bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Global dynamics of an age‐structured virus model with saturation effects
Authors: Duan Xichao , Yuan Saling
Published: July 2016

An infection‐age virus dynamics model for human immunodeficiency virus (or hepatitis B virus) infections with saturation effects of infection rate and immune response is investigated in this paper. It is shown that the global dynamics of the model is completely determined by two critical valuesR0, the basic reproductive number for viral infection, andR1, the viral reproductive number at the immune‐free infection steady state (R1<R0). IfR0<1, the uninfected steady stateE0is globally asymptotically stable; ifR0>1 >R1, the immune‐free infected steady stateE∗is globally asymptotically stable; while ifR1>1, the antibody immune infected steady stateis globally asymptotically stable. Moreover, our results show that ignoring the saturation effects of antibody immune response or infection rate will result in an overestimate of the antibody immune reproductive number. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
F‐bar aided edge‐based smoothed finite element method using tetrahedral elements for finite deformation analysisof nearly incompressible solids
Authors: Onishi Y. , Iida R. , Amaya K.
Published: July 2016

A new smoothed finite element method (S‐FEM) with tetrahedral elements for finite strain analysis of nearly incompressible solids is proposed. The proposed method is basically a combination of the F‐bar method and edge‐based S‐FEM with tetrahedral elements (ES‐FEM‐T4) and is named ‘F‐barES‐FEM‐T4’. F‐barES‐FEM‐T4 inherits the accuracy and shear locking‐free property of ES‐FEM‐T4. At the same time, it also inherits the volumetric locking‐free property of the F‐bar method. The isovolumetric part of the deformation gradient (Fiso) is derived from the F of ES‐FEM‐T4, whereas the volumetric part (Fvol) is derived from the cyclic smoothing of J(=det(F)) between elements and nodes. Some demonstration analyses confirm that F‐barES‐FEM‐T4 with a sufficient number of cyclic smoothings suppresses the pressure oscillation in nearly incompressible materials successfully with no increase in DOF. Moreover, they reveal that our method is capable of relaxing the corner locking issue arising at the corner in the cylinder barreling analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of a New Series of Sialylated Homo‐ and Heterovalent Glycoclusters by using Orthogonal Ligations
Authors: Daskhan Gour Chand , Pifferi Carlo , Renaudet Olivier
Published: July 2016

The synthesis of heteroglycoclusters (hGCs) is being subjected to rising interest, owing to their potential applications in glycobiology. In this paper, we report an efficient and straightforward convergent protocol based on orthogonal chemoselective ligations to prepare structurally well‐defined cyclopeptide‐based homo‐ and heterovalent glycoconjugates displaying 5‐N‐acetyl‐neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), galactose (Gal), and/or N‐acetyl glucosamine (GlcNAc). We first used copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and/or thiol‐ene coupling to conjugate propargylated α‐sialic acid 3, β‐GlcNAc thiol 5, and β‐Gal thiol 6 onto cyclopeptide scaffolds 7–9 to prepare tetravalent homoglycoclusters (10–12) and hGCs (13–14) with 2:2 combinations of sugars. In addition, we have demonstrated that 1,2‐diethoxycyclobutene‐3,4‐dione can be used as a bivalent linker to prepare various octavalent hGCs (16, 19, and 20) in a controlled manner from these tetravalent structures.
The mammary ducts create a favourable microenvironment for xenografting of luminal and molecular apocrine breast tumours
Authors: Richard Elodie , Grellety Thomas , Velasco Valerie , MacGrogan Gaetan , Bonnefoi Hervé , Iggo Richard
Published: July 2016

There is a paucity of models for hormone receptor‐positive (HR+) breast cancer because of the difficulty of establishing xenografts from these tumours. We show that this obstacle can be overcome by injecting human tumour cells directly into the mammary ducts of immunodeficient mice. Tumours from 31 patients were infected overnight with a lentiviral vector expressing tdTomato and injected through the nipple into the mammary ducts of NOD‐SCID‐IL2RG−/− mice. Tumours formed in the mice in 77% of cases after the first injection (6/8 luminal A, 15/20 luminal B, and 3/3 molecular apocrine). Four luminal A and one molecular apocrine graft were tested in secondary and tertiary grafts: all were successfully passaged in secondary and 4/5 in tertiary grafts. None of the samples engrafted when injected subcutaneously. The morphology, oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), androgen receptor (AR), and Ki‐67 profiles of the clinical samples were maintained in the tertiary grafts. We also show that the intraductal approach can be used to test the response to targeted therapy with fulvestrant and palbociclib, using a genetically defined ER+ model. We conclude that the mammary ducts create a microenvironment that is uniquely favourable to the survival and growth of tumours derived from mammary hormone‐sensing cells. This approach opens the door to testing genomically targeted treatment of HR+ tumours in precision medicine programmes. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of chitosan‐graft‐poly(L‐lactic acid) microparticles
Authors: Zhan Shiping , Liu Nan , Wang Weijing , Chen Shuhua , Wang Jingchang
Published: July 2016

