bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-modal congruency benefits for combined tactile and visual signaling
Authors: MERLO JAMES L. , DULEY AARON R. , HANCOCK PETER A.
Published: April 2014

This series of experiments tested the assimilation and efficacy of tactile messages that were created based on five common military arm and hand signals. We compared the response times and accuracy rates for these tactile representations against responses to equivalent visual representations of the same messages. Experimentally, such messages were displayed in either tactile or visual forms alone, or using both modalities in combination. There was a performance benefit for concurrent message presentations, which showed superior response times and improved accuracy rates when compared with individual presentations in either modality alone. Such improvement was due largely to a reduction in premotor response time. These improvements occurred equally in military and nonmilitary samples. Potential reasons for this multimodal facilitation are discussed. On a practical level, these results confirm the utility of tactile messaging to augment visual messaging, especially in challenging and stressful environments where visual messaging is not feasible or effective.
Role of Nutraceuticals in Cancer Therapy
Authors: Ranzato Elia , Martinotti Simona , Calabrese Cinzia Myriam , Calabrese Giorgio
Published: April 2014

Nutraceuticals are natural bioactive products with food value and promising therapeutic properties in several diseases. Current cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery, induce unintended side effects compromising also health and well-being of patients. Emerging studies suggest that some plant-based agents may impact cellular and molecular processes underlying tumor progression. However, some of these molecules might also play an antagonistic activity against classic therapeutic agents. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge underpinning the use of nutraceuticals in cancer prevention and therapy.
Phytochemicals Content in Italian Garlic Bulb (Allium sativum L.) Varieties
Authors: Azzini Elena , Durazzo Alessandra , Foddai Maria Stella , Temperini Olindo , Venneria Eugenia , Valentini Simona , Maiani Giuseppe
Published: April 2014

Several studies have demonstrated a wide range of therapeutic effects due to garlic high content of phytochemicals, including sulfur-containing compounds, vitamins, saponins, flavonoids and moderate levels of carotenoids. The synergistic interactions between these components seem to explain the outcomes of certain healing properties from garlic. This study evaluates the health promoting phytochemicals (ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids) content and antioxidant capacity in four “typical garlic varieties” (Rosso di Castelliri, Bianco Piacentino, Rosso di Sulmona, Rosso di Proceno), grown in different geographical areas. b-carotene content ranged from 5.68 to 7.41 mg/100g and 6.36 to 7.46 mg/100g for Viterbo and Alvito bulbs respectively. Overall, vitamin C levels were statistically higher in samples from Alvito compared with same cultivars from Viterbo; among them Rosso Sulmona and Rosso Castelliri displayed the higher content (21.59 ± 2.75 and 18.91 ± 0.34 mg/100g respectively). FRAP values were positively correlated (r = 0.74 and P = 0.03) with vitamin C levels and highly correlated (r = 0.86 and P = 0.005) with myricetin levels. Our findings have revealed that genotype and environmental conditions (production areas and pedoclimatic factors), as well as their interaction, could influence the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant properties of Italian garlic bulb varieties.
Novel Neuroprotective Formulations Based on St. John’s Wort Extract
Authors: Vazzana Monica , Macedo Ana S. , Santini Antonello , Faggio Caterina , Souto Eliana B.
Published: April 2014

St. John’s Wort (SJW) has been intensively studied in the last years with respect to its pharmacological properties and to understand the mechanism of action of its bioactive compounds. In fact, it is currently used for the treatment of several disorders. Nevertheless, only recently nanotechnology has been applied for the delivery of SJW extract in vivo, to enhance its neuroprotective properties. In the present review, the advantages, the chemical characterization and the special biological features of SJW extract are discussed, underlining the potential use of nanotechnology in the development of drug carrier systems based on lipid nanoparticles. A special focus is given to solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and to nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) given their versatility for a wide range of bioactive compounds.
Antioxidant Properties of Experimental Wholegrain Pastas Made With Different Cereals
Authors: Durazzo Alessandra , Turfani Valeria , Azzini Elena , Maiani Giuseppe , Carcea Marina
Published: April 2014

Pasta represents an identifying ingredient of traditional healthy dishes, in particular in Mediterranean areas. Traditional pasta is made with durum wheat semolina only. However, pasta manufactured with different cereals has become available on the market and its consumption is rapidly increasing.

Five experimental dry pastas, manufactured with the same process by adding 60% wholegrain flours of different cereals (wheat, oat, rye, barley and rice) to the same durum wheat semolina, were supplied by Pavan s.p.a. (Galliera Veneta, PD, Italy).

For each product, aqueous-organic extracts and their residues were studied. Their antioxidant properties were evaluated by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) assay and Total Polyphenols Content (TPC) was determined by the Folin Ciocalteau method.

For cooked experimental wholegrain pastas made with different cereals, FRAP values ranged from 3.26 ± 0.08 µmol/g d.w. to 19.52 ± 1.28 µmol/g d.w. in aqueous-organic extracts and from 17.91 ± 2.83 µmol/g d.w. to 87.83 ± 5.06 µmol/g d.w. in residues. In both raw and cooked products the lowest FRAP values were found for semolina/60% whole rice pasta.

The barley pasta has interesting antioxidant properties and this result was matched by the TPC one.

