bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIV vulnerability among adolescents attending to public schools / Vulnerabilidade ao HIV/AIDS em adolescentes da rede pública de ensino
Authors: Moreira Pauliana Alves , Reis Tahoane da Silva , Mendes Rosemar Barbosa , Menezes Andreia Freire
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: Conhecer a vulnerabilidade de adolescentes do ensino médio da rede pública sobre o risco de contrair HIV/AIDS. Métodos: Pesquisa transversal, de natureza quantitativa, constituída por 204 adolescentes na faixa etária entre 14 e 18 anos. A abordagem aos adolescentes aconteceu em sala de aula em dois momentos: no primeiro momento, os adolescentes foram orientados quanto à participação na pesquisa; no segundo houve o preenchimento de um estruturado sobre vulnerabilidade HIV/AIDS pelos adolescentes. Resultados: Os resultados identificaram que 62% dos adolescentes do gênero masculino entrevistados já haviam inciado a prática sexual enquanto que no gênero feminino foi de 38%. Observou-se uma vulnerabilidade considerável entre os adolescentes ao HIV, 67,6% estão em situação de vulnerabilidade, sendo que 82,9% destes adolescentes são do gênero masculino. Conclusão: Observa-se a necessidade de intensificar a atenção à saúde dos adolescentes nas escolas, oferecendo aos jovens informações sobre a prevenção dos agravos relativos à atividade sexual.Descritores: Adolescente, Vulnerabilidade, HIV/AIDS.
Epidemiological profile of in-house contacts of leprosy cases in a brazilian hypertendemic capital / Perfil epidemiológico dos contatos intradomiciliares de casos de hanseníase em capital hiperendêmica no Brasil
Authors: Goiabeira Yara Nayá Lopes de Andrade , Mendonça Manuelle Alves , Rolim Isaura Letícia Tavares Palmeira , De Aquino Dorlene Maria Cardoso , Dos Santos Leonardo Hunaldo , Soeiro Vanessa Moreira da Silva
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: Avaliar a situação dos contatos intradomiciliares dos casos de hanseníase notificados no ano de 2012 em São Luis - MA. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo-descritivo-transversal, com coleta de dados utilizando-se instrumento estruturado. Resultados: A maioria dos contatos intradomiciliares eram mulheres (51,87%), idade entre 0 e 20 anos (40,29%), parentesco consanguíneo de 1º grau (54,92%), forma dimorfa (59,78%) e multibacilares (75,53%). Do total, 1880 (67,96%) não realizaram o exame dermatoneurológico. Entre os examinados, houve maior frequência no distrito Bequimão (28,48%), 59,82% eram mulheres, idade entre0 a20 anos (44,77%). Ao exame, 91,27% apresentou-se normal. Dentre os suspeitos, 36,73% tinham hanseníase, 58,21% possuíam cicatriz da 1ª dose da BCG e 59,98% foram encaminhados a vacinação. A prevalência da doença entre os contatos foi de 1,62%. As ações da vigilância de contatos classificaram-se como precárias em São Luis. Conclusão: A maioria dos contatos registrados não foi examinada, evidenciando necessidade de fortificação das ações da vigilância no município.
Anxiety signs experienced by nursing undergraduates / Manifestações de ansiedade vivenciadas por estudantes de enfermagem
Authors: Pereira Fernanda Lourdes Ribeiro , Medeiros Silvana Possani , Fernandes Salgado Rúbia Gabriela , Castro Jacira Naruê Antunes de , Oliveira Adriane Maria Netto de
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: Conhecer as manifestações de ansiedade vivenciadas pelos estudantes de enfermagem em uma universidade do extremo sul do país. Método: Pesquisa qualitativa, exploratória e descritiva, com 18 acadêmicos do curso de graduação em enfermagem, sendo excluídos os que não tiveram interesse em participar. A coleta dos dados foi realizada através de uma entrevista semiestruturada. Foi utilizada a análise temática. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Área da Saúde da FURG, sob parecer 153/2013. Resultados: Após transcrição e análise das falas emergiram quatro categorias que foram discutidas separadamente. Conclusão: Propõe-se que o docente tenha uma postura motivadora, mobilizadoras do conhecimento e centradas no acadêmico a fim de refletir na assistência do futuro profissional.Descritores: Ansiedade, estudantes de enfermagem, ensino superior.
Comfort requirements of patients assisted by the urgency and emergency service: implications for the nursing profession / Necessidades de conforto de pacientes atendidos no serviço de urgência e emergência: implicações para enfermagem
Authors: Ponte Keila Maria de Azevedo , Bastos Francisco Elinaldo Santiago , Fontenele Maria Gabriela Miranda , Sousa José Garcia de , Aragão Otávia Cassimiro
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: Descrever conforto para pacientes em serviço de emergência e implicações no cuidado de enfermagem. Método: Estudo exploratório descritivo qualitativo, realizado em hospital do Norte do Ceará referência para 55 municípios, com amostra de 85 pacientes, internados de 12 a 24 horas no Serviço de Emergência, investigados através de formulário, entre novembro de 2014 a fevereiro de 2015, com dados foram tratados segundo análise temática de Minayo. CEP 793.626 e CAAE 30640114.7.0000.5053. Resultados: No aspecto físico, a dor é o principal desconforto; no contexto psicoespiritosociocultural, a espera por atendimento; nos aspectos ambientais, os leitos. Conclusão: Os profissionais da enfermagem foram citados como os que mais contribuem para amenizar o desconforto dos pacientes.
Disinfection conditions of inanimate surfaces in intensive therapy units / Condições de desinfecção de superfícies inanimadas em unidades de terapia intensiva
Authors: De Souza Mayara Esquivel , Ferreira Helder , Zilly Adriana , De Mattos Andréa Luciana Araújo , Pereira Loreni Silva Groth , Silva Rosane Meire Munhak
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: Descrever as condições de limpeza de superfícies inanimadas comuns ao toque dos pacientes e equipe de saúde após limpeza terminal em unidade de terapia intensiva. Método: Estudo prospectivo, experimental, desenvolvido entre novembro e dezembro de 2016. Foram avaliadas 44 superfícies próximas ao paciente, por meio da inspeção visual e método microbiológico. Resultados: Visualmente, todas as superfícies encontravam-se secas e limpas. Pelo método de coloração de Gram, verificaram-se microrganismos em 81,8% dos leitos. Foram encontrados microrganismos em 40,9% de superfícies, principalmente nas grades de camas. Em bombas infusoras não foram observados microrganismos. Em 38,8% das amostras encontrou-se Bacilos Gram negativos. Conclusão: Há necessidade de mudanças no comportamento da equipe de saúde, assim como, a revisão dos protocolos de desinfecção como formas de reduzir às Infecções Relacionadas à Assistência à Saúde.
Abandonment of previous treatment and case of resistant multidrug tuberculosis in a tertiary institution in the city of Rio de Janeiro / Abandono de tratamento anterior e caso de tuberculose multidroga resistente em uma instituição terciária na cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Ferreira Débora Paula , Souza Fabiana Barbosa Assumpção de , Motta Maria Catarina Salvador da
Published: July 2019

