bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A program for conformity assessment of the calibration results with the specification
Authors: Damjanović Srđan , Katanić Predrag
Published: July 2019

This paper describes the procedure for calculating the conformance probability of the results of the calibration with therequirements or specifications (standards or manufactures), including borderline cases. An original program created in Excel waspresented, which makes it easy to calculate in a Metrology Laboratory. During the development of this program, the recommendationsof the European Accreditation Team (EA), as well as the requirements of ISO / IEC 17025: 2017, were taken into account. The goal ofthis program is to provide the customer with a certificate of calibration with the declared uncertainty as well as the compliance of theresults of the calibration with the requirements or specifications. The program was developed for the needs of the MetrologyLaboratory, which is located in the company ORAO a.d. Bijeljina. The accreditation body at the accreditation examination of theMetrology Laboratory checked the results of the program. The international standard ISO 10576-1: 2003 describes the procedure forcalculating the conformance probability of the calibration results with the specification. According to the described procedure, eachcalibration result must first be graphically presented according to normal PDF (Gaussian distribution). Then, in order to determine theprobability of occurrence of any measured value, use the z-value and the standard surface tables below with normal PDF. In metrologylaboratories, this is a difficult and long-lasting process because the digital multimeter can be calibrated at even a hundred measuringpoints.
Mid-Infrared Silicon Photonics for Communications
Authors: Mashanovich Goran , Cao Wei , Qu Zhibo , Li Ke , Thomson David , Nedeljkovic Milos , Hagan David , Knights Andrew
Published: July 2019

The mid-infrared wavelength region is important for a number of application areas, two of which are optical fibre and free space communications. Silicon photonics can provide inexpensive photonic chips for such applications due to excellent electronic and photonic properties. In this paper, the realisation of active silicon and germanium photonic devices for the mid-infrared spectral region are given. High speed Si depletion type modulators, Si and Ge injection modulators operating at wavelengths up to 8 micrometers, and high speed Si detectors are presented. These devices are integrated with drivers and amplifiers and show very good performance, e.g. data rate in excess of 20 Gb/s.
Improving the resolution of microscope by deconvolution after dense scan
Authors: Xie Yaohua
Published: July 2019

Super-resolution microscopes (such as STED) illuminate samples with a tiny spot, and achieve very high resolution. But structures smaller than the spot cannot be resolved in this way. Therefore, we propose a technique to solve this problem. It is termed “Deconvolution after Dense Scan (DDS)”. First, a preprocessing stage is introduced to eliminate the optical uncertainty of the peripheral areas around the sample’s ROI (Region of Interest). Then, the ROI is scanned densely together with its peripheral areas. Finally, the high resolution image is recovered by deconvolution. The proposed technique does not need to modify the apparatus much, and is mainly performed by algorithm. Simulation experiments show that the technique can further improve the resolution of super-resolution microscopes.
KCNMA1-Linked Channelopathy
Authors: Bailey Cole S , Moldenhauer Hans J , Park Su Mi , Keros Sotirios , Meredith Andrea L
Published: July 2019

KCNMA1 encodes the pore-forming α subunit of the ‘Big K+’ (BK) large conductance calcium and voltage-activated K+ channel (KCa1.1). BK channels are widely distributed across many tissues, including both excitable and non-excitable cells. Expression levels are highest in brain and muscle, where the channels are critical regulators of neuronal excitability and muscle contractility. A global deletion in mouse (KCNMA1–/–) is viable but exhibits pathophysiology in many organ systems. Yet despite the important roles for BK channels in animal models, the consequences of dysfunctional BK channels in humans is not well-characterized. Here, we summarize 16 rare KCNMA1 mutations identified in 37 patients dating back to 2005, with an array of clinically defined pathological phenotypes collectively referred to as ‘KCNMA1-linked channelopathy.’ These mutations encompass gain of function (GOF) and loss of function (LOF) alterations in BK channel activity, as well as several variants of unknown significance (VUS). Human KCNMA1 mutations are primarily associated with neurological conditions, including seizures, movement disorders, developmental delay, and intellectual disability. Due to the recent identification of additional patients, the spectrum of symptoms associated with KCNMA1 mutations has expanded but remains primarily defined by brain and muscle dysfunction. Emerging evidence suggests the functional BK channel alterations produced by different KCNMA1 alleles may associate with semi-distinct patient symptoms, such as paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) with GOF and ataxia with LOF. However, due to the de novo origins for the majority of KCNMA1 mutations identified to date, and the phenotypic variability exhibited by patients, additional evidence is required to establish causality in most cases. The symptomatic picture developing from patients with KCNMA1­­-linked channelopathy highlights the importance of better understanding the roles BK channels play in regulating cell excitability. Establishing causality between KCNMA1-linked BK channel dysfunction and specific patient symptoms may reveal new treatment approaches with the potential to increase therapeutic efficacy over current standard regimens.
Implicados, intermitentes, desengajados? Estilos de mediação de pais de crianças de 3-8 anos que usam a internet
Authors: Ponte Cristina , Simões José Alberto , Batista Susana , Castro Teresa Sofia
Published: July 2019

