bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simtuzumab for Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Phase 2 Study Results With Insights on the Natural History of the Disease
Authors: Muir Andrew J. , Levy Cynthia , Janssen Harry L.A. , Montano‐Loza Aldo J. , Shiffman Mitchell L. , Caldwell Stephen , Luketic Velimir , Ding Dora , Jia Catherine , McColgan Bryan J. , McHutchison John G. , Mani Subramanian G. , Myers Robert P. , Manns Michael , Chapman Roger , Afdhal Nezam H. , Goodman Zachary , Eksteen Bertus , Bowlus Christopher L. ,   for the GS‐US‐321‐0102 Investigators
Published: August 2018

Lysyl oxidase like‐2 (LOXL2) plays a central role in fibrogenesis and is elevated in the serum and liver of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We evaluated the safety and efficacy of simtuzumab, a monoclonal antibody directed against LOXL2, in patients with PSC. Patients with compensated liver disease caused by PSC were randomized 1:1:1 to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of simtuzumab 75 mg, simtuzumab 125 mg, or placebo for 96 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was mean change in hepatic collagen content assessed by morphometry between baseline and week 96. Additional endpoints included change in Ishak fibrosis stage and the frequency of PSC‐related clinical events. Overall, 234 patients were randomized and started treatment. At week 96, the mean change from baseline in hepatic collagen content was –0.5% for patients receiving simtuzumab 75 mg (P = 0.73 versus placebo), +0.5% for patients receiving simtuzumab 125 mg (P = 0.33 versus placebo), and 0.0 for patients receiving placebo. Compared with placebo, neither dose of simtuzumab led to significant reductions in Ishak fibrosis stage, progression to cirrhosis, or frequency of clinical events. Overall, 80 (34%) patients had fibrosis progression and 47 (20%) experienced PSC‐related clinical events. In a multivariate model of baseline factors, PSC‐related clinical events were more frequent in patients with advanced fibrosis (hazard ratio [HR], 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02‐4.06; P = 0.045), higher alkaline phosphatase (HR per 10 U/L, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00‐1.02; P = 0.015), and higher enhanced liver fibrosis score (HR per unit, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.98‐1.61; P = 0.073). Overall, rates of adverse events and laboratory abnormalities were similar between groups. Conclusion: Treatment with the LOXL2 inhibitor simtuzumab for 96 weeks did not provide clinical benefit in patients with PSC.
Category specificity in the medial temporal lobe: A systematic review
Authors: Robin Jessica , Rai Yeshith , Valli Mikaeel , Olsen Rosanna K.
Published: August 2018

Theoretical accounts of medial temporal lobe (MTL) function ascribe different functions to subregions of the MTL including perirhinal, entorhinal, parahippocampal cortices, and the hippocampus. Some have suggested that the functional roles of these subregions vary in terms of their category specificity, showing preferential coding for certain stimulus types, but the evidence for this functional organization is mixed. In this systematic review, we evaluate existing evidence for regional specialization in the MTL for three categories of visual stimuli: faces, objects, and scenes. We review and synthesize across univariate and multivariate neuroimaging studies, as well as neuropsychological studies of cases with lesions to the MTL. Neuroimaging evidence suggests that faces activate the perirhinal cortex, entorhinal cortex, and the anterior hippocampus, while scenes engage the parahippocampal cortex and both the anterior and posterior hippocampus, depending on the contrast condition. There is some evidence for object‐related activity in anterior MTL regions when compared to scenes, and in posterior MTL regions when compared to faces, suggesting that aspects of object representations may share similarities with face and scene representations. While neuroimaging evidence suggests some hippocampal specialization for faces and scenes, neuropsychological evidence shows that hippocampal damage leads to impairments in scene memory and perception, but does not entail equivalent impairments for faces in cases where the perirhinal cortex remains intact. Regional specialization based on stimulus categories has implications for understanding the mechanisms of MTL subregions, and highlights the need for the development of theoretical models of MTL function that can accommodate the differential patterns of specificity observed in the MTL.
Plans and “off‐plan activities”: Exploring the roles of data and situated action in health planning in Burkina Faso
Authors: Rasmussen Stine Loft
Published: August 2018

Implementation of health management information systems (HMIS) has gone hand in hand with a growing global demand for high‐quality data. While this has sustained HMIS implementation, it has also promoted a data‐centric assumption that better data leads to better action on health. An example is health managers envisaged using HMIS data to make action plans for health service delivery. The paper draws on an in‐depth study of practices of health data use in Burkina Faso to explore this relationship further. In this context, deviation from the agreed plan is not seen as problematic. Local action plans are often overruled because of requirements of higher levels, unexpected developments in diseases, or sudden provision of fresh funding. Health managers organize work under these uncertain circumstances through situated action. The concept of “off‐plan activities” is used to handle unforeseen events. Mobile phones are used extensively to make and remake plans. It is argued that the findings invite us to consider a less data‐centric approach to the role of HMIS data in health service delivery, where HMIS data are seen less as a tool to discipline local practices than as one element of the dynamic practices undertaken by individuals in the organization of daily work.
Preventive effect of apigenin against isoproterenol‐induced apoptosis in cardiomyoblasts
Authors: Thangaiyan Radhiga , Robert Beaulah Mary , Arjunan Sundaresan , Govindasamy Kanimozhi , Nagarajan Rajendra Prasad
Published: August 2018

