bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Probing conformational propensities of histidine in different protonation states of the unblocked glycyl‐histidyl‐glycine peptide by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy
Authors: DiGuiseppi David , Schweitzer‐Stenner Reinhard
Published: February 2016

Histidine has been shown to play a major role in a number of biological systems. Being able to understand unconstrained conformational distributions of histidine and their dependence on the environment can shed light on the structure–function relation with regard to its multiple roles in biochemical processes such as proton transfer, ligand binding, protein folding and maintaining protein intrinsic disorder. We utilized polarized Raman, FTIR, vibrational circular dichroism and 1H NMR spectroscopy to probe the conformational distribution of the central histidine in the unblocked tripeptide H‐Gly‐His‐Gly‐OH in D2O. Our results show that in the double protonated state (GHG++), 94% of the histidine residue resides in the upper left quadrant of the Ramachandran plot with an equal partition between polyproline II (pPII) and β‐strand conformations. In this protonation state, enthalpic and entropic differences between the two conformations are practically eliminated, which indicates reduced backbone and/or side chain hydration. On the contrary, the single protonated state (GHG+), while only marginally different with regard to the pPII/β partition at room temperature (β‐strand is now slightly favored), shows an enthalpic stabilization of pPII by 43.02 kJ/mol, which is being compensated by an entropic stabilization of β‐strand (0.145 kJ/(mol K)). This indicates a much stronger coupling between peptide and water. At neutral pH, where the imidazole side chain of the histidine residue is deprotonated, GHG in D2O forms a hydrogel above a peptide concentration of approximately 25 mm. Some experimental evidence suggests that the preceding peptide aggregation involves hydrogen bonding between the C‐terminal groups and the imidazole NH group. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elicitation of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) cell suspension culture for enhancement of inulin production and altered degree of polymerisation
Authors: Ma Chunquan , Zhou Dong , Wang Haitao , Han Dongming , Wang Yang , Yan Xiufeng
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Plant cell suspension cultures have emerged as a potential source of secondary metabolites for food additives and pharmaceuticals. In this study inulin accumulation and its degree of polymerisation (DP) in the treated cells in the same medium were investigated after treatment with six types of elicitors.

RESULTS

An in vitro cell suspension culture of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) was optimised by adding an extra nitrogen source. According to the growth kinetics, a maximum biomass of 5.48 g L−1 was obtained from the optimal cell suspension medium consisted of Murashige and Skoog basic medium (MS) + 1.0 mg L−1 α‐naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) + 1.0 mg L−1 6‐benzylaminopurine (6‐BA) + 0.5 mg L−1 proline + 1.0 mg L−1 glutamine. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA, 250 µmol L−1) treatment for 15 days led to the highest levels of inulin (2955.27 ± 9.81 mg L−1 compared to control of 1217.46 ± 0.26 mg L−1). The elicited effect of five elicitors to the suspension cells of Jerusalem artichoke is as follows: AgNO3 (Ag, 10 µmol L−1), salicylic acid (SA, 75 µmol L−1), chitosan (KJT, 40 mg L−1), Trichoderma viride (Tv, 90 mg L−1), yeast extract (YE, 0.25 mg L−1), and the corresponding content of inulin is increased by 2.05‐, 1.93‐, 1.76‐, 1.44‐ and 1.18‐fold compared to control, respectively. The obvious effect on the percentage of lower DP in inulin was observed in cells treated with 40 mg L−1 KJT, 0.25 mg L−1 YE and 10 µmol L−1 Ag.

CONCLUSIONS

Among the six types of elicitors, the descending order of inulin content is MeJA > Ag > SA > KJT > Tv > YE. For the purpose inulin with lower DP and its application to prebiotic food, three elicitors, including KJT, YE and Ag, can be used for the elicitation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Consequences of the Diagnostic Criteria Proposed for the ICD‐11 on the Prevalence of PTSD in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Sachser Cedric , Goldbeck Lutz
Published: February 2016

In 2013, a working group of the World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a reformulation of the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic criteria for the upcoming 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐11; Maercker, Brewin, Bryant, Cloitre, van Ommeren, et al., 2013). This study investigated the consequences of the proposed ICD‐11 PTSD symptom reduction on the prevalence of PTSD in children and adolescents. Prevalence rates of PTSD in a clinical sample of 159 traumatized children and adolescents were compared applying criteria according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), the ICD‐10 (WHO, 1992), and the ICD‐11. The prevalence rate was 76.1% using DSM‐IV, 88.1% using ICD‐10, and 61.0% using ICD‐11. The use of the criteria proposed for ICD‐11 resulted in 27.1% less positive cases compared with ICD‐10 and 15.1% less positive cases compared with DSM‐IV. Our results showed that in a clinical sample of children and adolescents the prevalence of PTSD was significantly affected by the use of different diagnostic systems. This will constitute a major challenge for research and practice because, depending on the algorithm used, different groups of patients will be included in studies and different groups of individuals will be able to access medical care and therapy.
Benefits of two or more senior microsurgeons operating simultaneously in microsurgical breast reconstruction: Experience in a swedish medical center
Authors: Gösseringer Nina , Mani Maria , Cali‐Cassi Lorenzo , Papadopoulou Antonia , Rodriguez‐Lorenzo Andres
Published: February 2016

Background

The aim of this study is to evaluate how the number of senior microsurgeons, performing autologous microvascular breast reconstruction together, influences operating time and postoperative complications.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out in one hundred consecutive patients who underwent unilateral delayed deep inferior epigastric perforator flap reconstruction at a single institution. All patients followed our institution's surgical protocol and were divided into groups depending on the number of senior microsurgeons that simultaneously performed the procedure. Operating time and complications were compared between the groups.

