bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamics and separation regimes in a cyclonic–static microbubble flotation column
Authors: Yan Xiaokang , Meng Shiqi , Wang Ai , Wang Lijun , Cao Yijun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA cyclonic–static microbubble flotation column (FCSMC) operates under multiple flow regimes, which significantly improves recovery and selectivity. To understand the flow behavior and separation in an FCSMC, unsteady gas–fluid flow numerical simulations are performed. The computational fluid dynamics model is validated against the particle image velocimetry measurements applied to a lab‐scale FCSMC. Hydrodynamic features and qualitative mineralization characteristics are studied. Global analysis reveals that an FCSMC operates under plug flow, swirling flow, and jet and pipe flow regimes along the pulp flow direction, through which the flow velocity, gas holdup, and turbulence gradually increase. This gradual intensification should overcome the mineral's decreased floatability over time. Local hydrodynamic and separation analyses indicate that the gas and liquid in the column unit move axially in opposite directions with very‐low velocities, which results in countercurrent collisions, a low recovery capacity and high selectivity. In the cyclone unit, both phases rotate clockwise with high tangential, low radial, and axial velocities. Both axial and radial velocities of the gas and liquid have different magnitudes and opposite directions, which indicates the countercurrent collisions in the axial and radial directions. The density‐based separation of tailings and surface flotation of middling takes place in this zone. In the pipe unit, the flow velocity, gas holdup, and turbulence are the highest of the entire FCSMC. Minerals with the lowest floatability are recovered in this zone, but the selectivity is low. Overall, the presence of multiple flow regimes allows the integration of multiple mineralization steps in one column and provides conditions for overcoming the decreased mineral floatability over flotation time, improving both mineralization and selectivity.
Electrically insulating ZnOs/ZnOw/silicone rubber nanocomposites with enhanced thermal conductivity and mechanical properties
Authors: Li Chuanbin , Liu Bin , Gao Zhaodongfang , Wang Huan , Liu Ming , Wang Shan , Xiong Chuanxi 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTIn this work, hybrids of surface modified zinc oxide spherical (ZnOs) nanoparticles and tetrapod‐shaped whiskers (ZnOw) were incorporated into the silicon rubber (SR) to prepare the ZnOs/ZnOw/SR nanocomposites. The incorporation of the ZnOs/ZnOw facilitated the formation of three‐dimensional thermally conducting network. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the ZnOs/ZnOw/SR reached up to 1.309 W m−1 K−1 when the ZnOs/ZnOw content was 20 vol % (Vm‐ZnOs:VZnOw = 7:3), which was nearly 6.5 times that of the pristine SR. The dielectric and resistivity measurements showed that the incorporation of the ZnOs/ZnOw hybrids did not cause much change in the electrical properties. In addition, the results show that the tensile strength of ZnOs/ZnOw/SR nanocomposites is higher than that of pristine SR. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46454.
Encoding of Self‐Referential Pain Catastrophizing in the Posterior Cingulate Cortex in Fibromyalgia
Authors: Lee Jeungchan , Protsenko Ekaterina , Lazaridou Asimina , Franceschelli Olivia , Ellingsen Dan‐Mikael , Mawla Ishtiaq , Isenburg Kylie , Berry Michael P. , Galenkamp Laura , Loggia Marco L. , Wasan Ajay D. , Edwards Robert R. , Napadow Vitaly 
Published: March 2018

