bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sepiolite as a New Nanocarrier for DNA Transfer into Mammalian Cells: Proof of Concept, Issues and Perspectives
Authors: Piétrement Olivier , Castro‐Smirnov Fidel Antonio , Le Cam Eric , Aranda Pilar , Ruiz‐Hitzky Eduardo , Lopez Bernard S. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSepiolite is a nanofibrous natural silicate that can be used as a nanocarrier for DNA transfer thanks to its strong interaction with DNA molecules and its ability to be naturally internalized into mammalian cells through both non‐endocytic and endocytic pathways. Sepiolite, due to its ability to bind various biomolecules, could be a good candidate for use as a nanocarrier for the simultaneous vectorization of diverse biological molecules. In this paper, we review our recent work, issued from a starting collaboration with Prof. Ruiz‐Hitzky, that includes diverse aspects on the characterization and main features of sepiolite/DNA nanohybrids, and we present an outlook for the further development of sepiolite for DNA transfer.
A novel approach to suppression of oscillations
Authors: Zegzhda S. , Yushkov M. , Soltakhanov Sh. , Naumova N. , Shugaylo T. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWe propose a novel method of determining the control force that brings a mechanical system with finite degrees of freedom from one phase state into another one in a given time. When a system is brought from an available phase state into a prescribed state of rest we can speak about the oscillation suppression. Horizontal motion of a cart with s mathematical pendula is studied as an example. At first, a control by the Pontryagin maximum principle that minimizes the functional of the squared control force is suggested. This approach results in a nonholonomic constraint of order . In order to develop a control we propose to employ the generalized Gauss principle which underlies the theory of motion of nonholonomic systems with high‐order constraints. In this case, the motion is more smooth than the Pontryagin maximum principle suggests. In addition, by increasing the order of the generalized Gauss principle (when solving the extended boundary‐value problem) one manages to get rid of jumps in the control at the beginning and end of motion which are characteristic for the Pontryagin maximum principle. We also discuss the singular points of solutions that appear when solving the extended boundary‐value problems.
Aerospace electronics reliability prediction: application of two advanced probabilistic techniques
Authors: Suhir E. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractTwo advanced probabilistic design‐for‐reliability (PDfR) techniques are addressed in application to the prediction, quantification and assurance of the reliability of aerospace electronics: 1) Boltzmann‐Arrhenius‐Zhurkov's (BAZ) model, which enables to develop a simple, easy‐to‐use and physically meaningful methodology for the evaluation of the probability of failure (PoF) of an electronic device after the given time in operation at the given temperature and under the given (anticipated) stress (not necessarily mechanical), and 2) Extreme Value Distribution (EVD) technique, which can be used to account for the number of repetitive loadings that eventually lead to the material/device failure by closing, in a step‐wise fashion, the gap between its strength/capacity (characterized and quantified by its stress‐free activation energy) and the applied stress/demand. It is shown that the material degradation (aging, damage accumulation, flaw propagation) can be viewed, when BAZ model is considered, as a Markovian process, and that the BAZ model can be obtained as the steady‐state solution to the Fokker‐Planck equation in the theory of Markovian processes. It is shown also that the BAZ equation addresses the worst and reasonably conservative situation in the lifetime of an electronic system. It is suggested therefore that the transient period preceding the situation addressed by the steady‐state BAZ model need not be accounted for in engineering evaluations. As to the EVD technique, this concept attributes the degradation process to the accumulation of damages caused by a train of repetitive high‐level loadings, while low‐level loadings do not contribute appreciably to the finite lifetime of the material/device. When considering the EVD technique, the stress‐free activation energy is treated as a normally distributed random variable, and Rayleigh law is chosen, for the sake of simplicity, as the basic (generating) distribution underlying the EVD. The general concepts are illustrated by numerical examples. It is concluded that the addressed techniques should be considered as natural, physically meaningful, informative, comprehensive, and insightful approaches, especially in aerospace engineering, when electronic systems performance is critical and therefore ability to quantify this performance is imperative. Because of the very nature of such performance, the quantification of the device lifetime should be carried out on the probabilistic basis. This analysis is an extension and modification of a talk presented at the 2009 IEEE Aerospace Conference in Big Sky, Montana, USA.
