bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of polyaminosiloxane on the structure and properties of modified waterborne polyurethane
Authors: Xu Chengshu , OuYang Lei , Cai Zaisheng , Ren Yan , Lu Shaofeng , Shi Wenzhao
Published: November 2018

A waterborne polyurethane (WPU) prepolymer was synthesized with poly(tetramethylene glycol) to form the soft segment, dimethylolpropionic acid as a hydrophilic chain extender, and isophorone diisocyanate. Moreover, the graft and block copolymer emulsification of WPU–polysiloxane and their films was carried out through reactions between the WPU prepolymer, aminoethyl aminopropyl dimethicone (AEAPS), and a linear polyether‐blocked amino silicone (LEPS), respectively. The properties of the structure and formed films of the WPU were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, gel permeation chromatography, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic thermomechanical analysis, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy; the measurement of the water contact angle; the testing of the water absorption; and so on. The WPU–polysiloxane emulsion showed a high stability, and the molecular weight of WPU increased. Moreover, the glass‐transition temperature (Tg) of the soft segment of polysiloxane that was incorporated into the WPU shifted to a lower temperature range, whereas the Tg of the hard segment shifted to a higher temperature range, and the crystallinity of the WPU–polysiloxane film was reduced. There was a greater degree of crosslinking and accumulation of polysiloxane segments on the surface of the WPU emulsion that was modified with AEAPS in comparison to the LEPS‐modified WPU emulsion. Therefore, the water resistance of the AEAPS‐modified WPU was higher than that of the LEPS‐modified WPU. The rigidity and elasticity of the WPU–polysiloxane film improved, whereas its tensile strength did not change much after AEAPS was used. However, this was not true after LEPS was used, as the tensile strength decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the flexibility and plasticity of the WPU–polysiloxane film were enhanced after LEPS was used. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47226.
Controlling drug delivery from polymer microspheres by exploiting the complex interrelationship of excipient and drug crystallization
Authors: Shpigel Tal , Cohen Taguri Gili , Lewitus Dan Y.
Published: November 2018

Semicrystalline polymers are often used as macromolecular excipients in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API)‐delivery systems. In such systems, the morphological structure and crystalline characteristics of the excipient have a direct impact upon the drug‐delivery rate. In this study, polycaprolactone (PCL)‐based microspheres prepared via melt‐printing were loaded with 10, 30, and 50% ibuprofen (IBU). In vitro release studies showed that, for a constant amount of IBU, the API was released fastest from the 30%‐loaded microspheres, followed by the 50%‐ and 10%‐loaded microspheres. The discrepancy in these release rates was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and thermodynamic analyses, revealing the complex morphological and crystalline interrelationships of PCL and IBU. Although it is generally accepted that the degree of crystallinity of the excipient is the main factor controlling the release of the API, we found that the crystallite size of the small‐molecule API is of primary importance. Moreover, these factors, which are controllable via the parameters used in melt‐based preparation, can be exploited to tune drug‐release rates. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47227.
Effect of thermal ratcheting on the mechanical properties of Teflon and fiber based gasket materials
Authors: Kanthabhabha Jeya Rahul Palaniappan , Bouzid Abdel‐Hakim
Published: November 2018

This paper discusses the effect of thermal ratcheting on the material properties of expand polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), virgin polytetrafluoroethylene (vPTFE), and compressed nonasbestos fiber (CNA) gasket materials. Comparison between the creep strain at constant temperature and when subjected to thermal ratcheting show a 7.7 and 28% increase in the creep strain of ePTFE and vPTFE, respectively. In addition, thermal ratcheting produces a substantial reduction of creep modulus of these materials. The CNA material does not exhibit significant change in creep strain or in creep modulus with thermal ratcheting. However, all three gasket materials show a momentous raise in the creep strain when the material temperature is reduced. On declining the gasket temperature from 212 to 100 °F at the end of 20th thermal cycle, the materials—ePTFE, vPTFE, and CNA exhibit 27, 48, and 15% increase in creep strain value, respectively. The percentage of thickness reduction raises with the increase of cyclic temperature and with increase of creep pre‐exposure time, except for CNA where only a small variation is observed. The coefficient of thermal expansion of both PTFE materials shows a significant change due to cyclic temperature and initial creep exposure. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47265.
The Belt and Road Initiative: What is in it for China?
Authors: Johnston Lauren A.
Published: November 2018

China's outbound investment exceeded inbound investment for the first time in 2015. In years leading up this transition, a maturing demographic transition alongside slowing internal migration and diminishing returns to physical capital investment, all had a role in China's diminished competitiveness in low‐wage manufactured exports and the fading of the related growth model. In that context, the 2013 launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) took place in two stages in two developing countries, Kazakhstan and Indonesia. These launch choices, and the BRI in general are herein elaborated in terms of economic history, geography, and demography. The BRI in turn is considered to be aiming to foster the ongoing development of China, and in doing so also seeks to instigate new era development opportunity for other developing countries. One facilitation channel for the latter is China's concept of “patient capital,” essentially concessional capital, or foreign aid. For China that offers a means via which to internationalise the financial sector and also the Renminbi. Lessons from China's own use of foreign aid and economic development hence serve as an important reference for ongoing scoping of the shape and trajectory of the BRI. To that end, this article sheds light on what is in the BRI for China.
Theoretical and numerical assessment of maximally allowable power‐density averaging area for conservative electromagnetic exposure assessment above 6 GHz
Authors: Neufeld Esra , Carrasco Eduardo , Murbach Manuel , Balzano Quirino , Christ Andreas , Kuster Niels
Published: November 2018

