bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase 2 study evaluating the combination of sorafenib and temsirolimus in the treatment of radioactive iodine‐refractory thyroid cancer
Authors: Sherman Eric J. , Dunn Lara A. , Ho Alan L. , Baxi Shrujal S. , Ghossein Ronald A. , Fury Matthew G. , Haque Sofia , Sima Cami S. , Cullen Grace , Fagin James A. , Pfister David G. 
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUNDPatients with recurrent and/or metastatic, radioactive iodine‐refractory thyroid carcinoma have limited treatment options. Sorafenib, an oral kinase inhibitor, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of radioactive iodine‐refractory thyroid carcinoma, although it demonstrated low response rates (12.2%) as a single agent in the first‐line setting. The objective of the current study was to determine whether adding the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor temsirolimus to sorafenib could improve on these results.METHODSIn this single‐institution, phase 2 study, 36 patients with metastatic, radioactive iodine‐refractory thyroid carcinoma of follicular origin received treatment with the combination of oral sorafenib (200 mg twice daily) and intravenous temsirolimus (25 mg weekly). The receipt of prior systemic treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy and targeted therapy, including sorafenib, was permitted. The primary endpoint was the radiographic response rate.RESULTSThe best response was a partial response in 8 patients (22%), stable disease in 21 (58%), and progressive disease in 1 (3%). Six patients were not evaluable for a response. Patients who had received any prior systemic treatment had a response rate of 10% compared with 38% of those who had not received prior systemic treatment. One of 2 patients with anaplastic thyroid cancer had an objective response. The progression‐free survival rate at 1 year was 30.5%. The most common grade 3 and 4 toxicities associated with sorafenib and temsirolimus included hyperglycemia, fatigue, anemia, and oral mucositis.CONCLUSIONSSorafenib and temsirolimus appear to be an active combination in patients with radioactive iodine‐refractory thyroid carcinoma, especially in patients who received no prior treatment compared with historic data from single‐agent sorafenib. Activity is also observed in patients who previously received sorafenib. This regimen warrants further investigation. Cancer 2017;123:4114–4121. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A colored Petri net model for DisCSP algorithms
Authors: Pascal Carlos , Panescu Doru 
Published: June 2017

SummaryThe aim of this paper is to present a colored Petri net that models a system applying a DisCSP method. Our study considered 3 representative DisCSP algorithms: synchronous backtracking, asynchronous backtracking, and weak‐commitment search. To obtain the model, it was necessary to transpose the operation of a DisCSP‐based system into a discrete event system. The constructed colored Petri net is presented, with details on the information stored in places, procedures associated with transitions, and communication between agents. Through the performed trials (with the n‐queens problem), it was proved that the model is correct, easy to use, and adaptable to different operation conditions. The conducted simulations revealed new results about the way the 3 analyzed algorithms compare one with the other. It was showed that the performance of weak‐commitment search is degrading in cases close to real conditions, namely, when agents use un‐updated information about the state of system. We could also study 3 strategies for improving the performance of DisCSP algorithms, making them more practicable. The proposed model is available for open use, it is independent of the software that carries out a DisCSP method, and it can be enhanced for other DisCSP algorithms and diverse communication schemes.
Flocculation of Clay Colloids Induced by Model Polyelectrolytes: Effects of Relative Charge Density and Size
Authors: Sakhawoth Yasine , Michot Laurent J. , Levitz Pierre , Malikova Natalie 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFlocculation and its tuning are of utmost importance in the optimization of several industrial protocols in areas such as purification of waste water and civil engineering. Herein, we studied the polyelectrolyte‐induced flocculation of clay colloids on a model system consisting of purified clay colloids of well‐defined size fractions and ionene polyelectrolytes presenting regular and tunable chain charge density. To characterize ionene‐induced clay flocculation, we turned to the combination of light absorbance (turbidity) and ζ‐potential measurements, as well as adsorption isotherms. Our model system allowed us to identify the exact ratio of positive and negative charges in clay–ionene mixtures, the (c+/c−) ratio. For all samples studied, the onset of efficient flocculation occurred consistently at c+/c− ratios significantly below 1, which indicated the formation of highly ionene‐deficient aggregates. At the same time, the ζ‐potential measurements indicated an apparent zero charge on such aggregates. Thus, the ζ‐potential values could not provide the stoichiometry inside the clay–ionene aggregates. The early onset of flocculation in clay–ionene mixtures is reminiscent of the behavior of multivalent salts and contrasts that of monovalent salts, for which a large excess amount of ions is necessary to achieve flocculation. Clear differences in the flocculation behavior are visible as a function of the ionene charge density, which governs the conformation of the ionene chains on the clay surface.
