bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tourist municipalities and local political corruption
Authors: Jiménez Juan Luis , Nombela Gustavo , Suárez‐Alemán Ancor
Published: May 2017

Are tourist municipalities a breeding ground for corruption? Before the 2008 economic crisis, Spain experienced an economic boom, together with a surge in political corruption at the local level. In a tourism‐oriented economy – tourism represents above 11% of country GDP – where most of the tourism activity is focused on certain municipalities, understanding the link between tourism and corruption at the local level is crucial. Whether those municipalities present differences from non‐tourist local governments when it comes to corruption represents the main research question of the present paper. Also, this paper analyzes whether voting behavior in these municipalities hides some particularities related to corrupt activities. This paper gathers information on municipalities' public accounts and fiscal revenues generated by businesses in the local area, together with the results of four local recent elections. Estimations show how tourism contributes to the existence of local political corruption. Interestingly, local governments in tourist municipalities are also proven to be more stable than those in non‐tourist municipalities.
Differences in residents' attitudes towards tourism among mass tourism destinations
Authors: Martínez‐Garcia Esther , Raya Josep Maria , Majó Joaquim
Published: May 2017

This article contributes to extant knowledge by analysing differences in the attitudes towards tourism of residents living in several micro‐destinations (cities) within a larger tourism destination and by using a new approach, the Oaxaca‐Blinder decomposition. Results show that a significant part of the gap in attitudes among cities is explained by residents' perceived tourism impacts; the relevance of each of them in generating gaps is also identified and quantified. However, there is also a significant community adjustment to tourism impacts source of gap, different among cities.
Combined Delivery of a Lipopolysaccharide‐Binding Peptide and the Heme Oxygenase‐1 Gene Using Deoxycholic Acid‐Conjugated Polyethylenimine for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury
Authors: Kim Ji Yeon , Piao Chunxian , Kim Gyeungyun , Lee Seonyeong , Lee Min Sang , Jeong Ji Hoon , Lee Minhyung
Published: May 2017

A ternary complex comprising plasmid DNA, lipopolysaccharide‐binding peptide (LBP), and deoxycholic acid‐conjugated polyethylenimine (PEI‐DA) is prepared for combinational therapy of acute lung injury (ALI). The LBP is designed as an anti‐inflammatory peptide based on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐binding domain of HMGB‐1. In vitro cytokine assays show that LBP reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines by inhibiting LPS. PEI‐DA is synthesized as the gene carrier by conjugation of deoxycholic acid to low‐molecular weight polyethylenimine (2 kDa, PEI2k). PEI‐DA has higher transfection efficiency than high‐molecular weight polyethylenimine (25 kDa, PEI25k). The ternary complex of an HO‐1 plasmid (pHO‐1), PEI‐DA, and LBP is prepared as a combinational system to deliver the therapeutic gene and peptide. The transfection efficiency of the ternary complex is higher than that of the pHO‐1/PEI‐DA binary complex. The ternary complex also reduces TNF‐α secretion in LPS‐activated Raw264.7 macrophage cells. Administration of the ternary complex into the lungs of an animal ALI model by intratracheal injection induces HO‐1 expression and reduces levels of proinflammatory cytokines more efficiently than the pHO‐1/PEI‐DA binary complex or LBP alone. In addition, the ternary complex reduces inflammation in the lungs. Therefore, the pHO‐1/PEI‐DA/LBP ternary complex may be an effective treatment for ALI.

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Developing Polyamine‐Based Peptide Amphiphiles with Tunable Morphology and Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Samad Mehdi Bin , Chhonker Yashpal Singh , Contreras Jacob I. , McCarthy Alec , McClanahan Megan M. , Murry Daryl J. , Conda‐Sheridan Martin
Published: May 2017

The ability to tune supramolecular properties such as size, morphology, or metabolic stability is of paramount importance in the field of supramolecular chemistry. Peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are a family of functional self‐assembling biomaterials that have garnered widespread attention due to their broad applicability in medicine. PAs are generally comprised of an amino acid sequence connected to lipid tail(s) allowing them to self‐assemble into supramolecular structures with diverse morphologies. Herein, this study describes the synthesis of a new class of polyamine‐based “hybrid” PAs (PPAs) as novel self‐assembling systems. The described molecules possess diverse polyamine head groups with the goal of tuning physicochemical properties. The findings indicate that small changes in the polyamine head groups result in altered PPA morphologies (nanofibers, micelles, nanoworms). The PPAs present a wide range of physicochemical characteristics, show superior resistance to aggregation, a diverse metabolic profile, and varied assembling kinetics. Most of the PPAs do not show toxicity in the human cells lines evaluated. The PPAs described herein hold promising potential as a safe and nontoxic option for drug delivery, targeting, and tissue engineering applications.

