bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antineoplásicos e os riscos ocupacionais para os enfermeiros: uma revisão integrativa
Authors: De Souza Camila Brandão , Tovar Juliana Rodrigues , Dell’Antônio Larissa Rodrigues , Dourado Cláudia de Souza , Amorim Maria Helena Costa
Published: October 2015

Introducción: Son muchos los riesgos laborales a los que están expuestos los trabajadores de salud que manipulan quimioterápicos.

Objetivos: Identificar y describir los daños a corto, medio y largo plazo, causados en el organismo de los enfermeros y otros profesionales de la salud, que están expuestos a los fármacos antineoplásicos en el lugar de trabajo.

Metodología: Estudio de revisión integradora de la literatura, con la recogida de datos en la Biblioteca Virtual en Salud, en los meses de septiembre a octubre de 2013, en las bases de datos de biblioteca electrónica Scientific Electronic Library Online y en las bases de datos de la Literatura Latino Americana y Caribeña Ciencias de la Salud, la Base de Datos de Enfermería y el Análisis de la Literatura Médica y Recuperación del Sistema en Línea, con las palabras: “Antineoplasicos and Risco Ocupacional and Enfermagem”, “Antineoplastic and Occupational Risk” y “Antineoplastic and Nursing”.

Resultados: Daño en el material genético, aumento de la frecuencia de micronúcleos en linfocitos, aumento de intercambio de cromátidas hermanas, un mayor nivel de la excreción urinaria antineoplásica, aumento de casos de cáncer, mayor incidencia de anomalías congénitas en la descendencia y aborto en el primer trimestre del embarazo son algunos de los resultados encontrados en este estudio.

Conclusión: El daño más frecuente ocurre al ácido desoxirribonucleico, el predominio a medio y largo plazo, siendo el tiempo de exposición fundamental para aumentar el daño. A corto y largo plazo predominaron daños relacionado con el embarazo y el desarrollo fetal, con aumento de anomalías congénitas y aborto. Acompañamiento genético, así como equipos de protección individual son esenciales para minimizar los daños.
Climaterio y sexualidad
Authors: Izquierdo Melodie Sánchez , García Emilio Hernández
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: Estudiar el impacto que produce el climaterio en la vida sexual de las mujeres que residen en Mérida e identificar los cambios sexuales que tienen lugar.

Metodología: Se ha elaborado un estudio de carácter descriptivo y retrospectivo con 102 mujeres con menopausia natural y una edad comprendida entre los 45 y los 59 años.

Resultados: Las dimensiones más afectadas tras la menopausia han sido: deseo sexual, lubricación vaginal y satisfacción sexual. Un 65.6% de las mujeres encuestadas presenta alteración de su función sexual después de la menopausia. El 33% de mujeres afirma no tener ninguna dificultad en su función sexual, mientras que el 22.5% señalan como principal motivo de sus dificultades la insatisfacción con los cambios corporales.

Conclusión: Mayoritariamente la menopausia ha generado un impacto negativo en la sexualidad de  las mujeres que han participado en el estudio. El profesional de enfermería debería tomar conciencia y abordar este problema desde el ámbito de sus competencias.
Los familiares que habitan con enfermos cardiacos de Huesca, ¿están preparados para hacer frente a una parada cardiorrespiratoria?
Authors: Arrazola Alberdi Oihana , García Moyano Loreto María , Sanz Pérez Lidia
Published: October 2015

Objetivo: Describir si los familiares que habitan con  enfermos cardiacos, poseen los conocimientos suficientes para hacer frente a una parada cardiaca extrahospitalaria (PCEH).

Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal. La población a estudio estuvo compuesta por los familiares de los pacientes ingresados en el Servicio de Cardiología del Hospital San Jorge de Huesca, en los meses de septiembre y octubre de 2014. Las variables fueron recogidas con un cuestionario estructurado de elaboración propia.

Resultados: El total de los participantes fue de 177. El 61% eran mujeres, la edad media fue de 55,63 años. El 26,6% había presenciado una PCEH, el 20,9% había realizado un curso de reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP), el 36,7% sabría reconocer personas con riesgo de sufrir una parada cardiaca, el 56,5% conocía el número del Servicio de Emergencias Médicas (SEM), el 9,6% tenía los conocimientos suficientes para iniciar maniobras de RCP, el 98,3% creía que era importante tener conocimientos sobre RCP y el 72,9% participaría en cursos de formación.

Conclusiones: Los familiares que habitan con enfermos cardiacos no poseen los conocimientos suficientes para hacer frente a una PCEH y por ello es de vital importancia que se incrementen los esfuerzos en la creación de estrategias dirigidas a desarrollar los dos primeros y fundamentales eslabones de la cadena de supervivencia.
Necessidades de saúde da mulher idosa no contexto da atenção básica: revisão integrative
Authors: Silva Luana Christina Souza da , Cunha Lidiane Passos , Carvalho Simone Mendes , Tocantins Florence Romijn
Published: October 2015

Objetivos: Identificar producciones científicas sobre necesidades de salud de la mujer mayor en el contexto de la atención primaria y analizar qué aspectos se tratan en cuanto a las necesidades de salud de la mujer de edad avanzada en el contexto de la atención primaria.

