bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olfactomedin 4 deficiency promotes prostate neoplastic progression and is associated with upregulation of the hedgehog-signaling pathway
Authors: Li Hongzhen , Liu Wenli , Chen Weiping , Zhu Jianqiong , Deng Chu-Xia , Rodgers Griffin P.
Published: November 2015

Loss of olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) gene expression is associated with the progression of human prostate cancer, but its role and the molecular mechanisms involved in this process have not been completely understood. In this study, we found that Olfm4-knockout mice developed prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and prostatic adenocarcinoma. Importantly, we found that the hedgehog-signaling pathway was significantly upregulated in the Olfm4-knockout mouse model. We also found that restoration of OLFM4 in human prostate-cancer cells that lack OLFM4 expression significantly downregulated hedgehog signaling-pathway component expression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the OLFM4 protein interacts with sonic hedgehog protein, as well as significantly inhibits GLI-reporter activity. Bioinformatic and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that decreased OLFM4 and increased SHH expression was significantly associated with advanced human prostate cancer. Thus, olfactomedin 4 appears to play a critical role in regulating progression of prostate cancer and has potential as a new biomarker for prostate cancer.
Effect of Lymph Node Count on Pathological Stage III Rectal Cancer with Preoperative Radiotherapy
Authors: Li Qingguo , Liang Lei , Gan Lu , Cai Guoxiang , Li Xinxiang , Cai Sanjun
Published: November 2015

Lymph node (LN) status after surgery for rectal cancer is affected by preoperative radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to perform a population-based evaluation of the impact of pathologic LN status after neoadjuvant radiotherapy on survival. A total of 1,650 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER)-registered ypIII stage rectal cancer was analyzed. We identified the optimal cutoff for retrieved LNs as 10 (χ2 = 14.006, P < 0.001), which was validated as an independent prognosis factors in a Cox regression model. Further analysis showed that the LN count was only a prognosis factor with the number from 8 to 16(except for 13).After the number 16, the 5-year survival rate decreased gradually. Collectively, our results confirmed that the number of LNs in yp III stage rectal patients was a prognosis factor only with the numbers from 8 to 16(except for 13). Using the total mesorectal excision technique with an adequate pathologic examination, a large number of LNs retrieved (≥17) might indicate worse tumor response grade and poorer survival.
Galectin-3 level and the severity of cardiac diastolic dysfunction using cellular and animal models and clinical indices
Authors: Wu Cho-Kai , Su Mao-Yuan , Lee Jen-Kuang , Chiang Fu-Tien , Hwang Juey-Jen , Lin Jiunn-Lee , Chen Jin-Jer , Liu Fu-Tong , Tsai Chia-Ti
Published: November 2015

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is characterized by myocardial interstitial fibrosis. A total of 146 patients with HFPEF, were recruited. HFPEF severity was determined using Doppler imaging (E/Em) and also cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). Canine modeling of HFPEF was induced by aortic banding. Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data were obtained before and after pressure loading and myocardial Galectin-3 was determined. Mechanical stretch of cultured cardiomyocytes served as the cellular model of HFPEF. Patients with severe HFPEF had significantly higher plasma Galectin-3 levels. Significant correlation between plasma Galectin-3 and E/Em in advanced HFPEF patients was noted. After 2 weeks of pressure overload in canine models, the protein expression of Galectin-3 from LV myocardial tissue was significantly increased (p < 0.01) compared with controls. Galectin-3 expression paralleled the severity of LV diastolic dysfunction by evaluation of CMRI (r = −0.58, p = 0.003) and tissue fibrosis (r = 0.59, p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounders for diastolic dysfunction, Galectin-3 levels were still associated with diastolic parameters both in humans (p < 0.001) and canine model (p = 0.041). Mechanical stretch increased Galectin-3 secretion in cultured cardiomyocytes. Both plasma and myocardial Galectin-3 levels correlated with severity of cardiac diastolic dysfunction.
Functional role of pyruvate kinase from Lactobacillus bulgaricus in acid tolerance and identification of its transcription factor by bacterial one-hybrid
Authors: Zhai Zhengyuan , An Haoran , Wang Guohong , Luo Yunbo , Hao Yanling
Published: November 2015

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus develops acid tolerance response when subjected to acid stress conditions, such as the induction of enzymes associated with carbohydrate metabolism. In this study, pyk gene encoding pyruvate kinase was over-expressed in heterologous host Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed the successful expression of this gene in NZ9000. The survival rate of Pyk-overproducing strain was 45-fold higher than the control under acid stress condition (pH 4.0). In order to determine the transcription factor (TF) which regulates the expression of pyk by bacterial one-hybrid, we constructed a TF library including 65 TFs of L. bulgaricus. Western blotting indicated that TFs in this library could be successfully expressed in host strains. Subsequently, the promoter of pfk-pyk operon in L. bulgaricus was identified by 5′-RACE PCR. The bait plasmid pH3U3-p01 carrying the deletion fragment of pfk-pyk promoter captured catabolite control protein A (CcpA) which could regulate the expression of pyk by binding to a putative catabolite-responsive element (5′-TGTAAGCCCTAACA-3′) upstream the -35 region. Real-time qPCR analysis revealed the transcription of pyk was positively regulated by CcpA. This is the first report about identifying the TF of pyk in L. bulgaricus, which will provide new insight into the regulatory network.
Fundamentals of Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMCs)
Authors: Shahinpoor Mohsen
Published: November 2015

