bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Project-Based Learning (PjBL) through One Man One Tree to Improve Students’ Attitude and Behavior to Support
Authors: Risnani Risnani , Sumarmi Sumarmi , Astina I Komang
Published: February 2017

The attitude and behavior of the students of class XI-6 in relation to environmental awareness is very low. It proves that there is no student involvement in environmental conservation. The purpose of this study is to increase students’ attitude and behavior related to environmental conservation using “One Man One Tree” Project Based Learning (PjBL). The study is a Classroom Action Research (CAR) conducted within two cycles. The subjects in this study are XI-6 students of SMAN 1 Torjun. It is conducted during the 205/2016 academic year. The data are scores of the attitude test and student’s behavioral manifestations. The findings show that there is an increase in the students’ attitude and behavior related to environmental awareness from the first cycle to the second cycle. The average yield postes attitude of the students on the first cycle is 86, while that on the second cycle is 93.2. The average yield postes behavior on the first cycle is 69 while the average score increases to 90.4 on the second cycle. It is suggested that teachers become more creative in applying the learning model that encourage students to protect the environment.
Teacher Research: Uncovering Professional Identities and Trajectories of Teacher Researchers through Narrative Research—A Colombian Case
Authors: Ubaque Diego Fernando , Castaneda-Pena Harold
Published: February 2017

This work explores real-life experiences around research. Thinking of the English as a foreign language (EFL) teacher as an inquirer of the academic reality, the study presents accounts of professional identity as narrated in the life histories of three EFL teachers-researchers in a private but non-profit institution in Bogota, Colombia. This study sheds light on different institutional practices that, grounded on a community of practice, reinforce research as an inquiry process and as an opportunity for professional and institutional development. Additionally, the study also addresses issues of investment when teachers engage in this practice. The work concludes by reflecting that teachers’ professional identities as researchers are composed of experiences that have an important effect on their teaching expertise. Thus, teachers tend to alter their identities based on the relationships they establish within the community and undergo changes when previous and current experiences are put together. It is suggested that teacher education should help teachers-to-be understand these dynamics.
Grave Judicial Errors Within the Jordanian Legal System: Causes, Legal Provisions and Solutions
Authors: Alfawaer Alaa Mohammad
Published: February 2017

It is reasonably and logically conceivable that a judge commits a grave judicial error during the undertaking of his or her judicial work, whether related to legal principles, in the performance of his or her judicial duties or in his exercising of jurisdiction. This error is related to his or her civic responsibility, if it has resulted in damages to a member of the opposing party. Despite the importance and seriousness of such mistakes, and its long establishment, Jordanian legislation has not provided for it, and has left it to the general rules. There is no doubt that there are reasons which lead to such errors occurring and, conversely, that there are ways to avoid this error.
The Nature of Peace Agreement in International Law
Authors: Bohloulzadeh Ghassem
Published: February 2017

Peace agreements offer rule-based approaches, which distinguish from some variable peace processes and are manifested as establishing a legal peace. This legal peace is provided in the following forms:1) Peace agreements evaluate internal and external interactions for the legitimacy of government through distorting government and supporting human rights; a different composition of public and private (non-government) signatories;2) Peace agreements are common treaties riding over national (interior) and international legal issues;3) Different forms of legal commitments; peace agreements embraces both valid organizational regulations and contracts or pseudo- commitment contracts;4) Various third party agencies; peace agreements rely upon common law coalition government and contain multiple oppositions, common law and political mechanisms and their implementation.These various ways simultaneously reflect settlement ways of peace agreements. If legal issues are ignored and peace agreements are properly considered, they may be argued as a temporary international constitution. Peace agreements provide a powerful plan for governing; however, they are often minor and temporary requiring developed.
Types of Shiite jurisprudents' Reference to the Practical Sire of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams (AS)
Authors: Marzoudi Mehran Khadem , Saberi Hossein , Fakhlaei Mohammad Taghi
Published: February 2017

Based on the viewpoint shared by Shiite jurisprudents, the second source of jurisprudence is ‘‘Sire’’. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams' (AS) words and deeds that are called ‘‘Sire’’ are considered as religious justification used as a reason for inferring from religious orders.In order to infer from religious orders, jurisprudents refer to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams' (AS) practical Sire which aimed at explaining an issue or removing its ambiguity as an independently supportive reason to prove their claim.The intention of investigating this subject was to gain an understanding of the Shiite jurisprudents' approach to dealing with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams' (AS) deeds as well as discovering the jurisprudents' position to their deeds, i.e. to find out if they deal with the deeds the same way as they deal with the words or not.In this study, it was tried to investigate types of Shiite jurisprudents' reference to the practical Sire of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams (AS) and explain the viewpoints shared by the jurisprudents. Authentic sources of Islamic jurisprudence were benefitted from in this study.Types of jurisprudents' reference to obligation, recommendation, etc. were mentioned in this study. Also, the difference between words and deeds of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams (AS) and the domain of their practical reasonability as well were discussed. Types of jurisprudents' reference to the practical Sire of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and Imams (AS) were discussed, too.
Campaign Contribution Limits in California, Oregon & Washington: What a Difference It Makes
Authors: Southwell Priscilla L.
Published: February 2017

