bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Remarkable change in the broadband electrical behavior of poly(vinylidene fluoride)–multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites with the use of different processing routes
Authors: Santos João Paulo Ferreira , de Melo Carvalho Benjamim , Suman Bretas Rosario Elida 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTPoly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanocomposites have plenty of applications in the electronic realm. In this study, we produced nanocomposites based on PVDF and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), with various MWCNT loadings, using three different processing routes: solution mixing, melt mixing, and electrospinning. The broadband electrical behavior of these nanocomposites was studied and compared via impedance spectroscopy. The morphologies of the nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results reveal that the electrical behaviors of the samples were completely different according to the processing route used. Solution mixing was the most suitable method for producing nanocomposites with the highest conductivities, at low MWCNT loadings, whereas electrospinning was the most suitable method for producing nanocomposites with the lowest dielectric permittivity. These differences were attributed to the different arrangements of the MWCNTs caused by the different processes. Although the solution‐mixed samples exhibited long and twisted MWCNTs, the melt‐mixed samples had shorter MWCNTs, and the electrospun samples had MWCNTs embedded and aligned inside the insulating polymer nanofibers. Thus, these results project a vast horizon for tailoring the structure and thereby the broadband electrical behavior of PVDF–MWCNT nanocomposites for different types of applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47409.
Development of magnetoactive elastomers for sealing eye retina detachments
Authors: Alekhina Yulia A. , Makarova Liudmila A. , Kostrov Sergei A. , Stepanov Gennady V. , Kazimirova Elena G. , Perov Nikolay S. , Kramarenko Elena Yu. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTMagnetoactive elastomers (MAEs) on the basis of a silicone matrix filled with carbonyl iron microparticles are developed for an envisaged application in eye surgery for treatment of complicated retinal detachments. The proposed magnetic fixator of an eye retina consists of an MAE seal placed inside an eye in the area of a retinal break, and an external silicone sponge with embedded permanent magnets which can be sutured to the sclera to provide magnetic field acting on the internal MAE seal. For MAE seal development, MAEs of various compositions (containing 52–76 mass% of ferromagnetic iron microparticles) are synthesized and their surface, magnetic, mechanical, and rheological properties are investigated in external magnetic fields. To demonstrate MAEs efficacy as an element of the retina magnetic fixator, magnetic forces acting between MAE samples and systems of permanent magnets were measured in the curved configuration corresponding to the human eye geometry. It has been demonstrated that the pressure produced within the fixator can be varied in a wide range by tuning the MAE composition and MAE seal dimensions as well as by optimizing the size and configuration of permanent magnets within the external silicone sponge. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2019,136, 47425.
Nucleation and plasticization with recycled low‐molecular‐weight poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate toughens virgin poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate
Authors: Cal Andrew J. , Grubbs Brian , Torres Lennard F. , Riiff Timothy J. , Kibblewhite Rena E. , Orts William J. , Lee Charles C. 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTPoly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a widely distributed carbon storage molecule in prokaryotes and can serve as a biodegradable plastic replacement. However, the handling and material properties of virgin PHB are not as robust as some traditional petroleum‐based plastics. Additives can be added to PHB to improve its qualities, but these additives are themselves often not biobased. A strategy was developed to utilize lower molecular weight PHB fragments derived from the recycling process as biobased additives. To simulate recycling, PHB was thermolyzed at elevated temperatures, and this degraded PHB (dPHB) was reactively processed with virgin PHB. Incorporation of dPHB nucleated and plasticized the virgin PHB as evidenced by increased crystallization temperature and crystallinity as well as decreased melt viscosity, stiffness, and melting temperature. Additionally, samples containing dPHB had increased toughness. Processing with dPHB decreased Mn, had little effect on Mw, and increased the Z‐average molecular weight, indicating branching. These results demonstrate a route for nucleating, plasticizing, and toughening virgin PHB by using recycled PHB. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47432.
