bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Saudi female university employee self-determination in their own health-related issues
Authors: Hallila Liisa Elina , Al-Halabi Jehad Omar
Published: March 2018

Introduction: To date, there have been no studies located investigating Saudi women's self-determination in their own health-related issues. This study aims to investigate how women in Saudi Arabia see their ability and willingness to decision making in this matter.Methodology: The study design is ethnonursing and Leininger’s Sunrise model was utilized as background theory; qualitative data analysis method was used. 12 Saudi women worked at a large University in Saudi Arabia were interviewed in-depth.Results and discussion: Seven universal Saudi Arabian cultural themes were identified: customs and traditions, women’s decision-making denied, shared decision-making, informed women and empowerment rise, financial status matters, emerging changes in the society, and impact from the Western world.Conclusions: One of the major findings in the interviews was that all research participants observed themselves as more independent and empowered than in the accounts reflecting other women they knew. They saw other women, whom they met at the hospital or who were their friends or relatives, were without equal rights for independent decision making. Mainly, men are interested in reproductive health and are willing to dominate women’s independent decision making in healthcare. The main conclusion, according to this study, the Saudi women research participants who are educated, are more independent in their health-related decision making than the previous literature suggested. The result may be different in villages and among less educated women and their husbands.
Follow-up of a 6-month Programmed Sports Therapy (PST) in patients with haemophilia
Authors: Hilberg Thomas , Runkel Britta
Published: March 2018

Studies describe benefits of exercise in Patients with haemophilia (PwH), but research on training sustainability is rare. Aim of this study was to observe the follow-up of a guided 6-month training intervention in PwH. This study included 28 PwH after a training intervention (RCT) over 6 months. N=17 continued training (TC), N=11 stopped training (TS) after the study time. Strength measurements and subjective physical performance were tested.

The RCT revealed that all muscles tested increased significantly after training. In the follow-up phase, the muscles of TC increased further (in TS decreased), but not all of them significantly (M. triceps brachii: p=0.017; M. biceps brachii: n.s.; M. latissimus dorsi: n.s.; M. rectus abdominis: p=0.002; M. biceps femoris right: n.s.; left: p=0.028; M. quadriceps femoris both n.s. = not sig.). Subjective performance showed no clear changes in the follow-up phase.

This is the first study evaluating a follow-up phase of programmed sports therapy (PST) in PwH. PST (6-month) resulted in some PwH continuing the successful training. Benefits were training routine, safety and partially further positive training effects, e.g. in strength performance.
Degree of having Teachers of Mathematics for the Secondary Stage of Evaluating Competences at Schools of Mafraq Governorate / Jordan from Their Point of View
Authors: Al Khazam Awad Mufleh Shehab 
Published: March 2018

This study aimed at revealing and investigating the degree which teachers of mathematics at the secondary stage, the calendar competences at the schools of Mafraq governorate in Jordan from their point of view (gender variables, educational qualifications and teaching experience). To achieve the objective of this study, the researcher prepared a questionnaire including two areas of the competences of the teachers' personal and cognitive competences, consisting of (30) items divided into domains (15) for each. The sample consisted of (62) female and male teachers who were teaching at secondary stage. To extract the results, the researcher used the analysis of the three way ANOVA and multivariate variance in line with means and standard deviations. The results showed that the degree of having secondary teachers of mathematics at schools of Mafraq governorate for evaluation competences of students' learning was medium, while the total mean was of (3,37). The results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences at the level of (α ≤ 0.05) to the extent of having secondary teachers of mathematics at schools of Mafraq governorate for evaluation competences of learning from their point of view due to gender variable. Whereas, the results showed that there were statistically significant differences at the level of (α ≤ 0.05) of the degree of having evaluation competences in experience and qualification variables in favor of experience (more than 5 years) and for the scientific qualification which is higher than the bachelor degree.
Bully Phenomenon toward the Apparance of Violence in Educational Institutions (A Case Study in North Aceh)
Authors: Nur Chairan M.
Published: March 2018

This study aims at determining bully phenomenon among teenagers who bring impacts of violence in educational institutions, and how to eliminate it among teens when the existence of educational institution away from all forms of violence in North Aceh. Qualitative research methodology was used. Data was collected through observation and interview techniques. A descriptive qualitative analysis were used. Data checking was done by triangulation of sources, techniques, and timing.The results showed that bullying phenomenon among teens had the impact on violence in educational institutions, especially in a school environment where oppression and squash be a familiar sight. Initially, it was only at the level of ridicule, and then it developed into acts of repression, threats, and physical violence. To eliminate these, it should give guidance, advice, examples from the school, and enrich Islamic knowledge agains bullying.
Surgical treatment of rynophyma – own observation
Authors: Kamiński Bartłomiej
Published: March 2018

Rhinophyma is the end-stage of rosacea. Nodular hypertrophy of the external nose is a chronic disease lasting for
many years. The main problem in patients with rhinophyma apart from functional disorders are deformities of the
nose regarding aesthetics. Therefore patients often isolate themselves and avoid interpersonal and social contacts.
Majority of patients with symptoms of nodular hypertrophy are not aware of possibility of treatment which impoves
functional disorders and aesthetic of the face. Surgical treatment still remains the basic method of treatment of rhinophyma.
The long –term observations have proved satisfactory cosmetics and functional results.
Description of one new genus and four new species of mynoglenine spiders from Africa (Araneae: Linyphiidae: Mynogleninae)
Authors: Frick Holger , Scharff Nikolaj
Published: March 2018

