bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the factors causing medical disputes in a Third‐Level Grade A Hospital in Shanghai
Authors: Liu Yu , Bai Yonghai , Wang Pei , Xu Zhongliang
Published: August 2018

Objective

By analyzing cases of medical disputes occurred in one of top hospitals in Shanghai from 2012 to 2014, the paper tries to determine the causes and cures of the disputes based on relevant national and international experience.

Methods

A cluster sample of medical disputes occurred in the hospital from 2012 to 2014 was selected, to which logistic regression analysis was applied in order to determine the factors causing medical disputes.

Results

Inadequate experience in dealing with unexpected incidents (P = 0.002), violation of routine procedures for diagnosis and treatment (P = 0.004), and therapeutic effects (P = 0.007) were found to be statistically significant.

Conclusion

Medical disputes in the hospital would be substantially reduced by taking such measures as strengthening trainings on how to deal with unexpected incidents for medical staff, standardizing procedures for clinical practices, and improving the therapeutic effects of various diseases.
Prevalence and associated factors of pre‐hypertension and hypertension in Nepal: Analysis of the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2016
Authors: Kibria Gulam Muhammed Al , Swasey Krystal , Sharmeen Atia , Sakib Muhammad Nazmus , Burrowes Vanessa
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and develops faster among pre‐hypertensive individuals. However, there is a lack of nationally representative studies that investigate the prevalence and determinants of these two conditions in many developing countries, including Nepal. This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of pre‐hypertension and hypertension in Nepal.

Methods

The present cross‐sectional analysis used data from the 2016 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey, collected from June 2016 to January 2017. After calculating the weighted prevalence (with 95% confidence interval [CI]), simple and multivariable analyses were performed to estimate odds ratios.

Results

A total of 14 857 individuals (6247 males and 8610 females) aged ≥15 years who had their blood pressure measured during the survey were included in this study. The prevalence for pre‐hypertension and hypertension were 26.0% (95% CI: 25.3‐26.3, n = 3856) and 19.5% (95% CI: 18.8‐20.2, n = 2899), respectively. The prevalence of both conditions was greater among males. In multivariable analyses, older age, male sex, higher body mass index, and residents of Provinces 4 and 5 had significantly increased odds of pre‐hypertension and hypertension (P < .05). Additionally, higher education level was found to be positively associated with hypertension.

Conclusions

The combined higher prevalence of pre‐hypertension and hypertension indicates that nearly half (45.5%) of the respondents are at a greater risk of cardiovascular and other non‐communicable diseases due to these two conditions. Older people, males, obese people, and individuals living in Provinces 4 and 5 require more awareness to control blood pressure levels.
Social capital in enabling quality health care: The case of a telemedicine project in Nepal
Authors: Sein Maung Kyaw , Thapa Devinder
Published: August 2018

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play a crucial role in meeting multifaceted developmental challenges such as providing access to quality health care in developing countries. Initiatives such as telemedicine have been vital in bringing health care to marginalized groups in remote areas of such countries. While the implementation and effects of telemedicine projects have been studied in the literature, the actual mechanisms and conditions that facilitate the process have seldom been addressed. In this paper, we present an interpretive case study of a telemedicine project in a remote mountainous region of Nepal. Our findings indicate that it was the action of a group of focal actors who leveraged a supportive social capital that resulted in successfully bringing in quality health care to marginalized groups in these remote villages. Our findings reveal social capital as a facilitating condition through which ICT can play a crucial role in meeting developmental challenges such as quality health care.
Heat shock protein 47 as indispensible participant in liver fibrosis: Possible protective effect of lactoferrin
Authors: Rizk Fatma H. , Sarhan Naglaa I. , Soliman Nema A. , Ibrahim Marwa A. A. , Abd‐Elsalam Marwa , Abd‐Elsalam Sherief
Published: August 2018

Lactoferrin (LF) was previously suggested to have a protective effect against liver fibrosis by preventing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. The effect of LF on heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) has not yet been studied so this study was designed to investigate LF effect on HSP47 as a potential target for management of liver fibrosis and comparing it with silymarin (SM) in a thioacetamide (TAA)‐induced liver fibrosis model. Rats were divided into four groups; normal control, TAA (TAA‐treated), LF (LF + TAA‐treated), and SM (SM + TAA‐treated). After 6 weeks, both LF and SM improved the grade of cirrhosis, reduced collagen fibers deposition, inactivated HSCs, significantly decreased elevated liver enzymes, HSP47, hydroxyproline content, transforming growth factor‐beta 1, matrix metalloproteinase‐2, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide levels and the percentage of alpha smooth muscle actin positive HSCs compared with TAA group. Moreover, LF significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity compared with TAA group. It could be concluded that LF is a promising antifibrotic drug and could be considered as one of the HSP47 inhibitors but SM is still more potent. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 70(8):795–805, 2018
Dynamic discrete copula models for high‐frequency stock price changes
Authors: Koopman Siem Jan , Lit Rutger , Lucas André , Opschoor Anne
Published: August 2018

