bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An interdisciplinary framework for measuring and supporting adherence in HIV prevention trials of ARV‐based vaginal rings
Authors: MacQueen Kathleen M , Tolley Elizabeth E , Owen Derek H , Amico K Rivet , Morrow Kathleen M , Moench Thomas , Friend David R , Friedland Barbara
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Product adherence and its measurement have emerged as a critical challenge in the evaluation of new HIV prevention technologies. Long‐acting ARV‐based vaginal rings may simplify use instructions and require less user behaviour, thereby facilitating adherence. One ARV‐based ring is in efficacy trials and others, including multipurpose rings, are in the pipeline. Participant motivations, counselling support and measurement challenges during ring trials must still be addressed. In previous HIV prevention trials, this has been done largely using descriptive and post‐hoc methods that are highly variable and minimally evaluated. We outline an interdisciplinary framework for systematically investigating promising strategies to support product uptake and adherence, and to measure adherence in the context of randomized, blinded clinical trials.

Discussion

The interdisciplinary framework highlights the dual use of adherence measurement (i.e. to provide feedback during trial implementation and to inform interpretation of trial findings) and underscores the complex pathways that connect measurement, adherence support and enacted adherence behaviour. Three inter‐related approaches are highlighted: 1) adherence support – sequential efforts to define motivators of study product adherence and to develop, test, refine and evaluate adherence support messages; 2) self‐reported psychometric measures – creation of valid and generalizable measures based in easily administered scales that capture vaginal ring use with improved predictive ability at screening, baseline and follow‐up that better engage participants in reporting adherence; and 3) more objective measurement of adherence – real‐time adherence monitoring and cumulative measurement to correlate adherence with overall product effectiveness through innovative designs, models and prototypes using electronic and biometric technologies to detect ring insertion and/or removal or expulsion. Coordinating research along these three pathways will result in a comprehensive approach to product adherence within clinical trials.

Conclusions

Better measurement of adherence will not, by itself, ensure that future effectiveness trials will be able to address the most basic question: if the product is used per instructions, will it prevent HIV transmission? The challenges to adherence measurement must be addressed as one component of a more integrated system that has as its central focus adherence as a behaviour emerging from the social context of the user.
Learning from the private sector: towards a keener understanding of the end‐user for microbicide introduction planning
Authors: Lin Amy H , Breger Tiffany L , Barnhart Matthew , Kim Ann , Vangsgaard Charlotte , Harris Emily
Published: September 2014

Introduction

In planning for the introduction of vaginal microbicides and other new antiretroviral (ARV)‐based prevention products for women, an in‐depth understanding of potential end‐users will be critically important to inform strategies to optimize uptake and long‐term adherence. User‐centred private sector companies have contributed to the successful launch of many different types of products, employing methods drawn from behavioural and social sciences to shape product designs, marketing messages and communication channels. Examples of how the private sector has adapted and applied these techniques to make decisions around product messaging and targeting may be instructive for adaptation to microbicide introduction.

Discussion

In preparing to introduce a product, user‐centred private sector companies employ diverse methods to understand the target population and their lifestyles, values and motivations. ReD Associates’ observational research on user behaviours in the packaged food and diabetes fields illustrates how ‘tag along’ or ‘shadowing’ techniques can identify sources of non‐adherence. Another open‐ended method is self‐documentation, and IDEO's mammography research utilized this to uncover user motivations that extended beyond health. Mapping the user journey is a quantitative approach for outlining critical decision‐making stages, and Monitor Inclusive Markets applied this framework to identify toilet design opportunities for the rural poor. Through an iterative process, these various techniques can generate hypotheses on user drop‐off points, quantify where drop‐off is highest and prioritize areas of further research to uncover usage barriers. Although research constraints exist, these types of user‐centred techniques have helped create effective messaging, product positioning and packaging of health products as well as family planning information. These methods can be applied to microbicide acceptability testing outside of clinical trials to design microbicide marketing that enhances product usage.

Conclusions

The introduction of microbicide products presents an ideal opportunity to draw on the insights from user‐centred private sector companies’ approaches, which can complement other methods that have been more commonly utilized in microbicide research to date. As microbicides move from clinical trials to real‐world implementation, there will be more opportunities to combine a variety of approaches to understand end‐users, which can lead to a more effective product launch and ultimately greater impact on preventing HIV infections.
WHO guidance grounded in a comprehensive approach to sexual and reproductive health and human rights: topical pre‐exposure prophylaxis
Authors: Lusti‐Narasimhan Manjula , Khosla Rajat , Baggaley Rachel , Temmerman Marleen , McGrory Elizabeth , Farley Tim
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Two new microbicide products based on topical (vaginal) application of antiretroviral drugs – 1% tenofovir gel and the dapivirine ring – are currently in late‐stage clinical testing, and results on their safety and effectiveness are expected to become available in early 2015. WHO guidelines on the use of topical pre‐exposure prophylaxis (topical PrEP) are important in order to ensure that these new prevention products are optimally used.

