bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermal analysis of high‐performance mortar containing burnt clay shale as a partial portland cement replacement in the temperature range up to 1000 °C
Authors: Trník Anton , Scheinherrová Lenka , Kulovaná Tereza , Reiterman Pavel , Vejmelková Eva , Černý Robert 
Published: May 2016

SummaryClay shale is a specific type of material that contains a large amount of kaolinite. Burnt clay shale belongs to a large group of pozzolans, and its pozzolanic properties are activated after burning at temperatures similar to those when kaolinite is transformed into metakaolin. In this study, fine powder of burnt clay shale was used for the design of a high‐performance mortar as a partial replacement for portland cement up to 60 wt.%. The prepared specimens were subjected to a thermal analysis by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and thermodilatometry. The investigation was performed in the temperature range 25–1000 °C. The basic physical and mechanical properties were studied as well. It was demonstrated that it is possible to design and produce a high‐performance mortar containing fine burnt clay shale powder and that an appropriate amount of this replacement is up to 20 wt.%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of the AML profiler (Skyline™ Array) for patient risk stratification in a multicentre trial: a preliminary comparison with the conventional approach
Authors: Nomdedéu Josep F. , Puigdecanet Eulalia , Bussaglia Elena , Hernández Juan José , Carricondo Maite , Estivill Camino , Martí‐Tutusaus Josep Maria , Tormo Mar , Zamora Lurdes , Serrano Elena , Perea Granada , de Llano Maria Paz Queipo , García Antoni , Sánchez‐Ortega Isabel , Ribera Josep Maria , Nonell Lara , Aventin Anna , Solé Francesc , Brunet Maria Salut , Sierra Jorge 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDeoxyribonucleic acid microarrays allow researchers to measure mRNA levels of thousands of genes in a single experiment and could be useful for diagnostic purposes in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We assessed the feasibility of the AML profiler (Skyline™ Array) in genetic stratification of patients with de novo AML and compared the results with those obtained using the standard cytogenetic and molecular approach.Diagnostic bone marrow from 31 consecutive de novo AML cases was used to test MLL‐PTD, FLT3‐ITD and TKD, NPM1 and CEBPAdm mutations. Purified RNA was used to assess RUNX1‐RUNX1T1, PML‐RARα and CBFβ‐MYH11 rearrangements. RNA remnants underwent gene expression profiling analysis using the AML profiler, which detects chromosomal aberrations: t(8;21), t(15;17), inv(16), mutations (CEBPAdm, ABD‐NPM1) and BAALC and EVI1 expression. Thirty cases were successfully analysed with both methods. Five cases had FLT3‐ITD. In one case, a t(8;21) was correctly detected by both methods. Four cases had inv(16); in one, the RNA quality was unsatisfactory and it was not hybridized, and in the other three, the AML profiler detected the genetic lesion — this being a rare type I translocation in one case. Two cases with acute promyelocytic leukaemia were diagnosed by both methods. Results for NPM1 mutations were concordant in all but two cases (2/11, non‐ABD mutations). Analysis of costs and turnaround times showed that the AML profiler was no more expensive than the conventional molecular approach. These results suggest that the AML profiler could be useful in multicentre trials to rapidly identify patients with AML with a good prognosis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of experiences, competencies and development needs of doctor managers in Kenya and the United Kingdom (UK)
Authors: Ireri Salome Kathomi , Walshe Kieran , Benson Lawrence , Mwanthi Mutuku 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPurposeThe purpose of the research was to explore and compare the experiences, leadership and management competencies and development needs of doctor managers in Kenya and the UK.Design/methodologyA comparative study d258esign involving fieldwork in Kenya and the UK was adopted. Data were collected using a multi‐method approach: qualitative interviews and a survey with doctor managers. The template method was used for qualitative data analysis while appropriate statistical tests in SPSS were used for quantitative data analysis.FindingsThe findings of the study add to the knowledge on experiences of doctor managers, competencies and development needs. Ways of addressing some of the difficulties are proposed.Research limitations/implicationsThe study highlights issues of a comparative study across different cultures and the issue of bias that is associated with self reports.Practical and social ImplicationsIt is assumed that management decisions have much in common and the training and socialisation of doctors as professionals is somewhat similar. This paper explores if there are any experiences that are transferable and if competency frameworks in healthcare used in developed countries are transferable to a developing country.Originality/valueThe study gives baseline knowledge and insight into the experiences, competencies and development needs of doctor managers in a developing country and adds to existing knowledge on doctor managers in the UK. This study has also provided currently the only international study comparing the experiences, competencies and development needs of doctors in management.