To improve the properties of chitosan (CS) and poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and obtain fully biodegradable materials, CS‐g‐PLLA copolymers were prepared using 1‐(3‐Dimethylaminopropyl)‐3‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)/N‐hydroxyl succinimide (NHS) as a coupling agent. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), elemental analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results obtained by FTIR and 1H NMR showed that CS and PLLA were grafted successfully via an amide bond. DSC and XRD results showed that the thermal stability of CS had been significantly improved by grafting PLLA to the molecular chains of CS and the crystallinity of the CS‐g‐PLLA copolymers decreased significantly. Elemental analysis showed that the achieved the maximum degree of substitution of PLLA was 60.88%, while the concentration of CS was 2 mg/mL, the PLLA molecular weight was 10,000, and the EDC/NHS ratio was 2:1. Images from SEM demonstrated that the copolymers had a spherical shape and smooth surface. Moreover, the products were well dispersed without any aggregation. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 56:1432–1436, 2016. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
A New Method for Determining the Composition of Core–Shell Nanoparticles via Dual‐EDX+EELS Spectrum Imaging
Authors: Rossouw David , Knappett Benjamin R. , Wheatley Andrew E. H. , Midgley Paul A.
Published: July 2016

Simultaneously acquired microanalytical X‐ray and electron energy loss signals are obtained from a bimetallic core–shell nanoparticle system (FePt@Fe3O4). The signals are decomposed using independent component analysis and the extracted components are used to separately quantify the composition of the spatially overlapping core and shell phases in the nanoheterostructure. The utilization of the complementary strengths of energy dispersive X‐ray and electron energy‐loss spectroscopy microanalysis has enabled the quantification of both light and heavy elements in a single spectrum image acquisition.
Hypergolic Behavior of Pyridinium Salts Containing Cyanoborohydride and Dicyanamide Anions with Oxidizer RFNA
Authors: Bhosale Vikas K. , Kulkarni Prashant S.
Published: July 2016

A series of low‐cost, pyridinium cation‐based hypergolic ionic liquids (HIL) containing amine, butyl, or allyl substituents with cyanoborohydride [BH3CN]− and dicyanamide [DCA]− anions were developed and characterized. The investigated physicochemical properties include melting and decomposition temperature, viscosity, density, heat of formation (ΔHf) and specific impulse (Isp). The ignition delay (ID) of all HILs was tested with the oxidizer RFNA. The HIL, 1‐allyl 4‐amino pyridinium dicyanamide, exhibited highest density (1.139 g cm−3) amongst the known pyridinium HILs. The heats of formation predicted on the basis of Gaussian 09 suit programs were within the range of − 30 to 356 kJ mol−1. The structure of HIL, 1‐butyl 4‐aminopyridinium cyanoborohydride, was examined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, which revealed hydrogen bonding between anion and cation as N1−H1N⋅⋅⋅N3=2.07 Å, N1−H2N⋅⋅⋅H1B1=2.18 Å, and N1−H2N⋅⋅⋅H2B1=2.21 Å, respectively. HIL (1‐allyl 4‐aminopyridiniun cyanoborohydride) exhibited highest Isp of 228 s amongst the designed series.
Empirical Kinetics Equation of the Synthesis of NTO in Nitric Acid
Authors: Zhao Yun , Chen Shusen , Jin Shaohua , Li Lijie , Dong Xiaoyan , Xing Ruoting , Lu Zhiyan , Liu Qiaoe , Li Wei , Zhang Bo
Published: July 2016

The influence of concentration of reactants (HNO3 and TO) and reaction temperature on the rate of synthesis of NTO from TO in nitric acid solution was investigated by using an experimental kinetics model. An exponential kinetic equation was established by nitration of TO in 60.4–76.2 % HNO3. Experimental data of the nitration of TO with 60.0–96.7 % HNO3 were used to verify this model. Kinetic parameters such as apparent reaction orders of TO and HNO3, activation energy and frequency factor for nitration of TO were determined. The values of nitration rate calculated were similar to those measured. This model can quantitatively and qualitatively describe the influence of concentration of reactants and reaction temperature on the rate of nitration TO. In addition, it was found that the kinetics model is potentially suitable for approximately predicting the rate of NTO synthesis from TO.
Efficacy of tebuconazole embedded in biodegradable poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate to inhibit the development ofFusarium moniliformein soil microecosystems
Authors: Volova Tatiana G , Prudnikova Svetlana V , Zhila Natalia O , Vinogradova Olga N , Shumilova Anna A , Nikolaeva Elena D , Kiselev Evgeniy G , Shishatskaya Ekaterina I
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

An important line of research is the development of a new generation of formulations with targeted and controlled release of the pesticide, using matrices made from biodegradable materials. In this study, slow‐release formulations of the fungicide tebuconazole (TEB) have been prepared by embedding it into the matrix of poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (P3HB) in the form of films, microgranules and pellets.

RESULTS

The average rates ofP3HBdegradation were determined by the geometry of the formulation, reaching, for 63 days, 0.095–0.116, 0.081–0.083 and 0.030–0.055 mg day−1for films, microgranules and pellets respectively. The fungicidal activity ofP3HB/TEBagainst the plant pathogenFusarium moniliformewas compared with that of the commercial formulation Raxil Ultra. A pronounced fungicidal effect of the experimentalP3HB/TEBformulations was observed in 2–4 weeks after application, and it was retained for 8 weeks, without affecting significantly the development of soil aboriginal microflora.

