bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper nanoclusters trigger muscle cell apoptosis and atrophy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Yayun , Liang Jichao , Wang Qiuju , He Yu , Chen Yong
Published: November 2015

Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) are increasingly being used in nanomedicine owing to their utility in cellular imaging and as catalysts. Additionally, nanotoxicology research of CuNCs is gaining attention. We report here the synthesis and characterization of CuNCs and their cytotoxic impact on muscle cells. A simple protein‐directed synthesis of stable CuNCs was prepared, using bovine serum albumin as the stabling agent. Physicochemical characterization of the synthesized CuNCs was performed using transmission electron microscopy. To evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity, C2C12 cells were exposed to increasing doses (from 0.1 to 50 µg ml–1) of CuNCs. CuNCs affected the viability of C2C12 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, as detected by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and a lactate dehydrogenase release assay. Further studies indicated that CuNCs induced the formation of reactive oxygen species and decreased the activities of catalase and glutathione. CuNC treatment decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and induced apoptosis, accompanied by an increase in the protein expression ratio of Bax/Bcl‐2 and caspase‐3/9 activity in C2C12 cells. CuNCs treatment resulted in atrophy of the C2C12 myotubes, which was characterized by the increased expression of atrophy‐related genes, such as atrogin‐1 and MuRF1. Finally, CuNCs induce morphological atrophy of primary muscle cells and mouse gastrocnemius muscle. Taken together, these results suggest that exposure to CuNCs may be a risk factor for the skeletal muscle system. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic engineering strategies for D‐lactate over production in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhou Li , Cui Wen‐jing , Liu Zhong‐mei , Zhou Zhe‐min
Published: November 2015

D‐lactate is an important chiral intermediate and a substrate for polylactic acid (PLA) production. Escherichia coli accumulate D‐lactate as the primary fermentative product, and synthesis is directly controlled by the activity of lactate dehydrogenase, the efficiency of the carbon resource utilization, and the redox state. D‐lactate accumulation is complicated by the flux through the competing metabolic routes and the indirect regulation of energy metabolism, as well as by the unexpected interconnectivities of the cellular components in the remote metabolic routes. These effects have been extensively studied, and a number of metabolic engineering strategies have been applied to overproduce D‐lactate with high titers, yields and productivities in E. coli that have been able to reduce the production costs and precisely control the fermentation process. This review summarizes the related strategies and suggests directions for further study; these directions provide guidelines for the development of other metabolic products using E. coli as an industrial platform. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Epidemiology of 11 respiratory RNA viruses in a cohort of hospitalized children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Amer Haitham M. , Alshaman Mohamed S. , Farrag Mohamed A. , Hamad Moawia E. , Alsaadi Muslim M. , Almajhdi Fahad N.
Published: November 2015

Respiratory tract infections are a principal cause of illness and mortality in children worldwide and mostly caused by viruses. In this study, the epidemiology of 11 respiratory RNA viruses was investigated in a cohort of hospitalized children at a tertiary referral center in Riyadh from February 2008 to March 2009 using conventional and real‐time monoplex RT‐PCR assays. Among 174 nasopharyngeal aspirates, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was detected in 39 samples (22.41%), influenza A virus in 34 (19.54%), metapneumovirus (MPV) in 19 (10.92%), coronaviruses in 14 (8.05%), and parainfluenza viruses (PIVs) in 11 (6.32%). RSV, PIVs and coronaviruses were most prevalent in infants less than 6 months old, whereas MPV and influenza A virus were more prominent in children aged 7–24 and 25–60 months, respectively. The majority of the viruses were identified during winter with two peaks observed in March 2008 and January 2009. The presented data warrants further investigation to understand the epidemiology of respiratory viruses in Saudi Arabia on spatial and temporal basis. J. Med. Virol. 88:1086–1091, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Projection of sea‐level change in the vicinity of Hong Kong in the 21st century
Authors: He Y. H. , Mok H. Y. , Lai Edwin S. T.
Published: November 2015

Situated along the coast of southern China and facing the South China Sea, Hong Kong has been experiencing a significant rise in sea level by about 2.9 mm year−1 since the 1950s. For a densely populated coastal city prone to storm surge impacts during the passages of tropical cyclones, accentuated by the threat of sea‐level rise as a result of global warming and local vertical land displacement, projection of the sea‐level change for Hong Kong is essential for local risk assessment and long‐term planning of adaptation measures. This study presented the projection of sea‐level change in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5 (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios in the 21st century based on climate projections by models in phase 5 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project, in combination with contributions from land ice and land water storage determined from published literatures, and local vertical land displacement as estimated by using continuous high‐precision GPS observations in Hong Kong. The results show that the sea level in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters is projected to rise by 0.67 (0.50–0.84) m and 0.84 (0.63–1.07) m in 2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005 under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5, respectively, about 0.2 m higher than the global mean values projected by the Fifth Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The higher projected sea‐level rise in Hong Kong and its adjacent waters as compared with the global mean values is primarily due to local vertical land displacement which contributes around 28% and 23% of the projected sea‐level rise in 2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005 in the two respective RCP scenarios.
Discrimination of the sensory quality of the Coffea arabica L. (cv. Yellow Bourbon) produced in different altitudes using decision trees obtained by the CHAID method
Authors: Ramos Mariana Figueira , Ribeiro Diego Egídio , Cirillo Marcelo Ângelo , Borém Flávio Meira
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Knowledge of the sensory profile of coffee quality, associated with genetic and environmental factors, is of utmost importance for the international market, as well as for the productive sector. In this context, the goal of this study was to classify the quality of Coffea arabica L., cv. Yellow Bourbon, according to different scores obtained through sensory evaluations based on the Specialty Coffee Association of America protocol (SCAA), and by means of decision trees resulting from applying the CHAID method (chi‐square automatic interaction detection). To that end, we used a database with the sensory characteristics of cv. Yellow Bourbon and the environmental characteristics of the Mantiqueira de Minas region, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

