bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Meta‐Analysis of Hypnotherapeutic Techniques in the Treatment of PTSD Symptoms
Authors: O'Toole Siobhan K. , Solomon Shelby L. , Bergdahl Stephen A.
Published: February 2016

The efficacy of hypnotherapeutic techniques as treatment for symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was explored through meta‐analytic methods. Studies were selected through a search of 29 databases. Altogether, 81 studies discussing hypnotherapy and PTSD were reviewed for inclusion criteria. The outcomes of 6 studies representing 391participants were analyzed using meta‐analysis. Evaluation of effect sizes related to avoidance and intrusion, in addition to overall PTSD symptoms after hypnotherapy treatment, revealed that all studies showed that hypnotherapy had a positive effect on PTSD symptoms. The overall Cohen's d was large (−1.18) and statistically significant (p < .001). Effect sizes varied based on study quality; however, they were large and statistically significant. Using the classic fail‐safe N to assess for publication bias, it was determined it would take 290 nonsignificant studies to nullify these findings.
Polydopamine Inter‐Fiber Networks: New Strategy for Producing Rigid, Sticky, 3D Fluffy Electrospun Fibrous Polycaprolactone Sponges
Authors: Choi Wuyong , Lee Slgirim , Kim Seung‐Hyun , Jang Jae‐Hyung
Published: February 2016

Designing versatile 3D interfaces that can precisely represent a biological environment is a prerequisite for the creation of artificial tissue structures. To this end, electrospun fibrous sponges, precisely mimicking an extracellular matrix and providing highly porous interfaces, have capabilities that can function as versatile physical cues to regenerate various tissues. However, their intrinsic features, such as sheet‐like, thin, and weak structures, limit the design of a number of uses in tissue engineering applications. Herein, a highly facile methodology capable of fabricating rigid, sticky, spatially expanded fluffy electrospun fibrous sponges is proposed. A bio‐inspired adhesive material, poly(dopamine) (pDA), is employed as a key mediator to provide rigidity and stickiness to the 3D poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) fibrous sponges, which are fabricated using a coaxial electrospinning with polystyrene followed by a selective leaching process. The iron ion induced oxidation of dopamine into pDA networks interwoven with PCL fibers results in significant increases in the rigidity of 3D fibrous sponges. Furthermore, the exposure of catecholamine groups on the fiber surfaces promotes the stable attachment of the sponges on wet organ surfaces and triggers the robust immobilization of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and gene vectors), demonstrating their potential for 3D scaffolds as well as drug delivery vehicles. Because fibrous structures are ubiquitous in the human body, these rigid, sticky, 3D fibrous sponges are good candidates for powerful biomaterial systems that functionally mimic a variety of tissue structures.

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Chain Transfer in Degenerative RAFT Polymerization Revisited: A Comparative Study of Literature Methods
Authors: Derboven Pieter , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Reyniers Marie‐Françoise , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , D'hooge Dagmar R. , Marin Guy B.
Published: February 2016

Under the validity of the degenerative transfer mechanism, the activation/deactivation process in reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization can be formally quantified by transfer coefficients, depending on the chemical structure of the participating radicals and dormant species. In the present work, the different literature methods to experimentally determine these RAFT transfer coefficients are reviewed and theoretically re‐evaluated. The accuracy of each method is mapped for a broad range of reaction conditions and RAFT transfer reactivities. General guidelines on when which method should be applied are formulated.

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The Small GTP‐Binding Protein Rhes Influences Nigrostriatal‐Dependent Motor Behavior During Aging
Authors: Pinna Annalisa , Napolitano Francesco , Pelosi Barbara , Di Maio Anna , Wardas Jadwiga , Casu Maria Antonietta , Costa Giulia , Migliarini Sara , Calabresi Paolo , Pasqualetti Massimo , Morelli Micaela , Usiello Alessandro
Published: February 2016

Background

Here we aimed to evaluate: (1) Rhes mRNA expression in mouse midbrain, (2) the effect of Rhes deletion on the number of dopamine neurons, (3) nigrostriatal‐sensitive behavior during aging in knockout mice.

Methods

Radioactive in situ hybridization was assessed in adult mice. The beam‐walking test was executed in 3‐, 6‐ and 12‐month‐old mice. Immunohistochemistry of midbrain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)–positive neurons was performed in 6‐ and 12‐month‐old mice.

Results

Rhes mRNA is expressed in TH‐positive neurons of SNpc and the ventral tegmental area. Moreover, lack of Rhes leads to roughly a 20% loss of nigral TH‐positive neurons in both 6‐ and 12‐month‐old mutants, when compared with their age‐matched controls. Finally, lack of Rhes triggers subtle alterations in motor performance and coordination during aging.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate a fine‐tuning role of Rhes in regulating the number of TH‐positive neurons of the substantia nigra and nigrostriatal‐sensitive motor behavior during aging. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A cumulative genetic risk score predicts progression in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Pihlstrøm Lasse , Morset Kristina Rebekka , Grimstad Espen , Vitelli Valeria , Toft Mathias
Published: February 2016

Background

The contribution of genetic variability to clinical heterogeneity in Parkinson's disease is insufficiently understood. We aimed to investigate the effect of cumulative genetic risk on clinical outcomes.

