bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Directed Evolution of an Artificial Imine Reductase
Authors: Hestericová Martina , Heinisch Tillman , Alonso‐Cotchico Lur , Maréchal Jean‐Didier , Vidossich Pietro , Ward Thomas R.
Published: December 2017

Artificial metalloenzymes, resulting from incorporation of a metal cofactor within a host protein, have received increasing attention in the last decade. The directed evolution is presented of an artificial transfer hydrogenase (ATHase) based on the biotin‐streptavidin technology using a straightforward procedure allowing screening in cell‐free extracts. Two streptavidin isoforms were yielded with improved catalytic activity and selectivity for the reduction of cyclic imines. The evolved ATHases were stable under biphasic catalytic conditions. The X‐ray structure analysis reveals that introducing bulky residues within the active site results in flexibility changes of the cofactor, thus increasing exposure of the metal to the protein surface and leading to a reversal of enantioselectivity. This hypothesis was confirmed by a multiscale approach based mostly on molecular dynamics and protein–ligand dockings.
Active Salt/Silica‐Templated 2D Mesoporous FeCo‐Nx‐Carbon as Bifunctional Oxygen Electrodes for Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Li Shuang , Cheng Chong , Zhao Xiaojia , Schmidt Johannes , Thomas Arne
Published: December 2017

Two types of templates, an active metal salt and silica nanoparticles, are used concurrently to achieve the facile synthesis of hierarchical meso/microporous FeCo‐Nx‐carbon nanosheets (meso/micro‐FeCo‐Nx‐CN) with highly dispersed metal sites. The resulting meso/micro‐FeCo‐Nx‐CN shows high and reversible oxygen electrocatalytic performances for both ORR and OER, thus having potential for applications in rechargeable Zn–air battery. Our approach creates a new pathway to fabricate 2D meso/microporous structured carbon architectures for bifunctional oxygen electrodes in rechargeable Zn–air battery as well as opens avenues to the scale‐up production of rationally designed heteroatom‐doped catalytic materials for a broad range of applications.
Catalytic Asymmetric Oxidative γ‐Coupling of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes with Air as the Terminal Oxidant
Authors: Næsborg Line , Corti Vasco , Leth Lars Astrup , Poulsen Pernille H. , Jørgensen Karl Anker
Published: December 2017

A novel concept for catalytic asymmetric coupling reactions is presented. Merging organocatalysis with single‐electron oxidation by using a catalytic amount of a copper(II) salt and air as the terminal oxidant, we have developed a highly stereoselective carbon–carbon oxidative coupling reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The concept relies on the generation of a dienamine intermediate, which is oxidized to an open‐shell activated species that undergoes highly selective γ‐homo‐ and γ‐heterocoupling reactions. In the majority of examples presented, only a single stereoisomer was formed.
Analysis of the functions of the signal peptidase complex in the midgut of Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Guan Jingmin , Zhang Jie , Yuan Shenglei , Yang Bing , Clark Kevin D. , Ling Erjun , Huang Wuren
Published: December 2017

Signal peptidase complexes (SPCs) are conserved from bacteria to human beings, and are typically composed of four to five subunits. There are four genes encoding SPC proteins in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. To understand their importance to insect development, double‐stranded RNA for each SPC gene was injected into red flour beetles at the early larval and adult stages. Knockdown of all four signal peptidase genes was lethal to larvae. Moreover, larvae had difficulty with old cuticle ecdysis. Knockdown of TcSPC12 alone did not affect pupal or adult development. When TcSPC12, TcSPC18, and TcSPC25 were knocked down in larvae, the melanization of hemocytes and midguts was observed. When knocked down in larvae and adults, TcSPC18 induced severe cell apoptosis in midguts, and the adult midgut lost the ability to maintain crypts after knockdown of TcSPC18, indicating its importance to midgut cell proliferation and differentiation. Knockdown of TcSPC22 or TcSPC25 also resulted in many apoptotic cells in the midguts. However, TcSPC12 appeared to be unimportant for midgut development. We conclude that TcSPC18 is essential for maintaining the adult midgut crypts.
Toxicity associated with intensive postinduction therapy incorporating clofarabine in the very high‐risk stratum of patients with newly diagnosed high‐risk B‐lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Children's Oncology Group study AALL1131
Authors: Salzer Wanda L. , Burke Michael J. , Devidas Meenakshi , Chen Si , Gore Lia , Larsen Eric C. , Borowitz Michael , Wood Brent , Heerema Nyla A. , Carroll Andrew J. , Hilden Joanne M. , Loh Mignon L. , Raetz Elizabeth A. , Winick Naomi J. , Carroll William L. , Hunger Stephen P.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Children, adolescents, and young adults with very high‐risk (VHR) B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B‐ALL) have poor outcomes, and novel therapies are needed for this subgroup. The AALL1131 study evaluated postinduction therapy using cyclophosphamide (CPM), etoposide (ETOP), and clofarabine (CLOF) for patients with VHR B‐ALL.

METHODS

Patients who were 1 to 30 years old and had VHR B‐ALL received modified Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster therapy after induction and were randomized to 1) CPM, cytarabine, mercaptopurine, vincristine (VCR), and pegaspargase (control arm), 2) CPM, ETOP, VCR, and pegaspargase (experimental arm 1), or 3) CPM, ETOP, CLOF (30 mg/m2/d × 5), VCR, and pegaspargase (experimental arm 2) during the second half of consolidation and delayed intensification.

