bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction in Women with Overweight or Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Raja‐Khan Nazia , Agito Katrina , Shah Julie , Stetter Christy M. , Gustafson Theresa S. , Socolow Holly , Kunselman Allen R. , Reibel Diane K. , Legro Richard S. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and cardiometabolic effects of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) in women with overweight or obesity.MethodsEighty‐six women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 were randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR or health education and followed for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was the Toronto Mindfulness Scale. Secondary outcomes included the Perceived Stress Scale‐10, fasting glucose, and blood pressure.ResultsCompared to health education, the MBSR group demonstrated significantly improved mindfulness at 8 weeks (mean change from baseline, 4.5 vs. −1.0; P = 0.03) and significantly decreased perceived stress at 16 weeks (−3.6 vs. −1.3, P = 0.01). In the MBSR group, there were significant reductions in fasting glucose at 8 weeks (−8.9 mg/dL, P = 0.02) and at 16 weeks (−9.3 mg/dL, P = 0.02) compared to baseline. Fasting glucose did not significantly improve in the health education group. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, weight, or insulin resistance in the MBSR group.ConclusionsIn women with overweight or obesity, MBSR significantly reduces stress and may have beneficial effects on glucose. Future studies demonstrating long‐term cardiometabolic benefits of MBSR will be key for establishing MBSR as an effective tool in the management of obesity.
Distributed discrete‐time optimization algorithms with applications to resource allocation in epidemics control
Authors: Ramírez‐Llanos Eduardo , Martínez Sonia 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThis work presents and analyzes 2 novel distributed discrete‐time nonlinear algorithms to solve a class of decentralized resource allocation problems. The algorithms allow an interconnected group of agents to collectively minimize a global cost function under inequality and equality constraints. Under some technical conditions, it is shown that the first proposed algorithm converges asymptotically to the desired equilibrium, while the second one converges to the solution in a practical way as long as the stepsize chosen is sufficiently small. Of particular interest is that the algorithms are designed to be robust to temporary errors in communication or computation. In addition, agents do not require global knowledge of total resources in the network or any specific procedure for initialization and the cost function is not required to be separable. The convergence of the algorithms is established via nonsmooth Lyapunov analysis. Finally, we illustrate the applicability of our strategies on a virus mitigation problem over computer and human networks.
The Dilemma of “Managing for Results” in China: Won't Let Go
Authors: Mei Ciqi , Pearson Margaret M. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryWhile China is not often thought of as a prime location for implementation of “managing for results” mechanisms of New Public Management, in fact, the reform era leadership—consistent with implementation of many market mechanisms in the economy—initiated cadre management principles imbued with results‐based techniques. This article discusses how dilemmas inherent in MFR principles play out in China's institutional context. It examines an understudied “punishing for results” technique employed in China, the “hold‐to‐account” system, and demonstrates how this punishment technique reveals inherent dilemmas that also can be expected if applied in other state‐centric developing countries. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Humic acid particle embedded super porous gum Arabic cryogel network for versatile use
Authors: Suner Selin Sagbas , Sahiner Nurettin 
Published: July 2017

Super porous gum Arabic (GA) cryogels were synthesized by crosslinking of natural GA with divinyl sulfone at cryogenic conditions, −20°C for potential biomedical applications. Humic acid (HA) nanoparticles were also prepared by using degradable and biocompatible crosslinkers such as trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether, poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether, and trisodium trimetaphosphate in a single step and then entrapped within GA cryogel network as GA/HA particle cryogel. Furthermore, GA/HA cryogel was used as a template for Ag, Cu, and Fe nanoparticle preparation, and their antimicrobial properties were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis strains. The minimum inhibition concentration values of Ag and Cu nanoparticle‐loaded GA/HA cryogel composites were determined as 10 mg mL−1. Furthermore, the blood compatibility tests such as hemolysis and blood clotting indexes were determined for GA cryogels and found to be more compatible with 0.08 ± 0.01% hemolysis and 89.4 ± 6.1 blood clotting values, whereas the hemolysis of the Ag, Cu, and Fe nanoparticle‐loaded GA/HA Ag, Cu, and Fe metal nanoparticle cryogel composites decreased in the order of Fe > Cu > Ag nanoparticles.
