bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracing defaulters in HIV prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission programmes through community health workers: results from a rural setting in Zimbabwe
Authors: Vogt Florian , Ferreyra Cecilia , Bernasconi Andrea , Ncube Lewis , Taziwa Fabian , Marange Winnie , Wachi David , Becher Heiko
Published: October 2015

Introduction

High retention in care is paramount to reduce vertical human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections in prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) programmes but remains low in many sub‐Saharan African countries. We aimed to assess the effects of community health worker–based defaulter tracing (CHW‐DT) on retention in care and mother‐to‐child HIV transmission, an innovative approach that has not been evaluated to date.

Methods

We analyzed patient records of 1878 HIV‐positive pregnant women and their newborns in a rural PMTCT programme in the Tsholotsho district of Zimbabwe between 2010 and 2013 in a retrospective cohort study. Using binomial regression, we compared vertical HIV transmission rates at six weeks post‐partum, and retention rates during the perinatal PMTCT period (at delivery, nevirapine [NVP] initiation at three days post‐partum, cotrimoxazole (CTX) initiation at six weeks post‐partum, and HIV testing at six weeks post‐partum) before and after the introduction of CHW‐DT in the project.

Results

Median maternal age was 27 years (inter‐quartile range [IQR] 23 to 32) and median CD4 count was 394 cells/µL3(IQR 257 to 563). The covariate‐adjusted rate ratio (aRR) for perinatal HIV transmission was 0.72 (95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 0.27 to 1.96,p=0.504), comparing patient outcomes after and before the intervention. Among fully retained patients, 11 (1.9%) newborns tested HIV positive. ARRs for retention in care were 1.01 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.06,p=0.730) at delivery; 1.35 (95% CI 1.28 to 1.42,p<0.001) at NVP initiation; 1.78 (95% CI 1.58 to 2.01,p<0.001) at CTX initiation; and 2.54 (95% CI 2.20 to 2.93,p<0.001) at infant HIV testing. Cumulative retention after and before the intervention was 496 (85.7%) and 1083 (87.3%) until delivery; 480 (82.9%) and 1005 (81.0%) until NVP initiation; 303 (52.3%) and 517 (41.7%) until CTX initiation; 272 (47.0%) and 427 (34.4%) until infant HIV testing; and 172 (29.7%) and 405 (32.6%) until HIV test result collection.

Conclusions

The CHW‐DT intervention did not reduce perinatal HIV transmission significantly. Retention improved moderately during the post‐natal period, but cumulative retention decreased rapidly even after the intervention. We showed that transmission in resource‐limited settings can be as low as in resource‐rich countries if patients are fully retained in care. This requires structural changes to the regular PMTCT services, in which community health workers can, at best, play a complementary role.
Evidence for lightning‐associated enhancement of the ionospheric sporadic E layer dependent on lightning stroke energy
Authors: Yu Bingkun , Xue Xianghui , Lu Gaopeng , Ma Ming , Dou Xiankang , Qie Xiushu , Ning Baiqi , Hu Lianhuan , Wu Jianfei , Chi Yutian
Published: October 2015

In this study we analyze the lightning data obtained by the World‐Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and hourly ionospheric data observed by ionosondes located at Sanya and Beijing, to examine the changes in ionospheric electron density in response to the underlying thunderstorms and to investigate the possible connection between lightning discharges and the enhancement of the ionospheric sporadic E(Es) layer. We identify a statistically significant enhancement and a decrease in altitude of the Es layer at Sanya station, in agreement with the results found at Chilton, UK. However, the lightning‐associated modification of the Es layer investigated using the same approach is not evident at Beijing station. Furthermore, we compare the responses to weak and strong lightning strokes using WWLLN‐determined energies at Sanya in 2012. The lightning‐associated enhancement of the Es layer is predominantly attributed to powerful strokes with high stroke energy. A statistically significant intensification of the Es layer with higher‐energy strokes at Sanya, along with the statistical dependence of lightning‐associated enhancement of the Es layer on stroke energy, leads us to conclude that the magnitude of the enhancement is likely associated with lightning stroke energy.
Electron and ion edges and the associated magnetic topology of the reconnecting magnetopause
Authors: Øieroset M. , Phan T. D. , Gosling J. T. , Fujimoto M. , Angelopoulos V.
Published: October 2015

Using high‐resolution burst mode THEMIS data, we have examined in detail the electron and ion edges of the reconnecting magnetopause and the associated magnetic topologies of 23 high shear reconnecting magnetopause crossings. The electron edge is identified as the most earthward detection of entering magnetosheath electrons and the accompanying first loss of magnetospheric electrons. The electron edge thus marks the most earthward measurable open (reconnected) field line. The ion edge, identified as the most earthward detection of entering magnetosheath ions, was always detected either sunward of the electron edge or simultaneous with it, indicating that the entire low‐latitude boundary layer (LLBL) was on open field lines. The radial separation of the electron and ion edges is due to a time‐of‐flight effect associated with the fact that the entering magnetosheath electrons have considerably higher speeds than the entering magnetosheath ions. Importantly, our study reveals that an examination of three‐dimensional particle distributions covering the entire range of energies of the various magnetosheath and magnetospheric populations present is essential for a correct determination of the magnetic topology of the LLBL. Deducing the topology from electron pitch angle distributions covering a limited energy range can lead to incorrect deduction of the topology.
Tomographic reconstruction of storm time RC ion distribution from ENA images on board multiple spacecraft
Authors: Ma Shu‐Ying , Yan Wei‐Nan , Xu Liang
Published: October 2015

