bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
pDCs efficiently process synthetic long peptides to induce functional virus‐ and tumour‐specific T‐cell responses
Authors: Aspord Caroline , Leloup Claire , Reche Sabine , Plumas Joel
Published: July 2014

Robust cell‐mediated immunity is required for immune control of tumours and protection from viral infections, with both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells playing a pivotal role. Synthetic long peptides (SLPs) represent an attractive way to induce such combined responses, as they contain both class I and class II epitopes. The ability of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) to cross‐present SLPs has not yet been investigated; yet, pDCs play a critical role in shaping immune responses and have emerged as novel vectors for immunotherapy. Using overlapping 15‐mer peptide pools covering the entire sequence of CMVpp65 and MelA, representing a viral disease (cytomegalovirus, CMV) and a tumour (melanoma), respectively, we showed that human pDCs can effectively process SLPs. Our results demonstrated that pDCs potently cross‐present virus‐ and tumour‐derived SLPs and cross‐prime broad‐ranging, effective and long‐lived CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses, triggering more efficient immune responses than short peptide loaded pDCs. This ability required intracellular processing by the proteasome and was enhanced by co‐exposure to TLR7/9‐L. Combining SLPs with pDCs represents a powerful immunotherapeutic strategy to elicit potent immune responses, which are required for clinical success in cancers and viral infections.
Basic Molten Salt Route to Prepare Porous SrTiO3 Nanocrystals for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production
Authors: Liu Hui , Chen Xianliu , Yan Shicheng , Li Zhaosheng , Zou Zhigang
Published: July 2014

SrTiO3 nanocrystals with porous structures were synthesized by a basic molten salt method. TEM images confirmed that the SrTiO3 nanocrystals possess a cellular morphology. High‐resolution TEM and selected‐area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis proved the existence of pores even in single crystals. Time‐dependent observations indicated that the formation of pores in the SrTiO3 nanocrystals resulted from the phase transformation of the TiO2 precursor in the basic solvent, and the process follows the dissolution–nucleation–aggregation growth mechanism. More importantly, the porous structure of the SrTiO3 nanocrystals is retained after the removal of the basic solvent by cool‐water washing, as the cool water can efficiently dissipate the heat of dissolution for the dissolution of the strong base into the water. The as‐prepared porous SrTiO3 nanocrystal photocatalysts exhibited a high rate of photocatalytic H2 evolution, which is attributed to their large specific surface area and good crystallinity.
Twin Polymerization: A Unique and Efficient Tool for Supporting Silver Nanoparticles on Highly Porous Carbon and Silica
Authors: Schliebe Christian , Gemming Thomas , Mertens Lutz , Mehring Michael , Lang Heinrich
Published: July 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Heinrich Lang at the University of Chemnitz, Germany. The cover image shows highly porous materials of type Ag@C (red) and Ag@SiO2 (blue), obtained by twin polymerization from the appropriate silver(I) carboxylate as silver source and 2,2'‐spirobi[4H‐1,3,2‐benzodioxasiline] as the specific twin monomer.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy: An interesting complementary approach for lipid detection in biological tissues
Authors: Jadoul Laure , Malherbe Cédric , Calligaris David , Longuespée Rémi , Gilbert Bernard , Eppe Gauthier , De Pauw Edwin
Published: July 2014

Recently, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) has emerged as a powerful technique to study the distribution of lipids. However, quantification still remains a challenge because the MALDI signal is strongly affected by ion suppression effects. On the contrary, Raman spectroscopy is recognized as a non‐destructive analysis method and spectral images can also be acquired. The combination of these two techniques was applied for lipids detection in tissue sections. In MALDI, two lipids families (glycerophosphocholine, PC; gycerophosphoethanolamine, PE), three MALDI matrices (1,5‐diaminonapthalene, 1,5‐DAN; 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5‐DHB; α‐4‐hydroxicinammic acid, CHCA), and various mixtures of lipids were investigated. The nature of the lipid, as well as the nature of the matrix and the composition of the sample influences the signal of a given lipid. In Raman, despite a strong overlap with the spectrum of the native tissue, an intensity profile constructed along the diameter of the section clearly shows that the signature of one given lipid (a glycerophosphocholine) can be detected on a doped biological sample.

Practical applications: This study highlights some important factors that should be considered in future lipids analyses by MALDI MSI and Raman spectroscopy. Ultimately, a combined approach of these two techniques will give information for instance about the alteration of the lipid metabolism associated with specific diseases.