Discussion

Given that these new topical PrEP products are designed to be woman initiated and will likely be delivered in reproductive health settings, it is important to ensure that the guidance be framed in the context of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and human rights. In addition to the safety and effectiveness data resulting from clinical trials, and the regulatory approval required for new products, the WHO normative guidelines on the use of topical PrEP will be essential for rapid roll‐out in countries.

Conclusions

Human rights standards and principles provide a framework for the provision of woman‐initiated HIV prevention products. These include addressing issues related to the gender inequities which are linked to the provision of HIV‐prevention, treatment and care for young girls and women. Effective programming for women and girls must therefore be based on understanding the local, social and community contexts of the AIDS epidemic in the country, and adapting HIV strategies and programmes accordingly. Such a framework therefore is needed not only to ensure optimal uptake of these new products by women and girls but also to address sociocultural barriers to women's and girls’ access to these products.
An adaptive ant colony optimization framework for scheduling environmental flow management alternatives under varied environmental water availability conditions
Authors: Szemis J. M. , Maier H. R. , Dandy G. C.
Published: September 2014

Human water use is increasing and, as such, water for the environment is limited and needs to be managed efficiently. One method for achieving this is the scheduling of environmental flow management alternatives (EFMAs) (e.g., releases, wetland regulators), with these schedules generally developed over a number of years. However, the availability of environmental water changes annually as a result of natural variability (e.g., drought, wet years). To incorporate this variation and schedule EFMAs in a operational setting, a previously formulated multiobjective optimization approach for EFMA schedule development used for long‐term planning has been modified and incorporated into an adaptive framework. As part of this approach, optimal schedules are updated at regular intervals during the planning horizon based on environmental water allocation forecasts, which are obtained using artificial neural networks. In addition, the changes between current and updated schedules can be minimized to reduce any disruptions to long‐term planning. The utility of the approach is assessed by applying it to an 89km section of the River Murray in South Australia. Results indicate that the approach is beneficial under a range of hydrological conditions and an improved ecological response is obtained in a operational setting compared with previous long‐term approaches. Also, it successfully produces trade‐offs between the number of disruptions to schedules and the ecological response, with results suggesting that ecological response increases with minimal alterations required to existing schedules. Overall, the results indicate that the information obtained using the proposed approach potentially aides managers in the efficient management of environmental water.
Constraints on the secular variation of Mercury's magnetic field from the combined analysis of MESSENGER and Mariner 10 data
Authors: Philpott Lydia C. , Johnson Catherine L. , Winslow Reka M. , Anderson Brian J. , Korth Haje , Purucker Michael E. , Solomon Sean C.
Published: September 2014

Observations of Mercury's internal magnetic field from the Magnetometer on the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft have revealed a dipole moment of 190 nT RM3 offset about 480 km northward from the planetary equator, where RM is Mercury's radius. We have reanalyzed magnetic field observations acquired by the Mariner 10 spacecraft during its third flyby of Mercury (M10‐III) in 1975 to constrain the secular variation in the internal field over the past 40 years. With the application of techniques developed in the analysis of MESSENGER data, we find that the dipole moment that best fits the M10‐III data is 188 nT RM3 offset 475 km northward from the equator. Our results are consistent with no secular variation, although variations of up to 10%, 16%, and 35%, respectively, are permitted in the zonal coefficients g10, g20, and g30 in a spherical harmonic expansion of the internal field.
Evolution of the 12 July 2012 CME from the Sun to the Earth: Data‐constrained three‐dimensional MHD simulations
Authors: Shen Fang , Shen Chenglong , Zhang Jie , Hess Phillip , Wang Yuming , Feng Xueshang , Cheng Hongze , Yang Yi
Published: September 2014

The dynamic process of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the heliosphere provides us the key information for evaluating CMEs' geoeffectiveness and improving the accurate prediction of CME‐induced shock arrival time at the Earth. We present a data‐constrained three‐dimensional (3‐D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the evolution of the CME in a realistic ambient solar wind for the 12–16 July 2012 event by using the 3‐D corona interplanetary total variation diminishing (COIN‐TVD) MHD code. A detailed comparison of the kinematic evolution of the CME between the observations and the simulation is carried out, including the usage of the time elongation maps from the perspectives of both STEREO A and STEREO B. In this case study, we find that our 3‐D COIN‐TVD MHD model, with the magnetized plasma blob as the driver, is able to reproduce relatively well the real 3‐D nature of the CME in morphology and their evolution from the Sun to the Earth. The simulation also provides a relatively satisfactory comparison with the in situ plasma data from the Wind spacecraft.
Spatiotemporal variation of long‐term drought propensity through reliability‐resilience‐vulnerability based Drought Management Index
Authors: Chanda Kironmala , Maity Rajib , Sharma Ashish , Mehrotra Rajeshwar
Published: September 2014