The genus Camafroneta gen. nov. is established to accomodate Camafroneta oku gen. et sp. nov., a new species of mynoglenine spider from Cameroon, West Africa, with unusual complex male genitalia. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the new species does not belong to a known genus of mynoglenine spiders. Another three new species of Afroneta Holm, 1968 from East Africa are described: Afroneta flavescens sp. nov., Afroneta serrata sp. nov. and Afroneta sarahae sp. nov. We also describe the missing sex (♂) of Afroneta elgonensis Merrett, 2004.
La francophonie à table : les traits culturels dans les sites web de restaurants de cuisine française et de cuisine libanaise de France et du Québec
Authors: Trudel Éric
Published: March 2018

À l’alimentation et aux pratiques alimentaires s’associent des valeurs culturelles. Celles-ci sont évidemment véhiculées dans les médias. À ce titre, le site web de restaurant correspond à un véhicule privilégié des traits liés à la cuisine et au domaine de l’alimentation en général. Afin de cerner les valeurs et les représentations de l’univers alimentaire francophone, nous présentons les similarités et différences culturelles ressortant notamment des thèmes typiques d’un corpus de sites web de restaurants français et québécois de cuisine française et de cuisine libanaise. L’approche repose sur la théorie morphosémantique et l’analyse sémique développées dans le cadre de la sémantique interprétative de François Rastier, et décrit les valeurs culturelles en faisant appel aux concepts de sème, de thème et d’isotopie.
Türk Popülasyonu’nda Tümor Nekroz Faktör Alfa Gen Polimorfizmi (-376) ile Multipl Skleroz Arasındaki İlişki
Authors: ARMAN Ahmet , ŞİMŞEK Hasan , SARIDAL Merve
Published: March 2018

Bu araştırmanın amacı Multipl Skleroz (MS) ile Tümor Nekroz Faktör-Alfa (TNF-A) geninin
promotör bölgesindeki (-376) gen polimorfizmi arasındaki ilişkininin ortaya
çıkarılmasıdır. Yapılan çalışmada 100 MS hastası ve 100 sağlıklı kontrol olmak
üzere toplam 200 birey incelenmiştir. Bunun için ilk olarak kandan DNA
izolasyonu yapılmış ve elde edilen DNA’lardan TNF-A geninin promoter -376
bölgesi polimeraz zincir reaksiyonu yöntemi ile çoğaltılmıştır.
İkinci aşamada ise elde edilen PCR ürünleri Tsp50 enzimi ile kesilerek genotip
dağılımları ve allel frekansları incelenmiştir. Türk popülasyonunda MS
hastalığı ile TNF-A    -376
polimorfizminin genotip dağılımı arasında kuvvetli bir ilişki bulunmuştur
(p=0,010). Aynı zamanda TNF-A -376 polimorfizminin allel frekansı MS
hastalığıyla bir ilişki göstermektedir (p=0.011). Bu ilişkide TNF-A -376 polimorfizminin
heterozigot genotip G/A olduğu ve A allelinin koruyucu etkisi olduğu görülmüştür.
TNF-A -376 polimorfizmi ile MS arasında hastalığın risk oluşturması açısından
herhangi bir ilişki bulunmamıştır ancak G/A genotipi ve A allelinin sağlıklı kişilerde
koruyucu etkisi olabildiği düşünülmektedir.
Incomplete inhibition of HIV infection results in more HIV infected lymph node cells by reducing cell death
Authors: Jackson Laurelle , Hunter Jessica , Cele Sandile , Ferreira Isabella Markham , Young Andrew C , Karim Farina , Madansein Rajhmun , Dullabh Kaylesh J , Chen Chih-Yuan , Buckels Noel J , Ganga Yashica , Khan Khadija , Boulle Mikael , Lustig Gila , Neher Richard A , Sigal Alex
Published: March 2018

HIV has been reported to be cytotoxic in vitro and in lymph node infection models. Using a computational approach, we found that partial inhibition of transmissions of multiple virions per cell could lead to increased numbers of live infected cells. If the number of viral DNA copies remains above one after inhibition, then eliminating the surplus viral copies reduces cell death. Using a cell line, we observed increased numbers of live infected cells when infection was partially inhibited with the antiretroviral efavirenz or neutralizing antibody. We then used efavirenz at concentrations reported in lymph nodes to inhibit lymph node infection by partially resistant HIV mutants. We observed more live infected lymph node cells, but with fewer HIV DNA copies per cell, relative to no drug. Hence, counterintuitively, limited attenuation of HIV transmission per cell may increase live infected cell numbers in environments where the force of infection is high.
Auditory experience controls the maturation of song discrimination and sexual response in Drosophila
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Ishimoto Hiroshi , Kamikouchi Azusa
Published: March 2018

In birds and higher mammals, auditory experience during development is critical to discriminate sound patterns in adulthood. However, the neural and molecular nature of this acquired ability remains elusive. In fruit flies, acoustic perception has been thought to be innate. Here we report, surprisingly, that auditory experience of a species-specific courtship song in developing Drosophila shapes adult song perception and resultant sexual behavior. Preferences in the song-response behaviors of both males and females were tuned by social acoustic exposure during development. We examined the molecular and cellular determinants of this social acoustic learning and found that GABA signaling acting on the GABAA receptor Rdl in the pC1 neurons, the integration node for courtship stimuli, regulated auditory tuning and sexual behavior. These findings demonstrate that maturation of auditory perception in flies is unexpectedly plastic and is acquired socially, providing a model to investigate how song learning regulates mating preference in insects.
2018 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures
Authors:   Alzheimer's Association
Published: March 2018

