bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Retrospective Analysis of Deep Surgical Site Infection Treatment after Instrumented Spinal Fusion with the Use of Supplementary Local Antibiotic Carriers
Authors: Janssen Daniël M.C. , Kramer Maud , Geurts Jan , Rhijn Lodewijk v , Walenkamp Geert H.I.M. , Willems Paul C.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Background: There is no generally established treatment algorithm for the management of surgical site infection (SSI) and non-union after instrumented spinal surgery. In contrast to infected hip- and knee- arthroplasties, the use of a local gentamicin impregnated carrier in spinal surgery has not been widely reported in literature.Patients and methods: We studied 48 deep SSI and non-union patients after instrumented spine surgery, treated between 1999 and 2016. The minimum follow-up was 1.5 years. All infections were treated with a treatment-regimen consisting of systemic antibiotics and repetitive surgical debridement, supplemented with local gentamicin releasing carriers.We analysed the outcome of this treatment regimen with regard to healing of the infection, as well as patient- and surgery-characteristics of failed and successfully treated patients.Results: 42 of the 48 (87.5%) patients showed successful resolution of the SSI without recurrence with a stable spine at the end of treatment.36 patients' SSI were treated with debridement, local antibiotics, and retention or eventual restabilization of the instrumentation in case of loosening. 3 patients were treated without local antibiotics because of very mild infection signs during the revision operation. 3 patients were treated with debridement, local antibiotics and removal of instrumentation. One of these patients was restabilized in a second procedure.Infection persisted or recurred in 6 patients. These patients had a worse physical status with a higher ASA-score. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent causative microorganism.Interpretation: Debridement and retention of the instrumentation, in combination with systemic antibiotics and the addition of local antibiotics provided a successful treatment for SSI and non-union after instrumented spinal fusion.
Les problèmes de comportement à l’enfance et les problèmes dépressifs : rôle médiateur du rejet social, des interactions parent-enfant et des difficultés scolaires
Authors: Lapalme Mélanie , Picarou Katherine , Letarte Marie-Josée , Paquette Geneviève , Déry Michèle , Verlaan Pierrette
Published: June 2018

Les problèmes de comportement et les problèmes dépressifs surviennent fréquemment en cooccurrence à l’adolescence et entraînent leur lot de conséquences. En se basant sur le modèle de Patterson et Capaldi (1990), la présente étude a pour but de valider le rôle des variables de rejet social (rejet par les pairs, insertion sociale) et des difficultés scolaires, mais aussi des interactions parent-enfant (chaleur, coercition) en tant que médiateurs du lien entre les problèmes de comportement présents à l’enfance et le développement de problèmes dépressifs à l’aube de l’adolescence, et de vérifier si ces liens diffèrent selon le sexe. Au final, l’échantillon est composé de 675 enfants, dont 319 filles, âgés entre 6 et 9 ans initialement et recrutés parce qu’ils présentaient des problèmes de comportement ou différents facteurs de risque des problèmes de comportement. Les résultats montrent que, chez les garçons, c’est particulièrement la qualité de leur insertion sociale qui permet d’expliquer le lien entre la présence de problèmes de comportement et le développement de problèmes dépressifs ultérieurs. Chez les filles, c’est plutôt la qualité des interactions chaleureuse du parent envers elle. Sur le plan des retombées pratiques, les résultats pointent le rôle des relations parentales et de l’insertion sociale dont l’importance varie selon le sexe dans la relation entre les problèmes de comportement et la dépression. Certaines recommandations concernant les pratiques probantes en matière d’intervention auprès des enfants présentant des problèmes de comportement sont formulées.
Spécificité identitaire, usage du vécu partagé et exercice contemporain de la psychoéducation
Authors: Daigle Sonia , Couture Caroline , Renou Marcel , Potvin Pierre , Rousseau Michel
Published: June 2018

À propos de l’identité professionnelle, Vilbrod (2003) soutient que toute spécificité ne peut se révéler intemporelle et résulte de compromis rendus nécessaires par l’évolution des contextes sociétal et communautaire. Dans ce texte, les auteurs montrent que le vécu partagé, tel que conçu initialement, ne constitue plus le socle de l’intervention psychoéducative. Ils affirment que la spécificité de la psychoéducation reposerait actuellement sur un ensemble de concepts fondamentaux, au lieu du seul vécu partagé. Or, l’Ordre des psychoéducateurs et psychoéducatrices du Québec (OPPQ 2010, 2011a), définit la profession du psychoéducateur sur la base d’un accompagnement effectué dans un contexte de vécu partagé, au moyen d’activités quotidiennes ou d’activités spécifiquement planifiées, ce qui correspond à la définition initiale (traditionnelle) du vécu partagé (Gendreau, 2001; Renou, 2005, 2014). La question à l’étude est la suivante : dans quelle mesure le vécu partagé est-il encore de nos jours le fondement de la spécificité identitaire des psychoéducateurs? Deux objectifs sont poursuivis : 1) Faire état de l’usage que les psychoéducateurs font du vécu partagé dans le cadre de leurs activités professionnelles. 2) Établir dans quelle mesure la définition de la profession statuée par l’OPPQ demeure représentative de la pratique contemporaine de ses membres. Les résultats révèlent que le psychoéducateur fait très peu usage du vécu partagé. Il considère qu’il est en vécu partagé tout autant avec un intervenant qu’avec un usager. Définir la profession du psychoéducateur dans son rapport à la notion de vécu partagé, tel que défini traditionnellement, est en discordance avec l’exercice contemporain de la psychoéducation.
Effect of Nasal Versus Oral Breathing on Vo2max and Physiological Economy in Recreational Runners Following an Extended Period Spent Using Nasally Restricted Breathing
Authors: M. Dallam George , R. McClaran Steve , G. Cox Daniel , P. Foust Carol
Published: June 2018

