bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modellversuche zur Stabilität von Baumaschinen mit hohem Schwerpunkt
Authors: Zobel Dominik , Milatz Marius , Grabe Jürgen
Published: July 2017

In Deutschland kommt es jährlich zu mehreren Umstürzen von Baumaschinen mit hohem Schwerpunkt. Die Ursachen sind meistens menschliches Fehlverhalten, aber auch Baugrundversagen durch Grund‐ oder Böschungsbruch. Dabei könnten angepasste Mess‐, Steuer‐ und Regelungssysteme die Maschinenführer durch Warnungen oder Gegenmaßnahmen unterstützen, bei einem drohenden Umkippvorgang noch rechtzeitig gegenzusteuern. Um dieser Hypothese nachzugehen, ist im Rahmen von ersten Modelluntersuchungen ein mögliches Mess‐, Steuer‐ und Regelungssystem an Modellen aus Lego Mindstorms implementiert und getestet worden.

Das untersuchte Modell, das einem Bohrgerät aus dem Spezialtiefbau nachempfunden ist, hat drei Bewegungsmöglichkeiten und kann selbst mit wenigen Sensoren und einem einfachen Mess‐, Steuer‐ und Regelungssystem automatisch gefährliche Situationen erkennen und geeignete Gegenmaßnahmen einleiten. Damit wird die prinzipielle Funktionalität dieser Herangehensweise aufgezeigt, die im nächsten Schritt auf komplexere Systeme übertragen werden kann.
TGF‐β induced PAR‐1 expression promotes tumor progression and osteoclast differentiation in giant cell tumor of bone
Authors: Wang Ting , Jiao Jian , Zhang Hao , Zhou Wang , Li Zhenxi , Han Shuai , Wang Jing , Yang Xinghai , Huang Quan , Wu Zhipeng , Yan Wangjun , Xiao Jianru
Published: July 2017

Although protease activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) has been confirmed as an oncogene in many cancers, the role of PAR‐1 in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone has been rarely reported. The mechanism of PAR‐1 in tumor‐induced osteoclastogenesis still remains unclear. In the present study, we detected that PAR‐1 was significantly upregulated in GCT of bone compared to normal tissues, while TGF‐β was also overexpressed in GCT tissues and could promote the expression of PAR‐1 in a dose and time dependent manner. Using the luciferase reporter assay, we found that two downstreams of TGF‐β, Smad3 and Smad4, could activate the promoter of PAR‐1, which might explain the mechanism of TGF‐β induced PAR‐1 expression. Meanwhile, PAR‐1 was also overexpressed in microvesicles from stromal cells of GCT (GCTSCs), and might be transported from GCTSCs to monocytes through microvesicles. In addition, knockout of PAR‐1 by TALENs in GCTSCs inhibited tumor growth, angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in GCT in vitro. Using the chick CAM models, we further showed that inhibition of PAR‐1 suppressed tumor growth and giant cell formation in vivo. Using microarray assay, we detected a number of genes involved in osteoclastogenesis as the possible downstreams of PAR‐1, which may partly explain the mechanism of PAR‐1 in GCT. In brief, for the first time, these results reveal an upstream regulatory role of TGF‐β in PAR‐1 expression, and PAR‐1 expression promotes tumor growth, angiogenesis and osteoclast differentiation in GCT of bone. Hence, PAR‐1 represents a novel potential therapeutic target for GCT of bone.
HPV circulating tumor DNA to monitor the efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 therapy in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal: A case report
Authors: Cabel Luc , Bidard François‐Clément , Servois Vincent , Cacheux Wulfran , Mariani Pascale , Romano Emanuela , Minsat Mathieu , Bieche Ivan , Farkhondeh Fereshteh , Jeannot Emmanuelle , Buecher Bruno
Published: July 2017

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is a rare HPV‐associated cancer with limited sensitivity to standard chemotherapy. In a phase 2 study, nivolumab, an anti PD‐1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, demonstrated significant efficacy as single‐agent therapy in metastatic SCCA patients. Nevertheless, imaging assessment by standard RECIST criteria of the efficacy of immune therapy can be difficult in some patients due to tumor immune cell infiltration, and biomarkers of treatment efficacy are needed. We have previously developed a quantitative droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technique to detect HPV circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA), with excellent sensitivity and specificity. Here, we report, for the first time, the kinetics of HPV ctDNA during therapy in a patient with metastatic SCCA, who obtained sustained partial response to single‐agent nivolumab. We observed an early and very significant decrease of HPV ctDNA during therapy from the baseline level of 3713 copies/ml plasma to 564 copies/ml plasma at 4 weeks, and 156 copies/ml at 6 weeks, followed by a plateau. This observation provides proof‐of‐concept that HPV ctDNA can be used as a noninvasive early dynamic biomarker to monitor the efficacy of new immunotherapy agents.
Stratifying HPV‐positive women for CIN3+ risk after one and two rounds of HPV‐based screening
Authors: Veldhuijzen Nienke J. , Polman Nicole J. , Snijders Peter J.F. , Meijer Chris J.L.M. , Berkhof Johannes
Published: July 2017