This chapter covers some of the fundamental characteristics, functions and properties of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) as smart multi-functional biomimetic soft robotic actuators, sensors, energy harvesters and artificial muscles. Strips of these composites can undergo large bending, twisting, rolling and flapping displacement if an electric field is imposed across their thickness by network pairs of electrodes. Thus, in this sense they are large motion actuators. Conversely, by bending the IPMC strip, either quasi-statically or dynamically, a voltage is produced across the thickness of the strip very much in harmony with the kind of motion or deformation imposed on the IPMC strip. Thus, they are also large deformation sensors. The output voltage can be calibrated for a standard size sensor and correlated to the applied loads or stresses. They can be manufactured and cut into any size and shape. In this chapter, first the sensing capability of these materials is reported. The preliminary results show the existence of an almost linear relationship between the output voltage and the imposed displacement for almost all cases. Furthermore, the ability of these IPMCs to function as large motion actuators and soft robotic manipulators is presented. Several IPMC muscle configurations are constructed to demonstrate the capabilities of the IPMC actuators. A data acquisition system was used to measure the vibrational parameters involved and record the results in real time. Also, the load characterization of the IPMCs has been measured and it shows that these actuators exhibit very good force to weight characteristics or force density in the presence of low applied electric fields and voltages. In a cantilever form, a typical IPMC strip of 5 mm×20 mm×0.2 mm exhibits a force density of about 40, which is the ratio of the tip blocking force to the weight of the IPMC cantilever. Reported are also the cryogenic properties of these muscles for potential utilization in an outer space environment of a few Torrs and temperatures of the order of −140 °C. These muscles are shown to work quite well in such harsh cryogenic environments and thus present a great potential as actuators, energy harvesters and sensors that can operate at cryogenic temperatures and in particular in outer space. Furthermore, the phenomenological modeling of the underlying sensing and actuation mechanisms in IPMCs is presented based on linear irreversible thermodynamics with two driving forces—an electric field and a solvent pressure gradient—and two fluxes—electric current and solvent flux. Also presented are some quantitative experimental results on the Onsager coefficients. Charge dynamics modeling of IPMCs based on the Poisson–Nernst–Planck formulation is also briefly described. Finally, some recent development on novel design of IPMCs including the integration of graphene as electrodes, IPMCs with ZnO and ionic liquids, as well as extension to biopolymers such as chitosan and cellulose, are also briefly discussed.
Solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation of coumarin 153 in mixed micelles of Triton X-100 and cationic gemini surfactants: effect of composition and spacer chain length of gemini surfactants
Authors: Sonu Sonu , Kumari Sunita , Saha Subit K.
Published: November 2015

To demonstrate simultaneously how the solvation dynamics and rotational relaxation in nonionic micelles change with the composition of a gemini surfactant and how this change depends on spacer chain length of gemini surfactants.
In silico rational design of ionic liquids for the exfoliation and dispersion of boron nitride nanosheets
Authors: García Gregorio , Atilhan Mert , Aparicio Santiago
Published: November 2015

A requirement for exploiting most of the unique properties of boron-nitride (BN) nanosheets is their isolation from the bulk material.
Understanding performance limitation and suppression of leakage current or self-discharge in electrochemical capacitors: a review
Authors: Ike Innocent S. , Sigalas Iakovos , Iyuke Sunny
Published: November 2015

Self-discharge is known to have considerable adverse effects on the performance and application of electrochemical capacitors (ECs). Thus, getting clear understanding of ECs self-discharge mechanisms during charge and discharge process as well as on storage condition is the only solution to ECs self-discharge problems.
Template-free synthesis of porous carbonaceous solid acids with controllable acid sites and their excellent activity for catalyzing the synthesis of biofuels and fine chemicals
Authors: Liu Fujian , Li Bojie , Liu Chen , Kong Weiping , Yi Xianfeng , Zheng Anmin , Qi Chenze
Published: November 2015

Highly porous carbonaceous solid acids with controllable acidity and enhanced activities for catalyzing biomass transformation have been prepared under template free conditions.
Decolorization of organic dyes by gold nanoflowers prepared on reduced graphene oxide by tea polyphenols
Authors: Šimšíková M. , Bartoš M. , Čechal J. , Šikola T.
Published: November 2015

The green approaches for chemical syntheses are becoming important in various fields comprising chemical synthesis.
Antimicrobial activity of levofloxacin – M33 peptide conjugation or combination
Authors: Ceccherini Federica , Falciani Chiara , Onori Martina , Scali Silvia , Pollini Simona , Rossolini Gian Maria , Bracci Luisa , Pini Alessandro
Published: November 2015

M33 is a branched antimicrobial peptide against Gram-negative bacteria. We reported its conjugation with levofloxacin and its antibacterial activity.
Antioxidant activity of phytoestrogen type isoflavones in biomimetic environments
Authors: Voicescu Mariana , Hellwig Petra , Meghea Aurelia
Published: November 2015

