bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination the Factors that Affect the Use of Enterprise Resource Planning Information System through Technology Acceptance Model
Authors: Yasar Akca , Ozer Gokhan
Published: September 2016

In order to survive in today’s global competitive environment, businesses have to use information systems during management and production processes. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is developed by Davis (1989). According to this model, the use of a new information system depends on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness variables. This study analyzes the factors that affect the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, which is an information system, in the frame of TAM variables. 236 companies that use these information systems participated in the survey. It is determined that, eleven independent variables, which are taken into consideration in the scope of user characteristics, innovative characteristics, organizational and environmental characteristics factors, have statistically meaningful and positive effect on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness which represent TAM parameters. Similarly, it is determined that, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have a positive and statistically meaningful effect on the use of ERP.
What Is Known about Secondary Grades Mathematical Modelling --A Review
Authors: Stohlmann Micah , DeVaul Lina , Allen Charlie , Adkins Amy , Ito Taro , Lockett Dawn , Wong Nick
Published: September 2016

Mathematical modelling is garnering more attention and focus at the secondary level in many different countries because of the knowledge and skills that students can develop from this approach. This paper serves to summarize what is it known about secondary mathematical modelling to guide future research. A targeted and general literature search was conducted and studies were summarized based on four categories: assessment data collected, unit of analysis studied, population, and effectiveness. It was found that there were five main units of analysis into which the studies could be categorized: modelling process/sub-activities, modelling competencies/ability, blockages/difficulties during the modelling process, students’ beliefs, and construction of knowledge. The main findings from each of these units of analysis is discussed along with future research that is needed.
Impact of Urban Development on Energy Use in a Distribution System
Authors: Wong Hannah G. , Speight Vanessa L. , Filion Yves R.
Published: September 2016

This research examined the effect of urban development patterns on the energy use of a complex water distribution system in the United States. The energy inputs and outputs to each pressure zone were quantified under historical expansion and urban intensification scenarios. Results showed that the lift energy increased in zones farthest from the river source. Frictional energy loss was highest in the zone nearest the source because system pipes conveyed flows to meet demands in all zones. While the zone nearest the source had a higher connectivity, the frictional energy loss in this zone was comparable to that in zones near the edge of the system with a lower level of connectivity. In the intensification scenario, the reallocation of demand from the edge to the urban core of the system decreased energy use by 50%, reduced frictional losses from 22 to 16%, and increased the energy supplied to users.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of hepatitis C virus infection and HIV viral load: new insights into epidemiologic synergy
Authors: Petersdorf Nicholas , Ross Jennifer M , Weiss Helen A , Barnabas Ruanne V , Wasserheit Judith N ,   for the HCV and HIV Transmission Working Group
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV infection frequently co‐occur due to shared transmission routes. Co‐infection is associated with higher HCV viral load (VL), but less is known about the effect of HCV infection on HIV VL and risk of onward transmission.

Methods

We undertook a systematic review comparing 1) HIV VL among ART‐naïve, HCV co‐infected individuals versus HIV mono‐infected individuals and 2) HIV VL among treated versus untreated HCV co‐infected individuals. We performed a random‐effects meta‐analysis and quantified heterogeneity using the I2 statistic. We followed Cochrane Collaboration guidelines in conducting our review and PRISMA guidelines in reporting results.

Results and discussion

We screened 3925 articles and identified 17 relevant publications. A meta‐analysis found no evidence of increased HIV VL associated with HCV co‐infection or between HIV VL and HCV treatment with pegylated interferon‐alpha‐2a/b and ribavirin.

Conclusions

This finding is in contrast to the substantial increases in HIV VL observed with several other systemic infections. It presents opportunities to elucidate the biological pathways that underpin epidemiological synergy in HIV co‐infections and may enable prediction of which co‐infections are most important to epidemic control.
TP53 copy number expansion is associated with the evolution of increased body size and an enhanced DNA damage response in elephants
Authors: Sulak Michael , Fong Lindsey , Mika Katelyn , Chigurupati Sravanthi , Yon Lisa , Mongan Nigel P , Emes Richard D , Lynch Vincent J
Published: September 2016

A major constraint on the evolution of large body sizes in animals is an increased risk of developing cancer. There is no correlation, however, between body size and cancer risk. This lack of correlation is often referred to as 'Peto's Paradox'. Here, we show that the elephant genome encodes 20 copies of the tumor suppressor gene TP53 and that the increase in TP53 copy number occurred coincident with the evolution of large body sizes, the evolution of extreme sensitivity to genotoxic stress, and a hyperactive TP53 signaling pathway in the elephant (Proboscidean) lineage. Furthermore, we show that several of the TP53 retrogenes (TP53RTGs) are transcribed and likely translated. While TP53RTGs do not appear to directly function as transcription factors, they do contribute to the enhanced sensitivity of elephant cells to DNA damage and the induction of apoptosis by regulating activity of the TP53 signaling pathway. These results suggest that an increase in the copy number of TP53 may have played a direct role in the evolution of very large body sizes and the resolution of Peto's paradox in Proboscideans.
Mechanisms and functional roles of glutamatergic synapse diversity in a cerebellar circuit
Authors: Zampini Valeria , Liu Jian K , Diana Marco A , Maldonado Paloma P , Brunel Nicolas , Dieudonné Stéphane
Published: September 2016

