bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dispute Settlement Mechanisms in U.S. FTAs with Korea, Panama, Peru and Colombia: Basic Designs, Key Characteristics and Implications
Authors: Lee Jaemin
Published: March 2017

The United States concluded free trade agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Peru, Panama and Colombia in late 2000s. Since the four FTAs were negotiated and concluded largely contemporaneously, key traits and characteristics of the agreements are similarly formulated. In light of this, dispute settlement mechanisms (state-to-state dispute settlement proceedings, investor-state dispute settlement proceedings, and Joint Committees) of the four FTAs also share commonalities. At the same time, new ideas and suggestions are explored in the four FTAs. While issues and disputes under the four FTAs have arguably not been ripe for the constitution of dispute settlement proceedings under the FTAs at the moment, sooner or later they are likely to end up in the dockets of the respective proceedings. The key elements of the four FTAs’ dispute settlement mechanisms are also adopted in other FTAs that the United States have concluded afterwards including most recently the Trans-Pacific Partnership, since these elements are reflective of the general scheme of the United States in their FTAs. What remains to be seen is how the general scheme of dispute settlement proceedings can be applied and implemented in actual settings when the FTAs produce increasing numbers of disputes in the future. In particular, marked disparity in human and financial resources between the United States and the four FTA’s parties may bring about disparate impacts and consequences among contracting parties. Continued attention needs to be paid to the development concerning implementation of the four FTAs, in particular their dispute settlement proceedings.
Technical and clinical validation of the Greiner FC-Mix glycaemia tube
Authors: van der Hagen Eline A.E. , Fokkert Marion J. , Kleefman Amanda M.D. , Thelen Marc H.M. , van den Berg Sjoerd A.A. , Slingerland Robbert J.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Measurement of adequate glucose concentrations is complicated by in vitro breakdown of glucose due to glycolysis. Unlike the commonly used NaF-EDTA and NaF-oxalate phlebotomy tubes, citrated NaF-EDTA tubes are reported to directly and thereby completely inhibit glycolysis. Recently, Greiner introduced the Vacuette

Methods:

The FC-Mix tube was tested against the WHO recommended method of optimal laboratory conditions, both in healthy volunteers and pregnant woman undergoing oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT) for screening of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Glucose concentrations were measured after different incubation times (0–48 h) and temperatures (room temperature, 37 °C), both in uncentrifuged whole blood and centrifuged material.

Results:

Deming regression analysis shows that glucose concentrations measured in the FC-Mix tube correlate to the WHO recommended method. Stability is maintained at room temperature for 48 h and at least 24 h at 37 °C. The use of the FC-Mix tube was also validated in screening for GDM and proved comparable to the WHO recommended method in diagnostic outcome.

Conclusions:

The new Greiner FC-Mix tube combines the easy handling of a routine tube with dry additive with the ability to immediately inhibit glycolysis as in the WHO method for optimal pre-analytical and analytical conditions and performs equally to those conditions when screening for GDM.
Underuse of English verb–particle constructions in an L2 learner corpus: Focus on structural patterns and one-word preference
Authors: Sung Min-Chang
Published: March 2017

This study analyzes English verb–particle constructions (VPC) in a learner and a native corpus of argumentative essays, focusing on two important factors: structural patterns of VPCs and preference for one-word verbs (e. g.,delayvs.put off). The results showed that while every structural type of VPC was significantly underused by L2 learners, greater underuse was observed with discontinuous transitive VPCs (e. g.,bring it back). In addition, the frequency of the most underused VPCs in the learner corpus was significantly lower than that of their one-word synonyms, indicating the learners’ strong preference for one-word verbs. Identifying these specific areas of difficulty when learning VPCs, the author explores how contrastive linguistic analyses and corpus-based quantitative approaches can collaboratively contribute to the investigation of complex interlanguage systems.
Dual Band Notched EBG Structure based UWB MIMO/Diversity Antenna with Reduced Wide Band Electromagnetic Coupling
Authors: Jaglan Naveen , Kanaujia Binod Kumar , Gupta Samir Dev , Srivastava Shweta
Published: March 2017

A dual band-notched MIMO/Diversity antenna is proposed in this paper. The proposed antenna ensures notches in WiMAX band (3.3–3.6 GHz) besides WLAN band (5–6 GHz). Mushroom Electromagnetic Band Gap (EBG) arrangements are employed for discarding interfering frequencies. The procedure followed to attain notches is antenna shape independent with established formulas. The electromagnetic coupling among two narrowly set apart Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) monopoles is reduced by means of decoupling bands and slotted ground plane. Monopoles are 90° angularly parted with steps on the radiator. This aids to diminish mutual coupling and also adds in the direction of impedance matching by long current route. S
Effective one-pot synthesis of (E)-poly(vinyl arylenes) via trans-borylation/Suzuki coupling protocol
Authors: Szyling Jakub , Walkowiak Jędrzej
Published: March 2017

