bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sonic Hedgehog Pathway Genes Are Expressed and Transcribed in the Adult Mouse Epididymis
Authors: Turner Terry T. , Bomgardner Daniela , Jacobs Jason P.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: One role of the hedgehog (hh) signaling pathway during development is to assist in establishing pattern orientation in the embryo. The structure and function in the adult epididymis is highly patterned, and since the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is known to be functional in the developing male tract and the expression of other pattern‐influencing genes has recently been found in the adult epididymis, we have examined the adult mouse epididymis for Shh pathway molecules. Examination was at both the gene and protein level. Shh, the secreted signal molecule, patched (Ptc), its membrane receptor, and Gli‐1, a downstream transcription factor, were detected at the gene level with semiquantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and at the protein level with Western blot analysis. Immunohistochemical localization further detected Shh specifically in the epididymal epithelium. It was hypothesized that efferent duct ligation (EDL) would alter epididymal segmentation within 30 days of the ligation, especially in the proximal segments of the caput epididymis. It was further hypothesized that these alterations would be correlated with changes in the expression of genes in the Shh pathway. EDL did not alter epididymal segmentation, but Shh, Ptc, and Gli1 expression was significantly altered at specific times after the ligation. The presence of the signaling pathway in the adult epididymis is a novel finding, as is the fact that in the distal epididymis, the specific gene expressions are altered by EDL. This suggests that the genes are capable of being regulated in a manner that is influenced by testicular contribution, and it implies that those genes have a function in the epididymis subject to that regulation.
Comparison of Tamoxifen and Testosterone Propionate in Male Rats: Differential Prevention of Orchidectomy Effects on Sex Organs, Bone Mass, Growth, and the Growth Hormone—IGF‐I Axis
Authors: Fitts James M. , Klein Robert M. , Powers C. Andrew
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: Testis dysfunction can weaken bone and reduce muscle mass as well as impair sexual function. Testosterone (T) therapy has useful effects on sex organs, bone, and muscle in T‐deficient males, but prostate concerns can preclude T use in some men. Although estrogens or other drugs can protect bone in men, gynecomastia makes estrogens unappealing, and other drugs may also be undesirable in some cases. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) inhibit estrogen‐evoked sex organ growth but mimic estrogen effects on bone and cholesterol and are advantageous for some women. SERMs may also be useful in men who must avoid androgens. As a preclinical test of this idea, tamoxifen (a SERM) and testosterone propionate (TP, a classic androgen) were compared for their efficacy in preventing varied effects of orchidectomy (ORX) in adult male rats. ORX led to ventral prostate and seminal vesicle atrophy and decreases in somatic growth, proximal tibia bone mineral density (BMD), and serum growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I). ORX also increased anterior pituitary glandular kallikrein, serum cholesterol, and body temperature. Pituitary prolactin (PRL) content was unaltered. ORX effects on sex organs, somatic growth, IGF‐I, cholesterol, body temperature, and pituitary kallikrein were prevented by TP at 1 mg/kg (3 doses per week), but BMD and GH were unresponsive. ORX effects on BMD and GH were prevented by TP at 10 mg/kg, but this dose evoked supraphysiologic increases in sex organs and PRL, failed to restore somatic growth, and further reduced IGF‐I. Tamoxifen (1 mg/kg daily) prevented ORX effects on BMD, GH, and cholesterol without altering basal or TP‐induced sex organ growth and further reduced IGF‐I and somatic growth. Tamoxifen did not alter basal PRL but blocked increases caused by TP at 10 mg/kg. In summary, tamoxifen prevented ORX effects on bone and cholesterol in male rats without affecting sex organs or PRL and might be useful for men who must avoid androgens. Unexpectedly, a TP dose that replicated testis effects on sex organs and other targets had no effect on BMD or GH, and a larger TP dose that restored BMD and GH was worse at replicating normal male physiology. In addition, correlation/regression results suggested that the GH—IGF‐I axis contributes to changes in BMD.
Peripheral Effects of Serotonin on the Contractile Responses of Rat Seminal Vesicles and Vasa Deferentia
Authors: Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae‐Seung
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: With the central effects of serotonin (5‐HT) on ejaculation having been relatively established, we investigated the peripheral effects of serotonin on the contractile responses of rat seminal vesicles and vasa deferentia. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats were grouped on the basis of the agents administered: serotonin, clomipramine, or fluoxetine. The intraluminal pressures of the seminal vesicles and of the vasa deferentia were measured simultaneously. Control responses to hypogastric nerve stimulation (HNS) were recorded in each animal, and HNS was repeated after drug administration. Expression of the mRNAs of the 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) receptors (5‐HT1A, 5‐HT1B, and 5‐HT2C), which have been suggested to be involved in the ejaculation process, were examined by semiquantitative reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Serotonergic agents resulted in the concentration‐dependent inhibition of HNS‐induced seminal vesicle pressure increases (clomipramine > serotonin > fluoxetine). Vasal pressure responses were effectively inhibited by clomipramine and serotonin, but fluoxetine had no effect. No significant difference was observed in the relative expression levels of 5‐HT1A receptor mRNA in seminal vesicles and in the vasa deferentia. However, the expression levels of 5‐HT1B and 5‐HT2C receptor mRNAs were lower in the vasa deferentia than in the seminal vesicles. These in vivo and in vitro experimental results provide evidence for the peripheral role of 5‐HT in the regulation of contractile responses of the seminal tract. Regional differences in the distribution of the 5‐HT receptor subtypes of the seminal vesicles and the vasa deferentia might contribute to the different responses to serotonergic agents shown by these organs.
Sperm Motility in Men With Spinal Cord Injuries Is Enhanced by Inactivating Cytokines in the Seminal Plasma
Authors: Cohen Daniel R. , Basu Sarmistha , Randall Josh M. , Aballa Teodoro C. , Lynne Charles M. , Brackett Nancy L.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: The goal of this study was to determine whether inactivating specific cytokines in seminal plasma improves sperm motility in men affected by spinal cord injury (SCI). For this purpose, we used monoclonal antibodies to interleukin 6 (IL6), interleukin 1 beta (IL1‐β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), all 3 cytokines having been previously detected at high concentrations in the seminal plasma of patients with SCI. In a group of 17 SCI men with low sperm motility (mean ± SE, 20.1% ± 3.1%), treatment with the 3 monoclonal antibodies at the median neutralization dose concentrations for 1.0 to 1.5 hours improved sperm motility in all cases. Effectiveness was higher in those specimens with a pretreatment sperm motility between 11% and 30% (from 19.3% ± 1.4% to 41.9% ± 4.9%, P < .0002), suggesting that pretreatment sperm motility might represent an indicator of cell damage and, therefore, a factor that influences monoclonal antibody effectiveness. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the first rational treatment for improving low sperm motility in these severely affected patients.
Restorative Increases in Serum Testosterone Levels Are Significantly Correlated to Improvements in Sexual Functioning
Authors: Seftel Allen D. , Mack Randall J. , Secrest Allen R. , Smith Ted M.
Published: December 2015

