bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Top Tensioned Risers (
TTRs
)
Authors: Kakar Karan , Padelopoulos Peter
Published: January 2018

Top tensioned risers (TTRs) have been used for deepwater applications in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore West Africa, and offshore Southeast Asia. Dry tree riser systems attached to floating production units such as spars, tension leg platforms (TLPs), and deep‐draft semisubmersibles are continually being considered for future developments, and designs have been developed for ultradeepwater. TTRs are complex dynamic structures, and the design of these riser systems is primarily governed by loading from the environment and the floater motions. This article presents the TTR system configuration for production and drilling applications and briefly describes the different components that comprise the TTR stack‐up. The design and functionality of different tensioner systems used to provide top tension is presented in detail. Aspects of TTR design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning are discussed to highlight the key considerations in progressing TTR design from concept to service.
Seabed Gas Hydrates
Authors: Sultan Nabil , Ruffine Livio , Garziglia Sébastien , Ker Stéphan , Vanneste Maarten , Humphrey Gary D.
Published: January 2018

Gas hydrates in marine sediments are considered to be a potent source of greenhouse gases and also an unconventional energy resource. Central to both of these topics is the understanding and mitigation of the consequences of the decomposition of these solid compounds in response to changes in pressure and temperature conditions. Their destabilisation is indeed recognised as a factor increasing the susceptibility of submarine slopes to deform and ultimately to fail. This article aims at proposing practical approaches and theories needed to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the geohazard potential associated to gas hydrate‐bearing sediments.
Geotechnical Investigation andIn SituTesting
Authors: Ramsey Nick
Published: January 2018

Geotechnical investigation, comprising sampling andin situtesting, provides ground truthing at specific locations and is, therefore, a key input into ground model development. This article presents the author's perspective on keyin situand sampling developments, in chronological order. These geotechnical investigation developments, which have been primarily driven by oil and gas companies, are discussed in the context of their contribution to the four key development drivers, which are “reducing time and cost,” “improving quality,” “increasing capability and durability,” and “improving safety.” The article concludes with summaries of “game changers” and “useful developments that, for assorted reasons, are not currently mainstream.”
Laboratory Testing
Authors: Carraro J. Antonio H. , Boukpeti Nathalie , Guadalupe‐Torres Yaurel , Joer Hackmet
Published: January 2018

Offshore infrastructure is extremely costly to design and build. Advanced and scientifically sound testing programs can yield substantial savings to overall infrastructure costs due to the improved reliability that results from better and more accurate characterization of offshore sediments. Well‐designed and carefully executed laboratory tests are paramount to the successful design and construction of offshore infrastructure. A variety of laboratory tests are available to the twenty‐first century engineer to characterize the physical properties and mechanical response of offshore sediments and derive design parameters for offshore geomechanics analyses. To be competitive, engineers must be equally familiar with cutting‐edge testing tools and conventional methods used in practice for decades. The most common and relevant laboratory tests available to assess fundamental aspects related to the composition and mechanical behavior of offshore sediments are discussed. These include basic characterization, soil fabric analyses, and mechanical tests. Particular emphasis is placed on the underlying background and rationale associated with each test discussed.
Pile Foundations: Design for Axial and Lateral Loading
Authors: Randolph Mark , Schneider James
Published: January 2018

This article summarizes design methods for pile foundations subjected to axial and lateral loading. It addresses the main factors that need to be considered in a basis of design, focusing on driven steel pipe piles, which are almost universally used in offshore practice. The response of less frequently used piles grouted into stronger sediments, such as calcarenite and other weak rock, is also considered. Modern design approaches based on data from cone penetration testing are outlined. For lateral response, the main focus is on load transfer methods. Reference is also made to elastic solutions that can provide a useful approach for operational loading, particularly for large diameter monopiles such as are used in the offshore wind industry. Just as for axial loading, the potential use of cone penetration data as the basis for deriving lateral load transfer curves is also discussed. Underlying principles of the effects of cyclic loading are presented. The article concludes with brief comments on scour and seismic design, two other considerations for the design of offshore piles.
Ballast Water Management
Authors: Carlton John
Published: January 2018

This article gives an overview of ballast water technology and the methods of control available today. Consideration is given to the reasons for the need to control invasive species and the methods by which control might be exercised in relation to the existing regulations. Some thoughts are also offered on the choice of a system.
Pipe Manufacture and Fabrication
Authors: O'Donnell Jeffrey R. , Zeng Qiang
Published: January 2018

Manufacturers of pipes to be used for offshore and subsea pipe systems must take into account the specific demands for each of the various pipe systems. Pipes must have the necessary mechanical properties, in terms of strength and toughness, and must be reliably weldable. Fracture and fatigue critical systems, such as risers, must have strict tolerances on end geometry to ensure good fit‐up for pipe‐to‐pipe welding to minimize stress concentrations. Pipes to be induction bent or welded to heavy forgings, such as stress joints requiring postweld heat treatment (PWHT) must be able to tolerate such processes without substantial degradation.