RESULTS

The rates of grade 4/5 infections and grade 3/4 pancreatitis were significantly increased in experimental arm 2. The dose of CLOF was, therefore, reduced to 20 mg/m2/d × 5, and myeloid growth factor was required after CLOF administration. Despite these changes, 4 of 39 patients (10.3%) developed grade 4 infections, with 1 of these patients developing a grade 5 acute kidney injury attributed to CLOF, whereas only 1 of 46 patients (2.2%) in experimental arm 1 developed grade 4 infections, and there were no grade 4/5 infections in the control arm (n = 20). Four patients in experimental arm 2 had prolonged cytopenias for >60 days, whereas none did in the control arm or experimental arm 1. Counts failed to recover for 2 of these patients, one having a grade 5 acute kidney injury and the other removed from protocol therapy; both events occurred 92 days after the start of consolidation part 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In AALL1131, CLOF, administered with CPM and ETOP, was associated with unacceptable toxicity. Cancer 2018;124:1150‐9. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Bone biopsy protocol for advanced prostate cancer in the era of precision medicine
Authors: Sailer Verena , Schiffman Marc H. , Kossai Myriam , Cyrta Joanna , Beg Shaham , Sullivan Brian , Pua Bradley B. , Lee Kyungmouk Steve , Talenfeld Adam D. , Nanus David M. , Tagawa Scott T. , Robinson Brian D. , Rao Rema A. , Pauli Chantal , Bareja Rohan , Beltran Luis S. , Sigaras Alexandros , Eng Kenneth Wa , Elemento Olivier , Sboner Andrea , Rubin Mark A. , Beltran Himisha , Mosquera Juan Miguel
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Metastatic biopsies are increasingly being performed in patients with advanced prostate cancer to search for actionable targets and/or to identify emerging resistance mechanisms. Due to a predominance of bone metastases and their sclerotic nature, obtaining sufficient tissue for clinical and genomic studies is challenging.

METHODS

Patients with prostate cancer bone metastases were enrolled between February 2013 and March 2017 on an institutional review board‐approved protocol for prospective image‐guided bone biopsy. Bone biopsies and blood clots were collected fresh. Compact bone was subjected to formalin with a decalcifying agent for diagnosis; bone marrow and blood clots were frozen in optimum cutting temperature formulation for next‐generation sequencing. Frozen slides were cut from optimum cutting temperature cryomolds and evaluated for tumor histology and purity. Tissue was macrodissected for DNA and RNA extraction, and whole‐exome sequencing and RNA sequencing were performed.

RESULTS

Seventy bone biopsies from 64 patients were performed. Diagnostic material confirming prostate cancer was successful in 60 of 70 cases (85.7%). The median DNA/RNA yield was 25.5 ng/μL and 16.2 ng/μL, respectively. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed successfully in 49 of 60 cases (81.7%), with additional RNA sequencing performed in 20 of 60 cases (33.3%). Recurrent alterations were as expected, including those involving the AR, PTEN, TP53, BRCA2, and SPOP genes.

CONCLUSIONS

This prostate cancer bone biopsy protocol ensures a valuable source for high‐quality DNA and RNA for tumor sequencing and may be used to detect actionable alterations and resistance mechanisms in patients with bone metastases. Cancer 2018;124:1008‐15. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Flood Governance: A multiple country comparison of stakeholder perceptions and aspirations
Authors: Plummer Ryan , Baird Julia , Bullock Ryan , Dzyundzyak Angela , Dupont Diane , Gerger Swartling Åsa , Johannessen Åse , Huitema Dave , Lyth Anna , de Lourdes Melo Zurita Maria , Munaretto Stefania , Smith Timothy , Thomsen Dana
Published: December 2017

Flooding is routinely among the most disastrous annual events worldwide with extensive impacts on human wellbeing, economies and ecosystems. Thus, how decisions are made about floods (i.e. flood governance) is extremely important and evidence shows that it is changing, with non‐governmental actors (civil society and the private sector) becoming involved in new and sometimes hybrid governance arrangements. This study investigates how stakeholders perceive floods to be governed and how they believe decision‐making ought to occur, with the intent of determining to what extent changing governance is evident on the ground and how well (or poorly) it aligns with desired governance arrangements. Flood governance stakeholders were surveyed in five flood‐prone geographical areas from Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. The findings suggest that a reconfiguration of flood governance is underway with relatively little consensus regarding the specific arrangements and mechanisms in place during this transitionary period. Across the five cases, stakeholders indicated that they wanted flood governance to be organized at multiple levels, with strong government involvement and with diverse actor groups, and through mechanisms that match the involvement of these actors, with a lack of desirability for some specific configurations involving the private sector in particular. There was little alignment between stakeholder perceptions of governance currently in place and their desired arrangements, except for government involvement. Future research directions highlight the importance of the inclusion of stakeholder perspectives in assessing flood governance, and following the transition in flood governance over time. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Highly Oriented Magnetic Film Composed of Ga‐Substituted ε‐Iron Oxide and the Angular Dependence of the Magnetic Hysteresis Loops
Authors: Yoshikiyo Marie , Namai Asuka , Imoto Kenta , Tokoro Hiroko , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi
Published: December 2017

