bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In‐hospital outcomes comparison of transfemoral vs transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement in propensity‐matched cohorts with severe aortic stenosis
Authors: Doshi Rajkumar , Shah Priyank , Meraj Perwaiz M. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is the preferred option for high‐risk patients with severe aortic stenosis. The preferred access for TAVR is transfemoral (TF). Alternatives include the transapical (TA), trans‐subclavian (TS), and direct aortic (TAo) approaches.HypothesisThe TF approach is associated with lower in‐hospital outcomes as well as shorter length of stay and lower cost of hospitalization.MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample database from 2012 through 2014 was used to obtain the TAVR study population. International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification procedure codes were utilized to identify the 2 groups. In‐hospital outcomes were compared in propensity‐score‐matched (1:3) cohorts, in which we took TA‐TAVR as a control.ResultsA total of 8210 (weighted N = 41 050) patients were identified. Of these, 1622 (weighted N = 8110) patients underwent TA‐TAVR and 6588 (weighted N = 32 940) patients underwent TF‐TAVR. In‐hospital mortality was lower with TF‐TAVR (4% vs 5.4%; P = 0.0355), along with a shorter length of stay (7.7 vs 9.7 days; P < 0.0001) and lower median hospitalization cost ($64 216 vs $74 735; P < 0.0001). Secondary outcomes of acute renal failure, transfusion, cardiogenic shock, and composite of all complications were lower with TF‐TAVR.ConclusionsTF‐TAVR is safer and associated with lower in‐hospital outcomes compared with TA‐TAVR and should be the preferred approach. As TAVR is gaining popularity in intermediate‐ and low‐risk patients, we must not lose sight of the serious mortality and secondary outcomes associated with TA‐TAVR access.
Intermediate filament protein evolution and protists
Authors: Preisner Harald , Habicht Jörn , Garg Sriram G. , Gould Sven B. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetazoans evolved from a single protist lineage. While all eukaryotes share a conserved actin and tubulin‐based cytoskeleton, it is commonly perceived that intermediate filaments (IFs), including lamin, vimentin or keratin among many others, are restricted to metazoans. Actin and tubulin proteins are conserved enough to be detectable across all eukaryotic genomes using standard phylogenetic methods, but IF proteins, in contrast, are notoriously difficult to identify by such means. Since the 1950s, dozens of cytoskeletal proteins in protists have been identified that seemingly do not belong to any of the IF families described for metazoans, yet, from a structural and functional perspective fit criteria that define metazoan IF proteins. Here, we briefly review IF protein discovery in metazoans and the implications this had for the definition of this protein family. We argue that the many cytoskeletal and filament‐forming proteins of protists should be incorporated into a more comprehensive picture of IF evolution by aligning it with the recent identification of lamins across the phylogenetic diversity of eukaryotic supergroups. This then brings forth the question of how the diversity of IF proteins has unfolded. The evolution of IF proteins likely represents an example of convergent evolution, which, in combination with the speed with which these cytoskeletal proteins are evolving, generated their current diversity. IF proteins did not first emerge in metazoa, but in protists. Only the emergence of cytosolic IF proteins that appear to stem from a nuclear lamin is unique to animals and coincided with the emergence of true animal multicellularity.
Spindle assembly in egg extracts of the Marsabit clawed frog, Xenopus borealis
Authors: Kitaoka Maiko , Heald Rebecca , Gibeaux Romain 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEgg extracts of the African clawed frog Xenopus laevis have provided a cell‐free system instrumental in elucidating events of the cell cycle, including mechanisms of spindle assembly. Comparison with extracts from the diploid Western clawed frog, Xenopus tropicalis, which is smaller at the organism, cellular and subcellular levels, has enabled the identification of spindle size scaling factors. We set out to characterize the Marsabit clawed frog, Xenopus borealis, which is intermediate in size between the two species, but more recently diverged in evolution from X. laevis than X. tropicalis. X. borealis eggs were slightly smaller than those of X. laevis, and slightly smaller spindles were assembled in egg extracts. Interestingly, microtubule distribution across the length of the X. borealis spindles differed from both X. laevis and X. tropicalis. Extract mixing experiments revealed common scaling phenomena among Xenopus species, while characterization of spindle factors katanin, TPX2, and Ran indicate that X. borealis spindles possess both X. laevis and X. tropicalis features. Thus, X. borealis egg extract provides a third in vitro system to investigate interspecies scaling and spindle morphometric variation.
