bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Targeted Sequencing of Paralogous Sequences for Noninvasive Detection of Selected Fetal Aneuploidies
Authors: Ellison Christopher K , Sun Youting , Hogg Grant , Fox Jesse , Tao Helen , McCarthy Erin , Sagoe Bright , Azab Mostafa A , Mazloom Amin R , Tynan John , Burcham Timothy , Kim Sung K , van den Boom Dirk , Ehrich Mathias , Jensen Taylor J
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Current methods for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) ascertain fetal aneuploidies using either direct counting measures of DNA fragments from specific genomic regions or relative measures of single nucleotide polymorphism frequencies. Alternatively, the ratios of paralogous sequence pairs were predicted to reflect fetal aneuploidy. We developed a NIPT assay that uses paralog sequences to enable noninvasive detection of fetal trisomy 21 (T21) and trisomy 18 (T18) using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from maternal plasma.

METHODS

A total of 1060 primer pairs were designed to determine fetal aneuploidy status, fetal sex, and fetal fraction. Each library was prepared from cfDNA by coamplifying all 1060 target pairs together in a single reaction well. Products were measured using massively parallel sequencing and deviations from expected paralog ratios were determined based on the read depth from each paralog.

RESULTS

We evaluated this assay in a blinded set of 480 cfDNA samples with fetal aneuploidy status determined by the MaterniT21® PLUS assay. Samples were sequenced (mean = 2.3 million reads) with 432 samples returning a result. Using the MaterniT21 PLUS assay for paired plasma aliquots from the same individuals as a reference, all 385 euploid samples, all 31 T21 samples, and 14 of 16 T18 samples were detected with no false positive results observed.

CONCLUSIONS

This study introduces a novel NIPT aneuploidy detection approach using targeted sequencing of paralog motifs and establishes proof-of-concept for a potentially low-cost, highly scalable method for the identification of selected fetal aneuploidies with performance and nonreportable rate similar to other published methods.
Mali: vive la Coloniale?
Authors: Utley Rachel E.
Published: September 2016

This article considers the context and consequences of French intervention in Mali, 2013–2014, through a prism which seeks to focus on military aspects. Starting from the premise that a successful intervention was not a foregone conclusion, it argues that the outcomes of the conflict did carry elements of success, but additionally raised a wide range of questions about broader implications of the purposes and means of French action. Of note, François Hollande’s placement of the intervention squarely in the context of dangers of international terrorism and the importance of multilateral responses posed particular limits on evaluations of the outcomes of Opération Serval. Not least, in the light of apparently long-standing contradictions in French perspectives towards military engagements in Africa, questions were raised concerning Hollande’s declared intentions to pursue new partnerships with Africa, measured against the swift and sustained recourse to military intervention in Africa which has characterized his presidency to date. Initial assessments of success in Mali might well have indicated positive outcomes: this article suggests that the longer-term implications could be less assured.
The jobbing artist as ethnographer: Documenting ‘lore’
Authors: McCannon Desdemona
Published: September 2016

This article focuses on a set of scholarly books published during the period 1920–1960, written and illustrated by women who were also well-known artists and designers, which offer histories and taxonomies of ‘popular’ and ‘folk’ art. I would like to argue that their interest in popular and vernacular culture can be seen as a creative as well as scholarly engagement with the history of their own profession as ‘jobbing artists’ – the phrase Barbara Jones used to describe her wide-ranging and pragmatic creative output Jones was an illustrator of children’s books, a mural painter, as well as a curator, writer and documenter of popular taste. Enid Marx was a printmaker, illustrator and creator of patterned textiles, notably for the London Underground, and a lifelong collector and connoisseur of english folk art, and co-author of English Popular and Traditional Art with Margaret Lambert (1946). Dorothy Hartley was an illustrator, journalist, historian and scholar. They shared an interest in documenting rural crafts, the ‘Lost Worlds’ they represent, and the popular or ‘folk’ culture, which was translated into mass produced forms during the industrial revolution – ‘the things that people make for themselves or that are manufactured in their taste’ (Jones 1972: 5). The authors in question were effective communicators in several types of media, and worked as ‘cultural agents’ – whether creating contemporary visual culture or writing about the material culture of the past.
Finnegans Wake: Readings through drawing
Authors: Cahill Clinton
Published: September 2016

This is a visual practitioner’s personal, reflective account of an ongoing investigation into the potential of drawing as a means of reading James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake. It acknowledges the challenging and distinctive nature of this text, regarding this as arising at least in part from the struggle it has with its own format and its movement towards the condition of a visual image. In this movement lies the surprising amenability of the text to visual adaptation. The account is broadly contextualised within the lineage of illustrative responses to the Wake but proposes a particular method of annotation and pictorial notation of imaginative responses during the moment of reading. In so doing it articulates the experience of realizing the text as an internalized visual experience that is cyclically externalized and re-imbibed through graphic gesture, reinforcing the notion of Joyce’s text as a generative meta-tool that retains the capacity to challenge and extend the conventions of illustration.
Propagation of Garcinia kola (Heckel) by stem and root cuttings
Authors: Kouakou Kouakou , Dao Jonas , Kouassi Kouadio , Beugré Manehonon , Koné Mongomaké , Baudoin Jean-Pierre , Zoro Bi Irié
Published: September 2016

