bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Blinatumomab activity in a patient with Down syndrome B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Wadhwa Aman , Kutny Matthew A. , Xavier Ana C. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPersistent minimal residual disease (MRD) after consolidation may indicate chemotherapy insensitivity in B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BP‐ALL). Given the strong association of MRD and outcome in non‐Down syndrome (non‐DS) BP‐ALL, it is likely that MRD levels are also of prognostic significance in DS BP‐ALL. We report here the successful use of blinatumomab, a bispecific T‐cell engager antibody construct, in a patient with DS BP‐ALL and persistent MRD at the end of consolidation. Blinatumomab has been shown to have excellent results in patients with relapsed/refractory BP‐ALL. This patient had no significant toxicity and achieved MRD negativity after only one cycle of blinatumomab.
Down syndrome maternal serum markers in oocyte donation and other assisted reproductive technologies
Authors: Bonnin Aurore , Muller Françoise , Senat Marie‐Victoire , Sault Corinne , Galland Armelle , Taieb Joëlle , Dreux Sophie , Bouyer Jean , Benachi Alexandra 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveBecause maternal serum markers (pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A, human chorionic gonadotropin free β subunit, and alpha‐fetoprotein) used for Down syndrome (DS) screening have been described as predictors of obstetrical complications and because assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies are known to be at increased risk for obstetrical complications, it is unclear whether or not correction factors should be applied to the calculated risk of DS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate DS maternal serum markers in oocyte donation (OD) and ART pregnancies in comparison with natural pregnancies.MethodMulticenter retrospective 2010 to 2013 study in singleton pregnancies was used. First‐ and second‐trimester DS screenings in 614 OD and 1921 ART pregnancies versus 7268 natural pregnancies are compared.ResultsThere was a significant increase in hCGβ in the OD group for both trimesters (first trimester: 1.28 MoM vs 1.02;P < .001 and second trimester: 1.32 MoM vs 1 MoM;P < .001). Pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A was significantly lower in the ART group (0.92 and 1.02 MoMP < .001).ConclusionMaternal serum markers for DS screening are significantly modified in ART and OD pregnancies. Because these markers are also markers for obstetrical complications, the rationale for applying correction factors is questionable.
Shape memory polymers with interconnected nanopores and high mechanical strength
Authors: Yang Qiucheng , Ye Cuicui , Zhao Jingxin , Chen Depei , Weng Biwei , You Jichun , Li Yongjin 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTThe fabrication of shape memory polymers with both interconnected nanopores and high mechanical strength is challenging. In this work, porous shape memory polymers (PSMPs) were prepared based on the combination of crystallization and phase separation in a ternary blend of poly(l‐lactic acid)/polyvinyl acetate/poly(ethylene oxide) (i.e., PLLA/PVAc/PEO). The phase separation between the PLLA and PVAc/PEO resulted in bicontinuous structures in microscale including a PLLA‐rich phase and a mixed PVAc/PEO phase. On one hand, the continuous PLLA‐rich phase contributed to the high mechanical strength and shape memory performance, in which tiny crystals and amorphous matrix of PLLA act as the shape fixed phase and reversible phase, respectively. On the other hand, the crystallization of PEO in the miscible PVAc/PEO blend produced submicrometer bicontinuous structures. The interconnected nanopores have been obtained by selective etching of the PEO. Our strategy opens a new avenue for fabricating PSMPs with both interpenetrated channels and high strength. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 125–130
Intra‐follicular kisspeptin levels are related to oocyte maturation and gonadal hormones in patients who are undergoing assisted reproductive technology
Authors: Taniguchi Yuka , Kuwahara Akira , Tachibana Ayaka , Yano Yuya , Yano Kiyohito , Yamamoto Yuri , Yamasaki Mikio , Iwasa Takeshi , Hinokio Kenji , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Irahara Minoru 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPurposeTo assess the kisspeptin concentrations in follicular fluid and their relationship with clinical outcomes during assisted reproductive technology.MethodsThirty‐nine patients who were aged 24‐40 years and underwent oocyte retrieval for in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection participated in this study. In 65 follicular fluid samples that had been obtained from 30 patients and their blood samples, the kisspeptin levels were measured in order to investigate the correlations with their gonadal hormone levels. Venous blood samples were collected from 14 patients to investigate their plasma kisspeptin levels across different phases of assisted reproductive technology.ResultsThe follicular fluid kisspeptin level was significantly higher than that of the plasma level and was positively associated with the follicular fluid estradiol concentration and with the serum estradiol and number of mature oocytes. In the plasma, the maximum concentration of kisspeptin was observed on the day of ovum pick‐up and on the day of embryo transfer during ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology.ConclusionKisspeptin was present in the follicular fluid and the plasma kisspeptin concentration was affected by ovarian stimulation. Kisspeptin appears to affect oocyte maturation and ovulation.