Safety and Tolerability of Omalizumab: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Humanized Anti‐IgE Monoclonal Antibody in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Hasni Sarfaraz , Gupta Sarthak , Davis Michael , Poncio Elaine , Temesgen‐Oyelakin Yenealem , Joyal Elizabeth , Fike Alice , Manna Zerai , Auh Sungyoung , Shi Yinghui , Chan Diana , Carlucci Philip , Biehl Ann , Dema Barbara , Charles Nicolas , Balow James E. , Waldman Meryl , Siegel Richard M. , Kaplan Mariana J. , Rivera Juan 
Published: December 2018

ObjectiveAutoreactive IgE antibodies have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We hypothesize that omalizumab, a monoclonal antibody binding IgE, may improve SLE activity by reducing type I interferon (IFN) production by hampering plasmacytoid dendritic cells and basophil activation. This study was undertaken to assess the safety, tolerability, and clinical efficacy of omalizumab in mild to moderate SLE.MethodsSixteen subjects with SLE and a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI‐2K) score of ≥4 and elevated autoreactive IgE antibody levels were randomized to receive omalizumab or placebo (2:1) for 16 weeks, followed by 16 weeks of open‐label treatment and a 4‐week washout period. The SLEDAI‐2K score, British Isles Lupus Assessment Group index (BILAG 2004) score, and physician's global assessment of disease activity were recorded at each visit. The type I IFN–induced gene signature was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsOmalizumab was well tolerated with no allergic reactions, and mostly mild adverse events comparable to those experienced with placebo treatment. SLEDAI‐2K scores improved in the omalizumab group compared to the placebo group at week 16 (P = 0.038), as well as during the open‐label phase in subjects initially receiving placebo (P = 0.02). No worsening in BILAG scores or the physician's global assessment was detected. There was a trend toward a reduction in IFN gene signature in subjects treated with omalizumab (P = 0.11), especially in subjects with a high baseline IFN signature (P = 0.052).ConclusionOur findings indicate that omalizumab is well tolerated in SLE and is associated with improvement in disease activity. Larger randomized clinical trials will be needed to assess the efficacy of omalizumab in patients with SLE.
Synthetic biology for bioengineering virus‐like particle vaccines
Authors: Charlton Hume Hayley K. , Vidigal João , Carrondo Manuel J. T. , Middelberg Anton P. J. , Roldão António , Lua Linda H. L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVaccination is the most effective method of disease prevention and control. Many viruses and bacteria that once caused catastrophic pandemics (e.g., smallpox, poliomyelitis, measles, and diphtheria) are either eradicated or effectively controlled through routine vaccination programs. Nonetheless, vaccine manufacturing remains incredibly challenging. Viruses exhibiting high antigenic diversity and high mutation rates cannot be fairly contested using traditional vaccine production methods and complexities surrounding the manufacturing processes, which impose significant limitations. Virus‐like particles (VLPs) are recombinantly produced viral structures that exhibit immunoprotective traits of native viruses but are noninfectious. Several VLPs that compositionally match a given natural virus have been developed and licensed as vaccines. Expansively, a plethora of studies now confirms that VLPs can be designed to safely present heterologous antigens from a variety of pathogens unrelated to the chosen carrier VLPs. Owing to this design versatility, VLPs offer technological opportunities to modernize vaccine supply and disease response through rational bioengineering. These opportunities are greatly enhanced with the application of synthetic biology, the redesign and construction of novel biological entities. This review outlines how synthetic biology is currently applied to engineer VLP functions and manufacturing process. Current and developing technologies for the identification of novel target‐specific antigens and their usefulness for rational engineering of VLP functions (e.g., presentation of structurally diverse antigens, enhanced antigen immunogenicity, and improved vaccine stability) are described. When applied to manufacturing processes, synthetic biology approaches can also overcome specific challenges in VLP vaccine production. Finally, we address several challenges and benefits associated with the translation of VLP vaccine development into the industry.