The availability of appropriate propagation techniques is a major constraint to the domestication of the forest trees widely used by rural communities; such as (Heckel). This study tested the ability of root and stem cuttings to regenerate vegetatively when treated with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and set in non-mist poly-propagator within a shaded nursery. It found that is amenable to propagation by softwood stem cuttings. Attention was given to the effect of cutting age (softwood, semi hardwood) and IBA application with regard to the sprouting and rooting efficiency. Bud and leaf emergence time were also investigated, as was the coppicing ability of the stump. Results revealed that roots and branches from mature forest trees did not sprout under any culture conditions. The highest percentages of rooting (70â85%) were obtained with softwood cuttings set in non-mist poly-propagator, regardless of hormonal treatment. The mean numbers of buds (2.9âÂ±â0.4) and roots (2.6âÂ±â0.1) produced by softwood cuttings was significantly greater than those obtained in the Control. The best average emergence time of buds (25.1 days Â±â9.3) and leaves (36.8days Â±â8.4) was obtained with cuttings treated with IBA and set in non-mist poly-propagator against, 54.4âÂ±â12.5 and 72.6âÂ±â3.4 days respectively for the Control. In general, non-mist poly-propagator gave the best propagation results. When coppiced, the shoots emerging from stumps with one node were the most vigorous.Garcinia kola G. kola
Ethylene Glycol, Hazardous Substance in the Household
Authors: Patočka Jiří , Hon Zdeněk
Published: September 2016

Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting but poisonous type of alcohol found in many household products. The major use of ethylene glycol is as an antifreeze in, for example, automobiles, in air conditioning systems, in de-icing fluid for windshields, and else. People sometimes drink ethylene glycol mistakenly or on purpose as a substitute for alcohol. Ethylene glycol is toxic, and its drinking should be considered a medical emergency. The major danger from ethylene glycol is following ingestion. Due to its sweet taste, peoples and occasionally animals will sometimes consume large quantities of it if given access to antifreeze. While ethylene glycol itself has a relatively low degree of toxicity, its metabolites are responsible for extensive cellular damage to various tissues, especially the kidneys. This injury is caused by the metabolites, glycolic and oxalic acid and their respective salts, through crystal formation and possibly other mechanisms. Toxic metabolites of ethylene glycol can damage the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. The poisoning causes disturbances in the metabolism pathways, including metabolic acidosis. The disturbances may be severe enough to cause profound shock, organ failure, and death. Ethylene glycol is a common poisoning requiring antidotal treatment.
Unconscious motivation. Part I: Implicit attitudes toward L2 speakers
Authors: Al-Hoorie Ali H.
Published: September 2016

This paper reports the first investigation in the second language acquisition field assessing learners’ implicit attitudes using the Implicit Association Test, a computerized reaction-time measure. Examination of the explicit and implicit attitudes of Arab learners of English (N = 365) showed that, particularly for males, implicit attitudes toward L2 speakers are associated with self-reported openness to the L2 group and with strength of correlations among attitudinal and motivational variables. Implicit attitudes also moderated important paths in the L2 Motivational Self System. The paper concludes that implicit attitudes seem to be a meaningful individual difference variable, adding a new dimension to our understanding of language motivation.
Fostering awareness of the pedagogical implications of World Englishes and ELF in teacher education in Italy
Authors: Vettorel Paola , Corrizzato Sara
Published: September 2016

Teacher education represents an essential step to raise awareness of the sociolinguistic changes brought about by the current pluralization of English and by its lingua franca role. Within the pre-service teacher education programs run at the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures, University of Verona, Italy, part of the English language course focused on issues related to World Englishes (WE) and English as a lingua franca (ELF), aiming at fostering awareness of and active reflection upon their pedagogical implications. After taking into consideration recent developments in WE- and ELF-aware teacher education, we will report on findings from a research study involving trainee teachers attending the aforementioned courses for English in academic years 2012-13 to 2014-15. The main aim of the study has been to investigate whether, how and to what extent trainee teachers’ pedagogical knowledge and reasoning about a WE and ELF-informed perspective in teaching practices may undergo a change after attending these courses. Drawing upon different sets of data (questionnaires, reflections in e-learning discussion forums, interviews and final reports), the trainees’ increased awareness of and readiness to include a WE- and ELF-informed didactic approach after attending the course will be discussed, together with implications for foreign language teacher education.
Tools and Methods for RTCP-Nets Modeling and Verification
Authors: Szpyrka Marcin , Biernacki Jerzy , Biernacka Agnieszka
Published: September 2016