CONCLUSION

TEBrelease can be regulated by the process employed to fabricate the formulation and the fungicide loading, and theTEBaccumulates in the soil gradually, as the polymer is degraded. The experimental forms ofTEBembedded in the slowly degradedP3HBcan be used as a basis for developing slow‐release fungicide formulations. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Forward selection for multiple resistance across the non‐selective glyphosate, glufosinate and oxyfluorfen herbicides in Lolium weed species
Authors: Fernández Pablo , Alcántara Ricardo , Osuna María D , Vila‐Aiub Martin M , Prado Rafael De
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

In the Mediterranean area, Lolium species have evolved resistance to glyphosate after decades of continual use without other alternative chemicals in perennial crops (olive, citrus and vineyards). In recent years, oxyfluorfen alone or mixed with glyphosate and glufosinate has been introduced as a chemical option to control dicot and grass weeds.

RESULTS

Dose‐response studies confirmed that three glyphosate‐resistant Lolium weed species (L. rigidum, L. perenne, L. multiflorum) collected from perennial crops in the Iberian Peninsula have also evolved resistance to glufosinate and oxyfluorfen herbicides, despite their recent introduction. Based on the LD50 resistance parameter, the resistance factor was similar among Lolium species and ranged from 14‐ to 21‐fold and from ten‐ to 12‐fold for oxyfluorfen and glufosinate respectively. Similarly, about 14‐fold resistance to both oxyfluorfen and glufosinate was estimated on average for the three Lolium species when growth reduction (GR50) was assessed. This study identified oxyfluorfen resistance in a grass species for the first time.

CONCLUSION

A major threat to sustainability of perennial crops in the Iberian Peninsula is evident, as multiple resistance to non‐selective glyphosate, glufosinate and oxyfluorfen herbicides has evolved in L. rigidum, L. perenne and L. multiflorum weeds. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Cyclodimerization of immunosuppressive fragment of HLA‐DR molecule. Design, synthesis and ESI‐MS/MS analysis
Authors: Biernat Monika , Cydzik Marzena , Stefanowicz Piotr , Kluczyk Alicja , Artym Jolanta , Zimecki Michał , Szewczuk Zbigniew
Published: July 2016

The nonapeptide fragment of the HLA‐DR molecule, located in the exposed loop of the alpha‐chain (164–172), having the VPRSGEVYT sequence, suppresses the immune response. Based on the three‐dimensional structure of the HLA‐DR superdimer, we designed a new cyclodimeric analog in which the two parallel peptide chains of VPRSGEVYT sequence are linked through their C‐termini by spacer of (Gly5)2‐Lys‐NH2 and the N‐termini are also linked by poly(ethylene glycol). The (VPRSGEVYTG5)2K‐resin analog was synthesized using solid‐phase peptide synthesis protocols. The cyclization was achieved by cross‐linking the N‐terminal positions of the dimeric peptide, attached to a MBHA resin, with alpha, omega‐bis (acetic acid) poly(ethylene glycol), activated by esterification with pentafluorophenol. Our results demonstrate that the cyclodimerization of VPRSGEVYT results in enhanced immunosuppressive activity of the peptide. Mass spectrometry fragmentation analysis of the obtained cyclodimeric peptide is also presented. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the synthesis of cyclodextrin–peptide conjugates by the Huisgen reaction
Authors: Lartia Rémy , Jankowski Christopher K. , Arseneau Sébastien
Published: July 2016

A,D‐substituted cyclodextrin (CDX) substituted on their primary rim side are ideal scaffolds for the macromolecular assembly and formation of templated structures. Their substitution can be achieved through various reactions. However, the use of the well‐known Huisgen reaction in this context is under‐reported. We present here results of the synthesis of model conjugates formed between CDX and representative peptides by click chemistry. Notably, bis‐conjugation of peptides onto a unique scaffold promotes α‐helix formation. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeting the SH3 domain of human osteoclast‐stimulating factor with rationally designed peptoid inhibitors
Authors: Han Shijie , Liu Qian , Wang Feng , Yuan Zenong
Published: July 2016

Human osteoclast‐stimulating factor (hOSF) is an intracellular protein produced by osteoclasts that induces osteoclast formation and bone resorption. The protein contains a modular Src homology 3 (SH3) domain that mediates the intermolecular recognition and interaction of hOSF with its biological partners. Here, we proposed targeting the hOSF SH3 domain to disrupt hOSF–partner interactions for bone disease therapy by using SH3 inhibitors. In the procedure, the primary sequences of three known hOSF‐interacting proteins (c‐Src, SMN and Sam68) were parsed, from which totally 31 octapeptide segments that contain the core SH3‐binding motif PXXP were extracted, and their binding behavior to hOSF SH3 domain was investigated at structural level using a biomolecular modeling protocol. Several SH3‐binding candidates were identified theoretically and then determined to have high or moderate affinity for the domain using fluorescence spectroscopy assays. One potent peptide 425APPARPVK432 (Kd = 3.2 μM), which corresponds to the residues 425–432 of Sam68 protein, was used as template to derive N substitution of peptides (peptoids). Considering that proline is the only endogenous N‐substituted amino acid that plays a critical role in SH3–peptide binding, the substitution was addressed at the two key proline residues (Pro427 and Pro430) of the template peptide with nine N‐substituted amino acid types. By systematically evaluating the structural and energetic effects of different N‐substituted amino acids presenting at the two proline sites on peptide binding, we rationally designed five peptoid inhibitors and then determined in vitro their binding affinity to hOSF SH3 domain. Consequently, two designed peptoids APPAR(N‐Clp)VK and APPAR(N‐Ffa)VK with Pro430 replaced by N‐Clp and N‐Ffa were confirmed to have increased (Kd = 0.87 μM) and comparable (Kd = 2.9 μM) affinities relative to the template, respectively. In addition, we also found that the Pro427 residue plays an essential role in restricting peptide/peptoid conformations to polyproline II (PPII) helix as the basic requirement of SH3 binding so that the residue cannot be modified. Copyright © 2016 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RN Evaluation of Errorless Methods in Teaching Discharge Medications to Cognitively Challenged Patients
Authors: Carlos Patiag Maricel , Farrar Highfield Martha E.
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

