bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A low-cost acoustic permeameter
Authors: Drake Stephen A. , Selker John S. , Higgins Chad W.
Published: April 2017

Abstract. Intrinsic permeability is an important parameter that regulates air exchange through porous media such as snow. Standard methods of measuring snow permeability are inconvenient to perform outdoors, are fraught with sampling errors, and require specialized equipment, while bringing intact samples back to the laboratory is also challenging. To address these issues, we designed, built, and tested a low-cost acoustic permeameter that allows computation of volume-averaged intrinsic permeability for a homogenous medium. In this paper, we validate acoustically derived permeability of homogenous, reticulated foam samples by comparison with results derived using a standard flow-through permeameter. Acoustic permeameter elements were designed for use in snow, but the measurement methods are not snow-specific. The electronic components – consisting of a signal generator, amplifier, speaker, microphone, and oscilloscope – are inexpensive and easily obtainable. The system is suitable for outdoor use when it is not precipitating, but the electrical components require protection from the elements in inclement weather. The permeameter can be operated with a microphone either internally mounted or buried a known depth in the medium. The calibration method depends on choice of microphone positioning. For an externally located microphone, calibration was based on a low-frequency approximation applied at 500 Hz that provided an estimate of both intrinsic permeability and tortuosity. The low-frequency approximation that we used is valid up to 2 kHz, but we chose 500 Hz because data reproducibility was maximized at this frequency. For an internally mounted microphone, calibration was based on attenuation at 50 Hz and returned only intrinsic permeability. We found that 50 Hz corresponded to a wavelength that minimized resonance frequencies in the acoustic tube and was also within the response limitations of the microphone. We used reticulated foam of known permeability (ranging from 2 × 10−7 to 3 × 10−9 m2) and estimated tortuosity of 1.05 to validate both methods. For the externally mounted microphone the mean normalized standard deviation was 6 % for permeability and 2 % for tortuosity. The mean relative error from known measurements was 17 % for permeability and 2 % for tortuosity. For the internally mounted microphone the mean normalized standard deviation for permeability was 10 % and the relative error was also 10 %. Permeability determination for an externally mounted microphone is less sensitive to environmental noise than is the internally mounted microphone and is therefore the recommended method. The approximation using the internally mounted microphone was developed as an alternative for circumstances in which placing the microphone in the medium was not feasible. Environmental noise degrades precision of both methods and is recognizable as increased scatter for replicate data points.
Physico-chemical characterisation of Slovak wines
Authors: Lapčí­ková Barbora , Lapčí­k Lubomí­r , Hupková Jana
Published: April 2017

The aim of the present study was characterisation of selected varieties of still wines produced in Slovak Republic in vintage year 2013 and one 2012. There were tested ten samples of nine varieties of wines originated from Malokarpatská "Lesser Carpathian" and Južnoslovenská "Southern Slovakia" wine regions of Slovak Republic, Dornfelder, Frankovka modrá, Svätovarinecké, Zweigeltrebe, Müller Thurgau, Veltlínské zelené, Rizling rýnsky, Rizling vlašský and Sauvignon wines. There were studied selected physico-chemical properties of tested wines as a total contents of anthocyanins and polyphenols by means of spectrophotometry, titratable acidity, density and chromatic characteristics. The highest content of anthocyanins (TAC) was found in red wine Frankovka modrá, 183 mg.L-1 and the lowest for sample rose wine St. Laurent 19 mg.L-1. The content of total phenolic compounds as a gallic acid was in range 2833 to 1961 mg.L-1 for red wines, 1016 and 1013 mg.L-1 for rose wines, 1085 to 549 mg.L-1for white wines.  Total acidy was average 6.3 ±0.3 g.L-1 only for Ryzling rýnský, 8.2 g.L-1 and Sauvignon rose 8.0 g.L-1 and was expressed as the amount of tartaric acid. Quality of wines can be expressed by colour intensity too. Was evaluated and compared intensity of colour in wines by CIE Lab method and the total differences between red, rose and white wine DE* was calculated. The most differences was found for Svätovarinecké a Frankovka modrá (2.5) - red wines ("clearly perceptible") and 4.9 for Veltlýnské zelené and Müller Thurgau - white wine ("moderating effect").
Assessing Syntactic Development among Arabic Speaking Stuttering and Non-Stuttering Children
Authors: Baraja’a Dareen A. , Al-fallay Ibrahim S. , Shoeib Rasha M.
Published: April 2017

The aim of the study was to assess the syntactic development of stuttering and non- stuttering Saudi Arabic-speaking children aged between five and ten years old. The research conducted in collaboration with a native Arabic-speaking phoniatrician. In the current study, the syntactic and morpho-syntactic development of (24) stuttering Saudi Arabic-speaking children (SACWS) (the experimental group) and (29) non- stuttering Saudi Arabic-speaking children (SACWNS) (the control group) were assessed and compared using two modified and validated Arabic tests (namely, Sentence Comprehension Test and Expressive Language Test; developed by Shaalan, 2010). The results indicated that both the receptive and expressive syntactic abilities of the SACWS were lower than the same abilities of their SACWNS peers. When conducting group comparisons, the SACWS lagged behind the SACWNS in their receptive and productive syntactic development. It might be concluded that SACWS might have subtle syntactic deficits that may lead to lower syntactic development when compared to their fluent peers. Thus, Saudi Arabic-speaking children might face difficulties in understanding and producing various syntactic and morpho-syntactic features of Arabic; a state of affairs that ought to be considered by teachers, speech pathologists, and parents.
Description and Classification of the Youth’s Body Type in Shanghai
Authors: Du Shengye , Zhou Ling , Xu Mengfei , Bai Jing , Zeng Youjie
Published: April 2017