RTCP-nets are high level Petri nets similar to timed colored Petri nets, but with different time model and some structural restrictions. The paper deals with practical aspects of using RTCP-nets for modeling and verification of real-time systems. It contains a survey of software tools developed to support RTCP-nets. Verification of RTCP-nets is based on coverability graphs which represent the set of reachable states in the form of directed graph. Two approaches to verification of RTCP-nets are considered in the paper. The former one is oriented towards states and is based on translation of a coverability graph into nuXmv (NuSMV) finite state model. The later approach is oriented towards transitions and uses the CADP toolkit to check whether requirements given as μ-calculus formulae hold for a given coverability graph. All presented concepts are discussed using illustrative examples
Distribution of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Mastitis Bovine Milk
Authors: Erbas Goksel , Parin Ugur , Turkyilmaz Suheyla , Ucan Nese , Ozturk Mehmet , Kaya Osman
Published: September 2016

In this study, determination of enterococcus species that were isolated from mastitic milk samples, investigation of their susceptibilities to antibiotics and identification of the existence of resistance genes in resistant strains were conducted. The specimens consist of 600 mastitic milk samples that were collected from 242 cows. Isolation of enterococcus was carried out in selective media and 94 (15.6%) Enterococcus spp. were isolated. A total of 94 species of Enterococci were identified using both sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enterococcus spp. isolates belong to 5 different species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. hirae, E. mundtii) in sequence analysis and 4 different species (E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. durans, E. hirae) were identify by PCR method with specific primers. Analyzing 94 enterococcus strains by antibiotic sensitiveness test a high rate of resistance to tetracycline in 77 (81.9%) isolates was shown. The tet resistance genes were identified as follows: 54 were tetM positive, 23 were tetK positive and 17 were positive on tetM and tetK. Resistance to erythromycin was established in 27 (28.7%) isolates (25 ermB) while the chloramphenicol resistance gene was found in 10 (10.7%) of isolates and the cat gene was identified in nine samples and one isolate was resistant to vancomycin (1.06%) with the VanA gene confirmed. In conclusion, it was shown that E. faecalis has the biggest role in enterococcus originated mastitis and these strains were found to be mostly resistant to tetracycline. One vancomycine resistant isolate that had the VanA gene was also determined.
A double window state observer for detection and isolation of abrupt changes in parameters
Authors: Byrski Jędrzej , Byrski Witold
Published: September 2016

The paper presents a new method for diagnosis of a process fault which takes the form of an abrupt change in some real parameter of a time-continuous linear system. The abrupt fault in the process real parameter is reflected in step changes in many parameters of the input/output model as well as in step changes in canonical state variables of the system. Detection of these state changes will enable localization of the faulty parameter in the system. For detecting state changes, a special type of exact state observer will be used. The canonical state will be represented by the derivatives of the measured output signal. Hence the exact state observer will play the role of virtual sensors for reconstruction of the derivatives of the output signal. For designing the exact state observer, the model parameters before and after the moment of fault occurrence must be known. To this end, a special identification method with modulating functions will be used. A novel concept presented in this paper concerns the structure of the observer. It will take the form of a double moving window observer which consists of two signal processing windows, each of width T. These windows are coupled to each other with a common edge. The right-hand side edge of the left-side moving window in the interval [t − 2T, t − T ] is connected to the left-hand side edge of the right-side window which operates in the interval [t − T, t]. The double observer uses different measurements of input/output signals in both the windows, and for each current time t simultaneously reconstructs two values of the state—the final value of the state in the left-side window zT
(t − T) and the initial value of the state z
0(t − T) in the right-side window. If the process parameters are constant, the values of both the states on the common joint edge are the same. If an abrupt change (fault) in some parameter at the moment tA
= t − T occurs in the system, then step changes in some variables of the canonical state vector will also occur and the difference between the states will be detected. This will enable localization of the faulty parameter in the system.
A new sufficient schedulability analysis for hybrid scheduling
Authors: Zhang Fengxiang , Zhai Yanfeng , Liao Jianwei
Published: September 2016

Earliest deadline first (EDF) and fixed priority (FP) are the most commonly used and studied scheduling algorithms for real-time systems. This paper focuses on combining the EDF and FP strategies in one system. We provide a new sufficient schedulability analysis for real-time hybrid task systems which are scheduled by EDF and FP. The proposed analysis has a polynomial time complexity and no restrictions on task parameters, where the relative deadline of each task could be less than, equal to, or greater than its period. By extensive experiments, we show that our proposed analysis significantly improves the acceptance ratio compared with the existing results of the sufficient schedulability test for hybrid scheduling systems.
Investigation of the Accuracy of Google Earth Elevation Data
Authors: El-Ashmawy Khalid L.A.
Published: September 2016

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) comprise valuable source of elevation data required for many engineering applications. Contour lines, slope - aspect maps are part of their many uses. Moreover, DEMs are used often in geographic information systems (GIS), and are the most common basis for digitally-produced relief maps. This paper proposes a method of generating DEM by using Google Earth elevation data which is easier and free. The case study consisted of three different small regions in the northern beach in Egypt. The accuracy of the Google earth derived elevation data are reported using root mean square error (RMSE), mean error (ME) and maximum absolute error (MAE). All these accuracy statistics were computed using the ground coordinates of 200 reference points for each region of the case study. The reference data was collected with total station survey. The results showed that the accuracies for the prepared DEMs are suitable for some certain engineering applications but inadequate to meet the standard required for fine/small scale DEM for very precise engineering study. The obtained accuracies for terrain with small height difference can be used for preparing large area cadastral, city planning, or land classification maps.

