bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple‐frequency digital phase‐locked loop based on multiphase clock divider with constant pulse interval
Authors: Yahara Mitsutoshi , Fujimoto Kuniaki , Kiyota Hideo
Published: May 2018

In the mobile communication equipment, the clock generator for driving each system is required to have a fast pull‐in time, multiple signals of constant pulse interval, synchronization range, low output jitter, and wide lock‐in range characteristics. In this paper, multiple‐frequency multiphase clock digital‐controlled phased‐locked loop (MC‐DCPLL) is proposed. In this loop, the pulse width error of the multiplied output signal is a time within one phase difference of the multiphase clock regardless of the multiplication ratio. The output jitter in the steady state is always within one phase difference of the multiphase clock. Since it is a control method by dividing ratio changeable type, the lock‐in range is extremely wide. Also, the initial pull‐in time is always completed in one cycle of the input signal without being influenced by the multiplication ratio. It is clarified by theory and simulation that these characteristics can be obtained. From the above, the versatility of the proposed multiple‐frequency MC‐DCPLL is extremely high, and it can be expected to be used for clock sources, and so on, in various mobile communication equipment systems.
Consideration of multi‐coil type magnetization system for magnetic particle testing of omnidirectional crack in all surfaces of 3D shape test object
Authors: Fukuoka Katsuhiro , Kobayashi Masaki , Ozaki Tomohiro , Oikawa Yoshiro
Published: May 2018

Mechanical parts, plants, and cross‐linkages inspected with magnetic‐particle testing (MT) are typically complex 3D shapes. In complex 3D shape portions, because a magnetizer often cannot be configured to inspection portions and the test object cannot be appropriately magnetized, there is a possibility of overlooking a crack in such an instance. Thus, MT system development that was successfully able to detect omnidirectional cracks in 3D shape portions was considered in this study's trials. Two multi‐coil type magnetizers were hence arranged face‐to‐face, and the magnetization of omnidirectional scenarios for all surfaces of 3D shape test object was evaluated.
Synthesis and Characterization of Pyridine‐, Pyrazine‐, and Quinoxaline‐Derived [4]Helicenes and S‐Shaped Double [4]Helicenes
Authors: Gulevskaya Anna V. , Shvydkova Ekaterina A. , Tonkoglazova Daria I.
Published: May 2018

A systematic study of the synthesis and properties of 1‐aza‐, 4‐aza‐, and 1,4‐diaza[4]helicenes as well as the previously unknown S‐shaped double 1,4‐diaza[4]helicenes has been reported. The synthetic route to the aza‐ and diaza[4]helicenes involved an electrophile‐induced cyclization of 3(2)‐alkynyl‐2(3)‐(naphthalen‐1‐yl)azines (i.e., quinoxaline, pyrazine, pyridine), which were prepared in two steps from the commercially available ortho‐dihalo‐substituted azine. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and ICl were used as electrophiles. The ICl‐promoted cyclization provided the 5‐iodo derivatives of the aza‐ and diaza[4]helicenes in yields of 47–71 %. The use of TFA as the electrophile afforded the helicenes along with isomeric products from an alternative cyclization and subsequent 1,2‐shift of the C–C bond (e.g., naphtho[2,1‐f]quinoxalines or naphtho[2,1‐a]phenazines, 87–89 % total yield, 1.5–1.8:1 ratio). The presence of an iodine substituent in the hetero[4]helicenes allowed for the introduction of an alkynyl group by using a Sonogashira reaction. The subsequent cycloizomerization upon treatment with TFA gave the S‐shaped double 1,4‐diaza[4]helicenes. The molecular structures and crystal packing of the synthesized hetero[4]helicenes relative to those of [4]carbohelicene have been discussed.
The Impact of the Position of the Redox Label on Charge Transfer and Hybridization Efficiency at DNA Interfaces
Authors: Silva Saimon Moraes , Hoque Sharmin , Gonçales Vinicius R. , Gooding J. Justin
Published: May 2018

A common electrode construct for electrochemical DNA biosensors consists of tethering a redox‐label‐modified single stranded DNA to the electrode and comparing the electrochemical response of a redox probe before and after hybridization. Despite the analytical advantages of this construct, contradictory results are found in the literature regarding to the effect of redox‐labeling position on the charge transfer process happening at a DNA interface. Herein a contribution to this discussion is made by investigating how a methylene blue redox label placed at different positions along a probe strand of DNA affects the DNA hybridization efficiency. For that, a second redox label, a ferrocene molecule, was attached to the target DNA at a fixed position such that upon hybridization it is positioned at the distal end of the DNA monolayer. The dual label strategy allowed us to explore, for each methylene blue labeling position, how the binding‐induced diminution in the methylene blue signaling is associated with the appearance of the ferrocene signaling after hybridization. It was found that the location of the methylene blue redox label in the DNA interface can affect the hybridization efficiency.
Integrative Epigenetic Analysis Reveals Therapeutic Targets to the DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitor Guadecitabine (SGI‐110) in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Minmin , Zhang Lian , Li Hongtao , Hinoue Toshinori , Zhou Wanding , Ohtani Hitoshi , El‐Khoueiry Anthony , Daniels John , O'Connell Casey , Dorff Tanya B. , Lu Qianjin , Weisenberger Daniel J. , Liang Gangning
Published: May 2018

