bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How many procedures does it take? Success of a CVS training program for Maternal Fetal Medicine fellows
Authors: Gimovsky Alexis C. , Moreno Sindy C. , Nicholas Sara , Roman Amanda , Weiner Stuart
Published: November 2016

Objectives

To quantify the learning curve for a training program for Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellows in obtaining successful transvaginal chorionic villus sampling (CVS) results in women with early pregnancy failure (EPF).

Methods

Retrospective observational cohort study of transvaginal CVS and subsequent manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) performed by MFM fellows. CVS samples were sent for karyotype, and products of conception (POC) were sent if CVS sample did not yield a result. Success was defined as karyotype result on CVS specimen.

Results

A total of 130 women with EPF up to 9 weeks of gestation underwent transvaginal CVS and MVA from December 2011 to April 2015. CVS samples were successful in 53 (40.8%) cases, POC were analyzed for karyotype in 68 (52.3%) cases, and maternal decidua was obtained in 9 (6.9%) cases. Nine MFM fellows performed the CVS and MVA procedures. The mean number of procedures per fellow was 14 (5–24). The average success rate of transvaginal CVS sample was 33.3% after the first procedure and 50% at the 14th procedure. One procedure was performed per patient.

Conclusions

Success increased over time from 33.3% to 50.0%. Given the gestational age and failed pregnancy status, this is a reasonable success rate for CVS at time of EPF. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of an opioid risk reduction initiative on motor vehicle crash risk among chronic opioid therapy patients
Authors: Hansen Ryan N. , Walker Rod L. , Shortreed Susan M. , Dublin Sascha , Saunders Kathleen , Ludman Evette J. , Von Korff Michael
Published: November 2016

Purpose

Although prescription opioids have been associated with higher motor vehicle crash (MVC) risk, it is unknown whether health system initiatives to better manage chronic opioid therapy (COT) can reduce MVC risk at the population level.

Methods

We conducted an interrupted time series population‐level cohort study at Group Health (GH), between January 2006 and September 2014, comparing MVC risk among COT patients who were GH members receiving care in either group practice or contracted care settings. Group practice COT risk reduction initiatives were implemented in two phases: (1) altered prescribing expectations and (2) multifaceted initiatives. These initiatives did not exist in the contracted care network. We compared the adjusted quarterly rate of MVC between group practice and contracted care patients over time using a modified Poisson regression model for a binary outcome.

Results

A total of 32 691 COT patients (27.4% from contracted care) met eligibility criteria and experienced a total of 1956 MVCs during study follow‐up (mean, 8.1 quarters per person), of which 810 were serious injury crashes. Crash rates were not significantly different between the patient groups within any of the time periods. Analyses stratified by concurrent prescription of a sedative hypnotic or benzodiazepine found no significant difference between the group practice and contracted care patients. There was a modest elevation of MVC risk for high‐dose patients relative to former COT patients who stopped receiving opioids.

Conclusions

The risk of MVC was not mitigated in a large cohort of COT patients exposed to a health plan policy initiative that substantially lowered mean opioid dose. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of high‐k poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Nylon 6/carbon nanotube nanocomposites through selective localization of carbon nanotubes in blends
Authors: Mao Hanjun , Zhang Tingting , Huang Ting , Zhang Nan , Wang Yong , Yang Jinghui
Published: November 2016

The morphology as well as the distribution of conductive fillers in conductive filler/polymer nanocomposites have a decisive effect on the dielectric properties of blend composites. In this study, the relationship between morphology and properties was carefully investigated and the underlying mechanism is discussed based on the microcapacitor model. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced into an immiscible poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) blend and the morphologies of PVDF/Nylon 6 were tailored by changing the weight ratio of PVDF to Nylon 6, varying from sea‐island morphology to co‐continuous morphology. Interestingly, the CNTs are selectively localized in the Nylon 6 phase in both sea‐island and co‐continuous morphological blends, which is due to the finer interaction between Nylon 6 and CNTs. In the sea‐island morphological blend only, a strong increase of the dielectric permittivity can be found when the content of CNTs is increased. It is surprising that no effects of CNTs on the dielectric properties can be found in the co‐continuous morphological blend. The CNT filled Nylon 6 domains in the sea‐island morphological blend act as a microcapacitor with improved charge accumulation and interfacial polarization, resulting in a marked increase in dielectric permittivity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Polyimides with side groups: Synthesis and effects of side groups on their properties
Authors: Yi Lang , Huang Wei , Yan Deyue
Published: November 2016