In general, Google Earth elevation data can be used only for investigation and preliminary studies with low cost. It is strongly concluded that the users of Google Earth have to test the accuracy of elevation data by comparing with reference data before using it.
Does the Quality of a Place Affect Well-being?
Authors: Murgaš František , Klobučník Michal
Published: September 2016

An important methodological question in the general discourses concerning the quality of life is scale and mutual relationship of its two dimensions. In this article, the subjective dimension is understood as well-being; data from its spatial differentiation in districts of the Czech Republic were obtained from a face-to-face interview. The objective dimension is understood from the geographical aspect as quality of a place; it is quantified by the indicators of the golden standard of quality of life. Data from its spatial differentiation in districts of the Czech Republic are secondary. The article aims to compare the data of well-being and quality of a place for all the districts, with a premise of a higher level of well-being in the districts with a higher quality of a place, and vice-versa. This would answer the question of whether the quality of a place affects well-being.
Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches of Delineation in Detailed Mapping of Vineyard Landscape. Case Study: Vicinity of Pezinok (Slovakia)
Authors: Gábor Marián , Falťan Vladimír , Petrovič František
Published: September 2016

The main goal of this paper is the application of qualitative and quantitative free available data for geographical delineation based on reconnaissance research in vineyard landscape. The results of delineation are useful in agricultural management or environmental planning. Our delineation may serve as the basic information on site conditions of vineyards near Pezinok (Slovakia), with historical use from the beginning of 13thcentury. We have studied the actual land cover and classified physiotopes of the study area into a set of relatively homogenous and coherent landscape units. The landscape units defined in this work consist of homogenous physiotopes in terms of their structural and functional characteristics, which have been shaped by natural factors (land-forms, soil type and subtype, geological base, elevation, slope, aspect, solar radiation and normal different vegetation index (NDVI)). The characteristics were used to define 23 landscape units in qualitative delineation (based on both qualitative and quantitative data). Only quantitative characteristics – elevation, aspect, slope, solar radiation and NDVI, were used in a K-means cluster analysis to define the 17 landscape units. The number of landscape units was computed by WB-index, and standardisation of data was computed by factor analysis. The whole classification process was statistically significant. The strength of the grouping procedure was tested by using Discriminant Analysis, which found that 92.70% of objects in qualitative and 98.50% of objects in quantitative delineation were correctly classified.
The Reaction of Private Spending and Market Interest Rates to the Changes in Public Spending
Authors: Przekota Grzegorz , Lisowska Agnieszka
Published: September 2016

Expansionary fiscal policy is mired in controversy. Its proponents suggest that during recession, it stimulates investors’ activity and has a stabilizing effect on economic growth. However, its opponents point to the costs associated with the budget deficit and public debt handling. Increased public spending may result in an increase in the interest rates, which may, in turn, hinder private investment and weaken the multiplier effect of public spending. The following study examines how private spending and market interest rates reacted to changes in public spending in Poland. The study has shown that public spending stimulates private spending, which is consistent with the Keynesian model, but it also leads to an increase in market interest rates, which is consistent with the neoclassical model.
Risk Categories and Risk Management Processes in Nonprofit Organizations
Authors: Domański Jarosław
Published: September 2016

The article addresses risk management in nonprofit organizations. This topical issue appears not to have been adequately studied by researchers to date. There are several questions the author of this paper attempts to answer: What are the risk categories faced by nonprofit organizations in their daily operations? Do Polish nonprofit organizations take any measures in the area of strategic risk management? A contribution is made to the theory of management of nonprofit organizations by making an overview of existing literature on the subject, identifying a research gap, proposing concepts that attempt to fill the gap, and recommending areas for future study. A comprehensive list of risks faced by nonprofit organizations in their daily operations has been developed and validated for further application. The empirical material comes from a study based on a national random sample of 235 nonprofit organizations.
Are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Planning for Strategic Marketing in South Africa?
Authors: van Scheers Louise , Makhitha Khathutshelo Mercy
Published: September 2016

Substantial evidence shows that strategic marketing planning leads to increased small business performance, yet most small business owners do not draw up a plan for their businesses. This paper presents the results of a secondary research survey on strategic marketing planning of SMEs in South Africa. They indicate that while the higher performing SMEs give a higher priority to marketing than to other business functions, they are still sales- or production-oriented. The higher performing SMEs are more aware of strategic planning tools. They compete with value-added products and good buyer-seller relationships. The findings suggest that broad, small business marketing principles to some extent contribute to the success of SMEs.
Estimation for Iron Redox Equilibria in Multicomponent Slags
Authors: Liu Jun-Hao , Zhang Guo-Hua , Chou Kuo-Chih
Published: September 2016