Synaptic currents display a large degree of heterogeneity of their temporal characteristics, but the functional role of such heterogeneities remains unknown. We investigated in rat cerebellar slices synaptic currents in Unipolar Brush Cells (UBCs), which generate intrinsic mossy fibers relaying vestibular inputs to the cerebellar cortex. We show that UBCs respond to sinusoidal modulations of their sensory input with heterogeneous amplitudes and phase shifts. Experiments and modeling indicate that this variability results both from the kinetics of synaptic glutamate transients and from the diversity of postsynaptic receptors. While phase inversion is produced by an mGluR2-activated outward conductance in OFF-UBCs, the phase delay of ON UBCs is caused by a late rebound current resulting from AMPAR recovery from desensitization. Granular layer network modeling indicates that phase dispersion of UBC responses generates diverse phase coding in the granule cell population, allowing climbing-fiber-driven Purkinje cell learning at arbitrary phases of the vestibular input.
NG2 glial cells integrate synaptic input in global and dendritic calcium signals
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Matthews Elizabeth A , Nicolas Vicky , Schoch Susanne , Dietrich Dirk
Published: September 2016

Synaptic signaling to NG2-expressing oligodendrocyte precursor cells (NG2 cells) could be key to rendering myelination of axons dependent on neuronal activity, but it has remained unclear whether NG2 glial cells integrate and respond to synaptic input. Here we show that NG2 cells perform linear integration of glutamatergic synaptic inputs and respond with increasing dendritic calcium elevations. Synaptic activity induces rapid Ca2+ signals mediated by low-voltage activated Ca2+ channels under strict inhibitory control of voltage-gated A-type K+ channels. Ca2+ signals can be global and originate throughout the cell. However, voltage-gated channels are also found in thin dendrites which act as compartmentalized processing units and generate local calcium transients. Taken together, the activity-dependent control of Ca2+ signals by A-type channels and the global versus local signaling domains make intracellular Ca2+ in NG2 cells a prime signaling molecule to transform neurotransmitter release into activity-dependent myelination.
Drift‐corrected seafloor pressure observations of vertical deformation at Axial Seamount 2013–2014
Authors: Sasagawa G. , Cook M. J. , Zumberge M. A.
Published: September 2016

Axial Seamount on the Juan de Fuca Ridge is a site of ongoing volcanic activity. The vertical component of the deformation can be observed with ambient seawater pressure gauges, which have excellent short‐term resolution. However, pressure gauge drift adds additional and significant uncertainty in estimates of long‐period deformation; drift rates equivalent to 20–30 cm/yr have been observed. One way to circumvent gauge drift is to make differential pressure measurements relative to a distant and presumably stable seafloor reference site. Such measurements require a remotely operated vehicle and can only be made infrequently. Another approach is to incorporate a piston gauge calibrator in the seafloor pressure recorder to generate an in situ reference pressure that, when periodically applied to the drift‐susceptible gauge, can be used to determine and remove gauge drift from the time series. We constructed a self‐calibrating pressure recorder and deployed it at Axial Seamount in September 2013. The drift‐corrected record from that deployment revealed an uplift of the volcano summit of 60 cm over 17 months.
Experimental constraints on the relationship between clay abundance, clay fabric, and frictional behavior for the Central Deforming Zone of the San Andreas Fault
Authors: Wojatschke Jasmaria , Scuderi Marco M. , Warr Laurence N. , Carpenter Brett M. , Saffer Demian , Marone Chris
Published: September 2016

The presence of smectite (saponite) in fault gouge from the Central Deforming Zone of the San Andreas Fault at Parkfield, CA has been linked to low mechanical strength and aseismic slip. However, the precise relationship between clay mineral structure, fabric development, fault strength, and the stability of frictional sliding is not well understood. We address these questions through the integration of laboratory friction tests and FIB‐SEM analysis of fault rock recovered from the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) borehole. Intact fault rock was compared with experimentally sheared fault gouge and different proportions of either quartz clasts or SAFOD clasts extracted from the sample. Nano‐textural measurements show the development of localized clay particle alignment along shear folia developed within synthetic gouges; such slip planes have multiples of random distribution (MRD) values of 3.0–4.9. The MRD values measured are higher than previous estimates (MRD 1.5) that show lower degrees of shear localization and clay alignment averaged over larger volumes. The intact fault rock exhibits less well‐developed nano‐clay fabrics than the experimentally sheared materials, and MRD values decrease with smectite content. We show that the abundance, strength, and shape of clasts all influence fabric evolution via strain localization: quartz clasts yield more strongly developed clay fabrics than serpentine‐dominated SAFOD clasts. Our results suggest that (1) both clay abundance and the development of nano‐scale fabrics play a role in fault zone weakening and (2) aseismic creep is promoted by slip along clay shears with >20 wt % smectite content and MRD values ≥2.7.
Glider observations of enhanced deep water upwelling at a shelf break canyon: A mechanism for cross‐slope carbon and nutrient exchange
Authors: Porter M. , Inall M. E. , Hopkins J. , Palmer M. R. , Dale A. C. , Aleynik D. , Barth J. A. , Mahaffey C. , Smeed D. A.
Published: September 2016

