bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimization of sound absorption property for polyurethane foam using adaptive simulated annealing algorithm
Authors: Zhu Tongtong , Chen Shuming , Zhu Wenbo , Wang Yebin 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTPolyurethane foam is one of the sound absorbing materials because of its advantage in lightweight, sound absorption and low cost. Therefore, it is important to optimize the formulation for better sound absorption performance. In this study, experimental optimization was carried out with a response surface methodology to investigate the effects of different variables including catalyst triethanolamine, catalyst A33, and additive polyethylene fiber. The mathematical model was developed for correlating experimental data. The model parameters were optimized by adaptive simulated annealing algorithm. The maximum acoustic property of the foams was found to be 0.68 by adding 3.2 g triethanolamine, 1.0 g A33, and 0.1 g polyethylene fiber. Then, the polyurethane foam was synthesized according to the optimization results. The sound absorption coefficient of it is within the allowable error of the optimization result. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46426.
Preparation and properties of heat and ultraviolet‐induced bonding and debonding epoxy/epoxy acrylate adhesives
Authors: Zhang Wenqing , Shentu Baoqing , Weng Zhixue 
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACTHeat and ultraviolet (UV)‐induced bonding and debonding (BDB) adhesives were designed and prepared through blending an epoxy resin, diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) with an epoxy acrylate resin, bisphenol‐A epoxy acrylate resin (BEA). The variation of the chemical structure of DGEBA and BEA in the sequential heat‐ and UV‐curing processes was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR results indicate that DGEBA and BEA successfully took part in both the heat‐curing and UV‐curing processes. The effects of the mass ratio of BEA to DGEBA, amount of heat‐curing agent, type of diluents, and UV irradiation time on the BDB properties of BDB adhesive were systematically investigated. The results show that the bonding strength increases with the decrease of the mass ratio of BEA to DGEBA and with the increase of the amount of heat‐curing agent in a certain range. The debonding strength decreases with the increase of the mass ratio of BEA to DGEBA. The mass ratio of BEA to DGEBA was set at 10 to ensure the ratio of the bonding strength to debonding strength greater than 10 times. The debonding strength of BDB adhesives also depends on the UV irradiation time, decreasing with the increase of UV irradiation time in a certain range. Based on the FTIR results and the dependence of the bonding and deboning strengths on the reaction conditions, a possible BDB mechanism of BDB adhesive was proposed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46435.
Development of a Molecular Signature to Monitor Pharmacodynamic Responses Mediated by In Vivo Administration of Glucocorticoids
Authors: Hu Yanhua , Carman Julie A. , Holloway Deborah , Kansal Selena , Fan Li , Goldstine Christine , Lee Deborah , Somerville John E. , Latek Robert , Townsend Robert , Johnsen Alyssa , Connolly Sean , Bandyopadhyay Somnath , Shadick Nancy , Weinblatt Michael E. , Furie Richard , Nadler Steven G. 
Published: March 2018

ObjectiveTo develop an objective, readily measurable pharmacodynamic biomarker of glucocorticoid (GC) activity.MethodsGenes modulated by prednisolone were identified from in vitro studies using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from normal healthy volunteers. Using the criteria of a >2‐fold change relative to vehicle controls and an adjusted P value cutoff of less than 0.05, 64 up‐regulated and 18 down‐regulated genes were identified. A composite score of the up‐regulated genes was generated using a single‐sample gene set enrichment analysis algorithm.ResultsGC gene signature expression was significantly elevated in peripheral blood leukocytes from normal healthy volunteers following oral administration of prednisolone. Expression of the signature increased in a dose‐dependent manner, peaked at 4 hours postadministration, and returned to baseline levels by 48 hours after dosing. Lower expression was detected in normal healthy volunteers who received a partial GC receptor agonist, which is consistent with the reduced transactivation potential of this compound. In cohorts of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and patients with rheumatoid arthritis, expression of the GC signature was negatively correlated with the percentages of peripheral blood lymphocytes and positively correlated with peripheral blood neutrophil counts, which is consistent with the known biology of the GC receptor. Expression of the signature largely agreed with reported GC use in these populations, although there was significant interpatient variability within the dose cohorts.ConclusionThe GC gene signature identified in this study represents a pharmacodynamic marker of GC exposure.