Results

Sixteen of the patients were operated by one single microsurgically trained specialist, 64 by two and 20 by three specialists. The mean operating time for the one microsurgeon's group was 286 ± 84 min, for the two‐microsurgeons' group 265 ± 57 min and for the three‐microsurgeons' group 251 ± 59 min. There was a trend of decreasing operating times when more microsurgeons performed surgery together, however the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.251). Total flap failure rate was 2% (2/100). Both cases occurred in the group operated by one single microsurgeon (2/16) compared with two microsurgeon's group (0/64) and three microsurgeon's group (0/20; P < 0.005).

Conclusions

By optimising the surgical experience available during microvascular breast reconstruction, operating time can be reduced and efficiency improved. In the current setting, two microsurgically trained surgeons achieved optimal operation flow with the lowest complication rate. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:416–420, 2017.
Anisotropic diffusion in stretched hydrogels containing erythrocytes: evidence of cell‐shape distortion recorded by PGSE NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Shishmarev Dmitry , Momot Konstantin I. , Kuchel Philip W.
Published: February 2016

The remarkable flexibility of human red blood cells (RBCs) allows them to assume a range of shapes in normal and disease states. Biochemical mechanisms and energetic requirements associated with changes in RBC geometry are not well understood because of a lack of experimental procedures to fix and study cells in different morphological forms.

By incorporating RBCs into stretchable gelatin hydrogels, we created conditions for adjustable elongation of their normal discocytic shape in all orientations. As the RBC‐containing gels were stretched or compressed, the changes in the cell morphology were studied by using 1H‐PGSE‐NMR spectroscopy. Measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient of water along the three orthogonal directions revealed tuneable anisotropy in the environment of the hydrogel samples. Light microscopy was also used for recording the extent to which RBCs were distorted in a stretched gel that had been set around them.

Having demonstrated the applicability of NMR diffusometry to detect morphological changes of immobilised cells, we have laid the groundwork for future investigations of controllably distorted RBCs. Specifically, we expect studies of metabolic and biophysical properties of the physically deformed cells, thus inferring the connection between intracellular physico‐chemical processes and RBC morphology. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous Pilot‐Scale Tubular Reactor for Acrylic Acid Polymerization in Solution Designed Using Lab‐Scale Rheo‐Raman data
Authors: Chevrel Marie‐Claire , Hoppe Sandrine , Meimaroglou Dimitrios , Falk Laurent , Durand Alain
Published: February 2016

A continuous pilot‐scale tubular reactor is designed for the polymerization of acrylic acid in aqueous solution. The reactor is equipped with CSE‐X static mixers from Fluitec which strongly increase heat and mass transfer despite laminar flow. A mathematical model of the reactor is proposed assuming that it is a perfect plug‐flow reactor and using kinetic and rheological equations previously established using a lab‐scale rheo‐Raman device. Calculated values of temperature and polymer concentration profile along the reactor as well as outlet average molar masses and viscosity are in good agreement with experimental results. Provided that the outlet viscosity of reaction medium does not exceed 0.5 Pa s, no reactor fouling occurred. On the contrary, fouling is detected after 6 to 8 h running with higher viscosities. This work is the first demonstration of applicability of CSE‐X static mixer elements in a continuous polymerization process producing high molar mass water‐soluble polymer. In addition, successful scale‐up of polymerization reactor is reported up to pilot‐scale as well as batch to continuous transposition, only on the basis of lab‐scale rheo‐Raman data. The interest of rheo‐Raman device for the acquisition of primary data is established.

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Selective in vivo bone imaging with long‐T2 suppressed PETRA MRI
Authors: Li Cheng , Magland Jeremy F. , Zhao Xia , Seifert Alan C. , Wehrli Felix W.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To design and evaluate an optimized PETRA (point‐wise encoding time reduction with radial acquisition) sequence with long‐T2 suppression at 3 Tesla.

Methods

An adiabatic inversion recovery‐based scheme was used to null the long‐T2 signal. To minimize scan time, the signal was sampled multiple times after each inversion with variable excitation flip angles designed to yield constant short‐T2 signal amplitude. The excitation pulses were phase‐modulated, allowing for increased flip angle and higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). A fast, noniterative image reconstruction algorithm was designed to minimize image artifacts due to nonuniform excitation profile.

