bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra‐rater Reliability of Arm and Hand Muscle Strength Measurements in Persons With Late Effects of Polio
Authors: Brogårdh Christina , Flansbjer Ulla‐Britt , Carlsson Håkan , Lexell Jan
Published: April 2015

Background

Muscle weakness in the upper limb is common in persons with late effects of polio. To be able to measure muscle strength and follow changes over time, reliable measurements are needed.

Objective

To evaluate the intra‐rater reliability of isometric and isokinetic arm and hand muscle strength measurements in persons with late effects of polio.

Design

A test‐retest design.

Settings

A university hospital outpatient clinic.

Participants

Twenty‐eight persons (mean age 68 years, SD 11 years) with late effects of polio in their upper limbs.

Methods

Isometric shoulder abduction, isokinetic concentric elbow flexion and extension, isometric elbow flexion, and isometric grip strength were measured twice, 14 days apart. Reliability was evaluated with the intra‐class correlation coefficient, the mean difference between the test sessions (), together with the 95% confidence intervals for , the standard error of measurement (SEM and SEM%), the smallest real difference (SRD and SRD%), and Bland‐Altman graphs.

Main Outcome Measurements

A fixed dynamometer (Biodex) was used to measure arm strength and an electronic dynamometer (GRIP‐it) was used to measure grip strength.

Results

Intra‐rater reliability was high, with intra‐class correlation coefficients between 0.87 and 0.98. The SEM%, representing the smallest change for a group of persons, ranged from 7%‐24% for all strength measurements, and the SRD%, representing the smallest change for an individual person, ranged from 20%‐67%.

Conclusion

Muscle strength in the upper limbs can be reliably measured in persons with late effects of polio. However, the measurement errors indicate that the method is more suitable to detect changes in muscle strength for a group of persons than for an individual person.
General Stratigraphic Scale of Russia: state of the art and problems
Authors: Zhamoida A.I.
Published: April 2015

The history of the development of the General Stratigraphic Scale (GSS), its significance, purpose, and difference from the International Stratigraphic Chart (ISC) are briefly reported. The most global achievements in the GSS refinement based on the Proceedings of the All-Russian conference at the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (May 2013) are considered. The main problems related to the GSS improvement are formulated: the structure of the Precambrian and Quaternary stratigraphic scales, the location of the Vendian System in the GSS, formal substantiation of the “Russian” stages of the Cambrian, Carboniferous, and Permian Systems, and the significance of the regional limitotypes of the ISC subdivisions.
The International Stratigraphic Chart: state of the art
Authors: Alekseev A.S.
Published: April 2015

The International Stratigraphic Chart of the Phanerozoic is constructed by drawing lower boundaries of stratigraphic units with reference to Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point. Some systems retain former, usually European, names of stages, whereas new sequences of stages are proposed for others, such as for Cambrian and Ordovician. The boundaries of 64 stages of 100 had been approved by the beginning of 2014. Fifty-three of these boundaries were drawn with regard to biostratigraphic criteria; one ichnological, six magnetostratigraphic, two chemostratigraphic, one impact, and one climatic criteria. Their type sections are distributed over continents as follows: thirty-nine in Europe, twelve in Asia, nine in North America, and four in Africa. They are located in 19 countries: ten in China, nine in the United Kingdom, nine in Italy, seven in the United States, six in France, five in Spain, three in Czech, two in Morocco, two in Sweden, and one in each of several more countries. Although none is in Russia, candidates are proposed for stages of the Cambrian, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic Systems. Type sections for the Sakmarian and Artinskian have already been agreed. With the present work speed, it will take two or three decades to complete the scale construction. The General Stratigraphic Scale of Russia and the International Chart gradually converge. Their similarity at the stage level is 84%. Major disagreements exist only in the Cambrian and Permian Systems.
Vendian of the Fore-Yenisei sedimentary basin (southeastern West Siberia)
Authors: Grazhdankin D.V. , Kontorovich A.E. , Kontorovich V.A. , Saraev S.V. , Filippov Yu.F. , Efimov A.S. , Karlova G.A. , Kochnev B.B. , Nagovitsin K.E. , Terleev A.A. , Fedyanin G.O.
Published: April 2015

Fossiliferous Upper Vendian strata are discovered in the Upper Proterozoic to Lower Paleozoic Fore-Yenisei sedimentary basin under a thick Mesozoic–Cenozoic cover in southeastern West Siberia. Two depositional systems are recognized based on sedimentological features: (1) wave- and current-agitated shoreface–forereef–biohermal reef system (Vostok-3 Borehole section) and (2) tidal flat–evaporite basin (Averinskaya-150 Borehole section). The forereef facies yielded fossilized tubular calcareous skeletons of reef-building metazoans Cloudina riemkeae, Cloudina hartmannae and Cloudina carinata, phosphatized Namacalathus-like fossils, and a diversity of tubular phosphatized and agglutinated tubular fossils. The fossil assemblage can be interpreted as the evidence of ecological complexity of the reef system. Paleontological characteristics suggest correlation of the Vendian strata with the lowermost Purella antiqua Assemblage Zone and the boundary interval with the underlying Anabarites trisulcatus Assemblage Zone of the Siberian Platform. Therefore, at least in the late Proterozoic, the Fore-Yenisei sedimentary basin was part of a larger pericratonic depositional system on the western margin of the Siberian Craton.
Biofacies zonation of Ordovician deposits of the southern Siberian Platform
Authors: Stepanova N.I. , Byalyi V.I. , Kanygin A.V.
Published: April 2015