We develop a dynamic model for the intraday dependence between discrete stock price changes. The conditional copula mass function for the integer tick‐size price changes has time‐varying parameters that are driven by the score of the predictive likelihood function. The marginal distributions are Skellam and also have score‐driven time‐varying parameters. We show that the integration steps in the copula mass function for large dimensions can be accurately approximated via numerical integration. The resulting computational gains lead to a methodology that can treat high‐dimensional applications. Its accuracy is shown by an extensive simulation study. In our empirical application of 10 US bank stocks, we reveal strong evidence of time‐varying intraday dependence patterns: Dependence starts at a low level but generally rises during the day. Based on one‐step‐ahead out‐of‐sample density forecasting, we find that our new model outperforms benchmarks for intraday dependence such as the cubic spline model, the fixed correlation model, or the rolling average realized correlation.
Nanoentrapped polyphenol coating for sustained drug release from a balloon catheter
Authors: Dugas Tammy R. , Brewer Gabrielle , Longwell Madison , Fradella Taylor , Braun Jacob , Astete Carlos E. , Jennings Merilyn H. , Sabliov Cristina M.
Published: August 2018

Peripheral artery disease is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the extremities, particularly, the legs. When surgical intervention is warranted, the primary approach is balloon angioplasty. Drug coated balloons (DCB) designed to release antimitogenic agents to the site of the blockage are a relatively new product aimed at reducing artery re‐narrowing, or restenosis, after intervention. However, first generation DCB utilize mainly direct application of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel, along with hydrophilic excipients to facilitate uptake into the tissue, and the majority of drug is released from the DCB systemically. We thus designed a drug‐eluting nanoparticle delivery system for firm attachment to the balloon surface and only slow release of its entrapped drugs within a fluid environment. We furthermore chose the relatively nontoxic polyphenols resveratrol and quercetin as active agents we've shown reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation and inflammatory cell and platelet activation, all contributing events in restenosis. A polymeric nanoparticle (pNP) system based on poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid but possessing a positive charge was designed for firm attachment to the balloon matrix, followed by adhesion to the negatively charged bilayer of the vascular wall. As a first step toward testing its biologic properties, drug elution into a simulated blood fluid was determined, as well as the fold enrichment of cells with drug after exposure to the drug‐entrapped pNPs compared to drugs only. Cytotoxicity to vascular smooth muscle cells was assessed, along with their biocompatibility, determined as their ability to promote red blood cell lysis. The drug‐entrapped pNP system showed excellent biocompatibility with limited cytotoxicity. In addition, the pNPs released the two drugs only very slowly over 10 days. Development of a spray process for delivering the drug‐entrapped pNPs to a balloon surface and in vivo testing in small animals appears warranted. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 646–651, 2019.
Evaluation of resorbable polydioxanone and polyglycolic acid meshes in a rat model of ventral hernia repair
Authors: Fatkhudinov Timur , Tsedik Larisa , Arutyunyan Irina , Lokhonina Anastasia , Makarov Andrey , Korshunov Aleksey , Elchaninov Andrey , Kananykhina Evgeniya , Vasyukova Olesya , Usman Natalia , Uvarova Elena , Chuprynin Vladimir , Eremina Irina , Degtyarev Dmitry , Sukhikh Gennady
Published: August 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the polydioxanone (PDO) monofilament meshes and polyglycolide (PGA) polyfilament meshes in comparison with Permacol® implants. In rat experimental model, a 1.5 × 2.0 cm defect in abdominal wall was reconstructed by using the Permacol surgical implant or knitted meshes produced from either PDO monofilament, or PGA multifilament. The implant sites were assessed for the tensile strength and the extents of material resorption, host inflammatory response and host tissue replacement on days 3, 10, 30, or 60 after the surgery. The PDO and PGA meshes were rapidly pervaded by the host connective tissue with elements of skeletal muscle histogenesis. The degree of adhesions was significantly higher in the Permacol group. All of the prostheses underwent resorption, which correlated with gradual decreases in the overall tensile strength of the site and the Col1a1 gene expression level. Elevated expression of Fgf2 gene maintained longer in the PDO group, and the Mmp9 gene expression level in this group was higher than in the other groups. Gene expression levels of inflammatory cytokines were higher in the Permacol group. The foreign body giant cell numbers were lower in the PDO and Permacol groups than in the PGA group. Minimal macrophage infiltration with predominance of M2 cells was observed in the PDO group. Overall, the PDO prosthesis turned out to be significantly better than the PGA or Permacol prostheses by a number of indicators of biocompatibility and efficacy. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 00B: 000–000, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 652–663, 2019.
Tree lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) growth decreases with population density, but increases with habitat quality
Authors: Paterson James E. , Blouin‐Demers Gabriel
Published: August 2018