Detection of lipid in homogenate tissue section by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy.
A novel particle separation method based on induced‐charge electro‐osmotic flow and polarizability of dielectric particles
Authors: Zhang Fang , Li Dongqing
Published: July 2014

A new microfluidic method of particle separation was proposed and studied theoretically in this paper. This method is based on the induced charge electro‐osmotic flow (ICEOF) and polarizability of dielectric particles. In this method, a pair of metal plates is embedded on the side channel walls to create a region of circulating flows under applied electric field. When a dielectric particle enters this region, the vortices produced by ICEOF around the particle will interact with the circulating flows produced by the metal plates. Such hydrodynamic interaction influences the particle's trajectory, and may result in the particle being trapped in the flow circulating zone or passing through this flow circulating zone. Because the hydrodynamic interaction is sensitive to the applied electric field, and the polarizability and the size of the particles, separation of different particles can be realized by controlling these parameters. Comparing with electrophoresis and dielectrophoresis methods, this strategy presented in this paper is simple and sensitive.
NMR and Quantum‐Chemical Studies of Electrostatically Stabilized 1‐(N,N‐Substituted‐aminiomethyl)spirobi[3‐oxo(2,5‐dioxa‐1‐silacyclopentan)]ates (ES‐Silanates)
Authors: Lends Alons , Olszewska Ewa , Belyakov Sergey , Erchak Nikolai , Liepinsh Edvards
Published: July 2014

1‐(N,N‐substituted‐aminiomethyl)spirobi[3‐oxo(2,5‐dioxa‐1‐silacyclopentan)]ates were investigated using NMR, X‐ray, and quantum‐chemical methods. The free activation parameters for the inversion of “ammonium‐amine nitrogen” and the chirality change at the pentacoordinated silicon were determined by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. The latter proceeds via the dissociation of SiO bonds. The results were confirmed by quantum‐chemical calculations, the experimental observation of cross‐peaks in 2D‐EXSY NMR spectra, and the spirocycle exchange reactions. Transition pathways between the different diastereomers in solution were analyzed.
Multivariate analysis of the effect of operating conditions on hybridoma cell metabolism and glycosylation of produced antibody
Authors: Green Amy , Glassey Jarka
Published: July 2014

BACKGROUND

Changes in glycosylation profiles of monoclonal antibodies can have significant impact upon the product quality. Control of critical process parameters in order to ensure consistent product quality is one of the core requirements of the FDA's QbD and PAT initiatives. The effect of operating conditions upon cell metabolism and the glycosylation profile of monoclonal antibody produced using hybridoma cell culture is investigated in this report.

RESULTS

PCA analysis of online process data and amino acid concentration profiles reflecting the cell metabolism indicates significant dependence on the operating conditions, particularly DO and pH. PLS models predicting product titre based on amino acid concentration and those predicting the glycosylation profile either based on product titre and glucose concentration or on amino acid concentrations show that both titre and glycosylation can be predicted with satisfactory accuracy for a range of operating conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate prediction of product titre and glycosylation profile based on amino acid concentration and process variables easily measured in real time opens up the opportunity to control the product quantity and quality during cultivation using critical process parameters, such as pH and DO. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Magnetic graphene oxide as adsorbent for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites in human urine
Authors: Zhu Linli , Xu Hui
Published: July 2014

Detection of monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites in urine is an advisable and valid method to assess human environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. In this work, novel Fe3O4/graphene oxide composites were prepared and their application in the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine was investigated by coupling with liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In the hybrid material, superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles provide fast separation to simplify the analytical process and graphene oxide provides a large functional surface for the adsorption. The prepared magnetic nanocomposites were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The experimental conditions were optimized systematically. Under the optimal conditions, the recoveries of these compounds were in the range of 98.3–125.2%, the relative standard deviations ranged between 6.8 and 15.5%, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.01–0.15 ng/mL. The simple, quick, and affordable method was successfully used in the analysis of human urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in two different cities. The results indicated that the monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons level in human urine can provide useful information for environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Optimization and numerical simulation analysis for molded thin‐walled parts fabricated using wood‐filled polypropylene composites via plastic injection molding
Authors: Azaman M.D. , Sapuan S.M. , Sulaiman S. , Zainudin E.S. , Khalina A.
Published: July 2014

Plastic injection molding is discontinuous and a complicated process involving the interaction of several variables for control the quality of the molded parts. The goal of this research was to investigate the optimal parameter selection, the significant parameters, and the effect of the injection‐molding parameters during the post‐filling stage (packing pressure, packing time, mold temperature, and cooling time) with respect to in‐cavity residual stresses, volumetric shrinkage and warpage properties. The PP + 60 wt% wood material is not suitable for molded thin‐walled parts. In contrast, the PP + 50 wt% material was found to be the preferred type of lignocellulosic polymer composite for molded thin‐walled parts. The results showed the lower residual stresses approximately at 20.10 MPa and have minimum overpacking in the ranges of −0.709% to −0.174% with the volumetric shrinkage spread better over the part surface. The research found that the packing pressure and mold temperature are important parameters for the reduction of residual stresses and volumetric shrinkage, while for the reduction of warpage, the important processing parameters are the packing pressure, packing time, and cooling time for molded thin‐walled parts that are fabricated using lignocellulosic polymer composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1082–1095, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Posttranslational modifications of human histone H3: An update
Authors: Xu Yan‐Ming , Du Ji‐Ying , Lau Andy T. Y.
Published: July 2014