The carried out standard of the garment size is not able to reflect the body shapes of the modern. In order to achieve a better standard, which is in accord with the requirement of the modern, the figures of 520 women and men, all in the age of 18 to 40, are measured. 18 variables of body shapes are chosen, and 7 variables are derived from them. All the data is processed by SPSS, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and cluster analysis are used. Both of women’s upper and lower body shapes are classified into 6 categories, and the similar segregation is carried on men with 4 categories, which is an ideal classification. The results offer the support for understanding the current situation of the body shapes of young women and men in Shanghai, for customizing a new standard, and for providing theoretical basis and reference on optimization of designs of clothing structure.
Een rechtsvorm voor de maatschappelijke onderneming: hoever zijn we?
Authors: Helder E.R.
Published: April 2017

Een rechtsvorm voor de maatschappelijke onderneming: hoever zijn we?

Bijna tien jaar na het wetsvoorstel maatschappelijke onderneming blijkt het ondernemen met een maatschappelijk oogmerk c.q. het realiseren van maatschappelijke belangen door middel van ondernemerschap bezig aan een opmars in de samenleving. Daarmee groeit de behoefte aan een rechtsvorm die deze ondernemingsactiviteiten faciliteert. Er zijn knelpunten die binnen de bestaande rechtsvormen niet bevredigend kunnen worden opgelost. In Europees perspectief loopt Nederland bovendien achter in de rechtsontwikkeling ten behoeve van het maatschappelijk ondernemerschap, dat daardoor tegen onnodige begrenzingen aan loopt. Het is tijd voor een nieuw wetsvoorstel.
Uitvoering van de Europese Erfrechtverordening in Nederland: wijziging van Boek 10 BW en inpassing van de Europese erfrechtverklaring
Authors: Knot J.G.
Published: April 2017

Uitvoering van de Europese Erfrechtverordening in Nederland: wijziging van Boek 10 BW en inpassing van de Europese erfrechtverklaring

Onlangs is bij de Tweede Kamer een wetsvoorstel tot uitvoering van de Europese Erfrechtverordening ingediend. Verschillende onderdelen van de verordening vragen om nadere uitvoeringswetgeving in de lidstaten. In deze bijdrage worden de belangrijkste bepalingen uit het Nederlandse wetsvoorstel besproken. Onder meer de wijzigingen in Titel 12 van Boek 10 BW en de introductie van de Europese erfrechtverklaring in het Nederlandse rechtssysteem komen aan bod.

Al met al maakt de Uitvoeringswet de contouren van de toepassing van de verordening in Nederland weer een beetje duidelijker, al blijven er voor de weerbarstige internationale boedelpraktijk ook nog voldoende vragen open.
[Nintedanib for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Italy]
Authors: Belisari Andrea , Bettoni Daria , Cortesi Paolo Angelo , D'Angiolella Lucia Sara , Mantovani Lorenzo Giovanni , Miceli Sopo Gerardo , Nonis Marino
Published: April 2017

To date, there are few therapeutic answers for Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and only two pharmacological treatments have a marketing authorization for this disease. Recently nintedanib (Ofev®) has been authorized as a new therapeutic option and its economic profile has been evaluated by international Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies. IPF has important implications for everyday life of patients and their carers, negatively influencing their quality of life and bringing heavy economic burden to the NHS and to the entire society. It is, therefore important to consider these aspects for the Italian environment and to perform a pharmacoeconomic evaluation to define the efficiency of nintedanib in IPF by means of a Cost-Utility Analysis (CUA). As IPF is a chronic and progressive disease, a lifetime Markov model has been therefore developed with health states describing the patient’s condition as a combination of lung function and exacerbation history. The cohort entered in the model at different Forced Vital Capacity (FVC%) predicted health states, without exacerbation. The Clinical data used to perform this CUA were derived from clinical trials and the relative efficacy of nintedanib versus the comparator (pirfenidone) was then obtained from a Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) combining data reported in each primary study (INPULSIS 1-2 and TOMORROW trials for nintedanib, and CAPACITY and ASCEND trials for pirfenidone, respectively). At base-case, treatment with nintedanib resulted in a slightly lower estimated total cost vs pirfenidone, better safety profile and lower risk of acute exacerbations with an advantage in Quality Adjusted Life years (QALYs) gained. These results were confirmed by the sensitivity analysis. Although nintedanib appears to be a valuable option for the NHS to treat IPF patients, future data evidence, as long-term or real-life data, will help to confirm these results.[In Italian]
Centriolar remodeling underlies basal body maturation during ciliogenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Nechipurenko Inna V , Berciu Cristina , Sengupta Piali , Nicastro Daniela
Published: April 2017