Habitat selection models can explain spatial patterns in the relative abundance of animals in different habitats based on the assumption that fitness declines as density in a habitat increases. Ectotherms, such as lizards, may not follow predictions of density‐dependent habitat selection models because temperature, which is unaffected by density, strongly influences their habitat selection. If competition for limited resources decreases fitness, then crowding should cause a decrease in body size and growth rates. We used skeletochronology and body size data from tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) at six sites that each spanned two habitats varying in quality to test the hypothesis that habitat selection is density dependent because growth is limited by competition for resources and by habitat quality. First, we tested that the maximum body size of lizards decreased with higher densities in a habitat by comparing growth between sites. Second, we tested whether body size and growth were higher in the habitat with more resources by controlling for density in a habitat and comparing growth between habitats in different sites. We found evidence of density‐dependent growth in females, but not in males. Females in more crowded sites reached a smaller maximum size. Females in the higher quality habitat also grew larger than females in the lower quality habitat after controlling for differences in density between the habitats. Therefore, we found partial support for our hypothesis that competition for resources limits growth and causes density‐dependent habitat selection.
Lenalidomide, a blockbuster drug for the treatment of multiple myeloma: Semipreparative separation through supercritical fluid chromatography and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Yan Yilun , Fan Jun , Guo Dong , Lin Yuemei , Lai Yecai , Wang Tai , Gao Hao , Yao Xinsheng , Zhang Weiguang
Published: August 2018

Semipreparative separation of lenalidomide has been performed through supercritical fluid chromatography. In regard to retention and resolution of lenalidomide, effects of chromatographic conditions, such as chiral stationary phases, organic co‐solvents, mobile phases, and column temperature, have been studied in detail. Amylose tris(3, 5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐coated and the single‐urea‐bound β‐cyclodextrin chiral stationary phases exhibited good separation performances for lenalidomide in the CO2/methanol mixture. Then, a comparative study of semipreparative separation of lenalidomide has been carried out on these two chiral stationary phases. As indicated, separation of lenalidomide on the β‐cyclodextrin‐bound column was much better than the other. Under the optimized conditions, the loading per injection was 30 mg, the cycle time was 5 min, and the recoveries of two enantiomers were about 81.7 and 79.5%, respectively. Moreover, the vibrational circular dichroism spectrum of the first‐eluted enantiomer in d6‐dimethylsulfoxide solution was consistent with the calculated pattern based on the S configuration, revealing that it should be (S)‐(−)‐lenalidomide. Briefly, this separation method through supercritical fluid chromatography might provide favorable information for rapid separation, enantioselective assessment, and absolute configurations of chiral pharmaceuticals.
Evaluating conservation effectiveness in a Tanzanian community wildlife management area
Authors: Lee Derek E.
Published: August 2018

In Tanzania, community‐based natural resource management (CBNRM) of wildlife occurs through wildlife management areas (WMAs). The WMAs consist of multiple villages designating land and managing it for wildlife conservation in return for a portion of subsequent tourism revenues. The ecological success or failure of WMAs for wildlife conservation is rarely quantified but is important for evaluating the efficacy of specific projects and the general concept of CBNRM. I used 3 analyses to evaluate the ecological effectiveness of wildlife conservation actions in the Burunge WMA. I compared wildlife and livestock densities inside and outside a WMA using 1 year of distance sampling data and compared wild and domestic ungulate densities before and after the implementation of management changes that increased wildlife protections within a subsection of Burunge WMA using 6 years of distance sampling surveys. I also compared giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) survival and population growth rate before and after the implementation of management changes that increased wildlife protections in a subsection of Burunge WMA using 5 years of photographic capture‐recapture data. I found greater densities of wildlife and lower densities of livestock inside the WMA compared with outside. After the management changes, I documented significantly higher densities of several wild ungulate species and lower densities of domestic ungulates in the WMA. I found giraffe survival and population growth rate both increased in response to the management changes. Results indicated the WMA is effectively providing habitat and protection for wild ungulates while generally excluding domestic livestock. Ungulate densities, and giraffe survival and population growth rate over time indicated the management changes enacted in 2014–2015 resulted in positive effects for wild ungulates. These combined results indicate the ecological effectiveness of Burunge WMA and provide evidence that CBNRM can have positive effects on wildlife populations, particularly when support to grassroots law enforcement is provided. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Treatment Patterns in Veterans with Laryngeal and Oropharyngeal Cancer and Impact on Survival
Authors: Richardson Peter A. , Kansara Sagar , Chen George G. , Sabichi Anita , Sikora Andrew G. , Parke Robert B. , Donovan Donald T. , Chiao Elizabeth , Sandulache Vlad C.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Veterans with laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer remain an understudied patient population despite a high incidence of disease and decreased survival compared to the general population. Our objective was to evaluate treatment patterns for laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer in patients treated at one of the Veterans Health Administration's busiest cancer centers in order to generate some basic benchmarks for treatment delivery in the veteran population.

Methods

We reviewed 338 patients treated at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center between 2000 and 2012.

Results

Oropharyngeal site and advanced age were associated with worse overall and disease‐free survival. Treatment periods (mean) were as follows: 1) referral‐diagnosis, 26 days; 2) diagnosis‐surgery, 29 days; and 3) diagnosis‐radiation, 58 days. Adjuvant radiation was initiated within 6 weeks of surgery in 42% of patients and 68% of patients had a total treatment package time ≤100 days. Time from diagnosis to treatment initiation, surgery to adjuvant radiation interval and total treatment package time did not impact survival.

