bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic kinship construction to enhance genetic analyses in the human connectome project data
Authors: Kochunov Peter , Donohue Brian , Mitchell Braxton D. , Ganjgahi Habib , Adhikari Bhim , Ryan Meghann , Medland Sarah E. , Jahanshad Neda , Thompson Paul M. , Blangero John , Fieremans Els , Novikov Dmitry S. , Marcus Daniel , Van Essen David C. , Glahn David C , Elliot Hong L. , Nichols Thomas E.
Published: November 2018

Imaging genetic analyses quantify genetic control over quantitative measurements of brain structure and function using coefficients of relationship (CR) that code the degree of shared genetics between subjects. CR can be inferred through self‐reported relatedness or calculated empirically using genome‐wide SNP scans. We hypothesized that empirical CR provides a more accurate assessment of shared genetics than self‐reported relatedness. We tested this in 1,046 participants of the Human Connectome Project (HCP) (480 M/566 F) recruited from the Missouri twin registry. We calculated the heritability for 17 quantitative traits drawn from four categories (brain diffusion and structure, cognition, and body physiology) documented by the HCP. We compared the heritability and genetic correlation estimates calculated using self‐reported and empirical CR methods Kinship‐based INference for GWAS (KING) and weighted allelic correlation (WAC). The polygenetic nature of traits was assessed by calculating the empirical CR from chromosomal SNP sets. The heritability estimates based on whole‐genome empirical CR were higher but remained significantly correlated (r ∼0.9) with those obtained using self‐reported values. Population stratification in the HCP sample has likely influenced the empirical CR calculations and biased heritability estimates. Heritability values calculated using empirical CR for chromosomal SNP sets were significantly correlated with the chromosomal length (r 0.7) suggesting a polygenic nature for these traits. The chromosomal heritability patterns were correlated among traits from the same knowledge domains; among traits with significant genetic correlations; and among traits sharing biological processes, without being genetically related. The pedigree structures generated in our analyses are available online as a web‐based calculator (www.solar-eclipse-genetics.org/HCP).
The evaluation of malpractice cases arising from aesthetic intervention in Turkey based on Supreme Court case law
Authors: Yalcin Balcik Pınar , Cakmak Cuma
Published: November 2018

Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate medical malpractice cases arising from aesthetic services based on the decisions of the Supreme Court.

Material and methods

In the study, compensation and criminal lawsuits finalized by the civil and penal courts of the Supreme Court were examined retrospectively. All the case law decisions were obtained from the official website of the Supreme Court: www.yargitay.gov.tr. Nine hundred and eighty‐one decisions were obtained after performing a keyword search in the website; after duplicates and unrelated cases were removed, 81 decisions (N = 81) were evaluated.

Results

The analysis showed that lawsuits related to medical malpractice involving aesthetic interventions are mostly finalized by the civil courts, which decide claims for compensation. Malpractice primarily occurred in private hospitals and beauty centers, and operations were found to be commonly performed by physicians and beauty experts. Malpractice cases were found to be mostly caused by poor medical intervention, a lack of attention/care, and faulty/incorrect treatment. The average compensation amount provided by the civil courts is 55 558 ± 50 014 TL (14 209 ± 12 318 USD).

Conclusion

On the basis of these results, it is recommended that the awareness and training level of healthcare personnel should be increased, and precautions should be taken at both the institutional and the national levels.
A Professional Development Activity to Help Teaching Assistants Work as a Team to Assess Lab Reports in a General Chemistry Course
Authors: Avargil Shirly , Bruce Mitchell R. M. , Klemmer Susan A. , Bruce Alice E.
Published: November 2018

Graduate student teaching assistants (TAs) are often responsible for assessing student work, such as laboratory reports, and it is important that the same student effort be assessed similarly across TAs. Prior exercises with TAs showed a wide range of scoring among a team of TAs assessing the same lab report. A three‐hour Professional Development (PD) activity spread over three weeks was conducted with TAs in a general chemistry course to gain skill in the assessment of lab reports within the context of working as a group. In week 1, TAs individually assessed an identical, redacted lab report. In week 2, TAs discussed their scoring of the first lab report, and then assessed and discussed selected portions of additional lab reports. During week 3, TAs assessed another redacted lab report. Results show a modest narrowing in TAs’ scoring from week 1 to week 3, which suggests this activity could be employed as part of a strategy to develop “community” standards among TAs.
Building Bridges From Classrooms to Networked Publics: Helping Students Write for the Audience They Want
Authors: Lammers Jayne C. , Van Alstyne Judith H.
Published: November 2018

Research about adolescents sharing creative writing in interest‐driven online communities has suggested that teachers can play important roles in helping young writers realize the potential of online spaces. Framed by sociocultural notions of new literacies and a conceptual framework theorizing the rhetorical situation when sharing writing in networked publics, this instrumental case study examined the design and implementation of a high school elective course supporting students to critically analyze and participate in online creative writing spaces. The authors collected observation, interview, and artifactual data and then analyzed them inductively to generate testable assertions about how bringing together the potential audiences in classrooms and networked publics affected writing instruction and the writing act. Findings revealed how controlling the makeup of audiences raised privacy issues, cultivating interactions with audiences required persistence, and conceptualizing audiences affected these students’ writing. Suggestions for designing writing instruction to include networked publics and recommendations for classroom‐based research are shared.
Gene polymorphisms and serum levels of TL1A in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yuan Zhi‐Chao , Wang Jia‐Min , Su Lin‐Chong , Xu Wang‐Dong , Huang An‐Fang
Published: November 2018