Método: Revisión integral con la cuestión de la búsqueda: ¿Cuáles son los conceptos tratados en la literatura sobre el tema de las necesidades de salud de la mujer mayor en el contexto de la atención primaria? La búsqueda se produjo en bases de datos LILACS y MEDline, en marzo de 2015.  Criterios de inclusión: artículo en su totalidad; portugués, inglés o español y realidad brasileña.

Resultados: La muestra de cinco artículos apunta necesidades asistenciales de la mujer en el ciclo reproductivo apoyado en perspectiva PNAISM. Es de destacar que el proceso salud-enfermedad es un fenómeno socialmente condicionado y no sólo biológico.

Conclusiones: La importancia de avanzar hacia nuevos enfoques para el cuidado de la salud, explicando los motivos de la práctica profesional centrada en la atención integral a la mujer.
Lier guérison et réconciliation pour une paix durable en Bosnie-Herzégovine
Authors: Parent Geneviève
Published: October 2015

Cet article soutient que les notions « guérison » et « réconciliation » – souvent utilisées de façon imprécise et ambiguë – servent à distinguer les approches ascendante et descendante en matière de consolidation de la paix. Ces notions contribuent également à dissimuler les liens complexes existant entre les processus psychosociaux associés à la guérison et les processus politiques associés à la réconciliation. De nombreux programmes et processus de consolidation de la paix sont conçus à partir de la distinction entre guérison et réconciliation. Or, lorsque le lien entre la guérison et la réconciliation est rompu, la consolidation de la paix engendre des expériences de victimisation secondaire qui fragilisent et peuvent compromettre la paix. Pour appuyer cet argument, nous considérons le cas de la Bosnie-Herzégovine.
La guerre comme syllogisme éristique
Authors: Zajec Olivier
Published: October 2015

Au coeur même dupolémosqui régit le monde, la philosophie d’Héraclite suggère l’existence possible d’une alchimie dialogique spécifique, capable de transformer le plomb de l’opposition en or de la coopération. Non pas malgré la guerre, mais – aussi problématique que puisse apparaître un tel postulat – grâce à elle. Cet article transpose cette intuition au cadre spécifique des relations internationales. En s’appuyant sur la théorie de l’argumentation (d’Aristote aux développements plus récents de la logique informelle), il redéfinit la guerre en tant que « syllogisme éristique convergent ». Ce prisme permet de conclure à la validité du mécanisme héraclitéen de fusion des contraires, à la condition que la logique du conflit armé reste dépendante de son contexte énonciatif, lui-même façonné par la rationalité tragique propre à toute opposition politique.
Impact of a decade of successful antiretroviral therapy initiated at HIV-1 seroconversion on blood and rectal reservoirs
Authors: Malatinkova Eva , Spiegelaere Ward De , Bonczkowski Pawel , Kiselinova Maja , Vervisch Karen , Trypsteen Wim , Johnson Margaret , Verhofstede Chris , Looze Danny de , Murray Charles , Loes Sabine Kinloch-de , Vandekerckhove Linos
Published: October 2015

Persistent reservoirs remain the major obstacles to achieve an HIV-1 cure. Prolonged early antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce the extent of reservoirs and allow for virological control after ART discontinuation. We compared HIV-1 reservoirs in a cross-sectional study using polymerase chain reaction-based techniques in blood and tissue of early-treated seroconverters, late-treated patients, ART-naïve seroconverters, and long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) who have spontaneous virological control without treatment. A decade of early ART reduced the total and integrated HIV-1 DNA levels compared with later treatment initiation, but not reaching the low levels found in LTNPs. Total HIV-1 DNA in rectal biopsies did not differ between cohorts. Importantly, lower viral transcription (HIV-1 unspliced RNA) and enhanced immune preservation (CD4/CD8), reminiscent of LTNPs, were found in early compared to late-treated patients. This suggests that early treatment is associated with some immunovirological features of LTNPs that may improve the outcome of future interventions aimed at a functional cure.
Precise let-7 expression levels balance organ regeneration against tumor suppression
Authors: Wu Linwei , Nguyen Liem H , Zhou Kejin , de Soysa T Yvanka , Li Lin , Miller Jason B , Tian Jianmin , Locker Joseph , Zhang Shuyuan , Shinoda Gen , Seligson Marc T , Zeitels Lauren R , Acharya Asha , Wang Sam C , Mendell Joshua T , He Xiaoshun , Nishino Jinsuke , Morrison Sean J , Siegwart Daniel J , Daley George Q , Shyh-Chang Ng , Zhu Hao
Published: October 2015

The in vivo roles for even the most intensely studied microRNAs remain poorly defined. Here, analysis of mouse models revealed that let-7, a large and ancient microRNA family, performs tumor suppressive roles at the expense of regeneration. Too little or too much let-7 resulted in compromised protection against cancer or tissue damage, respectively. Modest let-7 overexpression abrogated MYC-driven liver cancer by antagonizing multiple let-7 sensitive oncogenes. However, the same level of overexpression blocked liver regeneration, while let-7 deletion enhanced it, demonstrating that distinct let-7 levels can mediate desirable phenotypes. let-7 dependent regeneration phenotypes resulted from influences on the insulin-PI3K-mTOR pathway. We found that chronic high-dose let-7 overexpression caused liver damage and degeneration, paradoxically leading to tumorigenesis. These dose-dependent roles for let-7 in tissue repair and tumorigenesis rationalize the tight regulation of this microRNA in development, and have important implications for let-7 based therapeutics.
Structure and conformational states of the bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase by cryo-EM
Authors: Zhou Anna , Rohou Alexis , Schep Daniel G , Bason John V , Montgomery Martin G , Walker John E , Grigorieff Nikolaus , Rubinstein John L
Published: October 2015

