bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The ends justify the means: A global research agenda for political marketing and public affairs
Authors: Harris Phil , Sun Henry
Published: December 2017

Political marketing has developed into an increasingly mainstream discipline in universities globally over the last decade. There are many schools of political marketing with different approaches, such as the North American approach, the Western and Eastern European perspectives, and the Asian position. The study and application of political marketing has been categorised with different perspectives, such as electoral, governmental, and international aspects. It is becoming increasingly evident that political marketing needs further classification like any matured and established discipline. A close analysis of political marketing practices and academic research leads one to perceive two distinct areas of political exchanges in two different markets: the intranational market and the international market. The first deals with political marketing at a local, district, municipal, state/provincial, and national levels. The second deals with political marketing across national borders. As in the case of commercial marketing, international marketing became a major study field when marketing grew into a matured mainstream discipline in the 1980s.
Coalition Bargaining Duration in Multiparty Democracies
Authors: Ecker Alejandro , Meyer Thomas M.
Published: December 2017

Why do some government formation periods end after a few days, while others last for several weeks or even months? Despite the rich literature on government formation, surprisingly little is known about the underlying bargaining processes. This article introduces a new dataset on 303 bargaining attempts in nineteen European democracies to analyse the duration of individual bargaining rounds. The study hypothesizes that (1) preference tangentiality, (2) ideological proximity, (3) incumbency and (4) party leadership tenure decrease the duration of coalition bargaining. Employing a copula approach to account for the non-random selection process of the observations, it shows that these actor-specific factors matter in addition to systemic context factors such as post-election bargaining and party system complexity. These findings highlight the need to consider both actor-specific and systemic factors of the bargaining context to explain government formation.
Reciprocity and Public Opposition to Foreign Direct Investment
Authors: Chilton Adam S. , Milner Helen V. , Tingley Dustin
Published: December 2017

Prior international political economy public opinion research has primarily examined how economic and socio-cultural factors shape individuals’ views on the flows of goods, people and capital. This research has largely ignored whether individuals also care about rewarding or punishing foreign countries for their policies on these issues. We tested this possibility by administering a series of conjoint and traditional survey experiments in the United States and China that examined how reciprocity influences opposition to foreign acquisitions of domestic companies. We find that reciprocity is an important determinant of public opinion on the regulation of foreign investments. This suggests the need to consider the policies that other countries adopt when trying to explain public attitudes toward global economic integration.
WEED MANAGEMENT IN AEROBIC RICE: ROLE OF ESTABLISHMENT METHODS AND HERBICIDES
Authors: MUNDA SUSHMITA , SAHA SANJOY , ADAK TOTAN , JAMBHULKAR NITIPRASAD
Published: December 2017

Weed management in rice depends on establishment method and proper selection of herbicide. A field experiment was conducted during dry seasons of 2013 and 2014 to develop a robust strategy for effective weed management in aerobic rice system for tropical rice belts. The efficacy of post-emergent herbicides bispyribac-sodium, azimsulfuron and flucetosulfuron were evaluated under different rice establishment methods (row sowing, spot seeding and broadcasting). Grass weed species constituted 58–68% of the total weed density across the establishment methods in the weedy check treatment. The total weed density and weed biomass were lowest in spot seeding with azimsulfuron (35 g active ingredient (a.i.) ha−1) 30 and 60 days after sowing. Among herbicides, use of azimsulfuron caused the highest grain yield (5.2 Mg ha−1), realizing 72% increase in grain yield over the weedy check. Yields in row sowing and spot seeding were similar and the same was verified when comparing yields in plots treated with bispyribac-sodium and azimsulfuron. Based on our findings and considering both weed presence and grain yield, azimsulfuron in spot seeding can be recommended in aerobic rice.
Experimental evaluation of the effects of the novel predators, round goby and mud crab on benthic invertebrates in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea
Authors: Nurkse Kristiina , Kotta Jonne , Rätsep Merli , Kotta Ilmar , Kreitsberg Randel
Published: December 2017

The number of non-indigenous aquatic species (NIS) has rapidly increased globally. The majority of published evidence on the effects of NIS on local communities is from single species studies in which the interactive effects of NIS are not considered. Here we present experimental evidence of separate and interactive effects of two widespread non-indigenous benthic predators, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and the North American mud crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii) on benthic invertebrate communities in a shallow coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of Riga, the Baltic Sea. The two species have recently colonized multiple sub-basins of the Baltic Sea and due to their rapid range expansion, increasing densities and local functional novelty, they are expected to have strong separate or interactive effects on native communities. Our laboratory experiment demonstrated that round goby and mud crab exerted a significant predation pressure on different benthic invertebrate species and the effects of the studied predators were largely independent. Predation was stronger at higher temperature compared with low temperature treatment. Among the studied invertebrate species gammarid amphipods were consumed the most. Interestingly, round goby did not prey on the mud crabs despite a large size difference of the studied predators.
Childhood adversity and cognitive function in schizophrenia spectrum disorders and healthy controls: evidence for an association between neglect and social cognition
Authors: Kilian S , Asmal L , Chiliza B , Olivier MR , Phahladira L , Scheffler F , Seedat S , Marder SR , Green MF , Emsley R
Published: December 2017

Background

Childhood adversity is associated with cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. However, findings to date are inconsistent and little is known about the relationship between social cognition and childhood trauma. We investigated the relationship between childhood abuse and neglect and cognitive function in patients with a first-episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder (n = 56) and matched healthy controls (n = 52). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study assessing this relationship in patients and controls exposed to similarly high levels of trauma.