We investigated the effect of apigenin, a dietary flavonoid, on isoproterenol hydrochloride (ISO)‐induced apoptotic signaling in cardiomyoblast H9C2 cells. The results showed that apigenin treatment (10 µM) prevented ISO (31.25 μM)‐induced lipid peroxidative levels and antioxidants status in H9C2 cells. Furthermore, apigenin inhibited expression of inflammatory markers in ISO‐treated cells. In addition, apigenin prevented ISO‐induced DNA damage and apoptotic signaling through modulating the expression of Bax, caspase‐3, ‐8 and ‐9, cytochrome c, and Fas proteins in H9C2 cells. It is concluded that apigenin prevents ISO‐induced antioxidants depletion, oxidative DNA damage, inflammatory, and apoptotic signaling in H9C2 cells. Thus, the present results demonstrated that apigenin has a cardioprotective effect on cardiomyoblasts cells.
Taurine prevents mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and swelling upon interaction with manganese: Implication in the treatment of cirrhosis‐associated central nervous system complications
Authors: Ahmadi Nahid , Ghanbarinejad Vahid , Ommati Mohammad Mehdi , Jamshidzadeh Akram , Heidari Reza
Published: August 2018

Brain tissue manganese (Mn) accumulation is a cirrhosis‐associated complication. Cellular mitochondria are among the potential targets for Mn‐induced cytotoxicity. Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids with high concentrations in human brain tissue. Several pharmacological properties including regulation of mitochondrial function are attributed to taurine. The current investigation was designed to evaluate the effect of taurine on Mn‐induced mitochondrial impairment in isolated mice brain mitochondria. The brain mitochondria were exposed to increasing concentrations of Mn (0.1‐10 mM). Taurine (0.1, 1, and 10 mM) was added as the protective agent. The severe collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, decreased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity, mitochondrial swelling, and depleted mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were evident in Mn‐exposed mitochondria. It was found that taurine administration preserved mitochondrial ATP, prevented mitochondrial depolarization and swelling, and increased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity. These data suggest mitochondrial protection as an underlying mechanism for the protective effects of taurine against Mn toxicity.
Mesenchymal stem cells therapeutic potential alleviate lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury in rat model
Authors: Soliman Maha G. , Mansour Hanaa A. , Hassan Wedad A. , El‐Sayed Rasha A. , Hassaan Nahla A.
Published: August 2018

Inhalation of bacterial endotoxin induces an acute inflammation in the lower respiratory tract. The current study examined the therapeutic effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced pulmonary congestion in rats as compared with dexamethasone (Dexa) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). LPS (20 µL of LPS of Escherichia coli in each nostril for two consecutive days) induced lung injury as marked by an elevation of number of inflammatory cells especially neutrophils, increased total protein levels, elevation of lipid peroxidation, and reduction of reduced glutathione in bronchoalveolar lavage along with the reduction of reduced glutathione. These deleterious effects were hampered after treatment with BM‐MSCs (1 × 106 cells/rat) once before acute lung injury (ALI) induction with LPS to an even better extent than Dexa (2 mg/kg once, ip) and NaHCO3 (10‐15 mL/day for two consecutive days). In summary, BM‐MSCs have the ability to suppress the endotoxin‐induced systemic inflammatory response and could prove to be a novel approach to therapy for ALI in rats.
Citrate trisulfonic acid: A heterogeneous organocatalyst for the synthesis of highly substituted Imidazoles
Authors: Kanaani Elham , Nasr‐Esfahani Masoud
Published: August 2018

Citrate trisulfonic acid (CTSA), as a novel recyclable and eco‐benign organocatalyst, was employed for the efficient and one‐pot synthesis of trisubstituted imidazoles and tetrasubstituted imidazoles using aldehydes, ammonium acetate or aniline, and benzoin, benzyl, or 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone under solvent‐free conditions providing high to excellent yields. CTSA is easily prepared via the reaction of trisodium citrate and chlorosulfonic acid in high purity. Compared to the conventional procedures, the present method offers several advantages, including high yields, easy work‐up, short reaction time, reusability of the catalyst, and simple purification of the products.
An Efficient Green Synthetic Approach to the Synthesis of 4H‐Chromene Compounds under Solvent‐free Conditions
Authors: Zaki Remon M. , Metwally Saoud A. , Elossaily Yasser A. , Gaber Taher A.
Published: August 2018

Here, we describe a simple method to synthesize the starting intermediate 2‐amino‐8‐benzylidene‐4‐phenyl‐5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐4H‐chromene‐3‐carbonitrile (6) by the reaction of 2,6‐dibenzylidene cyclohexanone with malononitrile in the presence of triethyl amine under solvent‐free conditions. The o‐amino carbonitrile compound 6 was used as a versatile precursor for synthesis of novel heterocyclic compounds fused to the 4H‐chromene ring system heterocycles 7–17 such as chromenopyrimidines, chromenoimidazopyrimidine, chromenopyrimidotriazepinone, and chromenotriazolopyrimidine. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established on the basis of elemental and spectral analyses including melting point, thin‐layer chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H‐NMR, and mass spectroscopy, hoping these molecules would allow us to investigate their pharmacological activities in future studies.
Mapping seasonal and annual extreme precipitation over the Peruvian Andes
Authors: Domínguez‐Castro Fernando , Vicente‐Serrano Sergio M. , López‐Moreno Juan I. , Correa Kris , Ávalos Grinia , Azorin‐Molina Cesar , El Kenawy Ahmed , Tomas‐Burguera Miquel , Navarro‐Serrano Francisco , Peña‐Gallardo Marina , Gimeno Luis , Nieto Raquel
Published: August 2018