Objetivos: Descrever as características dos casos de abandono do tratamento de tuberculose em pacientes que desenvolveram TBMR. Métodos: Estudo descritivo de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido em uma instituição terciária de referência para tratamento de TBMR localizada na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Foi utilizado instrumento estruturado com informações de quarenta prontuários entre os meses de agosto a dezembro de 2016. A análise dos dados foi realizada através do software SPSS. Resultados: dos pacientes estudados, 35% abandonaram tratamento anterior de Tuberculose.Conclusão e implicação para a prática: é necessária a identificação precoce de pacientes que apresentam maior risco para abandono do tratamento, bem como a criação de um modelo de assistência voltado ao perfil dos usuários que abandonam o tratamento, com uma prática participativa, com grupos educativos que promovam ações preventivas, identificando, estudando estratégias para a superação de barreiras ligadas à realidade, de vida individual e coletiva.
Health education for pregnant women: the search for maternal empowerment over the puerperal-pregnancy cycle / Educação em saúde para gestantes: a busca pelo empoderamento materno no ciclo gravídico-puerperal
Authors: Da Silva Lima Vanessa Kelly , Silva Esteves de Hollanda Gabriela , Morais de Oliveira Bruna Monik , Gomes de Oliveira Isabelly , Vieira Freitas dos Santos Lydia , De Lima Carvalho Carolina Maria
Published: July 2019

Objetivo: DESCREVER O DESENVOLVIMENTO DE ESTRATÉGIAS EDUCATIVAS UTILIZADAS EM UM GRUPO EDUCATIVO PARA GESTANTES. Métodos: ESTUDO DE CARÁTER DESCRITIVO, DESENVOLVIDO EM ACARAPE-CE, ONDE FORAM REALIZADOS OITO ENCONTROS SEMANAIS NO PERÍODO DE JANEIRO A MARÇO DE 2015. PARTICIPARAM DE CADA REUNIÃO EM MÉDIA DEZOITO GESTANTES. EM CADA ENCONTRO, FORAM REALIZADAS DINÂMICAS DE APRESENTAÇÃO; EXPOSIÇÃO DO TEMA PROPOSTO EM FORMA DE DIÁLOGO E ATIVIDADES PARA FIXAÇÃO DO CONHECIMENTO. Resultados: AS MULHERES FORAM MUITO RECEPTIVAS DEMONSTRANDO INTERESSE E SATISFAÇÃO COM AS ATIVIDADES. ALGUMAS INFORMAÇÕES JÁ ERAM DE CONHECIMENTO DAS MULHERES E OUTRAS PRECISARAM SER MAIS DETALHADAS, NO INTUITO DE FORNECER SUBSÍDIOS PARA QUE AS MULHERES PUDESSEM SE AUTOCUIDAR E CUIDAR DE SEUS FILHOS COM MAIS PROPRIEDADE. Conclusão: A ATIVIDADE OPORTUNIZOU A REUNIÃO DE PRIMÍPARAS E MULTÍPARAS, SENDO ESTA VIVÊNCIA RECOMENDADA E CONSIDERADA MUITO APROPRIADA AO COMPARTILHAMENTO DE EXPERIÊNCIAS, AO APRENDIZADO E A PROMOÇÃO DO CUIDADO NA GESTAÇÃO E NO PUERPÉRIO.
Progesterone receptor activation regulates seizure susceptibility
Authors: Shiono Shinnosuke , Williamson John , Kapur Jaideep , Joshi Suchitra
Published: July 2019

Objective

Progesterone is a potent neuromodulator that exerts effects on the brain through neurosteroids, progesterone receptors (PRs), and other molecules. Whether PR activation regulates seizures is not known. We determined whether PR activation increased seizure susceptibility.

