bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C(sp2)−O Bond Formation through a Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reaction in Water Enabled by Micellar Catalysis
Authors: Ahanthem Dini , Laitonjam Warjeet S.
Published: July 2017

A nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction between (functionalized) aryl chlorides and alcohols that results in C(sp2)−O bond formation is described. This procedure further develops the nickel‐catalyzed nucleophilic substitution of aryl chlorides with water. Despite the intolerance of transition‐metal catalysis to water, the use of nickel reagents, including their formation and use in an aqueous micellar environment, are discussed herein. The PCy3 ligand, surfactant, and nickel catalyst were all found to be important for C−O bond formation. Various types of aromatic and aliphatic alcohols were tolerated in this reaction, thereby affording a range of ethers in high yields and selectivities.
Mechanochemistry Induced Using Force Exerted by a Functionalized Microscope Tip
Authors: Zhang Yajie , Wang Yongfeng , Lü Jing‐Tao , Brandbyge Mads , Berndt Richard
Published: July 2017

Atomic‐scale mechanochemistry is realized from force exerted by a C60‐functionalized scanning tunneling microscope tip. Two conformers of tin phthalocyanine can be prepared on coinage‐metal surfaces. A transition between these conformers is induced on Cu(111) and Ag(100). Density‐functional calculations reveal details of this reaction. Because of the large energy barrier of the reaction and the strong interaction of SnPc with Cu(111), the process cannot be achieved by electrical means.
Fractal MTW Zeolite Crystals: Hidden Dimensions in Nanoporous Materials
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhu Sheng‐cai , Shen Mei‐kun , Tian Hai‐wen , Xie Song‐hai , Zhang Hong‐bin , Zhang Ya‐hong , Tang Yi
Published: July 2017

Screw dislocation structures in crystals are an origin of symmetry breaking in a wide range of dense‐phase crystals. Preparation of such analogous structures in framework‐phase crystals is of great importance in zeolites but is still a challenge. On the basis of crystal‐structure solving and model building, it was found that the two specific intergrowths in MTW zeolite produce this complex fractal and spiral structure. With the structurally determined parameters (spiral pitch h, screw angle θ, and spatial angle ψ) of Burgers circuit, the screw dislocation structure can be constructed by two different dimensional intergrowth sections. Thus the reported complexity of various dimensions in diverse crystals can be unified.
Synthesis and characterization of SnO2/(NH4)2‐SnCl6 nanocomposites loaded on activated carbon and its application for adsorption of methylene Blue and Orange G
Authors: Jalali Samane , Rahimi Mahmood Reza , Ghaedi Mehrorang , Asfaram Arash , Goudarzi Alireza
Published: July 2017

The present study deals with the synthesis and characterization (FE‐SEM, particle size distribution, XRD and point of zero charge) SnO2/(NH4)2‐SnCl6 nanocomposites loaded on activated carbon (SnO2/(NH4)2‐SnCl6‐NCs‐AC) and its subsequent application for the simultaneous removal of Methylene Blue (MB) and Orange G (OG) from aqueous solution. Response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) give trend of influencing responses with respect to five parameters such as contact time (X1), OG concentration (X2), MB concentration (X3), adsorbent mass (X4) and pH (X5). In later stage following recognition of significant variables and interaction, quadratic model generated which are able to predict the dyes removal in different conditions. Justification and selection of significant terms was conducted based on analysis of variance and Fisher's F‐test Optimal value of contact time, OG concentration, MB concentration, adsorbent mass and pH were set at 4.0 min, 10 mg l−1, 20 mg L−1, 0.015 g and 6.0, respectively, which lead to achievement of best experiment removal percentage of 97.0 and 99.5% OG and MB respectively, from their binary solutions. The whole experimental data follow pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order rate equations. The fitting experimental data to more available conventional model like Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherm models revel more ability of Langmuir model (with R2 > 0.997) for explanation of system in equilibrium. The adsorption efficiency remained high even after the five cycle of reuse (99.76% and 95.56% for MB and OG, respectively).
Preparation of durable antibacterial and electrically conductive polyacrylonitrile fibers by copper sulfide coating
Authors: Wang Yu , Wang Wei , Liu Baojiang , Yu Dan
Published: July 2017

In this study, antibacterial and electrically conductive polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers were prepared by one‐step reaction between Cu2+ and S2– ions without extra reducing agents. The copper sulfide layer was firmly adhered to PAN fibers with the help of nitrile groups from PAN fibers and chelating agent of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt. The copper sulfide layer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, Raman and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results illustrated that a compact and uniform copper sulfide layer was coated on PAN fibers with 108 nm thickness, and it was proved to be a pure hexagonal phase of covellite structure. The average resistance of the resultant fibers was about 360 Ω/cm and the mass content of copper sulfide was about 13.3%. The antibacterial tests demonstrated that the resultant fibers exhibited excellent antibacterial properties with antibacterial efficiency of 99.99% against Staphylococcus aureus and 96.80% against Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the antibacterial activities and electrical conductivity still remain good after 30 cycles of standard washing, indicating their good durability when in use. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 45496.
Grundinstandsetzung der linken Schleusenkammer Aldingen sowie Ertüchtigung des oberen Vorhafens
Authors: Schüle Martin , Carstensen Norbert , Seegert Sonja , Jäppelt Ulrich , Vieth Heinz‐Josef
Published: July 2017