Development of food‐grade expression system for d‐allulose 3‐epimerase preparation with tandem isoenzyme genes in Corynebacterium glutamicum and its application in conversion of cane molasses to D‐allulose
Authors: Yang Jiangang , Tian Chaoyu , Zhang Tong , Ren Chenxi , Zhu Yueming , Zeng Yan , Men Yan , Sun Yuanxia , Ma Yanhe 
Published: December 2018

AbstractD‐Allulose 3‐epimerase (DAE) has been applied to produce
D‐allulose, a low‐calorie and functional sweetener. In this study, a new DAE from
Paenibacillus senegalensis was characterized in
Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we presented a tandem isoenzyme gene expression strategy to express multiple DAEs in one cell and construct food‐grade expression systems based on
Corynebacterium glutamicum. Seventeen expression cassettes based on three DAE genes from different organisms were constructed. Among all recombinant strains, DAE16 harboring three DAE genes in an expression vector exhibited the highest enzyme activity with 22.7 U/mg. Whole‐cell transformation of DAE16 produced 225 g/L
D‐allulose with a volumetric productivity of 353 g·g
−1·hr
−1. The catalytic efficiency of strain C‐DAE9 integrating total 11 DAE genes in chromosome was 16.4‐fold higher than strains carrying one DAE. Fed‐batch culture of C‐DAE9 gave enzyme activity of 44,700 U/L. We also expressed a thermostable invertase in
C. glutamicum and obtained enzyme activity of 29 U/mg. Immobilized cells expressing DAE or invertase exhibited 80% of retained activity after 30 cycles of catalytic reactions. Those immobilized cells were coupled to produce 61.2 g/L
D‐allulose from cane molasses in a two‐step reaction process. This study provided an efficient approach for enzyme preparation and allowed access to produce
D‐allulose from other abundant and low‐cost feedstock enriched with sucrose.
Determination of critical shear stress for maturation of human pluripotent stem cell‐derived endothelial cells towards an arterial subtype
Authors: Arora Seep , Lam Adele Jing Ying , Cheung Christine , Yim Evelyn K. F. , Toh Yi‐Chin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHuman pluripotent stem cell‐derived endothelial cells (hPSC‐ECs) present an attractive alternative to primary EC sources for vascular grafting. However, there is a need to mature them towards either an arterial or venous subtype. A vital environmental factor involved in the arteriovenous specification of ECs during early embryonic development is fluid shear stress; therefore, there have been attempts to employ adult arterial shear stress conditions to mature hPSC‐ECs. However, hPSC‐ECs are naïve to fluid shear stress, and their shear responses are still not well understood. Here, we used a multiplex microfluidic platform to systematically investigate the dose‐time shear responses on hPSC‐EC morphology and arterial‐venous phenotypes over a range of magnitudes coincidental with physiological levels of embryonic and adult vasculatures. The device comprised of six parallel cell culture chambers that were individually linked to flow‐setting resistance channels, allowing us to simultaneously apply shear stress ranging from 0.4 to 15 dyne/cm
2. We found that hPSC‐ECs required up to 40 hr of shear exposure to elicit a stable phenotypic change. Cell alignment was visible at shear stress <1 dyne/cm
2, which was independent of shear stress magnitude and duration of exposure. We discovered that the arterial markers NOTCH1 and EphrinB2 exhibited a dose‐dependent increase in a similar manner beyond a threshold level of 3.8 dyne/cm
2, whereas the venous markers COUP‐TFII and EphB4 expression remained relatively constant across different magnitudes. These findings indicated that hPSC‐ECs were sensitive to relatively low magnitudes of shear stress, and a critical level of ~4 dyne/cm
2 was sufficient to preferentially enhance their maturation into an arterial phenotype for future vascular tissue engineering applications.