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the chemical energy currency of biology, is synthesized in eukaryotic cells primarily by the mitochondrial ATP synthase. ATP synthases operate by a rotary catalytic mechanism where proton translocation through the membrane-inserted FO region is coupled to ATP synthesis in the catalytic F1 region via rotation of a central rotor subcomplex. We report here single particle electron cryomicroscopy (cryo-EM) analysis of the bovine mitochondrial ATP synthase. Combining cryo-EM data with bioinformatic analysis allowed us to determine the fold of the a subunit, suggesting a proton translocation path through the FO region that involves both the a and b subunits. 3D classification of images revealed seven distinct states of the enzyme that show different modes of bending and twisting in the intact ATP synthase. Rotational fluctuations of the c8-ring within the FO region support a Brownian ratchet mechanism for proton-translocation-driven rotation in ATP synthases.
Nutritional Quality of the Egg Mass Locally Known as “Lukot’ of the Wedge Seahare Dolabella auricularia (Lightfoot, 1786)
Authors: Pepito Ador R. , Delan Gloria G. , Asakawa Manabu , Ami Letecia J. , Yap Emelia Encarnacion S. , Olympia Minerva SD. , Yasui Kaori , Maningo Aurelia G. , Rica Rachel Luz V. , Lamayo Ma. Helian A.
Published: October 2015

The egg mass of the wedge seahare Dolabella auricularia has been gathered as human food for quite a long time without knowing its nutritional composition. Thus, this study was conducted in order to determine some nutritional aspects of the egg mass as basis of its utilization as human food. Important composition of the egg mass that were determined were its proximate composition, mineral contents and amino acid profile. In terms of proximate composition, the egg mass has a moisture content of 91.10 percent, fat of 0.85 percent, protein of 2.85 percent, ash of 3.43 percent and 1.77 percent for carbohydrates. The mineral content such as: calcium, iron, potassium, sodium and zinc contain 1040 mg/kg, 25.3 mg/kg, 599 mg/kg, 9803 mg/kg and 41.6 mg/kg, respectively. The amino acid profile has six (6) essential amino acids such as: threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and hstidine while it has nine (9) non-essential amino acid like: taurine, aspartic acid, serine, glutamic acid, glumatimine, glycine, alanine, tyrosine, proline. It has also eight (8) other amino acids components such as: Phospo-serine, urea, aromatic amino acid, citrulline, beta-alanine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, ammonia, ornithine. Results show that the egg mass of the wedge seahare contains some nutritional components that are very essential in maintaining a healthy and balanced life, thus making it as another food commodity from the marine environment.
Effects of mediated social touch on affective experiences and trust
Authors: Erk Stefanie M. , Toet Alexander , Van Erp Jan B.F.
Published: October 2015

This study investigated whether communication via mediated hand pressure during a remotely shared experience (watching an amusing video) can (1) enhance recovery from sadness, (2) enhance the affective quality of the experience, and (3) increase trust towards the communication partner. Thereto participants first watched a sad movie clip to elicit sadness, followed by a funny one to stimulate recovery from sadness. While watching the funny clip they signaled a hypothetical fellow participant every time they felt amused. In the experimental condition the participants responded by pressing a hand-held two-way mediated touch device (a Frebble), which also provided haptic feedback via simulated hand squeezes. In the control condition they responded by pressing a button and they received abstract visual feedback. Objective (heart rate, galvanic skin conductance, number and duration of joystick or Frebble presses) and subjective (questionnaires) data were collected to assess the emotional reactions of the participants. The subjective measurements confirmed that the sad movie successfully induced sadness while the funny movie indeed evoked more positive feelings. Although their ranking agreed with the subjective measurements, the physiological measurements confirmed this conclusion only for the funny movie. The results show that recovery from movie induced sadness, the affective experience of the amusing movie, and trust towards the communication partner did not differ between both experimental conditions. Hence, feedback via mediated hand touching did not enhance either of these factors compared to visual feedback. Further analysis of the data showed that participants scoring low onExtraversion(i.e., persons that are more introvert) or low onTouch Receptivity(i.e., persons who do not like to be touched by others) felt better understood by their communication partner when receiving mediated touch feedback instead of visual feedback, while the opposite was found for participants scoring high on these factors. The implications of these results for further research are discussed, and some suggestions for follow-up experiments are presented.
Intraspecific variation of phragmocone chamber volumes throughout ontogeny in the modern nautilidNautilusand the Jurassic ammoniteNormannites
Authors: Tajika Amane , Morimoto Naoki , Wani Ryoji , Naglik Carole , Klug Christian
Published: October 2015