Conclusions

This study establishes basic benchmarks for laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer treatment delivery in veterans. Additional efforts are warranted to improve consistency and provide treatment in line with NCCN recommendations and literature consensus.

Level of Evidence

2b
Cognitive Functions in Adult Cochlear Implant Users, Cochlear Implant Candidates, and Normal‐Hearing Listeners
Authors: Kramer Scott , Vasil Kara J. , Adunka Oliver F. , Pisoni David B. , Moberly Aaron C.
Published: August 2018

Objectives

Increasing evidence suggests that hearing loss may be linked to cognitive decline, and that cochlear implantation may lead to improvements in cognition. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of severe‐to‐profound hearing loss and cochlear implantation in post‐lingually deafened adults, compared with age‐matched normal‐hearing (NH) peers. Participants were tested on several non‐auditory measures of cognition: working memory (WM) (digit span, object span, symbol span), non‐verbal reasoning (Raven's progressive matrices), information‐processing speed and inhibitory control (Stroop test), speed of phonological and lexical access (Test of Word Reading Efficiency), and verbal learning and memory (California Verbal Learning Test). Demographic measures were also collected.

Methods

Cohort study at tertiary neurotology center. Forty‐three post‐lingually deafened experienced CI users, 19 post‐lingually deafened CI candidates, and 40 age‐matched NH controls with no cognitive impairment were enrolled. Comparisons among the groups on the cognitive measures were performed.

Results

Adult CI users and CI candidates demonstrated worse (or a trend towards worse) performance as compared with NH peers on non‐verbal reasoning, information‐processing speed, speed of lexical access, and verbal learning and memory. However, after controlling for gender, socioeconomic status (SES), and vocabulary knowledge among groups, some of these differences were no longer significant. Similarly, large differences were not found in most cognitive abilities between experienced CI users and CI candidates.

Conclusions

Adult CI users, CI candidates, and NH peers generally demonstrated equivalent non‐auditory cognitive abilities, after controlling for gender, SES, and vocabulary knowledge. These findings provide support for a link between cognitive decline and hearing loss, but this association may be partly attributable to group differences in SES and vocabulary knowledge.

Level of Evidence

2b.
Comparison of PI3K Pathway in HPV‐Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer With and Without Tobacco Exposure
Authors: Kiessling Si‐Young , Broglie Martina Anja , Soltermann Alex , Huber Gerhard Frank , Stoeckli Sandro Johannes
Published: August 2018

Objectives

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether HPV associated OPSCC with tobacco exposure follows a different carcinogenic pathway compared to HPV associated OPSCC without tobacco exposure and to investigate its prognostic significance. The question was addressed with focus on components of the PI3K pathway.

Methods

184 patients with newly diagnosed OPSCC treated with curative intent were consecutively enrolled. The expression level of p16, p53, PI3K, mTOR, and PTEN was assessed by immunohistochemistry and analyzed in relation to the risk factors HPV status and tobacco exposure.

Results

94 of 184 (51%) patients were p16 positive, p53 overexpression was detected in 48 of 184 (26%) cases. PI3K overexpression with 70 of 184 (38%) cases was significantly higher in p16 positive tumors. mTOR overexpression was present in 90 of 184 (49%) cases and significantly higher in p16 negative tumors. PTEN loss was found in 42 of 184 (23%) cases without association to p16 expression. p16 positive OPSCC showed lower rates of p53 expression and mTOR expression as well as higher rates of PI3K expression irrespective of tobacco exposure. Survival analysis showed a distinct intermediate survival rate of p16 positive smokers. The markers PI3K, mTOR, and PTEN did not have a significant impact on survival.

Conclusion

HPV associated OPSCC with tobacco exposure follows the same expression level of the PI3K pathway as HPV associated OPSCC without tobacco exposure. The impaired survival rate of the intermediate risk group cannot be explained by different expression patterns of PI3K, mTOR, and PTEN.

Level of Evidence

2b
Utilizing resources of neuropsychopharmacology to address the opioid overdose crisis
Authors: Phillips Anthony G. , Krausz Michael R.
Published: August 2018

Background

North America is facing a severe public health crisis in the form of excessive numbers of deaths due to overdose from self‐administration of opioids by individuals who are dependent on these substances.

Aims

There are many factors that must be addressed in order to gain control over this tragedy. Of particular relevance to neuropsychopharmacology is the fact that the problem is due in part to misuse of pharmaceuticals and especially the illicit production of the powerful synthetic opioids, fentanyl, and carfentanil.