ABSTRACT: It is recognized that testosterone (T) levels decrease in men with age, as does sexual function. We hypothesize that T supplementation in hypogonadal men with sexual dysfunction will restore certain elements of sexual function. Hypogonadal male subjects (total T ≤ 300 ng/dL, n = 406, mean age 58 years) reporting one or more symptoms of low testosterone were randomized to T gel (50 mg/d and 100 mg/d), T patch, or placebo. Twenty‐four‐hour pharmacokinetic profiles for T were obtained. The 3 primary end points evaluated at 30 and 90 days posttreatment included a significant change in the frequency of intercourse and nighttime erections per 7‐day week as well as a change in sexual desire measured on a Likert‐type scale and calculated as a mean daily score. At day 30, a significant increase from baseline in sexual desire was noted for those on 100 mg/d T gel compared with those on 50 mg/d T gel, T patch, or placebo (1.2 vs 0.4, 0.7, and 0.4, respectively). A significant increase from baseline in the frequency of nighttime erections was also noted for those on 100 mg/d T gel compared with those on 50 mg/d T gel or placebo (51% of subjects in the 100 mg/d T gel group had an increase in frequency vs 30% for the 50 mg/d T gel group and 26% in the placebo group). Finally, a significant increase from baseline in the frequency of intercourse was evidenced for those on 100 mg/d T gel compared with those on T patch or placebo (39% of subjects in the 100 mg/d T gel group had an increase in frequency vs 21% for the T patch group and 24% in the placebo group). Similar results were seen for 100 mg/d T gel at day 90 for sexual desire and nighttime erections vs placebo. These data demonstrate a clear relationship between restoring serum T concentrations and improvement in certain parameters of sexual function. We propose that threshold T levels are needed in order to significantly affect improvements in sexual functioning.
Qualitative Investigation of Student Reflections on a Spiritual/Religious Diversity Experience
Authors: Buser Juleen K. , Buser Trevor J.
Published: December 2015

Twenty‐six master's‐level counselor education students participated in a spiritual and religious diversity assignment, which involved participation in a spiritual or religious activity for 5 weeks. Participants then discussed these experiences in reflection papers. After analysis of the student papers, the authors identified the following themes: (a) discomfort related to the experience, (b) initial assumptions regarding spirituality and religion, (c) movement toward appreciation of spiritual and religious diversity, (d) increases in self‐understanding, (e) the value of experiential learning, and (f) motivation for additional learning. The authors provide suggestions for counselor training on spirituality and religion.
Job engagement, perceived organizational support, high‐performance human resource practices, and cultural value orientations: A cross‐level investigation
Authors: Zhong Lifeng , Wayne Sandy J. , Liden Robert C.
Published: December 2015

Drawing on social exchange theory, we developed and tested a cross‐level model of organizational‐level predictors of job engagement. Specifically, we examined the impact of high‐performance human resource (HR) practices on employee engagement and work outcomes. Based on a sample of 605 employees, their immediate supervisors, and HR managers from 130 companies, our results indicated that high‐performance HR practices were directly related to job engagement as well as indirectly related through employees' perceived organizational support. In turn, job engagement was positively related to in‐role performance and negatively related to intent to quit. Culture was found to act as a critical contextual factor, as our results also revealed that the relationship between HR practices and perceived organizational support was stronger when collectivism was high and when power distance orientation was low. Overall, the findings shed new light on the processes and conditions through which employee work‐related outcomes are enhanced owing to high‐performance HR practices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Large α‐helical movements observed in ternary crystals of RB69 DNA polymerase following nucleotide incorporation
Authors: Antonopoulos Ioanna H. , Xia Shuangluo , Christian Thomas D. , Konigsberg William H. , Carey Paul R.
Published: December 2015

