bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of phytosanitary irradiation and methyl bromide fumigation on the physical, sensory, and microbiological quality of blueberries and sweet cherries
Authors: Thang Karen , Au Kimberlee , Rakovski Cyril , Prakash Anuradha
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to determine whether irradiation could serve as a suitable phytosanitary treatment alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for blueberries and sweet cherry and also to determine the effect of phytosanitary irradiation treatment on survival of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on these fruit. ‘Bluecrop’ blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) and ‘Sweetheart’ cherries (Prunus avium) were irradiated at 0.4 kGy or fumigated with methyl bromide and evaluated for quality attributes during storage.

RESULTS

Irradiation caused an immediate decrease in firmness of both fruit without further significant change during storage. Fumigated fruit, in contrast, softened by 11–14% during storage. Irradiation did not adversely affect blueberry and cherry shelf‐life. MB fumigation did not impact blueberry and cherry quality attributes initially; however, fumigated fruit exhibited greater damage and mold growth than the control and irradiated samples during storage. Irradiation at 400 Gy resulted in a ∼1 log CFU g−1 reduction in Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes counts, indicating that this treatment cannot significantly enhance safety.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that irradiation at a target dose of 0.4 kGy for phytosanitary treatment does not negatively impact blueberry and cherry quality and can serve as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Extraction and characterization of triglycerides from coffeeweed and switchgrass seeds as potential feedstocks for biodiesel production
Authors: Armah‐Agyeman Grace , Gyamerah Michael , Biney Paul O , Woldesenbet Selamawit
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Although switchgrass has been developed as a biofuel feedstock and its potential for bioethanol and bio‐oil from fast pyrolysis reported in the literature, the use of the seeds of switchgrass as a source of triglycerides for biodiesel production has not been reported. Similarly, the potential for extracting triglycerides from coffeeweed (an invasive plant of no current economic value) needs to be investigated to ascertain its potential economic use for biodiesel production.

RESULTS

The results show that coffeeweed and switchgrass seeds contain known triglycerides which are 983 and 1000 g kg−1 respectively of the fatty acids found in edible vegetable oils such as sunflower, corn and soybean oils. In addition, the triglyceride yields of 53–67 g kg−1 of the seed samples are in the range of commercial oil‐producing seeds such as corn (42 g kg−1).

CONCLUSION

The results also indicate that the two non‐edible oils could be used as substitutes for edible oil for biodiesel production. In addition, the use of seeds of switchgrass for non‐edible oil production (as a feedstock for the production of biodiesel) further increases the total biofuel yield when switchgrass is cultivated for use as energy feedstock for pyrolysis oil and biodiesel production. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Peptide retention time prediction
Authors: Moruz Luminita , Käll Lukas
Published: January 2016

Most methods for interpreting data from shotgun proteomics experiments are to large degree dependent on being able to predict properties of peptide‐ions. Often such predicted properties are limited to molecular mass and fragment spectra, but here we put focus on a perhaps underutilized property, a peptide's chromatographic retention time. We review a couple of different principles of retention time prediction,and their applications within computational proteomics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 36:615–623, 2017
Negative pressure wound therapy for the management of flaps with venous congestion
Authors: Qiu Shan Shan , Hsu Chung‐Chen , Hanna Steven Alexander , Chen Sirena Hsin‐Yu , Cheong Chon‐Fok , Lin Chih‐Hung , Chang Tommy Nai‐Jen
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The aim of this report is to evaluate the utility of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for rescuing flaps with venous congestion not attributable to a mechanical etiology and that cannot be surgically salvaged.

Patients and methods

A total of 12 patients suffered from partial or total flap congestion after pedicle or free‐flap reconstruction was included. All patients underwent NPWT between 3 and 10 days postoperatively.

Results

All congested flaps survived after the application of NPWT. Nine patients suffered partial flap loss and this was addressed through debridement of the devitalized tissue and primary closure. Three patients required blood transfusions during the course of their management. All patients presented complete coverage of the defects without further problems in the flaps after the treatment.

Conclusion

NPWT may be considered an alternative management strategy for flaps, which has undergone venous congestion not due to a mechanical cause. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:467–473, 2016.
Remission And relapse of myasthenia gravis on long‐term azathioprine: An ambispective study
Authors: Gupta Anirban , Goyal Vinay , Srivastava Achal Kumar , Shukla Garima , Behari Madhuri
Published: January 2016

Introduction: Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used in myasthenia gravis (MG). Treatment may be prolonged, entailing significant risks and avoidable costs. Methods: We reviewed remission, relapse, and side‐effect profiles in MG patients on AZA during treatment and after tapering off. We conducted an ambispective study and analyzed remission, relapse rates, and side‐effect profiles in 117 MG patients on AZA. Results: Thirty‐nine patients (33.3%) achieved remission, and 36 (30.8%) achieved complete stable remission (CSR), with a 33% relapse rate. No AZA side effects were seen in 95 (81%) patients. Only duration of disease of >10 years (odds ratio 9.5, 95% confidence interval 2.4–36.9, P = 0.001) was significantly associated with remission. Conclusions: AZA is well tolerated by MG patients, and about 30% go into CSR on long‐term AZA. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 405–412, 2016
Ephaptic transmission from type ii afferents to static γ and β efferents causes complex repetitive discharge: An hypothesis
Authors: Partanen Juhani V.
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Complex repetitive discharges (CRDs) are thought to result from depolarization of a single denervated muscle fiber, followed by ephaptic spread to adjacent fibers. This leads to cyclic spread of the depolarization to produce a recurrent discharge. Another explanation is suggested.