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Mechanically Robust, Tough, and Self‐Recoverable Hydrogels with Molecularly Engineered Fully Flexible Crosslinking Structure
Authors: Zhou Hongwei , Jin Xilang , Yan Bo , Li Xingjian , Yang Wen , Ma Aijie , Zhang Xiaohui , Li Ping , Ding Xiaobin , Chen Weixing
Published: May 2017

How to reasonably fabricate polymer network for high performance hydrogels is a critical issue but remains a challenge. This work reports an approach to high performance hydrogels by molecularly engineering fully flexible crosslinking (ffC) network. A model network cross‐linked by fully flexible crosslinking points of triblock copolymer micelles and ionic interactions is fabricated. Due to the unique structure, the resulting ffC hydrogels are mechanically robust, tough, and self‐recoverable. For as‐prepared ffC hydrogels, a tensile stress more than 3.5 MPa can be achieved and the energy dissipation can reach up to 6.61 MJ m−3 at the tensile strain of 125%. Moreover, ffC hydrogels fabricated under constant strain can achieve an energy dissipation ability up to 11.63 MJ m−3 at the tensile strain of 100% and a tensile stress of 17.57 MPa. Based on these results, a dynamic molecular mechanism in the ffC hydrogel network under tensile deformation is proposed. The high performances of the ffC hydrogels can be possibly attributed to the sequential breakage and energy dissipation of the flexible crosslinking points and the easily accessible polymer chain orientation during tensile deformation.

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End Functionalized Nonionic Water‐Dispersible Conjugated Polymers
Authors: Zhan Ruoyu , Liu Bin
Published: May 2017

2,7‐Dibromofluorene monomers carrying two or four oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) side chains are synthesized. Heck coupling between the monomers and 1,4‐divinylbenzene followed by end capping with [4‐(4‐bromophenoxy)butyl]carbamic acid tert‐butyl ester leads to two nonionic water‐dispersible poly(fluorene‐alt‐1,4‐divinylenephenylene)s end‐functionalized with amine groups after hydrolysis. In water, the polymer with a lower OEG density (P1) has poor water dispersibility with a quantum yield of 0.24, while the polymer with a higher OEG density (P2) possesses excellent water‐dispersibility with a high quantum yield of 0.45. Both polymers show fluorescence enhancement and blue‐shifted absorption and emission maxima in the presence of surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The polymers are also resistant to ionic strength with minimal nonspecific interactions to bovine serum albumin. When biotin is incorporated into the end of the polymer backbones through N‐hydroxysuccinimide/amine coupling reaction, the biotinylated polymers interact specifically with streptavidin on solid surface.

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Characterization of microbial mixtures by mass spectrometry
Authors: Sandrin Todd R. , Demirev Plamen A.
Published: May 2017

MS applications in microbiology have increased significantly in the past 10 years, due in part to the proliferation of regulator‐approved commercial MALDI MS platforms for rapid identification of clinical infections. In parallel, with the expansion of MS technologies in the “omics” fields, novel MS‐based research efforts to characterize organismal as well as environmental microbiomes have emerged. Successful characterization of microorganisms found in complex mixtures of other organisms remains a major challenge for researchers and clinicians alike. Here, we review recent MS advances toward addressing that challenge. These include sample preparation methods and protocols, and established, for example, MALDI, as well as newer, for example, atmospheric pressure ionization (API) techniques. MALDI mass spectra of intact cells contain predominantly information on the highly expressed house‐keeping proteins used as biomarkers. The API methods are applicable for small biomolecule analysis, for example, phospholipids and lipopeptides, and facilitate species differentiation. MS hardware and techniques, for example, tandem MS, including diverse ion source/mass analyzer combinations are discussed. Relevant examples for microbial mixture characterization utilizing these combinations are provided. Chemometrics and bioinformatics methods and algorithms, including those applied to large scale MS data acquisition in microbial metaproteomics and MS imaging of biofilms, are highlighted. Select MS applications for polymicrobial culture analysis in environmental and clinical microbiology are reviewed as well.
Propylene Polymerization Reactor Control and Estimation Using a Particle Filter and Neural Network
Authors: Dias Ana Carolina Spindola Rangel , da Silva Wellington Betencurte , Dutra Julio Cesar Sampaio
Published: May 2017

Polymeric materials are present in various industrial sectors and in daily life, presenting advantages such as low cost and durability. Several processes for manufacturing have been developed. To achieve safety and operational goals measurement methods for proper process monitoring and effective control are needed. However, in real polymer plants, measuring devices are subject to uncertainties and are not always available. Hence, this paper proposes a virtual sensor scheme based on a particle filter and artificial neural network (ANN) that is applied to a simulated polymerization reactor. This scheme reduces uncertainties and enables the observation of latent variables. The ANN is also used for predicting the final properties of the polymer. The goal is to provide controllers with more complete and improved information. The results show that the virtual sensor scheme improves the process control, providing accurate estimates and action times that are consistent with industrial sampling intervals, which highlights its potential for practical applications.