Este artigo apresenta resultados do primeiro inquérito nacional sobre como crianças (3-8 anos) se relacionam com ecrãs em ambientes familiares, focando-se nas mediações de pais cujos filhos fazem uso da internet. Com base em literatura sobre o tema e em resultados sobre o contexto português, procedeu-se a análises estatísticas de correspondências múltiplas e de clusters que consideraram fatores do lado da criança e do lado dos pais relativamente a mediações ativas e de segurança. Da análise emergiram três tipos de mediadores — implicados, intermitentes e desengajados — cujas características se discutem e se problematizam.
A new family of cell surface located purine transporters in Microsporidia and related fungal endoparasites
Authors: Major Peter , Sendra Kacper M , Dean Paul , Williams Tom A , Watson Andrew K , Thwaites David T , Embley T Martin , Hirt Robert P
Published: July 2019

Plasma membrane-located transport proteins are key adaptations for obligate intracellular Microsporidia parasites, because they can use them to steal host metabolites the parasites need to grow and replicate. However, despite their importance, the functions and substrate specificities of most Microsporidia transporters are unknown. Here, we provide functional data for a family of transporters conserved in all microsporidian genomes and also in the genomes of related endoparasites. The universal retention among otherwise highly reduced genomes indicates an important role for these transporters for intracellular parasites. Using Trachipleistophora hominis, a Microsporidia isolated from an HIV/AIDS patient, as our experimental model, we show that the proteins are ATP and GTP transporters located on the surface of parasites during their intracellular growth and replication. Our work identifies a new route for the acquisition of essential energy and nucleotides for a major group of intracellular parasites that infect most animal species including humans.
Spinal V2b neurons reveal a role for ipsilateral inhibition in speed control
Authors: Callahan Rebecca A , Roberts Richard , Sengupta Mohini , Kimura Yukiko , Higashijima Shin-ichi , Bagnall Martha W
Published: July 2019

The spinal cord contains a diverse array of interneurons that govern motor output. Traditionally, models of spinal circuits have emphasized the role of inhibition in enforcing reciprocal alternation between left and right sides or flexors and extensors. However, recent work has shown that inhibition also increases coincident with excitation during contraction. Here, using larval zebrafish, we investigate the V2b (Gata3+) class of neurons, which contribute to flexor-extensor alternation but are otherwise poorly understood. Using newly generated transgenic lines we define two stable subclasses with distinct neurotransmitter and morphological properties. These V2b subclasses synapse directly onto motor neurons with differential targeting to speed-specific circuits. In vivo, optogenetic manipulation of V2b activity modulates locomotor frequency: suppressing V2b neurons elicits faster locomotion, whereas activating V2b neurons slows locomotion. We conclude that V2b neurons serve as a brake on axial motor circuits. Together, these results indicate a role for ipsilateral inhibition in speed control.
Event-driven industrial robot control architecture for the Adept V+ platform
Authors: Semeniuta Oleksandr , Falkman Petter
Published: July 2019

Modern industrial robotic systems are highly interconnected. They operate in a distributed environment and communicate with sensors, computer vision systems, mechatronic devices, and computational components. On the fundamental level, communication and coordination between all parties in such distributed system are characterized by discrete event behavior. The latter is largely attributed to the specifics of communication over the network, which, in terms, facilitates asynchronous programming and explicit event handling. In addition, on the conceptual level, events are an important building block for realizing reactivity and coordination. Event-driven architecture has manifested its effectiveness for building loosely-coupled systems based on publish-subscribe middleware, either general-purpose or robotic-oriented. Despite all the advances in middleware, industrial robots remain difficult to program in context of distributed systems, to a large extent due to the limitation of the native robot platforms. This paper proposes an architecture for flexible event-based control of industrial robots based on the Adept V+ platform. The architecture is based on the robot controller providing a TCP/IP server and a collection of robot skills, and a high-level control module deployed to a dedicated computing device. The control module possesses bidirectional communication with the robot controller and publish/subscribe messaging with external systems. It is programmed in asynchronous style using pyadept, a Python library based on Python coroutines, AsyncIO event loop and ZeroMQ middleware. The proposed solution facilitates integration of Adept robots into distributed environments and building more flexible robotic solutions with event-based logic.
Matching individual attributes with task types in collaborative citizen science
Authors: Nakayama Shinnosuke , Torre Marina , Nov Oded , Porfiri Maurizio
Published: July 2019