Invited for the cover of this issue are Shin‐ichi Ohkoshi from The University of Tokyo, Japan, and co‐workers. The cover image shows a crystallographically oriented film based on metal‐substituted ε‐iron oxide (ε‐Ga0.45Fe1.55O3) magnetic nanoparticles.
White matter integrity alterations in post‐traumatic stress disorder
Authors: O'Doherty Daniel C.M. , Ryder Will , Paquola Casey , Tickell Ashleigh , Chan Charles , Hermens Daniel F. , Bennett Max R. , Lagopoulos Jim
Published: December 2017

Post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition which can develop after exposure to traumatic stressors. Seventy‐five adults were recruited from the community, 25 diagnosed with PTSD along with 25 healthy and 25 trauma‐exposed age‐ and gender‐matched controls. Participants underwent clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging. A previous voxel based morphometry (VBM) study using the same subject cohort identified decreased grey matter (GM) volumes within frontal/subcortical brain regions including the hippocampus, amygdala, and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). This study examines the microstructural integrity of white matter (WM) tracts connecting the aforementioned regions/structures. Using diffusion tensor imaging, we investigated the integrity of frontal/subcortical WM tracts between all three subject groups. Trauma exposed subjects with and without PTSD diagnosis were identified to have significant disruption in WM integrity as indexed by decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in the uncinate fasciculus (UF), cingulum cingulate gyrus (CCG), and corpus callosum (CC), when compared with healthy non‐trauma‐exposed controls. Significant negative correlations were found between total Clinician Administered PTSD scale (CAPS) lifetime clinical subscores and FA values of PTSD subjects in the right UF, CCG, CC body, and right superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). An analysis between UF and SLF FA values and VBM determined rostral ACC GM values found a negative correlation in PTSD subjects. Findings suggest that compromised WM integrity in important tracts connecting limbic structures such as the amygdala to frontal regions including the ACC (i.e., the UF and CCG) may contribute to impairments in threat/fear processing associated with PTSD.
Training class inclusion responding in typically developing children and individuals with autism
Authors: Ming Siri , Mulhern Teresa , Stewart Ian , Moran Laura , Bynum Kellie
Published: December 2017

In a class inclusion task, a child must respond to stimuli as being involved in two different though hierarchically related categories. This study used a Relational Frame Theory (RFT) paradigm to assess and train this ability in three typically developing preschoolers and three individuals with autism spectrum disorder, all of whom had failed class inclusion tests. For all subjects, relational training successfully established the target repertoire and subsequent testing demonstrated both maintenance and generalization. Limitations and future research directions are discussed.
Is there computational support for an unprotonated carbon in the E4 state of nitrogenase?
Authors: Siegbahn Per E. M.
Published: December 2017

In the key enzyme for nitrogen fixation in nature, nitrogenase, the active site has a metal cluster with seven irons and one molybdenum bound by bridging sulfurs. Surprisingly, there is also a carbon in the center of the cluster, with a role that is not known. A mechanism has been suggested experimentally, where two hydrides leave as a hydrogen molecule in the critical E4 state. A structure with two hydrides, two protonated sulfurs and an unprotonated carbon has been suggested for this state. Rather recently, DFT calculations supported the experimental mechanism but found an active state where the central carbon is protonated all the way to CH3. Even more recently, another DFT study was made that instead supported the experimentally suggested structure. To sort out the origin of these quite different computational results, additional calculations have here been performed using different DFT functionals. The conclusion from these calculations is very clear and shows no computational support for an unprotonated carbon in E4. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced adsorption capacity for phosphate in wastewater from thermally activated flue gas desulfurization gypsum
Authors: Cheng Peng , Chen Dong , Liu Haibo , Zou Xuehua , Zhang Yaqing , Xie Jingjing , Qing Chengsong , Chen Tianhu
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

In this study, a flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum was calcined as phosphate sorbent materials for the remediation of phosphate wastewater.

RESULTS

In addition to the main crystalline phase of gypsum, FGD gypsum contains a small quantity of quartz, dolomite, calcite and magnesite. Moreover, FGD gypsum has a prismatic structure with a dense and smooth surface, whereas a pore structure and flaky structure appear with increasing calcination temperature. The kinetic adsorption process was well described by a pseudo‐second‐order model with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.99). The adsorption isotherms indicated that phosphate removal can be fitted by the Langmuir model.

CONCLUSIONS

Calcination improved the performance of FGD gypsum towards phosphate sorption. The precipitation following chemical adsorption dominated the phosphate removal by the calcined FGD gypsum, and phosphate was ultimately immobilized by hydroxyapatite. Calcined FGD gypsum has excellent capacity for phosphate removal for three reasons: an enhanced content of active Ca by calcination, a novel nanoscale prismatic structure with a high specific surface area, and a favorable reactivity and alkaline environment produced by the decomposition of magnesite, dolomite and calcite. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparison of the expression of neurotransmitter and muscular genesis markers in the postnatal male mouse masseter and trigeminal ganglion during development
Authors: Kamata Hiroaki , Karibe Hiroyuki , Sato Iwao
Published: December 2017

