bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer with 25 meV resolution at the CuK-edge
Authors: Ketenoglu Didem , Harder Manuel , Klementiev Konstantin , Upton Mary , Taherkhani Mehran , Spiwek Manfred , Dill Frank-Uwe , Wille Hans-Christian , Yavaş Hasan
Published: June 2015

An unparalleled resolution is reported with an inelastic X-ray scattering instrument at the CuK-edge. Based on a segmented concave analyzer, featuring single-crystal quartz (SiO2) pixels, the spectrometer delivers a resolution near 25 meV (FWHM) at 8981 eV. Besides the quartz analyzer, the performance of the spectrometer relies on a four-bounce Si(553) high-resolution monochromator and focusing Kirkpatrick–Baez optics. The measured resolution agrees with the ray-tracing simulation of an ideal spectrometer. The performance of the spectrometer is demonstrated by reproducing the phonon dispersion curve of a beryllium single-crystal.
Real-space multiple-scattering Hubbard model calculations ford- andf-state materials
Authors: Vorwerk Christian , Jorissen Kevin , Rehr John , Ahmed Towfiq
Published: June 2015

Calculations are presented of the electronic structure and X-ray spectra of materials with correlatedd- andf-electron states based on the Hubbard model, a real-space multiple-scattering formalism and a rotationally invariant local density approximation. Values of the Hubbard parameter are calculatedab initiousing the constrained random-phase approximation. The combination of the real-space Green's function with Hubbard model corrections provides an efficient approach to describe localized correlated electron states in these systems, and their effect on core-level X-ray spectra. Results are presented for the projected density of states and X-ray absorption spectra for transition metal- and lanthanide-oxides. Results are found to be in good agreement with experiment.
Synthesis, structure and luminescence properties of two new acylamide metal–organic frameworks showing 4-connected CdSO4and a threefold interpenetratingdianet
Authors: Luo Feng , Zhang Xiao-Jing , Wu Xiao-Liu , Feng Xue-Feng
Published: June 2015

Two new acylamide metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), based on mixedN- andO-donor ligands, with 4-connected topologies have been obtained, namely poly[[μ2-N1,N4-bis(pyridin-3-yl)terephthalamide]bis(μ3-4,4′-oxydibenzoato)dizinc(II)], [Zn2(C14H8O5)2(C18H14N4O2)]n, (1), and poly[[(μ2-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato)[μ2-N4,N4′-bis(pyridin-3-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-dicarboxamide]dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd(C8H4O4)(C24H18N4O2)]·2H2O}n, (2). Complex (1) is a 4-connected CdSO4net with no interpenetration, where the ZnIIcation is regarded as a 4-connecting node with square geometry. Complex (2) is a 4-connecteddianet with threefold interpenetration, where the CdIIcation acts as a 4-connecting node with tetrahedral geometry. The results of thermogravimetric and luminescence analyses are described in detail.
Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and photoluminescence of two homochiral zinc(II) coordination polymers
Authors: Ying Shao-Ming , Ru Jing-Jing , Luo Wu-Kui
Published: June 2015

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have potentially useful applications and an intriguing variety of architectures and topologies. Two homochiral coordination polymers have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method, namely poly[(μ-N-benzyl-L-phenylalaninato-κ4O,O′:O,N)(μ-formato-κ2O:O′)zinc(II)], [Zn(C16H16NO2)(HCOO)]n, (1), and poly[(μ-N-benzyl-L-leucinato-κ4O,O′:O,N)(μ-formato-κ2O:O′)zinc(II)], [Zn(C13H18NO2)(HCOO)]n, (2), and studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Compounds (1) and (2) each have a two-dimensional layer structure, with the benzyl or isobutyl groups of the ligands directed towards the interlayer interface. Photoluminescence investigations show that both (1) and (2) display a strong emission in the blue region.
Structural characterization of the principal mRNA-export factor Mex67–Mtr2 fromChaetomium thermophilum
Authors: Aibara Shintaro , Valkov Eugene , Lamers Meindert H. , Dimitrova Lyudmila , Hurt Ed , Stewart Murray
Published: June 2015

Members of the Mex67–Mtr2/NXF–NXT1 family are the principal mediators of the nuclear export of mRNA. Mex67/NXF1 has a modular structure based on four domains (RRM, LRR, NTF2-like and UBA) that are thought to be present across species, although the level of sequence conservation between organisms, especially in lower eukaryotes, is low. Here, the crystal structures of these domains from the thermophilic fungusChaetomium thermophilumare presented together with small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) andin vitroRNA-binding data that indicate that, not withstanding the limited sequence conservation between different NXF family members, the molecules retain similar structural and RNA-binding properties. Moreover, the resolution of crystal structures obtained with theC. thermophilumdomains was often higher than that obtained previously and, when combined with solution and biochemical studies, provided insight into the structural organization, self-association and RNA-binding properties of Mex67–Mtr2 that facilitate mRNA nuclear export.
Do protein crystals nucleate within dense liquid clusters?
Authors: Maes Dominique , Vorontsova Maria A. , Potenza Marco A. C. , Sanvito Tiziano , Sleutel Mike , Giglio Marzio , Vekilov Peter G.
Published: June 2015

