bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porous Carbon Hosts for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Wang Minya , Xia Xinhui , Zhong Yu , Wu Jianbo , Xu Ruochen , Yao Zhujun , Wang Donghuang , Tang Wangjia , Wang Xiuli , Tu Jiangping
Published: September 2018

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered to be one of the most promising alternatives to the current lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) to meet the increasing demand for energy storage owing to their high energy density, natural abundance, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Despite great success, LSBs still suffer from several problems, including undermined capacity arising from low utilization of sulfur, unsatisfactory rate performance and poor cycling life owing to the shuttle effect of polysulfides, and poor electrical conductivity of sulfur. Under such circumstances, the design/fabrication of porous carbon–sulfur composite cathodes is regarded as an effective solution to overcome the above problems. In this review, different synthetic methods of porous carbon hosts and their corresponding integration into carbon–sulfur cathodes are summarized. The pore formation mechanism of porous carbon hosts is also addressed. The pore size effect on electrochemical performance is highlighted and compared. The enhanced mechanism of the porous carbon host on the sulfur cathode is systematically reviewed and revealed. Finally, the combination of porous carbon hosts and high‐profile solid‐state electrolytes is demonstrated, and the challenges to realize large‐scale commercial application of porous carbon–sulfur cathodes is discussed and future trends are proposed.
Rare‐Earth Metal(II) Aryloxides: Structure, Synthesis, and EPR Spectroscopy of [K(2.2.2‐cryptand)][Sc(OC6H2tBu2‐2,6‐Me‐4)3]
Authors: Moehring Samuel A. , Beltrán‐Leiva María J. , Páez‐Hernández Dayán , Arratia‐Pérez Ramiro , Ziller Joseph W. , Evans William J.
Published: September 2018

The suitability of aryloxide ligands for stabilizing +2 oxidation states of Sc and Y has been examined and EPR evidence indicating the first O‐donor complexes of ScII and YII has been obtained, as well as an X‐ray crystal structure of a ScII aryloxide complex. The trivalent rare‐earth metal aryloxide precursors, Ln(OAr′)3, 1‐Ln (Ln=Sc, Y, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er; OAr′=OC6H2tBu2‐2,6‐Me‐4), were synthesized from the corresponding rare‐earth metal trichlorides and LiOAr′⋅OEt2. Reduction of THF solutions of 1‐Ln with potassium graphite in the presence of 2.2.2‐cryptand (crypt) yielded dark‐colored solutions, 2‐Ln, whose EPR spectra at 77 K are characteristic of the LnII ions: a two‐line spectrum (g∥=1.99, g□=1.97, Aave=154 G) for 2‐Y and an eight‐line spectrum (gave=2.01 and Aave=291 G) for 2‐Sc. Solutions of 2‐Y decompose within one minute at room temperature, wheras 2‐Sc persists up to 40 min at room temperature. 2‐Sc was identified by X‐ray crystallography as [K(crypt)][Sc(OAr′)3], which has a trigonal‐planar arrangement of oxygen‐donor atoms around ScII. Analogous reductions of 1‐Ln for Ln=Gd, Dy, Ho, and Er also gave dark solutions of limited stability. Theoretical analysis using time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) along with complete active space self‐consistent field (CASSCF) methods, and structural analysis with the Guzei ligand solid angle G‐parameter method are presented.
Organocatalytic Regiodivergent C−C Bond Cleavage of Cyclopropenones: A Highly Efficient Cascade Approach to Enantiopure Heterocyclic Frameworks
Authors: Cao Jian , Fang Ran , Liu Jin‐Yu , Lu Hong , Luo Yong‐Chun , Xu Peng‐Fei
Published: September 2018

Here a highly efficient cascade approach is reported that combines a cycloaddition reaction with a regioselective strain‐release process to afford diverse heterocyclic frameworks through bifunctional catalysis. The cooperation of hydrogen‐bonding network activation and a regiodivergent strain‐assisted effect is the key to promoting this complex chemical transformation, leading to the generation of two different ring systems in high yields with excellent stereoselectivities. The reaction proceeded by a mechanism involving a “spring‐loaded” intermediate with switchable C−C bond cleavages achieved by controllable ring‐strain release. This reaction was also amenable to gram scale synthesis with only 0.1 mol % catalyst loading.
Optimal Destabilization of DNA Double Strands by Single‐Nucleobase Caging
Authors: Seyfried Patrick , Heinz Marcel , Pintér György , Klötzner Dean‐Paulos , Becker Yvonne , Bolte Michael , Jonker Hendrik R. A. , Stelzl Lukas S. , Hummer Gerhard , Schwalbe Harald , Heckel Alexander
Published: September 2018

Photolabile protecting groups are widely used to trigger oligonucleotide activity. The ON/OFF‐amplitude is a critical parameter. An experimental setup has been developed to identify protecting group derivatives with superior caging properties. Bulky rests are attached to the cage moiety via Cu‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition post‐synthetically on DNA. Interestingly, the decrease in melting temperature upon introducing o‐nitrobenzyl‐caged (NPBY‐) and diethylaminocoumarin‐cages (DEACM‐) in DNA duplexes reaches a limiting value. NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize individual base‐pair stabilities and determine experimental structures of a selected number of photocaged DNA molecules. The experimental structures agree well with structures predicted by MD simulations. Combined, the structural data indicate that once a sterically demanding group is added to generate a tri‐substituted carbon, the sterically less demanding cage moiety points towards the neighboring nucleoside and the bulkier substituents remain in the major groove.
The Dawn of Functional Organoarsenic Chemistry
Authors: Imoto Hiroaki , Naka Kensuke
Published: September 2018