Langerhans cell histiocytosis in adults is associated with a high prevalence of hematologic and solid malignancies
Authors: Ma Jennifer , Laird James H. , Chau Karen W. , Chelius Monica R. , Lok Benjamin H. , Yahalom Joachim 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundLangerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder of histiocyte proliferation. Previous case studies suggest a higher prevalence of hematologic and solid malignancies among LCH patients, possibly due to treatment with tumorigenic agents such as etoposide. We report the first large, single‐institution experience of adult LCH patients with additional malignancies to study the characteristics of these patients.MethodsWe identified 132 consecutive patients >18 years of age with histologically confirmed LCH at our center between 1990 and 2015. Demographics and detailed oncologic history were recorded to identify patients with additional malignancies.ResultsOf 132 adult LCH patients, 42 (32%) patients had an additional malignancy. There were 53 malignancies among the 42 patients, with 31 (58%) preceding LCH diagnosis, 11 concurrent (≤3 months; 21%) with LCH diagnosis, and 11 (21%) after. Median age was 54 years (range 28‐89) with a median follow‐up of 3.7 years (0.1‐22.2) for this cohort. OS at 3 years was 98% in patients with LCH alone and 82% among patients with additional malignancies, with 30 (71%) alive at last follow‐up. Solid tumors, lymphomas, and other hematologic malignancies were observed as follows: 39 (74%), 9 (17%), and 5 (9%).ConclusionOur cohort of adult LCH patients demonstrates an unusually high number of additional malignancies. Our study includes predominantly malignancies diagnosed preceding or concurrent with LCH, suggesting a cause of malignancy independent of LCH treatment. Further exploration of the biology of this rare disease may elucidate the mechanism of frequent additional malignancies.
Synergistic interaction of Deltex and Hrp48 leads to JNK activation
Authors: Dutta Debdeep , Mutsuddi Mousumi , Mukherjee Ashim 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe communication among the cells plays a seminal role in metazoan development by coordinating multiple cellular processes that, in turn, helps in the maintenance of biological homeostasis. Our previous study demonstrated that Dx and Hrp48 together downregulate Notch signaling and induce cell death in Drosophila. To understand the signaling events behind the Dx and Hrp48‐induced cell death in a greater detail, we performed a set of genetic experiments followed by immunocytochemical analyses. Our data revealed that Dx along with Hrp48 induced JNK activation and consequently cell death in the eye tissue. Additionally, using genetic and molecular approaches, we identified the domain of Dx protein responsible for its synergistic activity with Hrp48. Altogether, our analyses suggest that coexpression of Dx and Hrp48 activates JNK pathway to induce cell death in eye disc of Drosophila melanogaster.
Smart hydrogels with high tunability of stiffness as a biomimetic cell carrier
Authors: Zhao Han , Xu Kang , Zhu Peng , Wang Chunli , Chi Qingjia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractHuman tissues are sophisticated ensembles of various distinct cell types encapsulated in the biomechanical cues of the extracellular matrix. It has been known matrix stiffness plays a pivot role in cellular events and tissue‐scale biological processes. Thus, materials that can mimic mechanical environments of tissues in vitro and possess wide, physiologically relevant elasticity are highly desirable. Hydrogels provide a good cell platform to mimic native cellular environment. However, the limited stiffness tunability, and hinders the efforts to reproduce the biomechanical microenvironment of many in vivo progresses. These problems have been addressed by the recently emerged great quantity of exquisitely designed smart hydrogels. Smart hydrogels that respond sensitively to external stimuli are good choices due to the convenience in regulating their mechanical properties. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in the development of stimuli‐responsive hydrogels as a cell carrier (platform for cell culture) which spans a wide range of stiffness. Different kinds of smart hydrogels corresponding to various stimuli, including pH, temperature, light, metal ions, and forces, are introduced and their stiffness modulation through physicochemical procedures are reported.
