bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontline Science: Rapid adipose tissue expansion triggers unique proliferation and lipid accumulation profiles in adipose tissue macrophages
Authors: Muir Lindsey A , Kiridena Samadhi , Griffin Cameron , DelProposto Jennifer B , Geletka Lynn , Martinez-Santibañez Gabriel , Zamarron Brian F , Lucas Hannah , Singer Kanakadurga , O'Rourke Robert W , Lumeng Carey N
Published: March 2018

Obesity-related changes in adipose tissue leukocytes, in particular adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and dendritic cells (ATDCs), are implicated in metabolic inflammation, insulin resistance, and altered regulation of adipocyte function. We evaluated stromal cell and white adipose tissue (WAT) expansion dynamics with high fat diet (HFD) feeding for 3–56 days, quantifying ATMs, ATDCs, endothelial cells (ECs), and preadipocytes (PAs) in visceral epididymal WAT and subcutaneous inguinal WAT. To better understand mechanisms of the early response to obesity, we evaluated ATM proliferation and lipid accumulation. ATMs, ATDCs, and ECs increased with rapid WAT expansion, with ATMs derived primarily from a CCR2-independent resident population. WAT expansion stimulated proliferation in resident ATMs and ECs, but not CD11c+ ATMs or ATDCs. ATM proliferation was unperturbed in Csf2- and Rag1-deficient mice with WAT expansion. Additionally, ATM apoptosis decreased with WAT expansion, and proliferation and apoptosis reverted to baseline with weight loss. Adipocytes reached maximal hypertrophy at 28 days of HFD, coinciding with a plateau in resident ATM accumulation and the appearance of lipid-laden CD11c+ ATMs in visceral epididymal WAT. ATM increases were proportional to tissue expansion and adipocyte hypertrophy, supporting adipocyte-mediated regulation of resident ATMs. The appearance of lipid-laden CD11c+ ATMs at peak adipocyte size supports a role in responding to ectopic lipid accumulation within adipose tissue. In contrast, ATDCs increase independently of proliferation and may be derived from circulating precursors. These changes precede and establish the setting in which large-scale adipose tissue infiltration of CD11c+ ATMs, inflammation, and adipose tissue dysfunction contributes to insulin resistance.
Synthesis of 3H, 13C2, 2H414C‐SCH 430765 and 35S‐SCH 500946, potent and selective inhibitors of the NPY5 receptor
Authors: Hesk D. , Koharski D. , McNamara P. , Royster P. , Saluja S. , Truong V. , Voronin K.
Published: March 2018

SCH 430765 and SCH 500496 are potent and selective antagonists of the NPY5 receptor. NPY5 receptor antagonists have the potential for the treatment of obesity. [35S]SCH 500946 was prepared for a competition binding assay which led to the identification of SCH 430765. Three distinct isotopically labelled forms of SCH 430765 were synthesized. [3H]SCH 430765 was prepared for a preliminary absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion data evaluation of the compound and [14C]SCH 430765 for more definitive absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion data work. In addition, [13C2,2H4]SCH 430765 was prepared as an internal standard for a LC‐MS bioanalytical method. The paper discusses the synthesis of 3 isotopically labelled forms of SCH 430765 and [35S]SCH 500946.
Regional cerebral blood flow in natives at high altitude: An arterial spin labeled MRI study
Authors: Wang Xiaochuan , Wei Wenping , Yuan Fengjuan , Li Shanhua , Lin Jianzhong , Zhang Jiaxing
Published: March 2018

Background

It is known that a neurologic sequence occurs at high altitudes (HA); hence, cerebral blood flow (CBF) might vary by altitude.

Purpose

To use arterial spin labeled (ASL) MRI to evaluate absolute CBF differences between subjects who live at HA and lowlands.

Study Type

Cohort prospective trial.

Population

In all, 64 HA Tibetans, 19 lowland Tibetans, and 25 lowland Han subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

CBF was measured with the pulsed ASL sequence at 3T.

Assessment

CBF was correlated with abode altitude in HA Tibetans; CBF differences among HA Tibetans, lowland Tibetans, and lowland Han subjects was assessed.

Statistical Tests

Pearson correlation assessed the correlation. Independent t‐tests analyzed group differences.

Results

In HA Tibetans, CBF decreased with altitude in the bilateral anterior and posterior cingulate gyri, fusiform gyrus, cerebellar tonsil and cortices, and thalamus as well as left middle and inferior temporal gyri and right insula (P < 0.05); HA Tibetans (vs. lowland Tibetans) had lower CBF in the left hemisphere (precuneus, anterior cingulate gyrus, fusiform gyrus, and lingual gyrus) and right hemisphere (superior parietal lobule, precuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and cerebellar tonsil), while they had higher CBF in the left inferior parietal lobule, lentiform nucleus, and inferior frontal gyrus (P < 0.05). The overlapping regions, in which CBF in HA Tibetans correlated with altitude and decreased (vs. lowland Tibetans), were selected for region of interest analysis, and the results showed lower CBF in HA Tibetans than lowland Han subjects (P < 0.05).