Seasonal and annual extreme precipitation over the Peruvian Andes have been mapped for the first time. Maps were developed using the most complete, quality‐controlled and homogenous daily precipitation records in Peru from 1973 to 2016. For each observed rain gauge series, we defined parameters as the de‐clustered daily intensity, total precipitation duration, total magnitude and dry‐spell length. Then, we fitted the seasonal and annual series of these variables to a Generalized‐Pareto distribution using a peak‐over‐threshold approach. We estimated the distribution parameters and validated the performance of different thresholds to obtain the best estimation of precipitation probability. We also mapped the distribution parameters obtained for the different meteorological stations using the universal kriging algorithm, accounting for elevation and the distance to the Pacific Ocean as co‐variables. The accuracy of the extreme precipitation maps for a period of 25 and 50 years were validated using a jack‐knife approach. Some of the maps show strong uncertainty given the random spatial distribution of the variables as a consequence of the complex topography and climate of the region. Nevertheless, the maps show a useful general assessment of the spatial distribution of the precipitation hazard probability over the region, providing a good agreement with the estimations obtained in the meteorological stations for some variables and time periods analysed. Extreme precipitation maps over this high‐complex terrain of Peru are of key importance for flood risk assessment, water resources management, crop yield, soil conservation and human settlements.
Atmospheric characteristics that induce extreme precipitation in frontal systems over Southeastern Brazil during summer: Observations and atmospheric model simulation
Authors: M. Andrade Kelen , F. A. Cavalcanti Iracema
Published: August 2018

Cold fronts are the most frequent synoptic systems that affect Southeast Brazil during the whole year. The highest frequency of these systems at these latitudes occurs in the months of spring (SON) and winter (JJA), but the highest associated precipitation occurs in the spring (SON) and summer (DJF). Some of these fronts present light rains but others cause heavy precipitation, giving rise to flooding and landslides, mainly in the summer. Composites of the two cases (light and heavy rainfall) are analysed for the summer season. Large‐scale and regional features are shown to discuss the differences in precipitation. Regional differences are seen in the position and intensity of low pressure and postfrontal high. The differences are also associated with the humidity flux and convergence over the region. The main difference at high levels is the position of the frontal trough, which is close to the region in the wet cases and displaced to the ocean in the dry cases. Features of the Southern Annular Mode and Madden–Julian Oscillation show opposite patterns in the two cases. These modes of variability can modulate extra‐tropical wave trains over the Pacific, which have different behaviour downstream, over South America and South Atlantic Ocean. The eddy kinetic energy is stronger over Southeastern Pacific and Southern South America, and wave activity shows energy propagation towards the continent in the wet cases. Similar analyses with results of a global atmospheric model show that the general atmospheric characteristics of a frontal system are reproduced, as the temperature gradient, the wind confluence and the ridge‐trough pair associated with the frontal system. The model represents the differences with respect to moisture flux and the frontal trough position, but underestimates the moisture convergence, eddy kinetic energy and wave activity, in the wet cases.
Equilibrium and Dynamic Surface Properties of Cationic/Anionic Surfactant Mixtures Based on Carboxylate Gemini Surfactant
Authors: Li Yan , Lai Lu , Mei Ping , Li Sheng‐Jin , Cheng Li , Ren Zhao‐Hua , Zheng Yan‐Cheng , Liu Yi
Published: August 2018

The equilibrium and dynamic surface properties of cationic/anionic surfactant mixtures of carboxylate gemini surfactant (CGS12) and quaternary ammonium salts with different alkyl chain lengths were investigated, and the synergistic properties and solubilization capacity toward phenanthrene of these mixtures were evaluated. Results show that all cationic/anionic surfactant mixtures exhibit negative interaction parameters, indicating the strong synergistic effects in the reduction of surface tension and the formation of micelles. When the mixing ratio is 1:1, the surface tension reaches the minimum value. Moreover, as the alkyl chain length increases, the interaction parameters become more negative. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters suggest that the formation of mixed micelles is exothermic with a positive change in entropy. The tendency of dynamic surface tension curves of these mixtures is similar to that of pure CGS12. At the same concentration, these mixtures exhibit a higher adsorption rate than pure surfactants, and a lower adsorption potential barrier than cationic surfactants. However, for the CGS12/stearyltrimethylammonium bromide mixture, the drop rate constant of surface tension is lower than that of either component. Compared with the pure surfactant solutions, the cationic/anionic surfactant mixtures exhibit higher solubilization capacity toward phenanthrene. As the length of the alkyl chain increases, the solubilization capacity of the mixed cationic/anionic surfactant increases.
Measurements of Singlet Oxygen‐Quenching Activity of Vitamin E Homologs and Palm Oil and Soybean Extracts in a Micellar Solution
Authors: Mukai Kazuo , Ishikawa Eri , Ouchi Aya , Nagaoka Shin‐ichi , Abe Koichi , Suzuki Tomomi , Izumisawa Katsuhiro
Published: August 2018

