bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave‐assisted synthesis of copolymers of luminol with anisidine: Effect on spectral, thermal and fluorescence characteristics
Authors: Jadoun Sapana , Ashraf S.M. , Riaz Ufana
Published: December 2017

With the aim to investigate variation in the spectral, morphological, and fluorescence characteristics of a chemiluminescent moiety upon copolymerization with an aniline derivative, the present preliminary work reports for the first time the microwave‐assisted copolymerization of luminol and o‐anisidine in acidic and basic media. Characterization of the resulting copolymers was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV‐visible studies, fluorescence studies, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy measurements. Polymerization of luminol and its copolymers was noticed to be different in acidic and basic media, which was confirmed by IR analysis while UV‐visible as well as fluorescence studies revealed a major decrease in the intensity of the peaks associated with polyluminol that reflected the quenching nature of o‐anisidine. Peak broadening at higher loading of o‐anisidine comonomer confirmed intense interaction of the 2 monomers via hydrogen bonding. To predict the possible use of luminol copolymers as biosensors, bovine serum albumin was chosen as a model protein for performing the adsorption studies. Results revealed that the copolymers reflected immense potential to be used as a protein biosensor.
Podocytes are new cellular targets of haemoglobin‐mediated renal damage
Authors: Rubio‐Navarro Alfonso , Sanchez‐Niño Maria Dolores , Guerrero‐Hue Melania , García‐Caballero Cristina , Gutiérrez Eduardo , Yuste Claudia , Sevillano Ángel , Praga Manuel , Egea Javier , Román Elena , Cannata Pablo , Ortega Rosa , Cortegano Isabel , de Andrés Belén , Gaspar María Luisa , Cadenas Susana , Ortiz Alberto , Egido Jesús , Moreno Juan Antonio
Published: December 2017

Recurrent and massive intravascular haemolysis induces proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and progressive impairment of renal function, suggesting podocyte injury. However, the effects of haemoglobin (Hb) on podocytes remain unexplored. Our results show that cultured human podocytes or podocytes isolated from murine glomeruli bound and endocytosed Hb through the megalin–cubilin receptor system, thus resulting in increased intracellular Hb catabolism, oxidative stress, activation of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, and altered podocyte morphology, with decreased expression of the slit diaphragm proteins nephrin and synaptopodin. Hb uptake activated nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and induced expression of the Nrf2‐related antioxidant proteins haem oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) and ferritin. Nrf2 activation and Hb staining was observed in podocytes of mice with intravascular haemolysis. These mice developed proteinuria and showed podocyte injury, characterized by foot process effacement, decreased synaptopodin and nephrin expression, and podocyte apoptosis. These pathological effects were enhanced in Nrf2‐deficient mice, whereas Nrf2 activation with sulphoraphane protected podocytes against Hb toxicity both in vivo and in vitro. Supporting the translational significance of our findings, we observed podocyte damage and podocytes stained for Hb, HO‐1, ferritin and phosphorylated Nrf2 in renal sections and urinary sediments of patients with massive intravascular haemolysis, such as atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria. In conclusion, podocytes take up Hb both in vitro and during intravascular haemolysis, promoting oxidative stress, podocyte dysfunction, and apoptosis. Nrf2 may be a potential therapeutic target to prevent loss of renal function in patients with intravascular haemolysis. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Selective Profiling of Saponins from Gypsophila trichotoma Wend. by HILIC Separation and HRMS Detection
Authors: Gevrenova Reneta , Bardarov Ventzislav , Bardarov Krum , Voutquenne‐Nazabadioko Laurence , Henry Max
Published: December 2017

Introduction

Roots of Gypsophila trichotoma Wend. (Caryophyllaceae) are rich sources of glucuronide oleanane‐type triterpenoid carboxylic acid 3,28‐O‐bidesmosides (GOTCABs). These saponins have been reported to possess synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with type I ribosome‐inactivating protein saporin.

Objective

To develop ultra high‐performance liquid chromatography – electrospray ionisation/high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐ESI/HRMS) acquisition strategy for the recognition of Gypsophila GOTCAB saponins.

Methodology

A highly‐selective hydrophilic interaction UHPLC method (Si‐HILIC UHPLC) was developed for the separation of GOTCAB saponins from the methanol‐aqueous root extract of G. trichotoma (GTR). UHPLC was coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer equipped with heated electrospray ionisation (HESI) probe. ESI‐HRMS and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data of the separated compounds was used for saponins structure assignment.

Results

Based on the conformity of the fragmentation of 11 previously identified GTR saponins, 21 GOTCAB forming between two and four isobaric and positional isomers are identified with proposals for their structures. Tables with assignment of characteristic fragment ions and more than 10 newly identified saponins in GTR were described. Fragmentation rules for tentative identification of three major types of saponins from GTR were summarised and possible fragmentation pathways were proposed. Type I and II consisted of acylated and sulphated GOTCABs, respectively, while type III included acylated and sulphated saponins. The type II sulphated GOTCAB saponins were all previously not described.