Benzoyl Peroxide as an Efficient Dopant for Spiro‐OMeTAD in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Qiuju , Fan Lisheng , Zhang Qin'e , Zhou An'an , Wang Baozeng , Bai Hua , Tian Qingyong , Fan Bin , Zhang Tongyi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAlthough organic small molecule spiro‐OMeTAD is widely used as a hole‐transport material in perovskite solar cells, its limited electric conductivity poses a bottleneck in the efficiency improvement of perovskite solar cells. Here, a low‐cost and easy‐fabrication technique is developed to enhance the conductivity and hole‐extraction ability of spiro‐OMeTAD by doping it with commercially available benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The experimental results show that the conductivity increases several orders of magnitude, from 6.2×10−6 S cm−1 for the pristine spiro‐OMeTAD to 1.1×10−3 S cm−1 at 5 % BPO doping and to 2.4×10−2 S cm−1 at 15 % BPO doping, which considerably outperform the conductivity of 4.62×10−4 S cm−1 for the currently used oxygen‐doped spiro‐OMeTAD. The fluorescence spectra suggest that the BPO‐doped spiro‐OMeTAD–OMeTAD layer is able to efficiently extract holes from CH3NH3PbI3 and thus greatly enhances the charge transfer. The BPO‐doped spiro‐OMeTAD is used in the fabrication of perovskite solar cells, which exhibit enhancement in the power conversion efficiency.
Flaxseed oil stabilization using natural and synthetic antioxidants
Authors: Shadyro Oleg I. , Sosnovskaya Anna A. , Edimecheva Irina P. 
Published: June 2017

The aim of this work was to identify effective and safe antioxidants (AO) for stabilization of flaxseed oil and extension of its shelf life. A number of AO (both synthetic and natural ones) as well as their compositions are currently used for inhibiting oxidation processes. Their efficacy in flaxseed oil under conditions of accelerated oxidation at 100°С was tested. The fat‐soluble ascorbic acid esters displayed significant antioxidant activity. The stabilizing effect of ascorbyl palmitate (AP) was more apparent in the oil samples with higher alpha‐linolenic acid (ALA) content and lower oxidation resistance. AP alone ensured better stabilization efficacy than some known AP‐based compositions. Kinetic data were obtained characterizing accumulation of primary and secondary oxidation products in flaxseed oil added with AP during the storage at room temperature and with free access of the air. The calculated values of stabilization factor (3.7 and >6 at AP concentrations of 0.01 and 0.02%, respectively) demonstrated high inhibiting activity of AP under these conditions. It has also been found that haricot and soy beans, as well as compositions thereof, at an oil concentration of 0.8% effectively inhibit the oxidation and oxidative destruction of flaxseed oil lipids. Both AP and vegetable compositions based on legume seeds could be recommended for effective stabilization of flaxseed oil and substantial prolongation of its shelf life.Practical application: High antioxidant activity in flaxseed oil of fat‐soluble esters of ascorbic acid, as well as vegetable stabilizers based on haricot and soy beans, enables significant increase of the shelf life of the oil. The use of AP alone and legume based stabilizers ensure reliable and safe protection of flaxseed oil from oxidation, and these both methods are applicable to industrial production of edible flaxseed oil and the products on its basis. The corresponding technological methods of practical application of AP and vegetable legume‐based stabilizers in industrial production of oxidation‐resistant edible flaxseed oil have already been developed and introduced into oil production process by the authors of this article.Additive stabilizers based on bean and soybeans effectively inhibit the oxidation and oxidative destruction of flaxseed oil lipids. High antioxidant activity in flaxseed oil of vegetable stabilizers enables significant increase of the shelf life of the oil. The use of legume based stabilizers ensure reliable and safe protection of flaxseed oil from oxidation, and this method is applicable to industrial production of edible flaxseed oil and the products on its basis.