There is an urgent need to develop more effective therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) because of its aggressiveness. Guadecitabine (SGI‐110) is a second‐generation DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi), which is currently in clinical trials for HCC and shows greater stability and performance over first‐generation DNMTis. In order to identify potential therapeutic targets of SGI‐110 for clinical trials, HCC cell lines (SNU398, HepG2, and SNU475) were used to evaluate the effects of transient SGI‐110 treatment by an integrative analysis of DNA methylation, nucleosome accessibility, gene expression profiles, and its clinical relevance by comparison to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) HCC clinical data. Each HCC cell line represents a different DNA methylation subtype of primary HCC tumors based on TCGA data. After SGI‐110 treatment, all cell lines were sensitive to SGI‐110 with prolonged antiproliferation effects. Expression of up‐regulated genes, including tumor suppressors, was positively correlated with nucleosome accessibility and negatively correlated with gene promoter DNA methylation. Alternatively, expression of down‐regulated genes, such as oncogenes, was negatively correlated with nucleosome accessibility and positively correlated with gene body DNA methylation. SGI‐110 can also act as a dual inhibitor to down‐regulate polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) genes by demethylating their gene bodies, resulting in reactivation of PRC2 repressed genes without involvement of DNA methylation. Furthermore, it can up‐regulate endogenous retroviruses to reactivate immune pathways. Finally, about 48% of frequently altered genes in primary HCC tumors can be reversed by SGI‐110 treatment. Conclusion: Our integrative analysis has successfully linked the antitumor effects of SGI‐110 to detailed epigenetic alterations in HCC cells, identified potential therapeutic targets, and provided a rationale for combination treatments of SGI‐110 with immune checkpoint therapies.
Geomorphic and stream flow influences on large wood dynamics and displacement lengths in high gradient mountain streams (Chile)
Authors: Iroumé Andrés , Ruiz‐Villanueva Virginia , Mao Luca , Barrientos Guillermo , Stoffel Markus , Vergara Gastón
Published: May 2018

Understanding large wood (LW; ≥1 m long and ≥10 cm in diameter) dynamics in rivers is critical for many disciplines including those assessing flood hazard and risk. However, our understanding of wood entrainment and deposition is still limited, mainly because of the lack of long‐term monitoring of wood‐related processes. The dataset presented here was obtained from more than 8 years of monitoring of 1,264 tagged wood pieces placed in 4 low‐order streams of the Chilean mountain ranges and was used to further our understanding of key factors controlling LW dynamics. We show that LW displacement lengths were longer during periods when peak‐flow water depths (Hmax) exceeded the bankfull stage (HBk) than in periods with Hmax ≤ HBkand that these differences were significantly higher for smaller wood pieces. LW length and length relative to channel dimensions were the main factors governing LW entrainment; LW displacement lengths were inversely related to the ratio of piece length to H15%(i.e., the level above which the flow remains for 15% of the time) and to the ratio of H15%to bankfull width. Unrooted logs and LW pieces located at the bankfull stage travelled significantly longer distances than logs with attached rootwads and those located in other positions within the bankfull channel. A few large logjams were broken during the period of observation, and in all occasions, LW from these broken logjams did not travel over longer distances than other pieces of LW moved in the same periods and in the same stream segments. Most importantly, our work reveals that LW dynamics tend to be concentrated within a few reaches in each stream and that reaches exhibiting high wood dynamics (extensive entrainment, deposition, or repositioning of LW) are significantly wider and less steep than less dynamic reaches.
MicroRNA‐1270 is associated with poor prognosis and its inhibition yielded anticancer mechanisms in human osteosarcoma
Authors: Zhong Lei , Zheng Changjun , Fang Hongjuan , Xu Meng , Chen Bingpeng , Li Chen
Published: May 2018

In this work, we explored the aberrant expression pattern, clinical association, and functional regulations of microRNA‐1270 (miR‐1270) in osteosarcoma. Among in vitro osteosarcoma cell lines and in situ tissues of osteosarcoma patients, quantitative real time‐PCR was used to examine their endogenous miR‐1270 expression. Clinical correlation between endogenous miR‐1270 expression and clinicopathological features of osteosarcoma patients, as well as cancer patients' overall survival, was statistically examined. MiR‐1270 was downregulated in 143B and MG‐63 cells by lentiviral transduction. The mechanistic effects of miR‐1270 downregulation on osteosarcoma in vitro proliferation and migration, as well as in vivo tumorigenesis, were further examined. MiR‐1270 was aberrantly upregulated in both in vitro osteosarcoma cell lines and in situ human tumors. Statistical analysis demonstrated endogenous miR‐1270 was associated with poor clinical outcomes and shorter overall survival of osteosarcoma patients. Lentivirus‐induced miR‐1270 downregulation inhibited cancer in vitro proliferation and migration, as well as in vivo tumorigenesis. Aberrant upregulation miR‐1270 may be a prognostic biomarker for osteosarcoma patients with poor clinical outcomes and shorter survival. Inhibition of miR‐1270 may also be a potential therapeutic target for anticancer treatment in osteosarcoma. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(7):625–632, 2018
Chronic exposure to cannabidiol induces reproductive toxicity in male Swiss mice
Authors: Carvalho Renata K. , Santos Monaliza L. , Souza Maingredy R. , Rocha Thiago L. , Guimarães Francisco S. , Anselmo‐Franci Janete A. , Mazaro‐Costa Renata
Published: May 2018