A main challenge of human papilloma (HPV)‐based screening for cervical cancer is to adequately identify HPV‐positive women at highest risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or worse, CIN3+. The prognostic value of currently used adjunct markers (HPV16/18 genotyping and reflex cytology) may change after multiple rounds of HPV‐based screening because of a change in the proportion of HPV‐positive women with incident infections. To this end, we re‐analyzed results from the POBASCAM trial (Population Based Screening Study Amsterdam). Women were randomized to HPV/cytology cotesting (intervention group) or to cytology‐only (HPV blinded; control group) at enrolment. Our analytical population consisted of women with an HPV‐positive result at the second round, 5 years after enrolment (n = 381 intervention, n = 392 control). Nine‐year CIN3+ risks were estimated by Kaplan–Meier. HPV‐positive women were stratified by risk markers: HPV16/18 genotyping, reflex cytology and preceding HPV results. When comparing one to two rounds of HPV‐based screening, the prognostic value of an abnormal cytology result did not change (40.0% vs. 42.3%, p = 0.5617), but diminished for an HPV16/18 positive result (25.4% vs. 38.0%, p = 0.0132). HPV16/18 genotyping was nondiscriminative in women with incident HPV infections (HPV16/18 positive 10.0% vs. negative 12.1%, p = 0.3193). Women from the intervention group were more likely to have incident infections compared to women from the control group (incident screen‐positive results 75.6% vs. 64.6%, p = 0.001) Our results indicate that at a second round of HPV‐based screening, risk differentiation by cytology remained strong, but was diminished for HPV 16/18 genotyping because of a larger proportion of incident infections.
An Efficient Synthesis of 6′‐methyl‐1'H‐spiro[indoline‐3,4′‐pyrimidine]‐2,2′(3'H)‐dione Derivatives
Authors: Gao Lijiu , Qin Yaqi , Yu Qiuyu , Ling Zhi , Xu Zhongyun , Rong Liangce
Published: July 2017

The reactions of isatins, urea and 1‐(piperidin‐1‐yl)butane‐1,3‐dione or 1‐morpholinobutane‐1,3‐dione have been developed for the preparation of spiroheterocycles compounds. It was found these reactions could be given higher yields and required shorter time in our process. In this synthesis, some useful groups, such as pyridyl and morpholinyl were introduced into the structures of the products. The compounds were confirmed by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Else, compounds 4i and 4r were additionally confirmed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The other advantages of this procure were simple handling, high yields, and wide range substrates.
Silver nanoparticles from Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain demonstrated antifungal activity against fungi causing superficial mycoses
Authors: Wypij Magdalena , Czarnecka Joanna , Dahm Hanna , Rai Mahendra , Golinska Patrycja
Published: July 2017

In this study, we present the in vitro antifungal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized from acidophilic actinobacterium Pilimelia columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain, alone and in combination with antibiotics viz., amphotericin B, fluconazole, and ketoconazole against pathogenic fungi, namely Candida albicans, Malassezia furfur, and Trichophyton erinacei. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biocidal concentration (MBC) of AgNPs against test fungi were evaluated. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index was determined to estimate antifungal activity of AgNPs combined with antibiotics. Antifungal activity of AgNPs varied among the tested fungal strains. M. furfur was found to be most sensitive to biogenic silver nanoparticles, followed by C. albicans and T. erinacei. The lowest MIC of AgNPs was noticed against M. furfur (16 μg ml−1). Synergistic effect was observed on C. albicans when AgNP were combined with amphotericin B and ketoconazole and on M. furfur with fluconazole and ketoconazole (FIC index of 0.5). Cytotoxic effect of AgNPs on HeLa and 3T3 cell lines was evaluated. The IC50 values were found to be 55 and 25 μg ml−1, respectively. The present study indicates that silver nanoparticles from P. columellifera subsp. pallida SL19 strain have antifungal activity, both alone and in combination with antibiotics, and offer a valuable contribution to nanomedicine.
Lipid membrane modulation and pigmentation: A cryoprotection mechanism in Arctic pigmented bacteria
Authors: Singh Archana , Krishnan Kottekattu P. , Prabaharan Dharmar , Sinha Rupesh K.
Published: July 2017

The present study aims to address the effect of gradual change in temperature (15–4 °C) followed by freeze–thaw on pigmented bacterial strains – Leeuwenhoekiella aequorea, Pseudomonas pelagia, Halomonas boliviensis, Rhodococcus yunnanensis, and Algoriphagus ratkwoskyi, isolated from Kongsfjorden (an Arctic fjord) to understand their survival in present climate change scenario. The total cell count and retrievability of the isolates were not affected despite the variation in temperature. In all the isolates, the saturated fatty acids, particularly stearic and palmitic acid were predominant at higher temperature, while at 4 °C, the unsaturated fatty acids, primarily cis‐10‐pentadecenoic, palmitoleic, and oleic acid, were major constituents, confirming homeoviscous adaptation. Even after freeze–thaw, the unsaturated fatty acid composition was retained in all the isolates except A. ratkwoskyi. The increase in unsaturated fatty acids was at the expense of their saturated analogs, probably by desaturase activity. The major pigment in the isolates resembled Zeaxanthin, whose concentration was found to be 26–65% higher after freeze–thaw, suggesting its vital role as a cryoprotective agent in regulating membrane fluidity. Such experimental simulations related to freeze–thaw in polar bacterial isolates are helpful in understanding the physiological plasticity adaptations, which could be critical for survival in harsh and rapidly changing polar environments.
The effects of different spices and fat types on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines in barbecued sucuk
Authors: Unal Kubra , Karakaya Mustafa , Oz Fatih
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Sucuk is one of the popular traditional Turkish meat products. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of different spices (clove, 0.2%; cinnamon, 0.5%) and animal fat types (beef fat, tallow, subcutaneous and tail fat) on the formation of heterocyclic aromatic amine (HCA) in barbecued sucuk.