Oxidation of phytoestrogen type isoflavones in lecithin lipidic bi-layers and in silver nanoparticle complexes by the chemiluminescence method.
Layered manganese oxides for formaldehyde-oxidation at room temperature: the effect of interlayer cations
Authors: Wang Jinlong , Li Dandan , Li Peilin , Zhang Pengyi , Xu Quanlong , Yu Jiaguo
Published: November 2015

A series of K-, Mg-, Ca-, and Fe-containing birnessites were prepared by a facile comproportionation reaction of Mn2+ and MnO4− in the presence of different metal cations.
Synergetic effect of NbSe2and Cr2Nb on the tribological and electrical behavior of Cu-based electrical contact composites
Authors: Shi Qin , Yang Jin , Peng Wei Xiang , Dong Jin Ze , Chu Yan Qiu , Tang Hua , Li Chang Sheng
Published: November 2015

The Cu-based electrical contact composites containing reinforcement (Cr2Nb particles) and solid lubricants (NbSe2particles) were fabricated by a powder metallurgy method, and their mechanical and electrical properties were investigated.
An efficient approach to explore the adsorption of benzene and phenol on nanostructured catalysts: a DFT analysis
Authors: Javadian Soheila , Ektefa Fatemeh
Published: November 2015

The adsorption behavior of benzene and phenol on the zeolite is attributed to the differences in the strength of their interactions.
Controlling the self-assembly and optical properties of gold nanoclusters and gold nanoparticles biomineralized with bovine serum albumin
Authors: McDonagh Birgitte H. , Singh Gurvinder , Bandyopadhyay Sulalit , Lystvet Sina M. , Ryan Joseph A. , Volden Sondre , Kim Eugene , Sandvig Ioanna , Sandvig Axel , Glomm Wilhelm R.
Published: November 2015

While the size-dependent optical properties of BSA-stabilized gold nanoclusters are well known, the time-dependent growth mechanism remains to be described.
A multi-stimuli responsive switch as a fluorescent molecular analogue of transistors
Authors: Gallardo Iluminada , Guirado Gonzalo , Hernando Jordi , Morais Sandy , Prats Gemma
Published: November 2015

A redox-interconverting molecular switch is reported that enables continuous thermal amplification of its fluorescence, thus mimicking the response of transistors.
A novel and facile approach to fabricate a conductive and biomimetic fibrous platform with sub-micron and micron features
Authors: Esrafilzadeh Dorna , Jalili Rohoullah , Liu Xiao , Gilmore Kerry J. , Razal Joselito M. , Moulton Simon E. , Wallace Gordon G.
Published: November 2015

A novel and facile method to fabricate a core–shell structure consisting of a conducting fiber core and an electrospun fiber shell is presented.
Improving the luminescence performance of quantum dot-based photonic crystals for white-light emission
Authors: Li Heng , Xu Zhaohua , Bao Bin , Sun Ning , Song Yanlin
Published: November 2015

A very bright white light was obtained by combining the advantages of red, green and blue quantum dots with photonic crystal structures.
Pseudo-Hall effect in single crystal 3C-SiC(111) four-terminal devices
Authors: Qamar Afzaal , Dao Dzung Viet , Han Jisheng , Phan Hoang-Phuong , Younis Adnan , Tanner Philip , Dinh Toan , Wang Li , Dimitrijev Sima
Published: November 2015

This article reports the first results on the strain-induced pseudo-Hall effect in single crystal 3C-SiC(111) four-terminal devices.
Biochemical and structural characterization of polyphosphate kinase 2 from the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis
Authors: Batten Laura E. , Parnell Alice E. , Wells Neil J. , Murch Amber L. , Oyston Petra C. F. , Roach Peter L.
Published: November 2015

The metabolism of polyphosphate is important for the virulence of a wide range of pathogenic bacteria and the enzymes of polyphosphate metabolism have been proposed as an anti-bacterial target. In the intracellular pathogen Francisella tularensis, the product of the gene FTT1564 has been identified as a polyphosphate kinase from the polyphosphate kinase 2 (PPK2) family. The isogenic deletion mutant was defective for intracellular growth in macrophages and was attenuated in mice, indicating an important role for polyphosphate in the virulence of Francisella. Herein, we report the biochemical and structural characterization of F. tularensis polyphosphate kinase (FtPPK2) with a view to characterizing the enzyme as a novel target for inhibitors. Using an HPLC-based activity assay, the substrate specificity of FtPPK2 was found to include purine but not pyrimidine nts. The activity was also measured using 31P-NMR. FtPPK2 has been crystallized and the structure determined to 2.23 Å (1 Å=0.1 nm) resolution. The structure consists of a six-stranded parallel β-sheet surrounded by 12 α-helices, with a high degree of similarity to other members of the PPK2 family and the thymidylate kinase superfamily. Residues proposed to be important for substrate binding and catalysis have been identified in the structure, including a lid-loop and the conserved Walker A and B motifs. The ΔFTT1564 strain showed significantly increased sensitivity to a range of antibiotics in a manner independent of the mode of action of the antibiotic. This combination of biochemical, structural and microbiological data provide a sound foundation for future studies targeting the development of PPK2 small molecule inhibitors.
Effects of a dielectric material in an ion source on the ion beam current density and ion beam energy
Authors: Fujiwara Y. , Sakakita H. , Nakamiya A. , Hirano Y. , Kiyama S.
Published: November 2015

