bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Avermectin Analogues from a Mutant Streptomyces avermectinius Strain
Authors: Zhang Youjun , Zhang Cheng , Wang Keke , Chen Guoliang , Sun Peng
Published: April 2017

Two new avemectin analogues 1 and 2 belonging to ‘b’ series of components were isolated from a ∆aveCDE mutant Streptomyces avermectinius strain. Their structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of NMR and MS spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 displayed moderate cytotoxicities against B16, MG‐63, and Saos‐2 cell lines in an in vitro assay.
Cytotoxic and Antimicrobial Activity of Dehydrozingerone based Cyclopropyl Derivatives
Authors: Burmudžija Adrijana Z. , Muškinja Jovana M. , Kosanić Marijana M. , Ranković Branislav R. , Novaković Slađana B. , Đorđević Snežana B. , Stanojković Tatjana P. , Baskić Dejan D. , Ratković Zoran R.
Published: April 2017

A small series of 1‐acetyl‐2‐(4‐alkoxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)cyclopropanes was prepared, starting from dehydrozingerone (4‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐buten‐2‐one) and its O‐alkyl derivatives. Their microbiological activities toward some strains of bacteria and fungi were tested, as well as their in vitro cytotoxic activity against some cancer cell lines (HeLa, LS174 and A549). All synthesized compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity and expressed cytotoxic activity against tested carcinoma cell lines, but they showed no significant influence on normal cell line (MRC5). Butyl derivative is the most active on HeLa cells (IC50 = 8.63 μm), while benzyl one is active against LS174 and A549 cell lines (IC50 = 10.17 and 12.15 μm, respectively).
Disassembling Metal Nanocrystallites into Sub‐nanometric Clusters and Low‐faceted Nanoparticles for Multisite Catalytic Reactions
Authors: Oliver‐Meseguer Judit , Dominguez Irene , Gavara Rafael , Leyva‐Pérez Antonio , Corma Avelino
Published: April 2017

Metal nanocrystallites present saturated atoms, in planes, and unsaturated metal atoms, in corners and vertices, for catalytic applications. However, both sites are spatially complementary and simultaneously excluding for a given particle, thus their number cannot be independently maximized for a catalytic process. Here, it is shown that the independent dosage of Au clusters and metallic Au nanoparticles dramatically improves the catalytic activity of Au for the Sonogashira reaction, enabling the coupling of a wide range of iodo‐, bromo‐, and activated chloro‐derivatives with aromatic and aliphatic alkynes, and outperforming ligand‐free Pd and Cu catalysts. Mechanistic studies reveal that the unsaturated atoms of the cluster activate the alkyne and that the saturated atoms of the metallic nanoparticle preferentially activate the halide, to finally perform the coupling. Thus, a precise combination of sub‐nanometric metal clusters and metal nanoparticles, together, constitute a new catalytic strategy to substitute metal nanocrystallites in reactions in which both unsaturated and saturated atoms play a key role.
Immobilization of Alcohol Dehydrogenase from E. coli onto Mesoporous Silica for Application as a Cofactor Recycling System
Authors: Dreifke Michael , Brieler Felix J. , Fröba Michael
Published: April 2017

The front cover artwork for Issue 7/2017 is provided by M. Dreifke, F. J. Brieler and M. Fröba, University of Hamburg. The image shows a single spherical cell of a mesoporous cellular siliceous foam with an immobilized alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). The ADH is able to catalyze the oxidation of 2‐propanol to acetone with concomitant reduction of NADP+ to NADPH. However, in the presence of a sufficient concentration of acetone, the back reaction accompanied by the oxidation of NADPH to NADP+ can be introduced too. See the Full Paper itself at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201601288.
Shape Change and Growth Behavior of Monosodium Urate Monohydrate in a Gout Model
Authors: Ozono Chihiro , Hirasawa Izumi , Kohori Fukashi
Published: April 2017

Deposition of needle‐shaped monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals in synovial fluid provokes the acute inflammatory response of gout. The mechanism of MSU crystallization was investigated in batch operation under the same pH and Na+ concentration of synovial fluid. It was found that stirring enhanced the aggregation of needle‐shaped MSU, and the deposition of MSU was faster and larger in amount. MSU crystals in supersaturated urate solution were detected by dynamic light scattering and UV absorption, suggesting that the urate concentration affected not the crystal growth but nucleation. Since the increase of the number of MSU crystals is assumed to cause a high risk of gout, this result supports the importance of the control of serum urate level as a treatment of gout.
Design of Dissolvable Milk Containers for Convenient Handling
Authors: Wellner Martha , Ulrich Joachim
Published: April 2017

A dissolvable capsule containing liquid milk is developed as an innovative and unique alternative to avoid plastic jars and therewith an unclean handling. This kind of sustainable product would contribute to waste reduction. As a first step, the properties of the final product are defined and set as basic claims. The second step includes the design of a process based on crystallization to form a crystalline layer encasing a certain amount of milk. Case studies of two substances are introduced. Both sucrose and erythritol were confirmed as examples for suitable substances for the encapsulation of milk: on the one hand sucrose to create products with a high level of sweetness, on the other hand erythritol to create medium sweet milk capsules. The choice of both coating substances and filling materials requires different techniques of production and, therefore, an adapted optimization process.
Chemometrics approach for optimization of simultaneous adsorption of Alizarin red S and Congo red by cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles
Authors: Zolgharnein Javad , Bagtash Maryam , Asanjarani Neda
Published: April 2017