Clinical outcomes following implantation of the ION™ paclitaxel‐eluting platinum chromium coronary stent in routine clinical practice: Results of the ION U.S. post‐approval study
Authors: Cannon Louis A. , Kimmelstiel Carey D. , White Anthony , Hill Roger , Grady Timothy P. , Myers Paul R. , Underwood Paul , Dawkins Keith D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe ION Study assessed clinical outcomes for the thin‐strut, ION™ (TAXUS Element) Paclitaxel‐Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent System (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) in unselected patients.MethodsThis prospective, open‐label registry enrolled the first 1,120 consenting patients treated with the ION stent without clinical or angiographic inclusion criteria at 40 clinical sites. Follow‐up was at discharge, 30 days, 180 days, 1 and 2 years. The primary endpoint, the 1‐year rate of cardiac death or MI (CD/MI) in PERSEUS‐like patients (i.e., patients similar to those enrolled in PERSEUS, the pivotal approval trial), was tested in patients pooled from the ION study (N = 316), the European TAXUS Element post‐approval registry (TE‐PROVE; N = 306 PERSEUS‐like patients), and the PERSEUS WH/SV populations (N = 1,166); and then compared with a prespecified performance goal. Additional outcomes were examined in the overall ION patient population.ResultsA total of 1,111 (out of 1,120) enrolled patients received a study stent. Most patients were male (70%) and mean age was 64 years. At 1 year, the primary endpoint of CD/MI occurred in 2.1% (6/292) of PERSEUS‐like patients in ION, and 2.3% (40/1,729) of patients in the combined analysis. The upper one‐sided 95% confidence interval for the combined analysis was 2.9%, which was significantly less than the performance goal of 7.6% (P < 0.001). Within patients enrolled in the ION study (N = 1,111), the rate of CD/MI was 4.5% at 1 year and 7.5% at 2 years. Definite/probable stent thrombosis occurred in 2.1% of patients at 1 year and 2.5% at 2 years.ConclusionsThe results of the ION Study confirm the mid‐term safety and effectiveness of the ION stent for the treatment of coronary artery disease in everyday clinical practice.
On asymptotic inference in stochastic differential equations with time‐varying covariates
Authors: Maitra Trisha , Bhattacharya Sourabh 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this article, we introduce a system of stochastic differential equations (SDEs) consisting of time‐dependent covariates and consider both fixed and random effects. We also allow the functional part associated with the drift function to depend upon unknown parameters. For this general SDE system we establish consistency and asymptotic normality of the maximum likelihood estimator. We consider a Bayesian approach for learning about the population parameters, and prove consistency and asymptotic normality of the corresponding posterior distribution. We supplement our theoretical investigation with simulated and real data analyses, obtaining encouraging results in both cases. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 46: 635–655; 2018 © 2018 Statistical Society of Canada
Estimating prevalence using indirect information and Bayesian evidence synthesis
Authors: Luo Yu , Stephens David A. , Buckeridge David L. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe focus on the analysis of health count data, aggregated over disjoint geographical locations, by combining information from data sources in a coherent fashion using a Bayesian hierarchical model. The overall objective is to estimate prevalence of a medical condition in the population given that the sampled counts arise from a subset of all cases, and when there is no additional information available from the data. We develop a hierarchical model to predict the overall prevalence using an external data set for calibration. We demonstrate that the Bayesian methodology can account fully for the uncertainty, variability and spatial dependence for the estimate. We apply our model to dispensing data obtained by the Public Health Agency of Canada for 2014, and assess the prevalence of treated Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from records of drugs dispensed to treat the condition. We demonstrate that our final model fits the data well in an out‐of‐sample assessment. We estimate the prevalence of treated ADHD in Canada to be 1.14% with 95% credible interval (0.86%, 1.27%), with prevalence noted to be higher in the eastern part of Canada, most notably in Nova Scotia. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 46: 673–689; 2018 © 2018 Société statistique du Canada
A new integrated likelihood for estimating population size in dependent dual‐record system
Authors: Chatterjee Kiranmoy , Mukherjee Diganta 
Published: December 2018

AbstractEfficient estimation of the population size from dependent dual‐record system (DRS) remains a statistical challenge in the capture‐recapture type experiment. Owing to the non‐identifiability of the suitable time‐behavioural response variation model (denoted as Mtb) under DRS, few methods are developed in the Bayesian paradigm based on informative priors. Our contribution in this article is to develop a new integrated likelihood function from model Mtb motivated by a novel approach developed by Severini (2007). A suitable weight function on the nuisance parameter is derived with the knowledge of the direction of behavioural dependency. A pseudo‐likelihood function is constructed so that the resulting estimator possess some desirable properties including negligible prior (or weight) sensitiveness. Extensive simulations show the superior performance of our proposed method to that of the existing Bayesian methods. Moreover, the proposed estimator is easy to implement from the computational perspective. Applications to two real data sets are presented. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 46: 577–592; 2018 © 2018 Société statistique du Canada