bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting Platelets Containing Electro-encapsulated lloprost to Balloon Injured Aorta in Rats
Authors: Crawford N , Chajara A , Pfliegler G , Gamal B EI , Brewer L , Capron L
Published: July 2018

Drugs can be electro-encapsulated within platelets and targeted to damaged blood vessels by exploiting the platelet’s natural haemostatic properties to adhere to collagen and other vessel wall constituents revealed by injury. A rat aorta balloon angioplasty model has been used to study the effect on platelet deposition of giving iloprost loaded platelets i.v. during the balloon injury. After labelling the circulating platelets with 111-Indium before balloon injury, time course studies showed maximum platelet deposition on the injured aorta occurred at about 1 h post-injury and the deposition remained stable over the next 2-3 h. When iloprost-loaded platelets were given i.v. during injury and the circulating platelet pool labelled with 111-Indium 30 min later, platelet deposition, measured at 2 h postinjury, was substantially and significantly reduced compared with control platelet treatment. Some antiproliferative effects of iloprost-loaded platelets given i.v. during injury have also been observed. Whereas the incorporation of [3H]-thymidine into aorta intima-media DNA at 3 days post injury was 62-fold higher in balloon injured rats than in control sham operated rats, thymidine incorporation into intima/media of rats which had received iloprost loaded platelets during injury was reduced as compared with rats subjected only to the injury procedure. The reduction was only of near significance, however, but at 14 days after injury the total DNA content of the aorta intima/media of rats given iloprost loaded platelets during injury was significantly reduced. Although iloprost loaded platelets can clearly inhibit excessive platelet deposition, other encapsulated agents may have greater anti-proliferative effects. These studies have shown that drug loaded platelets can be targeted to injured arteries, where they may be retained as depots for local release. We believe this novel drug delivery protocol may have therapeutic potential in reducing the incidence of occlusion and restenosis after angioplasty and thrombolysis treatment. Electro-encapsulation of drugs into platelets is a simple procedure and, using autologous and fully biocompatible and biodegradable platelets as delivery vehicles, might overcome some of the immunological and toxicological problems which have been encountered with other delivery vectors such as liposomes, microbeads, synthetic microcapsules and antibodies.
Diagnosis of Subtype 2B von Willebrand Disease in a Patient with 2A Phenotype of Plasma von Willebrand Factor
Authors: Gaucher Christine , de Romeuf Christophe , Rauïs-Morret Michéle , Corazza Francis , Fondu Pierre , Mazurier Claudine
Published: July 2018

Type 2A of von Willebrand disease refers to qualitative variants with decreased platelet dependent function that is associated with the absence of high molecular weight forms of von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers. Type 2B refers to qualitative variants with increased affinity for platelet glycoprotein lb. In this report we describe the study of a patient who has been previously diagnosed as having subtype 2A von Willebrand disease (vWD), because she had no heightened ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation, no large and intermediate molecular weight von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers in plasma, and no increase in plasma vWF capacity to bind to normal platelets in the presence of low ristocetin concentrations. The DNA sequencing of the 3’ part of the exon 28 of the vWF gene where most of the subtype 2A mutations have already been identified, did not detect any nucleotide change. At variance, a G to A transition changing the encoded amino acid residue from Val 553 to Met in mature vWF, was found in the 5’ part of this exon. This mutation which has already been found in several unrelated families with 2B vWD and the increased binding of the patient platelet vWF on normal platelets in the presence of low ristocetin concentrations provide evidence for subtype 2B vWD. This study thus illustrates the importance of the molecular characterization of patients in the correct diagnosis and classification of type 2 vWD.
Genetic Determinants of Plasma Factor VII Activity in the Japanese
Authors: Kario Kazuomi , Narita Naoko , Matsuo Takefumi , Kayaba Kazunori , Tsutsumi Akisumi , Matsuo Masafumi , Miyata Toshiyuki , Shimada Kazuyuki
Published: July 2018

We investigated the frequency of the factor VII Gln353 (FVII Gln353) allele in Japan, where coronary artery disease is much less common and factor VII coagulant activity (FVIIc) is lower than in Western countries. Japanese males (n = 144) aged 40-59 years living in 2 different districts were studied, and the FVIIc and activated factor VII (FVIIa) levels were measured with human (FVIIa Hum) and bovine soluble tissue factor (FVIIa Bov). The frequency of the FVII Gln353 allele in the 2 districts was 0.026 and 0.052 (combined: 0.034), which was about one third of that in a European population. Thus, the lower FVIIc level in Japanese is not due to the effect of FVII Gln353 allele. Ten individuals with the Gln353 allele showed a 39% decrease of FVIIa Hum levels and a 29 % decrease of the FVIIa Bov level compared with 134 individuals homozygous for the FVII Arg353 allele. These decreases of FVIIa were greater than the decrease of FVIIc (17%), suggesting that FVII Gln353 may be difficult to activate in vivo. The marked decrease of FVIIa levels in individuals with the FVII Gln353 allele suggests that they are genetically protected against cardiovascular disease irrespective of ethnic background, by virtue of their decreased FVIIa level.
Genetic Determination of Coagulation Factor VIIc Levels among Healthy Middle-aged Women
Authors: Meilahn Elaine , Ferrell Robert , Kiss Joseph , Temple Anne , Green Fiona , Humphries Steve , Kuller Lewis
Published: July 2018