Background: In subjects who do not practice nasally restricted breathing, peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) and time to exhaustion in a graded exercise protocol (GXT TE) are impaired while breathing nasally versus orally. Objective: This study investigated the effect of oral versus nasal breathing on VO2max, GXT TE and physiological economy (PE) in subjects who had previously self-selected a nasal only breathing approach during training and racing. Methods: A mixed gender sample (N=10, 5 male and 5 female) of nasal breathing recreational runner’s completed a maximal GXT and high level steady state trial at 85% of their maximal GXT running velocity (SS85) in both nasally and orally restricted breathing conditions. Results: In the GXT trials the subjects exhibited no significant mean difference in GXT TE, VO2max or peak lactate. However, in the nasally restricted breathing condition they demonstrated a significantly lower mean ventilatory equivalent for both oxygen (VE/VO2) (p = 0.002), and carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2) (p = 0.043) at VO2max with large effect sizes. During the SS85 trials the subjects exhibited a significantly better PE (P = 0.05) and no significant difference in lactate production, as well as a significantly lower mean VE/VO2 (p = 0.002) and VE/VCO2 (p = 0.002) with large effect sizes. Conclusion: This study supports the ability of recreational runners to utilize a nasally restricted breathing pattern at all levels of running intensity without loss in VO2max or GXT TE, and with superior PE and VE/VO2, following an extended training period using this practice.
Phytoregionalisation of the Andean páramo
Authors: Peyre Gwendolyn , Balslev Henrik , Font Xavier
Published: June 2018

Background

The páramo is a high-elevation biogeographical province in the northern Andes, known for its great biodiversity and ecosystem services. Because there have been very few biogeographic studies encompassing the entire province to date, this study aimed at conducting a phytogeographical regionalisation of the páramo. Specifically, (1) clustering analyses were conducted to identify the main phytogeographical units in the three altitudinal belts: sub-páramo, mid-páramo and super-páramo, and examine their diagnostic flora, (2) an ordination complemented the geo-climatic characterization of the obtained units and (3) a hierarchical classification transformation was obtained to evaluate the relationships between units.

Methods

The study area included the entire Andean páramo range in northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. The analyses were based on 1,647 phytosociological plots from theVegPáramodatabase. The K-means non-hierarchical clustering technique was used to obtain clusters identifiable as phytogeographical units, and the Ochiai fidelity index was calculated to identify their diagnostic species. A principal component analysis was conducted to obtain the geo-climatic characterization of each unit. Finally, the relationships between clusters were traced using a hierarchical plot-based classification.

Results

Fifteen clusters were obtained, 13 natural and two artificial, of which two represented the sub-páramo, nine the mid-páramo and four the super-páramo. Even though data representativeness was a potential limitation to segregate certain sub-páramo and super-páramo units, the overall bioregionalisation was robust and represented important latitudinal, altitudinal and climatic gradients.

Discussion

This study is the first to bioregionalise the páramo province based on a substantial widely distributed biological dataset, and therefore provides important novel scientific insight on its biogeography. The obtained phytogeographical units can be used to support further research on the páramo at smaller scale and on the humid Neotropical high-elevation ecosystems at broader-scale. Finally, several units were highlighted in our results as particularly worthy of further scientific and conservation focus.
Interferência entre plantas daninhas e a cultura: alterações no metabolismo secundário
Authors: Rockenbach Ana Paula , Rizzardi Mauro Antônio , Nunes Anderson Luis , Bianchi Mario Antonio , Caverzan Andréia , Schneider Theodoro
Published: June 2018

Os metabólitos secundários garantem a sobrevivência das plantas em situações adversas. As plantas alteram sua constituição bioquímica a partir do metabolismo primário em resposta à mudanças no ambiente. A produção de metabólitos secundários mitiga os efeitos decorrentes do estresse permitindo o desenvolvimento da planta em situações não ideais. Compostos aleloquímicos são exemplos de metabólitos secundários produzidos por plantas em situação de interferência interespecífica. Quando em estresse por competição, as plantas possuem a capacidade de liberar compostos no ambiente a fim de sinalizar a presença ou inibir o crescimento de plantas vizinhas. As respostas no metabolismo secundário das culturas decorrentes da competição com plantas daninhas alteram a composição química da espécie, resultando em alterações no desenvolvimento e no rendimento. A aplicação de herbicidas também é fonte de alteração no metabolismo secundário pela interrupção de rotas, seja pelo acúmulo de ácidos constituintes ou a formação de compostos não desejados. A revisão atual tem como objetivo mostrar o estado da arte das relações de interferência entre plantas daninhas e as culturas sobre as alterações no metabolismo secundário.
An Electrophilic Trifluoromethylthiolation of Silylenol Ethers and β‐Naphthols with Diethylaminosulfur Trifluoride and (Trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane
Authors: Saravanan Perumal , Anbarasan Pazhamalai
Published: June 2018

An efficient and general trifluoromethylthiolation of silylenol ethers and β‐naphthols have been accomplished employing the combination of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) and (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane (CF3TMS) as source of electrophilic trifluoromethylthio moiety for the synthesis of α‐trifluoromethylthiolated carbonyl compounds and β‐naphthols in good yields. Important features of this method include wide functional group tolerance and use of readily available DAST/CF3TMS. Potential of the methodology was demonstrated via the synthesis of α‐trifluoromethylthiolated (+)‐4‐cholesten‐3‐one and naphthoquinone.

