bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Ternary and Quaternary Au and Pt Decorated CdSe/CdS Heteronanoplatelets with Controllable Morphology
Authors: Naskar Suraj , Lübkemann Franziska , Hamid Saher , Freytag Axel , Wolf Andreas , Koch Julian , Ivanova Irina , Pfnür Herbert , Dorfs Dirk , Bahnemann Detlef W. , Bigall Nadja C.
Published: January 2017

A variety of new ternary and quaternary metal–semiconductor inorganic nanostructures with unprecedented structural morphologies is achieved by the decoration of five monolayer‐thick CdSe/CdS core/crown nanoplatelets with Au and Pt domains. Significant differences in metal growth behavior are observed by varying the CdSe core and the CdS crown dimensions. Depending on the core size, Au growth can be directed only to the CdS edges, or both at the edges and at the center of the nanoplatelets. In contrast, the nucleation of Pt domains always happens at the CdS edges independently of the core and crown dimensions. Furthermore, quaternary structures are obtained by additional Au growth on Pt‐decorated CdSe/CdS nanoplatelets, where the effect of steric hindrance of the existing Pt domains results in the Au nucleation to occur only at the CdSe core. Instead, a change in the order of growth of the two noble metals results in Pt‐Au alloys present only at the surrounding edges of the nanoplatelets. Additionally, the metal‐decorated nanoplatelets are found to be efficient catalysts for H2 fuel generation under white light irradiation. The highest apparent quantum efficiency measured is 19.3% ± 1.4% with a turnover frequency of ≈105 molecules of H2 per hour per nanoplatelet.
Ultrathin Single Bilayer Separation Membranes Based on Hyperbranched Sulfonated Poly(aryleneoxindole)
Authors: Joseph Nithya , Thomas Joice , Ahmadiannamini Pejman , Van Gorp Hans , Bernstein Roy , De Feyter Steven , Smet Mario , Dehaen Wim , Hoogenboom Richard , Vankelecom Ivo F. J.
Published: January 2017

The layer‐by‐layer method is an attractive technique for the fabrication of ultrathin nanostructured polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes (PEMM). A simple two‐step procedure is described here for the preparation of an ultrathin, nanostructured membrane comprising a 5–7 nm thick selective layer, consisting only of one single bilayer of poly(diallyldimethylammoniumchloride) and hyperbranched sulfonated poly(aryleneoxindole). These single bilayered membranes exhibit an outstanding solvent‐resistant nanofiltration performance, which is superior to that of commercial membranes as well as to previously reported multilayer membranes having 10–20 bilayers. A comparative study between hyperbranched polyelectrolyte (HPE) and linear polyelectrolyte supports the role of the specific 3D structure of the hyperbranched polyelectrolyte in these excellent separation properties. The work thus encompasses the use of HPEs as an ideal choice for PEMMs, which opens up a new route to significantly decrease the overall membrane preparation time while realizing excellent filtration properties.
Complex Hollow Nanostructures: Synthesis and Energy‐Related Applications
Authors: Yu Le , Hu Han , Wu Hao Bin , Lou Xiong Wen (David)
Published: January 2017

Hollow nanostructures offer promising potential for advanced energy storage and conversion applications. In the past decade, considerable research efforts have been devoted to the design and synthesis of hollow nanostructures with high complexity by manipulating their geometric morphology, chemical composition, and building block and interior architecture to boost their electrochemical performance, fulfilling the increasing global demand for renewable and sustainable energy sources. In this Review, we present a comprehensive overview of the synthesis and energy‐related applications of complex hollow nanostructures. After a brief classification, the design and synthesis of complex hollow nanostructures are described in detail, which include hierarchical hollow spheres, hierarchical tubular structures, hollow polyhedra, and multi‐shelled hollow structures, as well as their hybrids with nanocarbon materials. Thereafter, we discuss their niche applications as electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries and hybrid supercapacitors, sulfur hosts for lithium–sulfur batteries, and electrocatalysts for oxygen‐ and hydrogen‐involving energy conversion reactions. The potential superiorities of complex hollow nanostructures for these applications are particularly highlighted. Finally, we conclude this Review with urgent challenges and further research directions of complex hollow nanostructures for energy‐related applications.
Nichtwässrige mikrowellengestützte Synthesen von Deca‐ und Hexamolybdovanadaten
Authors: Spillane Samuel , Sharma Rupali , Zavras Athanasios , Mulder Roger , Ohlin C. André , Goerigk Lars , O'Hair Richard A. J. , Ritchie Chris
Published: January 2017

Ein neuer Ansatz zur Synthese von Heterohexa‐ und Heterodecametallaten unter nichtwässrigen, mikrowellengestützten Reaktionsbedingungen wurde entwickelt. Die zwei neuartigen Molybdovanadate wurden isoliert und im festen sowie gelösten Zustand mittels Einkristall‐Röntgenbeugung, FT‐IR‐, UV/Vis‐ und multinuklearer NMR‐Spektroskopie sowie ESI‐MS charakterisiert. Die relativen Stabilitäten der möglichen Strukturisomere beider Polyoxometallatsysteme wurden mithilfe von dispersionskorrigierten DFT‐Rechnungen untersucht.
Electrochemically Driven Transformation of Amorphous Carbons to Crystalline Graphite Nanoflakes: A Facile and Mild Graphitization Method
Authors: Peng Junjun , Chen Nanqing , He Rui , Wang Zhiyong , Dai Sheng , Jin Xianbo
Published: January 2017

