bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting anti-apoptotic Bcl2 proteins with scyllatoxin-based BH3 domain mimetics
Authors: Harris M. Margaret , Coon Zachary , Alqaeisoom Najah , Swords Brian , Holub Justin M.
Published: November 2015

Scyllatoxin-based BH3 domain mimetics selectively target anti-apoptotic Bcl2 proteins with nanomolar affinity, requiring an induced-fit binding mechanism for favorable interaction.
A protocol for amide bond formation with electron deficient amines and sterically hindered substrates
Authors: Due-Hansen Maria E. , Pandey Sunil K. , Christiansen Elisabeth , Andersen Rikke , Hansen Steffen V. F. , Ulven Trond
Published: November 2015

A protocol for amide coupling by in situ formation of acyl fluorides and reaction with amines at elevated temperature has been developed and found to be efficient for coupling of sterically hindered substrates and electron deficient amines where standard methods failed.
Determination of rate constants for trifluoromethyl radical addition to various alkenes via a practical method
Authors: Hartmann M. , Li Y. , Studer A.
Published: November 2015

A simple method for the determination of CF3-radical addition rate constants to various π-acceptors is introduced.
NiO hierarchical hollow nanofibers as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Zhang Min , Li Qi , Fang Dong , Ayhan Ismail Alperen , Zhou Yue , Dong Lijie , Xiong Chuanxi , Wang Qing
Published: November 2015

NiO hierarchical hollow nanofibers (hhNFs) consisting of nanosized NiO particles have been synthesized with electrospun poly(amic acid) nanofiber templates through a simple ion-exchange process and subsequent thermal annealing.
Performance of novel a Ag-n-TiO2/PVC reinforced hollow fiber membrane applied in water purification: in situ antibacterial properties and resistance to biofouling
Authors: Yu Zhenjiang , Zhao Yuanyuan , Gao Bing , Liu Xuyang , Jia Liming , Zhao Fangbo , Ma Jun
Published: November 2015

To improve the anti-biofouling properties of membranes, Ag-embedded nano-sized titanium dioxide (Ag-n-TiO2) particles were utilized as biocidal agents to modify polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes.
Photochemistry of methyl hypobromite (CH3OBr): excited states and photoabsorption spectrum
Authors: Stojanović Ljiljana , Rodrigues Gessenildo Pereira , Aziz Saadullah G. , Hilal Rifaat H. , Barbatti Mario
Published: November 2015

From photoabsorption to photodissociation, from MRCI to TDDFT; a comprehensive benchmark on the photochemistry of methyl hypobromite (CH3OBr) is provided.
Living radical polymerization of vinyl acetate mediated by iron(iii) acetylacetonate in the presence of a reducing agent
Authors: Wang Jirong , Zhou Jun , Sharif Hussameddin S. E. M. , He Dan , Ye Yun Sheng , Xue Zhigang , Xie Xiaolin
Published: November 2015

The Fe(acac)3-mediated OMRPs of VAc in the presence of a reducing agent were reported.
A self-assembled Si/SWNT 3D-composite-nanonetwork as a high-performance lithium ion battery anode
Authors: Guan Xiurong , Wang Lina , Yu Jia , Li Yuchao , Chen Shimou , Zhang Suojiang
Published: November 2015

A Si/SWNT 3D-composite-nanonetwork integrated anode for high-performance lithium storage, through a combined process of electrostatic induced self-assembly and film transfer.
A stable 3D porous coordination polymer as multi-chemosensor to Cr(iv) anion and Fe(iii) cation and its selective adsorption of malachite green oxalate dye
Authors: Huang Wen-Huan , Li Jia-Zhi , Liu Tong , Gao Lu-Sha , Jiang Min , Zhang Ya-Nan , Wang Yao-Yu
Published: November 2015

A 3D porous coordination polymer was synthesized by three solvent-thermal methods. The sensing and titration experiments show that it can detect Fe(iii) cation and Cr(vi) anions (Cr2O72− or CrO42−). Besides, it can selectively adsorb the malachite green oxalate dye.
Chiral electrochemical recognition of tryptophan enantiomers at a multi-walled carbon nanotube–chitosan composite modified glassy carbon electrode
Authors: Yu Lin-Yan , Liu Qi , Wu Xiong-Wei , Jiang Xin-Yu , Yu Jin-Gang , Chen Xiao-Qing
Published: November 2015

A multi-walled carbon nanotube–chitosan composite modified glassy carbon electrode (MWCNT–CS/GCE) was developed for the chiral recognition of tryptophan (Trp) enantiomers.
A facile one-step route for production of CuO, NiO, and CuO–NiO nanoparticles and comparison of their catalytic activity for ammonium perchlorate decomposition
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Ghorban , Abazari Reza
Published: November 2015

This study demonstrates a straightforward, inexpensive, high-yield, and ecofriendly route for synthesis of sphere-like CuO, NiO, and CuO–NiO (with different molar ratios) nanoparticles (NPs) through emulsion route.
Synthesis of polypyrrole nanoparticles for constructing full-polymer UV/NIR-shielding film
Authors: Chen Xiaoliang , Yu Nuo , Zhang Lisha , Liu Zixiao , Wang Zhaojie , Chen Zhigang
Published: November 2015

Polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles with diameter of ∼50 nm are synthesized, and the corresponding flexible PPy–polyacrylic acid (PAA) full-polymer films can transmit visible light but efficiently block UV/NIR light.
Modelling the chemical repair of protein carbon-centered radicals formed via oxidative damage with dihydrolipoic acid
Authors: Castañeda-Arriaga Romina , Mora-Diez Nelaine , Alvarez-Idaboy J. Raul
Published: November 2015

Dihydrolipoic acid repairs carbon-centred radicals at diffusion-controlled ratesviaHAT mechanism.
On the origin of the oxidizing ability of ceria nanoparticles
Authors: Ni Pan , Wei Xiaoshu , Guo Jin , Ye Xiaorui , Yang Sen
Published: November 2015

The strong oxidizing ability of nanoceria was verified, and a reasonable origin was hypothesized.
Enhanced crystallization rate of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-ethylene succinate) by poly(butylene fumarate) as an efficient polymeric nucleating agent
Authors: Meng Fan , Qiu Zhaobin
Published: November 2015

PBF may significantly enhance the nonisothermal melt crystallization behavior of biodegradable PBES by acting as an efficient polymeric nucleating agent.
Surface characterisation of phosphine and phosphite stabilised Rh nanoparticles: a model study
Authors: Castelbou Jessica Llop , Blondeau Pascal , Claver Carmen , Godard Cyril
Published: November 2015

The surface characterisation of Rh nanoparticles stabilized by triphenylphosphine and triphenylphosphite shows differences that were correlated with distinct selectivities in catalytic styrene hydrogenation.
Elucidation of ultraviolet radiation-induced cell responses and intracellular biomolecular dynamics in mammalian cells using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Panikkanvalappil Sajanlal R. , Hira Steven M. , El-Sayed Mostafa A.
Published: November 2015

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been used to elucidate biomolecular dynamics on the response of mammalian cells towards UV light irradiation.
Interaction of partially denatured insulin with a DSPC floating lipid bilayer
Authors: Dennison A. J. C. , Jones R. A. L. , Staniforth R. A. , Parnell A. J.
Published: November 2015

Using neutron reflectivity we measure partitioning of destabilised insulin to the membrane interior. These perforation events will adversely affect the cell membrane permeability, which is key to life.
Remarkable capacitive behavior of a Co3O4–polyindole composite as electrode material for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Raj R. Pavul , Ragupathy P. , Mohan S.
Published: November 2015

A single step synthesized Co3O4–polyindole composite electrode exhibits high specific capacitance, rate performance and cyclability. This enhanced electrochemical supercapacitive behavior is mainly attributed to the synergistic effect between Co3O4and polyindole.
Pore surface engineering in porous, chemically stable covalent organic frameworks for water adsorption
Authors: Biswal Bishnu P. , Kandambeth Sharath , Chandra Suman , Shinde Digambar Balaji , Bera Saibal , Karak Suvendu , Garai Bikash , Kharul Ulhas K. , Banerjee Rahul
Published: November 2015

In this investigation, we have explored the possibility of a class of chemically stable covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as water adsorbing materials through pore surface engineering.
An integrin-targeting nanosystem as a carrier of the selenadiazole derivative to induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in bladder cancer cells, from rational design to action mechanisms
Authors: Wang Yifan , Li Wenying , Yang Yahui , Zeng Qinsong , Wong Ka-Hing , Li Xiaoling , Chen Tianfeng
Published: November 2015

Herein an integrin-targeting nanosystem is rationally designed and used as a carrier of a selenadiazole derivative to induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in bladder cancer cells.
Solution-processable, star-shaped bipolar tetraphenylethene derivatives for the fabrication of efficient nondoped OLEDs
Authors: Chen Long , Zhang Chongyang , Lin Gengwei , Nie Han , Luo Wenwen , Zhuang Zeyan , Ding Siyang , Hu Rongrong , Su Shi-Jian , Huang Fei , Qin Anjun , Zhao Zujin , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: November 2015

Star-shaped tetraphenylethene derivatives containing electron-donor and acceptor groups are synthesized and utilized in solution-processed nondoped OLEDs.
The Influence of Phonotactic Probability on Nonword Repetition and Fast Mapping in 3-Year-Olds With a History of Expressive Language Delay
Authors: MacRoy-Higgins Michelle , Dalton Kevin Patrick
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of phonotactic probability on sublexical (phonological) and lexical representations in 3-year-olds who had a history of being late talkers in comparison with their peers with typical language development.

Method

Ten 3-year-olds who were late talkers and 10 age-matched typically developing controls completed nonword repetition and fast mapping tasks; stimuli for both experimental procedures differed in phonotactic probability.

Results

Both participant groups repeated nonwords containing high phonotactic probability sequences more accurately than nonwords containing low phonotactic probability sequences. Participants with typical language showed an early advantage for fast mapping high phonotactic probability words; children who were late talkers required more exposures to the novel words to show the same advantage for fast mapping high phonotactic probability words.

Conclusions

Children who were late talkers showed similar sensitivities to phonotactic probability in nonword repetition and word learning when compared with their peers with no history of language delay. However, word learning in children who were late talkers appeared to be slower when compared with their peers.
The Effects of Age and Preoral Sensorimotor Cues on Anticipatory Mouth Movement During Swallowing
Authors: Shune Samantha E. , Moon Jerald B. , Goodman Shawn S.
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of preoral sensorimotor cues on anticipatory swallowing/eating-related mouth movements in older and younger adults. It was hypothesized that these cues are essential to timing anticipatory oral motor patterns, and these movements are delayed in older as compared with younger adults.