Practical Application

The interest in more nutritious and potentially functional foods has prompted the cereal industry towards new formulations of wholegrain products. The functional properties of minor cereals have been poorly investigated. Our results show that wholegrain pastas made with different cereals are rich in antioxidants, in particular whole barley based pasta, providing a scientific basis for the development of grains based functional foods.

Then the study of free and bond bioactive compounds could be crucial to describe the potential of grains, with the aim of better understanding potential health benefits of wholegrain based food consumption.
Cycle de vie, attitude et comportement en matière d’épargne-retraite : Le cas des travailleurs québécois âgés de 24 à 44 ans
Authors: Bernier Gilles , Fallu Jean-Mathieu , Khoury Nabil
Published: April 2014

Cette étude présente une analyse approfondie des résultats du sondage de Question Retraite de 2011 auprès d’un échantillon de 1605 Québécois âgés de 24 à 44 ans afin de connaître leur comportement et leur attitude envers la planification de la retraite. La méthodologie se base sur une analyse de regroupements (cluster analysis) afin d’établir une segmentation du profil et des comportements des participants à l’enquête selon certaines variables. Dans l’ensemble, les résultats de l’étude sont conformes avec la logique de l’hypothèse de l’évolution de l’épargne sur le cycle de vie. Il s’ensuit qu’environ 40 % des travailleurs de ce groupe d’âge risquent de devenir dépendants des régimes publics de rente pour leurs revenus à la retraite.
Multiple Sclerosis Symptom Recrudescence at the End of the Natalizumab Dosing Cycle
Authors: Ratchford John N. , Brock-Simmons Regina , Augsburger Amanda , Steele Sonya U. , Mohn Kristie , Rhone Mandi , Bo Jinyan , Costello Kathleen
Published: April 2014

Background: This study was undertaken to determine how frequently patients receiving natalizumab for multiple sclerosis (MS) experience recrudescence of their MS symptoms at the end of the dosing cycle.

Methods: One hundred consecutive MS patients receiving natalizumab completed a survey evaluating changes in symptoms during the natalizumab dosing cycle. Ninety-one patients also completed questionnaires at two time points: the first week after natalizumab infusion and the last week of the dosing cycle. These included the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life–54 (MSQOL-54), Fatigue Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Beck Depression Inventory–II (BDI-II).

Results: End of dosing interval (EDI) symptoms were reported as currently being experienced by 57% of respondents. An additional 10% reported that they previously experienced that phenomenon, but not currently, and 33% reported never experiencing this. In those with EDI symptoms, they began to occur a median of 21 days after infusion and improved again a median of 1 day after infusion. The most common symptoms reported were fatigue, weakness, walking impairment, and cognitive difficulties. No specific demographic or disease characteristics were associated with this phenomenon. In the subgroup with EDI symptoms, the MSQOL-54, Fatigue VAS, FSS, and BDI-II scores were all significantly worse in the last week of the dosing cycle when compared with the first week. No difference was seen in these scores between first and last week in the subgroup not experiencing symptom recrudescence.

Conclusions: Recrudescence of fatigue, weakness, walking impairment, or cognitive difficulties at the end of the dosing cycle occurs in about two-thirds of MS patients receiving natalizumab.
T cells translate individual, quantal activation into collective, analog cytokine responses via time-integrated feedbacks
Authors: Tkach Karen E , Barik Debashis , Voisinne Guillaume , Malandro Nicole , Hathorn Matthew M , Cotari Jesse W , Vogel Robert , Merghoub Taha , Wolchok Jedd , Krichevsky Oleg , Altan-Bonnet Grégoire
Published: April 2014

Variability within isogenic T cell populations yields heterogeneous ‘local’ signaling responses to shared antigenic stimuli, but responding clones may communicate ‘global’ antigen load through paracrine messengers, such as cytokines. Such coordination of individual cell responses within multicellular populations is critical for accurate collective reactions to shared environmental cues. However, cytokine production may saturate as a function of antigen input, or be dominated by the precursor frequency of antigen-specific T cells. Surprisingly, we found that T cells scale their collective output of IL-2 to total antigen input over a large dynamic range, independently of population size. Through experimental quantitation and computational modeling, we demonstrate that this scaling is enforced by an inhibitory cross-talk between antigen and IL-2 signaling, and a nonlinear acceleration of IL-2 secretion per cell. Our study reveals how time-integration of these regulatory loops within individual cell signaling generates scaled collective responses and can be leveraged for immune monitoring.
Fabrication of submicron-scale rectangular bar of transparent In–Ga–Zn–O: A study of the possible application of transparent In–Ga–Zn–O optical waveguide
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Kuwahara Masashi
Published: April 2014

We studied the optical properties of In–Ga–Zn–O (IGZO) films and found a very low extinction coefficient of the films. For the potential application of the films, we propose an optical waveguide device made of IGZO. We have succeeded in producing a submicron-scale rectangular-bar structure of IGZO using our newly developed dry etching process. Simulation results showed an ∼5 dB/cm propagation loss of a 400 × 400 nm2 square optical waveguide device of amorphous IGZO at a wavelength of 1.55 µm, when a standard deviation of ∼4 nm and a correlation length of ∼100 nm of sidewall roughness were achieved.
Las éticas de la convergencia y la filosofía de lo cotidiano: Los actos comunicativos como condiciones de humanización del mundo globalizado mediante la responsabilidad, la reflexión, la compasión y el reconocimiento del otro
Authors: Villar Francisco Javier
Published: April 2014