Based on the inventory, revision, and analysis of stratigraphic, paleontological, and lithofacies data on the area of Ordovician deposits in the southern Siberian Platform (Irkut amphitheater), the refined and detailed schemes of biofacies zonation of this paleobasin are substantiated. Schemes of zonation have been compiled for the Nyaian, Ugorian, Kimaian, Mukteian, Volginian, Kirenskian–Kudrinian, Chertovskian, and Baksanian Horizons of the regional Ordovician stratigraphic chart of the Siberian Platform. The schemes present biofacies different in lithologic composition, spread of dominant groups of fauna, and hydrochemical regime (normal-marine salinity, freshwater, or high salinity). It is shown that contrasting changes in paleogeographic environments and the spread of faunal communities under changing environmental conditions were influenced by the transgression–regression cyclicity of the evolution of the Siberian Platform paleobasin and by the proximity of the land. Specific groups of fauna localized in particular facies are described. These groups are regarded as communities that were the first to occupy the littoral zones of epicontinental sea basins in the Ordovician.
Development of Neuropsychological Measures: Personal Experience and Lessons Learnt
Authors: Shum David H.K.
Published: April 2015

This paper briefly reviews the history and purposes of neuropsychological assessment, as well as advancements in this area, and discusses the development of neuropsychological tests, using examples developed by the author and his colleagues to measure different aspects of human memory. These include the Shum Visual Learning Test, the Australian Retrograde Memory Test, the Comprehensive Assessment of Prospective Memory and the Virtual Reality Prospective Memory Task. The intended uses and psychometric properties of these tests, as well as examples of their use in research and clinical settings, will also be discussed. The paper will conclude with recommendations and advice on the development of neuropsychological tests based on the author's own experience.
The dynamical states of a prolate spheroidal particle suspended in shear flow as a consequence of particle and fluid inertia
Authors: Rosén T. , Do-Quang M. , Aidun C. K. , Lundell F.
Published: April 2015

The rotational motion of a prolate spheroidal particle suspended in shear flow is studied by a lattice Boltzmann method with external boundary forcing (LB-EBF). It has previously been shown that the case of a single neutrally buoyant particle is a surprisingly rich dynamical system that exhibits several bifurcations between rotational states due to inertial effects. It was observed that the rotational states were associated with either fluid inertia effects or particle inertia effects, which are always in competition. The effects of fluid inertia are characterized by the particle Reynolds number$\mathit{Re}_{p}=4Ga^{2}/{\it\nu}$, where$G$is the shear rate,$a$is the length of the particle major semi-axis and${\it\nu}$is the kinematic viscosity. Particle inertia is associated with the Stokes number$\mathit{St}={\it\alpha}\,\mathit{Re}_{p}$, where${\it\alpha}$is the solid-to-fluid density ratio. Previously, the neutrally buoyant case ($\mathit{St}=\mathit{Re}_{p}$) was studied extensively. However, little is known about how these results are affected when$\mathit{St}\neq \mathit{Re}_{p}$, and how the aspect ratio$r_{p}$(major axis/minor axis) influences the competition between fluid and particle inertia in the absence of gravity. This work gives a full description of how prolate spheroidal particles in the range$2\leqslant r_{p}\leqslant 6$behave depending on the chosen$\mathit{St}$and$\mathit{Re}_{p}$. Furthermore, consequences for the rheology of a dilute suspension containing such particles are discussed. Finally, grid resolution close to the particle is shown to affect the quantitative results considerably. It is suggested that this resolution is a major cause of quantitative discrepancies between different studies. Thus, the results of this work and previous direct numerical simulations of this problem should be regarded as qualitative descriptions of the physics involved, and more refined methods must be used to quantitatively pinpoint the transitions between rotational states.
QUANTITATIVE OSCILLATION ESTIMATES FOR ALMOST-UMBILICAL CLOSED HYPERSURFACES IN EUCLIDEAN SPACE
Authors: SCHEUER JULIAN
Published: April 2015

We prove${\it\epsilon}$-closeness of hypersurfaces to a sphere in Euclidean space under the assumption that the traceless second fundamental form is${\it\delta}$-small compared to the mean curvature. We give the explicit dependence of${\it\delta}$on${\it\epsilon}$within the class of uniformly convex hypersurfaces with bounded volume.
Living in a ‘fat swamp’: exposure to multiple sources of accessible, cheap, energy-dense fast foods in a deprived community
Authors: Saunders Patrick , Saunders Annie , Middleton John
Published: April 2015

This study assesses the levels of fats, including trans-fatty acids, and salt in common takeaway fast foods in a deprived urban municipality in the West Midlands, England, and implications in the context of the spatial distribution of fast food takeaways. The results of the compositional analysis of over 250 take-out foods were compared with established and derived standards. About 70 % of products exceeded the recommendation that a meal should contain less than 30 % of a Guideline Daily Amount (GDA). More than half of them exceeded 50 % GDA for at least one metric, including 81 % of all analyses for SFA. And 17 % of samples exceeded the GDA for SFA, including each of two meals that contained about twice the GDA. Over 30 % samples exceeded the children's GDA for total fat or SFA. 27 % of salt analyses exceeded the GDA. People in Sandwell are exposed to large portion sizes and high levels of fats and salt in takeaway foods, with levels in some foods having increased since 2010. Given this population's limited options to break out of a highly compromising environment of living simultaneously in a ‘swamp’ of unhealthy, readily accessible and cheap takeaways, and a ‘desert’ of healthy options, an immediate and innovative package of interventions is required.
W. T. Stead and the Civic Church, 1886-1895: The Vision Behind ‘If Christ Came to Chicago!’
Authors: BROWN STEWART J.
Published: April 2015

