bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gas‐phase fragmentation of the N‐oxide and N‐hydroxylated derivatives of retrorsine using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jahouh Farid , Marongiu Fabio , Serra Maria Paola , Laconi Ezio , Banoub Joseph
Published: August 2015

Rationale

We report the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID‐MS/MS) analysis of a pyrrolizidine alkaloid extract containing both retrorsine [C18H25NO6] and its N‐oxide [C18H25NO7] and N‐hydroxyl [C18H26NO7] derivatives measured with a QqTOFMS hybrid instrument.

Methods

A solution of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid extract containing retrorsine and its N‐oxide and N‐hydroxyl derivatives was directly infused into an electrospray ionization‐quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight (ESI‐QTOF) mass spectrometer and product ion scans of the protonated molecules of each species were acquired. Labile protons of each compound were deuterated and computational energy calculations of the proposed structures of the product ions were used to determine the fragmentation pathways of retrorsine and its N‐oxide and N‐hydroxyl derivatives.

Results

ESI‐MS of the pyrrolizidine alkaloid extract containing retrorsine and its N‐oxide and N‐hydroxyl derivatives afforded the protonated retrorsine [M1 + H]+ at m/z 352.1760 and the protonated retrorsine N‐oxide [M2 + H]+ at m/z 368.1631 in addition to the formation of the unexpected protonated N‐hydroxyl radical [M3 + H]+• at m/z 369.1686. CID‐MS/MS of this series of protonated molecules allowed the evaluation of their gas‐phase fragmentations and the establishment of their fragmentation pathways. It was also found that several product ions could be assigned to different structures. Deuterium exchange and computational energy calculations allowed us to determine the most probable structures for the characterized product ions.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, the identification of the protonated retrorsine N‐hydroxyl radical [M3 + H]+• is reported for the first time. In addition, the MS/MS results can be used for the identification of retrorsine and its N‐oxide and N‐hydroxyl derivatives in different complex biological matrices. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stream chemical dynamic and metal accumulation in a temperate watershed affected by agricultural practices (Penzé, NW France)
Authors: Waeles Matthieu , Pernet‐Coudrier Benoit , Rouget Marie‐Laure , Liorzou Céline , Riso Ricardo D.
Published: August 2015

Rationale

Understanding the fate of metals in agricultural land is an important issue for agronomic sustainability. This study aimed at quantifying the export/retention of metals in a temperate watershed subject to important manuring activities.

Methods

The chemical composition of the Penzé stream was examined at high resolution during a 1‐year study in 2012. After immediate on‐site filtration, here demonstrated as necessary to avoid modification of the dissolved‐particulate partition, the concentrations of 21 elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma (ICP) optical emission spectrometry and ICP mass spectrometry. This dataset was extended with the local atmospheric deposition of several metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni and Zn) monitored on a monthly basis.

Results

Two groups were distinguished according to the evolution of the concentrations during floods. Some major cations (Na, Ca, Mg, Sr, K, Ba) and nitrate followed counter‐clockwise hysteresis patterns originating from the dilution of the enriched groundwaters by surface waters. Conversely, Al, Fe, Mn, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb and U displayed high dissolved concentration increases at the early stage of floods due to washing out of the enriched soils.

Conclusions

The comparison of stream output fluxes for the two main inputs for the watershed, i.e. atmospheric deposition and manure spreading, indicates that the vast majority of the Cu and Zn (>99 and 96%, respectively), mainly originating from pig manure, is accumulated in the watershed. The accumulation rates for other metals were >60% for Ni and Cr, >75% for As and >90% for Pb and Cd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active disturbance rejection control approach to stabilization of lower triangular systems with uncertainty
Authors: Zhao Zhi‐Liang , Guo Bao‐Zhu
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we apply the active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) to stabilization for lower triangular nonlinear systems with large uncertainties. We first design an extended state observer (ESO) to estimate the state and the uncertainty, in real time, simultaneously. The constant gain and the time‐varying gain are used in ESO design separately. The uncertainty is then compensated in the feedback loop. The practical stability for the closed‐loop system with constant gain ESO and the asymptotic stability with time‐varying gain ESO are proven. The constant gain ESO can deal with larger class of nonlinear systems but causes the peaking value near the initial stage that can be reduced significantly by time‐varying gain ESO. The nature of estimation/cancelation makes the ADRC very different from high‐gain control where the high gain is used in both observer and feedback. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
South–South Technology Transfer of Low‐Carbon Innovation: Large Chinese Hydropower Dams in Cambodia
Authors: Urban Frauke , Siciliano Giuseppina , Sour Kim , Lonn Pich Dara , Tan‐Mullins May , Mang Grace
Published: August 2015