Protein-dense liquid clusters are regions of high protein concentration that have been observed in solutions of several proteins. The typical cluster size varies from several tens to several hundreds of nanometres and their volume fraction remains below 10−3of the solution. According to the two-step mechanism of nucleation, the protein-rich clusters serve as locations for and precursors to the nucleation of protein crystals. While the two-step mechanism explained several unusual features of protein crystal nucleation kinetics, a direct observation of its validity for protein crystals has been lacking. Here, two independent observations of crystal nucleation with the proteins lysozyme and glucose isomerase are discussed. Firstly, the evolutions of the protein-rich clusters and nucleating crystals were characterized simultaneously by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and confocal depolarized dynamic light scattering (cDDLS), respectively. It is demonstrated that protein crystals appear following a significant delay after cluster formation. The cDDLS correlation functions follow a Gaussian decay, indicative of nondiffusive motion. A possible explanation is that the crystals are contained inside large clusters and are driven by the elasticity of the cluster surface. Secondly, depolarized oblique illumination dark-field microscopy reveals the evolution from liquid clusters without crystals to newly nucleated crystals contained in the clusters to grown crystals freely diffusing in the solution. Collectively, the observations indicate that the protein-rich clusters in lysozyme and glucose isomerase solutions are locations for crystal nucleation.
The crystal and solution structure of YdiE fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Nishimura Kaoru , Addy Christine , Shrestha Rojan , Voet Arnout R. D. , Zhang Kam Y. J. , Ito Yutaka , Tame Jeremy R. H.
Published: June 2015

Iron-containing porphyrins are essential for all life as electron carriers. Since iron is poorly available in an oxidizing environment, bacterial growth may be restricted by iron limitation, and this has led to the evolution of a huge variety of iron-uptake systems. Among pathogens, iron scavenging from the haemoglobin of an animal host is a common means of acquiring sufficient iron for growth. The Isd system ofStaphylococcus aureusis a well studied example; the bacterium devotes considerable resources to the construction of surface proteins that deftly remove haem from haemoglobin and pass it along a chain of related proteins, eventually delivering the haem to the cytoplasm, where it can be utilized or degraded. All organisms, however, must deal with haem and related molecules, which are by their nature hydrophobic and prone to precipitate, and which tend to promote the formation of reactive oxygen species. Chaperones are an obvious solution to the problem of maintaining a pool of haem for insertion into cytochromes without allowing naked haem to cause damage. YdiE is a very small protein fromEscherichia coliof only 63 residues which may play a role in haem trafficking. Here, NMR analysis and the crystal structure of the protein to high resolution are reported.
Expression, purification, crystallization and crystallographic study ofLutzomyia longipalpisLJL143
Authors: Kelleher Alan , Liu Zhuyun , Seid Christopher A. , Zhan Bin , Asojo Oluwatoyin A.
Published: June 2015

Leishmaniasis is a neglected vector-borne disease with a global prevalence of over 12 million cases and 59 000 annual deaths. Transmission of the parasite requires salivary proteins, including LJL143 from the New World sandflyLutzomyia longipalpis. LJL143 is a known marker of sandfly exposure in zoonotic hosts. LJL143 was crystallized from soluble protein expressed usingPichia pastoris. X-ray data were collected to 2.6 Å resolution from orthorhombic crystals belonging to space groupP212121, with average unit-cell parametersa= 57.39,b= 70.24,c= 79.58 Å. The crystals are predicted to have a monomer in the asymmetric unit, with an estimated solvent content of 48.5%. LJL143 has negligible homology to any reported structures, so the phases could not be determined by molecular replacement. All attempts at S-SAD failed and future studies include experimental phase determination using heavy-atom derivatives.
Use of dynamic light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering to characterize new surfactants in solution conditions for membrane-protein crystallization
Authors: Dahani Mohamed , Barret Laurie-Anne , Raynal Simon , Jungas Colette , Pernot Pétra , Polidori Ange , Bonneté Françoise
Published: June 2015

The structural and interactive properties of two novel hemifluorinated surfactants, F2H9-β-M and F4H5-β-M, the syntheses of which were based on the structure and hydrophobicity of the well known dodecyl-β-maltoside (DD-β-M), are described. The shape of their micellar assemblies was characterized by small-angle X-ray scattering and their intermicellar interactions in crystallizing conditions were measured by dynamic light scattering. Such information is essential for surfactant phase-diagram determination and membrane-protein crystallization.
The MORPHEUS II protein crystallization screen
Authors: Gorrec Fabrice
Published: June 2015