In 1894 the prominent English journalist and religious visionary, W. T. Stead, published If Christ came to Chicago!, a work of investigative journalism focusing on the problems of the modern city. The book constituted a manifesto for Stead's notion of the ‘Civic Church’, a religious movement through which he hoped to revive a sense of national religion, and unite churches and philanthropic associations around a shared commitment to follow Christ's example of social service. This article explores the development of Stead's ‘Civic Church’ ideal and his campaign to achieve this in Britain's urban-industrial society between 1886 and 1895.
Another Cassian?
Authors: STEWART COLUMBA
Published: April 2015

During the last century there have been many discoveries that have reshaped our understanding of early monastic texts and their authorship. The writer of these two substantial volumes proposes new ones. In The real Cassian revisited he argues that the Latin monastic works traditionally ascribed to an early fifth-century monk named John Cassian, later resident in Gaul, are actually a medieval ‘augmented interpolated product originating in a far shorter Greek original by Cassian the Sabaite’, whom he identifies as an early sixth-century monk of Mar Saba in Palestine (The real Cassian revisited, 152; cf. A newly discovered Greek Father, p. xii). This Greek text, edited with substantial commentary in A newly discovered Greek Father, has historically been considered a condensed translation of selections from the Latin works. In reversing this view, Tzamalikos announces the ‘rediscovery’ of a forgotten Greek genius.
Variable morphotactics in Information-based Morphology
Authors: CRYSMANN BERTHOLD , BONAMI OLIVIER
Published: April 2015

We address variable morphotactics, the phenomenon of order variability of morphs, in the context of inflectional morphology. Based on an extended discussion of cross-linguistic variation, including conjugation in Nepali, Fula, Swahili, Chintang and Italian, and nominal declension in Ostyak and Mari, we propose a canonical typology that identifies different deviations from strict ordering. Following a discussion of previous approaches to the problem, we propose Information-based Morphology, an inferential-realisational and model-theoretic approach to morphology couched in a logic of typed feature structures. Within this formal theory, we develop detailed analyses of the core cases in the typology and show how different types and degrees of deviation from the canon can be pin-pointed in the relative complexity of the rule type hierarchies that model the data. Furthermore, we show that complex deviations, as attested in Mari, can be understood as combinations of more basic deviations.
The identity ofCeratoplax villosaZehntner, 1894 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pilumnidae), with description of a new species ofZehntnerianaTakeda & Ng, 2010, from Japan
Authors: Lee Sang-Kyu , Kim Won , Ng Peter K. L.
Published: April 2015

Re-examination of the holotype male ofZehntneriana villosa(Zehntner, 1894) (from Ambon, Indonesia) shows that Japanese specimens previously referred to this species should be designated as a new species,Zehntneriana tadafumiisp. nov. The new species differs fromZ. villosain several characters, including the carapace, epistome, third maxilliped and thoracic sternum. Here, we redescribe and illustrateZ. villosas. str. and the new species. In addition, the taxonomy ofZehntnerianaNg & Takeda, 2010, is also discussed.
2-aminopurine as a fluorescent probe of DNA conformation and the DNA–enzyme interface
Authors: Jones Anita C. , Neely Robert K.
Published: April 2015

Nearly 50 years since its potential as a fluorescent base analogue was first recognized, 2-aminopurine (2AP) continues to be the most widely used fluorescent probe of DNA structure and the perturbation of that structure by interaction with enzymes and other molecules. In this review, we begin by considering the origin of the dramatic and intriguing difference in photophysical properties between 2AP and its structural isomer, adenine; although 2AP differs from the natural base only in the position of the exocyclic amine group, its fluorescence intensity is one thousand times greater. We then discuss the mechanism of interbase quenching of 2AP fluorescence in DNA, which is the basis of its use as a conformational probe but remains imperfectly understood. There are hundreds of examples in the literature of the use of changes in the fluorescence intensity of 2AP as the basis of assays of conformational change; however, in this review we will consider in detail only a few intensity-based studies. Our primary aim is to highlight the use of time-resolved fluorescence measurements, and the interpretation of fluorescence decay parameters, to explore the structure and dynamics of DNA. We discuss the salient features of the fluorescence decay of 2AP when incorporated in DNA and review the use of decay measurements in studying duplexes, single strands and other structures. We survey the use of 2AP as a probe of DNA-enzyme interaction and enzyme-induced distortion, focusing particularly on its use to study base flipping and the enhanced mechanistic insights that can be gained by a detailed analysis of the decay parameters, rather than merely monitoring changes in fluorescence intensity. Finally we reflect on the merits and shortcomings of 2AP and the prospects for its wider adoption as a fluorescence-decay-based probe.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival: 24–26 November 2014
Authors: Glover Richard
Published: April 2015

hcmf// continued its tradition of Monday's concerts being free and consisting of shorter concerts resulting from a competitive selection process. Many of the concerts had full audiences, and it is an achievement of the festival that these ‘shorts’ are seen as concerts on a par with their paid counterparts on other days. The audiences were notably more diverse on the Monday, with more students and families present, resulting in a more informal, but no less engaging, performance environment.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival: 26 & 27 November 2014
Authors: Hamilton Andy
Published: April 2015

