bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
mTORC1 signaling is essential for neurofibromatosis type I gene modulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs
Authors: Li YiQiang , Li JingChun , Zhou QingHe , Liu Yuanzhong , Chen WeiDong , Xu HongWen
Published: December 2017

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1), which is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene, is a common autosomal dominant genetic disease leading to skeletal abnormalities. Both
NF1 gene and mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling are associated with the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs). In this study, we hypothesized that mTORC1 signaling is involved in
NF1‐modulated osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs. Human BMSCs were cultured in an osteogenic induction medium. The expression of
NF1 was either inhibited or overexpressed by transfecting
NF1 with a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) or pcDNA3.0 plasmid, respectively. In addition, an mTORC1 signaling inhibitor and agonist were used to investigate the effects of mTORC1 on
NF1‐modulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The results indicated that inhibiting the expression of
NF1 with siRNA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of
NF1, whereas overexpressing the expression of
NF1 with pcDNA3.0 plasmid significantly increased the mRNA levels of
NF1 at days 3, 7, 14 and 21 after culture. We observed reduced osteogenic differentiation and cell proliferation in the
NF1‐siRNA group and enhanced osteogenic differentiation and cell proliferation of BMSCs in the
NF1‐pcDNA3.0 group. The activity of mTORC1 signaling (p‐mTORC1, p‐S6K1, and p‐4EBP1) was significantly upregulated in the
NF1‐siRNA group and significantly inhibited in the
NF1‐pcDNA3.0 group, 7 and 14 days after culture. The effects of
NF1‐siRNA and
NF1‐pcDNA3.0 on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and cell proliferation were reversed by mTORC1 inhibitor and agonist, respectively. In conclusion,
NF1 modulates osteogenic differentiation and cell proliferation of human BMSCs and mTORC1 signaling is essential for this process.
The relationship between personality disorder traits, emotional intelligence, and college adjustment
Authors: Krajniak Marta I. , Pievsky Michelle , Eisen Andrew R. , McGrath Robert E.
Published: December 2017

Objective

The current study examined the relationship between emotional intelligence, personality disorder traits, and college adjustment.

Method

A sample of 246 first‐semester, first‐time freshmen (73.6% female, age mean = 18.7, standard deviation = 2.0) at a large university in the Eastern United States completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire (Petrides, 2009), the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality‐2 (Clark, Simms, Wu, & Casillas, 2014), and the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (Baker & Siryk, 1998).

Results

As predicted, personality disorder symptoms and emotional intelligence were generally related, and both were related to adjustment. Unique patterns of association between traits reflecting personality disorder clusters and emotional intelligence deficits also emerged. Contrary to expectation, however, emotional intelligence did not moderate the relationship between personality disorders and adjustment.

Conclusion

The results suggest an alternative model implicating emotional intelligence as a mediator of the relationship between personality difficulties and college adjustment.
Multiply recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Bagaria Sanjay P. , Gabriel Emmanuel , Mann Gary N.
Published: December 2017

Retroperitoneal liposarcomas (RPLPS) are rare tumors that represent at least 50% of all retroperitoneal sarcomas. Surgical resection remains the standard of care. Unfortunately, many RPLPS patients will develop a local recurrence and subsequently die in the absence of distant metastasis. This review outlines the factors that predict local recurrence and influence the management of first and subsequent multiply recurrent RPLPS.
Ice algal communities in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in spring and early summer: Composition, distribution, and coupling with phytoplankton assemblages
Authors: Selz Virginia , Laney Samuel , Arnsten Alexandra E. , Lewis Kate M. , Lowry Kate E. , Joy‐Warren Hannah L. , Mills Matthew M. , van Dijken Gert L. , Arrigo Kevin R.
Published: December 2017

To understand the controls on distributions of ice algal communities in spring and the role of ice algae in under‐ice bloom development through possible seeding, we sampled the ice and water column in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas over spring and summer. Field observations showed that high springtime concentrations of bottom ice algal communities were released from the ice into the water column by summer. Furthermore, during our spring sampling, bottom ice algal concentrations were highly variable. Declines in spring ice algal biomass and physiological state were correlated with ice melt, rather than light or nutrient availability. Nonparametric multivariate data analysis of the seasonal succession of phytoplankton and ice algal community composition illustrated that the loss of algae from the sea ice temporarily elevated water column chlorophyll a (Chl a) levels, as ice‐derived taxa dominated the phytoplankton biomass. Model simulations, constrained by field observations from this study, further suggested that seeding by ice algae was brief and alone could not account for the phytoplankton biomass concentrations exceeding 2 mg Chl a m−3 observed in our study. Ice algal sloughing from the sea ice to the water column contributes biomass to the phytoplankton community. However, this signal of ice‐derived taxa is brief and non‐ice derived taxa dominate phytoplankton blooms later in the spring and summer.
Winter‐mixing preconditioning of the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Bay of Biscay
Authors: González‐Gil Ricardo , González Taboada Fernando , Cáceres Carlos , Largier John L. , Anadón Ricardo
Published: December 2017

