrix proteins associated with adipogenesis, collagen I, and collagen IV, and showed increased constitutive expression of adipogenic markers, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ, and CCAAT/enhanced binding protein family‐α, without changes in preadipocyte factor‐1 expression. Incubation with adipocyte‐differentiation medium induced further increase in CCAAT/enhanced binding protein family‐α and augmented adiponectin expression in obese BM‐MSC. These alterations did not result in increased adipogenic differentiation within the bone marrow. Moreover, BM‐HSC from HFD mice, co‐cultivated with BM‐MSCs from lean mice, exerted paracrine effects on these cells, inducing augment of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ.

Conclusions

The data suggest that obesity promotes an inflammatory microenvironment in bone marrow that commits BM‐MSC to adipogenesis.
Atrial electrocardiography in obesity and hypertension: Clinical insights from the Polish‐Norwegian Study (PONS)
Authors: Vaidean Georgeta D. , Manczuk Marta , Magnani Jared W.
Published: October 2016

Objective

Obesity and hypertension often coexist and represent risk factors for atrial fibrillation. This study hypothesized that their single and joint effects on atrial remodeling would be reflected in the PR interval and P‐wave durations on electrocardiogram (ECG).

Methods

This cross‐sectional analysis of a community‐based study included 11,308 men and women age 45–64. Atrial indices were obtained from digital standard 12‐lead resting ECG. Analyses were adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Results

Both ECG indices displayed a progressive increase across anthropometric indices. Each 5‐unit increment in body mass index (BMI) increased P‐wave duration by 1.9 ms (95% CI 1.5‐2.2) and PR interval by 2.4 ms (95% CI 1.9‐3.0), with similar trends for central obesity, even among those without obesity by BMI. Both ECG indices displayed graded increases across levels of blood pressure control, including prehypertension. A joint effect of overweight and hypertension on both ECG indices was detected. P‐wave duration or PR interval among people with obesity was not additionally increased by hypertension.

Conclusions

P‐wave indices increase in general and central obesity. Hypertension exerts an incremental effect in people with overweight but not in people with obesity. The study furthered the understanding of atrial remodeling in the setting of major atrial fibrillation risk factors.
Effects of Weight‐shifting Exercise Combined with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation on Muscle Activity and Trunk Control in Patients with Stroke
Authors: Jung Kyoung‐Sim , Jung Jin‐Hwa , In Tae‐Sung , Cho Hwi‐Young
Published: October 2016

This study investigated the effects of weight‐shifting exercise (WSE) combined with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), applied to the erector spinae and external oblique (EO) muscles, on muscle activity and trunk control in patients with hemiparetic stroke. Sixty patients with stroke were recruited to this study and randomly distributed into three treatment groups: (1) WSE + TENS, (2) WSE + placebo TENS, and (3) control.

All participants underwent 30 sessions of training (30 minutes five times per week for 6 weeks) and received 1 hour of conventional physical therapy five times per week for 6 weeks. Muscle activity, maximum reaching distance and trunk impairment scale scores were assessed in all patients before and after the training. After training, the WSE + TENS group showed significant increase in the EO activity, maximum reaching distance and trunk impairment scale scores compared with the WSE + placebo TENS and control groups. These findings suggest that WSE with TENS applied to the erector spinae and EO muscles increased the trunk muscle activity and improved trunk control. Therefore, WSE with TENS could be a beneficial intervention in clinical settings for individuals with hemiparetic stroke. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characteristics of photopolymerized benzophenone
Authors: Tang Yunhui , Zhang Yuxuan , Yang Jinliang , Nie Jun
Published: October 2016

Photopolymerization is extensively used in today's industrial field due to its advantages of rapid reaction, environmental friendly, energy saving and economical. Benzophenone is a most common photoinitiator (PI) using in photopolymerization because of its superior ability to initiate acrylate monomers. However, the intrinsic nature of initiator molecules is that they migrate out of polymer network, which limits its application, especially in the domain of food packaging materials. A polymerizable PI 4‐methylbenzophenone acrylate (MBPAc) was synthesized by a facile procedure and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS analyses. A systematic study of the photopolymerization kinetics of MBPAc was explored by the Real‐Time Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer. The results show that the final conversion and photopolymerization rate of acrylate monomers are closely related to the factors of their chemical structure, viscosity, functionality and light intensity, which means MBPAc is an efficient PI. Ultraviolet‐visible Spectrophotometer and vitro cytotoxicity measurement results indicate that the noncytotoxic MBPAc shows significantly lower migration than its analogue. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 313–320
A Computational Study of Density of Some High Energy Molecules
Authors: Moxnes John F. , Hansen Finn K. , Jensen Tomas L. , Sele Marta L. , Unneberg Erik
Published: October 2016