Organoarsenic chemistry was actively studied until the middle of 20th century. Although various properties of organoarsenic compounds have been computationally predicted, for example, frontier orbital levels, aromaticity, and inversion energies, serious concern to the danger of their synthetic processes has restricted experimental studies. Conventional synthetic routes require volatile and toxic arsenic precursors. Recently, nonvolatile intermediate transformation (NIT) methods have been developed to safely access functional organoarsenic compounds. Important intermediates in the NIT methods are cyclooligoarsines, which are prepared from nonvolatile inorganic precursors. In particular, the new approach has realized experimental studies on conjugated arsenic compounds: arsole derivatives. The elucidation of their intrinsic properties has triggered studies on functional organoarsenic chemistry. As a result, various kinds of arsenic‐containing π‐conjugated molecules and polymers have been reported for the last few years. In this minireview, progress of this recently invigorated field is overviewed.
Absolute configurations of chiral molecules with multiple stereogenic centers without prior knowledge of the relative configurations: A case study of inuloxin C
Authors: Johnson Jordan L. , Raghavan Vijay , Cimmino Alessio , Moeini Arash , Petrovic Ana G. , Santoro Ernesto , Superchi Stefano , Berova Nina , Evidente Antonio , Polavarapu Prasad L.
Published: September 2018

Electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and discrete wavelength resolved specific optical rotations, referred to as optical rotatory dispersion (ORD), have been remeasured for inuloxin C and analysed with corresponding quantum chemical (QC) predicted data for all diastereomers of inuloxin C. The QC‐predicted sign of ORD and of a major ECD band are found to match the experimental observations for more than one diastereomer. However, these ECD and ORD analyses combined with electronic dissymmetry factor analyses narrowed the choices of absolute configuration (AC) of inuloxin C to (5R,7S,8R,10R) and (5S,7S,8S,10S). Supplementing these analyses with corresponding analyses for acetylated inuloxin C resulted in a unique choice for the AC of inuloxin C as (5S,7S,8S,10S). This result is independent of NMR analysis. Furthermore, this AC is in full agreement with previously determined relative configuration by NMR and the AC derived therefrom using ECD and ORD. Therefore, the present study identifies a pathway for determining the ACs of chiral molecules with multiple stereogenic centers when relative configurations are not known, or when it is desired to deduce ACs independent of the known relative configurations.
Reclamation Culture Alters Sediment Phosphorus Speciation and Ecological Risk in Coastal Zone of Southeastern China
Authors: Gao Dengzhou , Chen Guixiang , Li Xiaofei , Lin Xianbiao , Zeng Congsheng
Published: September 2018

Sediment phosphorus (P) speciation plays a critical role in coastal wetland ecosystems, while the response of P speciation to reclamation culture remains unclear. In this study, sediment P species (total P [TP], organic P [Org‐P], inorganic P [IP], iron‐ and aluminum‐bound P [Fe/Al‐P], calcium‐bound P [Ca‐P], loosely adsorbed P [Lsor‐P], P sorption index [PSI], and P adsorption saturation [DPS] are investigated in the natural marsh wetland, 3‐year and 15‐year reclamation culture ponds. Sediment P pollution level and eutrophication risk are evaluated based on the single‐factor standard index (Si) and eutrophication risk index (ERI). Furthermore, a simulation experiment is conducted to reveal the effects of baits input and overlying water aeration on sediment P species and ecological risk. Measured sediment TP, Org‐P, IP, Fe/Al‐P, Ca‐P, and Lsor‐P concentrations are significantly higher in 15‐year culture ponds than in 3‐year culture ponds and natural marsh wetland. Sediment PSI is lower in reclamation culture ponds than in natural marsh wetland, while DPS is just opposite. The Si and ERI are higher in 15‐year culture ponds than in natural marsh wetland, suggesting that reclamation culture significantly increases sediment P pollution level and eutrophication risk. A short‐term simulation experiment further indicates that baits input and overlying water aeration can alter sediment P dynamics and increase sediment P loading. Overall, these results confirm that reclamation culture can make more available P accumulation and thus increase eutrophication risk of adjacent coastal water.
Symmetrical Diamidates as a Class of Phosphate Prodrugs to Deliver the 5′‐Monophosphate Forms of Anticancer Nucleoside Analogues
Authors: Slusarczyk Magdalena , Ferrari Valentina , Serpi Michaela , Gönczy Blanka , Balzarini Jan , McGuigan Christopher
Published: September 2018