Method

The development and adoption of appropriate pharmacotherapies are of critical importance. We discuss specific options to deal effectively with both withdrawal from opioid dependence and substitution of clinically approved drugs in place of illicit substances.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this crisis will reinvigorate both basic and clinical neuropsychopharmacological research leading to the develop new and more effective options for dealing with the many and varied elements of the current opioid crisis as described in the present commentary.
Polycaprolactone matrix composites reinforced with brown coir: Rheological, crystallization, and mechanical behavior
Authors: Lima Juliana C. , Sousa Jokderléa C. , Arruda Salim A. , Almeida Yêda M.B. , Canedo Eduardo L.
Published: August 2018

Polycaprolactone matrix composites reinforced with natural and chemically treated coir were prepared in a laboratory internal mixer and studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests. The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of the filler and its surface modification on the rheological, mechanical, and crystallization behaviors of the composites. According to rheological analysis, the higher the filler content, the higher the viscosity of the material and the lower its local pseudoplasticity index. DSC analyses showed that the presence of coir anticipates the crystallization process; however, it does not affect the absolute crystallinity of the matrix. Mechanical tests indicated that an increase in filler content leads to an increase in Young's modulus and a decrease in the elongation at break. Additionally, composites with filler content from 20% can stand higher tensile stress than the neat polymer, and this effect is intensified by the surface modification applied to the filler. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E678–E686, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Glass/Epoxy and Hemp/Bio based epoxy composites: Manufacturing and structural performances
Authors: Maino Alessandra , Janszen Gerardus , Di Landro Luca
Published: August 2018

Biocomposite materials are nowadays often considered as a valid substitution of fiberglass reinforced (FGR) polymers in many relevant applications, especially thanks to the lower costs and environmental impact of the natural fibers. Conversely, they remain mainly confined to nonstructural applications. In consideration of the similar specific properties of glass and hemp fibers, the aim of this work is to compare a biocomposite component, for structural application, with a FGR‐epoxy one. The comparison is focused on the issues related to the intrinsic differences of constituents mechanical characteristics as well as on their different response in the manufacturing processes. Beams with the function of wing spars, for small aeronautic structure, have been chosen as representatives. After a preliminary analysis of the materials, four spars were manufactured and were subjected to static mechanical tests up to failure, then the microstructures of failure areas were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The most relevant differences resulted related to the resin retention, higher in the case of the hemp fibers, to the failure modes and to the fiber‐resin interactions, on which the fibers micro‐structures have an important role. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E723–E731, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Maternal plasma metabolic fingerprint indicative for fetal Down syndrome
Authors: Parfieniuk Ewa , Samczuk Paulina , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Pietrowska Karolina , Niemira Magdalena , Paczkowska‐Abdulsalam Magdalena , Wolczynski Slawomir , Kretowski Adam , Ciborowski Michal , Zbucka‐Kretowska Monika
Published: August 2018

Objective

The objective of the study was to perform maternal plasma metabolic fingerprinting to evaluate differences in plasma metabolites between healthy and Down syndrome (DS) pregnancies and to indicate novel non‐invasive markers for DS prenatal diagnostics.

Methods

This was a case‐control study of pregnancies between 15th and 18th gestational week. LC‐MS–based metabolic fingerprinting of plasma samples was performed.

Results

Levels of five metabolites were significantly lower in the plasma of DS pregnancies. The majority of the statistically significant metabolites may be connected with fetal brain and central nervous system development (eg, fatty acid amides). According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC), the combination of linoleamide and piperine has the highest diagnostic potential: area under the curve (AUC) = 0.878, sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 73.3%.

Conclusions

The study indicates disturbances in maternal metabolic pathways evoked by fetal DS. Novel potential maternal plasma metabolomic markers for non‐invasive prenatal diagnostics of fetal DS are proposed.
Controlled ionic complexation of positively charged phenylene‐based conjugated polymers by modulated backbone structures
Authors: Manandhar Prakash , Vokatá Tereza , Lee Sunyoung , Lee Yejin , Jung Hyun Min , Shim Sangdeok , Moon Joong Ho
Published: August 2018

Understanding the role of the polymer backbone structure on the aggregation of conjugated polymers in an aqueous environment is of prime interest as the physical, photophysical and biophysical properties required for many applications are closely related to the nature of aggregation structures. We report unique and ordered aggregation behaviours of four positively charged conjugated polymers, which differ in backbone chemical structure and connectivity, upon complexation with a linear polyanion hyaluronic acid. Opposite signals of induced circular dichroism were observed from achiral poly(phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) and flexible linker containing poly(phenylenebutadiynylene) (PPB) with the same side chain structure, implying the formation of highly ordered ionic complexes. The intrinsic difference in the interpolymer interaction between PPE and PPB is probably the contributing factor for different aggregation structures upon complexation with hyaluronic acid. The structure–property relationship can be useful to design and fabricate highly ordered macromolecular materials exhibiting unique electrical, photophysical or biophysical properties. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The Proteome of Enchytraeus crypticus—Exposure to CuO Nanomaterial and CuCl2—in Pursue of a Mechanistic Interpretation
Authors: Maria Vera L. , Licha David , Scott‐Fordsmand Janeck J. , Huber Christian G. , Amorim Mónica J.B.
Published: August 2018