The objective of this paper is to determine a maximum averaging area for power density (PD) that limits the maximum temperature increase to a given threshold for frequencies above 6 GHz. This maximum area should be conservative for any transmitter at any distance >2 mm from the primary transmitting antennas or secondary field‐generating sources. To derive a generically valid maximum averaging area, an analytical approximation for the peak temperature increase caused by localized exposure was derived. The results for a threshold value of 1 K temperature rise were validated against simulations of a series of sources composed of electrical and magnetic elements (dipoles, slots, patches, and arrays) that represented the spectrum of relevant transmitters. The validation was successful for frequencies in which the power deposition occurred superficially (i.e., >10 GHz). In conclusion, the averaging area for a PD limit of 10 W/m2 that conservatively limits the temperature increase in the skin to less than 1 K at any distance >2 mm from the transmitters is frequency dependent, increases with distance, and ranges from 3 cm2 at <10 GHz to 1.9 cm2 at 100 GHz. In the far‐field, the area depends additionally on distance and the antenna array aperture. The correlation was found to be worse at lower frequencies (<10 GHz) and very close to the source, the systematic evaluation of which is part of another study to investigate the effect of different coupling mechanisms in the reactive near‐field on the ratio of temperature increase to incident power density. The presented model can be directly applied to any other PD and temperature thresholds. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:617–630, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of the influence of mirabilite on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of the ingredients in Dahuang‐mudan decoction by a validated UPLC/QTOF–MS/MS method
Authors: Nong Feifei , Zhao Zhongxiang , Luo Xia , Liu Chang , Li Hui , Liu Qi , Wen Bin , Zhou Lian
Published: November 2018

Dahuang‐mudan decoction (DMD) has been widely used for disease treatment in China for 1700 years. The formula consists of Rhubarb, moutan bark, Prunus persica, wax gourd kernel and mirabilite, which have been well studied by multidisciplinary approaches. However, the role of the mineral mirabilite in DMD is unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of mirabilite on the absorption and pharmacokinetics of the ingredients in DMD. The constituents were identified in DMD extract and the plasma of mirabilite–DMD (MDMD, 50 g kg−1) treated rats and nonmirabilite–DMD (NMDMD, 50 g kg−1) treated rats. The plasma was also used to investigate the effects of mirabilite on the pharmacokinetics of active ingredients in DMD using a new validated UPLC–MS/MS method. The results showed that 63 compounds were identified in the extract of DMD, 27 and 22 of which were found in the plasmas of MDMD‐ and NMDMD‐treated rats, respectively. Furthermore, the results of a pharmacokinetic study suggested that mirabilite influenced the absorption of the five constituents by decreasing the absorption of emodin and rhein while increasing the absorption of aloe‐emodin, paeoniflorin and amygdalin; the pharmacokinetic parameters, including the Tmax, Cmax, AUC0–t, MRT0–t, CLz and t1/2 of five constituents, significantly changed in MDMD‐treated rats compared with the NMDMD. The method validation for selectivity, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery and stability met the acceptance criteria. These findings uncover the roles of mirabilite in DMD and demonstrate the application of scientific principles to the study of DMD in human health care.
A transient microtubule‐based structure uncovers a new intrinsic asymmetry between the mother centrioles in the early Drosophila spermatocytes
Authors: Riparbelli Maria Giovanna , Persico Veronica , Callaini Giuliano
Published: November 2018

Parent centrioles are characterized in most organisms by individual morphological traits and have distinct asymmetries that provide different functional properties. By contrast, mother and daughter centrioles are morphologically undistinguishable during Drosophila male gametogenesis. Here we report the presence of previously unrecognized microtubule‐based structures that extend into the peripheral cytoplasm of the Drosophila polar spermatocytes at the onset of the first meiosis and are positive for the typical centriolar protein Sas‐4 and for the kinesin‐like protein Klp10A. These structures have a short lifespan and are no longer found in early apolar spermatocytes. Remarkably, each polar spermatocyte holds only one microtubule‐based structure that is associated with one of the sister centriole pairs and specifically with the mother centriole. These findings reveal an inherent asymmetry between the parent centrioles at the onset of male meiosis and also uncover unexpected functional properties between the mother centrioles of the same cells.
Selective Photocatalytic Carbon Dioxide Reduction by a Reduced Molybdenum‐Based Polyoxometalate Catalyst
Authors: Barman Soumitra , Sreejith S. S. , Garai Somnath , Pochamoni Ramudu , Roy Soumyajit
Published: November 2018