Recent findings showed elevated expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐like ligand 1A (TL1A) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and arthritis mice. However, whether TL1A gene polymorphisms may correlate with RA susceptibility needs to be discussed. This case‐control study was performed on 350 RA patients and 556 healthy subjects to identify TL1A genetic variants (rs3810936, rs6478109, and rs7848647) and their possible association with TL1A levels, susceptibility to and severity of RA. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated to represent the correlation between TL1A polymorphisms and RA. The TL1A serum levels were evaluated. Results showed that frequencies of TC, TT + TC genotypes of rs3810936, rs7848647 in RA patients were significantly lower in RA patients compared with controls. Patients with C allele showed more severe disease course (disease activity index: erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor) than in carriers of T allele. However, the allele or genotype frequencies of rs6478109 were not associated with RA. In addition, TL1A genetic variants conferred higher TL1A levels in RA patients compared with controls. In conclusion, these findings indicated an association between TL1A rs3810936, rs7848647 variation and the susceptibility of RA in a sample of Chinese individuals, and TL1A may correlate with severity of RA.
The average degree of a subcubic edge‐chromatic critical graph
Authors: Woodall Douglas R.
Published: November 2018

A graph is here called 3‐
critical if , and for every edge of . The 3‐critical graphs include (the Petersen graph with a vertex deleted), and subcubic graphs that are Hajós joins of copies of . Building on a recent paper of Cranston and Rabern, it is proved here that if is 3‐critical and not nor a Hajós join of two copies of , then has average degree at least ; this bound is sharp, as it is the average degree of a Hajós join of three copies of .
Altered brain iron content and deposition rate in Huntington’s disease as indicated by quantitative susceptibility MRI
Authors: Chen Lin , Hua Jun , Ross Christopher A. , Cai Shuhui , van Zijl Peter C.M. , Li Xu
Published: November 2018

Altered brain iron content in the striatum of premanifest and manifest Huntington’s disease (HD) has been reported. However, its natural history remains unclear. This study aims to investigate altered brain iron content in premanifest and early HD, and the iron deposition rate in these patients through a longitudinal one‐year follow‐up test, with quantitative magnetic susceptibility as an iron imaging marker. Twenty‐four gene mutation carriers divided into three groups (further‐from‐onset, closer‐to‐onset and early HD) and 16 age‐matched healthy controls were recruited at baseline, and of these, 14 carriers and 7 controls completed the one‐year follow‐up. Quantitative magnetic susceptibility and effective transverse relaxation rate () were measured at 7.0 Tesla and correlated with atrophy and available clinical and cognitive measurements. Higher susceptibility values indicating higher iron content in the striatum and globus pallidus were only observed in closer‐to‐onset (N = 6, p < 0.05 in caudate and p < 0.01 in putamen) and early HD (N = 9, p < 0.05 in caudate and globus pallidus and p < 0.01 in putamen). Similar results were found by measurement. Such increases directly correlated with HD CAG–age product score and brain atrophy, but not with motor or cognitive scores. More importantly, a significantly higher iron deposition rate (11.9%/years in caudate and 6.1%/years in globus pallidus) was firstly observed in closer‐to‐onset premanifest HD and early HD as compared to the controls. These results suggest that monitoring brain iron may provide further insights into the pathophysiology of HD disease progression, and may provide a biomarker for clinical trials.
Comparison between quantitative descriptive analysis and flash profile in profiling the sensory properties of commercial red sufu (Chinese fermented soybean curd)
Authors: He Wenmeng , Chung Hau Yin
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Red sufu is a type of sufu produced by solid‐state fermentation of soybean curd and coloration with red mold rice. The purposes of this study were: (i) to characterize commercial red sufu samples using the quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) and flash profile (FP) by ten trained and ten untrained panelists, respectively; (ii) to compare the differences in panel performance, descriptive abilities and sensory maps between the two methodologies; and (iii) to compare the efficiency between QDA and FP using red sufu as the matrix. Techniques in multivariate analysis were utilized to explore the data.

RESULTS

Results from generalized procrustes analysis (GPA) showed that panel performance by QDA was more repeatable and reached higher homogeneity than that by FP. Despite the confidence ellipse results of the 12 red sufus being better discriminated by QDA, the RV coefficient was high (RV = 0.852) between the configurations of the two‐dimensional model (F1 and F2) of the two methodologies, indicating that the two methods are similar and closely related. Overall, QDA provided more accurate and detailed information, while FP provided a similar sensory map on product location and descriptive results.