Polyimides are a class of well‐known high‐performance polymers combined the excellent mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties and widely applied in many high‐tech fields. Traditional polyimides can only be processed in the state of soluble intermediates with a hazardous step of cyclodehydration and elimination of a nonvolatile polar solvent. Therefore, a great effort has been devoted to the development of soluble polyimides that can be processed in the full imidation state. The incorporation of side groups into the polyimide backbone is an efficient approach to resolve above problems with a little sacrifice of its inherent merits. The subtle variation of side groups in polyimide backbones has allowed researchers to tune their final properties. In particular, some special side groups can endow polyimides the specific property or functionality to broaden their application fields. In this article, we summarize the synthesis of polyimides with side groups in recent 20 years and further discuss the effect of side groups on their physical and specific properties. The future research directions of polyimides with side groups are also discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 533–559
A randomized pilot trial of a positive affect skill intervention (lessons in linking affect and coping) for women with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Cheung Elaine O. , Cohn Michael A. , Dunn Laura B. , Melisko Michelle E. , Morgan Stefana , Penedo Frank J. , Salsman John M. , Shumay Dianne M. , Moskowitz Judith T.
Published: November 2016

Background

We conducted a randomized pilot trial to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a 5 week positive affect skills intervention (LILAC: lessons in linking affect and coping) for women with metastatic breast cancer. Additionally, we examined whether online delivery of the intervention would offer comparable benefits as in‐person delivery.

Methods

Women with metastatic breast cancer (N = 39) were randomized to an in‐person intervention, online intervention, or in‐person attention‐matched control. Psychological well‐being (depression [Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale], positive and negative affect [Differential Emotions Scale], cancer‐specific quality of life [Multidimensional Quality of Life Scale—Cancer Version]), and positive coping (mindfulness, positive‐affect skill use, and self‐compassion [Self‐Compassion Scale: Short‐Form]) were assessed at baseline, 1 week post‐intervention, and 1 month post‐intervention follow‐up.

Results

The LILAC intervention showed good feasibility, acceptability, and retention. Although the study was not adequately powered to detect between‐group differences in change on preliminary efficacy outcomes, within‐group comparisons revealed that LILAC participants (in‐person and online combined) showed reductions in depression and negative affect by the 1 month follow‐up (d = −0.81). Notably, LILAC participants fell below the clinical threshold for depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale = 16) by the 1 month follow‐up (t[17] = −2.22, P = .04, d = −0.52), whereas control participants did not differ from threshold (t[9] = 0.45, P = .66, d = 0.14).

Conclusions

The LILAC intervention, regardless of delivery method, shows feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy for promoting psychological well‐being in women with metastatic breast cancer. This research provides support for a larger randomized trial to test more definitively the potential benefits of LILAC. A strength of the LILAC intervention includes its innovative focus on positive affect. The efficacy of the online delivery suggests the potential for widespread Internet dissemination.
The perceived influence of childhood cancer on the parents' relationship
Authors: Wiener L. , Battles H. , Zadeh S. , Pelletier W. , Arruda‐Colli M.N.F. , Muriel Anna C.
Published: November 2016

Objective

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, parents are faced with many practical and emotional challenges that can significantly affect their relationship. This study explores how having a child with cancer affects the quality of the parents' relationship, categorizes time points and events during the child's treatment when the relationship becomes most stressed and/or strengthened, identifies factors that help couples remain emotionally engaged throughout their child's cancer treatment, and assesses parental interest in a counseling intervention.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional, multicenter study conducted via a semistructured self‐administered questionnaire that included the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale.

Results

One hundred ninety‐two parents of children diagnosed between the ages of 1 and 21 participated. Forty percent felt their relationship moved in a negative direction. Diagnosis and relapse of disease were cited as the most individually stressful time points in the disease trajectory, with hospitalizations and relapse being most stressful on the relationship. Participants felt most emotionally connected at diagnosis and least emotionally connected at the start and end of treatment. The majority of couples indicated interest in counseling to address ways to support their relationship. Soon after diagnosis and during treatment was reported as the preferred time to offer these interventions.

Conclusion

This study identified specific events and parent behaviors that strain the couples' relationship during the childhood cancer trajectory. This information can inform the development of a couple's intervention. Prospective research is needed to better understand how childhood cancer affects caregivers' partnerships through survivorship and beyond.
Survival prediction of anxious emotion in advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care
Authors: Zhao Weiwei , Wu Zhenyu , Chen Jianhua , Jia Huixun , Huang Zhe , Chen Menglei , Gu Xiaoli , Liu Minghui , Zhang Zhe , Wang Huaping , Wang Peng , Cheng Wenwu
Published: November 2016

Background

This study was carried out to investigate the prognostic value of baseline and dynamic changes in anxious emotion in advanced cancer patients undergoing palliative care.

Methods

The association between anxious emotion and survival was investigated in a retrospective sample of 377 consecutive advanced cancer patients receiving palliative care from August 2013 to October 2015 and in an extended follow‐up study of 106 of those patients.