Recently, a new assay method that can quantify the singlet oxygen‐absorption capacity (SOAC) of antioxidants (AO) and food extracts in homogeneous organic solvents has been proposed. In the present study, second‐order rate constants (kQ) for the reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) with vitamin E homologs (α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ‐tocopherols [Toc] and α‐, β‐, γ‐, and δ‐tocotrienols [Toc‐3]) were measured in an aqueous Triton X‐100 (5.0 wt%) micellar solution (pH 7.4). Toc‐3 showed kQ values larger than those of Toc in a micellar solution, although Toc and Toc‐3 showed the same kQ values in a homogeneous solution. Similar measurements were performed for 5 palm oil extracts 1–5 and one soybean extract 6, which contained different concentrations of Toc, Toc‐3, and carotenoids. It has been clarified that the 1O2‐quenching rates (kQ) (that is, the relative SOAC value) obtained for extracts 3–6 may be explained as the sum of the product of the rate constant () and the concentration ([AO‐i]/100) of AO‐i contained. The UV–vis absorption spectra of Toc and Toc‐3 were measured in a micellar solution and chloroform. The results obtained demonstrated that the kQ values of AO in homogeneous and heterogeneous solutions vary notably depending on (1) polarity (dielectric constant [ε]) of the reaction field between 1O2 and AO, (2) the local concentration of AO, and (3) the mobility of AO in solution. The results suggest that the SOAC method is applicable to the measurement of 1O2‐quenching activity of general food extracts in a heterogeneous micellar solution.
Metamaterial‐Based Maxwell's Fisheye Lens for Multimode Waveguide Crossing
Authors: Xu Hongnan , Shi Yaocheng
Published: August 2018

On‐chip multimode transmission has drawn tremendous interest for its ability to expand the link capacity with a single wavelength carrier. The waveguide crossing is a basic component in the on‐chip photonic circuit allowing the routing of a complex network. The situation has arisen where the multimode waveguide crossing is required to achieve the high‐density multimode networks. However, the conventional designs of the waveguide crossing only work for the single‐mode. Some works have been reported which realize the multimode crossing, but all suffer from significant losses. Here a multimode waveguide star‐crossing is proposed using the metamaterial‐based Maxwell's fisheye lens, where four multimode waveguides converge at a single junction. The index‐engineered silicon metamaterial is utilized to obtain the Maxwell's fisheye lens on the silicon‐on‐insulator platform. By combining the Maxwell's fisheye lens and tapered waveguides, both TM0 and TM1 modes propagate through the star‐crossing with low losses and cross talk. The fabricated multimode waveguide star‐crossing shows low losses of <0.3 dB and cross talk of <‐20 dB.
Plasmon‐Enhanced Spin–Orbit Interaction of Light in Graphene
Authors: Ciattoni Alessandro , Rizza Carlo , Lee Ho Wai Howard , Conti Claudio , Marini Andrea
Published: August 2018

A novel theoretical framework is developed describing polariton‐enhanced spin–orbit interaction (SOI) of light on the surface of 2D media. The reduced dimensionality of the system is exploited to introduce a quantum‐like formalism particularly suitable to fully take advantage of rotational invariance. Conservation of total angular momentum upon scattering enables the physical unveiling of the interaction between radiation and the 2D material along with the detailed exchange processes among orbital and spin components. In addition, the formalism is specialized to doped extended graphene, finding such an SOI to be dramatically enhanced by the excitation of plasmons propagating radially along the graphene sheet. Several examples of the enormous possibilities offered by plasmon‐enhanced SOI of light are provided including vortex generation, mixing, and engineering of tunable deep subwavelength arrays of optical traps in the near field.
Approximable algebras and a question of H. Chen
Authors: Maclean Catriona
Published: August 2018

In , Huayi Chen introduces the notion of an approximable graded algebra, which he uses to prove a Fujita‐type theorem in the arithmetic setting, and asks if any such algebra is a sub‐algebra of the graded section ring of a big line bundle on an algebraic variety. We give a counter‐example showing that this is not the case.
Prolongation of solutions of measure differential equations and dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Federson M. , Grau R. , Mesquita J. G.
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we prove the results on existence and uniqueness of the maximal solutions for measure differential equations, considering more general conditions on functions f and g by using the correspondence between the solutions of these equations and the solutions of generalized ODEs. Moreover, we prove these results for the dynamic equations on time scales, using the correspondence between the solutions of these last equations and the solutions of the measure differential equations.
Recruitment of calbindin into nigral dopamine neurons protects against MPTP‐Induced parkinsonism
Authors: Inoue Ken‐ichi , Miyachi Shigehiro , Nishi Katsunori , Okado Haruo , Nagai Yuji , Minamimoto Takafumi , Nambu Atsushi , Takada Masahiko
Published: August 2018

Background

Parkinson's disease is caused by dopamine deficiency in the striatum, which is a result of loss of dopamine neurons from the substantia nigra pars compacta. There is a consensus that a subpopulation of nigral dopamine neurons that expresses the calcium‐binding protein calbindin is selectively invulnerable to parkinsonian insults. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that dopamine neuron degeneration might be prevented by viral vector‐mediated gene delivery of calbindin into the dopamine neurons that do not normally contain it.