Selective Determination of Copper (II) Based on Aluminum Silicon Carbide Nanoparticles Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode by Square Wave Stripping Voltammetry
Authors: Wu Y. L. , Bai F. , Yang T. , Chen J. H. , Su L. , Hou X. M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe morphology and structure of as‐prepared aluminum silicon carbide (Al4SiC4) were characterized using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV‐vis spectra. The Al4SiC4 nanoparticles modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was further investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Based on this, this kind of new electrode was used for the detection of trace Cu2+ by square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) for the first time. The electrochemical parameters influencing on deposition and stripping of metal ions, such as supporting electrolytes, pH value, deposition potential and deposition time, were also optimized. The results showed that the Al4SiC4 modified GCE exhibited excellent stripping response of Cu2+ and the stripping peaks response increased linearly with increasing concentration of Cu2+ in the ranges of 400 to 2200 nM. Under the optimized conditions the favorable sensitivity of the Al4SiC4 modified GCE toward trace Cu2+ was 1.49 μA μM−1 and the limit of detection (S/N=3) was estimated to be 2.76 nM. More importantly, Al4SiC4 modified GCE had an excellent stability and negligible interference from other coexisting metal ions in the electrochemical determination of Cu2+.
Simultaneous Determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+and Cl−in Unstimulated and Stimulated Human Saliva Using All Solid State Multisensor Platform
Authors: Urbanowicz Marcin , Jasiński Artur , Jasińska Małgorzata , Drucis Kamil , Ekman Marcin , Szarmach Arkadiusz , Suchodolski Rafał , Pomećko Radosław , Bocheńska Maria 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHuman saliva is one of the body fluids which collection method is relatively simple and non‐invasive. The article is dedicated to assess concentration (activity) of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+and Cl−in fresh, unstimulated or stimulated human saliva samples using single solid contact ion‐selective electrodes with conventional reference electrode and self‐made multisensor platform (MP) equipped with ion‐selective membranes for Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+and Cl−and reference electrode made in solid state technology, based on dispersed KCl in the polymer. Both kind of electrodes, single ISE and miniaturized electrodes in multisensor platform (ISE‐MP) were made of glassy carbon. The electrode surfaces have been modified by conductive polymer (PEDOT) layer deposition; with the exception of Cl−electrode, in which conducting polymer was not applied. Potentiometric measurements were used to compare the changes of the ionic composition in various samples of saliva.
Convergent Synthesis of α‐Branched Amines by Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed C−H Bond Additions to Imines
Authors: Hummel Joshua R. , Ellman Jonathan A. 
Published: June 2017

Abstractα‐Branched amines are ubiquitous in drugs and natural products, and consequently, synthetic methods that provide convergent and efficient entry to these structures are of considerable value. Transition‐metal‐catalyzed C−H bond additions to imines have the potential to be highly practical and atom‐economic approaches for the synthesis of a diverse and complex array of α‐branched amine products. These strategies typically employ readily available starting inputs, display high functional group compatibility, and often avoid the production of stoichiometric waste byproducts. A number of C−H functionalization methods have also been developed that incorporate cascade cyclization pathways to give amine‐substituted carbocycles, and in many cases, proceed with the formation of multiple stereogenic centers. Advances in the area of asymmetric C−H bond additions to imines have also been achieved through the use of chiral imine N‐substituents as well as by enantioselective catalysis.
Learning From High School Students’ Lived Experiences of Reading E‐Books and Printed Books
Authors: Evans Ellen 
Published: June 2017

AbstractE‐book sales are down nationwide, and younger readers are proving to be surprisingly persistent in their preference for printed books. Although 66% of schools nationwide offer e‐books, adoption is growing at a slower than expected rate. This study takes a closer look at high school students’ experiences as they read John Steinbeck's fictional novella Of Mice and Men, some using e‐books and others using printed texts. Using a phenomenological approach to data collection and interpretation allowed for a focus on the lived experiences of the students; results showed that students’ experiences were affected by factors such as the time and place of reading, the physical structure of the text, and the ways that others in the social context relate to the text. These factors are often hidden influences that teachers should take into consideration when assigning texts.