A quantitative retrieval of 3‐D distribution of energetic ions as energetic neutral atoms (ENA) sources is a challenging task. In this paper the voxel computerized tomography (CT) method is initially applied to reconstruct the 3‐D distribution of energetic ions in the magnetospheric ring current (RC) region from ENA emission images on board multiple spacecraft. To weaken the influence of low‐altitude emission (LAE) on the reconstruction, the LAE‐associated ENA intensities are corrected by invoking the thick‐target approximation. To overcome the divergence in iteration due to discordant instrument biases, a differential ENA voxel CT method is developed. The method is proved reliable and advantageous by numerical simulation for the case of constant bias independent of viewing angle. Then this method is implemented with ENA data measured by the Two Wide‐angle Imaging Neutral‐atom Spectrometers mission which performs stereoscopic ENA imaging. The 3‐D spatial distributions and energy spectra of RC ion flux intensity are reconstructed for energies of 4–50 keV during the main phase of a major magnetic storm. The retrieved ion flux distributions seem to correspond to an asymmetric partial RC, located mainly around midnight favoring the postmidnight with L = 3.5–7.0 in the equatorial plane. The RC ion distributions with magnetic local time depend on energy, with major equatorial flux peak for lower energy located east of that for higher energy. In comparison with the ion energy spectra measured by Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms‐D satellite flying in the RC region, the retrieved spectrum from remotely sensed ENA images are well matched with the in situ measurements.
On the transmission of waves at discrete frequencies from the solar wind to the magnetosphere and ground: A case study
Authors: Villante U. , Di Matteo S. , Piersanti M.
Published: October 2015

We analyze a case event in which several fluctuations at discrete frequencies (f ≈ 1.3–1.5, 3.3–3.6, 4.4–4.6, and 5.9–6.2 mHz; i.e., close to the “CMS” frequencies) were observed in the magnetosphere, after the impact of a sharp shock wave that, in the interplanetary medium, was followed by intense fluctuations in the solar wind parameters. The comparison between interplanetary, geosynchronous, and ground‐based observations revealed that following the Sudden Impulse, magnetospheric modes at the same discrete frequencies were detected at geostationary orbit by spacecraft located in the morning and the dawn sector, and, ubiquitously, at ground‐based stations: all of them revealed a one‐to‐one correspondence with those ultimately identified in the high‐velocity stream following the shock wave. It reveals that the occurrence of such global modes is directly related to the transmission of external fluctuations and the observed geomagnetic fluctuations might be interpreted as the ground magnetic response to magnetospheric compressional modes forced by oscillations of the solar wind pressure at the same frequencies. By contrast, we did not find any evidence for magnetospheric oscillations possibly related to other mechanisms such as the velocity shear, the impact of the shock wave itself, etc.
Investigation of the Chirikov resonance overlap criteria for equatorial magnetosonic waves
Authors: Walker S. N. , Balikhin M. A. , Canu P. , Cornilleau‐Wehrlin N. , Moiseenko I.
Published: October 2015

Observations of equatorial magnetosonic waves made during the Cluster Inner Magnetospheric Campaign clearly show discrete spectra consisting of emissions around harmonics of the proton gyrofrequency. Equatorial magnetosonic waves are important because of their ability to efficiently scatter electrons in energy and pitch angle. This wave‐particle interaction is numerically modeled through the use of diffusion coefficients, calculated based on a continuous spectrum such as that observed by spectrum analyzers. Using the Chirikov overlap resonance criterion, the calculation of the diffusion coefficient will be assessed to determine whether they should be calculated based on the discrete spectral features as opposed to a continuous spectrum. For the period studied, it is determined that the discrete nature of the waves does fulfill the Chirikov overlap criterion and so the use of quasi‐linear theory with the assumption of a continuous frequency spectrum is valid for the calculation of diffusion coefficients.
Dynamical weakening by fluidization under oscillatory viscous flows
Authors: Valverde Jose Manuel
Published: October 2015

Dynamical weakening of granular materials plays a critical role on diverse geological events such as seismic faulting and landslides. A common feature in the dynamics of these processes is the development of fluid‐solid relative flows, which could lead to fluidization by hydrodynamic viscous stresses. This work is focused on analyzing hydrodynamic fluidization under oscillatory viscous flows as a possible driving mechanism for dynamical weakening. The theoretical estimations and experimental observations presented and reviewed suggest that fluidization can be greatly promoted by oscillatory viscous flows, which are usually expected in geological events involving vibration of granular materials in viscous fluids. Fluidization under oscillatory viscous flows may occur at not excessively large vibration velocities of fine particles in gases or relatively larger particles in liquids or supercritical fluids. In particular, the enhancement of fluidization by high‐frequency vibrations would be a powerful mechanism to promote dynamical weakening of fine powders in dry fault gouges, failure of liquid‐ (or supercritical fluid‐) saturated beds, and sustained fluidization of pyroclastic flows and lahars.
Independent estimate of velocity structure of Earth's lowermost outer core beneath the northeast Pacific from PKiKP − PKPbc differential traveltime and dispersion in PKPbc
Authors: Ohtaki Toshiki , Kaneshima Satoshi
Published: October 2015

