bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sodium channel slow inactivation as a therapeutic target for myotonia congenita
Authors: Novak Kevin R. , Norman Jennifer , Mitchell Jacob R. , Pinter Martin J. , Rich Mark M. 
Published: December 2014

ObjectivePatients with myotonia congenita have muscle hyperexcitability due to loss‐of‐function mutations in the chloride channel in skeletal muscle, which causes spontaneous firing of muscle action potentials (myotonia), producing muscle stiffness. In patients, muscle stiffness lessens with exercise, a change known as the warmup phenomenon. Our goal was to identify the mechanism underlying warmup and to use this information to guide development of novel therapy.MethodsTo determine the mechanism underlying warmup, we used a recently discovered drug to eliminate muscle contraction, thus allowing prolonged intracellular recording from individual muscle fibers during induction of warmup in a mouse model of myotonia congenita.ResultsChanges in action potentials suggested slow inactivation of sodium channels as an important contributor to warmup. These data suggested that enhancing slow inactivation of sodium channels might offer effective therapy for myotonia. Lacosamide and ranolazine enhance slow inactivation of sodium channels and are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for other uses in patients. We compared the efficacy of both drugs to mexiletine, a sodium channel blocker currently used to treat myotonia. In vitro studies suggested that both lacosamide and ranolazine were superior to mexiletine. However, in vivo studies in a mouse model of myotonia congenita suggested that side effects could limit the efficacy of lacosamide. Ranolazine produced fewer side effects and was as effective as mexiletine at a dose that produced none of mexiletine's hypoexcitability side effects.InterpretationWe conclude that ranolazine has excellent therapeutic potential for treatment of patients with myotonia congenita. Ann Neurol 2015;77:320–332.
Asymmetric Dual‐Reagent Catalysis: Mannich‐type Reactions Catalyzed by Ion Pair
Authors: Wang Hong‐Yu , Zhang Kai , Zheng Chang‐Wu , Chai Zhuo , Cao Dong‐Dong , Zhang Jia‐Xing , Zhao Gang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe combination of a new bifunctional phosphine and an acrylate generate a zwitterion in situ and it serves as an efficient catalyst for asymmetric reactions through a homogeneous ion‐pairing mode. This new catalytic system has been successfully applied to Mannich‐type reactions to give excellent results and it demonstrates a broad substrate scope. Such reactivity is not accessible with general organophosphine catalytic modes. Preliminary investigations into the mechanism are also presented.
Beyond ethanol: a techno‐economic analysis of an integrated corn biorefinery for the production of hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals
Authors: Wang Kaige , Ou Longwen , Brown Tristan , Brown Robert C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractDried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) are potential feedstocks for the production of hydrocarbon fuels and chemicals from catalytic pyrolysis. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of a 2000‐metric‐ton‐corn‐per‐day integrated biorefinery with an add‐on facility processing corn DDGS to hydrocarbons. In addition to ethanol, the integrated facility would produce a wide range of hydrocarbons, including aromatics, olefins, and synthetic gasoline and diesel. The hydrocarbon products command a substantially higher market value than that of the pre‐processed DDGS: $109 million per year vs. $78 million per year. The add‐on DDGS conversion facility contributes an extra $152 million of capital investment compared with the stand‐alone corn ethanol production scenario. The operating costs for the integrated scenario are also higher than for the stand‐alone scenario, mainly due to increases in utilities, labor costs, and capital depreciation. The minimum fuel selling price (MFSP) for the integrated scenario is $2.27/gallon, which is comparable to the MFSP of $2.18/gallon for the stand‐alone scenario. Sensitivity analysis shows that the feedstock cost, hydrocarbon yield, and fixed capital investment have the greatest impacts on the MFSP. With the benefit of products diversity, the proposed integrated corn biorefinery may be competitive with conventional stand‐alone ethanol production. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Potentiometric detection in UPLC as an easy alternative to determine cocaine in biological samples
Authors: Daems Devin , van Nuijs Alexander L. N. , Covaci Adrian , Hamidi‐Asl Ezat , Van Camp Guy , Nagels Luc J. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe analytical methods which are often used for the determination of cocaine in complex biological matrices are a prescreening immunoassay and confirmation by chromatography combined with mass spectrometry. We suggest an ultra‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography combined with a potentiometric detector, as a fast and practical method to detect and quantify cocaine in biological samples. An adsorption/desorption model was used to investigate the usefulness of the potentiometric detector to determine cocaine in complex matrices. Detection limits of 6.3 ng mL−1 were obtained in plasma and urine, which is below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 25 ng mL−1. A set of seven plasma samples and 10 urine samples were classified identically by both methods as exceeding the MRL or being inferior to it. The results obtained with the UPLC/potentiometric detection method were compared with the results obtained with the UPLC/MS method for samples spiked with varying cocaine concentrations. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.997 for serum (n =7) and 0.977 for urine (n =8). As liquid chromatography is an established technique, and as potentiometry is very simple and cost‐effective in terms of equipment, we believe that this method is potentially easy, inexpensive, fast and reliable. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smoking and mortality after breast cancer diagnosis: the health and functioning in women study
Authors: Izano Monika , Satariano William A. , Hiatt Robert A. , Braithwaite Dejana 
Published: December 2014