Significant association between TNFAIP3 inactivation and biased immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region 4‐34 usage in mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
Authors: Moody Sarah , Escudero‐Ibarz Leire , Wang Ming , Clipson Alexandra , Ochoa Ruiz Eguzkine , Dunn‐Walters Deborah , Xue Xuemin , Zeng Naiyan , Robson Alistair , Chuang Shih‐Sung , Cogliatti Sergio , Liu Hongxiang , Goodlad John , Ashton‐Key Margaret , Raderer Markus , Bi Yingwen , Du Ming‐Qing 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBoth antigenic drive and genetic change play critical roles in the development of mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, but neither alone is sufficient for malignant transformation, and lymphoma development critically depends on their cooperation. However, which of these different events concur and how they cooperate in MALT lymphomagenesis is totally unknown. To explore this, we investigated somatic mutations of 17 genes and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region (IGHV) usage in 179 MALT lymphomas from various sites. We showed that: (1) there was a significant association between the biased usage of IGHV4‐34 (binds to the carbohydrate I/i antigens) and inactivating mutation of TNFAIP3 [encoding a global negative regulator of the canonical nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathway] in ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma; (2) IGHV1‐69 was significantly overrepresented (54%) in MALT lymphoma of the salivary gland, but was not associated with mutation in any of the 17 genes investigated; and (3) MALT lymphoma lacked mutations that are frequently seen in other B‐cell lymphomas characterized by constitutive NF‐κB activities, including mutations in CD79B, CARD11, MYD88, TNFRSF11A, and TRAF3. Our findings show, for the first time, a significant association between biased usage of autoreactive IGHV and somatic mutation of NF‐κB regulators in MALT lymphoma, arguing for their cooperation in sustaining chronic B‐cell receptor signalling and driving oncogenesis in lymphoma development. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tailoring electrical and thermal properties of polymethyl methacrylate‐carbon nanotubes composites through polyaniline and dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid impregnation
Authors: Bashir Farrukh , Hussain Tajamal , Mujahid Adnan , Shehzad Khurram , Raza Muhammad Aamir , Zahid Muhammad , Athar Muhammad Makshoof 
Published: July 2017

A series of composites of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) with polyaniline‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (PANI‐CNTs) as filler I and dodecyl benzene sulphonic acid‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (DBSA‐CNTs) as filler II are developed by solution mixing method. Composites are characterized for morphological, electrical, and thermal properties to study effect of two different types of additives, PANI, and DBSA. Furthermore, their influence on dispersion of CNTs is also studied. Electrical percolation behavior of both composites series is investigated through dielectric and conductivity measurements. Sharp insulators to conductor transition curves are obtained for filler I and II, with conductivity of 5.6 S cm−1 at 2 wt% of CNTs and 2 S cm−1 at 3 wt% of CNTs, respectively. High dielectric constant is observed for filler I as compared to filler II due to the formation of comparatively big clusters of filler I than II. Theoretically calculated percolation threshold was found to be 1.3 wt% for filler I and 0.8 wt% for filler II in the matrix with exponent constants 2.4 and 1.25, respectively. Thermal stability of PMMA composites, containing filler II, indicated an impressive increase by 72°C onset and 55°C in complete degradation temperature as compared to pure PMMA. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1052–E1059, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Buckypaper of polyvinyl chloride/p‐phenylenediamine modified graphite and PVC/graphite via resin infiltration technique
Authors: Khan Zaheen Ullah , Kausar Ayesha , Zhang Dengsong , Shi Liyi , Ullah Hidayat , Khan Wasid Ullah 
Published: July 2017

