bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of thermal stress on the early development of the lizard Anolis sagrei
Authors: Sanger Thomas J. , Kyrkos Judith , Lachance Dryden J. , Czesny Beata , Stroud James T. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAcross the globe terrestrial ectotherms—amphibians and non‐avian reptiles—are facing a range of emerging challenges. Increasing global temperatures, in particular, are affecting all aspects of ectotherm biology and life history. Embryonic development is a thermally sensitive period of the organismal lifecycle, yet the impacts of thermal stress on the early development of ectotherms have significantly lagged behind studies of later stages and adult thermal physiology. Morphogenesis, the stage where the major anatomical systems are actively forming, is particularly sensitive to thermal stress, yet is not studied as often as later stages where growth is the primary process happening within the egg. Here, we focus on the effects of thermal stress on the first 12 days of development, the stages of morphogenesis, in the lizard Anolis sagrei. We examine the resiliency of the early developmental stages to heat stress by incubating eggs at temperatures that parallel conditions observed today and predicted over the next 50–100 years of projected climate change. Our results suggest that some anole nests are currently at the thermal limits for which the early embryonic stages can properly develop. Our results emphasize the importance of studying early embryonic stages of development and the importance of studying stage‐specific effects of thermal stress on squamate development.
Developmental plasticity in reptiles: Critical evaluation of the evidence for genetic and maternal effects on temperature‐dependent sex determination
Authors: Roush Danielle , Rhen Turk 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWe critically review literature that examines variation in temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) within species. Although variation in sex ratio among clutches of eggs from different females is common in reptiles with TSD, the underlying mechanism that causes this variation is not clear. Authors have made claims about genetic variation in TSD and maternal effects on TSD. The latter type of study usually focuses on maternally derived steroids in egg yolk. Here, we outline the types of experiments and data required to unequivocally demonstrate that variation in sex ratio among clutches (1) has a genetic basis, (2) is caused by maternally derived steroids, or (3) is influenced by both factors. To date, few studies have met these requirements.
Thermal plasticity due to parental and early‐life environments in the jacky dragon (Amphibolurus muricatus)
Authors: So C. K. Janelle , Schwanz Lisa E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDevelopmental plasticity creates marked variation in individual phenotypes when the environment is patchy, such as when the thermal environment varies. Plasticity may occur in response to the environment experienced during an individual's lifetime or to the environment experienced by parents (transgenerational plasticity), and may be adaptive if it enhances fitness. In particular, plasticity in thermal traits, such as preferred temperatures and thermal limits, may improve performance and fitness based on temperatures in the local environment. This study examined the influence of parental and offspring thermal environments (duration of access to a basking lamp) on offspring thermal traits (preferred temperatures and panting threshold) in jacky dragons (Agamidae: Amphibolurus muricatus). Long‐bask parental environments led, indirectly, to higher preferred temperatures of offspring due to increased offspring body mass compared to offspring of short‐bask parents. The increase in median temperature preference was associated with a higher voluntary minimum body temperature and a narrower preference range, suggesting tradeoffs in thermal behavior and a matching of offspring preferences to the parental environment. Parental thermal treatment did not influence offspring panting threshold. Instead, the panting threshold tended to be higher in offspring that were reared in the long‐bask treatment compared to those in the short‐bask treatment, suggesting longer basking environments increased thermal tolerance. Parental and offspring thermal environment did not exhibit any interactive effect on thermal traits. The results indicate that thermal environments experienced by lizards can have both transgenerational and within‐generation impacts on thermal traits, thus influencing how populations respond to fluctuating or changing climates.
