bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Visible‐Light‐Responsive RNA Scissors Based on a 10–23 DNAzyme
Authors: Kamiya Yukiko , Arimura Yu , Ooi Hideaki , Kato Kenjiro , Liang Xing‐Guo , Asanuma Hiroyuki
Published: April 2018

The 10–23 DNAzyme is an artificially developed functional oligonucleotide that can cleave RNA in a sequence‐specific manner. In this study, we designed a new photo‐driven DNAzyme incorporating a photoresponsive DNA overhang complementary to the catalytic core region. The photoresponsive overhang region of the DNAzyme included either azobenzene components (Azos) or 2,6‐dimethyl‐4‐(methylthio)azobenzene units (SDM‐Azos) each attached to a d‐threoninol linker. When the Azos or SDM‐Azos were in the trans form, the photoresponsive DNA overhang hybridized with the DNAzyme, and the RNA cleavage activity was suppressed. cis Isomerization of Azos or SDM‐Azos, induced by 365 or 400 nm light, respectively, destabilized the duplex between the photoresponsive overhang and the catalytic core, and the DNAzyme recovered RNA cleavage activity. Reversible photoswitching of the DNAzyme activity was achieved by use of specific light irradiation. Further, light‐dependent photoswitching of protein expression in the presence of the DNAzyme was demonstrated. Thus, this photo‐driven DNAzyme has potential for application as a photocontrolled gene silencing system and a photoactivatable gene expression system.
Fabrication of Hierarchical V2O5 Nanorods on TiO2 Nanofibers and Their Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity under Visible Light
Authors: Ghosh Monoj , Liu Jiawei , Chuang Steven S. C. , Jana Sadhan C.
Published: April 2018

We report photocatalytic activities of a set of mesoporous, hierarchical “nanorods‐on‐nanofiber” heterostructures produced from the organization of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanorods on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanofibers fabricated using gas jet fiber (GJF) spinning process. The precursor nanofibers spun from solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone), titanium tetraisopropoxide, and vanadium oxytriisopropoxide are calcined at 500–600 °C in air to yield the above hierarchical nanostructures. The calcination temperature and the composition of the spinning solutions are used as factors to obtain different sizes of the nanorods, nanofibers, and the crystallites. Photocatalytic oxidation of gas‐phase ethanol on the heterostructures under visible light at room temperature is studied. The materials calcined at 500 °C show oxidation of ethanol into carbon dioxide and water with about three orders of magnitude higher rate than single‐component V2O5 nanofibers and reference material V2O5 powder. The higher photocatalytic activity is attributed to the slowdown of the electron–hole charge recombination phenomena in the heterostructures as inferred from photoluminescence study. The heterostructure V2O5–TiO2 photocatalyst can be easily regenerated without sacrificing any photocatalytic performance.
Physicochemical Characterization of Wheat Straw during a Continuous Pretreatment Process
Authors: Molina-Guerrero Carlos Eduardo , de la Rosa Guadalupe , Castillo-Michel Hiram , Sánchez Arturo , García-Castañeda Concepción , Hernández-Rayas Angélica , Valdez-Vazquez Idania , Suarez-Vázquez Santiago
Published: April 2018

The changes occurring during the depolymerization of lignocellulosic biomasses are not yet fully understood. Synchrotron micro‐Fourier transform infrared (µ‐FTIR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) were applied for better characterization of wheat straw fibers during a continuous pretreatment process in terms of conditioning (C), extrusion (E), steam explosion (SE), and enzymatic hydrolysis (EH). µ‐FTIR revealed functional groups as phenylpropanoid polymers, ethers, and aliphatic alcohol. RS detected acetoacetate, methyl and phenol groups after SE. The crystallinity index and silica content were also determined.
Towards High‐Performance Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction: Inducing Atomic‐Level Reconstruction of Fe‐Nx Site for Atomically Dispersed Fe/N‐Doped Hierarchically Porous Carbon
Authors: Li Hanyu , Zhang Zhengping , Dou Meiling , Wang Feng
Published: April 2018

A rational and effective strategy for the synthesis of a high‐performance non‐precious metal electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was developed by inducing reconstruction of Fe‐Nx site on pig‐bone‐derived nitrogen‐doped hierarchically porous carbon. The resultant Fe/N‐doped carbon electrocatalyst possessed abundant atomically dispersed non‐planar Fe‐N4 ORR active sites, with absolute presence of active D1 (FeII‐N4) and D3 (N‐FeII‐N2+2) sites, as well as large specific surface area and three‐dimensional porous structure with hierarchical micro‐/meso‐/macro‐pore distribution, which increased the utilization of active sites and promoted mass transport of ORR reactants. This resulted in a remarkably superior ORR activity with half‐wave potential of 0.87 V (20 mV higher than Pt/C) and kinetic current density of 10.9 mA cm−2 at 0.85 V (2.3‐fold of Pt/C) in alkaline electrolyte. This methodology provides a route for atomic‐level design of high‐performance ORR electrocatalyst.
Molecular Tweezer/Guest Complexation with the Participation of Hydrogen Bonds: Toward the Formation of Orthogonal Supramolecular Polymers
Authors: Zhu Junlong , Zhong Dongling , Wang Cong , Chen Weiming , Wang Feng
Published: April 2018