Results

Phase‐modulated pulse excitation, along with the noniterative reconstruction algorithm, allows the use of larger radiofrequency pulse flip angles, resulting in effective suppression of long‐T2 protons and improved image SNR without causing image artifacts. Midtibia images representative of collagen‐bound water yielded SNR of 15 at 1‐mm isotropic resolution in 6.5 minutes with a standard extremity coil. Further, the technology is shown to be suited for generating multi‐angle projection images of bone akin to X‐ray images displaying subtle anatomic detail.

Conclusion

Optimized long‐T2 suppressed PETRA allows imaging of bone matrix water unencumbered by long‐T2 soft tissue and pore water protons, opening up new possibilities for anatomic bone imaging at isotropic resolution and quantification in clinically practical scan times. Magn Reson Med 77:989–997, 2017. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Poro‐elasto‐plastic response of an unconsolidated formation confined with stiff seal rocks under radial injection
Authors: Atefi Monfared K. , Rothenburg L.
Published: February 2016

In this article, we evaluate geomechanics of fluid injection from a fully penetrating vertical well into an unconsolidated formation confined with stiff seal rocks. The coupled behavior of an isotropic, homogeneous sand layer is studied under injection pressures that are high enough to induce plasticity yet not fracturing. Propagation of the significant influence zone surrounding the injection borehole, quantified by the extent of the plastic domain in the elasto‐plastic model, is examined for the first time. First, a new fully coupled axisymmetric numerical model is developed. A comprehensive assessment is performed on pore pressures, stresses/strains, and failure planes during the entire transient period of an injection cycle. Results anticipate existence of five distinctive zones in terms of plasticity state: liquefaction at wellbore; two inner plastic domains surrounding the wellbore, where failure occurs along two planes and major principal stress is in vertical direction; remaining of the plastic domain, where formation fails along one plane and major principal stress is in radial direction; and a non‐plastic region. Failure mechanism at the wellbore is found to be shear followed by liquefaction. Next, a novel methodology is proposed based on which new weakly coupled poro‐elasto‐plastic analytical solutions are derived for all three stress/strain components. Unlike previous studies, extension of the plastic zone is obtained as a function of injection pressure, incorporating plasticity effects on the subsequent elastic domain. Solutions, proven to be a good approximation of numerical simulations, offer a huge advantage as the run time of coupled numerical simulations is considerably long. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can botox improve night‐time overactive bladder symptoms in women?
Authors: Miotla Pawel , Cartwright Rufus , Futyma Konrad , Bogusiewicz Michal , Skorupska Katarzyna , Winkler Izabela , Rechberger Tomasz
Published: February 2016

Aims

Despite the efficacy of intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) therapy for urgency, urgency incontinence, and daytime frequency, its value in treatment of nocturia remains unclear. The aim of the prospective observational study was to assess the effect of onabotulinumtoxinA on night‐time symptoms in women with overactive bladder (OAB), including nocturia, night‐time urgency incontinence, and nocturnal voided volume as end‐points.

Methods

Women with idiopathic OAB (with at least one episode of urgency urinary incontinence (UUI) per day, ≥8 micturitions per 24 hr, and ≥2 nocturia episodes per night) were enrolled. Patients with nocturnal polyuria were excluded. Botox (100 U) was administered in 20 intra‐detrusor injections. Post‐void residual volumes (PVR) were checked at 2, 4, and 12 weeks. Participants completed a 3‐day bladder diary and the King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) before and 12 weeks after treatment, and reported the efficacy of the treatment on visual analog scale (VAS) at the final follow‐up visit.

Results

Seventy‐six women completed the study. Botox injections were effective in the reduction of nocturia episodes (mean −0.98; P < 0.001) and night‐time UUI episodes (−0.37; P < 0.001) compared to the baseline. The increase of mean voided volume of the night‐time micturitions was 92.6 ml (P < 0.001). Patients reported a mean 58 points of improvement on the VAS. Urinary retention, which required self‐catheterization, was observed in three patients.

Conclusions

Intravesical Botox injection provides significant benefit for night‐time symptoms in OAB patients. Our results are applicable for women without nocturnal polyuria, and should prove useful when counseling patients about the risks and benefits of Botox. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:648–652, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of image sensitivity between conventional tensor‐based and fast diffusion kurtosis imaging protocols in a rodent model of acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Wu Yin , Kim Jinsuh , Chan Suk‐Tak , Zhou Iris Yuwen , Guo Yingkun , Igarashi Takahiro , Zheng Hairong , Guo Gang , Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: February 2016

Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) can offer a useful complementary tool to routine diffusion MRI for improved stratification of heterogeneous tissue damage in acute ischemic stroke. However, its relatively long imaging time has hampered its clinical application in the emergency setting. A recently proposed fast DKI approach substantially shortens the imaging time, which may help to overcome the scan time limitation. However, to date, the sensitivity of the fast DKI protocol for the imaging of acute stroke has not been fully described. In this study, we performed routine and fast DKI scans in a rodent model of acute stroke, and compared the sensitivity of diffusivity and kurtosis indices (i.e. axial, radial and mean) in depicting acute ischemic lesions. In addition, we analyzed the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) between the ipsilateral ischemic and contralateral normal regions using both conventional and fast DKI methods. We found that the mean kurtosis shows a relative change of 47.1 ± 7.3% between the ischemic and contralateral normal regions, being the most sensitive parameter in revealing acute ischemic injury. The two DKI methods yielded highly correlated diffusivity and kurtosis measures and lesion volumes (R2 ⩾ 0.90, p < 0.01). Importantly, the fast DKI method exhibited significantly higher CNR of mean kurtosis (1.6 ± 0.2) compared with the routine tensor protocol (1.3 ± 0.2, p < 0.05), with its CNR per unit time (CNR efficiency) approximately doubled when the scan time was taken into account. In conclusion, the fast DKI method provides excellent sensitivity and efficiency to image acute ischemic tissue damage, which is essential for image‐guided and individualized stroke treatment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the inertially symmetric rigid spacecraft time‐optimal three‐axis reorientation
Authors: Li Jing
Published: February 2016

This paper investigates the classical time‐optimal rest‐to‐rest three‐axis reorientation of the inertially symmetric rigid spacecraft. First‐order necessary optimality conditions are derived from the Pontryagin's maximum principle. Then, control structures (i.e., switching times and control torques) for the time‐optimal solution with five, six, and seven switches are given. For any five‐switch, six‐switch, or seven‐switch time‐optimal solution, a finite number of control structures exist, and relations among the control structures and their associated time‐optimal solutions are analytically derived. By utilizing the control structure, efficient numerical optimization algorithm based on multiple‐interval Radau pseudospectral method is proposed. Numerical results show that, after rounding to integer, five‐switch and six‐switch time‐optimal solutions exist for rotation angles on the interval [1,180] deg, and s es on the interval [1,72] deg. Finally, time‐optimal solutions for typical rotation angles are given to illustrate and validate the new findings. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
5‐Azacitidine Monotherapy Followed by Related Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Achieves Durable Remission in a Pediatric Patient With Acute Undifferentiated Leukemia Refractory to High‐Dose Chemotherapy
Authors: Polishchuk Veronika , Khazal Sajad , Berulava Giorgi , Roth Michael , Mahadeo Kris M.
Published: February 2016

Patients with acute leukemias of undifferentiated lineage (AUL) generally have guarded prognosis. Here, we describe the first reported pediatric patient with AUL refractory to high‐dose chemotherapy who achieved clinical remission with ALL maintenance therapy and 5‐azacitidine. His induction remission was followed by consolidation with reduced toxicity haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). At 9 months post‐HSCT, the patient is alive and in remission. This combination therapy of remission induction with ALL maintenance therapy and 5‐azacitidine and consolidation with reduced toxicity haploidentical HSCT is novel and promising for patients who lack conventional donors and are not candidates for myeloablative therapy.
Low‐cost poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(α‐methylstyrene‐acrylonitrile)/chlorinated polyethylene/mineral fillers composites with highly improved thermal conductivity I: Mechanical and thermal performance
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zhang Jun , Zhu Wenqiang
Published: February 2016

Low‐cost mineral fillers, including mica, calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and alumina oxide (Al2O3) were used to modify poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/α‐methylstyrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (α‐MSAN)/chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) blend. With the addition of mineral fillers, the thermal conductivity, flexural modulus and overall thermal stability were improved; however, loss in tensile properties, impact and flexural strength, and initial thermal stability accompanied the other improved properties. The theoretical modeling results indicate that mica has a more effective potential to increase the thermal conductivity and better interfacial interaction with the polymeric matrix. Therefore, mica is the best candidate for enhancing the properties of the composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:553–559, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Influence of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation in upright position on gastro‐oesophageal reflux in infants
Authors: Van Ginderdeuren F. , Kerckhofs E. , Deneyer M. , Vanlaethem S. , Buyl R. , Vandenplas Y.
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To determine the influence of physiotherapy using intrapulmonary percussive ventilation on gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) in infants <1 year.

Methods

In this controlled trial with intra‐subject design, children were studied using multichannel intraluminal impedance pH (pH‐MII) monitoring over 24 hr, during which they received one 20‐min session of intrapulmonary percussive ventilation in upright position (IPVR), 2 hr after their latest feeding. Two hours after each feeding, the number of reflux episodes (RE) over a 20‐min period was registered for each infant and a mean per 20 min was calculated in order to obtain a baseline value. The number of RE during IPVR intervention was compared to baseline.

Results

Fifty infants with a median age of 133 days were recruited of whom 21 were diagnosed with pathological GOR. During IPVR, the incidence of RE in the entire group was significantly lower compared to baseline; median (inter‐quartile range [IQR]) 0 (0–1) versus 0.71 (0–1.33) RE, respectively, P = 0.003. The subgroup with abnormal GOR showed also a significant decrease of RE during IPVR; median (IQR) 0 (0–1) versus 1.17 (0.55–2.16) RE, respectively, P = 0.03. No difference was detected in the group with normal reflux; median (IQR) 0.6 (0–1) compared to 0 (0–1) RE, respectively, P = 0.34.

