bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal and mechanical properties of tetra‐functional mesogenic type epoxy resin cured with aromatic amine
Authors: Harada Miyuki , Morioka Daichi , Ochi Mitsukazu 
Published: December 2017

ABSTRACTA novel tetra‐functional epoxy monomer with mesogenic groups was synthesized and characterized by 1H‐NMR and FTIR. The synthesized epoxy monomer was cured with aromatic amine to improve the thermal property of epoxy/amine cured system. The glass transition temperature (Tg) and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the cured system were investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal mechanical analysis. The properties of the cured system were compared with the conventional bisphenol‐A type epoxy and mesogenic type epoxy system. The storage modulus of the tetra‐functional mesogenic epoxy cured systems showed the value of 0.96 GPa at 250 °C, and Tg‐less behavior was clearly observed. The cured system also showed a low CTE at temperatures above 150 °C without incorporation of inorganic components. These phenomena were achieved by suppression of the thermal motion of network chains by introduction of both mesogenic groups and branched structure to increase the cross linking density. The temperature dependency of the tensile property and thermal conductivity of the cured system was also investigated. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46181.
Cognitive enhancement therapy for adult autism spectrum disorder: Results of an 18‐month randomized clinical trial
Authors: Eack Shaun M. , Hogarty Susan S. , Greenwald Deborah P. , Litschge Maralee Y. , Porton Shannondora A. , Mazefsky Carla A. , Minshew Nancy J. 
Published: December 2017

Cognitive remediation is a promising approach to treating core cognitive deficits in adults with autism, but rigorously controlled trials of comprehensive interventions that target both social and non‐social cognition over a sufficient period of time to impact functioning are lacking. This study examined the efficacy of cognitive enhancement therapy (CET) for improving core cognitive and employment outcomes in adult autism. Verbal adult outpatients with autism spectrum disorder (N = 54) were randomized to an 18‐month, single‐blind trial of CET, a cognitive remediation approach that integrates computer‐based neurocognitive training with group‐based training in social cognition, or an active enriched supportive therapy (EST) comparison focused on psychoeducation and condition management. Primary outcomes were composite indexes of neurocognitive and social‐cognitive change. Competitive employment was a secondary outcome. Intent‐to‐treat analyses indicated that CET produced significant differential increases in neurocognitive function relative to EST (d = .46, P = .013). Both CET and EST were associated with large social‐cognitive improvements, with CET demonstrating an advantage at 9 (d = .58, P = 0.020), but not 18 months (d = .27, P = 0.298). Effects on employment indicated that participants treated with CET were significantly more likely to gain competitive employment than those in EST, OR = 6.21, P = 0.023, which was mediated by cognitive improvement. CET is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for core cognitive deficits in adult autism spectrum disorder. The treatment of cognitive impairments in this population can contribute to meaningful improvements in adult outcomes. Autism Res 2018, 11: 519–530. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryCognitive enhancement therapy (CET), an 18‐month cognitive remediation intervention designed to improve thinking and social understanding, was found to be more effective than supportive therapy at improving mental quickness, attention, and employment in adults living with autism. Social understanding was equally improved in CET and supportive therapy. Cognitive remediation interventions are feasible and may confer significant functional benefits to adults with autism.
Mitochondrial ATAD3A regulates milk biosynthesis and proliferation of mammary epithelial cells from dairy cow via the mTOR pathway
Authors: Chen Dongying , Yuan Xiaohan , Liu Lijie , Zhang Minghui , Qu Bo , Zhen Zhen , Gao Xuejun 
Published: December 2017

AbstractATPase family AAA‐domain containing protein 3A (ATAD3A) is a nuclear‐encoded mitochondrial membrane protein, which is essential for cell growth and metabolism. The mechanism by which ATAD3A acts is still not fully understood. In this study, we explored the regulatory role of ATAD3A on milk biosynthesis and proliferation of bovine mammary epithelial cell. We showed that ATAD3A is localized in mitochondria and the expression of ATAD3A was up‐regulated in response to extracellular stimuli such as amino acids and hormones. We observed that ATAD3A positively regulated milk protein, fat, and lactose biosynthesis, and cell proliferation. We further revealed that ATAD3A promoted the expressions of mTOR, SREBP‐1c, and Cyclin D1, and triggers mTOR phosphorylation. In summary, our data reveal that ATAD3A regulates the mTOR, SREBP‐1c, and Cyclin D1 signaling pathways for milk biosynthesis and cell proliferation.