Methods

A calbindin‐expressing adenoviral vector was injected into the striatum of macaque monkeys to be conveyed to cell bodies of nigral dopamine neurons through retrograde axonal transport, or the calbindin‐expressing lentiviral vector was injected into the nigra directly because of its predominant uptake from cell bodies and dendrites. The animals in which calbindin was successfully recruited into nigral dopamine neurons were administered systemically with MPTP.

Results

In the monkeys that had received unilateral vector injections, parkinsonian motor deficits, such as muscular rigidity and akinesia/bradykinesia, appeared predominantly in the limbs corresponding to the non‐calbindin‐recruited hemisphere after MPTP administration. Data obtained from tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining and PET imaging for the dopamine transporter revealed that the nigrostriatal dopamine system was preserved better on the calbindin‐recruited side. Conversely, on the non‐calbindin‐recruited control side, many more dopamine neurons expressed α‐synuclein.

Conclusions

The present results indicate that calbindin recruitment into nigral dopamine neurons protects against the onset of parkinsonian insults, thus providing a novel approach to PD prevention. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Independent validation of metric optimized gating for fetal cardiovascular phase‐contrast flow imaging
Authors: Bidhult Sebastian , Töger Johannes , Heiberg Einar , Carlsson Marcus , Arheden Håkan , Aletras Anthony H. , Hedström Erik
Published: August 2018

Purpose

To validate metric optimized gating phase‐contrast MR (MOG PC‐MR) flow measurements for a range of fetal flow velocities in phantom experiments. 2) To investigate intra‐ and interobserver variability for fetal flow measurements at an imaging center other than the original site.

Methods

MOG PC‐MR was compared to timer/beaker measurements in a pulsatile flow phantom using a heart rate (∼145 bpm), nozzle diameter (∼6 mm), and flow range (∼130–700 mL/min) similar to fetal imaging. Fifteen healthy fetuses were included for intra‐ and interobserver variability in the fetal descending aorta and umbilical vein.

Results

Phantom MOG PC‐MR flow bias and variability was 2% ± 23%. Accuracy of MOG PC‐MR was degraded for flow profiles with low velocity‐to‐noise ratio. Intra‐ and interobserver coefficients of variation were 6% and 19%, respectively, for fetal descending aorta; and 10% and 17%, respectively, for the umbilical vein.

Conclusion

Phantom validation showed good agreement between MOG and conventionally gated PC‐MR, except for cases with low velocity‐to‐noise ratio, which resulted in MOG misgating and underestimated peak velocities and warranted optimization of sequence parameters to individual fetal vessels. Inter‐ and intraobserver variability for fetal MOG PC‐MR imaging were comparable to previously reported values.
Urodynamics are necessary for patients with asymptomatic pelvic organ prolapse
Authors: Asfour Victoria , Gargasole Clara , Fernando Ruwan , Digesu G. G. , Khullar Vik
Published: August 2018

Aim

To evaluate the role of pre‐operative urodynamics in women with pelvic organ prolapse, who are asymptomatic for urinary symptoms. Correlate urodynamics findings with King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) responses.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective review of prospectively collected data on routine pre‐operative urodynamics investigations in women with urogenital prolapse requiring surgery. Patients who were reported to be asymptomatic of urinary symptoms at the urogynaecological clinical consultation, were included for analysis. KHQ and urodynamics data were reviewed.

Results

A 800 records of women having routine pre‐operative urodynamics were collected over a 10‐year period, were reviewed. 98/800 (12%) were aymptomatic of urinary symptoms and underwent urodynamics. 82/98 (84%) completed the KHQ. 48/98 (49%) had normal urodynamics. 30/98 (31%) had detrusor overactivity (DO). 17/98 (17%) showed occult urodynamic stress incontinence (USI). 3/98 (3%) both DO and USI. 28/98 (29%) had peak flow rate less than 15 mL/s. Forty‐five percent of women reporting nocturia had DO. Nine percent had over 100 mL residuals after the free flow study. Routine pre‐operative urodynamics changed management in 25/98 (25%) of asymptomatic prolapse patients. TVT was performed in 12 patients. One patient who declined TVT for moderate occult USI, developed new‐onset stress urinary incontinence post‐operatively.

Conclusion

This data show, that an accurate pre‐surgical evaluation of patients with prolapse is incomplete without a structured validated questionnaire and urodynamics, due to the high proportion of abnormal KHQ and UDS findings in presumably “asymptomatic” patients.
Unconditional superconvergent analysis of a new mixed finite element method for Ginzburg–Landau equation
Authors: Shi Dongyang , Liu Qian
Published: August 2018

In this article, unconditional superconvergent analysis of a linearized fully discrete mixed finite element method is presented for a class of Ginzburg–Landau equation based on the bilinear element and zero‐order Nédélec's element pair (Q11/Q01 × Q10). First, a time‐discrete system is introduced to split the error into temporal error and spatial error, and the corresponding error estimates are deduced rigorously. Second, the unconditional superclose and optimal estimate of order O(h2 + τ) for u in H1‐norm and p = ∇u in L2‐norm are derived respectively without the restrictions on the ratio between h and τ, where h is the subdivision parameter and τ, the time step. Third, the global superconvergent results are obtained by interpolated postprocessing technique. Finally, some numerical results are carried out to confirm the theoretical analysis.
Ignition and Combustion Characterization of Ca(IO3)2‐based Pyrotechnic Composites with B, Al, and Ti
Authors: Wang Haiyang , Kline Dylan J. , Rehwoldt Miles , Zachariah Michael R.
Published: August 2018