Although, in the carbon family, graphite is the most thermodynamically stable allotrope, conversion of other carbon allotropes, even amorphous carbons, into graphite is extremely hard. We report a simple electrochemical route for the graphitization of amorphous carbons through cathodic polarization in molten CaCl2 at temperatures of about 1100 K, which generates porous graphite comprising petaloid nanoflakes. This nanostructured graphite allows fast and reversible intercalation/deintercalation of anions, promising a superior cathode material for batteries. In a Pyr14TFSI ionic liquid, it exhibits a specific discharge capacity of 65 and 116 mAh g−1 at a rate of 1800 mA g−1 when charged to 5.0 and 5.25 V vs. Li/Li+, respectively. The capacity remains fairly stable during cycling and decreases by only about 8 % when the charge/discharge rate is increased to 10000 mA g−1 during cycling between 2.25 and 5.0 V.
Lichtaktivierte Sensoren zur empfindlichen Amindetektion
Authors: Valderrey Virginia , Bonasera Aurelio , Fredrich Sebastian , Hecht Stefan
Published: January 2017

Unsere neue, einfache und akkurate colorimetrische Methode basiert auf Diarylethenen (DAEs) zur schnellen Detektion einer großen Vielfalt primärer und sekundärer Amine. Die Sensoren bestehen aus aldehyd‐ oder ketonsubstituierten Diarylethenen, die selektiv ausgehend vom geschlossenen Isomer eine amininduzierte Entfärbungsreaktion eingehen. Somit können diese Sensoren zum gewünschten Zeitpunkt durch Lichteinstrahlung aktiviert werden und erlauben eine Empfindlichkeit der Amindetektion bis hinab zu 10−6 m in Lösung. Zusätzlich ermöglicht die Immobilisierung auf Papier den Nachweis biogener Amine wie Cadaverin in der Gasphase oberhalb eines Grenzwerts von 12 ppbv innerhalb von 30 Sekunden.
Enantioselective NiH/Pmrox‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Reduction of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones
Authors: Chen Fenglin , Zhang Yao , Yu Lei , Zhu Shaolin
Published: January 2017

The enantioselective 1,2‐reduction of α,β‐unsaturated ketones was achieved using a NiH catalyst in the presence of pinacolborane. This mild process represents a general method to access a wide variety of structurally diverse α‐chiral allylic alcohols in excellent yields and enantioselectivity, as well as very high levels of ambidoselectivity for 1,2‐ over 1,4‐reduction. Furthermore, for reactions on a 10 mmol scale, catalyst loadings as low as 0.5 mol % could be employed to deliver product without any detrimental effect on the yield, enantio‐, or ambidoselectivity.
Preparation and properties of soybean oil–based curing agents for epoxy resin
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yang Liting , Li Yantao , Tang Zijian , Zheng Zhihuan , Zhang Li
Published: January 2017

In order to improve the flexibility properties of conventional epoxy resin, two novel soybean oil–based curing agents were synthesized. The curing agent obtained from the reaction between epoxy soybean oil and ethylene diamine was named EEDA, and another curing agent derived from epoxy soybean oil and isophorone diamine was named EIPDA. Several techniques were used to systematically investigate the effects of the structure and content of the two curing agents on the properties of the cured products. The Fourier transform infrared analysis demonstrated that epoxy resin reacted with soybean oil–based curing agents. The differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that the curing process between diglycidyl ether of bisphenol‐A (DGEBA) and soybean oil–based curing agents only had an exothermic peak. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the cured DGEBA/EIPDA system was more stable than the DGEBA/EEDA system below 300 °C. Mechanical tests and Shore D hardness tests suggested that excessive EEDA greatly enhanced the toughness of cured products because of the introduction of aliphatic chains.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44754.
Impact of substrate geometry on electrospun fiber deposition and alignment
Authors: Wang Baolin , Zhou Wenyan , Chang Ming‐Wei , Ahmad Zeeshan , Li Jing‐Song
Published: January 2017

Aligned, uniform fiber matrixes are highly desirable in numerous engineering and physical science applications. Here, modified electrospinning (ES) deposition substrates (paired and in parallel) are explored to achieve rapid preparation of multiple topographies. Three ES substrates with well‐defined geometries (rectangular, concave, and E‐shaped) were investigated (arranged in parallel) for their impact on fiber size, morphology, orientation, and cell behavior. The results indicate fiber alignment and orientation can be improved and modulated based on the substrate geometry. In addition, altering the interdistance space between various parallel substrates has a clear impact on fiber diameter size and alignment (random, aligned, and perpendicular orientation). Electric field simulations based on substrate geometries show greater probable regions of aligned electric field vectors and distribution, which indicates the most likely deposition attributes of electrospun PCL fibers. Fibrous PCL membranes were biocompatible, and cell growth and guidance were along the fiber path, with evidence of branching at intersecting fibers for multiaxial fibrous topographies. These findings show that the substrate geometry can be optimized to effectively assemble multiaxial layered and well‐aligned fibers in a controlled fashion, which is ideal to support several application developments dependent on fiber topography, integrity, and morphology. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44823.
Identification of highly selective MMP‐14 inhibitory Fabs by deep sequencing
Authors: Lopez Tyler , Nam Dong Hyun , Kaihara Evan , Mustafa Zahid , Ge Xin
Published: January 2017