Methods

Adult female rats that developed epilepsy following lithium‐pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE) were used. Seizures were recorded by continuous‐video EEG and read by an individual blinded to the treatment of the animals. The animals were treated for a week with progesterone (50 mg/kg per day), and the effect of progesterone withdrawal on seizure frequency was assessed during the subsequent week. During the week of progesterone treatment, the animals were treated with PR antagonist RU‐486 (10 mg/kg per day) or a vehicle control, which was administered 30 min before progesterone. In another set of animals, we determined the effect of the PR agonist Nestorone (3 mg/kg per day) on seizure frequency. The animals were treated with Nestorone or vehicle for a week, and seizure frequencies at baseline and during the treatment week were compared.

Results

Progesterone withdrawal induced twofold increase in seizures in 57% of animals (n = 14). RU‐486 treatment in combination with progesterone, prevented this increase, and a smaller fraction of animals (17%) experienced withdrawal seizures (n = 13). The specific activation of PRs by Nestorone also increased the seizure frequency. Forty‐six percent (n = 14) of Nestorone‐treated animals experienced at least a 50% increase in seizures compared to only 9% of the vehicle‐treated animals (n = 11).

Interpretation

PR activation increased seizure frequency in epileptic animals. Thus, PRs may be novel targets for treating catamenial epilepsy.
Acoustic enhancement of sleep slow oscillations in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Papalambros Nelly A. , Weintraub Sandra , Chen Tammy , Grimaldi Daniela , Santostasi Giovanni , Paller Ken A. , Zee Phyllis C. , Malkani Roneil G.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Slow‐wave activity (SWA) during sleep is reduced in people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and is related to sleep‐dependent memory consolidation. Acoustic stimulation of slow oscillations has proven effective in enhancing SWA and memory in younger and older adults. In this study we aimed to determine whether acoustic stimulation during sleep boosts SWA and improves memory performance in people with aMCI.

Methods

Nine adults with aMCI (72 ± 8.7 years) completed one night of acoustic stimulation (stim) and one night of sham stimulation (sham) in a blinded, randomized crossover study. Acoustic stimuli were delivered phase‐locked to the upstate of the endogenous sleep slow‐waves. Participants completed a declarative recall task with 44 word‐pairs before and after sleep.

Results

During intervals of acoustic stimulation, SWA increased by >10% over sham intervals (P < 0.01), but memory recall increased in only five of the nine patients. The increase in SWA with stimulation was associated with improved morning word recall (r = 0.78, P = 0.012).

Interpretation

Acoustic stimulation delivered during slow‐wave sleep over one night was effective for enhancing SWA in individuals with aMCI. Given established relationships between SWA and memory, a larger or more prolonged enhancement may be needed to consistently improve memory in aMCI.
Strontium Niobate for Near‐Infrared Plasmonics
Authors: Dutta Aveek , Wan Dongyang , Yan Bixing , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Venkatesan Thirumalai , Boltasseva Alexandra
Published: July 2019

Plasmonics has developed greatly over the past two decades, and a plethora of plasmonic materials has been explored for practical plasmonic devices across various applications. While noble metals such as gold and silver are the most widely used plasmonic materials, other metals such as aluminum, copper, and magnesium have also been proposed as building blocks for plasmonics. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) such as aluminum‐ and gallium‐doped zinc oxide and tin‐doped indium oxide have been suggested for plasmonic applications in the near infrared (NIR) spectrum. These materials have lower carrier concentration than noble metals and therefore have lower material losses at the NIR. In this paper, strontium niobate (SNO) is showcased as an addition to the material database for plasmonics in the NIR. SNO plasmonic properties are studied through experimental demonstration of hybrid plasmon resonances in SNO films. Such resonances are characterized by electromagnetic field concentration in a low‐index dielectric, sandwiched between a high‐index dielectric resonator and a plasmonic metal. The results show that although SNO bulk film has an order of magnitude greater carrier concentration than TCOs, its losses are only a few times higher than in TCO materials thus holding a promise for plasmonic applications in the NIR.
Solution‐Processed Perovskite Microdisk for Coherent Light Emission
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Zhang Xuanjun , Li Haifeng , Liu Tanghao , Zhao Dandan , Liang Chao , Xing Guichuan , Tang Zikang
Published: July 2019

High‐quality semiconductor microdisks (MDs) are of crucial importance for realizing on‐chip coherent light sources. However, the fabrication of all‐inorganic semiconductor circular or circular‐like microdisks (CMDs) with suitable size for optoelectronic applications is still complex and expensive. Herein, a facile ligand‐free antisolvent‐assisted growth method is used to synthesize high‐quality Cs4PbBr6 MDs with tunable size and morphology, which is evolved from rhombohedral to octahedral, hexagonal‐like, and circular‐like MDs based on Cl‐containing antisolvents. Significantly, this is the first time that large semiconductor CMDs are synthesized from solution self‐assembled growth at room temperature. These Cs4PbBr6 MDs show high‐efficient and stable green emission (522 nm), which should be attributed to the first‐order excitonic emission from embedded CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs). The distribution of CsPbBr3 NCs is verified by lattice fringe, crystal data refinement, and time‐resolved photoluminescence analysis. These CsPbBr3‐in‐Cs4PbBr6 CMDs are demonstrated to hold outstanding two‐photon pumped coherent light emission ability with a remarkably low threshold (400 µJ cm−2). These findings suggest CsPbBr3‐in‐Cs4PbBr6 MDs have excellent light emission capability and stability toward practical optoelectronic applications, and their tunable morphology and size indicate that solution method is feasible for the fabrication of semiconductor CMDs.
Further Examination of Interconnection in Conjugated Polymers for Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Yang Hau‐Ren , Lai Yu‐Ying , Lee Jey‐Jau
Published: July 2019