Genomic mechanisms of fatigue in survivors of colorectal cancer
Authors: Black David S. , Cole Steve W. , Christodoulou Georgia , Figueiredo Jane C. 
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUNDMany cancer survivors experience fatigue as a nagging symptom lasting years after treatment. To learn of the relevant biological pathways involved in fatigue among cancer survivors, the authors tested for an association between fatigue levels and leukocyte gene expression profiles and determined the specific mediating immune cell types.METHODSA sample of 89 Hispanic/Latino adults aged 60.5 years, 62% of whom were male, who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and were 2.9 years since diagnosis provided blood for transcriptome profiling and completed a validated measure of fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory‐Short Form). The authors applied genome‐wide transcriptional profiling of leukocyte RNA to identify gene expression activity associated with fatigue, tested for the activity of specific transcription factors involved in previously established markers of inflammation and immunologic activation, and identified the specific cell types mediating these transcriptional alterations.RESULTSIn analyses adjusting for demographic and behavioral health risk factors, results linked fatigue with increased activation of B lymphocytes and CD8‐positive T cells, as well as several transcription factors involved in immune activation (nuclear factor κB [NF‐κB], signal transducer and activator of transcription [STAT], and cAMP responsive element‐binding protein [CREB]). Results also replicated several specific genomic effects previously observed in fatigued cancer survivors, including upregulated expression of α‐synuclein (SNCA) and hemoglobin subunits (HBA and HBB).CONCLUSIONSCancer survivors' heightened fatigue levels may be partially explained by activation of specific immune cell subsets, thereby providing a potential molecular biomarker for clinical interventions targeting the remediation of fatigue. Cancer 2018;124:2637‐44. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Optimal configuration of active and backup servers for augmented reality cooperative games
Authors: Bujari Armir , De Giovanni Luigi , Palazzi Claudio E. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryInteractive applications as online games and mobile devices have grown in popularity. From their combination, new and interesting cooperative services could be generated. For instance, gamers endowed with Augmented Reality (AR) visors, connected as wireless nodes in an ad‐hoc network, can interact with each other while immersed in the game. To enable this vision, we discuss here a hybrid architecture enabling game play in ad‐hoc mode instead of the traditional client‐server setting. In our architecture, one of the player nodes also acts as the server of the game, whereas other backup server nodes are ready to become active servers in case of network disconnection, ie, due to low energy level of the currently active server. This allows to have a longer gaming session before a disconnection occurs due to energy exhaustion. In this context, the server election strategy with the aim of maximizing network lifetime is not so straightforward. To this end, we have analyzed this issue through a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) model considering static network topologies and both numerical and simulation‐based analysis shows that the backup servers solution fulfills its design objective. Contemplating for mobility, we present a simulation study employing actual packet routing protocols and discuss the tradeoffs that emerge.
Electrochemical Measurement of Dopamine Release and Uptake in Zebrafish Following Treatment with Carboplatin
Authors: Field Thomas M. , Shin Mimi , Stucky Chase S. , Loomis Joseph , Johnson Michael A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPost‐chemotherapy cognitive impairment, also known as ‘chemobrain,’ is a neurological condition in which cognitive function is impaired as a result of cancer chemotherapy treatment. In this work, we used fast‐scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to measure electrically evoked dopamine release and uptake in whole brain preparations from zebrafish that have been treated with carboplatin, an agent associated with chemobrain. We administered carboplatin by addition to the fish's tank water or their food. One week of treatment with 100 μM carboplatin in the water was needed to significantly impair dopamine release (∼40 % of control); however, only one day of treatment through the zebrafish's food was needed to cause a similar impairment. Atomic absorption spectroscopy measurements suggested that administration through food resulted in higher initial levels of carboplatin compared to water administration, but water administration resulted in an increase over time. Uptake, determined by modeling stimulated release plots, was unaffected. These results are consistent with our previous findings of diminished neurotransmitter release in rats and support a role for zebrafish in chemobrain‐related studies.