Raman difference spectroscopy is used to monitor the conformational changes associated with dNMP incorporation in single crystals of a RB69 DNA polymerase (RB69pol) ternary complex. An inactive crystal of L415G RB69pol exo‐ with a primer/template duplex and a cognate dATP was produced in the presence of Ca2+. The Raman spectrum of the crystallized complex was obtained using a Raman microscope. Phosphodiester bond formation is triggered by soaking in Mg2+. The Raman difference spectra [ie, (ternary complex + Mg2+)–(ternary complex with no Mg2+)] show that conformational changes are complete prior to the acquisition of the first Raman spectrum following magnesium incorporation into the crystal. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis experiments carried in parallel show that dNMP incorporation occurs rapidly in the crystal. The Raman data indicate that significant changes in protein amide features, tyrosine ring modes, and nucleic acid base backbone modes have occurred. Overall, they are dominated by the dichroic effect with the molecular groups changing orientation with respect to the laser beam following nucleotide incorporation. The amide I and amide III α‐helix features are unusually narrow and are assigned to movement of the P and N helices. These results demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to monitor conformational changes in proteins via dichroism. The Raman spectra and the gel electrophoresis support the hypothesis that the major spectroscopic changes are because of structural changes in the ternary complex crystal following correct dNMP incorporation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of high pressure processing on dispersive and aggregative properties of almond milk
Authors: Dhakal Santosh , Giusti M Monica , Balasubramaniam VM
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of high pressure (450 and 600 MPa at 30 °C) and thermal (72, 85 and 99 °C at 0.1 MPa) treatments on dispersive and aggregative characteristics of almond milk. Experiments were conducted using a kinetic pressure testing unit and water bath. Particle size distribution, microstructure, UV absorption spectra, pH and color changes of processed and unprocessed samples were analyzed.

RESULTS

Raw almond milk represented the mono model particle size distribution with average particle diameters of 2 to 3 µm. Thermal or pressure treatment of almond milk shifted the particle size distribution towards right and increased particle size by five‐ to six‐fold. Micrographs confirmed that both the treatments increased particle size due to aggregation of macromolecules. Pressure treatment produced relatively more and larger aggregates than those produced by heat treated samples. The apparent aggregation rate constant for 450 MPa and 600 MPa processed samples were k450MPa,30°C = 0.0058 s−1 and k600MPa,30°C = 0.0095 s−1 respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that dispersive and aggregative properties of high pressure and heat‐treated almond milk were different due to differences in protein denaturation, particles coagulation and aggregates morphological characteristics. Knowledge gained from the study will help food processors to formulate novel plant‐based beverages treated with high pressure. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
A flexible approach to the objective verification of warnings
Authors: Sharpe Michael A.
Published: December 2015

Warning services are popular due to their conceptually simple nature; however, a simple approach to their verification can lead to misleading results, from which it can be difficult to diagnose poor from excellent performance, and when improvement is required it is often difficult to know where efforts should be focused. A flexible, systematic approach to the verification of warnings enables the performance to be evaluated in terms of space, time, intensity and confidence. This paper describes such an approach, which has been implemented at the Met Office. Flexibility is achieved via the introduction, and separate categorization, of near‐hit and compound event types, enabling the spatial, temporal and effectual accuracy to be examined and the most significant errors diagnosed. An illustrative example of this methodology is included in this paper.
On the local fractional LWR model in fractal traffic flows in the entropy condition
Authors: Guo Yong‐Mei , Zhao Yang , Zhou Yao‐Ming , Xiao Zhong‐Bin , Yang Xiao‐Jun
Published: December 2015

Entropy plays an important role in the simulation of traffic flow distribution. This paper studies the entropy condition for the Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model of the fractal traffic flows described by local fractional calculus. We also discuss the solutions of non‐differentiability with graphs by using the local fractional variational iteration method. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of subcell I–V characteristics of multijunction solar cells using optical coupling
Authors: Nesswetter Helmut , Jost Norman R. , Lugli Paolo , Bett Andreas W. , Zimmermann Claus G.
Published: December 2015

A method for the determination of the subcell I–V characteristics of multijunction solar cells in the presence of optical coupling is presented and applied to a Ga0.50In0.50P/Ga0.99In0.01As/Ge triple‐junction solar cell. Each of the subcells is described by a two‐diode model and can be illuminated by a narrowband light source externally. Optical coupling is then used explicitly to generate current in one subcell, which is not illuminated externally. This approach yields the magnitude of optical coupling and a relationship between the two diode parameters of each subcell. The remaining cell parameters are determined with the help of pulsed illumination. In this fashion, the open circuit voltage of individual subcells is accessible, despite the fact that not all junctions are illuminated. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Random poly(3‐hexylthiophene‐co‐3‐cyanothiophene‐co‐3‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophene) copolymers with high open‐circuit voltage in polymer solar cells
Authors: Rudenko Andrey E. , Khlyabich Petr P. , Thompson Barry C.
Published: December 2015