Method

Using a 2 × 2 repeated-measures design, eating-related lip, jaw, and hand movements were recorded from 24 healthy older (ages 70–85 years) and 24 healthy younger (ages 18–30 years) adults under 4 conditions: typical self-feeding, typical assisted feeding (proprioceptive loss), sensory-loss self-feeding (auditory and visual loss/degradation), and sensory-loss assisted feeding (loss/degradation of all cues).

Results

All participants demonstrated anticipatory mouth opening. The absence of proprioception delayed lip-lowering onset, and sensory loss more negatively affected offset. Given at least 1 preoral sensorimotor cue, older adults initiated movement earlier than younger adults.

Conclusions

Preoral sensorimotor information influences anticipatory swallowing/eating-related mouth movements, highlighting the importance of these cues. Earlier movement in older adults may be a compensation, facilitating safe swallowing given other age-related declines. Further research is needed to determine if the negative impact of cue removal may be further exacerbated in a nonhealthy system (e.g., presence of dysphagia or disease), potentially increasing swallowing- and eating-related risks.
Performance analysis of coordinated multipoint joint transmission in ultra‐dense networks with limited backhaul capacity
Authors: Liu Mengting , Teng Yinglei , Song Mei
Published: November 2015

Considering coordinated multipoint joint transmission in a user‐centric fashion in an ultra‐dense network, performance analysis is conducted from a network perspective with respect to the user's performance gain and the access point's (AP's) backhaul burden. First, the ergodic capacity (EC) of a typical user is characterised. Secondly, per‐AP backhaul consumption is explicitly quantified and the successful serving probability of a typical AP is proposed to capture its robustness to limited backhaul capacity. Finally, effective EC to weigh performance gain and backhaul consumption simultaneously is propounded. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed metrics and reinforce that a comparatively small size is preferable in practice.
Isotopic Soret effect in ternary mixtures: Theoretical predictions and molecular simulations
Authors: Artola Pierre-Arnaud , Rousseau Bernard
Published: November 2015

In this paper, we study the Soret effect in ternary fluid mixtures of isotopic argon like atoms. Soret coefficients have been computed using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics and a theoretical approach based on our extended Prigogine model (with mass effect) and generalized to mixtures with any number of components. As is well known for binary mixture studies, the heaviest component always accumulates on the cold side whereas the lightest species accumulate on the hot side. An interesting behavior is observed for the species with the intermediate mass: it can accumulate on both sides, depending on composition and mass ratios. A simple picture can be given to understand this change of sign: the intermediate mass species can be seen as evolving in an equivalent fluid whose species mass varies with composition. An excellent prediction of all simulated data has been obtained using our model including the change of sign of the Soret coefficient for species with intermediate mass.
Collection-efficient, axisymmetric vacuum sublimation module for the purification of solid materials
Authors: May Michael , Paul Elizabeth , Katovic Vladimir
Published: November 2015

A vacuum sublimation module of axisymmetric geometry was developed and employed to purify solid-phase materials. The module provides certain practical advantages and it comprises: a metering valve, glass collector, glass lower body, main seal, threaded bushing, and glass internal cartridge (the latter to contain starting material). A complementary process was developed to de-solvate, sublime, weigh, and collect solid chemical materials exemplified by oxalic acid, ferrocene, pentachlorobenzene, chrysene, and urea. The oxalic acid sublimate was analyzed by titration, melting range, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and its (aqueous phase) electrolytically generated gas. The analytical data were consistent with a high-purity, anhydrous oxalic acid sublimate. Cyclic voltammograms of 0.11 mol. % oxalic acid in water displayed a 2.1 V window on glassy carbon electrode beyond which electrolytic decomposition occurs. During module testing, fifteen relatively pure materials were sublimed with (energy efficient) passive cooling and the solid-phase recovery averaged 95 mass %. Key module design features include: compact vertical geometry, low-angle conical collector, uniformly compressed main seal, modest power consumption, transparency, glovebox compatibility, cooling options, and preferential conductive heat transfer. To help evaluate the structural (module) heat transfer, vertical temperature profiles along the dynamically evacuated lower body were measured versus electric heater power: for example, an input of 18.6 W generated a temperature 443-K at the bottom. Experimental results and engineering calculations indicate that during sublimation, solid conduction is the primary mode of heat transfer to the starting material.
Dust kinetic Alfvén solitary and rogue waves in a superthermal dusty plasma
Authors: Saini N. S. , Singh Manpreet , Bains A. S.
Published: November 2015

Dust kinetic Alfvén solitary waves (DKASWs) have been examined in a low-β dusty plasma comprising of negatively charged dust grains, superthermal electrons, and ions. A nonlinear Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation has been derived using the reductive perturbation method. The combined effects of superthermality of charged particles (via κ), plasma β, obliqueness of propagation (θ), and dust concentration (via f) on the shape and size of the DKASWs have been examined. Only negative potential (rarefactive) structures are observed. Further, characteristics of dust kinetic Alfvén rogue waves (DKARWs), by deriving the non-linear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) from the KdV equation, are studied. Rational solutions of NLSE show that rogue wave envelopes are supported by this plasma model. It is observed that the influence of various plasma parameters (superthermality, plasma β, obliqueness, and dust concentration) on the characteristics of the DKARWs is very significant. This fundamental study may be helpful in understanding the formation of coherent nonlinear structures in space and astrophysical plasma environments where superthermal particles are present.
Morphology of a columnar stack of coronene molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube
Authors: Sakane Y. , Mouri K. , Shintani K.
Published: November 2015

