bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Equations and Formulas as Problem Solving Strategies Frequently Used by Students in Solving Math Problems
Authors: Loria Jr. Salvador A.
Published: April 2015

Problem solving is the core and primary objective of mathematics teaching. This study aimed to describe the problem solving abilities of sophomore engineering students of Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) through the use of case study type, qualitative research method. Results showed that in terms of the ability to identify goals in a problem, the process of problem solving, and the skills of students in problem solving, the respondents showed a satisfactory performance. The most common method used by the respondents in problem solving was the use of equations or formulas, while the least preferred methods were the strategy of working backward and logical reasoning. The respondents displayed difficulty in answering problems in motion, geometry and set operation while the problems about sequence, rate, age, money/investment, combination, time were found easy to solve. Teachers and educators of mathematics are advised to develop instructional materials and activities that will equally address the three different context of problem solving, namely, goal of the problem, process in problem solving, and problem solving skills of students.
Instructional Design Applied by Teachers Affects Library Utilization
Authors: Ferrater-Gimena Judy-Ann Ong , Doming Roselita Rafols
Published: April 2015

University libraries support the learning needs of students. Library resources and services are important tools for effective teaching and learning. However, there are various influences that affect the motivation of the university to use the library. The study assessed the level of awareness and extent of utilization of the library services and resources at the University of Cebu-Banilad as perceived by its faculty and students. The researcher was prodded to conduct the study because, at present, the utilization of the library services and resources is at a lower level compared to the ideal and the intended users of this academic facility were not even aware of the existence of the some of the library services. This research utilized the descriptive correlation design and used the researcher-made questionnaire as a tool of data collection. A total of 531 respondents comprised of 151 faculties and 380 students. It was concluded that the utilization of the library system as a whole was primarily influenced by varying factors. Foremost of these factors is instructional design utilized by the teacher.
Acercamiento a los fondos de archivo y colecciones para el estudio de la música popular y la política en el Chile contemporáneo
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Sandoval Díaz Rodrigo
Published: April 2015

Los archivos y otras unidades de información son tradicionales garantes del acceso a fuentes primarias por parte de los ciudadanos e investigadores. La disponibilidad de fuentes sigue un curso dinámico, ya que no es la misma que hace veinte o diez años atrás. Esto implica una constante actualización de recursos informativos que otorguen la posibilidad de acceso a las fuentes, entre ellas, aquellas generadas por personas e instituciones ligadas a la música y usadas para su investigación. En este trabajo abordaremos de forma inicial un catastro de fondos y colecciones disponibles tanto en diferentes archivos como en la red, que resultan hoy de utilidad para el estudio de la relación entre música y política en los últimos cuarenta años en Chile.
Al margen del “coro de los felices”: dictadura y música popular en Brasil
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Paranhos Adalberto
Published: April 2015

El cerco de silencio que el “Estado Novo” (1937-1945) instauró en torno a prácticas y discursos que podían diferir de las normas entonces instituidas llevó a muchos, durante mucho tiempo, a creer en el triunfo de un llamado “coro de unanimidad nacional”. Viajando en sentido contrario a esta visión, que extiende su alcance a los dominios de la música popular, este texto busca levantar una parte del velo que cubre manifestaciones que desentonaron con el “coro de los felices” durante la dictadura del Estado Novo en Brasil.
Músicas y proyectos de país durante la dictadura uruguaya (1973 – 1985)
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Fornaro Bordolli Marita
Published: April 2015

Este artículo presenta resultados de la investigación sobre los territorios de la música popular en Uruguay durante la dictadura sufrida por el país entre 1973 y 1985, con atención al período inmediatamente anterior y a algunos desarrollos de esas músicas hasta la actualidad. A partir de los conceptos de identidad proyecto, identidad de resistencia, territorio, escena, historia reciente, se analiza la música generada desde el régimen dictatorial y desde la resistencia a dicho régimen. Se comparan repertorios, se establecen similitudes y oposiciones en los géneros musicales utilizados y se atiende a los contenidos literarios. Se considera la música producida desde el régimen dictatorial como resultado y a la vez como constructora de un proyecto de país estructurado militarmente, de un feroz nacionalismo. Se caracterizan los géneros que constituyeron los símbolos sonoros de ese régimen: la función de las marchas militares, la apropiación de los repertorios musicales y coreográficos de raíz tradicional. Por otra parte, se analiza el papel de la música popular en .la constitución de una comunidad y una identidad de resistencia; se proponen territorios para esa música en el país y en el exilio: la música radiodifundida, la música grabada en vinilos y casetes, los espectáculos en vivo, la música en las cárceles.
Testimonial del Nuevo Cancionero: las prácticas musicales como discurso social y el rol del intelectual comprometido en la década del sesenta
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Bravo Nazareno , Greco María Emilia , García María Inés
Published: April 2015