For the purpose of developing poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) based copolymers with deep‐lying highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels for polymer solar cells with high open‐circuit voltage (Voc), we report a combined approach of random incorporation of 3‐cyanothiophene (CNT) and 3‐(2‐ethylhexyl)thiophene (EHT) units into the P3HT backbone. This strategy is designed to overcome CNT content limitations in recently reported P3HT‐CNT copolymers, where incorporation of more than 15% of CNT into the polymer backbone leads to impaired polymer solubility and raises the HOMO level. This new approach allows incorporation of a larger CNT content, reaching even lower‐lying HOMO levels. Importantly, a very low HOMO level of −5.78 eV was obtained, representing one of the lowest HOMO values for exclusively thiophene‐based polymers. Lower HOMO levels result in higher Voc and higher power conversion efficiencies (PCE) compared to the previously reported P3HT‐CNT copolymers containing only 3‐hexylthiophene and CNT units. As a result, solar cells based on P3HT‐CNT‐EHT(15:15), which contains 70% of P3HT, 15% of CNT and 15% of EHT, yield a Voc of 0.83 V in blends with PC61BM while preserving high fill factor (FF) and high short‐circuit current density (Jsc), resulting in 3.6% PCE. Additionally, we explored the effect of polymer number‐average molecular weight (Mn) on the optoelectronic properties and solar cell performance for the example of P3HT‐CNT‐EHT(15:15). The organic photovoltaic (OPV) performance improves with polymer Mn increasing from 3.4 to 6.7 to 9.6 kDa and then it declines as Mn further increases to 9.9 and to 16.2 kDa. The molecular weight study highlights the importance of not only the solar cell optimization, but also the significance of individual polymer properties optimization, in order to fully explore the potential of any given polymer in OPVs. The broader ramification of this study lies in potential application of these high band gap copolymers with low‐lying HOMO level in the development of ternary blend photovoltaics as well as tandem OPV. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1526–1536
Vinyl phenylboronic acid controlling co‐monomer for nitroxide mediated synthesis of thermoresponsive poly(2‐N morpholinoethyl methacrylate)
Authors: Savelyeva Xeniya , Chondon David , Marić Milan
Published: December 2015

Low concentrations of 4‐vinylphenylboronic acid (VPBA) were copolymerized with 2‐N‐morpholinoethyl methacrylate (MEMA) by nitroxide mediated polymerization using BlocBuilder™ unimolecular initiator at 80 to 90 °C. The MEMA/VPBA copolymerizations were performed at initial feed compositions (fVPBA,0) of 0.05 to 0.10 VPBA, with fVPBA,0 = 0.10 using dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solvent being most effective, as seen by a linear increase in number average molecular weight, Mn, versus conversion and low dispersity, Đ < 1.40. The copolymers were further chain‐extended with a second batch of VPBA, resulting in a block copolymer with monomodal molecular weight distribution and Đ = 1.66. For MEMA/VPBA copolymers, increases in VPBA composition and polymer solution concentration resulted in decreases in the cloud point temperature (CPT, typically varied between 27.4–37.8 °C) and CPT increased from 31.2 to 33.8 °C to about 88 °C with decreases in pH from 7 to 4. Rheological tests with small angle light scattering (SALS) confirmed CPTs measured by UV‐Vis and DLS. These copolymers were targeted as models to combine possible glucose‐sensing boronic acid functionality the thermoresponsiveness provided by MEMA groups. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1560–1572
Biodegradable Protein‐based Films and Their Properties: A Comparative Study
Authors: Kaewprachu Pimonpan , Osako Kazufumi , Benjakul Soottawat , Tongdeesoontorn Wirongrong , Rawdkuen Saroat
Published: December 2015

Biodegradable protein‐based films prepared from different protein sources [commercial bovine gelatine (CG), giant catfish skin gelatine (GG), soy protein isolates (SPI), fish myofibrillar protein (FMP) and whey protein concentrate (WPC)] were all investigated for their mechanical, physical, chemical, thermal and barrier properties. The properties of the resulting films were then compared with those of commercial wrap films [polyvinyl chloride (PVC)]. The film forming solution containing 7% (w/v) protein and 50% (w/w) glycerol was used to produce the films through a casting method. Of the protein‐based films, the GG film had the highest tensile strength and elongation, while the WPC film exhibited the lowest film solubility, water vapour permeability, light transmission in UV‐Vis range (200–800 nm) and film transparency. However, the colour of the FMP film and the thickness were closer to that of the PVC film, particularly the L* and b* values. The appearances of the protein‐based films were similar to the PVC film, and they were uniformly transparent. Therefore, biodegradable films produced from different types of protein sources exhibited differences in their properties. These results are consistent with data from FTIR and protein pattern analyses. Based on these findings, different sources of protein‐based films can be used as an alternative for food packaging applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phosphorsulfobromid
Authors: van Arkel A. E. , Lebbink F. J.
Published: December 2015