To identify (1) effectiveness of current registered nurse (RN) strategies in teaching discharge medications to cognitively challenged patients and (2) whether errorless teaching/learning (ETL) with pictorial medication cards improves such instruction.

Design:

Cross-sectional, qualitative, pretest/posttest.

Methods:

Open-ended interviews and a class on ETL were conducted with a purposive sample of 10 expert staff RNs from rehabilitation and neurological telemetry units in a 377-bed, not-for-profit hospital. Data were analyzed using content analysis.

Findings:

Informants reported current practices that were not adapted for the cognitively challenged population (n = 10). They also found the new ETL easy, effective, and useful in promoting safety and satisfaction but reported that writing on the cards was too time-consuming (n = 7).

Conclusions:

Although not generalizable, outcomes suggest value in revising and evaluating ETL with a pictorial card for teaching this population.

Clinical Relevance:

Discharge medication knowledge is critical to safe self-management, and using ETL with cognitively challenged persons may promote learning.
Quantifying Spatiotemporal Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using Autonomous Surface Vehicles
Authors: Dunbabin Matthew , Grinham Alistair
Published: July 2016

Accurately quantifying total greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., methane) from natural systems such as lakes, reservoirs, and wetlands requires the spatial and temporal measurement of both diffusive and ebullitive (bubbling) emissions. Ebullitive emissions exhibit high spatial and temporal variability and as such are difficult to measure. Traditional manual measurement techniques provide only limited localized assessment of methane flux, often introducing significant errors when extrapolated to the whole‐of‐system. This is further exacerbated when whole‐of‐region estimates are developed for inclusion in global greenhouse gas inventories. In this paper, we directly address these current sampling limitations by comparing two robot boat‐based sampling systems with complementary sensing modalities to directly measure in real time the spatiotemporal release of methane to atmosphere across inland waterways. The first system consists of a single Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) fitted with an Optical Methane Detector with algorithms to exploit the robot's mobility and transect repeatability for the accurate detection and quantification of methane bubbles across whole‐of‐system. The second system consists of multiple networked ASVs capable of persistent operation and scalable to whole‐of‐region monitoring. Each ASV carries a novel automated chamber‐based gas sampling system to allow simultaneous real‐time measurement of methane across the waterway. These ASV systems provide a foundation for persistent large‐scale spatiotemporal sampling allowing scientists to develop whole‐of‐region greenhouse gas estimates and greatly improve global inventory budgets. An overview of the single and multi‐robot sampling systems is presented, including their automated methane detection and sampling methodologies for the spatiotemporal quantification of greenhouse gas release to atmosphere. Experimental results are shown demonstrating each system's ability to autonomously navigate, detect, and quantify methane release to atmosphere across an entire inland reservoir.
Applications of graph containers in the Boolean lattice
Authors: Balogh József , Treglown Andrew , Wagner Adam Zsolt
Published: July 2016

We apply the graph container method to prove a number of counting results for the Boolean lattice . In particular, we:

Give a partial answer to a question of Sapozhenko estimating the number of t error correcting codes in , and we also give an upper bound on the number of transportation codes;

Provide an alternative proof of Kleitman's theorem on the number of antichains in and give a two‐coloured analogue;

Give an asymptotic formula for the number of (p, q)‐tilted Sperner families in ;

Prove a random version of Katona's t‐intersection theorem.

In each case, to apply the container method, we first prove corresponding supersaturation results. We also give a construction which disproves two conjectures of Ilinca and Kahn on maximal independent sets and antichains in the Boolean lattice. A number of open questions are also given. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 49, 845–872, 2016
Edge‐disorder‐induced optimization of thermoelectric performance of finite‐length graphene nanoribbons
Authors: Izawa Tetsumi , Takashima Kengo , Yamamoto Takahiro
Published: July 2016

Effects of edge disorder on thermoelectric performance of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) were investigated through computational simulations based on the non‐equilibrium Green's function method combined with the tight‐binding method. We found that the thermoelectric power factor PF can be optimized by adjusting the length, Lg, of GNRs with edge disorder concentration Cd. For example, PF of zigzag‐edged GNRs with a Cd of 10 % at room temperature and at the Fermi energy shows a maximum value of 33 mW/(m K2) at Lg = 210 nm. Both the maximum PF and optimum Lg decrease with increasing Cd. The maximum PF is theoretically explained in terms of the crossover from the ballistic transport regime to the Anderson's localization regime. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐negative sparse‐based SemiBoost for software defect prediction
Authors: Wang Tiejian , Zhang Zhiwu , Jing Xiaoyuan , Liu Yanli
Published: July 2016