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Effect of electromyographic biofeedback as an add‐on to pelvic floor muscle exercises on neuromuscular outcomes and quality of life in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bertotto Adriane , Schvartzman Renata , Uchôa Silvana , Wender Maria Celeste Osório
Published: May 2017

Aims

To compare the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercises (PFME) with and without electromyographic biofeedback (BF) in increasing muscle strength, improving myoelectric activity, and improving pre‐contraction and quality of life in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial of 49 postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence. Participants were allocated across three groups: control, PFME alone, and PFME + BF. Forty‐five women completed the study (14 control, 15 PFME, 16 PFME + BF; mean age 58.26 years). Outcome assessment was carried out using digital palpation (modified Oxford grading scale), electromyography, and the International Consultation Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF) quality of life instrument. The treatment protocol consisted of eight twice‐weekly, 20‐min one‐on‐one sessions. Controls were assessed only at baseline and after 1 month.

Results

The PFME and PFME + BF groups exhibited significant increases in muscle strength (Oxford scale) (P < 0.0001), precontraction while coughing (P < 0.0001), maximum voluntary contraction, duration of endurance contraction, and ICIQ‐SF scores (P < 0.0001). PFME + BF was associated with significantly superior improvement of muscle strength, precontraction while coughing, maximum voluntary contraction, and duration of endurance contraction as compared to PFME alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This preliminary study suggests that pelvic floor muscle training, with and without biofeedback, is associated with increased muscle strength, myoelectric activity, precontraction of pelvic floor muscles, and improved quality of life in postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence.
Simple cylindrical and spherical finite elements
Authors: Heyliger Paul R.
Published: May 2017

Finite element approximations are developed for three‐dimensional domains naturally represented in either cylindrical or spherical coordinates. Lines of constant radius, axial length, or angle are used to represent the domain and cast approximations that are natural for these geometries. As opposed to general isoparametric three‐dimensional elements generated in conventional parent space, these elements can be evaluated analytically and do not generate geometric discretization error. They also allow for anisotropic material coefficients that are frequently aligned in either cylindrical or spherical coordinates. Several examples are provided that show convergence properties and comparison with analytical solutions of the Poisson equation.
Dosing anticancer drugs in infants: Current approach and recommendations from the Children's Oncology Group's Chemotherapy Standardization Task Force
Authors: Balis Frank M. , Womer Richard B. , Berg Stacey , Winick Naomi , Adamson Peter C. , Fox Elizabeth ,   for the Children's Oncology Group Chemotherapy Standardization Task Force
Published: May 2017

An analysis of dose modifications for infants in 29 Children's Oncology Group protocols across 10 cancer types revealed 11 sets of criteria defining the infant population using age, weight, body surface area (BSA), or a combination of these parameters and eight dose modification methods. A new method of dosing anticancer drugs in infants was developed based on the rationale that prior modifications were implemented to reduce toxicity, which is not cancer‐specific. The new method uses BSA dose banding in dosing tables for infants and children with a BSA <0.6 m2 and gradually transitions from body weight based to BSA‐based dosing.
No improvement in clinical trial enrollment for adolescents and young adults with cancer at a children's hospital
Authors: Jacob Seethal A. , Shaw Peter H.
Published: May 2017

Background

We have previously published data from 2001 to 2006 showing that adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients have significantly lower therapeutic clinical trial enrollment rates than younger patients. Our objective was to determine if the enrollment of AYA patients on therapeutic studies at the same institution has improved in recent years with the greater focus on this population locally and nationally.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed cancer registry data at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP) for all new oncologic diagnoses between January 2010 and December 2014. These data included age, gender, diagnosis, race and whether the patient was enrolled on an open treatment study. Univariate analyses were carried out to compare demographic data between AYA patients (aged 15–22) who enrolled on study and those who did not.

Results

Eight hundred sixty‐five new oncology patients were seen at CHP during this time, 23% of whom were 15 years or older; 33% of all patients were treated on a clinical trial, including 34% of younger patients and 24% of older patients (P = 0.0017). The differences between these rates and those from prior years in both age groups (38% and 27%, respectively) were not statistically significant (P = 0.15, 0.53). The most common reason for the low enrollment rates was again the lack of an open therapeutic trial.

Conclusion

Despite initiatives at CHP and on the national level to enroll more AYA patients on clinical trials, our most recent data show no improvement. This is a potentially remediable factor that needs to continue to be prioritized nationally.
Novel thermal stable polymeric nanocomposite based on poly(ethyl vinyl ether‐alt‐maleic anhydride) and organo‐modified montmorillonite
Authors: Fattahi Hassan , Amani Mehdi , Mosaei Oskoei Yones , Arsalani Nasser
Published: May 2017

A novel clay‐based polymeric nanocomposite was synthesized using alternative copolymer of ethyl vinyl ether and maleic anhydride. To this aim, first, montmorillonite (MMt) was modified by cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant, and then in situ intercalative radical‐initiated copolymerization was performed. Different amounts of organo‐modified clay were used to determine its optimum amount in nanocomposite. The results showed that 2 wt% is the optimum amount of organo‐modified montmorillonite (OMMt) for nanocomposite preparation. Different characterization techniques including FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, UV‐Vis, DSC and TGA were used for characterization of prepared nanocomposites. The thermal behavior of nanocomposites measured by DSC and TGA techniques showed distinct increase in Tg and Tm of nanocomposites compared with pure copolymer. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3889–3895, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Properties of fiber reinforced plastics under static and dynamic loading conditions
Authors: Korneeva Natalia , Kudinov Vladimir , Krylov Igor , Mamonov Vladimir
Published: May 2017