Inference from single occasion capture experiments using genetic markers
Authors: Hettiarachchige Chathurika K. H. , Huggins Richard M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAccurate estimation of the size of animal populations is an important task in ecological science. Recent advances in the field of molecular genetics researches allow the use of genetic data to estimate the size of a population from a single capture occasion rather than repeated occasions as in the usual capture–recapture experiments. Estimating the population size using genetic data also has sometimes led to estimates that differ markedly from each other and also from classical capture–recapture estimates. Here, we develop a closed form estimator that uses genetic information to estimate the size of a population consisting of mothers and daughters, focusing on estimating the number of mothers, using data from a single sample. We demonstrate the estimator is consistent and propose a parametric bootstrap to estimate the standard errors. The estimator is evaluated in a simulation study and applied to real data. We also consider maximum likelihood in this setting and discover problems that preclude its general use.
Identification of causal effects with latent confounding and classical additive errors in treatment
Authors: Li Wei , Jiang Zhichao , Geng Zhi , Zhou Xiao‐Hua 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the identifiability and estimation of causal effects of a continuous treatment on a binary response when the treatment is measured with errors and there exists a latent categorical confounder associated with both treatment and response. Under some widely used parametric models, we first discuss the identifiability of the causal effects and then propose an approach for estimation and inference. Our approach can eliminate the biases induced by latent confounding and measurement errors by using only a single instrumental variable. Based on the identification results, we give guidelines for determining the existence of a latent categorical confounder and for selecting the number of levels of the latent confounder. We apply the proposed approach to a data set from the Framingham Heart Study to evaluate the effect of the systolic blood pressure on the coronary heart disease.
Exergy efficiency of light conversion into biomass in the macroalga Ulva sp. (Chlorophyta) cultivated under the pulsed light in a photobioreactor
Authors: Habiby Oz , Nahor Omri , Israel Alvaro , Liberzon Alexander , Golberg Alexander 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMarine macroalgae are a potential feedstock for biorefineries that can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to bioeconomy. New knowledge and technologies for efficient conversion of solar energy into macroalgae biomass are needed to increase biomass yields and energy conversion efficiency. In this work, we show that the green macroalgae from Ulva sp. can grow under the pulsed light in a photobioreactor with higher exergy conversion efficiency in comparison to cultivation under constant light with the same intensity. In the tested frequencies, 1–40 Hz and duty cycles (DC) 1–100%, DC has a stronger impact on the growth rate than frequency. The efficiency of light transformation into biomass increased with decreasing DC. Pulsating with DC 20% led to 60% of the biomass chemical energy yield for the respective constant light (DC 100%). Models of Ulva sp. growth rate and exergy conversion efficiency as a function of pulsating light parameters were developed. These results open new directions to enhance solar to chemical energy conversion through macroalgae by controlling the light distribution in the macroalgal biomass.
Oxaloacetate induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via inhibition of glycolysis
Authors: Kuang Ye , Han Xiaoyun , Xu Mu , Yang Qing 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMost cancer cells perform glycolysis despite having sufficient oxygen. The specific metabolic pathways of cancer cells have become the focus of cancer treatment. Recently, accumulating evidence indicates oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis can be regulated with each other. Thus, we suggest that the glycolysis of cancer cells is inhibited by restoring or improving OXPHOS in cancer cells. In our study, we found that oxaloacetate (OA) induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, we found that OA induced a decrease in the energy metabolism of HepG2 cells. Further results showed that the expression and activity of glycolytic enzymes were decreased with OA treatment. Conversely, the expression and activity of enzymes involved in the TCA cycle and OXPHOS were increased with OA treatment. The results indicate that OA can inhibit glycolysis through enhancement of OXPHOS. In addition, OA‐mediated suppression of HIF1α, p‐Akt, and c‐myc led to a decrease in glycolysis level. Therefore, OA has the potential to be a novel anticancer drug.