In citizen science, participants’ productivity is imperative to project success. We investigate the feasibility of a collaborative approach to citizen science, within which productivity is enhanced by capitalizing on the diversity of individual attributes among participants. Specifically, we explore the possibility of enhancing productivity by integrating multiple individual attributes to inform the choice of which task should be assigned to which individual. To that end, we collect data in an online citizen science project composed of two task types: (i) filtering images of interest from an image repository in a limited time, and (ii) allocating tags on the object in the filtered images over unlimited time. The first task is assigned to those who have more experience in playing action video games, and the second task to those who have higher intrinsic motivation to participate. While each attribute has weak predictive power on the task performance, we demonstrate a greater increase in productivity when assigning participants to the task based on a combination of these attributes. We acknowledge that such an increase is modest compared to the case where participants are randomly assigned to the tasks, which could offset the effort of implementing our attribute-based task assignment scheme. This study constitutes a first step toward understanding and capitalizing on individual differences in attributes toward enhancing productivity in collaborative citizen science.
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio is prognostic in early stage resected small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Lohinai Zoltan , Bonanno Laura , Aksarin Aleksei , Pavan Alberto , Megyesfalvi Zsolt , Santa Balazs , Hollosi Virag , Hegedus Balazs , Moldvay Judit , Conte PierFranco , Ter-Ovanesov Mikhail , Bilan Evgeniy , Dome Balazs , Weiss Glen J.
Published: July 2019

Background

For selected early stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC), curative intent surgery is often performed. Previous studies, predominantly from East Asia, reported that high neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR) correlate with poor prognosis in several types of tumors including SCLC. Our aim was to investigate the prognostic value of NLR and PLR in Caucasian patients with resected SCLC, as potential tool to select patients for multimodal treatment including surgery.

Methods

Consecutive patients evaluated at three centers between 2000 and 2013 with histologically confirmed and surgically resected SCLC were retrospectively analyzed. NLR and PLR at diagnosis was used to categorize patients into “high” and “low” groups based on receiver operating curve analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate the impact of clinical and pathological characteristics on outcome.

Results

There were a total of 189 patients with a median age of 58 years, and the majority had stage I or II disease. We found a significant correlation between NLR and tumor stage (p = 0.007) and age (p = 0.038). Low NLR (LNLR) was associated with significantly longer overall survival, while PLR had no prognostic impact. There were significant associations between NLR and PLR but not with gender, vascular involvement, tumor necrosis, peritumoral inflammation, or tumor grade.

Conclusion

Pre-operative LNLR may be a favorable prognostic factor in stage I–II SCLCs. PLR is not prognostic in this population. LNLR is easy to assess and can be integrated into routine clinical practice. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these observations.
Extraction of Cellulose Nanocrystals (NCC) from Cotton Waste and Morphology of NCC Obtained with Different Alkali Neutralization
Authors: Scognamiglio Fabrizio , Santulli Carlo , Roselli Graziella
Published: July 2019

The extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (NCC) from cotton textile waste, constituted by 70% long fibers and 30% cotton linter, was performed through the action of sulfuric acid followed by solution neutralization with two different alkalis, namely ammonia and sodium bicarbonate, which yielded microcellulose (MCC), then centrifuged to NCC. The action of the two alkalis was compared as for fiber repeatability and morphology, and the results obtained using ammonia were considered more suitable for possible introduction of NCC for the repair of historical paper artifacts. This evidence was obtained by applying optical/polarized light microscopy observation and dynamic light scattering (DLS) results.
Deformable abdominal phantom for the validation of real‐time image guidance and deformable dose accumulation
Authors: Matrosic Charles K. , Hull Jennifer , Palmer Benjamin , Culberson Wesley , Bednarz Bryan
Published: July 2019

Purpose

End‐to‐end testing with quality assurance (QA) phantoms for deformable dose accumulation and real‐time image‐guided radiotherapy (IGRT) has recently been recommended by American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Groups 132 and 76. The goal of this work was to develop a deformable abdominal phantom containing a deformable three‐dimensional dosimeter that could provide robust testing of these systems.

Methods

The deformable abdominal phantom was fabricated from polyvinyl chloride plastisol and phantom motion was simulated with a programmable motion stage and plunger. A deformable normoxic polyacrylamide gel (nPAG) dosimeter was incorporated into the phantom apparatus to represent a liver tumor. Dosimeter data were acquired using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Static measurements were compared to planned dose distributions. Static and dynamic deformations were used to simulate inter‐ and intrafractional motion in the phantom and measurements were compared to baseline measurements.

Results

The statically irradiated dosimeters matched the planned dose distribution with an average γ pass rates of 97.0 ± 0.5% and 97.5 ± 0.2% for 3%/5 mm and 5%/5 mm criteria, respectively. Static deformations caused measured dose distribution shifts toward the phantom plunger. During the dynamic deformation experiment, the dosimeter that utilized beam gating showed an improvement in the γ pass rate compared to the dosimeter that did not.