El artículo presentará el cruce y coincidencias de dos propuestasfilosófico-morales latinoamericanas para el mundo actual: la que surge apartir de la edición de un libro homenaje al filósofo argentino Ricardo Maliandi(Salas, 2010) y la del filósofo chileno Humberto Giannini, reflejadatambién en un libro homenaje (Sánchez y Aguirre, 2011). En el artículoambas propuestas son presentadas como un aporte propio de la filosofíalatinoamericana al mundo de la filosofía desde las éticas del diálogo, rescatandosus coincidencias y similitudes. El artículo aprovechará sus enfoquespara leer la realidad latinoamericana con sus problemas y necesidades sociales,éticas y políticas proponiendo con sus autores aquellos principalesrasgos de una ética comunicativa que posibilitarán condiciones de vida personaly colectivas más humanizadoras y habitables para todas las personas:la responsabilidad, la reflexión, la compasión y el reconocimiento del otro.Siendo la educación, en estas propuestas filosóficas, uno de los vehículosesenciales de construcción social del mundo actual, a partir de ellas propondrá a su vez caminos de educabilidad y de logros de dichas condiciones enel ámbito de la educación superior latinoamericana. Por último, el artículoplantea la responsabilidad social universitaria como un concepto, enriquecidopor el aporte de estas éticas convergentes y cotidianas, a consolidarse enlas universidades para que éstas, en cuanto organizaciones sociales, logrendicha construcción social
Revisitando la perspectiva biográfica en clave educativa: un estudio de caso de la formación de posgrado en Argentina a partir de programas curriculares
Authors: Muñiz Terra Leticia Magalí , Roberti Eugenia
Published: April 2014

La utilización de la perspectiva biográfica en Argentina ha idocreciendo en los últimos años de manera considerable. Numerosos estudiose investigaciones adscribieron a esta perspectiva teórico-metodológica desdedistintas disciplinas de las ciencias sociales, reconstruyendo y analizando ensus trabajos historias de vida de diversos actores sociales. En este artículonos preocupamos por esta problemática analizando de qué manera las materiassobre la perspectiva biográfica se inscriben en los planes de estudios de las carreras de posgrado públicas. Más específicamente, nos centramosen las particularidades que presentan estos programas de formación de posgrado,abordando los siguientes interrogantes: ¿cómo están organizados losprogramas? ¿Cuáles son sus objetivos explícitos? ¿Qué contenidos cubreny cómo están éstos organizados? ¿Qué bibliografía utilizan? ¿Qué tipo deevaluación prevén? Con el objeto de responder a estas preguntas, realizamosuna investigación cualitativa documental, utilizando fundamentalmente archivosinstitucionales, programas de seminarios sobre el campo biográfico,páginas web y entrevistas. Para abordar los programas identificados y elresto del material escrito recurrimos a la técnica de análisis de documentos.El análisis de los programas consistió en una clasificación basada en unadiferenciación respecto de los contenidos incluidos en los mismos: 1) losprogramas que abordan el campo biográfico desde miradas generales, esdecir, que buscan transmitir lo biográfico en tanto perspectiva teórico-metodológica;2) los programas que parten de miradas específicas sobre temasdiversos, incluyendo lo biográfico como una técnica para su comprensión.Estos últimos abordan así distintas problemáticas sociales incluyendo en suinterior, en alguna de sus unidades, la enseñanza de la técnica.
Caminar en la cultura de los Cris (Crees) de Baie James
Authors: Neural Samuel
Published: April 2014

Hoy en día, los etnólogos son confrontados a medios culturalesque no sólo han sido transformados sino, y sobre todo, se han vueltocompuestos. En el presente, el terreno desafía las leyes de la homogeneidadcultural, pues los individuos que el etnógrafo encontrará serán seres quehabrán vivido una multitud de experiencias en entornos que ya no dependennecesariamente de su universo social de pertenencia. Esta constatación implicala necesidad de construir herramientas de comprensión de la realidadcada vez más diversas. La experiencia del terreno está sujeta, entonces, a unconjunto de competencias que el etnógrafo debe adquirir, y cuyos principiosdependen de diferentes entornos en los que él habrá sido «proyectado». Esteartículo da testimonio de un trabajo de análisis reflexivo resultante de unterreno, y fue llevado a cabo al interior de la sociedad de los Cris de BaieJames, en las regiones septentrionales de la provincia del Quebec en Canadá.El terreno y las competencias que éste implica por parte del etnógrafopara introducirse en la vida cotidiana de una de las familias de este grupo,son pensados siguiendo tres entidades espaciales que estos últimos viven enlo cotidiano, que son los campamentos de caza, el pueblo, la región, unapartición espacial que resulta de una puesta en marcha de la sociedad comoconsecuencia de la industrialización de su territorio ancestral.
El antropólogo o el «extranjero familiar» sobre el terreno. Entre comodidad, incomodidad y riesgos
Authors: Boullosa-Joly Maité
Published: April 2014

