bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective C−O Coupling Hidden in the Thermal Reaction of [Al2CuO5]+ with Methane
Authors: Zhou Shaodong , Sun Xiaoyan , Yue Lei , Schlangen Maria , Schwarz Helmut
Published: August 2018

The thermal gas‐phase reaction of [Al2CuO5]+ with methane has been explored by using FT‐ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculations. The generation of atomic [Cu]+ from the [Al2CuO5]+/CH4 couple corresponds to the only reaction channel. Labeling experiments and computational studies strongly suggest that methane activation is indeed involved in the production of [Cu]+, and generation of CH2O prevails. Mechanistic aspects and the associated doping effects are discussed.
Triggered Cell‐Cell Fusion Assay for Cytoplasmic and Organelle Intermixing Studies
Authors: Feliciano Daniel , Nixon‐Abell Jonathon , Lippincott‐Schwartz Jennifer
Published: August 2018

Different multicellular organisms undergo cell‐cell fusion to form functional syncytia that support specialized functions necessary for proper development and survival. For years, monitoring the structural consequences of this process using live‐cell imaging has been challenging due to the unpredictable timing of cell fusion events in tissue systems. Here we present a triggered vesicular stomatitis virus G‐protein (VSV‐G)‐mediated cell‐cell fusion assay that can be used to synchronize fusion between cells. This allows the study of cellular changes that occur during cell fusion. The process is induced using a fast wash of low pH isotonic buffer, promoting the fusion of plasma membranes of two or more adjacent cells within seconds. This approach is suitable for studying mixing of small cytoplasmic molecules between fusing cells as well as changes in organelle distribution and dynamics. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Topic detection model in a single‐domain corpus inspired by the human memory cognitive process
Authors: Zhao Taotao , Luo Xiangfeng , Qin Wei , Huang Subin , Xie Shaorong
Published: August 2018

A corpus (eg, patents or news texts) is an important knowledge resource that contains various topics, such as specific technologies or social events. Topic detection models of corpus, eg, Latent Dirichlet Allocation and KeyGraph, provide an important basis for exploring the status quo and trends in science, technology, or social events. However, these models suffer from low retrieval performance as they only consider text own explicit semantics in a single‐domain corpus. In addition, many incremental models, such as online‐LDA, are based on time slices. In this paper, a new topic detection model is proposed to improve the topic detection performance of a single‐domain corpus, which is inspired by a human memory cognitive process (THC). First, to improve the accuracy, distributions over words and inter‐word relations across a corpus are utilized as background knowledge, which is a type of implicit semantics, and we can find a more semantic‐sensitive part of texts. Second, to realize online topic detection without time slices, we introduce a probability gain‐based dynamic probabilistic model to detect latent topics by learning a model based on the dynamic human memory cognitive process. These two steps constitute the framework of our model. The experimental results for four public datasets (Reuters‐R8, Reuters‐R52, WebKB, and Cade12) reveal that our model is approximately ten percent higher than other baselines (eg, KeyGraph and LDA) on the Adjusted Rand Index (ARI).
Characterization and modeling of dual material double gate tunnel field effect transistor using superposition approximation method
Authors: Maria Jossy A. , Vigneswaran T. , Malarvizhi S. , Nagarajan K. K.
Published: August 2018

Tunnel field effect transistors are used for ultra‐low power application since it is challenging to operate CMOS at very low supply voltage. As tunnel field effect transistor has a very low subthreshold slope due to band to band tunneling (BTBT) mechanism, it has the potential to operate at very low operating voltage. It is necessary that the devices utilized in implantable bio‐medical applications and Internet of Everything (IoE) need to consume very low power. This work presents an analysis of Dual Material Double Gate Tunnel Field effect transistor (DMDG‐TFET). An analytical two dimensional (2D) model has been developed to obtain the analytical expressions for drain current. The 2D Poisson's equation has been used to calculate surface potential in the silicon channel using the superposition approximation, as it considers the short channel effects in the calculation of the current when compared to parabolic approximation. To validate the model, analytical results have been confirmed by comparing with the Sentaurus TCAD simulation results. A reduced subthreshold slope of 31.2 mV/decade is obtained in this paper. It shows that DMDG TFET is a promising candidate for ultra‐low power applications. The subthreshold swing obtained using superposition approximation is more optimized than that of parabolic approximation technique.
Minute Additions of DMSO Affect Protein Dynamics Measurements by NMR Relaxation Experiments through Significant Changes in Solvent Viscosity
Authors: Wallerstein Johan , Akke Mikael
Published: August 2018