Using underwater gliders we have identified canyon driven upwelling across the Celtic Sea shelf‐break, in the vicinity of Whittard Canyon. The presence of this upwelling appears to be tied to the direction and strength of the local slope current, which is in itself highly variable. During typical summer time equatorward flow, an unbalanced pressure gradient force and the resulting disruption of geostrophic flow can lead to upwelling along the main axis of two small shelf break canyons. As the slope current reverts to poleward flow, the upwelling stops and the remnants of the upwelled features are mixed into the local shelf water or advected away from the region. The upwelled features are identified by the presence of sub‐pycnocline high salinity water on the shelf, and are upwelled from a depth of 300 m on the slope, thus providing a mechanism for the transport of nutrients across the shelf break onto the shelf.
Characterizing CMIP5 model spread in simulated rainfall in the Pacific Intertropical Convergence and South Pacific Convergence Zones
Authors: Lintner Benjamin R. , Langenbrunner Baird , Neelin J. David , Anderson Bruce T. , Niznik Mattie , Li Gen , Xie Shang‐Ping
Published: September 2016

Current‐generation climate models exhibit various errors or biases in both the spatial distribution and intensity of precipitation relative to observations. In this study, empirical orthogonal function analysis is applied to the space‐model index domain of precipitation over the Pacific from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations to explore systematic spread of simulated precipitation characteristics across the ensemble. Two significant modes of spread, generically termed principal uncertainty patterns (PUPs), are identified in the December‐January‐February precipitation climatology: the leading PUP is associated with the meridional width of deep convection, while the second is associated with tradeoffs in precipitation intensity along the South Pacific Convergence Zone, the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and the spurious Southern Hemisphere ITCZ. An important factor distinguishing PUPs from the analogy to time series analysis is that the modes can reflect either true systematic intermodel variance patterns or internal variability. In order to establish that the PUPS reflect the former, three complementary tests are performed by using preindustrial control simulations: a bootstrap significance test for reproducibility of the intermodel spatial patterns, a check for robustness over very long climatological averages, and a test on the loadings of these patterns relative to interdecadal sampling. Composite analysis based on these PUPs demonstrates physically plausible relationships to CMIP5 ensemble spread in simulated sea surface temperatures (SSTs), circulation, and moisture. Further analysis of atmosphere‐only, prescribed SST simulations demonstrates decreased spread in the spatial distribution of precipitation, while substantial spread in intensity remains.
Decoupling of carbon dioxide and dissolved organic carbon in boreal headwater streams
Authors: Winterdahl Mattias , Wallin Marcus B. , Karlsen Reinert Huseby , Laudon Hjalmar , Öquist Mats , Lyon Steve W.
Published: September 2016

Streams and rivers emit large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. The sources of this CO2 are in‐stream mineralization of organic carbon (OC) and CO2 input via groundwater inflow, but their relative importance is largely unknown. In this study, we quantified the role of in‐stream OC mineralization as a source of CO2 in a number of nested boreal headwater streams. The results showed that mineralization of stream OC contributed 3% of CO2 supersaturation at time scales comparable to the estimated water travel times in the streams (<24 h). Mass balances showed that downstream losses of OC were ≤3% in low‐order streams, whereas up to 16% of the OC was lost in the largest (fourth order) streams. In contrast, 85% of the CO2 was lost along the stream network (longest total stream length = 17 km). Under the assumption that in‐stream OC mineralization was the main source of stream CO2, higher rates of OC mineralization (6% of OC) than those reported across the literature (≤0.7% of OC) would be required to sustain observed CO2 supersaturation. Further, model results indicated that groundwater inflows were sufficient to sustain observed stream CO2 concentrations. We hence conclude that in‐stream OC mineralization was a minor source of CO2 in these boreal headwater systems and that the main source of stream CO2 was inflowing groundwater transporting CO2 originating from soil respiration.
Landscape position influences soil respiration variability and sensitivity to physiological drivers in mixed‐use lands of Southern California, USA
Authors: Crum Steven M. , Liang Liyin L. , Jenerette G. Darrel
Published: September 2016