The application of phosphorodiamidate technology to pyrimidine and purine nucleosides with anticancer activity to potentially overcome the resistance mechanisms associated with parent nucleosides is reported. Sixteen symmetrical phosphorodiamidates were prepared from the natural amino acids l‐alanine and glycine. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against a wide panel of solid and leukaemic tumour cell lines. In addition, a carboxypeptidase Y assay was performed on a representative phosphorodiamidate in order to reveal the putative bioactivation pathway for the reported phosphorodiamidate‐type prodrugs.
Inter‐ and intra‐specific differences in muscarinic acetylcholine receptor expression in the neural pathways for vocal learning in songbirds
Authors: Asogwa Norman C. , Mori Chihiro , Sánchez‐Valpuesta Miguel , Hayase Shin , Wada Kazuhiro
Published: September 2018

Acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) abound in the central nervous system of vertebrates. Muscarinic AChRs (mAChRs), a functional subclass of AChRs, mediate neuronal responses via intracellular signal transduction. They also play roles in sensorimotor coordination and motor skill learning by enhancing cortical plasticity. Learned birdsong is a complex motor skill acquired through sensorimotor coordination during a critical period. However, the functions of AChRs in the neural circuits for vocal learning and production remain largely unexplored. Here, we report the unique expression of mAChRs subunits (chrm2–5) in the song nuclei of zebra finches. The expression of excitatory subunits (chrm3 and chrm5) was downregulated in the song nuclei compared with the surrounding brain regions. In contrast, the expression of inhibitory mAChRs (chrm2 and chrm4) was upregulated in the premotor song nucleus HVC relative to the surrounding nidopallium. Chrm4 showed developmentally different expression in HVC during the critical period. Compared with chrm4, individual differences in chrm2 expression emerged in HVC early in the critical period. These individual differences in chrm2 expression persisted despite testosterone administration or auditory deprivation, which altered the timing of song stabilization. Instead, the variability in chrm2 expression in HVC correlated with parental genetics. In addition, chrm2 expression in HVC exhibited species differences and individual variability among songbird species. These results suggest that mAChRs play an underappreciated role in the development of species and individual differences in song patterns by modulating the excitability of HVC neurons, providing a potential insight into the gating of auditory responses in HVC neurons.
The unexpected virtue of almost: Exploiting MPI collective operations to approximately coordinate checkpoints
Authors: Levy Scott , Ferreira Kurt B. , Widener Patrick
Published: September 2018

Coordinated checkpoint/restart is currently the dominant approach to mitigating the impact of failures on important scientific applications running on large‐scale distributed systems. However, there is widespread evidence that coordinated checkpointing may no longer be viable on next‐generation systems. Uncoordinated checkpoint/restart attempts to address the shortcomings of coordinated checkpoint/restart by allowing application processes to checkpoint their state independently. However, eliminating coordination may significantly degrade application performance. In this paper, we propose an approach that leverages existing coordination in important scientific applications to approximately coordinate checkpoints. Specifically, we propose to extend MPI implementations to force checkpoints to occur immediately after the completion of a collective operation. We evaluate the performance implications of this approach using an existing validated simulation framework. Our results demonstrate that approximately coordinated checkpointing can significantly improve application performance relative to totally uncoordinated checkpointing. We also show that forcing checkpoints to occur following a collective operation has a small impact on the nominal checkpoint interval for several important workloads. As a whole, the results presented in this paper demonstrate that approximately coordinated checkpointing may provide significant performance benefits without significantly increasing the cost of failure recovery.
SPIHT‐based multiple image watermarking in NSCT domain
Authors: Kumar Chandan , Singh AK , Kumar P , Singh Rajiv , Singh Siddharth
Published: September 2018

Image watermarking in wavelet domain is a challenging problem as it includes a proper selection of wavelet transforms as well as sub‐bands for accurate embedding and recovery of watermarks. However, selection of a suitable wavelet transform for multiple image watermarking is an area of great interest. Therefore, in this work, a multiple watermarking technique using combination of redundant discrete wavelet transforms (RDWT), non‐subsampled contourlet transform (NSCT), set partitioning in hierarchical tree (SPIHT), and singular value decomposition (SVD) is proposed. The proposed scheme is aimed to achieve high capacity, robustness, and imperceptibility. The security aspect of the proposed method is enhanced by using Arnold transform. Since RDWT and NSCT are both shift invariant in nature, therefore they are suitable for multiple image watermarking. Furthermore, the proposed method provides flexibility in selection of appropriate sub‐bands for watermark embedding and recovery. Experimental results and analysis reveals that the proposed technique gives maximum PSNR, NC, and SSIM value up to 40.97 dB, 1, and 0.9994, respectively. Furthermore, the performance estimation of our technique is found superior to previously reported techniques under consideration.
Labeling Maize (Zea mays L.) Leaves with 15NH4+ and Monitoring Nitrogen Incorporation into Amino Acids by GC/MS Analysis
Authors: Cukier Caroline , Lea Peter J. , Cañas Rafael , Marmagne Anne , Limami Anis M. , Hirel Bertrand
Published: September 2018