Children and adults with frequent and severe episodes of epilepsy that do not respond to standard treatments (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproate) have long been prescribed cannabidiol (CBD) as an anticonvulsant drug. However, the safety of its chronic use in relation to reproduction has not been fully examined. This study aimed to assess the effects of chronic CBD exposure on the male reproductive system. CBD was orally administered to 21‐day‐old male Swiss mice at doses of 15 and 30 mg kg−1 daily (CBD 15 and 30 groups, respectively), with a control group receiving sunflower oil, for 34 consecutive days. After a 35 day recovery period, the following parameters were evaluated: weight of reproductive organs, testosterone concentration, spermatogenesis, histomorphometry, daily sperm production and its morphology. The CBD 30 group had a 76% decrease in total circulating testosterone, but it remained within the physiological normal range (240–1100 ng dl−1). CBD treatment induced a significant increase in the frequency of stages I–IV and V–VI of spermatogenesis, and a decrease in the frequency of stages VII–VIII and XII. A significant decrease in the number of Sertoli cells was observed only in the CBD 30 group. In both CBD groups the number of spermatozoa in the epididymis tail was reduced by 38%, sperm had head abnormalities, and cytoplasmic droplets were observed in the medial region of flagellum. These results indicated that chronic CBD exposure was associated with changes in the male reproductive system, suggesting its reproductive toxicity.
Cytokines and chemokines differentially regulate innate immune cell trafficking during post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis
Authors: Singh Ashish K. , Das Vidya N. R. , Amit Ajay , Dikhit Manas R. , Mahantesh Vijaya , Singh Shubhankar K. , Naryan Shyam , Pandey Krishna , Das Pradeep , Verma Neena , Bimal Sanjiva
Published: May 2018

Post kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is often considered to be the anthroponotic reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India. A better understanding of the host immune‐response in dermal lesions of PKDL patients is therefore of utmost significance to minimize such patients and to restrict VL transmission. Although the innate immune response is known to play an important role in parasite clearance from dermal lesions, the actual contribution of innate cells to the pathogenicity of PKDL is poorly understood. The present study explored the immune‐pathogenesis of PKDL patients to understand the expression of CD62L, CD11b, CXCL8/IL‐8, and MIP1‐α and their contribution in signaling during innate cell trafficking. Twenty‐five individuals were enrolled, who comprised eight active and untreated macular cases, seven active and untreated cases with papulo‐nodular PKDL manifestations, five successfully treated post PKDL cases and five healthy individuals from a non‐endemic region of Bihar, India. The immunological investigation was performed on biopsy specimens prepared with a disaggregation technique and blood samples. We observed that the PMNs in nodular patients displayed decreased L‐selectin (CD62L) levels and increased integrin (CD11b) expression compared with those in macular patients. Further analysis showed that lower PMN extravasation in macular patients occurred because of inadequate CXCL8/ IL‐8 release. In summary, Leishmania donovani (L. donovani) infection in macular PKDL patients decreased leucocyte rolling (L‐selectin shedding) and induced up‐regulation of the cellular signaling factors involved in pathogenesis (ERK1/2) as well as down regulated the signaling elements (p38 MAPK) involved in the Th1 response, especially in PMNs.
Membrane‐tethered syntaxin‐4 locally abrogates E‐cadherin function and activates Smad signals, contributing to asymmetric mammary epithelial morphogenesis
Authors: Hirose Yuina , Shirai Kota , Hirai Yohei
Published: May 2018

Spatial and temporal epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical event for the generation of asymmetric epithelial architectures. We found that only restricted cell populations in the morphogenic mammary epithelia extrude syntaxin‐4, a plasmalemmal t‐SNARE protein, and that epithelial cell clusters with artificial heterogenic presentation of extracellular syntaxin‐4 undergo asymmetric morphogenesis. A previous study revealed that inducible expression of cell surface syntaxin‐4 causes EMT‐like cell behaviors in the clonal mammary epithelial cells, where laminin‐mediated signals were abolished so that cells readily succumb to initiate EMT. The present study added new mechanistic insight into syntaxin‐4‐driven EMT‐like cell behaviors. Extracellular syntaxin‐4 directly perturbs E‐cadherin‐mediated epithelial cell‐cell adhesion and activates Smad signals. We found that the epithelial cells activated Smad2/3 upon induction of expression of extracellular syntaxin‐4, leading to the upregulation of certain transcriptional targets of these TGF‐β signaling mediators. Intriguingly, however, mRNA expression of canonical EMT initiators, such as Snail and Slug, was unchanged. In addition, E‐cadherin protein was steeply decreased, yet its transcriptional expression remained constant for a couple of days. We found that extracellular syntaxin‐4 directly bound to E‐cadherin and sequestered β‐catenin from cell‐cell contact sites, perturbing intercellular adhesive property. The functional ablation of E‐cadherin by syntaxin‐4 was further validated by L cells with stably expressing E‐cadherin, in which cells shows intercellular adhesive property solely by E‐cadherin. These results underline the role of local exportation of syntaxin‐4 for onset of complex epithelial morphogenesis.
Tacrolimus Population Pharmacokinetics and Multiple CYP3A5 Genotypes in Black and White Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Campagne Olivia , Mager Donald E. , Brazeau Daniel , Venuto Rocco C. , Tornatore Kathleen M.
Published: May 2018