A new stereoselective method for the synthesis of (E)-poly(vinylarenes) on the basis of the Ru-H catalyzed trans-borylation reaction and sequential Suzuki coupling is described. Two different strategies of Pd-catalyzed polycondensation leading to unsaturated organic macromolecular compounds are discussed. Development of a one-pot procedure reduces costs and time, needed for the separation of intermediates, the amount of organic solvents used for purification and therefore has a positive influence on the process sustainability.
Genetic Analysis of Half Diallel Matting with Different Methods and their Comparisons for Yield and its Associated Traits in Sunflower under Saline Soil Stress Conditions
Authors: Abd El-Satar Mohamed Ali
Published: March 2017

A half diallel cross between five divergent sunflower genotypes was evaluated under two contrast locations of Kafr El-Hamam (fovourable soil as a control) and Tag Al-Ezz (as salt affected soil) Agricultural Research Stations using randomized complete block design with three replications. High significance variation among genotypes and their components was detected for all studied traits at both and combined locations. Selection in early generations would be effective at both locations for improving days to 50 % flowering, days to physiological maturity, plant height, head diameter, No. of green leaves plant
Modulation of oncogenic signaling networks by Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
Authors: Wong Jason P. , Damania Blossom
Published: March 2017

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of three human malignancies: Kaposi’s sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and multicentric Castleman’s disease. To persist and replicate within host cells, KSHV encodes proteins that modulate different signaling pathways. Manipulation of cell survival and proliferative networks by KSHV can promote the development of KSHV-associated malignancies. In this review, we discuss recent updates on KSHV pathogenesis and the viral life cycle. We focus on proteins encoded by KSHV that modulate the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3 kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 pathways to create an environment favorable for viral replication and the development of KSHV malignancies.
Effect of Modified Sludge on the Particles Flocculation and Slurry Stability in the Co-slurry of Sludge and Petroleum Coke
Authors: Liu Meng , Zhang Xiaobin , Zhao Liang
Published: March 2017

Sewage sludge modified by Ca(OH)2 and Fe2(SO4)3 were used as make the slurry with petroleum coke, and changes in the size distribution and a total number of particles in the slurry were determined by Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) to explore the particles flocculation mechanism. In addition, the structural strength of petroleum coke sludge slurry (PCSS) was calculated by two mathematic models to illustrate the how the sludge improves the stability of PCSS. The results indicated that the absolute value of the Zeta potential of PCSS increased with the sludge addition and that PCSS stability improved. However, the absolute value of the Zeta potential decreased and the stability declined after the sludge was modified by Fe2(SO4)3 and Ca(OH)2. Petroleum coke particles were wrapped by sludge flocs, and small particles flocculated during their co-slurry process to form a spatial network structure, effectively prevented the settlement of petroleum coke particles and ultimately improved the stability of slurry. The calculation results obtained by the two mathematic models reveal that the shearing energy consumption per-unit-quality of PCSS using raw sludge is twice or thrice than that of PCWS. However, energy consumption was reduced after the sludge was modified by Fe2(SO4)3.
RTDS Modeling of a Hybrid-Source Autonomous Electric Microgrid
Authors: Ajewole Titus Oluwasuji , Oyekanmi Waheed Ayinla , Babalola Adeniyi A. , Omoigui Michael Osaretin
Published: March 2017

Presented in this article is a scaled model of a hybrid-source autonomous electric microgrid, which is developed using a Real Time Digital Simulator, to provide a laboratory-level research facility on renewable energy-based electric microgrid systems. Three energy sources: a pico-hydropower emulator, a diesel engine emulator and a wind turbine emulator; are inter-connected at a point of common coupling, with the hybridized source supplying an aggregate of electrical load. A control scheme is developed that employs the synchronous machine-based pico-hydropower emulator as grid-forming source, while the other two sources feed the grid-former. Since models demonstrated with simulated weather data and load demand profiles may not accurately represent the operational behaviours of the actual system in the real-world scenario, a real-life wind speed profile is implemented on the wind turbine emulator to investigate the behaviours of the lab-microgrid under a near-real-world operating scenario. Balance reactive power flow is established among the three source emulators as a result of which the frequencies of the emulators are synchronized. A proper fault ride-through characteristic is also exhibited by the system. These show that the near-real-world behaviours of the lab-microgrid closely match the operational performance of the actual microgrid in the real-world scenario. The application could, therefore, be adopted as an affordable laboratory tool in research activities and as an instructional kit in teaching on the autonomous microgrid.
Using Liquid-Only Cans (Equipped with a Single Particle) to Quantify Heat Transfer Phenomenon During Thermal Processing
Authors: Pratap Singh Anubhav , Singh Anika , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S.
Published: March 2017