Methods

Pearson correlational coefficients were used to assess correlations between Childhood Trauma Questionnaire abuse and neglect scores and cognition. For the MCCB domains displaying significant (p < 0.05) correlations, within group hierarchical linear regression, was done to assess whether abuse and neglect were significant predictors of cognition after controlling for the effect of education.

Results

Patients and controls reported similarly high levels of abuse and neglect. Cognitive performance was poorer for patients compared with controls for all cognitive domains except working memory and social cognition. After controlling for education, exposure to childhood neglect remained a significant predictor of impairment in social cognition in both patients and controls. Neglect was also a significant predictor of poorer verbal learning in patients and of attention/vigilance in controls. However, childhood abuse did not significantly predict cognitive impairments in either patients or controls.

Conclusion

These findings are cross sectional and do not infer causality. Nonetheless, they indicate that associations between one type of childhood adversity (i.e. neglect) and social cognition are present and are not illness-specific.
An outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections following a dairy education school field trip in Washington state, 2015
Authors: Curran K. G. , Heiman Marshall K. E. , Singh T. , Doobovsky Z. , Hensley J. , Melius B. , Whitlock L. , Stevenson L. , Leinbach J. , Oltean H. , Glover W. A. , Kunesh T. , Lindquist S. , Williams I. , Nichols M.
Published: December 2017

On 27 April 2015, Washington health authorities identified Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections associated with dairy education school field trips held in a barn 20–24 April. Investigation objectives were to determine the magnitude of the outbreak, identify the source of infection, prevent secondary illness transmission and develop recommendations to prevent future outbreaks. Case-finding, hypothesis generating interviews, environmental site visits and a case–control study were conducted. Parents and children were interviewed regarding event activities. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. Environmental testing was conducted in the barn; isolates were compared to patient isolates using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Sixty people were ill, 11 (18%) were hospitalised and six (10%) developed haemolytic uremic syndrome. Ill people ranged in age from <1 year to 47 years (median: 7), and 20 (33%) were female. Twenty-seven case-patients and 88 controls were enrolled in the case–control study. Among first-grade students, handwashing (i.e. soap and water, or hand sanitiser) before lunch was protective (adjusted OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02–0.88, P = 0.04). Barn samples yielded E. coli O157:H7 with PFGE patterns indistinguishable from patient isolates. This investigation provided epidemiological, laboratory and environmental evidence for a large outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections from exposure to a contaminated barn. The investigation highlights the often overlooked risk of infection through exposure to animal environments as well as the importance of handwashing for disease prevention. Increased education and encouragement of infection prevention measures, such as handwashing, can prevent illness.
Estimating survival rates in MERS-CoV patients 14 and 45 days after experiencing symptoms and determining the differences in survival rates by demographic data, disease characteristics and regions: a worldwide study
Authors: Ahmed Anwar E.
Published: December 2017

Although Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) has a recorded 5 years of circulation in 27 countries worldwide, there is no international study to assess whether there is variation in mortality by region. Neither has there been a comprehensive study detailing how the disease characteristics of MERS-CoV influence mortality in patients presenting symptoms. This study aimed to assess how region, patient and disease characteristics influence 14- and 45-day mortality in MERS patients. The author utilised publically available data on MERS-CoV. The study included 883 MERS patients reported between 5 January 2015 and 10 March 2017. Data on patient and disease characteristics were collected. The mean age at MERS-CoV diagnosis was 54.3 years: 69.1% were male, and 86.7% of the cases were reported from Saudi Arabia. About 40% of MERS patients studied were over the age of 60. The study estimated 14- and 45-day survival rates after initial onset of symptoms: 83.67% and 65.9%, respectively. Saudi Arabian MERS patients exhibited 4.1 and 5.0 times higher 14-day (adjusted hazard risk (aHR) = 4.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.012–16.921) and 45-day (aHR = 5.0; 95% CI 1.856–13.581) mortality risk compared with MERS patients in the Republic of Korea or other countries. Similarly, Middle Eastern MERS patients showed 5.3 and 4.1 times higher 14-day (aHR = 5.3; 95% CI 1.070–25.902) and 45-day (aHR = 4.1; 95% CI 1.288–113.076) mortality risk compared with MERS patients in the Republic of Korea or other countries. The results demonstrated a link between mortality and geography, disease and patient factors such as regions, symptoms, source of infections, underlying medical conditions, modes of transmission, non-healthcare workers and those of older age. Educational programmes, access to healthcare and early diagnosis could be implemented as modifiable factors to reduce the higher mortality rates in MERS patients.
Suboptimal infant and young child feeding practices among internally displaced persons during conflict in eastern Ukraine
Authors: Summers Aimee , Bilukha Oleg O
Published: December 2017

Objective

To determine current status, areas for improvement and effect of conflict on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices among internally displaced persons (IDP) in eastern Ukraine.