To understand a strong focusing phenomenon that occurs in a low-energy hydrogen ion beam, the electron temperature, the electron density, and the space potential in an ion source with cusped magnetic fields are measured before and after the transition to the focusing state using an electrostatic probe. The experimental results show that no significant changes are observed before or after the transition. However, we found unique phenomena that are characterized by the position of the electrostatic probe in the ion source chamber. Specifically, the extracted ion beam current density and energy are obviously enhanced in the case where the electrostatic probe, which is covered by a dielectric material, is placed close to an acceleration electrode.
X-ray absorption spectroscopy of Mn doped ZnO thin films prepared by rf sputtering technique
Authors: Yadav Ashok Kumar , Haque Sk Maidul , Shukla Dinesh , Choudhary Ram Janay , Jha S. N. , Bhattacharyya D.
Published: November 2015

A set of r.f. sputter deposited ZnO thin films prepared with different Mn doping concentrations have been characterised by Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (EXAFS) and X-ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) measurements at Zn, Mn and O K edges and at Mn L2,3 edges apart from long range structural characterisation by Grazing Incident X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) technique. Magnetic measurements show room temperature ferromagnetism in samples with lower Mn doping which is however, gets destroyed at higher Mn doping concentration. The results of the magnetic measurements have been explained using the local structure information obtained from EXAFS and XANES measurements.
Nonlinear Optical Properties of D-π-A-π-D Type Oligomers with Different Conjugation Length
Authors: Huang Tian-hao , Wang Ying-hui , Xu Tian-ning , Yu Feng-ying , Zhang Han-zhuang , Wang Yu-ran
Published: November 2015

The conjugation length-dependent nonlinear optical properties of fluorenone-based linear conjugated oligomers have been investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. Infrared spectra and the steady-state absorption spectra show that the increase of conjugated unit could enhance the stretching vibration peaks of C=C and lead to a red-shift of the absorption peaks. Meanwhile, the two-photon fluorescence (TPF) intensity is gradually enhanced with the increase of excitation energy, and the TPF efficiency is obviously higher after the introduction of fluorene-ethylene units. The sum-over-states approach was used to model the two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-sections of oligomers, and the theoretical values agree well with the experimental data obtained from the femtosecond open-aperture z-scan technique. The results exhibit that the extension of conjugated system indeed plays a role in the improvement of TPA behavior of oligomers.
Theoretical Study on Resonance Raman Spectra of Tetraoxaporphyrin Dication by TDDFT Calculation
Authors: Wang Guo-bing , Zhao Hui-qing , Zhang Zhen-lin , Wang Wen-lou , Chen Dong-ming
Published: November 2015

The B state excited resonance Raman scattering of tetraoxaporphyrin dication (TOP2+) was theoretically studied with DFT/TDDFT calculations and the sum-over-states approach of polarizability including both the A and B terms contributions. The resonance Raman spectra calculated with PBE1PBE, B3LYP, Cam-B3LYP, and B3LYP-D3 functionals are similar to each other in general, with PBE1PBE and B3LYP being better in reproducing resonance Raman intensities in comparison with the experiment. The calculated relative intensities of the totally symmetric modes are excellently consistent with the experiment. The TDDFT calculations manifested a considerable deformation of the B state along the ν2, ν6, ν7, and ν8 modes, which is responsible for the strong resonance Raman intensities of these modes. The resonance Raman intensities of non-totally symmetric modes were calculated to be weaker than the totally symmetric modes by one or two order of magnitude, which qualitatively agrees with the experiment. However, the resonance Raman intensity of the ν10 mode (CβCβ stretch, B1g symmetry) predicted by TDDFT calculations is unexpectedly small whereas that of the ν11 mode (symmetric CαCm stretch, B1g symmetry) is too large, which is assumed to be caused by the Jahn-Teller instability for the B state of TOP2+.
Excited State Intramolecular Proton Transfer of 1-Hydroxyanthraquinone
Authors: Sun Si-mei , Zhang Song , Liu Kai , Wang Ya-ping , Zhou Miao-miao , Zhang Bing
Published: November 2015

The excited state intra-molecular proton transfer dynamics of 1-hydroxyanthraquinone in solution are investigated by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. Two characteristic bands of excited state absorption and stimulated emission are observed in transient absorption spectra with the excitation by the pump wavelength of 400 nm. From the delayed stimulated emission signal, the time scale of the intra-molecular proton transfer is determined to be about 32 fs. The quantum chemistry calculations show that the molecular orbits and the order of the S2 and S1 states are reversal and a conical intersection is demonstrated to exist along the proton transfer coordinate. After proton transfer, the second excited state of tautomer populated via the conical intersection undergoes the internal conversion with ∼200 fs and the following intermolecular energy relaxation with ∼16 ps. The longer component 300 ps can be explained in terms of the relaxation from excited-state tautomer to its ground state. From our observations, two proton transfer pathways via a conical intersection are proposed and the dominated one preserves the molecular orbits.
Transitivity and verb classes
Authors: García-Miguel José María
Published: November 2015