Tacrolimus exhibits inter‐patient pharmacokinetic variability attributed to CYP3A5 isoenzymes and the efflux transporter, P‐glycoprotein. Most black renal transplant recipients require higher tacrolimus doses compared to whites to achieve similar troughs when race‐adjusted recommendations are used. An established guideline provides tacrolimus genotype dosing recommendations based on CYP3A5*1(W/T) and loss of protein function variants: CYP3A5*3 (rs776746), CYP3A5*6 (rs10264272), CYP3A5*7 (rs41303343) and may provide more comprehensive race‐adjusted dosing recommendations. Our objective was to develop a tacrolimus population pharmacokinetic model evaluating demographic, clinical, and genomic factors in stable black and white renal transplant recipients. A secondary objective investigated race‐based tacrolimus regimens and genotype‐specific dosing. Sixty‐seven recipients receiving oral tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid ≥6 months completed a 12‐hour pharmacokinetic study. CYP3A5*3,*6,*7 and ABCB1 1236C>T, 2677G>T/A, 3435C>T polymorphisms were characterized. Patients were classified as extensive, intermediate, and poor metabolizers using a novel CYP3A5*3*6*7 metabolic composite. Modeling and simulation was performed with computer software (NONMEM 7.3, ICON Development Solutions; Ellicott City, Maryland). A 2‐compartment model with first‐order elimination and absorption with lag time best described the data. The CYP3A5*3*6*7 metabolic composite was significantly associated with tacrolimus clearance (P value < .05), which was faster in extensive (mean: 45.0 L/hr) and intermediate (29.5 L/hr) metabolizers than poor metabolizers (19.8 L/hr). Simulations support CYP3A5*3*6*7 genotype‐based tacrolimus dosing to enhance general race‐adjusted regimens, with dose increases of 1.5‐fold and 2‐fold, respectively, in intermediate and extensive metabolizers for comparable exposures to poor metabolizers. This model offers a novel approach to determine tacrolimus dosing adjustments that maintain comparable therapeutic exposure between black and white recipients with different CYP3A5 genotypes.
Concomitant cell‐free biosynthesis of optically pure D‐(−)‐acetoin and xylitol via a novel NAD+ regeneration in two‐enzyme cascade
Authors: Cui Zhenzhen , Mao Yufeng , Zhao Yujiao , Chen Cong , Tang Ya‐Jie , Chen Tao , Ma Hongwu , Wang Zhiwen
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Acetoin and xylitol are widely used as high‐value platform chemicals with numerous potential applications. The chiral enantiomers L‐(+)‐ and D‐(−)‐acetoin are used as pharmaceutical intermediates. Cell‐free biosynthesis has many applications in chemicals production, but efficient methods for production of optically pure acetoin were rarely reported.

RESULTS

A novel two‐enzyme system composed of meso‐2,3‐butanediol dehydrogenase (BDH) and xylose reductase was constructed to co‐produce acetoin and xylitol with NAD+ regeneration. Four BDHs from four candidates, as well as xylose reductase from Candida tenuis were first purified and characterized. The best BDH was then selected according to titers and chiral purities of acetoin. After optimization of reaction conditions, the ratios of meso‐2,3‐butanediol to xylose and BDH to xylose reductase, 28.5 g L−1 D‐(−)‐acetoin with an optical purity of 95.2% was produced in 6 h. The yield and productivity of acetoin was 0.97 g g−1 and 4.75 g L−1 h−1. The titer of co‐product xylitol was 40.29 g L−1, and the yield and productivity of xylitol reached 0.98 g g−1 and 6.72 g L−1 h−1.

CONCLUSIONS

To our best knowledge, this is the first report on the production of optically pure D‐(−)‐acetoin using xylose reductase to regenerate NAD+, as well as the highest acetoin titer among enzymatic synthesis methods. This work therefore provides an economical and green alternative for the in vitro production of D‐(−)‐acetoin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Potent and selective CC chemokine receptor 1 antagonists labeled with carbon‐13, carbon‐14, and tritium
Authors: Latli Bachir , Hrapchak Matt , Cheveliakov Maxim , Reeves Jonathan T. , Marsini Maurice , Busacca Carl A. , Senanayake Chris H.
Published: May 2018

1‐(4‐Fluorophenyl)‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐c]pyridine‐4‐carboxylic acid (2‐methanesulfonyl‐pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)‐amide (1) and its analogs (2) and (3) are potent CCR1 antagonists intended for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The detailed syntheses of these 3 compounds labeled with carbon‐13 as well as the preparation of (1) and (2) labeled with carbon‐14, and (1) labeled with tritium, are described.
Sensitive and simultaneous quantitation of 6β‐hydroxycortisol and cortisol in human plasma by LC‐MS/MS coupled with stable isotope dilution method
Authors: Hirano Ryohei , Yokokawa Akitomo , Furuta Takashi , Shibasaki Hiromi
Published: May 2018