The human body contains approximately 3.2% nitrogen (N), mainly present as protein and amino acids. Although N exists at a high concentration (78%) in the air, it is not readily available to animals and most plants. Plants are however able to take up both nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) ions from the soil and convert them to amino acids and proteins, which are excellent sources for all animals. Most N is available as the stable isotope 14N, but a second form, 15N, is present in very low concentrations. 15N can be detected in extracts of plants by gas chromatography followed by mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In this protocol, the methods are described for tracing the pathway by which plants are able to take up 15N‐labeled nitrate and ammonium and convert them into amino acids and proteins. A protocol for extracting and quantifying amino acids and 15N enrichment in maize (Zea mays L.) leaves labeled with 15NH4+ is described. Following amino acid extraction, purification, and separation by GC/MS, a calculation of the 15N enrichment of each amino acid is carried out on a relative basis to identify any differences in the dynamics of amino acid accumulation. This will allow a study of the impact of genetic modifications or mutations on key reactions involved in primary nitrogen and carbon metabolism. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Best candidate integrated technology for low‐noise, high‐speed, and wide bandwidth‐based transimpedance amplifiers in optical computing systems and optical fiber applications
Authors: Rashed Ahmed Nabih Zaki , Tabbour Mohammed Salah F.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents the best candidate integrated technology for achieving low‐noise, high‐speed, and wide bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers in optical computing and communication systems. Different complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology sizes are employed in addition to high electron mobility transistor (HEMT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), and gallium arsenide technologies‐based transimpedance amplifiers to achieve high‐speed capability with low noise. These different technologies are applied on two proposed models to test the performance parameters. Maximum output signal voltage, maximum RF power spectrum, received output power, maximum Q‐factor, and minimum bit error rate are the tradeoff parameters for two proposed models at high transmission bit rates up to 400 Gb/s. It is observed that 600‐nm CMOS technology has presented the best candidate to deal with high transmission bit rates because of its superior performances in either the first proposed model or the second proposed model compared with other technologies under study. Figure of merit is applied on two proposed models and previous works to show the high‐speed performance operation of transimpedance amplifiers in our proposed models. The signal is tested before and after transimpedance amplifiers in different technologies.
Climate‐based seed transfer of a widespread shrub: population shifts, restoration strategies, and the trailing edge
Authors: Richardson Bryce A. , Chaney Lindsay
Published: September 2018

Genetic resources have to be managed appropriately to mitigate the impact of climate change. For many wildland plants, conservation will require knowledge of the climatic factors affecting intraspecific genetic variation to minimize maladaptation. Knowledge of the interaction between traits and climate can focus management resources on vulnerable populations, provide guidance for seed transfer, and enhance fitness and resilience under changing climates. In this study, traits of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) were examined among common gardens located in different climates. We focus on two subspecies,wyomingensisandtridentata, that occupy the most imperiled warm‐dry spectrum of the sagebrush biome. Populations collected across the sagebrush biome were recorded for flower phenology and survival. Mixed‐effects models examined each trait to evaluate genetic variation, environmental effects, and adaptive breadth of populations. Climate variables derived from population‐source locations were significantly associated with these traits (P < 0.0001), explaining 31% and 11% of the flower phenology and survival variation, respectively. To illustrate our model and assess variability in prediction, we examine fixed and focal point seed transfer approaches to map contemporary and climate model ensemble projections in two different regions of the sagebrush biome. A comparison of seed transfer areas predicts that populations from warmer climates become more prevalent, replacing colder‐adapted populations by mid‐century. However, these warm‐adapted populations are often located along the trailing edge, margins of the species range predicted to be lost due to a contraction of the climatic niche. Management efforts should focus on the collection and conservation of vulnerable populations and prudent seed transfer to colder regions where these populations are projected to occur by mid‐century. Our models provide the foundation to develop an empirical, climate‐based seed transfer system for current and future restoration of big sagebrush.
Advances in mass spectrometry‐based glycomics
Authors: Dong Xue , Huang Yifan , Cho Byeong Gwan , Zhong Jieqiang , Gautam Sakshi , Peng Wenjing , Williamson Seth D. , Banazadeh Alireza , Torres‐Ulloa Katya Y. , Mechref Yehia
Published: September 2018

The diversification of the chemical properties and biological functions of proteins is attained through posttranslational modifications, such as glycosylation. Glycans, which are covalently attached to proteins, play a vital role in cell activities. The microheterogeneity and complexity of glycan structures associated with proteins make comprehensive glycomic analysis challenging. However, recent advancements in mass spectrometry (MS), separation techniques, and sample preparation methods have primarily facilitated structural elucidation and quantitation of glycans. This review focuses on describing recent advances in MS‐based techniques used for glycomic analysis (2012–2018), including ionization, tandem MS, and separation techniques coupled with MS. Progress in glycomics workflow involving glycan release, purification, derivatization, and separation will also be highlighted here. Additionally, the recent development of quantitative glycomics through comparative and multiplex approaches will also be described.
Obsessive–compulsive symptomatology in female adolescent inpatients with restrictive compared with binge–purge eating disorders
Authors: Lewis Yael Doreen , Gilon Mann Tal , Enoch‐Levy Adi , Dubnov‐Raz Gal , Gothelf Doron , Weizman Abraham , Stein Daniel
Published: September 2018

Objective

Strong relationships exist between obsessive–compulsive (OC) disorder and eating disorders (EDs). The aim of the study was to investigate whether OC symptoms would be expressed differently in different ED types.

Method

Ninety‐four female adolescent inpatients with restricting anorexia nervosa (AN‐R), 67 with binge/purge AN (AN‐B/P), and 48 with bulimia nervosa (BN) were assessed on admission and discharge using the Yale–Brown Obsessive–Compulsive Scale (Y‐BOCS), Yale–Brown–Cornell Eating Disorders Scale (YBC‐EDS), Eating Attitude Test—26 (EAT‐26), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).