The knowledge of redox equilibria of iron in multicomponent molten slags is of significant importance to understand the viscosity, electrical conductivity and structure of iron-containing slags. However, the available data of molar ratio of ferric ion to ferrous ion are limited due to the difficulty of experiment and heavy workload. In this study, a model was established to estimate the $${{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}$$ (normally, most of ferric ions exist in the form of complex anions such as $${\rm{FeO}}_2^ - $$) ratio in CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–“FeOt” slags, which can give good estimation results compared to the experimental measured values. From the model, by increasing oxygen partial pressure or decreasing temperature, the $${{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}$$ ratio will increase. Different components have different influences on $${{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} \mathord{\left/{\vphantom {{{X_{{\rm{FeO}}_2^ -}}} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {{X_{{\rm{F}}{{\rm{e}}^{2 +}}}}}}$$ ratio: CaO and MgO are beneficial for the increase of this ratio, but Al2O3 and SiO2 have reverse effects.
Problematic alcohol use and problem gambling: Associations to structural and functional aspects of social ties in a Finnish population sample
Authors: Nordmyr Johanna , Forsman Anna K. , österman Karin
Published: September 2016

Aims

This study aims to explore associations between structural and functional aspects of social networks and relationships (here labelled social ties) among individuals exhibiting problematic alcohol use and problem gambling, respectively.

Material & Methods

Data was collected in the 2011 Western Finland Mental Health Survey, a postal questionnaire survey applying a stratified random sampling approach. The survey response rate was 46.2% (n = 4624, age range 15–80 years). Problem behaviours were assessed using the CAGE and Lie/Bet tools. Logistic regression analyses were performed, with problematic alcohol use and problem gambling as dependent variables. Demographic variables, structural social tie factors (marital status, frequency of social contacts, engagement in association activities) and functional social tie factors (experienced loneliness, social support, neighbourhood trust, general trust) constituted explanatory variables.

Results

In this representative population sample, only one structural social tie variable, marital status, proved to be significantly associated with one of the outcomes (problematic alcohol use). Identical functional social tie variables were associated with both problematic alcohol use and problem gambling: individuals exhibiting the problem behaviours experienced higher levels of experienced loneliness and low levels of neighbourhood trust. Identified interaction effects with demographic factors highlight the complexity of links.

Conclusions

Functional aspects of individual-level social ties appear to be more relevant when studying problematic alcohol use or problem gambling, similarly to other forms of mental health problems. The role of social ties as preventive or risk factors for problem behaviour development, as a part of problem behaviour maintenance or as a cessation and a recovery resource should be further explored, considering also interactions with demographic variables.
The Place of Universal Grammar in the
Study of Language and Mind: A Response
to Dabrowska (2015)
Authors: Boxell Oliver
Published: September 2016

Generative Linguistics proposes that the human ability to produce and comprehend language
is fundamentally underwritten by a uniquely linguistic innate system called Universal Grammar (UG). In
her recent paper What is Universal Grammar, and has anyone seen it? Ewa Dabrowska reviews a range of
evidence and argues against the idea of UG from a Cognitive Linguistics perspective. In the current paper,
I take each of Dabrowska’s arguments in turn and attempt to show why they are not well founded, either
because of flaws in her argumentation or because of a careful consideration of the available empirical
evidence. I also attempt to demonstrate how evidence from the fields Dabrowska reviews actually supports
the notion of UG. However, arguments are additionally presented in favor of integrating an understanding
of domain-specific UG with an understanding of domain-general cognitive capacities in order to understand
the language faculty completely.
What is the Survival Rate in Prenatally Detected Cantrell’s Pentalogy?
Authors: Pośpiech-Gąsior Katarzyna , Słodki Maciej , Respondek-Liberska Maria
Published: September 2016

Cantrell’s pentalogy is a congenital defect characterized by uncompleted fusion of the anterior chest wall, resulting in an extrathoracic location of the heart. Ultrasound diagnosis during the first trimester of prenatal life is possible, and termination of pregnancy is usually chosen by pregnant women. We analysed 57 fetuses: 56 from literature and one additional recent case from our institute (from 2016) to evaluate what was the survival rate reported after prenatal diagnosis, including the possibility to terminate the pregnancy, intrauterine deaths and neonatal deaths. We found 10 survivors - 18% since 1984.

Despite dismal prognosis of fetal ectopia cordis, there is a chance for postnatal survivorship probably due to evolving anatomical structures, not only in the first trimester of pregnancy but also during the following weeks of prenatal life.
Use of X-ray Fluorescence Analysis for the Determination of Rare Earth Elements
Authors: Schramm Rainer
Published: September 2016

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) is a powerful tool for the analysis of solid material. That is the reason why the technique was applied for the determination of rare earth elements (REEs) since about 1970. At present, energy-dispersive XRF and wavelength-dispersive XRF are used for the analysis of pressed powder pellets or fused Li-borate beads containing REEs. The production of reliable results can only be achieved by careful optimization of the parameter, in particular the selection of spectral lines. The quantification is based on a calibration realized by using reference samples.
Automated Quantitative Rare Earth Elements Mineralogy by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Authors: Sindern Sven , Meyer F. Michael
Published: September 2016

Increasing industrial demand of rare earth elements (REEs) stems from the central role they play for advanced technologies and the accelerating move away from carbon-based fuels. However, REE production is often hampered by the chemical, mineralogical as well as textural complexity of the ores with a need for better understanding of their salient properties. This is not only essential for in-depth genetic interpretations but also for a robust assessment of ore quality and economic viability. The design of energy and cost-efficient processing of REE ores depends heavily on information about REE element deportment that can be made available employing automated quantitative process mineralogy.