RESULTS

The method used exhibited promising results regarding accuracy and success rates in order to discriminate coffee sensory quality as a function of the production environment. The results obtained clearly show the effect of the coffee growing environment on the Yellow Bourbon variety, resulting in notable sensory differences in the beverage.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to discriminate cv. Yellow Bourbon coffee samples, the sensory evaluations of which resulted in scores of ≥88 points, which are associated with growing environments at altitudes of ≥1200 m. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of microwave pretreatment and transglutaminase crosslinking on the gelation properties of soybean protein isolate and wheat gluten mixtures
Authors: Qin Xin‐Sheng , Luo Shui‐Zhong , Cai Jing , Zhong Xi‐Yang , Jiang Shao‐Tong , Zheng Zhi , Zhao Yan‐Yan
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

The integration of soybean protein isolate (SPI) with wheat gluten (WG) crosslinked via microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) may enhance the formation of ϵ‐(γ‐glutamyl)lysine covalent bonds, because SPI is rich in lysine and WG contains more glutamine. Microwave pretreatment may accelerate enzymatic reactions. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of microwave pretreatment on the gelation properties of SPI and WG crosslinked with MTGase.

RESULTS

Interestingly, the gel strength, water‐holding capacity (WHC) and storage modulus (G′) values of MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels were dramatically improved with increasing microwave power. Moreover, the MTGase crosslinking reaction promoted the formation of disulfide bonds, markedly reducing the free SH group and soluble protein content of gels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of SPI/WG gels showed that microwave pretreatment increased the proportion of α‐helices and β‐turns and decreased the proportion of β‐sheets. Results from scanning electron microscopy indicated that the MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels had denser and more homogeneous microstructures after microwave pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

The effect of microwave pretreatment is useful in advancing gelation characters of MTGase‐induced SPI/WG gels and provides the possibility for expanding the application of food protein. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Operational Stress and Correlates of Mental Health Among Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay Military Personnel
Authors: Webb‐Murphy Jennifer A. , De La Rosa Gabriel M. , Schmitz Kimberly J. , Vishnyak Elizabeth J. , Raducha Stephanie C. , Roesch Scott C. , Johnston Scott L.
Published: November 2015

Military personnel deployed to Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay (JTF‐GTMO) faced numerous occupational stressors. As part of a program evaluation, personnel working at JTF‐GTMO completed several validated self‐report measures. Personnel were at the beginning, middle, or end of their deployment phase. This study presents data regarding symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, depression, and resilience among 498 U.S. military personnel deployed to JTF‐GTMO in 2009. We also investigated individual and organizational correlates of mental health among these personnel. Findings indicated that tenure at JTF‐GTMO was positively related to adverse mental health outcomes. Regression models including these variables had R2 values ranging from .02 to .11. Occupation at JTF‐GTMO also related to mental health such that guards reported poorer mental health than medical staff. Reluctance to seek out mental health care was also related to mental health outcomes. Those who reported being most reluctant to seek out care tended to report poorer mental health than those who were more willing to seek out care. Results suggested that the JTF‐GTMO deployment was associated with significant psychological stress, and that both job‐related and attitude‐related variables were important to understanding mental health symptoms in this sample.
Ethanol: A simple and effective RNA‐preservation for freshwater insects living in remote habitats
Authors: Astrid Tischler , Margit Egg , Leopold Füreder
Published: November 2015