This article is divided into three sections: (i) service requirements for offshore and subsea pipe systems; (ii) common types of steels used to manufacture pipes, including benefits and limitations of each, and (iii) types of pipes used, including the benefits and drawback for each. There is no perfect steel, and there is no perfect pipe. By understanding the specific service requirements, available materials, and pipe manufacturing methodologies, the offshore and subsea engineer can best design and manufacture reliable offshore and subsea systems.
Inspection, Monitoring, Maintenance, and Repair
Authors: Hassanin Ahmed , Jukes Paul
Published: January 2018

Several activities must be planned and undertaken throughout a project's life cycle to ensure the integrity of the subsea systems, especially subsea pipelines. Inspection, monitoring, maintenance, and repair procedures must be well defined in an IMMR plan to ensure that there is no degradation to the pipeline during operation. These procedures are typically conducted by the operators to ensure that the operability level of the subsea systems is within a safe limit. Inspection refers to activities that determine the effect of the environment and operation on the status of the system, and it is done regularly based on the criticality of the pipeline component. Monitoring refers to the activities that are frequently done to measure and record specific readings about the integrity of the pipeline and the flow. Maintenance refers to the activities undertaken to maintain the integrity of the subsea system based on the severity of damage or failure. Repair refers to fixing components that have failed over time due to wear or external factors. An IMMR plan should account for all the stages to ensure containment of the fluid and longevity of the pipeline.
Classification and Certification
Authors: Carlsen Henning , van der Geest Michiel
Published: January 2018

This article deals with the history of classification societies from their early establishment covering the needs of marine insurers to assess the condition of ship hulls to their current role within the maritime and offshore industry. Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping was reconstituted as a self‐standing “classification society” in 1834. Following the recommendations of the International Load Line Convention of 1930 for class societies to collaborate, a major Class Society Conference in 1955 led to the creation of Working Parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of International Association of Class Societies (IACS) by seven leading societies.

“Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping” was reconstituted as a self‐standing “classification society” in 1834. Following the recommendations of the International Load Line Convention of 1930 for class societies to collaborate, a major class society conference in 1955 led to the creation of working parties on specific topics and, in 1968, to the formation of International Association of Class Societies (IACS) by seven leading societies.

The classification is a system for safeguarding life and property at sea and the environment due to operational consequences, having a ‘cradle‐to‐grave’ approach, with an involvement starting during the design phase, continuing during the building at the yard and production of the installed machinery and systems, and with a follow‐up during the operational use of the unit.

The class societies' involvement is expected take a third‐party role and thus to be impartial and independent from owner, yard, and other commercial interests.
Electric Propulsion Case Studies
Authors: Atutxa Iñigo , Abad Gonzalo , Carlton John
Published: January 2018

This article discusses some representative examples of commercial vessels with electric propulsion. The generation, distribution, and propulsion schemas are considered together with some details and discussion concerning the electric system configurations provided by manufacturers.
Seakeeping: Physical Aspects
Authors: Carlton John
Published: January 2018

This article discusses the nature of fore‐body, after‐body, and bow flare slamming; parametric rolling; broaching; and tank sloshing. Model testing is introduced into the discussion as is the concept of response amplitude operators (RAO) before moving the discussion toward the issues surrounding the weather routing of ships and added resistance in seaways. Some consideration is also given to deck wetness as well as methods of stabilization.
COMP report: CPQR technical quality control guidelines for treatment planning systems
Authors: Villarreal‐Barajas Jose E.
Published: January 2018

The Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP), in close partnership with the Canadian Partnership for Quality Radiotherapy (CPQR) has developed a series of Technical Quality Control (TQC) guidelines for radiation treatment equipment. These guidelines outline the performance objectives that equipment should meet in order to ensure an acceptable level of radiation treatment quality. The TQC guidelines have been rigorously reviewed and field tested in a variety of Canadian radiation treatment facilities. The development process enables rapid review and update to keep the guidelines current with changes in technology. This article contains detailed performance objectives and safety criteria for Treatment Planning Systems (TPS) for External Beam Radiotherapy.
Exploiting Anisotropy of Plasmonic Nanostructures with Polarization Modulation Infrared Linear Dichroism Microscopy (µPM‐IRLD)
Authors: Wallace Gregory Q. , Read Stuart T. , McRae Danielle M. , Rosendahl Scott M. , Lagugné‐Labarthet François
Published: January 2018

Metallic nanostructures that exhibit plasmon resonances in the mid‐infrared range are of particular interest for a variety of optical processes where the infrared excitation and/or emission can be enhanced. This plasmon‐mediated enhancement can potentially be used toward highly sensitive detection of an analyte(s) by techniques such as surface‐enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA). To maximize the SEIRA enhancement, it is necessary to prepare highly tuned plasmonic resonances over a defined spectral range that can span over several microns. Noteworthy, nanostructures with anisotropic shapes exhibit multiple resonances that can be exploited by controlling the polarization of the input light. This study demonstrates the role of polarization‐modulation infrared linear dichroism coupled to microscopy measurements (µPM‐IRLD) as a powerful means to explore the optical properties of anisotropic nanostructures. Quantitative µPM‐IRLD measurements are conducted on a series of dendritic fractals as model structures to explore the role of structural anisotropy on the resulting surface‐enhanced infrared absorption and sensing application. Once functionalized with an analyte, the µPM‐IRLD SEIRA results highlight that it is possible to selectively enhance further vibrational modes of analytes making use of the structural anisotropy of the metallic nanostructure.
Copper‐catalyzed Intramolecular Carbotrifluoromethylation of Ene‐Imines for the Construction of 3‐(2,2,2‐Trifluoro)ethylated 4‐Amino‐Chromans
Authors: Ye Qin , Jiang Min , Deng Qing‐Hai , Liu Jin‐Tao
Published: January 2018

A mild and efficient copper‐catalyzed intramolecular carbotrifluoromethylation of ene‐imines with Togni reagent as a trifluoromethylating reagent was realized. The reaction tolerates a range of substrates to give the corresponding 3‐trifluoroethylated 4‐amino‐chromans in moderate to good yields. A possible mechanism was proposed based on the experimental results.