The primary cilium is nucleated by the mother centriole-derived basal body (BB) via as yet poorly characterized mechanisms. BBs have been reported to degenerate following ciliogenesis in the C. elegans embryo, although neither BB architecture nor early ciliogenesis steps have been described in this organism. In a previous study (Doroquez et al., 2014), we described the three-dimensional morphologies of sensory neuron cilia in adult C. elegans hermaphrodites at high resolution. Here, we use serial section electron microscopy and tomography of staged C. elegans embryos to demonstrate that BBs remodel to support ciliogenesis in a subset of sensory neurons. We show that centriolar singlet microtubules are converted into BB doublets which subsequently grow asynchronously to template the ciliary axoneme, visualize degeneration of the centriole core, and define the developmental stage at which the transition zone is established. Our work provides a framework for future investigations into the mechanisms underlying BB remodeling.
Second home tourism in the Algarve – The perception of public managers
Authors: Gomes Raphael dos Santos D’Emery , Pinto Hugo Emanuel dos Reis Sales da Cruz , Almeida Cláudia Margarida Brito Ribeiro de
Published: April 2017

Proposal: In the last year’s second home tourism has obtained a relevant attention in Portugal, and especially in the Algarve region. It has been identified by the national tourism plan as one of the strategic products. In the Algarve second home market important for the tourism dynamics. Objective: This study focuses on the perception of government agents in the Algarve about second home tourism, in particular the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that this product creates for regional development. Methodological Design: The study uses a descriptive and exploratory approach with an online survey applied to all  municipalities in the Algarve. Results: The results are helpful to understand second home tourism trajectories by presenting useful information to future strategies. Originality: It was observed that economic factors directly influence strengths and threats, the weakness are more related to social and environmental aspects, and the opportunities are linked to all dimensions, economic, social and environmental.
Global seasonal precipitation forecasts using improved sea surface temperature predictions
Authors: Khan Mohammad Zaved Kaiser , Sharma Ashish , Mehrotra Rajeshwar
Published: April 2017

Climate models driven by observed or modeled sea surface temperature (SST) or SST anomalies (SSTA) are used as a standard tool in seasonal climate predictions. This study investigates the merit of seasonal rainfall predictions obtained by using multimodel SSTA to drive a climate model over a single model case. The multimodel SSTA predictions are obtained by combining the predictions of five climate models, whereas the stand‐alone model predictions come from the Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia. The climate model used is the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS). The use of multimodel SSTA over a single model shows marginal improvements in seasonal rainfall predictions across the entire globe. Further improvements in rainfall forecasts are possible either through improved parameterizations in the ACCESS model or by using another climate model. As a final step, the rainfall forecasts from the multimodel and the single model SSTA (two‐member hierarchical rainfall forecasts, denoted as HIER) are combined and to gain further improvements over the individual multimodel or single model rainfall predictions for most of the grid cells in all seasons.
Physical and chemical characteristics of lakes across heterogeneous landscapes in arctic and subarctic Alaska
Authors: Larsen A. S. , O'Donnell J. A. , Schmidt J. H. , Kristenson H. J. , Swanson D. K.
Published: April 2017

Lakes are an important component of high‐latitude regions, providing habitat for fish and wildlife and playing a critical role in biogeochemical and global carbon cycles. High‐latitude lakes are sensitive to climate change, in part due to their development within permafrost soils. Considerable heterogeneity exists across arctic and subarctic landscapes, yet little is known about how this landscape variability influences chemical and physical attributes of lakes. We investigated the physical and chemical limnology of 617 lakes in Alaska's boreal forest and boreal‐arctic transition zone. We categorized lakes into 10 basin types based on parent material, topography, genesis, and permafrost characteristics. Physical parameters varied across lake basin types, with the deepest lakes occurring in ice‐poor glacial deposits and ice‐rich terrain, while the shallowest lakes were observed in floodplain deposits and coastal lowlands. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) concentrations were generally low across all landscapes, whereas total N and P were highest in lakes underlain by ice‐rich Pleistocene loess. Total N and P concentrations were significantly correlated with chlorophyll a, indicating a possible colimitation of primary productivity in these systems. Base cation concentrations helped elucidate lake basin hydrology and the relative influence of shallow versus deep groundwater inputs to surface water. Using these results, we developed a simple conceptual model for each lake and landscape type based on differences in physical and chemical parameters. Overall, we expect that the vulnerability of lake ecosystems to climate change will vary across lake basin types and will be mediated by spatial patterns in permafrost characteristics and subsurface hydrology.
Contrasting aerosol refractive index and hygroscopicity in the inflow and outflow of deep convective storms: Analysis of airborne data from DC3
Authors: Sorooshian Armin , Shingler T. , Crosbie E. , Barth M. C. , Homeyer C. R. , Campuzano‐Jost P. , Day D. A. , Jimenez J. L. , Thornhill K. L. , Ziemba L. D. , Blake D. R. , Fried A.
Published: April 2017