A recent study (1) reported variation among men in clotting factor Vile levels is associated with a genetic polymorphism detected by the restriction enzyme Msp I. The present study determined the Msp I genotype (Arg353, Gln353 alleles) for 189 women (mean age 53) who were subjects in the Healthy Women Study, a population study of CHD risk factor change at menopause. Women with the Arg/Arg genotype (n = 147) had an 16% higher (geometric) mean FVIIc level than those with the Arg/Gln (n = 41) genotype (1.21 vs 1.04 U/ml, p<0.01), while the one subject with the Gln/Gln genotype had an FVIIc level of 1.00 U/ml. These results are consistent with those previously found in healthy men (1). In addition, women carrying the Gin allele did not exhibit the elevation in FVIIc with menopause and use of hormone therapy found among those with the Arg allele, suggesting that genotype may modify the observed rise in factor Vile at menopause. Possibly because of the small sample size this interaction did not reach conventional levels of statistical significance. Results of multiple linear regression analyses controlling for age, hormone use, obesity, (In) triglyceride levels, and family history of CHD found FVIIc levels to be significantly (p<0.001) related to genotype. Thus, genotype appears to be a major determinant of FVIIc levels among women.
Growth Hormone Deficiency Impairs Blood Clotting and Reduces Factor VII Coagulant Activity in Rat
Authors: Sävendahl L S G , Grankvist K , Engström K G
Published: July 2018

To investigate pituitary effects on the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors, female rats were hypophysectomized (hypox) and treated with growth hormone (GH), cortisone, thyroxine, vitamin K, or saline. After 11 days of treatment, the prothrombin time, platelet count, and factors II, VII, IX, and X were determined. The prothrombin time was 52.9 ± 1.2% for control rats and 39.1 ± 0.8% for hypox rats (mean ± SEM; p<0.001). All factors decreased after hypophysectomy, reaching significance for factor VII (from 264 ± 23% to 131 ± 9%; p <0.001) and factor IX (from 28.4 ± 2.2% to 17.1 ± 2.5%; p<0.01) while the platelet count was unaffected. When hypox rats were treated with GH, the prothrombin time increased to 50.9 ± 1.0% (p <0.001) and factor VII to 299 ± 10% (p<0.001). Factor II, IX, and X were slightly increased after GH substitution but not after cortisone, thyroxine, or vitamin K treatment. To summarize, GH is of importance for normal hemostasis in the female rat.
Thromboplastic Activity of Split Products of Phosphatidyl Ethanolamine
Authors: Slotta Karl H. , Deutsch Erwin
Published: July 2018

Pure synthetic L-α-(dioleoyl) PE is inactive as a platelet substitute in the thromboplastin generation test, even when in a stable suspension. Under humid conditions it is partly hydrolyzed. Among the split products lyso PE and phosphoryl ethanolamine were identified. The resulting mixture has thromboplastin generating activity. This thromboplastin is formed slowly, but it is stable over longer periods of time than thromboplastins formed from PS + PC or PS + PE mixtures, which are rapidly generated and lose activity faster.
Assessment of Bleeding for the Evaluation of Therapeutic Preparations in Small Animal Models of Antibody-Induced Hemophilia and von Willebrand Disease
Authors: Turecek P L , Gritsch H , Richter G , Auer W , Pichler L , Schwarz H P
Published: July 2018

Three small animal models of bleeding are described and used to evaluate the effects of preparations intended for therapy of human bleeding disorders. We modified techniques for the assessment of bleeding to be able to reproducibly quantify blood loss and rate of blood flow in addition to the measurement of bleeding time.

Temporary hemophilia was induced in a rabbit model by injection of high titer human inhibitor plasma [>1000 Bethesda units (BU)/ml]. A decrease in rabbit FVIII from normal values to below the limit of detection was observed within 30 min, cuticle bleeding time changed from normal (approx. 10 min) to steady state bleeding (>30 min), and the rate of blood flow increased from 4 to >30 µl blood/min. Infusion of an activated prothrombin complex concentrate (FEIBA STIM4, Immuno) at doses between 75 and 150 U/kg normalized the rate of blood flow, while infusion of FVIII/vWF concentrate resulted in partial correction. Administration of FVIIa, both recombinant and plasma-derived, failed to correct bleeding, however. In an analogous murine model, FVIII/ vWF inhibitor plasma was obtained by immunizing goats with a purified human FVIII/vWF complex. This plasma cross-reacted with mouse vWF in vitro. Injection of the anti-FVIII/vWF inhibitor plasma into mice caused a decrease in vWF antigen, in some animals with a complete loss of vWF multimers comparable to severe von Willebrand disease. A specific anti-vWF inhibitor plasma obtained by immunization of goats with recombinant vWF was used in a further murine model, resulting in a gradual but substantial decrease in FVIII as well as in intensive bleeding. The infusion of a FVIII/vWF concentrate (IMMUNATE, IMMUNO) normalized the rate of blood flow in both murine models. The same assessment methods were used to characterize bleeding in a natural mouse model of von Willebrand disease (strain RIIIS/J). The use of quantitative techniques of assessment of blood loss and rate of blood flow appears to be a helpful tool for characterizing hemorrhagic situations and evaluating the capacity of therapeutic preparations to correct hemostatic defects.
Streptokinase Entrapment in Interdigitation-Fusion Liposomes Improves Thrombolysis in an Experimental Rabbit Model
Authors: Perkins W R , Vaughan D E , Plavin S R , Daley W L , Rauch J , Lee L , Janoff A S
Published: July 2018