La figura del «extranjero» descrita por Goerg Simmel puede sertransferible a la posición del etnólogo sobre el terreno, quien se vuelve progresivamenteel «extranjero familiar» para sus anfitriones (Simmel, 1999:663). A través de mi experiencia de investigación, analizaré la manera enque yo me convertí en una extranjera cada vez más familiar y como me introdujeprogresivamente en las interrelaciones locales cuyo objetivo para míera comprender. Ser extranjero puede representar una comodidad en ciertoscontextos, pero también una incomodidad, incluso un peligro a veces cuandose usa como chivo expiatorio. ¿Pariente, turista o espía? Son diferentesestatus que tuve que asumir en contextos de observación diversificados alinterior de dos pueblos del Noroeste argentino: la alta montaña, un puebloturístico y organizaciones militantes. Después de haber analizado el estatusde extranjero familiar que puede tener el antropólogo, en este artículo haréel relato de mis «inmersiones» en estos diferentes lugares y mostrar que miposición puede ser reveladora de las relaciones sociales que afectaban cadauniverso. Las imágenes fotográficas tomadas in situ, serán utilizadas comosujeto de análisis; ellas formalizan la mirada y la relación del investigador con respecto al sujeto que observa (Conord, 1992; Piette, 1992). Éstas sonsignificativas de la mirada mutua que nos dirigíamos con mis anfitriones yde la posición que me era asignada.
Traductología y diálogo intercultural
Authors: Garbarine Barra Carmen , Salgado Ismodes Italo
Published: April 2014

Payàs, Gertrudis y José Manuel Zavala (2012). La mediación lingüístico-cultural en tiempos de guerra. Cruce de miradas desde España y América. Ediciones UC Temuco. Temuco, Chile, 2012.
Contenidos
Authors: . .
Published: April 2014

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Variations in axial magma lens properties along the East Pacific Rise (9°30′N–10°00′N) from swath 3‐D seismic imaging and 1‐D waveform inversion
Authors: Xu Min , Pablo Canales J. , Carbotte Suzanne M. , Carton Helene , Nedimović Mladen R. , Mutter John C.
Published: April 2014

We use three‐dimensional multistreamer seismic reflection data to investigate variations in axial magma lens (AML) physical properties along the East Pacific Rise between 9°30′N and 10°00′N. Using partial‐offset stacks of P‐ and S‐converted waves reflecting off the top of the AML, we image four 2–4 km long melt‐rich sections spaced 5–10 km from each other. One‐dimensional waveform inversion indicates that the AML in a melt‐rich section is best modeled with a low Vp (2.95–3.23 km/s) and Vs (0.3–1.5 km/s), indicating >70% melt fraction. In contrast, the AML in a melt‐poor section requires higher Vp (4.52–4.82 km/s) and Vs (2.0–3.0 km/s), which indicates <40% melt fraction. The thicknesses of the AML are constrained to be 8–32 m and 8–120 m at the melt‐rich and ‐poor sites, respectively. Based on the AML melt‐mush segmentation imaged in the area around the 2005–2006 eruption, we infer that the main source of this eruption was a 5 km long section of the AML between 9°48′N and 51′N. The eruption drained most of the melt in this section of the AML, leaving behind a large fraction of connected crystals. We estimate that during the 2005–2006 eruption, a total magma volume of 9–83 × 106 m3 was extracted from the AML, with a maximum of 71 × 106 m3 left unerupted in the crust as dikes. From this, we conclude that an eruption of similar dimensions to the 2005–2006, one would be needed with a frequency of years to decades in order to sustain the long‐term average seafloor spreading rate at this location.
Carbon export by small particles in the Norwegian Sea
Authors: Dall'Olmo Giorgio , Mork Kjell Arne
Published: April 2014

Despite its fundamental role in controlling the Earth's climate, present estimates of global organic carbon export to the deep sea are affected by relatively large uncertainties. These uncertainties are due to lack of observations as well as disagreement among methods and assumptions used to estimate carbon export. Complementary observations are thus needed to reduce these uncertainties. Here we show that optical backscattering measured by Bio‐Argo floats can detect a seasonal carbon export flux in the Norwegian Sea. This export was most likely due to small particles (i.e., 0.2–20 μm), was comparable to published export values, and contributed to long‐term carbon sequestration. Our findings highlight the importance of small particles and of physical mixing in the biological carbon pump and support the use of autonomous platforms as tools to improve our mechanistic understanding of the ocean carbon cycle.
Scaling coastal dune elevation changes across storm‐impact regimes
Authors: Long Joseph W. , de Bakker Anouk T. M. , Plant Nathaniel G.
Published: April 2014

Extreme storms drive change in coastal areas, including destruction of dune systems that protect coastal populations. Data from four extreme storms impacting four geomorphically diverse barrier islands are used to quantify dune elevation change. This change is compared to storm characteristics to identify variability in dune response, improve understanding of morphological interactions, and provide estimates of scaling parameters applicable for future prediction. Locations where total water levels did not exceed the dune crest experienced elevation change of less than 10%. Regions where wave‐induced water levels exceeded the dune crest exhibited a positive linear relationship between the height of water over the dune and the dune elevation change. In contrast, a negative relationship was observed when surge exceeded the dune crest. Results indicate that maximum dune elevation, and therefore future vulnerability, may be more impacted from lower total water levels where waves drive sediment over the dune rather than surge‐dominated flooding events.
Improving Students' Critical Thinking: Empirical Support for Explicit Instructions Combined with Practice
Authors: Heijltjes Anita , van Gog Tamara , Paas Fred
Published: April 2014