Histone proteins, the fundamental components of chromatin, are highly conserved proteins that present in eukaryotic nuclei. They organize genomic DNA to form nucleosomes, the basic units of chromatin. PTMs of histones play essential roles in many biological processes, such as chromatin condensation, gene expression, cell differentiation, and apoptosis. With the advancement of proteomic technology, a growing number of histone PTMs have been identified, including ADP‐ribosylation, biotinylation, citrullination, crotonylation, O‐GlcNAcylation, glutathionylation, succinylation, and so on. Because of the fast growing list of these PTMs in just a few years, the functions of these marks are being studied intensively. As histone H3 has the most number of PTMs among the histone members, in this review, we would like to present the overall concepts of the more familiar PTMs as well as discussing all the recently identified yet less well‐known PTMs on human histone H3.
Gel‐based mass spectrometric analysis of hippocampal transmembrane proteins using high resolution LTQ Orbitrap Velos Pro
Authors: Heo Seok , Spoerk Stefan , Birner‐Gruenberger Ruth , Lubec Gert
Published: July 2014

Membrane proteins (MPs) play diverse important roles for physical interactions, cell communication, molecular transport, and signal transduction. Membrane proteins comprise approximately 25∼35% of the genome in living organisms, but there are difficulties in the analysis at the protein chemical level, in particular due to low abundance and limited solubility. Sequence information on membrane proteins and their complexes would be beneficial to elucidate their function. Proteins were extracted from pooled whole mouse brains, enriched membrane fractions were prepared using either two commercially available kits or 6‐aminocaproic acid under denaturing or native conditions followed by gel‐based proteomic approaches using blue native (BN‐) and SDS‐PAGE with subsequent in‐gel digestion with several proteases, chymotrypsin, trypsin followed by nano‐LC‐ESI‐MS/MS analysis on LTQ Orbitrap Velos Pro. By combining three different extraction methods and two separation methods, 28.39% of proteins were identified as either “integral” or “anchored/integral” MPs based on UniProtKB database searches. MPs with more than six transmembrane domains (TMDs) were identified more efficiently from BN‐PAGE separation although a higher number of proteins was identified from SDS‐PAGE separation. Comparative analysis of MPs containing TMDs via gel‐based LC‐MS/MS using BN‐PAGE and SDS‐PAGE may be useful to increase the number of identified membrane proteins in brain. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000311 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000311).
Quantitative proteomic study of myocardial mitochondria in urea transporter B knockout mice
Authors: Du Yanwei , Meng Yan , Zhu Jun , Kang Le , Jia Xiaolong , Guo Lirong , Zhang Ling , Ye Mingliang , Hu Lianghai , Zhao Xuejian , Gu Jingkai , Yang Baoxue , Zou Hanfa
Published: July 2014

In previous research, we showed that 16‐week‐old urea transporter B (UT‐B) null mice have an atrial–ventricular conduction block, and hypothesized myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction. To investigate the mechanism of this block, we examined the proteomic differences in the myocardial mitochondria of UT‐B null and wild‐type mice with nanoscale LC–MS/MS. Of 26 proteins clearly downregulated in the UT‐B null mice, 15 are involved in complexes I, III, IV, and V of the respiratory chain, which would strongly reduce the activity of the electron transport chain. Excess electrons from complexes I and III pass directly to O2 to generate ROS and deplete ROS‐scavenging enzymes. Myocardial intracellular ROS were significantly higher in UT‐B null mice than in wild‐type mice (p < 0.01), constituting an important cause of oxidative stress injury in the myocardia of UT‐B null mice. The mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was also lower in UT‐B null mice than in wild‐type mice (p < 0.05), causing oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction of complex V and insufficient ATP in the myocardial cells of UT‐B null mice. HADHA (a trifunctional protein) and HSP60 were also downregulated in the UT‐B null myocardial mitochondria. These results confirm that mitochondrial dysfunction underlies the pathogenesis of the atrial–ventricular conduction block in UT‐B null mice.
First Systematic Plant Proteomics Workshop in Botany Department, University of Delhi: Transferring Proteomics Knowledge to Next‐generation Researchers and Students
Authors: Deswal Renu , Abat Jasmeet Kaur , Sehrawat Ankita , Gupta Ravi , Kashyap Prakriti , Sharma Shruti , Sharma Bhavana , Chaurasia Satya Prakash , Chanu Sougrakpam Yaiphabi , Masi Antonio , Agrawal Ganesh Kumar , Sarkar Abhijit , Agrawal Raj , Dunn Michael J. , Renaut Jenny , Rakwal Randeep
Published: July 2014

International Plant Proteomics Organization (INPPO) outlined ten initiatives to promote plant proteomics in each and every country. With greater emphasis in developing countries, one of those was to “organize workshops at national and international levels to train manpower and exchange information”. This third INPPO highlights covers the workshop organized for the very first time in a developing country, India, at the Department of Botany in University of Delhi on December 26–30, 2013 titled – “1st Plant Proteomics Workshop / Training Program” under the umbrella of INPPO India‐Nepal chapter. Selected 20 participants received on‐hand training mainly on gel‐based proteomics approach along with manual booklet and parallel lectures on this and associated topics. In house, as well as invited experts drawn from other Universities and Institutes (national and international), delivered talks on different aspects of gel‐based and gel‐free proteomics. Importance of gel‐free proteomics approach, translational proteomics, and INPPO roles were presented and interactively discussed by a group of three invited speakers Drs. Ganesh Kumar Agrawal (Nepal), Randeep Rakwal (Japan), and Antonio Masi (Italy). Given the output of this systematic workshop, it was proposed and thereafter decided to be organized every alternate year; the next workshop will be held in 2015. Furthermore, possibilities on providing advanced training to those students / researchers / teachers with basic knowledge in proteomics theory and experiments at national and international levels were discussed. INPPO is committed to generating next‐generation trained manpower in proteomics, and it would only happen by the firm determination of scientists to come forward and do it.
Context and Implications Document for: Simple solutions to complex problems: moral panic and the fluid shift from ‘equity’ to ‘quality’ in education
Authors: Mockler Nicole
Published: July 2014