The often proposed preservation method “snap‐freezing” is rather unpractical for sampling in remote areas. Therefore, the effectiveness, feasibility and affordability of alternative fixatives were investigated. Larvae of Orthocladius sp. (Diptera, Chironomidae) were fixed in RNAlater®, RNAfix (self‐made), acetone and ethanol of two different qualities (methylated and molecular grade). Samples were first kept at room temperature for 24 h, then at −20°C for 1 week, at −80°C for 1 month and at −80°C for 6 months. Additionally, long term storage at −20°C for up to 18 months was tested for methylated ethanol and RNAfix. Subsequently evaluated RNA quality and quantity did not differ significantly between the preservation methods. Methylated ethanol, being the most economical alternative, was chosen to be tested in a field trip. Diamesa latitarsis larvae (Diptera, Chironomidae) and Baetis alpinus nymphs (Ephemeroptera, Baetidae) were collected in two remote streams at 2208 m a.s.l. Samples were cooled (∼ 4°C) for 23 up to 30 h during sampling and transportation. Organisms were identified and photographed in ethanol at room temperature and then stored at −80°C for 6 months until RNA isolation. RNA quality was high and the yield was suitable for down‐stream applications such as cDNA synthesis and real‐time quantitative PCR. Due to these results we recommend methylated ethanol as an inexpensive but reliable RNA‐fixative for sampling in remote areas even if time‐consuming species identification has to be done prior to RNA‐extraction.
A model for cathodic blister growth in coating degradation using mesomechanics approach
Authors: Nazir M. H. , Khan Z. A. , Saeed A , Stokes K.
Published: November 2015

The paper presents a novel theoretical model of blistering initiation and propagation especially useful for coating life assessment. The focus is on initially circular blisters. A two‐part theoretical analysis of blistering is conducted using mesomechanics approach coupling diffusion concepts with fracture mechanics concepts. The diffusion concept is used to treat the corrosive species transport, eventually causing corrosion and blistering, while the fracture mechanics concept is used to treat the blister growth as circular crack propagation. Effects of thickness ratio and modulus ratio on blistering propagation are discussed. A simple criterion is identified which excludes the possibility of widespread blister propagation. Furthermore, a comparative study with the existing blistering models is carried out. Experiments are reported for blistering using a model coating‐substrate system, chosen to allow visualisation of interface and to permit coupled (diffusion and residual) stresses in the coating over a full range of interest. The predicted limits from theoretical model are expected to be useful for the manufacturers in the design and deposition of coatings.
ICS teaching module: Ambulatory urodynamic monitoring
Authors: Digesu G. Alessandro , Gargasole Clara , Hendricken Caroline , Gore Michelle , Kocjancic Ervin , Khullar Vik , Rosier Peter F.
Published: November 2015

Aim

To present the ICS Teaching Module on ambulatory urodynamics monitoring (AUM).

Methods

This teaching module has been developed by the ICS Urodynamics Committee to assist ICS members in their routine clinical practice. A detailed literature search on studies published on the clinical role of AUM as well as expert opinions have been considered. A slide set on AUM has been developed, approved by all members of the ICS Urodynamics Committee and is available to the ICS membership on the ICS website. The final approved teaching module has been presented at the ICS Annual Scientific Meeting in Brazil 2014.

Results

The scientific evidence on the clinical role of AUM in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms is summarized. The catheters and recording systems used, the patient preparation for the test, the technique, the instructions to the patient, the analysis, interpretation, and quality control assessment of AUM trace as well as the contraindications for AUM are described.

Conclusions

The clinical role of AUM is still controversial. The scientific evidence on the usefulness of AUM is still limited but the ICS Urodynamics Committee recommends its use as a second line diagnostic tool when office laboratory urodynamics have failed to achieve a diagnosis. AUM has been showed to be more sensitive than laboratory urodynamics in diagnosing detrusor overactivity but the level of evidence for this measurement is not high. This manuscript summarizes the evidence and provides practice recommendations on AUM for teaching purposes in the framework of an ICS teaching module. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:364–367, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Delayed reward discounting and grit in men and women with and without obesity
Authors: Graham Thomas J. , Seiden Andrew , Koffarnus Mikhail N. , Bickel Warren K. , Wing Rena R.
Published: November 2015

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine how sensitivity to short‐term reward and long‐term goal perseverance are related to body mass index (BMI; kg m2) in a large sample of men and women with and without obesity.

Methods

A total of 450 participants (56.2% male; 73.1% non‐Hispanic White) with mean ± standard deviation age of 30.7 ± 10.4 years and BMI of 29.3 ± 8.2 completed online versions of the Delayed Reward Discounting task to measure sensitivity to short‐term reward and the Grit Scale to measure long‐term goal perseverance.

Results

In regression analysis, higher sensitivity to short‐term reward (i.e. a preference for receiving smaller rewards after a shorter delay; b = 0.49, p = 0.016) and lower long‐term goal perseverance (b = −1.26, p = 0.042) were independently associated with higher BMIs. Individuals with a favourable score on one measure were not ‘protected’ from the risk associated with an unfavourable score on the other measure.