Large dams have been controversially debated for decades due to their large‐scale and often irreversible social and environmental impacts. In the pursuit of low‐carbon energy and climate change mitigation, hydropower is experiencing a new renaissance. At the forefront of this renaissance are Chinese actors as the world's largest hydropower dam‐builders. This paper aims to discuss the role of South–South technology transfer of low‐carbon energy innovation and its opportunities and barriers by using a case study of the first large Chinese‐funded and Chinese‐built dam in Cambodia. Using the Kamchay Dam as an example, the paper finds that technology transfer can only be fully successful when host governments and organizations have the capacity to absorb new technologies. The paper also finds that technology transfer in the dam sector needs to go beyond hardware and focus more on the transfer of expertise, skills and knowledge to enable long‐term sustainable development. © 2016 The Authors Sustainable Development published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Improving the efficiency of estimation in the additive hazards model for stratified case–cohort design with multiple diseases
Authors: Kim Soyoung , Cai Jianwen , Couper David
Published: August 2015

The case–cohort study design has often been used in studies of a rare disease or for a common disease with some biospecimens needing to be preserved for future studies. A case–cohort study design consists of a random sample, called the subcohort, and all or a portion of the subjects with the disease of interest. One advantage of the case–cohort design is that the same subcohort can be used for studying multiple diseases. Stratified random sampling is often used for the subcohort. Additive hazards models are often preferred in studies where the risk difference, instead of relative risk, is of main interest. Existing methods do not use the available covariate information fully. We propose a more efficient estimator by making full use of available covariate information for the additive hazards model with data from a stratified case–cohort design with rare (the traditional situation) and non‐rare (the generalized situation) diseases. We propose an estimating equation approach with a new weight function. The proposed estimators are shown to be consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. Simulation studies show that the proposed method using all available information leads to efficiency gain and stratification of the subcohort improves efficiency when the strata are highly correlated with the covariates. Our proposed method is applied to data from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin of Sub‐Bandgap Electroluminescence in Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Xiang Chaoyu , Peng Cheng , Chen Ying , So Franky
Published: August 2015

Sub‐bandgap electroluminescence in organic light emitting diodes is a phenomenon in which the electroluminescence turn‐on voltage is lower than the bandgap voltage of the emitter. Based on the results of transient electroluminescence (EL) and photoluminescence and electroabsorption spectroscopy measurements, it is concluded that in rubrene/C60 devices, charge transfer excitons are generated at the rubrene/C60 interface under sub‐bandgap driving conditions, leading to the formation of triplet excitons, and sub‐bandgap EL is the result of the subsequent triplet–triplet annihilation process.
A Cellular Compatible Chitosan Nanoparticle Surface for Isolation and In Situ Culture of Rare Number CTCs
Authors: Sun Na , Wang Jine , Ji Liya , Hong Shanni , Dong Jingjin , Guo Yahui , Zhang Kunchi , Pei Renjun
Published: August 2015

Circulating tumor cell (CTC) isolation has attracted a great deal of research interest in recent years. However, there are still some challenges, including purity as well as viability of the captured CTCs, resulting from nanoscale structures and inorganic nanomaterials. Here, a chitosan nanoparticle surface is first fabricated by electrospray to provide a cellular compatible interface. The “soft” substrate, further modified by polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an antifouling molecule and DNA aptamer as a specific capture molecule, has a hydrophilic nature and is capable of specific capture of viable rare CTCs from artificial white blood cell (WBC) samples. Furthermore, a subsequent in situ culture strategy based on the developed cellular compatible soft interface is introduced for further purification and proliferation of the captured rare number target cells. The WBCs are weeded out after 2 d, and after a 7 d proliferation nearly 200 MCF‐7 cells are obtained from 7 target cells with more than 90% purity. This work provides a promising strategy for viable isolation and purification of rare CTCs and it has great potential for achieving clinical validity.
A Puzzle About Partial Grounding
Authors: Clark Michael J. ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: August 2015

I argue that plausible claims in the logic of partial grounding, when combined with a plausible analysis of that concept, entail the falsity of plausible grounding claims. As our account of the concept of partial grounding and its logic should be consistent with plausible grounding claims, this is problematic. The argument hinges on the idea that some facts about what grounds what are grounded in others, which is an idea the paper aims to motivate.
Cox–Ingersoll–Ross model for wind speed modeling and forecasting
Authors: Bensoussan Alain , Brouste Alexandre
Published: August 2015

We propose a dynamic model for the squared norm of the wind speed which is a Markov diffusion process. It presents several advantages. Since the transition probability densities are in closed form, it can be calibrated with the maximum likelihood method. It presents nice modeling features both in terms of marginal probability density function and temporal correlation. We have tested the model with real wind speed data set provided by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The model fits very well with the data. Besides, we obtained a very good performance in forecasting wind speed at short term. This is an interesting perspective for operational use in industry. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of majority votes in statistical learning
Authors: Zhu Mu
Published: August 2015

Today, algorithms such as the gradient boosting machine and the random forest are among the most competitive tools in prediction contests. We review how these algorithms came about. The basic underlying idea is to aggregate predictions from a diverse collection of models. We also explore a few very diverse directions in which the basic idea has evolved, and clarify some common misconceptions that grew as the idea steadily gained its popularity.WIREs Comput Stat2015, 7:357–371. doi: 10.1002/wics.1362

This article is categorized under:

Statistical Learning and Exploratory Methods of the Data Sciences > Clustering and Classification
A data management system for long‐term natural resource monitoring and management projects with multiple cooperators
Authors: Hunt Victoria M. , Jacobi Sarah K. , Knutson Melinda G. , Lonsdorf Eric V. , Papon Shawn , Zorn Jennifer
Published: August 2015

Collection, processing, and long‐term storage of data for broad‐scale, collaborative natural resource monitoring and management projects poses technical and administrative challenges that, if not properly addressed, result in suboptimal management and learning. Data from many cooperators, often spanning multiple organizations, must be efficiently centralized and processed, and must be consistent in content and quality over the lifespan of such projects. We present a data management system for natural resource monitoring and management consisting of 2 components: a centralized, web‐based platform for data entry and a connected relational database for data processing, modeling, and analysis. After the data management system has been customized to meet the needs of a specific project, operation and system maintenance require minimal external technical support, making it suitable for long‐term projects that face potential staffing and budgeting constraints. We discuss the scope of projects for which this approach is applicable and document 2 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service adaptive management case studies demonstrating this data management system: 1) Native Prairie Adaptive Management, and 2) Wetland Restoration and Sediment Removal. The standardized approach presented within is broadly applicable in collaborative natural resource monitoring and management settings and has the potential to improve management outcomes and facilitate deeper ecological understanding of systems being managed. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Data and information management for the monitoring of biodiversity in Alberta
Authors: Sólymos Péter , Morrison Shawn F. , Kariyeva Jahan , Schieck Jim , Haughland Diane L. , Azeria Ermias T. , Cobb Tyler , Hinchliffe Robert , Kittson Jillian , Mcintosh Anne C. S. , Narwani Tara , Pierossi Paola , Roy Marie‐Claude , Sandybayev Turar , Boutin Stan , Bayne Erin
Published: August 2015

The Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) monitors large‐scale responses of biodiversity to environmental change in Alberta, Canada, based on standardized and ongoing data collection. In this case study, we show that such a standardized monitoring system has many data management challenges. In the almost 20 years since the conception of the Institute, we have identified 4 key characteristics that are required for large‐scale, long‐term biodiversity monitoring programs to be operational: 1) data must be publicly accessible; 2) methods and terminology must be standardized to facilitate consistency around data and information collection, analysis, and reporting; 3) the information system must be flexible so that components can be modified or added without compromising the functionality of the other components or the whole system; and 4) the system must be scalable so that it can support input, storage, and retrieval as data load increases. These characteristics are important to ensure that the products and tools generated from our monitoring program can support management at large spatial scales in the complex socio‐ecological system of Alberta. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Using camera‐trap photographs to identify individual fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the Southeastern United States
Authors: Tye Courtney A. , Greene Daniel U. , Giuliano William M. , Mccleery Robert A.
Published: August 2015

Fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) in the southeastern United States have been difficult to survey because of their sparse distribution, large home ranges, and low capture success. Remote cameras have proven to be an effective tool for surveying larger mammals, including identifying individual animals using their unique markings. To test whether cameras can be used to identify individual fox squirrels in the southeastern United States, we 1) inspected digital photographs of fox squirrels; 2) identified variable pelage features for individual identification; 3) tested the ability of wildlife students and professionals to identify individuals; and 4) evaluated whether training improved participants' ability to identify individuals. We found that fox squirrels could be individually identified using a combination of sex and 10 variable pelage features, including the color morph, presence of an eye ring, distribution of white on the rostrum, and facial markings. In total, we developed ≥25,920 possible combinations of features to identify southeastern fox squirrels. We found survey participants were capable of identifying fox squirrels without training, but their average ability to do so increased significantly from 73.6% to 80.3% after training (t[df = 106] = 5.068, P < 0.001). The results from this study demonstrate that camera‐trapping, particularly when combined with training that focuses on which features vary between individuals, provides an alternative method to live‐trapping for population‐level studies of southeastern fox squirrels. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Zinc Complexes with Guanidine‐Pyridine Hybrid Ligands: Anion Effect and Catalytic Activity
Authors: Döring Artjom , Flörke Ulrich , Hoffmann Alexander , Jones Matthew D. , Kuckling Dirk , Michaelis de Vasconcellos Janna , Herres‐Pawlis Sonja
Published: August 2015

The guanidine‐pyridine ligands DMEGqu, TMGqu, and DMEGpy were reacted with zinc benzoate, zinc acetylacetonate, zinc bromide, zinc tetrafluoroborate, and zinc d,l‐lactate in order obtain the corresponding complexes. The compounds were structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography and further characterized by NMR, IR, and MS measurements. All complexes were tested as initiators in the melt polymerization of d,l‐lactide and the influence of the anion effect was studied. The bis(chelate) tetrafluoroborate complex 7 exhibited the highest activity.
Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Left Lateral Sectionectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Single‐Center Experience
Authors: Cheung Tan To , Poon Ronnie T. P. , Dai Wing Chiu , Chok Kenneth S. H. , Chan See Ching , Lo Chung Mau
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for liver lesions. However, most of the literatures only reported this treatment method on benign lesion or colorectal metastases. The data on long‐term outcome of laparoscopic left lateral section resection in patients with HCC and cirrhosis are still limited. The aim of this study is to analyze the survival outcome of laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy when compared to open approach in patients with HCCs.