Effects of γ‐Irradiation on the Molecular Structures and Functions of Human Serum Albumin
Authors: Hu Xinxin , Song Wei , Li Wei , Guo Changying , Yu Zehua , Liu Rutao 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we use spectroscopic methods (fluorescence spectroscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy) to elucidate the effects of reactive oxygen species generated by γ‐irradiation on the molecular properties of human serum albumin (HSA). The results of fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that oxidation by γ‐irradiation can lead to conformational changes of HSA. Data of CD spectra suggested that with the increase of radiation dose the percentage of α‐helix in HSA has decreased. The determination of protein hydrophobicity showed that the effective hydrophobicity of HSA decreased up to 62% compared to the native HSA solution due to the exposure to the γ‐irradiation. Furthermore, small changes in the esterase‐like activity of HSA were introduced because of oxidation. The content of bityrosine increased markedly, suggesting that the oxidized HSA was aggregated. Moreover, there was no obvious change in the molecular properties of HSA with low γ‐irradiation dose. Changes happened when the irradiation dose exceeded 200 Gy.
Cancer‐specific promoters for expression‐targeted gene therapy: ran, brms1 and mcm5
Authors: Chen Xuguang , Scapa Jacqueline E. , Liu David X. , Godbey W T. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo expand the library of promoters that can be used for expression‐targeted gene delivery to cancer cells, the specificity and strength of expression of three cancer‐related gene promoters was evaluated: RAS‐related nuclear protein (Pran), breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (Pbrms1) and minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 (Pmcm5).MethodsThe expression of reporter genes under the control of these promoters demonstrated selectivity in cancer cell lines of breast, prostate and ovarian origins versus a panel of normal cell types. The Pran was next used to regulate the expression of a bioactive exon (a constitutively active form of human caspase 3) to induce apoptosis in cancer cells. Further evaluation was performed in an orthotopic model of murine bladder cancer.ResultsThe average strengths of reporter expression had relative intensities of 99.8% (Pran), 87.7% (Pbrms1) and 55.8% (Pmcm5) versus the strong Pcmv‐driven positive control. Comparisons of expression‐targeted reporter gene expression for these three promoters versus the clinically interesting promoter for the human telomerase reverse transcriptase gene (PhTERT) yielded an improvement of two‐ to 15‐fold. Following transfection, cell death was evident from morphologic observations and viability assays performed on the cancer cells lines, with little (if any) effects seen when the same genes were delivered to normal cells. Cell viability was reduced by up to 60% after one treatment, with cell death via apoptosis implied by caspase 3 detection. During the in vivo preclinical study, reduced tumor burden, lack of mineralization and decreased inflammation were demonstrated after only three treatments.ConclusionsThe ran, brms1, and mcm5 promoters have the specificity and strength needed for cancer‐specific expression‐targeted gene therapy. pran in particular produced exciting results when coupled with a version of the caspase 3 exon to treat bladder cancer. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of boronate‐decorated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes grafted cotton fiber for the selective enrichment of nucleosides in urine
Authors: Gao Li , Wei Yinmao 
Published: May 2016

Various cotton fiber based boronate‐affinity adsorbents are recently developed for the sample pretreatment of cis‐diol‐containing biomolecules, but most do not have efficient capacity due to limited binding sites on the surface of cotton fibers. To increase the density of boronate groups on the surface of cotton fiber, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes were used to modify cotton fiber to provide plentiful reactive sites for subsequent functionalization with 4‐formylphenylboronic acid. The new adsorbent showed special recognition ability towards cis‐diols and high adsorption capacity (175 μg/g for catechol, 250 μg/g for dopamine, 400 μg/g for adenosine). The in‐pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction was investigated under different conditions, including pH and ionic strength of solution, adsorbent amount, pipette times, washing solvent, and elution solvent. The in‐pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography was used to analyze four nucleosides in urine samples. Under the optimal extraction conditions, the detection limits were determined to be between 5.1 and 6.1 ng/mL (S/N = 3), and the linearity ranged from 20 to 500 ng/mL for these analytes. The accuracy of the analytical method was examined by studying the relative recoveries of analytes in real urine samples with recoveries varying from 83 to 104% (RSD = 3.9–10.2%, n = 3).