Bei Einwirkung von Brom auf ein Gemisch von Schwefel und Phosphor unter Schwefelkohlenstoff entsteht hauptsächlich die in der Überschrift genannte Verbindung PSBr3. Im Folgenden wird gezeigt, dass diese Verbindung in vielen Eigenschaften an Tetrabromkohlenstoff erinnert; wie letztere ist auch Phosphorsulfobromid eine Verbindung mit stark abgeschirmtem Zentralion. Sie bildet mit Wasser kein Hydrat: die Verbindungen PSBr3. H2O, PS2Br6, P2S3Br4, die in der älteren Literatur genannt werden, sind zu streichen.
Die Diffusion von Wasserstoff durch Eisen bei Zimmertemperatur
Authors: de Boer J. H. , Fast J. D.
Published: December 2015

When sheets of iron are brought into contact with aqueous solutions of definite pH‐values, a diffusion of hydrogen through the iron takes place in all cases where the liquid dissolves iron under development of hydrogen. No diffusion takes place if the pH‐value of the liquid is such, that there is no evolution of nascent hydrogen. This proves that atoms of hydrogen formed by the chemical reaction may enter the iron but that the hydrogen ions contained in the solutions are unable to do so.

In accordance with these results it was found that hydrogen atoms formed in hydrogen gas by means of an incandescent tungsten coil may enter readily into iron plates at room temperature. A vessel, having a wall of iron and filled with hydrogen can be evacuated in this way. As hydrogen can only diffuse through the iron from the side where atoms are produced, it accumulates on the other side of the iron wall and diffusion takes place against an atmosphere of hydrogen of any pressure.
Deux Sulfanilamidopyrimidines
Authors: Backer H. J. , Grevenstuk A. B.
Published: December 2015

Les auteurs ont préparé deux sulfanilamido‐uracils comme représentants des sulfanilamido‐pyrimidines.
Die Ramanspektren und die Molekülstrukturen des Selenoxychlorids und des Thionylchlorids
Authors: Gerding H. , Smit E. , Westrik R.
Published: December 2015

Das Ramanspektrum des flüssigen Selenoxychlorids wurde zum ersten Male bestimmt und der Polarisationszustand der Ramanlinien gemessen. Das Molekül besitzt die Formel O = SeCl2.

In Zusammenhang mit den bei dieser, im Blau ziemlich stark absorbierenden Substanz angetroffenen Schwierigkeiten, bezüglich der genauen Festlegung des Polarisationszustands von allen Ramanlinien, ist, lediglich auf Grund dieser Messungen, nicht mit Sicherkeit festzustellen, ob das Molekül eine ebene oder eine pyramidale Konfiguration besitzt. Ein Vergleich mit SOCl2 und andere Erwägungen führen aber dazu, der letztgenannten Konfiguration den Vorzug zu geben. Die Atome befinden sich dann in den Scheitelpunkten einer dreiseitigen unregelmässigen Pyramide.

Der Depolarisationsgrad der Ramanlinien des Thionylchlorids wurde nochmals bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse sind im Einklang mit dem schon von Cabannes und Rousset gezogenen Schluss, dass das Thionylchlorid eine unregelmässige Pyramide bildet, die nur noch eine Symmetrieebene besitzt.
On the behaviour of flames burning in gas‐air mixtures of varying gas concentrations
Authors: Jorissen W. P. , van Selms F. G.
Published: December 2015

The change is investigated which flames of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, acetylene and illuminating gas undergo in mixtures of those gases with air. The flames of hydrogen and carbon monoxide were also investigated in mixtures of air, hydrogen and carbon monoxide in which the concentrations of the two latter gases were in the ratios of 3:1, 1:1 and 1:3. Finally a flame of illuminating gas was investigated in mixtures of air and butane.
Interface excitation parameter from dielectric response theory
Authors: Vanbever Antoine , Pauly Nicolas , Dubus Alain
Published: December 2015

We define the interface excitation parameter (IEP) as the change in excitation probability, caused by the presence of a medium‐medium interface crossed by an electron, in comparison with an electron for which only bulk excitations are considered. This definition is established by analogy with the definition of the surface excitation parameter for which one of the two media of the interface is the vacuum and which has already been extensively studied. To calculate the IEP (as well as the energy‐differential IEP or DIEP), we generalize the model developed by Tung, Chen, Kwei and Chou [C. J. Tung, Y. F. Chen, C. M. Kwei and T. L. Chou, Phys. Rev. B 49 (1994) 16684] from dielectric response theory for surface excitation parameter determination. We perform these calculations for angles between 0o and 60o, for electron energies between 200 and 3000eV and for various combinations of materials, chosen for their academic (as Al/In) or practical interest (as SiO2/Si for instance). We show that for materials with “similar” dielectric properties (metal/metal), the IEP is completely negligible. On the contrary when the materials of the interface are characterized by a large energy band gap difference, as metal/insulator or semiconductor/insulator, the IEP can reach a value of about 0.26 for the smallest electron energies considered here. Moreover, we show that for the SiO2/Si interface, the energy‐differential IEP obtained from our model is in good agreement with previous experimental data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of skin‐core joints in aluminium foam sandwich panels by EDS and XPS
Authors: Lapi G. , Montanari R. , Tata M. E. , Barbieri G. , Balijepalli S. K. , Kaciulis S.
Published: December 2015