Results

On admission, patients with AN‐B/P exhibited higher scores on the Y‐BOCS, YBC‐EDS, EAT‐26, and BDI in comparison with patients with AN‐R or BN. A significant improvement on all psychometric variables from admission to discharge was found for all participants taken together. Nonetheless, patients with AN‐B/P and/or BN showed a greater improvement on Y‐BOCS, BDI, and STAI than patients with AN‐R, whereas no between‐group difference was found for YBC‐EDS and EAT‐26.

Conclusions

Obsessionality is more severe in acutely ill AN‐B/P patients than in patients with AN‐R and BN, whereas a greater improvement in obsessionality from the acutely ill to the stabilized ED condition is found in patients with binge/purge in comparison with restrictive pathology.
A case series to investigate food‐related fear learning and extinction using in vivo food exposure in anorexia nervosa: A clinical application of the inhibitory learning framework
Authors: Cardi Valentina , Leppanen Jenni , Mataix‐Cols David , Campbell Iain C. , Treasure Janet
Published: September 2018

Objective

Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe malnutrition. This study tested the hypothesis that fear of food is a learned behaviour and evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of gradual exposure to food to improve eating behaviour in people with anorexia nervosa.

Methods

Eighteen women were recruited and completed baseline self‐reports. They were interviewed regarding early experiences of eating and the development of food‐related anxiety. Participants received eight sessions of in vivo food exposure.

Results

Findings indicated that fear of food is a learned behaviour, associated with catastrophic thoughts around the consequences of eating and safety behaviours. Patients consumed at least half of the food item selected in all but one session. Body mass index increased, and food restriction, eating concern, eating disorder‐related preoccupations, and overall anxiety reduced (medium/large ES).

Conclusion

Findings corroborate an anxiety‐based model of anorexia nervosa and support the relevance of targeting food‐related fears using exposure‐based protocols.
Bidirectional relationship between caregiver burden and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review
Authors: Isik Ahmet Turan , Soysal Pinar , Solmi Marco , Veronese Nicola
Published: September 2018

Objective

The aim of this review is to make a state of the art of the potential influence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPs) on caregiver stress and vice versa.

Methods

We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for potential eligible articles.

Results

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) usually need high levels of care in all activities of daily living, most of them provided by family members, friends, or informal caregivers. Caregivers have to cope with both age‐related conditions and dementia‐related factors. Therefore, caregiving in dementia is more difficult and stressful than caregiving for older adults, affected by other conditions. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, agitation, disinhibition, aggressive behavior, and sleep disturbances are more closely related to caregiver burden, and associated with more negative outcomes such as decline in their general health, quality of life, and social isolation. Caregiver burden worsens relationship between caregiver and patients with AD. Thus, this relationship may increase the frequency and severity of NPs. Predictors of burden were being a woman, a spouse, and old person with immature coping mechanisms, social isolation, with insufficient knowledge about dementia, poor premorbid relationship with patient, and high levels of negative expressed emotions.

Conclusion

Because of the bidirectional relationship between caregiver burden and NPs, the active management strategies of dementia care should include early identification and treatment risk factors for both caregiver stress and NPs in patients with AD. Therefore, to improve one of them can be exert beneficial for the other.
Monthly spending dynamics of the elderly following a health shock: Evidence from Singapore
Authors: Cheng Terence C. , Li Jing , Vaithianathan Rhema
Published: September 2018

We use novel longitudinal data from 19 monthly waves of the Singapore Life Panel to examine the short‐term dynamics of the effects health shocks have on household health and nonhealth spending and income by the elderly. The health shocks we study are the occurrence of new major conditions such as cancer, heart problems, and minor conditions (e.g., diabetes and hypertension). Our empirical strategy is based on an event study approach that exploits unanticipated changes in health status through the diagnosis of new health conditions. We find that major shocks have large and persistent effects whereas minor shocks have small and mainly contemporaneous effects. We find that household income reduces following a major shock for males but not females. Major health shocks lead to a decrease in households' nonhealth expenditures that is particularly pronounced for cancer and stroke sufferers, driven largely by reductions in leisure spending. The financial impact of major shocks on medical saving account balances occurs to those without private health insurance, whereas the impact is on cash balances for privately insured individuals.
A Long Noncoding RNA Regulates Hepatitis C Virus Infection Through Interferon Alpha–Inducible Protein 6
Authors: Liu Xiao , Duan Xiaoqiong , Holmes Jacinta A. , Li Wenting , Lee Sae Hwan , Tu Zeng , Zhu Chuanlong , Salloum Shadi , Lidofsky Anna , Schaefer Esperance A. , Cai Dachuan , Li Shilin , Wang Haoju , Huang Yongfu , Zhao Yongju , Yu Ming‐Lung , Xu Zhiwen , Chen Limin , Hong Jian , Lin Wenyu , Chung Raymond T.
Published: September 2018