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Pd‐PEPPSI: Water‐Assisted Suzuki−Miyaura Cross‐Coupling of Aryl Esters at Room Temperature using a Practical Palladium‐NHC (NHC=N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) Precatalyst
Authors: Li Guangchen , Shi Shicheng , Lei Peng , Szostak Michal
Published: January 2018

A Pd‐PEPPSI‐catalyzed (Pd=Palladium, PEPPSI=pyridine‐enhanced precatalyst preparation stabilization and initiation) Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling of aryl esters via selective C−O cleavage at room temperature is reported. The developed catalyst system displays broad substrate scope with respect to both components under practical ambient reaction conditions using readily‐available, cheap, modular, air‐ and moisture‐stable Pd‐NHC precatalyst (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene). The use of water proved crucial for achieving high reactivity in this coupling. The catalyst system represents the mildest conditions for the Suzuki−Miyaura cross‐coupling of aryl esters reported to date. The protocol also allowed for achieving TON >1,000 (TON=turnover number) in the Suzuki−Miyaura ester coupling for the first time.

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Cation Substitution in Earth‐Abundant Kesterite Photovoltaic Materials
Authors: Li Jianjun , Wang Dongxiao , Li Xiuling , Zeng Yu , Zhang Yi
Published: January 2018

As a promising candidate for low‐cost and environmentally friendly thin‐film photovoltaics, the emerging kesterite‐based Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells have experienced rapid advances over the past decade. However, the record efficiency of CZTSSe solar cells (12.6%) is still significantly lower than those of its predecessors Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) and CdTe thin‐film solar cells. This record has remained for several years. The main obstacle for this stagnation is unanimously attributed to the large open‐circuit voltage (VOC) deficit. In addition to cation disordering and the associated band tailing, unpassivated interface defects and undesirable energy band alignment are two other culprits that account for the large VOC deficit in kesterite solar cells. To capture the great potential of kesterite solar cells as prospective earth‐abundant photovoltaic technology, current research focuses on cation substitution for CZTSSe‐based materials. The aim here is to examine recent efforts to overcome the VOC limit of kesterite solar cells by cation substitution and to further illuminate several emerging prospective strategies, including: i) suppressing the cation disordering by distant isoelectronic cation substitution, ii) optimizing the junction band alignment and constructing a graded bandgap in absorber, and iii) engineering the interface defects and enhancing the junction band bending.
Recent Progress on Multimetal Oxide Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Kim Ju Seong , Kim Byunghoon , Kim Hyunah , Kang Kisuk
Published: January 2018

Hydrogen is a promising alternative fuel for efficient energy production and storage, with water splitting considered one of the most clean, environmentally friendly, and sustainable approaches to generate hydrogen. However, to meet industrial demands with electrolysis‐generated hydrogen, the development of a low‐cost and efficient catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical, while conventional catalysts are mostly based on precious metals. Many studies have thus focused on exploring new efficient nonprecious‐metal catalytic systems and improving the understandings on the OER mechanism, resulting in the design of catalysts with superior activity compared with that of conventional catalysts. In particular, the use of multimetal rather than single‐metal catalysts is demonstrated to yield remarkable performance improvement, as the metal composition in these catalysts can be tailored to modify the intrinsic properties affecting the OER. Herein, recent progress and accomplishments of multimetal catalytic systems, including several important groups of catalysts: layered hydroxide, spinel, and amorphous metal oxides along with the theoretical principles of activity enhancement in multimetal systems are reviewed. Finally, this is concluded by discussing remaining challenges to achieve further improvements of OER catalyst activities.
“Think Like a Man”: How Sexual Cultural Scripting and Masculinity Influence Changes in Men's Use of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Willie Tiara C. , Khondkaryan Enna , Callands Tamora , Kershaw Trace
Published: January 2018

The purpose of the study was to (a) explore the relationship between sexual cultural scripting and traditional masculine norms on changes in intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, and (b) examine traditional masculine norms as an effect modifier among young heterosexual men. This study is a secondary data analysis of a prospective cohort study of 119 young heterosexual men who were followed for 6 months. The adjusted logistic regression results revealed that sexual cultural scripting norms were associated with an increased odds of emotional IPV perpetration and traditional masculine norms were associated with an increased odds of physical IPV perpetration in the past 6 months. There were no significant interaction effects between sexual cultural scripting and traditional masculine norms on IPV perpetration. These findings suggest that socially constructed norms and beliefs surrounding masculinity, femininity, and how women and men interact in sexual relationships are important constructs for understanding the etiology of young men's use of violence against a female partner. While primary IPV interventions targeting young men do address masculinity, sexual cultural scripting is an additional concept that should also be addressed.
Incorporation of Non‐canonical Amino Acids into 2,5‐Diketopiperazines by Cyclodipeptide Synthases
Authors: Canu Nicolas , Belin Pascal , Thai Robert , Correia Isabelle , Lequin Olivier , Seguin Jérôme , Moutiez Mireille , Gondry Muriel
Published: January 2018