Conventional design principles toward conjugated polymers aiming at high organic field‐effect‐transistor (OFET) mobilities are directed at the establishment of extensive edge‐on π‐order. However, emerging principles state that efficient charge transport can be established through interconnected short‐range‐order polymer crystallites. Fractional side‐chain truncation has been employed to furnish numerous polymers. The electronic structures of the polymers are insensitive to side‐chain variation, whereas the thermal and morphological properties respond to it significantly. As the butyl side chain in the polymer backbone increases in size, the π‐order of the corresponding polymer thin film decreases gradually, while the π‐interconnection is enhanced. Moreover, the π‐anisotropy is transformed from face‐on to isotropy, which can be rationalized by the geometric shape of polymer crystallite. The OFET results disclose the beneficial effect of π‐interconnection to enhance the electron mobility. The significant role of π‐interconnection in the transport is further emphasized. An electron mobility of 0.31 cm2 V−1 s−1 is accomplished, strongly suggesting that the modulation of π‐interconnection by fractional side‐chain truncation can serve as a straightforward approach to improving OFET electron mobility.
Jenseits von Ladungsausgleich: Gegenkationen in der Polyoxometallat‐Chemie
Authors: Misra Archismita , Kozma Karoly , Streb Carsten , Nyman May
Published: July 2019

Polyoxometallate (POMs) sind molekulare Metalloxidanionen, die Anwendung in Energiewandlung und ‐speicherung, biomolekularer Chemie sowie Materialdesign und ‐integration finden. Das Wechselspiel von intrinsisch anionischen POMs mit organischen oder anorganischen Gegenionen wird häufig übersehen, ist jedoch essenziell, um die Aggregation, Stabilisierung, Löslichkeit und Funktion von POMs zu verstehen. Jenseits von einfachen Alkalimetall‐ oder Ammoniumkationen können neuartige Anwendungen durch vielseitige Kationen wie Dendrimere, mehrwertige Metallkationen, Metallkomplexe, Amphiphile oder Alkaloidkationen erzielt werden. Dieser Aufsatz gibt einen Überblick über grundlegende POM‐Kation‐Wechselwirkungen in Lösung, die daraus resultierenden Festkörperstrukturen und bespricht neuartige Reaktivitäten und Eigenschaften, die aus diesen Wechselwrkungen resultieren. Wir untersuchen, wie anwendungsnahe Forschung das Kation‐kontrollierte Design neuartiger POM‐Materialien ermöglicht hat, was wiederum den Wunsch nach der Aufklärung der Grundlagen von POM‐Kation‐Wechselwirkungen angeregt hat.
Highly Enantioselective Catalytic Addition of Grignard Reagents to N‐Heterocyclic Acceptors
Authors: Guo Yafei , Harutyunyan Syuzanna R.
Published: July 2019

General methods to prepare chiral N‐heterocyclic molecular scaffolds are greatly sought after because of their significance in medicinal chemistry. Described here is the first general catalytic methodology to access a wide variety of chiral 2‐ and 4‐substituted tetrahydro‐quinolones, dihydro‐4‐pyridones, and piperidones with excellent yields and enantioselectivities, utilizing a single catalyst system.
A Threonine‐Forming Oxazetidine Amino Acid for the Chemical Synthesis of Proteins through KAHA Ligation
Authors: Baldauf Simon , Schauenburg Dominik , Bode Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2019

α‐Ketoacid‐hydroxylamine (KAHA) ligation allows the coupling of unprotected peptide segments through the chemoselective formation of an amide bond. Currently, the most widely used variant employs a 5‐membered cyclic hydroxylamine that forms a homoserine ester as the primary ligation product. In order to directly form amide‐linked threonine residues at the ligation site, we prepared a new 4‐membered cyclic hydroxylamine building block. This monomer was applied to the synthesis of wild‐type ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme UbcH5a (146 residues) and Titin protein domain TI I27 (89 residues). Both the resulting UbcH5a and the variant with two homoserine residues showed identical activity to a recombinant variant in a ubiquitination assay.
Solving Master Meter Mysteries
Authors: Cruickshank Jeff
Published: July 2019

Water audit investigators used pitot tubes to detect millions of gallons of over‐registration on one utility's master meter, explaining a large portion of its nonrevenue water.
CFD Modeling Optimizes Water Treatment Plant Performance
Authors: Wicklein Edward , Hart Vincent , Carter Elizabeth , Haight Ralph , Oligo Bobby , Watson Kirk
Published: July 2019

CFD modeling helped a colorado utility optimize the hydraulic efficiency of its water treatment plant.
Implementing Asset Management to Influence and Manage Organizational Change
Authors: Dimperio Adrianna , Ramamurthy Aditya
Published: July 2019

Successfully implementing an asset management program requires getting everyone in the organization involved from the beginning and designating program champions.
2019 State of the Water Industry: A Rising Tide?
Authors: Flancher Dawn
Published: July 2019

Compared with the challenges presented in journal awwa more than 50 years ago, what the water industry faces in 2019 is similar. But this year's state of the water industry study suggests a positive current of progress.
Removal of arsenic(III) from aqueous solution by concrete‐based adsorbents
Authors: Mondal Mrinmoyee , Manoli Kyriakos , Ray Ajay K.
Published: July 2019