The transcriptome of the ecotoxicological model Enchytraeus crypticus (known as potworm) is well studied, but the downstream changes at the protein level remained a gap. Changes in the protein regulation following exposure to CuO nanomaterial (NM) and Cu salt (CuCl2) are investigated. HPLC‐MS/MS using tandem mass tags is used. CuO NM elicits higher number of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) compared to CuCl2 with little to no overlap of proteins. CuO NM causes more stress response mechanisms, with good agreement between DEPs, genes, and metabolites. CuCl2 causes higher impact in shorter time periods, but organisms have conserved mechanisms (constitutive genes) that allow Cu handling and detoxification. CuO NM causes higher impact after a longer exposure period, inducing regulation of facultative genes with a whole differentiated paradigm and cascade. This could be due to different issues: 1) the cell uptake route is different for Cu NM and Cu ions, 2) internalized Cu NM can result in a “Trojan‐horse” effect, 3) the cascade of events occurs in a different time order, and 4) the organism uptake is different between life stages, i.e., cocoons thickened surface protects the entry of NM and juveniles have facilitated entry via tegument. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD010647.
Decision‐making about cervical screening in a heterogeneous sample of nonparticipants: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Marlow Laura A.V. , Chorley Amanda J. , Rockliffe Lauren , Waller Jo
Published: August 2018

Objective

According to the precaution adoption process model, cervical screening nonparticipants represent a heterogeneous group including those who are unaware of, unengaged with, or undecided about screening, as well as intenders and decliners. We aimed to explore beliefs about cervical screening among these different types of nonparticipant.

Methods

Semistructured interviews were carried out with women aged 26 to 65 years living in Britain (n = 29). Women were purposively sampled to represent different nonparticipant types. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed thematically using framework analysis.

Results

The salience of some barriers to screening varied between different types of nonparticipant. Bad experiences were prominent in the discussions of women who had decided not to attend, while practical barriers were more prominent among intenders. There was also some overlap between nonparticipant types. For example, many of the undecided women described not wanting to go for screening, but with less certainty than decliners. Some intenders (particularly those who had not been screened before) described not really wanting to attend but feeling they ought to. Women's views on the invitation/reminder process also varied; intenders and maintainers appreciated written reminders and general practitioner (GP) prompts but decliners sometimes perceived these as “badgering.” Throughout the interviews, women described changing views on screening in the wider context of ageing and motherhood.

Conclusions

The salience of screening barriers varies by nonparticipant type, offering possibilities for tailored interventions. However, the fluidity of women's stage of screening adoption might have implications for this approach to intervention design.
Flame quenching by crimped ribbon flame arrestor: A brief review
Authors: Wang Lu‐Qing , Ma Hong‐Hao , Shen Zhao‐Wu , Chen Dai‐Guo
Published: August 2018

Accidental explosions in gas/oil pipelines remain one major concern in process industries. The crimped ribbon flame arrestor is an effective device to prevent flame propagation. This review summarizes existing knowledge on the quenching of flame of different regimes in narrow channels and crimped ribbon flame arrestors. The influences of various parameters (e.g., arrestor element thickness, expansion ratio, system pressure) on the performance of crimped ribbon flame arrestors are discussed. The presented discussions give a better understanding on the considerations which must be taken into account to quench an explosion successfully. Other scenarios, such as quenching of two‐phase vapor‐liquid explosions and overdriven detonations should be got further attention. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Process Saf Prog 38: 27–41, 2019
A Bayesian latent variable approach to aggregation of partial and top‐ranked lists in genomic studies
Authors: Li Xue , Choudhary Pankaj Kumar , Biswas Swati , Wang Xinlei
Published: August 2018

In genomic research, it is becoming increasingly popular to perform meta‐analysis, the practice of combining results from multiple studies that target a common essential biological problem. Rank aggregation, a robust meta‐analytic approach, consolidates such studies at the rank level. There exists extensive research on this topic, and various methods have been developed in the past. However, these methods have two major limitations when they are applied in the genomic context. First, they are mainly designed to work with full lists, whereas partial and/or top‐ranked lists prevail in genomic studies. Second, the component studies are often clustered, and the existing methods fail to utilize such information. To address the above concerns, a Bayesian latent variable approach, called BiG, is proposed to formally deal with partial and top‐ranked lists and incorporate the effect of clustering. Various reasonable prior specifications for variance parameters in hierarchical models are carefully studied and compared. Simulation results demonstrate the superior performance of BiG compared with other popular rank aggregation methods under various practical settings. A non–small‐cell lung cancer data example is analyzed for illustration.
N‐ and P‐co‐doped Graphite Felt Electrode for Improving Positive Electrode Chemistry of the Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Pasala Vasudevarao , Ramavath Janraj N. , He Cheng , Ramani Vijay K. , Ramanujam Kothandaraman
Published: August 2018

In this study, N‐ and P‐co‐doped carbon derived from microcrystalline cellulose, and diammonium hydrogen phosphate ((NH4)2HPO4) were employed as the catalyst for
/
redox reaction. Doping with P enhanced the onset potential and the presence of N (in the form of pyridinic‐ and pyrrolic‐N) and P together enhanced the peak current for the
/
redox reaction. Further, the doping improved the wettability of the catalyst, thereby increasing the interfacial area available for the reaction. The use of N‐ and P‐co‐doped catalyst coated graphite felts in the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) yielded higher energy efficiency and discharge capacity, especially at higher current densities in contrast to un‐doped graphite felt (GF). 100 cycles of charge‐discharge with minimal capacity fade were demonstrated while using N‐ and P‐co‐doped catalyst at the positive electrode of the VRFB.
Carbon‐Quantum‐Dot‐Derived Nanostructured MnO2 and Its Symmetrical Supercapacitor Performances
Authors: Prasath Arul , Athika Mattath , Duraisamy Ezhumalai , Sharma Arumugam Selva , Elumalai Perumal
Published: August 2018