This experiment investigated the impact of different types of critical thinking instruction and dispositions on bias in economics students' (N = 141) reasoning performance. The following conditions were compared: (A) implicit instruction; (B) implicit instruction with practice; (C) implicit instruction with explicit instruction and practice; (D) implicit instruction with explicit instruction, practice, and self‐explanation prompts; and (E) implicit instruction with explicit instruction, practice, and activation prompts. Results showed that explicit instruction combined with practice is required to improve critical thinking (i.e., conditions A/B < C/D/E). Prompting during practice had no added performance benefits. Participants' dispositions toward actively open‐minded thinking predicted their pre‐test and post‐test scores but did not interact with instruction condition, suggesting that receiving explicit instruction combined with practice was equally effective for all students. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional Polyethylene Terephthalate with Nanometer‐Sized Bioactive Glass Coatings Stimulating In Vitro and In Vivo Osseointegration for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Li Hong , Wu Chengtie , Chang Jiang , Ge Yunshen , Chen Shiyi
Published: April 2014

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) artificial ligament has been widely used for treating serious cases of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. However, the major drawback of PET artificial ligament is their insufficient surface bioactivity which hinders its osseointegration and mechanical anchorage in the bone tunnel. The aim of the present study is to prepare functional akermanite (AKT) nanocoatings on PET artificial ligaments by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in order to promote the in vitro osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs and in vivo osteointegration. The results show that AKT glass nanocoatings on PET with uniform nanoparticles (around 30 nm) have been successfully prepared by PLD method. The in vitro study displays that the prepared AKT‐PET grafts support the attachment of BMSCs, and significantly stimulate the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in comparison to pure PET grafts. AKT coatings on PET grafts promote the regeneration of new bone at the interface of the grafts and host bone tissues, and enhance the bonding strength in vivo as compared to pure PET grafts. The study establishes a viable method to apply PLD technique for preparing bioactive ceramic‐coated PET artificial ligaments with significantly improved osseointegration for ACL reconstruction.
Nitrile as Activating Group in the Asymmetric Bioreduction of β‐Cyanoacrylic Acids Catalyzed by Ene‐Reductases
Authors: Winkler Christoph K. , Clay Dorina , Turrini Nikolaus G. , Lechner Horst , Kroutil Wolfgang , Davies Simon , Debarge Sebastien , O'Neill Pat , Steflik Jeremy , Karmilowicz Mike , Wong John W. , Faber Kurt
Published: April 2014

Asymmetric bioreduction of an (E)‐β‐cyano‐2,4‐dienoic acid derivative by ene‐reductases allowed a shortened access to a precursor of pregabalin [(S)‐3‐(aminomethyl)‐5‐methylhexanoic acid] possessing the desired configuration in up to 94% conversion and >99% ee. Deuterium labelling studies showed that the nitrile moiety was the preferred activating/anchor group in the active site of the enzyme over the carboxylic acid or the corresponding methyl ester.

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Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative α‐Alkylation of α‐Amino Carbonyl Compounds with Ethers via Dual C(sp3)‐H Oxidative Cross‐ Coupling
Authors: Wei Wen‐Ting , Song Ren‐Jie , Li Jin‐Heng
Published: April 2014

A novel copper‐catalyzed oxidative alkylation of α‐amino carbonyl compounds with ethers has been established for the selective synthesis of α‐etherized α‐amino carbonyl compounds. This oxidative alkylation is achieved by dual C(sp3)H bond oxidative cross‐coupling, and its scope is expanded to α‐amino ketones, α‐amino esters and α‐amino amides.

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Autism traits in children and adolescents with Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Authors: Srivastava Siddharth , Landy‐Schmitt Colleen , Clark Bennett , Kline Antonie D. , Specht Matt , Grados Marco A.
Published: April 2014

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a cohesinopathy causing delayed growth and limb deficits. Individuals with CdLS have mild to profound intellectual disability and autistic features. This study characterizes the behavioral phenotype of children with CdLS, focusing on autistic features, maladaptive behaviors, and impact of age. Children with CdLS (5–18 years) were administered normed instruments to characterize autism features (Childhood Autism Rating Scale, CARS), maladaptive behaviors (Aberrant Behavior Checklist), and adaptive skills (Vineland Adaptive Behaviors Scales). CdLS features and severity were rated with Diagnostic Criteria for CdLS. Forty‐one children with CdLS (23 females, 18 males) were classified as having “no autism” (n = 7; 17.1%), “mild autism” (n = 17; 41.4%), and “severe autism” (n = 17; 41.4%), using CARS scores. Characteristic items were abnormal emotional response, stereotypies, odd object use, rigidity, lack of verbal communication, and low intellectual functioning. Verbal communication deficits and repetitive behaviors were higher compared to sensory, social cognition, and behavior abnormalities (P ≤ 0.0001). Maladaptive behaviors associated with autism traits were stereotypies (P = 0.003), hyperactivity (P = 0.01), and lethargy (P = 0.03). Activities of daily living were significantly affected; socialization adaptive skills were a relative strength. However, with advancing age, both socialization (P < 0.0001) and communication (P = 0.001) domains declined significantly. CdLS is characterized by autistic features, notably excessive repetitive behaviors and expressive language deficits. While other adaptive skills are impacted, socialization adaptive skills are less affected. Advancing age can worsen communication and socialization deficits relative to neurotypical peers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fatigue in adults with Marfan syndrome, occurrence and associations to pain and other factors
Authors: Bathen Trine , Velvin Gry , Rand‐Hendriksen Svend , Robinson Hilde Stendal
Published: April 2014