Electrochemical Responsive Superhydrophilic Surfaces of Polythiophene Derivatives towards Cell Capture and Release
Authors: Hao Yuwei , Li Yingying , Zhang Feilong , Cui Haijun , Hu Jinsong , Meng Jingxin , Wang Shutao 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHighly efficient cell capture and release with low background are urgently required for early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer. Herein, we report an electrochemical responsive superhydrophilic surface exhibiting specific cell capture and release with high yields and extremely low nonspecific adhesion. Through electrochemical deposition, 3‐substituted thiophene derivatives are deposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO) nanowire arrays with 4‐n‐nonylbenzeneboronic acid (BA) as dopant, fabricating the electrochemical responsive superhydrophilic surfaces. The molecular recognition between sialic acids over‐expressed on the cell membrane and doped BAs endows the electrochemical responsive surfaces with the ability to capture and release targeted cancer cells. By adjusting the substituent group of thiophene derivatives, the surface wettability can be readily regulated and further utilized for reducing nonspecific cell adhesion. Significantly, the released cells still maintain a high proliferation ability, which indicates that the applied potential does not significantly harm the cells. Therefore, these results may provide a new strategy to achieve advanced functions of biomedical materials, such as low nonspecific adhesion.
A Review on Recent Developments and Prospects for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Hollow Pt‐alloy Nanoparticles
Authors: Asset Tristan , Chattot Raphaël , Fontana Marie , Mercier‐Guyon Benjamin , Job Nathalie , Dubau Laetitia , Maillard Frédéric 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDue to their interesting electrocatalytic properties for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), hollow Pt‐alloy nanoparticles (NPs) supported on high‐surface‐area carbon attract growing interest. However, the suitable synthesis methods and associated mechanisms of formation, the reasons for their enhanced specific activity for the ORR, and the nature of adequate alloying elements and carbon supports for this type of nanocatalysts remain open questions. This Review aims at shedding light on these topics with a special emphasis on hollow PtNi NPs supported onto Vulcan C (PtNi/C). We first show how hollow Pt‐alloy/C NPs can be synthesized by a mechanism involving galvanic replacement and the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. Nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, and iron (Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, and Fe, respectively) were tested for the formation of Pt‐alloy/C hollow nanostructures. Our results indicate that metals with standard potential −0.4<E<0.4 V (vs. the normal hydrogen electrode) and propensity to spontaneously form metal borides in the presence of sodium borohydride are adequate sacrificial templates. As they lead to smaller hollow Pt‐alloy/C NPs, mesoporous carbon supports are also best suited for this type of synthesis. A comparison of the electrocatalytic activity towards the ORR or the electrooxidation of a COads monolayer, methanol or ethanol of hollow and solid Pt‐alloy/C NPs underlines the pivotal role of the structural disorder of the metal lattice, and is supported by ab initio calculations. As evidenced by accelerated stress tests simulating proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell cathode operating conditions, the beneficial effect of structural disorder is maintained on the long term, thereby bringing promises for the synthesis of highly active and robust ORR electrocatalysts.
Local Surface Modifications Investigated by Combining Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering
Authors: Clausmeyer Jan , Nebel Michaela , Grützke Stefanie , Kayran Yasin U. , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: March 2018

AbstractScanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is coupled with surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) microscopy to characterize local surface modifications. SECM is utilized for the surface patterning of para‐nitrothiophenol self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) in the direct mode of SECM with a subsequent readout of the chemical patterns by means of combined SECM‐SERS. The SECM‐SERS combination allows monitoring of local electrochemical processes and provides simultaneous complementary spectroscopic information. The reaction products upon SAM reduction, specifically p‐aminothiophenol groups, are distinguished from the pristine SAM and locally ruptured areas.