As a result of her wonderfully exciting performance of Unsuk Chin's Etudes at hcmf//'s ‘free Monday’ in 2013, Singaporean pianist Mei Yi Foo was invited back for her own concert this year. Given the depth, intensity and diversity of the works in her mid-week recital, it was surprising to discover that she is not a contemporary music specialist. Richard Baker's Breaking The Ground (2003) contrasted furious bass material, rhythmic and syncopated, with gentler, higher-register patterns, freer rhythmically but on repetition becoming more energised. These distinct materials are gradually drawn together, exploiting the range of the keyboard and creating a very satisfying organic unity. Thomas Adès's Still Sorrowing (1992) is an early work by the composer, its Cagean preparations gradually removed by the page-turner towards the end; a fey, elusive, dream-like piece, it shows the questionable fluidity of conception that is a hallmark of the composer's style. Jukka Tiensuu's Fantango (1984) was a powerfully swinging entertainment; despite their title and miniaturism, Kurtág's Játékok (Games) were more substantial, the pianist providing a delightfully characterful account of the concluding ‘derangement’ of Mad Girl With Flaxen Hair.
‘Exposure 2014’: EXAUDI, Bishopsgate Institute, London
Authors: Rutherford-Johnson Tim
Published: April 2015

Andrea Neumann, Christian Kesten, Martin Creed: Kammer Klang, Café OTO, London
‘Protokols’: Von Nohrfeldt at Rewire Festival, Den Haag
Authors: Jeffery Sarah
Published: April 2015

Susie, tell me a story!: new music-theatre by Susanna Borsch, November Music Festival, ’s-Hertogenbosch
Wien Modern 2014
Authors: Zagorski Marcus
Published: April 2015

The focus of Wien Modern 2014, according to Artistic Director Matthias Lošek, is best summarised with the two English words ‘on screen’. In his editorial forward to the programme book, Lošek communicated the thinking behind the festival and explained that ‘“on screen” engages with the interface between film/television and contemporary music’. Perhaps it is no surprise, then, that the majority of events in the festival, which ran from 29 October until 21 November 2014, had a strong visual element. This precedence of the visual in a major contemporary music festival brought to mind a review of this year's Darmstadt courses: ‘Das Auge hört mit’, a reviewer of Darmstadt 2014 concluded in the latest issue of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, ‘the eye listens in’. The world, it seems, is not as we were taught: German-speaking Central Europe, for some the Mecca of absolute music, is looking elsewhere. How could this be?
Commemoration and Élite Benefaction of Buildings and Spectacles in the Roman World
Authors: Ng Diana
Published: April 2015

Current scholarship on élite munificence in the Roman Empire often sees architectural benefactions as being at least partially driven by the élite desire for personal commemoration. I use juristic opinions from theDigestand other textual evidence related to building gifts to argue that there was an ancient understanding of the physical and symbolic ephemerality of architectural benefactions. In contrast, I present legal and epigraphic evidence to argue that there was an explicit expectation for gifts of spectacles and monetary distributions to be lasting memorials for their donors, and that the perpetuation of identity was also a motivating factor in the euergetic choice of a spectacle.
Study of uniformity of elongated plasma channels formed in gas puff targets using extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray radiation
Authors: Wachulak P.W. , Bartnik A. , Jarocki R. , Fok T. , Węgrzyński Ł. , Kostecki J. , Szczurek M. , Fiedorowicz H.
Published: April 2015

The results of formation of elongated krypton/helium plasma channels are presented. Two laser pulses were used: one to produce plasma channels and the second one for conversion to soft X rays. The soft X-ray radiation was in turn used for backlighting the channels and their visualization. The study of their formation and uniformity was performed using a combination of soft X-ray shadowgraphy and pinhole camera imaging. The plasma channels, with various lengths and various densities, were visualized and the results of their characterization are presented. Using moderate laser pulse energy quite uniform channels, up to 9 mm in length, were demonstrated.
Physiological linkage in co-variation of foliar nitrogen and phosphorus in tropical tree species along a gradient of soil phosphorus availability
Authors: Hidaka Amane , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: April 2015

In order to understand the stoichiometric balance between foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) on P-poor soils, we investigated how foliar N and P attributes (i.e. N and P concentrations in green and senesced leaves, N and P resorption efficiencies) of 30 tropical tree species co-vary along a gradient of soil P availability across three forests on Mount Kinabalu, Borneo. We found strong and positive correlations between foliar N and P in the concentrations and resorption efficiencies within each forest and across the three forests. Slopes of standardized major axis between foliar N and P concentrations for both green and senesced leaves were not different among the three forests, although the values of the scaling exponent in the relationships of foliar N to P across the three forests were significantly lower than 1. We suggest that down-regulation of N concentrations in green leaves on P-poor soils is one of several possible mechanisms explaining why N concentrations decrease with decreasing P concentrations in both green and senesced leaves toward a lower P availability in soils. On the other hand, the physiological and ecological reasons why N and P resorption efficiencies are positively correlated with each other across tree species remain unclear.
FROM BOUNDARY CROSSING OF NON-RANDOM FUNCTIONS TO BOUNDARY CROSSING OF STOCHASTIC PROCESSES
Authors: Brown Mark , de la Peña Victor , Sit Tony
Published: April 2015