Von 1921 bis 1968 wurde der Neckar auf einer Länge von ca. 200 km zur Bundeswasserstraße ausgebaut. Die Schleuse Aldingen wurde als Teil der Staustufe im Zuge der Kanalisierung des Neckars von den 1930er‐Jahren, unterbrochen vom Zweiten Weltkrieg, bis zum Ende der 1950er‐Jahre errichtet. Die Kammern der Doppelschleuse weisen eine Kammerlänge von 110 m und eine Breite von 12 m auf, die Fallhöhe beträgt 3,60 m. Der Beitrag beschreibt die Planung der Grundinstandsetzung der linken Kammer der Neckarschleuse Aldingen sowie der Ertüchtigungsmaßnahmen, die im oberen Vorhafen der Schleuse geplant sind: Sanierung der Kammer (Vorsatzschale) und Häupter, Neubau der Tore, Ersatz der Antriebe, der Elektro‐ und Steuerungstechnik, Ersatz des Deckwerks im oberen Vorhafen (Böschungssicherung) sowie Bau eines neuen Dalbenliegeplatzes mit Zugangssteg. Grundlage der Planung ist neben den technischen Regelwerken eine von der Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau und der Fachstelle Maschinenwesen Südwest erarbeitete Studie zur Standardisierung der Verlängerung der Neckarschleusen (Maßnahmen am Neckar). Der Artikel schließt mit einem Einblick in die laufenden Bauarbeiten.
Innovative Technologien zur Wasserförderung und ‐verteilung in Gebirgsregionen
Authors: Oberle Peter , Stoffel Daniel , Walter David , Breiner Raphael , Vogel Michael , Müller Harald S. , Nestmann Franz
Published: July 2017

Der Beitrag thematisiert das BMBF‐geförderte Projekt „KaWaTech“, welches auf die Entwicklung und Umsetzung innovativer Wasserförder‐ und ‐verteilkonzepte für sub‐/tropische (Karst‐)Regionen abzielt. Unter anderem wird in der Provinz Ha Giang eine Pilotwasserförderanlage realisiert, welche die Versorgung von ca. 10 000 Menschen sicherstellen soll. Als Bypasslösung für Wasserkraftanlagen dient sie der Nutzbarmachung der für den Turbinenbetrieb nicht effizient verwertbaren Restwassermengen während der Trockenzeit über ein wasserkraftbetriebenes Pumpsystem. Neben der Implementierung der Maschinentechnik wurden umfassende Sanierungsmaßnahmen an der wasserbaulichen Infrastruktur umgesetzt. In diesem Zusammenhang wurden auch baustofftechnologische Untersuchungen zu optimierten Betonrezepturen auf Basis lokaler Ausgangsstoffe durchgeführt.

Das geförderte Wasser wird in einen zentralen Hochbehälter eingespeist und den umliegenden Siedlungen und der Distrikthauptstadt gravitär zur Verfügung gestellt. Um eine gerechte Verteilung zu ermöglichen, wurde ein flexibles Verteilungskonzept zur Berücksichtigung dynamischer Dargebotsschwankungen entwickelt. Zudem wurde die Angliederung des neuen Verteilsystems an das bestehende Leitungsnetz der Distrikthauptstadt mittels eines adaptiven Druckmanagements entworfen.
Mechanotransduction Effects on Endothelial Cell Proliferation via CD31 and VEGFR2: Implications for Immunomagnetic Separation
Authors: Mahajan Kalpesh D. , Nabar Gauri M. , Xue Wei , Anghelina Mirela , Moldovan Nicanor I. , Chalmers Jeffrey J. , Winter Jessica O.
Published: July 2017

Immunomagnetic separation is used to isolate circulating endothelial cells (ECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) for diagnostics and tissue engineering. However, potentially detrimental changes in cell properties have been observed post‐separation. Here, the effect of mechanical force, which is naturally applied during immunomagnetic separation, on proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), kinase insert domain‐positive receptor (KDR) cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Cells are exposed to CD31 or Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor‐2 (VEGFR2) targeted MACSi beads at varying bead to cell ratios and compared to free antibody and unconjugated beads. A vertical magnetic gradient is applied to static 2D cultures, and a magnetic cell sorter is used to analyze cells in dynamic flow. No significant difference in EC proliferation is observed for controls or VEGFR2‐targeting beads, whereas CD31‐conjugated beads increase proliferation in a dose dependent manner in static 2‐D cultures. This effect occurs in the absence of magnetic field, but is more pronounced with magnetic force. After flow sorting, similar increases in proliferation are seen for CD31 targeting beads. Thus, the effects of targeting antibody and magnetic force applied should be considered when designing immunomagnetic separation protocols for ECs.
Quenching of Salicylaldehyde‐based Luminescence Probe via Dakin Reaction: Approach for Highly Selective Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Tan Nai‐Di , Yuan Yaqing , Yin Jian‐Hang , Xu Na
Published: July 2017