Conclusion

IPVR does not induce, nor aggravate GOR in infants without and with pathological GOR, respectively, but on the contrary decreases the number of RE in patients with pathological reflux. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:1065–1071. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Coarse‐grained modeling of the intrinsically disordered protein Histatin 5 in solution: Monte Carlo simulations in combination with SAXS
Authors: Cragnell Carolina , Durand Dominique , Cabane Bernard , Skepö Marie
Published: February 2016

Monte Carlo simulations and coarse‐grained modeling have been used to analyze Histatin 5, an unstructured short cationic salivary peptide known to have anticandidical properties. The calculated scattering functions have been compared with intensity curves and the distance distribution functionP(r) obtained from small angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS), at both high and low salt concentrations. The aim was to achieve a molecular understanding and a physico‐chemical insight of the obtained SAXS results and to gain information of the conformational changes of Histatin 5 due to altering salt content, charge distribution, and net charge. From a modeling perspective, the accuracy of the electrostatic interactions are of special interest. The used coarse‐grained model was based on the primitive model in which charged hard spheres differing in charge and in size represent the ionic particles, and the solvent only enters the model through its relative permittivity. The Hamiltonian of the model comprises three different contributions: (i) excluded volumes, (ii) electrostatic, and (iii) van der Waals interactions. Even though the model can be considered as gross omitting all atomistic details, a great correspondence is obtained with the experimental results. Proteins 2016; 84:777–791. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low pressure MOVPE growth and characterization of ZnTe homoepitaxial layers
Authors: Nishio Mitsuhiro , Saito Katsuhiko , Abiru Masakatsu , Mori Eiichiro , Araki Yasuhiro , Tanaka Daichi , Tanaka Tooru , Guo Qixin
Published: February 2016

The growth rate and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of ZnTe homoepitaxial layer grown at a reactor pressure of 500 Torr by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy have been clarified as a function of substrate temperature. An optimum substrate temperature for obtaining ZnTe layers with better PL property is determined by taking into account the growth rate behavior. Furthermore, the growth rate, PL spectrum, surface roughness and surface morphology of ZnTe layer have also been investigated by varying reactor pressure. With increasing reactor pressure, both the PL property and surface roughness of ZnTe layer are improved and subsequently become degraded, according as the growth rate increases monotonically and then shows saturated tendency. Change in the surface morphology of ZnTe layer with the increase of reactor pressure resembles that with the decrease of substrate temperature, probably due to the change from mass‐transport regime to surface kinetics one. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Bayesian robustness in meta‐analysis for studies with zero responses
Authors: Vázquez F. J. , Moreno E. , Negrín M. A. , Martel M.
Published: February 2016

Statistical meta‐analysis is mostly carried out with the help of the random effect normal model, including the case of discrete random variables. We argue that the normal approximation is not always able to adequately capture the underlying uncertainty of the original discrete data. Furthermore, when we examine the influence of the prior distributions considered, in the presence of rare events, the results from this approximation can be very poor. In order to assess the robustness of the quantities of interest in meta‐analysis with respect to the choice of priors, this paper proposes an alternative Bayesian model for binomial random variables with several zero responses. Particular attention is paid to the coherence between the prior distributions of the study model parameters and the meta‐parameter. Thus, our method introduces a simple way to examine the sensitivity of these quantities to the structure dependence selected for study. For illustrative purposes, an example with real data is analysed, using the proposed Bayesian meta‐analysis model for binomial sparse data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover Megaripple Crossings up to Sol 710 in Gale Crater
Authors: Arvidson Raymond E. , Iagnemma Karl D. , Maimone Mark , Fraeman Abigail A. , Zhou Feng , Heverly Matthew C. , Bellutta Paolo , Rubin David , Stein Nathan T. , Grotzinger John P. , Vasavada Ashwin R.
Published: February 2016

After landing in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover traveled across regolith‐covered, rock‐strewn plains that transitioned into terrains that have been variably eroded, with valleys partially filled with windblown sands, and intervening plateaus capped by well‐cemented sandstones that have been fractured and shaped by wind into outcrops with numerous sharp rock surfaces. Wheel punctures and tears caused by sharp rocks while traversing the plateaus led to directing the rover to traverse in valleys where sands would cushion wheel loads. This required driving across a megaripple (windblown, sand‐sized deposit covered by coarser grains) that straddles a narrow gap and several extensive megaripple deposits that accumulated in low portions of valleys. Traverses across megaripple deposits led to mobility difficulties, with sinkage values up to approximately 30% of the 0.50 m wheel diameter, resultant high compaction resistances, and rover‐based slip up to 77%. Analysis of imaging and engineering data collected during traverses across megaripples for the first 710 sols (Mars days) of the mission, laboratory‐based single‐wheel soil experiments, full‐scale rover tests at the Dumont Dunes, Mojave Desert, California, and numerical simulations show that a combination of material properties and megaripple geometries explain the high wheel sinkage and slip events. Extensive megaripple deposits have subsequently been avoided and instead traverses have been implemented across terrains covered with regolith or thin windblown sand covers and megaripples separated by bedrock exposures.
Policy risk, strategic decisions and contagion effects: Firm‐specific considerations
Authors: Blake Daniel J. , Moschieri Caterina
Published: February 2016

Research summary: In this article, we investigate the firm‐specific environment and its impact on firm strategy focusing on adverse changes in the policy environment and their effect on divestitures. We argue that experiencing a negative change in the firm‐specific policy environment causes firms to reassess their exposure to policy risk and their ability to manage their policy environment, making them more likely to divest. Operationalizing negative shifts in the firm‐specific policy environment through formal policy disputes between firms and governments, we find that following a dispute, firms are more likely to divest both in the country where the dispute occurs and in other countries in the same region. However, the impact of disputes on divestitures is firm specific, applying only to firms directly involved in a dispute.