ObjectivePain catastrophizing is a common feature of chronic pain, including fibromyalgia (FM), and is strongly associated with amplified pain severity and disability. While previous neuroimaging studies have focused on evoked pain response modulation by catastrophizing, the brain mechanisms supporting pain catastrophizing itself are unknown. We designed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)–based pain catastrophizing task whereby patients with chronic pain engaged in catastrophizing‐related cognitions. We undertook this study to test our hypothesis that catastrophizing about clinical pain would be associated with amplified activation in nodes of the default mode network (DMN), which encode self‐referential cognition and show altered functioning in chronic pain.MethodsDuring fMRI, 31 FM patients reflected on how catastrophizing (CAT) statements (drawn from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale) impact their typical FM pain experience. Response to CAT statements was compared to response to matched neutral (NEU) statements.ResultsDuring statement reflection, higher fMRI signal during CAT statements than during NEU statements was found in several DMN brain areas, including the ventral (posterior) and dorsal (anterior) posterior cingulate cortex (vPCC and dPCC, respectively). Patients’ ratings of CAT statement applicability were correlated solely with activity in the vPCC, a main DMN hub supporting self‐referential cognition (r = 0.38, P < 0.05). Clinical pain severity was correlated solely with activity in the dPCC, a PCC subregion associated with cognitive control and sensorimotor processing (r = 0.38, P < 0.05).ConclusionThese findings provide evidence that the PCC encodes pain catastrophizing in FM and suggest distinct roles for different PCC subregions. Understanding the brain circuitry encoding pain catastrophizing in FM will prove to be important in identifying and evaluating the success of interventions targeting negative affect in chronic pain management.
Exploring Orthogonal Hydrogen Bonding towards Designing Organic‐Salt‐Based Supramolecular Gelators: Synthesis, Structures, and Anticancer Properties
Authors: Chakraborty Poulami , Dastidar Parthasarathi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA series of primary ammonium monocarboxylate (PAM) salts derived from β‐alanine derivatives of pyrene and naphthalene acetic acid, along with the parent acids, were explored to probe the plausible role of orthogonal hydrogen bonding resulting from amide⋅⋅⋅amide and PAM synthons on gelation. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SXRD) studies were performed on two parent acids and five PAM salts in the series. The data revealed that orthogonal hydrogen bonding played an important role in gelation. Structure–property correlation based on SXRD and powder X‐ray diffraction data also supported the working hypothesis upon which these gelators were designed. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell migration assay on a highly aggressive human breast cancer cell line, MDA‐MB‐231, revealed that one of the PAM salts in the series, namely, PAA.B2, displayed anticancer properties, and internalization of the gelator salt in the same cell line was confirmed by cell imaging.
Alcohol‐Soluble Electron‐Transport Materials for Fully Solution‐Processed Green PhOLEDs
Authors: Chen Fudong , Wang Shirong , Xiao Yin , Peng Feng , Zhou Nonglin , Ying Lei , Li Xianggao 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwo alcohol‐soluble electron‐transport materials (ETMs), diphenyl(4‐(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)phosphine oxide (pPBIPO) and (3,5‐bis(1‐phenyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)diphenylphosphine oxide (mBPBIPO), have been synthesized. The physical properties of these ETMs were investigated and they both exhibited high electron‐transport mobilities (1.67×10−4 and 2.15×10−4 cm2 V−1 s−1), high glass‐transition temperatures (81 and 110 °C), and low LUMO energy levels (−2.87 and −2.82 eV, respectively). The solubility of PBIPO in n‐butyl alcohol was more than 20 mg mL−1, which meets the requirement for fully solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Fully solution‐processed green‐phosphorescent OLEDs were fabricated by using alcohol‐soluble PBIPO as electron‐transport layers (ETLs), and they exhibited high current efficiencies, power efficiencies, and external quantum efficiencies of up to 38.43 cd A−1, 26.64 lm W−1, and 10.87 %, respectively. Compared with devices that did not contain PBIPO as an ETM, the performance of these devices was much improved, which indicated the excellent electron‐transport properties of PBIPO.
Simultaneous Achievement of Open and Closed Loop Diagonal Dominance Through Constant Feedback
Authors: Jetto Leopoldo , Orsini Valentina , Romagnoli Raffaele 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis paper proposes a new and low complexity technique for the simultaneous achievement of open and closed loop diagonal dominance for uncertain plants. The method is based on the introduction of a static high gain inner feedback which modifies the plant to attain a diagonal dominant open loop compensated plant. The sufficient, easy to use, conditions derived for the open loop diagonal dominance also assure the simultaneous achievement of closed loop diagonal dominance under soft assumptions on the diagonal elements of the decoupled controller robustly stabilizing the plant. These assumptions agree with the usual closed‐loop performance specifications, so that closed‐loop diagonal dominance is achieved without any extra complication on the controller design procedure. The main merits of the present method are: applicability to uncertain plants, ease of implementation and low computational cost. Three examples taken from the relevant literature, are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A cytotoxicity, optical spectroscopy and computational binding analysis of 4‐[3‐acetyl‐5‐(acetylamino)‐2‐methyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐yl]phenyl benzoate in calf thymus DNA