The successful design of new thrombolytic agents depends on providing these agents with increased clot selectivity. As recently demonstrated (10), entrapment of tissue plasminogen activator into liposomes apparently provided the selective targeting needed to improve the efficacy of this fibrinolytic agent. To test whether liposomal entrapment would benefit streptokinase, a fibrinolytic agent with a different mode of action and inactivation, we compared liposomal streptokinase with free streptokinase in an experimental rabbit model of thrombolysis.

First we adapted a new method to produce liposomes of high entrapment efficiency, termed interdigitation-fusion (IF) liposomes, for the encapsulation of streptokinase. This system was then tested in an in vivo rabbit model of thrombolysis where animals with established clots were infused with either free streptokinase (40,000 U/kg), liposomally entrapped streptokinase, free streptokinase + empty liposomes, or the corresponding amount of empty liposomes or saline. Significant differences (p <0.05) in the percent clot lysis were observed between saline control (22.4 ± 3.3%; mean ± S.E.), free streptokinase (36.3 ± 3.4%), and liposomal streptokinase (47.4 ± 1.4%). Importantly, animals treated with empty liposomes experienced a level of thrombolysis (32.4 ± 2.8%) not different to that produced by free streptokinase or empty liposomes plus free streptokinase (38.0 ± 2.0%). We believe the effect of liposomes alone is due to a transient redistribution or margination of circulating platelets.

When tested in rabbits immunized against streptokinase, liposomal (33.8 ± 1.5%) but not free streptokinase (29.3 ± 2.1%) showed significant thrombolytic activity compared to saline (22.4 ± 3.3%) (p <0.05). The thrombolytic activity was comparable to free streptokinase in nonimmunized rabbits. This suggests liposomal streptokinase would have better thrombolytic activity than streptokinase alone and still provide to those patients possessing high levels of anti-streptokinase antibodies (5% of the population) the equivalent degree of therapy expected from free streptokinase.
The Leu33/Pro Polymorphism (PIA1/PIA2
) of the Glycoprotein IIIa (GPIIIa) Receptor Is Not Related to Myocardial Infarction in the ECTIM Study
Authors: Herrmann Stefan-Martin , Poirier Odette , Marques-Vidal Pedro , Evans Alun , Arveiler Dominique , Luc Gerald , Emmerich Joseph , Cambien François
Published: July 2018

The GPIIb/IIIa receptor complex may contribute to acute coronary syndromes by mediating platelet aggregation. The Leu33/Pro polymorphism (PlAl/PlA2) of the GPIIIa has recently been shown to be associated with CHD in a small case-control study. We have investigated this polymorphism in a large multicenter study of patients with myocardial infarction and controls and found no difference in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies between cases and controls.
Platelet Shape Change and Cytoskeletal Assembly: Effects of pH and Monovalent Cation lonophores
Authors: Leven R M , Gonnella P A , Reeber M J , Nachmias V T
Published: July 2018

The monovalent cation ionophores monensin and nigericin cause platelet shape change at a rate of approximately 1/20 of that caused by ADP. The effect of monensin was studied further. Shape change caused by monensin is pH dependent, increasing in rate as extracellular pH increases. Monensin induced shape change is not blocked by 30 μM cinanserin which completely inhibits serotonin induced shape change. Also, the amount of serotonin secreted by monensin treated platelets is below the threshold required to induce shape change. 100 μM ATP which inhibits ADP induced shape change does not affect monensin induced shape change. Amiloride, a sodium transport blocker, inhibits both the rate of ADP induced shape change and platelet spreading on poly-lysine coated glass. Amorphous platelet cyto-skeletons isolated from resting platelets at pH 6.8 with Mg+ + but not Ca++ can be transformed into filament bundles by subsequent incubation at pH 7.6. We conclude that platelet shape change is at least in part triggered by changes in cellular Na+ and pH
Abnormal Properties and Behaviors of Antithrombin III Found in a Thrombophilic Patient: Defective Biological Functions and Dissimilar Antigenic Determinants
Authors: Murayama Hideki , Matsuda Michio
Published: July 2018

Abnormal properties of antithrombin III have been found in a 55-year-old male who has been thrombophilic over the last seven years. They are characterized by 1) defective inhibition of thrombin and activated blood coagulation factor X, 2) reduced affinity to heparin and 3) partial immunological identity with the normal molecule. The antithrombin III molecule, however, preserves a single-chain structure and an apparently identical molecular weight with that of the normal molecule. It is, thus, very unlikely that the impaired functions of antithrombin III in the patient’s plasma are induced by possible proteolytic modifications of the molecule by thrombin or other related activated blood coagulation factors.