The present paper investigates the adsorption of arsenic(III) (As(III)) onto 2 concrete‐based low‐cost materials, i.e., Aerocrete and Vermiculite impregnated by ferric oxyhydroxide. Adsorption experiments were performed to study the effect of initial pH, initial concentration of As(III), contact time, and ions usually present in water. No significant effect of the initial pH on the adsorption of As(III) by Aerocrete and Vermiculite was observed at the pH range of 4–8. The As(III) removal efficiency decreased at a high initial pH (i.e., 10). The Langmuir isotherm showed that the maximum As(III) adsorption capacity of Aerocrete and Vermiculite is 15.15 and 13.51 mg/g, respectively, which is higher than that observed using titanium dioxide (i.e., 3.52 mg/g), at pH 7 and 24 ±1 °C. A pseudo‐second order kinetic model fitted well the experimentally obtained kinetic data. This suggests that chemisorption most probably controls the adsorption of As(III) on Aeroctere and Vermiculite. Significantly, As(III) (1 mg/L) could be removed almost completely by both Aeroctere and Vermiculite (1 g/L) in 30 and 60 min, respectively at pH 7 and 24 ±1 °C. Importantly, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, HCO3−, SO42−, and Cl− ions had no significant effect on the adsorption of As(III) on Aeroctere and Vermiculite. The results showed that the proposed concrete‐based adsorbents have the potential to remove As(III) from water.
Drug Design – An experiment for chemistry class during preparation for the A‐levels
Authors: Hoffmann Heiko , Tausch Michael W. , Lühken Arnim
Published: July 2019

Die Entwicklung neuer Arzneistoffe ist ein mit Blick auf den Gymnasialunterricht möglicher Kontext mit hohem Lebensweltbezug. Ein Lehrexperiment, basierend auf dem käuflich erhältlichen Modell‐Zielmolekül Trypsin und mehreren Inhibitoren, ist mit in der Schule verfügbaren Methoden auf einfache und robuste Weise durchführbar. Es verdeutlicht den Kern des rationalen Wirkstoffdesigns (rational drug design), nämlich die planvolle Variation der molekularen Struktur zur Erhöhung der Bindungsaffinität an die Substituenten in der Bindetasche des Zielmoleküls, durch Erhöhung der Summe an intermolekularen Wechselwirkungen. Somit wird für Schülerinnen und Schüler nachvollziehbar, wie genau neue Arzneimittel auf molekularer Ebene erdacht bzw. erarbeitet werden.
Bone scan index can be a useful biomarker of survival outcomes in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer treated with radium‐223
Authors: Naito Miki , Ukai Rinzo , Hashimoto Kunihiro
Published: July 2019

Background

Bone metastasis of prostate cancer is associated with pain and reduced overall survival (OS). Radium‐223, which is expected to reduce bone pain and prolong OS, was recently approved in Japan.

Aim

The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the bone scan index by comparing the outcomes and factors according to response in Japanese patients treated with radium‐223.

Methods and results

Twenty patients receiving radium‐223 were divided into two groups according to whether they did or did not achieve a bone scan index decrease of at least one point (beneficial and non‐beneficial groups, respectively). The clinical characteristics at baseline and after three and six treatment cycles were compared using χ2 tests and Student's t‐tests or Mann–Whitney U tests, and survival was estimated and compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test, respectively. Fourteen (70%) and six patients (30%) were categorized into the beneficial and non‐beneficial groups, respectively. Patients in the former group were significantly more likely to have a higher Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score and receive a greater number of radium‐223 injections (P < 0.05). Furthermore, patients in the beneficial group had a significantly longer OS (P < 0.05). Regarding safety, one and three patients in the beneficial and non‐beneficial groups, respectively, prematurely discontinued radium‐223 because of an increased prostate‐specific antigen level, decreased hemoglobin level, or femoral fracture.

Conclusion

Radium‐223 appears generally safe in this population. Patients with good bone scan index response have better performance status, receive more injections of radium‐223, and achieve OS prolongation. Bone scan index is a useful biomarker of survival outcomes and can be a valuable assessment tool in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer who are treated with radium‐223.
Ultrathin Silicon Oxide Film‐Induced Enhancement of Charge Separation and Transport of Nanostructured Titanium(IV) Oxide Photoelectrode
Authors: Akita Atsunobu , Kobayashi Hisayoshi , Tada Hiroaki
Published: July 2019

The development of nanostructured semiconductor electrodes represented by a mesoporous TiO2 nanocrystalline (mp‐TiO2) film is currently bringing great progresses in photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices for solar‐to‐electricity and solar‐to‐chemical conversion. Two serious losses can occur in PEC devices: 1) recombination between the conduction band (CB) electrons and valence band (VB) holes in the bulk and at the surface and 2) back reaction or electron trapping by oxidant in the electrolyte solution during transport to the electron‐collecting electrode. Thus, the major challenge in common with the nanostructured semiconductor photoanodes is to achieve efficient charge separation and electron transport. In this study, an ultrathin SiOx layer was formed on both the external and the internal surface of mp‐TiO2 using an original chemisorption‐calcination technique employing 1,3,5,7‐tetramethyltetrasiloxane as a starting material. The SiOx surface modification of the mp‐TiO2 photoanode drastically prolongs the mean lifetime of CB‐electrons in TiO2 because of enhanced charge separation and electron transport by the negative charge applied in aqueous electrolyte solution. We have demonstrated that the performance of a one‐compartment H2O2‐photofuel cell using mp‐TiO2 as the photoanode is greatly boosted by the surface modification with the SiOx layer. We anticipate that this methodology is widely applicable to nanostructured metal oxide semiconductor electrodes, contributing to the improvement in the performance of PEC devices.
Improved model of streamer propagation in liquid dielectrics
Authors: Lehouidj B. , Hadji Y. , Sahra S. , Nacer A. , Moulai H.
Published: July 2019