The Incidence of Smartphone Usage among Tourists
Authors: Mang Colin F. , Piper Linda A. , Brown Natalya R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe explore smartphone utilization by tourists from 24 countries visiting either Rome, Italy or Athens, Greece. By extending a standard technology acceptance model, we identify common travel uses for smartphones, which include taking photos, social networking, viewing maps, finding transportation and searching for shops and restaurants. Younger cohorts utilize their phones more than older cohorts, but there is no difference in utilization between females and males. The most important factors affecting behaviour are how often the tourist normally utilizes their smartphone when at home, and whether or not the tourist has non‐WiFi data access. We conclude with recommendations for future research. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Aminotelechelic Prepolymers to Circumvent the Carbonation of Amines in Epoxy Coatings
Authors: Blain Marine , Jean‐Gérard Ludivine , Benazet Dominique , Boutevin Bernard , Andrioletti Bruno , Caillol Sylvain 
Published: May 2016

This article deals with the amine blush phenomenon in epoxy coatings. Amine blush is due to amine carbonation and weakens the visual aspect of room temperature epoxy coatings. This paper describes a way to avoid the carbonation by preparing aminotelechelic prepolymers is described. For the first time, the amine‐adduct impact over amine carbonation, as well as the amine decarbonation with temperature, has been investigated by infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, a range of epoxy materials displaying various Tg are synthesized from amine‐adducts and compared to polyurethane references generally used for transparent coating applications. Mechanical and thermal properties are also investigated.
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Exploring the directionality of Escherichia coli formate hydrogenlyase: a membrane‐bound enzyme capable of fixing carbon dioxide to organic acid
Authors: Pinske Constanze , Sargent Frank 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDuring mixed‐acid fermentation Escherichia coli produces formate, which is initially excreted out the cell. Accumulation of formate, and dropping extracellular pH, leads to biosynthesis of the formate hydrogenlyase (FHL) complex. FHL consists of membrane and soluble domains anchored within the inner membrane. The soluble domain comprises a [NiFe] hydrogenase and a formate dehydrogenase that link formate oxidation directly to proton reduction with the release of CO2 and H2. Thus, the function of FHL is to oxidize excess formate at low pH. FHL subunits share identity with subunits of the respiratory Complex I. In particular, the FHL membrane domain contains subunits (HycC and HycD) that are homologs of NuoL/M/N and NuoH, respectively, which have been implicated in proton translocation. In this work, strain engineering and new assays demonstrate unequivocally the nonphysiological reverse activity of FHL in vivo and in vitro. Harnessing FHL to reduce CO2 to formate is biotechnologically important. Moreover, assays for both possible FHL reactions provide opportunities to explore the bioenergetics using biochemical and genetic approaches. Comprehensive mutagenesis of hycC did not identify any single amino acid residues essential for FHL operation. However, the HycD E199, E201, and E203 residues were found to be critically important for FHL function.