Since no other members of his immediate family have been found to be affected, the abnormality may be acquired rather than genetically determined, although further investigation is necessary for the elucidation of the abnormality of the molecule.
Pilotstudie: Mikrobiom und Darmbarriere bei Anorexia nervosa
Authors: Mörkl Sabrina , Lackner Sonja , Meinitzer Andreas , Gorkiewicz Gregor , Kashofer Karl , Painold Annamaria , Holl Anna , Holasek Sandra
Published: July 2018

Einleitung Forschungsergebnisse zeigen Veränderungen des Darmmikrobioms bei Anorexia nervosa (AN). Die Alpha-Diversität (AD) repräsentiert die Anzahl von Bakterienarten im Darm. Eine verminderte AD und erhöhte Darmpermeabilität (Zonulin) kann zu Inflammation und Veränderungen der Nährstoffaufnahme führen. Methoden AD wurde aus Stuhlproben von 18 AN-Patientinnen sowie 20 normalgewichtigen Kontrollen (NK) nach 16S RNA Sequenzierung ermittelt. Zusätzlich wurden Zonulin als Marker der Darmbarriere und inflammatorische Parameter bestimmtErgebnisse AN-Patientinnen wiesen im Vergleich zu NK eine verminderte AD auf (Chao-1-Diversity: p=0.043, number of observed species p=0.042). Zonulin zeigte sich bei AN-Patientinnen im Vergleich zu NK nicht signifikant vermindert. Es gab keine Korrelationen zwischen den Serumparametern und AD. Diskussion AN-Patientinnen weisen unabhängig von der Darmpermeabilität eine erniedrigte AD auf. Die reduzierte AD kann die Kalorienaufnahme bei AN zusätzlich negativ beeinflussen. Diese Ergebnisse tragen zu einem besseren Krankheitsverständnis und der Entwicklung neuer Therapieoptionen bei.
Absorption-free superluminal light propagation in a Landau-quantized graphene
Authors: Kazemi Seyedeh Hamideh , Maleki Mohammad Ali , Mahmoudi Mohammad
Published: July 2018

In recent years, control of group velocity of light has attracted enormous interest. One of the main challenges is to realize an absorption-free fast or slow light propagation. Here, we study dispersion and absorption properties of a weak probe field in a Landau-quantized graphene and report a gain-assisted superluminal light propagation. Moreover, an attempt is made to develop an analytical expression and necessary parameters for switching the group velocity of the probe field from subluminal to superluminal. It’s worth mentioning that large dephasing rate in graphene offers feasibility of superluminal propagation of ultrashort light pulses. Additionally, dynamical behavior of dispersion and absorption of a weak probe field in a closed-type graphene system is investigated, and it is found that the absorption and dispersion can be dramatically affected by both the relative phase of applied fields and the Rabi frequencies in such a way that a large transient gain can be achieved and a transient absorption can be completely eliminated.
Superlong uniform light tunnel created by focusing radially polarized vortex beam
Authors: Chen Jiannong , Xu Qinfeng
Published: July 2018

A method of generating a super-long micro-scale light tunnel with longitudinal intensity variation less than three percent of the maximum is presented. A radially polarized vortex beam with topological charge of two can be focused into a relatively short light tunnel when the ring-like annular amplitude filter is used to block the outer annular part of the light beam or when an objective with relatively low numerical aperture is used. A fan-shaped division of the central part of light beam cross section with phase modulation scheme is adopted to generate four relatively short light tunnels simultaneously with exactly the same intensity distribution and optimized axial shift. Based on these foundations, a super-long micro-scale light tunnel with uniform intensity is demonstrated both in simulation and experiment.
CHD3 dissociation on Pt(111): A comparison of the reaction dynamics based on the PBE functional and on a specific reaction parameter functional
Authors: Chadwick H. , Migliorini D. , Kroes G. J.
Published: July 2018

We present a comparison of ab initio molecular dynamics calculations for CHD3 dissociation on Pt(111) using the Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) functional and a specific reaction parameter (SRP) functional. Despite the two functionals predicting approximately the same activation barrier for the reaction, the calculations using the PBE functional consistently overestimate the experimentally determined dissociation probability, whereas the SRP functional reproduces the experimental values within a chemical accuracy (4.2 kJ/mol). We present evidence that suggests that this difference in reactivity can at least in part be attributed to the presence of a van der Waals well in the potential of the SRP functional which is absent from the PBE description. This leads to the CHD3 molecules being accelerated and spending less time near the surface for the trajectories run with the SRP functional, as well as more energy being transferred to the surface atoms. We suggest that both these factors reduce the reactivity observed in the SRP calculations compared to the PBE calculations.
Extracting structural information from MEH-PPV optical spectra
Authors: Milward Jonathan D. , Marcus Max , Köhler Anna , Barford William
Published: July 2018

The Frenkel-Holstein model in the Born-Oppenheimer regime is used to interpret temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra of solutions made with the poly(p-phenylene vinylene) derivative MEH-PPV. Using our recently developed structural optimization method and assuming only intrachain electronic coupling, we predict the structure of emissive MEH-PPV chromophores in terms of a mean torsional angle ϕ0 and its static fluctuations σϕ, assuming no cis-trans defects. This allows us to fully account for the observed changes in spectra, and the chromophore structures obtained are consistent with the known phase transition at 180 K between a “red” and “blue” phase.
Microscopic analyses of stress profile within confined granular assemblies
Authors: Zhao Haiyang , An Xizhong , Wu Yongli , Yang Xiaohong
Published: July 2018