Risk Factors for Mortality and Morbidity in Elderly Patients Presenting with Digestive Surgical Emergencies
Authors: Hentati Hassen , Salloum Chady , Caillet Philippe , Lahat Eylon , Disabato Mara , Levesque Eric , Compagnon Philippe , Lim Chetana , Azoulay Daniel 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundEmergency digestive surgery is being increasingly performed in elderly patients. The aim of the present study was to identify the predictors of mortality and morbidity following emergency digestive surgery in patients aged 80 years and older.MethodsA single‐center retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients aged ≥65 years operated for a digestive surgical emergency between January 2011 and December 2013. Two groups were compared: group A (aged 65–79 years) and group B (aged ≥80 years).ResultsThe study population included 185 patients: 76 patients in group A and 109 in group B. The mean age was 79.9 years (65–104 years). The overall 90‐day mortality rate was 23.2 and 31.9% at 1 year, which was similar between groups. The overall morbidity was 28.6%. No differences were noted between the two groups in overall, minor (Dindo I–II) or major (Dindo III–IV) morbidity rates. Multivariate analysis identified pulmonary disease (odds ratio, OR = 6.43, p = 0.02), bowel ischemia (OR = 11.41, p = 0.01), postoperative ICU stay (OR = 7.37, p < 0.0001) and the occurrence of postoperative complications (OR = 2.66, p = 0.03) as predictors of 90‐day mortality. Predictors of in‐hospital morbidity were preoperative hemoglobin <12 g/dL (OR = 2.49, p = 0.02) and postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) stay (OR = 6.69, p < 0.0001). An age ≥80 year was not associated with mortality or morbidity in this study.ConclusionsThe decision to perform abdominal surgery in the emergency setting should be based on physiological status, which accounts for a patient’s comorbidities and health status, rather than on chronological age per se.
Characteristics, Stratification and Time to Death in a Population‐Based Cohort of Patients with Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Not Undergoing Surgery
Authors: Vetrhus Morten , Reite Andreas , Vennesland Jørgen B. , Søreide Kjetil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe available literature on ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (rAAA) centers on survival after operation and commonly, reasons why some patients do not undergo surgery are not addressed. The aim of the present study is to examine, in a population‐based cohort, the characteristics, stratification and time to death of patients admitted to hospital, but not undergoing operation for rAAA.MethodsA retrospective, single‐center study. All patients admitted to Stavanger University Hospital from the primary catchment area with rAAA on admission or in‐hospital from 2000 to 2014 were included.ResultsAltogether 214 patients with rAAA were identified; 57 (27%) patients did not undergo surgery. The proportion of women was significantly higher (37 vs. 14%; p <. 001) in patients not having surgery. The reasons for not undergoing operation were patient ‘not fit for surgery’ (30%), ‘dying or agonal’ at time of diagnosis (26%), ‘did not want operation’ (21%) and ‘diagnosed at autopsy’ (23%). Of the non‐operated patients, 45 had rAAA on arrival to hospital, 12 had in‐hospital rupture and 21 patients had previously been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Non‐operative treatment was uniformly fatal. The 45 patients with rAAA on arrival were scored using four scoring systems, the predicted mortality varied widely, and the median time from admission to death was 7.4 h (range 0–1337).ConclusionIn about half of patients, a decision not to operate was made by the consultant vascular surgeon or the patient. In the subgroup of patients not diagnosed until autopsy or having an in‐hospital rupture, an earlier diagnosis might have altered the outcome.