The manipulation of natural product biosynthetic pathways is a powerful means of expanding the chemical diversity of bioactive molecules. 2,5‐diketopiperazines (2,5‐DKPs) have been widely developed by medicinal chemists, but their biological production is yet to be exploited. We introduce an in vivo method for incorporating non‐canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into 2,5‐DKPs using cyclodipeptide synthases (CDPSs), the enzymes responsible for scaffold assembly in many 2,5‐DKP biosynthetic pathways. CDPSs use aminoacyl‐tRNAs as substrates. We exploited the natural ability of aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases to load ncAAs onto tRNAs. We found 26 ncAAs to be usable as substrates by CDPSs, leading to the enzymatic production of approximately 200 non‐canonical cyclodipeptides. CDPSs constitute an efficient enzymatic tool for the synthesis of highly diverse 2,5‐DKPs. Such diversity could be further expanded, for example, by using various cyclodipeptide‐tailoring enzymes found in 2,5‐DKP biosynthetic pathways.
Die lokale Oberflächenstruktur und ‐zusammensetzung bestimmt die Wasserstoffentwicklung an Eisen‐Nickelsulfiden
Authors: Bentley Cameron L. , Andronescu Corina , Smialkowski Mathias , Kang Minkyung , Tarnev Tsvetan , Marler Bernd , Unwin Patrick R. , Apfel Ulf‐Peter , Schuhmann Wolfgang
Published: January 2018

Um leistungsfähigere Elektrokatalysatoren zu entwickeln, ist es notwendig, den Einfluss der Oberflächenstruktur und ‐zusammensetzung von Materialien mit hoher lokaler Auflösung besser zu verstehen. Dies trifft insbesondere auf die Entwicklung geeigneter Alternativen für Platin bei der elektrokatalytischen Wasserstofferzeugung zu. Elektrochemische Rasterzellmikroskopie (scanning electrochemical cell microscopy, SECCM) wurde benutzt, um die lokale elektrochemische Aktivität der Wasserstoffbildung an einkristallinen (111)‐Oberflächen von Fe4.5Ni4.5S8, einem hochaktiven Elektrokatalysator für die Wasserstofferzeugung, zu untersuchen. In Kombination mit strukturaufklärenden Methoden zeigen wir, dass kleinste Veränderungen der chemischen Zusammensetzung die Aktivität signifikant verändern können. Somit stellen die auf der Nanoskala durchgeführten elektrochemischen Messungen, ergänzt mit lokalen strukturellen Messungen sowie Kenntnis der lokalen Zusammensetzung ein wichtiges Hilfsmittel für das rationale Design neuer Katalysatoren dar.
Mono‐allyloxylated Cucurbit[7]uril Acts as an Unconventional Amphiphile To Form Light‐Responsive Vesicles
Authors: Park Kyeng Min , Baek Kangkyun , Ko Young Ho , Shrinidhi Annadka , Murray James , Jang Won Hyuk , Kim Ki Hean , Lee Jun‐Seok , Yoo Jejoong , Kim Sungwan , Kim Kimoon
Published: January 2018

Serendipitously, mono‐allyloxylated cucurbit[7]uril (AO1CB[7]) was discovered to act as an unconventional amphiphile which self‐assembles into light‐responsive vesicles (AO1CB[7]VC) in water. Although the mono‐allyloxy group, directly tethered on the periphery of CB[7], is much shorter (C4) than the hydrophobic tails of conventional amphiphiles, it played an important role in vesicle formation. Light‐activated transformation of the allyloxy group by conjugation with glutathione was exploited as a remote tool to disrupt the vesicle. The vesicle showed on‐demand release of cargo upon irradiation by a laser, after they were internalized into cancer cells. This result demonstrated the potential of AO1CB[7]VC as a new type of light‐responsive intracellular delivery vehicle for the release of therapeutic cargo, within cells, on demand.
Effects of overexpression and inhibited expression of thymosin, an actin‐interacting protein from Bombyx mori, on BmNPV proliferation and replication
Authors: Liao Jinxu , Zhang Chen , Ru Wenjuan , Wang Dan , Zhang Wenping
Published: January 2018