Methods

In a single‐center study of 336 patients we genotyped 19 independent susceptibility variants identified in genome‐wide association studies of Parkinson's disease. We tested for association between a cumulative genetic risk score and 3 outcome measures: survival, time until progression to Hoehn and Yahr stage 3, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor score severity.

Results

Genetic risk score was significantly associated with time from diagnosis to Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 in a Cox regression model (P = 0.010). We observed no clear association for the other outcomes.

Conclusions

We present results linking cumulative genetic risk to a motor outcome in Parkinson's disease. Our findings provide a valuable starting point for future large‐scale efforts to map the genetic determinants of phenotypic variability. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Environmental and occupational risk factors for progressive supranuclear palsy: Case‐control study
Authors: Litvan Irene , Lees Peter S.J. , Cunningham Christopher R. , Rai Shesh N. , Cambon Alexander C. , Standaert David G. , Marras Connie , Juncos Jorge , Riley David , Reich Stephen , Hall Deborah , Kluger Benzi , Bordelon Yvette , Shprecher David R. ,   for ENGENE‐PSP
Published: February 2016

Background

The cause of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is largely unknown. Based on evidence for impaired mitochondrial activity in PSP, we hypothesized that the disease may be related to exposure to environmental toxins, some of which are mitochondrial inhibitors.

Methods

This multicenter case‐control study included 284 incident PSP cases of 350 cases and 284 age‐, sex‐, and race‐matched controls primarily from the same geographical areas. All subjects were administered standardized interviews to obtain data on demographics, residential history, and lifetime occupational history. An industrial hygienist and a toxicologist unaware of case status assessed occupational histories to estimate past exposure to metals, pesticides, organic solvents, and other chemicals.

Results

Cases and controls were similar on demographic factors. In unadjusted analyses, PSP was associated with lower education, lower income, more smoking pack‐years, more years of drinking well water, more years living on a farm, more years living 1 mile from an agricultural region, more transportation jobs, and more jobs with exposure to metals in general. However, in adjusted models, only more years of drinking well water was significantly associated with PSP. There was an inverse association with having a college degree.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence for a specific causative chemical exposure; higher number of years of drinking well water is a risk factor for PSP. This result remained significant after adjusting for income, smoking, education and occupational exposures. This is the first case‐control study to demonstrate PSP is associated with environmental factors. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Convergence and best proximity points for Berinde's cyclic contraction with proximally complete property
Authors: Sanhan Sujitra , Mongkolkeha Chirasak
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we introduce the concept of Berinde's cyclic contraction that is a generalized cyclic contraction mapping by using the idea of weak contraction mapping which is defined by Berinde and prove best proximity point theorems for such a mapping in metric space with proximally complete property, Our results improve and extend the recent results of Eldred and Veeramani and some authors. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting and controlling the Ebola infection
Authors: Rachah Amira , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: February 2016

We present a comparison between two different mathematical models used in the description of the Ebola virus propagation currently occurring in West Africa. In order to improve the prediction and the control of the propagation of the virus, numerical simulations and optimal control of the two models for Ebola are investigated. In particular, we study when the two models generate similar results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hypercomplex analysis and integration of systems of ordinary differential equations
Authors: Soh Célestin Wafo , Mahomed Fazal M.
Published: February 2016

We review the theory of hypercomplex numbers and hypercomplex analysis with the ultimate goal of applying them to issues related to the integration of systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). We introduce the notion of hypercomplexification, which allows the lifting of some results known for scalar ODEs to systems of ODEs. In particular, we provide another approach to the construction of superposition laws for some Riccati‐type systems, we obtain invariants of Abel‐type systems, we derive integrable Ermakov systems through hypercomplexification, we address the problem of linearization by hypercomplexification, and we provide a solution to the inverse problem of the calculus of variations for some systems of ODEs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Remarks on asymptotic behaviors of strong solutions to a viscous Boussinesq system
Authors: Weng Shangkun
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we first address the space‐time decay properties for higher‐order derivatives of strong solutions to the Boussinesq system in the usual Sobolev space. The decay rates obtained here are optimal. The proof is based on a parabolic interpolation inequality, bootstrap argument, and some weighted estimates. Secondly, we present a new solution integration formula for the Boussinesq system, which will be employed to establish the existence of strong solutions for small initial data in some scaling invariant function spaces. The smallness conditions are somehow weaker than those presented by Brandolese and Schonbek. We further investigate the asymptotic profiles and decay properties of these strong solutions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of peripheral near‐infrared spectroscopy low‐frequency oscillations to other denoising methods in resting state functional MRI with ultrahigh temporal resolution
Authors: Hocke Lia M. , Tong Yunjie , Lindsey Kimberly P. , de B. Frederick Blaise
Published: February 2016

Purpose

Functional MRI (fMRI) blood–oxygen level–dependent (BOLD) signals result not only from neuronal activation, but also from nonneuronal physiological processes. These changes, especially in the low‐frequency domain (0.01–0.2 Hz), can significantly confound inferences about neuronal processes. It is crucial to effectively identify these nuisance low‐frequency oscillations (LFOs).