This paper characterizes the long‐term, spatiotemporal variation of drought propensity through a newly proposed, namely Drought Management Index (DMI), and explores its predictability in order to assess the future drought propensity and adapt drought management policies for a location. The DMI was developed using the reliability‐resilience‐vulnerability (RRV) rationale commonly used in water resources systems analysis, under the assumption that depletion of soil moisture across a vertical soil column is equivalent to the operation of a water supply reservoir, and that drought should be managed not simply using a measure of system reliability, but should also take into account the readiness of the system to bounce back from drought to a normal state. Considering India as a test bed, 5 year long monthly gridded (0.5° Lat × 0.5° Lon) soil moisture data are used to compute the RRV at each grid location falling within the study domain. The Permanent Wilting Point (PWP) is used as the threshold, indicative of transition into water stress. The association between resilience and vulnerability is then characterized through their joint probability distribution ascertained using Plackett copula models for four broad soil types across India. The joint cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of resilience and vulnerability form the basis for estimating the DMI as a five‐yearly time series at each grid location assessed. The status of DMI over the past 50 years indicate that drought propensity is consistently low toward northern and north eastern parts of India but higher in the western part of peninsular India. Based on the observed past behavior of DMI series on a climatological time scale, a DMI prediction model comprising deterministic and stochastic components is developed. The predictability of DMI for a lead time of 5 years is found to vary across India, with a Pearson correlation coefficient between observed and predicted DMI above 0.6 over most of the study area, indicating a reasonably good potential for drought management in the medium term water resources planning horizon.
Orienting the camera and firing lasers to enhance large scale particle image velocimetry for streamflow monitoring
Authors: Tauro Flavia , Porfiri Maurizio , Grimaldi Salvatore
Published: September 2014

Large scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV) is a nonintrusive methodology for continuous surface flow monitoring in natural environments. Recent experimental studies demonstrate that LSPIV is a promising technique to estimate flow discharge in riverine systems. Traditionally, LSPIV implementations are based on the use of angled cameras to capture extended fields of view; images are then orthorectified and calibrated through the acquisition of ground reference points. As widely documented in the literature, the identification of ground reference points and image orthorectification are major hurdles in LSPIV. Here we develop an experimental apparatus to address both of these issues. The proposed platform includes a laser system for remote frame calibration and a low‐cost camera that is maintained orthogonal with respect to the water surface to minimize image distortions. We study the feasibility of the apparatus on two complex natural riverine environments where the acquisition of ground reference points is prevented and illumination and seeding density conditions are challenging. While our results confirm that velocity estimations can be severely affected by inhomogeneously seeded surface tracers and adverse illumination settings, they demonstrate that LSPIV implementations can benefit from the proposed apparatus. Specifically, the presented system opens novel avenues in the development of stand‐alone platforms for remote surface flow monitoring.
Lower Extremity Peak Force and Gait Kinematics in Individuals With Inclusion Body Myositis
Authors: Davenport Todd E. , Benson Kimberly , Baker Stephanie , Gracey Christopher , Rakocevic Goran , McElroy Beverly , Dalakas Marinos , Shrader Joseph A. , Harris‐Love Michael O.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To determine the relationship between peak isometric muscle force and temporal characteristics of gait in individuals with sporadic inclusion body myositis (s‐IBM).

Methods

An observational study of 42 individuals with s‐IBM (12 women; mean ± SD age 61.8 ± 7.3 years and mean ± SD disease duration 8.9 ± 4.3 years) was conducted at a federal hospital. Peak isometric force measurements for lower extremity (LE) muscle groups were obtained using quantitative muscle testing. Temporal characteristics of gait during habitual and fast walking conditions were measured using a portable gait analysis system.

Results

All observed muscle force values were significantly lower than predicted values (P ≤ 0.001). During habitual walking, the subjects' gait speed and cadence were ≤83% of normative literature values. During fast walking, total gait cycle time was 133% of normal, while gait speed and cadence were 58% and 78% of normative literature values, respectively. Scaled LE peak muscle forces showed significant moderate correlations with temporal gait variables. Weaker subjects had greater limitations in gait speed and cadence compared with stronger subjects (P < 0.05). Peak isometric force of the knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors was significantly correlated with most temporal features of habitual gait.

Conclusion

Muscle weakness associated with s‐IBM disease activity may contribute to diminished gait kinematics. Temporal features of gait were not substantially influenced by knee extensor weakness alone, considering the knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors played a compensatory role in maintaining the walking ability of individuals with s‐IBM.
Valgus Bracing for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Moyer Rebecca F. , Birmingham Trevor B. , Bryant Dianne M. , Giffin J. Robert , Marriott Kendal A. , Leitch Kristyn M.
Published: September 2014

Objective

To evaluate the effects of valgus knee bracing on pain and function, and compliance and complications, in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials that compared changes in patient‐reported pain and/or function in patients with medial knee OA was performed. Seven databases were searched from their inception to January 2014. Two reviewers independently determined study eligibility, rated risk of bias, and extracted data. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for standardized mean differences (SMDs) for the improvement in pain (and function) were calculated. Event rates (proportions) were calculated for studies that reported complications.

Results

Six studies were included in the meta‐analysis. Overall, there was a statistically significant difference favoring the valgus brace group for improvement in pain (SMD 0.33 [95% CI 0.13, 0.52], P = 0.001) and function (SMD 0.22 [95% CI 0.02, 0.41], P = 0.03). When compared to a control group that did not use an orthosis, the effect size was moderate for pain (SMD 0.56 [95% CI 0.03, 1.09], P = 0.04) and function (SMD 0.48 [95% CI 0.02, 0.95], P = 0.04). When compared to a control group that used a control orthosis, only a small, statistically significant effect for pain remained (SMD 0.33 [95% CI 0.08, 0.58], P = 0.01). Instructions for brace use varied considerably and compliance ranged from 45% to 100%. Up to 25% of patients reported minor complications with brace use.