This paper studies the reactive behavior of calcium iodate with Al, B and Ti fuel particles as a thermal and iodine release source for neutralization of biological materials that might be employed in weapons. Two different calcium iodate particle length scales (micron and submicron) with different fuel/oxidizer ratios were used to prepare the iodized nanopyrolants. The optimal ratio was found to be the one with equivalence ratio of 2.0 for all the three fuels. The reactivity of the pyrolants can be enhanced by dehydrating the Ca(IO3)2 or replacing the micron oxidizer particles with submicron particles. The thermal decomposition process of the pyrolants was investigated at low and high heating rate. The results show that B, Al and Ti nanoparticles can promote the decomposition of Ca(IO3)2, but the Ti nanoparticles are the most efficient, which lower temperature of the oxygen/iodine release from ∼660 °C to ∼400 °C. Thus, Ti/Ca(IO3)2 has the lowest ignition temperature of ∼400 °C. The various calcium iodate‐based pyrolants were shown to have a wide range of reactivity (1–4 orders of magnitude) and burn times (1–3 orders of magnitude), high flame temperature (1850–2800 K) and iodine loading capacity (∼20–60 wt.‐% of iodine), which makes it a promising class of biocidal energetic materials.
Collaboration After Disaster: Explaining Intergovernmental Collaboration During the EPA Gold King Mine and TVA Coal Ash Recoveries
Authors: Fisk Jonathan M. , Good A. J. , Nelson Steven
Published: August 2018

When disaster strikes, the post‐disaster politics often increase in complexity, importance, and ferocity. Disasters and attendant recovery efforts quickly occupy space on public agendas, involve a myriad of actors, and often require coordination from multiple stakeholders. This research examines two such instances and focuses on the recovery efforts following spills at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Kingston, TN coal‐fired power plant and the Environmental Protection Agency's Gold King Mine site. Using primary and secondary sources, this project identifies that unresolved historical issues, problem complexity, and action type are likely to make intergovernmental collaboration during recovery more difficult.
Mapping woody plant community turnover with space‐borne hyperspectral data – a case study in the Cerrado
Authors: Leitão Pedro J. , Schwieder Marcel , Pedroni Fernando , Sanchez Maryland , Pinto José R. R. , Maracahipes Leandro , Bustamante Mercedes , Hostert Patrick
Published: August 2018

Effective conservation measures require the knowledge on the spatial patterns of species communities and their turnover. This knowledge is, however, many times lacking, particularly so for complex systems. On the other hand, recent developments have resulted in tools that enable the mapping of these patterns from remote sensing data, such as Sparse Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (SGDM). SGDM is a two‐stage approach, which combines a Sparse Canonical Component analysis and a Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM), thus being designed to deal with high‐dimensional data to predict community turnover in GDM. In this study, we use space‐borne hyperspectral data to map woody plant community patterns collected in two study sites in the Cerrado (Brazilian savannah), namely, the Parque Estadual da Serra Azul (PESA) in Mato Grosso state and Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros (PNCV) in Goiás state. Field data were collected in both study sites, following a systematic sampling scheme adapted for the Cerrado. The Cerrado is the most diverse of all the world's savannahs, and while holding a high diversity and endemism of species, this biome is mostly unprotected and understudied. We used Hyperion data acquired over the two study sites, which were subject to data pre‐processing (including radiometric and geometric corrections, as well as correction for sensor errors) and quality screening before analysis. Our models were used to map woody plant community patterns and turnover for the study areas. We also inspected the Hyperion spectral bands which most contributed in the SGDM, for each site. Furthermore, the modelled patterns were interpreted with respect to the ecological characteristics of the respective species, this way further enhancing our understanding of this complex system. This study has demonstrated that this approach is suitable for mapping woody plant communities in heterogeneous systems, based on combined field and space‐borne hyperspectral data.
Characterizing animal anatomy and internal composition for electromagnetic modelling in radar entomology
Authors: Mirkovic Djordje , Stepanian Phillip M. , Wainwright Charlotte E. , Reynolds Don R. , Menz Myles H. M.
Published: August 2018

The use of radar as an observational tool in entomological studies has a long history, and ongoing advances in operational radar networks and radio‐frequency technology hold promise for advances in applications such as aerial insect detection, identification and quantification. Realizing this potential requires increasingly sophisticated characterizations of radio‐scattering signatures for a broad set of insect taxa, including variability in probing radar wavelength, polarization and aspect angle. Although this task has traditionally been approached through laboratory measurement of radar cross‐sections, the effort required to create a comprehensive specimen‐based library of scattering signatures would be prohibitive. As an alternative, we investigate the performance of electromagnetic modelling for creating such a database, focusing particularly on the influence of geometric and dielectric model properties on the accuracy of synthesized scattering signatures. We use a published database which includes geometric size measurements and laboratory‐measured radar cross‐sections for 194 insect specimens. The insect anatomy and body composition were emulated using six different models, and radar cross‐sections of each model were obtained through electromagnetic modelling and compared with the original laboratory measurements. Of the models tested, the prolate ellipsoid with an internal dielectric of homogenized chitin and hemolymph mixture best replicates the measurements, providing an appropriate technique for further modelling efforts.
A Selective Three‐Component, One‐Pot Approach for the Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydroquinazolines and Quinazolines
Authors: Dayakar Cherupally , Raju BhimapakaChina
Published: August 2018