CONCLUSION

The FP technique appeared to be an efficient alternative approach to quickly evaluate sensory properties, including appearance, flavor, aroma and textural properties of an array of red sufu products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Comprehensive two‐dimensional monolithic liquid chromatography of polar compounds
Authors: Jandera Pavel , Hájek Tomáš , Šromová Zuzana
Published: November 2018

Two‐dimensional liquid chromatography largely increases the number of separated compounds in a single run, theoretically up to the product of the peaks separated in each dimension on the columns with different selectivities. On‐line coupling of a reversed‐phase column with an aqueous normal‐phase (hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography) column yields orthogonal systems with high peak capacities. Fast on‐line two‐dimensional liquid chromatography needs a capillary or micro‐bore column providing low‐volume effluent fractions transferred to a short efficient second‐dimension column for separation at a high mobile phase flow rate. We prepared polymethacrylate zwitterionic monolithic micro‐columns in fused silica capillaries with structurally different dimethacrylate cross‐linkers. The columns provide dual retention mechanism (hydrophilic interaction and reversed‐phase). Setting the mobile phase composition allows adjusting the separation selectivity for various polar substance classes. Coupling on‐line an organic polymer monolithic capillary column in the first dimension with a short silica‐based monolithic column in the second dimension provides two‐dimensional liquid chromatography systems with high peak capacities. The silica monolithic C18 columns provide higher separation efficiency than the particle‐packed columns at the flow rates as high as 5 mL/min used in the second dimension. Decreasing the diameter of the silica monolithic columns allows using a higher flow rate at the maximum operation pressure and lower fraction volumes transferred from the first, hydrophilic interaction dimension, into the second, reversed‐phase mode, avoiding the mobile phase compatibility issues, improving the resolution, increasing the peak capacity, and the peak production rate.
Thumb reconstruction with combination of the wrap‐around flap prefabricated by medialis pedis perforator flap with nail bed and phalanx banked from the amputated thumb: A case report
Authors: Xu Jia , Wen Gen , Chai Yimin
Published: November 2018

Thumb reconstruction has been a very challenging issue for hand surgeons. In this report, we present a case of thumb reconstruction with combination of the wrap‐around flap prefabricated by the medialis pedis perforator flap with phalanx and nail bed banked from the amputated thumb. A 22‐year‐old man suffered from the left thumb amputation as well as large soft tissue defect of hand and comminuted fracture in wrist due to a crush accident. The distal phalanx and nail bed of left thumb were exposed and no suitable vessels for microsurgical anastomosis could be found, resulting in the great difficulty of replantation. After debridement, nail bed of the amputated thumb was dissected and banked on the medial side of foot, while the distal phalanx was buried in the abdominal subcutaneous tissue. The fracture was fixed with an external fixation and the soft tissue defect was covered with a free anterolateral flap. Wound and bone healing was achieved 6 months after the initial treatment. Thumb was reconstructed with combination of the banked phalanx and a wrap‐around flap prefabricated by the medialis pedis perforator flap and the banked nail bed. The postoperative course was uneventful with complications from both reconstruction and donor sites. The nail of the reconstructed thumb grew normally. Thumb oppositional function was rebuilt. The patient was satisfied with the aesthetic and functional outcome at 5‐year postoperative follow‐up. We propose that tissue banked from the nonreplantable amputated thumb could be used for secondary reconstruction with the technique of flap prefabrication.
Comparison of spontaneous sensory recovery of noninnervated anteromedial thigh flap, latissimus dorsi flap, and gracilis muscle flap in lower extremity reconstruction: A prospective comparative study
Authors: Rothenberger Jens , Ramms Eva Maria , Medved Fabian , Kolbenschlag Jonas , Daigeler Adrien , Held Manuel
Published: November 2018

Background

We evaluated the time course and differences in the sensory recovery of three commonly used free flaps for lower extremity reconstruction. Furthermore, the sensory recovery of skin‐grafted muscle and skin paddle in latissimus dorsi flaps (LDMF) were differentiated.

Methods

In a prospective study, 26 patients who had undergone free flap lower extremity reconstruction were enrolled. Among them, 9 received LDMF, 9 received gracilis muscle flaps (GMF), and 8 received anterior lateral thigh flaps (ALTF). The sensory recovery was investigated by using the Semmes–Weinstein test (SWT) at 6 and 12 months after the surgery.

Results

All flaps recorded spontaneous sensory recovery. The GMF showed the smallest anesthetic area after 12 months as compared with the ALTF and LDMF (1 ± 3% vs. 18 ± 39% (p < .05) vs. 35 ± 35% (p < .05), respectively). Qualitatively, ALTF exhibited the best sensory recovery with the lowest SWT values (ALTF 4.57 ± 1.12 vs. GMF 5.01 ± 0.81 8 [p < .05], vs. LDMF 5.84 ± 0.52 [p < .05]). The sensory recovery of skin‐grafted muscle was superior to that of the skin paddle in the LDMF (anesthetic area 29 ± 36% vs. 54 ± 33% [p < .05], SWT 5.85 ± 0.60 vs. 6.30 ± 0.18 [p < .05], respectively).

Conclusion

All flaps displayed spontaneous sensory recovery potential over the investigation period, which appeared to be influenced by the flap type and size. The LDMF skin paddle showed lower potential for sensory recovery as compared with the skin‐grafted muscle area of the same flap. The GMF demonstrated a near‐complete sensory recovery after 12 months.
Technical Note: Manufacturing of a realistic mouse phantom for dosimetry of radiobiology experiments
Authors: Esplen Nolan , Alyaqoub Eisa , Bazalova‐Carter Magdalena
Published: November 2018

Purpose

The goal of this work was to design a realistic mouse phantom as a useful tool for accurate dosimetry in radiobiology experiments.