The spring phytoplankton bloom plays a key role in the dynamics of temperate and polar seas. Nevertheless, the mechanisms and processes behind these blooms remain a subject of considerable debate. We analyzed the influence of deep mixing during winter on the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Cantabrian Sea (southern Bay of Biscay). To this end, we combined long‐term physical and biogeochemical in situ data (1993–2012) and satellite observations (1997–2012). Deeper winter mixing led to higher nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations through the water column during the spring bloom. However, this effect was modified by short‐term variability in near‐surface stratification in spring. Winter‐mixing preconditioning also influenced different spring bloom metrics: deeper and later mixing in winter was followed by later blooms with a larger peak. In these enhanced blooms, nitrate was taken up at faster rates, indicating higher rates of phytoplankton production. Winters with weaker mixing (that led to weaker spring blooms) were associated with warmer surface temperatures. This relationship suggests that the multi‐decadal trend toward warmer surface temperatures in the Bay of Biscay may promote a decrease in the magnitude of the spring bloom, which could impact upper trophic levels and also deep carbon export in the future.
Observation of Type I Photonic Weyl Points in Optical Frequencies
Authors: Goi Elena , Yue Zengji , Cumming Benjamin P. , Gu Min
Published: December 2017

Manipulation of momentum space in photonic structures has enabled a range of physical phenomena including negative refraction, slow light, enhanced nonlinearity and three‐dimensional complete bandgaps. Recently, Topology, a property related to the global structure of the frequency dispersion of a photonic system, emerged as a new tool for the control of momentum space and an additional degree of freedom for the discovery of fundamentally new states of light. The Weyl point systems considered in this work are an excellent platform to investigate topological bosonic states. Weyl points act as monopoles or anti‐monopoles Berry flux in momentum space, and carry chirality defined by quantised topological charges. In this work, the experimental realisation of photonic type I Weyl points at optical frequencies is demonstrated in a bio‐inspired three‐dimensional photonic crystal coated uniquely with layered‐composite nanometric materials. More importantly, the chiral nature of the photonic Weyl points is discovered by coupling with spin‐angular momentum carried by circularly polarised light. This Weyl‐point induced mechanism leads to reversed circular dichroism along the directions that intersect the oppositely charged topological photonic states. This discovery provides an entirely new platform for developing topologically protected super‐robust photonic devices in angular‐momentum‐based information processing, circular‐dichroism‐enabled protein sensing, spintronics and quantum optoelectronics.
Discrete operators of sampling type and approximation in ‐variation
Authors: Angeloni Laura , Vinti Gianluca
Published: December 2017

The paper deals with approximation results with respect to the φ‐variation by means of a family of discrete operators for φ‐absolutely continuous functions. In particular, for the considered family of operators and for the error of approximation, we first obtain some estimates which are important in order to prove the main result of convergence in φ‐variation. The problem of the rate of approximation is also studied. The discrete operators that we consider are deeply connected to some problems of linear prediction from samples in the past, and therefore have important applications in several fields, such as, for example, in speech processing. Moreover such family of operators coincides, in a particular case, with the generalized sampling‐type series on a subset of the space of the φ‐absolutely continuous functions: therefore we are able to obtain a result of convergence in variation also for the generalized sampling‐type series. Some examples are also discussed.
Patients with sporadic and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis found value in genetic testing
Authors: Wagner Karin N. , Nagaraja Haikady N. , Allain Dawn C. , Quick Adam , Kolb Stephen J. , Roggenbuck Jennifer
Published: December 2017

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is increasingly recognized as a genetic disease. There is no consensus, however, as to the role of genetic testing in the care of the ALS patient.

Methods

We conducted a survey to study patient access, attitudes, and experience with ALS genetic testing among patients enrolled in a US ALS registry.

Results

Among 449 survey respondents, 156 (34.7%) were offered testing and 105 of 156 (67.3%) completed testing. The majority of respondents with familial ALS (fALS) (31/45, 68.9%) were offered testing, while a minority of respondents with sporadic ALS (sALS) (111/404, 27.5%) were offered testing (p = .00001). Comparison of mean test experience scores between groups revealed that respondents with fALS were no more likely to report a favorable experience with genetic testing than those with sALS (p = .51). Respondents who saw a genetic counselor did not have significantly different test experience scores, compared to those who did not (p = .14). In addition, no differences in test experience scores were observed between those who received positive or negative genetic test results (p = .98).

Conclusion

These data indicate that patients with ALS found value in clinical genetic testing.
Tomato Powder Inhibits Hepatic Steatosis and Inflammation Potentially Through Restoring SIRT1 Activity and Adiponectin Function Independent of Carotenoid Cleavage Enzymes in Mice
Authors: Li Cheng‐Chung , Liu Chun , Fu Maobin , Hu Kang‐Quan , Aizawa Koichi , Takahashi Shingo , Hiroyuki Suganuma , Cheng Junrui , von Lintig Johannes , Wang Xiang‐Dong
Published: December 2017

Scope

Beta‐carotene‐15,15′‐oxygenase (BCO1) and beta‐carotene‐9′,10′‐oxygenase (BCO2) metabolize lycopene to biologically active metabolites, which can ameliorate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We investigate the effects of tomato powder (TP containing substantial lycopene (2.3 mg/g)) on NAFLD development and gut microbiome in the absence of both BCO1 and BCO2 in mice.