The properties and failure mechanisms of anisotropic polymer composite materials in configuration of a single bundle of filaments microcomposite reinforced with carbon and aramid fibers under impact and static loading conditions are investigated by impact break method. Various failure mechanisms of the CM affected on their properties under static and impact loading conditions. The destruction processes in dynamically loaded CM are multistage. Failure mechanism is based on the multifilament fiber stretching and stress‐wave propagation through the CM. The processes of multibreaking and crushing of the filaments are imposed on the process of multistage stretching deformation. It led to a sharp decrease of the CM properties on impact as compared with that CM tested under static loading conditions. It has been found out that specific absorbed‐in‐break energy of CFRP and OFRP under impact loading conditions is significantly reduced by a factor of 3.1 and 4.1, respectively, as compared with that under static ones. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:693–696, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Probabilistic analysis and experimental results of sound transmission loss of composite panels
Authors: Marulo F. , Polito T.
Published: May 2017

In last years a growing interest has been given to composite materials to be used in an aircraft primary structure; in principle they could allow an increased noise transmission inside the fuselage, because of the composites reduced mass and damping and the increased stiffness characteristics. On the other hand, the reduction of interior noise levels in aircraft cabins is nowadays a critical aspect of maintaining the competitiveness and ensuring the commercial success of a modern aircraft. Thus, it is fundamental for the aerospace industry to be able to correctly simulate composite materials vibroacoustic behavior in order to allow a low weight–low cost design including the acoustic effects. Furthermore, composite properties suffer from high scattering, mainly related to the composites manufacturing and assembling process. Traditional deterministic approaches, such as finite element method, are not able to take into account this variability and their application can generate results which validity cannot easily be estimated. This can lead to the need to oversize structures and damping‐soundproofing treatments in order to be able to satisfy required performances, penalizing in this way weight saving issues that drive the use of composite materials. Small changes of input quantities can have strong effects on response prediction, and then reliable vibroacoustic predictive techniques have to give an assessment of the effects of parameters variability on structural and/or acoustical response. In a probabilistic finite element approach, design parameters are introduced as stochastic variables to model randomness and spatial variability of the geometrical and mechanical properties allowing optimization and sensitivity analyses to be performed once a probabilistic model has been established. In the present work, a vibroacoustic analysis has been performed interfacing a probabilistic model with the finite element one of a panel; acoustic performance in terms of achieved transmission loss has been evaluated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:722–730, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preliminary dynamic‐mechanical analysis of polypropylene/short carbon fibers composites modified by a succinic anhydride‐grafted atactic polypropylene
Authors: García‐Martínez Jesús María , Areso Susana , Collar Emilia P.
Published: May 2017

The present work checks on the efficiency of a grafted atactic polypropylene, with a high level of succinic anhydride‐grafted groups, as an interfacial modifier in Polypropylene/Short Carbon Fiber composites (iPP/SCF) by mean of Dynamic Mechanic Analysis (DMA). Additionally, Differential Scanning Calorimetry to determine the crystalline content of the different materials comes in support of the DMA results. Hence, this work has been designed as an exploratory study for incoming works wherein recovered carbon fibers (rSCF) will be evaluated as reinforcement of thermoplastic composites. Consequently, we studied two different polypropylene‐based composites with extreme amounts, 15% and 40% w/w, of a commercial sized SCF. Notwithstanding, just to notice that the main relaxation processes associated to the iPP matrix in the pristine composites appear sharply affected by the SCF amount, influencing also the crystalline content of the iPP matrix. The glass transition region of the iPP matrix shows significant variations well correlated with both the processing history of both the pristine iPP and the composites, and evidences the efficiency of the interfacial modifier (aPP‐SA/SA) revealed as a good candidate for improving the performance in PP/rSCF composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:731–738, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
The effect of a p‐phenylen‐bis‐maleamic acid grafted atactic polypropylene interfacial agent on the dynamic‐mechanical properties of iPP/Mica composites measured at the polymer transitions
Authors: García‐Martínez Jesús‐María , Collar Emilia P.
Published: May 2017