Authors: Karthikeyan Subramani , Bharanidharan Ganesan , Mangaiyarkarasi Rajendiran , Chinnathambi Shanmugavel , Sriram Ragavan , Gunasekaran Krishnaswamy , Saravanan Kandasamy , Gopikrishnan Mani , Aruna Prakasarao , Ganesan Singaravelu 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this study the interaction mechanism between newly synthesized 4‐(3‐acetyl‐5‐(acetylamino)‐2‐methyl‐2, 3‐dihydro‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole‐2‐yl) phenyl benzoate (thiadiazole derivative) anticancer active drug with calf thymus DNA was investigated by using various optical spectroscopy techniques along with computational technique. The absorption spectrum shows a clear shift in the lower wavelength region, which may be due to strong hypochromic effect in the ctDNA and the drug. The results of steady state fluorescence spectroscopy show that there is static quenching occurring while increasing the thiadiazole drug concentration in the ethidium bromide‐ctDNA system. Also the binding constant (K), thermo dynamical parameters of enthalpy change (ΔH°), entropy change (ΔS°) Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) were calculated at different temperature (293 K, 298 K) and the results are in good agreement with theoretically calculated MMGBSA binding analysis. Time resolved emission spectroscopy analysis clearly explains the thiadiazole derivative competitive intercalation in the ethidium bromide‐ctDNA system. Further, molecular docking studies was carried out to understand the hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between ctDNA and thiadiazole derivative molecule. In addition the docking and molecular dynamics charge distribution analysis was done to understand the internal stability of thiadiazole derivative drug binding sites of ctDNA. The global reactivity of thiadiazole derivative such as electronegativity, electrophilicity and chemical hardness has been calculated.
Physiological characterization and quantitative proteomic analyses of metabolically engineered E. coli K4 strains with improved pathways for capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis
Authors: Cimini Donatella , Russo Rosita , D'Ambrosio Sergio , Dello Iacono Ileana , Rega Camilla , Carlino Elisabetta , Argenzio Ottavia , Russo Luigi , D'Abrosca Brigida , Chambery Angela , Schiraldi Chiara 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAmong capsulated bacteria, some produce polysaccharides with unique properties that have been shown to possess relevant industrial applications and commercial value. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) produced by Escherichia coli K4 is similar to chondroitin sulphate, and recent efforts focused on the development of genetic and fermentation strategies to increase its production titers up to technologically attractive levels. However, the control of the metabolic pathways leading to CPS synthesis together with the effect of varying the concentration of pathway intermediates on CPS final titers, is still quite unexplored, and not fully understood. In the present study four genes involved in the biosynthesis of UDP‐sugar CPS precursors, namely kfoA, kfoF, pgm, and galU, were overexpressed in different combinations, and diversely affected the biosynthetic machinery. At the physiological level, results revealed a central role for kfoF, coding for UDP‐glucose dehydrogenase, that increased CPS production mostly. In the attempt to unravel the molecular mechanisms regulating CPS biosynthesis, an in depth analysis of the proteome of the recombinant strains overexpressing respectively pgm and galU, and pgm, galU, and kfoF was performed and compared to the wild‐type. Although, interestingly, in both strains the impact of the genetic manipulation seemed rather limited at the proteome level, results obtained from the triple mutant indicated a crosstalk between the two pathways leading to UDP‐sugar precursors biosynthesis, and also an unexpected link with the purine biosynthetic pathway. Overall our results present new insights into the role of metabolic intermediates for the formation of capsular polysaccharides, utilizing a systematic approach of metabolic engineering, combined with state‐of‐the‐art quantitative proteomic approaches, as well as genetic and physiological information.
Optimization of bioprocess productivity based on metabolic‐genetic network models with bilevel dynamic programming
Authors: Jabarivelisdeh Banafsheh , Waldherr Steffen 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOne of the main goals of metabolic engineering is to obtain high levels of a microbial product through genetic modifications. To improve the productivity of such a process, the dynamic implementation of metabolic engineering strategies has been proven to be more beneficial compared to static genetic manipulations in which the gene expression is not controlled over time, by resolving the trade‐off between growth and production. In this work, a bilevel optimization framework based on constraint‐based models is applied to identify an optimal strategy for dynamic genetic and process level manipulations to increase productivity. The dynamic enzyme‐cost flux balance analysis (deFBA) as underlying metabolic network model captures the network dynamics and enables the analysis of temporal regulation in the metabolic‐genetic network. We apply our computational framework to maximize ethanol productivity in a batch process with Escherichia coli. The results highlight the importance of integrating the genetic level and enzyme production and degradation processes for obtaining optimal dynamic gene and process manipulations.
Follow-up after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair can be stratified based on first postoperative imaging
Authors: Baderkhan H , Haller O , Wanhainen A , Björck M , Mani K 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
Lifelong postoperative surveillance is recommended following endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Although the purpose is to prevent and/or identify complications early, it also results in increased cost and workload. This study was designed to examine whether it may be possible to identify patients at low risk of complications based on their first postoperative CT angiogram (CTA).