Conclusions

The study demonstrates the potential of the coupling of highly‐selective (Si)‐HILIC UHPLC with HRMS and MS/MS detection for analysis and identification of triterpenoid saponins. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rearomatization of trifluoromethyl sulfonyl dihydropyridines: Thermolysis vs photolysis
Authors: Firpo Guadalupe , Cooke María V. , Peláez Walter J. , Chans Guillermo M. , Argüello Gustavo A. , Gómez Elizabeth , Alvarez‐Toledano Cecilio
Published: December 2017

In this article, we describe the static gas‐phase pyrolysis, microwave‐induced pyrolysis, and photolysis reactions of trifluoromethyl sulfonyl dihydropyridines. The goal of this work was to find a methodology that allows obtaining of substituted pyridines—which are known to be difficult to synthesize—to be reused in a new substitution reaction. We demonstrated that it is possible to achieve the rearomatization process by the elimination of the trifluoromethyl sulfonyl moiety through the 3 processes, with the static pyrolysis being the best method to obtain the substituted pyridines. In addition, we propose the 1,4‐elimination (CF3SO2 + H) as the first step, since it is the less energetic process, as has also been corroborated by calculations. A competitive reaction (CO2 extrusion) also occurs, yielding undesired products.
Measurement, Correlation and Thermodynamics of Solubility of 2,6‐Diamino‐3,5‐Dinitropyrazine‐1‐Oxide (LLM‐105) in Eight Solvents
Authors: Bu Rupeng , Zhou Xiaoqing , Huang Qi , Yu Yanwu , Li Hongzhen
Published: December 2017

The solubility of insensitive explosive 2,6‐diamino‐3,5‐dinitropyrazine‐1‐oxide (LLM‐105) in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐diethylformamide (DEF), 1,4‐dioxane, 1,4‐butyrolactone, ethyl acetate and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([Bmim]CF3SO3), were measured by a polythermal method in the temperature range of 293.15 K to 375.15 K at the atmospheric pressure. The solubility of LLM‐105 decreased in the order of DMSO, NMP, DMF, DEF, 1,4‐butyrolactone, [Bmim]CF3SO3, 1,4‐dioxane, ethyl acetate. With higher temperature, the solubility of LLM‐105 increased in all solvents. The solubility data was correlated against temperature with the modified Apelblat equation and Ideal solution model. In addition, the dissolution enthalpy, entropy, and mole Gibbs free energy of LLM‐105 in each solvent were also calculated from the experimental solubility data by using van′t Hoff equation with the temperature dependence. The results show that the dissolution process of LLM‐105 in these solvents is endothermic and the mechanism is the entropy‐driving. DMSO is suggested as the appropriate solvent for the cooling crystallization or drowning‐out crystallization of LLM‐105.
White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Using Exciplex Emission with Multiple Emitting Layers
Authors: Baek Hyun Jung , Lee Song Eun , Lee Ho Won , Yun Geum Jae , Park Jaehoon , Kim Woo Young , Kim Young Kwan
Published: December 2017

In this paper, multiple‐exciplexed white organic light‐emitting diodes (WOLEDs) with blue and yellow–green emitting layers (EMLs) to improve charge balance and efficiency roll‐off through exciton confinement are investigated. Several types of WOLEDs are fabricated a number of including exciplex generated by only host materials without fluorescent or phosphorescent dopant. Moreover, various multiple exciplex can control electrical behavior of holes and electrons in whole EML. The performance improvement by the insertion of multi‐EMLs is realized throughout enhancement of exciton confinement and the reduced exciton quenching in EML. Efficiency roll‐off was 40% improved comparing to WOLED without multi‐EMLs and also color rendering index was achieved higher than 70 at 1000 cd m−2 in WOLED with multi‐EMLs.
Growth Process and Photoluminescence Properties of In‐Plane Ultrahigh‐Density InAs Quantum Dots on InAsSb/GaAs(001)
Authors: Oikawa Shingo , Makaino Akinori , Sogabe Tomah , Yamaguchi Koichi
Published: December 2017

InAs is grown on InAsSb/GaAs(001) by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). At the initial growth of InAs, elongated small two‐dimensional (2D) islands are formed on the InAsSb wetting layer (WL). As the InAs growth proceeded, 3D dots are spontaneously formed, and the underlying 2D terrace narrows. In addition, surface atoms of the 2D layer desorbed because of the strain relaxation. The 3D dot volume is larger than that estimated from the supply amount. From these results, it is found that surface atoms desorbed from the 2D layer are re‐incorporated into 3D islands. The dot density reaches at 1 × 1012 cm−2. The photoluminescence (PL) peak energy and full width at half maximum discontinuously changed at the critical coverage for 2D–3D growth mode transition. Particularly, the PL peak energy is almost proportional to the −0.27‐th power of the average volume of 3D islands. It reveals that the carriers in these 3D islands have properties based on the 0D electron system, despite of in‐plane ultrahigh density and small sizes. In addition, the relationship between PL intensity and quantum‐dot density is evaluated.
High Energy Storage Efficiency with Fatigue Resistance and Thermal Stability in Lead‐Free Na0.5K0.5NbO3/BiMnO3 Solid‐Solution Films
Authors: Sun Yizhu , Zhou Yunpeng , Lu Qingshan , Zhao Shifeng
Published: December 2017