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in the regulation of many important cellular processes. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate viral infection and host immune responses are not well understood. We sought to explore lncRNA regulation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and interferon response. We performed RNA sequencing (RNAseq) in Huh7.5.1 cells with or without interferon alpha (IFNα) treatment. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 guide RNA (gRNA) was used to knock out selected genes. The promoter clones were constructed, and the activity of related interferon‐stimulated genes (ISGs) were detected by the secrete‐pair dual luminescence assay. We constructed the full‐length and four deletion mutants of an interferon‐induced lncRNA RP11‐288L9.4 (lncRNA‐IFI6) based on predicted secondary structure. Selected gene mRNAs and their proteins, together with HCV infection, in Huh7.5.1 cells and primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) were monitored by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) and western blot. We obtained 7,901 lncRNAs from RNAseq. A total of 1,062 host‐encoded lncRNAs were significantly differentially regulated by IFNα treatment. We found that lncRNA‐IFI6 gRNA significantly inhibited HCV infection compared with negative gRNA control. The expression of the antiviral ISG IFI6 was significantly increased following lncRNA‐IFI6 gRNA editing compared with negative gRNA control in Japanese fulminant hepatitis 1 (JFH1)–infected Huh7.5.1 cells and PHHs. We observed that lncRNA‐IFI6 regulation of HCV was independent of Janus kinase‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK‐STAT) signaling. lncRNA‐IFI6 negatively regulated IFI6 promoter function through histone modification. Overexpression of the truncated spatial domain or full‐length lncRNA‐IFI6 inhibited IFI6 expression and increased HCV replication. Conclusion: A lncRNA, lncRNA‐IFI6, regulates antiviral innate immunity in the JFH1 HCV infection model. lncRNA‐IFI6 regulates HCV infection independently of the JAK‐STAT pathway. lncRNA‐IFI6 exerts its regulatory function via promoter activation and histone modification of IFI6 through its spatial domain.
An exploratory experimental study examining the short‐term effects of a public service announcement on parents’ perceptions of the descriptive norm for children’s outdoor play: A cautionary tale
Authors: Crozier Alyson J. , Spink Kevin S. , Faulkner Guy
Published: September 2018

Issue Addressed

Public service announcements (PSA) targeting physical activity are not always effective at enacting behaviour change. One factor that may impact message effectiveness is whether the message matches its intent (ie, what norm is being portrayed and received). The current study explored the effects of two PSAs on parents’ perceptions of outdoor play.

Methods

Parents (N = 333) completed a pre/postexperimental online survey to examine the acute impact of a PSA on their perception of how often children play outdoors (ie, descriptive norms). Participants provided their descriptive norm perceptions and then were randomised to view one of two PSAs: (a) the Mr. Lonely PSA, which portrayed outdoor activity as not normative, and (b) a control message, which portrayed outdoor activity as the norm (VERB PSA). After viewing their PSA, descriptive norm perceptions were reported again.

Results

A two‐way mixed ANOVA indicated that participants who viewed the Mr. Lonely PSA (where outdoor play was not normative) perceived that children and youth played outdoors less frequently immediately after watching the PSA compared to before viewing it (P < 0.05). No significant change occurred in the control condition.

Conclusions

PSAs can alter individuals’ perceptions of whether they perceive outdoor play as normative among children and youth.

So what?

As individuals align their behaviour with what is typical, PSA developers should be wary of what message is being conveyed. In terms of activity, portraying that outdoor play is not normative may not have the intended outcome.
The two FIGO systems for normal and abnormal uterine bleeding symptoms and classification of causes of abnormal uterine bleeding in the reproductive years: 2018 revisions
Authors: Munro Malcolm G. , Critchley Hilary O.D. , Fraser Ian S. ,   the FIGO Menstrual Disorders Committee
Published: September 2018

Background

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) systems for nomenclature of symptoms of normal and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in the reproductive years (FIGO AUB System 1) and for classification of causes of AUB (FIGO AUB System 2; PALM‐COEIN) were first published together in 2011. The purpose was to harmonize the definitions of normal and abnormal bleeding symptoms and to classify and subclassify underlying potential causes of AUB in the reproductive years to facilitate research, education, and clinical care. The systems were designed to be flexible and to be periodically reviewed and modified as appropriate.

Objectives

To review, clarify, and, where appropriate, revise the previously published systems.

Methodology and outcome

To a large extent, the process has been an iterative one involving the FIGO Menstrual Disorders Committee, as well as a number of invited contributions from epidemiologists, gynecologists, and other experts in the field from around the world between 2012 and 2017. Face‐to‐face meetings have been held in Rome, Vancouver, and Singapore, and have been augmented by a number of teleconferences and other communications designed to evaluate various aspects of the systems. Where substantial change was considered, anonymous voting, in some instances using a modified RAND Delphi technique, was utilized.
Successful bony integration of a porous tantalum implant despite longlasting and ongoing infection: Histologic workup of an explanted shoulder prosthesis
Authors: Wahl Peter , Sprecher Christoph M. , Brüning Christian , Meier Christoph , Milz Stefan , Gautier Emanuel , Fintan Moriarty T
Published: September 2018

Infection associated with an implant is a complication feared in surgery, as it leads to loosening and dysfunction. This report documents an unexpected good bony integration of a porous tantalum shoulder prosthesis despite infection.

A shoulder prosthesis with a porous tantalum glenoidal base plate was retrieved after 3 years of ongoing infection withStaphylococcus spp. Methyl‐methacrylate embedded sections of the retrieved glenoidal component were analyzed by optical and scanning electron beam microscopy (SEM). Bone ongrowth and ingrowth were quantified.