This article describes the public health impact of Alzheimer's disease (AD), including incidence and prevalence, mortality and morbidity, costs of care, and the overall impact on caregivers and society. The Special Report examines the benefits of diagnosing Alzheimer's earlier in the disease process, in the stage of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. An estimated 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer's dementia. By mid‐century, the number of people living with Alzheimer's dementia in the United States is projected to grow to 13.8 million, fueled in large part by the aging baby boom generation. In 2015, official death certificates recorded 110,561 deaths from AD, making AD the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans age ≥65 years. Between 2000 and 2015, deaths resulting from stroke, heart disease, and prostate cancer decreased, whereas deaths from AD increased 123%. In 2017, more than 16 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. This care is valued at more than $232 billion, but its costs extend to family caregivers' increased risk for emotional distress and negative mental and physical health outcomes. Average per‐person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries age ≥65 years with Alzheimer's or other dementias are more than three times as great as payments for beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are more than 23 times as great. Total payments in 2018 for health care, long‐term care and hospice services for people age ≥65 years with dementia are estimated to be $277 billion. With the identification of AD biomarkers in recent years, our understanding of the disease has moved from one based on symptoms to one based on brain changes. Because these changes begin well before clinical symptoms arise, Alzheimer's has the potential to be diagnosed before the dementia stage. Early diagnosis of AD could have important personal and financial benefits. A mathematical model estimates that early and accurate diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion in medical and care costs.
A Reconsideration of the Theory of Non-Linear Scale Effects
Authors: Lipsey Richard G.
Published: March 2018

The main thrust of this Element is a critical assessment of the theory and evidence concerning the sources of scale effects. It is argued that the analysis of static scale effects is important because scale effects are embedding in our world, and new technologies associated with an evolving economy often allow their exploitation when they cannot be exploited in less technically advanced and smaller economies. So, although static equilibrium theory is not a good vehicle for studying economic growth, showing how scale effects operate when output varies with given technology helps us to understand the scale effects that occur when output rises as a result of economic growth, even though that is typically driven by technological change.
Percolation results for the continuum random cluster model
Authors: Houdebert Pierre
Published: March 2018

The continuum random cluster model is a Gibbs modification of the standard Boolean model with intensity z > 0 and law of radii Q. The formal unnormalised density is given by q

N
cc
, where q is a fixed parameter and N
cc is the number of connected components in the random structure. We prove for a large class of parameters that percolation occurs for large enough z and does not occur for small enough z. We provide an application to the phase transition of the Widom–Rowlinson model with random radii. Our main tools are stochastic domination properties, a detailed study of the interaction of the model, and a Fortuin–Kasteleyn representation.
A necessary and sufficient condition for the subexponentiality of the product convolution
Authors: Xu Hui , Cheng Fengyang , Wang Yuebao , Cheng Dongya
Published: March 2018

Let X and Y be two independent and nonnegative random variables with corresponding distributions F and G. Denote by H the distribution of the product XY, called the product convolution of F and G. Cline and Samorodnitsky (1994) proposed sufficient conditions for H to be subexponential, given the subexponentiality of F. Relying on a related result of Tang (2008) on the long-tail of the product convolution, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the subexponentiality of H, given that of F. We also study the reverse problem and obtain sufficient conditions for the subexponentiality of F, given that of H. Finally, we apply the obtained results to the asymptotic study of the ruin probability in a discrete-time insurance risk model with stochastic returns.
Forward sensitivity analysis for contracting stochastic systems
Authors: Flynn Thomas
Published: March 2018

In this paper we investigate gradient estimation for a class of contracting stochastic systems on a continuous state space. We find conditions on the one-step transitions, namely differentiability and contraction in a Wasserstein distance, that guarantee differentiability of stationary costs. Then we show how to estimate the derivatives, deriving an estimator that can be seen as a generalization of the forward sensitivity analysis method used in deterministic systems. We apply the results to examples, including a neural network model.
HISTORY ON TRIAL: HISTORICAL NARRATIVE PLURALISM WITHIN AND BEYOND INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURTS
Authors: Sander Barrie
Published: March 2018

With the resurgence of the field of international criminal justice in recent decades, expectations have increasingly been placed on international criminal courts to construct consistent and authoritative historical narratives about the mass atrocity situations that fall within their purview. Taking this expectation as its focus, this article seeks to illuminate the historical narrative pluralism that can arise both within and beyond the international criminal courtroom.Withinthe courtroom, two types of narrative pluralism are identified: first,inter-courtnarrative pluralism, which arises when different courts examine the same mass atrocity situation from different perspectives; and second,intra-courtnarrative pluralism, which emerges when narratives constructed within an international criminal judgment are revisited in later cases adjudicated by the same court.Beyondthe courtroom, it is contended that even when international criminal courts manage to achieve inter-court and intra-court narrative consistency, in practice a range of social psychological and practical factors tend to generate a gap between the intended meaning of such narratives and their public or social meaning amongst different audiences. By illuminating the historical narrative pluralism that can arise both within and beyond the international criminal courtroom, this article calls for greater critical awareness of the constructed nature of the historical narratives rendered within international criminal judgments, as well as a sobering of the expectations that are typically placed on international criminal courts both with respect to the construction of narratives within the courtroom and their reception beyond it.
Vocational Freedom, Parental Authority and Pastoral Persuasion in Seventeenth-Century France
Authors: LANE CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: March 2018