We examine three case studies during the Deep Convective Clouds and Chemistry (DC3) field experiment when storm inflow and outflow air were sampled for aerosol subsaturated hygroscopicity and the real part of refractive index (n) with a Differential Aerosol Sizing and Hygroscopicity Probe (DASH‐SP) on the NASA DC‐8. Relative to inflow aerosol particles, outflow particles were more hygroscopic (by 0.03 based on the estimated κ parameter) in one of the three storms examined. Two of three “control” flights with no storm convection reveal higher κ values, albeit by only 0.02, at high altitude (> 8 km) versus < 4 km. Entrainment modeling shows that measured κ values in the outflow of the three storm flights are higher than predicted values (by 0.03–0.11) based on knowledge of κ values from the inflow and clear air adjacent to the storms. This suggests that other process(es) contributed to hygroscopicity enhancements such as secondary aerosol formation via aqueous‐phase chemistry. Values of n were higher in the outflow of two of the three storm flights, reaching as high as 1.54. More statistically significant differences were observed in control flights (no storms) where n decreased from 1.50–1.52 (< 4 km) to 1.49–1.50 (> 8 km). Chemical data show that enhanced hygroscopicity was coincident with lower organic mass fractions, higher sulfate mass fractions, and higher O:C ratios of organic aerosol. Refractive index did not correlate as well with available chemical data. Deep convection is shown to alter aerosol radiative properties, which has implications for aerosol effects on climate.
C
3

Carbon Reduction Cycle
Authors: Adam Neal R
Published: April 2017

The C
3
carbon reduction cycle is the primary pathway of carbon fixation in all photosynthetic organisms, reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to form carbohydrates, and in higher plants, it takes place in the chloroplast stroma. The carboxylation, reduction and regeneration phases of the Calvin–Benson cycle require several enzymes whose properties have been the focus of intense study. The intermediates of the Calvin–Benson cycle serve as links with several other pathways, and photosynthetically fixed carbon is exchanged among the pathways. Control of Rubisco involves several regulation mechanisms, and some are similar to those of other enzymes of the Calvin–Benson pathway, such as thioredoxin redox control as well as multiprotein complexes. All of these enzymes and control mechanisms, as well as plant canopy structure, are being studied with the aim of improving photosynthesis for increased plant production to feed a growing population.

Key Concepts

Rubisco is the key carbon-fixing enzyme in photosynthesis. Its activity is inefficient for several reasons, including the competition between its carboxylase and oxygenase activities, its kinetic properties, affinity for substrate, and the temperature sensitivity of Rubisco activase.

The oxygenase activity of Rubisco causes photorespiration, which results in a loss of fixed carbon, especially under high temperatures. Other plants and some bacteria have carbon concentrating mechanisms or photorespiratory CO2 trapping mechanisms that allow for greater efficiency of carbon fixation. These provide opportunities for engineering of more efficient plant production.

The C3 cycle produces carbon compounds that are used in plant growth and development, and so is linked to several other pathways. The result is flexibility in responding to environmental changes and plant needs, but also interesting challenges in engineering photosynthesis apparatus and Calvin-Benson cycle enzymes.

Activities of several of the enzymes of the C
3
cycle are regulated by light, which allows coordination of the pathway as a whole. The light regulation through redox processes also allows coordination with the electron transport chain. Light also has a central role in control of gene expression for enzymes, along with other environmental factors.

The need to increase food production has stimulated research on photosynthetic and Calvin-Benson cycle limitations. Modelling based strategies have allowed analysis of these limitations for potential areas of improvement.
Mood Disorders
Authors: Reus Victor I
Published: April 2017

Moods are fundamental emotional states that govern internal experience and adaptive survival. Clinical disorders of mood are prevalent and emerge out of a confluence of genetic, developmental and environmental risk factors to adversely affect morbidity, mortality and function. Current clinical nosologies of mood disorders are based on a categorical rather than dimensional approach to symptomatology and have been shown to have high reliability but lack validation. Advances in the understanding of the neural circuitry underlying regulation of emotion, together with refinements in genetic analysis, neuroimaging and behavioural and biochemical assessment, have contributed to a more comprehensive view of the aetiology of mood disorders and the mechanisms of effective therapeutic interventions. Although the integration of causative factors remains incomplete, current treatment options are numerous and highly effective in the majority of cases.

Key Concepts

Mood and emotion are terms that have distinct connotations.

Mood disorders are highly prevalent and a cause of significant morbidity and mortality.

Mood disorders exist on a continuum of intensity and duration of mood change and can be distinguished by the presence or absence of periods of activation and mood elevation, as well as depression.

The underlying pathophysiology and genetic underpinnings of mood disorders are increasingly being understood.

Mood disorders are highly treatable, using a combination of psychotherapeutic, psychopharmacologic and/or nonpharmacologic interventions.
Plant Physiological Responses to Climate and Environmental Change
Authors: Midgley Guy F
Published: April 2017

Physiological implications of climate and environmental change are complicated because of potential multiple interactions between stresses, and incomplete theory to project net results. Rising atmospheric CO
2
may be positive for plant growth in some regions, but in temperate regions, is less than predicted from simple physiological photosynthetic theory, because of feedback effects from within the plant, and from ecosystem level effects such as soil nutrient limitation. Rising temperatures will reduce freezing and chill stresses but will increase metabolic rates, although acclimation processes will temper this. Impacts on volatile organic compound emissions are attracting greater attention. High temperatures will induce heat shock responses, with poorly understood species‐specific impacts. Higher plants are generally physiologically well defended against UV‐B flux increases, which may now be moot due to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) mitigation. Long‐term field experiments have been important in reducing uncertainties about future physiological responses of plants to multiple environmental change drivers.