Bone had formed at the implant surface and within the open cell structure of the porous tantalum. The bone implant contact index was 32%. The bone ingrowth or relative bone area within the open structure was 8.2%, respectively 11.9% in the outer 50% of the thickness. Due to the section thickness, bone ongrowth could best be documented in SEM.

Despite long‐lasting and ongoing infection, the glenoidal base plate of the prosthesis showed good bony integration upon removal. The bone ingrowth into the porous tantalum was comparable to the values previously reported for the undersurface of retrieved proximal humerus resurfacing implants. Good integration of the implant however did not solve the problem of infection, and related morbidity. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2924–2931, 2018.
In vivoevaluation of resorbable supercritical CO2‐treated collagen membranes for class III furcation‐guided tissue regeneration
Authors: Tovar Nick , Witek Lukasz , Neiva Rodrigo , Marão Heloisa F. , Gil Luiz F. , Atria Pablo , Jimbo Ryo , Caceres Eduardo A. , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: September 2018

The study evaluated the effects of a Supercritical CO2(scCO2) on a commercially available decellularized/delipidized naturally derived porcine pericardium collagen membrane, Vitala®. The Vitala® and scCO2treated experimental membranes were evaluated for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) of periodontal tissue in class III furcation defects utilizing a dog model. Physical material characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thein vivoportion of the study was allocated to three‐time points (6, 12, and 24‐weeks) using standardized class III furcation defects created in the upper second and third premolars. The experimental defects (n= 5) were covered with either a collagen membrane (positive control), scCO2‐treated collagen membrane (experimental) or no membrane (negative control). Following sacrifice, histologic serial sections were performed from cervical to apical for morphologic/morphometric evaluation. Morphometric evaluation was carried out by ranking the presence of collagen membrane, amount of bone formation within the defect site and inflammatory cell infiltrate content. SEM showed the experimental scCO2‐treated membrane to have a similar gross fibrous appearance and chemical structure in comparison to the Vitala® Collagen membrane. A significant increase in membrane thickness was noted in the scCO2‐treated membranes (366 ± 54 μm) vs non‐treated membranes (265 ± 75 μm). TGA and DSC spectra indicated no significant qualitative differences between the two membranes. For thein vivoresults, both membranes indicated significantly greater amounts of newly formed bone (scCO2: 2.85 ± 1.1; Vitala®: 2.80 ± 1.0) within the covered defects relative to uncovered controls (0.8 ± 0.27) at 24 weeks. Both membrane types gradually degraded as time elapsedin vivofrom 6 to 12 weeks, and presented nearly complete resorption at 24 weeks. The inflammatory infiltrate at regions in proximity with the membranes was commensurate with healthy tissue levels from 6 weeksin vivoon, and periodontal ligament regeneration onset was detected at 12 weeksin vivo.The effect of the supplementary scCO2treatment step on the collagen membrane was demonstrated to be biocompatible, allowing for the infiltration of cells and degradation over time. The treated membranes presented similar performance in GTR to non‐treated samples in Class III furcation lesions. Defects treated without membranes failed to achieve regeneration of the native periodontium. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1320–1328, 2019.
AS 3101: The PCAOB's New Auditor Reporting Requirements
Authors: Clikeman Paul M.
Published: September 2018

AS 3101, The Auditor's Report on an Audit of Financial Statements When the Auditor Expresses an Unqualified Opinion (PCAOB, 2017) represents the most significant change to American audit reports in more than 70 years. The new standard form unqualified report, which is required for audits of fiscal years ending on or after December 15, 2017, moves the auditor's opinion to the first paragraph, uses section titles to identify important information, clarifies that the financial statement notes are included within the scope of the audit, and requires auditors to disclose the year they began serving consecutively as the company's auditors. For large accelerated filers in 2019 and smaller PCAOB clients in 2020, auditors must begin identifying and discussing critical audit matters. These are the issues that arose during the audit that involved “especially challenging, subjective or complex auditor judgment.” When AS 3101's reporting requirements are completely implemented, American audit reports will change from three or four paragraphs of standardized boilerplate language to a longer, much more flexible report describing the specific judgments and procedures unique to each client.
Open‐mouth spherical g‐C3N4/Fe‐2, 5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid hybrid photocatalyst for dye degradation and bacterial inactivation
Authors: Vidyasagar Devthade , Kulkarni Aditi , Ghugal Sachin G , Umare Suresh S
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Photo‐remediation of water is seen as an economical and sustainable solution to undertake the rampant pollution by dyes and bacterial pathogens. Despite significant advances made in semiconductor mediated photocatalysis, the search for cheap, efficient, eco‐friendly and robust photocatalyst has underachieved.

RESULTS

This paper reports the use of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) supported open‐mouth spherical iron (III) based metal‐organic framework (MOF) hybrid photocatalyst for rapid degradation of acidic dyes and bacterial pathogens. Open‐mouth Fe‐2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid (Fe‐TDA) MOF was prepared by microwave‐heating and coupled with g‐C3N4 using methanol as solvent. Compared with the parent g‐C3N4 and Fe‐TDA, the resultant g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA(x) hybrids have shown nearly 4‐fold increase in acid violet 7 (AV7) dye degradation and Escherichia coli bacterial growth inhibition. The improvement in photo‐response of g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA(x) hybrids is ascribed to the exceptional specific surface area of the open‐mouth MOF structure, rapid diffusion, transport of charged species and improved dissociation of photo‐excitons. The present work may offer new directions for the synthesis of g‐C3N4/MOF hybrid photocatalysts for visible light‐driven applications.