Conclusion

Meta‐analysis of randomized trials suggests valgus bracing for medial knee OA results in small‐to‐moderate improvements in pain. Effect sizes vary based on study design and warrant future research.
Reliability of the Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool in Individuals With Myositis
Authors: Harris‐Love Michael O. , Joe Galen , Davenport Todd E. , Koziol Deloris , Abbett Rose Kristen , Shrader Joseph A. , Vasconcelos Olavo M. , McElroy Beverly , Dalakas Marinos C.
Published: September 2014

Objective

The Adult Myopathy Assessment Tool (AMAT) is a 13‐item performance‐based battery developed to assess functional status and muscle endurance. The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and interrater reliability of the AMAT in adults with myositis.

Methods

Nineteen raters (13 physical therapists and 6 physicians) scored videotaped recordings of patients with myositis performing the AMAT for a total of 114 tests and 1,482 item observations per session. Raters rescored the AMAT test and item observations during a followup session (mean ± SD 19 ± 6 days between scoring sessions). All raters completed a single, self‐directed, electronic training module prior to the initial scoring session.

Results

Intrarater and interrater reliability correlation coefficients were ≥0.94 for the AMAT functional subscale, endurance subscale, and total score (all P < 0.02 for Ho, ρ ≤0.75). All AMAT items had satisfactory intrarater agreement (kappa statistics with Fleiss‐Cohen weights, with values κw = 0.57–1.00). Interrater agreement was acceptable for each AMAT item (κ = 0.56–0.89) except the sit up (κ = 0.16). The standard error of measurement and 95% confidence interval range for the AMAT total scores did not exceed 2 points across all observations (AMAT total score range 0–45).

Conclusion

The AMAT is a reliable, domain‐specific assessment of functional status and muscle endurance for adult subjects with myositis. Results of this study suggest that physicians and physical therapists may reliably score the AMAT following a single training session. The AMAT functional subscale, endurance subscale, and total score exhibit interrater and intrarater reliability suitable for clinical and research use.
Body Mass Index and Functional Mobility Outcome Following Early Rehabilitation After a Total Knee Replacement: A Retrospective Study in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Chun‐de , Huang Yi‐Ching , Lin Li‐Fong , Huang Shih‐Wei , Liou Tsan‐Hon
Published: September 2014

Objective

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of osteoarthritis, and the incidence of obese patients requiring a total knee replacement (TKR) has increased in recent years. A high body mass index (BMI) may influence post‐TKR rehabilitation outcomes. We investigated the effects of obesity on functional mobility outcomes following post‐TKR rehabilitation in Asian patients whose BMIs were not as high as those reported in similar studies performed in non‐Asian countries.

Methods

A total of 113 patients were categorized as normal weight (n = 23), overweight (n = 32), class I obese (n = 31), or class II/III obese (n = 27). Patients were retrospectively followed up for 6 months after undergoing TKR followed by 2 months of active rehabilitation. Outcome measures were recorded at baseline and at the 2‐month and 6‐month followup assessments and included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and the following tests: functional reach, single‐leg stance, ten‐meter walk, timed up and go, chair rise, and stair climbing.

Results

A 4 × 3 (group × time) repeated‐measures analysis of variance showed significant improvement in all of the outcome measures for all of the BMI groups at the 2‐month and 6‐month followup assessments (P < 0.05 for all). No significant intergroup differences at the 2‐month and 6‐month followup assessments were observed for any of the mobility measures except the functional reach and single‐leg stance (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with class II/III obesity benefit from early post‐TKR outpatient rehabilitation and respond as well as patients with lower BMIs.
A Photoresponsive Red‐Hair‐Inspired Polydopamine‐Based Copolymer for Hybrid Photocapacitive Sensors
Authors: Ambrico Marianna , Vecchia Nicola Fyodor Della , Ambrico Paolo F. , Cardone Antonio , Cicco Stefania R. , Ligonzo Teresa , Avolio Roberto , Napolitano Alessandra , d’Ischia Marco
Published: September 2014

Inspired by the powerful photosensitizing properties of the red hair pigments pheomelanins, a photoresponsive cysteine‐containing variant of the adhesive biopolymer polydopamine (pDA) is developed via oxidative copolymerization of dopamine (DA) and 5‐S‐cysteinyldopamine (CDA) in variable ratios. Chemical and spectral analysis indicate the presence of benzothiazole/benzothiazine units akin to those of pheomelanins. p(DA/CDA) copolymers display ­impedance properties similar to those of biological materials and a marked photoimpedance response to light stimuli. The use of the p(DA/CDA) copolymer to implement a solution‐processed hybrid photocapacitive/resistive metal‐insulator‐semiconductor (MIS) device disclosed herein is the first example of technological exploitation of photoactive, red‐hair‐inspired biomaterials as soft enhancement layer for silicon in an optoelectronic device. The bio‐inspired materials described herein may provide the active component of new hybrid photocapacitive sensors with a chemically tunable response to visible light.
Extremely Efficient White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes for General Lighting
Authors: Ou Qing‐Dong , Zhou Lei , Li Yan‐Qing , Shen Su , Chen Jing‐De , Li Chi , Wang Qian‐Kun , Lee Shuit‐Tong , Tang Jian‐Xin
Published: September 2014