Calcitonin gene–related peptide (CGRP) is released by motor neurons and affects skeletal muscle fiber and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1), an important marker of pain modulation. However, the expression of CGRP and TRPV1 in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) during changes and in feeding patterns has not been described. We used real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization to investigate the mRNA expression levels of CGRP and TRPV1 in the TG. The expression of myosin heavy‐chain (MyHC) isoforms was also investigated in the masseter muscle (MM) during the transition from sucking to mastication, an important functional trigger for muscle. The mRNA and protein levels of CGRP increased in the MM and TG from postnatal day 10 (P10) to P20 in male mice. The protein levels of TRPV1 were almost constant in the TG from P10 to P20, in contrast to increases in the MM. The mRNA abundance of TRPV1 in the TG and MM was increased from P10 to P20. The localization of an antisense probe was used to count CGRP cell numbers and found to differentiate the ophthalmic, maxillary, and mandibular nerve divisions of the TG. In particular, the number of CGRP+ cells per 10,000 μm2 in the maxillary and mandibular divisions of the TG gradually changed from P10 to P20. The expression of CGRP and TRPV1 in the TG and MM and the patterns of expression of different MyHC isoforms were affected by changes in feeding during male mouse development.
Conversion of Face‐On Orientation to Edge‐On/Flat‐On in Induced‐Crystallization of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) via Functionalization/Grafting of Reduced Graphene Oxide with Thiophene Adducts
Authors: Agbolaghi Samira , Abbaspoor Saleheh , Massoumi Bakhshali , Sarvari Raana , Sattari Somaye , Aghapour Sahar , Charoughchi Somaiyeh
Published: December 2017

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is functionalized with 2‐thiophene acetic acid (rGO‐f‐TAA) and grafted with poly(3‐dodecylthiophene) (rGO‐g‐PDDT) and poly(3‐thiophene ethanol) (rGO‐g‐PTEt) to manipulate the orientation and patterning of crystallized poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT). P3HT chains prefer to interact with their thiophene rings with bared rGO surface, resulting in a conventional face‐on orientation. In these hybrids, beyond critical length of P3HT nanofibers developed onto rGO (>100 nm), an inclination occurs after solvent evaporation, thereby face‐on noninclined fibers change to edge‐on inclined ones. In P3HT/rGO‐f‐TAA supramolecular structures patterned with P3HT short nanofibrils (42–95 nm in length), the orientation of P3HT chains changes from face‐on to edge‐on, originating from strong interactions between hexyl side chains of P3HTs and 2‐thiophene acetic acid functional groups of rGO. Supramolecular structures based on grafted rGO demonstrate a patched‐like morphology composed of flat‐on P3HTs with main backbones perpendicular to substrate. Grafted polythiophenic oligomers onto rGO (rGO‐g‐PDDT and rGO‐g‐PTEt) provoke P3HT backbones to vertically attach to surface and remain perpendicular even after solvent evaporation. Flat‐on orientation acquired for rGO‐g‐PDDT and rGO‐g‐PTEt systems is the best for P3HT chains assembled onto rGO. Face‐on P3HT/rGO hybrids and, subsequently, edge‐on P3HT/rGO‐f‐TAA hybrids also reflect optical and supramolecular donor–acceptor properties based on ultraviolet–visible and photoluminescence analyses.
Technical Note: Comparison of first‐ and second‐generation photon‐counting slit‐scanning tomosynthesis systems
Authors: Berggren Karl , Cederström Björn , Lundqvist Mats , Fredenberg Erik
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an emerging tool for breast‐cancer screening and diagnostics. The purpose of this study is to present a second‐generation photon‐counting slit‐scanning DBT system and compare it to the first‐generation system in terms of geometry and image quality. The study presents the first image‐quality measurements on the second‐generation system.

Method

The geometry of the new system is based on a combined rotational and linear motion, in contrast to a purely rotational scan motion in the first generation. In addition, the calibration routines have been updated. Image quality was measured in the center of the image field in terms of in‐slice modulation transfer function (MTF), artifact spread function (ASF), and in‐slice detective quantum efficiency (DQE). Images were acquired using a W/Al 29 kVp spectrum at 13 mAs with 2 mm Al additional filtration and reconstructed using simple back‐projection.

Result

The in‐slice 50% MTF was improved in the chest‐mammilla direction, going from 3.2 to 3.5 lp/mm, and the zero‐frequency DQE increased from 0.71 to 0.77. The MTF and ASF were otherwise found to be on par for the two systems. The new system has reduced in‐slice variation of the tomographic angle.

Conclusions

The new geometry is less curved, which reduces in‐slice tomographic‐angle variation, and increases the maximum compression height, making the system accessible for a larger population. The improvements in MTF and DQE were attributed to the updated calibration procedures. We conclude that the second‐generation system maintains the key features of the photon‐counting system while maintaining or improving image quality and improving the maximum compression height.
Effect of unmodified kraft lignin concentration on the emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerization of styrene with n‐butyl acrylate and methacrylic acid to produce polymer hybrid latex
Authors: Messmer Nigel Roderick , Guerrini Lilia Müller , Oliveira Maurício Pinheiro
Published: December 2017