Studies of protein−ligand binding often rely on dissolving the ligand in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to achieve sufficient solubility, and then titrating the ligand solution into the protein solution. As a result, the final protein−ligand solution contains small amounts of DMSO in the buffer. Here we report how the addition of DMSO impacts studies of protein conformational dynamics. We used 15N NMR relaxation to compare the rotational diffusion correlation time (τC) of proteins in aqueous buffer with and without DMSO. We found that τC scales with the viscosity of the water−DMSO mixture, which depends sensitively on the amount of DMSO and varies by a factor of 2 across the relevant concentration range. NMR relaxation studies of side chains dynamics are commonly interpreted using τC as a fixed parameter, obtained from backbone 15N relaxation data acquired on a separate sample. Model‐free calculations show that errors in τC, arising from mismatched DMSO concentration between samples, lead to significant errors in order parameters. Our results highlight the importance of determining τC for each sample or carefully matching the DMSO concentrations between samples.
Isolation of Antibodies to Heparan Sulfate on Glypicans by Phage Display
Authors: Kim Heungnam , Ho Mitchell
Published: August 2018

Heparan sulfate (HS) plays an important role in development and disease. It interacts with many growth factors, chemokines, and other ligands known to be important for cell growth, motility, and differentiation. However, isolating an antibody to HS in mice, rabbits, or humans is difficult due to the poor immunogenicity of HS. Phage display is a major antibody engineering technology that allows the selection of antibodies for poorly immunogenic or highly conserved antigens. This protocol contains detailed procedures for HS antigen preparation and isolation of a phage displayed human single‐chain Fv (HS20) that binds HS on glypican‐3 (GPC3), and analysis of the selected phage antibody. It is conceivable that the procedures described in this protocol may be applicable to the isolation of antibodies for a variety of HS molecules. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
One‐Dimensional Electrophoresis Using Nondenaturing Conditions
Authors: Gallagher Sean R.
Published: August 2018

Electrophoresis is used to separate complex mixtures of proteins (e.g., from cells, subcellular fractions, column fractions, or immunoprecipitates), to investigate subunit composition, track post‐translational modifications, and verify identity and homogeneity of protein samples. It can also serve to purify proteins for use in further applications. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proteins migrate in response to an electrical field through pores in a polyacrylamide gel matrix; pore size decreases with increasing acrylamide concentration. Nondenaturing or “native” electrophoresis—i.e., electrophoresis in the absence of denaturants such as detergents and urea—is an often‐overlooked technique for determining the native size, subunit structure, and optimal separation of a protein. Because mobility depends on the size, shape, and intrinsic charge of the protein, nondenaturing electrophoresis provides a set of separation parameters distinctly different from mainly size‐dependent denaturing sodium dodecyl sulfate—polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and charge‐dependent isoelectric focusing. Two protocols are presented below. Continuous PAGE is highly flexible, permitting cationic and anionic electrophoresis over a full range of pH. The discontinuous procedure is limited to proteins negatively charged at neutral pH but provides high resolution for accurate size calibration.
Design and analysis of high linearity mixer using subharmonic technique
Authors: Modanlou Shahram , Miar‐Naimi Hossein , Gholami Mohammad
Published: August 2018

In this article, a new technique for reducing second‐order and third‐order intermodulation (IM2 and IM3) for an output current of the subharmonic mixer is presented. First, to reduce second‐order and third‐order of the Volterra's kernel, IM2 current injection technique has been used. By the auxiliary path, the IM2 current which has been generated in the doubler with the phase difference of 180° relative to inherent IM2 of the output is injected into the output node. Also, this produced IM2 in the frequency doubler has been injected into the circuit by another auxiliary path, so that, in the output, an IM3 with opposite phase of inherent IM3 of the output mixer's current is presented. Besides, to easier design, the Volterra series expansion is used and equations related to Volterra kernels of the output current are extracted. Furthermore, the noise of the auxiliary path transistors connected to the output can be neglected because of the small gm of their transistors compared to the main path. The results of simulations by ADS simulator in 0.18‐μm TSMC technology show that the proposed technique has simultaneously improved the values of IIP3 and IIP2 up to 21 and 92 dBm, compared to conventional subharmonic mixers.
Exploring the impact of social properties on routing in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Hou Ling , Wong Kin‐yeung , Yeung Kai‐hau
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we study the social properties, including community, friendship, and individual selfishness of cognitive radio networks and analyze the effect of these social properties on the performance of routing protocols. We first introduce the concept of cooperation willingness considering social relations and individual selfishness. Then, we model the impact of cooperation willingness on the routing performance in cognitive radio networks. After that, we perform extensive simulations to evaluate the accuracy of our model. The simulation results show that our model matched the simulation results well. Finally, our results suggest that community members, friends, and nodes with lower individual selfishness should be selected in the forwarding routes.
Incentive edge caching in software‐defined internet of vehicles: A Stackelberg game approach
Authors: Alioua Ahmed , Senouci Sidi‐Mohammed , Sedjelmaci Hichem , Moussaoui Samira
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we investigate an incentive edge caching mechanism for an internet of vehicles (IoV) system based on the paradigm of software‐defined networking (SDN). We start by proposing a distributed SDN‐based IoV architecture. Then, based on this architecture, we focus on the economic side of caching by considering competitive cache‐enablers market composed of one content provider (CP) and multiple mobile network operators (MNOs). Each MNO manages a set of cache‐enabled small base stations (SBS). The CP incites the MNOs to store its popular contents in cache‐enabled SBSs with highest access probability to enhance the satisfaction of its users. By leasing their cache‐enabled SBSs, the MNOs aim to make more monetary profit. We formulate the interaction between the CP and the MNOs, using a Stackelberg game, where the CP acts first as the leader by announcing the popular content quantity that it which to cache and fixing the caching popularity threshold, a minimum access probability under it a content cannot be cached. Then, MNOs act subsequently as followers responding by the content quantity they accept to cache and the corresponding caching price. A noncooperative subgame is formulated to model the competition between the followers on the CP's limited content quantity. We analyze the leader and the follower's optimization problems, and we prove the Stackelberg equilibrium (SE). Simulation results show that our game‐based incentive caching model achieves optimal utilities and outperforms other incentive caching mechanisms with monopoly cache‐enablers whilst enhancing 30% of the user's satisfaction and reducing the caching cost.
Applications of Human Brain Organoids to Clinical Problems
Authors: Chen H. Isaac , Song Hongjun , Ming Guo‐li
Published: August 2018