Software defect prediction is an important decision support activity in software quality assurance. The limitation of the labelled modules usually makes the prediction difficult, and the class‐imbalance characteristic of software defect data leads to negative influence on decision of classifiers. Semi‐supervised learning can build high‐performance classifiers by using large amount of unlabelled modules together with the labelled modules. Ensemble learning achieves a better prediction capability for class‐imbalance data by using a series of weak classifiers to reduce the bias generated by the majority class. In this paper, we propose a new semi‐supervised software defect prediction approach, non‐negative sparse‐based SemiBoost learning. The approach is capable of exploiting both labelled and unlabelled data and is formulated in a boosting framework. In order to enhance the prediction ability, we design a flexible non‐negative sparse similarity matrix, which can fully exploit the similarity of historical data by incorporating the non‐negativity constraint into sparse learning for better learning the latent clustering relationship among software modules. The widely used datasets from NASA projects are employed as test data to evaluate the performance of all compared methods. Experimental results show that non‐negative sparse‐based SemiBoost learning outperforms several representative state‐of‐the‐art semi‐supervised software defect prediction methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal exposure to butyl paraben impairs testicular structure and sperm quality on male rats
Authors: Guerra Marina T. , Sanabria Marciana , Leite Gabriel A. A. , Borges Cibele S. , Cucielo Maira S. , Anselmo‐Franci Janete A. , Foster W. G. , Kempinas W. G.
Published: July 2016

Parabens are hormonally active chemicals widely used as preservatives in foods and are frequently detected in human fluids and tissues. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternal butyl paraben (BP) exposure on male sexual development. Pregnant Wistar rats received corn oil (control group), or BP at doses of 10, 100, or 200 mg/kg, subcutaneously, from gestational day 12 until postnatal day 21. Our results demonstrated that developmental BP exposure significantly increased the number of adult Leydig cells and the circulating concentrations of testosterone and attenuated FSH and LH concentrations at 200 mg/kg. BP exposure adversely affected spermatogenesis kinetics at doses of 10 and 200 mg/kg and provoked a decrease in the immunostaining of EsR1 and AR at 200 mg/kg. The sperm motility was impaired at the 10 mg/kg dose, and sperm head abnormalities were increased in all BP dose groups. We suggest that BP impairs testicular structure and function in the rat, affecting sperm quality. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1273–1289, 2017.
Musculoskeletal Involvement in SSc is Associated with Worse Scores on Short Form-36 and Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire and Lower Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Pelrine Eliza R. , Ah-Kioon Marie-Dominique , Zhang Meng , Barrat Franck J. , Spiera Robert F. , Gordon Jessica K.
Published: July 2016

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by a wide variety of symptoms and disease manifestations including joint pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction, interstitial lung disease, and cardiomyopathy.

Questions/Purposes

Using the Scleroderma Health Assessment Questionnaire (SHAQ) and Short Form-36 (SF-36) we explored how patient-reported physical health, mental health, and functional status related to these clinical characteristics and to cytokine levels utilizing the Hospital for Special Surgery Scleroderma Registry.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 185 patients meeting the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc, we compared disease features and patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels were assessed by luminex and ELISA assays in a subset of 32 patients. The Pearson correlation coefficient, Spearman correlation coefficient, two-sample t test or Wilcoxon rank sum test, ANOVA or Kuskal-Wallis test, and Pearson chi-squared or Fisher's exact test were performed as applicable to detect the association between disease manifestations, PROs, and blood biomarkers.

Results

The modified Rodnan skin score (MRSS) was positively correlated with SHAQ scores. Patients who had musculoskeletal involvement scored worse on both the SHAQ and SF-36. Lower levels of TNFα expression in PBMCs were also correlated with musculoskeletal involvement. No other significant correlations were found between clinical factors, PROs, and cytokine data.

Conclusion

Musculoskeletal outcomes are a major determinant of quality of life and function in patients with SSc. These results emphasize the importance of musculoskeletal outcomes in clinical studies of SSc.
Critical Behavior and Ensuing Phase Separations in Paraben‐Solubilized Micellar Solutions of Ionic Surfactants
Authors: Patel Urja , Parekh Paresh , Ray Debes , Aswal Vinod Kumar , Bahadur Pratap , Ganguly Rajib
Published: July 2016

Aqueous solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) show micellar growth in the presence of various organic and inorganic additives. The simultaneous presence of some of these additives exhibit synergistic effects on micellar growth in this system due to their diverse nature of influences on the critical packing parameter of CTAB micelles. In this manuscript, we report dynamic light scattering, small‐angle neutron scattering and rheological studies on influences of the widely used preservative butyl paraben and NaCl on the growth and interaction of CTAB micelles. These additives show synergism in micellar growth and induce micellar attraction‐driven phase separations of both upper consolute temperature and lower consolute temperature regimes in aqueous solutions of CTAB. Quite interestingly, such micellar attraction‐driven phase separations are also induced in aqueous systems of other cationic and anionic surfactants in the simultaneous presence of a hydrophobic substance and NaCl. These systematic observations of micellar attraction‐driven phase separation are the first of this kind in aqueous systems of ionic surfactants. The results also suggest that the use of parabens as preservatives in some ionic surfactantbased formulations can also help in tuning their rheological characteristics.
Influence of a Zwitterionic Surfactant on the Surface Properties of Electroless Ni–P Coating on Mild Steel
Authors: Muraliraja R. , Elansezhian R. , Sudagar J. , Raviprakash A. V.
Published: July 2016