Breakdown and pre‐breakdown cause extensive damage in dielectric oils used in power systems subjected to high voltages. Consequently, several research works are devoted to these phenomena. Related investigations are made very difficult by the numerous influencing parameters and the large number of characteristics of these phenomena. The main goal of the present work was to establish a new electrical model that describes the propagation of streamers in liquid dielectrics for a point‐plane configuration subjected to high‐voltage fields. The novelty consists in the presence of an inductance in the equivalent electrical circuit, which represents the dielectric during the partial discharges characterized by fast variations of current. Criticisms were first made concerning previous electrical models that show some disadvantages. The developed model consists of a series RLC circuit whose element values change during propagation. In particular, the value of the resistance decreases in anticipation of breakdown. The simulation of the developed model gave satisfactory results, similar to experimental ones. For instance, the influence of electrical and geometrical parameters on the current pulses amplitude as well as on the streamers propagation velocity and the quantity of charge and the energy injected were studied. Good agreement was also obtained between the obtained results and experimental ones, which reinforces the validity of the model.
On the resilience of P2P botnet footprints in the presence of legitimate P2P traffic
Authors: Faraji Daneshgar Fateme , Abbaspour Maghsoud
Published: July 2019

Botnet is a distributed platform for illegal activities severely threaten the security of the Internet. Fortunately, although their complicated nature, bots leave some footprints during the C&C communication that have been utilized by security researchers to design detection mechanisms. Nevertheless, botnet designers are always trying to evade detection systems by leveraging the legitimate P2P protocol as C&C channel or even mimicking legitimate peer‐to‐peer (P2P) behavior. Consequently, detecting P2P botnet in the presence of normal P2P traffic is one of the most challenging issues in network security. However, the resilience of P2P botnet detection systems in the presence of normal P2P traffic is not investigated in most proposed schemes. In this paper, we focused on the footprint as the most essential part of a detection system and presented a taxonomy of footprints utilized in behavioral P2P botnet detection systems. Then, the resilience of mentioned footprints is analyzed using three evaluation scenarios. Our experimental and analytical investigations indicated that the most P2P botnet footprints are not resilient to the presence of legitimate P2P traffic and there is a pressing need to introduce more resilient footprints.
The freshwater biome gradient framework: predicting macroscale properties based on latitude, altitude, and precipitation
Authors: Dodds Walter K. , Bruckerhoff Lindsey , Batzer Darold , Schechner Anne , Pennock Casey , Renner Elizabeth , Tromboni Flavia , Bigham Kari , Grieger Samantha
Published: July 2019

Understanding global ecological patterns and processes, from biogeochemical to biogeographical, requires broad‐scale macrosystems context for comparing and contrasting ecosystems. Climate gradients (precipitation and temperature) and other continental‐scale patterns shape freshwater environments due to their influences on terrestrial environments and their direct and indirect effects on the abiotic and biotic characteristics of lakes, streams, and wetlands. We combined literature review, analyses of open access data, and logical argument to assess abiotic and biotic characters of freshwater systems across gradients of latitude and elevation that drive precipitation, temperature, and other variability. We explored the predictive value of analyzing patterns in freshwater ecosystems at the global macrosystems scale. We found many patterns based on climate, particularly those dependent upon hydrologic characteristics and linked to characteristics of terrestrial biomes. For example, continental waters of dry areas will generally be widely dispersed and have higher probability of drying and network disconnection, greater temperatures, greater inorganic turbidity, greater salinity, and lower riparian canopy cover relative to areas with high precipitation. These factors will influence local community composition and ecosystem rates. Enough studies are now available at the continental or global scale to start to characterize patterns under a coherent conceptual framework, though considerable gaps exist in the tropics and less developed regions. We present illustrative global‐scale trends of abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic impacts in freshwater ecosystems across gradients of precipitation and temperature to further understanding of broad‐scale trends and to aid prediction in the face of global change. We view freshwater systems as occurring across arrays of multiple gradients (including latitude, altitude, and precipitation) rather than areas with specific boundaries. While terrestrial biomes capture some variability along these gradients that influence freshwaters, other features such as, slope, geology, and historical glaciation also influence freshwaters. Our conceptual framework is not so much a single hypothesis as a way to logically characterize patterns in freshwaters at scales relevant to (1) evolutionary processes that give rise to freshwater biodiversity, (2) regulatory units that influence freshwater ecosystems, and (3) the current scope of anthropogenic impacts on freshwaters and the vital ecosystem services they provide.
N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide eliminates the prognostic effect of atrial fibrillation in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Schnorbach Johannes , Fröhlich Hanna , Täger Tobias , Corletto Anna , Katus Hugo A. , Frankenstein Lutz
Published: July 2019

Aims

Co‐morbid atrial fibrillation (AF) increases both mortality and N‐terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) concentrations in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). It is unclear whether AF worsens prognosis independently from NT‐proBNP concentrations. If AF was an independent risk factor, NT‐proBNP levels for outcome prediction would need to be adjusted in patients with AF. We aimed to analyse the influence of AF on the prognostic value of NT‐proBNP in patients with CHF.