RESULTS

Although 2‐amino‐3‐methyl‐9H‐pyrido[2,3‐b]indole (MeAαC) could not be detected in the any of the samples, 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (IQx) (up to 0.54 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ) (up to 5.96 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐3,8‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) (up to 0.21 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐3,4‐dimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (MeIQ) (up to 0.34 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐3,7,8‐trimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (7,8‐DiMeIQx) (up to 0.32 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐3,4,8‐trimethylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoxaline (4,8‐DiMeIQx) (up to 0.19 ng g−1), 2‐amino‐1‐methyl‐6‐phenylimidazo[4,5‐b]pyridine (PhIP) (up to 1.94 ng g−1) and 2‐amino‐9H‐pyrido[2,3‐b]indole (AαC) (up to 0.98 ng g−1) were found in the barbecued sucuk samples.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study have shown that HCAs could be formed in barbecued sucuk. Total HCA can be affected by adding different fat types; however, adding clove and cinnamon decreased the total HCA content in the subcutaneous fat group of sucuk samples. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
The effect of culture on brand loyalty through brand performance and brand personality
Authors: Unurlu Cigdem , Uca Selda
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study is to identify the cultural characteristics of tourists who had the experience of accommodation in 5‐star hotels in Istanbul and to determine the effects of these characteristics on personalizing of the hotel brand and the perception of its performance. According to the results of this research, culture directly affects brand personality and brand performance. However, the effect of culture on brand performance is relatively greater. In addition, brand personality and brand performance affect brand loyalty directly, whereas culture does not have a direct effect on brand loyalty.
Polyvinylpyridine‐Grafted Block Copolymers by an Iterative All‐Anionic Polymerization Strategy
Authors: Appold Michael , Rüttiger Christian , Kuttich Björn , Stühn Bernd , Gallei Markus
Published: July 2017

Functional block copolymers are a highly relevant material platform for many potential applications in fields of nanolithography, drug delivery, and separation technologies. Here, poly(2‐vinylpyridine) (P2VP)‐grafted diblock copolymers consisting of polystyrene‐block‐polyisoprene (PS‐b‐PI) backbone are synthesized via an iterative anionicgrafting‐topolymerization strategy. P2VP macro anions having molar masses of 1.1, 3.6, and 9.9 kDa are grafted to PS‐b‐PI block copolymers featuring 37 mol% 1,2‐polyisoprene moieties. Prior to thegrafting‐tostrategy, the PS‐b‐PI is subjected to platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation reaction for the introduction of chlorosilane groups. The SiCl moieties are advantageously used for nucleophilic reaction of the P2VP macro anions with PS‐b‐PI yielding grafted block copolymers having a final P2VP volume fraction of 73, 87, and 93 vol%. Micellization of the P2VP‐grafted block copolymers in polar solvents and in water (after protonation of the pyridine moieties) is studied by dynamic light scattering experiments and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As a focus of this work, the influence on microphase separation in the bulk state is noted to be tremendously influenced by introducing P2VP segments. This is confirmed by TEM measurements and small angle X‐ray scattering experiments, which reveal a good control over morphologies at the nanometer length scale.
Tailorable Surface Morphology of 3D Scaffolds by Combining Additive Manufacturing with Thermally Induced Phase Separation
Authors: Di Luca Andrea , de Wijn Joost R. , van Blitterswijk Clemens A. , Camarero‐Espinosa Sandra , Moroni Lorenzo
Published: July 2017

The functionalization of biomaterials substrates used for cell culture is gearing towards an increasing control over cell activity. Although a number of biomaterials have been successfully modified by different strategies to display tailored physical and chemical surface properties, it is still challenging to step from 2D substrates to 3D scaffolds with instructive surface properties for cell culture and tissue regeneration. In this study, additive manufacturing and thermally induced phase separation are combined to create 3D scaffolds with tunable surface morphology from polymer gels. Surface features vary depending on the gel concentration, the exchanging temperature, and the nonsolvent used. When preosteoblasts (MC‐3T3 cells) are cultured on these scaffolds, a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity is measured for submicron surface topography, suggesting a potential role on early cell differentiation.
Merging Clinical and Imaging Biomarkers to Tackle Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Picillo Marina , Barone Paolo , Pellecchia Maria Teresa
Published: July 2017

Background

In Parkinson's disease, biomarkers represent tools that are potentially suitable for either clinical or research settings and are useful in predicting onset, confirming diagnosis, detecting progression, and evaluating response to potential disease‐modifying treatments. The range of available biomarkers in Parkinson's disease is fast expanding and includes an increasing amount of laboratory, clinical, and imaging data. Indeed, the latter 2 represent the cornerstones of the diagnostic criteria for Parkinson's disease recently proposed by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society Task Force on the definition of Parkinson's disease.

Methods and Results

In this review, we describe current knowledge and emerging findings on clinical (with emphasis on nonmotor symptoms) and imaging biomarkers for Parkinson's disease, with a focus on prodromal, diagnostic, and middle/advanced phases.