Results

The prevalence of anxious emotion was 24.93% (94/377) overall, 22.48% (47/209) in men and 27.97% (47/168) in women. Significant associations between baseline anxious emotion and overall survival (OS) were not found in the whole sample or in women. However, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that anxious emotion was an independent prognostic indicator of OS in men (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.811, P = .003). Moreover, findings showed that newly developed anxious emotion was significantly associated with poor OS in all readmitted patients (HR: 5.568, P < .001), in men (HR: 5.104, P = .006) and women (HR: 5.820, P = .004).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that anxious emotion, especially dynamic changes in anxious emotion, needs to be monitored in advanced cancer patients; whether targeted interventions would prolong survival requires further studies.
Health literacy and physical activity in women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors: Plummer Leigh C. , Chalmers Kerry A.
Published: November 2016

Objective

Physical activity after a diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with many health benefits. Health literacy has been shown to relate to physical activity, but there is limited research on this relationship. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between health literacy and physical activity in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Specifically, we examined which of Nutbeam's 3 levels of health literacy (functional, interactive, and critical health literacy) predicted physical activity in women who have completed treatment for breast cancer.

Methods

Participants were women (N = 36) who had attended a local cancer care centre for breast cancer treatment. During a telephone interview conducted 6 to 18 months after completion of treatment, women completed a measure of health literacy and reported on their engagement in physical activity.

Results

Results showed that health literacy predicted physical activity after breast cancer treatment. Of the 3 levels of health literacy proposed by Nutbeam, functional health literacy was shown to be the most important predictor of physical activity.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the role of health literacy in physical activity in women diagnosed with breast cancer and have implications for targeted supportive physical activity interventions.
Working in phase‐space with Wigner and Weyl
Authors: Ben‐Benjamin Jonathan S. , Kim Moochan B. , Schleich Wolfgang P. , Case William B. , Cohen Leon
Published: November 2016

Quantum phase‐space distributions offer a royal road into the fascinating quantum–classical interface; the Wigner function being the first and best example. However, the subject is frequent with subtleties and textbook‐level misinformation; e.g. “The Wigner distribution can give wrong answers for some operator expectation values” . Since the Wigner distribution is just another representation of the density matrix, it must yield correct answers. To that end, Marlan Scully has asked at several international conferences (the 2015 Prague conference being one of them) the following question: “Starting with the density matrix (not the Moyal characteristic function), could you give me a simple direct derivation of the Wigner distribution?” Section contains his answer. In Appendix D, we give a related treatment and make contact with other approaches. We hope that as a result of our studies, the Wigner distribution will become more deeply appreciated.
Aquerium: A web application for comparative exploration of domain‐based protein occurrences on the taxonomically clustered genome tree
Authors: Adebali Ogun , Zhulin Igor B.
Published: November 2016

Gene duplication and loss are major driving forces in evolution. While many important genomic resources provide information on gene presence, there is a lack of tools giving equal importance to presence and absence information as well as web platforms enabling easy visual comparison of multiple domain‐based protein occurrences at once. Here, we present Aquerium, a platform for visualizing genomic presence and absence of biomolecules with a focus on protein domain architectures. The web server offers advanced domain organization querying against the database of pre‐computed domains for ∼26,000 organisms and it can be utilized for identification of evolutionary events, such as fusion, disassociation, duplication, and shuffling of protein domains. The tool also allows alternative inputs of custom entries or BLASTP results for visualization. Aquerium will be a useful tool for biologists who perform comparative genomic and evolutionary analyses. The web server is freely accessible at http://aquerium.utk.edu. Proteins 2016; 85:72–77. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modeling protein–protein and protein–peptide complexes: CAPRI 6th edition
Authors: Lensink Marc F. , Velankar Sameer , Wodak Shoshana J.
Published: November 2016

We present the sixth report evaluating the performance of methods for predicting the atomic resolution structures of protein complexes offered as targets to the community‐wide initiative on the Critical Assessment of Predicted Interactions (CAPRI). The evaluation is based on a total of 20,670 predicted models for 8 protein–peptide complexes, a novel category of targets in CAPRI, and 12 protein–protein targets in CAPRI prediction Rounds held during the years 2013‐2016. For two of the protein–protein targets, the focus was on the prediction of side‐chain conformation and positions of interfacial water molecules. Seven of the protein–protein targets were particularly challenging owing to their multicomponent nature, to conformational changes at the binding site, or to a combination of both. Encouragingly, the very large multiprotein complex with the nucleosome was correctly predicted, and correct models were submitted for the protein–peptide targets, but not for some of the challenging protein–protein targets. Models of acceptable quality or better were obtained for 14 of the 20 targets, including medium quality models for 13 targets and high quality models for 8 targets, indicating tangible progress of present‐day computational methods in modeling protein complexes with increased accuracy. Our evaluation suggests that the progress stems from better integration of different modeling tools with docking procedures, as well as the use of more sophisticated evolutionary information to score models. Nonetheless, adequate modeling of conformational flexibility in interacting proteins remains an important area with a crucial need for improvement. Proteins 2017; 85:359–377. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temporal patterns of imidacloprid resistance throughout a growing season in Leptinotarsa decemlineata populations
Authors: Clements Justin , Schoville Sean , Clements Nathan , Chapman Scott , Groves Russell L
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

The Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), is a major agricultural pest of commercial potatoes. Pest managers use a combination of control tactics to limit populations, including multiple insecticides. Finding a window of insecticide susceptibility and understanding genetic responses to insecticide exposure during a growing season may provide novel management recommendations for L. decemlineata.