Same‐day antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in pregnancy is not associated with viral suppression or engagement in care: A cohort study
Authors: Langwenya Nontokozo , Phillips Tamsin K , Brittain Kirsty , Zerbe Allison , Abrams Elaine J , Myer Landon 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntroductionMany prevention of mother‐to‐child HIV transmission programmes across Africa initiate HIV‐infected (HIV positive) pregnant women on lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the first day of antenatal care (“same‐day” initiation). However, there are concerns that same‐day initiation may limit patient preparation before starting ART and contribute to subsequent non‐adherence, disengagement from care and raised viral load. We examined if same‐day initiation was associated with viral suppression and engagement in care during pregnancy.MethodsConsecutive ART‐eligible pregnant women making their first antenatal care (ANC) visit at a primary care facility in Cape Town, South Africa were enrolled into a prospective cohort between March 2013 and June 2014. Before July 2013, ART eligibility was based on CD4 cell count ≤350 cells/μL (“Option A”), with a 1 to 2 week delay from the first ANC visit to ART initiation for patient preparation; thereafter all women were eligible regardless of CD4 cell count (“Option B+”) and offered ART on the same day as first ANC visit. Women were followed with viral load testing conducted separately from routine ART services, and engagement in ART services was measured using routinely collected clinic, pharmacy and laboratory records through 12 months postpartum.ResultsAmong 628 HIV‐positive women (median age, 28 years; median gestation at ART start, 21 weeks; 55% newly diagnosed with HIV), 73% initiated ART same‐day; this proportion was higher under Option B+ versus Option A (85% vs. 20%). Levels of viral suppression (viral load <50 copies/mL) at delivery (74% vs. 82%) and 12 months postpartum (74% vs. 71%) were similar under same‐day versus delayed initiation respectively. Findings were consistent when viral suppression was defined at <1000 copies/mL, after adjustment for demographic/clinical measures and across subgroups of age, CD4 and timing of HIV diagnosis. Time to first viral rebound following initial suppression did not differ by timing of ART initiation nor did engagement in care through 12 months postpartum (same‐day = 73%, delayed = 73%, p = 0.910).ConclusionsThese data suggest that same‐day ART initiation during pregnancy is not associated with lower levels of engagement in care or viral suppression through 12 months post‐delivery in this setting, providing reassurance to ART programmes implementing Option B+.
A rapid local backlight dimming method for interlaced scanning video
Authors: Zhang Tao , Wang Hao , Chen You‐zhi , Liu Qiang , Li Meng , Lei Zhi‐Chun 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper presents a rapid local backlight dimming method for interlaced video to improve the efficiency of displaying interlaced video. In the proposed method, we combine the line average deinterlacing algorithm with the local backlight dimming algorithm. In order to reduce the computational complexity and the backlight power consumption, three novel methods are proposed. The first is to add the sparse method to process the deinterlaced image. Second, the improved dynamic threshold method is used to calculate the dimming factor. And third, the odd field and even field of the same frame use the same backlight brightness to do backlight dimming. The simulation results show that the proposed method can reduce the computational complexity and power consumption, and the experiment results verify that the method can provide high display effect.
Accelerated tattoo removal with acoustic shock wave therapy in conjunction with a picosecond laser
Authors: Vangipuram Ramya , Hamill Selina S. , Friedman Paul M. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundConventional tattoo removal consists of single‐pass treatments, spaced 7–8 weeks apart, for a total of 7–10 sessions. A major limiting factor of this procedure is the development of cavitation bubbles and vacuoles within the epidermis and dermis that result from the rapid heating of tattoo particles by the laser. While multiple‐pass methods using the R20 protocol or the PFD patch enhance tattoo removal through epidermal clearance, they have no effect on deep‐intradermal pigment associated vacuoles that arise from treatment with lasers such as the Q‐switched laser.MethodsA 28‐year‐old female with Fitzpatrick skin Type V presented for treatment of a 6‐year‐old professional black tattoo on the left ventral wrist. She underwent three treatment sessions at 6–8 week intervals using a commercial 1,064‐nm picosecond Nd:YAG laser (PicoWay; Candela, Wayland, MA) and a perfluorodecalin (PFD) patch (Merz; Raleigh, NC). At each treatment session, she received two passes with 1,064‐nm, 4‐mm spot size, a fluence ranging from 2.8 to 3.2 J/cm2 and a laser repetition rate of 2 Hz. Between laser passes and following the final laser pass, the medial portion of the tattoo was treated with acoustic shock wave therapy (ASWT) using the Zwave device (Zimmer Medizin Systems; Irvine, CA) with 90 mJ, 22 Hz, and 1,200 pulses.ResultsAfter three treatment sessions, there was 80% clearance of the medial portion of the tattoo that received the ASWT compared with 60% clearance of the lateral portion of the tattoo that was treated with the picosecond 1,064‐nm Nd:YAG laser and PFD patch alone. In the days following each treatment session, the patient noted consistently less edema, erythema and epidermal crusting on the portion of the tattoo that received the ASWT.ConclusionWe report a case of 80% tattoo clearance with ASWT in a patient with Fitzpatrick type V skin compared with 60% clearance with the picosecond 1064‐nm Nd:YAG laser and PFD patch alone. The concurrent use of the PFD patch, which facilitated multi‐pass treatments, may have also increased tattoo fading in this patient. ASWT may enhance tattoo clearance by increasing lymphatic drainage and increasing metabolic activity in the treated area, thereby accelerating the clearance of dermal pigment vacuoles produced by the picosecond laser and minimizing epidermal side effects such as erythema, edema, and crusting. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:890–892, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diet Enriched with Olive Oil Attenuates Placental Dysfunction in Rats with Gestational Diabetes Induced by Intrauterine Programming
Authors: Capobianco Evangelina , Gomez Ribot Dalmiro , Fornes Daiana , Powell Theresa L. , Levieux Cecilia , Jansson Thomas , Jawerbaum Alicia 
Published: June 2018

ScopeOffspring from rats with mild diabetes develop gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We tested the hypothesis that an olive oil‐supplemented diet attenuates placental oxidative stress/inflammation, activation of mTOR signaling, and inhibition of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and fetal overgrowth in GDM offspring from mild diabetic rats.Methods and resultsFemale offspring from rats with mild diabetes (group that developed GDM) and controls were fed with either a standard diet or a 6% olive oil‐supplemented diet during pregnancy. On day 21 of pregnancy, plasma glucose levels in mothers and fetuses were increased in the GDM group independently of the diet. Fetal overgrowth and activation of placental mTOR signaling were partially prevented in the olive oil‐treated GDM group. Placental PPARγ protein expression was decreased in GDM rats, independently of the diet. However, increases in placental lipoperoxidation, connective tissue growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 levels were prevented by the olive oil‐enriched diet.ConclusionDiets enriched with olive oil attenuate placental dysfunction and fetal overgrowth in rats with GDM induced by intrauterine programming.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles as contrast‐enhancing agents for microwave imaging
Authors: Lahri Rachita , Rahman Mohammed , Wright Michael , Kosmas Panagiotis , Thanou Maya 
Published: June 2018

PurposeMicrowave imaging/sensing is an emerging technology that shows potential for healthcare diagnostic applications, particularly in breast cancer detection. This technique estimates the anatomically variant dielectric properties of the breast. Similar to other imaging modalities, nanoparticles (NPs) could potentially be utilized as contrast agents to increase contrast between healthy and malignant tissues.MethodsIn this study, aqueous suspensions of NPs such as surface‐modified single‐walled carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide, and silicon dioxide are studied to assess their potential effective contrast for microwave imaging. Morphology characterization of the NPs has been achieved using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size and stability of colloidal dispersions have been characterized by dynamic light scattering technique (DLS) and Ultraviolet‐visible spectrophotometry (UV‐Vis). The dielectric characterization of the aqueous‐based colloidal suspensions is recorded over the microwave frequency range between 1 and 4 GHz.ResultsZinc oxide NP dispersion has shown an increase in the dielectric constant compared to the background medium. Furthermore, PEGylation of ZnO NPs can achieve a valid increase in the dielectric constant compared to water, which was shown to be concentration dependent.ConclusionThese results suggest that ZnO nanomaterials have the potential to be used in biomedical applications such as breast imaging to improve diagnostic capabilities.