Predicting delinquency by self‐reported impulsivity in adolescents in Ghana
Authors: Adjorlolo Samuel , Asamoah Edward , Adu‐Poku Sarah 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundImpulsivity is one of several variables associated with delinquent and criminal acts, but its utility depends on the psychometric properties of the measure used.AimTo investigate the latent structure of the abbreviated Barratt Impulsivity Scale (ABIS) and its convergent validity with measures of aggression and psychopathy in a Ghanaian sample.MethodsIn a cross‐sectional survey, high school students were recruited from two randomly selected schools in Ghana and asked to respond to the ABIS and measures of delinquency, aggression and psychopathy.ResultsThree hundred and sixty‐three young people, aged 15–19 were recruited, 149 (41%) boys. Findings supported a three‐factor (attention, motor and non‐planning) structure of impulsivity, which did not differ by sex. Motor and attentional impulsivity were associated with both violent and general delinquent behaviours. Impulsivity scores also correlated with aggression and psychopathy scores, thus providing evidence of convergent validity.ConclusionThe ABIS was shown to have sound psychometrics in a standard Ghanaian secondary school sample. Even in this group, where delinquency and antisocial behaviours were of low frequency, its motor and attention impulsivity scores were shown to have some relationship with violent and general delinquent behaviours, suggesting that the ABIS could be a useful tool across cultures for identifying adolescents at high risk of such problems and intervening early to limit damage. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Domino Ring Expansion: Regioselective Access to 9‐Membered Lactones with a Fused Indole Unit from 2‐Nitrophenyl‐1,3‐cyclohexanediones
Authors: Loya David Reyes , Jean Alexandre , Cormier Morgan , Fressigné Catherine , Nejrotti Stefano , Blanchet Jérôme , Maddaluno Jacques , De Paolis Michaël 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe domino anionic fragmentation of 2‐nitrophenyl‐1,3‐cyclohexanediones containing an electrophilic appendage such as aldehyde and epoxide is disclosed. This reaction, initiated by a series of nucleophiles, involves the generation of an intermediate hydroxylate followed by the regioselective formation and fragmentation of an intermediate lactolate into enolate. This strategy, devoid of any protecting group, enlarges the initial ring and provides an original access to decorated 9‐membered lactones with a fused indole unit.
Hit Dexter: A Machine‐Learning Model for the Prediction of Frequent Hitters
Authors: Stork Conrad , Wagner Johannes , Friedrich Nils‐Ole , de Bruyn Kops Christina , Šícho Martin , Kirchmair Johannes 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFalse‐positive assay readouts caused by badly behaving compounds—frequent hitters, pan‐assay interference compounds (PAINS), aggregators, and others—continue to pose a major challenge to experimental screening. There are only a few in silico methods that allow the prediction of such problematic compounds. We report the development of Hit Dexter, two extremely randomized trees classifiers for the prediction of compounds likely to trigger positive assay readouts either by true promiscuity or by assay interference. The models were trained on a well‐prepared dataset extracted from the PubChem Bioassay database, consisting of approximately 311 000 compounds tested for activity on at least 50 proteins. Hit Dexter reached MCC and AUC values of up to 0.67 and 0.96 on an independent test set, respectively. The models are expected to be of high value, in particular to medicinal chemists and biochemists who can use Hit Dexter to identify compounds for which extra caution should be exercised with positive assay readouts. Hit Dexter is available as a free web service at http://hitdexter.zbh. uni‐hamburg.de.
