bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
pH‐sensitive pHluorins as a molecular sensor for in situ monitoring of enzyme‐catalyzed prodrug activation
Authors: Liu Hui , Cao Xiaodan , Wang Ping , Ma Xingyuan
Published: May 2016

This work examines the feasibility of using a pH‐sensitive fluorescent protein as a molecular reporter for enzyme‐catalyzed prodrug activation reaction. Specifically, a ratiometric pHluorins was examined for detection of the activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) for the activation of indole‐3‐acetic acid. The pHluorins and HRP were conjugated chemically, forming a biocatalyst with a self‐reporting function. Results showed that the characteristic fluorescence intensity ratio of the conjugate shifted from 1.47 to 1.40 corresponding to the progress of the prodrug activation reaction. The effectiveness of applying the conjugate for inhibition of the growth of Bcap‐37 cells was also demonstrated simultaneously with reaction monitoring. The results reveal a very promising approach to realizing in situ monitoring of enzyme activities based on pH shifting for enzyme‐based prodrug therapy applications.
Aptamer‐aptamer linkage based aptasensor for highly enhanced detection of small molecules
Authors: Nguyen Van‐Thuan , Lee Bang Hyun , Kim Sang Hoon , Gu Man Bock
Published: May 2016

The multi‐target colorimetric aptasensors can be easily fabricated by using two different aptamer sequences. However, there have been no research reports about improvement or enhancing of colorimetric signals based on the aggregation properties of AuNPs. Herein, we report a simple and efficient method to control and enhance the function of the multi‐target aptasensor using an aptamer‐aptamer linkage method. The aptasensor was developed for highly sensitive multiple‐target detection of small molecules. The extension of aptamer DNA sequences using this method resulted in the enhanced analytical sensitivity of this aptasensor in sensing applications for two small molecule targets. Furthermore, the mechanism of the interaction between DNA aptamer and AuNPs was studied by measuring the zeta potential to explain the enhancement of the sensitivity of this multi‐target aptasensor. The limit of detection of this multi‐target aptasensor was found to be 1 nM and 37 nM for kanamycin (KAN) and chlortetracycline (CHLOR), respectively. It is 25‐fold lower than in the previous report using an AuNP‐based sensor for defining the limit of detection (LOD) of KAN and five times lower than the LOD for CHLOR. This aptasensor has great potential in the simultaneous detection of a wide range of KAN and CHLOR concentrations.
Whose Organization Is It Anyway?
Authors: Tudway Richard
Published: May 2016

Here, Richard Tudway, author of The Looming Corporate Calamity: Restoring Corporate Legitimacy1, which provides an examination of the evolution of corporation and corporate governance norms in a range of different jurisdictions and recommendations for reform, shares his thoughts on this foundational governance question.
Relationship‐based assessments: The importance for early childhood mental health clinicians
Authors: Gallagher Jennifer
Published: May 2016

Emma is a 4‐year‐old girl who was referred for outpatient treatment by her pediatrician due to reports of Emma's disruptive behaviors both at home and at school. Upon arrival to the outpatient clinic and while awaiting her initial appointment, Emma ran around the waiting room, knocked down another child's Lego creations, and growled at the receptionist. Despite her mother's best efforts, she was unable to effectively manage Emma's behaviors. During the initial appointment, Emma had great difficulty controlling her actions and was easily distracted. Emma's mother presented as disengaged and defeated. Emma's mother provided very little information about Emma's history throughout the session. She noted that Emma's father was a “terrible man” but they were now separated, and stated she did not want to talk about it when the clinician asked for further information.
Frequency is best AUD screen for teens: NIAAA
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2016

A new study has found that primary care clinicians can screen adolescents with one question for alcohol problems: How many drinks did you have in the past year? For younger teens, the threshold is 3; for older teens, it's 12.
Efficient White‐Light Generation from Ionically Self‐Assembled Triply‐Fluorescent Organic Nanoparticles
Authors: Das Susmita , Debnath Tanay , Basu Amrita , Ghosh Deepanwita , Das Abhijit Kumar , Baker Gary A. , Patra Amitava
Published: May 2016

Low cost, simple, and environmentally friendly strategies for white‐light generation which do not require rare‐earth phosphors or other toxic or elementally scare species remain an essentially unmet challenge. Progress in the area of all‐organic approaches is highly sought, single molecular systems remaining a particular challenge. Taking inspiration from the designer nature of ionic‐liquid chemistry, we now introduce a new strategy toward white‐light emission based on the facile generation of nanoparticles comprising three different fluorophores assembled in a well‐defined stoichiometry purely through electrostatic interactions. The building blocks consist of the fluorophores aminopyrene, fluorescein, and rhodamine 6G which represent blue, green, and red‐emitting species, respectively. Spherical nanoparticles 16(±5) nm in size were prepared which display bright white‐light emission with high fluorescence quantum efficiency (26 %) and color coordinate at (0.29, 0.38) which lie in close proximity to pure white light (0.33, 0.33). It is noteworthy that this same fluorophore mixture in free solution yields only blue emission. Density functional theory calculations reveal H‐bond and ground‐state proton transfer mediated absolute non‐parallel orientation of the constituent units which result in frustrated energy transfer, giving rise to emission from the individual centers and concomitant white‐light emission.
Self‐Assembled Fibers Containing Stable Organic Radical Moieties: Alignment and Magnetic Properties in Liquid Crystals
Authors: Eimura Hiroki , Umeta Yoshikazu , Tokoro Hiroko , Yoshio Masafumi , Ohkoshi Shin‐ichi , Kato Takashi
Published: May 2016