Brain organoids are an exciting new technology with the potential to significantly change how diseases of the brain are understood and treated. These three‐dimensional neural tissues are derived from the self‐organization of pluripotent stem cells, and they recapitulate the developmental process of the human brain, including progenitor zones and rudimentary cortical layers. Brain organoids have been valuable in investigating different aspects of developmental neurobiology and comparative biology. Several characteristics of organoids also make them attractive as models of brain disorders. Data generated from human organoids are more generalizable to patients because of the match in species background. Personalized organoids also can be generated from patient‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, the three‐dimensionality of brain organoids supports cellular, mechanical, and topographical cues that are lacking in planar systems. In this review, we discuss the translational potential of brain organoids, using the examples of Zika virus, autism‐spectrum disorder, and glioblastoma multiforme to consider how they could contribute to disease modeling, personalized medicine, and testing of therapeutics. We then discuss areas of improvement in organoid technology that will enhance the translational potential of brain organoids, as well as the possibility of their use as substrates for repairing cerebral circuitry after injury. Developmental Dynamics 248:53–64, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Yttrium‐Containing Sandwich‐, Ring‐, and Cage‐Type Polyoxovanadates: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Maruyama Tatsuya , Kawabata Hiroko , Kikukawa Yuji , Hayashi Yoshihito
Published: August 2018

By the reaction of Y(NO3)3 and {Et4N}[VO3] in organic media, yttrium‐containing polyoxovanadates are synthesized and classified into sandwich‐type {Et4N}5[Y(H2O)n(V4O12)2] (1, n = 0–2), ring‐type {Et4N}6[Y(V9O27)] (2), and cage‐type {Et4N}8[Y4(OH)4V20O58] (3). Both compounds 1 and 2 contain a mononuclear yttrium cation. A yttrium cation in 1 is sandwiched by two [V4O12]4–, while that in 2 is surrounded by a single [V9O27]9– ring. In acetonitrile, both species 1 and 2 are formed simultaneously. The dominant species in solution are controlled by the presence of additives. The addition of an excess amount of pyridine drives the formation of 1, while in the presence of water or {Et4N}[VO3], the formation of 2 is preferable. Compound 3 possesses a cubane‐type tetranuclear yttrium core, [Y4(OH)4]8+, wrapped by a polyoxovanadate framework. The spherical polyoxovanadate framework of 3 exhibits new types of inorganic coordination ligands and can include a cubane unit in the framework. The vanadate framework of 3 consists of condensed [V11O33]11– rings sharing three‐coordinate VO4 units as a bridgehead, as in an adamantane framework.
Stripping Voltammetry at the Interface between two Immiscible Electrolyte Solutions: A Review Paper
Authors: Izadyar Anahita
Published: August 2018

Applying stripping voltammetry at interface between two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) leads to an electrochemical phenomenon that enables a very sensitive technique for detection at subnanomolar limits, which is useful for environmental, industrial, food‐safety, and medical purposes, as well as biomedical diagnostics. Studies on the molecular dynamics of the water/organic interface have provided information about the structure of this interface and the effect of molecular polarizability on interfacial properties of ITIES. The ion‐transfer stripping voltammetry (ITSV) technique was demonstrated as a powerful method due to its high sensitivity and its selectivity for a wide range of organic and inorganic analytes. This technique will lead to the industrial and miniaturized development of sensor technology for trace analysis. The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the history and most recent studies on stripping voltammetry at ITIES.
Massively parallel sequencing techniques for forensics: A review
Authors: Bruijns Brigitte , Tiggelaar Roald , Gardeniers Han
Published: August 2018