Hexaethylbenzene: A Sterically Crowded Arene and Conformationally Versatile Ligand
Authors: McGlinchey Michael J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe syntheses, structures and dynamic behaviour of hexaethylbenzene and its transition metal and main group element complexes are reviewed. Sterically protected intermediates in the metal‐catalysed trimerisation of 3‐hexyne to form hexaethylbenzene are described, and the organic chemistry of hexaethylbenzene and of hexamethylbenzene are compared and contrasted.
Linear Optical, Quadratic and Cubic Nonlinear Optical, Electrochemical, and Theoretical Studies of “Rigid‐Rod” Bis‐Alkynyl Ruthenium Complexes
Authors: Babgi Bandar A. , Kodikara Mahesh S. , Morshedi Mahbod , Wang Huan , Quintana Cristóbal , Schwich Torsten , Moxey Graeme J. , Van Steerteghem Nick , Clays Koen , Stranger Robert , Cifuentes Marie P. , Humphrey Mark G. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe syntheses of oligo(p‐phenylene ethynylene)s (OPEs) end‐functionalized by a nitro acceptor group and with a ligated ruthenium unit at varying locations in the OPE chain, namely, trans‐[Ru{(C≡C‐1,4‐C6H4)nNO2}(C≡CR)(dppe)2] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; n=1, R=1,4‐C6H4C≡C‐1,4‐C6H4C≡CPh, 1,4‐C6H4NEt2; n=2, R=Ph, 1,4‐C6H4C≡CPh, 1,4‐C6H4C≡C‐1,4‐C6H4C≡CPh, 1,4‐C6H4NO2, 1,4‐C6H4NEt2; n=3, R=Ph, 1,4‐C6H4C≡CPh), are reported. Their electrochemical properties were assessed by cyclic voltammetry, their linear optical properties and quadratic and cubic nonlinear optical properties were assayed by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy, hyper‐Rayleigh scattering studies employing nanosecond pulses at 1064 nm, and broad spectral range Z‐scan studies employing femtosecond pulses, respectively, and their linear optical properties and vibrational spectroscopic behavior in the formally RuIII state was examined by UV/Vis/NIR and IR spectroelectrochemistry, respectively. The potentials of the metal‐localized oxidation processes are sensitive to alkynyl‐ligand modification, but this effect is attenuated on π‐bridge lengthening. Computational studies employing time‐dependent density functional theory were undertaken on model complexes, with a 2D scan revealing a soft potential‐energy surface for intra‐alkynyl‐ligand aryl‐ring rotation; this is consistent with the experimentally observed blueshift in optical absorption maxima. Quadratic optical nonlinearities are significant and cubic NLO coefficients for these small complexes are small. The optimum length of the alkynyl ligands and the ideal metal location in the OPE to maximize the key coefficients have been defined.