Conclusion

An increasing body of evidence suggests that merging clinical and imaging biomarkers through disease stages may be the best, fastest track to tackle Parkinson's disease.
General phase transition models for vehicular traffic with point constraints on the flow
Authors: Dal Santo E. , Rosini M. D. , Dymski N. , Benyahia M.
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we present a general phase transition model that describes the evolution of vehicular traffic along a one‐lane road. Two different phases are taken into account, according to whether the traffic is low or heavy. The model is given by a scalar conservation law in the free‐flow phase and by a system of 2 conservation laws in the congested phase. The free‐flow phase is described by a one‐dimensional fundamental diagram corresponding to a Newell‐Daganzo type flux. The congestion phase is described by a two‐dimensional fundamental diagram obtained by perturbing a general fundamental flux. In particular, we study the resulting Riemann problems in the case a local point constraint on the flow of the solutions is enforced.
Design of spectral‐spatial phase prewinding pulses and their use in small‐tip fast recovery steady‐state imaging
Authors: Williams Sydney N. , Nielsen Jon‐Fredrik , Fessler Jeffrey A. , Noll Douglas C.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Spectrally selective “prewinding” radiofrequency pulses can counteract B0 inhomogeneity in steady‐state sequences, but can only prephase a limited range of off‐resonance. We propose spectral‐spatial small‐tip angle prewinding pulses that increase the off‐resonance bandwidth that can be successfully prephased by incorporating spatially tailored excitation patterns.

Theory and Methods

We present a feasibility study to compare spectral and spectral‐spatial prewinding pulses. These pulses add a prephasing term to the target magnetization pattern that aims to recover an assigned off‐resonance bandwidth at the echo time. For spectral‐spatial pulses, the design bandwidth is centered at the off‐resonance frequency for each spatial location in a field map. We use these pulses in the small‐tip fast recovery steady‐state sequence, which is similar to balanced steady‐state free precession. We investigate improvement of spectral‐spatial pulses over spectral pulses using simulations and small‐tip fast recovery scans of a gel phantom and human brain.

Results

In simulation, spectral‐spatial pulses yielded lower normalized root mean squared excitation error than spectral pulses. For both experiments, the spectral‐spatial pulse images are also qualitatively better (more uniform, less signal loss) than the spectral pulse images.

Conclusion

Spectral‐spatial prewinding pulses can prephase over a larger range of off‐resonance than their purely spectral counterparts. Magn Reson Med 79:1377–1386, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Fast, precise, and accurate myocardial T1 mapping using a radial MOLLI sequence with FLASH readout
Authors: Marty B. , Coppa B. , Carlier P.G.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

Quantitative cardiac MRI, and more particularly T1 mapping, has become a most important modality to characterize myocardial tissue. In this work, the value of a radial variant of the conventional modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery sequence (raMOLLI) is demonstrated.

Methods

The raMOLLI acquisition scheme consisted of five radial echo trains of 80 spokes acquired using either a fast low‐angle shot (FLASH) or a true fast imaging with steady‐state‐precession (TrueFISP) readout at different time points after a single magnetization inversion. View sharing combined with a compressed sensing algorithm allowed the reconstruction of 50 images along the T1 relaxation recovery curve, to which a dictionary‐fitting approach was applied to estimate T1. The sequence was validated on a nine‐vial phantom, on 19 healthy subjects, and one patient suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy.

Results

The raMOLLI sequence allowed a significant decrease of myocardial T1 map acquisition time down to five heartbeats, while exhibiting a higher degree of accuracy and a comparable precision on T1 value estimation than the conventional modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery sequence. The FLASH readout demonstrated a better robustness to B0 inhomogeneities than TrueFISP, and was therefore preferred for in vivo acquisitions.

Conclusions

This sequence represents a good candidate for ultrafast acquisition of myocardial T1 maps. Magn Reson Med 79:1387–1398, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Performance of a fast and high‐resolution multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence for prostate T2 mapping across multiple systems
Authors: van Houdt Petra J. , Agarwal Harsh K. , van Buuren Laurens D. , Heijmink Stijn W.T.P.J. , Haack Søren , van der Poel Henk G. , Ghobadi Ghazaleh , Pos Floris J. , Peeters Johannes M. , Choyke Peter L. , van der Heide Uulke A.
Published: July 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of a multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence with k‐t undersampling scheme (k‐t T2) in prostate cancer.

Methods

Phantom experiments were performed at five systems to estimate the bias, short‐term repeatability, and reproducibility across all systems expressed with the within‐subject coefficient of variation (wCV). Monthly measurements were performed on two systems for long‐term repeatability estimation. To evaluate clinical repeatability, two T2 maps (voxel size 0.8 × 0.8 × 3 mm3; 5 min) were acquired at separate visits on one system for 13 prostate cancer patients. Repeatability was assessed per patient in relation to spatial resolution. T2 values were compared for tumor, peripheral zone, and transition zone.

Results

Phantom measurements showed a small bias (median = −0.9 ms) and good short‐term repeatability (median wCV = 0.5%). Long‐term repeatability was 0.9 and 1.1% and reproducibility between systems was 1.7%. The median bias observed in patients was −1.1 ms. At voxel level, the median wCV was 15%, dropping to 4% for structures of 0.5 cm3. The median tumor T2 values (79 ms) were significantly lower (P < 0.001) than in the peripheral zone (149 ms), but overlapped with the transition zone (91 ms).