Key Concepts

Plants are not passive in the face of climate and environmental changes but employ a wide variety of mechanisms in responding.

Physiological changes at cellular, organ and individual plant level occur in response to changing climate and environmental conditions.

Much remains to be learned about how multiple climate and environmental changes interact to alter the performance of individual plants and their populations, partly because theory that translates physiological responses and changes to whole plant and population level responses is still developing.

An understanding of physiological responses is useful but not sufficient to predict impacts at higher levels of ecological organisation, like communities and biomes. This is due to community level interactions, the fact that plants shape the environment to some extent, and thus, ecological feedback effects come into play.

Long term field experimentation remains vital for testing theoretical projections of the net effects of climate and environmental change on plants.
Craniofacial Defects and Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: Richman Joy M , Vora Siddharth R
Published: April 2017

Serious malformations of the face present at birth are due to disturbances of embryonic development. Formation of the face begins during the fifth week post conception, and by 7 weeks, the lip is completely fused and continuous. The secondary palate forms between 7 and 11 weeks and is influenced by the growth of the surrounding head. Early disruption of lip and palate morphogenesis gives rise to severe orofacial clefts, whereas later disturbances cause microforms of clefting. Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is linked to polymorphisms in multiple genes and influences from the environment. In contrast, syndromic facial anomalies are attributed to defined changes in the genome and are accompanied by deficiencies in several organ systems.

Key Concepts

The face is susceptible to malformations due to the complex 4D nature of embryonic morphogenesis. Multiple prominences need to come together and fuse at precisely the right time during development in order for lip and palate fusion to occur.

The genes that cause syndromes with craniofacial phenotypes overlap with the genes that contribute to nonsyndromic abnormalities such as typical cleft lip with or without cleft palate.

Abnormal jaw relationships, especially mandibular prognathism, are partially genetically determined.

Novel genes that increase risk of being born with NSCL/P have been identified with Genome Wide Association Studies and targeted sequencing.

Midline clefts have a different etiology and appearance than non‐syndromic cleft lip. Midline clefts are part of the midline deficiencies in holoprosencephaly.
Clathrin
Authors: Lafer Eileen M , Sousa Rui
Published: April 2017

Clathrin plays an important role in vesicular transport in all compartmentalised cells from yeast to humans. Clathrin is a protein with a highly extended shape that can assemble into polyhedral structures. Formation of transport vesicles during many of the membrane‐trafficking processes in eukaryotic cells involves the polymerisation of clathrin into such polyhedral shells around the nascent vesicles. The recruitment and polymerisation of clathrin to specific regions on cell membranes where vesicular cargo is concentrated is a highly regulated process that involves both clathrin adaptor proteins and membrane phosphoinositides. Once a vesicle enveloped by clathrin is released from a membrane, another regulated process mediated by the ATP (adenosine triphosphate)‐hydrolysing Hsc70 chaperone depolymerises the clathrin, resulting in formation of mature transport vesicles. The depolymerised clathrin remains associated with Hsc70 to prevent its aberrant polymerisation.

Key Concepts

Clathrin is a major mediator of vesicular transport in all compartmentalised cells, from yeast to humans.

Clathrin has the property of self‐assembly.

When clathrin assembly takes place on a membrane, it contributes to the mechanical deformation of the membrane.

Clathrin is recruited to membranes by interactions with adaptor proteins.

Adaptor proteins are recruited to membranes by interactions with cargo proteins and phosphoinositides.

Intrinsic disorder in clathrin assembly proteins is important for clathrin lattice formation at membranes.

Release of a clathrin‐coated vesicle from a membrane is driven by the GTPase dynamin.

The uncoating of a clathrin‐coated vesicle is catalysed by the ATPase Hsc70.

Hsc70 mediates uncoating by a collision pressure mechanism, whereby collisions between the walls of the clathrin coat and Hsc70s drive the coat apart.

Hsc70 chaperones clathrin triskelia to prevent aberrant polymerisation.
Myxomycota
Authors: Stephenson Steven L , Darrah Randy G
Published: April 2017

The taxonomic division Myxomycota is made up of those eukaryotic microorganisms commonly referred to as the true slime moulds or (as they are known to biologists) myxomycetes. Since their discovery, myxomycetes have been variously classified as plants, animals or fungi. However, there is now abundant molecular data to confirm that they are amoebozoans and not fungi. Myxomycetes are usually present and sometimes abundant in terrestrial ecosystems, where they are associated with various types of decaying plant materials (e.g. coarse woody debris and forest floor litter). Because they produce aerial spore‐bearing structures that resemble those of certain fungi and also typically occur in some of the same types of ecological situations as fungi, myxomycetes have been traditionally studied by mycologists, and this continues to be the case in most instances. For example, the myxomycetes are still included in many textbooks of fungi.

Key Concepts

Since their discovery, myxomycetes have been variously classified as plants, animals or fungi, but there is now abundant molecular data to confirm that they are amoebozoans and not fungi.