This study utilizes liquid-only cans (fitted with a single particle) to gain insight into the heat transfer phenomenon during the novel process of reciprocating agitation thermal processing (RA-TP) for sterilization of food. Overall heat transfer coefficient (U) across the can-wall was evaluated for cylindrical cans, filled with different concentration of glycerin and treated with reciprocating agitation thermal processing (RA-TP). Thermocouple-equipped single spherical particle (diameter = 0.019 m) of various densities were also kept inside the cans to obtain preliminary insights into the heat transfer phenomenon at the liquid–particle interface (hfp). Seven process variables, viz. operating temperature (110–130 °C), reciprocation frequency (1–4 Hz), reciprocation amplitude (0.05–0.25 m), can headspace (0.006–0.012 m), liquid viscosity (0.001–0.942 Pa.s) and particle density (830–2,210 kg/m3), were varied according to three full-factorial designs and corresponding U & hfp were reported. Depending on the processing condition and product composition, U and hfp varied in the range 197–1,240 W/m2K and 210–1,230 W/m2K respectively. Higher heat transfer was observed at both can wall and liquid–particle interface with increasing temperature, headspace, frequency and amplitude and decreasing liquid viscosity. The order of heat transfer coefficients for processing conditions was: Frequency > amplitude > headspace > temperature; while for product composition was: Frequency > liquid viscosity > product density. This study is relevant for providing data for process modeling of reciprocating agitation thermal processing.
Body Language: Tattooing and Branding in Ancient Mesopotamia
Authors: Ditchey Mallory
Published: March 2017

The permanent marking of human bodies by branding and tattooing was practiced throughout the entire three millennia of the cuneiform record. Brands and tattoos were inflicted on slaves as a means of either marking human or divine ownership, or as a method of punishment for slaves who had already run away. This practice was surprisingly consistent; cuneiform tablets from the early third millennium list branded persons and animals owned by the temple household, while documents from the Achaemenid period detail legal disputes involving marked slaves. As the Near Eastern economy became increasingly international, slaves were marked in multiple languages ensuring the maintenance of social order across a broad geographical scope. Mesopotamian branding and tattoo practices had long-lasting consequences; the Greeks and Romans adopted the custom, the Egyptians began to mark prisoners of war, and the Bible prohibits skin marking in certain contexts. This essay provides a broad overview of the textual evidence for branding and tattooing throughout Ancient Mesopotamian history, placing it within the context of a civilization in which writing on natural bodies – animate or otherwise – was profoundly meaningful.
Design development and evaluation of triphala tablets
Authors: Mouriya Neelam , Valvi Anupama , Athawale Rajani , Bhatt Narendra
Published: March 2017

Triphala is a combination of three herbs amla, bahera and haritaki, it is widely available in the form churna and is a valued formula since ancient times. The aim of this research was to develop reproducible batches of triphala tablets and evaluation of the optimized batch. Direct compression was the method of choice. The tablets were prepared using different directly compressible excipients MicroceLac, Ludipress, Ludiflash. High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method was employed for authentification of the herbs using gallic acid as the marker. The tablets were evaluated as per the pharmacopoeial tests. The tablets each weighing 600 mg were successfully formulated fulfilling the limits of evaluation.
Ethnopharmacological approaches in mood and anxiety disorders. The relevance of the oxidative stress status
Authors: Foyet Simplice Harquin , Balmus Ioana-Miruna , Hervé Hervé Ngatanko Abaïssou , Emmanuel Asongalem Acha , Guenne Samson , Kiendrebéogo Martin , Ciobica Alin
Published: March 2017

Neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders are one of the most important pathologies that lead to increased morbidity in populations. Both mood and anxiety disorders include mental disorders not caused by detectable organic abnormalities of the brain. At the molecular level, affective spectrum symptomatology is due to neurotransmitter dysregulation including receptor or transporter impairments and also due to faulty intracellular signaling that generally leads to impaired neurotransmission. Also, recent studies have shown the relationship between oxidative stress and the development of affective disorders. Since classical medication can cause major side effects and alternative approaches tend to be more and more trusted, it seems that plant extracts-based complementary therapies may offer superior yielding and safety compared to traditional medication.
Effect of aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos fruit and leaf on glycemic, insulinemic and lipidemic status of type 2 diabetic model rats
Authors: Mudi Sonchita R. , Akhter Masfida , Biswas Subrata K. , Muttalib Mohammad A. , Choudhury Subhagata , Rokeya Begum , Ali Liaquat
Published: March 2017

Background

Aegle marmelos is a popular fruit plant in the Indian subcontinent, various parts of which are traditionally used against various illnesses including diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the underlying mechanisms of the antidiabetic effects of the plant are not clear, especially in type 2 DM. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of aqueous extracts of A. marmelos fruits (AMFE) and leaves (AMLE) on glycemic, lipidemic, insulinemic, insulin resistance and β-cell functional status of type 2 diabetic model rats.

Methods

An interventional study was designed using 20 type 2 diabetic rats. Type 2 DM was induced in Long Evans rats by a single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (90 mg/kg body weight) to 48 h old pups. Three months after induction of diabetes, the rats were divided into three independent groups: water-treated control group (n=6), AMLE-treated group (n=7) and AMFE-treated group (n=7). The rats were fed with extracts or water for 21 consecutive days and blood samples were collected at days 0 and 21 after an overnight fast. Data were expressed as mean±SD and analyzed by paired t-test or ANOVA as appropriate.