The present study deals with the simultaneous adsorption of Alizarin Red (AR) and Congo red (CR) by cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles in a batch system. Cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles as novel and efficient adsorbent are successfully used to remove two anionic dyes from aqueous solutions simultaneously. Partial least square regression as a multivariate calibration method is developed for the simultaneous determination of AR and CR in binary solutions, to overcome the severe spectral overlap. The influence of various parameters was investigated on dye adsorption such as pH, initial concentration of dyes, and sorbent mass. A response surface methodology was achieved through performing the central composite design approach to optimize the removal percent of dyes by cobalt hydroxide nanoparticles. The proposed quadratic model resulting from the central composite design approach fitted very well with the experimental data. The optimal conditions for dye removal were pH = 5.5, sorbent dose = 43 mg, CAR (initial AR concentration) = 351 mg/L, and CCR (initial CR concentration) = 616 mg/L. Isotherm modeling and thermodynamic studies were also conducted. Furthermore, the sorbent was characterized by the Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Tiefkalte Helium‐Moleküle
Authors: Zeller Stefan , Kunitski Maksim , Voigtsberger Jörg , Jahnke Till , Dörner Reinhard
Published: April 2017

Wie alle Edelgase hat Helium eine vollständig gefüllte Valenzelektronenschale und kann entsprechend keine kovalente Bindung eingehen. Unter extrem kalten Bedingungen genügt jedoch die äußerst schwache Van‐der‐Waals‐Wechselwirkung, um mehrere Heliumatome aneinander zu binden. Einer Gruppe von Atomphysikern der Goethe‐Universität Frankfurt ist es gelungen, diese Verbindungen herzustellen und zu vermessen [1].
Niedermolekulare Glukoside als aktivierbare Aromastoffe
Authors: Fischer Thilo , Adamski Heimo , Schwab Wilfried
Published: April 2017

Aromen sind schnell verflogen, obwohl wir sie uns für viele Anwendungen jederzeit verfügbar wünschen. Das Aroma bezeichnet den spezifischen Geruch, der durch einzelne chemische Verbindungen oder Stoffgemische in Erzeugnissen wie Lebensmitteln verursacht wird. Aroma‐ und Duftstoffe beeinflussen entscheidend unsere Wahrnehmung der Umgebung, sowohl bei natürlichen Vorkommen wie in Früchten als auch in Produkten des Alltages. Gemeinsame Eigenschaften sind dabei ihre Flüchtigkeit und der oft positive Sinneseindruck. Duftstoffe, die unter anderem in Parfüms Verwendung finden, werden genutzt, um eine Vielzahl von Produkten attraktiver zu machen.
DMAP‐Catalyzed [4 + 2] Cycloaddition of α,β‐Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids with Ketones for Synthesis of α,β‐Unsaturated δ‐Lactones
Authors: Jin Jinghai , Xu Qinchang , Deng Weiping
Published: April 2017

The DMAP‐catalyzed [4 + 2] cycloaddition of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids with ketones furnishing α,β‐unsaturated δ‐lactones in good yields (up to 80%) is described, which is the first example of remote γ‐C(sp3)‐H activation of α,β‐unsaturated carboxylic acids facilitated by DMAP, a pyridine‐based catalyst. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 9,9′‐Spirobifluorenes and 4,5‐Diaza‐9,9′‐spirobifluorenes and Their Application as Affinity Materials for Quartz Crystal Microbalances
Authors: Stobe Caroline , Pyka Isabella , Linke Alexander , Müller Sarah , Schnakenburg Gregor , Waldvogel Siegfried R. , Lützen Arne
Published: April 2017

Two different classes of aza analogues of 9,9′‐spirobifluorenes have been synthesized. These were obtained by either furnishing the spirobifluorene with additional pyridyl moieties or by installing the aza function directly into the spirobifluorene core. These structurally rigid compounds were then evaluated as affinity materials for quartz crystal microbalances and proved to be highly potent for the detection of volatile organic compounds.
Vectorization and Intracellular Distribution of a Two‐Photon‐Absorbing, Near‐Infrared‐Emitting π‐Extended Boranil Dye
Authors: Frath Denis , Didier Pascal , Mély Yves , Massue Julien , Ulrich Gilles
Published: April 2017

The front cover artwork is provided by the Institut de Chimie et Procédés pour l'Energie, l'Environnement et la Santé (ICPEES) at the University of Strasbourg, France. The image shows a 3D representation of a π‐extended Boranil dye and its metaphoric vectorization in water which enables the monitoring of cellular distribution using fluorescence microscopy. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/cptc.201700012.
Production of germanium stable isotopes single crystals
Authors: Churbanov Mihail Fedorovich , Gavva Vladimir A. , Bulanov Andrey D. , Abrosimov Nikolay V. , Kozyrev Eugeniy A. , Andryushchenko Ivan A. , Lipskii Victor A. , Adamchik Sergey A. , Troshin Oleg Yu. , Lashkov Artem Yu. , Gusev Anatoly V.
Published: April 2017