One problem of wide interest involves estimating expected crossing-times. Several tools have been developed to solve this problem beginning with the works of Wald and the theory of sequential analysis. Deriving the explicit close form solution for the expected crossing times may be difficult. In this paper, we provide a framework that can be used to estimate expected crossing times of arbitrary stochastic processes. Our key assumption is the knowledge of the average behavior of the supremum of the process. Our results include a universal sharp lower bound on the expected crossing times. Furthermore, for a wide class of time-homogeneous, Markov processes, including Bessel processes, we are able to derive an upper boundE[a(Tr)]≤2r, which implies that supr>0|((E[a(Tr)]−r)/r)|≤1, wherea(t)=E[suptXt] with {Xt}t≥0be a non-negative, measurable process. This inequality motivates our claim thata(t) can be viewed as a natural clock for all such processes. The cases of multidimensional processes, non-symmetric and random boundaries are handled as well. We also present applications of these bounds on renewal processes in Example 10 and other stochastic processes.
X-band compact choke horn antenna with circular polarization and isoflux pattern for nanosatellite applications
Authors: Arnaud Eric , Duchesne Luc , Elis Kevin , Fouany Jamil , Monediere Thierry , Thevenot Marc
Published: April 2015

This paper presents a tradeoff between isoflux pattern quality and X-band antenna compactness for nanosatellite applications. Having an isoflux radiation and a circular polarization (CP) generally causes a large antenna size which is incompatible for these applications. A new design of an antenna is done with the following maximum antenna dimensions: a diameter of 90 mm and a height of 20 mm above the nanosatellite platform. The isoflux pattern is slightly degraded while a good CP and realized gain are kept. The structure is a compact choke horn. It presents an axial ratio lower than 3 dB and a RG close to 0 dB over a 400 MHz bandwidth (8.0–8.4 GHz). It has been realized and successfully measured.
Vitamin D exposure during pregnancy, but not early childhood, is associated with risk of childhood wheezing
Authors: Anderson L. N. , Chen Y. , Omand J. A. , Birken C. S. , Parkin P. C. , To T. , Maguire J. L. ,   the TARGet Kids Collaboration
Published: April 2015

The association between vitamin D and wheezing in early childhood is unclear. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D exposure, during both pregnancy and childhood, and early childhood wheezing. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the associations between vitamin D exposures and asthma and wheezing severity. We conducted a cohort study of children (0–5 years) recruited from 2008 to 2013 through the TARGet Kids! primary-care research network. Vitamin D exposures included maternal vitamin D supplement use during pregnancy, child vitamin D supplementation and children’s 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. The outcomes measured were parent-reported childhood wheezing, diagnosed asthma and wheezing severity. Vitamin D supplement and wheezing data were available for 2478 children, and blood samples were available for 1275 children. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index, birth weight, outdoor play, breastfeeding duration, daycare status, parental smoking and family history of asthma. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with lower odds of childhood wheezing (aOR=0.65; 95% CI: 0.46–0.93). In early childhood, neither 25(OH)D (aOR per 10 nmol/l=1.01; 95% CI: 0.96–1.06) nor vitamin D supplementation (aOR=1.00; 95% CI: 0.81–1.23) was associated with wheezing. No significant associations were observed with diagnosed asthma or wheezing severity. Vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy was associated with reduced odds of wheezing, but child vitamin D supplementation and childhood 25(OH)D were not associated with reduced wheezing. The timing of exposure may be important in understanding the association between vitamin D and childhood wheezing.
FTO influences adipogenesis by regulating mitotic clonal expansion
Authors: Merkestein Myrte , Laber Samantha , McMurray Fiona , Andrew Daniel , Sachse Gregor , Sanderson Jeremy , Li Mengdi , Usher Samuel , Sellayah Dyan , Ashcroft Frances M. , Cox Roger D.
Published: April 2015

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene plays a pivotal role in regulating body weight and fat mass; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we show that primary adipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from FTO overexpression (FTO-4) mice exhibit increased potential for adipogenic differentiation, while MEFs derived from FTO knockout (FTO-KO) mice show reduced adipogenesis. As predicted from these findings, fat pads from FTO-4 mice fed a high-fat diet show more numerous adipocytes. FTO influences adipogenesis by regulating events early in adipogenesis, during the process of mitotic clonal expansion. The effect of FTO on adipogenesis appears to be mediated via enhanced expression of the pro-adipogenic short isoform of RUNX1T1, which enhanced adipocyte proliferation, and is increased in FTO-4 MEFs and reduced in FTO-KO MEFs. Our findings provide novel mechanistic insight into how upregulation of FTO leads to obesity.
Single-molecule chemo-mechanical unfolding reveals multiple transition state barriers in a small single-domain protein
Authors: Guinn Emily J. , Jagannathan Bharat , Marqusee Susan
Published: April 2015