Bottom pressure of confined granular assemblies saturates at a certain value even this packing bed is being continuously charged. Corresponding formulation has been established to describe this interesting phenomenon. In this work, the influences of particle size and friction on the bottom stresses of granular matter were numerically investigated by discrete element method (DEM). It is found that the Janssen model can well predict the stress profile only when the size ratio of the container versus the particle is larger than 16. Moreover, a hydrostatic linear relation between apparent mass and filling mass can be obtained when the friction coefficient becomes insignificant (μ ≤ 0.01). To further interpret the Janssen effects, the granular assemblies are characterized and evaluated from the overall interactions with sidewalls, angular distribution function, void size distribution, coordination number, contact networks, contact orientation and distributions of contact forces within the packing structure. It is believed that these results will be helpful to comprehend the granular behaviors and may offer instructive reference to industrial processes in related fields.
Atomistic simulation of effects of surface notches and loading mode on deformation and mechanics of ZrNi metallic glass
Authors: Wu Cheng-Da , Hsu Chen-Wei
Published: July 2018

The effects of surface notches and loading mode on the mechanical deformation and mechanics of ZrNi metallic glass (MG) are studied using molecular dynamics simulations based on the many-body embedded-atom potential. The effects are investigated in terms of atomic trajectories, shear strain distributions, and stress-strain curves. The simulation results show that for ZrNi MG, resistance to shear deformation (shear strain > 200%) before breaking is much greater than that to tensile and compressive deformation. For ZrNi MG under tension, a pre-existing notch leads to earlier necking and breaking. Significant stress concentration occurs around the notch root when the notch length (L) is 3 nm or above, and dominates plastic deformation. For ZrNi MG under compression, a pre-existing notch is completely filled by neighboring atoms at the initial stage of compression. A pre-existing notch leads to single-edge barreling and weakens a sample’s ultimate strength when the L value is 3 nm or above. For ZrNi MG under shear loading, a pre-existing notch does not influence the shear modulus of samples; however, their ultimate strength decreases with increasing L value.
Low loss GaInNAs/GaAs gain waveguides with U-bend geometry for single-facet coupling in hybrid photonic integration
Authors: Tuorila Heidi , Viheriälä Jukka , Cherchi Matteo , Aho Antti T. , Aalto Timo , Guina Mircea
Published: July 2018

We report a low loss U-bend waveguide for realization of GaAs-based gain elements employed in hybrid photonic integration. This architecture allows us to position the input and output ports of the gain waveguide on the same facet and thus alleviates the geometrical constrains in hybrid integration, i.e., the need for precise alignment with silicon photonic waveguides on both ends of the III–V chip. As an exemplary demonstration, we report the loss and gain characteristics of GaInNAs/GaAs U-bend waveguides operating at 1.3 μm. In particular, we demonstrate a bending loss as low as 1.1 dB for an 83 μm bending radius. Efficient laser diode operation is also demonstrated.
Structure, magnetic and cryogenic magneto-caloric properties in intermetallic gallium compounds RE2Co2Ga (RE = Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm)
Authors: Zhang Yikun , Guo Dan , Geng Shuhua , Lu Xionggang , Wilde Gerhard
Published: July 2018

The intermetallic gallium compounds RE2Co2Ga with different rare earths (RE = Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm) were synthesized, and their crystal structure, microstructure, magnetic, and cryogenic magneto-caloric performances were investigated. The RE2Co2Ga compounds crystallize with an ordered orthorhombic W2B2Co-type structure (space group Immm). All the RE2Co2Ga compounds undergo ferromagnetic (FM) ordering (second-order) from a paramagnetic to FM transition which induces reversible magneto-caloric effects (MCE). The Curie temperatures (TC) in RE2Co2Ga compounds are determined to be 55.0, 38.5, 25.5, and 11.6 K for RE = Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm, respectively, which fulfill the de Gennes scaling. The RE2Co2Ga compounds show relatively small MCE (i.e., −ΔSM, isothermal magnetic entropy change) around their own phase transition temperatures, and the maximal values of −ΔSM are 7.5, 14.6, 11.2, and 13.2 J/kg K in the field change (ΔH) of 7 T for RE = Dy, Ho, Er, and Tm, respectively. Accordingly, the values of the relative cooling power are 212, 335, 304, and 239 J/kg, respectively.
Writing with catalytic ink shapes ZnO thin films
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: July 2018

A new, two-step process makes ZnO thin films of desired geometries without using carving or mask techniques.
Associations between intimate partner violence and married women’s condom and other contraceptive use in rural India
Authors: Dasgupta Anindita , Saggurti Niranjan , Ghule Mohan , Reed Elizabeth , Donta Balaiah , Battala Madhusudana , Nair Saritha , Ritter Julie , Gajanan Velhal , Silverman Jay , Raj Anita
Published: July 2018