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐14 is an important target for cancer treatment due to its critical roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Previous failures of all compound‐based broad‐spectrum MMP inhibitors in clinical trials suggest that selectivity is the key for a successful therapy. With inherent high specificity, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) therefore arise as attractive inhibitors able to target the particular MMP of interest. As a routine screening method, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) have been applied to panned phage libraries for the isolation of mAbs inhibiting MMP‐14. However, because of suboptimal growth conditions and insufficient antibody expression associated with monoclonal ELISA, a considerable number of potentially inhibitory clones might not be identified. Taking advantage of next‐generation sequencing (NGS), we monitored enrichment profiles of millions of antibody clones along three rounds of phage panning, and identified 20 Fab inhibitors of MMP‐14 with inhibition IC50 values of 10–4,000 nM. Among these inhibitory Fabs, 15 were not found by monoclonal phage ELISA. Particularly, Fab R2C7 exhibited an inhibition potency of 100 nM with an excellent selectivity to MMP‐14 over MMP‐9. Inhibition kinetics and epitope mapping suggested that as a competitive inhibitor, R2C7 directly bound to the vicinity of the MMP‐14 catalytic site. This study demonstrates that deep sequencing is a powerful tool to facilitate the systematic discovery of mAbs with protease inhibition functions. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1140–1150. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometry for the determination of baclofen and its metabolites in plasma: Application to therapeutic drug monitoring
Authors: Labat Laurence , Goncalves Antonio , Marques Ana Rita , Duretz Bénédicte , Granger Bernard , Declèves Xavier
Published: January 2017

Baclofen is used to manage alcohol dependence. This study describes a simple method using liquid chromatography coupled to high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC‐HR‐MS) developed in plasma samples. This method was optimized to allow quantification of baclofen and determination of metabolic ratio of its metabolites, an oxidative deaminated metabolite of baclofen (M1) and its glucuronide form (M2). The LC‐HR‐MS method on Exactive® apparatus is a newly developed method with all the advantages of high resolution in full‐scan mode for the quantification of baclofen and detection of its metabolites in plasma. The present assay provides a protein precipitation method starting with 100 μL plasma giving a wide polynomial dynamic range (R2 > 0.999) between 10 and 2000 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantitation of 3 ng/mL for baclofen. Intra‐ and inter‐day precisions were <8.1% and accuracies were between 91.2 and 103.3% for baclofen. No matrix effect was observed. The assay was successfully applied to 36 patients following baclofen administration. Plasma concentrations of baclofen were determined between 12.2 and 1399.9 ng/mL and metabolic ratios were estimated between 0.4 and 81.8% for M1 metabolite and on the order of 0.3% for M2 in two samples.
An Exceptionally Selective DNA Cooperatively Binding Two Ca2+ Ions
Authors: Zhou Wenhu , Saran Runjhun , Huang Po‐Jung Jimmy , Ding Jinsong , Liu Juewen
Published: January 2017

Ca2+ is a highly important metal ion in biology and in the environment, and thus there is extensive work in developing sensors for Ca2+ detection. Although many Ca2+‐binding proteins are known, few nucleic acids can selectively bind Ca2+. DNA‐based biosensors are attractive for their high stability and excellent programmability. We report a RNA‐cleaving DNAzyme, EtNa, cooperatively binding two Ca2+ ions but to only one Mg2+. Four DNAzymes with known Ca2+‐dependent activity were compared, and the EtNa had the best selectivity for Ca2+. The EtNa is 90 times more active in Ca2+ than in Mg2+. Phosphorothioate (PS) modification showed that both non‐bridging oxygen atoms at the scissile phosphate contribute equally to Ca2+ binding. The pH–rate profile suggests two concurrent deprotonation reactions. EtNa was further engineered for Ca2+ sensing, and found to have a detection limit of 17 μm Ca2+ and excellent selectivity. The detection of Ca2+ in tap water was performed, and the result was comparable with that by ICP‐MS. This study offers new fundamental insights into Ca2+ binding by nucleic acids and improved metal selectivity by having multiple cooperative metal binding sites.
Dense Semi‐Clathrates at High Pressure: A Study of the Water–tert‐Butylamine System
Authors: Granero‐García Rubén , Falenty Andrzej , Fabbiani Francesca P. A.
Published: January 2017

In situ high‐pressure crystallization and diffraction techniques have been applied to obtain two very structurally distinct semi‐clathrates of the tert‐butylamine–water system with hydration numbers 5.65 and 5.8, respectively, thereby considerably reducing a notable hydration gap between the monohydrate and the 7
‐hydrate that results when crystallization space is explored by temperature alone. Both structures can be considered as an intriguing solid‐state example of hydrophobic hydration, in which the water network creates wide tert‐butylamine‐filled channels stabilized by cross‐linking hydrogen bonds. The existence of interconnected channels might also add low hydration structures to a list of potential targets for hydrogen storage. A detailed analysis of the topology of host water and host–guest interactions is reported and extended to those of other hydrates of the compound. This analysis offers new insight into properties of the tert‐butylamine–water system and provides some clues as to the occurrence of the sizable number of hydrates of this compound.
Rückgewinnung von Gadolinium aus pharmazeutischen Abwässern mittels gepulster elektrischer Entladung
Authors: Lorenz Tom , Seifert Martin , Jacob‐Seifert Karin , Fröhlich Peter
Published: January 2017

Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) steht für eine In‐situ‐Oxidation, bei der reaktive Sauerstoffspezies durch eine Folge gepulster Plasmaentladungen im wässrigen Medium erzeugt werden. Im Gegensatz zu Verfahren bei denen Ozon durch äußere UV‐Strahler generiert wird, eignet sich der AOP auch für trübe Medien. Aktuell wird der AOP zur Reinigung von chemisch belasteten Abwässern eingesetzt. In dieser Arbeit dient der AOP zum partiellen Abbau des organischen Ligandensystems eines gadoliniumhaltigen Röntgenkontrastmittels, um Gadolinium im Folgeschritt durch Zugabe von Natronlauge mit einem Fällungsgrad > 99 % abzutrennen.
Bedeutung des EU Kreislaufwirtschaftspakets für das Metallrecycling
Authors: Hagelüken Christian
Published: January 2017