Method

Between January 2004 and September 2014, 967 patients had primary HCC with hepatectomy performed. Twenty‐four patients had undergone pure laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twenty‐nine patients with case‐matched tumor characteristics and liver functions but received open left lateral sectionectomy for HCC were included for comparison.

Results

Comparing laparoscopic group to open resection group, the median operation time was 190.5 versus 195 min (P = 0.734); the median blood loss was 100 versus 300 ml (P < 0.001). Hospital stay was 5 days in laparoscopic group versus 6 days in the open group (P = 0.057). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of complications (P = 0.495). The median survival in laparoscopic group was >115 months versus >125 months in the open group (P = 0.853).

Conclusion

Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy for HCC is a safe and simple procedure associated with less blood loss. The survival outcome is comparable with conventional open approach. It is becoming a more favorable treatment option even for patients with HCC and cirrhosis.
Diagnosis and Management of Spinal Metastasis of Glioblastoma
Authors: Tai Patricia , Dubey Arbind , Salim Muhammad , Vu Khanh , Koul Rashmi
Published: August 2015

Background: When patients with cranial glioblastoma develop weakness, a rare differential diagnosis is spinal metastases. Methods: Chart and literature reviews were performed. Results: The reported patient had delayed onset spinal drop metastasis that was only detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A 48-year-old patient had supratentorial glioblastoma, treated with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent temozolomide followed by six cycles of adjuvant temozolomide. Four years after completion of all treatments (62 months from initial presentation), he developed low backache and weakness in both legs. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans demonstrated intracranial recurrence only. Spinal drop metastases were detected only by MRI scan. Local spinal RT 40 Gy in 20 fractions with concurrent and maintenance temozolomide were given. Because of disease progression after nine cycles of temozolomide, systemic therapy was changed to bevacizumab, which greatly improved his symptoms for 4 months before deterioration of mental status. He is still alive with disease at 22 months after diagnosis of spinal metastases (84 months from initial glioblastoma diagnosis). Conclusions: MRI is the diagnostic imaging of choice for spinal metastases. This illustrative case of delayed-onset spinal metastases shows unusual slow progression. Local RT, temozolomide, and targeted therapy may improve survival. This illustrative case is the first report of bevacizumab as a second-line therapy in drop metastasis of glioblastoma.
Epidemiology of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusBloodstream Coinfection Among Adults With Candidemia in Atlanta, GA, 2008–2012
Authors: Reno Jessica , Doshi Saumil , Tunali Amy K. , Stein Betsy , Farley Monica M. , Ray Susan M. , Jacob Jesse T.
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Patients with candidemia are at risk for other invasive infections, such as methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) bloodstream infection (BSI).

OBJECTIVE

To identify the risk factors for, and outcomes of, BSI in adults withCandidaspp. and MRSA at the same time or nearly the same time.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Metropolitan Atlanta, March 1, 2008, through November 30, 2012.

PATIENTS

All residents withCandidaspp. or MRSA isolated from blood.

METHODS

The Georgia Emerging Infections Program conducts active, population-based surveillance for candidemia and invasive MRSA. Medical records for patients with incident candidemia were reviewed to identify cases of MRSA coinfection, defined as incident MRSA BSI 30 days before or after candidemia. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with coinfection in patients with candidemia.

RESULTS

Among 2,070 adult candidemia cases, 110 (5.3%) had coinfection within 30 days. Among these 110 coinfections, MRSA BSI usually preceded candidemia (60.9%; n=67) or occurred on the same day (20.0%; n=22). The incidence of coinfection per 100,000 population decreased from 1.12 to 0.53 between 2009 and 2012, paralleling the decreased incidence of all MRSA BSIs and candidemia. Thirty-day mortality was similarly high between coinfection cases and candidemia alone (45.2% vs 36.0%,P=.10). Only nursing home residence (odds ratio, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.03–2.86]) predicted coinfection.

CONCLUSIONS

A small but important proportion of patients with candidemia have MRSA coinfection, suggesting that heightened awareness is warranted after 1 major BSI pathogen is identified. Nursing home residents should be targeted in BSI prevention efforts.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.2015;36(11):1298–1304
The Clinical Impact of Ventilator-Associated Events: A Prospective Multi-Center Surveillance Study
Authors: Zhu Shichao , Cai Lin , Ma Chunhua , Zeng Hongmei , Guo Hua , Mao Xiaoqing , Zeng Chenghui , Li Xiaohong , Zhao Hua , Liu Yongfang , Liu Shilian , Sun Juhua , Zhang Ling , Peng Tingyong , Dong Mina , Chen Liping , Zong Zhiyong
Published: August 2015

OBJECTIVE

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed an approach to ventilator-associated events (VAE) surveillance. Using these methods, this study was performed to investigate VAE incidences and to test whether VAEs are associated with poorer outcomes in China.

DESIGN

A 4-month, prospective multicenter surveillance study between April and July 2013.

SETTING

Our study included 15 adult intensive care units (ICUs) of 15 hospitals in China.

PATIENTS

Patients admitted to ICUs during the study period

METHODS

Patients on mechanical ventilation (MV) were monitored for VAEs: ventilator-associated conditions (VACs), infection-related ventilator-associated complications (IVACs), and possible or probable ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Patients with and without VACs were compared with regard to duration of MV, ICU length of stay (LOS), overall hospital LOS, and mortality rate.

RESULTS

During the study period, 2,356 of the 5,256 patients admitted to ICUs received MV for 8,438 ventilator days. Of these patients, 636 were on MV >2 days. VACs were identified in 94 cases (4.0%; 11.1 cases per 1,000 ventilator days), including 31 patients with IVACs and 16 with possible VAP but none with probable VAP. Compared with patients without VACs, patients with VACs had longer ICU LOS (by 6.2 days), longer duration on MV (by 7.7 days), and higher hospital mortality rate (50.0% vs 27.3%). The mortality rate attributable to VACs was 11.7%. Compared with those with VACs alone, patients with IVACs had longer duration on MV and increased ICU LOS but no higher mortality rates.

CONCLUSIONS

In China, surveillance of VACs and IVACs is able to identify MV patients with poorer outcomes. However, surveillance of possible and probable VAP can be problematic.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(12):1388–1395
PARLIAMENTARY REWARDS AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PATENT SYSTEM
Authors: Burrell Robert , Kelly Catherine
Published: August 2015

This article examines the impact on the patent system of rewards for innovation across the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. During this period, Parliament would regularly grant rewards to inventors, with many of these rewards being set out in legislation. This legislation provided Parliament with the opportunity to promote a model of state support for inventors: a model that made public disclosure of the invention a precondition for assistance. This had important implications for patent law, in particular, in helping to develop the role of the patent specification and the doctrine of sufficiency of disclosure. In this way, the reward system helped establish the framework under which the state would provide support for inventors. Simultaneously, however, the reward system created a space in which inventors would have to do more than meet the minimum requirement of public disclosure. Rewards allowed the state to distinguish between different classes of inventor and to make special provision for particularly worthy individuals. In this way, the reward system recognised the contribution of the “heroic inventor”, whilst leaving the core of the patent system undisturbed.
The Price of Legal Institutions: TheBeratlıMerchants in the Eighteenth-Century Ottoman Empire
Authors: Artunç Cihan
Published: August 2015

In the eighteenth century, European embassies in the Ottoman Empire started selling exemption licenses calledberats, which granted non-Muslim Ottomans tax exemptions and the option to use European law. I construct a novel price panel for British and French licenses based on primary sources. The evidence reveals that prices were significantly high and varied across countries. Agents acquired multipleberatsto enhance their legal options, which they exploited through strategic court switching. By the early 1800s,beratholders had driven other groups from European-Ottoman trade.
Financing Long-Distance Trade: The Joint Liability Rule and Bills of Exchange in Eighteenth-Century France
Authors: Santarosa Veronica Aoki
Published: August 2015

Over time, international trade expanded beyond the reach of an individual's personal networks. How was long-distance trade among strangers financed without using banks? I argue that the joint liability rule enabled the medieval bill of exchange to become a major form of payment and credit in the early modern period which in turn supported an unparalleled expansion of trade. This article empirically examines the role that joint liability played in ameliorating fundamental information problems in long-distance trade finance.
Income Inequality in the United States in the Late 1860s
Authors: Stelzner Mark
Published: August 2015

I utilize data from the Civil War income tax to calculate the income shares of the top 1 and 0.1 percent of the population in the United States in the late 1860s—extending Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez's series back in time. As we will see, income inequality during this period represents a low comparable to the late 1970s.
The stability and change of etiological influences on depression, anxiety symptoms and their co-occurrence across adolescence and young adulthood
Authors: Waszczuk M. A. , Zavos H. M. S. , Gregory A. M. , Eley T. C.
Published: August 2015

Background.

Depression and anxiety persist within and across diagnostic boundaries. The manner in which common v. disorder-specific genetic and environmental influences operate across development to maintain internalizing disorders and their co-morbidity is unclear. This paper investigates the stability and change of etiological influences on depression, panic, generalized, separation and social anxiety symptoms, and their co-occurrence, across adolescence and young adulthood.

Method.

A total of 2619 twins/siblings prospectively reported symptoms of depression and anxiety at mean ages 15, 17 and 20 years.

Results.

Each symptom scale showed a similar pattern of moderate continuity across development, largely underpinned by genetic stability. New genetic influences contributing to change in the developmental course of the symptoms emerged at each time point. All symptom scales correlated moderately with one another over time. Genetic influences, both stable and time-specific, overlapped considerably between the scales. Non-shared environmental influences were largely time- and symptom-specific, but some contributed moderately to the stability of depression and anxiety symptom scales. These stable, longitudinal environmental influences were highly correlated between the symptoms.

Conclusions.

The results highlight both stable and dynamic etiology of depression and anxiety symptom scales. They provide preliminary evidence that stable as well as newly emerging genes contribute to the co-morbidity between depression and anxiety across adolescence and young adulthood. Conversely, environmental influences are largely time-specific and contribute to change in symptoms over time. The results inform molecular genetics research and transdiagnostic treatment and prevention approaches.
Does masting result in frugivore satiation? A test with Manilkara trees in French Guiana
Authors: Mendoza Irene , Martin Gabrielle , Caubère Adeline , Châtelet Patrick , Hardy Isabelle , Jouard Sylvie , Forget Pierre-Michel
Published: August 2015

Species showing mast seeding synchronously produce large amounts of fruits during some scattered years. This massive crop has been hypothesized to improve dispersal effectiveness by a satiation of seed predators, but the consequences for seed dispersers have barely been studied in the tropics. We tested the hypothesis that masting resulted in satiation of frugivorous dispersers using the study case of two Manilkara species growing in an Amazonian forest in French Guiana. Seed dispersal was estimated by means of seed traps in two forest types during a 10-y monitoring. Manilkara huberi and M. bidentata showed three fruiting events in a time span of 10 y (in 2001, 2006 and 2010). Estimates of seed dispersal from 2001 and 2010 showed that satiation of frugivores only occurred in the year with the largest crop of Manilkara (2010) and in the habitat where the diversity of primate-dispersed species retrieved in seed traps was the highest (Grand Plateau, with clay soils), while fruit consumers did not seem to be satiated in other instances. Spatio-temporal variability of seed production and the community-crop context are therefore affecting satiation of frugivores during masting events.
On Trajectories and Destinations of International Criminal Law Scholarship
Authors: VASILIEV SERGEY
Published: August 2015

Taking up the torch from my fellow co-editors who have addressed substantive and methodological issues of international criminal law (ICL) in their contributions, I propose to turn to the current state and prospects of its scholarship. The moment is opportune for such a reflection. The questions raised by the production and dissemination of international legal scholarship were the leitmotif of past editorials and its (changing) role was chosen as the theme of the latest LJIL symposium. The professional functions of international legal scholars have been the subject of renewed interest and debate. To give an impulse to a similar debate in ICL, I will try to capture the zeitgeist of its academia and offer some observations on the positioning of scholarship vis-à-vis practice in ICL. Perspectives from this specialized field may enrich the existing conceptualizations of international legal scholarship and provide a new angle on its place within the profession.
Is it appropriate to use fixed assay cut-offs for estimating seroprevalence?
Authors: KAFATOS G. , ANDREWS N. J. , McCONWAY K. J. , MAPLE P. A. C. , BROWN K. , FARRINGTON C. P.
Published: August 2015

Population seroprevalence can be estimated from serosurveys by classifying quantitative measurements into positives (past infection/vaccinated) or negatives (susceptible) according to a fixed assay cut-off. The choice of assay cut-offs has a direct impact on seroprevalence estimates. A time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) was used to test exposure to human parvovirus 4 (HP4). Seroprevalence estimates were obtained after applying the diagnostic assay cut-off under different scenarios using simulations. Alternative methods for estimating assay cut-offs were proposed based on mixture modelling with component distributions for the past infection/vaccinated and susceptible populations. Seroprevalence estimates were compared to those obtained directly from the data using mixture models. Simulation results showed that when there was good distinction between the underlying populations all methods gave seroprevalence estimates close to the true one. For high overlap between the underlying components, the diagnostic assay cut-off generally gave the most biased estimates. However, the mixture model methods also gave biased estimates which were a result of poor model fit. In conclusion, fixed cut-offs often produce biased estimates but they also have advantages compared to other methods such as mixture models. The bias can be reduced by using assay cut-offs estimated specifically for seroprevalence studies.
Before eclecticism: competing alternatives in constructivist research
Authors: Parsons Craig
Published: August 2015

Should constructivist research engage empirical debates with other approaches, especially non-constructivists? Recent calls for ‘eclectic’ and ‘pluralistic’ scholarship seem to encourage engagement, including across epistemological divides many constructivists have long perceived with non-constructivists. Yet this literature downplays competition between approaches, instead emphasizing that they answer different parts of questions. In seeming to evoke a division of labor, the eclectic turn actually strengthens a sense that approaches occupy distinct spaces. This article offers a sympathetic corrective to the eclectic turn, and to common accounts of older epistemological divides. Before eclectic combinations, empirical work necessarily begins from contrasting accounts on the same terrain. Only a naïve positivist imagines that meaningful scholarship tests solitary hypotheses against reality. Today’s scholars vary in how far they move toward more socially based epistemologies, with constructivists moving furthest – and the further we move, the more the shape and significance of our accounts depends on contrasts to others. Thus, all scholars should seek out competing alternatives,especiallyconstructivists. After making this point, the article unpacks how it has been obscured by four arguments that limit competition between constructivist claims and alternatives, concerning constitutiveness, understanding, holistic methodology, and anti-foundationalism. Each view contains errors that can be corrected without undercutting the epistemological commitments of its proponents. This clears the way for introducing more competition into constructivism and into the eclectic turn more generally. All scholars, including all constructivists, working within their own epistemologies, will do their best work through contrasts to alternatives across our old divides.
Belgium's Interministerial Commission for Humanitarian Law: Playing a key role in the implementation and promotion of IHL
Authors: Casier Frédéric , Janssens Alix
Published: August 2015

The Belgian Interministerial Commission for Humanitarian Law was created in 1987 for the purpose of identifying and coordinating national measures for implementing the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977, which Belgium had just ratified. In the first part of this article, the authors describe the Commission's background, composition, missions and structure. They then explain how, through its work, the Commission helps incorporate the rules of international humanitarian law into domestic law, disseminate these rules and promote compliance with them. In the final part of the article, the authors highlight the key factors underpinning the Commission's success in achieving its missions.
The work of Mexico's Interministerial Committee on International Humanitarian Law
Authors: Salazar Albornoz Mariana
Published: August 2015

In the six years since it was created, the Comisión Intersecretarial de Derecho Internacional Humanitario de México, Mexico's Interministerial Committee on International Humanitarian Law, has become one of the region's most active national bodies for the implementation of international humanitarian law (IHL). Its achievements are the result of the efforts of the federal executive branch agencies that form and participate in the Committee, as well as of the support that the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross have provided to facilitate its work. In this article, the author describes the structure and operation of the Committee, as well as the activities it has carried out in fulfilling its mandate to disseminate and promote respect for IHL rules, principles and institutions and further the national implementation of IHL.
Subjektive Theorien von Schulleitungen zur Schulentwicklung
Authors: Spürk Dorothee
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Pflegeschulen stehen angesichts sich wandelnder gesundheitlicher Versorgungs- und Bildungsbedarfe vor herausfordernden Veränderungsprozessen. Da Schulleitungen als wesentliche Akteure der Schulentwicklung gelten, ist die Kenntnis des subjektiven Verständnisses von Schulentwicklung gerade dieser wichtigen Funktionsträger für die künftige Steuerung und Gestaltung von Pflegeschulen von Bedeutung.
Internationaler Kompetenzvergleich und Schulentwicklung
Authors: Fischer Renate , Hauschildt Ursel
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Wie kann man berufliche Kompetenzen messen? Und unterscheidet sich die berufliche Handlungskompetenz unserer Pflege-Auszubildenden von Studierenden grundständiger Pflegestudiengänge im europäischen Ausland? Die Ergebnisse des Leonardo-Projektes COMCARE zeigen Chancen und Grenzen einer internationalen Vergleichsuntersuchung von Pflege-Lernenden aus vier europäischen Ländern auf.
Lernplattformgestützes Lernen von Pflegefachpersonen
Authors: Hackmann Mathilde , Buske Katharina , Höldke Birgitt
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Wieweit akzeptieren Pflegefachpersonen internetbasiertes Lernen? Eine gezielte Befragung mit einem standardisierten Erhebungsinstrument kann die Einführung dieser neuen Lernform in der Fort- und Weiterbildung unterstützen. Der folgende Beitrag beschreibt die Übersetzung eines entsprechenden Erhebungsinstruments in die deutsche Sprache und dessen Einsatzmöglichkeiten.
Schritte in den Schuhen der anderen
Authors: Hax-Schoppenhorst Thomas , Jünger Stefan
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. Themen wie „kultursensible Pflege“ und „transkulturelle Kompetenz“ gehören seit vielen Jahren zu den Inhalten angebotener Seminare. Die Resonanz hierauf ist erfreulich, könnte jedoch noch größer sein. Auf Grund stetig steigender Zahlen von Menschen aus anderen Kulturen in unseren Krankenhäusern und Kliniken bedarf es einer umfassenden Bewusstseinsbildung, die Pflegende wirklich erreicht. Ebenso sollten sich die in der Ausbildung Tätigen dem Thema öffnen und es engagiert zu vertreten.
Phonologische Bewusstheit
Authors: Gorecki Birgit , Landerl Karin
Published: August 2015

Zusammenfassung. In der Forschungsliteratur besteht Konsens, dass phonologische Bewusstheit ein spezifischer Prädiktor für den Schriftspracherwerb ist. Eine genaue Klärung des reziproken Zusammenhangs zwischen phonologischer Bewusstheit und Lesen liegt bisher allerdings nicht vor, da viele Längsschnittstudien die Lesefähigkeiten zum ersten Messzeitpunkt nicht berücksichtigten. In dieser Arbeit wird untersucht, ob phonologische Bewusstheit Leseleistungen auch dann prädiziert, wenn eine Kontrolle des frühen Lesens erfolgt. An 340 deutschsprachigen Kindern wurden Lesen und phonologische Bewusstheit zu Schuleintritt und am Ende der ersten Klasse erhoben. Ein Strukturgleichungsmodell zeigte, dass unter Berücksichtigung der Lesefähigkeiten am Anfang der ersten Klasse keine signifikante Prädiktion der phonologischen Bewusstheit auf die späteren Leseleistungen vorlag. Die Vorhersagekraft der phonologischen Bewusstheit für spätere Lesefähigkeiten ist offenbar vorwiegend durch frühe Lesekompetenzen erklärbar.
Activation of RARα induces autophagy in SKBR3 breast cancer cells and depletion of key autophagy genes enhances ATRA toxicity
Authors: Brigger D , Schläfli A M , Garattini E , Tschan M P
Published: August 2015

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a pan-retinoic acid receptor (RAR) agonist, is, along with other retinoids, a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. On the one hand, preclinical studies have shown promising anticancer effects of ATRA in breast cancer; on the other hand, resistances occurred. Autophagy is a cellular recycling process that allows the degradation of bulk cellular contents. Tumor cells may take advantage of autophagy to cope with stress caused by anticancer drugs. We therefore wondered if autophagy is activated by ATRA in mammary tumor cells and if modulation of autophagy might be a potential novel treatment strategy. Indeed, ATRA induces autophagic flux in ATRA-sensitive but not in ATRA-resistant human breast cancer cells. Moreover, using different RAR agonists as well as RARα-knockdown breast cancer cells, we demonstrate that autophagy is dependent on RARα activation. Interestingly, inhibition of autophagy in breast cancer cells by either genetic or pharmacological approaches resulted in significantly increased apoptosis under ATRA treatment and attenuated epithelial differentiation. In summary, our findings demonstrate that ATRA-induced autophagy is mediated by RARα in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy results in enhanced apoptosis. This points to a potential novel treatment strategy for a selected group of breast cancer patients where ATRA and autophagy inhibitors are applied simultaneously.
Decreased autophagy: a major factor for cardiomyocyte death induced by β1-adrenoceptor autoantibodies
Authors: Wang L , Hao H , Wang J , Wang X , Zhang S , Du Y , Lv T , Zuo L , Li Y , Liu H
Published: August 2015

Cardiomyocyte death is one major factor in the development of heart dysfunction, thus, understanding its mechanism may help with the prevention and treatment of this disease. Previously, we reported that anti-β1-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies (β1-AABs) decreased myocardial autophagy, but the role of these in cardiac function and cardiomyocyte death is unclear. We report that rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, restored cardiac function in a passively β1-AAB-immunized rat model with decreased cardiac function and myocardial autophagic flux. Next, after upregulating or inhibiting autophagy with Beclin-1 overexpression/rapamycin or RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated expression of Beclin-1/3-methyladenine, β1-AAB-induced autophagy was an initial protective stress response before apoptosis. Then, decreased autophagy contributed to cardiomyocyte death followed by decreases in cardiac function. In conclusion, proper regulation of autophagy may be important for treating patients with β1-AAB-positive heart dysfunction.
Identification of a novel actin-dependent signal transducing module allows for the targeted degradation of GLI1
Authors: Schneider Philipp , Miguel Bayo-Fina Juan , Singh Rajeev , Kumar Dhanyamraju Pavan , Holz Philipp , Baier Aninja , Fendrich Volker , Ramaswamy Annette , Baumeister Stefan , Martinez Elisabeth D. , Lauth Matthias
Published: August 2015

The Down syndrome-associated DYRK1A kinase has been reported as a stimulator of the developmentally important Hedgehog (Hh) pathway, but cells from Down syndrome patients paradoxically display reduced Hh signalling activity. Here we find that DYRK1A stimulates GLI transcription factor activity through phosphorylation of general nuclear localization clusters. In contrast, in vivo and in vitro experiments reveal that DYRK1A kinase can also function as an inhibitor of endogenous Hh signalling by negatively regulating ABLIM proteins, the actin cytoskeleton and the transcriptional co-activator MKL1 (MAL). As a final effector of the DYRK1A-ABLIM-actin-MKL1 sequence, we identify the MKL1 interactor Jumonji domain demethylase 1A (JMJD1A) as a novel Hh pathway component stabilizing the GLI1 protein in a demethylase-independent manner. Furthermore, a Jumonji-specific small-molecule antagonist represents a novel and powerful inhibitor of Hh signal transduction by inducing GLI1 protein degradation in vitro and in vivo.
Hyaluronan modulates TRPV1 channel opening, reducing peripheral nociceptor activity and pain
Authors: Caires Rebeca , Luis Enoch , Taberner Francisco J. , Fernandez-Ballester Gregorio , Ferrer-Montiel Antonio , Balazs Endre A. , Gomis Ana , Belmonte Carlos , de la Peña Elvira
Published: August 2015

Hyaluronan (HA) is present in the extracellular matrix of all body tissues, including synovial fluid in joints, in which it behaves as a filter that buffers transmission of mechanical forces to nociceptor nerve endings thereby reducing pain. Using recombinant systems, mouse-cultured dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and in vivo experiments, we found that HA also modulates polymodal transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) channels. HA diminishes heat, pH and capsaicin (CAP) responses, thus reducing the opening probability of the channel by stabilizing its closed state. Accordingly, in DRG neurons, HA decreases TRPV1-mediated impulse firing and channel sensitization by bradykinin. Moreover, subcutaneous HA injection in mice reduces heat and capsaicin nocifensive responses, whereas the intra-articular injection of HA in rats decreases capsaicin joint nociceptor fibres discharge. Collectively, these results indicate that extracellular HA reduces the excitability of the ubiquitous TRPV1 channel, thereby lowering impulse activity in the peripheral nociceptor endings underlying pain.