Method

A high temporal resolution (repetition time, ∼0.5 s) fMRI resting state study was conducted with simultaneous physiological measurements to compare LFOs measured directly by near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the periphery and three methods that model LFOs from the respiration or cardiac signal: 1) the respiration volume per time (RVT), 2) the respiratory variation (RVRRF), and 3) the cardiac variation method (HRCRF). The LFO noise regressors from these methods were compared temporally and spatially as well as in their denoising efficiency.

Results

Methods were not highly correlated with one another, temporally or spatially. The set of two NIRS LFOs combined explained over 13% of BOLD signal variance and explained equal or more variance than HRCRF and RVRRF or RVT combined (in 14 of 16 participants).

Conclusion

LFOs collected using NIRS in the periphery contain distinct temporal and spatial information about the LFOs in BOLD fMRI that is not contained in current low‐frequency denoising methods derived from respiration and cardiac pulsation. Magn Reson Med 76:1697–1707, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Targeted vessel reconstruction in non‐contrast‐enhanced steady‐state free precession angiography
Authors: Ilicak Efe , Cetin Suheyla , Bulut Elif , Oguz Kader Karli , Saritas Emine Ulku , Unal Gozde , Çukur Tolga
Published: February 2016

Image quality in non‐contrast‐enhanced (NCE) angiograms is often limited by scan time constraints. An effective solution is to undersample angiographic acquisitions and to recover vessel images with penalized reconstructions. However, conventional methods leverage penalty terms with uniform spatial weighting, which typically yield insufficient suppression of aliasing interference and suboptimal blood/background contrast. Here we propose a two‐stage strategy where a tractographic segmentation is employed to auto‐extract vasculature maps from undersampled data. These maps are then used to incur spatially adaptive sparsity penalties on vascular and background regions. In vivo steady‐state free precession angiograms were acquired in the hand, lower leg and foot. Compared with regular non‐adaptive compressed sensing (CS) reconstructions (CSlow), the proposed strategy improves blood/background contrast by 71.3 ± 28.9% in the hand (mean ± s.d. across acceleration factors 1–8), 30.6 ± 11.3% in the lower leg and 28.1 ± 7.0% in the foot (signed‐rank test, P < 0.05 at each acceleration). The proposed targeted reconstruction can relax trade‐offs between image contrast, resolution and scan efficiency without compromising vessel depiction. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Public values and administrative reforms in French health care
Authors: Simonet Daniel
Published: February 2016

Public value appears to be reborn out of the ashes of earlier failed new public management (NPM)‐driven policies in health care. It advocates greater consultation of the civic society and autonomy of public managers in decision‐making. In France, the 2009 Hospital, Patient, Health, and Territory law recentralized the health system and strengthened the central government to restore consistency in policy implementation and address earlier NPM shortcomings. The 2014 Health Project heralds a phase of policy hybridization that not only preserves earlier NPM tools but also seeks to reaffirm the role of the public and the medical profession in the governance of the health system. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and tribological behavior of novel UHMWPE‐Ti3SiC2 composites
Authors: Gupta S. , Riyad M.F.
Published: February 2016

This article reports the synthesis and tribological behavior of Ti3SiC2‐UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene) composites for the first time. The compositions were designed by adding 5, 20, and 35 vol% Ti3SiC2 particulates in the UHMWPE matrix. The microstructure evaluation by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) showed that the Ti3SiC2 particles are well dispersed in the green body, but after hot pressing, the Ti3SiC2 particulates segregated to the phase boundaries in Ti3SiC2‐UHMWPE composites with 20 vol% or higher concentration of particulates. The addition of Ti3SiC2 particulates enhanced the UYS (ultimate yield strength) and hardness of the composites. Tribological studies were performed by tab‐on‐disc method by testing samples either against alumina or self. Against alumina, mean friction coefficient (µmean) remained constant ∼0.20 for all the compositions, whereas, during self‐mating, the µmean decreased from ∼0.54 in UHMWPE to ∼0.15 in 35 vol% Ti3SiC2‐UHMWPE. Comparatively, the specific wear rate (WR) increased steadily during testing against alumina, whereas during self testing, the WR decreased by three order of magnitude. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:254–262, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optimization of mechanical properties of PP/EPDM/ clay nanocomposite fabricated by friction stir processing with response surface methodology and neural networks
Authors: Nakhaei Mohammad Reza , Mostafapour Amir , Naderi Ghasem
Published: February 2016