Conclusions

An overvaluation of short‐term reward (e.g. the taste of palatable food and the comfort of engaging in sedentary activities) and undervaluation of long‐term health goals (e.g. achieving a healthy weight and avoiding obesity‐related comorbidities) may contribute to excess weight. Additional research incorporating prospective experimental designs is needed to determine whether decision‐making strategies can be targeted to improve weight management.
Morphological studies and thermo‐mechanical behavior of polypropylene/sepiolite nanocomposites
Authors: Manchanda Bindu , Kakkarakkal Kottiyath Vimal , Kapur Gurpreet S. , Kant Shashi , Choudhary Veena
Published: November 2015

This article describes the effect of natural Sepiolite nanofibers on the properties of polypropylene (PP) in the absence/presence of compatibilizer (maleic anhydride grafted‐polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA)). For this purpose, PP/Sepiolite and PP/PP‐g‐MA/Sepiolite nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending using twin‐screw extruder. The morphology and dispersion of Sepiolite in PP composites characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) revealed that the dispersion of Sepiolite in PP matrix was better in the presence of PP‐g‐MA. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to study the effect of Sepiolite on the thermal stability of PP in absence/presence of PP‐g‐MA. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques were employed to assess the effect of Sepiolite on the crystallinity of PP matrix. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) was used to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of PP/Sepiolite nanocomposites in solid state. Mechanical properties evaluated as per ASTM methods showed ∼65% increase in flexural modulus, 60%–70% increase in tensile modulus and 10%–20% increase in impact strength on addition of 10% Sepiolite in PP. Addition of compatibilizer has further improved the flexural modulus close to 85% when compared to neat PP without compromising other properties like impact strength and tensile strength. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E285–E294, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synergistic thermal conductivity enhancement of PC/ABS composites containing alumina/magnesia/graphene nanoplatelets
Authors: Yu Wei , Xie Huaqing , Chen Lifei , Wang Mingzhu , Wang Wenxia
Published: November 2015

Graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have attracted considerable attention in the field of thermal management materials due to their unique structure and exceptional thermal conductive properties. In this work, we demonstrate a significant synergistic effect of GNPs, alumina (Al2O3), and magnesia (MgO) in improving the thermal conductivity of polycarbonate/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene polymer alloy (PC/ABS) composites. The thermal conductivity of the composites prepared through partial replacement of Al2O3 and MgO with GNPs could increase dramatically compared with that without GNPs. The maximum thermal conductivity of the composite is 3.11 W mK−1 at total mass fraction of 70% with 0.5 wt% GNPs loading. It increases 60% compared with that without GNPs (1.95 W mK−1). The synergistic effect results from the compact packing structure formed by Al2O3/MgO and the bridging of GNPs with Al2O3/MgO, thus promoting the formation of effective thermal conduction pathways within PC/ABS matrix. More importantly, together with the intrinsically high thermal conductivity of GNPs, boosted and effective pathways for phonon transport can be created, thus decrease the thermal resistance at the interface between fillers and PC/ABS matrix and increase the thermal conductivity of composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:2221–2227, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Early perception of stink bug damage in developing seeds of field‐grown soybean induces chemical defences and reduces bug attack
Authors: Giacometti Romina , Barneto Jesica , Barriga Lucia G , Sardoy Pedro M , Balestrasse Karina , Andrade Andrea M , Pagano Eduardo A , Alemano Sergio G , Zavala Jorge A
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND

Southern green stink bugs (Nezara viridula L.) invade field‐grown soybean crops, where they feed on developing seeds and inject phytotoxic saliva, which causes yield reduction. Although leaf responses to herbivory are well studied, no information is available about the regulation of defences in seeds.

RESULTS

This study demonstrated that mitogen‐activated protein kinases MPK3, MPK4 and MPK6 are expressed and activated in developing seeds of field‐grown soybean and regulate a defensive response after stink bug damage. Although 10–20 min after stink bug feeding on seeds induced the expression of MPK3, MPK6 and MPK4, only MPK6 was phosphorylated after damage. Herbivory induced an early peak of jasmonic acid (JA) accumulation and ethylene (ET) emission after 3 h in developing seeds, whereas salicylic acid (SA) was also induced early, and at increasing levels up to 72 h after damage. Damaged seeds upregulated defensive genes typically modulated by JA/ET or SA, which in turn reduced the activity of digestive enzymes in the gut of stink bugs. Induced seeds were less preferred by stink bugs.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that stink bug damage induces seed defences, which is perceived early by MPKs that may activate defence metabolic pathways in developing seeds of field‐grown soybean. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of different initial condition samplings on photodynamics and spectrum of pyrrole
Authors: Barbatti Mario , Sen Kakali
Published: November 2015

Semiclassical simulations of spectrum and dynamics of complex molecules require statistical sampling of coordinates and momenta. The effects of using thermal and quantum samplings are analyzed taking pyrrole as a test case. It is shown that there are significant differences in the results obtained with each of these two approaches. Overall, quantum sampling based on a Wigner distribution renders superior results, comparing well to the experiments. Dynamics simulations based on surface hopping and ADC(2) reveal that pyrrole internal conversion to the ground state occurs not only through H‐elimination path, but also through ring‐distortion paths, which have been systematically neglected by diverse experimental setups. The analysis of the reaction paths also shows that the ionization potential varies by more than 5 eV between ionization of the excited state at the Franck–Condon region and at the intersections with the ground state. This feature may have major implications for time‐resolved photoelectron spectroscopy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Subprime governance: Agency costs in vertically integrated banks and the 2008 mortgage crisis
Authors: Gartenberg Claudine , Pierce Lamar
Published: November 2015

Research summary: This study uses the 2008 mortgage crisis to demonstrate how the relationship between vertical integration and performance crucially depends on corporate governance. Prior research has argued that the vertical integration of mortgage origination and securitization aligned divisional incentives and improved lending quality. We show that vertical integration improved loan performance only in those firms with strong corporate governance and that this performance‐integration relationship strongly decreases and actually reverses as governance quality decreases. We interpret these findings as suggesting that the additional control afforded by vertical integration can, in the hands of poorly monitored managers, offset gains from aligned divisional incentives. These findings support the view that corporate governance influences the strategic outcomes of a firm, in our case, by influencing the effectiveness of boundary decisions.