The ferroelectric, leakage, dielectric, and energy storage properties of lead‐free Na0.5K0.5NbO3/BiMnO3 (KNN/BMO) solid‐solution films are investigated. The strong ferroelectric relaxation behaviors of slim ferroelectricity with small remanent polarization and coercive field induce a high energy‐storage density and efficiency at room temperature. The energy density reaches 14.8 J cm−3, even the efficiency is up to 79.79% under the applied electric field of 985.66 kV cm−1. Moreover, the energy storage performances of KNN/BMO solid‐solution films exhibit good thermal stability over a wide temperature range and high ferroelectric fatigue endurance after switching 106 bipole electrical cycles. KNN/BMO solid‐solution films can replace lead‐based films and other outstanding lead‐free systems in the energy storage performance.
Kullback–Leibler and relative Fisher information as descriptors of locality
Authors: Levämäki Henrik , Nagy Ágnes , Vilja Iiro , Kokko Kalevi , Vitos Levente
Published: December 2017

Kullback–Leibler and relative Fisher information functionals are applied in studying deviation from local density approximation. The reduced density gradient s and the local kinetic energy parameter α are key ingredients of these new locality descriptors. The relative Kullback–Leibler information density contains extra knowledge as it is negative where the given probability density is smaller than the reference density. The relative Fisher information incorporates the highest order deviations from the uniform electron gas approximation.
Identifying apparent local stable isotope equilibrium in a complex non‐equilibrium system
Authors: He Yuyang , Cao Xiaobin , Wang Jianwei , Bao Huiming
Published: December 2017

Rationale

Although being out of equilibrium, biomolecules in organisms have the potential to approach isotope equilibrium locally because enzymatic reactions are intrinsically reversible. A rigorous approach that can describe isotope distribution among biomolecules and their apparent deviation from equilibrium state is lacking, however.

Methods

Applying the concept of distance matrix in graph theory, we propose that apparent local isotope equilibrium among a subset of biomolecules can be assessed using an apparent fractionation difference (|Δα|) matrix, in which the differences between the observed isotope composition (δ') and the calculated equilibrium fractionation factor (1000lnβ) can be more rigorously evaluated than by using a previous approach for multiple biomolecules. We tested our |Δα| matrix approach by re‐analyzing published data of different amino acids (AAs) in potato and in green alga.

Results

Our re‐analysis shows that biosynthesis pathways could be the reason for an apparently close‐to‐equilibrium relationship inside AA families in potato leaves. Different biosynthesis/degradation pathways in tubers may have led to the observed isotope distribution difference between potato leaves and tubers. The analysis of data from green algae does not support the conclusion that AAs are further from equilibrium in glucose‐cultured green algae than in the autotrophic ones.

Conclusions

Application of the |Δα| matrix can help us to locate potential reversible reactions or reaction networks in a complex system such as a metabolic system. The same approach can be broadly applied to all complex systems that have multiple components, e.g. geochemical or atmospheric systems of early Earth or other planets.
A joint marginal‐conditional model for multivariate longitudinal data
Authors: Proudfoot James , Faig Walter , Natarajan Loki , Xu Ronghui
Published: December 2017

Multivariate longitudinal data frequently arise in biomedical applications; however, their analyses are often performed one outcome at a time, or jointly using existing software in anad hocfashion. A main challenge in the proper analysis of such data is the fact that the different outcomes are measured on different unknown scales. Methodology for handling the scale problem has been previously proposed for cross‐sectional data, and here we extend it to the longitudinal setting. We consider modeling the longitudinal data using random effects, while leaving the joint distribution of the multiple outcomes unspecified. We propose an estimating equation together with an expectation‐maximization–type (expectation‐substitution) algorithm. The consistency and the asymptotic distribution of the parameter estimates are established. The method is evaluated using extensive simulations and applied to a longitudinal nutrition data set from a large dietary intervention trial on breast cancer survivors, the Women's Healthy Eating and Living Study.
A Simple Modification Method to Obtain Anisotropic and Porous 3D Microfibrillar Scaffolds for Surgical and Biomedical Applications
Authors: Hosseini Vahid , Evrova Olivera , Hoerstrup Simon P. , Vogel Viola
Published: December 2017

In native tissues, cellular organization is predominantly anisotropic. Yet, it remains a challenge to engineer anisotropic scaffolds that promote anisotropic cellular organization at macroscopic length scales. To overcome this challenge, an innovative, cheap and easy method to align clinically approved non‐woven surgical microfibrillar scaffolds is presented. The method involves a three‐step process of coating, unidirectional stretching of scaffolds after heating them above glass transition temperature, and cooling back to room temperature. Briefly, a polymer coating is applied to a non‐woven mesh that results in a partial welding of randomly oriented microfibers at their intersection points. The coated scaffold is then heated above the glass transition temperature of the coating and the scaffold polymer. Subsequently, the coated scaffold is stretched to produce aligned and three dimentional (3D) porous fibrillar scaffolds. In a proof of concept study, a polyglycolic acid (PGA) micro‐fibrillar scaffold was coated with poly(4‐hydroxybutirate) (P4HB) acid and subsequently aligned. Fibroblasts were cultured in vitro within the scaffold and results showed an increase in cellular alignment along the direction of the PGA fibers. This method can be scaled up easily for industrial production of polymeric meshes or directly applied to small pieces of scaffolds at the point of care.
Solid‐State Diffusional Behaviors of Functional Metal Oxides at Atomic Scale
Authors: Chen Jui‐Yuan , Huang Chun‐Wei , Wu Wen‐Wei
Published: December 2017