This study aims to investigate how fatigue affects adults with verified Marfan syndrome (MFS) in their daily lives, by examining fatigue levels and prevalence of severe fatigue compared to the general Norwegian population and individuals with other comparable chronic conditions. We investigated associations between socio‐demographic characteristics, Marfan‐related health problems, pain and fatigue. A cross‐sectional study was conducted, using a postal questionnaire including the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and questions on socio‐demographic characteristics, Marfan‐related health problems and pain. One hundred seventeen persons with MFS were invited to participate, 73 answered (62%). Participants reported significantly higher FSS scores and prevalence of severe fatigue compared to the general Norwegian population and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but lower than for other chronic conditions. Participants with chronic pain reported higher fatigue scores than those without chronic pain. Participants on disability benefits reported higher fatigue scores than participants who were working or enrolled in higher education. Marfan‐related health problems like aortic dissection and use of blood pressure medication were not significantly associated with fatigue. In multivariable regression analyses chronic pain and employment status were significantly associated with fatigue. The final multivariable model explained 24% of the variance in fatigue scores. Our results show that fatigue is common in MFS patients and that it interferes with their daily lives. Chronic pain and employment status show significant associations to fatigue. This implies that fatigue is important to address when meeting MFS patients in clinical practice. There is need for more research on fatigue in Marfan syndrome. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nichtkovalente Chiralitätssensorik‐Ensembles zur Detektion und Reaktionsverfolgung von Aminosäuren, Peptiden, Proteinen und aromatischen Wirkstoffen
Authors: Biedermann Frank , Nau Werner M.
Published: April 2014

Ternäre Komplexe des makrocyclischen Wirts Cucurbit[8]uril mit dikationischen Farbstoffen und chiralen aromatischen Analyten zeigen starke induzierte Circulardichroismus(ICD)‐Signale im Nah‐UV‐ und sichtbaren Bereich. Dies ermöglicht eine neuartige Herangehensweise zur Chiralitätssensorik und Sequenzerkennung in Wasser mit mikromolaren Analytkonzentrationen. Chemische Reaktionen können zudem in Echtzeit verfolgt werden, da die reversible und nichtkovalente Bindung augenblicklich auf Konzentrationsänderungen anspricht. Die hier vorgestellte supramolekulare Methode eignet sich für viele bioanalytische Anwendungen, z. B. für Enzymassays, die Wirkstoffanalytik und die kontinuierliche Verfolgung enantioselektiver Reaktionen, insbesondere asymmetrischer Katalyse.
A Bio‐Inspired Switch Based on Cobalt(II) Disulfide/Cobalt(III) Thiolate Interconversion
Authors: Gennari Marcello , Gerey Bertrand , Hall Nikita , Pécaut Jacques , Collomb Marie‐Noëlle , Rouzières Mathieu , Clérac Rodolphe , Orio Maylis , Duboc Carole
Published: April 2014

Disulfide/thiolate interconversion supported by transition‐metal ions is proposed to be implicated in fundamental biological processes, such as the transport of metal ions or the regulation of the production of reactive oxygen species. We report herein a mononuclear dithiolate CoIII complex, [CoIIILS(Cl)] (1; LS=sulfur containing ligand), that undergoes a clean, fast, quantitative and reversible CoII disulfide/CoIII thiolate interconversion mediated by a chloride anion. The removal of Cl− from the CoIII complex leads to the formation of a bis(μ‐thiolato) μ‐disulfido dicobalt(II) complex, [Co2II,IILSSL]2+ (22+). The structures of both complexes have been resolved by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction; their magnetic, spectroscopic, and redox properties investigated together with DFT calculations. This system is a unique example of metal‐based switchable Mn2‐RSSR/2 M(n+1)‐SR (M=metal ion, n=oxidation state) system that does not contain copper, acts under aerobic conditions, and involves systems with different nuclearities.
Noncovalent Chirality Sensing Ensembles for the Detection and Reaction Monitoring of Amino Acids, Peptides, Proteins, and Aromatic Drugs
Authors: Biedermann Frank , Nau Werner M.
Published: April 2014

Ternary complexes between the macrocyclic host cucurbit[8]uril, dicationic dyes, and chiral aromatic analytes afford strong induced circular dichroism (ICD) signals in the near‐UV and visible regions. This allows for chirality sensing and peptide‐sequence recognition in water at low micromolar analyte concentrations. The reversible and noncovalent mode of binding ensures an immediate response to concentration changes, which allows the real‐time monitoring of chemical reactions. The introduced supramolecular method is likely to find applications in bioanalytical chemistry, especially enzyme assays, for drug‐related analytical applications, and for continuous monitoring of enantioselective reactions, particularly asymmetric catalysis.
Evidence for Extensive Single‐Electron‐Transfer Chemistry in Boryl Anions: Isolation and Reactivity of a Neutral Borole Radical
Authors: Bertermann Rüdiger , Braunschweig Holger , Dewhurst Rian D. , Hörl Christian , Kramer Thomas , Krummenacher Ivo
Published: April 2014