In this article, effects of friction stir processing parameters such as tool rotational speed, traverse speed, shoulder temperature, and number of passes on tensile modulus and impact strength of polypropylene/ethylene‐propylene diene monomer/clay nanocomposite has been investigated. The Box–Behnken design with four factors at three levels was used for design of experiments. The response surface methodology was employed to develop models capable of predicting the effect of input variable on responses. A multi‐layer artificial neural network with back propagation algorithm and 4 – 8 – 10 – 2 topology was also selected for modeling. A set of data on friction stir parameters and experimental results of the mechanical properties were used to train and test the artificial neural network. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E421–E432, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Biodegradation properties of melt processed PBS/chitosan bio‐nanocomposites with silica, silicate, and thermally reduced graphene
Authors: Patwary Fakhruddin , Matsko Nadejda , Mittal Vikas
Published: February 2016

Melt processed bio‐nanocomposites of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)‐chitosan (CS) generated with varying amounts of silica, alumina‐silicate, and thermally reduced graphene were analyzed for their biodegradation behavior. The nanocomposite samples were embedded in soil under natural environment for varying periods of time and the weight loss analysis was complemented with changes in surface morphology, crystallinity, and thermal degradation. Both the type and amount of filler were observed to affect the extent of biodegradation, though no change in biodegradation mechanism occurred. Nanocomposites had in general lower extent of weight loss than the pure blend, but the extensive surface roughness and cracks were observed for all systems indicating the initiation of biodegradation. Silica and silicate nanocomposites exhibited higher extent of biodegradation in comparison with graphene nanocomposites possibly because of the obstructive pathways to microbes in the presence of high aspect ratio graphene platelets. The crystallinity in the pure blend and nanocomposites was observed to increase as a function of embedding time because of degradation of the random amorphous material in the initial degradation phase. Subsequently, the increase levelled off because of attack of microbes on more organized crystalline content, which was also supported by the reduction in overall weight loss. Increase in melting point of PBS with embedding time as well as depletion of CS flakes from the cross‐section of the composites in AFM confirmed that CS was degraded earlier than PBS. Thermal analysis also indicated faster onset of degradation of CS with soil burial time. The degradation studied through TGA‐MS also revealed that degradation was accompanied by evolution of H2O, CO2, and NH3, along with other components. The temperature of evolution of these components from the nanocomposites was also affected during different stages of biodegradation. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:386–397, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Iron salen‐catalysed oxidative coupling of phenol derivatives: formaldehyde‐free access to amphiphilic polymers
Authors: Stöhr Antonia , Tabatabai Monir , Favresse Philippe , Roland Katrin , Ritter Helmut
Published: February 2016

The oxidative coupling of 4‐tert‐butylphenol (1), 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐p‐cresol (11) and 4‐cyanophenol (10) in the presence of iron salen catalysts (salen = N,N′‐bis(salicylidine)ethylenediamine) and the influence of amine additives on the conversion of 1 were investigated. Furthermore, the activity of the iron complexes was correlated with the substituents at the 5,5′‐positions of the salen ligands. Mechanistically conclusions based on dimer formation in the reaction between 10 and 11 are presented. In the second part of the study the obtained hydrophobic poly(4‐tert‐butylphenol) was modified with Jeffamine® M‐600, M‐1000 or M‐2070 to give amphiphilic copolymers (18a–c). The amphiphilic copolymers were characterized via size‐exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering. The concentration dependence of the cloud point appearance in water of amphiphilic copolymer 18c was analysed via turbidity measurements. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Highly Active and Durable PdAg@Pd Core–Shell Nanoparticles as Fuel‐Cell Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Lu Yizhong , Jiang Yuanyuan , Gao Xiaohui , Wang Xiaodan , Chen Wei
Published: February 2016

By controlling the surface structure and composition at the atomic level, the catalytic properties of bimetallic alloy catalysts can be precisely and effectively tuned, and their activity and durability can be enhanced. Here, a class of highly active and durable PdAg bimetallic alloy nano‐electrocatalysts is demonstrated by tuning the surface composition through a simple electrochemical treatment process in acid medium. Transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammogram measurements clearly show the well‐defined core–shell structure that consists of a PdAg alloy core and a few atomic layers of Pd as the shell (PdAg@Pd). Compared to pure Pd and Ag catalysts, the prepared PdAg@Pd/C exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity and durability for the oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media. According to the theoretical and experimental results, the enhanced electrocatalytic activity can be attributed to the synergistic effects between the Pd and the Ag, while the durability is ascribed to the unique alloy core–ultrathin‐Pd‐shell structure of the PdAg@Pd/C catalyst. This study not only proposes a simple and straightforward approach for preparing highly monodisperse PdAg alloy nanoparticles and designing advanced electrocatalysts for fuel cells, but also demonstrates the crucial effect of electrochemical treatment on the electrocatalytic properties of catalysts.
RNA interference of cytochrome P450 CYP6F subfamily genes affects susceptibility to different insecticides in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Guo Yanqiong , Wu Haihua , Zhang Xueyao , Ma Enbo , Guo Yaping , Zhu Kun Yan , Zhang Jianzhen
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Many insect cytochrome P450s (CYPs) play critical roles in detoxification of insecticides. The CYP6 family is unique to the class Insecta, and its biochemical function has essentially been associated with the metabolism of xenobiotics. In this study, we sequenced and characterised the full‐length cDNAs of five CYP genes from Locusta migratoria, a highly destructive agricultural pest worldwide.