Managerial summary: What is the impact of change in the firm‐specific environment on firm strategy? We argue that when firms directly experience a negative change in their policy environment that is specific to them, they negatively reassess their exposure to policy risk and their ability to manage their policy environment, which makes them more likely to undertake a divestiture. We analyze formal disputes between firms and governments that arise from adverse changes in policy and find that, following a dispute, firms are more likely to divest in the country where the dispute occurs and in other countries in the same region. However, the impact of disputes on divestitures is firm specific as it applies only to firms directly involved in a dispute. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What students learn from hands‐on activities
Authors: Schwichow Martin , Zimmerman Corinne , Croker Steve , Härtig Hendrik
Published: February 2016

The ability to design and interpret controlled experiments is an important scientific process skill and a common objective of science standards. Numerous intervention studies have investigated how the control‐of‐variables‐strategy (CVS) can be introduced to students. However, a meta‐analysis of 72 intervention studies found that the opportunity to train CVS skills with hands‐on tasks (g = 0.59) did not lead to better acquisition of CVS relative to interventions without a hands‐on component (g = 0.74). We conducted an intervention study in which we investigated the differential effects of hands‐on and paper‐and‐pencil training tasks on 161 eighth‐grade students’ achievement. CVS was demonstrated to all students before they were grouped into a hands‐on or a paper‐and‐pencil training condition. In both training conditions, students designed and interpreted experiments about which variables influence the force of electromagnets. Students in the hands‐on group interacted with physical equipment while students in the paper‐and‐pencil group planned experiments using sketches and interpreted the outcome of experiments presented in photographs. We found no general advantage or disadvantage of hands‐on tasks, as both groups did equally well on CVS and content knowledge tests. However, hands‐on students outperformed paper‐and‐pencil students on a hands‐on test identical to the training tasks, whereas the paper‐and‐pencil students outperformed hands‐on students on a science fair poster evaluation task similar to the paper‐and‐pencil training. In summary, students learned task‐specific procedural knowledge, but they did not acquire a deeper conceptual understanding of CVS or the content domain as a function of type of training. Implications for instruction and assessment are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 53:980–1002, 2016
Strategic Talent Management in Service SMEs of China
Authors: Cui Wenjia , Khan Zaheer , Tarba Shlomo Y.
Published: February 2016

The aim of this article is to examine how strategic talent management (STM) is defined and understood by Chinese small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs), and of the talent management and retention strategies Chinese SMEs use in the service sector. The case study of four Chinese service SMEs reveals that managers have different views about talent: according to some, STM means simply having a right candidate in the right job category. The findings also indicate that work environment, career advancement opportunities, and a good compensation package are acknowledged as a best strategy for attracting talent. The SMEs use various recruitment strategies; internship is one of most frequent ones for the recruitment of new talent, which SMEs consider to be a good approach to nurturing new talent. The findings further suggest that Chinese SMEs use similar approaches to those used by firms in developed markets, but Chinese SMEs pay more attention to the compensation package and job roles. Overall, the findings indicate that SMEs take both a universalist and a selective performance–­oriented approach when it comes to talent management. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vitro profiling of toxicity and endocrine disrupting effects of bisphenol analogues by employing MCF‐7 cells and two‐hybrid yeast bioassay
Authors: Lei Bingli , Xu Jie , Peng Wei , Wen Yu , Zeng Xiangying , Yu Zhiqiang , Wang Yipei , Chen Tian
Published: February 2016

The potentially adverse health implications of bisphenol A (BPA) have led to increasing use of alternative bisphenols (BPs). However, little is known about the toxicity of alternative BPs. In this study, the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, intracellular ROS formation, and Ca2+ fluctuation effects of BPs on MCF‐7 cells were evaluated. At the same time, the estrogenic and thyroidal hormone effect potentials of six BPs were also evaluated using two‐hybrid yeast bioassay. The results showed that most BPs at 0.01–1 μM significantly increased cell viability in MCF‐7 cells and at higher exposure concentrations of 25–100 μM, they caused a significant decrease of cell viability. At the same time, these BPs also at 25–100 μM significantly increased LDH release of MCF‐7 cells. In addition, several BPs at 10–50 μM resulted in a significantly concentration‐depended increase in DNA‐damaging effect on MCF‐7 cells and elevated ROS production. Most BPs at 0.0001–10 μM significantly increased intracellular Ca2+ level. These results showed that bisphenol AF (BPAF) and thiodiphenol (TDP) exerted cell biological effect, estrogenic, and thyroidal effect potentials greater than those of BPA. The cytotoxicity and endocrine disrupting effects of other BPs are similar to or slightly lower than those of BPA. Therefore, as potential alternatives to BPA, endocrine disrupting effects and potential health harm of alternative BPs to human can also not be ignored. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 278–289, 2017.
Long‐term follow‐up of sacrocolpopexy mesh implants at two time intervals at least 1 year apart using 4D transperineal ultrasound
Authors: Eisenberg V. H. , Steinberg M. , Weiner Z. , Schiff E. , Lowenstein L.
Published: February 2016