Methods and results

A total of 2541 consecutive CHF patients with sinus rhythm (SR) or AF were identified in the outpatients' CHF registry of the University of Heidelberg, Germany. Of these, 250 patients with SR were individually matched to 250 patients with AF with respect to NT‐proBNP, New York Heart Association functional class, sex, age, and aetiology of CHF. In the general sample, both AF and NT‐proBNP were associated with all‐cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.61–2.39, P < 0.001; and HR = 1.03 per 1000 ng/L increase, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.04, P < 0.001, respectively]. After matching, NT‐proBNP retained its prognostic power (HR = 1.13 per 1000 ng/L increase, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.16, P < 0.001), but AF did not (HR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.25, P = 0.56). Despite similar prognosis, matched patients with SR were in more advanced CHF than were AF patients as indicated by a lower left ventricular ejection fraction (30 ± 13% vs. 34 ± 14%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The prognostic value of NT‐proBNP in CHF is not influenced by concomitant AF. AF, in return, might be a surrogate of a worse cardiac condition rather than an independent risk factor.
A Formal Synthesis of Camptothecin via a Photocatalytic Decarboxylative Radical Addition
Authors: Liu Qian , Huang Guanxin , Liu Minjie , Chen Fener
Published: July 2019

A convergent fragment‐coupling strategy for the synthesis of camptothecin is described. The key step is a photocatalytic decarboxylative radical Michael addition that attaches the ABC rings to the E ring fragment, constructing the main structure of camptothecin in five steps. This work illustrates a new strategy for the synthesis of alkaloids of the camptothecin family.
Electrocatalytic and Biosensing Properties of Aerobic Carbon Monoxide Dehydrogenase from Hydrogenophaga Pseudoflava Immobilized on Au Electrode towards Carbon Monoxide Oxidation
Authors: Reginald Stacy Simai , Lee Yoo Seok , Lee Hyeryeong , Jang Nulee , Chang In Seop
Published: July 2019

Herein, an enzyme‐electrode based on the oxygen‐insensitive carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (CODH) containing molybdenum (Mo) and copper (Cu), flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and two different [2Fe‐2 S] clusters as cofactors from the aerobic bacterium Hydrogenophaga pseudoflava, is proposed as a platform for dissolved CO concentration monitoring. The immobilized CODHs on Au electrode retain their catalytic activity and demonstrates changes to cyclic voltammetry and amperometry signals upon interactions with various dissolved CO concentrations. Cyclic voltammetry shows that CODHs are capable of direct electron transfer without any mediator use as oxidative current which starts around −0.268 V (vs Ag/AgCl) is observed in the presence of CO. When CO‐saturated standard solution was spiked sequentially into the gas‐tight reactor, amperometry analysis shows current increased accordingly with response time within 5 s. Our study demonstrates that this enzyme‐electrode is promising to serve as platform for developing an on‐line dissolved CO concentration monitoring tool which is essential to fill in the gap for conventional technologies which are limited to off‐line measurement.
Electrochemical Sensor Based on Thioether Oligomer Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐modified Gold Electrode for Bisphenol A Detection
Authors: Aberkane Fairouz , Barakat Abdoullatif , Elaissari Abdelhamid , Zine Nadia , Bendaikha Tahar , Errachid Abdelhamid
Published: July 2019

Presently, bisphenol A (BPA) has been added to the list of substances of very high concern as endocrine disruptors. According to the literature, exposure to bisphenol A even at low doses may result in adverse health effects. In this study, electrochemical sensor of Bisphenol A based on thioether DDT‐Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) oligomer has been developed. The thioether oligomer, which is capable of recognizing BPA, was prepared and used for gold electrode modification. The characterization of the modified gold electrode and the synthesized thioether oligomer were carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) and Size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Obtained results indicate that the modified electrode shows good electrochemical activity, good sensitivity and reproducibility for BPA detection. It exhibited a good linear relationship ranging from 1 to 20 pg/mL, and the detection limit was found to be 1.9 pg/mL at S/N=3. Several interfering species such as hydroquinone, phenol and resorcinol were used and their behaviors on the modified gold electrode were investigated.
Voltammetric Label‐free Detection of DNA Hypermethylation Using Polypyrrole‐modified Microelectrode Array
Authors: Meronard Kenton , Josowicz Mira , Saheb Amir
Published: July 2019

An alternative strategy for the label‐free electrochemical detection of DNA hypermethylation using a microelectrode array as an oligodinucleotide (ODN) detector is presented. It relies on the oligonucleotide dependent electrostatic affinity interaction firstly with unmethylated ODN and then follow‐up with methylated DNA. The methylated cytosine status is quantified by monitoring the relative change in the exchange current at the ODN‐detector before and after the bisulfite treated DNA samples. This novel aproach displays unique advantages such as small working volumes of the analytes, low damage to DNA samples, easy integration of oligonucleides on the detector and signal evaluation.
Electrochemical Detection of Droplets in Microfluidic Devices: Simultaneous Determination of Velocity, Size and Content
Authors: Lombardo Teo , Lancellotti Lidia , Souprayen Christelle , Sella Catherine , Thouin Laurent
Published: July 2019

Microfluidic devices were designed to electrochemically detect in a two‐phase flow the velocity, size and content of aqueous droplets containing redox species. The principle of these determinations is based on the analysis of a unique chronoamperometric response recorded during the passage of a droplet over channel microelectrodes. Two configurations of electrochemical cell with different geometries were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Velocity and size of droplets, as well as internal recirculating convection within droplets, were evaluated from chronoamperometric curves by specific transition times depending on the cell configuration. In addition, the droplet content was probed from the Faradaic current controlled by mass transport and by internal hydrodynamic regime. For droplet velocity and size, experimental data were systematically compared to optical measurements. All the results demonstrated the high performance of the electrochemical detection reached under these conditions. They successfully validate the concept of self‐consistent electrochemical detections of aqueous droplets within microchannels for the simultaneous determination of their velocity, size and content.
Analysis of green pesticide production by valorization of husks from Croton megalocarpus tree nuts
Authors: Browning Shelby , Lawrence Tom , Joshi Chandni , Seay Jeffrey
Published: July 2019