This research examines the current restrictions on campaign contributions to nonfederal candidates in the states of Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as the legal challenges in the latter two states. The impact of unrestricted contributions in Oregon had the effect of larger campaign coffers, per registered voter, for state house, state senate, and gubernatorial races for the 2014 election, as well as a more prominent role for wealthy individual donors.
An Evaluation of Banana Macropropagation Techniques for Producing Pig Fodder in Northern Thailand
Authors: Langford Elizabeth , Trail Patrick J , Bicksler Abram J , Burnette Rick
Published: February 2017

Smallholder farmers raising pigs in northern Thailand rely heavily on banana stalks as a fermented feed source, but struggle to reproduce banana plants fast enough to keep up with consumption. This study evaluated a variety of techniques for rapidly multiplying banana plants, using techniques appropriate and affordable to smallholder farmers in order to help meet this demand. Propagation techniques of Musa (ABB) cv. ‘Kluai Nam Wa’ were conducted in greenhouse and field experiments in both lowland and upland areas of Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. In greenhouse experiments, six treatments were conducted during the dry and rainy seasons, while five different treatments were compared in the field. Treatments used various methods of mechanical injury or application of benzyl aminopurine (BA) to induce plantlet differentiation. Number of plantlets to emerge, days to emergence, and circumference of plantlets were observed over a 90-day period. Results indicate that time of year plays an important role in the macropropagation of bananas, as significantly higher numbers of plantlets emerged during the rainy season. Plantlets emerged in 65 days, on average, during the dry season, but took only 54 days during the rainy season. During the rainy season, the presence of BA produced more plantlets than the other treatments, but during the dry season, there were no differences among treatments. Overall, the number of plantlets produced in all treatments evaluated was very low; however we believe this research is an important contribution to the literature and acknowledge that there exists significant opportunity to capitalize on the low-cost appropriate technology benefits that macropropagation of bananas can deliver to smallholder farmers.
Model Based Sparse Feature Extraction for Biomedical Signal Classification
Authors: Xie Shengkun , Krishnan Sridhar
Published: February 2017

This article focuses on model based sparse feature extraction of biomedical signals for classification problems, which stems from sparse representation in modern signal processing. In the presented work, a novel approach based on sparse principal component analysis (SPCA) is proposed to extract signal features. This method involves partitioning signals and utilizing SPCA to select only a limited number of signal segments in order to construct signal principal components during the training stage. For signal classification purposes, a set of regression models based on sparse principal components of the selected training signal segments is constructed. Within this approach, model residuals are estimated and used as signal features for classification. The applications of the proposed approach are demonstrated by using both the synthetic data and real EEG signals. The high classification accuracy results suggest that the proposed methods may be useful for automatic event detection using long-term observational signals. keywords: Sparse Principal Component Analysis, Sparse Feature Extraction, Signal Classification, Long-term Signals
ROC Analysis for Phase II Group Sequential Basket Clinical Trial
Authors: Wang Sirao , Yuan Ao , Tang Larry , Fang Hong Bin , Tan Ming T. , Chan Leighton
Published: February 2017

The basket trial is a recent development in the clinical trial practice. It conducts the test of the same treatment on several different related diseases in a single trial, and has the advantage of reduced cost and enhanced efficiency. A natural question is how to assess the performance of the group sequential basket trial against the classical group sequential trial? To our knowledge, a formal assessment hasn’t been seen in the literature, and is the goal of this study. Specifically, we use the receiver operating characteristic curve to assess the performance of the mentioned two trials. We considered two cases, parametric and nonparametric settings. The former is efficient when the parametric model is correctly specified, but can bemis-leading if the model is incorrect; the latter is less efficient but is robust in that it cannot be wrong no matter what the true data generating model is. Simulation studies are conducted to evaluate the experiments, and it suggests that the group sequential basket trial generally outperforms the group sequential trial in either the parametric and nonparametric cases, and that the nonparametric method gives more accurate evaluation than the parametric one for moderate to large sample sizes.
Embryonic transcription factor expression in mice predicts medial amygdala neuronal identity and sex-specific responses to innate behavioral cues
Authors: Lischinsky Julieta E , Sokolowski Katie , Li Peijun , Esumi Shigeyuki , Kamal Yasmin , Goodrich Meredith , Oboti Livio , Hammond Timothy R , Krishnamoorthy Meera , Feldman Daniel , Huntsman Molly , Liu Judy , Corbin Joshua G
Published: February 2017