Macroscopically oriented stable organic radicals have been obtained by using a liquid–crystalline (LC) gel composed of an l‐isoleucine‐based low molecular weight gelator containing a 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine 1‐oxyl moiety. The LC gel has allowed magnetic measurements of the oriented organic radical. The gelator has formed fibrous aggregates in liquid crystals via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The fibrous aggregates of the radical gelator are formed and oriented on cooling by applying a magnetic field to the mixture of liquid crystals and the gelator. Superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements have revealed that both oriented and nonoriented fibrous aggregates exhibited antiferromagnetic interactions, in which super‐exchange interaction constant J is estimated as −0.89 cm−1.
A 1,3‐Capped Calix[4] Conjugate Possessing an Amine Moiety as an Anion Receptor: Reversible Anion Sensing Detected by Spectroscopy and Characterization of the Supramolecular Features by Microscopy
Authors: Nehra Anita , Yarramala Deepthi S. , Rao Chebrolu Pulla
Published: May 2016

A phenylenediamine‐capped conjugate of calix[4]arene (Lamino) was synthesized by reducing its precursor, Limino, with sodium borohydride in methanol. The Lamino sample binds to anions due to the more flexible and bent conformation of the capped aminophenolic binding core, compared to the precursor Limino. The Lamino sample showed selectivity towards H2PO4− by exhibiting a ratiometric increase in emission by about 11‐fold with a detection limit of (1.2±0.2) μm ((116±20) ppb) over 15 anions studied, including other phosphates, such as P2O74−, adenosine monophosphate (AMP2−), adenosine diphosphate (ADP2−), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP2−). The Lamino sample shows an increase in the absorbance at λ=315 nm in the presence of H2PO4−, CO32−, HCO3−, CH3CO2−, and F−. The 1H NMR spectroscopic titration of Lamino with H2PO4−, F−, and CH3CO2− showed major changes in the phenylene‐capped and salicyl moieties, and thereby, confirming the aminophenolic region as the binding core. However, the binding strength of these anions followed the trend H2PO4−>F−≫CH3CO2−>HSO4−. The heat changes observed by isothermal titration calorimetry support this trend. The Lamino sample showed reversible sensing towards H2PO4− and F− in the presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+, respectively. NOESY studies of Lamino, in comparison with its anionic complexes, revealed that major conformational changes occurred in the capping region to facilitate the binding of anion. ESI‐MS and the Job's method revealed 1:1 stoichiometry between Lamino and H2PO4− or F−. In the SEM micrographs of Lamino, the spherical particles are converted into spherical aggregates and further form large agglomerates and even branched sheets in the presence of anions, depending upon their binding strength.
Pd‐NHC‐Catalyzed Alkynylation of General Aryl Sulfides with Alkynyl Grignard Reagents
Authors: Baralle Alexandre , Yorimitsu Hideki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: May 2016

Cross‐coupling reactions of unactivated aryl sulfides with alkynylmagnesium chloride have been invented to afford 1‐aryl‐1‐alkynes with the aid of a palladium/N‐heterocyclic carbene complex. This reaction has by far the widest scope of all transformations utilizing aryl sulfides and alkynes, while known cross‐coupling alkynylations of aryl‐sulfur electrophiles require activated azaaryl sulfides, thiolactams, or arenesulfonyl chlorides. The alkynylation of aryl sulfides is compatible with typical protecting functional groups. The alkynylation is applied to the synthesis of benzofuran‐based fluorescent molecules by taking advantage of characteristic organosulfur chemistry.
ChemInform Abstract: Modified Procedure for the Preparation of 5‐Nitro‐2‐furylmethylene Diacetate and Its Use in the Synthesis of Some Novel (5‐Nitro‐2‐furyl)azomethines via 5‐Nitro‐2‐furaldehyde.
Authors: VLAOVIC D. , MILIC B. LJ. , MACKENZIE K.
Published: May 2016

A series of title compounds such as (VII) or (IX) are prepared (29 examples).
ChemInform Abstract: Allylation‐Assisted Addition of Nitromethane to 2H‐1‐Benzopyran‐2‐ones Substituted in Position 3.
Authors: BOJILOVA A. , KOSTADINOVA T. , IVANOV C.
Published: May 2016

The addition of the nitro compounds (II) to benzopyran derivatives, e.g. (I), proceeds without ring opening only in the presence of All‐Br (III).
Greatly Enhanced Stability of Supported Copper Nanocatalyst with a Thin Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Overlayer for Transfer Dehydrogenation
Authors: Hu Qi , Yang Lan , Fan Guoli , Li Feng
Published: May 2016