DNA sequencing, starting with Sanger's chain termination method in 1977 and evolving into the next generation sequencing (NGS) techniques of today that employ massively parallel sequencing (MPS), has become essential in application areas such as biotechnology, virology, and medical diagnostics. Reflected by the growing number of articles published over the last 2–3 years, these techniques have also gained attention in the forensic field. This review contains a brief description of first, second, and third generation sequencing techniques, and focuses on the recent developments in human DNA analysis applicable in the forensic field. Relevance to the forensic analysis is that besides generation of standard STR‐profiles, DNA repeats can also be sequenced to look for polymorphisms. Furthermore, additional SNPs can be sequenced to acquire information on ancestry, paternity or phenotype. The current MPS systems are also very helpful in cases where only a limited amount of DNA or highly degraded DNA has been secured from a crime scene. If enough autosomal DNA is not present, mitochondrial DNA can be sequenced for maternal lineage analysis. These developments clearly demonstrate that the use of NGS will grow into an indispensable tool for forensic science.
Traditional Balkan fermented milk products
Authors: Teneva‐Angelova Tsvetanka , Balabanova Tatyana , Boyanova Petya , Beshkova Dora
Published: August 2018

Traditional fermented milk products have been prepared since ancient time by various civilizations. Despite their long history, popularity, and nutritive and healthy value, the acceleration and industrialization of food production leads to increase of the diversity of fermented milk products in the Balkan Peninsula. As a result of the multitude of food‐microbe combinations, there are thousands of different types of fermented milk products — yoghurts, yogurt‐like products, and various types of cheeses with proven health benefits. Among those products is the domestic Bulgarian yoghurt “kiselo mlyako”, whose anti‐aging effect has been scientifically studied yet at the beginning of 20th century. The current review summerizes the wide range of traditional fermented milk products at the Balkan countries, which are the primary source for their production.
Characteristics of porous ceramics prepared from sandblasting waste and waste diatomite by co‐sintering process
Authors: Ho Chih‐Husan , Lo Huang‐Mu , Lin Kae‐Long , Lan Ju‐Ying
Published: August 2018

The purpose of this research is to recycle sandblasting waste from the surface treatment process of solar cell industry to replace waste diatomite (with a replacement ratio of 0–20%) to make water‐retention porous ceramics, and adopts the method of molding by semi‐dry pressing under a pressure of 5 MPa, as the heating temperature fluctuated between 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1270°C. With a heating rate of 5°C/min, the heating process continued for 120 minutes. The sintered samples were then examined to determine whether its mechanical properties were met the CNS 382 R2002 Brick Criteria in terms of compressive strength (>3 MPa); while FTIR, and MIP instruments were used to measure the changes in the sintered samples according to pore size and total pore volume. The results indicated that the waste diatomite and sandblasting waste consisted of quartz, and porosities of porous ceramics with sandblasting waste about higher than 58.5–64.7%, water absorption of about 72.2–92.2%, and compressive strength of about 2.4–7.3 MPa can be produced using a porous ceramics of raw materials. The porous ceramics samples with 0–20% sandblasting waste prepared at the heating temperature of above 1100°C meet the Standards for Japan Interlocking Block Pavement Engineering Association (compressive strength > 3 MPa, water absorption > 70%). Moreover, the thermal conductivity of cement paste was 0.57 W/m.K, which was significantly higher than 0.28–0.49 W/m.K of porous ceramics with sandblasting waste, the porous ceramics have good heat insulation effects. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 38: 321–328, 2019
The role of antecedent groundwater heads in controlling transient aquifer storage and flood peak attenuation in karst watersheds
Authors: Spellman Patricia , Gulley Jason , Martin Jonathan B. , Loucks Jeremy
Published: August 2018

Transient storage of floodwaters in aquifers is known to attenuate peak flows in rivers and drive subsurface dissolution. Transient aquifer storage could be enhanced in watersheds overlying karst aquifers where caves facilitate surface and groundwater exchange. Few studies, however, have examined controls on, or magnitudes of, transient aquifer storage or flood peak attenuation in karstic watersheds. Here we evaluate flood peak attenuation with multiple linear regression analyses of 10 years of river and groundwater data from the Suwannee River, which flows over the karstic upper Floridan aquifer in north‐central Florida and experiences frequent flooding. Regressions show antecedent river stage exerts the dominant control on magnitudes of transient aquifer storage, with recharge and time to peak having secondary controls. Specifically, low antecedent stages result in larger magnitudes of transient aquifer storage and thus greater flood attenuation than conditions of elevated antecedent stage. These findings suggest subsurface weathering, including cave formation and enlargement, caused by transient aquifer storage could occur on a more frequent basis in aquifers where groundwater table elevation is lowered due to anthropogenic or climatic influences. Our work also shows that measures of groundwater table elevation prior to an event could be used to improve predictive flood models. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A systematic method to enforce conservativity on semi‐Lagrangian schemes
Authors: Cameron Alexandre
Published: August 2018

Semi‐Lagrangian schemes have proven to be very efficient in modeling advection problems. However, most semi‐Lagrangian schemes are not conservative. Here, a systematic method is introduced in order to enforce the conservative property on a semi‐Lagrangian advection scheme. This method is shown to generate conservative schemes with the same linear stability range and the same order of accuracy as the initial advection scheme from which they are derived. We used a criterion based on the column‐balance property of the schemes to assess their conservativity property. We introduce an unsplit geometrical reconstruction that enforces conservativity. We show that this approach can be used with large Courant‐Friedrichs‐Lewy numbers and third‐order schemes. We give a physical application in the case of the Rayleigh‐Taylor instability.
Excess returns to buying low options‐volume stocks and selling high options‐volume stocks: Information or characteristics?
Authors: Cai Li , Du Jian
Published: August 2018