Objective

To determine, using four‐dimensional (4D) transperineal ultrasound, whether the appearance, position or dimensions of sacrocolpopexy mesh implants or the degree of tissue support change in the long term.

Methods

Women who had undergone minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy for pelvic organ prolapse were invited for follow‐up assessment at two consecutive visits at least 1 year apart. All participants completed a Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory questionnaire (PFDI‐20) and underwent a pelvic examination by one examiner and had 4D ultrasound volumes obtained by a different examiner. Volumes were analyzed offline for mesh position with the woman at rest and on maximal Valsalva maneuver, and for mesh dimensions and characteristics on three‐dimensional orthogonal planes and rendered views, with the operator blinded to the clinical data. Findings were compared between the two examinations.

Results

Thirty women attended follow‐up assessment at two time points, a median of 22 (range, 12–37) months apart. The median age at the latter visit was 60 (range, 46–72) years, median body mass index was 25.9 (range, 20.8–31.9) kg/m2, median parity was 3 (range, 1–7) and median time from surgery to first and second visit, respectively, was 11.2 (range, 6–26) months and 33.5 (range, 14–56) months. There were no significant differences between the two time points in symptom scores, reported satisfaction from surgery, pelvic examination findings or pelvic organ descent in any compartment according to ultrasound. While mesh dimensions of anterior and posterior arms did not change significantly over time, both arms descended less on Valsalva at the second follow‐up compared with at the first (13.2 ± 6.7 mm vs 21.9 ± 10.0 mm and 9.1 ± 5.3 mm vs 16.1 ± 8.1 mm, respectively, both P < 0.001). There were no mesh erosions, but folding remained a consistent finding, occurring in 80% of women in each assessment.

Conclusions

Characteristics of tissue support and dimensions of sacrocolpopexy mesh implants remained constant over long‐term follow‐up, with no mesh shrinkage or erosion. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Identification and management of fetal isolated right‐sided aortic arch in an unselected population
Authors: Mogra R. , Kesby G. , Sholler G. , Hyett J.
Published: February 2016

Objective

Inclusion of the three vessels and trachea view in the routine assessment of the fetal heart at the 18–20‐week morphology scan improves recognition of a right‐sided aortic arch (RAA). We report our experience of RAA diagnosed in an unselected population of pregnant women attending for a routine morphology scan.

Methods

The obstetric imaging databases of two ultrasound centers were reviewed retrospectively to identify all routine fetal morphology scans performed at 18–22 weeks' gestation between January 2011 and December 2014. A review of postnatal charts was conducted to ascertain findings at birth, neonatal complications and the anatomical findings at any neonatal echocardiographic or surgical procedure. Parents of older infants were contacted by phone to assess their wellbeing and identify any respiratory or feeding difficulties.

Results

In the 48‐month study period, 43 083 routine anomaly scans were performed. Twenty‐three cases of isolated RAA were identified, a prevalence of 0.05%. Nineteen (83%) cases of isolated RAA had a left‐sided arterial duct and four (17%) had a right‐sided duct. Postnatal follow‐up data were obtained in all cases. The prevalence of a symptomatic vascular ring due to a double aortic arch was 13% (3/23). One (4%) case was diagnosed with DiGeorge syndrome.

Conclusions

RAA can be identified easily on a routine fetal anomaly scan, however the prevalence of RAA is low in an unselected population. Antenatally diagnosed cases should be referred for detailed fetal echocardiography and the patient should be made aware of the association with DiGeorge syndrome and the symptoms associated with a vascular ring. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Rh chemistry through the eyes of theory
Authors: Gellrich Urs , Koslowski Thorsten
Published: February 2016

We discuss the properties of Rh and its compounds from a theoretical chemistry perspective. Like its neighbors in the platinum metal group, this element exhibits a remarkable spectrum of catalytic activity both as an elemental metal and as the central ion of transition metal complexes. This property is reflected in a comparatively weak chemical bond dominated by d–p interactions, varying oxidation states and a highly flexible coordination shell. In turn, theoretical methods and their generalization as empirical concepts have to be able to deal with a multitude of binding situations and the strong electron–electron interaction within the Rh valence orbitals. Whereas density functional theory has greatly enhanced the computational accessibility of Rh compounds, quantitative models of catalytic cycles require a more explicit treatment of static electron correlation, such as integrated density functional‐coupled cluster schemes. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2016, 6:311–320. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1250