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Copper‐Catalyzed Domino C−C Bond Cleavage of 2,3‐Unsubstituted Indoles/Indolines and Oxindoles via Oxidation and Directed Insertion of 2‐Aminopyridines: Direct Access to Quinazolinediones
Authors: Ravi Owk , Ramaraju Andhavaram , Sridhar Balasubramanian , Bathula Surendar Reddy
Published: June 2018

Copper‐catalyzed domino C−C bond cleavage of 2,3‐unsubstituted Indole/Indolines and Oxindoles through oxygenation followed by insertion of 2‐aminopyridine has been described. This method implies the formation of two new C−N and C−O bonds using molecular oxygen as a sole oxidant for construction of highly valuable Quinazoline‐2,4(1H,3H)‐dione derivatives from readily available substrates.

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Recent Advances of Layered Thermoelectric Materials
Authors: Liu Yichen , Wang Wenxuan , Yang Jack , Li Sean
Published: June 2018

With the continuous demands on developing renewable energy technologies to solve the global energy crisis, thermoelectric materials have attracted huge attention due to their ability to convert waste heat to useful electricity. The main advantage of layer‐structured materials for thermoelectric purposes and applications is that they can separate the interdependent electrical and thermal conductivity to optimize their contribution to thermoelectric energy conversion. The anisotropic electronic and phononic transport behaviors in layered structures are the crucial driving forces behind the growing interest for this family of materials. In this review, recent progress of layered thermoelectric materials and their ubiquitous physical properties including their competitive advantages and disadvantages are analyzed and summarized. Layered cobalt oxides, bismuth selenide, artificial superlattice, 2D materials, and van der Waals heterostructures are discussed. It is suggested that the development of layered materials, artificial superlattices, complex nitrides, and carbon‐based materials may play important roles in thermoelectric power regeneration.
11,11,12,12‐Tetracyanonaphtho‐2,6‐quinodimethane in Contact with Ferromagnetic Electrodes for Organic Spintronics
Authors: Shi Shengwei , Sun Zhengyi , Liu Xianjie , Bedoya‐Pinto Amilcar , Graziosi Patrizio , Yu Huangzhong , Li Wenting , Liu Gang , Hueso Luis , Dediu Valentin A. , Fahlman Mats
Published: June 2018

Spinterface engineering has shown quite important roles in organic spintronics as it can improve spin injection or extraction. In this study, 11,11,12,12‐tetracyanonaptho‐2,6‐quinodimethane (TNAP) is introduced as an interfacial layer for a prototype interface of Fe/TNAP. An element‐specific investigation of the electronic and magnetic structures of Fe/TNAP system by use of near edge X‐Ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) and X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) is reported. Strong hybridization between TNAP and Fe and induced magnetization of N atoms in TNAP molecule are observed. XMCD sum rule analysis demonstrates that the adsorption of TNAP reduces the spin moment of Fe by 12%. In addition, induced magnetization in N K‐edge of TNAP is also found with other commonly used ferromagnets in organic spintronics, such as La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 and permalloy, which makes TNAP a very promising molecule for spinterface engineering in organic spintronics.
A Universal Platform for Fabricating Organic Electrochemical Devices
Authors: Duong Duc T. , Tuchman Yaakov , Chakthranont Pong , Cavassin Priscila , Colucci Renan , Jaramillo Thomas F. , Salleo Alberto , Faria Gregório C.
Published: June 2018

A general method and accompanying guidelines for fabricating both nonaqueous and aqueous based organic electrochemical devices (OECTs) using water‐insoluble hydrophobic semiconducting polymers are presented. By taking advantage of the interactions of semiconducting polymers in certain organic solvents and the formation of a stable liquid‐liquid interface between such solvents and water, OECTs with high transconductance, ON/OFF ratios of up to 106, and enhancements in stability are successfully fabricated. Additionally, key fundamental properties are extracted of both the device and the active channel materials, including the volumetric capacitance and the intrinsic hole mobility. The device architecture and basic principles presented herein are expected to apply to all semiconducting polymers and enable the use in organic bioelectronics of thousands of water‐insoluble materials that have been developed over the last several decades for traditional thin film electronics. Furthermore, the fabrication of low‐powered organic electrochemical artificial synapses is demonstrated.
2D Tunnel Field Effect Transistors (FETs) with a Stable Charge‐Transfer‐Type p+‐WSe2 Source
Authors: He Junyang , Fang Nan , Nakamura Keigo , Ueno Keiji , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , Nagashio Kosuke
Published: June 2018