Platelet‐derived growth factor regulates YAP transcriptional activity via Src family kinase dependent tyrosine phosphorylation
Authors: Smoot Rory L. , Werneburg Nathan W. , Sugihara Takaaki , Hernandez Matthew C. , Yang Lin , Mehner Christine , Graham Rondell P. , Bronk Steven F. , Truty Mark J. , Gores Gregory J. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe Hippo pathway effector YAP is implicated in the pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The Hippo pathway relies on signaling cross talk for its regulation. Given the importance of platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) signaling in CCA biology, our aim was to examine potential YAP regulation by PDGFR. We employed human and mouse CCA specimens and cell lines for these studies. Initially, we confirmed upregulation of PDGFRβ and PDGFR ligands in human and mouse CCA specimens and cell lines. YAP, a transcriptional co‐activator, was localized to the nucleus in human CCA specimens and a cell line, as well as patient derived xenografts (PDX). PDGFR pharmacologic inhibition led to a redistribution of YAP from the nucleus to cytosol and downregulation of YAP target genes in a human CCA cell line. siRNA silencing of PDGFR‐β similarly downregulated YAP target genes. YAP activation (nuclear localization and target gene expression) was regulated by Src family kinases (SFKs) downstream of PDGFR. SFK activity resulted in phosphorylation of YAP on tyrosine357 (YAPY357). The importance of YAPY357 phosphorylation in regulating YAP activation was confirmed utilizing the SB‐1 cell line, a mouse cell line expressing YAP S127A precluding canonical serine phosphorylation. PDGFR inhibition decreased cellular abundance of the survival protein Mcl‐1, a known YAP target gene, and accordingly increased cell death in CCA cells in vitro and in vivo. These preclinical data demonstrate that a PDGFR‐SFK cascade regulates YAP activation via tyrosine phosphorylation in CCA. Inhibiting this cascade may provide a viable therapeutic strategy for this human malignancy.
Long cycles through prescribed vertices have the Erdős‐Pósa property
Authors: Bruhn Henning , Joos Felix , Schaudt Oliver 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe prove that for every graph, any vertex subset S, and given integers : there are k disjoint cycles of length at least ℓ that each contain at least one vertex from S, or a vertex set of size that meets all such cycles. This generalizes previous results of Fiorini and Herinckx and of Pontecorvi and Wollan.In addition, we describe an algorithm for our main result that runs in time, where s denotes the cardinality of S.
Classification of key aerosol types and their frequency distributions based on satellite remote sensing data at an industrially polluted city in the Yangtze River Delta, China
Authors: Kumar K. Raghavendra , Kang Na , Yin Yan 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTIn the present study, characterization of columnar aerosol optical properties and classifying the major aerosol types was investigated at an urban–industrial city, Nanjing in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region over East China using simultaneous data sets retrieved from the MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) sensors during 2004–2015. A notable spatiotemporal heterogeneity was observed in the optical properties of aerosols on the seasonal scale over East China. Aerosol optical depth at 550 nm (AOD550) exhibited pronounced seasonal variability over Nanjing in the YRD, with higher values during summer and spring seasons and lower in winter. Ångström exponent (AE470–660) found higher in summer indicating the relative abundance of fine mode aerosols over the coarse mode. We also used the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model for presenting cluster trajectory analysis which revealed that the airmasses from different source regions contributed greatly to aerosol loading during the study period. In addition, we followed two techniques for studying classification of major aerosol types based on the predefined thresholds. Using the AOD–AE method (here called as Technique‐I), five major aerosol types were identified via, continental clean (CC), marine (MA), biomass burning/urban–industrial (BU), desert dust (DD), and mixed (MX). In all the seasons, MX is the dominant aerosol type followed by the BU and DD type aerosols during summer and spring seasons, respectively. Further, the sub‐classification of aerosol types was carried out considering into account of the characteristics of absorbing aerosol index (AAI) (here called as Technique‐II). The two clustering techniques showed reasonable consistency in the obtained results. The various aerosol types (absorbing and non‐absorbing) and their change over a region are highly helpful in fine tuning the models to decrease the uncertainty in the radiative and climatic effects of aerosols.