High-quality macromolecular crystals are a prerequisite for the process of protein structure determination by X-ray diffraction. Unfortunately, the relative yield of diffraction-quality crystals from crystallization experiments is often very low. In this context, innovative crystallization screen formulations are continuously being developed. In the past, MORPHEUS, a screen in which each condition integrates a mix of additives selected from the Protein Data Bank, a cryoprotectant and a buffer system, was developed. Here, MORPHEUS II, a follow-up to the original 96-condition initial screen, is described. Reagents were selected to yield crystals when none might be observed in traditional initial screens. Besides, the screen includes heavy atoms for experimental phasing and small polyols to ensure the cryoprotection of crystals. The suitability of the resulting novel conditions is shown by the crystallization of a broad variety of protein samples and their efficiency is compared with commercially available conditions.
Batch crystallization of rhodopsin for structural dynamics using an X-ray free-electron laser
Authors: Wu Wenting , Nogly Przemyslaw , Rheinberger Jan , Kick Leonhard M. , Gati Cornelius , Nelson Garrett , Deupi Xavier , Standfuss Jörg , Schertler Gebhard , Panneels Valérie
Published: June 2015

Rhodopsin is a membrane protein from the G protein-coupled receptor family. Together with its ligand retinal, it forms the visual pigment responsible for night vision. In order to perform ultrafast dynamics studies, a time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography method is required owing to the nonreversible activation of rhodopsin. In such an approach, microcrystals in suspension are delivered into the X-ray pulses of an X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) after a precise photoactivation delay. Here, a millilitre batch production of high-density microcrystals was developed by four methodical conversion steps starting from known vapour-diffusion crystallization protocols: (i) screening the low-salt crystallization conditions preferred for serial crystallography by vapour diffusion, (ii) optimization of batch crystallization, (iii) testing the crystal size and quality using second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging and X-ray powder diffraction and (iv) production of millilitres of rhodopsin crystal suspension in batches for serial crystallography tests; these crystals diffracted at an XFEL at the Linac Coherent Light Source using a liquid-jet setup.
Crystal structure of 4α-hydroxy-5α,8β(H)-eudesm-7(11)-en-8,12-olide monohydrate
Authors: Lu Qiang-Qiang , Shi Xin-Wei , Yang Xing-Ke
Published: June 2015

The title compound, C15H22O3·H2O, is a natural producr isolated fromChloranthus japonicus, which is a eudesmane sesquiterpenoid. The twotrans-fused six-membered rings have chair confomations. In the crystal, O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the components into corrugated layers parallel to thebcplane. There are C—H...O interactions present within and between the layers.
Crystal structure of 4-hydroxypyridin-1-ium 3,5-dicarboxybenzoate
Authors: Staun Selena L. , Oliver Allen G.
Published: June 2015

The structure of the title salt, C5H6NO+·C9H5O6−, (I), shows that 4-hydroxypyridine has abstracted an H atom from benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, yielding a pyridinium cation and carboxylate anion. The two ions form an extensive three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network throughout the crystal. The hydrogen bonds that comprise the core of the network are considered strong, with O—H...O and N—H...O donor-to-acceptor distances ranging from 2.533 (2) to 2.700 (2) Å. Packing is further enhanced by π-stacking of the cations and anions with like species [centroid–centroid distance = 3.6206 (13) Å].
Crystal structure of orthorhombic {bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl](3,5,5,5-tetrachloropentyl)amine-κ3N,N′,N′′}chloridocopper(II) perchlorate
Authors: Bussey Katherine A. , Cavalier Annie R. , Connell Jennifer R. , Mraz Margaret E. , Oshin Kayode D. , Pintauer Tomislav , Gray Danielle L. , Parkin Sean
Published: June 2015

In the title compound, [CuCl(C17H19Cl4N3)]ClO4, the CuIIion adopts a distorted square-planar geometry defined by one chloride ligand and the three nitrogen atoms from the bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl](3,5,5,5-tetrachloropentyl)amine ligand. The perchlorate counter-ion is disordered over three sets of sites with refined occupancies 0.0634 (17), 0.221 (16) and 0.145 (7). In addition, the hetero-scorpionate arm of the bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methyl](3,5,5,5-tetrachloropentyl)amine ligand is disordered over two sets of sites with refined occupancies 0.839 (2) and 0.161 (2). In the crystal, weak Cu...Cl interactions between symmetry-related molecules create a dimerization with a chloride occupying the apical position of the square-pyramidal geometry typical of many copper(II) chloride hetero-scorpionate complexes.
Crystal structure of 1′-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)-1,4-dihydrospiro[benzo[d][1,3]oxazine-2,3′-indolin]-2′-one
Authors: AaminaNaaz Y. , Kamalraja J. , Vimala G. , Perumal P. T. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: June 2015

In the title compound, C18H14N2O2, the six-membered oxazine ring adopts a half-chair conformation and its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 83.23 (7)° with the pyrrolidine ring of the indoline ring system. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaN—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [100]. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions, forming slabs parallel to (001).
Crystal structure ofN-[(naphthalen-1-yl)carbamothioyl]cyclohexanecarboxamide
Authors: Vimala G. , Haribabu J. , Aishwarya S. , Karvembu R. , SubbiahPandi A.
Published: June 2015