El presente trabajo se ocupa del análisis del disco Testimonial del Nuevo Cancionero, grabado en 1965. El mismo contiene una serie de poemas de Armando Tejada Gómez (recitados por su autor) y canciones con letras de Tejada Gómez y música de Manuel Oscar Matus. La interpretación es de Matus en el canto, acompañado por el guitarrista Luis Amaya, el bandoneonista Rodolfo Mederos y un octeto del grupo coral del Teatro IFT de Buenos Aires. Se considera esta producción discográfica como un objeto complejo que puede ser analizado desde diferentes unidades y que, en su conjunto, permite observar un posicionamiento de los sujetos involucrados dentro del campo del folklore argentino del momento, pero también dentro de una situación social y política determinada. Nos interesa observar cómo, a través de prácticas y discursos, los actores sociales se involucran como individuos y como miembros de un grupo social, tomando posición política e ideológica. En este punto cobra especial dimensión el debate referente al rol de los intelectuales –entre quienes se cuenta a los artistas– en un contexto marcado por transformaciones sociales y políticas profundas. Para ello, se tendrán en cuenta herramientas analíticas propias de la musicología y otros provenientes del análisis del discurso político.
Música, política y etnicidad: convergencias entre democracia y dictadura en el proceso de relocalización del candombe afrouruguayo en Buenos Aires (1973-2013)
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Parody Viviana
Published: April 2015

En tanto género percusivo y danzario propio de la población afrodescendiente, el candombe es parte de aquello que PaulGilroy ha definido como Atlántico Negro. Particularmente, el candombe de estilo (afro)uruguayo ha presentado a lo largode las últimas décadas un inusitado desarrollo en la Argentina. Tal proceso debe su origen a la circulación de bienes culturales, símbolos, saberes y personas por sobre las fronteras nacionales existentes entre Argentina y Uruguay, en el contexto de recientes regímenes militares que convergen finalmente en las democracias de estos dos países. Teniendo como principal propósito analizar la relación que se presenta en nuestra región entre música, política y etnicidad, revelaremos la incidencia del autoritarismo para con la relocalización de este género. En el marco de una apuesta por la historiografía de la música, haremos explícitas las continuidades y rupturas entre democracia y dictadura, entendiéndolas como parte de un devenir histórico más amplio con el que es necesario construir ligaduras. El análisis específico de la performance que actualmente nuclea a esta inmigración atiende a las diferentes articulaciones de sentido con las cuales los actores vinculan pasado y presente. Se problematiza así también la distinción entre memoria e historia, y el rol actual del Estado argentino en la medida en que las narrativas de los actores ponen a estos dispositivos institucionales en cuestión.
Evidence of short-term burial response by benthic macrofauna associated with the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa
Authors: Schrandt Meagan N , Cebrián Just , Darrow Elizabeth S , Dalrymple D Joseph , Marco-Méndez C , Ferrero-Vicente LM , Heck Jr Kenneth L , Sánchez-Lizaso José Luis
Published: April 2015

Sedimentation and burial affect a variety of habitats worldwide, especially within coastal marine systems. In the Mediterranean, seagrasses like Cymodocea nodosa are commonly subjected to sedimentation and, although the response of C. nodosa has been documented, few studies have included macrofaunal responses. We used a manipulative field experiment to examine the effects of a single small-scale, pulse burial event on benthic invertebrate macrofauna. Burial did not affect the total abundance, richness, or diversity of higher taxa nor the live abundance or diversity after 5 days. However, live higher taxa richness decreased by day 3. After 5 days, such decrease reversed and partial recovery seemed to occur. Almost 2 months later, three of the buried plots remained with some additional sedimentation, but the other three had lost their sediment. We compared faunal metrics of buried plots between days 5 and 54 and found greater diversity on day 54, providing evidence that macrofaunal recovery apparent 5 days after burial seemed to persist. Although we likely underestimated the effects and can only be conservative with our conclusions, taken together our results suggest small-scale, pulse burial events can have some negative effects on the C. nodosa-associated benthic macrofaunal community, but the community can recover within a few weeks.
Atmospheric observations inform CO2 flux responses to enviroclimatic drivers
Authors: Fang Yuanyuan , Michalak Anna M.
Published: April 2015

Understanding the response of the terrestrial biospheric carbon cycle to variability in enviroclimatic drivers is critical for predicting climate‐carbon interactions. Here we apply an atmospheric‐inversion‐based framework to assess the relationships between the spatiotemporal patterns of net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) and those of enviroclimatic drivers. We show that those relationships can be directly observed at 1° × 1° 3‐hourly resolution from atmospheric CO2 measurements for four of seven large biomes in North America, namely, (i) boreal forests and taiga; (ii) temperate coniferous forests; (iii) temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands; and (iv) temperate broadleaf and mixed forests. We find that shortwave radiation plays a dominant role during the growing season over all four biomes. Specific humidity and precipitation also play key roles and are associated with decreased CO2 uptake (or increased release). The explanatory power of specific humidity is especially strong during transition seasons, while that of precipitation appears during both the growing and dormant seasons. We further find that the ability of four prototypical terrestrial biospheric models (TBMs) to represent the spatiotemporal variability of NEE improves as the influence of radiation becomes more dominant, implying that TBMs have a better skill in representing the impact of radiation relative to other drivers. Even so, we show that TBMs underestimate the strength of the relationship to radiation and do not fully capture its seasonality. Furthermore, the TBMs appear to misrepresent the relationship to precipitation and specific humidity at the examined scales, with relationships that are not consistent in terms of sign, seasonality, or significance relative to observations. More broadly, we demonstrate the feasibility of directly probing relationships between NEE and enviroclimatic drivers at scales with no direct measurements of NEE, opening the door to the study of emergent processes across scales and to the evaluation of their scaling within TBMs.
Rheological transitions in high‐temperature volcanic fault zones
Authors: Okumura Satoshi , Uesugi Kentaro , Nakamura Michihiko , Sasaki Osamu
Published: April 2015