AbstractWe examined the effect of smoking on long‐term mortality from breast cancer and other causes among a cohort of women with breast cancer. A total of 975 women diagnosed with breast cancer and aged 40–84 years were followed for a median follow‐up of 11 years in the U.S. Health and Functioning in Women (HFW) study. The impact of the individual smoking status and smoking intensity reported in the first few months following breast cancer diagnosis on the risk of mortality from breast cancer and other causes was examined using Cox proportional hazards models. In this study, former smoking was associated with increased risk of other‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13–1.90), and the risk doubled with increased intensity (HR for <50 pack‐years [py]: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.03–1.79; HR for ≥50 py: 2.45, 95% CI: 1.41–4.23). Current smoking (HR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.81–3.32) and each additional 10 py smoked (HR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.11–1.22) were associated with statistically significant increases in the risk of other‐cause mortality. The effect of current smoking on other‐cause mortality decreased with advancing stage and increasing body mass index (BMI). Breast cancer‐specific mortality was associated with current smoking of ≥50 py (HR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.26–4.44), and each additional 10 py smoked (HR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1. 14). Current smoking, but not former smoking, was associated with increased risk of breast cancer‐specific mortality in women with local disease (HR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.32–4.09), but not in those with regional and distant disease (HR = 1.10, 95% CI: 0.73–1.68). Our findings suggest that current smoking at the time of breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with increased risk of breast‐cancer specific and other‐cause mortality, whereas former smoking is associated with increased risk of other‐cause mortality. Smoking cessation at the time of diagnosis may lead to better prognosis among women with breast cancer.
Lithium–Air Batteries: Performance Interplays with Instability Factors
Authors: Ye Luhan , Lv Weiqiang , Cui Junyi , Liang Yachun , Wu Peng , Wang Xiaoning , He Han , Lin Senjun , Wang Wei , Dickerson James H. , He Weidong 
Published: December 2014

AbstractLithium–air batteries are considered to be promising electrochemical storage devices, due to their high specific energy density. However, instability limits their cyclic performance and rate capacity and also leads to a high overpotential; lithium–air batteries are typically characterized by capacity degradation and short cycle life. Such challenges prevent lithium–air batteries from entering and competing in the battery market. Electrodes, organic solvents, the interface between electrolyte and cathode, and ambient conditions have all been demonstrated to impact substantially the stability of the lithium–air battery. In this Minireview, we focus on electrode and electrolyte decomposition, side reactions, and physical mass transport in aprotic lithium–air batteries, as well as other types of lithium–air batteries, and aim to understand comprehensively their performance and association with instability factors.
A computational fluid dynamics comparison between different outflow graft anastomosis locations of Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) in a patient‐specific aortic model
Authors: Caruso Maria Vittoria , Gramigna Vera , Rossi Michele , Serraino Giuseppe Filiberto , Renzulli Attilio , Fragomeni Gionata 
Published: December 2014

SummaryLeft ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are mechanical supports used in case of heart failure. Little is known as the height of the anastomosis in aorta might influence the hemodynamic. The aim of the study was to evaluate the fluid dynamic behavior due to the outflow graft placement of a continuous flow LVAD in ascending aorta and to identify the insertion site with the best hemodynamic profile.Computational fluid dynamic studies were carried out to analyze 4 different anastomosis locations in a patient‐specific aorta 3D model coupled with a lumped parameters model: 1 cm (case 1), 2 cm (case 2), 3 cm (case 3) and 4 cm (case 4) above the ST junction.In cases 1 and 2, epiaortic vessels presented a steady flow, while in cases 3 and 4 the flow was whirling. Moreover, maximum velocity occurred before: brachiocephalic trunk (case 1), brachiocephalic and left carotid arteries (case 2), left carotid and left subclavian artery (case 3) and left subclavian vessel and upper wall of aortic arch (case 4). Maximum time averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) was located in: the ascending aorta (cases 1 and 2), the inferior curvature of the arch (case 3); at the origin of epiaortic vessels (case 4). Furthermore, a flow recirculation (cases 1 and 2), a blood stagnation and chaotic flow (cases 3 and 4) occurred above the aortic valve.The results suggested that the placement of the outflow graft at 2 cm above the ST junction gave the most favorable hemodynamic profile. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced Ferromagnetism in a Mn3C12N12H12 Sheet
Authors: Liu Junyi , Sun Qiang 
Published: December 2014