Nautilusremains of great interest to palaeontologists after a long history of actualistic comparisons and speculations on aspects of the palaeoecology of fossil cephalopods, which are otherwise impossible to assess. Although a large amount of work has been dedicated toNautilusecology, conch geometry and volumes of shell parts and chambers have been studied less frequently. In addition, although the focus on volumetric analyses for ammonites has been increasing recently with the development of computed tomographic technology, the intraspecific variation of volumetric parameters has never been examined. To investigate the intraspecific variation of the phragmocone chamber volumes throughout ontogeny, 30 specimens of RecentNautilus pompiliusand two Middle Jurassic ammonites (Normannites mitis) were reconstructed using computed tomography and grinding tomography, respectively. Both of the ontogenetic growth trajectories from the twoNormannitesdemonstrate logistic increase. However, a considerable difference inNormanniteshas been observed between their entire phragmocone volumes (cumulative chamber volumes), in spite of their similar morphology and size. Ontogenetic growth trajectories fromNautilusalso show a high variation. Sexual dimorphism appears to contribute significantly to this variation. Finally, covariation between chamber widths and volumes was examined. The results illustrate the strategic difference in chamber construction betweenNautilusandNormannites. The former genus persists to construct a certain conch shape, whereas the conch of the latter genus can change its shape flexibly under some constraints.
Variations in leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) skull morphology and body size: sexual and geographic influences
Authors: Sicuro Fernando L. , Oliveira Luiz Flamarion B.
Published: October 2015

The leopard cat,Prionailurus bengalensis(Kerr, 1792), is one of the most widespread Asian cats, occurring in continental eastern and southeastern Asia. Since 1929, several studies have focused on the morphology, ecology, and taxonomy of leopard cats. Nevertheless, hitherto there has been no agreement on basic aspects of leopard cat biology, such as the presence or absence of sexual dimorphism, morphological skull and body differences between the eleven recognized subspecies, and the biogeography of the different morphotypes. Twenty measurements on 25 adult leopard cat skulls from different Asian localities were analyzed through univariate and multivariate statistical approaches. Skull and external body measurements from studies over the last 77 years were assembled and organized in two categories:full dataandsummary data. Most of this database comprises small samples, which have never been statistically tested and compared with each other.Full datasets were tested with univariate and multivariate statistical analyses;summary datasets (i.e., means, SDs, and ranges) were analyzed through suitable univariate approaches. The independent analyses of the data from these works confirmed our original results and improved the overview of sexual dimorphism and geographical morphological variation among subspecies. Continental leopard cats have larger skulls and body dimensions. Skulls of Indochinese morphotypes have broader and higher features than those of continental morphotypes, while individuals from the Sunda Islands have skulls with comparatively narrow and low profiles. Cranial sexual dimorphism is present in different degrees among subspecies. Most display subtle sex-related variations in a few skull features. However, in some cases, sexual dimorphism in skull morphology is absent, such as inP. b. sumatranusandP. b. borneoensis. External body measurement comparisons also indicate the low degree of sexual dimorphism. Apart from the gonads, the longer hind foot of male leopard cats is the main feature of sexual dimorphism amongP. b. bengalensis(and probably amongP. b. horsfieldiitoo). External body measurements also indicated the absence of sexual dimorphism among individuals ofP. b. borneoensis. Inter-subspecific skull comparisons provided a morphometric basis for differentiating some subspecies.Prionailurus b. horsfieldiiandP. b. bengalensiswere distinguished only by a subtle difference in PM4size, indicating that overall skull morphology does not appear to support their separate taxonomical status, in spite of the marked differences reported in their coat patterns. Geological events affecting the Sunda Shelf connection between the Sunda Islands and the mainland during the Last Glacial Maximum seem to have influenced directly the morphological pattern shown by leopard cat subspecies nowadays.
A quantitative assessment of the sensitivity of the downstream midlatitude flow response to extratropical transition of tropical cyclones
Authors: Grams Christian M. , Lang Simon T. K. , Keller Julia H.
Published: October 2015

During extratropical transition (ET) of tropical cyclones (TC) reduced predictability for the midlatitude flow is often observed. In this study we assess the sensitivity of the midlatitude flow response to ET. To this end, a simple novel metric, the “equivalent forecast hour difference,” is introduced and applied to experimental simulations for eight recent ET events, in which the TC has been removed or relocated. Early during ET, the midlatitude flow response is sensitive to ridgebuilding directly downstream of the transitioning TC. In cases with strong ridgebuilding and Rossby wave triggering, the sensitivity remains high. The midlatitude flow response is even more sensitive to error in the initial position of the TC. This study newly quantifies the high degree of sensitivity of the downstream midlatitude flow response to ET. It corroborates the need for correct tropical cyclogenesis and TC track forecasts for improving midlatitude numerical weather prediction during ET.
Properties and geoeffectiveness of magnetic clouds during solar cycles 23 and 24
Authors: Gopalswamy N. , Yashiro S. , Xie H. , Akiyama S. , Mäkelä P.
Published: October 2015

We report on a study that compares the properties of magnetic clouds (MCs) during the first 73 months of solar cycles 23 and 24 in order to understand the weak geomagnetic activity in cycle 24. We find that the number of MCs did not decline in cycle 24, although the average sunspot number is known to have declined by ~40%. Despite the large number of MCs, their geoeffectiveness in cycle 24 was very low. The average Dst index in the sheath and cloud portions in cycle 24 was −33 nT and −23 nT, compared to −66 nT and −55 nT, respectively, in cycle 23. One of the key outcomes of this investigation is that the reduction in the strength of geomagnetic storms as measured by the Dst index is a direct consequence of the reduction in the factor VBz (the product of the MC speed and the out‐of‐the‐ecliptic component of the MC magnetic field). The reduction in MC‐to‐ambient total pressure in cycle 24 is compensated for by the reduction in the mean MC speed, resulting in the constancy of the dimensionless expansion rate at 1 AU. However, the MC size in cycle 24 was significantly smaller, which can be traced to the anomalous expansion of coronal mass ejections near the Sun reported by Gopalswamy et al. (2014a). One of the consequences of the anomalous expansion seems to be the larger heliocentric distance where the pressure balance between the CME flux ropes and the ambient medium occurs in cycle 24.
Selective Laser Melting of Titanium Alloys and Titanium Matrix Composites for Biomedical Applications: A Review
Authors: Zhang Lai‐Chang , Attar Hooyar
Published: October 2015