A novel assay for H2O2 based on luminescence quenching is developed from the Dakin reaction between deprotonated salicylaldehyde (D‐SA) and H2O2. Under alkaline condition, the phenolic hydroxyl group of SA is deprotonated, exhibiting good luminescence emission ability (λex = 433 nm, λem = 508 nm). Luminescence of D‐SA is quenched by H2O2 in a concentration‐dependent manner. Good linearity is obtained with a regression coefficient of 0.9989 in the range of 0.3 ~ 150 μM and a detection limit (LOD) is 30 nM. In addition, D‐SA luminescence probe shows good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity to HeLa cells through MTT assay. The feasibility for in vitro applications is demonstrated through confocal laser scanning microscopy.
The collateral venous system in late pregnancy: A systematic review of the literature
Authors: Humphries Aimee , Stone Peter , Mirjalili S. Ali
Published: July 2017

Recent literature has reported an association between maternal supine sleep position and stillbirth during late pregnancy. In this position the gravid uterus almost completely obstructs the inferior vena cava. A small number of women experience supine hypotension, thought to be due in part to inadequate collateral venous circulation. The aim of this paper is to review the literature describing the anatomy of the collateral venous system and in particular the azygos system, the abdominal portion of which has not been well studied. A systematic review was conducted using the electronic databases: Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Relevant anatomical and radiological literature concerning the azygos system in particular was reviewed. The search was limited to adult human studies only. The collateral venous system can be divided into superficial, intermediate and deep systems. The azygos system in particular provides immediate collateral venous circulation in the event of acute inferior vena caval obstruction. The abdominal portion of this pathway, including the ascending lumbar vein, has not been well studied and there are certain variations that can render it ineffective. In conclusion, the collateral venous system provides an alternative route for blood to flow back to the systemic circulation when acute occlusion of the inferior vena cava occurs in the supine position during late pregnancy. However, certain anatomical variations can render this pathway ineffective, and this could have implications for the development of supine hypotension and stillbirth in late pregnancy. Clin. Anat. 30:1087–1095, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 31‐year‐old with idiopathic reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome
Authors: Qureshi Ihtesham A. , Qureshi Mohtashim A. , Kanu Obiajulu , Cruz‐Flores Salvador
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

In our patient with reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) syndrome, presenting with thunderclap‐like headache, there is a possibility to be readily confused with migraine. Initiating treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and triptans can further aggravate the condition. Therefore, it is essential to understand the nature and type of headache and correlate the clinical findings with imaging studies.
Breast reconstruction in pregnancy: a case report of multidisciplinary team approach in immediate autologous flap reconstruction for pregnancy‐associated breast cancer
Authors: Chirappapha Prakasit , Thaweepworadej Panya , Ngamphaiboon Nuttapong , Sukprasert Matchuporn , Sukarayothin Thongchai , Leesombatpaiboon Monchai
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

This report presents the results of immediate breast reconstruction with autologous flap in Pregnancy‐associated breast cancer (PABC). There was no obstetrics and surgical complications in our report. Immediate breast reconstruction can be performed in PABC after a careful selection. Multidisciplinary team approach is the key in managing these groups of patients.
Construction of Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon‐Coated MoSe2 Microspheres with Enhanced Performance for Lithium Storage
Authors: Tang Wangjia , Xie Dong , Shen Tong , Wang Xiuli , Wang Donghuang , Zhang Xuqing , Xia Xinhui , Wu Jianbo , Tu Jiangping
Published: July 2017

Exploring advanced anode materials with highly reversible capacity have gained great interests for large‐scale lithium storage. A facile two‐step method is developed to synthesize nitrogen‐doped carbon coated MoSe2 microspheres via hydrothermal plus thermal polymerization. The MoSe2 microspheres composed of interconnected nanoflakes are homogeneously coated by a thin nitrogen‐doped carbon (N‐C) layer. As an anode for lithium ion batteries, the MoSe2/N‐C composite shows better reversibility, smaller polarization, and higher electrochemical reactivity as compared to the unmodified MoSe2 microspheres. The MoSe2/N‐C electrode delivers a high specific capacity of 698 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 and good high rate performance (471 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 2000 mA g−1). The improved electrochemical performance is attributed to the conductive N‐C coating and hierarchical microsphere structure with fast ion/electron transfer characteristics.
Miraculin: der süßsaure Trick der Wunderbeere
Authors: Roth Klaus
Published: July 2017

Auf unseren Geschmackssinn können wir uns verlassen Aus Essig wird Zuckerwasser, aus Zitronensaft süße Limo. Diese kleine Beere scheint unseren Geschmackssinn zum Narren zu halten. Hinter ihrem Trick muss doch Chemie stecken. Also, auf geht's
The role of medical/nursing skills training in caregiver confidence and burden: A CanCORS study
Authors: Mollica Michelle A. , Litzelman Kristin , Rowland Julia H. , Kent Erin E.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Informal cancer caregivers provide essential support to cancer patients, including performing direct medical/nursing tasks, assisting with activities of daily living, and offering social support. This study examined associations between the receipt of medical/nursing skills training and the caregiver burden as well as the mediation of caregiving confidence on this relationship in a sample of caregivers of lung and colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

Caregivers who had been identified by cancer patients in the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance consortium completed a questionnaire assessing the care provided, the type of medical/nursing skills training received, the burden (measured with the modified short‐form Zarit Burden Interview), and the confidence in caring for their patient's physical needs. Regression models that had been adjusted for sociodemographic, caregiver, and care recipient characteristics assessed the relationship between training received and burden, and a mediation analysis assessed the role of confidence in this relationship.