Method and results

BCO1−/−/BCO2−/− double knockout mice were fed a high fat diet (HFD) alone (n = 9) or with TP feeding (n = 9) for 24 weeks. TP feeding significantly reduced pathological severity of steatosis and hepatic triglyceride levels in BCO1−/−/BCO2−/− mice (p < 0.04 vs HFD alone). This was associated with increased SIRT1 activity, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase expression and AMP‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation, and subsequently decreased lipogenesis, hepatic fatty acid uptake, and increasing fatty acid β‐oxidation (p < 0.05). TP feeding significantly decreased mRNA expression of proinflammatory genes (tnf‐α, il‐1β, and il‐6) in both liver and mesenteric adipose tissue, which were associated with increased plasma adiponectin and hepatic adiponectin receptor‐2. Multiplexed 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed using DNA extracted from cecum fecal samples. TP feeding increased microbial richness and decreased relative abundance of the genus Clostridium.

Conclusion

Dietary TP can inhibit NAFLD independent of carotenoid cleavage enzymes, potentially through increasing SIRT1 activity and adiponectin production and decreasing Clostridium abundance.
Performance of commercially available deformable image registration platforms for contour propagation using patient‐based computational phantoms: A multi‐institutional study
Authors: Loi Gianfranco , Fusella Marco , Lanzi Eleonora , Cagni Elisabetta , Garibaldi Cristina , Iacoviello Giuseppina , Lucio Francesco , Menghi Enrico , Miceli Roberto , Orlandini Lucia C. , Roggio Antonella , Rosica Federica , Stasi Michele , Strigari Lidia , Strolin Silvia , Fiandra Christian
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To investigate the performance of various algorithms for deformable image registration (DIR) to propagate regions of interest (ROIs) using multiple commercial platforms.

Methods and materials

Thirteen institutions participated in the study with six commercial platforms: RayStation (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden), MIM (Cleveland, OH, USA), VelocityAI and Smart Adapt (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA), Mirada XD (Mirada Medical Ltd, Oxford, UK), and ABAS (Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). The DIR algorithms were tested on synthetic images generated with the ImSimQA package (Oncology Systems Limited, Shrewsbury, UK) by applying two specific Deformation Vector Fields (DVF) to real patient data‐sets. Head‐and‐neck (HN), thorax, and pelvis sites were included. The accuracy of the algorithms was assessed by comparing the DIR‐mapped ROIs from each center with those of reference, using the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) and Mean Distance to Conformity (MDC) metrics. Statistical inference on validation results was carried out in order to identify the prognostic factors of DIR performances.

Results

DVF intensity, anatomic site and participating center were significant prognostic factors of DIR performances. Sub‐voxel accuracy was obtained in the HN by all algorithms. Large errors, with MDC ranging up to 6 mm, were observed in low‐contrast regions that underwent significant deformation, such as in the pelvis, or large DVF with strong contrast, such as the clinical tumor volume (CTV) in the lung. Under these conditions, the hybrid DIR algorithms performed significantly better than the free‐form intensity based algorithms and resulted robust against intercenter variability.

Conclusions

The performances of the systems proved to be site specific, depending on the DVF type and the platforms and the procedures used at the various centers. The pelvis was the most challenging site for most of the algorithms, which failed to achieve sub‐voxel accuracy. Improved reproducibility was observed among the centers using the same hybrid registration algorithm.
Utility of gradient recalled echo magnetic resonance imaging for the study of myelination in cuprizone mice treated with fingolimod
Authors: Ziser Laura , Meyer‐Schell Naja , Kurniawan Nyoman D. , Sullivan Robert , Reutens David , Chen Min , Vegh Viktor
Published: December 2017

The availability of high‐field‐strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems has brought about the development of techniques that aim to map myelination via the exploitation of various contrast mechanisms. Myelin mapping techniques have the potential to provide tools for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the sensitivity of T2*, frequency shift and susceptibility measures to myelin levels in a cuprizone mouse model of demyelination. The model was supplemented with two different dosages of fingolimod, a drug known to positively affect demyelination. A decrease in grey–white matter contrast with the cuprizone diet was observed for T2*, frequency shift and susceptibility measures, together with myelin basic protein antibody findings. These results indicate that T2*, frequency shift and susceptibility measures have the potential to act as biomarkers for myelination. Susceptibility was found to be the most sensitive measure to changes in grey–white matter contrast. In addition, fingolimod treatment was found to reduce the level of demyelination, with a larger dosage exhibiting a greater reduction in demyelination for the in vivo MRI results. Overall, susceptibility mapping appears to be a more promising tool than T2* or frequency shift mapping for the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases in which myelination is implicated.
A note on scheduling container storage operations of two non‐passing stacking cranes
Authors: Kovalyov Mikhail Y. , Pesch Erwin , Ryzhikov Andrew
Published: December 2017