Methods

A subcutaneous tumor‐bearing mouse was scanned in a microCT scanner, its organs manually segmented and contoured. The resulting geometries were converted into a stereolithographic file format (STL) and sent to a multimaterial 3D printer. The phantom was split into two parts to allow for lung excavation and 3D‐printed with an acrylic‐like material and consisted of the main body (mass density ρ=1.18 g/cm3) and bone (ρ=1.20 g/cm3). The excavated lungs were filled with polystyrene (ρ=0.32 g/cm3). Three cavities were excavated to allow the placement of a 1‐mm diameter plastic scintillator dosimeter (PSD) in the brain, the center of the body and a subcutaneous tumor. Additionally, a laser‐cut Gafchromic film can be placed in between the two phantom parts for 2D dosimetric evaluation. The expected differences in dose deposition between mouse tissues and the mouse phantom for a 220‐kVp beam delivered by the small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) were calculated by Monte Carlo (MC).

Results

MicroCT scans of the phantom showed excellent material uniformity and confirmed the material densities given by the manufacturer. MC dose calculations revealed that the dose measured by tissue‐equivalent dosimeters inserted into the phantom in the brain, abdomen, and subcutaneous tumor would be underestimated by 3–5%, which is deemed to be an acceptable error assuming the proposed 5% accuracy of radiobiological experiments.

Conclusions

The low‐cost mouse phantom can be easily manufactured and, after a careful dosimetric characterization, may serve as a useful tool for dose verification in a range of radiobiology experiments.
Repetitive nerve stimulation test in myasthenic crisis
Authors: Oh Shin J. , Jeong Dushin , Lee Ikjae , Alsharabati Mohammad
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Herein we report our experience with the repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test in myasthenia gravis (MG) crisis.

Methods

The various parameters of the RNS tests in 26 patients with MG crisis were analyzed.

Results

In 18 (69%) patients, MG crisis is the first manifestation of MG. RNS tests were abnormal in 24 (92%) patients by decrement at low‐rate stimulation in any of 4 tested muscles. Three patterns of abnormality were found: MG pattern (decrement at low‐rate stimulation) in 23 patients; Lambert–Eaton myasthenic syndrome pattern in 1 patient; and cholinergic crisis pattern in 1 patient.

Discussion

During MG crisis, the RNS test can serve as a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool for MG in a majority of patients. Muscle Nerve 59:544–544, 2019
A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles
Authors: Hachisuka Akiko , Ming Chan K.
Published: November 2018

Introduction: The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that single motor unit action potentials (SMUPs) originating from other ulnar nerve–innervated intrinsic hand muscles can inflate the motor unit number estimation (MUNE) of the hypothenar muscles. Methods: Using the multiple point stimulation method, SMUPs recorded over the hypothenar muscles from distant origins were characterized through multichannel recordings. The MUNE calculated using only the hypothenar SMUPs was compared with estimations based on the whole ensemble. Results: Of the 41 studies performed, distant SMUPs represented 17 ± 9.5% (mean ± SD) of the overall sample. MUNE calculated using only hypothenar SMUPs was 423 ± 204, compared with 537 ± 290 if all SMUPs were included (P < 0.05). The extent of increase in MUNE was highly correlated with the proportion of distant SMUPs found (r = 0.89, P < 0.05). Discussion: Erroneous inclusion of SMUPs from distant muscles can significantly distort the MUNE results. Muscle Nerve 59:337–341, 2019
The impact of Nursing and Midwifery Council revalidation on the professional identity of academic staff in a higher education institution: A qualitative study
Authors: Attenborough Julie , Abbott Stephen
Published: November 2018

Aims

To explore Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) revalidation as a process experienced by nursing and midwifery academics and its impact on their sense of professional identity.

Background

The introduction of revalidation nurses and midwives in the UK in 2016 caused some anxiety amongst registrants in higher education.

Design

A qualitative study using a purposeful sample involving thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with academic staff.

Methods

Ten registrants completed a semi‐structured interview in a higher education institution.

Results/Findings

Clinical credibility: participants were self‐conscious about time away from practice but retained strong links with clinical settings reviewing evidence and reports of current practice. The revalidation process: staff were generally positive about NMC revalidation. Professional identity: participants identified as nurses and midwives first and academics second.