Highly power‐efficient white organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are still challenging to make for applications in high‐quality displays and general lighting due to optical confinement and energy loss during electron‐photon conversion. Here, an efficient white OLED structure is shown that combines deterministic aperiodic nanostructures for broadband quasi‐omnidirectional light extraction and a multilayer energy cascade structure for energy‐efficient photon generation. The external quantum efficiency and power efficiency are raised to 54.6% and 123.4 lm W−1 at 1000 cd m−2. An extremely small roll‐off in efficiency at high luminance is also obtained, yielding a striking value of 106.5 lm W−1 at 5000 cd m−2. In addition to a substantial increase in efficiency, this device structure simultaneously offers the superiority of angular color stability over the visible wavelength range compared to conventional OLEDs. It is anticipated that these findings could open up new opportunities to promote white OLEDs for commercial applications.
Selective Generation of Formamides through Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction Catalyzed by Ruthenium Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Kobayashi Katsuaki , Kikuchi Takashi , Kitagawa Susumu , Tanaka Koji
Published: September 2014

The selective formation of dialkyl formamides through photochemical CO2 reduction was developed as a means of utilizing CO2 as a C1 building block. Photochemical CO2 reduction catalyzed by a [Ru(bpy)2(CO)2]2+ (bpy: 2,2′‐bipyridyl)/[Ru(bpy)3]2+/Me2NH/Me2NH2+ system in CH3CN selectively produced dimethylformamide. In this process a ruthenium carbamoyl complex ([Ru(bpy)2(CO)(CONMe2)]+) formed by the nucleophilic attack of Me2NH on [Ru(bpy)2(CO)2]2+ worked as the precursor to DMF. Thus Me2NH acted as both the sacrificial electron donor and the substrate, while Me2NH2+ functioned as the proton source. Similar photochemical CO2 reductions using R2NH and R2NH2+ (R=Et, nPr, or nBu) also afforded the corresponding dialkyl formamides (R2NCHO) together with HCOOH as a by‐product. The main product from the CO2 reduction transitioned from R2NCHO to HCOOH with increases in the alkyl chain length of the R2NH. The selectivity between R2NCHO and HCOOH was found to depend on the rate of [Ru(bpy)2(CO)(CONR2)]+ formation.
Development of Double‐Perovskite Compounds as Cathode Materials for Low‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Yoo Seonyoung , Jun Areum , Ju Young‐Wan , Odkhuu Dorj , Hyodo Junji , Jeong Hu Young , Park Noejung , Shin Jeeyoung , Ishihara Tatsumi , Kim Guntae
Published: September 2014

A class of double‐perovskite compounds display fast oxygen ion diffusion and high catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction while maintaining excellent compatibility with the electrolyte. The astoundingly extended stability of NdBa1−xCaxCo2O5+δ (NBCaCO) under both air and CO2‐containing atmosphere is reported along with excellent electrochemical performance by only Ca doping into the A site of NdBaCo2O5+δ (NBCO). The enhanced stability can be ascribed to both the increased electron affinity of mobile oxygen species with Ca, determined through density functional theory calculations and the increased redox stability from the coulometric titration.
Muschel‐inspirierte dendritische Polymere als universelle multifunktionale Beschichtungen
Authors: Wei Qiang , Achazi Katharina , Liebe Hendrik , Schulz Andrea , Noeske Paul‐Ludwig Michael , Grunwald Ingo , Haag Rainer
Published: September 2014

Ein neues Verfahren zur Herstellung multifunktionaler Materialbeschichtungen baut auf dendritischen, von Muscheln inspirierten Polymeren auf. Diese neuartigen Polymere beziehen nicht nur funktionelle Gruppen von Muschelfußproteinen (Mfps) ein, sondern weisen auch ähnliche Molekülgrößen und ‐strukturen wie Mfps auf. Die heteromultivalente Verankerung auf Substraten und Vernetzung in den Polymeren basieren auf einer hohen Konzentration von Brenzcatechin‐ und Aminogruppen. Das Molekulargewicht der Polymere liegt bei 10 kDa und ist somit vergleichbar mit demjenigen des am stärksten anhaftenden Muschelfußproteins, Mfp‐5. Zudem befinden sich die funktionellen Gruppen sowohl bei den dendritischen Molekülen als auch in der Tertiärstruktur der Proteine an der Polymeroberfläche. Daher können diese bioinspirierten Polymere mit einer einfachen Tauchbeschichtung auf nahezu jedem Substrat rasch hochstabile Beschichtungsfilme bilden. Diese Methode ist genauso schnell wie die natürliche Verankerung der Muscheln.
Tailoring of High‐Order Multiple Emulsions by the Liquid–Liquid Phase Separation of Ternary Mixtures
Authors: Haase Martin F. , Brujic Jasna
Published: September 2014