RESULTS

We examined temporal changes (during one growing season) in phenotypic response between a susceptible population and an imidacloprid‐resistant population. Beetles remained more susceptible to imidacloprid in the susceptible population throughout the growing season. Estimated mean LC50 values varied throughout the growing season in the resistant population, with increased susceptibility among overwintered and recently emerged adult beetles compared with a heightened level of resistance in the second generation. RNA transcript abundance was compared among multiple time points through the growing season, showing that cuticular proteins and cytochrome p450s were highly upregulated during peaks of measured resistance.

CONCLUSION

Temporal variation in imidacloprid susceptibility of L. decemlineata was observed, which included early time points of susceptibility and later peaks in resistance. Heightened resistance occurred during the second generation and correlated to increased transcript abundance of multiple mechanisms of resistance, including multiple cuticular protein and cytochrome p450 transcripts. © 2016 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Design of power integrated circuits in full AlGaN/GaN MIS‐HEMT configuration for power conversion
Authors: Sun Ruize , Liang Yung C. , Yeo Yee‐Chia , Wang Yun‐Hsiang , Zhao Cezhou
Published: November 2016

In order to examine the feasibility of full wide‐bandgap GaN‐based converters in aerospace power conversion applications, this paper proposes a monolithic DC–DC buck converter design with integrated high‐side gate driver, over‐current protection, and pulse‐width‐modulation feedback control circuits based on full AlGaN/GaN MIS‐HEMT configuration. After model calibration of the DC and transient behaviors with fabricated normally‐ON and normally‐OFF AlGaN/GaN MIS‐HEMT devices, the DC–DC buck converter is simulated. The circuit converts the input 100 V down to an adjustable range at 1 MHz switching frequency. The over‐current protection function can properly protect the converter at a preset over‐current threshold. The converter can respond to the load current and line input voltage fluctuations due to the integrated feedback control. These results illustrate the performance of proposed all‐GaN DC–DC power converter design.
Light‐induced degradation and regeneration of multicrystalline silicon Al‐BSF and PERC solar cells
Authors: Padmanabhan Mrinalini , Jhaveri Krutarth , Sharma Romika , Basu Prabir Kanti , Raj Samuel , Wong Johnson , Li Joel
Published: November 2016

Light‐induced degradation (LID) is a well‐known problem faced by p‐type Czochralski (Cz) monocrystalline silicon (mono‐Si) wafer solar cells. In mono‐Si material, the physical mechanism has been traced to the formation of recombination active boron‐oxygen (B–O) complexes, which can be permanently deactivated through a regeneration process. In recent years, LID has also been identified to be a significant problem for multicrystalline silicon (multi‐Si) wafer solar cells, but the exact physical mechanism is still unknown. In this work, we study the effect of LID in two different solar cell structures, aluminium back‐surface‐field (Al‐BSF) and aluminium local back‐surface‐field (Al‐LBSF or PERC (passivated emitter and rear cell)) multi‐Si solar cells. The large‐area (156 mm × 156 mm) multi‐Si solar cells are light soaked under constant 1‐sun illumination at elevated temperatures of 90 °C. Our study shows that, in general, PERC multi‐Si solar cells degrade faster and to a greater extent than Al‐BSF multi‐Si solar cells. The total degradation and regeneration can occur within ∼320 hours for PERC cells and within ∼200 hours for Al‐BSF cells, which is much faster than the timescales previously reported for PERC cells. An important finding of this work is that Al‐BSF solar cells can also achieve almost complete regeneration, which has not been reported before. The maximum degradation in Al‐BSF cells is shown to reduce from 2% (relative) to an average of 1.5% (relative) with heavier phosphorus diffusion.
Hybrid process for texturization of diamond wire sawn multicrystalline silicon solar cell
Authors: Jiang Ye , Shen Honglie , Pu Tian , Zheng Chaofan , Tang Quntao , Yang Wangyang , Wu Jing , Rui Chunbao , Li Yufang
Published: November 2016

Acid texture is difficult for diamond wire sawn (DWS) multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) wafer owing to the inhomogeneous distribution of damage layer on the surface. In this article, metal‐assisted chemical etching (MACE) has been selected for introducing a porous seeding layer to induce acid texturing etching. SEM results show that the oval pit structures coverage get obvious improvement even on the smooth areas. Owing to the further improved light absorption ability by second MACE and nanostructure rebuilding (NSR) process, nanostructured DWS mc‐Si solar cell has exhibited a conversion efficiency of 17.96%, which is 0.45% higher than that of DWS wafer with simple acid texture process. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Assessment of the Effective Antioxidant Activity of Edible Films Taking into Account Films–Food Simulants and Films–Environment Interactions
Authors: Mihaly Cozmuta Anca , Peter Anca , Nicula Camelia , Mihaly Cozmuta Leonard
Published: November 2016