Resin‐infiltration technique has been employed as a versatile method to improve nanofiller dispersion in matrix. In this article, fabrication of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/p‐phenylenediamine (PPD)/functional graphite (F‐G) and PVC/F‐G composite paper have been reported through resin‐infiltration techniques. Synthesis and characterization of PVC/PPD/F‐G and PVC/F‐G composite papers for enhanced structural, morphological, thermal, hardness, wettability, and conductivity properties have been studied. Moreover, the effect of increasing amount of F‐G and PPD/F‐G nanofiller on composite paper properties was scrutinized and compared. Transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy depicted better graphite nanofiller dispersion in PVC matrix and network formation in PVC/PPD/F‐G composite paper. Maximum degradation temperature (Tmax) of PVC/PPD/F‐G 0.08 composite paper (517°C) was found higher than PVC/F‐G 0.08 composite paper (484°C). Dynamic contact angle analysis shows that the PVC/PPD/F‐G and PVC/F‐G composite papers have better surface wettability than neat PVC. PVC/PDD/F‐G 0.1 and PVC/F‐G 0.1 composite papers possess high microhardness values up to 39.67 and 32.76 Hv, respectively. Electrical conductivity of 8.97 × 10−3 and 5.89 × 10−3 S m−1 was observed for 0.08 wt% PPD/F‐G and F‐G loaded samples. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4176–4187, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Record 1.0 V open‐circuit voltage in wide band gap chalcopyrite solar cells
Authors: Larsson Fredrik , Nilsson Nina Shariati , Keller Jan , Frisk Christopher , Kosyak Volodymyr , Edoff Marika , Törndahl Tobias 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTandem solar cell structures require a high‐performance wide band gap absorber as top cell. A possible candidate is CuGaSe2, with a fundamental band gap of 1.7 eV. However, a significant open‐circuit voltage deficit is often reported for wide band gap chalcopyrite solar cells like CuGaSe2. In this paper, we show that the open‐circuit voltage can be drastically improved in wide band gap p‐Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and p‐CuGaSe2 devices by improving the conduction band alignment to the n‐type buffer layer. This is accomplished by using Zn1−xSnxOy, grown by atomic layer deposition, as a buffer layer. In this case, the conduction band level can be adapted to an almost perfect fit to the wide band gap Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CuGaSe2 materials. With an improved buffer band alignment for CuGaSe2 absorbers, evaporated in a 3‐stage type process, we show devices exhibiting open‐circuit voltages up to 1017 mV, and efficiencies up to 11.9%. This is to the best of our knowledge the highest reported open‐circuit voltage and efficiency for a CuGaSe2 device. Temperature‐dependent current‐voltage measurements show that the high open‐circuit voltage is explained by reduced interface recombination, which makes it possible to separate the influence of absorber quality from interface recombination in future studies.
Optical differentiation between quadruplex DNA and duplex DNA with a [2.2.2]heptamethinecyanine dye
Authors: Ihmels Heiko , Mahmoud Mohamed M.A. , Patrick Brian O. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe interactions between the trinuclear cyanine all‐trans‐2,2'‐[3‐[(1,3‐dihydro‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐2H‐indol‐2‐ylidene)ethylidene]‐1,4‐pentadiene‐1,5‐diyl]‐bis[1,3,3‐trimethyl]‐3H‐indolium with representative G4‐DNA sequences, namely, 22AG [d(AG3T2AG3T2AG3T2AG3)], c‐myc [d(TGAG3TG3TAG3TG3TA2)], c‐kit [d(AG3AG3CGCTG3AG2AG3)], and a2 [d(ACAG4TGTG4ACAG4TGTG4)] and with double‐stranded DNA, ct DNA and ds26 [d(CA2TCG2ATCGA2T2CGATC2GAT2G)], are studied by photometric and fluorimetric titrations, CD‐spectroscopic analysis, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the heptamethine cyanine binds to quadruplex DNA by terminal π‐stacking and to duplex DNA by aggregation along the DNA backbone. The ligand does not bind selectively to quadruplex DNA as compared with duplex DNA, but the two DNA forms can be differentiated with this ligand based on the different development of its absorption and emission properties upon ligand‐DNA association.
