bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User modeling in a social network for cognitively disabled people
Authors: Arbelaitz Olatz , Martínez‐Otzeta José María , Muguerza Javier
Published: May 2015

Online communities are becoming an important tool in the communication and participation processes in our society. However, the most widespread applications are difficult to use for people with disabilities, or may involve some risks if no previous training has been undertaken. This work describes a novel social network for cognitively disabled people along with a clustering‐based method for modeling activity and socialization processes of its users in a noninvasive way. This closed social network is specifically designed for people with cognitive disabilities, called Guremintza, that provides the network administrators (e.g., social workers) with two types of reports: summary statistics of the network usage and behavior patterns discovered by a data mining process. Experiments made in an initial stage of the network show that the discovered patterns are meaningful to the social workers and they find them useful in monitoring the progress of the users.
“A few exciting words”: Information and entropy revisited
Authors: Bawden David , Robinson Lyn
Published: May 2015

A review is presented of the relation between information and entropy, focusing on two main issues: the similarity of the formal definitions of physical entropy, according to statistical mechanics, and of information, according to information theory; and the possible subjectivity of entropy considered as missing information. The paper updates the 1983 analysis ofShaw andDavis. The difference in the interpretations of information given respectively byShannon and byWiener, significant for the information sciences, receives particular consideration. Analysis of a range of material, from literary theory to thermodynamics, is used to draw out the issues. Emphasis is placed on recourse to the original sources, and on direct quotation, to attempt to overcome some of the misunderstandings and oversimplifications that have occurred with these topics. Although it is strongly related to entropy, information is neither identical with it, nor its opposite. Information is related to order and pattern, but also to disorder and randomness. The relations between information and the “interesting complexity,” which embodies both patterns and randomness, are worthy of attention.
Rain or shine? Forecasting search process performance in exploratory search tasks
Authors: Shah Chirag , Hendahewa Chathra , González‐Ibáñez Roberto
Published: May 2015

Most information retrieval (IR) systems consider relevance, usefulness, and quality of information objects (documents, queries) for evaluation, prediction, and recommendation, often ignoring the underlying search process of information seeking. This may leave out opportunities for making recommendations that analyze the search process and/or recommend alternative search process instead of objects. To overcome this limitation, we investigated whether by analyzing a searcher's current processes we could forecast his likelihood of achieving a certain level of success with respect to search performance in the future. We propose a machine‐learning‐based method to dynamically evaluate and predict search performance several time‐steps ahead at each given time point of the search process during an exploratory search task. Our prediction method uses a collection of features extracted from expression of information need and coverage of information. For testing, we used log data collected from 4 user studies that included 216 users (96 individuals and 60 pairs). Our results show 80–90% accuracy in prediction depending on the number of time‐steps ahead. In effect, the work reported here provides a framework for evaluating search processes during exploratory search tasks and predicting search performance. Importantly, the proposed approach is based on user processes and is independent of any IR system.
Reducing digital divide effects through student engagement in coordinated game design, online resource use, and social computing activities in school
Authors: Reynolds Rebecca , Chiu Ming Ming
Published: May 2015

Participating in online social, cultural, and political activities requires digital skill and knowledge. This study investigates how sustained student engagement in game design and social media use can attenuate the relations between socioeconomic factors and digital inequality among youth. This study of 242 middle and high school students participating in theGlobaloria project shows that participation eliminates gender effects, and reduces parent education effects in home computer use. Further, students from schools with lower parent education show greater increases in frequency of school technology engagement.Globaloria participation also weakens the link between prior school achievement and advanced technology activities. Results offer evidence that school‐based digital literacy programs can attenuate digital divide effects known to occur cross‐sectionally in the general U.S. population.
Social media and problematic everyday life information‐seeking outcomes: Differences across use frequency, gender, and problem‐solving styles
Authors: Sin Sei‐Ching Joanna
Published: May 2015

Social media offers both opportunities and challenges in everyday life information seeking (ELIS). Despite their popularity, it is unclear whether the use of social media for ELIS heightens problematic outcomes, such as encountering too much information and finding irrelevant, conflicting, outdated, and noncredible information. In light of this gap, this study tested (a) whether the level of problematic informational outcomes varies with the use of social networking sites, microblogs, and social question and answer sites; (b) whether the problem level varies by gender and problem‐solving styles; and (c) whether the aforementioned factors have significant interaction effects. An online questionnaire was used to survey 791 U.S. undergraduates. Irrelevant information was the top issue. Gender difference was statistically significant for conflicting information, which was more problematic for women. The multiway analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated notable problem‐solving style differences, especially on the Personal Control subscale. This highlights the importance of affective factors. It is noteworthy that although social media use has no significant main effect, there were significant interaction effects between microblog use and the Approach‐Avoidance and Problem Solving Confidence subscales. The impact of microblog use on ELIS outcomes therefore warrants further investigation. Five propositions are posited for further testing.
Text representation strategies: An example with the State of the union addresses
Authors: Savoy Jacques
Published: May 2015