Conclusions

A deformable abdominal phantom apparatus which incorporates a deformable nPAG dosimeter was developed to test real‐time IGRT systems and deformable dose accumulation algorithms. This apparatus was used to benchmark simple static irradiations in which it was found that measurements match well to the planned distributions. Deformable dose accumulation could be tested by directly measuring the shifts and blurring of the target dose due to interfractional organ deformation and motion. Dosimetric improvements were achieved from the motion management during intrafractional motion.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated Cross‐Couplings and C−H Activation via Dual Photoredox/Transition‐Metal Catalysis in Continuous‐Flow Processes
Authors: Kim Soo Dong , Lee Jonghyun , Kim Nam‐Jung , Park Boyoung Y.
Published: July 2019

Herein, we review dual photoredox/transition‐metal catalysis for C−C/C−N cross‐couplings and C−H activation in continuous‐flow processes. Compared to conventional transition‐metal catalysis for these reactions, visible‐light‐mediated synergistic catalysis enables the use of relatively mild and environmentally friendly reaction conditions by decreasing the activation energy and using a renewable energy source. However, photochemical transformations in batch processing have limitations such as reactivity, reaction time, substrate scope, and scalability due to light attenuation as represented by the Beer‐Lambert law. In this review article, we therefore summarize and discuss several examples of cross‐couplings and C−H activation in continuous‐flow processes that overcome these problems in batch processing.
Pd/Bi‐Catalyzed Direct Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated Nitriles Using Aromatic Alcohols and Acetonitrile
Authors: Zhang Qian , Zheng Ming , Song Guosheng , Hou Jing , Li Bindong
Published: July 2019

A mild and convenient approach for direct synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated nitriles, which are ubiquitous building blocks of natural products and pharmaceuticals, has been developed. A variety of aromatic alcohols could be converted into alkenyl nitriles in moderate to good yields employing Pd/C as the catalyst and BiCl3 as the co‐catalyst.
Controlling shadow cure in cationic photopolymerizations using physical cues and processing variables
Authors: Schissel Sage M. , Jessop Julie L. P.
Published: July 2019

Cationic photopolymerizations offer unique advantages for many applications. The long‐lived active centers may proceed long after the irradiation has ceased, leading to dark cure or postpolymerization. In addition, these active centers possess mobility through reactive diffusion and may lead to polymerization in unilluminated regions (shadow cure). Shadow cure may allow effective polymerization in optically thick and pigmented systems or for systems in which areas are effectively masked from the illumination source. In this work, we demonstrate and optimize active center mobility, and thus shadow‐cure growth, by challenging shadow cure in different geometries and through design of experiments. Based on central‐composite‐design results, shadow‐cure length is most influenced by sample depth, while gel fraction is most affected by effective irradiance. Both responses are increased by maximizing the respective factors. These shadow‐cure relationships can be used to expand photopolymerization use in light‐restricted applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48290.
A Neutrophil Activation Biomarker Panel in Prognosis and Monitoring of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Bach Mary , Moon Jeonghun , Moore Richard , Pan Tiffany , Nelson J. Lee , Lood Christian
Published: July 2019

Objective

Exaggerated neutrophil activation and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are linked to inflammation and autoimmunity, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether NETs are present in the circulation of RA patients and contribute to inflammation and disease progression has not been carefully addressed. We undertook this study to assess markers of neutrophil activation and NET formation in plasma samples, investigating whether they add clinical value in improving the determination of prognosis and monitoring in RA patients.

Methods

Markers of neutrophil activation (calprotectin) and cell death (NETs) were analyzed, using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, in serum and plasma obtained from patients in 3 cross‐sectional RA cohorts and sex‐matched healthy controls. A longitudinal inception cohort (n = 247), seen for a median follow‐up of 8 years, was used for predictive analyses.

Results

Markers of neutrophil activation and cell death were increased in RA patients compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.0001). Calprotectin levels correlated with the Clinical Disease Activity Index (r = 0.53, P < 0.0001) and could be used to distinguish between patients with disease in remission and those with active disease, an observation not seen when examining C‐reactive protein levels. A biomarker panel consisting of anti–citrullinated protein antibody and calprotectin could predict erosive disease (odds ratio [OR] 7.5, P < 0.0001) and joint space narrowing (OR 4.9, P = 0.001). NET levels were associated with markers of inflammation (P = 0.0002). Furthermore, NETs and a “neutrophil activation signature” biomarker panel had good predictive value in identifying patients who were developing extraarticular nodules (OR 5.6, P = 0.006).

Conclusion

Neutrophils undergo marked activation and cell death in RA. Neutrophil biomarkers can provide added clinical value in the monitoring and prognosis of RA patients and may allow for early preventive treatment intervention.
Effects of Conventional Uric Acid–Lowering Therapy on Monosodium Urate Crystal Deposits
Authors: Ellmann Hanna , Bayat Sara , Araujo Elizabeth , Manger Bernhard , Kleyer Arnd , Cavallaro Alexander , Lell Michael , Schenker Hannah , Simon David , Tascilar Koray , Baraf Herbert S. B. , Schett Georg , Rech Jürgen
Published: July 2019

Objective

Few studies have systematically and quantitatively addressed the impact of urate‐lowering therapy on monosodium urate (MSU) deposits. This study was undertaken to analyze the effect of lifestyle measures and conventional urate‐lowering therapy on MSU deposits in patients with gout.

Methods

In this prospective study, subjects with gout according to the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria and presence of MSU deposits seen on dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) scans received either lifestyle intervention or conventional urate‐lowering therapy for a mean period of 18 months before a follow‐up DECT scan. Detected MSU deposits were quantified by volumetric measurement and validated by semiquantitative scoring, and baseline and follow‐up measurements were compared.