Metal/metal oxides have attracted extensive research interest because of their combination of functional properties and compatibility with industry. Diffusion and thermal reliability have become essential issues that require detailed study to develop atomic‐scaled functional devices. In this work, the diffusional reaction behavior that transforms piezoelectric ZnO into magnetic Fe3O4 is investigated at the atomic scale. The growth kinetics of metal oxides are systematically studied through macro‐ and microanalyses. The growth rates are evaluated by morphology changes, which determine whether the growth behavior was a diffusion‐ or reaction‐controlled process. Furthermore, atom attachment on the kink step is observed at the atomic scale, which has important implications for the thermodynamics of functional metal oxides. Faster growth planes simultaneously decrease, which result in the predominance of low surface energy planes. These results directly reveal the atomic formation process of metal oxide via solid‐state diffusion. In addition, the nanofabricated method provides a novel approach to investigate metal oxide evolution and sheds light on diffusional reaction behavior. More importantly, the results and phenomena of this study provide considerable inspiration to enhance the material stability and reliability of metal/oxide‐based devices.
Cu2+‐Modified Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticles: A Peroxidase‐Mimicking Nanoenzyme
Authors: Chen Wei‐Hai , Vázquez‐González Margarita , Kozell Anna , Cecconello Alessandro , Willner Itamar
Published: December 2017

The synthesis and characterization of UiO‐type metal–organic framework nanoparticles (NMOFs) composed of Zr4+ ions bridged by 2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐dicarboxylic acid ligands and the postmodification of the NMOFs with Cu2+ ions are described. The resulting Cu2+‐modified NMOFs, Cu2+‐NMOFs, exhibit peroxidase‐like catalytic activities reflected by the catalyzed oxidation of Amplex‐Red to the fluorescent Resorufin by H2O2, the catalyzed oxidation of dopamine to aminochrome by H2O2, and the catalyzed generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol/H2O2. Also, the Cu2+‐NMOFs mimic NADH peroxidase functions and catalyze the oxidation of dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NADH, to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD+, in the presence of H2O2. The Cu2+‐NMOFs‐catalyzed generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol/H2O2 is used to develop a glucose sensor by monitoring the H2O2 formed by the aerobic oxidation of glucose to gluconic acid in the presence of glucose oxidase. Furthermore, loading the Cu2+‐NMOFs with fluorescein and activating the catalyzed generation of chemiluminescence in the presence of luminol/H2O2 yield an efficient chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET) process to the fluorescein reflected by the activation of the fluorescence of the dye (λ = 520 nm, CRET efficiency 35%).
Observation of Resistive Switching Behavior in Crossbar Core–Shell Ni/NiO Nanowires Memristor
Authors: Ting Yi‐Hsin , Chen Jui‐Yuan , Huang Chun‐Wei , Huang Ting‐Kai , Hsieh Cheng‐Yu , Wu Wen‐Wei
Published: December 2017

The crossbar structure of resistive random access memory (RRAM) is the most promising technology for the development of ultrahigh‐density devices for future nonvolatile memory. However, only a few studies have focused on the switching phenomenon of crossbar RRAM in detail. The main purpose of this study is to understand the formation and disruption of the conductive filament occurring at the crossbar center by real‐time transmission electron microscope observation. Core–shell Ni/NiO nanowires are utilized to form a cross‐structure, which restrict the position of the conductive filament to the crosscenter. A significant morphological change can be observed near the crossbar center, which results from the out‐diffusion and backfill of oxygen ions. Energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy demonstrate that the movement of the oxygen ions leads to the evolution of the conductive filament, followed by redox reactions. Moreover, the distinct reliability of the crossbar device is measured via ex situ experiments. In this work, the switching mechanism of the crossbar core–shell nanowire structure is beneficial to overcome the problem of nanoscale minimization. The experimental method shows high potential to fabricate high‐density RRAM devices, which can be applied to 3D stacked package technology and neuromorphic computing systems.
High‐Throughput Block Optical DNA Sequence Identification
Authors: Sagar Dodderi Manjunatha , Korshoj Lee Erik , Hanson Katrina Bethany , Chowdhury Partha Pratim , Otoupal Peter Britton , Chatterjee Anushree , Nagpal Prashant
Published: December 2017

Optical techniques for molecular diagnostics or DNA sequencing generally rely on small molecule fluorescent labels, which utilize light with a wavelength of several hundred nanometers for detection. Developing a label‐free optical DNA sequencing technique will require nanoscale focusing of light, a high‐throughput and multiplexed identification method, and a data compression technique to rapidly identify sequences and analyze genomic heterogeneity for big datasets. Such a method should identify characteristic molecular vibrations using optical spectroscopy, especially in the “fingerprinting region” from ≈400–1400 cm−1. Here, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy is used to demonstrate label‐free identification of DNA nucleobases with multiplexed 3D plasmonic nanofocusing. While nanometer‐scale mode volumes prevent identification of single nucleobases within a DNA sequence, the block optical technique can identify A, T, G, and C content in DNA k‐mers. The content of each nucleotide in a DNA block can be a unique and high‐throughput method for identifying sequences, genes, and other biomarkers as an alternative to single‐letter sequencing. Additionally, coupling two complementary vibrational spectroscopy techniques (infrared and Raman) can improve block characterization. These results pave the way for developing a novel, high‐throughput block optical sequencing method with lossy genomic data compression using k‐mer identification from multiplexed optical data acquisition.
Context‐dependent reconfiguration of autonomous vehicles in mixed traffic
Authors: Horcas José Miguel , Monteil Julien , Bouroche Mélanie , Pinto Mónica , Fuentes Lidia , Clarke Siobhán
Published: December 2017