Linking variation in ecosystem functioning to physiological and landscape drivers has become an important research need for understanding ecosystem responses to global changes. We investigate how these contrasting scale‐dependent ecosystem drivers influence soil respiration (Rs), a key ecosystem process, using in situ landscape surveys and experimental subsidies of water and labile carbon. Surveys and experiments were conducted in summer and winter seasons and were distributed along a coastal to desert climate gradient and among the dominant land use classes in Southern California, USA. We found that Rs decreased from lawn to agricultural and wildland land uses for both seasons and along the climate gradient in the summer while increasing along the climate gradient in the winter. Rs variation was positively correlated with soil temperature and negatively to soil moisture and substrate. Water additions increased Rs in wildland land uses, while urban land uses responded little or negatively. However, most land uses exhibited carbon limitation, with wildlands experiencing largest responses to labile carbon additions. These findings show that intensively managed land uses have increased rates, decreased spatial variation, and decreased sensitivity to environmental conditions in Rs compared to wildlands, while increasing aridity has the opposite effect. In linking scales, physiological drivers were correlated with Rs but landscape position influenced Rs by altering both the physiological drivers and the sensitivity to the drivers. Systematic evaluation of physiological and landscape variation provides a framework for understanding the effects of interactive global change drivers to ecosystem metabolism across multiple scales.
Isotopically constrained soil carbon and nitrogen budgets in a soybean field chronosequence in the Brazilian Amazon region
Authors: Figueira Adelaine M. e. Silva , Davidson Eric A. , Nagy R. Chelsea , Riskin Shelby H. , Martinelli Luiz A.
Published: September 2016

The impacts of large‐scale conversion of cattle pastures to cropland on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks are poorly understood in the Amazon region. The objective of this research was to determine whether soybean cultivation on a previously deforested and pastured soil has changed C and N stocks and dynamics. We sampled a chronosequence of soybean fields in 2009 and again in 2013. We hypothesized that detecting statistically significant changes in total soil C and N stocks would be difficult but that fluxes of C and N through the soil would be sufficiently large to significantly decrease the stable isotope ratios of soil organic matter. We observed statistically significant decreases in the 13C and 15N enrichments and C:N ratio. When combined with estimates of crop biomass production, harvest yield, and biological nitrogen fixation, these measurements provided sufficient constraints for C and N budgets to infer modest rates of net change in soil N (+15 to +27 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and soil C (−0.15 to −0.30 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) in the top 10 cm of soil. These results indicate that this intensive soybean cropping system is having minimal impacts on N loss to the environment but likely is a small net source of C to the atmosphere.
The impact of the diurnal cycle on the propagation of Madden‐Julian Oscillation convection across the Maritime Continent
Authors: Hagos Samson M. , Zhang Chidong , Feng Zhe , Burleyson Casey D. , De Mott Charlotte , Kerns Brandon , Benedict James J. , Martini Matus N.
Published: September 2016

Influences of the diurnal cycle on the propagation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) convection across the Maritime Continent (MC) are examined using cloud‐permitting regional model simulations and observations. A pair of ensembles of control (CONTROL) and no‐diurnal cycle (NODC) simulations of the November 2011 MJO episode are performed. In the CONTROL simulations, the MJO signal is weakened as it propagates across the MC, with much of the convection stalling over the large islands of Sumatra and Borneo. In the NODC simulations, where the incoming shortwave radiation at the top of the atmosphere is maintained at its daily mean value, the MJO convection signal propagating across the MC is enhanced. Examination of the surface energy fluxes in the simulations indicates that the surface downwelling shortwave radiation is larger in the presence of the diurnal cycle (CONTROL simulations) primarily because clouds preferentially form in the afternoon and are smaller during day time in comparison to nighttime. Furthermore, the diurnal covariability of surface wind speed and skin temperature results in a larger sensible heat flux and a cooler land surface in the CONTROL runs compared to NODC runs. An analysis of observations indicates that ahead of and behind the MJO active phase, the diurnal cycle of cloudiness enhances downwelling shortwave radiation and hence convection over the MC islands. This enhanced stationary convection competes with and disrupts the convective signal of MJO events that propagate over the waters surrounding the islands.
Deciphering the Role of Impurities in Methylammonium Iodide and Their Impact on the Performance of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Levchuk Ievgen , Hou Yi , Gruber Marco , Brandl Marco , Herre Patrick , Tang Xiaofeng , Hoegl Florian , Batentschuk Miroslaw , Osvet Andres , Hock Rainer , Peukert Wolfgang , Tykwinski Rik R. , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: September 2016

Solution‐based perovskite solar cell fabrication typically involves rather complex processing sequences to yield highest performance. While most studies concentrate on the exploration of processing conditions, the purity levels of common perovskite precursor solutions have been investigated and a number of impurities that are critically important toward controlling the crystallization of perovskites are found. In this study, an in‐depth chemical study of the possible impurities formed during CH3NH3I preparation is presented and their relevance on solar cell processing is revealed. A primary consideration is the chemical transformation of hypophosphorous acid, which plays the role of the stabilizer for HI. The detrimental role of the impurities is best demonstrated by comparing perovskite solar cell devices fabricated from impurity‐free precursors versus precursors containing different concentrations of impurities. Most interestingly, it is revealed that a certain concentration of impurities is detrimental to the growth of large‐grained crystals. PbHPO3 nanoparticles, which are formed after hypophosphorous acid transformation, actually cause crystal domain growth through serving as a nucleation center. This study gives valuable insight into the rate determining steps of perovskite crystal growth and further provides the basis for developing reliable and reproducible high‐performance recipes for perovskite solar cell processing.
Commercial Supported Gold Nanoparticles Catalyzed Alkyne Hydroamination and Indole Synthesis
Authors: Liang Shengzong , Hammond Luisa , Xu Bo , Hammond Gerald B.
Published: September 2016

Commercial gold nanoparticles supported on titanium dioxide (TiO2) were found to be a highly efficient catalyst for alkyne hydroamination. Terminal alkynes could easily undergo intermolecular hydroamination with low catalyst loadings (0.2 mol% Au) under solvent‐free conditions. Indoles were efficiently synthesized using microwave heating through intramolecular hydroamination.