Currently, photochemical carbon dioxide reduction is a most sought‐after process as it involves the simultaneous removal of greenhouse CO2 gas and the production of useful products. In this study, we report the selective formation of formaldehyde in photochemical carbon dioxide reduction using a reduced polyoxometalate (POM) based catalyst. By simply tuning the redox state of the metal centre in the POM, we can obtain the more reduced product formaldehyde from carbon dioxide. As a result of the high MoV/MoVI ratio in the cluster, formaldehyde is obtained as the major product as opposed to formic acid. Since the catalyst POM 1 itself readily absorbs light, no external photosensitizer is used. In the reduction process of carbon dioxide, water acts as the electron donor and is oxidized to oxygen rendering the whole process viable and green. (1=Mo16=[{(CH3)NH2}4{(MoV2O4)6(μ2‐OH)10(μ2‐O)2(μ3‐OH)2(μ3‐O)2(MoVIO3H)4}]0.94[{(MoV2O4)6(μ2‐OH)10(μ2‐O)2(MoVIO3H)4}{MoVI(μ3‐O)4}]0.06).
C−H Bond Carboxylation with Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Hong Junting , Li Man , Zhang Jianning , Sun Beiqi , Mo Fanyang
Published: November 2018

Carbon dioxide is a nontoxic, renewable, and abundant C1 source, whereas C−H bond functionalization represents one of the most important approaches to the construction of carbon–carbon bonds and carbon–heteroatom bonds in an atom‐ and step‐economical manner. Combining the chemical transformation of CO2 with C−H bond functionalization is of great importance in the synthesis of carboxylic acids and their derivatives. The contents of this Review are organized according to the type of C−H bond involved in carboxylation. The primary types of C−H bonds are as follows: C(sp)−H bonds of terminal alkynes, C(sp2)−H bonds of (hetero)arenes, vinylic C(sp2)−H bonds, the ipso‐C(sp2)−H bonds of the diazo group, aldehyde C(sp2)−H bonds, α‐C(sp3)−H bonds of the carbonyl group, γ‐C(sp3)−H bonds of the carbonyl group, C(sp3)−H bonds adjacent to nitrogen atoms, C(sp3)−H bonds of o‐alkyl phenyl ketones, allylic C(sp3)−H bonds, C(sp3)−H bonds of methane, and C(sp3)−H bonds of halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons. In addition, multicomponent reactions, tandem reactions, and key theoretical studies related to the carboxylation of C−H bonds are briefly summarized. Transition‐metal‐free, organocatalytic, electrochemical, and light‐driven methods are highlighted.
Ultrahigh Catalytic Activity of l‐Proline‐Functionalized Rh Nanoparticles for Methanolysis of Ammonia Borane
Authors: Luo Wenxiu , Cheng Wei , Hu Min , Wang Qi , Cheng Xia , Zhang Yun , Wang Yi , Gao Daojiang , Bi Jian , Fan Guangyin
Published: November 2018

The synthesis of ultrafine and well‐distributed rhodium nanoparticles (NPs) with high efficiency toward methanolysis of ammonia borane (AB) is crucially important but challenging. A facile approach has been developed for synthesizing ultrafine and uniform Rh NPs deposited on carbon by using the small soluble organic molecule (SOM) of l‐proline (PRO) as capping agent (Rh‐PRO/C). The enrichment of N,O‐coordination sites for the metal precursor by using PRO was found to be the key to the synthesis Rh‐PRO/C. The as‐prepared Rh‐PRO/C showed high catalytic activity for ammonia borane methanolysis with the highest total turnover frequency (TOF) of 1035 mol
 (molRh min)−1 under basic conditions, which was three times higher than that of the state‐of‐the‐art Rh‐based catalysts. The excellent catalytic performance of Rh‐PRO/C was ascribed to the well‐dispersed Rh NPs and the PRO‐functionalized metal surface, which can provide more active sites for the reaction. The merit of size‐controlled synthesis combined with metal NP surface modification by SOMs is likely to be beneficial in various catalytic fields.
DNA methylation and obesity in survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Lupo Philip J. , Brown Austin L. , Arroyo Vidal M. , Kamdar Kala Y. , Belmont John W. , Scheurer Michael E. , Leisenring Wendy M. , Gramatges M. Monica , Okcu M. Fatih , Yasui Yutaka , Oeffinger Kevin C. , Robison Leslie L. , Armstrong Gregory T. , Bhatia Smita
Published: November 2018

Because survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are more likely to be obese than unaffected contemporaries, we compared DNA methylation profiles between normal‐weight and obese survivors at adiposity‐associated CpG sites previously‐reported by epigenome‐wide association studies (EWAS) of body mass index (BMI) in the general population. We selected 96 ALL survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study: 48 obese and 48 normal weight. The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip was used to compare DNA methylation at 211 loci identified in EWAS of BMI in the general population. Thirty‐nine loci were associated (false discovery rate <0.05) with obesity among survivors who only received chemotherapy (n = 49). No loci were significantly associated with obesity among CRT‐exposed survivors (n = 47). Our results suggest that previously identified BMI‐DNA methylation loci are associated with obesity in ALL survivors who were spared CRT, while no loci were significantly associated with obesity in survivors who received CRT.
Synthesis of novel 2‐acetamidothiazoles tethered with 1,2,3‐triazole and pyridine pharmacophores
Authors: Kaushik Reena , Chand Mahesh , Rashid Mohd. , Jain Subhash C.
Published: November 2018