Aus der Perspektive des Metallrecyclings werden die Herausforderungen des nachhaltigen Stoffstrom‐Managements im Kontext des aktuellen Kreislaufwirtschaftspakets der EU analysiert. Die Untersuchung der Recyclingtreiber zeigt die Schlüsselrolle der gesetzlichen Rahmenbedingungen für die Kreislaufschließung von Edel‐ und Sondermetallen in Konsumprodukten. Besondere Herausforderungen für ein effizientes und umweltgerechtes Recycling werden am Beispiel von Elektronikschrott herausgearbeitet. Hier ist die Etablierung von verpflichtenden Verfahrensstandards und Zertifizierungssystemen wichtig, um hohe Metallausbeuten im fairen Wettbewerb zu erzielen.
Unconventional Coupling between Ligand Recognition and Allosteric Control in the Multidrug Resistance Gene Regulator, BmrR
Authors: Bachas Sharrol , Kohrs Bryan , Wade Herschel
Published: January 2017

BmrR is a multidrug resistance (MDR) regulator that responds to diverse ligands. To obtain insight into signal recognition, allosteric control, and cooperativity, we used a quantitative in vitro transcription assay to determine the ligand‐dependent activation profiles for a diverse set of cations, zwitterions, and uncharged ligands. As for many other biological switch systems, the data are well described by a modified Hill equation. Parameters extracted from curve fits to the data include L50, RMAX and N. We found that L50 values correlate directly with ΔGBIND values, suggesting that the parameter reflects binding, whereas RMAX and N reflect allosteric control and cooperativity, respectively. Our results suggest unconventional coupling between ligand binding and allosteric control, with weakly interacting ligands exhibiting the highest levels of activation. Such properties are in stark contrast to those often exhibited by biological switch proteins, whereby ligand binding and allostery are tightly coupled, yielding both high selectivity and ultrasensitivity. We propose that weakened coupling, as observed for BmrR, may be important for providing robust activation responses to unrelated ligands. We also propose that other MDR proteins and other polyspecific switch systems will show similar features.
A decentralized redundancy generation scheme for codes with locality in distributed storage systems
Authors: Pei Xiaoqiang , Wang Yijie , Ma Xingkong , Xu Fangliang
Published: January 2017

The increasing data volume in a large number of applications presents a dire need for supporting the reliable data management in distributed storage systems. Existing classical erasure codes, such as the Reed‐Solomon codes and locally reconstruction codes, are widely adopted by many distributed storage systems. However, existing researches mainly focus on proposing new optimized codes, ignoring the optimization of the encoding process with the classical codes, where inefficient encoding process greatly degrades the encoding performance of the distributed storage systems. Thus, how to complete the encoding process in an efficient way has become the challenge for adopting the classical codes. In this paper, we propose a decentralized redundancy generation scheme on the basis of the codes with locality, called D2CP, where a 2‐step framework is proposed to support both the data patterns (replication to encoding and direct encoding) and codes with locality with any parameter set. For improving the insertion throughput, D2CP adopts a data placement technique with consistent hashing to guide the selection of nodes. For reducing the network traffic cost, D2CP adopts a data sending scheduling technique to schedule the transmission of the source nodes and a cooperative parity generation technique to generate the parity data cooperatively. To evaluate the performance of D2CP, we conduct experiments on our RAID distributed storage system under various parameter settings with both 30 physical and 200 virtual servers. Extensive experiments confirm that D2CP can improve the encoding throughput by 20% and 32% and reduce the network traffic cost by 16% and 33% compared with the typical approaches on average for the 2 data patterns respectively.
Preparation and modification of alkaline bricks by using industrial residues and calcium stearate
Authors: Liu Chenxu , Liu Bo , Chen Xidong , Zhang Jin , Duan Wubiao , Guo Jianping , Han Junping , Zhang Yanxian , Yu Shuxuan , Hu Kunsheng
Published: January 2017

New environmentally friendly alkaline bricks were produced with the utilization of industrial residues (alkaline residue and fly ash) as main resources and novel combination of calcium stearate as an addition. By adjusting the ratio of alkaline residue and fly ash, reducing the water cement ratio, the flexural and compressive strengths of the alkaline bricks reached up to 2.5 MPa and 10 MPa, which has reached the corresponding Chinese Testing Standards. Moreover, by adding a small amount of calcium stearate (0.50%, wt), the concentration of extracted chloride ion was decreased by 30% and the resistance to freezing was doubled, which the bricks can be possibly used in the Northern China. In addition, the micro‐modification mechanism was provided and the practical application was analyzed. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 21–26, 2017
Torrefaction assessment and kinetics of deoiled karanja seed cake
Authors: Kotaiah Naik D. , Shuaib Ahmed M. , Aniya Vineet , Parthasarathy R. , Satyavathi B.
Published: January 2017