Results

Baseline and follow‐up DECT scans were available for all 83 subjects. Six subjects discontinued treatment, and 77 subjects underwent a lifestyle intervention (n = 24) or were treated with allopurinol (n = 29), febuxostat (n = 22), or benzbromarone (n = 2) over the entire observation period. The mean serum uric acid (UA) level decreased from 7.2 to 5.8 mg/dl in the overall population. In patients who discontinued treatment, no change in MSU deposits or serum UA levels was observed. The burden of MSU deposits significantly decreased in patients undergoing lifestyle intervention (MSU volume P = 0.007; MSU score P = 0.001), and in patients treated with allopurinol (MSU volume and score P < 0.001) or febuxostat (MSU volume P < 0.001; MSU score P = 0.001). No significant decline in MSU deposits was noted in patients who discontinued treatment.

Conclusion

These data show that lifestyle intervention and xanthine oxidase inhibitors significantly decrease the MSU deposit burden. Hence, conventional gout therapy not only lowers serum UA levels, but also reduces pathologic MSU deposits.
The impact of mental health court: A Sacramento case study
Authors: Yuan Yue , Capriotti Matthew R.
Published: July 2019

Mental health courts (MHCs) use a collaborative justice approach to provide a therapeutic alternative to the traditional justice process for defendants with mental illnesses directly relevant to their alleged criminal offenses. MHCs have proliferated in recent years, in light of early research reports documenting their successes. The aim of this paper is to provide further evaluation of the effects of MHCs by evaluating the impact of the Sacramento County MHC in California. We analyzed quantitative data and conducted interviews with stakeholders and MHC participants to understand how the MHC influenced individual participants' recidivism rates, mental health, and quality of life. Results from the quantitative data analysis indicate that defendants had a lower rate of recidivism after the MHC program than before it. Moreover, graduates were less likely to be rearrested and rehospitalized than non‐graduates. Qualitative analyses revealed several core themes regarding participants' views on facilitators and barriers related to the MHC's success. These findings provide further insights into the effectiveness of MHCs.
Aberrant accumulation of Dickkopf 4 promotes tumor progression via forming the immune suppressive microenvironment in gastrointestinal stromal tumor
Authors: Wang Ming , Ni Bo , Zhuang Chun , Zhao Wen‐Yi , Tu Lin , Ma Xin‐Li , Yang Lin‐Xi , Zhang Zhi‐Gang , Cao Hui
Published: July 2019

Background

Drug resistance and tumor recurrence are the major concerns in clinical practices of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), with the urgent requirement for exploring undiscovered pathways driving malignancy. To deal with these, recent studies have made many efforts to explore prognosis indicators and establish potential therapeutic targets.

Methods

Expression profiles of different risks of GISTs were described and abundant clinical evidences supported our findings in this study. Following exploration in vitro by cell experiments and verification in vivo using tumor microarray were taken to elucidate the underlying mechanism, which drove the malignancy in GIST.

Results

Dickkopf 4 (DKK4), as the canonical Wnt pathway antagonist, was unexpectedly and universally upregulated in high‐risk GISTs, and aberrant accumulation of DKK4 was closely correlated with poor prognosis. In addition, tumor‐derived DKK4 could decrease immune cells infiltration and activation in the tumor microenvironment, which decreased the antitumor effects in return. And this phenomenon was recurrent in human tumor specimens.

Conclusions

Our findings identified DKK4 as a proper tumor biomarker for prognosis predicting and recurrence monitoring, and suggested a novel immune‐escape mechanism driving malignancy in GIST, which might be a potential therapeutic target to improve the effects of canonical RTK therapy and combined immunotherapy.
One‐pot Synthesis of 4‐Aminocyclohexanol Isomers by Combining a Keto Reductase and an Amine Transaminase
Authors: Sviatenko Olha , Ríos‐Lombardía Nicolás , Morís Francisco , González‐Sabín Javier , Venkata Manideep Kollipara , Merdivan Simon , Günther Sebastian , Süss Philipp , Höhne Matthias
Published: July 2019

The efficient multifunctionalization by one‐pot or cascade catalytic systems has developed as an important research field, but is often challenging due to incompatibilities or cross‐reactivities of the catalysts leading to side product formation. Herein we report the stereoselective preparation of cis‐ and trans‐4‐aminocyclohexanol from the potentially bio‐based precursor 1,4‐cyclohexanedione. We identified regio‐ and stereoselective enzymes catalyzing reduction and transamination of the diketone, which can be performed in a one‐pot sequential or cascade mode. For this, we identified regioselective keto reductases for the selective mono reduction of the diketone to give 4‐hydroxycyclohexanone. The system is modular and by choosing stereocomplementary amine transaminases, both cis‐ and trans‐4‐aminocyclohexanol were synthesized with good to excellent diastereomeric ratios. Furthermore, we identified an amine transaminase that produces cis‐1,4‐cyclohexanediamine with diastereomeric ratios >98 : 2. These examples highlight that the high selectivity of enzymes enable short and stereoselective cascade multifunctionalizations to generate high‐value building blocks from renewable starting materials.