This guide accompanies the following article: Nicole Mockler, Simple solutions to complex problems: Moral panic and the fluid shift from ‘equity’ to ‘quality’ in education, Review of Education, 10.1002/rev3.3028
Autonomous Exploration of Urban Environments using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Adler Benjamin , Xiao Junhao , Zhang Jianwei
Published: July 2014

This paper introduces a custom‐built unmanned aerial vehicle that is capable of autonomous exploration in urban environments. It consists of a multicopter, an inertial navigation system, and two two‐dimensional laser range finders. In addition to a description of the hardware architecture and individual components being used, the authors also discuss challenges and problems that arose during its construction, as well as optimizations and workarounds applied in the course of its development. Also presented is the software architecture, with a focus on a novel algorithm capable of generating multiple next best views, sorted by achievable information gain. Although the vehicle was designed for application on airborne platforms in urban environments, it works directly on raw point clouds and thus can be used with any sensor generating spatial occupancy information (e.g., LIDAR, RGBD, or time‐of‐flight‐cameras). To satisfy constraints introduced by real‐time operation on unmanned aerial vehicles, the algorithm is implemented on a highly parallel single‐instruction multiple‐data architecture and benchmarked using graphics processing units from multiple hardware generations, using data from real flights. It is also compared with the previous, CPU‐based proof of concept. As the underlying hardware imposes limitations with regard to memory access and concurrency, necessary data structures and further performance considerations are explained in detail. The Open‐source code for this paper is available at http://www.github.com/benadler/octocopter/.
A Quantitative Study of Vibration Injury to Peripheral Nerves—Introducing a New Longitudinal Section Analysis
Authors: Davis John , Wang Ziyi , Zhang Lin Ling , Agresti Michael , Matloub Hani S. , Yan Ji-Geng
Published: July 2014

Purpose

Long-term vibrations are known to cause neurovascular diseases, which are common in workers who operate handheld power tools or motor vehicles. Understanding the neuropathology of vibration-induced nerve injury is critical to its prevention and treatment. This study aims to evaluate whether light microscopy of longitudinal nerve sections can be used as a simple yet effective method for quantifying nerve injury.

Methods

The rats were split into two groups that were subjected to vibration (4 h/day) for 7 or 14 days. They were then allowed to rest for varying periods of time. Longitudinal sections of the tail nerves were examined under light microscopy. Injuries to the nerves were classified into three types, counted, tallied, and then divided by the length of the nerve being studied.

Results

Both 7 and 14 days of vibration showed significant damage when no recovery time was given. After 1 month of rest, the 7-day group began to show signs of recovery, but the 14-day group did not. After 2 months of rest, the 7-day vibration group showed almost complete recovery, while the 14-day vibration group still showed significant damage when compared to the sham control groups.

Conclusion

The amount of damage to the myelin sheath directly correlated with vibration duration. When vibrated for longer than 7 days, nerve recovery was limited. This study also demonstrated that light microscopy of longitudinal slices is a simple yet effective method of quantifying the nerve damage.
Calcium signaling mediates the response to cadmium toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells
Authors: Ruta Lavinia L. , Popa Valentina C. , Nicolau Ioana , Danet Andrei F. , Iordache Virgil , Neagoe Aurora D. , Farcasanu Ileana C.
Published: July 2014

The involvement of Ca2+ in the response to high Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ was investigated in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeast cells responded through a sharp increase in cytosolic Ca2+ when exposed to Cd2+, and to a lesser extent to Cu2+, but not to Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, or Hg2+. The response to high Cd2+ depended mainly on external Ca2+ (transported through the Cch1p/Mid1p channel) but also on vacuolar Ca2+ (released into the cytosol through the Yvc1p channel). The adaptation to high Cd2+ was influenced by perturbations in Ca2+ homeostasis. Thus, the tolerance to Cd2+ often correlated with sharp Cd2+‐induced cytosolic Ca2+ pulses, while the Cd2+ sensitivity was accompanied by the incapacity to rapidly restore the low cytosolic Ca2+.
Correlated Oscillations Due to Similar Multipath Effects Seen in Two Widely Separated Radio Telescopes
Authors: Diep P. N. , Phuong N. T. , Darriulat P. , Nhung P. T. , Anh P. T. , Dong P. N. , Hoai D. T. , Thao N. T.
Published: July 2014