In the present study, we report a facile synthetic approach for supported copper nanocatalysts with a thin nitrogen‐doped carbon (CN) overlayer. This Cu@CN catalyst was directly generated by a thermal decomposition of Cu‐Al layered double hydroxide (CuAl‐LDH)/melamine hybrid precursor, and employed in the liquid‐phase transfer dehydrogenation of primary aliphatic alcohols. The strategy was found to be useful for the formation of a very thin in situ formed CN overlayer of 0.5–0.7 nm in thickness on copper nanoparticles of about 8.5 nm in diameter. Compared with uncoated copper‐based catalyst derived from pristine CuAl‐LDH, as‐fabricated Cu@CN catalyst showed significantly enhanced catalytic activity, which was attributed to the surface cooperative effect among strong Lewis base sites originating from the CN layer, well‐dispersed Cu0 nanoparticles and Cu+ species, thereby greatly promoting the activation of hydroxyl group in primary aliphatic alcohols and the following abstraction and transfer of hydrogen. Most importantly, the thin CN overlayer could successfully stabilize copper nanoparticles, thus preventing the leaching and the growth of copper species over the course of the reaction. This work offers a new strategy for fabricating cost‐effective, highly efficient and extremely stable supported copper catalysts for the transfer dehydrogenation of primary aliphatic alcohols.
Use of p16 FISH for differential diagnosis of mesothelioma in smear preparations
Authors: Nabeshima Kazuki , Matsumoto Shinji , Hamasaki Makoto , Hida Tomoyuki , Kamei Toshiaki , Hiroshima Kenzo , Tsujimura Tohru , Kawahara Kunimitsu
Published: May 2016

Because most of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients first present with pleural effusion, detection of mesothelioma cells on effusion smears is critical for early diagnosis. Recently, accumulating evidence indicating that the cytological diagnosis of MPM supported by ancillary techniques is as reliable as that based on histopathology has led to new guidelines for the cytopathologic diagnosis of MPM. Based on the guidelines, a combination of cytomorphological criteria and verification by ancillary techniques is required for the cytologic diagnosis of MPM. Detection of p16 homozygous deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the most reliable ancillary technique for differentiating MPM from reactive mesothelial cells (RMC) because of its relatively high sensitivity and extremely high specificity. We showed that the p16 deletion status of MPM cells in pleural effusions reflected that of the underlying invasive MPM tissues, indicating the usefulness of p16 FISH in effusion smear cytology for MPM diagnosis. Thus, for differentiating MPM from RMC, we propose to perform p16 FISH as often as possible. A positive p16 homozygous deletion supports the diagnosis of MPM. However, a negative result does not rule out the possibility of MPM. In such cases, a morphological assessment is critical. Therefore, we analyzed the morphological characteristics of p16 deletion‐positive mesothelioma cells using a combination of virtual microscopy and p16 FISH, and identified three morphological characteristics useful for the differentiation, including cell‐in‐cell engulfment with or without hump formation, multinucleate cells, and larger berry‐like cell aggregates. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2016;44:774–780. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Amperometric Biosensor for Continuous Monitoring Irgarol 1051 in Sea Water
Authors: Salvador J.‐Pablo , Marco M.‐Pilar
Published: May 2016

Irgarol 1051 is one of the most employed antifouling agents and is one of the most commonly found in marine environment. According to its widespread use the European Comission turned its attention on this agent as one of the priority substances that has to be controlled. The aim of this article is to develop an immunosensor for the determination of Irgarol 1051 in sea water for implementation in a flow analysis system. The transducing principle employed for its development was an amperometric detection using gold screen printed electrodes which were functionalized for the covalent immobilization of the immunoreagents. The detection of Irgarol 1051 was performed using specific antibodies working under competitive indirect format. The immunosensor was demonstrated to measure directly in sea water with high detectability, accurately and robust. The system allows consecutive measurements using the same chip owing to an easy regeneration process. The limit of detection reached was 0.15±0.09 nM (0.038±0.022 µg ⋅ L−1) measured directly in sea water.
Study of the damage of reinforced concrete shear walls during the 2010 Chile earthquake
Authors: Jünemann Rosita , de la Llera Juan C. , Hube Matías A. , Vásquez Jorge A. , Chacón Matías F.
Published: May 2016

Reinforced concrete shear wall buildings have shown, in statistical terms, an adequate performance in past seismic events. However, a specific damage pattern was observed in 2010 Chile earthquake in some shear walls located in the lower building stories, usually associated with high axial stresses, lack of transverse reinforcement, and vertical irregularity. Results show that the nature of this failure led to a sudden degradation in strength and stiffness of walls and resulted in very limited ductility. This research aims to study analytically this damage pattern of shear wall buildings during the 2010 earthquake. By starting with two‐dimensional inelastic pushover finite element models using diana, two walls that were severely damaged during the earthquake were studied in detail using different load patterns and stress–strain constitutive relationships for concrete in compression. These models were validated with experimental data of four reinforced concrete walls available in the literature. It can be shown that the geometry of the damage in the building walls cannot be correctly represented by conventional pushover load patterns that ignore the lateral and axial interaction. Indeed, the failure mechanism of walls shows strong coupling between lateral and vertical deformations within the plane of the wall. Results shown for a three‐dimensional inelastic analysis of the building are consistent with these two‐dimensional results, and predict a brittle failure of the structure. However, these models predict a large increase in axial load in the walls, which needs to be validated further with more experimental and analytical studies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stabilization of sunflower oil with pussy willow (Salix aegyptiaca) extract and essential oil
Authors: Sayyari Zahra , Farahmandfar Reza
Published: May 2016