Introduction
Organocatalytic Decarboxylation of Amino Acids as a Route to Bio‐based Amines and Amides
Authors: Claes Laurens , Janssen Michiel , De Vos Dirk E.
Published: July 2019

Amino acids obtained by fermentation or recovered from protein waste hydrolysates represent an excellent renewable resource for the production of bio‐based chemicals. In an attempt to recycle both carbon and nitrogen, we report here on a chemocatalytic, metal‐free approach for decarboxylation of amino acids, thereby providing a direct access to primary amines. In the presence of a carbonyl compound the amino acid is temporarily trapped into a Schiff base, from which the elimination of CO2 may proceed more easily. After evaluating different types of aldehydes and ketones on their activity at low catalyst loadings (≤5 mol%), isophorone was identified as powerful organocatalyst under mild conditions. After optimisation many amino acids with a neutral side chain were converted in 28–99 % yield in 2‐propanol at 150 °C. When the reaction is performed in DMF, the amine is susceptible to N‐formylation. This consecutive reaction is catalysed by the acidity of the amino acid reactant itself. In this way, many amino acids were efficiently transformed to the corresponding formamides in a one‐pot catalytic system.
Chirality in amino acids beyond the Cα configuration
Authors: Brunner Henri , Tsuno Takashi
Published: July 2019

Based on a CSD search, a meta‐analysis of 1179 structures of 19 natural amino acids H3NCαH(R)C′(O)O and their derivatives H3NCαH(R)C′(O)O(H/R/M), protonated, esterified, or coordinated at the carboxylic group, shows that the chirality chain with its two steps, established in the preceding paper for alanine, can be extended to natural amino acids. High diastereoselectivities are observed in the induction from the L configuration at Cα to the −ψ and +ψ conformations, which in turn distort the planar carboxylic group CαC′(Ocis)Otrans to asymmetric flat tetrahedra, showing that the chirality chain is an integral part of natural amino acids.
A Focused Library of NO‐Donor Compounds with Potent Antiproliferative Activity Based on Green Multicomponent Reactions
Authors: Ingold Mariana , Colella Lucía , Hernández Paola , Batthyány Carlos , Tejedor David , Puerta Adrián , García‐Tellado Fernando , Padrón José M. , Porcal Williams , López Gloria. V.
Published: July 2019

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Herein, a strategy to quickly and efficiently identify novel lead compounds to develop anticancer agents, using green multicomponent reactions followed by antiproliferative activity and structure–activity relationship studies, is described. A second‐generation focused library of nitric oxide‐releasing compounds was prepared by microwave‐assisted Passerini and Ugi reactions. Nearly all compounds displayed potent antiproliferative activities against a panel of human solid tumor cell lines, with 1‐phenyl‐1‐[(tert‐butylamino)carbonyl]methyl 3‐[(3‐phenylsulfonyl‐[1,2,5]oxadiazol‐4‐yl N2‐oxide)oxy]benzoate (4 k) and N‐[1‐(tert‐butylaminocarbonyl)‐1‐phenylmethyl]‐N‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐(3‐phenylsulfonyl‐[1,2,5]oxadiazol‐4‐yl N2‐oxide)oxyphenyl carboxamide (6 d) exhibiting the strongest activity on SW1573 lung cell line (GI50=110 and 21 nm) with selectivity indices of 70 and 470, respectively. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest a relationship between NO release and antiproliferative activity. Our strategy allowed the rapid identification of at least two molecules as future candidates for the development of potent antitumor drugs.
Follow‐up approaches to a health literacy intervention to increase colorectal cancer screening in rural community clinics: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Arnold Connie L. , Rademaker Alfred W. , Morris James D. , Ferguson Laurie Anne , Wiltz Gary , Davis Terry C.
Published: July 2019

Background

Significant disparities exist in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates among those of low socioeconomic status, with fewer years of education, lacking health insurance, or living in rural areas.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effectiveness of 2 follow‐up approaches to a health literacy intervention to improve CRC screening: automated telephone call or personal call. Patients aged 50 to 75 years residing in 4 rural community clinics in Louisiana were given a structured interview that assessed demographic, health literacy and CRC screening barriers, knowledge, and attitudes. All were given health literacy–informed CRC education, a patient‐friendly CRC screening pamphlet, simplified fecal immunochemical test (FIT) instructions, and a FIT kit, and a “teach‐back” method was used to confirm understanding. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 telephone follow‐up arms. If they did not mail their FIT kit within 4 weeks, they received a reminder call and were called again at 8 weeks if the test still was not received.

Results

A total of 620 patients were enrolled. Approximately 55% were female, 66% were African American, and 40% had limited literacy. The overall FIT completion rate was 68%: 69.2% in the automated telephone call arm and 67% in the personal call arm. Greater than one‐half of the patients (range, 58%‐60%) returned the FIT kit without receiving a telephone call. There was no difference noted with regard to the effectiveness of the follow‐up calls; each increased the return rate by 9%.