AbstractBased on a recent experimental study on the Ni3C12S12 sheet [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 2462] and a theoretical study on the Mn3C12S12 sheet [Nanoscale­ 2013, 5, 10404], by using density functional theory combined with a thermodynamic model, it is shown that when sulfur atoms are replaced by NH groups the resulting Mn3C12N12H12 sheet can exhibit strong ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature of 450 K. The enhanced ferromagnetism is due to two main factors: the reduced lattice constant and nitrogen is more effective in mediating magnetic couplings through p–d exchange interactions. Furthermore, it is also confirmed that the Mn3C12N12H12 sheet is kinetically and thermally stable, and displays half metallicity.
A power‐efficient 600‐mVpp voltage‐mode driver with independently matched pull‐up and pull‐down impedances
Authors: Bae Woorham , Jeong Deog‐Kyoon 
Published: December 2014

SummaryIn this study, a large‐swing, low‐power voltage‐mode driver with independently matched pull‐up and pull‐down impedances is proposed. To achieve large swing and constant impedances during a transition, a P‐over‐N structure is implemented with regulators calibrating the impedances. Two regulators are dedicated to matching the pull‐up and pull‐down impedances by regulating the supply voltages of the driver and predriver, respectively. Because background impedance calibration loops are adopted to track the process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variations, the proposed driver can operate properly without additional calibration time. To reduce the power consumption of the calibration loops, scaled replicas of the actual driver are used. Moreover, an analysis of design optimization for the proposed driver is presented. The proposed driver was fabricated in 65‐nm CMOS technology and verified at a 5‐Gb/s data rate. Measurement results show that the proposed driver has a voltage swing of 600 mVpp and a horizontal eye opening of 0.5 UI. The prototype chip consumes 6 mW at a 1.0‐V supply. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and analysis of magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer system with rectifier bridge LED load
Authors: Lu Weiguo , Zhao Mao , Zhou Luowei , Iu Herbert H. C. , Zhao Junkai 
Published: December 2014

SummaryThe system of magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer (MCR‐WPT) for a rectifier bridge light‐emitting diode (LED) load is modeled, and its transmission characteristics for different LED arrays are analyzed and validated in this paper. On the basis of the derived equivalent steady‐state circuit model consisting of the high‐frequency alternating current source, the WPT networks and the rectifier bridge LED load, transmission efficiency and transmission distance related to the LED connection forms are obtained in theory. In our concerned scheme, the total power of LED arrays is chosen as its rated one so as to guarantee a rated current of each LED. More accurate system parameters are measuring, and some theoretical results for two feasible connection forms of LED arrays are validated in experiment. The theoretical and experimental results at the two working points are consistent approximately, which validates the feasibility of the derived equivalent circuit model of the concerned MCR‐WPT system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear Transport Processes in Non‐Ideal Media
Authors: Pavlov G. A. , Troshchiev Yu. V. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe theory of non‐linear transport is elaborated to determine the Burnett transport properties of non‐ideal multielement plasma and neutral systems. The procedure of the comparison of the phenomenological conservation equations of a continuous dense medium and the microscopic equations for dynamical variables operators in the form of the generalized nonlinear Langevin equations is used for the definition of these properties. In consequence, the microscopic expressions of transport coefficients corresponding to second order thermal disturbances (temperature, mass velocity, etc.) have been found in the long‐wavelength and low frequency limits of correlations functions. Situations are considered when the use of nonlinear transport characteristics (in the Burnett approximation) significantly affects the results of modeling of hydrodynamic processes in dense charged and neutral media. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Using a Bayesian network model to assess ecological responses to hydrological factor interactions
Authors: Kath Jarrod M. , Le Brocque Andrew F. , Maron Martine 
Published: December 2014

AbstractInteractions between environmental factors can dramatically influence the relationships between a species and its environment. However, multiple types of interaction are possible, and as such, some may be overlooked. We used a Bayesian network to model the response of a riparian tree species, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., to the interactive influences of hydrological factors. We used a novel conceptual framework, which included not only synergistic and antagonistic interactions but also qualitative interactions (i.e. the effect of an environmental factor that switches from positive to negative or vice versa depending on the value of another factor). Synergistic, antagonistic and qualitative interactions were all detected in the response of E. camaldulensis to hydrological factor interactions. The predicted influence of environmental factors varied dramatically when interactions were considered. In some instances, the likelihood of a certain outcome differed by greater than 80% when interactions were considered. For example, the negative impact of grazing on E. camaldulensis was far greater in areas of deep groundwater relative to areas of shallow groundwater. Interactions also led to qualitatively different predictions (i.e. a qualitative interaction occurred). For example, frequent wetland inundation had a positive influence on tree vigour in wetlands minimally impacted by weirs, but a negative influence in wetlands close to weirs. Considering interactions may therefore substantially change understanding of ecohydrological relationships. Thinking of interactions between factors as potentially qualitative, and not only as synergistic and antagonistic, is likely to be important in situations where multiple management interventions are proposed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of odour thresholds and odour qualities of the enantiomers of 4‐mercapto‐2‐alkanones and 4‐acetylthio‐2‐alkanones
Authors: Wakabayashi Motoko , Wakabayashi Hidehiko , Nörenberg Svenja , Kubota Kikue , Engel Karl‐Heinz 
Published: December 2014