Methods

CRDs were recorded with single and multiple electromyographic needles longitudinal to muscle fibers in 39 neuropathy patients.

Results

The mean frequency of CRDs was 26 Hz, mean number of negative spikes was 5.4, and blocking of spikes occurred in 53% of CRDs. In multi‐needle recordings most CRDs were local, but propagation of the discharge was sometimes observed.

Conclusions

The prevailing hypothesis of CRDs cannot explain local CRDs. Type II afferents of bag2 and chain fibers branch widely in the juxtaequatorial region of muscle spindles where they may intermingle with motor terminals. Ephaptic transmission from type II afferents to static γ and β efferents may cause CRDs and fix the CRD frequency. Muscle Nerve 53: 508–512, 2016
Kinetic and reactivity distribution behaviors during curing process of carbon/epoxy composite with thermoplastic interface coatings (T800/3900‐2 prepreg) under the nonisothermal conditions
Authors: Janković Bojan
Published: January 2016

In this work, the thermal stability, the non‐isothermal cure kinetics and distributed reactivity model (DRM) for fiber reinforced resin matrix composite (T800H/3900‐2 prepreg) have been systematically analyzed using combined phenomenological and partially fundamental approaches. It has been shown that the proposed actual kinetic model (expressed through the three‐parameter Šesták‐Berggren (SB) model including the diffusion effects) more accurately describes the curing process than the idealized kinetic model (which includes only the autocatalytic reaction). Presence of diffusion phenomena that occur at elevated temperatures and higher values of the extent of cures were demonstrated and explained in detail, through the use of modified Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) equation (based on the glass transition analysis) and the Avrami crystallization theory. The DRM was demonstrated that in autocatalytic stage, the reaction of primary amine with two epoxy groups plays an important role in the overall curing process. It has been shown that condensed phase effects can lower the apparent activation energy (Ea) value of the curing process. The lifetime analysis showed that the studied T800H/3900‐2 prepreg possesses good thermal resistance, which is connected with the process including a ring‐opening addition‐type crosslinking reaction.POLYM. COMPOS., 39:201–220, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Immunoglobulin M deficiency in clozapine‐treated patients
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: January 2016

The atypical antipsychotic clozapine has demonstrated effectiveness in managing patients with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. However, the drug also affects levels of antibody‐producing cytokines and possesses immunosuppressive activity, and therefore could affect humoral immunity.1 A recent report investigated the relationship between long‐term clozapine treatment and the occurrence of selective immunoglobulin M deficiency, a rare dysgammaglobulinemia that occurs in the setting of normal T‐cell number.2
Dynamics of rotor formation in uniformly stratified two‐dimensional flow over a mountain
Authors: Sachsperger Johannes , Serafin Stefano , Grubišić Vanda
Published: January 2016

The coupling between mountain waves in the free atmosphere and rotors in the boundary layer is investigated using a two‐dimensional numerical model and linear wave theory. Uniformly stratified flow past a single mountain is examined.

Depending on background stratification and mountain width, different wave regimes are simulated, from weakly to strongly nonlinear and from hydrostatic to non‐hydrostatic. Acting in conjunction with surface friction, mountain waves cause the boundary layer to separate from the ground, causing the development of atmospheric rotors in the majority of the simulated flows.

The rotors with largest vertical extent and strongest reverse flow near the ground are found to develop when the wave field is nonlinear and moderately non‐hydrostatic, in line with linear theory predictions showing that the largest wave amplitudes develop in such conditions. In contrast, in near‐hydrostatic flows boundary‐layer rotors form even if the wave amplitude predicted by linear theory is relatively small. In such cases, rotors appear to be decoupled from the wave field aloft by low‐level wave breaking. In fact, rotor formation is caused by short‐wavelength modes propagating horizontally along an elevated and stably stratified jet below the neutrally stratified wave‐breaking region. Once formed, atmospheric rotors trigger non‐hydrostatic wave modes that can penetrate through the finite‐depth neutral layer above the jet and propagate into the free atmosphere.

In all simulated cases, non‐hydrostatic effects—i.e. sharp vertical accelerations—appear to be essential for rotor formation, regardless of the degree of hydrostaticity in the primary wave field.
Carboxylate Coordination Assisted Aggregation for Quasi‐Tetrahedral and Partial‐Dicubane [Cu4] Coordination Clusters
Authors: Mahapatra Tufan Singha , Bauzá Antonio , Dutta Debodyuti , Mishra Sabyashachi , Frontera Antonio , Ray Debashis
Published: January 2016