A facile and selective method has been developed for the preparation of 1,2‐dihydroquinazolines 3 a‐u, quinazolines 5 a‐f and spiro cyclohexane‐1,2‐quinazolines 7 a‐d by the reaction of 2‐aminoacetophenones, benzophenones with β‐ketoesters, 1,3‐diketones and cyclic ketones in the presence of ammonium salts for the first time.
Triazole Biheterocycles from Cinchona Alkaloids: Coordination and Antiproliferative Properties
Authors: Boratyński Przemysław J. , Gałęzowska Joanna , Turkowiak Kamil , Anisiewicz Artur , Kowalczyk Rafał , Wietrzyk Joanna
Published: August 2018

Eighteen new copper‐complexing derivatives of Cinchona alkaloids entailing 1,2,3‐triazole rings connected to pyridine, pyrimidine and quinoline were obtained in Sonogashira and 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions. The compounds were tested in an antiproliferative assay against five different cancer cell lines and those containing quinoline‐triazole system exhibited pronounced inhibitory effect comparable, or exceeding that of cisplatin. Quinine derivative substituted at position 2’ with triazolyl‐phenol moiety showed promising selectivity against HT‐29 colon cancer cell line (IC50 0.65 μg/mL).
BSA‐CuS Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy of Diabetic Wound Infection In Vivo
Authors: Zhao Yan , Cai Qiliang , Qi Wei , Jia Yuchi , Xiong Tingyuan , Fan Zhenqian , Liu Shuangqing , Yang Jie , Li Nan , Chang Baocheng
Published: August 2018

Diabetic vascular stenosis and multi‐drug resistance limit the efficacy of traditional antibiotic therapy to the diabetic wound infection, so developing advanced therapy is highly desired. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a novel noninvasive technique and enables transferring near‐infrared (NIR) light energy into heat to kill bacteria pathogens directly using PTT agents. Among various PTT agents, bovine serum albumin stabilized‐CuS (BSA‐CuS) nanoparticles are emerging as an ideal PTT agent with the advantages of simple preparation, low cost, low toxicity, good biocompatibility, high photothermal conversion efficiency. However, no one has applied this high‐performance PTT nanoagent in the treatment of diabetic wound infection in vivo. Herein, we present PTT for diabetic wound infection in vivo using BSA‐CuS nanoparticles. The prepared CuS nanoparticles exhibited low cytotoxicity and in vivo toxicity, excellent water solubility and high photothermal performance. Most of the bacteria in vitro were destroyed after the treatment of BSA‐CuS nanoparticles and laser irradiation. Furthermore, the infected wounds of diabetic mice treated with CuS nanoparticles‐based PTT healed faster than the control group with negligible systemic damage. The proposed PTT using BSA‐CuS nanoparticles opens up a new way for the treatment of diabetic wound infection in vivo, and shows great potential in clinical translation for antibacterial treatment against various diseases.
Ni‐Doped MoS2 as an Efficient Catalyst for Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution in Alkine Media
Authors: Kong Xiangbin , Wang Ning , Zhang Qixing , Liang Junhui , Wang Manjing , Wei Changchun , Chen Xinliang , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: August 2018

Hydrogen generation from overall water splitting in alkine media is a convenient and promising technology for solving global energy dilemma. As a key half reaction, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) involves a complicated electrochemical process, and preparing high‐performance catalysts based on earth‐abundant elements is a matter of urgency. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a robust electrocatalyst that has been widely studied in acidic HER, but the low‐concentration of active sites and slow‐reaction rate limit its application in alkine electrolytes. To solve the above issues, we successfully fabricated a three‐dimensional Ni doped MoS2 (MoS2:Ni) catalyst by a simple two‐step approach for excellent catalytic performance. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results suggested that the nickel acted as new active sites, and the electronic interactions between nickel and molybdenum led to the redistribution of charge to promote the involved process. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicated that MoS2:Ni performed a faster charge‐transfer. In addition, the developed catalyst showed a lower overpotential and 91 mV decrease compared to those of pure MoS2 at 10 mA/cm2 in 1.0 M KOH. The study reported here may inspire the synthesis of advanced nanomaterials and provide concepts for improving the HER capabilities of MoS2‐based catalysts.
Revealing the Critical Role of Titanium in Layered Manganese‐Based Oxides toward Advanced Sodium‐Ion Batteries via a Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Fang Tiancheng , Guo Shaohua , Jiang Kezhu , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wang Di , Feng Yuzhang , Zhang Xueping , Wang Peng , He Ping , Zhou Haoshen
Published: August 2018