Factors affecting recruitment and retention of nurses who deliver clinical research: A qualitative study
Authors: Boulton Mary G. , Beer Sally 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimTo provide a better understanding of the factors affecting recruitment and retention of clinical research nurses.DesignQualitative exploratory design.MethodsAn on‐line questionnaire comprising open‐ended and fixed‐choice questions was completed by 121 clinical research nurses. Seven focus groups were held with a subgroup of 26 participants. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants were attracted to a research nurse post by an interest in research itself, a desire for a change or to achieve personal objectives. The majority expected to continue in a research post for the next 5 years, while others expected to move on to research management, a clinical post or retirement; few had ambitions to become an independent researcher. Factors identified in focus groups as leading to intentions to leave research included desire for further change, concern about loss of clinical skills, rebalancing family/work responsibilities, short‐term contracts, unsupportive employers and limited career progression.
What Interventions Work Best for Families Who Experience Homelessness? Impact Estimates from the Family Options Study
Authors: Gubits Daniel , Shinn Marybeth , Wood Michelle , Brown Scott R. , Dastrup Samuel R. , Bell Stephen H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWhat housing and service interventions work best to reduce homelessness for families in the United States? The Family Options Study randomly assigned 2,282 families recruited in homeless shelters across 12 sites to priority access to one of three active interventions or to usual care in their communities. The interventions were long‐term rent subsidies, short‐term rent subsidies, and transitional housing in supervised programs with intensive psychosocial services. In two waves of follow‐up data collected 20 and 37 months later, priority access to long‐term rent subsidies reduced homelessness and food insecurity and improved other aspects of adult and child well‐being relative to usual care, at a cost 9 percent higher. The other interventions had little effect. The study provides support for the view that homelessness for most families is an economic problem that long‐term rent subsidies resolve and does not support the view that families must address psychosocial problems to succeed in housing. It has implications for focusing government resources on this important social problem.
Polyurethanes for coatings and adhesives – chemistry and applications
Authors: Golling Florian E , Pires Raul , Hecking Andreas , Weikard Jan , Richter Frank , Danielmeier Karsten , Dijkstra Dirk 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis review summarizes the past present, and future developments of isocyanate chemistry for polyurethane coatings and adhesives. Over the past 60 years, this field was driven by numerous breakthrough innovations that helped improve coating applications with respect to customer's needs—cementing the features of this outstanding material class. We provide a short introduction on the early beginnings of industrial isocyanate chemistry and then a detailed overview on the building blocks as well as the rich chemistry of the isocyanate group. The synthesis of various derivatives is described. An outlook on the latest developments—new building blocks and new chemistries—is given in the field of isocyanate coating and adhesive chemistry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparing the fertility of Ghanaian migrants in Europe with nonmigrants in Ghana
Authors: Wolf Katharina , Mulder Clara H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe fertility behaviour of migrants is often studied by examining migrants and native nonmigrants in the country of destination. To understand the mechanisms for migrant fertility, it is important to know what distinguishes them from the population they originate from. The Ghanaian sample of the "Migrations between Africa and Europe" project allows us to contrast the fertility of those who never emigrated from Ghana and Ghanaian migrants who are residing in the UK or the Netherlands. First, we estimate discrete‐time hazard models of first birth to evaluate whether first birth timing is influenced by migration. Second, we apply Poisson regression techniques to examine differentials in completed fertility. We find that Ghanaian migrants postpone first childbirth compared with nonmigrants. Differences are largest at ages 20 to 24 for women and 20 to 29 for men. Ghana experiences a typical brain drain, which means that especially the highly skilled emigrate. In our sample, this is particularly true for women. Education seems to be an important determinant of the postponement of first childbirth in Ghana, although we cannot clearly attribute migrants' later first births to their higher level of education. However, our findings on completed fertility reveal that migrants have fewer children than nonmigrants and this difference diminishes considerably if we take into account their level of education. Apparently, migrants do not fully catch up after postponing first childbirth and end up with a lower number of children by the age of 40.