Development of well‐ordered supramolecular assemblies via the biomimetic orthogonal principle has aroused significant attention in recent years. To attain this objective, the elaborate choice of fundamental building blocks, together with the deep insight into mutual interplay among various non‐covalent forces, are of vital importance. Herein, a novel molecular tweezer/guest recognition motif with enhanced binding affinity has been established, by virtue of the formation of intermolecular N−H−N hydrogen bonds. The non‐covalent complexation persists even with the presence of ureidopyrimidinone hydrogen bonding motifs, which facilitate the fabrication of dynamic supramolecular polymers via orthogonal self‐assembly. The study is valuable for designing synthetic supramolecular systems with a higher level of complexity.
Absolute Bioavailability of Osimertinib in Healthy Adults
Authors: Vishwanathan Karthick , So Karen , Thomas Karen , Bramley Alex , English Stephen , Collier Jo
Published: April 2018

Osimertinib is a third‐generation, central nervous system–active, epidermal growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR‐TKI) selective for EGFR‐TKI sensitizing and T790M resistance mutations. This phase 1, open‐label study (NCT02491944) investigated absolute bioavailability and pharmacokinetics (PK) of oral and intravenous (IV) osimertinib. Ten healthy subjects (21–61 years) received a single oral 80‐mg dose concomitantly with a 100 μg (containing 1 μCi) IV microtracer dose of [14C]osimertinib. Oral and IV PK were determined simultaneously for osimertinib and its active metabolites, AZ5104 and AZ7550. High‐performance liquid chromatography and accelerator mass spectrometry were used to characterize IV dose PK. Geometric mean absolute oral bioavailability of osimertinib was 69.8% (90% confidence interval, 66.7, 72.9). Oral osimertinib was slowly absorbed (median time to maximum plasma concentration [tmax] 7.0 hours). Following tmax, plasma concentrations fell in an apparent monophasic manner. IV clearance and volume of distribution were 16.8 L/h and 1285 L, respectively. Arithmetic mean elimination half‐life estimates were 59.7, 52.6, and 72.6 hours for osimertinib, AZ5104, and AZ7550, respectively (oral dosing), and 54.9, 68.4, and 99.7 hours for [14C]osimertinib, [14C]AZ5104, and [14C]AZ7550, respectively (IV dosing). Oral osimertinib was well absorbed. Simultaneous IV and oral PK analysis proved useful for complete understanding of osimertinib PK and showed that the first‐pass effect was minimal for osimertinib.
Redundancy‐bandwidth scalable techniques for signal‐independent element transition rates in high‐speed current‐steering DACs
Authors: Lai Longqiang , Li Xueqing , Yang Huazhong
Published: April 2018

This paper presents redundancy‐bandwidth scalable techniques to deal with the intersymbol interference distortions for current‐steering digital‐to‐analog converters in high‐speed applications. A switching strategy that explores the use of redundant current sources is proposed to realize a signal‐independent element transition rate, ie, the number of switching activities during the transition of successive sampling clock cycles. With a certain number of redundant current sources, this strategy significantly reduces the intersymbol interference distortions without oversampling operation or causing signal attenuation, which makes it appealing for high‐speed applications. As analyzed in this paper, the number of required redundant current sources is scalable for different bandwidth requirement in specific applications, leading to 3 redundancy‐bandwidth scalable trade‐offs between the cost from redundant current sources and the high‐dynamic‐range bandwidth. In implementation, we propose a custom‐designed decoder, named as the overlap‐controlled data‐weighted averaging (OC‐DWA). Compared with the existing similar‐purpose designs, the proposed OC‐DWA decoder realizes the current sources selection with a simple barrel rotator, which is of much lower hardware complexity and energy consumption. Simulations of a digital‐to‐analog converter with this decoder exhibit an enhanced dynamic range over the entire Nyquist band, which verifies the redundancy‐bandwidth scalability of the proposed techniques.
Provable analysis and improvement of smart card–based anonymous authentication protocols
Authors: Banaeian Far Saeed , Alagheband Mahdi R.
Published: April 2018

Nowadays, authentication protocols are essential for secure communications specially for roaming networks, distributed computer networks, and remote wireless communication. The numerous users in these networks rise vulnerabilities. Thus, privacy‐preserving methods have to be run to provide more reliable services and sustain privacy. Anonymous authentication is a method to remotely authenticate users with no revelation about their identity. In this paper, we analyze 2 smart card–based protocols that the user's identity is anonymous. However, we represent that they are vulnerable to privileged insider attack. It means that the servers can compromise the users' identity for breaking their privacy. Also, we highlight that the Wen et al protocol has flaws in both stolen smart card and stolen server attacks and the Odelu et al protocol is traceable. Then, we propose 2 modified anonymous authentication protocols. Finally, we analyze our improved protocols with both heuristic and formal methods.
Domino Two‐Step Oxidation of β‐Alkoxy Alcohols to Hemiacetal Esters: Linking a Stoichiometric Step to an Organocatalytic Step with a Common Organic Oxidant
Authors: Targel Tom , Ramesh Palakuri , Portnoy Moshe
Published: April 2018