This study demonstrated the efficiency of torrefaction process in upgrading the efficiency of lignocellulosic bioresource, deoiled Karanja seed cake. Torrefaction was carried out at different temperatures within the residence time ranging from 10 to 90 min. Elemental analysis clearly shows that there is a significant reduction in H/C and O/C ratio. The mass loss was found to be higher than that of carbon loss which eventually leads to the energy densification. For an average weight loss of 30–35%, the HHV was found in the range of 19.5–21.5 MJ/kg and the total energy that remained in the fuel was around 80–85%. Torrefaction kinetics of karanja deoiled cake was followed to study the thermochemical decomposition and global one step reaction mechanism gave the best representation of the data. The kinetic model proposed provides the recommendations for industrial torrefaction process conditions, remarkably the operating temperature and residence time. The activation energies and pre‐exponential factors for thermal degradation, charification, and volatilization were calculated to be 10.55, 30.39, and 3.16 kJ/mol and 0.341, 8.728, and 0.446 min−1, respectively. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 758–765, 2017
Catalytic conversion of Jatropha Oil to biofuel over titania, zirconia, and ceria loaded amorphous alumino‐silicate catalysts
Authors: Barot Sunita , Bandyopadhyay Rajib , Joshi Satyawati S.
Published: January 2017

The present paper outlines the catalytic thermolysis of Jatropha oil carried out in laboratory model fixed bed reactor varying temperature between 340 and 420°C and at liquid hourly space velocity (LHSV) 1.12, 1.87, and 2.25 h−1. Three heterogeneous catalysts, comprising of Amorphous Alumino‐Silicate (AAS) loaded separately with titania (TiO2), zirconia (ZrO2) and ceria (CeO2), were successfully synthesized and used in the reaction. The study reveals that the maximum distilled liquid biofuel yield of 71% by volume could be achieved through zirconia impregnated catalyst at 380°C and 1.87 h−1 LHSV. Reaction products mainly consist of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons along with the carbon dioxide, coke, and water. The liquid product is a crude mixture of various components and hence distilled out into four fractions over the temperature range of 60‐200°C. The physical properties like boiling point, specific gravity, viscosity, and calorific value of distilled biofuel fraction 1 resembles the properties of petrol whereas fractions 2 and 3 resemble diesel. Suitable blends of these fractions lead to cleaner biofuel. Life of catalyst could be enhanced by nitrogen purging practice at moderate temperature. Yield and quality of distilled biofuel product were improved by using hydroquinone as a polymerization inhibitor. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 749–757, 2017
Regulatory and Legislative Changes Affecting Rate‐Case Strategies
Authors: Starkweather Rick
Published: January 2017

Renewables costs continue to decline, and market penetration rates of distributed resources, like rooftop solar photovoltaics, continue to climb.
Brexit and Divestiture Provides New Hope for “British” Gas
Authors: Makholm Jeff D.
Published: January 2017

For a column on international energy, it is useful to give due credit to the role of British Gas (BG) in shaping the world's energy markets—both in gas and electricity, and both good and bad. Once the world's largest gas company outside of the Soviet Union, the sale of BG in 1986 by the government of Margaret Thatcher started a worldwide energy industry privatization trend that has probably made the world's utilities and other infrastructure businesses more efficient—both in responding to consumer demands and in the source and scale of financing and development.
Big Five personality characteristics are associated with depression subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults
Authors: Koorevaar A.M.L. , Hegeman J.M. , Lamers F. , Dhondt A.D.F. , van der Mast R.C. , Stek M.L. , Comijs H.C.
Published: January 2017

Objective

This study examined the associations of personality characteristics with both subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression in older adults.

Methods

Three hundred and seventy‐eight depressed older adults participated in the Netherlands Study of Depression in Older Persons. Personality characteristics were assessed by the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory. Subtypes and symptom dimensions of depression were determined using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between personality and atypical, melancholic, and unspecified subtypes of major depression. Linear regression analyses examined the associations between personality and the IDS mood, somatic, and motivation symptom dimensions. The analyses were adjusted for confounders and additionally adjusted for depression severity.

Results

Neuroticism, Extraversion, Conscientiousness, and Agreeableness were associated with specified (atypical or melancholic) major depression compared with unspecified major depression in the bivariate analyses but lost their significance after adjustments for functional limitations and severity of depression. Neuroticism was positively associated with the IDS mood and motivation symptom dimensions, also in the adjusted models. Further, Extraversion and Agreeableness were negatively associated with the IDS mood symptom dimension, and Extraversion and Conscientiousness were negatively associated with the IDS motivation symptom dimension. None was associated with the IDS somatic symptom dimension.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the association of personality characteristics with mood and motivational symptoms of late‐life depression. The lacking ability of personality to differentiate between melancholic and atypical depression seems to be largely explained by severity of depressive symptoms. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An endoplasmic reticulum protein, Nogo‐B, facilitates alcoholic liver disease through regulation of kupffer cell polarization
Authors: Park Jin‐Kyu , Shao Mingjie , Kim Moon Young , Baik Soon Koo , Cho Mee Yon , Utsumi Teruo , Satoh Ayano , Ouyang Xinsho , Chung Chuhan , Iwakiri Yasuko
Published: January 2017