Six gelatin films incorporating different ratios of sage oil (SO) and hemp oil (HO) were subjected to contact with food simulants and environmental exposure, respectively, for 3 months, at 15 000 lx light intensity, 40°C and 65% relative humidity. The migration and degradation, respectively, of the antioxidants into the simulants as well as their loss in the environment were mathematically modelled. The fastest release rate of antioxidants was noticed in the case of SO : HO 0 : 2 in 85% ethanol while the highest degradation rates were achieved after 18 days in the case of SO : HO 0 : 2 in water and 3% acetic acid and after 22 days in 85% ethanol. The antioxidants from SO : HO 0 : 2 were lost to the largest extent (5.37%) while those from SO : HO 1 : 1 to the lowest extent (3.49%). SO : HO 1 : 1 was selected as the most efficient film, by optimizing the amount of antioxidants available solely for food protection with the longest stability in the simulants. From industrial point of view, the mathematical modelling of the previously mentioned processes allows for the selection of the most effective film from a group with comparable physical–chemical–microbiological properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Efficient Reliability Evaluation Approach for Networks with Simultaneous Multiple‐Node‐Pair Flow Requirements
Authors: Chakraborty Suparna , Goyal Neeraj Kumar
Published: November 2016

This paper proposes an efficient approach for reliability evaluation of multiple‐sources and multiple‐destinations flow networks. The proposed approach evaluates multiple node pair capacity related reliability. The proposed approach is a three‐step approach; in the first step, it enumerates network minimal cut sets. These network minimal cut sets are then used to enumerate subset cuts in the second step. Third step involves the evaluation of multiple node pair capacity related reliability from the enumerated subset cuts using a multi‐variable inversion sum‐of‐disjoint set approach. The proposed approach can be used for optimal network design as it combines multiple performance requirements, that is, flow requirements between multiple node pairs and network reliability, in a single criterion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correlation of lipidomic composition of cell lines and tissues of breast cancer patients using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and multivariate data analysis
Authors: Cífková Eva , Lísa Miroslav , Hrstka Roman , Vrána David , Gatěk Jiří , Melichar Bohuslav , Holčapek Michal
Published: November 2016

Rationale

The goal of this work is the comparison of differences in the lipidomic compositions of human cell lines derived from normal and cancerous breast tissues, and tumor vs. normal tissues obtained after the surgery of breast cancer patients.

Methods

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HILIC/ESI‐MS) using the single internal standard approach and response factors is used for the determination of relative abundances of individual lipid species from five lipid classes in total lipid extracts of cell lines and tissues. The supplementary information on the fatty acyl composition is obtained by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of fatty acid methyl esters. Multivariate data analysis (MDA) methods, such as nonsupervised principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and supervised orthogonal partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (OPLS‐DA), are used for the visualization of differences between normal and tumor samples and the correlation of similarity between cell lines and tissues either for tumor or normal samples.

Results

MDA methods are used for differentiation of sample groups and also for identification of the most up‐ and downregulated lipids in tumor samples in comparison to normal samples. Observed changes are subsequently generalized and correlated with data from tumor and normal tissues of breast cancer patients. In total, 123 lipid species are identified based on their retention behavior in HILIC and observed ions in ESI mass spectra, and relative abundances are determined.

Conclusions

MDA methods are applied for a clear differentiation between tumor and normal samples both for cell lines and tissues. The most upregulated lipids are phospholipids (PL) with a low degree of unsaturation (e.g., 32:1 and 34:1) and also some highly polyunsaturated PL (e.g., 40:6), while the most downregulated lipids are PL containing polyunsaturated fatty acyls (e.g., 20:4), plasmalogens and ether lipids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid sample classification using an open port sampling interface coupled with liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Van Berkel Gary J. , Kertesz Vilmos
Published: November 2016

Rationale

An “Open Access”‐like mass spectrometric platform to fully utilize the simplicity of the manual open port sampling interface for rapid characterization of unprocessed samples by liquid introduction atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry has been lacking. The in‐house developed integrated software with a simple, small and relatively low‐cost mass spectrometry system introduced here fills this void.

Methods

Software was developed to operate the mass spectrometer, to collect and process mass spectrometric data files, to build a database and to classify samples using such a database. These tasks were accomplished via the vendor‐provided software libraries. Sample classification based on spectral comparison utilized the spectral contrast angle method.

Results

Using the developed software platform near real‐time sample classification is exemplified using a series of commercially available blue ink rollerball pens and vegetable oils. In the case of the inks, full scan positive and negative ion ESI mass spectra were both used for database generation and sample classification. For the vegetable oils, full scan positive ion mode APCI mass spectra were recorded. The overall accuracy of the employed spectral contrast angle statistical model was 95.3% and 98% in case of the inks and oils, respectively, using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation.