The medial subnucleus of the amygdala (MeA) plays a central role in processing sensory cues required for innate behaviors. However, whether there is a link between developmental programs and the emergence of inborn behaviors remains unknown. Our previous studies revealed that the telencephalic preoptic area (POA) embryonic niche is a novel source of MeA destined progenitors. Here, we show that the POA is comprised of distinct progenitor pools complementarily marked by the transcription factors Dbx1 and Foxp2. As determined by molecular and electrophysiological criteria this embryonic parcellation predicts postnatal MeA inhibitory neuronal subtype identity. We further find that Dbx1-derived and Foxp2+ cells in the MeA are differentially activated in response to innate behavioral cues in a sex-specific manner. Thus, developmental transcription factor expression is predictive of MeA neuronal identity and sex-specific neuronal responses, providing a potential developmental logic for how innate behaviors could be processed by different MeA neuronal subtypes.
Lipid droplet biology and evolution illuminated by the characterization of a novel perilipin in teleost fish
Authors: Granneman James G , Kimler Vickie A , Zhang Huamei , Ye Xiangqun , Luo Xixia , Postlethwait John H , Thummel Ryan
Published: February 2017

Perilipin (PLIN) proteins constitute an ancient family important in lipid droplet (LD) formation and triglyceride metabolism. We identified an additional PLIN clade (plin6) that is unique to teleosts and can be traced to the two whole genome duplications that occurred early in vertebrate evolution. Plin6 is highly expressed in skin xanthophores, which mediate red/yellow pigmentation and trafficking, but not in tissues associated with lipid metabolism. Biochemical and immunochemical analyses demonstrate that zebrafish Plin6 protein targets the surface of pigment-containing carotenoid droplets (CD). Protein kinase A (PKA) activation, which mediates CD dispersion in xanthophores, phosphorylates Plin6 on conserved residues. Knockout of plin6 in zebrafish severely impairs the ability of CD to concentrate carotenoids and prevents tight clustering of CD within carotenoid bodies. Ultrastructural and functional analyses indicate that LD and CD are homologous structures, and that Plin6 was functionalized early in vertebrate evolution for concentrating and trafficking pigment.
Molecular architecture of the 90S small subunit pre-ribosome
Authors: Sun Qi , Zhu Xing , Qi Jia , An Weidong , Lan Pengfei , Tan Dan , Chen Rongchang , Wang Bing , Zheng Sanduo , Zhang Cheng , Chen Xining , Zhang Wei , Chen Jing , Dong Meng-Qiu , Ye Keqiong
Published: February 2017

Eukaryotic small ribosomal subunits are first assembled into 90S pre-ribosomes. The complete 90S is a gigantic complex with a molecular mass of approximately five megadaltons. Here, we report the nearly complete architecture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae 90S determined from three cryo-electron microscopy single particle reconstructions at 4.5 to 8.7 angstrom resolution. The majority of the density maps were modeled and assigned to specific RNA and protein components. The nascent ribosome is assembled into isolated native-like substructures that are stabilized by abundant assembly factors. The 5' external transcribed spacer and U3 snoRNA nucleate a large subcomplex that scaffolds the nascent ribosome. U3 binds four sites of pre-rRNA, including a novel site on helix 27 but not the 3' side of the central pseudoknot, and crucially organizes the 90S structure. The 90S model provides significant insight into the principle of small subunit assembly and the function of assembly factors.
YOD1/TRAF6 association balances p62-dependent IL-1 signaling to NF-κB
Authors: Schimmack Gisela , Schorpp Kenji , Kutzner Kerstin , Gehring Torben , Brenke Jara Kerstin , Hadian Kamyar , Krappmann Daniel
Published: February 2017

The ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 is a key regulator of canonical IκB kinase (IKK)/NF-κB signaling in response to interleukin-1 (IL-1) stimulation. Here, we identified the deubiquitinating enzyme YOD1 (OTUD2) as a novel interactor of TRAF6 in human cells. YOD1 binds to the C-terminal TRAF homology domain of TRAF6 that also serves as the interaction surface for the adaptor p62/Sequestosome-1, which is required for IL-1 signaling to NF-κB. We show that YOD1 competes with p62 for TRAF6 association and abolishes the sequestration of TRAF6 to cytosolic p62 aggregates by a non-catalytic mechanism. YOD1 associates with TRAF6 in unstimulated cells but is released upon IL-1β stimulation, thereby facilitating TRAF6 auto-ubiquitination as well as NEMO/IKKγ substrate ubiquitination. Further, IL-1 triggered IKK/NF-κB signaling and induction of target genes is decreased by YOD1 overexpression and augmented after YOD1 depletion. Hence, our data define that YOD1 antagonizes TRAF6/p62-dependent IL-1 signaling to NF-κB.
Neural markers of predictive coding under perceptual uncertainty revealed with Hierarchical Frequency Tagging
Authors: Gordon Noam , Koenig-Robert Roger , Tsuchiya Naotsugu , van Boxtel Jeroen JA , Hohwy Jakob
Published: February 2017