Primary and secondary β‐alkoxy alcohols can be cleanly and efficiently oxidized into hemiacetal esters in a cascade two‐step process. mCPBA serves both as a stoichiometric oxidant in the first TEMPO‐catalyzed step, converting alcohols to aldehydes/ketones, and as a reagent in the second Baeyer–Villiger stoichiometric oxidation, transforming the aldehydes/ketones into hemiacetal esters. The use of an oxidant common to both steps enables the domino reaction to proceed under a single experimental setting. Longer oxidative cascade sequences are possible when this new methodology is applied to suitable substrates.
Development of green extraction processes for Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass valorization
Authors: Sánchez‐Camargo Andrea del Pilar , Pleite Natalia , Mendiola José Antonio , Cifuentes Alejandro , Herrero Miguel , Gilbert‐López Bienvenida , Ibáñez Elena
Published: April 2018

In the present work, the valorization of Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass is proposed within the concept of biorefinery. To this aim, high‐pressure homogenization (HPH) was used to break down the strong cell wall and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with pure CO2 was applied as a first step to extract valuable compounds (such as non‐polar lipids and pigments). Extraction of the remaining residue for the recovery of bioactive compounds was studied by means of an experimental design based on response surface methodology (RSM) employing pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) with green solvents such as water and ethanol. Optimum extract was achieved with pure ethanol at 170°C for 20 min, providing an important antioxidant capacity (0.72 ± 0.03 mmol trolox eq g−1 extract). Complete chemical characterization of the optimum extract was carried out by using different chromatographic methods such as reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (RP‐HPLC‐DAD), normal‐phase HPLC with evaporative light scattering detection (NP‐HPLC‐ELSD) and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry detection (GC‐MS); carotenoids (e.g. violaxanthin), chlorophylls and polar lipids were the main compounds observed while palmitoleic, palmitic, myristic acids and the polyunsaturated eicosapentanoic (EPA) acid were the predominant fatty acids in all PLE extracts.
Address negative perceptions about higher education
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

On top of changing demographics and declines in international student enrollment, college and university enrollment divisions face increasing questions about whether going to college is worth it. Many doubts students and parents have relate to the cost of completing a degree. It's clear that students and parents think college must be about job preparation, said Paul Marthers, vice provost for enrollment management at Emory University. There's growing sensitivity around indebtedness, added Scott Baumler, enrollment systems analyst at Grinnell College.
Empower employees to step away, with the greater goal of enhancing leadership
Authors: Skipworth Stan
Published: April 2018

News, sports scores, documents, music, television, and movies — all are instantly available. The descriptions of the very devices we choose to access these various information sources and systems highlight their speed: A computer with significantly greater memory and an enhanced processor and faster internet service create the expectation we are capable of handling greater amounts of data, will have a more enjoyable online experience, and will be more effective at work.
Help black men overcome barriers to graduation
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

The most rewarding part of David D. Page's job is attending commencement. As vice president for enrollment management at Dillard University in Louisiana, Page gets a front‐row seat as young people, many of them the first in their families to go to college, graduate. It's a joy to watch them celebrate their academic accomplishments.
GO Wrapping Yolk‐Shell S/MnO2 Nanocomposites as High Performance Cathode for Lithium/Sulfur Cells
Authors: Luo Chi , Yan Yin‐Xian , Wan Yong‐Hua , Hao Jun‐Wei , Liu Xiao‐Min , Yang Hui
Published: April 2018

The lithium/sulfur cell with high theoretical capacity has drawn much attention recently because of its high energy density and low cost. However, the shuttle effect caused by polysulfide dissolution and migration, and the destruction of cathode particles due to large volume expansion during lithiation, are the key challenges. Here, the novel graphene oxide (GO) wrapping sulfur‐MnO2 (S/MnO2/GO) nanocomposite is prepared with improved rate capability and cyclic performance. The inner layer is the protective layer of MnO2 shell, which accommodates the volume expansion of sulfur and minimizes polysulfides dissolution. The outer layer of fabricated graphene oxide is the stable layer, which gives further protection in suppressing the polysulfides dissolution in case the MnO2 shells crack. The cell with S/MnO2/GO electrode delivers 1378 mAh g−1 initial discharge capacity at the current density of 2 C and remains 818 mAh g−1 over 1000 cycles, which exhibits the very low fading rate of 0.04 % per cycle. Moreover, the S/MnO2/GO nanocomposites can be easily fabricated with our method.
Schweres Los
Authors: Stollberg‐Rilinger Barbara
Published: April 2018

Güterverteilungen, Bestrafungen oder auch Wahlen in Ämter – im Europa der frühen Neuzeit wurde vieles nach dem Zufallsprinzip entschieden. Als kommunikativer Vorgang und zeitgebundene symbolische Praxis betrachtet, ist diese Art der Entscheidungsfindung auch ein Mosaikstein zur Kulturgeschichte des Politischen.
Kurs: Ultralangsamer Gakkel‐Rücken
Authors: Schlindwein Vera
Published: April 2018

Plattentektonik, vulkanische Aktivität und Spreizung des Ozeanbodens in der Arktis: Die Emmy Noether‐Gruppe MOVE gewinnt nach aufwendigen Forschungs‐expeditionen und Erdbebenmessungen überraschende Erkenntnisse zur Entstehung und Struktur der Ozeanlithosphäre. Ein Werkstattbericht
Bühne frei!
Authors: Unterstell Rembert
Published: April 2018