This paper documents a negative relationship between options‐trading volume and stock returns. The relationship is remarkably robust and cannot be explained by existing asset‐pricing theorems. We find that strategies that require buying stocks with low options‐trading volume in the past and selling stocks with high options‐trading volume in the past generate significant positive abnormal returns. Further analysis indicates that the pattern mostly represents a characteristic effect, in which options trading predicts stock returns through its relationship with determinant characteristics such as beta, illiquidity, and idiosyncratic volatility.
An Overview of Systematic Reviews to Inform the Institutional Design of Scientific Advisory Committees
Authors: Behdinan Asha , Gunn Elliot , Baral Prativa , Sritharan Lathika , Fafard Patrick , Hoffman Steven J.
Published: August 2018

The current lack of synthesized evidence for informing the design of scientific advisory committees (SACs) is surprising in light of the widespread use of SACs throughout decision‐making processes. While existing research points to the importance of quality, relevance, and legitimacy for SACs' effectiveness, those planning SACs would benefit from efforts to systematically pinpoint optimal designs of these committees for maximal effectiveness. Search strategies are developed for seven electronic databases. Of the 1895 systematic reviews identified, six reviews meet the inclusion criteria: they report the results of systematic reviews that followed a clearly identified systematic methodology, examine factors related to the design of SACs, and involve processes in the natural or social sciences. These reviews collectively summarize 444 primary studies. Three of the six reviews look at the impacts of SAC size, two evaluate the influence of the committee's diversity, and half mention the importance of properly on‐boarding new members. The goal is to identify recurring themes to understand the specific institutional features that optimize the usefulness of SACs. In turn, this overview of systematic reviews aims to contribute to a growing body of literature on how SACs should be designed to maximize their effectiveness and helpfulness for decision‐making.
Inequality of opportunity in health: A decomposition‐based approach
Authors: Carrieri Vincenzo , Jones Andrew M.
Published: August 2018

This paper presents new decomposition‐based approaches to measure inequality of opportunity in health that capture Roemer's distinction between circumstances and effort and are consistent with both compensation and reward principles. Our approach is fully nonparametric in the way that it handles differences in circumstances and provides decompositions of both a rank‐dependent relative (the Gini coefficient) and a rank‐independent absolute inequality index (the variance). The decompositions distinguish the contribution of effort from the direct and indirect (through effort) contribution of circumstances to the total inequality. Our approach is illustrated by an empirical application that uses objectively measured biomarkers as health outcomes and as proxies for relevant effort variables. Using data from the Health Survey for England from 2003 to 2012, we find that circumstances are the leading determinant of inequality in cholesterol, glycated haemoglobin, and in a combined ill‐health index whereas effort plays a substantial role in explaining inequality in fibrinogen only.
Exploring reasons for vaccine‐hesitancy among higher‐SES parents in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Swaney Sharon Elizabeth , Burns Sharyn
Published: August 2018

Issues Addressed

The increasing prevalence among higher‐socioeconomic (higher‐SES) parents in Perth, Western Australia (WA), to be vaccine‐hesitant (VH) is placing herd immunity at risk.

Methods

Eighteen one‐on‐one interviews were conducted; (n = 11) parents who earned >$125 000 pa and expressed ever having concerns surrounding vaccination; (n = 7) health care professionals (HCPs), who provided clinical services. Using grounded theory methodology, data were analysed by constant coding and comparison until themes emerged and an explanatory model was developed.

Results

Four main areas leading to vaccine‐hesitancy emerged from the data: We are Educated; We Control our Health; Safe from Disease, At Risk from Vaccines; and What We Want. Parents believed themselves capable of making good vaccination decisions based on their higher education levels and self‐sourced vaccination information, yet frequently sought reassurance. Healthism concepts were adopted and parents believed lifestyle factors could control for vaccine‐preventable diseases (VPD). Risk perception of disease was low and influenced by the remote geographic location of Perth, whilst perceived negative consequences of vaccination were high. A reduced concept of the social responsibility for vaccination and understanding of herd immunity emerged. Parents called for vaccine contents to be listed and requested more information on why vaccination was necessary.

Conclusion

Four areas of VH emerged and reflected parents’ belief that higher educational and socioeconomic status, previous successes in life and where they live would result in positive health outcomes and reduce the risk of contracting VPDs.

So what?

This study provides new research into the perceptions among higher‐SES VH parents who live in Perth, WA. It provides a model that fills a significant gap in information that could be used effectively for future health promotion interventions.
Cost comparison and determinants of out‐of‐pocket payments on child delivery care in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarker Abdur Razzaque , Sultana Marufa , Ali Nausad , Akram Raisul , Sheikh Nurnabi , Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Morton Alec
Published: August 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study is to capture the relevant out‐of‐pocket (OOP) costs, coping mechanisms, and associated factors that are related to child delivery in Bangladesh through the use of nationwide household level data.