There is a growing understanding that both top-down and bottom-up signals underlie perception. But it is not known how these signals integrate with each other and how this depends on the perceived stimuli’s predictability. ‘Predictive coding’ theories describe this integration in terms of how well top-down predictions fit with bottom-up sensory input. Identifying neural markers for such signal integration is therefore essential for the study of perception and predictive coding theories. To achieve this, we combined EEG methods that preferentially tag different levels in the visual hierarchy. Importantly, we examined intermodulation components as a measure of integration between these signals. Our results link the different signals to core aspects of predictive coding, and suggest that top-down predictions indeed integrate with bottom-up signals in a manner that is modulated by the predictability of the sensory input, providing evidence for predictive coding and opening new avenues to studying such interactions in perception.
Analysis of the NK2 homeobox gene ceh-24 reveals sublateral motor neuron control of left-right turning during sleep
Authors: Schwarz Juliane , Bringmann Henrik
Published: February 2017

Sleep is a behavior that is found in all animals that have a nervous system and that have been studied carefully. In Caenorhabditis elegans larvae, sleep is associated with a turning behavior, called flipping, in which animals rotate 180° about their longitudinal axis. However, the molecular and neural substrates of this enigmatic behavior are not known. Here, we identified the conserved NK-2 homeobox gene ceh-24 to be crucially required for flipping. ceh-24 is required for the formation of processes and for cholinergic function of sublateral motor neurons, which separately innervate the four body muscle quadrants. Knockdown of cholinergic function in a subset of these sublateral neurons, the SIAs, abolishes flipping. The SIAs depolarize during flipping and their optogenetic activation induces flipping in a fraction of events. Thus, we identified the sublateral SIA neurons to control the three-dimensional movements of flipping. These neurons may also control other types of motion.
Expression of SREBP-1c Requires SREBP-2-mediated Generation of a Sterol Ligand for LXR in Livers of Mice
Authors: Rong Shunxing , Cortés Víctor A , Rashid Shirya , Anderson Norma N , McDonald Jeffrey G , Liang Guosheng , Moon Young-Ah , Hammer Robert E , Horton Jay D
Published: February 2017

The synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids (FA) in the liver is independently regulated by SREBP-2 and SREBP-1c, respectively. Here, we genetically deleted Srebf-2 from hepatocytes and confirmed that SREBP-2 regulates all genes involved in cholesterol biosynthesis, the LDL receptor, and PCSK9; a secreted protein that degrades LDL receptors in the liver. Surprisingly, we found that elimination of Srebf-2 in hepatocytes of mice also markedly reduced SREBP-1c and the expression of all genes involved in FA and triglyceride synthesis that are normally regulated by SREBP-1c. The nuclear receptor LXR is necessary for Srebf-1c transcription. The deletion of Srebf-2 and subsequent lower sterol synthesis in hepatocytes eliminated the production of an endogenous sterol ligand required for LXR activity and SREBP-1c expression. These studies demonstrate that cholesterol and FA synthesis in hepatocytes are coupled and that flux through the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway is required for the maximal SREBP-1c expression and high rates of FA synthesis.
Limited effects of source population identity and number on seagrass transplant performance
Authors: Novak Alyssa B. , Plaisted Holly K. , Hays Cynthia G. , Hughes Randall A.
Published: February 2017

Global declines in coastal foundation species highlight the importance of effective restoration. In this study, we examined the effects of source population identity and diversity (one vs. three sources per plot) on seagrass (Zostera marina) transplant success. The field experiment was replicated at two locations in Massachusetts with adjacent naturalZostera marinabeds to test for local adaptation and source diversity effects on shoot density. We also collected morphological and genetic data to characterize variation within and among source populations, and evaluate whether they were related to performance. Transplants grew and expanded until six months post-transplantation, but then steadily declined at both sites. Prior to declines, we observed variation in performance among source populations at one site that was related to morphological traits: the populations with the longest leaves had the highest shoot densities, whereas the population with the shortest leaves performed the worst at six months post-transplantation. In addition, multiple source plots at this same transplant site consistently had similar or higher shoot densities than single source plots, and shoots from weak-performing populations showed improved performance in multiple source plots. We found no evidence for home site advantage or benefits of population-level genetic variation in early transplant performance at either site. Our results show limited effects of source population on early transplant performance and suggest that factors (e.g., morphology) other than home site advantage and population genetic variation serve a role. Based on our overall findings that transplant success varied among source populations and that population diversity at the plot level had positive but limited effects on individual and plot performance, we support planting shoots from multiple source sites in combination to enhance transplant success, particularly in the absence of detailed information on individual source characteristics.
Effects of enhanced hydrological connectivity on Mediterranean salt marsh fish assemblages with emphasis on the endangered Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus)
Authors: Prado Patricia , Alcaraz Carles , Jornet Lluis , Caiola Nuno , Ibáñez Carles
Published: February 2017