Quantitative mineralogy assigns numeric values to compositional and textural properties of mineral matter. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with a suitable software package for acquisition of backscatter electron and X-ray signals, phase assignment and image analysis is one of the most efficient tools for quantitative mineralogy. The four different SEM-based automated quantitative mineralogy systems, i.e. FEI QEMSCAN and MLA, Tescan TIMA and Zeiss Mineralogic Mining, which are commercially available, are briefly characterized.

Using examples of quantitative REE mineralogy, this chapter illustrates capabilities and limitations of automated SEM-based systems. Chemical variability of REE minerals and analytical uncertainty can reduce performance of phase assignment. This is shown for the REE phases parisite and synchysite. In another example from a monazite REE deposit, the quantitative mineralogical parameters surface roughness and mineral association derived from image analysis are applied for automated discrimination of apatite formed in a breakdown reaction of monazite and apatite formed by metamorphism prior to monazite breakdown.

SEM-based automated mineralogy fulfils all requirements for characterization of complex unconventional REE ores that will become increasingly important for supply of REEs in the future.
Upon Further Review: A Commodity Chemist on Green Chemistry
Authors: Carroll William F.
Published: September 2016

Green chemistry is most often thought of in the context of specialty or pharmaceutical chemicals where many synthetic chemistry approaches are in play. However, principles similar to those of green chemistry and engineering were employed over the years in reducing cost and increasing volume of chemicals that became commodities. This paper considers some of those principles, their impact, and some perspectives on the potential and limits associated with green chemistry for commodity chemicals.
Determination of lemon and carbonate effects on caffeine content of various teas and investigation of daily caffeine intakes / Çeşitli çayların içerdikleri kafein miktarlarına limon ve karbonatın etkisi ve günlük alım miktarlarının incelenmesi
Authors: Demir Funda , Kıpçak Azmi Seyhun , Özdemir Özgül Dere , Pişkin Mehmet Burçin , Derun Emek Möröydor
Published: September 2016

Objective: Tea (Camellia sinensis), has been used for health field in thousands of years. Caffeine is one of the key component in tea and investigation of caffeine is a popular working subject among the researches. The novelty of this study is not only the determination of the caffeine contents of the teas, but also how addition of lemon and carbonate effects the caffeine contents. Another aim of the study is the investigation of the daily caffeine intakes from teas.

Methods: Tea infusions were prepared and caffeine contents were extracted by using chloroform and determined by UV-Vis Spectrophotometer. For lemon and carbonate addition experiments, lemon was added before the caffeine analysis and carbonate was added at the beginning.

Results: Maximum caffeine contents from highest to lowest were seen in black, earl grey and green in classic teas; fennel, mint and sage in herbal teas; lemon, apple and rosehip in fruit teas. With lemon addition caffeine contents were increased except green tea and with carbonate addition caffeine contents were decreased except black and fennel tea. Daily caffeine intakes are found between 32.10% (green tea with carbonate) - 77.20% (black tea with lemon), 1.85% (sage tea with carbonate) - 4.05% (fennel tea with lemon) and 2.10% (rosehip with carbonate) - 4.00% (lemon tea with lemon) in classic, herbal and fruit teas, respectively.

Conclusion: The significance of this study indicates that herbal and fruit teas contain caffeine, which is assumed zero in literature. The caffeine amount of herbal teas (20.79±0.36-30.68±0.63 ppm) were found barely higher than the fruit teas (22.87±0.54-28.54±0.75 ppm) but daily maximum caffeine intakes were found less than 5%. The daily maximum caffeine intakes were found in the teas as 525.36±2.84-20.79±0.36 ppm, where lemon addition increased to 617.90±3.54-22.97±0.58 ppm and carbonate addition decreased to 488.54±2.05-16.84±0.28 ppm.
Effects of two different eight-week walking programs on insulin resistance and ER stressrelated markers in pre-menopausal women / Premenopozal kadınlarda 8 haftalık farklı şiddetteki yürüyüş antrenmanlarının insülin direnci ve ER stresiyle ilişkili markerler üzerine etkileri
Authors: Doğru Yeliz , Büyükyazı Gürbüz , Ulman Cevval , Taneli Fatma , Tıkız Hakan , Göral Mehmet , Esen Hasan
Published: September 2016

Objective: The relationship between exercise and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, insulin resistance, and obesity is a new field of research. To our knowledge, there are no studies examining the effects of walking exercises on ER stress related markers and insulin resistance in pre-menopausal women. To examine the effect of two different eight-week walking programs on the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Fetuin-A (α2 - Heremans Schmid glycoprotein), c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK-1) and retinol- binding protein-4 (RBP-4), the related markers of ER stress and insulin resistance in pre-menopausal women.