CYP3A phenotyping provides a means for personalized drug therapy. We focused our attention on the plasma 6β‐hydroxycortisol (6β‐OHF) to cortisol ratio as an index for CYP3A phenotyping. In the present study, we developed a sensitive and reliable method for the simultaneous determination of 6β‐OHF and cortisol in human plasma using high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry together with picolinylester derivatization or nonderivatization methods and 6β‐[9,11,12,12‐2H4]hydroxycortisol and [1,2,4,19‐13C4]cortisol as internal standards for in vivo CYP3A phenotyping in humans. The lower limits of quantification were 38.513 pg/mL for 6β‐OHF and 38.100 pg/mL for cortisol. The relative error and relative standard deviation of the lower limits of quantification were <5% for both methods. The intra‐day and inter‐day assay reproducibilities of the determined 6β‐OHF and cortisol concentrations were consistent with the actual amounts added as relative errors and relative standard deviations for both methods, which were <5.4% and <3.9%, respectively. Both methods were applied for the quantification of plasma 6β‐OHF and cortisol concentrations in healthy subjects taking oral contraceptives. The absolute concentrations and time course of 6β‐OHF and cortisol were found to be consistent when measured using the 2 methods. The ratio as an index for in vivo CYP3A activity decreased after 21 days of taking oral contraceptives for both methods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the detailed investigation of accuracy and precision in the simultaneous measurement of 6β‐OHF and cortisol in human plasma using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry coupled with stable isotope dilution method, which can be applied to CYP3A phenotyping.
A tool to assure the geographical origin of local food products (glasshouse tomatoes) using labeling with rare earth elements
Authors: Bandoniene Donata , Meisel Thomas , Rachetti Alessandra , Walkner Christoph
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Trace element fingerprinting has been widely used for identification of provenance of regional food. In the case of products from conventional agriculture, it is expected that the elemental composition will comply with that of the commercially available substrate of the plants. Therefore, for products without a direct relationship with the regional soil the region‐specific differences in elemental composition are no longer recognizable. The idea of this work is the labeling of tomatoes with rare earth elements (REE) in the ultra‐trace range for food authentication.

RESULTS

Labeling of tomatoes was carried out either by watering the soil with Nd‐ and Er‐spiked water or by adding these elements as solid oxides to the soil. In both cases enrichment of Nd and Er relative to the control group was detected in tomato fruits and leaves using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Tomato plants rapidly absorb the dissolved REE from the irrigation water, and watering for a short period just before ripeness is sufficient to induce REE labels.

CONCLUSION

Labeling with trace amounts of REE could potentially be used to assure the provenance of tomatoes of local origin and separate these from products of foreign origin. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Polypropylene Filled With Glass Spheres in Extrusion‐Based Additive Manufacturing: Effect of Filler Size and Printing Chamber Temperature
Authors: Spoerk Martin , Arbeiter Florian , Raguž Ivan , Weingrill Georg , Fischinger Thomas , Traxler Gerhard , Schuschnigg Stephan , Cardon Ludwig , Holzer Clemens
Published: May 2018

A challenge in extrusion‐based additive manufacturing of polypropylene (PP) filled with spherical particles is the combination of decent processability, excellent warpage control, and the retention of the tensile strength of neat PP. This study addresses this issue by adopting two approaches. Firstly, different size fractions of borosilicate glass spheres incorporated into PP are compared. Secondly, the temperature of the printing chamber (TCh) is varied. The effects of these features on the thermal, crystalline, morphological, tensile, impact, and warpage properties of 3D‐printed parts are examined. Smaller glass spheres (<12 µm) are found to be superior to larger fractions in all investigated aspects. Notably, the corresponding composites show higher tensile strengths than neat PP. An increase inTChresults in a more homogeneous temperature distribution within the printing chamber and promotes annealing during printing. Consequently, the dimensional accuracy of printed parts is improved. Additionally, β‐crystals and larger spherulites are formed at a higherTCh.
Assessment of the generalization of learned image reconstruction and the potential for transfer learning
Authors: Knoll Florian , Hammernik Kerstin , Kobler Erich , Pock Thomas , Recht Michael P , Sodickson Daniel K
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Although deep learning has shown great promise for MR image reconstruction, an open question regarding the success of this approach is the robustness in the case of deviations between training and test data. The goal of this study is to assess the influence of image contrast, SNR, and image content on the generalization of learned image reconstruction, and to demonstrate the potential for transfer learning.

Methods

Reconstructions were trained from undersampled data using data sets with varying SNR, sampling pattern, image contrast, and synthetic data generated from a public image database. The performance of the trained reconstructions was evaluated on 10 in vivo patient knee MRI acquisitions from 2 different pulse sequences that were not used during training. Transfer learning was evaluated by fine‐tuning baseline trainings from synthetic data with a small subset of in vivo MR training data.

Results

Deviations in SNR between training and testing led to substantial decreases in reconstruction image quality, whereas image contrast was less relevant. Trainings from heterogeneous training data generalized well toward the test data with a range of acquisition parameters. Trainings from synthetic, non‐MR image data showed residual aliasing artifacts, which could be removed by transfer learning–inspired fine‐tuning.