The reaction of three copper(II) carboxylate (R = Me, Ph and H in RCO2−) salts in MeOH with H3L resulted three [Cu4] aggregates: [Cu4(μ4‐O)(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,3‐O2CCH3)4] (1), [Cu4(μ4‐O)(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,3‐O2CPh)(PhCO2)3]⋅H2O (2⋅H2O), and [Cu4(μ3‐OH)2(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,1‐HCO2)2(HCO2)2]⋅2H2O (3⋅2H2O). Three different carboxylate groups showing varying coordination modes were responsible for the self‐aggregation of two ligand bound [Cu2(H2L)]3+ units. The [Cu4O] and [Cu4(OH)2] cores were generated from water‐derived oxido and hydroxido nucleating groups to provide quasi‐tetrahedral and partial‐dicubane topologies. In complexes 1 and 2⋅2H2O the μ1,3 bridging mode of the carboxylate bridges were responsible for the entrapment of μ4‐O unit, whereas μ1,1 bridge by formato groups resulted in trapping of two μ3‐OH units in complex 3⋅2H2O. Complex 3⋅2H2O is the first reported example of a μ1,1‐formato bridged [Cu4] aggregate. Long range van der Waals forces, in presence of hydrogen bonding interactions, also play significant role in the [Cu4] aggregation process. These have been analyzed by DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis.
Cybernetics of Value Cocreation for Product Development
Authors: Espejo Raul , Dominici Gandolfo
Published: January 2016

In marketing theory, the shift from the paradigm of value creation to value ‘cocreation’ calls for a deeper grasp of the interactions between producers and customers. Marketing studies have widely focused on the value cocreation concept, but so far, the mechanism through which consumers can be involved in the process of value cocreation through product development had found little space in marketing studies. In this theoretical paper, we aim to fill this gap and pave the way towards a better understanding of the mechanisms of value cocreation for product development through second‐order cybernetics. We conceive the market arena as a physical or virtual place where communications of value propositions produce eigenforms driving the eigenbehaviours of producers and customers towards shared meaningful objects. Based on these assumptions, we offer a framework based on the viable systems model and the law of requisite variety to shed light on processes of interaction between producers and consumers in the market arena. The proposed framework can be an effective tool for the managers involved in product design and marketing to contribute to a firm's policies by supplying a clearer picture of the systemic relations involved in the value cocreation for product innovation and product development. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autotaxin Regulates Maintenance of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells through Lysophosphatidic Acid-Mediated Autocrine Mechanism
Authors: Seo Eun Jin , Kwon Yang Woo , Jang Il Ho , Kim Dae Kyoung , Lee Soo In , Choi Eun Jung , Kim Ki-Hyung , Suh Dong-Soo , Lee Jeong Hee , Choi Kyung Un , Lee Jae Won , Mok Hyuck Jun , Kim Kwang Pyo , Matsumoto Hirotaka , Aoki Junken , Kim Jae Ho
Published: January 2016

Ovarian cancer shows high mortality due to development of resistance to chemotherapy and relapse. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been suggested to be a major contributor in developing drug resistance and relapse in ovarian cancer. In this study, we isolated CSCs through sphere culture of A2780, SKOV3, OVCAR3 epithelial ovarian cancer cells and primary ovarian cancer cells from patients. We identified heat-stable factors secreted from ovarian CSCs stimulated migration and proliferation of CSCs. Mass spectrometry and ELISA analysis revealed that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) was significantly elevated in CSC culture media compared with non-CSC culture media. Treatment of CSCs with LPA resulted in augmented CSC characteristics such as sphere-forming ability, resistance to anticancer drugs, tumorigenic potential in xenograft transplantation, and high expression of CSC-associated genes, including OCT4, SOX2, and aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. Treatment of CSCs with LPA receptor 1-specific inhibitors or silencing of LPA receptor 1 expression abrogated the LPA-stimulated CSC properties. Autotaxin, an LPA-producing enzyme, is highly secreted from ovarian CSCs, and pharmacological inhibition or knockdown of autotaxin markedly attenuated the LPA-producing, tumorigenic, and drug resistance potentials of CSCs. Clinicopathological analysis showed a significant survival disadvantage of patients with positive staining of autotaxin. In addition, we further identified that AKT1 activity was upregulated in ovarian CSCs through an LPA-dependent mechanism and silencing of AKT1 expression led to suppression of CSC characteristics. These results suggest that autotaxin-LPA-LPA receptor 1-AKT1 signaling axis is critical for maintaining CSC characteristics through an autocrine loop and provide a novel therapeutic target for ovarian CSCs.
Control strategy for motor drive system of electric vehicle
Authors: Xin Xiaoshuai , Shan Haichao , Yang Yang
Published: January 2016

An induction motor drive system is widely used in electric vehicles (EVs). However, most control strategies of these EVs focus only on control of the induction motor without considering the switching of different driving conditions and the changing of motor parameters. The upper limits of the torque generated by the motor are different under different motor parameters and driving conditions, which may lead to the fluctuation of the driving torque and affect the comfort and safety of the driver. This paper proposes a vector‐control‐based flexible control strategy to deal with this problem. First, the threshold values of the automatic speed regulator (ASR) and the automatic voltage regulator (AVR) could change with respect to the state variables of the motor including the change in driving conditions and some motor parameters; second, a backward proportional integral controller, which has a dynamically adjustable threshold, is added to the output of the ASR and AVR to achieve the flexibility of driving torque. Finally, a calculator that has threshold value is added to the input of the ASR and AVR controller. The results of simulation show that the designed flexible control strategy can achieve the stability of motor current, torque, and speed during the switching of different driving conditions. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Tryptophan biosynthesis is important for resistance to replicative stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Godin Stephen K. , Lee Alison G. , Baird Jared M. , Herken Benjamin W. , Bernstein Kara A.
Published: January 2016