Al foams are used to produce aluminium foam sandwiches (AFS) panels or other mechanical parts of complex shape, which are of great interest for many industrial applications. AFS panels with a core made of AlSi10 foam and the skins of AISI 316 steel have been prepared by in situ bonding process. To optimise the process conditions, a first set of experiments has been carried out to realise samples of reduced lab scale (20 × 20 mm2), then the AFS panels of pre‐industrial size (100 × 100 mm2) have been produced. The steel‐foam joints were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The performed examinations showed that the interface formed during the foaming was characterised by a good inter‐diffusion of alloying elements, testifying the excellent quality of metallurgical joints. Furthermore, the pre‐industrial panels exhibited the same characteristics of lab samples; therefore, it can be concluded that the scale‐up process has been implemented successfully. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple imputation for IPD meta‐analysis: allowing for heterogeneity and studies with missing covariates
Authors: Quartagno M. , Carpenter J. R.
Published: December 2015

Recently, multiple imputation has been proposed as a tool for individual patient data meta‐analysis with sporadically missing observations, and it has been suggested that within‐study imputation is usually preferable. However, such within study imputation cannot handle variables that are completely missing within studies. Further, if some of the contributing studies are relatively small, it may be appropriate to share information across studies when imputing. In this paper, we develop and evaluate a joint modelling approach to multiple imputation of individual patient data in meta‐analysis, with an across‐study probability distribution for the study specific covariance matrices. This retains the flexibility to allow for between‐study heterogeneity when imputing while allowing (i) sharing information on the covariance matrix across studies when this is appropriate, and (ii) imputing variables that are wholly missing from studies. Simulation results show both equivalent performance to the within‐study imputation approach where this is valid, and good results in more general, practically relevant, scenarios with studies of very different sizes, non‐negligible between‐study heterogeneity and wholly missing variables. We illustrate our approach using data from an individual patient data meta‐analysis of hypertension trials. © 2015 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The ‘Aha!’ moment in Bloom's Taxonomy
Authors: Rainsberger Richard
Published: December 2015

“Aha!” moments occur all the time. You've probably experienced a few of these. The “Aha!” moment happens when something that you haven't understood in the past all of a sudden has an answer. The light turns on. You understand something you hadn't understood before. It happened to my daughter when she had to learn the multiplication tables in grade school. We worked every night on them. She was frustrated. I was too. I tried everything, including incentives (Reese's Pieces). Nothing worked. Months went by … no changes. Then, all of a sudden in one night, she got it!! I don't have the foggiest idea to this day what changed. All of a sudden, she understood. Then, we began working on word problems.
Die Ermittelung des Basizitätsverhältnisses von Samarium und Gadolinium durch quantitative Röntgenanalysen
Authors: Günther Paul , Kotowski Alfons , Lehl Herbert
Published: December 2015

Im Gebiete der Seltenen Erden (von der Ordnungszahl 57–64) sind quantitative röntgenanalytische Bestimmungen durch Vergleichung der wahren Intensität der Lα1‐Linien gelegentlich mit großer Genauigkeit, in vielen Fällen aber ohne große Febler ausführbar, wenn die Atomkonzentrationen den Linienintensitäten proportional gesetzt werden. Die wahren Linienintensitäten müssen aus den beobachteten photographischen Schwärzungen berechnet werden. Besonders genau analysierbar sind Gemische von Praseodym und Neodym, während besonders ungunstig die Analysenergebnisse bei cerhaltigen Gemischen ausfallen.
Strukturelle Hirnfehlbildungen mit Mikrozephalie
Authors: Herbst Saskia M. , Schuierer Gerhard , Hehr Ute
Published: December 2015

Hirnfehlbildungen sind ein häufiger Befund bei Mikrozephalien, ihr Nachweis erhöht die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer genetisch bedingten Grunderkrankung. Werden weitere Zusatzsymptome wie Entwicklungsverzögerung oder Epilepsie beobachtet, sollte frühzeitig eine zerebrale Bildgebung möglichst mittels MRT und neuroradiologischer Beurteilung veranlasst werden. Insbesondere Hinweise auf eine Holoprosenzephalie oder neuronale Migrationsstörungen können die Einleitung zielführender genetischer Untersuchungen bahnen. In diesem Artikel sollen für häufigere Formen syndromaler und nicht-syndromaler Mikrozephalien mit wichtigen neuroradiologischen Leitbefunden wie periventrikulären Heterotopien, Lissenzephalie, Double Cortex, Holoprosenzephalie, pontozerebelläre Hypoplasien und Agenesie oder Hypoplasie des Corpus callosum differenzialdiagnostische Überlegungen und diagnostische Algorithmen vorgestellt werden.
Clinical relevance of circulating KRAS mutated DNA in plasma from patients with advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Tjensvoll Kjersti , Lapin Morten , Buhl Tove , Oltedal Satu , Steen-Ottosen Berry Katrine , Gilje Bjørnar , Søreide Jon Arne , Javle Millind , Nordgård Oddmund , Smaaland Rune
Published: December 2015

We used KRAS mutations to investigate the clinical relevance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) measurements in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Fifty‐three blood samples were collected from 14 prospectively recruited patients prior to chemotherapy (gemcitabine or FOLFIRINOX) and subsequently every month during treatment. Samples were processed by density centrifugation and plasma DNA isolation. A Peptide–nucleic acid–clamp PCR was then used to detect KRAS mutations (present in >90% of pancreatic cancers) as a surrogate marker for ctDNA. Plasma samples from 29 healthy individuals were analyzed as a reference group. Results were compared to conventional monitoring measures and survival data. Median follow‐up time was 3.7 months (range 0.6–12.9 months).