RESULTS

The five genes were predominantly expressed in brain, guts, fat bodies or Malpighian tubules. CYP6FE1, CYP6FF1 and CYP6FG1 were expressed at higher levels in fourth‐instar nymphs than in other developmental stages. CYPFD2 is specifically expressed in adults, whereas CYP6FD1, CYP6FD2 and CYP6FE1 showed significantly lower expression in eggs than in other developmental stages. Deltamethrin suppressed CYP6FD1 expression in third‐instar nymphs and upregulated the expression level of CYP6FD2, CYP6FF1 and CYP6FG1 at the dose of LD10. Efficient RNA interference‐mediated gene silencing was established for four of the five CYP genes. Silencing of CYP6FF1 increased the nymphal mortality from 23 to 50% in response to deltamethrin. Silencing of CYP6FD2 and CYP6FE1 increased the nymphal mortality from 32 to 72 and 66%, respectively, to carbaryl.

CONCLUSION

Three of the four CYP6F subfamily genes in L. migratoria were associated with the detoxification of deltamethrin or carbaryl. The role of CYPs in insecticide detoxification appears to be both gene and insecticide specific. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The discovery of a novel antagonist – Manduca sexta allatotropin analogue – as an insect midgut active ion transport inhibitor
Authors: Deng Xi‐le , Kai Zhen‐peng , Chamberlin Mary E , Horodyski Frank M , Yang Xin‐ling
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

The midgut is an important site for both nutrient absorption and ionic regulation in lepidopteran larvae, major pests in agriculture. The larval lepidopteran midgut has become a potent insecticide target over the past few decades. Recent studies have shown that an insect neuropeptide, Manduca sexta allatotropin (Manse‐AT), exhibits inhibition of active ion transport (AIT) across the larval midgut epithelium. The full characteristic of the AIT inhibition capacity of Manse‐AT is essential to assay. In this study, AIT inhibition across the M. sexta midgut by Manse‐AT and its analogues in a range of concentrations was assayed. The structure–activity relationship of Manse‐AT was also studied by truncated and alanine‐replacement strategies.

RESULTS

Our results identified three residues, Thr4, Arg6 and Phe8, as the most important components for activity on the midgut. Replacement of Glu1, Met2 and Met3 reduced the potency of the analogues. The conservative substitution of Gly7 with alanine had little effect on the potency of the analogues. We demonstrated for the first time that Manse‐AT (10–13) behaves as a potent antagonist in vitro on active ion transport across the epithelium of the posterior midgut in M. sexta.

CONCLUSION

Structure–activity studies of Manse‐AT are useful in developing lead compounds for the design and testing of synthetic antagonists, ultimately to develop potent and specific pest control strategies. Manse‐AT (10–13) has been discovered as the first Manse‐AT antagonist, with a significant effect and a short sequence compared with other insect neuropeptides. It may be a new potential pest control agent in the future. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of nanocrystalline diamond on resonant properties of gold plasmonic antennas
Authors: Kvapil Michal , Kromka Alexander , Rezek Bohuslav , Kalousek Radek , Křápek Vlastimil , Dub Petr , Šikola Tomáš
Published: February 2016

We report on the influence of a nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) thin film or its segments on optical response of gold plasmonic single and dimer antennas in the visible and near‐infrared. We have simulated optical response of these antennas to the electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 500–1500 nm. As the response, we take the localized plasmon resonant wavelength and electric field enhancement around the antennas, localized on the top of NCD films or close to NCD segments. Compared to the antennas on a bare glass substrate, the presence of NCD near the antennas causes a significant red‐shift of the antenna resonant wavelength and slightly decreases the antenna resonant scattering cross section. As for the antenna near‐field, it is more enhanced at the antenna–NCD interface than at the antenna–glass one; however, this field is more confined to the interface.
Electronically designed amorphous carbon and silicon
Authors: Prasai Kiran , Biswas Parthapratim , Drabold David Alan
Published: February 2016

We present a new approach to modeling materials. We show that Hellmann–Feynman forces associated with gap states may be used to drive the system to a preferred electronic structure that is also a total energy minimum. We use a priori information about the electronic gap to construct realistic models of tetrahedral amorphous carbon and silicon. We show that our method can be used to obtain continuously tunable concentration of tetrahedrally bonded carbon atoms in models of amorphous carbon. The method is carried out in the tight‐binding approximation to produce computer‐models of amorphous silicon that have fewer structural and optical defects than their conventional MD counterparts. We end by presenting a first test‐case for the ab initio (plane‐wave LDA) implementation of the method.
First‐principles study of the electronic structures and optical properties of Cr2+‐doped ZnSe as a function of impurity concentration
Authors: Zhang Yuqin , Feng Guoying , Dai Shenyu , Ning Shougui , Zhou Shouhuan
Published: February 2016