A fundamental question in protein folding is whether proteins fold through one or multiple trajectories. While most experiments indicate a single pathway, simulations suggest proteins can fold through many parallel pathways. Here, we use a combination of chemical denaturant, mechanical force and site-directed mutations to demonstrate the presence of multiple unfolding pathways in a simple, two-state folding protein. We show that these multiple pathways have structurally different transition states, and that seemingly small changes in protein sequence and environment can strongly modulate the flux between the pathways. These results suggest that in vivo, the crowded cellular environment could strongly influence the mechanisms of protein folding and unfolding. Our study resolves the apparent dichotomy between experimental and theoretical studies, and highlights the advantage of using a multipronged approach to reveal the complexities of a protein’s free-energy landscape.
Unconventional transformation of spin Dirac phase across a topological quantum phase transition
Authors: Xu Su-Yang , Neupane Madhab , Belopolski Ilya , Liu Chang , Alidoust Nasser , Bian Guang , Jia Shuang , Landolt Gabriel , Slomski Batosz , Dil J. Hugo , Shibayev Pavel P. , Basak Susmita , Chang Tay-Rong , Jeng Horng-Tay , Cava Robert J. , Lin Hsin , Bansil Arun , Hasan M. Zahid
Published: April 2015

The topology of a topological material can be encoded in its surface states. These surface states can only be removed by a bulk topological quantum phase transition into a trivial phase. Here we use photoemission spectroscopy to image the formation of protected surface states in a topological insulator as we chemically tune the system through a topological transition. Surprisingly, we discover an exotic spin-momentum locked, gapped surface state in the trivial phase that shares many important properties with the actual topological surface state in anticipation of the change of topology. Using a spin-resolved measurement, we show that apart from a surface bandgap these states develop spin textures similar to the topological surface states well before the transition. Our results offer a general paradigm for understanding how surface states in topological phases arise from a quantum phase transition and are suggestive for the future realization of Weyl arcs, condensed matter supersymmetry and other fascinating phenomena in the vicinity of a quantum criticality.
Alterations in Ovarian Cancer Cell Adhesion Drive Taxol Resistance by Increasing Microtubule Dynamics in a FAK-dependent Manner
Authors: McGrail Daniel J. , Khambhati Niti N. , Qi Mark X. , Patel Krishan S. , Ravikumar Nithin , Brandenburg Chandler P. , Dawson Michelle R.
Published: April 2015

Chemorefractory ovarian cancer patients show extremely poor prognosis. Microtubule-stabilizing Taxol (paclitaxel) is a first-line treatment against ovarian cancer. Despite the close interplay between microtubules and cell adhesion, it remains unknown if chemoresistance alters the way cells adhere to their extracellular environment, a process critical for cancer metastasis. To investigate this, we isolated Taxol-resistant populations of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell lines. Though Taxol-resistant cells neither effluxed more drug nor gained resistance to other chemotherapeutics, they did display increased microtubule dynamics. These changes in microtubule dynamics coincided with faster attachment rates and decreased adhesion strength, which correlated with increased surface β1-integrin expression and decreased focal adhesion formation, respectively. Adhesion strength correlated best with Taxol-sensitivity and was found to be independent of microtubule polymerization but dependent on focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which was up-regulated in Taxol-resistant cells. FAK inhibition also decreased microtubule dynamics to equal levels in both populations, indicating alterations in adhesive signaling are up-stream of microtubule dynamics. Taken together, this work demonstrates that Taxol-resistance dramatically alters how ovarian cancer cells adhere to their extracellular environment causing down-stream increases in microtubule dynamics, providing a therapeutic target that may improve prognosis by not only recovering drug sensitivity, but also decreasing metastasis.
Massively parallel multiplex DNA sequencing for specimen identification using an Illumina MiSeq platform
Authors: Shokralla Shadi , Porter Teresita M. , Gibson Joel F. , Dobosz Rafal , Janzen Daniel H. , Hallwachs Winnie , Golding G. Brian , Hajibabaei Mehrdad
Published: April 2015

Genetic information is a valuable component of biosystematics, especially specimen identification through the use of species-specific DNA barcodes. Although many genomics applications have shifted to High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS) or Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, sample identification (e.g., via DNA barcoding) is still most often done with Sanger sequencing. Here, we present a scalable double dual-indexing approach using an Illumina Miseq platform to sequence DNA barcode markers. We achieved 97.3% success by using half of an Illumina Miseq flowcell to obtain 658 base pairs of the cytochrome c oxidase I DNA barcode in 1,010 specimens from eleven orders of arthropods. Our approach recovers a greater proportion of DNA barcode sequences from individuals than does conventional Sanger sequencing, while at the same time reducing both per specimen costs and labor time by nearly 80%. In addition, the use of HTS allows the recovery of multiple sequences per specimen, for deeper analysis of genetic variation in target gene regions.
Slow magnetic relaxation in two-dimensional 3d–4f complexes based on phenyl pyrimidyl substituted nitronyl nitroxide radicals
Authors: Zhu Mei , Wang Juanjuan , Yang Meng , Ma Yue , Li Licun
Published: April 2015

Three isostructural two-dimensional nitronyl nitroxide bridged 3d–4f complexes have been achieved. The Tb complex shows field-induced two-step magnetic relaxation behavior.
High temperature X-ray diffraction and thermo-gravimetrical analysis of the cubic perovskite Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ under different atmospheres
Authors: Sahini M. G. , Tolchard J. R. , Wiik K. , Grande T.
Published: April 2015