The morphology of stacked coronene molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is investigated using atomistic simulation. First, the minimum energy configuration of coronene molecules in a SWCNT is sought by means of conjugate gradient (CG) minimization. Secondly, encapsulation of coronene molecules into a SWCNT existing in a coronene atmosphere is simulated by means of molecular dynamics (MD). In both of the simulations, the diameter of the SWCNT ranges from 1.35 to 1.69 nm, and the final configurations of coronene molecules within a SWCNT are examined. In a thin SWCNT, coronene molecules tilt against the radial direction of the SWCNT and slide relative to each other, whereas in a thick SWCNT, they do not tilt but rotate relative to each other. In a SWCNT of the intermediate diameter, they tilt, slide, and rotate. For the SWCNT diameter less than or equal to 1.52 nm, the mean tilt angle of the stacked coronene molecules almost linearly decreases with increasing the diameter, whereas for the diameter above 1.52 nm, it is approximately 0∘. To check the validity of the results, the MD simulations are performed changing the density of the coronene atmosphere and the length of the SWCNT; the results prove to be valid. Finally, the effects of temperature on the mean tilt angle and mean intermolecular distance of stacked coronene molecules are examined by a rather simplified simulation, which shows that both of them increase with increasing temperature.
Quantitative nature of overexpression experiments
Authors: Moriya Hisao
Published: November 2015

Overexpression experiments are sometimes considered as qualitative experiments designed to identify novel proteins and study their function. However, in order to draw conclusions regarding protein overexpression through association analyses using large-scale biological data sets, we need to recognize the quantitative nature of overexpression experiments. Here I discuss the quantitative features of two different types of overexpression experiment: absolute and relative. I also introduce the four primary mechanisms involved in growth defects caused by protein overexpression: resource overload, stoichiometric imbalance, promiscuous interactions, and pathway modulation associated with the degree of overexpression.
ChromoShake: a chromosome dynamics simulator reveals that chromatin loops stiffen centromeric chromatin
Authors: Lawrimore Josh , Aicher Joseph K. , Hahn Patrick , Fulp Alyona , Kompa Ben , Vicci Leandra , Falvo Michael , Taylor Russell M. , Bloom Kerry
Published: November 2015

ChromoShake is a three-dimensional simulator designed to find the thermodynamically favored states for given chromosome geometries. The simulator has been applied to a geometric model based on experimentally determined positions and fluctuations of DNA and the distribution of cohesin and condensin in the budding yeast centromere. Simulations of chromatin in differing initial configurations reveal novel principles for understanding the structure and function of a eukaryotic centromere. The entropic position of DNA loops mirrors their experimental position, consistent with their radial displacement from the spindle axis. The barrel-like distribution of cohesin complexes surrounding the central spindle in metaphase is a consequence of the size of the DNA loops within the pericentromere to which cohesin is bound. Linkage between DNA loops of different centromeres is requisite to recapitulate experimentally determined correlations in DNA motion. The consequences of radial loops and cohesin and condensin binding are to stiffen the DNA along the spindle axis, imparting an active function to the centromere in mitosis.
Breastfed Infants Exposed to Combined Antipsychotics: Two Case Reports
Authors: Uguz Faruk
Published: November 2015

Manic episodes of bipolar disorder and psychotic exacerbations of schizophrenia, for which the antipsychotic drugs are most commonly prescribed, are frequently seen in the postpartum period. Despite the existence of single use of antipsychotics, data on safety of combined antipsychotics on the breastfed infants are limited. This report presents the clinical outcome of 2 infants exposed to combined antipsychotic during the lactation period.
Evaluating disease similarity using latent Dirichlet allocation
Authors: Frick James , Guha Rajarshi , Peryea Tyler , Southall Noel T.
Published: November 2015

Measures of similarity between diseases have been used for applications from discovering drug-target interactions to identifying disease-gene relationships. It is challenging to quantitatively compare diseases because much of what we know about them is captured in free text descriptions. Here we present an application of Latent Dirichlet Allocation as a way to measure similarity between diseases using textual descriptions. We learn latent topic representations of text from Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man records and use them to compute similarity. We assess the performance of this approach by comparing our results to manually curated relationships from the Disease Ontology. Despite being unsupervised, our model recovers a record’s curated Disease Ontology relations with a mean Receiver Operating Characteristic Area Under the Curve of 0.80. With low dimensional models, topics tend to represent higher level information about affected organ systems, while higher dimensional models capture more granular genetic and phenotypic information. We examine topic representations of diseases for mapping concepts between ontologies and for tagging existing text with concepts. We conclude topic modeling on disease text leads to a robust approach to computing similarity that does not depend on keywords or ontology.
Common and phylogenetically widespread coding for peptides by bacterial small RNAs
Authors: Friedman Robin C , Kalkhof Stefan , Doppelt-Azeroual Olivia , Mueller Stephan , Chovancova Martina , von Bergen Martin , Schwikowski Benno
Published: November 2015