Based on State of the Union addresses from 1790 to 2014 (225 speeches delivered by 42 presidents), this paper describes and evaluates different text representation strategies. To determine the most important words of a given text, the term frequencies (tf) or the tf idf weighting scheme can be applied. Recently, latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) has been proposed to define the topics included in a corpus. As another strategy, this study proposes to apply a vocabulary specificity measure (Z score) to determine the most significantly overused word‐types or short sequences of them. Our experiments show that the simple term frequency measure is not able to discriminate between specific terms associated with a document or a set of texts. Using the tf idf or LDA approach, the selection requires some arbitrary decisions. Based on the term‐specific measure (Z score), the term selection has a clear theoretical basis. Moreover, the most significant sentences for each presidency can be determined. As another facet, we can visualize the dynamic evolution of usage of some terms associated with their specificity measures. Finally, this technique can be employed to define the most important lexical leaders introducing terms overused by the k following presidencies.
Not all international collaboration is beneficial: The Mendeley readership and citation impact of biochemical research collaboration
Authors: Sud Pardeep , Thelwall Mike
Published: May 2015

Biochemistry is a highly funded research area that is typified by large research teams and is important for many areas of the life sciences. This article investigates the citation impact and Mendeley readership impact of biochemistry research from 2011 in the Web of Science according to the type of collaboration involved. Negative binomial regression models are used that incorporate, for the first time, the inclusion of specific countries within a team. The results show that, holding other factors constant, larger teams robustly associate with higher impact research, but including additional departments has no effect and adding extra institutions tends to reduce the impact of research. Although international collaboration is apparently not advantageous in general, collaboration with the United States, and perhaps also with some other countries, seems to increase impact. In contrast, collaborations with some other nations seems to decrease impact, although both findings could be due to factors such as differing national proportions of excellent researchers. As a methodological implication, simpler statistical models would find international collaboration to be generally beneficial and so it is important to take into account specific countries when examining collaboration.
A mixture model of global internet capacity distributions
Authors: Seo Hyunjin , Thorson Stuart
Published: May 2015

This article develops a preferential attachment‐based mixture model of global Internet bandwidth and investigates it in the context of observed bandwidth distributions between 2002 and 2011. Our longitudinal analysis shows, among other things, that the bandwidth share distributions—and thus bandwidth differences—exhibit considerable path dependence where country proportions of international bandwidth in 2011 can be substantially accounted for by a preferential attachment‐based mixture of micro‐level processes. Our preferential attachment model, consistent with empirical data, does not predict increasing concentration of bandwidth within top‐ranked countries. We argue that recognizing the strong, but nuanced, historical inertia of bandwidth distributions is helpful in better discriminating among competing theoretical perspectives on the global digital divide as well as in clarifying policy discussions related to gaps between bandwidth‐rich and bandwidth‐poor countries.
The effects of distraction on task completion scores in a natural environment test setting
Authors: Greifeneder Elke
Published: May 2015

The effects of distraction on completion scores generate a gap that is generally not taken into account in information behavior studies. This research investigated what happens if researchers de facto allow distractions to occur in a test situation. It examined the type and magnitude of occurred distractions, the effects distractions have on completion scores, and whether different distractions affect different test activities differently. In the research design, participants were randomly assigned to either a controlled environment or their natural environment. The results showed that whereas participants in the natural environment needed more time to complete the post task questionnaire than their laboratory counterparts, they spent a similar amount of time on the tasks. Participants were capable of, and indeed willing to, limit the less‐urgent distractions in the interests of getting the tasks done. If they were interrupted by a human contact, however, the completion time for tasks increased significantly. Previous studies showed that distractions change information behavior. Yet, the present results provide evidence that these changes do not always occur, and thus there needs to be a better demarcation of the limits within which distraction can be expected to change how people interact with information.
Software in the scientific literature: Problems with seeing, finding, and using software mentioned in the biology literature
Authors: Howison James , Bullard Julia
Published: May 2015

Software is increasingly crucial to scholarship, yet the visibility and usefulness of software in the scientific record are in question. Just as with data, the visibility of software in publications is related to incentives to share software in reusable ways, and so promote efficient science. In this article, we examine software in publications through content analysis of a random sample of 90 biology articles. We develop a coding scheme to identify software “mentions” and classify them according to their characteristics and ability to realize the functions of citations. Overall, we find diverse and problematic practices: Only between 31% and 43% of mentions involve formal citations; informal mentions are very common, even in high impact factor journals and across different kinds of software. Software is frequently inaccessible (15%–29% of packages in any form; between 90% and 98% of specific versions; only between 24%–40% provide source code). Cites to publications are particularly poor at providing version information, whereas informal mentions are particularly poor at providing crediting information. We provide recommendations to improve the practice of software citation, highlighting recent nascent efforts. Software plays an increasingly great role in scientific practice; it deserves a clear and useful place in scholarly communication.
A New Method for Getting Rational Approximation for Fractional Order Differintegrals
Authors: Dhabale Ashwin S. , Dive Rutuja , Aware Mohan V. , Das Shantanu
Published: May 2015