It is reported on production of germanium stable isotopes 72Ge, 73Ge,74Ge,76Ge single crystals with high isotopic and chemical purity by hydride method. Separation of isotopes was carried out by centrifugal method using monogermane as the initial volatile substance. Samples of monoisotopic monogermanes 72GeH4, 73GeH4,74GeH4, 76GeH4 were purified by the method of low‐temperature rectification. Elementary polycrystalline germanium was extracted by pyrolysis from respective monogermane and purified from impurities by the method of zone melting. Single crystals of germanium isotopes were grown by Czochralski method. The content of the main isotope in the produced single crystals 72Ge, 73Ge,74Ge,76Ge was 99.98; 99.90; 99.93 and 87.5 at. %, respectively, and the content of the impurities of stable elements was less than 10−5 –10−6 mass %.
Age and years to death disparately influence reproductive allocation in a short‐lived bird
Authors: Tarwater Corey E. , Arcese Peter
Published: April 2017

Theory predicts that reproduction will change as individuals near the end of their lives by either increasing reproductive allocation (terminal allocation hypothesis) or decreasing allocation (senescence hypothesis) toward the end of life. Although senescence has received more support, few studies examine how both age and years to death influence late‐life reproduction. We used a 37‐yr study of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) to ask how age and years to death influenced reproductive allocation late in life. We observed both senescence and terminal allocation, and that age and years to death interacted to influence individual variation in allocation tactics. In particular, we observed a decline in allocation in older individuals (senescence), but only when comparing individuals with the same number of years to death. Likewise, we observed terminal allocation, but only in young females. Reproductive tactics were most variable in young females, with many exerting high effort but living 1–2 yr, and others exerting low effort annually and living longer. Our results suggest that late‐life reproductive tactics are influenced by both chronological age and years to death, and that short‐ and long‐lived females with differing reproductive tactics exist within this population of Song Sparrows.
Iron deficiency and red cell indices in patients with heart failure
Authors: Tkaczyszyn Michał , Comín‐Colet Josep , Voors Adriaan A. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Enjuanes Cristina , Moliner‐Borja Pedro , Rozentryt Piotr , Poloński Lech , Banasiak Waldemar , Ponikowski Piotr , van der Meer Peter , Jankowska Ewa A.
Published: April 2017

Aims

To investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) in heart failure (HF) patients with normal vs. abnormal red cell indices (RCI), the associations between iron parameters and RCI, and prognostic consequences of ID independently of RCI.

Methods and results

We analysed clinical data of 1821 patients with HF [mean age 66 ± 13 years; 71% men; New York Heart Association class I/II/III/IV (11%/39%/44%/6%); left ventricular ejection fraction >45%: 19%]. Iron deficiency (ferritin <100 µg/L or ferritin 100–299 µg/L with transferrin saturation <20%) was common irrespective of the presence of anaemia (haemoglobin <12 g/dL in women and <13 g/dL in men) or low RCI, from 75% in anaemic subjects with low mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration (MCHC), to 36% in non‐anaemic subjects with MCV, MCH, and MCHC above the lower limit of normal. After adjustment for clinical variables, iron parameters remained independently associated with haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, MCHC, mean reticulocyte haemoglobin content (CHR), and red cell distribution width (RDW). In multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models there was a trend towards higher mortality in patients with vs. without ID when adjusted for relevant HF prognosticators and MCH or MCHC (but not haemoglobin, CHR or RDW).

Conclusions

Patients with HF should be routinely screened for ID irrespective of the presence of anaemia or abnormal RCI. The detrimental impact of ID on long‐term survival in HF is partially independent of RCI.
Non‐invasive measurement of right atrial pressure by near‐infrared spectroscopy: preliminary experience. A report from the SICA‐HF study
Authors: Pellicori Pierpaolo , Clark Andrew L. , Kallvikbacka‐Bennett Anna , Zhang Jufen , Urbinati Alessia , Monzo Luca , Dierckx Riet , Anker Stefan D. , Cleland John G.F.
Published: April 2017

Aims

To assess the clinical value of measuring right atrial pressure (RAP) using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Methods and results

RAP was measured non‐invasively using NIRS over the external jugular vein (Venus 1000, Mespere LifeSciences, Canada) in ambulatory patients with CHF enrolled in the Studies Investigating Co‐morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA‐HF) programme. Comparing 243 patients with CHF (mean age 71 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 45%, median NT‐proBNP 788 ng/L) to 49 controls (NT‐proBNP ≤125 ng/L), RAP was 7 [interquartile range (IQR) 4–11] mmHg vs. 4 (IQR 3–8) mmHg (P < 0.001). Those with RAP ≥10 mmHg (n = 75) were older, had more severe clinical congestion and renal dysfunction, higher plasma NT‐proBNP, larger left atrial volume, higher systolic pulmonary pressure and were more often in atrial fibrillation but their LVEF was similar to patients with lower RAP. During a median follow‐up of 595 (IQR: 492–714) days, 49 patients (20%) died or were hospitalized for worsening CHF. Compared with patients with RAP ≤5 mmHg, those with RAP ≥10 mmHg had a greater risk of an event (hazard ratio 2.38, 95% confidence interval 1.19–4.75, P = 0.014). RAP measured by NIRS predicted outcome, competing with NT‐proBNP in multivariable models.