Results

There were significantly lower blood glucose values in AMLE and AMFE groups at Endpoint compared to Baseline (mmol/l, mean±SD, Baseline vs. Endpoint, 7.04±1.0 vs. 6.06±0.92; p=0.032 and 7.04±0.97 vs. 5.87±0.93; p=0.047). There were also significantly lower serum insulin levels in AMLE and AMFE groups at Endpoint compared to Baseline (µIU/mL, mean±SD, Baseline vs. Endpoint, 14.02±5.48 vs. 7.57±2.90; p=0.026 and 11.54±4.83 vs. 6.58±4.36; p=0.008). Insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was significantly improved both in AMLE and AMFE groups at Endpoint compared to Baseline (mean±SD, Baseline vs. Endpoint, 4.22±1.68 vs. 2.05±0.90; p=0.021 and 3.69±1.79 vs. 1.69±1.61; p=0.013). However, β-cell function or lipid profile did not show any significant alteration at Endpoint compared to Baseline in AMLE and AMFE groups.

Conclusions

Aqueous extracts of A. marmelos leaf and fruit have hypoglycemic property which seem to be mediated by lowering of insulin resistance. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the extracts of A. marmelos in human type 2 DM and provides strong impetus for further studies.
The Lyrical Impulse
Authors: Altieri Charles
Published: March 2017

This statement does not challenge Jonathan Culler’s argument that lyric is not dramatic monologue but primarily »an event in the lyric present, a time of enunciation« (Culler 2014, 68; cf. Culler 2015). But it poses an alternative view of lyric

Lyricism also emphasizes, more than do studies of lyric as a genre, that poetry has a distinctive relationship to musicality. The essay develops two extended examples – in the form of a contrast between two poems in the first Imagist anthology
›I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre‹ (Psalm 49:4). How ›Lyrical‹ is Hebrew Psalmody?
Authors: Gillingham Susan
Published: March 2017

This paper discusses biblical poetry in relation to the ancient Greek-Latin tradition of lyric poetry. Since the Greek word »lyric« and the Hebrew word »psalterion« each have musical connotations, there must be some connection between biblical psalmody and lyric poetry. Indeed, the liturgical superscriptions of many psalms and the numerous hints to musical instruments and singing within them suggest that many texts were originally used for accompaniment to music and so could be seen as ›lyric poetry‹ in the strictest sense. There are, of course, key differences between ancient and biblical lyric poetry. Hebrew poems are formally marked not so much by metre or rhyme as by more general conventions of sonority and word-play, perhaps to facilitate memorisation. Furthermore, Hebrew poetry is particularly recognizable by its balanced expression of thought, a ›parallelism‹ which includes repeated or contrasting ideas and figurative language. This feature is also evident in some Hebrew prose: this ›blurring of the boundaries‹ between prose and poetry is another feature which distinguishes biblical poetry from ancient Greek or Latin lyric poetry. One other distinctive feature of psalmody is that, although rooted in the liturgy of the first Temple (950–587 BCE), and developing in the liturgy of the second Temple period, it continued to thrive even after the fall of the Temple in 70 CE. The liturgical use of the psalms resulted in its continual prominence throughout Jewish and Christian history; and because the essence of Hebrew poetry is more dependent on sense than sound this has also enabled a rich tradition of translation. So Hebrew psalmody is ›re-invented‹ through the several Greek, Latin, and Aramaic versions, as well as through the many languages of the early modern period, right up to the contemporary vernacular. In this sense psalmody is unusual: unlike ancient classical poetry it provides an ongoing and living tradition for a community of faith.
Theory of the Lyric: a Prototypical Approach
Authors: Hempfer Klaus W.
Published: March 2017

Proceeding from a distinction between ›poetry‹ and ›lyric‹, the present article outlines a prototype theory of the lyric as transhistorical mode. As such the lyric prototype cannot be defined by means of empirical tests, but is a theoretical construct that presupposes the knowledge of highly diverse discursive systems and traditions and the recourse to interpretative-hermeneutic methods for its validity. The model of the prototypical lyric the article proposes is based on four interdependent components: (1) a speech situation characterised by an I-here-now deixis; (2) a represented situation which comes into being in and through the simultaneous speech act based on an identical deixis; (3) a fiction of performativity whose performative character results from the simultaneity and coincidence of speech situation and represented situation, and whose fictionality is based on the fact that the relation of simultaneity is text-internal, thus ›staged‹, and does not conform to the communicative situation between producer and recipient; and finally (4) a lack of, or an asymmetry in, the relationship between speaker and addressee, in as far as the speaker has the ›licence‹ to either perform a locutionary act directly and without any explicit motivation or addressee, or to explicitly address recipients. Unlike in normal
Some Prospects for the Theory of Lyric Poetry
Authors: Lamping Dieter
Published: March 2017

Taking the definition of lyric poem as ›Einzelrede in Versen‹ for its basis, this article pursues two objectives: firstly, to advocate the concept of lyric poetry as an intertextual system of relationships against the background of world literature (a concept that can also constitute the theoretical foundation for the universal history of lyric poetry) and, secondly, to encourage a profound discussion with philosophy to locate lyric poetry within the ›life of the mind‹ as well as to grasp it in theoretical terms.
Towards a Historical Typology of the Subject in Lyric Poetry
Authors: Stahl Henrieke
Published: March 2017