Managerial summary: One of the unanswered questions of the 2008 mortgage crisis is why some firms produced toxic mortgages and others did not. Many have argued that vertically integrated banks—banks that both originated and securitized mortgages—had incentives to monitor themselves and thereby avoid overaggressive lending and outright fraud. Yet many of the worst lenders, such as Washington Mutual and New Century Financial, were in fact integrated. This study shows that the behavior of these firms critically depended on their corporate governance. We find that poorly monitored executives used their additional control over the integrated businesses to issue low quality loans that supported short‐term growth. Our results suggest that governance is a crucial prerequisite for financial services, particularly for firms whose managers control multiple, interrelated businesses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of a New Mold Flux for Heat‐Resistant Steel Containing Cerium Continuous Casting
Authors: Qi Jie , Liu Cheng Jun , Yang Da Peng , Zhang Chi , Jiang Mao Fa
Published: November 2015

New mold fluxes with CaO–Al2O3–Li2O–CeO2 system are proposed for heat‐resistant steel continuous casting. The fundamental properties are investigated systematically. It is found that the appropriate content of CeO2 is determined to be ≈10 wt%, the melting temperature did not change much with increasing CeO2 content, which indicates that the mold fluxes could show steady smelting properties after continuously absorbing inclusions containing cerium in the continuous casting process. After adding CeO2, the precipitation of CaO in the crystallization process is restrained, and the crystalline phases are shifted from CaO/LiAlO2 to CaCeAlO4/LiAlO2. It is further evidenced that the precipitation of CaCeAlO4 and LiAlO2 can be restrained by CeO2. CeO2 shows significantly positive influence in decreasing the viscosity. Above the breaking temperature, the decrease of viscosity is attributed by the cutting off the chain structure of the molten slag from CeO2. Below the breaking temperature, it is caused by the effect of CeO2 on restraining the crystallization process. The optimal content of Li2O is 14 wt%, with a content of less than 14 wt%, Li2O can reduce the melting temperature and viscosities obviously, but the fluxing action of Li2O becomes ineffective when the content of Li2O exceeds 14 wt%. The results have great theoretical significance for developing mold fluxes for heat‐resistant steel.
Designing Resilient Systems‐of‐Systems: A Survey of Metrics, Methods, and Challenges
Authors: Uday Payuna , Marais Karen
Published: November 2015

Resilience is the ability of a system to react to and recover from disturbances with minimal effect on its dynamic stability. While resilience has been the focus of research in several fields, in the case of systems‐of‐systems (SoSs), addressing resilience is particularly interesting and challenging. As infrastructure SoSs, such as power, transportation, and communication networks, grow in complexity and interconnectivity, measuring and improving the resilience of these critical SoSs is vital in terms of safety and providing uninterrupted services. While the resilience of SoSs depends on the reliability of their constituent systems, traditional reliability and risk assessment approaches cannot adequately quantify their resilience. In this paper, we provide an evaluation of the various methods available and challenges associated with designing resilient SoSs by (1) indicating important differences between resilience and various related system attributes, (2) providing a critical assessment of the current reliability and risk techniques in addressing SoS resilience, and (3) discussing the application of recent multidisciplinary research that can guide the design of resilient SoS. Finally, we highlight key challenges in this design process and propose a series of research themes that can shape future research in this field.
A unified integration and component testing approach from deterministic stream X-machine specifications
Authors: Ipate Florentin , Dranidis Dimitris
Published: November 2015

One of the great benefits of using a stream X-machine to specify a system is its associated
testing method
. Under certain
design for test conditions
, this method produces a test suite that can determine the
correctness
of the
implementation under test
(
IUT
), provided that the basic components of the stream X-machine model have been correctly implemented. However, such an approach implies that each component can be tested
in isolation
from the rest of the system. This is a limitation that, in practice, can be resolved by developing stubs and drivers. However, this adds complexity to the testing process and, furthermore, these new pieces of software can introduce faults that can invalidate the theoretical results of the aforementioned testing method. This paper extends the approach by allowing component testing to be performed
in parallel
with integration testing, while still guaranteeing the IUT correctness under the given design for test conditions. It also shows how the integration test suite, produced in previous publications, can be reduced.
A Prospective Study on Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Patients with Hyperthyroidism and Its Reversal After Surgical Cure
Authors: Muthukumar Sankaran , Sadacharan Dhalapathy , Ravikumar Krishnan , Mohanapriya Gajarajan , Hussain Zahir , Suresh R. V.
Published: November 2015

Background

Cardiovascular dysfunction (CVD) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in hyperthyroidism. CVD and its reversibility after total thyroidectomy (TT) are not adequately addressed. This prospective case–control study evaluates the effect of hyperthyroidism on myocardium and its reversibility after TT.