Conclusions

Measuring RAP using NIRS identifies ambulatory patients with CHF who have more severe congestion and a worse outcome. The device might be a useful objective method of monitoring RAP, especially for those inexperienced in eliciting physical signs or when measurement of natriuretic peptides is not immediately available.
Th17 and Treg lymphocytes as cellular biomarkers of disease activity in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Authors: Cosmi Lorenzo
Published: April 2017

Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) (formerly known as Wegener's granulomatosis) is a vasculitis of unknown etiology affecting predominantly small‐ to medium‐sized vessels, usually involving the upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys. Anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies are probably the initial cause of the inflammatory process that leads to the typical necrotizing lesions. In this issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Szczeklik et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2017. 47: 724–733] report some interesting findings on the possible involvement of T‐cell subsets in the pathogenesis of the disease. This prospective study, performed on a large cohort of patients, identifies Th17 lymphocytes as the possible pathogenic subset of GPA, and Treg cells as the possible suppressors of the inflammatory process. These two subsets in peripheral blood could be used as cellular biomarkers of disease activity, and this would result particularly useful in the follow‐up of patients once the immunosuppressive treatment has been initiated.
The relationship between d‐beta‐hydroxybutyrate blood concentrations and seizure control in children treated with the ketogenic diet for medically intractable epilepsy
Authors: Buchhalter Jeffrey R. , D'Alfonso Sabrina , Connolly Mary , Fung Ernest , Michoulas Aspasia , Sinasac David , Singer Rachel , Smith Jacklyn , Singh Narender , Rho Jong M.
Published: April 2017

Objective

The ketogenic diet (KD) is a proven treatment for drug‐resistant (DR) seizures in children and adolescents. However, the relationship between seizure control and the most commonly measured metabolite of the diet, the ketone body d‐beta‐hydroxybutyrate (D‐BHB), is controversial. This study was performed to clarify the relationship because specific ketone bodies may be useful as biomarkers of diet efficacy.

Methods

Families of children with DR seizures were approached for participation in this open‐label, prospective study when they were referred for the KD at two western Canadian children's hospitals. Inclusion criteria included documentation of DR seizures without exclusion based on age, sex, seizure, or syndrome type. Patients were excluded if they were referred for treatment of a metabolic disorder independent of seizures. Seizures were quantified via parental report and standardized as seizure frequency per 28 days. Epilepsy syndromes were identified on the basis of the medical record. Blood D‐BHB was determined by tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

A total of 23 patients were recruited from both sites. Data from five individuals were excluded because these seizures occurred in clusters, leaving 18 patients for the primary analysis. In the latter group, a clear positive correlation was present between measures of seizure frequency and D‐BHB concentrations. However, this failed to reach statistical significance, likely because of the relatively small numbers.

Significance

A trend clearly exists between seizure frequency and D‐BHB levels, so we should not be dissuaded by the lack of statistical significance because it possibly results from methodological techniques, especially sample size. These results call for a larger prospective study in which seizure frequency is assessed at the point of care in a standardized fashion so as to determine whether D‐BHB can be used as a reliable biomarker of KD efficacy.
Im Kampf gegen Landminen
Authors: Baer Christoph , Rolfes Ilona , Musch Thomas , Sachs Jürgen
Published: April 2017

Jahrzehntelang tobte der Guerillakrieg in Kolumbien — Tausende Sprengfallen sind sein todbringendes Überbleibsel. In einer deutsch‐kolumbianischen Kooperation wird nach neuen Möglichkeiten gesucht, die häufig improvisierten Minen aufzuspüren. Innovative Technologien können so helfen, den angelaufenen Friedensprozess voranzubringen.
Schlecht verdrahtet
Authors: Sommer Martin , Primaßin Annika
Published: April 2017

Was passiert im Kopf, wenn die Wörter stecken bleiben? Stottern kann mit hohem Leidensdruck verbunden sein. Neue Studien, gestützt auf moderne neurophysiologische und MRT‐Untersuchungen, tragen dazu bei, die Ursachen im Gehirn grundlegend zu verstehen, den Verlauf der Störung exakter vorherzusagen und die Stottertherapie zu verbessern.
Einfach gemacht!
Authors: Nassehi Armin
Published: April 2017

Xenophob, elitenkritisch, antiwissenschaftlich: Die Programme des politischen Populismus kommen Zivilisationsbrüchen gleich — das Immunsystem von Demokratie und Gesellschaft ist existenziell herausgefordert / Von rhetorischen Figuren und Logiken populistischer Bewegungen
Love Conquers all but Nicotine: Spousal Peer Effects on the Decision to Quit Smoking
Authors: Palali Ali , Van ours Jan C.
Published: April 2017

If two partners smoke, their quit behavior may be related through correlation in unobserved individual characteristics and through common shocks. However, there may also be a causal effect whereby the quit behavior of one partner is affected by the quit decision of the other partner. If so, there is a spousal peer effect on the decision to quit smoking. We use data containing retrospective information of Dutch partnered individuals about their age of onset of smoking and their age of quitting smoking. We estimate mixed proportional hazard models of starting rates and quit rates of smoking in which we allow unobserved heterogeneity to be correlated across partners. Using a timing of events approach, we determine whether the quitting‐to‐smoke decision of one partner has a causal effect on the quitting‐to‐smoke decision of the other partner. We find no evidence of substantial spousal peer effects in the decision to quit smoking. Apparently, love conquers all but nicotine addiction. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An analytical method for solving exact solutions of the convective heat transfer in fully developed laminar flow through a circular tube
Authors: Belhocine Ali , Wan Omar Wan Zaidi
Published: April 2017

This paper proposes an exact solution to the classical Graetz problem in terms of an infinite series represented by a nonlinear partial differential equation considering two space variables, two boundary conditions, and one initial condition. The mathematical derivation utilized the separation of variables method where several stages were completed to reach the solution to the Graetz problem.
Retrospective study of the influence of HPV persistence on outcomes among women with high‐risk HPV infections and negative cytology
Authors: Bogani Giorgio , Taverna Francesca , Lombardo Claudia , Borghi Chiara , Martinelli Fabio , Signorelli Mauro , Leone Roberti Maggiore Umberto , Chiappa Valentina , Scaffa Cono , Ditto Antonino , Lorusso Domenica , Raspagliesi Francesco
Published: April 2017

Objective

To evaluate the outcomes of women diagnosed with high‐risk HPV without cytology evidence of cervical dysplasia.