The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant efficacy of pussy willow extract (PWE) and essential oil (PWEO) in stabilization of sunflower oil (SFO) during ambient storage (60 days at 25°C). Initially, total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents were evaluated. Then, PWE, PWEO, and TBHQ were added to SFO. Peroxide value (PV), carbonyl value (CV), total polar compound (TPC), acid value (AV), and Oxidative stability index (OSI) were measured every 15 days. The results showed that PWE had higher TP and TF than PWEO (TP: 966.72 mg GAE/g and 355.8472 mg GAE/g, respectively; TF: 619.45 mg/100 g and 195.45 mg/100 g, respectively). Furthermore, according to all stabilization parameters, PWE had higher antioxidant efficacy followed by TBHQ, PWEO, and control, respectively. Therefore, PWE has antioxidant activity and it may be recommended as natural strong antioxidants to suppress lipid oxidation.
Selective visual attention to emotional words: Early parallel frontal and visual activations followed by interactive effects in visual cortex
Authors: Schindler Sebastian , Kissler Johanna
Published: May 2016

Human brains spontaneously differentiate between various emotional and neutral stimuli, including written words whose emotional quality is symbolic. In the electroencephalogram (EEG), emotional–neutral processing differences are typically reflected in the early posterior negativity (EPN, 200–300 ms) and the late positive potential (LPP, 400–700 ms). These components are also enlarged by task‐driven visual attention, supporting the assumption that emotional content naturally drives attention. Still, the spatio‐temporal dynamics of interactions between emotional stimulus content and task‐driven attention remain to be specified. Here, we examine this issue in visual word processing. Participants attended to negative, neutral, or positive nouns while high‐density EEG was recorded. Emotional content and top‐down attention both amplified the EPN component in parallel. On the LPP, by contrast, emotion and attention interacted: Explicit attention to emotional words led to a substantially larger amplitude increase than did explicit attention to neutral words. Source analysis revealed early parallel effects of emotion and attention in bilateral visual cortex and a later interaction of both in right visual cortex. Distinct effects of attention were found in inferior, middle and superior frontal, paracentral, and parietal areas, as well as in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Results specify separate and shared mechanisms of emotion and attention at distinct processing stages. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3575–3587, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The one‐dimensional Schrödinger operator on bounded time scales
Authors: Tuna Hüseyin , Özek Mehmet Afşin
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we consider the one‐dimensional Schrödinger operator on bounded time scales. We construct a space of boundary values of the minimal operator and describe all maximal dissipative, maximal accretive, self‐adjoint, and other extensions of the dissipative Schrödinger operators in terms of boundary conditions. In particular, using Lidskii's theorem, we prove a theorem on completeness of the system of root vectors of the dissipative Schrödinger operators on bounded time scales. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Control of a viscoelastic translational Euler–Bernoulli beam
Authors: Berkani Amirouche , Tatar Nasser‐eddine , Khemmoudj Ammar
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we study a cantilevered Euler–Bernoulli beam fixed to a base in a translational motion at one end and to a tip mass at its free end. The beam is subject to undesirable vibrations, and it is made of a viscoelastic material that permits a certain weak damping. By applying a control force at the base, we shall attenuate these vibrations in a fast manner. In fact, we establish the exponential stability of the system. Our method is based on the multiplier technique. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Highly efficient nonrigid motion‐corrected 3D whole‐heart coronary vessel wall imaging
Authors: Cruz Gastão , Atkinson David , Henningsson Markus , Botnar Rene M. , Prieto Claudia
Published: May 2016

Purpose

To develop a respiratory motion correction framework to accelerate free‐breathing three‐dimensional (3D) whole‐heart coronary lumen and coronary vessel wall MRI.

Methods

We developed a 3D flow‐independent approach for vessel wall imaging based on the subtraction of data with and without T2‐preparation prepulses acquired interleaved with image navigators. The proposed method corrects both datasets to the same respiratory position using beat‐to‐beat translation and bin‐to‐bin nonrigid corrections, producing coregistered, motion‐corrected coronary lumen and coronary vessel wall images. The proposed method was studied in 10 healthy subjects and was compared with beat‐to‐beat translational correction (TC) and no motion correction for the left and right coronary arteries. Additionally, the coronary lumen images were compared with a 6‐mm diaphragmatic navigator gated and tracked scan.

Results

No significant differences (P > 0.01) were found between the proposed method and the gated and tracked scan for coronary lumen, despite an average improvement in scan efficiency to 96% from 59%. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were found in right coronary artery vessel wall thickness, right coronary artery vessel wall sharpness, and vessel wall visual score between the proposed method and TC.

Conclusion

The feasibility of a highly efficient motion correction framework for simultaneous whole‐heart coronary lumen and vessel wall has been demonstrated. Magn Reson Med 77:1894–1908, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Separation of collagen‐bound and porous bone‐water longitudinal relaxation in mice using a segmented inversion recovery zero‐echo‐time sequence
Authors: Marcon Magda , Keller Daniel , Wurnig Moritz C. , Weiger Markus , Kenkel David , Eberhardt Christian , Eberli Daniel , Boss Andreas
Published: May 2016

Purpose

Cortical bone mechanical properties are related to the collagen‐bound water (CBW) and pore water (PW) components of cortical bone. The study evaluates the feasibility of zero‐echo‐time imaging in mice in vivo for longitudinal relaxation time (T1) measurements in cortical bone and separation of CBW and PW components.