The hydrological connectivity between the salt marsh and the sea was partially restored in a Mediterranean wetland containing isolated ponds resulting from former salt extraction and aquaculture activities. A preliminary assessment provided evidence that ponds farther from the sea hosted very large numbers of the endangered Spanish toothcarp,Aphanius iberus, suggesting that individuals had been trapped and consequently reach unnaturally high densities. In order to achieve both habitat rehabilitation and toothcarp conservation, efforts were made to create a gradient of hydrologically connected areas, including isolated fish reservoirs, semi-isolated, and connected salt marsh-sea areas that could allow migratory movements of fish and provide some protection forA. iberus. The fish community was monitored prior to, and for three years after rehabilitation. Results showed an increase in the number of fish species within semi-isolated areas (Zone A), whereas areas adjacent to the sea (Zone B) increased the number of marine species and decreased that of estuarine species (ES). Yet overall differences in fish assemblages were much higher between zones than among study years. Generalized linear models (GLMs) evidenced that distance to the sea was the most important variable explaining the local diversity of the fish community after restoration, with occasional influence of other factors such as temperature, and depth. The abundance ofA. iberuswas consistently higher in semi-isolated areas at greater distances from the sea, but a decline occurred in both zones and in isolated reservoir ponds after restoration efforts, which may be attributable to interannual differences in recruitment success and, to a lesser extent, to dispersal into adjacent habitats. A negative effect of restoration works on fish population cannot be excluded, but the final outcome of the intervention likely needs a longer period.
How conserved are the conserved 16S-rRNA regions?
Authors: Martinez-Porchas Marcel , Villalpando-Canchola Enrique , Ortiz Suarez Luis Enrique , Vargas-Albores Francisco
Published: February 2017

The 16S rRNA gene has been used as master key for studying prokaryotic diversity in almost every environment. Despite the claim of several researchers to have the best universal primers, the reality is that no primer has been demonstrated to be truly universal. This suggests that conserved regions of the gene may not be as conserved as expected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the conservation degree of the so-called conserved regions flanking the hypervariable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Data contained in SILVA database (release 123) were used for the study. Primers reported as matches of each conserved region were assembled to form contigs; sequences sizing 12 nucleotides (12-mers) were extracted from these contigs and searched into the entire set of SILVA sequences. Frequency analysis shown that extreme regions, 1 and 10, registered the lowest frequencies. 12-mer frequencies revealed segments of contigs that were not as conserved as expected (≤90%). Fragments corresponding to the primer contigs 3, 4, 5b and 6a were recovered from all sequences in SILVA database. Nucleotide frequency analysis in each consensus demonstrated that only a small fraction of these so-called conserved regions is truly conserved in non-redundant sequences. It could be concluded that conserved regions of the 16S rRNA gene exhibit considerable variation that has to be considered when using this gene as biomarker.
An extremely sensitive nested PCR-RFLP mitochondrial marker for detection and identification of salmonids in eDNA from water samples
Authors: Clusa Laura , Ardura Alba , Fernández Sara , Roca Agustín A. , García-Vázquez Eva
Published: February 2017

Background

Salmonids are native from the North Hemisphere but have been introduced for aquaculture and sport fishing in the South Hemisphere and inhabit most rivers and lakes in temperate and cold regions worldwide. Five species are included in the Global Invasive Species Database: rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykiss, Atlantic salmonSalmo salar, brown troutSalmo trutta, brook troutSalvelinus fontinalis, and lake troutSalvelinus namaycush. In contrast, other salmonids are endangered in their native settings.

Methods

Here we have developed a method to identify salmonid species directly from water samples, focusing on the Iberian Peninsula as a case study. We have designed nested Salmonidae-specific primers within the 16S rDNA region. From these primers and a PCR-RFLP procedure the target species can be unequivocally identified from DNA extracted from water samples.

Results

The method was validated in aquarium experiments and in the field with water from watersheds with known salmonid populations. Finally, the method was applied to obtain a global view of the Salmonidae community in Nalón River (north coast of Spain).

Discussion

This new powerful, very sensitive (identifying the species down to 10 pg DNA/ml water) and economical tool can be applied for monitoring the presence of salmonids in a variety of situations, from checking upstream colonization after removal of river barriers to monitoring potential escapes from fish farms.
Comparison of full and empirical Bayes approaches for inferring sea‐level changes from tide‐gauge data
Authors: Piecuch Christopher G. , Huybers Peter , Tingley Martin P.
Published: February 2017