Conclusion

This study presents insights into the generalization ability of learned image reconstruction with respect to deviations in the acquisition settings between training and testing. It also provides an outlook for the potential of transfer learning to fine‐tune trainings to a particular target application using only a small number of training cases.
Psychosocial variables and presence, severity and prognosis of plantar heel pain: A systematic review of cross‐sectional and prognostic associations
Authors: Drake Chris , Mallows Adrian , Littlewood Chris
Published: May 2018

Objective

Plantar heel pain (PHP) is often disabling, and persistent symptoms are common. Psychosocial variables are known to affect pain and disability but the association of these factors with PHP has yet to be established. The purpose of the present systematic review was to determine if psychosocial variables are associated with the presence, severity and prognosis of PHP.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature and qualitative synthesis was carried out. Electronic searches of MEDLINE, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO and EMBASE were undertaken from the inception of the respective databases up to November 2017. Any study design incorporating measurements of psychosocial variables with participants with plantar heel pain were included. The quality of included articles was appraised using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale.

Results

Five articles from four studies were included in the review, with a total of 422 participants. Moderate‐level evidence suggested a clinically unimportant association with the incidence of PHP and depression, anxiety and stress, and limited evidence suggested a clinically unimportant association with job dissatisfaction. Moderate‐level evidence suggested that there may also be an association between depression, anxiety, stress and catastrophization and PHP pain, and between depression, anxiety, stress, catastrophization and kinesiophobia and PHP function. We also found moderate‐level evidence that a psychological disorder may be associated with a poorer outcome to shockwave therapy.

Conclusion

In light of this review, the association of psychosocial variables and plantar heel pain cannot be ruled out. Given recommendations to adopt an individualized and stratified approach to other musculoskeletal conditions, clinicians should remain vigilant to their presence.
Improvement of numerical modeling in the solution of static and transient dynamic problems using finite element method based on spherical Hankel shape functions
Authors: Hamzehei‐Javaran S. , Shojaee S.
Published: May 2018

In this paper, finite element method is reformulated using new shape functions to approximate the state variables (ie, displacement field and its derivatives) and inhomogeneous term (ie, inertia term) of Navier's differential equation. These shape functions and corresponding elements are called spherical Hankel hereafter. It is possible for these elements to satisfy the polynomial and the first and second kind of Bessel function fields simultaneously, while the classic Lagrange elements can only satisfy polynomial ones. These shape functions are so robust that with least degrees of freedom, much better results can be achieved in comparison with classic Lagrange ones. It is interesting that no Runge phenomenon exists in the interpolation of proposed shape functions when going to higher degrees of freedom, while it may occur in classic Lagrange ones. Moreover, the spherical Hankel shape functions have a significant robustness in the approximation of folded surfaces. Five numerical examples related to the usage of suggested shape functions in finite element method in solving problems are studied, and their results are compared with those obtained from classic Lagrange shape functions and analytical solutions (if available) to show the efficiency and accuracy of the present method.
Obesity and weight misperception among adults in the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study
Authors: Hassan S. , Ojo T. , Galusha D. , Martinez‐Brockman J. L. , Adams O. P. , Maharaj R. , Nazario C. , Nunez M. , Nunez‐Smith M.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Prior studies have suggested that weight misperception – underestimating one's actual weight – may be associated with reduced engagement in weight loss programmes, decreasing the success of initiatives to address obesity and obesity‐related diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with weight misperception among Eastern Caribbean adults and its influence on engagement in weight control behaviour.

Methods

Data from the Eastern Caribbean Health Outcomes Research Network (ECHORN) Cohort Study were analysed (adults aged 40 and older, residing in the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Barbados and Trinidad). Weight misperception is defined as participants who under‐assess their weight measured by body mass index (BMI). Multivariable logistic regression (n = 1,803 participants) was used to examine the association of weight misperception with BMI category, age, gender, education, history of non‐communicable disease and attempt to lose weight.

Results

Weight misperception was common, with 54% of overweight (BMI 25–29 kg m−2), and 23% of obese class I (BMI 30–34.9 kg m−2) participants under‐assessing their actual weight. Participants with higher levels of education, versus lower, had decreased odds of weight misperception (OR 0.5, p < 0.001). There were no significantly reduced odds of weight misperception in women versus men (OR 1.13, p = 0.367) or in individuals with history of diabetes versus none (OR 0.88, p = 0.418). Participants with weight misperception had 85% (p < 0.0001) lower odds of attempting weight loss than those with accurate weight perception.

Conclusion

Weight misperception is common among adults with overweight and obesity in the Eastern Caribbean and is associated with lower likelihood of attempting weight loss. Obesity interventions, targeting similar populations, should incorporate approaches for addressing weight misperception to achieve measurable success.
Scoring the best deal: Quantity discounts and street price variation of diverted oxycodone and oxymorphone
Authors: Lebin Jacob A. , Murphy David L. , Severtson Stevan Geoffrey , Bau Gabrielle E. , Dasgupta Nabarun , Dart Richard C.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Diverted prescription opioids are significant contributors to drug overdose mortality. Street price has been suggested as an economic metric of the diverted prescription opioid black market. This study examined variables that may influence the street price of diverted oxycodone and oxymorphone.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted utilizing data from the previously validated, crowdsourcing website StreetRx. Street price reports of selected oxycodone and oxymorphone products, between August 22, 2014 and June 30, 2016, were considered for analysis. Geometric means and 95% confidence intervals were calculated comparing prices per milligram of drug in US dollars. Univariate and multivariable regressions were used to examine the influence of dosage strength, drug formulation, and bulk purchasing on street price.