Previous study showed that exogenously applied recombinant thymosin from Bombyx mori (BmTHY) reduces B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) proliferation in silkworm. Which stands to reason that BmTHY in B. mori is crucial for the defense against BmNPV. However, little is known about the effect of endogenously overexpressed or repressed BmTHY on B. mori resistance to virus infection. To study this issue, we constructed an overexpression and inhibited expression systems of BmTHY in BmN cells. The viral titer and the analysis from the quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that overexpression of BmTHY decreased the copies of BmNPV gene gp41, which goes over to inhibit the proliferation of BmNPV in BmN cells, while the inhibited expression of BmTHY significantly enhanced viral proliferation in infected BmN cells. These results indicated that endogenous BmTHY can inhibit BmNPV proliferation and replication in infected BmN cells. Furthermore, Co‐IP showed that BmTHY could bind to actin in BmN cells. Also, the overexpression or inhibited expression of BmTHY shifted the ratio of F/G‐actin in infected BmN cells. Lastly, the BmTHY, an actin‐interacting protein, might be one of the key host factors against BmNPV, which inhibits viral proliferation and replication in BmN cells.
Managing Hypervisibility in the HIV Prevention Information‐Seeking Practices of Black Female College Students
Authors: Kvasny Lynette , Payton Fay Cobb
Published: January 2018

While information resources have contributed to the overall decline in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in the United States, these benefits have not been experienced equally. Our article describes formative research conducted as part of a larger study focused on the development of an online HIV prevention platform tailored for Black female college students. To inform the design of our platform, we conducted focus groups with 60 Black women enrolled at two predominantly White institutions (PWIs). The purpose of the focus groups was to understand information needs, awareness of specific information resources, and the search strategies employed for finding and evaluating HIV prevention information. We used hypervisibility as a sensitizing lens for making sense of how the intersecting gender and racial identities of Black womanhood shape information‐seeking behavior. Four themes emerged: platform choice and privacy, relatability, respectability politics, and silence on campus. The themes depict discursive representations specific to Black female identity to manage stigma, reduce their hypervisibility, and amplify their authentic voices in the broader HIV prevention discourse. Our findings contribute to human information behavior scholarship on marginalized groups.
Malformations among 289,365 Births Attributed to Mutations with Autosomal Dominant and Recessive and X‐Linked Inheritance
Authors: Toufaily M. Hassan , Westgate Marie‐Noel , Nasri Hanah , Holmes Lewis B.
Published: January 2018

Background

The number of malformations attributed to mutations with autosomal or X‐linked patterns of inheritance has increased steadily since the cataloging began in the 1960s. These diagnoses have been based primarily on the pattern of phenotypic features among close relatives. A malformations surveillance program conducted in consecutive pregnancies can identify both known and “new” hereditary disorders.

Methods

The Active Malformations Surveillance Program was carried out among 289,365 births over 41 years (1972–2012) at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The findings recorded by examining pediatricians and all consultants were reviewed by study clinicians to establish the most likely diagnoses. The findings in laboratory testing in the newborn period were reviewed, as well.

Results

One hundred ninety‐six (0.06%) infants among 289,365 births had a malformation or malformation syndrome that was attributed to Mendelian inheritance. A total of 133 (68%) of the hereditary malformations were attributed to autosomal dominant inheritance, with 94 (71%) attributed to apparent spontaneous mutations. Forty‐six (23%) were attributed to mutations with autosomal recessive inheritance, 17 associated with consanguinity. Seventeen (9%) were attributed to X‐linked inheritance. Fifteen novel familial phenotypes were identified. The family histories showed that most (53 to 71%) of the affected infants were born, as a surprise, to healthy, unaffected parents.

Conclusion

It is important for clinicians to discuss with surprised healthy parents how they can have an infant with an hereditary condition. Future studies, using DNA samples from consecutive populations of infants with malformations and whole genome sequencing, will identify many more mutations in loci associated with mendelizing phenotypes. Birth Defects Research 110:92–97, 2018.© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of interleukin‐8 truncations on its interactions with glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Nordsieck Karoline , Baumann Lars , Hintze Vera , Pisabarro M. Teresa , Schnabelrauch Matthias , Beck‐Sickinger Annette G. , Samsonov Sergey A.
Published: January 2018

The chemokine interleukin‐8 (IL‐8, CXCL8) plays an important role in inflammatory processes and consecutive wound healing. It recruits primarily neutrophils to infection sites and stimulates their degranulation and phagocytosis in effector cells. IL‐8 binds glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), a class of complex linear anionic polysaccharides often organized into diversely sulfated micro‐domains, that enriches the protein concentration locally and so facilitate the formation of stable concentration gradients. In this study, we applied experimental and computational techniques to investigate the binding of wild type and truncated IL‐8 variants to natural and chemically modified GAGs to gain further insight into the IL‐8/GAG interaction. Circular dichroism spectroscopy of IL‐8 variants did not reveal major structural changes upon GAG binding. Heparin affinity chromatography clearly demonstrates that gradual truncation of the C‐terminal helix leads to decreasing affinities. Similarly, surface plasmon resonance indicates participation of both IL‐8 termini in GAG binding, which strength is dependent on GAG sulfation degree. Molecular modeling suggests that C‐terminal truncation of IL‐8 weakens the interaction with GAGs by an alteration of IL‐8 GAG binding site. Our study provides more detailed understanding of the IL‐8/GAG interaction and contributes to the data of potential use for the development of biomedical implications in tissue regeneration.
Monitoring pesticide residues in dates marketed in Al‐Qassim, Saudi Arabia using a QuEChERS methodology and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Abdallah Osama I. , Alamer Saleh S. , Alrasheed Abdulmajeed M.
Published: January 2018