Recent theory of lyric shows no interest in the subject, because it is no longer considered a basic generic parameter of lyric poetry. Nevertheless, the subject has resurfaced in contemporary practice in a wide range of new and complex forms specific to the lyric mode. This article suggests a multilevel model for both the formal and historical analysis of the subject in contemporary lyric poetry.
3D and 4D studies from human reproduction to perinatal medicine
Authors: Panchal Sonal , Kurjak Asim , Nagori Chaitanya
Published: March 2017

Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) is a modality of choice for prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations. But 3D-four-dimensional US(4D US) is of utmost importance also to achieve pregnancy. 3D US plays an important role for diagnosis of PCO, to assess ovarian reserve and response and thus to decide optimum stimulation protocols. It adds to the information on follicular maturity and endometrial receptivity, thus improving the chances to achieve pregnancy for patients under treatment for fertility. 3D hystero-contrast-salpingography (HyCoSy) has also proved itself to be one of the best modalities for assessment of tubal patency. In this article, the role of 3D and 4D US is discussed for the following. I. Pretreatment assessment of the females desiring fertility which includes assessment of uterus and fallopian tubes. II. Monitoring of infertile females undergoing treatment. III. Assessment of very early pregnancy – especially in abnormal locations.
Ge/Si core/shell quantum dots in alumina: tuning the optical absorption by the core and shell size
Authors: Nekić Nikolina , Sancho-Parramon Jordi , Bogdanović-Radović Ivančica , Grenzer Jörg , Hübner René , Bernstorff Sigrid , Ivanda Mile , Buljan Maja
Published: March 2017

Ge/Si core/shell quantum dots (QDs) recently received extensive attention due to their specific properties induced by the confinement effects of the core and shell structure. They have a type II confinement resulting in spatially separated charge carriers, the electronic structure strongly dependent on the core and shell size. Herein, the experimental realization of Ge/Si core/shell QDs with strongly tunable optical properties is demonstrated. QDs embedded in an amorphous alumina glass matrix are produced by simple magnetron sputtering deposition. In addition, they are regularly arranged within the matrix due to their self-assembled growth regime. QDs with different Ge core and Si shell sizes are made. These core/shell structures have a significantly stronger absorption compared to pure Ge QDs and a highly tunable absorption peak dependent on the size of the core and shell. The optical properties are in agreement with recent theoretical predictions showing the dramatic influence of the shell size on optical gap, resulting in 0.7 eV blue shift for only 0.4 nm decrease at the shell thickness. Therefore, these materials are very promising for light-harvesting applications.
Crystal structure of 1-ferrocenylsulfonyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, C16H13FeN3O2S
Authors: Hu Jing , Wang Lu-Yao , Guo Xiao-Long , Li Lu
Published: March 2017

C16H13FeN3O2S, triclinic, P1̅, a = 8.1311(9) Å, b = 11.6852(13) Å, c = 17.044(2) Å, α = 102.754(6)°, β = 92.548(7)°, γ = 105.563(6)°, V = 1512.3(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0473, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1307, T = 296(2) K.
Recycling waste tire rubber by water jet pulverization: powder characteristics and reinforcing performance in natural rubber composites
Authors: Zefeng Wang , Yong Kang , Zhao Wang , Yi Cheng
Published: March 2017

Pulverization is a general strategy used prior to any practical application of recycled waste tire rubber (WTR). Mechanical grinding, in use currently, is an inefficient technique due to low-quality rubber powder production and certain indispensable additional pretreatments. The aim of this study is to propose a novel pulverization technique of WTR by ultrahigh pressure water jet. Efficient pulverization of WTR was accomplished by water jet without any pretreatment. Powder characteristics, including particle size distribution (PSD), surface area, thermal behavior and chemical structure changes, were investigated. The curing, mechanical and morphological properties of natural rubber (NR) vulcanizates filled with ground tire rubber (GTR) from water jet pulverization (WJPULV) were evaluated. The results indicate that GTR granules from WJPULV possess a quite fine PSD and large surface area, show similar thermal degradation behaviors to the original WTR and have been partially devulcanized. The improvement of tensile and tear strength of the composites reveals that GTR from WJPULV can be added up to 40 phr without adverse effect. The morphological analysis corroborates the homogeneity of GTR in the NR matrix. All findings confirm that water jet can be an excellent choice for pulverization of WTR.
The role of urinary pteridines as disease biomarkers
Authors: Burton Casey , Ma Yinfa
Published: March 2017