Conclusions

The findings replicate previous studies about professional identity among healthcare professionals in higher education; this study reports the contribution of revalidation amongst nurses and midwives in higher education institutions.
Social representations and social marketing: Effectiveness of awareness campaigns on the representation of public policies?
Authors: Bordarie Jimmy
Published: November 2018

The research fits into the theory of the central core within the social representations theory. The approach argues the existence of two components: the core and the periphery. Each one has its own characteristics and a role to play. Within this framework, transformation of social representations can be the consequence of practices modification. However, in this study, we are interested in the effect of communication. We focus on the social representation of the public policy of the 30 kmh speed limit developed in Europe since the 1990's. And we test the impact of two awareness campaigns: the first one aims at reinforcing one aspect of the central core of the representation, the second one aims at contradicting one aspect of the core. Three groups of participants answer a questionnaire of representation related to the 30 kmh speed limit: two experimental groups (each one receiving a campaign) and one control group. Results confirm the relevance of using communication and social marketing methods in order to transform social representations. According to the type information, results are different. Discussion highlights the interest of using social representations in order to build social marketing campaigns.
Effect of alkyl chain length grafted to graphene nanoplatelets on the characteristics of polypropylene nanocomposites
Authors: Park Sae Mi , Kim Dae Su
Published: November 2018

To improve the compatibility of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) to polypropylene (PP), alkyl chains were grafted to the GNPs’ surfaces by chemical reactions between alkyl amines and the corresponding functional groups of the GNPs. Hexylamine, dodecylamine, and octadecylamine were used respectively to prepare three different alkyl‐grafted GNPs (alkyl‐GNPs) with different alkyl chain lengths. Functional group analysis of the alkyl‐GNPs by Fourier transform infrared confirmed the alkyl‐grafting reaction. PP/alkyl‐GNP nanocomposites with 0.5 phr of hexyl‐, dodecyl‐, or octadecyl‐GNPs were prepared respectively by melt‐blending and compression molding and their mechanical and thermal properties and fracture surfaces morphology were investigated. With increasing alkyl chain length the flexural strength and melting temperature increased marginally but the flexural modulus, impact strength and storage modulus of the nanocomposites increased to a large extent. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:752–756, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Rare Case of Levetiracetam and Drug‐Induced Idiopathic Aseptic Meningitis in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: McDonald Danielle , Sultan Richard , Viswanathan Anusha , Siu Anita
Published: November 2018

Levetiracetam (LEV) is a pyrrolidine derivative antiepileptic medication used for the treatment of seizures in pediatric and adult patients. We report a case of probable LEV‐induced aseptic meningitis in a 13‐year‐old girl. The patient received LEV for a generalized seizure disorder and presented with symptoms 5 days after medication initiation. Ten days after LEV initiation, the patient presented to the hospital for further management. During her hospital course, infectious etiologies were ruled out with clinical and diagnostic testing. Upon discontinuation of LEV, the patient's symptoms resolved. Although select antiepileptic medications have been associated with drug‐induced aseptic meningitis (DIAM), to date, no reports have been published about DIAM following the administration of LEV. We describe and categorize the probability of DIAM in association with LEV, as observed in a patient case.
Interpenetrating thermophobic and thermophilic dual responsive networks
Authors: Käfer Florian , Hu Yunfeng , Wang Yan Jie , Wu Zi Liang , Agarwal Seema
Published: November 2018

Poly(N‐acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA)/poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogels were made by UV‐light initiated radical polymerization in two‐steps. The IPN hydrogels showed a double thermoresponsive behavior due to the combination of PNIPAAm (thermophobic) and PNAGA (thermophilic) networks. Increasing the content of the thermophobic PNIPAAm network leads to a change from a broad thermophilic volume phase transition temperature of PNAGA to a thermophilic–thermophobic‐type dual transition for the prepared IPN. Due to the double thermoresponsive character of the IPN gels, the mechanical properties are dependent upon temperature as demonstrated by performing tensile tests in water at 15 and 50 °C. Furthermore, the IPN hydrogels were characterized using turbidity measurements, SEM, and the determination of the equilibrium swelling ratio. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem.2019,57, 539–544
Impact of financial support and focussed group counselling on treatment abandonment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Experience over 22 years from North India
Authors: Alam Areesha , Kumar Archana
Published: November 2018

Objectives

Efforts are being made worldwide to prevent abandonment in children with leukaemia. The study aimed to determine changes in treatment refusal, treatment abandonment rates, and its reasons in response to financial support and focussed group counselling.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study conducted at paediatric haematology‐oncology unit, King George's Medical University, Lucknow among children <18 years admitted with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia from 1995 to 2017. Study divided into three periods: Phase 1 (1995‐March 2003): Basic support, Phase 2 (April 2003‐June 2009): Financial support and Phase 3 (July 2009‐2017): Financial, social support with group counselling. Phase 3‐ subdivided into 3a: group counselling and 3b: intensified group counselling.

Results

Number of children registered for treatment during phase 1, 2, 3a, 3b: 176, 200, 360, and 305. Treatment refusal decreased significantly over time: 21% vs 14.5% vs 12.5% vs 5.9% (P < 0.001), especially during phase 3b. Although no change was found in treatment abandonment during phase 2, abandonment significantly reduced in phase 3a (20.3%) as compared with phase 1 (30.2%), with the proportion of children abandoning, due to financial constraints, declining. Abandonment further reduced in phase 3b vs phase 3a (11.1% vs 20.3%) (P = 0.001). After adjusting for other variables, abandonment was found to decrease independently in phase3 (a, b) as compared with phase 1 (P1 = 0.017, P2 = 0.007).