2D materials are highly promising for tunnel field effect transistors (TFETs) with low subthreshold swing and high drive current because the shorter tunnel distance and strong gate controllability can be expected from the van der Waals gap distance and the atomically sharp heterointerface formed independently of lattice matching. However, the common problem for 2D–2D TFETs is the lack of highly doped 2D materials with the high process stability as the sources. In this study, it is found that p+‐WSe2 doped by charge transfer from a WOx surface oxide layer can be stabilized by transferring it onto an h‐BN substrate. Using this p+‐WSe2 as a source, all‐solid‐state 2D–2D heterostructure TFETs with an Al2O3 top gate insulator, i.e., type‐II p+‐WSe2/MoS2 and type‐III p+‐WSe2/WSe2 are fabricated. The band‐to‐band tunneling and negative differential resistance trends are clearly demonstrated at low temperatures. This work suggests that high doped 2D crystal of the charge transfer type is an excellent choice as sources for TFETs.
Stable Formamidinium‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells via In Situ Grain Encapsulation
Authors: Liu Tanghao , Zhou Yuanyuan , Li Zhen , Zhang Lin , Ju Ming‐Gang , Luo Deying , Yang Ye , Yang Mengjin , Kim Dong Hoe , Yang Wenqiang , Padture Nitin P. , Beard Matthew C. , Zeng Xiao Cheng , Zhu Kai , Gong Qihuang , Zhu Rui
Published: June 2018

Formamidinium (FA)‐based lead iodide perovskites have emerged as the most promising light‐absorber materials in the prevailing perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, they suffer from the phase‐instability issue in the ambient atmosphere, which is holding back the realization of the full potential of FA‐based PSCs in the context of high efficiency and stability. Herein, the tetraethylorthosilicate hydrolysis process is integrated with the solution crystallization of FA‐based perovskites, forming a new film structure with individual perovskite grains encapsulated by amorphous silica layers that are in situ formed at the nanoscale. The silica not only protects perovskite grains from the degradation but also enhances the charge‐carrier dynamics of perovskite films. The underlying mechanism is discussed using a joint experiment‐theory approach. Through this in situ grain encapsulation method, PSCs show an efficiency close to 20% with an impressive 97% retention after 1000‐h storage under ambient conditions.
A New Platinum‐Like Efficient Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction at All pH: Single‐Crystal Metallic Interweaved V8C7 Networks
Authors: Xu Haitao , Wan Jing , Zhang Huijuan , Fang Ling , Liu Li , Huang Zhengyong , Li Jian , Gu Xiao , Wang Yu
Published: June 2018

Exploring low‐cost hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with remarkable activity over wide pH range (0–14) still remains an enormous challenge. Herein, for the first time, a novel platinum‐like, double‐deck carbon coated V8C7 networks with the highly active (110) facet exposed as a new efficient HER electrocatalyst is reported. The single‐crystal interweaved V8C7 networks are designed and fabricated based on a low crystal‐mismatch strategy and confinement effect of double‐deck carbon coating. In addition, electrochemical tests and theoretical simulation indicate that the metallic character of V8C7, high‐activity of exposed facet, and low barrier energy for water dissociation can contribute to highly catalytic activity of HER. Impressively, the HER performances of the interweaved V8C7 networks can be comparable to those of Pt at an all‐pH environment, with Tafel slopes of 44, 64, and 34.5 mV dec−1and overpotential of 47, 77, and 38 mV at −10 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH, 0.1 m phosphate buffer, and 0.5 m H2SO4, respectively. This work provides a blueprint for exploring new‐type platinum‐like catalysts for various energy conversion systems.
Recent Progress in Biomass‐Derived Electrode Materials for High Volumetric Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Jin Huile , Li Jun , Yuan Yifei , Wang Jichang , Lu Jun , Wang Shun
Published: June 2018

Tremendous efforts have been spent on the development of electrical energy storage (EES) systems with high volumetric performance in the past few years due to the evergrowing demand of miniaturized, portable electronic devices, and electric vehicles. Among all the EES devices, supercapacitors with electrode materials derived from biosources have attracted special attention due to their eco‐friendliness, natural abundance, their intrinsic porous structures as well as their renewable and sustainable features. However, the relatively low packing densities make their specific volumetric capacitance intrinsically low, which has largely limited their further application in the supercapacitors. To address these issues, various promising approaches ranging from structural manufacture to compositional design are applied and significant breakthroughs are witnessed in recent years. In this progress report, key factors influencing the volumetric performance of biomass‐derived electrode materials are systematically discussed with a particular focus spanning from fundamental to operational aspects. This work provides insights into the development of high‐volumetric‐performance biomass‐derived supercapacitors by comprehensively summarizing recent advances in the rational structural design and fabrication. Perspectives regarding the future challenges and promising research directions on the design of next‐generation EES devices are also provided.
In Situ Grown Bimetallic MOF‐Based Composite as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Overall Water Splitting with Ultrastability at High Current Densities
Authors: Senthil Raja Duraisamy , Chuah Xui‐Fang , Lu Shih‐Yuan
Published: June 2018

A newly designed water‐stable NH2‐MIL‐88B(Fe2Ni)‐metal–organic framework (MOF), in situ grown on the surface of a highly conducting 3D macroporous nickel foam (NF), termed NFN‐MOF/NF, is demonstrated to be a highly efficient bifunctional electrocatalyst for overall water splitting with ultrastability at high current densities. The NFN‐MOF/NF achieves ultralow overpotentials of 240 and 87 mV at current density of 10 mA cm−2 for the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction, respectively, in 1 m KOH. For the overall water splitting, it requires only an ultralow cell voltage of 1.56 V to reach the current density of 10 mA cm−2, outperforming the pairing of Pt/C on NF as the cathode and IrO2 on NF as the anode at the same catalyst loading. The stability of the NFN‐MOF/NF catalyst is also outstanding, exhibiting only a minor chronopotentiometric decay of 7.8% at 500 mA cm−2 after 30 h. The success of the present NFN‐MOF/NF catalyst is attributed to the abundant active centers, the bimetallic clusters {Fe2Ni(µ3‐O)(COO)6(H2O)3}, in the MOF, the positive coupling effect between Ni and Fe metal ions in the MOF, and synergistic effect between the MOF and NF.
EXHANCE‐12: 1‐year study of the exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS‐FLU) in chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Palmer James N. , Jacobson Kraig W. , Messina John C. , Kosik‐Gonzalez Colette , Djupesland Per G. , Mahmoud Ramy A.
Published: June 2018