Ausgezeichnete Spitzenleistungen, erster Auftritt der neuen Bundesministerin für Bildung und Forschung mit deutlichen Worten an die Länder: Verleihung der Leibniz‐Preise 2018 in Berlin
Inhibition of astroglial connexin43 hemichannels with TAT‐Gap19 exerts anticonvulsant effects in rodents
Authors: Walrave Laura , Pierre Anouk , Albertini Giulia , Aourz Najat , De Bundel Dimitri , Van Eeckhaut Ann , Vinken Mathieu , Giaume Christian , Leybaert Luc , Smolders Ilse
Published: April 2018

Accumulating evidence shows a key function for astrocytic connexin43 (Cx43) signaling in epilepsy. However, the lack of experimental distinction between Cx43 gap junction channels (GJCs) and hemichannels (HCs) has impeded the identification of the exact contribution of either channel configurations to epilepsy. We therefore investigated whether TAT‐Gap19, a Cx mimetic peptide that inhibits Cx43 HCs but not the corresponding Cx43 GJCs, influences experimentally induced seizures in rodents. Dye uptake experiments in acute hippocampal slices of mice demonstrated that astroglial Cx43 HCs open in response to the chemoconvulsant pilocarpine and this was inhibited by TAT‐Gap19. In vivo, pilocarpine‐induced seizures as well as the accompanying increase in D‐serine microdialysate levels were suppressed by Cx43 HC inhibition. Moreover, the anticonvulsant action of TAT‐Gap19 was reversed by exogenous D‐serine administration, suggesting that Cx43 HC inhibition protects against seizures by lowering extracellular D‐serine levels. The anticonvulsive properties of Cx43 HC inhibition were further confirmed in electrical seizure mouse models, i.e. an acute 6 Hertz (Hz) model of refractory seizures and a chronic 6 Hz corneal kindling model. Collectively, these results indicate that Cx43 HCs play a role in seizures and underscore their potential as a novel and druggable target in epilepsy treatment.
Neural correlates of processing emotional prosody in unipolar depression
Authors: Koch Katharina , Stegmaier Sophia , Schwarz Lena , Erb Michael , Reinl Maren , Scheffler Klaus , Wildgruber Dirk , Ethofer Thomas
Published: April 2018

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by a biased emotion perception. In the auditory domain, MDD patients have been shown to exhibit attenuated processing of positive emotions expressed by speech melody (prosody). So far, no neuroimaging studies examining the neural basis of altered processing of emotional prosody in MDD are available. In this study, we addressed this issue by examining the emotion bias in MDD during evaluation of happy, neutral, and angry prosodic stimuli on a five‐point Likert scale during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). As expected, MDD patients rated happy prosody less intense than healthy controls (HC). At neural level, stronger activation in the middle superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the amygdala was found in all participants when processing emotional as compared to neutral prosody. MDD patients exhibited an increased activation of the amygdala during processing prosody irrespective of valence while no significant differences between groups were found for the STG, indicating that altered processing of prosodic emotions in MDD occurs rather within the amygdala than in auditory areas. Concurring with the valence‐specific behavioral effect of attenuated evaluation of positive prosodic stimuli, activation within the left amygdala of MDD patients correlated with ratings of happy, but not neutral or angry prosody. Our study provides first insights in the neural basis of reduced experience of positive information and an abnormally increased amygdala activity during prosody processing.
Natural biological variation of white matter microstructure is accentuated in Huntington's disease
Authors: Gregory Sarah , Crawford Helen , Seunarine Kiran , Leavitt Blair , Durr Alexandra , Roos Raymund A. C. , Scahill Rachael I. , Tabrizi Sarah J. , Rees Geraint , Langbehn Douglas , Orth Michael
Published: April 2018

Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG‐repeat expansion in the Huntingtin gene. Presence of this expansion signifies certainty of disease onset, but only partly explains age at which onset occurs. Genome‐wide association studies have shown that naturally occurring genetic variability influences HD pathogenesis and disease onset. Investigating the influence of biological traits in the normal population, such as variability in white matter properties, on HD pathogenesis could provide a complementary approach to understanding disease modification. We have previously shown that while white matter diffusivity patterns in the left sensorimotor network were similar in controls and HD gene‐carriers, they were more extreme in the HD group. We hypothesized that the influence of natural variation in diffusivity on effects of HD pathogenesis on white matter is not limited to the sensorimotor network but extends to cognitive, limbic, and visual networks. Using tractography, we investigated 32 bilateral pathways within HD‐related networks, including motor, cognitive, and limbic, and examined diffusivity metrics using principal components analysis. We identified three independent patterns of diffusivity common to controls and HD gene‐carriers that predicted HD status. The first pattern involved almost all tracts, the second was limited to sensorimotor tracts, and the third encompassed cognitive network tracts. Each diffusivity pattern was associated with network specific performance. The consistency in diffusivity patterns across both groups coupled with their association with disease status and task performance indicates that naturally‐occurring patterns of diffusivity can become accentuated in the presence of the HD gene mutation to influence clinical brain function.
Frequencies and malignancy rates of 6‐tiered Bethesda categories of thyroid nodules according to ultrasound assessment and nodule size
Authors: Park Vivian Youngjean , Lee Hye Sun , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Kwak Jin Young , Yoon Jung Hyun , Moon Hee Jung
Published: April 2018

Background

The malignancy risk of thyroid nodules differs according to Bethesda category, ultrasound features, and nodule size.