Acute tryptophan depletion is used to induce low levels of serotonin in the brain. This method has been widely used in psychiatric studies to evaluate the effect of low levels of serotonin, and is generally considered a safe and reversible procedure. Here we use the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to study the effects of tryptophan depletion on growth rate upon exposure to DNA‐damaging agents. Surprisingly, we found that budding yeast undergoing tryptophan depletion were more sensitive to DNA‐damaging agents such as methyl methanesulphonate (MMS) and hydroxyurea (HU). We found that this defect was independent of several DNA repair pathways, such as homologous recombination, base excision repair and translesion synthesis, and that this damage sensitivity was not due to impaired S‐phase signalling. Upon further analysis, we found that the DNA‐damage sensitivity of tryptophan depletion was likely due to impaired protein synthesis. These studies describe an important source of variance in budding yeast when using tryptophan as an auxotrophic marker, particularly on studies focusing on DNA repair, and suggest that further testing of the effect of tryptophan depletion on DNA repair in mammalian cells is warranted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair in the Elderly Patient
Authors: Oor J. E. , Koetje J. H. , Roks D. J. , Nieuwenhuijs V. B. , Hazebroek E. J.
Published: January 2016

Background

Hiatal hernias (HH) are more common among elderly patients, with an increase in incidence with advancing age. Elderly patients frequently suffer from comorbidity, causing them to have an increased risk of perioperative mortality and morbidity. The aim of this study is to assess the safety of this procedure within elderly patients.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with HH operated between July 2009 and May 2015 at two hospitals in the Netherlands specialized in antireflux surgery and HH repair. Mortality rates and short‐ and long‐term morbidity rates were compared between patients aged under 70 years and aged over 70 years.

Results

A total of 204 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic HH repair at our institutions, of whom 121 were aged under 70 years and 83 were aged over 70 years. There was no mortality intraoperatively, nor during 30‐days follow‐up. Intraoperative complications occurred in 7 patients aged 70 years and over, with no significant differences compared to the patients aged under 70. The 30‐day morbidity rate did not significantly differ between the age groups, with an overall postoperative complication rate of 9.3 %. Only length of stay (LOS) was significantly longer in the elderly patients. Performing univariate analysis, only the occurrence of intraoperative complications was associated with 30‐day morbidity.

Conclusion

In the present study, age was not associated with increased 30‐day morbidity or mortality following HH repair. Therefore, in carefully selected patients, age should not be used as an argument to withhold laparoscopic HH repair.
Production of biorenewable styrene: utilization of biomass-derived sugars and insights into toxicity
Authors: Lian Jieni , McKenna Rebekah , Rover Marjorie R , Nielsen David R , Wen Zhiyou , Jarboe Laura R
Published: January 2016

Fermentative production of styrene from glucose has been previously demonstrated in Escherichia coli. Here, we demonstrate the production of styrene from the sugars derived from lignocellulosic biomass depolymerized by fast pyrolysis. A previously engineered styrene-producing strain was further engineered for utilization of the anhydrosugar levoglucosan via expression of levoglucosan kinase. The resulting strain produced 240 ± 3 mg L−1 styrene from pure levoglucosan, similar to the 251 ± 3 mg L−1 produced from glucose. When provided at a concentration of 5 g L−1, pyrolytic sugars supported styrene production at titers similar to those from pure sugars, demonstrating the feasibility of producing this important industrial chemical from biomass-derived sugars. However, the toxicity of contaminant compounds in the biomass-derived sugars and styrene itself limit further gains in production. Styrene toxicity is generally believed to be due to membrane damage. Contrary to this prevailing wisdom, our quantitative assessment during challenge with up to 200 mg L−1 of exogenously provided styrene showed little change in membrane integrity; membrane disruption was observed only during styrene production. Membrane fluidity was also quantified during styrene production, but no changes were observed relative to the non-producing control strain. This observation that styrene production is much more damaging to the membrane integrity than challenge with exogenously supplied styrene provides insight into the mechanism of styrene toxicity and emphasizes the importance of verifying proposed toxicity mechanisms during production instead of relying upon results obtained during exogenous challenge.
Durable Late Blight Resistance in Potato Through Dynamic Varieties Obtained by Cisgenesis: Scientific and Societal Advances in the DuRPh Project
Authors: Haverkort A. J. , Boonekamp P. M. , Hutten R. , Jacobsen E. , Lotz L. A. P. , Kessel G. J. T. , Vossen J. H. , Visser R. G. F.
Published: January 2016