In this paper a new algorithm is presented to calculate the poles and zeros to approximate a fractional order (FO) differintegral (s±α,α∈(0,1)) by a rational function on a finite frequency band ω∈(ωl,ωh). The constant phase property of the FO differintegral is the basis for development of the algorithm. Interlacing of real poles and zeros is used to achieve the constant phase. The calculations are done using the asymptotic Bode phase plot. A brief investigation is made to get a good approximation for the Bode phase plot. Two design parameters are introduced to keep the average phase close to the desired phase angle and to keep the error within the allowed bounds. A study is done to empirically understand the relationship between the error and the design parameters. The results thus obtained help in the further calculations. The algorithm is computationally simple and inexpensive, and gives a fairly good approximation of fractance frequency response on the specified frequency band.
Antibody Recognition in multiple sclerosis and rett syndrome using a collection of linear and cyclic N‐glucosylated antigenic probes
Authors: Real Fernández Feliciana , Di Pisa Margherita , Rossi Giada , Auberger Nicolas , Lequin Olivier , Larregola Maud , Benchohra Amina , Mansuy Christelle , Chassaing Gerard , Lolli Francesco , Hayek Joussef , Lavielle Solange , Rovero Paolo , Mallet Jean‐Maurice , Papini Anna Maria
Published: May 2015

Antibody detection in autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Rett syndrome (RTT) can be achieved more efficiently using synthetic peptides. The previously developed synthetic antigenic probe CSF114(Glc), a type I′ β‐turn N‐glucosylated peptide structure, is able to recognize antibodies in MS and RTT patients’ sera as a sign of immune system derangement. We report herein the design, synthesis, conformational analysis, and immunological evaluation of a collection of glycopeptide analogs of CSF114(Glc) to characterize the specific role of secondary structures in MS and RTT antibody recognition. Therefore, we synthesized a series of linear and cyclic short glucosylated sequences, mimicking different β‐turn conformations, which were evaluated in inhibition enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Calculated IC50 ranking analysis allowed the selection of the candidate octapeptide containing two (S)−2‐amino‐4‐pentynoic acid (L‐Pra) residues Ac‐Pra‐RRN(Glc)GHT‐Pra‐NH2, with an IC50 in the nanomolar range. This peptide was adequately modified for solid‐phase ELISA (SP‐ELISA) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. Pra‐RRN(Glc)GHT‐Pra‐NH2 peptide was modified with an alkyl chain linked to the N‐terminus, favoring immobilization on solid phase in SP‐ELISA and differentiating IgG antibody recognition between patients and healthy blood donors with a high specificity. However, this peptide displayed a loss in IgM specificity and sensitivity. Moreover, an analog was obtained after modification of the octapeptide candidate Ac‐Pra‐RRN(Glc)GHT‐Pra‐NH2 to favor immobilization on SPR sensor chips. SPR technology allowed us to determine its affinity (KD = 16.4 nM), 2.3 times lower than the affinity of the original glucopeptide CSF114(Glc) (KD = 7.1 nM). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 560–576, 2015.
Progress toward forecasting product quality and quantity of mammalian cell culture processes by performance‐based modeling
Authors: Schmidberger Timo , Posch Christoph , Sasse Alexandra , Gülch Carina , Huber Robert
Published: May 2015

The production of biopharmaceuticals requires highly sophisticated, complex cell based processes. Once a process has been developed, acceptable ranges for various control parameters are typically defined based on process characterization studies often comprising several dozens of small scale bioreactor cultivations. A lot of data is generated during these studies and usually only the information needed to define acceptable ranges is processed in more detail. Making use of the wealth of information contained in such data sets, we present here a methodology that uses performance data (such as metabolite profiles) to forecast the product quality and quantity of mammalian cell culture processes based on a toolbox of advanced statistical methods. With this performance based modeling (PBM) the final product concentration and 12 quality attributes (QAs) for two different biopharmaceutical products were predicted in daily intervals throughout the main stage process. The best forecast was achieved for product concentration in a very early phase of the process. Furthermore, some glycan isoforms were predicted with good accuracy several days before the bioreactor was harvested. Overall, PBM clearly demonstrated its capability of early process endpoint prediction by only using commonly available data, even though it was not possible to predict all QAs with the desired accuracy. Knowing the product quality prior to the harvest allows the manufacturer to take counter measures in case the forecasted quality or quantity deviates from what is expected. This would be a big step towards real‐time release, an important element of the FDA's PAT initiative. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1119–1127, 2015
Disabled Children and the Child Protection System: A Cause for Concern
Authors: Taylor Julie , Stalker Kirsten , Stewart Alasdair
Published: May 2015