Data Conclusion

HA adaptation in Tibetans is associated with a decrease of regional CBF.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:708–717.
The seasons’ length in 21st century CMIP5 projections over the eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Hochman Assaf , Harpaz Tzvi , Saaroni Hadas , Alpert Pinhas
Published: March 2018

The eastern Mediterranean (EM) is expected to be influenced by climate changes that will significantly affect ecosystems, human health and socio‐economic aspects. One aspect of climate change in this vulnerable area is the length of the seasons, especially that of the rainy winter season against the warm and dry summer.

Here, the synoptic seasons’ definition of Alpert, Osetinsky, Ziv, and Shafir (2004a) was applied to an ensemble of eight Coupled Model Inter‐Comparison Project phase 5 (CMIP5) models, under RCP8.5 and RCP4.5 scenarios, to predict the changes in the lengths of EM seasons during the 21st century. It is shown that the ensemble adequately represents the annual cycle of the main synoptic systems over the EM.

The analysis further suggests that at the end of the 21st century, the duration of the synoptic summer, characterized by the occurrence of the Persian Trough, is expected to be lengthened by 49%, while the synoptic winter, characterized by the occurrence of the Cyprus Low, is expected to be shortened by 56% under the RCP8.5 scenario. This may lead to substantial changes in the hydrological regime and water resources, reduce the potential of dry farming, increase the risk of fires and air pollution and change the timing of seasonal health hazards.
Fiber‐in‐tube solid‐phase microextraction of caffeine as a molecular tracer in wastewater by electrochemically deposited layered double hydroxide
Authors: Lashgari Maryam , Yamini Yadollah
Published: March 2018

Modified stainless‐steel wires with a layer of polyaniline conductive polymer were coated by electrochemical deposition with Zn/Al layered double hydroxide to make solid‐phase microextraction fibers. The coating layer was also electrochemically deposited on the inner surface of a stainless‐steel tube. Then, ten prepared fibers were put inside the inner coated tube to make a fiber‐in‐tube solid phase microextraction device. The device was applied for the extraction of caffeine (1,3,7‐trimethylxanthine) from domestic wastewater samples. Extraction conditions including extraction and desorption times, pH and ionic strength of the sample solution, and content of the organic desorption solvent were investigated and optimized. Under the optimized conditions, the fiber‐in‐tube solid phase microextraction exhibited excellent extraction efficiency toward caffeine. The precision of the method was evaluated. Average relative standard deviation of 5.7% (n = 6) for intraday analysis and 8.3% (n = 5) for interday analysis was obtained. The limits of detection and limits of quantification of the method (at signal to noise ratio of 3 and 10) were obtained as 0.14 and 0.37 ng/mL, respectively. The current study can provide new prospective applications of layered double hydroxide conductive polymer fiber coatings.
Tourist satisfaction and subjective well‐being: An index approach
Authors: Saayman Melville , Li Gang , Uysal Muzaffer , Song Haiyan
Published: March 2018

The purpose of this research is to propose an index approach to study the impact of travel experience on tourists' satisfaction and the further impact on their sense of well‐being. Based on the latest development of tourist satisfaction research, that is, the tourist satisfaction indices, this innovative study further extends the two‐stage framework of tourist travel experiences to account for subjective well‐being and subsequently calculates a tourist well‐being index. A questionnaire with 496 respondents was used, which focused on four service sectors' tourist satisfaction indices. From this, a destination overall tourist satisfaction index and a tourist well‐being index were produced using the results of structural equation modelling. Some key findings include the higher the impact of the trip on tourist's sense of well‐being the higher the loyalty towards the destination. Different cultures had different results concerning the trip experiences (satisfaction) and the impact of the latter on their subjective well‐being. Group travellers also had a significantly more positive experience compared with solo travellers. A new innovative indices system capturing tourist satisfaction and its causes and outcomes, in particular its impact on tourist's subjective well‐being, was developed. This research therefore extends work done on the impact of tourist experience and quality of life/subjective well‐being.
Combined Dual‐Kidney Liver Transplantation in the United States: A Review of United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Data Between 2002 and 2012
Authors: Shekhtman Grigoriy , Huang Edmund , Danovitch Gabriel M. , Martin Paul , Bunnapradist Suphamai
Published: March 2018

In kidney‐alone recipients, dual‐kidney transplantation using “higher‐risk” donor organs has shown outcomes comparable to those of single‐kidney transplantation using extended criteria donor (ECD) organs. To investigate the feasibility of a similar approach with combined kidney‐liver transplantation, we identified 22 dual‐kidney liver transplantations (DKLTs) and 3044 single‐kidney liver transplantations (SKLTs) performed in the United States between 2002 and 2012 using United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network registry data. We compared donor/recipient characteristics as well as graft/recipient survival between DKLT recipients and SKLT recipients of “higher‐risk” kidneys (ECD and high kidney donor profile index [KDPI; >85%] donors). Despite having overall similar donor and recipient characteristics compared with both “higher‐risk” donor groups, recipient survival in the DKLT group at 36 months was markedly inferior at 40.9% (compared with 67.5% for ECD SKLT recipients and 64.5% for high‐KDPI SKLT recipients); nondeath‐censored graft survival did not differ. Death was the most common cause of graft loss in all groups. Contrary to dual‐kidney transplantation data in kidney‐alone recipients, DKLT recipients in our study had inferior survival when compared with SKLT recipients of “higher‐risk” donor kidneys. These findings would suggest that dual kidney‐liver transplantation has an uncertain role as a strategy to expand the existing kidney donor pool in combined transplantation.
On modeling
Authors: Novikov Dmitry S. , Kiselev Valerij G. , Jespersen Sune N.
Published: March 2018