Conclusions

This work illustrates that an open port sampling interface/mass spectrometer combination, with appropriate instrument control and data processing software, is a viable direct liquid extraction sampling and analysis system suitable for the non‐expert user and near real‐time sample classification via database matching. Published in 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Application of MALDI Biotyper to cyanobacterial profiling
Authors: Imanishi Susumu Y. , Nakayama Takuma , Asukabe Hirohiko , Harada Ken‐ichi
Published: November 2016

Rationale

Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) has been used for bacterial profiling. A few reports have shown MALDI‐MS profiling of isolated/cultured cyanobacteria; however, these applications have been limited. In this study, we have investigated whether rapid profiling and differentiation of cyanobacteria including harmful genera Microcystis and Anabaena (Dolichospermum) can be performed by MALDI Biotyper analysis of intact cells.

Methods

Twenty‐two cyanobacterial strains including 12 Microcystis, 7 Anabaena, 1 Pseudanabaena, 1 Planktothrix, and 1 Synechocystis were cultured. Also, natural pond water containing cyanobacteria was collected. Intact cyanobacterial cells were deposited on a target plate, and analyzed using an Autoflex Speed MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometer with Biotyper software. Mass spectra obtained from m/z 2000 to 20000 were used for clustering and spectral library searching of cyanobacterial strains.

Results

MALDI‐MS analysis of cultured cyanobacterial cells showed clear ion signals under optimized conditions. Hierarchical clustering of mass spectra using Biotyper resulted in a tight cluster of Microcystis strains which was clearly differentiated from a cluster of Anabaena strains. Spectral library searching was able to identify Microcystis aeruginosa NIES‐298 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 even when these two cells were mixed. Furthermore, cyanobacterial cells in the pond water were successfully classified as Anabaena.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated that MALDI‐MS in combination with Biotyper analysis is applicable to cyanobacterial profiling. Increasing the size of the spectral library may facilitate monitoring of cyanobacteria in crude cyanobacterial blooms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tracking of piezoelectric actuators with hysteresis: A nonlinear robust output regulation approach
Authors: Chen Zhiyong , Zheng Jinchuan , Zhang Hai‐Tao , Ding Han
Published: November 2016

Hysteretic characteristics commonly exist in piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) and degrade the positioning accuracy particularly in the case of low‐frequency trajectory tracking. A PEA with hysteretic characteristics is usually difficult to precisely control because the unmeasurable hysteretic force is typically generated by a complicated nonlinear dynamic model. This task can be theoretically formulated as a robust output regulation problem with a specific nonlinear and non‐autonomous exosystem. In this paper, the theoretical problem is first solved within a novel internal model architecture. With the proposed controller, the PEA is able to asymptotically track a desired reference trajectory with the robustness to plant uncertainties. The effectiveness of the design is verified by extensive experiments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A partially delay‐dependent and disordered controller design for discrete‐time delayed systems
Authors: Wang Guoliang , Li Boyu , Zhang Qingling , Yang Chunyu
Published: November 2016

This paper considers the stabilization problem for a class of discrete‐time delayed systems by exploiting a partially delay‐dependent controller whose gains suffer a disordering phenomenon simultaneously. Two stochastic variables are used to describe the partially delay‐dependent and disordering properties, which are not independent, and referred to the original operation modes here. By introducing an augmented Markov chain, the corresponding closed‐loop system is transformed into a Markovian jump system with four new operation modes (NOMs). Based on the proposed model, a kind of controller depending on NOMs is firstly proposed with linear matrix inequalities forms. Moreover, without designing a controller containing NOMs directly, another kind of stabilizing controller referring to one depending on original operation modes is developed, which is composed of a series of NOM‐dependent controllers and satisfies a minimum variance approximation. Finally, two numerical examples are used to demonstrate the utility and superiority of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State and input simultaneous estimation for discrete‐time switched singular delay systems with missing measurements
Authors: Lin Jinxing , Jiang Guoping , Gao Zhifeng , Rong Lina
Published: November 2016

This paper presents an approach to simultaneously estimating the states and inputs of discrete‐time linear switched singular state‐delayed systems with unknown inputs, multiple missing measurements, and average dwell time (ADT) switching. In each output measurement channel of the system, the data loss incident is controlled by an individual stochastic variable obeying a certain probability distribution on the interval [01]. The proposed approach is based on the design of a switched, loss‐probability‐dependent proportional integral observer under the ℓ2 input attenuation framework. By using piecewise Lyapunov function technique, ADT scheme, stochastic analysis, and projection lemma, sufficient conditions for the existence of such an observer are established in terms of linear matrix inequalities, which guarantee that the resulting estimation error system is stochastically exponentially admissible and achieves an (non‐weighted) ℓ2 gain from the augmented unknown input to the state and unknown input estimation errors under ADT switching. Moreover, a method is provided to seek the minimum allowable ℓ2 gain level for a desired ADT of the switching signals. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated by a simulation example of direct current (DC) servomechanism control system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Metalloprotein Inspired Ruthenium Complex as an Efficient and Reusable Catalyst for Selective Oxidation of Alcohols to their Corresponding Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Jamatia Ramen , Gupta Ajay , Mahato Mrityunjoy , Patil Ranjit A. , Ma Yuan‐Ron , Pal Amarta K.
Published: November 2016