This work deals with the study of the evolution (with temperature) of the in‐phase (E′) and the out‐of‐phase (E″) moduli of polypropylene/mica composites with improved interfacial interactions by the presence of an industrial waste based interfacial modifier named as p‐phenylen‐bis‐maleamic (pPBMA) acid grafted atactic polypropylene (aPP–pPBMA). This additive contains 15% w/w grafted pPBMA (5.0·10−4 g mol−1) obtained from polymer industrial wastes in the Polymer Engineering Group (GIP) labs. The purpose of the work is twofold. One, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) has been used to evidence the improvement in properties due to the interfacial modifications by the addition of the novel interfacial modifier (aPP–pPBMA). And two, to obtain a mathematical model to predict the DMA moduli of the composite at α and β transition temperatures. So, a Box–Wilson experimental design considering the amount of mica particles and of interfacial agent as independent variables, and the modulus as the dependent ones at each transition was used. Thus, the final purpose of the work is obtaining forecasts for the DMA parameters as a function of the composite components and of the type of temperature dependent relaxation phenomena taking place. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:746–755, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Proteomic characterization of EL4 lymphoma‐derived tumors upon chemotherapy treatment reveals potential roles for lysosomes and caspase‐6 during tumor cell death in vivo
Authors: Kramer David A. , Eldeeb Mohamed A. , Wuest Melinda , Mercer John , Fahlman Richard P.
Published: May 2017

The murine mouse lymphoblastic lymphoma cell line (EL4) tumor model is an established in vivo apoptosis model for the investigation of novel cancer imaging agents and immunological treatments due to the rapid and significant response of the EL4 tumors to cyclophosphamide and etoposide combination chemotherapy. Despite the utility of this model system in cancer research, little is known regarding the molecular details of in vivo tumor cell death. Here, we report the first in‐depth quantitative proteomic analysis of the changes that occur in these tumors upon cyclophosphamide and etoposide treatment in vivo. Using a label‐free quantitative proteomic approach a total of 5838 proteins were identified in the treated and untreated tumors, of which 875 were determined to change in abundance with statistical significance. Initial analysis of the data reveals changes that may have been predicted, such as the downregulation of ribosomes, but demonstrates the robustness of the dataset. Analysis of the dataset also reveals the unexpected downregulation of caspase‐3 and an upregulation of caspase‐6 in addition to a global upregulation of lysosomal proteins in the bulk of the tumor.
Expanding vinyl ether monomer repertoire for ring‐expansion cationic polymerization: Various cyclic polymers with tailored pendant groups
Authors: Kammiyada Hajime , Ouchi Makoto , Sawamoto Mitsuo
Published: May 2017

Herein, we clarified the ring‐expansion cationic polymerization with a cyclic hemiacetal ester (HAE)‐based initiator was versatile in terms of applicable vinyl ether monomers. Although there was a risk that higher reactive vinyl ethers may incur β‐H elimination of the HAE‐based cyclic dormant species to irreversibly give linear chains, the polymerizations were controlled to give corresponding cyclic polymers from various alkyl vinyl ethers of different reactivities. Functional vinyl ether monomers were also available, and for instance a vinyl ether monomer carrying an initiator moiety for metal‐catalyzed living radical polymerization in the pendant allowed construction of ring‐linear graft copolymers through the grafting‐from approach. Furthermore, ring‐based gel was prepared via the addition of divinyl ether at the end of the ring‐expansion polymerization, where multi HAE bonds cyclic polymers or fused rings were crosslinked with each other. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3082–3089
The relationship between symptom prevalence, body image, and quality of life in Asian gynecologic cancer patients
Authors: Teo Irene , Cheung Yin Bun , Lim Timothy Yong Kuei , Namuduri Rama Padmavathi , Long Victoria , Tewani Komal
Published: May 2017

Objective

Gynecologic cancer is associated with long‐term effects that can be both physical and emotional. We examined symptom prevalence and body image disturbance in patients with gynecologic cancer and their association with quality of life. Predictors of clinically‐relevant body image disturbance were examined.

Methods

A sample of patients in Singapore (n = 104) was assessed for symptom prevalence, quality of life, and body image dissatisfaction. Clinical factors were extracted from medical records.

Results

The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue, abdominal bloatedness, weight gain, constipation, hot flashes, and pelvic pain. Approximately one quarter patients reported feeling less physically attractive and dissatisfied with their body. Ordinary least squares regression indicated that symptom prevalence alone predicted physical well‐being, b = −1.09, P < .001, 95% CI, −1.45 to −0.73, and functional well‐being, b = −0.88, P < .001, 95% CI, −1.32 to −0.45. Body image dissatisfaction alone significantly predicted emotional well‐being, b = −0.21, P < .01, 95% CI, −0.35 to −0.06. Younger age was a significant risk factor for clinically‐relevant score of body image distress, OR = 0.95 per year older, 95% CI, 0.92 to 0.99, P = .02.

Conclusions

Symptom prevalence and body image dissatisfaction were associated with different domains of quality of life. Emotional well‐being of patients was better explained by body image, rather than extent of symptoms experienced. Patients who are younger appear particularly susceptible to body image disturbance.
Upregulation of inflammatory mediators in the ventricular zone after cortical stroke
Authors: Gunton Adrianna N. , Sanchez‐Arias Juan C. , Carmona‐Wagner Esther O. , Wicki‐Stordeur Leigh E. , Swayne Leigh Anne
Published: May 2017

Purpose

After cortical stroke, neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the distal ventricular zone (VZ) proliferate more rapidly and migrate toward the injured cortex. While evidence suggests this can enhance stroke recovery, the underlying molecular mechanisms initiating the response are poorly understood. Here we identified changes in protein expression in the ipsilateral VZ early (4 h) after stroke to gain insight into the initial mechanisms involved in NPC activation post‐stroke.