Effect of impaired twitching motility and biofilm dispersion on performance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-powered microbial fuel cells
Authors: Shreeram Devesh D , Panmanee Warunya , McDaniel Cameron T , Daniel Susan , Schaefer Dale W , Hassett Daniel J 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a metabolically voracious bacterium that is easily manipulated genetically. We have previously shown that the organism is also highly electrogenic in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Polarization studies were performed in MFCs with wild-type strain PAO1 and three mutant strains (pilT, bdlA and pilT bdlA). The pilT mutant was hyperpiliated, while the bdlA mutant was suppressed in biofilm dispersion chemotaxis. The double pilT bdlA mutant was expected to have properties of both mutations. Polarization data indicate that the pilT mutant showed 5.0- and 3.2-fold increases in peak power compared to the wild type and the pilT bdlA mutant, respectively. The performance of the bdlA mutant was surprisingly the lowest, while the pilT bdlA electrogenic performance fell between the pilT mutant and wild-type bacteria. Measurements of biofilm thickness and bacterial viability showed equal viability among the different strains. The thickness of the bdlA mutant, however, was twice that of wild-type strain PAO1. This observation implicates the presence of dead or dormant bacteria in the bdlA mutant MFCs, which increases biofilm internal resistance as confirmed by electrochemical measurements.
Synthetic biology, genome mining, and combinatorial biosynthesis of NRPS-derived antibiotics: a perspective
Authors: Baltz Richard H 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Combinatorial biosynthesis of novel secondary metabolites derived from nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) has been in slow development for about a quarter of a century. Progress has been hampered by the complexity of the giant multimodular multienzymes. More recently, advances have been made on understanding the chemical and structural biology of these complex megaenzymes, and on learning the design rules for engineering functional hybrid enzymes. In this perspective, I address what has been learned about successful engineering of complex lipopeptides related to daptomycin, and discuss how synthetic biology and microbial genome mining can converge to broaden the scope and enhance the speed and robustness of combinatorial biosynthesis of NRPS-derived natural products for drug discovery.
Conservation of the Mekong Delta wetlands through hydrological management
Authors: Quan Nguyen Hong , Toan To Quang , Dang Phan Doan , Phuong Nguyen Luu , Anh Tran Thi Hoang , Quang Ngo Xuan , Quoc Dao Phu , Quoi Le Phat , Hanington Peter , Sea William B. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) comprises extensive river and canal networks, both natural and man‐made, and has a history of extensive land use change and development. The delta's wetlands are under considerable ecological stress because of hydrological changes, agricultural and aquaculture development, urban and industrial pollution, climate change, and upstream water resource development. In this paper, we review the current threats and challenges to the conservation and management of the wetlands in the VMD. We recommend that the current water management practices of the Ramsar‐listed Lang Sen Wetland Reserve are changed so that the natural flood regimes are reinstated and the risks to the community from forest fires are managed. Ongoing investment is needed to support further research, set up long‐term monitoring, and to develop hydrodynamic models for the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve so that management and conservation efforts can achieve the specific objectives for the wetland. This approach may be useful for managing other wetlands across the VMD.
A Study on the Nonmetallic Inclusion Motions in a Swirling Flow Submerged Entry Nozzle in a New Cylindrical Tundish Design
Authors: Ni Peiyuan , Ersson Mikael , Jonsson Lage Tord Ingemar , Jönsson Pär Göran 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Different sizes and shapes of nonmetallic inclusions in a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle (SEN) placed in a new tundish design were investigated by using a Lagrangian particle tracking scheme. The results show that inclusions in the current cylindrical tundish have difficulties remaining in the top tundish region, since a strong rotational steel flow exists in this region. This high rotational flow of 0.7 m/s provides the required momentum for the formation of a strong swirling flow inside the SEN. The results show that inclusions larger than 40 µm were found to deposit to a smaller extent on the SEN wall compared to smaller inclusions. The reason is that these large inclusions have Separation number values larger than 1. Thus, the swirling flow causes these large size inclusions to move toward the SEN center. For the nonspherical inclusions, large size inclusions were found to be deposited on the SEN wall to a larger extent, compared to spherical inclusions. More specifically, the difference of the deposited inclusion number is around 27 pct. Overall, it was found that the swirling flow contains three regions, namely, the isotropic core region, the anisotropic turbulence region and the near-wall region. Therefore, anisotropic turbulent fluctuations should be taken into account when the inclusion motion was tracked in this complex flow. In addition, many inclusions were found to deposit at the SEN inlet region. The plotted velocity distribution shows that the inlet flow is very chaotic. A high turbulent kinetic energy value of around 0.08 m2/s2 exists in this region, and a recirculating flow was also found here. These flow characteristics are harmful since they increase the inclusion transport toward the wall. Therefore, a new design of the SEN inlet should be developed in the future, with the aim to modify the inlet flow so that the inclusion deposition is reduced.