Silicic magma experiences shear‐induced brittle fracturing during its ascent, resulting in the formation of a magmatic fault at the conduit margin. Once the fault is formed, frictional behavior of the fault controls the magma ascent process. We observed torsional deformation of a magmatic fault gouge in situ at temperatures of 800 and 900°C using synchrotron radiation X‐ray radiography. The torsional deformation rate was set at 0.1–10 rpm, corresponding to equivalent slip velocities of 2.27 × 10−5–1.74 × 10−3 m s−1 and shear strain rates of 0.014–1.16 s−1. The normal stresses used were 1, 5, and 10 MPa. The magmatic fault showed frictional sliding as well as viscous flow even above the glass transition temperature. The transition between frictional sliding and viscous flow depends on temperature, deformation rate, and normal stress on the fault. At 900°C, the fault showed viscous deformation at a normal stress of 10 MPa, while frictional sliding was predominant at 800°C. We propose the ratio of timescales of fault healing and deformation as a criterion for transition between frictional sliding and viscous flow. The experimentally calibrated criterion infers that frictional sliding is predominant from ~500 m in depth during explosive eruption; this may explain rapid magma ascent without efficient outgassing. Frictional heating would in turn enhance fault healing, resulting in the reverse transition from frictional sliding to viscous flow, followed by deceleration of magma ascent. Therefore, cyclic transitions between frictional sliding and viscous flow are a possible explanation for the cyclic behavior of lava effusion.
Toward continuous quantification of lava extrusion rate: Results from the multidisciplinary analysis of the 2 January 2010 eruption of Piton de la Fournaise volcano, La Réunion
Authors: Hibert C. , Mangeney A. , Polacci M. , Muro A. Di , Vergniolle S. , Ferrazzini V. , Peltier A. , Taisne B. , Burton M. , Dewez T. , Grandjean G. , Dupont A. , Staudacher T. , Brenguier F. , Kowalski P. , Boissier P. , Catherine P. , Lauret F.
Published: April 2015

The dynamics of the 2–12 January 2010 effusive eruption at Piton de la Fournaise volcano were examined through seismic and infrasound records, time‐lapse photography, SO2 flux measurements, deformation data, and direct observations. Digital elevation models were constructed for four periods of the eruption, thus providing an assessment of the temporal evolution of the morphology, the volume and the extrusion rate of the lava flow. These data were compared to the continuous recording of the seismic and infrasonic waves, and a linear relationship was found between the seismic energy of the tremor and the lava extrusion rate. This relationship is supported by data from three other summit eruptions of Piton de la Fournaise and gives total volume and average lava extrusion rate in good agreement with previous studies. We can therefore provide an estimate of the lava extrusion rate for the January 2010 eruption with a very high temporal resolution. We found an average lava extrusion rate of 2.4 m3s−1 with a peak of 106.6 m3s−1 during the initial lava fountaining phase. We use the inferred average lava extrusion rate during the lava fountaining phase (30.23 m3s−1) to estimate the value of the initial overpressure in the magma reservoir, which we found to range from 3.7×106 Pa to 5.9×106 Pa. Finally, based on the estimated initial overpressure, the volume of magma expelled during the lava fountaining phase and geodetic data, we inferred the volume of the magma reservoir using a simple Mogi model, between 0.25 km3 and 0.54 km3, which is in good agreement with previous studies.
Seismic responses to fluid pressure perturbations in a slipping fault
Authors: Derode Benoit , Guglielmi Yves , De Barros Louis , Cappa Frédéric
Published: April 2015

Seismicity induced by fluid injection in a natural fault is investigated in situ in the near field of the source. We present synchronous seismic and hydromechanical measurements directly recorded in the decametric injection zone. The three main types of seismic events were recorded during injection and shut‐in: high‐amplitude and short duration seismic events (SE) (i.e., microearthquakes), low to constant amplitude and 5 to 17 s long tremor‐like signals (TLS), and long period events (LP) with a narrow‐frequency band content. Seismicity first initiates with a sequence of SE and TLS, when pressure is high (~3.5 MPa), slip is activated on the fault, which experiences a twentyfold increase of permeability. Then LP events appear to be associated to fluid leakage in the fault caused by dilation during slip. During shut‐in, residual pressures as low as 0.6 MPa still trigger SE events. We show that the initial TLS sequence triggers when a progressive transition occurs from rupture controlled by effective stress variations close to the injection source to a large friction weakening‐dominated slip on the fault. We conclude that the combination of these different seismic signal types may be a proxy to monitor fault instability associated to fluid pressure perturbations.
Statistical properties of plasmaspheric hiss derived from Van Allen Probes data and their effects on radiation belt electron dynamics
Authors: Li W. , Ma Q. , Thorne R. M. , Bortnik J. , Kletzing C. A. , Kurth W. S. , Hospodarsky G. B. , Nishimura Y.
Published: April 2015