EPI Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion correction by two‐frame phase labeling
Authors: Xie Victor B. , Lyu Mengye , Wu Ed X. 
Published: May 2016

PurposeTo develop a new Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion correction method in echo planar imaging (EPI) using parallel imaging.MethodsTwo frames of EPI data are acquired with normal and phase‐labeled sequence. The phase label is applied by modifying the PE prephase gradient to shift the central echo by one echo spacing. GRAPPA weights are trained from both frames and used to reconstruct images from positive or negative echoes in each frame to remove Nyquist ghost. Geometric distortion is then corrected by the B0 field map generated from the phase difference between positive and negative echo images. Phantom and in vivo experiments at 7 Tesla (T) and 3T were performed to evaluate the proposed method.ResultsNyquist ghost was greatly reduced in all images even under oblique imaging and poor eddy current conditions, yielding significant improvements over the existing reference scan and image entropy minimization based methods. Image geometries were fully restored after distortion correction. Phantom results indicated that the signal‐to‐noise ratio efficiency was largely preserved while fMRI results showed no apparent degradation of temporal resolution.ConclusionThe proposed method provides robust correction of both Nyquist ghost and geometric distortion in EPI, and it is particularly suitable for dynamic EPI applications. Magn Reson Med 77:1749–1761, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Applicability of the Schwartz Equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Bedside Equation for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate in Overweight Children
Authors: Lewis Teresa V. , Harrison Donald L. , Gildon Brooke L. , Carter Sandra M. , Turman Martin A. 
Published: May 2016

Study ObjectiveTo determine if significant correlations exist between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) prediction equation values, derived by using the original Schwartz equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) bedside equation with a 24‐hour urine creatinine clearance (Clcr) value normalized to a body surface area of 1.73 m2 in overweight and obese children.DesignProspective analysis (20 patients) and retrospective analysis (43 patients).SettingPediatric inpatient ward and pediatric nephrology clinic at a comprehensive academic medical center.PatientsSixty‐three pediatric patients (aged 5–17 years), of whom 27 were overweight (body mass index [BMI] at the 85th percentile or higher) and 36 were not overweight (BMI lower than the 85th percentile [controls]) between 2007 and 2012.Methods and Main ResultsData from the overweight patients were compared with nonoverweight controls. GFR values were calculated by using the original Schwartz equation and the CKiD bedside equation. Each patient's 24‐hour urine Clcr value normalized to a body surface area of 1.73 m2 served as the index value. A Pearson correlation coefficient model was used to determine association between the 24‐hour urine Clcr value (index value) with the Schwartz and CKiD GFR estimations. Significant correlation was found to exist between the Schwartz and CKiD bedside GFR estimations relative to the 24‐hour urine Clcr in the control subjects (r = 0.85, p<0.0001, and r = 0.85, p<0.0001, respectively). Significant correlation was also found to exist between the Schwartz and CKiD bedside GFR values with the 24‐hour urine Clcr value in overweight subjects (r = 0.86, p<0.0001, and r = 0.86, p<0.0001, respectively). The Schwartz equation estimated average GFR 21.75 ml/minute/1.73 m2 higher than 24‐hour urine Clcr (p<0.0001) in overweight children with a kidney disorder. The CKiD bedside GFR estimations were not significantly different compared with 24‐hour urine Clcr values for the overweight group with kidney disorder (p=0.85).ConclusionThe Schwartz and CKiD bedside estimations of GFR correlated with 24‐hour urine Clcr values in both overweight and nonoverweight children. Compared with the Schwartz equation, which tended to overestimate renal function, the CKiD bedside equation appeared to approximate 24‐hour urine Clcr more closely in overweight children with kidney disorder.