Sodium‐ion batteries are one of the most promising candidates for large‐scale energy storage. Manganese‐based layered oxides are extensively studied as a cathode of sodium‐ion batteries due to the low cost and high electrochemical activity. However, these layered cathodes usually suffer from the severe manganese dissolution originated from Jahn–Teller distortion, thereby leading to severe capacity fading and structural deterioration. Herein, it is demonstrated via a combined experimental and theoretical study, titanium substitution in layered manganese‐based oxides can weaken the Jahn–Teller effect, minimize the relative dissolution, and thus enable robust sodium storage during long‐term operation. Results reveal that Ti‐doping can restrain shrinkage or elongation of the MnO octahedral structure to minimize the Jahn–Teller distortion for Mn atoms surrounded by titanium. Consequently, P2‐Na0.86Co0.475Mn0.475Ti0.05O2 can deliver a reversible capacity over 110 mAh g−1, good rate capability, and superior long‐cycling performance (81.1% cycle retention after 200 cycles at high rate of 5 C). The findings provide new opportunities for design of high‐performance electrodes for sodium‐ion batteries and deepen the understanding of intercalation chemistry in layered structures.
Teaching Vocabulary for Application: Two Model Practices
Authors: Manyak Patrick C. , Manyak Ann‐Margaret , Cimino Nicole D. , Horton Amy L.
Published: August 2018

The authors develop the concept of teaching vocabulary for application (TVA) as a component of comprehensive vocabulary instruction. TVA is instruction that focuses on students’ skillful application of small sets of words within academic tasks, such as text analysis and writing. The authors discuss how this instruction, with its extended focus on high‐value words and its explicit goal of improving students’ oral and written language, represents an effective balance to common vocabulary instruction focused on teaching individual word meanings. The authors then illustrate the nature and potential of TVA instruction by describing activities for teaching connectives and character trait vocabulary. These descriptions document the benefits of the activities, including the enhancement of student writing, the stimulation of rich discussion, and the heightening of students’ awareness of words throughout the school day.
Y23Sr17[Si38O18N67]O9 – An Oxonitridosilicate Oxide with a Unique Layered Structure
Authors: Maak Christian , Niklaus Robin , Oeckler Oliver , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: August 2018

The oxonitridosilicate oxide Y23Sr17[Si38O18N67]O9 was synthesized in a radiofrequency furnace at 1450 °C starting from YF3, Y2O3, SrH2 and silicon diimide. The driving force of the metathesis reaction is probably the simultaneous formation of SrF2 and H2. The crystal structure was solved and refined from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data in space group P63/m (no. 176) with a = 16.5764(4), c = 18.6177(5) Å, and Z = 2 (R1 = 0.0196, wR2 = 0.0377). The results are supported by Rietveld refinement on X‐ray powder data, X‐ray spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy. The crystal structure contains [Si38O18N67]85– layers built up of vertex‐sharing SiN4 and SiON3 tetrahedra. Lattice energy (MAPLE) and charge distribution (CHARDI) calculations indicate anion and cation ordering, with the exception of one mixed occupied Y/Sr site. UV/Vis spectroscopy and DFT calculations yield an optical optical bandgap of 3.8 eV and an electronic bandgap of 3.6 eV, respectively.
Causality of fluid dynamics for high-energy nuclear collisions
Authors: Floerchinger Stefan , Grossi Eduardo
Published: August 2018

Abstract

Dissipative relativistic fluid dynamics is not always causal and can favor super-luminal signal propagation under certain circumstances. On the other hand, high-energy nuclear collisions have a microscopic description in terms of QCD and are expected to follow the causality principle of special relativity. We discuss under which conditions the fluid evolution equations for a radial expansion are hyperbolic and that terms of second order in the Knudsen number are problematic for causality. We also outline briefly how this can be remedied with terms of higher order in a formal derivative expansion. The expansion dynamics are causal in the relativistic sense if the characteristic velocities are smaller than the speed of light. We obtain a concrete inequality from this constraint and discuss how it can be violated for certain initial conditions. Finally we argue that causality poses a bound on the applicability of relativistic fluid dynamics.
Seriously Engaged Consumers: Navigating between Work and Play in Online Brand Communities
Authors: de Almeida Stefânia Ordovás , Scaraboto Daiane , dos Santos Fleck João Pedro , Dalmoro Marlon
Published: August 2018

Seriously engaged consumers create and manage online communities dedicated to brands or consumption activities, but this type of engagement remains under-examined. This study explores the contextual triggers and individual drivers of serious engagement in online communities and explains how seriously engaged consumers navigate the intersection between work and play that characterizes serious engagement. We draw from qualitative data spanning over a decade on the trajectory of four seriously engaged consumers who created and/or managed an online brand community for players of Microsoft's Xbox. Three contextual triggers (market-specific practices, marketplace shifts, sociotechnical advancements), when aligned with individual drivers (relevant skills and expertise, entrepreneurial vision, personal commitment), motivate consumers who have been engaged with a brand or consumption activity to deepen their engagement, becoming managers of or launching an online brand community. Consumers can navigate the in-between space of serious leisure through knowledge development or searching for personal fulfillment and/or external recognition. These findings support several contributions to the literature on consumer engagement: demonstrating the vital role seriously engaged consumers play in online community development; drawing attention to contextual triggers and individual drivers of consumer engagement that have not been addressed in prior research; and exploring how consumers navigate the in-between space arising from serious engagement in online communities, finding routes that can lead to deeper engagement in the community itself or redirect it to alternative targets.