Methods

In 2725 thyroid nodules that underwent ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration, frequencies and malignancy rates of Bethesda categories were compared according to size and ultrasound assessment.

Results

When comparing the ultrasound suspicious nodules ≤10 mm and >10 mm, the frequency of the benign cytology was statistically higher in the >10 mm group, whereas the nondiagnostic and suspicious for malignancy cytology were higher in the ≤10 mm group. In ultrasound suspicious nodules ≤10 mm, the malignancy rate of the benign cytology group was higher but that of the suspicious for malignancy cytology group was lower than the >10 mm group.

Conclusion

Benign and suspicious for malignant cytological results are more reliable in thyroid nodules >10 mm compared to ≤10 mm displaying suspicious ultrasound features.
The New Accounting Standard for Revenue Recognition: Do Implementation Issues Differ for Fortune 500 Companies?
Authors: Jonick Christine , Benson Debra
Published: April 2018

The purpose of this study is to discover how a sample group of Fortune 500 companies is preparing for adoption of the new revenue recognition standard and how these companies expect it will the impact their current operations. Existing research involved large samples of public and private companies of all sizes. This exploratory investigation seeks to determine if Fortune 500 companies are experiencing different implementation timelines or issues as a result of their size. A survey of chief accounting officers was conducted to discover perceptions of how the new standard will impact various aspects of their respective companies. The study also reports the progress that these companies have made in preparing for and implementing the new revenue recognition standard. Findings indicate that these companies expect to change internal policies and procedures, yet do not anticipate that the new standard will impact product and services offerings. The results of this pilot study, based on a relatively small sample, begin to offer some insight into issues and perceptions of large publicly‐held companies and can serve as a starting point for more extensive research. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
What Drives Developing and Transitional Countries to Adopt the IFRS for SMEs? An Institutional Perspective
Authors: Sellami Yosra Mnif , Gafsi Yosra
Published: April 2018

With the awareness of the socioeconomic importance of small- and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and the growing demand for a high‐quality accounting framework for these businesses, the International Accounting Standards Board issued on July 9, 2009 a simplified version of financial reporting standards (IFRS for SMEs) to meet the specific needs of such entities. Recently, there is an increasing widespread acceptance of this standard around the world. While considerable effort has been made to explain the worldwide diffusion of full IFRS, still little empirical evidence on the factors influencing the IFRS for SMEs adoption has been undertaken. This study seeks to examine the institutional factors associated with the adoption of the IFRS for SMEs specifically in the context of developing and transitional economies. Based on a sample of 70 countries, the research results show that SMEs' importance, country's reliance on external funding, and external openness degree positively affect the IFRS for SMEs adoption. They reveal a negative effect of tax system and governance quality on this decision. However, education level and prior adoption of full IFRS are nonsignificant factors. These results are relevant to practitioners, SMEs' potential investors, standard setters, regulators, CPA firms, SMEs' managers, and policy‐makers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aggregation‐Enhanced Emission of Fluorescent‐Gemini Surfactants with High Photostability for Cell‐Membrane Imaging
Authors: Peng Jinwen , Deng Junjie , Huang Xuebing , Sun Pengfei , Deng Weixing
Published: April 2018

In situ studies of the aggregation behavior of traditional surfactants at the liquid interface using spectroscopic methods are often significantly affected by the large volume of fluorescent groups, such as pyrene. Fluorescent‐Gemini surfactants provide an ideal solution since the fluorescent block can be designed as a spacer or a tail. In this work, we report the synthesis of a new fluorescent‐Gemini surfactant with a rigid spacer (referred to as 8‐TBT‐8). The aggregation behavior and application in cell‐membrane imaging were investigated. The unique aggregation behavior in an organic solvent and aqueous solution was studied using spectroscopy. UV–vis and photoluminescence spectra of 8‐TBT‐8 revealed that this new fluorescent surfactant forms H aggregates in organic solution to give blue emission, whereas it forms J aggregates in aqueous solution to give green fluorescence under UV light. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of 8‐TBT‐8 increases abruptly at concentrations higher than the critical micellization concentration. Good photostability and a unique structure make the synthesized Gemini surfactant very suitable for membrane imaging.
Comparison of Superb Microvascular Imaging With Color Flow and Power Doppler Imaging of Small Hepatocellular Carcinomas
Authors: Dubinsky Theodore J. , Revels Jonathan , Wang Sherry , Toia Giuseppe , Sonneborn Rachelle , Hippe Daniel S. , Erpelding Todd
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to compare Superb Microvascular Imaging (SMI; Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin, CA) with conventional color flow Doppler (CFD) and power Doppler (PD) imaging in the liver to distinguish between malignant and benign liver neoplasms.

Methods

After Institutional Review Board approval (number 449984‐ED), patients undergoing routine pre–radiofrequency ablation planning ultrasound examinations for suspected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) of less than 2 cm in diameter between January 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016, were prospectively identified. Four readers reviewed the ultrasound images independently for the presence or absence of flow centrally and along the periphery of the lesion.