Methods

The present retrospective observational study enrolled consecutive women aged at least 18 years diagnosed with high‐risk HPV types with negative cytology results at the National Cancer Institute, Milan, Italy, between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2015. The development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was assessed.

Results

There were 212 patients with high‐risk HPV infections with negative cytology included in the analysis. After a mean ± SD follow‐up period of 48 ± 33 months, 65 (30.7%) and 26 (12.3%) patients had developed cytologic or histologic cervical dysplasia (low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL]/CIN1+) and high‐grade cervical dysplasia (CIN2+), respectively. No patients had invasive cancer. No correlations were observed between type‐specific HPV infections and LSIL/CIN1+ and CIN2+. HPV persistence correlated with both LSIL/CIN1+ (P<0.001) and CIN2+ (P<0.001) in univariate analyses; a 6‐month increase in HPV persistence was associated with increased risk of developing LSIL/CIN1+ (P=0.010) and CIN2+ (P=0.012) in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Regardless of cytology findings, patients diagnosed with high‐risk HPV types should receive strict colposcopy follow‐up, particularly with persistent HPV infections. Further prospective studies are needed to defined optimal surveillance strategies for these patients.
Correlations between intimate partner violence and spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and neonatal death in rural Malawi
Authors: Rao Nisha , Norris Turner Abigail , Harrington Bryna , Nampandeni Patrick , Banda Venson , Norris Alison
Published: April 2017

Objective

To characterize associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) and adverse delivery outcomes among married Malawian women.

Methods

In the present secondary analysis of an ongoing project investigating sexual and reproductive health decision making in rural, Lilongwe District, Malawi, married women who had experienced at least one pregnancy were interviewed between July 15, 2014, and February 25, 2015. Associations between physical IPV experienced with participants’ current partners and history of adverse delivery outcomes (spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and neonatal deaths) were examined using log‐binomial regression.

Results

The analyses included 792 women. The 166 (21.0%) participants who reported having experienced physical IPV with their current partner were significantly more likely to have a history of adverse delivery outcomes in the unadjusted (prevalence ratio 1.23; 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.41) and adjusted (adjusted prevalence ration 1.19; 95% CI 1.01–1.40) analyses.

Conclusion

Physical IPV was reported by a large proportion of participants in the present study and was significantly associated with adverse delivery outcomes. Public health interventions providing physical IPV screening and referral to support services could help improve maternal and child health in Malawi.
Metabolic engineering of an E. coli ndh knockout strain for PHB production from mixed glucose–xylose feedstock
Authors: Huo Guangxin , Zhu Yuhong , Liu Qiaojie , Tao Ran , Diao Na , Wang Zhiwen , Chen Tao
Published: April 2017

BACKGROUND

Poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), which is completely biodegradable, is considered a potential candidate to replace a number of petroleum‐derived polymers due to similar mechanical properties. In a previous study, inactivation of ndh gene in E. coli, which encodes the NDH‐II dehydrogenase, resulted in significantly increased PHB production from either glucose or xylose as substrate.

RESULTS

In this study, the xylose isomerase (EC:5.3.1.5), xylulokinase (EC:2.7.1.17) and the arabinose/xylose transport protein from Bacillus subtilis 168 (encoded by xylA, xylB and araE, respectively) were co‐expressed in the ndh knockout strain, E. coli LJ03(pBHR68), which harbors the PHB biosynthesis genes from Ralstonia eutropha. The resulting strain E. coli LJ03(pBHR68+pM‐ABE) was able to simultaneously utilize glucose and xylose to accumulate PHB. In flask cultivation, 3.67 g L−1 PHB was produced from a glucose–xylose mixture (10 g L−1 glucose and 5 g L−1 xylose), which was 2.09‐fold higher than the production of the control strain E. coli JM109(pBHR68+pM‐ABE). Ultimately, PHB production in fed‐batch fermentation reached a maximum titer of 21.0 g L−1, representing a 1.93‐fold increase relative to the control strain.

CONCLUSION

Results indicated that the engineered E. coli LJ03 strain is significantly more efficient than the parent strain E. coli JM109 in producing PHB from mixed glucose–xylose feedstock. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study describing the implementation of an exogenous xylose utilization pathway in E. coli for the production of PHB from mixed glucose–xylose feedstock – a model of lignocellulosic hydrolysate. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Neutral‐grounded structure for delta‐connected windings and method thereof
Authors: Chen Tsai‐Hsiang , Chen Tai‐Jou , Liao Rih‐Neng
Published: April 2017