The focus of this research is to assess the composition and the yield of wood vinegar from Croton megalocarpus husks as a function of moisture content and pyrolysis temperature as well as optimize the recovery of wood vinegar and biochar from the waste husks. C. megalocarpus is a tree found across Sub‐Saharan Africa that produces a nut twice a year that is oil dense in composition but inedible to humans. Using the process of slow pyrolysis, the wasted croton nut husks can be used to produce pyroligneous acid, commonly called wood vinegar. Response surface methodology (RSM) has been used to construct an experimental plan for the laboratory analysis. These results showed that yields are a strong function of temperature, with maximum yields occurring at 450°C. It also became apparent that increasing the starting moisture content of the husks increased both the percent yield of vinegar as well as the amount of organic material extracted from the husks. Results from production testing in Kenya were also analyzed to draw parallels between wood vinegar extraction of laboratory settings and production scale extraction in underdeveloped regions. The vinegar products from both sets of experiments were mainly composed of water, accounting for about 95% of the total vinegar composition. The rest of the composition is acetic acid, methanol, and some portion of unidentified volatile components.
Application of qualitative and quantitative uncertainty assessment tools in developing ranges of plausible toxicity values for 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin
Authors: Wikoff Daniele , Haws Laurie , Ring Caroline , Budinsky Robert
Published: July 2019

Increasing interest in characterizing risk assessment uncertainty is highlighted by recent recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. In this paper we demonstrate the utility of applying qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing uncertainty to enhance risk‐based decision‐making for 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin. The approach involved deconstructing the reference dose (RfD) via evaluation of the different assumptions, options, models and methods associated with derivation of the value, culminating in the development of a plausible range of potential values based on such areas of uncertainty. The results demonstrate that overall RfD uncertainty was high based on limitations in the process for selection (e.g., compliance with inclusion criteria related to internal validity of the co‐critical studies, consistency with other studies), external validity (e.g., generalizing findings of acute, high‐dose exposure scenarios to the general population), and selection and classification of the point of departure using data from the individual studies (e.g., lack of statistical and clinical significance). Building on sensitivity analyses conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency in 2012, the resulting estimates of RfD values that account for the uncertainties ranged from ~1.5 to 179 pg/kg/day. It is anticipated that the range of RfDs presented herein, along with the characterization of uncertainties, will improve risk assessments of dioxins and provide important information to risk managers, because reliance on a single toxicity value limits the information needed for making decisions and gives a false sense of precision and accuracy.
CDKN1B Val 109 Gly variant is not related to risk of prostate cancer
Authors: Zhu Lijie , Wang Jun , Yue Chuang , Yuan Wei , Zhang Wei , Shi Li , Mi Yuanyuan , Wu Xingyu , Zhang Li‐Feng , Zuo Li
Published: July 2019

Association between CDKN1B gene Val 109 Gly polymorphism and prostate cancer (PCa) susceptibility has been investigated in several studies but with inconsistent conclusions. We adopted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the correlation between CDKN1B Val 109 Gly variant and PCa susceptibility. Moreover, we used in‐silico tools to evaluate the relationship of CDKN1B expression and overall survival (OS) or disease free survival (DFS) time in PCa patients. The overall results demonstrated no association of the CDKN1B variant on PCa risk [allelic contrast (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.45 − 1.35, Pheterogeneity = 0.038); GV vs VV (OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.56 − 1.25, Pheterogeneity = 0.253); GG vs VV (OR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.23 − 1.01, Pheterogeneity = 0.161); GG+GV vs VV (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.52 −1.08, Pheterogeneity = 0.132) and GG vs GV+VV (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.25 − 1.11, Pheterogeneity = 0.152)]. In subgroup analysis by ethnicity and source of control, we also identified similar results. In‐silico results showed that expression of CDKN1B was decreased in PCa tissue, especially in less advanced PCa (Gleason score = 6 or 7). No significant difference of OS or DFS time was indicated between the low and high expression of CDKN1B. Our present study showed evidence that CDKN1B Val 109 Gly variant is not related to PCa risk. Future studies with large sample size are needed to confirm this correlation in more details.
Investigation of association between LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T and Wilms tumor susceptibility
Authors: Gao Xiaofeng , Jia Wei , Zhu Jinhong , Fu Wen , Zhu Shibo , Xia Huimin , He Jing , Liu Guochang
Published: July 2019

Background

Wilms tumor (WT) is the most common pediatric renal malignancy. Previous genome‐wide association studies have identified that the LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T polymorphism is associated with the risk of several types of cancer. However, few studies have investigated the association between LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T and WT susceptibility.

Method

We genotyped LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T in 145 patients with WT and 531 cancer‐free controls recruited from southern Chinese children. The strength of association was estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Our study indicated that there was no significant association between LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T polymorphism and WT risk under all the tested genetic models (CT vs CC: adjusted OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.63‐1.40; TT vs CC: adjusted OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.22‐1.59; TT/CT vs CC: adjusted OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.61‐1.31; and TT vs CC/CT: adjusted OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.23‐1.61). Further stratified analysis detected no significant association, either.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we failed to find any association between the LINC00673 rs11655237 C>T polymorphism and WT risk. This finding needs to be verified in larger studies and other populations.