The introduction of non‐modified kraft LignoBoost® lignin (KL) to produce polymer hybrid latex has received much attention in recent years because it is derived from renewable resources. The focus of this work is to develop a polymer hybrid latex by emulsion and miniemulsion copolymerization of styrene with n‐butyl acrylate and methacrylic acid in the presence of different concentrations of KL furnished by the pulp and paper industry. The study intends to substitute a styrene in the system to understand the effect of non‐modified KL on the properties not only of the latexes, but also on the copolymers themselves. Each polymerization was carried out by shot‐process of tertbutyl hydroperoxide and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate as the redox system. The polymer latexes were characterized in relation to overall conversion, particle diameter, particle morphology, coagulum formation, surface tension, zeta potential, and atomic force microscopy. The polymers were evaluated through gel permeation chromatography, water absorption, and thermal properties. The results show that the addition of non‐modified KL results in inhibition of the polymerization and that KL acts as a colloid stabilizer. Small particles were generated in the initial stages of the polymerizations. The presence of the KL altered the color of the latexes; the increase in KL concentration resulted in increase in the absorption of water of the polymer films; the increase in KL concentration resulted in decrease of the molar mass of the copolymers.
New acrylamide‐based monomer containing metal chelating units: Homopolymer grafted magnetite nanoparticles via ATRP for the magnetic removal of Co(II) ions
Authors: Mirzaeinejad Masoumeh , Mansoori Yagoub , Koohi‐Zargar Behzad
Published: December 2017

In this research, we synthesized and characterized a new acrylamide‐based monomer containing pyridine and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole moieties, N‐(4‐(5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl)phenyl)acrylamide (POPA). Poly(POPA)‐grafted magnetite nanoparticles were then obtained via surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. The grafted nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analysis, scanning electron microscopy, wide angle X‐ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The amount of the grafted polymer was 126 mg/g, as calculated from thermo gravimetric analysis experiment. The capability of poly(POPA)‐g‐magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) to remove Co(II) cations, under optimal time period, pH and adsorbent mass, was shown by atomic absorption. The adsorption kinetics obeyed the pseudo–second‐order kinetic equation, and the adsorption isotherm was best described by the Freundlich model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 59.90 mg/g. In addition, the poly(POPA)‐g‐MNPs were regenerated by simply washing with an aqueous 0.1M HCl solution, and no considerable decrease was observed in the extraction efficiency following the test of up to 7 cycles. These findings suggest that poly(POPA)‐g‐MNPs are stable and reusable adsorbent, and they could be potentially applied to water treatments for an efficient removal of Co(II) cations.
Maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels during pregnancy and childhood lung function and asthma. The Generation R Study
Authors: Pereira de Jesus Sabrina M. C. B. , den Dekker Herman T. , de Jongste Johan C. , Reiss Irwin K. , Steegers Eric A. , Jaddoe Vincent W. V. , Duijts Liesbeth
Published: December 2017

Objective

To examine the associations of maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels during pregnancy with childhood lung function and asthma, and whether adverse pregnancy outcomes and atopic predisposition modify the associations.

Methods

In a population‐based prospective cohort study among 3672 subjects, we measured maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in early pregnancy, and lung function by spirometry and current asthma by questionnaire at age 10 years.

Results

Higher maternal hematocrit levels, both continuously and categorized into clinical cut‐offs, were associated with lower forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75) in children (Z‐score (95%CI): −0.04 (−0.07, −0.01), per increase of 1 SDS in hematocrit level; Z‐score (95%CI) difference: −0.11 (−0.20, −0.03) compared with normal hematocrit levels, respectively), taking lifestyle and socio‐economic factors into account. Adverse pregnancy outcomes and atopic predisposition did not modify the results. No associations of maternal hemoglobin and hematocrit with current asthma were observed.

Conclusion

Higher maternal hematocrit levels during pregnancy are associated with lower childhood lung function but not with risk of asthma. Adverse pregnancy outcomes and atopic predisposition do not modify these associations. Underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
Synergistic Lysosomal Activatable Polymeric Nanoprobe Encapsulating pH Sensitive Imidazole Derivative for Tumor Diagnosis
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Chen Ziwen , Hu Benhui , Cai Pingqiang , Wang Sa , Xiao Shuzhang , Wu Yun‐Long , Chen Xiaodong
Published: December 2017

Developing optical tumor imaging probes with minimal background noise is very important for its early detection of small lesions and accurate diagnosis of cancer. To overcome the bottleneck of low signal to noise ratio and sensitivity, it needs further improvement in fluorescent probe design and understanding of tumor development process. Recent reports reveal that lysosome's acidity in cancer cells can be below 4.5 with high Na+/H+ exchange activity, which makes it an ideal target intracellular organelle for cancer diagnosis based on the variation of pH. Herein, a boron 2‐(2′‐pyridyl) imidazole complex derivative (BOPIM‐N) is developed, with the ability to show a pH‐activatable “OFF–ON” fluorescent switch by inhibiting twisted intramolecular charge transfer upon protonation at pH 3.8–4.5, which is studied for its selective viable cancer cell imaging ability in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Interestingly, BOPIM‐N can specifically emit green fluorescence in lysosomes of cancer cells, indicating its promising cancer cell specific imaging ability. More importantly, nanoformulated BOPIM‐N probes can be specifically light‐ON in tumor bearing site of nude mice with resolution up to cellular level, indicating its potential application in tumor diagnosis and precision medicine.
3D‐Printing of Functional Biomedical Microdevices via Light‐ and Extrusion‐Based Approaches
Authors: Hwang Henry H. , Zhu Wei , Victorine Grace , Lawrence Natalie , Chen Shaochen
Published: December 2017