Materials and methods

Surgical candidates of new onset hyperthyroidism, Group A (n = 41, age < 60 years) was evaluated with 2D Echocardiography, serum n‐terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) at the time of diagnosis (Point A), after achieving euthyroidism (Point B) with antithyroid drugs, and 3 months after TT (Point C). 20 patients with nontoxic benign thyroid nodules undergoing TT served as controls (Group B).

Results

Both groups were age and sex matched. Group A (n = 41) comprises Graves disease (n = 22) and Toxic Multinodular goiter (n = 19). At point A, CVD was evident in 26/41(63.4 %), pulmonary hypertension (PHT) in 24/41(58.5 %)—mild in 17/41(41.4 %) and moderate in 7/41(17 %)—dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in 8/41(19.5 %), heart failure in 4/41(9.7 %), and NT‐proBNP elevated in 28/41(68.3 %). At point B, recovery was observed in PHT 19/26(73.1 %), DCM 4/8(50 %), heart failure 4/4(100 %), NT‐proBNP in 3/28(10.7 %). At Point C, further improvement occurred in PHT 23/24(95.8 %), DCM 7/8(87.5 %), heart failure 4/4(100 %), and NT‐proBNP in 24/28(85.7 %).

Conclusion

Pulmonary hypertension is completely reversible at 3 months after TT and is the most common cardiac event in Hyperthyroidism. Various parameters of CVD improved consistently after surgical cure. NT‐proBNP levels correlated well with the severity and duration of CVD and hence can be an objective tool in monitoring of hyperthyroid cardiac dysfunction.
Acute fatal metabolic complications in alkaptonuria
Authors: Davison A. S. , Milan A. M. , Gallagher J. A. , Ranganath L. R.
Published: November 2015

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder of tyrosine metabolism that results from a defect in an enzyme called homogentisate 1,2‐dioxygenase. The result of this is that homogentisic acid (HGA) accumulates in the body. HGA is central to the pathophysiology of this disease and the consequences observed; these include spondyloarthropathy, rupture of ligaments/muscle/tendons, valvular heart disease including aortic stenosis and renal stones. While AKU is considered to be a chronic progressive disorder, it is clear from published case reports that fatal acute metabolic complications can also occur. These include oxidative haemolysis and methaemoglobinaemia. The exact mechanisms underlying the latter are not clear, but it is proposed that disordered metabolism within the red blood cell is responsible for favouring a pro‐oxidant environment that leads to the life threatening complications observed. Herein the role of red blood cell in maintaining the redox state of the body is reviewed in the context of AKU. In addition previously reported therapeutic strategies are discussed, specifically with respect to why reported treatments had little therapeutic effect. The potential use of nitisinone for the management of patients suffering from the acute metabolic decompensation in AKU is proposed as an alternative strategy.
Surface and Aggregation Properties of Synthesized Cetyl Alcohol Based Bis‐Sulfosuccinate Gemini Surfactants in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Singh Vinayika , Tyagi Rashmi
Published: November 2015

A series of cetyl alcohol based anionic bis‐sulfosuccinate gemini surfactants (BSGSCA1,4; BSGSCA1,6 and BSGSCA1,8) with different spacer lengths was prepared using dibromoalkanes. The surfactant structure was elucidated using elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Surface tension measurements were used to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the surface tension at the CMC (γCMC), surface pressure at the CMC (πCMC) and efficiency of adsorption (pC20). On the basis of surface studies, the CMC and γCMC decreases with increasing length of the spacer group. The micelle aggregation number, determined by fluorescence quenching studies, increases with increasing surfactant concentration above the CMC. The micropolarity in the micelle increases with increasing length of the spacer and decreases with increasing surfactant concentration.
Maternal Plane of Nutrition During Late‐Gestation and Weaning Age Alter Steer Calf Longissimus Muscle Adipogenic MicroRNA and Target Gene Expression
Authors: Moisá Sonia J. , Shike Daniel W. , Shoup Lindsay , Loor Juan J.
Published: November 2015