A multipath mechanism similar to that used in Australia sixty years ago by the Sea-cliff Interferometer is shown to generate correlations between the periods of oscillations observed by two distant radio telescopes pointed to the Sun. The oscillations are the result of interferences between the direct wave detected in the main antenna lobe and its reflection on ground detected in a side lobe. A model is made of such oscillations in the case of two observatories located at equal longitudes and opposite tropical latitudes, respectively in Ha Noi (Viet Nam) and Learmonth (Australia), where similar radio telescopes are operated at 1.4 GHz. Simple specular reflection from ground is found to give a good description of the observed oscillations and to explain correlations that had been previously observed and for which no satisfactory interpretation, instrumental or other, had been found.
A moderate-fat diet containing pistachios improves emerging markers of cardiometabolic syndrome in healthy adults with elevated LDL levels
Authors: Holligan Simone D. , West Sheila G. , Gebauer Sarah K. , Kay Colin D. , Kris-Etherton Penny M.
Published: July 2014

A randomised, cross-over, controlled-feeding study was conducted to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of diets containing pistachios as a strategy for increasing total fat (TF) levelsv. a control (step I) lower-fat diet.Ex vivotechniques were used to evaluate the effects of pistachio consumption on lipoprotein subclasses and functionality in individuals (n28) with elevated LDL levels ( ≥ 2·86 mmol/l). The following test diets (SFA approximately 8 % and cholesterol < 300 mg/d) were used: a control diet (25 % TF); a diet comprising one serving of pistachios per d (1PD; 30 % TF); a diet comprising two servings of pistachios per d (2PD; 34 % TF). A significant decrease in small and dense LDL (sdLDL) levels was observed following the 2PD dietary treatmentv.the 1PD dietary treatment (P= 0·03) and following the 2PD dietary treatmentv.the control treatment (P= 0·001). Furthermore, reductions in sdLDL levels were correlated with reductions in TAG levels (r0·424,P= 0·025) following the 2PD dietary treatmentv.the control treatment. In addition, inclusion of pistachios increased the levels of functional α-1 (P= 0·073) and α-2 (P= 0·056) HDL particles. However, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-mediated serum cholesterol efflux capacity (P= 0·016) and global serum cholesterol efflux capacity (P= 0·076) were only improved following the 2PD dietary treatmentv.the 1PD dietary treatment when baseline C-reactive protein status was low ( < 103μg/l). Moreover, a significant decrease in the TAG:HDL ratio was observed following the 2PD dietary treatmentv.the control treatment (P= 0·036). There was a significant increase in β-sitosterol levels (P< 0·0001) with the inclusion of pistachios, confirming adherence to the study protocol. In conclusion, the inclusion of pistachios in a moderate-fat diet favourably affects the cardiometabolic profile in individuals with an increased risk of CVD.
Threatened birds of the Angolan Central Escarpment: distribution and response to habitat change at Kumbira Forest
Authors: Cáceres Aimy , Melo Martim , Barlow Jos , Cardoso Paulo , Maiato Francisco , Mills Michael S. L.
Published: July 2014

Kumbira Forest is the best representative area of Angola's Central Escarpment and the only site known to hold significant populations of four of the five threatened endemic bird species of this habitat. However, the forest is disappearing as a result of human activities. Remote-sensing techniques were used to assess changes in forest cover, and bird and habitat surveys were performed to assess the effect of land-use changes on endemic species and the bird community. No relationships could be established between the presence of endemics and habitat and landscape variables. This lack of effect may be attributable to the low number of records and compounded by the mosaic structure of the landscape. Although forest cover has been maintained in Kumbira, old-growth forest has been replaced by secondary growth in many areas. Nevertheless these secondary-growth forest patches can maintain a bird community similar to that found in old-growth forest.
Red List assessments of East African chameleons: a case study of why we need experts
Authors: Hjarding Angelique , Tolley Krystal A. , Burgess Neil D.
Published: July 2014

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species uses geographical distribution as a key criterion in assessing the conservation status of species. Accurate knowledge of a species’ distribution is therefore essential to ensure the correct categorization is applied. Here we compare the geographical distribution of 35 species of chameleons endemic to East Africa, using data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and data compiled by a taxonomic expert. Data screening showed 99.9% of GBIF records used outdated taxonomy and 20% had no locality coordinates. Conversely the expert dataset used 100% up-to-date taxonomy and only seven records (3%) had no coordinates. Both datasets were used to generate range maps for each species, which were then used in preliminary Red List categorization. There was disparity in the categories of 10 species, with eight being assigned a lower threat category based on GBIF data compared with expert data, and the other two assigned a higher category. Our results suggest that before conducting desktop assessments of the threatened status of species, aggregated museum locality data should be vetted against current taxonomy and localities should be verified. We conclude that available online databases are not an adequate substitute for taxonomic experts in assessing the threatened status of species and that Red List assessments may be compromised unless this extra step of verification is carried out.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of ketamine in the rapid treatment of major depressive episodes
Authors: McGirr A. , Berlim M. T. , Bond D. J. , Fleck M. P. , Yatham L. N. , Lam R. W.
Published: July 2014

Background

There is growing interest in glutamatergic agents in depression, particularly ketamine, a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. We aimed to assess the efficacy of ketamine in major depressive episodes.