3D‐printing is a powerful additive manufacturing tool, one that enables fabrication of biomedical devices and systems that would otherwise be challenging to create with more traditional methods such as machining or molding. Many different classes of 3D‐printing technologies exist, most notably extrusion‐based and light‐based 3D‐printers, which are popular in consumer markets, with advantages and limitations for each modality. The focus here is primarily on showcasing the ability of these 3D‐printing platforms to create different types of functional biomedical microdevices—their advantages and limitations are covered with respect to other classes of 3D‐printing, as well as the past, recent, and future efforts to advance the functional microdevice domain. In particular, the fabrication of micromachines/robotics, drug‐delivery devices, biosensors, and microfluidics is addressed. The current challenges associated with 3D‐printing of functional microdevices are also addressed, as well as future directions to improve both the printing techniques and the performance of the printed products.
Structural behavior of cast‐in C‐channel anchors in precast concrete under uniaxial tension
Authors: AbouHamdah Islam S. , Al‐Osta Mohammed A. , Baluch Mohammed H. , Rahman Muhammad K. , Ibrahim Ahmed
Published: December 2017

The cast‐in C‐channel is a small anchoring steel piece used to post‐connect different types of elements in precast concrete members. The objective of this study was to investigate the ultimate capacity of cast‐in C‐channels under uniaxial tension and to compare its ultimate load capacity and failure modes with a three‐dimensional finite element (FE) simulation, and to develop a mechanistic solution for cast‐in C‐channels. Five samples were cast and tested in varying configurations to induce the different failure modes of the channels, focusing on the influence of the confinement of the host concrete as well as the effect of the studs. The results showed that flexure of the channel governed the capacity in both the experimental work as well as in FE. In addition, the results of having local lip yielding as another dominant failure mechanism were similar to that observed in the experimental work and the finite element method (FEM). The FEM predicted not only the failure modes as addressed in mechanistic formulations but also captured the diagonal cracking in the host concrete and relative slip of the embedded channel, both phenomena observed in the experimental work but not accounted explicitly in the current design formulations.
Magnetic disturbance field compensation of a geomagnetic vector measuring instrument
Authors: Liu Zhongyan , Zhang Qi , Pan Mengchun , Guan Feng , Wan Chengbiao , Wu Fenghe
Published: December 2017

Magnetic disturbance field from ferromagnetic structural parts is a dominant factor that influences the accuracy of a geomagnetic vector measuring instrument. In this paper, a new vector compensation method for a three‐axis magnetometer is proposed. In the first step, combined with posture information from inertial sensors, the dataset of the three‐axis magnetometer outputs in different postures is utilized to construct linear equations of the error parameters; then the soft‐iron parameters are determined with singular value decomposition. In the second step, the hard‐iron parameters are estimated by changing the fixing direction of the three‐axis magnetometer. Simulations and experiments are performed to assess the performance of the proposed method. The results show that the error parameters can be accurately estimated, and the measurement errors of geomagnetic field vectors and magnitude are suppressed greatly. After compensation, the standard deviations of the errors of the magnetic vector components decrease from hundreds of nT to tens of nT. The main advantages of this proposed method are as follows: (i) it can compensate not only the scalar error but also the vector error, and (ii) it compensates the errors of vectors and magnitude with higher accuracy. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Intergenerational transmission of violence and resilience in conflict-affected Burundi: a qualitative study of why some children thrive despite duress
Authors: Berckmoes L. H. , de Jong J. T. V. M. , Reis R.
Published: December 2017

Background

Research suggests that in environments where community conflict and violence are chronic or cyclical, caregiving can impact how children may begin to reproduce violence throughout the various stages of their lives. The aim of this study is to understand how caregiving affects processes of reproducing violence and resilience among children in conflict-affected Burundi.

Methods

We combined a socio-ecological model of child development with a child-actor perspective. We operationalized the core concepts ‘vulnerable household’, ‘resilience’, and ‘caregiving’ iteratively in culturally relevant ways, and put children's experiences at the center of the inquiry. We carried out a comparative case study among 74 purposively sampled vulnerable households in sixcollinesin threecommunesin three provinces in the interior of Burundi. Burundian field researchers conducted three consecutive interviews; with the head of the household, the main caregiver, and a child.

Results

Our findings reveal a strong congruence between positive caregiving and resilience among children. Negative caregiving was related to negative social behavior among children. Other resources for resilience appeared to be limited. The overall level of household conditions and embedment in communities attested to a generalized fragile ecological environment.

Conclusions

In conflict-affected socio-ecological environments, caregiving can impact children's functioning and their role in reproducing violence. Interventions that support caregivers in positive caregiving are promising for breaking cyclical violence.
Three-dimensional Rayleigh–Taylor instability under a unidirectional curved substrate
Authors: Balestra Gioele , Kofman Nicolas , Brun P.-T. , Scheid Benoit , Gallaire François
Published: December 2017