Experimental design

Four hours after photothrombotic stroke (or sham surgery control) in the sensorimotor cortex, adult mice (10 stroke, 10 sham) were subjected to cardiac perfusion with PBS, and ipsilateral and contralateral VZ tissue was microdissected. Two separate sets of ipsilateral and contralateral VZ tissues (from 5 pooled surgery or 5 pooled sham mice) were analyzed simultaneously using 8‐plex iTRAQ. We used Western blotting and confocal microscopy to confirm changes in protein expression in the VZ ipsilateral to stroke in a separate cohort of mice.

Results

We identified nine proteins which exhibited a significant mean increase (by ≥ 2‐fold) in stroke ipsilateral compared to sham ipsilateral. Many of these proteins were antiproteases or cytokine/growth factor binding proteins that are known to act as inflammatory responders or effectors and play roles in modulating tissue growth and remodeling.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

These novel findings support a growing body of literature that inflammatory signaling is involved in the NPC response to brain injury and identifies novel potential targets that could be exploited to better understand and to optimize this regenerative response.
Inhibition of Prion Propagation by 3,4‐Dimethoxycinnamic Acid
Authors: Zanyatkin Ivan , Stroylova Yulia , Tishina Sofia , Stroylov Victor , Melnikova Aleksandra , Haertle Thomas , Muronetz Vladimir
Published: May 2017

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with accumulation of amyloid‐type protein misfolding products. Prion protein (PrP) is known for its ability to aggregate into soluble oligomers that in turn associate into amyloid fibrils. Preventing the formation of these infective and neurotoxic entities represents a viable strategy to control prion diseases. Numerous attempts to find dietary compounds with anti‐prion properties have been made; however, the most promising agent found so far was curcumin, which is poorly soluble and merely bioavailable. In the present work, we identify 3,4‐dimethoxycinnamic acid (DMCA) which is a bioavailable coffee component as a perspective anti‐prion compound. 3,4‐Dimethoxycinnamic acid was found to bind potently to prion protein with a Kd of 405 nM. An in vitro study of DMCA effect on PrP oligomerization and fibrillization was undertaken using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and circular dichroism (CD) methodologies. We demonstrated that DMCA affects PrP oligomer formation reducing the oligomer content by 30–40%, and enhancing SH‐SY5Y cell viability treated with prion oligomers. Molecular docking studies allowed to suggest a site where DMCA is able to bind stabilizing PrP tertiary structure. We suggest that DMCA is a perspective dietary compound for prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases that needs further research. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of Benefit and Tolerability of IQP‐CL‐101 (Xanthofen) in the Symptomatic Improvement of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Double‐Blinded, Randomised, Placebo‐Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Alt Felix , Chong Pee‐Win , Teng Emily , Uebelhack Ralf
Published: May 2017

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder of unknown aetiology. There is currently no known cure, and pharmacological interventions are usually targeting symptomatic relief, where natural and herbal remedies also play a role. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit and tolerability of IQP‐CL‐101 in symptomatic IBS relief. A double‐blinded, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted over 8 weeks. A total of 99 subjects fulfilling ROME‐III criteria for IBS were randomised into two groups, given either two IQP‐CL‐101 softgels or matching placebo twice daily before main meals. The primary endpoint was the difference in change of IBS Symptom Severity Score (IBS‐SSS) after an 8‐week intake of IQP‐CL‐101 compared to placebo. After 8 weeks, subjects on IQP‐CL‐101 showed a significant reduction in IBS‐SSS (113.0 ± 64.9‐point reduction) compared to subjects on placebo (38.7 ± 64.5‐point reduction) (p < 0.001). A significant improvement could be seen as early as 4 weeks. No serious adverse events were reported throughout. IQP‐CL‐101 can be considered beneficial in the improvement of IBS symptom severity, regardless of IBS type, and therefore able to improve quality of life in patients suffering from abdominal pain and discomfort. © 2017 The Authors. Phytotherapy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Mastery Learning – does the method of learning make a difference in skills acquisition for robotic surgery?
Authors: Siroen Karen L. , Ward Christopher D.W. , Escoto Abelardo , Naish Michael D. , Bureau Yves , Patel Rajni V. , Schlachta Christopher M. , Cristancho Sayra M. , Trejos Ana Luisa
Published: May 2017

Background

Few studies compare the effectiveness of blocked vs random practice conditions in minimally invasive surgery training, and none have evaluated these in robotic surgery training.

Methods

The dV‐Trainer® and the da Vinci® Surgical System (dVSS) were used to compare practice conditions. Forty‐two participants were randomized into blocked and random practice groups. Each participant performed five tasks: Ring Walk, Thread the Rings, Needle Targeting, Suture Sponge and Tubes Level 2. Transfer to the dVSS was also assessed.