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p‐Type Doping of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) with the Strong Lewis Acid Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane
Authors: Pingel Patrick , Arvind Malavika , Kölln Lisa , Steyrleuthner Robert , Kraffert Felix , Behrends Jan , Janietz Silvia , Neher Dieter
Published: September 2016

State‐of‐the‐art p‐type doping of organic semiconductors is usually achieved by employing strong π‐electron acceptors, a prominent example being tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). Here, doping of the semiconducting model polymer poly(3‐hexylthiophene), P3HT, using the strong Lewis acid tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) as a dopant, is investigated by admittance, conductivity, and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. The electrical characteristics of BCF‐ and F4TCNQ‐doped P3HT layers are shown to be very similar in terms of the mobile hole density and the doping efficiency. Roughly 18% of the employed dopants create mobile holes in either F4 TCNQ‐ or BCF‐doped P3HT, while the majority of doping‐induced holes remain strongly Coulomb‐bound to the dopant anions. Despite similar hole densities, conductivity and hole mobility are higher in BCF‐doped P3HT layers than in F4TCNQ‐doped samples. This and the good solubility in many organic solvents render BCF very useful for p‐type doping of organic semiconductors.
Leading the Way on Diversity: Community Psychology's Evolution from Invisible to Individual to Contextual
Authors: Bond Meg A.
Published: September 2016

To take up the AJCP editor's call to think forward in this article, I offer up three challenges that revolve around further contextualizing our understandings of diversity, i.e., reconsidering the notion of “difference” between discrete categories; more fully emphasizing diversity as socially situated; and further delving into local, setting‐specific practices that shape the meanings of diversity. Enhanced attention to these three challenges can transform theory, research, and action about diversity as we move into community psychology's next 50 years.
Efficacy of a rituximab regimen based on B cell depletion in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with suboptimal response to standard treatment: Results of a phase II, multicenter noncomparative study
Authors: Benhamou Ygal , Paintaud Gilles , Azoulay Elie , Poullin Pascale , Galicier Lionel , Desvignes Céline , Baudel Jean‐Luc , Peltier Julie , Mira Jean‐Paul , Pène Frédéric , Presne Claire , Saheb Samir , Deligny Christophe , Rousseau Alexandra , Féger Frédéric , Veyradier Agnès , Coppo Paul ,   French Reference Center for Thrombotic Microangiopathies
Published: September 2016

The standard four‐rituximab infusions treatment in acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) remains empirical. Peripheral B cell depletion is correlated with the decrease in serum concentrations of anti‐ADAMTS13 and associated with clinical response. To assess the efficacy of a rituximab regimen based on B cell depletion, 24 TTP patients were enrolled in this prospective multicentre single arm phase II study and then compared to patients from a previous study. Patients with a suboptimal response to a plasma exchange‐based regimen received two infusions of rituximab 375 mg m−2 within 4 days, and a third dose at day +15 of the first infusion if peripheral B cells were still detectable. Primary endpoint was the assessment of the time required to platelet count recovery from the first plasma exchange. Three patients died after the first rituximab administration. In the remaining patients, the B cell‐driven treatment hastened remission and ADAMTS13 activity recovery as a result of rapid anti‐ADAMTS13 depletion in a similar manner to the standard four‐rituximab infusions schedule. The 1‐year relapse‐free survival was also comparable between both groups. A rituximab regimen based on B cell depletion is feasible and provides comparable results than with the four‐rituximab infusions schedule. This regimen could represent a new standard in TTP. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00907751). Am. J. Hematol. 91:1246–1251, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Iron refractory iron deficiency anemia: a heterogeneous disease that is not always iron refractory
Authors: Donker Albertine E. , Schaap Charlotte C.M. , Novotny Vera M. J. , Smeets Roel , Peters Tessa M. A. , van den Heuvel Bert L. P. , Raphael Martine F. , Rijneveld Anita W. , Appel Inge M. , Vlot Andre J. , Versluijs A. Birgitta , van Gelder Michel , Granzen Bernd , Janssen Mirian C.H. , Rennings Alexander J.M. , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Brons Paul P.T. , Bakkeren Dirk L. , Nijziel Marten R. , Vlasveld L. Thom , Swinkels Dorine W.
Published: September 2016