We investigate the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a thin liquid film coated on the inside of a cylinder whose axis is orthogonal to gravity. We are interested in the effects of geometry on the instability, and contrast our results with the classical case of a thin film coated under a flat substrate. In our problem, gravity is the destabilizing force at the origin of the instability, but also yields the progressive drainage and stretching of the coating along the cylinder’s wall. We find that this flow stabilizes the film, which is asymptotically stable to infinitesimal perturbations. However, the short-time algebraic growth that these perturbations can achieve promotes the formation of different patterns, whose nature depends on the Bond number that prescribes the relative magnitude of gravity and capillary forces. Our experiments indicate that a transverse instability arises and persists over time for moderate Bond numbers. The liquid accumulates in equally spaced rivulets whose dominant wavelength corresponds to the most amplified mode of the classical Rayleigh–Taylor instability. The formation of rivulets allows for a faster drainage of the liquid from top to bottom when compared to a uniform drainage. For higher Bond numbers, a two-dimensional stretched lattice of droplets is found to form on the top part of the cylinder. Rivulets and the lattice of droplets are inherently three-dimensional phenomena and therefore require a careful three-dimensional analysis. We found that the transition between the two types of pattern may be rationalized by a linear optimal transient growth analysis and nonlinear numerical simulations.
Ethnic Diversity, Segregation and Ethnocentric Trust in Africa
Authors: Robinson Amanda Lea
Published: December 2017

Ethnic diversity is generally associated with less social capital and lower levels of trust. However, most empirical evidence for this relationship is focused ongeneralized trust, rather than more theoretically appropriate measures ofgroup-based trust. This article evaluates the relationship between ethnic diversity – at the national, regional and local levels – and the degree to which coethnics are trusted more than non-coethnics, a value referred to here as the ‘coethnic trust premium’. Using public opinion data from sixteen African countries, this study finds that citizens of ethnically diverse states express, on average, more ethnocentric trust. However, within countries, regional ethnic diversity is associated with less ethnocentric trust. This same negative pattern between diversity and ethnocentric trust appears across districts and enumeration areas within Malawi. The article then shows, consistent with these patterns, that diversity is only detrimental to intergroup trust at the national level when ethnic groups are spatially segregated. These results highlight the importance of the spatial distribution of ethnic groups on intergroup relations, and question the utility of micro-level studies of interethnic interactions for understanding macro-level group dynamics.
SAVING FAITH: STOCKHAUSEN AND SPIRITUALITY
Authors: Maconie Robin
Published: December 2017

Invited in 2011 by Robert Sholl and Sander van Maas to contribute to a proposed symposium on the spiritual in late twentieth-century music, I accepted, not because I agreed with the project and its aims, but to defend Stockhausen's character and reputation from convenient misrepresentation. Sin and virtue, spirituality and the spiritual life ask to be addressed in terms of actual works and personal witness – in my own case, not least given the composer's complaint late in life: ‘You have to watch out for Maconie's nihilism’. The test of spirituality inevitably entails scrutinizing the motives of former Stockhausen disciples who changed their minds, among them two English composers of my own generation, Jonathan Harvey and John Tavener, who have since passed away. In 2014 the opening sentence of the present paper provided theologian and Stockhausen-forum editor Thomas Ulrich with an amusing starting-point (‘Suffering? How very Protestant!’) for just the second of a trickle of online discussions of largely pathetic inconsequence.
Apartment House: Wolff, Cage, ‘Performing Indeterminacy’, University of Leeds, 1 July 2017
Authors: Thurley Oliver
Published: December 2017

At the beginning of July, the University of Leeds played host to the ‘Performing Indeterminacy’ conference: a series of talks, panels and concerts that are part of a research project on John Cage's Concert for Piano and Orchestra (1957–58), led by Philip Thomas and Martin Iddon. In the middle of all this, Apartment House presented what many consider the pinnacle of Cage's indeterminate work alongside a new commission from Christian Wolff, the last surviving member of the New York School composers. Resistance (2016–17), Wolff's new work ‘for 10 or more players and a pianist’, was written in response to Cage's Concert, sharing elements of its instrumentation and schema. In Leeds’ Clothworkers Hall, Apartment House – led by Anton Lukoszevieze – premiered the new piece alongside its progenitor, composed some 59 years apart. At the heart of both pieces in this concert is Philip Thomas at the piano. The conscientiousness and exactitude that Thomas brings to the music of both Cage and Wolff (having worked closely with the latter over the past 15 years) make him, perhaps, the ideal soloist for this programme. Quite simply, it is a line-up that could not have come about through chance procedure.
Structure elucidation of 3-[1-(6-methoxy-2-naphtyl)ethyl]-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazine, C23H18Cl2N4OS from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction
Authors: Gündoğdu Gülsüm , Aytaç Sevim Peri , Müller Melanie , Tozkoparan Birsen , Kaynak Filiz Betül
Published: December 2017

The 3-[1-(6-methoxy-2-naphtyl)ethyl]-6-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazine, C23H18Cl2N4OS compound was synthesized, as a member of the family of novel potential anticancer agents. The structure of the title compound was characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, mass spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, previously. In this study, the crystal structure of this compound has been determined from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data. The crystal structure was solved by simulated annealing and the final structure was achieved by Rietveld refinement method using soft restrains on all interatomic bond lengths and angles. This compound crystallizes in space group P21, Z = 2, with the unit-cell parameters a = 15.55645(11) Å, b = 8.61693(6) Å, c = 8.56702(6) Å, β = 104.3270(4)°, and V = 1112.68(1) Å3. In the crystal structure, strong C−H⋯π and weak intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional network. The molecules are in a head-to-head arrangement in the unit cell.
On the replicator dynamics of lexical stress: accounting for stress-pattern diversity in terms of evolutionary game theory
Authors: Baumann Andreas , Ritt Nikolaus
Published: December 2017