Background

Inadequate efficacy of current intranasal steroids in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is attributable to ineffective and/or inconsistent drug delivery to target anatomic sites. A new exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS‐FLU) may improve outcomes by significantly increasing superior/posterior corticosteroid delivery. A study was conducted to assess the long‐term efficacy and safety outcomes of EDS‐FLU in individuals with CRS.

Methods

This was a 12‐month, multicenter, single‐arm study evaluating the safety and efficacy of EDS‐FLU 372 μg twice daily in CRS patients (with [n = 34] or without [n = 189] nasal polyps [NP]). Efficacy assessments by serial nasal endoscopy and patient report included: 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22), NP grade, standardized surgical indicator assessment, Lund‐Kennedy score, and Patient Global Impression of Change. Adverse event (AE) evaluations included nasal endoscopy. Additional safety and efficacy outcomes were assessed.

Results

Of 223 patients who received EDS‐FLU, 96% reported prior corticosteroid use and 29% prior sinus surgery. The EDS‐FLU AE profile was similar to conventional intranasal steroids studied in similar populations. Most patients (87%) reported symptom improvement. Through 12 months, mean SNOT‐22 scores improved by −21.5 and −21.1 for CRS with and without NP, respectively. Among patients with NP, 54.2% had polyp elimination in at least 1 nostril and 83.3% had ≥1‐point improvement in polyp grade.

Conclusion

Over 1 year of treatment in CRS with and without NP, EDS‐FLU 372 μg twice daily was well tolerated and produced improvements across a broad range of objective and subjective measures. EDS‐FLU may be a desirable new option for patients with this condition.
T Cell–Dependent Affinity Maturation and Innate Immune Pathways Differentially Drive Autoreactive B Cell Responses in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Lu Daniel R. , McDavid Andrew N. , Kongpachith Sarah , Lingampalli Nithya , Glanville Jacob , Ju Chia‐Hsin , Gottardo Raphael , Robinson William H.
Published: June 2018

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the activation of B cells that produce anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and rheumatoid factors (RFs), but the mechanisms by which tolerance is broken in these B cells remain incompletely understood. We undertook this study to investigate whether ACPA+ and RF+ B cells break tolerance through distinct molecular mechanisms.

Methods

We developed antigen–tetramers to isolate ACPA+ and RF+ B cells and performed single‐cell RNA sequencing on 2,349 B cells from 6 RA patients and 1 healthy donor to analyze their immunoglobulin repertoires and transcriptional programs. Prominent immunoglobulins were expressed as monoclonal antibodies and tested for autoantigen reactivity.

Results

ACPA+ and RF+ B cells were enriched in the peripheral blood of RA patients relative to healthy controls. Characterization of patient‐derived monoclonal antibodies confirmed ACPA and RF targeting of tetramer‐specific B cells at both antigen‐inexperienced and affinity‐matured B cell stages. ACPA+ B cells used more class‐switched isotypes and exhibited more somatic hypermutations relative to RF+ B cells, and these differences were accompanied by down‐regulation of CD72 and up‐regulation of genes that promote class‐switching and T cell–dependent responses. In contrast, RF+ B cells expressed transcriptional programs that stimulate rapid memory reactivation through multiple innate immune pathways. Coexpression analysis revealed that ACPA+ and RF+ B cell–enriched genes belong to distinct transcriptional regulatory networks.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that ACPA+ and RF+ B cells are imprinted with distinct transcriptional programs, which suggests that these autoantibodies associated with increased inflammation in RA arise from 2 different molecular mechanisms.
Full‐Order Sliding‐Mode Control of Rigid Robotic Manipulators
Authors: Feng Yong , Zhou Minghao , Yu Xinghuo , Han Fengling
Published: June 2018

This paper proposes a full‐order sliding‐mode control for rigid robotic manipulators. The output signals of the proposed controller are continuous. Therefore, the controller can be directly applied in practice. A time‐varying gain is constructed to regulate the gain of the signum function in the sliding‐mode control so as to avoid the overestimation of the upper‐bounds of the uncertainties in the systems and reduce the waste of the control power. The chattering is attenuated by using a novel full‐order sliding manifold and establishing a novel ideal sliding motion. The proposed method is robust to the load disturbance and unmodeled parameters, especially to the unknown portion in the control matrix. Simulation results validate the proposed methods.
Temporary conductive hearing loss in early life impairs spatial memory of rats in adulthood
Authors: Zhao Han , Wang Li , Chen Liang , Zhang Jinsheng , Sun Wei , Salvi Richard J. , Huang Yi‐Na , Wang Ming , Chen Lin
Published: June 2018

Introduction

It is known that an interruption of acoustic input in early life will result in abnormal development of the auditory system. Here, we further show that this negative impact actually spans beyond the auditory system to the hippocampus, a system critical for spatial memory.