Pteridines and their derivatives function as intermediates in the metabolism of several vitamins and cofactors, and their relevance to disease has inspired new efforts to study their roles as disease biomarkers. Recent analytical advances, such as the emergence of sensitive mass spectrometry techniques, new workflows for measuring pteridine derivatives in their native oxidation states and increased multiplexing capacities for the simultaneous determination of many pteridine derivatives, have enabled researchers to explore the roles of urinary pteridines as disease biomarkers at much lower levels with greater accuracy than with previous technologies or methods. As a result, urinary pteridines are being increasingly studied as putative cancer biomarkers with promising results being reported from exploratory studies. In addition, the role of urinary neopterin as a universal biomarker for immune system activation is being investigated in new diseases where it is anticipated to become a useful supplementary marker in clinical diagnostic settings. In summary, this review provides an overview of recent developments in the clinical study of urinary pteridines as disease biomarkers, covers the most promising aspects of advanced analytical techniques being developed for the determination of urinary pteridines and discusses the major challenges associated with implementing pteridine biomarkers in clinical laboratory settings.
Transparent Drawing Supports and Media Applied On It: Chemical Characterisation and Conservation Problems in Spanish Art Deco Jewellery Design
Authors: Beltran Marta Plaza
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study is to characterise the chemical composition of the support materials, binders and pigments used in sales catalogues of Spanish Art Deco jewellery to determine the source of the damage observed in the samples analysed, and to formulate an appropriate conservation method. The difficulty in maintaining these collections in good condition without dismantling them lies, on the one hand, in the use of gouache on a variety of supports not usually used with this aqueous media (nitrocellulose, casein formaldehyde, starched cotton fabric and sulphurised paper), and on the other, in the vulnerability of these materials to agents of deterioration found in archives and libraries. The analysis was performed on a collection of 500 drawings, using the following analytical techniques: optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), and Raman spectroscopy. The study shows the problems arising from storing some of the before mentioned materials in the same container, and highlights the need to classify each sample by its component materials and not by designer, chronology or type of jewellery.
Alteration of protein localization and intracellular calcium content due to connexin26 D50A and A88V mutations
Authors: Aypek Hande , Meşe Gülistan
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Connexins (Cx) play essential roles in cellular homeostasis by forming gap junctions and non-junctional hemichannels. In vitro characterization of Cx26 mutations causing keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness (KID) syndrome, were shown to form leaky hemichannels. The molecular/cellular mechanisms affected by aberrant hemichannels have recently been elucidated. Here, we further wanted to characterize Cx26 KID syndrome mutations, D50A and A88V, which were shown to form aberrant hemichannels and remained unaddressed in the literature.

Methods

Neurobiotin uptake assay in HeLa and N2A cells transfected with Cx26-WT, D50A or A88V verified the presence of aberrant hemichannels and immunofluorescent staining with fluorescent microscopy determined cellular localization of Cx26. Finally, intracellular calcium content was examined by using calcium indicator, Fluo-3AM, and flow cytometer.

Results

Cx26-D50A and A88V mutations prevented the formation of gap junction plaques at cell-cell appositions and mutant proteins were observed to localize to the Golgi apparatus. Further, comparison of intracellular calcium content showed an increase in calcium amount in cells containing Cx26-D50A and A88V relative to Cx26-WT.

Conclusion

Retention of Cx26 in the Golgi apparatus and alteration in the intracellular calcium content due to KID syndrome mutations may influence various cellular processes that might contribute to development of epidermal phenotypes.
The single crystal structure determination of Ln6MnSb15 (Ln=La, Ce), Ln6Mn1−xZnxSb15 (x~0.5), and Ln6ZnSb15 (Ln=La–Pr)
Authors: Benavides Katherine A. , McCandless Gregory T. , Chan Julia Y.
Published: March 2017

Single crystals of Ln6MnSb15 (Ln=La, Ce), Ln6Mn1−xZnxSb15 (x~0.5), and Ln6ZnSb15 (Ln=La–Pr) have been successfully grown and the compounds adopt the orthorhombic La6MnSb15 structure type (space group Immm), with a~4.3 Å, b~15 Å, and c~19 Å. This structure is comprised of antimony nets and antimony ribbons which exhibit positional disorder at connecting points between antimony substructures, in addition to two partially occupied transition metal sites. The unit cell volumes of the La analogs displayed a systematic decrease upon Zn substitution. However, for the Ce6Mn1−xZnxSb15 and Pr6Mn1−xZnxSb15 (x~0.5), the volumes deviate from linearity as observed in the parent compounds.
A new Z′=(2+0.5+0.5) amidophosphoester structure: Hirshfeld surface analysis of symmetry-independent molecules
Authors: Keikha Mojtaba , Pourayoubi Mehrdad , Tarahhomi Atekeh , Lee Arie van der
Published: March 2017

Tetraethyl 1,3-phenylenebis(phosphoramidate) was synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C, 31P NMR, IR and mass spectroscopies. The asymmetric unit is composed of two half-molecules, each residing on a two-fold axis, and two complete molecules, thus leading to a Z′=(2+0.5+0.5)=3 structure. The most plausible explanation for the occurrence of multiple independent molecules is a frustration between relatively strong hydrogen bond interactions and weaker CH···π interactions. In each of the molecules, the P atoms are in a similar distorted tetrahedral environment. The N atoms bonded to P atoms have mainly sp2 character tending towards a planar environment. In the crystal structure, the phosphoryl O atoms are involved in classical N–H···O=P and weaker C–H···O=P hydrogen bonds as (N–H)(C–H) ···O=P, acting as a double hydrogen-bond acceptor. These hydrogen bonds along with other C–H···O hydrogen bonds and C–H···π interactions create a 3D crystalline network. Hirshfeld surfaces and two-dimensional (2D) fingerprint plots are calculated for analyzing intermolecular interactions in each of the independent molecules of the title compound. For all four independent molecules, the contribution of H···H contacts to the total interactions is decisive, being larger than 60% for each molecule. The O···H/H···O contacts are the characteristic intermolecular contacts in the corresponding molecules. Furthermore, the C···H/H···C, including the C–H···π interactions, and N···H/H···N contacts cover other intermolecular contacts in the crystal lattice.
A new solid solution compound with the Sr21Mn4Sb18 structure type: Sr13Eu8Cd3Mn1Sb18
Authors: Wille Elizabeth L. Kunz , Cooley Joya A. , Fettinger James C. , Kazem Nasrin , Kauzlarich Susan M.
Published: March 2017