Thieno[3, 2‐b]thiophene‐Based Discotic Liquid Crystal Mesogens: Rational Synthesis, Physical Properties and Self‐Assembly
Authors: Tian Daxiong , Zhou Yanxiang , Li Zhaoning , Liu Shuli , Shao Jiawei , Yang Xue , Shao Jinjun , Huang Wei , Zhao Baomin 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe straightforward synthesis of rigid fused thienoacenes through FeCl3 mediated Scholl cylcodehydrogenation by utilizing thieno[3, 2‐b]thiophene as core and alkylthiophenes (alkyloxylphenyls) as arms is described. Their thermal behaviours were studied by different techniques such as thermo‐gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Their self‐assembly properties were systematically investigated by variable concentration NMR, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. These new discotic mesogens have very good thermal stability and display thermo‐tropic liquid crystalline behaviours. Ordered columnar liquid crystalline phases and crystalline phases were observed for these compounds with tunable phase transition temperatures and mesophase widths. Interestingly, these compounds could simultaneously generate micro‐ribbons in various solvents due to strong π‐π intermolecular interactions.
Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Coupling Reaction Catalyzed by Palladium Complexes of Hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐Oxazolines
Authors: Barbeiro Cristiane S. , Vasconcelos Stanley N. S. , de Oliveira Isadora M. , Zukerman‐Schpector Julio , Caracelli Ignez , Maganhi Stella H. , Stefani Hélio A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractA new palladium catalyst system, generated in situ from palladium(II) chloride and hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐oxazolines as ligands, has been developed and used in Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reactions with potassium heteroaryl‐ and aryltrifluoroborate salts to synthesize biphenyl derivatives in good to high yields. It was observed that the catalyst works only when generated in situ. When isolated the formation of a solid occurs which when subjected to x‐ray diffraction shows that the palladium atom is bound to two oxazolines. The presence of electron donor or electron withdrawals groups does not significantly affect reaction performance. This allows easy preparation for use without the inconvenience of catalyst decomposition and need for storage care. A plausible mechanism reaction was suggested based on HRMS studies.
C‐Terminal ‐Aib‐L–Leu‐OMe Segment Promotes Schellman Loop from α‐Peptides with Alternating L–Leu and Aib Residues in the Crystal State
Authors: Debnath Mintu , Sarkar Rajib , Nandi Sujay Kumar , Haldar Debasish 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe diverse helices from α‐peptide sequences containing alternating L–Leu and Aib residues are described. The X‐ray crystallography shed some light on the folding pattern of the synthetic peptides. The peptides that contain four and five amino acid residues fold into right‐handed (P) 310‐helical structures. The pentapeptide with ‐Aib‐L–Leu‐OMe C‐terminal segment also forms an open Schellman loop with both i+3→i and weak i+5→i hydrogen bonding interactions in crystal. But the hexapeptide with ‐L–Leu‐Aib‐OMe C‐terminal segment exhibits a right‐handed (P) 310‐helical structure. Surprisingly, the heptapeptide is a hybrid helix comprising of all i+3→i, i+4→i and i+5→i hydrogen‐bonded structure in solid state. The presence of Aib(6) residue at C‐terminus as the penultimate residue might be beneficial in inducing the screw‐sense reversal that gives rise to the helix terminating Schellman motif. The approach and findings presented here will be helpful for foldamer engineering.