Despite the synthesis of a boryl anion by Yamashita et al. in 2006, compounds that show boron‐centered nucleophilicity are still rare and sought‐after synthetic goals. A number of such boryl anions have since been prepared, two of which were reported to react with methyl iodide in apparent nucleophilic substitution reactions. One of these, a borolyl anion based on the borole framework, has now been found to display single‐electron‐transfer (SET) reactivity in its reaction with triorganotetrel halides, which was confirmed by the isolation of the first neutral borole‐based radical. The radical was characterized by elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, and EPR spectroscopy, and has implications for the understanding of boron‐based nucleophilic behavior and the emergent role of boron radicals in synthesis. This radical reactivity was also exploited in the synthesis of compounds with rare BSn and BPb bonds, the latter of which was the first isolated and structurally characterized compound with a “noncluster” BPb bond.
Studies on chain extension of a novel bio‐based engineering elastomer using 4,4‐diphenyl methane diisocyanate as a chain extender
Authors: Jiang Lei , Kang Hailan , Wang Zhao , Zhang Liqun , Mao Lixin , Wang Yiqing
Published: April 2014

A novel hydroxyl‐terminated bio‐based engineering elastomer (BEE) was synthesized from four bio‐based monomers by adding excess diol. Then the BEE was chain extended in Haake torque rheometer with 4,4‐diphenyl methane diisocyanate (MDI) as chain extender. The molar ratio of NCO/OH, reaction temperature and reaction time of the chain‐extension reaction were studied, and the optimum condition was determined by the gel permeation chromatography (GPC), soxhlet extraction, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results. After chain extension, (i) the number‐average molecular weight of BEE became about 3.5 times of the original BEE, (ii) the thermal stability was improved and the crystallization rate was lower, (iii) and the mechanical properties were significantly improved with nano‐SiO2 as reinforcing filler. The chain‐extended BEE would have potential wide applications in engineering field. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40756.
COMPARATIVE PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS OF Bombyx mori HEMOCYTES TREATED WITH DESTRUXIN A
Authors: Fan Jiqiao , Han Pengfei , Chen Xiurun , Hu Qionbo , Ye Mingqiang
Published: April 2014

Destruxin A (DA), a cyclodepsipeptidic secondary metabolite of the entomopathogenic fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, is an important anti‐immunity agent against insect hemocytes. To understand the mechanism of the molecular responses to DA, fifth‐instar larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were injected with 2 μg of DA. The proteomics of hemocytes were then investigated using two‐dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and validated qPCR. As a result, a total of 47 differently expressed protein spots were detected and 22 proteins in 26 spots were identified. There are eight immunity‐related proteins, including three downregulated proteins (antitrypsin isoform 3, p50 protein, and calreticulin precursor) and five upregulated proteins (C‐type lectin 10 precursor, serine proteinase‐like protein, paralytic peptide, PPO‐1, and PPO‐2). Four resistance‐ and/or stress‐related proteins (arginine kinase, carboxylesterase clade H, member 1, aminoacylase, and thiol peroxiredoxin) were upregulated. Ten proteins with other or unknown functions were also recorded. Five selected proteins were verified with qPCR. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanism of host immune response to DA challenge.
INFLUENCE OF CATALASE GENE SILENCING ON THE SURVIVABILITY OF SITOBION AVENAE
Authors: Deng Fei , Zhao Zhangwu
Published: April 2014

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide produced in cell metabolism, result in the disruption of cellular function and structure. Catalase (CAT), an enzyme which exists in almost all organisms including plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, acts in scavenging ROS. In this study, a sequence fragment encoding a CAT‐like protein from wheat aphids ( Sitobion avenae) was cloned. Amino acid sequence alignment showed this CAT shared relatively high conservation with CAT sequences from other insects. We detected cat mRNA levels at nymphs of different stages and adults and results showed that cat expression in adults was significantly higher compared to juvenile stages. At the third instar stage, ingestion of dsCAT significantly knocked down CAT expression. Continuous feeding of dsCAT mixed in an artificial diet led to reduced survival rate and ecdysis index. This study indicates that cat, a potential target gene for management of insect pests, is important for maintaining the survival of  S. avenae.
Teacher Personal information management (PIM) practices: Finding, keeping, and Re‐Finding information
Authors: Diekema Anne R. , Olsen M. Whitney
Published: April 2014

Primary and secondary (K–12) teachers form the essential core of children's formal learning before adulthood. Even though teaching is a mainstream, information‐rich profession, teachers are understudied as information users. More specifically, not much is known about teacher personal information management (PIM). Teacher PIM is critically important, as teachers navigate a complex information space complicated by the duality of digital and physical information streams and changing demands on instruction. Our research study increases understanding of teacher PIM and informs the development of tools to support educators. Some important unknowns exist about teachers as information users: What are teachers' PIM practices? What are the perceived consequences of these practices for teaching and learning? How can PIM practices be facilitated to benefit teaching and learning? This study employed a qualitative research design, with interviews from 24 primary and secondary teachers. We observed various systems for information organization, and teachers report their systems to be effective. Important sources for teachers' information in order of importance are personal collections, close colleagues, and the Internet. Key findings reveal that inheriting and sharing information play an important part in information acquisition for teachers and that information technology supporting education creates unintentional demands on information management. The findings on the nature of teacher information, teacher information finding, keeping, and organizational practices have important implications for teachers themselves, school principals, digital library developers, school librarians, curriculum developers, educational technology developers, and educational policy makers.
Dicistronic expression of human proinsulin–protein A fusion in tobacco chloroplast
Authors: Yarbakht Melina , Jalali‐Javaran Mokhtar , Nikkhah Maryam , Mohebodini Mehdi
Published: April 2014