Titanium materials are ideal targets for selective laser melting (SLM), because they are expensive and difficult to machinery using traditional technologies. After briefly introducing the SLM process and processing factors involved, this paper reviews the recent progresses in SLM of titanium alloys and their composites for biomedical applications, especially developing new titanium powder for SLM. Although the current feedstock titanium powder for SLM is limited to CP‐Ti, Ti–6Al–4V, and Ti–6Al–7Nb, this review extends attractive progresses in the SLM of all types of titanium, composites, and porous structures including Ti–24Nb–4Zr–8Sn and Ti–TiB/TiC composites with focus on the manufacture by SLM and resulting unique microstructure and properties (mechanical, wear/corrosion resistance properties).
Oxidized Porous Silicon Nanostructures Enabling Electrokinetic Transport for Enhanced DNA Detection
Authors: Vilensky Rita , Bercovici Moran , Segal Ester
Published: October 2015

Nanostructured porous silicon (PSi) is a promising material for the label‐free detection of biomolecules, but it currently suffers from limited applicability due to poor sensitivity, typically in micromolar range. This work presents the design, operation concept, and characterization of a novel microfluidic device and assay that integrates an oxidized PSi optical biosensor with electrokinetic focusing for a highly sensitive label‐free detection of nucleic acids. Under proper oxidation conditions, the delicate nanostructure of PSi can be preserved, while providing sufficient dielectric insulation for application of high voltages. This enables the use of signal enhancement techniques, which are based on electric fields. Here, the DNA target molecules are focused using an electric field within a finite and confined zone, and this highly concentrated analyte is delivered to an on‐chip PSi Fabry–Pérot optical transducer, prefunctionalized with capture probes. Using reflective interferometric Fourier transform spectroscopy real‐time monitoring, a 1000‐fold improvement in limit of detection is demonstrated compared to a standard assay, using the same biosensor. Thus, a measured limit of detection of 1 × 10−9 m is achieved without compromising specificity. The concepts presented herein can be readily applied to other ionic targets, paving way for the development of other highly sensitive chemical and biochemical assays.
Electroactive Tuning of Double‐Layered Metamaterials Based on π‐Conjugated Polymer Actuators
Authors: Matsui Tatsunosuke , Inose Yuto , Powell David A. , Shadrivov Ilya V.
Published: October 2015

Novel electroactive metamaterials working in the terahertz (THz) and microwave frequency ranges are demonstrated utilizing π‐conjugated polymer actuators. Metamaterials are artificial composite materials based on subwavelength resonant elements called “meta‐atoms.” The resonant character of meta‐atoms typically restricts their operating frequency to a narrow range, therefore it is crucial to make them tunable in order to develop practical devices. A promising tuning scheme is based on changing the mutual position of meta‐atoms in a composite. When two meta‐atoms are placed in close vicinity such that their near‐fields interact, their resonant characteristics can be tuned by altering their relative position and/or orientation. Here linear actuators made from heavily doped polypyrrole films are utilized to change the relative lateral position of two THz metasurfaces, and accordion‐shaped origami actuators are used to change the distance between two microwave meta‐atoms. In both cases significant tunability of the resonances is obtained by the application of a control voltage. This approach here may open a new direction for creating tunable metamaterials based on a rich variety of π‐conjugated polymer actuators.
2D NMR Trace Analysis by Continuous Hyperpolarization at High Magnetic Field
Authors: Eshuis Nan , Aspers Ruud L. E. G. , van Weerdenburg Bram J. A. , Feiters Martin C. , Rutjes Floris P. J. T. , Wijmenga Sybren S. , Tessari Marco
Published: October 2015

Nuclear magnetic resonance is often the technique of choice in chemical analysis because of its sensitivity to molecular structure, quantitative character, and straightforward sample preparation. However, determination of trace analytes in complex mixtures is generally limited by low sensitivity and extensive signal overlap. Here, we present an approach for continuous hyperpolarization at high magnetic field that is based on signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) and can be straightforwardly incorporated in multidimensional NMR experiments. This method was implemented in a 2D correlation experiment that allows detection and quantification of analytes at nanomolar concentration in complex solutions.
Polymer Cages as Universal Tools for the Precise Bottom‐Up Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Fan Ziyin , Chen Xuelian , Köhn Serrano Melissa , Schmalz Holger , Rosenfeldt Sabine , Förster Stephan , Agarwal Seema , Greiner Andreas
Published: October 2015