The use of conventional grounding methods in the delta‐connected windings can lead to differences of the 3 phase‐to‐ground voltages, resulting in a number of problems. For example, when a coil of a contactor in a motor control circuit is connected to the improper phase lines of the delta‐connected windings, the coil might be broken due to effects of grounded points in the conventional grounding methods. Hence, a specific grounding method, the neutral‐grounded structure, was provided for delta‐connected secondary windings in which a grounding winding is disposed in at least 1 of the phase windings. The first end of the grounding winding is connected to a grounded point, which functions as a neutral point. The second end of the grounding winding is connected to a tap of 1 of the other 2‐phase windings. The voltage‐phase displacement between the grounding winding and the corresponding‐phase winding is 180°. According to the above‐mentioned neutral‐grounded structure, all the 3 phase‐to‐ground voltages are uniform as long as the system remains in balance. This paper presents steady‐state models and simulation results by MATLAB/Simulink to verify a neutral‐grounded structure for delta‐connected secondary windings and method thereof.
Comparative investigation of bone mineral density using CT and DEXA in a canine femoral model
Authors: Lucas Karin , Behrens Bernd‐Arno , Nolte Ingo , Galindo‐Zamora Vladimir , Betancur Stefanie , Almohallami Amer , Bouguecha Anas , Mostafa Ayman , Lerch Matthias , Stukenborg‐Colsman Christina , Wefstaedt Patrick
Published: April 2017

Bone density measurements using computed tomography (CT) instead of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) are currently of great interest in human and veterinary medical research as it would be beneficial to use CT scans obtained for other indications also for determining bone density. For Hounsfield units (HU) measured with CT in specific regions of interests (ROIs) in one or several slice/s a correlation with bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DEXA in humans and dogs of between 0.44 and 0.77 is reported in the literature. In the present study, instead certain volumes of interest (VOIs) obtained by CT scan and the corresponding HU to the respective VOIs were compared with the bone mineral density of the corresponding areas measured by DEXA. The aim of the study was to investigate whether this procedure gives more accurate information about bone density of the bones as three‐dimensional objects of the respective patient. Correlation between measured HU in the respective VOI and BMD measured with DEXA in the corresponding ROI showed a very good correlation of 0.93. Linear regression with R2 = 0.85 (p = 0.0262) was calculated. Except for VOI5, similar distribution of values and significant differences (p < 0.0001–0.0087) between ROIs/VOIs were detected. Determining HU for assessing bone mineral density in a certain volume provides more accurate results than those previously reported from two‐dimensional (2D) CT measurements. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:2667–2672, 2017.
Identification and quantitative analysis of physalin D and its metabolites in rat urine and feces by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Zheng Yunliang , Cao Cong , Lin Meihua , Zhai You , Ge Zhiwei , ShenTu Jianzhong , Wu Lihua , Hu Xingjiang
Published: April 2017

Physalin D is known to show extensive bioactivities. However, no excretion study has elucidated the excretion of physalin D and its metabolites. This study investigates the excretion of physalin D and its metabolites in rats. Metabolites in rat urine and feces were separated and identified by liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Furthermore, a validated high‐performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to quantify physalin D, physalin D glucuronide, and physalin D sulfate in rat feces and urine after the intragastric administration of physalin D. The analyte showed good linearity over a wide concentration range (r > 0.995), and the lower limit of quantification was 0.0532 μg/mL and 0.226 μg/g for urine and feces, respectively. Nine metabolites, including five phase I and four phase II metabolites, were identified and clarified after dosing in vivo. Only 4.0% of the gavaged dose, including physalin D and its phase II metabolites, was excreted in urine, whereas 10.8% was found in feces in the unchanged form. The results indicate that the extensive and rapid metabolism may be the main factors leading to the short half‐life of physalin D. These results can provide a basis for further studies on the structural modification and pharmacology of physalin D.
Density and nest survival of golden‐cheeked warblers: Spatial scale matters
Authors: Reidy Jennifer L. , Thompson Frank R. , O'Donnell Lisa
Published: April 2017

Conservation and management plans often rely on indicators such as species occupancy or density to define habitat quality, ignoring factors that influence reproductive success, and potentially limiting conservation achievements. We examined relationships between predicted density and nest survival with environmental features at multiple spatial scales for the golden‐cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) in a large preserve within an urbanizing landscape. Larger‐scale features of the forest and landscape composition best predicted density, whereas small‐scale vegetation features best predicted nest success. Predicted warbler density was more influenced by vegetation structure at the forest (100‐m) and landscape (1‐km) scales than at the plot (5–11.3‐m) scale. Predicted warbler density increased with greater woodland cover (100‐m), average canopy height (100‐m), and mixed woodland cover (1‐km). Average predicted density derived from distance sampling models fit to count data across 1,506 points surveyed during 2011–2014 was 0.21 males/ha (95% CI = 0.20–0.22). Nest survival (n = 610 nests) was strongly correlated with vegetation and terrain characteristics at the plot scale. Period nest survival decreased 28% and increased 36% and 21% across the range of slope, woody understory, and juniper basal area, respectively. Daily nest survival averaged 0.97 (0.96–0.98) but declined throughout the breeding season and varied annually (2011–2015). We recommend management for a high percentage of closed‐canopy, tall mixed juniper (Juniperus ashei)‐oak (Quercusspp.) woodland at the forest and landscape scales to support high densities of warblers. We also recommend protecting upland woodlands with a well‐developed woody understory and greater basal area of junipers because these characteristics were associated with greater nest success. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Noninvasive genetic spatial capture‐recapture for estimating deer population abundance
Authors: Brazeal Jennifer L. , Weist Terri , Sacks Benjamin N.
Published: April 2017