Disabled children are more likely to be abused than their non‐disabled peers. Despite this heightened risk, the abuse of disabled children often goes undetected and under‐reported. This qualitative study investigated the specific issues faced by practitioners in Scotland in supporting disabled children at risk of significant harm. Interviews were held with participants from six local authority areas and across five different services, and five focus groups with child protection committees (total 61 participants). There were positive messages about putting the child at the very heart of child protection assessment and intervention, regardless of any impairment that a child may have. However, there was also concern that practice was at times parent‐centred. Some participants appeared to be ‘muddling through’ in practice and many practitioners lacked confidence when working with disabled children. Data from this study suggest that thresholds for disabled children may be higher than for non‐disabled children. Participants reported high levels of interagency working and saw this as inherently positive, although they recognised some failings and tensions. There is widespread commitment across the child protection system to putting the child at the centre. However, getting it right for every child does not mean treating every child the same. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

‘specific issues faced by practitioners in Scotland in supporting disabled children at risk of significant harm’

Key Practitioner Messages

There is significant evidence that disabled children are at greater risk of abuse than their non‐disabled peers.

Practitioners are sometimes so concerned with keeping the child at the centre they may fail to account for the added complexities and vulnerabilities that impairment can bring.

Equality does not mean treating every child the same.
Einsatz von Bilderkennung zur Auswertung tomographischer Aufnahmen für die Erfassung vom Partikelformen
Authors: Gilson Laurent , Bröckel Ulrich
Published: May 2015

Zahlreiche Materialeigenschaften von Feststoffen werden von der Partikelmorphologie beeinflusst. Die exakte, schnelle und kostengünstige Bestimmung der inneren und äußeren Morphologie von Partikeln ist deshalb von großem Interesse. Durch die Kombination von Watershed und des Active Contour Model konnte die Vermessung der Partikelformen erheblich vereinfacht werden. Die Technik ist anwendbar auf eine Vielzahl von Partikelkollektiven und ermöglicht die Generierung einer ausreichenden Anzahl von Formen zur statischen Charakterisierung von Partikeln binnen weniger Stunden.
Studies on permeability of sisal fibre mat during thermoset resin filling in vacuum infusion process
Authors: Subbiah Rajkumar , Tjong Jimmy , Nayak Sanjay K. , Sain Mohini
Published: May 2015

The focus of this study is contemplating the resin flow behaviour (dictating permeability) in a sisal based natural fibre mat compared to a glass fibre mat. This mainly deploys fibre reinforced plastics subjected to a vacuum infusion process. The outcome of this research emphasizes the wetting mechanism and fibre network of sisal mats, which significantly reduces the flow characteristics. In addition, it is observed that the swelling phenomenon had an insignificant or minimal influence on the permeability of the sisal fibre mat. However, employment of bio‐based resin provides a considerable change in the swelling phenomenon. Hence, this factor is important to consider in permeability studies to attain higher accuracy.
High‐order data‐driven optimal TILC approach for fed‐batch processes
Authors: Chi Ronghu , Liu Yu , Hou Zhongsheng , Jin Shangtai
Published: May 2015

A high‐order data‐driven optimal terminal iterative learning control (H‐DDOTILC) is proposed for fed‐batch processes, which are considered a general class of nonlinear and non‐affine systems. A new dynamical linearization is introduced to the iteration domain to reveal the relationship of system terminal output and control input among batches. The proposed H‐DDOTILC consists of a high‐order learning control law, an iterative parameter estimator, and a rest algorithm, together. The learning control law with a high‐order form is capable of utilizing more control knowledge of the previous l batches to improve control performance. The parameter updating law is used to estimate the unknown derivatives of the nonlinear system to control input, which is the main part of the nonlinear learning gain function of the control law. Essentially, the proposed approach is a data‐driven control strategy, and the controller design and analysis only depend on the I/O data of the plant, which is a distinct feature for the control problems of practical nonlinear and non‐affine systems. Both the rigorous analysis and the simulation results illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Observations on the yielding behaviour of oil sand slurries under vane and slump tests
Authors: Gutierrez Leopoldo , Pawlik Marek
Published: May 2015

Yield stress measurements were carried out on slurries prepared from five different ore samples of varying contents of bitumen and fines in the sand fraction. The rheological measurements were performed using the vane, slump, and relaxation methods, as well as by extrapolation of equilibrium flow curves to zero shear rate. In the case of the vane tests, it was found that the yield stress values agreed better with the results obtained from the other techniques when the yield stresses were calculated using a torque value at the point of departure from linearity on the initial section of experimental torque‐time curves. It was found that the yield stress values of oil sand slurries increased with an increase in bitumen content in the ores. High‐bitumen ores tended to yield within a volume of the slurry extending well beyond the geometry of the vane. In contrast, low‐bitumen ores yielded much closer to the vane edges. As a result, the torque value at the point of departure from linearity on the torque‐time curve was recommended for calculating the yield stress of high‐bitumen ore slurries with the use of the vane technique. On the other hand, the maximum torque value on the torque‐time curve can be used for determining the yield stress of low bitumen ores.
Solution‐Processed Ultrathin Aluminosilicate Nanotube–Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Membranes with Partial Alignment of Nanotubes
Authors: Kang Dun‐Yen , Lydon Megan E. , Yucelen G. Ipek , Jones Christopher W. , Nair Sankar
Published: May 2015