Mapping tissue microstructure with MRI holds great promise as a noninvasive window into tissue organization at the cellular level. Having originated within the realm of diffusion NMR in the late 1970s, this field is experiencing an exponential growth in the number of publications. At the same time, model‐based approaches are also increasingly incorporated into advanced MRI acquisition and reconstruction techniques. However, after about two decades of intellectual and financial investment, microstructural mapping has yet to find a single commonly accepted clinical application. Here, we suggest that slow progress in clinical translation may signify unresolved fundamental problems. We outline such problems and related practical pitfalls, as well as review strategies for developing and validating tissue microstructure models, to provoke a discussion on how to bridge the gap between our scientific aspirations and the clinical reality. We argue for recalibrating the efforts of our community toward a more systematic focus on fundamental research aimed at identifying relevant degrees of freedom affecting the measured MR signal. Such a focus is essential for realizing the truly revolutionary potential of noninvasive three‐dimensional in vivo microstructural mapping.
A general algorithm for compensation of trajectory errors: Application to radial imaging
Authors: Mani Merry , Magnotta Vincent , Jacob Mathews
Published: March 2018

Purpose

To reconstruct artifact‐free images from measured k‐space data, when the actual k‐space trajectory deviates from the nominal trajectory due to gradient imperfections.

Methods

Trajectory errors arising from eddy currents and gradient delays introduce phase inconsistencies in several fast scanning MR pulse sequences, resulting in image artifacts. The proposed algorithm provides a novel framework to compensate for this phase distortion. The algorithm relies on the construction of a multi‐block Hankel matrix, where each block is constructed from k‐space segments with the same phase distortion. In the presence of spatially smooth phase distortions between the segments, the complete block‐Hankel matrix is known to be highly low‐rank. Since each k‐space segment is only acquiring part of the k‐space data, the reconstruction of the phase compensated image from their partially parallel measurements is posed as a structured low‐rank matrix optimization problem, assuming the coil sensitivities to be known.

Results

The proposed formulation is tested on radial acquisitions in several settings including partial Fourier and golden‐angle acquisitions. The experiments demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to successfully remove the artifacts arising from the trajectory errors, without the need for trajectory or phase calibration. The quality of the reconstruction was comparable to corrections achieved using the Trajectory Auto‐Corrected Image Reconstruction (TrACR) for radial acquisitions.

Conclusion

The proposed method provides a general framework for the recovery of artifact‐free images from radial trajectories without the need for trajectory calibration.
Trendbericht Biochemie 2017: Proteinvermittelte dynamische kombinatorische Chemie
Authors: Hirsch Anna K. H.
Published: March 2018

Dynamisch kombinatorische Chemie ermöglicht es dem Targetprotein, aus einer Bibliothek kovalent, aber reversibel verknüpfter Bausteine den besten Binder auszuwählen. Mit Phagendisplay und Hefedisplay lassen sich vollständig menschliche Antikörper gewinnen, die sich als Medikamentenwirkstoffe eignen. Neuartige Wirkstoffe gegen bakterielle Infektionen greifen direkt die Virulenzfaktoren der Krankheitserreger an oder stören die regulatorischen Systeme eines Bakterienstamms. Damit Biotherapeutika an ihre Wirkorte kommen, müssen sie Zellmembranen überwinden. Dabei helfen spezielle Peptide.
Trendbericht Lebensmittelchemie 2017
Authors: Fahrer Jörg
Published: March 2018

Bei der Herstellung und Zubereitung von Lebensmitteln entstehen Substanzen, die unser Erbgut schädigen und Krebs erzeugen können. Eine physiologische Barriere gegenüber diesen Nahrungskarzinogenen bilden DNA‐Reparaturprozesse, die über die DNA‐Schadensantwort aktiviert und gesteuert werden. Neuere Studien zeigen, wie uns diese Abwehrmechanismen insbesondere vor Darmkrebs schützen.
Industrie und Technik: Endokrine Disruptoren
Authors: Schulze Markus
Published: March 2018

Europäische Behörden erarbeiten Leitlinien, wie Stoffe zu erkennen sind, die das Hormonsystem schädigen.
Industrie und Technik: Neue Geschäftsmodelle
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: March 2018

Digitalisierung verändert die Chemieindustrie.
Effect of untreated fiber loading on the thermal, mechanical, dielectric, and microwave absorption properties of polycaprolactone reinforced with oil palm empty fruit bunch biocomposites
Authors: Ahmad Ahmad F. , Abbas Zulkifly , Obaiys Suzan J. , Zainuddin Mohamad Faiz
Published: March 2018