Plasmaspheric hiss is known to play an important role in controlling the overall structure and dynamics of radiation belt electrons inside the plasmasphere. Using newly available Van Allen Probes wave data, which provide excellent coverage in the entire inner magnetosphere, we evaluate the global distribution of the hiss wave frequency spectrum and wave intensity for different levels of substorm activity. Our statistical results show that observed hiss peak frequencies are generally lower than the commonly adopted value (~550 Hz), which was in frequent use, and that the hiss wave power frequently extends below 100 Hz, particularly at larger L shells (> ~3) on the dayside during enhanced levels of substorm activity. We also compare electron pitch angle scattering rates caused by hiss using the new statistical frequency spectrum and the previously adopted Gaussian spectrum and find that the differences are up to a factor of ~5 and are dependent on energy and L shell. Moreover, the new statistical hiss wave frequency spectrum including wave power below 100 Hz leads to increased pitch angle scattering rates by a factor of ~1.5 for electrons above ~100 keV at L~5, although their effect is negligible at L ≤ 3. Consequently, we suggest that the new realistic hiss wave frequency spectrum should be incorporated into future modeling of radiation belt electron dynamics.
Daclizumab reverses intrathecal immune cell abnormalities in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Lin Yen Chih , Winokur Paige , Blake Andrew , Wu Tianxia , Romm Elena , Bielekova Bibiana
Published: April 2015

Objective

Novel treatments such as natalizumab and fingolimod achieve their therapeutic efficacy in multiple sclerosis (MS) by blocking access of subsets of immune cells into the central nervous system, thus creating nonphysiological intrathecal immunity. In contrast, daclizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against the alpha chain of the IL‐2 receptor, has a unique mechanism of action with multiple direct effects on innate immunity. As cellular intrathecal abnormalities corresponding to MS have been well defined, we asked how daclizumab therapy affects these immunological hallmarks of the MS disease process.

Methods

Nineteen subpopulations of immune cells were assessed in a blinded fashion in the blood and 50‐fold concentrated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cell pellet in 32 patients with untreated relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS), 22 daclizumab‐treated RRMS patients, and 11 healthy donors (HDs) using 12‐color flow cytometry.

Results

Long‐term daclizumab therapy normalized all immunophenotyping abnormalities differentiating untreated RRMS patients from HDs. Specifically, strong enrichment of adaptive immune cells (CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and B cells) in the CSF was reversed. Similarly, daclizumab controlled MS‐related increases in the innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) and lymphoid tissue inducer cells in the blood and CSF, and reverted the diminished proportion of intrathecal monocytes. The only marker that distinguished daclizumab‐treated MS patients from HDs was the expansion of immunoregulatory CD56bright NK cells.

Interpretation

Normalization of immunological abnormalities associated with MS by long‐term daclizumab therapy suggests that this drug's effects on ILCs, NK cells, and dendritic cell‐mediated antigen presentation to CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are critical in regulating the MS disease process.
The cognitive profile of prion disease: a prospective clinical and imaging study
Authors: Caine Diana , Tinelli Renata J. , Hyare Harpreet , De Vita Enrico , Lowe Jessica , Lukic Ana , Thompson Andrew , Porter Marie‐Claire , Cipolotti Lisa , Rudge Peter , Collinge John , Mead Simon
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Prion diseases are dementing illnesses with poorly defined neuropsychological features. This is probably because the most common form, sporadic Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease, is often rapidly progressive with pervasive cognitive decline making detailed neuropsychological investigation difficult. This study, which includes patients with inherited, acquired (iatrogenic and variant) and sporadic forms of the disease, is the only large‐scale neuropsychological investigation of this patient group ever undertaken and aimed to define a neuropsychological profile of human prion diseases.

Methods

A tailored short cognitive examination of all of the patients (n = 81), with detailed neuropsychological testing in a subset with mild disease (n = 30) and correlation with demographic, clinical, genetic (PRNP mutation and polymorphic codon 129 genotype), and other variables (MRI brain signal change in cortex, basal ganglia or thalamus; quantitative research imaging, cerebrospinal fluid 14‐3‐3 protein).

Results

Comparison with healthy controls showed patients to be impaired on all tasks. Principal components analysis showed a major axis of fronto‐parietal dysfunction that accounted for approximately half of the variance observed. This correlated strongly with volume reduction in frontal and parietal gray matter on MRI. Examination of individual patients' performances confirmed early impairment on this axis, suggesting characteristic cognitive features in mild disease: prominent executive impairment, parietal dysfunction, a largely expressive dysphasia, with reduced motor speed.