RESULTS

Six hundred forty‐one caregivers performed some type of medical/nursing task, with 59% (n = 377) reporting that they did not receive training for all the care provided. Caregivers reported moderate levels of burden (mean summary score, 32.07; standard deviation, 12.66; possible range, 14‐70), and a lack of receipt of training was associated with greater levels of burden (b = 2.60; standard error, 0.98; P = .01). Confidence partially mediated the relation between training and burden (Sobel's t = 1.90; P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

As the number of cancer patients and caregivers increases, understanding how best to reduce the caregiver burden is necessary. Skills training is a potential area for interventions, but research on how best to provide training for caregivers (ie, the content, mode of delivery, and timing) is needed. Cancer 2017;123:4481‐7. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
National evaluation of multidisciplinary quality metrics for head and neck cancer
Authors: Cramer John D. , Speedy Sedona E. , Ferris Robert L. , Rademaker Alfred W. , Patel Urjeet A. , Samant Sandeep
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

The National Quality Forum has endorsed quality‐improvement measures for multiple cancer types that are being developed into actionable tools to improve cancer care. No nationally endorsed quality metrics currently exist for head and neck cancer.

METHODS

The authors identified patients with surgically treated, invasive, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the National Cancer Data Base from 2004 to 2014 and compared the rate of adherence to 5 different quality metrics and whether compliance with these quality metrics impacted overall survival. The metrics examined included negative surgical margins, neck dissection lymph node (LN) yield ≥ 18, appropriate adjuvant radiation, appropriate adjuvant chemoradiation, adjuvant therapy within 6 weeks, as well as overall quality.

RESULTS

In total, 76,853 eligible patients were identified. There was substantial variability in patient‐level adherence, which was 80% for negative surgical margins, 73.1% for neck dissection LN yield, 69% for adjuvant radiation, 42.6% for adjuvant chemoradiation, and 44.5% for adjuvant therapy within 6 weeks. Risk‐adjusted Cox proportional‐hazard models indicated that all metrics were associated with a reduced risk of death: negative margins (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71‐0.76), LN yield ≥ 18 (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.89‐0.96), adjuvant radiation (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.64‐0.70), adjuvant chemoradiation (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.79‐0.88), and adjuvant therapy ≤6 weeks (HR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89‐0.96). Patients who received high‐quality care had a 19% reduced adjusted hazard of mortality (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.79‐0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Five head and neck cancer quality metrics were identified that have substantial variability in adherence and meaningfully impact overall survival. These metrics are appropriate candidates for national adoption. Cancer 2017;123:4372‐81. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Monotonic, critical monotonic, and nearly monotonic low‐pass filters designed by using the parity relation for Jacobi polynomials
Authors: Stojanović Nikola , Stamenković Negovan , Živaljević Dragana
Published: July 2017

A new class of continuous‐time low‐pass filter using a set of Jacobi polynomials, with all transmission zeros at infinity, is described. The Jacobi polynomial has been adapted by using the parity relation for Jacobi polynomials in order to be used as a filter approximating function. The resulting class of polynomials is referred to as a pseudo Jacobi polynomials, because they are not orthogonal. The obtained magnitude response of these filters is more general than the magnitude response of the classical ultraspherical filter, because of one additional degree of freedom available in pseudo Jacobi polynomials. This additional parameter may be used to obtain a magnitude response having either smaller passband ripples or sharper cutoff slope. Monotonic, critical monotonic, or nearly monotonic passband filter approximating functions can be also generated. It is shown that proposed pseudo Jacobi polynomial filter approximation also includes the Chebyshev filter of the first kind, the Chebyshev filter of the second kind, the Legendre filter, and many transitional filter approximations, as its special cases. Several examples are presented, and detailed formulas including the practical suggestions for their efficient implementation are also provided. The proposed nearly monotonic filter is compared with the least‐square‐monotonic filters, designed as critical monotonic, in details. The advantages of the new filters are discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crosstalk‐noise‐aware bus coding with low‐power ground‐gated repeaters
Authors: Jiao Hailong , Wang Rui , He Yifan
Published: July 2017