The title compound, C18H20N2OS, displays whole-molecule disorder over two adjacent sets of sites with an occupancy ratio of 0.630 (11):0.370 (11). In each disorder component, the cyclohexyl ring shows a chair conformation with the exocyclic C—C bond in an equatorial orientation. The dihedral angles between the cyclohexyl ring (all atoms) and the naphthyl ring system are 36.9 (6) for the major component and 20.7 (12)° for the minor component. Each component features an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond, which closes anS(5) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of N—H...S hydrogen bonds generateR22(8) loops for both components. Aromatic π–π stacking interactions [shortest centroid–centroid separation = 3.593 (9) Å] and a C—H...π interaction are also observed.
Crystal structure of [NaZn(BTC)(H2O)4]·1.5H2O (BTC = benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate): a heterometallic coordination compound
Authors: Ni Min , Li Quanle , Chen Hao , Li Shengqing
Published: June 2015

The title coordination polymer, poly[[μ-aqua-triaqua(μ3-benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylato)sodiumzinc] sesquihydrate], {[NaZn(C9H3O6)(H2O)4]·1.5H2O}n, was obtained in ionic liquid microemulsion at room temperture by the reaction of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O in the presence of NaOH. The asymmetric unit comprises two Na+ions (each located on an inversion centre), one Zn2+ion, one BTC ligand, four coordinating water molecules and two solvent water molecules, one of which is disordered about an inversion centre and shows half-occupation. The Zn2+cation is five-coordinated by two carboxylate O atoms from two different BTC ligands and three coordinating H2O molecules; the Zn—O bond lengths are in the range 1.975 (2)–2.058 (3) Å. The Na+cations are six-coordinated but have different arrangements of the ligands: one is bound to two carboxylate O atoms of two BTC ligands and four O atoms from four coordinating H2O molecules while the other is bound by four carboxylate O atoms from four BTC linkers and two O atoms of coordinating H2O molecules. The completely deprotonated BTC ligand acts as a bridging ligand binding the Zn2+atom and Na+ions, forming a layered structure extending parallel to (100). An intricate network of O—H...O hydrogen bonds is present within and between the layers.
Crystal structure of ethyl (4R)-2-amino-7-hydroxy-4-phenyl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate
Authors: Mague Joel T. , Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Younes Sabry H. H. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: June 2015

In the title compound, C18H17NO4, the dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the fused six-membered ring is 77.65 (4)°. The conformation of the molecule is determined in part by an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond between the amino H atom and the carbonyl O atom, forming anS(6) motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked into N—H...O hydrogen-bonded inversion dimers which are then connected into chains along [001], forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (100)viaO—H...O hydrogen bonds. C—H...O interactions further contribute to the crystal stability. The ethyl group is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.801 (5):0.199 (5) ratio.
Crystal structure ofcatena-poly[[tetraaquamagnesium]-μ-(dihydrogen hypodiphosphato)-κ2O:O′]
Authors: Gjikaj Mimoza , Haase Madeline
Published: June 2015

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Mg(H2P2O6)(H2O)4]n, is built up from (H2P2O6)2−anions bridging Mg2+cations into chains extending parallel to [011]. The Mg2+ion is located on an inversion centre and is octahedrally coordinated by the O atoms of two (H2P2O6)2−anions and four water molecules. The centrosymmetric (H2P2O6)2−anion has a staggered conformation whereby the tetravalent phosphorus atom is surrounded tetrahedrally by three O atoms and by one symmetry-related P atom. A three-dimensional O—H...O hydrogen-bonded network of medium strength involving the P—OH group of the anion and the water molecules is present.
Crystal structure of 4-({5-[(E)-(3,5-difluorophenyl)diazenyl]-2-hydroxybenzylidene}amino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl
Authors: Tatsız Ramazan , Kasumov Veli T. , Tunc Tuncay , Hökelek Tuncer
Published: June 2015

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C22H25F2N4O2, contains two crystallographically independent molecules. In one molecule, the two benzene rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 1.93 (10)° and in the other molecule the corresponding dihedral angle is 7.19 (9)°. The piperidine rings in the two molecules adopt a similar distorted chair conformation, and both have pseudo-mirror planes passing through the N—O bonds. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond between the hydroxy group and the imine N atom is observed in both molecules. In the crystal, weak C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds, enclosingR22(6) ring motifs, and weak π–π stacking interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular network, with centroid-to-centroid distances between the nearly parallel phenyl and benzene rings of adjacent molecules of 3.975 (2) and 3.782 (2) Å.
A sustainable e-service quality model
Authors: Stamenkov Gjoko , Dika Zamir
Published: June 2015

Purpose

– Providing high service quality is a necessary but insufficient criterion for success. Service quality must be sustained longitudinally. The purpose of this paper is to propose a sustainable e-service quality model by presenting results from a mixed-method study conducted in the Republic of Macedonia’s banking industry. Sustainable e-service quality is the ability to deliver services continually with sustainable high quality, and the ability to manage and maintain customer satisfaction and loyalty. The authors scrutinized sustainable quality from an e-services perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on interview data, a theoretical model is developed. The model is examined empirically using exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. As a sample, the authors chose one bank, with internal, e-services customers as a unit of analysis.