Interpretation

Taken together with typical neurological features, these results complete a profile that should improve differential diagnosis in a clinical setting. We propose a tailored neuropsychological battery for early recognition of clinical onset of symptoms with potential for use in clinical trials involving at‐risk individuals.
Membrane‐Intercalating Conjugated Oligoelectrolytes: Impact on Bioelectrochemical Systems
Authors: Yan Hengjing , Catania Chelsea , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: April 2015

Conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs), molecules that are defined by a π‐delocalized backbone and terminal ionic pendant groups, have been previously demonstrated to effectively reduce charge‐injection/extraction barriers at metal/organic interfaces in thin‐film organic‐electronic devices. Recent studies demonstrate a spontaneous affinity of certain COEs to intercalate into, and align within, lipid bilayers in an ordered orientation, thereby allowing modification of membrane properties and the functions of microbes in bioelectrochemical and photosynthetic systems. Several reports have provided evidence of enhanced current generation and bioproduction. Mechanistic approaches suggest that COEs influence microbial extracellular electron transport to abiotic electrode surfaces via more than one proposed pathway, including direct electron transfer and meditated electron transfer. Molecular dynamics simulations as a function of molecular structure suggest that insertion of cationic COEs results in membrane thinning as the lipid phosphate head groups are drawn toward the center of the bilayer. Since variations in molecular structures, especially the length of the conjugated backbone, distribution of ionic groups, and hydrophobic substitutions, show an effect on their antimicrobial properties, preferential cell localization, and microbial selection, it is promising to further design novel membrane‐intercalating molecules based on COEs for practical applications, including energy generation, environmental remediation, and antimicrobial treatment.
Pilot‐scale studies of process intensification by cyclic distillation
Authors: Maleta Bogdan V. , Shevchenko Alexander , Bedryk Olesja , Kiss Anton A.
Published: April 2015

Process intensification in distillation systems receives much attention with the aim of increasing both energy and separation efficiency. Several technologies have been investigated and developed, as for example: dividing‐wall column, HiGee distillation, or internal heat‐integrated distillation. Cyclic distillation is a different method based on separate phase movement—achievable with specific internals and a periodic operation mode—that leads to key advantages: increased column throughput, reduced energy requirements, and better separation performance. This article is the first to report the performance of a pilot‐scale distillation column for ethanol‐water separation, operated in a cyclic mode. A comparative study is made between a pilot‐scale cyclic distillation column and an existing industrial beer column used to concentrate ethanol. Using specially designed trays that truly allow separate phase movement, the practical operation confirmed that 2.6 times fewer trays and energy savings of about 30% are possible as compared with classic distillation. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2581–2591, 2015
The early Pleistocene deciduous hominid molar FS‐72 from the Sangiran dome of java, Indonesia: A taxonomic reappraisal based on its comparative endostructural characterization
Authors: Zanolli Clément , Grine Frederick E. , Kullmer Ottmar , Schrenk Friedemann , Macchiarelli Roberto
Published: April 2015

Objectives:

Among the ten fossil hominid deciduous teeth reported so far from the Pleistocene sediments of the Sangiran Dome of Java are two isolated lower second molars: specimens PCG.2 from the Kabuh Formation and FS‐72 from the Pucangan Formation. While PCG.2 appears to be certainly attributable to Homo erectus, FS‐72 is somewhat more problematic, even though it is commonly listed within the Indonesian H. erectus hypodigm. Largely because of its large size, it was originally attributed to Meganthropus paleojavanicus. Subsequent study highlighted a set of metric and nonmetric crown features also found in Australopith and African early Homo (notably H. habilis) homologues. An additional problem with the taxonomic assignment of isolated teeth from the Pleistocene of Java is the presence of Pongo in these same deposits.

Methods:

To assess the taxonomic affinity of FS‐72, we investigated its inner structure (tissue proportions and enamel‐dentine junction morphology) by using techniques of 2–3D virtual imaging coupled with geometric morphometric analyses.

Results:

The results show that FS‐72 has thinner enamel compared to fossil and recent humans and that its topographic repartition more closely follows the pongine pattern. It also exhibits a Pongo‐like elongated morphology of the enamel‐dentine junction, with proportionally lower and mesiodistally spaced dentine horns.

Conclusions:

Given the morphological and metric similarities between fossil orangutan and H. erectus molars, we tested the hypothesis that its internal morphology more closely resembles the patterns evinced by PCG.2 and modern humans than Pongo. Accordingly, we consider that FS‐72 more likely represents a dm2 of Pongo rather than Homo. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:666–674, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A combined morphometric analysis of foot form and its association with sex, stature, and body mass
Authors: Domjanic Jacqueline , Seidler Horst , Mitteroecker Philipp
Published: April 2015