3‐(N,N‐Dimethyl myristyl‐ammonio) propane sulfonate zwitterionic surfactant (C14‐SB) which possessed both positive and negative charges was evaluated in the electroless Ni–P coating process. It was observed that the deposition rate, morphology and microhardness of the deposits were enhanced by the addition of C14‐SB surfactant. The excess attractive forces from the negative head of C14‐SB were strong enough to draw metallic nickel particles towards the substrate. Ni particles attempting to deposit on the electrolyte container were eliminated by the repulsive force from the positive head of the surfactant monomers. Thus, the deposition rate of the coating process was improved. The surfactant at its critical micelle concentration (CMC) doubles the deposition rate when compared to the substrate without surfactant. In addition, the microhardness of the deposit at the surfactant CMC increased by 62 %. The corrosion rate of the substrate without surfactant was 7.15 mpy, while it was 3.97 mpy for the substrate deposited with C14‐SB zwitterionic surfactant at the CMC.
A Formaldehyde‐Free Water‐Resistant Soy Flour‐Based Adhesive for Plywood
Authors: Damodaran Srinivasan , Zhu Dan
Published: July 2016

The phasing out of the use of urea–formaldehyde adhesive in the fabrication of interior‐used hardwood plywood requires development of environmentally friendly bio‐based wood adhesives. We recently reported that phosphorylation of soy flour (SF) using phosphoryl chloride (POCl3) greatly improved the moisture resistance of soy flour adhesive. In the present study, we investigated the effects of inorganic oxidizing agents, such as NaClO2 and Ca(NO2)2, to further improve the wet bonding strength of phosphorylated SF (PSF) wood adhesive. We report that addition of 1.8 % (wet weight basis) Ca(NO2)2 to phosphorylated SF (PSF) adhesive formulation containing 25 % soy flour solids increased the wet bonding strength to greater than 3 MPa at 140 °C hot‐press temperature. The water resistance testing of the glued three‐ply hardwood plywood panels passed the three‐cycle soak/dry test recommended by the American National Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Plywood/Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association protocol (ANSI/HPVA HP‐1‐2004). Since the process involves only inorganic chemistry and no petroleum‐based chemicals such as formaldehyde or polyamidoamine–epichlorohydrin are used, the PSF + Ca(NO2)2 adhesive is non‐toxic and environmentally safe.
The effects of Ca++ on the strength of polycrystalline ice
Authors: HAMMONDS KEVIN , BAKER IAN
Published: July 2016

Recent studies have suggested a physical link between Ca++ ions and an increase in the ductility or ‘softening’ of polycrystalline ice. In order to investigate the potential effects of Ca++ on deformation, we created sets of both undoped and CaSO4-doped specimens of polycrystalline ice for testing in uniaxial tension or compression. Deformation tests in tension were carried out under a constant load at an initial stress of 0.75 MPa and a temperature of −6°C. Compression tests were carried out at −10 and −20°C at constant strain rates of 1×10−4 s−1, 1 × 10−5 s−1 and 1 × 10−6 s−1 and taken to 5% strain. Our results show that CaSO4 increases the strength of polycrystalline ice at higher strain rates and lower temperatures, an effect that decreases with decreasing strain rate and higher temperatures. A microstructural analysis of the post-test compression specimens reveals mean grain diameters much larger in the CaSO4-doped specimens tested at the lowest applied strain rate of 1 × 10−6 s−1. Precipitates were found to have formed along grain boundaries in some doped specimens and evidence of intergranular fracture was observed in all specimens tested at 1 × 10−4 and 1 × 10−5 s−1. In tension-tested specimens, there was no difference in the mean grain diameter between doped and undoped specimens at 25% strain.
Evaluating the impact of interdisciplinary research: A multilayer network approach
Authors: OMODEI ELISA , DE DOMENICO MANLIO , ARENAS ALEX
Published: July 2016

Nowadays, scientific challenges usually require approaches that cross traditional boundaries between academic disciplines, driving many researchers towards interdisciplinarity. Despite its obvious importance, there is a lack of studies on how to quantify the influence of interdisciplinarity on the research impact, posing uncertainty in a proper evaluation for hiring and funding purposes. Here, we propose a method based on the analysis of bipartite interconnected multilayer networks of citations and disciplines, to assess scholars, institutions, and countries interdisciplinary importance. Using data about physics publications and US patents, we show that our method allows to reward, using a quantitative approach, scholars and institutions that have carried out interdisciplinary work and have had an impact in different scientific areas. The proposed method could be used by funding agencies, universities and scientific policy decision makers for hiring and funding purposes, and to complement existing methods to rank universities and countries.
Host choice, settling and folding leaf behaviors of the larval rice leaf folder under heat stress
Authors: Bodlah M.A. , Zhu A.-X. , Liu X.-D.
Published: July 2016