Analysis of the Factors influencing Sustainable Development in the Insurance Industry
Authors: Ho Chao‐Chung , Huang Chih , Ou Chung‐Ya 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study aims to explore and establish the dimensions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and guidelines for the sustainable development of business in the insurance industry in Taiwan. An, investigation and analysis is conducted using the fuzzy Delphi method (FDM) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to obtain the dimensions of CSR and the importance ranking of sustainable development of business in the insurance industry in Taiwan. The results of this study show that the dimension of ‘managerial practices’ is the most significant, followed by ‘social practices’ and ‘environmental practices’. In terms of the importance of criteria for sustainable development, the top five are ‘information disclosure’, ‘corporate strategies and commitments’, ‘climate change‘, ‘legal compliance’, and ‘environment management’. This study expects to offer reference indicators to the insurance industry in Taiwan to promote sustainable development, and facilitate insurance companies to achieve the goal of sustainable development by promoting their CSR. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Social Embeddedness for Sustainability in the Aviation Sector
Authors: Payán‐Sánchez Belén , Plaza‐Úbeda José Antonio , Pérez‐Valls Miguel , Carmona‐Moreno Eva 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSustainability is a complex problem affecting multiple firms, groups, and communities, and environmental solutions need to be developed in collaboration with the industry's most relevant stakeholders.Focusing on the aviation industry, we analyze the process of generating shared knowledge from an embeddedness perspective, proposing that firms are embedded in both society and markets through networks of relationships that influence their behaviour and sustainability outcomes.This paper proposes a collaborative framework that includes academic, institutional, and company levels to improve aviation using three different tools – stakeholder engagement, alliances, and open innovation. Finally, the paper includes recommendations oriented to face the more relevant environmental issues using this approach. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
When Advertising Highlights the Binomial Identity Values of Luxury and CSR Principles: The Examples of Louis Vuitton and Hermès
Authors: Anido Freire Naïade , Loussaïef Leïla 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn a controversial context, luxury houses have followed the ancestral values of artisanal production, with respect for materials, the environment, and people, thereby facilitating their current application of the principles promoted by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). They used to publish their CSR results in their annual reports and via their websites but can also do it implicitly through their advertisements. For the first time, the advertising creation and decoding process together with a semiotic analysis of two Louis Vuitton and Hermès advertisements bring out the semiotic wealth of the discourse of the images and the identity narratives of each label, as well as listing the implicit identity values of luxury and linking them to the various principles of CSR. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Does gender diversity in the audit committee influence key audit matters' readability in the audit report? UK evidence
Authors: Velte Patrick 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between the percentage of women on audit committees (WOAC) in UK firms and auditors' disclosures on key audit matters (KAM) from 2014 to 2015. The results show that firms with a higher percentage of WOAC have higher readability of KAM disclosures as measured by the Flesch reading ease index. By modifying our dependent and independent variables, sensitivity tests (Blau index and Fog readability index) also corroborate the expectation that WOAC will lead to greater readability of KAM disclosures, with stricter monitoring activities and greater risk avoidance in the audit committee. We provide a useful contribution to recent empirical sustainable corporate governance literature for practices, researchers, and regulators.
Human papillomavirus detection with genotyping by the cobas and Aptima assays: Significant differences in HPV 16 detection?
Authors: Chorny Joseph A. , Frye Teresa C. , Fisher Beth L. , Remmers Carol L. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundThe primary high‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) assays in the United States are the cobas (Roche) and the Aptima (Hologic). The cobas assay detects hrHPV by DNA analysis while the Aptima detects messenger RNA (mRNA) oncogenic transcripts. As the Aptima assay identifies oncogenic expression, it should have a lower rate of hrHPV and genotype detection.MethodsThe Kaiser Permanente Regional Reference Laboratory in Denver, Colorado changed its hrHPV assay from the cobas to the Aptima assay. The rates of hrHPV detection and genotyping were compared over successive six‐month periods.ResultsThe overall hrHPV detection rates by the two platforms were similar (9.5% versus 9.1%) and not statistically different. For genotyping, the HPV 16 rate by the cobas was 1.6% and by the Aptima it was 1.1%. These differences were statistically different with the Aptima detecting nearly one‐third less HPV 16 infections. With the HPV 18 and HPV 18/45, there was a slightly higher detection rate of HPV 18/45 by the Aptima platform (0.5% versus 0.9%) and this was statistically significant.ConclusionWhile HPV 16 represents a low percentage of hrHPV infections, it was detected significantly less by the Aptima assay compared to the cobas assay. This has been previously reported, although not highlighted. Given the test methodologies, one would expect the Aptima to detect less HPV 16. This difference appears to be mainly due to a significantly increased number of non‐oncogenic HPV 16 infections detected by the cobas test as there were no differences in HPV 16 detection rates in the high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions indicating that the two tests have similar sensitivities for oncogenic HPV 16.