A sensitive, simple and rapid QuEChERS extraction method and liquid chromatography equipped with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) were used to determine 42 pesticides in dates. Acidified acetonitrile and citrate buffer salts were used to extract re‐hydrated samples. Acceptable validation performances were achieved, i.e. recovery range of 70−120% and RSD values ≤20% for 42 analytes at three different concentrations:100, 50 and 10 μg/kg. This method was used to analyse 200 date fruit samples (var. Sukkari) collected from different large markets in the Al‐Qassim region in Saudi Arabia. Pesticide residues were detected in 36 (18%) of the date fruits samples, and 15 samples (7.5%) exceeded the maximum residue levels. The ruggedness test results showed that this method is robust and suitable for the determination of pesticide residues in dates. Additionally, the results showed that the monitored dates did not have a health impact on consumers in Saudi Arabia during the study period.
Indoloazepinone‐Constrained Oligomers as Cell‐Penetrating and Blood–Brain‐Barrier‐Permeating Compounds
Authors: Van der Poorten Olivier , Legrand Baptiste , Vezenkov Lubomir L. , García‐Pindado Júlia , Bettache Nadir , Knuhtsen Astrid , Pedersen Daniel Sejer , Sánchez‐Navarro Macarena , Martinez Jean , Teixidó Meritxell , Garcia Marcel , Tourwé Dirk , Amblard Muriel , Ballet Steven
Published: January 2018

Non‐cationic and amphipathic indoloazepinone‐constrained (Aia) oligomers have been synthesized as new vectors for intracellular delivery. The conformational preferences of the [l‐Aia‐Xxx]n oligomers were investigated by circular dichroism (CD) and NMR spectroscopy. Whereas Boc‐[l‐Aia‐Gly]2,4‐OBn oligomers 12 and 13 and Boc‐[l‐Aia‐β3‐h‐l‐Ala]2,4‐OBn oligomers 16 and 17 were totally or partially disordered, Boc‐[l‐Aia‐l‐Ala]2‐OBn (14) induced a typical turn stabilized by C5‐ and C7‐membered H‐bond pseudo‐cycles and aromatic interactions. Boc‐[l‐Aia‐l‐Ala]4‐OBn (15) exhibited a unique structure with remarkable T‐shaped π‐stacking interactions involving the indole rings of the four l‐Aia residues forming a dense hydrophobic cluster. All of the proposed FITC‐6‐Ahx‐[l‐Aia‐Xxx]4‐NH2 oligomers 19–23, with the exception of FITC‐6‐Ahx‐[l‐Aia‐Gly]4‐NH2 (18), were internalized by MDA‐MB‐231 cells with higher efficiency than the positive references penetratin and Arg8. In parallel, the compounds of this series were successfully explored in an in vitro blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeation assay. Although no passive diffusion permeability was observed for any of the tested Ac‐[l‐Aia‐Xxx]4‐NH2 oligomers in the PAMPA model, Ac‐[l‐Aia‐l‐Arg]4‐NH2 (26) showed significant permeation in the in vitro cell‐based human model of the BBB, suggesting an active mechanism of cell penetration.
Toward High‐Performance Vacuum‐Deposited OLEDs: Sublimable Cationic Iridium(III) Complexes with Yellow and Orange Electroluminescence
Authors: Ma Dongxin , Zhang Chen , Liu Ruihuan , Qiu Yong , Duan Lian
Published: January 2018

Great advances in the development of efficient luminescent materials are the driving force behind organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Sublimable ionic transition‐metal complexes (iTMCs) have emerged as a large family of new emissive dopants applied for vacuum‐deposited OLEDs, while the achievement of excellent performance remains arduous. A series of novel sublimable cationic iridium(III) complexes have been designed and synthesized, containing an imidazole‐type ancillary ligand and tetraphenylborate‐type negative counter‐ions with large steric hindrance and well‐dispersed charges. The photophysical properties, electrochemical behaviors, and thermal stability are fully investigated and discussed, then demonstrated by theoretical calculations. Yellow‐ and orange‐emitting OLEDs thereof are fabricated by vacuum evaporation deposition, realizing a high external quantum efficiency of up to 11 %, maximum brightness over 27.3×103 cd m−2 and low turn‐on voltages below 2.4 V, among the best results of analogous phosphorescent OLEDs based on iTMCs. This work indicates the promising applications of sublimable iTMCs in state‐of‐the‐art vacuum‐deposited optoelectronic devices.
An automatic refrigerant circuit generation method for finned‐tube heat exchangers
Authors: Cen Jiwen , Hu Jianyao , Jiang Fangming
Published: January 2018