Results

A total of 5611 oxycodone and 1420 oxymorphone reports were analyzed. Across various dosages and formulations, geometric mean prices per milligram ranged between $0.12 and $1.07 for oxycodone and $0.73 and $2.90 for oxymorphone. For a 2‐fold increase in dosage strength, there is a 24.0% (95% CI: −28.1%, −19.6%, P < 0.001) and a 22.5% (95% CI: −24.2%, −20.8%, P < 0.001) decrease on average in price per milligram for oxycodone and oxymorphone, respectively. Lower potency, high dosage strength, crush‐resistant opioids, and those purchased in bulk were significantly cheaper.

Conclusion

Street prices for diverted oxycodone and oxymorphone are influenced by multiple factors including potency, dosage, formulation, and bulk purchasing. Buyers who purchase large quantities of low potency, large dosage, crush‐resistant formulation prescription opioids can expect to achieve the lowest price.
Fiber length distribution and thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of thermally conductive polycarbonate/chopped carbon fiber composites
Authors: Yu Zhixing , Bai Yu , Li Yingcheng , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Wei , Liu Junyan
Published: May 2018

Chopped carbon fibers (CCFs) coated by poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) were treated using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (Si), and then used for fabricating thermally conductive polycarbonate/CCF (PC/(Si + PET)@CCFi) composites with various filler contents. Optical microscopy measurements indicated that CCF fillers in the composites had a wide length distribution and, with CCF content increasing, the mean fiber length and mean fiber aspect ratio steadily decreased. Compared to PC/(Si + PET)@CCF0, the molten flowability of composites declined. Thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry characterizations showed that introducing CCFs could enhance the thermal stability of the composites and restrict the pyrolytic degradation of the polymer matrix. Moreover, both in‐plane and through‐thickness thermal conductivities increased with increasing CCF content. These conductivities at 50% CCF content reached 2.45 and 0.59 W m−1 K−1, and were improved by 11.25 and 1.95, respectively. Furthermore, the tensile and flexural properties of the composites continuously enhanced, accompanying decreased impact strength and elongation at break. Fractography revealed that fillers dispersed in matrix uniformly and a great many fiber cross‐sections and circular cavities coexisted in fracture surface, besides a clear interface and reduced long fibers. And the fracture behavior was mainly the breaking and peeling of fibers from matrix. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Identification of hospitalized tracheostomy and ventilator dependent patients in administrative data
Authors: Giambra Barbara K. , Mangeot Colleen , Benscoter Dan T. , Britto Maria T.
Published: May 2018

Background

Patients with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence are hospitalized more frequently and use more healthcare resources than other patients with complex chronic conditions. However, data to compare variation in hospitalization and resource use among patients in this population across the United States is deficient, partly due to the lack of structured methods to query national databases.

Aim

Determine the best method for identifying the subset of children with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence in Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS).

Hypothesis

A combination of identifiable characteristics coded in the PHIS database can be used to identify the population of patients with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence who are admitted to the hospital.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, retrospective cohort study used established methods to extract data from PHIS and assessed the sensitivity and specificity of an algorithm to identify patients with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence as compared with a local registry of ventilator dependent patients.

Results

A newly created algorithm identified >90% of the 157 patients with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence hospitalized at our organization during 2014. The sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm to identify these patients was 91% and 99%, respectively.

Conclusions

This new algorithm can be used to reliably identify and further study healthcare utilization by this population of patients with established tracheostomy and ventilator dependence. In addition, future work can determine the applicability of this algorithm to other administrative datasets.
Characterization of Nanosized Drug Carriers by Analytical Centrifugation
Authors: Knoth Daniel , Keck Cornelia M.
Published: May 2018

Correct size characterization is a main prerequisite in the field of pharmaceutical nanotechnology. Different methods exist and each method possesses beneficial properties but also some drawbacks. Typical drawbacks are for example a narrow measuring range, which hampers the detection of possible larger particles or the lack to determine size distributions. Therefore, a thorough and reliable size characterization can only be performed by combining different sizing methods. Analytical centrifugation is a relatively novel technology in the field of pharmaceutics and can be used for the characterization of submicron particles. The aim of this study is to investigate if analytical centrifugation is a useful and reliable tool for size analysis of pharmaceutical nanocarriers. Different samples of known composition, that is mono‐, bi‐, tri‐, and tetramodal samples, which are prepared from differently sized particle standards, and different drug nanocarrier systems are characterized by dynamic light scattering and by analytical centrifugation. Analytical centrifugation led to accurate size results and is found to detect all larger sized submicron particles within a small sized main population reliably, when samples with standard particles are analyzed. Size characterization of the different drug nanocarriers is not superior, when compared to classical sizing methods.
A Novel N‐Substituted Pyrrole Based Surface Modification for Biosensing
Authors: Rüger Fabian , Schäfer Jens , Bakowski Udo , Keusgen Michael , Vornicescu Doru
Published: May 2018