Basic research on recyclable, renewable and biodegradable polymer composite materials reinforced with natural fibers is increasingly growing. In this article, we characterize agricultural waste by determining its dielectric properties for microwave absorber application. Recently, polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers are increasingly used in dielectric and aircraft applications. We used a Thermal Hake blending machine to blend oil palm empty fruit bunch with polycaprolactone grain to make a homogeneous powder. The functional groups of the resulting composites were then analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analyses were performed to determine the thermal degradation behaviors of the composites. The tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of the composites were measured in an Instron universal testing machine. A rectangular waveguide and open‐ended coaxial probe connected to a microwave network analyzer (PNA) Agilent N5230A PNA‐L was used to measure the reflection coefficient S11 and transmission coefficient S21 values and the dielectric properties of the composite materials. Results showed that the thermal stability and dielectric properties of the polymer composites decreased as the fiber content increased. The composites exhibited potential as microwave absorbers at microwave frequencies. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1778–E1787, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Tuning the mechanical and dielectric properties of clay‐containing thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposites
Authors: Helal E. , Amurin L.G. , Carastan D.J. , de Sousa R.R. , David E. , Fréchette M. , Demarquette N.R.
Published: March 2018

In this study, the mechanical strength and the AC short term breakdown strength of polystyrene‐b‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐b‐polystyrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer clay‐containing nanocomposites have been investigated as function of their morphologies. The SEBS/clay nanocomposites with tailored morphologies were prepared previously by different processing techniques. They featured different orientations of clay platelets as well as polystyrene (PS) block nanodomains, namely: isotropic, oriented, and partially oriented morphologies. In unfilled SEBS matrices, the mechanical strength was mainly tuned by the orientation of PS block nanodomains. A good correlation between the dielectric breakdown strength and the mechanical stiffness was observed overall: the higher the mechanical strength was, the higher the breakdown strength was. In the nanocomposites, the orientation of clay platelets as well as the degree of order and the characteristic sizes of the block copolymer domains were seen to affect strongly the breakdown strength behavior in addition to the mechanical strength. In particular, the partially oriented morphology achieved by film blowing extrusion exhibited the maximum increase of the breakdown strength by 25% with optimized mechanical stiffness evaluated between that of the oriented morphology as a lower limit and that of the isotropic morphology as an upper limit. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:E174–E181, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Antimicrobial Agents and Catheter Complications in Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy
Authors: Keller Sara C. , Dzintars Kathryn , Gorski Lisa A. , Williams Deborah , Cosgrove Sara E.
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Debate about whether certain antimicrobial agents traditionally considered vesicants increase the risk of catheter complications has led to uncertainty in venous catheter placement protocols. To understand whether patients requiring home‐based outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) should receive peripheral catheters (e.g., midline catheters) versus central venous catheters, and to understand whether certain antimicrobial agents place home‐based OPAT patients at higher risk for catheter complications, we investigated associations between antimicrobial agent(s) and catheter complications.

Methods

We performed a prospective cohort study of patients requiring home‐based OPAT discharged from two urban tertiary care academic medical centers, including telephone surveys and chart abstractions. Multivariable Poisson regressions were used to evaluate: (i) associations between antimicrobial agents traditionally considered vesicants, based on pH or osmolarity, and catheter complication rates, and (ii) associations between antimicrobial agent and rates of catheter complications.

Results

Vesicant antimicrobials defined using pH or osmolarity criteria were not associated with an increased rate of catheter complications (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR]: 1.63, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.89–2.96). Vancomycin was associated with an increased rate of catheter complications, as was daptomycin (aIRR: 2.32 [95% CI: 1.20–4.46] and 4.45 [95% CI: 1.02–19.41], respectively). Staphylococcus aureus infections were also associated with an increased rate of catheter complications (aIRR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.09–4.19), as were midline catheters (aIRR: 9.44, 95% CI: 2.12–41.97).

Conclusions

Our study supports recent guidance identifying vancomycin as a vesicant, among a subset of antimicrobial agents, and removal of pH criteria for identification of vesicants.
Hieb‐ und stichfest
Authors: Thaller Sigrid , Mathelitsch Leopold
Published: March 2018

Ein moderner Fechtkampf dauert nur wenige Minuten, eine einzelne Aktion im Mittel zehn Sekunden. Neben der Taktik entscheiden schnelle Bewegungen wie der Ausfallschritt und kaum sichtbare Bewegungen der Waffe über Sieg und Niederlage. Abgesehen von der Mechanik spielen körperliche Voraussetzungen wie die physiologischen Eigenschaften der Muskulatur eine wichtige Rolle.
T‐Cell Immunopeptidomes Reveal Cell Subtype Surface Markers Derived From Intracellular Proteins
Authors: Olsson Niclas , Schultz Liora M. , Zhang Lichao , Khodadoust Michael S. , Narayan Rupa , Czerwinski Debra K. , Levy Ronald , Elias Joshua E.
Published: March 2018