Supramolecular Vesicles Prepared by Photodimerization of Coumarins in the Cavity of γ‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Zhang Xiaojin , Wang Kang , Lin Shijun , Dai Yu , Xia Fan 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSupramolecular vesicles, one of nanocarriers, have unique advantages in loading hydrophobic and/or hydrophilic molecules and releasing the molecules under stimulus conditions. To improve the stability of supramolecular vesicles, we develop advanced vesicles that are prepared by photodimerization of coumarins in the cavity of γ‐cyclodextrin. The construction unit of advanced vesicles contains a head and two tails that looks like the phospholipid molecule. The results confirm that two coumarin molecules can be included and then photodimerized in the cavity of γ‐cyclodextrin. The different wavelengths of UV lamp are used to irradiate the photodimerization of coumarins because the photodimerization efficiency is dependent on the wavelength of UV lamp. The photodimerization of coumarins in the cavity of γ‐cyclodextrin enhances the stability of supramolecular vesicles.
A property rights theory of competitive advantage
Authors: Bel Roland 
Published: September 2017

Research Summary: This article proposes a formal organizational economics approach to strategic management. Using a Property Rights Theory (PRT) framework, it rationalizes and provides a constructive contribution to two of the main strategy theories: the Resource‐Based View (RBV) and Porter Generic Strategies (PGS). The article shows that the welfare maximizing PRT conditions that characterize the existence and boundaries of a firm parallel both the RBV and Porter conditions for a sustainable competitive advantage, and provides a formal rationalization of Barney’s categorization of resources and Porter’s generic strategies. The article reveals some underexplored aspects of current informal theories, and extends their scope with the integration of strategic networks of complementors and social welfare considerations, opening up new avenues for research.
Managerial Summary: This article brings two new insights for managers. First, showing that a firm can garner rents when it is a socially optimal form of organization for the assets it controls, it rationalizes the importance of control and adds a social welfare perspective to strategy. The Resource‐Based View (RBV) and Porter Generic Strategies (PGS), besides theories of competitive advantage, can also be viewed as theories of control. Second, taking into consideration the growing importance of networks and complementors in the knowledge economy, this article highlights the strategic importance of two resource characteristics—collaborative and easy to combine—and opens up new doors for the consideration of two business strategies for managers—platform and coordination—in addition to the traditional cost, differentiation, and focus strategies.
Maternal immune activation leads to increased nNOS immunoreactivity in the brain of postnatal day 2 rat offspring
Authors: Zhang Jiaxian , Jing Yu , Zhang Hu , Bilkey David K. , Liu Ping 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNeuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is a key arginine metabolising enzyme in the brain, and nNOS‐derived nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in regulating glutamatergic neurotransmission. NO and its related molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and human genetic studies have identified schizophrenia risk genes encoding nNOS. This study systematically investigated how maternal immune activation (MIA; a risk factor for schizophrenia) induced by polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid affected nNOS‐immunoreactivity in the brain of the resulting male and female offspring at the age of postnatal day (PND) 2. Immunohistochemistry revealed a markedly increased intensity of nNOS‐positive cells in the CA3 and dentate gyrus subregions of the hippocampus, the somatosensory cortex, and the striatum, but not the frontal cortex and hippocampal CA1 region, in the MIA offspring when compared to control group animals. There were no sex differences in the effect. Given the role of nNOS in glutamatergic neurotransmission and its functional relationship with glutamate NMDA receptors, increased nNOS immunoreactivity may indicate the up‐regulation of NMDA receptor function in MIA rat offspring at an early postnatal age. Future research is required to determine whether these changes contribute to the neuronal and behavioral dysfunction observed in both juvenile and adult MIA rat offspring.