Background
The existing literature on the intersection between women’s reports of spousal intimate partner violence (IPV) and contraceptive use in South Asia is conflicted. Results vary based on method of contraception use and form of violence (physical or sexual), and few examine the relationship between IPV and various methods of modern spacing contraceptive (MSC) use. This study examines associations between IPV and MSC use among a sample of married, not-currently pregnant couples in rural Maharashtra, India (n = 861). Methods: Multinomial logistic regression models assessed wives’ physical and sexual IPV victimisation (for the past 6-months) in relation to the wives’ past 3-month MSC use (categorised as condom use, other MSCs [oral pills, Intrauterine device (IUD)] and no MSCs). Results: In terms of violence, 9% (n = 78) and 4% (n = 34) of wives reported recent physical and sexual IPV victimisation, respectively. The majority (72%; n = 621) did not use any MSC method in the past 3 months; 14% (n = 119) reported recent condom use, and the same proportion reported other MSC use. Recent physical IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent condom use (AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.20, 5.04), and recent sexual IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent use of other MSC (AOR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.24, 8.56). Conclusions: These findings reinforce the need for integration of counselling around IPV prevention and intervention programming into existing family planning services targeting married couples in rural Maharashtra, India.
Prevalence and risk factors of erectile dysfunction in patients with hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus or chronic liver disease: results from a prospective study
Authors: Gentile Ivan , Fusco Ferdinando , Buonomo Antonio Riccardo , Scotto Riccardo , Zappulo Emanuela , Pinchera Biagio , Persico Francesco , Califano Gianluigi , Borgia Guglielmo , Longo Nicola
Published: July 2018

Background
Approximately 300 million people are affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection worldwide. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequent condition that impairs the quality of life and can be associated with several chronic disorders (type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, depression). Few studies have evaluated the prevalence of ED in patients with HBV and HCV chronic infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the risk factors of ED in a cohort of patients with HBV or HCV-related chronic liver diseases. Methods: Consecutive patients with HCV and HBV chronic infection were enrolled. Results: In total, 89 out (49 with cirrhosis, 21 with HBV and 68 with HCV infection) were included in this study. ED was diagnosed in 76.4% of patients. The use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors was reported by 21.3% of patients. Patients with ED were older and had a higher rate of cirrhosis and diabetes mellitus compared with patients without ED. At multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus and stage of liver disease (cirrhosis vs chronic hepatitis) were the only independent predictors of ED. Conclusion: Due to the high rate of ED in outpatients with viral-related liver disease and the underuse of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, a larger study focussed on these patients is needed.
1. Introduction
Authors: Jefferson Philip N.
Published: July 2018

Poverty is a global issue. There are people in every country with a standard of living that is significantly lower than that of others. Nevertheless, the absolute number of people living in poverty has decreased since 1990, especially in the poorest countries in the world. Therefore, there is reason to hope that further poverty reduction can occur. The Introduction outlines the pervasiveness and trends in poverty around the world; the many different causes of poverty that embed themselves in social, political, economic, educational, and technological processes, which affect all of us from birth to death; and considers why poverty matters. Overall, the economy suffers if systematic public policy does not address poverty.
3. Measurement
Authors: Jefferson Philip N.
Published: July 2018

What do we mean when we say someone is living in poverty? Do we mean that their income is too low, that their consumption is too low, or that given their particular level of either, their ability to participate in society is severely restricted? Once a poverty line is set, other questions arise. Should our focus be on individuals or families? ‘Measurement’ considers different measures of well-being and explains the differences between absolute and relative concepts of poverty. For public policy purposes, we need simple statistics that summarize the state of affairs overall. Only by tracking such statistics over time can we determine whether our efforts to reduce poverty are paying dividends.
7. Combating poverty
Authors: Jefferson Philip N.
Published: July 2018

Although poverty reduction has not occurred as fast as anyone would like, we know a considerable amount about what is helpful in the struggle against poverty. We also know a lot about what is not helpful. What seems to reduce poverty? What does not? Why have countries in East Asia and the Pacific excelled in poverty reduction, while sub-Saharan African countries and many developed countries have not? ‘Combating poverty’ considers the role of economic growth and inequality, the role of governance and institutions, markets and trade, social safety nets and social protection systems, infrastructure, foreign aid, the treatment of women and girls, and evaluation of the policies and programmes that reduce poverty.
Ancient Stoicism and modern life
Authors: Inwood Brad
Published: July 2018

In the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans, the idea of philosophy as a way of life had its fullest and clearest development in Stoicism. ‘Ancient Stoicism and modern life’ provides an overview of Stoicism’s major figures. The Stoic school was founded by Zeno in the late 4th century bce. His students, Cleanthes and Aristo, developed different interpretations of Stoic philosophy—Large Stoicism and Minimal Stoicism, respectively. However, it is the work of much later writers—Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius—that is accessible today. The application of Stoicism to modern life by French philosopher Pierre Hadot and American fighter pilot James Stockdale is also considered.
Reading Stoics today
Authors: Inwood Brad
Published: July 2018

For modern readers, despite not being typical representatives of the school, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius are the foundation for our understanding of Stoicism for two reasons. First, except for Seneca, theirs are the earliest and almost only complete works we have from the ancient Stoics. Second, both Epictetus and Marcus are atypical in the way they wrote and the kind of audience they chose to address. ‘Reading Stoics today’ considers why Seneca is not more important in our contemporary popular understanding of Stoicism. How did the Stoic whose legacy was of such basic importance in the later middle ages and Renaissance come to take a back seat in general culture?
The origins of the school
Authors: Inwood Brad
Published: July 2018