The title compound with the nominal formula, Sr13Eu8Cd3Mn1Sb18, was synthesized by Sn-flux. Structure refinement was based on single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data. Employing the exact composition, the formula is Sr13.23Eu7.77Cd3.12Mn0.88Sb18 for the solid solution Sr21-xEuxCd4-yMnySb18. This phase adopts the Sr21Mn4Sb18 type structure with site preferences for both Eu and Cd. The structure crystallizes in the monoclinic system in space group C2/m and Z=4: a=18.1522(11), b=17.3096(10), c=17.7691(10) Å, β=91.9638(8)°, 6632 F2 values, 216 variables, R1=0.0254 and wR2=0.0563. Site selectivity of the elements in this new compound will be discussed in relationship with the Sr21Mn4Sb18 type structure and other related structure types. Temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility data reveal Curie–Weiss paramagnetism with an experimental moment of 19.3 μB/f.u. and a Weiss constant of 0.4 K. Magnetic ordering is seen at low temperatures, with a transition temperature of 3.5 K.
Uniformen statt Ulster. Textileinzelhandel im Ersten Weltkrieg
Authors: Balder Uwe
Published: March 2017

Uniforms instead of Ulsters. Textile Retail Trade in the First World War

The study explores the impacts of war time economy and regulation on German textile retailers. An adequate supply with clothing was essential for military success as well as for keeping social peace at the home front. The article deals with this central conflict and asks for the reasons, the implementation and the consequences of regulation on the clothing distribution sector and its single businesses. Special attention is paid to the expectations and demands the distribution sector had to deal with – by its suppliers, customers and public and military authorities. I argue that only because of the systematic robbery of textile resources within the occupied territories in 1914/15, there was little regulation on textile retailers within the first months. But because «Textilnot» was already eminent and the war lasted longer than expected, regulation reached a new high by establishing the central institutions of clothing rationing in 1916: the «Reichsbekleidungsstelle» and the «Bezugsschein». It can be shown that the regulation amplified structural changes within the retail sector. It accelerated the vertical integration of production and distribution. The war also showed the flaws within the retailer`s organizations. Compared to their suppliers the retailers were deeply divided and did not stand on common ground to influence the regulation process. They were held responsible for the lack of supply and rising prices. But this loss of trust by the broad public helped to overcome division and paved the way for the first umbrella organization. The article concludes that the lack of textiles was both – impulse and unsolved problem for war-time regulation. The textile distribution did not collapse because of an effective regulation, but rather because of the strict civilian textile abstinence.
Das Prinzip der «Sachlichkeit in der Warenverteilung». Zum Marketingkonzept des Schocken Konzerns in der Weimarer Republik
Authors: Pauli Anna
Published: March 2017

The Principle of «Objectivity in Distribution». The Marketing Concept of the Schocken Group in the Weimar Republic

The First World War and the Hyperinflation of the early 1920s threw the German retail trade into a serious crisis. After the currency stabilization of 1924 many companies tried to increase revenues and reduce overheads by focusing more on the demands of the customers. One measure taken most notably by some large companies was to build central advertising agencies to pool their energies. This essay explores the increased customer and marketing orientation of the textile retail trade by using the example of the department store group Schocken. The new business strategy of Schocken was accompanied by a similar corporate philosophy and was based on the principle of «objectivity in distribution». This principle affected their range of goods, their architecture and decoration of the shops, their customer service and their advertising strategy.
Erlebniswelt im Zeichen des Elches.Zur «Fabrikation der Sichtbarkeit» in der Geschichte von Abercrombie & Fitch
Authors: Hörz Peter F. N. , Richter Marcus
Published: March 2017

A World of Experiences under the Banner of the Elk. On the «Fabrication of Visibility» in the History of Abercrombie & Fitch

The article sheds light on the history of the US-American fashion cult label Abercrombie & Fitch. It departs from an episode that dates back to the corporation's early heydays as an outfitter for hunters, fishermen, and outdoor enthusiasts, and then turns to the more recent history of the company as a supplier of exclusive casual apparel mostly catering younger target groups. In doing so, particular attention is given to the sometimes aesthetic, sometimes scandalous, but always attention catching «fabrication of visibility» which used to be typical for Abercrombie & Fitch from its relaunch in the 1990s until its recent decline and which largely contributed to the company's profitable difference.
A Rare Variant Identified Within the GluN2B C-Terminus in a Patient with Autism Affects NMDA Receptor Surface Expression and Spine Density
Authors: Liu Shuxi , Zhou Liang , Yuan Hongjie , Vieira Marta , Sanz-Clemente Antonio , Badger John D. , Lu Wei , Traynelis Stephen F. , Roche Katherine W.
Published: March 2017