A template synthesis allows the preparation of monodisperse nanoparticles with high reproducibility and independent from self‐assembly requirements. Tailor‐made polymer cages were used for the preparation of nanoparticles, which were made of cross‐linked macromolecules with pendant thiol groups. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared in the polymer cages in situ, by using different amounts of cages versus gold. The polymer cages exhibited a certain capacity, below which the AuNPs could be grown with excellent control over the size and shape. Control experiments with a linear diblock copolymer showed a continuous increase in the AuNP size as the gold feed increased. This completely different behavior regarding the AuNP size evolution was attributed to the flexibility of the polymer chain depending on cross‐linking. Moreover, the polymer cages were suitable for the encapsulation of AgNPs, PdNPs, and PtNPs by the in situ method.
Compatibility, steady and dynamic rheological behaviors of polylactide/poly(ethylene glycol) blends
Authors: Li Feng‐Jiao , Tan Ling‐Cao , Zhang Shui‐Dong , Zhu Bo
Published: October 2015

Understanding the rheological behavior of plasticized polylactide (PLA) contributed to the optimization of processing conditions and revealed the microstructure–property relationships. In this study, the morphological, thermal, steady and dynamic rheological properties of the PLA/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) blends were investigated by scanning electron microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, and capillary and dynamic rheometers, respectively. The results illuminated that the melt shear flow basically fitted the power law, whereas the temperature dependence of the apparent shear viscosity (ηa) or complex viscosity (η*) followed the Arrhenius equation. Both the neat PLA and PLA/PEG blends exhibited shear‐thinning behavior. Because the incorporation of PEG reduced the intermolecular forces and improved the mobility of the PLA chains, the ηa, η*, and storage and loss moduli of the PLA/PEG blends decreased. The PEG content (WPEG) ranged from 0 to 10 wt %, both ηa and η* decreased significantly. However, the decrements of ηa and η* became unremarkable when WPEG exceeded 10 wt %. The reason was attributed to the occurrence of phase separation, which resulted in the decrease in the plasticization and lubrication efficiencies. This study demonstrated that the addition of the right amount of PEG obviously improved the flow properties of PLA. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42919.
Synergistic effect of aluminium phosphate and tungstophosphoric acid on the physicochemical properties of sulfonated poly ether ether ketone nanocomposite membrane
Authors: Banerjee Soma , Kar Kamal K.
Published: October 2015

This study explores the synergistic effect of aluminium phosphate (ALP) nanoparticles and tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) on the physicochemical properties of sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) nanocomposite membranes. SPEEK/TPA/ALP nanocomposite containing optimum TPA (10 wt %) and varying ALP content (3–10 wt %) are fabricated to investigate the effect of ALP nanoparticles on membrane properties. Experimental results reveal that nanocomposite membrane containing 3 wt % ALP nanoparticles and 10 wt % TPA exhibits 3.3 and 18.8 times higher proton conductivity compared to 10 wt % TPA filled SPEEK composite membrane and reference SPEEK membrane. ALP nanoparticles help in retaining water within the membranes and thus 59.4% reduction in water desorption rate is achieved compared to SPEEK/TPA membrane. The leaching of TPA is reduced by 34.5% which helps in retaining membrane properties. Membranes are thermally stable up to 200°C. Microstructure of the composite films is investigated by scanning electron microscope. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 42952.
Pregnancy Outcomes in Women With Rare Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Chen Jian S. , Roberts Christine L. , Simpson Judy M. , March Lyn M.
Published: October 2015

Objective

To examine pregnancy outcomes and pregnancy‐related health service utilization among women with rare autoimmune diseases.

Methods

This population‐based cohort study of an Australian obstetric population (2001–2011) used birth records linked to hospital records for identification of rare autoimmune diseases including systemic vasculitis, vasculitis limited to the skin, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic sclerosis, Behçet's disease, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, and other systemic involvement of connective tissue. We excluded births in women with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis as well as births occurring ≥6 months before the diagnosis of the rare autoimmune disease. Modified Poisson regression was used to compare study outcomes between women with autoimmune diseases and the general obstetric population.

Results

There were 991,701 births, including 409 births (0.04%) in 293 women with rare autoimmune diseases. Of the 409 births, 202 (49%) were delivered by cesarean section and 72 (18%) were preterm; these rates were significantly higher than those in the general obstetric population (28% and 7%, respectively). Compared to the general population, women with autoimmune diseases had higher rates of hypertensive disorders, antepartum hemorrhage, and severe maternal morbidity and required longer hospitalization at delivery, more hospital admissions, and tertiary obstetric care. Compared to other infants, those whose mothers had a rare autoimmune disease were at increased risk of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, severe neonatal morbidity, and perinatal death.

Conclusion

While the majority of women with rare autoimmune diseases delivered healthy infants, they were at increased risk of having both maternal complications and adverse neonatal outcomes, suggesting that their pregnancies should be closely monitored.
Optimal replacement and allocation of multi‐state elements in k‐within‐m‐from‐r/n sliding window systems
Authors: Xiao Hui , Peng Rui , Levitin Gregory
Published: October 2015

This paper proposes a new model that generalizes the linear sliding window system to the case of multiple failures. The considered k‐within‐m‐from‐r/n sliding window system consists of n linearly ordered multi‐state elements and fails if at least k groups out of m consecutive groups of r consecutive multi‐state elements have cumulative performance lower than the demand W. A reliability evaluation algorithm is suggested for the proposed system. In order to increase the system availability, maintenance actions can be performed, and the elements can be optimally allocated. A joint element allocation and maintenance optimization model is formulated with the objective of minimizing the total maintenance cost subjected to the pre‐specified system availability requirement. Basic procedures of genetic algorithms are adapted to solve the optimization problem. Numerical experiments are presented to illustrate the applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of case-relevant and case-irrelevant communication within the surgical team on surgical-site infection
Authors: Tschan F , Seelandt J C , Keller S , Semmer N K , Kurmann A , Candinas D , Beldi G
Published: October 2015

Background

Surgical-site infections (SSIs) are the most common complications after surgery. An influence from talking and distractions during surgery on patient outcomes has been suggested, but there is limited evidence. The aim of this prospective observational study was to assess the relationship between intraoperative communication within the surgical team and SSI, and between intraoperative distractions and SSI.