The received concept of transitivity includes several semantic properties based on the idea that transitive clauses express an action performed by an agent on a patient, and suggest that transitive syntactic structures typically refer to concrete actions. Arguably, a semantic characterization of syntactic transitivity requires independent definitions of semantic and syntactic transitivity and needs more empirical support. This paper is an initial quantitative exploration of semantic verb types and transitive syntactic structures in a Spanish corpus-based syntactic-semantic database (ADESSE) and in a typological valency patterns database (ValPaL), and it somewhat calls into question the hypothesis that transitive syntactic structures are more strongly associated with verbs expressing concrete actions performed by an agent than with verbs expressing certain kinds of mental states.
“Softened” voice quality in poetry reading and listener response
Authors: Gafni Chen , Tsur Reuven
Published: November 2015

In the performance of poetry, some performers occasionally use a certain ‘softened’ voice quality, deviating from that of the context, for emotive expression. We explored how listeners perceive such instances through a combined methodology of eliciting open-ended descriptions and ratings of pre-defined terms on ordinal scales. The collected responses confirm our intuitions that listeners are sensitive to this voice quality, which gives rise to impressions, such asaffection, yearning,andcontemplation. The chosen methodology allowed us, through variations between verbal and numerical responses, to observe the interaction of this voice quality with other factors, such as semantic content and other salient voice qualities. Finally, the responses highlight the distinction between two delivery styles used by performers — an impassive, grave style, typical of poetry recitals, on the one hand, and a more emotional “theatrical” style, on the other hand.
Central dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in thermoregulation and performance during endurance exercise
Authors: Zheng Xinyan , Hasegawa Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

Dopamine (DA) has been widely investigated for its potential role in determining exercise performance. It was originally thought that DA's ergogenic effect was by mediating psychological responses. Recently, some studies have also suggested that DA may regulate physiological responses, such as thermoregulation. Hyperthermia has been demonstrated as an important limiting factor during endurance exercise. DA is prominent in the thermoregulatory centre, and changes in DA concentration have been shown to affect core temperature regulation during exercise. Some studies have proposed that DA or DA/noradrenaline (NA) reuptake inhibitors can improve exercise performance, despite hyperthermia during exercise in the heat. DA/NA reuptake inhibitors also increase catecholamine release in the thermoregulatory centre. Intracerebroventricularly injected DA has been shown to improve exercise performance through inhibiting hyperthermia‐induced fatigue, even at normal ambient temperatures. Further, caffeine has been reported to increase DA release in the thermoregulatory centre and improves endurance exercise performance despite increased core body temperature. Taken together, DA has been shown to have ergogenic effects and increase heat storage and hyperthermia tolerance. The mechanisms underlying these effects seem to involve limiting/overriding the inhibitory signals from the central nervous system that result in cessation of exercise due to hyperthermia.
TORC1 and TORC2 work together to regulate ribosomal protein S6 phosphorylation inSaccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yerlikaya Seda , Meusburger Madeleine , Kumari Romika , Huber Alexandre , Anrather Dorothea , Costanzo Michael , Boone Charles , Ammerer Gustav , Baranov Pavel V. , Loewith Robbie
Published: November 2015

Nutrient-sensitive phosphorylation of the S6 protein of the 40S subunit of the eukaryote ribosome is highly conserved. However, despite four decades of research, the functional consequences of this modification remain unknown. Revisiting this enigma in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we found that the regulation of Rps6 phosphorylation on Ser-232 and Ser-233 is mediated by both TOR complex 1 (TORC1) and TORC2. TORC1 regulates phosphorylation of both sites via the poorly characterized AGC-family kinase Ypk3 and the PP1 phosphatase Glc7, whereas TORC2 regulates phosphorylation of only the N-terminal phosphosite via Ypk1. Cells expressing a nonphosphorylatable variant of Rps6 display a reduced growth rate and a 40S biogenesis defect, but these phenotypes are not observed in cells in which Rps6 kinase activity is compromised. Furthermore, using polysome profiling and ribosome profiling, we failed to uncover a role of Rps6 phosphorylation in either global translation or translation of individual mRNAs. Taking the results together, this work depicts the signaling cascades orchestrating Rps6 phosphorylation in budding yeast, challenges the notion that Rps6 phosphorylation plays a role in translation, and demonstrates that observations made with Rps6 knock-ins must be interpreted cautiously.
Biological stations and the study of marine life: Umberto D'Ancona and the Hydrobiological Station of Chioggia (1940–1964)
Authors: Canadelli Elena
Published: November 2015