From 2006 through 2015, a research project on Durable Resistance in potato against Phytophthora (DuRPh) was carried out at Wageningen University and Research Centre. Its objective was to develop a proof of principle for durable resistance against late blight by cisgenesis. This public-funded project aimed at stimulating research on genetic modification and public debate on innovative genetic techniques. It was decided to clone and transfer late blight resistance (R) genes of crossable wild potato species (cisgenes) by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation without non-potato genes. A stack of multiple R genes were planned to be inserted into established varieties, thereby creating a dynamic variety in which the composition of the stacks may vary over space and time. Cisgenic plants were selected based on the expression of all inserted R genes and trueness-to-type. Within the project, 13 R genes from wild potato species were genetically mapped and three of them were cloned. Four varieties were transformed with one to three R genes. This was initially done using kanamycin resistance provided by a selectable marker gene of synthetic origin in order to quickly test the performance and stability of the introduced R genes and stacked R gene combinations. Once the functioning thereof was confirmed, marker-free transformations were conducted; thus, true cisgenic events were selected. The results about the different R genes, their chromosomal location, their specificity, the background dependence, the maximum size of a stack, its regeneration time and associated somaclonal variation frequency and its stability were studied. After selection and characterisation in the laboratory, the best cisgenic events were assessed in field trials for late blight resistance. This showed that inserted R genes were capable of turning a susceptible variety into a resistant one. Maximising longevity of the resistance was assured through resistance management research. It was shown that stacking of multiple R genes and monitoring how to deploy these stacks spatially and temporally could reduce fungicide use by over 80%. Communications through media and field demonstrations were manifold to allow public and policymakers to decide if cisgenesis is an acceptable tool to make potato farming more sustainable. Future deployment of the DuRPh strategy will depend largely on its status as a genetically modified crop or its exemption thereof. Worldwide near eradication of late blight would increase global annual potato production by close to 80 million tons, thereby contributing considerably to the needed additional global future food supply.
Absolute Stereochemistry of 1,2‐Diols from Lipids of Thermomicrobia
Authors: Lagutin Kirill , Wong Herbert , Vyssotski Mikhail , MacKenzie Andrew
Published: January 2016

1,2‐Diol based phospholipids are a well‐known feature of bacteria from the class Thermomicrobia. Since these bacteria contain only lipids with an alkyldiol‐1‐phosphate backbone instead of sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphate, it is important to elucidate the stereochemistry of the 1,2‐diols. We have studied the absolute stereochemistry of long‐chain 1,2‐diols isolated from Thermorudis pharmacophila (formerly known as Thermomicrobia sp. WKT50.2) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) using α‐methoxyphenylacetic acid (MPA). Low‐temperature (−60 °C) NMR of bis‐(R)‐MPA ester showed (R) stereochemistry of the 1,2‐diols. This is the first report concerning the stereochemistry of natural 1,2‐diols, which replace the glyceride moiety in phospholipids. The (R) stereochemistry of the diols is expected as it is the same configuration as for the common bacterial lipid backbone—sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphate. This is the first application of low‐temperature NMR of a single MPA derivative for assignment of stereochemistry of natural 1,2‐diols. The results were confirmed by the comparison of NMR data with bis‐(R)‐MPA ester of (R) and rac‐1,2‐octanediol.
Three‐arm age‐matched retrospective cohort study of obstetric outcomes of donor oocyte pregnancies
Authors: Jeve Yadava B. , Potdar Neelam , Opoku Albert , Khare Manjiri
Published: January 2016

Objective

To evaluate and compare obstetric complications between women who conceived after oocyte donation and age‐matched control women who conceived spontaneously or by autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, data were assessed from all women who conceived after oocyte donation and delivered a live neonate after 24 weeks of pregnancy between January 2007 and December 2014 at a UK hospital. Two age‐matched control groups—one containing women who conceived after autologous IVF and the other containing women who conceived spontaneously—were used for comparison. The primary study outcome was hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pregnancy‐induced hypertension and pre‐eclampsia). Multivariate analysis was performed by logistic regression.

Results

Each group included 45 women. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy affected 15 (33%) women in the study group, 3 (7%) women who conceived after autologous IVF, and 3 (7%) who conceived spontaneously. The risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy was significantly higher in the donor oocyte group (odds ratio 5.85, 95% confidence interval 1.42–23.9; P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Women who conceived after oocyte donation had an increased risk of hypertensive disorders. Oocyte donation should be managed as an independent risk factor, and couples should be counselled appropriately.
Molecular pathogenesis of long QT syndrome type 2
Authors: Smith Jennifer L. , Anderson Corey L. , Burgess Don E. , Elayi Claude S. , January Craig T. , Delisle Brian P.
Published: January 2016

The molecular mechanisms underlying congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) are now beginning to be understood. New insights into the etiology and therapeutic strategies are emerging from heterologous expression studies of LQTS‐linked mutant proteins, as well as inducible pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC‐CMs) from LQTS patients. This review focuses on the major molecular mechanism that underlies LQTS type 2 (LQT2). LQT2 is caused by loss of function (LOF) mutations in KCNH2 (also known as the human Ether‐à‐go‐go‐Related Gene or hERG). Most LQT2‐linked mutations are missense mutations and functional studies suggest that ~90% of them disrupt the intracellular transport (trafficking) of KCNH2‐encoded Kv11.1 proteins to the cell membrane. Trafficking deficient LQT2 mutations disrupt Kv11.1 protein folding and misfolded Kv11.1 proteins are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) until they are degraded in the ER associated degradation pathway (ERAD). This review focuses on the quality control mechanisms in the ER that contribute to the folding and ERAD of Kv11.1 proteins; the mechanism for ER export of Kv11.1 proteins in the secretory pathway; different subclasses of trafficking deficient LQT2 mutations; and strategies being developed to mitigate or correct trafficking deficient LQT2‐related phenotypes.
Putin’s Russia as a fascist political system
Authors: Motyl Alexander J.
Published: January 2016