A novel series of 2‐acetamidothiazoles bearing 1,2,3‐triazole and pyridine moieties were designed and synthesized using simple chemical methodology. 3‐Amino pyridine was converted into a potent intermediate 2‐chloro‐N‐(4‐(5‐methyl‐1‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)thiazol‐2‐yl)acetamide (5) in four steps using molecular modification approach. Heterocyclic amine(s)/ heterocyclic and aromatic thiol(s) were then introduced in 5 to obtain target compounds 6a‐6i. In all, we have synthesized eleven novel molecules which have the flavor of each of these heterocyclic moieties, viz. pyridine, 1,2,3‐triazole, 2‐acetamido‐thiazole, heterocyclic amine(s)/ heterocyclic and aromatic thiol(s). The presence of each of these bioactive moieties in a single molecular frame could be beneficial to the development of new drug candidate because these moieties together contribute to the overall resultant biological activity of the target hybrid molecule. Structure elucidation of all the newly synthesized compounds was established using IR, 1H, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry along with their elemental analyses.
Detection of circulating microRNAs with Ago2 complexes to monitor the tumor dynamics of colorectal cancer patients during chemotherapy
Authors: Fuji Tomokazu , Umeda Yuzo , Nyuya Akihiro , Taniguchi Fumitaka , Kawai Takashi , Yasui Kazuya , Toshima Toshiaki , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Fujiwara Toshiyoshi , Goel Ajay , Nagasaka Takeshi
Published: November 2018

Because of the different forms of circulating miRNAs in plasma, Argonaute2 (Ago2)‐miRNAs and extracellular vesicles (EV‐miRNAs), we examined the two forms of extracellular miRNAs in vitro and developed a unique methodology to detect circulating Ago2‐miRNAs in small volumes of plasma. We demonstrated that Ago2‐miR‐21 could be released into the extracellular fluid by active export from viable cancer cells and cytolysis in vitro. As miR‐21 and miR‐200c were abundantly expressed in both metastatic liver sites and primary lesions, we evaluated Ago2‐miR‐21 as a candidate biomarker of both active export and cytolysis while Ago2‐miR‐200c as a biomarker of cytolysis in plasma obtained from colorectal cancer (CRC) patients before treatment and in a series of plasma obtained from CRC patients with liver metastasis who received systemic chemotherapy. The measurement of Ago2‐miR‐21 allowed us to distinguish CRC patients from subjects without CRC. The trend in ΔCt values for Ago2‐miR‐21 and ‐200c during chemotherapy could predict tumor response to ongoing treatment. Thus, capturing circulating Ago2‐miRNAs from active export can screen patients with tumor burdens, while capturing them from passive release by cytolysis can monitor tumor dynamics during chemotherapy treatment.
Validation of a novel single‐drop rapid human leukocyte antigen‐DQ2/‐DQ8 typing method to identify subjects susceptible to celiac disease
Authors: Verma Anil K , Singh Alka , Gatti Simona , Lionetti Elena , Galeazzi Tiziana , Monachesi Chiara , Franceschini Elisa , Ahuja Vineet , Catassi Carlo , Makharia Govind K
Published: November 2018

Background and Aim

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DQ2 and/or ‐DQ8 is an essential risk factor for celiac disease (CD). About 90–95% of patients with CD carry HLA‐DQ2/‐DQ8 alleles, and HLA‐DQ typing is considered an additional diagnostic test. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based HLA‐DQ typing methods are expensive, complex, and a time‐consuming process. We assessed the efficacy of a novel HLA‐DQ typing method, “Celiac Gene Screen,” for the detection of CD‐associated HLA haplotypes.

Methods

To assess the diagnostic performance of the Celiac Gene Screen test, 100 ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) blood samples, already characterized by the conventional HLA‐DQ typing method, that is, PCR sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR‐SSOP), a concordance between both the methods were explored. For validity, a further 300 EDTA blood samples with unknown HLA‐DQ status were genotyped using the Celiac Gene Screen test, including 141 samples from CD, 56 first‐degree relatives (FDRs) of CD and 103 samples from controls.

Results

Of the 100 samples with known status of HLA‐DQ alleles, 79 samples were HLA‐DQ2 and/or ‐DQ8 positive, and 21 samples were HLA‐DQ2 and/or ‐DQ8 negative by conventional PCR. These 100 samples were re‐typed using the Celiac Gene screen kit; all 79 positives were typed positive, and 21 negatives were typed negative for HLA‐DQ alleles. Among 300 samples with unknown HLA‐DQ status, 118 of 141 (84%) patients with CD, 48 of 56 (86%) FDRs of CD, and 52 of 103 (50%) controls typed positive for HLA‐DQ alleles.

Conclusions

The Celiac Gene Screen HLA‐DQ typing method showed excellent concordance with the conventional HLA‐DQ typing method and could be a cost‐reducing and effective method for CD‐associated HLA screening.
Dangerous noodle: A case of swallowing syncope and a review of 122 cases from the literature
Authors: Uraguchi Kensuke , Kariya Shin , Makihara Seiichiro , Oka Aiko , Ueeda Hiroo , Noda Yohei , Nishizaki Kazunori
Published: November 2018

Swallowing syncope is a rare medical condition. Even though it has been known as a neurally mediated syncope, the definitive mechanism of this condition remains unclear. We show in this study an additional case of swallowing syncope and review the 122 reported cases from the literature. A 47‐year‐old Japanese man had been suffering from recurrent syncopal attacks, when he fainted immediately after swallowing. Holter electrocardiogram monitoring demonstrated a sinus pause (maximum R‐R interval of 3.8 seconds) after he swallowed a noodle quickly. A permanent pacemaker was implanted because the frequency of syncope increased.
Spatio‐temporal variations of cloud fraction based on circulation types in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Royé D. , Lorenzo N. , Rasilla D. , Martí A.
Published: November 2018