Genomic complexity in pediatric synovial sarcomas (Synobio study): the European pediatric soft tissue sarcoma group (EpSSG) experience
Authors: Orbach Daniel , Mosseri Véronique , Pissaloux Daniel , Pierron Gaelle , Brennan Bernadette , Ferrari Andrea , Chibon Frederic , Bisogno Gianni , De Salvo Gian Luca , Chakiba Camille , Corradini Nadège , Minard‐Colin Véronique , Kelsey Anna , Ranchère‐Vince Dominique 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA genomic index (GI) tool using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on tumor cells has emerged as independent prognostic factor associated with the risk of metastatic relapse in synovial sarcoma (SS). The aim was to assess GI in pediatric patients with SS, to determine its value as a prognostic factor. All pediatric/adolescent/young adults’ (<25 years) with localized SS prospectively included in the European EpSSG‐NRSTS05 protocol with a contributive aCGH were selected. Definition of GI was A2/C, where A is the total number of alterations (segmental gains and losses) and C is the number of involved chromosomes on aCGH results. GI1 group corresponds to cases with no copy number alterations (flat profile, GI = 0) and GI2 group cases with at least one or more copy number alterations (rearranged profile; GI ≥ 1). Samples were available from 61 patients. The median age of the cohort was 13 years (range: 4–24). Overall, 55.7% were GI1 group, and 44.3% GI2. After a median follow‐up of 62 months (range: 0.1–112), 10 tumor events occurred and five patients died. Respectively, for GI1 versus GI2 groups, five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) was 93.8 ± 4.2% versus 64.9 ± 10.1% (P < 0.006) and five‐year Metastatic‐Free Survival (MFS) 93.8 ± 4.2% versus 72.9 ± 9.5% (P < 0.04). In multivariate analysis, GI status as adjusted for IRS group, patient age, site, and tumor size remain independent prognostic for EFS with a relative risk (RR) of 6.4 [1.3–31.9] (P < 0.01) and RR for MFS is 4.8 [0.9–25.7] (P < 0.05). Genomic complexity evaluated through GI may explain the metastatic behavior of pediatric SS.
Cancer survival in Cixian of China, 2003–2013: a population‐based study
Authors: Li Dongfang , Li Daojuan , Song Guohui , Liang Di , Chen Chao , Zhang Yachen , Gao Zhaoyu , He Yutong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCixian is one of the high‐risk areas for upper gastrointestinal cancer in China and the world. From 2005, comprehensive population‐based screening for upper gastrointestinal cancers has been conducted in Cixian. The aim of this study was to investigate population‐based cancer survival from 2003 to 2013 and to explore the effect of screening on upper gastrointestinal cancer survival in Cixian. Observed survival was estimated using the life table method. The expected survival from the general population was calculated using all‐cause mortality data from the population of Cixian with the EdererII method. Cixian cancer registry, with a total coverage of 6.88 million person years, recorded 19,628 cancer patients diagnosed during 2003–2013. In Cixian, from 2003 to 2013, there were 19,628 newly cancer cases and 13,984 cancer deaths, with an incidence rate of 285.37/100,000 and mortality rate of 203.31/100,000. The overall five‐year relative cancer survival for patients diagnosed in Cixian in 2003–2013 was 22.53%. The relative survival for all cancers combined in Cixian had an overall upward trend from 2003 to 2013. Among upper gastrointestinal cancer in Cixian, the five‐year relative survival for cardia gastric cancer was highest at 30.42%, followed by oesophageal cancer at 25.37% and noncardia gastric cancer at 18.93%. In 2013, the five‐year relative survival for oesophageal cancer, cardia gastric cancer, and noncardia gastric cancer patients aged 45–69 years was 39.97% (95% CI: 34.52–45.43%), 51.74% (95% CI: 42.09–60.86%), and 37.43% (95% CI: 26.93–48.17%), respectively, the absolute values increasing 14.11%, 16.71%, and 14.92% compared with that in 2003. There is an increasing trend in overall survival for upper gastrointestinal cancer with early screening and treatment of cancer in Cixian.