Multiple emulsions with an “onion” topology are useful vehicles for drug delivery, biochemical assays, and templating materials. They can be assembled by ternary liquid phase separation by microfluidics, but the control over their design is limited because the mechanism for their creation is unknown. Herein we show that phase separation occurs through self‐similar cycles of mass transfer, spinodal decomposition or nucleation, and coalescence into multiple layers. Mapping out the phase diagram shows a linear relationship between the diameters of concentric layers, the slope of which depends on the initial ternary composition and the molecular weight of the surfactant. These general rules quantitatively predict the number of droplet layers (multiplicity), which we used to devise self‐assembly routes for polymer capsules and liposomes. Moreover, we extended the technique to the assembly of lipid‐stabilized droplets with ordered internal structures.
Novel cross‐linked sericin films: Characterization and properties
Authors: Joshi Mangala , Gulrajani M. L. , Bar Mahadev
Published: September 2014

In the present study, an attempt has been made to convert sericin into film form and further make it insoluble by forming sericin–aluminum metal complex using alum salt, which may lead to some extent of cross‐linking. After complex formation sericin becomes insoluble in warm water as well as thermal stability and tensile strength improves significantly with increasing alum content. Metal complexed sericin films show good antimicrobial property and both the pure and alum modified sericin (AM‐Sericin) films show a very good oil barrier property. But after complex formation moisture content and swelling percentage of sericin film decreases quite significantly with increasing aluminum concentration. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41400.
Multifunctional polyaniline–tin oxide (PANI–SnO2) nanocomposite: Synthesis, electrochemical, and field emission investigations
Authors: Patil Sandip S. , Harpale Kashmira V. , Koiry Shankar P. , Patil Kashinath R. , Aswal Dinesh K. , More Mahendra A.
Published: September 2014

Synthesis of PANI–SnO2 nanocomposite has been performed using a simple two step chemical oxidative polymerization route. The structural, morphological and chemical properties of the as‐synthesized PANI–SnO2 nanocomposite have been revealed by various characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, and XPS. Interestingly the as‐synthesized PANI–SnO2 nanocomposite exhibits supercapacitance value of 721 F g−1 with energy density 64 Wh kg−1, which is noticed to be higher than that of pristine SnO2 and PANI nanostructures. Furthermore, the galvanostatic charge–discharge characteristics revealed pseudocapacitive nature of the PANI–SnO2 nanocomposite. The estimated values of charge transfer resistance and series resistance estimated from the Nyquist plot are found to be lower. Along with the supercapacitive nature, PANI–SnO2 nanocomposite showed promising field emission behavior. The threshold field, required to draw emission current density of 1 μA/cm2, is observed to be 0.90 V/μm and emission current density of 1.2 mA/cm2 has been drawn at applied field of ∼2.6 V/μm. The emission current stability investigated at preset values of 0.02 and 0.1 mA/cm2 is observed to be fairly stable over duration of more than 3 h. The enhanced supercapacitance values, as well as, the promising field emission characteristics are attributed to the synergic effect of SnO2 nanoparticles and PANI nanotubes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41401.
Synthesis and characterization of secondary doped polypyrrole/organic modified attapulgite conductive composites
Authors: Feng Huixia , Wang Bin , Wang Nuoxin , Qiu Jianhui , Tan Lin , Chen Nali
Published: September 2014

Secondary doping method was introduced into fabricating polypyrrole/oganic modified attapulgite conductive composites. The preparation conditions, such as amount of hexadecylpyridinium chloride (CPC, modifying agent), organic modified attapulgite (OATP), and HCl (secondary dopant) have been optimized to get the composites with the highest conductivity. When mCPC/mATP, mOATP/mPy, and nHCl/nSA (SA is sulfamic acid) reaches 0.03, 0.6, and 0.5, respectively, the PPy/OATP composites possess the highest conductivity of 87.59 S cm−1 as well as the highest thermal degradation temperature of 249.29°C. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐Visible diffuse reflectance study, and X‐ray photoelectron Spectroscopy results showed that PPy chains form the core‐shell structure and may combine with OATP via π–π stacking interaction. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of PPy/OATP‐SH composites was enhanced and these could be attributed to the retardation effect of OATP as barriers for the degradation of PPy. This method may open a new door for PPy‐based composites with special structures, higher performance, and thus broader application ranges. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41407.
Effects of drug and polymer molecular weight on drug release from PLGA‐mPEG microspheres
Authors: Feng Shuibin , Nie Lei , Zou Peng , Suo Jinping
Published: September 2014