Crosstalk noise is one of the serious reliability concerns in nanoscale integrated circuits. Repeater insertion together with shielding wires is a typical method to suppress crosstalk noise associated with global data bus. A new crosstalk‐noise‐aware bus coding scheme with ground‐gated repeaters is proposed in this paper to minimize the routing overhead as well as power consumption of data bus systems. A subset of 4‐to‐6 crosstalk‐noise‐aware codes is selected to minimize the number of simultaneous data transitions. The routing overhead is reduced by 12.31% with the new bus coding scheme compared with the conventional data bus with shielding wires. Furthermore, the leakage power and worst‐case active power consumptions are reduced by 12.5% and 18.26%, respectively, with the new crosstalk‐noise‐aware data bus system as compared with the previously published bus coding system in an industrial 40‐nm CMOS technology.
Throughput performance under primary user emulation attack in cognitive radio networks
Authors: Yadav Kuldeep , Prasad Binod , Bhowmick Abhijit , Roy Sanjay Dhar , Kundu Sumit
Published: July 2017

Spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks imposes some security threats to the secondary users (SUs) such as primary user emulation attack (PUEA). In the present paper, throughput of an SU is studied for cognitive radio network under PUEA where SU spectrum access is hybrid, ie, either in overlay mode or in underlay mode. A novel analytical expression for throughput of an SU in presence of PUEA is developed. Impact of several parameters such as sensing time, attacker strength, attacker's presence probabilities, maximum allowable SU transmit power, and tolerable interference limit at primary user on the throughput of an SU is investigated. The throughput performance under PUEA and without PUEA is compared.
The case for academic freedom: Student opinions, faculty standards
Authors: Thomas Nancy
Published: July 2017

On March 28, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit decided Pompeo v. Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico, ruling in favor of a university that had been accused of discriminating against a student because of her political views. The court's decision affirmed faculty academic freedom and offered guidance to professors navigating challenging waters of controversial political issue discussions and course content at public institutions. It is also relevant to private institutions, where academic freedom is usually a normative value and contractual right. While the case may yet be appealed, the opinion seems intentionally written to withstand judicial review. I believe this will be a widely cited and respected ruling.
Build a stronger campus through streamlined strategic planning
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: July 2017

Susan Wente, Ph.D., came to the Provost's Office at Vanderbilt University through the School of Medicine. “It was a little bit unusual, in part because the last undergraduate course I taught had been as a graduate student at Berkeley,” Wente said. However, Wente's work prior to becoming provost at Vanderbilt, where she also served as department chair, associate vice chancellor, and dean of biomedical sciences, helped build her understanding of academic leadership.
Morphological plasticity in a native freshwater fish from semiarid Australia in response to variable water flows
Authors: Kelley Jennifer L. , Davies Peter M. , Collin Shaun P. , Grierson Pauline F.
Published: July 2017

In fishes, alterations to the natural flow regime are associated with divergence in body shape morphology compared with individuals from unaltered habitats. However, it is unclear whether this morphological divergence is attributable to evolutionary responses to modified flows, or is a result of phenotypic plasticity. Fishes inhabiting arid regions are ideal candidates for studying morphological plasticity as they are frequently exposed to extreme natural hydrological variability. We examined the effect of early exposure to flows on the development of body shape morphology in the western rainbowfish (Melanotaenia australis), a freshwater fish that is native to semiarid northwest Australia. Wild fish were collected from a region (the Hamersley Ranges) where fish in some habitats are subject to altered water flows due to mining activity. The offspring of wild‐caught fish were reared in replicated fast‐flow or slow‐flow channels, and geometric morphometric analyses were used to evaluate variation in fish body shape following 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of exposure. Water flows influenced fish morphology after 6 and 9 months of flow exposure, with fish in fast‐flow environments displaying a more robust body shape than those in slow‐flow habitats. No effect of flow exposure was observed at 3 and 12 months. Fishes also showed significant morphological variation within flow treatments, perhaps due to subtle differences in water flow among the replicate channels. Our findings suggest that early exposure to water flows can induce shifts in body shape morphology in arid zone freshwater fishes. Morphological plasticity may act to buffer arid zone populations from the impacts of anthropogenic activities, but further studies are required to link body shape plasticity with behavioral performance in habitats with modified flows.
Phospholipids modulate Caco‐2 transport of EGCG3”Me from Chinese oolong tea
Authors: Cheng Mei , Zhang Xin , Wu Zufang , Weng Peifang , Cao Jinxuan
Published: July 2017

(‐)‐Epigallocatechin 3‐O‐(3‐O‐methyl) gallate (EGCG3”Me) has exhibited significant biological activities, however, it is poorly absorbed after oral intake. Phospholipids (PL) have been reported to serve as enhancing agents in absorption, therefore, this study evaluated the role of PL in transepithelial transport within a Caco‐2 cell monolayer‐model system and impact on EGCG3”Me stability. First, EGCG3”Me was prepared from Chinese oolong tea by column chromatography, and EGCG3”Me‐PL complex was prepared. The structure of EGCG3”Me‐PL was characterized by X‐ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry, and it exhibited relatively higher stability than EGCG3”Me in mimic gastrointestinal digestion conditions. Meanwhile, the presence of PL increased the transepithelial transport of EGCG3”Me, apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) of EGCG3”Me‐PL were significantly higher, while its efflux ratio was lower than EGCG3”Me, which indicated the promotion of bioavailability.