Population‐based differences in the outcome and presentation of lung cancer patients based upon racial, histologic, and economic factors in all lung patients and those with metastatic disease
Authors: Varlotto John Michael , Voland Richard , McKie Kerrie , Flickinger John C. , DeCamp Malcolm M. , Maddox Debra , Rava Paul , Fitzgerald Thomas J. , Graeber Geoffrey , Rassaei Negar , Oliveira Paulo , Ali Suhail , Belani Chandra , Glanzman Jonathan , Wakelee Heather A. , Patel Manali , Baima Jennifer , Zhang Jianying , Walsh William 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTo investigate the interrelation between economic, marital, and known histopathologic/therapeutic prognostic factors in presentation and survival of patients with lung cancer in nine different ethnic groups. A retrospective review of the SEER database was conducted through the years 2007–2012. Population differences were assessed via chi‐square testing. Multivariable analyses (MVA) were used to detect overall survival (OS) differences in the total population (TP, N = 153,027) and for those patients presenting with Stage IV (N = 70,968). Compared to Whites, Blacks were more likely to present with younger age, male sex, lower income, no insurance, single/widowed partnership, less squamous cell carcinomas, and advanced stage; and experience less definitive surgery, lower OS, and lung cancer‐specific (LCSS) survival. White Hispanics presented with younger age, higher income, lower rates of insurance, single/widowed partnership status, advanced stage, more adenocarcinomas, and lower rates of definitive surgery, but no difference in OS and LCSS than Whites. In the TP and Stage IV populations, MVAs revealed that OS was better or equivalent to Whites for all other ethnic groups and was positively associated with insurance, marriage, and higher income. Blacks presented with more advanced disease and were more likely to succumb to lung cancer, but when adjusted for prognostic factors, they had a better OS in the TP compared to Whites. Disparities in income, marital status, and insurance rather than race affect OS of patients with lung cancer. Because of their presentation with advanced disease, Black and Hispanics are likely to have increased benefit from lung cancer screening.
Exclusive and inclusive protest in Europe: Investigating values, support for democracy, and life conditions
Authors: Morselli Davide , Passini Stefano 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDissatisfaction with the economic situation and perceived governmental inefficacy in regard to the financial crisis has spawned a widespread feeling of political distrust across Europe. This distrust has been translated into protests against institutional authority that aims at either expanding democratic procedures or supporting xenophobic and populist measures. This research uses European Social Survey data to compare exclusive and inclusive protesters with regard to a number of personal and social values, attitudes toward democratic principles, and different life conditions and socio‐economic resources. It also considers contextual factors to investigate how different protesters' profiles are interwoven with socio‐economic conditions. The results of a multilevel latent profile analysis show that exclusive and inclusive protesters, despite sharing similar levels of political distrust, differ with regard to key values and political attitudes, and these differences are related to individual and collective living conditions. We argue that unfavourable living conditions play a non‐negligible role in increasing the probability of easy (i.e., populist) scapegoat political attitudes. Further support for this hypothesis is provided by the cross‐country analysis, which shows that higher levels of exclusive protest are present in countries that were characterized by worse living conditions before the economic crisis.
Photochemical Mechanism of an Atypical Algal Phytochrome
Authors: Choudry Uzma , Heyes Derren J. , Hardman Samantha J. O. , Sakuma Michiyo , Sazanovich Igor V. , Woodhouse Joyce , De La Mora Eugenio , Pedersen Martin N. , Wulff Michael , Weik Martin , Schirò Giorgio , Scrutton Nigel S. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPhytochromes are bilin‐containing photoreceptors that are typically sensitive to the red/far‐red region of the visible spectrum. Recently, phytochromes from certain eukaryotic algae have become attractive targets for optogenetic applications because of their unique ability to respond to multiple wavelengths of light. Herein, a combination of time‐resolved spectroscopy and structural approaches across picosecond to second timescales have been used to map photochemical mechanisms and structural changes in this atypical group of phytochromes. The photochemistry of an orange/far‐red light‐sensitive algal phytochrome from Dolihomastix tenuilepis has been investigated by using a combination of visible, IR and X‐ray scattering probes. The entire photocycle, correlated with accompanying structural changes in the cofactor/protein, are reported. This study identifies a complex photocycle for this atypical phytochrome. It also highlights a need to combine outcomes from a range of biophysical approaches to unravel complex photochemical and macromolecular processes in multi‐domain photoreceptor proteins that are the basis of biological light‐mediated signalling.