NMDA receptors (NMDARs) are ionotropic glutamate receptors that are crucial for neuronal development and higher cognitive processes. NMDAR dysfunction is involved in a variety of neurological and psychiatric diseases; however, the mechanistic link between the human pathology and NMDAR dysfunction is poorly understood. Rare missense variants within NMDAR subunits have been identified in numerous patients with mental or neurological disorders. We specifically focused on the GluN2B NMDAR subunit, which is highly expressed in the hippocampus and cortex throughout development. We analyzed several variants located in the GluN2B C terminus and found that three variants in patients with autism (S1415L) or schizophrenia (L1424F and S1452F) (S1413L, L1422F, and S1450F in rodents, respectively) displayed impaired binding to membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) proteins. In addition, we observed a deficit in surface expression for GluN2B S1413L. Furthermore, there were fewer dendritic spines in GluN2B S1413L-expressing neurons. Importantly, synaptic NMDAR currents in neurons transfected with GluN2B S1413L in GluN2A/B-deficient mouse brain slices revealed only partial rescue of synaptic current amplitude. Functional properties of GluN2B S1413L in recombinant systems revealed no change in receptor properties, consistent with synaptic defects being the result of reduced trafficking and targeting of GluN2B S1413L to the synapse. Therefore, we find that GluN2B S1413L displays deficits in NMDAR trafficking, synaptic currents, and spine density, raising the possibility that this mutation may contribute to the phenotype in this autism patient. More broadly, our research demonstrates that the targeted study of certain residues in NMDARs based on rare variants identified in patients is a powerful approach to studying receptor function.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe have used a “bedside-to-bench” approach to investigate the functional regulation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs). Using information from deep sequencing of patients with neurological or psychiatric disorders, we investigated missense variants identified in the intracellular C-terminal domain of the GluN2B NMDAR subunit. We found several variants that displayed altered properties. In particular, one variant identified in a patient with autism, human GluN2B S1415L, displayed reduced surface expression and binding to PSD-95. Furthermore expression of GluN2B S1415L (S1413L in mouse) showed a deficit in rescue of synaptic NMDAR currents and fewer dendritic spines, consistent with other reports of spine abnormalities being associated with autism. More broadly, we demonstrate that using patient data is an effective approach to probing the structure/function relationship of NMDARs.
Gene Expression Profiling with Cre-Conditional Pseudorabies Virus Reveals a Subset of Midbrain Neurons That Participate in Reward Circuitry
Authors: Pomeranz Lisa E. , Ekstrand Mats I. , Latcha Kaamashri N. , Smith Gregory A. , Enquist Lynn W. , Friedman Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2017

The mesolimbic dopamine pathway receives inputs from numerous regions of the brain as part of a neural system that detects rewarding stimuli and coordinates a behavioral response. The capacity to simultaneously map and molecularly define the components of this complex multisynaptic circuit would thus advance our understanding of the determinants of motivated behavior. To accomplish this, we have constructed pseudorabies virus (PRV) strains in which viral propagation and fluorophore expression are activated only after exposure to Cre recombinase. Once activated in Cre-expressing neurons, the virus serially labels chains of presynaptic neurons. Dual injection of GFP and mCherry tracing viruses simultaneously illuminates nigrostriatal and mesolimbic circuitry and shows no overlap, demonstrating that PRV transmission is confined to synaptically connected neurons. To molecularly profile mesolimbic dopamine neurons and their presynaptic inputs, we injected Cre-conditional GFP virus into the NAc of (anti-GFP) nanobody-L10 transgenic mice and immunoprecipitated translating ribosomes from neurons infected after retrograde tracing. Analysis of purified RNA revealed an enrichment of transcripts expressed in neurons of the dorsal raphe nuclei and lateral hypothalamus that project to the mesolimbic dopamine circuit. These studies identify important inputs to the mesolimbic dopamine pathway and further show that PRV circuit-directed translating ribosome affinity purification can be broadly applied to identify molecularly defined neurons comprising complex, multisynaptic circuits.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe mesolimbic dopamine circuit integrates signals from key brain regions to detect and respond to rewarding stimuli. To further define this complex multisynaptic circuit, we constructed a panel of Cre recombinase-activated pseudorabies viruses (PRVs) that enabled retrograde tracing of neural inputs that terminate on Cre-expressing neurons. Using these viruses and Retro-TRAP (translating ribosome affinity purification), a previously reported molecular profiling method, we developed a novel technique that provides anatomic as well as molecular information about the neural components of polysynaptic circuits. We refer to this new method as PRV-Circuit-TRAP (PRV circuit-directed TRAP). Using it, we have identified major projections to the mesolimbic dopamine circuit from the lateral hypothalamus and dorsal raphe nucleus and defined a discrete subset of transcripts expressed in these projecting neurons, which will allow further characterization of this important pathway. Moreover, the method we report is general and can be applied to the study of other neural circuits.