The main objective was to evaluate if different planes of maternal nutrition during late gestation and weaning age alter microRNA (miRNA) and target gene expression in offspring longissimus muscle (LM). Early (EW) and normal weaned (NW) Angus × Simmental calves (n = 30) born to cows that were grazing endophyte‐infected tall fescue and red clover pastures with no supplement [low plane of nutrition (LPN)], or supplemented with 2.3 and 9.1 kg of dried distiller's grains with solubles and soy hulls [medium and high plane of nutrition (MPN, HPN), respectively] during the last 105 ± 11 days of gestation were used. Biopsies of LM were harvested at 78 (early weaning), 187 (normal weaning) and 354 days of age. Results indicate a role of pro‐adipogenic miRNA in the control of adipogenesis in LM of NW‐MPN steers between 78 and 187 days of age through upregulation of (1) miR‐103 which inhibits CAV1, a protein that destabilizes INSR and leads to insulin resistance; (2) miR‐143 which inhibits DLK1, a protein that inhibits adipocyte differentiation; and (3) miR‐21 which impairs TGFBR2‐induced inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Among the studied anti‐adipogenic miRNA, cow plane of nutrition resulted in downregulation of miR‐34a expression in MPN steers compared with HPN and LPN at 78 days of age. Data for miR‐34a provided a potential sign of epigenetic regulation of LM in beef offspring due to the cow plane of nutrition during late gestation.
Anti‐Müllerian hormone as a marker of ovarian reserve: What have we learned, and what should we know?
Authors: Iwase Akira , Nakamura Tomoko , Osuka Satoko , Takikawa Sachiko , Goto Maki , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: November 2015

Ovarian reserve reflects the quality and quantity of available oocytes. This reserve has become indispensable for the better understanding of reproductive potential. Measurement of the serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) level allows quantitative evaluation of ovarian reserve. It has been applied to a wide range of clinical conditions, and it is well established that the measurement of serum AMH levels is more useful than qualitative evaluation based on the menstrual cycle. AMH levels are monitored during infertility treatments; in patients undergoing medically assisted reproductive technology; and in the diagnosis of ovarian failure, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and granulosa cell tumor. It is also useful in the evaluation of iatrogenic ovarian damage. Population‐based studies have indicated a potential role for serum AMH in the planning of reproductive health management. While AMH is currently the best measure of ovarian reserve, its predictive value for future live births remains controversial. Furthermore, there is a serious practical issue in the interpretation of test results, as currently available assay kits use different assay ranges and coefficients of variation due to the absence of an international reference standard. The pros and cons of the serum AMH level as a definitive measure of ovarian reserve merits further review in order to guide future research.
Postcolonial Borderland Legacies of Anglo–French Partition in West Africa
Authors: Miles William F. S.
Published: November 2015

More than five decades after independence, Africa still struggles with the legacies of colonial partition. On the territorial frontiers between the postcolonial inheritors of the two major colonial powers, Great Britain and France, the continuing impact of European colonialism remains most acute. On the one hand, the splitting of erstwhile homogeneous ethnic groups into British and French camps gave rise to new national identities; on the other hand, it circumvented any possibility of sovereignty via ethnic solidarity. To date, however, there has been no comprehensive assessment of the ethnic groups that were divided between English- and French-speaking states in West Africa, let alone the African continent writ large. This article joins postcolonial ethnography to the emerging field of comparative borderland studies. It argues that, although norms of state-based identity have been internalized in the Anglophone–Francophone borderlands, indigenous bases of association and behavior continue to define life along the West African frontier in ways that undermine state sovereignty. Although social scientists tend to focus on national- and sub-national-level analyses, and increasingly on the effects of globalization on institutional change, study of the African borderlands highlights the continuing importance of colonial legacies and grassroots-derived research.
Neoliberal Rationalities in Old and New Nollywood
Authors: Adejunmobi Moradewun
Published: November 2015

This article focuses on shifts, or “new waves,” within contemporary African film as sites of struggle and moments of exposure of the divergent forces at work in the struggle. From this perspective, attempts at initiating a new style in commercially oriented storytelling do not so much culminate in a break with previous styles of storytelling as they create a new space for tension over ideological claims and narrative coherence. As illustration, the article considers the competing logics at work in the strategies or rationalities associated with the branch of Nigerian filmmaking described as New Nollywood.
Manthia Diawara’s Waves and the Problem of the “Authentic”
Authors: Harrow Kenneth W.
Published: November 2015

This article begins by tracking how the delineation of “New Cinema” in the recent work of Manthia Diawara differs significantly from the approaches that had been dominant when he published his initial study on African cinema in 1992. The changes lead us to position current filmmaking practices vis-à-vis Nollywood film, and to ask how the formation of the cinematic subject functions in contemporary “new waves” of cinema.
The Winds of African Cinema
Authors: Higgins MaryEllen
Published: November 2015

This article argues for a departure from theories of new cinema “waves” and proposes the notion of cinema “winds” as a more compelling conceptual framework for studies of African film movements. Building on the work of Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, Manthia Diawara, Ken Harrow, and Nwachukwu Frank Ukadike, in addition to commentaries by various African film directors, this article looks at various dimensions of global visibility and the elusive movements of African cinemas. It also explores how African directors challenge habits of seeing and interpreting world cinema.
Female Sexuality as Capacity and Power? Reconceptualizing Sexualities in Africa
Authors: Arnfred Signe
Published: November 2015

The article argues for an approach to studies of sexuality in Africa that considers the subject of female sexuality from the perspective of capacity and power. Based on data from Mozambique, and informed by conceptual frameworks as well as by research findings from other African countries, the article investigates preparations of the erotic female body such as body tattoos, hip belts of glass beads, and elongated labia. It also discusses how “traditional” sexual capacity-building has been transferred from rural contexts into urban settings, empowering young women in love relationships with older, richer men.
What on Earth (or Heaven) Is the “Francis Effect”? A Response to James T. Bretzke, SJ
Authors: Locklin Reid B.
Published: November 2015