Methods
All patients undergoing EVAR in two Swedish centres between 2001 and 2012 were identified retrospectively and categorized based on the first postoperative CTA as at low risk (proximal and distal sealing zone at least 10 mm and no endoleak) or high risk (sealing zone less than 10 mm and/or presence of any endoleak) of complications.

Results
Some 326 patients (273 men) with a CTA performed less than 1 year after EVAR were included (low risk 212, 65·0 per cent; high risk 114, 35·0 per cent). There was no difference between the groups in terms of sex, age, co-morbidities, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) diameter, preoperative AAA neck anatomy, stent-graft type or duration of follow-up (mean(s.d.) 4·8(3·2) years). Five-year freedom from AAA-related adverse events was 97·1 and 47·7 per cent in the low- and high-risk groups respectively (P &lt; 0·001). The corresponding freedom from AAA-related reintervention was 96·2 and 54·1 per cent (P &lt; 0·001). The method had a sensitivity of 88·3 per cent, specificity of 77·0 per cent and negative predictive value of 96·6 per cent to detect AAA-related adverse events. The number of surveillance imaging per AAA-related adverse event was 168 versus 11 for the low-risk versus high-risk group.

Conclusion
Two-thirds of patients undergoing EVAR have an adequate seal and no endoleak on the first postoperative CTA, and a very low risk of AAA-related events up to 5 years. Less vigilant follow-up after EVAR may be considered for these patients.
Serum carcinoembryonic antigen trends for diagnosing colorectal cancer recurrence in the FACS randomized clinical trial
Authors: Shinkins B , Primrose J N , Pugh S A , Nicholson B D , Perera R , James T , Mant D 
Published: March 2018

Abstract

Background
Most guidelines recommend that patients who have undergone curative resection for primary colorectal cancer are followed up for 5 years with regular blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests to trigger further investigation for recurrence. However, CEA may miss recurrences, or patients may have false alarms and undergo unnecessary investigation.

Methods
The diagnostic accuracy of trends in CEA measurements for recurrent colorectal cancer, taken as part of the FACS (Follow-up After Colorectal Surgery) trial (2003–2014), were analysed. Investigation to detect recurrence was triggered by clinical symptoms, scheduled CT or colonoscopy, or a CEA level of at least 7 μg/l above baseline. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CEA trends with single measurements. CEA trends were estimated using linear regression.

Results
The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for CEA trend was at least 0·820 across all 5 years of follow-up. In comparison, the AUCs for single measurements ranged from 0·623 to 0·749. Improvement was most marked at the end of the first year of follow-up, with the AUC increasing from 0·623 (95 per cent c.i. 0·509 to 0·736) to 0·880 (0·814 to 0·947). However, no individual trend threshold achieved a sensitivity above 70 per cent (30 per cent missed recurrences).