The presence of a low‐velocity layer at the base of Earth's outer core has been proposed. However, the seismic profile of the basal layer indeed has been poorly constrained. In previous seismic studies the model parameters of the layer are substantially nonunique and there are tradeoffs between the seismic velocity of the layer and the properties of the mantle and inner core. A more tightly constrained profile of the layer helps further examine the composition and dynamics of the layer. In this study we obtained the P wave velocity profile of the basal layer beneath the northeast Pacific based on two new seismic observations by analyzing seismograms of the Hi‐net in Japan. The new observations are particularly sensitive to the layer structure and are relatively insensitive to the structure of the other parts of the Earth: (1) the frequency dispersion in P waves that graze or are diffracted at the inner core boundary (PKPbc and PKPc‐diff) and (2) differential traveltimes between the P waves reflected from the inner core boundary (PKiKP) and those that turn above the boundary (PKPbc). The resulting velocity model of the lowermost outer core (called “F layer velocity model for the Western Hemisphere” (FVW)) has P wave velocities that lie between those of AK135 and the preliminary reference Earth model (PREM), and a velocity gradient that is slightly gentler than that of PREM. Models with a uniform P wave velocity value within the layer are not supported by the observations for the region investigated, which appears not to support the presence of a thick basal layer that is Fe rich and dense there.
Geyser eruption intervals and interactions: Examples from El Tatio, Atacama, Chile
Authors: Munoz‐Saez Carolina , Namiki Atsuko , Manga Michael
Published: October 2015

We compare and contrast data collected in 2012 and 2014 from the El Tatio geyser field, Chile. We identify geyser systems that evolve over time, including changes in the interval between eruptions, development of new thermal features, and interactions between geysers. We study three different cases: (a) an isolated geyser, which is periodic and has nearly identical eruptions every cycle; (b) a geyser and coupled noneruptive pool, where the geyser has nonregular cycles and several preplay eruptions before the main eruption; and (c) two geysers and a mud volcano, which have nonregular cycles and are all interacting. Though geysers erupt with different styles, we recognize some common features: the conduit recharges with liquid during the quiescent period, bubbles enter the conduit before eruptions, and eruptions occur when water boils in the upper part of the conduit. The episodic addition of heat may govern the periodicity, while the depth where heat is added dictates the eruption style: conduits with deeper heat input are more likely to show preplay or minor eruptions. The interactions between thermal features can be explained by pressure transmission in subsurface permeable layers between geyser conduits.
Salt precipitation in sea ice and its effect on albedo, with application to Snowball Earth
Authors: Carns Regina C. , Brandt Richard E. , Warren Stephen G.
Published: October 2015

During the initial freezing of the tropical ocean on Snowball Earth, the first ice to form would be sea ice, which contains salt within inclusions of liquid brine. At temperatures below −23°C, significant amounts of the salt begin to crystallize, with the most abundant salt being hydrohalite (NaCl·2H2O). These crystals scatter light, increasing the ice albedo. In this paper, we present field measurements of the albedo of cold sea ice and laboratory measurements of hydrohalite precipitation. Precipitation of salt within brine inclusions was observed on windswept bare ice of McMurdo Sound at the coast of Antarctica (78°S) in early austral spring. Salinity and temperature were measured in ice cores. Spectral albedo was measured on several occasions during September and October. The albedo showed a gradual increase with decreasing temperature, consistent with salt precipitation. Laboratory examination of thin sections from the ice cores showed that the precipitation process exhibits hysteresis, with hydrohalite precipitating over a range of temperatures between −28°C and −35°C but dissolving at about −23°C. The causes of the hysteresis were investigated in experiments on laboratory‐grown sea ice with different solute mixtures. All mixtures showed hysteresis, suggesting that it may be an inherent property of hydrohalite precipitation within brine inclusions rather than being due to biological macromolecules or interactions between various salts in seawater.
Background atmospheric sulfate deposition at a remote alpine site in the Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: Wasiuta Vivian , Norman Ann‐Lise , Lafrenière Melissa J. , Hastings Meredith G.
Published: October 2015

We report observations of stable isotope ratios and ion concentrations from seasonal snowpack and summer bulk precipitation from remote alpine sites in the Southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Spatial deposition patterns for sulfur (S) and δ34S‐SO42− values indicate dominantly distant sources with little impact from local to regional pollution. Comparable S loads and total snowpack δ34S‐SO42− values for glacier snowpack indicates S emissions were well mixed prior to dry deposition or incorporation into snowfall. A uniform S load and similar δ34S‐SO42− values in a detailed study of summer bulk precipitation implies well‐mixed distant emissions. We interpret the deposited 0.9 kg S ha−1yr−1 as atmospheric background deposition in midlatitude Western Canada. This study will improve calculations for sites impacted by point source emissions and provide a baseline for attributing changes associated with climate change, industrialization, and urban growth. Field evidence from this study supports theoretical and laboratory research on the relative importance of oxidation pathways on atmospheric δ34S‐SO42− values for long‐range transported sulfate. δ34S‐SO42− of the dominant S source in summer bulk precipitation (~ +2‰) versus snowpack (≥ +9‰) cannot be explained by seasonal emission sources, temperature effects on fractionation, or Rayleigh distillation. The study supports a seasonal difference in the relative importance of the different SO2 to SO42− oxidation pathways with homogeneous oxidation by OH and heterogeneous oxidation by H2O2 most important in summer, and O2 catalyzed by transition metal ions in a radical chain reaction pathway more significant in winter.
Variations of net ecosystem production due to seasonal precipitation differences in a tropical dry forest of northwest Mexico
Authors: Verduzco Vivian S. , Garatuza‐Payán Jaime , Yépez Enrico A. , Watts Christopher J. , Rodríguez Julio C. , Robles‐Morua Agustin , Vivoni Enrique R.
Published: October 2015