Human drivers naturally adapt their behaviour depending on the traffic conditions, such as the current weather and road type. Autonomous vehicles need to do the same, in a way that is both safe and efficient in traffic composed of both conventional and autonomous vehicles. In this paper, we demonstrate the applicability of a reconfigurable vehicle controller agent for autonomous vehicles that adapts the parameters of a used car‐following model at runtime, so as to maintain a high degree of traffic quality (efficiency and safety) under different weather conditions. We follow a dynamic software product line approach to model the variability of the car‐following model parameters, context changes and traffic quality, and generate specific configurations for each particular context. Under realistic conditions, autonomous vehicles have only a very local knowledge of other vehicles' variables. We investigate a distributed model predictive controller agent for autonomous vehicles to estimate their behavioural parameters at runtime, based on their available knowledge of the system. We show that autonomous vehicles with the proposed reconfigurable controller agent lead to behaviour similar to that achieved by human drivers, depending on the context.
The Exploitation of Enzymatically‐Derived cis‐1,2‐Dihydrocatechols and Related Compounds in the Synthesis of Biologically Active Natural Products
Authors: Taher Ehab S. , Banwell Martin G. , Buckler Joshua N. , Yan Qiao , Lan Ping
Published: December 2017

The title compounds of the general form 1 can be produced at large scale and in essentially enantiomerically pure form (when X≠H) through the whole cell biotransformation of the corresponding aromatic. The “dense” and varied functionality associated with these metabolites mean that they have become increasingly useful chirons for the total synthesis of a range of natural product types. This personal account details the outcomes of a nearly three‐decade long campaign within our group to exploit these compounds in the synthesis of a diverse range of small molecule natural product targets. The work is subdivided according to the key transformation(s) employed in each synthesis. The development of newer chirons that “complement” the utility of the cis‐1,2‐dihydrocatechols are also described.
Serum relaxin and cervical length for prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in second‐trimester symptomatic women
Authors: Pantelis A. , Sotiriadis A. , Chatzistamatiou K. , Pratilas G. , Dinas K.
Published: December 2017

Objective

To investigate whether serum relaxin level is associated with preterm birth in symptomatic women, either as a standalone test or in the context of a combined model of serum relaxin and cervical length (CL).

Methods

This was a case–control study of women with a singleton pregnancy who presented between 24 + 0 and 26 + 6 weeks' gestation with threatened preterm labor and intact membranes. CL, full blood count, C‐reactive protein level and maternal demographics were recorded at presentation, and blood samples were taken for relaxin measurement. Parameters were compared between women who delivered preterm (before 37 weeks) (n = 46) and those delivering at term (n = 66). Logistic regression with receiver–operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess significant predictors for birth before 37 and before 34 weeks.

Results

Women delivering before 37 weeks had higher mean serum relaxin levels and lower mean CL than those delivering at term (P < 0.0001). Relaxin alone had 63% (95% CI, 49–75%) sensitivity for birth before 37 weeks and 61% (95% CI, 47–74%) for birth before 34 weeks, at a 10% false‐positive rate (FPR). Serum relaxin levels did not correlate with CL; a combined model of the two predictors had an area under the ROC curve of 0.895 (95%CI, 0.835–0.954) for the prediction of birth before 37 weeks and 0.869 (95% CI, 0.802–0.937) for birth before 34 weeks (n =  44). Serum relaxin > 1010 pg/mL had 58% sensitivity for prediction of preterm birth in women with a CL > 15 mm, at a 10% FPR.

Conclusions

High serum relaxin level is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth in second‐trimester symptomatic women with intact membranes. A combination of serum relaxin and CL increases predictive accuracy for preterm birth. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Increase of prostaglandin E2 in the reversal of fetal ductal constriction after polyphenol restriction
Authors: Vian I. , Zielinsky P. , Zílio A. M. , Schaun M. I. , Brum C. , Lampert K. V. , De Ávila N. , Baldissera G. , Klanovicz T. M. , Zenki K. , Zurita‐Peralta J. , Olszewski A. , Piccoli A. , Nicoloso L. H. , Sulis N. , Van Der Sand L. , Markoski M.
Published: December 2017

Objective

Anti‐inflammatory substances that inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, such as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and polyphenol‐rich foods, can cause constriction of the fetal ductus arteriosus. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that reversal of fetal ductal constriction after maternal restriction of polyphenol‐rich foods, in the third trimester of pregnancy, is accompanied by increased plasma levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Methods

This was a controlled clinical trial of women with singleton pregnancy ≥ 28 weeks undergoing fetal echocardiography. The intervention group included pregnancies with diagnosis of fetal ductal constriction and not exposed to NSAIDs. The control group consisted of third‐trimester normal pregnancies. Both groups answered a food frequency questionnaire to assess the amount of total polyphenols in their diet, underwent Doppler echocardiographic examination and had blood samples collected for analysis of plasma levels of PGE2. Intervention group participants received dietary guidance to restrict the intake of polyphenol‐rich foods. The assessments were repeated after 2 weeks in both groups.