Design

Cross-sectional household survey, June 2015.

Setting

Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhia oblasts (Ukrainian administrative divisions) bordering conflict area in Ukraine.

Subjects

Randomly selected IDP households with children aged <2 years registered with local non-governmental organizations. Questions based on the WHO IYCF assessment questionnaire were asked for 477 children. Mid-upper arm circumference was measured in 411 children aged 6–23 months.

Results

Exclusive breast-feeding prevalence for infants aged <6 months was 25·8 (95 % CI 15·8, 38·0) %. Percentage of mothers continuing breast-feeding when their child was aged 1 and 2 years was 53·5 (95 % CI 43·2, 63·6) % and 20·6 (95 % CI 11·5, 32·7) %, respectively. Bottle-feeding was common for children aged <2 years (68·1 %; 95 % CI 63·7, 72·3 %). Almost all infants aged 6–8 months received solid foods (98·6 %; 95 % CI 88·5, 99·9 %). Mothers who discontinued breast-feeding before their infant was 6 months old more often listed stress related to conflict as their primary reason for discontinuation (45·7 %) compared with mothers who discontinued breast-feeding when their child was aged 6–23 months (14·3 %; P<0·0001).

Conclusions

To mitigate the effects of conflict and improve child health, humanitarian action is needed focused on helping mothers cope with stress related to conflict and displacement while supporting women to adhere to recommended IYCF practices if possible and providing appropriate support to women when adherence is not feasible.
Attitudes of medical doctors and nurses towards the role of the nurses in the primary care unit in Italy
Authors: Gualano Maria R. , Bert Fabrizio , Adige Valeria , Thomas Robin , Scozzari Gitana , Siliquini Roberta
Published: December 2017

Aim

Aim of the present study was to assess the knowledge of the potential role of nurses in the primary care setting and to analyse the attitudes towards their utilization by nurses and General Practitioners (GPs) in a region of Italy.

Background

Nowadays, in Italy, the role of the nurse in primary care is still under-recognized and most primary care medical offices are managed individually by a physician.

Methods

The study consists of a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey carried out in Piedmont, Italy, between February and September 2015.

Findings

We included 105 participants, 57 nurses and 48 physicians. The presence of a nurse working together with the GP was defined as ‘useful’ by 54.4% of nurses (versus 60.4% of physicians), as ‘essential’ by 45.6% of nurses (versus 25.0% of physicians), as ‘marginal’ by no nurses (versus 14.6% of physicians) and as ‘unimportant’ by none (P=0.002). Thus, physicians seemed to be less favorable towards a full collaboration and power-sharing with nurses. Furthermore, GPs and nurses showed a different attitude towards the role of nurses in primary care: while nurses highlighted their clinical value, physicians tended rather to recognize them a ‘supportive’ role. Moreover, only 20.8% of the physicians interviewed stated that they worked with a nurse. At the multivariate analysis, the age class resulted to be a significant predictor of the perception that the presence of a nurse working with the GP is essential: participants >50 years had an OR of 0.03 (P=0.028). Although the primary care organization appears still largely based on a traditional physician-centric care model, the positive attitude of nurses and young GPs towards a more collaborative model of primary care might represent a promising starting point.
Präklinische Notfallmedizin
Authors: Junge Jörg Helge , Sieber Thomas , Hugentobler-Campell Beat
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Die präklinische Notfallmedizin kümmert sich um Patienten, die dringend medizinische Hilfe und Unterstützung brauchen. Oft sind diese Patienten lebensbedrohend erkrankt oder verletzt. Die Aufgabe ist es, diese Bedrohung abzuwenden und eine Stabilisierung der Vitalfunktionen zu erreichen – sozusagen, die klinische Versorgung in die Präklinik zu verlagern und so das therapiefreie Intervall zu verkürzen. Hierzu stehen national und international unterschiedliche Strukturen zur Verfügung. Rettungsdienstpersonal unterschiedlicher Qualifikationen arbeiten mit oder ohne Notarzt bodengebunden oder luftgestützt. Definierte Alarmierungsstrukturen sorgen über eine Rettungsleitstelle für die zeitgerechte Alarmierung und den Einsatz eines adäquaten Rettungsmittels und Personals. Für die strukturierte Versorgung der Patienten vor Ort gibt es lokale, nationale und internationale Leitlinien und Algorithmen. Angepasst an die Vorgehensweisen der aufnehmenden Klinik bieten diese Algorithmen ein hohes Mass an Qualität und Sicherheit, immer mit dem Ziel, Patienten in einem besseren Zustand in die Klinik zu bringen als es der Ausgangssituation entsprach. Die präklinische Notfallmedizin ist heute ein hochprofessioneller Teilbereich der Medizin, in der Ärzte und nichtakademisches Rettungsdienstpersonal Hand in Hand zusammenarbeiten. In vielen Ländern ist die Notfallmedizinausbildung als Zusatzausbildung etabliert, in wenigen Ländern als eigenständiger Facharzt geführt. Implementierung von Forschung und Qualitätssicherung schaffen für diesen Teilbereich der Medizin eine stetige Weiterentwicklung zum Nutzen der Patienten.
Erfassung des riskanten Alkoholkonsums bei Studierenden deutscher Hochschulen
Authors: Ganz Thomas , Braun Michael , Laging Marion , Heidenreich Thomas
Published: December 2017