Methods

This prospective observational study included patients undergoing elective, open abdominal procedures. For each procedure, intraoperative case-relevant and case-irrelevant communication, and intraoperative distractions were observed continuously on site. The influence of communication and distractions on SSI after surgery was assessed using logistic regressions, adjusting for risk factors.

Results

A total of 167 observed procedures were analysed; their mean(s.d.) duration was 4·6(2·1) h. A total of 24 SSIs (14·4 per cent) were diagnosed. Case-relevant communication during the procedure was independently associated with a reduced incidence of organ/space SSI (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio 0·86, 95 per cent c.i. 0·77 to 0·97; P = 0·014). Case-irrelevant communication during the closing phase of the procedure was independently associated with increased incidence of incisional SSI (propensity score-adjusted odds ratio 1·29, 1·08 to 1·55; P = 0·006). Distractions had no association with SSI.

Conclusion

More case-relevant communication was associated with fewer organ/space SSIs, and more case-irrelevant communication during wound closure was associated with incisional SSI.
Fluorescence Sensor Performance of a New Fluorescein Derivate: [2‐Morpholine‐4‐(6‐chlorine‐1,3,5‐s‐triazine)‐amino]fluorescein
Authors: Ge Fengyan , Yang Chun , Cai Zaisheng
Published: October 2015

A novel reactive fluorescent dye [2‐morpholine‐4‐(6‐chlorine‐1,3,5‐s‐triazine)‐amino]fluorescein based on 5‐aminofluorescein was synthesized by electrophilic substitution. The photophysical properties, solvent effect, pH value sensitivity, and metal ions responsibility of this new fluorophore were investigated. Compared with 5‐aminofluorescein, the novel fluorophore exhibited stronger fluorescence and longer lifetime. The fluorescence property of the new dye was obviously affected by different solvents and pH values, and it showed stronger fluorescence in the protic solvents or an alkaline environment. Moreover, the fluorescent intensity could be enhanced by the formation of complex with metal ions especially with Mg2+. The results show that the fluorescent dye is a promising efficient sensor for solvents, protons, and metal ions.
Effect of the Mixed Oleophilic Fibrous Coalescer Geometry and the Operating Conditions on Oily Wastewater Separation
Authors: Lu Hao , Yang Qiang , Xu Xiao , Wang Hua‐Lin
Published: October 2015

Fibrous‐bed coalescers are commonly used to separate oil‐in‐water emulsions, and some factors significantly affect the separation performance. To achieve a fundamental understanding of the colloidal physical phenomenon and to predict the coalescence efficiency are challenging tasks because of the complex interplay among the governing parameters. Here, two types of commercial oleophilic fibers were employed to study the influence of critical factors on the separation performance, including the packing density, the specific surface area, the bed depth, the superficial velocity, and the inlet oil content. An industrial‐scale experiment was also carried out on an offshore platform. The collected industrial data will be useful to further the application of the oleophilic‐fiber bed in oily wastewater treatment.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer Coefficient in Corrugated Tubes
Authors: Nelly Steven Mac , Nieratschker Willi , Nadler Marc , Raab Daniel , Delgado Antonio
Published: October 2015

Single‐structured tubes (SSTs) and cross‐structured tubes (CSTs) with helix‐based structures are investigated with respect to their heat transfer properties and pressure drop based on the measurements of a non‐isothermal gas flow inside the tubes. The examined Reynolds number range corresponds to relevant shell‐and‐tube heat exchanger applications. After a detailed description of the measuring methods used, the test facilities and their validation‐appropriate wall geometries with a high potential for heat transfer improvements are discussed. The experimental results show that the Nusselt number can be improved by varying the structure depth and angle of the helix, which can also influence the pressure drop in the tube. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the tangential velocity in the SSTs strongly varies with the structure angle, while the flow inside the CSTs only rotates locally.
The diversity in the applications of partial least squares: an overview
Authors: Mehmood Tahir , Ahmed Bilal
Published: October 2015

Advances in technology make it happen to have massive amount of information in the form of multiple variables per object. The use of multivariate approaches for modeling the real‐life phenomena is natural in such situation. There are numerous multivariate approaches in the literature, and its a challenge to stay updated on the possibilities. Partial least squares (PLSs) are one of the many modeling approaches for high‐throughput data, and its use in different fields to address the variety of problems has been increased in recent years. We therefore present an overview of PLS's applications. The objective of this paper is to give a comprehensive overview on the advances in PLS algorithm together with its applications for regression, classification, variable selection, and survival analysis problems covering genomics, chemometrics, neuroinformatics, process control, computer vision, econometric, environmental studies, and so on. We have mainly presented different PLS approaches and their applications, so that the reader can easily get an understanding of possibility to use PLS for their own field. For further reading, literature references together with software availability are provided. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrete Rectangles, Prisms, and Heterometallic Cages from a Conjugated Cp*Rh‐Based Building Block
Authors: Shen Xu‐Yu , Zhang Ying‐Ying , Zhang Long , Lin Yue‐Jian , Jin Guo‐Xin
Published: October 2015