Conclusions

Providing FIT kits and literacy‐appropriate education at regularly scheduled clinic visits with a follow‐up telephone call when needed was found to increase CRC screening among low‐income, rural patients. The lower cost automated call was just as effective as the personal call.
Microbial characterization of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma from a high‐risk region of China
Authors: Shao Dantong , Vogtmann Emily , Liu Anqi , Qin Junjie , Chen Wen , Abnet Christian C. , Wei Wenqiang
Published: July 2019

Background

Little is known about the microbiota and upper gastrointestinal tumors. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) occur in adjacent organs, co‐occur geographically, and share many risk factors despite being of different tissue types.

Methods

This study characterized the microbial communities of paired tumor and nontumor samples from 67 patients with ESCC and 36 patients with GCA in Henan, China. DNA was extracted with the MoBio PowerSoil kit. The V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was sequenced with MiniSeq and was processed with Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 1. The linear discriminant analysis effect size method was used to identify differentially abundant microbes, the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test was used to test α diversity differences, and permutational multivariate analysis of variance was used to test for differences in β diversity.

Results

The microbial environments of ESCC and GCA tissues were all composed primarily of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria. ESCC tumor tissues contained more Fusobacterium (3.2% vs 1.3%) and less Streptococcus (12.0% vs 30.2%) than nontumor tissues. GCA nontumor tissues had a greater abundance of Helicobacter (60.5% vs 11.8%), which may have been linked to the lower α diversity (58.0 vs 102.5; P = .0012) in comparison with tumor tissues. A comparison of ESCC and GCA nontumor tissues showed that the microbial composition (P = .0040) and the α diversity (87.0 vs 58.0; P = .00052) were significantly different. No significant differences were detected for α diversity within ESCC and GCA tumor tissues.

Conclusions

This study showed differences in the microbial compositions of paired ESCC and GCA tumor and nontumor tissues and differences by organ site. Large‐scale, prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Real transparency in medicine: Time to act
Authors: Hudis Clifford A. , Carlson Robert W.
Published: July 2019

Current methods of recording and reporting financial conflicts of interest are flawed and often result in inaccurate and inconsistent reporting by well‐intentioned individuals. To that end, this editorial identifies a number of specific current challenges for conflict‐of‐interest reporting along with potential solutions.
Verifying the claimed sale‐ranking trustworthy: A maximum marginal relevance‐based ranking method
Authors: Wang Youquan , Fang Changjian , Shen Dongqin , Wu Zhiang , Cao Jie
Published: July 2019

Various online contents on Internet platforms or search engines are related to the corporate reputation. Facing the huge amount of online contents, we need a mining method that can automatically extract and analyze a large number of network‐related information and obtain the real reliability of aspect for the content claimed by companies. In this paper, we propose to generate a ranking model to verify whether the sales‐rankings claimed by companies are trustworthy. The key idea is that the company that has higher confidence score should be supported by the online media. We use a unique data set of public opinion data related with a specific company, which we supplement with data from various online news platform and retrieval webpages using a distributed and generic Web crawler. Meanwhile, basic information and open financial data of companies are also collected for auxiliary analysis. We present a Maximal Marginal Relevance‐based ranking model to compute the confidence score of each company, taking into consideration the two technologies of word embedding and KL‐Divergence to filter the irrelevant documents. Extensive experiments show that the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art MMR‐based method, and we showcase three representative cases about the corporate reputation built by us that gives positive, neutral, and negative support respectively to the sales‐ranking claim of companies.
Effect of fluoride slow‐release glass devices on salivary and gingival crevicular fluid levels of fluoride: A pilot study
Authors: Tatsi Chrysoula , Toumba Kyriacos Jack
Published: July 2019

Objectives

To estimate the effect of fluoride slow‐release glass devices on the levels of fluoride in a pooled sample of human gingival crevicular fluid and in human saliva.

Materials and Methods

Ten healthy adult volunteers wore fluoride slow‐release glass devices for 3 months in a longitudinal experimental clinical pilot study. Whole unstimulated human saliva and gingival crevicular fluid were collected using paper points at baseline, after 2 weeks and at 3 months and analysed for their fluoride levels using ion chromatography and fluoride electrode.

Results

No adverse effects were reported, and the Löe Plaque and Gingival Index remained low (0.22). The saliva determination of fluoride using the fluoride electrode showed an increase after 3 months from 0.02 ± 0.04 ppm to 0.06 ± 0.12 ppm, whereas the ion chromatography showed an increase from 0.15 ± 0.10 ppm to 0.44 ± 0.36 ppm. The fluoride levels in a pooled sample of gingival crevicular fluid from four intraoral sites were determined using the ion chromatography, and the results showed that after 3 months, the fluoride levels were still low (0.71 ± 0.34 ppb) similar to those at baseline (0.74 ± 0.31 ppb).