There is a broad consensus among students of contemporary Russia that the political system constructed by Vladimir Putin is authoritarian and that he plays a dominant role in it. By building and expanding on these two features and by engaging in a deconstruction and reconstruction of the concept of fascism, this article suggests that the Putin system may plausibly be termed fascist. Not being a type of group, disposition, politics, or ideology, fascism may be salvaged from the conceptual confusion that surrounds it by being conceived of as a type of authoritarian political system. Fascism may be defined as a popular fully authoritarian political system with a personalistic dictator and a cult of the leader—a definition that makes sense conceptually as well as empirically, with respect to Putin’s Russia and related fascist systems.
Putting hell first: cruelty, historicism, and the missing moral theory of damnation
Authors: Perry John
Published: January 2016

Recent work on the morality of hell spans the various subdisciplines of theology, with the ironic exception of theological ethics. An adequate defence of hell requires a positive account of how God's eternally tormenting some humans is beautiful, just and worthy of worship. This suggests a short-term and long-term task. The short-term task, which this article pursues, tests whether an adequate moral theory is available by evaluating three possible candidates, the third of which is the most interesting, as it offers a historicist defence of hell: we believe hell is cruel only because of aversions to cruel and unusual punishment that emerged in modernity. Nonetheless, all three defences are inadequate, suggesting a longer term goal: we need either better moral theories or better accounts of hell, as well as greater analytic clarity regarding theological statements of the form,I want doctrineyto be true but believe doctrinexis true.
Political Centralization, Federalism, and Urban Development: Evidence from US and Canadian Capital Cities
Authors: Kim Sukkoo , Law Marc T.
Published: January 2016

A growing empirical literature links political centralization with urban development. In this paper we present evidence showing how different patterns of political centralization in the United States and Canada affected urban agglomeration during the twentieth century, with a specific focus on the impact on the population of capital cities. Using data on Canadian and US cities and metropolitan areas, we find that the national capital effect on population grew over time in both countries but more so in the United States whereas the subnational (i.e., provincial or state) capital effect rose much more significantly in Canada than in the United States, controlling for other factors like geography and climate. We argue that these patterns in the national and subnational capital city effects reflect different trends in federalism in the two countries. In the United States, the Jeffersonian-Jacksonian tradition of states’ rights and localism was transformed into a more nationally centralized form of federalism during the Progressive Era, but states and localities continued to retain significant autonomy. In Canada, federalism came to favor provincial rights but not localism. We believe that that these diverging trends were driven by institutional differences that gave the various levels of governments in Canada and the United States different access to revenue sources.
Ultralow-power switching via defect engineering in germanium telluride phase-change memory devices
Authors: Nukala Pavan , Lin Chia-Chun , Composto Russell , Agarwal Ritesh
Published: January 2016

Crystal–amorphous transformation achieved via the melt-quench pathway in phase-change memory involves fundamentally inefficient energy conversion events; and this translates to large switching current densities, responsible for chemical segregation and device degradation. Alternatively, introducing defects in the crystalline phase can engineer carrier localization effects enhancing carrier–lattice coupling; and this can efficiently extract work required to introduce bond distortions necessary for amorphization from input electrical energy. Here, by pre-inducing extended defects and thus carrier localization effects in crystalline GeTe via high-energy ion irradiation, we show tremendous improvement in amorphization current densities (0.13–0.6 MA cm−2) compared with the melt-quench strategy (∼50 MA cm−2). We show scaling behaviour and good reversibility on these devices, and explore several intermediate resistance states that are accessible during both amorphization and recrystallization pathways. Existence of multiple resistance states, along with ultralow-power switching and scaling capabilities, makes this approach promising in context of low-power memory and neuromorphic computation.
A systematic comparison of sugar content in low-fat vs regular versions of food
Authors: Nguyen P K , Lin S , Heidenreich P
Published: January 2016

Obesity remains a significant public health concern. One of the primary messages from providers and health-care organizations is to eat healthier foods with lower fat. Many in the lay press, however, have suggested that lower fat versions of foods contain more sugar. To our knowledge, a systematic comparison of the sugar content in food with lower fat alternatives has not been performed. In this study, we compared fat free, low fat and regular versions of the same foods using data collected from the USDA National Nutrient Database. We found that the amount of sugar is higher in the low fat (that is, reduced calorie, light, low fat) and non-fat than ‘regular’ versions of tested items (Friedman P=0.00001, Wilcoxon P=0.0002 for low fat vs regular food and P=0.0003 for non-fat vs regular food). Our data support the general belief that food that is lower in fat may contain more sugar.
Waveguide Characterization of S-Band Microwave Mantle Cloaks for Dielectric and Conducting Objects
Authors: Vitiello Antonino , Moccia Massimo , Papari Gian Paolo , D’Alterio Giuliana , Vitiello Roberto , Galdi Vincenzo , Andreone Antonello
Published: January 2016