In seventeenth-century France, secular law favoured parents’ authority in children's choices of marriage, religion or the clerical state, despite Catholic theology and canon law favouring individual freedom. Negotiating this tension led many clerical writers – in advice on choosing a state of life found in devotional treatises, sermons and catechisms – to reconcile parental involvement with vocational liberty. Believing that the right choice of a state was virtually necessary for salvation, they urged parents and children to cooperate in discerning and accepting God's call. Amid conflicts with French law and culture, pastoral persuasion helped to forge an enduringly influential strain in modern Catholicism.
Mirrors for Bureaucrats: Expectations of Christian Officials in the Theodosian Empire
Authors: Whelan Robin
Published: March 2018

This article tackles a relatively under-studied aspect of the Christianisation of the Roman aristocracy. It considers the influence of Christian norms on a key stage in the elite male life course: service to the state. Drawing on the letters of Isidore of Pelusium, Augustine of Hippo and Theodoret of Cyrrhus to imperial officials, this article argues that a Christian rhetoric of office-holding had developed across the Mediterranean by the first half of the fifth century. It traces these authors’ varying expectations of how the religious identities of elite Christian men would shape their political agency. Their letters demonstrate the diffusion of Christian political ideas within the imperial state — and the terms on which Christian affiliations and traditional public careers were understood to be compatible — under the Theodosian dynasty.
Cognitive Reserve Profiles in Chronic Schizophrenia: Effects on Theory of Mind Performance and Improvement after Training
Authors: Buonocore Mariachiara , Bechi Margherita , Uberti Paola , Spangaro Marco , Cocchi Federica , Guglielmino Carmelo , Bianchi Laura , Mastromatteo Antonella Rita , Bosia Marta , Cavallaro Roberto
Published: March 2018

Objectives:Cognitive reserve (CR), defined as individual differences in the ability to cope with brain damage, seem to be associated to the several psychopathological features in psychiatric patients, such as the functional outcome. This study aims to identify different profiles of CR by combining intelligence quotient (IQ) and premorbid functioning, two measures independently associated to CR in previous works, as well as to explore CR effect on both Theory of Mind (ToM) baseline performance and improvement after socio-cognitive trainings.Methods:Sixty patients with chronic schizophrenia underwent a socio-cognitive rehabilitation. All patients were assessed for psychopathology, neurocognition, and ToM at baseline and post-treatment. CR profiles were explored with K-means cluster analysis, while differences between clusters in both baseline assessments and post-treatment ToM improvement, were analyzed by means of analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of covariance.Results:The analysis revealed three CR profiles, respectively, characterized by low early premorbid functioning and mild intellectual impairment, average/high early premorbid functioning trend with moderate intellectual impairment and good early premorbid functioning associated to IQ within normal limits. Analyses showed a significant effect of CR on both baseline ToM performance and treatment outcome: patients with higher CR reached significantly better ToM scores.Conclusions:These results underline the clinical relevance of defining CR profiles of patients to customize trainings: subjects with a lower CR may benefit from more intensive programs. A deeper knowledge about CR may considerably increase our understanding of individual differences and thus potentiate treatment outcome. (JINS, 2018,24, 563–571)
POLITICAL ATHEISM: THE SECULARIZATION AND LIBERALIZATION OF AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE
Authors: SEHAT DAVID
Published: March 2018

The United States is a deeply Christian country, but over the last sixty years American public culture has become increasingly detached from religious concerns. Christian activists, when not speaking within the Republican Party, have had to assert their privilege in a way that they never had to do in the past. In spite of their efforts, the role of Christianity in culture and politics has seen a more or less continuous decline. This essay examines how and why that process occurred. It puts forward a schematic narrative that relies on the concepts of public reason, the avant-garde, and an overlapping consensus to explain how different people came together in the mid-twentieth century to secularize and liberalize American public life.
Sensitive and simultaneous surface plasmon resonance detection of free and p53-bound MDM2 proteins from human sarcomas
Authors: Wu Ling , Tang Hailin , Hu Shengqiang , Xia Yonghong , Lu Zhixuan , Fan Yujuan , Wang Zixiao , Yi Xinyao , Zhou Feimeng , Wang Jianxiu
Published: March 2018

Sensitive SPR determination of free and p53-bound MDM2 proteins from sarcoma tissue extracts was carried out in fluidic channels covered with the consensus ds-DNA/p53 conjugate and the consensus ds-DNA, respectively.
Three-dimensional interior analyses on periodically banded spherulites of poly(dodecamethylene terephthalate)
Authors: Woo E. M. , Lugito G. , Chang S. M.
Published: March 2018

Polarized optical, atomic force, and scanning electron microscopy images showing the correlations of three-dimensional crystal arrangements with optical properties exhibited by poly(dodecamethylene terephthalate).
Identification of high-temperature exciton states and their phase-dependent trapping behaviour in lead halide perovskites
Authors: Shi Jiangjian , Zhang Huiyin , Li Yiming , Jasieniak Jacek J. , Li Yusheng , Wu Huijue , Luo Yanhong , Li Dongmei , Meng Qingbo
Published: March 2018