Due to their large extent and high primary productivity, tropical dry forests (TDF) are important contributors to atmospheric carbon exchanges in subtropical and tropical regions. In northwest Mexico, a bimodal precipitation regime that includes winter precipitation derived from Pacific storms and summer precipitation from the North American monsoon (NAM) couples water availability with ecosystem processes. We investigated the net ecosystem production of a TDF ecosystem using a 4.5 year record of water and carbon fluxes obtained from the eddy covariance method complemented with remotely sensed data. We identified a large CO2 efflux at the start of the summer season that is strongly related to the preceding winter precipitation and greenness. Since this CO2 efflux occurs prior to vegetation green‐up, we infer that respiration is mainly due to decomposition of soil organic matter accumulated from the prior growing season. Overall, ecosystem respiration has an important effect on the net ecosystem production but can be overwhelmed by the strength of the primary productivity during the NAM. Precipitation characteristics during NAM have significant controls on sustaining carbon fixation in the TDF into the fall season. We identified that a threshold of ~350 to 400 mm of monsoon precipitation leads to a switch in the annual carbon balance in the TDF ecosystem from a net source (+102 g C/m2/yr) to a net sink (−249 g C/m2/yr). This monsoonal precipitation threshold is typically exceeded one out of every 2 years. The close coupling of winter and summer periods with respect to carbon fluxes suggests that the annual carbon balance is dependent on precipitation amounts in both seasons in TDF ecosystems.
Analytical approximations of discharge recessions for steeply sloping aquifers in alpine catchments
Authors: Pauritsch Marcus , Birk Steffen , Wagner Thomas , Hergarten Stefan , Winkler Gerfried
Published: October 2015

The validity and applicability of various methods to infer hydraulic properties of sloping aquifers in alpine settings using the power law relationship between the discharge recession and its first time derivative is explored. For this purpose, a synthetic spring catchment implemented in the numerical groundwater flow model MODFLOW as well as the example of a relict rock glacier in an alpine setting is examined. The various approaches are found to differ particularly in the late time domain, whereas most of them agree fairly well in the early time domain and at the transition point between the two time domains. As the early recession may be affected by uncertainties from inappropriate initial conditions, it is proposed to use the transition point for estimating aquifer thickness and transmissivity. Using only prolonged winter recessions in the analysis of the field data from the relict rock glacier yields estimates of aquifer thickness and hydraulic conductivity consistent with results from a geophysical survey and tracer tests, respectively. In the other seasons, the recession is frequently interrupted by minor recharge events, and using the lower envelope of the entire data is found to yield estimates that are too high in the given case. It is thus recommended to focus on the winter recession in the analysis of hydrograph data from alpine settings.
One hundred years of return period: Strengths and limitations
Authors: Volpi E. , Fiori A. , Grimaldi S. , Lombardo F. , Koutsoyiannis D.
Published: October 2015

One hundred years from its original definition by Fuller (), the probabilistic concept of return period is widely used in hydrology as well as in other disciplines of geosciences to give an indication on critical event rareness. This concept gains its popularity, especially in engineering practice for design and risk assessment, due to its ease of use and understanding; however, return period relies on some basic assumptions that should be satisfied for a correct application of this statistical tool. Indeed, conventional frequency analysis in hydrology is performed by assuming as necessary conditions that extreme events arise from a stationary distribution and are independent of one another. The main objective of this paper is to investigate the properties of return period when the independence condition is omitted; hence, we explore how the different definitions of return period available in literature affect results of frequency analysis for processes correlated in time. We demonstrate that, for stationary processes, the independence condition is not necessary in order to apply the classical equation of return period (i.e., the inverse of exceedance probability). On the other hand, we show that the time‐correlation structure of hydrological processes modifies the shape of the distribution function of which the return period represents the first moment. This implies that, in the context of time‐dependent processes, the return period might not represent an exhaustive measure of the probability of failure, and that its blind application could lead to misleading results. To overcome this problem, we introduce the concept of Equivalent Return Period, which controls the probability of failure still preserving the virtue of effectively communicating the event rareness.
Ordered 3D Thin‐Shell Nanolattice Materials with Near‐Unity Refractive Indices
Authors: Zhang Xu A. , Bagal Abhijeet , Dandley Erinn C. , Zhao Junjie , Oldham Christopher J. , Wu Bae‐Ian , Parsons Gregory N. , Chang Chih‐Hao
Published: October 2015