We present the experimental characterization of mantle cloaks designed so as to minimize the electromagnetic scattering of moderately-sized dielectric and conducting cylinders at S-band microwave frequencies. Our experimental setup is based on a parallel-plate waveguide system, which emulates a two-dimensional plane-wave scattering scenario and allows the collection of near-field maps as well as more quantitative assessments in terms of global scattering observables (e.g., total scattering width). Our results, in fairly good agreement with full-wave numerical simulations, provide a further illustration of the mantle- cloak mechanism, including its frequency-sensitivity and confirm its effectiveness both in restoring the near-field impinging wavefront around the scatterer and in significantly reducing the overall scattering.
Experimental Observation of Bohr’s Nonlinear Fluidic Surface Oscillation
Authors: Moon Songky , Shin Younghoon , Kwak Hojeong , Yang Juhee , Lee Sang-Bum , Kim Soyun , An Kyungwon
Published: January 2016

Niels Bohr in the early stage of his career developed a nonlinear theory of fluidic surface oscillation in order to study surface tension of liquids. His theory includes the nonlinear interaction between multipolar surface oscillation modes, surpassing the linear theory of Rayleigh and Lamb. It predicts a specific normalized magnitude of 0.416η2 for an octapolar component, nonlinearly induced by a quadrupolar one with a magnitude of η much less than unity. No experimental confirmation on this prediction has been reported. Nonetheless, accurate determination of multipolar components is important as in optical fiber spinning, film blowing and recently in optofluidic microcavities for ray and wave chaos studies and photonics applications. Here, we report experimental verification of his theory. By using optical forward diffraction, we measured the cross-sectional boundary profiles at extreme positions of a surface-oscillating liquid column ejected from a deformed microscopic orifice. We obtained a coefficient of 0.42 ± 0.08 consistently under various experimental conditions. We also measured the resonance mode spectrum of a two-dimensional cavity formed by the cross-sectional segment of the liquid jet. The observed spectra agree well with wave calculations assuming a coefficient of 0.414 ± 0.011. Our measurements establish the first experimental observation of Bohr’s hydrodynamic theory.
A framework for the assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of threatened coastal delphinids
Authors: Wang Jingzhen , Yang Yingting , Yang Feng , Li Yuelin , Li Lianjie , Lin Derun , He Tangtian , Liang Bo , Zhang Tao , Lin Yao , Li Ping , Liu Wenhua
Published: January 2016

The massively accelerated biodiversity loss rate in the Anthropocene calls for an efficient and effective way to identify the spatial and temporal dynamics of endangered species. To this end, we developed a useful identification framework based on a case study of locally endangeredSousa chinensisby combining both LEK (local ecological knowledge) evaluation and regional boat-based survey methods. Our study investigated the basic ecological information ofSousa chinensisin the estuaries of eastern Guangdong that had previously been neglected, which could guide the future study and conservation. Based on the statistical testing of reported spatial and temporal dolphins sighting data from fishermen and the ecological monitoring analyses, including sighting rate, site fidelity and residence time estimations, some of the currentSousa chinensisunits are likely to be geographically isolated and critically endangered, which calls for much greater conservation efforts. Given the accelerated population extinction rate and increasing budgetary constraints, our survey pattern can be applied in a timely and economically acceptable manner to the spatial and temporal assessment of other threatened coastal delphinids, particularly when population distributions are on a large scale and traditional sampling methods are difficult to implement.
Colorimetric estimation of alfuzosin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparation based on computational studies
Authors: Attia Khalid A. M. , El-Abasawi Nasr M. , Abdelazim Ahmed. H.
Published: January 2016

Computational and theoretical studies were done electronically and geometrically to find a suitable, selective and sensitive coupling agent applicable for diazocoupling estimation of alfuzosin hydrochloride (ALF).
In vivo monitoring of local pH values in a live rat brain based on the design of a specific electroactive molecule for H+
Authors: Zhao Fan , Zhang Limin , Zhu Anwei , Shi Guoyue , Tian Yang
Published: January 2016

We have developed a two-channel electrochemical ratiometric biosensor for local pH determination in different regions of the rat brain with remarkable selectivity and accuracy, and report the accurate pH values.
Mimicking enzymatic systems: modulation of the performance of polymeric organocatalysts by ion-specific effects
Authors: Xu Yun , Hua Zan , Zhang Jian , Yang Jun , Cao Zhonglin , Zhang Dongyang , He Lingxin , J. Craig Vincent S. , Zhang Guangzhao , Liu Guangming
Published: January 2016

The performance of polymeric organocatalysts can be modulated by ion-specific effects based on the lessons learned from natural enzymatic systems.
Small molecule diselenide additives for in vitro oxidative protein folding
Authors: Sai Reddy Post , Metanis Norman
Published: January 2016

Small molecule diselenides were prepared and found to enhance thein vitrooxidative folding of disulfide-rich protein.
Extension of the interacting quantum atoms (IQA) approach to B3LYP level density functional theory (DFT)
Authors: Maxwell Peter , Pendás Ángel Martín , Popelier Paul L. A.
Published: January 2016

The recovery of the total molecular energy from the IQA energy components for a B3LYP wave function is now possible.
The crucial role of water in shaping low-barrier hydrogen bonds
Authors: Ruggiero Michael T. , Korter Timothy M.
Published: January 2016

Low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs) are key components in a range of chemical processes, often appearing in metal-mediated catalytic applications.
Fundamentals and applications of self-assembled plasmonic nanoparticles at interfaces
Authors: Edel Joshua B. , Kornyshev Alexei A. , Kucernak Anthony R. , Urbakh Michael
Published: January 2016