Conclusions

Although helpful, financial assistance unaccompanied by counselling may be insufficient to bring a radical change. Hence, parental counselling, emphasising on treatment adherence and the aftermaths of treatment abandonment, is indispensable for preventing abandonment in semi‐literate populations.
Refining the Microstructure of Fe‐Nd‐B by Selective Laser Melting
Authors: Goll Dagmar , Vogelgsang David , Pflanz Ulrich , Hohs Dominic , Grubesa Tvrtko , Schurr Julian , Bernthaler Timo , Kolb David , Riegel Harald , Schneider Gerhard
Published: November 2018

Lab scale additive manufacturing of Fe‐Nd‐B based permanent magnet material (Fe75‐Nd18‐B7) has been performed. For fabrication a special inert gas process chamber for laser powder bed fusion has been used. This is required because Fe‐Nd‐B powders are extremely sensitive to oxidation. Selective laser melting (SLM) of the powders allows to realize very fine microstructures with a directed crystal growth and finely dispersed Nd‐rich phase. It is shown, that this fine and textured microstructure leads to large coercivity in sintered Fe‐Nd‐B magnets. A prototype has been realized by milling the SLM alloy and sintering.
Determination of the isotopic composition of single sub‐micrometer‐sized uranium particles by laser ablation coupled with multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: Ronzani Anne‐Laure , Hubert Amélie , Pointurier Fabien , Marie Olivier , Clavier Nicolas , Humbert Anne‐Claire , Aupiais Jean , Dacheux Nicolas
Published: November 2018

Rationale

A multi‐collector inductively coupled plasma (MC‐ICP) mass spectrometer coupled to a UV ns‐laser ablation (LA) system was used to measure uranium isotopic ratios (234U/238U, 235U/238U and 236U/238U) in single uranium particles of various sizes and isotopic compositions, including home‐made sub‐micrometric natural uranium particles of narrow size distribution (415 ± 60 nm).

Methods

The LA‐ICP mass spectrometer was operated in wet plasma conditions thanks to simultaneous injection of the laser aerosol and water vapor through a desolvating nebulizer. The isotopic ratios were corrected for mass bias and gain factors between detectors. The 236U/238U ratios were also corrected for the presence of 235U hydrides and tailing of the 238U+ peak.

Results

236U/238U ratios were successfully measured in micrometer‐sized particles from the NBS U050 certified standard material with a 236U/238U ratio of ~5 × 10−4. The analysis of 77 natural uranium sub‐μm‐sized particles yielded a very good trueness with respect to the expected 234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios, while the measurement errors for single particles ranged from −2.7% to +2.1% for 235U/238U and from −17% to +33% for the 234U/238U ratios. Their relative combined standard uncertainties ranged from 3.3% to 32.8% and from 0.4% to 4.0% for 234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios, respectively. In addition, extremely low detection limits, in the attogram range, were achieved.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that coupling of a ns‐laser ablation system with a MC‐ICP mass spectrometer allows measurements of the isotopic composition in natural uranium particles of a few hundreds of nm with very good trueness, average combined standard uncertainties of ~1% for 235U/238U ratios and 12% for 234U/238U ratios, and detections limits of a few ag for minor isotopes.
Integrate senior leadership role with parenthood
Authors: Tucker Melanie V.
Published: November 2018

A few years ago, I earned my doctorate, entered into my first vice presidency, and adopted my daughter — all within nine months of each other! Friends and family helped me balance full‐time work and dissertating. Mentors and professional resources helped me transition into a new role within a new campus community. However, I struggled to find guidance on how to best navigate senior leadership and motherhood.
Ultrasonic Accelerated Biginelli‐Like Reaction by the Covalently Anchored Copper‐Isatoic Anhydride over the Modified Surface of Mesoporous SBA‐15 to the Synthesis of Pyrimidines
Authors: Ghomi Javad Safaei , Bakhtiari Atefeh
Published: November 2018

The novel hybrid catalyst Cu@IA‐SBA‐15 was synthesized by anchoring isatoic anhydride on amino‐functionalized SBA‐15. The synthesized process pursued by grafting of Cu(II) to catch desired product. 2D‐hexagonally ordered mesoporous of bidentate ligand characterized by X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), N2 adsorption analysis, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA‐DTA). The activity of catalyst has been scrutinized in Biginelli‐Like reaction through the environmentally benign conditions by using ultrasound irradiation and green solvents. The methodology offers remarkable development by easy production of hybrid catalyst Cu@IA‐SBA‐15 in regard to solve the problem of using harsh catalysts. It also demonstrates to be impressive and environmentally friendly in term of low reaction times and high yields.
Facile Synthesis and Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity of Sn1‐xMnxS (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) Nanocrystals
Authors: Behera Chandini , Samal Debakanta , Bhat Shwetha G. , Kumar P. S. Anil , Samal Saroj L
Published: November 2018