The refractive indices of naturally occurring materials are limited, and there exists an index gap between indices of air and available solid materials. With many photonics and electronics applications, there has been considerable effort in creating artificial materials with optical and dielectric properties similar to air while simultaneously being mechanically stable to bear load. Here, a class of ordered nanolattice materials consisting of periodic thin‐shell structures with near‐unity refractive index and high stiffness is demonstrated. Using a combination of 3D nanolithography and atomic layer deposition, these ordered nanostructured materials have reduced optical scattering and improved mechanical stability compared to existing randomly porous materials. Using ZnO and Al2O3 as the building materials, refractive indices from 1.3 down to 1.025 are achieved. The experimental data can be accurately described by Maxwell Garnett effective media theory, which can provide a guide for index design. The demonstrated low‐index, low‐scattering, and high‐stiffness materials can serve as high‐quality optical films in multilayer photonic structures, waveguides, resonators, and ultra‐low‐k dielectrics.
Near‐infrared light is neuroprotective in a monkey model of Parkinson disease
Authors: Darlot Fannie , Moro Cécile , El Massri Nabil , Chabrol Claude , Johnstone Daniel M. , Reinhart Florian , Agay Diane , Torres Napoleon , Bekha Dhaïf , Auboiroux Vincent , Costecalde Thomas , Peoples Cassandra L. , Anastascio Helena D. T. , Shaw Victoria E. , Stone Jonathan , Mitrofanis John , Benabid Alim‐Louis
Published: October 2015

Objective

To examine whether near‐infrared light (NIr) treatment reduces clinical signs and/or offers neuroprotection in a subacute 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) monkey model of Parkinson disease.

Methods

We implanted an optical fiber device that delivered NIr (670nm) to the midbrain of macaque monkeys, close to the substantia nigra of both sides. MPTP injections (1.5–2.1mg/kg) were made over a 5‐ to 7‐day period, during which time the NIr device was turned on. This was then followed by a 3‐week survival period. Monkeys were evaluated clinically (eg, posture, bradykinesia) and behaviorally (open field test), and their brains were processed for immunohistochemistry and stereology.

Results

All monkeys in the MPTP group developed severe clinical and behavioral impairment (mean clinical scores = 21–34; n = 11). By contrast, the MPTP‐NIr group developed much less clinical and behavioral impairment (n = 9); some monkeys developed moderate clinical signs (mean scores = 11–15; n = 3), whereas the majority—quite remarkably—developed few clinical signs (mean scores = 1–6; n = 6). The monkeys that developed moderate clinical signs had hematic fluid in their optical fibers at postmortem, presumably limiting NIr exposure and overall clinical improvement. NIr was not toxic to brain tissue and offered neuroprotection to dopaminergic cells and their terminations against MPTP insult, particularly in animals that developed few clinical signs.

Interpretation

Our findings indicate NIr to be an effective therapeutic agent in a primate model of the disease and create the template for translation into clinical trials. ANN NEUROL 2016;79:59–75
Minimize legal risk, damages by taking preventive approach to employment law
Authors: Walton Kelley
Published: October 2015

On any given day, college athletics administrators find themselves pulled in so many different directions, from meeting revenue‐generation expectations and managing student‐athlete conduct to ensuring proper maintenance of facilities and tending to donors' needs.
Did college athletics department secretary's failure to follow grievance procedure doom her lawsuit?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: October 2015

Lolita Ward worked as a secretary in the athletics department of Jackson State University. In August 2011, JSU hired Vivian Fuller as its new athletics director. According to Ward, Fuller began sexually harassing her shortly after she started working there, and Ward purportedly rejected those advances.
Centrifugally Spun SnO2 Microfibers Composed of Interconnected Nanoparticles as the Anode in Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lu Yao , Yanilmaz Meltem , Chen Chen , Dirican Mahmut , Ge Yeqian , Zhu Jiadeng , Zhang Xiangwu
Published: October 2015

SnO2 microfibers were synthesized by using centrifugal spinning technology and were evaluated as the anode in sodium‐ion batteries. The as‐prepared SnO2 microfibers are composed of interconnected nanoparticles with small interparticle openings. The 1‐demensional fibrous morphology, fine particle size, and open pore structure result in reduced electrochemical impedance and enhanced electrochemical performance. The highest capacity achieved is 567 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1. At a much higher current density of 640 mA g−1, the microfiber electrode still retains a high capacity of 158 mAh g−1 after 50 cycles. The SnO2 microfibers also demonstrate good rate performance in a current range of 20–640 mA g−1. The results demonstrate that SnO2 microfibers are a potential anode material candidate for sodium‐ion batteries and that centrifugal spinning offers a feasible solution for the large‐scale production of fibrous electrode materials.
Formation of the Main Cores Present in Natural Products by Tandem Additions
Authors: Guérard Kimiaka C. , Hamel Vincent , Guérinot Amandine , Bouchard‐Aubin Cloé , Canesi Sylvain
Published: October 2015