Findings

– Results support a sustainable e-service quality model, confirming that it captures the effect of the internal domain (i.e. quality management system, business/ICT alignment, ICT capabilities, ICT service climate, and e-service quality), and predicts the external domain (satisfaction and loyalty).

Research limitations/implications

– This study was conducted in one bank that is among the best in the country. This limitation implies a need for validation across varying contexts, markets, and countries.

Practical implications

– Practitioners can deploy the model as a diagnostic tool for organizational root-cause analysis of reduced performance and decreased customer satisfaction. The model answers a question regarding unfulfilled expectations of many companies that implement quality management systems: Why did the system fail to improve organizational performance or service quality?

Originality/value

– The result of this research is a sustainable e-service quality model. The model highlights relationships among factors, and provides a research foundation for elaboration in other contexts.
Time‐scale dependency of host plant biomass‐ and trait‐mediated indirect effects of deer herbivory on a swallowtail butterfly
Authors: Takagi Shun , Miyashita Tadashi
Published: June 2015

Despite recent attempts to quantify the relative strength of density‐ and trait‐mediated indirect effects, rarely has the issue been properly addressed at the population level. Most research is based on short‐term small‐scale experiments in which behavioural and/or physiological responses prevail.

Here, we estimated the time‐scales during which density‐ and trait‐mediated effects manifest, as well as the strength of these effects, using an interaction chain with three organisms (deer–plant–butterfly).

A hierarchical Bayesian model was performed by using a long‐term data set of deer density in the Boso Peninsula, central Japan (where local densities differ spatially and temporally) as well as densities of the swallowtail butterfly Byasa alcinous and its host plant Aristolochia kaempferi. The time‐scale effect of deer on plant quantity and quality was estimated according to the degree of carry‐over effects.

The negative influence on leaf density showed a temporal saturation pattern over the long term, while the positive influence on leaf quality due to resprouting of leaves after deer browsing showed no clear temporal trend. The net indirect effect changed from positive to negative with time, with the negative density‐mediated effect becoming prominent in the long term.

Our novel approach is widely applicable in assessing the dynamic impacts of wildlife if the spatio‐temporal variability of expansion and/or invasion history is known.
The developmental race between maturing host plants and their butterfly herbivore – the influence of phenological matching and temperature
Authors: Posledovich Diana , Toftegaard Tenna , Wiklund Christer , Ehrlén Johan , Gotthard Karl
Published: June 2015

Interactions between herbivorous insects and their host plants that are limited in time are widespread. Therefore, many insect–plant interactions result in a developmental race, where herbivores need to complete their development before plants become unsuitable, while plants strive to minimize damage from herbivores by outgrowing them.

When spring phenologies of interacting species change asymmetrically in response to climate warming, there will be a change in the developmental state of host plants at the time of insect herbivore emergence. In combination with altered temperatures during the subsequent developmental period, this is likely to affect interaction strength as well as fitness of interacting species.

Here, we experimentally explore whether the combined effect of phenological matching and thermal conditions influence the outcome of an insect–host interaction. We manipulated both developmental stages of the host plants at the start of the interaction and temperature during the subsequent developmental period in a model system of a herbivorous butterfly, Anthocharis cardamines, and five of its Brassicaceae host plant species.

Larval performance characteristics were favoured by earlier stages of host plants at oviposition as well as by higher developmental temperatures on most of the host species. The probability of a larva needing a second host plant covered the full range from no influence of either phenological matching or temperature to strong effects of both factors, and complex interactions between them. The probability of a plant outgrowing a larva was dependent only on the species identity.

This study demonstrates that climatic variation can influence the outcome of consumer–resource interactions in multiple ways and that its effects differ among host plant species. Therefore, climate warming is likely to change the temporal match between larval and plant development in some plant species, but not in the others. This is likely to have important implications for host plant use and possibly influence competitive relationships.
Activation of imidazoline‐I3 receptors ameliorates pancreatic damage
Authors: Li Yingxiao , Cheng Kai‐Chun , Asakawa Akihiro , Amitani Haruka , Takimoto Yoshiyuki , Runtuwene Joshua , Inui Akio
Published: June 2015

Agmatine, an endogenous ligand of imidazoline receptors, is reported to exhibit anti‐hyperglycaemic and many other effects. It has been established that the imidazoline I3 receptor is involved in insulin secretion. The current study characterizes the role of the imidazoline I3 receptor in the protection of pancreatic islets. The activity effect of agmatine against on streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced (5 mmol/L) rat β cell apoptosis was examined by using ApoTox‐Glo triplex assay, live/dead cell double staining assay, flow cytometric analysis, and western blot. Imidazoline I3 receptors antagonist KU14R and the phospholipase C inhibitor named U73122 were treated in β cells to investigate the potential signalling pathways. The serum glucose and recovery of insulin secretion were measured in STZ‐treated rats after continuously injected agmatine. The apoptosis in rat β cells was reduced by agmatine in a dose‐dependent manner, cell viability was improved after treatment with agmatine and these effects were suppressed after the blockade of KU14R and U73122. Western blot analysis confirmed that agmatine could decrease caspase‐3 expression and increase the p‐BAD levels. In STZ‐treated rats, injection of agmatine for 4 weeks may significantly lower the serum glucose and recovery of insulin secretion. This improvement of pancreatic islets induced by agmatine was deleted by KU14R in vivo. Agmatine can activate the imidazoline I3 receptor linked with the phospholipase C pathway to induce cell protection against apoptosis induced by a low dose of STZ. This finding provides new insight into the prevention of early stage pancreatic islet damage.
World Energy Outlook 2014 projections to 2040: natural gas and coal trade, and the role of China
Authors: Cronshaw Ian
Published: June 2015