Computational and experimental exploration of the structure–activity relationships of flavonoids as potent glyoxalase‐I inhibitors
Authors: Al‐Balas Qosay A. , Hassan Mohammad A. , Al‐Shar'i Nizar A. , El‐Elimat Tamam , Almaaytah Ammar M. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract

Hit, Lead & Candidate Discovery

Glyoxalase‐I (Glo‐I) enzyme has emerged as a potential target for cancer treatment. Several classes of natural products including coumarins and flavonoids have shown remarkable Glo‐I inhibitory activity. In the present study, computational and experimental approaches were used to explore the structure–activity relationships of a panel of 24 flavonoids as inhibitors of the Glo‐1 enzyme. Scutellarein with an IC50 value of 2.04 μM was identified as the most potent inhibitor among the series studied. Di‐ or tri‐hydroxylation of the benzene rings A and B accompanied with a C2/C3 double bond in ring C were identified as essential structural features for enzyme inhibition. Moreover, the ketol system showed a minor role in the inhibitory power of these compounds. The structure‐activity relationships revealed in this study had deepened our understanding of the Glo‐I inhibitory activities of flavonoids and opened the door for further exploration of this promising compound class.
Will a small randomly assembled community be feasible and stable?
Authors: Song Chuliang , Saavedra Serguei 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHow likely is it that few species can randomly assemble into a feasible and stable community? Some studies have answered that as long as the community is feasible, it will nearly always be stable. In contrast, other studies have answered that the likelihood is almost null. Here, we show that the origin of this debate has been the underestimation of the association of the parameter space of intrinsic growth rates with the feasibility and stability properties of small randomly‐assembled communities. In particular, we demonstrate that not all parameterizations and sampling distributions of intrinsic growth rates lead to the same probabilities of stability and feasibility, which could mistakenly lead to under‐ or overestimate the stability properties of feasible communities. Additionally, we find that stability imposes a filtering of species abundances “towards” more even distributions in small feasible randomly‐assembled communities. This indicates that the stability of feasible communities is inherently linked to the starting distribution of species abundances, a characteristic that many times has been ignored, but should be incorporated in manageable lab and field experiments. Overall, the return to this debate is a central reminder that a more systematic exploration of the feasible parameter space is necessary to derive general conclusions about the stability properties of ecological communities.
Impact of a ‘stent for life’ initiative on post‐ST elevation myocardial infarction heart failure: a 15 year heart failure clinic experience
Authors: Bayes‐Genis Antoni , García Cosme , de Antonio Marta , Fernandez‐Nofrerías Eduard , Domingo Mar , Zamora Elisabet , Moliner Pedro , Lupón Josep 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAimsMultidisciplinary heart failure (HF) clinics are a cornerstone of contemporary HF management. The stent‐for‐life (SFL) initiative improves mortality after ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), but its impact in post‐STEMI HF is not well characterized. Here we assessed the impact of SFL among patients referred to a multidisciplinary HF clinic over a 15 year time period.Methods and resultsBetween 2001 and 2015, 1921 patients were admitted to our HF clinic. In 2009, Catalonia established the Codi IAM network, a regional STEMI network that prioritizes primary percutaneous coronary intervention in STEMI. Patients admitted during the study period were divided into two groups based on admission date: pre‐SFL (2001–June 2009; n = 1031) and post‐SFL (July 2009–2015; n = 890). Compared with those in the pre‐SFL group, patients admitted in the post‐SFL period had better New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (22.1 vs. 38.7 NYHA classes III–IV; P < 0.001) and higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (36.1 ± 19.6 vs. 32.6 ± 13.4; P < 0.001). Among STEMI survivors, 101 (6.7%) pre‐SFL patients and 40 (2%) post‐SFL patients (P < 0.001) fulfilled the criteria for HF clinic referral (Killip–Kimball class ≥ 2 during index admission and/or LVEF of <40%). Furthermore, among patients admitted to the HF clinic, post‐STEMI HF with reduced ejection fraction patients comprised 8.9% of the pre‐SFL group and only 4.2% of the post‐SFL group (P < 0.001).ConclusionsAmong patients treated at our multidisciplinary HF clinic, the adoption of an SFL network has decreased the prevalence of post‐STEMI HF with reduced ejection fraction.