Phenyltetrazole as a New Ligand for Immobilization of Palladium Nanoparticles on SBA‐15: A New Robust Catalyst with High Loading of Pd for Rapid Oxidation and Reduction
Authors: Moghaddam Firouz M. , Saberi Vahid , Kalvani Pedram 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this work, a new catalyst based on palladium nanoparticle supported SBA‐15 has been introduced. The designed catalyst was characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analyses. For the first time, phenyltetrazole has been used as a ligand to the functionalization of SBA‐15 to design robust heterogeneous catalyst with high‐loading metal for reduction and oxidation in short time using a low amount of the catalyst.
Synthesis, Optical and Antibacterial, Antifungal Studies on Functionalized Triazolophanes: A New Class of Cyclophane
Authors: Selvarani Sivasamy , Rajakumar Perumal 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA new class of cyclophanes called triazolophanes has been synthesized by copper (I) catalyzed 1, 3‐dipolar cycloaddition of various aromatic azides to bis‐alkynes under mild conditions at room temperature and characterized by spectral, analytical methods. All the newly synthesized triazolophanes show two strong absorption bands between 243–315 nm. The HOMO‐LUMO energy gap (Eg) was found to lie between 2.56 to 5.06 eV from density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the λmax calculated from the DFT theory was found to lie between 239 to 312 nm which coincides with the observed UV‐vis spectral absorption. All the synthesized triazolophanes show comparable antibacterial and antifungal activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogens and Candida glabrata, Candida albicans when tested by resazurin reduction method with streptomycin and Amphotericin‐B as standards, which is supported by molecular docking studies with glide energy of −81.40 and −93.52 Kcal/mol for the triazolophanes 8 derived from 2‐aminothiophenol and orthoxylenyl group and the triazolophane 9 derived from 3‐aminophenol and 2, 6‐diphenyl oxadiazole, respectively.
A Novel Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes Functionalized with Pyridine Groups: Synthesis, Characterization and Their Application as an Efficient Carrier for Plasmid DNA and Aptamer
Authors: Kaboudin Babak , Saghatchi Fatemeh , Kazemi Foad , Akbari‐Birgani Shiva 
Published: June 2018

AbstractMagnetic functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes have been synthesized, characterized and studied for therapeutically active nucleic acids interaction and delivery. In this study, pyridine functionalized magnetically was investigated for plasmid DNA and aptamer delivery. A thorough structural characterization of new carrierhas been carried out by means of transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy images, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, vibrating‐sample magnetometer and spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of magnetic functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes allow the directional control of conjugated nucleic acids with a transporter using an external magnetic field. They can be used as a transporter to afford noncovalent binding with nucleic acids and are supposed to cross the plasma membrane and internalize into the cytoplasm without inducing cell death.
Organocatalyzed Synthesis and Antifungal Activity of Fully Substituted 1,4‐Dihydropyridines
Authors: Khan M. Musawwer , Saigal  , Khan Sarfaraz , Shareef Sumbulunnisan , Danish Mohammad 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAn efficient one‐pot four‐component domino reaction for the convenient access of fully diversified 1,4‐dihydropyridines (1,4‐DHPs) from simple starting materials using basic organocatalyst is demonstrated. These derivatives were synthesized in good to excellent yields via the reaction between dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates, arylamines, malononitrile, and aromatic aldehydes catalyzed by 1,8‐Diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene (DBU) in ethanol at room temperature. The molecular structure of 1,4‐DHP derivative 5 h was confirmed by the single crystal X‐ray analysis. Mild reaction conditions, short reaction time, applicable to a broad range of substrates and simple experimental procedure are some of the salient features of the present protocol. In addition, the synthesized compounds were screened against Aspergillus niger (MTCC‐281), Aspergillus fumigates (MTCC‐343) and Claviceps purpure for in vitro antifungal activity and noted that most of the compounds were exhibit good to excellent antifungal activities compared to the standard reference.