The paper presents data and results from the World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2014, published by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Over the period to 2040, total energy use is projected to grow by almost 40 per cent, while the share of fossil fuels in the energy mix falls. Nonetheless, these fossil fuels remain the dominant sources of energy, with oil, coal and gas each accounting for around one quarter of global energy needs by 2040. Increasingly, modern renewables are projected to replace fossil fuels, especially in the power sector. Around 93 per cent of the projected increased primary energy demand comes from non‐OECD countries, with two‐thirds coming from developing Asia, led by China. By 2025, China could account for almost a quarter of global energy use, doubling its share since the turn of the century. After 2025, India and other Asian countries surpass China as the main centres of energy demand growth. The IEA's WEO 2014 concludes that even taking into account ambitious policy measures announced as of mid to late 2014, energy growth projections place the world on a path consistent with a long‐term temperature increase of 3.6 degrees. Urgent action is required if the world's energy systems are to be steered towards lower greenhouse gas emissions.
“A Hook Fast in His Heart”: Emotion and “True Christian Knowledge” in Disputes over Conversion between Lutheran and Moravian Missionaries in Early Colonial Greenland
Authors: McLisky Claire
Published: June 2015

This article explores the role of emotion in Christian conversion for Lutheran and Moravian missionaries to early colonial Greenland. As self‐appointed agents of emotional change, both Lutherans and Moravians attempted to transform the emotional worlds of Indigenous peoples in Greenland, before, during and after their conversion to Christianity, and in some senses they can be said to have been successful. Yet their control over Indigenous emotional expression was never complete, and differences between the two denominations could, at times, be used by Greenlanders to assert their own political, spiritual, and emotional agency.
Spelling instruction in Spanish: a comparison of self‐correction, visual imagery and copying
Authors: Gaintza Zuriñe , Goikoetxea Edurne
Published: June 2015

Two randomised control experiments examined spelling outcomes in a repeated measures design (pre‐test, post‐tests; 1‐day, 1‐month follow‐up, 5‐month follow‐up), where students learned Spanish irregular words through (1) immediate feedback using self‐correction, (2) visual imagery where children imagine and represent words using movement, and (3) copying words. The two control groups engaged in reading and dictation. We expected that methods with kinesthetic components and segmentation of stimuli would yield better orthographic representations in memory. Results showed that orthographic errors on Spanish irregular words diminish when children receive self‐correction instruction. Imagery and copy instruction also reduce these errors, but less consistently. Five months later, self‐correction group maintained their advantage in spelling compared with students who read or performed dictation. Experiment 2 replicated the spelling instruction effects and showed large effects on children who had hardly received any spelling instruction in Spanish. Results indicate that research‐based practices can significantly improve spelling outcomes in primary children.
1984–2014. Normal Accidents. Was Charles Perrow Right for the Wrong Reasons?
Authors: Le Coze Jean‐Christophe
Published: June 2015

In 1984, Charles Perrow released the landmark book Normal Accident (NA), in which he argued the inevitability of accidents in certain types of high‐risk systems.The aim of this article is to reconsider the book, 30 years after its publication, and offer a new interpretation of its points. The message of the book seems as compelling as ever today: Accidents and catastrophes have continued to occur over the last three decades. However, the technological determinism of the book has been criticized and shown to be too restricted to account for the social nature of the phenomena. This article uncovers and highlights a second underlying message of the book which could arguably be the book's most valuable and compelling contribution.
Change in pelvic organ support during pregnancy and the first year postpartum: a longitudinal study
Authors: Reimers C , Stær‐Jensen J , Siafarikas F , Saltyte‐Benth J , Bø K , Ellström Engh M
Published: June 2015

Objective

To describe changes in pelvic organ support from mid pregnancy until 1 year postpartum among nulliparous pregnant women, and to examine whether delivery route affects changes in pelvic organ support.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Akershus University Hospital in Norway.

Population

A cohort of 300 nulliparous pregnant women included at mid‐pregnancy.

Methods

Pelvic organ support assessed at 21 and 37 weeks of gestation, and again at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum, by the use of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP‐Q) system. Linear mixed model was used to assess longitudinal change in pelvic organ support.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of anatomic POP. Change in POP‐Q variables over time and between delivery groups.