Tin‐sulfide (SnS) has emerged as a promising energy‐material owing to its remarkable optical and electrical properties. SnS can exhibit even more diversified properties with the incorporation of other elements, but remains scantly explored. The optical and photocatalytic properties of Mn‐substituted SnS (Sn1−xMnxS with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.2) nanocrystals are reported here. Mn‐incorporation into SnS is inferred from structural and photoelectron spectroscopic study. Transmission electron microscopy reveals a change in the size‐cum‐morphology of nanocrystals with Mn‐ substitution. While cuboid shape nanocrystals are observed for SnS, Mn‐substitution results in spherical shape. The optical band gap of Sn1−xMnxS shows a red‐shift (by 0.15 eV) up to 10% Mn‐concentration, however further substitution leads to contrasting effect. The intensity of emission peaks declines significantly upon Mn‐substitution, which could be related to charge‐separation scenario that weakens the radiative recombination process. Mn‐ substitution in SnS enhances the photocatalytic activity on the degradation of Congo red dye in visible region. The scavenger study suggests that the photo generated hole, hydroxyl and super oxide radicals are the principal reacting species for the degradation of Congo red dye. The tunability of optical properties in Sn1−xMnxS and enhanced photocatalytic properties could make it suitable for potential applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics.
Universal Soft Robotic Microgripper
Authors: Jia Haiyan , Mailand Erik , Zhou Jiangtao , Huang Zhangjun , Dietler Giovanni , Kolinski John M. , Wang Xinling , Sakar Mahmut Selman
Published: November 2018

Here, a soft robotic microgripper is presented that consists of a smart actuated microgel connected to a spatially photopatterned multifunctional base. When pressed onto a target object, the microgel component conforms to its shape, thus providing a simple and adaptive solution for versatile micromanipulation. Without the need for active visual or force feedback, objects of widely varying mechanical and surface properties are reliably gripped through a combination of geometrical interlocking mechanisms instantiated by reversible shape‐memory and thermal responsive swelling of the microgel. The gripper applies holding forces exceeding 400 µN, which is high enough to lift loads 1000 times heavier than the microgel. An untethered version of the gripper is developed by remotely controlling the position using magnetic actuation and the contractile state of the microgel using plasmonic absorption. Gentle yet stable robotic manipulation of biological samples under physiological conditions opens up possibilities for high‐throughput interrogation and minimally invasive interventions.
Drug‐Controlled Release Based on Complementary Base Pairing Rules for Photodynamic–Photothermal Synergistic Tumor Treatment
Authors: Zhan Qichen , Shi Xianqing , Zhou Jiahong , Zhou Lin , Wei Shaohua
Published: November 2018

Controlled drug release systems can enhance the safety and availability but avoid the side effect of drugs. Herein, the concept of DNA complementary base pairing rules in biology is used to design and prepare a photothermal‐triggered drug release system. Adenine (A) modified polydopamine nanoparticles (A‐PDA, photothermal reagent) can effectively bind with thymine (T) modified Zinc phthalocyanine (T‐ZnPc, photosensitizer) forming A‐PDA = T‐ZnPc (PATP) complex based on A = T complementary base pairing rules. Similar to DNA, whose base pairing in double strands will break by heating, T‐ZnPc can be effectively released from A‐PDA after near infrared irradiation–triggered light‐thermal conversion to obtain satisfactory photodynamic–photothermal synergistic tumor treatment. In addition, PDA can carry abundant Gd3+ to provide magnetic resonance imaging guided delivery and theranostic function.
Functional Femtoliter Droplets for Ultrafast Nanoextraction and Supersensitive Online Microanalysis
Authors: Li Miaosi , Dyett Brendan , Yu Haitao , Bansal Vipul , Zhang Xuehua
Published: November 2018

A universal femtoliter surface droplet‐based platform for direct quantification of trace of hydrophobic compounds in aqueous solutions is presented. Formation and functionalization of femtoliter droplets, concentrating the analyte in the solution, are integrated into a simple fluidic chamber, taking advantage of the long‐term stability, large surface‐to‐volume ratio, and tunable chemical composition of these droplets. In situ quantification of the extracted analytes is achieved by surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy by nanoparticles on the functionalized droplets. Optimized extraction efficiency and SERS enhancement by tuning droplet composition enable quantitative determination of hydrophobic model compounds of rhodamine 6G, methylene blue, and malachite green with the detection limit of 10−9to 10−11mand a large linear range of SERS signal from 10−9to 10−6mof the analytes. The approach addresses the current challenges of reproducibility and the lifetime of the substrate in SERS measurements. This novel surface droplet platform combines liquid–liquid extraction and highly sensitive and reproducible SERS detection, providing a promising technique in current chemical analysis related to environment monitoring, biomedical diagnosis, and national security monitoring.
Primitive Recursion and Isaacson’s Thesis
Authors: Tatton-Brown Oliver ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: November 2018

Although Peano arithmetic (PA) is necessarily incomplete, Isaacson argued that it is in a sense conceptually complete: proving a statement of the language of PA that is independent of PA will require conceptual resources beyond those needed to understand PA. This paper gives a test of Isaacon’s thesis. Understanding PA requires understanding the functions of addition and multiplication. It is argued that grasping these primitive recursive functions involves grasping the double ancestral, a generalized version of the ancestral operator. Thus, we can test Isaacon’s thesis by seeing whether when we phrase arithmetic in a context with the double ancestral operator, the result is conservative over PA. This is a stronger version of the test given by Smith, who argued that understanding the predicate “natural number” requires understanding the ancestral operator, but did not investigate what is required to understand the arithmetic functions.
Mechanisms involved in inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis induced by lunar dust simulant in rats
Authors: Sun Yan , Liu Jinguo , Zhang Xiaoping , Li Xiongyao , Zhou Baichu , Lv Zengjing
Published: November 2018