Conclusions

The fluoride concentration in a pooled sample of gingival crevicular fluid was reported to be low with a range from 0.46 to 0.75 ppb and was not changed by placement of fluoride slow‐release glass devices. The fluoride concentration in unstimulated human saliva showed an increase after 3 months when the fluoride slow‐release glass devices were attached when determined with both the fluoride electrode (from .02 ± 0.04 ppm to 0.06 ± 0.12 ppm) and ion chromatography (from 0.15 ± 0.10 ppm to 0.44 ± 0.36 ppm).
Rapid, High‐Yield Fructose Dehydration to 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural in Mixtures of Water and the Noncoordinating Ionic Liquid [bmim][OTf]
Authors: Ghatta Amir Al , Wilton‐Ely James D. E. T. , Hallett Jason P.
Published: July 2019

The noncoordinating ionic liquid [bmim][OTf] (bmim=1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) is an effective and versatile solvent for the high‐yield dehydration of fructose to the platform chemical 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) over short reaction times. In contrast to prior studies in which low yields were obtained for this transformation in ionic liquids (ILs) with noncoordinating anions, this contribution reveals that the water content is an essential parameter for an efficient reaction in ILs. Achieving the optimum amount of water can increase the yield dramatically by regulating the acidity of the catalyst and partially suppressing the side reaction caused by self‐condensation of HMF. Using acid catalysis in [bmim][OTf] with 3.5 % water content, yields above 80 % can be achieved at 100 °C in only 10 min, even at high (14 %) fructose loading. These results also suggest that [bmim][OTf] represents a superior medium for solvent extraction of HMF compared to halide‐based ILs, allowing the option of isolation or further valorization of the HMF formed.
Bayesian time‐varying quantile regression to extremes
Authors: Ferraz Do Nascimento Fernando , Bourguignon Marcelo
Published: July 2019

Maximum analysis consists of modeling the maximums of a data set by considering a specific distribution. Extreme value theory (EVT) shows that, for a sufficiently large block size, the maxima distribution is approximated by the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. Under EVT, it is important to observe the high quantiles of the distribution. In this sense, quantile regression techniques fit the data analysis of maxima by using the GEV distribution. In this context, this work presents the quantile regression extension for the GEV distribution. In addition, a time‐varying quantile regression model is presented, and the important properties of this approach are displayed. The parameter estimation of these new models is carried out under the Bayesian paradigm. The results of the temperature data and river quota application show the advantage of using this model, which allows us to estimate directly the quantiles as a function of the covariates. This shows which of them influences the occurrence of extreme temperature and the magnitude of this influence.
Designing and implementation of energy‐efficient wireless photovoltaic monitoring system
Authors: Khan Mahmood , Iqbal Javed , Ali Muhammad , Muhmmad Afaq , Zahir Ali , Ali Nadir
Published: July 2019

Photovoltaic (PV) cell usually shows unpredictable results due to abrupt change in environment. Environmental parameters such as temperature, dust factor, irradiance, and air mass have direct influence on the output of PV cells. Monitoring PV and its related environmental parameters is very important for understanding and analysis of PV in practical conditions. The PV parameters have been found useful in many ways like reliability analysis, life cycle costing, returns on investment calculation, loss of load probability, and optimal designing of PV power supplies. Currently, designed PV monitoring systems (PVMS) are reported to be expensive, complex, and are limited in their applications, out of which only few are wireless. In this article, we design and implement a simple cost‐effective and wireless PV monitoring solution. The design PVMS is based on microcontrollers, light‐dependent resistors, current sensor, analog‐to‐digital converter, solid state relays, ZigBee (XBee) wireless microcontroller, and LabVIEW‐based data logging software. The designed PVMS performs the real‐time analysis and data logging of open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Jsc), ambient temperature (Ta), cell temperature (Tcell), and maximum power point. In addition, real‐time I‐V and P‐V characterization of PV module is another valuable feature embedded in the designed PVMS.
A comprehensive review on recent advancements in routing protocols for flying ad hoc networks
Authors: Malhotra Atul , Kaur Sanmeet
Published: July 2019

Flying ad hoc networks (FANETs) are a particular type of ad hoc networks, which constitute flying nodes communicating with each other in ad hoc mode. Routing among FANETs has been a subject of interest due to the inherent challenge of handling dynamicity exhibited by the nodes. This survey presents a comprehensive review on recently developed routing protocols for FANETs. In the initial part of this paper, a basic overview of FANETs, their differences with respect to mobile ad hoc networks and vehicular ad hoc networks, evolution of FANET routing protocols, basic categorization of routing protocols, characteristics and design considerations for FANETs, has been presented. Then, an in‐depth study of recently developed FANET routing protocols has been carried out by categorically differentiating them based on their routing mechanism, highlighting their features, strengths, weaknesses, and Quality of Service (QoS) parameters used for testing, in order to identify their suitability for routing data among flying nodes moving at high speeds. Furthermore, a feature comparison of all the discussed protocols has been presented in a summarized form. Lately, an analysis of mobility models, QoS parameters, simulators, and test beds used in the literature has been discussed in order to reflect their effectiveness when used for FANETs. Finally, open issues and future directions related to FANET routing protocols have been mentioned so as to direct the future research in this area for further advancements.