Results

Higher peripheral vessel grades were found on SMI than CFD (P < .001) and PD (P < .001) imaging: in particular, more grade 2 (39% versus 16% and 11%, respectively) and grade 3 (8% versus 0% and 0%). Overall, more central and peripheral vessels were found on SMI than CFD and PD imaging for both HCC lesions (P < .001) and benign lesions (P < .001). Vascular grades were significantly higher in HCC lesions than benign lesions in nearly all cases, although the corresponding area under the curve values were relatively low, at 0.54 to 0.59 for the central vessel grades and 0.63 to 0.64 for the peripheral vessel grades.

Conclusions

More central and peripheral vessels were found around liver lesions on SMI than on CFD and PD imaging. Although there was significantly more vascularity on the periphery of malignant liver lesions than benign lesions, the overall diagnostic performance based on this criterion alone was relatively low, with an area under the curve of 0.64.
The Impact of Acceptor–Acceptor Homocoupling on the Optoelectronic Properties and Photovoltaic Performance of PDTSQxff Low Bandgap Polymers
Authors: Pirotte Geert , Kesters Jurgen , Cardeynaels Tom , Verstappen Pieter , D'Haen Jan , Lutsen Laurence , Champagne Benoît , Vanderzande Dirk , Maes Wouter
Published: April 2018

Push–pull‐type conjugated polymers applied in organic electronics do not always contain a perfect alternation of donor and acceptor building blocks. Misscouplings can occur, which have a noticeable effect on the device performance. In this work, the influence of homocoupling on the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of PDTSQxff polymers is investigated, with a specific focus on the quinoxaline acceptor moieties. A homocoupled biquinoxaline segment is intentionally inserted in specific ratios during the polymerization. These homocoupled units cause a gradually blue‐shifted absorption, while the highest occupied molecular orbital energy levels decrease only significantly upon the presence of 75–100% of homocouplings. Density functional theory calculations show that the homocoupled acceptor unit generates a twist in the polymer backbone, which leads to a decreased conjugation length and a reduced aggregation tendency. The virtually defect‐free PDTSQxff affords a solar cell efficiency of 5.4%, which only decreases substantially upon incorporating a homocoupling degree over 50%.
On a class of coupled Hamiltonian operators and their integrable hierarchies with two potentials
Authors: Gu Xiang , Ma Wen‐Xiu
Published: April 2018

We discuss at first in this paper the Gauge equivalence among several u‐linear Hamiltonian operators and present explicitly the associated Gauge transformation of Bäcklund type among them. We then establish the sufficient and necessary conditions for the linear superposition of the discussed u‐linear operators and matrix differential operators with constant coefficients of arbitrary order to be Hamiltonian, which interestingly shows that the resulting Hamiltonian operators survive only up to the third differential order. Finally, we explore a few illustrative examples of integrable hierarchies from Hamiltonian pairs embedded in the resulting Hamiltonian operators.
Piperine Promotes Glucose Uptake through ROS‐Dependent Activation of the CAMKK/AMPK Signaling Pathway in Skeletal Muscle
Authors: Maeda Ayumi , Shirao Takeshi , Shirasaya Daishi , Yoshioka Yasukiyo , Yamashita Yoko , Akagawa Mitsugu , Ashida Hitoshi
Published: April 2018

Scope

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing yearly worldwide. Glycemic control is the basis for the treatment of T2DM, as it can prevent the progress of associated complications. Spices possess various health beneficial effects on humans. The aim of this study is to search for spices that can promote glucose uptake and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanism(s).

Methods and Results

Among 24 spice extracts, the extracts from black pepper and white pepper significantly increase glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. Piperine is found to be the active compound in these extracts. Treatment of myotubes with piperine induces the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) to the plasma membrane by phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). Piperine increases the intracellular Ca2+ level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 (TRPV1), followed by activation of Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase‐beta (CaMKKβ) as the upstream events for AMPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, oral administration of piperine to Wistar rats at 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg−1 body weight decreases postprandial hyperglycemia accompanied by GLUT4 translocation and AMPK phosphorylation.

Conclusion

Piperine in pepper prevents hyperglycemia by GLUT4 translocation through CaMKKβ/AMPK signaling via TRPV1‐dependent increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level and ROS generation.
Trends in the use of older overactive bladder agents and uptake of fesoterodine and mirabegron in Canada
Authors: Minhas Rajwant , Tadrous Mina , Elterman Dean , Gomes Tara
Published: April 2018

Aims

To examine early trends in the use of overactive bladder (OAB) agents across Canada, with a focus on initial uptake and reimbursement of two newer agents: fesoterodine, an anticholinergic, and mirabegron, a therapeutically novel beta‐3 agonist.

Methods

We conducted a population‐based cross‐sectional study of outpatient prescriptions for long‐acting oral OAB agents dispensed to individuals in Canada between May 2010 and April 2015 to examine the differences in the uptake of the newer agents and their reimbursement through cash, private, and public payers.

Results

The national dispensing rate of OAB agents increased by 60% from May 2010 to April 2015 (from 924 to 1475 units per 10 000). We observed an increase in the dispensing rate of fesoterodine, solifenacin, and mirabegron, but a decrease in that of tolterodine and oxybutynin. Mirabegron was adopted rapidly after Health Canada approval, growing to a rate of 191 units per 10 000 by study completion, with its uptake being primarily funded through private payers (72.2%). Conversely, fesoterodine's uptake was minimal (8.3 units per 10 000) prior to its listing on public plans. This increased to 185 units per 10 000 by study completion, with the majority (65%) paid for by public insurers.