Ten (71%) patients had a positive KRAS status in the plasma samples obtained prior to chemotherapy, indicating the presence of ctDNA. Among the patients who were ctDNA‐positive before chemotherapy, nine (90%) experienced disease progression during follow‐up, compared to one (25%) of four ctDNA‐negative patients (P = 0.01). The pre‐therapy ctDNA level was a statistically significant predictor of both progression‐free and overall survival (P = 0.014 and 0.010, respectively). Of the 14 patients, ten had ≥2 follow‐up samples; in several of these patients, the ctDNA level changed substantially during the course of chemotherapy. Changes in ctDNA levels corresponded both with radiological follow‐up data and CA19‐9 levels for several patients.

This pilot study supports the hypothesis that ctDNA may be used as a marker for monitoring treatment efficacy and disease progression in pancreatic cancer patients. Recruitment of more patients is ongoing to corroborate these findings.
Modality and Propositional Attitudes
Authors: Hegarty Michael
Published: December 2015

This book shows that the semantic analysis of modal notions of possibility and necessity can be used to enhance our understanding of the interpretation of reports of belief or emotional state. It introduces intuitive notation and terminology to express ideas in modern theories of modal interpretation that are normally represented in complex logical formulas, effectively updates the 1960s-era link between possible worlds and the semantics of propositional attitude ascriptions, and reconciles two disparate views of the role of events in semantic interpretation, that of Donald Davidson and that of David Lewis. It reduces a host of variable behaviors of propositional attitude ascription to an intuitive and precise distinction between ascriptions that merely express a commitment to propositional content versus ones that attribute a mental state to the holder of the propositional attitude. This leads to an explanation of the nature and effects of the language disorder of fluent aphasia.
Which Irish men and women immigrated to the United States during the Great Famine migration of 1846–54?
Authors: Anbinder Tyler , McCaffrey Hope
Published: December 2015

Despite the extensive scholarly literature on both the Great Famine in Ireland and the Famine immigration to the United States, little is known about precisely which Irish men and women emigrated from Ireland in the Famine era. This article makes use of a new dataset comprised of 18,000 Famine-era emigrants (2 per cent of the total) who landed at the port of New York from 1846 to 1854 and whose ship manifests list their Irish county of origin. The data is used to estimate the number of emigrants from each county in Ireland who arrived in New York during the Famine era. Because three-quarters of all Irish immigrants intending to settle in the United States took ships to New York, this dataset provides the best means available for estimating the origins of the United States’s Famine immigrants. The authors find that while the largest number of Irish immigrants came from some of Ireland’s most populous counties, such as Cork, Galway, and Tipperary, surprisingly large numbers also originated in Counties Cavan, Meath, Dublin, and Queen’s County, places not usually associated with the highest levels of emigration. The data also indicates that the overall level of emigration in the Famine years was significantly higher than scholars have previously understood.
An act ‘soe fowle and grievous’:1 contextualizing rape in the 1641 rebellion2
Authors: Robinson Morgan T. P.
Published: December 2015

This study aims to critically re-evaluate existing explanations for the scale and significance of rape during the 1641 Rebellion in Ireland, using a contextual analysis of the legal testimonies of English Protestant settlers, known collectively as the ‘1641 Depositions’, analysing as far as possible the veracity of reports of rape, the circumstances in which rape occurred, and the identities of - and relationships between - victims and perpetrators. This study considers how women reported rape, comparing the Depositions to similar processes of legal testimony in early modern England. Rape perpetrated by combatants in contemporaneous conflicts is also considered, and the existence of - and adherence to - ad hoc codes of military conduct in Irish rebel ranks is investigated. Most reports of rape during the Rebellion appear highly credible, and almost all perpetrators were known to their victims as members of the same communities. There is a multiplicity of possible motivations for these crimes, with no clear pattern other than opportunism within situations where standards of ethical and military conduct were collectively ignored by rebel soldiers.
Market formation as transitive closure: The evolving pattern of trade in music
Authors: SHORE JESSE C.
Published: December 2015

Where do new markets come from? I construct a network model in which national markets are nodes and flows of recorded music between them are links and conduct a longitudinal analysis of the global pattern of trade in the period 1976–2010. I hypothesize that new export markets are developed through a process of transitive closure in the network of international trade. When two countries' markets experience the same social influences, it brings them close enough together for new homophilous ties to be formed. The implication is that consumption of foreign products helps, not hurts, home-market producers develop overseas markets, but only in those countries that have a history of consuming the same foreign products that were consumed in the home market. Selling in a market changes what is valued in that market, and new market formation is a consequence of having social influences in common.
Exhibition: The View from here: 'The photographic world of Alfred Elliott 1890–1940', Museum of Brisbane, 13 February to 30 August 2015
Authors: Manning Phillip
Published: December 2015