Because they produce aerial spore‐bearing structures that resemble those of certain fungi and also typically occur in some of the same types of ecological situations as fungi, myxomycetes have been traditionally studied by mycologists, and this continues to be the case.

Approximately 900 species of myxomycetes have been described, but the concept of species as used for many of the more familiar groups of organisms is often rather problematic.

Molecular data indicate that the myxomycetes consist of two main assemblages, the light‐ and the dark‐spored myxomycetes.

Myxomycetes have been recorded from every major type of terrestrial ecosystem examined to date, and at least a few species have been recovered from aquatic habitats microorganisms.
Direct Synthesis of Electrowettable Carbon Nanowall–Diamond Hybrid Materials from Sacrificial Ceramic Templates Using HFCVD
Authors: Silva Eduardo L. , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Fernandes António J. S. , Silva Rui F. , Strobel Julian , Kienle Lorenz , Adelung Rainer , Oliveira Filipe J. , Zheludkevich Mikhail L.
Published: April 2017

Carbon‐on‐carbon materials carry the potential to be a major disruptive technology in fields like energy storage and electronics. In the present work, hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) is used to synthesize carbon nanowall (CNW) tetrapods coupled to nanocrystalline diamond in a 3D hybrid network form. The CNW/diamond phase proportion as well as the structural morphology can be easily adjusted by the CVD parameters, allowing a single‐step synthesis of CNW micro‐ and nanopillars or CNW/diamond 3D hybrid materials, in the powder form or as interconnected free‐standing specimens. Additionally, the direct incorporation of SnO2 catalyst particles during the one‐step CVD process is demonstrated. µ‐Raman and electron microscopy are used to understand the evolution of the morphological characteristics associated to the growth mechanism. The electrowettability behavior of the novel CNW/diamond hybrid material is demonstrated by electrochemical polarization studies. Such multifunctional carbon‐based hybrid 3D nanomaterials can find promising applications in advanced technologies such as energy storage.
Chip‐Scale Mass Manufacturable High‐Q Silicon Microdisks
Authors: Wang Yujie , Zhang Nan , Jiang Zhiqiang , Wang Li , Xiao Yunfeng , Sun Wenzhao , Yi Ningbo , Liu Shuai , Gu Xiao , Xiao Shumin , Song Qinghai
Published: April 2017

High‐Q silicon microdisks are fundamental building blocks for on‐chip photonic systems and have been well developed in past decades. However, the practical applications of high‐Q silicon microdisks are facing a dilemma. The high‐Q silicon microdisks are realized with electron‐beam lithography and are hard to be massively fabricated. The standard photolithography usually generates microdisks with rough surfaces and cannot produce high Q resonators. This study addresses this challenge and reports a novel approach to fabricate chip‐scale high‐Q silicon microdisks with standard photolithography and an isotropic etching. While standard photolithography generates microscale roughness on the cavity boundary, these experimental results show that the following isotropic etching process can effectively smooth them. The ultimate surface roughness is even comparable to the microdisks that are fabricated with E‐beam lithography. Consequently, the cavity Q factors are dramatically improved from a few thousand to more than a million. Compared with the conventional approach, this new technique is particularly intriguing. It can produce chip‐scale high‐Q silicon microdisks simultaneously for the first time. This research is a key step for mass fabrication of high‐Q silicon microdisks, and it can boost the advances of silicon microdisks in a number of important applications, such as optical sensing, quantum optics, and integrated optical elements.
Efficient Storing Energy Harvested by Triboelectric Nanogenerators Using a Safe and Durable All‐Solid‐State Sodium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Hou Huidan , Xu Qingkai , Pang Yaokun , Li Lei , Wang Jiulin , Zhang Chi , Sun Chunwen
Published: April 2017

Storing energy harvested by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) from ambient mechanical motion is still a great challenge for achieving low‐cost and environmental benign power sources. Here, an all‐solid‐state Na‐ion battery with safe and durable performance used for efficient storing pulsed energy harvested by the TENG is demonstrated. The solid‐state sodium‐ion batteries are charged by galvanostatic mode and pulse mode with the TENG, respectively. The all‐solid‐state sodium‐ion battery displays excellent cyclic performance up to 1000 cycles with a capacity retention of about 85% even at a high charge and discharge current density of 48 mA g−1. When charged by the TENG, an energy conversion efficiency of 62.3% is demonstrated. The integration of TENGs with the safe and durable all‐solid‐state sodium‐ion batteries is potential for providing more stable power output for self‐powered systems.
B(C6F5)3‐Catalyzed Cascade Reduction of Pyridines
Authors: Liu Zhi‐Yun , Wen Zhi‐Hui , Wang Xiao‐Chen
Published: April 2017

B(C6F5)3 has been found to be an effective catalyst for reduction of pyridines and other electron‐deficient N‐heteroarenes with hydrosilanes (or hydroboranes) and amines as the reducing reagents. The success of this development hinges upon the realization of a cascade process of dearomative hydrosilylation (or hydroboration) and transfer hydrogenation. The broad functional‐group tolerance (e.g. ketone, ester, unactivated olefins, nitro, nitrile, heterocycles, etc.) implies high practical utility.
Coupling clinical exome sequencing with functional characterization studies to diagnose a patient with familial Mediterranean fever and MED13L haploinsufficiency syndromes
Authors: Mullegama Sureni V. , Jensik Phillip , Li Chen , Dorrani Naghmeh ,   UCLA Clinical Genomics Center, Kantarci Sibel , Blumberg Bruce , Grody Wayne W. , Strom Samuel P.
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical Message