Lunar dust is one of the biggest risk factors in the future manned exploration mission. Much is not known about the pulmonary toxicity of lunar dust. The aim of this study was to evaluate the lung inflammation and oxidative stress induced by subacute exposure to lunar dust stimulant (LDS) in rats. Wistar rats were intratracheally administered LDS, twice a week for 3 weeks. Inflammatory cell counting and cytokine assays using bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed. Lung tissues were processed for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining. Biomarkers of oxidative stress and genes and proteins related to inflammation and fibrosis in lung tissue were also determined. The neutrophil count in the BALF of LDS‐exposed groups was higher than that in controls (P < .05). LDS caused a significant increase in some of biochemical indicators and proinflammatory factors levels in BALF compared with control group. The normal balance between oxidation and antioxidation was broken by LDS. Pathological characteristics of lung tissue and immunohistochemical results for α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) indicated that inflammatory response was an extremely important passage to pulmonary fibrosis. Real‐time PCR analysis showed elevated levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) mRNA in the lungs (P < .05). Western blotting results were consistent with immunohistochemistry and qPCR results. These results indicate that inhalation of lunar dust may cause inflammatory pulmonary fibrosis. NOX4 may be a key potential therapeutic target for inflammatory injury and fibrosis in the lung.
The protective activity of nanomicelle curcumin in bisphenol A‐induced cardiotoxicity following subacute exposure in rats
Authors: Valokola Mahmoud Gorji , Karimi Gholamreza , Razavi Bibi Marjan , Kianfar Mostafa , Jafarian Amir Hossein , Jaafari Mahmoud Reza , Imenshahidi Mohsen
Published: November 2018

Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic compound, is used in manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is a potent protective compound against cardiac diseases. In this study the protective effect of nanomicelle curcumin on BPA‐induced subchronic cardiotoxicity in rats was evaluated. Rats were divided into 6 groups including control, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg, gavage), BPA (50 mg/kg, gavage), nanomicelle curcumin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) plus BPA. The treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Results revealed that BPA significantly induced histophatological injuries including focal lymphatic inflammation, nuclear degenerative changes and cytoplasmic vacuolation, increased body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, malondialdehyde and Creatine phosphokinase‐MB level and decreased glutathione content in comparison with control group. In addition, in electrocardiographic graph, RR, QT, and PQ intervals were increased by BPA. Western blot analysis showed that BPA up‐regulated phosphorylated p38 (p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase) and JNK (c‐jun NH2 terminal kinases), while down‐regulated phosphorylated AKT (Protein Kinase B) and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal‐regulated protein kinases 1 and 2). However, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg) significantly improved these toxic effects of BPA in rat heart tissue. The results provide evidence that nanomicelle curcumin showed preventive effects on subchronic exposure to BPA induced toxicity in the heart tissue in rats.
Transforming big data into smart data: An insight on the use of the k‐nearest neighbors algorithm to obtain quality data
Authors: Triguero Isaac , García‐Gil Diego , Maillo Jesús , Luengo Julián , García Salvador , Herrera Francisco
Published: November 2018

The k‐nearest neighbors algorithm is characterized as a simple yet effective data mining technique. The main drawback of this technique appears when massive amounts of data—likely to contain noise and imperfections—are involved, turning this algorithm into an imprecise and especially inefficient technique. These disadvantages have been subject of research for many years, and among others approaches, data preprocessing techniques such as instance reduction or missing values imputation have targeted these weaknesses. As a result, these issues have turned out as strengths and the k‐nearest neighbors rule has become a core algorithm to identify and correct imperfect data, removing noisy and redundant samples, or imputing missing values, transforming Big Data into Smart Data—which is data of sufficient quality to expect a good outcome from any data mining algorithm. The role of this smart data gleaning algorithm in a supervised learning context are investigated. This includes a brief overview of Smart Data, current and future trends for the k‐nearest neighbor algorithm in the Big Data context, and the existing data preprocessing techniques based on this algorithm. We present the emerging big data‐ready versions of these algorithms and develop some new methods to cope with Big Data. We carry out a thorough experimental analysis in a series of big datasets that provide guidelines as to how to use the k‐nearest neighbor algorithm to obtain Smart/Quality Data for a high‐quality data mining process. Moreover, multiple Spark Packages have been developed including all the Smart Data algorithms analyzed.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Data Preprocessing

Fundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining

Technologies > Classification
Protein crystal based materials for nanoscale applications in medicine and biotechnology
Authors: Hartje Luke F. , Snow Christopher D.
Published: November 2018

The porosity, order, biocompatibility, and chirality of protein crystals has motivated interest from diverse research domains including materials science, biotechnology, and medicine. Porous protein crystals have the unusual potential to organize guest molecules within highly ordered scaffolds, enabling applications ranging from biotemplating and catalysis to biosensing and drug delivery. Significant research has therefore been directed toward characterizing protein crystal materials in hopes of optimizing crystallization, scaffold stability, and application efficacy. In this overview article, we describe recent progress in the field of protein crystal materials with special attention given to applications in nanomedicine and nanobiotechnology.

This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials