bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unusual complexation of nitrate with lanthanides in a wet ionic liquid: a new approach for aqueous separation of trivalent f-elements using an ionic liquid as solvent
Authors: Ansari Seraj A. , Liu Lisheng , Dau Phuong Diem , Gibson John K. , Rao Linfeng
Published: August 2014

The energetics of lanthanide nitrate complexation in a wet ionic liquid (IL; saturated with water as seen in the aqueous separation process) differs entirely from that in dry IL.
Cobalt sulphide microtube array as cathode in photoelectrochemical water splitting with photoanodes
Authors: Lin Chia-Yu , Mersch Dirk , Jefferson David A. , Reisner Erwin
Published: August 2014

A CoS microtube electrode catalyses hydrogen evolution efficiently in both neutral and basic aqueous electrolyte solutions. The microtubular CoS electrode was also combined with a hematite photoanode to give a photoelectrochemical water splitting cell.
Solid-state principles applied to organic–inorganic perovskites: new tricks for an old dog
Authors: Kieslich Gregor , Sun Shijing , Cheetham Anthony K.
Published: August 2014

The concept of tolerance factors is applied quantitatively to hybrid inorganic–organic materials that adopt perovskite-like architectures.
Graphene oxide as an effective interfacial layer for enhanced graphene/silicon solar cell performance
Authors: Jiao Kejia , Wang Xueliang , Wang Yu , Chen Yunfa
Published: August 2014

Interface tailoring is an effective approach towards high performance Graphene/Silicon Schottky-barrier solar cells. Inserting a thin graphene oxide (GO) interfacial layer can improve the efficiency of graphene/silicon solar cells by >100%. Further performance optimization leads to 12.3% of power conversion efficiency (PCE). To date, a record PCE has been achieved on the same device level.
Relating Working Memory to Compression Parameters in Clinically Fit Hearing Aids
Authors: Souza Pamela E. , Sirow Lynn
Published: August 2014

Purpose

Several laboratory studies have demonstrated that working memory may influence response to compression speed in controlled (i.e., laboratory) comparisons of compression. In this study, the authors explored whether the same relationship would occur under less controlled conditions, as might occur in a typical audiology clinic.

Method

Participants included 27 older adults who sought hearing care in a private practice audiology clinic. Working memory was measured for each participant using a reading span test. The authors examined the relationship between working memory and aided speech recognition in noise, using clinically fit hearing aids with a range of compression speeds.

Results

Working memory, amount of hearing loss, and age each contributed to speech recognition, but the contribution depended on the speed of the compression processor. For fast-acting compression, the best performance was obtained by patients with high working memory. For slow-acting compression, speech recognition was affected by age and amount of hearing loss but was not affected by working memory.

Conclusions

Despite the expectation of greater variability from differences in compression implementation, number of compression channels, or attendant signal processing, the relationship between working memory and compression speed showed a similar pattern as results from more controlled, laboratory-based studies.
Measuring preheat in laser-drive aluminum using velocity interferometer system for any reflector: Experiment
Authors: Shu Hua , Fu Sizu , Huang Xiuguang , Wu Jiang , Xie Zhiyong , Zhang Fan , Ye Junjian , Jia Guo , Zhou Huazhen
Published: August 2014

In this paper, we systematically study preheating in laser-direct-drive shocks by using a velocity interferometer system for any reflector (VISAR). Using the VISAR, we measured free surface velocity histories of Al samples over time, 10–70 μm thick, driven directly by a laser at different frequencies (2ω, 3ω). Analyzing our experimental results, we concluded that the dominant preheating source was X-ray radiation. We also discussed how preheating affected the material initial density and the measurement of Hugoniot data for high-Z materials (such as Au) using impedance matching. To reduce preheating, we proposed and tested three kinds of targets.
Competing anisotropies on 3d sub-lattice of YNi4–xCoxB compounds
Authors: Caraballo Vivas R. J. , Rocco D. L. , Costa Soares T. , Caldeira L. , Coelho A. A. , Reis M. S.
Published: August 2014

The magnetic anisotropy of 3d sub-lattices has an important rule on the overall magnetic properties of hard magnets. Intermetallics alloys with boron (R-Co/Ni-B, for instance) belong to those hard magnets family and are useful objects to help to understand the magnetic behavior of 3d sub-lattice, specially when the rare earth ions R do not have magnetic nature, like YCo4B ferromagnetic material. Interestingly, YNi4B is a paramagnetic material and Ni ions do not contribute to the magnetic anisotropy. We focused therefore our attention to YNi4–xCoxB series, with x = 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The magnetic anisotropy of these compounds is deeper described using statistical and preferential models of Co occupation among the possible Wyckoff positions into the CeCo4B type hexagonal structure. We found that the preferential model is the most suitable to explain the magnetization experimental data.
Hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell simulations of two-dimensional turbulence in plasmas
Authors: Valentini F. , Servidio S. , Perrone D. , Califano F. , Matthaeus W. H. , Veltri P.
Published: August 2014

Turbulence in plasmas is a very challenging problem since it involves wave-particle interactions, which are responsible for phenomena such as plasma dissipation, acceleration mechanisms, heating, temperature anisotropy, and so on. In this work, a hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell numerical code is employed to study local kinetic processes in a two-dimensional turbulent regime. In the present model, ions are treated as a kinetic species, while electrons are considered as a fluid. As recently reported in [S. Servidio, Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 045001 (2012)], nearby regions of strong magnetic activity, kinetic effects manifest through a deformation of the ion velocity distribution function that consequently departs from the equilibrium Maxwellian configuration. Here, the structure of turbulence is investigated in detail in phase space, by evaluating the high-order moments of the particle velocity distribution, i.e., temperature, skewness, and kurtosis. This analysis provides quantitative information about the non-Maxwellian character of the system dynamics. This departure from local thermodynamic equilibrium triggers several processes commonly observed in many astrophysical and laboratory plasmas.
Theoretical and numerical predictions of hypervelocity impact-generated plasma
Authors: Li Jianqiao , Song Weidong , Ning Jianguo
Published: August 2014

The hypervelocity impact generated plasmas (HVIGP) in thermodynamic non-equilibrium state were theoretically analyzed, and a physical model was presented to explore the relationship between plasma ionization degree and internal energy of the system by a group of equations including a chemical reaction equilibrium equation, a chemical reaction rate equation, and an energy conservation equation. A series of AUTODYN 3D (a widely used software in dynamic numerical simulations and developed by Century Dynamic Inc.) numerical simulations of the impacts of hypervelocity Al projectile on its targets at different incident angles were performed. The internal energy and the material density obtained from the numerical simulations were then used to calculate the ionization degree and the electron temperature. Based on a self-developed 2D smooth particle hydrodynamic (SPH) code and the theoretical model, the plasmas generated by 6 hypervelocity impacts were directly simulated and their total charges were calculated. The numerical results are in good agreements with the experimental results as well as the empirical formulas, demonstrating that the theoretical model is justified by the AUTODYN 3D and self-developed 2D SPH simulations and applicable to predict HVIGPs. The study is of significance for astrophysical and cosmonautic researches and safety.
Optical spring effect in nanoelectromechanical systems
Authors: Tian Feng , Zhou Guangya , Du Yu , Chau Fook Siong , Deng Jie
Published: August 2014

In this Letter, we report a hybrid system consisting of nano-optical and nano-mechanical springs, in which the optical spring effect works to adjust the mechanical frequency of a nanoelectromechanical systems resonator. Nano-scale folded beams are fabricated as the mechanical springs and double-coupled one-dimensional photonic crystal cavities are used to pump the “optical spring.” The dynamic characteristics of this hybrid system are measured and analyzed at both low and high input optical powers. This study leads the physical phenomenon of optomechanics in complex nano-opto-electro-mechanical systems (NOEMS) and could benefit the future applications of NOEMS in chip-level communication and sensing.
Characterizing p-channel thin film transistors using ZnO/hydrated polyvinyl alcohol as the conducting channel
Authors: Liau Leo Chau-Kuang , Hsu Tzu-Hsien , Lo Pei-Hsuan
Published: August 2014

We report the characteristics of p-channel thin film transistors (p-TFTs) with ZnO/hydrated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) (ZnO/PVA) conducting channels. The metal-oxide-semiconductor structure of the p-TFTs was composed of indium tin oxide (ITO)/SiO2/ZnO/PVA layers. The TFT was assembled using PVA gel, which was glued to ITO substrates patterned to form source and drain electrodes. The ZnO/PVA composite film acted as an effective conducting film because of the chemisorption reaction at the film interface where free electrons can be generated. The formation of the conducting channel was also affected by VG applied to the TFT. The ZnO/PVA-based TFTs demonstrated p-channel transistor performance, shown by current-voltage (I-V) data analysis. The electrical parameters of the device were evaluated, including the on/off ratio (∼103), threshold voltage (Vth, −1 V), and subthreshold swing (−2.2 V/dec). The PVA/ZnO-based p-TFTs were fabricated using simple and cost-effective approaches instead of doping methods.
Fano resonance control in a photonic crystal structure and its application to ultrafast switching
Authors: Yu Yi , Heuck Mikkel , Hu Hao , Xue Weiqi , Peucheret Christophe , Chen Yaohui , Oxenløwe Leif Katsuo , Yvind Kresten , Mørk Jesper
Published: August 2014

We experimentally demonstrate a photonic crystal structure that allows easy and robust control of the Fano spectrum. Its operation relies on controlling the amplitude of light propagating along one of the light paths in the structure from which the Fano resonance is obtained. Short-pulse dynamic measurements show that besides drastically increasing the switching contrast, the transmission dynamics itself is strongly affected by the nature of the resonance. The influence of slow-recovery tails implied by a long carrier lifetime can thus be reduced using a Fano resonance due to a hitherto unrecognized reshaping effect of the nonlinear Fano transfer function. As an example, we present a system application of a Fano structure, demonstrating its advantages by the experimental realization of 10 Gbit/s all-optical modulation with optical control power less than 1 mW.
Molecular architecture of mammalian nitric oxide synthases
Authors: Campbell Melody G. , Smith Brian C. , Potter Clinton S. , Carragher Bridget , Marletta Michael A.
Published: August 2014

Significance

In mammals, NO produced by NOS acts as a signaling molecule in the nervous and cardiovascular systems and as a cytotoxin in the immune system’s response to infection. Although structures of smaller portions of NOS have been solved, the structures of the entire NOS homodimer have remained elusive. In this study, we use single-particle EM to directly visualize the 3D structures, domain organization, and conformations accessed by all three mammalian NOSs. The observed conformational changes provide insight into the mechanisms through which calmodulin binding results in efficient NO formation.
Tropical forest transitions: structural changes in forest area, composition and landscape.
Authors: Wiersum K. F.
Published: August 2014

Most studies on tropical forest dynamics focus on the processes of deforestation and forest degradation and its associated ecological impacts; comparatively little attention is given to the emergence of forest transitions. This review gives an overview of forest transitions in the tropics as involving a structural reversal from a decreasing to expanding forest area as well as related changes in forest quality and forest landscape. After introducing the concept of forest transition it first summarizes the changing forest area in tropical countries. It then discusses how the identification of a forest transition greatly depends on how forests are defined. Three types of forests with contrasting forest composition are distinguished, i.e. natural forests, modified forests and transformed forests, and forest transitions are characterized as involving either forest conversion or forest restoration. Next, forest transitions are related to changes in forested landscapes and described as involving either forest extension at a retracting agricultural frontier or incorporation of forests in forested mosaic landscapes. These processes are driven by either macro-scale socio-ecological feedbacks or socio-economic changes or by location-specific development of rural forests as part of farming intensification. This paper concludes that forest transitions do not just involve a return of natural forests and/or extension of forest plantations on forest lands, but also a multidimensional co-evolution in social and ecological conditions involving an increasing incorporation of socialized forests in forested landscapes.
Mechanical compression insults induce nanoscale changes of membrane-skeleton arrangement which could cause apoptosis and necrosis in dorsal root ganglion neurons
Authors: Quan Xin , Guo Kai , Wang Yuqing , Huang Liangliang , Chen Beiyu , Ye Zhengxu , Luo Zhuojing
Published: August 2014

In a primary spinal cord injury, the amount of mechanical compression insult that the neurons experience is one of the most critical factors in determining the extent of the injury. The ultrastructural changes that neurons undergo when subjected to mechanical compression are largely unknown. In the present study, using a compression-driven instrument that can simulate mechanical compression insult, we applied mechanical compression stimulation at 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 MPa to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons for 10 min. Combined with atomic force microscopy, we investigated nanoscale changes in the membrane-skeleton, cytoskeleton alterations, and apoptosis induced by mechanical compression injury. The results indicated that mechanical compression injury leads to rearrangement of the membrane-skeleton compared with the control group. In addition, mechanical compression stimulation induced apoptosis and necrosis and also changed the distribution of the cytoskeleton in DRG neurons. Thus, the membrane-skeleton may play an important role in the response to mechanical insults in DRG neurons. Moreover, sudden insults caused by high mechanical compression, which is most likely conducted by the membrane-skeleton, may induce necrosis, apoptosis, and cytoskeletal alterations.
Identification of catalytic residues of a very large NAD-glutamate dehydrogenase from Janthinobacterium lividum by site-directed mutagenesis
Authors: Kawakami Ryushi , Sakuraba Haruhiko , Ohshima Toshihisa
Published: August 2014

We previously found a very large NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase with approximately 170 kDa subunit from Janthinobacterium lividum (Jl-GDH) and predicted that GDH reaction occurred in the central domain of the subunit. To gain further insights into the role of the central domain, several single point mutations were introduced. The enzyme activity was completely lost in all single mutants of R784A, K810A, K820A, D885A, and S1142A. Because, in sequence alignment analysis, these residues corresponded to the residues responsible for glutamate binding in well-known small GDH with approximately 50 kDa subunit, very large GDH and well-known small GDH may share the same catalytic mechanism. In addition, we demonstrated that C1141, one of the three cysteine residues in the central domain, was responsible for the inhibition of enzyme activity by HgCl2, and HgCl2 functioned as an activating compound for a C1141T mutant. At low concentrations, moreover, HgCl2 was found to function as an activating compound for a wild-type Jl-GDH. This suggests that the mechanism for the activation is entirely different from that for the inhibition.
Environmentally benign process for the preparation of antimicrobial α-methylene-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone (tulipalin B) from tulip biomass
Authors: Nomura Taiji , Hayashi Emiko , Kawakami Shohei , Ogita Shinjiro , Kato Yasuo
Published: August 2014

Tulipalin B (α-methylene-β-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone, PaB) is an antimicrobial natural product occurring in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana). PaB is directly formed from the precursor glucose ester 6-tuliposide B (PosB) by endogenous Pos-converting enzyme (TCE). Despite the potential usefulness of antibacterial PaB in various industrial applications, lack of facile synthetic schemes hampers its practical use. Herein, we describe an environmentally benign and facile process for the preparation of PaB using tulip biomass materials based on one-step enzyme reaction catalyzed by TCE without the use of petroleum-derived solvents. By screening 115 tulip cultivars, we found three elite cultivars, which accumulated PosB almost exclusively in flower tissues. The flower extracts with aqueous ethanol were partially purified with activated charcoal and subjected to the enzyme reaction with reusable immobilized TCE prepared from bulb crude extracts. The reaction was completed in a few hours at room temperature, and PaB was purified with activated charcoal and ethanol in a batch-wise manner.
Mod 3 congruence and twisted signature of 24 dimensional string manifolds
Authors: Chen Qingtao , Han Fei
Published: August 2014

In this paper, by combining modularity of the Witten genus and the modular forms constructed by Liu and Wang, we establish mod 3 congruence properties of certain twisted signatures of 24 dimensional string manifolds.
READemption—a tool for the computational analysis of deep-sequencing–based transcriptome data
Authors: Förstner Konrad U. , Vogel Jörg , Sharma Cynthia M.
Published: August 2014

Summary: RNA-Seq has become a potent and widely used method to qualitatively and quantitatively study transcriptomes. To draw biological conclusions based on RNA-Seq data, several steps, some of which are computationally intensive, have to be taken. Our READemption pipeline takes care of these individual tasks and integrates them into an easy-to-use tool with a command line interface. To leverage the full power of modern computers, most subcommands of READemption offer parallel data processing. While READemption was mainly developed for the analysis of bacterial primary transcriptomes, we have successfully applied it to analyze RNA-Seq reads from other sample types, including whole transcriptomes and RNA immunoprecipitated with proteins, not only from bacteria but also from eukaryotes and archaea.

Availability and implementation: READemption is implemented in Python and is published under the ISC open source license. The tool and documentation is hosted at http://pythonhosted.org/READemption (DOI:10.6084/m9.figshare.977849).

Contact:  cynthia.sharma@uni-wuerzburg.de and konrad.foerstner@uni-wuerzburg.de
gCUP: rapid GPU-based HIV-1 co-receptor usage prediction for next-generation sequencing
Authors: Olejnik Michael , Steuwer Michel , Gorlatch Sergei , Heider Dominik
Published: August 2014

Summary: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has a large potential in HIV diagnostics, and genotypic prediction models have been developed and successfully tested in the recent years. However, albeit being highly accurate, these computational models lack computational efficiency to reach their full potential.

In this study, we demonstrate the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in combination with a computational prediction model for HIV tropism. Our new model named gCUP, parallelized and optimized for GPU, is highly accurate and can classify >175 000 sequences per second on an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460. The computational efficiency of our new model is the next step to enable NGS technologies to reach clinical significance in HIV diagnostics. Moreover, our approach is not limited to HIV tropism prediction, but can also be easily adapted to other settings, e.g. drug resistance prediction.

Availability and implementation: The source code can be downloaded at http://www.heiderlab.de

Contact:  d.heider@wz-straubing.de
HapMuC: somatic mutation calling using heterozygous germ line variants near candidate mutations
Authors: Usuyama Naoto , Shiraishi Yuichi , Sato Yusuke , Kume Haruki , Homma Yukio , Ogawa Seishi , Miyano Satoru , Imoto Seiya
Published: August 2014

Motivation: Identifying somatic changes from tumor and matched normal sequences has become a standard approach in cancer research. More specifically, this requires accurate detection of somatic point mutations with low allele frequencies in impure and heterogeneous cancer samples. Although haplotype phasing information derived by using heterozygous germ line variants near candidate mutations would improve accuracy, no somatic mutation caller that uses such information is currently available.

Results: We propose a Bayesian hierarchical method, termed HapMuC, in which power is increased by using available information on heterozygous germ line variants located near candidate mutations. We first constructed two generative models (the mutation model and the error model). In the generative models, we prepared candidate haplotypes, considering a heterozygous germ line variant if available, and the observed reads were realigned to the haplotypes. We then inferred the haplotype frequencies and computed the marginal likelihoods using a variational Bayesian algorithm. Finally, we derived a Bayes factor for evaluating the possibility of the existence of somatic mutations. We also demonstrated that our algorithm has superior specificity and sensitivity compared with existing methods, as determined based on a simulation, the TCGA Mutation Calling Benchmark 4 datasets and data from the COLO-829 cell line.

Availability and implementation: The HapMuC source code is available from http://github.com/usuyama/hapmuc.

Contact:  imoto@ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
MindTheGap: integrated detection and assembly of short and long insertions
Authors: Rizk Guillaume , Gouin Anaïs , Chikhi Rayan , Lemaitre Claire
Published: August 2014

Motivation: Insertions play an important role in genome evolution. However, such variants are difficult to detect from short-read sequencing data, especially when they exceed the paired-end insert size. Many approaches have been proposed to call short insertion variants based on paired-end mapping. However, there remains a lack of practical methods to detect and assemble long variants.

Results: We propose here an original method, called M ind T he G ap , for the integrated detection and assembly of insertion variants from re-sequencing data. Importantly, it is designed to call insertions of any size, whether they are novel or duplicated, homozygous or heterozygous in the donor genome. M ind T he G ap uses an efficient k -mer-based method to detect insertion sites in a reference genome, and subsequently assemble them from the donor reads. M ind T he G ap showed high recall and precision on simulated datasets of various genome complexities. When applied to real Caenorhabditis elegans and human NA12878 datasets, M ind T he G ap detected and correctly assembled insertions >1 kb, using at most 14 GB of memory.

Availability and implementation:  http://mindthegap.genouest.org

Contact:  guillaume.rizk@inria.fr or claire.lemaitre@inria.fr
Public Employment and Access to Justice in Employment Law
Authors: Rodgers Lisa
Published: August 2014

This paper discusses and analyses the current evolution of the exceptional employment law rules governing (certain) public sector employment and the implication of that evolution for access to justice for public employees. It starts with an analysis of the origins and justifications for the separation of the regulation of ‘private’ as opposed to ‘public’ employees and how that separation has evolved over time. The article then proceeds to outline some of the possible critiques of that separation and the potential for the challenge to that separation in theoretical terms. In the third section, there is an assessment of the practical ways in which way public employees have recently sought to challenge this separation, and particularly their exclusion from private employment law rights. It discusses the reasons for the varying degrees of success of that challenge. The final section proceeds to discuss how far public law may step in to counteract the exclusion of public employees from the employment law regime. In particular, there is a discussion of the realisation within the public law arena of a need to relax the strict separation of the public/private regime and the need to cater for particular individual circumstances.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Leise Michael D.
Published: August 2014

Despite increased awareness through the efforts of public and regulatory agencies, the syndrome known as drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is still a major public health problem in the United States and the world. Moreover, it is the single most common reason for US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory actions, including the removal of drugs from the marketplace because of DILI. Although the frequency of this clinical syndrome is low within populations, a significant clinical and economic burden is generated by DILI. This chapter highlights new developments in the field of idiosyncratic DILI and provides information about DILI from acetaminophen.
What sodium absorption lines tell us about Type Ia supernovae
Authors: Soker Noam
Published: August 2014

We propose that the sodium responsible for the variable Na iD absorption lines in some Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) originate mainly from dust residing at ∼1 pc from the supernovae. In this Na-from-dust absorption (NaDA) model, the process by which the SN Ia peak luminosity releases sodium from dust at ∼1 pc from the SN is similar to the processes by which solar radiation releases sodium from cometary dust when comets approach a distance of ≲ 1 au from the Sun. The dust grains are not sublimated but rather stay intact, and release sodium by photon-stimulated desorption (or photosputtering). Some of the Na might start in the gas phase before the explosion. Weakening in absorption strength is caused by Na-ionizing radiation of the SN. We apply the NaDA model to SN 2006X and SN 2007le, and find it to comply better with the observed time variability of the Na iD absorption lines than the Na recombination model. The mass in the dusty shell of the NaDA model is much too high to be accounted for in the single-degenerate scenario for SN Ia. Therefore, the presence of variable Na iD lines in some SN Ia further weakens the already very problematic single-degenerate scenario for SN Ia.
7SL RNA represses p53 translation by competing with HuR
Authors: Abdelmohsen Kotb , Panda Amaresh C , Kang Min-Ju , Guo Rong , Kim Jiyoung , Grammatikakis Ioannis , Yoon Je-Hyun , Dudekula Dawood B , Noh Ji Heon , Yang Xiaoling , Martindale Jennifer L , Gorospe Myriam
Published: August 2014

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins are potent post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The ncRNA 7SL is upregulated in cancer cells, but its impact upon the phenotype of cancer cells is unknown. Here, we present evidence that 7SL forms a partial hybrid with the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of TP53 mRNA, which encodes the tumor suppressor p53. The interaction of 7SL with TP53 mRNA reduced p53 translation, as determined by analyzing p53 expression levels, nascent p53 translation and TP53 mRNA association with polysomes. Silencing 7SL led to increased binding of HuR to TP53 mRNA, an interaction that led to the promotion of p53 translation and increased p53 abundance. We propose that the competition between 7SL and HuR for binding to TP53 3′UTR contributes to determining the magnitude of p53 translation, in turn affecting p53 levels and the growth-suppressive function of p53. Our findings suggest that targeting 7SL may be effective in the treatment of cancers with reduced p53 levels.
Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation Associated With Necrotizing Scleritis and Temporal Bone Inflammation
Authors: Kasi Sundeep K. , Kim H. Jane , Basham Ryan P. , Cunningham Emmett T. , Sy Aileen , Lustig Larry , Kersten Robert C.
Published: August 2014

The authors present a case of aggressive idiopathic orbital inflammation producing necrotizing scleritis along with synchronous tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion of the temporal bone. A young woman with no medical history presented with sectoral scleritis and mildly reduced vision. Response to initial treatment, which included topical and systemic corticosteroids, as well as systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, was limited. Over the following months, signs of orbital inflammation developed, including ptosis, proptosis, and limited extraocular motility. MRI revealed both orbital and ipsilateral temporal bone masses. An orbital biopsy was performed revealing a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, whereas a biopsy of the temporal bone mass revealed a tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion. Biopsy showed no histopathologic evidence of infection nor neoplasm. The patient eventually responded to treatment with systemic prednisone, azathioprine, and rituximab.
The importance of study design for detecting differentially abundant features in high-throughput experiments
Authors: Huaien Luo , Juntao Li , Hui Burton Chia Kuan , Robson Paul , Nagarajan Niranjan
Published: August 2014

The use of high-throughput experiments, such as RNA-seq, to simultaneously identify differentially abundant entities across conditions has become widespread, but the systematic planning of such studies is currently hampered by the lack of general-purpose tools to do so. Here we demonstrate that there is substantial variability in performance across statistical tests, normalization techniques and study conditions, potentially leading to significant wastage of resources and/or missing information in the absence of careful study design. We present a broadly applicable experimental design tool called EDDA, and the first for single-cell RNA-seq, Nanostring and Metagenomic studies, that can be used to i) rationally choose from a panel of statistical tests, ii) measure expected performance for a study and iii) plan experiments to minimize mis-utilization of valuable resources. Using case studies from recent single-cell RNA-seq, Nanostring and Metagenomics studies, we highlight its general utility and, in particular, show a) the ability to correctly model single-cell RNA-seq data and do comparisons with 1/5ththe amount of sequencing currently used and b) that the selection of suitable statistical tests strongly impacts the ability to detect biomarkers in Metagenomic studies. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a novel mode-based normalization employed in EDDA uniformly improves in robustness over existing approaches (10-20%) and increases precision to detect differential abundance by up to 140%.
Crystal structure of 3-[4-(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Assia Sid , Amel Messai , Nouara Ziani , Mahieddine Mokhtari , Kaddour Lamara
Published: August 2014

The title compound, C22H20O, was synthesized by reacting 4-isopropylbenzaldehyde with 2-acetonaphtone by aldolic condensation under Claisen–Schmidt conditions. The molecule consists of a naphthalene group and a benzene ring with a pendant isopropyl moiety, both rings bound by a propenone linker. The naphthalene ring system is almost planar [maximum deviation from the least-squares plane = 0.026 (10) Å] and subtends a dihedral angle of 52.31 (4)° with the benzene ring. The propenone linker, in turn, deviates slightly more from planarity [maximum deviation = 0.125 (18) Å] and has its least-squares plane oriented midway the former two, at 25.62 (6) and 28.02 (5)° from the naphthalene ring system and the benzene ring, respectively. Finally, the isopropyl group presents its CC2plane almost perpendicular to the benzene ring, at 85.30 (4)°. No significant hydrogen bonding or π–π stacking interactions are found in the crystal structure.
Crystal structure of 1-ethylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine-4(5H)-thione
Authors: El Fal Mohammed , Ramli Youssef , Essassi El Mokhtar , Saadi Mohamed , El Ammari Lahcen
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, C7H8N4S, the methyl C atom is displaced by 1.232 (7) Å from the mean plane of the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.007 Å). The N—N—C—Cm(m = methyl) torsion angle is −60.3 (6)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...S hydrogen bonds, generating [010] chains, which are reinforced by C—H...N interactions. The chains are cross-linked by weak C—H...S hydrogen bonds, generating (001) sheets.
Crystal structure of (E)-2-[(4-hydroxybenzylidene)azaniumyl]benzoate
Authors: Tahir M. Nawaz , Khan Abdul Haleem , Shad Hazoor Ahmad
Published: August 2014

The title Schiff base, C14H11NO3, crystallizes as a zwitterion (i.e.proton transfer from the carboxylic acid group to the imine N atom). The dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 19.59 (6)° and an intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond closes anS(6) ring. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of O—H...O hydrogen bonds generateR24(24) loops. The dimers are linked by C—H...O interactions, generating (211) sheets.
Crystal structure of 4-[(2E)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyl]phenyl benzoate
Authors: Sathya S. , Reuben Jonathan D. , Prathebha K. , Jovita J. , Usha G.
Published: August 2014

In the title compound, C23H18O4, the methoxybenzene ring and attached C=C grouping are disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.823 (5):0.177 (5) ratio. The dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and the pendant phenyl and methoxybenzene ring (major orientation) are 51.21 (1) and 51.6 (1)°, respectively. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds generateR22(28) loops.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies on the carbothermal reduction reaction products of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia
Authors: Sondhi A. , Okobiah O. , Chattopadhyay S. , Shibata T. , Scharf T. W. , Reidy R. F.
Published: August 2014

Extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) at the ZrKedge has been used to determine changes in various bond lengths in 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) during zirconium carbide (ZrC) formation. The principal objective of this study was to determine if ZrC formation at the YSZ/carbon interface alters the zirconia structure. A mixed-phase sample (YSZ and graphite) was carbothermally reduced to form ZrC. X-ray diffraction phase quantification by Rietveld analysis confirmed the formation of ∼50% ZrC in the analyzed sample volume. EXAFS data of ZrC and YSZ powders and a sintered YSZ pellet (∼96.7% density) were used as standards to compare with the carbothermally reduced sample.Ab initocalculations using these spectra quantified various Zr—O, Zr—C and Zr—Zr bond distances in the system. Best fit results revealed Zr—OI(tetragonal), Zr—O (monoclinic), Zr—Zr (tetragonal) and Zr—Zr (monoclinic) bond length values of 2.10, 2.25, 3.65 and 3.52 Å, respectively, in the YSZ powder, Zr—OI(tetragonal) and Zr—Zr (tetragonal) bond length values of 2.12 and 3.62 Å, respectively, in the sintered pellet, and Zr—C and Zr—Zr bond lengths of 2.32 and 3.33 Å, respectively, in the ZrC powder. Similar fitting procedures were carried out on the carbothermally reduced pellet, with measured Zr—O, Zr—Zr (of YSZ), Zr—C and Zr—Zr (of ZrC) bond lengths of 2.13, 3.62, 2.36 and 3.33 Å, respectively. These bond lengths indicate that the formation of ZrC in the YSZ matrix does not influence the local structure when compared to pure standards. Therefore, carbothermal reduction does not induce any apparent strain or thermally induced effects on the first and second coordination shells of Zr as measured by the X-ray absorption spectra of the carbothermally reduced sample. Interestingly, the results indicated that sintering of the YSZ powder into pellets did not result in any significant change in the Zr—O and Zr—Zr distances for tetragonal YSZ.
Estimating Premium Sensitivity for Children's Public Health Insurance Coverage: Selection but No Death Spiral
Authors: Marton James , Ketsche Patricia G. , Snyder Angela , Adams E. Kathleen , Zhou Mei
Published: August 2014

Objective

To estimate the effect of premium increases on the probability that near‐poor and moderate‐income children disenroll from public coverage.

Data Sources

Enrollment, eligibility, and claims data for Georgia's PeachCare for Kids™ (CHIP) program for multiple years.

Study Design

We exploited policy‐induced variation in premiums generated by cross‐sectional differences and changes over time in enrollee age, family size, and income to estimate the duration of enrollment as a function of the effective (per child) premium. We classify children as being of low, medium, or high illness severity.

Principal Findings

A dollar increase in the per‐child premium is associated with a slight increase in a typical child's monthly probability of exiting coverage from 7.70 to 7.83 percent. Children with low illness severity have a significantly higher monthly baseline probability of exiting than children with medium or high illness severity, but the enrollment response to premium increases is similar across all three groups.

Conclusions

Success in achieving coverage gains through public programs is tempered by persistent problems in maintaining enrollment, which is modestly affected by premium increases. Retention is subject to adverse selection problems, but premium increases do not appear to significantly magnify the selection problem in this case.
Serum soluble toll‐like receptor 2: a novel biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity and lupus‐related cardiovascular dysfunction
Authors: Houssen Maha E. , El‐Mahdy Rasha H. , Shahin Dina A.
Published: August 2014

Aim

To assess the serum levels of soluble toll‐like receptor (sTLR2) as an endogenous negative regulator of TLR2 signaling in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, to investigate the correlation between sTLR2 and SLE disease activity index (SELDAI), SLE‐related cardiovascular risk factors and ventricular dysfunction and to evaluate the effect of different therapeutic regimens on serum sTLR2 levels.

Methods

Ninety‐six SLE patients, along with 30 healthy controls, were enrolled in the study. Echocardiography measurements were performed. Serum levels of (sTLR2) were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum lipid profiles, uric acid and creatinine were also detected.

Results

Mean serum levels of sTLR2 in SLE patients was 3.98 ± 4.4 ng/mL, which was significantly decreased as compared with that of the control group (11.3 ± 4.9 ng/mL; P < 0.0001). sTLR2 was negatively correlated with SELDAI, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. sTLR2 levels were increased in patients receiving hydroxychloroquine, statins and corticosteroids.

Conclusion

Serum sTLR2 can attenuate disease activity and negatively impact left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and hypercholersterelemia in SLE patients. Statins, corticosteroids and chloroquine increase sTLR2 levels.
Generalised hyperpigmentation caused by ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone syndrome with recurrent thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma
Authors: Moon Hye‐Rim , Won Chong Hyun , Chang Sung Eun , Lee Mi Woo , Choi Jee Ho , Moon Kee Chan
Published: August 2014

Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) syndrome is a rare cause of generalised hyperpigmentation. The clinical features are due to the excessive ectopic secretion of adenocorticotropin by diverse neuroendocrine or non‐endocrine tumours. Here, we describe a rare case of ectopic ACTH syndrome developing from recurring thymic neuroendocrine carcinoma, which first presented as generalised hyperpigmentation.
Similar hypotensive effects of combined aerobic and resistance exercise with 1 set versus 3 sets in women with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Tibana Ramires A. , Nascimento Dahan da C. , de Sousa Nuno M. F. , de Almeida Jeeser A. , Moraes Milton R. , Durigan João Luiz Quagliotti , Collier Scott R. , Prestes Jonato
Published: August 2014