Conclusions

Reproducible T2 mapping of the prostate is feasible with good spatial resolution in a clinically reasonable scan time, allowing reliable measurement of T2 in structures as small as 0.5 cm3. Magn Reson Med 79:1586–1594, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Properties of One‐Dimensional Quinoidal Oligothiophene Derivatives Involving Phenoxyl Groups
Authors: Kishi Ryohei , Katsurayama Tsubasa , Ochi Shoki , Makino Akihiro , Matsushita Naoyuki , Saito Michika , Nagami Takanori , Fujiyoshi Jun‐ya , Nakano Masayoshi
Published: July 2017

The diradical characters (y) and third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of open‐shell quinoidal oligothiophene derivatives with phenoxyl groups, and the corresponding reduced (hydrogenated)‐state oligomers, are investigated by using the broken‐symmetry density functional theory method. The oxidized (dehydrogenated) states are predicted to have an open‐shell singlet ground state and their y values increase with the number of units. Static second hyperpolarizabilities (γ) of the open‐shell oligomers with intermediate y are shown to be enhanced significantly compared with those of the closed‐shell analogues. Furthermore, owing to the effective diradical distances, the γ values of open‐shell oligomers are found to exceed that of s‐indaceno[1,2,3‐cd;5,6,7‐c′d′]diphenalene, which is known as an organic molecule with the largest two‐photon absorption cross‐section in this size of the pure hydrocarbons. This feature extends the range of efficient open‐shell third‐order NLO materials to a novel class of one‐dimensional conjugated oligomers with redox‐based high tunability of third‐order NLO properties.
Overexpression of PCDHB9 promotes peritoneal metastasis and correlates with poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Mukai Shoichiro , Oue Naohide , Oshima Takashi , Imai Takeharu , Sekino Yohei , Honma Ririno , Sakamoto Naoya , Sentani Kazuhiro , Kuniyasu Hiroki , Egi Hiroyuki , Tanabe Kazuaki , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Ohdan Hideki , Yasui Wataru
Published: July 2017

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common human cancers. Genes expressed only in cancer tissue, especially on the cell membrane, may be useful biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and therapeutics. In the present study, we focused on the PCDHB9 gene, which encodes the transmembrane protein protocadherin B9. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 62 (36%) of 173 GC cases were positive for protocadherin B9. Protocadherin B9 staining was mainly observed on the GC cell membrane. Expression of protocadherin B9 was frequently found in intestinal‐type GC and correlated with poor prognosis in patients with intestinal‐type GC. Although PCDHB9 knockdown or forced expression of PCDHB9 did not change cell growth or invasion activity in a GC cell line, cell adhesion to fibronectin was significantly reduced by PCDHB9 knockdown and significantly enhanced by overexpression of PCDHB9. Expression levels of ITGA3, ITGA4, ITGA5, and ITGB1 were significantly reduced by knockdown of PCDHB9 and significantly enhanced by overexpression of PCDHB9. Furthermore, both the number and the size of spheres in culture were significantly decreased by PCDHB9 knockdown and significantly increased by overexpression of PCDHB9. In a peritoneal dissemination mouse model, the weight of the total disseminated nodules of MKN‐74 cells was significantly increased by forced expression of PCDHB9. These results indicate that protocadherin B9 plays an important role in the progression rather than the pathogenesis of intestinal‐type GC. Specific inhibitors of protocadherin B9 may constitute promising anti‐cancer drugs with fewer side‐effects. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trisomy 13‐confined placental mosaicism: is there an increased risk of gestational hypertensive disorders?
Authors: Dotters‐Katz Sarah K. , Hardisty Emily , Campbell Erin , Vora Neeta
Published: July 2017

What's already known about this topic?

Trisomy 13 (T13) pregnancies are associated with increased risk of gestational hypertensive disorders (GHDs).

It is unclear if false positive cell‐free DNA results for T13, which may be caused by confined placental mosaicism, are associated with increased risk for GHD.

What does this study add?

Among six women with false positive cell‐free DNA for T13, four developed GHD, raising the possibility that there may be an increased risk for GHD in women with false positive cell‐free DNA results for T13.

© 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dispersion of single‐walled carbon nanotubes using nucleobase‐containing poly(acrylamide) polymers
Authors: Fong Darryl , Hua Zan , Wilks Thomas R. , O'Reilly Rachel K. , Adronov Alex
Published: July 2017

Single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) possess extraordinary properties, but suffer from poor solubility and a lack of purity. Of the possible routes available to solubilize and purify nanotube samples, the use of noncovalent functionalization is ideal as carbon nanotube properties are not deleteriously affected. A multitude of different dispersants have been investigated thus far, but of particular interest is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which has previously been demonstrated to effectively separate metallic and semiconducting carbon nanotubes. Here, we investigate the ability of synthetic nucleobase‐containing poly(acrylamide) polymers to produce stable nanotube dispersions in organic solvents. Polymers bearing different nucleobase and backbone structures, as well as block copolymers with different block sequences were investigated. Polymer:SWNT mass ratios and solvent compositions were optimized for the nucleobase‐functionalized polymers, and semiconducting and metallic SWNT populations were identified by a combination of UV‐Vis‐NIR absorption, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy. These results demonstrate the capacity for synthetic DNA analogues to disperse SWNTs in organic media. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2611–2617
State of High‐Altitude Permafrost on Tropical Maunakea Volcano, Hawaii
Authors: Schorghofer Norbert , Leopold Matthias , Yoshikawa Kenji
Published: July 2017