This study investigated the effects of drug and polymer molecular weight on release kinetics from poly (g‐co‐glycolic acid)‐methoxypoly(ethyleneglycol) (PLGA‐mPEG) microspheres. Bovine serum albumin (BSA, 66 kDa), lysozyme (LZ, 13.4 kDa), and vancomycin (VM, 1.45 kDa) were employed as the model drugs, and encapsulated in PLGA‐mPEG microspheres of different molecular weight. Release of macromolecular BSA was mainly dependent on diffusion of drug at/ near the surface of the matrix initially and dependent on degradation of matrix at later stages, while, the small drug of vancomycin seemed to depend totally on diffusion for the duration of the release study. The release behavior of lysozyme was similar to bovine serum albumin, except a shorter lag period. PLGA‐mPEG molecular weight also affected the release behavior of bovine serum albumin and lysozyme, but not obviously. PLGA‐mPEG microspheres in smaller molecular weight seemed to degrade more quickly to obtain a mass lose and matrix erosion, and thus, an accelerated release rate of bovine serum albumin and lysozyme. Vancomycin released much faster than bovine serum albumin and lysozyme, and exhibited no lag period, as it is thought to be diffusion‐controlled. Besides, vancomycin showed no difference in release behavior as PLGA‐mPEG molecular weight change. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41431.
On the Controllability of Nonlocal Second‐Order Impulsive Neutral Stochastic Integro‐Differential Equations with Infinite Delay
Authors: Huan Diem Dang
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we investigate the controllability for a class of nonlocal second‐order impulsive neutral stochastic integro‐differential equations with infinite delay in Hilbert spaces. More precisely, a set of sufficient conditions for the controllability results of nonlocal second‐order impulsive neutral stochastic integro‐differential equations with infinite delay are derived by means of the Banach fixed point theorem combined with theories of a strongly continuous cosine family of bounded linear operators. As an application, an example is provided to illustrate the obtained theory.
Genetic studies of ANKRD6 as a molecular switch between Wnt signaling pathways in human neural tube defects
Authors: Allache Redouane , Wang Mingqin , De Marco Patrizia , Merello Elisa , Capra Valeria , Kibar Zoha
Published: September 2014

Background

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is a major branch of Wnt signaling that controls the process of convergent extension in gastrulation and neurulation. PCP defects were associated with neural tube defects (NTDs) that are the most common central nervous system anomalies. PCP signaling is highly dosage sensitive and exhibits an antagonistic relationship with the canonical Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Diversin, encoded by Ankrd6, is an ankyrin repeat protein that activates the non canonical PCP signaling and simultaneously inhibits the canonical pathway.

Methods

In this study, we analyzed this dual role of ANKRD6 in NTDs. We sequenced its coding region in 473 NTD patients and 150 controls, and we validated the effect of the identified variants on Wnt signaling using reporter assays in mammalian cells.

RESULTS

We identified four rare missense mutations in 0.8% of the NTD patients and two rare missense mutations in 1.3% of the controls. Notably, when all six mutations were validated, only two mutations identified in NTD patients, p.Pro548Leu, p.Arg632His, significantly altered DIVERSIN activity in Wnt signaling assays in a hypomorphic manner.

Conclusion

Rare missense mutations in ANKRD6 could affect a balanced reciprocal antagonism between both Wnt pathways in neurulation and act as predisposing factors to NTDs in a subset of patients. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:20–26, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Promoter methylation and expression of the VANGL2 gene in the myocardium of pediatric patients with Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Gao Yan , Wang Huijun , Ma Xiaojing , Ma Duan , Huang Guoying
Published: September 2014

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease and is a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality. VANGL2 is a critical gene in the planar cell polarity pathway that plays an important role in the development of the heart. This study investigates the methylation status of the promoter region of VANGL2 and the expression pattern of VANGL2 in cardiac tissue. Methods: The promoter region of VANGL2 was sequenced in 200 ToF patients and 400 control subjects. Methylation levels were measured in four regions of the VANGL2 promoter (B1‐1: −282 bp ∼ −117 bp, B1–2: −117 bp ∼ 41 bp, B2: 8 bp ∼ 157 bp, B3: 132 bp ∼ 401 bp) by bisulfite sequencing PCR in the right ventricular outflow tract of the myocardium. Quantitative real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Results: No mutations were found in the promoter region, but two SNPs (rs11582932 T>G, rs11265385 T>G) were found in ToF patients and controls with similar frequencies (p > 0.05). The overall methylation status of the VANGL2 promoter was significantly higher in ToF patients than in controls (p = 0.0234). Specifically, the methylation levels of regions B1‐1 and B3 were significantly higher in ToF patients (p = 0.0042, p = 0.0418). Both the VANGL2 mRNA and protein levels were significantly lower in ToF patients than in controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The aberrant VANGL2 promoter methylation and the decreased gene expression in ToF patients may provide important clues for the development of ToF. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:973–984, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Barriers to care for children with orofacial clefts in North Carolina
Authors: Cassell Cynthia H. , Strassle Paula , Mendez Dara D. , Lee Kyung A. , Krohmer Anne , Meyer Robert E. , Strauss Ronald P.
Published: September 2014

Background

Little is known about the barriers faced by families of children with birth defects in obtaining healthcare. We examined reported perceived barriers to care and satisfaction with care among mothers of children with orofacial clefts.

Methods

In 2006, a validated barriers to care mail/phone survey was administered in North Carolina to all resident mothers of children with orofacial clefts born between 2001 and 2004. Potential participants were identified using the North Carolina Birth Defects Monitoring Program, an active, state‐wide, population‐based birth defects registry. Five barriers to care subscales were examined: pragmatics, skills, marginalization, expectations, and knowledge/beliefs. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using chi‐square and Fisher's exact tests. Results were stratified by cleft type and presence of other birth defects.

