bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental impacts of human action in watercourses
Authors: Antunes do Carmo J. S.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. The economic, social and environmental conditions of various European river basins and estuarine systems have changed dramatically in the last decades as a consequence of anthropogenic effects, and they will go on changing in the years to come due to increasing human pressure. Particularly in Portugal, various river-estuary systems have undergone several human interventions, notably engineering works to restore considerable stretches of channels and river banks. Whenever the characteristics and natural evolution of a river are altered as a result of human intervention there is an environmental impact. In other words, it is understood that differences can be observed between any present situation that is the result of the evolution of an environment after human intervention, and the natural situation that would have existed if this type of intervention had not taken place, taking into account our previous knowledge of the situation. A thorough understanding of the fluvial processes and new strategies are needed to develop a multifunctional use structure, which must take into account the many-faceted aims of sustainable development. This paper provides a brief description of the nature and distribution of the direct and indirect types of impact arising out of building and operating large dams, as well as some specific points that should be taken into consideration. It also reflects on the way in which the problem of extracting inert material from water environments has been dealt with in Portugal and offers a brief technical contribution which, although qualitative, provides a basic record and explanation of the consequences of significant interventions in water environments that have not been properly assessed or have not taken other mitigating circumstances into consideration.
Flow dynamics around downwelling submarine canyons
Authors: Spurgin J. M. , Allen S. E.
Published: October 2014

Abstract. Flow dynamics around a downwelling submarine canyon were analysed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model. Blanes Canyon (northwestern Mediterranean) was used for topographic and initial forcing conditions. Fourteen scenarios were modelled with varying forcing conditions. Rossby and Burger numbers were used to determine the significance of Coriolis acceleration and stratification (respectively) and their impacts on flow dynamics. A new non-dimensional parameter (χ) was introduced to determine the significance of vertical variations in stratification. Some simulations do see brief periods of upwards displacement of water during the 10-day model period; however, the presence of the submarine canyon is found to enhance downwards advection of density in all model scenarios. High Burger numbers lead to negative vorticity and a trapped anticyclonic eddy within the canyon, as well as an increased density anomaly. Low Burger numbers lead to positive vorticity, cyclonic circulation, and weaker density anomalies. Vertical variations in stratification affect zonal jet placement. Under the same forcing conditions, the zonal jet is pushed offshore in more uniformly stratified domains. The offshore jet location generates upwards density advection away from the canyon, while onshore jets generate downwards density advection everywhere within the model domain. Increasing Rossby values across the canyon axis, as well as decreasing Burger values, increase negative vertical flux at shelf break depth (150 m). Increasing Rossby numbers lead to stronger downwards advection of a passive tracer (nitrate), as well as stronger vorticity within the canyon. Results from previous studies are explained within this new dynamic framework.
De publiek- en privaatrechtelijke handhaving van het Europese privaatrecht: de nieuwe realiteit voor contracteren
Authors: Cherednychenko O.O.
Published: October 2014

De publiek- en privaatrechtelijke handhaving van het Europese privaatrecht: de nieuwe realiteit voor contracteren

In toenemende mate worden private verhoudingen op de terreinen die door het Europese privaatrecht worden beheerst aan het publieke toezicht onderworpen en de gedragsregels voor contractspartijen langs de bestuursrechtelijke weg gehandhaafd. Daarnaast wordt de rol van de alternatieve geschillenbeslechting steeds belangrijker. Deze ontwikkelingen brengen een nieuwe realiteit mee voor contracteren in de gereguleerde sectoren. Recent werd de internationale conferentie getiteld Public and Private Enforcement of European Private Law: Perspectives and Challenges (gehouden aan de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen) gewijd aan deze problematiek. In deze bijdrage voor de rubriek Impressies wordt stilgestaan bij enkele interessante bevindingen en leerzame suggesties die tijdens de conferentie naar voren zijn gekomen.
Peripheral Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Promote Angiogenesis via Paracrine Stimulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Secretion in the Equine Model
Authors: Bussche Leen , Van de Walle Gerlinde R.
Published: October 2014

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have received much attention as a potential treatment of ischemic diseases, including ischemic tissue injury and cardiac failure. The beneficial effects of MSCs are thought to be mediated by their ability to provide proangiogenic factors, creating a favorable microenvironment that results in neovascularization and tissue regeneration. To study this in more detail and to explore the potential of the horse as a valuable translational model, the objectives of the present study were to examine the presence of angiogenic stimulating factors in the conditioned medium (CM) of peripheral blood-derived equine mesenchymal stromal cells (PB-MSCs) and to study their in vitro effect on angiogenesis-related endothelial cell (EC) behavior, including proliferation and vessel formation. Our salient findings were that CM from PB-MSCs contained significant levels of several proangiogenic factors. Furthermore, we found that CM could induce angiogenesis in equine vascular ECs and confirmed that endothelin-1, insulin growth factor binding protein 2, interleukin-8, and platelet-derived growth factor-AA, but not urokinase-type plasminogen activator, were responsible for this enhanced EC network formation by increasing the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A, an important angiogenesis stimulator.
Shareholdings in Financial Institutions, Financing Constraints, and Cash Reserves1
Authors: Zhu Song , Chen Guanting , Du Wencui
Published: October 2014