Conclusions

The differences in the uptake and reimbursement of two new OAB agents emphasize the impact of therapeutically novel agents on the prescription rates of older OAB agents with significant adverse effects. Further studies are needed to explain changes in the dispensing rates as more provinces list the newer drugs on their formulary.
Algorithms for node‐weighted Steiner tree and maximum‐weight connected subgraph
Authors: Buchanan Austin , Wang Yiming , Butenko Sergiy
Published: April 2018

This article considers the node‐weighted Steiner tree (NWST) problem and the maximum‐weight connected subgraph (MWCS) problem, which have applications in the design of telecommunication networks and the analysis of biological networks. Exact algorithms with provable worst‐case runtimes are provided. The first algorithm for NWST runs in time for n‐vertex instances when the number of terminals is bounded. It is based on dynamic programming and generalizes a Steiner tree algorithm of Dreyfus and Wagner. When used alongside Hakimi's spanning tree enumeration algorithm, it implies a time algorithm for NWST. It is also shown that Hakimi's 46‐year‐old algorithm for Steiner tree is essentially best‐possible under the strong exponential time hypothesis (SETH). Then two algorithms for MWCS are provided. Their runtimes are polynomial in the number of vertices of the graph, but exponential in the number of vertices that have positive (or negative) weight. The latter is shown to be essentially best‐possible under SETH. Together, they imply that MWCS can be solved in time . To the best of the authors’ knowledge, these are the first improvements over exhaustive search in the literature.
Inf‐sup stability of Petrov‐Galerkin immersed finite element methods for one‐dimensional elliptic interface problems
Authors: Ji Haifeng , Zhang Qian , Zhang Bin
Published: April 2018

In this article, we analyze the Petrov‐Galerkin immersed finite element method (PG‐IFEM) when applied to one‐dimensional elliptic interface problems. In the PG‐IFEM (T. Hou, X. Wu and Y. Zhang, Commun. Math. Sci., 2 (2004), 185‐205, and S. Hou and X. Liu, J. Comput. Phys., 202 (2005), 411‐445), the classic immersed finite element (IFE) space was taken as the trial space while the conforming linear finite element space was taken as the test space. We first prove the inf‐sup condition of the PG‐IFEM and then show the optimal error estimate in the energy norm. We also show the optimal estimate of the condition number of the stiffness matrix. The results are extended to two dimensional problems in a special case.
Combining conversation analysis and event sequencing to study health communication
Authors: Pecanac Kristen E.
Published: April 2018

Good communication is essential in patient‐centered care. The purpose of this paper is to describe conversation analysis and event sequencing and explain how integrating these methods strengthened the analysis in a study of communication between clinicians and surrogate decision makers in an intensive care unit. Conversation analysis was first used to determine how clinicians introduced the need for decision‐making regarding life‐sustaining treatment and how surrogate decision makers responded. Event sequence analysis then was used to determine the transitional probability (probability of one event leading to another in the interaction) that a given type of clinician introduction would lead to surrogate resistance or alignment. Conversation analysis provides a detailed analysis of the interaction between participants in a conversation. When combined with a quantitative analysis of the patterns of communication in an interaction, these data add information on the communication strategies that produce positive outcomes. Researchers can apply this mixed‐methods approach to identify beneficial conversational practices and design interventions to improve health communication.
Why brands should foster political sustainability
Authors: Bohnen Johannes , Hennies Lutz‐Peter
Published: April 2018

Sustainability figures prominently in the rhetoric around the nonfinancial responsibilities of business, as is manifest in the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Often, however, sustainability assumes a narrow social and ecological meaning. A more comprehensive and apt concept would instead focus on the political dimension of sustainability. The long‐term success of business depends primarily on sound institutions as embodied in the liberal democratic state. Therefore, companies should invest politically in strengthening the public realm—to their own benefit. CSR misses this strategic nexus; rather, the business case lies in the adoption of a corporate political responsibility (CPR). Advocating for a broad definition of what is political, the paper lays out concrete CPR fields of action that allow companies to become political brands. As a holistic concept to conceive of the interface between business and politics, CPR does not only help to secure a company's longevity, but also reorients our understanding and practice of public affairs.
A Framework for Testing Causality in Personality Research
Authors: Costantini Giulio , Perugini Marco
Published: April 2018

Causal explanations in personality require conceptual clarity about alternative causal conditions that could, even in principle, affect personality. These causal conditions crucially depend on the theoretical model of personality, each model constraining the possibility of planning and performing causal research in different ways. We discuss how some prominent models of personality allow for specific types of causal research and impede others. We then discuss causality from a network perspective, which sees personality as a phenomenon that emerges from a network of behaviours and environments over time. From a methodological perspective, we propose a three–step strategy to investigate causality: (1) identify a candidate target for manipulation (e.g. using network analysis), (2) identify and test a manipulation (e.g. using laboratory research), and (3) deliver the manipulation repeatedly for a congruous amount of time (e.g. using ecological momentary interventions) and evaluate its ability to generate trait change. We discuss how a part of these steps was implemented for trait conscientiousness and present a detailed plan for implementing the remaining steps. Copyright © 2018 European Association of Personality Psychology
Risk for use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotics in partners of glioma patients—A nationwide study covering 19 years of prescriptions
Authors: Jansson Maria R.N. , von Heymann‐Horan Annika , Rasmussen Birthe K. , Albieri Vanna , Frederiksen Kirsten , Suppli Nis , Dalton Susanne O. , Johansen Christoffer , Bidstrup Pernille E.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Suffering from malignant brain tumor is a stressful condition, for patients and their partners. In a retrospective cohort study using nationwide registries, we examined partners' risk for first use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, or hypnotics.