TMPRSS6 variants that affect protein function result in impaired matriptase‐2 function and consequently uninhibited hepcidin production, leading to iron refractory iron deficiency anemia (IRIDA). This disease is characterized by microcytic, hypochromic anemia and serum hepcidin values that are inappropriately high for body iron levels. Much is still unknown about its pathophysiology, genotype–phenotype correlation, and optimal clinical management. We describe 14 different TMPRSS6 variants, of which 9 are novel, in 21 phenotypically affected IRIDA patients from 20 families living in the Netherlands; 16 out of 21 patients were female. In 7 out of 21 cases DNA sequencing and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification demonstrated only heterozygous TMPRSS6 variants. The age at presentation, disease severity, and response to iron supplementation were highly variable, even for patients and relatives with similar TMPRSS6 genotypes. Mono‐allelic IRIDA patients had a milder phenotype with respect to hemoglobin and MCV and presented significantly later in life with anemia than bi‐allelic patients. Transferrin saturation (TSAT)/hepcidin ratios were lower in IRIDA probands than in healthy relatives. Most patients required parenteral iron. Genotype alone was not predictive for the response to oral iron. We conclude that IRIDA is a genotypically and phenotypically heterogeneous disease. The high proportion of female patients and the discrepancy between phenotypes of probands and relatives with the same genotype, suggest a complex interplay between genetic and acquired factors in the pathogenesis of IRIDA. In the absence of inflammation, the TSAT/hepcidin ratio is a promising diagnostic tool, even after iron supplementation has been given. Am. J. Hematol. 91:E482–E490, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rodriguez acrofacial dysostosis is caused by apparently de novo heterozygous mutations in the SF3B4 gene
Authors: Irving Melita D. , Dimitrov Boyan I. , Wessels Marja , Holder‐Espinasse Muriel , Chitayat David , Simpson Michael A.
Published: September 2016

Acrofacial dysostosis syndrome of Rodriguez is characterized by severe mandibular underdevelopment, upper limb phocomelia with absent fingers, absent fibulae, cleft palate, microtia, and abnormal pulmonary function. First reported in three siblings it was assumed to be an autosomal recessive condition. However, subsequent publication reported a further five simplex occurrences and a living patient with a heterozygous mutation in the SF3B4 gene. Exome sequencing was performed on four fetuses with this disorder, including one of the originally described affected siblings. We identified two heterozygous frameshift mutations in the SF3B4 gene in three of the four fetuses investigated. The observed mutation was apparently de novo in one fetus for whom parental DNA was available. Thus, Acrofacial dysostosis syndrome of Rodriguez is an autosomal dominant condition and the recurrences identified in the initial report were likely due to gonadal mosaicism. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perspectives on the care and advances in the management of children with trisomy 13 and 18
Authors: Carey John C. , Kosho Tomoki
Published: September 2016

The trisomy 13 and trisomy 18 syndromes are important and relatively common chromosome conditions each consisting of a recognizable pattern of multiple congenital anomalies, an increased neonatal and infant mortality, and a marked cognitive and motor disability in older children. Because of the medically serious nature of the outcomes, the traditional approach to management in the newborn and early infancy periods has been to withhold technological support and surgery. In the last decade a rich dialogue has emerged in the literature; one view makes the case for pure comfort care for the benefit of the child while the other view supports full intervention in appropriate situations. The principal aim of the series of articles in this issue of the Seminars in Medical Genetics is to enrich and continue this emerging dialogue. The papers include review articles, original research, and commentaries that discuss perspectives on the care and advances in the management of children with the trisomy 13 and 18 syndromes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Novel Rearrangement Followed by Ring Contraction of Highly Selective and Sensitive Turn‐On Chromogenic and Fluorescent Chemodosimeters for Cu2+ Ions
Authors: Das Paramita , Chaudhuri Tandrima , Karmakar Animesh , Saha Sucharita , Sengupta Bandyopadhyay Sumita , Mukhopadhyay Chhanda
Published: September 2016

The dual chromogenic and fluorogenic chemodosimetric behaviour of substituted 5‐amino‐1,2‐dihydro‐2‐methyl‐1,6‐naphthyridine‐8‐carbonitriles was investigated. The reaction‐based indicators operate by an unusual rearrangement followed by ring contraction to generate a pyrrolopyridine, with a “naked‐eye” response and chromofluorogenic selective sensing for Cu2+ ions. The structure of the pyrrolopyridine was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.
Synthesis and Applications of 3‐Methylene‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)azetidin‐2‐ones as Building Blocks for the Preparation of Mono‐ and Spirocyclic 4‐CF3‐β‐Lactams
Authors: Dao Thi Hang , Danneels Barbara , Desmet Tom , Van Hecke Kristof , Van Nguyen Tuyen , D'hooghe Matthias
Published: September 2016

3‐Methylene‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)azetidin‐2‐ones were efficiently prepared from the corresponding 3‐oxo‐4‐trifluoromethyl‐β‐lactams and successfully evaluated as novel building blocks in organic synthesis. In particular, Michael additions, electrophilic additions, and cycloadditions were applied to allow easy access to a broad variety of stereodefined mono‐ and spirocyclic 4‐CF3‐β‐lactams as useful synthetic intermediates en route to a variety of biologically relevant CF3‐functionalized target structures.
Predictive distribution modeling and population status of the endangered Macaca munzala in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Sarania Bidyut , Devi Ashalata , Kumar Awadhesh , Sarma Kuladip , Gupta Atul Kumar
Published: September 2016