Immunopeptidomes promise novel surface markers as ideal immunotherapy targets, but their characterization by mass spectrometry (MS) remains challenging. Until recently, cell numbers exceeding 109 were needed to survey thousands of HLA ligands. Such limited analytical sensitivity has historically constrained the types of clinical specimens that can be evaluated to cell cultures or bulk tissues. Measuring immunopeptidomes from purified cell subpopulations would be preferable for many applications, particularly those evaluating rare, primary hematopoietic cell lineages. Here, we test the feasibility of immunopeptidome profiling from limited numbers of primary purified human regulatory T cells (TReg), conventional T cells (Tconv), and activated T cells. The combined T cell immunopeptide dataset reported here contains 13 804 unique HLA ligands derived from 5049 proteins. Of these, more than 700 HLA ligands were derived from 82 proteins that we exclusively identified from TReg‐enriched cells. This study 1) demonstrates that primary, lineage‐enriched T cell subpopulations recovered from single donors are compatible with immunopeptidome analysis; 2) presents new TReg‐biased ligand candidates; and 3) supports immunopeptidome surveys' value for revealing T cell biology that may not be apparent from expression data alone. Taken together, these findings open up new avenues for targeting TReg and abrogating their suppressive functions to treat cancer.
The effect of sterilization procedures on the physiochemical properties and performance of plasma polymer films
Authors: Babaei Sara , Kasimov Azat , Girard‐Lauriault Pierre‐Luc
Published: March 2018

Sterilization procedures can alter the desirable characteristics brought by plasma polymerization. Different plasma‐deposited functional organic coatings are prepared by plasma co‐polymerization of binary gas mixtures constituted of a hydrocarbon (butadiene/ethylene) and a heteroatom containing gas (carbon dioxide/ammonia/hydrogen sulfide). These coatings are then treated by dry heating, autoclaving, ethylene oxide, UV, and gamma‐ray irradiation. The physio‐chemical properties and performance of the samples are evaluated by profilometry, water contact angle goniometry, XPS, and 1‐h adhesion tests with U937 cells before and after sterilization. The results reveal that the changes during these sterilization processes are dependent on the type of plasma polymer and on the sterilization method. We derive recommendations on the suitability of the sterilization methods for the different coatings.
Host‐mediated RNA interference targeting a cuticular protein gene impaired fecundity in the green peach aphid Myzus persicae
Authors: Bhatia Varnika , Bhattacharya Ramcharan
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) is a devastating sap‐sucking insect pest that damages many host plants worldwide and causes billions of dollars of crop losses. Induction of RNA interference (RNAi) through oral feeding of small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been demonstrated in aphids. Therefore, host‐mediated delivery of double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) specific to vital structural genes of aphids has been envisaged as a tool for the development of resistance against this aphid species.

RESULTS

Cuticular protein (CP) senses seasonal photoperiodism and drives a shift from clonal to sexual generation in aphids. Thus, attenuation of CP gene expression is likely to result in a different reproductive orientation in aphids and thereby affect their fecundity. A gene encoding CP in M. persicae has been targeted for RNAi‐mediated knockdown. Transgenic Arabidopsis expressing dsRNA homologous to the MyCP gene was developed. The dsRNA‐transgenics produced gene‐specific siRNAs fed by aphids infesting the transgenics. A reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) study revealed an attenuated level of transcripts of the CP gene in aphid nymphs reared on the transgenic plants. Decreased expression of the CP gene resulted in a noticeable decline in aphid fecundity on the transgenic Arabidopsis plants.

CONCLUSION

Increasing genetic resistance is the only sustainable way of minimizing the use of toxic agrochemicals to protect plants. Host‐mediated RNAi of important insect genes has been proposed as a potential avenue for developing crop resistance against insect pests. This study demonstrated the potential of MyCP dsRNA in developing RNAi‐based resistance to M. persicae. RNAi‐mediated resistance is expected to be more durable compared with other transgenic strategies. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Facilitate Measurement of Electrochemical Reactions in Redox‐Based Memristors by Simply Thickening the Electrolyte Layer
Authors: Jamilpanah Loghman , Mohseni Seyed Majid
Published: March 2018

Redox reactions at the metal/electrolyte interface are the basis of electrochemical metallization memristors that can be understood through cyclic voltammetry (CV). However, voltage limitation during the CV measurements that prevents the resistance switching has limited full understanding of the redox reactions. We apply a thickened ≈20 μm graphene oxide (GO) electrolyte layer in a memristor structure and show that all redox reactions can be determined through CV measurements without resistance switching by sweeping the voltage up to high values. We are able to unhide details of Ag redox reactions (Agz+/Ag) utilizing a GO thick layer as the solid electrolyte in Pt/GO/Ag cell structure. The results are fundamentally valuable for designing methods to uncover the memristive mechanisms of memristors.
Fixation of nitrous oxide (N2O) by 1, 4, 2, 5‐diazadiborinine: A DFT study
Authors: Ghara Manas , Chattaraj Pratim K.
Published: March 2018