This paper presents the first systematic study of the relationships between atmospheric circulation types (CT) and cloud fraction (CF) over the whole Iberian Peninsula, using satellite data from the MODIS (MOD09GA and MYD09GA) cloud mask for the period 2001–2017. The high level of detail, in combination with a classification for circulation patterns, provides us with relevant information about the spatio‐temporal variability of cloudiness and the main mechanisms affecting the genesis of clouds. The results show that westerly CTs are the most influential, followed by cyclonic types, in cloudiness in the west of the Iberian Peninsula. Westerly flows, however, do not affect the Mediterranean coastline, which is dominated by easterly CTs, suggesting that local factors such as convective processes, orography and proximity to a body of warm water could play a major role in cloudiness processes. The Cantabrian Coast also has a particularly characteristic cloudiness dominated by northerly CTs. In general, the results found in this study are in line with the few studies that exist on cloudiness in the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, the results are geographically consistent, showing links to synoptic forcing in terms of atmospheric circulation patterns and the impact of the Iberian Peninsula's complex orography upon this element of the climate system.
Twenty years later: Oral health‐related quality of life and standard of treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis
Authors: El Sayed Nihad , Baeumer Amelie , El Sayed Shirin , Wieland Lars , Weber Dorothea , Eickholz Peter , Pretzl Bernadette
Published: November 2018

Background

To assess oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) after long‐term (20 years) periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis (ChP) and to compare it with the current clinical outcome and oral health status.

Methods

Twenty years after therapy, 63 patients were reexamined. The dental and periodontal status and OHRQoL using the Oral Health Impact Profile‐G49 (OHIP‐G49) were assessed. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and tests for differences were calculated.

Results

Up to 75% of patients showed no probing depths > 5mm, bleeding on probing (BOP) ≤25%, no pain and satisfactory function. A comparatively low perceived oral impact of ChP was represented by an OHIP‐G49 overall score of 18.89 ± 21.66. The most common reported impairment was physical pain followed by “functional limitation.” A correlation between oral quality standard and the OHIP‐G49 was limited to the physical pain subdomain.

Conclusions

Satisfaction with oral status was perceived high by most patients treated for chronic periodontitis. A comparably high OHRQoL can be achieved and retained long‐term after periodontal treatment. The objective and subjective evaluation of oral health only correlated in the subscale “physical pain.”
Kreislaufwirtschaft: Welche Flammschutzmittel stabil bleiben
Authors: Schultheis Christoph , Großhauser Michael , Metzsch‐Zilligen Elke , Pfaendner Rudolf
Published: November 2018

Kunststoffe, die halogenfreie Flammschutzmittel enthalten, sind für eine werkstoffliche Wiederverwendung meistens gut geeignet.
Der Chromatograph auf einem Glasplättchen
Authors: Belder Detlev , Heiland Josef
Published: November 2018

Säulen für die HPLC werden kleiner und dünner, denn das spart Eluent, und von vielen Proben, etwa aus der Medizin, gibt es oft nur Nanolitermengen. Gefragt ist nun eine Möglichkeit, die es erlaubt, mit den immer geringeren Säulen‐ und Analytvolumina weiterhin präzise zu arbeiten. Eine Antwort ist, Großteile des HPLC‐Systems auf einem Mikrochip zu integrieren.
Chemieparks: Auf gute Nachbarschaft
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: November 2018

Chemie‐ und Industrieparks suchen Strategien für ein gutes Miteinander von Industrie und Wohnen.
Wirtschaftsnobelpreis: Steuern und technischer Fortschritt
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: November 2018

Der diesjährige Alfred‐Nobel‐Gedächtnispreis für Wirtschaftswissenschaften verbindet Innovation und Klimaschutz mit wirtschaftlichem Wachstum. Damit berührt er die Interessen von Chemieunternehmen.
Brexit – und dann?
Authors: Bick Torid
Published: November 2018

139 000 Studierende und 36 000 Wissenschaftler könnten durch den Austritt Großbritanniens aus der EU ihr Bleiberecht in dem Land verlieren.
Glyphosat – die Position der SEC
Authors: Louis Eckhart , Jäckel Klaus‐Peter
Published: November 2018

Die GDCh‐Fachgruppe Seniorexperten Chemie (SEC) bezieht Stellung zur Kontroverse über die Gesundheitsschädlichkeit von Glyphosat.
„Learning from Nature“ – deutsch‐chinesisches Symposium
Authors: Weinig Hans‐Georg
Published: November 2018

Zum siebten Mal seit 2006 richtete die Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker gemeinsam mit der Chinese Chemical Society (CCS) das „Sino‐German Frontiers of Chemistry Symposium“ für Nachwuchswissenschaftler aus.
Effizientere Tandemsolarzellen
Authors: Leusmann Eliza
Published: November 2018

Silicium und Perowskit bringen etwa 25 Prozent Wirkungsgrad.
Reaktionen beobachten
Authors: Leusmann Eliza
Published: November 2018

Reaktionen in Biomolekülen sind nun attosekundengenau nachvollziehbar.
Wer veröffentlichen darf
Authors: Zbikowski Frauke
Published: November 2018