Method

We searched EMBASE, PsycINFO, CENTRAL, and Medline from 1962 to January 2014 to identify double-blind, randomized controlled trials with allocation concealment evaluating ketamine in major depressive episodes. Clinical remission, response and depressive symptoms were extracted by two independent raters. The primary outcome measure was clinical remission at 24 h, 3 days and 7 days post-treatment. Analyses employed a random-effects model.

Results

Data were synthesized from seven RCTs employing an intravenous infusion and one RCT employing intranasal ketamine, representing 73 subjects in parallel arms and 110 subjects in cross-over designs [n = 34 with bipolar disorder (BD), n = 149 with major depressive disorder (MDD)]. Ketamine was associated with higher rates of clinical remission relative to comparator (saline or midazolam) at 24 h [OR 7.06, number needed to treat (NNT) = 5], 3 days (OR 3.86, NNT = 6), and 7 days (OR 4.00, NNT = 6), as well as higher rates of clinical response at 24 h (OR 9.10, NNT = 3), 3 days (OR 6.77, NNT = 3), and 7 days (OR 4.87, NNT = 4). A standardized mean difference of 0.90 in favor of ketamine was observed at 24 h based on depression rating scale scores, with group comparisons revealing greater efficacy in unipolar depression compared to bipolar depression (1.07 v. 0.68). Ketamine was associated with transient psychotomimetic effects, but no persistent psychosis or affective switches.

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis suggests that single administrations ketamine are efficacious in the rapid treatment of unipolar and bipolar depression. Additional research is required to determine optimal dosing schedules, route, treatment schedules, and the potential efficacy of other glutamatergic agents.
Authority without Foundations: Arendt and the Paradox of Postwar German Memory Politics
Authors: Hoye J. Matthew , Nienass Benjamin
Published: July 2014

Hannah Arendt argued that the American Revolution revealed for the first time that all regimes require a reference to an absolute, while the French Revolution revealed that not all absolutes are equal. The American Revolution took as its absolute the act of founding itself, upon which the authority of the constitution could be grounded. By contrast, the failure of the French Revolution to establish an authority stemmed from its reference to the transcendental absolute of the nation. Beginnings, for Arendt, are historically determining. How then are we to explain the present view of authority in Germany which takes as its absolute referent the Holocaust? And how does this inform our understanding of the relationship between absolutes and new foundations? We argue that the key to understanding the German case is found in the particular nature of postwar German memory politics and that authority is not statically related to positive foundations.
Tocqueville and the Challenge of Historicism
Authors: Henary Sara
Published: July 2014

Tocqueville's juxtaposition of aristocracy and democracy as the regimes characteristic of different historical periods gives rise to the question whether he accepts or rejects the category of human nature. In the juxtaposition of the distinct “worlds” of aristocracy and democracy and their respective conceptions of “man,” some perceive an implicit rejection of the idea of a universal human nature. Others, however, see an attempt to portray human nature comprehensively by highlighting the truth of both aristocratic inequality and democratic equality. While generally endorsing this latter interpretation, the essay maintains that most of its variants are too “democratic” in two respects. First, they underestimate the difficulties Tocqueville must confront in establishing the naturalness of the equality principle, and second, they wrongly insist that he understands nature to privilege the democratic principle. Tocqueville ultimately defends the naturalness of equality, but his claims about the greater justice of the equality principle should be understood as rhetorical rather than as reflective of his conclusions about nature.
Assessing dengue infection risk in the southern region of Taiwan: implications for control
Authors: LIAO C.-M. , HUANG T.-L. , CHENG Y.-H. , CHEN W.-Y. , HSIEH N.-H. , CHEN S.-C. , CHIO C.-P.
Published: July 2014

Dengue, one of the most important mosquito-borne diseases, is a major international public health concern. This study aimed to assess potential dengue infection risk fromAedes aegyptiin Kaohsiung and the implications for vector control. Here we investigated the impact of dengue transmission on human infection risk using a well-established dengue–mosquito–human transmission dynamics model. A basic reproduction number (R0)-based probabilistic risk model was also developed to estimate dengue infection risk. Our findings confirm that the effect of biting rate plays a crucial role in shapingR0estimates. We demonstrated that there was 50% risk probability for increased dengue incidence rates exceeding 0·5–0·8 wk−1for temperatures ranging from 26°C to 32°C. We further demonstrated that the weekly increased dengue incidence rate can be decreased to zero if vector control efficiencies reach 30–80% at temperatures of 19–32°C. We conclude that our analysis on dengue infection risk and control implications in Kaohsiung provide crucial information for policy-making on disease control.
Mime, Meyerbeer and the Genesis ofDer junge Siegfried: New Light on the ‘Jewish Question’ in Richard Wagner’s Work
Authors: Tusa Michael C.
Published: July 2014