A closer bank-firm relationship is beneficial to corporate development since firms are able to mitigate their financing constraints through direct or indirect means, such as related-party loans or signalling. This results in more firms tending to invest in financial institutions. This paper matches 615 firms investing in nonlisted financial institutions over the period 2007 to 2011 with 615 firms of the closest asset size in the same industry and year but without such investment. We find that investing in financial institutions can be beneficial for firms. It can lower the financing constraints and demand for cash reserves, not only directly (due to the close relationship between holding firms and financial institutions), but also indirectly (due to the influence on financing constraints, which require a higher level of cash holdings). Higher financing constraints will stimulate firms to hold more cash, while investing in financial institutions can enable such firms to reduce their reserves. When we divide the shareholdings further into nonlisted banks and nonlisted, nonbanking institutions, we find that the former does not significantly affect financing constraints and cash holdings, but the latter effectively alleviates firms’ financing constraints and reduces the level of cash. Furthermore, we find that the influence of investing in financial institutions is more evident for NSOEs than SOEs in China.
Executive Corruption, Contagion Effect, and Investor Protection — Empirical Evidence from the Bai Peizhong Case
Authors: Chen Dong , Liu Qiliang , Luo Le , Yao Yiwei
Published: October 2014

By studying a recent executive corruption case in China (the Bai Peizhong case), which was initially exposed by a theft, later blocked by the local security department, and finally spread through the Internet, this paper first examines the contagion effect of executive corruption and its determinants and transmission mechanism. We find that (1) in response to the news, the stock prices of the two listed companies involved declined over the event window and the negative effect spilt over to their peer companies in the same industries; (2) the above contagion effect was more pronounced in the state-owned peers but was attenuated by the employment of an outside Big Four auditor; (3) the stock prices of the two involved companies declined and their peers’ behaviour was inhibited by the dismissal of Bai Peizhong; (4) the above market reaction was a result of investors’ expectation of the existence of large non-pecuniary compensation in the involved companies and industries; and (5) the contagion effect was not influenced by earnings management or the financial restatement of the peer firms.
Acoustic wavefield and Mach wave radiation of flashing arcs in strombolian explosion measured by image luminance
Authors: Genco Riccardo , Ripepe Maurizio , Marchetti Emanuele , Bonadonna Costanza , Biass Sebastien
Published: October 2014

Explosive activity often generates visible flashing arcs in the volcanic plume considered as the evidence of the shock‐front propagation induced by supersonic dynamics. High‐speed image processing is used to visualize the pressure wavefield associated with flashing arcs observed in strombolian explosions. Image luminance is converted in virtual acoustic signal compatible with the signal recorded by pressure transducer. Luminance variations are moving with a spherical front at a 344.7 m/s velocity. Flashing arcs travel at the sound speed already 14 m above the vent and are not necessarily the evidence of a supersonic explosive dynamics. However, seconds later, the velocity of small fragments increases, and the spherical acousto‐luminance wavefront becomes planar recalling the Mach wave radiation generated by large scale turbulence in high‐speed jet. This planar wavefront forms a Mach angle of 55° with the explosive jet axis, suggesting an explosive dynamics moving at Mo = 1.22 Mach number.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cross‐linked Polyethylene Glycol/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogels
Authors: MOHAMED RIHAM R. , SEOUDI RANIA S. , SABAA MAGDY W.
Published: October 2014

Cross‐linked hydrogels of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCh) were synthesized using a blending technique. Several analysis tools were used to characterize the physical and thermal properties of CMCh/PEG hydrogels, namely, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Some applications were carried out for the prepared cross‐linked hydrogels; swelling behavior of the CMCh/PEG hydrogels was studied in different buffered solutions and different salt solutions. Metal ions uptake was studied for CMCh/PEG hydrogels. The biological activity of CMCh/PEG towards Escherichia coli has been examined in this study.
Tcmof REGULATES LARVAL/PUPAL DEVELOPMENT AND FEMALE FECUNDITY IN RED FLOUR BEETLE, Tribolium castaneum
Authors: Wang Yanyun , Li Chengjun , Sang Ming , Li Bin
Published: October 2014

Males absent on the first (MOF) was originally identified as an essential component of the X chromosome dosage compensation system in Drosophila melanogaster, and is also a member of the MYST family of histone acetyltransferases. MOF has been extensively studied in D. melanogaster and mammals. However, whether MOF is involved in dosage compensation and/or other vital functions for newly emerging model insects such as Tribolium castaneum, is unclear. We cloned the mof from T. castaneum, named Tcmof. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that mof is highly conserved in eukaryotes but lost in birds. qPCR showed that Tcmof was most highly expressed in the early embryo stage and equally expressed in males and females. Treating larvae with ds‐Tcmof led 79.1% of the insects to arrest during its eclosion; the remaining insects died either in the larval stage or immediately following eclosion. Treating pupae with the same construct eliminated the fertility of T. castaneum. This effect was rescued by reciprocal crosses with wild‐type females, but not males. We infer that the mof gene is essential for larval/pupal development and female fertility in T. castaneum.
Are offending trajectories identified in population sample studies relevant for treatment settings? A comparison of long‐term offending trajectories in individuals treated for substance abuse in adolescence, to a matched general population sample
Authors: Molero Yasmina , Larsson Agne , Tengström Anders , Eklund Jenny
Published: October 2014

Background

Most studies on offending heterogeneity have been conducted with general population samples. It is not clear to what extent these can inform such outcomes for individuals with substance use disorders specifically.