Informed management of wildlife populations requires the accurate estimation of abundance, sex ratio, and other population parameters. For deer (Odocoileus spp.), the use of closed‐population, capture‐recapture (CR) methods, in conjunction with noninvasive DNA sampling, has become increasingly practical, but, up to now, these methods have been used in a non‐spatial modeling framework, which has limited their utility for population‐level inferences. In particular, extrapolation of plot‐level CR abundance estimates to the population required the use of multipliers of unknown reliability and potential bias. Spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SCR) models provide an integrated framework for directly estimating density as a function of spatial and habitat variables at landscape scales. We used fecal DNA samples in conjunction with SCR to estimate density, sex ratio, and habitat correlates to density for a mule deer (O. hemionus) population across a large (∼500 km2) area in the central Sierra Nevada Range, California, USA during 2013 and 2014. We surveyed 24 random transects within 4 30‐km2 sites representative of the study area. Based on 411 samples genotyped at a sex marker and 8–10 microsatellite loci, the sex‐ratio for the study area was 62 (95% CI = 41–93) males/100 females in 2013 and 65 (95% CI = 45–94) males/100 females in 2014. Using SCR, we estimated density at 5.0 (95% CI = 2.3–7.8) deer/km2 in 2013 and 5.1 (95% CI = 3.1–7.2) deer/km2 in 2014. In comparison, non‐spatial CR analysis produced density estimates on average 60% higher, likely reflecting bias resulting from use of the commonly employed mean maximum recapture distance (MMRD) to estimate effective sampling area. The SCR models indicated that density was effectively homogeneous throughout the study area, with no strong relationship to habitat correlates. Altogether, these results demonstrate the utility of noninvasive fecal DNA methods in a SCR framework for estimation of abundance and density in deer populations at landscape scales. © 2017 The Wildlife Society
Immobilization of Enzymes on PLGA Sub‐Micrometer Particles by Crosslinked Layer‐by‐Layer Deposition
Authors: Sieber Sandro , Siegrist Stefan , Schwarz Stéphanie , Porta Fabiola , Schenk Susanne H. , Huwyler Jörg
Published: April 2017

Enzyme immobilization is of high interest for industrial applications. However, immobilization may compromise enzyme activity or stability due to the harsh conditions which have to be applied. The authors therefore present a new and improved crosslinked layer‐by‐layer (cLbL) approach. Two different model enzymes (acid phosphatase and β‐galactosidase) are immobilized under mild conditions on biocompatible, monodisperse, sub‐micrometer poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) particles. The resulting PLGA enzyme systems are characterized regarding their size, surface charge, enzyme activity, storage stability, reusability, and stability under various conditions such as changing pH and temperature. The developed and characterized cLbL protocol can be easily adapted to different enzymes. Potential future uses of the technology for biomedical applications are discussed. PLGA‐enzyme particles are therefore injected into the blood circulation of zebrafish embryos in order to demonstrate the in vivo stability and activity of the designed system.

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Thermoresponsive Polypeptoid‐Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by Surface‐Initiated Polymerization
Authors: Kurzhals Steffen , Pretzner Barbara , Reimhult Erik , Zirbs Ronald
Published: April 2017

Thermoresponsive polypeptoids are promising candidates for medical applications due to their biomimetic properties. When such polymers are grafted on magnetic nanoparticles, materials can be obtained that combine a temperature‐triggered solubility transition with magnetic extraction. The synthesis of monodisperse, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles is described with densely surface‐grafted polypeptoid shells that have tunable thermoresponsive colloidal stability. The synthesis combines ligand exchange with controlled surface‐initiated polymerization of N‐substituted N‐carboxyanhydrides for the preparation of well‐defined core–shell nanoparticles.

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Covalent Fluorination Strategies for the Surface Modification of Polydienes
Authors: De Bruycker Kevin , Delahaye Maarten , Cools Pieter , Winne Johan , Prez Filip E. Du
Published: April 2017

Nonreactive additives are widely applied to enhance polymer properties but can leach out of the material over time. In this work, two essentially different fluorinated additives bearing a triazolinedione moiety are synthesized and grafted on several polydiene backbones (acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene, styrene–butadiene, and styrene–isoprene–styrene (SIS) copolymers), either by dip‐coating or by reaction in solution. The resulting polymers are analyzed by contact angle goniometry, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR, infrared, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Independent of the modification procedure, the fluorophilic perfluoroalkyl additive is found at the material surface, thereby yielding a more hydrophobic surface. For SIS thermoplastic elastomers, for example, contact angles up to 125° can be obtained.

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Small‐Molecule Dengue Virus Co‐imprinting and Its Application as an Electrochemical Sensor
Authors: Sukjee Wannisa , Tancharoen Chompoonuch , Yenchitsomanus Pa‐thai , Gleeson M. Paul , Sangma Chak
Published: April 2017