We report here synthesis of nanostructured MnO2 by using carbon‐quantum dot (CQD) as reducing agent which is obtained by environmentally benign approach from waste material. The obtained carbon quantum dot‐MnO2 nanohybrid is characterized by various analytical techniques. The spectral studies reveal the characteristic absorption/emission features of nanostructured CQD‐MnO2. The X‐ray‐diffraction and microscopic analysis indicate that the synthesized CQD‐MnO2 is crystalline in nature with the grain size in the range of 250 − 300 nm. Electrochemical studies reveals that the carbon quantum dot‐MnO2 nanohybrid electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 189 F g‐1 at 0.14 A g‐1 with an excellent stability over 1200 charge‐discharge cycles. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the large surface area and high conductivity due to the presence of conductive nanonetwork of the CQD in the carbon quantum dot‐MnO2 matrix. The symmetric supercapacitor (CQD‐MnO2|Na2SO4|CQD‐MnO2) constructed using the carbon quantum dot‐MnO2 electrodes delivers high energy and power densities with a wide operating potential window of 0 ‐ 1.6 V.
Enzymatically Powered Surface‐Associated Self‐Motile Protocells
Authors: Jang Woo‐Sik , Kim Hyun Ji , Gao Chen , Lee Daeyeon , Hammer Daniel A.
Published: August 2018

Cell motility is central to processes such as wound healing, immune cell surveillance, and embryonic development. Motility requires the conversion of chemical to mechanical energy. An active area of research is to create motile particles, such as microswimmers, using catalytic and enzymatic reactions. Here, autonomous motion is demonstrated in adhesive polymer‐based protocells by incorporating and harnessing the energy production of an enzymatic reaction. Biotinylated polymer vesicles that encapsulate catalase, an enzyme which converts hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen, are prepared and these vesicles are adhered weakly to avidin‐coated surfaces. Upon addition of hydrogen peroxide, which diffuses across the membrane, catalase activity generates a differential impulsive force that enables the breakage and reformation of biotin–avidin bonds, leading to diffusive vesicle motion resembling random motility. The random motility requires catalase, increases with the concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and needs biotin–avidin adhesion. Thus, a protocellular mimetic of a motile cell.
Insights about the Absence of Rb Cation from the 3D Perovskite Lattice: Effect on the Structural, Morphological, and Photophysical Properties and Photovoltaic Performance
Authors: Uchida Ryusuke , Binet Silvia , Arora Neha , Jacopin Gwenole , Alotaibi Mohammad Hayal , Taubert Andreas , Zakeeruddin Shaik M. , Dar M. Ibrahim , Graetzel Michael
Published: August 2018

Efficiencies >20% are obtained from the perovskite solar cells (PSCs) employing Cs+ and Rb+ based perovskite compositions; therefore, it is important to understand the effect of these inorganic cations specifically Rb+ on the properties of perovskite structures. Here the influence of Cs+ and Rb+ is elucidated on the structural, morphological, and photophysical properties of perovskite structures and the photovoltaic performances of resulting PSCs. Structural, photoluminescence (PL), and external quantum efficiency studies establish the incorporation of Cs+ (x < 10%) but amply rule out the possibility of Rb‐incorporation into the MAPbI3 (MA = CH3NH3
+) lattice. Moreover, morphological studies and time‐resolved PL show that both Cs+ and Rb+ detrimentally affect the surface coverage of MAPbI3 layers and charge‐carrier dynamics, respectively, by influencing nucleation density and by inducing nonradiative recombination. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry shows that the transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal phase occurring around 160 K requires more thermal energy for the Cs‐containing MAPbI3 systems compared to the pristine MAPbI3. Investigation including mixed halide (I/Br) and mixed cation A‐cation based compositions further confirms the absence of Rb+ from the 3D‐perovskite lattice. The fundamental insights gained through this work will be of great significance to further understand highly promising perovskite compositions.
Fine Tuning the Light Distribution within the Photoactive Layer by Both Solution‐Processed Anode and Cathode Interlayers for High Performance Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Fuzhi , Wang Yaping , Liu Hao , Hu Siqian , Liu Jiyan , Liu Lin , Bai Yiming , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: August 2018