Marine zoological stations played an important role in the history of biology and the study of marine life. From the 1870s onward, a large number of biological stations were founded across Europe from Naples to Bergen. In the light of the new theory of evolution and the emerging discipline of ecology, it becomes increasingly necessary for biologists to study nature in the field. Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, much of the research on aquatic organisms was conducted at such stations. The aquatic environment appeared to be particularly suitable for research on the theory of evolution, on embryology, physiology, anatomy, and organism–environment interactions. Marine stations also served as sites for the study of fishery management and fish farming and aquaculture. The hydrobiological station located in the town of Chioggia on the Venetian Lagoon represents one of the less well-known examples of such research centres. It was set up in 1940 by the Italian zoologist Umberto D'Ancona of the University of Padua (1896–1964), who modelled it on already existing zoology, hydrobiology, and fish farming stations in Italy and abroad. Their research was conducted on the ecosystems of the Venetian Lagoon and the northern part of the Adriatic Sea, the natural stocks of valuable commercial fish species, and the reproductive biology of various teleosts. This essay will review the history of the Hydrobiological Station in Chioggia during the period 1940–1964 when it was directed by D'Ancona, its work in the fields of marine biology and fishery, and its ties with other marine stations in Italy and abroad.
Qualities of Single Electrode Stimulation as a Function of Rate and Place of Stimulation with a Cochlear Implant
Authors: Landsberger David M. , Vermeire Katrien , Claes Annes , Van Rompaey Vincent , Van de Heyning Paul
Published: November 2015

Objectives:

Although it has been shown previously that changes in temporal coding produce changes in pitch in all cochlear regions, research has suggested that temporal coding might be best encoded in relatively apical locations. The authors hypothesized that although temporal coding may provide useable information at any cochlear location, low rates of stimulation might provide better sound quality in apical regions that are more likely to encode temporal information in the normal ear. In the present study, sound qualities of single electrode pulse trains were scaled to provide insight into the combined effects of cochlear location and stimulation rate on sound quality.

Design:

Ten long-term users of MED-EL cochlear implants with 31-mm electrode arrays (Standard or FLEXSOFT) were asked to scale the sound quality of single electrode pulse trains in terms of how “Clean,” “Noisy,” “High,” and “Annoying” they sounded. Pulse trains were presented on most electrodes between 1 and 12 representing the entire range of the long electrode array at stimulation rates of 100, 150, 200, 400, or 1500 pulses per second.

Results:

Although high rates of stimulation are scaled as having a Clean sound quality across the entire array, only the most apical electrodes (typically 1 through 3) were considered Clean at low rates. Low rates on electrodes 6 through 12 were not rated as Clean, whereas the low-rate quality of electrodes 4 and 5 were typically in between. Scaling of Noisy responses provided an approximately inverse pattern as Clean responses. High responses show the trade-off between rate and place of stimulation on pitch. Because High responses did not correlate with Clean responses, subjects were not rating sound quality based on pitch.

Conclusions:

If explicit temporal coding is to be provided in a cochlear implant, it is likely to sound better when provided apically. In addition, the finding that low rates sound clean only at apical places of stimulation is consistent with previous findings that a change in rate of stimulation corresponds to an equivalent change in perceived pitch at apical locations. Collectively, the data strongly suggest that temporal coding with a cochlear implant is optimally provided by electrodes placed well into the second cochlear turn.
Early Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Detecting Radicular Pain After Lumbar Decompression Surgery
Authors: Futatsugi Toshimasa , Takahashi Jun , Oba Hiroki , Ikegami Shota , Mogami Yuji , Shibata Syunichi , Ohji Yoshihito , Tanikawa Hirotaka , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: November 2015

Study Design:

A retrospective analysis.

Objective:

To evaluate the association between early postoperative dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA) and radicular pain.

Summary of Background Data:

The correlation between postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and postoperative neurological symptoms after lumbar decompression surgery is controversial.

Methods:

This study included 115 patients who underwent lumbar decompression surgery followed by MRI within 7 days postoperatively. There were 46 patients with early postoperative radicular pain, regardless of whether the pain was mild or similar to that before surgery. The intervertebral level with the smallest DCSA was identified on MRI and compared preoperatively and postoperatively. Risk factors for postoperative radicular pain were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. Subanalysis according to absence/presence of a residual suction drain also was performed.

Results:

Multivariate regression analysis showed that smaller postoperative DCSA was significantly associated with early postoperative radicular pain (per −10 mm2; odds ratio, 1.26). The best cutoff value for radicular pain was early postoperative DCSA of 67.7 mm2. Even with a cutoff value of <70 mm2, sensitivity and specificity are 74.3% and 75.0%, respectively. Early postoperative DCSA was significantly larger before suction drain removal than after (119.7±10.1 vs. 93.9±5.4 mm2).

Conclusions:

Smaller DCSA in the early postoperative period was associated with radicular pain after lumbar decompression surgery. The best cutoff value for postoperative radicular pain was 67.7 mm2. Absence of a suction drain at the time of early postoperative MRI was related to smaller DCSA.
Anterior and Posterior Vertebral Column Resection Versus Posterior-only Technique
Authors: Demirkiran Gokhan , Dede Ozgur , Karadeniz Emre , Olgun Deniz , Ayvaz Mehmet , Yazici Muharrem
Published: November 2015

Study Design:

Retrospective cohort.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to compare the anterior-posterior surgery to posterior-only vertebra resection for congenital kyphoscoliosis in pediatric patients.