Meltwater runoff in a changing climate (1951–2099) at Chhota Shigri Glacier, Western Himalaya, Northern India
Authors: Engelhardt Markus , Leclercq Paul , Eidhammer Trude , Kumar Pankaj , Landgren Oskar , Rasmussen Roy 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTMeltwater runoff in the catchment area containing Chhota Shigri glacier (Western Himalaya) is simulated for the period 1951–2099. The applied mass-balance model is forced by downscaled products from four regional climate models with different horizontal resolution. For the future climate scenarios we use high resolution time series of 5 km grid spacing, generated using the newly developed Intermediate Complexity Atmospheric Research Model. The meteorological input is downscaled to 300 m horizontal resolution. The use of an ice flow model provides annually updated glacier area for the mass-balance calculations. The mass-balance model calculates daily snow accumulation, melt, runoff, as well as the individual runoff components (glacial melt, snowmelt and rain). The resulting glacier area decreases by 35% (representative concentration pathway (RCP) 4.5 scenario) to 70% (RCP 8.5 scenario) by 2099 relative to 2000. The average annual mass balance over the whole model period (1951–2099) was –0.4 (±0.3) m w.e. a–1. Average annual runoff does not differ substantially between the two climate scenarios. However, for the years after 2040 our results show a shift towards earlier snowmelt onset that increases runoff in May and June, and reduced glacier melt that decreases runoff in August and September. This shift is much stronger pronounced in the RCP 8.5 scenario.
The impact of gender diversity on performance: The moderating role of industry, alliance network, and family-friendly policies – Evidence from Korea
Authors: Bae Kwang Bin , Skaggs Sheryl 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis study analyzes the effects of gender diversity in management on organizational performance using Korea Workplace Panel Survey data for 2005, 2007, and 2009. Few studies have examined this relationship for firms outside the United States, particularly in Asian countries. Similar to previous research, our findings show that gender diversity in management has a U-shaped relationship with firm productivity. Second, the curvilinear relationship between gender diversity in management and firm productivity is stronger in service-oriented industries relative to manufacturing industries, with the highest level of employee productivity within homogeneous management groups. Third, we include a measure of workplace family-friendly policies to moderate the relationship between gender diversity in management and organizational performance. We find that the U-shaped pattern also holds in firms with a large number of family-friendly policies. This suggests that gender diversity in management has considerable influence on the productivity of Korean firms through interactions with family-friendly policies.
The spatial context of organizations: A critique of ‘creative workspaces’
Authors: De Paoli Donatella , Sauer Erika , Ropo Arja 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis paper examines office design as a spatial context of organizations. Organizations increasingly invest in designing workspaces to support employee creativity, foster company innovation and communicate a positive company image. This paper takes a critical view of this ‘hype’ by describing and analysing images of the headquarters of allegedly ‘creative workspaces’ published on the internet across a broad range of industries and corporations. Our analysis shows how their design follows standardized or stereotypical approaches to nurturing creativity: playfully or artistically designed open spaces, environments reminiscent of home, sports and play, nature, past/future technologies, or culturally aligned symbols. We discern underlying connections between office spaces and creativity, suggesting that creativity flourishes in happy, relaxed and playful communities within close-knit teams. We then identify three contradictions in relation to the existing literature on creativity and workspaces: individually versus collectively produced creativity; professionally designed workspaces versus workspaces created through participation; and planned versus emerging creativity.
Ultrasonic bone aspirator use in endoscopic ear surgery: feasibility and safety assessed using cadaveric temporal bones
Authors: Gardner E G , Sappington J , Arriaga M A , Kanotra S P 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectives:To describe the feasibility and assess the safety of using an ultrasonic bone aspirator in endoscopic ear surgery.Methods:Five temporal bones were dissected via endoscopic ear surgery using a Sonopet ultrasonic bone aspirator. Atticoantrostomy was undertaken. Another four bones were dissected using routine endoscopic equipment and standard bone curettes in a similar manner. Feasibility and safety were assessed in terms of: dissection time, atticoantrostomy adequacy, tympanomeatal flap damage, chorda tympani nerve injury, ossicular injury, ossicular chain disruption, facial nerve exposure and dural injury.Results:The time taken to perform atticoantrostomy was significantly less with the use of the ultrasonic bone aspirator as compared to conventional bone curettes.Conclusion:The ultrasonic bone aspirator is a feasible option in endoscopic ear surgery. It enables easy bone removal, with no additional complications and greater efficacy than traditional bone curettes. It should be a part of the armamentarium for transcanal endoscopic ear surgery.