Results

The prevalence of anatomic POP ranged from 0 to 10%. Vaginal POP‐Q points made a cranial shift from mid to late pregnancy, a caudal shift following delivery, and again a cranial shift after 6 weeks postpartum. Postpartum change was present following both vaginal and caesarean deliveries, but was more pronounced following vaginal delivery. The perineal body and genital hiatus became longer from mid to late pregnancy, and shortened after 6 weeks postpartum. At 12 months postpartum all POP‐Q points, except cervix, had recovered to baseline in the vaginal delivery group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of anatomic POP was low in this cohort. There was change in pelvic organ support both during pregnancy and following vaginal as well as caesarean delivery. The short‐term ability to recover was good after the first pregnancy and delivery.

Tweetable Abstract

Pelvic organ support changes during pregnancy. A contribution to the risk of POP?
Oral nifedipine versus intravenous labetalol for severe hypertension during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Shekhar S , Gupta N , Kirubakaran R , Pareek P
Published: June 2015

Background

Oral nifedipine is recommended along with labetalol and hydralazine for treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy by most authorities. Although nifedipine is cheap and easily administered, the usage pattern among health care providers suggests a strong preference for labetalol despite lack of evidence for the same.

Objectives

To determine the efficacy and safety of oral nifedipine for treatment of severe hypertension of pregnancy compared with intravenous labetalol.

Search strategy

We systematically searched for articles comparing oral nifedipine with intravenous labetalol for the treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy in any language, over Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials and Google Scholar from inception till February 2014.

Selection criteria

We included all RCTs that compared intravenous labetalol with oral nifedipine for treatment of severe hypertension during pregnancy, addressing relevant efficacy and safety outcomes.

Data collection and analysis

Eligible studies were reviewed, and data were extracted onto a standard form. We used Cochrane review manager software for quantitative analysis. Data were analysed using a fixed effect model.

Main results

The pooled analysis of seven trials (four from developing countries) consisting of 363 woman–infant pairs showed that oral nifedipine was associated with less risk of persistent hypertension (RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.18–0.96) and reported maternal side effects (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.94). However, on sensitivity analysis the outcome ‘persistent hypertension’ was no longer significant. Other outcomes did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion

Oral nifedipine is as efficacious and safe as intravenous labetalol and may have an edge in low resource settings.

Tweetable abstract

Although studies to date are few in number and small, nifedipine shows promise for severe hypertension in pregnancy.
Maternal characteristics and mid‐pregnancy serum biomarkers as risk factors for subtypes of preterm birth
Authors: Jelliffe‐Pawlowski LL , Baer RJ , Blumenfeld YJ , Ryckman KK , O'Brodovich HM , Gould JB , Druzin ML , El‐Sayed YY , Lyell DJ , Stevenson DK , Shaw GM , Currier RJ
Published: June 2015

Objective

To examine the relationship between maternal characteristics, serum biomarkers and preterm birth (PTB) by spontaneous and medically indicated subtypes.

Design

Population‐based cohort.

Setting

California, United States of America.

Population

From a total population of 1 004 039 live singleton births in 2009 and 2010, 841 665 pregnancies with linked birth certificate and hospital discharge records were included.

Methods

Characteristics were compared for term and preterm deliveries by PTB subtype using logistic regression and odds ratios adjusted for maternal characteristics and obstetric factors present in final stepwise models and 95% confidence intervals. First‐trimester and second‐trimester serum marker levels were analysed in a subset of 125 202 pregnancies with available first‐trimester and second‐trimester serum biomarker results.

Main outcome measure

PTB by subtype.

Results

In fully adjusted models, ten characteristics and three serum biomarkers were associated with increased risk in each PTB subtype (Black race/ethnicity, pre‐existing hypertension with and without pre‐eclampsia, gestational hypertension with pre‐eclampsia, pre‐existing diabetes, anaemia, previous PTB, one or two or more previous caesarean section(s), interpregnancy interval ≥ 60 months, low first‐trimester pregnancy‐associated plasma protein A, high second‐trimester α‐fetoprotein, and high second‐trimester dimeric inhibin A). These risks occurred in 51.6–86.2% of all pregnancies ending in PTB depending on subtype. The highest risk observed was for medically indicated PTB <32 weeks in women with pre‐existing hypertension and pre‐eclampsia (adjusted odds ratio 89.7, 95% CI 27.3–111.2).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a shared aetiology across PTB subtypes. These commonalities point to targets for further study and exploration of risk reduction strategies.

Tweetable abstract

Findings suggest a shared aetiology across preterm birth subtypes. Patterns may inform risk reduction efforts.
Healthier options do not reduce total energy of parent intended fast food purchases for their young children: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yoong Sze Lin , Dodds Pennie , Hure Alexis , Clinton‐Mcharg Tara , Skelton Eliza , Wiggers John , Wolfenden Luke
Published: June 2015

Aim

This study aimed to assess the impact of including healthier options on fast food restaurant menus on total energy of parent‐reported intended purchases and frequency to eat at fast food outlets for young children.

Methods

Parents from an existing health survey cohort were approached to participate. They were eligible to participate if they resided in the Hunter region in NSW, could understand English and had a child aged between 3 and 12 years. Parents were randomised using a random number function embedded in the computer assisted telephone interview software, to receive one of two hypothetical fast food menus: one with healthier options and the other without healthier options (standard menu). After receiving these menus, participants completed a second telephone survey. Parents reported intended food purchases for their nominated child and intended number of visits to the fast food outlet with the hypothetical menu.