Objectives: Morphometric analysis of footprints is a classic means for orthopedic diagnosis. In forensics and physical anthropology, it is commonly used for the estimation of stature and body mass. We studied individual variation and sexual dimorphism of foot dimensions and footprint shape by a combination of classic foot measurements and geometric morphometric methods. Methods: Left and right feet of 134 healthy adult males and females were scanned twice with a 3D optical laser scanner, and stature as well as body mass were recorded. Foot length and width were measured on the 3D scans. The 2D footprints were extracted as the plantar‐most 2 mm of the 3D scans and measured with 85 landmarks and semilandmarks. Results: Both foot size and footprint shape are sexually dimorphic and relate to stature and body mass. While dimorphism in foot length largely results from dimorphism in stature, dimorphism in footprint shape partly owes to the dimorphism in BMI. Stature could be estimated well based on foot length (R2 = 0.76), whereas body mass was more closely related to foot width (R2 = 0.62). Sex could be estimated correctly for 95% of the individuals based on a combination of foot width and length. Discussion: Geometric morphometrics proved to be an effective tool for the detailed analysis of footprint shape. However, for the estimation of stature, body mass, and sex, shape variables did not considerably improve estimates based on foot length and width. Am J Phys Anthropol 157:582–591, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The change in nasal inflammatory markers after intranasal challenges with particulate chitin and lipopolysaccharide: a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossover study with a positive control
Authors: Sigsgaard Torben , Thorne Peter S. , Schlünssen Vivi , Bønløkke Jakob , Riddervold Ingunn S. , Hoppe Kimberly A. , Andersen Niels Trolle , Mackenzie Neill M.
Published: April 2015

Background

We investigated the effect of chitin on the inflammation and immune modulation of the nasal mucosa. This compound was compared to placebo and as a positive control we used lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods

Fourteen healthy nonsmoking volunteers 22 to 28 years of age were included. All persons underwent exposure to chitin microparticles (CP) and placebo in a randomized double‐blinded fashion. In a last session we used LPS from Enterobacter agglomerans in a single‐blinded fashion. There were 2 weeks between each session. The outcome measures were Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) and nasal lavage for cytokines and cells at 0, 3, 4, 8 hours.

Results

We showed that CP was only weakly inflammatory compared to LPS. In contrast to the LPS response, we did however show an immune‐regulatory effect of CP on enhanced interleukin (IL)‐4 and IL‐6 responses known to downregulate T helper 2 (Th2) responses, indicating a potential beneficial effect of CP for the regulation of the allergic Th2 immune response.

Conclusion

This study also shows that CP is well tolerated in healthy volunteers, and that does not induce significantly more symptoms compared to placebo. In fact there is a tendency for CP instillation to induce less rhinorrhoea compared to placebo.
Beyond Molecules: Mesoporous Supramolecular Frameworks Self‐Assembled from Coordination Cages and Inorganic Anions
Authors: Luo Dong , Zhou Xiao‐Ping , Li Dan
Published: April 2015

Biological function arises by the assembly of individual biomolecular modules into large aggregations or highly complex architectures. A similar strategy is adopted in supramolecular chemistry to assemble complex and highly ordered structures with advanced functions from simple components. Here we report a series of diamond‐like supramolecular frameworks featuring mesoporous cavities, which are assembled from metal‐imidazolate coordination cages and various anions. Small components (metal ions, amines, aldehydes, and anions) are assembled into the hierarchical complex structures through multiple interactions including covalent bonds, dative bonds, and weak CH⋅⋅⋅X (X=O, F, and π) hydrogen bonds. The mesoporous cavities are large enough to trap organic dye molecules, coordination cages, and vitamin B12. The study is expected to inspire new types of crystalline supramolecular framework materials based on coordination motifs and inorganic ions.
Thermoresponsive and magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers based on iron oxide encapsulated carbon nanotubes as a matrix for the selective adsorption and controlled release of 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol
Authors: Pan Jianming , Yin Yijie , Zhang Yunlei , Wu Runrun , Dai Xiaohui , Yan Yongsheng
Published: April 2015

Thermoresponsive and magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (TMMIPs) based on magnetic carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) were prepared and applied to the switched recognition and controlled release of 2,4,5‐trichlorophenol (2,4,5‐TCP) from aqueous solution. In this study, MCNTs were first synthesized via the encapsulation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the tunnel of carbon nanotubes by a wet impregnation technology. Then, the TMMIPs were synthesized with N‐isopropyl acrylamide as a thermal functional monomer by free‐radical polymerization. The magnetic sensitivity and stability of the prepared materials were tested with a vibrating sample magnetometer (saturation magnetization = 1.4 emu/g) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (in the pH range 3.0–8.0), respectively. The thermoresponsive properties of the TMMIPs were evaluated by two means, including the results of ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and the controlled release of 2,4,5‐TCP at 30 and 40°C, respectively. The effects of the pH, initial concentration, and contact time on adsorption were examined with batch mode experiments, and several other compounds were selected as model analytes to evaluate the selective recognition performance of the TMMIPs. This demonstrated that the TMMIPs had a higher affinity for 2,4,5‐TCP than did the thermoresponsive and magnetic nonimprinted polymers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42087.
Does research output cause economic growth or vice versa? Evidence from 34 OECD countries
Authors: Ntuli Hamilton , Inglesi‐Lotz Roula , Chang Tsangyao , Pouris Anastassios
Published: April 2015