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Der Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) und die Kurzform AUDIT-C sind etablierte Screeninginstrumente, u. a. zur Erkennung des riskanten Alkoholkonsums. Fragestellung: Validierung und Bestimmung der Cut-Off-Werte beider Screenings für Studierende deutscher Hochschulen. Methode: Auf Basis zweier Querschnittsanalysen (1. Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften; n = 490, 60 % männlich; 2. drei Universitäten; n = 1456, 47 % männlich) erfolgten die Analysen anhand des, mittels Mengen-Frequenz-Indizes erhobenen, externen Kriteriums von > 60 bzw. > 120 Gramm Reinalkohol pro Woche (Frauen / Männer) bzw. eines praktizierten Rauschtrinkens. Zusätzlich erfolgte eine Erfassung Alkohol-assoziierter Probleme. Ergebnisse: Die Verbreitung des riskanten Alkoholkonsums im letzten Monat betrug 53 % bzw. 56 % und war mit signifikant mehr alkoholbedingten Problemen assoziiert. Die Testgüte beider Screenings war gut bis exzellent. Die optimalen Cut-Off-Werte betrugen für den AUDIT ≥ 5 Punkte, für den AUDIT-C ≥ 4 Punkte bzw. jeweils ≥ 4 bei Frauen und ≥ 5 bei Männern. Schlussfolgerungen: Aufgrund seiner Kürze kann insbesondere der AUDIT-C als valides und ökonomisches Screeninginstrument des riskanten Alkoholkonsums bei Studierenden empfohlen werden.
Can Methodological Considerations Challenge the Dissociation of the	Perceptual and Motor Inhibitory Processes?
Authors: Magnard Justine , Berrut Gilles , Cornu Christophe , Deschamps Thibault
Published: December 2017

Abstract. Using an original conflict task paradigm, Nassauer and Halperin (2003) argued that inhibition ability can be classified into two distinct perceptual and motor inhibitory processes. The current study examined the robustness of this paradigm by raising two major methodological points: the amount of information that needs to be processed and the task order (fixed vs. random). Sixty young adults performed the original or modified tasks. Overall, a decrease in the amount of information had the effect of removing the stimulus conflict on some subtests. Therefore, no more inhibition performance could be assessed. Even if the findings can be interpreted as a change in response-related complexity that relates reaction time performance to the informational processing load, the discrepancies in terms of the amount of information originally designed are necessary to induce inhibitory conflicts. Additionally, unlike previous recommendations, the fixed task order initially adopted cannot be considered an essential methodological requirement.
Correction: Corrigendum: Chemical formation of hybrid di-nitrogen calls fungal codenitrification into question
Authors: Phillips Rebecca L. , Song Bongkeun , McMillan Andrew M. S. , Grelet Gwen , Weir Bevan S. , Palmada Thilak , Tobias Craig
Published: December 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 39077; published online: 15 December 2016; updated: 22 December 2017. This Article contains typographical errors in the Introduction section. “We performed a second incubation (illustration of this incubation design not shown) using isotope pairing techniques todetermine if 29N2O or 30N2O were produced abiotically from sterile medium amended with glutamine and NO2 − in the presence or absence of O2”.
Correction: Corrigendum: BCIP: A gene-centered platform for identifying potential regulatory genes in breast cancer
Authors: Wu Jiaqi , Hu Shuofeng , Chen Yaowen , Li Zongcheng , Zhang Jian , Yuan Hanyu , Shi Qiang , Shao Ningsheng , Ying Xiaomin
Published: December 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 45235; published online: 22 March 2017; updated: 22 December 2017. The original version of this Article contained an incorrect link to the Breast Cancer Integrative Platform in the Abstract. “To facilitate the identification of potential regulatory or driver genes, we present the Breast Cancer Integrative Platform (BCIP, http://omics.
Correction: Corrigendum: The CUL3-SPOP-DAXX axis is a novel regulator of VEGFR2 expression in vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Sakaue Tomohisa , Sakakibara Iori , Uesugi Takahiro , Fujisaki Ayako , Nakashiro Koh-ichi , Hamakawa Hiroyuki , Kubota Eiji , Joh Takashi , Imai Yuuki , Izutani Hironori , Higashiyama Shigeki
Published: December 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 42845; published online: 20 February 2017; updated: 22 December 2017. The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Yuuki Imai, which was incorrectly given as Yu-ki Imai. This error has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article, and in the accompanying Supplementary Information.
Erratum: Variation of outdoor illumination as a function of solar elevation and light pollution
Authors: Spitschan Manuel , Aguirre Geoffrey K. , Brainard David H. , Sweeney Alison M.
Published: December 2017

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 26756; published online: 07 June 2016; updated: 22 December 2017. Due to a technical error during the publication of the original version of this Article, the Supplementary Tables S2 and S3 were published in incomplete forms. These errors have been corrected in the Supplementary Information that now accompanies the Article.
Tunable ligand emission of napthylsalophen triple-decker dinuclear lanthanide(iii) sandwich complexes
Authors: Hardy E. E. , Wyss K. M. , Keller R. J. , Gorden J. D. , Gorden A. E. V.
Published: December 2017