While eukaryotic noncoding RNAs have recently received intense scrutiny, it is becoming clear that bacterial transcription is at least as pervasive. Bacterial small RNAs and antisense RNAs (sRNAs) are often assumed to be noncoding, due to their lack of long open reading frames (ORFs). However, there are numerous examples of sRNAs encoding for small proteins, whether or not they also have a regulatory role at the RNA level. Here, we apply flexible machine learning techniques based on sequence features and comparative genomics to quantify the prevalence of sRNA ORFs under natural selection to maintain protein-coding function in phylogenetically diverse bacteria. A majority of annotated sRNAs have at least one ORF between 10 and 50 amino acids long, and we conservatively predict that 188 ± 25.5 unannotated sRNA ORFs are under selection to maintain coding, an average of 13 per species considered here. This implies that overall at least 7.5 ± 0.3% of sRNAs have a coding ORF, and in some species at least 20% do. 84 ± 9.8 of these novel coding ORFs have some antisense overlap to annotated ORFs. As experimental validation, many of our predictions are translated according to ribosome profiling data and are identified via mass spectrometry shotgun proteomics. B. subtilis sRNAs with coding ORFs are enriched for high expression in biofilms and confluent growth, and two S. pneumoniae sRNAs with coding ORFs are involved in virulence. sRNA coding ORFs are enriched for transmembrane domains and many are novel components of type I toxin/antitoxin systems. Our predictions for sRNA coding ORFs, including novel type I toxins, are freely available in a user-friendly format at http://disco-bac.web.pasteur.fr.
An evaluation of post-production facial composite enhancement techniques
Authors: Davis Josh P , Simmons Stacie , Sulley Lucy , Solomon Chris , Gibson Stuart
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to describe four experiments evaluating post-production enhancement techniques with facial composites mainly created using the EFIT-V holistic system.

Design/methodology/approach

– Experiments 1-4 were conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, constructors created between one and four individual composites of unfamiliar targets. These were merged to create morphs. Additionally in Experiment 3, composites were vertically stretched. In Stage 2, participants familiar with the targets named or provided target-similarity ratings to the images.

Findings

– In Experiments 1-3, correct naming rates were significantly higher to between-witness 4-morphs, within-witness 4-morphs and vertically stretched composites than to individual composites. In Experiment 4, there was a positive relationship between composite-target similarity ratings and between-witness morph-size (2-, 4-, 8-, 16-morphs).

Practical implications

– The likelihood of a facial composite being recognised can be improved by morphing and vertical stretch.

Originality/value

– This paper improves knowledge of the theoretical underpinnings of these facial composite post-production enhancement techniques. This should encourage acceptance by the criminal justice system, and lead to better detection outcomes.
A sustainable urban logistics dashboard from the perspective of a group of operational managers
Authors: Morana Joëlle , Gonzalez-Feliu Jesus
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose a sustainable dashboard for evaluating the sustainable performance of urban delivery systems from the perspective of operational logistics managers, one of the categories of stakeholders given less consideration by public authorities in their quest for consensus.

Design/methodology/approach

– First, a synthesis of the main works on the subject is proposed to provide a common grid of economic, environmental and social/societal indicators for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), after which the method for defining the dashboard is presented. This method is derived from a collaborative decision-support approach and applied to a panel of operational logistics managers. Using a co-constructive method, a group of experts is consulted first separately, then by small groups and then a group restitution and consensus search process is made to find an agreed-upon set of indicators.

Findings

– The results show a difference between the indicators chosen in the individual phase and those defined in small groups. They also show a gap between classical expert-obtained indicators (mainly made by one or a small group of non-operational experts) and the proposed dashboard, made by and for operational managers.

Originality/value

– The originality of the paper is that it addresses two issues (urban logistics evaluation and consensus search) by using methods of natural and active pedagogy and shows by an experimental method the interests and opportunities of collaboration in defining sets of indicators for urban logistics evaluation.
Reducing transportation greenhouse gas emissions with collaborative distribution
Authors: Danloup Nicolas , Mirzabeiki Vahid , Allaoui Hamid , Goncalves Gilles , Julien Denyse , Mena Carlos
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to study the potential for improving sustainability performance in food supply networks by implementing collaborative distribution. Food supply chains generate a significant portion of CO2 emissions, because of the large volume of food transportation and the large number and frequency of trips made to deliver food products to retail stores, making it available to the customers. Collaboration of partners in food supply chains will lead to reducing CO2 emissions.

Design/methodology/approach

– Such collaboration could be in the form of sharing trucks by retailers, to increase the fill rate of the vehicles and to reduce their empty running. A case study of the logistics network of a British company, distributing fruits and vegetables, is carried out. The company sends the products from a distribution centre to 27 retailers’ warehouses of 3 different companies in the UK. A simulation study is carried out to measure the reduced traveled distance for delivery of the products and the reduced amount of CO2 emissions across two different scenarios, as a result of implementing collaborative distribution.

Findings

– With this approach, the total CO2 emissions are able to be reduced by at least 26 per cent.