Immobilization of proteins, mostly antigens, antibodies or enzymes on a solid surface, is one of the most important steps in the development of every biosensor. Different chemical methods as well as site‐directed strategies have been developed in order to obtain highest functionality and stability for the sensoric device. In the present work, a novel method for the immobilization of biomolecules on a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) device is described. New N‐substituted pyrroles are synthesized and deposited on a gold surface using electrochemical polymerization. To evaluate the established four different surfaces, the binding behavior between a fusion protein consisting of the lectin concanavalin A (ConA) as well as streptavidin (Sav) binding domains and the sugar mannan, which has been chemically coupled to the poly‐pyrrole (PPy) surface is investigated. A pyrrole‐N‐C16/pyrrole co‐polymer surface as well as a pyrrol‐1‐yl hexanoic acid/pyrrole (PHCP) surface give best results.
Enhancing Hydrogen Generation Through Nanoconfinement of Sensitizers and Catalysts in a Homogeneous Supramolecular Organic Framework
Authors: Yu Shang‐Bo , Qi Qi , Yang Bo , Wang Hui , Zhang Dan‐Wei , Liu Yi , Li Zhan‐Ting
Published: May 2018

Enrichment of molecular photosensitizers and catalysts in a confined nanospace is conducive for photocatalytic reactions due to improved photoexcited electron transfer from photosensitizers to catalysts. Herein, the self‐assembly of a highly stable 3D supramolecular organic framework from a rigid bipyridine‐derived tetrahedral monomer and cucurbit[8]uril in water, and its efficient and simultaneous intake of both [Ru(bpy)3]2+‐based photosensitizers and various polyoxometalates, that can take place at very low loading, are reported. The enrichment substantially increases the apparent concentration of both photosensitizer and catalyst in the interior of the framework, which leads to a recyclable, homogeneous, visible light‐driven photocatalytic system with 110‐fold increase of the turnover number for the hydrogen evolution reaction.
Wind effect of a twin‐tower super high‐rise building with weak connection
Authors: Zhang Lele , Cheng Wentao , Xie Zhuangning
Published: May 2018

An analysis and estimation method of multibalance synchronous test is established to study the wind effect of a complex super high‐rise building with weak connection. First, the frequency domain method is applied to deduce the calculation process of the wind effect of the multitower structure on the basis of the high frequency force balance (HFFB) technique. Then, the synchronous force test of HFFB is conducted on a twin‐tower super high‐rise building connected by a bridge. The wind‐induced response and loads and the interference effect between the two towers are analyzed based on the wind tunnel test data. The displacement correlation between the towers and the relative displacement of the multitower structure are investigated. Results show that the maximum and minimum relative displacements in the along‐bridge direction are 0.26 m in the along‐wind direction and −0.26 m in the crosswind direction, respectively. The channeling effect formed by the surrounding buildings is the main cause of the maximum cross‐bridge displacement. The influence of the correlation between the two towers can be ignored for the along‐bridge relative displacement. The results of the HFFB and high‐frequency pressure integral test agree with each other, thereby indicating the reliability and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Research on an improved virtual synchronous generator control strategy for VSC‐HVDC supplying power to a passive network
Authors: Binkai Jiang , Zhixin Wang
Published: May 2018

The traditional double‐closed‐loop control system in a virtual synchronous generator controlled high‐voltage DC generator (VSC‐HVDC) system supplying power to a passive network cannot provide the necessary inertia and damping coefficient, whereas the traditional virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control can realize primary frequency regulation to provide frequency support of the system without the feature of error‐free adjustment. To mitigate the inadequacies of the two methods, an improved frequency synchronous control (IFSC) is proposed. The control simplifies the traditional VSG controller, and error‐free frequency regulation can be achieved without the detection of the active power. Meanwhile, the proposed method retains the two important parameters of VSG technology, namely the virtual inertia and damping coefficient, and inherits the excellent characteristics of the virtual synchronous machine. A simulation model is built on the MATLAB/Simulink platform, and two situations, i.e., normal working condition and the power change of load, are simulated and discussed. The simulation results show that, in the start‐up process, IFSC control has a damping effect of power and frequency. The overshoots of power and frequency decrease and reach their stable values more quickly. When the load power changes, the power and frequency have inertia effect in the dynamic process and the proposed IFSC method achieves the frequency regulation and realizes error‐free adjustment. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The nonlinear equivalent input disturbance‐coordinated control for a multi‐machine power system to enhance small signal and transient stability
Authors: Cong Lanmei , Li Xiaocong , Chen Mingyuan
Published: May 2018

A new nonlinear equivalent input disturbance‐coordinated control (NEIDCC) based on the multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) nonlinear differential algebraic equations (MIMONDAE) is proposed to enhance both small signal and transient stabilities of multi‐machine power systems. In this method, adaptive multi‐objective equations satisfying the Brunovsky normal form are constructed to govern the objective functions converging to their reference trajectories with expected performance criteria. The Γ derivative is defined, which connects nonlinear equivalent inputs and the designed inputs in linear space. When the system is subjected to disturbance, the designed equivalent inputs supply dynamic damping to stabilize the oscillations. As a result, the control systems hold good small signal and transient stabilities. The simulation results of coordinated control for the practical systems, which consist of steam turbine and hydraulic turbine generators connected with Microgrid, demonstrate the effectiveness of the NEIDCC method. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.