Methods

Zero‐echo‐time data were acquired at 4.7 Tesla in six mice with 14 different inversion times (0–2,600 ms). Region‐of‐interest analysis was performed at level of femur diaphysis. The T1 of cortical bone and of CBW (T1cbw) and PW (T1pw) as well as the CBW fraction (cbwf) was computed using a mono‐exponential and a bi‐exponential fitting approach, respectively. The sum of the squared residuals (Res) to the fit was provided for both approaches.

Results

For the mono‐exponential model, mean T1 ± standard deviation (SD) was 1,057 ± 160 ms. The bi‐exponential approach provided a reliable separation of two different bone‐water components, with a mean T1cbw of 213 ± 95 ms, T1pw of 2,152 ± 894 ms, and cbwf of 7.4 ± 2.7 %. Lower Res was obtained with bi‐exponential approach (P < 0.001), and Res mean values ± SD were 0.016 ± 0.007 (bi‐exponential) and 0.033 ± 0.016 (mono‐exponential).

Conclusion

Zero‐echo‐time imaging allows for longitudinal relaxation measurements of cortical bone in vivo in mice models, with a reliable separation of PW and CBW components using a bi‐exponential curve fitting approach. Magn Reson Med 77:1909–1915, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Electron transport mechanism in rf‐sputtered amorphous zinc oxynitride thin films
Authors: Reinhardt Anna , Frenzel Heiko , von Wenckstern Holger , Spemann Daniel , Grundmann Marius
Published: May 2016

Abstractauthoren We discuss the carrier transport mechanism in amorphous zinc oxynitride (ZnON) thin films fabricated by means of long‐throw magnetron sputtering. ZnON films were radio‐frequency sputtered from a metallic zinc target in a reactive atmosphere consisting of , , and Ar. The electrical conductivity of the films was controlled via variation of the deposition pressure and substrate temperature. Room temperature deposition yields amorphous, n‐type semiconducting ZnON thin films with a maximum Hall mobility of and carrier concentrations of . The mobility can be further increased up to the range by moderate substrate heating or annealing up to while maintaining the amorphous phase. From temperature‐dependent Hall effect measurements, we deduced that a percolation conduction model is most likely for the electron transport in the as‐grown ZnON thin films. For annealed samples, a quasi‐metallic behavior is observed.
Approximating the Pauli Potential in Bound Coulomb Systems
Authors: Finzel Kati
Published: May 2016

It is shown that the Pauli potential in bound Coulomb systems can in good approximation be composed from the corresponding atomic fragments. This provides a simple and fast procedure how to generate the Pauli potential in bound systems, which is needed to perform an orbital‐free density functional calculation. The method is applicable to molecules and solids. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Correlated probit analysis of repeatedly measured ordinal and continuous outcomes with application to the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Grigorova D. , Gueorguieva R.
Published: May 2016

The Health and Retirement Study was designed to evaluate changes in health and labor force participation during and after the transition from working to retirement. Every 2 years, participants provided information about their self‐rated health (SRH), body mass index (BMI), smoking status, and other characteristics. Our goal was to assess the effects of smoking and gender on trajectories of change in BMI and SRH over time. Joint longitudinal analysis of outcome measures is preferable to separate analyses because it allows to account for the correlation between the measures, to test the effects of predictors while controlling type I error, and potentially to improve efficiency. However, because SRH is an ordinal measure while BMI is continuous, formulating a joint model and parameter estimation is challenging. A joint correlated probit model allowed us to seamlessly account for the correlations between the measures over time. Established estimating procedures for such models are based on quasi‐likelihood or numerical approximations that may be biased or fail to converge. Therefore, we proposed a novel expectation–maximization algorithm for parameter estimation and a Monte Carlo bootstrap approach for standard errors approximation. Expectation–maximization algorithms have been previously considered for combinations of binary and/or continuous repeated measures; however, modifications were needed to handle combinations of ordinal and continuous responses. A simulation study demonstrated that the algorithm converged and provided approximately unbiased estimates with sufficiently large sample sizes. In the Health and Retirement Study, male gender and smoking were independently associated with steeper deterioration in self‐rated health and with lower average BMI. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seven habits of highly effective doctors
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: May 2016

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Sir Clement Price Thomas medal from the Royal College of Surgeons. At the presentation ceremony, I was asked to say a few encouraging words to the many young doctors who were receiving the diplomas that mark the beginning of their careers in surgery. This in brief is what I told them.
The NHS Health Check: where are we now?
Authors: Kearney Matt , Waterall Jamie
Published: May 2016

The aim of the NHS Health Check is to improve health and wellbeing of adults aged 40–74 through earlier detection and management of individual risk factors for vascular disease and other conditions associated with them. The programme was launched in 2009 in response to the rising tide of preventable death and disability from non‐communicable disease, and is intended to reach 15 million eligible people in England every five years. The authors describe the programme and progress so far.
Emotional intelligence and medicine
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: May 2016