One of the most unusual occurrences of sporadic permafrost is on the summit plateau of Maunakea volcano on Hawaii Island, where permafrost was documented in two cinder‐cone craters in the 1970s. To investigate the state of this permafrost, we acquired multi‐year ground temperature data and conducted electrical resistivity and ground penetrating radar surveys. The two ice bodies still exist, but one has shrunk in volume by an order of magnitude and is expected to disappear soon. The other is still more than 50 m wide. We also prospected the summit region for additional permafrost bodies, based on insolation modelling, temperature probing and geomorphological indicators, but none was found. Permafrost occurs preferentially in the interiors of craters with a closed basin, even though there are exterior slopes that receive less solar radiation annually. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between oxygen cost of walking and level of walking disability after stroke: An experimental study
Authors: Polese Janaine C. , Ada Louise , Teixeira‐Salmela Luci F.
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose

Since physical inactivity is the major risk factor for recurrent stroke, it is important to understand how level of disability impacts oxygen uptake by people after stroke. This study investigated the nature of the relationship between level of disability and oxygen cost in people with chronic stroke.

Methods

Level of walking disability was measured as comfortable walking speed using the 10‐m Walk Test reported in m/s with 55 ambulatory people 2 years after stroke. Oxygen cost was measured during 3 walking tasks: overground walking at comfortable speed, overground walking at fast speed, and stair walking at comfortable speed. Oxygen cost was calculated from oxygen uptake divided by distance covered during walking and reported in ml∙kg−1∙m−1.

Results

The relationship between level of walking disability and oxygen cost was curvilinear for all 3 walking tasks. One quadratic model accounted for 81% (95% CI [74, 88]) of the variance in oxygen cost during the 3 walking tasks:

urn:x-wiley:13582267:media:pri1688:pri1688-math-0001

Discussion

The oxygen cost of walking was related the level of walking disability in people with chronic stroke, such that the more disabled the individual, the higher the oxygen cost of walking; with oxygen cost rising sharply as disability became severe. An equation that relates oxygen cost during different walking tasks according to the level of walking disability allows clinicians to determine oxygen cost indirectly without the difficulty of measuring oxygen uptake directly.
Change mechanism of solver performance: With a special focus on time history analysis of supertall buildings
Authors: Tao Qian , He Zheng
Published: July 2017

The correlation between the performance of some commonly used linear system solvers and the characteristics of system matrices, especially in the time history analysis of supertall buildings, is comprehensively identified. Relying on 5 well‐designed structural models with height varying from 47 to 660 m, the supernodal LLT solver and the conjugate gradient (CG) solver with the factorized sparse approximate inverse preconditioner are selected due to their actual efficiency. More importantly, basing on 90 fictitious supertall structural models generated from the parameterized method, the effects of structural characteristics on solver performance and the corresponding mechanism are studied by 3 mathematical indexes with parameters come from the equivalent dynamic stiffness matrices. Impacts of processors on the solvers are also clarified by associating the architectural characteristics of processors with the indexes. The performance of the 2 solvers is affected globally with increasing building size; different variation laws are shown for different structural systems. However, the accuracy of the CG solver does not exhibit distinct variation due to a slight change in the 2‐norm condition number of the matrices. The CG solver is found to be more applicable on GPU processor than the LLT solver due to its smaller gap between computational workload and the amount of data transferred.
Existence and stability of traveling wave fronts for a reaction‐diffusion system with spatio‐temporal nonlocal effect
Authors: Wu Chufen , Li Mengqi , Weng Peixuan
Published: July 2017

In this paper, traveling wave fronts for a two dimensional quasi‐monotone reaction‐diffusion system with spatio‐temporal delays are investigated. We use the upper‐lower solution method and the fixed‐point theorem to establish the existence of traveling waves for the system, and the technique of comparison principle combined with the weighted energy function to study the global exponential stability of traveling waves of the equations with large initial perturbation. The initial perturbation around the traveling waves decays exponentially as , but it can be arbitrarily large in other locations.
EXTERNALITIES, PROFIT, AND LAND STEWARDSHIP: CONFLICTING MOTIVES FOR SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ADOPTION AMONG ABSENTEE LANDOWNERS AND ON-FARM PRODUCERS
Authors: TONG BENJAMIN H. , BOYER TRACY A. , SANDERS LARRY D.
Published: July 2017

This research aimed to illicit nonfarming absentee landowners’ and producers’ preferences for the benefits and characteristics derived from conservation practices during adoption decisions using maximum difference scaling, also called the best-worst method. Both groups are found to rank and value the attributes and reasons for adoption of conservation practices differently at the 95% significance level. This difference between the two groups reinforced the importance of land tenure in decision making. This indicated the need for new extension educational efforts, research efforts, and economic incentives to reduce negative externalities that could be ameliorated from adoption of soil and water conservation practices.
Radiological Growth Patterns of Prolactinomas and Nonfunctioning Adenomas
Authors: Imran Syed Ali , Shankar Jai , Hebb Andrea L.O. , Croul Sidney E. , Clarke David B.
Published: July 2017