The present study reports the population of Macaca munzala in Tawang and West Kameng districts and its predictive distribution range in Arunachal Pradesh, estimated using ecological niche modeling. Environmental variables and occurrence data from a preliminary survey were used in the MaxEnt modeling, a statistical model to know the potential distribution area of the enigmatic species in Arunachal Pradesh. Later, a population survey was carried out in Tawang and West Kameng districts of the state following existing trails and paths. The distribution model revealed that only 2.4% of the total landmass of the state is potential distribution habitat range for M. munzala, whereas 10.19% of the total area of the two districts were shown to be potential habitat of the species. A total number of 971 individuals (including two solitary males) comprising 41 troops of M. munzala were recorded during the population survey. The mean troop size was 23.63 ± 1.21 individuals per troop ranging from 12 to 44 individuals. On average, M. munzala troops were comprised of juveniles (30.37%), adult females (23.83%), infants (18.22%), adult males (11.53%), sub‐adult females (9.81%), and sub‐adult males (6.23%). Our observed population size of M. munzala is higher in Tawang and West Kameng districts when compared with the earlier available records. This study showed the potential distribution of M. munzala based on environmental variables and the present population status in Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Prevalence of an unusual hypoplastic defect of the permanent maxillary lateral incisor in great apes
Authors: Hannibal Darcy L.
Published: September 2016

In this article, I describe a previously unreported maxillary lateral incisor defect (MLID) of the enamel in great apes and evaluate potential general causes (genetic, systemic stress, or localized disturbance), as well as examine differences in prevalence among the represented taxa. This defect occurred only on the labial surface of the maxillary lateral incisor and extended from the cervical‐mesial quarter of the crown to the mesial edge of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). The study sample consisted of 136 great ape specimens, including 41 gorillas, 25 chimpanzees, and 70 orangutans from the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History great ape collection. I used logistic regression to assess the prevalence of this defect in the sample and a binomial probability test for bilaterality. This defect of the maxillary lateral incisor is the second most common defect I observed in the study sample (30.1% of individuals affected), and was more likely to occur in individuals with linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) and pit defects than those without these defects. Among specimens with both maxillary lateral incisors present, the defect was mostly bilateral. Pan and Pongo were significantly more likely to exhibit the defect than Gorilla. Between Pongo species, Pongo pygmaeus was significantly more likely to exhibit the defect than Pongo abelii. Between subspecies of Gorilla, although Gorilla gorilla gorilla exhibited the defect and Gorilla gorilla beringei did not, the difference was not significant. No sex differences were evident in this sample. The prevalence of this defect indicates it is not hereditary. The bilateral trend indicates a systemic cause, although the high inter‐tooth specificity suggests a local disturbance and a combination of both is possible.
Do boating and basking mix? The effect of basking disturbances by motorboats on the body temperature and energy budget of the northern map turtle
Authors: Jain‐Schlaepfer Sofia M. R. , Blouin‐Demers Gabriel , Cooke Steven J. , Bulté Grégory
Published: September 2016

Basking is the primary mechanism used by many freshwater turtles to maintain their body temperature (Tb) in a range that maximizes physiological performance. Basking turtles are easily disturbed by motorboats, but the consequences of the increasingly popular use of motorboats on turtles is largely unknown.

In this work, predictive models built from field and laboratory data were used to assess the effects of the frequency of basking disturbance by motorboats on Tb and metabolic rate (MR) of female northern map turtles (Graptemys geographica), a species of conservation concern.

Simulations revealed that the effects of boat disturbance vary seasonally. In early May, a conservative estimate of the disturbance rate (0.15 per hour) resulted in a 0.34°C decrease in mean daily Tb, which translated to a 7.8% reduction in mean MR. In June, July and August, owing to warmer lake temperatures, the effect of disturbance was less marked and the observed disturbance rates (0.32, 0.96 and 1.23 per hour, respectively) reduced the mean MR of an adult female by 2.1%, 0.5%, and 0.4 %, respectively.

Reduction in MR decreases the rate of energy assimilation, which could translate into sublethal effects on turtles, such as reduced growth and reproductive output.

Motorboat usage is increasing in many areas and is probably affecting other species of freshwater turtles that use aerial basking. This study offers important insights on the implications of disturbances for species that bask.

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavior‐based personalization in web search
Authors: Cai Fei , Wang Shuaiqiang , de Rijke Maarten
Published: September 2016

Personalized search approaches tailor search results to users' current interests, so as to help improve the likelihood of a user finding relevant documents for their query. Previous work on personalized search focuses on using the content of the user's query and of the documents clicked to model the user's preference. In this paper we focus on a different type of signal: We investigate the use of behavioral information for the purpose of search personalization. That is, we consider clicks and dwell time for reranking an initially retrieved list of documents. In particular, we (i) investigate the impact of distributions of users and queries on document reranking; (ii) estimate the relevance of a document for a query at 2 levels, at the query‐level and at the word‐level, to alleviate the problem of sparseness; and (iii) perform an experimental evaluation both for users seen during the training period and for users not seen during training. For the latter, we explore the use of information from similar users who have been seen during the training period. We use the dwell time on clicked documents to estimate a document's relevance to a query, and perform Bayesian probabilistic matrix factorization to generate a relevance distribution of a document over queries. Our experiments show that: (i) for personalized ranking, behavioral information helps to improve retrieval effectiveness; and (ii) given a query, merging information inferred from behavior of a particular user and from behaviors of other users with a user‐dependent adaptive weight outperforms any combination with a fixed weight.
Reproductive and neurobehavioral effects of maternal exposure to piperonyl butoxide (PBO) in F1‐generation mice
Authors: Tanaka Toyohito , Inomata Akiko
Published: September 2016