Between the initial conception in 1848 of a project on the Siegfried legend comprising a single work,Siegfried’s Tod, and its subsequent expansion in 1851 with the addition ofDer junge Siegfriedas a ‘prequel’ about the hero’s early life, Richard Wagner turned against Giacomo Meyerbeer in public denunciations in ‘Das Judentum in der Musik’ (1850) andOper und Drama(1850–1). Changes in the treatment of the Mime–Siegfried relationship between 1848 and 1851 as well as similarities between Wagner’s characterisations of Meyerbeer and his portrayal of Mime in the 1851 sources suggest that Wagner’s animosity towards his former mentor informed a new conception of the dwarf. The troubled Mime–Siegfried relationship that crystallised in 1851 allowed Wagner to give symbolic, aesthetic form not only to his criticisms of Meyerbeer as man and artist but also to his own new creative path. That Meyerbeer by 1851 had come to represent to Wagner the personal and artistic deficiencies of all Jews necessarily also means that Wagner’s projection of Meyerbeer into Mime inDer junge Siegfriedcarried with it a more generally anti-Jewish message, as is frequently asserted in the literature.
The Total External Branch Length of Beta-Coalescents
Authors: DAHMER IULIA , KERSTING GÖTZ , WAKOLBINGER ANTON
Published: July 2014

For 1 < α < 2 we derive the asymptotic distribution of the total length ofexternalbranches of a Beta(2 − α, α)-coalescent as the numbernof leaves becomes large. It turns out that the fluctuations of the external branch length follow those of τn2−αover the entire parameter regime, where τndenotes the random number of coalescences that bring thenlineages down to one. This is in contrast to the fluctuation behaviour of the total branch length, which exhibits a transition at$\alpha_0 = (1+\sqrt 5)/2$([18]).
Implementing family communication pathway in neurosurgical patients in an intensive care unit
Authors: Kodali Sashikanth , Stametz Rebecca , Clarke Deserae , Bengier Amanda , Sun Haiyan , Layon A.J. , Darer Jonathan
Published: July 2014

Objective:

Family-centered care provides family members with basic needs, which includes information, reassurance, and support. Though national guidelines exist, clinical adoption often lags behind in this area. The Geisinger Health System developed and implemented a program for reliable delivery of best practices related to family communication to patients and families admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Method:

Using a quasiexperimental study design and the 24-item Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit questionnaire (FSICU–24©) to determine family satisfaction, we measured the impact of a “family communication pathway” facilitated by tools built into the electronic health record on the family satisfaction of neurosurgical patients admitted to the ICU.

Results:

There was no statistically significant difference noted in family satisfaction as determined by FSICU–24 scores, including the Care and Decision Making constructs between the pre- and post-intervention pilot population. The percentage of families reporting the occurrence of a family conference showed only minimal improvement, from 46.5% before to 52.5% following the intervention (p = 0.565). This was mirrored by low numbers of documented family conferences by providers, suggesting poor uptake despite buy-in, use of electronic checklists, and repeated attempts at education.

Significance of results:

This paper reviews the challenges to and implications for implementing national guidelines in the area of family communication in an ICU coupled with the principles of clinical reengineering.
Dietary Alpha-Tocopherol Affects Tissue Vitamin E and Malondialdehyde Levels but Does not Change Antioxidant Enzymes and Fatty Acid Composition in Farmed Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.)
Authors: Faizan Mohammad , Stubhaug Ingunn , Menoyo David , Esatbeyoglu Tuba , Wagner Anika E. , Struksnæs Gunvor , Koppe Wolfgang , Rimbach Gerald
Published: July 2014

In this study the effect of increasing dietary alpha tocopherol on vitamin E tissue concentrations, lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acid composition has been investigated in farmed Atlantic salmon. To this end fish (initial body weight ~ 193 g, n = 70 per group) were fed diets based on fish oil (27.5 %), fish meal (15.0 %), wheat gluten (20.6 %), and soy protein concentrate (24.0 %) for 14 weeks. Diets were supplemented with 0 (negative control), 150, and 400 mg/kg vitamin E as all-rac alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Dietary vitamin E did not affect feed conversion efficiency ratio but significantly (p < 0.05) increased alpha-tocopherol concentrations in salmon plasma, liver, and fillet (n = 8 per group each). The increase in fillet alpha-tocopherol was accompanied by a considerable decrease (p < 0.01) in malondialdehyde concentrations at the higher supplementation level. Furthermore, we observed an antagonistic interaction between alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in plasma at the highest supplementation level, since high dietary alpha-tocopherol reduced plasma gamma-tocopherol concentrations. Liver antioxidant enzymes, including glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, remained largely unchanged in response to dietary alpha-tocopherol. Dietary alpha-tocopherol did not affect eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in salmon fillet. Present data suggest that alpha-tocopherol supplementations beyond dietary recommendations may further improve flesh quality and nutritional value of Atlantic salmon fillet as far as malondialdehyde and vitamin E concentrations are concerned.
Cancer related venous thromboembolism - prophylaxis and therapy
Authors: Gary Thomas
Published: July 2014