Methods

We induced a temporary conductive hearing loss (TCHL) in P14 rats by perforating the eardrum and allowing it to heal. The Morris water maze and Y‐maze tests were deployed to evaluate spatial memory of the rats. Electrophysiological recordings and anatomical analysis were made to evaluate functional and structural changes in the hippocampus following TCHL.

Results

The rats with the TCHL had nearly normal hearing at P42, but had a decreased performance with the Morris water maze and Y‐maze tests compared with the control group. A functional deficit in the hippocampus of the rats with the TCHL was found as revealed by the depressed long‐term potentiation and the reduced NMDA receptor‐mediated postsynaptic current. A structural deficit in the hippocampus of those animals was also found as revealed the abnormal expression of the NMDA receptors, the decreased number of dendritic spines, the reduced postsynaptic density and the reduced level of neurogenesis.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates that even temporary auditory sensory deprivation in early life of rats results in abnormal development of the hippocampus and consequently impairs spatial memory in adulthood.
LINC00857 expression predicts and mediates the response to platinum‐based chemotherapy in muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Dudek Aleksandra M. , van Kampen Jasmijn G. M. , Witjes J. Alfred , Kiemeney Lambertus A. L. M. , Verhaegh Gerald W.
Published: June 2018

Approximately 20% of patients with bladder cancer are diagnosed with muscle‐invasive disease (MIBC). The treatment involves radical cystectomy, but almost 50% of patients with MIBC eventually relapse and develop metastasis. The use of platinum‐based chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant setting or for metastatic patients has been shown to improve the overall survival in a subset of patients. Unfortunately, no biomarkers are available to select patients with MIBC who will benefit from chemotherapy or to monitor the efficacy of the treatment. Recently, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were shown to regulate a variety of processes involved in the development and progression of cancer, including bladder cancer. Moreover, several lncRNAs have been shown to play a role in chemotherapy resistance. Here, we analyzed lncRNA expression associated with response to platinum‐based chemotherapy in metastatic MIBC using data from the MiTranscriptome lncRNA expression database. Expression of the lncRNA, LINC00857, was found to be upregulated in tumors from patients that did not respond to platinum‐based chemotherapy. Moreover, high expression of LINC00857 is correlated with shorter recurrence‐free and overall survival of patients with MIBC. Knockdown of LINC00857 significantly decreased cell viability of bladder cancer cell lines through the induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, LINC00857 knockdown sensitized UM‐UC‐3 and T24 bladder cancer cells to cisplatin, via the negative regulation of the LMAN1 gene. Our data indicate that LINC00857 plays an important role in the regulation of response to platinum‐based chemotherapy. LINC00857 potentially could serve as a novel prognostic and predictive biomarker and might be a therapeutic target to overcome cisplatin resistance in patients with MIBC.
Electrochemically Faceted Bamboo‐type TiO2 Nanotubes Provide Enhanced Open‐Circuit Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Ji Lei , Zhou Xuemei , Schmuki Patrik
Published: June 2018

In this paper we prepare facetted “black” TiO2 nanotube arrays (NTAs) with a bamboo‐type structure which exhibits an enhanced performance for open‐circuit H2 generation without the use of any noble metal co‐catalyst. The TiO2 nanotubes were formed by applying alternating positive and negative voltages. During the electrochemical formation, not only a bamboo structure is formed but the tubes are reduced in the cathodic cycle. After a rapid annealing treatment of these tubes in air at 500 °C for 10 s, the bamboo rings (knots) provide (001) facets preferentially located at the knot, while (101) planes prevail on the smooth part of tube between knots, as shown by TEM. The short annealing time keeps Ti3+/oxygen vacancies (VO) as co‐catalytically active centers still preserved in the TiO2 NTAs. The results of intensity modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) and open‐circuit potential decay measurements (VOC) indicate that these faceted and reduced TiO2 nanotube arrays provide an efficient separation and reaction of photo‐generated charge carriers, leading to an improved photocatalytic H2 evolution performance.
A DNA‐Encoded Library of Chemical Compounds Based on Common Scaffolding Structures Reveals the Impact of Ligand Geometry on Protein Recognition
Authors: Favalli Nicholas , Biendl Stefan , Hartmann Marco , Piazzi Jacopo , Sladojevich Filippo , Gräslund Susanne , Brown Peter J. , Näreoja Katja , Schüler Herwig , Scheuermann Jörg , Franzini Raphael , Neri Dario
Published: June 2018

A DNA‐encoded chemical library (DECL) with 1.2 million compounds was synthesized by combinatorial reaction of seven central scaffolds with two sets of 343×492 building blocks. Library screening by affinity capture revealed that for some target proteins, the chemical nature of building blocks dominated the selection results, whereas for other proteins, the central scaffold also crucially contributed to ligand affinity. Molecules based on a 3,5‐bis(aminomethyl)benzoic acid core structure were found to bind human serum albumin with a Kd value of 6 nm, while compounds with the same substituents on an equidistant but flexible l‐lysine scaffold showed 140‐fold lower affinity. A 18 nm tankyrase‐1 binder featured l‐lysine as linking moiety, while molecules based on d‐Lysine or (2S,4S)‐amino‐l‐proline showed no detectable binding to the target. This work suggests that central scaffolds which predispose the orientation of chemical building blocks toward the protein target may enhance the screening productivity of encoded libraries.
Synthesis and Evaluation of the Anticancer and Trypanocidal Activities of Boronic Tyrphostins
Authors: Hiller Noemi de J. , Silva Nayane A. A. e , Faria Robson X. , Souza André Luís A. , Resende Jackson A. L. C. , Borges Farias André , Correia Romeiro Nelilma , de Luna Martins Daniela
Published: June 2018