We study a scheduling problem for a container block, in which there are incoming containers only. Container placement is served by two non‐passing stacking cranes based at the opposite sides of the container block. The same time is required for any crane to move between two adjacent bays of the container block and the same different time is required for any crane to perform any down‐and‐up operation related to container lifting at the pick‐up point or container lowering at the storage point. Containers are assigned to the cranes according to one of the following policies: (1) two fixed sequences policy where a container processing sequence is given for each crane, (2) dedicated crane policy where containers are preassigned to the cranes, (3) one fixed, one arbitrary sequence policy where a container processing sequence is given for one crane and it can be arbitrary for the other crane, (4) flexible policy where any container can be assigned to any crane at any time, and (5) global fixed sequence policy where the container sequence is given and the relative processing order of containers in this sequence must be preserved by any crane. The objective is to minimize the completion time of the latest operation. We show that the problem is polynomially solvable for policy 1 and, if the number of containers to be placed in the same bay is no more than a half of all containers, for policy 4. It is NP‐hard in the strong sense for policies 2 and 3. Approximation algorithms with guaranteed absolute and relative deviations from the optimum are devised for policies 4 and 5. The results translate for the case of outgoing containers only.
In situ fabrication of cellulose nanocrystal‐silica hybrids and its application in UHMWPE: Rheological, thermal, and wear resistance properties
Authors: Li Yingchun , He Hui , Huang Bai , Zhou Ling , Yu Peng , Lv Zhanglin
Published: December 2017

Novel cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)‐silica (SiO2) nanohybrids with a better thermal stability were successfully fabricated by sol–gel method. In this unique hybrid architecture, it was found that silica particles were uniformly adsorbed/anchored by the CNC via covalent bonding and hydrogen bonding. Subsequently, the nanocomposites containing nanofillers (CNC‐SiO2 nanohybrids or CNC), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyethylene glycol (PEG), were prepared by the twin screw extrusion and their properties and structure were systematically investigated. With the incorporation of CNC‐SiO2 nanohybrids (or CNC) into the UHMWPE matrix, the tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, vicat softening temperature, and crystallinity of the ensuing nanocomposites were significantly increased. Meanwhile, the nanofiller could enhance the wear resistance of UHMWPE. Notably, compared to CNC, the unique beaded structure of CNC‐SiO2 nanohybrids could endow the UHMWPE with an overall superior performance. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1701–E1713, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Development of a Competitive Time‐Resolved Fluoroimmunoassay for Paclitaxel
Authors: Cui Qian , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Shoyama Yukihiro , Ye Hao‐Ting , Li Fang , Tian En‐Wei , Wu Ying‐Song , Chao Zhi
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Paclitaxel (Tax) is a diterpene alkaloid isolated from Taxus species and has proved clinically effective in treating a number of malignancies. Current quantitative analytical methods for Tax such as high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) often involve complicated sample preparation procedures with low recovery rates.

Objective

To establish a rapid and sensitive time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassay (TRFIA) for measuring Tax in Taxus materials with convenient sample preparation and a high recovery rate.

Methods

Rabbit anti‐mouse IgG was coated onto a 96‐well microplate, which was then incubated with standard solutions of Tax and anti‐Tax monoclonal antibody 3A3. A Eu3+‐labelled conjugate of Tax and human serum albumin was used as the tracer. The luminescent system was enhanced with a solution containing 2‐naphthoyltrifluoroacetone.

Results

The established TRFIA showed a linear response within the Tax concentration range of 3.2 to 80 ng/mL, with a limit of detection of 1.4 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐assay coefficient of variation of the assay was 9.6% and 9.7%, respectively, with an average recovery rate from spiked samples of 108.5%. Tax contents in Taxus samples were determined using both the established TRFIA system and a previously established enzyme‐linked immunosorbent (ELISA), and the results of two assays were well correlated.

Conclusion

This TRFIA system shows a high sensitivity, precision and accuracy for detection of Tax. This assay, which is convenient and less time‐consuming, allows rapid analysis of Tax and provides another option for Tax measurement for quality control of Taxus materials and products. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of interfacial interaction on rheological, electrically conductive, and electromagnetic shielding properties of polyethylene/GO composites
Authors: Chen Baoshu , Zhao Tianbao , Luan Daocheng , Liao Li , Huang Liping , Tang Qijun
Published: December 2017