Metalloprotein inspired self‐assembled ruthenium catalyst (3) was prepared from a linear amphiphilic polymer poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐N‐vinylimidazole) (1) and ruthenium trichloride (2) via coordinative convolution. The ruthenium catalyst (3) was characterized using TEM, SEM, EDX, Powder XRD, TGA and XPS analysis. The polymer (1) was analysed using various characterization techniques such as FT‐IR, 1H and 13C NMR and GPC analysis. The prepared ruthenium catalyst (3) was highly stable, globular, highly active and reusable. The ruthenium catalyst in 863 mol ppm level (with respect to ruthenium) could catalyse the selective oxidation of various alcohol substrates efficiently within a short period of time. The catalyst could be separated by simple filtration and reused for another five consecutive runs without substantial loss in activity of catalyst or yield of product. The Turn over number (TON) and Turn over frequency (TOF) of the catalyst reached 1031 and 516 h‐1 respectively. An ICP‐AES analysis of the organic phase of the reaction revealed insignificant (0.709 ppm of Ru) leaching of the catalyst.
Preparation of 4,7‐Dihydro‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐nitriles in a Multicomponent Domino Process
Authors: Aggarwal Ranjana , Singh Gulshan , Kumar Suresh , McCabe Thomas , Rozas Isabel
Published: November 2016

In this article we present the unprecedented preparation of 4,7‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐nitriles and pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine‐5‐nitrile derivatives by the reaction of mono‐substituted aryl/heteroarylhydrazines with 3‐aryl‐3‐oxopropanonitriles in ethanol in the presence of HNO3 (conc.). This multi‐component reaction requires the in situ oxidation of the ethanol (used as a solvent) to acetaldehyde, resulting in a domino assemblage of the starting materials. The resulting products were unambiguously and rigorously characterised based on IR, NMR (1D and 2D techniques), MS and X‐ray crystallography studies. Based on the results obtained from a series of reactions we also propose a mechanism for this unexpected synthesis which confirmed the involvement of in situ oxidation of ethanol and intermediacy of a 5‐aminopyrazole species.
Noble Gas Binding Ability of Metal‐Bipyridine Monocationic Complexes (Metal=Cu, Ag, Au): A Computational Study
Authors: Jana Gourhari , Saha Ranajit , Pan Sudip , Kumar Anand , Merino Gabriel , Chattaraj Pratim K.
Published: November 2016

Noble gas (Ng) binding ability of monocationic M‐bipyridine (M=Cu, Ag, Au) complexes is investigated at the MPW1B95/cc‐pVTZ/cc‐pVTZ‐PP level. While the bond dissociation energy, enthalpy change, and free energy change for the dissociation process are computed to assess the efficacy of the Ng binding ability of these complexes, topological analysis of electron density, natural bond orbital, and energy decomposition analyses are carried out to characterize the nature of Ng−M bonds. The range of Ng−M dissociation energy values is within 5.8‐13.7 kcal/mol for Cu, 4.0‐12.0 kcal/mol for Ag, and 5.5‐19.7 kcal/mol for Au complexes with gradual increase in moving from Ar to Rn. For a given Ng, the Ng binding ability is highest for Au followed by Cu and Ag complexes, except for the Ar case. In all the cases, the Kr−Rn dissociation processes from the respective bound complexes are endergonic in nature at room temperature. The interaction between Ng and M centers are supported dominantly by orbital and ionic interactions with almost equal contribution. The partial covalent nature of Ng−M bonds is also reflected in the topological analysis of electron density.
Brønsted Acid Ionic Liquids (BAILs) as Efficient and Recyclable Catalysts in the Conversion of Glycerol to Solketal at Room Temperature
Authors: Gui Zhenyou , Zahrtmann Nanette , Saravanamurugan Shunmugavel , Reyero Ines , Qi Zhiwen , Bañares Miguel A. , Riisager Anders , Garcia‐Suarez Eduardo J.
Published: November 2016

Brønsted acid ionic liquids (BAILs) have been prepared and applied for the first time ‐ to the best of our knowledge ‐ as efficient catalysts in the acetylation of glycerol with acetone to form solketal ((2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxolan‐4‐yl)methanol) at very mild reaction conditions (room temperature) and short reaction times. The BAILs showed a superior catalytic performance in terms of both conversion and selectivity compared to the common mineral acid methanesulfonic acid as well as to other reported homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Catalyst reusability was demonstrated with one of the BAILs (BAIL‐1), which was recovered and reused by a simple procedure in four consecutive reaction runs without any loss of catalytic activity and selectivity. Thus, the BAILs combine the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis with respect to excellent conversion and selectivity as well as easy recyclability.
Methyl 1,2‐Orthoesters in Acid‐Washed Molecular Sieves Mediated Glycosylations
Authors: Uriel Clara , Rijo Patricia , Fernandes Ana S. , Gómez Ana M. , Fraser‐Reid Bert , López J. Cristóbal
Published: November 2016