Results

No significant differences were observed between the two groups, except for a few instances. For example, during Ring Walk, the random group performed significantly faster than the blocked group (100.78 ± 5.26 s vs 121.59 ± 5.26 s, p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The study results do not follow the current evidence presented in the education literature. This is the first time that blocked versus random practice was tested for robotic surgery training.
Light‐Mediated Reversible Modulation of ROS Level in Living Cells by Using an Activity‐Controllable Nanozyme
Authors: Wang Faming , Ju Enguo , Guan Yijia , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: May 2017

Nanozymes have shown great potential in bioapplications owing to their low cost, high stability, multiple activity, and biocompatibility. However, most of the known nanozymes are always at turn‐on state, hindering their further applications. Herein, a simple and versatile method for constructing activity‐controllable nanozymes is presented. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to utilize the light‐driven isomerization of azobenzene (Azo) and host–guest interaction to reversibly photoregulating the activity of nanozyme. Gold nanoparticles as a typical catalase‐mimic nanozyme are used in this design. The expanded Azo‐modified mesoporous silica is employed as supported material to encapsulate and disperse Au nanoparticles, which further combines with cyclodextrin (CD). The catalytic activity of the nanozyme is blocked by CD and can be activated or inhibited reversibly by UV or visible light. The results indicated that the nanozyme can reversibly regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in extracellular and intracellular environment for multiple cycles and change cell viability by simply changing the irradiated light. This is a general method and can be adapted to construct various smart nanozymes with highly spatiotemporal resolution.
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite with Controlled Dopant Modification and Application in Photovoltaic Device
Authors: Zhao Wangen , Yang Dong , Liu Shengzhong Frank
Published: May 2017

Organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite as a kind of promising photovoltaic material is booming due to its low‐cost, high defect tolerance, and easy fabrication, which result in the huge potential in industrial production. In the pursuit of high efficiency photovoltaic devices, high‐quality absorbing layer is essential. Therefore, developing organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite thin films with good coverage, improved uniformity, and crystalline in a single pass deposition is of great concern in realizing good performance of perovskite thin‐film solar cell. Here, it is found that the introduction of suitable amounts of LiI plays a dramatically positive role in enlarging the grain size and reducing the grain boundaries of absorbing layer. In addition, the carrier lifetime and built‐in potential of the LiI doped perovskite device are observed to increase. Thus, it leads to about 15% gain in solar cell efficiency comparing to that without the LiI doping. Meanwhile, a hysteresis reduction is observed and 18.16% power conversion efficiency is achieved in LiI doped perovskite device, as well.
Ni‐Fe Nitride Nanoplates on Nitrogen‐Doped Graphene as a Synergistic Catalyst for Reversible Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Rechargeable Zn‐Air Battery
Authors: Fan Yuchi , Ida Shintaro , Staykov Aleksandar , Akbay Taner , Hagiwara Hidehisa , Matsuda Junko , Kaneko Kenji , Ishihara Tatsumi
Published: May 2017

Obtaining bifunctional electrocatalysts with high activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a main hurdle in the application of rechargeable metal‐air batteries. Earth‐abundant 3d transition metal‐based catalysts have been developed for the OER and ORR; however, most of these are based on oxides, whose insulating nature strongly restricts their catalytic performance. This study describes a metallic Ni‐Fe nitride/nitrogen‐doped graphene hybrid in which 2D Ni‐Fe nitride nanoplates are strongly coupled with the graphene support. Electronic structure of the Ni‐Fe nitride is changed by hybridizing with the nitrogen‐doped graphene. The unique heterostructure of this hybrid catalyst results in very high OER activity with the lowest onset overpotential (150 mV) reported, and good ORR activity comparable to that for commercial Pt/C. The high activity and durability of this bifunctional catalyst are also confirmed in rechargeable zinc‐air batteries that are stable for 180 cycles with an overall overpotential of only 0.77 V at 10 mA−2.
Self‐Supplying O2 through the Catalase‐Like Activity of Gold Nanoclusters for Photodynamic Therapy against Hypoxic Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Ching‐Ping , Wu Te‐Haw , Liu Chia‐Yeh , Chen Kuan‐Chung , Chen Yu‐Xing , Chen Gin‐Shin , Lin Shu‐Yi
Published: May 2017

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) typically involves oxygen (O2) consumption and therefore suffers from greatly limited anticancer therapeutic efficacy in tumor hypoxia. Here, it is reported for the first time that amine‐terminated, PAMAM dendrimer‐encapsulated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs‐NH2) can produce O2 for PDT via their intrinsic catalase‐like activity. The AuNCs‐NH2 not only show optimum H2O2 consumption via the catalase‐like activity over the physiological pH range (i.e., pH 4.8–7.4), but also extend such activity to acidic conditions. The possible mechanism is deduced from that the enriched tertiary amines of dendrimers are easily protonated in acidic solutions to facilitate the preadsorption of OH on the metal surface, thereby favorably triggering the catalase‐like reaction. By taking advantage of the exciting feature on AuNCs‐NH2, the possibility to supply O2 via the catalase‐like activity of AuNCs‐NH2 for PDT against hypoxia of cancer cells was further studied. This proof‐of‐concept study provides a simple way to combine current O2‐dependent cancer therapy of PDT to overcome cancer cell hypoxia, thus achieving more effective anticancer treatments.
Be ready for emergencies with a local contact data tool
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: May 2017