Nogo‐B (Reticulon 4B) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) resident protein that regulates ER structure and function. Because ER stress is known to induce M2 macrophage polarization, we examined whether Nogo‐B regulates M1/M2 polarization of Kupffer cells and alters the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). M1 and M2 phenotypes were assessed in relation to Nogo‐B expression and disease severity in liver specimens from ALD patients (NCT01875211). Liver specimens from wild‐type (WT) and Nogo‐B knockout (KO) mice fed a control or Lieber‐DeCarli ethanol liquid diet (5% ethanol) for 6 weeks were analyzed for liver injury and steatosis. Kupffer cells isolated from WT and Nogo‐B KO mice were assessed for M1 and M2 activation. A significant positive correlation was observed between Nogo‐B positive Kupffer cells and disease severity in ALD patients (n = 30, r = 0.66, P = 0.048). Furthermore, Nogo‐B–positive Kupffer cells were correlated with M1 activation (inducible nitric oxide synthase) (r = 0.50, P = 0.05) and negatively with markers of M2 status (CD163) (r = −0.48, P = 0.07) in these patients. WT mice exhibited significantly increased liver injury (P < 0.05) and higher hepatic triglyceride levels (P < 0.01) compared with Nogo‐B KO mice in response to chronic ethanol feeding. Nogo‐B in Kupffer cells promoted M1 polarization, whereas absence of Nogo‐B increased ER stress and M2 polarization in Kupffer cells. Conclusion: Nogo‐B is permissive of M1 polarization of Kupffer cells, thereby accentuating liver injury in ALD in humans and mice. Nogo‐B in Kupffer cells may represent a new therapeutic target for ALD. (Hepatology 2017;65:1720‐1734).
A review of the preventability of maternal mortality in one hospital system in Louisiana, USA
Authors: Morong James J. , Martin Jane K. , Ware Robert S. , Robichaux Alfred G.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To determine preventability of in‐hospital maternal mortality in the Ochsner Health System (OHS) in the US state of Louisiana.

Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken of all known cases of in‐hospital maternal death (during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination) that occurred within OHS facilities in 1995–2013. Associations between characteristics and mortality and preventability were investigated. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated in view of varying reference values.

Results

Among 16 eligible deaths, 12 (75%) were deemed potentially preventable. The incidences of overall and preventable maternal death were higher if the patient had late entry to prenatal care (IRR 6.3 [P=0.004] and 8.8 [P=0.004], respectively). Maternal mortality was increased if the patient had required transfer to the OHS (IRR 15.8 [P<0.001] overall and 15.8 [P=0.002] for preventable mortality). Deaths of patients with private insurance were more likely to be not preventable than were those of patients without such insurance (P=0.003). Uninsured patients had the highest MMR, with an IRR of 13.8 (P=0.014) when compared with Medicaid patients.

Conclusion

The factors most predictive of mortality were late entry to prenatal care, critical status requiring transfer from an outside facility, and non‐private insurance status.
Overview of the benefits and potential issues of the nonavalent HPV vaccine
Authors: Mariani Luciano , Preti Mario , Cristoforoni Paolo , Stigliano Carlo M. , Perino Antonio
Published: January 2017

HPV‐related diseases affect anogenital and oropharyngeal regions, heavily affecting the psychosexual dimension of both male and female individuals. HPV vaccination programs based on a bivalent or quadrivalent vaccine have opened broad perspectives for primary prevention. A nonavalent HPV vaccine (9vHPV), covering nine genotypes (HPV6, HPV11, HPV16, HPV18, HPV31, HPV33, HPV45, HPV52, and HPV58), might provide further improvement in terms of direct protection. In the present report, efficacy and safety data from 9vHPV vaccine development programs are examined. Efficacy data come from a pivotal trial, which was conducted among women aged 16–26 years randomly assigned to receive either the 9vHPV or the quadrivalent HPV (4vHPV) vaccine. The 9vHPV vaccine was shown to have potential benefits as compared with 4vHPV, increasing the overall estimated rate of prevention to 90% for cervical cancer and up to 80% for precancerous cervical lesions. For all other HPV‐related pre‐invasive and invasive lesions, 9vHPV showed potentially greater disease reduction, depending on the anatomic region examined. Thus, the 9vHPV vaccine shows clinical potential for the prevention of HPV‐related diseases in both sexes. Future adoption of 9vHPV will depend on factors including market price, cost‐effectiveness data, use of a two‐dose schedule, and safety and efficacy monitoring in real‐life programs.
Associations between pre‐eclampsia and protein C and protein S levels among pregnant Nigerian women
Authors: Okoye Helen C. , Eweputanna Lisa I. , Okpani Anthony O.U. , Ejele Oseikhuemen A.
Published: January 2017

Objective

To evaluate levels of protein C and free protein S among women with pre‐eclampsia, and determine whether there is a relationship between deficiencies and pre‐eclampsia.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted at a hospital in Nigeria from July 2013 to March 2014 among 90 pregnant women with pre‐eclampsia (blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, proteinuria ≥300 mg in 24 hours) and 90 normotensive pregnant women (control group). Plasma levels of protein C and free protein S were analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and protein C activity by a chromogenic method.

Results

Mean protein C antigen and activity levels did not differ between groups (P=0.639 and P=0.444, respectively). The incidence of protein C antigen and activity deficiency also did not differ (P=0.288 and P>0.99, respectively). The mean free protein S antigen level was higher among women with pre‐eclampsia (54.48%±19.58%) than in the control group (47.23%±10.27%; P=0.004). No woman in the control group had protein S deficiency, as compared with 2 (2%) of the women with pre‐eclampsia (P=0.497). No association was found between deficiencies of these proteins and pre‐eclampsia.

Conclusion

Deficiencies of protein C and free protein S are unlikely to be etiopathogenetic for pre‐eclampsia; therefore, therapeutic intervention should focus on other potential pathogenetic pathways.
Fecal calprotectin level in healthy children aged less than 4 years in South Korea
Authors: Song Joo Young , Lee Yoo Mi , Choi You Jin , Jeong Su Jin
Published: January 2017

Background

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is non‐invasive inflammatory marker indicating various bowel diseases. However, the median‐specific cut‐off values and the standard deviations (SD) of the FC levels in each age group <4 years were not elucidated.