Aims

The aim of this study is to compare the offending trajectories of individuals treated for substance use disorders in adolescence with a matched general population sample, and to test for gender differences in this respect.

Method

Growth mixture models were applied to identify offending trajectories from age 15 to 33 of 1568 individuals treated for substance use disorders in adolescence, and in a matched population‐based sample of 1500 individuals.

Results

Several parallel trajectories for men and for women were identified in both samples. The substance misuse treatment sample, however, had higher levels of offending, larger offender classes, longer careers and two additional, distinct trajectories. Although there were similarities between the men and women, the men were more heterogeneous offenders. There were two distinct offending trajectories among male substance misusers—decreasing high level and decreasing low level offending.

Conclusions

Differences between substance using and general population samples indicate that results from the latter could underestimate the severity, heterogeneity, and persistence of offending trajectories if merely generalised to individuals with substance use disorders. Our results also indicated that population‐based samples might be underpowered for detecting female offending heterogeneity. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Post‐procedural hemodiafiltration in acute coronary syndrome patients with associated renal and cardiac dysfunction undergoing urgent and emergency coronary angiography
Authors: Marenzi Giancarlo , Mazzotta Gianfranco , Londrino Francesco , Gistri Roberto , Moltrasio Marco , Cabiati Angelo , Assanelli Emilio , Veglia Fabrizio , Rombolà Giuseppe
Published: October 2014

Objectives

We investigated the use of a 3‐hr treatment with hemodiafiltration, initiated soon after emergency or urgent coronary angiography in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with associated severe renal and cardiac dysfunction.

Background

Patients with ACS and severe combined renal and cardiac dysfunction have a particularly high mortality risk. In them, the ideal strategy to both optimize treatment of coronary disease and minimize renal injury risk is currently unknown.

Methods

This was an interventional study. ACS patients (STEMI and NSTEMI) with associated severe renal (eGFR ≤30 ml/min/1.73 m2) and cardiac (LVEF ≤40%) dysfunction, admitted at La Spezia Hospital <24 hr from symptoms onset, underwent a prophylactic 3‐hr hemodiafiltration treatment, which was started soon after urgent or emergency coronary procedure. Controls were patients matched for age, gender, Mehran's risk score, and kind of ACS, admitted at the Centro Cardiologico Monzino Milan. In‐hospital and 1‐year outcomes were evaluated.

Results

Sixty patients (30% STEMI), 30 hemodiafiltration‐treated patients and 30 controls, with similar baseline characteristics, were included. In‐hospital and cumulative 1‐year mortality rates were significantly lower in hemodiafiltration‐treated patients than in controls (3% vs. 23%; P = 0.05, and 10% vs. 53%; P < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, they had a lower incidence of severe AKI (10% vs. 40%; P = 0.015) and lower need for rescue renal replacement therapy during hospitalization (7% vs. 27%; P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Our pilot study suggests that, in ACS patients with severe renal and cardiac insufficiency, treatment with an aggressive prophylactic hemodiafiltration session after urgent or emergency coronary angiography seems to be associated with a relevant improvement in survival. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
AFM sensing cortical actin cytoskeleton destabilization during plasma membrane electropermeabilization
Authors: Louise Chopinet , Etienne Dague , Marie‐Pierre Rols
Published: October 2014

Electropermeabilization is a physical method that uses electric field pulses to deliver molecules into cells and tissues. Despite its increasing interest in clinics, little is known about plasma membrane destabilization process occurring during electropermeabilization. Having previously demonstrated the usefulness of Atomic Force Microscopy to study electropermeabilization effect on plasma membrane, we further investigated the plasma membrane destabilization process. We got mainly interested in the cytoskeleton role in stiffness of the plasma membrane, and thus in the effect of electric field on the cortical actin network. We show here that cortical actin is destabilized by electric pulses and that this effect is not directly related to the electropermeabilization of the plasma membrane. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design and Synthesis of Imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazole–Chalcone Conjugates: Microtubule‐Destabilizing Agents
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Balakrishna Moku , Nayak V. Lakshma , Shaik Thokhir Basha , Faazil Shaikh , Nimbarte Vijaykumar D.
Published: October 2014

A series of chalcone conjugates featuring the imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazole scaffold was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against five human cancer cell lines (MCF‐7, A549, HeLa, DU‐145 and HT‐29). These new hybrid molecules have shown promising cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.64 to 30.9 μM. Among them, (E)‐3‐(6‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐2,3‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazol‐5‐yl)‐1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (11 x) showed potent antiproliferative activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.64 to 1.44 μM in all tested cell lines. To investigate the mechanism of action, the detailed biological aspects of this promising conjugate (11 x) were carried out on the A549 lung cancer cell line. The tubulin polymerization assay and immunofluoresence analysis results suggest that this conjugate effectively inhibits microtubule assembly in A549 cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that this conjugate induces cell‐cycle arrest in the G2/M phase and leads to apoptotic cell death. This was further confirmed by Hoechst staining, activation of caspase‐3, DNA fragmentation analysis, and Annexin V–FITC assay. Moreover, molecular docking studies indicated that this conjugate (11 x) interacts and binds efficiently with the tubulin protein.
Synergistic effect of JQ1 and rapamycin for treatment of human osteosarcoma
Authors: Lee Dhong Hyun , Qi Jun , Bradner James E. , Said Jonathan W. , Doan Ngan B. , Forscher Charles , Yang Henry , Koeffler H. Phillip
Published: October 2014