A rapid route to 5,5‐ and 5,6‐ bicyclic systems is provided by an 1,3‐alkyl‐shift process mediated by a hypervalent iodine reagent on aromatics. The structures obtained contain several unsaturations with different behaviors and reactivities. Such diversity allows further elaborations for the rapid formation of compact systems present in a variety of natural products. The potential for further transformations has been demonstrated by performing a double Michael addition. This cyclization process is regio‐ and stereoselective due to the presence of a former benzylic substituent. Furthermore, an extension of this approach has been accomplished on indole derivatives.
Pd@Pt Core–Shell Nanoparticles with Branched Dandelion‐like Morphology as Highly Efficient Catalysts for Olefin Reduction
Authors: Datta Kasibhatta Josena , Datta Kasibhatta Kumara Ramanatha , Gawande Manoj B. , Ranc Vaclav , Čépe Klára , Malgras Victor , Yamauchi Yusuke , Varma Rajender S. , Zboril Radek
Published: October 2015

A facile synthesis based on the addition of ascorbic acid to a mixture of Na2PdCl4, K2PtCl6, and Pluronic P123 results in highly branched core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) with a micro–mesoporous dandelion‐like morphology comprising Pd core and Pt shell. The slow reduction kinetics associated with the use of ascorbic acid as a weak reductant and suitable Pd/Pt atomic ratio (1:1) play a principal role in the formation mechanism of such branched Pd@Pt core–shell NPs, which differs from the traditional seed‐mediated growth. The catalyst efficiently achieves the reduction of a variety of olefins in good to excellent yields. Importantly, higher catalytic efficiency of dandelion‐like Pd@Pt core–shell NPs was observed for the olefin reduction than commercially available Pt black, Pd NPs, and physically admixed Pt black and Pd NPs. This superior catalytic behavior is not only due to larger surface area and synergistic effects but also to the unique micro–mesoporous structure with significant contribution of mesopores with sizes of several tens of nanometers.
The infiltration, and prognostic importance, of Th1 lymphocytes vary in molecular subgroups of colorectal cancer
Authors: Ling Agnes , Lundberg Ida V , Eklöf Vincy , Wikberg Maria L , Öberg Åke , Edin Sofia , Palmqvist Richard
Published: October 2015

Giving strong prognostic information, T‐cell infiltration is on the verge of becoming an additional component in the routine clinical setting for classification of colorectal cancer (CRC). With a view to further improving the tools for prognostic evaluation, we have studied how Th1 lymphocyte infiltration correlates with prognosis not only by quantity, but also by subsite, within CRCs with different molecular characteristics (microsatellite instability, CpG island methylator phenotype status, and BRAF and KRAS mutational status). We evaluated the Th1 marker T‐bet by immunohistochemistry in 418 archival tumour tissue samples from patients who underwent surgical resection for CRC. We found that a high number of infiltrating Th1 lymphocytes is strongly associated with an improved prognosis in patients with CRC, irrespective of intratumoural subsite, and that both extent of infiltration and patient outcome differ according to molecular subgroup. In brief, microsatellite instability, CpG island methylator phenotype‐high and BRAF mutated tumours showed increased infiltration of Th1 lymphocytes, and the most pronounced prognostic effect of Th1 infiltration was found in these tumours. Interestingly, BRAF mutated tumours were found to be more highly infiltrated by Th1 lymphocytes than BRAF wild‐type tumours whereas the opposite was seen for KRAS mutated tumours. These differences could be explained at least partly by our finding that BRAF mutated, in contrast to KRAS mutated, CRC cell lines and tumour specimens expressed higher levels of the Th1‐attracting chemokine CXCL10, and reduced levels of CCL22 and TGFB1, stimulating Th2/Treg recruitment and polarisation. In conclusion, the strong prognostic importance of Th1 lymphocyte infiltration in CRC was found at all subsites evaluated, and it remained significant in multivariable analyses, indicating that T‐bet may be a valuable marker in the clinical setting. Our results also indicate that T‐bet is of value when analysed in molecular subgroups of CRC, allowing identification of patients with especially poor prognosis who are in need of extended treatment.
Initial Subsurface Incorporation of Oxygen into Ru(0001): A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Cai Jian‐Qiu , Luo Hai‐Jun , Tao Xiang‐Ming , Tan Ming‐Qiu
Published: October 2015

The adsorption and diffusion of oxygen on Ru(0001) surfaces as a function of coverage are systematically investigated by using density functional theory. A high incorporation barrier of low‐coverage adsorbed oxygen into the subsurface is discovered. Calculations show that the adsorption of additional on‐surface oxygen can lower the penetration barrier dramatically. The minimum penetration barrier obtained is 1.81 eV for a path starting with oxygen in mixed on‐surface hcp and fcc sites at an oxygen coverage of 0.75 ML, which should be regarded as close to 1 ML. Energy diagrams show that oxygen‐diffusion barriers on the surface and in the subsurface are much lower than the penetration barrier. Oxygen diffusion on the surface is an indispensable step for its initial incorporation into the subsurface.
Cationic Porphyrin–Anionic Surfactant Mixtures for the Promotion of Self‐Organized 1:4 Ion Pairs in Water with Strong Aggregation Properties
Authors: Pradines Vincent , Bijani Christian , Stigliani Jean‐Luc , Blanzat Muriel , Rico‐Lattes Isabelle , Pratviel Geneviève
Published: October 2015