Molecules containing an (cyanovinyl)arene moiety are known as tyrphostins because of their ability to inhibit proteins from the tyrosine kinase family, an interesting target for the development of anticancer and trypanocidal drugs. In the present work, (E)‐(cyanovinyl)benzeneboronic acids were synthesized by Knoevenagel condensations without the use of any catalysts in water through a simple protocol that completely avoided the use of organic solvents in the synthesis and workup process. The in vitro anticancer and trypanocidal activities of the synthesized boronic acids were also evaluated, and it was discovered that the introduction of the boronic acid functionality improved the activity of the boronic tyrphostins. In silico target fishing with the use of a chemogenomic approach suggested that tyrosine‐phosphorylation‐regulated kinase 1a (DYRK1A) was a potential target for some of the designed compounds.
PET Imaging of T Cells: Target Identification and Feasibility Assessment
Authors: Auberson Yves P. , Briard Emmanuelle , Rudolph Bettina , Kaupmann Klemens , Smith Paul , Oberhauser Berndt
Published: June 2018

Imaging T cells using positron emission tomography (PET) would be highly useful for diagnosis and monitoring in immunology and oncology patients. There are, however, no obvious targets that can be used to develop imaging agents for this purpose. We evaluated several potential target proteins with selective expression in T cells, and for which lead molecules were available: protein kinase C isozyme θ (PKC θ), lymphocyte‐specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck), zeta‐chain‐associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70), and interleukin‐2‐inducible T‐cell kinase (Itk). Ultimately, we focused on Itk and identified a tool molecule with properties suitable for in vivo imaging of T cells: (5aR)‐5,5‐difluoro‐5a‐methyl‐N‐(1‐((S)‐3‐(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)(tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐4‐yl)‐1,4,4a,5,5a,6‐hexahydrocyclopropa[f]indazole‐3‐carboxamide (23). Although it does not have the optimal profile for clinical use, this molecule indicates that it might be possible to develop Itk‐selective PET ligands for imaging the distribution of T cells in patients.
Naphthalimide‐and Methacrylate‐Functionalized Polysiloxanes: Visible‐Light Photoinitiators, Modifiers for Polyurethane Acrylate and Photocurable Coatings
Authors: Yang Jianjing , Xiong Ying , Wang Xiaoling , Li Zhen , Tang Hongding
Published: June 2018

Employing “green chemistry” photopolymerization techniques, a series of multifunctionalized macrophotoinitiators (SND‐MAs) containing naphthalimide (ND), methacrylate (MA) and polysiloxane were successfully prepared. The introduction of methacrylate enhances their compatibility with acrylate monomers and resins. SND‐MAs showed very good photoinitiating properties in the presence or absence of hydrogen donors. The migration study demonstrates that SND‐MAs possess excellent migration stability. In particular, the mass fractions of the extracted SND‐MA‐I‐3 and SND‐MA‐I‐4 in the cured 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) polymer are as low as 0.082 % and 0.054 %, respectively. More importantly, the use of SND‐MAs as initiators brings about desirable modifications to the cured materials, such as an improved resistance against water and ethanol as well as improved thermal stability. Moreover, the series of SND‐MA‐Is exhibit good self‐forming properties. Their self‐forming films show excellent thermal properties, hardness and hydrophobicity. Thus, SND‐MAs could be used as photoinitiators, modifiers and coatings at the same time.
Legacy effects of land use on soil nitrous oxide emissions in annual crop and perennial grassland ecosystems
Authors: Abraha Michael , Gelfand Ilya , Hamilton Stephen K. , Chen Jiquan , Robertson G. Philip
Published: June 2018

Land use conversions into and out of agriculture may influence soil–atmosphere greenhouse gas fluxes for many years. We tested the legacy effects of land use on cumulative soil nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes for 5 yr following conversion of 22‐yr‐old Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands and conventionally tilled agricultural fields (AGR) to continuous no‐till corn, switchgrass, and restored prairie. An unconvertedCRPfield served as a reference. We assessed the labile soil C pool of the upper 10 cm in 2009 (the conversion year) and in 2014 using short‐term soil incubations. We also measured in situ soil N2O fluxes biweekly from 2009 through 2014 using static chambers except when soils were frozen. The labile C pool was approximately twofold higher in soils previously inCRPthan in those formerly in tilled cropland. Five‐year cumulative soil N2O emissions were approximately threefold higher in the corn system on formerCRPthan on former cropland despite similar fertilization rates (~184 kg N·ha−1·yr−1). The lower cumulative emissions from corn on former cropland were similar to emissions from switchgrass that was fertilized less (~57 kg N·ha−1·yr−1), regardless of former land use, and lowest emissions were observed from the unfertilized restored prairie and reference systems. Findings support the hypothesis that soil labile carbon levels modulate the response of soil N2O emissions to nitrogen inputs, with soils higher in labile carbon but otherwise similar, in this case reflecting land use history, responding more strongly to added nitrogen.
Diurnal and seasonal coupling of conifer sap flow and vapour pressure deficit across topoclimatic gradients in a subalpine catchment
Authors: Looker Nathaniel , Martin Justin , Hoylman Zachary , Jencso Kelsey , Hu Jia
Published: June 2018