The View from here: The photographic world of Alfred Elliott 1890–1940, Museum of Brisbane, 13 February to 30 August 2015
II. The Low Countries
Authors: Griffiths Gordon
Published: December 2015

The contest between monarchy and representative institutions had a unique outcome in the Netherlands in the sixteenth century as a result of several factors. The most obvious of these is the fact that their rulers had inherited a royal title in Castile and Aragon. The financial and administrative institutions of the modern state which the monarchs attempted to introduce into their possessions in the Low Countries were therefore bound to be regarded as foreign importations. They conflicted with the representative institutions which had grown up in the Netherlands as elsewhere in Europe during the Middle Ages. The chief of these, the Estates-General, continued to flourish in the Low Countries long after they had entered upon hopeless decline in France and Spain. Moreover, the wealth of the Low Countries, industrially, commercially, and financially the most advanced region of sixteenth-century Europe, made them an attractive target for the Hapsburg bureaucracy, harried as it was by the gargantuan task of financing the wars of Charles V and Philip II.
Acerca De La Vigencia De La Argentina Agropecuaria. Estado Y Credito Al Agro Durante La Gestion Peronista (1946-1955)
Authors: Girbal-Blacha Noemi M.
Published: December 2015

“En la NUEVA ARGENTINA, el pueblo gozará ampliamente del CREDITO para su beneficio. Los hombres de campo podrán adquirir con él su parcela, su casa y las maquinarias que requiera su labor.”(2do. Plan Quinquenal al alcance de los niños, para 5to. y 6to. grados, 1953, p. 44)

La Argentina de los años 1940:

“Es necesario que el país conozca francamente los serios extremos a que se aproxima su situatinón económica. […] Grandes excedentes de productos invendibles significan intenso malestar en la campaña, crisis industrial, desocupación y zozobra en las ciudades, postración general en todas las actividades del país, con repercusiones sociales de imprevisible alcance.” Así presenta, en 1940, ante el Senado Nacional su plan de reactivación económica el Ministro de Hacienda Federico Pinedo, en un intento por formular una propuesta que se anticipe a los efectos del fin de la Segunda Guerra Mundial. El proyecto se esfuerza por conciliar industrialización y economía abierta, fomentando el comercio con los Estados Unidos mientras procura crear un mercado de capitales e implementa el subsidio a la producción agraria, a la que sigue considerando como “la gran rueda de la economía” argentina.
Mexico, Gilberto Bosques and the Refugees
Authors: Katz Friedrich
Published: December 2015

In the eyes of many North Americans, Mexico is above all a country of immigration from which hundreds of thousands hope to pass across the border to find the promised land in the United States. What these North Americans do not realize is that for thousands of Latin Americans and for many U.S. intellectuals, Mexico after the revolution of 1910-1920 constituted the promised land. People persecuted for their political or religious beliefs—radicals, revolutionaries but liberals as well—could find refuge in Mexico when repressive regimes took over their country.

In the 1920s such radical leaders as Víctor Raúl Haya De La Torre, César Augusto Sandino and Julio Antonio Mella found refuge in Mexico. This policy continued for many years even after the Mexican government turned to the right. Thousands of refugees from Latin American military dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay fled to Mexico. The history of that policy of the Mexican government has not yet been written.
The International Colloquium on Luso-Brazilian Studies
Authors: Hanke Lewis
Published: December 2015

The Library of Congress commemorates this year the 150th anniversary of its establishment by act of the Congress of the United States, and to celebrate this important event in its history has decided to sponsor, with the cooperation of the Institute of Brazilian Studies of Vanderbilt University, an International Colloquium on Luso-Brazilian Studies. This meeting is designed to bring together in Washington, October 18–21, distinguished specialists in various aspects of Luso-Brazilian culture, not only from Brazil, Portugal and the United States, but also from other countries.
Francisco Monterde (1894-–)
Authors: Zelson Louis G.
Published: December 2015

Though born into a distinguished family in the Mexican capital, in 1894, Francisco Monterde Garcia Icazbalceta did not find his road to success easy, smooth or direct. At fourteen he had to face the struggles of life alone, having lost his father when he was eight, and his mother only six years later. So precarious was his lot that for a time it seemed as if his education would have to be interrupted. With the encouragement of friends, however, he was able to complete his secondary education at the Escuela Nacional “Fray Francisco Aparicio” (1907), and a regular academic course at the Escuela Nacional Preparatoria (1909). With limited resources, and lacking parental support and guidance, young Monterde could not decide at once upon his life’s work. His aims and ambitions at that time were not quite clear even to himself, and his prospects and possibilities were also uncertain. His course was destined to be circuitous: he had to pursue his studies as best he could and as opportunities presented themselves. He took up the study of commerce and finance at the Escuela Nacional de Comercio “Doctor Mora,” graduating in 1912, and then embarked upon the study of dentistry, which he completed at the University of Mexico in 1916.