Practical applications: For the health effects of tea polyphenols, this crucial issue encompasses dissolution, absorption, distribution, and disposition in target tissues. In our study, EGCG3” Me‐PL complex may effectively improve the overall absorption and bioavailability of EGCG3”Me. It could provide information about the potential of PL in the promotion of intestinal transport of EGCG3”Me, and the investigation may be fascinated in manufacturing functional foods, containing high content of tea polyphenols with increased absorption properties.

The presence of phospholipids effectively increased the transepithelial transport of EGCG3”Me, and EGCG3”Me‐phospholipids complex may effectively improve the overall absorption and bioavailability of EGCG3”Me.
Selectivity enhancements in gel‐based DNA‐nanoparticle assays by membrane‐induced isotachophoresis: thermodynamics versus kinetics
Authors: Marczak Steven , Smith Elaine , Senapati Satyajyoti , Chang Hsueh‐Chia
Published: July 2017

Selectivity against mutant nontargets with a few mismatches remains challenging in nucleic acid sensing. Sensitivity enhancement by analyte concentration does not improve selectivity because it affects targets and nontargets equally. Hydrodynamic or electrical shear enhanced selectivity is often accompanied by substantial losses in target signals, thereby leading to poor limits of detection. We introduce a platform based on depletion isotachophoresis in agarose gel generated by an ion‐selective membrane that allows both selectivity and sensitivity enhancement with a two‐step assay involving concentration polarization at an ion‐selective membrane. By concentrating both the targets and probe‐functionalized nanoparticles by ion enrichment at the membrane, the effective thermodynamic dissociation constant is lowered from 40 nM to below 500 pM, and the detection limit is 10 pM as reported previously. A dynamically optimized ion depletion front is then generated from the membrane with a high electrical shear force to selectively and irreversibly dehybridize nontargets. The optimized selectivity against a two‐mismatch nontarget (in a 35‐base pairing sequence) is shown to be better than the thermodynamic equilibrium selectivity by more than a hundred‐fold, such that there is no detectable signal from the two‐mismatch nontarget. We offer empirical evidence that irreversible cooperative dehybridization plays an important role in this kinetic selectivity enhancement and that mismatch location controls the optimum selectivity even when there is little change in the corresponding thermodynamic dissociation constant.
Modeling chemical accumulation in sediment of small waterbodies accounting for sediment transport and water-sediment exchange processes over long periods
Authors: Patterson David Albert , Strehmel Alexander , Erzgräber Beate , Hammel Klaus
Published: July 2017

In a recent scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority it is argued that the accumulation of plant protection products in sediments over long time periods may be an environmentally significant process. Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority proposed a calculation to account for plant protection product accumulation. This calculation, however, considers plant protection product degradation within sediment as the only dissipation route, and does not account for sediment dynamics or back-diffusion into the water column. The hydraulic model Hydrologic Engineering Center-River Analysis System (HEC-RAS; US Army Corps of Engineers) was parameterized to assess sediment transport and deposition dynamics within the FOrum for Co-ordination of pesticide fate models and their USe (FOCUS) scenarios in simulations spanning 20 yr. The results show that only 10 to 50% of incoming sediment would be deposited. The remaining portion of sediment particles is transported across the downstream boundary. For a generic plant protection product substance this resulted in deposition of only 20 to 50% of incoming plant protection product substance. In a separate analysis, the FOCUS TOXSWA model was utilized to examine the relative importance of degradation versus back-diffusion as loss processes from the sediment compartment for a diverse range of generic plant protection products. In simulations spanning 20 yr, it was shown that back-diffusion was generally the dominant dissipation process. The results of the present study show that sediment dynamics and back-diffusion should be considered when calculating long-term plant protection product accumulation in sediment. Neglecting these may lead to a systematic overestimation of accumulation. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3223–3231. © 2017 SETAC
High‐risk human papillomavirus infection clearance following conization among patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasm grade 3 aged at least 45 years
Authors: Zhang Guorui , Lang Jinghe , Shen Keng , Zhu Lan , Xiang Yang
Published: July 2017

Objective

To investigate high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection clearance rates following successful cold knife conization and factors predictive of HPV clearance among patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasm grade 3.

Method

The present retrospective study analyzed clinical data from patients aged at least 45 years with cervical intraepithelial neoplasm grade 3 who had undergone successful cold knife conization and attended regular follow‐up at Peking Union Medical College Hospital, China, between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2012. HPV clearance rates and potential indicators for HPV clearance were analyzed.

Results

Data from 156 patients were included; persistent high‐risk HPV infection was recorded in 78 (50.0%), 45 (28.8%), 35 (22.4%), 24 (15.4%), and 21 (13.5%) patients at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months after conization, respectively. Clearance rates were significantly lower among patients aged at least 55 years compared with younger patients, with increased odds of persistent HPV infection at 8 months (odds ratio [OR] 4.038; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.766–10.839), 12 months (OR 5.923; 95% CI 2.450–16.604), 18 months (OR 5.957; 95% CI 2.031–17.469), and 24 months (OR 5.327; 95% CI 1.909–17.971) compared with patients aged 45–49 years.