Data and methods

The study was conducted using a secondary data source of the latest Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2014. A cross‐sectional survey was performed for 6 months, from June to November 2014, where closed‐ended questions regarding child delivery–related expenditure were included. Log linear regression and descriptive analysis methods were used to analyze these data.

Results

Analysis indicated that the average self‐reported OOP payment per child delivery was US$ 79.23 (SD ±128.05). The highest OOP was observed for C‐section (US$ 249.89, SD ±153.54), followed by institutional normal delivery (US$ 61.62, SD ±75.28). The average cost per normal home delivery was US$ 15.89 (SD ±25.84). The richest quintile spent significantly more than the poorest quintile regarding C‐section (US$ 281 vs US$ 204), normal delivery at an institution (US$ 80 vs US$ 65), and even normal delivery at home (US$ 22 vs US$ 13).

Conclusions

The study showed that there was a huge variation of OOP, which was dependent on the facility and socioeconomic demographic status of the households. As such, policy efforts need to focus on lowest wealth quintiles to avoid economic burdens during child delivery–related activities, and therefore, financial risk protection should be provided. Social health insurance might be an option for financing during child delivery, which is in line with the core objective of the Healthcare Financing Strategy of Bangladesh, which is to achieve universal health coverage.
Enhancing policy implementation to improve healthcare practices: The role and strategies of hybrid national‐local support structures
Authors: Granström Emma , Hansson Johan , Sparring Vibeke , Brommels Mats , Nyström Monica Elisabeth
Published: August 2018

Background

In this study, we followed a national initiative to enhance the use of quality indicators gathered in national quality registries (NQRs) for improvement of clinical practices in Swedish healthcare, more specifically by investigating the support strategies of regional support centers with national and local missions. The aim was to increase knowledge on the role, challenges, and strategies of support structures with mixed and complex missions in the healthcare system.

Methods

Documents and 25 semistructured interviews with staff at 6 regional support centers, ie, quality registry centers, formed this multiple case study. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

Results

The centers' strategies varied from developing the NQRs to become more suitable for improvement to supporting healthcare's use of NQRs, from the use of task to process‐oriented support strategies, and from taking on national responsibilities to responding to local initiatives. All quality registry centers engaged in initiatives inspired by the Breakthrough Series approach. Some used preexisting change concepts or collaborated with local development units. A main challenge was to overcome a lack of formal mandate to act in the healthcare organizations they served.

Conclusions

Support functions with mixed and complex missions have to use a variation of strategies to reach relevant actors and achieve changes. This study provides valuable input for policy and decision‐makers on the support strategies used and challenges of support functions with complex missions situated in‐between national and local levels of the healthcare system, here denoted hybrid national‐local support structures.
Do HIV prevention interventions in Asia lead to increase in condom utilization?: A meta‐analysis study
Authors: Auchynnikava Alena
Published: August 2018

This meta‐analytic review synthesizes the findings of published independent studies that assessed the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions in promoting condom usage in Asia. We focused on 20 studies that used randomized control studies to establish whether HIV prevention interventions lead to increased condom utilization. As compared with the average control group client, we found that 68% of the clients who participated in an intervention group increased their condom usage. The effectiveness of HIV prevention intervention is not related to country and rural‐urban contexts, to male‐female samples, to the type of outcome measured, or the timing of the latest follow‐up assessment. The implications of these findings are that policy‐makers, health administrators, and international donors should view behavioral HIV prevention interventions as an effective approach through which to increase condom usage in order to reduce the HIV infection rate in Asia.
Measuring semantic components in training and motivation: A methodological introduction to the semantic theory of survey response
Authors: Arnulf Jan K. , Dysvik Anders , Larsen Kai R.
Published: August 2018

This is a methodological presentation of the relationship between semantics and survey statistics in human resource development (HRD) research. This study starts with an introduction to the semantic theory of survey response (STSR) and proceeds by offering a guided approach to conducting such analyses. The reader is presented with two types of semantic algorithms and a brief overview of how they are calculated and how they can be accessed by interested researchers. Subsequently, we use semantic data to reanalyze a previously published study on the relationships between perceptions of a trainee program, intrinsic motivation, and work outcomes. The semantic algorithms can explain between 31 and 55% of the variation in the observed correlations. This article shows how the statistical models originally used to explore the survey data can be replicated using semantics either alone or as an identifiable source of variation in the data. All the steps are presented in detail, and the datasets as well as the statistical syntax necessary to perform the analyses are made available to the readers. Implications for methodology and the improvement of predictive validity in HRD research are discussed.
Evidence of latent molecular diversity determining the virulence of community‐associated MRSA USA300 clones in mice
Authors: Sonoda Shiro , Yamaguchi Tetsuo , Aoki Kotaro , Ono Daisuke , Sato Ayami , Kajiwara Chiaki , Kimura Soichiro , Akasaka Yoshikiyo , Ishii Yoshikazu , Miyazaki Yasunari , Inase Naohiko , Tateda Kazuhiro
Published: August 2018

Introduction

The USA300 clone of community‐associated MRSA is reported to be hypervirulent and epidemic in the United States. This clone causes a variety of diseases from lethal pneumonia to mild skin infections. We hypothesized that evolutionary diversity may exist among USA300 clones, which may link virulence traits with host responses and mortality rates.