Originality/value

– The theoretical contribution of the paper is important both for showing the role of simulation and collaborative distribution for developing the green supply chain solutions management and their indicating to the applications to logistics and product delivery.
Understanding the dominant controls on litter decomposition
Authors: Bradford Mark A. , Berg Björn , Maynard Daniel S. , Wieder William R. , Wood Stephen A.
Published: November 2015

Litter decomposition is a biogeochemical process fundamental to element cycling within ecosystems, influencing plant productivity, species composition and carbon storage.

Climate has long been considered the primary broad‐scale control on litter decomposition rates, yet recent work suggests that plant litter traits may predominate. Both decomposition paradigms, however, rely on inferences from cross‐biome litter decomposition studies that analyse site‐level means.

We re‐analyse data from a classical cross‐biome study to demonstrate that previous research may falsely inflate the regulatory role of climate on decomposition and mask the influence of unmeasured local‐scale factors.

Using the re‐analysis as a platform, we advocate experimental designs of litter decomposition studies that involve high within‐site replication, measurements of regulatory factors and processes at the same local spatial grain, analysis of individual observations and biome‐scale gradients.

Synthesis. We question the assumption that climate is the predominant regulator of decomposition rates at broad spatial scales. We propose a framework for a new generation of studies focused on factoring local‐scale variation into the measurement and analysis of soil processes across broad scales. Such efforts may suggest a revised decomposition paradigm and ultimately improve confidence in the structure, parameter estimates and hence projections of biogeochemical models.
The Value of Product Attributes, Brands and Private Labels: An Analysis of Frozen Seafood in Germany
Authors: Bronnmann Julia , Asche Frank
Published: November 2015

It is well known that the price of a food in general and fish in particular is a function of a number of attributes such as species, product form, processing form and size. However, limited attention has been given to the influence of private labels, production method, eco‐labels and promotions. We use a unique dataset which identifies these attributes in the German seafood market. We estimate a hedonic price function, and our results highlight the importance of brand and labels for seafood prices in Germany. Our results also suggest that private label products are discounted by 20%, while branded products achieve substantial price premiums, as do fish products from aquaculture.
Feelings of worthlessness during a single complicated major depressive episode predict postremission suicide attempt
Authors: Wakefield J. C. , Schmitz M. F.
Published: November 2015

Objective

To establish which symptoms of major depressive episode (MDE) predict postremission suicide attempts in complicated single‐episode cases.

Method

Using the nationally representative two‐wave National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions data set, we identified wave 1 lifetime single‐episodeMDEcases in which the episode remitted by the beginning of the wave 2 three‐year follow‐up period (N= 2791). The analytic sample was further limited to ‘complicated’ cases (N= 1872) known to have elevated suicide attempt rates, defined as having two or more of the following: suicidal ideation, marked role impairment, feeling worthless, psychomotor retardation, and prolonged (>6 months) duration.

Results

Logistic regression analyses showed that, after controlling for wave 1 suicide attempt which significantly predicted postremission suicide attempt (OR= 10.0), the additional complicated symptom ‘feelings of worthlessness’ during the wave 1 index episode significantly and very substantially predicted postremission suicide attempt (OR= 6.96). Neither wave 1 psychomotor retardation nor wave 1 suicidal ideation nor any of the other wave 1 depressive symptoms were significant predictors of wave 2 suicide attempt.

Conclusion

Among depressive symptoms during anMDE, feelings of worthlessness is the only significant indicator of elevated risk of suicide attempt after the episode has remitted, beyond previous suicide attempts.
The prion‐related protein (testis‐specific) gene (PRNT) is highly polymorphic in Portuguese sheep
Authors: Mesquita P. , Garcia V. , Marques M. R. , Santos Silva F. , Oliveira Sousa M. C. , Carolino I. , Pimenta J. , Fontes C. M. G. A. , Horta A. E. M. , Prates J. A. M. , Pereira R. M.
Published: November 2015

The objective of this study was to search for polymorphisms in the ovine prion‐related protein (testis‐specific) gene (PRNT). Sampling included 567 sheep from eight Portuguese breeds. The PRNT gene‐coding region was analyzed by single‐strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing, allowing the identification of the first ovine PRNT polymorphisms, in codons 6, 38, 43 and 48: c.17C>T (p.Ser6Phe, which disrupts a consensus arginine‐X‐X‐serine/threonine motif); c.112G>C (p.Gly38>Arg); c.129T>C and c.144A>G (synonymous) respectively. Polymorphisms in codons 6, 38 and 48 occur simultaneously in 50.6% of the animals, 38.8% presenting as heterozygous. To study the distribution of the polymorphism in codon 43, a restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was performed. Polymorphic variant c.129C, identified in 89.8% of the animals with 32.8% presented as heterozygous, was considered the wild genotype in Portuguese sheep. Eight different haplotypes which have comparable distribution in all breeds were identified for the PRNT gene. In conclusion, the PRNT coding region is highly polymorphic in sheep, unlike the prion protein 2 dublet gene (PRND), in which we previously found only one synonymous substitution (c.78G>A), in codon 26. The absence or reduced number of PRND heterozygotes (c.78G>A) was significantly associated with three PRNT haplotypes (17C‐112G‐129T‐144A,17CT‐112GC‐129CT‐144AG and 17T‐112C‐129C‐144G), and the only three animals found homozygous at c.78A had the 17C‐112G‐129C‐144A PRNT haplotype. These results constitute evidence of an association between polymorphic variation in PRND and PRNT genes, as has already been observed for PRND and prion protein gene (PRNP).
Alterations in serotonin metabolism in the irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Thijssen A. Y. , Mujagic Z. , Jonkers D. M. A. E. , Ludidi S. , Keszthelyi D. , Hesselink M. A. , Clemens C. H. M. , Conchillo J. M. , Kruimel J. W. , Masclee A. A. M.
Published: November 2015

Background

Alterations in serotonin (5‐HT) metabolism have been postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, previous reports regarding 5‐HT metabolism in IBS are contradicting.