The aim of the present study was to compare the response of systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean blood pressure (MBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) following combined training with 1 set or with 3 sets of resistance exercise (RE). Sixteen women with metabolic syndrome (MetS) were randomly assigned to perform two combined exercise protocols and a control session (CON): 1‐set, 30 min of aerobic exercise (AE) at 65–70% of reserve heart rate and 1 set of 8–12 repetitions at 80% of 10‐RM in six resistance exercises; 3‐sets, same protocol but with 3 sets; and CON, 30 min of seated rest. The SBP, MBP and DBP were measured before and every 15 min during 90 min following the experimental sessions. The SBP displayed a decrease (P≤0·05) during the 90 min following the RE session with 1‐set and 3‐set, while MBP was decreased (P≤0·05) up to 75 min after 1‐set and up to 30 min after the 3‐set exercise session compared with pre‐intervention values. There was a decrease in DBP only for the greatest individual decrease following 1‐set (−6·1 mmHg) and 3‐set (−4·9 mmHg) combined exercise sessions, without differences between them. The rate‐pressure product and heart rate remained significantly higher (P≤0·05) 75 min and 90 min after the combined exercise session with 1‐ and 3‐sets compared with the CON, respectively. In conclusion, a low‐volume RE combined with AE resulted in similar decrease of SBP when compared with RE with 3‐sets in women with MetS, which could be beneficial in situations of limited time.
Second‐Hand Signals: How and Why Firms Are Being Referenced in Scientific Publications
Authors: Bergenholtz Carsten
Published: August 2014

Studies of signaling theory have traditionally focused on the dyadic link between the sender and receiver of the signal. Within a science‐based perspective this framing has led scholars to investigate how patents and publications of firms function as signals. I explore another important type of signal of firms, which is based on a formalized common practice of external, academic experts referring to firms in their peer reviewed publications. The findings provide qualitative evidence that helps explain why and how this new type of ‘second‐hand’ signal is created, validated and systematically used by various agents in their search for and assessment of products and firms. I conclude by arguing how this second‐hand nature of signals goes beyond a simple dyadic focus on senders and receivers of signals, and thus elucidates the more complex interrelations of the various types of agents involved in signaling phenomena.
Patient‐reported outcome measures in pediatric epilepsy: A content analysis using World Health Organization definitions
Authors: Sadeghi Salva , Fayed Nora , Ronen Gabriel M.
Published: August 2014

Objective

Patient‐reported outcome (PRO) measures that assess the effect of epilepsy on children's lives include the concepts of health, health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), and quality of life (QOL). They also contain varied health and health‐related content. Our objectives were to identify what generic and epilepsy‐specific PRO instruments are used in childhood epilepsy research and to make explicit their conceptual approach and biopsychosocial content.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from 2001 to 2011 for PRO measures used in pediatric epilepsy. Measures were analyzed on an item‐by‐item basis according to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of QOL and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth (ICF‐CY) biopsychosocial health framework to distinguish the conceptual approach within each measure. The health content analysis coded each item according to specific ICF‐CY components of body function, activity and participation, environment, or personal factors to determine the health content for each measure.

Results

Three generic and 13 epilepsy‐specific PRO measures were identified; 10 of 16 measures utilized a biopsychosocial health approach rather than an HRQOL or QOL approach. Content analysis showed that in 11 of 16 measures, >25% of the items represented participation and activity components of the ICF‐CY, whereas a high proportion of environment items were found in only one epilepsy‐specific measure.

Significance

This comprehensive review provides information aiding clinicians and researchers in the selection of the appropriate PRO instruments for children with epilepsy on the basis of content. Most epilepsy‐specific and generic PROs use a biopsychosocial health approach as opposed to a subjective HRQOL/QOL approach to measurement. Clinicians and researchers must be aware of these concepts and content when intending to measure outcomes validly.
Comparison of sub‐bandage pressures achieved by 3 abdominal bandaging techniques in horses
Authors: Canada N. C. , Beard W. L. , Guyan M. E. , White B. J.
Published: August 2014

Reasons for performing study

Clinicians frequently place post operative abdominal bandages on horses undergoing laparotomies. Presently, no information exists on the amount of incisional support provided by these bandages. Determination of sub‐bandage pressure provides a means of comparing the ability of different bandages to support incisions.

Objectives

Determination of sub‐bandage pressure over a 24 h period using 3 bandaging techniques.

Study design

A randomised, crossover design using 9 healthy horses.

Methods

Horses were randomly assigned to a treatment regimen consisting of placement of 3 abdominal bandage types, namely an elastic bandage (ELA), theCMTMHernia Heal Belt (CM) or a nylon binder (NYL). The sub‐bandage pressures for each bandage were measured with the Picopress® compression‐measuring system at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after application.

Results

No time and treatment interactions were observed, and bandage pressures were maintained within each treatment group over the 24 h period. Mean sub‐bandage pressures were different between all treatment groups (P<0.001) at 39 (95% confidence interval, 36.7–40.5 mmHg), 25 (95% confidence interval, 23.9–27.7 mmHg) and 5 mmHg (95% confidence interval, 4.1–7.8 mmHg) forCM,ELAandNYLbandages, respectively. Horses were more likely to lie down with theCM(P = 0.02) andELAtreatments (P = 0.0002) when compared with theNYLtreatment. TheELAbandages were more likely to displace caudally compared with bothCMandNYLbandages.

Conclusions

TheCMbandage was superior to bothELAandNYLbandages with regard to measured sub‐bandage pressure over the 24 h period. The clinical significance of the differences in sub‐bandage pressure between treatments cannot be determined by this study.