The fabrication of ultrathin (300 nm) aluminosilicate nanotube–poly(vinyl alcohol) composite membranes with partial vertical alignment of the nanotubes (up to 33 %), by solution‐casting methods on porous polymeric substrates, is reported. A high loading (up to 60 vol %) of nanotubes is achieved. A comprehensive microstructural characterization of the membranes is performed by a combination of SEM, TEM, grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering measurements, and simulations. This investigation shows that the nanotubes are individually dispersed and partially aligned in the polymeric matrix by the use of appropriate matrix and substrate materials. Permeation measurements of gas probe molecules (CO2 and CH4) on two different types of membranes, one containing bare nanotubes and the other containing amine‐functionalized nanotubes, also support the proposed microstructure of the thin nanocomposite membranes.
Amino Acid‐Dependent Host–Guest Interaction: Polyglycerol Dendrimer of Generation 3 Encapsulates Amino Acids Bearing Two Amino Groups
Authors: Ooya Tooru , Lee Haejoo
Published: May 2015

A polyglycerol dendrimer (PGD), which is known as a biocompatible compound, was demonstrated as a host molecule for amino acids. PGD of generation 3 (PGD‐G3) was found to interact with basic α‐amino acids such as l‐arginine (Arg) and l‐lysine (Lys) in water. The results of isothermal titration calorimetry, 1H NMR, and 1H‐1H NOESY NMR measurements revealed that two basic groups in α‐amino acids were essential for encapsulation by PGD‐G3. An increase in the pKa value of the amino acid side chains (Arg>Lys>His>Glu) increased the binding constant, thus suggesting that the basicity of α‐amino acids is an important factor to interact with ether oxygen of PGD‐G3. The results demonstrate the utility of PGD‐G3 toward incorporation of α‐amino acids, peptides, and basic proteins in water.
Therapeutic Challenges in Diabetes Prevention: We Have Not Found the “Exercise Pill”
Authors: Srinivasan S , Florez JC
Published: May 2015

Type 2 diabetes has become an enormous public health burden, making diabetes prevention a pressing issue. While lifestyle modification is the most effective preventive strategy, it is resource‐intensive and not universally sustainable. We review the evidence on pharmacological options for diabetes prevention, in search of a medication that is efficacious, easy to adhere to, well tolerated, and cost‐effective. With the exception of metformin, most other drugs have either limited efficacy or costly side effects.
Frame and carrier frequency synchronization algorithm for wireless body area network
Authors: Kim Byung‐Kyu , Song Hyoung‐Kyu , Seo Sung‐Il , You Young‐Hwan
Published: May 2015

A wireless body area network (WBAN) is a radio‐frequency‐based wireless communication technology that consists of a number of different sensor and actuator nodes interconnected with a body gateway. Considering the constrained resources in WBAN devices, simple and noise‐robust synchronization algorithms are required. Frame synchronization and frequency offset estimation are extremely important in the design of a robust WBAN receiver. In this paper, a detection strategy such as frame synchronization and frequency estimation is described in the WBAN system, which can improve the receiver performance. In doing so, algorithms are designed or chosen for the frame detection, carrier frequency offset synchronization, and joint fine‐time and phase‐offset estimation by exploiting the spike‐like property of the physical layer convergence protocol preamble and the frame structure in the WBAN system. The performance of the WBAN synchronization receiver is verified by computer simulation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Otic placode cell specification and proliferation are regulated by Notch signaling in avian development
Authors: Shida Hiroko , Mende Michael , Takano‐Yamamoto Teruko , Osumi Noriko , Streit Andrea , Wakamatsu Yoshio
Published: May 2015

Background: The entire inner ear including the cochlear‐vestibular ganglion arises from a simple epithelium, the otic placode. Precursors for the placode originate from a pool of progenitors located in ectoderm next to the future hindbrain, the pre‐otic field, where they are intermingled with future epibranchial and epidermal cells. While the importance of secreted proteins, such as FGFs and Wnts, in imparting otic identity has been well studied, how precursors for these different fates segregate locally is less well understood. Results: (1) The Notch ligand Delta1 and the Notch target Hes5‐2 are expressed in a part of pre‐otic field before otic commitment, indicative of active Notch signaling, and this is confirmed using a Notch reporter. (2) Loss and gain‐of‐function approaches reveal that Notch signaling regulates both proliferation and specification of pre‐otic progenitors. Conclusions: Our results identify a novel function of Notch signaling in cell fate determination in the pre‐otic field of avian embryos. Developmental Dynamics 244:839–851, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preparation and Structural Characterization of Mono‐Ru‐Substituted α2‐Dawson‐Type Phosphotungstate with a Carbonyl Ligand and Other Ru(CO)‐Substituted Heteropolytungstates
Authors: Nishiki Kensuke , Ota Hiromi , Ogo Shuhei , Sano Tsuneji , Sadakane Masahiro
Published: May 2015