Results

Forty normal pregnancies were assessed in the control group and 35 with fetal ductal constriction in the intervention group. Mean maternal age (26.6 years) and mean body mass index (30.12 kg/m2) were similar between the two groups. Intragroup analysis showed that dietary guidance reduced the median consumption of polyphenols (from 1234.82 to 21.03 mg/day, P < 0.001), increasing significantly the plasma concentration of PGE2 (from 1091.80 to 1136.98 pg/mL, P < 0.05) in the intervention group after 2  weeks. In addition, Doppler echocardiography showed reversal of fetal ductal constriction in the intervention group. No significant changes were observed in the control group.

Conclusions

Dietary intervention for maternal restriction of polyphenol‐rich foods in the third trimester of pregnancy is accompanied by increase in plasma levels of PGE2 and reversal of fetal ductal constriction. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A study of heavy snowfall in Kashmir, India in January 2017
Authors: Rafiq Mohammd , Mishra Anoop Kumar
Published: December 2017

Kashmir valley witnessed multiple heavy snowfall spells in January 2017 that triggered an avalanche, killing 24 people, including 20 Indian Army Personnel, whose camp was struck by the avalanche. This study aims to present an analysis of the heavy snowfall events that occurred the majority of districts in Kashmir during January 2017 using station data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Results show that there were three episodes of intense snowfall over different parts of Kashmir. Maximum daily accumulated snowfall measurements of about 11.5 and 9.2cm were recorded at Pahalgam and Banihall stations, respectively, on 26 January 2017. Gulmarg also recorded a maximum daily accumulated snowfall of 8.8cm on 25 January 2017. The snowfall anomaly data show that Gulmarg, Srinagar, Kupwara, Banihall, Quazigund and Pahalgam witnessed the highest snowfall of recent decades. Gulmarg and Pahalgam recorded cumulative snowfall measurements of about 38.4 and 30cm, respectively, during January. Data from the region reveal that the accumulated snow from three episodes of intense snowfall during 6–8, 15–17 and 25–27 January 2017 resulted in an avalanche over Kashmir.
Resetting scheme for plastic strain surface in constitutive modeling of cyclic plasticity
Authors: Ohno Nobutada , Yamamoto Ryohei , Sasaki Tatsuya , Okumura Dai
Published: December 2017

A resetting scheme is proposed for correctly evaluating the plastic strain range to analyze structural components subjected to regular cyclic loading following pre‐loading. In this scheme, a plastic strain surface, referred to as the plastic‐strain‐range surface in the present paper, is reset to a point and re‐evolves every cycle, with its size at the end of the last cycle considered to be the plastic strain range of the current cycle. This resetting scheme provides a definite value for the evolution parameter of the plastic‐strain‐range surface irrespective of the amounts of cyclic hardening, pre‐straining, and ratcheting. The resetting scheme is implemented in a cyclic viscoplastic model in finite element methods, and is applied to analyze a notched bar subjected to cyclic loading at its ends. Furthermore, the validity of the resetting scheme for non‐proportional cyclic loading is examined by analyzing the cyclic behavior along elliptic and rhombic strain paths. It is shown that the resetting scheme allows the use of a definite value for the evolution parameter of the plastic‐strain‐range surface in the presence of any cyclic hardening and/or ratcheting. Moreover, it is shown that the resetting scheme can be valid for cyclic loading with a certain degree of non‐proportionality.
Introduction: War and Memory in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus
Authors: Fedor Julie , Lewis Simon , Zhurzhenko Tatiana
Published: December 2017

This introductory essay begins with a discussion of World War II memory in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, in light of the recent and ongoing war in Ukraine. It outlines the main contours of the interplay between “memory wars” and real war, and the important “post-Crimean” qualitative shift in local memory cultures in this connection. Next, the essay sketches out the specifics of the war memory landscapes of the region, and then of each of the three individual countries, before moving on to introduce the key organizing themes and findings of the book.
The “Partisan Republic”: Colonial Myths and Memory Wars in Belarus
Authors: Lewis Simon
Published: December 2017

This chapter combines trauma theory and postcolonial theory in the study of memory in post-war and post-Soviet Belarus. It argues that the Soviet myth of Belarus as the “Partisan Republic” displaced trauma, attempting to delimit the contours of memory but only deferring the painful process of coming to terms with the past. In addition, it examines the creation of a monolithic image of Soviet Belarusianness based on the memory of the war, i.e. the construct of the “Partisan Republic,” as a form of colonial discourse a means of imposing hegemonic identity norms on a dominated population. Both the Soviet-era resistance to this myth and the unmaking of the edifice in the post-Soviet era are analyzed in terms of postcolonial theory through discussion of the works of several Soviet and post-Soviet authors, musicians, and artists.
Plasma lipidomics as a diagnostic tool for peroxisomal disorders
Authors: Herzog Katharina , Pras‐Raves Mia L. , Ferdinandusse Sacha , Vervaart Martin A. T. , Luyf Angela C. M. , van Kampen Antoine H. C. , Wanders Ronald J. A. , Waterham Hans R. , Vaz Frédéric M.
Published: December 2017