Aire controls the recirculation of murine Foxp3+ regulatory T‐cells back to the thymus
Authors: Cowan Jennifer E. , Baik Song , McCarthy Nicholas I. , Parnell Sonia M. , White Andrea J. , Jenkinson William E. , Anderson Graham 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn the thymus, medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTEC) determine the fate of newly selected CD4+ and CD8+ single positive (SP) thymocytes. For example, mTEC expression of Aire controls intrathymic self‐antigen availability for negative selection. Interestingly, alterations in both Foxp3+ Regulatory T‐cells (T‐Reg) and conventional SP thymocytes in Aire−/− mice suggest additional, yet poorly understood, roles for Aire during intrathymic T‐cell development. To examine this, we analysed thymocytes from Aire−/− mice using Rag2GFP and Foxp3 expression, and a recently described CD69/MHCI subset definition of post‐selection CD4+ conventional thymocytes. We show that while Aire is dispensable for de novo generation of conventional αβT‐cells, it plays a key role in controlling the intrathymic T‐Reg pool. Surprisingly, a decline in intrathymic T‐Reg in Aire−/− mice maps to a reduction in mature recirculating Rag2GFP− T‐Reg that express CCR6 and re‐enter the thymus from the periphery. Furthermore, we show mTEC expression of the CCR6 ligand CCL20 is reduced in Aire−/− mice, and that CCR6 is required for T‐Reg recirculation back to the thymus. Collectively, our study re‐defines requirements for late stage intrathymic αβT‐cell development, and demonstrates that Aire controls a CCR6‐CCL20 axis that determines the developmental makeup of the intrathymic T‐Reg pool.
Electrochemical Properties of Polypyrrole Nanoparticles – The Role of Doping Ions and Synthesis Medium
Authors: Jaworska Ewa , Kisiel Anna , Michalska Agata , Maksymiuk Krzysztof 
Published: December 2017

AbstractElectrochemical properties of polypyrrole nanoparticles coated on glassy carbon electrodes were studied. The nanoparticles were obtained in a chemical polymerization step using a novel templateless procedure – oxidation of pyrrole released either from poly (n‐butyl acrylate) microspheres or from micelles of crosslinked alternating polymer (poly (maleic anhydride‐alt‐1‐octadecene)). Voltammetric measurements confirmed high ion transport rate inside the polymer and minor influence of the kind of doping ion and electrolyte ions present in the solution. However, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements revealed a significant difference in the properties of polypyrrole nanoparticles, depending on the synthesis conditions. In case of polypyrrole synthesized in the presence of poly (n‐butyl acrylate) microspheres EIS spectra were almost independent of kind of electrolyte ions and doping anion, pointing to exposed bulk capacitive properties. On the other hand, polypyrrole nanoparticles obtained in the presence of alternating polymer micelles represent a typical constant phase element behavior with impedance significantly dependent on the kind of oxidizing (doping) anion. Due to their capacitive properties polypyrrole nanoparticles obtained in the presence of poly (n‐butyl acrylate) microspheres were applied as solid contacts in ion‐selective electrodes.
Differences in Electrochemically Deposited PEDOT(PSS) Films on Au and Pt Substrate Electrodes: A Quartz Crystal Microbalance Study
Authors: Jarvis Jennifer M. , Guzinski Marcin , Perez Felio , Pendley Bradford D. , Lindner Ernő 
Published: December 2017

AbstractStudying the responses of potassium ion‐selective electrodes with poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene)‐poly(styrenesulfonate), PEDOT(PSS), as solid contact (SC) revealed significant differences in the equilibration times and standard potentials of the electrodes fabricated on Au or Pt as substrate electrodes. To trace the source of these differences, PEDOT(PSS) films were deposited under the same conditions onto Au and Pt electrodes on the surface of 10 MHz quartz crystals. During the galvanostatic polymerization, the frequency decrease of the quartz crystal was monitored by an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). In the initial 15 seconds of the electrochemical deposition, the rate of PEDOT(PSS) polymer growth was significantly faster on Au compared to Pt although the current density used for the deposition was the same. Consequently, the total frequency change after a given electrolysis time was always larger on Au compared to Pt, indicating a larger deposited mass or PEDOT(PSS) layer thickness. The differences in the thicknesses of the PEDOT(PSS) films on Au and Pt could be quantitatively confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) etching studies. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of PEDOT(PSS) films on Au and Pt also showed characteristic differences.