A high-temperature-stable bound exciton (BE) within perovskites and a phase-dependent exciton trapping behaviour have been identified.
Matrix dependency of baddeleyite U–Pb geochronology by femtosecond-LA-ICP-MS and comparison with nanosecond-LA-ICP-MS
Authors: Wohlgemuth-Ueberwasser Cora C. , Schuessler Jan A. , von Blanckenburg Friedhelm , Möller Andreas
Published: March 2018

Baddeleyite is a key mineral in geochronology of mafic rocks as it crystallizes in silica-undersaturated systems that do not grow zircon.
(Poly)cation-induced protection of conventional and wireframe DNA origami nanostructures
Authors: Ahmadi Yasaman , De Llano Elisa , Barišić Ivan
Published: March 2018

Gene-therapy inspired chitosan and polyethyleneimine coatings protect DNA nanostructures from enzymatic degradation but preserve the functionalization capability of the surface.
Asymmetric current-driven switching of synthetic antiferromagnets with Pt insert layers
Authors: Zhao Xiaotian , Liu Wei , Li Shangkun , Wang Tingting , Liu Long , Song Yuhang , Ma Song , Zhao Xinguo , Zhang Zhidong
Published: March 2018

A perpendicularly magnetized synthetic antiferromagnetic structure is a promising alternative to a single ferromagnetic layer in spintronic applications because of its low net magnetization and high thermal stability.
Orientation direction dependency of cavitation in pre-oriented isotactic polypropylene at large strains
Authors: Lu Ying , Thompson Glen , Lyu Dong , Caton-Rose Philip , Coates Phil , Men Yongfeng
Published: March 2018

Failure of inter-fibrillar tie chains in oriented amorphous networks is the main factor controlling the cavitation initiated at large strains.
Post hoc support vector machine learning for impedimetric biosensors based on weak protein–ligand interactions
Authors: Rong Y. , Padron A. V. , Hagerty K. J. , Nelson N. , Chi S. , Keyhani N. O. , Katz J. , Datta S. P. A. , Gomes C. , McLamore E. S.
Published: March 2018

We develop a simple, open source machine learning algorithm for analyzing impedimetric biosensor data using a mobile phone.
Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides as metal sources of metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Sun Yanwei , Hu Shen , Song Chunshan , Miao Shu , Jiang Zhou , Jiang Xue , Zhao Jijun , Guo Xinwen , Liu Yi
Published: March 2018

It was found that transition metal dichalcogenides could serve as competent metal precursors of metal–organic frameworks with several obvious advantages.
Observation of bending, cracking and jumping phenomena on cooling and heating of tetrahydrate berberine chloride crystals
Authors: Singh Manjeet , Bhandary Subhrajyoti , Bhowal Rohit , Chopra Deepak
Published: March 2018

Tetrahydrate berberine chloride crystals undergo cracking, bending and jumping on cooling as well as on heating at room temperature with a rapid conversion to a dihydrate phase.
Endotaxial growth of FexGe single-crystals on Ge(001) substrates
Authors: Wu Wen-Ya , Tjiu Weng Weei , Wan Wei , Tan Hui Ru , Teo Siew Lang , Guo Shifeng , Lim Sze Ter , Lin Ming
Published: March 2018

Through a 3D diffraction method combined with HRTEM images, we have successfully determined the specific phase of each FexGe island grown on the Ge substrate.
Enhancing the luminescence efficiency of silicon-nanocrystals by interaction with H+ ions
Authors: Cannas Marco , Camarda Pietro , Vaccaro Lavinia , Amato Francesco , Messina Fabrizio , Fiore Tiziana , Li Vigni Maria
Published: March 2018

Enhancement of luminescence efficiency caused by interaction of H+ ions with nonradiative defects at the SiNC/SiO2 interface.
Coupling photocatalytic CO2 reduction with benzyl alcohol oxidation to produce benzyl acetate over Cu2O/Cu
Authors: Chen Yi , Wang Mengtao , Ma Yating , Li Yuanyuan , Cai Jingyu , Li Zhaohui
Published: March 2018

A successful coupling of photocatalytic CO2 reduction with benzyl alcohol oxidation to produce benzyl acetate over a Cu2O/Cu nanocomposite.
Mesogen-co-polymerized transparent polyimide as a liquid-crystal alignment layer with enhanced anchoring energy
Authors: Tong Faqin , Chen Shuangshuang , Chen Zhao , Lu Xuemin , Lu Qinghua
Published: March 2018

This work shows the key role played by the mesogens side groups of polyimides in enhancing the azimuthal anchoring energy.
Inkjet printing of blue phosphorescent light-emitting layer based on bis(3,5-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl))diphenylsilane
Authors: Bail Robert , Hong Ji Yoon , Chin Byung Doo
Published: March 2018

This study demonstrates successful inkjet printing of SimCP2 doped with FIrpic for applications in large area blue phosphorescent OLEDs.
Tuning the emission of a water-soluble 3-hydroxyflavone derivative by host–guest complexation
Authors: Li Dahua , Xing Yuzhi , Ding Lan , Wu Chengfeng , Hou Guangliang , Song Bo
Published: March 2018