Unit cell and non-stoichiometry of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ in O2, demonstrating oxidation followed by thermal reduction and formation of a hexagonal phase is reported.
A nanotubular framework with customized conductivity and porosity for efficient oxidation and reduction of water
Authors: Wu Jun , Zhu Lianwen , Deng Dan , Zhu Longfeng , Gu Li , Cao Xuebo
Published: April 2015

A quaternary inorganic nanotube framework delivering efficient electrocatalytic activities towards the two half reactions of water splitting was designed.
Metal assisted cyclodimerization of doubly N-confused dipyrrins into planar aza-heptalenes
Authors: Gadekar Santosh C. , Reddy Baddigam Kiran , Anand Venkataramanarao G.
Published: April 2015

Doubly N-confused dipyrrin undergoes intermolecular cyclodimerization with metal salts to form π extended planar aza-heptalenes.
A linear graphene edge nanoelectrode
Authors: Li Kai , Jiang Jingyun , Dong Zelin , Luo Hongxia , Qu Liangti
Published: April 2015

A nanometer-thick linear graphene edge nanoelectrode is constructed based on the edge plane of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) grown graphene, which shows much better electrochemical performance compared with traditional carbon fibre microelectrodes.
Synthesis of thiiranes by rhodium-catalyzed sulfur addition reaction to reactive alkenes
Authors: Arisawa Mieko , Ichikawa Takuya , Yamaguchi Masahiko
Published: April 2015

A rhodium complex derived from RhH(PPh3)4, dppe, and 4-ethynyltoluene catalyzes the addition reaction of sulfur to norbornenes giving the corresponding thiiranes under acetone reflux conditions. The rhodium complex effectively transfers a sulfur atom to the double bond from sulfur, and exo-adducts are obtained.
Incorporation of ammonium fluoride into clathrate hydrate lattices and its significance in inhibiting hydrate formation
Authors: Park Seongmin , Lim Dongwook , Seo Yongwon , Lee Huen
Published: April 2015

Ammonium fluoride incorporation induced structural modification showed a thermodynamic and kinetic inhibition effect of CH4 hydrate.
A systematic study of metal-supported boron nitride materials for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Koitz Ralph , Nørskov Jens K. , Studt Felix
Published: April 2015

The oxygen reduction reaction is studied on Ni-, Co- and Cu-supported boron nitride. The latter shows particular promise as a catalyst.
Correction: Molecular collisions coming into focus
Authors: Onvlee Jolijn , Vogels Sjoerd N. , von Zastrow Alexander , Parker David H. , van de Meerakker Sebastiaan Y. T.
Published: April 2015

Correction for ‘Molecular collisions coming into focus’ by Jolijn Onvlee et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 15768–15779.
Palladium N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed regioselective C–H halogenation of 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones using N-halosuccinimides (NXS)
Authors: Purohit Vishal B. , Karad Sharad C. , Patel Kirit H. , Raval Dipak K.
Published: April 2015

A novel palladiumN-heterocyclic carbene complex of vitamin B1was prepared and employed for regioselective C–H halogenation of 1-aryl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-ones usingN-halosuccinimides.
Two mononuclear single molecule magnets derived from dysprosium(iii) and tmphen (tmphen = 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)
Authors: Tong Yu-Zhang , Gao Chen , Wang Qing-Lun , Wang Bing-Wu , Gao Song , Cheng Peng , Liao Dai-Zheng
Published: April 2015

Two mononuclear Dy(iii) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetic properties indicate both complexes exhibit SMM behavior and complex 1 is a SMM displaying D2d geometry.
The contrarotational fluxionality of [3,3-(PMe2Ph)2-closo-3,1,2-PtC2B9H11] and related species
Authors: Kennedy Robert D. , Kennedy John D.
Published: April 2015

DFT calculations allied with experimental crystallographic and NMR results elucidate the energetics and the geometrical and 11B nuclear shielding changes in the contrarotational fluxionality of [3,3-(PMe2Ph)2-closo-3,1,2-PtC2B9H11] and confirm the incidence and identities of two stable rotational conformers.
Synthesis, characterization, and atropisomerism of iron complexes containing the tetrakis(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)porphyrinate ligand
Authors: Meininger Daniel J. , Muzquiz Nicanor , Arman Hadi D. , Tonzetich Zachary J.
Published: April 2015

The synthesis of iron complexes containing the 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)porphyrin ligand is presented and the factors surrounding the observed atropisomerism are investigated.
A simple and practical preparation of an efficient water soluble olefin metathesis catalyst
Authors: Wang Zhen J. , Jackson W. Roy , Robinson Andrea J.
Published: April 2015

A facile gram-scale preparation of a di-ammonium functionalised Ru-alkylidene complex which efficiently catalyses ring-closing metathesis and cross-metathesis reactions in water.
A new pathway towards polymer modified cellulose nanocrystals via a “grafting onto” process for drug delivery
Authors: Wang Hairong , He Jinlin , Zhang Mingzu , Tam Kam Chiu , Ni Peihong
Published: April 2015