From Language to Script: Graphic practice and the politics of authority in Santali-language print media, eastern India
Authors: CHOKSI NISHAANT 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis article discusses the way in which assemblages of technologies, political institutions, and practices of exchange have rendered both language and script a site for an ongoing politics of authority among Santals, an Austro-Asiatic speaking Adivasi (Scheduled Tribe) community spread throughout eastern India. It focuses particularly on the production of Santali-language print artefacts, which, like its dominant language counterparts, such as Bengali, has its roots in colonial-era Christian missions. However, unlike dominant languages, Santali-language media has been characterized by the use of multiple graphic registers, including a missionary-derived Roman script, Indic scripts such as Devanagari and Eastern Brahmi, and an independently derived script, Ol-Chiki. The article links the history of Santali print and graphic practice with assertions of autonomy in colonial and early post-colonial India. It then ethnographically documents how graphic practices, in particular the use of multiple scripts, and print technologies mediate a contemporary politics of authority along vectors such as class and generation within communities that speak and read Santali in the eastern state of West Bengal, India.
Postnatal Developmental Changes in Fractal Complexity of Giemsa-Stained Chromatin in Mice Spleen Follicular Cells
Authors: Pantic Igor , Paunovic Jovana , Vucevic Danijela , Radosavljevic Tatjana , Dugalic Stefan , Petkovic Anita , Radojevic-Skodric Sanja , Pantic Senka 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlthough there are numerous recent works focusing on fractal properties of DNA and chromatin, many issues regarding changes in chromatin fractality during physiological aging remain unclear. In this study, we present results indicating that in mice, there is an age-related reduction of chromatin fractal complexity in a population of spleen follicular cells (SFCs). Spleen tissue was obtained from 16 mice and fixated in Carnoy solution. The youngest animal was newborn, and each animal was exactly 1 month older than the previous. We performed fractal analysis of SFC chromatin structure, stained using Giemsa technique. Fractal analysis was done in a plugin algorithm of ImageJ software. We also performed gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis of all chromatin structures with the calculation of parameters such as angular second moment and inverse difference moment. Giemsa-stained SFC chromatin exhibited an age-dependent reduction of fractal dimension with statistically significant (p<0.01) linear trend. Moreover, there was a statistically significant increase of SFC chromatin lacunarity. The chromatin GLCM parameters did not significantly change. To our knowledge, this is the first study to perform fractal and GLCM analyses of SFC chromatin and to investigate potential changes of fractal parameters during postnatal development.
Local sourcing and the military: Lessons learned through a university-based initiative to increase local procurement at a US military base
Authors: Dunning Rebecca , Day John , Creamer Nancy 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe volume of food purchased by the American military makes it perhaps the single largest intermediated market for food in the USA. Consequently, it is not surprising that those seeking to enhance the economic viability of small and mid-scale farms may view military bases as a promising market for locally produced foods. This is a challenging prospect, however, due to the centralized structure of military command, the nature of the military procurement system and federal mandates to obtain products that maximize value at the lowest available cost. This paper describes the US military food procurement system and the work of a 3-yr initiative to increase the amount of locally produced, source-identified products used at a North Carolina military installation. Our experiences serve as a cautionary tale, with this paper designed as both a primer on ‘how it works’ for food procurement at the federal and base level, and a description of our largely unsuccessful attempts to increase the volume of local food products from small-/mid-scale producers moving through the supply chain into base dining halls and restaurants. Based on our experiences, we also make recommendations on possible entry points for local food and farm advocates to work within the existing system to localize food procurement.