Methods

We followed all 4373 partners of adults with glioma, diagnosed in 1998 to 2013 in Denmark and a cohort of 43 808 partners of glioma‐free persons matched 1:10. In Cox proportional hazard models, we estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for a first prescription of psychotropic medications (antidepressants, anxiolytics, or hypnotics) according to the partner's glioma status. Among partners of glioma patients, we further estimated HRs for a first prescription of psychotropic medication according to disease characteristics, sociodemographic factors, and bereavement.

Results

Two years after diagnosis, 29% of female and 21% of male partners of glioma patients had had a first prescription of psychotropic medication compared with 10% in female and 8% in male partners of glioma‐free persons. Partners of glioma patients had a significantly increased, 4‐fold higher risk for a first prescription of psychotropic medications in the first year after diagnosis than partners of glioma‐free persons (HR 4.10, 95% CI, 3.80:4.43). Among partners of glioma patients, the risk was significantly reduced in bereaved compared with non‐bereaved partners.

Conclusions

We have documented, for the first time, that the psychological impact of a diagnosis of glioma is such a severe stress exposure that it increases the risk for having medication prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety, sleep problems, and depression.
Differential expression of Annexin 2, SPINK1, and Hsp60 predict progression of prostate cancer through bifurcated WHO Gleason score categories in African American men
Authors: Beyene Desta A. , Naab Tammey J. , Kanarek Norma F. , Apprey Victor , Esnakula Ashwini , Khan Farahan A. , Blackman Marc R. , Brown Collis A. , Hudson Tamaro S.
Published: April 2018

Background

Although studies have observed several markers correlate with progression of prostate cancer (PCa), no specific markers have been identified that accurately predict the progression of this disease, even in African American (AA) men who are generally at higher risk than other ethnic groups. The primary goal of this study was to explore whether three markers could predict the progression of PCa.

Method

We investigated protein expression of Annexin 2 (ANX2), serine peptidase inhibitor, kazal type 1(SPINK1)/tumor‐associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), and heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) in 79 archival human prostate trans‐rectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy tissues according to a modified World Health Organization (WHO) classification: normal (WHO1a), Gleason Score (GS6 (WHO1b), GS7 subgroups (WHO2 = 3 + 4, WHO3 = 4 + 3), GS8 (WHO4), and GS9‐10 (WHO5). AA men aged 41‐90 diagnosed from 1990 to 2013 at Howard University were included. Automated staining assessed expression of each biomarker. Spearman correlation assessed the direction and relationship between biomarkers, WHO and modified WHO GS, age, and 5‐year survival. A two‐tailed t‐test and ANOVA evaluated biomarkers expression in relationship to WHO normal and other GS levels, and between WHO GS levels. A logistic and linear regression analysis examined the relationship between biomarker score and WHO GS categories. Kaplan‐Meier curves graphed survival.

Results

ANX2 expression decreased monotonically with the progression of PCa while expression of SPINK1/TATI and Hsp60 increased but had a more WHO GS‐specific effect; SPINK1/TATI differed between normal and GS 2‐6 and HSP60 differed between GS 7 and GS 2‐6. WHO GS was found to be significantly and negatively associated with ANX2, and positively with SPINK1/TATI and Hsp60 expression. High SPINK1/TATI expression together with the low ANX2 expression at higher GS exhibited a bi‐directional relationship that is associated with PCa progression and survival.

Conclusion

Importantly, the data reveal that ANX2, and SPINK1/TAT1 highly associate with WHO GS and with the transition from one stage of PrCa to the next in AA men. Future research is needed in biracial and larger population studies to confirm this dynamic relationship between ANX2 and SPINK1 as independent predictors of PCa progression in all men.
Diagnosis, monitoring and management of chronic asthma
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: April 2018

In November 2017, NICE published a new guideline on the diagnosis and management of chronic asthma (NG80). This article provides an overview of the guidance, and how it differs from the 2016 joint British Thoracic Society/SIGN guideline.
Kyleena: a new five‐year levonorgestrel‐releasing IUS
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: April 2018

Kyleena is a new levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system (IUS) with a small frame that is indicated for contraception for up to five years. This article discusses its properties, contraceptive efficacy and adverse effects.
A linear‐time method for computing the ANOS of Bernoulli and Poisson CUSUM charts
Authors: Pollard Emma , Davis Darwin , Saniga Erwin , Lucas James
Published: April 2018

The average number of observations to signal (ANOS) is an important measure of the effectiveness of Bernoulli or Poisson cumulative sum (CUSUM) control charts. Being able to quickly and accurately calculate an ANOS vector facilitates effective control chart design. We present a linear‐time method for computing the ANOS of Bernoulli CUSUM charts and generalize to Poisson CUSUM charts. This method overcomes computation challenges associated with previously existing methods.