Proglacial sediment dynamics from daily to seasonal scales in a glaciated Alpine catchment (Bossons glacier, Mont Blanc massif, France)
Authors: Guillon Hervé , Mugnier Jean‐Louis , Buoncristiani Jean‐François 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe sediment yields of Alpine catchments are commonly determined from streamload measurements made some distance downstream from glaciers. However, this approach indiscriminately integrates erosion processes occurring in both the glacial and proglacial areas. A specific method is required to ascertain the respective inputs from (i) subglacial and supraglacial sediments, (ii) proglacial hillslopes and (iii) proglacial alluvial areas or sandurs. This issue is addressed here by combining high‐resolution monitoring (2 min) of suspended sediment concentrations at different locations within a catchment with discharge gauging and precipitation data. This methodological framework is applied to two proglacial streams draining the Bossons glacier (Mont Blanc massif, France): the Bossons and Crosette streams. For the Bossons stream, discharge and suspended load data were acquired from June to October 2013 at 1.15 and 1.5 km from the glacial terminus, respectively upstream and downstream from a small valley sandur. These hydro‐sedimentary data are compared with the Crosette stream dataset acquired at the outlet of the Bossons glacier subglacial drainage system. A fourfold analysis focusing on seasonal changes in streamload and discharge, multilinear regression modelling, evaluation of the sandur flux balance and probabilistic uncertainty assessment is used to determine the catchment sediment budget and to explain the proglacial sediment dynamics. The seasonal fluctuation of the sediment signal observed is related to the gradual closing of the subglacial drainage network and to the role of the proglacial area in the sediment cascade: the proglacial hillslopes appear to be disconnected from the main channel and the valley sandur acts as a hydrodynamic sediment buffer both daily and seasonally. Our findings show that an understanding of proglacial sediment dynamics can help in evaluating paraglacial adjustment and subglacial erosion processes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality competition and hospital mergers—An experiment
Authors: Han Johann , Kairies‐Schwarz Nadja , Vomhof Markus 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOn the basis of a Salop model with regulated prices, we investigate quality provision behaviour of competing hospitals before and after a merger. For this, we use a controlled laboratory experiment where subjects decided on the level of treatment quality as head of a hospital. We find that the post‐merger average quality is significantly lower than the average pre‐merger quality. However, for merger insiders and outsiders, average quality choices are significantly higher than predicted for pure profit‐maximising hospitals. This upward deviation is potentially driven by altruistic behaviour towards patients. Furthermore, we find that in the case where sufficient cost synergies are realised by the merged hospitals, there is a significant increase in average quality choices compared to the scenario without synergies. Finally, we find that our results do not change when comparing individual decisions to team decisions.
Separation of prescription and treatment in health care markets: A laboratory experiment
Authors: Greiner Ben , Zhang Le , Tang Chengxiang 
Published: December 2017

SummaryHealth care is a credence good, and its market is plagued by asymmetric information. In this paper, we use a laboratory experiment to test the performance of a potential remedy discussed in the applied literature, the separation of prescription and treatment activities. We observe a significant amount of overtreatment (and a smaller nonpredicted amount of undertreatment) in our baseline environment. Requiring a different than the treating physician to provide diagnosis and prescription for free is an effective way to reduce overtreatment in our laboratory setting. This effect, however, is partially offset by an increased frequency of undertreatment. Allowing prescription and treatment physicians to independently set prices for their services reduces efficiency due to coordination failures: In sum, prices are often higher than expected benefit of patients, who in turn do not attend to the physician. Also contrary to theory, bargaining power does not play a significant role for the distribution of profits between physicians.
Behavioral responses to surveys about nicotine dependence
Authors: Harrison Glenn W. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBehavioral responses to surveys can significantly affect inferences about population prevalence unless correctly modeled statistically. An important case study is the prevalence of nicotine dependence, a formal psychiatric disorder satisfying clinical criteria. Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions in the United States are used, along with a flexible semi‐nonparametric sample selection model. Corrections for sample selection responses to “gateway” survey questions lead to significantly higher estimates of the prevalence of nicotine dependence among current daily smokers. These corrections also imply even higher levels of the decades‐long and lifetime‐long persistence of nicotine dependence after the onset of smoking.