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Molecular Structures

Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysis
Tattoo pens as a low‐cost approach to in‐field permanent identification of medium‐sized mammals
Authors: McGregor Mel , Jones Darryl
Published: February 2016

Reliable identification of individual animals is a primary requirement of population research where data consist of recaptures. Tattooing is a simple and cost‐effective method for permanently marking many mammal species with minimal negative effects, unlike other marking methods, which are often invasive or harmful. Here, we investigate whether a battery‐operated tattoo pen designed for rabbits (Leporidae) is an effective, minimally invasive and low‐cost alternative to other forms of marking and tattooing, which can be successfully applied in the field without altering capture rates. We used the “Rabbi‐tatt” rabbit tattoo pen (Bass Equipment Company, Monnett, MO, USA; http://www.bassequipment.com) to apply identification marks to the ears of northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) and common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) captured between January 2013 and May 2015 in conservation reserves near Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Recapture rates did not differ between within‐week recapture rates where tattooing was not used, compared with periods where tattooing was used. During the tattooing period, 50% of possums and 67% of bandicoots were recaptured at least once and many displayed behavior indicative of trap‐happiness after tattooing. The use of the battery‐operated tattoo pen on mammals addresses a number of difficulties associated with tattoo pliers and other forms of permanent marking. We conclude that tattoo pens are a viable method for simply and cost‐effectively marking appropriate species in a minimally invasive way. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Austenite Formation from Martensite in a 13Cr6Ni2Mo Supermartensitic Stainless Steel
Authors: Bojack A. , Zhao L. , Morris P. F. , Sietsma J.
Published: February 2016

The influence of austenitization treatment of a 13Cr6Ni2Mo supermartensitic stainless steel (X2CrNiMoV13-5-2) on austenite formation during reheating and on the fraction of austenite retained after tempering treatment is measured and analyzed. The results show the formation of austenite in two stages. This is probably due to inhomogeneous distribution of the austenite-stabilizing elements Ni and Mn, resulting from their slow diffusion from martensite into austenite and carbide and nitride dissolution during the second, higher temperature, stage. A better homogenization of the material causes an increase in the transformation temperatures for the martensite-to-austenite transformation and a lower retained austenite fraction with less variability after tempering. Furthermore, the martensite-to-austenite transformation was found to be incomplete at the target temperature of 1223 K (950 °C), which is influenced by the previous austenitization treatment and the heating rate. The activation energy for martensite-to-austenite transformation was determined by a modified Kissinger equation to be approximately 400 and 500 kJ/mol for the first and the second stages of transformation, respectively. Both values are much higher than the activation energy found during isothermal treatment in a previous study and are believed to be effective activation energies comprising the activation energies of both mechanisms involved, i.e., nucleation and growth.
From corpse to bones: funerary rituals of the Taforalt Iberomaurusian population
Authors: Mariotti V. , Belcastro M. G. , Condemi S.
Published: February 2016

The funerary practices of the Taforalt population (Morocco, about 15-12500 Cal BP), already investigated by the authors in previous studies, were reconstructed through anthropological analyses of human remains (excavated by J. Roche in the 1950s) and examination of the available field documentation. The results indicated that the burial area included primary and secondary depositions, sometimes within the same grave, of approximately 40 adolescents and adults, as well as several children. There is evidence of treatment of the cadavers (disarticulation and defleshing) and manipulation of dry bones. The funerary practices at Taforalt involved a sequence of actions revealing a ritual character. These reflect the tripartite structure of Van Gennep's rites of passage, implying that death was conceived as a passage into another social dimension.

The aim of this study is to analyse thepost morteminterventions on these human remains (corpses and bones) and to offer interpretative hypotheses as to their possible meaning, drawing on the findings of ethnographic research. We suggest that the collective dimension of the group was valued more highly than the members of the group as individuals, and that dry bones were imbued with symbolic meaning. We also suggest that the cultural and social management (through rites) of natural events (death), associated with a strengthening of the bonds with earth (inhumation) and territory (cemetery), may be interpreted as heralding the emergence of a Neolithic pattern of thought.
Clearing the Air About Surgical Smoke: An Education Program
Authors: Chavis Sherry , Wagner Vicki , Becker Melanie , Bowerman Mercelita I. , Jamias Mary Shirley
Published: February 2016

Evidence of the harmful effects of surgical smoke has been recognized in the literature and by professional organizations for many years, yet surgical smoke continues to pose a safety hazard for patients and perioperative personnel. A team of perioperative nurses and educators sought to improve compliance with policies and procedures for surgical smoke management in the OR. The team quantified smoke‐evacuator use, assessed staff members’ knowledge using a pre‐education survey, and presented a three‐part multimodal education program. The team conducted a posteducation survey that showed significant improvement in staff members’ knowledge. Ninety‐day postimplementation quantitative data showed a 14.6% increase in surgical smoke‐evacuation use. This educational initiative increased staff members’ awareness about reducing the presence of surgical smoke in the OR and helped ensure a safer environment for patients, staff members, and the surgical team.