Glycosylation of alcohol derivatives with D‐mannose and D‐glucose derived methyl 1,2‐orthobenzoates can be promoted by commercially available acid‐washed 300 molecular sieves (AW‐MS), which functions both as promoter and as a drying agent in an operationally simple process. In this manner, glycosides can be obtained in good to excellent yields at room temperature, reflux, or under microwave (MW) heating. The usefulness of the process has been shown with the preparation of some diterpene glycosides.
Do foreign entrepreneurs benefit their firms as managers?
Authors: Kulchina Elena
Published: November 2016

Research summary: The entrepreneurship literature has extensively studied an individual's decision to found a new venture, but it has little to say about the individual's choice to operate this venture personally or hire an agent. This decision is particularly challenging for foreign entrepreneurs, who, in addition to traditional factors, such as agency costs and personal preferences, need to take into consideration the benefits and liabilities of foreignness. Using novel data on foreign entrepreneurial firms and instrumenting for the owner‐manager choice with a visa policy change, we find that managing foreign entrepreneurs significantly improve firm performance. Our results further suggest that foreign owner‐managers reduce operating costs but have no effect on the firm's productivity and growth.

Managerial summary: Immigrants represent a significant part of the population in the United States and Europe and are often more entrepreneurial than local nationals. However, a person starting a firm in a foreign country faces unique challenges. One important choice that a foreign entrepreneur has to make is whether to operate the firm personally or hire a local agent. Foreign entrepreneurs are often believed to be worse managers because they have limited local knowledge and skills. However, our results point to the contrary: We find that managing foreign entrepreneurs significantly improve firm performance by decreasing firms' operating costs. This happens because foreign owner‐managers often have access to unique resources, higher work incentives, and superior management skills acquired at home. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
3D Graphene Frameworks/Co3O4 Composites Electrode for High‐Performance Supercapacitor and Enzymeless Glucose Detection
Authors: Bao Lin , Li Tao , Chen Shu , Peng Chang , Li Ling , Xu Qian , Chen Yashao , Ou Encai , Xu Weijian
Published: November 2016

3D graphene frameworks/Co3O4 composites are produced by the thermal explosion method, in which the generation of Co3O4 nanoparticles, reduction of graphene oxide, and creation of 3D frameworks are simultaneously completed. The process prevents the agglomeration of Co3O4 particles effectively, resulting in monodispersed Co3O4 nanoparticles scattered on the 3D graphene frameworks evenly. The prepared 3D graphene frameworks/Co3O4 composites used as electrodes for supercapacitor display a definite improvement on electrochemical performance with high specific capacitance (≈1765 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1), good rate performance (≈1266 F g−1 at a current density of 20 A g−1), and excellent stability (≈93% maintenance of specific capacitance at a constant current density of 10 A g−1 after 5000 cycles). In addition, the composites are also employed as nonenzymatic sensors for the electrochemical detection of glucose, which exhibit high sensitivity (122.16 µA mM
−1 cm−2) and noteworthy lower detection limit (157 × 10−9
M, S/N = 3). Therefore, the authors expect that the 3D graphene frameworks/Co3O4 composites described here would possess potential applications as the electrode materials in supercapacitors and nonenzymatic detection of glucose.
Dual‐Stimuli Responsive Nanotheranostics for Multimodal Imaging Guided Trimodal Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Fang Shan , Lin Jing , Li Chunxiao , Huang Peng , Hou Wenxiu , Zhang Chunlei , Liu Jingjing , Huang Sisi , Luo Yongxiang , Fan Wenpei , Cui Daxiang , Xu Yunsheng , Li Zhiming
Published: November 2016

Multimodal imaging guided synergistic therapy promises more accurate diagnosis than any single imaging modality, and higher therapeutic efficiency than any single one or their simple “mechanical” combination. Herein, we report a dual‐stimuli responsive nanotheranostic based on a hierarchical nanoplatform, composed of mesoporous silica‐coated gold nanorods (GNR@SiO2), Indocyanine Green (ICG), and 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), for in vivo multimodal imaging guided synergistic therapy. The 5‐FU loaded ICG‐conjugated silica‐coated gold nanorods (GNR@SiO2‐5‐FU‐ICG) was able to response specifically to the two stimuli of pH change and near‐infrared (NIR) light irradiation. Both the NIR light irradiation and acidic environment accelerated the 5‐FU release. Meanwhile, the heat generation and singlet oxygen production can be induced by GNR@SiO2‐5‐FU‐ICG upon light irradiation. Most intriguingly, the nanoplatform also promises multimodal imaging such as two‐photon luminescence, fluorescence, photoacoustic, photothermal imaging, as well as trimodal synergistic therapy such as photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and chemotherapy. The cancer theranostic capability of GNR@SiO2‐5‐FU‐ICG was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The trimodal synergistic therapy with the guidance of multimodal imaging exhibited remarkably enhanced treatment efficacy. This concept of a hierarchical nanoplatform integrates multiple diagnostic/therapeutic modalities into one platform, which can potentially be applied as personalized nanomedicine with drug delivery, diagnosis, and treatment.