The earliest Stoics shared a great deal with Plato and his followers, so why didn’t the early Stoics just join Plato’s Academy? The problem was metaphysics. Plato’s most distinctive doctrine was his theory of Forms, but in the view of Aristotle and the Stoics, Platonic Forms cannot be distinct and separate substances that cause physical particulars to be what they are. ‘The origins of the school’ explains that the Stoics had to develop a metaphysical status for such things that acknowledged their ‘reality’ without treating them as bodies. It explains the Stoics’ nominalism and how Stoics adopted the division of philosophy into logic, physics, and ethics.
Physics
Authors: Inwood Brad
Published: July 2018

One of the main dividing lines in Greek physical theory was the question of the nature of matter. ‘Physics’ explains that the Stoics fit squarely into the non-atomistic tradition, being definitely committed to the infinite divisibility of matter, the rejection of void, and the fundamental role of four basic forms of matter—earth, air, fire, and water—with no need for a special kind of stuff for the heavenly bodies. It considers the ‘big picture’ of Stoic cosmology and their providential determinism. If the determined world is part of a grand plan aimed at producing the good, why is there so much bad in the world?
Logic
Authors: Inwood Brad
Published: July 2018

‘Logic’ explains that logic has a broad and a narrow sense in Stoic theory and deals with a subset of sayables and meanings. Their logic is close to what we would call propositional logic. Chrysippus was the pioneer and genius of Stoic logic. He seems to have held that in simple assertoric logic all valid inference forms could be reduced to combinations of five basic and indemonstrable argument forms, with the assistance of several other logical and metalogical principles. The Stoics also worked extensively on modal syllogistic and other areas of research in logic with a sophistication not paralleled in some cases until the 20th century.
4. Synthetic biology and healthcare
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: July 2018

‘Synthetic biology and healthcare’ explains how synthetic biology can be applied to medicine: it can be used to produce drugs and new vaccines; improve monitoring and diagnosis; and it is just starting to be used to modify human cells with properties designed to help patients. In a research context, it is being applied to building new tissues. For most medical applications, there is no risk of the engineered organisms ‘running wild’ in the general environment; risk is restricted to specific patients who already have a problem that needs to be solved. In general, therefore, medicine is a field in which synthetic biology may make its earliest significant real-world contributions.
6. Synthetic biology for basic research
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: July 2018

Synthetic biology has been built on the foundations of a vast amount of fundamental knowledge about how genes, proteins, and living cells and tissues work. It is now paying back its debt to science by providing sophisticated tools for analysis of natural systems, and testing hypotheses and ideas. ‘Synthetic biology for basic research’ presents a few examples from many, including how synthetic biology is being used as a tool for enquiry in neuroscience and embryology, and its importance in verifying that we understand biology as well as we think we do. An example of a large-scale synthetic biology experiment designed to test hypotheses about genomes is the Yeast 2.0 project.
8. Cultural impact
Authors: Davies Jamie A.
Published: July 2018

Science is not an isolated enterprise: it is affected by and affects broader society and culture. Synthetic biology has changed aspects of education; stimulated artists, writers, and film-makers; and caught the interest of philosophers, ethicists, campaigners, and legislators. ‘Cultural impact’ gives a taste of the wider political, artistic, and cultural implications of synthetic biology. It also considers the fears and hopes that arise from these new technologies. Most speculation about synthetic biology takes an optimistic view of the good that may come from an ability to engineer living things. In the near future, there is much that can be done for the fields of energy, environment, medicine, and engineering.
1. What is geology?
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan
Published: July 2018

Geology is a little like having the world’s biggest and best time machine at one’s disposal. The field of enquiry is the whole Earth, its 4.54-billion-year history, and everything that has formed on our planet over that time. ‘What is geology?’ explains that the geological record is a record of ancient worlds, of dynamic and evolving landscapes and submarine-scapes. Geology is a science encompassing virtually all the other sciences—chemistry, physics, biology, geography, oceanography, and many others—and involves or impinges upon many of the humanities and arts, and day-to-day life. It involves looking deep into the Earth’s structure, but also extends to the observation of other planets and moons.
4. Deep Earth geology
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan
Published: July 2018

The distance from the Earth’s surface to the centre of its core is 6,370 kilometres. Humans have penetrated—with difficulty, and the help of sophisticated technology—to a little more than 4 kilometres below ground; and to a depth of 12 kilometres, probing with boreholes. That does not even get us through the Earth’s crust, so what lies in the gigantic realm of the Earth’s depths? ‘Deep Earth geology’ considers the different areas of study of the Earth’s interior, including petrology—the study of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks—and magma studies that provide the tangible evidence of the Earth’s history. It also discusses seismology, geophysics, magnetism, and structural geology.
6. Geological fieldwork
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan
Published: July 2018