The remarkable single fluorescence emission of a water-soluble 3-hydroxyflavone derivative was modulated by host–guest complexation with different cyclodextrins.
Performance indexes’ evaluation of a NSynRM with sinusoidal rotor shape
Authors: Muteba Mbika , Twala Bhekisipho , Nicolae Dan Valentin
Published: March 2018

This study presents the evaluation of performance indexes of a novel synchronous reluctance motor (NSynRM) that has an axially sinusoidal rotor lamination shape. The stator of a 5.5 kW, 4‐pole, 50 Hz conventional three‐phase squirrel cage induction motor, with distributed and chorded by one slot, double‐layer winding, is used for both standard and NSynRMs. Owing to the nature of the sinusoidal rotor structure, the three‐dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) is utilised to study the electromagnetic parameters of interests. The NSynRM with sinusoidal rotor shape results is compared with the standard SynRM without cut‐off on the q‐axis. The FEA results are validated by means of practical measurements.
Li4Ti5O12/Ti4O7/carbon nanotubes composite anode material for lithium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Xu Wen , Li Xing , Zhong Xiaoxi , Liu Wanying , Lin Yuanhua , Xia Ruochen
Published: March 2018

The work describes a method for preparing Li4Ti5O12 (LTO)/Ti4O7/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite as anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical tests make sure that LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs composite provides excellent electrochemical performance compared with spinel LTO. Notably, the LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs composite exhibits good cycle stability, retaining over 78.5% of its initial capacity after 100 cycles at 20°C, whereas that of spinel LTO is 32.6 mAh g−1 (35.4% retention). The significantly improved electrochemical performance of the LTO/Ti4O7/CNTs electrodes can be mainly ascribed to the improvement of electronic conductivity and faster electron transfer from the CNTs and Ti4O7. The outstanding electrochemical performance makes it a promising anode material for high‐rate and long life LIBs.
Anti-αvβ3 Antibodies in Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Kosugi Satoru , Honda Shigenori , Kashiwagi Hirokazu , Shiraga Masamichi , Tadokoro Seiji , Kiyoi Teruo , Kurata Yoshiyuki , Matsuzawa Yuji , Tomiyama Yoshiaki
Published: March 2018

In chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), anti-GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3) autoantibodies have been detected in serum and/or platelet-associated IgG (PAIgG) and considered as one of the major causes. We examined whether anti-αvβ3 antibodies might be present in ITP cases because of the similarity between αvβ3 and GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3). Modified antigen capture ELISA (MACE) using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) showed the presence of serum anti-αvβ3 antibodies in 23 of 80 ITP patients (29%). Cross-adsorption studies between platelets and HUVEC demonstrated that most of anti-αvβ3 and anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies exclusively reacted with αvβ3 and GPIIb-IIIa, respectively. Platelet-associated anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies did not react with αvβ3, either. Interestingly, patients having anti-αvβ3 antibodies showed significantly lower platelet counts than negative patients. These results indicate the serum anti-αvβ3 antibodies are different ones from the classical anti-GPIIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3) antibodies and would provide a new insight into the pathophysiology of ITP as well as the autoantigenic epitopes on β3 integrins.
Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis: Early Mobilization Does not Increase the Frequency of Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Aschwanden Markus , Labs Karl-Heinz , Engel Hermann , Schwob Andreas , Jeanneret Christina , Mueller-Brand Jan , Jaeger Kurt
Published: March 2018

Outpatient treatment for acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was shown to be safe for most patients. However, little is known whether patients treated on an outpatient basis were ambulating or predominantly resting, a factor which may be decisive for the outcome. In the present study 129 DVT patients were randomized to either strict immobilization for 4 days or to ambulate for ≥4 hours per day under supervision in order to show, whether the old concept of temporary immobilization is superior to early mobilization or not. The DVT diagnosis was based on duplex sonography; all patients were screened for PE at baseline and at day 4 by pulmonary ventilation-perfusion scanning, and were followed up for a total of 3 months. Clinically, changes in leg circumferences and leg pain were evaluated. The frequency of PE at baseline was 53.0% and 44.9% in the immobile and the mobile groups, respectively. During the 4 days observation period new PEs were found in 10.0% and in 14.4% of the immobilized and the ambulating patients (Δ 4.4%; 95% CI −0.5 to 13.8; χ2 = 0.596, p = 0.44). The occurrence of new PE was related to the presence of PE at baseline but not to other potential predictors. The magnitude of a decrease in leg circumferences and leg pain was comparable in both groups. No patient died during the 4 day observation period. The total 3 month mortality rate was 3.9% (5 patients; 2 from the immobile, 3 from the ambulating group). All 5 patient suffered from malignancies. The results of this study show in accordance with the trial hypothesis that, regarding the frequency of PE, immobilization is not superior to early mobilization, suggesting that early mobilization is safe.
Costs of Outpatient Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients with Cerebral and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease
Authors: Oostenbrink J. B. , Tangelder M. J. D. ,   for the Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial (SPIRIT) Study Group, Gorter J. W. ,   the Dutch BOA Study Group
Published: March 2018