Peroxisomes are ubiquitous cell organelles that play an important role in lipid metabolism. Accordingly, peroxisomal disorders, including the peroxisome biogenesis disorders and peroxisomal single‐enzyme deficiencies, are associated with aberrant lipid metabolism. Lipidomics is an emerging tool for diagnosis, disease‐monitoring, identifying lipid biomarkers, and studying the underlying pathophysiology in disorders of lipid metabolism. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of lipidomics for the diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders using plasma samples from patients with different types of peroxisomal disorders. We show that the changes in the plasma profiles of phospholipids, di‐ and triglycerides, and cholesterol esters correspond with the characteristic metabolite abnormalities that are currently used in the metabolic screening for peroxisomal disorders. The lipidomics approach, however, gives a much more detailed overview of the metabolic changes that occur in the lipidome. Furthermore, we identified novel unique lipid species for specific peroxisomal diseases that are candidate biomarkers. The results presented in this paper show the power of lipidomics approaches to enable the specific diagnosis of different peroxisomal disorders.
Development and Evaluation of a Telephone Communication Protocol for the Delivery of Personalized Melanoma Genomic Risk to the General Population
Authors: Fenton Georgina L. , Smit Amelia K. , Freeman Lucinda , Badcock Caro , Dunlop Kate , Butow Phyllis N. , Kirk Judy , Cust Anne E.
Published: December 2017

Communicating personalized genomic risk results for common diseases to the general population as a form of tailored prevention is novel and may require alternative genetic counseling service delivery models. We describe the development and evaluation of a communication protocol for disclosing melanoma genomic risk information to the asymptomatic general population and assess participants’ satisfaction and acceptability. Participants (n = 117) were aged 22–69 years, living in New South Wales, Australia and unselected for family history. They provided a saliva sample and had genomic testing for melanoma for low to moderate penetrant melanoma susceptibility variants in 21 genes. Participants could choose to receive their results from a genetic counselor via telephone, followed by a mailed booklet or to receive their risk result via mailed booklet only with a follow‐up call for those at high risk. A follow‐up questionnaire was completed by 85% of participants 3‐months later. Most participants (80%) elected to receive their result via telephone. Participants were highly satisfied with the delivery of results (mean 3.4 out of 4, standard deviation 0.5), and this did not differ by delivery mode, risk category, age or sex. On follow‐up, 75% accurately recalled their risk category, 6% indicated a preference for a different delivery mode, either electronic or face‐to‐face. The process of disclosing genomic risk results to the general population over the telephone with accompanying written material was feasible and acceptable, and may be useful for communicating polygenic risk for common diseases in the context of increasing demands for genomic testing.
Why the Eurozone Needs a Minister of Finance and Economic Reform
Authors: Geeroms Hans
Published: December 2017

The Economic and Monetary Union remains incomplete and vulnerable. The current economic and political climate offers a window of opportunity to further deepen this Union in 2018. Completing the banking union and creating a roadmap for a capital markets union are both essential. One of the missing building blocks is a minister of finance and economic reform for the eurozone. This minister should have the powers and democratic legitimacy to better enforce the rules on budgetary and macroeconomic discipline. He or she should also be responsible for managing a budget line for the eurozone that can act as a countercyclical buffer when monetary policy and national fiscal policy are insufficient. This budget line, together with the European Structural Investment Funds, should also act as an instrument for enforcing and supporting structural economic reforms aimed at making the national economies more resilient to external shocks.
A National Referral Laboratory’s Experience with the Implementation of SNP-Based Non-invasive Prenatal Screening for Fetal Aneuploidy and Select Microdeletion Syndromes
Authors: Santamaria Raul , Bermejo Blanca , Cigarrán Sergio , Benn Peter
Published: December 2017

To retrospectively evaluate the successful test rate and performance of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) for aneuploidies and microdeletions with international transportation of samples. Blood samples from Iberian women with singleton pregnancies were sent to a US laboratory for NIPS for aneuploidy and microdeletion syndromes (22q11.2, 1p36, Cri-du-chat, Prader Willi and Angelman). The NIPS methodology involved the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in cell-free DNA in maternal plasma. Women with high-risk results were offered karyotyping and/or microarray confirmatory studies. Based on 14,175 women with successful testing (98.76% of all referrals), the overall test positive rate was 2.37% (1.9% for aneuploidy and 0.47% for microdeletion syndromes). Based on cases with known outcome, the positive predictive values (PPVs) were: for trisomy 21, 98.6%; trisomy 18, 85.7%; trisomy 13, 71.4%; monosomy-X, 87.5%; other sex chromosome aneuploidies, 100%; 22q11.2 deletion, 15.4%; and other microdeletions combined, 20%. With a protocol change that involved selective use of resequencing at a higher depth of read, the PPV for 22q11.2 deletion increased to 33.3 and 75% for the other microdeletions. Effective NIPS for both aneuploidies and select microdeletion syndromes can be provided even when this involves international transportation of blood specimens.
Work Motivation among Occupational Therapy Graduates in Malaysia
Authors: Chai Siaw Chui , Teoh Rui Fen , Razaob Nor Afifi , Kadar Masne
Published: December 2017

Objective/Background

Occupational therapy that focuses on servicing clients demands motivated workers for quality service delivery. The objectives of this study were: (a) to determine the level of work motivation among occupational therapy graduates in Malaysia and (b) to determine if there is a difference in work motivation among these graduates based on work sector, job position, length of work experience, and gender.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited occupational therapy bachelor's degree graduates using an online survey. The Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS) was used to measure level of work motivation.