Extreme high-temperature events are the key factor to determine population dynamics of the rice leaf folder,Cnaphalocrocis medinalis(Guenée), in summer. Although we know that adult of this insect can migrate to avoid heat stress, the behavioral response of larva to high temperature is still unclear. Therefore, impacts of high temperature on behavioral traits ofC. medinalisincluding host choice, settling and folding leaf were observed. The results revealed that these behavioral traits were clearly influenced by high temperature. The larvae preferred maize leaves rather than rice and wheat at normal temperature of 27°C, but larvae experienced a higher temperature of 37 or 40°C for 4 h preferred rice leaves rather than maize and wheat. Capacity of young larvae to find host leaves or settle on the upper surface of leaves significantly reduced when they were treated by high temperature. High temperature of 40°C reduced the leaf-folding capacity of the third instar larvae, but no effects were observed on the fourth and fifth instar larvae. Short-term heat acclimation could not improve the capacity of the third instar larvae to make leaf fold under 40°C.
Qualitative Sybr Green real-time detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms responsible for target-site resistance in insect pests: the example of Myzus persicae and Musca domestica
Authors: Puggioni V. , Chiesa O. , Panini M. , Mazzoni E.
Published: July 2016

Chemical insecticides have been widely used to control insect pests, leading to the selection of resistant populations. To date, several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have already been associated with insecticide resistance, causing reduced sensitivity to many classes of products. Monitoring and detection of target-site resistance is currently one of the most important factors for insect pest management strategies. Several methods are available for this purpose: automated and high-throughput techniques (i.e. TaqMan or pyrosequencing) are very costly; cheaper alternatives (i.e. RFLP or PASA–PCRs) are time-consuming and limited by the necessity of a final visualization step. This work presents a new approach (QSGG, Qualitative Sybr Green Genotyping) which combines the specificity of PASA–PCR with the rapidity of real-time PCR analysis. The specific real-time detection of Cq values of wild-type or mutant alleles (amplified used allele-specific primers) allows the calculation of ΔCqW–M values and the consequent identification of the genotypes of unknown samples, on the basis of ranges previously defined with reference clones. The methodology is applied here to characterize mutations described in Myzus persicae and Musca domestica and we demonstrate it represents a valid, rapid and cost-effective technique that can be adopted for monitoring target-site resistance in field populations of these and other insect species.
The rediscovery of malaria parasites of ungulates
Authors: TEMPLETON THOMAS J. , MARTINSEN ELLEN , KAEWTHAMASORN MORAKOT , KANEKO OSAMU
Published: July 2016

Over a hundred years since their first description in 1913, the sparsely described malaria parasites (genus Plasmodium) of ungulates have been rediscovered using molecular typing techniques. In the span of weeks, three studies have appeared describing the genetic characterization and phylogenetic analyses of malaria parasites from African antelope (Cephalophus spp.) and goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and North American white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Here we unify the contributions from those studies with the literature on pre-molecular characterizations of ungulate malaria parasites, which are largely based on surveys of Giemsa-reagent stained blood smears. We present a phylogenetic tree generated from all available ungulate malaria parasite sequence data, and show that parasites from African duiker antelope and goat, Asian water buffalo and New World white-tailed deer group together in a clade, which branches early in Plasmodium evolution. Anopheline mosquitoes appear to be the dominant, if not sole vectors for parasite transmission. We pose questions for future phylogenetic studies, and discuss topics that we hope will spur further molecular and cellular studies of ungulate malaria parasites.
Introducing the White Noise task in childhood: associations between speech illusions and psychosis vulnerability
Authors: Rimvall M. K. , Clemmensen L. , Munkholm A. , Rask C. U. , Larsen J. T. , Skovgaard A. M. , Simons C. J. P. , van Os J. , Jeppesen P.
Published: July 2016

Background

Auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) are common during development and may arise due to dysregulation in top-down processing of sensory input. This study was designed to examine the frequency and correlates of speech illusions measured using the White Noise (WN) task in children from the general population. Associations between speech illusions and putative risk factors for psychotic disorder and negative affect were examined.

Method

A total of 1486 children aged 11–12 years of the Copenhagen Child Cohort 2000 were examined with the WN task. Psychotic experiences and negative affect were determined using the Kiddie-SADS-PL. Register data described family history of mental disorders. Exaggerated Theory of Mind functioning (hyper-ToM) was measured by the ToM Storybook Frederik.

Results

A total of 145 (10%) children experienced speech illusions (hearing speech in the absence of speech stimuli), of which 102 (70%) experienced illusions perceived by the child as positive or negative (affectively salient). Experiencing hallucinations during the last month was associated with affectively salient speech illusions in the WN task [general cognitive ability: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–3.93]. Negative affect, both last month and lifetime, was also associated with affectively salient speech illusions (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.05–3.83 and aOR 1.79, 95% CI 1.11–2.89, respectively). Speech illusions were not associated with delusions, hyper-ToM or family history of mental disorders.

Conclusions

Speech illusions were elicited in typically developing children in a WN-test paradigm, and point to an affective pathway to AVH mediated by dysregulation in top-down processing of sensory input.
A developmental model for alcohol use disorders in Swedish men
Authors: Kendler K. S. , Ohlsson H. , Edwards A. C. , Sundquist J. , Sundquist K.
Published: July 2016

Background

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a classic multifactorial syndrome and it is critical to understand the diversity of the relevant risk factors and how they inter-relate over development.

Method

We examined 21 risk factors for AUD in four developmental tiers reflecting (i) birth, (ii) childhood and early adolescence, (iii) late adolescence, and (iv) early adulthood in 47 414 Swedish men of whom 3907 (8.2%) were registered for AUD at or after age 25 with a mean length of follow-up of 33.9 (6.6) years. Structural equational model fitting was performed using Mplus.