Salt effects on macrophase separations in non‐stoichiometric mixtures of oppositely charged macromolecules: Theory and experiment
Authors: Machinskaya A. E. , Leclercq L. , Boustta M. , Vert M. , Vasilevskaya V. V. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTIn the field of biological applications, polyelectrolyte complexes are proposed to encapsulate bioactive compounds, to deliver drugs, and also to transfect genes into cells under the name of polyplexes. Complex formation is obtained by addition of a polycation solution into a polyanion solution or vice‐versa. This work proposes a theoretical approach to describe complex formation in the case of non‐stoichiometric mixtures of oppositely charged macroions having different degrees of ionization and different degrees of polymerization under different salt conditions. In a second part, comparison was made with experimental data collected when a weak polybase, namely poly(l‐lysine) under its bromide form was added stepwise to solutions of various polyanions under their sodium salt form, namely poly(l‐lysine citramide imide), poly(l‐lysine citramide), and poly(β‐malic acid), the latter lacking hydroxyl groups attached to the main chain. The stability of stroichiometric complexes made of poly(l‐lysine) and poly(l‐lysine citramide) having different molecular masses is discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1717–1730
The intensity of caregiving is a more important predictor of adverse bereavement outcomes for adult–child than spousal caregivers of patients who die of cancer
Authors: McLean Sarah , Gomes Barbara , Higginson Irene J. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIncreasing attention is being paid to specific difficulties experienced by bereaved family caregivers (FCs). Limited capacity within health and social care structures results in high intensity of informal caregiving. The focus of recent research is the identification of specific predictors of adverse FC outcomes, in order to identify those FCs who will benefit most from intervention and support. Research is challenged by multiple influencing and confounding variables. This study aimed to evaluate factors of care associated with higher grief intensity in bereaved adult–child (AC‐FCs) and spousal FCs (S‐FCs). Data from the Qualycare study, a mortality follow‐back study of bereaved FCs of patients who died of cancer, was analyzed. Four hundred eighty‐four patient–FC dyads were included: 246 AC‐FCs and 238 S‐FCs. S‐FCs received more formal (SPC) (p = 0.026), and AC‐FCs more informal (p < 0.001), support. AC‐FCs were more likely to continue to work while caregiving (p < 0.001). Patients with AC‐FCs were more likely to spend time in and die in a nursing home (p < 0.001). Higher grief intensity was associated with higher caregiving intensity (p < 0.001), as well as other factors. AC‐FCs whose relative died in NH experienced significantly lower grief intensity (p < 0.001). Intensity of caregiving predicted 11.6% of variance in grief intensity for AC‐FCs compared to 0.5% for S‐FCs. The ‘relief model’ of bereavement is relevant for AC‐FCs. The support needs of AC‐FCs and S‐FCs differ. AC‐FCs should be targeted for practical supports and interventions, in order to support home‐death, if desired by patient and FC, and optimize bereavement outcomes.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural, electronic and thermodynamic properties of SrxCa1‐xS: A first‐principles study
Authors: Labidi S. , Boudjendlia M. , Labidi M. , Zeroual J. , Bensalem R. , Hassan F. El Haj 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe principal purpose of this work is to further the understanding of the structural, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of the SrxCa1–xS alloys (0≤x ≤1) in Rock‐salt phase using the full potential augmented plane wave (FP‐LAPW) method within density functional theory. The exchange‐correlation potential for structural properties was calculated by the standard local density approximation (LDA) and GGA (PBE) and the new form of GGA (WC) which is an improved form of the most popular Perdew‐Burke‐Ernzerhof (PBE), while for electronic properties, the alternative form of GGA modified by Becke‐Johnson exchange correlation potential (MBJ) was also applied. It is shown that investigation on the effect of composition on lattice constant, bulk modulus, and band gap for ternary alloys shows almost nonlinear dependence on the composition. On the other hand, the thermodynamic stability of these alloys was investigated by calculating the excess enthalpy of mixing ΔHm as well as the phase diagram. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)