The ligand 1,1′-((1E,1′E)-(1,2-phenylenebis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene)) bis(naphthalen-2-ol) (H2L) was used to prepare lanthanide(iii) metal complexes found to self-assemble as triple decker sandwich complexes of the type (Ln2L3).
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of nickel dipyridylmethane complexes for Coordination-Induced Spin State Switching (CISSS)
Authors: Klaß Michaela , Krahmer Jan , Näther Christian , Tuczek Felix
Published: December 2017

The coordination of pyridine to a nickel(ii) dipyridylmethane complex changes the spin state.
Synthesis, spectroscopic investigation, and DFT study of N,N′-disubstituted ferrocene-based thiourea complexes as potent anticancer agents
Authors: Asghar Faiza , Fatima Saira , Rana Sadaf , Badshah Amin , Butler Ian S. , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz
Published: December 2017

The DNA binding affinity of ferrocenyl thioureas (A1–A9) explored by CV and UV ascertain them as noble DNA binders. The complexes also publicized decent antioxidant and anticancer activity. DFT-based HOMO/LUMO energies are comparable with experimentally calculated redox potentials.
Reversible three equal-step spin crossover in an iron(ii) Hofmann-type metal–organic framework
Authors: Liu Fu-Ling , Li Dong , Su Li-Jie , Tao Jun
Published: December 2017

A novel bent ligand-pillared 3D Hofmann-type MOF exhibited incomplete three-step spin-crossover behavior with a sequence of HS1.00 ↔ HS0.75LS0.25 ↔ HS0.5LS0.5 ↔ HS0.25LS0.75.
A novel strategy for thermometry based on the temperature-induced red shift of the charge transfer band edge
Authors: Zhou Shaoshuai , Duan Changkui , Han Shuo
Published: December 2017

A novel ratiometric temperature sensing strategy based on the temperature-induced red shift of the CTB is proposed.
Stability and digestibility of one- or bi-layered medium-chain triglyceride emulsions with gum Arabic and whey protein isolates by pancreatic lipase in vitro
Authors: Yao Xiaolin , Chen Yu , Shu Meng , Zhang Kun , Gao Zhiming , Kuang Ying , Fang Yapeng , Nishinari Katsuyoshi , Phillips Glyn O. , Jiang Fatang
Published: December 2017

Schematic of the emulsion droplet interface stabilized with GA and WPI prepared by mixing or sequential adsorption.
Design, synthesis and bioactivities of phenithionate analogues or derivatives for anti-schistosomiasis
Authors: Zhou Shiyang , Huang Gangliang
Published: December 2017

A novel series of phenithionate analogues or derivatives were designed and synthesized using phenithionate as the lead compound, and their bioactivities were studied.
Self-assembly pathways and polymorphism in peptide-based nanostructures
Authors: Dudukovic Nikola A. , Hudson Benjamin C. , Paravastu Anant K. , Zukoski Charles F.
Published: December 2017

The effects of solvent–solute interactions on the self-assembly of a dipeptide molecule into nanofibers are explored.
One-step coelectrodeposition-assisted layer-by-layer assembly of gold nanoparticles and reduced graphene oxide and its self-healing three-dimensional nanohybrid for an ultrasensitive DNA sensor
Authors: Kumarasamy Jayakumar , Camarada María Belén , Venkatraman Dharuman , Ju Huangxian , Dey Ramendra Sundar , Wen Yangping
Published: December 2017

One-step coelectrodeposition-assisted layer-by-layer assembly was employed for preparing multilayer thin films with a controlled three-dimensional nanoarchitecture and application in an ultrasensitive DNA biosensor.
Lifted graphene nanoribbons on gold: from smooth sliding to multiple stick-slip regimes
Authors: Gigli L. , Manini N. , Tosatti E. , Guerra R. , Vanossi A.
Published: December 2017

Picked up at one end, graphene nanoribbons can be made to slide on gold by atomic-force microscopy. Numerical simulations reveal, as a function of the lifting height, a surprising dynamic transition from smooth sliding to multiple stick-slip regimes, with a force asymmetry between the pushing and pulling directions.
Semiconductor–metal structural phase transformation in MoTe2 monolayers by electronic excitation
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Aravind , Bassman Oftelie Lindsay , Kalia Rajiv K. , Nakano Aiichiro , Shimojo Fuyuki , Vashishta Priya
Published: December 2017

Electronic excitation leads to soft vibration modes and reduced energy barriers for structural phase transformation in TMDCs.
A domino reaction of 3-chlorochromones with aminoheterocycles. Synthesis of pyrazolopyridines and benzofuropyridines and their optical and ecto-5′-nucleotidase inhibitory effects
Authors: Miliutina Mariia , Janke Julia , Hassan Sidra , Zaib Sumera , Iqbal Jamshed , Lecka Joanna , Sévigny Jean , Villinger Alexander , Friedrich Aleksej , Lochbrunner Stefan , Langer Peter
Published: December 2017