Connectivity of Niches of Adaptation Affects Vegetation Structure and Density in Self‐Organized (Dis‐Connected) Vegetation Patterns
Authors: Callegaro Chiara , Ursino Nadia 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSelf‐organized vegetation patterns are efficient rainfall harvesting systems, where runoff flow paths are highly dis‐connected. Runoff is generated over bare, crusted areas and diverted toward vegetated patches with higher infiltration capacity. The ecosystem structure is the result of scarce rainfall, local facilitation and adaptation of vegetation. An ecological model for the dynamics of two plant species and soil water content is used here as an instrument to investigate the hypothesis that ecological connectivity of adaptation niches could upscale to hydrological dis‐connectivity, with positive feedback on water use efficiency.We investigated the interrelation between ecological niche connectivity and landscape scale hydrological connectivity quantitatively, by the definition of a new ecological connectivity index and the analysis of several niche differentiation scenarios, including neatly separate, continuous or overlapping ecological niches. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyglycerol Surfmers and Surfactants for Direct and Inverse Miniemulsion
Authors: Wald Sarah , Simon Johanna , Dietz Jule P. , Wurm Frederik R. , Landfester Katharina 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPoly(ethylene glycol)‐based surfactants are a prominent example for nonionic surfactants. Poly(glycerol) (PG) is discussed as a polyfunctional alternative, however, it is not yet used to stabilize miniemulsions. The anionic polymerization of glycidyl ethers is used to prepare surfactants for direct or inverse emulsions and ambident surfactants by adjusting the copolymer composition. Orthogonal‐protected poly(glycerol) block copolymers, using ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether and allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) or tert‐butyl glycidyl ether (tBuGE), are synthesized. After cleavage of the acetal groups, these all‐polyglycerol surfactants (PG‐b‐PtBuGE) or multifunctional surfmers (PG‐b‐PAGE), are used in direct and inverse miniemulsion polymerizations. Polystyrene nanoparticles are obtained by free‐radical miniemulsion polymerization, in which the allyl‐functionalized copolymers act as surfmer. In inverse miniemulsion, hydroxyethyl starch nanocarriers are synthesized with PG‐b‐PAGE as surfmer, transferred into aqueous PG‐b‐PtBuGE solution, and functionalized by thiol–ene addition. The PG‐b‐PtBuGE with equal block length ratio is used as a surfactant for direct and inverse miniemulsions. With the PG being covalently bound to the nanocarriers, a desorption during protein adsorption does not occur. It is believed that these surfactants are promising alternatives to conventional surfactants with additional functionality.
Outcomes of treatment of stress urinary incontinence associated with female urethral diverticula: A selective approach
Authors: Greiman Alyssa , Rittenberg Lauren , Freilich Drew , Rames Ross , El‐Zawahry Ahmed , Koski Michelle , Rovner Eric 
Published: June 2017

AimsTo assess surgical outcomes of concomitant treatment of SUI at time of transvaginal urethral diverticulectomy (TVUD) based on a selective approach.MethodsFollowing Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, we identified patients with a UD and SUI who underwent TVUD between July 2004 and January 2016. SUI was documented before and after surgery using subjective and objective parameters. Autologous pubovaginal slings (APVS) were used selectively based on surgeon and patient preference.ResultsA total of 61 patients underwent surgical treatment of urethral diverticula; 39 patients with UD and concomitant SUI. Mean age was 53 years. Mean follow‐up was 16.2 months. There were 24 patients (62%) with SUI that underwent concomitant APVS. There was resolution of SUI in 20 of 24 patients (83%) who underwent a simultaneous APVS compared to 8 of 15 patients (53%) who underwent TVUD without APVS. Surgery resulted in the improvement or resolution of the majority of preoperative symptoms including recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) (82% vs 15%), dyspareunia (64% vs 8%), and urgency (56% vs 13%) (preoperative vs postoperative).ConclusionsFemale UD is often associated with SUI. Concomitant surgical treatment of UD and SUI often results in satisfactory control of bothersome SUI as well as other urinary symptoms such as UTI, dyspareunia and urgency. Treatment of SUI with APVS when undergoing TVUD is feasible with satisfactory outcomes.