Conclusion

Age was a prognostic factor for post‐operative high‐risk HPV infection clearance. Lower clearance rates were observed among patients aged at least 55 years.
A systematic review of implementation strategies to deliver guidelines on obstetric care practice in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Imamura Mari , Kanguru Lovney , Penfold Suzanne , Stokes Tim , Camosso‐Stefinovic Janette , Shaw Beth , Hussein Julia
Published: July 2017

Background

Healthcare measures to prevent maternal deaths are well known. However, effective implementation of this knowledge to change practice remains a challenge.

Objectives

To assess whether strategies to promote the use of guidelines can improve obstetric practices in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Search strategy

Electronic databases were searched up to February 7, 2014, using relevant terms for implementation strategies (e.g. “audit,” “education,” “reminder”), and maternal mortality.

Selection criteria

Randomized and non‐randomized studies of implementation strategies targeting healthcare professionals within the formal health services in LMICs were included.

Data collection and analysis

Cochrane methodological guidance was followed. Because of heterogeneity in the interventions, a narrative synthesis was completed.

Main results

Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Moderate‐to‐low‐quality evidence was found to show improvement in the areas of doctor–patient communication (one study), analgesic provision (one study), the management of emergencies (two studies) and maternal and late neonatal mortality (one study each). Intervention effects were not consistent across studies.

Conclusions

Implementation strategies targeting health professionals could lead to improvement in obstetric care in LMICs. Future research should explore what feature of an intervention is effective in one context and how this could be translated into another context.

PROSPERO

CRD42014010310
Systematic review of obstetric care from a women‐centered perspective in Nigeria since 2000
Authors: Hirose Atsumi , Owolabi Oluwatoyin , Imamura Mari , Okonofua Friday , Hussein Julia
Published: July 2017

Background

A women‐centered approach can improve the quality of patient care.

Objective

To review issues in the provision of obstetric care from a patient‐centered care perspective in Nigeria.

Search strategy

Using terms related to maternal and perinatal mortality, in combination with “Nigeria”, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Knowledge, and African Journal Online were searched, between December 1, 2013 and January 31, 2014, for articles in any language.

Selection criteria

Articles published in a Nigerian setting after 2000 that investigated causes of and circumstance surrounding maternal deaths and complications, or clinical practice related to maternal care were included.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted by two reviewers using a standardized abstraction form and were analyzed from a patient‐centered perspective.

Main results

The analysis included 57 studies. Clandestine induced abortions, lack of prenatal care, delays in seeking care, and the use of spiritual churches for delivery were found to contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Conclusions

Healthcare systems respond inadequately to patients' needs in terms of abortion care, information sharing, transitioning between prenatal and obstetric care, and patients' non‐medical needs. Data from clinician‐led maternal death audits provided insights into how women‐centered care can be provided; nonetheless, more‐focused studies from a primarily patient‐centered perspective are warranted.
Prevalence of induced abortions and contraceptive use among married women in an urban slum of Delhi, India
Authors: Bhilwar Meenakshi , Lal Panna , Sharma Nandini , Bhalla Preena , Kumar Ashok
Published: July 2017

Objective

To document abortion practices and contraceptive use among women of reproductive age in an urban slum of Delhi.

Methods

Data were collected as part of a cross‐sectional study conducted in an urban resettlement colony in the North East District of Delhi between November 2010 and December 2011. Systematic random sampling was used to enroll 200 married women aged 15–49 years from each of the four blocks of the colony. Participants were interviewed and data were entered into a pretested semi‐structured questionnaire.

Results

Among 802 participants, 284 (35.4%) reported at least one spontaneous or induced abortion, and 196 (24.4%) reported induced abortions. Unsupervised medical termination was reported by 78 (27.5%) of the 284 women. Overall, only 207 (25.8%) women practiced any type of contraception. The predominant decision maker regarding contraception was the husband for 95 (45.9%) women and the mother‐in‐law for 78 (37.7%).

Conclusion

There is a need for focused community‐based education to address specific issues, particularly regarding the dangers of unsafe abortion and choosing a method of contraception in consultation with a healthcare practitioner.
Comparison of selective and non‐selective internal iliac artery embolization for abnormal placentation with major postpartum hemorrhage
Authors: Lo Tsz‐Kin , So Chun‐Hong , Yeung Sik‐Wing , Fung Mimi , Lui Kwai‐Ying , Pan Nin‐Yuan
Published: July 2017

Non‐selective internal iliac artery embolization for abnormal placentation and postpartum hemorrhage resulted in ischemic skin necrosis whereas selective embolization did not; unilateral embolization was ineffective.
Safety of vaginal delivery among dichorionic diamniotic twins over 10 years in a UK teaching hospital
Authors: Rzyska Ewelina , Ajay Bini , Chandraharan Edwin
Published: July 2017

Objective

To determine whether vaginal delivery among dichorionic diamniotic twins remains a safe option following full implementation of the European Working Time Directive in the UK.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using data for women with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies who attended a teaching hospital in London, UK, for delivery between January 4, 2000, and December 23, 2010.