The causal relation between research and economic growth is of particular importance for political support of science and technology as well as for academic purposes. This article revisits the causal relationship between research articles published and economic growth in Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) countries for the period 1981–2011, using bootstrap panel causality analysis, which accounts for cross‐section dependency and heterogeneity across countries. The article, by the use of the specific method and the choice of the country group, makes a contribution to the existing literature. Our empirical results support unidirectional causality running from research output (in terms of total number of articles published) to economic growth for the US, Finland, Hungary, and Mexico; the opposite causality from economic growth to research articles published for Canada, France, Italy, New Zealand, the UK, Austria, Israel, and Poland; and no causality for the rest of the countries. Our findings provide important policy implications for research policies and strategies for OECD countries.
A Synthetic Route to Chiral Dihydrobenzothiazines through Ring Opening of Activated Aziridines with 2‐Halothiophenols/Copper‐Powder‐Mediated C−N Cyclization
Authors: Ghorai Manas K. , Sayyad Masthanvali , Nanaji Yerramsetti , Jana Sourita
Published: April 2015

A simple protocol for the synthesis of dihydrobenzothiazines through regio‐ and stereoselective SN2‐type ring opening of N‐tosylaziridines with sulfur nucleophiles followed by copper‐powder‐mediated intramolecular C−N cyclization in excellent yields (up to 95 %) with high diastereo‐ and enantioselectivity (up to >99 %) is reported.
Enhancement of the photoluminescence and long afterglow properties of Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+ phosphor by Dy3+ co‐doping
Authors: Sahu Ishwar Prasad , Bisen D. P. , Brahme Nameeta , Ganjir Manju
Published: April 2015

Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+ and Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ long afterglow phosphors were synthesized under a weak reducing atmosphere by the traditional high temperature solid state reaction method. The synthesized phosphors were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and photo‐, thermo‐ and mechanoluminescence spectroscopic techniques. The phase structure of the sintered phosphor was an akermanite type structure, which belongs to tetragonal crystallography. The thermoluminescence properties of these phosphors were investigated and compared. Under ultraviolet light excitation, the emission spectra of both prepared phosphors were composed of a broad emission band peaking at 470 nm. When the Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+ phosphor was co‐doped with Dy3+, the photoluminescence (PL), afterglow and mechanoluminescence (ML) intensity were strongly enhanced. The decay graph indicated that both the sintered phosphors contained fast decay and slow decay processes. The ML intensities of Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+ and Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphors were increased proportionally with increasing impact velocity, a finding that suggests that these phosphors could be used as sensors to detect the stress of an object. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Condensed lignin structures and re‐localization achieved at high severities in autohydrolysis of Eucalyptus globulus wood and their relationship with cellulose accessibility
Authors: Araya Fabio , Troncoso Eduardo , Mendonça Regis Teixeira , Freer Juanita
Published: April 2015

Eucalyptus globulus wood was subjected to autohydrolysis pretreatment at different severity factors. The pretreated materials were enzymatically saccharified at a substrate load of 10% (w/v) using a cellulase enzyme complex. Around 82–95% of original glucans were retained in the pretreated material, and the enzymatic hydrolysis yields ranged from 58% to 90%. The chemical and structural changes in the pretreated materials were investigated by microscopic (SEM, LSCM) and spectroscopic (2D‐HSQC NMR and FT‐IR) techniques. 2D‐NMR results showed a reduction in the amounts of β‐O‐4 aryl–ether linkages and suggested the presence of newly condensed structures of lignin in the biomass pretreated at the more severe conditions. Furthermore, the microscopic analysis showed that lignin migrates out of the cell wall and re‐deposits in certain regions of the fibers at the more severe conditions to form droplet‐like structures and expose the cellulose surface. These changes improved the glucose yield up to 69%, on dry wood basis. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1783–1791. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aromatase expression is linked to estrogenic sensitivity of periurethral muscles in female rabbits
Authors: de los Ángeles Carrasco‐Ruiz María , García‐Villamar Verónica , López‐García Kenia , Sánchez‐García Octavio , Pacheco Pablo , Cuevas Estela , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita , Castelán Francisco
Published: April 2015

Beyond its role in the conversion of androgens to estrogens, the expression of aromatase could influence on the estrogenic signalling in targeted tissues. Considering the well‐defined biochemical and physiological differences between the pubococcygeus (Pcm) and bulbospongiosus (Bsm) muscles in female rabbits, it is presently hypothesized that the aromatase expression is differentially linked to the estrogen sensitivity of each muscle. To this end, serum estradiol levels and the aromatase expression, presence of ERα and ERβ and morphometry were evaluated in the Pcm and Bsm of female rabbits allocated in control, ovariectomized (OVX) and OVX treated with estradiol benzoate (OVX + EB) groups. Aromatase expression was high in the Pcm. Independently to serum estradiol, ovariectomy increased aromatase expression in the Pcm while decreased it in the Bsm. The EB treatment avoided the effect of ovariectomy only in the Pcm. The number of immunoreactive nuclei anti‐ERα and anti‐ERβ was high in the Pcm of OVX and OVX + EB rabbits, while those in the Bsm remained unchanged. The number of peripheral nuclei per fibre and the cross‐sectional area‐to‐myonucleus ratio were modified only in the Pcm. Our findings support aromatase expression in the Pcm, and Bsm of rabbits is differentially linked to estrogenic sensitivity of each muscle. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating Ketoreductase Exchanges as a Means of Rationally Altering Polyketide Stereochemistry
Authors: Annaval Thibault , Paris Cédric , Leadlay Peter F. , Jacob Christophe , Weissman Kira J.
Published: April 2015

Modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) are multidomain multienzymes responsible for the biosynthesis in bacteria of a wide range of polyketide secondary metabolites of clinical value. The stereochemistry of these molecules is an attractive target for genetic engineering in attempts to produce analogues exhibiting novel therapeutic properties. The exchange of ketoreductase (KR) domains in model PKSs has been shown in several cases to predictably alter the configuration of the β‐hydroxy functionalities but not of the α‐methyl groups. By systematic screening of a broad panel of KR domains, we have identified two donor KRs that afford modification of α‐methyl group stereochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this provides the first direct in vivo evidence of KR‐catalyzed epimerization. However, none of the introduced KRs afforded simultaneous alteration of methyl and hydroxy configurations in high yield. Therefore, swapping of whole modules might be necessary to achieve such changes in stereochemistry.
Effect of pH on Aerobic Granulation and Treatment Performance in Sequencing Batch Reactors
Authors: Rezasoltani Samira , Shayegan Jalal , Jalali Sajjad
Published: April 2015

Two sequencing batch reactors were operated to investigate the effect of influent alkalinity and reactor pH on aerobic granulation. In the first reactor R1 with high influent alkalinity the pH was adjusted in the neutral range, and in the second reactor R2 with low alkalinity the pH was held within the acidic range. The R1‐dominating species were bacteria and the appearance time of granules was three weeks after reactor start‐up. On the other hand, the acidic environment of R2 provided favorable conditions for fungal growth, and rapid granule formation occurred within the first week of operation. The varying microbial structure of granules resulted in different reactor performance in terms of evolution time and morphology of granules, suspended solids in the reactors, settling ability of granules, effluent quality of treated wastewater, and physical strength of the granules.
Polycation‐Grafted Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Membrane with Biofouling Resistance
Authors: Shen Xiang , Zhao Yiping , Chen Li
Published: April 2015

Covalent immobilization of polycations onto a membrane surface has been shown to significantly improve the resistance to biofouling. The poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐graft‐poly(N,N‐dimethylamino‐2‐ethylmethacrylate) (PVDF‐g‐PDMAEMA) copolymer was synthesized via radical grafting copolymerization and fabricated into a flat membrane. The polycation membrane surface was constructed by quaternization of PDMAEMA side chains with 1,5‐dibromopentane and diquaternization of 4,4′‐bipyridine. As revealed by membrane surface morphology, pore size, and porosity measurement, the polycations are distributed on the membrane surface and internal pore channel surface. Water contact angles confirm that the incorporation of polycations remarkably promotes the surface hydrophilicity of a membrane. The polycation membrane surface provides an excellent bactericidal efficiency against Escherichia coli.
Stable and Easily Accessible Functional Dyes: Dihydrotetraazaanthracenes as Versatile Precursors for Higher Acenes
Authors: Gampe Dominique Mario , Kaufmann Martin , Jakobi Dörthe , Sachse Torsten , Presselt Martin , Beckert Rainer , Görls Helmar
Published: April 2015

A series of new dihydrotetraazaanthracenes and one new dihydrotetraazatetracene as substances for applications in organoelectronic devices and as suitable building blocks for higher azaacenes was synthesised. The condensation of aromatic diamines with dichlorodicyanopyrazine led to these tricyclic/tetracyclic compounds. Syntheses of N‐substituted phenylenediamines were developed to enable the introduction of multiple functional groups such as ester, amino, or nitro groups on the chromophoric system. Relationships between the structure and the spectroscopic properties could be derived from UV/Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as by DFT and TD‐DFT calculations of molecular and aggregate structures. The absorption spectra are dominated by π–π* transitions of the single molecules, whereas aggregation needs to be taken into account to obtain reasonable agreement between theory and experiment in certain cases. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses were carried out to examine the morphology and solid packing effects. Finally, a dihydrotetraazaanthracene was used as a building‐block to create a mesoionic octaazapentacene.
Controlled Reactivity Tuning of Metal‐Functionalized Vanadium Oxide Clusters
Authors: Kastner Katharina , Forster Johannes , Ida Hiromichi , Newton Graham N. , Oshio Hiroki , Streb Carsten
Published: April 2015

Controlling the assembly and functionalization of molecular metal oxides [MxOy]n− (M=Mo, W, V) allows the targeted design of functional molecular materials. While general methods exist that enable the predetermined functionalization of tungstates and molybdates, no such routes are available for molecular vanadium oxides. Controlled design of polyoxovanadates, however, would provide highly active materials for energy conversion, (photo‐) catalysis, molecular magnetism, and materials science. To this end, a new approach has been developed that allows the reactivity tuning of vanadium oxide clusters by selective metal functionalization. Organic, hydrogen‐bonding cations, for example, dimethylammonium are used as molecular placeholders to block metal binding sites within vanadate cluster shells. Stepwise replacement of the placeholder cations with reactive metal cations gives mono‐ and difunctionalized clusters. Initial reactivity studies illustrate the tunability of the magnetic, redox, and catalytic activity.