Bromodomain and extra terminal domain (BET) proteins are important epigenetic regulators facilitating the transcription of genes in chromatin areas linked to acetylated histones. JQ1, a BET protein inhibitor, has antiproliferative activity against many cancers, mainly through inhibition of c‐MYC and upregulation of p21. In this research, we investigated the use of JQ1 for human osteosarcoma (OS) treatment. JQ1 significantly inhibited the proliferation and survival of OS cells inducing G1 cell cycle arrest, premature senescence, but little effect on apoptosis. Interestingly, c‐MYC protein levels in JQ1‐treated cells remained unchanged, whereas the upregulation of p21 protein was still observable. Although effective in vitro, JQ1 alone failed to reduce the size of the MNNG/HOS xenografts in immunocompromised mice. To overcome the resistance of OS cells to JQ1 treatment, we combined JQ1 with rapamycin, an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. JQ1 and rapamycin synergistically inhibited the growth and survival of OS cells in vitro and in vivo. We also identified that RUNX2 is a direct target of bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibition by JQ1 in OS cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) showed that enrichment of BRD4 protein around RUNX2 transcription start sites diminished with JQ1 treatment in MNNG/HOS cells. Overexpression of RUNX2 protected JQ1‐sensitive OS cells from the effect of JQ1, and siRNA‐mediated inhibition of RUNX2 sensitized the same cells to JQ1. In conclusion, our findings suggest that JQ1, in combination with rapamycin, is an effective chemotherapeutic option for OS treatment. We also show that inhibition of RUNX2 expression by JQ1 partly explains the antiproliferative activity of JQ1 in OS cells.
Synthesis, Structure, and Biological Activities of a New μ‐Oxamido‐Bridged Dicopper(II) Complex: The Influence of Hydrophobicity of Bridging Ligand on DNA Binding and Cytotoxic Activities
Authors: Wang Ling‐Dong , Tao Lin , Li Yan‐Tuan , Wu Zhi‐Yong , Yan Cui‐Wei
Published: October 2014

A new μ‐oxamido‐bridged dicopper(II) complex, [Cu2(papo)(H2O)‐ (phen)]Cl·CH3OH·H2O, where H3papo and phen represent N‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐N'‐(3‐aminopropyl)oxamide and 1,10‐phenanthroline, respectively, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurement, infrared and electronic spectra studies, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P‐1. Each copper(II) ion is located in a slightly distorted square‐pyramidal environment. The Cu···Cu distance through the oxamide bridge is 5.1848(7) Å. The three‐dimensional supramolecular structure is built‐up by hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The dicopper(II) complex exhibits cytotoxic activity against the SMMC‐7721 and A549 cell lines. The reactivity toward herring sperm DNA and protein bovine serum albumin (BSA) reveals that the dicopper(II) complex can interact with the DNA by the intercalation mode, and effectively quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA via a static mechanism. The influence of hydrophobicity of the bridging ligand on DNA‐binding properties and in vitro cytotoxic activities of this kind of dicopper(II) complexes was investigated.
Biotransformation of catechin and extraction of active polysaccharide from green tea leaves via simultaneous treatment with tannase and pectinase
Authors: Baik Joo Hyun , Shin Kwang‐Soon , Park Yooheon , Yu Kwang‐Won , Suh Hyung Joo , Choi Hyeon‐Son
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Green tea is a dietary source of bioactive compounds for human health. Enzymatic treatments induce the bioconversion of bioactive components, which can improve biological activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of simultaneous treatment with tannase and Rapidase on biotransformation of catechins and extraction of polysaccharide from green tea extract (GTE).

RESULTS

Tannase and pectinase treatments induced the biotransformation of catechins and altered tea polysaccharide () content. The addition of GTE to the enzyme reaction resulted in a significant increase in degallated catechins, including gallic acid, a product of the tannase reaction (314.5–4076.0 µg mL−1) and a reduction in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Biotransformation of catechins improved the radical scavenging activity of GTE. Pectinase treatment led to change of TPS composition in GTE by hydrolyzing polysaccharides. In addition, pectinase‐driven hydrolysis in polysaccharides significantly increased TPS‐induced Interleukin 6 (IL‐6) production in macrophages. In particular, treatment of Rapidase (TPS‐Ra) led to the highest IL‐6 production among TPS samples, similar to treatment of highly purified pectinase (TPS‐GTE), a positive control.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous processing with tannase and Rapidase can be an efficient method for the extraction of bioactive polysaccharides and biotransformation of catechins with enhanced radical scavenging activity from green tea. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Rho‐kinase inhibitor targeting the liver prevents ischemia/reperfusion injury in the steatotic liver without major systemic adversity in rats
Authors: Kuroda Shintaro , Tashiro Hirotaka , Kimura Yasuhiro , Hirata Kaori , Tsutada Misaki , Mikuriya Yoshihiro , Kobayashi Tsuyoshi , Amano Hironobu , Tanaka Yuka , Ohdan Hideki
Published: October 2014