Results

Among 892 women, 474 (53.1%) attempted vaginal delivery, 220 (46.4%) of whom achieved spontaneous vaginal delivery of both twins. Instrumental vaginal delivery was performed among 89 women (18.8%), and 165 (34.8%) women underwent emergency cesarean delivery. Delivery of the second twin by emergency cesarean (n=31) was predominantly for fetal distress (13 [41.9%]) or abnormal lie (10 [32.3%]). A 5‐minute Apgar score of 9 or 10 was recorded for 384 (83.7%) of 459 first twins and 369 (82.9%) of 445 second twins, irrespective of the mode of delivery.

Conclusion

Vaginal delivery among dichorionic diamniotic twins had a good success rate and a low intrapartum emergency cesarean delivery rate. Training in cardiotocography and intrapartum procedures might further reduce the need for emergency cesarean delivery.
Zika virus infection in Brazil and human rights obligations
Authors: Diniz Debora , Gumieri Sinara , Bevilacqua Beatriz Galli , Cook Rebecca J. , Dickens Bernard M.
Published: July 2017

The February 2016 WHO declaration that congenital Zika virus syndrome constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern reacted to the outbreak of the syndrome in Brazil. Public health emergencies can justify a spectrum of human rights responses, but in Brazil, the emergency exposed prevailing inequities in the national healthcare system. The government's urging to contain the syndrome, which is associated with microcephaly among newborns, is confounded by lack of reproductive health services. Women with low incomes in particular have little access to such health services. The emergency also illuminates the harm of restrictive abortion legislation, and the potential violation of human rights regarding women's health and under the UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child and on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Suggestions have been proposed by which the government can remedy the widespread healthcare inequities among the national population that are instructive for other countries where congenital Zika virus syndrome is prevalent.
Effects of fluoride‐modified titanium surfaces with the similar roughness on RUNX2 gene expression of osteoblast‐like MG63 cells
Authors: Lee Ji‐Hyoun , Koak Jai‐Young , Lim Young‐Jun , Kwon Ho‐Beom , Kong Hyunjoon , Kim Myung‐Joo
Published: July 2017

Chemical modification of titanium surfaces by hydrofluoric acid (HF) is an effective method to improve bone responses on titanium implant surfaces. In this study, titanium disks were sandblasted with titanium oxide grits and modified with 0.2% and 0.4% of diluted HF under different exposure times of 40 and 60 s. Surface characteristics, such as surface chemical composition, surface topography, and surface wettability, were investigated. To examine MG63 osteoblast‐like cell responses to fluoride‐modified titanium surfaces with roughness similar to that of nonmodified surfaces, a cell proliferation assay was performed and gene expression levels of Runx2 were evaluated using real‐time PCR. Fluoride‐modified titanium surfaces revealed no significant roughness difference but with hydrophilic properties than control group SB. Moreover, the relative atomic concentration percentages of fluoride were 0.7, 1.5, and 2.8. As fluoride concentrations increased, surface wettability increased and cell proliferation began earlier. However, the gene expression levels of Runx2 increased earlier on surfaces with 1.5% fluoride, with significantly high surface skewness. There seems to be an optimal fluoride concentration percentage when gene expression levels of Runx2 were taken into consideration. In addition, surface parameters, such as surface wettability and surface skewness, seem to be important factors in the enhancement of osteoblast differentiation by HF. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3102–3109, 2017.
CD34+ cells seeded in collagen scaffolds promote bone formation in a mouse calvarial defect model
Authors: Hertweck Jens , Ritz Ulrike , Götz Hermann , Schottel Patrick C , Rommens Pol Maria , Hofmann Alexander
Published: July 2017

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) holds promise for managing the clinical problem of large bone defects. However, clinical adoption of BTE is limited due to limited vascularization of constructs, which could be circumvented by pre‐cultivation of osteogenic and endothelial derived cells in natural‐based polymer scaffolds. However, until now not many studies compared the effect of mono‐ and cocultures pre‐seeded in collagen before implantation. We utilized a mouse calvarial defect model and compared five groups of collagen scaffolds: a negative control of a collagen scaffold alone, a positive control treated with BMP‐7, monocultures of either human osteoblasts (hOBs) or CD34+ cells, and a coculture of hOB and CD34+ cells. Each pre‐seeded collagen scaffold was implanted in mice. After 6 weeks mice were sacrificed and their skulls prepared for volumetric and histologic analysis. We found that a monoculture of CD34+ cells and a coculture of hOB and CD34+ cells pre‐cultured in the collagen scaffold increased bone regeneration to a similar extend. In these groups, greater amounts of new bone were found compared with hOB monocultures. Interestingly, monoculture of CD34+ cells demonstrated better fracture healing than monoculture of hOBs, emphasizing the possible role of angiogenesis. Our results are promising regarding a cellular based collagen BTE construct, but more work is needed to understand the complex interaction between the osteogenic and endothelial cells. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1505–1516, 2018.