Biologically active fused pyridines were prepared by a new domino reaction.
Convenient, functional group-tolerant, transition metal-free synthesis of aryl and heteroaryl trifluoromethyl ketones with the use of methyl trifluoroacetate
Authors: Funabiki Kazumasa , Hayakawa Ayaka , Inuzuka Toshiyasu
Published: December 2017

A new convenient, functional group-tolerant, transition metal-free route to aryl trifluoromethyl ketones under mild conditions is described.
Formal total synthesis of salvianolic acid N
Authors: Wu Kong , Xie Zhong Pao , Cui Dong-Mei , Zhang Chen
Published: December 2017

Salvianolic acid N was synthesized starting from 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in 11 steps and with an overall yield of 11%. The key reaction steps were the Wittig reaction for Z-stereoselectivity, the copper catalyzed intramolecular cyclization for seven membered ring skeleton, and the deprotected allylic group with Pd catalysis.
Schistosome vaccines: problems, pitfalls and prospects
Authors: Wilson R. Alan , Li Xiao Hong , Castro-Borges William
Published: December 2017

Human schistosomiasis caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma remains an important public health problem in spite of concerted efforts at control. An effective vaccine would be a useful addition to control strategies that currently rely on chemotherapy, but such a product is not imminent. In this review, likely causes for the lack of progress are first considered. These include the strategies used by worms to evade the immune response, concepts that have misdirected the field, an emphasis on internal antigens, and the use of the laboratory mouse for vaccine testing. On a positive note, recent investigations on self-cure by the rhesus macaque offer the most promising context for vaccine development. The identification of proteins at the parasite–host interface, especially those of the esophageal glands involved in blood processing, has provided an entirely new category of vaccine candidates that merit evaluation.
Trematoda (flukes)
Authors: Toledo Rafael , Fried Bernard
Published: December 2017

The class Trematoda is the largest group of Platyhelminths and includes two subclasses: Aspidogastrea and Digenea. Trematodes, and particularly Digeneans, is a large group of organisms with significant medical and veterinary interest. Over 100 species of digenetic trematodes have been reported infecting humans. Although the significant mortality and morbidity that some of these infections cause, they are among the most neglected tropical diseases. Apart from their impact in public and animal health, the Digenea constitutes an intriguing group of organisms that has a vast interest in experimental biology. Systematics and taxonomy of this group constitute a challenge for biologists in relation to the difficulty entailed in the establishment of phylogenetic relationships between trematodes and the determination of valid diagnostic features. Moreover, their complex life cycles, using at least two hosts and alternating free-living and parasitic stages or sexual and asexual multiplication, constitute a paradigm of how organisms can evolve to become adapted to different biotic and abiotic environments to enhance survival. In this review, we briefly summarize the major features of trematodes in relation to both biological and medical areas.
Interactive Book Reading to Accelerate Word Learning in Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Preliminary Intervention Approach
Authors: Fierro Veronica , Storkel Holly L.
Published: December 2017

This article will describe a bilingual preliminary treatment method currently being utilized in a clinical research study to teach vocabulary to bilingual (Spanish/English) preschool aged (four to six years old) children with developmental language disorder (DLD). The objective of this treatment method is to advance English vocabulary while supporting the native language abilities of English learners (ELs). In this bilingual treatment method, Spanish and English are used within the session, which includes the reading of books in English and Spanish and the teaching of vocabulary in English and Spanish.
QoS‐aware downlink radio resource management in OFDMA‐based small cells networks
Authors: Aghababaiyan Keyvan , Maham Behrouz
Published: December 2017

Interference management and supporting quality‐of‐service (QoS) requirements are the main challenges for the spectral resource allocation in orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) small cells networks. In this study, the authors propose an algorithm for assigning physical resource block (PRB) with QoS constraints to eliminate interference among femtocells. They formulate the proposed resource allocation scheme as an optimisation problem where interference among femtocells is entirely avoided and multiple QoS for different services are supported. The proposed optimisation problem imposes the fairness among different femtocells and maximises the PRB efficiency. However, this problem is NP‐complete, and thus, they offer a greedy algorithm for solving the problem. Simulation results show the throughput of their greedy algorithm is close to the optimal solution of the optimisation problem. Moreover, the proposed algorithm improves the network throughput by over 30–50% in different simulation scenarios with various femtocells densities in comparison to the previous methods. Furthermore, simulations illustrate the rejection ratio for all classes of services is lower than . Besides, the delays of different services are lower than the delay constraints.
High frequency generation in the corona: Resonant cavities
Authors: Santamaria I. C. , Van Doorsselaere T.
Published: December 2017

Aims. Null points are prominent magnetic field singularities in which the magnetic field strength strongly decreases in very small spatial scales. Around null points, predicted to be ubiquitous in the solar chromosphere and corona, the wave behavior changes considerably. Null points are also responsible for driving very energetic phenomena, and for contributing to chromospheric and coronal heating. In previous works we demonstrated that slow magneto-acoustic shock waves were generated in the chromosphere propagate through the null point, thereby producing a train of secondary shocks escaping along the field lines. A particular combination of the shock wave speeds generates waves at a frequency of 80 MHz. The present work aims to investigate this high frequency region around a coronal null point to give a plausible explanation to its generation at that particular frequency.