‘Emotional intelligence’ is currently a buzz phrase in the world of business, where it is regarded as a prerequisite for all those aspiring to a leadership role. Roger Kirby describes what it is and asks how important is it for doctors to have it?
Intraoperative Near‐infrared Imaging for Parathyroid Gland Identification by Auto‐fluorescence: A Feasibility Study
Authors: De Leeuw Frederic , Breuskin Ingrid , Abbaci Muriel , Casiraghi Odile , Mirghani Haïtham , Ben Lakhdar Aïcha , Laplace‐Builhé Corinne , Hartl Dana
Published: May 2016

Background

Parathyroid glands (PGs) can be particularly hard to distinguish from surrounding tissue and thus can be damaged or removed during thyroidectomy. Postoperative hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication after thyroidectomy. Very recently, it has been found that the parathyroid tissue shows near‐infrared (NIR) auto‐fluorescence which could be used for intraoperative detection, without any use of contrast agents. The work described here presents a histological validation ex vivo of the NIR imaging procedure and evaluates intraoperative PG detection by NIR auto‐fluorescence using for the first time to our knowledge a commercially available clinical NIR imaging device.

Methods

Ex vivo study on resected operative specimens combined with a prospective in vivo study of consecutive patients who underwent total or partial thyroid, or parathyroid surgery at a comprehensive cancer center. During surgery, any tissue suspected to be a potential PG by the surgeon was imaged with the Fluobeam 800 ® system. NIR imaging was compared to conventional histology (ex vivo) and/or visual identification by the surgeon (in vivo).

Results

We have validated NIR auto‐fluorescence with an ex vivo study including 28 specimens. Sensitivity and specificity were 94.1 and 80 %, respectively. Intraoperative NIR imaging was performed in 35 patients and 81 parathyroids were identified. In 80/81 cases, the fluorescence signal was subjectively obvious on real‐time visualization. We determined that PG fluorescence is 2.93 ± 1.59 times greater than thyroid fluorescence in vivo.

Conclusions

Real‐time NIR imaging based on parathyroid auto‐fluorescence is fast, safe, and non‐invasive and shows very encouraging results, for intraoperative parathyroid identification.
Utilization of Waste Glass Micro-particles in Producing Self-Consolidating Concrete Mixtures
Authors: Sharifi Yasser , Afshoon Iman , Firoozjaei Zeinab , Momeni Amin
Published: May 2016

The successful completion of the present research would be achieved using ground waste glass (GWG) microparticles in self-consolidating concrete (SCC). Here, the influences of GWG microparticles as cementing material on mechanical and durability response properties of SCC are investigated. The aim of this study is to investigate the hardened mechanical properties, percentage of water absorption, free drying shrinkage, unit weight and Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR) of binary blended concrete with partial replacement of cement by 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 wt% of GWG microparticles. Besides, slump flow, V-funnel, L-box, J-ring, GTM screen stability, visual stability index (VSI), setting time and air content tests were also performed as workability of fresh concrete indicators. The results show that the workability of fresh concrete was increased by increasing the content of GWG microparticles. The results showed that using GWG microparticles up to maximum replacement of 15 % produces concrete with improved hardened strengths. From the results, when the amount of GWG increased there was a gradual decrease in ASR expansion. Results showed that it is possible to successfully produce SCC with GWG as cementing material in terms of workability, durability and hardened properties.
The effect of negative experiences on delinquent behavior of youth in a social withdrawal situation
Authors: Chan Gloria Hongyee , Lo T. Wing
Published: May 2016

This study examines the relationship between negative experiences, negative emotions, and delinquent behavior among young people in a social withdrawal situation. There were 533 participants in this study and various quantitative analyses were utilized. Results showed that participants with a longer period of social withdrawal were generally less affected by negative experiences, while those with a higher level of social withdrawal were more affected by negative experiences, particularly negative relationships with other people. Also, both negative emotions and higher level of social withdrawal mediated the relationship between negative experiences and involvement in delinquent behavior, with negative emotions displaying a higher mediating effect. This reflects that the root of delinquent behavior is the negative experiences which arouse negative emotions, rather than the social withdrawal behavior itself. Results imply that practitioners should first explore the negative experiences suffered by these young people, so as to provide them the most appropriate support.
The configuration between supply chain integration and information technology competency: A resource orchestration perspective
Authors: Liu Hefu , Wei Shaobo , Ke Weiling , Wei Kwok Kee , Hua Zhongsheng
Published: May 2016

Research indicates that deploying appropriate information technology (IT) competency in a manner that fits the supply chain integration (SCI) of a firm induces superior firm performance; however, our understanding of how to empirically conceptualize and assess the performance effect of the fit remains limited. Drawing upon resource orchestration theory and the literature on fit assessment methodologies, our study employs both a contingency and a configuration perspective to conceptualize and operationalize “fit.” The results of a survey of 196 firms in China provide the first empirical evidence for the existence and nature of interrelationships between multiple components of SCI and IT competency and their effects on firm performance. In particular, fit as “moderation” approach indicates that IT competency could strengthen the relationship between SCI and both operational and financial performance. Fit as “profile deviation” approach further reveals that the more similar the IT competency configurations are to those of the top performers in the high‐level SCI group, the higher their operational and financial performance are. However, in the medium‐ and low‐level SCI groups, the SCI‐IT competency fit is significantly positively associated with financial performance and insignificantly associated with operational performance. The theoretical contributions and managerial implications of the study are discussed.
PDE5A Polymorphisms Influence on Sildenafil Treatment Success
Authors: Marchal-Escalona Cristobal , Herrera-Imbroda Bernardo , Clemente-Postigo Mercedes , Alcaide-Torres Juan , Quiñonero Antonio , Marchal Marta , Queipo-Ortuño María Isabel , Aragón Isabel María , Martín-Morales Antonio , Lara María Fernanda , Cardona Fernando
Published: May 2016