Biowissenschaftler aus der Dritten Welt und Frauen sind seltener Gutachter im Peer‐Review‐Verfahren.
Dynamic Proteomics Reveals High Plasticity of Cellular Proteome: Growth‐Related and Drug‐Induced Changes in Cancer Cells are Comparable
Authors: Sabatier Pierre , Saei Amir Ata , Wang Shiyu , Zubarev Roman A.
Published: November 2018

In chemical proteomics, the changes occurring in cellular proteomes upon drug treatment are used to identify the drug targets and the mechanism of action. However, proteomes of cultured cells undergo also natural alteration associated with changes in the media, attaining a degree of confluence as well as due to cell division and cell metabolism. These changes are implicitly assumed to be smaller in magnitude than the drug‐induced changes that ultimately lead to cell demise. In this study, it is shown that growth‐related proteome changes in the untreated control group are comparable in magnitude to drug‐induced changes over the course of 48 h treatment. In two well‐characterized cancer cell lines, growth‐related effects assessed with deep proteomics analysis (10 481 proteins quantified with at least two peptides) show common trends, the steady downregulation of cell division processes, and the upregulation of metabolism‐related pathways. The magnitude of these variations, which are present even before reaching 100% confluence reveals unexpectedly high plasticity of the cellular proteome. This finding reinforces the need, generally accepted in theory but not always followed in practice, to use a time‐matched control when measuring drug‐induced proteome changes.
Approaching Masculinities Through a Gender‐Aware Practice Framework
Authors: Catalano D. Chase J. , Wagner Rachel , Davis Tracy
Published: November 2018

Authors offer a definition and frame for gender‐aware practice, and explore specific language and strategies for considering the role of masculinities in student affairs work.
LGBTQ Centers: A Queering of Gender‐Aware Practice
Authors: Catalano D. Chase J. , Jourian T. J.
Published: November 2018

This chapter explores the various ways that practitioners in LGBTQ centers can use gender‐aware practices to attend to issues that arise within their centers and campus‐wide that stem from a societal culture so profoundly influenced by masculinities.
Student Conduct and Policy Violations: Gender‐Aware Restorative Justice Practice
Authors: Klobassa Vern , Laker Jason
Published: November 2018

This chapter addresses the over‐representation of certain groups of men in campus judicial proceedings and interrogates prevailing ideological and philosophical standpoints related to gender within the area of student conduct. The chapter ends by encouraging a gender‐aware restorative justice approach to student conduct practice.
Dynamic fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in four‐chamber view using Doppler ultrasound gating in normal fetal heart and in congenital heart disease: comparison with fetal echocardiography
Authors: Tavares de Sousa M. , Hecher K. , Yamamura J. , Kording F. , Ruprecht C. , Fehrs K. , Behzadi C. , Adam G. , Schoennagel B. P.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To investigate the diagnostic performance of dynamic fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using a MR‐compatible Doppler ultrasound (DUS) device for fetal cardiac gating, in differentiating fetuses with congenital heart disease from those with a normal heart, and to compare the technique with fetal echocardiography.

Methods

This was a prospective study of eight fetuses with a normal heart and four with congenital heart disease (CHD), at a median of 34 (range, 28–36) weeks' gestation. Dynamic fetal cardiac MRI was performed using a DUS device for direct cardiac gating. The four‐chamber view was evaluated according to qualitative findings. Measurements of the length of the left and right ventricles, diameter of the tricuspid and mitral valves, myocardial wall thickness, transverse cardiac diameter and left ventricular planimetry were performed. Fetal echocardiography and postnatal diagnoses were considered the reference standards.

Results

Direct cardiac gating allowed continuous triggering of the fetal heart, showing high temporal and spatial resolution. Both fetal cardiac MRI and echocardiography in the four‐chamber view detected pathological findings in three of the 12 fetuses. Qualitative evaluation revealed overall consistency between echocardiography and MRI. On both echocardiography and MRI, quantitative measurements revealed significant differences between fetuses with a normal heart and those with CHD with respect to the length of the right (P < 0.01 for both) and left (P < 0.01 for both) ventricles and transverse cardiac diameter (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Tricuspid valve diameter on cardiac MRI was found to be significantly different in healthy fetuses from in those with CHD (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

For the first time, this study has shown that dynamic fetal cardiac MRI in the four‐chamber view, using external cardiac gating, allows evaluation of cardiac anatomy and diagnosis of congenital heart disease in agreement with fetal echocardiography. Dynamic fetal cardiac MRI may be useful as a second‐line investigation if conditions for fetal echocardiography are unfavorable. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Artificial intelligence and amniotic fluid multiomics: prediction of perinatal outcome in asymptomatic women with short cervix
Authors: Bahado‐Singh R. O. , Sonek J. , McKenna D. , Cool D. , Aydas B. , Turkoglu O. , Bjorndahl T. , Mandal R. , Wishart D. , Friedman P. , Graham S. F. , Yilmaz A.
Published: November 2018

Objective

To evaluate the application of artificial intelligence (AI), i.e. deep learning and other machine‐learning techniques, to amniotic fluid (AF) metabolomics and proteomics, alone and in combination with sonographic, clinical and demographic factors, in the prediction of perinatal outcome in asymptomatic pregnant women with short cervical length (CL).