Methods. We carried out a set of two-dimensional numerical simulations of wave propagation in the neighborhood of a null point located in the corona. We varied both the amplitude of the driver and the atmospheric properties to investigate the sensitivity of the high frequency waves to these parameters.

Results. We demonstrate that the wave frequency is sensitive to the atmospheric parameters in the corona, but it is independent of the strength of the driver. Thus, the null point behaves as a resonant cavity generating waves at specific frequencies that depend on the background equilibrium model. Moreover, we conclude that the high frequency wave train generated at the null point is not necessarily a result of the interaction between the null point and a shock wave. This wave train can be also developed by the interaction between the null point and fast acoustic-like magneto-acoustic waves, that is, this interaction within the linear regime.
PEPSI deep spectra
Authors: Mack C. E. , Strassmeier K. G. , Ilyin I. , Schuler S. C. , Spada F. , Barnes S. A.
Published: December 2017

Context. With the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), we obtained a spectrum with PEPSI, its new optical high-resolution échelle spectrograph. The spectrum has very high resolution and a high signal-to-noise (S/N) and is of the K0V host Kepler−444, which is known to host five sub-Earth-sized rocky planets. The spectrum has a resolution of R ≈ 250 000, a continuous wavelength coverage from 4230 Å to 9120 Å, and an S/N between 150–550:1 (blue to red).

Aim. We performed a detailed chemical analysis to determine the photospheric abundances of 18 chemical elements. These were used to place constraints on the bulk composition of the five rocky planets.

Methods. Our spectral analysis employs the equivalent-width method for most of our spectral lines, but we used spectral synthesis to fit a small number of lines that required special care. In both cases, we derived our abundances using the MOOG spectral analysis package and Kurucz model atmospheres.

Results. We find no correlation between elemental abundance and condensation temperature among the refractory elements (TC > 950 K). In addition, using our spectroscopic stellar parameters and isochrone fitting, we find an age of 10 ± 1.5 Gyr, which is consistent with the asteroseismic age of 11 ± 1 Gyr. Finally, from the photospheric abundances of Mg, Si, and Fe, we estimate that the typical Fe-core mass fraction for the rocky planets in the Kepler−444 system is approximately 24%.

Conclusions. If our estimate of the Fe-core mass fraction is confirmed by more detailed modeling of the disk chemistry and simulations of planet formation and evolution in the Kepler−444 system, then this would suggest that rocky planets in more metal-poor and α-enhanced systems may tend to be less dense than their counterparts of comparable size in more metal-rich systems.
The AKARI IRC asteroid flux catalogue: updated diameters and albedos
Authors: Alí-Lagoa V. , Müller T. G. , Usui F. , Hasegawa S.
Published: December 2017

The AKARI IRC all-sky survey provided more than twenty thousand thermal infrared observations of over five thousand asteroids. Diameters and albedos were obtained by fitting an empirically calibrated version of the standard thermal model to these data. After the publication of the flux catalogue in October 2016, our aim here is to present the AKARI IRC all-sky survey data and discuss valuable scientific applications in the field of small body physical properties studies. As an example, we update the catalogue of asteroid diameters and albedos based on AKARI using the near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM). We fit the NEATM to derive asteroid diameters and, whenever possible, infrared beaming parameters. We fit groups of observations taken for the same object at different epochs of the survey separately, so we compute more than one diameter for approximately half of the catalogue. We obtained a total of 8097 diameters and albedos for 5170 asteroids, and we fitted the beaming parameter for almost two thousand of them. When it was not possible to fit the beaming parameter, we used a straight line fit to our sample’s beaming parameter-versus-phase angle plot to set the default value for each fit individually instead of using a single average value. Our diameters agree with stellar-occultation-based diameters well within the accuracy expected for the model. They also match the previous AKARI-based catalogue at phase angles lower than 50°, but we find a systematic deviation at higher phase angles, at which near-Earth and Mars-crossing asteroids were observed. The AKARI IRC All-sky survey is an essential source of information about asteroids, especially the large ones, since, it provides observations at different observation geometries, rotational coverages and aspect angles. For example, by comparing in more detail a few asteroids for which dimensions were derived from occultations, we discuss how the multiple observations per object may already provide three-dimensional information about elongated objects even based on an idealised model like the NEATM. Finally, we enumerate additional expected applications for more complex models, especially in combination with other catalogues.
Synthesis of Non-Conjugated Trienes via In Situ Hydrovinylation/Wittig Olefination of Unsaturated Phosphonium Salts
Authors: Hilt Gerhard , Ballmann Monika , Weber Felicia , Sattler Lars
Published: December 2017

A cobalt-catalysed 1,4-hydrovinylation reaction is successfully applied in a sequential three-component transformation of unsaturated phosphonium bromides, 1,3-dienes, and aldehydes leading to non-conjugated products with a 1,4-diene subunit in good to excellent yields. The hydrovinylation provides regioselectively diene structures with one exo double bond whereas the third double bond can be introduced via an in situ Wittig or Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons olefination leading to 1,4,7-trienes suitable for further double bond functionalisations.
Versicherungsmanagement - Zwischen Bauchgefühl und Fakten
Authors: Zühlke Ralf
Published: December 2017