Results

Of 475 eligible participants, 51.6% (n = 245) responded. The six most commonly reported perceived barriers to care were all part of the pragmatics subscale: having to take time off work (45.3%); long waits in the waiting rooms (37.6%); taking care of household responsibilities (29.7%); meeting other family members' needs (29.5%); waiting too many days for appointments (27.0%); and cost (25.0%). Most respondents (72.3%, 175/242) felt “very satisfied” with their child's cleft care.

Conclusion

Although most participants reported being satisfied with their child's care, many perceived barriers to care were identified. Due to the limited understanding and paucity of research on barriers to care for children with birth defects, including orofacial clefts, additional research on barriers to care and factors associated with them are needed. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:837–847, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stereoselective Photopolymerization of Tetraphenylporphyrin Derivatives on Ag(110) at the Sub‐Monolayer Level
Authors: Basagni Andrea , Colazzo Luciano , Sedona Francesco , DiMarino Marco , Carofiglio Tommaso , Lubian Elisa , Forrer Daniel , Vittadini Andrea , Casarin Maurizio , Verdini Alberto , Cossaro Albano , Floreano Luca , Sambi Mauro
Published: September 2014

We explore a photochemical approach to achieve an ordered polymeric structure at the sub‐monolayer level on a metal substrate. In particular, a tetraphenylporphyrin derivative carrying para‐amino‐phenyl functional groups is used to obtain extended and highly ordered molecular wires on Ag(110). Scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory calculations reveal that porphyrin building blocks are joined through azo bridges, mainly as cis isomers. The observed highly stereoselective growth is the result of adsorbate/surface interactions, as indicated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. At variance with previous studies, we tailor the formation of long‐range ordered structures by the separate control of the surface molecular diffusion through sample heating, and of the reaction initiation through light absorption. This previously unreported approach shows that the photo‐induced covalent stabilization of self‐assembled molecular monolayers to obtain highly ordered surface covalent organic frameworks is viable by a careful choice of the precursors and reaction conditions.
Upconverting Nanoparticles with a Mesoporous TiO2 Shell for Near‐Infrared‐Triggered Drug Delivery and Synergistic Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Yin Meili , Ju Enguo , Chen Zhaowei , Li Zhenhua , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang
Published: September 2014

Malignant tumors remain a major health burden throughout the world and effective therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Herein, we report the synthesis of upconverting nanoparticles with a mesoporous TiO2 (mTiO2) shell for near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered drug delivery and synergistic targeted cancer therapy. The NaGdF4:Yb,Tm could convert NIR light to UV light, which activated the mTiO2 to produce reactive oxygen species for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Due to the large surface area and porous structure, the mTiO2 shell endowed the nanoplatform with another functionality of anticancer drug loading for chemotherapy. The hyaluronic acid modified on the surface not only promised controlled drug release but also conferred targeted ability of the system toward cluster determinant 44 overexpressed cancer cells. More importantly, cytotoxicity experiments demonstrated that combined therapy mediated the highest rate of death of breast carcinoma cells compared with that of single chemotherapy or PDT.
Catalytic Membrane Reactors – Lab Curiosity or Key Enabling Technology?
Authors: Caro Jürgen
Published: September 2014

Two industrially interesting partial oxidations have been performed in catalytic membrane reactors with oxygen‐transporting membrane: aromatization of natural gas and oxidation of ammonia to nitric oxide. In both reactions, the oxygen used has been separated from air through a perovskite membrane, which also is the catalyst for the ammonia oxidation. When conducting the methane aromatization in an oxygen‐transporting membrane reactor, coke deposition is reduced and the aromatics yield is higher than that of a reference non‐oxidative fixed‐bed reactor.
The Role of the Legendre Transform in the Study of the Floer Complex of Cotangent Bundles
Authors: Abbondandolo Alberto , Schwarz Matthias
Published: September 2014

Consider a classical Hamiltonian H on the cotangent bundle T*M of a closed orientable manifold M, and let L:TM → R be its Legendre‐dual Lagrangian. In a previous paper we constructed an isomorphism Φ from the Morse complex of the Lagrangian action functional that is associated to L to the Floer complex that is determined by H. In this paper we give an explicit construction of a homotopy inverse Ψ of Φ. Contrary to other previously defined maps going in the same direction, Ψ is an isomorphism at the chain level and preserves the action filtration. Its definition is based on counting Floer trajectories on the negative half‐cylinder that on the boundary satisfy half of the Hamilton equations. Albeit not of Lagrangian type, such a boundary condition defines Fredholm operators with good compactness properties. We also present a heuristic argument which, independently of any Fredholm and compactness analysis, explains why the spaces of maps that are used in the definition of Φ and Ψ are the natural ones. The Legendre transform plays a crucial role both in our rigorous and in our heuristic arguments. We treat with some detail the delicate issue of orientations and show that the homology of the Floer complex is isomorphic to the singular homology of the loop space of M with a system of local coefficients, which is defined by the pullback of the second Stiefel‐Whitney class of TM on 2‐tori in M.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.