The role of nitrous oxide (N2O) in stratospheric ozone depletion and as a greenhouse gas has inspired the scientific community across the globe in understanding the capture, activation, and decomposition of it. Very recently people have started fixing N2O using frustrated Lewis pairs. In this study, we have tried to analyze the fixation of N2O by 1,4,2,5‐diazadiborinine by applying various computational tools and techniques associated with density functional theory. 1,4,2,5‐Diazadiborinine is taken as the fixing agent because of the ambiphilic nature of the two boron centers within it as reported by Wang et al. There are three possible ways of binding of N2O within it as observed in this study. A free energy surface is also generated for the three possible paths representing their thermochemical as well as kinetic stability. The fixation of N2O may become possible using this species as demonstrated by the current results. The nature of bonding between them is also explored through NBO, EDA, and electron density analyses.
Recent computational studies on transition‐metal carbon–hydrogen bond activation of alkanes
Authors: Guan Jia , Zarić Snežana D , Brothers Edward N. , Hall Michael B.
Published: March 2018

This review on computational studies of transition‐metal promoted CH activation of light linear alkanes will cover computational work published since 2010, following upon seminal reviews by Niu and Hall (Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 353), Vastine and Hall (Coord. Chem. Rev. 2009, 253, 1202), and Balcells et al. (Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 749). The computational studies are surveyed in terms of the mechanistic nature of the CH activation step (oxidative addition, σ‐bond metathesis, 1,2 addition, or electrophilic activation), the type of CH bond being activated (primary or secondary), and the effect of metal, ligand, and alkane size on the reaction process. In addition to the primary focus on theoretical mechanistic investigations via calculated thermodynamics and kinetics, this review aims to bridge the computational and experimental observations and to highlight the insights that computational chemistry delivers to understanding the nature of CH activation of linear alkanes mediated by transition metals.
Adaptive terminal angle constraint interception against maneuvering targets with fast fixed‐time convergence
Authors: Zhang Yao , Tang Shengjing , Guo Jie
Published: March 2018

In this paper, a modified adaptive fast nonsingular terminal sliding mode guidance law is proposed based on the theory of fixed‐time convergence, which is applied for intercepting maneuvering targets considering terminal angle constraint. The proposed guidance law achieves system stabilization within bounded settling time independent on initial conditions and provides no singularity and globally rapid convergence property by accelerating the convergence rate when the system is close to the origin. The upper bound of settling time can be obtained in advance by the controller's parameters. Besides, in order to achieve chattering‐free property, a continuous adaptive switching control is introduced and the achieved acceleration‐magnitude constraints are rigorously enforced. Finally, the fixed‐time convergence of the sliding mode manifold and the system states is demonstrated by Lyapunov stability theory. Extensive numerical simulations are presented to validate the efficiency and superiority of the proposed guidance law.
H∞ control of memristive neural networks with aperiodic sampling and actuator saturation
Authors: Wang Jinling , Jiang Haijun , Ma Tianlong , Hu Cheng
Published: March 2018

The H∞ control problem for memristive neural networks with aperiodic sampling and actuator saturation is considered in this paper. A novel approach that is combined with the discrete‐time Lyapunov theorem and sampled‐data system is proposed to cope with the aperiodic sampling problem. On the basis of such method and choosing a polyhedral set, sufficient conditions to determine the ellipsoidal region of asymptotic stability and exponential stability for the estimation error system are obtained through a saturating sampled‐data control. Furthermore, H∞ performance index of memristive neural networks with disturbance is also analyzed, whereas the observer and controller gains are calculated from stability conditions of linear matrix inequalities. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is illustrated through the numerical examples.
Synergetic Exfoliation and Lateral Size Engineering of MoS2 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Yin Lisha , Hai Xiao , Chang Kun , Ichihara Fumihiko , Ye Jinhua
Published: March 2018

Generally, exfoliation is an efficient strategy to create more edge site so as to expose more active sites on molybdenum disulphide (MoS2). However, the lateral sizes of the resultant MoS2 monolayers are relatively large (≈50–500 nm), which retain great potential to release more active sites. To further enhance the catalytic performance of MoS2, a facile cascade centrifugation‐assisted liquid phase exfoliation method is introduced here to fabricate monolayer enriched MoS2 nanosheets with nanoscale lateral sizes. The as‐prepared MoS2 revealed a high monolayer yield of 36% and small average lateral sizes ranging from 42 to 9 nm under gradient centrifugations, all exhibiting superior catalytic performances toward photocatalytic H2 generation. Particularly, the optimized monolayer MoS2 with an average lateral size of 9 nm achieves an apparent quantum efficiency as high as 77.2% on cadmium sulphide at 420 nm. This work demonstrates that the catalytic performances of MoS2 could be dramatically enhanced by synergistic exfoliation and lateral size engineering as a result of increased density of active sites and shortened charge diffusion distance, paving a new way for design and fabrication of transition‐metal dichalcogenides‐based materials in the application of hydrogen generation.
High‐strength concrete based on ternary binder with high pozzolan content
Authors: Vejmelková Eva , Koňáková Dana , Čáchová Monika , Záleská Martina , Svora Petr , Keppert Martin , Rovnaníková Pavla , Černý Robert
Published: March 2018