Methods: Exercise groups (moderate tempo walking group; MTWG; n=11; brisk walking group BWG; n=12) walked five days a week, starting from 30 minutes, gradually increasing up to 51 minutes. BWG walked at ~70-75% and MTWG at ~50-55 of HRRmax. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (%), VO2max, serum TNF-α, Fetuin-A, JNK-1, RPB-4, blood lipids, and insulin resistance levels were determined before and after the intervention.

Results: VO2max increased in both exercise groups favoring BWG; RBP-4 decreased in both exercise groups (p<0.05). Serum TNF-α and, TG (p<0.05), BMI and percent body fat (p<0.01), and insulin levels reduced significantly in BWG (p<0.05). The reductions observed in both exercise groups in insulin resistance, and the increases determined in the negative levels of JNK-1 in BWG may be clinically important.

Conclusion: Both type of walking resulted in similar positive effects on RBP-4. The reduction observed in TNF-α, RBP-4, and the increases in the negative levels of JNK-1 in BWG show the positive effects of brisk walking on ER stress. The reduction in insulin resistance in relation to the possible reductions in ER stress and apoptosis in BWG may be more effective to prevent metabolic diseases.
A rare association: celiac disease and multiple myeloma in an asymptomatic young patient / Asemptomatik genç bir hastada çölyak hastalığı ve multipl myelom’un nadir birlikteliği
Authors: Öngen Belkız , Aksungar Fehime Benli , Tiftikçi Arzu , Coşkun Abdurrahman , Serteser Mustafa , Ünsal İbrahim Ü
Published: September 2016

Celiac Disease (CD) is a gluten-sensitive enteropathy, and an autoimmune disorder involving an innate and adaptive immune response that occurs in genetically predisposed patients who are exposed to gluten-containing foods and other environmental factors. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in preventing complications of the disease. Symptoms may appear both in childhood or adulthood by the ingestion of gluten and are usually characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms; however, the diagnosis may be delayed because of various extraintestinal manifestations, such as iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, or non-specific skin lesions in adult patients. Although CD has been shown to have an increased risk of all malignancies, plasma dyscrasias, especially multiple myeloma (MM) associations, are rare and reported to be seen in elderly patients. The current report presents a 42-year-old female patient with a recent dysphagia after a hot food ingestion with no other complaints. Laboratory investigations revealed a mild anemia and high serum protein levels. CD was diagnosed after a small bowel biopsy and MM was diagnosed after a serum protein electrophoresis with immunotyping studies (IgA lambda as the monoclonal protein) and bone marrow biopsy. In the laboratory, Immunotyping studies of monoclonal protein included two alternative methods; Immunofixation electrophoresis and immunosubtraction method with capillary electrophoresis. Our patient, is young to have MM, since the median age at diagnosis of MM is 66 years and only 2% of patients are younger than 50 years. We believe that celiac disease played a significant role in the development of MM in this particular patient with IgA monoclonality and conclude that CD patients, even if they are young, must be monitored for plasma dyscrasias in addition to other malignancies.
Gas electron diffraction of increased performance through optimization of nozzle, system design and digital control
Authors: Reuter Christian G. , Vishnevskiy Yury V. , Blomeyer Sebastian , Mitzel Norbert W.
Published: September 2016

A number of measures to increase the quality of data recorded with an improved Balzers Eldigraph KD-G2 gas-phase electron diffractometer are discussed. The beam-stop has been decoupled from the sector enabling us recording the current of the primary beam and scattered electrons during the experiment. Different beam-stops were tested for use in the present setup. Modifications of the nozzle tip of an earlier described medium temperature nozzle are reported. The measures lead to reduced exposure times and reduced amount of sample necessary for complete data collection.
The Structure of Vaucheriaxanthin
Authors: Nitsche Helfried
Published: September 2016

Vaucheriaxanthin is 19'-0H and not 19-OH neoxanthin. This structural conclusion was borne out by mass, PMR and infrared (IR) spectra from the free pigment and its derivatives (vaucheria- xanthal, vaucheriaxanthal-diacetate, vaucheriaxanthal-diacetate-mono (trimethylsilyl) -ether, vaucheria- xanthintriacetate- and triacetate-monosilanate, vaucheriaxanthin-dimethylether) and by comparison of the characteristic lines of epoxi-xanthophylls at mje 181 and m/e 221 in the mass spectrum
Zum stoffwechsel von aromaten, II. über die muconsäurespaltung von einfachen o-diphenolen / on the metabolism of aromatic compounds, ii * the muconic acid scission of simple o-diphenols
Authors: Schulz Günther , Hecker Erich
Published: September 2016

The preparation of substituted cis,cis-muconic acids by oxidative ring scission of simple o-di-phenols with peracetic acid is investigated.

Scission of pyrocatechol (1) to cis,cis-muconic acid (2) gives optimal yields, if acetic acid or ethyl acetate is used as solvent and if the solution is 15-20% with respect to sulfuric acid free peracetic acid comprising a one molar excess of oxidant.