Methods

Healthy volunteers were enrolled from four kindergartens. A questionnaire was used to confirm that the children met the inclusion criteria, and several demographics and history of bowel symptoms were collected. The FC level was measured.

Results

A total of 234 healthy children aged between 6 months and 4 years were recruited. The median FC concentration of all participants was 245 μg/g (range 12–1033 μg/g, mean 68.5 μg/g, SD 123.12 μg/g). The children were divided into six age groups. The upper limit of 95% CI of median FC values was 135 μg/g in 7–12 months group, 65 μg/g in 13–18 months group, 55 μg/g in 19–24 months group, 40 μg/g in 25–30 months group, 21 μg/g in 31–36 months group, and 12 μg/g in 37–48 months group. A negative correlation trend was found between the age and the FC concentration.

Conclusion

This is the first study to present the FC median levels in the specific age groups <4 years in Korea. We found a FC level reduction with age, indicating a bowel maturation process and decreased intestinal permeability of the intestinal mucosa. In our study, FC levels reached the values of 50 μg/g around the age of 2 years.
Sonographic Features and Diagnosis of Peripheral Schwannomas
Authors: Yang Fan , Chen Xian‐Xiang , Wu Huo‐Lin , Zhu Ji‐Fa , Chen Yuan , Yu Ling‐Fang , Huang Xiao‐Juan
Published: January 2017

Background

To determine the sonographic features of peripheral schwannomas.

Methods

This retrospective study included 54 cases of schwannoma in 51 patients. Ultrasonography (US) and MRI were performed in all patients. The US features of each tumor were analyzed and compared with pathologic findings. The US target sign was compared with the MRI findings.

Results

On US, 53 of the 54 schwannomas had a regular shape and clear margins, and one had an irregular shape. Thirty‐seven of the 54 schwannomas were categorized as solid, 16 as cystic and solid, and one as entirely cystic; distal sound enhancement was associated with 47 schwannomas. The target sign was seen in 24, the rat tail sign in 28, the vessel accompanying sign in 22, and the split fat sign in 5. The entering and exiting nerves were situated centrally in 9 and eccentrically in 19 schwannomas. Vascularity on color Doppler imaging using a 0 to III scale was graded 0 in 4 schwannomas, I in 10, II in 26, and III in 14. Twenty‐four target signs were detected in 54 schwannomas by US, and 28 were detected by MRI. There was good agreement between the target signs noted on US and those seen on MRI (κ = 0.631, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The sonographic diagnosis of peripheral schwannomas is feasible and reliable. The target sign is a prominent US feature in peripheral schwannomas, comparable to that observed with MRI. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:127–133, 2017
Humanized chondroitinase ABC sensitizes glioblastoma cells to temozolomide
Authors: Jaime‐Ramirez Alena Cristina , Dmitrieva Nina , Yoo Ji Young , Banasavadi‐Siddegowda Yeshavanth , Zhang Jianying , Relation Theresa , Bolyard Chelsea , Wojton Jeffrey , Kaur Balveen
Published: January 2017

Background

Malignant gliomas (glioblastomas; GBMs) are extremely aggressive and have a median survival of approximately 15 months. Current treatment modalities, which include surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, have done little to prolong the lives of GBM patients. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPG) are critical for cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and are implicated in glioma growth and invasion. Chondroitinase (Chase) ABC is a bacterial enzyme that cleaves chondroitin sulfate disaccharide chains from CSPGs in the tumor ECM. Wild‐type Chase ABC has limited stability and/or activity in mammalian cells; therefore, we created a mutant humanized version (Chase M) with enhanced function in mammalian cells.

Methods

We hypothesized that disruption of cell–cell and cell–ECM interactions by ChaseM and temozolomide (TMZ) will enhance the chemotherapeutic availability and sensitivity of glioma cells.

Results

Utilizing primary patient‐derived neurospheres, we found that ChaseM decreases glioma neurosphere aggregation in vitro. Furthermore, an oncolytic HSV‐1 virus expressing secreted ChaseM (OV‐ChaseM) enhanced viral spread and glioma cell killing compared to OV‐Control, in vitro. OV‐ChaseM plus TMZ combinatorial treatment resulted in a significant synergistic enhancement of glioma cell killing accompanied by an increase in apoptotic cell death. Intracellular flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant reduction in the phosphorylation of the pro‐survival AKT protein following OV‐ChaseM plus TMZ treatment. Lastly, in nude mice bearing intracranial GBM30 glioma xenografts, intratumoral OV‐ChaseM plus TMZ (10 mg/kg by oral gavage) combination therapy resulted in a significant (p < 0.02) enhancement of survival compared to each individual treatment alone.

Conclusions

These data reveal that OV‐ChaseM enhances glioma cell viral susceptibility and sensitivity to TMZ.
Synthetic Utility of Pyridinium Bromide: Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel 2,4,6‐Trisubstituted Pyridines Having Pyrazole Moiety
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Dawood Kamal M.
Published: January 2017

Fourteen potentially bioactive pyridines, pendant to pyrazole moiety, were synthesized and evaluated in vitro for their antimicrobial potential. Treatment of 2‐bromo‐1‐(5‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)ethanone with pyridine afforded the corresponding pyridinium bromide salt. Reaction of the latter salt with α,β‐unsaturated ketones yielded the corresponding 2,4,6‐trisubstituted pyridine derivatives. The structures of the synthesized products were confirmed by all possible spectral data. The antimicrobial activity of some selected products was evaluated by using well‐diffusion agar assay and minimum inhibitory concentration determination, and the results revealed good‐to‐moderate activities compared with reference drugs.
Quantification of brown and white adipose tissue based on Gaussian mixture model using water–fat and MRI in adolescents
Authors: Hui Steve C.N. , Ko Jacky K.L. , Zhang Teng , Shi Lin , Yeung David K.W. , Wang Defeng , Chan Queenie , Chu Winnie C.W.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To develop a technique for the separation and quantification of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) using fat fraction and
intensity based on the Gaussian mixture model (GMM).