Extension of temperature anisotropy Weibel instability to non-Maxwellian plasmas by 2D PIC simulation
Authors: Ghorbanalilu Mohammad , Abdollahazadeh Elahe 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Weibel instability driven by temperature anisotropy is investigated in a two-dimensional (2D) particle-in-cell simulation in non-extensive statistics in the relativistic regime. In order to begin the simulation, we introduced a new 2D anisotropic distribution function in the context of non-extensive statistics. The heavy ions considered to be immobile and form the neutralizing background. The numerical results show that non-extensive parameterqplays an important role on the magnetic field saturation time, the time of reduction temperature anisotropy, evolution time to the quasi-stationary state, and the peak energy density of magnetic field. We observe that the instability saturation time increases by increasing the non-extensive parameterq. It is shown that structures with superthermal electrons (q< 1) could generate strong magnetic fields during plasma thermalization. The simulation results agree with the previous simulations for an anisotropic Maxwellian plasma (q= 1).
Extreme ultraviolet holography using a laser-plasma source based on xenon/helium gas puff target
Authors: Wachulak P. , Sarzyński A. , Bartnik A. , Fok T. , Fiedorowicz H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we present the application of partially spatially coherent extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation from xenon plasma from a laser-plasma source, based on a double stream gas puff target, in coherent imaging. The radiation at the wavelength of 13.5 ± 0.5 nm was employed to record Gabor-type holograms. An iterative algorithm, based on a phase retrieval technique, was developed and used to remove the twin image from the reconstructed EUV image of test objects. Using partially coherent radiation from a compact, laser-plasma source based on a double stream gas puff target, which is intrinsically incoherent, a Gabor EUV holography was successfully demonstrated.
Landmark lecture in nursing: a life-cycle perspective on CHD: What happens beyond your clinic?
Authors: Moons Philip 
Published: December 2017

AbstractOver the past decades, survival of patients with CHD improved significantly, making it a life-cycle disease. Hence, there is a need for a workforce that can take up the care for afflicted individuals in the different phases of the life spectrum. Each life phase is associated with specific challenges. Topics that should receive more attention in clinical care or in CHD research are parenting styles of parents of children, transfer and transition of adolescents, cumulative burden of injury in the brain in adults, and geriatric care for older persons with CHD. Nurses, along with other healthcare professionals, will play a pivotal role in building up expertise in these areas and taking up these challenges.
The 2017 Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery: week in review – ambulatory pediatric cardiology
Authors: Chowdhury Devyani 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology was held in Barcelona in July, 2017. The central philosophy of the congress was “bridging together” all major specialties in the field. This article summarises the highlights of the meeting as it relates to ambulatory paediatric cardiology. There is a now a more unified approach to children with CHD, including assessment of neuro-developmental outcomes. The new World Heart Foundation criteria for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever remain controversial.
The 2017 Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery: week in review: congenital cardiac anaesthesia
Authors: Twite Mark , Miller-Hance Wanda 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe seventh meeting of the World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery was an opportunity for healthcare professionals from around the world to meet and discuss current issues affecting patients with acquired and CHD. A dedicated anaesthesia track facilitated the exchange of ideas and fostered many new friendships. This review highlights the congenital cardiac anaesthesia track and the involvement of the Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society in the congress.