Results

Responses from 82 (60.3%) graduates (male: 26.8%; female: 73.2%) were analysed. Sixty-two (75.6%) graduates worked locally and 20 (24.4%) worked in foreign countries. The average Work Self-Determination Index (W-SDI) score for WEIMS is +11.38 with 78 (95.1%) of graduates demonstrated a self-determined motivational profile and 4 (4.9%) demonstrated a nonself-determined profile. Graduates in the private sector (13.10 ± 6.47) show significantly higher W-SDI score compared to those in the public sector (9.40 ± 6.06), p = 0.01. W-SDI scores appeared higher among clinician (11.67 ± 6.40), case manager (13.33), and others (14.90 ± 8.23); and those with work experience of 5–6 years (13.11 ± 6.90) and less than one year (12.65 ± 7.12). Male (10.29 ± 6.86) and female (11.79 ± 6.39) graduates shared equally high score. There is no significant difference in W-SDI score based on job position, length of work experience, and gender.

Conclusion

Occupational therapy graduates have high work motivation as evident by their self-determined profile. Only work sector imposes difference in work motivation among these graduates. Copyright © 2017, Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ).
Partnering With Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis to Prevent Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Mariano Victor D. , Castro-Sánchez Enrique
Published: December 2017

The threat of catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs) among hemodialysis patients is present beyond health care settings. With the rise of antimicrobial-resistant infections, the benefits of partnering with patients in preventing CABSIs cannot be overemphasized. Patient education is the cornerstone of patient engagement, and a prerequisite for other involvement strategies. The responsibility for educating patients is multidisciplinary and must be accentuated at all stages of hemodialysis care. Enhancing patient self-efficacy in preventing CABSIs requires them to have an adequate level of knowledge on infection prevention and the skills and confidence to self-care in the community. Providing patient education is the first step to empower patients, facilitating their ownership of their journey in care and safeguarding them from infections.
Model-based view planning for building inspection and surveillance using voxel dilation, Medial Objects, and Random-Key Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Jing Wei , Shimada Kenji
Published: December 2017

Model-based view planning is to find a near-optimal set of viewpoints that cover the surface of a target geometric model. It has been applied to many building inspection and surveillance applications with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Previous approaches proposed in the past few decades suffer from several limitations: many of them work exclusively for 2D problems, generate only a sub-optimal set of views for target surfaces in 3D environment, and/or generate a set of views that cover only part of the target surfaces in 3D environment. This paper presents a novel two-step computational method for finding near-optimal views to cover the surface of a target set of buildings using voxel dilation, Medial Objects (MO), and Random-Key Genetic Algorithm (RKGA). In the first step, the proposed method inflates the building surfaces by voxel dilation to define a sub-volume around the buildings. The MO of this sub-volume is then calculated, and candidate viewpoints are sampled using Gaussian sampling around the MO surface. In the second step, an optimization problem is formulated as (partial) Set Covering Problem and solved by searching through the candidate viewpoints using RKGA and greedy search. The performance of the proposed two-step computational method was measured with several computational cases, and the performance was compared with two previously proposed methods: the optimal-scan-zone method and the randomized sampling-based method. The results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the previous methods by finding a better solution with fewer viewpoints and higher coverage ratio compared to the previous methods.

Highlights A two-step “generate-test” view planning method is proposed. Voxel dilation, Medial Objects and Gaussian sampling are used to generate viewpoints. Random-Key GA and Greedy search are combined to solve the Set Covering Problem. The proposed method is benchmarked and outperforms two existing methods.
Numerical modeling of the mechanisms of magma mingling and mixing: A case study of the formation of complex intrusions
Authors: Semenov A.N. , Polyansky O.P.
Published: December 2017

This paper describes a thermomechanical mathematical model of magma mingling and mixing during the formation of complex intrusions and presents the first results of numerical modeling. The model considers one-pulse intrusion of mafic or intermediate melts into a granitoid magma chamber. The model is based on literature data on the composition and structure of two polychronous intrusions: the Burgas quartz syenite massif and the Magadan granitoid batholith. The modeling shows that the main parameter controlling the convection regime is the density difference. The density and viscosity contrasts of interacting magmas during mingling and mixing are estimated. Depending on the density difference, one of the possible processes dominates: In the case of a small difference (less than 30–40 kg/m3), magma mixing and hybridization in a small contact zone takes place; in the case of a large difference (100 kg/m3 or more), magma mingling predominates. The viscosity contrast, in turn, determines whether interpenetration of melts or fragmentation of melts in the form of drops, spheres, etc. occurs. There is a limiting viscosity of salic magma (108 Pa⋅s) at which the flows freeze in the chamber and further cooling occurs with a slowly moving fluid. The time of formation of mingling structures is estimated to be several days to several hundred years, depending on the initial melt viscosity.