The hydroclimatic controls on transpiration often follow hillslope‐ or catchment‐scale topography in water‐limited ecosystems; however, rates of transpiration may deviate from these patterns due to microtopographic variation in environmental conditions or physiology. Here, we assessed the microtopographic effects on water use of five conifer species within four subcatchments in western Montana along a water availability gradient that was driven by aspect and elevation. To infer physiological processes at both diurnal and seasonal time scales, we analysed the relationship between sap velocity,Vs, and vapour pressure deficit,D, using instantaneous (half‐hourly) and aggregated (daily mean) values ofVsandD. Both within and across species, daily meanVswas more tightly coupled toDat higher elevation sites (1,720 m), whereas trees 350 m lower in elevation became decoupled fromDas snowmelt‐derived soil moisture declined. At the diurnal scale, we found that the degree of decoupling ofVsfromDduring soil moisture deficits decreased when a time lag betweenVsandDwas considered. Additionally, contrary to the common inference of plant hydraulic capacitance based onVslagging behindDat the diurnal scale, half‐hourlyVstended to leadDin three of the five conifer species we studied. Predawn and midday branch water potential measurements provided additional evidence that topography influenced plant water status. These results suggest that improved understanding of soil–vegetation–atmosphere coupling in mountainous terrain requires further inquiry into the spatial variability of plant hydraulic regulation.
A morphometric dive into fish diversity
Authors: Caillon Florian , Bonhomme Vincent , Möllmann Christian , Frelat Romain
Published: June 2018

Trait‐based approaches are increasingly popular in ecology to describe communities and their responses to natural or anthropogenic changes. Morphology is an integrative trait that combines functional and evolutionary information. However, the objective and quantitative description of the morphological diversity is quite challenging. Modern morphometrics encompass an array of mathematical approaches that turn shapes into quantitative variables. For models with no or only a few homologous points, outline analysis (e.g., elliptical Fourier transform) converts the outline geometry into quantitative variables, which can be used in the multivariate framework. The elliptical Fourier transform here describes the shape of 85 fish species found in the North Sea. This study shows that the main component of morphological diversity in the North sea is the elongation and development of dorsal, pelvic, and caudal fins. The spatial distribution of morphological diversity decreases along a latitudinal gradient, with higher diversity in the southern part of the study area. Compared to species diversity, our results indicate that environmental conditions filter morphological traits in the northern North Sea. Outline analysis is a powerful approach to provide an objective description of fish morphology and to improve our understanding of the diversity of large marine ecosystems.
Environmentally induced development costs underlie fitness tradeoffs
Authors: Walter Greg M. , Wilkinson Melanie J. , Aguirre J. David , Blows Mark W. , Ortiz‐Barrientos Daniel
Published: June 2018

Local adaptation can lead to genotype‐by‐environment interactions, which can create fitness tradeoffs in alternative environments, and govern the distribution of biodiversity across geographic landscapes. Exploring the ecological circumstances that promote the evolution of fitness tradeoffs requires identifying how natural selection operates and during which ontogenetic stages natural selection is strongest. When organisms disperse to areas outside their natural range, tradeoffs might emerge when organisms struggle to reach key life history stages, or alternatively, die shortly after reaching life history stages if there are greater risks of mortality associated with costs to developing in novel environments. We used multiple populations from four ecotypes of an Australian native wildflower (Senecio pinnatifolius) in reciprocal transplants to explore how fitness tradeoffs arise across ontogeny. We then assessed whether the survival probability for plants from native and foreign populations was contingent on reaching key developmental stages. We found that fitness tradeoffs emerged as ontogeny progressed when native plants were more successful than foreign plants at reaching seedling establishment and maturity. Native and foreign plants that failed to reach seedling establishment died at the same rate, but plants from foreign populations died quicker than native plants after reaching seedling establishment, and died quicker regardless of whether they reached sexual maturity or not. Development rates were similar for native and foreign populations, but changed depending on the environment. Together, our results suggest that natural selection for environment‐specific traits early in life history created tradeoffs between contrasting environments. Plants from foreign populations were either unable to develop to seedling establishment, or they suffered increased mortality as a consequence of reaching seedling establishment. The observation of tradeoffs together with environmentally dependent changes in development rate suggest that foreign environments induce organisms to develop at a rate different from their native habitat, incurring consequences for lifetime fitness and population divergence.
A novel evaluation on fracture pressure in depleted shale gas reservoir
Authors: Zhao Kai , Yuan Junliang , Feng Yongcun , Yan Chuanliang
Published: June 2018

Fracture pressure is the key parameter both for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the shale gas reservoir. Reservoir depletion will push for the change of the fracture pressure. Previous studies showed that fracture pressure will be decreased with reservoir depletion, which is not suitable for the anisotropic shale gas reservoir. Aiming at resolving this problem, a novel evaluation was established, which can be used to evaluate the influence on fracture pressure of the reservoir depletion, the anisotropy, and the well inclination. The results showed that the fracture pressure will be increased for the strongly anisotropic reservoir with reservoir depletion, and the fracture pressure has a tiny difference between the various anisotropic reservoirs before reservoir depleted, but a larger difference will appear after reservoir depleted, at the later depletion period, the fracture pressure is higher for the stronger anisotropic one. When the anisotropy and the depletion are both the same, the fracture pressure for the higher deviated well is lower. The method and the results can provide a theoretical basis both for the drilling and hydraulic fracturing in depleted shale gas reservoir.