Under similar conditions, 3-tosylamino-pyrocatechol yields with peracetic acid the hitherto unknown α-tosylamino-cis,cis-muconic caid (18). 18 may be converted to α-tosylamino-traras,trans-muconic acid (19) by means of iodine, UV light or heating.

From protocatechuic acid (4) under similar conditions not β-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid (5) is obtained, but rather β-carboxy-mucono-lactone (6 b, γ-carboxymethyl-β-carboxy-Δα-butenolide). As yet, this lactone has been accessible only from an isomer of β-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid, the latter being obtainable by enzymatic scission of protocatechuic acid (4).

Steric effects are responsible for both, the formation of the free cis,cis-muconic acids 2 and 18 from pyrocatechol (1) and α-tosylamino-pyrocatechol, and the formation of the γ-lactone 6 b instead of β -carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid by scission of protocatechuic acid (4).

The time course of the reactions shows that - compared to pyrocatechol (1) - a 3-tosylamino-group enhances the peracetic acid scission, whereas a 4-carboxygroup as in 4 slows it down
Interaction of Polyadenylic Acid with the Mercury Electrode
Authors: Brabec V , Paleček E
Published: September 2016

Interactions of polyadenylic acid with the mercury electrode were followed by means of direct current (d.c.), alternating current (a.c.), and pulse polarography. It was ascertained that the electrode reaction of polyadenylic acid did not differ significantly from the reaction of its monomeric components. In contrary to the latter reaction, the polarographic reduction of poly­ adenylic acid takes place only in the adsorbed state. Desorption of polyadenylic acid from the surface of the mercury electrode at negative potentials inhibits the reduction current. Due to this inhibition the d.c. polarographic curves of polyadenylic acid can have the shape of a single maxi­ mum or of a "double-wave". A method was suggested for a rapid determination of diffusion coef­ ficients of single-stranded polyadenylic acid by means of d.c. polarography. A.c. polarographic measurements yielded data on the adsorption/desorption behaviour of polyadenylic acid, on the basis of which conclusions were made concerning the conformation of polyadenylic acid in solu­ tion. While relatively concentrated solutions of polyadenylic acid must be used in the d.c. and a.c. polarographic studies, a little as 10 -15 ng of polyadenylic acid can be determined by means of pulse polarography
The Effect of High pH and Calcium on Tobacco Leaf Protoplast Fusion
Authors: Keller W. A. , Melchers G
Published: September 2016

High frequencies of fusion were induced between isolated tobacco leaf protoplasts when they were incubated at 37 °C in the presence of 0.05 M CaCl2 in 0.4 ᴍ mannitol at pH 10.5. Subsequent to the fusion treatment the protoplasts were washed and cultured in a suitable medium and within two weeks, actively dividing cell colonies were observed. The fusion treatment had no irreversible, deleterious effects on the protoplasts
Investigations Implying the Invalidity of Octopine as a Marker for Transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens
Authors: Wendt-Gallitelli M. F. , Dobrigkeit I
Published: September 2016

The presence of the rare free amino acid octopine in different plant material was tested in order to confirm its validity as a specific marker for the expression of bacterial genetic information in tumors produced by infection with A grobacteriu m tu m efaciens. This guanidine derivative is present in auxin-autotrophic fast growing callus cultures of C repis capillaris, and N icotiana tabacum var. ''White Burley", all transformed by infection with A grobacteriu m tum efaciens. In auxin-hetero-trophic callus cultures and in healthy plant material of the same species octopine could not be found. In all A . tum efaciens strains including the avirulent No. 55 tested this guanidine derivative was present. However, since octopine was found in fast growing "habituated" cultures of N . taba­ cum var. "White Burley" and, in small amounts in root tips of pea and bean seedlings and not in a slow growing "transformed" strain T5 of C repis, it cannot be considered as a specific marker for the expression of genetic material from the transforming bacteria
Über zwei weitere L uteolinglykoside aus Reseda luteola L. / On Two New Luteolinglycosides from Reseda luteola L
Authors: Geiger Hans , Krumbein Brigitte
Published: September 2016

In den oberirdischen Teilen von Reseda luteola L. sind bisher an Flavonoiden Luteolin (1), Apigenin (2) und Luteolin-7-glucosid (3) aufgefunden wor­ den 1. Als wir zu Vergleichszwecken 1 und 2 aus Reseda luteola isolierten, ist uns das Vorkommen weiterer Glykoside aufgefallen. Ähnliche Beobach­ tungen sind auch von anderer Seite gemacht wor­ den 2. Es ist uns jetzt gelungen, zwei dieser Glyko­ side, Luteolin-S'-glucosid (4) und Luteolin-7.3 -di-glucosid (5), in reiner Form zu isolieren und deren Konstitution aufzuklären
Temperaturabhängigkeit der Aufnahme einiger Hexosen durch Chlorella / Temperature Dependence of the Uptake of Hexoses by Chlorella
Authors: Hülsen W , Kubin D
Published: September 2016

Temperature dependence, uptake of hexoses, Chlorella
Investigations on Ion Fluxes of Chloroplasts with an Intact Envelope
Authors: Pflüger R
Published: September 2016

Cation transport, chloroplast envelope, thylacoid membrane