In our previous article (Dalton Trans. 2008, 6692–6698) we reported that hydrothermal reaction of a mono‐lacunary Keggin‐type silicotungstate, [SiW11O39]8–, and Ru(acac)3 (acac: acetylacetonate) for 5–24 h produced a mono‐Ru‐substituted Keggin‐type silicotungstate with a terminal aqua ligand, [SiW11O39RuIII(H2O)]5–, which was further converted into a carbonyl (CO) derivative, [SiW11O39RuII(CO)]6–, by increasing the reaction time for several days. Here, reactions of Ru(acac)3 with other mono‐lacunary heteropolytungstates for the formation of other mono‐Ru(CO)‐substituted heteropolytungstates, including Keggin derivatives, [GeW11O39RuII(CO)]6– and [PW11O39RuII(CO)]5–, and Dawson‐type phosphotungstates, [α1‐P2W17O61RuII(CO)]8– and [α2‐P2W17O61RuII(CO)]8–, are presented. The desired α2‐isomer of Dawson‐type phosphotungstate, [α2‐P2W17O61RuII(CO)]8–, was produced in high purity and was fully characterized by CV, 31P NMR, 13C NMR, IR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, TG‐DTA, TPD‐MS, and single‐crystal structure analysis. On the other hand, Keggin‐type complexes, [GeW11O39RuII(CO)]6– and [PW11O39RuII(CO)]5–, were formed together with their aqua derivatives, [GeW11O39RuIII(H2O)]5– and [PW11O39RuIII(H2O)]4–, respectively, and the α1‐isomer of Dawson‐type phosphotungstate, [α1‐P2W17O61RuII(CO)]8–, was produced together with the α2‐derivative, as confirmed by CV, IR, mass spectroscopy, and 31P NMR spectroscopy.
A robust method for assessing chemically induced mutagenic effects in the oral cavity of transgenic Big Blue® rats
Authors: Young Robert R. , Thompson Chad M. , Dinesdurage Harshini R. , Elbekai Reem H. , Suh Mina , Rohr Annette C. , Proctor Deborah M.
Published: May 2015

The Big Blue® (BB) in vivo mutation assay uses transgenic rodents to measure treatment‐induced mutations in virtually any tissue. The BB assay can be conducted in rats or mice and is ideal for investigating tissue‐specific mutagenic mode of action of tumor induction. Some tissues such as oral mucosa have not been thoroughly studied. Due to the small quantity and cartilaginous nature of oral cavity tissues, development of special prosection and DNA isolation methods was required to permit robust analysis of mutations in these tissues. Improved surgical methods permitted collection of adequate and reproducible quantities of tissue (∼45 mg gingiva/buccal and ∼30 mg gingiva/palate). Optimized DNA isolation methods included use of liquid nitrogen pulverization, homogenization, nuclei pelleting, digestion, and phenol/chloroform extraction, to yield sufficient quantities of DNA from these tissues. In preliminary optimization work, mutant frequency (MF) in tongue and gingiva was increased in rats exposed to the promutagen, benzo[a]pyrene, and the direct mutagen, N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea. The oral cavity carcinogen, 4‐nitroquinoline‐1‐oxide (4‐NQO; 10 ppm in drinking water; 28 days), was qualified as a positive control for mutagenesis in oral tissues since it caused significant increases in cII MFs in gingiva/palate (50.2‐fold) and gingiva/buccal tissues (21.3‐fold), but not in liver or bone marrow (0.9‐ and 1.4‐fold, respectively). These results are consistent with the observation that 4‐NQO primarily induces tumors in oral cavity. Results also demonstrate the utility of the BB rat mutation assay and optimized methods for investigation of oral cavity mutagenicity, and by extension, analysis of other small and cartilaginous tissues. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:629–636, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Both PIGA and PIGL mutations cause GPI‐a deficient isolates in the Tk6 cell line
Authors: Nicklas Janice A. , Carter Elizabeth W. , Albertini Richard J.
Published: May 2015

Molecular analysis of proaerolysin selected glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor (GPI‐a) deficient isolates in the TK6 cell line was performed. Initial studies found that the expected X‐linked PIGA mutations were rare among the spontaneous isolates but did increase modestly after ethyl methane sulfate (EMS) treatment (but to only 50% of isolates). To determine the molecular bases of the remaining GPI‐a deficient isolates, real‐time analysis for all the 25 autosomal GPI‐a pathway genes was performed on the isolates without PIGA mutations, determining that PIGL mRNA was absent for many. Further analysis determined these isolates had several different homozygous deletions of the 5′ region of PIGL (17p12‐p22) extending 5′ (telomeric) through NCOR1 and some into the TTC19 gene (total deletion >250,000 bp). It was determined that the TK6 parent had a hemizygous deletion in 17p12‐p22 (275,712 bp) extending from PIGL intron 2 into TTC19 intron 7. Second hit deletions in the other allele in the GPI‐a deficient isolates led to the detected homozygous deletions. Several of the deletion breakpoints including the original first hit deletion were sequenced. As strong support for TK6 having a deletion, a number of the isolates without PIGA mutations nor homozygous PIGL deletions had point mutations in the PIGL gene. These studies show that the GPI‐a mutation studies using TK6 cell line could be a valuable assay detecting point and deletion mutations in two genes simultaneously. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:663–673, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cooperative and alternate functions for STIM1 and STIM2 in macrophage activation and in the context of inflammation
Authors: Sogkas Georgios , Stegner David , Syed Shahzad N. , Vögtle Timo , Rau Eduard , Gewecke Britta , Schmidt Reinhold E. , Nieswandt Bernhard , Gessner Johannes Engelbert
Published: May 2015