Several high‐strength concrete mixes containing ternary binders composed of Portland cement, silica fume, and waste brick powder are designed. Taking into account the functional properties of hardened mixes, together with their supposed environmental qualities and economic benefits, the practical limits of pozzolan content in the binder are analyzed. Based on a wide set of material characterization experiments including mercury intrusion porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis, complemented with a series of measurements of basic physical properties, mechanical parameters, and water and water vapor transport properties, the binder consisting of 57% Portland cement, 18.5% silica fume, and 24.5% brick powder is identified as the optimum in the studied system. The excellent functional properties of the mix with such a high pozzolan content are achieved due to the synergetic effects of the combination of silica fume and waste brick powder on concrete properties. The fineness of brick particles, together with the dual character of the applied brick powder acting as active pozzolan and microfiller at the same time, is found to magnify the ability of silica fume to fill the intergranular space through the improvement of the granulometry curve.
An analysis of award‐winning science trade books for children: Who are the scientists, and what is science?
Authors: Kelly Laura Beth
Published: March 2018

This manuscript presents a content analysis of 28 picture books from the Outstanding Science Trade Books recognized by the National Science Teachers Association in 2016. Drawing on the need for culturally relevant science instruction, the research investigated the portrayal of scientists in images (gender and racial background), the scientific disciplines, what aspects of the nature of science were represented in the books and where, and the language that described scientific work. Previous work suggested that science trade books do not often portray diverse scientists, the breadth of science, or the nature of science and scientific work. This study examined whether recently published and award‐winning books had these weaknesses. Findings showed that the sample did not show improvement in the diversity of scientific fields or scientists. Most scientists shown in images were white and male, and most books presented life science, often animals. However, the findings also showed that the extent to which books represented the nature of science varied widely. Some books contained no references, and others contained many references to different aspects of the nature of science. The study noted that biographies and books that described in detail the work of scientific teams provided the most nature of science content. Many books also had substantial nature of science content in peritextual material such as author's notes. The study collected and categorized all the verbs used to describe scientific activity and found that these descriptions of scientific activity have a wide scope and show scientists engaging in work ranging from data collection to activism. The article concludes with a recognition of the importance of broad scientific education programs about nature of science; the current children's book market, while offering valuable tools, does not adequately provide resources to teach the diversity of science and scientists.
Daikenchuto prevention of postoperative ileus after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in advanced childhood testicular yolk sac tumor
Authors: Johnin Kazuyoshi , Takahashi Kentaro , Kawauchi Akihiro
Published: March 2018

Case

A 2‐year‐old boy with advanced testicular yolk sac tumor needed adjuvant chemotherapy immediately after retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. From postoperative day 1, daikenchuto (DKT) was given transrectally and orally.

Outcome

On postoperative day 7, the patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy without having postoperative ileus. He has been free from disease recurrence for 8 years after completion of the final chemotherapy without developmental or gait disturbance.

Conclusion

To prevent postoperative ileus, it is feasible for DKT to be given transrectally and orally even in small children.
Vaginal implant transmitters for continuous body temperature measurement in moose
Authors: Thompson Daniel P. , Crouse John A. , McDonough Thomas J. , Badajos Oriana H. , Adsem Jon , Barboza Perry S.
Published: March 2018

Measuring body temperature in free‐ranging ungulates is challenging. We evaluated a vaginal implant transmitter (TVIT) modified to collect continuous body temperature of captive and wild female moose (Alces alces) in Alaska, USA. We deployed TVITs in 18 moose between 2014 and 2016. We manually removed the TVIT after 51–338 days of deployment and sampled vaginal bacterial flora to assess negative effects of TVIT retention. For comparison, we also sampled vaginal flora from moose that did not have a TVIT. Mean bacterial growth scores were greater for moose with a TVIT than representative vaginal swabs from moose without a TVIT. The TVIT adequately collected body temperature measurements; however, the TVIT design could be improved to fit young, nulliparous moose. TVITs can be easily deployed and removed, but are limited by battery life, can only be deployed in adult female moose, and may increase vaginal bacterial concentrations. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Intraoperative Parathyroid Hormone Assay Remains Predictive of Cure in Renal Impairment in Patients with Single Parathyroid Adenomas
Authors: Egan R. J. , Iliff H. , Stechman M. J. , Scott‐Coombes D. M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has a short half‐life and is cleared by the liver and kidneys. This study examined whether declining estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) affects application of the Miami criterion for intraoperative PTH (ioPTH) decline during parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoes parathyroidectomy for pHPT. Patients with multi‐gland disease, without ioPTH, failure‐to‐cure and those <18 years were excluded. Baseline demographics, pre‐operative PTH, ioPTH and 6‐month follow‐up data were available. Patients were categorised into normal or chronic kidney disease (CKD stage 2–5) based on pre‐operative eGFR. Nonparametric data were compared using Mann–Whitney U test/Kruskal–Wallis test. The primary outcome measure was to assess whether CKD‐affected ioPTH decline in parathyroidectomy for pHPT.