James Bretzke notes the ambiguity of the term “Francis Effect” and the difficulty of applying any measures to it. At the root of this difficulty is an ambiguity in the word effect itself. If by this term we mean that some things have transpired as a result of the election of Jorge Maria Bergoglio as the bishop of Rome, then this is trivially true. Had Bergoglio suffered cardiac arrest immediately upon selecting the name Francis (God forbid), even that would have yielded some Francis Effect. Of course, in the media and in Bretzke's essay, the term refers to more than this. For the purposes of this response, I am borrowing three ecclesiastical terms to flesh out possible understandings of this “more”: ordinary, extraordinary, and modal. I take up each of these in turn.
Should Catholics Drink the Tea?: Reflections on the Tea Party Movement in Light of Gaudium et Spes
Authors: Dileo Daniel R.
Published: November 2015

This article seeks to fill a gap in Catholic literature by reflecting on the extent to which the Tea Party movement can be understood as consistent with Gaudium et Spes (GS). First, the article provides an overview of the Tea Party movement and its core ideological principles: intense individualism, emphasis on negative human rights, limited government, fiscal responsibility, low taxes, and laissez-faire capitalism. Next, the article offers a brief description of the contextual and ecclesial background of GS and reviews its key themes. The article then assesses the extent to which the ideological principles of the Tea Party movement are supported by GS, concluding that although there are points of partial resonance between the ideology of the Tea Party and GS, the former is largely inconsistent with the vision outlined and articulated by the latter.
Raising, inversion and agreement in modern Hebrew
Authors: MELNIK NURIT
Published: November 2015

This paper focuses on the interaction between raising, subject–verb inversion and agreement in Modern Hebrew. It identifies, alongside ‘standard’ (i.e., English-like) subject-to-subject raising, two additional patterns where the embedded subject appears post-verbally. In one, the raising predicate exhibits long-distance agreement with the embedded subject, while in the other, a colloquial variant, it is marked with impersonal (3sm) agreement. The choice between the three raising constructions in the language is shown to be solely dependent on properties of the embedded clause. The data are discussed and analyzed against a background of typological and theoretical work on raising. The analysis, cast in the framework of Head-driven Phrase Structure Grammar (HPSG), builds on research on raising, selectional locality, agreement, subjecthood and information structure, as well as verb-initial constructions in Modern Hebrew.
Effect of guide field on three-dimensional electron shear flow instabilities in electron current sheets
Authors: Jain Neeraj , Büchner Jörg
Published: November 2015

We examine, in the limit of electron plasma ${\it\beta}_{e}\ll 1$, the effect of an external guide field and current sheet thickness on the growth rates and nature of three-dimensional (3-D) unstable modes of an electron current sheet driven by electron shear flow. The growth rate of the fastest growing mode drops rapidly with current sheet thickness but increases slowly with the strength of the guide field. The fastest growing mode is tearing type only for thin current sheets (half-thickness ${\approx}d_{e}$, where $d_{e}=c/{\it\omega}_{pe}$ is the electron inertial length) and zero guide field. For finite guide field or thicker current sheets, the fastest growing mode is a non-tearing type. However, growth rates of the fastest 2-D tearing and 3-D non-tearing modes are comparable for thin current sheets ($d_{e}<\text{half thickness}<2\,d_{e}$) and small guide field (of the order of the asymptotic value of the component of magnetic field supporting the electron current sheet). It is shown that the general mode resonance conditions for tearing modes depend on the effective dissipation mechanism. The usual tearing mode resonance condition ($\boldsymbol{k}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\boldsymbol{B}_{0}=0$, $\boldsymbol{k}$ is the wavevector and $\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$ is the equilibrium magnetic field) can be recovered from the general resonance conditions in the limit of weak dissipation. The conditions (relating current sheet thickness, strength of the guide field and wavenumbers) for the non-existence of tearing mode are obtained from the general mode resonance conditions. We discuss the role of electron shear flow instabilities in magnetic reconnection.
Shell occupation and ectosymbionts of two hermit crab species in the South Atlantic: a comparative analysis
Authors: Ribeiro Felipe Bezerra , Matthews-Cascon Helena , Mantelatto Fernando Luis , Bezerra Luis Ernesto Arruda
Published: November 2015

This study characterized shell occupation by two species of hermit crabs and analysed the occurrence of ectosymbionts on their shells, in a comparative way. The hermit crabsClibanarius antillensisandCalcinus tibicenwere selected for this comparative study because of their abundance and wide distributions. Specimens were collected manually during spring low tides every 2 months, from February 2011 to January 2012 in north-eastern Brazil (03°S), and in south-eastern Brazil (23°S). The populations showed different patterns of shell occupation and ectosymbiont coverage. The plasticity of these ecological traits is discussed in a broad context and possibly correlated to habitat differences.