Tide‐gauge data are one of the longest instrumental records of the ocean, but these data can be noisy, gappy, and biased. Previous studies have used empirical Bayes methods to infer the sea‐level field from tide‐gauge records but have not accounted for uncertainty in the estimation of model parameters. Here we compare to a fully Bayesian method that accounts for uncertainty in model parameters, and demonstrate that empirical Bayes methods underestimate the uncertainty in sea level inferred from tide‐gauge records. We use a synthetic tide‐gauge data set to assess the skill of the empirical and full Bayes methods. The empirical‐Bayes credible intervals on the sea‐level field are narrower and less reliable than the full‐Bayes credible intervals: the empirical‐Bayes 95% credible intervals are 42.8% narrower on average than are the full‐Bayes 95% credible intervals; full‐Bayes 95% credible intervals capture 95.6% of the true field values, while the empirical‐Bayes 95% credible intervals capture only 77.1% of the true values, showing that parameter uncertainty has an important influence on the uncertainty of the inferred sea‐level field. Most influential are uncertainties in model parameters for data biases (i.e., tide‐gauge datums); letting data‐bias parameters vary along with the sea‐level process, but holding all other parameters fixed, the 95% credible intervals capture 92.8% of the true synthetic‐field values. Results indicate that full Bayes methods are preferable for reconstructing sea‐level estimates in cases where complete and accurate estimates of uncertainty are warranted.
Cellular events and behaviors after grafting of stratified squamous epithelial cell sheet onto a hydrated collagen gel
Authors: Kasai Yoshiyuki , Takeda Naoya , Kobayashi Shinichiro , Takagi Ryo , Yamato Masayuki
Published: February 2017

Autologous stratified squamous epithelial cell sheets have been successfully used to treat epithelial defects in tissues such as the cornea and the esophagus. However, the regenerative cellular events occurring in the grafted epithelial cells are unclear in the early stages of wound healing. In this study, we created an in vitro grafting model using cultured normal human epidermal keratinocyte (NHEK) sheets and a type I collagen gel to investigate the cellular processes that occur within the grafted cell sheet. Cultured NHEK cells successfully became a stratified squamous cell sheet resembling epithelial tissue, retained expression of cellular integrins and adhesion proteins, and adhered successfully to a type I collagen gel. After culture on the collagen gel, expression of E‐cadherin, and β‐catenin decreased in the cells of the basal layer of the grafted cell sheet, resembling events characteristic of a partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). These basal cells also induced migration of the cell sheet. Those phenomena are consistent with the essential events that occur in the wound‐healing process observed previously in cell studies. Therefore, the epithelial cell sheet grafted onto a type I collagen gel is a suitable model in vitro to study cellular events and behaviors. Furthermore, we also addressed the therapeutic mechanisms by which the epithelial cell sheet promotes wound healing.
Pediatric Critical Event Debriefing in Emergency Medicine Training: An Opportunity for Educational Improvement
Authors: Nocera Mariann , Merritt Chris
Published: February 2017

Introduction

In the emergency department (ED), critical events, including death and severe illness, are not uncommon. Critical events involving children, while less frequent, may be especially distressing. Debriefing following a critical event may serve several purposes: review of team performance, education, identification of errors, emotional support, and planning for future events. Debriefing skills and habits learned during training may be carried forward throughout an emergency physician's career. This study evaluates how educators in emergency medicine (EM) view debriefing after pediatric critical events and identifies barriers to use of debriefing in postgraduate training programs.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional observational study, we surveyed program directors (PDs) from EM residency and pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) fellowship programs via e‐mail listserv. A panel of PEM experts and survey methodologists designed the survey, which was reviewed for content validity by an independent panel of EM educators. We obtained data on current debriefing practices following pediatric critical events, PDs’ perceptions of ideal debriefing practices, and barriers to implementation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results

A total of 109 PDs completed the survey (45% overall response rate). All respondents feel that debriefing pediatric critical events is useful. The majority of debriefings are initiated and led by emergency physicians as informal meetings shortly following a critical event. Debriefings are most commonly held following a patient death, although PDs feel that debriefings should also occur for other specific patient scenarios (e.g., child abuse). Barriers to debriefing include timing, scheduling, location, discomfort with debriefing, participant buy‐in, and leader buy‐in.

Conclusions

Program leaders in both EM and PEM believe that debriefing after pediatric critical events is important for training. Barriers to debriefing specific to the ED setting should be explored to optimize the implementation of this practice.
The development and testing of a tool to assess joint health and safety committee functioning and effectiveness
Authors: Nichol Kathryn , Kudla Irena , Robson Lynda , Hon Chun‐Yip , Eriksson Jonas , Holness D. Linn
Published: February 2017

Background

Concern regarding functioning and effectiveness of joint health and safety committees (JHSCs) in Ontario hospitals was raised following the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2003. A subsequent literature review revealed a lack of studies focused within the healthcare sector.

Methods

A tool to measure JHSC effectiveness was developed by a panel of occupational health and safety experts based on a framework from the healthcare sector. Usability testing was conducted in two phases with members of five hospital JHSCs before, during and after a committee meeting.

Results

Usability of the tool was scored high overall with an average of > 4 on a 5 point scale across twelve items. Downward adjustment of self‐assessment scores was reported following JHSC meetings.