Methods

USA300 isolates from severe pneumonia (IP) and skin infection (IS) were characterized by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and next‐generation sequencing. Their virulence traits and host responses were compared in a lung infection model.

Results

The two USA300 isolates were found to be identical in genomic analysis. Robust IL‐6 production, aggregation of bacteria, and hemorrhaging were observed in IP‐infected lungs, which were associated with a higher rate of mortality than that observed with strain IS. Few neutrophils were detected in the lungs infected with strain IP, even at high bacterial loads. Massive production of α‐toxin and coagulase were evident during the early phase of IP infection, and robust gene expression of hla (α‐toxin) and lukS‐PV (Panton–Valentine leukocidin), but not coa, agrA, or rnaIII, was confirmed in vitro. Strain IP also induced strong hemolysis in red blood cells.

Conclusions

The present data demonstrated latent diversity in the virulence of USA300 clones. Unknown regulatory mechanisms, probably involving a host factor(s) as a trigger, may govern the virulence expression and resultant high mortality in certain sub‐clones of USA300.
Use of metformin and survival of patients with high‐grade glioma
Authors: Seliger Corinna , Luber Christian , Gerken Michael , Schaertl Julia , Proescholdt Martin , Riemenschneider Markus J. , Meier Christoph R. , Bogdahn Ulrich , Leitzmann Michael F. , Klinkhammer‐Schalke Monika , Hau Peter
Published: August 2018

High‐grade glioma (HGG) is associated with poor prognosis. Drug repurposing evolves as new modality to improve standard therapy. The antidiabetic drug metformin has been found to inhibit glioma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. The aim of the present retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the survival of patients with HGG with or without treatment with metformin, based on a large cohort of a cancer registry. The analysis included 1,093 patients with HGG diagnosed between 1998 and 2013 from the population‐based clinical cancer registry Regensburg (Germany), which covers 2.1 Mio inhabitants and 98% of all cancer diagnoses. We performed multivariable adjusted Cox‐regression analyses. Hazard Ratios (HRs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) for overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) of patients with HGG with or without treatment with metformin were obtained. Use of metformin was associated with a significantly better overall and progression‐free survival of patients with WHO grade III glioma (HR for OS = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.11–0.81, HR for PFS = 0.29; 95% CI = 0.11–0.78), while there were no significant relations with OS (HR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.57–1.20) or PFS (HR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.59–1.22) in patients with WHO grade IV glioma. In conclusion, use of metformin is associated with better overall and progression‐free survival of patients with WHO grade III. Possible underlying mechanisms include the higher prevalence of IDH mutations in WHO grade III glioma, which might sensitize to the metabolic drug metformin.
Functional characterization of recurrent FOXA2 mutations seen in endometrial cancers
Authors: Neff Robert , Rush Craig M. , Smith Blair , Backes Floor J. , Cohn David E. , Goodfellow Paul J.
Published: August 2018

FOXA2, a member of the forkhead family of DNA‐binding proteins, is frequently mutated in uterine cancers. Most of the mutations observed in uterine cancers are frameshifts and stops. FOXA2 is considered to be a driver gene in uterine cancers, functioning as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor. The functional consequences of FOXA2 mutations, however, have not yet been determined. We evaluated the effects that frameshift mutations and a recurrent missense mutation have on FOXA2 transcriptional activity. Recurrent N‐terminal frameshifts resulted in truncated proteins that failed to translocate to the nucleus and have no transcriptional activity using an E‐cadherin/luciferase reporter assay. Protein abundance was reduced for the recurrent p.S169 W mutation, as was transcriptional activity. A C‐terminal frameshift mutation had increased FOXA2 levels evidenced by both Western blot and immunofluorescence. Given that FOXA2 is a recognized activator of E‐cadherin (CDH1) expression and E‐cadherin's potential role in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in a wide range of cancer types, we tested the hypothesis that FOXA2 mutations in primary uterine cancer specimens would be associated with reduced CDH1 transcript levels. qRT‐PCR revealed significantly lower levels of CDH1 expression in primary tumors with FOXA2 mutations. Our findings in vitro and in vivo suggest that reduced transcriptional activity associated with FOXA2 mutations in uterine cancers is likely to contribute to protumorigenic changes in gene expression.
Novel Topology in Semiconducting Tetrathiafulvalene Lanthanide Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Xie Lilia S. , Dincă Mircea
Published: August 2018