We performed a systematic study on the spectroscopic and aggregation properties of stoichiometric mixtures (1:4) of the tetracationic meso‐tetrakis(4‐N‐methylpyridinium)porphyrin (H2TMPyP) and three sodium alkylsulfate surfactants (tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecylsulfate) in an aqueous solution. The objective was to build a supramolecular aggregate, which would favor the internalization of tetracationic porphyrins in cells without chemical modification of the structure of the porphyrin. We show that stoichiometric H2TMPyP/alkylsulfate (1:4) mixtures lead to the formation of large hollow spherical aggregates (60–160 nm). The TEM images show that the membrane of these aggregates are composed of smaller aggregates, which are probably rod‐like micelles. These rod‐like micelles have a hydrophobic core composed of the alkyl chains of the alkylsulfate surfactant, whereas the charged surface corresponds to the tetracationic porphyrins.
Photoswitchable Adsorption in Metal–Organic Frameworks Based on Polar Guest–Host Interactions
Authors: Wang Zhengbang , Grosjean Sylvain , Bräse Stefan , Heinke Lars
Published: October 2015

Reversible remote‐controlled switching of the properties of nanoporous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is enabled by incorporating photoswitchable azobenzene. The interaction of the host material with different guest molecules, which is crucial for all applications, is precisely studied using thin MOF films of the type Cu2(BDC)2(AzoBipyB). A molecule‐specific effect of the photoswitching, based on dipole–dipole interactions, is found.
Classification of diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Game Frances
Published: October 2015

It is known that the relative importance of factors involved in the development of diabetic foot problems can vary in both their presence and severity between patients and lesions. This may be one of the reasons why outcomes seem to vary centre to centre and why some treatments may seem more effective in some people than others. There is a need therefore to classify and describe lesions of the foot in patients with diabetes in a manner that is agreed across all communities but is simple to use in clinical practice. No single system is currently in widespread use, although a number have been published. Not all are well validated outside the system from which they were derived, and it has not always been made clear the clinical purposes to which such classifications should be put to use, whether that be for research, clinical description in routine clinical care or audit. Here the currently published classification systems, their validation in clinical practice, whether they were designed for research, audit or clinical care, and the strengths and weaknesses of each are explored. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The German and Belgian accreditation models for diabetic foot services
Authors: Morbach Stephan , Kersken Joachim , Lobmann Ralf , Nobels Frank , Doggen Kris , Van Acker Kristien
Published: October 2015

The International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot recommends that auditing should be part of the organization of diabetic foot care, the efforts required for data collection and analysis being balanced by the expected benefits. In Germany legislature demands measures of quality management for in‐ and out‐patient facilities, and, in 2003, the Germany Working Group on the Diabetic Foot defined and developed a certification procedure for diabetic foot centres to be recognized as ‘specialized’. This includes a description of management facilities, treatment procedures and outcomes, as well as the organization of mutual auditing visits between the centres. Outcome data is collected at baseline and 6 months on 30 consecutive patients. By 2014 almost 24 000 cases had been collected and analysed. Since 2005 Belgian multidisciplinary diabetic foot clinics could apply for recognition by health authorities. For continued recognition diabetic foot clinics need to treat at least 52 patients with a new foot problem (Wagner 2 or more or active Charcot foot) per annum. Baseline and 6‐month outcome data of these patients are included in an audit‐feedback initiative. Although originally fully independent of each other, the common goal of these two initiatives is quality improvement of national diabetic foot care, and hence exchanges between systems has commenced. In future, the German and Belgian accreditation models might serve as templates for comparable initiatives in other countries. Just recently the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot initiated a working group for further discussion of accreditation and auditing models (International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot AB(B)A Working Group). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lower limb ischaemia in patients with diabetic foot ulcers and gangrene: recognition, anatomic patterns and revascularization strategies
Authors: Mills Joseph L.
Published: October 2015

The confluence of several chronic conditions – in particular ageing, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease – has created a global wave of lower limbs at risk for major amputation. While frequently asymptomatic or not lifestyle limiting, at least 1% of the population has peripheral artery disease of sufficient severity to be limb threatening. To avoid the critical error of failing to diagnose ischaemia, all patients with diabetic foot ulcers and gangrene should routinely undergo physiologic evaluation of foot perfusion. Ankle brachial index is useful when measurable, but may be falsely elevated or not obtainable in as many as 30% of patients with diabetic foot ulcers primarily because of medial calcinosis. Toe pressures and skin perfusion pressures are applicable to such patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management status and its predictive factors in patients with type 2 diabetes in China: A Nationwide Multicenter Study
Authors: Liu Lin , Lou Qingqing , Guo Xiaohui , Yuan Li , Shen Li , Sun Zilin , Zhao Fang , Dai Xia , Huang Jin , Yang Huiying , Mordes John P. ,   Chinese Diabetes Education Status Survey Study Group
Published: October 2015

Background

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes in China is increasing rapidly. Appropriate management of glycemia, blood pressure and dyslipidemia in this population is a major public health concern.

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess metabolic control including glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure (BP) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐c), in a large sample of patients with type 2 diabetes in China and to identify factors that correlated with the achievement of HbA1c, BP and LDL‐c goals (ABCs).