Polymers can be synthesized to recognize small molecules. This is achieved by introducing the target molecule during monomer self‐assembly, where they can be incorporated during cross‐linking polymerization. Following additional pre‐processing, the material obtained can then be applied as a sensing layer for these molecules in many applications. The sensitivity of the polymers depends on the “active sites” imprinted on the surface. Increasing the number of active sites on the polymers surface can be achieved by using nanoparticles as a platform to support and concentrate the molecules for imprinting. In this work, we report the first use of dengue virus as a supporting nanoparticle to make for a more effective polymer composite sensor for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA), which is an environmental contaminant. The dengue virus has a nanoparticle size of around 100 nm and its surface provides regions where lipids and hydrophobic compounds can bind, making it an ideal support. The mixing of BPA with dengue prior to monomer self‐assembly led to imprinted polymer surfaces with much higher density BPA binding sites and a limit of detection of 0.1 pM. We demonstrate that a BPA–dengue co‐imprinting polymer composite sensor shows a very high sensitivity for BPA, but with lower production costs and technical requirements than other comparable methods.
Chemical Profiling Combined with “Omics” Technologies (CP‐Omics): a Strategy to Understand the Compatibility Mechanisms and Simplify Herb Formulas in Traditional Chinese Medicines
Authors: Xu Tengfei , Pi Zifeng , Liu Shu , Song Fengrui , Liu Zhiqiang
Published: April 2017

Introduction

The compatibility mechanisms of formulas in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) are indistinct. In order to better understand the compatibility mechanisms and the quality control of the formulas, it is necessary to simplify formulas in TCM research.

Objective

Developing a novel method by multi‐analysing the contents of different compounds in formula and inferred simplified formula simultaneously.

Methodology

Chemical profiling combined with “omics” technologies (CP‐omics) was employed in the present study. Wu‐tou Tang (WTT) was taken as an example to elucidate the workflow. We used high definition mass spectrometry combined with pattern recognition methods to analyse WTT and eight herb combinations derived from it. By analysing the content variation of the compounds, the inter compatibility mechanisms of WTT was explained. Cluster analysis classified the herb combinations and inferred a simplified formula.

Results

It was found that Glycyrrhiza Radix Preparata and Ephedrae Herba could reduce the contents of diester‐diterpenoid alkaloids; Ephedrae Herba could increase the contents of triterpene saponins and monoterpene glycosides in WTT. Through the overall comparison, Aconiti Radix Preparata combined with Glycyrrhiza Radix Preparata, Ephedrae Herba combined with Glycyrrhiza Radix Preparata have a similar chemical profiling with WTT. We inferred that a new simplified prescription composed of Aconiti Radix Preparata, Ephedrae Herba and Glycyrrhiza Radix Preparata should also have a good clinical effect. At last, pharmacological results confirmed that the new herb combination possesses similar anti‐inflammatory activities to WTT.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that the CP‐omics has great advantages in pharmaceutical discovery and optimising complex formulas in TCM. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐pressure phases of sulfur: Topological analysis and crystal structure prediction
Authors: Gavryushkin Pavel N. , Litasov Konstantin D. , Dobrosmislov Sergey S. , Popov Zakhar I.
Published: April 2017

We apply density functional theory (DFT) and evolutionary structure prediction algorithms to study the high‐pressure behavior of sulfur above 100 GPa. Based on DFT calculations, we determined the energetic relations between experimentally observed S‐III, S‐V, and β‐Po structures. S‐V is found to be unstable and transforms to S‐III under optimization. The second order character of transformation from S‐III to β‐Po is theoretically justified and calculations yield a pressure of about 250 GPa. β‐Po structure is not stable in trigonal symmetry below 250 GPa and spontaneously transforms into a monoclinic structure identical to S‐III. The calculations yield pressures of 333 and 460 GPa for the transitions from β‐Po to simple cubic (sc) and from simple cubic to body centered cubic (bcc) structures of sulfur, respectively.
IP‐MRSO: An iterative posterior preference articulation method to multiple response surface optimization
Authors: Lee Dong‐Hee , Jeong In‐Jun
Published: April 2017

One of the most important issues in multiple response surface optimization (MRSO) is obtaining a satisfactory “compromise” solution considering a decision maker (DM)'s preference information on the tradeoffs among multiple responses. A promising alternative to incorporate the DM's preference information into the problem is the posterior preference articulation approach, which first generates all (or most) of the nondominated solutions and then makes the DM select the best one from the set of nondominated solutions a posteriori. However, it has an inefficiency problem in that it generates an excessive number of nondominated solutions in which almost all are not used for the DM's selection. This paper proposes a new posterior method called “IP‐MRSO” to overcome the limitation of the existing posterior method. The proposed IP‐MRSO is illustrated through a well‐known MRSO case problem.
Millennials at Work
Authors: Van den Bergh Joeri , De Wulf Kristof
Published: April 2017

Four years from now, millennials (born between 1980 and 1996) will make up over a third of the global workforce. Raised in different times and different ways, millennials clearly differ from previous generations, both in their attitude and in their approach towards work.
Leading edge in recruitment
Authors: Gross Steven , Cetinelli Selin
Published: April 2017

Digital hiring now live at Unilever
Lessons after Matthew Hurricane
Authors: Casaravilla Diego
Published: April 2017

Caring about engagement
…designating a Data Protection Officer
Authors: Smouter Kim
Published: April 2017

GDPR Ready for May 2018? The first step
Is Low Turnout a Bonus for Populist Parties?
Authors: Florés Laurent , Moreau Antoine
Published: April 2017

How pollsters should use big data better and smarter
How Brands Don't Grow
Authors: Gray Kevin
Published: April 2017

Marketing scientist Kevin Gray asks Professor Byron Sharp of the Ehrenberg‐Bass Institute about key mistakes many marketers are making in two blog interviews on Research World Connect. This is part 2.
The Future of Marketing Science
Authors: Taylor Earl L.
Published: April 2017

Understanding and Engaging the “Mind of the Market”