Clinicians should consider that clinical exome sequencing provides the unique potential to disentangle complex phenotypes into multiple genetic etiologies. Further, functional studies on variants of uncertain significance are necessary to arrive at an accurate diagnosis for the patient.
Nickel‐Cornered Molecular Rectangles as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Receptors
Authors: Martínez‐Agramunt Víctor , Ruiz‐Botella Sheila , Peris Eduardo
Published: April 2017

Two nickel‐cornered organometallic metalla‐rectangles containing a pyrene‐linked‐di‐N‐heterocyclic carbene have been prepared. The dimensions of one side of the rectangle were modulated by either using pyrazine or 4,4′‐bipyridine. The two molecules were tested as hosts for the recognition of seven small polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in [D6]acetone. By using 1H NMR spectroscopy titrations, it could be established that the host–guest stoichiometries of the inclusion complexes formed were 1:1 for the pyrazine‐based host, and 1:2 for the host containing bipyridine, in accordance with the larger dimensions of the latter. The molecular structure of the inclusion complex consisting of the bipyridine‐containing host and pyrene was determined by X‐ray crystallography, which confirms the 1:2 host–guest stoichiometry of this species. The determination of the association constants indicate that the binding strengths are in the order: Perylene<naphthalene<phenanthrene<anthracene<pyrene<triphenylene, ranging from 130–4400 m−1 in the case of the smaller host, thus indicating that larger PAHs show higher binding strengths than smaller ones, except for the case of perylene, which exceeds the size for an optimum dimensional fitting within the cavity. As a proof of concept, the pyrazine host was used as a PAH‐scavenger in heptane.
Redox‐Disproportionation of a Decamethyltitanocene(III) Isonitrile Alkynyl Complex
Authors: Reiß Fabian , Altenburger Kai , Hollmann Dirk , Spannenberg Anke , Jiao Haijun , Arndt Perdita , Rosenthal Uwe , Beweries Torsten
Published: April 2017

A mixed decamethyltitanocene(III) isonitrile alkynyl complex (7) was synthesized by the sequential introduction of the isonitrile and alkynyl ligands. Direct synthesis results in the formation of the diamagnetic decamethyltitanocene bis(isonitrile) (2) and bis(alkynyl) (3) complexes. Compound 7 undergoes disproportionation at room temperature to give 2 and 3. All complexes were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and EPR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Molecular structures for complexes 2 and 7 are reported. The stability and reactivity of these complexes are rationalized by DFT computations.
Photophysical and Magnetic Properties in Complexes Containing 3d/4f Elements and Chiral Phenanthroline‐Based Helicate‐Like Ligands
Authors: Speed Saskia , Pointillart Fabrice , Mulatier Jean‐Christophe , Guy Laure , Golhen Stéphane , Cador Olivier , Le Guennic Boris , Riobé François , Maury Olivier , Ouahab Lahcène
Published: April 2017

The reactions between the chiral helicene‐like ligand (L) and either Ln(hfac)3·2H2O (hfac– = 1,1,1,5,5,5‐hexafluoroacetylacetonate), Ln(tta)3·2H2O (tta– = 2‐tenoyltrifluoroacetonate), iron(II) sulfate or chloride, or a combination of them led to the formation of five chiral 4f compounds of formula [HL][Ln(hfac)4]·nCH2Cl2 [Ln = Dy, n = 0.5 (1) and Ln = Yb, n = 1 (2)], [HL][Ln(tta)4]·nC6H14 [Ln = Dy, n = 0 (3) and Ln = Yb, n = 2.5 (4)], and [HL]2[Yb8(hfac)12(OH)12(O)]·0.5C6H14·H2O (5), a chiral 3d complex of formula [Fe(NCS)2(L)]·CH3NO2 (6), and a chiral 3d/4f heterodimetallic compound of formula [Fe(tta)(L)][Dy(tta)4]·2.5CH2Cl2 (7). The influence of the nature of the ancillary ligand and the presence or absence of base during the synthesis on the homochiral or heterochiral arrangement of the ligands as well as the dimensionality and nuclearity of the complexes were studied. Ytterbium‐based compounds 2, 4, and 5 display near‐infrared (NIR) luminescence under irradiation at λ = 350 nm owing to the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 YbIII transition (centered at λ = 1000 nm). Complex 2 displays a second NIR emission at λ = 1278 nm, which is attributed to singlet‐oxygen phosphorescence (a1Δg → X3Σg–) at both room temperature and 77 K. Dynamic magnetic measurements show an out‐of‐phase signal for the magnetic susceptibility of 7, which can be depicted as a 3d/4f chiral heterodimetallic single‐molecule magnet.
Analgesic effect of clobazam in chronic low‐back pain but not in experimentally induced pain
Authors: Schliessbach J. , Vuilleumier P.H. , Siegenthaler A. , Bütikofer L. , Limacher A. , Juni P. , Zeilhofer H.U. , Arendt‐Nielsen L. , Curatolo M.
Published: April 2017

Background

Chronic pain is frequently associated with hypersensitivity of the nervous system, and drugs that increase central inhibition are therefore a potentially effective treatment. Benzodiazepines are potent modulators of GABAergic neurotransmission and are known to exert antihyperalgesic effects in rodents, but translation into patients are lacking. This study investigates the effect of the benzodiazepine clobazam in chronic low‐back pain in humans. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of GABA modulation on chronic low‐back pain and on quantitative sensory tests.