CONCLUSION

A new open‐mouth nanospherical g‐C3N4/Fe‐TDA2wt% photocatalyst developed by microwave heating, produced a high specific surface area of 114 m2 g−1, and improved rate kinetics of AV 7 dye photodegradation and E. coli inactivation. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Targeting wild‐type and drug‐resistant mycobacteria in infected macrophages using drug‐coated nanoparticles
Authors: Cotta Karishma B , Padwal Priyanka , Agarwal Subhanshi , Bandyopadhyaya Rajdip , Mehra Sarika
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis therapeutics is facing a crisis because of the emergence of new multi and total drug‐resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Increasing intra‐bacterial as well as intra‐macrophage drug concentrations through nanoparticles is a promising approach to target resistant bacteria.

RESULTS

To target both wild‐type (WT) and resistant Mycobacterium smegmatis (NORr), positively‐charged norfloxacin‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles (NOR@IONP) were synthesized. While these particles are taken up identically in both WT and NORr, drug uptake was up to 4‐fold higher in cells treated with NOR@IONP compared with the corresponding free drug. This increased intracellular drug accumulation also translated to an enhanced rate of bacterial killing, as is observed in the kill kinetics study. The coated nanoparticles also proved to be effective in reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NOR towards Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain. Further, the effectiveness of NOR@IONP was also studied against differentiated THP1 cells infected with WT or NORr M. smegmatis. Intracellular bacterial clearance studies indicated that the NOR concentration required to kill intracellular WT or drug‐resistant bacteria is 2‐fold lower when treated with NOR@IONP.

CONCLUSION

This antibiotic‐coated nanoparticle formulation is a novel antimicrobial agent with the potential to target both WT and resistant strains of mycobacteria present intracellularly. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
An improved contrast equalization technique for contrast enhancement in scanning electron microscopy images
Authors: Al‐Ameen Zohair
Published: September 2018

In scanning electron microscopy (SEM), an intensive beam of electrons is utilized to generate high‐quality images that can be used across scientific disciplines including biology and medicine. However, the images produced by different SEM devices are often degraded by a low‐contrast effect as a result of various existing limitations. Hence, an improved contrast equalization technique is proposed in this article to ameliorate the contrast of SEM images and provide better visual quality results. The proposed technique consists of two major phases; the first includes a two‐step regularization process used to regularize the intensities of the input image, while the second includes a two‐step mapping process used to further improve the contrast and to remap image intensities to their natural dynamic range. The proposed technique is tested with many real‐degraded and synthetic‐degraded SEM images, and its results are compared with six well‐known contrast enhancement techniques. Accordingly, the comparison results are evaluated using four advanced image quality assessment metrics. Intensive experiments and comparisons exhibited the favorability of the proposed technique, in that it provided visually pleasing results with no visible flaws and outperformed the comparison techniques in terms of perceived quality and scored accuracy.
Glucocorticoids decrease the numbers and activation of mast cells by inducing the transactivation receptors of AGEs
Authors: Santoro Tassia , Azevedo Carolina T , e Silva Patrícia M R , Martins Marco A , Carvalho Vinicius F
Published: September 2018

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potent anti-allergic compounds that function, at least in part, by inhibiting signaling pathways in mast cells. We hypothesized that the GC-induced mastocytopenia and suppression of mast cell activation are mediated by the advanced glycation end products (AGEs)/receptors of AGEs (RAGEs) signaling axis. We evaluated the role of AGEs in GC-mediated mastocytopenia and impaired mast cell degranulation in male Wistar rats and Swiss–Webster mice subcutaneously injected with dexamethasone or prednisolone (0.1 mg/kg) once a day for 21 consecutive days. The animals were treated with either the AGE inhibitor aminoguanidine (250 mg/kg), the RAGE antagonist FPS-ZM1 (1 mg/kg) or the galectin-3 antagonist GSC-100 (1 mg/kg) daily for 18 days, starting 3 days following GC treatment. Aminoguanidine inhibited GC-induced mast cell apoptosis and restored mast cell numbers in the pleural cavity of GC-treated rats. Aminoguanidine also reversed the GC-induced reduction in histamine release triggered by allergens or compound 48/80 in vitro. GC treatment induced RAGE and galectin expression in mast cells, and blocking these agents by FPS-ZM1 or GSC-100 significantly reversed mast cell numbers in the peritoneal cavity and mesenteric tissue of GC-treated mice. In addition, the combination of GC and AGE-induced mast cell apoptosis in vitro was inhibited by both FPS-ZM1 and GSC-100. We concluded that the GC-induced mastocytopenia and suppression of mast cell stimulation are associated with the gene transactivation of RAGE and galectin-3.

Glucocorticoids decrease the number and activation of mast cells by upregulating receptors of AGEs, a mechanism dissociated from their immunosuppressive and metabolic effects.