Design of finned‐tube heat exchangers or coils, and in particular their refrigerant circuits, depends primarily on experimental data and the associated development cost is in general rather high. Taking into consideration the high number of possible refrigerant circuits, the input of each circuit into a particular design computational tool would be a very time‐consuming operation. In the present work, we present a model to automatically generate refrigerant circuits for finned‐tube heat exchangers based on a recursive algorithm. The model assumes that a tube is only connected to those that are in its neighbourhood. In this way the total number of connecting bend tubes is a minimum and, as a consequence, material usage is at its lowest level. In addition, a finned‐tube heat exchanger performance simulation model is developed to evaluate the performance of a finned‐tube heat exchanger with the automatically generated circuit. This simulation model can handle arbitrary refrigerant circuits and it is sufficiently user‐friendly to allow the easy inclusion of new features. In addition, it can simulate coil performance by analyzing the coil into uneven length elements and by considering non‐uniform air distribution at minimal computational cost. The simulation results of the model have a maximum ±10 % error compared with experimental data, most within ±5 % deviation of the experimental data. The automatically generated circuits are evaluated on the basis of the heat exchanger performance simulation results. This combined feature has the potential of being a powerful tool in designing finned‐tube heat exchangers.
Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyrazoline‐Based Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives as Aminopeptidase N (APN) Inhibitors
Authors: Cao Jiangying , Zang Jie , Ma Chunhua , Li Xiaoguang , Hou Jinning , Li Jin , Huang Yongxue , Xu Wenfang , Wang Binghe , Zhang Yingjie
Published: January 2018

Aminopeptidase N (APN) has been recognized as a target for anticancer treatment due to its overexpression on diverse malignant tumor cells and association with cancer invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis. Herein we describe the synthesis, biological evaluation, and structure–activity relationship study of two new series of pyrazoline analogues as APN inhibitors. Among these compounds, 5‐(2‐(2‐(hydroxyamino)‐2‐oxoethoxy)phenyl)‐3‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazole‐1‐carboxamide (compound 13 e) showed the best APN inhibition with an IC50 value of 0.16±0.02 μm, which is more than one order of magnitude lower than that of bestatin (IC50=9.4±0.5 μm). Moreover, compound 13 e was found to inhibit the proliferation of diverse carcinoma cells and to show potent anti‐angiogenesis activity. At the same concentration, compound 13 e presents significantly higher anti‐angiogenesis activity than bestatin in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) capillary tube formation assays. The putative binding mode of 13 e in the active site of APN is also discussed.
Biosafety in Handling Gene Transfer Vectors
Authors: Swindle Scott
Published: January 2018

This unit is devoted to safety issues that must be considered when generating and working with the most common vectors under development for human gene therapy today. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Population PK and Exposure–Response Relationships for the Antibody–Drug Conjugate Brentuximab Vedotin in CTCL Patients in the Phase III ALCANZA Study
Authors: Suri Ajit , Mould Diane R. , Liu Yi , Jang Graham , Venkatakrishnan Karthik
Published: January 2018

The antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) brentuximab vedotin consists of the CD30‐directed antibody attached to the microtubule‐disrupting agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE). In pharmacokinetic models, including data from six studies (380 patients with classical Hodgkin's, systemic anaplastic large‐cell, and cutaneous T‐cell (CTCL) lymphomas), lower clearance of ADC and modestly higher ADC exposure in CTCL patients did not translate into higher MMAE exposure. In CTCL patients from the phase III ALCANZA study (n = 66), improved progression‐free survival with brentuximab vedotin vs. controls was not related to ADC exposure. ADC exposure was a predictor of grade ≥3 treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results support the consistent benefit observed with brentuximab vedotin 1.8 mg/kg every 3 weeks across the range of exposures in ALCANZA and support dose reductions in patients experiencing TEAEs at the starting dose.
On the time‐frequency symbol density of FBMC/QAM systems
Authors: Towliat Mohammad , Javad Asgari Tabatabaee Seyyed Mohammad
Published: January 2018

Filter bank multicarrier (FBMC) systems suffer from an inherent interference, which needs to be eliminated at the detection process. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing/offset quadrature amplitude modulation (OFDM/OQAM) is a well‐known FBMC system, which transmits real‐valued symbols. In OFDM/OQAM, the time and frequency spacing between adjacent transmitted symbols are organized such that the inherent interference becomes pure imaginary and can be removed by a real‐taking operation. Although OFDM/OQAM provides the maximal bandwidth efficiency, it falls short in handling the spatial multiplexing techniques in multi‐input multi‐output channels. In this regard, those modified FBMC systems, which transmit complex QAM symbols (FBMC/QAM) are used to support the spatial multiplexing techniques. In this article, we present a novel matrix formulation for the FBMC/QAM transmission procedure. On the basis of this presentation, we show that the maximal achievable time‐frequency symbol density of FBMC/QAM, with the ability of perfectly removing the interference, is equal to that of the primer OFDM/OQAM.
Animal movement affects interpretation of occupancy models from camera‐trap surveys of unmarked animals
Authors: Neilson Eric W. , Avgar Tal , Burton A. Cole , Broadley Kate , Boutin Stan
Published: January 2018