Aim

To compare platelet poor plasma (PPP) 5‐HT and 5‐hydroxyindole acetic acid (5‐HIAA) levels and their ratio in a large cohort of IBS patients and healthy controls (HC), including IBS‐subgroup analysis.

Methods

Irritable bowel syndrome patients and HC were evaluated for fasting PPP 5‐HT and 5‐HIAA levels. Furthermore, GI‐symptom diary, GSRS, quality of life, anxiety and depression scores were assessed in the 2 weeks before blood sampling.

Results

One hundred and fifty four IBS patients and 137 HC were included. No differences were detected in plasma 5‐HT between groups. The 5‐HIAA concentrations and 5‐HIAA/5‐HT ratio were significantly lower in IBS compared to HC: 24.6 ± 21.9 vs. 39.0 ± 29.5 μg/L (P < 0.001) and 8.4 ± 12.2 vs. 13.5 ± 16.6 (P < 0.01), respectively. Subtype analysis for 5‐HIAA showed all IBS subtypes to be significantly different from HC. The 5‐HIAA/5‐HT ratio was significantly lower in the IBS‐M subtype vs. HC. Linear regression analysis points to an influence of gender but not of GI‐symptoms, psychological scores or medication use.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that fasting 5‐HT plasma levels are not significantly different in IBS patients compared to controls. However, decreased 5‐HIAA levels and 5‐HIAA/5‐HT ratio in IBS patients may reflect altered serotonin metabolism in IBS. Gender affects 5‐HIAA levels in IBS patients, but no effects of drugs, such as SSRIs, or higher GI‐symptom or psychological scores were found.
Sensitization to reactive diluents and hardeners in epoxy resin systems. IVDK data 2002–2011. Part I: reaction frequencies
Authors: Geier Johannes , Lessmann Holger , Hillen Uwe , Skudlik Christoph , Jappe Uta
Published: November 2015

Background

Epoxy resin systems (ERSs), consisting of resins, reactive diluents, and hardeners, are indispensable in many branches of industry. In order to develop less sensitizing ERS formulations, knowledge of the sensitizing properties of single components is mandatory.

Objectives

To analyse the frequency of sensitization in the patients concerned, as one integral part of a research project on the sensitizing potency of epoxy resin compounds (FP‐0324).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2002–2011, and a comparison of reaction frequencies with (surrogate) exposure data, were performed.

Results

Almost half of the patients sensitized to epoxy resin were additionally sensitized to reactive diluents or hardeners. Among the reactive diluents, 1,6‐hexanediol diglycidyl ether was the most frequent allergen, followed by 1,4‐butanediol diglycidyl ether, phenyl glycidyl ether, and p‐tert‐butylphenyl glycidyl ether. Among the hardeners, m‐xylylene diamine (MXDA) and isophorone diamine (IPDA) were the most frequent allergens. According to the calculated exposure‐related frequency of sensitization, MXDA seems to be a far more important sensitizer than IPDA. Up to 60% of the patients sensitized to hardeners and 15–20% of those sensitized to reactive diluents do not react to epoxy resin.

Conclusions

In cases of suspected contact allergy to an ERS, a complete epoxy resin series must be patch tested from the start.
High prevalence of contact allergy in adolescence: results from the population‐based BAMSE birth cohort
Authors: Lagrelius Maria , Wahlgren Carl‐Fredrik , Matura Mihály , Kull Inger , Lidén Carola
Published: November 2015

Background

Contact allergy is common among adults. However, little is known about the prevalence in adolescents.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence of allergy to common contact allergens in Swedish adolescents in the general population.

Participants and methods

The BAMSE cohort is a population‐based birth cohort with the main aim of studying the risk factors for asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Patch testing was performed at the 16‐year follow‐up. The test (TRUE Test®) was applied at home, and removed 2 days later by nurses, who recorded and photographed the results. Dermatologists made final assessments on the basis of photographs and protocols.

Results

Two thousand two hundred and eighty‐five participants (88% of all 16‐year follow‐up participants) were patch tested; 15.3% had at least one positive reaction. Contact allergy was more common in girls than in boys (17.0% versus 13.4%, p = 0.018). Sensitization to nickel was most common (7.5%), followed by sensitization to fragrance mix I (2.1%) and p‐tert‐butylphenol formaldehyde resin (1.9%). Nickel allergy was more frequent in girls (9.8% versus 4.9%, p < 0.001). Solitary sensitization to cobalt was more common than co‐sensitization to nickel and cobalt.