To regulate interfacial interaction between the polyethylene (PE) and graphene oxide (GO), maleic anhydride grafted high density polyethylene (PE‐g‐MAH) was utilized to enhance interfacial interaction between PE matrix and GO particles. Moreover, as a comparative investigation, γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550) was used to functionalize GO (f‐GO) so as to improve the interfacial interaction between PE matrix and GO particles. Compared to the addition of the PE‐g‐MAH, the f‐GO had better dispersion in the PE/f‐GO composites, indicating that functionalization of the GO with KH550 was the most effective way to improve the dispersion of the GO. However, the gel point for the PE/GO composite was not observed because the fillers network was not formed in the PE/GO composite. Compared to the f‐GO particles, addition of PE‐g‐MAH was efficiency to build network structure of the GO particles so that the electrical conductivity of the PE/GO composites can be effectively improved. Moreover, the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the PE/GO composites with addition of PE‐g‐MAH (PE/M‐GO) was consistently higher than that of the PE/f‐GO composites, indicating that the PE‐g‐MAH can effectively improve the EMI SE of the PE/GO composites. In addition, the microwave absorption (SEA) was main shielding mechanism for the PE/f‐GO, PE/M‐GO, and PE/GO composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1774–1781, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation of microcellular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) foam and its tensile property
Authors: Ge Chengbiao , Wang Shiping , Zheng Wenge , Zhai Wentao
Published: December 2017

In this study, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composed of same type soft and hard segment while different hard segment contents was selected to prepare microcellular TPU foams, using CO2 as the physical blowing agent in a batch foaming process. The TPU with high hard segment content (i.e., 36.1 wt%) exhibited high complex viscosity, low initial CO2 content, and microcrystalline region, while the others (i.e., 32.0 and 26.1 wt%) showed opposite results. The cell structure evolution of TPU foams with the foaming temperature and the foaming time showed that the low hard segment content was benefiting for the expansion ratio, whereas the high hard segment content generated the microcrystalline region acting as the nucleating site to improve the cell density. The tensile behavior of prepared TPU foams was investigated in the cyclic tensile test. It was observed that the hysteresis and residual strain increased with the increasing hard segment content, furtherly exhibited lower value compared to TPU. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimeter, and infrared spectra were used to reveal the microstructure after tensile test. The results indicated that the cell structures had a significant contribution to improve the elasticity, resulting from the protection of cells on the hard domains. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:E158–E166, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Nanoscale interfibrillar adhesion in UHMWPE fibers
Authors: McDaniel Preston B. , Strawhecker Kenneth E. , Deitzel Joseph M. , Gillespie John W.
Published: December 2017

The goal of this research is to quantify the fibrillar adhesive energy in ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, characteristic of nanoscale fibril interactions. Quantification of these energies is vital to the understanding of fibrillar deformation mechanisms that have been shown to play an important role in fiber performance. This is achieved through the development and implementation of a nanosplitting technique developed through the use of AFM‐enabled nanoindentation. This technique allows the quantification of nanoscale adhesive energies through careful monitoring of load and unload curves as well as examination of the residual split through high‐resolution AFM images. Results indicate that the average nanoscale fibril adhesive energy is over 3 times larger than the energy expected from van der Waals interactions alone. This indicates that a significant degree of physical interactions exist between fibrils, beyond van der Waals interactions, in the form of tie‐molecules, fibrillar network junctions, and bridging lamellar crystals. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 391–401
Computational predictions of cysteine cathepsin‐mediated fibrinogen proteolysis
Authors: Ferrall‐Fairbanks Meghan C. , West Dayne M. , Douglas Simone A. , Averett Rodney D. , Platt Manu O.
Published: December 2017

Fibrin clot formation is a proteolytic cascade of events with thrombin and plasmin identified as the main proteases cleaving fibrinogen precursor, and the fibrin polymer, respectively. Other proteases may be involved directly in fibrin(ogen) cleavage, clot formation, and resolution, or in the degradation of fibrin‐based scaffolds emerging as useful tools for tissue engineered constructs. Here, cysteine cathepsins are investigated for their putative ability to hydrolyze fibrinogen, since they are potent proteases, first identified in lysosomal protein degradation and known to participate in extracellular proteolysis. To further explore this, we used two independent computational technqiues, molecular docking and bioinformatics sequence analysis (PACMANS), to predict potential binding interactions and sites of hydrolysis between cathepsins K, L, and S and fibrinogen. By comparing the results from these two objective, computational methods, it was determined that cathepsins K, L, and S do bind and cleave fibrinogen α, β, and γ chains at similar and unique sites. These differences were visualized experimentally by the unique cleaved fibrinogen banding patterns after incubation with each of the cathepsins, separately. In conclusion, human cysteine cathepsins K, L, and S are a new class of proteases that should be considered during fibrin(ogen) degradation studies both for disease processes where coagulation is a concern, and also in the implementation and design of bioengineered systems.
Response‐adaptive designs for binary responses: How to offer patient benefit while being robust to time trends?
Authors: Villar Sofía S. , Bowden Jack , Wason James
Published: December 2017