Introduction

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease are risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED). Selective inhibitors of the type 5 phosphodiesterase are the first option for treating ED. However, it is unknown why there are patients with low response to this treatment. Polymorphisms in the PDE5A gene may influence the response to PDE5 inhibitors treatment.

Aim

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationship between PDE5A polymorphisms, diabetes, and the efficacy of sildenafil treatment.

Methods

A Spanish prospective cohort of 170 Caucasian male patients diagnosed with ED and ischemic heart disease treated with angioplasty was studied.

Main outcome measures

ED was evaluated according to the 5-item version of the International Index for Erectile Function before and after treatment with sildenafil 50 mg. The gene sequence of the PDE5A gene was analyzed for the presence of rs12646525 and rs3806808 polymorphisms. Glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured in blood serum samples. The relationship between treatment response, genotype, and glycemic status was analyzed.

Results

Patients with G-allele of rs3806808 polymorphism showed a worse response to the treatment compared to TT-homozygote patients. Nondiabetic G-allele carriers showed a worse treatment response than TT-homozygotes patients. These differences were not seen in diabetic patients. There were no significant differences in treatment response according to the rs12646525 polymorphism in total population or according to the glycemic status. Logistic regression analysis showed that nondiabetic carriers of the major allele of both the rs12646525 and rs3806808 polymorphism had a significantly higher likelihood to respond to the treatment than diabetic patients carriers of the minor allele (P < .05).

Conclusion

The response to sildenafil treatment depends on polymorphisms in the PDE5A gene and the glycemic status of the patients.
Experimental research and numerical simulations of thrust vector control nozzle flow
Authors: Zivkovic S. , Milinovic M. , Gligorijevic N. , Pavic M.
Published: May 2016

Rocket motor nozzle flow geometry is considered through its influence on the thrust vector control (TVC) performances. Extensive research is conducted using theoretical and software simulations and compared with experimental results. Cold and hot flow test equipments are used. The main objective of the research is to establish the methodology of flow geometry optimisation on the TVC hardware system. Several geometry parameters are examined in detail and their effects on the system performances are presented. The discovered effects are used as guidelines in the TVC system design process. A numerical method is presented for the determination of dynamic response time upper limit for the TVC system based on the gas flow dynamics performances.
Personal music systems and hearing
Authors: Kumar U A , Deepashree S R
Published: May 2016

Objectives:

To measure the output sound pressure levels of personal music systems and evaluate their effect on hearing.

Methods:

Output sound pressure levels at preferred volume settings and listening environment were measured using a manikin. Effects of personal music system use on hearing were evaluated using pure tone audiometry (in conventional and extended high frequency ranges), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, syllable identification in noise, intensity discrimination, frequency discrimination and temporal modulation transfer function.

Results:

Results showed, alarmingly, that large proportions of young adults are using personal music systems at levels higher than the safety limits set by regulatory bodies. Individuals who listened to personal music systems at levels higher than 80 dB LAeq exhibited poorer extended high frequency thresholds, reduced transient evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes, poorer frequency discrimination, reduced modulation detection thresholds at 32 Hz modulation frequency, and reduced syllable identification in noise at −5 dB signal-to-noise ratio. Listening levels were significantly correlated with extended high frequency thresholds and transient evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that listening to music through personal music systems at higher volume levels may be hazardous to hearing.
Current status of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors: a public health concern?
Authors: VYTHILINGAM I. , WONG M. L. , WAN-YUSSOF W. S.
Published: May 2016

Plasmodium knowlesi a simian malaria parasite is currently affecting humans in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has reported the most number of cases and P. knowlesi is the predominant species occurring in humans. The vectors of P. knowlesi belong to the Leucosphyrus group of Anopheles mosquitoes. These are generally described as forest-dwelling mosquitoes. With deforestation and changes in land-use, some species have become predominant in farms and villages. However, knowledge on the distribution of these vectors in the country is sparse. From a public health point of view it is important to know the vectors, so that risk factors towards knowlesi malaria can be identified and control measures instituted where possible. Here, we review what is known about the knowlesi malaria vectors and ascertain the gaps in knowledge, so that future studies could concentrate on this paucity of data in-order to address this zoonotic problem.
First finding of Trypanosoma cruzi II in vampire bats from a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission in Northeastern Argentina
Authors: ARGIBAY HERNÁN D. , OROZCO M. MARCELA , CARDINAL M. VICTORIA , RINAS MIGUEL A. , ARNAIZ MARÍA , MENA SEGURA CARLOS , GÜRTLER RICARDO E.
Published: May 2016