Objectives:To compare growth patterns of nonfunctioning and prolactin-producing pituitary macroadenomas, and to find whether their specific growth patterns are associated with clinically significant effects on vision.Materials and Methods:From our comprehensive provincial neuropituitary registry, we retrospectively identified 35 randomly selected patients each with nonfunctioning adenomas and prolactinomas >10 mm in any dimension. MRI scans were analyzed to determine the superior and inferior growth, volume, and maximum craniocaudal height of the adenomas. Patients underwent visual field testing at diagnosis. Continuous variables were compared using Student’sttest, the Mann–WhitneyUtest, and ANOVA. Categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test.Results:The mean height of prolactinomas (23.2±11.3 mm) was similar to nonfunctioning adenomas (22.3±9.3 mm,p=0.8), and so were mean tumor volumes (prolactinoma=5.9±8 ml vs. nonfunctioning adenoma=4.8±5 ml,p=0.47). However, the mean suprasellar growth for prolactinomas was 2.9±5.3 mm and 7.3±4.7 mm for nonfunctioning adenomas (p<0.001), and the mean infrasellar growth was 10.2±8.0 and 5.0±6.6 mm, respectively (p=0.04). The inferior growth pattern of prolactinomas was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of having visual field abnormalities (11.4 vs. 57.1%,p<0.001).Conclusions:Prolactinomas have predominantly inferior growth compared to nonfunctioning adenomas and are less likely to cause vision changes.
Effects of Self-Selected Exercise on Strength in Charcot–Marie–Tooth Disease Subtypes
Authors: Djordjevic Djurdja , Fell Sabrina , Baker Steven
Published: July 2017

Background: Preliminary studies have supported the utility of exercise as a treatment for Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT) patients. Despite being the most common inherited neuropathy, there remains a paucity of guidelines for CMT management. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 297 CMT patients. Self-reported exercise and strength results from standardized dynamometer testing were obtained from adult patients’ first visits. Values were converted and analyzed based on previously reported age- and sex-matched normative values. Results: Participants with CMT2 had greater strength values than those with CMT1 in hand grip, elbow flexion, and dorsiflexion (p<0.05). Participants with CMT1 and CMT2 who exercised were statistically significantly stronger in elbow flexion and dorsiflexion than those who did not exercise. Conclusions: These preliminary results suggest that self-directed exercise is associated with greater strength in CMT patients of both CMT1 and CMT2 subtypes. Self-directed exercise may be a convenient, sustainable, and effective method of improving strength and decreasing disability in this population. Future research should explore the type of exercise prescription that best addresses the needs of the CMT population.
A >22,000 yr diatom record from the plateau of Zambia
Authors: Haberyan Kurt A.
Published: July 2017

Diatoms and sediments were examined in a 530 cm core from Ishiba Ngandu, Zambia, a lake formed by gentle downwarping. Diatom zone D (>20 cal ka BP) was mostly sand with abundantAulacoseiraandEunotia, suggesting a shallow lake perhaps kept fresh by spring inputs and lake discharge, except during deposition of the lowermost 66 cm. Gyttja deposition between about 22 and 20 cal ka BP suggested a deeper lake and a wetter climate, perhaps because the Congo Air Boundary (CAB) was farther southeast relative to modern times. The next zone, zone C (about 20–19 cal ka BP), was sand with abundantAchnanthidiumandEunotiabut very few planktonic diatoms, apparently representing very shallow water and an arid period without the CAB. The gyttja and diatoms in zone B (19–4 ka) suggested an increase in moisture when the CAB returned. Zone A (4–0 cal ka BP) was dominated by the planktonicAulacoseira(>89%), suggesting an increase in wind-driven mixing. Uniquely, Ishiba Ngandu likely has been relatively moist since the last glacial maximum, matching pre-Holocene wetness in Botswana but not its Holocene aridity; evidently the climate here had switched to that of East Africa.
Reconciling Marriage and Care after Stroke
Authors: Anderson Sharon , Keating Norah , Wilson Donna
Published: July 2017

La plupart des recherches concernant les impacts des accidents vasculaires cérébraux (AVC) sur les couples ont été centrées sur la transition vers le rôle de soignant ou de bénéficiaire de soins. Même s’il est bien établi que la source principale du soutien dans les cas de maladies chroniques soit le mariage, il n’existe que peu de données sur les effets de ces soins, après un AVC, sur la relation maritale. Afin de combler cette lacune, nous avons réalisé une étude qualitative fondée sur une théorie à base empirique impliquant 18 couples dans lesquels l’un des époux avait subi un AVC. Les résultats ont mis en évidence deux thèmes étroitement liés en ce qui concerne la dynamique de couple : organiser les soins, un thème qui implique la découverte des problèmes dans la vie de tous les jours et leur prise en charge ; et repenser le mariage, un aspect qui nécessite la détermination du sens rattaché à la relation de couple dans un nouveau contexte caractérisé par des soins et des incapacités. Trois types du mariage se sont ressortis à partir de ces processus : la « reconfirmation » du mariage tel qu’il existait avant l’AVC ; la recalibration » du mariage autour des nouveaux soins ; et la « relation parallèle » — considérée comme « son mariage » à chacun des deux prtenaires. Ces résultats mettent en évidence la nécessité de considérer les dynamiques des relations, en plus des connaissances associées à l’AVC et aux soins.
Incidence of pneumonia in nursing home residents with dementia in the Netherlands: an estimation based on three differently designed studies
Authors: ZOMER T. P. , VAN DER MAADEN T. , VAN GAGELDONK-LAFEBER A. B. , DE GREEFF S. C. , VAN DER STEEN J. T. , VERHOEF L.
Published: July 2017