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling in immune cells, including macrophages, controls a wide range of effector functions that are critical for host defense and contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, receptor‐mediated Ca2+ responses consist of complex mechanisms that make it difficult to identify the pathogenesis and develop therapy. Previous studies have revealed the importance of the Ca2+ sensor STIM1 and store‐operated Ca2+‐entry (SOCE) for Fcγ‐receptor activation and IgG‐induced inflammation. Here, we identify the closely related STIM2 as mediator of cell migration and cytokine production downstream of GPCR and TLR4 activation in macrophages and show that mice lacking STIM2 are partially resistant to inflammatory responses in peritonitis and LPS‐induced inflammation. Interestingly, STIM2 modulates the migratory behavior of macrophages independent from STIM1 and without a strict requirement for Ca2+ influx. While STIM2 also contributes in part to FcγR activation, the C5a‐induced amplification of IgG‐mediated phagocytosis is mainly dependent on STIM1. Blockade of STIM‐related functions limits mortality in experimental models of AIHA and LPS‐sepsis in normal mice. These results suggest benefits of Ca2+‐inhibition for suppression of exacerbated immune reactions and illustrate the significance of alternate functions of STIM proteins in macrophage activation and in the context of innate immune inflammation.
Adolescent and mid‐life diet and subsequent risk of thyroid cancer in the NIH‐AARP diet and health study
Authors: Braganza Melissa Z. , Potischman Nancy , Park Yikyung , Thompson Frances E. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Kitahara Cari M.
Published: May 2015

Although thyroid cancer is suspected to have a nutritional etiology, prospective studies examining the relationship between diet and thyroid cancer are lacking. During 1996–1997, NIH‐AARP Diet and Health Study participants, ages 51–72 years, completed a 37‐item food frequency questionnaire about diet at ages 12–13 years (adolescence) and 10 years before baseline (mid‐life). Over a median 10 years of follow‐up, 325 individuals (143 men and 182 women) were diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Multivariable‐adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for intakes of foods and food groups comparing the highest to the lowest quartiles. Adolescent intakes of chicken/turkey (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 0.97–2.60; ptrend < 0.01) and sweet baked goods (HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.09–2.34; ptrend = 0.04) were positively associated with thyroid cancer risk, while intake of butter/margarine was inversely associated with risk (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.44–0.91; ptrend < 0.02). Similar to adolescent diet, mid‐life intake of sweet baked goods was nonsignificantly associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.96–2.00; ptrend = 0.11), but intake of butter/margarine was inversely associated with risk (HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46–0.95; ptrend = 0.03). Among men, higher adolescent consumption of canned tuna was positively associated with risk of thyroid cancer (HR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.01–2.83; ptrend = 0.03), and greater mid‐life intake of broccoli was associated with a twofold increased risk (HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.13–3.99; ptrend < 0.01). This large prospective study suggests that several components of the adolescent and mid‐life diet, including iodine‐rich foods and goitrogens, may influence thyroid cancer risk.
A comparison of positive and negative reinforcement for compliance to treat problem behavior maintained by escape
Authors: Slocum Sarah K. , Vollmer Timothy R.
Published: May 2015

Previous research has shown that problem behavior maintained by escape can be treated using positive reinforcement. In the current study, we directly compared functional (escape) and nonfunctional (edible) reinforcers in the treatment of escape‐maintained problem behavior for 5 subjects. In the first treatment, compliance produced a break from instructions. In the second treatment, compliance produced a small edible item. Neither treatment included escape extinction. Results suggested that the delivery of a positive reinforcer for compliance was effective for treating escape‐maintained problem behavior for all 5 subjects, and the delivery of escape for compliance was ineffective for 3 of the 5 subjects. Implications and future directions related to the use of positive reinforcers in the treatment of escape behavior are discussed.
Novel organic dyes for multicolor localization‐based super‐resolution microscopy
Authors: Lehmann Martin , Lichtner Gregor , Klenz Haider , Schmoranzer Jan
Published: May 2015

Precise multicolor single molecule localization‐based microscopy (SMLM) requires bright probes with compatible photo‐chemical and spectral properties to resolve distinct molecular species at the nanoscale. The accuracy of multicolor SMLM is further challenged by color channel crosstalk and chromatic alignment errors. These constrains limit the applicability of known reversibly switchable organic dyes for optimized multicolor SMLM. Here, we tested 28 commercially available dyes for their suitability to super‐resolve a known cellular nanostructure. We identified eight novel dyes in different spectral regimes that enable high quality dSTORM imaging. Among those, the spectrally close dyes CF647 and CF680 comprise an optimal dye pair for spectral demixing‐based, registration free multicolor dSTORM with low crosstalk. Combining this dye pair with the separately excited CF568 we performed 3‐color dSTORM to image the relative nanoscale distribution of components of the endocytic machinery and the cytoskeleton.