Light management is important for improving light absorption within active layers in polymer solar cells (PSCs). Electrode buffer layers play an important role in modulating the distribution of optical electric filed within the photoactive layer. Herein, the authors employ solution‐processed WOx or ReOx to substitute the acidic poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as the anode buffer layer and ZrAcac or HfAcac to replace Mg as the cathode buffer layer. Optical transfer matrix formalism simulation is used to model the absorption spectra, exciton generation rate, and optical electric field distribution of devices. Simulated results shows that stronger absorption, quicker exciton generation rate, and more reasonable photoelectric field distribution can be achieved in the photoactive layer with solution‐processed buffer layer modification, which results in a higher short‐circuit current density (Jsc). Under the guidance of theoretical simulation, the device with architecture of ITO/WOx/PTB7‐Th:PC71BM/HfAcac/Al is optimized. Compared with the traditional PEDOT:PSS‐Mg based device, the Jsc is increased from 16.60 to 18.61 mA cm−2 and the best power conversion efficiency (PCE) is increased from 9.02% to 10.60% for the device with WOx‐HfAcac modification, which is among the best values reported for fullerene‐based PSCs. The good agreement between simulated and experimental results indicates that optical model is a useful tool for device design and optimization.
Fabrication of Doxorubicin‐Loaded Glycyrrhetinic Acid‐Biotin‐Starch Nanoparticles and Drug Delivery Into HepG2 Cells In Vitro
Authors: Chen Kuanmin , Zhang Song , Wang Hui , Wang Xue , Zhang Yue , Yu Lizhen , Ke Lixia , Gong Renmin
Published: August 2018

In this article, amphiphilic self‐assembled glycyrrhetinic acid‐biotin‐starch nanoparticles (GaBS NPs) are fabricated by an N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC)/4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)‐mediated one‐step esterification reaction, and the physicochemical properties of the prepared self‐assembled NPs are characterized. The self‐assembled GaBS NPs are used as targeted nanocarriers to deliver doxorubicin (DOX) into hepatoma carcinoma cells (HepG2 cells). The drug release profile, cytotoxicity, cellular uptake, and intracellular distribution of the drug‐loaded NPs are evaluated in vitro. Because of endocytosis mediated by a specific receptor, the DOX/GaBS NPs in three forms of administration exhibit the lowest IC50 value to HepG2 cells. The cellular uptake mechanism of pure DOX and the DOX/GaBS NPs is identified by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the cell internalization of the drug‐loaded NPs is confirmed to be faster than that of pure DOX. The GaBS NPs are considered to have potential as a promising chemotherapeutic drug nanocarrier targeting hepatoma carcinoma cells for reducing side effects to normal tissues.
Effect of Urmia Lake's drying on groundwater corrosion and scaling potential in the northwest of Iran (Case study: Spring and summer, 2015)
Authors: Zazouli Mohammad Ali , Kalankesh Laleh R. , Rodríguez‐Couto Susana , Keshavarz Ali
Published: August 2018

The most common problems in water distribution systems are corrosion and scaling, which cause both economic and customer health problems. The aim of the present study is to report the relationship between Urmia Lake's drying and the corrosion and scaling potential of groundwater used as drinking water during the spring and summer of 2015. Groundwater samples were collected from all of the catchments of the Urmia Lake basin, and the characteristics of the water were used to determine the corrosive and scaling indices using the Langelier Saturation Index and the Ryznar Stability Index. The results showed that the total dissolved solids measurement of the samples collected from the islands of Urmia Lake was higher than the maximum value of the standard level. In addition, the hardness in 36% of the zones was higher than that of the maximum suggested level. The concentration of calcium was lower than that of the standard, but the rest of the parameters were in the standard level range. Also, the results showed that the water of the Urmia Lake basin tends to be very scaling and corrosive. In order to control the corrosion and scaling caused by groundwater drawn from the catchments around Urmia Lake, measures should be taken to prevent Urmia Lake's drying and to manage the groundwater around this area. It is also suggested that a laboratory study regarding the condition of the distribution system be carried out to adjust the effective parameters, such as the pH.
Extending the universal one-loop effective action by regularization scheme translating operators
Authors: Summ Benjamin , Voigt Alexander
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We extend the universal one-loop effective action (UOLEA) by operators which translate between dimensional reduction (DRED) and dimensional regularization (DREG). These regularization scheme translating operators allow for an application of the UOLEA to supersymmetric high-scale models matched to non-supersymmetric effective theories. The operators are presented in a generic, model independent form, suitable for implementation into generic spectrum generators.
Non-abelian T-duality and Yang-Baxter deformations of Green-Schwarz strings
Authors: Borsato Riccardo , Wulff Linus
Published: August 2018

Abstract

We perform non-abelian T-duality for a generic Green-Schwarz string with respect to an isometry (super)group G, and we derive the transformation rules for the supergravity background fields. Specializing to G bosonic, or G fermionic but abelian, our results reproduce those available in the literature. We discuss also continuous deformations of the T-dual models, obtained by adding a closed B-field before the dualization. This idea can also be used to generate deformations of the original (un-dualized) model, when the 2-cocycle identified from the closed B is invertible. The latter construction is the natural generalization of the so-called Yang-Baxter deformations, based on solutions of the classical Yang-Baxter equation on the Lie algebra of G and originally constructed for group manifolds and (super)coset sigma models. We find that the deformed metric and B-field are obtained through a generalization of the map between open and closed strings that was used also in the discussion by Seiberg and Witten of non-commutative field theories. When applied to integrable sigma models these deformations preserve the integrability.