Establishing the putative links between sylvatic and domestic transmission cycles of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, is of public health relevance. We conducted three surveys to assess T. cruzi infection in wild mammals from a rural and a preserved area in Misiones Province, Northeastern Argentina, which had recently been declared free of vector- and blood-borne transmission of human T. cruzi infection. A total of 200 wild mammals were examined by xenodiagnosis (XD) and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the hyper-variable region of kinetoplast DNA minicircles of T. cruzi (kDNA-PCR). The overall prevalence of T. cruzi infection was 8%. Nine (16%) of 57 Didelphis albiventris opossums and two (7%) of 29 Desmodus rotundus vampire bats were positive by both XD and kDNA-PCR. Additionally, one D. rotundus positive for T. cruzi by kDNA-PCR tested positive by satellite-DNA-PCR (SAT-DNA-PCR). The T. cruzi-infected bats were captured indoors and in the yard of a vacant dwelling. All D. albiventris were infected with TcI and both XD-positive D. rotundus by TcII. Fifty-five opossum cubs within the marsupium were negative by XD. The mean infectiousness to the vector was 62% in D. albiventris and 50% in D. rotundus. Mice experimentally infected with a parasite isolate from a vampire bat displayed lesions typically caused by T. cruzi. Our study documents the presence of the genotype TcII in a sylvatic host for the first time in Argentina, and the occurrence of two transmission cycles of T. cruzi in a district free of domestic vector-borne transmission.
Absence of haemoparasite infection in the fossorial amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni
Authors: MARTÍN JOSÉ , GARRIDO MARIO , ORTEGA JESÚS , GARCÍA-ROA ROBERTO , IBÁÑEZ ALEJANDRO , MARZAL ALFONSO
Published: May 2016

Blood parasites such as haemogregarines and haemosporidians have been identified in almost all groups of vertebrates. However, very little is known about biodiversity of these parasites and their effects on some major groups of reptiles such as amphisbaenians, a distinctive group with many morphological and ecological adaptations to fossorial life. Conditions of the fossorial environment might also affect host–parasite relationships. We investigated the presence and the potential prevalence of three genera of haemoparasitic aplicomplexan blood parasites (Hepatozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in the amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni, a fossorial worm lizard species from North West Africa. Blood parasite infection was not detected in T. wiegmanni, both in visual surveys of blood smears and using molecular methods to detect DNA of such parasites in the blood of the potential amphisbaenian hosts. We discuss how conditions of the fossorial environment might affect blood parasitaemias in amphisbaenians as well as in other fossorial reptiles.
Boarding and lodging practices in early twentieth-century Scotland
Authors: MEEK JEFF
Published: May 2016

The social and economic position of lodgers in Europe and North America has attracted considerable scholarship, yet the financial and interpersonal relationships between lodgers and boarders and their hosts in working-class homes is somewhat underdeveloped. This article examines patterns of lodging and boarding in working-class homes in Scotland between 1861 and 1911, focusing upon multiple layers of connection between paying guests and householders. This article demonstrates that connections had national and ethnic roots, and that taking in lodgers and boarders was of prime cultural and economic importance for many. The ability to offer space played a crucial role in the social and economic status of single, separated and widowed women, and this article offers an insight into the sometimes troubled relationships between landladies and their tenants.
The lodger population in the traditional world of the mid-eighteenth-century Carpathian Basin
Authors: FARAGÓ TAMÁS
Published: May 2016

This article examines households containing lodgers in the Carpathian Basin during the eighteenth century, using thestatus animarum, lists of inhabitants made by the Roman Catholic Church. The author argues that lodgers had special demographic and household characteristics. Evidence is provided to show that the majority of lodger households consisted of both families fragmented by family catastrophe and young couples at the beginning of their life-career. It is further argued that it would be worthwhile to extend the work on lodgers with comparative analyses, particularly because such work would shed light on this stratum of society, which is so often missing from micro-level demographic histories.
Normalization of Neglect: A Grounded Theory of RNs’ Experiences as Family Caregivers of Hospitalized Seniors
Authors: Taverner Tarnia , Baumbusch Jennifer , Taipale Priscilla
Published: May 2016

Souvent le personnes plus âgées, tout en maintenant un certain niveau d’indépendance, comptent sur les membres de leur famille de fournir des soins et de l’assistance. Les aidants naturels qui sont aussi des infirmières autorisées (IA) peuvent fournir une perspective différente de ce qui est vécu quand leur parent âgé est admis aux soins aigus. Le but de notre recherche était d’étudier et de développer une théorie relative à la prestation de soins infirmiers, comme décrit par les IA, qui étaient les aidants naturels pour les adultes plus âgés, lorsque cette personne âgée a été admis aux soins actifs. Pendant une période de six mois en 2011, les infirmières autorisées qui ont satisfait ce critère (n = 12) ont été interrogées individuellement. Nous avons identifié deux categories centrales: “Culture de la negligence” et “Veille par le chevet.” La catégorie de base “de la Normalisation de la Négligence» a été identifié comme la théorie, fondée sur les données que les participants ont fournies qui décrivaient une culture de la négligence qui a normalisé les soins infirmiers de qualité inférieure. Ces résultats mettent en évidence la question de la négligence et de l’abus, et une enquête plus approfondie est justifiée.