First‐principles calculations on the basis of density‐functional theory are performed in order to investigate the electronic structures and optical properties of Cr2+:ZnSe with different impurity concentration. Five configurations with the substitution of Zn by one Cr atom in different ZnSe supercells are considered. The results show that the absorption peak intensity and peak width decrease with diminishing Cr2+ concentration and a redshift is observed in the absorption spectra. The experimental observations are in good agreement with the calculated results. An appropriate explanation of the experimental results is presented.
Studying of cellular interaction of hairpin‐like peptide EcAMP1 from barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) seeds with plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium solani using microscopy techniques
Authors: Vasilchenko Alexey S. , Yuryev Mikhail , Ryazantsev Dmitry Yu , Zavriev Sergey K. , Feofanov Alexey V. , Grishin Eugene V. , Rogozhin Eugene A.
Published: February 2016

An interaction of recombinant hairpin‐like cationic peptide EcAMP1 with conidia of plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium solani at the cellular level was studied by a combination of microscopic methods. EcAMP1 is from barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.), and obtained by heterologous expression in Escherichia coli system. As a result, a direct relationship between hyphal growth inhibition and increasing active peptide concentration, time of incubation and fungal physiological condition has been determined. Dynamics of accumulation and redistribution of the peptide studied on fungal cellular cover and inside the conidia cells has been shown. The dynamics are dependent on time of coupling, as well as, a dissimilarity of EcAMP1 binding with cover of fungal conidia and its stepwise accumulation and diffuse localization in the cytoplasm. Correlation between structural disruption of fungal conidia and the presence of morphological changes has also been found. The correlation was found under the influence of peptide high concentrations at concentrations above 32 μM. The results indicate the presence of a binding of EcAMP1 with the surface of fungal conidia, thus, demonstrating a main specificity for its antifungal action at the cellular level. These results, however, cannot exclude the existence of attendant EcAMP1 action based on its intracellular localization on some specific targets. SCANNING 38:591–598, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bayesian multinomial probit modeling of daily windows of susceptibility for maternal PM2.5 exposure and congenital heart defects
Authors: Warren Joshua L. , Stingone Jeanette A. , Herring Amy H. , Luben Thomas J. , Fuentes Montserrat , Aylsworth Arthur S. , Langlois Peter H. , Botto Lorenzo D. , Correa Adolfo , Olshan Andrew F. ,   National Birth Defects Prevention Study
Published: February 2016

Epidemiologic studies suggest that maternal ambient air pollution exposure during critical periods of pregnancy is associated with adverse effects on fetal development. In this work, we introduce new methodology for identifying critical periods of development during post‐conception gestational weeks 2–8 where elevated exposure to particulate matter less than 2.5 µm (PM2.5) adversely impacts development of the heart. Past studies have focused on highly aggregated temporal levels of exposure during the pregnancy and have failed to account for anatomical similarities between the considered congenital heart defects. We introduce a multinomial probit model in the Bayesian setting that allows for joint identification of susceptible daily periods during pregnancy for 12 types of congenital heart defects with respect to maternal PM2.5 exposure. We apply the model to a dataset of mothers from the National Birth Defect Prevention Study where daily PM2.5 exposures from post‐conception gestational weeks 2–8 are assigned using predictions from the downscaler pollution model. This approach is compared with two aggregated exposure models that define exposure as the average value over post‐conception gestational weeks 2–8 and the average over individual weeks, respectively. Results suggest an association between increased PM2.5 exposure on post‐conception gestational day 53 with the development of pulmonary valve stenosis and exposures during days 50 and 51 with tetralogy of Fallot. Significant associations are masked when using the aggregated exposure models. Simulation study results suggest that the findings are robust to multiple sources of error. The general form of the model allows for different exposures and health outcomes to be considered in future applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sequential monitoring of Phase I dose expansion cohorts
Authors: Iasonos Alexia , O'Quigley John
Published: February 2016

A relatively recent development in the design of Phase I dose‐finding studies is the inclusion of expansion cohort(s), that is, the inclusion of several more patients at a level considered to be the maximum tolerated dose established at the conclusion of the ‘pure’ Phase I part. Little attention has been given to the additional statistical analysis, including design considerations, that we might wish to consider for this more involved design. For instance, how can we best make use of new information that may confirm or may tend to contradict the estimate of the maximum tolerated dose based on the dose escalation phase. Those patients included during the dose expansion phase may possess different eligibility criteria. During the expansion phase, we will also wish to have an eye on any evidence of efficacy, an aspect that clearly distinguishes such studies from the classical Phase I study. Here, we present a methodology that enables us to continue the monitoring of safety in the dose expansion cohort while simultaneously trying to assess efficacy and, in particular, which disease types may be the most promising to take forward for further study. The most elementary problem is where we only wish to take account of further toxicity information obtained during the dose expansion cohort, and where the initial design was model based or the standard 3+3. More complex set‐ups also involve efficacy and the presence of subgroups. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Protein Corona of Plant Virus Nanoparticles Influences their Dispersion Properties, Cellular Interactions, and In Vivo Fates
Authors: Pitek Andrzej S. , Wen Amy M. , Shukla Sourabh , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: February 2016