Method

A nationwide survey was conducted in 50 medical centres across China from April to July of 2010. Baseline information on demographics, medical history, HbA1c, BP and LDL‐c levels were measured in 5961 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Results

Mean age, body mass index (BMI) and HbA1c were 59.5 ± 1.3 years, 24.5 ± 4.1 kg/m2 and 8.3 ± 2.2%, respectively. With respect to generally accepted ABC treatment goals, 35.2% of participants had HbA1c <7%; 35.5% had BP < 140/80 mmHg, and 45.1% had LDL‐c < 100 mg/dl. The proportion of patients who met all three targets was only 5.4%. Logistic regression revealed that smoking (P=0.000), higher BMI (P=0.001) and insulin use (P=0.000) were statistically significant predictors of failing to meet ABC targets.

Conclusion

The percentage of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes who met recommended targets for HbA1c, BP and LDL‐c in 2010 was low. Smoking, higher BMI and insulin use were the strongest determinants of failing to meet ABC targets. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐chip quantitative PCR using integrated real‐time detection by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Liu Yu , Li Chen , Li Zhi , Chan Samuel D. , Eto Daisuke , Wu Warren , Zhang Jian Ping , Chien Ring‐Ling , Wada Henry G. , Greenstein Michael , Satomura* Shinji
Published: October 2015

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) has been widely used for the detection and monitoring of a variety of infectious diseases. PCR and CE were integrated into a microfluidic chip that was designed to achieve rapid real‐time amplicon sampling, separation, and quantitation without requiring various probes. A novel chip design allows the overlapped execution of PCR and CE, minimizing the time required for CE analysis after each PCR cycle. The performance of the on‐chip qPCR method was demonstrated using a 45‐minutes model assay protocol for the phiX174 bacteriophage, and the multiplexing capability of the method was demonstrated by adding a second target, E. coli genomic DNA, to the model assay. The results indicate good sensitivity, reproducibility, and linearity over the tested assay range, 50 to 2 × 104 copies/25 μL reaction. Based on this performance, the on‐chip qPCR method should be applicable to a wide variety of infectious disease detection and monitoring assays with the addition of suitable sample preparation protocols.
Effects of structural properties of the Stern layer on the electrophoretic migration of a highly charged spherical macroion
Authors: Rezaei Majid , Azimian Ahmad Reza
Published: October 2015

The electrophoretic migration of a highly charged spherical macroion suspended in an aqueous solution of NaCl is studied using the molecular dynamic method. The objective is to examine the effects of the colloidal surface charge density on the electrophoretic mobility (μ) of the spherical macroion. The bare charge and the size of the macroion are varied separately to induce changes in the colloidal surface charge density. Our results indicate that μ depends on colloidal surface charge density in a nonmonotonic manner, but that this relationship is independent of the way the surface charge density is varied. It is found that an increase in colloidal surface charge density may lead to the formation of new sublayers in the Stern layer. The μ profile is also found to have a local maximum for a bare charge at which a new sublayer is formed in the Stern layer, and a local minimum for a bare charge at which the outer sublayer becomes relatively dense. Finally, the electrophoretic flow caused by the migration of the spherical macroion is studied to find that one decisive factor causing the electrophoretic flow is the ability of the macroion to carry anions in the electrolyte solution.
Novel Bisphosphonates Derived from 1H‐Indazole, 1H‐Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]Pyridine, and 1H‐Pyrazolo[3,4‐b]Quinoline
Authors: Teixeira Fátima C. , Lucas Carla , Curto M. João M. , Teixeira António P. S. , Duarte M. Teresa , André Vânia
Published: October 2015

Novel tetraethyl ethylene‐1,1‐bisphosphonate esters derived from 1H‐indazole, 1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]pyridine, and 1H‐pyrazolo[3,4‐b]quinoline were synthesized by a Michael addition reaction of tetraethyl ethylidene‐1,1‐bisphosphonate with the corresponding heterocycle, using conventional heating and microwave‐assisted methods. The microwave‐assisted method provides shorter reaction times and better yields. The hydrolysis of bisphosphonates afforded the corresponding bisphosphonic acids or salt, using concentrated hydrochloric acid or TMSBr/collidine, respectively. All new compounds were fully characterized, and their structures were assigned using 1H, 31P, and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopies and mass spectrometry. The molecular structure of compound 6 was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction studies.
Straightforward Solvent‐Free Synthesis of Tertiary Phosphine Chalcogenides from Secondary Phosphines, Electron‐Rich Alkenes, and Elemental Sulfur or Selenium
Authors: Artem'ev Alexander V. , Chernysheva Nataliya A. , Yas'ko Svetlana V. , Gusarova Nina K. , Bagryanskaya Irina Yu , Trofimov Boris A.
Published: October 2015

A series of tertiary phosphine sulfides and selenides have been synthesized in excellent yields (88‐99%) via a three‐component reaction between secondary phosphines, electron‐rich alkenes (styrene, vinyl chalcogenides), and elemental sulfur or selenium, proceeding under solvent‐free conditions (80‐82°C, 4–44 h). The interaction occurs via initial oxidation of secondary phosphines with elemental sulfur or selenium followed by noncatalyzed anti‐Markovnikov addition of the generated R2P(E)H (E = S, Se) species to alkenes to afford the corresponding adducts with high chemo‐ and regioselectivity.