Results

The best-fitting model provided a good fit to the data and explained 23.4% of the variance in AUD. The five strongest predictors were: externalizing behaviors, criminal behavior, father's alcohol consumption, genetic risk, and low educational attainment. Two developmentally early familial/genetic risk factors had substantial direct paths to AUD: father's alcohol consumption and genetic liability. Other broad developmental pathways to risk for AUD were evident: externalizing, psychosocial and internalizing. Overall, the externalizing pathway to AUD was the strongest. However, these pathways were substantially interwoven over time such that risk factors from one domain were commonly predicted by and/or predicted risk factors from the other broad domains of risk.

Conclusion

AUD in men is an etiologically complex syndrome influenced by familial-genetic, psychosocial, internalizing, and especially externalizing risk factors that act and interact over development and have complicated mediational pathways.
Hipsters in the hood: Authenticating indexicalities in young men's hip-hop talk
Authors: Pichler Pia , Williams Nathanael
Published: July 2016

In this article we explore the relationship between authentication and identification in the spontaneous hip-hop talk of four young London men from multi-ethnic working-class backgrounds. Whereas sociolinguistic studies of authentication and/or hip hop have frequently focused on the linguistic style of hip hoppers, this article explores hip-hop talk with a specific interest in ‘cultural concepts’ (Silverstein 2004). This focus allows us to discuss how the young men authenticate themselves in relation to a range of other identity performances they discuss, including the ‘white posh girl's’ appropriation of ‘world star’ hip-hop culture or the local South London gang's display of violent gangsta personas. These cultural concepts not only index various aspects of hip-hop culture but also need to be understood in relation to various aspects of larger-scale discourses, practices, and structures. (Hip hop, authentication, indexicalities, cultural concepts)*
Prevalence and molecular characterization ofSalmonella entericaisolates throughout an integrated broiler supply chain in China
Authors: REN X. , LI M. , XU C. , CUI K. , FENG Z. , FU Y. , ZHANG J. , LIAO M.
Published: July 2016

A total of 1145 samples were collected from chicken breeder farms, hatcheries, broiler farms, a slaughterhouse and retail refrigerated chicken stores in an integrated broiler supply chain in Guangdong Province, China, in 2013. One-hundred and twoSalmonella entericastrains were isolated and subjected to serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, virulence profile determination and molecular subtyping by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The contamination rates in samples from breeder farms, hatcheries, broiler farms, the slaughterhouse and retail stores were 1·46%, 4·31%, 7·00%, 62·86% and 54·67%, respectively. The isolated strains ofS. entericabelonged to 10 serotypes; most of them wereS. Weltevreden (46·08%, 47/102) andS. Agona (18·63%, 19/102). Isolates were frequently resistant to streptomycin (38·2%), tetracycline (36·3%), sulfisoxazole (35·3%) and gentamicin (34·3%); 31·4% of isolates were multidrug resistant. The isolates were screened for 10 virulence factors. TheSalmonellapathogenicity island genesavrA, ssaQ, mgtC, siiD, andsopBand the fimbrial genebcfCwere present in 100% of the strains. PFGE genotyping of the 102S. entericaisolates yielded 24 PFGE types at an 85% similarity threshold. The PFGE patterns show that the genotypes ofS. entericain the production chain are very diverse, but some strains have 100% similarity in different parts of the production chain, which indicates that someS. entericapersist throughout the broiler supply chain.
Clinical characteristics, virulence factors and molecular typing of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusinfections in Shenzhen City, China
Authors: HU L. , LI Y. , LU Y. , KLENA J. D. , QIU Y. , LIN Y. , JIANG M. , SHI X. , CHEN L. , LIU X. , MA H. , CHENG J. , WU S. , KAN B. , HU Q.
Published: July 2016

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) has emerged as a serious hospital and community-acquired infection and some strains are associated with greater severity. We investigated the clinical variability and molecular characteristics of MRSA infections in Shenzhen, China through a study at nine sentinel hospitals from January to December 2014. MRSA infections were classified as community-associated (CA-MRSA), healthcare-associated (HA-MRSA), and healthcare-associated community-onset (HACO-MRSA). In total, 812 MRSA isolates were collected and 183 of these were selected for further study. Patients with HA-MRSA infections were generally of greater age compared to other groups. Distinct body site and clinical presentations were evident in infected patients, e.g. CA-MRSA (skin and soft tissue, 53%), HA-MRSA (respiratory tract, 22%; surgical site, 20%; trauma wounds, 20%) and HACO-MRSA (mastitis, 47%). In contrast to HA-MRSA, other categories of strains were significantly more susceptible to gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline. No resistance to vancomycin or linezolid was recorded. The predominant clonal lineage within each strain category was CC59-t437-SCCmecIV/V-agrI (CA, 51·4%; HA, 28·9%; HACO, 52·9%) which exhibited characteristics of a traditional CA clone together withagrI which is more often associated with HA clones. In conclusion, for the three categories of MRSA infections, there were significant differences in clinical characteristics of patients, but the predominant clone in each category shared a similar genetic background which suggests that transmission of MRSA strains has occurred between the community and hospitals in Shenzhen.