Rho‐kinase (ROCK) inhibitors improve liver blood flow after ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury, especially in the setting of steatosis, by decreasing the resistance of intrahepatic microcirculation through hepatic stellate cell (HSC) relaxation. However, the systemic administration of ROCK inhibitors causes severe hypotension; therefore, liver‐specific ROCK inhibition is required. Here, we tested vitamin A (VA)–coupled liposomes carrying the ROCK inhibitor Y‐27632 for targeted HSCs in steatotic rats. Rat livers with steatosis induced by a choline‐deficient diet were subjected to IR injury. The delivery site and effect of the ROCK inhibitor were investigated. After liposomal Y‐27632 injection, the survival rate after IR, the liver blood flow, the portal perfused pressure, and the hemodynamics were investigated. Immunohistochemical studies showed VA–coupled liposome accumulation in livers. Liposomal Y‐27632 was 100‐fold more effective in inhibiting HSC activation than free Y‐27632. Liposomal Y‐27632 improved the survival rate after IR injury, the liver blood flow, and the portal perfusion pressure without severe hypotension. In contrast, untargeted Y‐27632 elicited severe systemic hypotension. We conclude that VA–coupled liposomes carrying the ROCK inhibitor yield enhanced drug accumulation in the liver and thus mitigate IR injury in the steatotic liver and reduce major systemic adversity. Liver Transpl 21:123‐131, 2015. © 2014 AASLD.
Therapeutic hypothermia in acute liver failure: A multicenter retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Karvellas Constantine J. , Todd Stravitz R. , Battenhouse Holly , Lee William M. , Schilsky Michael L. ,   for the US Acute Liver Failure Study Group
Published: October 2014

The benefit of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) in acute liver failure (ALF) has not been previously demonstrated in a controlled fashion. This study sought to determine the impact of TH on 21‐day survival and complications in ALF patients at high risk for cerebral edema. This was a retrospective cohort study of ALF patients in the US Acute Liver Failure Study Group with grade III or IV hepatic encephalopathy. TH (32°C‐35°C) was used in 97 patients (8%); 1135 (92%) who were not cooled were controls. Intracranial pressure was monitored in 38 TH ALF patients (39.2% versus 22% of controls, P < 0.001). Rates of bleeding (12% for both) and bloodstream (17% versus 18%) and tracheal infections (21% versus 23%, P > 0.5 for all) were similar. Unadjusted 21‐day overall (62% versus 60%) and transplant‐free survival rates (45% versus 39%, P > 0.4 for both) were similar. Multivariate models were created for acetaminophen (APAP) patients (n = 582) and non‐APAP patients (n = 613). For APAP patients, the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease [MELD; odds ratio (OR) = 0.91 per increment, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.89‐0.94, P < 0.001] and vasopressors (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = 0.11‐0.24, P < 0.001) were associated with decreased 21‐day spontaneous survival. Survival was improved with TH in APAP patients who were <25 years old (age of 25 years: OR = 2.735, 95% CI = 1.001‐7.467) but worsened for APAP patients who were 64 years old or older (age of 64 years: OR = 0.167, 95% CI = 0.028‐0.999). For non‐APAP patients, MELD (OR = 0.93 per increment, 95% CI = 0.91‐0.95, P < 0.001) and vasopressors (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.40‐0.90, P = 0.01) were associated with worse outcomes, whereas TH had no impact (P = 0.93). In conclusion, TH in ALF was not associated with increased bleeding or infections. Although young APAP ALF patients may benefit, TH did not consistently affect 21‐day survival. A prospective trial is required to clarify the utility of TH in ALF patients. Liver Transpl 21:4‐12, 2015. © 2014 AASLD.
Stretchable and flexible resistive behavior of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):Poly(styrenesulfonate) thin film on ultra‐low modulus polydimethylsiloxane with trench‐type roughness
Authors: Mehdi Syed Murtuza , Jo Jeongdai , Doh Yang Hoi , Dang Hyun Woo , Choi Kyung Hyun
Published: October 2014

This study investigates the resistive behavior of rod‐coated micrometer thick films of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) on ultra‐low modulus (120– 130 kPa) polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate having scratch or microtrench‐type roughness patterns. On average, the films were found to remain electrically functional up to 23% axial strain with an average increase of three times in the value of the normalized resistance. The films were also found to remain conductive up to bending diameter of 4 mm with an average increase of 1.12 times their initial resistance. The rod‐coated PEDOT:PSS films on ultra‐low modulus PDMS having microtrench‐type roughness were also found to remain functional even after 1000 bending cycles at a bending diameter of 4 mm and even smaller with an increase in resistance that was on average 1.15 times their initial resistance. The films were found to fail firstly by cracking and thereby debonding from the substrate under the application of axial strain. On the other hand, the films exhibit no delamination under bending strains. The results from this investigation suggest that the polymer–polymer laminate has potential applicability in stretchable and flexible electronics and related applications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 226–233
Molecular dynamics of the P450cam–Pdx complex reveals complex stability and novel interface contacts
Authors: Hollingsworth Scott A. , Poulos Thomas L.
Published: October 2014