Results

A total of 476 patients were included [75.4% women; median age 63.8 years (18–92)]. CKD was present in 362 (76%) (CKD2:289; CKD3:66; CKD4/5:7). Increasing CKD stage was associated with advancing age [normal 53 years (41–61); CKD2 65 (57–73); CKD3 73.5 (66–78); CKD4/5 74(63–81); p < 0.001] and higher pre‐operative PTH [16.6 pmol/L (11.1–22.9); 13.1 (10.4–17.7); 22.6 (13.8–33.7); 33.8(12.4–41.7); p < 0.001]. Baseline and post‐excision ioPTH were significantly higher in those with CKD4/5 (p < 0.05). The Miami criterion was met in all patients, but median fall in ioPTH at 10‐min varied between groups [normal:0.78 (0.71–0.82); CKD2:0.76 (0.69–0.83); CKD3:0.75 (0.69–0.82); CKD4/5:0.69 (0.61–0.70); p = 0.048)]. It was significantly lower in those with CKD4/5 compared with the remainder of patients [0.69 (0.61–0.70) vs. 0.76 (0.70–0.82); p = 0.008].

Conclusions

Although the reduction in ioPTH after successful parathyroidectomy is lower in severe CKD, the Miami criterion remains predictive of cure. Differences in absolute levels of PTH and tumour weight suggest that renal HPT may be a confounding factor.
Understanding Adult Participant and Parent Empowerment Prior to Evaluation in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network
Authors: Palmer Christina G. S. , McConkie‐Rosell Allyn , Holm Ingrid A. , LeBlanc Kimberly , Sinsheimer Janet S. , Briere Lauren C. , Dorrani Naghmeh , Herzog Matthew R. , Lincoln Sharyn , Schoch Kelly , Spillmann Rebecca C. , Brokamp Elly ,   Undiagnosed Diseases Network
Published: March 2018

The burden of living with an undiagnosed condition is high and includes physical and emotional suffering, frustrations, and uncertainty. For patients and families experiencing these stressors, higher levels of empowerment may be associated with better outcomes. Thus, it is important to understand the experiences of patients with undiagnosed conditions and their families affected by undiagnosed conditions in order to identify strategies for fostering empowerment. In this study, we used the Genetic Counseling Outcome Scale (GCOS‐24) to assess levels of empowerment and support group participation in 35 adult participants and 67 parents of child participants in the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) prior to their UDN in‐person evaluation. Our results revealed significantly lower empowerment scores on the GCOS‐24 in adult participants compared to parents of child participants [t(100) = − 3.01, p = 0.003, average difference = − 11.12, 95% CI (− 3.78, − 18.46)] and no significant association between support group participation and empowerment scores. The majority of participants (84.3%, 86/102) are not currently participating in any support groups, and participation rates were not significantly different for adult participants and parents of child participants (11.4 vs. 19.7%, respectively, FE p = 0.40). Open‐ended responses provided additional insight into support group participation, the challenges of living with undiagnosed conditions, and positive coping strategies. Future research will evaluate the extent to which empowerment scores change as participation in the UDN unfolds.
Correction to: Comparison of glycyrrhizin content in 25 major kinds of Kampo extracts containing Glycyrrhizae Radix used clinically in Japan
Authors: Nose Mitsuhiko , Tada Momoka , Kojima Rika , Nagata Kumiko , Hisaka Shinsuke , Masada Sayaka , Homma Masato , Hakamatsuka Takashi
Published: March 2018

The article Comparison of glycyrrhizin content in 25 major kinds of Kampo extracts containing Glycyrrhizae Radix used clinically in Japan, written by Mitsuhiko Nose, Momoka Tada, Rika Kojima, Kumiko Nagata, Shinsuke Hisaka, Sayaka Masada, Masato Homma and Takashi Hakamatsuka, was originally published Online First without open access. After publication in volume 71, issue 4, page 711–722 the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an open access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2018 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
Correction to: Ephedra Herb extract activates/desensitizes transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and reduces capsaicin-induced pain
Authors: Nakamori Shunsuke , Takahashi Jun , Hyuga Sumiko , Tanaka-Kagawa Toshiko , Jinno Hideto , Hyuga Masashi , Hakamatsuka Takashi , Odaguchi Hiroshi , Goda Yukihiro , Hanawa Toshihiko , Kobayashi Yoshinori
Published: March 2018

The article Ephedra Herb extract activates/desensitizes transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 and reduces capsaicin-induced pain, written by Shunsuke Nakamori, Jun Takahashi, Sumiko Hyuga, Toshiko Tanaka-Kagawa, Hideto Jinno, Masashi Hyuga, Takashi Hakamatsuka, Hiroshi Odaguchi, Yukihiro Goda, Toshihiko Hanawa and Yoshinori Kobayashi, was originally published Online First without open access. After publication in volume 71, issue 1, page 105–113 the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an open access publication. Therefore, the copyright of the article has been changed to © The Author(s) 2018 and the article is forthwith distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
EXTENDING THE ROTTERDAM DEMAND MODEL TO ANALYZE MARKET PARTICIPATION
Authors: XIE JINGHUA , MYRLAND ØYSTEIN
Published: March 2018

The dependent variable in the Rotterdam model is shown to consist of two additive components: the proportionate change in the average product weight consumed by existing buyers and the proportionate change in the share of total consumers who actually purchase the product. Applying the extended model to household data on salmon consumption in France, results suggest prices have a larger effect on attracting new buyers to the product in question than on getting existing buyers to consume more. However, generic advertising was found to affect consumption intensity but have no effect on market participation in the short run.