Different expression systems such as bacteria and mammalian cells have been used to produce pharmaceutical proteins. In recent years, the use of plants as bioreactors offers efficient and economical systems in recombinant protein production. Furthermore, because of the large number of plastid copies in plants, chloroplast engineering functions as an effective method to increase recombinant protein expression. Because the commercially available insulin for treatment does not contain C‐peptide, which is of great importance for type 1 diabetic patients, the current study introduces the human proinsulin gene fused with protein A into the tobacco chloroplast genome using the biolistic method. To achieve homoplasmy, three rounds of selection and regeneration of transforming cells were performed on the medium that contained spectinomycin antibiotic and hormones. The PCR analysis indicated the presence of the proinsulin gene in transplastomic plants. The reverse‐transcription PCR analysis confirmed the expression of the proinsulin–protein A fusion at the transcription level. Immunoblot assays of leaf‐derived protein extracts confirmed that the target gene expression is up to 0.2% of the total soluble protein. Our study showed that protein A fusion is not as efficient as other reported fusions. The transplastomic plants were also confirmed for homoplasmy using Southern blot analysis.
Furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural tolerance in Escherichia coli ΔacrR regulatory mutants
Authors: Luhe Annette Lin , Lim Chan Yuen , Gerken Henri , Wu Jinchuan , Zhao Hua
Published: April 2014

The presence of the highly toxic furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the hydrolysate of lignocellulosic biomass prompted the investigation of the Escherichia coli ΔacrR regulatory mutant for higher tolerance to these compounds, to facilitate the production of biofuels and biochemicals, and further biocatalytic conversions. In comparison with the parental strain, the regulatory mutant with the upregulated efflux pump AcrAB‐TolC produced moderately better growth and higher tolerance to concentrations of furfural and HMF between 1 and 2 g L−1.
Green extraction processes of natural products as tools for biorefinery
Authors: Rombaut Natacha , Tixier Anne‐Sylvie , Bily Antoine , Chemat Farid
Published: April 2014

This review introduces a new and innovative area in the frontiers of chemistry, biology and processing: green extraction with special emphasis on natural products processing. Green extraction is a part of the sustainable development and industrial strategy; its history, concept, principles, and fundamentals are described. We pay special attention to the strategies and the tools available to make biorefinery greener. This review presents the innovative research in this area in the past five years in terms of innovative techniques (microwave, ultrasound, instantaneous pressure drop, supercritical fluid extraction, pressing) applied to green extraction of natural products with special examples applied to biorefinery concept.
Modularization of Gas Scrubbers for CO2 Separation from Biogas
Authors: Ohle Andrea , Obst Michael , Mollekopf Norbert , Urbas Leon
Published: April 2014

Als eines der Forschungsfelder der „50 %‐Idee”︁ wurde die Modularisierung identifiziert. Eine Entwicklungsmethodik für Module muss sowohl Skaleneffekte für die Investitionskosten als auch Kosten der Betriebsführung und Instandhaltung berücksichtigen. Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Folgen eines in diskreter Durchmesserstaffelung angebotenen Absorbermoduls auf den Gesamtprozess am Beispiel der CO2‐Abtrennung aus Biogas. Die Simulationsrechnungen zeigen die Auswirkungen auf den Desorberdurchmesser sowie den Energiebedarf des Prozesses und bilden damit die Grundlage für die Anwendung von Kostenmodellen.
Spatiotemporal expression analysis of the growth factor receptor SorCS3
Authors: Oetjen Sandra , Mahlke Claudia , Hermans‐Borgmeyer Irm , Hermey Guido
Published: April 2014

SorCS3 is a member of the Vps10p‐D receptor family. These type I transmembrane proteins are regarded as sorting receptors, and some family members modulate signal transduction pathways by acting as co‐receptors. SorCS3 binds the nerve growth factor (NGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF‐BB), but the functional implications of these interactions are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that SorCS3 is almost exclusively expressed in the nervous system and is localized to vesicular structures. By using in situ hybridization, we analyze SorCS3 dynamic expression during embryonic and postnatal development and compare the expression pattern with those of the homologous genes SorCS1 and SorCS2. SorCS3 transcripts are widely distributed in the nervous system but are absent from the embryonic cerebral cortex. SorCS3 expression marks thalamic nuclei at embryonic and early postnatal stages. However, during postnatal development and in the adult, a switch in the localization of SorCS3 transcripts was observed. At these stages forebrain structures, such as the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex, show most prominent expression. The developmental expression pattern of SorCS3 is in accordance with the proposed function as a receptor for growth factors or morphogenic signals. On the cellular level, we demonstrate that the SorCS3 cytoplasmic domain targets receptors to the Golgi apparatus, vesicular structures, and the cell surface. In neurons, receptors are localized to vesicles in the soma and dendrites. Moreover, we show that the SorCS3 cytoplasmic domain conveys internalization through canonical endocytic motifs in an adaptor protein 2 (AP‐2)‐dependent way. This is in agreement with a proposed function as a neuronal sorting receptor. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:3386–3402, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.