The detonation pressure depends quadratically on the loading density of the explosives. A precise estimate of the density is thus crucial to decide if a novel energetic material is worth pursuing. In this work we investigate theoretically the crystal densities of the energetic compounds RDX, TNT, NTO, DNAM, CL‐20, DADNE, and HMX. We calculate the crystal densities by using Materials Studio 7.0 Polymorph Predictor, employing force fields and exploring molecular packing arrangements with minima in total energy. Geometry optimized molecular structures computed by density functional theory (DFT) are used as input to the density predictions. In an additional DFT study we apply two functionals, B3LYP and M06 with the 6‐31G(d) and the 6‐31G(d,p) basis sets, and the program package GAUSSIAN09. In this part of the work crystal densities are calculated by using the molecular isosurface volume (defined by the volume within a surface with an electron density of 0.001 electrons per Bohr3) alone or combined with the variance of the electrostatic potential (ESP). The Polymorph Predictor seems to overestimate the densities, but the values are very dependent on the force field strength determined by charges assigned to atoms. In the GAUSSIAN09 DFT study the densities derived by using the M06 functional are in similar agreement with experimental data as what we experienced for the B3LYP results, although both functionals appear to give slightly lower densities than reported experimentally for the majority of the molecules. On average, the densities derived by the ESP method correlate equally well with measured values as the results obtained by the isosurface method.
Structural quality of unrefined models in protein docking
Authors: Anishchenko Ivan , Kundrotas Petras J. , Vakser Ilya A.
Published: October 2016

Structural characterization of protein‐protein interactions is essential for understanding life processes at the molecular level. However, only a fraction of protein interactions have experimentally resolved structures. Thus, reliable computational methods for structural modeling of protein interactions (protein docking) are important for generating such structures and understanding the principles of protein recognition. Template‐based docking techniques that utilize structural similarity between target protein‐protein interaction and cocrystallized protein‐protein complexes (templates) are gaining popularity due to generally higher reliability than that of the template‐free docking. However, the template‐based approach lacks explicit penalties for intermolecular penetration, as opposed to the typical free docking where such penalty is inherent due to the shape complementarity paradigm. Thus, template‐based docking models are commonly assumed to require special treatment to remove large structural penetrations. In this study, we compared clashes in the template‐based and free docking of the same proteins, with crystallographically determined and modeled structures. The results show that for the less accurate protein models, free docking produces fewer clashes than the template‐based approach. However, contrary to the common expectation, in acceptable and better quality docking models of unbound crystallographically determined proteins, the clashes in the template‐based docking are comparable to those in the free docking, due to the overall higher quality of the template‐based docking predictions. This suggests that the free docking refinement protocols can in principle be applied to the template‐based docking predictions as well. Proteins 2016; 85:39–45. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response to: “Comment on ‘The effect of confinement on the electronic energy and polarizability of a hydrogen molecular ion’”
Authors: Fernando da Silva J. , Ramos Silva F. , Drigo Filho E.
Published: October 2016

In this reply we clarify questions point out in the Comment on: “The Effect of Confinement on the Electronic Energy and Polarizability of a Hydrogen Molecular Ion” by J. F. da Silva, F. R. Silva and E. Drigo Filho, Int. J. Quantum Chem.2016, 116, 497–503 written by S. A. Cruz and H. Olivares‐Pilón. In particular, we show how we made the calculations of ground state energy from the confined hydrogen molecule ion for cavities of different volumes. The internuclear distances to the excited state 2pσu are also presented.
Team RoboSimian: Semi‐autonomous Mobile Manipulation at the 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge Finals
Authors: Karumanchi Sisir , Edelberg Kyle , Baldwin Ian , Nash Jeremy , Reid Jason , Bergh Charles , Leichty John , Carpenter Kalind , Shekels Matthew , Gildner Matthew , Newill‐Smith David , Carlton Jason , Koehler John , Dobreva Tatyana , Frost Matthew , Hebert Paul , Borders James , Ma Jeremy , Douillard Bertrand , Backes Paul , Kennedy Brett , Satzinger Brian , Lau Chelsea , Byl Katie , Shankar Krishna , Burdick Joel
Published: October 2016

This paper discusses hardware and software improvements to the RoboSimian system leading up to and during the 2015 DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) Finals. Team RoboSimian achieved a 5th place finish by achieving 7 points in 47:59 min. We present an architecture that was structured to be adaptable at the lowest level and repeatable at the highest level. The low‐level adaptability was achieved by leveraging tactile measurements from force torque sensors in the wrist coupled with whole‐body motion primitives. We use the term “behaviors” to conceptualize this low‐level adaptability. Each behavior is a contact‐triggered state machine that enables execution of short‐order manipulation and mobility tasks autonomously. At a high level, we focused on a teach‐and‐repeat style of development by storing executed behaviors and navigation poses in an object/task frame for recall later. This enabled us to perform tasks with high repeatability on competition day while being robust to task differences from practice to execution.