Biomolecules in bodily fluids such as plasma can adsorb to the surface of nanoparticles and influence their biological properties. This phenomenon, known as the protein corona, is well established in the field of synthetic nanotechnology but has not been described in the context of plant virus nanoparticles (VNPs). The interaction between VNPs derived from Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and plasma proteins is investigated, and it is found that the VNP protein corona is significantly less abundant compared to the corona of synthetic particles. The formed corona is dominated by complement proteins and immunoglobulins, the binding of which can be reduced by PEGylating the VNP surface. The impact of the VNP protein corona on molecular recognition and cell targeting in the context of cancer and thrombosis is investigated. A library of functionalized TMV rods with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and peptide ligands targeting integrins or fibrin(ogen) show different dispersion properties, cellular interactions, and in vivo fates depending on the properties of the protein corona, influencing target specificity, and non‐specific scavenging by macrophages. Our results provide insight into the in vivo properties of VNPs and suggest that the protein corona effect should be considered during the development of efficacious, targeted VNP formulations.
Intercellular Transport of Nanomaterials is Mediated by Membrane Nanotubes In Vivo
Authors: Rehberg Markus , Nekolla Katharina , Sellner Sabine , Praetner Marc , Mildner Karina , Zeuschner Dagmar , Krombach Fritz
Published: February 2016

So‐called membrane nanotubes are cellular protrusions between cells whose functions include cell communication, environmental sampling, and protein transfer. It has been previously reported that systemically administered carboxyl‐modified quantum dots (cQDs) are rapidly taken up by perivascular macrophages in skeletal muscle of healthy mice. Expanding these studies, it is found, by means of in vivo fluorescence microscopy on the mouse cremaster muscle, rapid uptake of cQDs not only by perivascular macrophages but also by tissue‐resident cells, which are localized more than 100 μm distant from the closest vessel. Confocal microscopy on muscle tissue, immunostained for the membrane dye DiI, reveals the presence of continuous membranous structures between MHC‐II‐positive, F4/80‐positive cells. These structures contain microtubules, components of the cytoskeleton, which clearly colocalize with cQDs. The cQDs are exclusively found inside endosomal vesicles. Most importantly, by using in vivo fluorescence microscopy, this study detected fast (0.8 μm s−1, mean velocity), bidirectional movement of cQDs in such structures, indicating transport of cQD‐containing vesicles along microtubule tracks by the action of molecular motors. The findings are the first to demonstrate membrane nanotube function in vivo and they suggest a previously unknown route for the distribution of nanomaterials in tissue.
Performance and scalability evaluation of IEEE 802.11v/aa multicast transport
Authors: Daldoul Yousri , Meddour Djamal‐Eddine , Ahmed Toufik , Boutaba Raouf
Published: February 2016

IEEE 802.11v and 802.11aa are two recent amendments that define new functionalities in order to support a reliable multicast transport over wireless networks. The first amendment introduces directed multicast service (DMS). On the other hand, 802.11aa defines the groupcast with retries (GCR) service, which proposes two retransmission policies: block acknowledgement (GCR‐BACK) and unsolicited retry (GCR‐UR). In this paper, we evaluate the throughput and the scalability of these new proposals using both analytical and simulation approaches. We show that DMS has the lowest scalability, while GCR‐BACK is not appropriate for groups with a large number of receivers. We conclude that GCR‐UR is the most appropriate for large groups. However, increasing the number of transmission retries reduces significantly the achieved throughput of the unsolicited retry policy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of carbon source and light intensity on the growth and total lipid production of three microalgae under different culture conditions
Authors: Gim Geun Ho , Ryu Jaewon , Kim Moon Jong , Kim Pyung Il , Kim Si Wouk
Published: February 2016