Response‐adaptive randomisation (RAR) can considerably improve the chances of a successful treatment outcome for patients in a clinical trial by skewing the allocation probability towards better performing treatments as data accumulates. There is considerable interest in using RAR designs in drug development for rare diseases, where traditional designs are not either feasible or ethically questionable. In this paper, we discuss and address a major criticism levelled at RAR: namely, type I error inflation due to an unknown time trend over the course of the trial. The most common cause of this phenomenon is changes in the characteristics of recruited patients—referred to aspatient drift. This is a realistic concern for clinical trials in rare diseases due to their lengthly accrual rate. We compute the type I error inflation as a function of the time trend magnitude to determine in which contexts the problem is most exacerbated. We then assess the ability of different correction methods to preserve type I error in these contexts and their performance in terms of other operating characteristics, including patient benefit and power. We make recommendations as to which correction methods are most suitable in the rare disease context for several RAR rules, differentiating between the 2‐armed and the multi‐armed case. We further propose a RAR design for multi‐armed clinical trials, which is computationally efficient and robust to several time trends considered.
Activation and diffusion of ammonia borane hydrogen on gold tetramers
Authors: Mejía Leopoldo , Ferraro Franklin , Osorio Edison , Hadad Cacier Z.
Published: December 2017

One of the most serious candidates for safe storage of high hydrogen densities is ammonia borane, AB. Likewise, one of the most versatile catalysts known is gold in the form of atomic clusters. Taking these elements into account, in this work a density functional theory ‐based study about initial activation, detachment, and diffusion of ammonia borane hydrogen on gold tetramer, as a catalyst model, is developed. It was found that the total process is exergonic and that the hydrogen diffusion occurs with very low energy barriers. The process has a hydrogen detachment energy barrier lower than the one of the uncatalyzed AB, and that is easily overcome by the energy expelled in the previous stage of formation of the initial activated species. Additionally, all the process is assisted by the fluxionality of the gold cluster, and occurs via a unique catalytically activated initial species, which contains a three‐center simultaneous interaction at the catalytically activated zone.
Characterizing elementary teachers’ enactment of high‐leverage practices through engineering design‐based science instruction
Authors: Capobianco Brenda M. , DeLisi Jacqueline , Radloff Jeffrey
Published: December 2017

In an effort to document teachers’ enactments of new reform in science teaching, valid and scalable measures of science teaching using engineering design are needed. This study describes the development and testing of an approach for documenting and characterizing elementary science teachers’ multiday enactments of engineering design‐based science teaching. Using the tenets of ambitious teaching, we explore how Grade 4 teachers utilized elements of high‐leverage practices in an effort to teach science using engineering design. Data included 33 hours of classroom observations, semistructured interviews, and teacher reflections. Using lesson event, classroom organization, and instructional codes analogous to the literature on the engineering design process, we generated and analyzed classroom event maps, noting trends across multiple and individual teacher classrooms. Results indicated percentages of time spent on different phases within the design process among multiple classrooms as well as consistency across individual cases that demonstrate teachers’ capacity to enact ambitious teaching practices through engineering design‐based science instruction. Implications suggest that our approach provides a useful method to not only document and characterize engineering design‐based science teaching practices but also reveals complexities of leveraging student thinking through ambitious engineering teaching practices.
The investigation of the friction and wear properties of surface‐treated carbon fiber/SiO2 reinforced PMMA composites
Authors: Chilan Cai , Jin Zhu
Published: December 2017

The mechanical properties of SiO2 filler particles on carbon fibers have been under discussion for several decades; the diverse models, and the properties of the components relevant to retention, are critically reviewed in the first part of this study. In addition, to gain an insight into some possible combined effect of the carbon fiber/poly(methyl methacrylate) (CF/PMMA), interfacial adhesion strength and the tensile properties and dielectric strength of the hybrid composites were studied. Simple modified rules of mixtures are used to estimate the fiber efficiency factors for the strength and modulus of the hybrid composites. Except, with the increasing fraction of CFs in PMMA, the weld line area's elongation percent is decreased. Whereas for case of SiO2, the 10 wt% is the threshold for micro injection molded weld line tensile strength and dielectric strength turning from decrease trend to increase. Same as CF, elongation of micro weld line samples is in general lower than neat PMMA as well, due to the addition of SiO2 particles.
ToF‐SIMS and computation analysis: Fragmentation mechanisms of polystyrene, polystyrene‐d5, and polypentafluorostyrene
Authors: Ng Kai‐Mo , Lau Yiu‐Ting R. , Weng Lu‐Tao , Yeung King‐Lun , Chan Chi‐Ming
Published: December 2017