Pneumonia leads to considerable morbidity and mortality in nursing home residents with dementia. We assessed pneumonia incidence based on data from three different studies: (1) real-time national surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in nursing home residents in 2009–2015; (2) a randomized controlled trial in 2012–2015 to assess effects of a practical guideline in nursing home residents with dementia and pneumonia; and (3) a study in 2007–2010 to assess quality of dying in newly admitted nursing home residents with dementia. In national surveillance data, pneumonia incidence was calculated separately for psychogeriatric and somatic beds, as a proxy for residents with and without dementia. Weekly pneumonia incidence was significantly lower per 1000 psychogeriatric beds (3·9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3·2–4·6) compared with 1000 somatic beds (5·7; 95% CI 5·1–6·3). Annual incidence per 1000 psychogeriatric beds was similar in national surveillance (range 78·9–117·1) and the trial (range 71·0–94·3), and significantly higher in newly admitted dementia residents (range 267·3–363·2). The incidence was highest during the first months after admission when compared with residents with longer stay. In conclusion, follow-up of pneumonia in newly admitted dementia residents may result in higher incidence, possibly due to higher risk in this population.
On the game p-Laplacian on weighted graphs with applications in image processing and data clustering
Authors: ELMOATAZ A. , DESQUESNES X. , TOUTAIN M.
Published: July 2017

Game-theoretic p-Laplacian or normalized p-Laplacian operator is a version of classical variational p-Laplacian which was introduced recently in connection with stochastic games called Tug-of-War with noise (Peres et al. 2008, Tug-of-war with noise: A game-theoretic view of the p-laplacian. Duke Mathematical Journal145(1), 91–120). In this paper, we propose an adaptation and generalization of this operator on weighted graphs for 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞. This adaptation leads to a partial difference operator which is a combination between 1-Laplace, infinity-Laplace and 2-Laplace operators on graphs. Then we consider the Dirichlet problem associated to this operator and we prove the uniqueness and existence of the solution. We show that the solution leads to an iterative non-local average operator on graphs. Finally, we propose to use this operator as a unified framework for interpolation problems in signal processing on graphs, such as image processing and machine learning.
Retrospective Analysis of Mosh-Pit-Related Injuries
Authors: Milsten Andrew M. , Tennyson Joseph , Weisberg Stacy
Published: July 2017

Objectives

Moshing is a violent form of dancing found world-wide at rock concerts, festivals, and electronic dance music events. It involves crowd surfing, shoving, and moving in a circular rotation. Moshing is a source of increased morbidity and mortality. The goal of this study was to report epidemiologic information on patient presentation rate (PPR), transport to hospital rate (TTHR), and injury patterns from patients who participated in mosh-pits.

Materials and Methods

Subjects were patrons from mosh-pits seeking medical care at a single venue. The events reviewed were two national concert tours which visited this venue during their tour. The eight distinct events studied occurred between 2011 and 2014. Data were collected retrospectively from prehospital patient care reports (PCRs). A single Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provided medical care at this venue. The following information was gathered from each PCR: type of injury, location of injury, treatment received, alcohol or drug use, Advanced Life Support/ALS interventions required, age and gender, disposition, minor or parent issues, as well as type of activity engaged in when injured.

Results

Attendance for the eight events ranged from 5,100 to 16,000. Total patient presentations ranged from 50 to 206 per event. Patient presentations per ten thousand (PPTT) ranged from 56 to 130. The TTHR per 10,000 ranged from seven to 20. The mean PPTT was 99 (95% CI, 77-122) and the median was 98. The mean TTHR was 16 (95% CI, 12-29) and the median TTHR was 17. Patients presenting from mosh-pits were more frequently male (57.6%; P<.004). The mean age was 20 (95% CI, 19-20). Treatment received was overwhelmingly at the Basic Life Support (BLS) level (96.8%; P<.000001). General moshing was the most common activity leading to injury. Crowd surfing was the next most significant, accounting for 20% of presentations. The most common body part injured was the head (64% of injuries).

Conclusions

This retrospective review of mosh-pit-associated injury patterns demonstrates a high rate of injuries and presentations for medical aid at the evaluated events. General moshing was the most commonly associated activity and the head was the most common body part injured.

MilstenAM, TennysonJ, WeisbergS, Retrospective analysis of mosh-pit-related injuries. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(6):636–641.
Investigating the effect of carbon leakage on the environmental Kuznets curve using luminosity data
Authors: Steinkraus Arne
Published: July 2017

This paper studies the effect of carbon leakage on the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) using satellite nighttime light data. It shows that nighttime lighting is an important variable for estimating carbon dioxide emissions that is superior to other existing indicators and covers all countries in the world, finding evidence of an inverted-U shaped relationship between light and, thus, greenhouse gas emissions and income, with a turning point at approximately US$50,000. However, the relationship is primarily driven by changes in the structure of international trade, implying strong carbon leakage effects. Consequently, environmental regulations that become operative in only one part of the world may fail without global coordination.
BOOMS AND BUSTS IN A HOUSING MARKET WITH HETEROGENEOUS AGENTS
Authors: Ascari G. , Pecora N. , Spelta A.
Published: July 2017

We develop a dynamic partial equilibrium model of the housing market, in which the dynamics of the house price is determined by the interaction between chartists and fundamentalists. The model endogenously generates episodes of boom and bust in the house price and can replicate the recent US house price dynamics, and points to endogenous and exogenous behavioral factors as the main determinants of such dynamics.