We attempted to enhance the growth and total lipid production of three microalgal species, Isochrysis galbana LB987, Nannochloropsis oculata CCAP849/1, and Dunaliella salina, which are capable of accumulating high content of lipid in cells. Low nitrogen concentration under photoautotrophic conditions stimulated total lipid production, but a decreasing total lipid content and an increasing biomass were observed with increasing nitrogen concentration. Among the different carbon sources tested for heterotrophic cultivation, glucose improved the growth of all three strains. The optimal glucose concentration for growth of I. galbana LB987 and N. oculata CCAP849/1 was 0.02 M, and that of D. salina was 0.05 M. Enhanced growth occurred when they were cultivated under heterotrophic or mixotrophic conditions compared with photoautotrophic conditions. Meanwhile, high total lipid accumulation in cells occurred when they were cultivated under photoautotrophic or mixotrophic conditions. During mixotrophic cultivation, biomass production was not affected significantly by light intensity; however, both chlorophyll concentration and total lipid content increased dramatically with increasing light intensity up to 150 µmol/m2/s. The amount and composition ratio of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in cells were different from each other depending on both species and light intensity. The highest accumulation of total fatty acid (C16–C18) among the three strains was found from cells of N. oculata CCAP849/1, which indicates that this species can be used as a source for production of biodiesel.
Impacts of introduced species on the biota of an oceanic archipelago: the relative importance of competitive and trophic interactions
Authors: Sugiura Shinji
Published: February 2016

Introduced species negatively impact native species through competitive and trophic interactions, particularly on oceanic islands that have never been connected to any continental landmass. However, there are few studies on the relative importance of competitive interactions (resource competition with introduced species) and trophic interactions (predation or herbivory by introduced species) with respect to the negative impacts on native organisms on oceanic islands. A literature review on introduced and native species of the oceanic Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands in the western Pacific Ocean indicated that many native species (e.g., bees, beetles, damselflies, butterflies, land snails, birds, and plants) have been negatively impacted by introduced predators and herbivores (e.g., lizards, rats, flatworms, and goats). Several native plants and bees have been negatively affected by introduced competitors. However, the native species that have competed with introduced species have also suffered from either intense herbivory or predation by other introduced species. Thus, introduced predators and herbivores have had greater impacts on native species than introduced competitors in the Ogasawara Islands.
n‐3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Improve Inflammation via Inhibiting Sphingosine Kinase 1 in a Rat Model of Parenteral Nutrition and CLP‐Induced Sepsis
Authors: Tian Tao , Zhao Yunzhao , Huang Qian , Li Jieshou
Published: February 2016

The sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)/sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) pathway plays a key role in inflammation. Parenteral nutrition containing n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFA) may regulate inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study is to determine whether n‐3 PUFA may improve inflammatory responses by neutralizing SphK1 signaling. Rat models of parenteral nutrition, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)‐induced sepsis were generated. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were operated for CLP on day 2 after venous catheterization. The rats were randomized to receive normal saline (NS; n = 20), parenteral nutrition (PN; n = 20), or PN + fish oil (FO; n = 20) for 5 days. The daily intake of fish oil (1.25–2.82 g EPA and 1.44–3.09 g DHA per 100 ml) in the FO group was approximately 1.8 g/kg body weight/day. Rats in the control group (n = 10) were subjected to sham operation and received a chow diet. Spleen tissues were collected for SphK1 and S1P receptor expression analysis. Our data showed that n‐3 PUFA ameliorated the survival rate. SphK1 expression and its enzymatic activity were significantly upregulated in sepsis rats. Furthermore, mRNA and protein levels of S1PR3, but not S1PR1, were also facilitated after CLP. However, PN + FO dramatically decreased SphK1 mRNA level and its enzymatic activity. S1PR3 expression was also attenuated by FO addition. In conclusion, the anti‐inflammatory effect of n‐3 PUFA may be linked to the inhibition of the SphK1/S1P pathway in a rat model of parenteral nutrition and CLP‐induced sepsis.
Exploratory study of once-daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) as a treatment for auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia
Authors: Fröhlich F. , Burrello T.N. , Mellin J.M. , Cordle A.L. , Lustenberger C.M. , Gilmore J.H. , Jarskog L.F.
Published: February 2016

Background

Auditory hallucinations are resistant to pharmacotherapy in about 25% of adults with schizophrenia. Treatment with noninvasive brain stimulation would provide a welcomed additional tool for the clinical management of auditory hallucinations. A recent study found a significant reduction in auditory hallucinations in people with schizophrenia after five days of twice-daily transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) that simultaneously targeted left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left temporo-parietal cortex.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that once-daily tDCS with stimulation electrodes over left frontal and temporo-parietal areas reduces auditory hallucinations in patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

We performed a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study that evaluated five days of daily tDCS of the same cortical targets in 26 outpatients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder with auditory hallucinations.

Results

We found a significant reduction in auditory hallucinations measured by the Auditory Hallucination Rating Scale (F2,50 = 12.22, P < 0.0001) that was not specific to the treatment group (F2,48 = 0.43, P = 0.65). No significant change of overall schizophrenia symptom severity measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale was observed.

Conclusions

The lack of efficacy of tDCS for treatment of auditory hallucinations and the pronounced response in the sham-treated group in this study contrasts with the previous finding and demonstrates the need for further optimization and evaluation of noninvasive brain stimulation strategies. In particular, higher cumulative doses and higher treatment frequencies of tDCS together with strategies to reduce placebo responses should be investigated. Additionally, consideration of more targeted stimulation to engage specific deficits in temporal organization of brain activity in patients with auditory hallucinations may be warranted.