Summary of Background Data:

Vertebral column resection is a very powerful correction technique mainly used in the treatment of severe and rigid spinal deformities. The technique can be applied with combined anterior and posterior vertebral column resection (APVCR) or posterior-only vertebral column resection (PVCR) approaches. PVCR has gained popularity recently due to several apparent advantages, but APVCR is still believed by some to be a viable alternative, despite the use of an anterior exposure.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective chart and radiographic review was performed including the patients with congenital kyphoscoliosis up to 16 years of age who were operated on by a single senior surgeon in our department after 2005. The data included surgical time, estimated blood loss, duration of hospital and postoperative intensive care unit stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up radiographs were evaluated for scoliosis, kyphosis, and spinal balance.

Results:

Twenty-six patients (20 girls, 6 boys) met the inclusion criteria. APVCR was performed on 17 (median age, 13.2 y) and PVCR on 9 (median age, 10.7 y). Scoliosis correction at the time of last follow-up was 54.3% and 52.6% for APVCR and PVCR, respectively, whereas the average kyphosis correction was 25.4 degrees in APVCR and 30.1 degrees in PVCR group. Surgical time, hospital stay, and estimated blood loss were all significantly higher in the APVCR group, whereas the complication rates were similar. No neurological or vascular complications were encountered.

Conclusions:

This study showed that although the operative time and surgical blood loss were higher with APVCR, there were no major complications and the radiologic outcomes were similar between APVCR and PVCR. APVCR should be considered as an acceptable technique especially in deformities where PVCR would be technically difficult or at the beginning of the spine surgeon’s learning curve.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Intellectual disability screening in women prisoners: preliminary evaluation
Authors: Board Thomas , Ali Salma , Bartlett Annie
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate a new Intellectual Disability (ID) screening service within a women’s prison in England.

Design/methodology/approach

– Analysis of prisoner records was carried out to establish characteristics of women entering the prison, rates of screening completion and time intervals for all stages of the assessment pathway.

Findings

– In total 198 women were received into prison and underwent 202 ID screens. Nine out of ten women completed a screen, almost all on arrival or very soon afterwards. There were 23 referrals for secondary assessment but only four were completed. Most of the women identified for additional screening left the prison before this could be achieved.

Originality/value

– This evaluation is the first to show that preliminary screening for ID is feasible in prison. This screening alone is useful for prisons to make the kind of reasonable adjustment required of public bodies by the Equality Act. However, its value is constrained unless resources are also dedicated to the kind of additional screening which might lead to definitive diagnosis and care planning for intellectual disability. This model of assessment would be of considerable value in establishing prisoners at risk by virtue of different levels of intellectual disability and could be used to provide more reliable and routine estimates of prevalence contributing to overall better service planning.
Compulsory treatment of drug users in Asia: designed to torture?
Authors: Dolan Kate , Worth Heather , Wilson David
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– Injecting drug use is a global concern, with an estimated 16 million people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in over 148 countries. A number of Asian countries detain PWIDs for compulsory treatment. The paper aims to discuss this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors reviewed the literature on compulsory drug treatment in seven Asian countries.

Findings

– The authors identified 1,269 closed settings which held over 600,000 drug users in eight countries. The average detainee was aged from 20 to 30 years and was predominantly male. HIV risk behaviour continued in detention in some countries. In most countries treatment comprised physical labour, military drills. Methadone maintenance treatment and antiretroviral therapy were rarely available. No data were located to show detention in a closed setting treated drug dependency. Issues of concern were; no due legal process for the detention of drug users, lack of evidence-based drug treatment, lack of HIV prevention and treatment, abusive conditions, forced labour and exercise, arbitrary exit procedures and very high relapse rates.

Research limitations/implications

– The review of compulsory treatment of drug users failed to find any evaluation of effective drug treatment for detainees. Instead serious breaches in human rights conditions were evident. Prominent international organisations have called for the compulsory treatment of drug users to cease.

Practical implications

– Many countries are spending vast amounts of funding on ineffective treatments for drug users.

Social implications

– Funding should be directed to community-based drug treatments that have been shown to work.

Originality/value

– This is the largest review of compulsory treatment of drug users to date.
Managing self-service technology service quality to enhance e-satisfaction
Authors: Boon-itt Sakun
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to address, by integrating the self-service technology (SST) adoption and technology acceptance models, the service quality of self-service technologies (SQ-SSTs) by empirically testing a comprehensive model that capture the antecedents and consequences of SQ-SSTs to predict e-satisfaction in the context of digital banking in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire was constructed and responses were obtained from 222 respondents who have a complete digital banking experience (both online and mobile banking). Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling, following a mediating analysis process.

Findings

– Results show that technology readiness (TR) as the antecedent has an influence on SQ-SSTs, which in turn improve e-satisfaction. The paper also found that even though SQ-SSTs can positively influence e-satisfaction, perceived value partial mediates the link between SQ-SSTs and e-satisfaction.

Research limitations/implications

– Further research should investigate the possible influence that some situational factors may have on the model. Factors, such as waiting time and the presence of other customers, should be taken into consideration in future studies.