We studied the time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry fragmentation mechanisms of polystyrenes—phenyl‐fluorinated polystyrene (5FPS), phenyl‐deuterated polystyrene (5DPS), and hydrogenated polystyrene (PS). From the positive ion spectra of 5FPS, we identified some characteristic molecular ion structures with isomeric geometries such as benzylic, benzocyclobutene, benzocyclopentene, cyclopentane, and tropylium systems. These structures were evaluated by the B3LYP‐D/jun‐cc‐pVDZ computation method. The intensities of the C7H2F5+ (m/z = 181), CyPent‐C9H3F4+ (m/z = 187), CyPent‐C9H4F5+ (m/z = 207), and CyPent‐C9H2F5+ (m/z = 205) ions were enhanced by resonance stabilization. The positive fluorinated ions from 5FPS tended to rearrange and produce fewer fluorine‐containing molecular ions through the loss of F (m/z = 19), CF (m/z = 31), and CF2 (m/z = 50) ion fragments. Consequently, the fluorine‐containing polycyclic aromatic ions had much lower intensities than their hydrocarbon counterparts. We propose the fragmentation mechanisms for the formation of C5H5+, C6H5+, and C7H7+ ion fragments, substantiated with detailed analyses of the negative ion spectra. These ions were created through elimination of a pentafluoro‐phenyl anion (C6F5−) and H+, followed by a 1‐electron‐transfer process and then cyclization of the newly generated polyene with carbon‐carbon bond formation. The pendant groups with elements of different electronegativities exerted strong influences on the intensities and fragmentation processes of their corresponding ions.
Substrate temperature effects on the structural, compositional, and electrical properties of VO2 thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Umar Z. A. , Ahmed N. , Ahmed R. , Arshad M. , Anwar‐Ul‐Haq M. , Hussain T. , Baig M. A.
Published: December 2017

The vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films were deposited on silicon (100) substrate using the pulsed laser deposition technique. The thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures (500°C, 600°C, 700°C, and 800°C) while keeping all the other parameters constant. X‐ray diffraction confirmed the crystalline VO2 (B) and VO2 (M) phase formation at different substrate temperatures. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of V4+ and V5+ charge states in all the deposited thin films which confirms that the deposited films mainly consist of VO2 and V2O5. An increase in the VO2/V2O5 ratio has been observed in the films deposited at higher substrate temperatures (700°C and 800°C). Scanning electron microscope micrographs revealed different surface morphologies of the thin films deposited at different substrate temperatures. The electrical properties showed the sharp semiconductor to metal transition behavior with approximately 2 orders of magnitude for the VO2 thin film deposited at 800°C. The transition temperature for heating and cooling cycles as low as 46.2°C and 42°C, respectively, has been observed which is related to the smaller difference in the interplanar spacing between the as‐deposited thin film and the standard rutile VO2 as well as to the lattice strain of approximately −1.2%.
Green one‐pot preparation of α‐Fe2O3@carboxyl‐functionalized yeast composite with high adsorption and catalysis properties for removal of methylene blue
Authors: Wang Ying , Zhang Wei , Qin Mian , Zhao Maojun , Zhang Yunsong
Published: December 2017

Herein, the α‐Fe2O3@carboxyl‐functionalized yeast composite (α‐F@CFYC) was synthesized by direct oxidation of yeast with K2FeO4 and used as a novel adsorbent/heterogeneous Fenton catalyst for removal of methylene blue (MB). The obtained α‐F@CFYC was fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy, EDX, X‐ray diffraction analysis, Fourier‐transform infrared, thermogravimetry, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively, and the corresponding results showed that α‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully obtained and deposited on yeast surface, as well as more functional groups were introduced/exposed on yeast surface. Furthermore, various influence parameters (eg, contact time, initial pH, and MB concentration) on the adsorption/catalysis ability of α‐F@CFYC for MB have been investigated in detail under ambient conditions. As a result, owing to the synergetic effect of the loaded α‐Fe2O3 and the introduced/exposed functional groups on yeast surface, the as‐obtained α‐F@CFYC exhibited high adsorption capacities and good catalysis degradation properties for MB.
2D Single‐Crystalline Copper Nanoplates as a Conductive Filler for Electronic Ink Applications
Authors: Lee Jin‐Won , Han Jiyoon , Lee Dong Su , Bae Sukang , Lee Sang Hyun , Lee Seoung‐Ki , Moon Byung Joon , Choi Chel‐Jong , Wang Gunuk , Kim Tae‐Wook
Published: December 2017

Large‐scale 2D single‐crystalline copper nanoplates (Cu NPLs) are synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The combination of a mild reductant, stabilizer, and shape modifier allows the dimensional control of the Cu nanocrystals from 1D nanowires (NWs) to 2D nanoplates. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) reveals that the prepared Cu NPLs have a single‐crystalline structure. From the X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, it is found that iodine plays an important role in the modification of the copper nanocrystals through the formation of an adlayer on the basal plane of the nanoplates. Cu NPLs with an average edge length of 10 μm are successfully synthesized, and these Cu NPLs are the largest copper 2D crystals synthesized by a solution‐based process so far. The application of the metallic 2D crystals as a semitransparent electrode proves their feasibility as a conductive filler, exhibiting very low sheet resistance (0.4 Ω ▫−1) compared to Cu NWs and a transmittance near 75%. The efficient charge transport is due to the increased contact area between each Cu NPL, i.e., so‐called plane contact (2D electrical contact). In addition, this type of contact enhances the current‐carrying capability of the Cu NPL electrodes, implying that the large‐size Cu NPLs are promising conductive fillers for printable electrode applications.
Detection of security vulnerabilities in C language applications
Authors: Boudjema El Habib , Faure Christèle , Sassolas Mathieu , Mokdad Lynda
Published: December 2017