MINNEAPOLIS — How do you contact students in case of emergency? Who has access to your emergency contact list? Do you have accurate and current data on students' local contact information, in case you can't locate them on campus? At the annual conference for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, Jeff Armstrong, assistant registrar and administrative program specialist; Jeremy Traska, assistant registrar; and Keri Allard, assistant registrar, all from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, shared their experiences and best practices in putting together their student local and emergency contact information and the Emergency Response Data Tool, in conjunction with their campus security office.
Amplified Arctic warming and mid‐latitude weather: new perspectives on emerging connections
Authors: Francis Jennifer A. , Vavrus Stephen J. , Cohen Judah
Published: May 2017

The Arctic is warming and melting at alarming rates. Within the lifetime of a Millennial, the volume of ice floating on the Arctic Ocean has declined by at least half. The pace of Arctic warming is two‐to‐three times that of the globe; this disparity reached a new record high during 2016. While the Arctic spans only a small fraction of the Earth, it plays a disproportionate and multifaceted role in the climate system. In this article, we offer new perspectives on ways in which the Arctic's rapid warming may influence weather patterns in heavily populated regions (the mid‐latitudes) of the Northern Hemisphere. Research on this topic has evolved almost as rapidly as the snow and ice have diminished, and while much has been learned, many questions remain. The atmosphere is complex, highly variable, and undergoing a multitude of simultaneous changes, many of which have become apparent only recently. These realities present challenges to robust signal detection and to clear attribution of cause‐and‐effect. In addition to updating the state of this science, we propose an explanation for the varying and intermittent response of mid‐latitude circulation to the rapidly warming Arctic. WIREs Clim Change 2017, 8:e474. doi: 10.1002/wcc.474

This article is categorized under:

Climate Models and Modeling > Knowledge Generation with Models
Genome organization during the cell cycle: unity in division
Authors: Golloshi Rosela , Sanders Jacob T. , McCord Rachel Patton
Published: May 2017

During the cell cycle, the genome must undergo dramatic changes in structure, from a decondensed, yet highly organized interphase structure to a condensed, generic mitotic chromosome and then back again. For faithful cell division, the genome must be replicated and chromosomes and sister chromatids physically segregated from one another. Throughout these processes, there is feedback and tension between the information‐storing role and the physical properties of chromosomes. With a combination of recent techniques in fluorescence microscopy, chromosome conformation capture (Hi‐C), biophysical experiments, and computational modeling, we can now attribute mechanisms to many long‐observed features of chromosome structure changes during cell division. Apparent conflicts that arise when integrating the concepts from these different proposed mechanisms emphasize that orchestrating chromosome organization during cell division requires a complex system of factors rather than a simple pathway. Cell division is both essential for and threatening to proper genome organization. As interphase three‐dimensional (3D) genome structure is quite static at a global level, cell division provides an important window of opportunity to make substantial changes in 3D genome organization in daughter cells, allowing for proper differentiation and development. Mistakes in the process of chromosome condensation or rebuilding the structure after mitosis can lead to diseases such as cancer, premature aging, and neurodegeneration. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2017, 9:e1389. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1389

This article is categorized under:

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Imaging

Biological Mechanisms > Regulatory Biology
A device for X‐Ray elemental mapping using annular radioisotope source
Authors: Ahmadi Nader , Kavaz Esra , Ertuğrul Mehmet , Özdemir Yüksel
Published: May 2017

An energy‐dispersive system is described for elemental mapping by X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry. The present study describes the design of an X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer and presents its performance in elemental mapping applications. The spectrometer is based on a new ring‐shaped collimator with a pinhole in the center of it and a ring‐shaped Am‐241 isotope mounted in the collimator as a source for excitation of X‐ray fluorescence. The photons were detected by high‐resolution Si (Li) detector coupled to a multi‐channel analyser and cooled by liquid nitrogen. In this study, we used two samples; one of them was made from pure elemental powders, and the second one was a piece of a stone and three types of maps were plotted. In the maps type one, the areas of the elements were shown with a single color. These maps only show the location of the elements in the sample. In the maps type two, the area of each element was shown with different colors because of the count (intensity) related to the area. In the third type of the maps for each element, depending on the elements' position on the sample, the counts were plotted in three dimensions. The areas with higher intensity have greater height, and areas with lower intensity have lower altitude. These two last types of maps provide information about the homogeneity or heterogeneity of the elemental distribution in the samples. The spectrometer can perform non‐destructive analyses of samples and objects in the air. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.