By carefully selecting an existing synthetic strategy and suitable coordination subunits, constructing desired coordination geometries is no longer that difficult to accomplish. Herein, a new strategy to construct a series of unprecedented structures by using conjugated Cp*Rh‐based complex BN‐OTf (Cp*=η5‐C5Me5) as the building block is proposed. DFT calculations revealed extensive delocalized π bonds in the subunit. With BN‐OTf, rectangular macrocycles TN‐bpy and TN‐bpe were controllably synthesized. Single‐crystal XRD studies confirmed one‐dimensional stacking channels for the tetranuclear structure. Notably, the starting ligand imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylate was found to act not only as a tetradentate but also as a hexadentate ligand that can coordinate to further metal ions. Subsequently, [4 Rh+1 M] heterometallic complexes HMZ (M=Cu and Zn) were accessed by chelating borderline hard/soft Lewis acids. With TN‐Linker or HMZ, two routes resulted in the [8 Rh+2 M] heterometallic cages HMC (M=Cu and Zn) with excellent crystallinity and stability. Surprisingly, when BN‐OTf bonded to rhodium itself, triangular prisms TP‐Linker were obtained with high solubility after being linked by bipyridine linkers. Both the X‐ray structure and 1H NMR spectrum confirmed the novel isomerization of the triangular structures. All of the compounds were obtained in high yields and were fully characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and in most cases single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination.
Synthesis of Upconverting Hydrogel Nanocomposites Using Thiol‐Ene Click Chemistry: Template for the Formation of Dendrimer‐Like Gold Nanoparticle Assemblies
Authors: Meesaragandla Brahmaiah , Mahalingam Venkataramanan
Published: October 2015

The synthesis of upconverting hydrogel nanocomposites by base‐catalyzed thiol‐ene click reaction between 10‐undecenoic acid capped Yb3+/Er3+‐doped NaYF4 nanoparticles and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3‐mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) as tetrathiol monomer is reported. This synthetic strategy for nanocomposite gels is quite different from works where usually the preformed gels are mixed with the nanoparticles. Developing nanocomposites by surface modification of capping ligands would allow tuning and controlling of the separation of the nanoparticles inside the gel network. The hydrogel nanocomposites prepared by thiol‐ene click reaction show strong enhancement in luminescence intensity compared to 10‐undecenoic acid‐capped Yb3+/Er3+‐doped NaYF4 nanoparticles through the upconversion process (under 980 nm laser excitation). The hydrogel nanocomposites display strong swelling characteristics in water resulting in porous structures. Interestingly, the resulting nanocomposite gels act as templates for the synthesis of dendrimer‐like Au nanostructures when HAuCl4 is reduced in the presence of the nanocomposite gels.
Site Covalent Modification of Methionyl Peptides for the Production of FRET Complexes
Authors: Jadhav Pramodkumar D. , Shen Jianheng , Sammynaiken Ramaswami , Reaney Martin J. T.
Published: October 2015

Flax cyclic peptides (orbitides, linusorbs (LOs)) [1–8‐NαC],[1‐MetO2]‐linusorb B1 ([MetO2]‐LO1) and [1–9‐NαC],[1‐MetO2]‐linusorb B2 ([MetO2]‐LO2) are biologically active. These LOs lack active nuclei commonly used in peptide modification. We have developed reactions to activate methionine methyl sulphide to produce stable derivatives. In these reactions, LOs are converted to sulfonium intermediates and subsequently to derivatives containing active nuclei while preserving their fundamental structures. The reaction conditions preserved cyclic peptide fundamental structure and organic solvent solubility. [Met]‐LO1 and [Met]‐LO2 analogues containing activated groups (CN, COOEt, and NH2) in the form of methionine, methionine (S)‐oxide, and methionine (S,S)‐dioxide amino acids were synthesized and characterized by LCMS and 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Coumarin orbitide complexes produced in this manner bind Eu3+ yielding FRET compounds that absorb energy through coumarin antennae and emit photons at lanthanide wavelengths.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of an Intramolecular CF3‐Group Shift in the Reactions of α‐Bromoenones with 1,2‐Diamines
Authors: Muzalevskiy Vasily M. , Ustynyuk Yury A. , Gloriozov Igor P. , Chertkov Vyacheslav A. , Rulev Alexander Yu. , Kondrashov Evgeniy V. , Ushakov Igor A. , Romanov Alexey R. , Nenajdenko Valentine G.
Published: October 2015

The reactions of trifluoromethylated 2‐bromoenones andN,N′‐dialkyl‐1,2‐diamines have been studied. Depending on the structures of the starting compounds, the formation of 2‐trifluoroacetylpiperazine or 3‐trifluoromethylpiperazine‐2‐ones was observed. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed in terms of multistep processes involving sequential substitution of bromine in the starting α‐bromoenones and intramolecular cyclization of the captodative aminoenones as key intermediates to form the target heterocycles. The results of theoretical calculations are in perfect agreement with the experimental data. The unique role of the trifluoromethyl group in this reaction is demonstrated.