Abstract4‐Mercapto‐2‐alkanones constitute a class of naturally occurring polyfunctional thiols; 4‐mercapto‐2‐heptanone, for example, has been reported in cooked red bell pepper. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the chain length on the odour thresholds and the odour qualities of the enantiomers of these chiral volatiles. 4‐Acetylthio‐2‐pentanone and 4‐acetylthio‐2‐hexanone and the corresponding 4‐mercapto‐2‐alkanones were synthesized by the addition of thioacetic acid to 3‐alkene‐2‐ones and subsequent lipase‐catalysed hydrolysis. The absolute configurations and the gas chromatography (GC) elution order of the enantiomers on a chiral stationary phase were determined on the basis of 1H NMR anisotropy effects in combination with lipase‐catalysed enantioselective hydrolysis. These compounds were included into a homologous series of 4‐mercapto‐2‐alkanones and 4‐acetylthio‐2‐alkanones exhibiting alkyl carbon chain lengths from 5 to 10. The odour thresholds of the enantiomers were compared using capillary gas chromatography‐olfactometry (GC‐O). The odour thresholds of the mercapto‐compounds were consistently lower than those of the corresponding acetylthio‐compounds. Both series of compounds exhibited minima of the odour thresholds at alkyl carbon chain lengths of 7 and 8, respectively. Odour thresholds of the (S)‐enantiomers of 4‐mercapto‐2‐hexanone and 4‐acetylthio‐2‐hexanone were significantly lower than those of the corresponding (R)‐enantiomers. The (S)‐enantiomers of the mercapto‐compounds had more fruity and pleasant notes than the (R)‐enantiomers. Although the number of judges was limited, the comparative data demonstrate the impact of the chain length on odour thresholds and odour qualities of members of a homologous series and underline the role of the configurations for the sensory properties of chiral volatiles. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Water Transport on Swelling and Stresses in PFSA Membranes
Authors: Khattra N. S. , Santare M. H. , Karlsson A. M. , Schmiedel T. , Busby F. C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractThe mechanical durability of membranes used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) is directly linked to the stresses that evolve in the membrane during fuel cell operation. The stresses are primarily induced due to the swelling of the membrane as it absorbs water, within the mechanical constraints in the fuel cell assembly. Thus, in order to predict the membrane stresses, the water content in the perfluorosulphonic acid (PFSA) membranes is determined numerically via three different absorption models based on experimentally determined water uptake data from the literature. Two models are based on a single, humidity‐dependent Fickian transport coefficient for the bulk PFSA membrane. In the third, two transport properties are modeled to account for a possible difference in transport resistance between the bulk membrane and the outer surface. The membrane sorption behaviors characterized from these three models are then independently incorporated in a representative fuel cell finite element model and subjected to a standard relative humidity (RH) protocol designed for measuring mechanical durability of PEMFCs. The results show that the sorption behavior has a significant effect on the membrane stresses and therefore, may impact the lifetime of the membrane.
Precision‐guided sampling schedules for efficient T1ρ mapping
Authors: Johnson Casey P. , Thedens Daniel R. , Magnotta Vincent A. 
Published: December 2014

PurposeTo describe, assess, and implement a simple precision estimation framework for optimization of spin‐lock time (TSL) sampling schedules for quantitative T1ρ mapping using a mono‐exponential signal model.Materials and MethodsA method is described for estimating T1ρ precision, and a cost function based on the precision estimates is evaluated to determine efficient TSL sampling schedules. The validity of the framework was tested by imaging a phantom with various sampling schedules and comparing theoretical and experimental precision values. The method utility was demonstrated with in vivo T1ρ mapping of brain tissue using a similar procedure as the phantom experiment. To assist investigators, optimal sampling schedules are tabulated for various tissue types and an online calculator is implemented.ResultsTheoretical and experimental precision values followed similar trends for both the phantom and in vivo experiments. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of theoretical estimates of T1ρ map signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was typically 5% in the phantom experiment and 33% in the in vivo demonstration. In both experiments, optimal TSL schedules yielded greater T1ρ map SNR efficiency than typical schedules.ConclusionThe framework can be used to improve the imaging efficiency of T1ρ mapping protocols and to guide selection of imaging parameters. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:242–250. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.