The 2017 Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery: week in review – adults with CHD
Authors: Roos-Hesselink Jolien W. , Tobler Daniel , Warnes Carole 
Published: December 2017

AbstractFor the first time in 2017 adults with CHD was included in the World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery. With growing numbers and more complex patients reaching adulthood, there is a growing need for more attention to this subspecialty. Although survival is excellent and now over 90% of patients reach adulthood, many have residual problems and complications. Heart failure and arrhythmias are most commonly encountered. Life-expectancy is nearly normal for mild lesions, but remains reduced in moderate-complex lesions and re-interventions are often needed. As most patients want to live a normal life, sports participation and pregnancy become very important issues. Finally, although innovative treatments are being developed, including for end-stage heart failure, we have to refine strategies for optimal care, including during the end-stage lives of our patients. This article provides an overview of a selection of topics in the field of adults with CHD presented during the 2017 Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery (WCPCCS) in Barcelona.
Key events in the history of cardiac surgery and paediatric cardiology
Authors: Karl Tom R. , Martin Gerard R. , Jacobs Jeffrey P. , Wernovsky Gil 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIn this report, the authors prepared an opinion poll regarding the most important people, events, technologies, concepts, discoveries, and therapies in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. The results were presented in continuous slide show format at the 2017 Seventh World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery (WCPCCS 2017), Barcelona, Spain. The presentation (under international copyright) is made available herein for educational purposes.
Medical Emergencies Related to Ethanol and Illicit Drugs at an Annual, Nocturnal, Indoor, Electronic Dance Music Event
Authors: Calle Paul , Sundahl Nora , Maudens Kristof , Wille Sarah MR , Van Sassenbroeck Diederik , De Graeve Koen , Gogaert Stefan , De Paepe Peter , Devriese Dieter , Arno Geert , Blanckaert Peter 
Published: December 2017

AbstractIntroductionMedical problems are frequently encountered during electronic dance music (EDM) events.ProblemThere are uncertainties about the frequencies and severity of intoxications with different types of recreational drugs: ethanol, “classical” illicit party drugs, and new psychoactive substances (NPS).MethodsStatistical data on the medical problems encountered during two editions of an indoor electronic dance event with around 30,000 attendants were retrieved from the Belgian Red Cross (Mechelen, Belgium) database. Data on drug use were prospectively collected from the patient (or a bystander), the clinical presentation, and/or toxicological screening.ResultsIn the on-site medical station, 487 patients were treated (265 in 2013 and 222 in 2014). The most frequent reasons were trauma (n=171), headache (n=36), gastro-intestinal problems (n=44), and intoxication (n=160). Sixty-nine patients were transferred to a hospital, including 53 with severe drug-related symptoms. Analysis of blood samples from 106 intoxicated patients detected ethanol in 91.5%, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in 34.0%, cannabis in 30.2%, cocaine in 7.5%, amphetamine in 2.8%, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in 0.9% of patients (alone or in combination). In only six of the MDMA-positive cases, MDMA was the sole substance found. In 2014, the neuroleptic drug clozapine was found in three cases and ketamine in one. Additional analyses for NPS were performed in 20 cases. Only in one agitated patient, the psychedelic phenethylamines 25B-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe were found.ConclusionsAt this particular event, recreational drug abuse necessitated on-site medical treatment in one out of 350 attendants and a hospital transfer in one out of 1,000. Ethanol remains the most frequently abused (legal) drug, yet classical illicit recreational drugs are also frequently (co-) ingested. The most worrying observation was high-risk poly-drug use, especially among MDMA users. Regarding NPS, the number of cases was low and the clinical presentations were rather mild. It should be stressed that these observations only apply to this particular event and cannot be generalized to other EDM events.CalleP, SundahlN, MaudensK, WilleSMR, Van SassenbroeckD, De GraeveK, GogaertS, De PaepeP, DevrieseD, ArnoG, BlanckaertP. Medical emergencies related to ethanol and illicit drugs at an annual, nocturnal, indoor, electronic dance music event. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2018;33(1):71–76.