Practical implications

– Managers may, therefore, particularly wish to consider TR and customers’ perceived value when trying to offer SSTs to the customer.

Originality/value

– The results contribute to the literature in information systems and service marketing by highlighting a key mechanism through which firms can enhance SQ-SSTs and e-satisfaction.
Volunteering as a mechanism to reduce guilt over purchasing luxury items
Authors: Jeong Hyo-Jin , Koo Dong-Mo
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The present study aims to demonstrate that the volunteering licenses people to indulge in luxury purchase, and both heightened moral self-evaluation and reduced guilt mediate the effect of licensing on ratings of a luxury item by implementing three experimental studies. This study explained the moral licensing behavior using a passive goal guidance model: i.e., people license themselves to indulge when people perceive progress on one of their long-term goals.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, three experiments were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

The present paper is new in terms of three aspects. First, moral self-evaluation as a mediator is tested using a more stringent method in comparison to prior studies. Second, reduced guilt which had not yet been explicitly tested is established as a mediator. Third, the present study demonstrates that the passive goal guidance model as a valid theory in explaining the licensing behavior by showing that when people perceive progress in a long-term goal by helping others in need, they are more likely to engage in dysfunctional luxury brand purchases. Previous studies have used credentialing theory to explain this.

Originality/value

The present study established and confirmed that reduced guilt is a mediator in the licensing effect on the purchase of luxury items.
Cognitive and emotional processing of brand logo changes
Authors: Peterson Mark , AlShebil Saleh , Bishop Melissa
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to develop and empirically test a model of how consumers process logo changes used in rebranding.

Design/methodology/approach

Individual in-depth interviews with 12 informants allowed researchers to better understand how consumers respond to logo changes. After developing a model of how consumers process logo changes, researchers deployed a field study evaluating two actual retail brands using survey methodology with 406 respondents.

Findings

Nine of the ten hypotheses of the study receive support. Notably, both interest in the logo change as well as doubt about the logo change characterize consumers’ processing of the logo change.

Research limitations/implications

Although study respondents viewed multiple brands along with variations of these brands, other brands might elicit other responses from consumers. Further study is now in order.

Practical implications

As a result of the study, brand managers can be more aware of the positive and negative processing that brands receive from consumers when brands change their logos. Accordingly, communication programs of brands can better anticipate such processing before logos are changed.

Social implications

Social enterprises that change their logos stand to benefit in a similar way to for-profit businesses that change their logos.

Originality/value

This is the first study to include two types of curiosity – interest curiosity and deprivation curiosity – in a comprehensive model to better explain how consumers process logo changes.
The six dilemmas of strategy execution
Authors: Lowy Alex
Published: November 2015

Purpose

– There is a recurring and universal set of competing forces that strategy implementers must manage, and their ability to marshal resources and hearts while maintaining the current business depends very much on how six key dilemmas are handled.

Design/methodology/approach

– The author identifies the six dilemmas and offers a leaders’ guide to managing them.

Findings

– Dilemmas do not signal that a strategy is flawed or that leadership is failing. Rather, they are part and parcel of the strategy implementation process; they present consequential choices that need to be understood and addressed.”

Practical implications

– Realism dictates that legitimate dilemmas need to be acknowledged and addressed directly and fully.

Originality/value

– The leader who is first to recognize and effectively manage the dilemmas of strategy implementation will likely gain a headstart in organizational transformation.
Targeted gene enrichment and high‐throughput sequencing for environmental biomonitoring: a case study using freshwater macroinvertebrates
Authors: Dowle Eddy J. , Pochon Xavier , C. Banks Jonathan , Shearer Karen , Wood Susanna A.
Published: November 2015

Recent studies have advocated biomonitoring using DNA techniques. In this study, two high‐throughput sequencing (HTS)‐based methods were evaluated: amplicon metabarcoding of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene and gene enrichment using MYbaits (targeting nine different genes including COI). The gene‐enrichment method does not require PCR amplification and thus avoids biases associated with universal primers. Macroinvertebrate samples were collected from 12 New Zealand rivers. Macroinvertebrates were morphologically identified and enumerated, and their biomass determined. DNA was extracted from all macroinvertebrate samples and HTS undertaken using the illumina miseq platform. Macroinvertebrate communities were characterized from sequence data using either six genes (three of the original nine were not used) or just the COI gene in isolation. The gene‐enrichment method (all genes) detected the highest number of taxa and obtained the strongest Spearman rank correlations between the number of sequence reads, abundance and biomass in 67% of the samples. Median detection rates across rare (<1% of the total abundance or biomass), moderately abundant (1–5%) and highly abundant (>5%) taxa were highest using the gene‐enrichment method (all genes). Our data indicated primer biases occurred during amplicon metabarcoding with greater than 80% of sequence reads originating from one taxon in several samples. The accuracy and sensitivity of both HTS methods would be improved with more comprehensive reference sequence databases. The data from this study illustrate the challenges of using PCR amplification‐based methods for biomonitoring and highlight the potential benefits of using approaches, such as gene enrichment, which circumvent the need for an initial PCR step.