Materials and Methods

Chemical‐shift water–fat and
images were acquired at the neck, supraclavicular, interscapular, and paravertebral regions in 24 volunteers (Obese: n = 12, female/male = 6/6, body mass index [BMI] = 31.3 ± 2.3 kg/m2, age = 16.1 ± 0.6; Normal weight: n = 12, female/male = 6/6, BMI = 21.2 ± 2.4 kg/m2, age = 12.9 ± 2.4) using a 3T scanner with the chemical‐shift water–fat mDixon sequence. BAT and WAT were clustered based on the Gaussian mixture model using the expectation–maximization algorithm. Results and reproducibility were compared and assessed using independent t‐tests and intraclass correlation coefficient.

Results

BAT in obese participants was predominately found at the supraclavicular region and in normal‐weight participants it was more scattered and distributed in interscapular–supraclavicular, axillary, and spine regions. Absolute volume of BAT was higher in the obese group (Obese: 315.2 mL [±89.1], Normal weight: 248.5 mL [±86.4]), but BAT/WAT ratios were significantly higher (P = 0.029) in the normal group.
of BAT (P = 0.04) and volume of WAT (P < 0.001) were significantly lower in the normals. Within‐group comparison between male and female indicated no significant differences were found in volume (P = 0.776 (normal), 0.501 [obese]),
(P = 0.908 [normal], 0.249 [obese]) and fat‐fraction of BAT (P = 0.985 [normal], 0.108 [obese]). The intraclass correlation coefficient showed a good reproducibility in volume (BAT: 0.997, WAT: 0.948),
(BAT: 0.969, WAT: 0.983), and fat‐fraction (BAT: 0.952, WAT: 0.517).

Conclusion

BAT identified by this method was in agreement with other studies in terms of location, fat‐fraction value, and
intensity. The proposed GMM‐based segmentation could be a useful nonradiation imaging method for assessment of adipose tissue, in particular for serial follow‐up of volume changes after drug or lifestyle interventions for obesity.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:758–768
Measurement of arterial transit time and renal blood flow using pseudocontinuous ASL MRI with multiple post‐labeling delays: Feasibility, reproducibility, and variation
Authors: Kim Dong Won , Shim Woo Hyun , Yoon Seong Kuk , Oh Jong Yeong , Kim Jeong Kon , Jung Hoesu , Matsuda Tsuyoshi , Kim Dongeun
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility, and variation of renal perfusion and arterial transit time (ATT) using pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (PCASL MRI) in healthy volunteers.

Materials and Methods

PCASL MRI at 3T was performed in 25 healthy volunteers on two different occasions. The ATT and ATT‐corrected renal blood flow (ATT‐cRBF) were calculated at four different post‐labeling delay points (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 s) and evaluated for each kidney and subject. The intraclass correlation (ICC) and Bland–Altman plot were used to assess the reproducibility of the PCASL MRI technique. The within‐subject coefficient of variance was determined.

Results

Results were obtained for 46 kidneys of 23 subjects with a mean age of 38.6 ± 9.8 years and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 89.1 ± 21.2 ml/min/1.73 m2. Two subjects failed in the ASL MRI examination. The mean cortical and medullary ATT‐cRBF for the subjects were 215 ± 65 and 81 ± 21 ml/min/100 g, respectively, and the mean cortical and medullary ATT were 1141 ± 262 and 1123 ± 245 msec, correspondingly. The ICC for the cortical ATT‐cRBF was 0.927 and the within‐subject coefficient of variance was 14.4%. The ICCs for the medullary ATT‐cRBF and the cortical and medullary ATT were poor. The Bland–Altman plot for cortical RBF showed good agreement between the two measurements.

Conclusion

PCASL MRI is a feasible and reproducible method for measuring renal cortical perfusion. In contrast, ATT for the renal cortex and medulla has poor reproducibility and high variation.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:813–819
Realization of controllable photonic molecule based on three ultrahigh‐Q microtoroid cavities
Authors: Yang Chao , Jiang Xiaoshun , Hua Qian , Hua Shiyue , Chen Yuan , Ma Jiyang , Xiao Min
Published: January 2017

Three‐cavity photonic molecules have been realized in several platforms, but their structures and configurations are mostly fixed with limited tunability in the coupling strengths and individual resonant frequencies. Here, we demonstrate an experimental realization of a coupled triple‐cavity photonic molecule (TCPM) composed of three independently‐selectable ultrahigh quality microtoroids. By precisely tuning the inter‐cavity coupling strengths (via distances) and the resonant frequencies (via fine temperature control), as well as coupling the tapered optical fiber onto either the side or middle cavity, evolutions of the TCPM's supermodes are fully mapped and analyzed. Interesting phenomena, such as dark state and double anti‐crossing, emerge in this TCPM system. When the quality factors of the cavities are properly chosen, transition from double electromagnetically‐induced transparency to double electromagnetically‐induced absorption phenomena happens. Such fully‐controlled TCPM system sets a stage for future investigations of new physical effects including cavity‐QED with multiple coupled cavities and topologically protected photonic states.

image