Conclusion

Findings demonstrated that the tool was easy to use, effective in supporting discussion and in assisting participants in reaching consensus on rating a large number of JHSC characteristics. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:368–376, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Möbius Aromatic [28]Hexaphyrin Germanium(IV) and Tin(IV) Complexes: Efficient Formation of Triplet Excited States
Authors: Izawa Mondo , Kim Taeyeon , Ishida Shin‐ichiro , Tanaka Takayuki , Mori Tadashi , Kim Dongho , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: February 2017

[28]Hexaphyrin GeIV and SnIV complexes were synthesized in high yields by reactions of [28]hexaphyrin with GeCl4 or SnCl4 in the presence of triethylamine. Both complexes display distinct 28π Möbius aromatic character and possess a trigonal bipyramidal geometry at the central GeIV or SnIV atom. The equatorial hydroxy group of the GeIV complex was smoothly exchanged with neutral nucleophiles, such as phenol derivatives and thiophenol, with retention of configuration. In the SnIV complex, intersystem crossing to the T1 state is remarkably enhanced owing to the effective heavy‐atom effect, thus allowing the formation of the T1 state in high yield. The T1 states of the GeIV and SnVI complexes were found to be antiaromatic on the basis of the transient absorption features in line with the Baird rule.
Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of Acrylate‐Based Gastrosparing NSAID Prodrugs
Authors: Rasheed Arun , Yalavarthi Prasanna Raju , Cheramparambil Haseena , Peesa Jaya Preethi , Abdul Khareem Azeem
Published: February 2017

Dexibuprofen and aceclofenac are well‐known NSAID molecules, their oral use leads to gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. To circumvent that GI toxicity, the prodrug approach is a better alternative. Hence, this research was undertaken to synthesize prodrugs of dexibuprofen and aceclofenac using acrylic polymers with degradable ester bonds. Dexibuprofen was linked to 2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate by an activated ester technique. The resulting material was copolymerized with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (in 1:3 mole ratios) by the free radical polymerization method, utilizing azoisobutyronitrile at 65–70°C. Similarly aceclofenac was also processed. The resulting prodrugs were characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized prodrugs possess optimal physicochemical characteristics such as the intended molecular weight, lipophilicity, partition coefficient, and protein binding. The drug release on hydrolysis was studied in various fluids such as SGF (pH 1.2), SIF (pH 7.4), and SCF (pH 6.8), to establish the drug release kinetics. Pharmacological evaluation exhibited anti‐inflammatory activity with remarkable reduction in ulcerogenicity compared to the parent drug. Under the conditions used, the prodrugs showed no antigenicity in Wistar rats. Thus, it was concluded that acrylic‐based prodrugs were efficient in drug localization in the stomach, without gastric problems.
Reconstruction of a Palaeosurface and Archaeological Site Location in an Anthropogenic Drift Sand Area
Authors: Schneider Anna , Hirsch Florian , Wechler Klaus‐Peter , Raab Alexandra , Raab Thomas
Published: February 2017

Knowledge of the position of archaeological remains in the surface relief provides important basic information for archaeological survey design and interpretation. Geomorphological processes in (pre)history may have resulted in a modification of the local relief around archaeological sites, especially in areas that are prone to sediment erosion and relocation, such as sheet sand and dune landscapes. In this study, we reconstructed and analysed the palaeorelief of an archaeological excavation site in an inland dune area in southern Brandenburg, Germany. The remains of two Mesolithic sites were documented in the archaeological excavations and found to be associated with a buried soil horizon. To gather information on the relief of the buried soil surface, we used a combination of sedimentological and pedological profile descriptions along archaeological survey trenches and geophysical prospection with ground penetrating radar supplemented with microdrone photography and photogrammetry, global positioning system (GPS) surveys, and analysis of LiDAR‐based elevation models. A digital elevation model of the buried surface was generated and analysed using a geographical information system (GIS). A comparison of the palaeosurface model with the recent surface elevation model shows that sand remobilization resulted in a considerable reshaping of the relief. Further, an analysis of the buried surface model shows that the relief position of the two archaeological sites in the study area was considerably more prominent in relation to the corresponding buried soil surface than in relation to the recent surface morphology. The results affirm the significance of Holocene sediment relocation for the local surface morphology and the importance of considering such relief modifications in archaeological surveys. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Participation in recreational activities buffers the impact of perceived stress on quality of life in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bishop‐Fitzpatrick Lauren , Smith DaWalt Leann , Greenberg Jan S. , Mailick Marsha R.
Published: February 2017

As the number of adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) grows, the need to identify modifiable correlates of positive outcomes and quality of life (QoL) gains in importance. Research indicates that perceived stress is significantly correlated with QoL in adults with ASD. Studies in the general population of individuals without disabilities indicate that greater participation in social and recreational activities may lessen the negative impact of perceived stress on well‐being, and this association may also hold among adults with ASD. We hypothesized that: (1) perceived stress would be negatively associated with QoL; and (2) higher frequency of participation in social activities and recreational activities would moderate the relationship between perceived stress and QoL. We used data collected from 60 adults with ASD aged 24–55 and their mothers to address our hypotheses. Findings indicate that adults with ASD with higher perceived stress are likely to have poorer QoL. Furthermore, greater participation in recreational activities buffers the impact of perceived stress on QoL, but no buffering effect was observed for participation in social activities. These findings suggest that interventions and services that provide supports and opportunities for participation in recreational activities may help adults with ASD manage their stress and lead to better QoL. Autism Res 2017, 10: 973–982. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exo‐exo synergy between Cel6A and Cel7A from Hypocrea jecorina: Role of carbohydrate binding module and the endo‐lytic character of the enzymes
Authors: Badino Silke F. , Christensen Stefan J. , Kari Jeppe , Windahl Michael S. , Hvidt Søren , Borch Kim , Westh Peter
Published: February 2017