Methods

AF samples, which had been obtained in the second trimester from asymptomatic women with short CL (< 15 mm) identified on transvaginal ultrasound, were analyzed. CL, funneling and the presence of AF ‘sludge’ were assessed in all cases close to the time of amniocentesis. A combination of liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy‐based metabolomics, as well as targeted proteomics analysis, including chemokines, cytokines and growth factors, was performed on the AF samples. To determine the robustness of the markers, we used six different machine‐learning techniques, including deep learning, to predict preterm delivery < 34 weeks, latency period prior to delivery < 28 days after amniocentesis and requirement for admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Omics biomarkers were evaluated alone and in combination with standard sonographic, clinical and demographic factors to predict outcome. Predictive accuracy was assessed using the area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve (AUC) with 95% CI, sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Of the 32 patients included in the study, complete omics, demographic and clinical data and outcome information were available for 26. Of these, 11 (42.3%) patients delivered ≥ 34 weeks, while 15 (57.7%) delivered < 34 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference in CL between these two groups (mean ± SD, 11.2 ± 4.4 mm vs 8.9 ± 5.3 mm, P = 0.31). Using combined omics, demographic and clinical data, deep learning displayed good to excellent performance, with an AUC (95% CI) of 0.890 (0.810–0.970) for delivery < 34 weeks' gestation, 0.890 (0.790–0.990) for delivery < 28 days post‐amniocentesis and 0.792 (0.689–0.894) for NICU admission. These values were higher overall than for the other five machine‐learning methods, although each individual machine‐learning technique yielded statistically significant prediction of the different perinatal outcomes.

Conclusions

This is the first study to report use of AI with AF proteomics and metabolomics and ultrasound assessment in pregnancy. Machine learning, particularly deep learning, achieved good to excellent prediction of perinatal outcome in asymptomatic pregnant women with short CL in the second trimester. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Cardiac maladaptation in obese pregnant women at term
Authors: Buddeberg B. S. , Sharma R. , O'Driscoll J. M. , Kaelin Agten A. , Khalil A. , Thilaganathan B.
Published: November 2018

Objective

Obesity is an increasing problem worldwide, with well recognized detrimental effects on cardiovascular health; however, very little is known about the effect of obesity on cardiovascular adaptation to pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to compare biventricular cardiac function at term between obese pregnant women and pregnant women with normal body weight, utilizing conventional echocardiography and speckle‐tracking assessment.

Methods

This was a prospective case–control study of 40 obese, but otherwise healthy, pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 35 kg/m2 and 40 healthy pregnant women with a BMI of ≤ 30 kg/m2. All women underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic examination and speckle‐tracking assessment at term.

Results

Obese pregnant women, compared with controls, had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (117 vs 109 mmHg; P = 0.002), cardiac output (6.73 vs 4.90 L/min; P < 0.001), left ventricular (LV) mass index (74 vs 64 g/m2; P < 0.001) and relative wall thickness (0.43 vs 0.37; P < 0.001). Diastolic dysfunction was present in five (12.5%) controls and 16 (40%) obese women (P = 0.004). In obese women, compared with controls, LV global longitudinal strain (–15.59 vs –17.61%; P < 0.001), LV endocardial (–17.30 vs –19.84%; P < 0.001) and epicardial (–13.10 vs –15.73%; P < 0.001) global longitudinal strain as well as LV early diastolic strain rate (1.05 vs 1.24 /s; P = 0.006) were all significantly reduced. No differences were observed in the degree of LV twist and torsion between the two groups.

Conclusions

Morbidly obese, but otherwise healthy, pregnant women at term had significant LV hypertrophy with evidence of diastolic dysfunction and impaired deformation indices compared with pregnant women of normal weight. These findings are likely to represent a maladaptive response of the heart to volume overload in obese pregnancy. The impact of theses changes on pregnancy outcome and long‐term maternal outcome is unclear. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Translational control during poxvirus infection
Authors: Meade Nathan , DiGiuseppe Stephen , Walsh Derek
Published: November 2018

Poxviruses are an unusual family of large double‐stranded (ds) DNA viruses that exhibit an incredible degree of self‐sufficiency and complexity in their replication and immune evasion strategies. Indeed, amongst their approximately 200 open reading frames (ORFs), poxviruses encode approximately 100 immunomodulatory proteins to counter host responses along with complete DNA synthesis, transcription, mRNA processing and cytoplasmic redox systems that enable them to replicate exclusively in the cytoplasm of infected cells. However, like all other viruses poxviruses do not encode ribosomes and therefore remain completely dependent on gaining access to the host translational machinery in order to synthesize viral proteins. Early studies of these intriguing viruses helped discover the mRNA cap and polyadenylated (polyA) tail that we now know to be present on most eukaryotic messages and which play fundamental roles in mRNA translation, while more recent studies have begun to reveal the remarkable lengths poxviruses go to in order to control both host and viral protein synthesis. Here, we discuss some of the central strategies used by poxviruses and the broader battle that ensues with the host cell to control the translation system, the outcome of which ultimately dictates the fate of infection.