Cytochrome P450cam catalyzes the stereo and regiospecific hydroxylation of camphor to 5‐exo‐hydroxylcamphor. The two electrons for the oxidation of camphor are provided by putidaredoxin (Pdx), a Fe2S2 containing protein. Two recent crystal structures of the P450cam–Pdx complex, one solved with the aid of covalent cross‐linking and one without, have provided a structural picture of the redox partner interaction. To study the stability of the complex structure and the minor differences between the recent crystal structures, a 100 nanosecond molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of the cross‐linked structure, mutated in silico to wild type and the linker molecule removed, was performed. The complex was stable over the course of the simulation though conformational changes including the movement of the C helix of P450cam further toward Pdx allowed for the formation of a number of new contacts at the complex interface that remained stable throughout the simulation. While several minor crystal contacts were lost in the simulation, all major contacts that had been experimentally studied previously were maintained. The equilibrated MD structure contained a mixture of contacts resembling both the cross‐linked and noncovalent structures and the newly identified interactions. Finally, the reformation of the P450cam Asp251–Arg186 ion pair in the MD simulation mirrors the ion pair observed in the more promiscuous CYP101D1 and suggests that the Asp251–Arg186 ion pair may be important.
Quaternary structure of WzzB and WzzE polysaccharide copolymerases
Authors: Kalynych Sergei , Cherney Maia , Bostina Mihnea , Rouiller Isabelle , Cygler Miroslaw
Published: October 2014

Bacteria have evolved cellular control mechanisms to ensure proper length specification for surface‐bound polysaccharides. Members of the Polysaccharide Copolymerase (PCP) family are central to this process. PCP‐1 family members are anchored to the inner membrane through two transmembrane helices and contain a large periplasm‐exposed domain. PCPs are known to form homooligomers but their exact stoichiometry is controversial in view of conflicting structural and biochemical data. Several prior investigations addressing this question indicated a nonameric, hexameric, or tetrameric organization of several PCP‐1 family members. In this work, we gathered additional evidence that E.coli WzzB and WzzE PCPs form octameric homo‐oligomeric complexes. Detergent‐solubilized PCPs were purified to homogeneity and subjected to blue native gel analysis, which indicated the presence of a predominant high‐molecular product of over 500 kDa in mass. Molecular mass of WzzE and WzzB‐detergent oligomers was estimated to be 550 kDA by size‐exclusion coupled to multiangle laser light scattering (SEC‐MALLS). Oligomeric organization of purified WzzB and WzzE was further investigated by negative stain electron microscopy and by X‐ray crystallography, respectively. Analysis of EM‐derived molecular envelope of WzzB indicated that the full‐length protein is composed of eight protomers. Crystal structure of LDAO‐solubilized WzzE was solved to 6 Å resolutions and revealed its octameric subunit stoichiometry. In summary, we identified a possible biological unit utilized for the glycan chain length determination by two PCP‐1 family members. This provides an important step toward further unraveling of the mechanistic basis of chain length control of the O‐antigen and the enterobacterial common antigen.
Structures of Arg‐ and Gln‐type bacterial cysteine dioxygenase homologs
Authors: Driggers Camden M. , Hartman Steven J. , Karplus P. Andrew
Published: October 2014

In some bacteria, cysteine is converted to cysteine sulfinic acid by cysteine dioxygenases (CDO) that are only ∼15–30% identical in sequence to mammalian CDOs. Among bacterial proteins having this range of sequence similarity to mammalian CDO are some that conserve an active site Arg residue (“Arg‐type” enzymes) and some having a Gln substituted for this Arg (“Gln‐type” enzymes). Here, we describe a structure from each of these enzyme types by analyzing structures originally solved by structural genomics groups but not published: a Bacillus subtilis “Arg‐type” enzyme that has cysteine dioxygenase activity (BsCDO), and a Ralstonia eutropha “Gln‐type” CDO homolog of uncharacterized activity (ReCDOhom). The BsCDO active site is well conserved with mammalian CDO, and a cysteine complex captured in the active site confirms that the cysteine binding mode is also similar. The ReCDOhom structure reveals a new active site Arg residue that is hydrogen bonding to an iron‐bound diatomic molecule we have interpreted as dioxygen. Notably, the Arg position is not compatible with the mode of Cys binding seen in both rat CDO and BsCDO. As sequence alignments show that this newly discovered active site Arg is well conserved among “Gln‐type” CDO enzymes, we conclude that the “Gln‐type” CDO homologs are not authentic CDOs but will have substrate specificity more similar to 3‐mercaptopropionate dioxygenases.
Actin‐induced dimerization of palladin promotes actin‐bundling
Authors: Vattepu Ravi , Yadav Rahul , Beck Moriah R.
Published: October 2014