This tutorial review covers applications and fundamentals of self-assembled plasmonic nanoparticles at liquid|liquid and liquid|air interfaces.
Seasonal variation of pharmaceutical concentrations in a river/lake system in Eastern Finland
Authors: Meierjohann Axel , Brozinski Jenny-Maria , Kronberg Leif
Published: January 2016

The removal of pharmaceuticals along a river/lake system was monitored downstream of a single point source.
New dinuclear hydrido-carbonyl rhenium complexes designed as photosensitizers in dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Veronese Lorenzo , Procopio Elsa Quartapelle , De Rossi Francesca , Brown Thomas M. , Mercandelli Pierluigi , Mussini Patrizia , D'Alfonso Giuseppe , Panigati Monica
Published: January 2016

Dye-sensitized solar cells based on dinuclear hydrido-carbonyl rhenium complexes have been developed, achieving an overall solar conversion efficiency of 1.0%.
Optically active hollow nanoparticles constructed by chirally helical substituted polyacetylene
Authors: Lin Jiangfeng , Huang Huajun , Wang Mu , Deng Jianping
Published: January 2016

Hollow nanoparticles were constructed by chirally helical substituted polyacetylene and they demonstrated intriguing optical activity and high stability.
Enhancing the photovoltaic properties of low bandgap terpolymers based on benzodithiophene and phenanthrophenazine by introducing different second acceptor units
Authors: Fan Qunping , Xu Xiaopeng , Liu Yu , Su Wenyan , He Xunming , Zhang Youming , Tan Hua , Wang Yafei , Peng Qiang , Zhu Weiguo
Published: January 2016

Two D–A type random terpolymers PBDTT-PPzIID and PBDTT-PPzDPP were synthesized by copolymerizing a donor and two acceptor units. The PBDTT-PPzDPP-based device shown a PCE of 5.91%.
Implementing thermally-excited-catalytic course solely using ambient heat motivation for efficient abatement of water pollutants
Authors: Luo Xuegang , Zhang Sizhao , Ding Feng , Lin Xiaoyan
Published: January 2016

The decontamination for water pollutants has been demonstrated in darkness using thermally-excited-catalytic (TEC) pattern alone by ambient heat stimulus.
A facile approach for the synthesis of copper(ii) myristate strips and their electrochemical activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Mukherjee Indrani , Samantara Aneeya K. , Ratha Satyajit , Singh Bimal P. , Jena Bikash Kumar , Chatterjee Sriparna
Published: January 2016

Copper(ii) myristate strips, an inexpensive, straight chain compound of copper act as active electrocatalyst in oxygen reduction reaction.
MoO2nanocrystals interconnected on mesocellular carbon foam as a powerful catalyst for vanadium redox flow battery
Authors: Thu Pham Hien Thi , Jo Changshin , Lee Jinwoo , Kwon Yongchai
Published: January 2016

MoO2nanocrystals on mesocellular carbon foam are used for a high performance vanadium redox flow battery. This improves the slow reaction of the VO2+/VO2+redox couple, inducing high efficiencies with high specific capacity.
Cancer theranosis using mono-disperse, mesoporous gold nanoparticles obtained via a robust, high-yield synthetic methodology
Authors: Lee Taeksu , Bang Doyeon , Chang Yong Wook , Choi Yuna , Park Kwang Yeol , Oh Aram , Han Seungmin , Kim Sun Hee , Lee Kwangyeol , Suh Jin-Suck , Huh Yong-Min , Haam Seungjoo
Published: January 2016

Here, we introduce the facile synthesis of scalable, mono-disperse, mesoporous gold nanoparticles (MPGNs) with an acidic emulsification method, which exhibit many attractive nanoplasmonic features for potential applications in many fields.
Qualitative analysis of some alkanethiols on Au nanoparticles during SERS
Authors: Harris R. A. , Mlambo M. , Mdluli P. S.
Published: January 2016

The surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy enhancement factors (SERS EFs) for different AuNP–surfactant systems are measured and the observed trend is theoretically and qualitatively investigated.
A perspective on bioethanol production from biomass as alternative fuel for spark ignition engine
Authors: Sebayang A. H. , Masjuki H. H. , Ong Hwai Chyuan , Dharma S. , Silitonga A. S. , Mahlia T. M. I. , Aditiya H. B.
Published: January 2016

The increasing fuel consumption of fossil fuels has led to the development of alternative fuels for the future.
Amphiphobic nanocellulose-modified paper: fabrication and evaluation
Authors: Phanthong Patchiya , Guan Guoqing , Karnjanakom Surachai , Hao Xiaogang , Wang Zhongde , Kusakabe Katsuki , Abudula Abuliti
Published: January 2016

Amphiphobic nanocellulose-modified paper with high durability is successfully fabricated using a facile two-step method.
3D hierarchical Co3O4@Co3S4 nanoarrays as cathode materials for asymmetric pseudocapacitors
Authors: Liu Bo , Kong Dezhi , Zhang Jun , Wang Ye , Chen Tupei , Cheng Chuanwei , Yang Hui Ying
Published: January 2016

A Co3O4@Co3S4 nanoarray electrode is designed by a facile solution synthesis approach and investigated as a cathode material for an ASC.