This article is categorized under:

Translation > Translation Regulation
Finite deformations from a heterotic superpotential: holomorphic Chern-Simons and an L∞ algebra
Authors: Ashmore Anthony , de la Ossa Xenia , Minasian Ruben , Strickland-Constable Charles , Svanes Eirik Eik
Published: November 2018

Abstract

We consider finite deformations of the Hull-Strominger system. Starting from the heterotic superpotential, we identify complex coordinates on the off-shell parameter space. Expanding the superpotential around a supersymmetric vacuum leads to a thirdorder Maurer-Cartan equation that controls the moduli. The resulting complex effective action generalises that of both Kodaira-Spencer and holomorphic Chern-Simons theory. The supersymmetric locus of this action is described by anL3algebra.
Blowup equations for refined topological strings
Authors: Huang Min-xin , Sun Kaiwen , Wang Xin
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Göttsche-Nakajima-Yoshioka K-theoretic blowup equations characterize the Nekrasov partition function of five dimensional$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$N=1supersymmetric gauge theories compactified on a circle, which via geometric engineering correspond to the refined topological string theory on SU(N) geometries. In this paper, we study the K-theoretic blowup equations for general local Calabi-Yau threefolds. We find that both vanishing and unity blowup equations exist for the partition function of refined topological string, and the crucial ingredients are therfields introduced in our previous paper. These blowup equations are in fact the functional equations for the partition function and each of them results in infinite identities among the refined free energies. Evidences show that they can be used to determine the full refined BPS invariants of local Calabi-Yau threefolds. This serves an independent and sometimes more powerful way to compute the partition function other than the refined topological vertex in the A-model and the refined holomorphic anomaly equations in the B-model. We study the modular properties of the blowup equations and provide a procedure to determine all the vanishing and unityrfields from the polynomial part of refined topological string at large radius point. We also find that certain form of blowup equations exist at generic loci of the moduli space.
Propensity‐Matched Analysis Comparing Survival After Hybrid Thoracoscopic–Laparotomy Esophagectomy and Complete Thoracoscopic–Laparoscopic Esophagectomy
Authors: Li Kun‐Kun , Wang Yin‐Jian , Liu Xue‐Hai , Wang Ru‐Wen , Jiang Yao‐Guang , Guo Wei
Published: November 2018

Background

Hybrid thoracoscopic–laparotomy esophagectomy (hTE) and complete thoracoscopic–laparoscopic esophagectomy (cTLE) are the two most frequently used minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) procedures and are broadly utilized for esophageal cancer. We evaluated differences in short‐ and long‐term outcomes between hTE and cTLE in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods

Patients who underwent MIE for ESCC between September 2009 and February 2016 were included in this retrospective study. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to contrast the postoperative results of hTE and cTLE according to the obtained and analyzed pertinent patient features and postoperative variables. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used on possible predictors of survival.

Results

Eighty‐six well‐balanced pairs of patients were available for outcome comparison after PSM. Compared to Group 1 (hTE), the patients in Group 2 (cTLE) had significantly shorter operative times and less intraoperative blood loss, but a higher number of retrieved nodes (p = 0.000, p = 0.003, and p = 0.000, respectively). The incidence of postoperative complications was 40.7% (70/172) and did not significantly differ between the two groups. The patients in Group 2 exhibited higher disease‐free survival and disease‐specific survival (DSS) than those in Group 1 (p = 0.048 and p = 0.041, respectively). Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses showed that pT stage, pN stage, differentiation grade, and the surgical procedure had significant HRs, which suggested that cTLE is associated with better DSS.

Conclusions

cTLE possibly shows better postoperative and oncologic outcomes than hTE.
Maternal Age and Child Development
Authors: Duncan Greg J. , Lee Kenneth T. H. , Rosales-Rueda Maria , Kalil Ariel
Published: November 2018

Although the consequences of teen births for both mothers and children have been studied for decades, few studies have taken a broader look at the potential payoffs—and drawbacks—of being born to older mothers. A broader examination is important given the growing gap in maternal ages at birth for children born to mothers with low and high socioeconomic status. Drawing data from the Children of the NLSY79, our examination of this topic distinguishes between the value for children of being born to a mother who delayed her first birth and the value of the additional years between her first birth and the birth of the child whose achievements and behaviors at ages 10–13 are under study. We find that each year the mother delays a first birth is associated with a 0.02 to 0.04 standard deviation increase in school achievement and a similar-sized reduction in behavior problems. Coefficients are generally as large for additional years between the first and given birth. Results are fairly robust to the inclusion of cousin and sibling fixed effects, which attempt to address some omitted variable concerns. Our mediational analyses show that the primary pathway by which delaying first births benefits children is by enabling mothers to complete more years of schooling.
The protective effects of polyphenols on Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review
Authors: Colizzi Chiara
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Foods rich in polyphenols have been positively correlated to a reduced risk of several noncommunicable diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this systematic review was to collect and evaluate all the relevant studies on the beneficial effects of polyphenols on AD.

Methods

Studies have been collected through a systematic search on two databases: PubMed and Web of Science. Both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies with human subjects were included.

Results

A total of 24 studies were included in this review. Twelve studies found a positive correlation with reduced cognitive decline. Five studies did not find any correlation and seven studies reported mixed results. No conclusive evidence was found for phenolic acids and flavonoids.

Discussion

This systematic review did not find sufficient evidence to confirm that polyphenols have beneficial effects against AD. Further RCTs of human subjects would be necessary to complete the results drawn from this research.
New hope for Alzheimer’s dementia as prospects for disease modification fade: symptomatic treatments for agitation and psychosis
Authors: Stahl Stephen M.
Published: November 2018

More than a decade of failure to find disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s dementia has driven the field back to finding better symptomatic treatments for behavioral symptoms of dementia, especially psychosis and agitation.