A subset of actin binding proteins is able to form crosslinks between two or more actin filaments, thus producing structures of parallel or networked bundles. These actin crosslinking proteins interact with actin through either bivalent binding or dimerization. We recently identified two binding sites within the actin binding domain of palladin, an actin crosslinking protein that plays an important role in normal cell adhesion and motility during wound healing and embryonic development. In this study, we show that actin induces dimerization of palladin. Furthermore, the extent of dimerization reflects earlier comparisons of actin binding and bundling between different domains of palladin. On the basis of these results we hypothesized that actin binding may promote a conformational change that results in dimerization of palladin, which in turn may drive the crosslinking of actin filaments. The proximal distance between two actin binding sites on crosslinking proteins determines the ultrastructural properties of the filament network, therefore we also explored interdomain interactions using a combination of chemical crosslinking experiments and actin cosedimentation assays. Limited proteolysis data reveals that palladin is less susceptible to enzyme digestion after actin binding. Our results suggest that domain movements in palladin are necessary for interactions with actin and are induced by interactions with actin filaments. Accordingly, we put forth a model linking the structural changes to functional dynamics.
Crystal structure of human Ankyrin G death domain
Authors: Liu Ying , Zhang Yan , Wang Jia‐Huai
Published: October 2014

Ankyrins (Ank) are a ubiquitously expressed family of multifunctional membrane adapter proteins. Ankyrin G (AnkG) is critical for assembling and maintenance of the axon initial segment. Here we present the 2.1 Å crystal structure of human AnkG death domain (hAnkG‐DD). The core death domain is composed of six α‐helices and three 310‐helices. It forms a hydrophobic pocket on the surface of the molecule. The C‐terminal tail of the hAnkG‐DD curves back to have the aromatic ring of a phenylalanine residue, Phe100 insert into this pocket, which anchors the flexible tail onto the core domain. Related DDs were selected for structure comparison. The major variations are at the C‐terminal region, including the α6 and the long C‐terminal extension. The results of size exclusion chromatography and analytical ultracentrifugation suggest that hAnkG‐DD exists as monomer in solution. Our work should help for the future investigation of the structure–function of AnkG. Proteins 2014; 82:3476–3482. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
First report of resistance to acetolactate‐synthase‐inhibiting herbicides in yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus): confirmation and characterization
Authors: Tehranchian Parsa , Norsworthy Jason K , Nandula Vijay , McElroy Scott , Chen Shu , Scott Robert C
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

Yellow nutsedge is one of the most problematic sedges in Arkansas rice, requiring the frequent use of halosulfuron (sulfonylurea) for its control. In the summer of 2012, halosulfuron at 53 g ha−1 (labeled field rate) failed to control yellow nutsedge. The level of resistance to halosulfuron was determined in the putative resistant biotype, and its cross‐resistance to other acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors from four different herbicide families. ALS enzyme assays and analysis of the ALS gene were used to ascertain the resistance mechanism.

RESULTS

None of the resistant plants was killed by halosulfuron at a dose of 13 568 g ha−1 (256× the field dose), indicating a high level of resistance. Based on the whole‐plant bioassay, the resistant biotype was not controlled by any of the ALS‐inhibiting herbicides (imazamox, imazethapyr, penoxsulam, bispyribac, pyrithiobac‐sodium, bensulfuron and halosulfuron) tested at the labeled field rate. The ALS enzyme from the resistant biotype was 2540 times less responsive to halosulfuron than the susceptible biotype, and a Trp574‐to‐Leu substitution was detected by ALS gene sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest a target‐site alteration as the mechanism of resistance in yellow nutsedge, which accounts for the cross‐resistance to other ALS‐inhibiting herbicide families. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of corn starch–fatty acid complexes by high‐pressure homogenization
Authors: Meng Shuang , Ma Ying , Cui Jie , Sun Da‐Wen
Published: October 2014

Aqueous mixtures of defatted corn starch and different fatty acids were heated and processed with high‐pressure homogenization to form starch–lipid complexes. A variety of fatty acids with chain lengths of 12–18 carbons and with varying degrees of unsaturation were studied regarding their ability to form amylose–lipid complexes. Linoleic acid (65.7%) displayed the greatest complex forming ability with defatted corn starch, followed by lauric acid (63.2%), oleic acid (62.2%), myristic acid (61.2%), palmitic acid (59.8%), and stearic acid (54.6%). The XRD analysis showed that the complexes presented the well‐known V‐helical type diffraction. DSC was used to analyze the thermal properties. Based on the 85–110°C transition temperature and the 60–95°C synthesis temperature, the experimental complexes are less ordered type I complexes. The in vitro digestibility studies indicated that long‐chain saturated fatty acids increased digestibility more than the short‐chain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids when in complex with defatted corn starch.
Exposure to websites that encourage self‐harm and suicide: Prevalence rates and association with actual thoughts of self‐harm and thoughts of suicide in the United States
Authors: Mitchell Kimberly J. , Wells Melissa , Priebe Gisela , Ybarra Michele L.
Published: October 2014

This article provides 12‐month prevalence rates of youth exposure to websites which encourage self‐harm or suicide and examines whether such exposure is related to thoughts of self‐harm and thoughts of suicide in the past 30 days. Data were collected via telephone from a nationally representative survey of 1560 Internet‐using youth, ages 10–17 residing in the United States. One percent (95% CI: 0.5%, 1.5%) of youth reported visiting a website that encouraged self‐harm or suicide. Youth who visited such websites were seven times more likely to say they had thought about killing themselves; and 11 times more likely to think about hurting themselves, even after adjusting for several known risk factors for thoughts of self‐harm and thoughts of suicide. Given that youth thinking about self‐harm and suicide are more likely to visit these sites, they may represent an opportunity for identification of youth in need of crisis intervention.
Long time behavior of solutions of a reaction–diffusion equation on unbounded intervals with Robin boundary conditions
Authors: Chen Xinfu , Lou Bendong , Zhou Maolin , Giletti Thomas
Published: October 2014