Impact of pacemaker mode in patients with atrioventricular conduction disturbance after trans‐catheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Takahashi Masao , Badenco Nicolas , Monteau Jacques , Gandjbakhch Estelle , Extramiana Fabrice , Urena Marina , Karam Nicole , Marijon Eloi , Algalarrondo Vincent , Teiger Emmanuel , Lellouche Nicolas 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the impact of pacemaker mode programming on clinical outcomes in patients with high‐degree atrioventricular conduction disturbance (AVCD) after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).BackgroundAlthough high‐degree AVCD after TAVI can receive pacemaker, recovery of the AVCD is often observed. Specific pacemaker algorithms (AAI‐DDD mode switch) are available which favor spontaneous atrioventricular conduction.MethodsOf 1,621 consecutive multi‐center TAVI patients, 269 (16.4%) received pacemaker. We retrospectively included 91 patients with persistent high‐degree AVCD at hospital discharge. Pacemaker dependency was defined as absence, inadequate intrinsic ventricular rhythm, or ventricular pacing time > 95% on pacemaker interrogation during follow‐up. Comparison of heart failure hospitalization and death between conventional DDD (cDDD) and other modes was examined (AAI‐DDD and VVI).ResultsDuring a mean follow‐up duration of 13 months, the pacemaker dependency rate was 52.8%. Patients with cDDD mode (N = 36: 40.0%) had significantly more pacemaker dependency. Multivariate analysis showed that cDDD mode was independently associated with pacemaker dependency (odds ratio = 3.63, P = 0.03). Moreover, cDDD patients had a significant higher incidence of heart failure hospitalization (Hospitalization: cDDD vs. others = 45.4% vs. 18.2%, P = 0.03) and had a higher incidence of mortality (Death: cDDD vs. the others = 27.0% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.06).ConclusionsUp to half of patients implanted for high‐degree AVCD after TAVI had conduction recovery. Patients with cDDD programming at hospital discharge had more pacemaker dependency and a worse cardiac prognosis. Thus, pacemaker mode should be systematically set to promote spontaneous atrioventricular conduction in patients with pacemaker implantation after TAVI.
Boosting the Catalytic Performance of Organic Salts for the Fast and Selective Synthesis of α‐Alkylidene Cyclic Carbonates from Carbon Dioxide and Propargylic Alcohols
Authors: Grignard Bruno , Ngassamtounzoua Charlène , Gennen Sandro , Gilbert Bernard , Méreau Raphaël , Jerome Christine , Tassaing Thierry , Detrembleur Christophe 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe synthesis of α‐alkylidene cyclic carbonates (αCCs) by the carboxylative coupling of CO2 with propargylic alcohols is receiving increasing interest but requires the use of catalysts that are most often added in large quantities and/or lack selectivity. Herein, we describe the fine‐tuning of the structure of organocatalysts of the ammonium‐type that enables us to identify the important structural parameters that dictate their catalytic performance. Tetrabutylammonium oxalate was revealed to be one of the most attractive organocatalysts with a remarkably fast, complete and selective production of αCCs at a low catalyst loading (2.5 mol %) under solvent‐free conditions. This study opens new avenues for the facile and selective synthesis of libraries of αCCs from CO2 and propargylic alcohol by using simple organocatalysts.
Ru@PsIL‐Catalyzed Synthesis of N‐Formamides and Benzimidazole by using Carbon Dioxide and Dimethylamine Borane
Authors: Saptal Vitthal B. , Sasaki Takehiko , Bhanage Bhalchandra M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis work reports the synthesis and characterization of ruthenium nanoparticles (Ru NPs) supported on polymeric ionic liquids (PILs). This catalyst shows high catalytic activity towards the N‐formylation of amines and synthesis of benzimidazoles from 1,2‐diamines and carbon dioxide (CO2) by reductive dehydrogenation of dimethylamine borane. This methodology shows excellent functional group tolerance with broad substrate scope towards the synthesis of N‐formamides and benzimidazoles. Interestingly, this protocol also provides the tandem reduction of 2‐nitroamines and CO2 to synthesize benzimidazoles. It was proposed that the ionic liquid phase of the polymer plays pivotal roles such as assisting the stabilization of nanoparticles electrostatically, providing an ionic environment, and controlling the easy access of the substrates/reagents to the active sites. The developed methodology utilizes CO2 as a C1 source and water/ethanol as a green solvent system. Additionally, the catalyst was found to be recyclable in nature and shows five consecutive recycling runs without significant loss in its activity.