Synergy between cellulolytic enzymes is essential in both natural and industrial breakdown of biomass. In addition to synergy between endo‐ and exo‐lytic enzymes, a lesser known but equally conspicuous synergy occurs among exo‐acting, processive cellobiohydrolases (CBHs) such as Cel7A and Cel6A from Hypocrea jecorina. We studied this system using microcrystalline cellulose as substrate and found a degree of synergy between 1.3 and 2.2 depending on the experimental conditions. Synergy between enzyme variants without the carbohydrate binding module (CBM) and its linker was strongly reduced compared to the wild types. One plausible interpretation of this is that exo‐exo synergy depends on the targeting role of the CBM. Many earlier works have proposed that exo‐exo synergy was caused by an auxiliary endo‐lytic activity of Cel6A. However, biochemical data from different assays suggested that the endo‐lytic activity of both Cel6A and Cel7A were 103–104 times lower than the common endoglucanase, Cel7B, from the same organism. Moreover, the endo‐lytic activity of Cel7A was 2–3‐fold higher than for Cel6A, and we suggest that endo‐like activity of Cel6A cannot be the main cause for the observed synergy. Rather, we suggest the exo‐exo synergy found here depends on different specificities of the enzymes possibly governed by their CBMs. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1639–1647. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐Density Carbon Nanotube Wet‐laid Buckypapers with Enhanced Strength and Conductivity Using a High‐pressure Homogenization Process
Authors: Choi Jun , Jang Si‐hoon , Oh Jun Young , Yang Seung Jae , Park No‐hyung , Jeong Wonyoung , Lim Dae Young
Published: February 2017

In this work, we prepared homogeneously dispersed carbon nanotubes in water using a high‐pressure homogenizer, while high‐density carbon nanotube buckypapers were prepared by wet‐laid process. The strength and conductivity of the buckypaper were increased dramatically after the high‐pressure homogenization because of the increased density and uniformity of the paper. In addition, the buckypapers containing various additives and treated with SOCl2
exhibited further increase of strength and conductivity resulting from the binding and the p‐type doping effect. The buckypapers with high electrical conductivity exhibited superior electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness that could be applied for structural shielding materials.
Calibration transfer between NIR spectrometers: New proposals and a comparative study
Authors: Folch‐Fortuny Abel , Vitale Raffaele , de Noord Onno E. , Ferrer Alberto
Published: February 2017

Calibration transfer between near‐infrared (NIR) spectrometers is a subtle issue in chemometrics and process industry. In fact, as even very similar instruments may generate strongly different spectral responses, regression models developed on a first NIR system can rarely be used with spectra collected by a second apparatus. In this work, two novel methods to perform calibration transfer between NIR spectrometers are proposed. Both of them permit to exploit the specific relationships between instruments for imputing new unmeasured spectra, which will be then resorted to for building an improved predictive model, suitable for the analysis of future incoming data. Specifically, the two approaches are based on trimmed scores regression and joint‐Y partial least squares regression, respectively. The performance of these novel strategies will be assessed and compared to that of well‐established techniques such as maximum likelihood principal component analysis and piecewise direct standardisation in two real case studies.
Concentration of Nitric Acid Strongly Influences Chemical Composition of Graphite Oxide
Authors: Jankovský Ondřej , Nováček Michal , Luxa Jan , Sedmidubský David , Boháčová Marie , Pumera Martin , Sofer Zdeněk
Published: February 2017

Graphite oxide is the most widely used precursor for the synthesis of graphene through top‐down methods. We demonstrate a significant influence of nitric acid concentration on the structure and composition of the graphite oxide prepared by graphite oxidation. In general, two main chlorate‐based oxidation methods are currently used for graphite oxide synthesis: the Staudenmaier method using 98 wt % nitric acid, and the Hofmann method with 68 wt % nitric acid. However, a gradual change in nitric acid concentration allows a continuous change in the graphite oxide composition. The prepared samples are thoroughly characterised by microscopic techniques as well as various spectroscopic and analytical methods. Lowering the nitric acid concentration leads to an increase in oxidation degree, and in particular, to the concentration of epoxy and hydroxyl groups. This knowledge is not only useful for the large‐scale synthesis of graphite oxide with tuneable size and chemical composition, but the use of nitric acid in lower concentrations can also reduce the overall cost of the synthesis significantly.