Body image mediates the effect of cancer‐related stigmatization on depression: A new target for intervention
Authors: Esser Peter , Mehnert Anja , Johansen Christoffer , Hornemann Beate , Dietz Andreas , Ernst Jochen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveBecause cancer‐related stigmatization is prevalent but difficult to change, research on its impact on psychological burden and respective intervening variables is needed. Therefore, we investigated the effect of stigmatization on depressive symptomatology and whether body image mediates this relationship.MethodsThis bicentric study assessed patients of 4 major tumor entities. We measured stigmatization (SIS‐D), depressive symptomatology (PHQ‐9), and body image (FKB‐20). Applying multiple mediator analyses, we calculated the total effect of stigmatization on depressive symptomatology and the indirect effects exerted via the 2 body image scales rejecting body evaluation and vital body dynamics.ResultsAmong the 858 cancer patients recruited (breast: n = 297; prostate: n = 268; colorectal: n = 168; lung: n = 125), stigmatization showed total effects on depressive symptomatology across all stigma dimensions (all ptotal sample < .001). Except for lung cancer patients, this result was replicated for each cancer group. Body image as a whole was shown to mediate the effect across all samples (γtotal sample = .04, 95%‐CI: 0.03‐0.06). Among the total sample and prostate cancer patients, the mediating effect of rejecting body evaluation was significantly larger than the effect of vital body dynamics (dtotal sample = .02, 95%‐CI: 0.01‐0.04).ConclusionsPerceived stigmatization is an important and generalizable risk factor for depressive symptomatology among cancer patients. Apart from interventions addressing stigmatization, improving body image could additionally help to reduce the psychological burden in stigmatized patients.
Computed tomography‐guided intraluminal brachytherapy in recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma: A clinical trial in a small group
Authors: Ma Chenying , Xu Xiaoting , Zhang Ruting , Qin Songbing , Zhou Juying 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe overall survival (OS) of lung cancer patients has been significantly extended as a consequence of chemotherapy and targeted drug utilization, which has resulted in an increase in local recurrences. The present study followed patients to evaluate the short‐term and long‐term efficacies and the safety of high‐dose rate intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) in recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma patients, and investigate the factors that influence prognosis.MethodsThe clinical records, treatment, curable effects, and adverse events of 15 patients treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China, who were diagnosed with recurrent bronchogenic cancer between 1 June 2009 and 30 September 2015 were reviewed, and survival analysis was assessed by the Kaplan–Meier method.ResultsA total of 15 recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma patients received ILBT, and information on curable effects and safety was available. The group consisted of two complete response (2/15), 11 partial response (11/15), one stable disease (1/15) and one progression disease (1/15). The response rate was 86.7% (13/15), and disease control (complete response + partial response + stable disease) was 93.3% (14/15). The dyspnea indexes of the patients decreased significantly in weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 after ILBT treatment (P < 0.001). The average post‐ILBT partial remission period was 5.27 ± 3.35 months, and the median partial remission period was 3.24 months. The combination therapy of ILBT and bronchofiberscope (P = 0.013), and a total ILBT dose of ≥20 Gy could produce a partial effective rate. The progress‐free survival of patients was 9.5 months (95% CI 12.2–16.5 months), average progress‐free survival was 15.8 ± 14.4 months, median OS was 32.0 months (95% CI 25.0–30.0 months), 1‐year OS was 93.3% (14/15), and 3‐year OS was 40.0% (6/15). The main adverse events were bronchospasm and hemoptysis (grade III); others were grade I–II.ConclusionComputed tomography‐guided ILBT is a safe, effective palliative treatment for recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma, but it requires further study in larger groups.
A solid‐state time‐temperature indicator used in chilled fresh pork monitoring
Authors: Meng Jingjing , Qian Jing , Tang Yuanyuan 
Published: July 2017

A solid‐state enzymatic time‐temperature indicator (TTI) was developed in this paper. Glucoamylase microcapsules, emulsifier, and substrate solution were mixed uniformly, then the mixture was coated on a paper and could be activated by an agar cover. Both single factors and orthogonal experiments were conducted to obtain qualified formulations whose endpoints ranged from 5 to 6 days with storage temperature maintained at 4°C. The Arrhenius activation energy (EA) of obtained TTIs was also calculated at 107, 97.5, 88.0, 107, 98.5, 87.7, and 89.7 kJ/mol. For the application of TTIs to chilled fresh pork monitoring, both the spoilage mechanism and kinetic properties of pork were studied and an EA value of 64.7 kJ/mol was obtained. After isothermal verification, a qualified TTI formulation was obtained, of which the mass of glucoamylase microcapsules was 0.02 g, the mass of amylose was 5 g, the concentration of iodine solution was 0.1M, and the thickness of agar cover was 2 mm. The time‐temperature history of chilled fresh pork can be indicated by the colour response of the TTI.