Wettbewerb schafft Qualität – gerade auch im Versicherungsmanagement von Klinikbetrieben. Und: Wettbewerb schafft finanzielle Vorteile bei den Prämien. Warum also nicht mal einen Wettbewerb um die besten Versicherungsangebote durchführen?
Neurosurgical Issues in Pregnancy
Authors: Can Anil , Du Rose
Published: December 2017

Although rare, intracranial hemorrhage due to rupture of cerebral vascular malformations or intracranial aneurysms during pregnancy is a potentially devastating and life-threatening disorder, posing a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgeons, neurologists, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists. Despite the significant risk of morbidity and mortality affecting both the mother and the unborn child, knowledge of the natural history, epidemiology, and appropriate management of cerebral vascular malformations and intracranial aneurysms in pregnant women is limited. Although emergent neurosurgical concerns usually outweigh obstetric considerations, and treatment of these disorders is generally similar in pregnant and nonpregnant women, any necessary and feasible modifications to protect the unborn child should be made. This article reviews the management of ruptured intracranial aneurysms and cerebral vascular malformations, including arteriovenous malformations, cavernous malformations, and moyamoya disease, in women during pregnancy, partus, and puerperium.
Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics in Women
Authors: Duque Cristina , Feske Steven , Sorond Farzaneh
Published: December 2017

Sex and gender, as biological and social factors, significantly influence health outcomes. Among the biological factors, sex differences in vascular physiology may be one specific mechanism contributing to the observed differences in clinical presentation, response to treatment, and clinical outcomes in several vascular disorders. This review focuses on the cerebrovascular bed and summarizes the existing literature on sex differences in cerebrovascular hemodynamics to highlight the knowledge deficit that exists in this domain. The available evidence is used to generate mechanistically plausible and testable hypotheses to underscore the unmet need in understanding sex-specific mechanisms as targets for more effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.
Effects of Neonatal Thoracoscopic Surgery on Tissue Oxygenation: A Pilot Study on (Neuro-) Monitoring and Outcomes
Authors: Vlot John , van Rosmalen Joost , Wijnen René , Weber Frank , Costerus Sophie
Published: December 2017

Introduction Multiple reports have questioned the feasibility of neonatal thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and esophageal atresia (EA). The aim of this study is to examine the effects of CO2 pneumothorax on cerebral and renal rSO2 and to assess the potential predictive value of these data on neurodevelopmental outcome after neonatal thoracoscopic surgery for CDH or EA.

Materials and Methods A prospective observational pilot study. Cerebral and renal regional tissue oxyhemoglobine saturation (rSO2) rSO2 were assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during thoracoscopic surgery in neonates with CDH and with EA, in addition to routine anesthesia monitoring. Cerebral and renal rSO2, linked to repeated arterial blood gas analyses, heart rate, blood pressure, and to structured longitudinal neurodevelopmental follow-up.

Results Baseline estimated marginal means of cerebral rSO2 values (CDH: 82%, EA: 91%) did not change significantly during pneumothorax (CDH: 81%, EA 79% [n.s. versus baseline]) despite severe acidosis (lowest pH, CDH: 6.99, EA: 7.1). Neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months were normal in all 7 patients who were available for evaluation.

Conclusion Neonatal thoracoscopic repair of CDH and EA using CO2-pneumothorax leads to severe acidosis. Cerebral rSO2 remained within clinical acceptable limits during intraoperative periods of acidosis. Neurodevelopmental outcome was favorable within the first 24 months. The potential of NIRS to further improve perioperative care and long-term outcome in this specific patient group deserves further investigation.
Sagittal Abdominal Diameter does not Predict Metabolic Traits Better than Waist Circumference-Related Measures of Abdominal Obesity in Obese Subjects
Authors: Zazai Runa , Wilms Britta , Ernst Barbara , Keppler Rahel , Thurnheer Martin , Schmid Sebastian , Schultes Bernd
Published: December 2017

Background Recently, we showed that in subjects with a body mass index (BMI) >35 kg/m2 waist circumference (WC) is associated with metabolic traits but associations were weaker in men than in women.

Aims To confirm our previous observation that anthropometric measures of abdominal obesity are closer linked to metabolic traits in obese women than obese men. To test whether sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD) provides a better prediction of metabolic traits in obese subjects than WC related measures.

Methods SAD and WC along with metabolic traits were assessed in 204 women and 69 men (BMI 30.1–64.0 kg/m2).

Results In women, abdominal obesity measures were associated with glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c), fasting serum glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and uric acid levels as well as Chol/HDL ratio and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) independently of age and BMI. SAD predicted serum insulin and Chol better than WC, whereas WC was superior to SAD in predicting HbA1c, glucose, HOMA-IR, TG, HDL, Chol/HDL, and uric acid. Of note, the combination of SAD and WC provided a better prediction of insulin, HOMA-IR, TG, and uric acid than each of these anthropometric alone. In men, only fasting glucose, Chol, and uric acid levels were associated with abdominal obesity markers.

Conclusion Data show various associations between anthropometric measures of abdominal obesity and metabolic traits in obese women but overall much less in obese men. Most metabolic traits are better predicted by WC than by SAD.