Cancer is a highly thrombophilic entity leading to a high rate of symptomatic and even asymptomatic venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in patients suffering from malignant disease. As VTE events have impact on survival and can be reduced significantly by anticoagulant treatment, guidelines on prophylaxis of these events by means of anticoagulation exist from various societies. Purpose of this review is to give a concise overview of current possibilities for prophylaxis and also for the therapy of VTE events in cancer patients.
Tandem and Multiple-junction Devices Based on Thin-film Silicon Technology
Authors: Ballif Christophe , Boccard Mathieu , Söderström Karin , Bugnon Grégory , Meillaud Fanny , Wyrsch Nicolas
Published: July 2014

Chapter 2 discusses multiple-junction devices made of thin-film of silicon deposited from a vapor phase. This technology—which combines the advantages of silicon-based technologies (non-toxicity, availability) and of thin-films technologies (sparse use of materials, upscalibility, flexibility)—is unbeatable in terms of price per m2 and has therefore attracted a lot of attention in the race to a massive integration of PV in the world electricity mix. The basics of the technology are reviewed in a first part, including the historical development of amorphous and microcrystalline silicon and alloys, and the essential challenges of multi-junction integration; a second part gathers the most relevant results in terms of efficiency and tackles the recent developments which brought novel advances to the technology, as well as the most promising routes for further improvements.
Thin-film CdTe Photovoltaic Solar Cell Devices
Authors: Gessert Timothy , McCandless Brian , Ferekides Chris
Published: July 2014

This chapter reviews the development and present understanding of polycrystalline cadmium telluride-based photovoltaic devices. The present generation of these devices is based on a design where light enters through a glass superstrate. The first half of the chapter describes the historical development and resulting process steps consistent with the production of about 10–17% conversion efficiency laboratory devices and commercial modules. Recently, laboratory devices with performance approaching about 20% conversion efficiency have been reported. Details of the processes that have produced this level of performance are not yet available in the literature; however, the second half of this chapter presents advancements in understanding that are likely being drawn upon to increase laboratory-device and commercial-module efficiencies.
III–V Multi-junction Solar Cells
Authors: Philipps Simon P. , Bett Andreas W.
Published: July 2014

III–V compound semiconductors consist of elements out of the main groups III and V of the periodic table. Through proper mixing of the elements, materials with a wide range of bandgaps are available and can be realized in excellent crystal quality. The highest efficiencies of any photovoltaic technology, so far, have been reached with solar cells consisting of such III–V compound semiconductors. This is in particular enabled by stacking solar cells of several III–V compound semiconductors, which absorb different parts of the solar spectrum. These III–V multi-junction solar cells have become standard in space and in terrestrial concentrator systems. The variety of materials as well as an extensive technological toolbox has already led to the realization of diverse solar cell architectures. The current landmark is the Ga0.50In0.50P/Ga0.99In0.01As/Ge triple junction, which only contains lattice-matched layers. This MOVPE-grown device has achieved a record efficiency of 41.6% and is commercially available with efficiencies around 40% under concentrated sunlight. Due to the mature development status of this device new concepts are being investigated to increase the efficiencies further. Methods in the technological toolbox have been used and combined intensively in recent years to realize material combinations, which allow a more efficient use of the solar spectrum. Several approaches have already reached efficiencies higher than the lattice-matched triple-junction solar cell. The aim of this chapter is to give an introductory overview of III–V multi-junction solar cells with a special emphasis on the origins of high efficiencies, the technological toolbox and some exemplary solar cell architectures. Innovative ideas and methods such as metamorphic and inverted growth, wafer-bonding, different substrates, nanostructures, different growth technologies and new materials are discussed.
Chemistry of Sensitizers for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Gao Peng , Grätzel Michael , Nazeeruddin M. D. K.
Published: July 2014

In this chapter we have introduced operating principles of dye-sensitized solar cells, molecular engineering aspect of sensitizers and redox mediators. The design strategies of ruthenium sensitizers consisting of polypyridyl ligands with, and without thiocyanate ligands are demonstrated. Organic sensitizers based on donor–π-spacer–acceptor (D-π-A) architecture, in which electron-rich (donor) and electron-poor (acceptor) are connected through a conjugated (π) bridge and the anchoring group is attached with the acceptor part, donor–chromophore–acceptor family diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) and ullazine sensitizers and their photovoltaic properties are discussed. Molecular engineering aspect of porphyrin core with the bulky donor and strong acceptor groups to obtain panchromatic response is shown. In the last section we highlighted organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites for thin-film photovoltaics, which came to the limelight because of their high efficiency, low cost and the ease to make these materials solution processable yielding over 15% efficiency.
Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Park Nam-Gyu
Published: July 2014

In this chapter, a new type of thin-film solar cell based on perovskite light harvester is described. Since a high-efficiency all-solid-state perovskite solar cell was first reported in 2012, rapid progress was made within one year. As a result, a power conversion efficiency as high as 15% was achieved in 2013. Thanks to high absorption coefficient, long charge diffusion length, balanced electron and hole transporting behavior, organolead halide perovskite is now considered a highly promising solar cell material. Moreover, the perovskite solar cell is expected to deliver low-cost electricity because material and processing costs are ‘dirt cheap’. A bright future in the solar cell industry is thus anticipated as a result of the discovery of the perovskite solar cell.