Polyphosphoester modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) (CNC-g-PEEP) have been synthesized through a “grafting onto” process and used for pH-triggered delivery of doxorubicin.
Characterization and screening of tight binding inhibitors of xanthine oxidase: an on-flow assay
Authors: Rodrigues M. V. N. , Corrêa R. S. , Vanzolini K. L. , Santos D. S. , Batista A. A. , Cass Q. B.
Published: April 2015

On-flow characterization of tight binders of xanthine oxidase.
The energy band tailored by Al incorporation in solution-processed IZO TFTs
Authors: Gao Yana , Lu Jianguo , Zhang Jianhua , Li Xifeng
Published: April 2015

An intuitional measurement of energy band tailored aluminum indium zinc oxide (AIZO) work function and valance band energy level was conducted by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) along with the UV-visible spectroscopy analysis.
Improved performance of a junctionless tunnel field effect transistor with a Si and SiGe heterostructure for ultra low power applications
Authors: Asthana Pranav Kumar , Goswami Yogesh , Basak Shibir , Rahi Shiromani Balmukund , Ghosh Bahniman
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we present improved device characteristics of a Junctionless Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (JLTFET) with a Si and SiGe heterostructure.
Sweet potato-derived carbon nanoparticles as anode for lithium ion battery
Authors: Zheng Peng , Liu Ting , Zhang Jinzheng , Zhang Lifeng , Liu Yi , Huang Jianfeng , Guo Shouwu
Published: April 2015

Sweet potato is produced abundantly around the word and its derived nano-carbon delivers high capacity as anode for LIBs, which should satisfy the increasing need for anodes for LIBs.
Substituted group directed assembly of zinc coordination compounds based on bifunctional ligands, from mono, di to tristetrazole–carboxylate
Authors: Li Qiao Yun , Tian He , Li Xiu Yun , Zou Jian Hua , Mei Guo Dong , Qiu Li Jun , Wei Bo , Yang Gao Wen
Published: April 2015

Four new tetrazole–carboxylate ligands have been reacted with zinc salts, resulting in the formation of four compounds with enhanced luminescence properties and structures that are controlled by the number, different coordination modes and substitution of the ligands.
Fe3+-induced oxidation and coordination cross-linking in catechol–chitosan hydrogels under acidic pH conditions
Authors: Guo Zhongwei , Ni Kefeng , Wei Dongzhi , Ren Yuhong
Published: April 2015

Fe3+-induced oxidation and coordination cross-linking in catechol–chitosan (CCS) hydrogels under acidic pH conditions; EDTA was used to disintegrate the coordination cross-linking system.
Preparation and assembly of concave polymer microparticles
Authors: Wang Yali , Li Chengnian , He Xuehao , Zhu Jintao
Published: April 2015

A promising method that combined microfluidics, solvent evaporation and selective dissolution was proposed to prepare concaved polymer microparticles.
Highly efficient formaldehyde elimination over meso-structured M/CeO2 (M = Pd, Pt, Au and Ag) catalyst under ambient conditions
Authors: Li Gengnan , Li Liang
Published: April 2015

A series of mesoporous CeO2 supported noble metal (Pt, Pd, Au and Ag) catalysts, fabricated through a facial pyrolysis and in situ reduction protocol, were used for formaldehyde elimination under ambient conditions.
A bluish-green emitting organic compound methyl 3-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylidene]carbazate: spectroscopic, thermal, fluorescence, antimicrobial and molecular docking studies
Authors: Gomathi G. , Srinivasan T. , Velmurugan D. , Gopalakrishnan R.
Published: April 2015

The present paper describes the physicochemical properties and biological activities of a Schiff base compound which was grown by the slow evaporation solution growth technique.
Size-dependent ultrahigh electrocaloric effect near pseudo-first-order phase transition temperature in barium titanate nanoparticles
Authors: Wu Hong-Hui , Zhu Jiaming , Zhang Tong-Yi
Published: April 2015

The proposed Pseudo-First-Order Phase Transition in a ferroelectric nanoparticle occurs at a temperature lower than its paraelectric/ferroelectric transition Curie temperature and is associated with an ultrahigh electrocaloric effect.
Flower-like nickel oxide micro/nanostructures: synthesis and enhanced electrochromic properties
Authors: Zhao Congcong , Du Fanglin , Wang Jinmin
Published: April 2015

NiO micro/nanoflowers synthesized by hydrothermal treatment followed by calcination exhibit enhanced electrochromic properties.
Amide group-containing polar solvents as ligands for iron-catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Zhou Jun , Wang Jirong , Han Jianyu , He Dan , Yang Danfeng , Xue Zhigang , Liao Yonggui , Xie Xiaolin
Published: April 2015

Iron-catalyzed ATRP of MMA using polar solvents based on amide groups as ligands is reported.
Fast and selective determination of phenazopyridine at a novel multi-walled carbon nanotube modified ZnCrFeO4magnetic nanoparticle paste electrode
Authors: Taei M. , Hasanpour F. , Movahedi M. , Mohammadian Sh.
Published: April 2015

Fabrication process of MWCNTs/ZnCrFeO4modified carbon paste electrode for electrocatalytic determination of phenazopyridine at the surface (a) CPE, and (b) MWCNTs/ZnCrFeO4modified carbon paste electrode.
Recent advances in crosslinking chemistry of biomimetic poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels
Authors: Lin Chien-Chi
Published: April 2015

This article reviews recent advances in the crosslinking chemistries of biomimetic hydrogels prepared from PEG-based macromers.