Security of computer systems is central in our digitalized world. Security of businesses, persons, and even governments is facing a growing threat from a wide variety of attackers. Eliminating vulnerabilities from application's code is necessary to prevent attacks. The first step toward eliminating security vulnerabilities is their detection, which can be an arduous task in large size programs. Static analysis of the code helps to automate this process, by guiding the programmer toward the potential vulnerabilities before they are discovered by an adversary. We investigate in this paper vulnerabilities that arise in C code through the calling of library functions. We define criteria to detect dangerous use of these functions, and show that the evaluation of a static analyzer implementing the proposed detection model yields a low false‐positive rate.
Using fetal abdominal circumference growth velocity in the prediction of adverse outcome in near‐term small‐for‐gestational‐age fetuses
Authors: Cavallaro A. , Veglia M. , Svirko E. , Vannuccini S. , Volpe G. , Impey L.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate whether abdominal circumference growth velocity (ACGV) improves the prediction of perinatal outcome in small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) fetuses beyond that afforded by estimated fetal weight (EFW) and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR).

Methods

A cohort of 235 singleton SGA fetuses at 36–38 weeks' gestation was examined. ACGV, EFW and CPR centiles were calculated. ACGV centile was determined using data from a large database of 19–21‐ and 36–38‐week scans in an unselected population. Binary variables of ACGV < 10th, EFW < 3rd and CPR < 5th centiles were defined as abnormal. Two composite adverse outcomes (CAO) were explored: CAO‐1 defined as at least one of umbilical artery pH < 7.10, 5‐min Apgar score < 7 or neonatal unit admission, and CAO‐2 that included in addition hypoglycemia, intrapartum fetal distress and perinatal death. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between the three risk factors and their predictive value for CAO. The change in screening performance afforded by adding ACGV to EFW and CPR was assessed and receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curves were calculated.

Results

ACGV < 10th centile was an independent risk factor for CAO. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios of a predictive model based on EFW < 3rd centile and CPR < 5th centile were, respectively, 51%, 70%, 1.71 and 0.69 for CAO‐1 and 41%, 70%, 1.39 and 0.83 for CAO‐2. After addition of ACGV < 10th centile to the model, the respective values were 82%, 46%, 1.54 and 0.38 for CAO‐1 and 71%, 47%, 1.34 and 0.62 for CAO‐2. Using continuous variables, the areas under the ROC curves improved marginally from 0.669 (95% CI, 0.604–0.729) to 0.741 (95% CI, 0.677–0.798) for CAO‐1 and from 0.646 (95% CI, 0.580–0.707) to 0.700 (95% CI, 0.633–0.759) for CAO‐2 after addition of ACGV to the model.

Conclusions

ACGV is a risk factor for adverse neonatal outcome that is independent of EFW and of CPR, although any improvement in the prediction of adverse outcome is not statistically significant. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of LUTO: improving diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Fontanella F. , Duin L. K. , Adama van Scheltema P. N. , Cohen‐Overbeek T. E. , Pajkrt E. , Bekker M. , Willekes C. , Bax C. J. , Gracchi V. , Oepkes D. , Bilardo C. M.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To propose a clinical score for the optimal antenatal diagnosis of fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as an alternative to the commonly used ultrasound triad of megacystis, keyhole sign and hydronephrosis.

Methods

This was a national retrospective study carried out at the eight tertiary fetal medicine units (FMUs) in The Netherlands. Only cases referred for megacystis from the second trimester onwards and with a clear postnatal diagnosis were included in the study. At referral, data were collected on amniotic fluid volume, renal cortical appearance, bladder volume, hydronephrosis, fetal ascites, ureteral size, keyhole sign, fetal sex and gestational age. Multivariate analysis was performed, starting by including all antenatal variables, and then excluding the weakest predictors using the backward stepwise strategy.

Results

Over a 7‐year period, 312 fetuses with a diagnosis of megacystis were referred to the eight Dutch tertiary FMUs. A final diagnosis was achieved in 143 cases, including 124 of LUTO and 19 reclassified after birth as non‐obstructive megacystis. The optimal bladder volume cut‐off for prediction of LUTO was 35 cm3 (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.7, P = 0.03). The clinical score formulated on the basis of the multivariate analysis included fetal sex, degree of bladder distension, ureteral size, oligo‐ or anhydramnios and gestational age at referral. The combination of these five variables demonstrated good accuracy in discriminating LUTO from non‐obstructive megacystis (AUC = 0.84, P < 0.001), compared with the poor performance of the ultrasound triad (AUC = 0.63, P = 0.07).

Conclusions

We propose a clinical score that combines five antenatal variables for the prospective diagnosis of congenital LUTO. This score showed good discriminative capacity in predicting LUTO, and better diagnostic accuracy compared with that of the classic ultrasound triad. Future studies to validate these results should be carried out in order to refine antenatal management of LUTO and prevent inappropriate fetal interventions. © 2017 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.