Conclusion
Interpreting trends in CEA measurements instead of single CEA test results improves diagnostic accuracy for recurrence, but not sufficiently to warrant it being used as a single surveillance strategy to trigger further investigation. In the absence of a more accurate biomarker, monitoring trends in CEA should be combined with clinical, endoscopic and imaging surveillance for improved accuracy.
Large retrospective study of artificial dura substitute in patients with traumatic brain injury undergo decompressive craniectomy
Authors: Sun Hongtao , Wang Hongda , Diao Yunfeng , Tu Yue , Li Xiaohong , Zhao Wanyong , Ren Jibin , Zhang Sai 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundDecompressive craniectomy is widely used for treating patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Usually patients have dura mater defect due to surgery or injury itself. The defective area may left open or repaired by artificial dura substitutes. A variety of artificial dura substitutes have been used for this purpose.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate bovine‐derived pericardium membrane as artificial dural material for patients with decompressive craniectomy.MethodsTotally 387 patients with severeTBIin our hospital were included in this study. Among them, 192 patients were treated with standard decompressive craniectomy without dura repair (control group). One hundred and ninety‐fiveTBIpatients were treated with dura repair by artificial dura materials (ADM). Nonlyophilized bovine pericardium membranes were used as artificial dura material. The postoperative complications were compared in both groups, including infection, seizure, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage.ResultsPatients in control group have higher complication rates than patients inADMgroup, including subcutaneous hematoma (13.02% in control vs. 4.01% inADMgroup,p = .004), infection (12.5% in control vs. 5.64% inADMgroup,p = .021),CSFleakage (13.02% in control vs. 5.13% inADMgroup,p = .012), and seizure (10.42% in control vs. 3.08% inADMgroup,p = .007). Patients inADMgroup are only associated with higher incidence of foreign body reaction (6 of 195 patients inADMvs. none from control group).ConclusionBovine‐derived pericardium membranes are successfully used as artificial dural substitutes for decompressive craniectomy. Patients withADMhave better clinical outcome than control group.
Probing the Mint2 Protein–Protein Interaction Network Relevant to the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Jensen Thomas M. T. , Albertsen Louise , Bartling Christian R. O. , Haugaard‐Kedström Linda M. , Strømgaard Kristian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe intracellular adaptor protein Mint2 binds amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin‐1, which are both central constituents of the amyloidogenic pathway associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Additional interaction partners have also been suggested for Mint2; several of them are also pertinent to AD pathogenesis. However, no comparative mapping of the Mint2 protein–protein interaction network is available. Here we provide a systematic characterization of seven interaction partners and address their specificities towards the different binding domains of Mint2, which reveal domain‐specific and ‐nonspecific interaction partners. Moreover, we show that the last two C‐terminal amino acids of Mint2 are both important for the intramolecular interaction with the PDZ1 domain and for the stability of Mint2.
Streptococcus pneumoniae as a cause of lactational mastitis: a case report
Authors: Hald Sara Vester , Schønheyder Henrik Carl 
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical MessagePneumococci are predominant in respiratory tract infections but may have unusual presentations such as lactational mastitis. We report a 29‐year‐old breastfeeding woman with pneumococcal mastitis confirmed by positive blood culture and culture of milk. Previously, a few similar cases have been reported, but none was associated with bacteremia.
Sevoflurane improves respiratory mechanics and gas exchange in a case series of infants with severe bronchiolitis‐induced acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Nacoti Mirco , Colombo Jacopo , Fochi Oliviero , Bonacina Daniele , Fazzi Francesco , Bellani Giacomo , Bonanomi Ezio 
Published: March 2018

Key Clinical MessageThis report describes the successful use of a new intervention to improve respiratory mechanics and gas exchange in a relatively homogeneous group of infants with severe bronchiolitis‐induced PARDS after failure of conventional treatment. These results may open a new interesting area of research and management for PARDS patients.