This paper accounts for stress-pattern diversity in languages such as English, where words that are otherwise equivalent in terms of phonotactic structure and morphosyntactic category can take both initial and final stress, as seen in ˈlentil–hoˈtel, ˈenvoy–deˈgree, ˈresearchN–reˈsearchNand ˈaccessV–acˈcessV. Addressing the problem in general and abstract terms, we identify systematic conditions under which stress-pattern diversity becomes stable. We hypothesise that words adopt stress patterns that produce, on average, the best possible phrase-level rhythm. We model this hypothesis in evolutionary game theory, predict that stress-pattern diversity among polysyllabic word forms depends on the frequency of monosyllables and demonstrate how that prediction is met both in Present-Day English and in its history.
Worcestobiidae – a new Triassic family of Mecoptera, based on species removed from the family Orthophlebiidae
Authors: Soszyńska-Maj Agnieszka , Krzemiński Wiesław , Kopeć Katarzyna , Coram Robert A.
Published: December 2017

A new family, Worcestobiidae fam. nov., is established for two Triassic fossil species of Mecoptera removed from the family Orthophlebiidae: Orthophlebia gigantea Tillyard, 1933 and O. haradai Ueda, 1991. A new genus, Worcestobia gen. nov., is erected and both species are transferred to this genus. The new taxa were established as a result of ongoing taxonomic work on Orthophlebiidae, one of the most problematic families within fossil Mecoptera, considered to be a paraphyletic group of species.
Therapie-begleitende Diagnostik bei depressiven Störungen
Authors: Stieglitz Rolf-Dieter
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Zur Diagnostik depressiver Störungen existiert eine Vielzahl von Interviews, zur Schweregradbestimmung noch mehr Ratingskalen. Beide Verfahrensgruppen finden im klinischen Alltag jedoch bereits zur Statusdiagnostik wenig Anwendung, noch weniger im Verlauf einer Therapie. Im Beitrag wird ein Überblick zu Ansätzen und Verfahren gegeben, die im Verlauf einer Therapie sinnvoll eingesetzt werden können mit dem Ziel, Informationen zur Behandlung sowie zu deren Evaluation zu erhalten.
Kurz- und langfristige Wirksamkeit von Psychotherapie bei Depression im Vergleich zu medikamentöser Therapie
Authors: Barton Barbara , Schramm Elisabeth , Voderholzer Ulrich
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die Depression ist eine der weltweit am häufigsten auftretenden psychischen Erkrankungen. Nationale und internationale Leitlinien empfehlen zur Behandlung sowohl Psycho- als auch Pharmakotherapie oder deren Kombination. Viele Studien konnten die kurzfristige Wirksamkeit dieser Therapiemethoden bestätigen. Eine weitaus geringere Anzahl an Studien hat allerdings bislang untersucht, inwiefern die Wirksamkeit der Therapie über das Absetzen der Akuttherapie, Erhaltungstherapie oder Rezidivprophylaxe hinaus erhalten bleibt. Die Mehrzahl der bisher durchgeführten Studien zur nachhaltigen Wirksamkeit der Depressionsbehandlung verfügt über einen durchschnittlichen Follow-up Zeitraum von 2 Jahren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studien deuten auf eine langfristige Überlegenheit der Psychotherapie oder der Kombinationstherapie gegenüber alleiniger Pharmakotherapie hin. Aufgrund der hohen Rezidivneigung und der Chronizität der Depression bei einem Teil der Betroffenen ist die Frage der langfristigen Wirksamkeit für eine Therapieempfehlung allerdings von höchster Relevanz. Neben ausreichenden validen Aussagen zur Nachhaltigkeit der Behandlung sind Informationen zu Absetz- und Placeboeffekten ebenfalls begrenzt. Es besteht dringender Forschungsbedarf bzgl. langfristiger Effekte antidepressiv wirkender Therapieverfahren, um adäquate Therapieempfehlungen geben zu können.
Internetbasierte Therapie in der Versorgung von Patienten mit depressiven Störungen: Ein Überblick
Authors: Backenstrass Matthias , Wolf Markus
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Internet- und mobilbasierten Interventionen wird großes Potenzial in der Behandlung von Menschen mit depressiver Symptomatik zugeschrieben. Diese Einschätzung hat sich in den letzten Jahren vor dem Hintergrund mehrerer Programmentwicklungen und einer Vielzahl von Studien zur Wirksamkeitsprüfung der zumeist auf der kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie basierten Angebote etabliert. Ziel der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit ist es, zu prüfen, inwieweit sich aus der empirischen Befundlage wissenschaftlich fundierte Empfehlungen für die Versorgungsbereiche Prävention, Primärversorgung, ambulante Psychotherapie, fachärztliche Versorgung sowie die stationäre Behandlung ableiten lassen. Hierfür werden die Ergebnisse ausgewählter Studien, die in den genannten Versorgungsbereichen angesiedelt sind und die Erhebung der Diagnose depressive Störung auf ein Expertenurteil stützen, kritisch bewertet. In der Schlussfolgerung ermöglicht die gegenwärtige Studienlage keine eindeutige Empfehlung zum Einsatz von internetbasierten Behandlungsprogrammen in den genannten Versorgungsbereichen.
Advanced Satellite Tracks Air Pollution in Extraordinary Detail
Authors: McKinnon Mika
Published: December 2017

The unparalleled resolution of the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-5P’s spectrometer will allow scientists to pinpoint pollution sources, the agency reports.