Methods

In this double‐blind cross‐over study, 49 patients with chronic low‐back pain received a single oral dose of clobazam 20 mg or active placebo tolterodine 1 mg. Pain intensity on the 0–10 numeric rating scale and quantitative sensory tests were assessed during 2 h after drug intake.

Results

Pain intensity in the supine position was significantly reduced by clobazam compared to active placebo (60 min: 2.9 vs. 3.5, p = 0.008; 90 min: 2.7 vs. 3.3, p = 0.024; 120 min: 2.4 vs. 3.1, p = 0.005). Pain intensity in the sitting position was not significantly different between groups. No effects on quantitative sensory tests were observed.

Conclusions

This study suggests that clobazam has an analgesic effect in patients with chronic low‐back pain. Muscle relaxation or sedation may have contributed to the effect. Development of substances devoid of these side effects would offer the potential to further investigate the antihyperalgesic action of GABAergic compounds.

Significance

Modulation of GABAergic pain‐inhibitory pathways may be a potential future therapeutic target.
Determination of lipoic acid in human urine by capillary zone electrophoresis
Authors: Kubalczyk Paweł , Głowacki Rafał
Published: April 2017

Fast, simple, and accurate CE method enabling determination of lipoic acid (LA) in human urine has been developed and validated. LA is a disulfide‐containing natural compound absorbed from the organism's diet. Due to powerful antioxidant activity, LA has been used for prevention and treatment of various diseases and disorders, e.g. cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer. The proposed analytical procedure consists of liquid–liquid sample extraction, reduction of LA with tris(2‐carboxyethyl)phosphine, derivatization with 1‐benzyl‐2‐chloropyridinium bromide (BCPB) followed by field amplified sample injection stacking, capillary zone electrophoresis separation, and ultraviolet‐absorbance detection of LA‐BCPB derivative at 322 nm. Effective baseline electrophoretic separation was achieved within 6 min under the separation voltage of 20 kV (∼80 μA) using a standard fused‐silica capillary (effective length 51.5 cm, 75 μm id) and BGE consisted of 0.05 mol/L borate buffer adjusted to pH 9. The experimentally determined limit of detection for LA in urine was 1.2 μmol/L. The calibration curve obtained for LA in urine showed linearity in the range 2.5–80 μmol/L, with R2 0.9998. The relative standard deviation of the points of the calibration curve was lower than 10%. The analytical procedure was successfully applied to analysis of real urine samples from seven healthy volunteers who received single 100 mg dose of LA.
Adjusting for information content when comparing forecast performance
Authors: Andersson Michael K , Aranki Ted , Reslow André
Published: April 2017

Cross‐institutional forecast evaluations may be severely distorted by the fact that forecasts are made at different points in time and therefore with different amounts of information. This paper proposes a method to account for these differences when analyzing an unbalanced panel of forecasts. The method computes the timing effect and the forecaster's ability simultaneously. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates that evaluations that do not adjust for the differences in information content may be misleading. In addition, the method is applied to a real‐world dataset of 10 Swedish forecasters for the period 1999–2015. The results show that the ranking of the forecasters is affected by the proposed adjustment.
Integrating TeamSTEPPS® into ambulatory reproductive health care: Early successes and lessons learned
Authors: Paul Maureen E. , Dodge Laura E. , Intondi Evelyn , Ozcelik Guzey , Plitt Ken , Hacker Michele R.
Published: April 2017

Background

Most medical teamwork improvement interventions have occurred in hospitals, and more efforts are needed to integrate them into ambulatory care settings. In 2014, Affiliates Risk Management Services, Inc. (ARMS), the risk management services organization for a large network of reproductive health care organizations in the United States, launched a voluntary 5‐year initiative to implement a medical teamwork system in this network using the TeamSTEPPS model. This article describes the ARMS initiative and progress made during the first 2 years, including lessons learned.

Methods

The ARMS TeamSTEPPS program consists of the following components: preparation of participating organizations, TeamSTEPPS master training, implementation of teamwork improvement programs, and evaluation. We used self‐administered questionnaires to assess satisfaction with the ARMS program and with the master training course.

Results

In the first 2 years, 20 organizations enrolled. Participants found the preparation phase valuable and were highly satisfied with the master training course. Although most attendees felt that the course imparted the knowledge and tools critical for TeamSTEPPS implementation, they identified time restraints and competing initiatives as potential barriers. The project team has learned valuable lessons about obtaining buy‐in, consolidating the change teams, making the curriculum relevant, and evaluation.

Conclusion

Ambulatory care settings require innovative approaches to integration of teamwork improvement systems. Evaluating and sharing lessons learned will help to hone best practices as we navigate this new frontier in the field of patient safety.