Application of paper spray ionization for explosives analysis
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Wei , Tipple Christopher A. , Yost Richard A. 
Published: July 2017

RationaleA desired feature in the analysis of explosives is to decrease the time of the entire analysis procedure, including sampling. A recently utilized ambient ionization technique, paper spray ionization (PSI), provides the possibility of combining sampling and ionization. However, an interesting phenomenon that occurs in generating negatively charged ions pose some challenges in applying PSI to explosives analysis. The goal of this work is to investigate the possible solutions for generating explosives ions in negative mode PSI.MethodsThe analysis of 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene (TNT), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX), and 1,3,5‐trinitroperhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (RDX) was performed. Several solvent systems with different surface tensions and additives were compared to determine their effect on the ionization of explosives. The solvents tested include tert‐butanol, isopropanol, methanol, and acetonitrile. The additives tested were carbon tetrachloride and ammonium nitrate.ResultsOf the solvents tested, isopropanol yielded the best results. In addition, adding ammonium nitrate to the isopropanol enhanced the analyte signal. Experimentally determined limits of detection (LODs) as low as 0.06 ng for PETN, on paper, were observed with isopropanol and the addition of 0.4 mM ammonium nitrate as the spray solution. In addition, the explosive components of two plastic explosive samples, Composition 4 and Semtex, were successfully analyzed via surface sampling when using the developed method.ConclusionsThe analysis of explosives using PSI‐MS in negative ion mode was achieved. The addition of ammonium nitrate to isopropanol, in general, enhanced the analyte signal and yielded better ionization stability. Real‐world explosive samples were analyzed, which demonstrates one of the potential applications of PSI‐MS analysis.
Robust estimation‐free decentralized prescribed performance control of nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems
Authors: Wei Caisheng , Luo Jianjun , Yin Zeyang , Wei Xing , Yuan Jianping 
Published: July 2017

SummaryIn this paper, a low‐complexity robust estimation‐free decentralized prescribed performance control scheme is proposed and analyzed for nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems in the presence of unknown nonlinearity and external disturbance. To tackle the high‐order dynamics of each tracking error subsystem, a time‐varying stable manifold involving the output tracking error and its high‐order derivatives is constructed, which is strictly evolved within the envelope of user‐specialized prescribed performance. Sequentially, a robust decentralized controller is devised for each manifold, under which the output tracking error and its high‐order derivatives are proven to converge asymptotically to a small residual domain with prescribed fast convergence rate. Additionally, no specialized approximation technique, adaptive scheme, and disturbance observer are needed, which alleviates the complexity and difficulty of robust decentralized controller design dramatically. Finally, 3 groups of illustrative examples are used to validate the effectiveness of the proposed low‐complexity robust decentralized control scheme for uncertain nonaffine nonlinear large‐scale systems.
The Road Map for Megakaryopoietic Lineage from Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Authors: Nishikii Hidekazu , Kurita Naoki , Chiba Shigeru 
Published: July 2017

Summary
Megakaryocytes (Mgks) are terminally differentiated blood cells specified to produce platelets, whereas hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are the most undifferentiated blood cells that retain multipotency to produce all kinds of blood cells. As such, these two cell types reside at the bottom and the top of the hematopoietic hierarchy, respectively. In spite of this distance, they share several important cell surface molecules as well as transcription factors.
In the conventional step-wise differentiation model, HSCs gradually lose their self-renewal capacity and differentiate into multipotent progenitors (MPPs), which is the first branch point of myeloid and lymphoid lineage. In this model, common myeloid progenitors can differentiate into bipotent Mgk/erythroid progenitors (MEPs), and MEPs eventually differentiate into unipotent mature Mgks. However, it has been recently reported that a subpopulation within the HSC and MPP compartments demonstrates an Mgk-biased differentiation potential. These reports imply that revisions to the HSC-to-Mgk differentiation pathway should be discussed. In this review, we summarize recent findings about Mgk differentiation from HSCs and discuss future directions in this research field.