Results

There was no significant difference in total energy of parent‐reported intended purchases for their child, between the standard menu with (n = 101) and without (n = 113) healthier options (P = 0.60). There was also no difference in the frequency of intending to eat at the fast food restaurant between the two groups (P = 0.80).

Conclusions

The provision of healthier options in itself may not reduce the total energy of intended purchases of parents for young children at fast food restaurants.
Involved‐field radiotherapy for patients with mantle cell lymphoma
Authors: Neville Katherine E , Bisquera Alessandra , Capp Anne L
Published: June 2015

Introduction

Retrospective analysis was performed at a single institution to assess the responsiveness of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) to involved‐field radiotherapy (IFRT).

Methods

All patients treated with IFRT to at least one site of MCL between 1998 and 2012 were included. There were 25 patients who received radiotherapy to 60 disease sites. Primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR) infield for the first site of MCL treated per patient. Predictors of ORR were analysed for the primary endpoint. Time to local progression (TLP) infield and progression‐free survival were calculated from the start of the first treatment course. Analysis of all sites collectively was also undertaken. Survival analysis was conducted by the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

ORR rate was 84% for the first site treated per patient. Complete response and partial response rates were 68% and 16% respectively. Median TLP following radiotherapy to the first site was not reached. Infield control rate was 91% at 12 months (95% confidence interval 69–97%). When analysis was performed on all 60 sites, ORR was 85%. Symptomatic improvement occurred after IFRT to 93% of all sites. Systemic progression outside the radiotherapy field was the predominant form of failure following IFRT.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy generally induced a clinical response at all levels of dose administered, ranging from 3 to 36 Gy. However, increased durability of local control was suggested with higher doses. Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for palliation of MCL with objective and symptomatic responses seen over a range of radiotherapy doses.
Private Intermediary Innovation and Market Liquidity: Evidence from the Pink Sheets® Market
Authors: Jiang John (Xuefeng) , Petroni Kathy R. , Wang Isabel Yanyan
Published: June 2015

In 2007, Pink Sheets LLC assigned each Pink Sheets® company to a disclosure tier and on its website affixed a colorful graphic to its stock symbol signifying the company's public disclosure level. This unique innovation allows us to investigate the impact of increased salience of disclosure practices on liquidity. Using a difference‐in‐difference design, we find evidence that firms classified into the Current Information category experienced an increase in liquidity while firms classified into the No Information category experienced a decrease in liquidity, both relative to other unclassified over‐the‐counter firms. This suggests that increases in the salience of disclosure practices via assignment to disclosure tiers affect investors’ attention, leading to changes in trading behavior that ultimately translate into liquidity changes. We also provide evidence that some investors anticipated the resulting liquidity changes because stock returns around a key event date leading up to the release of the disclosure tiers are positively associated with subsequent liquidity changes.
Opposite effects of two estrogen receptors on tau phosphorylation through disparate effects on the miR‐218/PTPA pathway
Authors: Xiong Yan‐Si , Liu Fang‐Fang , Liu Dan , Huang He‐Zhou , Wei Na , Tan Lu , Chen Jian‐Guo , Man Heng‐Ye , Gong Cheng‐Xin , Lu Youming , Wang Jian‐Zhi , Zhu Ling‐Qiang
Published: June 2015

The two estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα and ERβ, mediate the diverse biological functions of estradiol. Opposite effects of ERα and ERβ have been found in estrogen‐induced cancer cell proliferation and differentiation as well as in memory‐related tasks. However, whether these opposite effects are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. Here, we find that ERα and ERβ play contrasting roles in regulating tau phosphorylation, which is a pathological hallmark of AD. ERα increases the expression of miR‐218 to suppress the protein levels of its specific target, protein tyrosine phosphatase α (PTPα). The downregulation of PTPα results in the abnormal tyrosine hyperphosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (resulting in activation) and protein phosphatase 2A (resulting in inactivation), the major tau kinase and phosphatase. Suppressing the increased expression of miR‐218 inhibits the ERα‐induced tau hyperphosphorylation as well as the PTPα decline. In contrast, ERβ inhibits tau phosphorylation by limiting miR‐218 levels and restoring the miR‐218 levels antagonized the attenuation of tau phosphorylation by ERβ. These data reveal for the first time opposing roles for ERα and ERβ in AD pathogenesis and suggest potential therapeutic targets for AD.
Determinants of Chinese equity financing behaviours: traditional model and the alternatives
Authors: Chen Xiaoyan , Ling Xin
Published: June 2015

This paper studies the capital structure of Chinese SEO issuers, from the perspective of equity. The traditional model is subject to several problems including spurious correlation, cumulative measure and endogeneity. System GMM (generalised method of moments) is superior to the traditional model. Corporate governance is positively correlated to firm equity level; however, it does not affect incremental managerial adjustments to equity. In addition, state control positively influences equity level but has a negative effect on incremental managerial adjustment. Mixed evidence is found for the established capital structure theories in the Chinese context.