Tetrathiafulvalene tetrabenzoate (TTFTB) and several lanthanide ions self‐assemble into metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) that exhibit a novel topology, a (3,3,3,6,6)‐coordinated net, which features an unusual ligand coordination mode and stacking motif. The Yb and Lu MOFs are electrically conductive, with pellet conductivity values of 9(7) × 10−7 and 3(2) × 10−7 S/cm, respectively. The crystallographically‐determined bond lengths indicate partial oxidation of the ligand, with close S ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ S contacts between ligands providing likely charge transport pathways in the material. Magnetometry reveals temperature‐independent paramagnetism, consistent with the presence of ligand‐based radicals, as well as weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Yb3+ centers. These results illustrate the diversity of MOF structures and properties that are accessible with the TTFTB ligand owing to its electroactive nature, propensity for intermolecular interactions, and conformational flexibility.
Why we need epidemiologic studies of polycystic ovary syndrome in Africa
Authors: Maya Ernest T. , Guure Chris B. , Adanu Richard M.K. , Sarfo Bismark , Ntumy Michael , Bonney Evelyn Y. , Lizneva Daria , Walker Walidah , Azziz Ricardo
Published: August 2018

The primary objective of the Ghana Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Epidemiology and Phenotype (Ghana‐PEP) study will be to assess the relevance and phenotypic distribution of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in a medically unbiased population of reproductive‐aged women. In addition, the study will also attempt to identify sociodemographic, environmental, and psychological factors that may play a role in the development of PCOS phenotype. The study aims to recruit 990 randomly selected women aged 18–45 years living in Nsawam, the district capital of the Nsawam‐Adoagyiri Municipality, in the Eastern region of Ghana. Participants will complete a questionnaire with the aid of trained personnel, undergo a physical examination, and undergo ultrasonography and biochemical evaluations relevant to PCOS. It is anticipated that the study will provide the population prevalence and phenotypes, and distribution of PCOS.
The use of heparin, bFGF, and VEGF 145 grafted acellular vascular scaffold in small diameter vascular graft
Authors: Kong Xiaoying , Kong Chen , Wen Shunsheng , Shi Jinsheng
Published: August 2018

We aim to test the application of heparin, bFGF, and VEGF 145 grafted acellular vascular scaffold in small diameter vascular graft. The amount of bFGF and VEGF 145 were determined by ELISA. Femoral artery transplantation was performed. Mechanical strength of acellular vascular scaffolds was determined. Angiography was performed for blood vessel patency. Factor VIII and α2‐actin expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. bFGF and VEGF 145 had stable release at 60 and 70 days in vitro, and the release rate of VEGF 145 was slightly slower than that of bFGF. After transplantation, 9 months of the vascular patency rate was 100% at 1, 3, and 9 months, and, was up to 90% at 18 months, while the patency rate in group with grafted heparin only at 1‐month was 60%, at 3‐month was 40%, at 9‐month was 15%, and at 18‐month was 10%. The blood vessels taken after 18 months had no significant difference in the mechanical properties between the transplanted and the natural vessels. Positive expression of factor VIII and α2‐actin was observed. The heparinized and bFGF and VEGF 145 grafted allogeneic vascular acellular scaffolds are preliminarily obtained, which show good biocompatibility and patency and are of great importance for small diameter vascular graft. © 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: 672–679, 2019.
The toxicological impact of some avermectins on human erythrocytes glutathione S‐transferase enzyme
Authors: Türkan Fikret , Huyut Zübeyir , Atalar Mehmet Nuri
Published: August 2018

The drugs of the class avermectins are antiparasitic agents, which are widely used in medical and agricultural fields, especially in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of avermectin derivatives such as abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, and moxidectin, which are used for internal and external mammalian parasites. Glutathione S‐transferase (GST, E.C. 2.5.1.18) was purified from fresh human erythrocytes. The purification of the GST enzyme was performed separately by affinity chromatography with a yield of 34.81% and 117.94‐fold purification. The control of the pure GST enzyme was performed by sodium dodecyl sulphate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and a single band was obtained. The IC50 values were approximately 0.31, 0.39, 0.13, 0.44, and 0.73 mM for abamectin, doramectin, eprinomectin, ivermectin, and moxidectin, and the Ki values were 0.32 ± 0.06, 0.39 ± 0.09, 0.13 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.02, 0.73 ± 0.04 mM, respectively. This data revealed that the tested avermectins showed significant inhibitory effects on the GST enzyme.
Trisenox induces cytotoxicity through phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase molecules in acute leukemia cells
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Farah Ibrahim O. , Tchounwou Paul B.
Published: August 2018

Trisenox (TX) has been used successfully for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. TX‐induced cytotoxicity in APL cells remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism of TX cytotoxicity using APL cell lines. We assessed TX toxicity by quantitatively measuring lactate dehydrogenase levels. Inhibition of cell cycle progression was assessed by confocal microscopy of Ki‐67 expression. Apoptosis was evaluated by Western blot analysis of apoptotic proteins expression, immunocytochemistry, and confocal imaging of annexin V and propidium iodide. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade was analyzed by Western blot analysis and inhibitor‐based experiments with APL cells. We found that TX‐induced cytotoxicity inhibited APL cell cycle progression. TX also induced significant (P < 0.05) changes in the expression levels of apoptotic molecules and activated the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways in APL cells. Understanding the mechanism of TX cytotoxicity would be helpful in the design of new APL drugs.