We study the long time behavior, as

t\rightarrow \infty

, of solutions of

\begin{cases}
u_{t} = u_{xx} + f(u), & x > 0,\:t > 0, \\
u(0,t) = bu_{x}(0,t), & t > 0, \\
u(x,0) = u_{0}(x)⩾0, & x⩾0,
\end{cases}

where

b⩾0

and

f

is an unbalanced bistable nonlinearity. By investigating families of initial data of the type

\{\sigma \phi \}_{\sigma > 0}

, where

ϕ

belongs to an appropriate class of nonnegative compactly supported functions, we exhibit the sharp threshold between vanishing and spreading. More specifically, there exists some value

\sigma^*

such that the solution converges uniformly to 0 for any

0 < \sigma < \sigma^*

, and locally uniformly to a positive stationary state for any

\sigma > \sigma^*

. In the threshold case

\sigma = \sigma^*

, the profile of the solution approaches the symmetrically decreasing ground state with some shift, which may be either finite or infinite. In the latter case, the shift evolves as

C\mathrm{\ln }⁡t

where

C

is a positive constant we compute explicitly, so that the solution is traveling with a pulse-like shape albeit with an asymptotically zero speed. Depending on

b

, but also in some cases on the choice of the initial datum, we prove that one or both of the situations may happen.
A rigorous derivation of the defocusing cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on \( T^{3} \) from the dynamics of many-body quantum systems
Authors: Sohinger Vedran
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we will obtain a rigorous derivation of the defocusing cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on the three-dimensional torus

\mathbb{T}^{3}

from the many-body limit of interacting bosonic systems. This type of result was previously obtained on

\mathbb{R}^{3}

in the work of Erdős, Schlein, and Yau [54–57], and on

\mathbb{T}^{2}

and

\mathbb{R}^{2}

in the work of Kirkpatrick, Schlein, and Staffilani [78]. Our proof relies on an unconditional uniqueness result for the Gross–Pitaevskii hierarchy at the level of regularity

\alpha = 1

, which is proved by using a modification of the techniques from the work of T. Chen, Hainzl, Pavlović and Seiringer [20] to the periodic setting. These techniques are based on the Quantum de Finetti theorem in the formulation of Ammari and Nier [6,7] and Lewin, Nam, and Rougerie [83]. In order to apply this approach in the periodic setting, we need to recall multilinear estimates obtained by Herr, Tataru, and Tzvetkov [74].

Having proved the unconditional uniqueness result at the level of regularity

\alpha = 1

, we will apply it in order to finish the derivation of the defocusing cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on

\mathbb{T}^{3}

, which was started in the work of Elgart, Erdős, Schlein, and Yau [50]. In the latter work, the authors obtain all the steps of Spohn's strategy for the derivation of the NLS [108], except for the final step of uniqueness. Additional arguments are necessary to show that the objects constructed in [50] satisfy the assumptions of the unconditional uniqueness theorem. Once we achieve this, we are able to prove the derivation result. In particular, we show
Propagation of Chaos
for the defocusing Gross–Pitaevskii hierarchy on

\mathbb{T}^{3}

for suitably chosen initial data.
Inteligencia estratégica: un sistema para gestionar la innovación
Authors: Aguirre Joao
Published: October 2014

La inteligencia estratégica es un concepto tradicionalmente empleado en contextos militares, de defensa e incluso como «secreto gubernamental», aunque existen tímidas aplicaciones de índole académica y administrativa. El presente artículo realiza una propuesta conceptual del término inteligencia estratégica, generado a partir de la combinación de diferentes herramientas utilizadas actualmente de forma independiente. La investigación parte de un análisis de la literatura con técnicas bibliométricas, identificando líderes, redes de trabajo y dinámicas en publicación, obteniendo como resultado que actualmente la literatura no reporta una definición específica que sea aplicable en contextos gerenciales y administrativos. Finalmente, se propone un proceso para gestionar la inteligencia estratégica organizacional, concebido desde la integración estratégica para garantizar la gestión de la innovación estructurada, el incremento de la productividad y la competitividad.
Regulating higher education: Quality assurance and neo-liberal managerialism in higher education—A critical introduction
Authors: Jarvis Darryl S L
Published: October 2014

Quality assurance (QA) regimes have become an increasingly dominant regulatory tool in the management of higher education sectors around the world. By one estimate, nearly half the countries in the world now have quality assurance systems or QA regulatory bodies for higher education. This paper explores the emergence and spread of QA regimes, the coalescence of regulatory logics around qualifications frameworks, and the broad confluence of such approaches in terms of their impact on the historically contested relationship between the state and university. By focusing on the interlocking regulatory logics provided by QA, the article explores how such approaches impose quasi-market, competitive based rationalities premised on neo-liberal managerialism using a policy discourse that is often informed by conviction rather than evidence.