Background and objective: Knowledge of the costs of oral anticoagulant (AC) treatment may be relevant for resource allocation. Also, the incremental costs may be compared with other treatments for health care policy decisions. In this report, we have assessed actual costs of anticoagulant therapy in anticoagulation clinics (AC-clinic) in three different settings in the Netherlands. Methods: Costs of anticoagulant drug supply and costs as a result of INR-adjustment procedures were estimated. We compared the total costs of treatment in patients treated after minor cerebral ischaemia in the Stroke Prevention in Reversible Ischemia Trial (SPIRIT) and in patients treated because of peripheral arterial occlusive disease in the Dutch Bypass Oral anticoagulants or Aspirin Trial (BOA). Results: Costs of monitoring ranged between Euro 6.44 and Euro 9.87 per visit for monitoring at the AC-clinic and at home, respectively. The annual costs of administering anticoagulant drugs ranged between Euro 83 (phenprocoumon) and 107 (acenocoumarol). Variation in the overall actual annual costs of AC treatment was caused by the number of monitoring visits, the distribution of home and clinic visits and, to a lesser extent, the medication used. Annual costs of AC therapy for patients in SPIRIT was Euro 239 and for patients in BOA Euro 312. Overall costs of anticoagulant therapy were about 3 to 4-fold higher than standard treatment with aspirin. Conclusions: Although the actual costs of anticoagulant therapy may be substantially higher than that of other antithrombotic therapies, its cost-effectiveness depends highly on efficacy.

Writing Committee: A. Algra MD, E. Buskens MD, J. W. Gorter MD, J. B. Oostenbrink MSc, M. J. D. Tangelder MD.

Extended writing committee: All above authors plus: B. C. Eikelboom MD, B. A. van Hout PhD, J. van Gijn MD, L. J. Kappelle MD, P. J. Koudstaal MD, J. A. Lawson MD, J. de Vries-Goldschmeding, MD (on behalf of the Federatie van Nederlandse Trombosediensten), and the SPIRIT and Dutch BOA Study Groups.
Gene-environment and Gene-gene Interaction in the Determination of Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Healthy Middle-aged Men
Authors: Dekou Vanessa , Gudnason Vilmundur , Hawe Emma , Miller George , Stansbie David , Humphries Steve
Published: March 2018

Healthy middle-aged men (n = 1470) from eight general practices across Britain were examined for plasma total homocysteine levels and genotyped for the A222V polymorphism in the methylene-tetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) gene, the 68 bp insertion polymorphism in exon 8 of the cystathionine b synthase (CBS) gene and the D919G polymorphism in the methionine synthase (MS) gene. The median value for plasma homocysteine was 11.90 μmol/l (25–75% Interquartile range 10.10-14.20) for the whole sample. Smokers had significantly higher homocysteine levels than non-smokers (12.90 vs 11.70 μmol/l and p <0.00005) and levels significantly differed according to folate (p-value <0.00005), with men in the lowest quartile of folate having the highest median homocysteine levels. Genotype at all three loci was associated with differences in plasma homocysteine level. Individuals homozygous for the MTHFR V222 allele had 1.6 μmol/l higher median homocysteine levels when compared to the other two genotypes (p <0.00005), while for the CBS and MS genes, individuals carrying one or more of the rare alleles had lower median homocysteine than individuals homozygous for the common allele (0.80 μmol/l, p <0.03, and 0.70 μmol/l, p <0.04 respectively). The raising effect associated with homozygosity for the V222 allele was greater in men in the lowest quartile of folate (interaction between folate and genotype p = 0.02), but none of the genotype effects was significantly modulated by B12 levels. While the raising effects of V222 and MS D919 homozygosity on homocysteine level were essentially additive, the homocysteine lowering effect associated with the CBS 68bp allele was seen most strongly in men homozygous for the V222 allele (MTHFR-CBS genotype interaction p = 0.03) and the D919 allele (MS-CBS interaction p = 0.09). Age, folate, B12 and smoking explained 13.48% of the variance while the three genotypes combined and with interaction terms explained only an additional 2.63%. This interaction between CBS genotype and MTHFR and MS genotype points to a key role of the CBS transulphuration pathway in the metabolism of homocysteine that may be particularly important as a compensatory mechanism in subjects with low dietary folate.
Genetic Screening of Candidate Genes for a Prothrombotic Interaction with Type I Protein C Deficiency in a Large Kindred
Authors: Scott Bruce , Callas Peter , Hasstedt Sandra , Leppert Mark , Valliere Julia , Varvil Tena , Long G. L. , Bovill Edwin
Published: March 2018

The incomplete penetrance of thrombosis in familial protein C deficiency suggests disease occurs when this deficit is combined with additional abnormalities in the hemostatic system. The pattern of inherited thrombophilia in the Vermont II kindred, which is affected by a clinically dominant type I protein C deficiency, provides strong evidence for a second unidentified gene that segregates independently of protein C deficiency and increases susceptibility to thrombosis. To test the second gene hypothesis, thirty-four candidate genes for proteins involved in hemostasis or inflammation were tested as the unknown defect, using highly polymorphic short tandem repeat (STR) markers in an informative subset (n = 31) of the kindred. The genes considered are; α-fibrinogen, β-fibrinogen, γ-fibrinogen, prothrombin, tissue factor, factor V, protein S, complement component 4 binding protein, factor XI, factor XII, factor XIIIa, factor Xlllb, histidine rich glycoprotein, high molecular weight kininogen, kallikrein, von Willebrands factor, platelet factor 4, thrombospondin, antithrombin III, α-1-antitrypsin, thrombomodulin, plasminogen, tissue plasminogen activator, urokinase plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, protein C inhibitor, α-2-plasmin inhibitor, kallistatin, lipoprotein a, interleukin 6, interleukin 1, cystathionine-β-synthase, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. Mutations in many of these genes have been previously established as independent risk factors for thrombosis. However, linkage analysis provided no evidence to implicate any of the candidate genes as the second inherited factor that promotes thrombophilia in this kindred.
Expression of Coagulation Factor IX in a Haematopoietic Cell Line
Authors: Rodriguez M. H. , Enjolras N. , Plantier J. L. , Réa M. , Leboeuf M. , Uzan G. , Bordet J. C. , Négrier C.
Published: March 2018