A major limitation of multicolor single molecule localization based super‐resolution microscopy (SMLM) is the availability of suitable photo‐switchable fluorescent dyes. By screening 28 commercially available dyes, novel dyes in different spectral regimes were identified that are well suited for dual and triple color SMLM with low crosstalk. These novel dyes are employed to image the relative nanoscale distribution of sub‐cellular components.

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A major limitation of multicolor single molecule localization based super‐resolution microscopy (SMLM) is the availability of suitable photo‐switchable fluorescent dyes. By screening 28 commercially available dyes, novel dyes in different spectral regimes were identified that are well suited for dual and triple color SMLM with low crosstalk. These novel dyes are employed to image the relative nanoscale distribution of sub‐cellular components.
The Epigenetic Regulation of the Opioid System: New Individualized Prompt Prevention and Treatment Strategies
Authors: Muñoa Iraia , Urizar Itziar , Casis Luis , Irazusta Jon , Subirán Nerea
Published: May 2015

The most well‐known physiological effect associated with opiod system is their efficacy in pain reduction or analgesia, although their effect on a variety of other physiological and physiophological functions has become apparent in recent years. This review is an attempt to clarify in more detail the epigenetic regulation of opioid system to understand with more precision their transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation in multiple pyisiological and pharmacological contexts. The opioid receptors show an epigenetic regulation and opioid peptide precursors by methylation, chromatin remodeling and microRNA. Although the opioid receptor promoters have similarity between them, they use different epigenetic regulation forms and they exhibit different pattern of expression during the cell differentiation. DNA methylation is also confirmed in opioid peptide precursors, being important for gene expression and tissue specificity. Understanding the epigenetic basis of those physiological and physiopathological procesess is essential for the development of individualized prompt prevention and treatment strategies. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2419–2426, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (Trail) in Endothelial Response to Biomechanical and Biochemical Stresses in Arteries
Authors: D'Auria F , Centurione L , Centurione MA , Angelini A , Di Pietro R
Published: May 2015

Shear stress is determined by three physical components described in a famous triad: blood flow, blood viscosity and vessel geometry. Through the direct action on endothelium, shear stress is able to radically interfere with endothelial properties and the physiology of the vascular wall. Endothelial cells (ECs) have also to sustain biochemical stresses represented by chemokines, growth factors, cytokines, complement, hormones, nitric oxide (NO), oxygen and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Many growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, hormones, and chemical substances, like NO, act and regulate endothelium functions and homeostasis. Among these cytokines Tumor Necrosis Factor Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand (TRAIL) has been assigned a regulatory role in ECs physiology and physiopathology. Thus, the aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the endothelial response pathways after different types of biomechanical and biochemical stress in in vitro models and to analyze the crucial role of TRAIL under pathological conditions of the cardiocirculatory system like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 2427–2434, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TF‐Test Modified: New Diagnostic Tool for Human Enteroparasitosis
Authors: Carvalho Juliana Barboza de , Santos Bianca Martins dos , Gomes Jancarlo Ferreira , Suzuki Celso Tetsuo Nagase , Hoshino Shimizu Sumie , Falcão Alexandre Xavier , Pierucci Julia Cestari , Matos Lucas Vinicius Shigaki de , Bresciani Katia Denise Saraiva
Published: May 2015

Intestinal parasitosis is highly prevalent worldwide, being among the main causes of illness and death in humans. Currently, laboratory diagnosis of the intestinal parasites is accomplished through manual technical procedures, mostly developed decades ago, which justifies the development of more sensitive and practical techniques. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop, evaluate, and validate a new parasitological technique referred to as TF‐Test Modified, in comparison to three conventional parasitological techniques: TF‐Test Conventional; Rugai, Mattos & Brisola; and Helm Test/Kato‐Katz. For this realization, we collected stool samples from 457 volunteers located in endemic areas of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil, and statistically compared the techniques. Intestinal protozoa and helminths were detected qualitatively in 42.23% (193/457) of the volunteers by TF‐Test Modified technique, against 36.76% (168/457) by TF‐Test Conventional, 5.03% (23/457) by Helm Test/Kato‐Katz, and 4.16% (19/457) by Rugai, Mattos & Brisola. Furthermore, the new technique presented “almost perfect kappa” agreement in all evaluated parameters with 95% (P < 0.05) of estimation. The current study showed that the TF‐Test Modified technique can be comprehensively used in the diagnosis of intestinal protozoa and helminths, and its greater diagnostic sensitivity should help improving the quality of laboratory diagnosis, population surveys, and control of intestinal parasites.