Occupancy models are increasingly applied to data from wildlife camera‐trap (CT) surveys to estimate distribution, habitat use, or relative abundance of unmarked animals. Fundamental to the occupancy modeling framework is the temporal pattern of detections at camera stations, which is influenced by animal population density and the speed and scale of animal movement. How these factors interact withCTsampling designs to affect the interpretation of occupancy parameter estimates is unclear. We developed a simple yet ecologically relevant animal movement simulation to createCTdetections for animal populations varying in movement rate, home range area, and population density. We also variedCTsampling design by the duration of sampling and the density ofCTs in our simulated domain. A single‐species occupancy model was fitted to simulated detection histories, and model‐estimated probabilities of occupancy were compared to the asymptotic proportion of area occupied (PAO), calculated as the union of all simulated home ranges. Occupancy model parameter estimates were sensitive to simulated movement and sampling scenarios. Occupancy models overestimated asymptoticPAOwhen a low population density of simulated animals moved quickly over large home ranges and this positive bias was insensitive to sampling duration. Conversely, asymptoticPAOwas underestimated when simulated animals moved slowly in large‐ or intermediately sized home ranges. This negative bias decreased with increasing sampling duration and a lower density ofCTs. Our results emphasize that the interpretation of occupancy models depends on the underlying processes drivingCTdetections, specifically animal movement and population density, and that model estimates may not reliably reflect variation in these processes. We recommend carefully defining occupancy if it is applied toCTdata in order to better match sampling and analytical frameworks to the ecology of sampled wildlife species.
Determination of Methyldibromoglutaronitrile (MDBGN) in Skin Care Products by Gaschromatography‐Mass Spectrometry Employing an Enhanced Matrix Removal (EMR) Lipid Clean‐Up
Authors: Farè Fiorenza , Dei Cas Michele , Arnoldi Sebastiano , Casagni Eleonora , Visconti Giacomo Luca , Parnisari Giulia , Bolchi Cristiano , Pallavicini Marco , Gambaro Veniero , Roda Gabriella
Published: January 2018

A new application of QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Efficient, Rugged, and Safe) extraction followed by enhanced matrix removal‐lipid cleanup and GC‐MS analysis is proposed for skin care products. The method is applied to determine methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN), a preservative frequently used in cosmetic products before being banned for its allergic reactions, so as to unmask its now‐prohibited use. The new validated procedure consists in extracting the cosmetic products with acetonitrile, removing the lipid matrix and then water and solid particles from the organic mixture by two dispersive solid‐phase extractions (dSPE) in sequence and, lastly, analyzing the extracts in GC–MS. Compared to classic liquid–liquid extraction with chloroform, the method has superior features in terms of applicability to cosmetics, ease of use, working times optimization and, above all, reduction of analytically interfering lipidic constituents.

Practical Applications: The use of EMR‐Lipid dSPE system followed by GC‐MS analysis allows to trace and quantify a minimal amount of a banned preservative, MDBGN, in so‐called “complex” matrices, such as cosmetic creams, managing them in a simple and efficient way. Therefore, this system can be proposed for further applications of extractive procedures, advantageously alternative to the classic liquid‐liquid extractions, in the field of cosmetics analysis. The EMR‐Lipid dSPE system shows the following advantages: much simpler use, as the system provides tubes already packaged with the clean‐up phase, optimization of the working times, and noticeable reduction of extraction impurities allowing cleaner extracts to be obtained.

A new application of QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Efficient, Rugged, and Safe) extraction followed by enhanced matrix removal‐lipid cleanup and GC–MS analysis is proposed for skin care products. Compared to classic liquid–liquid extraction with chloroform (upper part), the method has superior features in terms of applicability to cosmetics, ease of use, working times optimization and, above all, reduction of analytically interfering lipidic constituents (lower part).
Cancer etiology: Variation in cancer risk among tissues is poorly explained by the number of gene mutations
Authors: López‐Lázaro Miguel
Published: January 2018

Recent evidence indicates that the risk of being diagnosed with cancer in a tissue is strongly correlated (0.80) with the number of stem cell divisions accumulated by the tissue. Since cell division can generate random mutations during DNA replication, this correlation has been used to propose that cancer is largely caused by the accumulation of unavoidable mutations in driver genes. However, no correlation between the number of gene mutations and cancer risk across tissues has been reported. Because many somatic mutations in cancers originate prior to tumor initiation and the number of cell divisions occurring during tumor growth is similar among tissues, I use whole genome sequencing information from 22 086 cancer samples and incidence data from the largest cancer registry in each continent to study the relationship between the number of gene mutations and the risk of cancer across 33 tissue types. Results show a weak positive correlation (mean = 0.14) between these 2 parameters in each of the 5 cancer registries. The correlation became stronger (mean = 0.50) when gender‐related cancers were excluded. Results also show that 1003 samples from 29 cancer types have zero mutations in genes. These data suggest that cancer etiology can be better explained by the accumulation of stem cell divisions than by the accumulation of gene mutations. Possible mechanisms by which the accumulation of cell divisions in stem cells increases the risk of cancer are discussed.
Learn German – And Then What?
Authors: Übelmesser Silke
Published: January 2018

It is a truism to say that migrants' language skills often decide how successfully they are able to integrate. But what about the situation prior to migration? Do people who already know German leave their home countries more quickly and more willingly? And what difference does it make when and where they learned the language? Empirical data sheds light on a little‐studied question.
Organ Transplantation – A Bright Future Ahead
Authors: Manns Michael P.
Published: January 2018

When the kidneys, liver, heart or lungs are incurably diseased, an organ transplant is often the last hope. But despite the many advances in modern medicine, the risks are still high – and the primary goal of doctors and patients is still to maximise “transplant survival” while minimising impact on quality of life.