The rare, exotic, and wonderful has been one of the great attractions of geology, often being the ‘hook’ that initially attracted the attention of many a geological enthusiast. Dating back to at least Greek and Roman times, explorers went in search of mammoth and dinosaur bones, and prospectors targeted precious gems and metal ores. ‘Geological fieldwork’ explains, though, that systematically working out the total geology of a landscape requires a very different approach. It outlines the work of William Smith, who from the late 18th century produced the first geological maps of Great Britain, and describes some of the new technology used in modern geological fieldwork.
7. Geology for resources
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan
Published: July 2018

Humans have been practical geologists since even before our own species, Homo sapiens, walked the Earth. The exploitation of rock-bound resources required a level of understanding of rock composition and structure that remains impressive today. The mining of metals, the extraction of building stone, the engineering of waterways, developed over the centuries. Today, geological materials have become utterly pervasive within our lives. ‘Geology for resources’ considers how geologists seek out these resources from within the crust of our planet, focusing on fossilized hydrocarbons used as energy resources (coal, oil, and gas); the metal extraction process from metal ores; industrial mineralogy; phosphates, essential nutrients in agriculture; and hydrogeology, the study of underground water resources.
9. A very brief history of the Earth
Authors: Zalasiewicz Jan
Published: July 2018

Our planet is ancient—at 4.6 billion years—and over that time it has changed enormously. ‘A very brief history of the Earth’ describes how the Earth and Moon were created in the Chaotian Eon from the collision of two planets: Tellus and Theia. It outlines the heavy meteorite bombardment of the Hadean Eon; the Archean Eon (c.3.8 billion years ago) when rocks were first preserved; the arrival of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere and explosion of organic life in the Proterozoic Eon; and the Phanerozoic Eon, in which we still live. The various eras of this eon are described: the Palaeozoic Era, the Mesozoic Era, and the Cenozoic Era.
Autobiography: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Marcus Laura
Published: July 2018

Throughout history, individuals have recorded their own lives and experiences. These personal writings provide an understanding of the ways in which lives have been lived, and the most fundamental accounts of what it means to be a self in the world. Autobiography: A Very Short Introduction defines what is meant by ‘autobiography’, and considers its relationship with similar literary forms such as memoirs, journals, letters, and diaries. Analysing the core themes in autobiographical writing, including confession, conversion, testimony, romanticism, and the journeying self, this VSI discusses the autobiographical consciousness (and the roles played by time, memory, and identity), and considers the relationship between psychoanalysis and autobiography. It also explores the themes of self-portraiture, photography, and performance.
Auditory Training Reverses Lead (Pb)-Toxicity-Induced Changes in Sound-Azimuth Selectivity of Cortical Neurons
Authors: Liu Xia , Wei Fanfan , Cheng Yuan , Zhang Yifan , Jia Guoqiang , Zhou Jie , Zhu Min , Shan Ye , Sun Xinde , Yu Liping , Merzenich Michael M , Lurie Diana I , Zheng Qingyin , Zhou Xiaoming
Published: July 2018

Lead (Pb) causes significant adverse effects on the developing brain, resulting in cognitive and learning disabilities in children. The process by which lead produces these negative changes is largely unknown. The fact that children with these syndromes also show deficits in central auditory processing, however, indicates a speculative but disturbing relationship between lead-exposure, impaired auditory processing, and behavioral dysfunction. Here we studied in rats the changes in cortical spatial tuning impacted by early lead-exposure and their potential restoration to normal by auditory training. We found animals that were exposed to lead early in life displayed significant behavioral impairments compared with naïve controls while conducting the sound-azimuth discrimination task. Lead-exposure also degraded the sound-azimuth selectivity of neurons in the primary auditory cortex. Subsequent sound-azimuth discrimination training, however, restored to nearly normal the lead-degraded cortical azimuth selectivity. This reversal of cortical spatial fidelity was paralleled by changes in cortical expression of certain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter receptor subunits. These results in a rodent model demonstrate the persisting neurotoxic effects of early lead-exposure on behavioral and cortical neuronal processing of spatial information of sound. They also indicate that attention-demanding auditory training may remediate lead-induced cortical neurological deficits even after these deficits have occurred.
Improved Bounds for Restricted Families of Projections to Planes in ℝ3
Authors: Orponen Tuomas , Venieri Laura
Published: July 2018

For $e \in S^{2}$, the unit sphere in $\mathbb{R}^3$, let $\pi _{e}$ be the orthogonal projection to $e^{\perp } \subset \mathbb{R}^{3}$, and let $W \subset \mathbb{R}^{3}$ be any $2$-plane, which is not a subspace. We prove that if $K \subset \mathbb{R}^{3}$ is a Borel set with $\dim _{\textrm{H}} K \leq \tfrac{3}{2}$, then $\dim _{\textrm{H}} \pi _{e}(K) = \dim _{\textrm{H}} K$ for $\mathcal{H}^{1}$ almost every $e \in S^{2} \cap W$, where $\mathcal{H}^{1}$ denotes the one-dimensional Hausdorff measure and $\dim _{\textrm{H}}$ the Hausdorff dimension. This was known earlier, due to Järvenpää, Järvenpää, Ledrappier, and Leikas, for Borel sets $K$ with $\dim _{\textrm{H}} K \leq 1$. We also prove a partial result for sets with dimension exceeding $3/2$, improving earlier bounds by D. Oberlin and R. Oberlin.