Female mice were exposed maternally to piperonyl butoxide (PBO) through diet to provide levels of 0 (control), 0.015, 0.03, and 0.06% during gestation and lactation periods, and selected reproductive and neurobehavioral parameters were measured in F1 generation. There was no adverse effect of PBO on litter size, litter weight, or sex ratio at birth. The average body weights of offspring showed no significant effects of PBO treatment through the lactation period in both sexes except for the low‐dose group of females on PND 21. With respect to behavioral developmental parameters, swimming direction of female offspring on PND 7 was significantly accelerated in the low‐dose group (p = 0.022). Exploratory behavior examination in male offspring indicated that total distance and movement time shortened significantly in dose‐related manners (p = 0.0138 and 0.00231, respectively), average time of rearing lengthened significantly in a dose‐related manner (p = 0.00814), and the frequencies of mice with urination was increased significantly in a dose‐related manner (p < 0.05). For spontaneous behavior examination, the average time of movement in males and average time of rearing in females showed slightly dose‐related effects in the F1 generation. The dose levels of PBO in the present study produced some adverse effects in neurobehavioral parameters in mice.
Random sex determination: When developmental noise tips the sex balance
Authors: Perrin Nicolas
Published: September 2016

Sex‐determining factors are usually assumed to be either genetic or environmental. The present paper aims at drawing attention to the potential contribution of developmental noise, an important but often‐neglected component of phenotypic variance. Mutual inhibitions between male and female pathways make sex a bistable equilibrium, such that random fluctuations in the expression of genes at the top of the cascade are sufficient to drive individual development toward one or the other stable state. Evolutionary modeling shows that stochastic sex determinants should resist elimination by genetic or environmental sex determinants under ecologically meaningful settings. On the empirical side, many sex‐determination systems traditionally considered as environmental or polygenic actually provide evidence for large components of stochasticity. In reviewing the field, I argue that sex‐determination systems should be considered within a three‐ends continuum, rather than the classical two‐ends continuum.
Glucose oxidase stabilization against thermal inactivation using high hydrostatic pressure and hydrophobic modification
Authors: Halalipour Ali , Duff Michael R. , Howell Elizabeth E. , Reyes‐De‐Corcuera José I.
Published: September 2016

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) stabilized glucose oxidase (GOx) against thermal inactivation. The apparent first‐order kinetics of inactivation of GOx were investigated at 0.1–300 MPa and 58.8–80.0°C. At 240 MPa and 74.5°C, GOx inactivated at a rate 50 times slower than at atmospheric pressure at the same temperature. The apparent activation energy of inactivation at 300 MPa was 281.0 ± 17.4 kJ mol−1 or 1.3‐fold smaller than for the inactivation at atmospheric pressure (378.1 ± 25.6 kJ mol−1). The stabilizing effect of HHP was greatest at 74.5°C, where the activation volume of 57.0 ± 12.0 cm3 mol−1 was highest compared to all other studied temperatures. Positive apparent activation volumes for all the treatment temperatures confirmed that HHP favors GOx stabilization. A second approach to increase GOx stability involved crosslinking with N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N′‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) and either aniline or benzoate. The modified enzyme remained fully active with only slight increases in KM (1.3–1.9‐fold increases for aniline and benzoate modification, respectively). The thermal stability of GOx increased by 8°C with aniline modification, while it decreased by 0.9°C upon modification with benzoate. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 516–525. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel UPLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of 10 effective constituents in the Jixingshizhen preparation
Authors: Cui Kunna , Sun Shuo , Wang Ping , Luo Linda , Yu Jia , Guo Xingjie
Published: September 2016

Abstract

A novel, reliable and reproducible UPLC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated to determine simultaneously the 10 bioactive constituents (baicalin, baicalein, wogonoside, wogonin, luteoloside, dictamnine, fraxinellone, obacunone, geniposidic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) in Jixingshizhen (JXSZ) preparation. Briefly, chromatographic separation was achieved on a Waters BEH C18 column with gradient elution employing a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. All analytes containing internal standard (verapamil) were detected without interference in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with positive electrospray ionization. Further, a comprehensive validation of the method was rigorously executed according to the guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization and Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015 Edition). The results indicated that the validated method afforded desired linearity, precision, accuracy, sensitivity and stability. At length, the newly established method was successfully applied to quantify the 10 effective ingredients in JXSZ granules from different production batches, indicating the proposed method in this paper was particularly preferable for the routine analysis of JXSZ preparation as well as the quality control, particularly in situations where high sample throughput and fast analytical speed are required.