Conclusions

The prevalence of contact allergy in adolescents is of almost the same high magnitude as in adults. The applied method was feasible in the population‐based setting.
Clinical relevance of preformed IgG and IgM antibodies against donor endothelial progenitor cells in recipients of living donor kidney grafts
Authors: Daniel Volker , Sadeghi Mahmoud , Suesal Caner , Scherer Sabine , Tran Hien , Gombos Petra , Trojan Karina , Morath Christian , Opelz Gerhard
Published: November 2015

Background

Literature reports suggest that non‐HLA‐antibodies against human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) can be detected in pre‐transplant recipient serum and that EPC antibodies can have a deleterious influence on the graft.

Methods

We investigated 71 renal transplant recipients from living donors for a possible influence of pre‐transplant donor‐specific IgG and/or IgM recipient antibodies against EPC of the donor using the flow cytometric XM‐ONE cross‐match.

Results

Eight of the 71 patients developed acute biopsy‐proven rejection. Two of these patients showed IgM antibodies against EPC prior to transplantation while the other six patients had neither IgG nor IgM EPC antibodies. Conversely, pre‐transplant IgG or IgM antibodies against EPC were detected in 19 patients without acute rejection (3 × both IgG and IgM, 1 × IgG and 15 × IgM). The remaining 44 patients had neither EPC antibodies nor experienced rejection. Comparing serum creatinine levels at one month and one yr post‐transplant within and among the three patient groups revealed that serum creatinine levels were similar in patients with or without EPC antibodies (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

In this series of 71 recipients with living donor kidneys, pre‐transplant EPC antibodies detected with the XM‐ONE test kit were neither associated with acute rejection nor with graft function at one month or one yr.
Caveat medicus: medication non‐adherence in children and adolescents with epilepsy
Authors: Langer Jennifer E , Goodkin Howard P
Published: November 2015

This commentary is on the original article by Shetty et al. on pages 469–474 of this issue.
Heritabilities of health traits in Swiss Warmblood horses
Authors: Lauper M. , Gerber V. , Ramseyer A. , Burger D. , Lüth A. , Koch C. , Dolf G.
Published: November 2015

Reasons for performing study

There is a lack of evidence regarding genetic parameters of health traits in Swiss Warmblood horses.

Objectives

To estimate heritabilities of equine sarcoid disease, horn quality of hooves, prognathism and increased filling of talocrural joints as a possible indicator for osteochondrosis in Swiss Warmblood horses examined at the field tests for 3‐year‐olds between 2005 and 2013.

Study design

Retrospective analysis of breed society database.

Methods

Swiss Warmblood horses were examined clinically by 13 veterinarians at field tests in Switzerland between 2005 and 2013. The presence of sarcoids, horn quality of the hooves, incisor occlusion and increased joint filling were assessed and recorded. Records of 3715 horses were integrated in a pedigree comprising 217,282 horses. Variance components and heritabilities were estimated on the liability scale using multiple‐trait Gibbs sampler for animal models (MTGSAM).

Results

The prevalences of the examined traits were rather low ranging from 2.4 to 13.0%. Heritabilities estimated were 0.21 ± 0.07 for the occurrence of sarcoids, 0.04 ± 0.02 for hooves with markedly brittle and friable horn quality, 0.03 ± 0.01 for hooves with marked growth ring formation, 0.06 ± 0.03 for prognathism and 0.08 ± 0.04 for increased filling of the talocrural joint (an indicator of possible osteochondrosis). The influence of the examiner on the variance of these observations was considerable.

Conclusions

With the exception of equine sarcoid disease, estimates for the heritabilities for the traits examined here were low. A standardised examination protocol may reduce the variance due to the examiner.
Thinking with Beauvoir on the Freedom of the Child
Authors: Levy Lior
Published: November 2015

Among philosophers, Simone de Beauvoir is unique in treating childhood as a philosophical phenomenon. In both The Ethics of Ambiguity and The Second Sex, she examines the relationship between childhood and human freedom and considers its role in the development of subjectivity. Despite this, few sustained analyses of her treatment of the phenomenon exist. I argue that Beauvoir's conception of childhood is not uniform, but changes from The Ethics of Ambiguity to The Second Sex. Whereas the former presents children as lacking moral freedom, as not fully sovereign individuals, the latter suggests that children are just as free as adults. When children do not fully possess or exercise freedom, it is not because they are not in a position to do so, but rather because various social institutions hinder them. I find this position useful for developing a phenomenological account of childhood as a site for freedom. Hence, Beauvoir becomes a source for thinking of issues in philosophical anthropology concerning the temporality of human existence and the nature of human agency over a lifespan.
Empathy and a Life of Moral Endeavor
Authors: Emerick Barrett
Published: November 2015

Over the course of her career, Jean Harvey contributed many invaluable insights that help to make sense of both injustice and resistance. Specifically, she developed an account of what she called “civilized oppression,” which is pernicious in part because it can be difficult to perceive. One way that we ought to pursue what she calls a “life of moral endeavor” is by increasing our perceptual awareness of civilized oppression and ourselves as its agents. In this article I argue that one noxious form of civilized oppression is what Miranda Fricker calls “testimonial injustice.” I then follow Harvey in arguing that one of the methods by which we should work to avoid perpetrating testimonial injustice is by empathizing with others. This is true for two reasons. The first is that in order to manifest what Fricker calls the virtue of testimonial justice, we must have a method by which we “correct” our prejudices or implicit biases, and empathy serves as such a corrective. The second is that there are cases where the virtue of testimonial justice wouldn't in fact correct for testimonial injustice in the way that Fricker suggests, but that actively working to empathize would.