We have developed a gene therapy project for haemophilia B which aims to express factor IX (FIX) in haematopoietic lineage. Haematopoietic stem cells and subsequent megakaryocyte-derived cells represent the target cells of this approach. Our speculation is that platelets can deliver the coagulation factor at the site of injury, and subsequently correct the haemostasis defect. In order to direct FIX expression in cells from the megakaryocytic lineage, we designed a FIX cassette where the FIX cDNA was placed under the control of the tissue-specific glycoprotein IIb (GPIIb) promoter. In stably transfected HEL cells, FIX production was higher when driven by the GPIIb promoter compared to the CMV promoter. Using a cassette containing both the GPIIb promoter and a truncated FIX intron 1, FIX synthesis was dramatically increased in HEL cells. Northern blot analysis demonstrated an increase in FIX mRNA amounts, which paralleled with an increase of FIX antigen in the culture supernatants. Using a one-stage clotting assay and an activation by FXIa and FVIIa/TF, the HEL-derived recombinant FIX was shown to be a biologically active protein. This recombinant protein exhibited a 60-kDa molecular mass and was more heterogeneous than plasma immunopurified FIX (Mononine®). The molecular mass difference could be partly explained by a different glycosylation pattern. The GPIIb promoter appears therefore to be a very attractive sequence to specifically direct FIX production in the megakaryocytic compartment of hematopoietic cells. These data also demonstrate that hematopoietic cells may represent potential target cells in an approach to gene therapy of haemophilia B.
Does Inflammatory Proteolytic Activity Contribute to the Increased Factor IX Activation Peptide in Men at High Risk of Coronary Heart Disease? A Preliminary Study
Authors: Bauer K. A. , Howarth D. J. , Mitchell J. P. , Cooper J. A. , Miller G. J.
Published: March 2018

In the Second Northwick Park Heart Study, the activation peptides of factor IX (FIXpep) and factor X (FXpep) were measured in 1261 middle-aged men by double-antibody radioimmunoassay. During follow-up 147 men who had a first coronary heart disease (CHD) event were found to have had an increased FIXpep (p = 0.003) and a reduced FXpep (p = 0.05) at baseline compared with those remaining CHD-free (controls). Plasma FIXpep and FXpep were positively associated, but the rate of rise in FIXpep with increasing FXpep was higher in cases than controls (p for interaction = 0.01). In a sample of 87 controls, FIXpep was positively and independently related to the concentrations of a polymorphonuclear-specific fibrinogen degradation product (p = 0.036) and FXpep (p = 0.004), but in larger samples no statistically significant associations were found either with C-reactive protein or with fibrinogen concentration. The findings suggested that the increased FIXpep in men at high CHD-risk may have been partly due to the generation of factor IX inactivation peptides by inflammatory proteolysis and their recognition together with true FIXpep in the radioimmunoassay. Direct evidence for this hypothesis requires development of assays for human elastase-specific factor IX inactivation peptides.
Enhancing the Anticoagulant Potency of Soluble Tissue Factor Mutants by Increasing their Affinity to Factor VIIa
Authors: Yang Jihong , Lee Geoffrey , Riederer Markus , Kelley Robert
Published: March 2018

Complexation of factor VIIa (FVIIa) and tissue factor (TF) initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Inappropriate triggering of this pathway has been linked to thrombotic disorders. We have previously shown that a mutant form of soluble tissue factor (sTF, residues 1-219) having Lys165 and Lys166 replaced with alanine residues (hTFAA) gave an antithrombotic effect in a rabbit model of arterial thrombosis. Here we have improved the potency of hTFAA by incorporating amino acid substitutions that increase the affinity of sTF for FVIIa. Phage display has been used to select consensus sequences at two FVIIa-contact regions on sTF, segments 44–50 and 130–140, that individually showed modestly increased (∼2-fold) FVIIa-affinity. These consensus sequences have been combined with other previously selected mutations to generate a series of variants (hTFAA-2, hTFAA-3, and hTFAA-4) having 4 to 10-fold increased FVIIa-binding affinity. Surface plasmon resonance measurements indicate that the increased affinity results mostly from an increase in the association rate constant. All of these variants displayed increased inhibitor potency relative to hTFAA in an assay of Factor X activation catalyzed by the complex of FVIIa with membrane TF. In addition, these affinity improved hTFAA variants are more potent anticoagulants and have increased antithrombotic activity relative to hTFAA in an ex vivo flow chamber model of thrombosis. The potency trend parallels increases in FVIIa-binding affinity; however, the absolute fold increases in potencies are greater than increases in binding affinity, consistent with kinetic studies of the FVIIa-binding event. Through incorporation of 10 amino acid substitutions (hTFAA-3) we have increased the antithrombotic activity of hTFAA by 20-fold.